Deadly Tides By Mary Keliikoa

Well-written with appealing characters caught up in a dark and gritty case, Deadly Tides is a crime novel with a little bit of everything. Mary Keliikoa delivers a fast-paced and compelling thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, continuously changing your mind on who could be behind the crime.

Violent crime doesn’t often visit the Oregon coast. But when a severed foot washes ashore on the same day a surf shop owner goes missing, Misty Pines Sheriff Jax Turner and his understaffed department kick into high gear to investigate a potential homicide. In the process, they come across a pool of blood, an additional missing persons case, another dead body, and several folks with hidden agenda and strong motives. Working with his ex-wife/FBI agent Abby Kanekoa, Jax diligently follows up on leads to untangle the mess of these cases as well as the mess his life has become. And he better act quickly. Or the safety of the town, those he cares about, and his own life could be in serious jeopardy.

The appeal of Deadly Tides is twofold. First, it’s the relatability of the characters. Jax is struggling to put his life back together after the loss of his child and the subsequent divorce from the love of his life. He’s flawed and vulnerable yet hopeful and a work in progress, all things everyone can relate to on some level. Same goes for his ex-wife Abby, who shows a different way of coping and living her life. And the list goes on, every character has a backstory with challenges and uncertain futures. It makes for a compelling and sympathetic cast (except for the potential murderer of course).

Second, it’s the violent crimes and increasingly urgent investigation with numerous suspects and equally abundant twists and turns. Severed feet and dead bodies bring darkness to a picturesque beachside town. Troubled youth, jealous businessmen, combustible politicians, and incompetent care facilities all lend realistic disquiet, complexity and uncertainty to how things will unfold. And once it becomes clear who is the main suspect, it’s a high-intensity race to the finish with bated breath. Hoping for a positive outcome but fearing the worst is about to happen. Engaging and exciting from start to finish.

A fantastically crafted second book in this young series, Mary Keliikoa has something brewing here that is worth watching. Especially for fans of murder mysteries and flawed characters. Deadly Tides has both and I expect we’ll see more in future tales of Misty Pines.

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Ransomed Daughter By Eric Bishop

A non-stop dramatic and electrifying thriller novella, Ransomed Daughter is sure to entertain, enthrall and enrage. Eric Bishop has packed a metric ton of intensity and emotion into this tiny but mighty package.

A young woman has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom. Warned not to involve law enforcement, the woman’s wealthy father is desperate to find a way to get his daughter back, not trusting that paying the ransom will be enough. He calls up an old buddy nicknamed The Colonel and asks for help from his Omega Group, an elite black-ops unit will the skills and means to track down and rescue his little girl. Led by Troy Evans, the team gets to work and uses intellect, intimidation and technology to get the job done. But rescuing the woman from her captors may turn out to be the simplest part of this complex mission.

Ransomed Daughter introduces readers to Troy Evans, an intriguing character with a lot of potential. He’s highly skilled from his armed forces training and exhibits the hallmarks of a good leader. However, he’s no military lemming who blindly follows orders. Yes, he accepts direction from his superior officer and focuses his team on completing the mission, but he also demonstrates the ability to think for himself, evaluate situations in the moment and make an informed decisions on the proper course of action. Which makes him a highly capable and likeable protagonist that readers will want to see more of in the future.

Containing fast-pacing, solid storytelling and a thrill ride of a plot, Ransomed Daughter is an engaging and stirring thriller that signals the beginning of a new and exciting series.

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Blood Lines By Nelson DeMille & Alex DeMille

Powerfully vivid, endlessly fascinating and intensely horrifying, Blood Lines wreaks havoc on your emotions, keeps you on the edge of your seat and has you questioning the current state of the world.

Army CID Agents Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor are reunited in Berlin to investigate the murder of fellow CID Agent Harry Vance. German law enforcement believes this is an open and shut case of Islamic terrorism, with the US Embassy’s legal attaché and her team in full agreement. But to Brodie and Taylor the facts are too convenient and as they continue to ignore the narrative and follow new leads, they discover additional evidence that points to a more sinister plot. One that dates back to the Cold War and the Stasi secret police of East Germany, involves the rising threat of the neo-Nazi movement, and includes a traitor code named Odin who has gone unexposed for over three decades. Now Brodie and Taylor are the only ones who can stop a cataclysmic event from occurring…if they can decipher this twisted web of clues in time and avoid becoming victims themselves.

Brodie and Taylor are fantastic characters, with Brodie being the brash, sarcastic, impulsive, anti-authority “bad cop” to Taylor’s thoughtful, methodical, follow the rules “good cop” (thought Brodie’s approach definitely rubs off on Taylor as time goes on). As a pairing they are incredibly formidable, putting aside subtextual sexual tension to focus on the case and getting justice for their colleague. And despite pissing on procedure and pissing off every single member of the German and American law enforcement community involved in this investigation, they see things others cannot or will not see and they get results. Causing incredible frustration witnessing the resistance they face along the journey but experiencing extreme satisfaction when they are proven right in the end.

