Lousiana Hydra

The international-conspiracy-political-spy-techno-espionage genre can be a delicate one. And unless your name is “Le Carré” or “Fleming,” there are rules to follow and borders to remain within. In other words, and to quote the great Crash Davis, you have to learn your clichés. With Louisiana Hydra, author Gregory Ryman has memorized the map, learned the dialect, and invaded that promised land.

As complete as Ryman’s passport might be, this is still his first outing and Ryman’s debut is full of those wonderful genre clichés. 

Title: Louisiana Hydra (2024)  
Author: Gregory Ryman    

Book jacket: Stinson and Borden are thrown together in a race to not only save their own lives but to unravel a conspiracy that takes them from Oxford, England, through the streets of Paris, and down the muddy waters of the Mississippi.

Joe says: Gregory Ryman’s debut is full of those wonderful genre clichés. 

Louisiana Hydra brings together a CIA cybersecurity whiz with the handle of William Stinson and international consultant Stephanie Borden in the most random of happenstances: an assassination in broad daylight. And the victim was a US senator. Seeking answers to questions and, perhaps, aching for a touch of revenge, Stinson and Borden team up. Safety in numbers and all that. Plus there is a great buy one-get one offer at the neighborhood cafe. 

Once caffeinated, they spy on other government contractors, dive into the magical mystery waters of AI, and uncover a complex conspiracy involving the Chinese who are seeking to purchase American DNA from a disgruntled Vietnam vet. Whew.

Ryman has an obvious love for the genre and easily works within that setting. The heroes are champions for good, the villains deliciously evil, and those in the gray seamlessly work in between it all. His story has both an international flavor to it, an essential ingredient for any good spy tale, but also perfectly grounds the domestic account between Washington DC and the bayous of central Louisiana.  

Ryman also creates a different dynamic between Stinson and Borden. Unlike in The Bourne Identity, where Jason must first rescue Marie before coupling, Borden is no damsel in distress to Stinson’s street fighting man. Instead, they end up partners. Perhaps a little more like Salinger and Whitman from Tom Tykwer’s The International then, say, Marion Ravenwood and a certain Professor Jones, but partners nonetheless.

However, maybe Louisiana Hydra could have done with a Cairo chase scene full of laundry baskets. Or two.

Whereas the partnership might be interesting, their solo personalities all come from a genre take-out menu. Stinson’s hacking skills bounce between Mission: Impossible chic to eye-rollingly convenient. Cloned phones, hacked WiFi, video re-routing, it’s all blatantly there; Stinson even has his own Batcave. He drinks Scotch, smokes cigars, and a heart rate that never tops 45. His team of operators are so smooth Sade calls them for advice. Borden’s got three passports, a couple of visas, and is tough like Lois Lane. She brands a stylish tattoo, and can comfortably run in both Converse All-Stars and Jimmy Choos. 

Together, it all works. And that is paramount. Whereas Ryman might need to shave down on some of the meticulous dialogue, yet another common first-outing foible, his heart is in the right place and the pulse is beating strong.  

For a debut novel, Ryman’s Louisiana Hydra is an avid entry to the genre. Ryman has talent and, more importantly, he’s got passion. Looking forward to seeing what he’s got coming next.