“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little” were the famous words of Edmund Burke. The author, Donald Peters, delivers the thrilling third book of his trilogy, The Iran Affair, following his previously published books, Covert Decisions, and The Gatekeeper. The Iran Affair delves deeper into the government and its mischievous manipulation which unknowingly opens the eyes of readers to the enigmatic works of the administration. Peters has provided a powerful and well-written story that is similarly displayed in his previous books that capture the vehemence of a military-action-packed event with elaborated characters. It’s evident that the author has voluminous knowledge of the sinuous operations of the system given on the comprehensive details he provides to his readers. The story lures readers with every page when the meticulous plots are steadily disclosed throughout the journey of the skillful protagonist. Reprising the principal character, Mark Taylor definitely gives a suspenseful excitement to readers who have been attached to the development of the former Special Force officer. Peters has an extraordinary method that entices avid fans to Mark Taylor’s remarkable passion for the greater good of his country, which becomes tested in this journey.

The suspicions of the Central Intelligence Agency of a plausible assassination on one of Africa’s political leaders with an Iranian drug trade as a suppression leads the agency to the recruitment of Mark Taylor and his crew on the surreptitious mission to uncover the truth and prove speculations. Undoubtedly, there is a blend of realism and genuineness in Peters’ writing that former military officers and military aficionados take pleasure in. The author takes his time as he builds each character with an in-depth background that explains their appalling motives as well as the different organizations involved. Mark Taylor and his crew of patriots ambitiously follow the trail of narcotics that eventually leads them to the complexity of the story which has Lawrence Johnson, an acting ambassador, in a honey-trap that leaves him no choice but to give in to the perpetrator’s desires. Mark Taylor begins to see a pattern between the Iranians and their desire for information from a US Ambassador of Kuwait and their drug trade mission. The former Delta Force officer relies on his combat logistics and instincts to uncover the elaborate scheme that turns out to be bigger than their expectations.

Donald Peters’ plot-driven novels certainly put readers on the edge of their seats as each chapter unravels a conspiracy which makes his storytelling unpredictable and exquisite. Books under the category of special-ops thrillers such as John Etterlee’s The Cold Storm, Tom Clancy’s Patriot Games, and W.E.B. Griffin’s Special Ops have a close similarity to Donald Peters’ novels, but there is a distinct trademark of Peters’ writing that makes his work recognizable. Aside from the profound blending of realism and authenticity, Peters’ nurturing of each character makes the readers realize the significance of each fictional person rather than the constant focus on the central figure. The possibility of Donald Peters’ novels being adapted into an action film is undoubtedly plausible, the excitement felt through the reader’s imagination can equivalently satisfy if properly portrayed on the big screen much like the film 13 hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi and Act of Valor.

When an interested individual searches for book recommendations on the internet, specifically in the genre of thriller, suspense, or special-ops thriller, most would find the works of authors Ben Coes, Dale Brown, and Lee Child, which are unquestionably great books for pastime purposes. In regards to a book that gives a meticulous plot and a sense of attachment that leaves the reader in fascination after putting the book down, Donald Peters’ The Iran Affair deserves recognition and should be on the recommended list for books that provide for such.

Covert Decisions and The Gatekeeper, the prequel books to The Iran Affair, are available to readers with a curiosity about Donald Peters’ enrapturing works.