Steven Netter

Fade In By Kyle Mills

Fresh and incredibly relevant to today’s geopolitical landscape, Fade In is a slow-burn thriller that meticulously sets the scene and challenges your view of global power before exploding with violence that leaves you stunned.  Kyle Mills has delivered a powerful novel with a unique protagonist that will keep you riveted while asking you to ponder moral quandaries between bursts of action. 

Salam al-Fayed, aka Fade, wakes up in the hospital after taking a sniper bullet to the spine.  Unable to move and a shadow of the formidable Navy SEAL he used to be, he wishes for death.  But then he’s resurrected, receiving the best rehabilitation money and technology can provide, as long as he signs on to the paramilitary unit of a shadowy organization run by a billionaire with designs on changing the world order.  Now recovered, Fade joins a team hunting a reclusive Chinese scientist who has announced the imminent release of a virus that will wipe out over 10% of the population.  Up against the clock and facing an unknown enemy force, Fade locks in and gets down to what he’s best at – succeeding at impossible missions where others will certainly fail. 

Fade is a tremendous character, matching an elite tier one skillset with a nihilistic attitude that allows him to operate with freedom and a lack of concern for personal consequences because of coming back from near death on multiple occasions.  He has a moral compass that seems to have some flexibility to it. He’s an independent thinker who doesn’t blindly follow orders and he’s also unafraid to challenge those in who sign his paychecks.  So, while a powerful entity will want to use him as a tool to further their agendas, Fade will not do so without serious consideration first.

Additionally, this novel makes you think about significant topics in today’s world.  Things like the vulnerabilities of an aging population and the desires/frustrations of younger generations who inherit the world for better or worse from their elders, the traditional power of sovereign nations vs. the emerging power of wealthy and influential individuals, and the grand possibilities of technological advancements in the field of human performance and lifespan elongation in relation to the ethical usage of such technology.  Don’t worry, there’s plenty of bullets flying, hand to hand combat, and explosions contained within the pages of this book to excite an action junkie.  But it’s a thinking man’s/woman’s thriller.  Pensive and exhilarating.  The best of both worlds. 

Thriller fans will enjoy Fade In on its own merits but will also be excited for the potential of where this series can go in the future.  It’s set up for more intriguing plots, ethical inquiries and exhilarating action.  Can’t wait to see what Kyle Mills delivers next.

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The Medusa Protocol By Rob Hart

Rob Hart has done it again!  The Medusa Protocol is another stunningly unique and bad-ass thriller that combines brutal action and perilous circumstances with heartfelt moments and commitment to self-improvement.  It’s the most fun you can have watching assassins trying to not kill people.

Astrid has missed several Assassins Anonymous meetings and the group is concerned, not knowing if she’s still alive.  When a pizza covered in olives is delivered to their secret location, they know Astrid is still above ground and in need of help.  Then the pizza delivery is immediately followed by a kill team looking to eliminate these dangerous former assassins who have taken the pledge never to kill again.  After finding a way through this dangerous situation, Mark, Booker and the others set out to locate Astrid and enact a rescue plan.  But infiltrating a black site on a remote island covered in poisonous snakes to save a member of their “family” without taking a life will test their skills and their resolve like never before.

Most thrillers put the protagonists in an untenable position surrounded by enemies with blood lust in their eyes, then have the good guys kill everyone as they make their escape or stalk their prey.  But The Medusa Protocol is not like most thrillers.  First, the main characters are former assassins who were addicted to killing and are now trying to reform themselves through putting their lethality behind and making amends to the living relatives of those they dispatched.  With so much blood on their hands, it’s hard to say they’re the “good guys.”  Second, because they’re in recovery they cannot kill again and still maintain their sobriety.  So when Mark, Astrid, Booker and the others are put into incredibly dangerous situations, they must fight their way out by hurting, disabling, neutralizing and maiming, but not killing.  A less than ideal situation that takes a lot of skill and dedication to the program to avoid caving to temptation and relapsing into their murderous ways. 

The result is fantastic action sequences filled with creativity, fisticuffs and thoughtful violence with a purpose that is spawned from a moral clarity of those who are trying to be a little bit better every day.  So when vicious predators interrupt their attempts at salvation and a peaceful existence, they act like the rest of us and just do the best they can with the hand they’re dealt.  It just happens to be that their best is a lot more physically punishing and potentially incapacitating with higher risk of death than what the general population experiences on a daily basis.  But growth is in the learning and attempting to do better, right?  And if a few bodies drop in the process, who’s going to put up a fuss?  I’m certain thriller fans will be quite alright with it.

