Pursuit of Honour was published by Atria Books in 2009. An al-Qaeda cell attacks the National Counterterrorism Center in McLean, Virginia, killing over two hundred intelligence professionals. Three operatives escape in the chaos, and their backup plan — targeting soft civilian targets — is already in motion. Rapp must find them before they strike again, working against bureaucratic interference and political constraints.
The novel emphasizes Rapp’s frustration with the institutional obstacles that hamper counterterrorism: the legal restrictions, the political considerations, the media scrutiny that gives terrorists operational security they don’t deserve.
The NCTC Attack
The opening attack on the National Counterterrorism Center — the intelligence community’s nerve centre — is among the series’ most devastating set pieces. The killing of over two hundred intelligence professionals is not merely a plot device but a depiction of the vulnerability of the institutions that protect the nation.
Collecting Pursuit of Honour
First edition (Atria Books, New York, 2009): Boards with dust jacket.
Approximate market values:
- Fine in dust jacket: $15–$30
- Signed first edition: $40–$120
Projected values (2026–2036): Modest appreciation.