M.P. Woodward makes his writing debut with The Handler, the first of two books to date in his Handler series. Woodward has also taken over the Jack Ryan Jr. series. His debut on that series being Shadow State. Woodward comes with a background in naval intelligence, and has two other books announced in the Jack Ryan Jr. series.

The Handler is an intense and fast-paced spy thriller. It follows Meredith Morris-Dale, a seasoned CIA agent who is unexpectedly called back into action after a botched operation. Her task is not a simple one: she must manage a disgraced former CIA agent, John Dale, who is also her ex-husband. This complex personal and professional dynamic adds depth to the narrative.

The plot centers around a mole embedded in Iran’s uranium enrichment program, who has been crucial in preventing Iran from developing nuclear capabilities by sabotaging their centrifuges. After a personal tragedy, the mole wishes to leave his dangerous post, triggering a high-stakes extraction mission. John Dale, who had a prior working relationship with the mole, is the only one the mole trusts to handle the extraction. This setup leads to a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse, with Meredith and John navigating bureaucratic hurdles, international tensions, and the ever-present threat of Russian operatives seeking to thwart their mission.

Woodward has crafted a story that feels both plausible and gripping. The level of detail is high and yet doesn’t hold back the pace. The characters are well-developed, especially Meredith and John, whose strained but complex relationship adds an emotional layer to the action. The idea of his ex-wife being his handler sounds like a nightmare for him and was a genius and original dynamic. As was having John Dale start off as a some sort of disgraced renegade on suspension.

The Handler kept me on the edge of my seat. It’s a strong entry into the spy thriller genre. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series, Dead Drop.