The Handler By M.P. Woodward

Brilliantly crafted with precision, realism and anxiety-inducing tension, The Handler is one of the most exquisite and intricate spy novels I have ever read.  A smashing debut of epic proportions by M.P. Woodward that currently sits as the leader in the clubhouse for best debut novel of 2022.  

Iran’s nuclear program is in full swing and rapidly progressing towards achieving weapons-grade enriched uranium, but their progress is being sabotaged by a CIA mole who wants to keep his nation from becoming a nuclear power.  However, after suffering a personal tragedy the mole now wants out.  Meanwhile, the Russians enter the picture to help the Iranians accelerate their nuclear capabilities and now the level of danger increases significantly for the mole, necessitating a daring and treacherous extraction attempt.  Only there’s a catch.  The mole will only trust his old handler, John Dale, to communicate with and commence an exfiltration plan they hatched years ago.  But John left the CIA under a cloud of suspicion a while back and has no desire to re engage with an agency that doesn’t trust him.  The CIA recognizes the dire implications of a nuclear Iran and will do anything to bring Dale back into the fold to secure their Iranian asset.  So, they force Dale’s ex-wife and current CIA agent, Meredith Morris-Dale, to bring Dale in to save the day.  Which kicks off a deadly cat-and-mouse game between the Americans, the Iranians and the Russians with nothing short of catastrophic consequences hanging over the world like a guillotine poised to drop on its victim.   

It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that M.P. Woodward spent years honing this story.  Because every character, action sequence, piece of tradecraft, and plot twist in The Handler are done with extreme care and purpose to ensure it fits the narrative of the story and the nature of each character.  Every detail seamlessly comes together with intention to play a part in the bigger picture.  There’s no wasted movement.  No superfluous actions.  Not a single hair is out of place.  The result is a near flawless, wonderfully written novel that sucks you in early, keeps you emotionally invested throughout, and sticks with you after completion.  Hallmarks of a great novel!

It’s obvious that M.P. Woodward’s experience in the intelligence and entertainment fields uniquely position him to be a successful thriller author.  But just because someone has the background doesn’t mean they will automatically execute.  Thankfully for thriller fans, M.P. Woodward has the goods and delivers big time with The Handler.  It will be exciting to see what he has in store for us next.  And with the way this book ended, there seems to be room for a sequel.  If that’s indeed in the cards, sign me up right now to be first in line to pick up a copy.  

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In The Blood By Jack Carr

Call Jack Carr the mailman because he always delivers and this time he brings the heat with deadly games of deception, danger and death.  In The Blood is a killer thriller that just won’t quit coming at you with non-stop action that will leave readers needing a cigarette upon completion.  

James Reece is back and it seems everyone is out to kill him.  After a commercial flight is blown out of the sky in Africa, Reece learns an old acquaintance was on that plane and he feels the urge to find those responsible and do to them what he does best.  Namely send them to meet their maker.  Additionally, he’s still on the hunt for the sniper that took out his friend Freddy Strain and fulfill a promise he made to Freddy’s widow.  As he searches for answers and the people he wants to kill, wave after wave of would-be assassins come after Reece, requiring him to use his unique set of skills to survive and continue his own hunt while trying to figure out who’s trying to take him out.  And it’ll take all the cunning, resilience and capabilities he possesses, in addition to some help from a few friends along the way, for Reece to emerge from the battlefield victorious once again.

In The Blood contains a multi-layered plot that propels the book forward with speed and purpose that seamlessly comes together in the end like a bullet from a sniper rifle tearing through the air towards its intended target.  It has intrigue, copious amounts of action, and twists galore.  In fact, there’s one scene that reminds me of the battle of wits from The Princess Bride, but with guns and co-conspirators instead of a mano a mano duel to the death using poisoned wine.  It’s an impressive chess match with each person thinking multiple steps ahead until one outwits and outlasts the other.  

Additionally, past, present and future collide with a bang in this novel.  Representing the past is a connection from Reece’s time in Iraq as a SEAL and increased insight into Reece’s father’s activities before his death.  The present is Reece’s deadly cat-and-mouse game with another sniper and surviving the onslaught of assassins sent by those who want to keep old secrets buried.  And the future comes into play with innovative AI technology and the looming possibility of Reece settling down with Katie to build a life away from the danger he’s known for so long.  Each one of these storylines could make a compelling book on its own, but they work incredibly well together to form an interwoven tale that doesn’t let up for a second.

Kudos to Jack Carr for crafting an outstanding thriller that attempts to simultaneously tie up unfinished business, move the ball forward on continuing storylines and set up numerous possibilities for future stories.  It all comes together brilliantly in a novel that’s the best in the James Reece universe since The Terminal List.  Given the high level of the other books in the series, that should tell you this one is exceptionally good.  Don’t miss it.

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The Island by Adrian McKinty

A combination of Deliverance and Survivor set in Australia, The Island is a brilliantly deranged tale of fear, family and persistent resistance.  Adrian McKinty has delivered another psychological thriller that puts parents in impossibly terrifying situations to see how they would react when the lives of their young children hang in the balance.  