Two books into this unique series and it’s already one of my favorites in the thriller genre.  And the great news is Rob Hart’s got the chops, storylines and characters to continue entertaining us for many books to come.  I can’t wait to see what’s next!

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Nightshade By Michael Connelly

Nightshade is a propulsive, engaging and suspenseful thriller by one of the absolute best crime writers in the business.  Michael Connelly delivers yet another winning book featuring a hard-nosed detective involved in solving hard-hitting crimes.

LA County Sheriff's Detective Stilwell runs the station on Catalina Island, a post he’s been exiled to because of past actions and department politics.  Despite the usual lack of excitement that goes with chasing petty crimes, Stilwell is making the best of the situation…until a dead body is found submerged in the harbor.  Combined with an investigation into buffalo mutilation on the island, Stilwell finds himself in the middle of the action once again.  At first partnering with his colleagues on the mainland, then ignoring protocol and investigating on his own, Stilwell is determined to close these cases and bring those responsible to justice.  But what he doesn’t count on is the revelation of the evil that lurks on the island and the personal ramifications his crusade will cost him.

This may be the start of a new series, but it delivers the signature gritty, raw intensity that makes Connelly’s crime novels so compelling.  Stilwell is a strong character with a clear moral compass, an indefatigable work ethic and the tunnel vision required to be a great investigator, even if it puts him at odds with his peers and superiors, and impacts his personal life.  He also likes Jazz music.  Sounds like another beloved Connelly detective, doesn’t it?

By moving the main setting to Catalina, Nightshade provides a distinctive setting, new characters and fresh storylines to pursue that differs from Connelly’s Bosch and Ballard books.  It’s a great move to open this new avenue for Southern California crime exploration.  Something that feels familiar to old fans but also provides an entry point for new readers.  There are numerous possibilities for where this series can go, which should excite crime thriller fans.  And who knows, maybe there’s potential for a Connelly universe crossover in the future. 

Anyone who loves a good crime novel will seriously enjoy Nightshade.  It’s a strong, intriguing, intense thriller that moves with pace and purpose.  And if you happen to be a Connelly fan already, this one is sure to impress.

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Kaua'i Storm By Tori Eldridge

Kaua’i Storm is an intriguing, layered and suspenseful story that educates as much as it thrills.  Tori Eldridge does a masterful job blending historical context and Hawaiian traditions into a traditional mystery that engages the reader’s brain from start to finish.

National Park Ranger Makalani Pahukula is back on Kaua’i after spending the last decade on the mainland.  Back for her grandmother’s birthday celebration, she’s thrust into a search for two of her cousins who have gone missing.  Fearing something nefarious is at play – a feeling that’s only heightened when hunters find a dead body in a forest reserve – she desperately investigates and searches the island she grew up on, bringing up difficult feelings of being disconnected from the land and the struggles of her family.  Undeterred by those who resent her help and the increasingly dangerous weather conditions, she will stop at nothing to solve this mystery and hopefully return her cousins safely to her family.  And in doing so, maybe she will be able to reconnect with her homeland and find a new level of love and peace with her family. 

Kaua’i Storm expertly takes the reader on a journey through the Hawaiian culture and the critical importance of ‘ohana (family) and 'āina (the land).  It’s part history lesson and part love letter to Hawaii that educates the reader and serves the story well, patiently setting the stage for what’s to come in the thrilling conclusion of this book and future installments of this series.  By understanding the lives and struggles of Makalani’s family and others like it, it brings a deeper connection to the characters and elicits stronger emotions as conflict arises and the outcomes remain uncertain. 

Interwoven in the family drama is a suspenseful thriller that showcases Makalani’s impressive skillset as a Ranger.  Her strength, intelligence, resiliency and stubbornness are on full display as she attempts to track down her cousins and spare her family from a potentially heartbreaking situation.  She’s a strong, but flawed and conflicted protagonist with a lot of potential.  Someone whose journey is only beginning and will be fun to watch her development in the future.

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Into The Gray Zone By Brad Taylor

Gripping, tense and adrenaline-charged, Into the Gray Zone brings that classic Pike Logan magic to the other side of the world in a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  Brad Taylor delivers another compelling and explosive mission in the latest installment of this outstanding series.

Pike Logan and his Taskforce team are providing security for a clandestine meeting between the head of the CIA, members of India’s intelligence agency and an Indian Billionaire, when terrorists attack their location.  After the attack is thwarted, it is shrugged off as a minor incident by the meeting principals, but Pike believes there’s more at play.  Getting authority to check it out, Pike and team become entangled in an international power struggle for political and economic control that crescendos with a race-against-the-clock hostage rescue mission and shootout between multiple factions.  With innocent lives hanging in the balance, Pike will stop at nothing – including releasing the beast within – to ensure mission success and the safety of those he’s committed to rescue.

