Meet BTB Reviewer Kashif Hussain

 
 

Background: I love reading in general, but I always come back to thrillers. Thrillers excite me like no other genre and I try to get my hands on every thriller I might find intriguing and then review it for my folks! In whatever time reading doesn’t take up for me, I’m trying to apply my knowledge and skillset in helping AI take over the world in a safe way.

Go-To Author: Adam Hamdy - he's a terrific storyteller who knows just how to infuse high-stakes action-packed stories with warm and compelling emotional energy for a great payoff. From espionage thrillers to science fiction, he knows how to nail them all!

Author People Should Discover: Rio Youers - his prose is simply masterful. He digs deep into the flawed and deeply human characters of his stories and strikes a fantastic balance between story-driven and character-driven narratives. Once you pick up his books, you'll want to keep reading them.


Book You Would Recommend From 2023: Fearless by M.W. Craven. It's an action-packed ride with a clever premise of a badass protagonist who doesn't feel fear the way normal folks do. What follows is carnage in the best possible way.

Most-Anticipated Book Of 2024: Bang Bang Sisters by Rio Youers - the description is essentially rock-and-roll with vigilante action.... can't go wrong with that!

Favorite Local Bookstore: Barnes and Noble at Firewheel Town Center; great selection of books and delicious cookies.

Favorite Charities: Miracle Foundation is an international nonprofit organization for children. Focused on orphans in need and partnered with over 300 orphanages in India.

Follow Kashif on Twitter Facebook and Instagram or contact him via the site.

View Kashif’s Latest Reviews (book pub. dates)

