Hidden Gems: Apple TV+ Series “Echo 3” is a Suspenseful Espionage Thriller

If there is one thing you can say about the Apple TV+ streaming service, it’s that the “iFruit” company doesn't make the same show twice. 

When Apple teased its initial original content offerings back in the first quarter of 2019, many assumed the breakthrough hits would be dramas like “The Morning Show” (which, in my opinion, has never quite lived up to its potential).

But dramas haven’t been the key hook. Apple TV+ has largely built its reputation on the feel-good comedy “Ted Lasso.” 

The service offers an eclectic mix of shows. A surprising number of the offerings are compelling (a solid foundation for a service featuring original content only). 

I just finished watching the military thriller “Echo 3” (which premiered Nov. 23, 2022) on Apple TV+, and I have some thoughts. 

“Echo 3” is centered around the kidnapping of Amber Chesborough (Jessica Ann Collins), a scientist who is researching psychedelics in the jungles of Colombia. 

As the show begins, we see Amber’s wedding to Sgt. Eric “Prince” Haas (Michiel Huisman), a Delta Force operator whose father (Bradley Whitford) owns a company that manufactures military arms and technology. 

We also meet Amber’s brother, Sgt. Alex “Bambi” Chesborough (Luke Evans). Bambi serves in the same Delta unit as Eric. 

Prior to Amber’s research trip to Colombia, her newly-minted husband places a tracking device in her backpack because he is worried about her safety. 

The seemingly innocuous move opens up the proverbial can of worms. When the research group is confronted in the jungle by local revolutionaries, the beacon is discovered. 

The revolutionaries are convinced that Amber works for the Central Intelligence Agency and believe that her innocent research trip is anything but. As a result of their suspicions, Amber is taken hostage. 

Her husband and brother do everything in their power to try and free her. What starts off as a relatively routine hostage negotiation soon devolves into a series of ill-fated rescue attempts — operations that have the potential to plunge South America into full-scale war. 

As the layers of the onion are peeled back, viewers learn that the kidnapping is part of a larger chess game being played by those in the highest corridors of power. 

Our heroes find themselves in a deadly game that leaves their fate in doubt. 

As it regards settings for geopolitical thrillers, Latin America is a fascinating theater.

I recently wrote a review of Steve Stratton’s drug war novel “Shadow Tier” (read my review). The events in that novel primarily take place in Mexico. 

Fans of this genre might also recall that the second season of Amazon’s “Jack Ryan” series (read my review) took place in Venezuela (a country that features prominently into the events of “Echo 3”). 

Yet the feel of “Echo 3” immediately brought to mind the 1993 action movie “Sniper.” That film’s sweaty jungle atmospherics and moody vibe made it one of my favorite action movies of the 1990s (I recall watching it at Omaha’s now-defunct Indian Hills Theater, and still marvel at how good a low-budget action movie can be with crisp writing and solid acting). 

Interestingly enough, one of the directors on “Echo 3” is Claudia Llosa, the niece of “Sniper” director Luis Llosa. 

What helps “Echo 3” transcend its screenplay are the performances (trust me, there are certain moments where the thick melodrama is a “hot mess”). 

Jessica Ann Collins is solid as the waifish Amber Chesborough. She’s one of those performers who can portray volumes of emotion with a single facial expression. 

I really bought into her character’s internal turmoil throughout the season’s 10-episode arc. 

I also liked Luke Evans as “Bambi.” The Welsh actor did a yeoman’s job playing a troubled — yet dedicated — special operator with a complicated past. 

“Bambi” has spent most of his life protecting his sister, and that dedication was evident during the course of events. 

The actor has appeared in the “Fast & Furious” franchise and played Gaston in Disney’s live-action version of “Beauty and the Beast.”

Less appealing was Dutch actor Michiel Huisman. “Game of Thrones” fans might recognize Huisman (who first appeared in the show’s fourth season). 

I didn’t mind his portrayal of “Prince” — the privileged son of a wealthy arms dealer. Be that as it may, the character’s development left something to be desired. “Prince” came across as something of an empty vessel during the show’s narrative arc. 

While that might have been by design, I didn’t find much to like about the character. There just wasn't a lot there. 