This is another stellar Pike Logan novel with everything you would expect – kinetic action, dangerous situations, Pike pushing the limits of his Taskforce authority, Knuckles charming the pants off a beautiful woman, and Jennifer being the voice of reason.  It also contains Taskforce team members shedding blood and signs of Pike losing the battle against his inner beast and going apeshit in ways that scare the others.  Combine all of that with an intriguing plot about rare earth metals and geopolitical maneuverings with India and China in the mix, and you get a fast-paced, action-packed, realistic plot that will have you holding your breath and sweating the outcome. 

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Cold Burn by AJ Landau

Provocative, sobering and potentially prescient, Cold Burn is a compelling combination of thrilling action, Native American culture, and climate science.  A.J. Landau (pseudonym for the writing team of Jon Land and Jeff Ayers), delivers a thought-provoking and heart-pounding novel that exercises your mind and your nerves in equal measure.

Theft of Native American artifacts.  Suspicious deaths in the Everglades and Alaska.  The mysterious deaths of a submarine crew.  A billionaire with designs on getting to Mars.  A Russian general with grandiose plans.  It’s all connected, and only National Park Service ISB special agent Michael Walker and FBI special investigator Gina Delgado can put the pieces together and stop catastrophic events that would reshape the world…and possible end life on Earth as we know it.

On its own, the murder and theft investigations and military action storylines would hold their own against any traditional thriller.  However, Cold Burn differentiates itself by interweaving those elements in a bigger story about humanity’s connection to nature and how ambitious pursuits that don’t consider the consequences can kick off an irreversible chain of events that could have dire long-term consequences.  And adding in the juxtaposition of modern military operations and aerospace pursuits versus indigenous worldviews and sacred relationships with the land, result in a book that carves out its own unique, intriguing niche in the genre.

This is the book for readers looking for something more than just a thriller.  It’s pensive, spiritual, scientific and suspenseful.  An exciting and frightening adventure that you’ll hope isn’t a glimpse into our future.

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Fever Beach By Carl Hiaasen

Wild, highly entertaining and immensely gratifying, Fever Beach is American sociological and political satire at its finest.  Carl Hiaasen has crafted a no-holds-barred, over-the-top, laugh out loud story that grips you early and propels you forward at high speeds with an insatiable thirst to see how it all unfolds.

Dale Figgo, a hapless extremist so incompetent he was kicked out of the Proud Boys, whose misguided antics – including defacing the wrong statue during his participation in the January 6th storming of the Capitol – set off a chain of absurd events. His already disastrous life collides with Viva Morales, a resourceful woman recovering from a brutal divorce who reluctantly rents a room from Dale, and Twilly Spree, a millionaire with a short fuse, difficulty letting things go, and a penchant for putting people in their place. As Viva and Twilly unravel a scheme involving dark money, corruption, shady dealmaking, and right-wing extremism, they encounter a bevy of crooked, bumbling and inept people that are out to shape the political landscape in their image.  Can they pull it off?  It’ll take a miracle.

Fever Beach is a character driven story, and whoa boy there are some amazing characters introduced in the pages of this novel.  White supremacists who don’t know their ass from their elbow.  Wealthy eccentric philanthropists with hidden agendas.  A congressman who can’t stop stepping in the shit and who keeps asking daddy to clean up his messes.  A rich man with an anger management problem who easily gets restless and seeks to teach others a lesson.  A woman in the middle of it all who is just trying to put her life back together after her ex-husband ran off with all her money.  And that’s not to mention an underage prostitute, a Jewish hitman, a corrupt local politician, child construction laborers, and a bevy of Floridian racists.  It’s a dash of the good, with a smorgasbord of the bad and the ugly, with most characters not getting the results they desire but receiving the outcome they certainly deserve.  Which makes for a straightforward yet twisting novel that builds anticipation to high levels before delivering a satisfying conclusion that makes the journey through the Floridian underbelly totally and completely worth it.

It’s witty and fun.  A riotous ride through Florida’s uniquely bizarre culture and citizenry that takes deadly serious and polarizing issues and lampoons them in a way that elevates the Florida Man meme to an artform.

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Hidden In Smoke By Lee Goldberg

Gripping and intense, Hidden in Smoke is a combustible story that moves at a scorching pace and will ignite the thrill of the hunt in readers’ minds.  Another fantastic book by Lee Goldberg, one of the most bankable authors in the genre for engaging, fun, smooth novels containing great characters and intriguing plots.  All he does is churn out one great story after another. 

