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Red Cell: A Novel [Hardcover]

Mark Henshaw
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)

List Price: $24.99
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Book Description

May 1, 2012
From the Tom Clancy for a new generation, a debut thriller following two CIA outcasts who must race to stop a secret Chinese weapon that threatens to provoke a world war

After her first assignment in Venezuela goes disastrously awry, rookie case officer Kyra Stryker is brought back to Langley to work in the Red Cell, the CIA’s out-of-the-box think tank. There she’s paired with Jonathan Burke, a straitlaced analyst who has alienated his colleagues with his unorthodox methods and a knack for always being right, political consequences be damned.

When a raid on Chinese spies in Taiwan ends in a shoot-out and the release of a deadly chemical, CIA director Kathy Cooke turns to the Red Cell to figure out why China is ready to invade the island nation without any fear of reprisal from the US Navy. Stryker and Burke’s only lead is the top CIA asset in China, code named Pioneer. But when Pioneer reports that Chinese security has him under surveillance, Stryker is offered a chance for redemption with a highly dangerous mission: extract Pioneer from China before he’s arrested and executed. The answers he holds could mean the difference between peace in the Pacific or another world war.

From CIA headquarters to the White House to a Navy carrier in the South China Sea and the dark alleyways of Beijing, Red Cell takes readers on a whirlwind race against time as Stryker and Burke work to save Pioneer and discover the hidden threat to America’s power: China’s top-secret weapon.

CIA analyst Mark Henshaw infuses expert knowledge of the intelligence world into a pulse-pounding plot to create a fascinating, authentic, and unforgettable read.


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Editorial Reviews

Review

“CIA analyst Henshaw’s assured debut, an exciting espionage thriller, puts him solidly in the ranks of the top writers of the genre. Henshaw deftly weaves together all the major and minor players—the U.S., Chinese, and Taiwanese governments; the spies who provide information; and the analysts who turn that information into intelligence. The masterfully handled battle at the end is worthy of Tom Clancy.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Red Cell is as smart as it is exciting, a thriller that makes you think from the edge of your seat. Mark Henshaw’s unique perspective from the inside makes it all feel terrifyingly real.” —Howard Gordon, co-creator of Homeland and author of Hard Target

“Mark Henshaw is the real deal and he delivers big-time in his debut novel Red Cell. Only a decorated CIA analyst like Henshaw could take you this deep into the psyche of CIA operatives—and even deeper into one of the most dangerous and imminent geopolitical flashpoints of our times. If the events Henshaw plays out on the pages of his novel have not already taken place in secret, they may well play out in public sooner rather than later. Mr. President, this intelligence briefing is worth your special attention.” —Thomas Greanias, New York Times bestselling author of Dominus Dei

“Mark Henshaw clearly knows the terrain, from the geopolitical to the tradecraft in the shadows. I'm surprised this made it past the CIA censors. A rock solid thriller as plausible as tomorrow's headlines.”Brad Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of One Rough Man and All Necessary Force

“If you’re looking for a great, authentic and thrilling story, look no further. Lock the door and turn off the phone, because you’re going on a journey only a gifted insider like Mark Henshaw could take you on. This author is a rare double threat—a man with the knowledge and access few have, and the rare talent as a writer to bring it to life. If you want to learn how things really work when it hits the fan, you can apply for a job at the CIA or read Mark’s book.” —David Ayer, screenwriter of Training Day and S.W.A.T.

About the Author

Mark Henshaw is a graduate of Brigham Young University and a decorated CIA analyst with more than eleven years of service. In 2007, Henshaw was awarded the Director of National Intelligence Galileo Award for innovation in intelligence analysis. Henshaw lives with his family in Leesburg, Virginia.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Touchstone (May 1, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1451661932
  • ISBN-13: 978-1451661934
  • Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #532,033 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mark Henshaw began his CIA career with the Agency's Office of Transnational Issues in 1999 as a Science, Weapons & Technology analyst and became a founding "plankholder" with the Agency's Information Operations Center (IOC) in 2001. In 2006, Mark graduated from the CIA Sherman Kent School's Advanced Analyst Program and undertook a three-year rotation with the CIA Red Cell, a unit charged with "taking a pronounced 'outside-of-the-box' approach that will provoke thought and offer an alternative viewpoint on the full range of analytic issues."

During thirteen years at CIA, Mark earned seventeen Exceptional Performance Awards and in 2007 was the recipient of the prestigious Director of National Intelligence's 2007 Galileo Award, which "recognizes innovative and creative solutions to the United States future intelligence challenges." His winning co-authored paper, "A National Security Simulations Center" proposed that the DNI should establish an Intelligence Community (IC) center that would promote and organize war games for IC training, analysis, and outreach.

