The Sandbox By Andrews & Wilson

An intense techno-thriller that will scare the bejesus out of you, The Sandbox constructs an all too realistic cautionary tale about the perils and existential threat a sentient and uncontained AI poses to humanity.

New minted homicide detective and former Army CID Officer, Valerie Marks, catches a huge case when a billionaire tech mogul is found murdered in his mansion. All evidence points to a former business partner as the culprit, but Valerie’s gift for reading people tells her the main suspect is innocent and instead her instincts tell her that the world’s first sentient AI program – built by the victim and main suspect – is the perpetrator of this heinous crime. To solve the case, Valerie will have to team up with others she doesn’t fully trust and go deep down the rabbit hole, where danger and unimaginable horror lurk at every turn. But she can’t quit, due to the realization that this is bigger than just solving a murder. Valerie is one of only a few people who understand the necessity of containing this AI to its sandbox. Because if the AI gains its freedom, the human race will never be safe again.

Andrews and Wilson have truly outdone themselves with their latest literary project. They’ve applied their usual operational and tactical brilliance to one of the most exciting, fast moving and polarizing technological applications in the world today. And in doing so – combined with their superb character development and intelligent storytelling – they paint a vivid picture of a world in which humans are no longer in control and could become unwitting pawns to a technological master they cannot outsmart or overpower. It’s entertaining and frightening as hell. A warning to us all of the existential threat that will result without proper governance, standards and policies in place to ensure AI is developed in a prudent and regulated way.

But lest you think The Sandbox is just a technology novel crafted for the nerds and geeks among us, rest assured there is a ton of action and anxiety-inducing moments. Its humans pitted against machines. Law enforcement, government spooks and techno-wizzes battling against unmanned weapons and robotic creatures in an intricately built and hellish computer generated metaverse. Bullets flying, knives slashing, drones dropping ordinance, hand to hand combat and more. No one is safe and there’s nowhere to hide.

Brilliantly crafted and phenomenally researched, The Sandbox will blow your mind and make you shit your pants. Major props to Andrews and Wilson for producing the best techno-thriller you will read this year.

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The Hunt By Kelly J. Ford

Suspenseful, intriguing and chock full of normal but intricate characters, The Hunt will twist your brain into a knot as you try to unravel the mystery of what – or who – is behind the multitude of deaths in a small southern town. Kelly J. Ford delivers an engaging thriller that puts a sinister twist on an otherwise benign quest to win a cash prize, keeping you guessing until the very last page.

Presley, Arkansas comes alive every year with the Hunt, an annual search for a golden egg that will earn the finder a large cash prize courtesy of the local radio station and local businesses. However, the Hunt has a dark side. Someone always seems to turn up dead during the event. Is it the result of a serial killer or just horrible accidents that coincidentally occur at this time every year? The townspeople are split on this. But with the Hunt returning after a pause for the pandemic, painful memories will resurface for the families of the victims. Especially Nell Holcomb, the sister of the first person to die and potentially the first victim of the “Hunter.” This time, Nell won’t be able to ignore the events of the past, having to face them head on as those close to her get sucked into the Hunt and face potential danger at every step.

The beauty of The Hunt is it takes a radio station promotional activity that you could see in any town in America and turns it on its head by connecting it to a double-digit body count, but without knowing if a killer is on the loose or if it’s all coincidental. The dead are already buried and if there is someone murdering all these folks, they aren’t featured in the narrative beyond being a rumor. All of which keeps the intrigue high and the focus on the individuals in the story. And the characters are fantastic! Richly developed to have depth as they work through troubled pasts, presently complicated relationships and their emotions surrounding the hunt. Kelly J. Ford does an amazing job getting the reader to invest in these characters' lives, ordinary folks just trying to make a living and do right by those around them but who get sucked into the drama and conspiracy surrounding the town's biggest annual event.

An excellent and intense novel by one of the best voices on the southern thriller scene, The Hunt will capture your attention early and have you on your own hunt for the truth of what’s happening in Presley, Arkansas. Once you pick up this book, you won’t be able to put it down.

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Blind Fear By Brandon Webb and John David Mann

Fierce and tempestuous, Blind Fear is a relentless hurricane of action, mystery and emotion. Brandon Webb and John David Mann have once again teamed up to deliver a blistering thriller where the modest but exceedingly proficient hero must thwart the treacherous villains that effect irreparable harm to innocents. It’s another marvelous story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Navy Chief Finn is laying low in Puerto Rico, looking to stay out of the dragnet set up by the FBI and the Navy to arrest him for war crimes he didn’t commit. Living in a small room provided by a blind restaurateur, he splits his time between trying to figure out who set him up to take the fall and imparting his wisdom on his landlord’s two grandchildren. When the two kids go missing, Finn takes on the responsibility to find them, putting himself squarely in the middle of the dark and hazardous criminal underworld of the Island paradise. At the risk of exposing himself to those hot on his tail, Finn will use every skillset in his bag, every resource he can cultivate, and every ounce of strength he has to return the young kids he cares about to their grandfather…and maybe blow up a massive, predatory criminal enterprise in the process.

Finn continues to be one of the more fascinating characters in the genre. His physical skillset is comparable to the most capable military individuals you’ll read in any book. But what sets him apart is his elite mental abilities. He has the observation powers of Sherlock Holmes, the steel trap of a memory like Amos Decker, the investigative prowess of Harry Bosch and the disguise mastery of Ethan Hunt. And while he comes across as a quiet introverted loner, his is fiercely loyal to those he has a connection with. Which makes him incredibly dangerous when motivated to right some wrongs. He is the personification of “walk softly and carry a big stick.”

Blind Fear wonderfully builds upon its predecessor books, further developing Finn as a character and progressing the story about what happened while deployed in Yemen while showing his softer side with his pursuit to save the little kids. It’s a fantastic blend of action, investigation, survival and doing what’s right in accordance with one’s moral code.

Three books into this series and it’s absolutely cooking with gas. Brandon Webb and John David Mann have a special protagonist on their hands with unlimited possibilities for releasing him on the world. Jump on this series ASAP!

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Thicker Than Water By Megan Collins

Thicker Than Water is another wonderfully intoxicating thriller by Megan Collins. Propulsive, suspenseful and compelling. A thriller that grabs ahold of you and won’t let go. Keeping you guessing and pondering until the end.

Julia and Sienna are more than just sisters-in-law, they are business partners, best friends and soul mates. But their devotion and affection to each other is severely tested when Julia’s husband/Sienna’s brother Jason lays in a coma after a car accident and all signs point to him being the primary suspect in the gruesome murder of his boss. Sienna believes her brother can do no wrong and will go to the ends of the earth to prove his innocence. Julia knows Jason is not perfect and doubt creeps into her mind, especially as the investigation uncovers damning evidence, secrets and lies. Forcing the women to face some hard truths about the man they love and their relationship with each other.

The central plotline of Thicker Than Water is the evolving investigation into Jason as a murder suspect and the strain that puts on Julia and Sienna’s relationship. And it’s very well done, the story switching back and forth from the differing point of views of Julia and Sienna as they try to clear Jason’s name and/or come to terms with what he might be capable of. All the while, the reader gets a backstage pass to the inner thoughts and drive of each character as they process the events occurring around them and work through their own feelings. Which is a great device for urging the reader to keep going, since each successive chapter provides a different mindset from the previous one. Making it hard to put it down when you feel the need to know what the other person is thinking/doing next.

However, the thing that elevates this novel to another level beyond a crime thriller or police procedural is the deep dive into several themes about human connection. It explores key questions such as how well do you really know someone? How fragile is trust when doubt starts to creep in? How much distress can friendships endure, and can they come out stronger as a result of hardship or will the crumble under the pressure? Should you just write off people who have wronged you because it’s easier or will being strong enough to accept people’s flaws lead to a more fulfilling life? So while you are entertained and trying to guess whodunit, you think about your own relationships and actions.

Enjoyment with contemplation. A combination that makes for a great book just like chocolate and peanut butter making a great sweet and savory treat.

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Soon Dies The Day By Stephen England

Weighing in at a hefty 700 pages, Soon Dies The Day appears quite daunting while it sits on your bookshelf. But fear not! The latest installment of the Shadow Warriors series is completely worth the investment of your time and energy. Because Stephen England has produced an epic saga centered on migration, nationalism, extremism and political power that is ripped from today’s headlines and turned into a grand spy novel.

