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Jason Bourne #21
The Bourne Escape
The death of a lover plunges Bourne into a maelstrom of violence and deceit in this latest installment in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
Jason Bourne is on a boat in the Mediterranean moonlight with his lover, Johanna. He’s happy for the first time in years. Then in the next instant, he finds himself floating on wreckage as fire and smoke choke the sky. Johanna is gone. And Bourne finds the darkness of lost memory closing around his mind again.
As he did once before, Bourne must piece together the fragments of who he is, even as assassins hunt him across Europe. He teams up with his spy chief, Shadow, who reveals the shocking secret that Bourne’s surrogate father – David Abbott, the founder of Treadstone – is alive and missing. Together they must find Abbott before his enemies do.
But Shadow is a master of manipulation who won’t hesitate to betray Bourne to get what she wants. With his memory returning in bits and pieces, Jason discovers that the explosion that stole away his identity is part of a deadly game being played among powerful adversaries from Moscow to Washington. It’s a game with no winners – because even if he finds David Abbott, Bourne may still find himself with no way out and everything to lose.
Jason Bourne is on a boat in the Mediterranean moonlight with his lover, Johanna. He’s happy for the first time in years. Then in the next instant, he finds himself floating on wreckage as fire and smoke choke the sky. Johanna is gone. And Bourne finds the darkness of lost memory closing around his mind again.
As he did once before, Bourne must piece together the fragments of who he is, even as assassins hunt him across Europe. He teams up with his spy chief, Shadow, who reveals the shocking secret that Bourne’s surrogate father – David Abbott, the founder of Treadstone – is alive and missing. Together they must find Abbott before his enemies do.
But Shadow is a master of manipulation who won’t hesitate to betray Bourne to get what she wants. With his memory returning in bits and pieces, Jason discovers that the explosion that stole away his identity is part of a deadly game being played among powerful adversaries from Moscow to Washington. It’s a game with no winners – because even if he finds David Abbott, Bourne may still find himself with no way out and everything to lose.
389 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2025
240 people are currently reading
384 people want to read
About the author
Brian Freeman
69 books3,039 followersBrian Freeman is a New York Times bestselling author of psychological thrillers, including the Jonathan Stride and Frost Easton series. His books have been sold in 46 countries and 22 languages. He is widely acclaimed for his "you are there" settings and his complex, engaging characters and twist-filled plots. Brian was also selected as the official author to continue Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne series, and his novel THE BOURNE EVOLUTION was named one of the Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2020 by Kirkus.
Brian's seventh novel SPILLED BLOOD won the award for Best Hardcover Novel in the annual Thriller Awards given out by the International Thriller Writers organization, and his fifth novel THE BURYING PLACE was a finalist for the same award. His novel THE DEEP, DEEP SNOW was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original.
His debut thriller, IMMORAL, won the Macavity Award for Best First Novel and was a nominee for the Edgar, Dagger, Anthony, and Barry Awards. IMMORAL was named an International Book of the Month, a distinction shared with authors such as Harlan Coben and Lisa Unger.
All of Brian's books are also available in audiobook editions. His novels THE BONE HOUSE and SEASON OF FEAR were both finalists for Best Audiobook of the Year in Thriller/Suspense.
For more information on Brian's books, visit his web site at bfreemanbooks.com or find him on Facebook at facebook.com/bfreemanfans or Twitter and Instagram (@bfreemanbooks).
Brian's seventh novel SPILLED BLOOD won the award for Best Hardcover Novel in the annual Thriller Awards given out by the International Thriller Writers organization, and his fifth novel THE BURYING PLACE was a finalist for the same award. His novel THE DEEP, DEEP SNOW was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original.
His debut thriller, IMMORAL, won the Macavity Award for Best First Novel and was a nominee for the Edgar, Dagger, Anthony, and Barry Awards. IMMORAL was named an International Book of the Month, a distinction shared with authors such as Harlan Coben and Lisa Unger.
All of Brian's books are also available in audiobook editions. His novels THE BONE HOUSE and SEASON OF FEAR were both finalists for Best Audiobook of the Year in Thriller/Suspense.
For more information on Brian's books, visit his web site at bfreemanbooks.com or find him on Facebook at facebook.com/bfreemanfans or Twitter and Instagram (@bfreemanbooks).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
May 5, 2025
It's deja vú all over again... The Bourne Escape by Brian Freeman explores the constant dangers of living on the edge when it comes to injuries. I love Jason Bourne stories and the first book the Cain identity has a great premise for a story. But can it happen again? well if you read the book you will get some answers, maybe you don't like all the answers but that's life. I had a great time reading this new adventure from a good storyteller and I hope you all will line up when it hits the shelves in the end of July. I must thank G.P. Putnam's Sons Penguin Random House and Edelweiss for giving me this advance copy of a good story.
August 4, 2025
The Bourne Escape opens with a rare moment of peace. Bourne, on a moonlit boat with Johanna—his lover and partner—is happy. That lasts about a page. Moments later, the boat is in flames, Johanna is gone, and Bourne is once again clawing through the haze of shattered memory. For fans of the original trilogy, this return to amnesia feels like a deliberate nod to Ludlum’s earliest vision of the character. But Brian Freeman doesn’t just rehash old ground—he digs deeper.
What follows is a relentless, globe-hopping pursuit across Europe, where Bourne must reconstruct who he is this time while staying one step ahead of ruthless killers and layered conspiracies. It’s a throwback and a reboot all at once—a hard reset with high emotional stakes and even higher body counts.
If you are familiar with the series, then you know David Abbott, Bourne’s long-presumed-dead surrogate father and the founder of Treadstone. Shocker--he’s alive, but missing—and every intelligence network from Washington to Moscow seems to want him found or finished. Freeman cleverly uses Abbott’s disappearance to anchor the novel emotionally, giving Bourne not just another mission, but something that resembles purpose.
There’s a wonderful unpredictability to this book. You think you’re reading a revenge story, then it turns into a spy hunt, and then it becomes something even more personal. It never loses steam. Honestly, it’s the kind of book that makes you push bedtime an hour later just to finish one more chapter.
If you’re a longtime fan of Bourne, this one will hit the sweet spot—both familiar and fresh. If you're new to the series, you’ll get swept up in the action anyway. The pacing is fierce, the stakes are real, and the plot moves like it’s being chased. Highly recommended.
What follows is a relentless, globe-hopping pursuit across Europe, where Bourne must reconstruct who he is this time while staying one step ahead of ruthless killers and layered conspiracies. It’s a throwback and a reboot all at once—a hard reset with high emotional stakes and even higher body counts.
If you are familiar with the series, then you know David Abbott, Bourne’s long-presumed-dead surrogate father and the founder of Treadstone. Shocker--he’s alive, but missing—and every intelligence network from Washington to Moscow seems to want him found or finished. Freeman cleverly uses Abbott’s disappearance to anchor the novel emotionally, giving Bourne not just another mission, but something that resembles purpose.
There’s a wonderful unpredictability to this book. You think you’re reading a revenge story, then it turns into a spy hunt, and then it becomes something even more personal. It never loses steam. Honestly, it’s the kind of book that makes you push bedtime an hour later just to finish one more chapter.
If you’re a longtime fan of Bourne, this one will hit the sweet spot—both familiar and fresh. If you're new to the series, you’ll get swept up in the action anyway. The pacing is fierce, the stakes are real, and the plot moves like it’s being chased. Highly recommended.
August 9, 2025
so this is the 21st Jason Bourne novel, the original writer did write 3 of them, so 18 books by continuation writers. It seems that like the more famous JB the literary adventure continues.
The book starts as the first Bourne novel started, Bourne losing his memories again. Which was the moment I wanted to throw this novel into the creek that passes through my camping place. Some people receiving an ARC however stated the book would be decent. Too be honest towards the end of the book it gets a lot better, hence the four star rating.
That does not take away that the last two Bourne books easily could have been called Bourne's women instead of Vendetta of Escape. Were women are JB 007 his weakness it seems that this is the case with Bourne too.
Anyhow there is an American Vice president that wants Bourne dead along with his current lady Johanna. Putin wants Bourne dead too but wants to give His dead purpose.
David Abbott the man responsible for the creation of Jason Bourne was dead, untill hé wasn't. And then hé was hunted by various intelligence organisations. Bourne's mission is to save Abbott if hé wants to accept the mission.
Another installment that is decennia away from the Bourne identity, and yet not so far.
The book starts as the first Bourne novel started, Bourne losing his memories again. Which was the moment I wanted to throw this novel into the creek that passes through my camping place. Some people receiving an ARC however stated the book would be decent. Too be honest towards the end of the book it gets a lot better, hence the four star rating.
That does not take away that the last two Bourne books easily could have been called Bourne's women instead of Vendetta of Escape. Were women are JB 007 his weakness it seems that this is the case with Bourne too.
Anyhow there is an American Vice president that wants Bourne dead along with his current lady Johanna. Putin wants Bourne dead too but wants to give His dead purpose.
