A Calamity Of Souls By David Baldacci

David Baldacci has written a lot of books.  Many of them instant best sellers that entertain the masses.  But this novel is on a completely different level.  A Calamity of Souls is the most profound and captivating story David Baldacci has ever told. 

It’s 1968 in southern Virgina and a black man is accused of killing the white couple he worked for.  Jack Lee, a local white lawyer, believes in the man’s innocence and agrees to defend the accused despite never having been involved in a murder trial before. He’s soon joined by Desiree DuBose, a black lawyer out of Chicago who works for the Legal Defense Fund and has offered her considerable skills and experience as co-counsel.  With the state sending in the attorney general and handpicking the judge to preside over the trial, in addition to the rampant racism in that part of the country, Lee and DuBose know the deck is heavily stacked against them.  But the two will stop at nothing to put up a vigorous defense for their client despite the grave danger they face, fighting a corrupt system and an almost certain guilty verdict in pursuit of true justice and the dream of an equal society. 

It's apparent Baldacci put a ton of time and care into crafting this intricate story, resulting in a powerful tale that elicits strong emotions.  The characters are exquisitely constructed to extract extreme compassion for those fighting against and experiencing injustice and provoke deep loathing of the contemptible individuals on the other side.  The plot is designed to constantly ramp up the intensity and levels of infuriation while systemic racism continues to wield its ugly power to facilitate a seemingly certain and exasperating outcome.  And the storytelling is formulated to propel the reader forward with great urgency and desire to learn the fate of all involved, alternating between providing hope and generating despair.  It’s an emotional rollercoaster.

And while A Calamity of Souls takes place over 50 years ago it’s also quite relevant to events of the near past and present day.  Which can make it an uncomfortable book to read.  But it’s nonetheless important to read it and spend time reflecting on it.  Kudos to Baldacci for taking on such an ambitious and important topic and turning out a brilliant novel.  It’s his finest work to date.

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Blood Mountain By Alisa Lynn Valdes

Treacherous weather and duplicitous intentions are front and center in Blood Mountain, where if the major snowstorm doesn’t kill you, a family member or a large animal might cause your demise instead.  Alisa Lynn Valdes has crafted a tension-filled, blood pressure increasing, enchanting mystery that will keep you guessing until the shocking reveal.

New Mexico game warden Jodi Luna has been ordered by her boss to lead an elk hunt on the enormous ranch of a wealthy family, one member of which is a woman Jodi has become friendly with.  When she arrives, she is thrust into a complicated situation with bickering siblings and an incoming blizzard that leaves them stranded in the lodge.  Then one of the family members goes missing and is later found murdered.  Jodi, as the sole law enforcement officer on site, must brave the elements and the warring family to determine the motive and figure out which one of the handful of suspects could have perpetrated the crime.  

This book is high on drama and contains quite a bit of intrigue that goes beyond the murder investigation.  Loud and obnoxious siblings fighting like cats and dogs.  Environmental conservation issues.  Teenagers thinking they know more than adults.  Dynamics of rich vs. poor.  A daughter trying to find her place in a family after being united with her birth mother.  And a woman referred to as the Goat Lady who shoots homemade arrows at people, keeps a black bear as a pet, and speaks almost exclusively in bible verses.  So while this book has a compelling crime and a twisting, turning, suspenseful investigation, the characters are the driving force behind making this story pop.

Blood Mountain is an engaging and gripping tale that succeeds in moving this budding series forward with a positive step in character development while also setting the stage for future installments.  A thriller that will entertain crime novel enthusiasts with a predisposition for the outdoors, animals and family drama.

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Day Of Wrath By Matt Cricchio

Day of Wrath is crackling with intensity and as dark as an underground doomsday bunker.  Matt Cricchio has crafted a malevolent crime novel that is not for the faint of heart.

Caleb and Krissy Rhoades are married but drifting apart.  Krissy owns the most popular bakery in town and has a large social media following.  Caleb is an ex-Marine who’s struggling with civilian life and owns a failing tactical training school.  Their issues are exasperated when Krissy is violently assaulted behind her bakery while sitting in Caleb’s truck.  Was Caleb the real target?  As the police seemingly botch the investigation, Caleb and Krissy each try to find out who’s behind the attack.  Which opens old wounds and puts them on a collision course with dangerous individuals.  Leading to a massive shootout that threatens to kill or maim everyone involved in this case.

This book is overflowing with tension and consternation.  Every single relationship in Day of Wrath is fraught with acrimony.  Which facilitates the transfer of each character’s angst onto the reader.  Sending you on a rough journey down a deep, dark rabbit hole of discontent, corruption, and violence.  Experiencing a gritty story filled with ruthlessness that is frightening to think exists in the world but provides macabre entertainment within the pages of a novel.