There are also a number of good supporting roles in “Echo 3.”

Martina Gusman’s role as Violeta Matiz — a political journalist — was particularly strong. 

I also enjoyed seeing Temuera Morrison (who currently plays Boba Fett in the “Star Wars” universe) featured in a bit part as an ex-New Zealand SAS operator. 

“Echo 3” is based on the Israeli series “When Heroes Fly” (which is based on a novel of the same name by Amir Gutfreund). 

The series was developed for Apple TV+ by Mark Boal. 

Boal is no stranger to this genre — something that is evident throughout “Echo 3.”

Boal is the writer/producer of films like “The Hurt Locker” and “Zero Dark Thirty.” He also co-wrote the Netflix film “Triple Frontier” (which could be a companion piece to “Echo 3”). 

If you’re wondering what the title “Echo 3” means, you aren’t alone. At no point in the show is the name explained. 

The Cinemaholic website had a piece trying to break down the title for fans. Below are some of their theories:

The word “echo” stands for “E” in the military alphabet. They suggest that title itself could be condensed down to “E3” — which (according to the article) could stand for E Squadron in the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) hierarchy. 

Overall, I found “Echo 3” to be an interesting diversion. I’ve read numerous military/espionage thrillers in my 51 years (it is my favorite genre), so this series was right up my alley. 

The moody tone of “Echo 3” might turn off some viewers, but it is worth your time. It isn’t perfect, but the capable performances elevate the series. 

“Echo 3” also features some terrific action set pieces. 

If you’re willing to be patient with “Echo 3,” it proves itself to be a solid and suspenseful military thriller. I really enjoyed it. 

>> If you enjoyed my review of “Echo 3,” follow me on X/Twitter — @TheJonCrunch 

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TV Review: Pratt’s Performance Elevates Visceral “The Terminal List”

By Jon Brooks

“This is Antoine Fuqua meets Alfred Hitchcock...” — Jack Carr recounting showrunner David DiGilio’s description of Amazon Prime Video’s “The Terminal List” 

In early 2018, I started seeing mention on Twitter of a new thriller novel titled “The Terminal List” by an author named Jack Carr (a former Navy SEAL). 

Many of the people I interact with on Twitter were looking forward to Carr’s debut novel. It sounded like something I would be interested in reading. I’ve long been a fan of the thriller genre, and the premise seemed intriguing. 

So I pre-ordered a copy and set my sights on reviewing it. 

When you start a blog — or any sort of creative pursuit — your main hope is that people will enjoy it. Throughout 363 posts (as of this writing), I'm primarily fueled by feedback and interest from readers. 

When I reviewed Carr's “The Terminal List,” I never imagined it would become my most viewed blog post. But as the years have progressed — and as Carr has built a legion of loyal followers — the review steadily rose and has become the top performing post on my blog (read my review). 

In my review, I described the novel as “a story that stings the throat and clears the sinuses — bold, brutal, and unwavering.” 

Carr does a terrific job marketing his books — and his love of pop culture is evident. I am the same age as the author, and grew up with many of the same influences.

My mom and dad took me to the theater to see most of the macho military action movies of that era. I fondly remember seeing movies like “Rambo: First Blood Part II,” “Commando,” “The Delta Force,” and “Invasion U.S.A.,” with my parents at our local multiplexes. 

I was also a fan of the TV series “Magnum, P.I.” as a kid, and remember watching it with my parents on Thursday nights (keen-eyed readers will find several references to the show in Carr’s work). 

My love of mystery and thriller novels began at a young age. I remember loving “The Hardy Boys” series during elementary school, reading WWII-related children’s books like Bernard Glemser’s “Radar Commandos,” and later developed a passion for "grown up thrillers" when a high school literature teacher gave our class the assignment of reading a Tom Clancy or Robert Ludlum novel (I chose Clancy’s “Patriot Games”). 

When news started percolating about a filmed adaptation of “The Terminal List,” I was curious to see how Hollywood would interpret Carr's well-drawn thriller. 

