Meet BTB Reviewer Steve Thomas

Background: I live in Orlando and am happily married to my wonderful wife Mia. Sons Andrew and Jonathan are both in college (but graduating soon) and our daughter Samantha is married to Nick and they have our one and only (so far) granddaughter, Madison (just over 1 year old). I am a retired U.S. Army Colonel after serving as an Armor officer for 30 years. I am now the director of sales for a large import company that specializes in bringing tasty food from the UK. I love to golf and try to swing my clubs at least once a week. But my all-time favorite hobby is reading. I have been a voracious reader since I was a child and have shelves filled with Thrillers and Historical Fiction.

Go-To Author: Extremely difficult to pin this to just one but Don Bentley has to be it for me. His Matt Drake series is superb and the work he has done with the Vince Flynn Mitch and Tom Clancy Jack Ryan Jr series found me unable to put them down (I bought the audiobooks books as to enjoy them a second time). As much as I love Don’s work, it was hard to pick him over other favorites like Brad Taylor, Jack Carr, Mark Greaney, Mark Cameron, Ben Coes, Barry Eisler, Simon Gervais, Andrews & Wilson, Gregg Hurwitz and Brad Thor. I pre-order all of their books.

Author People Should Discover: Ward Larsen. His David Slaton series is just superb, and he is easily one of my favorite authors. If you haven't read Ward's books, you are just missing out!!

Book You Would Recommend From 2024: I grew up on Tom Clancy books and was thrilled by Act of Defiance by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson. Absolutely love their books and Act of Defiance not only takes you back to the beginning (with echoes of Clancy's classic - The Hunt for Red October) but also introduces Jack Ryan's daughter, Katie Ryan, as a new protagonist in the Clancy realm with the same chops as her dad. Highly recommend you add this book to your shelf!

Most-Anticipated Book Of 2025: For me, I anticipate every book on my TBR pile next to my bedstand. But I couldn’t wait to read the latest in the Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz - Nemesis. Evan Smoak/Orphan X is a protagonist that answers the call with “do you need my help”… and Joey brings a chuckle regardless of the stress of the situation that Orphan X finds himself immersed in. And two of my other favorite authors that I have been waiting too long for are Ben Coes and Barry Eisler. Hope to see you both in the new releases soon!

Favorite Local/Indie Bookstore: The Book Dragon Shop. Fantastic service and selection. My go to when I need to find an autographed selection.

Favorite Charities: INUA Partners in Hope. My wife Mia and I sponsor and lead a golf tournament here in Orlando every year to raise money for this charity. Reach out to me if you want to play in our tournament this September! You too can make a difference.

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram.

View Steve’s Latest Reviews (book pub. dates)

White King by Juan Gómez-Jurado (3/11/25)
Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz (2/11/25)
Dark Vector by Ward Larsen (2/4/25)
The Department by Jaqueline Faber (2/4/25)
The Enigma Girl by Henry Porter (1/28/25)
Head Cases by John McMahon (1/28/25)
The Dragon, the Eagle and the Jaguar by Rodger Carlyle (1/14/25)
Cold Storage by Michael C. Grumley (1/7/2025)
Assume Nothing by Joshua Corin (12/10/24)
Tom Clancy Defense Protocol by Andrews & Wilson (12/3/24)
Deadbeat by Adam Hamdy (12/3/24)
Nobody's Hero by M.W. Craven (12/3/24)
The Egyptian Enigma by David Darling (11/26/24)
Midnight in Delhi by A.C. Frieden (11/1/24)
King of the Night by DJ Williams (11/9/24)
In Too Deep by Lee Child & Andrew Child (10/22/24)
Break Every Rule by Brian Freeman (10/10/24)
The President's Lawyer by Lawrence Robbins (10/8/24)
Heroic Measures By Joel Shulkin (9/17/24)
Capture or Kill by Don Bentley (9/3/24)
Tom Clancy Shadow State by M.P. Woodward (8/20/24)
Love You Till Tuesday by M.E. Proctor (8/13/24)
The Queen's Lies by Oliver Clements (8/13/24)
I Need You to Read This By Jessa Maxwell (8/13/24)
Shadow of Doubt By Brad Thor (8/6/24)
The Rule of Three by Sam Ripley (8/6/24)
Tempest North by Rodger Carlyle (7/16/24)
Ember by Andrews and Wilson (7/2/24)
Webb by Mike Mason (6/30/24)
Midnight Rambler by Don Carr (6/20/24)
Red Sky Mourning by Jack Carr (6/18/24)
Out for Blood By Ryan Steck (6/4/24)
Code of Arms By Jack Slater (5/21/24)
Tom Clancy Act of Defiance by Andrews and Wilson (5/21/24)
One of Four by Travis Davis (5/1/24)
Assassin's Edge by Ward Larsen (4/12/22)
A Better World by Sarah Langan (4/9/24)
Four Minutes by Andrews & Wilson (4/2/24)
The Auctioneer by D.J. Williams (2/25/19)