An arsonist is setting fires at apartment buildings across Hollywood.  Then a massive fire shuts down a major Los Angeles freeway.  And just like that, arson investigators Sharpe and Walker are in the middle of the action, charged with finding those responsible.  Could it be the same person causing havoc across the city or is there something more diabolical at play?  Meanwhile, an old acquaintance of the two investigators is back in the fold and doing what he does best.  Namely scheming and thieving.  But this time, it could come back to burn them.

This third installment in the Sharpe and Walker series is as compelling and absorbing as the prior two.  The banter between the two investigators is entertaining, their strengths are perfectly complimentary, and their investigative approaches are vastly different.  But they form a brilliant team that gets the job done, usually with Walker having to make nice for all the people pissed off at Sharpe.  It’s the interplay between the duo that makes this book, and this series, so much fun to read. 

It also helps that the storylines are fire (pun intended) and the books well researched and written.  I mean, it’s not often that someone throws together a serial arsonist, a world class cat burglar, delicious BBQ, big pharma, street artists, and the craziest museum you’ve ever heard about into a single book.  But Goldberg pulls it off, seamlessly weaving it all together – and throwing in a few surprises and fan favorite characters – to construct a story that is equal parts amusing, anxiety-inducing and satisfying.

If you’re not reading Goldberg’s stuff, what are you waiting for?  Get on it.  Because I promise you a good time.  And whatever he writes next, I’ll be first in line to grab a copy.

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Strangers In Time By David Baldacci

Both heart-wrenching and uplifting, Strangers in Time explores the devastating realities of war, the enduring strength of the human spirit, and the unexpected bonds of friendship forged in the most unlikely circumstances.  David Baldacci has crafted a painful, yet beautiful story set in WWII England that will wreck and inspire you in equal measure.

It’s 1944 in England.  Charlie Matters is a fourteen-year-old kid from London’s East End who has no parents, dropped out of school, steals to make ends meet and has no prospects for a better life.  Molly Wakefield is a child of privilege coming up on her 16th birthday, who has just returned to her London home after spending the last 5 years safely tucked away in the countryside, only to find her parents are missing.  Ignatius Oliver is an educated man, the widower owner of a book shop and volunteer air raid warden, helping to keep people safe during German bombing runs over the city.  These three strangers are each dealing with heavy loss in their lives, but when they find each other and form an unexpected friendship, their lives all change for the better.  However, they each have secrets and a past that might catch up to them at any time.  And the only way for them to survive is to trust one another, face some hard truths and take things one day at a time.

This book is an emotional roller coaster, filled with a constant barrage of gut punches that you would expect to knock out these characters.  But they keep getting back up and forging ahead.  Showing how resilient and strong people can be when being strong is their only choice.  And despite the ugliness of the world around them, they refuse to dwell in a state of bitterness and instead choose hope and seek to make new human connections that give their lives meaning.  It’s a beautiful and inspirational thing to witness, especially since it would be easier to yell at the sky about how unfair life is and give up.  But they don’t.  They dust themselves off, acknowledge the pain and then find the best path forward.  Which happens to involve transforming the serendipity of these strangers meeting and turning it into the foundation of a new family.

This is another home run novel by the great David Baldacci.  And I’m loving the direction he has taken his writing.  From last year’s brilliant A Calamity of Souls to this year’s fantastic Strangers in Time, his books are deep diving into history, exploring the human spirit and forcing readers to contemplate the lives we lead.  Entertaining, emotional and thought-provoking stories?  Sign me up every time!

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The Long-Ago Dead By Jason Bovberg

Dark, gritty and filled with a sense of impending doom, The Long-Ago Dead is noir fiction at its fatalistic finest.  Jason Bovberg brilliantly delivers this well-written ruthless narrative straight, no chaser.

Sydney Fleet is good at his job.  Namely making problems – and people – disappear.  But the past he has been trying to outrun for years has reared its ugly head and beckons him for a final, epic, deadly showdown.  Spanning from San Jose to Denver and places in between, Fleet will have to summon superhuman levels of tenacity, fortitude and conviction to protect those closest to him, face his demons head on, eliminate every threat and end this very personal clash on his terms. 

The Long-Ago Dead feels like a cinematic classic shot in black and white – or perhaps more fittingly, like a retro 70s/80s Kodachrome film complete with scratches.  It’s a cold and calculating thriller that contains no wasted movement, just perpetual motion towards an ominous and inevitable conclusion.  Containing wonderfully constructed characters, everyone serving a specific purpose to form the dark tapestry of the overall saga.  And Fleet is the undeniable center of gravity – a complex character who contains multitudes and, despite his sinister profession as an agent for malevolent forces, remains someone to root for.  Which brings emotion to the brutal, no-frills action that professionally yet quite personally spills blood in virtually every chapter. 

