John Brownlow is a filmmaker, screenwriter and novelist. Among other things, he wrote the film SYLVIA about Sylvia Plath, starring Gwynneth Paltrow and Daniel Craig. He also wrote the TV series FLEMING, about Ian Fleming’s work in wartime intelligence. And now he’s produced two novels in the Agent Seventeen series, the first being Agent Seventeen:

You’ll never know my name. But you won’t forget my number.

Behind the events you know are the killers you don’t. When diplomacy fails, we’re the ones who gear up. Officially we don’t exist, but every government in the world uses our services. We’ve been saving the world, and your ass, for one hundred years. Sixteen people have done this job before me. I am Seventeen. The most feared assassin in the world. But to be the best, you must beat the best. My next target is Sixteen, just as one day Eighteen will hunt me down. It’s a dog-eat-dog world and it gets lonely at the top. Nobody gets to stay for long. But while we’re here, all that matters is that we win.

I received this book as a Christmas gift from my son because, in his words, “you really like those spy books”. And yes I do. It seems my eleven-year-old son is a good judge of what I like because I fell quickly into this one, demolishing it in two sittings. There were a few things that surprised me. John Brownlow is not from the Ryanverse stable of authors, or in anyway related to the Ryanverse, but the book just clicked with me. Also surprising to me was that I enjoyed it despite it being written in first person present tense. Usually, that is an immediate no for me. First person present is like nails down a chalkboard for me, usually. Here, not at all. The writing was so good that I barely noticed it. I was just so absorbed. It was punchy and engaging.

Chapters flew by and it only got better and better. The main character, Seventeen, was authentic. His narration was sharp and witty, topped off with plenty of sarcasm. I found this style reminiscent of Andy Weir’s writing. Seventeen felt like a cocky younger brother to Mark Greaney‘s Grey Man. But wasn’t just the main character, all the characters were original and believable.

They story itself was solid. I was surprised again that I was able to so easily enjoy several stories woven together, including an origins story for Seventeen. Brownlow clearly knows how to bring it all together without overloading or confusing the reader. Honestly, he’s done a fantastic job with this book. The pace, the action, characters, plot, and intrigue are all top notch. A truly superb read.

I will definitely be finding the time to read the next book in the series, Assassin Eighteen.