Hard Town by Adam Plantinga (4/8/25)
The Memory Ward by Jon Bassoff (3/4/25)
Where the Bones Lie by Nick Kolakowski (3/11/25)
Don't Tell Me How to Die by Marshall Karp (3/4/25)
Midnight Black by Mark Greaney (2/18/25)
Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz (2/11/25)
Blood Ties by Jo Nesbø (2/11/25)
The Mailman by Andrew Welsh-Huggins (1/28/25)
Dead Money by Jakob Kerr (1/28/25)
Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Vendetta by Brian Freeman (1/14/25)
Deadbeat by Adam Hamdy (12/3/24)
Nobody's Hero by M.W. Craven (12/3/24)
Hotel Lucky Seven by Kōtarō Isaka (11/19/24)
The Collaborators by Michael Idov (11/19/24)
Origin Story by A.M. Adair (10/22/24)
Run by Blake Crouch (10/22/24)
Warlord Actual by Aiden Bailey (10/6/24)
The Elias Network by Simon Gervais (10/1/24)
Break Every Rule by Brian Freeman (9/10/24)
Capture or Kill by Don Bentley`(9/3/24)
The Accomplice by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and Aaron Philip Clark (9/3/24)
An Honorable Assassin by Steve Hamilton (8/27/24)
Enemy of the State by Robert Swartwood (8/20/24)
Worth Killing For by Max Luther (8/15/24)
Burn Out by Joshua Hood (8/13/24)
Shadow of Doubt by Brad Thor (8/6/24)
Double Threat by Patrick Weill (8/1/24)
In Any Lifetime by Marc Guggenheim (8/1/24)
The Recruiter by Gregg Podolski (7/23/24)
Shades of Mercy By Bruce Borgos (7/16/24)
The Bang Bang Sisters by Rio Youers (7/16/24)
The Bourne Shadow by Brian Freeman (7/16/24)
Cage of Traitors By Aiden L Bailey (7/11/24)
The Tennessee Killers by Jethro Wegener (7/2/24)
Sentinel by Mark Greaney (6/25/24)
Standing Strong by Stephen Leather (6/20/24)
Red Sky Mourning by Jack Carr (6/18/24)
Breach of Trust by Eric P. Bishop (6/18/24)
Ghost Jumper by A. A. Warren (6/11/24)
A Warrior's Path by Steve Stratton (6/11/24)
A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson (6/11/24)
Assassins Anonymous by Rob Hart (6/11/24)
The Devil's Fortress by Dale Brown (5/28/24)
If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay (05/28/24)
Act of Defiance by Andrews and Wilson (5/21/24)
A Spy Like Me by Kim Sherwood (4/23/24)
Catchpenny by Charlie Huston (4/9/24)
Mal Goes to War by Edward Ashton (4/9/24)
Day of Wrath by Matthew Cricchio (4/8/24)
Deep Cover by Aiden Bailey (4/7/24)
Guns and Almond Milk by Mustafa Marwan (4/2/24)
4 Minutes by Andrews & Wilson (4/2/24)
City in Ruins by Don Winslow (04/2/24)
Lethal Horizon by Jason Kasper (3/26/24)
Lethal Action by Andrew Warren & Aiden Bailey (3/19/24)
Cape Rage by Ron Corbett (3/19/24)
On the Run by Max Luther (3/14/24)
To Kill a Shadow By Julia Castleton (3/2/24)
Outlaw by Jack Stewart (2/20/24)
The Chaos Agent by Mark Greaney (2/20/24)
Lone Wolf by Gregg Hurwitz (2/13/24)
Crosshairs by James Patterson and James O. Born (2/12/24)
Black Cordite, White Snow by Nate Granzow (2/11/24)
The Year of the Locust by Terry Hayes (2/6/24)
The Price You Pay by Nick Petrie (2/6/24)
The Trigger Man by Aiden Bailey (1/31/24)
The Mountain King by Anders de la Motte (1/30/24)
The Ascent by Adam Plantinga (1/2/24)
The Girl Beyond Forever by Adam Loxwood (12/12/23)
Shadowfast Trilogy (Metal Lies) by Cole Chase (12/12/23)
Night Owl by Andrew Mayne (12/1/23)
Assassin's Mark by Ward Larsen (11/28/23)
Unknown Rider by Jack Stewart (11/21/23)
The Warmaker by Benjamin Spada (11/15/23)
The Helsinki Affair by Anna Pitoniak (11/14/23)
The Doomsday Code by Sara Yager (11/14/23)
Devil's Own Day by Joe Goldberg (11/14/23)
Perfect Shot by Steve Urszenyi (11/14/23)
A New Game by A.M. Adair (10/27/23)
Baltic Black Ops By Stephen Leather (10/26/23)
The Secret by Lee Child and Andrew Child (10/24/23)
The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett (10/24/23)
Blood Lines by Nelson DeMille & Alex DeMille (10/10/23)
The Defector by Chris Hadfield (10/10/23)
Ransomed Daughter by Eric Bishop (10/10/23)
The Last Guardian by Simon Gervais (10/10/23)
Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver (10/5/23)
The Night House by Jo Nesbo (10/3/23)
Moscow X by David McCloskey (10/3/23)
Dead Hand by James Stejskal (9/21/23)
The Traitor by Ava Glass (9/19/23)
The Exploit by Daniel Scanlon (9/14/23)
The Belgrade Conspiracy by Jason Kasper (9/12/23)
Code Red by Kyle Mills (9/12/23)
77 North by D. L. Marshall (9/7/23)
Tom Clancy's Weapons Grade by Don Bentley (9/5/23)
White Fire by Adam Hamdy (8/31/23)
Shadow Sanction by Steve Stratton (8/30/23)
The Killing Room by Robert Swartwood (8/22/23)
Fadeaway Joe by Hugh Lessig (8/22/23)
What Still Burns by Elle Grawl (8/15/23)
The Last One by Will Dean (8/8/23)
Deadlock by James Byrne (8/8/23)
The Sandbox by Andrews and Wilson (7/25/23)
The Bourne Defiance by Brian Freeman (7/25/23)
Dead Fall by Brad Thor (7/25/23)
Clean Kill by Stephen Leather (7/20/23)
The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos (7/18/23)
Sleepless City by Reed Farrel Coleman (7/11/23)
Fearless by M. W. Craven (7/11/23)
Soon Dies the Day by Stephen England (6/30/23)
The Guardian by Joshua Hood (6/27/23)
Disarm by Lukas Walker (6/23/23)
Shrouded in Darkness by Charles Hack (6/23/23)
The Eden Initiative by David Scott (6/15/23)
Inside Threat by Matthew Quirk (6/13/23)
What Remains by Wendy Walker (6/13/23)
All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby (6/6/23)
Endless Vessel by Charles Soule (6/6/23)
Six Bullets to a Man by Jethro Wegener (6/2/23)
The Peacock and the Sparrow by I.S. Berry (5/30/23)
Weapons of Opportunity by Dale Brown (5/30/23)
Triggers by Stephen Leather (5/28/23)
Dark Horizon by James Swallow (5/25/23)
Flash Point by Don Bentley (5/23/23)
The Last Songbird by Daniel Weizmann (5/23/23)
The Devil You Know by Chris Hauty (5/23/23)
Dead Drop by M.P Woodward (5/23/23)
Only the Dead by Jack Carr (5/16/23)
Forgotten War by Don Bentley (4/25/23)
City of Dreams by Don Winslow (4/18/23)
The Instructor by T.R. Hendricks (4/11/23)
Double or Nothing by Kim Sherwood (4/11/23)
Blind Spots by Thomas Mullen (4/4/23)
The Guilty One by Bill Schweigart (3/21/23)
Robert Ludlum's The Treadstone Rendition by Joshua Hood (3/16/23)
Wolf Trap by Connor Sullivan (3/14/23)
Deep Fake by Ward Larsen (3/14/23)
Beast Three Six by Jason Kasper (3/14/23)
Red London by Alma Katsu (3/14/23)
Antimatter Blues by Edward Ashton (3/14/23)
The Mazatlan Showdown by Patrick Weill (3/13/23)
What Have We Done by Alex Finlay (3/7/23)
Death Watch by Stona Fitch (3/2/23)
The Kind Worth Saving by Peter Swanson (2/28/23)
Net Force: Moving Target by Jerome Preisler (2/21/23)
Dempsey by Andrews & Wilson (2/21/23)
Burner by Mark Greaney (2/21/23)
Black Wolf by Kathleen Kent (2/14/23)
The Last Orphan by Gregg Hurwitz (2/14/23)
The Bullet Garden by Stephen Hunter (1/24/23)
Shadow State by Andy McNab (1/5/23)
Still Standing by Stephen Leather (1/5/23)
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Dragonfire by James Swallow (1/3/23)
Murder Book By Thomas Perry (1/3/23)
Amok by Barry Eisler (12/6/22)
Red Winter by Marc Cameron (12/6/22)
Judas 62 by Charles Cumming (12/6/22)
One of Those Faces by Elle Grawl (12/1/22)
Rio Grande Night by Stephen Leather (11/27/22)
NYPD Red 7: Murder Sorority by Marshall Karp (11/22/22)
Little Black Crimes by Nathaniel Blackhelm (11/20/22)
Whispers of a Gypsy by JT Patten (11/18/22)
Rebellious Son by Joe Goldberg (11/15/22)
The Survivor by Simon Conway (11/3/22)
No Plan B by Lee Child and Andrew Child (10/25/22)
The Blackbriar Genesis by Simon Gervais (10/18/22)
The Other Side of Night by Adam Hamdy (10/11/22)
The Furies by John Connolly (9/27/22)
Oath of Loyalty by Kyle Mills (9/13/22)
Blowback by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois (9/12/22)
The Hacker by Daniel Scanlan (9/1/22)
Kingdom of Spies by Bevan G. Roberts (9/1/22)
Fox Creek by William Kent Krueger (8/23/22)
Narco Assassins by Jason Kasper (8/23/22)
Out of the Blue by M.M. Harrold 8/20/22
Firestorm by Taylor Moore (8/16/22)
Dark Harvest by Will Jordan (8/16/22)
The Titan Protocol by David Scott (8/16/22)
Heat 2 by Meg Gardiner & Michael Mann (8/9/22)
The Last Sentinel by Simon Gervais (8/9/22)
The Neighborhood by Matthew Betley (8/9/22)
I Will Kill You by Halo Scot (8/8/22)
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn (8/6/22)
A Simple Choice by David Pepper (8/2/22)
Alias Emma by Ava Glass (8/2/22)
FNG by Benjamin Spada (7/31/22)
The Bourne Sacrifice by Brian Freeman (7/26/22)
The Nameless Height by J.D. Narramore (7/21/22)
Dirty War by Stephen Leather (7/21/22)
The It Girl by Ruth Ware (7/12/22)
The 6:20 Man by David Baldacci (7/12/22)
Dark Objects by Simon Toyne (7/12/22)
Upgrade by Blake Crouch (7/12/22)
Into the Darkness by Charles Hack (7/8/22)
Rising Tiger by Brad Thor (7/5/22)
Armored by Mark Greaney (7/5/22)
Outside by Ragnar Jonasson (6/28/22)
China Hand by Scott Spacek (6/21/22)
Shadow Tier by Steve Stratton (6/14/22)
Cold Fear by Brandon Webb & John David Mann (6/7/22)
Zero Hour by Don Bentley (6/7/22)
Snowstorm in August by Marshall Karp (6/7/22)
Sons of Valor II: Violence of Action by Andrews and Wilson (6/7/22)
The Gatekeeper by James Byrne (6/7/22)
It Dies with You by Scott Blackburn (6/7/22)
The Handler by M.P. Woodward (5/31/22)
Airside James Swallow by (5/26/22)
In the Blood by Jack Carr (5/17/22)
The Island by Adrian McKinty (5/17/22)
With Prejudice by Robin Peguero (5/17/22)
Countdown To Midnight By Dale Brown (5/17/22)
Child Zero by Chris Holm, out on (5/10/22)
Robert B. Parker's Revenge Tour by Mike Lupica (5/3/22)
The 13th Hour: Chaos by Richard Doetsch (5/3/22)
Storm Rising by Chris Hauty (5/3/22)
Hostile Intent by Don Bentley (5/3/22)
City on Fire by Don Winslow (4/26/22)
Cold Snap by Marc Cameron (4/26/22)
The Sweet Goodbye By Ron Corbett (4/19/22)
The Investigator by John Sanford (4/12/22)
Assassin's Edge by Ward Larsen (4/12/22)
Standing Alone by Stephen Leather (4/5/22)
Dark Angel by Andrews & Wilson (4/5/22)
The Treadstone Transgression by Joshua Hood (4/5/22)
Watch Dogs: Stars & Stripes by Sean Grigsby & Stewart Hotston (4/1/22)
Wild Card by Stephen England (3/18/22)
Shadow War by A.M. Adair (3/15/22)
Shadows Reel by C.J. Box (3/8/22)
The Baja Directive by Craig Hooper (3/4/22)
Splinter Cell: Firewall by James Swallow (3/1/22)
The Night Shift by Alex Finlay (3/01/22)
Grim Measures by David Darling (2/27/22)
Those Who Hunt Wolves by Harrison Taylor (2/22/22)
No Second Chances by Rio Youres (2/22/22)
Beneath the Stairs by Jennifer Fawcett (2/22/22)
Mickey 7 by Edward Ashton (2/15/22)
Margaret Truman's Murder at the CDC by Jon Land (2/15/22)
Sierra Six by Mark Greaney (2/15/22)
City of the Dead by Jonathan Kellerman (2/8/22)
Dark Horse by Gregg Hurwitz (2/8/22)
Restitution by John A. Daly (2/8/22)
The Moscow Protocol by Terrance McCauley (2/2/22)
Code Green by Andrew Warren (1/25/22)
Road of Bones by Christopher Golden (1/25/22)
Undermoney by Jay Newman (1/25/22)
Targeted by Stephen Hunter (1/18/22)
The Runaway by Nick Petrie (1/18/22)
End of Days by Brad Taylor (1/11/22)
Bye Bye Baby by Ace Atkins (1/11/22)
Box 88 by Charles Cumming (1/11/22)
Insurrection Day by Chris Hauty (1/4/22)
Covert Kill by Jason Kasper (12/21/21)
Rogue Asset by Brian Andrews and Jeffery Wilson (12/7/21)
48 Hours to Kill by Andrew Bourelle (12/07/21)
Sea Hawke by Ted Bell (12/7/21)
Sympathy for the Devil by Terrence McCauley 12/01/21
A Time to Kill by Kronos Ananthsimha (11/23/21)
Twentymile by C. Matthew Smith (11/19/21)
Project Icarus by RD Shah (11/18/21)
A Shot to Kill by Kronos Ananthsimha (11/16/21)
Chain of Command by Marc Cameron (11/16/21)
The Body Man by Eric P. Bishop (11/11/21)
Game On by Janet Evanovich (11/02/21)
The Last Protector by Simon Gervais (11/1/21)
Her Name is Knight by Yasmin Angoe (11/1/21)
The Nameless Ones by John Connolly (10/26/21)
Better Off Dead by Lee Child and Andrew Child (10/26/2021)
Security Day by Matt Cricchio (10/17/21)
The Lion's Paw by Stephen England (10/15/21)
The Kill Box by Rip Rawlings (10/5/21)
Appointment in Tehran by James Stejskal (10/01/21)
A Time for Monsters by Gareth Worthington (9/28/21)
Whitesands by Johann Thorsson (9/26/21)
Enemy at the Gates by Kyle Mills (9/14/21)
Last Target Standing by Jason Kasper (9/14/21)
KGB Banker by William McCormick (9/10/21)
Pantheon 2: Ares & Athena by K. R. Paul (9/9/21)
Left for Dead by Sean Parnell (9/7/21)
The Island by Ben Coes (8/17/21)
Down Range by Taylor Moore (8/3/21)
Bullet Train by Kotaro Isaka (8/3/21)
Assassin's Dawn by Ward Larsen (8/2/21)
The Bourne Treachery by Brian Freeman (7/27/21)
Traitors by Alex Shaw (7/23/21)
Black Ice by Brad Thor (7/20/21)
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby (7/6/21)
Falling by T.J. Newman (7/6/21)
Sleeping Bear by Connor Sullivan (7/6/21)
Shadow Masters by J.T. Patten (7/4/21)
The Impostor by David Temple (7/1/21)
Stealth Attack by John Gilstrap (6/29/21)
Cthulhu Reloaded by David Conyers (6/24/21)
Shadow Target by David Ricciardi (6/15/21)
The Tipping Point by David Darling (6/15/21)
Sons of Valor by Andrews & Wilson (6/8/21)
Target Acquired by Don Bentley (6/8/21)
The Spy Devils by Joe Goldberg (5/26/21)
Warshot by Don Keith and George Wallace (5/25/21)
A Hostile State by Adrian Magson (5/4/21)
Bone Rattle by Marc Cameron (4/27/21)
Red Wolves by Adam Hamdy (4/15/2021)
The Devil’s Hand by Jack Carr (4/13/21)
A Dangerous Freedom by John Ruane (3/31/21)
Renegade by Rob Sinclair (3/30/21)
The Bounty by Janet Evanovich (3/23/21)
Red Widow by Alma Katsu (3/23/21)
Nemesis by Anthony Riches (3/4/21)
Czar of England by Ian Kharitonov (3/3/21)
The Outside Man by Don Bentley (3/2/21)
Family Business by J.J. Fauser (2/28/2021)
All Fall Down by James Brabazon (2/18/21)
Relentless by Mark Greaney (2/16/21)
The Treadstone Exile by Joshua Hood (2/2/21)
Prodigal Son by Gregg Hurwitz (1/26/21)
The Enemies Of My Country by Jason Kasper (1/15/21)
Savage Road by Chris Hauty (1/5/21)
The Deeper Shadow by A.M. Adair (11/30/20)
Drone Strike by David Austin (11/25/20)
Time to Hunt by Simon Gervais (11/10/20)
The Sentinel by Andrew Child (10/27/20)
Get Idiota by Nate Granzow (10/1/20)
The Hidden Vector by Matthew Snyder (9/28/20)
Total Power by Kyle Mills (9/15/20)
Rogue State by Ross Sidor (8/24/20)
The Buffalo Pilot by Lawrence A. Colby (8/21/20)
Assassin's Strike by Ward Larsen (8/18/20)
The Stranger by Simon Conway (8/13/20)
The Bourne Evolution by Brian Freeman (7/28/20)
Near Dark by Brad Thor (7/21/20)
Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby (7/14/20)
All The Good Men by Craig N. Hooper (6/17/20)
Rogue by James Swallow (5/28/20)
Broken by Don Winslow (4/7/2020)
Curse the Day by Judith O'Reilly (4/2/20)
One Minute Out by Mark Greaney (2/18/20)
Black 13 by Adam Hamdy (1/23/20)
The Treadstone Resurrection by Joshua Hood (9/17/19)
Presence of Mine Enemies by Stephen England (8/15/2019)
Shadow by James Swallow (5/3/19)
The Break Line by James Brabazon (1/29/19)
Fault Lines by Steven Hildreth Jr. (1/7/19)
Kill for Me by Tom Wood (11/6/18)
Into The Black Nowhere By Meg Gardiner (1/30/18)
Freefall by Adam Hamdy (11/2/17)
The Pendulum by Adam Handy (11/3/16)
Rules for Revenge by Ian Graham (10/2/16)
Raven One by Kevin Miller (8/15/15)
No Tomorrow by Tom Wood (9/02/14)
The Son by Jo Nesbo (5/13/14)
The Cleaner by Mark Dawson (1/3/14)
Veil Of Civility by Ian Graham (4/17/13)
Threat Vector by Tom Clancy-Mark Greaney (12/04/12)
Pandora's Grave by Stephen England (7/29/11)
The Ghosts of Belfast By Stuart Neville (10/1/09)
Veterans Day by Jack Stewart (querying author)
Desperate Pursuit by Kerry Frey (querying author)

Hard Town By Adam Plantinga

Adam Plantinga takes a page out of John Wick but ensures his own distinctive flavor of writing with just as much badassery. Hard Town is a must-read for action thriller fans seeking that adrenaline rush that comes with cinematic elements of action, suspense, and adventure.

Kurt Argento is living the quiet life after the bloody dark events of The Ascent where Argento had to fight his way out of a prison filled with hardened criminals let loose in the claustrophobic setting. He’s minding his business when a woman reaches out to ask him for his help in investigating the disappearance of her husband in the small isolated town of Fenton, Arizona. While he’s initially skeptical of dipping his toe back into the world of danger, the conspiracy behind the town’s funding, supplemented by an overly equipped public safety team complete with specialized tactics and sophisticated weaponry leads Argento to believe there’s more at stake. As he finds himself drawn into the vicious circle of violence, he knows there’s only one way out of the sinkhole, he has to unravel the knots even if it may cost him and those close to him dearly.

Adam Plantinga keeps things interesting with his protagonist by putting him in a very different disposition than when we saw him in his debut. The change of scenery and stakes lend themselves to a fun bit of unpredictability as we go on this journey with Argento without any guidance but the clues of the unraveling conspiracy. The visualizations of the environment and the situations expressed through a gentle but pressing prose evoke vivid images that not only make the story feel real but also create a taut atmosphere where you feel you’re right there with Argento as he lays down some well-needed justice. The action takes a while to explode but when it does, it’s well worth the short wait. Adam Plantinga takes the time to set up convincing and lasting motivations for Argento’s burst of violence, capturing the raw emotion that only comes from a place of extreme terror and unbridled violence.

Hard Town packs hard hitting thrills and punches with intriguing moral dilemmas interspersed between suspenseful bits of crime solving and ass-kicking. You’ll be reading this without wanting to take even the smallest of breaks. 

Follow Kashif on Twitter or contact him via the site.

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

Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

The Memory Ward By Jon Bassoff

The Memory Ward is a haunting exploration of how our memories make us who we are and to what extent we may go to hold onto them, even the bad ones.

Hank Davies is a postal worker in the quiet town of Bethlam, Nevada. He’s grown accustomed to the routine and mundanity of the people there. But when a chance encounter leads to a discovery that the letters he has been delivering are all empty, he starts to connect the dots between it and many other unsettling moments that he previously brushed up. When adding it all up, it becomes clear something just doesn’t fit in Bethlam. Whether it’s the people, his bedroom wall, or that faintest feeling that no one is who they say they are, Davies goes down a disturbing path of horrific revelations that’ll give you goosebumps for weeks.

Jon Bassoff superbly weaves together stories within stories, like a Russian nesting doll that continues to unwind a twist that you just won’t see coming. Not only do you feel weirded out by the premise, but the details that Bassoff introduces cleverly through the eyes of the characters make it all the more compelling and real, enough to make you feel you may actually grasp the sheer panic off the pages. The prose is masterfully organized to ensure the final reveal hits you like a freight train at the most opportune moment.

Drawing you in one hook at a time before fully ensnaring you into a paranoid frenzy that subtly explores what our memories mean to us and how we are more shaped by them than we imagine, The Memory Ward is a book you’ll be compelled to finish in one-sitting. Imagine reading a cross between The Truman Show and The Stepford Wives, but made even more bone-chilling that fuels your dreams for nights to come. 

Follow Kashif on Twitter or contact him via the site.

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

Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

Where The Bones Lie By Nick Kolakowski

Where The Bones Lie is a terrific noir thriller packed with wit and realism. 

Dash Fuller is a man who’s solved more Hollywood problems than one can imagine. He knows where the skeletons are buried, because he’s shoveled the dirt on most of them. This has left Dash burnt out and cynical, until he comes across a chance for redemption in the form of Madeline Ironwood. She is searching for clues that could lead her  to her father’s killers. Jaded but adamant about doing something right, Dash accompanies Madeline on a treacherous mission through the dark heart of Hollywood, which hides secrets from the city’s bright lights.

Nick Kolakowski adroitly captures the mysteriously captivating - both attractive and horrifying - vibe of the underbelly of Hollywood. He makes the city a living breathing creature. There’s a sense of urgency and excitement in every scene as Dash and Madeline tumble down the rabbit hole. Dash resonates as a man who’s broken, but not out. His spirit speaks to how the most damaged of all of us can find redemption. This is how Kolakowski makes the narrative feel both grand and personal.

Buckle up and prepare for a riveting ride through the gritty streets of L.A. with memorable characters involved in numerous twists and turns, which compel you to solve the mystery. Be warned, you will have to dive inside Dash’s mind and wrestle with his pain, suffering and sardonic rage. Noir thrillers have never been better! 

Follow Kashif on Twitter or contact him via the site.

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

Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

Don't Tell Me How To Die By Marshall Karp

Marshall Karp ratchets up his signature dark humor and amps up the twisty, suspenseful turn of events that turn the story on its head in the best way possible. Don’t Tell Me How to Die is Karp in his element.

Maggie Dunn is running out of time. She has a wonderful family and everything she wants, except for time. Before she departs, she wants to set her family up to live wholesome long lives with a new wife to her husband and a new mother figure to her kids. This sets her down a path where things may have started off with good intentions but the execution of Maggie’s plan turns sour and dark just as it did with her past.

Known for writing sarcastic and sardonic characters that use humor to mask the pain and shame hidden underneath, Karp fashions Maggie Dunn as a painful character with her streak of bad decisions that paradoxically make her more relatable as a character. Her checkered past and twisted albeit understandable preparedness for departure from this world create interesting dynamics for the story to naturally evolve from a drama to a crime thriller that slowly simmers, initially without a clear indication of the plot until the narrative goes from 0 - 100 in the blink of an eye. As we follow Maggie’s descent into a dark hole, we can’t tear our eyes away from the book because the suspense is brilliantly cooked on low but palpable heat that slowly gives way to chaotic events unfolding just when you least expect them. 

Don’t Tell Me How to Die is a departure from typical crime thrillers as it ventures down the lane of a family drama before it switches gears and hightails into an intense and creepy story all the while keeping you guessing as to what is really going on. Marshall Karp does not disappoint. 

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Midnight Black By Mark Greaney

I remember asking Mark Greaney about The Gray Man’s possible descent into darkness. He is a gritty character, but he manages to maintain his composure in the toughest of situations. But say he loses his cool, if something could do that, how would he react? Mark Greaney may have stretched out a year or two, but he wrote a whole book to answer this line of questioning. And that book is Midnight Black.

In the explosive finale of The Chaos Agent, Zoya Zakharova was kidnapped by the Chinese and delivered to the Russians who had been hunting her for her allegiance to The Gray Man. With his lover spirited away to a harsh winter-ensuing Russian gulag, The Gray Man will stop at nothing to get her out of there, even if it means going into the abyss of death and destruction without any hesitation. But he may just be walking into a deadly trap orchestrated by an ambitious man looking to claim the sweet reward of being the one to deliver the fatal blow to the legendary assassin.

We’ve seen Gentry bruised, shot, and sullen before, but never this dark and unhinged. Greaney shakes things up for the characters and the readers who’ve been following The Gray Man on his escapades across the world. Something inspiring could be said about how the Gray Man sticks to his guns (metaphorically speaking, he can even kill with bare hands when he’s not sneaking his way in) as he tries to get into a police state that’s waging a war. Yet at the same time, Greaney sets a very somber and chilling tone from the very first chapter that’s certainly one of the most badass openings to an action thriller with a touch of noir that takes a master of the craft to truly nail.

Speaking of badass, this book is packed with great cinematic action that only raises that awareness of grittiness you feel just from reading the synopsis of the book alone. I was mesmerized by playing out the opening action sequence in my mind, thinking of how it feels like the perfect blueprint to adapt to the big screen (They really oughta make Gray Man 2 now). Midnight Black is a literary juxtaposition: grand and explosive in scale, yet it is so personal and intimate. From icy car chases to foot chases on trains to visceral shootouts, it’s a whole bucket of fun!

I wish I could say more but then it would be spoiling a lot. I will say, be prepared for friendly faces to pop back in to lend The Gray Man a hand when he needs it the most. The way Greaney fuses the lone solitary nature of Court Gentry with his ultimate acceptance of relying on those he can trust is one of the major reasons that Midnight Black is a thriller with emotionally- bruising gut punches. I am so excited to see how Mark Greaney continues the arc of his characters from this point onwards. It has to be one of my favorite Gray Man stories yet, with a nostalgic sprinkle of the old school Gray Man but with the nuanced evolution of his foundations over the years.

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Nemesis By Gregg Hurwitz

Gregg Hurwitz pushes the boundaries on his Orphan X series in terms of both the grand style of storytelling as well as the limits of the protagonist who finds himself on the opposite side of where he started on his path for justice.

Evan Smoak finds himself on opposite ends of a moral quandary Tommy Stojack. More than just his armorer, he’s become a friend over the years and the more emotions come into play, the more Evan begins to lose his grip over his own morality when facing into the abyss. What follows is a battle of morally gray fronts with Evan leading his one man crusade against Tommy who has cast his die with some misguided youths in hopes of redeeming the youngsters.

Hurwitz writes some of the most cinematic and vivid action sequences that make your heart pound with each gunshot and well-placed martial arts move. It’s almost sad that we haven’t seen an action packed movie or a tv series featuring Orphan X in action but Hurwitz leaves as little to imagination as possible with his descriptive prose that walks readers excitingly through the stupendous combat sequences.

While the high-caliber action is certainly a treat, it’s the character evolutions for Evan and Tommy particularly that truly take the cake. With moralities muddled in gray and bonds fringed with secrets and uncomfortable conversations, one can’t help but feel caught between two sides that both have their merits as well as their hesitations. These ambiguous beliefs are built up bit by bit in a superb manner by the author as he compels readers to take both sides of the equations into consideration before we see the momentous clash between the titans that won’t leave your memory soon for certain. It’s bold, raw, and tinged with an anxiety so natural that it’s hard to beat.

Nemesis is an excellent turning point in the Orphan X series with great story arcs that embrace meaningful and engaging themes distinct to each character and also opens the door for an even rawer and emotionally beaten Evan like you would never expect by the end of the narrative. Hurwitz throws a curveball that will leave you stunned for the better part of a day when you finally reach the end.

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Blood Ties By Jo Nesbø

Every single time I pick up a Jo Nesbø book, I am transported across time and space to a world where violence and danger and horror and drama mesh together to form an experience I can’t entirely describe as completely beautiful or completely horrifying. It’s something in the limbo and that’s why his books always resonate with me. Blood Ties is one of such stories that you’ll keep in the back of your mind as you go about your day, constantly wondering about the characters and their actions that you may not agree with, but just may understand on a very primal level.

Against all odds, Carl and Roy Opgard have made a profitable business for themselves in the small town of Os. While Carl manages the area’s swanky and successful spa and hotel, Roy runs a nearby gas station with grand plans to build it out into an entire amusement park. What’s hidden beneath the grand aspirations and seemingly close bond between the two brothers is a labyrinth of suffocated secrets and truths that simmer under the facade until they can deceive each other no more when new faces  and new alliances come into the picture.

Jo Nesbø’s writing invokes a sentimental response to events and situations that haven’t happened to you. He does so through resonating and flawed characters that you can’t help but imagine yourself in their shoes. The locations themselves come to life in this expressive tale, with each tree and road in the small town charged with vivid energy. The story being told through Roy’s perspective adds a layer of urgency and connectivity as you feel compelled to participate in the narrative rather than just passively read a book. It’s an energetic and somber experience with some incredibly dark moments that are typical of Nordic crime thrillers with chilly settings and nebulous characters.

Blood Ties is bound to be one of the most engrossing and harrowing thrillers of 2025 with all the dark and gritty elements you expect from Jo Nesbø as a master of his craft, including wild twists and stellar characters. 

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The Mailman By Andrew Welsh-Huggins

We’ve come across action icons with seemingly banal titles such as The Beekeeper, The Transporter, and now we’ve got The Mailman. But this is not your average mailman. So strap in for a world of action and suspense that serves as the debut for a new hero in the thrillerverse.

Mercury Carter is a man who takes his job very seriously. He delivers his packages come hell or high water. It’s on one of his deliveries where he comes across the intended recipient and her family under threat by a syndicate of criminals. What starts off as a normal delivery turns into a violent and brutal chase to hunt down the criminals and make his delivery to the person who’s being held by folks who severely underestimate Mercury Carter.

Andrew Welsh-Huggins writes an enthralling story that takes a lot of detours, albeit very intriguing and captivating, with a simple premise. It’s this ingenuity that hooks you in more than anything else. The narrative starts off as something you might have read a couple of times but within a few pages you’re treated to novel executions of the genre tropes, keeping what works best and innovating what must be challenged to keep the story and characters interesting. Case in point, Mercury Carter. He’s badass but his demeanor is caused by trauma that the author wonderfully teases with suspense to keep you guessing for the full picture. 

Combining action with old school detective work, The Mailman is a memorable read with exciting twists and turns that will make you want to read more of Mercury Carter even before you’ve finished with this book. It’s fresh, fun, and an excellent addition to the armada of action heroes in thrillers. 

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Dead Money By Jakob Kerr

Dead Money is a taut corporate-espionage thriller that dives into the murky world of Silicon Valley where competition can get a little too cutthroat for comfort. 

Jacob Kerr takes us deep into the trenches of the digital frontier where up and coming technology is created by most passionate and at times secretive minds. Mackenzie Clyde is a fixer of the highest caliber who knows exactly how to make deals happen. When a hotshot billionaire CEO is murdered, Mackenzie’s boss puts her to work uncovering the secrets behind the scenes for until the murder is solved and the murderer found, there are billions in investments - all of it frozen. Luckily, high-stakes corporate investigations and takeovers are where Mackenzie shines the brightest. 

It’s hard to fathom that Dead Money is Kerr’s debut. Kerr weaves a complex tale of nebulous characters, jarring twists, and exciting developments that give you a masterclass in the R&D projects in Silicon Valley and the extent to which power can drive passionate people into committing actions that outsiders can’t comprehend. Mackenzie Clyde is a fascinating character who doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve. Instead, Kerr carefully unravels the layers of her psyche bit by bit much like Mackenzie uncovers the secrets behind the murder, painting a vivid picture with each brushstroke until we finally get the truth behind both Mackenzie’s past and the gruesome murder that she investigates. 

Dead Money sinks its talons in you and captures your attention completely as you follow the characters along in a whodunit suspenseful tale where, through stellar writing and meaningful dialogue, you’re kept in the dark as to who you can really trust and if there’s really such a thing as black and white in a world filled with personal ambitions and aspirations. 

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Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Vendetta By Brian Freeman

The Bourne Vendetta is a slick and sexy action-packed rampage that’s gonna give you all the adrenaline boost you need to get through the day.

When a hacked database causes intelligence communities to be upended due to highly sensitive operations being made clear to unsavory parties all over the world, a mission is put together to quickly seal the leak. With all major players vying to get their hands on the hacked files, the new head of Treadstone brings Jason Bourne into the fold once again on a time sensitive mission to either retrieve the files or destroy them before they continue to exchange hands across multiple syndicates and organizations that leave the intelligence agencies at the mercies of those powerful entities. But it’s not just Bourne on the hunt for the files. He’s going to meet his past head-on in more ways than one before he can finish his mission.

Even though the mystique about Bourne’s past has largely been diminished due to the previous books, Brian Freeman does a stellar job of steering the series to new directions and locations by evolving Bourne as a character beyond his past. Not only is Bourne evolving but so are his opponents. Techno-savvy bad guys make the playing field difficult for Jason Bourne’s gun-toting style, leading him to play it more with brains than brawn. That’s not to say that Freeman doesn’t write some really cool moments set to the beat of guns blazing and bones crunching. The action is plentiful and highly entertaining with a gravitas we appreciate in spy action thrillers. 

As Jason Bourne makes peace with his old relationships and takes a bold new step into the future, I can’t help but get excited to see where Jason Bourne is headed next and Freeman continues to show his awesome storytelling expertise in crafting taut and thrilling stories that bridge the gap between old school readers and modern fans of the revitalized Jason Bourne.

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Deadbeat By Adam Hamdy

Adam Hamdy has a terrific way with words and prose that makes every story of his feel somehow so relatable and raw yet polished. Deadbeat takes this irony to the next level with a somber and powerfully thrilling narrative that not only cuts down to the chilly souls of characters, but also creates an attachment that just doesn’t come along very often.

Peyton Collard is a broken man whose life spiraled after a tragic car accident. He spends his days and nights trying to make something of his life but ends up getting bogged down by his own limiting self. It’s only when a large sum of money comes his way that propels him to take the opportunity. Only catch? He has to kill people. Initially chalking it up as vigilante justice, he soon discovers there’s a hidden tangent to his targets and he finds himself on a collision course with uncomfortable truths about both his victims and himself.

From the get-go, you’re uncomfortable with how to feel about the protagonist. He’s a blubbering mess who makes the wrong decisions and falls into a loop of misery. You’re compelled to hope for goodness in him, yet at the same time you somewhat despise what he becomes. At the same time, Hamdy subtly challenges the readers to wonder what we’d do if we were in the protagonist’s shoes. It’s a complex multifaceted narrative that keeps the focus on the protagonist so we feel bonded to him, for better or for worse. The relationship that’s forged with Peyton is built on clever storytelling augmented with realistic dilemmas in a wild situation where the character does everything you’d expect a normal person to do, a man who does not have any of the action-chops or cool antics, but is utterly motivated to do right by his family. 

Yet with such a heavy atmosphere of a somber story, Hamdy infuses the narrative with a fast-pace that doesn’t waste time propelling the protagonist into a thrilling road through the gates of hell. The suspense is laid on thick and the meandering road to the truth is filled with blistering twists that will leave you horrified and satisfied with the ultimate finale. 

Deadbeat is a subtle masterpiece that latches onto you with its symbiotic ideas and its resonating nature. Before you know it, you’re aiding and abetting the protagonist in the art of murder. But legally you’re off the hook so it’s all hunky dory without the grim weight of regret and guilt that Peyton ultimately has to grapple with. It’s one of the finest books I’ve read this year. Not surprising however, since it is indeed Adam Hamdy at the helm of this amazing experience.

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Nobody's Hero By M.W. Craven

Nobody’s Hero is a worthy follow-up to M.W. Craven’s gritty and badass introduction to Ben Koenig. Koenig is a long way from hunting down dangerous criminals as head of the US Marshal’s elite Special Operations Group. Where the first book introduced the man who feels no fear, Nobody’s Hero shows how far the bad guys can push our hero until he cracks.

A brazen murder and abduction on the streets of London in broad daylight opens a Pandora’s box of secrets shrouded in layers of deception and subterfuge. What’s more troubling is a list of names on which the final name is Ben Koenig. Even more troubling is that Koenig can’t seem to understand why his name would be placed with strangers. It’s only when he remembers a mysterious woman whom he helped disappear that he realizes whatever has her resurfacing can only spell doom for thousands if not millions of people.

M.W. Craven has put forth a rising star in the thrillerverse with his unflappable protagonist who genuinely unsettles you, not by any measure of scrupulous characteristics but by his medical affliction that leaves him processing fear in a way most people can’t understand. It’s this drive that leads him to do some pretty cool action sequences, albeit they’re lingering on suicidal. Not only does M.W. Craven nail the intense kinetic combat but he also finds a way to instill traces of fear in a man to whom that notion has become foreign. Topping this with callbacks to famous action movies, jaw-dropping twists, and a final death that is so gruesome yet badass you can’t help but read it and play it back in your head with unaltered admiration and horror, this book is a sure-shot high-class entertainer.

Buckle up, get your snacks ready, and get comfy with this fast-paced thriller that has everything you’d want to read in a dark and gritty story laced with apprehensions about just how wild the protagonist can get before tipping over the line. Nobody’s Hero is a fun read through and through. 

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Hotel Lucky Seven By Kōtarō Isaka

Hotel Lucky Seven boasts the witty charm of Kōtarō Isaka in sticky situations with tons of accidental action and bloodshed when none of the characters intend to get into any violent trouble to begin with. What follows is a series of hilarious accidents that continue to cascade into even more troubling situations that keep you hooked on with utter ease.

Underworld operative Ladybug is known to get into skirmishes that simultaneously make him both lucky and unlucky but certainly don’t make it easy for him to do simple jobs. He’s assigned yet another task to simply deliver a painting to a man in a hotel room. Ofcourse, things with Ladybug are rarely easy and before he knows it, he’s suckered into a fight where the hotel room guy ends up dead. This sets off a chain of events that are both hilarious and intense with one twisty development after another.

Kōtarō Isaka continues his trademark style of infusing fast and furious action with sly laughs and an ingenuous narrative that peels off its layers at the opportune moments, ultimately resolving with a sense of profound pleasure of having read such a smart and engaging thriller that caters to its readers with the mental exercise we crave as we escape into the world of thrillers. Isaka does a fantastic job of capturing the essence of the characters to the point that even the most gruesome characters in the story feel more human than evil incarnate, making the action all the more impactful and the ending all the more bittersweet as you reach the inevitable conclusion.

With multiple characters and subplots tangled together in a single setting and a single night, Kōtarō Isaka keeps the storyline taut and tingling with quiet energy that vibrates until it bursts with enthusiastic vigor as assassins clash, cause silly mistakes, and reap the philosophical consequences of their actions. Hotel Lucky Seven is a thriller you’ll want to see made into a movie in the same vein as Isaka’s Bullet Train.

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The Collaborators By Michael Idov

The Collaborators is a bona-fide deep-in-your-veins espionage thriller that captures the essence of the trade without compromising the adrenaline-rush of high-stakes fast-paced writing.

When CIA officer Ari Falk’s Russian asset is pulled off a passenger plane in a brazen act of horror, he realizes the shadowy world of spycraft is resorting to Moscow Rules once again, so there begins Falk’s rogue mission outside of the sanctioned parameters to investigate the mysterious circumstances behind his asset’s capture. On the path to retribution and justice, he meets Maya Chou, an LA heiress who’s on her own mission to discover more about her father after his disappearance. Pretty soon, a picture begins to form where the answers lie within a tangled web of secrets and betrayals that unveil with a bang.

Michael Idov embraces the best of espionage stories; the unpredictability, volatility, cerebral complexity, and a sharp element of danger that amps up the stakes like nothing else. It’s absolutely a love child of Mick Herron’s Slow Horses and Jason Matthews’ Red Sparrow but also a distinctive entity with immersive action where it fits the realistic component of the narrative, and engaging characters who feel relatable as they battle their inner demons in addition to the warring geopolitical escalations hidden behind carefully constructed facades by the powers that be. 

The Collaborators is a great read to get your brain juices flowing and an absolute delight for spy fans who take their adventures with a healthy dose of realism and detailed tradecraft. I am so excited to read more from Michael Idov. 

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Origin Story By A.M. Adair

A.M. Adair’s espionage action thrillers are already renowned in the thrillerverse but now she’s made a great splash in the vigilante-justice genre with her new thriller, Origin Story.

Elyse Tyson wakes up in prison, confused and scared because she can’t remember anything. A woman who lost her memory in a violent assault by other prisoners. Her history suggests that she’s a serial killer who has hunted down the scum of the earth. Not only does she now have to convince those running the show that she’s not faking her amnesia, she must quickly understand why she did what she did before she’s sentenced to death, by law or by criminals sharing space with her in prison. 

Adair paints a harrowing picture of a woman who crosses all barriers to get her revenge. This picture is beautifully obscured under layers of suspense, psychology, paranoia, and wild twists that keep this story firing on all cylinders, shaking with energy about who Elyse really is and all that she has done. It’s not often we get a protagonist who’s deemed a psychopath but Adair weaves a fascinating yarn with Elyse as an unhinged woman on a killing spree. We get glimpses of her past but it’s not until the finale that we get sucker-punched by a reveal that finally connects the dots.  It’s brutal, raw, and powerful in its aggression-filled essence.

If you’re seeking an escape into a violent story filled with action and constant twists that make it impossible to turn yourself away from the book, A.M. Adair’s Origin Story is the best choice you can make and it will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book at least twice. 

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Run By Blake Crouch

Blake Crouch packs a powerhouse haymaker of suspense, action, and bone-chilling horror all in a fast-paced narrative that sinks its talons into you from the very first page.

Imagine seeing a natural phenomenon in the sky, and the next thing you know, you’re consumed by a force you can’t comprehend that’s trying to get you to kill those around you. Imagine being trapped in that hell, trying to rescue your family from the horrors and violence spilling around, targeting you. That’s the hell Jack Colclough tries to escape with his family. The question is, how far can he make it when he’s put on the targeted list by the rage-fueled public consumed by the phenomenon?

True to the Crouch trademark style of crafting adrenaline-soaking thrillers, Run takes you on a dangerous journey across America as Jake and his family try to find safe haven. The narrative never lets up its streamlined pace as the Colclough family runs into one armed skirmish after another, with some really awesome gunplay and chase sequences that add a new dimension to the sci-fi horror thriller.

