Review of True Believer by Jack Carr

With True Believer, Jack Carr proves that The Terminal List was no fluke. If Carr’s debut was a raw, furious tale of vengeance, his second novel widens the scope, showing readers that James Reece is more than just an avenger—he’s a complex, evolving character now caught in the murky world of global espionage.

The story picks up after the fallout of Reece’s bloody revenge spree. Hunted and broken, he flees to a remote corner of Africa to disappear from the world. But history doesn’t let men like Reece stay hidden for long. When a wave of devastating terrorist attacks shakes Europe, the U.S. government reluctantly turns back to the man they once betrayed. In exchange for a presidential pardon, Reece is pulled into a high-stakes mission to stop the mastermind behind the chaos—a former Iraqi commando with ties to Reece’s own past.

Where The Terminal List was intimate and personal, True Believer is expansive. Carr takes readers from quiet African villages to the heart of European cities, weaving a story that feels both global and terrifyingly plausible. The pacing is relentless, but Carr still carves out space for the emotional beats that make Reece such a compelling figure. We see him wrestling with survivor’s guilt, his grief for his family, and the heavy question of whether a man who’s lost everything can still find a sense of purpose beyond revenge.

Raife Hastings, Reece’s lifelong friend, makes his first major appearance in the series here. A former SEAL turned Montana rancher, Raife brings a different kind of strength to the story—less about tactics and more about loyalty, wisdom, and grounding Reece when he threatens to drift too far into darkness. Their bond feels authentic, and Raife quickly establishes himself as an indispensable figure in Carr’s growing universe, one who will continue to play a vital role in future novels.

The action is, once again, brilliantly executed. Carr’s background as a Navy SEAL continues to shine through in the tactical details, but he balances the technical side with cinematic intensity. Assassinations, ambushes, and covert operations feel immediate and authentic, while the violence—brutal and efficient—never feels gratuitous. Each firefight and kill serves the story, raising the stakes while showing Reece’s adaptability outside the battlefield of his first mission.

Since the Amazon Prime adaptation only covered The Terminal List, readers stepping into True Believer will experience an entirely fresh chapter of Reece’s journey. While the series gave us a visual taste of his vengeance, the book shows us how that vengeance reshapes him. The contrast is striking: on-screen, Reece feels like a man consumed by rage; on the page in True Believer, we see the aftermath—his search for redemption, his cautious re-entry into trust and loyalty, and the recognition that his skills make him both a weapon and a target in a dangerous world.

What makes True Believer so strong is how Carr expands the world without losing the personal touch. This isn’t just another counterterrorism thriller; it’s about a man navigating betrayal, identity, and the thin line between justice and survival. Carr blends geopolitics, espionage, and heart-pounding action into a story that feels chillingly real.

True Believer builds on everything that made The Terminal List exceptional and raises the stakes. It’s bigger, broader, and more sophisticated, yet still deeply personal. With Raife Hastings stepping into the spotlight alongside James Reece, Jack Carr cements not only his protagonist but his entire universe. This second novel makes it clear: Carr is only getting started, and the journey ahead is one readers won’t want to miss.