An action-packed thriller with indiscriminate viciousness, Day of Wrath is big, loud and chilling.  A story for those possessing strong internal fortitude who desire an audacious and brutal tale. 

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Four Minutes By Andrews & Wilson

Four Minutes is a brain busting and fascinating military, spy and sci-fi thriller combo containing blazing action sequences, world altering technology and enough time travel to make you exclaim “Great Scott!”  Andrews and Wilson have delivered another compelling techno-thriller that will leave you breathless and contemplative.  

Chief Tyler Brooks is one of the best special ops leaders on the planet.  After a mission that goes devastatingly wrong and leaves him with more questions than answers, he’s recruited to join Task Force Omega with the promise to get some of those answers while leading an elite team of operators who will gain an advantage over their adversaries by having access to technology that gives them a look at the future.  However, there are risks and a cost for using this technology.  Furthermore, they are being hunted by an unknown force lurking in the shadows with plans of changing the world order.  With nuclear war staring them in the face, Chief Brooks and his team will have to do everything in their power to stop the unimaginable from happening.  The question is – is glimpsing the future four minutes at a time enough to save the day?

Four Minutes is a great concept that is executed flawlessly.  Yes, there are military thrillers out there that include futuristic technology and there are also plenty of time travel novels out there.  But combining them, adding in a dash of CIA secrecy and manipulation to keep you on your toes and throwing in a twist of only being able to go 28 days into the future and stay for only 4 minutes at a time is a differentiator.  It ratchets up the suspense and the pressure the characters – who are required to have very special skills and elite brain function – feel because time is of the essence with every single operation.  It’s compelling stuff.  Not that we should be surprised when the dynamic writing duo is behind the pen.

If you’re looking for a novel to break your brain thinking about the laws of physics and the space-time continuum while being entertained by gun battles and a race to save the world, then Four Minutes is squarely in your wheelhouse.  It will entertain, mystify and engage you.  Kicking off a series with infinite potential.  

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The Underhanded By Adam Sikes

A tale of a secret cabal and a global conspiracy that’s centuries in the making yet with a ripped from the headlines here-and-now feel, The Underhanded is sure to thrill while making you question who’s really wielding power and driving the events that shape our world. Adam Sikes has crafted an intricate, pensive and action-packed story that blurs the lines between fact and fiction.

Professor William Dresden is in France, licking his wounds from being discredited by his peers over a research paper he published. With a past that includes a difficult childhood, having witnessed genocide in Bosnia, and driving away the woman he loved, you’d think he’s all filled up on problems. But enters MI6 officer Adeline Parker, who tells him shocking information about his family and then nearly gets him killed by a bomb meant to silence them both. Now, Dresden and Parker find themselves in the middle of a high-stakes game of life and death against the Strasbourg Executive, a group of neo fascists and extreme nationalists who have designs of reigning terror across Europe to further their hateful agenda. But to survive, Dresden and Parker will have to turn the tables on this dangerous group, go on offense, enlist the help of other shadowy figures, and pray it all comes together to stop all hell from reigning down across the continent. And maybe save their own lives in the process.

The Underhanded is the perfect book for those who love a good conspiracy that’s rooted in historical context and aligns with current events. It goes deep down the rabbit hole of secret cabals influencing events and sacrificing innocent people to further their cause. It also includes family drama that goes well beyond what most people can imagine, deplorable villains who do despicable things and a likeable protagonist whose evolution and development is a sight to behold. And then lastly, it’s filled with pulse-pounding action and gasp-out-loud twists. Everything a discerning thriller fan could want, packaged within an intriguing novel that’s well written with good pacing and entertains while it makes you think about the state of the world and who’s really pulling the strings.

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City in Ruins By Don Winslow

A tale of ambition, vengeance, love and loss, City in Ruins is the dramatic finale to this grand trilogy that demonstrates while you might be able to change your destiny, you can never outrun your past. Don Winslow delivers another beautifully constructed story and rides off into retirement with a bang.

In the glittering world of Las Vegas, former Irish mobster turned legitimate tycoon Danny Ryan seemingly has it all—wealth, a loving family, loyal friends, and a special woman in his life. However, driven by innovative vision and unquenchable ambition, he maneuvers to acquire the last coveted piece of prime real estate on the iconic strip, sparking a war that dredges up his dark past. Now, facing imminent danger and threats to his business and loved ones, Danny must resurrect his ruthless mobster persona to safeguard both his business empire and the people he holds dear. In this high-stakes gamble, he confronts ghosts he thought were buried to secure a future he could only have dreamed of as a kid.