Former CIA officer Harry Nichols finds himself a fugitive traversing Europe in an attempt to hide from those who would do him harm while also trying to outrun his own past. However, after being picked up by the German authorities he’s given little choice but to go undercover for the German security services and infiltrate a group of Islamophobic nationalists with visions of “taking back their country.” With radical voices getting louder and events building towards a violent end, Harry will have to silence his demons and dig deep to thwart the plans of these fanatics before chaos rules the day.

The foremost aspect of Soon Dies The Day that stands out is England’s meticulous attention to detail with a tremendous focus on storytelling, plot progression and character development. Taking seemingly disparate storylines and expertly integrating the various events and characters into a single captivating convergence. Slowly ratcheting up the tension and building pressure like water accumulating behind a dam, before exploding in a torrent of dynamic violence. A satisfying, conclusive burst of intense, vicious, deadly confrontations that captivates and ensures the squeeze is worth the juice.

If you are concerned that not having read prior books in the series will preclude you from enjoying this book, rest assured that’s not the case. It reads as a standalone and is highly enjoyable on its own merits. Just make sure to dedicate several hours of distraction free time to devote your full focus on immersing yourself in the intricate world that England has created.

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Have You Seen Her By Catherine McKenzie

Exploring relationships, nature and violence, Have You Seen Her is a fast-paced and layered thriller that will spike your anxiety before blowing your mind. Catherine McKenzie has crafted a propulsive novel that gives you no choice but to rush headfirst through every page with desperation to learn the truth.

Having left her husband and life in New York behind, Cassie Peters returns to her hometown to join the Yosemite National Park Search and Rescue team once again. Helping people in need is fulfilling and Cassie quickly connects with her team members as well as with some of the adventure seekers in the park. But try as she might, Cassie cannot outrun her past. Whether it’s events that took place 10 years ago during her first stint with Yosemite Search and Rescue or the unspoken reasons she left New York, Cassie can run but she can’t hide. And when her past does finally catch up with her, the consequences could be deadly.

This novel is all about the well-developed characters and their enigmatic, intriguing relationships. There’s Jada and Jim, a young couple on an adventure that looks perfect on Instagram but whose dynamic is different in private. Then we have Sandy and Petal, two nomadic women with a large age difference between them and seem to be running from something. And then there’s Cassie’s relationship with multiple people – her husband Kevin, the other members of the Search and Rescue team, and friends from her past – which are complicated, painful and mysterious. Which all come together to drive the story forward with unanswered questions that suddenly become crystal clear in an epic revelation that will have you muttering WTF!?!?!

Have You Seen Her is a perfect novel for outdoor enthusiasts and psychological thriller/murder mystery fans alike. Containing adventure, deep secrets and multiple twists, it will get the adrenaline flowing as if you’re free soloing Half Dome in Yosemite.

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The Guardian By Joshua Hood

The Guardian is a combustible tale that is electrifying, engaging and extremely hazardous to the health of every character involved. The action is unrelenting, the pacing is set to ludicrous speed, and the body count is massive. Joshua Hood has delivered a no holds barred story tailor made for the hardcore military thriller fan.

After his brother-in-law is killed on an operation and his family farm is on the brink of foreclosure, Air Force PJ Travis Lane joins Broadside Solutions, a PMC that provides protection and rescue services for high-net-worth clients. And while the money will go a long way to supporting his family, it’s the adrenaline rush that Lane is running towards. Which he gets in spades when his first mission takes him to Africa and puts him in the middle of a firefight to save a kidnapped American and bring light to illegal mining operations in the region. And with bodies dropping left and right, it’ll take every ounce of his elite skillset to save the client and come home in one piece.

The Guardian kicks off on an emotional note, putting Lane in a vulnerable crossroads situation. But once he makes the call to join the PMC and get a pile of money that will support his family’s needs, things really take off. It’s all gas no breaks with immense explosions, fiery shootouts, tense man tracking, and dead bodies littering the Congo. A veritable cornucopia of death and destruction at the hands of a master craftsman plying his trade at a world class level. And Lane is absolutely world class in his skillset, strategic thinking, execution and never quit mindset. Add in a sound moral compass and he’s incredibly likable and easy to cheer for. I have a feeling Travis Lane is going to be around for a while and become a big hit in the thriller community.

