When Berenson's previous John Wells book, Twelve Days, left off, Wells had convinced the President that the intel on Iran having a nuke was false and at the last minute, the invasion of Iran was called off. The architect of the false intel was Aaron Duberman, an American-born Jew and casino megabillionaire. The invasion was called off, but Duberman remained at large in Israel.
The Wolves picks up the next week. The President has saved face, but his potential failure has put his entire administration in jeopardy; political pressure might force his resignation. Has to be knowing that Duberman is one of the Presdent's biggest donors. War was averted, but Wells still wants Duberman. The President loosens the reins on Wells, but will offer neither aid nor support if Wells chooses to go after Duberman.
Duberman knows Wells will be coming. Each knows the other is not safe until only one remains alive. The one thing the President does is squeeze Israel to kick Duberman out and force him to be on the run. Duberman retreats to his mountain fortress in Hong Kong near his feature casino.
His casino in expanding and the biggest of the big high rollers make the pilgrimage to Hong Kong, including the highest ranking general in the Chinese Air Force. The casino takes customer service to extremes and General Han has a liking for young girls. Plus, a Russian intelligence operative leans on an arms dealer (from Twelve Days) to recruit Duberman as a source for intel on China's military (via General Han).
Wells works his way into Hong Kong and sets Duberman's paranoia detector in high gear. He has Wells, the Russians, the Chinese, his security, and his wife threatening him from all directions. The Wolves are indeed baying at his door.
In previous John Wells books (all of which we have reviewed), the focus of the story is on Wells and his seemingly superhuman instincts. This time, however, Duberman's fate garners the largest fraction of the book. When Wells tightens a screw, Duberman has to juggle numerous possible outcomes, few of which are favorable. That Berenson emphasizes Duberman's fall, doesn't make this any less of a terrific and fast-paced tale. Berenson remains a consistent and enthralling story teller.
As people like us at MRB are famous for saying, "Buckle up, boys. It's going to be a bumpy ride." Especially for Duberman.
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