Espionage, refugees, action, relevance to world events, this book has it all. This is my first book to read of Mr. Porter’s but I will be seeking more. Fans of thrillers will love it. Thanks to Mysterious Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I tried it, but it really wasn't "my thing" and didn't finish it. I will absolutely order it for my library, however, because we don't all have the same tastes. That's the beauty of books and getting a chance to try them here on netgalley. Thank you so much for the opportunity!

How can I follow this book? Can I find another novel that will challenge me, entertain and surprise me as much as Henry Porter's "Firefly"? This story of a gifted Syrian refugee child, pursued by terrorists and his own demons, and the ex-spy who wants to save him was my complete pleasure to read, recommend, and look forward to reading again. The timely nature of this book, combined with unforgettable settings and characters, flawed heroes, and the geopolitics that underline the entire adventure immerses and carries the reader from beginning to end. I look forward to more from the author, and possibly more of the Lebanese-British "I don't work for you", ex-spy Paul Samson.

Paul Samson is a man on a mission - to find an eleven year old refugee boy who may have witnessed unspeakable atrocities in the long war against terrorism. But the close paul gets to him, the more confusing the messages from his handlers become. First they wanted the lad, then they didn't. And meanwhile, the surprisingly inventive and exceptional the boy becomes at eluding both his reviewer and those who seek to silence him. A strong thriller with a couple of heroes that are easy to root for, terrific . Pacing and a satisfying denouement as well as a young protagonist who will steal your heart.

This was not an easy book to read. It is as current as yesterday and is the story of a 13 year old refugee from the Middle East who was once part of a group of terrorists and escaped from them with his cell phone filled with data he stole from them. He is being tracked by both the terrorists and Paul Sampson, a former British Agent now a freelancer. Each has different goals for the boy. Much of it is way too detailed for my taste and complex in a mind blowing way. All in all it is well worth reading and will keep the reader engrossed. Thanks to the Net Galley and Mysterious Press for an ARC for an honest review.

I liked this book a lot more than I expected to. The book is about migrants in Europe in present day, a subject nor often discussed. Though a work of fiction, this book gave an accurate portrayal of the migrant camps in Europe, how migrants are dealt with by the authorities, the great hardships they face and how difficult their journeys across Europe can be. I got a better understanding of why so many of these people feel they have no choice but to leave their homes and abandon everything. The story line was good too and kept the pages turning. The book also touched on terrorism and how many terrorists disguise themselves as migrants. A very interesting read.

A very unusual spy story with a diverse set of characters that are very believable . the way the author switches from one scene to another keeps the reader in suspense. the author does a great job of weaving the different stories together and bringing it all to a conclusion. I was relieved when it ended and disappointed that it was over- wanted to read more!

Don't usually read spy thrillers but I wanted a change of pace and I am so glad that I read this one. I enjoyed the book. It had a lot of action
woven into the story that you would wouldn't expect. A very strong character in Samson.

A young boy escapes from Syria and is trying to reach his family in Germany. He’s being hunted by assassins for the secrets he knows- and has captured on his computer- British intelligence wants to know the secrets and the whereabouts of terrorists who are chasing the boy. Lots of hair raising twists and turns. A clever plot and well written.

This is a fast moving thriller portraying a fairly accurate picture of the refugee situation in Europe.
Unaccompanied minors are a major problem . Having survived a life that most of us can't phantom they do not want to be categorized as children who need adult supervision. They strongly rely on themselves to survive which makes them very susceptible to criminals.
Having watched news reports on Borders been closed. Rescue ships with refugees not been allowed to enter the harbor. Terrorist mixing in with the refugees. This story is a work of fiction but a lot of the happenings mentioned in the book are real. The author did a great job in given the reader a sense of locations and settings. Some examples are: "description of the camps", "waiting at the border to open and be allowed to enter the next country", "the hardship encountered by the refugees during their travels".
I highly recommend reading this book.

