Rogue by J. B. Turner

Rogue is a high-octane thriller in the style of the Bourne films. If you like that kind of book or film, then you’re sure to like this. Nathan Stone was killed in action while serving with the CIA. At least that’s what everyone thought. In reality, he was whisked away by a semi-private concern, The Commission, an organisation sponsored by shady billionaires and run by former black ops military officers. He’s now an assassin tasked with eliminating people deemed to be a threat to vital American interests. There’s a kill list of Commission targets and an up and coming US Senator, Brad Crichton, is on it. Stone is tasked with doing the deed, but things get complicated.

The premise of this book in many ways is of its time. The Commission is not a government agency, though it receives tacit support from The Pentagon. As such, it’s a product of “The Deep State”. The term “Deep State” originated in Turkey (and to a lesser extent, the former Soviet Union) and refers to the idea that powerful interests in the military, security services, civil service and/or establishments exert undemocratic control and undermine the elected civilian leadership. The term was never used in a western context until recently, but post-election of Donald Trump, it’s gained currency. Supporters of Trump argue that his Presidency has been undermined from the beginning and point to a deep state conspiracy behind the allegations his election campaign conspired with Russia to discredit Hillary Clinton. 

In Rogue, Brad Crichton is a charismatic senator tipped as Presidential material. He’s a committed isolationist, a man sceptical of US involvement in foreign interventions. He’s also a believer in fiscal responsibility, a man likely to want to look again at those bloated defence budgets. Seeing his potential to win his party’s nomination and then the White House, the commission deem him a national security risk. Crichton comes across here as a combination of JFK and Trump - young, charismatic, good looking and a senator, reflecting Kennedy; an isolationist sceptical of US involvement abroad, reflecting Trump (at least his positions on the campaign trail). Indeed, Trump supporters argue this is one of the reasons the alleged deep state are attempting to undermine his presidency. Of course, it’s worth noting that some of those who believe the Kennedy conspiracy theories argue he was an isolationist too, that he was on the verge of ending the Vietnam war, a move which supposedly triggered his assassination. So maybe the author’s inspiration for Crichton was wholly Kennedy.

This book then is an action-packed conspiracy thriller. As one would expect of such a tale, the narrative is fast moving, the chapters are short and concise, there’s lots of action and a good number of twists. It’s certainly and enjoyable read and in the present climate, pertinent and relevant too.

4 out of 5 stars