City in Ruins is steeped in emotion, building intensity steadily until it erupts in violence. It twists and turns, splendidly tying the trilogy together and delivering action and events that seem preordained yet avoidable. Even when you might predict what is about to happen, you are still unprepared for the consequences and subsequent empty feeling following the power punch to your gut. You’ll discover yourself empathizing with the rich, the powerful and the criminal with whom you likely can’t relate, and whose nefarious dealings shouldn’t garner that kind of connection. It’s a final wonderful example of Winslow’s storytelling genius.

Thank you, Don Winslow, for delivering hours upon hours of literary entertainment that provided an escape from our real-world challenges to immerse us in the vivid universes you created to ooh and ahh over the trials and tribulations of your amazingly complex characters. You will be missed, but we won’t cry now that your run is over. Rather we’ll smile because it happened.

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Matterhorn By Christopher Reich

Matterhorn is a mountainous tale of deception, betrayal and revenge.  A story about family, love and spy craft.  One that begs the question – how far would you go to protect the ones you love?  

Robbie Steinhardt is living a simple and peaceful life in a small Swiss alpine village.  But he has a secret.  He’s actually Mac Dekker, a former CIA agent who faked his own death and is hiding out after being framed for treason.  When he learns that his son Will died while on a mission for the agency, he comes out of hiding to get answers.  Which puts him in the crosshairs of the very individuals who set him up almost a decade ago.  And the more he learns, the more danger Mac faces while trying to stop a terrorist plot that could kill millions.  But quit is not in his vocabulary and he will climb to the highest peaks on the planet to stop the terrorists and avenge his fallen son.

This book has everything.  A spy in hiding coming out of the cold?  Check.  Not knowing who can be trusted?  Check.  Raging gun battles?  Check.  Urban car chases?  Check.  Foot pursuit on rooftops?  Check.  Mountain climbing to gather critical evidence?  Check.  A race against the clock to stop a terrorist attack?  Check.  Reigniting a long-lost love affair?  Check.  Seeking revenge against your nemesis?  Check again.  Simply put, Matterhorn is the complete package.

A thriller that will elevate your heart rate and leave you trying to catch your breath.  Christopher Reich delivers a story with brisk action, cold-blooded deceit and rekindled emotions.  An engaging book with unrepentant violence juxtaposed against an idyllic setting.

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A Forgotten Kill By Isabella Maldonado

Filled to the brim with suspense and danger, A Forgotten Kill is one of those great reads that crackles with nervous energy from start to finish. A book that urges you forward with a desperate desire to learn the outcome as quickly as possible.

FBI Special Agent Daniela “Dani” Vega is compelled to relook at the evidence of her father’s murder from ten years ago. To get access to the files, she will have to help a veteran NYPD homicide detective uncover the identity of a newly discovered serial killer who’s been secretly operating throughout New York City for a decade. Given Dani’s background as an Army Ranger trained in codebreaking, she’s the best person to find hidden patterns and decipher riddles left behind by the perpetrator. But the killer is watching her every move and engages Dani in a deadly game that puts more innocent people in danger and also unearths secrets that will rock Dani’s world and everything she thought she knew about her father’s death.

A battle of wits between a strong and intelligent female FBI agent versus a brilliant and obsessive male serial killer? Yes please and thank you. And it’s the mental battle that really elevates this thriller to another level. There is certainly enough action – gun battles, hand to hand combat, hot pursuits through the streets of New York – to satisfy anyone looking for their fix of physical confrontations. But the true action is in the psychological contest between the hunter and the hunted. Where every move our hero makes is anticipated and countered by the killer she so desperately wants to bring to justice, bringing renewed vigor and motivation to the chase rather than frustration or resignation. A deadly engagement where neither side knows the meaning of the words quit or surrender. A chess match between two grand masters that enthralls and entertains every spectator as each “check” is immediately counteracted by a move to prolong the game.

Isabella Maldonado has delivered a second straight banger to kick off the Daniela Vega series. Fans of serial killer novels like the UNSUB series by Meg Gardiner should add A Forgotten Kill to their 2024 TBR pile without delay. It’s intense, propulsive and fantastic!

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The Debt Collector By Steven Max Russo

Gritty and intense with a side of playfulness, The Debt Collector is a captivating story set in New Jersey’s dark underworld of bookies, hoodlums and organized crime.  Steven Max Russo has delivered a novel  filled with fascinating characters and dangerous liaisons.

