The Summer Guests By Tess Gerritsen

Suspenseful, unpredictable and dynamic, The Summer Guests is the most fun you can have following retirees as they try to solve crimes in a small Maine town.  Tess Gerritsen has delivered another compelling thriller in this charming and promising series.

During a family summer vacation to Purity, Maine, a teenage girl goes missing and local police chief Jo Thibodeau is short on leads and focused on a few possible suspects.  But the Martini Club, a group of friends all retired from the CIA and led by Maggie Bird, join the investigation to help find the girl and prove the innocence of Maggie’s friend.  Forming an uneasy alliance with law enforcement, the gang of retirees seem to be one step ahead of the police, leveraging their years of intelligence experience and intuition to untangle a web of deceit, coverups and unsolved crimes that go back decades.  And in the process, they just might save the life of a young woman and others who dare to expose dark secrets that some people will do anything to keep buried.

The Summer Guests isn’t an overly emotional book in the traditional sense of bringing readers to tears, but it still does a tremendous job eliciting strong feelings.  Anxiety and dread for the girl who has gone missing.  Despair and angst for the mother who’s desperate for the police to find her daughter alive.  Inspired and in awe of the elderly ex-CIA agents who realize their purpose and what keeps them feeling young is to continue deploying their skills to help those around them.  Disgust and anger at the despicable actions of some characters.  Empathy and optimism for the police chief to solve the case and to find balance in her life.  Disturbed and unsettled by a certain familial relationship.  And ultimately satisfied and triumphant upon the conclusion of the story and one budding romance. 

Just two books into this series and it’s become a must read.  It’s engaging, intriguing, twisting, entertaining and contains characters of an advanced age that you don’t normally see in espionage thrillers/murder mysteries.  It’s simply an enjoyable reading experience.

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Where The Bones Lie By Nick Kolakowski

Dark, gritty and raw, Where the Bones Lie is a twisty noir thriller that locks you in its grasp and begs to be read in one sitting.  Nick Kolakowski has delivered a captivating novel that’ll have you surrendering to the emotional stakes of every moment.

Dash Fuller knows Hollywood’s dark side better than anyone, having made his living burying the misdeeds and secrets of LA’s rich and famous elite.  Cynical, broken and trying his hand at standup comedy, Dash is in need of some redemption.  Which he thinks presents itself in the form of Madeline Ironwood, who hires Dash to find out who killed her enigmatic and absent father in San Douglas.  Together, they navigate a dangerous maze of crime, corruption and ruthlessness that unravels a long-term conspiracy that puts their lives in danger and makes them wonder if learning the truth was worth it.

At its core, this book is about wrestling with your demons, letting go of the past and finding your purpose.  The vehicle for those narratives is an investigation that propels forward with a fiery sense of urgency and reveals treacherous situations one after another.  Testing Dash’s resolve and resilience over and over, presenting multiple opportunities to give up and walk away.  Given he’s starting off as a broken man due to his prior occupation, it could be seen as cruel to put him in this pressure cooker.  But by doing so, it provides Dash the opportunity to rise to the occasion, bury the past, make amends and forgive himself.  And it gives readers a reason to root for him to succeed.  Especially given the malevolent forces he’s up against. 

Fans of Lou Berney’s Dark Ride and Jordan Harper’s Everybody Knows will love this book, finding similar themes and dark storylines within Where the Bones Lie.  It’s a fantastic noir thriller that’ll stick with you for a long time.

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Another Try By Gene Koon

Politics, money, violence and deception fill the pages of Another Try, a twisting and turning story about covert ops, hidden agendas and pursuit of the truth.  Gene Koon has crafted a compelling, fast-paced plot that keeps you guessing until the end.

Garris Kelley was a covert CIA operative…until President Cahill exposed him for pulling off a daring assassination of a cartel kingpin.  Now he can’t go anywhere without people asking him for selfies and autographs.  But then he finds himself in the middle of a shooting targeting a US Senator in Portland and he jumps into action.  Taking him to eastern Oregon and the Willamette Valley wine country, Kelley is on the hunt for the shooter while simultaneously helping a FBI agent track down a missing colleague and getting involved with the security team of a wealthy vintner with powerful friends.  Oh, and the cartel has a hit team hunting him down as well.  Using every bit of skill in his arsenal and leveraging his vast experience, Kelley will have to navigate a hornet’s nest of trouble to save the day…and stay alive. 

