Fiasco by FX Holden is a fast-paced, gritty thriller set in Australia, based on the counter-terrorism arm of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization. Jack O’Hare is a field agent for the Security Service in Sydney. Jack receives information that an operative of Unit 910 of the Lebanese terrorist organization, Hazor Brigade, was operating in Australia and possibly setting up a terrorist incident. Jack and his team at the Security Services know they have to move quickly and decisively to shut them down. The unexpected appearance in Sydney of a known American security operative, known only as Occulus, plus rumors of a missing Delta Force soldier, throws even more confusion and chaos into the fray. Jack and his partner Sigga attempt to unravel the trail before anything untoward occurs that would result in innocent civilian deaths and acute embarrassment to the Australian Government. 

Fiasco stands out in the thriller/espionage market partly because of its unusual setting of Australia, both in Sydney and the opal mining kingdom of Coober Pedy, but also because of the wonderfully crafted and complex character of Jack O’Hare. Author FX Holden has created a character that perfectly portrays the stereotypical laid-back and laconic Aussie that readers will quickly identify with. I loved that the author also imbued him with a softer, emotional side, which we witness in his relationship with his foster mother and his girlfriend. The plot twists and turns as the characters unfold, both good and evil. I particularly enjoyed the time spent in Coober Pedy and the unusual characters in that unique mining town. The action is non-stop, with both heroes and villains involved in their share of violence and pain. The author has spent his working life in the Security Services and shares valuable insights. The Author’s Note to the book just adds a sense of believability to this incredible story. If this is the start of a series focusing on Jack O’Hare, it is an excellent beginning, and I would read more about this character. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Set in near-future Sydney and South Australia in 2027, Fiasco by FX Holden follows Jack O’Hare, a seasoned officer with the Australian Security Service. Jack’s latest assignment seems simple: investigating Serwan Askari, a Lebanese taxi driver sending large sums of money overseas. The deeper he digs, the more tangled it becomes. Askari may be linked to Merdem Barrak, a refugee with a shady past in a notorious terrorist unit. Jack’s search for the truth is anything but straightforward. He faces roadblocks from government bureaucracy, muddled intelligence, and even interference from American operatives—especially from one codenamed Occulus With help from his no-nonsense partner Sigga, tech whiz Shirl, and an aging informant named George, Jack tries to untangle a web of international intrigue, surveillance, and double-crosses. His personal sphere is no less messy; haunted by family issues, cryptic tarot readings, and a budding romance that’s hard to nurture amid constant danger. As he gets closer to uncovering a dangerous terror network, Jack stumbles into corruption and betrayal within his own ranks. Will the high-stakes pressure, deceptions, and conflicts surrounding Jack eat him alive?

Fiasco is a tense, character-driven thriller that blends espionage, politics, and personal conflict in a tightly woven narrative. It excels in its layered espionage plots and brisk pacing, unfolding through realistic, low-key spycraft. FX Holden skillfully portrays the daily grind of intelligence work, highlighting questionable loyalties and moral ambiguities while maintaining tension. The novel avoids hackneyed tropes, instead building suspense through edgy scenes and allowing readers to absorb its political and social contexts. The story masterfully balances action with bureaucratic realism, featuring well-developed characters. Jack, a sharp, flawed, and driven underdog, navigates his duty amidst personal struggles. His unorthodox methods and abrasive manner conceal his competence. Vividly portrayed supporting roles and their eccentricities and contradictions create a believable, authentically lived-in intelligence world. Fiasco explores themes of questioning trust and patriotism, surveillance ethics, cultural integration, guarded relationships, fragile alliances, and the ambiguous morality inherent in intelligence work. Characters grapple with clashing personal identities and values while facing threats, vulnerabilities, tricky personal expectations, and office politics. This gritty, realistic spy drama, seasoned with dark humor and cynicism, is highly recommended to fans who appreciate human operatives uncovering national security threats through messy espionage.