And, when it was announced that Chris Pratt would star in a series adaptation of the novel on Amazon Prime, my initial curiosity transformed into pure excitement. A multi-episode series would allow the filmmakers to dive into the story and explore the characters in a more significant manner. 

“The Terminal List” chronicles the exploits of Lieutenant Commander James Reece (Pratt) here on the home front in Coronando, California, after his SEAL team (operating out of Incirlik Air Base in Turkey) conducts an ill-fated mission in Syria (Operation Odin’s Sword) to eliminate a chemical weapons specialist known as “Chemical Kahani.”  

In the aftermath, Reece questions his recollection of the particulars that transpired during the covert mission, and starts to question his own judgment as the leader of Alpha Team. 

Moreover, when a surviving team member mysteriously dies stateside (of a suspected suicide), Reece believes the cause of death isn’t a cut-and-dry case. 

Is Reece paranoid, or is he on the right track? 

He worries that Kahani is targeting his men, but soon learns there is a greater conspiracy afoot — a conspiracy that puts our protagonist, his wife Lauren (Riley Keough), and daughter Lucy (Arlo Mertz) in extreme danger. 

With the help of intrepid reporter Katie Buranek (Constance Wu), Reece starts to put the pieces together. 

Things are not as they seem, and Reece soon finds himself in the center of a maelstrom that reaches the highest corridors of power. 

Somewhere, somehow, someone is going to pay. 

The eight-episode series manages to imbue the spirit of Carr’s novel, and Pratt (a surprisingly versatile actor) becomes the embodiment of Carr’s protagonist. 

As is the case with many page-to-screen adaptations, there are a number of differences between the book and the movie — far too many to highlight in this review. 

In general, I was fine with the changes made to the story and its various settings. Producer/director Antoine Fuqua (“Olympus Has Fallen,” “The Equalizer”) and showrunner David DiGilio (along with his writing team, who worked on much of the production via Zoom due to the pandemic) do a yeoman’s job navigating these intricacies, and create a compelling narrative for the screen. 

One interesting stylistic choice was the show’s moody production design. 

“The Terminal List” is a dark revenge tale. The production employed a dim, dreary, and desaturated color palette (and lighting scheme) to hammer that point home. 

Characters are often lit in shadow, giving things a “noirish” feel. Some viewers might question the aesthetic. Taken in total, I think the effect largely worked. 

There are also moments in the story where Reece questions his sanity — stylized flashback/hallucination/dream sequences are utilized and allow for additional nuggets in Reece’s backstory, giving the character more texture in the process. 

For me, the highlight episode of the season was the sixth, titled “Transience.” 

I won’t go into any specifics, but I found it to be an entertaining chapter. I’ll simply say that it had sequences that reminded me of the 1982 film “First Blood.”  

(By the way, if you haven’t listened to Jack Carr's podcast interview with “First Blood” scribe David Morrell, it is well worth your time!) 

There are also various “easter eggs” from the novels strewn throughout the eight episodes of “The Terminal List.”  

For example, @Marc_Harris3 on Twitter pointed out a shot in the series where a bottle of honey and a small box of half-and-half sits in front of Reece and his coffee mug: 

Small @TerminalListPV detail I haven't seen anybody talk about yet but is that Honey is see with his Coffee. 👀👀

What do you think @ThrillerPodcast pic.twitter.com/8PFyVJ3uTf

— Marc Harris (@Marc_Harris3) July 6, 2022

For those who haven’t read the books, Reece (and Jack Carr) prefers coffee with a little honey and half-and-half milk. 

Another detail from this book is the inclusion of Reece’s 1988 Toyota FJ62 Land Cruiser. In this video, Carr (a Land Cruiser aficionado) gives us a tour of the actual vehicle used in the series: 

Small details like that illustrate the care the filmmakers put into the series. 

In addition to Pratt — who gives his most nuanced performance to date — there are a number of notable performances in “The Terminal List.”  

In particular, some of the smaller roles stood out to me. 

I really enjoyed Tyner Rushing as pilot and former Army Aviation Branch Warrant Officer Liz Riley. While there wasn’t much meat to the role, the filmmakers did a solid job giving the character some nice morsels as they outlined her background and friendship with Reece. 