Another Try contains multiple storylines neatly weaved together to ensure constant forward motion and a dynamic read that never hits a lull.  Between the main investigation, the billionaire winemaker’s obsession with Kelley, a security team that is more than they seem, the President’s involvement, a missing FBI agent and a cartel seeking revenge, there is never a dull moment in the book.  Giving the well-developed and sometimes mysterious characters a clear purpose that fits the narrative perfectly.   And it is all connected, coming to an explosive head that will elicit gasps, fist pumps and the muttering of a few expletives as everything is revealed with a barrage of violent action.

This is an entertaining, suspenseful and intriguing thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat while you traverse the beautiful state of Oregon in pursuit of justice with a protagonist that you will easily cheer for to be successful. 

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Midnight Black By Mark Greaney

What happens when the Gray Man is exhausted, desperate, unrestrained and obsessively focused on an intimately personal yet seemingly impossible objective that he is willing to die trying to achieve?  You get Midnight Black, an insanely intense balls to the wall heart-pounding journey that is gripping, suspenseful and packed with so much adrenaline-soaked action that you’ll need a moment to catch your breath after every chapter.  It’s classic Mark Greaney.  Delivering another legendary, mind-blowing Gray Man thrill ride. 

Court Gentry is hellbent on covertly entering Russia to rescue Zoya Zakharova, the woman he loves, from a Russian prison.  Meanwhile, Zach Hightower is tasked with helping the Russian Resistance in Poland to take out enemy spies and train their paramilitary forces.  And Matt Hanley back at the CIA has crafted a plan that will put goth Court and Zach in the middle of an audacious mission that would deal a massive blow to the Russian president.  But it’s so dangerous that it might be too much for even the Gray Man to pull off.  And the only thing that’s certain is that bullets will fly and bodies will drop in copious amounts.

Midnight Black is up near the top of my favorite Gray Man books of all time.  It includes a fascinating blend of the intense direct action we know and love with a raw vulnerability from Gentry that makes him more emotional and leads to a loss of composure at times.  Presenting a fresh dichotomy we have not witnessed before from the most effective and efficient assassin on the planet.  And the best part is it works incredibly well.  Adding depth and a new dimension to one of the genre’s most beloved characters and opening new avenues to explore in future novels.

That’s not to say it’s all feelings, rainbows and hugging it out for 500+ pages.  Au contraire mon frère.  The big mission with multiple moving parts is as daring and recklessly hopeful as anything you’ll ever read and filled with death, destruction and chutzpah.  It’s an operatic masterpiece of military operations with an outcome so uncertain that you cannot begin to guess what’s going to happen.  It’s high-stakes, white-knuckle, nail-biting stuff of the highest order.  And it’s exceptionally written, beautifully executed and unputdownable.  A masterclass in thriller storytelling by Mark Greaney.  Proving once again that he's one of the absolute best in the business.

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You Are Fatally Invited By Ande Pliego

You Are Fatally Invited is a super intense locked room psychological and horror thriller that will keep you puzzled and riveted to the very end.  Like a macabre game of Clue, but with more dead bodies, enhanced methods of killing, and a puppet master hellbent on revenge invisibly pulling the strings.  Suspenseful, intriguing and dark stuff by Ande Pliego.

Several well-known writers are invited to the private island of famously anonymous author J.R. Alastor for a thriller writers’ retreat.  But this isn’t any ordinary retreat.  Alastor has hired a host who will help execute a week of contests, riddles and scary situations intended to rattle and inspire these writers who all have a dark secret from their past.  Meanwhile, this host has a hidden agenda – she wants to murder one of the participants and feels this week of mayhem is the perfect cover.  However, when one of the guests turns up dead and it’s not the person she planned to kill, all bets are off and everyone on the island is in mortal danger.  Can the guests outwit the unknown killer in their midst?  Or will they all die the death they deserve?

Your brain will get twisted up like a pretzel and you’ll feel cold chills down your spine as you follow the deadly action and try to figure out who’s the mastermind behind this sinister retreat.  Every character is both a suspect and a potential victim.  They all have reasons to kill while also harboring secrets that someone could find punishable by death an appropriate course of action.  Which leads to being deeply skeptical of everyone while also trying to find a sliver of goodness that would eliminate them as a killer.  And it’s that dichotomy of fearing the worst but hoping for the best from each individual that propels this story forward.  Forcing you to reconcile the two and pick sides until the truth is finally revealed. 

The result is an engaging and enthralling story that grips you early and doesn’t let go.  Exercising your brain and nerves in equal measure while you watch authors put through hell to see if/how they come out the other side.

