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The End Game

Review

The End Game

In the Confidence or “Con” Game, there is a term that refers to the ultimate goal of the short or long con: “End Game” (it’s also used by chess players). The use of this term by Raymond Khoury for the title of his current novel speaks to the long battle he has had with the man known as Reed Corrigan, who has made it his goal to finish off FBI Special Agent Sean Reilly.

THE END GAME is a Kindle eBook exclusive and continues the terrific suspense series featuring Reilly. It's no secret that Khoury follows a similar literary road map as such contemporaries as Steve Berry, Brad Thor and James Rollins. In fact, these four authors have inserted references and “shout outs” to each other within the pages of their respective series by mentioning each other’s lead characters. Khoury also collaborated with Berry on the eBook SHADOW TAG, allowing their characters to team up.

"THE END GAME is relentless and does not let up on the gas for a single moment. If you're not reading eBooks, you should make it a point to seek this one out as it continues one of the best series in thriller fiction today."

Khoury’s latest is an edge-of-your-seat thriller in which readers will be forced to sit by helplessly and watch how Reilly is thrust into a downward spiral that actually may finish him off once and for all. The mastermind behind this targeted attack is, of course, the man utilizing the Reed Corrigan pseudonym. Reilly cannot fight what he is unable to see or find, and that is the case here. Corrigan remains forever out of reach and can seemingly get to Reilly whenever he wants. He is already responsible for the death of Reilly's wife and injury to his young son, Alex. Now, Corrigan is fed up with toying with Reilly and is stepping up efforts to finally eliminate him.

THE END GAME opens with the torture and murder of award-winning journalist Kyle Rossetti. We then are taken into the life of a terminally ill man, Dr. Ralph Padley, a Professor of Medicine at Harvard who has made an incredible medical breakthrough --- something he refers to as a “pacemaker in a pill.” Things shift to Reilly and his partner, Nick Aparo, trapped in a snowbound car during a lengthy stakeout in New Jersey.

The paths of all three of these stories create just a few pieces of the puzzle. The rest of the novel is spent putting these and the other pieces together. Reilly receives an anonymous call to meet someone in New York City, but the caller never shows. It turns out to be Padley, who died before their meeting. This is the start of a confusing and rapid downward spiral that is Reilly's life.

The only person aside from archaeologist/novelist Tess Chaykin who believes that Reilly is being set up is FBI Agent Annie Deutsch. It will take a lot of work for Deutsch to keep Reilly safe while he continues to go after the person ultimately responsible for his misfortune: Reed Corrigan. With the help of two expert hackers, Kurt and Gigi, Reilly is making progress in discovering the true identity of Corrigan --- a man who may even be responsible for his father's death years earlier. Their inevitable showdown will keep the pages turning rapidly until the surprising climax.

THE END GAME is relentless and does not let up on the gas for a single moment. If you're not reading eBooks, you should make it a point to seek this one out as it continues one of the best series in thriller fiction today.

Reviewed by Ray Palen on March 17, 2016

The End Game
by Raymond Khoury

  • Publication Date: March 10, 2016
  • Genres: Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
  • Ebook: 414 pages
  • Publisher: Amazon Digital Services LLC
  • ISBN-10: B019QMKKES
  • ISBN-13: