Meet BTB Reviewer Steve Netter

 
 

Background: Born and raised on the East Coast, I now live on the West Coast after stints in the Midwest and Southwest. Day job is working for a large tech company. Married for 20+ years with 2 kids nicknamed "The Clown Show." Huge sports fan, addicted to good food, appreciate live theatre and music, enjoy camping & hiking...oh yeah, I also love reading thrillers and military non-fiction.

Go-To Author: William Kent Krueger. His Cork O’Connor series is incredible. I started with Lightning Strike and then read the remaining eighteen books within a year. It’s a collection of great writing filled with suspense, emotion, wisdom and fantastic characters. Each book teaches me something, makes me think deeply about my own life and actions, and reading each one for the first time is like a spiritual experience. Then there’s William Kent Krueger’s standalone novels. Wow! They’re breathtaking literature. The River We Remember was one of my favorite books of 2023. Can’t wait to see what comes next from this fantastic author.

Author People Should Discover: James Byrne. If you haven’t read the first two books in the Dez Limerick series (The Gatekeeper and Deadlock), you are missing out! Action packed with a sarcastic wise-cracking protagonist whose skillset is something to behold. Incredibly fun thrillers! And rumor has it we’ll have a third installment later in 2024. So now’s a great time to jump on board because this series is poised to explode.

Books You Would Recommend From 2023:
1. The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger. Beautifully written, heartfelt, emotional tale of self-discovery via a murder investigation in post-WWII America.

2. Moscow X by David McCloskey. Superb US vs. Russia espionage novel that goes toe-to-toe with classics like Hunt for Red October, Red Sparrow and The Charm School.

3. Dark Ride by Lou Berney by Lou Berney. A crime novel with heart that follows a stoner finding purpose and battling to help kids escape an abusive situation.

4. Calico by Lee Goldberg. Vivid, immersive and endlessly fascinating story that defies simple genre definition and will have you deeply invested in the characters.

5. The Guilty One by Bill Schweigart. Suspenseful, dark and twisty story with a serial killer on the loose leaving dead bodies in their wake.

6. The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon. Powerful, anxiety-inducing, haunting tale of an abducted woman who never quits trying to escape.

Most-Anticipated Book Of 2024: Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger. 2023 brought us a brilliant standalone WKK book but it was a year without Cork O'Connor. Now Cork returns in 2024 with this 20th novel in the series. I cannot wait to catch up with these old friends and see what mystery Cork is called upon to solve.

Favorite Local/Indie Bookstore: Powell's in Portland, OR. One of my favorite things to do is to get lost for hours in the stacks at Powell's, checking out their amazing selection of books. It's one of the largest independent bookstores in the world, but more importantly it serves as my happy place.

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

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

Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz (2/11/25)
Chain Reaction by James Byrne (1/28/25)
Cross My Heart by Megan Collins (1/14/25)
Tom Clancy Defense Protocol by Andrews & Wilson (12/3/24)
Deadbeat by Adam Hamdy (12/3/24)
Robert B. Parker's Hot Property by Mike Lupica (11/26/24)
Bogey Spades by Jack Stewart (11/19/24)
The Last King of California By Jordan Harper (11/19/24)
Double Barrel Bluff by Lou Berney (11/5/24)
A Very Bad Thing by JT Ellison (11/1/2024)
Once Upon A Time in Boomville by Montana Kane (10/30/24)
The President's Lawyer by Lawrence Robbins (10/8/24)
Dark Space By Rob Hart & Alex Segura (10/8/24)
The Seventh Floor by David McCloskey (10/1/24)
The Elias Network by Simon Gervais (10/1/24)
Ashes Never Lie by Lee Goldberg (9/17/24)
The Accomplice by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson & Aaron Philip Clark (9/3/24)
Capture or Kill by Don Bentley (9/3/24)
Fatal Intrusion by Jeffrey Dever & Isabella Maldonado (9/1/24)
An Honorable Assassin by Steve Hamilton (8/27/24)
Spirit Crossing by William by Kent Krueger (8/20/24)
Tom Clancy Shadow State by M.P. Woodward (8/20/24)
The Brothers Kenney by Adam Mitzner (8/13/24)
Burn Out By Joshua Hood (8/13/24)
I Need You to Read This by Jessa Maxwell (8/13/24)
The Rule of Three by Sam Ripley (8/6/24)
The Chamber by Will Dean (8/6/24)
A World of Hurt by Mindy Mejia (8/6/24)
Not What She Seems by Yasmin Angoe (8/1/24)
Bad River by Marc Cameron (7/23/24)
The Bang-Bang Sisters by Rio Youers (7/16/24)
Ladykiller by Katherine Wood (7/9/24)
Wilderness Reform by Matt Query and Harrison Query (7/2/24)
Ember by Andrews & Wilson (7/2/24)
Sentinel by Mark Greaney (6/25/24)
Don't Let the Devil Ride By Ace Atkins (6/25/24)
Shadowheart by Meg Gardiner (6/18/24)
What Fire Brings by Rachel Howzell Hall (6/11/24)
Assassins Anonymous by Rob Hart (6/11/24)
Don't Ask, Don't Follow by Mary Keliikoa (6/4/24)
If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay (5/28/24)
The Main Character by Jaclyn Goldis (5/28/24)
Double Tap by Cindy Dees (5/21/24)
Truth Truth Lie by Claire McGowan (5/21/24)
Tom Clancy Act of Defiance by Andrews & Wilson (5/21/24)
Think Twice by Harlan Coben (5/14/24)
Blood Red Summer by Eryk Pruitt (5/14/24)
The Instruments of Darkness by John Connolly (5/7/24)
Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett (4/30/24)
The Infiltrator by TR Hendricks (4/23/24)
Close to Death By Anthony Horowitz (4/16/24)
A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci (4/16/2024)
Blood Mountain by Alisa Lynn Valdes (4/16/24)
Day of Wrath by Matt Cricchio (4/8/24)
Four Minutes by Andrews & Wilson (4/2/24)
The Underhanded by Adam Sikes (4/2/24)
City in Ruins by Don Winslow (4/2/24)
Matterhorn by Christopher Reich (4/1/24)
A Forgotten Kill by Isabella Maldonado (3/26/24)
Lethal Horizon by Jason Kasper (3/26/24)
The Debt Collector by Steven Max Russo (3/20/24)
Lilith by Eric Rickstad (3/19/24)
The Stars Turned Inside Out by Nova Jacobs (3/19/24)
Kill For Me, Kill For You By Steve Cavanagh (3/19/24)
What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan (3/5/24)
Outlaw by Jack Stewart (2/20/24)
The Chaos Agent by Mark Greaney (2/20/24)
Lone Wolf by Gregg Hurwitz (2/13/24)
The Year of the Locust by Terry Hayes (2/6/24)
Past Crimes by Jason Pinter (2/6/24)
The Price You Pay by Nick Petrie (2/6/24)
Almost Surely Dead by Amina Akhtar (2/1/24)
The Mountain King by Anders de la Motte (1/30/24)
The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett (1/23/24)
Dead Man's Hand by Brad Taylor (1/23/24)
Dream Town by Lee Goldberg (1/16/24)
Northwoods by Amy Pease (1/9/24)
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins (1/9/24)
The Ascent by Adam Platinga (1/2/24)
Rosslyn Station by F.X. Regan (12/15/23)
Robert B. Parker’s Broken Trust by Mike Lupica (11/28/23)
Assassin's Mark by Ward Larsen (11/28/23)
Tom Clancy Command and Control by Marc Cameron (11/21/23)
Unknown Rider by Jack Stewart (11/21/23)
The Warmaker by Benjamin Spada (11/15/23)
Devil's Own Day by Joe Goldberg (11/14/23)
The Great Gimmelmans by Lee Matthew Goldberg (11/14/23)
Calico by Lee Goldberg (11/7/23)
Sons of Valor III: War Machine by Andrews & Wilson (11/7/23)
The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen (11/1/23)
The Paleontologist by Luke Dumas (10/31/23)
Deadly Tides by Mary Keliikoa (10/24/23)
Ransomed Daughter by Eric Bishop (10/10/23)
Blood Lines by Nelson DeMille & Alex DeMille (10/10/23)
The Last Guardian by Simon Gervais (10/10/23)
Moscow X by David McCloskey (10/3/23)
Boom Days by Montana Kane (10/1/23)
Dark Ride by Lou Berney (9/19/23)
The Belgrade Conspiracy by Jason Kasper (9/12/23)
The Ninja's Oath by Tori Eldridge (9/12/23)
Code Red by Kyle Mills (9/12/23)
Tom Clancy's Weapons Grade by Don Bentley (9/5/23)
It Ends with Knight by Yasmin Angoe (9/5/23)
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger (9/5/23)
Malibu Burning by Lee Goldberg (9/1/23)
Ricochet by Taylor Moore (8/29/23)
Harm's Way by John Gilstrap (8/22/23)
Deadlock by James Byrne (8/8/23)
The Last One by Will Dean (8/8/23)
To Catch a Storm by Mindy Mejia (8/1/23)
Dead Fall by Brad Thor (7/25/23)
The Sandbox by Andrews & Wilson (7/25/23)
The Hunt by Kelly J. Ford (7/25/23)
Blind Fear by Brandon Webb and John David Mann (7/11/23)
Thicker Than Water by Megan Collins (7/11/23)
Soon Dies The Day by Stephen England (6/30/23)
Have You Seen Her by Catherine McKenzie (6/27/23)
The Guardian by Joshua Hood (6/27/23)
The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon (6/20/23)
The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni (6/13/23)
Inside Threat by Matthew Quirk (6/13/23)
All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby (6/6/23)
A Killer's Game by Isabella Maldonado (6/1/23)
Weapons of Opportunity by Dale Brown (5/30/23)
Beware the Woman by Megan Abbott (5/30/23)
Dead Drop by M.P. Woodward (5/23/23)
Second Shot by Cindy Dees (5/23/23)
The Chateau by Jaclyn Goldis (5/23/23)
The Devil You Know by Chris Hauty (5/23/23)
Citizen Orlov by Jonathan Payne (5/23/23)
Only the Dead by Jack Carr (5/16/23)
The Libyan Diversion By Joel C. Rosenberg (5/16/23)
The Ferryman by Justin Cronin (5/2/23)
Something Bad Wrong by Eryk Pruitt (5/1/23)
Breakneck by Marc Cameron (4/25/23)
Forgotten War by Don Bentley (4/25/23)
Beast Three Six by Jason Kasper (4/25/23)
Simply Lies by David Baldacci (4/18/23)
City of Dreams by Don Winslow (4/18/23)
The Instructor by T.R. Hendricks (4/11/23)
Hollow Beasts by Alisa Lynn Valdés (4/1/23)
The Guilty One by Bill Schweigart (3/21/23)
I Will Find You by Harlan Coben (3/14/23)
Deep Fake by Ward Larsen (3/14/23)
Red London by Alma Katsu (3/14/23)
Wolf Trap by Connor Sullivan (3/14/23)
The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell (3/7/23)
It's One of Us by J.T. Ellison (2/21/23)
Dempsey by Andrews & Wilson (2/21/23)
White Smoke by John Gilstrap (2/21/23)
Burner by Mark Greaney (2/21/23)
The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz (2/21/23)
The Last Orphan by Gregg Hurwitz (2/14/23)
The Drift by C.J. Tudor (1/31/23)
The Devil's Ransom by Brad Taylor (1/24/23)
The Bullet Garden by Stephen Hunter (1/24/23)
Killer Story by Matt Witten (1/17/23)
Everybody Knows by Jordan Harper (1/10/23)
My Darkest Prayer by S.A. Cosby (12/6/22)
A History Of Fear by Luke Dumas (12/6/22)
Red Winter by Marc Cameron (12/6/22)
Rebellious Son by Joe Goldberg (11/15/22)
Blue Like Me by Aaron Philip Clark (11/8/22)
No Plan B by Lee Child & Andrew Child 10/25/22
The Other Side of Night by Adam Hamdy (10/11/22)
The Maze by Nelson DeMille (10/11/22)
High Crimes by Montana Kane (10/1/22)
Treasure State By C.J. Box (9/27/22)
Landslide by Adam Sikes (9/20/22)
They Come At Knight by Yasmin Angoe (9/13/22)
Oath of Loyalty by Kyle Mills (9/13/22)
FNG by Benjamin Spada (9/6/22)
Other People's Secrets by Meredith Hambrock (9/6/22)
Kingdom Of Spies by Bevan G. Roberts (9/1/22)
Real Bad Things by Kelly J. Ford (9/1/22)
Narco Assassins by Jason Kasper (8/23/22)
Fox Creek by William Kent Krueger (8/23/22)
Firestorm by Taylor Moore (8/16/22)
Heat 2 by Meg Gardiner & Michael Mann (8/9/22)
The Last Sentinel By Simon Gervais (8/9/22)
The Neighborhood by Matthew Betley (8/9/22)
Tessa Goes Down by Jason Bovberg (8/2/22)
The New Neighbor by Karen Cleveland (7/26/22)
The Last Paladin by P.T. Deutermann (7/19/22)
Things We Do In The Dark by Jennifer Hillier (7/19/22)
We Lie Here by Rachel Howzell Hall (7/12/22)
Armored by Mark Greaney (7/5/22)
Rising Tiger by Brad Thor (7/5/22)
First Born by Will Dean (7/5/22)
Outside by Ragnar Jonasson (6/28/22)
Lethal Game by John Gilstrap (6/28/22)
The Falcon by Isabella Maldonado (6/28/22)
Movieland by Lee Goldberg (6/21/22)
The Local by Joey Hartstone (6/14/22)
Shadow Tier by Steve Stratton (6/14/22)
Red Warning by Matthew Quirk (6/7/22)
Zero Hour by Don Bentley (6/7/22)
Sons of Valor II: Violence of Action by Andrews & Wilson (6/7/22)
It Dies with You by Scott Blackburn (6/7/22)
Cold Fear by Brandon Webb & John David Mann (6/7/22)
The Handler by M.P. Woodward (5/31/2022)
In the Blood by Jack Carr (5/17/22)
The Island by Adrian McKinty (5/17/22)
The Murder Rule by Dervla McTiernan (5/10/22)
Hostile Intent by Don Bentley (5/3/22)
Storm Rising by Chris Hauty (5/3/22)
Cold Snap by Marc Cameron (4/26/22)
Assassin's Edge by Ward Larsen (4/12/22)
Ways to Die in Tokyo by Thomas Ran Garver (4/7/22)
The Fifth Bandit by Jason Kasper (4/5/22)
Dark Angel by Andrews & Wilson (4/5/22)
Once A Thief by Christopher Reich (4/5/22)
The Missing Piece by John Lescroart (3/29/22)
Wild Card by Stephen England (3/15/22)
Like a Sister by Kellye Garrett (3/8/22)
The Lightning Rod by Brad Meltzer (3/8/22)
Persian Tomcats by Mitchell Boling (3/1/22)
Sisters of Night and Fog by Erika Robuck (3/1/22)
Girl in Ice by Erica Ferencik (3/1/22)
No Second Chances by Rio Youers (2/22/22)
Blue Fire by John Gilstrap (2/22/22)
Beneath the Stairs by Jennifer Fawcett (2/22/22)
The Paradox Hotel by Rob Hart (2/22/22)
Sierra Six by Mark Greaney (2/15/22)
Dark Horse by Gregg Hurwitz (2/8/22)
Undermoney by Jay Newman (1/25/22)
The Runaway by Nick Petrie (1/18/22)
Targeted by Stephen Hunter (1/18/22)
End of Days by Brad Taylor (1/11/22)
Insurrection Day by Chris Hauty (1/4/22)
Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins (1/4/22)
The Maid by Nita Prose (1/4/22)
Covert Kill by Jason Kasper (12/21/21)
Sea Hawke by Ted Bell (12/7/21)
The Body Man by Eric P. Bishop (11/11/21)
The Unquiet Genius by Glenn Dyer (11/8/21)
Her Name is Knight by Yasmin Angoe (11/1/21)
The Last Protector by Simon Gervais (11/1/21)
Gated Prey by Lee Goldberg (10/26/21)
I Know You by Claire McGowan (10/19/21)
Security Day by Matt Cricchio (10/17/21)
The Kill Box by Rip Rawlings (10/5/21)
Wolf Point by Ian K. Smith (10/5/21)
I Am Not Who You Think I Am by Eric Rickstad (10/5/21)
Under Color of Law by Aaron Philip Clark (10/1/21)
City on Fire by Don Winslow (9/21/21)
Enemy at the Gates by Kyle Mills (9/14/21)
Her Perfect Life by Hank Phillippi Ryan (9/14/21)
Last Target Standing by Jason Kasper (9/14/21)
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell (9/7/21)
The Necklace by Matt Witten (9/7/21)
You Can Run by Karen Cleveland (8/31/21)
Lightning Strike By William Kent Krueger (8/24/21)
The Family Plot by Megan Collins (8/17/21)
The Island by Ben Coes (8/17/21)
A Different Dawn by Isabella Maldonado (8/10/21)
Holdout by Jeffrey Kluger (8/3/21)
Down Range by Taylor Moore (8/3/21)
Assassin's Dawn by Ward Larsen (8/2/21)
Loser Baby by Jason Bovberg (8/2/21)
False Witness by Karin Slaughter (7/20/21)
Black Ice by Brad Thor (7/20/21)
The Cellist by Daniel Silva (7/13/21)
Steel Fear by Brandon Webb and John David Mann (7/13/21)
Falling by T.J. Newman (7/6/21)
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby (7/6/21)
Sleeping Bear by Connor Sullivan (7/6/21)
Survive the Night by Riley Sager (6/29/21)
Stealth Attack by John Gilstrap (6/29/21)
Sirens of Memory by Puja Guha (6/29/21)
Suburban Dicks by Fabian Nicieza (6/22/21)
Bath Haus by PJ Vernon (6/15/21)
Shadow Target by David Ricciardi (6/15/21)
Target Acquired by Don Bentley (6/8/21)
Sons of Valor by Andrews & Wilson (6/8/21)
The Spy Devils by Joe Goldberg (5/26/21)
Arctic Storm Rising by Dale Brown (5/25/21)
Treason Flight by T.R. Matson (5/11/21)
Manistique by Craig Terlson (5/6/21)
Basil's War by Stephen Hunter (5/4/21)
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (5/4/21)
Six Weeks To Live by Catherine McKenzie (5/4/21)
Bone Rattle by Marc Cameron (4/27/21)
Sooley by John Grisham (4/27/21)
Judgment at Alcatraz by Dave Edlund (4/27/21)
A Gambling Man by David Baldacci (4/20/21)
The Last Thing To Burn by Will Dean (4/20/21)
The Devil’s Hand by Jack Carr (4/13/21)
The Bounty by Janet Evanovich (3/23/21)
Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison (3/9/21)
The Beirut Protocol by Joel Rosenberg (3/9/21)
Win by Harlan Coben (3/6/21)
The Outside Man by Don Bentley (3/2/21)
Dark Sky by C.J. Box (3/2/21)
Crimson Phoenix by John Gilstrap (2/23/21)
Relentless by Mark Greaney (2/16/21)
The Unwilling by John Hart (2/2/21)
Good Neighbors by Sarah Langan (2/2/21)
Prodigal Son by Gregg Hurwitz (1/26/21)
The Breaker by Nick Petrie (1/12/21)
Someone To Watch Over Me By Ace Atkins (Robert B. Parker) (1/12/21)
A Stranger at the Door by Jason Pinter (1/12/21)
Savage Road by Chris Hauty (1/5/21)
American Traitor by Brad Taylor (1/5/21)
Bone Canyon by Lee Goldberg (1/5/2021)
Black Irish Blues by Andrew Cotto (12/30/2020)
Drone Strike by David Austin (11/25/2020)
Time to Hunt by Simon Gervais (11/10/2020)
Assault by Fire by Rip Rawlings (9/29/2020)
Total Power by Kyle Mills (9/15/2020)
Assassin's Strike by Ward Larsen (8/18/2020)
Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby (7/14/2020)
The Order by Daniel Silva (7/9/2020)
The Silver Waterfall by Kevin Miller (6/4/2020)
Savage Son by Jack Carr (4/14/2020)
Strike Me Down by Mindy Mejia (4/7/2020)
The Dead Don't Sleep by Steven Max Russo (11/17/19)
Veterans Day by Jack Stewart (querying author)