Former Navy SEAL Jared Shaw plays Special Warfare Operator First Class Ernest “Boozer” Vickers, a member of Reece’s team. Again, it wasn’t a big role, but the character is memorable. 

Shaw (who also serves as a technical advisor on the show) received a pre-release copy of “The Terminal List” back in 2017, and gave it to Chris Pratt (who optioned it soon thereafter). 

I also enjoyed seeing Jai Courtney in action as antagonist Steve Horn, head of Captstone Industries. He’s familiar with this territory, and I’ve enjoyed the actor’s work since his roles in “Jack Reacher” and “A Good Day to Die Hard.”  

There are also some small cameos of note in the series (including an entertaining appearance by Carr himself in the third episode). I enjoyed seeing former Navy SEAL Remi Adeleke make a brief appearance in “The Terminal List” as well.  

I first became familiar with Adeleke when Bridget ordered me one of his KEJO Wear t-shirts — a design we saw Neil Brown Jr. wearing on an episode of the CBS series “SEAL Team”: 

Overall, I had a good time watching Amazon’s adaptation of “The Terminal List.” The episodes move at a brisk pace, and Pratt’s performance elevates the narrative. 

As a longtime fan of this brand of thriller, I was heartened to see the care and craftsmanship that was put into the eight-episode season. 

There are so many wonderful print properties waiting to be developed. I hope the success of “The Terminal List” paves the way for more of these stories to make it to the screen. 

“The Terminal List” sets a new standard for thriller adaptations. Even if you haven't yet read Carr’s novels, I think you’ll find a lot to like in this series. 

If you want to learn more about “The Terminal List” on Amazon Prime Video, visit the show’s official website here. 

To learn more about author Jack Carr and his novels, visit his website at www.officialjackcarr.com. 

>> If you enjoyed my review of Chris Pratt’s “The Terminal List” series, please follow me on Twitter/X – @TheJonCrunch 

Related posts on Jack Carr: 

> Book Review: “Cry Havoc” By Jack Carr 

> Book Review: Jack Carr’s “The Devil’s Hand” is an Infectious Thriller 

> Book Review: “The Terminal List” By Jack Carr 

> Book Review: “True Believer” By Jack Carr 

> Book Review: Jack Carr’s “Savage Son” is a Modern Thriller With Retro Flair 

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Book Review: “State of the Union” By Brad Thor

“What if the Cold War didn’t end? What if we thought it had ended, 

but the Soviets were just playing possum?” 

President Jack Rutledge in “State of the Union” 

I own a lot of books. Some would say I own too many. 

But really, can you ever have too many books?

Over the years, I’ve collected book series with plans to one day finish them. Like many of you, I’ll discover a talented writer, read a book in his/her series, like it, and quickly gather the rest. I have shelves and totes holding full series that are waiting patiently to be read. 

At some point, you have to bite the bullet, set a deadline, and read all the books. 

A lot of the people I follow on Twitter are big fans of Brad Thor’s novels. They tweet glowing reviews, plan vacations around the release of his novels, and have an unabashed enthusiasm for the 19 thrillers he has written (as of this writing). 

I own all of his books, but really wanted to go back and “fill in the gaps” in order, from the beginning. 

A few years ago, I read his first novel “The Lions of Lucerne” in hopes of accomplishing this task — before I had this blog. Sadly, I didn't stick with the plan, and have fallen further behind. 

Thor’s next novel is titled “Near Dark” and will be released June 23, 2020. He unveiled the cover and title in January: 

I decided it was time to read — and review — the 14 novels I had yet to read before “Near Dark” is released. It gives me a firm deadline (which is helpful when “binge reading” books). 

First up on the docket is Thor’s third novel “State of the Union.” 

This time out, dependable operative Scot Harvath is investigating the disappearance of colleague, family friend, and mentor Gary Lawlor. 

Lawlor heads up an international branch of the Department of Homeland Security dubbed the Office of International Investigative Assistance (OIIA). Harvath works for the organization, and Lawlor’s sudden disappearance is cause for concern in President Jack Rutledge’s administration. 

