R. Lance Hill

Within the framework of a thriller, this book is actually an erudite discussion of governments that countenance torture, and the bland sociopaths that perform torture.

The thriller portion is quite workmanlike, with hanging-by-the-fingernails suspense and action sequences.

The characters are not cardboard cutouts, but complex and nuanced.

The writing is better than average, compulsively readable with no glaring clunkers to snap you out of your fictional world.

A really top-notch thriller. The plot is taut and fast-paced and the characters interesting.

Avoid the movie like the plague.