Inside Threat By Matthew Quirk

Featuring conspiracy, sedition, and murder, Inside Threat is a classic locked room mystery tasking the reader with determining who can be trusted, who has been turned, and who will prevail.  Matthew Quirk has crafted a thrilling novel that exercises and entertains the mind.  

An attack on the White House sends the president, his top aides and Secret Service detail to Raven Rock, a subterranean bunker designed to protect the president from those who would do him harm.  The only problem is that he’s now locked in a facility 750 feet under a mountain with those very people as the threat is from insiders who believe the president is plotting to enact emergency powers to take over the government.  But respected veteran Secret Service agent Erik Hill is part of that detail and he is determined to face the threat head on and lay his life on the line to protect the president.  With communications cut, exits sabotaged, and bodies piling up, Erik will have to use his impressive skills and instincts honed over years of service to the US government to determine who to trust and find a way to save the US government from these insurrectionists.  

To say Inside Threat is intense would be an understatement.  Multiple explosions, gun fights galore, harrowing escapes, risky actions, a high body count and more litter the pages from start to finish.  Even the moments of strategic thinking and figuring out how to outmaneuver the other side will have you on the edge of your seat.  And just when you think you can catch your breath, another twist or violent outburst occurs.  All of which keeps the reader engaged throughout, trying to remain calm enough to puzzle out which characters are being truthful and who is really behind the plot to seize control of the US government.

Fans of action-packed political thrillers with twists and turns will devour Inside Threat.  Matthew Quirk continues his hot streak of thrilling Washington, DC based novels, cementing him as a must-read author anytime he has a new book published.  

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All The Sinners Bleed By S.A. Cosby

Fierce and dark, visceral and contemplative, All the Sinners Bleed delivers the goods and exceeds every lofty expectation for the most anticipated book of 2023.  S.A. Cosby has crafted one hell of a story that leaves no doubt he is at the top of his game and confirms his status as one of the premier writers in the world today, regardless of genre.

Titus Crown is the first Black Sheriff of Charon County, Virginia.  After a decade in the FBI, he returned home to take care of his father and won an election to be Sheriff on a platform of making a difference from the inside.  A year into the job, a school shooting results in the deaths of a respected teacher and the former student who killed him.  In the ensuing investigation, dark secrets come to light which lead to the discovery of several dead bodies at the hands of a serial killer. As more violence is visited on Charon County, Titus and his department must piece together the clues quickly to find the killer on the loose before more people – including those close to Titus – are murdered.

Cosby’s mastery is on full display in All the Sinners Bleed, taking a story that on the surface is about a serial killer and the cop trying to stop him, and infusing it with multiple layers of depth that transform the book into something much more illuminating and profound.  It explores critical topics such as racial tension and policing in the South, living with grief, carrying the weight of leadership responsibility, faith and religion, the importance of family, and more.  It uses an imperfect but willing, self-reflective and likable protagonist in Titus Crown as its mouthpiece.  Pitting him against different forms of evil, hate and temptation with his responses and interactions is a referendum on his character and that of his community as a whole.  All the while he’s trying to stop a killer that’s ruining his hometown and increasing the divide among its citizens.  And you can’t help but root for him to succeed, find inner peace and shut up all the haters!

All the Sinners Bleed is Cosby’s fourth straight published grand slam.  All he does is hit tape measure moon shots that leaves everyone in attendance starting in awe with mouths agape.  And as witnesses, it’s our duty to recognize that Cosby has a literary brilliance you can’t teach.  It goes beyond his plots and narratives, character development and action scenes, prose and word choices.  Which are all world-class in such a huge way that he’s lapping the field.  Cosby has an innate and intuitive ability to tell a tale with care, thoughtfulness and strength.  Taking tough, dark subject matter and bringing it into the light.  Like he has the power from generations of human history’s best storytellers coursing through his veins, flowing through his pen and birthing pages of genius.  Resulting in novels that aren’t just a transcendent and moving experience to read, but that give off their own visible aura.  

Another spectacular literary achievement in S.A. Cosby’s own signature style.  All the Sinners Bleed will certainly be a bestseller, grace numerous best-of-the-year lists and will be nominated for all the annual awards.  And don’t be surprised when he wins those awards...again.  Because this book is phenomenal and deserves to be read by all and receive massive acclaim from fans and the industry.  

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A Killer's Game By Isabella Maldonado

Explosive, absorbing and absolutely fascinating, A Killer’s Game is a knock-down, drag-out brawl of a thriller with themes of revenge, justice and survival.  By pitting twelve hired guns and a former-Army Ranger turned FBI agent against one another in a fight to the death, Isabella Maldonado has delivered a battle royale of a story that will have everyone talking.

The Chief of Staff for an influential US Senator is murdered on the streets of New York City, with FBI agent Daniela “Dani” Vega witnessing the whole thing.  After a successful manhunt, the captured assassin agrees to turn informant to help the FBI nail the big fish in a larger case of corruption and mayhem.  Together, Dani and her new informant infiltrate a band of killers and join them for what’s supposed to be a simple yet lucrative job.  However, they soon find themselves locked in a secret and elaborate facility, entangled in a battle of wits and physical combat where only one of the thirteen individuals will live to see another day.  Who has drawn these folks into this lethal game and why? Those are questions that can only be by answered by the architect of this vicious contest – a person calling themselves Nemesis.  And Dani intends to be the one to emerge victorious, confront Nemesis and bring them down along with the entire conspiracy.