Tom is a renowned surgeon who’s invited to speak at a medical conference in Australia and decides to bring his kids and new wife Heather along for a family vacation, hoping quality time together will help the kids warm up to his second wife after the tragic death of their mother.  During their travels before his big keynote speech, they take what’s supposed to be a quick sightseeing trip to secretive Dutch Island, only to end up in the middle of a heartbreaking accident.  Finding themselves trapped and at the mercy of a secluded, closely-knit local family, they must first bargain for then fight for their lives in an unfamiliar and harsh land.  Despite incredibly long odds and step-children who don’t trust her, Heather must summon the courage, cunning and survivalist skills necessary to outwit, outplay and outlast those who will stop at nothing to keep her from ever leaving The Island.

As a big fan of Adrian McKinty’s last book, The Chain, I was eagerly awaiting this hotly anticipated novel.  And it didn’t disappoint.  In fact, it’s another banger of a thriller.  An exhilarating and dire “us vs. them” scenario with seemingly no way out but through the danger.  The skills that Heather must bring to bear against the island’s inhabitants are impressive, showing that individuals are capable of great feats when their backs are up against the wall.  And the family she is battling…oh boy!  They are unscrupulous, mysterious and possibly inbred. Definitely gave me flashbacks to the movie Deliverance.  All that was missing was the banjo.  

The Island is a fast-paced, fucked-up novel for fans of suspense, horror and witnessing people out of their element adapt and overcome the odds. Adrian McKinty has a second straight hit on his hands and thriller fans are the great beneficiaries.

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The Murder Rule By Dervla McTiernan

A fast-paced novel filled with righteousness, duplicity and seismic twists, The Murder Rule is a killer thriller that begs to be consumed in one sitting.  Dervla McTiernan has produced an absorbing, unputdownable legal and psychological thriller that compels you to keep reading in pursuit of the truth.

Hannah Rokeby is a 3rd year law student who transfers from the University of Maine to the University of Virginia in order to volunteer for the Innocence Project, an organization run by noted Professor Robert Parekh, with the objective to exonerate falsely convicted and imprisoned individuals.  Hannah is drawn to the high-profile case of Michael Dandridge, a man convicted on suspect evidence of raping and murdering a young mother eleven years ago.  The team assigned to this case is full, but Hannah is motivated and not above trickery and deception to worm her way into the inner circle.  Is she just that motivated to help save this innocent man from death row?  Not quite.  Her objective is more sinister.  She wants to sabotage the case to make sure he doesn’t get out.

This story is a wonderful concept for a novel.  It’s based in the reality that our justice system is flawed and sometimes incarcerates innocent people, requiring organizations like Bryan Stevenson’s Equal Justice Initiative to challenge the system and win freedom for the falsely convicted.  It then adds in the juxtaposition of the idealism found in some college students with dreams of changing the world against the pragmatism and school of hard knocks that shapes the worldview of others.  Next, it incorporates how the rich and powerful get to play by a different set of rules versus the poor and downtrodden.  Lastly, it shows how important it is to keep an open mind to not allow confirmation bias to give you tunnel vision towards a singular outcome; that it’s critical to consider all available alternatives and explanations.  So while this is a work of fiction, it is grounded in storylines and concepts that we experience in the real world.  Resulting in The Murder Rule being more than a thriller – it’s an authentic mirror held up to reflect our society.

This may have been my first Dervla McTiernan novel, but it certainly won’t be my last.  Well-written with incredible pacing and compelling characters, The Murder Rule captured my full attention early and never let go.  Now I hope and wish for this book to kick off a new series, because it has massive potential with an unlimited number of miscarriages of justice storylines for a captivating protagonist like Hanna Rokeby to pursue.

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Hostile Intent By Don Bentley

Sarcastic, rambunctious and flirtatious, Don Bentley’s Hostile Intent is a treacherous romp across Europe with Matt Drake and Frodo winning friends and influencing people everywhere they go.  Or maybe not exactly that.  But they do link up with others.  Some of whom they join forces with.  Others who want them dead.  But in the end, it’s all about the friendships they make along the way.  Ok, not really.  Hopefully, there will be time for forging bonds with new acquaintances later.  But first, Matt and Frodo must find a way to survive a multi-pronged onslaught while saving the world from total annihilation.  Dodging copious amounts of lethal ammunition headed in their direction as if they are lead magnets.  Simple, right?  As anyone who has read this series knows, nothing is ever simple when Matt “Danger” Drake is involved (side note: if Danger isn’t his middle name, it absolutely 100% needs to be).

Hostile Intent kicks off with Matt Drake on a well-deserved vacation and in a…uh…let’s say…randy mood, looking at his wife as if he’s a fat kid and she’s a triple chocolate cake in the bakery display case.  But just as he’s about to put his carnal plans in motion, duty calls in the form of a walk-in at the US Embassy in Vienna who uses a code phrase that only Matt would recognize.  So off he goes to Austria to meet with this man who calls himself the Irishman and brings critical intelligence about an emerging conflict.  But before the Irishman can share details of what he knows, he’s kidnapped by Russian operatives, kicking off a battle against time in which Matt must try to save this person to whom he owes so much, learn what he knows and then rush off to stop nothing short of World War III from commencing.  All in a day’s work for the venerable DIA agent.

