The Deceivers (A John Wells Novel)

Well written Wells action thriller. However, I'm always disappointed when an author allows his partisan political viewpoints to bleed through into the story. I've read all 12 books in the series at least once and this is the first time I remember Berenson doing so. Disappointing. Also the self-serving, traitorous Spec Ops Colonel is a little derivative. It seems every author in this genre has used it now. But, overall, if you're a John Wells fan, it's a good read.

Alex Berenson brings us THE DECEIVERS, his 12th John Wells novel, with a few minor changes. Wells is unusual as far as thriller protagonists are concerned. He is a CIA operative, a practicing Muslim convert, and is off the books but not off the leash. His relationship with his nominal boss --- Vinnie Duto, former CIA head and current President of the United States --- remains edgy, a marriage of politeness and necessity. And he’s old, as far as operatives go, clocking in at somewhere over the perilous age of 40.

What is different in THE DECEIVERS is that Wells has a new handler; his old handler, Ellis Shafer (a bit long in the tooth himself, given that he is in his eighth decade), engages in a bit of field work himself. Wells is also aided and assisted throughout most of the book by an old friend. And he is conspicuously off the page for a good deal of the novel. There are a lot of moving parts here, and it’s a credit to Berenson that all of them work together.

In the past, Berenson has seemed prescient in predicting events that occur within a few weeks or months of the publication of a new volume. That doesn’t happen with THE DECEIVERS. The cover blurb attempts to capitalize on the chatter concerning Russian involvement in the 2016 elections. But this is a riveting enough book on its own without being jammed into a hole that just doesn’t fit.

So what does happen in THE DECEIVERS? All sorts of things, actually. What is supposed to be a terrorist sting operation manipulated by the FBI turns out to be the real thing. Catastrophe results. President Duto, who campaigned on the premise that he had the experience to keep the United States safe, seems to be a failure. A populist candidate rises from the opposition party and appears ready to ride public outrage all the way to the White House. Readers know more than Wells, Duto and Shafer, but they don’t know everything, not by a long shot. Wells is chasing a lead across North and South America and back again, which may provide knowledge --- and evidence --- as to who or what was behind the terrorist attack.

Meanwhile, a retired combat sniper is being ruthlessly and expertly manipulated by his lover, a woman who appears to be as emotionally damaged as he is but has a much longer and deeper endgame in mind. Then there are the Russians. No matter what you think they are planning, and how they will execute it, you will be wrong, and it will take reading through a good deal of the book to get you to the heart of it.

I haven’t included all of the issues involved in THE DECEIVERS, not by a long shot. Revealing one thing would lead to revealing another, and ultimately I might give away too much of this wonderfully and carefully constructed plot that Berenson must have taken months and months to get just right. I wasn’t sure precisely what was going to happen at the conclusion until...well, I reached the conclusion. And while the book is complete in itself, it leaves a plate or two spinning at the end, so you’ll have to get the next installment (probably in 2019) to see what happens. But you’ll do so happily.

Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

I've read all of Berenson's novels in chronological order from when he first began writing and this one is as good as all of the others as so many other reviewers have also noted. I won't comment on the plot, etc., as others herein have done that. What I want to write is that this latest novel is terrific. Berenson has the single greatest quality of any novelist which is CHARACTERIZATION...also the most difficult quality for any novelist to attain. Characterization means that the reader feels he really KNOWS the character...his personality, motivations, psychology. It has occurred to me if Berenson wrote a novel that was not a geopolitical/espionage thriller, it would be superb as have been all of his books in his chosen genre.
One last point...while the vast majority of reviewers herein are laudatory 5 or 4 star reviewers, I always find it interesting to read the comment of the l and 2 star reviewers to see why they react so differently than I do...which doesn't ipso facto mean they're wrong as there have been novels I have rated with l or 2 stars. But in reading these slamming reviews of this Berenson novel, I am struck that many of the reviewers are the usual type of ultra right-wing Trump Republican fanatics who simply cannot abide what they perceive as Berenson's "liberal" and "partisan" views. This figures...having the two indispensable hallmarks of the radical right wing fascist Trumpers, intolerance and ignorance, it is impossible for them to judge ANYTHING outside of their fanatical worldview. Of course in a mild way Berenson indicates both his domestic political outlook as well as his extraordinarily accurate take on Putin and the Russians of his government. One may disagree with his views but that certainly does not make his novel a bad one as these Trump fanatics think, denouncing him and the book and in many cases, like the at-heart book-burners they are, not even reading past a few chapters.

This book starts out very interestingly as a bad group of people are going around posing as FBI and getting weapons, etc. to Muslims. These Muslims who currently live here, are only posting and ranting on Facebook. These people would not actually go and do what being was done if it wasn't for being supplied with the tools. They would go on carrying their rants to all who would hear. Until one day. . .

There is lots of crazy action going on in this book and I enjoyed it immensely. I sped right through in way wanting to put this book down. Alas, life around me does have to pull me back from now and then to reality. So, unfortunately, I was not able to read it in one sitting, but I still found it a very good read.

