Project Hail Mary By Andy Weir

An interstellar tour-de-force!  A triumphant mating of science- fiction, traditional thrillers, and PhD level science.  Project Hail Mary is an outstanding novel from the great Andy Weir, who’s creative mind is as vast and wondrous as the cosmos. 

Dr. Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship millions of miles from Earth with no recollection of how he got there, what he’s supposed to do, or even what his own name is.  As his memory starts coming back in flashes, he pieces together that Earth is facing a mass extinction event and realizes he’s the only one who can save the planet and the human race.  Facing near insurmountable odds, he gets to work exploring the depths of space for salvation.  Along the way he faces many obstacles, achieves many breakthroughs, and comes across an unanticipated ally that provides hope of not only saving Earth, but surviving this perilous mission.  

Project Hail Mary is a thriller wrapped up in a Sci-Fi package, bombarded with a heavy dose of science. Emphasis on the words “heavy” and “science.”  In fact, if you’re a thriller-loving, Star Trek vs. Star Wars debating, Science Mystery Theater 3000 watching, science nerd, then this is the book you’ve been waiting your whole life to read.  For the rest of us, it’s pretty spectacular as well.  Don’t be scared away by the pages and pages of biology, chemistry, physics and astronomy.  If you know Albert Einstein developed the Theory of Relativity and the equation is E=mc2, then you’re good to go and can get through the deep science-y stuff just fine while enjoying the hell out of this book.  

Additionally, if you’ve read The Martian or watched the movie version with Matt Damon (which I have seen dozens of times.  It’s one of the most rewatchable movies on cable today.  Don’t @ me!), then you will definitely enjoy Project Hail Mary.  There are many similarities between the two which I found added to my enjoyment of this book.  Perhaps the biggest similarity, beyond the obvious space exploration, is the deep dive into our humanity and the power of the human spirit to achieve positive results despite seemingly impossible obstacles in our way.  The idea that any one person can make a difference and have a huge impact on the rest of us.  That we are inherently all capable of great things if we just put our mind to it and refuse to quit.  In other words, this book went beyond pure entertainment and gave me renewed hope in people and our future on this planet.

I highly recommend Project Hail Mary, whether you’re a thriller fan, Sci-Fi fan or just someone who likes a great story.  You won’t be disappointed.  It’s a fantastic read.  

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Six Weeks To Live By Catherine McKenzie

Six Weeks To Live is a corkscrewing roller coaster whodunnit family feud filled with secrets, grudges and revenge.  

Jennifer Barnes receives a shocking diagnosis and – you guessed it by the title – is given only six weeks to live.  As you might expect of someone in this position, she spends her final days surrounded by family and reflecting on her life.  As she does this, two things occur.  First, reliving the past drags up painful memories that lead to the family airing their dirty laundry and confronting each other on long harbored resentments.  Second, Jennifer starts to believe she’s been poisoned.  As the end nears for her, she seeks the truth no matter how painful the outcome or what it might reveal about those closest to her.

Six Weeks To Live hooked me with two concepts.  First, it’s a sleuthing mystery wrapped up in family drama that contains enough uncertainty to keep you guessing until close to the end.  A twisting investigation filled with ambiguity, mixed with family issues that people can relate to make for a powerful combination.  Second, the book dives deep into mental illness and its impact on the individual as well as those around them.  Shedding light on the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking help for mental illness is a critical topic that helps us as a society to fight stigmas and make it more acceptable for people to seek treatment and address their overall wellbeing.

Beyond these hooks, Catherine McKenzie does a wonderful job of keeping the reader in suspense with escalating speculation towards determining the culprit.  You will change your mind multiple times before the big reveal and possibly start to question if your own actions could lead your family to plot your demise.  Conjecture, personalization, and a twisting mystery.  A great thriller combination! 

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Bone Rattle By Marc Cameron

I’m a big Marc Cameron fan.  Not because he lives in Alaska, is a retired Chief Deputy US Marshall, and can grow a Santa Claus-like winter beard.  Those things are cool, but the real reason is because he can write a hell of a thriller.  I mean, you don’t get picked to continue the iconic Tom Clancy Jack Ryan series and write four books (and counting?) otherwise.  So anytime Mr. Cameron publishes a book, you can expect a good, action-packed time.  Which is why any book he writes is an automatic must read.  Thankfully, this spring we get Bone Rattle, the third novel in the Arliss Cutter series.  Thriller fans, rejoice!

After reading the prior book in this series, Stone Cross, I learned I'm not man enough, or mean enough, to survive the Alaskan bush. Thankfully I didn’t have to relive that shame in Bone Rattle, a small and magnanimous mercy on behalf of Mr. Cameron.  However, this book made me question if I’m fearless enough to traverse the dark, damp, claustrophobic world of abandoned mines in search of an informant hiding away from a homicidal trio hellbent on protecting their criminal enterprise.  Spoiler Alert: I’m not.  Thanks a lot, again, Mr. Cameron for shining a light on my shortcomings :)

Thankfully, I’m safely tucked away in my home office and Deputy US Marshall Arliss Cutter is the one tasked with saving the day.  Which is a good thing if you want justice to prevail.  Like the Canadian Mounties, he always gets his man.  Although this time he faces more than he bargains for, having to dig (and swim) deep to stop the bad guys from getting away with literal murder.  

