After seven novels, a novella, and several shorts stories, readers have learned much about the world that “cleaner” Jonathan Quinn and his associates inhabit. Thus it took a fair amount of skill for author Brett Battles to craft a story that felt both fresh and which left the reader wondering what precisely was at the heart of the story’s mystery. The introduction of a new character (seen briefly in a previous story) also helped to further flesh out the backgrounds of some of the characters. In many ways, this book was perhaps even more character-focused than others in the series (though there was plenty of action), because so many of the most memorable moments dealt with the interactions and relationships of the characters to one another (and their profession). One particular moment involved a conversation between two characters, one teasing another about his love life. The conversation struck a chord because it just felt so … real … or maybe, right for who those characters are. Perhaps the best way to say it would be that Battles has done such a good job of bringing his characters to life that the long-time reader will likely feel almost a part of their group and will nod their head in agreement as a character does or say something, perhaps unexpected, but absolutely consistent with what we’ve learned of that character’s persona. I also really enjoy the “world” that Battles has created; the way in which the espionage world is treated, in many ways, like a business, with internal rules and rivalries not terribly dissimilar from what you might expect to see with Apple and Google, for example (only with guns). And (slight spoiler alert) I have to give Battles credit for keeping this story limited it its scope; not every thriller needs to be about saving the world from the next terrorist attack or preventing the next war. The Discarded was yet another great entry in the Jonathan Quinn series (but absolutely do not read the books out of order). ( )