Steve Netter

February 8, 2025

Meet BTB Reviewer Steve Netter

Steve Netter

February 8, 2025

Background: Born and raised on the East Coast, I now live on the West Coast after stints in the Midwest and Southwest. Married for 20+ years with 2 kids nicknamed "The Clown Show." Huge sports fan, addicted to good food, appreciate live theatre and music, enjoy camping & hiking...oh yeah, I also love reading thrillers and military non-fiction.

Go-To Author: William Kent Krueger. His Cork O’Connor series is incredible. I started with Lightning Strike and then rapidly read the entire series. It’s a collection of great writing filled with suspense, emotion, wisdom and fantastic characters. Each book teaches me something, makes me think deeply about my own life and actions, and reading each one for the first time is like a spiritual experience. Then there’s William Kent Krueger’s standalone novels. Wow! They’re breathtaking literature. Can’t wait to see what comes next from this fantastic author.

Author People Should Discover: James Byrne. If you haven’t read the first two books in the Dez Limerick series (The Gatekeeper and Deadlock), you are missing out! Action packed with a sarcastic wise-cracking protagonist whose skillset is something to behold. Incredibly fun thrillers! And the third installment, Chain Reaction, was recently published. So now’s a great time to jump on board because this series is poised to explode.

Books You Would Recommend From 2024:
1. A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci. A profound, captivating and powerful story that elicits strong emotions.

2. Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger. A poignant, spiritual and riveting story of love, loss, and standing up for what you believe in.

3. The Price You Pay by Nick Petrie. An emotional and dark story story about trying to outrun your past and the strength of unconditional friendship.

Most-Anticipated Book Of 2025: King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby. I love everything Cosby writes. Blacktop Wasteland and Razorblade Tears are two of my all-time favorite novels. I cannot wait to see what's in store for us with his new novel in 2025. Will not be surprised to see it win awards and appear on many best of the year lists.

Favorite Local/Indie Bookstore: Powell's in Portland, OR. One of my favorite things to do is to get lost for hours in the stacks at Powell's, checking out their amazing selection of books. It's one of the largest independent bookstores in the world, but more importantly it serves as my happy place.

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

Steve Netter

January 1, 2025

Sons Of Valor IV: False Flag by Andrews & Wilson

Steve Netter

January 1, 2025

Sons of Valor IV: False Flag escalates the suspense and intensity to heart pounding levels, challenging you to read as fast as humanly possible to urgently learn the ultimate endgame. It’s relentless anxiety-inducing intrigue and balls-to-the wall action from start to finish. Andrews and Wilson deliver another exceptional thriller that is impossible to put down.

The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has been killed, and Israeli Mossad agents are accused of the outrageous crime. The US sends an investigative team, including analyst extraordinaire Whitney “Heels” Watts, to determine who is really behind the murder and share the findings with the world before the Middle East explodes into violence. Meanwhile, Tier One Gold Squadron led by Keith “Chunk” Redman is deployed alongside a team of Israeli operatives to locate and eliminate all terrorist and military threats. It’s a race against the clock with nothing short of all-out war – and the existence of the Jewish state – at stake.

Given current events in the complicated Middle East, this book brings an unsettling level of realism and believability that strikes fear in the reader’s heart. It’s not hard to imagine the machinations of certain countries and factions, because we’re living through it real time. We can only hope that in real life there are badass operators like Chunk and his team out there keeping us safe and thwarting the nefarious forces of evil.

Additionally, the character development in this book is superb. Bringing more depth and layers to existing characters and their relationships while introducing others who add to the story. And like the real world, no one is safe as these men and women put their lives on the line to defend freedom around the world. Which keeps the reader on edge throughout, bringing a lump to their throat and a tear to their eye on more than one occasion.

This latest installment in the Sons of Valor series is phenomenal. Filled with action, danger, international intrigue and tons of flying lead, it’s a pulse-pounding reading experience.

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Steve Netter

December 11, 2024

Tom Clancy Line Of Demarcation By M.P. Woodward

Steve Netter

December 11, 2024

Fast-paced and action-packed, Line of Demarcation is a dynamic geopolitical and covert action thriller that blends business and bullets, integrity and deceit, and good versus evil. M.P. Woodward constructs another engaging and entertaining Tom Clancy novel that keeps readers on the edge of their seat.