“Firefly” is the contemporary story of a 13 year old Syrian refugee. He has successfully gotten his widowed mother and sisters into safety in Turkey and is working his way to Germany where he plans to find a home for his family. As he is underage, he does not have proper documentation and therefore can not be admitted legally into nations along the route with other refugees. In addition to having to hide from authorities, he is also hiding from 3 ISIS hitmen who are tasked with killing him.

MI6 in Britain has been made aware of the importance of the knowledge of this young man regarding upcoming and planned terrorist attacks in Europe. They, too, are seeking to find him.

Basically the plot is your classic cat and mouse game with cell phones and surveillance video playing a major role. Early on the setting moves from Lesbos, a Greek island, to Macedonia (previously part of Yugoslavia) where the rest of the action occurs.

Gambling on horse racing and a love interest give much needed relief from the constant chase, but the chase does continue for the entire novel.

This book provides a very poignant description of the trials and tribulations of today’s refugees along with the horrific descriptions of what is being endured by nations where they are traveling. Refugee camps and refugee workers are well fleshed out. And the preponderance of enslavement, human trafficking and torture in Arab nations is brought to light as well. This novel encompasses quite a catalog of the horrors being inflicted by ISIS on today’s humanity. It is well worth reading just to get an overall picture of what’s going on.

I’m grateful to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic, Mysterious Press for making this ARC available to me. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Henry Porter returns to his writing after an eight-year hiatus, doing what we don’t really know. He leads a busy life, full of journalism, liberal politics, and activism, but his fiction writing has been on hold. He has been on the short list for the Orwell Prize in journalism and the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for his novels. So the talent’s there but it’s been eight years of silence for his thrillers.

He hasn’t lost the touch. “Firefly” is a masterful novel full of spies, migrants, medical workers, and an immensely intriguing 13-year old boy who, as a refugee, lives a life of danger and derring-do that would challenge the skills of any full fledged adventurer. He desperately needs to reach Germany to find a shelter for his family. Along the way he has saved a baby from a watery death. He knows the secrets of jihadists. He develops an encrypted smartphone system that only he can decipher. And he travels the refugee’s trail of hunger, thirst, and abuse; cleverly evaded those who want to find him and forcefully extract the secrets he holds.

The terrorists want him because he knows their evil secrets. British intelligence wants him because he witnessed a massacre and can help locate the perpetrators. One of the pursuers simply wants to keep him alive, an enterprise not necessarily agreed to by others. The big story here seems to be smartphones that are being used, stolen, and lost, but have a large role in the intensity of the search.

I predict this book will be a big seller. Its topic is fresh and the story is riveting. The characters are realistic and the boy seems ready-made to become a popular protagonist. The writing, with striking environmental descriptions and sound dialogue, is skillful and ensures rapt attention from readers. This is a great book that should not be missed.

This is one of the best books I have read recently; 4.5 stars. The author has created very compelling characters that are well developed. Naji is probably one of the most fascinating fictional characters I have run across -- the mix of intelligence, fortitude, ingenuity, perseverance, but also compassion, the sense of wonder that comes with being a child (as he is only thirteen), and a little naivety (due to his age).. He is a Syrian refugee fleeing ISIS, in particular, a very nasty official (Al-munajil) from whom he has stolen some very important information. British intelligence has learned about Naji and has reached out to a former asset, Paul Sampson, to find Naji before the ISIS killers can find him. The story leads through refugee/migrant routes from Greece through the Balkans.

The author does a masterful job describing the hardships of migrants from the Middle East and Africa trying to reach western Europe and start a new life -- language barriers, lack of supplies, fear and hatred of immigrants by citizens of the southeastern European nations through which they are passing, abuse or betrayal by people smugglers, abuse by other migrants, abuse by locals, shifting politics in the countries they are traveling through, etc. But the author also depicts the internal strength and perseverance of the individuals and families risking everything in hope of a better life. And he depicts westerners -- whether aid workers or residents of the cities, towns, and village through which Naji and other migrants are passing through -- who are willing to assist the migrants. The author also goes into detail at times about the horrors perpetrated by ISIS, which is a key aspect of the story.

