This was my first Marcus Ryker book, I will definitely be reading more. Non stop action. Very fast paced. This stunner can almost be considered a "ripped from the headlines" story. Excellent story, very well executed. The characters are so true to life. Overall this was a winner!

The final installment for Marcus Ryker and what a way to finish! Geo-political events are crashing together to throw the world into chaos. Terror attacks put America on edge, desperate to put an end to the terror leader. China is upping the danger in the Pacific while trying to put on a face of peace, confusing the decision-makers Ryker answers to. When planned attacks veer off course, incoming intel throws everything into question. Now Ryker and his team have to risk it all to save millions.
Joel C Rosenberg kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Every time I thought I could take a breath, the adrenaline and danger ramped up and had me going again. Plot twists and surprising developments kept the story flying and the reader guessing as to how it all would end. The characters felt like close friends, I was constantly wanting to warn them of upcoming danger. The depth to each one adds so much to the book. They helped pull me into the story and to stay there until after the last page was done. They all stayed with me well after the book was done. I loved the fast paced action and the detail of each location the story visits.
Joel C Rosenberg takes the reader on a wild ride that will entertain and leave no doubt about the love of Christ and faith in Him. I can't wait to enjoy the next trip Joel C Rosenberg will take readers on. I will definitely join in! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I would like to begin this review by expressing gratitude to the author (Joel C Rosenberg), his publisher (Tyndale House Publishers), and the fine folks at Net Galley for allowing me the opportunity to read an ARC of this Christian Political Thriller in return for posting my humble thoughts on the novel, which is the sixth and final book in the Marcus Ryker Series.

First and foremost, this was my first exposure to Rosenburg and his view on the impending turmoil between China, Taiwan, and China's "One China Policy".

In this installment in the series, the leaders (of Communist China are secretly plotting to invade Taiwan and challenge American supremacy in the Pacific. Not only does Rosenberg manage to provide the reader with an endgame to his series, but he also manages to tie past events that had happened earlier in the series along with the economic turmoil in Russia.

Having started with the last book in the series, I am introduced to a exciting new-to-me characted - a former secret service agent turned counterterrorism operative Marcus Ryker - who has been tasked with hunting down the world’s most wanted terrorist, Abu Nakba. Abu Nakba is the commander of Kairos, a well-connected terrorist organization who, for years, has been hellbent on striking a fatal blow to the United States. Reading this story, I discover that the main character , Marcus had thought he had killed Nakba in a previous drone strike, but somehow the terrorist mastermind has not only survived, he continues to lead attacks against Washington D.C., London, and Jerusalem.

Opening in Chicago, Nakba pulls off his most deadly attack yet when Kairos jihadists attack Soldier Field, where a hundred thousand people are attending a large Mass. Among them are Andrew Clarke, the president of the United States, the First Lady, and Pope Pius XIII. Horrified, everyone from CNN to Al Jazeera cut their broadcasts as missiles rained down on the stadium. Cutting to a veteran news anchor, CNN continues to report on the mass casualties when more breaking news comes in that a 737-passenger jet has been hijacked somewhere between Michigan and Canada and has diverted towards Chicago. The news—which was expected and, in fact, carefully planned—brings a smile to Nakba’s face.

For background, after the attack on Chicago, the US president had threatened the Russian president with severe economic sanctions against his oil and gas industry and provided information to Interpol that led to the arrest of a number of politicians in the EU that were providing intelligence to the Russians.

Picking up eight months later, the rest of the world is on fire. Alliances are being tested, and intelligence agencies around the globe are rife with incoming reports of impending attacks. Marcus, who was on the ground in Chicago and played a role in responding to the chaos and carnage of the biggest attack on American soil since 9/11, has been ordered once again to find Nakba at all costs. But the old terrorist is hardly the only threat keeping Marcus up at night. Secretly, the leaders of Communist China have been scheming to challenge America by way of invading Taiwan, while publicly, China engages the US in an unprecedented trade deal. Shadow games are afoot, and worse yet, an even more sinister attack is in the works—one that, if successful, would prove to be more than ten times as deadly as the strike on Soldier Field.

