The agent in question in Night Agent is FBI agent Peter Sutherland, whose one job is to respond to calls coming over a secured line, checking the codes given, then referring those calls to his superiors. It becomes intensely personal one night when a call comes in from the hysterical Rose Larkin, who is hiding away after her Uncle's home is invaded by hostile persons unknown. In an instant, a connection is formed between the two, a good thing, considering the challenges they are going to face over the next few hours, as they are pursued by Russian agents who seek to stage a silent coup against the United States. It is only by trusting each other that both stand the slimmest chance of surviving.

Matthew Quirk's fifth novel is quite effective, using several thriller tropes (the operative with something to prove, the proverbial race against time, the presence of a mole, and a vast, resourceful conspiracy, among others) to great advantage, delivering an expertly paced novel of suspense. Comparisons to thriller masters such as John Grisham, David Baldacci, and Brad Meltzer are valid, as Quirk will keep even the most jaded thriller readers on the edges of their proverbial seats.