I’m a fan of Arliss Cutter.  He’s stoic, protective, and old school.  He doesn’t give a crap what others think of him and is driven by Grumpy’s Man-Rules, a kind of code and way of life his Grandfather passed down to him as a kid.  But behind his gruff exterior, he has depth of character.  He cares deeply for those around him and even shows a chivalrous streak from time to time.  He looks out for his late-brother’s widow, he teaches his nephews to cook and he guides and teaches to his more junior (and kick ass) partner with patience and respect.  Taken all together, Arliss Cutter is a character you root for no matter the situation.   

Fans of Marc Cameron will be pleased with this latest installment of the Arliss Cutter series.  Bone Rattle further develops the characters inside a compelling plot with plenty of action and mayhem.  It continues storylines on the home front with resolution not yet in the offering.  And it deftly opens the door on additional plotlines that are certain to show up in the next book or two.  Which is good news for thriller fans since that means we’re getting more Arliss Cutter novels.  And we can all use more Marc Cameron storytelling in our lives.

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Sooley By John Grisham

Sooley will soar into your heart like Michael Jordan taking off on a gravity-defying flight from the foul line towards the basket.  An underdog story that will make you stand up and cheer like you’re watching the actual NCAA March Madness tournament live on TV.

There are a ton of parallels between the characters and storylines in Sooley and real life events but referencing them would spoil the book.  So I won’t make comparisons or references to protect the reading experience.  What I will say is that basketball fans will easily connect with this story because it’ll remind them of players, teams and experiences from the past.  Which combined with John Grisham’s easy-to-read writing style and passion for the topic result in a book that feels more like historical non-fiction than straight fiction.

However, this book is about much more than basketball.  Grisham dives deep into poverty and armed conflicts between ethnic and political factions in Central Africa.  He paints painfully vivid pictures of desperation through the eyes of displaced and starving characters going through major trials of survival.  But despite the despair and heartbreak, there is hope of enduring to find a better life on the other side of tragedy.   

Sooley will tug at your heart strings, running you through a gamut of emotions. The late great former college basketball coach Jim Valvano said the following during his iconic 1993 ESPYS acceptance speech for the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award: “If you laugh, you think and you cry, that's a full day.” Well, Sooley will make you laugh, think and cry. That’s a full book.

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Judgment At Alcatraz By Dave Edlund

In Judgment at Alcatraz, Dave Edlund skillfully crafts a compelling and scary realistic story, mixing plot setup with ruthless action sequences and pulling it all together via excellent character development…all as a vehicle for social commentary on the reprehensible treatment of indigenous people in this country for hundreds of years.  Which makes this not only a strong thriller, but the perfect time for this book with the heightened awareness and public discourse on social issues for underrepresented populations.  Readers can expect to be entertained, educated, and forced to reckon with the reality of what indigenous communities face every day.

Sound too heavy for you?  Trust me, it’s not.  This book has strong Michael Bay’s The Rock vibes due to utilizing Alcatraz and poisonous materials as central components to the plot.  Though instead of renowned chemical weapons specialist Nicholas Cage fighting terrorists to save the day, we have Mossad-trained mercenary Danya Biton.  And I think I can speak for everyone when I say thank God for that!  I’ll take a badass Israeli female merc any day over Nick Cage.  Especially one with such a lethal skillset and a high moral standard/ethical code who won’t stop bringing the fight to the enemy.

Judgment at Alcatraz is suspenseful, brutal and enlightening. A book you need to read with an open heart and open mind. If you do, I promise you’ll be better off for the experience. Plus, it’s flat out a good thriller! Read it now and thank me later.

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A Gambling Man By David Baldacci

A thrilling and twisting tale of corruption, greed, and betrayal.  A Gambling Man is chock full of virile men, alluring women, fast cars and danger around every corner.  

Archer is back in A Gambling Man, the sequel to David Baldacci’s 2019 release One Good Deed.  After surviving the fatal events of Poca City, Archer heads west looking to apprentice as a private investigator and start a new life in California. Along the way, he hooks up with the fetching and cunning Liberty Callahan, and an exotic 1939 Delahaye automobile (look it up…it’s fantastic!).  Reaching Bay Town, they both settle into jobs that put them in the middle of a sinister conspiracy with murders occurring left and right.  No one is safe as influential and menacing men will stop at nothing to continue amassing fortune and power.

You don’t read A Gambling Man, you watch it.  The late-1940’s setting is so vivid that it feels like you’re sitting in a theater taking in a classic black and white movie with leading men like Cary Grant and Humphry Bogart and gorgeous women like Hedy Lamarr and Rita Hayworth.  You can effortlessly picture the characters, their clothes, their interactions, the locations and the action.  The story is dazzling in its visualization, seducing the reader like an irresistible siren song calling your name.

Beautifully written with rich descriptions, A Gambling Man is a great action thriller transported from 70 years in the past to today’s modern world for a nostalgic read that all generations will enjoy.