For the uninitiated, Harvath is a former U.S. Freestyle Ski Team member who studied at USC (the university Thor attended), became a U.S. Navy SEAL (serving on two SEAL teams — including the “Polar SEALS”), and was later recruited by the Secret Service to improve White House operations and security. 

Readers discover in the opening pages of “State of the Union” that nefarious forces inside modern-day Russia are hatching a plan to bring the United States to its knees. 

Lawlor’s disappearance is tied to that plan — a deadly plot with origins in the Cold War. (We learn about a dormant program he was involved in called “Dark Knight” that appears to be related to his disappearance.)

The scheme is put into motion days before Rutledge’s State of the Union address. As a result, the president’s head is being held over a proverbial barrel, and demands are made regarding the content of his address to the nation. 

Harvath must race against the clock — traveling to Germany and points beyond — to learn the fate of Lawlor and thwart Russia’s plan. 

Despite the fact that “State of the Union” was published in 2004, there is something eerily topical about the storyline for today’s readers. 

Thor is adept at plotting and pacing. He sprinkles in various anecdotes and facts to add credibility to his narrative. 

For example, during sequences in Berlin, Thor includes something called “ghost stations” found in Berlin’s U-bahn metro rail system.

Those metro stations were split off during the Cold War (when the Soviet Union built the wall dividing Berlin).

“Because of a quirk in geography,” writes Thor, “two of the West Berlin lines needed to pass briefly through East Berlin before circling back around to the West. It was very strange. You could ride through East Berlin and see stations like this completely abandoned except for the stern-faced soldiers standing on the platforms with machine guns.” 

When I read that passage in the novel, I had to pull out my iPad Pro to do a bit of research. Sure enough, I found some interesting information about the “ghost stations.” 

It was neat to be able to learn about a piece of history I was unfamiliar with before reading the novel. 

Like a number of his contemporaries, Thor manages to throw in various “tools of the trade” to enhance the verisimilitude in his novels. 

Whether it is a mention of Harvath’s .40-caliber SIG Sauer P229 — or a description of a Mi-17-1V assault helicopter — Thor does a good job with the technical aspects of his stories. 

As it regards the Mi-17-1V, I looked it up online (I like to be able to picture the aircraft mentioned) and found out that the helicopter is based on an airframe built in the 1970s for the Mil Mi-8 “Hip.” 

It is one of two interesting helicopters featured in “State of the Union.”

When I was a kid, I enjoyed building model airplanes and developed a fascination for military aircraft. My parents bought me a copy of “Jane’s World Aircraft Recognition Manual” in 1982. So I pulled my well-worn copy off the shelf to see if I could find the Mi-8 helicopter. Sure enough, I did: 

“State of the Union” epitomizes what made the “early era” Brad Thor novels great. The first three entries in the Harvath series remind me a lot of Robert Ludlum during his prime. 

I should also point out that “State of the Union’s” geographic descriptions are top notch. That might have to do with Thor’s extensive knowledge of Europe developed during his time hosting the PBS series “Traveling Lite” (a show he created and produced).  

Next on the agenda is “Blowback.” I’ve read the first few chapters and I’m already intrigued. Stay tuned for my review!

If you’d like to learn more about the world of author Brad Thor, visit his website: www.bradthor.com. 

More blog content on Brad Thor: 

> Book Review: Brad Thor’s “Blowback” is full of Contagious International Intrigue 

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Book Review: ”The Stranger” By Harlan Coben

I was introduced to mystery writer Harlan Coben years ago when I read his breakout novel “Tell No One.” 

I mentioned my fondness for that book in a review I wrote about Coben’s 2018 Netflix series “Safe” (which is terrific — read my review). 

“Tell No One” (which, at the time, was a departure from Coben’s Myron Bolitar series) became the blueprint for the author’s string of successful “suburban thrillers.” 

Coben's protagonists aren’t secret agents or highly trained special forces operatives. Instead, his novels focus on regular, relatable people like you and me.  

His thrillers (other than the occasional entry in the Bolitar series) are standalone in nature. 

It’s nice knowing you don’t have to slog through two dozen novels to get caught up. You can read his novels in any order. 

I have all of Coben’s novels resting neatly on a bookshelf in our basement. I purchased half of the books in the collection. The rest were passed along to me when my mom died of gallbladder cancer in 2013.  