Jack Ryan Jr. travels to Guyana to secure a strategic partnership for the “white side” of Hendley Associates following the discovery of a significant offshore oil field. At the same time, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter is mysteriously destroyed while establishing a vital sea route between the new oil reserves and Gulf Coast refineries. As Jack Jr. delves deeper, he uncovers a complex web involving Russian mercenaries and Venezuelan narco-terrorists, all intent on destabilizing the region. Amid shifting alliances and hidden threats, Jack must navigate this treacherous landscape to prevent a potential conflict that could escalate into war.

Line of Demarcation starts as an intriguing real-world business trip before transforming into a kinetic action thriller, with both parts being equally fascinating. Witnessing Jack Jr. conducting legitimate business and trying to navigate the complexities of another country’s political system – feeling the highs that accompany the expectation of completing a lucrative deal and the lows of disappointment when the deal is on the brink of collapse – is a relatable feeling that reminds us that he’s no superhero. And then he gets thrust into the action, along with a few friends from the Campus, to save innocent people, expose a conspiracy, extract a friend and colleague from a dangerous situation, and stop a cartel kingpin and foreign operatives from starting a war with the United States. Which is when the fun really begins with tensions flaring, bullets flying and a day in need of saving. Throw in a connection to events that occurred in Clear and Present Danger, and this book delivers everything long-term Clancy fans could want in a current-day continuation of this beloved universe.

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The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

Steve Netter

November 30, 2024

Witness 8 By Steve Cavanagh

Steve Netter

November 30, 2024

An intense psychological legal thriller that keeps you on edge throughout, Witness 8 is a riveting tale of murder, secrets, contract killers, organized crime and deceptive cons. Steve Cavanagh delivers another smash hit of a story that puts a bright spotlight on Eddie Flynn’s humongous brass balls and sharp legal mind.

Once a privileged member of Manhattan’s elite, Ruby Johnson now cleans the homes and watches the kids of those in her old wealthy neighborhood. Quiet, observant and smarter than anyone gives her credit for, Ruby is taking notes on her client’s secrets. And when Ruby witnesses a murder, she decides to exploit this opportunity for her benefit. This leads to Eddie Flynn, the former con man turned successful defense attorney, taking the case of the man accused of the murder Ruby witnessed. Meanwhile, Eddie has a contract out on his life for his actions on another case and has to navigate the dark underworld of New York’s organized crime and assassins to stay alive long enough to defend his client in court. All of which put Eddie’s unorthodox methods and dedicated team on full display to solve the case, get his client acquitted and find a way to get the contract on his head reversed.

Having an apparently innocent man charged with murder and his lawyer trying to find a way to defend him when the evidence is overwhelmingly stacked against the defense would be enough of a compelling story. But then add in the lawyer being targeted by a corrupt organization looking for revenge, a young woman adept at deflecting attention from her schemes, a hit man with an interesting moral code, a gangster falling in love with a legal secretary, and several other intriguing characters/storylines, and you have a novel that is incredibly thrilling from start to finish.

Oh yeah, then this book lands a haymaker of a twist near the end that sends you reeling while also tying up all the loose ends in a neat little bow. It’s fantastically executed from concept to final product. A non-stop white-knuckle journey to the truth. Once again highlighting Steve Cavanagh’s world-class storytelling and character development abilities through the continuation of this tremendously fun and exhilarating series.

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Barrington Books
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Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

Steve Netter

November 17, 2024

Where The Bones Lie By Nick Kolakowski

Steve Netter

November 17, 2024

Dark, gritty and raw, Where the Bones Lie is a twisty noir thriller that locks you in its grasp and begs to be read in one sitting. Nick Kolakowski has delivered a captivating novel that’ll have you surrendering to the emotional stakes of every moment.

Dash Fuller knows Hollywood’s dark side better than anyone, having made his living burying the misdeeds and secrets of LA’s rich and famous elite. Cynical, broken and trying his hand at standup comedy, Dash is in need of some redemption. Which he thinks presents itself in the form of Madeline Ironwood, who hires Dash to find out who killed her enigmatic and absent father in San Douglas. Together, they navigate a dangerous maze of crime, corruption and ruthlessness that unravels a long-term conspiracy that puts their lives in danger and makes them wonder if learning the truth was worth it.

At its core, this book is about wrestling with your demons, letting go of the past and finding your purpose. The vehicle for those narratives is an investigation that propels forward with a fiery sense of urgency and reveals treacherous situations one after another. Testing Dash’s resolve and resilience over and over, presenting multiple opportunities to give up and walk away. Given he’s starting off as a broken man due to his prior occupation, it could be seen as cruel to put him in this pressure cooker. But by doing so, it provides Dash the opportunity to rise to the occasion, bury the past, make amends and forgive himself. And it gives readers a reason to root for him to succeed. Especially given the malevolent forces he’s up against.

Fans of Lou Berney’s Dark Ride and Jordan Harper’s Everybody Knows will love this book, finding similar themes and dark storylines within Where the Bones Lie. It’s a fantastic noir thriller that’ll stick with you for a long time.

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Purchase Where The Bones Lie
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Barrington Books
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Murder By The Book
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The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

Steve Netter

October 27, 2024

Midnight Black By Mark Greaney

Steve Netter

October 27, 2024

What happens when the Gray Man is exhausted, desperate, unrestrained and obsessively focused on an intimately personal yet seemingly impossible objective that he is willing to die trying to achieve? You get Midnight Black, an insanely intense balls to the wall heart-pounding journey that is gripping, suspenseful and packed with so much adrenaline-soaked action that you’ll need a moment to catch your breath after every chapter. It’s classic Mark Greaney. Delivering another legendary, mind-blowing Gray Man thrill ride.

Court Gentry is hellbent on covertly entering Russia to rescue Zoya Zakharova, the woman he loves, from a Russian prison. Meanwhile, Zach Hightower is tasked with helping the Russian Resistance in Poland to take out enemy spies and train their paramilitary forces. And Matt Hanley back at the CIA has crafted a plan that will put goth Court and Zach in the middle of an audacious mission that would deal a massive blow to the Russian president. But it’s so dangerous that it might be too much for even the Gray Man to pull off. And the only thing that’s certain is that bullets will fly and bodies will drop in copious amounts.

Midnight Black is up near the top of my favorite Gray Man books of all time. It includes a fascinating blend of the intense direct action we know and love with a raw vulnerability from Gentry that makes him more emotional and leads to a loss of composure at times. Presenting a fresh dichotomy we have not witnessed before from the most effective and efficient assassin on the planet. And the best part is it works incredibly well. Adding depth and a new dimension to one of the genre’s most beloved characters and opening new avenues to explore in future novels.

That’s not to say it’s all feelings, rainbows and hugging it out for 500+ pages. Au contraire mon frère. The big mission with multiple moving parts is as daring and recklessly hopeful as anything you’ll ever read and filled with death, destruction and chutzpah. It’s an operatic masterpiece of military operations with an outcome so uncertain that you cannot begin to guess what’s going to happen. It’s high-stakes, white-knuckle, nail-biting stuff of the highest order. And it’s exceptionally written, beautifully executed and unputdownable. A masterclass in thriller storytelling by Mark Greaney. Proving once again that he's one of the absolute best in the business.

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

Steve Netter

September 21, 2024

Chain Reaction By James Byrne

Steve Netter

September 21, 2024

Chain Reaction is an intellectually stimulating and action-packed battle of wits between two highly proficient and violent opposing forces hellbent on beating the other and settling an old score. It’s playful, entertaining, cerebral and fun as hell. Another home run by James Byrne in this fantastic series.

Dez Limerick is summoned to sit in with a band at the opening of the Liberty Center, a massive new commercial complex on the east coast. Shortly after arriving, Dez finds himself a hostage in the middle of a terrorist attack. Not one to sit idly by, he deploys his impressive skillset as a “gatekeeper” to contact law enforcement, thwart the nefarious plot and put a stop to the mercenaries’ violence. However, Dez figures out this attack was much more than it seemed, kicking off a cat-and-mouse game with a ghost from his past who is as capable as he is and highly motivated to succeed. With the help of a beautiful and talented thief, Dez aids the FBI in uncovering the broader conspiracy and finding justice for the numerous victims. And maybe along the way Dez can exercise this particular demon from his past…but he will find out that it’s easier said than done.

In Chain Reaction, Dez continues to be one of the most fascinating characters in the thriller genre. His combination of intelligence, lethality, strategy, disarming nature, humor and animal magnetism are unmatched. He’s the star of the show and someone who has enough pull to keep you enthralled by himself for hours. But he doesn’t have to carry the full load because the other characters are fantastic as well, each offering something different and complimentary. Whether it’s a partner or an enemy, everyone plays their role perfectly, adding depth and intrigue to a brilliantly crafted plot filled with mind games, twists and a plethora of cunning moves. It’s a highly engaging and exciting novel that will have you trying to predict each subsequent move in an intricate and deadly chess match.

If you’re not reading this series yet, it’s time to dive in. No excuses. Just get on with it. Because it’s one of the most riveting and enjoyable thriller series out there today and you don’t want to miss it. Trust me, you need Dez in your life.

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

Steve Netter

September 20, 2024

Cross My Heart By Megan Collins

Steve Netter

September 20, 2024

An intriguing and unpredictable mystery about love and loss, Cross My Heart is filled with enough thrills, chills and kills to entertain and bewilder in equal measure. Megan Collins has crafted a wonderfully twisty thriller that explores infatuation, broken hearts, hopelessness and resilience.

Rosie Lachlan, recovering from a heart transplant and longing for love while working in her family’s bridal shop, believes her new heart once belonged to Daphne Thorne, the wife of famous author Morgan Thorne. She reaches out to him anonymously, hoping for a connection. As their conversations deepen, Rosie becomes captivated bordering on obsessed with Morgan and convinces herself that they’re meant to be together. When unsettling rumors about Daphne’s death surface, Rosie wonders if she’s falling for a man with a dark past—and if her heart might be in more danger than she thought.

Cross My Heart does a fantastic job leaving you in suspense throughout, keeping open multiple possibilities on various plot points including what really happened to Daphne Thorne and who might have been involved, what’s Rosie mental state and what is she capable of, and which enigmatic characters have hidden agendas and to what means. This results in a twisting and turning thriller that makes it difficult to pin down exactly who is involved in each event until the big reveal occurs. It also makes you suspicious of every character, questioning their actions and motives, making for a devious read where everyone is a suspect. It’s deliciously dramatic.

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

Steve Netter

September 18, 2024

Zulu Center By F.X. Regan

Steve Netter

September 18, 2024

An explosive, pulse-pounding journey with unrelenting action, Zulu Center grabs your attention early with a murder investigation and keeps you in a state of constant suspense as it takes a turn into the world of clandestine operations. F.X. Regan has crafted another intriguing, high-octane thriller that’s hard to put down.

Former FBI agent turned private investigator CJ Hawk is hired to investigate the murders of three prominent residents in Old Town Alexandria. As he homes in on the likely suspect, he uncovers something explosive – an off the books government agency within the State Department that’s engaged in covert intelligence operations with no oversight and the ability to leverage technology like never before. Predictably, something that was set up with good intentions is now being used for nefarious means. Now Hawk must team up with his former FBI colleagues, the Alexandria sheriff’s department and his friends to bring this dangerous and slippery murderer to justice while simultaneously putting a stop to dangerous government overreach…if he can survive those hellbent on keeping him from succeeding.

Zulu Center lets you ride shotgun with CJ Hawk through an investigation that has numerous twists and turns, expanding into something beyond what anyone thought possible at the beginning. You also get to witness firsthand how capable and determined yet flawed Hawk is – from his persistent and sometimes line-crossing approach for solving the case to his excessive drinking and confusing relationship with his female friend Kori. Hawk’s north star is to do the right thing, but his approach is unconventional and sometimes dangerous, putting friends and colleagues in harms way. However, he gets the job done using his plentiful resources and extensive network, saving the day and bringing justice to the bad guys. All of which make for an entertaining, exciting and unpredictable story that keeps you guessing until the end.

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

Steve Netter

September 14, 2024

Deadbeat By Adam Hamdy

Steve Netter

September 14, 2024

Dark, tragic and unsettling, Deadbeat is a soul-searching tale of love, loss, and living with the consequences of your actions. A tense and anguishing story that makes you contemplate good vs. evil and reflect on how far you’d go to take care of your family. Adam Hamdy has delivered another thought-provoking and devastatingly powerful novel that will linger in your mind long after you’ve finished reading.

Peyton Collard’s life was shattered after a drunk driving car accident left a young woman dead, leaving him broken, estranged from his wife and daughter, and drowning in alcohol. After his latest transgression, an anonymous benefactor bails him out and makes Peyton a lucrative offer he is unable to refuse… life changing money if he agrees to kill specific malevolent individuals. As Peyton sets out on a violent spree across California, he starts to question the motives of the unseen figure pulling the strings and wonders about the true identities of those he’s executed. Now finding himself investigating the very murders he committed, he is determined to unmask the identity of the person behind the contracts and the dark reasons behind the killings he’s committed.

The pages of Deadbeat are filled with desperation, violence and regret. But they are also packed with hope, sacrifice and determination. Which is why it’s so hard to determine if Peyton is likeable or loathsome. He does some absolutely abhorrent and morally corrupt things, but his motivation can be seen as pure and in the name of seeking redemption. In the end, it’s up to the reader to make up their own mind on where Peyton stands with them. But there’s no middle ground. Either you will be understanding of his ends-justify-the-means approach and find him worthy of your support, or you will gleefully root for him to rot in prison for the rest of his days.

That there’s even a choice to make given the Peyton’s actions speaks to the brilliance of Adam Hamdy’s storytelling. He finds humanity in the darkest corners of even the most hopeless of souls. Using his brilliant and flowing prose to suck you into a debate about virtue vs. vileness. Requiring reflective contemplation that may not have a satisfying conclusion in the end. Regardless, you will be entertained while reading this powerful story and its impact won’t end for quite some time, as the angel and devil in your head will continue the conversation for many days after putting the book down.

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Purchase Deadbeat
(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

Steve Netter

September 12, 2024

Robert B. Parker's Hot Property By Mike Lupica

Steve Netter

September 12, 2024

Spenser’s back with a vengeance in Robert B. Parker’s Hot Property, a thrilling story filled with suspense, violence, corruption and witty one-liners. Mike Lupica delivers a new Spenser tale with a classic feel containing heart, virtue and an abundance of Hawk. Everything a long-time fan of this series could ever want.

Rita Fiore, one of Boston’s top defense attorneys and Spenser’s long-time flirtatious friend, has been shot and left fighting for her life. Spenser is infuriated that someone would take a shot at someone he considers family and won’t rest until those behind this plot are brought to justice…or put six feet under. Along with Hawk, their friends in the Boston Police Department and a few other old acquaintances, Spenser conducts an investigation that puts him, his colleagues and his sources in the crosshairs of powerful people who will do anything to avoid their secrets being exposed.

Hot Property is a modern story with a nostalgic feel. The case involving politics, gun violence and urban development feels like something we would read in today’s news. But the nostalgia hits you in waves as Spenser and his old pals use old-fashioned sleuthing, dogged determination and a bevy of sarcastic quips to get to the bottom of things. They show unapologetic toughness and a whatever it takes attitude balanced with unconditional caring and protectiveness for the ones they love. The story is engaging, the characters perfectly depicted, and the dialogue is on point. Robert B. Parker would be proud to include this book in his impressive canon.

I am grateful to Mike Lupica for keeping these characters alive and thriving. The Spenser series is a big reason I love reading thrillers, having read and enjoyed these books for decades. Keeping Spenser, Hawk, Susan, Rita and the others in our lives is something for which I will be forever grateful. Here’s to more adventures for this esteemed crew.

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Purchase Hot Property
(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

Steve Netter

September 9, 2024

Bogey Spades By Jack Stewart

Steve Netter

September 9, 2024

Seamlessly melding espionage and military elements into one thrilling package, Bogey Spades will have you flying through the pages before dropping the hammer and leaving you stunned. Jack Stewart’s third book in the Battle Born series deftly continues this engaging saga and sets up what is sure to be an explosive fourth edition in 2025.

Emmy “Punky” King is surveilling a Marine who is suspected of spying for the Chinese. Colt Bancroft is asked to join a secret squadron with history back to the Vietnam War. And their paths cross again when the Marine is abducted in broad daylight by an unknown adversary, with both of them there to witness the kidnapping. Teaming up, they follow the trail to the area surrounding Naval Air Station Fallon, where the trail goes cold but maybe not coincidentally the US Vice President is en route for a visit and a top-secret weapon has gone missing. With threats coming from all angles and time of the essence, Punky and Colt are running out of time to put the pieces together and stop a potentially catastrophic plot from becoming a reality.

With Bogey Spades, Jack Stewart continues his streak of delivering captivating novels with a “been there, done that, got the TOPGUN t-shirt” knowledge that adds a level of authenticity beyond what most thrillers can even dream about containing. As a layperson, the lingo and dialogue are fascinating to consume even if you don’t understand every term and phrase. Because it still makes you feel like you’re in the cockpit with Colt or on the chase with Punky, providing a backstage pass to an exclusive club of badasses. Throw in a twisty plot with multiple adversaries, an uncertain outcome and a bombshell reveal cliffhanger, and you have a novel that hits all the right notes and leaves you begging for more.

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Purchase Bogey Spades
(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

Steve Netter

September 7, 2024

Double Barrel Bluff By Lou Berney

Steve Netter

September 7, 2024

Witty, duplicitous and teeming with lurking danger, Double Barrel Bluff is a captivating thriller that balances violence and opportunistic maneuverings with matters of the heart and emotional moments. Lou Berney delivers yet another highly engaging and suspenseful novel sure to entertain the masses.

Shake Bouchon is a former wheelman for the Armenian mob, now blissfully married to the love of his life and living a quiet, hidden existence in Bloomington, Indiana. But that all comes crashing down when an Armenian thug, who vowed to kill Shake the next time he sees him, shows up at Shake’s home. But the real surprise is he’s not there to kill him, rather he’s hoping to enlist Shake’s help to find Alexandra Ilandryan, the boss of the Armenian mob who has gone missing in Cambodia and a woman Shake had a prior romantic relationship with. Against his and his wife’s better judgement, Shake agrees to get involved and finds himself in a position where he cannot trust anyone, violence waits around every corner, and the relationship with his wife is on the rocks. But the only way out is through, and Shake is highly capable of bringing this fraught situation to a (mostly) positive conclusion.

Double Barrel Bluff is an intense and fun read. The plot is intriguing, the pacing is brilliant, the dialogue is clever, and the outcome is uncertain. All of which grab your attention and force you to turn the pages as quickly as possible. But the main stars of this show are the characters. Wonderfully developed personalities that fit the story perfectly. From an Armenian mob enforcer to a clairvoyant hippie to the double-crossing mob boss wannabe and his sidekick to the over-their-head kidnappers and laid-back mastermind and more, each character has been flawlessly and memorably crafted to fit the narrative and propel the book forward. Throw in an exotic locale and you have a thriller that checks all the boxes.

Enjoyable, vivid and absorbing, Double Barrel Bluff draws you into its richly detailed world and keeps you enthralled from start to finish.

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Purchase Double Barrel Bluff
(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

Steve Netter

August 24, 2024

A Very Bad Thing By JT Ellison

Steve Netter

August 24, 2024

Brimming with intrigue, dark secrets and drama, A Very Bad Thing is an intense page-turning thriller that implores you to race through it with a burning desire to consume every last sordid detail. J.T. Ellison has delivered an expertly crafted, twisty tale that provides hours of indulgent entertainment.

Celebrity novelist Columbia Jones is riding high, finishing up a lengthy tour for her latest book. But on the last night of the tour, she collapses onstage after a mysterious individual stands up during her talk. And the next morning, she’s found dead in her hotel room. With the literary world reeling, investigations commence by both the police and a tenacious reporter who was accompanying Columbia on tour. Soon details of Columbia’s past start to emerge and they paint a much different picture about the beloved author’s past that provide insight into her murder. And the details uncovered guarantee that everyone involved will see their lives changed forever.

A Very Bad Thing is well-conceived and executed featuring a twisty plot with a slow drip of information that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end. There’s intrigue, violence, emotion and massive world-rocking revelations. The character development is superb, delivering complex individuals who are more than they seem and whose past actions don’t necessarily define them. And the drama…oh boy is it thick and juicy. It’s a lifetime movie on steroids. But it’s also way more than a guilty pleasure. It’s a banger of a book. A fascinating and voyeuristic tale for all to thoroughly enjoy.

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Purchase A Very Bad Thing
(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

Steve Netter

June 1, 2024

The President's Lawyer By Lawrence Robbins

Steve Netter

June 1, 2024

A fast-paced legal thriller with twists, kinks and complicated relationships, The President’s Lawyer will suck you in, engage your brain and satisfy its thirst for high drama. Lawrence Robins delivers a juicy and alluring story that compels you to soak up every single sordid element and race to the finish to learn the shocking truth. Fans of legal thrillers by the likes of John Grisham and Michael Connelly will devour this novel.

Rob Jacobson takes on the biggest case of his career defending the former President of the United States against a murder charge. Complicating things is the President is Rob’s best friend and the murder victim is a woman with whom Rob had a past romantic relationship. However, Rob knows he’s the best lawyer for this case and crafts a strategy that casts aspersions on other people he cares about, all in the name of getting an acquittal for his client. As the trial unfolds and more information comes to light, Rob wrestles with the claimed innocence of his client and his own demons from the past. And the only thing that’s certain is that however the case concludes, the participants will never be the same.

The President’s Lawyer is a legal procedural novel at its finest and is written by someone who clearly knows the inner workings of the justice system. From trial prep, to jury selection, to the cat-and-mouse game between the prosecution and the defense, to the direct and cross examinations, to the judge’s approach for the trial – everything feels authentic and is structured in an engaging and linear manner to provide bits of critical information along the way, so you never know exactly what’s coming next but can’t help but try to predict what you think will happen next. And at the point when you figure out the truth, you can’t stop your mouth from uttering several expletives in surprise and delight at how things turn out. It’s very well constructed and entertaining as hell.

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Steve Netter

May 4, 2024

Dark Space By Rob Hart & Alex Segura

Steve Netter

May 4, 2024

Dark Space is a captivating interstellar espionage thriller filled with deception, intrigue and heart. A story that’s equal parts science fiction entertainment and cautionary glimpse into our future. A stellar novel that has emerged with a big bang from the creative minds of Rob Hart and Alex Segura.

The Mosaic is a spaceship manned by a half American, half Chinese crew that’s on a critical mission to ascertain the habitability of a planet outside our solar system. But when the ship experiences malfunctions, and the distress call and systems checks are wiped from the system, former best friends – pilot Jose Carriles and spy Corin Timony – independently realize this mission isn’t what it seems. As they seek answers and attempt to determine the true nature of the mission, they become entangled in a conspiracy and intergalactic conflict that threatens the very existence of humanity.

Dark Space is a wonderfully engrossing story with characters worthy of the investment of your time and emotional capital. It’s a well-written book that checks all the boxes of a traditional espionage novel, filled with suspense, political maneuvering, hidden agendas, misdirection, and trying to outwit your opponents. But the sci-fi aspect adds an extraordinary dimension, painting an incredible picture of the possibilities the universe possesses that we might one day be able to realize – for better or for worse.

There are also many lessons to be learned from this book. Starting with an acknowledgement that human nature and the trajectory of our current world will need to be reckoned with at some point in the future. But the lessons that really resonate, and my favorite part of the book, are the stories of redemption and hope. Falling down but picking yourself up. Stepping up and making difficult decisions when the need arises. And being part of something bigger than yourself, selflessly putting it all on the line for the benefit of the collective. Beautiful stuff intertwined in an enjoyably tense yet fun novel.

This book is fantastic! Kudos to Hart and Segura for teaming up to deliver this cosmic tale. Hopefully there’s more to come. Because I’m not ready to say goodbye to these characters and the worlds they inhabit.

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Purchase Dark Space
(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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Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

Steve Netter

May 4, 2024

The Seventh Floor By David McCloskey

Steve Netter

May 4, 2024

Dark, gritty and teeming with authenticity, The Seventh Floor is a classic US vs. Russia espionage tale from the pen of David McCloskey that’s filled with deceit, betrayal and honor.

An operation goes bad in Singapore with the CIA losing the asset and their agent ending up in a Russian torture chamber. Operations chief Artemis Proctor is made the scapegoat by the new leaders of the CIA, one of which holds a grudge against Artemis for past transgressions. Months later the missing agent, Sam Joseph, shows up at Proctor’s trailer in Florida with an explosive revelation: there’s a Russian mole high within the CIA. They start an off the books investigation that puts every one of Proctor’s closest friends on a shortlist of suspects. Putting her personal feelings aside, Proctor will do her duty to root out the mole in service the country she has sworn to protect. But what she finds will haunt her and she may never be the same again.

This is a story about a good old fashioned espionage mole hunt harkening to the days of the cold war where the US and Russia were focused on recruiting and running spies deep within each other’s intelligence organizations. Paranoia reigns supreme, literally no one can be trusted, and each side is pushing the envelope on what they can get away with. Unwritten rules are broken, spies are captured and swapped, sleepers are activated, and people who know too much are in danger of elimination. It’s violent, intense and heart wrenching, but highly engaging and absorbing. A novel that fans of old-school spy stories will devour.

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Purchase The Seventh Floor
(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

Steve Netter

May 4, 2024

The Elias Network By Simon Gervais

Steve Netter

May 4, 2024

Filled with secrets, shootouts and spies, The Elias Network is an absorbing edge-of-your-seat espionage thriller that increases your heart rate, makes you sweat and gives you one hell of a ride. Simon Gervais delivers yet again…and this one might be his best novel to date.

