Jack Stewart doesn’t just take the torch; he straps it to a flamethrower and lights a firestorm with it. By sidelining the franchise legend in Direct Action to forge a new hero in the fire of domestic combat, Stewart proves not only does he have balls to rival Charley Castillo’s, but that the Presidential Agent series has plenty of fight left in it.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Let’s be honest: taking over a legacy series is hard. Taking over a series and shooting the main character in the opening act? That takes serious stones.

In Direct Action, Stewart makes the definitive choice to put Charley Castillo in the ICU following a brutal attack in Virginia Beach. It’s a risky move, but it pays off. By removing the safety net, Stewart forces Pick McCoy to step out of the sidekick role and earn the title of Presidential Agent the hard way.

While Pick steps up admirably, long-time fans will be holding their breath for Castillo. The hope is that this isn’t a retirement party, but a transition. Castillo’s days of door-kicking might be winding down, but his mind is too valuable to lose. Seeing him transition into a strategic mastermind role, much like the mentors who came before him, would be the perfect evolution for the next book.

The thriller genre loves a Middle Eastern excursion, but Direct Action thrives because it brings the war home. From the boardwalks of Virginia Beach to the hallowed grounds of the Alamo and the docks of Annapolis, the threat feels immediate and terrifyingly real.

The plot feels tightest when it stays on US soil or just across the border. The pacing is relentless, until we take a detour to Vienna. While necessary for the tradecraft plot (and reconnecting with a certain Russian legacy character), the European jaunt felt like a drift in an otherwise tight narrative. The tension snapped back the moment boots hit the ground in Laredo, proving that Stewart’s strength lies in the kinetic, high-tension danger of the here and now.

The transition from a faceless terror cell to a personal vendetta was masterfully handled. Revealing the antagonist as Javier “Javi” Santiago, Pick’s former Naval Academy roommate, added a layer of emotional grit often missing in procedural thrillers. This wasn’t just about national security, it was about betrayal. Javi is a dark reflection of Pick. While Pick chose honor, Javi chose revenge.

The final link between Javi’s plot and the President’s son was an additional complexity that I wasn’t so sure about, however, it allowed for a cinematic, intense climax on the Severn River that was impossible to put down. Here, Stewart was in his element.

Stewart honors the Griffin lore by bringing back the soap opera of interconnected military families. The reveal of Randy Richardson as Castillo’s son adds a great dynamic to the team, and seeing the return of Aleksandr Pevsner and Svetlana bridges the gap between the old guard and the new.

The team is really filling out now. In the previous book, Rogue Asset, Junior felt a bit like a magic wand, solving problems too easily. Stewart balanced that so much better here, spreading the workload across new characters. Stewart has done the work to setup future books with a cast, who will serve them well if everyone’s lanes get a little more definition to avoid overcrowding.

It’s worth mentioning that the female characters here are formidable. Svetlana has a terrifying edge, and Hannah Rosen is far from a damsel in distress, she’s a capable Naval officer who holds her own. The chemistry between her and Pick roots the chaos in something real.

Direct Action is a baptism of fire for Pick McCoy. Stewart excels at writing action sequences that feel tactical and visceral. If Stewart stays on writing the series, keeps that tension rolling, and fully settles the team dynamics, the Presidential Agent series holds a lot of promise. If someone else takes the helm, Stewart has put them in the best possible position.

Direct Action is available December 15, 2025. You can pre-order now.

Interested in the plausibility of the Presidential Agent program? Read my deep dive: The Reality of the “Finding” in Direct Action: Can the President Really Create a Private Spy Agency?

Read my breakdown of Jack Stewart’s appearance on The poisoned Pen: SITREP: Jack Stewart Declassified at The Poisoned Pen