David Abbott the man responsible for the creation of Jason Bourne was dead, untill hé wasn't. And then hé was hunted by various intelligence organisations. Bourne's mission is to save Abbott if hé wants to accept the mission.
Another installment that is decennia away from the Bourne identity, and yet not so far.
August 2, 2025
As I was reading the latest Jason Bourne adventure --- THE BOURNE ESCAPE --- I thought about how proud the late Robert Ludlum would have been to know that his most famous fictional creation was still going strong and in fine shape decades after he first introduced him. This latest novel is the 21st overall novel to feature Jason Bourne and now the 7th from author Brian Freeman. What is still amazing to me is that Ludlum himself just penned the first three titles in this still highly relevant series.
The action begins right away and never seems to slow down. Bourne and his most recent lover and fellow Treadstone spy, Johanna, are on a boat somewhere in the middle of the Mediterranean where they have been hiding out from their enemies. Bourne’s recent actions, particularly the killing of Russian spy and Treadstone infiltrator Lennon, has made him public enemy #1 in the eyes of Russian leader Vladimir Putin and a hefty bounty is placed upon his head. Of course, the enemy eventually finds them, and things do not end well.
For the second time in his career as a spy, Jason Bourne has lost his memory. This time, he was fished out of the water by a passing boat who he eventually commandeers and makes them take him to Ile de Port Noir, which seemed familiar to him. Johanna was gone and feared dead, although this fact still eluded the memory-challenged Bourne. It was very nostalgic to see Bourne in this way once again, taking us back to the original Ludlum stories. We also get to see him go through the same motions and returning to people and places that existed in his lapsed mind as if they were muscle memory. Places like Paris.
Bourne never left the radar of Treadstone or its’ new leader, the woman known as Shadow, and she has sent agents such as the brutal Vandal in search of him. No one is to be trusted in this novel --- evidenced by the fact that Vandal was already commissioned by Holly Schultz of the CIA to eliminate Bourne. Meanwhile, the inevitable reunion between Bourne and Shadow will take place, as he has known her by different names over the years and they were also briefly lovers. The one bond that they share the deepest is with the man named David Abbott who was Bourne’s mentor when he was known as David Webb. He also happens to be Shadow’s father, one of the many revelations that this novel brings to life.
Perhaps the biggest revelation is when Bourne learns that the man he thought to be long dead, the very same David Abbott, was not only very much alive but also being sought by Russia. The Russians are not the only enemy on Bourne’s radar as he learns that China has created their very own ‘Manchurian Candidate’ in the form of current U.S. Vice President Adam Hill. Eluding the Russians AND preventing Hill from ever reaching the Presidency seems like a tall order for Bourne. This is made even more difficult when Shadow and Treadstone turn on him and swap him for the recently apprehended David Abbott with the Russian government. In a great bit of Meta, we get to see Jason Bourne face off with Putin himself and it is quite unforgettable --- especially when Putin informs him that he has become the first casualty of World War III.
Meanwhile, the very much alive Johanna learns of Bourne’s memory loss and apprehension by the Russians and begins her own mission to rescue him. Shadow does what she can to make things difficult for Johanna so that the possibility of a Bourne escape does not happen. Of course, there is no enemy or prison cell that can ever hold Bourne and the retribution he will exact before the novel ends will be satisfying to behold but also come at a high price.
THE BOURNE ESCAPE is a relentless read from start to finish as Freeman seems to up the ante with each successive Jason Bourne novel. This one is incredibly suspenseful, and Freeman takes the reader all the way to the edge only to pull them back at the last minute with yet another twist or secret. There is always just a little bit left over to keep the door open for future adventures and to that I say long live Jason Bourne/David Webb/Cain!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
The action begins right away and never seems to slow down. Bourne and his most recent lover and fellow Treadstone spy, Johanna, are on a boat somewhere in the middle of the Mediterranean where they have been hiding out from their enemies. Bourne’s recent actions, particularly the killing of Russian spy and Treadstone infiltrator Lennon, has made him public enemy #1 in the eyes of Russian leader Vladimir Putin and a hefty bounty is placed upon his head. Of course, the enemy eventually finds them, and things do not end well.
For the second time in his career as a spy, Jason Bourne has lost his memory. This time, he was fished out of the water by a passing boat who he eventually commandeers and makes them take him to Ile de Port Noir, which seemed familiar to him. Johanna was gone and feared dead, although this fact still eluded the memory-challenged Bourne. It was very nostalgic to see Bourne in this way once again, taking us back to the original Ludlum stories. We also get to see him go through the same motions and returning to people and places that existed in his lapsed mind as if they were muscle memory. Places like Paris.
Bourne never left the radar of Treadstone or its’ new leader, the woman known as Shadow, and she has sent agents such as the brutal Vandal in search of him. No one is to be trusted in this novel --- evidenced by the fact that Vandal was already commissioned by Holly Schultz of the CIA to eliminate Bourne. Meanwhile, the inevitable reunion between Bourne and Shadow will take place, as he has known her by different names over the years and they were also briefly lovers. The one bond that they share the deepest is with the man named David Abbott who was Bourne’s mentor when he was known as David Webb. He also happens to be Shadow’s father, one of the many revelations that this novel brings to life.
Perhaps the biggest revelation is when Bourne learns that the man he thought to be long dead, the very same David Abbott, was not only very much alive but also being sought by Russia. The Russians are not the only enemy on Bourne’s radar as he learns that China has created their very own ‘Manchurian Candidate’ in the form of current U.S. Vice President Adam Hill. Eluding the Russians AND preventing Hill from ever reaching the Presidency seems like a tall order for Bourne. This is made even more difficult when Shadow and Treadstone turn on him and swap him for the recently apprehended David Abbott with the Russian government. In a great bit of Meta, we get to see Jason Bourne face off with Putin himself and it is quite unforgettable --- especially when Putin informs him that he has become the first casualty of World War III.
Meanwhile, the very much alive Johanna learns of Bourne’s memory loss and apprehension by the Russians and begins her own mission to rescue him. Shadow does what she can to make things difficult for Johanna so that the possibility of a Bourne escape does not happen. Of course, there is no enemy or prison cell that can ever hold Bourne and the retribution he will exact before the novel ends will be satisfying to behold but also come at a high price.
THE BOURNE ESCAPE is a relentless read from start to finish as Freeman seems to up the ante with each successive Jason Bourne novel. This one is incredibly suspenseful, and Freeman takes the reader all the way to the edge only to pull them back at the last minute with yet another twist or secret. There is always just a little bit left over to keep the door open for future adventures and to that I say long live Jason Bourne/David Webb/Cain!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
August 8, 2025
4+ Stars
I love the Bourne series.
This one is action packed, as usual.
It doesn’t disappoint.
I love the Bourne series.
This one is action packed, as usual.
It doesn’t disappoint.
July 30, 2025
When I read a Bourne book I expect action, deception and a story that does not let go. The Bourne Escape delivered all that. On the Mediterranean, Bourne and his lover Johanna are once again separated when their boat is attacked and blown up. Bourne comes to clutching debris but has once again lost his memory. Flashes lead him back to the village and doctor who treated him years earlier when he first lost his memory. An attack leaves the doctor dead and Bourne on the run. Shadow, the head of Treadstone and Bourne’s former lover, tracks him to Paris. She needs his help to find David Abbott, the founder of Treadstone. Shadow had helped him fake his death and he was in hiding. Now he has disappeared. Abbott raised Bourne after his parents’ death and trained him. Shadow also has a close relationship to Abbott and is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to find him. What Bourne does not know is that Johanna also survived the explosion. She and Shadow have been adversaries in the past. She must find Bourne before Shadow betrays him to save Abbott.
While Bourne is driven by instinct after the explosion, his past returns in flashes triggered by locations and faces. He has no memory of Johanna but knows that there was someone with him on the boat. When they finally reconnect, his priority is to find a way to be together. Johanna, however, has been keeping secrets from him that make her a target and Bourne is wanted by Putin for killing one of his agents. With the Russians and an assassin on their trail Bourne relies on his training, which tells him to trust no one. It is a chase across Europe with betrayals at every turn that ends in tragedy. It will leave you counting the days until Bourne returns. I would like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing this book.
August 7, 2025
Was disappointed with the way the book started. It was déjà vu all over again with Bourne losing his memory again. As if having lost it once wasn't enough. However the book did pick up the plot and the memory loss was related to the background. The rest of it was the typical Bourne plot twists and betrayals. The way the book has been wrapped up, looks like the author wants to clear up the messy history of Bourne with women, which I have been critical of in previous reviews as well. The next instalment promises to give a fresh start for Jason Bourne.
August 25, 2025
Good book. A continuation of the “Bourne” classics. Torn between a three or four star. There were more than enough twists in the plot to tilt it to four!
August 14, 2025
Although there was plenty of action, this was basically a book rehashing the action from previous books. Many of the same scenes were repeated throughout the story multiple times. Plus Jason losing his memory again was exasperating. I was wavering between 3.5 and 4 stars at the start, but I dropped to 3 stars because of the meeting with Putin. Putin's reasoning and plan for Jason didn't make sense especially when he had spent so much time and effort trying to find him. Also it's getting tiresome continually having everyone killed that gets close to Jason.
