Review of Devil in False Colors
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Shelly Taylor 1
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- Latest Review: Devil in False Colors by Jack Winnick
Review of Devil in False Colors
[Following is a volunteer review of "Devil in False Colors" by Jack Winnick.]
Devil in False Colors is a gripping political thriller that delivers nonstop action and suspense. The story follows FBI agent Lara Edmond and Israeli Mossad assassin Uri Levin as they investigate a horrific attack on a Jewish school in California. As more vicious incidents unfold, the pair must go undercover to prevent further tragedy. Lara and Uri, already romantically linked from previous collaborations, are reunited under deadly circumstances to stop a wave of terrorism.
The author crafts a storyline so topical that it could be ripped straight from today’s headlines. The tension is palpable, the action relentless, and the depiction of extremist organizations, cultural dynamics, and historical reference points ring true. Real-world events involving extremist groups are woven seamlessly into the narrative, lending the plot remarkable plausibility.
I chose this book because it’s the third installment in a series featuring married special agents Lara and Uri, whose missions always intersect national security and personal stakes. Fortunately, this installment stands well on its own—you don’t need to have read the first two to fully engage with the characters or the plot.
I enjoyed the fast pace and the thriller elements, but docked two stars for these reasons:
1. Lara Edmond feels sidelined. Despite being a main protagonist, she only appears prominently at the beginning and in the climax, with minimal presence in between. This underutilization made her character feel underdeveloped—costing one star.
2. Heavy contextual detail impedes flow. While I appreciated the thoughtful treatment of religious and anti-religious ideologies—Hamas, DAESH, masjid, Sunni, caliphate, Zionist, Purim, etc.—I found myself pausing to look up terms and background information. The explanations, though well-researched, disrupted the narrative momentum—another star lost.
Overall, I found the book to be solid but just average for me. Though I appreciate a well-researched thriller, the dense political and religious elements were more than I expected, especially considering this was my first deep dive into terrorism-focused fiction. The prose was clean and well-edited—only a few spelling errors slipped through—and the modest treatment of intimate scenes was refreshing.
Who should read this? Fans of layered political thrillers with deep cultural and historical insight will appreciate this book’s depth. If, however, you’re after a lighter thriller, this might feel a bit heavy.
******
Devil in False Colors
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Devil in False Colors is a gripping political thriller that delivers nonstop action and suspense. The story follows FBI agent Lara Edmond and Israeli Mossad assassin Uri Levin as they investigate a horrific attack on a Jewish school in California. As more vicious incidents unfold, the pair must go undercover to prevent further tragedy. Lara and Uri, already romantically linked from previous collaborations, are reunited under deadly circumstances to stop a wave of terrorism.
The author crafts a storyline so topical that it could be ripped straight from today’s headlines. The tension is palpable, the action relentless, and the depiction of extremist organizations, cultural dynamics, and historical reference points ring true. Real-world events involving extremist groups are woven seamlessly into the narrative, lending the plot remarkable plausibility.
I chose this book because it’s the third installment in a series featuring married special agents Lara and Uri, whose missions always intersect national security and personal stakes. Fortunately, this installment stands well on its own—you don’t need to have read the first two to fully engage with the characters or the plot.
I enjoyed the fast pace and the thriller elements, but docked two stars for these reasons:
1. Lara Edmond feels sidelined. Despite being a main protagonist, she only appears prominently at the beginning and in the climax, with minimal presence in between. This underutilization made her character feel underdeveloped—costing one star.
2. Heavy contextual detail impedes flow. While I appreciated the thoughtful treatment of religious and anti-religious ideologies—Hamas, DAESH, masjid, Sunni, caliphate, Zionist, Purim, etc.—I found myself pausing to look up terms and background information. The explanations, though well-researched, disrupted the narrative momentum—another star lost.
Overall, I found the book to be solid but just average for me. Though I appreciate a well-researched thriller, the dense political and religious elements were more than I expected, especially considering this was my first deep dive into terrorism-focused fiction. The prose was clean and well-edited—only a few spelling errors slipped through—and the modest treatment of intimate scenes was refreshing.
Who should read this? Fans of layered political thrillers with deep cultural and historical insight will appreciate this book’s depth. If, however, you’re after a lighter thriller, this might feel a bit heavy.
******
Devil in False Colors
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Devil in False Colors by Jack Winnick