It takes a very creative and devious mind to come up with the twisted and bloodthirsty game that Dani and the twelve assassins are thrust into.  I can’t begin to fathom how someone comes up with something so intensely dark and brutal.  But as readers we should be appreciative that Isabella Maldonado’s brain produced this devilish plot.  Because it’s completely entrancing, enveloping the reader in a sinister world filled with havoc and savagery born from backing dangerous individuals into a corner.  A world where your wits and calculations are as important as your pure strength, close quarters combat skills and pure will to survive.  A chess match born in hell.  It’s glorious!

Do yourself a favor and do not sleep on A Killer’s Game.  The story is exhilarating, the pacing is at breakneck speed, the characters are tremendous and the action is ruthless.  It’s not to be missed.

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Weapons Of Opportunity By Dale Brown

What do you get when you mix an aging and ailing Russian President with a rich and powerful Russian oligarch hellbent on destroying the United States to return Russia to its former glory?  And then add in a dash of Mexican drug cartel, Cuban military, stealth drone technology, and nuclear weapons?  You get the plot of Weapons of Opportunity – an all-out, ceaseless, balls-to-the-wall race between a former superpower looking to rise again and the current world leaders seeking to thwart their dastardly plans.  

Russian oligarch Pavel Voronin is not deterred from his past failure to strike a devastating blow against the United States.  In fact, his new plan is bigger and bolder than ever, one that would change the balance of world power forever if successful.  With the support of the Russian President, Voronin and his Raven Syndicate have built a fleet of highly advanced stealth drones, sneaked them into the United States, armed them with nuclear weapons and started a countdown until they are launched on their mission to strike strategic locations around America.  But the secret organization known as the Quartet Directorate and covert operator Nick Flynn are on the hunt for Voronin and get wind that something big is coming.  Now it’s up to them to strike hard and fast in enemy territory to put a stop to the destruction of the country they hold dear.  As the old saying goes: Failure is not an option!

Dale Brown is known for delivering fast-paced, action-packed stories wrapped within monumental plots, and he does so once again in Weapons of Opportunity.  The intensity starts off high and ascends into the stratosphere as the story progresses, elevating the reader’s blood pressure to borderline unhealthy levels.  But that’s only because the fate of the entire world is at risk.  And the plotting and scheming versus counterintelligence cat-and-mouse game leaves plenty of doubt as to who will emerge victorious.  As a bonus the author throws in some new futuristic technology that is truly astonishing, which feels like an homage to the previous and long running McLanahan series in which innovative and revolutionary military equipment featured prominently. 

As a result, this novel has everything Dale Brown fans will love.  Nonstop action, Russia vs. United States hostilities, copious amounts of shootouts and explosions, and technology you need to read to believe.  Just make sure to take your blood pressure meds before you crack open this thriller.  

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Beware The Woman By Megan Abbott

Suspenseful, claustrophobic and misogynistic, Beware the Woman is a slow burn psychological/horror thriller with ramping intensity, veiled motives, and suspect actions.  Megan Abbott has delivered a nail-biting novel filled with uncomfortable moments, enigmatic characters, and a highly uncertain outcome.

Newly married, deeply in love and pregnant, Jacy has never been happier.  Now she’s accompanying her husband Jed to visit his father, Dr. Ash, in the Upper Peninsula.  At first, everything is idyllic, loving and welcoming.  But when Jacy experiences a complication to her pregnancy, the environment around her changes and she starts to feel trapped while her husband and father-in-law become controlling and overbearing.  Is she in danger or just being paranoid?  While she wrestles with that question, one thing is perfectly clear.  She will do anything it takes to protect her baby.  

The main draw of Beware the Woman is Jacy’s predicament and how she reacts.  At first everything seems fine, but little weird moments occur that have her start to question what’s happening around her.  Then the frequency of curious occurrences ramps up and she realizes that the situation around her is deteriorating and putting her in jeopardy.  Realizing circumstances require an inner strength she doesn’t know she possesses, she must evolve her thinking and rise to the occasion to take control of her destiny.  So while it takes a while for her to act on her paranoia – all while the reader is screaming at her to get out – in the end she shows an impressive fortitude to overcome the odds stacked against her.

Creepy and unsettling, Beware the Woman is an intriguing book with a solid premise, deliberate pacing, and odd characters that all contribute to raising the anxiety of the reader.  It does lack closure to parts of the story and it doesn’t completely stick the landing, but the enjoyment is in the journey rather than the destination.  For readers who are looking for a blend of psychological thriller and horror story, kind of like Get Out meets Rosemary’s Baby, this book is up your alley.  

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Dead Drop By M.P. Woodward

Filled with clandestine espionage operations and international diplomacy, Dead Drop is a multi-dimensional high-stakes game of Risk with nothing short of nuclear war hanging in the balance.  With this second straight stellar novel, MP Woodward has firmly entrenched himself as one of the top spy novel authors in the genre today. 