The most exciting part of Run however is the horror and trepidation that seeps out of the pages as Crouch reveals bit by bit through world-building elements how such a terrifying event came to pass, and you’re left with chills in the middle of the night, but you still won’t put the book down because the story keeps evolving into grander exploration until the breathtaking finale that forces you to finally put the book down for a second and think of all that’s happened, before you conclude with the epilogue.

It’s one of my favorite thrillers by Blake Crouch with an emotionally charged core augmented by high-stakes high-stress narrative, gritty action, and a WTF plot that seems more and more plausible given how much we don’t know about what the universe holds and what our minds perceive deep within the hidden psyches.

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Warlord Actual By Aiden Bailey

Warlord Actual reads like a dark and gritty Mission Impossible movie packed with just as much action and thrills if not more. Aiden Bailey keeps his aim true and straight on the bullseye.

Mark Pierce lives his life dangerously on the brink of chaos as he battles terrorists, spymasters, and powerful cabals. He can trust only a handful of people, particularly his handler, Mackenzie Summerfield. But when she’s kidnapped by a sinister organization with global reach, Pierce is caught between a rock and a hard place; save Mackenzie by handing over the locations of four nuclear suitcase bombs and plunge the world into chaos, or subject his handler to a world of pain and gruesome torture. The Trigger Man has his work cut out for him, but he’s CIA’s top operative for good reason.

Bailey fleshes out this narrative masterfully to give the readers a genuine sense of dread and panic at Pierce’s predicament. Not only is Bailey’s rendition of a shadowy sinister organization creepy and disturbing but it also creates that need for Pierce to be the hero he is, creating somewhat of a philosophical cycle of good folks needing to step up to battle evil. As Pierce battles his adversaries with guns and fists, the action ramps up with both high-quality cinematic depictions of said-combat and the emotional stakes that bring a somber taste of reality in between the chaos of gunfights. The twists are deft and classy enough to make you push back your clocks just so you can squeeze in more reading time to see how Pierce gets through these challenges. 

Warlord Actual is a terrific entry in the Trigger Man series and it not only encapsulates all that made Trigger Man stand out in the first place but also builds upon how he continues to be a distinctive hero in the modern thrillerverse.

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The Elias Network By Simon Gervais

Simon Gervais is one of the most prolific authors in the thrillerverse with a lot of great thrillers under his belt, but The Elias Network is my favorite work of his by far. If you want a sophisticated and cool-as-cucumber espionage thriller with lots and lots of shootouts, then rest assured, Gervais hits the bullseye with this awesome beginning of a new series.

Caspian Anderson leads a double life. To most, he’s a boring translator for the United Nations. But underneath this carefully constructed facade is his reality as an elite assassin tasked to eradicate all threats to American interests as part of Onyx, a black program within the Department of Homeland Security. Not a stranger to taking out hits on individuals across the globe, he’s sent on a mission to Switzerland where he stumbles upon a web of conspiracies that trace back to high level political officials, people he had sworn to kill for. Shaken by this new reality, Caspian must hit back hard and fast to push his new foes back on the rope, while his girlfriend, who’s beginning to slowly see through his boring cover, shocks Caspian with some nifty secrets of her own.

Gervais doesn’t waste any time getting to the hard-boiled action in this narrative, one of the many things that instantly hooked me onto this incredible thriller. It’s a fast-paced spy thriller that takes the age-old adage of a spy burned by his own, and adds spicy new twists and turns to the story with a memorable roster of characters and engaging descriptions of exciting spycraft and action set to the backdrop of exotic locations. It certainly invokes a little bit of Mr and Mrs Smith vibe as neither Caspian nor his girlfriend, Liesel Bergmann, have the slightest bit of clue about each other’s personal lives, until it all comes together with shocking turns and bullet casings. The fact that you have no clear indication of where the story’s leading and how Caspian’s next encounter will turn out means you’re at the Gervais’ mercy as he takes you for a splendid adventure.

The Elias Network is a refreshing tale in that it does not simply take stereotypes as facts in painting friends and enemies, but rather dissects individuals to paint them as realistic beings with character developments and underlying values and motivations that lead to intriguing plot points as opposed to cliched good guys and bad guys. The core concept of a lone operative operating in the shadows still holds a certain charm to it and Gervais puts his own cool spin on the narrative for a highly entertaining narrative. The Elias Network is fun, sexy, and spurred on by breakneck pacing as it introduces a charismatic protagonist who you’ll want more as soon as you hit the final page. I sure can’t wait to read more of Caspian Anderson take on his opponents like a total badass. 

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Break Every Rule By Brian Freeman

Break Every Rule is by far Brian Freeman’s finest work. His attention to crafting a supremely compelling thriller with high levels of energy is one that can’t be underestimated, and this may be his darkest thriller yet.

Tommy Miller is a married man living out a quiet life in Florida with his wife and young daughter. He’s happy to be away from a life of violence where he excelled at killing. He’s done everything to ensure his past can’t catch up to him, but he doesn’t realize his wife has a complicated past too, one that may have caught up to her and brought to port the storms of his past as well. To save his family, Tommy must step once again into the world of darkness and violence as he hunts down those who kidnapped his wife and daughter. Can he survive the twists and turns in addition to the constant danger of running into vicious enemies and the police officers searching for him? That’s for you to find out in this incredibly addictive narrative as Tommy realizes he must break every rule to save his family.

Brian Freeman adds a little bit of all his previous works in this thriller, blending them together with a novel protagonist and a gritty storyline that’s part espionage, part crime, and all-awesome. Tommy Miller is a fascinating protagonist whose vulnerability is matched by his badass-ness as he employs his trade of violence on his personal mission for justice. Freeman takes a steady approach in unspooling Miller’s past throughout the narrative, keeping the pace brisk and engaging as the story zooms forward with well-placed breakpoints to help readers absorb all that happens, and at the same time, keeping them hooked with a frenzy of racing thoughts and mind-boggling twists. The entire narrative packs a mean punch of high suspense as Miller digs into the mysterious circumstances regarding his family’s disappearance, spiraling down a dangerous rabbit hole where you feel for Miller’s plight as uncomfortable truths come to light. Freeman excels at sowing discord in the reader’s mind with each revelation, all plotted intricately with the purpose of keeping everyone on their toes.

In addition to the fast-paced narrative, Freeman keeps the thriller rife with action set-pieces that are cinematically appealing and tactically appeasing. There are plenty of shootouts and fisticuffs to keep the action-seeking folks happy with a keen sense of authentic weaponry and combat sequences. 

Break Every Rule is a terrific action and suspenseful thriller that beckons every bit of your emotional investment in the outcome and characters you genuinely care.  With an ambitious story, unrelenting plot twists, fast-paced action, and a resonating protagonist, you’d do well to keep this thriller at the top of your TBR pile. 

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