August 17, 2025
Action and clever writing.
An action packed page turner! From Ukraine war to spy vs spy all across Europe. A good read, my opinion
An action packed page turner! From Ukraine war to spy vs spy all across Europe. A good read, my opinion
July 26, 2025
I recently had the opportunity to read an ARC of The Bourne Escape, written by Brian Freeman and published by G.P.Putnam's Sons. I had received the ARC copy of the novel from the fine folks at NetGalley.com, and for that, I am grateful.
I had been fortunate enough to have read the previous entry into the Bourne Universe (The Bourne Vendetta), which had been released earlier this year (January 2025), written by Brian Freeman. Imagine my surprise when I open my email and the publisher has reached out and asked if I would be interested in reading and reviewing the latest entry, The Bourne Escape, in the Bourne-Universe. This book is scheduled to be released on 29 July 2025.
"Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Escape," the 21st book in the Jason Bourne series written by Brian Freeman, continues the fast-paced, action-packed narrative fans expect.
The Bourne Escape felt like The Bourne Identity 2.0, which was a great book to start the Bourne series (written by Robert Ludlum over forty-five years ago) in which the protagonist was pulled from the Mediterranean and treated by a benevolent but Drunken English doctor named Washburn.
This story begins with Jason Bourne (the protagonist who was originally named David Webb, but who now carries the code name “Cain”) and his current love, Johanna, aboard a boat anchored off the coast of France. They are being hunted by forces from both sides.
One team of hunters is most assuredly Russian, who are at the orders of (Vladimir) Putin. Vladimir Putin is determined to find and punish Jason Bourne after the Treadstone agent kills Putin’s personal assassin, Lennon, who was a mole in the agency. The other hunters appear to be Treadstone, the private intelligence organization for whom Jason Bourne had once worked as an assassin and spy. The CIA also appears to be seeking him.
The story sees Bourne once again losing his memory after a violent attack on his boat, and he must piece together his past while navigating a treacherous world of espionage, betrayal, and powerful adversaries. Those familiar with the Bourne series of movies will recall that Bourne had previously lost his memory after being shot in the head (in fact, almost the first third of the book – I think the number was 28% - read like a retelling of the origin story of the Jason Bourne character from The Bourne Identity). After an intense firefight with a group of would-be assassins, the boat is sabotaged and explodes, hurling both Jason and Johanna into the stormy sea. Jason awakens floating on a piece of driftwood in the Mediterranean Sea. He has no idea whether Johanna has survived the explosion, and he does not see or hear her. Once again, he is rescued by French fishermen, and once again, he makes his way to the same doctor who treated him the first time he was injured. At this point, the story is off and running with this new plot.
This premise in itself is brilliant enough that it’s been repurposed in countless other films and stories (including The Long Kiss Goodnight, XIII and Noir) to the point that assassins and amnesia have become almost inseparable in popular culture, and that it managed to serve as the entire plot (not just premise) for the blockbuster series of Matt Damon Bourne movies in the early part of the century.
The second plot line that comes to play more than a fleeting part in this novel is that we discover that the current Vice President of the United States (and potential successor to the leading power in the free world), Adam Hill, had been providing intelligence to the Chinese CCP government,
The book reunites a lot of former characters from Jason's past and tells some background info about the years past till now.
Some of these characters from Bourne's past include the former head of the clandestine black ops intelligence service Treadstone, David Abbott (aka Monk), who, as the son of an auto industry had previously had roots in the CIA (showing how the intelligence agencies were interwoven with the black ops world of Treadstone) . He was the surrogate father figure/mentor for David Webb (aka Jason Bourne, aka Cain), as Webb had lived with him for ten years following the death of his parents, as well as the man who had initially recruited him to be one of the initial pillars of Treadstone. Abbott was believed to have been killed some years earlier. The reports of David Abbott’s death having been greatly exaggerated, Bourne must track him down. He was safely hidden away but placed himself in danger in an attempt to denounce the vice president, and is now missing.
Another one of the characters playing a large part in the story is Johanna (born Annie, whose background story plays a relatively strong part in the novel), Bourne's on-again, off-again
Amour, who was suspected to be deceased following the explosion of the fishing boat in the first section of the novel.
Another character is Shadow (born Marlen, aka Monika Roth), a spy chief and former assistant to David Abbott, who is the current head of Treadstone, with her agenda, working closely with Holly Schultz, head of the CIA.
One of the other major characters that plays a part in this story is Adam Hill, the current Vice President of the United States, who had been compromised as a former senator with a dark secret and is proving to be a threat to his past victim (Johanna) and the man who loves her (Jason). He has been compromised due to his past actions and is now being threatened, as he sits on the House Intelligence Committee, into passing secrets to the Chinese. This character could be considered a modern version of “The Manchurian Candidate”, which is a term referring to a person (especially a politician) being used as a puppet by an enemy power. The term is a reference to the 1959 political thriller of the same name by Richard Condon, where a soldier had been brainwashed to exert influence on the outcome of the US elections.
Hill's input to this novel is further exemplified by the actions of a Treadstone agent, code-named Vandal (born Sylene Jasper), as she serves as the physical tip of the spear for him. Her role in this novel is that she is working as a double agent, while working as an agent for Treadstone and is serving as a spy for Holly Schultz of the CIA (whose actions and directives are influenced by Adam Hill).
Holly Schultz, who is vision impaired, is the head of the CIA and is working under the influence and at the behest of Adam Hill.
There are many more minor characters referred to or involved in the action, including retired spies, mercenaries, and past lovers. The actions of these characters and how they are interwoven provide truth to a line from the book that rings true in both fiction and in life - "In Washington. everyone has a knife to everyone else's neck".
As in the past, an important motive behind all the action is the Files, an AI engine combined with a hacked database, developed by the Chinese and a threat (there are oh so many threats!) to lives and careers.
Freeman tells a fast paced and thrilling tale, that will keep the reader turning pages late into the evening hours, that races along in the Bourne universe but also manages to weave in individuals from the real world as not only are the prototypical arch-nemesis (“The Russians”) involved in the beginning of the book but also as Bourne has a face to face sit down with Putin who decides to use him as a pawn in his war against Ukraine (to become the first Westerner to be killed in World War III).
The Bourne Escape is more than a fast-paced, action-oriented thriller with a strong political element. It exposes the reader to some semblance of romantic undercurrents. The majority of the story takes place in Europe, with geographic settings that include Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Russia, and Ukraine, with some parts taking place in the United States.
On my self-determined five-star scale, I would give The Bourne Escape a solid four stars, as even though some parts feel like they’re tying up loose ends, the story still feels fresh and exciting. If you enjoy spy thrillers and political intrigue, this one is worth picking up. A strong entry in the Bourne series! The Bourne Escape is more than a political thriller, sure to be a favourite for those aficionados of the previous greats, such as Clancy, Follett, Le Carre, Ludlum, and the current greats such as Flynn and Thor.
As with all my literary ramblings, these are just a few of my five cents' worth.
I had been fortunate enough to have read the previous entry into the Bourne Universe (The Bourne Vendetta), which had been released earlier this year (January 2025), written by Brian Freeman. Imagine my surprise when I open my email and the publisher has reached out and asked if I would be interested in reading and reviewing the latest entry, The Bourne Escape, in the Bourne-Universe. This book is scheduled to be released on 29 July 2025.
"Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Escape," the 21st book in the Jason Bourne series written by Brian Freeman, continues the fast-paced, action-packed narrative fans expect.
The Bourne Escape felt like The Bourne Identity 2.0, which was a great book to start the Bourne series (written by Robert Ludlum over forty-five years ago) in which the protagonist was pulled from the Mediterranean and treated by a benevolent but Drunken English doctor named Washburn.
This story begins with Jason Bourne (the protagonist who was originally named David Webb, but who now carries the code name “Cain”) and his current love, Johanna, aboard a boat anchored off the coast of France. They are being hunted by forces from both sides.
One team of hunters is most assuredly Russian, who are at the orders of (Vladimir) Putin. Vladimir Putin is determined to find and punish Jason Bourne after the Treadstone agent kills Putin’s personal assassin, Lennon, who was a mole in the agency. The other hunters appear to be Treadstone, the private intelligence organization for whom Jason Bourne had once worked as an assassin and spy. The CIA also appears to be seeking him.
The story sees Bourne once again losing his memory after a violent attack on his boat, and he must piece together his past while navigating a treacherous world of espionage, betrayal, and powerful adversaries. Those familiar with the Bourne series of movies will recall that Bourne had previously lost his memory after being shot in the head (in fact, almost the first third of the book – I think the number was 28% - read like a retelling of the origin story of the Jason Bourne character from The Bourne Identity). After an intense firefight with a group of would-be assassins, the boat is sabotaged and explodes, hurling both Jason and Johanna into the stormy sea. Jason awakens floating on a piece of driftwood in the Mediterranean Sea. He has no idea whether Johanna has survived the explosion, and he does not see or hear her. Once again, he is rescued by French fishermen, and once again, he makes his way to the same doctor who treated him the first time he was injured. At this point, the story is off and running with this new plot.
