Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Jun 2014
432 pages
Genre: Thrillers
Publication Information
After a devastating experience in Darfur strips Alex Baines, former rising star of the State Department, of his security clearances, he is faced with two choices: spend the rest of his career in visa-stamping limbo or move to the private sector. On the verge of resigning, he receives a call from his old mentor with an incredible opportunity to start over, restoring both his security clearances and his reputation.
The job isn't quite what Alex imagined it to be when he finds a shady U.S.-based mining company everywhere he turns.
As violence in the political climate escalates, Alex struggles to balance the best interests of the United States with the fate of the Congo and its people. His loyalties are put to the test as he races to determine the right course of action.
"Starred Review. With their intelligence and humanity, Alex and Marie are easy characters to root for - but even the bad guys are well-drawn and believable. This is first-rate fiction. Let's hope Palmer has a sequel in the works." - Kirkus
"A timely thriller... A satisfying finale and a nuanced view of the diplomatic life." - Publishers Weekly
"Palmer's first novel offers an insider's look at the world of American diplomats stationed in foreign countries…Pair this one with John le Carré's The Constant Gardener." - Booklist
"The American Mission by Matthew Palmer cuts so close to the bone it could be nonfiction... This is a thriller of great integrity and intelligence, written by an author who really knows his stuff. I highly recommend it." - Douglas Preston, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Monster of Florence, and co-creator of the legendary Pendergast series.
"Superb! Embassy insider Matthew Palmer takes us inside the secret "club" of international diplomacy, and races his characters through political tightropes and hair-raising encounters." - Tess Gerritsen, Internationally bestselling author of Last to Die
"Talk about writing what you know - Palmer is a veteran diplomat and it shows on every page of his debut novel. Crackling with authenticity that sizzles with emotional clout, this is a superb debut by a coming star in the thriller genre. Five stars by any review." - Steve Berry, New York Times and #1 Internationally Bestselling author of The King's Deception
"The American Mission is one of those wonderful novels, where great story telling is woven through with the intricate detail only a knowledgeable insider can supply. I loved it!" - Iris Johansen, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Hunting Eve
"Bristling with high adventure and low-down international politics has it all - unforgettable characters, razor-sharp dialog, insider details that only an American diplomat would know, and an exciting love story … Mr. Palmer is a rare talent. You won't want to miss The American Mission." - Gayle Lynds, New York Times-bestselling author of The Book of Spies
"What a fantastic debut thriller...Only an insider with years of service in the diplomatic corps could detail the intrigues of the international and domestic politics of Africa." - Taylor Stevens, New York Times bestselling and Barry Award-winning author of The Informationist
This information about The American Mission was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Matthew Palmer is a twenty-year veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service, currently serving as political counselor at the American Embassy in Belgrade. A life member of the Council of Foreign Relations, Palmer has worked as a diplomat all over the world. While on the secretary of state's policy planning staff, Palmer helped design and implement the Kimberly Process for certifying African diamonds as "conflict-free." It was this experience in Africa that served as that foundation for The American Mission.
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