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CHRIS HODGE

hodge_chris_bk_relevant hodge_chris_bk_newcoldwar
 
Full Name: Chris Hodge
Series Name: The Relevant Series
Nationality: American
Organization: CIA
Occupation Agent

Creator: Pete Zaccagnino
Time Span: 2020 - 2021

ABOUT THE SERIES

Chris Hodge is an agent with the CIA.

One important detail to mention at the very beginning is that these two adventures about Hodge working under the auspices of Langley are billed as 'military thrillers' so readers should be ready to expect a major cohesion between the two walks-of-life. Hodge is trained by the Agency and takes his orders from someone deeply connected to them but his actions are more reminiscent of what a soldier would be asked to do, albeit a whole lot more covertly and with the added joy in knowing that if caught, disavowal is a certainty.

We are told in a blurb that "Chris Hodge is a modern-day Renaissance man who has just graduated from MIT. His plan to make an impact in the world is to address the challenges posed by Islamic extremism from academia's ivory tower. Hodge's career trajectory takes a complete 180 when Abbott Mazuski, the intelligence officer who has clandestinely guided key events in Hodge's life from a young age, reveals himself. Intrigued by the challenge, convinced in the solution, and with the promise of information on his deceased Marine father who died in shadowy circumstances in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombings, Hodge agrees to work under Mazuski."

The comment above about his being a Renaissance man is quite true, including his proficiency in languages. In fact, one of the 'Rules' that Hodge is given by Mazuski is to "be fluent in Italian, Spanish, French, and Russian, with professional working capacity in Arabic and Japanese, and at least limited working proficiency in Mandarin Chinese". His impressive credentials do not stop there; Hodge is a graduate with honors from MIT and there is no doubt in anyone's mind, including Hodge, that he could do whatever he set out to accomplish. It would be Mazuski who would recognize Hodge's genius at a very young age and who guided Hodge along the path that Mazuski wanted from then on.

BOOKS

Number of Books:2
First Appearance:2020
Last Appearance:2021

1 Relevant Relevant
Written by Pete Zaccagnino
Copyright: 2020

"During an assignment in Somalia, Hodge befriends a local asset codenamed Blackbeard, who ends up turning rogue. Hodge struggles to remain relevant amidst the chaos of terrorism, war, and changing intel."
buy from Amazon

2 The New Cold War The New Cold War
Written by Pete Zaccagnino
Copyright: 2021

"When the Soviet Union fell in 1991, it appeared that a new world order had emerged, one where democracy prevailed and autocratic communism was rendered obsolete. Some claimed it was the end of history. Except the Russians had other plans. They weren’t ready to abandon their power on the world stage without a fight.
After over a decade of development, Russia is only months away from finalizing an advanced quantum computer that can break all known encryption in less than a microsecond. When the CIA unearths intel on Russia’s progress, they turn to agent Chris Hodge, the man judged by the Agency as best equipped to lead the team tasked with sabotaging Moscow’s advanced quantum computer.
If Chris Hodge and his team succeed, democracy will continue to prevail. If Chris Hodge and his team fail, Russia’s victory on the technological front will lead to Moscow’s unbridled power. 
buy from Amazon

MY COMMENTS

I do not know if the author, Pete Zaccagnino, is done with this series or this character or not. It has been a couple of years since these two adventures came out.

The idea of a covert organization keeping tabs on very young prospects like Hodge is both kinda intriguing and way sorta spooky. I liked it!!

If you enjoy military thrillers and especially if you like more than a bit of clandestine work thrown in, this is a good series to spend a couple of days with. The writer definitely makes it sound plausible even as he makes sure it is exciting.

GRADE

My Grade: B

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SpyGuysAndGals is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and links with the Buy from Amazon button are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.