This book is a very good thriller at its core (lots of action and intrigue), but yet it touches on very timely and troubling topics -- if you are not willing to read about and think about some deep and at times disturbing topics, this book is not for you. But if you want a good thriller that is very topical/relevant and makes you think, you will probably enjoy Firefly.

I am glad I had the opportunity to read a review copy through NetGalley.

A young Syrian boy just wants to get his family out of the country and to safety in Germany. His migration trip is made even more dangerous because evil men are after him after he witnessed horrific torture and killings. At the same time some British intelligence agents are looking for him so they can find the leader of the murderous group. The boy is dubbed "Firefly" because he seems to flit from one place to another.
Naji is a highly intelligent child who know more than most adults. He is on a quest and nothing will stop him. Samson, an agent and one of the good guys, is on a quest, too . He doesn't just see Naji as a means to an end, but as a young boy who is special and deserves a better life.
FIREFLY is a wonderful thriller and moves at a fast, suspenseful pace. We see so much of the turmoil of the Syrian Civil war on television, but FIREFLY brings it down to a more personal level. The reader can feel the true impact of all the horrors and tragedy of this long war. I salute Henry Potter for the research he has done to bring this story to life.

This is so much more than a spy thriller. As the story of a young refugee from Syria moving through camps in Greece and Macedonia trying to reach Germany, it embodies the strength of the human spirit to not just survive but to do what is right. The characters are very well drawn, the setting is described with chilling accuracy, and the novel moves at a breathtaking pace. Given the state of the world today, it is a timely reminder of the struggle of so many to simply find a safe place to live

A thirteen-year-old Syrian boy, code-named Firefly, begins an arduous journey from a Turkish refugee camp hoping to reach Europe and bring his family to safety, away from the darkness and devastation of his home country. But this precocious boy possess valuable information about a terrorist cell that can prevent a terrorist attack. When the English Special Investigative Service learns of Firefly, they enlist ex-agent Paul Samson, an Arabic speaker and former refuge from Lebanon, to track him, gain his trust, and learn what he knows. Samson is aided by the beautiful and brilliant psychologist Anastasia who works at the Lesbos refuge camp and has witnessed the horror experienced by migrants as well as Vuk, an "unusual but reliable" and usually drunk Serbian fixer. Unaware of Samson's efforts to rescue him, Firefly follows the dangerous migrant trail where he faces assault, betrayal, disappointment, and despair. He's joined by the carefree Ikfar and his loyal dog Moon as he races to the Macedonian-Serbian border. But the terrorists want Firefly's information badly and will kill to retrieve it. Challenged by the weather and terrain, Samson fights to stay ahead of the terrorists and protect Firefly who has his own reasons for remaining hidden.

Firefly excels at conveying the experiences of refugees, particularly those without proper documentation and minors. From harrowing water crossings to overcrowded camps and transit stations, the sights, sounds, and smells are vividly depicted. Firefly encounters myriad fellow travelers from various countries who are all hoping for a better life at the end of the migrant trail. Smugglers take advantage of the desperate while NGOs and relief agencies attempt to improve the conditions of the people in their care.

The pressures on the host countries also come into play. Borders are constantly being opened or closed; transportation is unreliable. Yet, the refugees continue to come. Anastasia "concluded rather bitterly that whatever happened, it would always fall to the Greek islands to deal with the influx. ‘They are drowning in our seas, crawling up our beaches, and that isn’t going to stop soon,’ she said. ‘Just because Europe has suddenly decided that these people are not wanted doesn’t mean they aren’t going to give up getting on those little rafts. They have nothing to lose –there’s nothing where they come from."

As Samson trails Firefly, he encounters the bureaucracy of intelligence agencies from multiple European countries and sees the politics and behind the scenes negotiating at play. Priorities shift and develop depending on which agencies have the upper hand.

All this is fascinating, and I don't recall a book that presents as complete and harrowing a picture of refugee migration, particularly from a boy's perspective. It is heartbreaking to know these conditions are far from fiction and that so many people struggle to leave war-torn and ravished areas for a peaceful existence.

