In the world of espionage fiction, authenticity is the rarest currency. Craig R. Hastings, an Air Force veteran with over three decades of experience in the U.S. military and intelligence communities, is spending that currency in his latest novel, Unmasking Bonaparte. Moving beyond the stylized tropes of Hollywood, Hastings delivers a gritty, high-stakes Manhattan manhunt rooted in the real-world complexities of global security.
A Ghost in the Machine
The story follows CIA operative Robert Cord, a man haunted by a decade-old gunfight in Paris. Ten years ago, Cord thought he had ended the career of Bonaparte, the world’s most elusive assassin. But a cryptic Russian transmission suggests the ghost is not only alive but active on American soil. This time, Cord isn’t working solo; he’s paired with Samantha Williams, a brilliant and unpredictable operative who provides the perfect foil to Cord’s seasoned, calculated approach.
As the pair is pulled into a joint CIA-FBI operation, the narrative shifts from a simple chase into a tightening web of double agents and long-buried secrets. Hastings uses his background as a senior engineer and technologist to weave in the technical realities of modern surveillance and communications, making the chase through the streets of Manhattan feel claustrophobic and startlingly real.
From the DoD to the Desk
Hastings’ transition to novelist was a natural evolution. After thirty years supporting Department of Defense (DoD) missions across Europe and the United States, he found himself surrounded by the kind of tension that most writers can only imagine. “Those experiences became the foundation for my stories,” Hastings notes. “The world is layered and full of hidden truths. I hope readers remember that appearances often mislead.”
Unlike the invulnerable “super-spies” of classic cinema, Hastings’ characters deal with emotional depth, faith, and the very real consequences of a life lived in the shadows. It is this blend of tactical precision and human resilience that has earned Unmasking Bonaparte high praise from literary critics, with many calling it a masterclass in modern tension building.
Where to Find the Book
Unmasking Bonaparte is currently available for purchase at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. For those looking for a thriller that respects the reader’s intelligence while keeping the pulse high, Hastings’ debut in the Robert Cord series is a mandatory addition to the 2026 reading list. You can follow the author’s journey and find more on his upcoming Moose Ridge series at his official website.
Entwire News Desk — Highlighting the voices and veterans shaping modern literature.