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The Last Thing To Burn By Will Dean

The Last Thing To Burn may be Will Dean’s American debut, but it certainly won’t be his last novel to enthrall thriller fans in the US.  This book is dark, haunting, and unbelievably disturbing.  But it’s also captivating, deeply intense, and impossible to put down with clear Misery by Stephen King vibes.  Naturally, I loved it!  

The story is told from Jane’s point of view.  Jane is a victim of human trafficking and has been held prisoner living on a secluded farm with her “husband” Lenn for seven years.  She’s expected to cook, clean and satisfy Lenn, meeting his specific standards for every task every single time.  And if she doesn’t, or if she even contemplates escaping for a millisecond, Lenn will take punitive spirit-breaking action.  

All the while, you’re living this anguishing existence with Jane and imploring her to find a way to escape.  Or for someone to notice what’s going on and call the police.  Or for her to rise up and kill her captor.  But as the book progresses, the situation gets more complicated and it’s clear no one will show up to save her.  Jane is a prisoner of body and mind, but she quietly and relentlessly resists with her entire soul.  Searching for a way to end this nightmare.  Seeking the courage and opportunity to take matters into her own hands.  Because if she can’t, she’ll be condemned to this living hell until her dying breath.  

While rooting like mad for Jane’s salvation, the reader pleads for a big truckload of karma to plow into Lenn and send him to the bowels of Hades.  Lenn is an unassuming but sick bastard with the biggest, most disturbing oedipal complex known to the literary world.  He’s condescending, completely devoid of human decency, and delusional into thinking this is a good life for he and his “wife.”  No fate is too horrible for this guy and you’ll wish you could reach through the pages and strangle Lenn yourself while screaming at Jane to run for her life.  But will he get his comeuppance?  

The Last Thing To Burn may not be a typical mass market big action thriller, but it carves out its own space as a strong, slow burning psychological thriller with several gut-wrenching twists.  The story builds and builds, gripping you early and gradually tightening it’s hold like a boa constrictor until you’re about to explode from the pressure.  But you can’t stop reading.  As if Jane’s destiny is connected to your ability to continue turning the pages.  And you cannot, will not let her down.

I highly recommend The Last Thing To Burn.  It’s demented, suspenseful and will stick with you long after you finish the book.  It has all the hallmarks of a good psychological thriller.  I believe it’ll be a hit with fans of the genre and Will Dean will be an author to be reckoned with going forward.   

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The Devil's Hand By Jack Carr

James Reece is back with a vengeance in The Devil’s Hand, the fourth book in the blockbuster thriller series from former Navy SEAL turned bestselling author Jack Carr.  Jack delivers yet another action-packed race against time thriller that hits close to home, leaving readers holding their breath until the dramatic and climactic conclusion.   

The Devil’s Hand is a return to the winning revenge-seeking formula from Jack’s debut novel The Terminal List.  However, this time it’s not personal for Reece.  He’s the lethal point of the spear being deployed at the behest of the newly elected President of the United States of America, who seeks to avenge the untimely and unjust death of his fiancée on 9/11.  Meanwhile, a terrorist plot unfolds that threatens to murder tens of millions of Americans unless the President authorizes an unthinkable last resort option to contain a deadly virus.  The only hope for the country to avoid further catastrophic loss of life is Reece coming through in the clutch – again – to save the day.

This book is everything you expect from Jack Carr – heart-pounding action sequences, brutal violence, game-changing twists, and annoying politicians you want to punch right in the face hole.  It also goes without saying that not only is The Devil’s Hand well written, it is incredibly well researched.  The meticulous level of detail throughout the book adds to the reading experience by painting a strong visual of the scenes, characters, and objects.  It’s Clancy-esque and continues to be Jack’s calling card, one fans are intimately familiar with since he burst onto the scene in 2018.  

While The Devil’s Hand kicks ass, I will confess that partisan politics and killer viruses are not topics I’m particularly interested in reading at this moment in time.  These subjects obviously add a great deal of realism to the plot, which propels sections of the book into the realm of historical fiction rather than straight thriller from cover to cover.  However, I’m over both topics after living through this past challenging year dominated by Covid-19 and an exceedingly divisive presidential election.  Understand, this is a personal preference and I expect it won’t bother 99% of the readers who pick up a copy of this novel.  And it shouldn’t.  This book is essential reading for thriller fans, worthy of topping bestseller lists, and continues Jack’s hot streak of triumphant storytelling.

Jack Carr continues to throw 100 MPH heat and The Devil’s Hand cements his status as one of the top action thriller writers in the genre today. The thoughtful approach to his craft is apparent on each page of this novel and it’s sure to please newcomers just discovering Jack as well as his most ardent fans. Can’t wait to see where this series goes next!

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The Bounty By Janet Evanovich

Believe it or not, The Bounty is my first Janet Evanovich book.  No, I haven’t been living in a cave.  Truth be told, I have no legitimate excuse.  I’m just extremely late to the party.  And I feel shame.  But when I saw Steve Hamilton was co-authoring this book, I decided now was the time to get my head out of my ass and pick up what I expected would be a well-written, entertaining story.  And I was not disappointed.

