Do you enjoy reading books set in cities you've visited? I do, especially when the author mentions places/landmarks I've been to myself. I spent a week in Washington, D.C., the setting of End Game, last spring, and I loved finding places I recognized in the book!
When elite members of the military are murdered on the streets of Washington, DC, FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini must work together to bring the perpetrator to justice. Unfortunately, all evidence points to a Navy SEAL sniper whom Bailey refuses to believe is guilty.
When Bailey and Marco start to connect the dots between the victims, including a link to a powerful defense contractor, they wonder if there's a deeper cover-up at play. Then Bailey is targeted, and it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep their dark secrets.
With the stakes getting higher by the moment in a twisted conspiracy, there's a rush against the clock to determine whom they can really trust. As allies turn to enemies, the biggest secret yet to be uncovered could be the end of all of them.
Sometimes, a reader doesn't connect with an author's writing style. It's not the reader's fault, and it's not the author's fault...it just IS. And that's what's happened here. The way that Dylan writes just didn't connect with me. I found myself rewriting sentences in my head, rather than becoming immersed in the story. (And at one point, I caught myself counting the number of times "had" appeared on a page ... so, yeah, you could say I wasn't completely engaged in the story 🤣)
Certain aspects of the story bothered me, as well, and I'm sure these things seem more glaring simply because I wasn't immersed in the novel. The romance between Bailey and Marco moved very quickly, even though I didn't really sense any chemistry between the two. And I struggled to keep all of the characters straight, as the story was told from multiple perspectives. As I look back after having finished the novel, I'm still not sure who one of the "bad guys" was. I remember his name, but who was he/how was he connected to the others? (Yes, I could go back and figure it out, but I don't care enough to do that ...)
All that being said, I actually loved the plot! It kind of felt like an episode of NCIS with all of the NCIS agents, FBI agents, CIA operatives, and JAG lawyers running around. I thought the murder mystery/massive conspiracy aspect of the novel was done so well, and I loved seeing what unfolded.
So while this novel ultimately wasn't my cup of tea, as I couldn't get past my previously mentioned issues, I would recommend it to fans of NCIS, JAG, and the like. 3 stars.
Buy the book. (affiliate link)
Read my review of Dylan's Lone Witness (4 stars).
Rachel Dylan is an award-winning and bestselling author of legal thrillers and romantic suspense. Rachel has practiced law for over a decade including being a litigator at one of the nation's top law firms. The Atlanta Justice Series features strong, female attorneys in Atlanta. Deadly Proof, the first book in the ATLANTA JUSTICE series, is a CBA bestseller, an FHL Reader's Choice Award winner, a Daphne du Maurier Finalist, and a Holt Medallion Finalist. Lone Witness is the winner of a Holt Medallion, the Maggie Award, and is a Selah Finalist. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids--two dogs and three cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers. You can find Rachel at www.racheldylan.com.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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