The author has been spending time the past few weeks tweeting about the series adaptation of his 2015 thriller “The Stranger” — set to drop on Netflix on Jan. 30, 2020. 

I decided I wanted to read “The Stranger” before watching the series so I could compare and contrast the two.

“The Stranger” tells the story of Adam Price. Price is lawyer who lives in Cedarfield, New Jersey, with his wife Corinne and their two sons, Ryan (a 6th grader) and Thomas (a high school sophomore). 

In the opening pages of the story, Price is attending the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade boys lacrosse draft (his son Ryan plays) at the American Legion Hall. A stranger (a man described as having piercing blue eyes) comes up to Adam at the bar and tells him that his wife faked her recent pregnancy. 

The stranger informs Adam that he didn’t have to stay with Corinne when she became pregnant — and that her subsequent miscarriage was all a ruse. 

“She lied to you, Adam,” the man says. “Corinne. She was never pregnant. It was all a ruse to get you back.” 

Adam is both stunned and incensed by the man’s pointed accusations. 

He questions the stranger’s veracity and brings up the fact that he saw a sonogram. The stranger replies, “if you really need proof, check your Visa card. Look for a charge to Novelty Funsy.” 

Before he leaves the Legion Hall, the stranger twists the dagger a little more. “If I were you,” he tells Adam, “I’d probably run DNA tests on your two boys.” 

It is a classic Coben setup — a family man living an idyllic suburban life getting thrust into a swirling conspiracy that is both chilling and instantly relatable. 

It's a deceptively simple “what if” concept. 

Coben’s strength as a mystery writer is the way he is able to pose a question — a question that throws the protagonist’s life into turmoil — then spend a few hundred pages peeling back the layers as the characters work to find the answer. 

He is adept at seasoning his novels with the right dose of “MacGuffins” and “red herrings” to keep you guessing — without making the wait frustrating. 

I devoured “The Stranger” in fairly short order. The story weaves in a number of interesting characters, and has you on edge until the somber and satisfying conclusion. 

In addition to the thrilling twists Coben is known for, the author also does a nice job exploring Adam’s relationship with his two sons. 

It’s the small moments that make the story feel real... like a scene where Adam is trying to figure out what kind of pizza to order his sons for dinner — one wants pepperoni, the other wants buffalo chicken. So he tells them he’ll order the pizza half-and-half. 

Both boys worry they won’t have enough to eat, so Adam adds an order of mozzarella sticks and informs his son Ryan there are Chipwiches in the freezer for dessert.

While it might seem like an innocuous part of the plot, the interaction illustrates how much Adam (who is fairly distraught at that point in the story) cares about his sons.  

I mentioned earlier that “The Stranger” has been made into a limited series for Netflix. 

When it comes to filmed versions of Coben’s novels, the author has found a receptive audience overseas. “Tell No One” was made into a theatrical movie in 2006 by a French filmmaker. It was nominated for — and won — several Cesar Awards (France’s equivalent of the Oscars). 

“The Stranger” spans eight episodes and was filmed in Great Britain (where two other Coben series — “Safe” and “The Five” — were filmed). 

The book took place primarily in New Jersey. I look forward to seeing if a different locale brings any unique plot dynamics Netflix’s adaptation of “The Stranger.” 

Here is the trailer for the series:

While I’m sure there will be a number of creative departures from Coben’s novel, the Netflix series looks terrific. I can’t wait to watch it. Once I do, I’ll have a review. 

If you haven’t had the opportunity to read Harlan Coben’s thrillers, I would encourage you to give novels a try. 

“The Stranger” might be a good place to start. It embodies all the elements that make Coben’s stand alone thrillers so compelling. Plus, you can check out the new Netflix series after you’re finished with the book. 

>> If you enjoyed my review of “The Stranger” by Harlan Coben, follow me on X/Twitter for more great content — @thejoncrunch 

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Book Review: Chris Hauty’s Thriller “Deep State” Left Me Speechless

Each year, I read a healthy number of political/espionage thrillers. 

It is my favorite genre, and I’ve reviewed a number of thrillers since I started this blog in 2016. 

