Stephen L. Bruneau’s new thriller, the fourth to feature protagonist Dimase Augustin, revolves around a potentially explosive government coverup.

Dimase – who over the course of the series has transitioned from homicide detective to top-secret government security contractor – finds an outing with his girlfriend interrupted by a call to action from the Federal Witness Protection Program. Two years ago (in a previous series entry), President Jonathan Peters and his wife were ostensibly killed when their helicopter exploded. In fact, their deaths were faked to save the country from scandal, and they have been living under new identities ever since. But now they have disappeared.

It doesn’t take Dimase long to realize that Chen Pi, the head of Chinese intelligence, is behind the kidnapping. As Dimase and his team race to rescue the former first couple, Pi and his henchmen work to brainwash Peters and force him to reveal his true identity, thus destroying the credibility of the United States.

Operation Resurrection is an undeniable page-turner. The action and intrigue are unrelenting, and readers will be eager to see just how Dimase foils Pi’s plot. While some elements feel a bit improbable (particularly the notion that the first couple’s deaths could have been so thoroughly covered up), this is hardly unusual for popular thrillers and unlikely to be a dealbreaker for the novel’s target audience.

On the other hand, more character development could enrich the book. Readers learn some facts about Dimase’s and other characters’ backgrounds, but not much about their emotional landscapes. As the novel’s page count is fairly slim, there’s room for character-building without major slowing of the story’s momentum.

Nonetheless, Operation Resurrection is a solid thriller. Although readers should probably begin with the first book in the series, this installment will likely delight fans of the genre.

Also available as an ebook.