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Nemesis By Gregg Hurwitz

Gregg Hurwitz has outdone himself with Nemesis, a pensive and explosive knock-down-drag-out of a thriller that will leave you more drained than one of Orphan X’s high-end bottles of vodka after a tough mission.  It’s an emotional, action-packed, turning point kind of story that will make you think about friendship, morality, and humanity while enjoying merciless violence and brutal battles to the death.

Evan Smoak is pissed off with his friend and armorer Tommy Stojack, feeling that Tommy has crossed a line and sold weapons to some bad people who did bad things with them.  When Evan goes to Tommy’s shop to confront him, he’s ambushed by half a dozen men trying to kill him. They are unsuccessful and now Evan wants to kill Tommy even more than before.  Meanwhile, Tommy has traveled to a rural community to help the son of an old Army buddy whose dying wish was for Tommy to look after his kid.  And the kid is in a ton of trouble, spouting racist ideology and taking part in the murder of innocent people.  Evan tracks Tommy down to this small town, learns about the murders, and determines this group deserves to die along with Tommy.  To add fuel to the already white-hot fire, a group of assassins have been hired to take out Tommy.  It all comes to a head with a violent collision of forces with the only question being who will survive this deadly encounter of extremely capable operators.

There is a ton happening in Nemesis.  The feud between Evan and Tommy takes center stage and is distressing enough to witness good friends on the warpath to kill each other rather than hash things out peacefully.  Then add the continuously worsening, gut wrenching details of the rural racist group that Tommy is trying to advise and possibly hold accountable for their heinous actions, imbecilic views and senseless decisions.  And then throw in Evan’s “niece” Joey’s crisis born out of good intensions and trying to fit in with a group of women at college, only to find she’s played an unwitting part in a spread of hurtful information.  But wait, there’s more.  There’s a group of savagely depraved assassins gleefully taking out their targets and setting their sights on Tommy.  It’s a lot to take in.

But holy schnikes, it is outrageously fantastic and beautifully executed.  Each story line connects with the others and comes together perfectly.  Along the way, you’ll feel the full gamut of emotions and have strong opinions on the actions of every individual and what you believe the consequences should be.  Additionally, Evan starts to show some vulnerability and cracks in the façade of his Orphan X/Nowhere Man persona.  Does it mean he’s becoming more flexible and more human?  Time will tell.  But for now, it’s more than enough to witness him kicking ass, evaluating his actions, searching his feelings and doing what he does best – helping innocents in need and righting the wrongs they have experienced.  Entertaining and intriguing as hell.  A brilliant continuation of this exceptional, must-read series.

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The Oligarch's Daughter By Joseph Finder

A modern-day homage to classic cold war thrillers, The Oligarch’s Daughter is an intriguing, pulse-pounding and exhilarating story that’s all gas no brakes.  Joseph Finder’s latest novel will keep you on your toes and on the edge of your seat as you journey through this tangled web of finance, love, espionage and geopolitics.

Grant Anderson is living a quiet life building and repairing boats in a small New Hampshire town.  But he has a secret.  Grant is really Paul Brightman, a man hiding out from dangerous people looking to find and kill him.  Because 6 years ago, Paul was a hot shot on Wall Street who fell in love with and married the daughter of a Russian oligarch, for whom he went to work and then found himself becoming a spy for US law enforcement and intelligence agencies rather than conduct illegal investment activities.  Unfortunately for him, the Russians don’t take kindly to traitors and have long memories.  Now, with Paul’s location and cover being compromised, he must go on the run once again while trying to unravel a long-standing conspiracy that, if he can solve and expose, could save his life.  If the Russian operatives hot on his trail don’t get to him first. 

Expect to be in a constant state of tension and anxiety as you jump back and forth from the present to the events of 6 years ago.  Finder barely ever lets you take a breather, moving from one perilous moment to another, wondering if each one will spell disaster and finally result in Paul’s death or maybe he will continue to narrowly escape by the skin of his teeth.  It’s this contrast of terror and hope that propels this novel forward at a blistering pace, compelling you to rush to the end in search for the truth.  

Another well-crafted and wonderfully executed thriller by Joseph Finder, The Oligarch’s Daughter will appeal to those who love a good cold war-esque story, as well as anyone who enjoys an adrenaline-fueled cat and mouse game.  It’s compelling and exciting from start to finish.

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A Killer's Code By Isabella Maldonado

Filled with intrigue, twists and a never-ending sense of urgency, A Killer’s Code keeps you in suspense while you join the frantic pursuit to solve this mystery.  The third installment in the Daniela Vega series is another action-packed adventure that will exercise your brain and accelerate your heart rate.