While negotiations between the United States and Iran on a nuclear deal continue to progress, behind the scenes tells a different story.  The Israeli Mossad believes a new nuclear-capable missile is being developed by Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in Lebanon.  And of course, they can’t sit idly by, so they conduct aggressive and visible operations to ruin the efforts of their enemies despite the international blowback and condemnation.  Meanwhile, the Americans are in possession of a high-ranking Iranian intelligence officer from whom they are trying to ascertain the status of this new missile.  Until, that is, he escapes and goes on the run.  Now it’s a race to find the fugitive between Meredith Morris-Dale and John Dale of the CIA, the Mossad, and the Iranians.  Because whoever finds him first will hold all the cards and control what happens next in this critical and audacious game of cat and mouse.

Dead Drop is an instant classic in the espionage genre.  It’s not an in-your-face action packed novel, but one that contains copious amounts of suspense and uncertainty to catapult the story forward with a sense of urgency and eagerness to uncover the next move in this masterful chess match between world class intelligence organizations.  Furthermore, it blurs the lines between righteous and unjustifiable actions and makes you constantly question who is playing who in each entanglement of spy vs. spy.  And lastly, the numerous and intricate moves throughout the story require you to think critically to go beyond the surface and understand motivations and the true outcomes being driven by the various constituencies.  In short, it’s a masterful espionage tale.

Additionally, the character development is fantastic, the pacing spot on and the storytelling top notch.  It ticks all the boxes for an enjoyable and memorable thriller.  MP Woodward is a force to be reckoned with in this genre and I can’t wait to see where he takes the story and the characters next.

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Second Shot By Cindy Dees

CIA assassins, serial killers and Russian hitmen…oh my!  Second Shot is an adrenaline-filled thrill ride straight from the jump through the conclusion that begs for a sequel.  Cindy Dees has crafted a highly entertaining tale that’s part espionage thriller and part murder mystery with an incredibly deadly quinquagenarian woman at the center of it all.

Helen Warwick is recently retired from a long and distinguished career as one of the CIA’s premier assassins.  But her well-deserved chance at a second act is rudely and brutally interrupted when she’s attacked by four gunmen while dog sitting for one of her grown children.  Helen knows she has no shortage of enemies from decades of successfully eliminating this country’s most dangerous adversaries.  Not one to sit idly by while she remains a target, she sets off an investigation that pulls her back into the life she thought was behind her and brings her into contact with Russian Bratva muscle, serial killers and a shadowy figure known as Scorpius.  Now she must use her special set of skills to protect those she loves while bringing justice to those hellbent on bringing violence and death to her front door.

Second Shot grabbed a hold of me quickly and wouldn’t let go, mainly because of the uniqueness of Helen Warwick as a protagonist.  It’s not often that a thriller features a 55-year-old female former assassin, but the genius of Cindy Dees pulls it off incredibly well.  By having the main character be of an advanced age for the wet work game, it adds dimension to the story that other thrillers featuring younger characters can’t replicate.  Like the conflict between Helen and her grown children who resent her for having been away most of their childhood.  And the strain on her marriage because her husband wasn’t able to travel to do the research he wanted while he was raising the kids during her absence.  Or how Helen is trying to make amends but keeps getting sucked back into dangerous situations in order to find a resolution to the situation so she can move on with her life.  All of which add depth and relatability to her character and another layer of intrigue to the story.

Additionally, the inclusion of a serial killer on the loose as a parallel plot is enthralling.  On its own, it’s a captivating storyline that could carry a book.  But as it gets interwoven with Helen’s search for who’s trying to harm her, it enhances the story by providing another dimension that’s gripping while increasing the uncertainty of how events will end.

Second Shot is fascinating and irresistible!  Cindy Dees delivers in a big way with this novel and I can’t wait to see what happens next.  Because the way this book ends clearly teases a sequel in the works.  Which is great news because Helen Warwick is a character worthy of starring in her own thriller series.  

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The Chateau By Jaclyn Goldis

Every page drenched with maximum drama, The Chateau is a tale filled with life-altering secrets and money with friendships that may not be able to survive either.  Jaclyn Goldis has delivered a novel that’s compelling theatre with a slow-drip of reveals that constantly rock your world.

Four women return to the picturesque chateau they visited two decades ago while studying abroad together in France.  Still friends with deep bonds to this day, they relish the opportunity to spend quality time together and with Séraphine, the madame of the house and the grandmother of one of the women.  But they are equally puzzled by Séraphine’s invitation and curious message that she has information to share with the group.  So when she is found murdered one morning, the four friends start searching for answers, uncovering a myriad of secrets and motives that rock their world, put them all in danger and challenge what they thought they knew about each other.  

The Chateau does a wonderful job of dangling a carrot in front of the reader, teasing the big reveal while releasing little bits of information along the way.  This approach propels you forward with a sense of urgency to find the answers while developing characters and providing plot twists along the way.  It’s a great way to capture the reader’s attention and hold it, simplifying the telling of this multi-layered, complex story.

This book also offers a great commentary on the damage that secrets and money can do to relationships.  Every character has a hidden agenda on this vacation and many of them will irrevocably impact the connection they have with their friends.  And in several cases, there’s a financial component that adds impact to the issues simmering below the surface.  All of which goes towards proving two old adages – honesty is probably still the best policy and money can be the root of all evil.