The scary part I felt while reading this book, this could actually happen. There could be some wannabe who would do anything to get to the top. A top, that in their egotistical minds, that was well deserved and should be given.

Huge thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Russians are the bad guys again. Not since the Cold War has the tension between the Russians and the US been so high. In a scheme to get “their” man near the White House, if not in it, the Russkies are doing everything they can to discredit President Vinny Duto. Nothing makes the sitting president look worse than an attack on US citizens by Islamic terrorists. The Russians make it happen but it looks like the work of ISIS. A beautiful Russian operative induces a veteran who happens to be an expert marksman, to fall for her and then talks him into going after the men who took sexual advantage of her as a child. Tim Miller believes her story and he is willing to use his skills to exact revenge for her. He should have figured her out well before he finally did. By that time he did, she had made a murderer out of him. He’s not the sharpest tack. Another vet is at work knowingly and willingly for the Russians. He is even willing to sacrifice his own cousin, a US Senator (a very Trump-like person) to the sniper’s fire so he can be positioned to run against Vinny Duto himself. Who can stop this diabolical plan? John Wells of course. I enjoyed this one. Very timely. 12th in a good series.

I think in this book the author changed direction or John Wells and made a totally different character. The ending in this book was especially disappointing and that he took it upon himself to be God and not allow these people to be interrogated for Russian conspiracy. It didn’t make sense nor was it logical thus the entire book was spoiled by this sour and a logical climax. You depict John Wells now as a selfish self-centered individual with the dumping of Schafer and the ending as it was. I will keep Reading your books to see how the next one parallels this one and if it does then I will be done with this series. Sorry, but I have been in a long time reader and it was terribly disappointing. It’s not something anyone would do therefore making the book on real Reading your books just see how the next one parallels this one and if it does then I will be done with this series. Sorry, but I have been a long time reader and it was terribly disappointing. It’s not something anyone would do therefore making the book unreal. I couldn’t bring myself to giving it a one star because of my long-term relation with this character you’ve created. Arriverdici and good luck on your next book. Larry lawson

Excellent story.
Alex Berenson’s The Deceivers is his best book to date. A multi layered thriller, The Deceivers is a fast paced, high energy story that follows several plot lines to a climatic satisfying conclusion. Shades of the blockbuster Red Sparrow, Mr. Berenson uses international espionage intrigue to give his novel a sense of contemporary reality. Very entertaining as protagonist John Wells needs to use all his investigative wiles to uncover a PTSD assassin.
No gratuitous sex, language or violence—just good solid writing.
Character development was good although I wish he would have developed the assassin and his mysterious girlfriend more.
A terrific summer read for the beach or that long airline flight from Hades. Mr. Berenson gets better and better with each new novel. John Wells is the ultimate force of One! Looking forward to his next adventure.

Wow, simply wow! Alex Berenson continues to crush the thriller genre. His protagonist, John Wells, is easily one of the most dynamic characters in the entire genre. This box is fantastic, and I can't recommend it enough. It has non-stop action, twists, turns, and everything in between. Plus, if you like audiobooks, George Guidall is the PERFECT narrator. Don't wait, get this immediately!

The twelfth thriller novel by Alex Berenson to feature protagonist John Wells is titled, The Deceivers. Pulled away from family for another special assignment, Wells expects one high profile assignment, but receives a different one as President Duto sends Wells into a complicated thicket of plots by Russian operatives to take over the United States government. Fans of the series will enjoy this novel, as will any reader who enjoys thrillers with plot lines grabbed from current headlines.

Rating: Four-star (I like it)

Another great addition to the John Wells series. Outstanding, gripping story, great pacing and characters, certainly a page turner. I loved it. Mr. Berenson is one of the premier writers of this genre, at the top of his game. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. The only negative for me is the kind of abrupt ending. I thought it was kind of a 'cheap', quick ending that left me wanting a more satisfactory wrap-up of the events and (bad) characters. I was like, no! It doesn't just end there, does it? Other than that, it was great.

It's written by Alex Berenson. Enough said? Okay, he's the author of the series involving John Wells, super hero of the spy thrillers. This time Wells works with a partner- a black man. And he answers to a new boss- a woman!! Times change, but the novel stays super. I read it straight through, it kept my interest that much. So give yourself the time to enjoy a real thriller, The Deceivers...by Alex Berenson. Enough said?

Alex Berenson does it again with a well crafted, entertaining story. Highly recommend to John Wells fans. My one, small beef, is that the 'end', where John Wells saves the day, seemed to wrap up too fast and felt a little disjointed.I also would have liked to come back around to the bad guys in the end. Maybe I'll send Alex a note :-)

Can't wait for the next one. Keep them coming!

In 2007 Alex Berenson published his first novel featuring John Wells. The concept behind this warrior was almost incredible. He was working for the CIA and somehow had infiltrated a field unit of the terror group Al Quada remaining with them for three years. He learned their language, learned their methods, and thought highly enough of their religion to become a convert. His return to the CIA was forced by having to openly turn on the group he was with in order to forestall an attack on the west.