But the star of Blood Lines is the ominous plot and its linkages back to Nazism, Communism and the Cold War. It’s no exaggeration to say I felt extreme anxiety at the real reason Harry Vance was murdered and the dastardly, murderous scheme that comes to light. It feels all to plausible in this age of scientific and technical advancements coupled with increasing xenophobia and extremism. Which is beyond terrifying to consider. Though it makes for one hell of a heart-pounding thriller.

Kudos to Nelson and Alex DeMille for crafting such a compelling, entertaining and frightening story. Combining past and present narratives, they’ve delivered a highly effective and distressing cautionary tale in thriller form. And it’s excellently executed. A brilliantly constructed novel that you will not soon forget.

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The Last Guardian By Simon Gervais

Clayton White is back and must avert a major conspiracy to reshape the world order in The Last Guardian. Simon Gervais delivers another pulse-pounding, blood rushing, race against the clock thriller that will keep you in suspense and leave you winded.

Clayton White is on top of the world. Following his viral moment from the sensational takedown of an Iranian intelligence asset, he's working directly for the president while expecting his first child with the love of his life. But the fentanyl epidemic is claiming lives every day and the President has asked him to meet with the FBI director to discuss an investigation into the Red Dragon Triad drug cartel. However, right before the meeting is to occur, the director is assassinated and White puts his life on the line to chase down the perpetrators. What he uncovers is a plot that goes much higher than a cartel and puts thousands of innocent Americans – and his growing family – in danger. With secret identities, traitorous behaviors and wicked plots at every turn, Clayton White must risk everything to protect the country and people he loves from becoming victims of unbearable tragedy.

The Last Guardian takes several hot topics of today – the fentanyl crisis, the Russian war against Ukraine, China’s desire for Taiwan, divisive US politics – and melds them into a gripping tale that feels too real and quite possibly predicts future events. Add in duplicitous characters (some with ambiguous loyalties), rousing shootouts across the globe and a bunch of Stinger surface-to-air missiles in enemy hands, and this future is one we’d be best to avoid.

Additionally, it appears Clayton White is at a crossroads. He is critical to the national security of the United States and won’t stop running headfirst into danger. But he’s also about to be a dad and needs to evaluate his choice of profession. An internal struggle that Simon Gervais wonderfully addresses and allows to unfold throughout the book, making White relatable and empathetic while he shoots bad guys in the face.

Electric and absorbing, The Last Guardian is another must read from the venerable Simon Gervais. Yet again, picking up his latest book is several hours very well spent.

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Moscow X By David McCloskey

An instant contender for the best thriller of 2023! Moscow X is phenomenal and enters the pantheon of all-time great USA/Russia espionage novels, joining the likes of DeMille’s The Charm School, Matthew’s Red Sparrow and Clancy’s The Hunt for Red October. David McCloskey has crafted a remarkable story brimming with intrigue and suspense that will leave you completely spent and astounded.

Sia Fox is a lawyer for a London law firm that specializes in hiding dirty money for the ultra-wealthy. Max Castillo runs the family business breeding racehorses in Mexico. They are also CIA officers in the middle of a daring operation designed by the CIA’s Moscow X division leader Artemis Proctor to sow chaos in Russia. Their mission is to recruit Vadim, one of Putin’s moneymen, and his wife Anna to get access and information on the Russian leader’s finances. But Anna is a SVR agent and is simultaneously trying to recruit Sia as part of a private operation to find where Putin’s right-hand man, a ruthless man everyone calls Goose, has secreted away hundreds of millions of dollars stolen from Anna’s father. The big question is - who is running who? The game is afoot. No one can be trusted and with the prospect of being tortured and killed in a Russian prison a very real possibility for all involved, is it worth winning the game if the cost is your life?

Reading Moscow X is a full body experience. You sweat, shake, yell and deal with growing paranoia alongside the characters as the ever-increasing danger takes shape and the inevitability of what is going to happen next reveals itself with you powerless to alter the outcome. That’s not to say it’s predictable, which it most certainly is not. There are enough twists and proceedings you don’t expect that will leave you feeling as if you were run over by a truck. Furthermore, the storytelling is immaculate, the characters are perfectly constructed, and the plot is so realistic and audacious that it’ll leave you shellshocked as you turn the pages. It’s a brilliant piece of writing that you won’t be able to easily shake after completion.

Fans of dark, gritty, intense spy novels will fall in love with Moscow X. It’s got all the hallmarks of classic espionage stories with a timeless feel that would work equally well in today’s world or if it had been published during the height of the cold war. And with cinematic storytelling, it’s easy to picture this on the silver screen one day. It’s something else! David McCloskey strikes gold with this book. Do not miss it.

