Damascus Station

Damascus Station
AuthorDavid McCloskey
LanguageEnglish
GenreSpy fiction
PublisherW. W. Norton & Company
Publication date
2021
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint, E-book
ISBN9780393881042

Damascus Station is a spy fiction novel by American author and former CIA officer[1] David McCloskey. It is McCloskey's debut novel.[2][3] It was released in October 2021.[4]

Plot

CIA case officer Sam Joseph is dispatched to Paris to recruit Syrian Palace official Mariam Haddad. The two fall into a forbidden relationship, which creates danger when they enter Damascus to find the man responsible for the disappearance of an American spy. The chase for the killer soon leads to a trail of high-profile assassinations and the discovery of a dark secret at the heart of the Syrian regime.

Publication

The novel was published in 2021 by W. W. Norton & Company.

Reception

The novel received positive reviews from critics and intelligence professionals. The Financial Times described it as "simply marvelous storytelling...a stand-out thriller and essential reading for fans of the genre".[5] The Times said "one of the best — and most authentic — spy thrillers in years".[6] Former CIA director David Petraeus and former Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta praised the book.[4]

References

  1. ^ Hoskin, Peter. "Meet David McCloskey, America's answer to John le Carré". www.prospectmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  2. ^ "New Political Thrillers Head to the Brink of Disaster (and Dive In) (Published 2021)". 2021-11-23. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  3. ^ "BOOK REVIEW: 'Damascus Station: A Novel'". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  4. ^ a b College, Wheaton. "Agent to Author". Wheaton College. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  5. ^ LeBor, Adam (30 January 2022). "Scandi-noir, Russian London and a rogue Navy Seal — a round-up of new thrillers". Financial Times. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  6. ^ Owen, James (13 January 2023). "Damascus Station by David McCloskey review — Spies and skulduggery in Syria". The Times. Retrieved 17 July 2025.