False Flag – A Gripping, High-Stakes Thriller That Raises the Bar
With False Flag, author Jack Slater returns in full force, delivering a sequel that not only matches the adrenaline and emotion of Dark State, but elevates the entire Jason Trapp series to new heights. The second installment in this electrifying thriller series blends international espionage, political intrigue, and relentless action, making it a must-read for fans of Jason Bourne, Jack Ryan, and Jack Reacher.
If Dark State introduced Jason Trapp as a rogue CIA operative with a score to settle, False Flag shows us what happens when revenge runs cold — but duty reignites the fire.
A World on the Brink
Set in the aftermath of the Bloody Monday attacks, False Flag begins with Jason Trapp closing in on the final conspirator behind the devastating terrorist strikes that shattered America. After six months of globe-trotting vengeance, Trapp is ready to hang up his guns. His mission is almost complete, and he’s tired of killing — ready to disappear into the shadows once more.
But fate has other plans.
What starts as a simple kill mission in Macau turns into a global crisis. A CIA operative is kidnapped, Chinese agents are left dead, and U.S. satellites begin falling from the sky — a catastrophic chain of events that threatens to plunge the world’s two superpowers into a devastating war.
And at the heart of it all? Trapp. Again.
Jason Trapp: More Than a Weapon
In False Flag, Slater deepens the character of Jason Trapp, pushing him to emotional and psychological limits that go far beyond typical action-hero tropes. Trapp is still the deadliest man alive, but this time, his motivations aren’t just revenge — they’re loyalty, guilt, and the need to right a wrong he blames himself for.
The kidnapped operative, Eliza Ikeda, isn’t just another asset — she was taken on his watch, and that failure cuts deep. Trapp’s dogged pursuit to save her reveals a more human, vulnerable side to the legendary assassin, without ever softening his edge. He’s still the “Hangman” — the CIA’s blunt instrument of retribution — but now there’s heart behind the violence, and it’s compelling to watch.
Action Without Limits
True to the genre, False Flag is packed with pulse-pounding action scenes, from brutal hand-to-hand combat to globe-trotting shootouts and high-tech surveillance gone rogue. But Slater never lets the pace overwhelm the story — each moment of action is strategically placed, advancing the plot with precision.
The Macau mission gone wrong is one of the book’s standout sequences, loaded with tension, chaos, and real-world geopolitical implications. The stakes are sky-high, and the consequences feel terrifyingly plausible in today’s volatile climate. Slater’s pacing is razor-sharp, and his knowledge of tradecraft, spy games, and global intelligence rings true.
Twists, Betrayals, and Cold Wars Reborn
What makes False Flag stand out is the complexity of its espionage plot. This isn’t a simple “good guys vs bad guys” narrative. Trapp is being manipulated, and the deeper he digs into the conspiracy, the clearer it becomes that the enemy isn’t just foreign — it may be coming from within.
Slater crafts a layered thriller where no one is safe and no one is exactly who they seem. From secret alliances and rogue intelligence cells to cyberwarfare and political power plays, the plot simmers with tension and unfolds like a movie-worthy geopolitical chess game.
An Explosive Continuation
As a second book in the series, False Flag builds beautifully on Dark State, while also serving as a standalone thriller for new readers. However, returning fans will especially enjoy how past threads resurface, how Trapp evolves, and how unfinished business takes center stage once again.
The book ends with just enough closure to satisfy, while teasing further developments in Trapp’s journey — hinting that the world hasn’t seen the last of the Hangman.
Final Verdict
False Flag cements Jason Trapp’s place among the pantheon of elite modern action heroes. With brilliant plotting, authentic spycraft, emotionally driven stakes, and no shortage of spectacular action, this sequel is a triumph of the modern thriller genre.
Jack Slater continues to prove himself as a master of the spy-action narrative — blending cinematic intensity with deeply human characters. If you’re looking for a page-turner that balances grit, intellect, and heart, this book belongs on your Kindle.
Whether you’re a returning fan or a newcomer, False Flag delivers everything you want in a high-octane thriller — and more.
Highly recommended for readers of Lee Child, Mark Greaney, Vince Flynn, and Tom Clancy.