There’s a lot more I’d like to say about the plot of this book, but I want to avoid spoilers.  So I’ll leave it at this: Don Bentley is one hell of a prognosticator and could not have written a more timely thriller if he was actually Biff Tannen, traveled to the future, came back to present day with a DeLorean full of history books and then sat down to write a novel.  To Don I say, “Well done, sir!”

Do not miss Hostile Intent.  That’s an order!  One which I cannot possibly enforce.  So, I’ll just ask you nicely to preorder a copy now and get ready for the ride in May.  Please and thank you.  And I know you’ll enjoy it because it’s a stunning book.  Don Bentley continues to churn out witty and sarcasm filled page-turning hits with brilliant storylines that are tons of fun to read and keep you on the edge of your seat.  And the Thrillerverse is a better place for having Matt Drake in it, sprinting headlong into dangerous situations without a thought to his own safety.  He’s just trying to do right by the world and make it a better place.  That’s a hero we can all wholeheartedly embrace.   

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Storm Rising By Chris Hauty

Rejoice!  The best female protagonist in the genre, and all around badass, Hayley Chill is back!  And this time she must stop all hell from breaking loose in Storm Rising, an edge-of-your-seat cinematic thriller merging Hayley’s professional responsibilities and personal quest into a single mission with nothing short of the United States as we know it hanging in the balance.  

Hayley Chill has retreated to the familiar territory of West Virginia to train as an MMA fighter, improving her hand-to-hand combat skills as she takes some “down time” after the shocking events in Savage Road.  Not one to sit idly for long, Hayley decides she must figure out the mystery surrounding her father’s reappearance and untimely death. Finding clues at his former home and with sanction from the deeper state organization she serves, Hayley sets off on a quest deep in the heart of Texas to seek answers to her father’s role in something called The Storm.  In the course of her unrelenting investigation, bodies seem to drop everywhere she goes as Hayley pieces together a massive white supremacist driven conspiracy to effectuate the succession of several states in the American southwest.  Now it’s up to her to single handedly thwart a modern-day Civil War while facing the hard truth about her father’s past…and her own future. 

There’s something special about Chris Hauty’s unique ability to craft a story.  This isn’t new.  We know this from the incredible Deep State and Savage Road novels.  But it’s reaffirmed in Storm Rising.  And it goes beyond a strong plot that’s action packed and moves at the speed of light.  Although that certainly helps.  But what’s perhaps his biggest and most unparalleled talent is the insanely brilliant way Hauty crafts and develops characters.  Whether it’s main, supporting or seemingly inconsequential characters, Hauty gives each of them a story that only someone in complete love with his characters can achieve.  And the way he can convey a character’s life story in less than a page is nothing short of <insert chef’ s kiss GIF here>.  There’s nothing else like it in print today.

Ok fine.  A very strong argument can be made that Hauty’s best skill is unloading major twists on his unsuspecting readers. And I can’t combat that claim.  Fact is, I don’t know how Hauty keeps doing it.  But the Master of Epic Twists strikes yet again in Storm Rising.  There are several twists along the way, but this time he waits until the end to unleash an unholy, fucking brutal gut punch that has me shook and will undoubtedly draw comparison to the ending of a critically acclaimed movie that will remain nameless to avoid spoiling the experience for others.  But when you read it, you’ll know.

All this is to say that Storm Rising is one helluva thriller.  Chris Hauty is batting 1,000 with three phenomenal novels out of the gate, catapulting him to the upper echelon of the genre and into the rarefied air of “take the day off of work, clear your calendar, read in one sitting on release day” territory.  I recommend you do just that.  Preorder Storm Rising today and block May 3rd to immerse yourself in the Hayley Chill experience.   

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Cold Snap By Marc Cameron

A tale of good versus evil set in intensely harsh conditions with survival a 50/50 proposition, Cold Snap will seep deep into your bones and set up residency like the unforgiving subzero temperatures of the wild Alaskan backcountry.  Marc Cameron’s fourth book in the Arliss Cutter series will have you on the edge of your seat, wrapped tightly in the warmest parka you can find, wondering if the venerable US Marshall has finally met a situation he cannot control and overcome.

While Anchorage police find dismembered body parts and kick off a search for a serial killer, Arliss Cutter is summoned to northern Alaska to transport several prisoners back to Anchorage to face justice.  However, this routine assignment quickly turns into a fight for survival when the bush pilot hired for the transport makes a detour to check on a friend who’s gone radio silent at a research outpost, providing an opening for the prisoners to attempt their escape.  In the process, the plane is blown up and now Cutter, the pilot, the prisoners and 3 researchers are stranded in the freezing wilderness with little shelter, no communications capabilities and a huge grizzly bear stalking their every move.  Meanwhile, one of the prisoners is more than meets the eye and is scheming to overpower Cutter to maintain his freedom.  It’s a desperate fight for survival from the elements…and the dark nature of man.  

Cold Snap is fantastic and my favorite in the series so far.  There are multiple plot lines – search for a serial killer, surviving the Alaskan wilderness while fending off desperate criminals, looking deeper into Ethan Cutter’s death, and a budding romance for Lola – that work well together to provide excitement, intrigue, and meaningful character development.  Readers get to see a supremely confident, capable and seemingly infallible Arliss Cutter put to the test in an extreme way with an uncertain outcome, showing his vulnerability and making him more relatable while also marveling in his mental and physical fortitude.  We also get to witness Lola Teariki’s evolution as a US Marshall and as a person, being a party to her unflinching loyalty to Cutter as well as having a front row seat to a budding romance with a young Anchorage PD officer.  And finally, Marc Cameron once again does a masterful job of making Alaska more than just the setting, but a living breathing character of its own that tests everyone in a way that you can feel, despite sitting comfortably in a warm and safe location.  