This is a book that sticks with you long after completion.  You won’t easily shake The Long-Ago Dead.

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The Maid's Secret By Nita Prose

Captivating, delightful and quirky, The Maid’s Secret is a heartwarming mystery about haves and have nots, love versus responsibility, following your heart, and how it’s never too late to do the right thing.  Nita Prose delivers another immensely satisfying edition to this engaging series.

Molly Gray is very happy.  She’s added the role of special events manager to her duties as head maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, she’s about to marry the love of her life and a hit reality art appraisal TV show is about to film at her hotel.  As part of the show, hotel staff can bring in items for appraisal and Molly is shocked to find out she possesses a long-lost Fabergé egg that’s worth millions.  As the episode airs, she goes viral and is getting more attention than she ever wanted.  And when the auction to sell the egg ends up with the valuable art piece going missing, with clues to this mystery residing in Molly’s late-grandmother’s diary, it turns Molly’s world upside down.  Teaming up with friends and law enforcement, Molly must confront her family’s past to secure her safety in the present and allow her to pursue the loving future she dreams of. 

Molly is undoubtedly the star of the show, her idiosyncratic behavior and goodhearted nature taking center stage.  However, in The Maid’s Secret, it’s her beloved Gran who brings life to this novel.  Yes, there’s a heist that drives the present-day narrative, but the real intriguing aspects of this story are the entries in Gran’s diary that tell her life story and provide the missing context on where Molly comes from.  And it’s a complicated saga filled with situations that will make you cringe and moments that will tug on your emotional heartstrings.  And in the end, it brings clarity and appreciation for how Molly has become the person she is today. 

This is the perfect book to pick up and read while getting cozy in a comfy chair by a fire.  Time flies by as you whip through the pages with an urgent desire to put this puzzle together and see Molly get the happily ever after she so deserves. 

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Gothictown By Emily Carpenter

Gothictown is a novel that starts off hopeful but quickly turns dark, chilling and sinister.  A thriller that charms and captivates before alarming, unnerving and frightening readers.  A well-constructed story hellbent on freaking you the hell out.  Enthralling stuff by Emily Carpenter. 

Billie Hope seizes what seems like the chance of a lifetime: the opportunity to trade her tiny New York City apartment for a sprawling Victorian home in a quaint Georgia town, all for just $100.  The offer comes with a business grant to open her dream restaurant and the promise of a fresh start for her family in the picturesque community of Juliana.  At first, everything appears idyllic as Billie throws herself into her new life.  But beneath the charm and Southern hospitality, something feels unsettling.  As unease creeps in, Billie begins to question the town’s true nature—and whether escaping Juliana will be as easy as arriving.

Gothictown explores the themes of finding purpose in your life, how judgment can be impaired if you’re in a seemingly desperate situation, navigating relationship difficulties, how far you’ll go for your family, the problems with consolidated power wielded by a few people, and that if a deal seems too good to be true than it probably is.  And the exploration of these ideas is superbly done within the context of a thrilling psychological and horrifying tale that slowly builds in intensity, suspiciousness and body count.  But despite the disturbing and creepy vibes that ooze off the pages and make you scream at Billie to get the hell out of there and run like her life depends on it, you keep racing ahead to find out what will happen next.  Because while the plot is chilling, it’s also fascinating and entertaining as hell.  A story that you can try to put down, but it will then beckon you like a ghostly whisper in your dreams.

One last thing.  The next time you come across one of those news stories about small towns around the world offering insane deals on cheap homes or piles of cash to move there, I promise you’ll view them with a completely different mindset after reading Gothictown.  And if you do decide to take them up on that offer, well, do so at your own peril.

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The Other People By C.B. Everett

Frightening, perplexing, gruesome and engrossing, The Other People will challenge your mind with intricate twists and keep you on edge as you unravel the mystery of both the culprit’s identity and the escape from the old, locked mansion.  A devilishly conceived and skillfully executed blend of Agatha Christie and Dennis Lehane by author C.B. Everett.

Ten people find themselves trapped inside a mansion with no way out and no memory of how they arrived.  They’re told that the only way to secure their freedom is to solve the mystery of a missing young woman within 12 hours.  But this house harbors a killer, and one by one they are picked off in brutal yet intimately personal ways.  And the closer they get to the truth, the more danger they find themselves in.  Why are they here, how were they selected and who wants them dead?  That’s only the beginning of the myriads of questions that pop up within this suspenseful thriller.

This book fucks with your head in a big way.  From the jump you’re tasked with figuring out multiple mysteries without sufficient information while hearing the story from multiple points of view, which further muddies the waters.  Then, as the slow drip of reveals are disclosed, you get some answers and even more questions, making you feel like you’re no closer to the truth than before.  But in reality, you are progressing towards an outcome that will both shock you and feel inevitable at the same time. 