Hitman Gustavo Toro is dead, but he planned to take others down with him upon his demise.  He left a video to be watched by the FBI in the event of his death, which requires Special Agent Daniela Vega and her team to decode cryptic clues and hunt down the evidence Toro left behind that will expose the malevolent forces directing his actions for years.  But they’re not the only ones searching for this evidence.  The very mastermind behind Toro’s nefarious orders is desperate to get there first and ensure he can continue to operate and maintain his riches and power.  What follows is a deadly race to the finish where everyone’s in danger, secrets are exposed, and lives will be changed forever. 

Dani Vega is undoubtedly the star of the show, her impressive skillset and intellect on full display along with being her unapologetically authentic self.  She is asked to not only crack daunting codes using her impressive brain and prior training, but she’s asked to lead tactical planning and execution in dangerous situations to leverage her prior military service.  Vega is one of the strongest most capable female protagonists in the genre and she kicks major ass on this case. 

Additionally, there are several other aspects of A Killer’s Code that elevate this book to a high level.  First, Vega’s boss Steve Wu delivers a masterclass in leadership and political savviness, navigating a difficult relationship with his direct superior that results in a successful outcome on the case and elevating his career prospects in the FBI.  Second, the development of supporting characters is fantastic.  From Vega’s genius brother Axel to NYPD detective Mark Flint to Vega’s mother and others, each character adds depth and purpose to move the story forward.  And finally, there’s Gustavo Toro.  The arc of this hitman’s story and the possibility of redemption for someone who has done so many despicable things are an incredible feat that can only be pulled off by an exceptional author.  And Isabella Maldonado is absolutely at the top of her game. 

A Killer’s Code is a top notch, fast-paced novel that flies by in the blink of an eye.  Once you pick it up, you’ll find it incredibly difficult to stop.  Another explosive and exciting thriller from the pen of Isabella Maldonado. 

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Chain Reaction By James Byrne

Chain Reaction is an intellectually stimulating and action-packed battle of wits between two highly proficient and violent opposing forces hellbent on beating the other and settling an old score.  It’s playful, entertaining, cerebral and fun as hell.  Another home run by James Byrne in this fantastic series.

Dez Limerick is summoned to sit in with a band at the opening of the Liberty Center, a massive new commercial complex on the east coast.  Shortly after arriving, Dez finds himself a hostage in the middle of a terrorist attack.  Not one to sit idly by, he deploys his impressive skillset as a “gatekeeper” to contact law enforcement, thwart the nefarious plot and put a stop to the mercenaries’ violence.  However, Dez figures out this attack was much more than it seemed, kicking off a cat-and-mouse game with a ghost from his past who is as capable as he is and highly motivated to succeed.  With the help of a beautiful and talented thief, Dez aids the FBI in uncovering the broader conspiracy and finding justice for the numerous victims.  And maybe along the way Dez can exercise this particular demon from his past…but he will find out that it’s easier said than done.

In Chain Reaction, Dez continues to be one of the most fascinating characters in the thriller genre.  His combination of intelligence, lethality, strategy, disarming nature, humor and animal magnetism are unmatched.  He’s the star of the show and someone who has enough pull to keep you enthralled by himself for hours.  But he doesn’t have to carry the full load because the other characters are fantastic as well, each offering something different and complimentary.  Whether it’s a partner or an enemy, everyone plays their role perfectly, adding depth and intrigue to a brilliantly crafted plot filled with mind games, twists and a plethora of cunning moves.  It’s a highly engaging and exciting novel that will have you trying to predict each subsequent move in an intricate and deadly chess match.

If you’re not reading this series yet, it’s time to dive in.  No excuses.  Just get on with it.  Because it’s one of the most riveting and enjoyable thriller series out there today and you don’t want to miss it.  Trust me, you need Dez in your life. 

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Cross My Heart By Megan Collins

An intriguing and unpredictable mystery about love and loss, Cross My Heart is filled with enough thrills, chills and kills to entertain and bewilder in equal measure.  Megan Collins has crafted a wonderfully twisty thriller that explores infatuation, broken hearts, hopelessness and resilience.

