Blowback by Brad Thor

"Blowback" by Brad Thor. This book is published by Pocket Books in 2011 and has 688 pages.

An American soldier has brutally beaten a fruit seller in Iraq and it's caught on video. Muslim countries have lodged severe protests. Fatwa has been issued to kill the American. Opposition wants to embarrass the President and gain political milage. Muslim terrorists have developed a biological weapon that will kill only non Muslims. Agent Scott Harvath is in the middle of it all.

Will the terrorists unleash such a weapon? Who is the mastermind? What does the President want? Can he survived the scandal? Will Scott save the world? How is a weapon that kills only non Muslims is possible?

The cast includes an upright American President. Patriot CIA sleuth Scott Harvath, an ambitious senator, beautiful scientist Julian Alcott, all Qaida terrorist Khalid Al Omari, Turkish businessman Kalachka and Agakhan from Bombay.

The legend of Carthigenian general Hannibal's crossing of Alps with a secret weapon, inspired from Chanakya's Arthashastra, to attack on the Romans is the seed of this story. Hannibal attacked with only a handful of soldiers as compared to the Roman might. What is this secret weapon?

The plot is grand. Execution is good. Story is interesting. There is a blend of history, legend, terrorism, plot to overthrow House of Saud, murders and scandals. Narration is good. Keeps your interest up. Climax should have been more interesting.

All in all a good thriller. Recommend reading.