This is anything but a cozy murder mystery.  The Other People is a locked room psychological thriller with horror elements infused throughout that will have you muttering to yourself as the bodies drop and the tension ratchets up.  An entertaining and terrifying read that will keep you riveted from start to finish.

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The Summer Guests By Tess Gerritsen

Suspenseful, unpredictable and dynamic, The Summer Guests is the most fun you can have following retirees as they try to solve crimes in a small Maine town.  Tess Gerritsen has delivered another compelling thriller in this charming and promising series.

During a family summer vacation to Purity, Maine, a teenage girl goes missing and local police chief Jo Thibodeau is short on leads and focused on a few possible suspects.  But the Martini Club, a group of friends all retired from the CIA and led by Maggie Bird, join the investigation to help find the girl and prove the innocence of Maggie’s friend.  Forming an uneasy alliance with law enforcement, the gang of retirees seem to be one step ahead of the police, leveraging their years of intelligence experience and intuition to untangle a web of deceit, coverups and unsolved crimes that go back decades.  And in the process, they just might save the life of a young woman and others who dare to expose dark secrets that some people will do anything to keep buried.

The Summer Guests isn’t an overly emotional book in the traditional sense of bringing readers to tears, but it still does a tremendous job eliciting strong feelings.  Anxiety and dread for the girl who has gone missing.  Despair and angst for the mother who’s desperate for the police to find her daughter alive.  Inspired and in awe of the elderly ex-CIA agents who realize their purpose and what keeps them feeling young is to continue deploying their skills to help those around them.  Disgust and anger at the despicable actions of some characters.  Empathy and optimism for the police chief to solve the case and to find balance in her life.  Disturbed and unsettled by a certain familial relationship.  And ultimately satisfied and triumphant upon the conclusion of the story and one budding romance. 

Just two books into this series and it’s become a must read.  It’s engaging, intriguing, twisting, entertaining and contains characters of an advanced age that you don’t normally see in espionage thrillers/murder mysteries.  It’s simply an enjoyable reading experience.

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Another Try By Gene Koon

Politics, money, violence and deception fill the pages of Another Try, a twisting and turning story about covert ops, hidden agendas and pursuit of the truth.  Gene Koon has crafted a compelling, fast-paced plot that keeps you guessing until the end.

Garris Kelley was a covert CIA operative…until President Cahill exposed him for pulling off a daring assassination of a cartel kingpin.  Now he can’t go anywhere without people asking him for selfies and autographs.  But then he finds himself in the middle of a shooting targeting a US Senator in Portland and he jumps into action.  Taking him to eastern Oregon and the Willamette Valley wine country, Kelley is on the hunt for the shooter while simultaneously helping a FBI agent track down a missing colleague and getting involved with the security team of a wealthy vintner with powerful friends.  Oh, and the cartel has a hit team hunting him down as well.  Using every bit of skill in his arsenal and leveraging his vast experience, Kelley will have to navigate a hornet’s nest of trouble to save the day…and stay alive. 

Another Try contains multiple storylines neatly weaved together to ensure constant forward motion and a dynamic read that never hits a lull.  Between the main investigation, the billionaire winemaker’s obsession with Kelley, a security team that is more than they seem, the President’s involvement, a missing FBI agent and a cartel seeking revenge, there is never a dull moment in the book.  Giving the well-developed and sometimes mysterious characters a clear purpose that fits the narrative perfectly.   And it is all connected, coming to an explosive head that will elicit gasps, fist pumps and the muttering of a few expletives as everything is revealed with a barrage of violent action.

This is an entertaining, suspenseful and intriguing thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat while you traverse the beautiful state of Oregon in pursuit of justice with a protagonist that you will easily cheer for to be successful. 

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You Are Fatally Invited By Ande Pliego

You Are Fatally Invited is a super intense locked room psychological and horror thriller that will keep you puzzled and riveted to the very end.  Like a macabre game of Clue, but with more dead bodies, enhanced methods of killing, and a puppet master hellbent on revenge invisibly pulling the strings.  Suspenseful, intriguing and dark stuff by Ande Pliego.

Several well-known writers are invited to the private island of famously anonymous author J.R. Alastor for a thriller writers’ retreat.  But this isn’t any ordinary retreat.  Alastor has hired a host who will help execute a week of contests, riddles and scary situations intended to rattle and inspire these writers who all have a dark secret from their past.  Meanwhile, this host has a hidden agenda – she wants to murder one of the participants and feels this week of mayhem is the perfect cover.  However, when one of the guests turns up dead and it’s not the person she planned to kill, all bets are off and everyone on the island is in mortal danger.  Can the guests outwit the unknown killer in their midst?  Or will they all die the death they deserve?

