The Consultant: Jonathan Hunter    by TJ O'Connor Order:  USA  Can Oceanview, 2018 (2018) Softcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth If you are a lover of mystery and thriller novels, you will enjoy The Consultant by Tj O'Connor. Jonathan Hunter, a rogue CIA consultant, leaves his post to answer his brother's urgent plea for help. For years, Jonathan and his brother Kevin Mallory have not spoken. Hoping for a reconciliation, Jon arrives just moments too late. His brother's dying words are 'Khalifah ... not them ... Maya.' Jon takes on the task of finding Kevin's killer. Another of the cast of players in The Consultant is Jon's mentor, Oscar LaRue, who is on the trail of Russian Intelligence, not realizing that there is an Iranian threat. Khalifah is a terrorist mastermind and Caine is a singular nomadic assassin who works for the highest bidder. An attack seems to be on the horizon. If, by this far in, you aren't definitely hooked on the story you must be reading the wrong book. Suspense reigns as does a wonderful sense of humor. Anticipation waits around every corner. Characterization is right on. Poor Jon silently chastises himself for not arriving on the scene of his brother's death in time to save him and to reconcile with him. Kevin's wife comes on the scene, bringing more problems. Refugees are trapped between the terrorists and the terrorized. Jon races to learn the next terrorist target and stop annihilation. The Consultant ranks as high as any thriller I've ever read. Fortunately, it's the first of a new series by Tj O'Connor. By the way, this author knows of what he writes. He is an international anti-terrorism expert, as well as an Adjunct Researcher for the Institute for Defense Analysis. Keep tuned to this new series. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews