Meet BTB Reviewer Derek Luedtke

 

Background: I grew up in Denver with a 15-year stop in Connecticut, and I now reside in Chesapeake, Virginia. Father to two great kids and the Husband to the coolest woman I know. I have always been a voracious reader. Didn't help that my Mother is too, and my Grandmother was a librarian. I've always had to have something to read with me wherever I go. I started reading thrillers back in high school when my Mom suggested The Parsifal Mosaic by Robert Ludlum. I was hooked. From then on it's been a steady diet of, mostly, thrillers. What you will probably get from my reviews, besides no spoilers, is that I don't lay out the entire plot for a book. You can get that off of the back of the book or the inside of the dust cover. What I will do is give a minor synopsis (again no spoilers), and I will tell you why I liked the book. Let me know if you like my reviews, and again, if you want to discuss any books, or my reviews, hit me up on Twitter.

Go-To Author: Vince Flynn/Kyle Mills - Mitch Rapp Series. Vince was the Master of the genre, and Kyle has stepped into his shoes in a way that would make Vince very proud. I would also add Jack Carr as a Go-To Author. Since he burst onto the scene in 2018 with The Terminal List, he has given us one pulse pounding novel, featuring James Reece, every year since. Sorry, couldn't pick just one. As anyone who knows me knows, these are two of my favorites.

Author People Should Discover: Wow, there are several. First off, anything written by the team of Andrews & Wilson is a must read (Tier One, Sons of Valor, Shepherd Series). Not only are they prolific, but these guys write some of the best thrillers out there. Ward Larsen's - David Slaton series should also be on the top of everyone's list as well. This is one that I am going back to the earlier books because the recent ones, blew me away. Lastly, S.A. Cosby, whose novels, Blacktop Wasteland and Razorblade Tears, are two of the best books I have read in the last couple of years.

Book You Would Recommend From 2022: Heat 2 by Meg Gardiner and Michael Mann. This is an action packed book that takes place the day after the movie ends. Seamlessly continues the storyline without missing a beat. Sierra Six by Mark Greaney. This is the origin story of The Gray Man, and I think the best in the series

Most-Anticipated Book Of 2023: Dempsey by Andrews and Wilson. Anything these guys write is gold. Can't wait to read this one. All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby. He is such a great writer that I am so looking forward to this book. Code Red by Kyle Mills. Well, it's Mitch Rapp, and I can't wait to see where Kyle takes him in this one.

Favorite Local/Indie Bookstore: The Book Dragon in Staunton, VA. Sandi is great and her customer support is incredible.

Favorite Charities: St Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

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All The Sinners Bleed By S.A. Cosby

As you get into All the Sinners Bleed, it is very apparent why this was one of the most anticipated books of the year. S.A. Cosby delivers a southern noir thriller that has personal conflict, racial tensions and a storyline that hits you from the beginning and doesn’t let up until the last page.

Titus Crown is the first black Sheriff in Charon County, located in the southeast part of Virginia. One year to the date of him being sworn in, his office gets a call that there is an active shooter at the high school. When Titus gets there, he finds out that the son of one of his oldest friends has shot, and killed, one of the most beloved teachers in the county. In the ensuing standoff, two of Titus’s deputies shoot and kill the shooter.

While looking into the motive for the shooting, Titus finds more than he can comprehend. All evidence points to a serial killer who has been committing acts so heinous, that Titus doesn’t know if he will ever forget what he has seen. Not only does Titus have to deal with the racial ramifications of two white deputies shooting an armed black shooter, a far-right group who wants to have a parade celebrating their confederate history, all the while trying to find a killer, that has committed acts so unspeakable, that they are evil incarnate.

All the Sinners Bleed is one hell of a story. It is one of the best written books I have read in a long time. His attention to detail, his southern vernacular, and his ability to make you feel like you are sitting on the front porch, watching the lightning bugs, and passing around a jar of “shine” are second to none. It is easy to see why S.A. Cosby’s previous books have won so many awards. Stay tuned as this one will too. This is my front runner for book of the year.

