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"Dijon Mustard" isn't just a codename for a dossier buried deep in French intelligence archives; it's a tangled web of secrets and twisted fates. Documents handed over by commanders of the African Lord's Resistance Army in 2005 have resurfaced fifteen years later, threatening to pull the world to the brink of disaster.
French agent Marie Duval, a seasoned operative known for her sharp intuition and unwavering dedication, came across the unassuming dossier. The secrets hidden in its pages, rooted in the nuclear standoff between the USA and the Soviet Union, could trigger new global turmoil. But who seeks to use this information, and for what purpose?
At the heart of this intricate story are British and French intelligence agencies, the Ugandan People's Defense Forces units, the shadowy Russian organization "Argus," a brilliant yet reclusive nuclear physicist, and a shadowy group of tattooed mercenaries. Each player is drawn into the case with their motives and stakes in global security.This complex web of interests spans Europe and Africa, revealing new facets of these continents' cultural and political heritage. The plot unfolds across diverse locations: from Kehl in Germany to Paris, Dijon, and Strasbourg in France. These varied locales, each rich in history and character, serve as backdrops for espionage, betrayal, and personal tragedy.
At the center of it all stands legendary CIA agent Michael Crow, a charismatic operative with a sharp mind and a great sense of humor. He was looking forward to a long-awaited vacation, but the "Dijon Mustard" affair turned his plans upside down. The secrets of the dossier could lead him into the most dangerous mission of his life.
Dijon Mustard Part I. Europe
"'Dijon Mustard' – sharing my thoughts while they’re still fresh. From someone who loves adventure, spy novels, and detective stories, and is a big fan of Dan Brown, John le Carré, and Robert Ludlum.
Lately, it’s been really hard to find something new and exciting after such masters. There’s no shortage of new stuff out there, but I don’t like cookie-cutter characters, stories that drag on forever around a plot you’ve already figured out, or when everything becomes obvious by page ten.
Just a week ago, I came across a spy thriller called Dijon Mustard by authors I’d never heard of before: Alex Mac and Mia Miche. They’ve just released the first part, called Europe.
From the prologue, you can already feel the global-scale threat that’s about to unfold, and the intrigue kicks off right away. Then Michael Crow appears—already worn out from his job and on his way to a long-awaited vacation. Everything seemed normal at first, but things quickly spiraled out of control. Later, I realized that you need to pay close attention to the details from the very beginning. What seem like casual dialogues and events will absolutely come back to play a part in the plot, so don’t miss them.
I really liked the concept, where through Michael Crow’s logical thinking, you get to see the strategy for navigating complete uncertainty. It’s a strategy that subtly nudges the reader to do the same—just follow the flow of events. Be sharp, but patient when it comes to explanations. Here, the action often comes first, and only then do you get the “what, how, and why.” It reminded me of a quest, where you’re thrown into the whirlwind of events and live through it together with the main character. Everything revolves around him, and you’re right there with him. This approach is something the authors use skillfully: just when things start making sense, they get tangled up again.
I traveled along with the story, from small German towns to French cities like Strasbourg, Dijon, and Paris. The plot moves through some fascinating locations. Even as someone who’s traveled around Europe, I didn’t know about all of them.
Historical facts and even famous figures are woven into the modern plot, and I had a blast Googling to see if these facts were accurate. To my absolute delight, nothing was distorted, and every little detail fits perfectly without contradicting history.
I won’t get into the plot itself. It’s hard to say what I can share without spoiling the intrigue—every detail matters.
And there’s one more thing. Maybe it’s because of how detailed everything is, but I didn’t feel like I read the book—I felt like I watched a movie. The pacing had the same dynamism you’d expect from films like The Da Vinci Code or Mission: Impossible. It’s as if the plot itself played out like a movie in my mind. Normally, I get that feeling when I’ve seen the movie first and then read the book—where the images are already set. But here, the scenes instantly came to life on their own.
I’m definitely looking forward to the second part. I’m really curious to see how the story wraps up, and, honestly, I just want to spend more time with Michael. Absolutely recommend." Viva Magen, Paris
"The spy thriller Dijon Mustard totally blew my mind! The plot grabs your attention from page one, and there's just no way you can put it down." Sarah, New York
"With so much going on, it's hard to summarize. Can't wait to see how it all unfolds in the next part." Jason, San Francisco, CA
"Сinematic vibe that makes you feel like you're watching a blockbuster. I seriously felt like I was traveling all over Europe with Michael Crow." Emily, Austin