Abigail Barnes is an attractive young woman who leverages people underestimating her to thrive as a collector, seeking out and intimidating people to pay their debts to bookies and loan sharks.  Now in New Jersey and in need of work, she gets an introduction to a couple of low-level thugs who hook her up with a job collecting for a local bookie.  After successfully completing the job, the bookie is found murdered in his office with all signs pointing to Abigal as the main suspect.  But she didn’t do it and believes it’s either the thugs behind the killing or possibly their boss, mobster Ronnie “Slacks” Falcone.  Now being hunted by criminals, the mob and the police, she needs to figure out who took out the bookie before she goes on the run…or is caught and thrown in jail…or winds up swimming with the fishes.

Following Abigail’s journey through this labyrinth of crime is entertaining as hell.  She’s intelligent and tough as nails, able to hold her own in a physical confrontation with men twice her size.  Her calculating nature allows her to see various angles and pick the best path forward.  And she’s able to use her appearance and the prejudice of others to her advantage.  Simply put, Abigail’s a pro’s pro who gets the job done, doesn’t take things personally and wins over those who initially doubt her capabilities.  

And in The Debt Collector, she’s in the deep end facing off against powerful and dangerous forces out to get her.  Forcing a grand battle of wits between law enforcement, crooks and herself where the losers are certain to end up dead or in prison.  No higher stakes than that, leading to an exceedingly engaging entanglement that thrills, delights and results in multiple “oh shit” moments.  It’s a great read!

Perhaps we’ll see more of Abigail in the future as there are more stories that can be told while she continues to navigate the illicit collections business.  Would be a highly entertaining series if Steven Max Russo is so inclined to go that route.  I for one hope that’s the case.  

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Lethal Horizon By Jason Kasper

Treacherous, unrelenting and satisfying, Lethal Horizon is a gunslingers delight of hot lead, dead bad guys and heroic action.  Jason Kasper continues to deliver exhilarating tales in this adrenaline-fueled series.

David Rivers and his Project Longwing team of CIA paramilitary contractors finally have a bead on Erik Weisz, the elusive terror mastermind they’ve been hunting for the last couple of years.  The team travels to Yemen with authority for a capture/kill mission, finding themselves forging shaky alliances with locals who would gladly sell them out for the right price while having to navigate the treachery of a land that is divided between the official government, Houthi rebels and Al-Qaeda terrorists.  But they’ve never been this close to achieving their goal of bringing Weisz to justice and nothing will stop them.  Not even the questionable motives of their CIA handler or the discovery that they are not the only ones after Weisz.

Once more, David Rivers and team go headfirst into the breach with little regard to their own safety.  This band of highly capable operators have devoted years of their lives to this moment and they’re not going to let it pass.  But as they get closer to their prey, they show more transparency and introspection than in previous books.  Talking about the emotional toll this hunt has taken on them, what they’ve had to do to keep their heads in the game, and questioning what’s next if/when they succeed. It’s an intriguing look inside the minds of elite operators, showing their humanity even while they are charged with a mission rife with moral ambiguity and requiring questionable actions.  

And rest assured, Lethal Horizon is jam packed with action.  Gun battles, explosions, vehicle pursuits, and more.  With danger and death around every corner.  Creating suspense of who will live and die with every page.  Leaving behind a mountain of bodies.  It’s intense to say the least.  And while this story brings resolution to a major storyline, it opens the door to new possibilities that will keep David Rivers and his band of brothers busy into the foreseeable future.

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Lilith By Eric Rickstad

Lilith is a hauntingly tragic and stirring story that will punch you in the gut, leaving you teary eyed and breathless.  Eric Rickstad has expertly crafted a profound tale that holds up a mirror to today’s society and asks us to explore our humanity.

Elisabeth Ross is a teacher who heroically saves her class from a school shooter, then returns to rescue her wounded son.  Their lives will never be the same and she dedicates herself to caring for her physically and mentally traumatized son.  But there are powerful men who use this tragedy as a means to further their second amendment cause, enraging Elisabeth and making her wonder how this epidemic of violence will ever end.  She decides to act and posts a video of her crime under the biblical name Lilith.  As people both praise and demonize Lilith online, and with the FBI closing in on her, Elisabeth questions the justification of her actions and wonders if she’s a hero or a part of the problem.  Regardless of the answer, she knows she will do anything to protect her son and stay out of prison to continue caring for him.

This book might be a work of fiction, but damn if it doesn’t feel real.  It probes the fear, helplessness and rage that follows every school shooting we hear about in the news.  And it puts the reader in Elizabeth’s shoes, giving us a taste of the pain and anguish survivors feel in the aftermath.  It then makes us all question what we would do if this was our own child.  If the system and protocols fail us.  If others use our suffering to further their own interests.  Would it justify perpetrating violence on those who use it for their gain?  Or does that make us no better than them?  Tough questions that require a lot of introspection and Lilith forces the poignant discussion.