The Chateau offers a thrilling spectacle that is part murder mystery, part history lesson and part reality television.  Enjoyable and intriguing from start to finish, buckle in and revel in the drama.

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The Devil You Know By Chris Hauty

Throw politics, the US judiciary, Mexican drug cartels, corporate America, and the deeper state into a blender and out comes The Devil You Know, a perfectly blended tale that is brilliantly structured and marvelously written.  Chris Hauty delivers yet another gratifying and cinematic gem filled with suspense, violence and heart. 

Hayley Chill is in the midst of a downward spiral, seeking refuge at the bottom of a Tequila bottle, when the secret organization she worked for wants to bring her back into the fold on a critical mission.  One Supreme Court justice is found murdered by their protection officer and Publius fears the assassination is part of a massive conspiracy to reshape the biggest court in the land.  Hayley reluctantly agrees to travel to Maui to augment another justice’s protection team, not coincidentally the same location where a school bus full of children is taken hostage.  Working through her own personal demons, Hayley must do everything in her power to keep her protectee safe, knowing there’s no one she can trust, that danger lurks in every shadow, and that everyone she encounters could be a part of the nefarious plot.

While the plot of The Devil You Know is fantastic and more realistic than we might want to believe, it’s the characters that make this novel special.  It starts with the continued development of Hayley Chill.  We know she’s a badass of the first degree, but she’s also a regular person with regular problems and traumas.  So to see her struggle mightily makes her more relatable and therefore makes her subsequent triumphs that much more sweet.  But this book is more than just Hayley.  The villains are intense, vicious and possibly clinically insane.  The protection officers are honorable but conflicted.  The justice is extraordinarily driven but approachable and unpretentious.  The school bus driver a coward but hopefully redeemable.  And best of all, a few of the school children are cool customers and mini badasses themselves.  Put together, they make for a character-driven novel that is as good as anything you’ll read in 2023.  

How Chris Hauty continues to deliver silky smooth stories with (seemingly) such ease is a great mystery.  But let’s not complain, as we’re the great beneficiaries of his literary talents.  And it’s nice to know that when you pick up one of his books, you’re in for ~6 hours of non-stop satisfying entertainment that hooks you early and doesn’t let up until Hayley saves the day.  

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Citizen Orlov By Jonathan Payne

Citizen Orlov is a whimsical and witty romp through the world of espionage in the early 20th century with an unassuming and reluctant protagonist that’s in over his head but enjoyable to root for.  Jonathan Payne has crafted an entertaining story that is light-hearted, amusing and bordering on the absurd.  It’s charming and delightful!

Orlov is a nobody, going about his simple life in a central European country.  A fishmonger who is employed in the only booth selling fish in the Grand Plaza.  But that all changes when he reaches through a window of the Ministry of Security and answers a ringing telephone.  Suddenly he’s deep into the world of espionage, politics and conspiracies.  An unwitting pawn in a deadly game in which he doesn’t know who to trust or which orders to follow with the King’s life hanging in the balance.  Is he a patsy who is being set up to take the fall for the assassination plot?  Or will Orlov rise to the occasion and outsmart the agents who are setting him up?

Using an everyman as the main protagonist works incredibly well in Citizen Orlov.  Orlov is completely out of his depth but convinces himself it’s his civic duty to follow through on the orders he’s been given, even though he doesn’t fully understand them.  He bumbles and stumbles through these missions and puts himself in dangerous situations he normally would never be anywhere near.  Which is endearing and admirable.  Especially when you realize he sees this as a path to a better life, albeit one that he might not want or need when all is said and done.  So while most of us will never get caught up in the espionage game, Orlov is still very relatable and someone we want to see successfully turn the tables on those who play him for a sucker.  Because he doesn’t deserve to be made the fool.  Even if he kinda is one.  

A quick and pleasing read with intriguing characters, twists and turns, and a compelling plot, Citizen Orlov will be well-received by espionage thriller fans and anyone who enjoys a fun story.

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Only The Dead By Jack Carr

James Reece is back in Only the Dead and this big hairy American killing machine is running riot, single handedly sending beaucoup Russians to an early grave while unraveling a global conspiracy and preventing nuclear war.  All in a day’s work for the preeminent, badass US assassin.  Jack Carr unleashes Reece, sending him into the breach once again to do what he does best.  Namely shoot a bunch of evildoers in the face.

After a spell in a supermax prison, James Reece resumes the quest of his late father to unmask a potent cabal set to remake the world order.  With no time to waste, Reece teams up with the few individuals he can trust to dig into files left to him by his father, leading them through a maze of hidden financial, political and international dealings that point to a black swan event in the near future. With powerful players pulling the strings, a nuclear war with far reaching consequences – and fiscal benefits to a select few – seems inevitable.  But with Reece on the warpath, motivated by finally bringing an end to the madness so he can keep his loved ones safe, maybe the only thing that is actually inevitable is death coming to those who seek to profit from death and destruction.

Only the Dead pushes Reece to his breaking point to see how he will respond.  He’s in a dark place, physically diminished from months in solitary and forced to deal with negative voices in his head that would drive any sane person mad.  But Reece is not just any normal person.  He’s extraordinary.  And once again he’s able to rise to the challenge.  Fueled by the legacy of his father, the love he has for his friends and family, and the responsibility he shoulders to protect America, he will stop at nothing to dole out fatal punishment to those he deems worthy of such final judgment.  And oh boy is he good at doing that!  Using knives, razors, guns, towels, rocks and even water to send his adversaries to meet their maker.  Reece is the Picasso of death and it’s a true honor to watch an artist at work.  It’s a thing of exquisite beauty to witness a man wholeheartedly enjoy his profession.

Now that this chapter about Reece’s father’s past is seemingly concluded, it will be exciting to see what’s in store next for our hero.  Will he finally make an honest woman of Katie Buranek?  Will he and Raife open the bookstore/whiskey bar/archery range they’ve talked about?  Will he take a few days to relax and maybe take a nap or two?  Will he kill a bunch of people in gruesomely graphic detail and save the world from annihilation…again?  I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what Jack Carr has in store for us next year.  But one thing is for certain, whatever comes next is guaranteed to be exhilarating and engaging.  

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The Libyan Diversion By Joel C. Rosenberg

Teeming with dynamic, ferocious, no holds barred action, The Libyan Diversion is one of the most tense and titillating thrillers you will encounter in 2023.  Joel C. Rosenberg delivers yet another engaging and captivating novel that will leave you sweaty, breathless and stunned.

After Marcus Ryker presents evidence that convinces the President to bomb the supposed location of terrorist mastermind Abu Nakba, all signs point to a successful outcome with the Kairos leader dead and Ryker tasked with mopping up the rest of the terror organization.  However, days later alarming images are shown on CNN purporting the bombing location wasn’t filled with terrorists, but of innocents.  Setting in motion a firestorm in the United States that impacts the president, his administration, Ryker’s employment, and the planned visit of the Pope.  Now an attack on American soil by Kairos seems imminent with little knowledge of where to start.  Which means Ryker will have to quickly clear his name and do what he does best – figure out what the terrorists are planning then stop the attack before tens of thousands of his compatriots are murdered.  

Did I mention this book is action packed?  Because that’s an understatement.  Bombings, gun battles, and missile strikes intertwined with kidnappings, crossing hostile borders, and intelligence gathering wrapped around a global manhunt with the clock ticking down towards doomsday…oh my!  There is hardly a moment to catch your breath as the story goes from one intense situation to the next.

And while the action is relentless, The Libyan Diversion also runs the gamut of emotions.  Elation, adoration and excitement give way to despondency, horror and anxiety before pivoting to awe, relief and love.  And in the middle of it all is Marcus Ryker, singularly focused on his purpose despite all the turbulence around him, tracking down those who would do us harm and stopping at nothing to achieve success.  His resiliency and effectiveness are impressive, all while remaining humble and overcoming adversity.  Something we can all admire and learn from.  

Are you in need of a gripping, balls-to-the-wall, nail-biting thriller?  If so, look no further than The Libyan Diversion.  It’s tremendous and needs to be on every thriller reader’s TBR pile in 2023.  

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The Ferryman By Justin Cronin

The offspring of an acid-laced union between The Matrix and WALL-E, The Ferryman is a sci-fi mindfuck of the first order.  A cautionary tale about a future reality that is perhaps only slightly exaggerated, wrapped inside a vastly creative but alarmingly nightmarish world created by Justin Cronin.

Welcome to the island paradise of Prospera, where a small but lucky populace enjoy extended and gratifying lives within a beautifully cultivated and seemingly perfect environment.  The best part?  As individuals' physical and mental health start to deteriorate, they retire themselves to the nursery, where they are reborn and reinserted to start a brand-new life with no memory of their prior one.  Proctor Bennett is in the middle of this circle of life, employed as a ferryman who guides people through their retirement.  Lately though, Proctor has been dreaming, which is concerning given that’s not something that is supposed to happen in Prospera.  Combined with some strange behaviors he’s witnessed lead Proctor to become paranoid and believing something is drastically wrong, with his subsequent questions and investigation putting him at odds with the powerful leadership of the island.  Concurrently, unrest is building within the population of the Annex, a separate island that houses those who provide the working-class labor for Prospera’s wealthy citizens.  It all comes to a head in a big clash with massive implications…and the realization that absolutely nothing is as it seems.

The Ferryman will repeatedly mess with your head.  At first it seems like normal life events and personal drama.  But then it kicks up to another level as strange things happen, kind of like glitches that would happen in a video game rather than real life.  And just when you’re trying to wrap your mind around what’s happening…BAM!  The weird shit meter pegs all the way to the right and you start to mutter WTF repeatedly as you try to figure out what’s real and what’s not.  Oh, but wait there’s more.  Because next on the agenda is something so completely wild and unhinged that your frontal cortex becomes scrambled eggs.  However, the craziest thing of all isn’t this insane story that Justin Cronin has thrust into your skull.  It’s that after completing this novel and pontificating the events that have unfolded, you conclude that it’s actually not as outlandish and improbable as you first thought.  Which is the precise moment your brain explodes. 