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Only The Dead By Jack Carr

In this, the sixth outing in the James Reece saga, Only the Dead picks up where In the Blood left off.  Reece has been arrested for the assassination of the American President.  When James wakes up, naked, he finds that he has been ensconced in a 7-foot by 12-foot cell.  With no lights, and no human contact, Reece has a lot of time alone with his thoughts.  We see him re-living the events of the previous books. And having an inner dialogue with himself about being able to protect and defend those he loves.  There are also scenes Reece remembers with his Father that reminds me of one of my favorite television shows growing up; Magnum PI.  Which I know that Jack Carr was fond of as well.

When Reece is finally released from his cell by Victor Rodriguez, his boss at the CIA, he learns that he hasn’t been arrested, but hidden away until they could prove he had nothing to do with the death of the President.  He and Vic surmise that whomever was involved in the assassination is connected to the letter that James’s Father left him; along with the mysterious safety deposit box key.

James soon learns that his Father was chasing a multinational organization, that was formed after WWII, that goes by the name of the Collective.  This same organization is probably responsible for the death of his Father.  The Collective was formed to control the outcome of world events and stop the possibility of a nuclear war.  They are now about to unleash an event that will change the balance of power on the world stage, and James Reece is the only one who can stop it.  James does all he can to stop this from happening, and we get to see him do what he does best.

Jack Carr has drawn a much darker James Reece in this latest outing.  Those who follow the series have seen some of the interrogation techniques that Reece has used in the past.  In this endeavor, he has upped the ante.  There is a scene where I don’t know if it is James Reece of John Wick who is the main character in this book.  All I know is that if there is a list, and if your name is on it, you better watch out, because death and mayhem are sure to follow.

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The Other Side of Night By Adam Hamdy

The Other Side of Night is a book that needs to be experienced by the reader.  Anything I say is not going to do this incredible book justice.  I don’t want to, inadvertently, give away any spoilers, plot lines or hints as to the story.  Therefore, this is going to be, probably, the shortest review I have ever written.  All I can safely say, is that what starts as a chance meeting in a bookstore, turns into a total “Holy Sh*t” ending.  What happens in the middle, is something I will leave up to the reader to experience and enjoy.  Ultimately, I think everyone will agree that this is a great story, and one of the best books of the year. 

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A Mourning Song By Mark Westmoreland

A Mourning Song takes place approximately a year after the events of Mark Westmoreland’s first novella, A Violent Gospel.  In this book, we find Mack Dooley and his brother, Marshall, are not only estranged, but Mack is suffering from the traumas incurred during the events from a year ago.  Call it PTSD, if you will, but Mack is having a hard time sleeping.  And when he does sleep, his nightmares are filled with visions that he is unable to outrun.  Seems the only solace he can find is in a whiskey bottle; which brings on a whole new set of issues.

When Mack is the victim of a home invasion by an outlaw gang named the Ghostface Devils, who are hell-bent on finding Marshall, Mack realizes that he is going to be pulled back into a world that he has been avoiding for the last year.

Mack tracks down Marshall and finds out he has been working for Peanut Bohannon, who is the crime kingpin of Tugalo County.  Peanut informs him that they are at war with the Ghostface Devils, and they want to put him out of business, and take over his territory.  In order to help out his brother, and Peanut, Mack allows himself to be recruited in the battle against this violent gang.  What ensues is one heck of a story.

I haven’t read too much of the Southern Crime genre before I started reading Mark’s books.  His style of writing and storytelling is so descriptive, and so smooth, that not only can you smell the biscuits, but you can hear the bacon sizzle.  The only issue I have with Mark is that the stories are too darn short. Do yourself a favor and pick up his two books.

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Oath Of Loyalty By Kyle Mills

Oath of Loyalty takes place in the immediate aftermath of Enemy at the Gates, with Mitch Rapp having to deal with one of the hardest things he’s had to confront in his career.  After saving the life of Trillionaire, Nicholas Ward, his team has been, not only, scattered to the wind, but pretty much decimated. Mitch retreats to the only place he feels safe; into the arms of his loving family.   

This reprieve is short-lived, as his feud with President Anthony Cook has seemed to escalate into unfamiliar waters.  President Cook believes that Mitch has him in his cross hairs, due the President’s actions during the Nicholas Ward mission.  Thinking that Mitch is coming after him, the President “circles the wagons” and cuts ties with anyone who has a loyalty to Mitch; including Irene Kennedy.  Irene brokers a truce between the two men, with Mitch agreeing to become a literal prisoner at his home in South Africa, so that the President knows his whereabouts at all times.

As President Cook is building his power base, and ramping the hell out of his security, he appoints the sycophant Darren Hargrave, as the new Director of the CIA.  Not only is he a world class “bootlicker”, but he also puts it into the President’s head that Mitch will not honor the cease fire, and is probably making plans to kill the President.  Hargrave convinces the President to take the offensive, but not to take out Mitch, but go after Claudia instead.  He and the President believe that if Mitch is busy protecting Claudia, he won’t have time to come after them.  No spoilers, but when you go after his family, and piss Mitch Rapp off, people are going to die; and they do.

Every year I say that Kyle Mills has “one upped” himself by delivering a book that outshines the last one in the series.  But this one is about as close to a Vince Flynn book as you can get.  This book has all that we have come to love about Mitch Rapp, and more.  Who knows where Vince Flynn would have taken Mitch Rapp.  I believe that Kyle has tapped into that consciousness, put his own spin on it, and has delivered one of the best in the entire Mitch Rapp series.  This is arguably one of the best books of the year.

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Heat 2 By Meg Gardiner & Michael Mann

Heat 2

By Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner

Heat 2 opens in the immediate aftermath of where the movie, Heat, left off.  In the days following the intense gunfight with the LAPD, we see a seriously injured Chris Shiherlis, who is the lone survivor of Neil McCauley’s crew, and the subject of a City-wide manhunt, trying desperately to get out of town.  Vincent Hanna, the LAPD Detective who has been tracking the crew, and led the gun battle against the bank robbers, is doing all he can to get to Chris before that happens.

The timeline of the book takes us from 1988 to 2000.  In the years leading up to the 1995 heist, the story takes us back seven years to a time where we see the “Crew” in their prime.  They are performing major heists in LA, Chicago and south of the border in Mexico; where a job goes seriously wrong and they lose a member of the crew. They also come across a sadistic rival who has followed them from Chicago.

In the years following Chris’s exodus from LA, we see him head to Mexico and ultimately end up in the wild frontier of Ciudad del Este in Paraguay.  Here we see Chris recover from his wounds, and become an integral part of the Lius crime family.  In the following years, we see Chris thrive, not only in his work with the “Family”, but in his personal life as well.  Ultimately business leads him back to the “City of Angels” where everything comes full circle.

I remember seeing the movie Heat when it came out.  Not only was it a great heist film, but the action scenes and the characters were top notch.  And don’t even talk about the gunfight in the streets of LA.  That was an epic moment in film that I can’t recall any previous movies even attempting.  So when I heard that Michael Mann, whose work I love, and Meg Gardiner, who writes some incredible novels, were writing Heat 2, I knew that this was going to be good; and they didn’t disappoint.  I did watch the movie again right before I read the book.  This is one of the first times that I could see, and hear, the characters in the book, because I knew who they were from the movie.  Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer and all the other actors were in my head the whole time.  This book reads like you are watching a movie, and it is just as good as the original Heat as it fleshes out the arcs of all of the major players in the book.  Heat 2 is the answer for everyone asking what book to read next. Probably the best book of the year.

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Beneath The Stairs By Jennifer Fawcett

When I was younger, we had a vacant, “haunted house” in our neighborhood (didn’t we all?), that we would constantly dare each other to go into.  I can remember the sweaty hands, the heart palpitations and the plain old sense of terror every time we went into that house.  Jennifer Fawcett has taken those feelings and multiplied them exponentially in her debut novel Beneath the Stairs.

The focal point of the story is a dilapidated, secluded structure that is known as the Octagon House.  A house where a man killed his wife, and two daughters, and it has been vacant ever since.  When Clare, Abby and two of their friends hear about this haunted house, they decide to go into the woods and see this house for themselves.  During their exploration, Abby mysteriously gets trapped in the basement, and in the process of helping her get out, Clare sees something down there that she has a hard time comprehending.  Chance would find Abby and Clare back at the house later that night, and something happens to Abby that changes her life forever.

