The China Gambit

A sting operation in Tampa to capture the elusive Chinese operative known as “Leopard” ends in chaos, forcing FBI Agent Nathan Burke and his boss, Meili Chan, to pursue a volatile lead to Macau. There, in the maze of glittering casinos and dark corners of China’s southern coast, an enigmatic intelligence source delivers a chilling revelation: the Ministry of State Security’s Second Bureau has embedded itself in the very fabric of American society—compromising politics, law enforcement, and beyond.

The situation turns explosive when a presidential nominee is assassinated, plunging Washington into turmoil and setting the stage for an unprecedented political crisis. As the country teeters on the edge, Ming Zhao, the ruthless director of the Second Bureau, accelerates his campaign of disintegration warfare. His strategy is as bold as it is deadly—arming radicals with weaponized opioids and fueling chaos across the United States.

But Zhao’s ambitions come with a lethal cost. His operatives close in, targeting everyone Nathan cares about. With assassins lurking at every turn and trust becoming a scarce commodity, Nathan uncovers the terrifying scope of a conspiracy years in the making. As the clock ticks down, every step forward brings new risks—not just to Nathan and Meili, but to the nation itself.

In this explosive new installment, bestselling author Jeffrey James Higgins—whose first Nathan Burke thriller was named one of Library Journal’s Best Books of 2025—delivers a relentless tale of danger, betrayal, and high—stakes action that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Fans of David Baldacci and Michael Connelly will not want to miss this pulse—pounding thriller.

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Praise for Jeffrey James Higgins:

“…pulse—pounding…a must—read…” —Library Journal

“Jeffrey Higgins is a rising star author in our universe of thrillers…he turns the mysteries and dangers of our times into clock—ticking engrossing reading.” —James Grady, creator of Condor and author of the American Sky trilogy

“…as authentic as it gets! Jeffrey James Higgins pours his years of law enforcement experience into crafting characters that leap off the page.” —Jack Stewart, retired Navy fighter pilot and bestselling author of the Battle Born series

“Pulse pounding and relevant, Higgins delivers a thrilling ride you won’t want to miss.” —Dale M. Nelson, retired U.S. Air Force Officer and author of The Gage Files

“…a propulsive, white—knuckle ride into the shadowy world of espionage and global conspiracy…This one is not to be missed.” —David McCloskey, former CIA analyst and author of The Seventh Floor

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What readers are saying:

★★★★★ “Wow.”
★★★★★ “...lots of action...”
★★★★★ “...twists and turns...”
★★★★★ “...tightly plotted espionage thriller...”
★★★★★ “Nathan Burke is a terrific main character...”