{{Short description|2021 spy thriller novel by David McCloskey}} {{Infobox book | name = Damascus Station | author = David McCloskey | country = United States | language = English | genre = Spy fiction | publisher = W. W. Norton & Company | pub_date = 2021 | media_type = Print, E-book | isbn = 9780393881042 | image = File:Damascus_Station.jpg }}
'''Damascus Station''' is a spy fiction novel by American author and former CIA officer<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hoskin |first1=Peter |title=Meet David McCloskey, America's answer to John le Carré |url=https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/views/people/61727/david-mccloskey-america-john-le-carre-cia |website=www.prospectmagazine.co.uk |access-date=2 August 2025 |language=en}}</ref> David McCloskey. It is McCloskey's debut novel.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-11-23 |title=New Political Thrillers Head to the Brink of Disaster (and Dive In) (Published 2021) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/23/books/review/follett-mccloskey-rosenstiel.html |access-date=2025-08-02 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=BOOK REVIEW: 'Damascus Station: A Novel' |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/jan/27/boor-review-damascus-station-a-novel/ |access-date=2025-08-02 |website=The Washington Times |language=en-US}}</ref> It was released in October 2021.<ref name="Wheaton">{{cite web |last1=College |first1=Wheaton |title=Agent to Author |url=https://www.wheaton.edu/magazine/winter-2022/web/agent-to-author/ |website=Wheaton College |access-date=2 August 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
== Plot == CIA case officer Sam Joseph is dispatched to Paris to recruit Syrian Palace official Mariam Haddad. The two fall into a forbidden relationship, which creates danger when they enter Damascus to find the man responsible for the disappearance of an American spy. The chase for the killer soon leads to a trail of high-profile assassinations and the discovery of a dark secret at the heart of the Syrian regime.
== Publication == The novel was published in 2021 by W. W. Norton & Company.
== Reception == The novel received positive reviews from critics and intelligence professionals. The ''Financial Times'' described it as "simply marvelous storytelling...a stand-out thriller and essential reading for fans of the genre".<ref>{{cite news |last1=LeBor |first1=Adam |title=Scandi-noir, Russian London and a rogue Navy Seal — a round-up of new thrillers |url=https://www.ft.com/content/5dfc65c2-7e4c-4199-8835-6c6abe6bd150 |access-date=17 July 2025 |publisher=Financial Times |date=30 January 2022}}</ref> ''The Times'' said "one of the best — and most authentic — spy thrillers in years".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Owen |first1=James |title=Damascus Station by David McCloskey review — Spies and skulduggery in Syria |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/damascus-station-by-david-mccloskey-review-f9tzh6mvq |access-date=17 July 2025 |work=The Times |date=13 January 2023}}</ref> Former CIA director David Petraeus and former Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta praised the book.<ref name="Wheaton" />
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Category:2021 American novels Category:2021 English-language novels Category:American spy novels Category:2021 debut novels