This novel is emotional to say the least.  It wrecked me.  Left me a mess with tears streaming down my face.  But I’m grateful to Eric Rickstad for having the courage to write such a challenging, significant and powerful story.  It’s an important book to read.  One that goes well beyond literary excellence and entertainment, pushing readers to search the depth of our souls to determine who we want to be as a society.  

Not for the timid or feeble minded, Lilith requires strength and bravery to read.  But if you can summon the guts to pick it up, you will be rewarded with one of the finest books you’ll read this year.

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The Stars Turned Inside Out By Nova Jacobs

Physics and philosophy collide with a murder investigation in The Stars Turned Inside Out, a contemplative read wrapped inside the mysteries of malevolent crimes and the infinite universe. Nova Jacobs has crafted a novel that will educate and make you think while engaging you in an entertaining whodunit inquiry.

Howard Anderby is found dead by irradiation in the tunnels of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN near Geneva. However, the minimal security footage available shows no evidence of the enigmatic physicist entering the tunnels. With critical future funding hanging in the balance, the lab’s director summons private investigator Sabine Leroux to quietly investigate the matter. While navigating the labyrinth of relationships, secrets and rivalries that the pursuit of scientific discoveries elicits, Sabine will find herself in the middle of more than just a single murder investigation.

While there is enough physics in The Stars Turned Inside Out to satisfy science enthusiasts, it’s not overwhelming for us laypeople. In fact, Jacobs does a great job keeping the technical details easily understandable while not watering it down too much. And pairing the scientific with the philosophical and spiritual within the confines of a crime novel creates a nice balance to the story that triggers intellectual curiosity without scaring off anyone that’s just looking for a good murder mystery. Which this book deftly delivers.

A cerebral novel with intriguing characters and existential quandaries, The Stars Turned Inside Out is perfect for the pensive thriller fan who also likes to unlock a good puzzle.

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Kill For Me, Kill For You By Steve Cavanagh

In the realm of heart-stopping psychological thrillers, Kill For Me, Kill For You is an absolute work of art. Crafted by the brilliant Steve Cavanagh, this tale of loss, revenge, and murder hits you like a freight train, leaving you dazed and electrified. Cavanagh weaves a Hitchcock-esque narrative bursting with gut-wrenching blows and unexpected turns that'll have you exclaiming "oh shit" at every twist.

Ruth's New York City brownstone becomes a battleground when she survives a brutal attack, but the ordeal leaves her forever altered, robbed of her sense of safety. Meanwhile, her guilt-ridden husband, absent during the assault, is desperate to restore normalcy to her shattered world.

In a different corner of the city, Amanda, grappling with grief and a court-mandated counseling program, connects with Wendy, a fellow sufferer. United by their shared tragedies and a burning desire for revenge, they concoct a plan to eliminate each other's tormentors. But as they dive into the murky waters of murder, complications arise at breakneck speed.

Kill For Me, Kill For You is a symphony of suspense, expertly orchestrated to keep readers teetering on the precipice until the final curtain. It delves into the depths of trauma, fear, and the struggle for control in the aftermath of unimaginable loss. The narrative challenges conventional norms, exploring the lengths individuals pushed to the brink might go to reclaim their power – even if it means embracing the taboo.

Cavanagh's strength lies in his portrayal of morally ambiguous characters, each flawed and vulnerable. This complexity adds a layer of realism that makes it effortless for readers to connect with and invest in the characters. Empathy isn't just handed out; it's earned, especially when rooting for women seeking retribution through unconventional means. It's a testament to Cavanaugh's skill.

Every chapter oozes relentless, heart-pounding suspense, crafting a narrative that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go. Kill For Me, Kill For You immerses thriller enthusiasts in a riveting saga of vigilante justice, deception, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. This novel is a tour de force, a must-read that will leave you breathless and begging for more.

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What Happened To Nina? By Dervla McTiernan

Pulsating with emotion, intensity, and exasperating events, What Happened to Nina? delivers a powerful impact. Dervla McTiernan has skillfully woven every parent's nightmare into a thrilling narrative that captivates while delving into the ease with which the rich can manipulate the public to sculpt a narrative of their preference, making it an uphill struggle for those less well-off to secure the justice they deserve. The result is both fascinating and infuriating.

Nina and Simon, a couple since age 16, attempt a long-distance relationship during college. Upon returning to Vermont for a school break, they visit Simon's family cabin. However, only Simon returns. Nina is missing, prompting law enforcement involvement and casting suspicion on Simon. He blames Nina for breaking up with him and suggests that’s behind her reluctance to return home, but inconsistencies emerge in his story. Simon's affluent family supports him with high-priced lawyers and a PR offensive, painting Nina's family negatively. Despite fewer resources or connections, Nina's family fights back, determined to uncover the truth and ensure justice for their daughter.

What Happened to Nina? is a suspenseful and stirring tale of two families with different socio-economic statuses, connected through a dreadful scenario, showing to what lengths parents will go for their children. A story of how the wealthy have all the advantages against those of lesser means in relation to the law and shaping the court of public opinion, yet how they can still be held to account for their actions by those with dogged determination and nothing left to lose.

It's gripping, emotional, and occasionally maddening as you observe the experiences of the two sets of parents, each taking distinct approaches while being on opposite sides of the same crisis. The novel compels you to step into their shoes, prompting honest reflection on how far you would go for your children—whether to protect them or to allow them to rest in peace.

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Outlaw By Jack Stewart

Do you feel the need?  The need for speed?  If the answer is yes you need to pick up a copy of Outlaw, step into the cockpit of a FA-18E Super Hornet, strap into the driver’s seat of a Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye, and hold on for dear life with a kung fu death grip while Jack Stewart fires the afterburners and takes you through this nail-biting story at supersonic speeds.  

A CIA officer goes missing in China.  A US aircraft carrier is under quarantine due to an unidentified illness.  An infectious diseases academic is being pursued by both American and Chinese operatives.  And in the middle of it all are fighter pilot Colt Bancroft and NCIS Agent Emmy “Punky” King.  One taking to the skies to support the mission to rescue the missing CIA officer.  The other is trying to figure out how all these pieces fit together to uncover the larger plot.  And with time ticking down to a military showdown between world superpowers, they better get the job done quickly.  Or the world will never be the same.   

The action in Outlaw is nonstop, pulsating, hair on fire stuff.  Vehicular pursuits between muscle cars and high-performance motorcycles through the streets and freeways of southern California.  Foot pursuits and gunfights during daring rescue missions on an island in the South China Sea.  Aerial pursuits between fighter jets and helicopters in the skies above disputed territory in Southeast Asia.  It’s a veritable smorgasbord of missiles and machine guns, fisticuffs and combat, for readers to gorge on.  Layer in international intrigue, spy hunts, and heavyweight twists that land like a sucker punch to the solar plexus and this thriller is seriously cooking with gas.

Outlaw is a tremendous follow up to Stewart’s debut novel Unknown Rider and deftly sets the stage for the upcoming Bogey Spades to continue the intense and electrifying Battle Born narrative.  Don’t sleep on this series or it’s author.  Both are poised to catapult up the ranks of this genre in the not-too-distant future.  

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The Chaos Agent By Mark Greaney

Cross The Terminator with a Bond villain and you get The Chaos Agent, a thriller that paints a frightening reality of how AI in the wrong hands could cause a serious threat to the entire planet. Mark Greaney has delivered another captivating Gray Man novel that excites and terrifies in equal measure.

Deaths are piling up across the globe as the world's leading AI experts are being systematically targeted for assassination. Is it tech rivalry gone too far or something more sinister? AI, the new battlefield gamechanger, prompts a lethal race. The Gray Man, seeking peace in Central America along with Zoya Zakharova, can't hide forever. Offered a job by an old Russian acquaintance of Zoya’s, they decline but nonetheless find themselves in the crosshairs of autonomous killing machines. With enemies closing in, flight is no longer an option and realize they must confront the threat head on. Pulled into a fight they didn’t ask for, Court Gentry and Zoya must find another level to survive a remorseless enemy and save the world from certain machine-led annihilation.

In The Chaos Agent, Mark Greaney crafts a narrative that is not only a thrilling page-turner but also a thought-provoking exploration of the ethical tightrope walked by those wielding the power of AI. A timely look at the potentially dark underbelly of artificial intelligence, reflecting many people’s simultaneous fears and fascination with technological advancements. It explores the concept that even when intentions are good, unchecked technology can end up causing great harm. This novel serves as a cautionary tale to which humanity must pay attention. Or we might find ourselves in a real-life Skynet scenario.

Additionally, I’m impressed with the way Mark Greaney deftly evolves Court Gentry in this book. Despite his superhuman abilities, Gentry is shown to have “normal people” thoughts of being left alone to live his life, highlighting vulnerabilities and feelings not normally conjured when thinking of the Gray Man. And at the center of this is his relationship with Zoya and how he reacts to her being in danger. Showing that, at his core, Court is just a man who wants to settle down with the woman he loves.

