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 (4 months old). I am a retired 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 did with the 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). I can’t wait to see what he does with the Mitch Rapp series. 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: Ryan Steck and Connor Sullivan. Both write thrillers that keep you up late at night trying to finish the chapter. Ryan did such a tremendous job as The Real Book Spy I was not surprised that he has such talent as a thriller author. And Connor Sullivan has writing skills that remind me of Nelson DeMille. These two authors can’t be missed.

Book You Would Recommend From 2023: Seriously? 2023 had so many books that were fantastic that it is an impossible take to narrow to just one. That said, Forgotten War by Don Bentley knocked me off my feet. The freshness of the subject (post-Afghanistan war) along with the depth of Don’s connection to the topic comes across in this Matt Drake thriller. If action-thriller is a genre that you enjoy/love, Forgotten War is a must read.

Most-Anticipated Book Of 2024: 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 and Lone Wolf has not disappointed. Evan Smoak/Orphan X is a protagonist that answers he 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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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Capture Or Kill By Don Bentley

Those concerned about Vince Flynn’s legacy thrillers with Mitch Rapp after Kyle Mills stepped aside will be thrilled with Capture or Kill by Don Bentley. In his first Mitch Rapp novel, readers like myself get to enjoy classic Rapp with some Don Bentley action flair that provides excitement from the first chapter until its dynamic conclusion.

I was also super excited that Capture or Kill takes Rapp back to the period of the hunt for Bin Laden. The action scenes in Pakistan and Afghanistan proved to me that Bentley truly knows how Rapp operates and how to keep the reader engaged. I won’t spoil the surprise by revealing which character shows up that we haven’t seen in a while, but I am sure that Vince would have loved his inclusion.

Bentley’s writing throughout is crisp and engaging, with action scenes that are vividly described and meticulously crafted. His ability to maintain suspense and excitement throughout the novel is superb. Capture or Kill is easily one of the best action thrillers of 2024 and definitely a MUST READ!

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Tom Clancy Shadow State By M.P. Woodward

I truly enjoyed diving into the electrifying world of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan Jr. series with M.P. Woodward’s Tom Clancy Shadow State. This novel is a masterclass in action-thriller storytelling, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Growing up with Clancy’s books, I’ve been delighted to see talented authors like Don Bentley, Andrews & Wilson, Mark Greaney, and Marc Cameron continue his legacy. Woodward, with his exceptional storytelling, proves he’s a worthy addition to this illustrious lineup. Shadow State propels Jack Jr. and his Campus teammates into a high-stakes adventure, while helping the United States’ race to secure raw strategic materials and maintain its technological edge.

Jack Ryan Jr., son of the current U.S. President, takes center stage in Shadow State. But the real treat is the introduction of former SEAL Master Chief Moore, a new powerhouse on the Campus team. The action sweeps across China, the Philippines, and Vietnam, plunging readers into heart-pounding scenes of helicopter crashes, riverboat battles, and smuggling operations. The Golden Triangle in Northwest Vietnam and Laos becomes a battleground of raw intrigue and deadly conflict. The relentless pace and gripping narrative will keep you turning pages late into the night, desperate to see how Jack Jr. and his team navigate these perilous waters.

Although I’ve read every Tom Clancy book, Shadow State marks my first encounter with M.P. Woodward’s writing. Now, I’m eager to explore his earlier works and can’t wait for his next contribution to the Jack Ryan Jr. series. Woodward has not only met but exceeded my expectations, breathing new life into a beloved series.

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Love You Till Tuesday By M.E. Proctor

Love You Till Tuesday by M.E. Proctor is an absolute page-turner, packed with superb characters and thrilling twists. This detective-thriller is hands down the best I’ve read this year! Declan Shaw, a private investigator that you’ll love to cheer for, is the perfect protagonist to unravel the murder mystery and bring the villains to justice. Proctor’s writing style and exceptional storytelling will keep you on the edge of your seat, making it impossible to put the book down.

Proctor masterfully takes Shaw (and the reader) from a gripping murder scene in Houston to a defective building in Tampa to solve a who-done-it and highlights his skill as a P.I. The book also introduces other unforgettable characters like Daisy Diamond, a fellow P.I. and Shaw’s love interest, and Steve Ribaldo, an HPD detective, who add even more depth and excitement to the story.

I was completely captivated by this book and am only disappointed that the next Declan Shaw adventure isn’t available yet. But I’m eagerly waiting! Declan Shaw has quickly become one of my all-time favorite protagonists. I’m confident that anyone who picks up Love You Till Tuesday will be just as enthralled as I was.

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The Queen's Lies By Oliver Clements

Oliver Clements’ The Queen’s Lies weaves a fascinating tale of political intrigue and espionage during a tumultuous period in British history. Based in England in the late 1580’s, this superb thriller that revolves around Queen Elizabeth I and her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots. The Catholic Church is intent on deposing Elizabeth and replacing her with Mary thus ensuring Catholicism becomes the religion of the British Isles. The dynamic between Queen Elizabeth and Mary, along with the involvement of secret agents John Dee and his wife Jane leads the thriller along an intertwined ride that concludes with a surprising end that you won't see coming.

However, powerful forces are determined to maintain the status quo, which can only be achieved by removing the Queen’s cousin, Mary. As with all the books in Oliver Clements’ enthralling Agents of the Crown series, secret agent John Dee and his wife Jane find themselves caught between two formidable factions, each vying for supremacy. But is there another way to resolve this deadly conflict?

I highly recommend The Queen’s Lies. It is a thrilling ride that you will enjoy every turned page.

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I Need You To Read This By Jessa Maxwell

Like all great thrillers, Jessa Maxwell begins I Need You to Read This with a murder. With that beginning, this novel draws the reader into a superbly written mystery thriller that examines who people truly are and the challenges everyone faces. I guarantee you will struggle to put this book down.

Alex Marks is a young woman who is obsessed with the Dear Constance opinion column in the Herald newspaper. However, it is the demise of the famous advice columnist of Dear Constance in one of the most prestigious newspapers that introduces our protagonist into this classic murder/mystery. After the murder of someone which meant so much to Alex personally, she decides to apply for the position. Yet, after getting hired, she quickly determines that solving the unsolved murder of her predecessor is almost as important to her as writing the column. And Alex also worries that uncovering that secret of who did it may also uncover secrets of her own.

If you enjoy murder/mystery thrillers, then I need you to read I Need You to Read This. Jessa Maxwell is a superb thriller author and I highly recommend this novel that I found impossible to put down! 

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Shadow Of Doubt By Brad Thor

With the release of Shadow of Doubt, Brad Thor once again cements his status as the master of the spy thriller genre. Thor’s writing style is both gripping and immersive, drawing readers into a world of espionage and high-stakes action. His protagonist, Scot Harvath, not only executes breathtaking missions but he once again attempts to save the world from global threats that keeps readers coming back for more.

At the outset of Shadow of Doubt, Harvath is on a flight back to Norway to reunite with Solvi, his soon-to-be wife, when he is thrust into action by an out-of-control passenger. This action sequence is just the beginning of a thrilling ride for the reader. Thor quickly thickens the plot with the further threatening of Ukraine and NATO by Russia moving nuclear missiles into Belarus, safeguarding a Russian defector with crucial information about those missiles, and the murder of a French intelligence agent in Paris. With Harvath at the center of it all, Thor takes readers on a thrilling ride that is impossible to put down and compels the reader to keep turning the pages..

Shadow of Doubt is a masterfully crafted thriller that showcases Brad Thor’s exceptional storytelling abilities. My recommendation? If you read only one thriller this summer, make it Shadow of Doubt.

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The Rule Of Three By Sam Ripley

Sam Ripley has penned a nightmarish, mystery thriller that slowly pulls you into this whirlpool of a story that keeps you guessing whodunit until the very end. I highly recommend The Rule of Three but find a well lighted area to read it as this thriller has a scary way of drawing you into the story along with its fateful protagonists Amy, Ila and Eve.

The preface speaks for the sense of The Rule of Three:

“So pay attention. Pay attention to every single detail.
Before we start, you must remember one important fact.
What you’ll read didn’t save me. But perhaps, together, we can save you.

With those words, you will launch into a thriller that grab and hold you until the thrilling conclusion. Once you start this book, you won't be able to put it down.

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Tempest North By Rodger Carlyle

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the Walker Series (both The Eel & the Angel and The Shadow Game), I was looking forward to reading the Gritt Series starting with Tempest North. And wow - did it deliver. Tempest North is a historical adventure fiction that weaves a superb storyline with actual events in the 1820s that compels the reader along with a story that they will find hard to put down.

The reader finds themself in post-1812 war America alongside our protagonist, ship captain Chad Grittenburg. Following the tragic loss of his young wife, Chad and his crew travel south, fending off pirates and making many stops along way before sailing around the Cape. They even have to survive a violent encounter with Native Americans to finally reach their objective. Captain Grittenburg and his depleted crew eventually arrive in New Archangel and Russian America (today’s Alaska) to open new commerce markets in the burgeoning American west.

As a fan of seafaring thriller novels by both Patrick O’Brian and Dewey Lambdin, I really loved this adventure on the high seas and highly recommend it. This action adventure is well written and will definitely keep the reader engaged. Rodger Carlyle has another winning series and I can’t wait to read the next in the Gritt series.

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Ember By Andrews and Wilson

The Tier One series hammered its way into the action-thriller genre, and book 8 of the series, Ember, may be the best of them all. The dynamic writing duo of Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson are superb storytellers, delivering a thriller that compels the reader to hang on from start to finish.

Ember thrusts Dempsey, Munn, and Grimes into a geopolitical maelstrom following the assassination of world leaders by a new terrorist organization. With Jarvis and Petra forced to take on increasingly difficult leadership positions in the United States, the Ember team heads to the other side of the globe to once again save the world.

I definitely feel that Ember is a masterfully crafted thriller that showcases the exceptional talent of Andrews and Wilson. Their ability to weave intricate plots and edge of your seat action with awesome characters makes this book another Tier One standout in the action-thriller genre. If you’re a fan of high-stakes, adrenaline-pumping stories, Ember is a must-read. Set aside some time, because once you start, you won’t be able to put it down!

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Webb By Mike Mason

Finding an author who can craft a book that I simply cannot put down is a rare delight. Webb by Mike Mason is one such gem. The story centers around Luke Webb, a formidable Combat Controller in the US Air Force and also a state trooper in Vermont. Webb is as tough as nails, evoking the grit and determination of characters from Brad Taylor, Brad Thor, and Ryan Steck’s novels. When his peaceful world is invaded by a wave of bad guys (and girls), Webb takes it upon himself to restore order.

 Mason masterfully paints a vivid picture of the dark underbelly of drug distribution and prostitution infiltrating the tranquil towns of Vermont. The stakes are personal and high when violence claims the lives of Webb’s brother and others he holds dear. Driven by a thirst for justice, Webb abandons his badge and embarks on a relentless quest for vengeance. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a sprawling criminal organization that is far more extensive than he ever imagined.

 What I found particularly compelling is how Mason weaves together a storyline that addresses pressing real-world issues while providing a hero we can root for. Webb, along with his brilliant doctor wife and a covert U.S. organization to assist him, fights to make the world a better place. Webb is an action-packed thriller that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go. I wholeheartedly recommend it as one of the most thrilling reads of the year.

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Midnight Rambler By Don Carr

When the first sentence of the book starts with, “Sophie stood at one end of a swimming pool … about to dive headfirst into a sea of dead bodies” you know that this is a book that you want to keep reading. Midnight Gambler, an impossible to put down thriller by Don Carr, follows Sophie Grant, a determined EPA Special Agent with a complex family history, as she battles to make the world a cleaner and safer place in the Napoli region of Italy.

Unfortunately, Grant’s actions in Italy are constantly thwarted by the midnight gambler, a legendary Italian assassin who seems to be always one step ahead, complicating her efforts and those of the local CIA station and the Italian carabinieri. Packed with environmental toxins, exploding yachts, hidden tunnels, warehouse firefights, car chases, and even nuclear bombs, Midnight Rambler is a rollercoaster of action that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Carr’s plot twists are as treacherous and unpredictable as the narrow, winding streets of Napoli, ensuring you’ll be flinching at every turn of the page.

Every so often, you come across a book by a new author that leaves you utterly speechless. Midnight Gambler is one such book – a pulse-pounding thriller that grips you from start to finish. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this one.

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Red Sky Mourning By Jack Carr

If you can read only one book this summer, it needs to be Red Sky Mourning by Jack Carr. Period. But I highly recommend that you find something to hang on to as this bestselling author brings James Reece back once again in a fast-moving thriller that readers have come to enjoy since The Terminal List.

Rogue Chinese submarines, technology companies unrestrained, artificial intelligence entities, and a politician seeking the White House with foreign backing? As usual, Carr has placed a novel in front of us that both thrills us and terrifies us with the similarities of our world today. Using his superb global bestseller writing skills, the author crafts and weaves Reese through a perilous route that endangers everyone that he loves (again) until he places his own life on the line to ensure their safety and save the world. 

Am I over selling the plot? Definitely not. Carr provides action and a protagonist with no quit that readers have come to enjoy and movie producers have clamored to adopt into action films. Red Sky Mourning will grab you from the beginning – “Here be Monsters” – and you won’t want to put it down until you read an ending that will give you chills.

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Out For Blood By Ryan Steck

Out for Blood is a superb, non-stop action thriller that is a must read for thriller lovers and solidifies Ryan Steck as one of the best new writers in the genre. Fans of Fields of Fire and Lethal Range will be unable to put down this third book in the action-packed Matthew Redd thriller series.

Steck returns Redd to Montana’s breathtaking Big Sky Country to rebuild his home and ranch while his father Gavin Cline transports Anton Gage, the antagonist that Redd captures in Lethal Rage, to a max prison. But the author quickly ramps up the intense, hard-hitting action which leaves Cline injured and a hit team going after Redd. While Redd tries protecting his loved ones by sending his family into hiding while he heads for the mountains to take on those intent on killing him, the author shows the power of family in a conclusion that will keep you up late at night turning pages.

The novel combines suspense, family bonds, and survival instincts, making it a thrilling read for fans of the genre. Fans of Ryan Steck and his Matthew Redd series (like me) couldn’t wait for this one and book four, promising more heart-pounding adventures - due in 2025, can’t come soon enough!

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Code Of Arms By Jack Slater

Every so often, I discover a new author who reignites my passion for thrillers. Jack Slater’s Code of Arms did just that. Reminiscent of Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne, Mark Greaney’s Gray Man, and Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp, Gideon Ryker’s action-packed adventures in Code of Arms keep readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating each turn of the page.

From a home for retired French Foreign Legionnaires in France to a Senator’s mansion in Virginia, Gideon is joined by CIA Agent Zara Walker. Together, they navigate a web of intrigue as Gideon seeks to unravel his foggy past and exact revenge on an organization that targeted him and killed his friends. Along the way, Gideon and Zara develop a deep trust and teamwork, transforming them into a formidable duo.

If you’re in search of an action-packed thriller with a protagonist you can’t help but root for, I highly recommend Code of Arms. And if you enjoy it as much as I did, you’ll be thrilled to know that the second book in the Gideon Ryker series, Test of Faith, is already available. I can’t wait to dive into it and see what’s next for Gideon and Zara.

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