I stumbled upon Simon Gervais’ books and have been reading them non-stop. I finished reading the latest release Elias Enigma, a couple of weeks back. The Elias Network was the first book I read and was glad when I realised there would be at least two more books with Caspian as the protagonist.
The Elias Enigma – A Summary
Caspian has given up his Elias persona and works with Defense Clandestine Services. He is just getting comfortable working with a team and with his partner in life and work – Liesel. To keep her safe, he goes off on a solo mission to Nairobi. While he is about to neutralise an enemy, someone else gets to him first and when Caspian gets a glimpse of the assassin, he is shocked because she looks like Liesel.
Back in office, he and a small team is sent out on a mission to France. He is unable to bring it up with Liesel and that makes him uncomfortable. Their boss though tells him off for doing the solo work in Nairobi. He promises her that he won’t ever do something like that on his own.
The new mission in France was to track down a start-up founder, Frank LaBelle, before his defense technology falls into enemy hands. Very interestingly one of Caspian’s old enemies Edgar, surfaces in this mission too and actually Caspian saves him from certain death. Foe turns friend and shares valuable insights about Frank LaBelle’s technology.
Not just an old enemy but Caspian’s parents are also caught up in all this. His parents are cooperating with the government but are under threat and have to be put in protective custody.They are on the good side, but still under threat because of what they agreed to do. The North Korean Hwang Sung-jin is a “Venture Capitalist” to the world, but a deep cover spy for his country. What you see is not what it actually is !!
In France, there are three players, going after Frank LaBelle – The Chinese, North Koreans and ofcourse Caspian and team.
The ending is a bit dramatic, but the book also ends on a happy note as Caspian is able to share his reservations with Liesel and things go back to being normal between them.
A page turner like all the other Simon Gervais novels. My rating 5/5.