The book is also action-packed and suspenseful. For two days, I hardly put it down, and I certainly was glued to it for the last quarter. As comprehensive as the book is in terms of representing a refugee's experience, it never detracts from the narrative or bogs down the story. Each detail seems essential for the whole. For the most part, I liked the writing style and thought it was written well, although I did find that the transitions between sections focusing on Firefly and those focusing on Samson were abrupt and awkward. It's possible that in the final version of the book, the book design will provide a better indication of when the story changes perspective.

Firefly was an interesting and sympathetic character, and I couldn't help but like him and hope for the best for him. At the same time, I wondered if he was unrealistically precocious. He is presented in completely positive terms which feels inauthentic. For being a central character, I thought Samson was underdeveloped and I would like to have had more backstory for him. It was illustrative to have characters of so many nationalities with speaking so many languages, and it was interesting how language served to bind or separate characters.

While this would fall into the thriller/suspense categories and is worth reading on that alone, I would encourage anyone interested in learning more about refuges, especially from Syria, to read this book. Although I've read books that have incisive portrayals of refugee camps I felt like I had a greater understanding of the challenges refugees face in transit after reading this book.

I was given the book by the publisher for an honest review. This book is not what I usually read. It is about a young boy who has information about a terrorist. Nadi want to get his family out of a war-torn country and the information is his leverage. Everyone is after him. Simon is an independent "spy" for lack of a better word who is contracted to find him. As the boy makes his escape the story winds through refugee camps and different countries.

The writing was very good. I was transported to the locations by the words the author wrote.
You had to suspend belief though some of the scenes. I would have enjoyed it more, but some things were added for some reason. I am not sure what the horse racing had to do with the story - except that Simon use it to make money. it was odd. It did me insight to the people fleeing their countries.

He is a man who is employed to ‘find people.’ Out of the game for awhile, Paul Samson is asked to work the case of a young Syrian refugee who has seen too much. From Turkey to Greece to Macedonia, young Naji is running from a group of terrorists and needs help, but what is Samson's employer's priority? Do they want to catch the terrorists or help the boy?  Henry Porter’s Firefly is an exceptional modern thriller that highlights one of the major issues of our time: the displaced people of the world who flee evil regimes.

The narrative is told from alternating 3rd person point of views of Paul and Naji, two characters Porter crafts with well-conceived backgrounds. Paul is a Lebanese-British man who survived the migrant trail himself. He’s an educated man whose history in the spy game and as a consultant is cloudy, but we know enough to trust his instincts. Naji a young man of about 16 who must fight all the obstacles on his journey: Bribes, theft, broken families, racism. He’s a borderline genius who has the drive and brains to help himself through the tightest situations.

Firefly is a book that relies of some pretty slim coincidence at times, but isn’t that what a story like this needs? All tough cases are cracked with evidence, persistence, and a little luck. Porter’s thriller is a story that starts quickly and never lets up. If you like the Reachers and Ryans of the thriller world, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Caution: Some of the subject matter is pretty rough. Human trafficking is discussed in some detail. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, and Henry Porter for the advanced copy for review.

This is a very timely book as it has to do with terrorism. The good guys and the bad guys are both trying to find the young boy who has some information about the terrorists. There are a lot of twists to the story, and the two different points of view really add to the suspense!

A young boy, seeking asylum for his family, is on the run, hoping to outwit terrorists determined to kill him before he can pass on the detailed terrorist plans he possesses.

Told in alternating points of view between young Naji and former spy Peter Samson, the narrative, is graphic, gritty, and chilling as it recounts the stories of immigrants in peril, of those who seek to help them, and of depraved terrorists with dark and deadly agendas. With well-drawn, interesting characters, a strong sense of place, and an of-the-moment plot, this is a story that speaks to both the depravity and the nobleness of mankind..

The ever-building tension of this pulse-pounding cat-and-mouse plot pulls readers in from the beginning. The harrowing, heart-rending tale is likely to be impossible to set aside before turning the final page.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Grove Atlantic and NetGalley
#Firefly #NetGalley