Marcus Ryker has been tasked with hunting down Abu Nakba, the most wanted terrorist in the world. The latest intel sends him and his team to Pakistan. There, they discover a horrifying secret inside a state-of-the-art lab. Marcus orders the lab rigged with explosives, but the plan goes bad, and a massive explosion rocks the city.

News of the blast breaks in Washington just as President Carlos Hernandez is engaged in tense trade negotiations to forge a landmark agreement with China on trade and counterterrorism.

Little does the president realize that Beijing is almost finished preparing its imminent invasion of Taiwan.

Or that a terrifying new virus is about to be released inside the U.S. to kill millions and thwart Washington’s capacity to defend its ally. This terrifying new virus, Cerberus – a new and extreme variant of the Ebola Virus – which is itself belongs to a family of viruses termed Filoviridae and is commonly referred to as a hemorrhagic fever virus (which acts faster than Ebola causing the victim’s organs to literally disintegrate within minutes as opposed to hours or days) is about to be released inside the U.S. to kill millions and thwart Washington’s capacity to defend its ally.

The reader learns that not only is Abu Nakba intending to release a frightening new virus upon the United States, or that Russia had had its hands involved in not only funding Kairos, but that China plans to use the resulting panic that will follow the release of this virus to preempt a nuclear-based surgical strike on Taiwan.


This was the first book in the series I have read and unfortunately, it is the last book in the series. The book is the last installment of the author’s Marcus Ryker storyline. This book does not shy away from depicting faith in Jesus Christ.

This book seems eerily connected to current events or events that have recently occurred in the United States and abroad. The plot and many of the events in this book are very plausible, and that is what makes this book so hard to put down once you pick it up. In this book, I found Marcus Ryker’s story to be captivating.

I am a huge fan of military and or spy-type fiction, but this one tops the charts in my opinion as Rosenberg seems to keep the narrative entertaining, but also have an element of realism based on current geo-political situations around the globe. A strong narrative helps guide things along and keeps the reader guessing where things might be headed. I found that the short chapters propel the reader to keep reading to discover the truth before putting the book down. Well-developed characters offer insights and flavour to the larger story effectively.

On my self-detirmined five-star scale, I feel that this book is worthy of the vaunted five star rating as the author not only manages to provide an exciting story that weaves political intrigue, some religious connotations (I didn't realize that this book was a Christian Political Thriller until I had checked with Goodreads after I had started reading the novel), some humour, and even some romance (SPOILER ALERT: the main protagonist marries his fiance at the end of the book). I believe that this book would definitely be a favourite read for fans of Brad Thor, Jack Carr, Ryan Steck, Kyle Mills and the late Vince Flynn.

As with all my reviews, this is just my five cents worth.

This new-to-me author kept me reading past my bedtime with this high-stakes geopolitical thriller. I know what you’re thinking…why did she start at the final book in the series?! It was an oversight. I was swept in by the hype, was curious about this popular author, hadn’t read a geopolitical thriller in a long time, and wanted to see if the idea of the fate of many in the hands of a few could be carried out well enough to hold my attention. It was. In spades.

His main character, Ryker, must stop a terror network before it brings the world to the brink of nuclear war. The leaders of Communist China have been plotting to invade Taiwan to undermine America’s power in the Pacific. Stuff ripped from current headlines, right?!

This thrilling and quick-paced plot includes a virus being released, secret invasion plans, counterterrorism negotiations and secret state of the art labs. Lots is going on and at a fast pace; I can see why this series is so popular. I came into this series at the final book and am very certain that this put me at a big disadvantage; however, it didn’t hamper my enjoyment of a fantastic story by an accomplished author. I’ll be going back to investigate Ryker’s early days leading up to this conclusion.