Rosie Lachlan, recovering from a heart transplant and longing for love while working in her family’s bridal shop, believes her new heart once belonged to Daphne Thorne, the wife of famous author Morgan Thorne. She reaches out to him anonymously, hoping for a connection. As their conversations deepen, Rosie becomes captivated bordering on obsessed with Morgan and convinces herself that they’re meant to be together. When unsettling rumors about Daphne’s death surface, Rosie wonders if she’s falling for a man with a dark past—and if her heart might be in more danger than she thought.

Cross My Heart does a fantastic job leaving you in suspense throughout, keeping open multiple possibilities on various plot points including what really happened to Daphne Thorne and who might have been involved, what’s Rosie mental state and what is she capable of, and which enigmatic characters have hidden agendas and to what means.  This results in a twisting and turning thriller that makes it difficult to pin down exactly who is involved in each event until the big reveal occurs.  It also makes you suspicious of every character, questioning their actions and motives, making for a devious read where everyone is a suspect.  It’s deliciously dramatic.

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Zulu Center By F.X. Regan

An explosive, pulse-pounding journey with unrelenting action, Zulu Center grabs your attention early with a murder investigation and keeps you in a state of constant suspense as it takes a turn into the world of clandestine operations.  F.X. Regan has crafted another intriguing, high-octane thriller that’s hard to put down.

Former FBI agent turned private investigator CJ Hawk is hired to investigate the murders of three prominent residents in Old Town Alexandria.  As he homes in on the likely suspect, he uncovers something explosive – an off the books government agency within the State Department that’s engaged in covert intelligence operations with no oversight and the ability to leverage technology like never before.  Predictably, something that was set up with good intentions is now being used for nefarious means.  Now Hawk must team up with his former FBI colleagues, the Alexandria sheriff’s department and his friends to bring this dangerous and slippery murderer to justice while simultaneously putting a stop to dangerous government overreach…if he can survive those hellbent on keeping him from succeeding. 

Zulu Center lets you ride shotgun with CJ Hawk through an investigation that has numerous twists and turns, expanding into something beyond what anyone thought possible at the beginning.  You also get to witness firsthand how capable and determined yet flawed Hawk is – from his persistent and sometimes line-crossing approach for solving the case to his excessive drinking and confusing relationship with his female friend Kori.  Hawk’s north star is to do the right thing, but his approach is unconventional and sometimes dangerous, putting friends and colleagues in harms way.  However, he gets the job done using his plentiful resources and extensive network, saving the day and bringing justice to the bad guys. All of which make for an entertaining, exciting and unpredictable story that keeps you guessing until the end.

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Tom Clancy Defense Protocol By Andrews & Wilson

Intense, action-packed and politically charged, Tom Clancy Defense Protocol is a high-stakes chess match between world powers on the brink of war.  Andrews and Wilson deliver a smashing hit of a story filled with intrigue, suspense and non-stop tension.

Chinese President Li Jian Jun has ordered a military operation that will secure his legacy – reuniting Taiwan with mainland China.  The plan is audacious, dangerous and Minister of Defense Qin Haiyu believes it to be disastrous for China.  Risking everything, Qin reaches out to the Americans in an effort to protect the country he loves from becoming a global pariah.  While President Jack Ryan works the diplomacy angle and prepares for war with his cabinet, John Clark is tasked with forming an international team similar to Rainbow Six to extract Qin and the American asset hiding him.  Simultaneously, Navy Commander Katie Ryan, the president’s daughter, is deployed to Taiwan to collect intelligence and find a way for the US to thwart the Chinese President’s plans.  Tensions are high and rising, and it’ll take everyone working together – and a little luck – to stop a bloody war from commencing.

Defense Protocol is told from the point of view of various individuals under extreme pressure, providing multiple perspectives that coalesce around a single narrative of attempting to avert a catastrophic war.  Giving the reader insight into the thinking of people at all levels – from the President of the United States and the Chinese Defense Minister at the top end, to US and Chinese Naval ship Captains in the middle of the action, to John Clark and a Chinese CIA asset in the shadows, to Katie Ryan and her team gathering intelligence and figuring out what the other side is going to do.  Every single person plays a vital role in the story and by highlighting each of their voices and actions the narrative is enhanced, making for a propulsive read that’s hard to put down.

Andrews and Wilson have absolutely crushed their first two Jack Ryan books.  Both are modern and exciting while honoring the classic elements of what made Clancy novels so compelling.  Looking forward to seeing what they have up their sleeves for the next one.  No doubt it’ll be another must read.

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Deadbeat By Adam Hamdy

Dark, tragic and unsettling, Deadbeat is a soul-searching tale of love, loss, and living with the consequences of your actions.  A tense and anguishing story that makes you contemplate good vs. evil and reflect on how far you’d go to take care of your family.  Adam Hamdy has delivered another thought-provoking and devastatingly powerful novel that will linger in your mind long after you’ve finished reading.

