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The Year of the Locust

A Thriller

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About The Book

In this “absolutely brilliant, tension-filled tour de force” (Brad Thor) from New York Times bestselling author Terry Hayes, CIA spy Kane confronts an evil that could bring the world to a cataclysmic end.

If, like Kane, you’re a Denied Access Area spy for the CIA, then boundaries have no meaning. Your function is to go in, do whatever is required, and get out again—by whatever means necessary. You know when to run, when to hide—and when to shoot.

But some places don’t play by the rules. Some places are too dangerous, even for a man of Kane’s experience. The badlands where the borders of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan meet are such a place—a place where violence is the only way to survive.

Kane travels there to exfiltrate a man with vital information for the safety of the West—but instead he meets an adversary who will take the world to the brink of extinction. A frightening, clever, vicious man with blood on his hands and vengeance in his heart.

About The Author

Photograph © Stuart Simpson

Terry Hayes is the New York Times bestselling author of I Am Pilgrim and The Year of the Locust and is the award-winning writer and producer of numerous movies. His credits include Payback, Road Warrior, and Dead Calm (featuring Nicole Kidman). He lives in Switzerland with his wife, Kristen, and their four children.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books (February 6, 2024)
  • Length: 800 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781668055786

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Raves and Reviews

“THE YEAR OF THE LOCUST is the must read of the year for the true connoisseur of the classic espionage thriller. Terry Hayes’ runaway bestseller I AM PILGRIM was an amazing tour de force; THE YEAR OF THE LOCUST reaches new heights in storytelling. Wonderfully literate, beautifully written, and tightly plotted. This one will stay with you a long time.” — Nelson DeMille, New York Times bestselling author of BLOOD LINES

“An absolutely brilliant, tension-filled, tour de force. This novel scared the sh*t out of me!” — Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author of SHADOW OF DOUBT

“In his long-awaited follow-up to I am Pilgrim, the most intense and masterfully written thriller of the 21stcentury, Terry Hayes is back at the top of his game with The Year of the Locust. Set your expectations high and then prepare to have them blown away! Terry Hayes is a master!” — Jack Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Only the Dead

“Terry Hayes’s THE YEAR OF THE LOCUST left me breathless and awed. If Daniel Silva and Michael Crichton had written a near-apocalyptic epic thriller, it might look something like this. The spycraft is unflinching and authentic. The stakes both global and intimate. The action throat-clutching. And I dare not hint at the shocking, daring twists that tangle this story into a masterpiece of suspense and intrigue. Read this now!” — James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestselling author of TIDES OF FIRE

"Terry Hayes’ THE YEAR OF THE LOCUST is an absolutely terrific espionage thriller, James Bond meets John le Carré." — John Sandford, #1 New York Times bestselling author of DARK ANGEL

“Move over Jason Bourne. CIA operative Kane redefines the smart but vulnerable bad ass super spy in this dazzling cat-and-mouse thriller where the entire globe is a chessboard, and everyone’s playing for keeps.” — Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of STILL SEE YOU EVERYWHERE

"Lyrical, epic, sweeping, and bold--THE YEAR OF THE LOCUST shows the world once again that Terry Hayes isn't just a master at his craft--he's one of the best to ever do it." — Connor Sullivan, the acclaimed author of WOLF TRAP

"A sprawling, genre-shattering feat with a stunningly audacious climax. This is a major achievement." Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A fresh and exciting epic story told across waves of time and destiny that is nothing like what one might expect…THE YEAR OF THE LOCUST was a decade in the making, but it was worth the wait.” — Best Thriller Books

"Anyone who thinks that what they're getting here is a typical espionage thriller will be in for a big surprise!" — Book Reporter

“At over 600 pages Hayes ties together a classic genre twisting spy novel I have had the pleasure to read. I Am Pilgrim is still the finest novel I have read, The Year Of The Locust is better. Do not be intimidated by its size because Hayes lyrical prose and topic knowledge will keep you turning the pages. Enjoy the length, the build up and the ending that ties this all together. Was it worth a nine year wait? Absolutely!" — My Point Reviews

“THE YEAR OF THE LOCUST is a modern epic that will have you consuming pages like a swarm of its namesake going through a field of winter wheat…I often found myself having a physical reaction as I flew through the pages to see what would happen next.”