If you’re into Sci-Fi, dystopian worlds and novels that make you question your psychological fitness, then don’t miss The Ferryman.  And if you’re just looking for a creative, well-written story to escape the mundane and make you ponder the meaning of life, then this book is also for you.  It’s guaranteed to make a strong impression with everyone who reads it.  

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Something Bad Wrong By Eryk Pruitt

Something Bad Wrong will hit you with multiple “oh shit” moments, elicit strong reactions to the behaviors of each character, and will twist your brain as you try to figure out who perpetrated the heinous crime and who is complicit by their actions.  Eryk Pruitt has crafted a compelling thriller highlighting how small-town life isn’t always pink houses and apple pie, as it can sometimes be the perfect home for corruption, depravity and dark secrets.

Jess Keeler has visions of producing a true-crime podcast around the unsolved murders of a young couple in her hometown from 50 years ago.  Her grandfather was one of the sheriff’s deputies on the case, but no one will talk to her about him or the investigation.  After finding her grandfather’s notepad, she’s more determined than ever to get answers.  Teaming up with a formerly respected, now disgraced newscaster, Jess conducts a thorough and relentless investigation to produce killer content for the podcast.  However, the more they dig, the more dirt comes to light and paints a picture of misconduct, corruption, hubris, derangement, and deterioration that will shock a community that’s been awaiting answers for a very long time.

The beauty of Something Bad Wrong is that it’s fictitious but reads like true crime.  You’re riding along during the investigation, sharing the excitement when a new lead is unearthed as well as in the frustration when a dead end is reached.  You’re participating in the research and are in the room for interviews, trying to solve this double murder as if you’re personally involved.  You get so invested that you forget this didn’t really happen, that it’s all out of the imaginative mind of Eryk Pruitt.  And that’s what makes this such a good book.  Getting so into it that you lose yourself in the action.

Great characters, great plot twists and great writing make Something Bad Wrong an intriguing and entertaining novel that thriller fans and true crime junkies will all love.  It’s expertly crafted, deep and dark.  Quite an enjoyable reading experience. 

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Breakneck By Marc Cameron

The sheer intensity and excitement of Marc Cameron’s Breakneck is best illustrated using a simple formula: US Marshall Arliss Cutter + the Alaskan wilderness + the Russian Bratva hellbent on revenge = an epic battle on a speeding train.  The fervent action is unrelenting, the death toll extensive and the odds for survival slim.  Strap in and hang on because it’s one hell of a ride.  

Arliss and his partner Lola Teariki are assigned to the protection detail of Supreme Court Justice Charlotte Morehouse as she attends a judicial conference in Alaska.  Guarding the justice and her daughter seems routine until an uninvited guest shows up at the conference and is shot dead by law enforcement.  Eschewing advice to cut the trip short and return to DC, Morehouse and her daughter go through with plans to ride a sightseeing train into the Alaskan wilderness.  But they are unaware there are members of the Russian mafia on board with plans to kill her – in retribution for the role she played in the death of the Russian boss’ wife – and livestream it to the world.  Now it’s up to Arliss, Lola and the full protection team to repel the attack and keep the justice and her daughter alive.  Even if it means putting themselves in the crosshairs.

Breakneck builds the tension from the beginning, continuing to ratchet up anxiety levels until it explodes in a monumental gun battle and fisticuffs in and on top of a train traversing the Alaskan back country.   The Russian mobsters are incredibly brutal and unrepentant, singularly focused on their objective with no qualms about taking out anyone in their way.  But Arliss and Lola are resolute and undaunted, mission success the only thing they will accept.  Which makes for a classic engagement between good vs. evil.  The unstoppable force vs. the immovable object.  A fight to the death with neither side willing to entertain failure.  It’s glorious.

However, there’s more to this book than the Russian revenge storyline and it’s all in the name of character and series development.  First, Lola’s character gains more depth, emotion and respect through her actions and growing confidence…and the blossoming of her relationship with Joe Bill Bracket is sweet to witness. Next, the pursuit of the truth in the death of Ethan Cutter is ongoing, with Arliss and Mim chasing down leads and growing in their suspicions that his death was no accident.  And maybe most intriguing is that Arliss and Mim finally start addressing their repressed but obvious feelings, making it possible they will act on their sexual tension despite Ethan’s ghost looming over them.  Will they or won’t they?  You’ll just have to keep reading to find out.

The Arliss Cutter series is now five books in and has no indications of slowing down anytime soon, which is excellent news for thriller fans.  Breakneck is fantastic on its own, but also does a tremendous job of moving ongoing storylines forward, primes the pump for more adventures and provides opportunities for personal relationships to grow.  Marc Cameron continues to impress, and he has endless possibilities with where to take the series next.  So make sure you are on board the Arliss train.  It’s going to continue to be an entertaining journey.  

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Forgotten War By Don Bentley

Forgotten War blasts you right in the face with violent action in the relentless pursuit of truth and honor, burning bright and hot with the intensity of exploding rounds of white phosphorus juxtaposed with the emotional warm embrace of a beautiful friendship forged in combat.  

