A review by nietzschesghost
The Treadstone Resurrection by Joshua Hood, Robert Ludlum

4.0

Robert Ludlum’s The Treadstone Resurrection is the exciting and promising opening instalment in a brand new series in which a whole original set of all-action, edge-of-your-seat thrillers take place within the renowned Bourne universe and introduce a hero and possible icon of the genre's future, CIA operative Adam Hayes. This death-defying saga ensues after Adam receives a rather desperate and somewhat enigmatic email from close friend and fellow Treadstone operative, Nick Ford. Before long he is in deep but with his skills not quite as finely attuned as usual can he win in the battle to survive? I must admit to often feeling slightly cynical when indulging in my questioning of whether a stunningly successful series, universe and/or author’s work can be continued by a separate thriller writer as it has, sadly, failed as a concept more times than I care to mention and it’s unlikely to ever reach the heady heights the original works once did. All of that being said, I admit that this was not only one of the more successful occasions but was highly enjoyable too.

Our intrepid protagonist is thankfully different enough from Bourne to not just merely be a carbon copy but shares enough important traits to make this is a compulsively readable thrill ride with danger around every corner and a palpable sense of tension rising throughout. Granted it may not be for everyone despite the intense cat and mouse games played and the plentiful twists, turns, shocks and surprises but it’s worthy of your time as Hood hasn’t strayed too far from the tried and tested thrills and spills as well as barely allowing you a breath between surprises. If you enjoy adrenaline-pumping, heart-thumping plots that race along at breakneck pace with an interesting main character then I don’t think you can go wrong by picking this up. It certainly, from the opening pages, begins with a bang and refuses to let-up the entire story. A riveting and highly recommended initial instalment. Many thanks to Head of Zeus for an ARC.