🕶️ Book Review: Robert Ludlum’s The Treadstone Resurrection by Joshua Hood
A high-octane espionage thriller that revives the Bourne universe with a new hero, deadly secrets, and relentless action—Book 1 in the Treadstone series.
Joshua Hood’s The Treadstone Resurrection launches a new chapter in the legacy of Robert Ludlum’s covert world, introducing Adam Hayes, a former black-ops assassin trying to leave his violent past behind. With a solid Goodreads rating of 4.00/5 from over 4,500 readers, the novel is praised for its cinematic pacing, gritty realism, and Bourne-style intensity.
🧠 Plot Overview
Adam Hayes was trained by Operation Treadstone, the same shadowy CIA program that created Jason Bourne. Now working as a carpenter in rural Washington, Hayes is trying to live a quiet life. But when he receives a mysterious email from a former colleague and is attacked by a hit team at his job site, he’s forced back into the world he tried to escape.
As Hayes unravels a conspiracy involving rogue CIA agents, corrupt Venezuelan officials, and a U.S. senator, he must rely on the deadly skills Treadstone taught him—skills that cost him his family and nearly his sanity. The deeper he digs, the more dangerous the truth becomes.
💬 Why Readers Enjoy It
- Action-Driven Narrative: The book delivers nonstop combat, tactical maneuvers, and high-stakes chases.
- Modern Espionage: Hood incorporates contemporary threats and tech, making the story feel timely and relevant.
- Antihero Appeal: Hayes is a reluctant warrior—damaged, deadly, and driven by a sense of justice.
- Bourne Legacy Continuation: Fans of Ludlum’s original work will appreciate the thematic and stylistic continuity.
⚠️ Critiques
- Some reviewers felt the book leaned too heavily on violence, with character development taking a backseat.
- The plot occasionally prioritizes weapon specs and tactical jargon over emotional nuance.
- Readers unfamiliar with the Bourne universe may find the setup dense or overly reliant on franchise familiarity.
📣 Notable Praise
“Adam Hayes is a perfect anti-hero… complicated, mysterious, and compelling.” — Novel Kicks review
“A conspiracy of rogue CIA agents and corrupt officials pulls Hayes back into the shadowy world he worked so hard to forget.” — Goodreads summary
🏁 Final Verdict
The Treadstone Resurrection is a gritty, fast-paced thriller perfect for fans of Tom Clancy, Brad Thor, or Mark Greaney. If you enjoy stories where lone operatives take on global conspiracies with brutal efficiency, Adam Hayes is a worthy successor to Jason Bourne’s legacy.