Matt Drake’s steadfast partner Frodo has been arrested and accused of murder, stemming from an operation in Afghanistan back in 2011.  Always having his best friend’s back, Matt dives headfirst into proving the charges are bogus but quickly realizes the situation is quite complex and fraught with danger.  Undeterred, Matt will do whatever it takes to help his friend, including an unsanctioned trip to Afghanistan during the chaos of the United States withdrawal where he will hook up with an unlikely group of individuals to track down and extract the one person who might be able to prove Frodo’s innocence.  But the Taliban is after the same individual, making it a treacherous race with guns blazing and bombs bursting.  But Matt Drake will stop at nothing to succeed in his mission and it would be foolish to bet against him, even when the odds of survival drop precipitously as the enemy closes in.    

Unsurprisingly, Matt Drake is put through the ringer once again as he voluntarily puts himself in harms way with little regard to his own safety in order to help his best friend, a woman he’s never met, and an interpreter he served with for one night over a decade ago.  He joins forces with an unlikely and somewhat quirky, but highly capable group of co-collaborators to take on this risky mission deep in Taliban-held country with little-to-no hope of backup from the mighty US military.  Each of these individuals is driven by a sense of duty, honor and commitment to a cause greater than themselves.  Which makes them a formidable unit capable of accomplishing this dangerous, potentially suicidal mission.  But undaunted, they march ahead singularly focused on success and taking the fight to the enemy.  

While there is a ton of action to make this an incredibly entertaining thriller, the thing that stands out most in Forgotten War is how Matt Drake works through his feelings as the war in Afghanistan comes to an end.  In this way, Don Bentley has written what comes across as a deeply personal – and possibly/hopefully cathartic – novel leveraging his experience serving in Afghanistan and the emotions experienced by himself and all veterans surrounding the United States withdrawal in 2021.  Combining this powerful and moving theme with Matt Drake’s trademark of heroically running headfirst into an untenable situation with his only thoughts being to help those he cares about, and you have one hell of a thought-provoking and satisfying novel.  

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Beast Three Six By Jason Kasper

Savagely violent and exceptionally inspirational with a delicious side of retribution, Beast Three Six is a tale of good vs. evil with the good guys putting it all on the line against the odds to save a hostage – and perhaps countless innocents – from gruesome and undeserving death.  Jason Kasper delivers another balls-to-the-wall, nonstop action covert operations thriller that gets your heart pumping and your forehead sweaty from substantial anxiety and anticipation.

Olivia Gossweiler, the daughter of a US senator and chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, has been kidnapped by terrorists and is being held captive in Benghazi, Libya.  The leader of this terrorist group, Khalil, has an interesting first demand – he will only negotiate with David Rivers, with whom he tangled with in the past.  David agrees and is sent over to negotiate while his Project Longwing teammates prep the area of operations for the Navy SEALs in case a hostage rescue is needed.  And it is needed because Khalil is the real deal and has no intentions of letting Olivia or David live through this ordeal…not to mention he has grander aspirations of launching additional terror attacks soon.  But when the timetable is suddenly moved up and the SEALs not yet on target, it’s up to the 5 men of this disposable unit – plus a willing and highly capable Combat Controller – to go up against insurmountable odds by attacking a fortified position defended by an overwhelming force to attempt a rescue.  It’s what Suicide Actual and his team live for.  Though living through this will take all the skill and luck they can muster.

While Beast Three Six is a ceaseless thrill ride with relentless action and an incredibly high body count that will please even the most hardcore military thriller fan, what stands out from the viciousness and terrorism is an inspirational story of doing what is necessary to succeed in your mission.  The men of Project Longwing know the deal.  They are a deniable and expendable unit that are sent into untenable situations with low likelihood of success.  Yet they continue to thrive and win the day, with this operation hopefully no different.  They are constantly adapting to the changing landscape, equally able to think strategically and sling lead downrange, and put the wellbeing of others ahead of their own.  They don’t complain or sulk that the original plans change or that the bad guys don’t play fair.  They just tie their boots, grab their gear and sprint headfirst towards the danger.  They are admirable, selfless, tough men who never quit.  And if that isn’t inspiring as all hell, then I don’t know what is.  

The whole series is fantastic, but Beast Three Six raises the bar to another level.  It’s a killer story with emotion.  Fast paced and ferocious.  Merciless and uplifting.  Exhilarating and gripping from the first page to the last.  Jason Kasper writes phenomenal thrillers and is a must read anytime he publishes a new book.  Don’t miss this one!

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Simply Lies By David Baldacci

Riveting, emotional and suspenseful, Simply Lies is a layered and twisting journey through the intersection of criminal enterprises and law & order.  David Baldacci launches this compelling new series with smart female leads, despicable villains, heinous crimes and enormous treasure.

Mickey Gibson is a former detective now employed in the private sector as an expert financial sleuth, tracking down hidden assets by some of the world's richest crooks, cheats and evaders. Balancing this rewarding yet adrenaline-lacking work with being a single mom of two has worked well for her, until her world is turned upside down by discovering a dead body at an abandoned mansion while on an assignment that turns out to be bogus. Even more concerning is the phone calls from a mysterious and manipulative woman who not only sent Mickey to find the body but is now forcing her to conduct an investigation that puts her – and her family – in the crosshairs of some seriously nasty individuals.  As the situation keeps getting more dangerous, Mickey realizes the only way out is through and that she will have to team up with the untrustworthy voice on the phone to take down the bad guys and ensure her family’s safety and security for years to come.