Fast forward 20 years, and Clare hears news that Abby has gone back into the house and has suffered dire consequences.  Clare, whose life has been touched by this house as well, decides to go back to her hometown and try unravel the mysteries of why the Octagon House has had such a pull on Abby’s life, and why it has affected hers as well; and what did she really see in that basement all those years ago.

Beneath the Stairs is a book that will have you jumping at every creak, pop or strange sound in your house. It is a good old-fashioned ghost story that will keep you reading long into the night…..with all the lights on.

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Targeted By Stephen Hunter

I have been a huge fan of Stephen Hunter’s Swagger Series from the moment I first read Point of Impact, which was the book that introduced us to Master Sniper, Bob Lee Swagger; or as he is known, Bob the Nailer.  In fact, I have read all of the books that Mr. Hunter has written about the Swagger Clan.  From Bob Lee’s lawman Father, Earl, his Grandfather Charles (FBI G-man) and all of the adventures that Bob Lee has been in over the years.  So when I was given the chance to read Targeted, I jumped at the chance.

This book starts out in the aftermath of last year’s Game of Snipers.  Bob Lee is recuperating, on his ranch, from injuries he sustained while taking out a would-be assassin, when he receives a Congressional summons to appear before a House Judiciary Committee.  Bob believes that they are just buttoning up his side of the shooting, but soon finds out that there are ulterior motives to get him in front of the Committee.  When an anti-gun, Senior Senator, who is looking more for the exposure, than finding the truth, the whole thing turns into a circus.  Halfway through the proceedings, the auditorium where the Committee is taking place, is attacked.  When Bob Lee, the Senator, audience members, along with members of the media, are taken hostage, things go from bad to worse.  Bob Lee goes from being accused of reckless endangerment to being the one everyone wants to save the situation.  This is when we get to see “Bob the Nailer” do what he does best.

The one thing that I like about the Bob Lee Swagger character, is that Stephen Hunter has aged him from book to book.  He may not bounce back, as he did in previous books, he has slowed down quite a bit, but though he is getting “long in the tooth”, there is still a lot of bite in the old dog.

Stephen Hunter has a gift for not only telling great stories, but he has that rare ability to bring you into the action.  There is a saying that goes, “A good book makes you want to live in the story, but a great book gives you no choice”.  Stephen Hunter has been taking away my choice for years.  This is a great addition to the Swagger saga, and one that should be read by anyone that likes great action, great characters and really good storytelling.

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The Body Man By Eric P. Bishop

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What starts out as a missing person case, soon morphs into a serious thriller with corrupt politicians, the Russian Mafia, tons of intrigue and enough sarcastic banter between the two main characters to keep you reading late into the night.

When a Secret Service agent goes missing, the case lands in the lap of Veteran FBI Special Agent Eli Payne, and his new (fresh out of Quantico) partner, Probationary Agent, Kat Stone.  What starts out as a simple missing person case, soon turns into anything but, when they find out that the missing agent is the “Body Man”; and he’s been abducted.  The Body Man is the Secret Service Agent who knows all the dirty laundry, where all the bodies are buried and whose sole job is to protect, not the President, but the Office of the President.

I’m not going to go too far into the plot, and risk revealing spoilers, but The Body Man by Eric P. Bishop is a phenomenal debut novel.  The action is non-stop, and the story is well developed and engaging.  Plus, we get to see the growing relationship between Eli and Kat, as they go from an awkward beginning to one of mutual respect and trust; with some seriously entertaining “back and forth” banter.  I could definitely see a long running series with these two.  This book needs to be published, not only so others may enjoy this great thriller, but so that we can see what happens to Eli and Kat in the future.

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Sargon The Third By Scott Shinberg

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Sargon the Third is the latest book to feature the CIA’s top covert assassin, Michelle Reagan, that grabs you by the throat from page one, and does not let up until the very end.  There is action, intrigue and plenty of spycraft to keep you turning pages until late into the night.

While on a mission in Iran, Michelle (codename Eden), barely escapes with her life while liberating some valuable intel from a known terrorist financier.  When the information is analyzed, it is discovered that there is a new radical organization, ruled by a mysterious, self-proclaimed, King who goes by the name of Sargon the Third.  Sargon has designs on creating a world-wide caliphate and will stop at nothing to attain that goal.  When Sargon’s minions start bringing their brand of terror to the shores of the United States, the CIA tasks Eden, and her team, to do all they can to find out the identity of this “would be King” and stop him by any means necessary.  Using surveillance, interrogation and even high-priced call girls, it is a race to stop this mad man from achieving his vision.