Having consumed the genre for more than 30 years now (after my sophomore English teacher gave our class the assignment of reading and reviewing a Tom Clancy or Robert Ludlum novel in the waning days of spring semester in 1989), I sometimes find the genre lacking in fresh surprises.

Chris Hauty’s debut thriller “Deep State” left me speechless as the pages dwindled away in the “Advance Reader’s Edition” supplied by Atria Books. 

A stunning twist caused me to hop off the couch, run into the other room, and express my disbelief to my wife Bridget. She hasn’t read the novel yet, so I had to be all cryptic and vague about it. 

“Deep State” follows the exploits of Hayley Chill. She’s a West Virginia native, oldest of six siblings, and serves in the military at Fort Hood. 

As the novel begins, Chill is preparing for a bout in the boxing ring against Marcela Rivas — in a match to determine the welterweight champion of the Sixth Army. 

It’s a gripping way for Hauty to start his novel — using a situation that builds character with minimal exposition. His descriptions of jabs and hooks makes the story feel immersive from the opening stanza. 

In my research for this review, I learned that Hauty — a screenwriter by trade — penned screenplays for a trio of movies under the “Never Back Down” moniker, focusing on underground fight clubs. So he has familiarity with the territory. 

The story then shifts ahead 15 months, and finds Hayley Chill starting work as an intern in the White House — older than her peers, and lacking the Ivy League pedigree. 

There’s a compelling “fish out of water” tension Chill faces in these early scenes as she acclimates to White House politics. In a way, it kind of reminded me of the conflict/hazing Elle Woods faced when dealing with her Harvard Law School classmates in “Legally Blonde.”

Hayley uses her photographic memory (cultivated in grade school) and frank nature to earn the respect of White House Chief of Staff Peter Hall. President Richard Monroe also admires Chill’s demeanor — the intern's working class background epitomizes the Monroe voter. 

“Deep State” kicks into gear when Peter Hall is found dead in his home on Kalorama Road. The events surrounding his mysterious death set into motion a conspiracy with tentacles reaching into various Washington, D.C. institutions. 

It is up to our intrepid intern to connect the dots as she navigates the corridors of power in the nation’s capital. 

You’ll see a number of “ripped from the headlines” themes throughout “Deep State” — the topical undercurrent will have you questioning the political culture we find ourselves in today. 

I’m not going to go any further because I don’t want to spoil the novel for you. 

Chill is an intriguing hero. The best way to draw a protagonist is through action — as opposed to an “info dump” in the story. We certainly have the opportunity to see her in action as the events of “Deep State” unfold. 

She is a mix of Darby Shaw in John Grisham’s “The Pelican Brief” and Sydney Bristow in the television series “Alias.” 

Speaking of “Alias,” this is the sort of role you could have seen Jennifer Garner (who grew up in West Virginia) playing during her younger days. 

Those who have read my reviews in the past know how much I like the little details authors sprinkle into their novels. 

Hauty has descriptions of grilled cheese sandwiches (from Navy Mess chef Leon Washington) that’ll make your mouth water. 

There is also a recurring motif involving Chill gripping a stone in her palm that adds depth and dimension to the character. 

One of the more unique aspects of “Deep State” — in terms of writing mechanics — is that the story is structured in the “third person, present tense” voice (and includes a fair amount of foreshadowing for secondary characters). 

It’s not something I’ve typically seen in these sorts of novels (most thrillers I read stick with the “third person, past tense” voice). I have seen the present tense voice used in a number of YA novels I’ve read, and always think how challenging it would be to craft a story in that style. 

(A cursory Google search suggests that “third person, present tense” is used in screenwriting, so it seems apropos for Hauty to employ it in “Deep State.”)

“Deep State” is a terrific entry in the thriller game — featuring a feisty new protagonist in Hayley Chill. With a hair-raising twist in the final pages, Hauty proves a capable craftsman who will have readers thirsting for more. 

“Deep State” will be released by Emily Bestler Books/Atria Books on Jan. 7, 2020. Pre-order your copy here. 

You can learn more about Chris Hauty and his novel “Deep State” at www.chrishauty.com. 

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