This was better than I thought it would be, basing my opinion on previous Griffin/Butterworth IV efforts in the Badge Of Honor series. I still think these collaborative efforts between the two are mostly written by the son, but he seems to show a knack for picking up this series and continuing it with it's sharp attention to detail while adding another unforeseen twist in the Presidential Agent Series. Characterization remains strong in this novel, and I really liked how the president was just as much the antagonist as the Russians in this book. Well-played...and Castillo remains just as interesting, doing things in the country's best interest while breaking every bureaucratic rule in the process.