My first Brad Thor book. I like his writing style. I will probably read another of his books based on the Harvath character.

Dr. Julia Gallo is kidnapped in Afghanistan where she was volunteering her services.

The president, Robert Alden, is grateful to Stephanie Gallo who helped orchestrate his campaign but now she's asking for a favor about her daughter. The ransom for her daughter's release is the freedom of a terrorist, Mustafa Kahn.

When the president hesitates to help, Stephanie reminds him that she has info on the president's accessory in the death of four innocent people and the conspiracy to cover it up.

They summon Scot Horvath who is a counterterrorist that the president caused to be out of a job because the president felt he had a new way of dealing with the terrorists.

When Scot meets with the president and Mrs. Gallo they tell him that they want him to deliver Kahn to the terrorists as payment for them letting Dr. Gallo go.

Scot arrives in Kabul and looks up an old friend, former recon Marine Greg Gallagher. They also see Greg's partner, Tom Hoyt and the compound's majordomo, Flower, a thirty year old Afghan. By bribing the police they find where Kabul is being held.

Meanwhile, the head of the Taliban, Mullah Massoud, is holding Julia. An Afghan, boy gets in trouble for touching Jane inappropriately. Mullah's brother breaks the boy's jaw. When the boy's father complains, Mullah has Serge Simonov kill the man and make it look accidental. He does but there are witnesses and that makes the man's village want revenge against the Taliban.

Scott, Gallagher and their team free Kahn and plan their next move in freeing Julia.

In Washington, Secret Service Agent, Elsie Campbell has overheard the talk between Mrs. Gallo and the president. Elsie researches the facts around Nikki Hale's death and the president's involvement.

This is an excellent thriller. The author knows how to pack a wallop in his story. The suspense was nicely directed and I couldn't put the book down.

Recommended. ( )

Excellent book. ( )

I admit to being a huge fan of Brad Thor and the character he has made famous Scot Harvath. So it is no wonder I enjoyed The Apostle.Set in Afghanistan it focuses on a kidnapped American physician who happens to be the daughter of a high profile and monied contributer to the new US president.

The fictional change in administration's moves Harveth to the private sector and also keeps the reader guessing how much is fact real-life behind the scenes White House staffing, policy and presidential authority.

Can Harveth break an AlQueda prisoner out of prison to exchange for the American doctor? Can he let a terrorist go free? Weaving Harveth's latest adventure through the underworld of the Taliban and AlQueda, presidential politics, plus assorted murder and mayhem, Thor writes one of his best novels yet and my favorite political thriller of the summer. ( )

The premise was so predictable I dropped out early on. ( )