White King By Juan Gómez-Jurado

White King is a superb, edge-of-your-seat forensic thriller and the third (and perhaps final) installment in Juan Gómez-Jurado’s internationally bestselling Antonia Scott Red Queen trilogy. Jurado’s storytelling is spellbinding, weaving fantastic characters—both protagonists and antagonists—into a riveting narrative that will leave you gasping at the unbelievable ending.

Antonia Scott, the protagonist and the crux of the top-secret Red Queen project that solves the most dangerous crimes in the EU, is back in action. This time, she must save her partner and protector, Inspector Jon Gutiérrez, from the devious ploys of her nemesis, Mr. White. To save Gutiérrez, she must solve cold cases while staying one step ahead of a madman whose final objective remains unclear. As Scott and Gutiérrez race around Madrid at top speed, their paths may lead them away from those they truly care about, while also steering them toward something so unexpected that even Scott’s gifted mind may struggle to stay ahead.

If you have time—and I highly recommend you make time—read Jurado’s trilogy: Red Queen, Black Wolf, and White King. If you’re a fan of thrillers like Greaney’s Gray Man and Hurwitz’s Orphan X, you won’t be able to get enough of this series. However, be prepared for a bit of a cliffhanger at the end of White King. Is Mr. White still a threat? Is the Red Queen program still needed? Is Jurado hinting at another Antonia Scott thriller to come?

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase White King
(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

Nemesis By Gregg Hurwitz

There are just a few thriller authors whose books I eagerly anticipate, and Gregg Hurwitz is definitely one of them. Fortunately, Evan Smoak, also known as Orphan X – one of the absolute best protagonists in the thriller genre – returns in his wrecking ball manner in Nemesis next month. Fans of the Orphan X series and Gregg Hurwitz will thoroughly love this 10th installment of one of the foremost in the thriller genre.

Nemesis rewards its readers with a deeper look into the backstory of Tommy Stojack, providing an insight into how Evan met his premier weapon supplier and one of his oldest friends. Orphan X fans will enjoy Tommy’s larger role in Nemesis as this side character shares the lead role in this edge of your seat thriller. However, Evan’s moral code clashes with some of Tommy’s dealings, and old friends may become violent enemies. That will not bode well for Tommy or anyone else who clambers into the path of Orphan X.

Thriller lovers will find that Nemesis is filled with action and suspense, and when Joey is involved with her teenage drama concerns, even some humor. Hurwitz has once again penned a best-selling thriller that should be at the top of your must-read list this year. When it comes to superb writing and action scenes, there aren’t many better than Gregg Hurwitz. Nemesis proves that once again.

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase Nemesis
(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

Dark Vector By Ward Larsen

If you’re not reading thrillers by Ward Larsen, you are missing out on one of the best writers in the genre and one of my favorite authors. Perfect Assassin - the first in Larsen’s David Slaton series - introduced us to this Kidon assassin and protagonist and quickly became an all time favorite read on my book shelf. Now, 20 years later, Dark Vector has that same “can’t put this book down” feel as Tru Miller is introduced as a character that you will be holding your breath as you pine for his success.

In Dark Vector, a Russian pilot has decided to fly the advanced fighter that he has been developing to a U.S. base and seek asylum there. But when the plane has troubles enroute, Tru Miller, a rookie CIA paramilitary agent, is sent to assist. Meanwhile, Slaton, now the head of the CIA’s Special Activities Group, and the White House scheme how to help Miller achieve success while not starting a global conflict.

Dark Vector is a must read and will probably be one of your favorite reads of 2025. Personally, I can’t wait to read the next Ward Larsen Tru Miller thriller.

