The Elimination Threat
July 14, 2021

Book Review

The Elimination Threat

reviewed by Pam Guynn

The Elimination Threat by Michael Laurence is a well-written, engrossing, and scary-to-think-about technothriller with a conspiracy angle, some science, and a dash of history. It is the third book in the Extinction Agenda series and picks up soon after the end of book two, The Annihilation Protocol.

FBI Special Agent James Mason is meeting with his partner Special Agent Jessica Layne, an old friend, Gunnar Backstrom who is a computer and hacking expert, and Ramses Donovan, owner of a private night club with a lot of international connections.

A syndicate known only as the Thirteen has been infiltrating governments and businesses for centuries. After narrowly preventing a major disaster in book two, Mason and his friends are now facing a mass murderer known as the Dragon. Facing a mysterious weapon and the additional threat of nuclear destruction, can the team make the necessary connections in time to prevent more deaths? Who are the Thirteen and will the team find them?

There wasn’t a lot of time to see the private side of Mason, but there were a few glimpses that added depth and warmth to his character. However, I would like a little more insight. The supporting characters were an odd assortment that enhanced the story line and the partnership with Layne added a needed dimension to the book. The unique personalities provided balance and interplay.

A very complex story line with several sub-plots kept me turning the pages. Enough was at stake to keep me engaged throughout the book. Depth in the science and financial part of the tale gives it extra realism. The world-building was absolutely fantastic and gave a clear sense of time and place. While the main mystery and issues were resolved in the book, there are several open threads for future books in the series. Will you be able to make the necessary connections to determine what is going on before Mason and his team?

Readers should be aware that there are also several detailed technical discussions of innovative weapons as well as financial and energy related topics and some very graphic, horrifying scenes. Additional themes include cults, revenge, family, friendship, international politics, and monetary policies.

Overall, the plot was chilling, dramatic, electrifying, and well-paced with lots of action and a twist at the end that I didn’t expect. I would recommend it to those that enjoy complex conspiracy-driven techno-thrillers. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Michael Laurence for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for August 24, 2021.

 

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