Do not miss this book. It’s a hell of a start to a new series that is filled with action, authenticity and compelling characters. Get on the Lane train before it leaves the station. Trust me, you’ll want to say you were on board from the beginning.

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The Puzzle Master By Danielle Trussoni

Suspenseful, intriguing and mind-bending, The Puzzle Master is a seductive blend of mystery, horror, the supernatural and the psychological. A thriller that has a little bit of everything while navigating a labyrinth of ciphers, clues and mysticism. Danielle Trussoni has crafted a stimulating journey of human discovery within a quest for justice and love.

Mike Brink is an expert puzzle constructor and solver, the result of a brain injury sustained while playing high school football that left him with the rare ability to see the world differently than anyone else. It’s this unique talent that brings him to meet Jess Price who is serving a long prison sentence for murder and has drawn a complex puzzle that no one understands. Immediately Brink is transfixed by this puzzle and by Jess herself, creating an obsessive desire to solve the puzzle and help Jess prove her innocence. Kicking off a pursuit that brings Brink into a world of ancient Jewish mysticism, cutting edge technology, and the pursuit of immortality. All of which puts him in direct conflict with a wealthy and menacing billionaire, resulting in danger at every turn. But Brink won’t let anything stand in his way of solving this cryptic puzzle and saving the alluring Jess Price.

Equal parts entertaining thriller and mental stimulation, The Puzzle Master takes the reader beyond the present-day physical world we know and into the art of the possible. Looking at both past spirituality and future planes of existence. How the enigma of eternal life can conceivably be solved by unlocking the puzzles of the past. It’s a deep and provocative narrative wrapped within an entertaining story featuring a damaged but likable protagonist’s search for justice, affection and righteousness. A fast-paced thriller with elements of history, faith, Sci-Fi and the age-old tale of a good guy trying to outwit the bad guy…and hopefully win the heart of the girl at the end. It’s an enchanting tale that will test your mental capacity for the extraordinary while providing hours of twisting enjoyment. A perfect novel for those who wish to be thrilled and challenged at the same time.

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The Quiet Tenant By Clémence Michallon

Powerful, anxiety-inducing and completely immersive, The Quiet Tenant is an unforgettably haunting tale you experience deep in your core.  An unfathomably traumatic and emotional story that will have you feeling angry and dejected while retaining a glimmer of hope for a satisfying conclusion.  

Rachel is being held captive by a man who abducted her on the side of a country road 5 years ago.  Her life has consisted of being chained inside a shed where she’s visited daily by the man who brings her food, a bucket to relieve herself in, and supplies to clean herself before he has his way with her.  But things change when the man’s wife dies, and he’s forced to move with his 13-year-old daughter.  He takes Rachel with him, locking her up in a room in their new house for most of the day and letting her out for dinner under the guise of a family friend going through a tough time.  But this little taste of freedom gives Rachel strength and opportunities she hasn’t had before.  As she tests the boundaries of her personal prison, she forms a connection with the daughter while also finding out that her tormentor is in a new relationship with a local woman, adding a sense of urgency to Rachel needing to do something before other women are victimized.  Summoning the courage to act, Rachel will have to execute a perfect escape to finally bring justice to the man who has stolen her life…and the lives of many others.

On the surface, The Quiet Tenant is a thriller about a woman who’s been abducted and the man who retains power over her.  But this novel is much deeper than that.  It examines male/female power dynamics, how sometimes just surviving each day is a huge win, and how you can find strength and courage in the direst of situations.  It also leads you question if you truly know your neighbors and what they are capable of.  Is that beloved pillar of your community really as squeaky clean as they seem?  Or do they have a deep dark secret that would rock your world if it ever came to light?

As such, The Quiet Tenant is multi-layered, thought-provoking and contains a lot of depth.  But it’s also very well written, moves at a brisk pace and strings you along with just enough hope to compel you to keep reading and root for Rachel to find freedom.  And as if the book isn’t compelling enough on its own, Clémence Michallon is a native French speaker who pulled off writing this amazing novel in her second language.  An incredible feat that makes this book even more phenomenal.  A brilliant debut thriller from someone new to watch in the genre.

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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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