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase Dark Vector
(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 Department By Jaqueline Faber

When you pick up The Department by Jacqueline Faber – and I highly recommend that you do – prepare yourself for a thrilling ride that will pull you into its captivating narrative. This book is not just a read; it's an experience. Faber masterfully crafts a story that will make you feel the characters' pain, longing, and triumphs, creating a bond between you and them that is hard to shake. From the first page to the chilling conclusion, you will be mesmerized.

The Department is a complex thriller that seamlessly weaves together past and present, allowing the reader to unravel the mystery piece by piece. Faber's writing is superb, with a narrative style that keeps you on the edge of your seat, eager to turn the next page. This was my first encounter with Faber's work, but it certainly won't be my last. Her talent is evident, and I look forward to exploring more of her books.

If you're in search of a fantastic thriller that will keep you guessing and leave you breathless, look no further than The Department. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. You can thank me later for the recommendation!

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase The Department
(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 Enigma Girl By Henry Porter

Sprinkle a little Daniel Silva, a dash of M.W. Craven, and mix in an extremely clever, quick-witted, and supremely brave protagonist, and you will find The Enigma Girl by Henry Porter. This engrossing thriller was the first I have ever read by this talented author, and I can guarantee it won’t be my last.

With a deft touch, Porter effortlessly carries the reader throughout England as Slim Parsons, our MI5 operative and protagonist, attempts to rebuild her life after a harrowing undercover operation. However, tragedy awaits her as the villain from her past circles her life, threatening her friends and family. Slim takes on another undercover operation closer to home but quickly finds that her past, present, and future are all in jeopardy unless she can finish what she started in her last mission. Death and destruction stand in her way unless she finds the strength and wit to unravel it all.

Superbly written, The Enigma Girl is a treasure, and Henry Porter has firmly planted himself within the thriller genre as a must-read author. I loved this book and highly recommend it!

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase The Enigma Girl
(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

Head Cases By John McMahon

Discovering a new author is always a thrill, and John McMahon's Head Cases is a superb thriller that you must earmark as a must-read for 2025. The characters, led by FBI Agent Gardner Camden, form an eclectic group that you will cheer for and laugh with as they unravel clues leading them along a winding path to a serial killer. Head Cases is a splash of Monk, a twist of NCIS, and a dabble of a pure Hercule Poirot murder mystery. McMahon's creative writing will keep you up for hours, as you won't want to put it down.

When DNA links a murder victim to a serial killer long presumed dead, the FBI’s Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit is called upon to solve the mysterious clues left behind. Alongside Gardner, the PAR team consists of a mathematician, a weapons expert, a computer analyst, and their leader, a seasoned agent. With an enigmatic case that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and this quirky collection of characters, Head Cases is an unmitigated success. If this is the debut of a series, I can't wait for the next PAR/Gardner Camden thriller.

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase Head Cases
(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 Dragon, The Eagle And The Jaguar By Rodger Carlyle

Rodger Carlyle once again proves that he is a master storyteller with his latest addition to the Team Walker series, The Dragon, The Eagle and The Jaguar. This novel is crafted in such a manner that it compels the reader to reflect upon the current crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border as they turn each page. Carlyle's thriller enthralls the reader with superbly developed characters that bring the story to life in vivid detail.

Thad Walker and Chad Gritt, familiar faces from Carlyle’s previous hits The Eel and The Angel and The Shadow Game, return to once again battle power-driven forces from China that seek to damage the United States and usurp its leadership role on the world stage. The stakes are higher than ever, and the tension is palpable as Walker and Gritt navigate a web of intrigue and danger.

The Team Walker series has evolved significantly, with Carlyle introducing even more characters to cheer for and more formidable dangers for Walker and Gritt to face. Carlye’s ascent to one of the best thriller writers has been meteoric, almost as fast paced as the action in The Dragon, The Eagle and The Jaguar.

In addition to his prowess in crafting thrillers, Carlyle has also made a name for himself in the realm of historical fiction. His ability to weave historical accuracy with compelling narratives has garnered him a dedicated following and leave me yearning for the next in his Gritt Family series.

The Dragon, The Eagle and The Jaguar is a superb thriller from start to exhilarating finish. Carlyle’s masterful storytelling, combined with his ability to tackle contemporary issues, makes this book a must-read. It should undoubtedly be on the top of everyone’s TBR list in the new year.

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase The Dragon, The Eagle And The Jaguar
(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

Cold Storage By Michael C. Grumley

Cold Storage, the fantastic sequel to Michael C. Grumley’s Deep Freeze and book two in his Revival series, is a stunning thriller that starts with action and ends with a mind-blowing cyclone of a finish.

 John Rieff, the protagonist from Deep Freeze, is on the run from a shadowy group determined to reclaim their cryogenic experiment. Set in a near-future world, this thriller explores the dark side of technological advancements. The world as we know it has changed, and a group of privileged individuals is attempting to use cryogenics to save themselves for a later period when technology has improved. But they have a secret that could change everything. Rieff, while attempting to recover from being in cold storage, is determined to work with his team to unravel their objectives and stop them.

 Crumley has masterfully crafted a story that will steal hours of your sleep as you won’t want to put it down. The book delves into themes of immortality and the ethical dilemmas of cryogenics, questioning what it means to truly live. What if the key to immortality was within reach, but only for a select few? Highly recommended for fans of sci-fi thrillers, Cold Storage will grab your attention at the on-set and stay with you long after the last page.

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase The Egyptian Enigma
(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

Assume Nothing By Joshua Corin

My first Joshua Corin read (I love finding new authors) was this thriller – Assume Nothing – and I was stunned at what a superb story he crafted. The protagonist, Kat McCann, is a teenager who survived her mother’s murder by her father. Now, ten years later, she lives with her aunt and uncle in Boston. When she feels compelled to attend a presentation at Harvard by Alik Lisser, the famous Austrian criminologist who solved her mother’s murder and implicated her father, she becomes reacquainted with him. Kat’s troubles begin as she quickly learns that he is not the man she or the world thinks he is. Everyone around her is now in danger until she can find a way to implicate him for his evils that he has carefully guarded from everyone in the world – except her.

If you love a great old-fashioned mystery wrapped succinctly into a thrilling narrative, then Assume Nothing must go into your “to-be-read” pile. Corin has given us a wonderful page-turner that will leave you on the edge of your seat as you tread carefully along with Kat on her precarious journey. I highly recommend it!

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase Assume Nothing
(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

Tom Clancy Defense Protocol By Andrews & Wilson

I truly began my love for thriller novels when I was stationed in Germany in the late 1980s. I relished every Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum novel I could find. When another Clancy thriller was published, it felt like Christmas morning! I devoured them all and read them more than once. While I enjoyed all of Clancy’s books, The Hunt for Red October was definitely one of my favorites.

So, when two of my favorite authors – Brian Andrews and Jeff Wilson – released Act of Defiance in 2023 and introduced Katie Ryan (an analyst, like her famous father, with the Office of Naval Intelligence), I was captivated by the book’s overt similarities with Jack Ryan and Red October. Act of Defiance quickly became one of my favorite reads this year.

Defense Protocol had that same effect on me! Jack Ryan is still the President, and when it looks like a Chinese naval exercise may lead to an invasion of Taiwan, Katie Ryan finds herself in the middle of an escalating international fray that could lead to World War III. Andrews and Wilson even bring a Clancy reader favorite, John Clark, into the story as he attempts to smuggle out a Chinese Minister of Defense who may have plans for the invasion.

Andrews and Wilson are two of the best thriller authors in the business and they keep providing novels that don’t let you put the book down. So, finish out your 2024 with a book you will love – I highly recommend Defense Protocol!

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase Defense Protocol
(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

Deadbeat By Adam Hamdy

I always like to cheer for the protagonist. It’s second nature for many of us, whether we’re reading a book, watching a movie, or just living our lives. However, the main character of Adam’s Hamdy’s novel Deadbeat, Peyton Collard, is a deeply flawed man. After a life-altering car accident that killed a young woman, Peyton spent time in prison, got divorced, and is now quite destitute. We meet Peyton as a drunk, behind on child support, and barely getting by. He hits rock bottom again when, in a drunken state, he inadvertently rams a police car and finds himself in jail once more.

But everything changes for Peyton when someone anonymously bails him out of jail and gives him money to kill an evil man. This sets Peyton on a path that leaves a trail of bodies as he gets deeper into trouble. The money he earns begins to improve his life, but the web of deceit and violence that he weaves pulls him further into danger – for himself and those he cares about. He soon realizes that discovering the identity of his anonymous patron may be the only way he survives.

Adam Hamdy has crafted a thriller that intrigues you from the start and draws you deeper into the descending journey of a man who is looking for any way to escape the hopeless life that he has fallen into. For fans of the thriller genre, I highly recommend Deadbeat. Hamdy’s storyline is superb, the characters are compelling, and you will quickly become engrossed in the story. And you absolutely won’t want to miss the ending.

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase Deadbeat
(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

Nobody's Hero By M.W. Craven

Fans of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels will absolutely love Ben Koenig, the fearless protagonist in M.W. Craven’s must-read thriller Nobody’s Hero. In this sequel to Fearless, the first in the Ben Koenig series, Craven has produced a thriller that all of us readers will love. Koenig, a lone wolf with a strong moral compass, is a protagonist that you will laugh with, tremble with, and heartily cheer for as he unravels a plot to damage America in a way that neither he nor you will believe.

Honestly, this series featuring Ben Koenig has been my favorite find of the year and is also my most recommended read. I truly found myself setting aside time during the day to dig back into Nobody’s Hero as Craven had me spellbound attempting to solve this thriller along with his characters in the book. I think that this is another book series that I will be wistfully waiting for the next book to come along.

Don’t miss out on this electrifying read and prepare for a rollercoaster ride of suspense and action. Take my advice and pre-order Nobody’s Hero today and prepare to be captivated. You can thank me later.

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase Nobody's Hero
(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 Egyptian Enigma By David Darling

If you love thrillers by Wilbur Smith & Steve Berry as much as I do, The Egyptian Enigma deserves a place on the shelf alongside them as a superb, impossible to put down thriller. The reader will tag along an increasingly intense ride that wraps a great story where our modern world becomes intertwined with Ancient Egyptian lore. 

Ryan Petey is as surprised as the reader to be the protagonist of an action thriller that finds he’s interacting with long dead Egyptian priests who use stone singing to literally connect and move heavy stone objects. Along the way, he attempts to avoid underworld adversaries as he gets transported to places like Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids while he continues to perfect his newly found stone singing skills.

If you love a great thriller and a story filled with intense action and plot twists, the Egyptian Enigma is highly recommended for you.

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase The Egyptian Enigma
(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

Midnight In Delhi By A.C. Frieden

My last read of 2024 was by an author that I knew of but had never read his novels before. After finishing Midnight in Delhi, I quickly realized that AC Frieden is a terrific writer, Midnight In Delhi is a must-read for thriller lovers and I can’t wait to read more Frieden thrillers! Jonathan Brooks, the protagonist of the book, a successful lawyer from Louisiana that finds himself on a plane traveling home when a fellow passenger becomes deathly ill. This event leads to a re-routing of the plane and from there Midnight in Delhi takes off at a breakneck pace that you will enjoy being along for the ride.

This books lays out our global fears viral pandemics that could be more devastating than COVID … and the reader is along for the journey. Harrowing is a proper description for challenges that our protagonist faces and Frieden keeps you changing the page to determine the outcome of not only the book but also what could affect our real lives. What a superb thriller - I highly recommend Midnight In Delhi. A.C. Frieden should be on your list of authors to read.

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase Midnight In Delhi
(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

King Of The Night By DJ Williams

I’ll never forget the first time that I rode Space Mountain at Walt Disney World. The anxiety, excitement, and fear of what lay ahead at the next turn on that rollercoaster is the best way to describe the action-thriller The King of the Night by DJ Williams. With its non-stop action and characters you want to cheer for, it is a superb read and I know that you will truly enjoy this novel.

A sequel to the first thriller in the Chase Hardeman series, The Auctioneer, Williams’ returns his main protagonists, Chase Hardeman and his partner Dax as they race around the world as black operators who try to do good for the world without the safety of a parachute. Chase and Dax provide a focal point for the plotline but there are several other strong characters that the reader will enjoy as the book provides many different subplots that will keep the reader’s adrenaline going. Just don’t get too attached with all of the characters as the author is not shy about writing off a few of them.

A strong storyline that takes the reader all over the globe and even includes hints of a deep state within the US government, I found myself happily hanging on as the action continued to spin up like the rotor blades of a Eurocopter. And yes - I highly recommend you read The King of the Night and enjoy the ride!

