In the new age of computer espionage, terrorists can topple governments with the click of a mouse. With a set of decent contacts even the most feeble-minded of individuals can make money with the information gathered through the use of a well-placed virus. Quillan “Quill” Tarquin is not a feeble-minded person; he has an eidetic memory and uses it to his advantage while scanning the files and information that he gathers with the intent to sell. He and his two partners have made a bit of money off of his dubious skills and have just landed the biggest catch of their careers; megabytes of information from the files of MI5.

Commander Daniel Burke has been called in to assist MI5 in tracking and apprehending a dangerous group of terrorists that have reached into the depths of MI5 files and plucked a plum. Or so he’s been told. When two of the ‘terrorists’ are apprehended and prove to be a couple of scared young men; Burke begins to doubt the validity of the task force he’s been entrusted with. As the operation continues, the loose-cannon in his team goes off and carnage ensues. Now in a race to save the remaining suspect from an overzealous government, Burke tries to get to the bottom of the conspiracy that has been brought to light.

Flight of the Sparrows is an intriguing look into the mechanics of a black ops team and the danger they face every day. It also explores the intricacies of computer terrorism. I found myself struggling to put down this book. Laura Baumbach has created a fast-paced story that leaves you guessing until the very end. The addition of the relationship between a scared teenager, Quill, and a hardened Army operative, Burke, made the story emotionally richer. I had a hard time understanding the gentleness that the operatives showed without fear of reprisal, but as I read on it seemed more real than the hardened, emotionless shells that black-ops team members are usually portrayed as. The dynamics within the team were fascinating to watch. The only complaint I have is that I want to know what happens next. The ending is complete, but I have always been the one to cheer for an epilogue at the end of the book.

Reviewed by: Serena