Sargon the Third proceeds at a very quick pace, with enough action to keep any thriller fan occupied; waiting to see what happens on the next page. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I felt like the story had a little “unfinished business” at the end. Hopefully, this is a cliffhanger that Scott Shinberg will take care of in the next book, A Shot in the Dark.

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Enemy At The Gates By Kyle Mills

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If you are reading this review, then you are a thriller fan.  As a thriller fan, you know we all look forward to this time of the year.  This is when we get to read the latest book starring, in my opinion, the “Apex Predator” in the Thriller Universe; Mitch Rapp.  For the last several years, I have been a Mitch Rapp Ambassador, and was generously gifted an Advanced Reader Copy of the latest Kyle Mill/Mitch Rapp outing.  This year, I was blessed again, as a Best Thriller Book Reviewer, to read the latest ARC.  Enemy At The Gates is the latest in the Mitch Rapp saga, and it is one of the best in the last several years.

Enemy At The Gates takes place in the aftermath of the events from Total Power.  The power grid is back up and running, life is slowly getting back to normal and there is a new President in the Oval Office.  The President, and his ambitious First Lady, seem to have a different agenda, compared to the previous Presidents Mitch has worked for.  In fact, Mitch doesn’t really know where he fits in with this administration, and it gets him to start thinking about what he wants to do with the rest of his life.  Claudia and Anna would love for him to get out of the game and start spending more time with them.  Mitch decides to do just that, and takes a leave of absence and heads to South Africa to join his family.

While Mitch is recuperating, and considering his retirement, a mega maniacal religious zealot has attacked one of the top medical research facilities in Uganda; which happens to be owned by Nicholas Ward, the World’s first Trillionaire.  Irene soon tasks Mitch to meet with Nicholas Ward, and to lead a team to rescue the world’s top virologist, who escaped the attack on the laboratory.  While trying to find a motive for the attack on the facility, Irene, and her team, discover that a CIA insider, or mole, has been covertly going through the CIA database trying to get information on Nicholas Ward.  Soon, Mitch, Scott Coleman and the rest of their team are not only hired to protect the Trillionaire, but they also use him as bait to draw out the mole.

We all know that Kyle Mills has done an incredible job of continuing the Mitch Rapp series created by Vince Flynn. In this one, he takes us back to the old days where “Mitch is Mitch”, but he adds his own spin, and creates a thrill ride of a story that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next. I think my vocal outburst actually woke my wife when the mole was revealed. Fans of the series will not be disappointed with Enemy At The Gates. In fact, fans will be wanting for more after reading the ending in this one. I cannot wait to see where the next one takes us. Well done Mr. Mills, well done.

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Pantheon 2: Ares & Athena By K. R. Paul

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I am a huge fan of military thrillers, and have been known to read a lot of science fiction as well.  So when I got the chance to read Pantheon 2:  Ares and Athena, I jumped at the opportunity.  I had not read KRP’s debut novel, Pantheon, but I liked the premise and wanted to see how she was going to pull this off.    I am very happy to say that she did it in spades.  This book combines intense kick-ass military action, with just enough of a science fiction element, to keep you reading far into the night.  

Ares and Athena starts off in the immediate aftermath of the first book in the series; Pantheon.  The Pantheon is a group of military “Jumpers”, who have the ability to teleport from one location to another.  This “ability” lets the Pantheon team conduct seamless military missions in the blink of an eye. This book starts out after Air Force Captain, Valerie Hall, is injured on a mission that does not go as planned.  While she is convalescing, she is learning the “ins and outs” of being a full time Pantheon Operator.  Simultaneously, we see Staff Sergeant Murphy Hawkins and his canine partner, Zora, on patrol in Syria.  After they are ambushed by terrorists, “Murph” and his team are seconds away from imminent death, when his stress unleashes his ability to jump.  This jump not only saves his squad, but makes him an immediate candidate for the Pantheon team, or as it is known by its public name, Limitless Logistics.

Initially, Val (codename Athena) and “Murph” butt heads, as he has a hard time getting rid of his Marine Corp ego.  He soon gets with the program, and his heroics earn him the codename Ares; who is the God of War. No spoilers, but the Limitless team is soon not only dealing with newly recognized abilities, but with corrupt politicians and home grown terrorists.   

As I stated, I did not read KR Paul’s first novel in this series, Pantheon, but it is definitely on my TBR pile.  I’m sure that it adds some needed backstory on the Pantheon team, but this one read like a stand-alone novel.  I was curious about the mixing of the military component and the sci-fi, but she definitely pulled it off.  Pick this one up if you love action, intrigue and a pretty unique story.  Better yet, start at the beginning and read the entire Pantheon series.  You won’t be disappointed.

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Dark Intercept By Andrews & Wilson

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To say that I am a big fan of Andrews and Wilson would be an understatement.  Their Tier One series is a Must Read for thriller fans.  They also came out this year with a new series, Sons of Valor, that runs in a parallel universe to Tier One; and that started out HOT and should not be missed.  When I heard that they were starting yet another series, I was all in.  Dark Intercept is the first in the Shepherd Series, and it is a faith-based thriller.

Dark Intercept starts out with the main character, retired Navy SEAL Jedidiah Johnson, trying to figure out what to do with his life, after twenty years serving our Country.  He receives a desperate call from a childhood friend, whose daughter has been kidnapped.  Said friend tries to recruit Jed to help find her, using the skills he learned serving his country as a SEAL.  There is a history with this friend, and his wife, that is not necessarily good.  In fact, twenty years ago, Jed left his small Tennessee town to get away from these two.  He joined the Navy, and has never looked back.  

Despite the bad blood between him and the parents, Jed reluctantly agrees to look into the kidnapping, but only to help out the innocent little girl.  Jed soon finds himself in the middle of something that he is unprepared for, and he is going to have a hard time walking away from.  His past starts to catch up with him as he realizes he is in a literal war between “Good and Evil.”  It takes all of the skills that Jed possesses, along with the help of a mystery group, named the Shepherds, to try and rescue the little girl.

This book contains ALL of the action, and thrills, that we have come to not only love, but expect, from Andrews and Wilson.  Yes, it is faith based, but don’t let that throw you off.  There is no agenda thrown in your face, no sermons or religion, just the realization that with faith (any kind), you can overcome most adversities you face.  If you are a big fan of Andrews and Wilson (who isn’t?) then give this one a go.  You will not be disappointed, because the boys deliver...again.

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Assassin's Dawn By Ward Larsen

I was given the opportunity to read the origin story for Ward Larsen’s David Slaton series, which I was more than excited to do, since I am a huge fan.  The only problem I have with this story is that it is way too short.  This “novella” would have been great as a full length novel.  We do, however, get to see some insight into how David Slaton got his start with the Mossad, and learn about how proficient he is in the skills that make him one of the premier assassins out there.

This story takes place in Luxembourg, and what starts out as an information gathering mission, soon turns into much more.  David Slaton is tasked with a fact-finding mission to clandestinely obtain sensitive information from Moussa Tayeb, who is the Accountant for a vicious terrorist organization that goes by the name of al-Qassam Front.  What he is really looking for is the whereabouts of Moussa’s brother, Ramzi, who is the Operational Chief for the organization.  Ramzi is also the person that put David on his current path, when he took the lives of David’s wife and young daughter in a terrorist attack.  When the Mossad learns that Ramzi has followed his brother to Luxembourg, the game is on.  What once was an evidence gathering mission, is now one of search and destroy.

There is plenty of nail-biting action that we have come to love, and expect, from Ward Larsen. The storyline in Assassin’s Dawn is well developed, and gives us some insight into David’s character and his motivation to being the best in his field. If you have not read the David Slaton series, this is the perfect story to start. Or if you’re like me, and you’ve been a fan for years, this gives the reader some insight into the beginnings of one of the best characters in the thriller genre today.

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Sleeping Bear By Connor Sullivan

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Connor Sullivan’s debut novel Sleeping Bear is a tour d’ force, that is a little bit of Richard Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game, and a whole lot of action and thrills.  This book grabs you by the jugular in the opening pages, and keeps you hooked until the final pages.