Peyton Collard’s life was shattered after a drunk driving car accident left a young woman dead, leaving him broken, estranged from his wife and daughter, and drowning in alcohol.  After his latest transgression, an anonymous benefactor bails him out and makes Peyton a lucrative offer he is unable to refuse… life changing money if he agrees to kill specific malevolent individuals.  As Peyton sets out on a violent spree across California, he starts to question the motives of the unseen figure pulling the strings and wonders about the true identities of those he’s executed.  Now finding himself investigating the very murders he committed, he is determined to unmask the identity of the person behind the contracts and the dark reasons behind the killings he’s committed.

The pages of Deadbeat are filled with desperation, violence and regret.  But they are also packed with hope, sacrifice and determination.  Which is why it’s so hard to determine if Peyton is likeable or loathsome.  He does some absolutely abhorrent and morally corrupt things, but his motivation can be seen as pure and in the name of seeking redemption.  In the end, it’s up to the reader to make up their own mind on where Peyton stands with them.  But there’s no middle ground.  Either you will be understanding of his ends-justify-the-means approach and find him worthy of your support, or you will gleefully root for him to rot in prison for the rest of his days. 

That there’s even a choice to make given the Peyton’s actions speaks to the brilliance of Adam Hamdy’s storytelling.  He finds humanity in the darkest corners of even the most hopeless of souls.  Using his brilliant and flowing prose to suck you into a debate about virtue vs. vileness.  Requiring reflective contemplation that may not have a satisfying conclusion in the end.  Regardless, you will be entertained while reading this powerful story and its impact won’t end for quite some time, as the angel and devil in your head will continue the conversation for many days after putting the book down.

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Robert B. Parker's Hot Property By Mike Lupica

Spenser’s back with a vengeance in Robert B. Parker’s Hot Property, a thrilling story filled with suspense, violence, corruption and witty one-liners.  Mike Lupica delivers a new Spenser tale with a classic feel containing heart, virtue and an abundance of Hawk.  Everything a long-time fan of this series could ever want.

Rita Fiore, one of Boston’s top defense attorneys and Spenser’s long-time flirtatious friend, has been shot and left fighting for her life.  Spenser is infuriated that someone would take a shot at someone he considers family and won’t rest until those behind this plot are brought to justice…or put six feet under.  Along with Hawk, their friends in the Boston Police Department and a few other old acquaintances, Spenser conducts an investigation that puts him, his colleagues and his sources in the crosshairs of powerful people who will do anything to avoid their secrets being exposed.

Hot Property is a modern story with a nostalgic feel.  The case involving politics, gun violence and urban development feels like something we would read in today’s news.  But the nostalgia hits you in waves as Spenser and his old pals use old-fashioned sleuthing, dogged determination and a bevy of sarcastic quips to get to the bottom of things.  They show unapologetic toughness and a whatever it takes attitude balanced with unconditional caring and protectiveness for the ones they love.  The story is engaging, the characters perfectly depicted, and the dialogue is on point.  Robert B. Parker would be proud to include this book in his impressive canon. 

I am grateful to Mike Lupica for keeping these characters alive and thriving.  The Spenser series is a big reason I love reading thrillers, having read and enjoyed these books for decades.  Keeping Spenser, Hawk, Susan, Rita and the others in our lives is something for which I will be forever grateful.  Here’s to more adventures for this esteemed crew.

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Bogey Spades By Jack Stewart

Seamlessly melding espionage and military elements into one thrilling package, Bogey Spades will have you flying through the pages before dropping the hammer and leaving you stunned.  Jack Stewart’s third book in the Battle Born series deftly continues this engaging saga and sets up what is sure to be an explosive fourth edition in 2025.

Emmy “Punky” King is surveilling a Marine who is suspected of spying for the Chinese.  Colt Bancroft is asked to join a secret squadron with history back to the Vietnam War.  And their paths cross again when the Marine is abducted in broad daylight by an unknown adversary, with both of them there to witness the kidnapping.  Teaming up, they follow the trail to the area surrounding Naval Air Station Fallon, where the trail goes cold but maybe not coincidentally the US Vice President is en route for a visit and a top-secret weapon has gone missing.  With threats coming from all angles and time of the essence, Punky and Colt are running out of time to put the pieces together and stop a potentially catastrophic plot from becoming a reality.