But that doesn’t mean he’s gone soft. In fact, as the story hurtles toward a cliffhanger, it's clear that Gentry's evolution might lead him down a path where no holds are barred. A tantalizing prospect that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment, poised on the edge of their seats for the Gray Man's next move in the dangerous dance of direct action and retribution.

Lastly, in homage to the major role artificial intelligence plays in Mark Greaney’s new book, The Chaos Agent, I’ve asked ChatGPT to write a final paragraph/blurb as my own little AI experiment. After entering a few instructions and parameters into the tool, this is the output:

Mark Greaney's electrifying thriller, The Chaos Agent, unleashes a relentless cascade of heart-pounding suspense as the world's top AI experts meet a chilling demise, unveiling a malevolent chess game played at breakneck speed. Greaney's masterful storytelling, infused with riveting plot twists, razor-sharp intrigue, and a relentless pace, cements his status as a virtuoso in the realm of espionage thrillers, delivering a tale that's as intellectually stimulating as it is exhilarating.

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Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

Lone Wolf By Gregg Hurwitz

You can never go wrong with an Orphan X book. No, scratch that. An Orphan X book will never fail to blow your fucking mind. And Lone Wolf is just the latest example. A tremendous thriller and exemplary piece of writing by Gregg Hurwitz that will exhilarate through action and suspense while provoking thought and introspection on the ethics and usage of innovative technology.

Evan Smoak – aka Orphan X – has begrudgingly agreed to find a little girl’s lost dog. While this mission seems unusual and beneath the world class skill set of The Nowhere Man, it quickly turns kinetic when he enters a home to collect the dog but unknowingly walks in on an assassin murdering a leading AI expert. Now on the run from law enforcement and the highly capable assassin, Evan finds himself in a world of tech billionaires and Artificial Intelligence while still trying to find the lost dog and now needing to protect an innocent young woman caught in the crossfire. Furthermore, Evan is struggling with unfamiliar feelings stemming from the personal nature of this mission. But he will have to put that aside and use every ounce of strength, skill and intelligence he possesses to survive his most important mission to date.

Lone Wolf feels like two books in one. The first book is Orphan X doing what he does best – assisting innocents who need his help. He fully commits to his mission, continuously puts himself in harm’s way and stops at nothing to come through for the people counting on him. And he picks up mission creep along the way that his moral code demands he not ignore, complicating things and increasing the danger but for just causes that he needs to see through. And in the middle of all this, he faces off against an assassin every bit as good as he is. It’s an incredible storyline on its own.

But the second book is equally if not more important. This is a story about Evan Smoak’s personal development. Learning to live outside of the ten commandments passed down to him by his father figure/assassin trainer Jack. Figuring out how to navigate personal relationships and be a member of a regular community. Building a deeper connection with fellow Orphan program member Joey and helping her navigate the perils of young adulthood and trying to find your people. Basically just understanding that he’s a human first and foremost and that “never make it personal” is a commandment in need of modification. It's an amazing continuation of a brilliant development arc over a long running series.

And if that’s not enough, you’ll be faced with a deep dive into the existential threat of AI and technology, tied to the age old problem of the few accumulating power and wealth at the expense of the common person, that will make you seriously consider throwing all your devices in a deep body of water and moving into a log cabin deep in the woods.

To summarize: This book bangs. Get a copy. Thank me later.

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Purchase Lone Wolf
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)

Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

The Year Of The Locust By Terry Hayes

An extraordinary espionage thriller that morphs into something unexpected and exhilarating, The Year of the Locust delivers a fascinating, thought-provoking and emotional story for the ages. Ten years after the hit novel I Am Pilgrim, Terry Hayes has delivered an immensely engaging page turner that burrows into your brain and heart in equal measure. A book that will invade your dreams and beckon you like a siren song to return if you dare put it down. An epic tale that was worth the wait.

Kane is a Denied Access Area spy for the CIA who has operated in some of the most dangerous places on earth. Even with his vast experience, nothing could prepare him for the mission of a lifetime – infiltrating Iran to extract the courier of a notorious terrorist organization who possesses information about the plans for a spectacular attack on the west. But what he can’t anticipate is how this mission will result in a confrontation that will challenge the impossible and change the course of humanity.

For ~550 pages, this book stacks up with some of the best pure espionage thrillers of recent memory. Then it takes a left-hand turn, implements science fiction elements and becomes something that defies simple genre categorization for the remainder. Throw in a metric ton of action, psychological mind fuckery, deadly consequences hanging like a guillotine over the collective necks of the unsuspecting citizenry of the world, and enough emotion to choke up the most stoic among us, and you get a uniquely and expertly blended story that comes together to bridge reality with futuristic possibilities in the most entertaining and provocative of ways.