Marc Cameron delivers yet again with Cold Snap, reaffirming what thriller fans have known for years – that anything he writes is a must read.  The Arliss Cutter series continues to get better and better, with Cold Snap being the best one yet.  And with the continued development of Cutter, Lola and the characters around them, combined with the many possible storylines featuring the great state of Alaska, this series has unlimited potential to thrill fans for years to come.  

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Assassin's Edge By Ward Larsen

With pacing as fast as a hypersonic missile and a realistic storyline with dire international implications, Assassin’s Edge will have you biting your nails as you urge David Slaton to thwart the commencement of World War III.  

Three seemingly unrelated events occur in short order – a US spy plane drops out of the sky off the coast of Russia, a Mossad operative is kidnapped in Kazakhstan and a US naval ship collides with a freighter and sinks in the Black Sea.  Additionally, the two incidents involving the US military include technological failures that are hard to explain.  Even more strange is that a source named Lazarus provided info regarding these incidents just before they happened and witnessed the abduction of the Mossad agent.  Coincidence?  The US and Israel don’t think so and activate David Slaton to help get answers.  As he circumnavigates the globe collecting evidence, he finds more than just a connection.  Someone is on a quest for personal retribution against Israel’s spy organization while simultaneously a shadow organization with access to terrifying new technological capabilities is hellbent on starting a global war.  Now it’s up to Slaton to stop these evildoers before it’s too late.

Assassin’s Edge has everything you want from a David Slaton novel – exceptional tradecraft, hard hitting action sequences, spot on military details, and a twist or two to keep you on your toes.  But what makes this book special is that Ward Larsen has upped his game to a completely new level by seamlessly combining complex geopolitical intrigue and a quest for revenge with plausible game-changing futuristic weapons.  Add in a plot that intensifies with every page and emotional anguish felt by several characters and you have a world-class thriller that checks all the boxes.  All of this results in Assassin’s Edge being the best book yet in Larsen’s David Slaton series.  Which is saying something given how fantastic the prior books have been.

Ward Larsen delivers yet again and proves he’s an author that flies in the same stratosphere as the best in the genre. All military thriller fans should be reading his books, especially fans of Tom Clancy, Daniel Silva, Brad Thor and Mark Greaney to name a few. And if you’re not yet familiar with this series, Assassin’s Edge is a great place to start.

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Ways To Die In Tokyo By Thomas Ran Garver

Filled with violent action and a lot of heart, Ways to Die in Tokyo is a tale about how you sometimes need to hit rock bottom before you can find redemption.  Thomas Ran Garver has crafted a novel with an exceedingly compelling plot and intricate characters that is a lot of fun to read.

Hank Fisher is a down on his luck MMA fighter living in Tokyo.  He’s on a losing streak, has been kicked out of his training gym, has no money and hasn’t seen his ex-wife and two kids in a couple of years.  In fact, he doesn’t even know where his family is living.  So when the PI he hired to find them demands more money before revealing their location, he takes a high paying Yakuza bodyguard job for what’s supposed to be a simple meeting.  But the meeting goes south and Hank is now on the run, wanted by the Yakuza for stealing millions of Yen and by the cops as a murder suspect.  To make matters worse, everyone he turns to for help ends up seriously hurt or dead.  Now Hank needs to figure out a way to survive the murderous gangsters hot on his trail, clear his name, and ensure the safety of his family. 

Beyond the relentless pacing, non-stop action and numerous twists and turns, the most fascinating aspect of Ways to Die in Tokyo is the relatability of Hank Fisher.  Which is quite a feat given most of us can’t relate to fighting MMA, being chased by the Yakuza, being accused of murder by the Japanese police or being completely shunned by our family.  But what readers can connect with is Hank’s struggle to climb out of the hole that has become his life and his desire to make amends with his family.  He shows growth throughout the novel and takes responsibility for his past actions.  Yes, it might be a little easier to do that when your live is in mortal danger and you’re unsure you will survive to see another day.  But he still shows the self-reflection and desire to make things right that we all have gone through at times in our lives.  Which, when added to the awesome and viscous events that unfold throughout the book, make for an exciting read with a main character you fervently root for.

A novel with great characters and a fast-moving plot, look no further than Ways to Die in Tokyo if you’re in need of a highly entertaining, vicious and thrilling story.

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The Fifth Bandit By Jason Kasper

Fast-paced, intense, and explosive, The Fifth Bandit will have you breathless as you witness a heist crew try to pull off an audacious and impossible job with nothing less than their lives at stake.  

