Book Review: THE PALACE OF SINNERS AND SAINTS by Ammar Merchant

THE PALACE OF SINNERS AND SAINTS by Ammar Merchant (Simon and Schuster, expected publication May 20, 2025)  Hardcover, 352 pages. ISBN # 9781668067581

 Synopsis on the Goodreads website . . . . .

In this action-packed thrill ride perfect for fans of Jack Reacher, a small band of mercenaries must infiltrate a 12th-century Middle Eastern castle turned black-site prison, where the life of a hero of democracy hangs in the balance. 

Irfan Mirza is the ultimate killing machine. Kidnapped as a child and forced to train to become an elite gun for hire at an “orphanage,” he is now a ruthless, freelance mercenary.

In a wealthy Middle Eastern kingdom surrounded by desert, the despotic King Nimir is determined to quash all dissidents calling for free elections. Billionaires, clerics, influencers, and journalists who dared to challenge King Nimir’s regime have vanished without a trace. Unfortunately for him, the latest person he has “disappeared” happens to be Irfan’s “sister.”

Now things are personal, and Irfan Mirza doesn’t like personal. He likes justice.

Assembling a ragtag team of specialists, a.k.a. his “family,” Irfan sets off on a wild rescue mission, determined to save the imprisoned from a medieval fortress, now transformed into a heavily fortified black-site. The palace is surrounded by endless stretches of uninhabited sand, difficult to approach and impossible to escape.

The Palace of Sinners and Saints is an absolute thrill ride, perfect for fans of Lee Child and his Jack Reacher series, where courage and loyalty reign and anyone who wants freedom must pay a price.

My Four-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

"How is he still alive?"

"He'd probably say God loves him," Omen guessed. "I think it's more likely that God just likes being entertained, and Irfan is fun."

Ren chuckled.

"Not in a 'holy crap, what an awesome party' way, but in a 'Jesus Christ, did you see what ridiculous shit that guy just pulled off' kind of way. Like an Evel Knievel who kills people." 

Move over, Lee Child, and make a space on the roster of action/adventure/thriller writers for Ammar Merchant. His first novel featuring Middle Eastern mercenary Irfan Mirza has been favorably compared to the Jack Reacher novels, and rightly so.

THE PALACE OF SINNERS AND SAINTS wastes no time on back-story. It gets right to the action from Chapter One and never takes the foot off the throttle until the conclusion. Merchant gives us just enough of the history of Mirza and associates to understand them and get a feel for the "honor among mercenaries" vibe. The dialogue is very revealing, and a great way to inform readers and create empathy without slowing down the pace.

If you like Jack Reacher novels, you will most likely appreciate the escapist entertainment provided here. Thanks to NetGalley for a digital advance review copy of this novel.