First, let’s be clear on one thing.  This book is not a hard-core action thriller, a suspenseful psychological thriller or even a twist-filled political thriller.  What is it?  The Bounty is just unadulterated fun.  It’s pleasurable and playful, amusing and enjoyable.  It’s a combination of National Treasure and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade wrapped inside The Amazing Race.  Except instead of racing against teams of normal people for a chance to win the $1 Million prize at the end of the journey, you’re competing against terrorists and Nazis to see who will be the first to uncover $30 Billion (400 tons) of hidden/stolen Nazi gold.  If that’s not the makings of a compelling story, then I don’t know what is.

The Bounty is the seventh book in the Fox and O’Hare series, but as I mentioned this is my first Evanovich book so I’m curious how long-time fans will receive it.  As a standalone, it works well enough.  I never felt like I was missing out on insider knowledge gained from previous books.  Although there’s obviously a past between Nick Fox and Kate O’Hare, but it isn’t that difficult to figure out and the book does a good job of providing basic backstory information.  My intuition tells me that people who have read the prior six books in the series will derive even more enjoyment from this book because they’ll hold more insight into the characters paths to this point.  But if you haven’t read the prior installments, don’t let that keep you from reading this exciting, somewhat cheesy Hollywood-like thriller that will put a smile on your face.

Additionally, The Bounty provided an evil henchman that has rocketed up the rankings of my favorite thriller bad guy sidekicks.  His name is Franz and he’s a mountain of a man with the resilience of The Terminator.  And because his name is Franz, I can’t help but picture an Andre the Giant-sized, musclebound Kevin Nealon in gray sweats with a bad German accent.  Sorry not sorry for putting that image in your head.  But regardless of how you picture him, Franz is a terrific side character and adds a fascinating aspect to this book.

All told, The Bounty is a great choice if you're looking for an alternative to dark thrillers.  It’s a spirited and delightful book.  A palate cleanser for gritty, emotionally draining, heavy stories.  Guaranteed to provide plenty of excitement and intrigue, leaving you satisfied as you close the back cover.  Pick up a copy, get your popcorn ready, cozy up in your favorite reading spot and enjoy.

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Her Dark Lies By J.T. Ellison

Her Dark Lies by JT Ellison is a page-turning thriller about a fairytale wedding shrouded in dark mystery and sinister secrets.  Claire Hunter, an artist from Nashville, is about to marry Jack Compton, the rich and philanthropic man of her dreams.  However, as they arrive on Jack’s family villa on an Italian island for the wedding week that has been so meticulously planned, everything seems to go wrong.  Blackmail attempts arrive, old bones surface, wedding preparations are sabotaged, and several people end up dead.  What could be the force behind all this evil?  Turns out everyone has a past they’d rather keep buried…including the circumstances behind Jack’s first wife’s demise.

I’m a big fan of JT Ellison’s work.  Her last book, Good Girls Lie, led me to tweet at her “Yes I'm a 40+ male w/2 sons, but I am man enough to admit I loved a book about diabolical teenage girls in a boarding school.”  This is representative of her talented writing ability.  Her books typically focus on female characters and/or romantic relationships that are more than they seem.  As a fan of gritty action-packed thrillers, you wouldn’t expect me to engross myself in the worlds that JT Ellison creates.  Yet I pick up every one of her new releases and find myself fascinated by the cunning characters and the twisting plots.  I’m a big fan of compelling, character-driven stories and JT delivers in this regard with every book she publishes.

Her Dark Lies is no different.  Despite early indications on who is likely behind the plot to destroy Claire and Jack’s wedding/lives, the book keeps you guessing what will happen next and who’s in on it because every single character has a surreptitious past.  As the secrets come out one by one, it keeps the reader riveted while simultaneously adding depth to each character.  It also makes you wonder what you would do in Claire’s position.  Do you keep going?  Do the ends justify the means?  Or is it time to cut bait and run far away?

All told, Her Dark Lies is another thrilling Hollywood-esque story of love, deception, money, and revenge. A tale as old as time, but with a fresh take from the skilled pen of JT Ellison.

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The Beirut Protocol By Joel Rosenberg

The Beirut Protocol is the 4th book in the Marcus Ryker series by Joel C. Rosenberg, which is noteworthy since he’s known for writing several trilogies in the past.  Departing from this successful formula represents a risk, but one in which we need to give Mr. Rosenberg the benefit of the doubt given his tremendous track record for churning out hit after hit.

The Beirut Protocol kicks off with a massive firefight on the Israeli border with Lebanon, resulting in US State Department Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Agents Marcus Ryker and Kailea Curtis, along with Yigal Mizrachi of IDF Intelligence, being taken hostage by an elite unit of Hezbollah militants.  The story then revolves around the trio’s harsh captivity and fight for survival, the US and Israel’s desperate attempt to rescue them, and a global terrorism organization’s plot to destabilize the Middle Eastern peace process.  It’s violent, raw and brutal, but all in the name of advancing the plot and in no way gratuitous.  All of this adds to a story that’s about Marcus trying to save himself and his colleagues more so than about saving the world, although there’s a healthy dose of that as well.  But the focus on Marcus is the compelling part of this book, giving the reader a deeper look into Marcus’ character and spirituality which adds to the overall development of this series.

I’m a big fan of Joel C. Rosenberg’s work.  He’s a fantastic writer and master storyteller.  His deep expertise of Middle Eastern politics leads to incredibly realistic and frightening storylines that we all hope and pray don’t come true.  However, in all honesty The Beirut Protocol isn’t one of his best books.  It’s an entertaining and worthy thriller, but it had potential to be more and didn’t quite get there for two reasons.  First, while we see Ryker’s vulnerability throughout his hostage situation, he seems to bounce back rather quickly once he’s rescued.  While I’m all for the bad-assery of agents and operators, I didn’t buy that he would recover that quickly physically or emotionally.  I’d rather see his continued vulnerability and letting others finish the fight against the bad guys.  Second, while Ryker’s progression as a character is well done, it’s almost the singular focus of character development in the novel.  I would have loved to go deeper into Kailea Curtis’s mentality throughout the ordeal to build a stronger emotional connection with her.  I also wanted to learn more about Yigal Mizrachi.  He’s a pivotal person in the plot, but we don’t learn that much about him.  Not exploring these characters more represents missed opportunities that would have enhanced the story and taken it to the next level.  

Despite my concerns and possible unrealistically high expectations for every Joel C. Rosenberg book, The Beirut Protocol is still a solid entry into the Marcus Ryker series. I’ll be interested to see if the series continues or if the author goes back to writing trilogies.  The ending of this book was clean and events were nicely wrapped up, offering up unlimited possibilities going forward.  Which is exciting as a thriller fan.  No matter what, count me in for the next book by Mr. Rosenberg.  He’s a tremendous writer that I will automatically read whenever he releases a new book.

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The Outside Man By Don Bentley

The Outside Man is the much-anticipated sequel to Don Bentley’s superb debut action novel, Without Sanction, and a must read in 2021! This book is an all gas, no breaks, high octane thriller with a “Ludicrous Speed” pace like a bat out of hell. It unapologetically propels the reader forward from one insane action sequence to the next if for no other reason than to see if Matt Drake can survive, let alone save the day. Do yourself a favor and set aside March 2, 2021 to dive into this book and get lost in the thrilling adventure.

The Outside Man picks up with Matt Drake on a “leave of absence” about a year after the trials and tribulations he endured in Without Sanction. He’s working through some stuff, licking his proverbial wounds and trying to figure out what to do with his life when someone tries to assassinate him on the streets of Austin, TX. This pulls Matt back into the DIA and sets of a chain of events that compels him to attempt saving a sex trafficking victim in the Middle East while simultaneously trying to take out those who would do him harm. As the operation unfolds, Matt comes face to face with The Devil, the leader of an evil terror conglomerate, who previously condemned Matt to death only for him to escape. Now The Devil wants to finish the job, but first tries to use Matt to take care of a little business for him, compelling him to comply through nefarious means. Will Matt Drake’s resourcefulness and indefatigable drive lead to a successful mission outcome? You’ll just have to read to find out.

Beyond the gritty action, and there is plenty of it, this book does a great job of introducing emotional plot twists at key inflection points. This gives the reader a reason to not only root for the good guys to win, but permission to root for them to annihilate every bad guy in their path without mercy. Simply put, it gives the reader “the feels”, something you don’t normally expect from a military/spy thriller that features a deadly, sarcastic protagonist who gets blown up more times than a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloon.

On that last point I will call out that, in my opinion, this book leaves reality in the rear-view mirror at some point and the reader needs to suspend disbelief to truly appreciate the book. But who gives a damn when the ride is insanely fun? Just strap in, hold on tight and enjoy the ride! Trust me, The Outside Man kicks ass and will be a crowd pleaser for sure.

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Dark Sky By C.J. Box

Every year I have early-March circled on my reading calendar for one specific reason – Joe Pickett returns!  It’s an interminable annual wait, impatiently anticipating the next adventure for Joe, Nate, Marybeth, and the whole Pickett family.  Because when that book is finally in your hands, it’s like catching up with old friends you dearly love, picking up right where you left off like no time has passed at all.  Maybe you don’t get to see them as often as you prefer, but like a great friendship, time and distance can’t break the emotional bond you have built over the years.

That might sound silly or sappy to some, but it’s absolutely 100% true.  And therein lies the brilliance of CJ Box.  He has created characters and storylines that connect to readers on a deep level.  Look no further than myself as exhibit A.  I’m a city slicker through and through.  I have never been hunting and never went camping growing up.  I’ve been to Wyoming only once in my life and it was just this past summer (side note:  it was a magical camping trip to Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons. Highly recommend!).  By all accounts, I never should have picked up a book about a Wyoming game warden.  But I have.  All 20 of them.  As a result, it’s not hyperbole to say the Joe Pickett Series is an all-time favorite and one of the most anticipated books each year that I can’t wait to read.

Dark Sky is another splendid Joe Pickett adventure that I hungrily devoured in one sitting.   This time out, Joe is guiding a tech mogul on an elk hunt that goes sideways when a family of local outfitters seek revenge for the devastation social media has brought upon their family.  Joe must use every piece of knowledge of the area and every tool in his proverbial toolkit to outwit and outlast the determined opponent, saving himself and his charge from certain death.  