This premise in itself is brilliant enough that it’s been repurposed in countless other films and stories (including The Long Kiss Goodnight, XIII and Noir) to the point that assassins and amnesia have become almost inseparable in popular culture, and that it managed to serve as the entire plot (not just premise) for the blockbuster series of Matt Damon Bourne movies in the early part of the century.
The second plot line that comes to play more than a fleeting part in this novel is that we discover that the current Vice President of the United States (and potential successor to the leading power in the free world), Adam Hill, had been providing intelligence to the Chinese CCP government,
The book reunites a lot of former characters from Jason's past and tells some background info about the years past till now.
Some of these characters from Bourne's past include the former head of the clandestine black ops intelligence service Treadstone, David Abbott (aka Monk), who, as the son of an auto industry had previously had roots in the CIA (showing how the intelligence agencies were interwoven with the black ops world of Treadstone) . He was the surrogate father figure/mentor for David Webb (aka Jason Bourne, aka Cain), as Webb had lived with him for ten years following the death of his parents, as well as the man who had initially recruited him to be one of the initial pillars of Treadstone. Abbott was believed to have been killed some years earlier. The reports of David Abbott’s death having been greatly exaggerated, Bourne must track him down. He was safely hidden away but placed himself in danger in an attempt to denounce the vice president, and is now missing.
Another one of the characters playing a large part in the story is Johanna (born Annie, whose background story plays a relatively strong part in the novel), Bourne's on-again, off-again
Amour, who was suspected to be deceased following the explosion of the fishing boat in the first section of the novel.
Another character is Shadow (born Marlen, aka Monika Roth), a spy chief and former assistant to David Abbott, who is the current head of Treadstone, with her agenda, working closely with Holly Schultz, head of the CIA.
One of the other major characters that plays a part in this story is Adam Hill, the current Vice President of the United States, who had been compromised as a former senator with a dark secret and is proving to be a threat to his past victim (Johanna) and the man who loves her (Jason). He has been compromised due to his past actions and is now being threatened, as he sits on the House Intelligence Committee, into passing secrets to the Chinese. This character could be considered a modern version of “The Manchurian Candidate”, which is a term referring to a person (especially a politician) being used as a puppet by an enemy power. The term is a reference to the 1959 political thriller of the same name by Richard Condon, where a soldier had been brainwashed to exert influence on the outcome of the US elections.
Hill's input to this novel is further exemplified by the actions of a Treadstone agent, code-named Vandal (born Sylene Jasper), as she serves as the physical tip of the spear for him. Her role in this novel is that she is working as a double agent, while working as an agent for Treadstone and is serving as a spy for Holly Schultz of the CIA (whose actions and directives are influenced by Adam Hill).
Holly Schultz, who is vision impaired, is the head of the CIA and is working under the influence and at the behest of Adam Hill.
There are many more minor characters referred to or involved in the action, including retired spies, mercenaries, and past lovers. The actions of these characters and how they are interwoven provide truth to a line from the book that rings true in both fiction and in life - "In Washington. everyone has a knife to everyone else's neck".
As in the past, an important motive behind all the action is the Files, an AI engine combined with a hacked database, developed by the Chinese and a threat (there are oh so many threats!) to lives and careers.
Freeman tells a fast paced and thrilling tale, that will keep the reader turning pages late into the evening hours, that races along in the Bourne universe but also manages to weave in individuals from the real world as not only are the prototypical arch-nemesis (“The Russians”) involved in the beginning of the book but also as Bourne has a face to face sit down with Putin who decides to use him as a pawn in his war against Ukraine (to become the first Westerner to be killed in World War III).
The Bourne Escape is more than a fast-paced, action-oriented thriller with a strong political element. It exposes the reader to some semblance of romantic undercurrents. The majority of the story takes place in Europe, with geographic settings that include Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Russia, and Ukraine, with some parts taking place in the United States.
On my self-determined five-star scale, I would give The Bourne Escape a solid four stars, as even though some parts feel like they’re tying up loose ends, the story still feels fresh and exciting. If you enjoy spy thrillers and political intrigue, this one is worth picking up. A strong entry in the Bourne series! The Bourne Escape is more than a political thriller, sure to be a favourite for those aficionados of the previous greats, such as Clancy, Follett, Le Carre, Ludlum, and the current greats such as Flynn and Thor.
As with all my literary ramblings, these are just a few of my five cents' worth.
July 18, 2025
I wasn’t as big a fan of this instalment as I have been of previous books. It seemed to take a long time to get going and I questioned if I had read it before. With Jason Bourne losing his memory again and plots of previous novels being mentioned again it’s not hard to see why. Overall maybe a little bit of a lazy book, entertaining but ultimately not all that exciting. Thank you to Netgalley for the advance reader copy.
April 27, 2025
Despite a plethora of action and several exciting scenes, I did not find this book compelling. The book is very similar to others in this series with Jason Bourne awakening one day to find he has amnesia. I also found it extremely disconcerting to have many of the major characters constantly referred to by different names —- Jason Bourne as David Webb and Cain —- Shadow as Marlen and Monika —- Johanna as Annie —- David Abbott as Monk. I cannot recommend this book to others but, nevertheless, thank NetGalley and Putnam for the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.
June 17, 2025
Vladimir Putin is determined to find and punish Jason Bourne after the Treadstone agent kills Putin’s assassin, a mole in the agency. Putin is not the only threat to Bourne. He has enemies at home as well as at Treadstone, in Washington D.C., and in the CIA. He does eventually get caught by Putin’s men who have been chasing him across Europe, thanks to a double cross by his boss at Treadstone. Bourne has a face to face sit down with Putin who decides to use him as a pawn in his war against Ukraine. Wait, you say, you’re going too fast? Well, speeding up the story in The Bourne Escape (it should really be Escapes) begins at the beginning and never lets up. Treadmill (sorry, I mean Treadstone. It just seems like the reader is on an exercise run) is back with all of its evil and evil characters.
In the event that you have not read The Bourne Vendetta, Book 20 in the series, or if you have, or have simply lost your memory, the plot picks up with Bourne floating on the wreckage of the boat he was on with Johanna, his lover, in the Mediterranean, attempting to escape the favorite bad guys of the books: assassins. Johanna is gone, as is, not for the first time, Bourne’s memory. He cannot trust anyone (his mantra) which is exacerbated by the names, faces, and events he is unable to recall.
The story involves a large cast of characters along with their aliases. Shadow, born Marlen but aka Monika Roth, Johanna, born Annie, David Abbott aka Monk, Vandal, born Sylene Jasper and Jason Bourne, born David Webb, aka Cain along with the names on his half dozen passports. Abbott, the son of an auto industry billionaire, who had roots in the CIA, started a clandestine black ops intelligence service, Treadstone, and Bourne lived with him for 10 years after his parents were killed. Abbott served as his mentor and recruited him for Treadstone, now headed by Shadow. Adam Hill, Vice President of the United States, had been a senator with a dark secret and now is a threat to his past victim and the man who loves her. He has been compromised due to his past actions and is now being threatened, as he sits on the House Intelligence Committee, in to passing secrets to the Chinese. Vandal is playing both sides as a double agent. She, too, was compromised after killing her husband and being sentenced to 20 years in prison and only assisted in becoming a prison escapee so that she could act as a Treadstone agent while acting as a spy for Holly Schultz of the CIA. Putin is not the only notable name mentioned. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance is spotted in a photo cozying up to Abbott.
There are many more minor characters referred to or involved in the action including retired spies, mercenaries and past lovers. As in the past, an important motive behind all the action is the Files, an AI engine combined with a hacked database, developed by the Chinese and a threat (there are oh so many threats!) to lives and careers.
The reports of David Abbott’s death having been greatly exaggerated, Bourne must track him down. He was safely hidden away but placed himself in danger in an attempt to denounce the vice president and is now missing.
The settings include Italy, an island off the French coast, Washington D.C., Paris, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, and Bulgaria.
The Bourne Escape is more than a political thrilller. It is a summer escape. It is big screen, nonstop action on a paper page or digital page or as an audiobook. It is excessive, contrived, hammy, over-the-top and loads of fun. It’s for everyone. Men love a strong, invincible guy attractive to women and women love…well, the same. How many injuries can one man survive? How many explosions? How many adversaries can one man outrun? How many times can you lose and retrieve your memory? Admit that you would like to find out. You can start the Jason Bourne series with Book 21. The author does a great job bringing the reader up to speed without weighing down the story flow.
I would like to thank NetGalley for an advance copy of The Bourne Escape. This is my honest review of Brian Freeman’s book.
In the event that you have not read The Bourne Vendetta, Book 20 in the series, or if you have, or have simply lost your memory, the plot picks up with Bourne floating on the wreckage of the boat he was on with Johanna, his lover, in the Mediterranean, attempting to escape the favorite bad guys of the books: assassins. Johanna is gone, as is, not for the first time, Bourne’s memory. He cannot trust anyone (his mantra) which is exacerbated by the names, faces, and events he is unable to recall.
The story involves a large cast of characters along with their aliases. Shadow, born Marlen but aka Monika Roth, Johanna, born Annie, David Abbott aka Monk, Vandal, born Sylene Jasper and Jason Bourne, born David Webb, aka Cain along with the names on his half dozen passports. Abbott, the son of an auto industry billionaire, who had roots in the CIA, started a clandestine black ops intelligence service, Treadstone, and Bourne lived with him for 10 years after his parents were killed. Abbott served as his mentor and recruited him for Treadstone, now headed by Shadow. Adam Hill, Vice President of the United States, had been a senator with a dark secret and now is a threat to his past victim and the man who loves her. He has been compromised due to his past actions and is now being threatened, as he sits on the House Intelligence Committee, in to passing secrets to the Chinese. Vandal is playing both sides as a double agent. She, too, was compromised after killing her husband and being sentenced to 20 years in prison and only assisted in becoming a prison escapee so that she could act as a Treadstone agent while acting as a spy for Holly Schultz of the CIA. Putin is not the only notable name mentioned. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance is spotted in a photo cozying up to Abbott.
There are many more minor characters referred to or involved in the action including retired spies, mercenaries and past lovers. As in the past, an important motive behind all the action is the Files, an AI engine combined with a hacked database, developed by the Chinese and a threat (there are oh so many threats!) to lives and careers.
The reports of David Abbott’s death having been greatly exaggerated, Bourne must track him down. He was safely hidden away but placed himself in danger in an attempt to denounce the vice president and is now missing.
The settings include Italy, an island off the French coast, Washington D.C., Paris, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, and Bulgaria.
The Bourne Escape is more than a political thrilller. It is a summer escape. It is big screen, nonstop action on a paper page or digital page or as an audiobook. It is excessive, contrived, hammy, over-the-top and loads of fun. It’s for everyone. Men love a strong, invincible guy attractive to women and women love…well, the same. How many injuries can one man survive? How many explosions? How many adversaries can one man outrun? How many times can you lose and retrieve your memory? Admit that you would like to find out. You can start the Jason Bourne series with Book 21. The author does a great job bringing the reader up to speed without weighing down the story flow.
I would like to thank NetGalley for an advance copy of The Bourne Escape. This is my honest review of Brian Freeman’s book.
August 3, 2025
As I was reading the latest Jason Bourne adventure, I thought about how proud Robert Ludlum would have been to know that his most famous fictional creation is still going strong and in fine shape decades after he introduced him. THE BOURNE ESCAPE is the 21st novel to feature Bourne and the seventh written by Brian Freeman. It continues to amaze me that Ludlum penned just three books in this still highly relevant series.
The action begins right away and never seems to slow down. Bourne and his lover and fellow Treadstone spy, Johanna, are on a boat somewhere in the middle of the Mediterranean where they have been hiding out from their enemies. Bourne’s recent actions, particularly the killing of a Russian spy and Treadstone infiltrator, has made him public enemy #1 in the eyes of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and a hefty bounty is placed on his head. Of course, they are eventually found, and things do not end well.
For the second time in his career as a spy, Bourne has lost his memory. He is fished out of the water by a passing boat and is taken to Ile de Port Noir, which seems familiar to him. Johanna is gone and feared dead, although this unfortunate news still eludes the memory-challenged Bourne. It is quite nostalgic to see Bourne in this state once again, taking us back to the original Ludlum stories. We also get to see him go through the same motions and returning to people and places that existed in his lapsed mind as if they are muscle memory.
Bourne never left the radar of Treadstone or its new leader, the woman known as Shadow, and she has sent various agents in search of him. He has known her by different names over the years, and they were briefly lovers. The one bond that they share the deepest is with David Abbott, the founder of Treadstone and Bourne’s mentor when Bourne was known as David Webb. So imagine Bourne’s shock when he learns that the man he thought to be long dead is not only very much alive but is being sought by Russia.
The Russians are not the only enemy on Bourne’s radar as he finds out that China has created their very own “Manchurian Candidate” in the form of current U.S. Vice President Adam Hill. Eluding the Russians AND preventing Hill from ever reaching the presidency seems like a tall order for Bourne. This is made even more difficult when Shadow and Treadstone turn on him and swap him for the recently apprehended David Abbott with the Russian government. In a great bit of meta, we get to see Bourne face off against Putin, and it is quite unforgettable --- especially when Putin informs him that he has become the first casualty of World War III.
Meanwhile, the very much alive Johanna learns of Bourne’s memory loss and apprehension by the Russians and begins her own mission to rescue him. Shadow does what she can to make things difficult for Johanna so that a Bourne escape does not happen. Of course, there is no enemy or prison cell that can ever hold Bourne, and the retribution he will exact before the novel ends will be satisfying to behold but also come at a high price.
THE BOURNE ESCAPE is a relentless read from start to finish as Brian Freeman seems to up the ante with each new novel in this series. This one is incredibly suspenseful, and he takes readers all the way to the edge only to pull them back at the last minute with yet another twist or secret. There is always just a little bit left over to keep the door open for future adventures. And to that I say, “Long live Jason Bourne/David Webb/Cain!”
Reviewed by Ray Palen
The action begins right away and never seems to slow down. Bourne and his lover and fellow Treadstone spy, Johanna, are on a boat somewhere in the middle of the Mediterranean where they have been hiding out from their enemies. Bourne’s recent actions, particularly the killing of a Russian spy and Treadstone infiltrator, has made him public enemy #1 in the eyes of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and a hefty bounty is placed on his head. Of course, they are eventually found, and things do not end well.
For the second time in his career as a spy, Bourne has lost his memory. He is fished out of the water by a passing boat and is taken to Ile de Port Noir, which seems familiar to him. Johanna is gone and feared dead, although this unfortunate news still eludes the memory-challenged Bourne. It is quite nostalgic to see Bourne in this state once again, taking us back to the original Ludlum stories. We also get to see him go through the same motions and returning to people and places that existed in his lapsed mind as if they are muscle memory.
Bourne never left the radar of Treadstone or its new leader, the woman known as Shadow, and she has sent various agents in search of him. He has known her by different names over the years, and they were briefly lovers. The one bond that they share the deepest is with David Abbott, the founder of Treadstone and Bourne’s mentor when Bourne was known as David Webb. So imagine Bourne’s shock when he learns that the man he thought to be long dead is not only very much alive but is being sought by Russia.
The Russians are not the only enemy on Bourne’s radar as he finds out that China has created their very own “Manchurian Candidate” in the form of current U.S. Vice President Adam Hill. Eluding the Russians AND preventing Hill from ever reaching the presidency seems like a tall order for Bourne. This is made even more difficult when Shadow and Treadstone turn on him and swap him for the recently apprehended David Abbott with the Russian government. In a great bit of meta, we get to see Bourne face off against Putin, and it is quite unforgettable --- especially when Putin informs him that he has become the first casualty of World War III.
Meanwhile, the very much alive Johanna learns of Bourne’s memory loss and apprehension by the Russians and begins her own mission to rescue him. Shadow does what she can to make things difficult for Johanna so that a Bourne escape does not happen. Of course, there is no enemy or prison cell that can ever hold Bourne, and the retribution he will exact before the novel ends will be satisfying to behold but also come at a high price.
THE BOURNE ESCAPE is a relentless read from start to finish as Brian Freeman seems to up the ante with each new novel in this series. This one is incredibly suspenseful, and he takes readers all the way to the edge only to pull them back at the last minute with yet another twist or secret. There is always just a little bit left over to keep the door open for future adventures. And to that I say, “Long live Jason Bourne/David Webb/Cain!”
Reviewed by Ray Palen
June 29, 2025
FAST-PACED ACTION!
I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Well-written by Brian Freeman and published by G.P. Putnam's Sons in 2025, this is an action-packed thriller in the tradition of the Jason Bourne movies, which were highly entertaining.
This story begins with Jason Bourne (the protagonist who was originally named David Webb, but who now carries the code name “Cain”) and his current love, Johanna, aboard a boat anchored off the coast of France. They are being hunted. One team of hunters is assuredly Russian, at the orders of (Vladimir) Putin. His personal assassin, Lennon, was killed by Bourne and Putin wants revenge. The other hunters might well be Treadstone, the private intelligence organization for whom Jason Bourne once worked as an assassin and spy. The CIA might also be seeking him. Those familiar with the Bourne series of movies will recall that Bourne had previously lost his memory after being shot in the head. It happens again. After an intense firefight with a group of would-be assassins, the boat is sabotaged and explodes, hurling both Jason and Johanna into the stormy sea. Jason awakens floating on a piece of driftwood in the Mediterranean Sea. He has no idea whether Johanna has survived the explosion, and he does not see or hear her. Once again, he is rescued by French fishermen, and once again he makes his way to the same doctor who treated him the first time he was injured. At this point, the story is off and running with this new plot.
