Step into the pulse-pounding world of Mark Sava, where espionage, geopolitical intrigue, and personal loyalties collide in the shadowy streets of Baku, Azerbaijan! Dan Mayland’s Mark Sava series is a hidden gem in spy thriller fiction, blending gritty realism with heart-stopping action. Follow Mark Sava, a former CIA station chief turned university professor, as he’s yanked back into a world of conspiracies, assassins, and high-stakes missions across the Caspian region.
This isn’t your typical spy saga. With its vivid settings, complex characters, and authentic geopolitical backdrop, the series offers a fresh take on the genre, perfect for fans of John le Carré or Daniel Silva craving something off the beaten path.
How Mark Sava Began
Dan Mayland, a geopolitical forecaster with a knack for storytelling, crafted the Mark Sava series inspired by his travels in the Caspian region and Middle East. His experiences in Azerbaijan, Iran, and beyond infuse the novels with an authenticity that sets them apart. Launched in 2012 with The Colonel’s Mistake, the series draws on Mayland’s fascination with the ‘New Great Game’—the modern struggle for oil and influence in Central Asia. His goal? To create a spy thriller that feels ripped from today’s headlines while exploring the human side of espionage.
The Heart of Mark Sava
The series spans four gripping novels, each plunging Mark Sava into a web of danger. In The Colonel’s Mistake (2012), Sava’s quiet life as a Baku professor is shattered when a CIA operative is framed for murder, pulling him into a deadly oil-fueled conspiracy. The Leveling (2013) sees Sava dodging assassins and Chinese spies across Turkmenistan and Iran to rescue a kidnapped friend. Spy for Hire (2014) dives into a black ops war involving a mysterious orphan, while Death of a Spy (2014) pits Sava against Russian schemes and a haunting past tied to his first love.
Mayland’s novels shine through their rich themes: loyalty, betrayal, and the personal cost of espionage. The Caspian setting—Baku’s bustling oil city, Kyrgyzstan’s rugged landscapes—becomes a character itself, steeped in post-Soviet tension and global power plays. Sava, a tough yet relatable hero, balances razor-sharp instincts with vulnerabilities like love and regret, making him a standout in spy fiction. The series’ fast-paced style, vivid descriptions, and intricate plots keep readers hooked, with Mayland’s geopolitical insight adding a layer of credibility.
Why Mark Sava Resonates
The Mark Sava series has carved a niche among spy thriller fans for its authentic settings and nuanced take on global politics. Readers praise its immersive world-building and Sava’s evolution from a retired operative to a man wrestling with his past. While not a household name, the series has earned glowing reviews and Amazon bestseller status in espionage fiction, appealing to those who love cerebral yet action-packed tales. Its focus on lesser-known regions like Azerbaijan offers a refreshing departure from typical Western-centric spy stories, inviting readers to explore a complex world.
- Publication Years: 2012–2014
- Number of Books: 4
- Setting: Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, and Central Asia
- Genre: Spy Thriller
Grab The Colonel’s Mistake and dive into Mark Sava’s thrilling world of espionage and intrigue! Whether you’re a spy fiction veteran or a curious newcomer, this series promises a wild ride through a region where every shadow hides a secret.