Caspian Anderson, code name Elias, is an elite assassin for a clandestine organization deep within the Department of Homeland Security. While on a mission to prosecute a target tied to a human trafficking ring, he identifies another team of operators in play and is further confused when they try to abduct the wife and daughters of his target. What he learns from that point onward will make Caspian question everything he thought he knew about the organization he works for, the people he interacts with in his cover job as a UN translator, and even if his girlfriend is who he thought she was. But one thing is certain. Caspian’s lethal skillset will be put to the test and result in the death of anyone who gets in his way.

Gervais has crafted an intricate and engaging story that puts multiple spies and operators in the same theater and watches them gorge themselves on a smorgasbord of violence. From Switzerland to Italy to France to the US, bodies drop and blood spills at a high rate. Which is awesome and entertaining if you’re into that kind of thing (in the pages of a novel at least). However, this book has much more going for it, traversing a tangled web of relationships, operations and organizations that keeps everyone on their toes trying to figure out who’s in cahoots with who and ultimately how everything is going to play out. Plus, there’s a love story wrapped inside it all with career spies seemingly willing to give it all up to live happily ever after. What more could you possibly want?

The Elias Network is coming in hot this fall! Don’t miss out on this entertaining, spicy, fast-paced thriller that kicks off the next great series by the fabulous Simon Gervais.

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Purchase The Elias Network
(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

Steve Netter

May 4, 2024

Ashes Never Lie By Lee Goldberg

Steve Netter

May 4, 2024

Lee Goldberg’s smooth and alluring storytelling talent is on fill display in Ashes Never Lie, an irresistible tale of arson, murder and fraud that locks you in early and keeps you riveted to the end.

Newly constructed homes in a housing development are catching fire with no obvious cause but thankfully with no fatalities. Miles away another home burns to the ground, but this one contains a dead body and lots of questions. In the pursuit of answers to the seemingly unrelated cases, arson investigators Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker team up with homicide detectives Even Ronin and Duncan “Donuts” Pavone. What follows is a series of eye-opening revelations and undercover operations to catch an arsonist, stop a long-running scam, and save thousands from unbearable pain and certain death.

This book is all-gas, no breaks. Including multiple events and dangerous situations that propel the story forward at high speeds with the heat of a five-alarm fire. And containing investigations that twist, turn, and require every bit of skill, creative thinking and unsanctioned initiative from the venerable law enforcement team of Sharpe, Walker, Ronin and Pavone. A partnership that is a brilliant combination of personalities and capabilities that effortlessly leverages the strengths of each member and is entertaining as hell to witness. Especially as they go after incredibly well-devised characters with complex criminal personas that would excite and fascinate any psychologist, let alone a thriller enthusiast. In other words, this book has everything you could want in an unputdownable action/mystery novel.

Lee Goldberg is an automatic must read and Ashes Never Lie is just the latest example of why. He yet again delivers an exhilarating plot filled with intriguing, well-developed characters contained within a smooth-flowing, well-written and enthralling story. Not to be missed by anyone who enjoys a good thriller.

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Purchase Ashes Never 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

Steve Netter

May 4, 2024

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

Steve Netter

May 4, 2024

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson teams up with the fantastic Aaron Philip Clark to deliver a dark, gritty and propulsive thriller that packs a vicious punch. Once you pick up The Accomplice, you won’t be able to put it down and it’ll stick with you long after completion.

Nia Adams is the first Black female Texas Ranger who not only has to catch dangerous criminals, but also must navigate the complicated politics of her organization. Her latest case takes her to a bank robbery where nothing seems to be missing. The vault is untouched and the tellers not asked to empty their registers, but a hidden safe in a small room has been breached. Turns out a Vietnam vet turned master thief has removed the contents of that safe, which threatens to expose a wealthy family’s dirty secrets. A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues. Resulting in a pile of dead bodies, Nia’s career in jeopardy and, most importantly, her life in grave danger.

This book will smack you upside the head with crisp, gruesome action sequences and gallons of bloodshed. Seriously, the violence is no joke. Brutal and lurid, intense and evoking a powerful reaction. But whether you enjoy that kind of maliciousness or not, you’ll find you’re sticking around for the well-crafted nuances of the characters. These are complex individuals with very different pasts, motivations, and proclivities. It’s not as simple as cops vs. robbers. And that’s what makes this book so compelling and entertaining. Well…that along with the relentless action and blind siding twists.

The Accomplice is an exhilarating read. All gas, no breaks. Looking forward to more collaborations between 50 Cent and APC. Have a feeling they have more in store for thriller fans.

Follow Steve on Twitter or contact him via the site.

Purchase The Accomplice
(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

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