I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own. Night Owl by Andrew Mayne Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 3.5 of 5 stars Genre: Mystery, Thriller Series: Book 1 of Trasker...
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Series: Book 1 of Trasker
Publisher: Brilliance Audio (December 1, 2023)
Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
Author Information: Website
Narrator: James Anderson Foster
As an avid fan of Andrew Mayne, my enthusiasm led me to request his latest book Night Owl without looking too closely at its description. As a result, I was surprised to discover it was a spy thriller, a genre I typically don’t gravitate towards. Adjusting to this narrative distinct from the author’s usual over-the-top style was initially challenging and a bit jarring, admittedly, but ultimately I found Night Owl to be a solid addition to its genre.
The book follows Brad Trasker, a retired counterintelligence agent who, after spending decades in the field, finds himself jaded and disillusioned while dealing with the tragic loss of his son. He thought his days of playing spy games were long over, until he was invited to the launch of an experimental aircraft by a cutting-edge aerospace company headed by CEO Kylie Connor. During the launch, the aircraft explodes, causing much destruction to the launch area and nearly kills Kylie, leading Trasker to wonder: Was the explosion merely an unfortunate accident, or was it sabotage and directed assassination?
Suddenly, Traskerfinds himself pulled back into the dangerous world he thought he had left behind. The mystery surrounding the explosion quickly becomes more complex as it is discovered that all of Kylie’s precious research data has been tampered with, and one of her engineers goes missing. As the first bodies begin piling up, it is clear that both she and the future of her company are in jeopardy, targeted by an unknown enemy. To root out the mastermind behind this plot, Trasker must find out what they want with Kylie, even as the CEO herself becomes suspect.
Reading Night Owl was definitely a different experience coming from Mayne’s other works. That said, even as the novel adheres closely to the trajectory and tone of a conventional spy thriller, it still undoubtedly carries a bit of the author’s signature flair. For one, the action was nothing short of electrifying. Mayne masterfully crafts scenes that pulse with tension, putting his characters in situations that keep readers on the edge of their seats. He’s clearly adapted well to the genre, weaving intrigue into the fabric of the story, building it up layer by layer to create an atmosphere of suspense that lingers throughout.
Granted, many of these sequences are also handled with more solemnity and a self-possessed presence than I’m normally used to from Mayne’s previous books, though I believe this has a lot to do with Night Owl’s protagonist. Brad Trasker stands apart with a personality shaped by his many years working as a spy, and it reflects a mix of seasoned professionalism, resilience, and a haunted past. He takes his job seriously, carrying a certain world-weariness about him, having faced nearly everything the world of counterintelligence could throw his way. This in turn sets the tone for the novel, which exhibits the same sense of purpose shown by Trasker as he navigates the many challenges that arise through the story.
However, this does mean that Night Owl also has its share of obstacles, one of them being its unbalanced pacing. The story does take a while to hit its stride as the initial build-up feels a bit sluggish, with the intro sections of the novel making me wish it had a stronger and more immediate hook. Overall, it did strike me as lacking the usual pulse-quickening tempo that I’ve come to anticipate from Mayne.
But while Night Owl might have been a touch slow off the mark, once the plot finds its rhythm, the narrative chugs on, becoming an exciting blend of mystery, intrigue, and espionage that spycraft fans will find addictive. In the end, the novel shows off Andrew Mayne’s versatility and writing talents to deliver riveting action and well-crafted characters. Yes, the initial pacing might require a bit of patience, but the payoff’s well worth your time. Credit is also due to James Anderson Foster, the audiobook narrator whose performance and voice work greatly enhanced the listening experience.
