Mark Pierce has been in hell since our last meeting. Hidden away and tortured for months on end by the sleazy CIA honcho Walsh. He finally stores up enough strength and makes his break for freedom but now he has a potential civilian to try and get to safety as well.

Mark sets off into another globe trotting adventure from Africa to Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and South Africa amongst other places. He has some former allies to help out along the way and even some unwilling help. It was great to see Summerfield back, even in a limited way. Mark even manages to flip another CIA operative into helping him pull the wool over the CIA’s eyes.

The storylines within Africa were especially heart-breaking with a visceral depiction of the child soldiers and horrific work practices by unscrupulous diamond conglomerates. The story definitely takes you by the scruff of the next and doesn’t let go.