Baldacci’s trademark storytelling and character development are once again brilliantly on display in Simply Lies.  Mickey and her anonymous cellular puppet master are both exceptionally skilled but also incredibly relatable and sympathetic figures that readers can easily connect with as the story unfolds.  And the way it unfolds with twists & turns, the slow drip release of deep rooted secrets, and characters with uncertain motives all keep the conclusion in doubt until the explosive and shocking reveal.

David Baldacci is one of the most bankable authors in the genre today and he once again delivers with Simply Lies.  It’s got everything readers love about his other books, wrapped in a fresh plot with intriguing characters and tons of future potential.  Sure to be a bestseller, it’ll be fun to see where this series goes after a thrilling beginning.  

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City Of Dreams By Don Winslow

Propulsive, explosive and emotive, City of Dreams is a gritty yet beautiful tale of second chances, making deals and controlling your destiny.  Don Winslow strikes gold once again with an absorbing novel that explores the intoxicating allure of power, fame, influence, control and money as well as the gravitational pull of loyalty, family and love.

Following the events of City on Fire, Danny Ryan and his Irish crew are making a run west to evade retribution from the rival Italian mob, the feds and anyone else who wishes them harm after a bloody gang war on the streets of Providence.  Recently widowed and with a young son to care for, Danny has plans to go legit and start a new life in California.  But the old life is hard to shake, either because he needs to pull a job to make peace with the feds or because it’s in his blood and he only feels alive when he’s got a piece of the action.  And there’s plenty of action in Los Angeles where he and his crew get involved in a Hollywood production, hook up with beautiful women and get sideways with the west coast mob.  But with death following Danny wherever he goes, will he and his crew be able to survive long enough to reap the benefits of their second act?

Being the second installment in a trilogy, City of Dreams has the critical job of being a bridge from the first book to the last and it doesn’t disappoint.  In fact, it thrives on its own.  It builds upon the backstories and unadulterated violence provided in City on Fire and moves Danny Ryan’s journey forward in both expected and unexpected ways.  Expected in the way that his thought process and actions are still grounded in what he learned back in Providence, leading to making both shady and legitimate deals that benefit him and his devoted crew.  Proving the adage that you can take the man out of the mob, but you can’t take the mob out of the man.  And unexpected in the way he rebounds from the loss of his wife and all the bloodshed he experienced to be a good father, to find a way to forgive his estranged mother, to find someone to love and fulfill his potential.  

City of Dreams is tremendous!  Filled in equal measure with moving moments and “oh-shit” events, it’s emotional and stirring while also being vicious and calculating.  It’s a brilliant follow up to City on Fire that perfectly sets up the final installment in the trilogy, promising to be entertaining as hell…either as a triumphant success or an ignominious end to the Danny Ryan saga.  Regardless, it’ll be a final gift to readers from the genius pen of Don Winslow.  And I can’t wait to find out how this epic story ends. 

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The Instructor By T.R. Hendricks

Filled with intense and all-consuming action, The Instructor is an emotional roller coaster that induces serious heart palpitations, heavy perspiration and adrenaline spikes.  T.R. Hendricks bursts onto the thriller scene with a wonderfully outstanding debut novel featuring a protagonist that is as resourceful and patriotic as any in the genre.

Derek Harrington is a retired Marine who is struggling with civilian life.  He’s recently divorced, behind on child support payments, running a barely solvent wilderness survival school, caring for his aging and ailing father and battling PTSD – all of which keep him busy that he’s missing out on important moments for his only son.  So when he’s offered thousands of dollars to impart his survival and tactical wisdom on a security force for a private group living off the grid in update New York, he has little choice but to accept despite his reservations about who he will be working for.  However, he views this as a potential mission and reaches out to a friend in the FBI to build an undercover operation to determine what this group is up to and stop them from doing any harm.  But Derek will soon find that infiltrating this organization is the easy part.  Staying alive, figuring out who he can trust, keeping his sanity and stopping a sinister plot will take every ounce of his strength and elite skill set to emerge victorious and protect the country and the individuals he loves so much. 

Two things stand out in The Instructor.  First, it’s dripping with operational authenticity.  The level of detail provided in the survival and tactical training portions of the novel are of the highest quality.  Everything Derek Harrington teaches feels like it’s straight from a real Recon Marine/SERE instructor, making it abundantly clear the author has first-rate experience in this area that is enhanced with superior research to ensure everything is flawless.  Second, Harrington’s actions and thoughts are those of a person who’s flawed but persistent in the pursuit of personal growth.  There are times when he’s easy to root for and feel bad for what he’s experiencing, and other times where you wonder if he’s just a huge adrenaline seeking asshole.  But it’s all a part of the character development journey, fitting perfectly into the arc of the story and resulting in the creation of a protagonist who will run through a wall of bullets to successfully complete the mission and defend the country from all enemies, foreign or domestic.  

Take my unsolicited advice and jump onto the Derek Harrington train early.  Because this series is going to take off like a rocket ship with no inclination to slow down anytime soon.  And big congrats to T.R. Hendricks for crafting a novel and protagonist that will stand out in the crowded and excellent thriller genre.  Can’t wait to see what comes next!

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