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Boom Days By Montana Kane

Boom Days is an explosive thriller filled with menace, intrigue and sexual tension. Hot and dark, fun and dangerous, flirtatious and treacherous. Montana Kane has crafted another dynamic, engaging and entertaining novel that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Tensions are rising in the picturesque mountain town of Boomville, Colorado. Rents are pricing out the locals. Out of towners are swarming the town for the summer. And things keep exploding. Namely vacation rentals. Enter Brandy Martini, former Chicago detective turned private investigator, who is hired by a property owner to look into the matter. Partnering with local law enforcement, Brandy’s investigation puts her at odds with an angry hippie, a collective living in the woods, and old-timers who hate tourists. To add to the drama, her sister is onto yet another business idea, her mother shows up unannounced for a visit, and her romantic feelings for the police lieutenant continue to confound her. Despite all that’s going on around her, Brandy must block out the noise and focus on the task at hand – finding those behind the explosions and bring them to justice before more people are hurt or killed. And she better hurry, because not only is she in the crosshairs of these dangerous individuals, but so are the people she loves the most.

The plot is captivating and enticing, grabbing your attention early and never letting go. However, it’s the eclectic characters who are the propulsive force behind this story. You can’t help but fall in love with the bong brothers carefree take on life and willingness to help no questions asked, Brandy’s sister’s joyful can-do spirit, the deputy sheriff’s one-way jealous rivalry with Brandy, or the local drunks who will talk your ear off for a free drink. Then there’s the “will they, won’t they” intensity between Brandy and the police lieutenant that turns up the heat and threatens to derail their professional responsibilities in favor of succumbing to their desires. On the flip side, we have the antagonists. Villains that damn the consequences and don’t fit the usual profile of rampaging criminals hellbent on blowing shit – and people – up. An unconventional and crafty approach to the backstories of those on the wrong side of the law.

But the star of the show is Brandy. She’s a highly capable badass who has her flaws and blind spots, but wants nothing more than to be a valuable member of the community and live her life in peace. Which requires introspection and no longer avoiding the hard work of addressing past traumas. But until she is ready to do that work, she’s surrounded by a tremendous support system and has a purpose to keep her occupied – catching bad guys/gals. Something at which she is supremely qualified and good at doing. And in Boom Days, she sees more than her fair share of action in this regard. Making her continued development as a strong female protagonist enjoyable to witness.

A second straight banger to kick off this series, we can only hope for more Brandy Martini to enrich our lives in the future.

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Dark Ride By Lou Berney

A crime novel with heart, Dark Ride will tug at your emotions and set up shop in your mind. Lou Berney has crafted an unputdownable story with unassuming but immaculate characters that will give you all the feels.

Hardy “Hardly” Reed is a young stoner drifting through life without much direction. That is, until he notices two children sitting on a bench in a municipal building with signs of having been abused. He reports his observations to Child Protective Services, but the overworked and understaffed department is unlikely to investigate any time soon. Unable to let it go and move on with his life, Hardly is determined to help the kids and seeks assistance from some new and unlikely friends to get a plan in motion. Despite everyone telling him to let this go, he conducts his own investigation and devises a strategy to rescue the kids. The situation is rife with danger and getting the kids to safety means putting himself in harm’s way against violent men. But having finally found a purpose, Hardly will stop at nothing to see this through to the end no matter the consequences.

Dark Ride’s hook is bearing witness to a young person who’s aimlessly floating through life who rises up and stands for something good despite the odds. It’s watching the unassuming underdog who hasn’t amounted to anything pitted against the violent bully who hasn’t tasted defeat and believes themselves untouchable. And no amount of urging or pleas to use common sense will deter the would-be hero from attempting the seemingly impossible, because he’s tasting small successes along the way and now believes in himself, maybe for the first time ever. So even if you strongly believe the outcome is preordained, you can’t look away from the imminent car crash of events because the journey has you fully invested in seeing it through to the end. And in this way, you become just like Hardly.

While the focus is on Hardly and his battle to free the kids and their mother from the abusive father/husband, this book has a small but mighty cast of splendid supporting characters – a young female goth city employee, a sexy 40-something former private investigator turned realtor, a 16-year old loser hanger on co-worker from the haunted amusement park attraction, a cantankerous old granny with great taste in rock music, and a few others – all who perfectly fit the narrative and seamlessly help move the story forward. It’s a flawless ensemble that worms their way into your heart and adds another layer of depth to a fantastic tale.

An unforgettable and thrilling reading experience, Dark Ride is not to be missed.

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The Belgrade Conspiracy By Jason Kasper

Jason Kasper continues the captivating Shadow Strike series with The Belgrade Conspiracy, an explosive and twisting thriller with treachery and death around every corner. 

David Rogers and his CIA Project Longwing team of ground branch operators are still on the hunt for terrorist mastermind Erik Weisz.  They have uncovered the identity of the man selling high-level military weapons to the terror syndicate and set up a clandestine operation to take him out while he's on a brief stop in Serbia. But nothing ever goes to plan for David's team and suddenly they are being hunted by multiple factions.  But first they have recovered a potential treasure trove of Intel that could be a game changer...if they can now only escape with their lives.

