'Black List' is intense, but uneven

Scot Harvath works as a counterterrorism operative — and he's very good at what he does. His methods are harsh, but they produce results. He's also used to being targeted by his enemies.

When a friend takes a bullet, Harvath is shocked to learn that he was the real target — and that he's been falsely accused of being a traitor. His enemies have put his name on the blacklist, and his death is the only way to have it removed. He soon learns that his allies have been dispatched, and he's unable to use technology or his government to stop the conspiracy since someone in the chain of command is responsible for the plot.

Fans of author Brad Thor will be in familiar territory with the nonstop intensity of “Black List,” but will be a bit surprised by the occasional lengthy back story of the characters that grinds the narrative to a halt.