The Sky Thieves, led by mastermind and expert thief Sterling Defranc, find themselves in the crosshairs of someone called the Mentor who wants to put an end to the careers – and lives – of this talented band of celebrity criminals.  And while the Sky Thieves would very much like to remain upright, they face two big obstacles.  First, they don’t know the identity of the Mentor.  Second, the Mentor has incredible wealth, resources and reach at his/her disposal.  But as the old saying goes, “the only way out is through.” So, the Sky Thieves engage in a cat-and-mouse game to uncover the identity of the billionaire hunting them down with the goal to steal items of incalculable value from that individual that will also highlight the Mentor’s unsavory business dealings.  But this heist is unlike anything they have faced before and could be too much for them to pull off.  But if they somehow find success, the Sky Thieves just might turn the tables on their enemy and come out victorious while remaining among the living.  

If, like me, you haven’t read the prior books in the series, you can expect to feel a little behind as the book starts off by picking up a previous storyline.  But it doesn’t take long to get into the plot, understand the situation facing the main characters and then get engrossed in the fight for survival and incredibly daring heist that follows.  Yes, it probably helps to have read the prior books, but I can attest to the fact that this book is intriguing and enjoyable on its own merits.  Which makes you want to go back and read the prior 3 books in the series to see what other capers this crew pulls off.

Jason Kasper might not be one of the most well-known authors in the thriller genre, but the guy can write a hell of a story with great pacing, intrigue and protagonists you root for.  Whether it’s this Spider Heist series or his Shadow Strike series, you know by picking up a book by this author you’re guaranteed a well-written, enjoyable experience.  If you’re searching for a new thriller author to check out, look no further. Pick up a book by Jason Kasper and prepare to be entertained. 

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Dark Angel By Andrews & Wilson

A compelling story combining spirituality and the supernatural with tier one operators and hard-hitting action sequences, Dark Angel provides a front row seat to witness the age-old battle of good versus evil in a way you likely haven’t experienced before. The dynamic duo of Andrews & Wilson delivers a stimulating faith-based military thriller that will take you on a journey beyond this world where anything is possible, and light must stomp out darkness to maintain the fragile balance of today’s society.

Dark Angel represents the origin story of Jed Johnson’s membership in the Shepherds organization, a collection of tier one operators teamed up with spiritual guides and watchers with the preternatural ability to see events unfold and communicate telepathically with those tasked to thwart would-be evildoers.  Jed, a former Navy SEAL himself, goes through an intense boot camp with his new team that provides new physical, mental and spiritual challenges the likes of which he’s never experienced before.  While learning to harness his capabilities on this world while tapping into a higher plane of consciousness, Jed’s team is sent on a mission to stop the forces of hell from successfully executing a plan to throw the religious world into chaos and bloodshed.  It’ll take every bit of Jed’s training, along with the extraordinary talents of all his teammates, to defeat the powerful and determined enemy to reign victorious.

Filled with advanced technology and weaponry, intense combat scenes, hard-to-kill demons, badass operators, and telekinetic children, Dark Angel offers a little something for every Thriller fan. Kudos to Andrews & Wilson for marrying their belief systems of faith and military service into a fast-paced, well-written novel. By doing so, their passions and authenticity leap off the pages of Dark Angel and produce a uniquely powerful story sure to resonate with those who embrace strong spirituality and belief in the supernatural.

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Once A Thief By Christopher Reich

Simon Riske is back!  This suave former criminal turned exotic car restorer and international man of mystery is thrust into the middle of a delicate high-stakes operation within the world of the uber-wealthy.  Featuring a blazing fast pace, deception around every corner, dangerous criminals, expensive cars, billions of dollars at stake and a chance for retribution, Once A Thief is a thriller that truly has it all.

Seemingly on top of the world after the $100 Million sale of an old Ferrari he restored, Simon Riske is brought back to reality rather sharply when the buyer claims the original gearbox still exists and therefore Riske has fraudulently represented the authenticity of the car.  Now on the hook to make things right or face a price that would bankrupt him, Riske finds himself in a complicated situation that brings him face to face with a Russian criminal he helped bring to justice and puts him on the wrong side with allies in British law enforcement.  Which leads him to embrace the old adage “if you can’t beat them, join them.”  Meanwhile, Riske crosses paths with a woman investigating the violent death of her father, a financier whose business may not be on the up and up.  Realizing their situations are connected, Riske and this woman team up, risking their lives to find justice and retribution while attempting to take billions of dollars of ill-gotten gains off the board.

The fourth book in this criminally underrated series, Once A Thief is a great continuation for fans of the series while simultaneously offering a perfect entry point into the Simon Riske universe for new readers. It’s a fantastic thriller that keeps you guessing with more twists and turns than a mountain road in Italy. Christopher Reich has delivered an insanely fast-paced book that implores you to keep reading to find out what happens next, as if the fate of the world rests on the outcome. And to some extent it might. So strap in, push the pedal to the floor and take off on this epic adventure where anything and everything is possible.

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The Missing Piece By John Lescroart

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An absorbing, page turning legal/investigative thriller with multiple unanticipated twists. The Missing Piece is another winner by bestselling author John Lescroart.  

Paul Riley is out of prison after being sent away 10 years ago for the rape and murder of a young woman.  Freed after the work of The Exoneration Initiative overturned the conviction, Paul has been on the outside for several months when he’s found dead, shot in the head in his own place. The obvious suspect is the woman’s still-grieving father, Doug Rush.  But as former San Francisco DA and now defense attorney Wes Farrell and PI Abe Glitsky investigate after taking on Rush as a client, the list of potential suspects grows…as does the body count.  Love triangles, biker gangs, and vigilante justice all play a part in unravelling the mystery that poses a danger to all involved.

This series is quite entertaining and right up there among the best legal thrillers in the genre, with The Missing Piece being no exception.  Although this book focuses mostly on Wes Farrell and Abe Glitsky with only a cameo from Dismas Hardy, it’s a compelling story that keeps you guessing throughout on not only who the true murderer is, but also on Farrell’s future as a defense attorney and Glitsky’s ability to stay among the living as he pokes the hornet’s nest.  The Missing Piece combines a fast-paced and intriguing storyline that stands on its own with further development of the regular characters to keep the series moving forward in an effective manner.  

I arrived late to this series, picking up my first Dismas Hardy novel 3 years ago. But I’ve been a big fan since and highly recommend it for engaging plots and charming characters. If you’re already engaged in this series, then you know what I’m talking about and you should definitely pick up a copy of The Missing Piece. But if you’re not already reading about Dismas Hardy and his friends, then I’ve got good news for you. There are 19 entertaining books in the series to add to your TBR pile.

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Wild Card By Stephen England

Realistic, dramatic and containing an intense race-to-the-finish, Wild Card is a perfect blend of an old-school spy novel combined with a modern-day terrorist threat.  With this book, Stephen England continues to show he’s a force to be reckoned with in the thriller genre.

Michael Hignett, CIA Chief of Base-Istanbul, has tracked an escaped asset to Germany and is joined by CIA paramilitary operator Harry Nichols to have a little chat with this individual.  The asset, Mehmet Ecevit, has tried to join Islamic jihad against Americans before, so there is concern from Michael and Harry that Mehmet is up to no good.  Taking point, Harry commences digging and starts suspecting there’s more than meets the eye and a potential terror plot is in the works against US forces on Ramstein Air Base.  Expertly navigating around red tape on both sides of the ocean, Harry uses every tool in his toolkit to uncover evidence to back up his suspicions, engaging in a game of cat and mouse with lives hanging in the balance.  He just hopes it’s not too late.

While Wild Card has plenty of action, the beauty of this book is in it’s slow-burning, cerebral flow from start to finish.  It sets the stage, builds intensity, throws in a twist or two, and then explodes with violence at the end.  A great approach for engaging the reader and not letting go, propelling them forward as if they are Harry Nichols and are personally responsible for saving the lives of those in the crosshairs.  In fact, this book seems incredibly realistic and makes you wonder if it’s actually historical fiction, we just haven’t heard of the story because the CIA and paramilitary operators thwarted the plot before any damage could be done.  

A well-written and highly entertaining story, Wild Card is a strong entry point into the vast military and spy universe Stephen England has created.  Furthermore, this novel has elements that seem to be a hat tip towards some of the best to ever do it in the thriller genre, including John le Carré and Brad Thor.  Which makes this a book that thriller fans should certainly add to their TBR pile.

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Like A Sister By Kellye Garrett

Featuring rap music moguls, Instagram influencers, reality TV stars, and a black woman in search for the truth, Like A Sister is a tale of fame, death and redemption.  Kellye Garrett has delivered an impressive whodunit novel that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Desiree Pierce, a 25-year-old black woman, is found dead in the Bronx and the police’s indifferent investigation leads them to quickly rule it an accidental overdose for the former reality TV star with a history of drug abuse.  But Desiree’s sister Lena, despite it being two years since they last talked, suspects foul play, believing her sister could never have killed herself.  So Lena starts to investigate, diving deep into Desiree’s life and talking to her friends in an attempt to find the truth…and maybe also assuage any guilt she has for not being there for her sister.  Along the way, Lena is forced to figure out who she can trust while also confronting her bitterness towards her father Mel, a music mogul who left her and her mom when she was young.  Nothing is as it seems and danger lurks in the shadows, but Lena will stop at nothing to get justice for her sister.

Like any great thriller, Like A Sister features numerous twists and turns and great character development that provides tidbits of game-changing information along the way.  It makes you question who you can trust and leads you to constantly change your hypothesis as to whether it was suicide or murder and, if it was a homicide, who killed Desiree Pierce and why.  And while on the surface this is a straight mystery novel, a closer look shows that’s not the case.  That this book, at its heart, is about family and the lengths you will go to in support of them no matter what complicated history or bad blood you share.  Family is family.  You can’t choose them.  But you can choose to be there for them when they most need you.

This focus on family dynamics seems personal for the author and adds tremendous perspective to the story because everyone has experienced challenging relationships in their lives.  Additionally, her love for these characters bursts off the page and has you rooting for a redemptive and reconciliatory denouement.  Maybe because we see a little of ourselves in these characters…even though we probably live very different lives.  Bravo to Kellye Garret for this wonderfully well-written, heartfelt and twisting novel.  

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The Lightning Rod By Brad Meltzer

Brad Meltzer continues to show his talents know no bounds.  Whether it’s a page-turning thriller, a stimulating nonfiction account of historical events or a children’s book depicting real life heroes, Brad simply delivers awe inspiring work for all to enjoy.  And that’s no different with The Lightning Rod, the second installment in the Zig and Nola series.