The Belgrade Conspiracy is a compelling blend of espionage and direct military action with every single character in the crosshairs.  And as usual, David Rivers takes insane risks in the name of seizing and exploiting every opportunity he's presented to him. But that puts his team in incredibly dangerous situations with casualties a foregone conclusion. But this team of operators are at their best when improvising and fighting their way out of impossible odds. And this time they are tested like never before. Leading to slinging lead and explosives downrange at an incredibly high rate while a bevy of bad guys seek to send them to the afterlife. All of which result in killer action sequences, propulsive pacing, uncertain outcomes and a bunch of dudes bleeding out in the snow.  What more could one want?

Jason Kasper continues to publish some of the most action-packed novels in the genre and this one is high up the list. If you're not reading his stuff, now's a perfect time to jump on board. 

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The Ninja's Oath By Tori Eldridge

Loyalty, family and martial arts take center stage in The Ninja's Oath, a smashing thriller that climaxes with a death-filled battle royale that would make Quentin Tarantino blush.  Tori Eldridge kills it with this tale, interchanging tender family moments with explosive, slashing fisticuffs. 

Modern day ninja Lily Wong finds herself in Shanghai and Japan helping family friend and former triad enforcer Lee Chang track down and rescue his young neice.  A task that is further complicated when it comes to light another one of Chang's relatives has gone missing.  And it gets even messier when Lily's Los Angeles based Sensei gets pulled into the mix by an old adversary hellbent on revenge.  With danger lurking around every corner, they are joined by assassin J Tran, who infuriates, exites and confuses Lily.  But together, the group must maintain complete focus on the mission to rescue the captives and escape with their lives.  

The dichotomy of family and violence makes for an exceedingly absorbing read.  On the family front, Chang puts past drama and hurt feelings to the side to help family members in need. Then Witnessing Lily's internal struggle between her desire to help Chang while simultaneously feeling guilty for not being home with her ailing father makes her relatable.  While she possesses a skill set most people will never be able to duplicate, her concern over her parents well being makes her human and empathetic. Which then makes her ass-kicking ability even more impressive and fun to watch.  

Then there's the violence. Gory, vicious, explosive violence with guns, knives, swords and more.  Pure eruptive brutality and bloodshed that results in a mountain of dead bodies.  Oh shit moments that you will want to read twice.  It's glorious! 

This might have been my first Tori Eldridge book but it won't be my last.  The writing is fantastic, the story telling is propulsive and the characters are well developed. Also, don't worry if you haven't read the prior books, because The Ninja's Oath is a great entry point into this compelling series.  And once you pick up this book, you'll definitely want to go back and read the others to see how Lily came to be a ninja and do what she does best. Which is good news if you're looking to grow your TBR pile. 

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Code Red By Kyle Mills

Code Red is as electrifying and intense as a cattle prod to the testicles. Mitch Rapp at his most cunning and badass self. Kyle Mills completes his Mitch Rapp journey with an explosive exclamation point.

Mitch Rapp’s word is his bond. So when crime lord Damian Losa calls in the favor Mitch owes him, he sets off to Syria to dig up information on a powerful new narcotic and negotiate a distribution deal for Europe on behalf of Losa. However, Rapp finds the drug is part of an asymmetrical warfare operation by the Russians to use as a weapon against the west, not a for profit business by the Syrians. Despite being on this unsanctioned mission, Mitch can’t in good conscience let this play out and harm millions of unsuspecting people. Which leads to Mitch devising a secret and devious plan to take out the drug operation and capture its mastermind. All while ensuring the blowback can’t point to the United States as thwarting the Russians dastardly plot. Because if the Russians figure it out, the world will be forever changed.

As usual, the action sequences are sublime and the operational details on point. Mitch goes from dangerous situation to even more dangerous situation and continues to find a way to stay cool, stay alive and stay one step ahead of his adversaries. He plots his moves with aplomb, leverages his assets to their maximum potential and outsmarts those trying to do him harm. But in addition to his usual impressive array of badassery, he flashed a side we haven’t seen before when he is forced to act the part of a vulnerable, frightened Canadian lawyer. Requiring him to be more subtle and restrained in his actions and reactions to collect valuable information, rather than go straight for the kill shot as he normally would. It shows his full range of capabilities and that he’s more than just the harbinger of death. He’s Mitch Fucking Rapp. Best operative on the planet.

A million thanks to Kyle Mills for not only accepting the difficult job of continuing to write Mitch Rapp novels after Vince Flynn’s untimely passing, but for elevating the series to new heights. Fans will forever be indebted to him for keeping Mitch alive and saving the world while killing a bevy of bad guys in spectacular fashion. But Mills did more than just allow our beloved hero to continue. He ensured Mitch thrived, grew as a person and gave him a life with people he cares about; bringing his personality to the forefront. All of which are on display in Code Red. A job very well done, one that exceeded every lofty expectation when he took the reins. From the bottom of our hearts, Kyle Mills you have our everlasting gratitude. Thank you.

