Books
Shadow of Doubt
The action is high, the tradecraft is high, and you get scenes of heart thumping suspense. There are some issues of Deus Ex Machina (plot armor), but that might be the worst part of the book.
Spy
Books
The Main Enemy
I wish I had started with this book for my spy history series that I have stumbled into. It covers so much information with such clarity. The writing of the book is so well presented that you get to feel the headaches and frustrations as well as the triumphs of each team, both the CIA and KGB.
Movies
13 Hours
The acting from the primary cast here is so good. John, Pablo, and James are outstanding. This movie alone shows how underrated Pablo is. He also is the number one provider of outstanding military humor starting with a story of a Commander's beret.
Books
Path of the Assassin
While this book is entertaining, some of the plot holes and plot points are highly predictable making this book a miss in an exceptional line up. However, this was the second book in the series and so learning does occur for the author making this an acceptable miss.
Books
The Spy and the Traitor
Ben Macintyre's story of a Russian Spy is the a great culmination of different sources to tell a concise and interesting story. Providing pivotal perspectives from different source to tell a complete story with no fluff and no overt bias.
Books
The Lions of Lucerne
This is the first book in the Scot Harvath series and it shows. The book shows an age to the style of writing as well as the research on terminology. I know the author got some heat in that in this book and has since made changes to correct those.
Movies
Red Sparrow
I know people hate Jennifer Lawrence, but she does a great and believable job with this. My wife noticed that he accent sucks, but she used to speak Russian so it is easier for her to hear. I on the other hand, didn't feel like it ever waivered out of her voice. It was consistent.
TV
The Recruit
This show was recommended by a couple friends of mine because "it is funny and good." The best word I have is that it is "Entertaining." Overall, the story is good and interesting, but the amount of things that would not happen or happens because X is stupid is over the top.