David Abbot, also known as The Monk, is the founder of Treadstone and was Jason’s personal mentor and initial trainer. That training duty was subsequently assigned to a man named Nash Rollins, who Jason will soon meet again. Treadstone is now being run by a woman whose code name is “Shadow” but whose real name is “Marlen.” She was very close to David Abbot. Abbot is believed to have been killed some years earlier, and Shadow was his primary assistant. She now runs the show at Treadstone but works closely with the current head of the CIA, a totally blind woman named “Holly Schultz,” who is working at the behest of a crooked congressman named Adam Hill. Hill is the Chinese version of the “Manchurian Candidate, a threat to the entire United States government. He is now the Vice President of the United States and is soon expected to become President. That’s a lot of powerful people who want Jason Bourne, and who want him dead. Can he escape? Did Johanna survive the explosion? Read the book to find out!
I found the book to be generally well-written. Most of the metaphors seemed to be appropriate, and the use of the English language is good. I noted one inconsistency: In Ukraine, Jason crosses an “untilled field — nothing but black dirt.” That would usually indicate that the field had been tilled but not, yet, planted. Even though this is an unedited, pre-release copy, I observed very few editing errors. This one is a page-turner, and I liked it. I award all five of the five available stars and recommend it to lovers of the genre, and of Jason Bourne stories.
I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Well-written by Brian Freeman and published by G.P. Putnam's Sons in 2025, this is an action-packed thriller in the tradition of the Jason Bourne movies, which were highly entertaining.
This story begins with Jason Bourne (the protagonist who was originally named David Webb, but who now carries the code name “Cain”) and his current love, Johanna, aboard a boat anchored off the coast of France. They are being hunted. One team of hunters is assuredly Russian, at the orders of (Vladimir) Putin. His personal assassin, Lennon, was killed by Bourne and Putin wants revenge. The other hunters might well be Treadstone, the private intelligence organization for whom Jason Bourne once worked as an assassin and spy. The CIA might also be seeking him. Those familiar with the Bourne series of movies will recall that Bourne had previously lost his memory after being shot in the head. It happens again. After an intense firefight with a group of would-be assassins, the boat is sabotaged and explodes, hurling both Jason and Johanna into the stormy sea. Jason awakens floating on a piece of driftwood in the Mediterranean Sea. He has no idea whether Johanna has survived the explosion, and he does not see or hear her. Once again, he is rescued by French fishermen, and once again he makes his way to the same doctor who treated him the first time he was injured. At this point, the story is off and running with this new plot.
David Abbot, also known as The Monk, is the founder of Treadstone and was Jason’s personal mentor and initial trainer. That training duty was subsequently assigned to a man named Nash Rollins, who Jason will soon meet again. Treadstone is now being run by a woman whose code name is “Shadow” but whose real name is “Marlen.” She was very close to David Abbot. Abbot is believed to have been killed some years earlier, and Shadow was his primary assistant. She now runs the show at Treadstone but works closely with the current head of the CIA, a totally blind woman named “Holly Schultz,” who is working at the behest of a crooked congressman named Adam Hill. Hill is the Chinese version of the “Manchurian Candidate, a threat to the entire United States government. He is now the Vice President of the United States and is soon expected to become President. That’s a lot of powerful people who want Jason Bourne, and who want him dead. Can he escape? Did Johanna survive the explosion? Read the book to find out!
I found the book to be generally well-written. Most of the metaphors seemed to be appropriate, and the use of the English language is good. I noted one inconsistency: In Ukraine, Jason crosses an “untilled field — nothing but black dirt.” That would usually indicate that the field had been tilled but not, yet, planted. Even though this is an unedited, pre-release copy, I observed very few editing errors. This one is a page-turner, and I liked it. I award all five of the five available stars and recommend it to lovers of the genre, and of Jason Bourne stories.
July 29, 2025
It's kind of like Yogi Berra's deja vu all over again: Memory lost and found, falling in and out of love (and beds) and, of course, danger lurking in the doorways of every restaurant, hotel and "safe" house. If I'm honest, it's getting a teeny bit ho-hum after all this time (this is the 21st book in the series) - but on the other hand, I certainly can't say I wasn't on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.
One thing I do like is that this installment brings together several of the characters from his past, some to haunt on-the-run former paid assassin Jason Bourne, others to love him, others to deceive him and still others to kill him outright (including no less than Russian President Vladimir Putin). After a period of relative calm with lover Johanna in which he regains some of the memories he's lost over a ton of previous books, his situation takes a dark turn when the boat they are on suddenly goes boom - taking Jason, Johanna with it.
When he's somehow rescued, he finds that the blast took his memories with it as well - so he's pretty much starting from scratch once again. Johanna, he believes, is dead. One memory that remains intact, sort of, is his former relationship with Treadstone and its founder, David Abbott - who's been dead for awhile. But turns out that's not true; when he reunites with Shadow, a beautiful woman who now heads up Treadstone, he learns the truth. His old mentor and employer - the man who made him the efficient assassin he is - is alive and missing, and his enemies will leave no stone unturned until they find him. If they find Jason in the process, so much the better.
Or, maybe it's Jason they really want. Shadow has betrayed Jason before; is she doing it again? One of Treadstone's rules was to "trust no one" - a rule that has so far kept Jason alive. But Shadow is relentless - and irresistible. When she reveals her secret reason for finding and rescuing Abbott, it makes sense - but is she telling the truth? And what, if anything, does her quest to find him have to do with a very powerful government leader?
It's all part of an intricate and deadly game - a common theme for the books in this series. This is another good one, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.
One thing I do like is that this installment brings together several of the characters from his past, some to haunt on-the-run former paid assassin Jason Bourne, others to love him, others to deceive him and still others to kill him outright (including no less than Russian President Vladimir Putin). After a period of relative calm with lover Johanna in which he regains some of the memories he's lost over a ton of previous books, his situation takes a dark turn when the boat they are on suddenly goes boom - taking Jason, Johanna with it.
When he's somehow rescued, he finds that the blast took his memories with it as well - so he's pretty much starting from scratch once again. Johanna, he believes, is dead. One memory that remains intact, sort of, is his former relationship with Treadstone and its founder, David Abbott - who's been dead for awhile. But turns out that's not true; when he reunites with Shadow, a beautiful woman who now heads up Treadstone, he learns the truth. His old mentor and employer - the man who made him the efficient assassin he is - is alive and missing, and his enemies will leave no stone unturned until they find him. If they find Jason in the process, so much the better.
Or, maybe it's Jason they really want. Shadow has betrayed Jason before; is she doing it again? One of Treadstone's rules was to "trust no one" - a rule that has so far kept Jason alive. But Shadow is relentless - and irresistible. When she reveals her secret reason for finding and rescuing Abbott, it makes sense - but is she telling the truth? And what, if anything, does her quest to find him have to do with a very powerful government leader?
It's all part of an intricate and deadly game - a common theme for the books in this series. This is another good one, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.
June 20, 2025
4* A good intro for me to a character I'd heard about but never been interested in (because of the actor who played him) until now. Very Bond-y, but strangely believable with digs at current affairs, and because of the motivation of the self-described omniscient playmaker.
OK, well this book doesn't let up from the minute it starts. There are 5 female characters of varying importance, one of whom is blind, who're seemingly as strong, well trained, determined, and emotionally detached as any male killer-for-hire. Wow. Unexpected but strangely believable. I didn't get to like any of them, because all had betrayed each other to a degree, some were double agents, some were blinkered, and all were coldhearted killers. Not even a lovely guide dog loving its owner could redeem said owner. But good on the doggy for not trusting a person who ended up kind of getting what he deserved, but also not, because that kind of evil betrayer deserved to be shown up publicly, not let off the hook to a degree. I wish I could've seen a MAGA meltdown at the actual video reveal, sadly good on abused Annie for getting her revenge.
Jason/Cain is a more modern, less misogynistic take on 007, 'loving' the woman he's with until the woman (he thinks) he loves comes back into his life. He's actually a far less visible, almost not-quite-as-capable a character as say, Shadow, a future playmaker who's a woman of many secrets, power and mystery. One who's the product of her upbringing and brainwashing at the hands of the playmaker that she'll likely take over from one day.
I liked the Chinese-agent aspect of the tale, which is pretty much a take on The Cheeto being an agent of Russia, but, what a cop out, worthy of MAGA spinners/strategists. I liked the encounter with 'Putin', although it didn't feel remotely believable. I liked the reveal about 'Putin's' M.O., about his plans for the West, about his manipulation of word events. Did it feel believable? All too much, sadly and scarily. All maybe closer to the truth than most will dare to admit. Where's Seal Team 6 when you need them?
This was a very visual romp of a tale, au Bond. Very entertaining.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Head of Zeus/Bloomsbury, for my reading pleasure.
