Edge by Jeffrey Deaver

Although a well-established star of the literary world with his Lincoln Rhyme and Kathryn Dance series, Jeffery Deaver is about to take that notoriety and multiply it tenfold with the publication of “Carte Blanche” at the back end of May – the new James Bond novel – set in part in Dubai. Fans of the infamous British spy will no doubt be salivating at the promise of another adventure taking in a variety of exotic locations around the globe – oh and the Bentley is back!

Having never had the opportunity to read a Jeffery Deaver novel, and with Bond in mind, I was keen to take a look at his writing style and see for myself why the Fleming estate asked him to write the novel.

When Washington D.C. police detective Ryan Kessler is targeted by Henry Loving, he and his family are immediately put under government protection. Loving is a ruthless “lifter”, hired to extract information from his victims, and he will use whatever means necessary including kidnapping, torturing or killing their family.

Assigned to the Kesslers is protection officer Corte: uncompromising, relentlessly devoted to protecting those in his care and a brilliant game strategist. He also knows just how brutal the lifter can be – six years earlier, Loving killed someone close to him. As tension increases between the family, the situation escalates into a deadly contest between protector and lifter as each tries to outwit the other. And as the lifter closes in on his prey, Corte must decide whether to protect his charges, or expose them to a killer in the name of personal revenge . . .

A standalone novel “Edge” often reminded me of John Gilstrap’s Jonathan Grave character (No Mercy) who, working covertly as a freelance specialist, secured individuals and kept them safe from those out to hurt and maim.

Edge is available to buy from Amazon in the UK and Amazon in the US.

Highly character driven, “Edge” is a thrilling game of cat and mouse between two individuals, both hell-bent on succeeding – both are on very different missions. Told in the first person narrative throughout, the book follows Corte as he struggles to protect the Kessler family against a barrage of attacks from Henry Jonathan Loving and his accomplice – a notorious hired lifter, disturbingly moreish, who will stop at nothing to extract the required information.

The protagonist, Officer Corte, compares his life to that of an airline pilot, dull routine 99 per cent of the time but the remaining one per cent – high octane adrenalin – a glorified babysitter; with a gun! He is a very likeable character and given that “Edge” is a standalone offering I was hoping he wouldn’t prove to be – I didn’t want to reach the end of the book and want to know more – but I did!

“Keeping people safe is a business, like any other. You ask yourself, What’s my goal and what’s the most efficient way to go about achieving it? If that means you beg, you beg. Grovel, you grovel. If that means you bust heads, get out the brass knuckles. Cry if you need to. A shepherd doesn’t exist outside the context of his mission”

Carte Blanche

Officer Corte – don’t, whatever you do, call him Agent – is an incredibly well written character, highly intelligent he plans ahead utilising government resources, often working outside his remit to secure the safety of his charges. Corte, a protégé of Abraham Fallow, is desperate to avenge his former boss and when he comes up against Loving his judgement can be clouded – is he doing the job to protect the family or gain closure on Fallow’s death.

The narrative is sharp and flows well, Deaver offering a suitable number of red herrings along the way to confuse the reader in a well thought out and presented adventure. As you would expect, the twists and turns are there right up until its dénouement. Some were easier to spot than others but the ones that really mattered were well crafted and shrewdly delivered.

“Edge” is a temerarious thriller. I struggled to put it down. The numerous narrative gear changes allowing the story to flow and develop naturally, never forced or rushed. Highly intelligent and compelling “Edge” is a wonderful standalone novel from American born Deaver.  Bring on Bond, your future is safe – Deaver really does have Carte Blanche!

Published by Hodder & Stoughton, Edge is available to buy from Amazon in the UK and Amazon in the US.