Your brain will get twisted up like a pretzel and you’ll feel cold chills down your spine as you follow the deadly action and try to figure out who’s the mastermind behind this sinister retreat.  Every character is both a suspect and a potential victim.  They all have reasons to kill while also harboring secrets that someone could find punishable by death an appropriate course of action.  Which leads to being deeply skeptical of everyone while also trying to find a sliver of goodness that would eliminate them as a killer.  And it’s that dichotomy of fearing the worst but hoping for the best from each individual that propels this story forward.  Forcing you to reconcile the two and pick sides until the truth is finally revealed. 

The result is an engaging and enthralling story that grips you early and doesn’t let go.  Exercising your brain and nerves in equal measure while you watch authors put through hell to see if/how they come out the other side.

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Nemesis By Gregg Hurwitz

Gregg Hurwitz has outdone himself with Nemesis, a pensive and explosive knock-down-drag-out of a thriller that will leave you more drained than one of Orphan X’s high-end bottles of vodka after a tough mission.  It’s an emotional, action-packed, turning point kind of story that will make you think about friendship, morality, and humanity while enjoying merciless violence and brutal battles to the death.

Evan Smoak is pissed off with his friend and armorer Tommy Stojack, feeling that Tommy has crossed a line and sold weapons to some bad people who did bad things with them.  When Evan goes to Tommy’s shop to confront him, he’s ambushed by half a dozen men trying to kill him. They are unsuccessful and now Evan wants to kill Tommy even more than before.  Meanwhile, Tommy has traveled to a rural community to help the son of an old Army buddy whose dying wish was for Tommy to look after his kid.  And the kid is in a ton of trouble, spouting racist ideology and taking part in the murder of innocent people.  Evan tracks Tommy down to this small town, learns about the murders, and determines this group deserves to die along with Tommy.  To add fuel to the already white-hot fire, a group of assassins have been hired to take out Tommy.  It all comes to a head with a violent collision of forces with the only question being who will survive this deadly encounter of extremely capable operators.

There is a ton happening in Nemesis.  The feud between Evan and Tommy takes center stage and is distressing enough to witness good friends on the warpath to kill each other rather than hash things out peacefully.  Then add the continuously worsening, gut wrenching details of the rural racist group that Tommy is trying to advise and possibly hold accountable for their heinous actions, imbecilic views and senseless decisions.  And then throw in Evan’s “niece” Joey’s crisis born out of good intensions and trying to fit in with a group of women at college, only to find she’s played an unwitting part in a spread of hurtful information.  But wait, there’s more.  There’s a group of savagely depraved assassins gleefully taking out their targets and setting their sights on Tommy.  It’s a lot to take in.

But holy schnikes, it is outrageously fantastic and beautifully executed.  Each story line connects with the others and comes together perfectly.  Along the way, you’ll feel the full gamut of emotions and have strong opinions on the actions of every individual and what you believe the consequences should be.  Additionally, Evan starts to show some vulnerability and cracks in the façade of his Orphan X/Nowhere Man persona.  Does it mean he’s becoming more flexible and more human?  Time will tell.  But for now, it’s more than enough to witness him kicking ass, evaluating his actions, searching his feelings and doing what he does best – helping innocents in need and righting the wrongs they have experienced.  Entertaining and intriguing as hell.  A brilliant continuation of this exceptional, must-read series.

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The Oligarch's Daughter By Joseph Finder

A modern-day homage to classic cold war thrillers, The Oligarch’s Daughter is an intriguing, pulse-pounding and exhilarating story that’s all gas no brakes.  Joseph Finder’s latest novel will keep you on your toes and on the edge of your seat as you journey through this tangled web of finance, love, espionage and geopolitics.

Grant Anderson is living a quiet life building and repairing boats in a small New Hampshire town.  But he has a secret.  Grant is really Paul Brightman, a man hiding out from dangerous people looking to find and kill him.  Because 6 years ago, Paul was a hot shot on Wall Street who fell in love with and married the daughter of a Russian oligarch, for whom he went to work and then found himself becoming a spy for US law enforcement and intelligence agencies rather than conduct illegal investment activities.  Unfortunately for him, the Russians don’t take kindly to traitors and have long memories.  Now, with Paul’s location and cover being compromised, he must go on the run once again while trying to unravel a long-standing conspiracy that, if he can solve and expose, could save his life.  If the Russian operatives hot on his trail don’t get to him first. 