In addition, others from Joe’s crew feature prominently in the book.  Nate is on the warpath against an outlaw falconer who’s encroaching on his territory and his moral code.  Sheridan, who is apprenticing with Nate, plays a prominent role that shows her growth into a fearless young woman who can hold her own.  And Marybeth is her unstoppable brains-of-the-operation self, working behind the scenes to make things happen.  For long term fans of the series, Dark Sky is incredibly satisfying.  

Oh…and the ending leaves us with the possibility of a killer Nate Romanowski revenge book.  I really hope that happens, though I guess it’s possible that by next year Nate has resolved that storyline and we only hear about it via flashbacks. Regardless, it’s a cruel but exciting tactic by CJ Box that will simultaneously heighten reader’s anticipation for next year’s book while making the incessant wait feel even longer.  Well played Mr. Box.

Once again, CJ Box has provided a masterclass in storytelling and character development.  Dark Sky is a phenomenal book, guaranteed to be enjoyed by long-time fans and newcomers alike.  If you don’t listen to anything else I say, trust me on this one and immerse yourself into the Joe Pickett series immediately.   You can thank me later.

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Win By Harlan Coben

Win is a highly entertaining and suspenseful thriller that’s chock full of surprises.  #1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben, he of over 30 published mysteries/thrillers and exec producer of his own original Netflix series, proves once again why he’s one of the most bankable authors in the genre today.

Win is the story of the past coming back with a vengeance and connecting the dots between different events.  I won’t share the details as to keep from spoiling the plot twists, but rest assured it includes kidnapping, theft, domestic terrorism, ass kicking, sex and more.  Wrap that together with a case that is personal to the main character and you have a recipe for an engaging and captivating story.

Windsor Horne Lockwood III, aka Win, is a fascinating character.  He’s not new to Harlan Coben fans, as he has appeared in the Myron Bolitar series.  But this is the first time he’s the featured character, so let’s get to know him a bit better.  He’s a combo of Bruce Wayne’s money and means with Reacher’s mentality and toughness.  A rich asshole with a moral code, pursuing vigilante justice with the knowledge that his wealth will keep him out of prison. Loyal to his friends and family but abhors romantic attachments, eschewing relationships for casual sex with uber-affluent women.  Persistently seeking answers despite the danger, leveraging his arrogance and the best training money can buy to emerge victorious and in one piece.  A complex individual who you root for but feel a bit dirty doing so because of his tendency to be a dick.  In other words, a man that readers will have a love/hate relationship with.

You don’t need me to tell you Harlan Coben is a great writer and that you should read his books. 75M+ books in print do that for me. However, I can and will reaffirm that Coben is a must read and that Win is the latest in a long string of fantastic thriller novels guaranteed to appeal to anyone who likes a good mystery.

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Crimson Phoenix By John Gilstrap

John Gilstrap is probably best known for his Jonathan Grave series, having published thirteen books in the action-packed series with number fourteen, Stealth Attack, coming out this June.  But after a trip to the Greenbrier Resort that included a tour of a decommissioned US Government Relocation Facility (aka bunker), he had an idea for a new series.  Thus, Crimson Phoenix was born.

Crimson Phoenix kicks off with a nuclear blast.  Literally.  Global thermonuclear war commences, leaving the United States reeling in the aftermath of the attack.  It’s an Armageddon scenario – cities destroyed in a blink of an eye, continuity of government in question, electronic devices rendered useless and digital communications impossible.

In the buildup, members of Congress and their Chiefs of Staff are whisked away to their designated bunker to ride out the attack.  Victoria Emerson, a congresswoman from West Virginia, upon arrival at the facility is told she cannot bring in her children. She resigns on the spot and makes a go of things on her own…with some help from two military men assigned to protect her.

At this point, three storylines emerge:

1. Victoria and her crew’s survival and attempt to restore order.

2. Adam Emerson’s journey to reunite with his family (Adam is Victoria’s eldest son).

3. Congress seeking information from the outside world and attempting to govern from a bunker.

Overall, Crimson Phoenix offers an intriguing thought exercise. Can you find order from chaos and lawlessness?  What does it take to be a leader in the most trying times?  Do you have the stomach to make unbearable decisions that have direct correlation and possible causation of life and death?  How do you figure out what’s moral in an unimaginably horrible new normal?  And who gets to make those calls?  Tough questions to answer, but ones that are essential to having a civilized society again in the future.

Victoria Emerson is the main conduit to these questions.  Victoria is a strong female character with a solid moral compass and a desire to do good for others.  She’s put to the test multiple times and the reader won’t always agree with her approach or the results, but her leadership shines through and gives other people hope.  It will be interesting to watch her development, and that of the other main characters, as the series progresses.

While I liked the book, the parts about Congress bordered on being too political for my taste.  However, it’s reflective of today’s political climate and does seem integral to the storyline, rather than a statement of the author’s political views.  As such, it didn’t turn me off but it’s something to watch as the series progresses. 

Crimson Phoenix is the start of a new series to keep an eye on.  John Gilstrap is guaranteed to deliver action-packed, well-written books that don’t hold back. And with plenty of open questions that provide multiple avenues and plotlines going forward, the possibilities are endless for this series.