With Bogey Spades, Jack Stewart continues his streak of delivering captivating novels with a “been there, done that, got the TOPGUN t-shirt” knowledge that adds a level of authenticity beyond what most thrillers can even dream about containing.  As a layperson, the lingo and dialogue are fascinating to consume even if you don’t understand every term and phrase. Because it still makes you feel like you’re in the cockpit with Colt or on the chase with Punky, providing a backstage pass to an exclusive club of badasses.  Throw in a twisty plot with multiple adversaries, an uncertain outcome and a bombshell reveal cliffhanger, and you have a novel that hits all the right notes and leaves you begging for more.

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The Last King Of California By Jordan Harper

Dark, gritty and filled with relentless tension, The Last King of California is the rare book that violently assaults all five senses.  You don’t just hold the book and read it.  You hear, smell and taste it.  A complete sensory experience you won’t soon forget.  Providing another proof point that Jordan Harper is at the top of his game and one of the best authors in the business.

Luke Crosswhite comes to the realization that he’s not cut out for college and returns home, a place he has complicated feelings about.  It’s the location of The Combine, a gang his father founded and manages from prison through Luke’s uncle on the outside.  Luke tried to run away from The Combine, but as he reengages with the crew, he realizes this is his family and exactly where he needs to be.  When another brutal gang demands they join up or be destroyed, Luke embraces his destiny and leads the fight to save The Combine and the people he cares about.  Resulting in a violent encounter where everything and everyone could be destroyed.  But there’s no stopping the inevitable.  And Luke will fight to the end for his family.  Blood is love. 

This is a book you feel with your entire being.  A barrage of body shots that leave you weak in the knees.  No gimmicks, no major twists, just a straight descent into hell where hope and dreams go to die, and pain is all that’s left.  It’s also a brilliant study in human behavior – how people evolve (or don’t) over time, how their sense of loyalty will drive their decision making even if it might be self-destructive, and how the environment you’re living in can significantly impact and drive your conduct.  It also explores group versus self, asking great questions about the power of the collective versus the will of the individual. 

And yes, there’s tons of violence.  Guns, drugs, explosions, knives, fire, torture and death.  Nothing and no one will be left unscathed.  Leaving you sweaty and completely spent like you’ve just gone 12 rounds with a heavyweight boxer.  Feeling the effects of this literary tour de force for days and weeks afterwards.  Intriguing, contemplative and haunting.  That’s the powerful gift The Last King of California will leave you with. 

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Double Barrel Bluff By Lou Berney

Witty, duplicitous and teeming with lurking danger, Double Barrel Bluff is a captivating thriller that balances violence and opportunistic maneuverings with matters of the heart and emotional moments.  Lou Berney delivers yet another highly engaging and suspenseful novel sure to entertain the masses.

Shake Bouchon is a former wheelman for the Armenian mob, now blissfully married to the love of his life and living a quiet, hidden existence in Bloomington, Indiana.  But that all comes crashing down when an Armenian thug, who vowed to kill Shake the next time he sees him, shows up at Shake’s home.  But the real surprise is he’s not there to kill him, rather he’s hoping to enlist Shake’s help to find Alexandra Ilandryan, the boss of the Armenian mob who has gone missing in Cambodia and a woman Shake had a prior romantic relationship with.  Against his and his wife’s better judgement, Shake agrees to get involved and finds himself in a position where he cannot trust anyone, violence waits around every corner, and the relationship with his wife is on the rocks.  But the only way out is through, and Shake is highly capable of bringing this fraught situation to a (mostly) positive conclusion.

Double Barrel Bluff is an intense and fun read.  The plot is intriguing, the pacing is brilliant, the dialogue is clever, and the outcome is uncertain.  All of which grab your attention and force you to turn the pages as quickly as possible.  But the main stars of this show are the characters.  Wonderfully developed personalities that fit the story perfectly.  From an Armenian mob enforcer to a clairvoyant hippie to the double-crossing mob boss wannabe and his sidekick to the over-their-head kidnappers and laid-back mastermind and more, each character has been flawlessly and memorably crafted to fit the narrative and propel the book forward.  Throw in an exotic locale and you have a thriller that checks all the boxes. 

Enjoyable, vivid and absorbing, Double Barrel Bluff draws you into its richly detailed world and keeps you enthralled from start to finish.

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A Very Bad Thing By JT Ellison

Brimming with intrigue, dark secrets and drama, A Very Bad Thing is an intense page-turning thriller that implores you to race through it with a burning desire to consume every last sordid detail.  J.T. Ellison has delivered an expertly crafted, twisty tale that provides hours of indulgent entertainment.