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase King Of The Night
(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

In Too Deep By Lee Child & Andrew Child

Is there a more thrilling character to cheer for than Jack Reacher? In Too Deep, by Lee Child and Andrew Child, starts with Reacher in a precarious situation, waking up in a strange room, handcuffed to a steel table with a broken wrist and with no memory of how he got there. While Reacher untangles himself in classic Reacher fashion, the plot continues to thicken as he realizes that, as usual, he is caught up in a violent situation involving a team of bad guys involved in theft, corporate blackmail, and murder. As they allow Reacher to slowly learn more and more about the situation he has landed in, the authors skillfully keep you guessing about who can be trusted, what their true motives are, and force Reacher to rethink his every move and question who he can trust.

Andrew Child, who has now taken over the reins of his brother Lee Child’s Reacher series, superbly puts his fingerprints on this beloved character of the bestselling series. Reacher seems a little less physical and a little more cerebral as In Too Deep weaves classic Child twists into the narrative, ensuring that the tension remains high and the reader is constantly on edge.

Overall, while In Too Deep does not quite have the feel of a classic Reacher story, it is a masterclass in crafting an intricate plot with unexpected twists, featuring a protagonist that every thriller reader can’t wait to engage with. It’s a must-read for fans who love the Reacher series and appreciate a story that keeps them on their toes and challenges their expectations. I really enjoyed it!

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase In Too Deep
(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

Break Every Rule By Brian Freeman

I vividly remember eagerly awaiting the next Tom Clancy book growing up, or the latest Wilbur Smith adventure, or the newest Robert Ludlum thriller. Each time, I knew I was about to be absorbed into their worlds and enjoy every minute. That’s exactly how I felt when I opened Brian Freeman’s 30th novel, Break Every Rule. My anticipation was rewarded with what I consider one of the very best thriller novels of 2024. Yes, Break Every Rule is that good.

Freeman crafts Tommy Miller as a protagonist with a hidden past, one you will cheer for from the first page until you close the book with a contented sigh. Miller has tried to suppress and hide from his violent past but fears it has caught up to him when his wife and daughter are kidnapped. While trying to stay out of sight of those who wish him dead, he uses his unique skills to search for his family, not realizing that his wife has a past that has caught up to her.

I don’t use the term “one of the very best thriller novels of 2024” lightly. Anyone who loves a great thriller and reads Break Every Rule will feel the same. Brian Freeman has a superb resume of novels that will keep you up late at night wanting to read just one more chapter, and this book stands proudly among his great works.

Did I mention that I highly recommend that you read Break Every Rule?

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase Break Every Rule
(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 President's Lawyer By Lawrence Robbins

Wrap a murder mystery inside a legal thriller and tie it up with a psychological thriller with plot twists that will make you gasp and you will find The President’s Lawyer by Lawrence Robbins.

The President’s Lawyer takes you behind the scenes and into the courtroom where a powerful lawyer, Rob Jacobson, is called upon to defend his lifelong friend and former US President, Jack Cutler, against a murder charge that will uncover his friend’s infidelity and cause damage to everyone involved. Twisting the interpersonal relationships between the Jacobsons and the Cutlers, the author zips you along a path that the reader believes they are able to sort out the killer. But you won’t be able to believe what you find at the end!

Bravo for what will be one of the BEST legal thrillers of 2024!

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase The President's Lawyer
(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

Heroic Measures By Joel Shulkin

Heroic Measures is a captivating thriller that explores the potential of creating super soldiers and their transformative impact on modern warfare. Are superheroes limited to comic books and movies, or has our government discovered the secret to deploying them on the battlefield? And if so, who controls them, and for what purpose?

The book’s protagonist, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Englehart, a United States Air Force medical examiner, is a master in his field but struggles with following orders, driven by his own curiosities in his forensic mission. However, a troubling family history haunts him, influencing his behavior and reluctance to accept command positions. But when a Marine arrives on his autopsy table with brain implants that may allow for regenerative powers and superhuman strength and speed, Stephen strives to find out who is behind it all. When his efforts to find the truth results in murder and violence, Stephen is even more determined. Then when his Green Beret Major sister disappears, he fears that she may have been taken to get implanted as well.

Stephen uses his forensic skills as he is driven to uncover the truth and rescue his sister. But to do this, he must take unprecedented risks and trust no one. Along the way, he will find answers to his own family’s mysteries—answers that he may not be able to accept.

I highly recommend that you jump on the Bifrost Bridge and enjoy the exhilarating journey that Heroic Measures offers. Joel Shulkin has crafted a scintillating thriller that will keep you enthralled until the dynamic conclusion. It’s a book that even a superhero would love to read.

Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.

Purchase Heroic Measures
(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

Meet The Review Team