Army veteran, Cassie Gale, has not had a good year.  With a dramatic event in her recent past, she decides to get away and “recharge”, in the wilds of the Alaska, with her dog Maverick.  Being raised in Montana, Cassie feels very at home in the wilderness, and decides some time away will help her heal.  When she fails to show up at a scheduled meeting, and searchers find her campsite in shambles, it is assumed that she may have encountered a bear; which though not that common, it happens none the less.

Cassie’s father, Jim Gale, arrives in the area to search for his daughter.  Once he sees the campsite, things don’t quite add up to a bear attack.  And when he finds Cassie’s loyal dog, Maverick, he knows that Maverick would never leave her side, even if it meant giving up his life to save her.   As Gale hunts for his daughter, he finds out that Cassie is not the first person to go missing without a trace in this part of Alaska.  Bears, wolves, bad weather and even starvation have claimed the lives of many people in the wilds of Alaska.  But he has his doubts that any of these were the cause of his daughter’s disappearance; he believes that she was abducted.  Her father has a mysterious past, and the skills from his previous life will help him in the search for his daughter.  

Cassie was abducted, and she wakes up in a Russian experimental facility, where unheard of things are going on.  The one thing that keeps her alive, is knowing that her Father is out there somewhere looking for her.

No spoilers, but as we see Jim Gale racing to find his daughter, and Cassie trying to survive some sadistic Russians, we are graced with scene after scene of action, intrigue and good old fashioned grit.

Connor Sullivan has hit it out of the park with this debut.  The story is fast paced, with plenty of “In your face” action, and doesn’t slow down until the end.  If Mr. Sullivan continues to put out stories like the Sleeping Bear, I think he is going to be around for quite a while.  

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Sons Of Valor By Andrews & Wilson

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After a good friend gifted me the first book in the Tier One series, I was hooked.  I went on to read them all, as soon as I could get my hands on them.  And now, Andrews and Wilson has taken one of the minor characters from that series, and given him his own parallel storyline in the Tier One universe.  Who wouldn’t love that, right?

Sons of Valor re-introduces us to Navy Seal Keith 'Chunk' Redman, who, for several years, has occasionally been in a support role with Team Ember; now he has his own team to run.  Chunk has been tasked with assembling and leading the new Tier One Unit, which is America’s last line of defense against enemies that wish to do us harm.

The Team soon finds themselves being confronted by an enemy that has been watching, learning, and they now have a weapon that was thought impossible for them to possess.  This is where Andrews and Wilson shine.  The story is top-notch, great characters and phenomenal action scenes.

I don’t like to give anything away on a review, but suffice it to say that Andrews and Wilson have done it again.  Chunk is an awesome protagonist, with a great supporting cast, and the action is non-stop.  I don’t know if they share a brain, but these two make it look easy and seamless.  Sons of Valor, though an off-shoot of the Tier One Series, stands entirely on its own.  This is one of my top reads of the year and it is just that good.

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The Devil's Hand By Jack Carr

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In this, the fourth outing of former Navy Seal, James Reece, it is clearly evident why Jack Carr has become one of the “Kings of the Hill” in the thriller universe.  In the relatively short time since his debut novel, 2018’s The Terminal List, Jack Carr has cemented James Reece as one of the most relentless, driven and badass characters in the genre. 

Jack Carr has said the theme of The Devil’s Hand is all about the lessons that our enemies have learned, from us, by watching and waiting, since 9-11.  Watching how we react on the battlefield, the way we respond to a global pandemic and even how we have become politically and racially divisive, to name a few, has been teaching them how to be patient and adapt to try and take us down.  In The Devil’s Hand, which takes place roughly 20 years from that fateful day in September, we see our enemies planning on using those lessons to bring the terror, once again, to America’s shores.  Iranian terrorists have gained access to a very deadly biological weapon that they hope to unleash on major cities around the country.  

