Babylon Will Rise By Eric Bishop

Eric Bishop continues to elevate his craft as a budding master in the thrillerverse, ramping up both the action and the stakes in this thrilling and fast-paced adventure that will have you cheering when you read the cinematic action sequences propelled by awesome heroes.

Babylon Will Rise brings to the imaginations a harrowing scenario that we hope never comes to fruition. In the height of the gulf war, two nuclear warheads were stolen from the US arsenal. What’s even troubling is that these weapons of mass destruction surface up in the hands of an arms dealer looking to auction them off. With the stability of the world at the brink of collapse, The Omega Group is sanctioned to ensure the weapons are safeguarded. Led by the charismatic and grounded Troy Evans and joined by a new enigmatic member, the team will dive into a dangerous mission where the enemy doesn’t play by the rules.

Bishop kicks off the narrative with authenticity and gravitas that’s seldom found in modern thrillers. The ambitious scale hits off with a spark and you’re entranced by the tactical and technical aspects that truly augment the storytelling experience. Bishop balances the grim nature of the mission with subtle levity between the team that works doubly to set a strong foundation of teamwork and camaraderie which in turn develop a strong bond between the characters and the readers. The action requires a bit of patience to arrive but once it kicks off, you’re strapped in for good. Not that you wouldn’t be on the edge of your seat even while the story develops, but the heart-thumping action cements the deal.

It’s clear as a bright summer day that Bishop has great plans for his characters. His ability to interweave characters from his other books into a shared space without taking away from the independence of the story must be applauded and appreciated. For fans of The Body Man, there’s a treat in this for you. For those who are diving into this book first, you’ll want to check out the full scope of Eric Bishop’s amazing work.

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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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New Beginning By Lukas Walker

Lukas Walker follows up his debut with an even bigger and more explosive sequel boasting gritty combat and high tension.

Hot on trial of a Swiss banker who brokered a transaction of illegal shipment of AI chips, Army Special Forces veteran Chris Harding and his team of covert FBI operatives are targeted by corrupt private military contractors to cover up a major conspiracy tracing to a world dominion plan linked to a social media app that shows how truly vulnerable we are. What follows is bloody rampage and riveting action that’s both gritty and awesome. 

Lukas Walker crafts a terrific hardcore action narrative that works to both entertain and educate us about the ramping technological advancements of artificial intelligence and its applications. The story flows with supreme suspense and you’re hanging onto every word to just prolong the experience because you just don’t wish for it to end. At the same time, Walker puts up some of the most cinematic action in recent thrillers that makes it all the more exciting.

Walker also sidesteps the formulaic antagonists for the most part to create a fresh atmosphere of villainous characters and motivations. My only nitpick exists for the climactic action sequence which surely hits hard but ultimately leverages the genre saturated villains that don’t entirely fit the very distinctive tone Walker set for most of this awesome thriller. That being said, the nebulous ending definitely promises even greater dangerous and more exciting turns. 

New Beginning takes you for a fantastic adventure rife with action and suspense on a global scale. Lukas Walker shows no signs of slowing down and it’s a great indicator of all the amazing things one can expect from his entertaining narratives.

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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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Tokyo Swindlers By Ko Shinjo

Tokyo Swindlers takes you deep into the world of financial underworld in Japan led by a very knowledgeable and creative author who knows how to build a realistic tale without compromising momentum.

Takumi is a man riddled with all sorts of sadness and depression ever since he lost his family to a fire. When he partners up with a team of real-estate swindlers, that’s when he feels the most alive. But in his quest for a renewed meaning of life through a dangerous life of crime, he crosses paths with Detective Katsu. In the midst of the cat and mouse chase, both the detective and the swindler will find their paths entwined and a dangerous link to their pasts. 

Ko Shinjo creates a visceral and subtle world of violence and trauma that lays underneath the veneer of niceties. His depiction of trauma both unsettles you and fills you with hope for a better future. The emotional core is the strongest driver of the narrative and it works in tandem with the element of unpredictability and danger lurking just around the corner. I really enjoyed the diverse range of characters, each unique and engaging in their own ways. They all pitch in to make this story memorable and fun so much so that you don’t really want to part ways by the end.

Tokyo Swindlers is a very grounded and subtle narrative about human nature but coated with crime and thrills, a quintessential Japanese quality when it comes to storytelling. It will stay with you for quite a while.

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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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Capture Or Kill By Don Bentley

Mitch Rapp has come a long way over the decades, evolved through the years along with the readers as the political dynamics of the world changed hands and control. Now it’s Don Bentley’s turn at the helm as he takes a crack at embodying Rapp and all that has become iconic in the Mitch Rapp saga and it’s an interesting take.

Capture or Kill sees Mitch Rapp in 2011, juggling two vital roles as a reconnaissance agent for confirming Bin Laden’s presence in his Abbottabad compound as well as being lead on uncovering an Iranian plot to undermine American interests. It may seem a tad bit too much for one person but not for the legendary Mitch Rapp.

Don Bentley adds his own flair to the Mitch Rapp series with a focus on military/special operations operators’ banters and military-grade action sequences that we’ve enjoyed immensely in Bentley’s Matt Drake and Jack Ryan Jr. stories. Rapp and his trusty Glock rock the pages right out of the hardcover spine, along with Bentley trademarked helicopter sequences that put you right in the cockpits in low terrains covered by gunfire.

It’s a smart move to have Capture or Kill set in between previous books to help Bentley get his grip on such an iconic character. Rapp in Capture or Kill is badass and undeterred in his mission to kill bad guys. It’s not as much of an espionage novel as one might expect but it works as an extremely exciting standalone story of sorts with familiar faces and a monumental plot that stems right from our memories and news headlines fresh in our minds from a decade ago. I am excited to see Bentley’s integration with Rapp as a family man and an intelligence operative, which I am confident will be a delight to read.

Capture or Kill is an extremely entertaining Mitch Rapp story and Bentley certainly nails the high-octane nature of an action-packed extravaganza. Rapp is certainly back fresher than ever with his tough guy persona and don’t-mess-with-me attitude that reflects the days of Vince Flynn’s writings.

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The Accomplice By Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson & Aaron Philip Clark

It wasn’t on my bingo card to experience a terrific collaboration between Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and award-winning mystery writer Aaron Philip Clark, but it’s always nice to be surprised with early Christmas. The Accomplice packs fresh blood and an energy that you can’t get enough of.

Texas Ranger Nia Adams is no stranger to guns blazing and bullets blazing over her head as she takes down bad guys. But Nia is butting heads against Desmond Bell this time. Desmond is a Vietnam vet turned thief who has his eyes on stealing the secrets of the wealthy family in the country, Duchamps, secrets they would prefer to remain buried. As the bodies start piling, Nia must quickly realize that this investigation requires her to step outside the bounds of political influence and work her way to the heart of the conspiracy as Desmond works his way through deplorable skeletons hiding in Duchamps’ closet.

Just from the way Jackson and Clark open up the narrative to the readers in the first few pages, one can’t help but enjoy the novel execution of a hard-boiled tale with characters that leap right out of the pages to play out their parts right in front of you, propelled by vivid sceneries, whether it’s the blood-pumping action sequences or the dramatic revelations that give you pause in this thriller. Nia and Desmond don’t form the typical duo of cop and criminal but their paths entwine in the most interesting of ways that have long-lasting impact for an ambitious narrative that spans decades. It’s a supercharged narrative that balances outburst of emotions, violence of action, and thoughtful twists in the story that helps the book stand out from others in the same genre. 

There’s an intriguing perspective towards world-building in this thriller, imbuing the narrative with a historical context that not only makes for a fascinating background but also adds another dimension to Desmond’s character that’s not just a cocky thief. Similar developments occur for Nia throughout the story as we’re not told why she’s a badass but we are shown through acts of determination and courage in the face of adversity how Nia Adams truly is one Texas Ranger you do not want to mess with.

The Accomplice is one of the most intriguing and well-rounded thrillers you’ll read this year. You’ve got pulse-pounding shootouts, incredible protagonists you’ll miss parting ways with, and a conspiracy that keeps you flipping the pages until the last one where you’re left flabbergasted at the WTF ending. If you’re keen to read a crime thriller with generous servings of action and suspense in a riveting execution. 

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An Honorable Assassin By Steve Hamilton

An Honorable Assassin is a sophisticated assassin-centric thriller packing suave action and glamorous set pieces in exotic locations not explored much in thrillers today.

Nick Mason is a man of lethal talents and a conscience. After leaving prison, his new-found freedom from the law and a Chicago crime boss seems to be cut short as he’s spirited by a shadowy organization to Jakarta as part of a team to assassinate an international fugitive, Hashim Baya—otherwise known as the Crocodile. What Mason doesn’t know is that there’s an Interpol agent also hot on the trail of Baya, seeking to settle a personal score against the criminal. When the two worlds collide, it’s one riveting chapter after another.

Steve Hamilton evokes such vivid strokes of imaginations when he describes the beautiful and exuberant settings in South East Asia, Singapore in particular where a breathtaking sequence in casino feels straight out of a Bond novel, followed by break-neck action on land and sea that’s both tactically and technically fulfilling for thriller fans who admire weaponry in proper form and execution. It’s a genuine action thriller that packs both brawn and heart.

Speaking of heart, what helps An Honorable Assassin live up to its name is its star, Nick Mason. Even when wrapped up in a dangerous mission in a foreign land, Mason finds himself in a precarious position to save a young girl he doesn’t even know properly from a life of abuse and servitude. His noble quest that continues in between the violent and gruesome hunt for his target goes a long way in establishing Mason as a hitman you’d love to have on your side. 

The story is grand, immersive, with characters dressed to the nines and adrenaline pumping action. Even though I hadn’t read the previous Nick Mason thrillers beforehand, I was easily hooked onto Hamilton’s prose that makes all that happens in this narrative palpable with energy and enthusiasm. You’re going to zoom to the ending even as you try to slow down, but the action and twists keep beckoning you to read just one more page and then you’re down the rabbit hole. The ending certainly opens the floor for great follow-up stories with Mason and a new ally trying to uncover who is behind the scenes pulling the strings on a horrifyingly global level.

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Enemy Of The State by Robert Swartwood

Enemy of the State is a stunning and dark follow-up to a memorable debut by Robert Swartwood, doubling down on the twists as well as the action-packed intensity of the narrative. Strap in and hold on to your seats.

Daniel Burke is just about to get on a plane when he’s contacted by a voice from his past. His old teammates from an elite black ops program have tracked him down after the carnage in Las Vegas from the previous events and are now hot on his trail. Running no longer an option, Burke must fight his way through old friends and new foes alike to find out who had framed Burke as a traitor. With CIA taking aggressive steps towards neutralizing Burke, he must use all his skills and wits to swiftly take out his targets and get to the bottom of the conspiracy.

Robert Swartwood shows no signs of slowing down his roll of action montages and gripping twists and turns that keep the story pumping at full steam. We get even more insights into Daniel Burke and the darkness he struggles to contain and make up for. Swartwood doesn’t shy away from showing the vulnerabilities in Burke’s character, further emboldening him as a memorable hero with unique conflicts and challenges to overcome. Not only does it make the story more intriguing but it makes the action more satisfying as you root for Burke to make it out of the sticky situations, shootouts, chases, deadly hand-to-hand combat, and betrayals despite his checkered past. Swartwood navigates the pacing smartly, adding unexpected hurdles to keep readers on their toes as they flip the pages unsure of what to expect might be awaiting Daniel Burke on the next page. 

There’s no dull moment in Enemy of the State, even in the final moments where what you thought you knew for sure turns upside down for a dangerous reveal and ending that beckons to be explored in follow-ups. This supercharged action-packed thriller is the perfect pick to satisfy that deep-seated itch you have for hardcore action thrillers with a superb blend of realistic and cinematic sequences along with great characters you will passionately love and/or hate.

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Worth Killing For By Max Luther

Max Luther writes a lean and mean revenge thriller with panache and powerfully gritty energy, the likes of which I haven’t come across in quite some time.

Worth Killing For sees Alex Dryace back in London after his escapades in America. Returning to the trauma of his wife being murdered on the job, Alex finally sees a break in the case, a lead on who was behind the gruesome crime that stole his joy. When a man like Alex realizes some things are worth killing for, no force on Earth can get in the way of his righteous mission. 

Packed with heart-thumping, bones-crunching action, Worth Killing For is every bit the enthralling ride that makes for a memorable reading experience. Luther knows his craft of describing and executing authentic close quarter combat sequences whether with firearms or fisticuffs. Before you know it, you’re shooting across the pages with Alex as he gets into intense skirmishes with London’s underworld and shadowy elements that will stop at nothing to achieve their nefarious goals. Luckily, Alex has the same mindset about exacting some well-needed justice.

Even though the action is a major highlight of the story, it’s the emotional core of the narrative that gels most with you. Alex’s troubled soul is rife with stormy emotions that won’t let him rest until he finds the truth about his wife’s killers. There’s a chilling moment where Alex asks his in-laws for permission to do what needs to be done. The crisp and dangerous dialogue seeps deep into your bones and motivates you as much as Alex to get his hands on the bad guys. 

One of the most entertaining thrillers I’ve read that never lost my focus and interest, Worth Killing For  is an extraordinary treat for thriller fans. Unapologetically British, suave, and stylish, this crime thriller gets you hooked in like a high that you just can’t get anywhere else.

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Burn Out By Joshua Hood

Burn Out is an adrenaline roller coaster of the highest magnitude with action and violence tightly packed into a lean narrative that neither stumbles nor drags. Joshua Hood once again reminds readers of his prowess as a writer intimately familiar with all things action.

Over the years, Hood has catapulted readers into the hearts and minds of soldiers and spies, and now he introduces us to the world of US Forest Service’s elite smokejumpers via a new protagonist, Jake Slade. Smokejumpers are a different breed of rockstars as they parachute into the path of a raging fire and beat it into submission, an idea that would give goosebumps to most if not all of the readers. What starts off as a mission to beat the wildfire flaming up the mountains of California’s notorious Emerald Triangle turns into a murderous nightmare when Slade steps into a volatile situation in the fiery wilderness putting him in the crosshairs of a DEA agent hellbent on solving his final case before retirement and a team of cartel assassins who will stop at nothing to kill Slade. If fighting fires wasn’t enough, Slade must dodge the heavy rains of bullets and explosives in his path.

