‘Beware Your Enemy is a cracker read! Rod Besley has excelled in this fast-paced sequel to his first book. The action is full on and unexpected and held me in a suspense-filled grip. Ruthless assassins carry out commissions for money launderers while being thwarted repeatedly by the hero and his sophisticated support group.

This is a bird’s eye view of the world of high finance and major property deals. The hero Tom Jackson, a lawyer turned crime fighter, tidies up his unfinished business in true James Bond fashion…. right down to the glamorous women! A rollicking exciting read that will hold the reader enthralled from the very start.’ 

Greg Meek, Former CEO

‘In this second novel in the Tom Jackson series, Rod Besley has been able to continue the fast-moving action as Jackson reunites with characters from the first novel, unravelling the twists and turns of another high-profile international property deal linked with funding from suspect sources. From central London to Cairo the action never ceases from start to finish. Another unputdownable read that will have you turning the pages well into the night.’ 

Peter O'Donnell

‘Rod Besley’s experience as a high-level transaction lawyer is on full display in this second gripping novel featuring the fictional lawyer Tom Jackson, and his sharp instincts and legal expertise shine through in this fast-paced legal thriller. Whether Tom is drafting legal documents, navigating partnerships or stepping up as an action hero, he is a standout character. In his second rapid-fire novel, Rod has also shifted the spotlight to the underworld, Interpol and hired security firms, with Tom Jackson at times working behind the scenes as events unfold around him. The story takes us through many beautifully described international locations, and Rod’s eye for detail, be it in an underground railway station, to an Egyptian marketplace or to a high-end London legal boardroom or safe house, is matched by his depictions of his characters. Congratulations Rod, another absolute page-turner!’ 

Michael Hawkins, AM FAICD

‘What a great read! Having read John Grisham, Peter Robinson, Ian Rankin, Lee Child and Australia’s Peter Temple and Gary Fisher, Know Your Enemy is a beauty, in the same league as these bestselling authors.

As a successful transaction lawyer in real life, Rod Besley knows all about the risks and dangers involved in financing big developments. His style of writing holds your attention to the point of not being able to put the novel down. The nonstop intrigue just keeps the pages turning. Wonderfully written and edited, it is a must for any fiction reader, especially those who enjoy a different take on legal thrillers outside of courtroom dramas.’ 

Leighton Trafford, Reviewer

‘The world of big law and high finance have never been portrayed in a more realistic and thrilling way. Rod Besley puts you right in the leather chair behind the big desk. Hang on tight. It's one hell of a ride. With carefully crafted characters, a rollicking story line and legal accuracy, Rod nails the legal thriller genre at his first attempt.’

Stephen Quartermain, Lawyer

Know Your Enemy is a fast-moving and suspenseful legal thriller. Tom Jackson uncovers with surgical precision the murky side of property development, international finance, gambling, corruption and money laundering - and how they can and do interact in the 21^st-century global economy. 

There were many things about the book I loved: its Australian and more relevantly Brisbane lexicon; the author’s professional insights into large property transactions and how this impacts positively and negatively upon the politics of his law firm and its partners; the commentary on modern principles of corporate governance and how they can be subjugated to profit and return on investment by corrupt management and directors not willing to ask the hard or obvious questions; and the cars, especially the race-off between a silver AMG Mercedes and a Porsche 911 Carrera.

As a fellow lawyer, I’m delighted to see that the precision and commercial competence the author displayed in his successful legal career have been put to excellent use in his descriptions of so many aspects of this book. Rod captures, through Tom Jackson, how sheer hard work and competence allow a good lawyer to attain that mythical role of trusted advisor, even in the modern world.



I expect more Tom Jackson thrillers to follow and, in due course, movie rights and movies to challenge the high watermark of John Grisham’s The Firm.’ 

Scott McDonald, Law Firm Partner