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Beside the Syrian Sea by James Wolff

Jonas works for the UK secret service as an intelligence analyst. When his father is kidnapped and held for ransom by ISIS gunmen in Syria, he takes matters into his own hands and begins to steal the only currency he has access to: secret government intelligence. He heads to Beirut with a haul of the most sensitive documents imaginable and recruits an unlikely ally – an alcoholic Swiss priest named Father Tobias. Despite barely surviving his previous contact with ISIS, Tobias agrees to travel into the heart of the Islamic State and inform the kidnappers that Jonas is willing to negotiate for his father’s life. When the British and American governments realise they may be dealing with betrayal on a scale far greater than that of Edward Snowden, they try everything in their power to stop Jonas, and he finds himself tested to the limit as he fights to keep the negotiations alive and play his enemies off against each other. As the book races towards a thrilling confrontation in the Syrian desert, Jonas will have to decide how far he is willing to go to see his father again.

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Author’s Bio

James Wolff grew up in the Middle East and now lives in London. He has worked for the British government for the past ten years. Beside the Syrian Sea is his first novel.

My Review

4 stars

Jonas is a British intelligence officer located. He learns that his father has been kidnapped by ISIS and tries to get the British government to help with the ransom. But the British government doesn’t negotiate. Deciding to take matters into his own hands, Jonas seals secrets and heads to Beirut to get his father back. He realizes his limitations and asks Gather Tobias, a drunken Swiss priest to help with the negotiations.

What follows is a race against time as Jonas tries to get his father back. The government knows he stole secrets and is trying to catch him. Jonas has to stay one step ahead of the government and ISIS to try and play them off each other. But it’s going to be close to save his father.

This is a great, action filled story. Jonas is not your typical hero. He is more soft spoken and very introverted. But when it comes to saving his father, he is willing to do whatever it takes, even stealing from his own government.

For a first book, James Wolff has a great read. I’m and curious to see what he comes up with for his next book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

I would like to thank Bitter Lemon Press for the opportunity to read and share this book.