Also by this author: The Beirut Protocol, Enemies and Allies: An Unforgettable Journey Inside the Fast-Moving & Immensely Turbulent Modern Middle East
Series: Marcus Ryker #6
Published by Tyndale on March 11, 2025
Genres: Fiction, Christian, Suspense, Thriller
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Can Marcus Ryker and his team of elite operatives stop a secret plot to unleash the most devastating sneak attack on the U.S. and her allies in history―before millions of Americans die?
In the pulse-pounding final installment of the Marcus Ryker series, the leaders of Communist China are secretly plotting to invade Taiwan and challenge American supremacy in the Pacific.
And no one in Washington has any idea what’s coming.
Marcus Ryker has been tasked with hunting down Abu Nakba, the most wanted terrorist in the world. The latest intel sends him and his team to Pakistan. There, they discover a horrifying secret inside a state-of-the-art lab. Marcus orders the lab rigged with explosives, but the plan goes bad, and a massive explosion rocks the city.
News of the blast breaks in Washington just as President Carlos Hernandez is engaged in tense trade negotiations to forge a landmark agreement with China on trade and counterterrorism.
Little does the president realize that Beijing is almost finished preparing its imminent invasion of Taiwan.
Or that a terrifying new virus is about to be released inside the U.S. to kill millions and thwart Washington’s capacity to defend its ally.
In the riveting conclusion to the bestselling series, Ryker and his team must race to stop Beijing and the Kairos terror network before they unleash a catastrophe that brings the superpowers to the brink of nuclear war.
A thrilling, fast-paced suspense novel for fans of Jack Carr, Ryan Steck, and Kyle Mills
Perfect for fans of high-stakes geopolitical thrillers full of heart-racing action
The last book in the Marcus Ryker series by New York Times bestselling author Joel C. Rosenberg
Let me preference this with how my heart cried when I read the words “final installment” in The Beijing Betrayal’s synopsis. As an avid reader of Brad Thor and Vince Flynn, the character of Marcus Ryker has always been a breath of fresh air. Scot Harvath and Mitch Rapp are, indisputably, exciting characters, but they are not Christians. They don’t pray. They don’t think of what God might want them to do. Rosenberg’s Marcus Ryker exemplifies the type of operative the United States needs more of; it’s too bad he’s fictional. The Beijing Betrayal by Joel C. Rosenberg gives Marcus Ryker the perfect send-off. It leaves readers with a smile, even if it is bittersweet. Bravo, Rosenberg.
Marcus Ryker and his team are committed to finding—and eliminating—Abu Nakba, the head of the Kairos terrorist group. They are all burned out. They are all exhausted, but they can’t give up…especially not when they discover a lab used to design and test a dangerous virus, which will be released within the United States. Marcus was always on the clock, but now? He’s on borrowed time. Millions of lives are now at stake, and Kairos is miles ahead.
China sees an opportunity: With the United States distracted by Kairos, now is perfect opportunity to attack and invade Taiwan. To dismantle U.S. supremacy in the Pacific. The cogs turn, and China aims to manipulate the situation in its favor. China aims to dominate—in every respect. And if Kairos is successful in releasing the virus, China may do just that.
Rosenberg presents a story that is entirely relevant and believable. He leaves no stone unturned. The Beijing Betrayal is full of “carrot and stick” politics, of thrill, of global aspirations. Everything in the novel connects brilliantly. Rosenberg pulls in previous characters and plots from the rest of the series without flaw. Occasionally, I had thoughts of “Wait, but what about…?” Rosenberg, however, quickly addressed my questions. The storyline is unmatched. The characters? Unrivaled. The action? Heart-pounding. The political intrigue? Chef’s kiss.
I will miss Marcus Ryker. This series is one I will read again and again. Rosenberg is a master of political, “Go Kill the Terrorist” (my genre!) thrillers. The Beijing Betrayal by Joel C. Rosenberg is the perfect conclusion to a thrilling series. It highlights the psychological and physical burnout that often comes with prolonged high-pressure situations. It emphasizes the power of faith, the importance of companionship, and the high stakes leaders often face—stakes the average citizen could ever understand.