What I admire most about Burn Out is that it’s a thriller’s thriller. There’s no wasted moment in setting up the landscape for the non-stop action. From the very first page, we’re pulsed with generous doses of high-octane energy, first as Hood gives readers vivid insights into the work of Smokejumpers, not by narration, but by putting his protagonist in the line of fire as smokejumpers do, quite literally. That later translates into tactically-engaging close quarters combat and shootouts with healthy doses of realistic engagements that have a cinematic shine to them along with that gritty metallic taste of blood-pumping intensity. The action has a visceral quality that ties directly into how alive the characters feel.

Jake Slade is a vulnerable character whose strength comes not just from brute force but through empathy and willingness to do the right thing. Hood does Slade a solid in establishing him as a strong protagonist who has lived a hard life but isn’t a trained operative, elevating the stakes and intensity of the combat sequences. You’re brought to the edge of your seats as you read Slade do his best with the scarce resources on hand to turn the tables on his predators and it’s a glorious moment when he accomplishes that.

Burn Out is a one-sitting-read thriller that packs unrelenting action into a smart narrative with characters you’ll get a kick out of as you read along Hood’s lean and engaging prose. You’ll finish the book with your adrenaline-high satisfied and a healthy respect for smokejumpers. I bet you’ll be googling their adventures even before you’ve reached the halfway point, if you can pull yourself away from the enchanting thriller. 

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Shadow Of Doubt By Brad Thor

Brad Thor takes on Russian moles, mysterious cargos directed by state of the art Russian fighter jets, and Russian defectors, all with Scot Harvath at the helm to steer the ship through dangerous waters.

Harvath is recuperating from his battles in Ukraine when he’s pulled in by a CIA Station Chief in Norway to spy on a Russian defector being debriefed by Harvath’s fiancée. The powers that be wish to know about what mysterious cargo Russia’s smuggling and where it’s going. Ringing alarm bells all the way to the White House. Stuck between damaging his relationship with his fiancée and serving his country, Harvath must navigate the corners like a spymaster as he races with his team to put a stop to Russia’s attempts for a global power grab.

Brad Thor has an eerie sense for predicting conflicts and situations second to none other. His narrative feels less like fiction and more like a slightly dramatized telling of real events that just haven’t happened yet. Not only does that make Shadow of Doubt a compelling read but also a highly enjoyable one with hardcore action and a riveting plot. Not only does the narrative allow for Harvath’s growth as an operator, a spy, and a soon-to-be family man again, but it emphasizes the focus on characters as the driving force of the action and drama. That’s on top of the structured and superbly researched cutting-edge military strategies, technology, and weaponry that help Shadow of Doubt and all Scot Harvath stories stand out as top-notch spy/military action thrillers. 

Shadow of Doubt is an audacious action-packed story that feels too close to reality for comfort and that’s where Brad Thor shines the brightest. Harvath continues to entertain as a formidable leading force against the tyranny of evil and I can’t wait to read where Thor takes Harvath next in his missions.

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Double Threat By Patrick Weill

Patrick Weill’s third book in the Park and Walker series is undoubtedly his best and indicative of how he continues to elevate the standard of storytelling in his action-packed books.

Harbor Police detectives Park and Walker are no strangers to dangerous missions. This time however they’re split up between two different objectives. While Park heads up a team undercover to identify and apprehend a serial killer operating on rough seas, Walker wades into a plot centered around political assassination, white supremacy, and narcotics trafficking. On paper, these seem like vastly different issues. However, the truth is stranger and much more entertaining as we see just how wild and unpredictable the chain of events lead to an enthralling conclusion, weaving the story across different parts of the world without losing momentum.

Weill crafts adrenaline-pumping action sequences that put you in the hot seat with bullets thumping all around you. Even the lead ups to the multiple action sequences are packed with tingling energy that help to maintain a steady pace meticulously designed to keep you turning the pages as each new chapter offers an exciting development that you don’t always see coming. It’s this bundle of energy that catapults you racing to the finale before you even realize you’ve zoomed past half the book in the blink of an eye. The closest such dynamic between the characters and the kinetic propulsion of action I can relate this new chapter to would be the latest Bad Boys movie. Weill keeps the situations current, the atmosphere tense, and the payoff stupendously worth it. 

Double Threat is an extremely entertaining action-packed adventure through the seas to the coastal city with everything you’d want to read in a one-sitting thriller. I can’t wait to read where Weill takes his badass heroes next.

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Purchase Double Threat
(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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