That’s right!  Zig and Nola are back and thrust right into a game of cat and mouse with danger at every turn, deep US government secrets, and a frustrating inability to know who they can trust.  It starts innocuous enough, with Zig being asked to prepare the body of now deceased Army veteran Archie Mint.  Sticking around to witness the funeral, he spies not only Nola in the crowd but government operatives who seem to be there to do Nola harm.  Zig, the nice guy he is with a sound moral compass, gets involved and kicks off events that put him square in the middle of an investigation into a theft involving a secret Cold War era US military facility.  To complicate matters, Nola’s long-lost brother shows up with a dubious past and a hidden agenda while at the same time Zig is digging up the past as he helps his ex-wife unravel a mystery involving their dead daughter.  It all comes together in a twisting, turning high-velocity ride with the safety of everyone involved, as well as the United States itself, at stake. 

Readers will thoroughly enjoy the continuation of Nola’s Yin to Zig’s Yang.  Nola is mysterious, somewhat dangerous and marches to a beat only she can hear but ultimately is intended to result in doing good for others.  Meanwhile Zig still feels the need to solve mysteries and save others despite putting himself in untenable situations.  This unlikely pair is like oil and water at times, but in the end they need each other.  Which highlights one of the beautiful aspects of The Lightning Rod – the journey of personal discovery each of them undertakes, adding depth via developing them as characters throughout their trials and tribulations…and dare we say finding a closer relationship despite Nola’s propensity to be a lone wolf.

Well-written and action-packed with witty dialogue, intriguing characters and secrets hidden in every shadow, The Lightning Rod is an entertaining thrill ride that’s not to be missed.

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Persian Tomcats By Mitchell Boling

Persian Tomcats is a love letter to military aviation and all that goes into successful operations, from the pilots who fly missions to the maintainers who ensure the air worthiness of the fighter jets.  Using the early days of the war on terror as a backdrop, the story follows the US Air Force 55th Fighter Squadron “Shooters” from training in the US to the battlefield in the sky above Iraq and Iran.  And if you think this is just another book about hotshot fighter jocks ala Top Gun, then you’ve got another thing coming because it’s way more than that.  It’s a story that’s part F-16 flight and maintenance instruction manual, part love story and part dogfighting that comes together with a flourish of deadly action in the end.  

Perhaps the most apt way to describe Persian Tomcats is that after reading it you feel like you’ve gone through a multi-layered accelerated course of study in flying and maintaining the F-16 Viper.  A large chunk of this book is dedicated to depicting, in exquisite and intricate detail, two key aspects of military aviation: the intense training and unforgiving standards required to become and remain a fighter pilot, and the devotion, enthusiasm and problem-solving abilities of aircraft maintainers.  The pilot and the maintainer. One cannot exist without the other and through their partnership and mutual respect is born a competitive advantage for the United States against their adversaries.

Author Mitchell Boling’s clear love for the Air Force, its pilots, and especially its maintainers is evident throughout Persian Tomcats.  I’ve never read a novel that focuses on the operations and maintenance parts of fighter jets, and while different than your typical thriller’s content I found it fascinating to get a peek behind that curtain.  Airplane maintenance might not be the most exhilarating topic at first glance, but on closer inspection there’s plenty of excitement in trying to troubleshoot issues with a F-16 and get the pilot into the fight in a timely manner when every second could be the difference between victory and defeat.  And once the maintenance is complete, the aerial battle that consumes the latter part of the book is edge-of-your-seat stuff that leaves you breathless.  

If you’re looking for a military thriller that provides a unique perspective on everything surrounding fighter jet missions, look no further than Persian Tomcats.  I promise you haven’t read anything like it.

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Sisters Of Night And Fog By Erika Robuck

Courage and bravery are on full display in Sisters Of Night And Fog, a historical fiction account of two extraordinary women eschewing personal safety to join the resistance against the Nazis during WWII.  Erika Robuck has crafted a thrilling tale full of intensity and emotional suspense, balancing the depiction of beautifully heroic actions against gut-wrenching deplorable events in a way that leaves you breathless and tearful, but appreciative that this story has been told.

It’s the early 1940’s and WWII is underway.  Virginia D’Albert Lake is an American married to a French man living in Occupied France.  Violette Szabo is a woman living in the UK, soon to be married to a French solider involved in fighting the Nazi’s.  The two women have not met but are tied together by their deep desire to join the fight rather than sit on the sidelines hoping they make it through the war.  So, Virginia joins a French underground resistance movement to help downed piolets escape their Nazi pursuers.  And Violette enlists in a British clandestine organization that inserts her into France to subvert and sabotage the enemy.  Their individual valor is on full display, but they also know the risks involved with this incredibly dangerous work, leading to their paths crossing in heartbreaking fashion.

While Sisters Of Night And Fog is technically classified as historical fiction, this book is every bit a thriller due to brilliant storytelling of the amazing actions Virginia and Violette undertake against the Nazis.  Their drive to resist the enemy, the missions they voluntarily sign up for, the fearlessness that they display again and again, the ability to move on from loss and overcome the odds – all of this stacks up against, and even exceeds, the exploits of the greatest thriller characters ever created.  Remember, these women are real and their daring actions have been recorded in the annals of history.  Which makes this book more than just a compelling story.  By reading Sisters Of Night and Fog, you keep Virginia and Violette’s memories alive and learn incredibly important lessons about selfless service and resisting tyranny and oppression to make this world a better place.