Best Thriller Books

“Go in expecting the unexpected, and you’ll walk away, jaw dragging on the floor, stunned and unable to stop thinking about this book for weeks . . . Shocking, far-fetched, but filled with bloody good fun, Terry Hayes comes out swinging yet again with The Year of the Locust, mixing storylines you might expect from Robert Ludlum and James Rollins, with a touch of Crichton and Fleming for added good measure.”

The Real Book Spy

*PRAISE FOR I AM PILGRIM*

“I Am Pilgrim is a twelve-course meal of a thriller.... A breathtaking accomplishment of a debut.” — Gregg Hurwitz, New York Times bestselling author of TELL NO LIES

“'I Am Pilgrim' is [a] gripping debut novel, which pits a brilliant intelligence operative against an equally brilliant terrorist. Weighing in at over 600 pages, you get your money’s worth and more with this thriller.” — Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author of DEAD FALL

“Hayes delivers muscular prose, sniper-round accurate dialogue and enough superb and original plotting to fill three volumes. He balances it all with the dexterity of the accomplished storyteller that he so obviously is. I Am Pilgrim is simply one of the best suspense novels I've read in a long time.” — David Baldacci, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“This murder mystery/spy thriller grabs you from the first sentence and won’t let you out of its grip. A brilliant American secret agent and forensics expert is in a race against the clock to stop a terrorist with a plan to destroy the United States. Please fasten your seat belt.” — Kate White, New York Times bestselling author of EYES ON YOU

“Dude, freak out. That's my new Gone Girl. Gone Girl was the last book that I couldn't put down. Seriously, email me when you read it. You'll be five chapters in, and you'll look up and be like, 'Dude!'” — Jimmy Fallon

“Mr. Hayes’s globe-trotting book has more kicks, twists and winks than anything of its dusty genre has provided in a long time. You will be happily surprised to find a new thriller franchise with brains to match its brawn...The most exciting desert island read of the season…a big, breathless tale of nonstop suspense.” — Janet Maslin, The New York Times

“[A] powerful and formidably researched globe-spanning thriller.” Publisher's Weekly

“Debut novelist Hayes brings well-refined storytelling chops to...[good] entertainment for readers with a penchant for mayhem, piles of bodies and a lethal biochemical agent or two.” — Kirkus Reviews

“The pages fly by ferociously fast. Simply unputdownable.” — Booklist

“Part murder mystery, part globe-hopping spy adventure, this page-turner by screenwriter Hayes will have you anticipating the inevitable movie.” Entertainment Weekly

“Once you start this taut and muscular thriller, you won't be able to put it down.” — Library Journal, starred review

“Massive in many senses, but none more so than its ability to exert a vice-like grip on the reader....Destined to be spy thriller of the year.” — Irish Independent

“I Am Pilgrim is a 21st century thriller: a high concept plot, but with finely drawn protagonists. The plot twists and turns like a python in a sack. Thestyle is visceral, gritty and cinematic...A satisfying and ambitious book, written with skill and verve.” — The Times (UK)

“The strongest [thriller] in years . . . a taut, global trek . . . a long and perfect pilgrimage. (Grade: A)” — Cleveland Plain Dealer

“I am Pilgrim is a great, gripping thrill ride of a novel (that still feels grounded in reality). If you're looking for an action thriller/spy story for the beach, Pilgrim is a winner.” — The Hollywood Reporter

“Exhilarating...Hayes masterfully guides readers through an incredibly elaborate, drum-tight plot.” — Newsday

“I AM PILGRIM has all the elements of a blockbuster thriller.” — Denver Post

“An intriguing, multi-perspective thriller… the story made me almost miss my subway stop.” — People Magazine

“Tom Clancy meets Robin Cook in a thriller that should find a place in many beach bags this summer.” — Kirkus

“Pilgrim turns out to be the most fascinating thriller hero I’ve encountered since Trevanian’s legendary Nicolai Hel... Bracing, blisteringly original, and hopefully not the last time we see both Hayes and Pilgrim.” — Providence Journal

“Pick of the Week…gripping debut thriller. ” — Boston Globe

“I was impressed with the confidence of Hayes' narrative voice and the complexity in his plotting, both of which make the violence and the tradecraft details thoroughly believable (and probably real). ” —Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“A wicked game of cat and mouse that will keep you twisting and turning. Definitely the best thriller of the year! This is THE book!” — Star Tribune

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More books from this author: Terry Hayes