Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

The Last POW by Howard Cohen follows Jax Wilder, a CIA operative tasked with extracting Vitaly Sonkin, a Russian scientist secretly living under the alias Robert Miller—a former American pilot who defected to the USSR decades earlier. After a covert meeting and preparations, Jax infiltrates Sarov, a highly restricted Russian city where Sonkin works on sensitive military technology. Sonkin plans to defect to the West, bringing critical knowledge about a virus embedded in Russian aircraft systems. To escape Sarov, Jax and Sonkin must evade relentless Russian security forces, including the FSB led by Yuri Bykov. Using disguises and up against brutal confrontations and a dangerous trek through forests toward the Latvian border, allies are lost or killed, and Jax faces impossible choices to ensure Sonkin’s safe extraction. All this unfolds while under intense pursuit by Russian military and intelligence units desperate to prevent the defection.

The Last POW by Howard Cohen is an intense thriller that offers a sharply written and tightly paced story of loyalty and survival under relentless pursuit. Cohen’s crisp prose and clear, direct style are perfect in a tale that moves at a clipping speed, and with a momentum that draws readers into a world of spycraft, quick and covert maneuvers, and deadly decisions. I thought that the character interactions were really convincing, the organic dialogue contributed greatly to the plot's urgency, and the detailed descriptions of tactics and terrain grounded Cohen's writing, bringing realism to the chase. Rather than relying on melodrama, Cohen maintains an even tone that respects the gravity of the situation and the calculated actions of each member. The plot’s progression feels natural, avoiding unnecessary detours, and the balance between action sequences and backstory allows us to fully appreciate the resourcefulness of each player. Overall, an excellent read. Very highly recommended.