At times, this book will make you smile and stand up and cheer. Other times it’ll make you cry and seethe with anger. And some of it is very difficult to read due to the sensitive nature of the content. But in the end, you are rewarded with an incredible story that will stick with you long after you put the book back on the shelf. It’s an emotional experience that will leave you speechless. And that’s what makes Sisters Of Night And Fog truly special.

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Girl In Ice By Erica Ferencik

Mysterious, anxiety-inducing and with a touch of magic, Girl in Ice is a wonderfully unique thriller that’s literally bone chilling.  Erica Ferencik has delivered a nerve-wracking thriller that will have you shivering on the edge of your seat.

High up in the Arctic on an island off the coast of Greenland, climate scientists make the amazing discovery of a young girl frozen in ice.  Even more astonishing, when thawed out the young girl is alive and talking in a language no one can understand.  Enter Val, a renowned linguist who’s summoned to decipher what the girl is saying.  Battling severe anxiety and leaving the comfort of her sheltered life in the US, she travels to the Arctic not only as a linguist, but as the twin sister of a man who perished at this very station of an apparent suicide.  Val is suspicious of the circumstances surrounding her brother’s death and tries to get to the truth of what really happened.  Meanwhile, Val builds a strong personal connection with the thawed-out girl and must quickly figure out her language while watching the girl get sicker and sicker, trying to understand what she needs in order to save her from death.  It’s a race against the clock, and the setting sun, to solve multiple mysteries surrounding those she cares about.

There are a couple of aspects of Girl in Ice that are quite intriguing and not typical of a traditional thriller.  First is the setting of the unforgiving Arctic.  It’s not a common location to find in a novel, but it works brilliantly in multiple ways – harsh climate that acts as another character in the story, focuses the story on a few people who are forced into close quarters with nowhere to hide, and the coming darkness of winter provides a deadline to figure everything out before they need to leave the location.  Second, Val’s struggle with anxiety is something distinctive that provides a way to connect with her.  Most thriller protagonists are strong, highly capable individuals with no fear.  And while Val is highly capable in her career and possesses a strength beyond what she is cognizant of, her vulnerability and fear of the world around her make her relatable and someone worth rooting for.

Girl in Ice is part mystery and part science fiction with a side helping of overcoming your fears.  It’s a tale of leaving your comfort zone and finding your inner strength.  A unique story for those who appreciate a journey rooted in reality but with a mystical twist.

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No Second Chances By Rio Youers

No Second Chances is an exceptional, cinematic literary masterpiece that moves at ludicrous speed with a brilliant combination of extraordinary violence and undying hopefulness.  Rio Youers has created something unbelievably special that will go down as one of the best modern thrillers ever published.  Straight up, this book is required and essential reading for anyone who considers themselves a thriller fan.  

Kitty Rae is an aspiring actor who moved from Kentucky to Los Angeles to chase her show business dream.  While working towards her big break she makes a decent living as a drug courier, starting by making meth drops in public garbage cans before moving up to transporting a designer drug to the homes of the Hollywood Elite for her boss Johan Fly, a drug dealer with a modern legitimate front as a famous YouTuber and Instagram influencer.  But when she’s caught stealing some of the expensive product she’s supposed to be delivering, Johan, who fancies himself a descendant of Vikings, vows to kill her in an excruciatingly slow and most sadistic manner.  Enter Luke Kingsley – a disgraced actor, alleged wife-killer and neighbor Kitty has befriended – who cooks up a scheme to keep Kitty safe from the deranged Cali Viking.  Meanwhile, Luke, who has maintained his innocence for 3 years, is on a mission to find out what happened to his wife while under the watchful eye of a persistent former LAPD-detective turned private investigator whose singular purpose in life is putting Luke in jail for the rest of his life.  Together, the unlikely pair of Luke and Kitty will go through hell in an attempt to find answers for Luke while trying to escape Johan’s quest for vengeance with their lives.  Survival is not guaranteed, but “when you don’t got nothin’, you got nothin’ to lose.”

The brilliance of No Second Chances knows no bounds.  It’s an emotional roller coaster that will have you gasping at the unadulterated brutality one moment before having you in tears the next.  The action is unrelenting, building tension so high that you feel it in your bones before a final vicious eruption leaves you in desperate need of a cigarette.  The characters are sublimely created, with complicated histories that provide real depth and increased appreciation for their journey as they level up in real time to find strength and purpose they never thought possible.  And while Kitty and Luke are beyond fantastic, and the supporting characters are all outstanding, the showstopper/scene stealer is undoubtedly Johan Fly.  This Viking villain is one of the most malicious, deranged, all-time great bad guys ever to grace the pages of a novel.  He will haunt your dreams.  Enough said.  

Holy crap! Have I mentioned how much I love No Second Chances? I want to scream it from a mountain top because it’s simply incredible. A flawless piece of work. A surefire hit. Hang it in the Louvre. It’s impossible to overstate how amazing this book is. It’s just that insanely good. Bravo Rio Youers! I can’t wait for No Second Chances to hit shelves and see the reactions of readers far and wide, watching it pile up awards and plaudits as it rockets its way up bestseller lists and finds itself included in “best of” posts for 2022. Preorder it now and thank me later.

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