(Reviewed by JD Jung)
This debut espionage thriller introduces readers to an often-overlooked corner of military fiction: Canadian special operations. In The Quiet War, the immediate threat is Al-Najm al-Saghir, who isn’t just a terrorist; his long-term plan is to bring down western civilization. His co-conspirators include wealthy men from the West selling their services to the highest bidder. Al-Saghir is adept in spreading propaganda, infiltrating universities and social movements. Their short-term goal is to eliminate Canada, and they will start with crippling their health care system.
Against this threat stand Canada’s special forces, soldiers who have trained endlessly for scenarios they hope will never come. When the danger becomes real, their preparation is put to the test. Retired Warrant Officer Nathan Cutler was divorced and disillusioned with Canada, so he moved to Belize, where the cost of living was more reasonable. When he meets an attractive British intelligence officer, he realizes that he cannot escape his past. When the two go missing, a Canadian team is forced into a dangerous jungle operation, shifting the novel into high gear with tense, action-driven sequences.
What distinguishes The Quiet War from the standard action thriller is its attention to character. Alongside the covert missions, author Michael J. Lalonde explores the personal costs of those tasked with protecting their country—the fractured relationships, and the toll of just being human.
Lalonde maintains that he wrote this as much to entertain as to warn Canadians of the cost of complacency and unpreparedness. He also wants to show how Canadian politicians have become complacent when it comes to national defense, assuming that Canada will never be targeted. He also recognizes that very little has been written about Canadian military fiction, and he wants to introduce Canadians to the capabilities of their special operations.
With compelling characters, a fast-paced and timely plot, and a clear sense of purpose, this first installment succeeds on multiple levels. It is an engaging thriller, and it leaves the reader eager to see where the series—and its characters—will go next.