Directive One

“I found Directive One by Scott Shinberg to be a very slick and professionally-crafted read, which made it very evident that it was based on well-grounded knowledge of the intelligence aspects covered. The characters were rich and unique in their own special ways, with all of them demonstrating a depth that made them real. Michelle being in a relationship with Dr. Steven Krauss, who also worked for the CIA, set up an interesting dynamic in that Steven was probably senior to Michelle, whilst her work seemed to be more secretive in its nature. The interplay between Michelle and the Director was another important ingredient, with a similar inverse dynamic placing their relationship into unknown territory. This is one book you won’t want to put down until you read the last word.”

“Author Scott Shinberg presents an excellent addition to the action and military genres along the lines of those who enjoy Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, and Andy McNab, but with a distinct twist in the central figure of a powerful and capable heroine. Michelle Reagan is a powerhouse of a woman who still retains a truly feminine narrative quality, without pandering to any particular trope of the genre. With this core strength, the novel takes shape in both the plot and the atmosphere around her. The elite soldiers and operatives of the team are well-drawn characters with realistic behavior and dialogue, which adds to the heart-in-mouth feel of the action, as though we are rooting for real people when we read about them. When this is coupled with the tense descriptive power of the action scenes, it results in a well-paced thriller not to be missed. Overall, Directive One is a highly recommended read for thriller and spy novel fans everywhere.”