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Relentless By Mark Greaney

If you had to choose just one word to describe Courtland Gentry, aka The Gray Man, what would it be?  Several words that come to mind include lethal, indefatigable, extraordinary, invincible, formidable and crazy.  But maybe the best word to describe Gentry is Relentless, the title of the 10th publication in the Gray Man series by the equally relentless Mark Greaney, who continues to churn out top notch thrillers year after year.

Relentless takes the reader around the world, from the US to Venezuela to Germany and the UAE.  Gentry is still recovering from wounds sustained on his last mission when he’s forced into action on what appears to be a “simple” mission to gather intelligence from a rogue former-NSA agent.  However, as you might expect, things are much more complicated than they seem.  Gentry, along with fellow Poison Apple assets Zoya Zakharova and Zack Hightower, must unravel and thwart a dangerous false flag operation that promises to bring chaos and destruction to US concerns in an effort to start a war that would reshape the Middle East’s power structure. 

It’s cliché to say that an author’s latest book is their best yet, but if Relentless isn’t Mark Greaney’s best book to date it’s damn close. It has all the usual hallmarks of a Gray Man thriller – fast paced, packed with action from start to finish, impossible odds and dire consequences.  It also has realistic, complex geopolitical motivations and implications that show previous allies can always turn into future foes.  But what really makes this book awesome is Gentry’s vulnerability.  I’m not sure we’ve seen his health this fragile before, which combined with multiple lethal operators coming at him throughout the book makes him quite susceptible to mission failure and possible, seemingly certain, death.  However, he’s still the Gray Man.  And half a Gray Man, especially with a little help from his friends, is still better than almost anyone else in the world.  

This book is good. Really good. Ridiculously good. If I had to choose one word to describe how good Relentless is, it’d have to be something like incredible, marvelous, wonderful, outstanding, awesomesauce or amazeballs. So yeah, you could say I loved this book. In summary, this book is a world class thriller and a must read for all fans of the genre.

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The Unwilling By John Hart

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

The Unwilling by John Hart is a beautifully dark coming of age story with complex characters and a fast-paced plot.  Set during the Vietnam War in North Carolina, we meet Gibby French, a high school senior living a sheltered life under the controlling hand of his mother who’s afraid he’ll follow in the footsteps of his older brothers – one of whom is revered for making the ultimate sacrifice in the war and the other who is reviled for going to prison after returning from the war.  When Gibby’s brother Jason shows up fresh out of jail wanting to hang out, Gibby’s life is turned upside down with new experiences both beautiful and hazardous that will irrevocably change his life forever.   

There’s just something about The Unwilling that is captivating.  Most people haven’t faced situations in this book like going to war, doing time in prison or being in life-or-death situations.  However, everyone can relate to trying to find themselves and becoming their own person.  And that’s what’s at the heart of this book.  It’s about growing up and forging your own path based on emerging personal values.  It’s about not giving up on some while letting go of others.  It’s about finding redemption and not taking things, and people, at face value.  And it’s about courageously doing the right thing even when it’s hard.

The Unwilling is a fascinating, suspenseful, soul searching crime thriller with profound heart and savage violence. It will leave a mark and burrow into your psyche. Setting up shop and refusing to leave. Leaving indelible memories of an intricate story that won’t soon be forgotten.

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Good Neighbors By Sarah Langan

Good Neighbors is the ‘burbs gone wild in this dark, disturbing story that could be a glimpse into our not too distant future.  Climate change is taking hold and sinkholes are opening across the country.  However, in this one neighborhood in suburban Long Island, the sinkhole in their park is only the beginning of the mayhem befallen the 72 residents of Maple Street. 

The trouble starts innocently enough with what seems to be a minor tiff between friends Rhea Schroeder and Gertie Wilde.  But then events quickly get out of control, forcing neighbors to take sides and turn on one another, which leads to a child disappearing, accusations of pedophilia and physical abuse, and multiple murders.  

Good Neighbors is intriguing and thought provoking, but it also made me really angry at times.  The reader watches the adult characters continue to get sucked in by the alpha personality with an agenda, resulting in further escalation when it seems clear they are in the wrong. And worse, they drag the kids into the fray in a despicable way, forcing the kids to abandon their natural sense of right versus wrong to appease their parents' misguided search for justice.  All told, it’s a case study in mob mentality and getting so caught up in hysteria that facts, human decency, and the benefit of the doubt are no longer considered reasonable concepts.  

It’s a heavy book.  Climate change, mob mentality, the lost innocence of children, murder…and I haven’t even mentioned the mental illness portion of the story.  Let’s just say Good Neighbors is not for the faint at heart.  If you have the stomach for dark and twisted domestic thrillers, this book is right in your wheelhouse.  But if not, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

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Prodigal Son By Gregg Hurwitz

I'm a huge Orphan X fan and was thrilled to receive an ARC of Prodigal Son. Evan Smoak has evolved over the last few books, from Orphan X to the Nowhere Man to someone who's trying to find peace and a shot at a normal life. So I was curious to see what Gregg Hurwitz had in store for this sixth installment of the series. Would Evan Smoak continue his evolution? Would he be able to leave the Nowhere Man behind? Well, Prodigal Son answers answers these questions and more, in what I consider the best Orphan X book yet. Considering the previous five installments, this is no small feat.