In the book "the Deceivers", Vinnie Duto, former head of the CIA is now the president of the United States. He calls John into his office after an attack by terrorists occurs in Dallas, Texas. It is the most horrific attack ever and John is positive that he would be assigned to go after the perpetrators. Somewhat to his surprise the president does not want him to investigate Dallas but to travel to

Columbia to pick up information from an old asset living there and deliver it to headquarters.

However, the trip turns out to be one of the deadliest assignments John has been assigned to. It brings him into a world of sleeper cells, sniper teams and double agents high up in the United States government. The information obtained also seems to point out a plot by the Russian government to initiate a coup to take over the American government. And the attack on Dallas is found to be related to the scheme.

Mr Berenson's John Wells novels are all punctuated by constant action and the "Deceivers" is no exception. A turn in the enemy Wells faces seems to be broadcast by the possibility of the Russian government being involved in planning a coup. The author slightly plays down the possibility of radical Islamists being the cause of world wide terrorism by introducing several Muslims who are against these actions. But whoever the real enemy is John Wells being a part of US anti terrorism activities will remain in the fight supplying the reader with one engrossing book after another.

I really liked this story. Not as much violence as some of his work, but a highly entertaining read nevertheless. I think it interesting that he's introduced some new characters to the mix that he will obviously be developing in future releases. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this story and hoped it would go on and on. I'm glad John made it home to his family, but he left us with a lot of unanswered questions.

Berenson's 13th John Wells novel shifts the focus of the familiar characters to refreshing new locales and intrigue. Some of the winding threads of deception reveal themselves early; other forms of deceit stay hidden almost to the end; betrayal abounds throughout. The principal deceiver in The Deceivers is Alex Berenson as he propels this altogether modern story through multiple cultures of lies and fakery. Most of The Deceivers' one-star reviewers haven't read the book, and their assumptions about its direction and the author's politics are simply ludicrous.

I normally like this author and even pre order his books but his liberal views seem to come out more and more. I believe the liberal viewpoint is bad for America and this is my last book by Berenson. I didn't even finish this one.

I cannot possibly do this book justice with my sub par words. I loved it so much! The witty banter kept me constantly entertained and the enthralling story line would not let me put the book down without horrendous withdrawals. The John Wells series is my current favorite.

Another very good book in the John Wells series. Clever plot with multiple stories merging at the end. You know where things will end up, but it’s hard not to enjoy the ride. Fast paced; not easy to put down. Hope the next book is as enjoyable as this one.

His weakest effort. This is like the fifth book I have read recently with a plot of some American group that tricks an attack by a Muslim group on American soil in order to unleash the wrath of the American Military. Seriously, what are they thinking? Of course it could happen, but far more likely that terrorists attack Americans without some convoluted treasonous act by American military or broken spies.
Berenson is such a good writer and story teller it is sad to see where he takes his craft.

And this remarkable series petered out with "The Deceivers." Just like Tim Dorsey in the Serge Storm series, politics has gotten hold of Berensen. The book is about a presidential election and no, John Wells does not kill a string of bad guys to retrieve a thumb drive of classified information that President Duto mishandled back in the day ("You mean with a cloth?" said Vinny) - here Alex has to take a swipe at Trump. I was hoping for the usual shoot-em-up with Wells getting out of an impossible situation and stopping a war/nuke exploding/etc. but it turns out that it is me that is getting out of my John Wells fan situation.

وداعا يا جون ، نحن بالكاد عرفتم!

I may change my opinion but after reading only 56 pages, I don't think that'll happen. This is clearly written by a #NEVERTRUMPER or/and TrumpHater. Portrays Texas local cops as dumb/stupid and fat. The EVIL character is an (R) of course from Tennessee A senator who is married to a former Miss USA (Fred Thompson TN (R)) with this openness and brashness of a Donald Trump; a racist of course), the evildoer is very wealthy and has a family of children (like the Trumps). The hero of the book John Wells, is a CIA/former Army Ranger super hero who was raised in that evil Christian religion and has converted to Islam (the author states he "become [sic] a Muslim; in order for that to happen one must believe in the 5 pillars of Islam and the Hadith), which goes against all aspects of what this country stands for........trying to normalize Islamist and place a negative spin on Republicanism (love of country),,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I'll try to finish this book and comment but like all good authors they eventually allow their political views to start creeping into their writings and this may be the last book I buy from A. Berenson UPDATE the Republican's cousin, who is high up the inner circle, is a, of course, a RUSSIAN Spy.

Spoiled by a few gratuitous and wholly unnecessary partisan political insertions. I'm no fan of Fox News, or of MSNBC for that matter, but Berenson makes his own views quite clear for inexplicable reasons that add nothing to the plot. Most of us read espionage thrillers in a state of suspended disbelief, so it's disappointing to be brought back to ground by an author's need to display petty partisanship. It almost felt like a bad joke. Leave it on the editing room floor.

Read the prologue: (Bad USA sets up peaceful Muslim to take part in terrorist attack).

Read Ch 1: (Found out American Born and Raised White European Male, Agent Wells has converted to Islam, and is a Muslim)

Felt Sick To My Stomach, Threw Book in Garbage!!!