There’s a lot more that can be said about this novel but will leave it at that because it’s recommended you go into The Year of the Locust knowing little about the plot. Experiencing the journey free from expectations and getting blindsided with the unforeseen only enhances the reading experience. One that Terry Hayes painstakingly crafted for the last decade. So pick up a copy, dive in and be propelled through the legendary account of one spy’s voyage through hell with only the fate of the world hanging in the balance.

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Purchase The Year Of The Locust
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)

Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

Past Crimes By Jason Pinter

Past Crimes is a true crime lover’s wet dream coupled with a metaverse house of horrors. Jason Pinter has designed a dystopian world of the not-too-distant future that is unthinkable yet plausible, and makes today’s debates about technological ethics, privacy, and freedom seem cute and rudimentary by comparison.

It’s 2037 and most human interaction is now on Earth+, a virtual world filled with various experiences from going to school, to creating and experiencing art, to being able to witness and participate in simulations of the biggest crimes in history. Past Crimes is the leader in criminal entertainment and a multibillion-dollar business that even has a physical theme park dubbed the Disneyland of Death. And the most famous crime of them all has just happened – The Blight. A mass murder-suicide that resulted in the immolation and death of thousands. To Cassie West, The Blight is much more than a famous crime. Her departed husband has been convicted of being the mastermind, something that Cassie cannot reconcile with the man she knew and loved. Now a decade later, she is still trying to clear his name when new information comes to light that changes everything. But there are powerful forces at play that will do anything to silence Cassie and those she enlists for help….and they’ll be damned if they let the wife of the most notorious criminal in recent memory disrupt their plans to release the greatest crime simulation ever created.

There is plenty of propulsive action, blindsiding twists and innovative technology to enthrall any thriller or sci-fi fan for hours. However, that’s not what makes Past Crimes so compelling. It’s the combination of multiple topics – the metaverse, AI technology, true crime obsession, loss of civil liberties and due process, corporate greed, the destruction of the middle class, and more – that come together into one fascinating story of a potential future that should scare everyone for so many reasons. This novel makes you explore your own ethics and values, look at the type of the content you consume and its impact on society, question what you should be willing/not willing to trade off in the name of technological convenience, and think differently about what choices we need to make and policies we need to enact today to avoid creating a future that is lived in a corporate controlled and curated virtual environment versus a personal connection-driven humanity in the physical world.

One thing’s for sure. After reading Past Crimes, you won’t think about technology the same or take the future for granted ever again.

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Purchase Past Crimes
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)

Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

The Price You Pay By Nick Petrie

Emotional and dark with heart-stopping action, The Price You Pay packs a powerful punch you’ll feel in your bones. Nick Petrie has taken this wonderful series to another level by providing an unforgettable story about trying to outrun your past and the strength of unconditional friendship.

Lewis has always been there for Peter Ash, no questions asked. Now Lewis’ criminal past – which he thought was behind him – has come back with a vengeance and it’s Peter’s turn to be by his friend’s side no matter what they may face. With a ruthless, wealthy and powerful adversary pulling out all the stops to make Lewis pay dearly for a past transgression, Lewis will get his old crew back together and, with Peter’s help, flip the script and go from the hunted to the hunters. And nothing short of the lives of everyone he cares about hang in the balance.

The Price You Pay is amazing. Full Stop. It doesn’t allow you to catch your breath for a second. An enemy out for blood at any cost. Peter’s complete commitment to Lewis regardless of the level of danger or number of laws they might have to break. June’s resolve to support their efforts and do whatever is necessary. Lewis’ emotional journey and reflection on his worthiness to have a family and life after what he’s done. Compelling character development wrapped around a violent and propulsive story. It’s fantastic stuff.

It's no secret that this series is one of my favorites and that I love these characters. Peter is an incredible protagonist and has been exquisitely developed over the course of the prior seven books. And I absolutely adore Lewis and June, two of the best and most entertaining supporting characters in the genre. So, to get a book that deep dives into Lewis’ backstory and is dedicated to further strengthening the bonds between these friends through intense adversity is a fantastic way to progress this series. Add the fact that it’s brilliantly constructed, gorgeously written and hits you squarely in the feels, and you get a book that is a beautiful gift from Nick Petrie.

Fans are going to absolutely love this one and it’s also a great entry point for thriller fans looking for a way into this series. A book that will create early buzz and be talked about as one of the best books of 2024.

Follow Steve on Twitter or contact him via the site.

Purchase The Price You Pay
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)

Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

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