Prodigal Son's plot revolves around Evan being asked to help Andrew Duran, a down on his luck impound lot guard who's trying to better himself in order to prove his worth to his daughter and ex-wife. Unfortunately for Andrew, he finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and subsequently has a psychotic/telepathic brother & sister assassination team hunting him. Evan is compelled to protect Andrew by someone claiming to be his long lost mother. As Evan grapples with his past, he gets pulled into a dangerous world of emerging killer AI technology developed by a supervillain I visualize as an evil Bill Gates. Not willing to give up for several reasons, Evan has to rely on every skill and resource at his disposal to save the day, but this time the fight might be too much for even Orphan X to survive.

There's a lot to love about Prodigal Son. The writing is superb and the action sequences are world-class. However, for me the book is elevated by the continued development of Evan Smoak as a character. Interspersed flashbacks to Evan's time in the Pride House Group Home orphanage give us insight into the trials he endured and how he outwitted and outlasted the others, including his long-time nemesis Charles Van Scriver, to be chosen for what Evan later learns is the Orphan X program. These glimpses of Evan's history are juxtaposed with current day events as he grapples with his current relationships, mainly with Joey and Mia, as well as his family history. Over the last couple of books in the series, we started to see Evan's conscious emerge and in this book it takes a quantum leap forward as he becomes more human and less Orphan X. But this book isn't all about Evan getting in touch with his feelings. The plot is intricate and action packed, we're introduced to several great characters on both sides of the good vs. bad equation and we learn about scary-as-hell cutting edge technology that you have to read to believe...and hope is pure fiction for the sake of humanity.

This book has it all - sarcasm, character development, twists and turns, strong action sequences, new technology, suspense and much more. Oh, one more thing...the ending will leave you breathless and dying to find out what happens next.

Pick up a copy of Prodigal Son, you will not be disappointed. And if you haven't ready any of the other books in the series, I highly recommend you start now because you're missing out on one of the premier series in the thriller genre. For fans of Mark Greaney, Brad Taylor and Simon Gervias, The Orphan X series is an absolute must read.

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The Breaker By Nick Petrie

Nick Petrie’s The Breaker is the sixth installment of the acclaimed Peter Ash series, one of my favorite characters and series in the thriller genre today.  It’s a tremendous character-driven, cerebral, realistic action techno-thriller that I devoured in no time.  

The Breaker features frightening realistic technology with major societal implications, both with potential positive – assisting those who are not able bodied or providing health services in remote areas – and negative – prosecuting wars or automating jobs that put people out of work – functionality.  But in the world we live in today, I’m more concerned this kind of tech would be exploited for nefarious means rather than applied for the good of humanity.  Which all goes to say that Nick Petrie delivered an entertaining thriller that forces the reader to contemplate the ethics and practical applications of emerging technology.  Just because we have the means to create and deploy new tech doesn’t mean we always should.  If we’re not careful, we just might end up with Skynet or living in The Matrix.  

“But I don’t read Thrillers to pontificate about the intersection of morality, technology and humanity, I just want to be entertained, you buffoon,” you say.  Ok fine.  I hear that.  So, let me assuage your concerns and tell you The Breaker is suspenseful, action packed and kicks serious ass.  Peter Ash continues to work through his “white static” PTSD symptoms while trying to build a life with June Cassidy. However, as Peter is want to do, he gets entangled in an intriguing and hazardous situation right from the start as he spies a potential live shooter situation in the Milwaukee Public Market.  He ropes Lewis into the fray, though as usual Lewis is more than a willing participant, as they try to unravel the mystery before them while facing growing peril at the hands of the aforementioned tech.  However, as I’ve heard Nick Petrie mention during his virtual book tour, this book is more about June.  Her investigative reporting into the incident at the market and beyond is the catalyst for the action throughout the book.  We get to learn more about who she is, how she thinks and the emotions she feels as the story unfolds.

Having June and Lewis front and center in The Breaker makes this book incredibly enjoyable.  They are perhaps my two favorite supporting characters in the genre, and I missed them terribly in Nick Petrie’s prior Peter Ash novel, The Wild One (which is also a fantastic book).  Having them back in the fold and leading the charge alongside Peter added joy to the reading experience.  However, the great characters don’t end with the big three.  Nick Petrie is an expert at creating and developing amazing characters and he delivers in a big way once again.  Like Fran Anderson, a 98-year old neighbor who relies on Peter to help her around the house and does things like unflinchingly patch up gunshot wounds and casually drop that her husband was an outlaw.  Or Edgar, a smiling, polite lunatic who would make the most psychotic James Bond evil henchman ever. And then there’s the return of Mingus, everyone’s favorite mangy mutt who’s a very good boy and man’s best friend.  Those are just a few examples and I didn’t even talk about the main villain.  You’ll just have to read the book to learn about the other fantastic characters.

I highly recommend getting a copy of The Breaker and if you haven’t read any of the books in the Peter Ash series, you’re missing out and I urge you to start as soon as possible.  I promise you, once you start reading this series you’ll be hooked.  The series is simply fantastic and should be on the NYT bestseller list every single year.  Nick Petrie is a hell of a great writer and storyteller whose books should be on every thriller fan’s must-read list.  

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