Title: The Fourth Courier.
Writer(s): Timothy Jay Smith.
Publisher: Arcade.
Format: Hardcover.
Release Date: April 3rd, 2019.
Pages: 285.
Genre(s): Thriller, Mystery.
ISBN13: 9781948924108.
My Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆.
Under all the politics that is divulged to society lies a web of secrets that is often beyond our control as key figures use their powers to accomplish their most evil wishes, whether their intention is for the greater good or not. It is through espionage fiction that we often untangle these conspiracies and understand the complexity of this political and governmental machine that can sometimes feel so grand and untouchable. From the award-winning writers of A Vision of Angels, author Timothy Jay Smith looks to explore an international plot where deception and murder meet face to face as nuclear power is set loose and only time can tell if an FBI agent and a CIA agent can stop it all before it’s too late.
What is The Fourth Courier about? Set in 1992, following the end of a period marked by communism as Poland enters a post-Cold War era, a couple of unusual murders lead authorities to believe that an international smuggling ring for nuclear material has been developed with the help of couriers. As this case becomes of international interest, FBI agent Jay Porter is sent in to investigate these murders only to understand that a portable atomic bomb is on the market and he needs to hunt it down before it falls into the hands of ill-intentioned individuals. Straight out of the defunct Soviet Union, this espionage thriller explores the intricate atmosphere of an era where change has finally reached a country’s doorstep while treachery remains ubiquitous within all.
In what was supposed to be a fast-paced espionage thriller, I found myself mildly confused by the direction and the execution of this tale. There is no doubt that Timothy Jay Smith renders an atmospheric setting that beautifully captures Warsaw, Poland in 1992 as it suffers an identity crisis where its societal traits are fragile enough for any event to come transform the system in a traumatic fashion. However, this story essentially focuses on its characters to truly depict the era in which the author wanted to unveil his criticism of its people and the political landscape in which they have lived in for far too long. Unfortunately, these characters were not fleshed out to my taste despite being drawn up with enough flavour to despise them for who they are and strive to be. Their raw coldness didn’t allow me to have a particular interest in their escapade, even when the author takes the time to explore both points of view, good and evil.
While expectations did play a role throughout my reading experience, it is worth mentioning that there is unusually heavy attention to sexuality throughout this adventure as Timothy Jay Smith looks to turn it into a key component to the mystery. This focus led characters to be molded according to their sexual preferences and desires, forcing the story to loosen its grasp on the intrigue by inserting unnecessary sexual acts and romantic colloquies that I wasn’t looking for in the stories I read. It should be mentioned that the dialogues were thus difficult to connect with as they could never really capture my attention and instead further fed my need for mystery and suspense as I hoped that the protagonist would show more professionalism or proficiency as an FBI agent. Although the chaotic plotting kept me on the edge of my seat, it became harder for the story to impress me as I progressed through the narrative.
The Fourth Courier is an unorthodox espionage thriller set in a post-Cold War Poland where peculiar characters reign over the straight-forward mystery at hand.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a physical copy for a review!
Fab review Lashaan! The Sounds like it should have been a really good book, shame it didn’t work for you.
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Exactly, Nicki! It could’ve been really cool if it didn’t take such a… sexual… approach. Hopefully others will enjoy this more.
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Interesting, I think I would expect more thriller and less sex and romance just looking at this cover. But well done review, as always, Lashaan!
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Right? I didn’t know what I signed up for until it was too late hahah Hopefully, others will enjoy this way more than I did, Tammy. Thank you for reading! 😁
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A thriller sounds great, but then it starts to seem like the author inserts too much bias and political judgment, which I’m not sure how it could contribute to the story. A love/ sexual plot in an FBI search book is such a cliche. Women always make things more difficult and they are often the downfall of some men. Or the opposite, they bring them to justice. Again, something that’s not that necessary.
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Great points, Goldie. I too think women in FBI thrillers/espionage often have “roles” which are tough to accept nowadays. Sometimes it “passes” if we tell ourselves it was the mentality back then but then it becomes a cliche. In this novel, the author actually goes the LGBT route with the sexual subplot. Not exactly what I felt like reading about.
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This is why I’m a bit bitter about the book business. There are trendy topics. Topics that if you write on will get you published while potentially better books without those buzz words will be left unnoticed.
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It’s a time in history I’d be interested in reading about… unfortunate that it didn’t follow through with a good plot, etc
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Same here. I love the time period and it’s what makes me want to read so many historical thrillers!
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I’m tempted to say you nailed it, but I’m too busy envying the way you wrote this. I’d really appreciate it if you’d stop writing a superior version of my posts, Lashaan.
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No way, sir. I am super appreciative for the kind words but you write amazingly yourself and get your points across clearly and beautifully!
I did not know that you read this but I am DEFINITELY going to check out your review as soon as time allows me though.
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Thank you for taking the time to read and review my novel. I’m sorry you did not like it better. It was actually selected by Bookstr as one of the five best novels set in Europe to be published in 2019, and Bookstr also selected it as one of five books to honor Stonewall’s 50th anniversary. On The Fourth Courier’s Amazon page, under Editorial Reviews, are many very favorable reviews, which I hope your followers will check out.
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Thank you for the opportunity to read your novel and I hope people will pick up your book and enjoy it as well! 😊
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The premise looked more than intriguing, so it’s a pity that the story was partially led astray by what seems not-so-related material: sometimes authors want to do too many things at once, and end up spoiling the overall effect… I’m sorry you were so disappointed!!
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Indeed. It’s those surprises within the narrative that no one could predict that are really scary. The author could suddenly shift the whole narrative to fit some agenda that you never even wanted to read about, for example. Thanks for reading, Maddalena! 😀
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