The Powers That Be: Room 59    by Cliff Ryder Order:  USA  Can Gold Eagle, 2008 (2008) Paperback     Reviewed by Martina Bexte A highly secretive multinational policing agency, skilled operatives tracking rogue agents or carrying out dangerous games of espionage and counter terrorism, and plenty of international intrigue - it's all here in The Powers That Be, a new action packed series brought to you by the creators of the Rogue Angel series. In the opening salvo, readers are introduced to Kate Cochran, director of the clandestine black ops organization dubbed Room 59 as she and her global counterparts discuss how best to deal with a Cuban double agent who's suddenly fallen off the grid. Has he gone rogue? Or has their agent been found out and murdered? And how could both unwanted scenarios impact Room 59's future operations in Cuba? After lengthy discussion, it's decided that Colonel Jonas Schrader is best suited to infiltrate and discover the fate of their missing agent. But Schrader also has a hidden agenda - to make contact with the revolutionary who saved his life years before during another covert mission. Schrader's backup is Marcus Ruiz, a former military specialist now contracted to Room 59, whose own heritage has ties to the communist state. He and his immigrant parents might want to see their former homeland freed from the yoke of communism, but Marcus and Schrader both realise that the high level assassination planned by an influential businessman will only send the already unstable country into further turmoil. It's up to them to find and stop the assassin at all costs. Readers who enjoy gritty political intrigue on a worldwide scale, a large cast of multi-faceted characters, plenty of high-tech, edge-of-your-seat action and clever plotting will embrace the Room 59 series. Stay tuned for the next instalment in April 2008. 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