There’ a war being fought, but it’s just below the surface and away from the media’s gaze. It’s the civilized world against the theocratic pariah state of Iran — a race to stop their development of a nuclear weapon.

That’s where Dan Gordon, anIsraeli lawyerand former Mossad agent now contracted by the CIA, comes in. He is an indefatigable lone wolf, never safe from hostile moves even by those he should trust. He is undeterred, and hurdles he successfully overcomes are only preludes to new ones.

Dan is assigned with the dangerous and sensitive joint CIA/Mossad mission: to extricate from Iran a defecting general with a trove of intelligence golden nuggets. Operating beyond enemy lines and hostile territory, Dan realizes that he is being maneuvered by others, leading him to question his mission, his target and his superiors.

The world is not waiting for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. Unnamed powers daily frustrate their efforts and plans. Iranian nuclear installations explode, ships carrying nuclear components sink, and their scientists are assassinated. Nobody is claiming responsibility and the Iranian government is helplessly shooting in the dark.

But for this clandestine war to be fought in the shadows, intelligence services must first gather information on Iran’s capabilities. These operations are intricate and conniving beyond the stretch of the imagination. The intelligence operatives know that changing loyalties, betrayal and treason are not the exception, they are the rule. In the cesspool of the covert intelligence war, there are no long-term loyalties, only immediate interests.

In a chase through Iran, Syria, Turkey, Paris, Rome and Dubai, Dan completes his mission successfully, heeding the intelligence officer’s 11th Commandment, “Thou shalt not get caught.”

Enemy, friend — these shift daily. That’s why Dan must sleep with one eye open.Always.

REVIEWS FROM CRITICS & READERS:

“I recommend all of Carmon’s novels!They are authentic,& are spell-binding.The hero is not only believable but also likeable as well!”

“Best one yet”

“Excellent book in series. I hope he does more”

“I love this author and these books. So true to life with an actual understanding of the danger we all face from these countries and their fanatics. Great read, interesting stories! Keep up the good work Mr. Carmon!”

“The author is very knowledgeable of the espionage matter and the story reads very, very well.”

“I’ve read other books like this that also contain interesting information, but the authors aren’t as talented as Carmon. I’ll definitely be recommending and reading more books from him!”

“Great book.Can’t wait to read some of his others. This guy can write a thriller. The style was catchy as well. You won’t want to put it down.”

“Just keeps getting better and better. Not the usual money laundering tale but real espionage this time. Keep up the great work.”

“BTW, saying that the Dan Gordon stories are realistic isn’t taking away the James Bondish hint in his character. This isn’t the John Le Carre style of realism. It is reasonably fast paced. But the character is very real seeming, undoubtedly a reflection of his creator who has his credentials as an espionage agent.

The story itself is quite engrossing with the question as to whether the supposed defector is for real or instead is a plant.

This is indeed a rewarding read for espionage fans.”

“For me, I believe this book gives a peek into the inside world of espionage and the dangers that lurk therein; If you like spy novels, you will not be able to put this book down, as was the case for me.”

“Completely believable, well written. Definitely reading more from this author. I couldn’t put it down. Read it in just one day.”

“This is my first introduction to Author Carmon and based on what I have read I look forward to more books.”

“The book is fast paced, realistic, and at the same time entertaining. You see into the mind of a covert operative. You see them, and their lives, for what they are. They are highly skilled, and highly trained. Yet they trust no one … even their own people. Information is on a “need to know basis”, and the “handlers” decide who needs to know. Being able to socialize well is not a requirement to rise up through the ranks of the intelligence community! Following orders … and knowing when to “tweak” those orders, is.

Although I am by nature a reader of cozy mysteries (which this definitely is NOT!), I look forward to more booksI fully intend to follow the Dan Gordon series wherever it takes me (which for me means going back and reading the first four books!). Quite interesting to view the politics between countries, and between people within a country. Not quite what we thought, not quite what we expected!’

“Haggai Carmon pens “Defection Games” in a plot filled with excitement, spies and intelligence agencies. This is the first book I have read by the author, but between his vivid characters and the story line which you can tell was written from experience, I was totally captivated from the start. A highly recommended read for all mystery thriller fans.”

“In reading Haggai Carmon’s Defection Games, one gets an eerily realistic view into the cutthroat intelligence world. The book seems to have it all: a fast-paced plot, a witty dialogue, complex characters, and constant twist and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Every single page counts, so make sure you don’t overlook the details. Carmon forces the reader to pay attention to all facets of the story, as if the reader himself is the spy. There is not one wasted page.

My favorite aspect of the book was its stark realism. A book written from a perspective of experience is far superior to one written by an author musing about situations he himself was never in. In Defection Games, you know it’s the real deal. Though the book has classic James Bond-like qualities that keep you entertained throughout, it also teaches you things about the way the system works: the frustrations of dealing with bureaucracy, the inner workings of intelligence agencies, and fascinating looks behind enemy lines.

It feels too real at times, and can keep one up late at night, nervously hoping that people like Dan Gordon truly do exist.”