I was gifted this copy by Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Another compelling read torn from the pages of tomorrow's headlines. After a decade of building a military machine China deems capable of standing up to U.S. might, China enlists the services of Abu Nakba and begins its dragon's gambit to bring Taiwan into the fold and establish an Asian hegemony. All this plays out while Ryker and his team labor under the strain of years of non-stop special ops aimed at bringing Nakba to justice. The Beijing Betrayal is a fitting conclusion to the Ryker series even if the Epilog itself is a bit, uh, different.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Joel C. Rosenberg, and Tyndale House Publishers for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Back for another great novel by Joel C. Rosenberg, which happens to be the final installment of his Marcus Ryker series, I expected a great deal. Rosenberg has long been able to captivate me with his well-paced novels, usually predicting geo-political events before they ever transpire. In this piece, Ryker is still chasing down a powerful terror cell, though there is more that should worry the new US Administration. China is flexing its muscle once again, seeking to make a play for a long desired piece of territory, with plans to cripple anyone who stands in their way. The tensions are high and Marcus Ryker will have to act swiftly if he wants to save the Pacific Theatre, as well as the American homeland he has vowed to serve. Rosenberg impresses once more with this stellar thriller!

After a significant terrorist attack in Chicago the year before, America is on edge and wondering when the other shoe might drop. Their elite CIA operative, Marcus Ryker, has been chasing down the head of a terror cell for years, never quite catching up to him. As Abu Nakba remains at large, all eyes are on what might happen next. During a mission to capture him, Ryker discovers some terrifying intel, but things go awry and an explosion rocks a Pakistani city. No Abu Nakba and only chilling news to share with the White House.

While new US President Carlos Hernandez is trying to hash out a deal with the Chinese, news of the explosion reaches Washington. While the Americans remain coy, they are not fooling their counterparts. China has a plan of their own to secure their dominance in the Pacific region by taking control of Taiwan, all while the Americans chase their tail handling this terror concern and a new biological threat that is sure to send mass panic across the country.

Ryker will have to find a way to neutralise the terror threat and keep China from enacting its plan, all while the clock is ticking on his own future. There is no time to waste in this stunning conclusion to the Marcus Ryker series. Joel C. Rosenberg is at the top of his game once more!

I have long enjoyed the political thrillers that Joel C. Rosenberg puts together. Not only are they entertaining, but have an element of realism based on current geo-political situations around the globe. A strong narrative helps guide things along and keeps the reader guessing where things might be headed. Short chapters propel the reader to keep reading so as to discover the truth before putting the book down. Well-developed characters offer insights and flavour the larger story effectively. I enjoy the many plot twists and surprises based on potential events that Rosenberg is able to lay at the reader’s feet, never running out of ways to turn the story on its head. I am eager to see what Rosenberg has in store for readers next, but I will be patiently waiting.

Kudos, Mr. Rosenberg, for a strong conclusion to another great series!

Be prepared for this heart pumping, mind racing novel. I was grabbed from the first page and didn't want to put it down. I had to remind myself from time to time that I had responsibilities to attend to.
I loved this book, you will too.

The Beijing Betrayal by Joel C. Rosenberg is a Christian political thriller and the last book of the Marcus Ryker series. What a ride it has been! Fast-paced, thrilling, suspense, twists and even a bit of romance. This book has it. The author has taken us round the different possible enemies of the United States and the series ends with an unlikely collaboration among China, Russia and Pakistan, but involving a course-changing betrayal. I love the character development and I was sad to see some characters killed off, but it made the series more realistic. A worthy end to the Marcus Ryker series. I look forward to more books from Joel C. Rosenberg.
Thank you, Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers | Tyndale Fiction, for granting me access to the ARC. All opinions expressed are mine.

What a brilliant finale to the MarcusRyker series by JOEL C ROSENBERG! THE BEIJING BETRAYAL has it all - it is a riveting political thriller, with well developed characters, an exciting story and a strong Christian message - what more could you want?!
Marcus Ryker’s missiion to stop imminent danger to America and Taiwan takes us through the Middle East, Russia, China and India, the white House and the Ops Centre of the CIA. The author’s vast knowledge of world affairs makes us feel that we are opening tomorrow’s newspapers!
The wickedness of fallen man comes through strongly as we see the way Kairos, the Libyan terrorist organization, and the Chinese head of state, to name but a few, have no respect for human or animal life!
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling your read.
I cannot recommend the novel highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.