Celebrity novelist Columbia Jones is riding high, finishing up a lengthy tour for her latest book.  But on the last night of the tour, she collapses onstage after a mysterious individual stands up during her talk.  And the next morning, she’s found dead in her hotel room.  With the literary world reeling, investigations commence by both the police and a tenacious reporter who was accompanying Columbia on tour.  Soon details of Columbia’s past start to emerge and they paint a much different picture about the beloved author’s past that provide insight into her murder.  And the details uncovered guarantee that everyone involved will see their lives changed forever.

A Very Bad Thing is well-conceived and executed featuring a twisty plot with a slow drip of information that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end.  There’s intrigue, violence, emotion and massive world-rocking revelations.  The character development is superb, delivering complex individuals who are more than they seem and whose past actions don’t necessarily define them.  And the drama…oh boy is it thick and juicy.  It’s a lifetime movie on steroids.  But it’s also way more than a guilty pleasure.  It’s a banger of a book.  A fascinating and voyeuristic tale for all to thoroughly enjoy.

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Once Upon A Time In Boomville By Montana Kane

Witty, playful, explosive and absorbing, Once Upon A Time in Boomville combines alluring and provocative affairs of the heart with a deadly serious race against the clock to stop murderous intentions.  Montana Kane’s third book in Brandy Martini series once again brings the heat with her trademark flirtations, suspense and satisfying endings.

A bigtime Hollywood production with the hottest director in the business has picked Boomville as the location for a blockbuster film filled with A-list celebrities and locals as extras.  But a string of escalating mishaps is putting the safety of the cast and crew, not to mention the entire movie, at risk.  Enter local private investigator Brandy Martini, given an ambiguous producer title and the charter to quietly investigate these incidents to find the person or persons responsible so, as they say, the show can go on.  But Brandy herself becomes a target and must navigate movie star eccentricities, Hollywood hopefuls, romantic entanglements and increasingly violent events to catch the saboteur before someone ends up dead.

This book is a hell of a good time.  From an intriguing investigation with more questions than answers to the underlying current of sexuality that permeates the entire story, there isn’t a single dull moment.  Readers are riding shotgun throughout – rubbing elbows (and other body parts) with celebrities, chasing down leads, and trying to stop a catastrophic disaster from occurring on set.  Throw in a town full of quirky locals with Hollywood dreams, an old gumshoe providing support, the “will they/won’t they” between Brandy and Lieutenant Pritzky, and a Malibu hot tub make out session, and Once Upon A Time in Boomville has more than enough action, “ACTION!” and “action” (if you know what I mean – wink wink) to keep readers riveted from start to finish. 

If you haven’t discovered the Brandy Martini series yet, what are you waiting for?  It’s a supremely underrated trilogy (so far) that screams fun, flirty and fascinating.  No time like the present to jump on this train and enjoy the ride.

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The President's Lawyer By Lawrence Robbins

A fast-paced legal thriller with twists, kinks and complicated relationships, The President’s Lawyer will suck you in, engage your brain and satisfy its thirst for high drama.  Lawrence Robins delivers a juicy and alluring story that compels you to soak up every single sordid element and race to the finish to learn the shocking truth.  Fans of legal thrillers by the likes of John Grisham and Michael Connelly will devour this novel.

Rob Jacobson takes on the biggest case of his career defending the former President of the United States against a murder charge.  Complicating things is the President is Rob’s best friend and the murder victim is a woman with whom Rob had a past romantic relationship.  However, Rob knows he’s the best lawyer for this case and crafts a strategy that casts aspersions on other people he cares about, all in the name of getting an acquittal for his client.  As the trial unfolds and more information comes to light, Rob wrestles with the claimed innocence of his client and his own demons from the past.  And the only thing that’s certain is that however the case concludes, the participants will never be the same.

The President’s Lawyer is a legal procedural novel at its finest and is written by someone who clearly knows the inner workings of the justice system.  From trial prep, to jury selection, to the cat-and-mouse game between the prosecution and the defense, to the direct and cross examinations, to the judge’s approach for the trial – everything feels authentic and is structured in an engaging and linear manner to provide bits of critical information along the way, so you never know exactly what’s coming next but can’t help but try to predict what you think will happen next.  And at the point when you figure out the truth, you can’t stop your mouth from uttering several expletives in surprise and delight at how things turn out.  It’s very well constructed and entertaining as hell.

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