Don Bentley, you’re up next. You’ve got big shoes to fill but if anyone can do it, you can. Good luck. The entire Rapp-verse is rooting for you.

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Tom Clancy's Weapons Grade By Don Bentley

If you’ve ever wondered if Jack Ryan Jr can survive multiple violent encounters with mercenaries, gang bangers, and corrupt cops while saving the world from tremendous calamity, then Tom Clancy’s Weapons Grade is the thriller for you. It’s Jack versus ceaseless and vicious fuckery of the highest order for hundreds of pages. And it’s glorious!

Jack Ryan Jr is driving to Austin after attending a Texas A&M football game when he witnesses a car wreck. Raised by his parents to help those in need, he stops to lend assistance. That’s when the bullets start flying. And Jack doesn’t take kindly to being shot at. So he continues his involvement by running down the one lead he has. Which quickly results in him getting drugged, beaten and on the precipice of death at the hands of dangerous men executing a massive international conspiracy. Calling in support from his colleagues, Jack hopes and prays they show up in time to save his life and help him avert a potentially catastrophic global disaster.

Weapons Grade starts with multiple storylines that are intriguing on their own and seem to be unconnected but are expertly woven together to reveal a sinister plot of epic proportions. Bentley masterfully crafts this story in a way that hooks the reader with action and propels them forward through the mental exercise of trying to put the puzzle pieces together. And it all comes together in an explosive conclusion that will leave your heart palpitating and your lungs gasping for air.

Additionally, let’s talk about Jack Ryan Jr and the unbelievable badass he’s become. Rather than ride the coattails of his famous father, he’s worked tirelessly to succeed on his own merit and become the man he wants to be. Which is to be a world class operator who runs headfirst into danger to serve his country and help others in need. And while he’s a bullet magnet and death seemingly follows him in droves everywhere he goes, he’s as honorable a person as you could hope to have on your side. His actions in Weapons Grade only further that narrative and his development on Bentley’s watch has made him one of the most beloved and admirable characters in the genre.

As Don Bentley’s run of writing Jack Ryan Jr. books comes to an end, let’s take a moment to express our appreciation for all the energy, audaciousness and high-quality entertainment that he brought to this series. Every single novel has been a non-stop thrill ride littered with shell casings, explosions and dead bodies. No character was safe from harm and great new characters were introduced, all breathing rejuvenated life into a tried and true cast of characters. A tip of the cap for a job seriously well done. Bravo Don!

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It Ends With Knight By Yasmin Angoe

It Ends with Knight is a combustible and intense continuation of this fantastic series featuring one of the strongest female protagonists in the genre. Yasmin Angoe hits all the right notes, once again delivering emotion and exhilaration throughout a twisting and deep story.

After the death of her mentor, Nena steps up to lead the Tribe’s Dispatch and Network departments. It’s a different and more complicated role than being an assassin, requiring more political savvy and forethought than she’s had to demonstrate before. But there’s no time to ease into it as she’s thrust into a volatile negotiation for mining rights in a small African town where no one can be trusted and an individual from Nena’s traumatic past surfaces. After explosions, assassinations and kidnappings occur, she will need to put her anger and old fears behind her and fall back on her elite skillset to save the day.

Nena is incredibly relatable, no small feat given most of us aren’t elite assassins and/or members of a rich and powerful family. But we can understand the self-doubt she has as she takes on a new role with bigger responsibilities, wondering if she’s qualified and can live up to the lofty expectations of others. And many of us can relate with her ongoing struggle to overcome past trauma. These things make her vulnerable and human, resulting in readers rooting extra hard for her to be successful because we know those feelings of inadequacy and pain from our own life experiences. So when she stands up to someone dismissing and underestimating her or she eliminates a bad guy who desperately had it coming, it’s that much sweeter because of her journey, our ability to connect to her as a person and our wish that she find peace and happiness.

Beyond Nena’s general awesomeness and ability to overcome adversity, It Ends with Knight features an intricate cast of characters and a strong storyline with excellent buildup that explodes in well crafted action sequences at the right moment. It keeps you guessing on the motivations of each key player and how far they might go to get what they want. It’s compelling stuff from start to finish with the outcome highly uncertain and no character safe from harm or death. Just how thriller fans like it!

If this is indeed the end of the Nena Knight series, it finishes with a bang. We should all be thankful to Yasmin Angoe for bringing this strong, powerful, and capable Black woman into our lives for the past few years. She’s a tremendous character that enriched the thriller genre and will be greatly missed. But I will have my fingers crossed in hope that she returns in the future. Because I choose to believe in the adage “never say never.“

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The River We Remember By William Kent Krueger

With The River We Remember, William Kent Krueger once again showcases his breathtakingly brilliant ability to tell a tale that reaches the depths of your soul and touches your heart. He’s the most powerful storyteller in the genre today and this the most exquisite book you’ll read in 2023.