James Reece, who is fulfilling his promise to go to work for the CIA, is summoned to a meeting, with the newly elected President, at Camp David.  The President wants to use James Reece, due to his history of retribution and his lethal skill set, to avenge the death of his fiancé, who was killed in the attacks on 9-11.  He wants James to hunt down and take out the remaining terrorists who had a hand in the attack.  James soon finds out that the terrorists he is hunting are part of the same cell that is planning on releasing the biological weapon on the United States.  This is where the action starts, and James Reece is in a race to save not only the country, but take out the bad guys who mean to do us harm.  With action scenes that leave you holding your breath, unscrupulous politicians and a well-developed story, this is one wild ride.  And I know that, even though Reece is admittedly not an interrogator, there is no way I wouldn’t start blabbering like a baby if he ever tried to get information out of me.  Just sayin’.

Jack Carr writes stories that call upon his experience as a Navy Seal.  In The Devil’s Hand, we get all of that experience, but we also see the enormous amount of research that he did to write this book.  The amount of detail, shows and adds another layer of depth to his writing that gets better and better with each outing.  He has really hit his stride, and has shifted into overdrive.  Once again, this will be on a lot of reader’s, mine included, list of top books for the year.

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The Outside Man By Don Bentley

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Someone asked me for a review of this novel, the second in the Matt Drake series, and I told them: “Skip the review.  Buy the book, it’s that good.”  Which is a very true statement.  So if you want to skip the review, and take my advice, let me know what you thought.  If you are not quite sold, here you go.

Last year when I reviewed Without Sanction by Mr. Bentley, I said it was like finding a 4-leaf clover.  Very rare that a debut novel is that good.  The Outside Man is even better.  No Sophomore curse here.  The Outside Man grabs you from the get-go and takes you on an action packed, white knuckle ride that leaves you breathless.

The book starts with Matt Drake enjoying a semi-retirement, recovering from his exploits in the previous book.  Matt is on his way to meet his wife for an Anniversary dinner, when a hit team tries to take him out on the streets of Austin; in broad daylight, no less.  This starts Matt on a journey, to find the individual who wants to kill him.  Officially coming out of retirement, Matt and his trusted sidekick, and former bodyguard Frodo, try to find out who is trying to kill him.  They soon discover that someone from Matt’s past is still alive, and has a score to settle.  The story takes us to Iraq, as Matt chases the elusive criminal mastermind known only as “The Devil”.  Mayhem ensues as Matt has to keep playing catch up, as The Devil seems to always be one step ahead.  The action in this book is non-stop and the plot twists will keep you guessing up to the dramatic ending.

The book is written in the first person narrative, so you get to get into Matt Drake’s head.  You see what he sees, and you feel what he feels.  As I have previously said, the thing that makes Drake an interesting character, is that he is human.  When he gets shot, beaten, blown up or takes a good ass-beating, he feels it.  And we get to go along for the ride.  Without Sanction was a book that I recommended to everyone who was looking for a good thriller, and I will continue doing so with this one as well.  The Outside Man confirms that Don Bentley, and Matt Drake, are just hitting their stride.  This is a series that should not be missed...It’s that good.

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Prodigal Son By Gregg Hurwitz

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In this, the sixth installment in the Orphan X odyssey, we see the Nowhere Man, Evan Smoak, trying to get used to his new “retirement.” Said retirement the result of his deal with the President, in exchange for a pardon for his exploits in previous books.

While trying to navigate his new life, his mentoring of his ward/side kick Joey (a refuge of the Orphan Project), The Nowhere Man gets a call on his RoamZone phone from a woman who claims to be his Birth Mother, asking him to help a man who is accused of murder. Knowing it may be a “prank call,” Evan’s sense of duty to help those in need is called into play, even at the risk of violating his deal with the President.

While Evan is contemplating the present, we see into his past and how he came to be chosen for the Orphan Project. And when the mystery woman is, in fact, the Mother who gave him up for adoption, we see a new side to Evan as he wrestles with emotions that were either non-existent, or buried very deep.

Evan decides to take on the assignment requested by his Mother and we see him encounter a very sinister plot that includes murderous siblings, a sadistic scientist and some very scary technology, in the form of killer drones, with some serious capabilities. Along with the usual cast of characters including Joey behind the keyboard and a cameo from Orphan V (Candy McClure) Evan does what he does best.

If you are a fan of Gregg Hurwitz’s Orphan X series, you will not be disappointed with this outing. Great action, riveting story, terrific pace and a cliff hanger ending that will have you wanting for more.

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Purchase Prodigal Son
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)

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