It's almost impossible to get on the bus/train these days and not see someone reading this. And that's the kind of thing guaranteed to make me NOT read a book normally. But this, the first in the series, more than lives up to hype. If you're bored of so many US-centric thrillers: read it. If you enjoy something a bit more challenging: read it. If you like smart well thought-out thrillers: read it. In fact, just read it, you'll be glad you did and I guarantee you'll get the next one straight after finishing it.