It’s 1958 and Jimmy Quinn is found dead in the Alabaster River in Jewel, Minnesota. Sheriff Brody Dern kicks off an investigation into the demise of the white, wealthy and disliked landowner which ultimately leads to the arrest of Noah Bluestone, a Native American WWII veteran with a Japanese wife. With prejudice and anger in the air, the court of public opinion has already convicted Noah of the crime. However, Sheriff Dern’s search for the truth continues while he struggles with demons of his past. As this crime and investigation tears through the small community, several individuals must face their tragic histories and determine how it will shape their lives going forward. And the truth, as horrible as it might be, could be the only thing that sets them free.

The centerpiece of this wonderful story is the beautifully flawed yet perfect characters. There’s a lot of past trauma that haunts these individuals, but most of them strive to be the best versions of themselves even as they take missteps along the way. Which makes them eminently relatable and admirable, people you want to see find peace and happiness. And they’re all put through the ringer of a story filled with juxtapositions – love and heartbreak, justifiable conduct and unfathomable behavior, heroes and miscreants, acceptance and ignorance, honor and disgrace – that test their resilience and moral character. It’s at times overwhelming to witness and hard to process, but stunning to be an observer of this grand journey of personal exploration and healing.

William Kent Krueger is the master at teaching life lessons while building emotional connections between the characters and the reader. And he absolutely knocks it out of the park once again. As a result, The River We Remember is a book you feel more so than read. A beautiful experience unto itself. And if it doesn’t have you contemplating the meaning of life while trying to hold back a flood of tears, then check your pulse.

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Malibu Burning By Lee Goldberg

Action-packed and captivating, Malibu Burning is a scorching hot and fast-moving thriller that will have you sweating as if you’re in the middle of a five-alarm fire.  Once again, Lee Goldberg delivers a fast-paced, entertaining novel with well-constructed characters and an intriguing plot.  Readers will devour this book in short order and beg for another helping.

California is no stranger to massive wildfires that leave a path of destruction in their wake.  Sometimes those fires are started by natural causes, other times by humans.  That’s where arson investigator Walter Sharpe and his new partner, ex-US Marshall Andrew Walker, come in.  They are responsible for determining if a blaze was set intentionally, and if so, gathering evidence and tracking down the perpetrator to ensure they face justice.  And right now, they are pursuing a case that everyone else believes is the result of faulty power lines, but Sharpe and Walker have a hunch is something much more nefarious.  Which puts them on the trail of brilliant con artist/master thief/former convict firefighter Danny Cole, who is trying to pull off his magnum opus of heists in the middle of a raging inferno.  As Danny attempts to pull off the impossible, Sharpe and Walker try to spoil his plans.  But with the fire closing in and another enemy lurking, they all might end up dead before they can succeed in their missions.

The main attraction of Malibu Burning is the yin and yang of law enforcement vs. criminal, propelling the reader forward to see who will win the day.  But there’s much more depth to this book beyond the pursuit of a big score for the thieves in conflict with the cops trying to put them in jail.  On one side, the nascent relationship between Sharpe and Walker is entertaining to witness.  They both seem to be lone wolf personalities, but as they realize they have several things in common and their strengths complement each other, their partnership and trust in one another grows which puts them on the path to success.  But there’s quite a bit of feeling out and ball-busting along the way.

On the other side, Danny is a slick, risk taking, high stakes hustler who uses masterful planning to separate rich folks from their valuables, but he also has a moral code and a heart of gold.  He isn’t in it just for the money, motivated by his personal principles which makes him a complex antihero that you want to root for but find that somewhat distasteful given the fact he’s a convicted felon once again breaking the law.  Putting both sides of the equation together results in a fascinating race to the finish with conflicting emotions on what outcome the reader prefers.

A tremendous start to a new series with incredible potential, Malibu Burning should be on everyone’s TBR pile.  

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Ricochet By Taylor Moore

Ricochet is a fierce and fast-paced story of treachery, misdirection, redemption and family. Taylor Moore has delivered a compelling thriller that wonderfully balances dangerous action with tender moments. A great addition to this stimulating series.

Garrett Kohl has paid his debt to the CIA after completing a mission to hunt down a traitor on the run. He’s looking forward to settling down on his ranch with the love of his life and his adopted son when he gets pulled back in to help an engineer at the nearby nuclear weapons plant who is being extorted by Iranian operatives. Garrett crafts a plan to turn the tables on the Quds Force spies but before he can get the mission under way, all hell breaks loose when the Iranians hijack a train with nuclear weapons. Enlisting the help of his friends and an enemy, they must do everything in their power to stop that train, recover the nuclear devices and keep their sacred home in the Texas High Plains safe from a catastrophic outcome.

Ricochet contains several expertly crafted action sequences that are ridiculously intense and sure to please the most hard-core thriller fans. But the heart of this book and what makes it memorable is the emotion elicited by character development and relationships. Father/Son communications, male/female dynamics, and overcoming adversarial interactions. Finding oneself, standing up to bullies, not being defined by your past and determining what’s most important in your life. All these themes are present and create a story that is much more than chasing down rogue spies hellbent on destroying America. They shine a spotlight on the human spirit and explore how interpersonal connections add richness to life.

This book has it all - high speed chases, gun battles, fist fights, flash floods, assassination attempts, business dealings, life lessons, personal betterment, and more. Taylor Moore has the goods and is now a perfect three for three in delivering intense stories that will give you the feels.

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Harm's Way By John Gilstrap

John Gilstrap fires up another electrifying, action-packed, smash-and-grab mission with bullets flying and explosions rocking the night sky. Harm’s Way will get your adrenaline pumping and have your heart in your throat as you follow a risky mission to its messy and deadly conclusion.

Jonathan Graves and his crew are asked by the FBI director to undertake an off the books and extremely sensitive mission to rescue American missionaries who have been kidnapped in Venezuela. But what starts as a hostage rescue pitting them against a vicious drug cartel quickly turns into something much bigger with the discovery of a Russian FSB agent on the scene. Now the team is faced with increased complexity and mission creep with the revelation of what the Russians are up to. Can they save the hostages and thwart the Russians' plans? Because if they can’t, the balance of world power will change forever.

The intensity level from start to finish in Harm’s Way is incredibly high. From mission planning to execution, there’s a constant ratcheting up of tensions that’s felt in a very palpable way. And once the guns start blazing and bodies start dropping, all the reader can do is hold on for the ride and wish for the best. Because anything and everything is in play, and we have no control over the outcome. And, oh man, those action sequences are exhilarating and anxiety-inducing as all hell.

Compelling and well-crafted, Harm’s Way is the latest in a long string of fantastic novels that constitute the Jonathan Grave series. And the best part is this installment opens a new storyline to continue into the future. So Digger, Big Guy, Gunslinger, and Mother Hen are set to be with us for a while longer. Which is great news for fans of this somewhat underrated and highly entertaining series.

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Deadlock By James Byrne

An action-packed chess match between grandmasters of death, Deadlock is one of the most entertaining novels you will read this year. It’s intense, cerebral, and quite hilarious. In fact, Deadlock gets my vote for the cheekiest thriller of 2023. James Byrne bowled me over with this smashing tale.

Dez Limerick heads to Portland at the request of his mate Raziah, whose journalist sister was just hospitalized after being attacked. While protecting the sisters, he gets sideways with the security muscle of Oregon’s largest tech corporation, Clockjack. Turns out there’s much more happening at Clockjack than their stated mission of improving the world through technology. Dez inserts himself into the mix to do what he does best – namely open doors and keep them open by any means necessary – and finds a sinister group of mercenaries led by a brilliant psychopath hellbent on achieving massive amounts of power and money. Outnumbered and with danger around every corner, Dez will have to use every ounce of his superior skillset to keep his friends safe and take down the evildoers before they can enact their master plan.

There’s no overstating the high level of entertainment that Deadlock provides. It starts with Dez, a smart, capable and irreverent protagonist who you can’t help but fall in love with. Whether it’s his wisecracks in the face of harrowing situations, his protective nature and strong sense of doing what’s right, or his ability to fell large humans just by chucking a small metal marble at their heads, Dez worms his way into your heart and you can’t help but root hard for him to be successful in all his numerous pursuits.

Beyond the humor – of which there are many laughs to be had – the action sequences are expertly crafted, the characters are perfectly developed, the dialogue is snappy, and the story is fresh and timely. It starts off hot and constantly escalates, blending brute force violence with intellectual gamesmanship and cunning tradecraft, with several curveballs to keep you on your toes. It’s simply a fantastic reading experience.

The thriller world needs Dez Limerick and thankfully he appears to be sticking around for a bit. Which is brilliant news for the genre. Aye, that.

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The Last One By Will Dean

The Last One is a wonderfully tortuous nightmare wrapped inside a horror show produced in the depths of hell. It’s The Twilight Zone meets Survivor in another devilishly crafted fever dream of a novel from Will Dean, cementing him as one of the best suspense thriller writers in the business.

Caz Ripley boards the luxury cruise liner RMS Atlantica for a dream vacation with her new partner. However, when she wakes up the next morning the ship is deserted. A thousand passengers and crew have vanished into thin air. No people. No baggage. No access to food or water. How will she survive? As Caz explores the ship while trying to come to terms with her harrowing circumstances, she comes to realize she’s not alone and this frightening situation is actually much more terrifying than she could have ever imagined.

This novel is fiendishly good. Dean doles out small nuggets of information, changing the game along the way and keeps the big picture hidden until the perfect moment for the big reveal. As such, it keeps your mind flip-flopping between multiple possibilities on what’s going on and who’s behind it. Which adds to the torment you feel through the characters. Characters, by the way, with great depth based on complicated pasts and conflicting personalities forced to work together or perish separately.

