A review by bairdy1985
The Enemy Within by Rob Sinclair

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 
We are back with James Ryker…. for his 13th adventure! 13 is unlucky for some but not Rob Sinclair!

The Enemy Within jumps from past to present and allows the reader the chance to get to know Gregor Rebrov.

Gregor hasn’t had a great upbringing, and he’s again got himself in trouble.

Ryker is approached one day and informed of Gregor’s plight…Ryker has history with Gregor and his parents from a past mission so sets out to find him.

Of course it’s not going to be as simple as that in Ryker’s world. Firstly who were these two who informed Ryker.. and how do they know so much about him? Something doesn’t smell right.

Looking at the past we learn not only of the fate of Gregor and his family but also Ryker himself. We see how the job has changed him and also a little bit more about Ryker’s history with those who pull his strings, Mackie and Winter.

Back in the present we now understand why Ryker wants to help Gregor.. he owes him.. owes his mother.. Ryker isn’t the same man he was.. still as deadly but the toll of the job has really changed him. Is this Ryker’s chance at a little redemption?

What Rob Sinclair has done wonderfully is weave a fresh story for Ryker but at the same time added character development.. you’d think by now we would know what makes Ryker tick, but he never ceases to amaze me. Ryker has his flaws, but it’s these flaws that have made him the man he is.

Events have also changed Gregor and Ryker has to try and figure out if any of the boy he knew still remains.. it’s as he gets to know him that we finally understand Gregor’s own motivations.. the devastation that has brought him to where they are now..it’s a horrific and brutal punch that even rocks Ryker.

The setting was very poignant too as the author explores the war between Ukraine and Russia, it just makes those poignant moments all the more real.

The Enemy Within is packed full of action, political intrigue, betrayal and blood with a healthy dose of character development. For me it was all about the motivations…the depth and emotion.. Simply wow!