OK, well this book doesn't let up from the minute it starts. There are 5 female characters of varying importance, one of whom is blind, who're seemingly as strong, well trained, determined, and emotionally detached as any male killer-for-hire. Wow. Unexpected but strangely believable. I didn't get to like any of them, because all had betrayed each other to a degree, some were double agents, some were blinkered, and all were coldhearted killers. Not even a lovely guide dog loving its owner could redeem said owner. But good on the doggy for not trusting a person who ended up kind of getting what he deserved, but also not, because that kind of evil betrayer deserved to be shown up publicly, not let off the hook to a degree. I wish I could've seen a MAGA meltdown at the actual video reveal, sadly good on abused Annie for getting her revenge.
Jason/Cain is a more modern, less misogynistic take on 007, 'loving' the woman he's with until the woman (he thinks) he loves comes back into his life. He's actually a far less visible, almost not-quite-as-capable a character as say, Shadow, a future playmaker who's a woman of many secrets, power and mystery. One who's the product of her upbringing and brainwashing at the hands of the playmaker that she'll likely take over from one day.
I liked the Chinese-agent aspect of the tale, which is pretty much a take on The Cheeto being an agent of Russia, but, what a cop out, worthy of MAGA spinners/strategists. I liked the encounter with 'Putin', although it didn't feel remotely believable. I liked the reveal about 'Putin's' M.O., about his plans for the West, about his manipulation of word events. Did it feel believable? All too much, sadly and scarily. All maybe closer to the truth than most will dare to admit. Where's Seal Team 6 when you need them?
This was a very visual romp of a tale, au Bond. Very entertaining.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Head of Zeus/Bloomsbury, for my reading pleasure.
August 2, 2025
Read as an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest feedback based on my reading this book.
Jason Bourne is back and honestly, I didn’t realize how much I missed him until I was 30 pages in and completely hooked. Brian Freeman has truly found his stride in Ludlum’s world. This latest entry is fast-paced, sharply written, and surprisingly introspective for a thriller. Yes, there’s action (plenty of it), but there’s also a lot going on under the surface. For most of the first part of the book the seasoned reader of Bourne canon would get a feeling that this book is a reboot of the original Ludlum book which introduced the world to Jason Bourne before the story changes.
Bourne feels more human in this book and Brian has referred to the OG to bring this attribute to life. There’s a vulnerability to him that adds weight to the story, he’s still the lethal force we know, but he’s also a man haunted by what he’s lost, what he’s forgotten and more importantly what he’s becoming. That inner struggle made the action matter more. He’s not just running or fighting; he is also questioning why he still does either.
Brian Freeman does a great job weaving modern espionage themes deep-fakes, disinformation, shadow ops into a plot that feels very current, without losing the classic Bourne energy. There is a new character, who cis mysterious, morally gray and just the right amount of unhinged, traits which appealed to me in this story.
Minor gripes - a few slower patches of exposition bogged down the pacing in the third act and not all character motivations landed as strongly as I hoped.
But overall? This was a super satisfying, cinematic read.
If you’re already a fan of the Bourne series, this will feel like a return to form. And if you're new to it? You’ll still enjoy the ride just maybe you may need to keep Google handy for a few backstory clarifications or you may just enjoy the ride.
This is a super recommendation for Spy thriller fans, readers who enjoy morally complex characters and anyone craving a globe-trotting escape with brains and bullets.
Jason Bourne is back and honestly, I didn’t realize how much I missed him until I was 30 pages in and completely hooked. Brian Freeman has truly found his stride in Ludlum’s world. This latest entry is fast-paced, sharply written, and surprisingly introspective for a thriller. Yes, there’s action (plenty of it), but there’s also a lot going on under the surface. For most of the first part of the book the seasoned reader of Bourne canon would get a feeling that this book is a reboot of the original Ludlum book which introduced the world to Jason Bourne before the story changes.
Bourne feels more human in this book and Brian has referred to the OG to bring this attribute to life. There’s a vulnerability to him that adds weight to the story, he’s still the lethal force we know, but he’s also a man haunted by what he’s lost, what he’s forgotten and more importantly what he’s becoming. That inner struggle made the action matter more. He’s not just running or fighting; he is also questioning why he still does either.
Brian Freeman does a great job weaving modern espionage themes deep-fakes, disinformation, shadow ops into a plot that feels very current, without losing the classic Bourne energy. There is a new character, who cis mysterious, morally gray and just the right amount of unhinged, traits which appealed to me in this story.
Minor gripes - a few slower patches of exposition bogged down the pacing in the third act and not all character motivations landed as strongly as I hoped.
But overall? This was a super satisfying, cinematic read.
If you’re already a fan of the Bourne series, this will feel like a return to form. And if you're new to it? You’ll still enjoy the ride just maybe you may need to keep Google handy for a few backstory clarifications or you may just enjoy the ride.
This is a super recommendation for Spy thriller fans, readers who enjoy morally complex characters and anyone craving a globe-trotting escape with brains and bullets.
August 31, 2025
#Binge Reviewing my previous Reads #Spy Thriller
Brian Freeman’s The Bourne Escape (2025) was my read from last week, and it felt less like slipping into another Bourne novel and more like stepping through a door marked “exit,” knowing full well that escape is never as clean as the word suggests.
Here, Freeman tightens the net around Bourne: the hunter becomes the cornered animal, the fugitive whose only way forward is out—but out of what? An operation? A life? Himself? The title is deceptive in the best way, because this isn’t a jailbreak thriller—it’s a reckoning. The “escape” is layered: from enemies, from memories, and from the endless cycle of violence that has defined his fractured existence.
The plot races across borders, carrying Freeman’s trademark fusion of precision detail and muscular pacing. Conspiracies unfurl, betrayals sting, and yet the true tension lies in whether Bourne can outpace not just assassins but the ghosts tethered to his every decision.
Freeman excels here at juxtaposing speed with stillness—chase scenes cut to moments of solitude where Bourne questions whether liberation is even possible for a man like him.
The character work is the highlight. Bourne feels more spectral than ever, as though he’s phasing between the man he once was and the legend everyone else sees. The “escape” takes on a tragic irony: no matter how far he runs, he carries the labyrinth inside him. By the time the final pages snap shut, you’re left wondering whether he’s broken free or just locked himself inside a different kind of prison.
Freeman’s prose remains sharp and cinematic, but here he edges toward the elegiac. The rain-soaked shadows of Vendetta give way to a desperate dash for air, light, and closure. It’s a thriller, yes, but one wrapped in a meditation: what does it mean to flee when every path leads back to yourself?
Reading it last week, I kept circling back to that—escape as myth, survival as curse, Bourne as the man forever caught between.
Brian Freeman’s The Bourne Escape (2025) was my read from last week, and it felt less like slipping into another Bourne novel and more like stepping through a door marked “exit,” knowing full well that escape is never as clean as the word suggests.
Here, Freeman tightens the net around Bourne: the hunter becomes the cornered animal, the fugitive whose only way forward is out—but out of what? An operation? A life? Himself? The title is deceptive in the best way, because this isn’t a jailbreak thriller—it’s a reckoning. The “escape” is layered: from enemies, from memories, and from the endless cycle of violence that has defined his fractured existence.
The plot races across borders, carrying Freeman’s trademark fusion of precision detail and muscular pacing. Conspiracies unfurl, betrayals sting, and yet the true tension lies in whether Bourne can outpace not just assassins but the ghosts tethered to his every decision.
Freeman excels here at juxtaposing speed with stillness—chase scenes cut to moments of solitude where Bourne questions whether liberation is even possible for a man like him.
The character work is the highlight. Bourne feels more spectral than ever, as though he’s phasing between the man he once was and the legend everyone else sees. The “escape” takes on a tragic irony: no matter how far he runs, he carries the labyrinth inside him. By the time the final pages snap shut, you’re left wondering whether he’s broken free or just locked himself inside a different kind of prison.
Freeman’s prose remains sharp and cinematic, but here he edges toward the elegiac. The rain-soaked shadows of Vendetta give way to a desperate dash for air, light, and closure. It’s a thriller, yes, but one wrapped in a meditation: what does it mean to flee when every path leads back to yourself?
Reading it last week, I kept circling back to that—escape as myth, survival as curse, Bourne as the man forever caught between.
May 27, 2025
A scene that is familiar to Jason Bourne. He is on the Mediterranean Sea and he losses his memory. This time it is due to a firefight and a bomb that blows up his ship. Bourne retraces his steps back to the alcoholic doctor that helped his many years ago when he first lost his memory. As he begins to regain some of his memories, he comes to realize that his soulmate was also on the ship, may have perished when the bomb exploded. To make things even more complicated, his former boss and father figure, David Abbott, who Bourne thought was dead. Is alive and missing. The head of Treadstone, Shadow, makes contact, and asks Jason to help find Abbott.
I have to admit, after reading the first couple chapters where Jason Bourne loses his memory again, I thought this book was going to be awful. I thought having Bourne lose his memory again was cliche and repetitive. It turns out the concept grew on me, and I really enjoyed this installment in the series. There was enough variation to make this memory loss believable and different from the first time.