Furthermore, thanks to Dean’s depiction of the cruise ship created in the ninth circle of hell, he’s single-handedly ensured I’ll never step foot on one ever again. I’m still reeling and gobsmacked by the trials and tribulations Caz must endure and the complete destruction of her mental health for however long she has left to live. But holy crap is it an incredibly insane, intense and petrifying novel that can’t be put down. It’ll freak you out while entertaining you. Which given it highlights that exact concept – the human race’s capacity for pure evil and those who are enthralled by it – makes for a compelling and thought-provoking read that goes far beyond the scary storyline.

Just make sure you’re reading this one with both feet firmly planted on solid ground. And if you’re crazy enough to read this while on a large body of water…well…don’t say you weren’t warned.

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To Catch A Storm By Mindy Mejia

To Catch a Storm is a wonderful blend of science and the supernatural – physics and psychics specifically – with pulse-pounding action and twists upon twists that will have readers gasping while grasping for answers.

Eve Roth is the prime suspect in the disappearance of her husband Matthew, with the police assuming the motive is tied to his suspension from the University of Iowa due to inappropriate conduct with a female student.  However, Eve is as flummoxed as the police as to where Matthew might have gone.  And since law enforcement seem to have tunnel vision, she decides to conduct her own investigation.  Meanwhile, Jonah Kendrick has had another one of his visions, this time about Matthew being held in a barn somewhere in Iowa.  And he feels strongly this is tied to another disappearance he’s been frantic to solve.  So he approaches Eve to team up.  But Eve is an academic whose whole life revolves around the scientific method and doesn’t buy into Jonah’s so-called psychic abilities. However, desperate times lead to desperate measures, and they use their individual strengths and abilities to work together.  But what they find is bigger than anything they could have expected and puts them in harms way from some serious individuals.  Armed with little more than their mental abilities, they will have to outwit their opponents before they end up the next victims of this ruthless organization.  

The juxtaposition of a brilliant science academic partnering with a neurotic socially awkward psychic works incredibly well, especially by giving these two characters a common bond via searching for loved ones who have gone missing.  It results in completely different approaches and perspectives that allow for a 1+1=3 scenario with the pairing being greater than the individuals themselves.  Furthermore, it provides a valuable reminder that keeping an open mind, thinking critically, leaving your comfort zone, and embracing diversity of thought can yield tremendous results.  A lesson we can all learn from while being thoroughly entertained and engrossed in this exciting story.

And if that’s not enough on its own, To Catch a Storm has great pacing with constantly increasing intensity and desperation leaking off every page.  Readers will feel for Eve and Jonah, make a connection with them through their traumatic experiences, and urge them forward despite the long odds of success.  Because any resolution to the pain they’ve experienced will allow them to move forward.  Unless they end up dead because they bit off more than they can chew.  Which would certainly be a huge bummer.

I’m so glad Mindy Mejia is back with a new book in 2023. It’s been 3 years since her last published novel (Strike Me Down, which is also fantastic), and while the wait was long it was certainly worth it.  Because the Thriller-verse is much better off when Mindy Mejia releases another compelling novel.   

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Dead Fall By Brad Thor

The king of “faction” is back with Dead Fall, an all too prescient and timely thriller filled with vividly violent action sequences and reprehensible villains.

Scot Harvath is thrust into the middle of the Ukraine/Russia war, tasked with rescuing a missing US citizen who was aiding an orphanage before being captured and tortured by enemy forces. Unable to bring his team along for fear of the Russians getting wind of American interventions, he joins forces with a small group of international fighters to infiltrate the battlefield and conduct the mission. Only the enemy they’re up against is anything but conventional, rather a rogue Wagner Group unit made up of criminals and psychopaths straight from the worst prisons and mental institutions across Russia. To save the day and complete his mission, Harvath will have to journey to the depths of hell and back while dispatching the vicious Russian mercenaries and conscripting them to an eternity of burning in the netherworld for their crimes against humanity.

I’m hard-pressed to recall another book in this venerable series that is more graphic and contains as many stomach-turning moments as Dead Fall. But it’s not gratuitous. It’s completely necessary in the context of the story to elicit strong emotions beyond the “regular” horrors of war by generating such vile and irredeemable scum that you feel their repulsiveness dirty your soul before Harvath performs an exorcism and washes you clean by slaying the beasts. It’s quite the emotional swing, going from being despondent and disgusted by the depravity of these reprobates to vehemently fist pumping their demise. It’s quite glorious and redemptive.

It's a virtuoso performance by Brad Thor. His literary and predictive genius is on full display. A well-crafted plot, incredible characters, action galore, and anxiety-inducing events all wrapped within a storyline that hits way too close to home. How he keeps doing that, I have no idea. But for the sake of the thrillerverse, I hope he never stops.

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Purchase Dead Fall
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The Poisoned Pen

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