Expect to be in a constant state of tension and anxiety as you jump back and forth from the present to the events of 6 years ago.  Finder barely ever lets you take a breather, moving from one perilous moment to another, wondering if each one will spell disaster and finally result in Paul’s death or maybe he will continue to narrowly escape by the skin of his teeth.  It’s this contrast of terror and hope that propels this novel forward at a blistering pace, compelling you to rush to the end in search for the truth.  

Another well-crafted and wonderfully executed thriller by Joseph Finder, The Oligarch’s Daughter will appeal to those who love a good cold war-esque story, as well as anyone who enjoys an adrenaline-fueled cat and mouse game.  It’s compelling and exciting from start to finish.

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A Killer's Code By Isabella Maldonado

Filled with intrigue, twists and a never-ending sense of urgency, A Killer’s Code keeps you in suspense while you join the frantic pursuit to solve this mystery.  The third installment in the Daniela Vega series is another action-packed adventure that will exercise your brain and accelerate your heart rate.

Hitman Gustavo Toro is dead, but he planned to take others down with him upon his demise.  He left a video to be watched by the FBI in the event of his death, which requires Special Agent Daniela Vega and her team to decode cryptic clues and hunt down the evidence Toro left behind that will expose the malevolent forces directing his actions for years.  But they’re not the only ones searching for this evidence.  The very mastermind behind Toro’s nefarious orders is desperate to get there first and ensure he can continue to operate and maintain his riches and power.  What follows is a deadly race to the finish where everyone’s in danger, secrets are exposed, and lives will be changed forever. 

Dani Vega is undoubtedly the star of the show, her impressive skillset and intellect on full display along with being her unapologetically authentic self.  She is asked to not only crack daunting codes using her impressive brain and prior training, but she’s asked to lead tactical planning and execution in dangerous situations to leverage her prior military service.  Vega is one of the strongest most capable female protagonists in the genre and she kicks major ass on this case. 

Additionally, there are several other aspects of A Killer’s Code that elevate this book to a high level.  First, Vega’s boss Steve Wu delivers a masterclass in leadership and political savviness, navigating a difficult relationship with his direct superior that results in a successful outcome on the case and elevating his career prospects in the FBI.  Second, the development of supporting characters is fantastic.  From Vega’s genius brother Axel to NYPD detective Mark Flint to Vega’s mother and others, each character adds depth and purpose to move the story forward.  And finally, there’s Gustavo Toro.  The arc of this hitman’s story and the possibility of redemption for someone who has done so many despicable things are an incredible feat that can only be pulled off by an exceptional author.  And Isabella Maldonado is absolutely at the top of her game. 

A Killer’s Code is a top notch, fast-paced novel that flies by in the blink of an eye.  Once you pick it up, you’ll find it incredibly difficult to stop.  Another explosive and exciting thriller from the pen of Isabella Maldonado. 

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Tom Clancy Defense Protocol By Andrews & Wilson

Intense, action-packed and politically charged, Tom Clancy Defense Protocol is a high-stakes chess match between world powers on the brink of war.  Andrews and Wilson deliver a smashing hit of a story filled with intrigue, suspense and non-stop tension.

Chinese President Li Jian Jun has ordered a military operation that will secure his legacy – reuniting Taiwan with mainland China.  The plan is audacious, dangerous and Minister of Defense Qin Haiyu believes it to be disastrous for China.  Risking everything, Qin reaches out to the Americans in an effort to protect the country he loves from becoming a global pariah.  While President Jack Ryan works the diplomacy angle and prepares for war with his cabinet, John Clark is tasked with forming an international team similar to Rainbow Six to extract Qin and the American asset hiding him.  Simultaneously, Navy Commander Katie Ryan, the president’s daughter, is deployed to Taiwan to collect intelligence and find a way for the US to thwart the Chinese President’s plans.  Tensions are high and rising, and it’ll take everyone working together – and a little luck – to stop a bloody war from commencing.

Defense Protocol is told from the point of view of various individuals under extreme pressure, providing multiple perspectives that coalesce around a single narrative of attempting to avert a catastrophic war.  Giving the reader insight into the thinking of people at all levels – from the President of the United States and the Chinese Defense Minister at the top end, to US and Chinese Naval ship Captains in the middle of the action, to John Clark and a Chinese CIA asset in the shadows, to Katie Ryan and her team gathering intelligence and figuring out what the other side is going to do.  Every single person plays a vital role in the story and by highlighting each of their voices and actions the narrative is enhanced, making for a propulsive read that’s hard to put down.

Andrews and Wilson have absolutely crushed their first two Jack Ryan books.  Both are modern and exciting while honoring the classic elements of what made Clancy novels so compelling.  Looking forward to seeing what they have up their sleeves for the next one.  No doubt it’ll be another must read.

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