The book itself was fast paced, and provided a good amount of action. The dynamic between Bourne and Shadow was intriguing. You never knew if it was a love or hate relationship. There were a couple of nice twists during the story, and the ending was solid. It really wrapped up this storyline, and allows Jason Bourne to move on. I look forward to the next installment in the Jason Bourne Series. Thank you to NetGalley, Brian Freeman, and Penguin Group Putnam for a free advanced readers copy for an honest review.
I have to admit, after reading the first couple chapters where Jason Bourne loses his memory again, I thought this book was going to be awful. I thought having Bourne lose his memory again was cliche and repetitive. It turns out the concept grew on me, and I really enjoyed this installment in the series. There was enough variation to make this memory loss believable and different from the first time.
The book itself was fast paced, and provided a good amount of action. The dynamic between Bourne and Shadow was intriguing. You never knew if it was a love or hate relationship. There were a couple of nice twists during the story, and the ending was solid. It really wrapped up this storyline, and allows Jason Bourne to move on. I look forward to the next installment in the Jason Bourne Series. Thank you to NetGalley, Brian Freeman, and Penguin Group Putnam for a free advanced readers copy for an honest review.
July 10, 2025
Shocked to find this is book 21 in the Jason Bourne series, how did I miss this, I haven’t read any since the original trilogy! However, that didn’t matter and I’m sure other fans of Bourne will love this adrenaline fuelled adventure of their hero. The action never lets up but there are a lot of characters to get your head around and some of those have multiple names, a bit confusing.
Briefly, Bourne finds himself drifting at sea and all he can remember is that he was on a boat that blew up. He has lost his memory again! Rescued, his memory starts returning in dribs and drabs but his main thoughts are that there was a woman on board and that Putin is seeking revenge on Jason for killing his agent, one of his top assassins. Meanwhile there is a traitor in Washington who also wants him dead and will go to any means possible to achieve that. As Bourne starts to recover he finds himself being chased ruthlessly whilst he is searching for his mentor David who has gone missing.
Honestly, it was a bit of a complex storyline, with so much going on. Interesting that there were a number of female killers in the book, not something you see often, and they are all both very pretty and totally ruthless, a la James Bond! A fast paced and exciting thriller, violent with a lot of dead bodies killed in a variety of methods. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Entertaining read.
Briefly, Bourne finds himself drifting at sea and all he can remember is that he was on a boat that blew up. He has lost his memory again! Rescued, his memory starts returning in dribs and drabs but his main thoughts are that there was a woman on board and that Putin is seeking revenge on Jason for killing his agent, one of his top assassins. Meanwhile there is a traitor in Washington who also wants him dead and will go to any means possible to achieve that. As Bourne starts to recover he finds himself being chased ruthlessly whilst he is searching for his mentor David who has gone missing.
Honestly, it was a bit of a complex storyline, with so much going on. Interesting that there were a number of female killers in the book, not something you see often, and they are all both very pretty and totally ruthless, a la James Bond! A fast paced and exciting thriller, violent with a lot of dead bodies killed in a variety of methods. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Entertaining read.
August 1, 2025
I always make sure to take my blood pressure meds and back off the caffeine before I start a new instalment of Jason Bourne. I know it’ll be an action packed ride with nonstop adrenaline. Poor Jason has already sustained a traumatic brain injury and memory loss. How can he be so unlucky as to do it again? That loss didn’t erase his penchant for a beautiful woman though. He’s still not very smart in who he trusts, the double crosses and ulterior motives build as Treadstone won’t let him get far away. His Russian enemies haven’t forgiven him either. The race to find his former mentor takes him around the Mediterranean, Paris and Russia to stunning vistas he never gets to enjoy. I raced through the pages just as quickly as he jetted the globe. I’ve learned to make myself a cheat sheet to keep up with all the legends. Thanks to Penguin Publishing Group (via NetGalley) for providing the exhilarating Advance Reader Copy of “The Bourne Escape” Jason Bourne Series #21, by Brian Freeman, publication 07/29/2025. These are always my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given freely without compensation.
June 4, 2025
The Bourne Escape felt like The Bourne Identity 2.0, which was a great book to start the Bourne series. The book reunites a lot of former characters from Jason's past and tells some background info about the years past till now. Can you trust anyone in the government or the 3 letter agencies?
All politicians and spies have their own agenda and will do everything/anything to achieve what they want, as Jason finds out...Don't Trust Anyone!
There is plenty of action throughout the book, a whole lot of lies/deceit, and an ending that is sad and good at the same time. Another Bourne novel on the way...YEA!! Thank you Brian Freeman for continuing the Bourne saga, Putnam Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I totally recommend
the latest Jason Bourne novel coming out in late July.
All politicians and spies have their own agenda and will do everything/anything to achieve what they want, as Jason finds out...Don't Trust Anyone!
There is plenty of action throughout the book, a whole lot of lies/deceit, and an ending that is sad and good at the same time. Another Bourne novel on the way...YEA!! Thank you Brian Freeman for continuing the Bourne saga, Putnam Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I totally recommend
the latest Jason Bourne novel coming out in late July.
June 26, 2025
I haven’t read a Jason Bourne book since the original trilogy written by Robert Ludlum so I didn’t really know what to expect with this 21st book in the series. Initially it was disappointing that the author was revisiting nearly the same trope from the first book, “Bourne Identity” but as I got into it and the pace of action drew me in I found it fascinating to revisit so many of the original characters. While I enjoyed the book, and there was definitely non-stop action, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just a bunch of intense action scenes strung together to create a story. That just went around in circles without going anywhere. Fans of the series will enjoy it. Strongly recommended
Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for an advanced reader copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for an advanced reader copy.
August 13, 2025
A bit of a groundhog day storyline. Bourne & girlfriend Johanna are offshore in the Med when attacked, their boat explodes and it's amnesia all over again! Fishermen find/rescue him (again) but Johanna is missing and presumed dead.
Thus, Bourne thinks it's the bounty put on his head by Putin but it's something else altogether. They were being hunted by the CIA for something else. Snippets of his memory come back throughout the book while he reconnects with Shadow & Vandal from previous installments in the series. Each of these spies have their own agenda and Bourne needs to follow the main rule- Trust No One.
It's more interesting toward the latter half of the book -about a 3.25 for me.
Thus, Bourne thinks it's the bounty put on his head by Putin but it's something else altogether. They were being hunted by the CIA for something else. Snippets of his memory come back throughout the book while he reconnects with Shadow & Vandal from previous installments in the series. Each of these spies have their own agenda and Bourne needs to follow the main rule- Trust No One.
It's more interesting toward the latter half of the book -about a 3.25 for me.
August 24, 2025
An interesting one this, yes it is a “Bourne” thriller, but it feels more like a Treadstone thriller and three women have equal billing with Bourne.
Anyway, Bourne has a repeat of the actions of the very first book, action at sea and a loss of memory. As his memory comes back in bits, he struggles to find out why he was attacked and finds out his surrogate father might still be alive and in hiding. As is the tradition with these books, right from Ludlum’s original this is packed full of conspiracies and hidden agendas. And some very dangerous women who might be friend or foe. Is there anyone Bourne can trust.
Not a bad entry into the series, plenty of pace, different locations and plot twists.
Anyway, Bourne has a repeat of the actions of the very first book, action at sea and a loss of memory. As his memory comes back in bits, he struggles to find out why he was attacked and finds out his surrogate father might still be alive and in hiding. As is the tradition with these books, right from Ludlum’s original this is packed full of conspiracies and hidden agendas. And some very dangerous women who might be friend or foe. Is there anyone Bourne can trust.
Not a bad entry into the series, plenty of pace, different locations and plot twists.
August 24, 2025
I think a big reason why I keep up with the Jason Bourne series is that I enjoy all the jet-setting around Europe. This time, he’s escaped (another) Mediterranean boat explosion that has wiped his memory clean, and he is dodging a hornets nest of women he can’t completely trust. Oh yeah, he gets caught up in the Russia-Ukraine war and the drone warfare in Eastern Europe. At first glance, I thought 388 pages was just the right size for a Bourne novel, but I did have to read a little but slower: there is a lot packed into the action, and details matter in this series.
August 13, 2025
As a US Army veteran who spent time stationed in Germany in the late '80s, I have a deep-seated love for Robert Ludlum's thrillers, which often kept me company. So, I was particularly thrilled to dive into Brian Freeman's continuation of the Jason Bourne saga in The Bourne Escape.
Check out my complete book review: https://www.bestthrillerbooks.com/ste...
Check out my complete book review: https://www.bestthrillerbooks.com/ste...
August 20, 2025
I agree, many of the scenes are repetitive or just rehashed from prior books. I follow the Bourne series and found this one to be a disappointment, constantly relying on Jason Bourne’s tumultuous relationships with women, in lieu of developing any new and interesting plot lines. It’s as if the author spit out another book simply because it was time — instead of having any new or compelling storyline to add to the series.
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