Mark graduated from Brigham Young University in 1999 with a Master's of International Relations from the David M. Kennedy School of International and Area Studies; and a Master's of Business Administration from the Marriot School of Management.

Red Cell is his first novel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best page-turners in years May 3, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Prepare to be thrust into the middle of an action-packed thriller, starting on page 1. Author Mark Henshaw wastes no time on preambles or stage-setting; bullets are flying by page 3, with a rookie CIA agent as their target. How she gets from streets of Caracas to the alleys of Beijing and then to the deck of an aircraft carrier under full attack is as fascinating a tale as you'll find in any book written in the last 20 years.

"Red Cell" is written as a series of action vignettes -- seemingly unrelated at first, but finely detailed and deftly worked together like puzzle pieces until the reader finally sees the entire picture.

If you can't put down the best efforts of Tom Clancy or Dan Brown, you're going to love this book as well. Grab a copy and settle in for one of the most intriguing spy thrillers you're likely to read this year or next.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Good and a few oops July 6, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The first chase scene is exciting until the heroine encounters a black-clad figure who steps from the shadows wielding a weapon. She puts the heel of her hand into his throat and he hits the ground. I pounded the book against my forehead when the author stops the action and intrudes to tell us the specific injuries the man suffered, and how it would be months before he recovered. For me, the flow of the action ended there. In too many scenes the pov of characters switch back and forth from paragraph to paragraph. A bit of levity does appear on page 287 when the author tells us: "The dead Su-27's wingman was maneuvering for a shot..." The frequency of acronyms did confuse me, but I'll take the blame for my stupidity rather than accuse the author of trying to befuddle. The list above doesn't merit a hanging offense, but I'd say the writer did construct a couple of steps up the ladder to the platform with the swinging floors.

Vilification is finished. Mark Henshaw writes beautifully, using strong, active verbs. His characterization is spot on, and suspense hovers over every page. I strongly suggest you buy and read this book. I eagerly await his next novel, but I hope he utilizes new editors.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Chink in the Armor July 1, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Please forgive me. I did not mean to make a comment that would offend anyone's sense of ethnicity or politics. Anyway.... We all know that countries spy on each other. The idea is to figure out what they know and try to figure out a way to use the information for your benefit. This tale involves such activities involving the U.S. and China. And it would seem clear that the U.S. does not want a "chink" in its armor. Well, after some very clever efforts the U.S. side prevails...for now anyway. Enjoyed the book and recommend it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Slow start but picks up
Generally a good book I especially enjoyed the the military action. Seemed to be a plausible battle scenario and held my interest to the conclusion.
Published 9 days ago by Anthony Bennett
3.0 out of 5 stars Red Cell
I am sure that a person interested in the tactics and working puzzles with limited information be thruth or not, would enjoy this novel. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Carol A. Manninen
4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad for a debut novel
Red Cell, the debut novel for Mark Henshaw, is li,e a lot of debut novels...the author has not found his/her footing. Others called this book Clancy-esque, and in a way it is. Read more
Published 1 month ago by T. Simchak
5.0 out of 5 stars You have to read this more than once
The first time through this book was a little hard to follow. The author might consider providing a summary list of characters at the beginning of the book and a CIA organizational... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Gail Bley
2.0 out of 5 stars Good Thriller
Great book, terrible reader, ruins it completely.. oh why didn't they use someone who can perform, this guy reads all the voices- male, female, ,American,, Chinese, all in 1... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mushley
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
I just finished listening to Red Cell on CD and LOVED it! Mark Henshaw might just be my new favorite author. Read more
Published 3 months ago by easy2remember2
3.0 out of 5 stars Red Cell predicts conventional wisdom Taiwan invasion scenario
It's ironic that a novel about the CIA Red Cell and a China invasion of Taiwan should promulgate as "out of the box" thinking, the most common accepted conventional wisdom scenario... Read more
Published 3 months ago by D. Pan
5.0 out of 5 stars An Exciting, Realistic Thriller
Mark Henshaw's CIA experience gives an added sense of realism to this story. I liked the way he sandwiched scenes of an investigative nature between action segments. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Chester Campbell
5.0 out of 5 stars Great first effort
Very intelligent, a realistic view of how China might flex it's ever-growing muscle. Compelling characters, flawed and real. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Michael F McWhortor
5.0 out of 5 stars As Good as The Hunt for Red October
It's great to find a smart thriller about modern espionage from a new author. China is the enemy here instead of Russia, but I found Red Cell to be as compelling a read as The... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Nicholas Wells
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