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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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

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. 

Follow Steve on Twitter or contact him via the site.

Purchase Chain Reaction
(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

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.

Follow Steve on Twitter or contact him via the site.

Purchase Cross My Heart
(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

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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Dark Space By Rob Hart & Alex Segura

Dark Space is a captivating interstellar espionage thriller filled with deception, intrigue and heart.  A story that’s equal parts science fiction entertainment and cautionary glimpse into our future.  A stellar novel that has emerged with a big bang from the creative minds of Rob Hart and Alex Segura.

The Mosaic is a spaceship manned by a half American, half Chinese crew that’s on a critical mission to ascertain the habitability of a planet outside our solar system.  But when the ship experiences malfunctions, and the distress call and systems checks are wiped from the system, former best friends – pilot Jose Carriles and spy Corin Timony – independently realize this mission isn’t what it seems.  As they seek answers and attempt to determine the true nature of the mission, they become entangled in a conspiracy and intergalactic conflict that threatens the very existence of humanity. 

Dark Space is a wonderfully engrossing story with characters worthy of the investment of your time and emotional capital.  It’s a well-written book that checks all the boxes of a traditional espionage novel, filled with suspense, political maneuvering, hidden agendas, misdirection, and trying to outwit your opponents.  But the sci-fi aspect adds an extraordinary dimension, painting an incredible picture of the possibilities the universe possesses that we might one day be able to realize – for better or for worse. 

There are also many lessons to be learned from this book.  Starting with an acknowledgement that human nature and the trajectory of our current world will need to be reckoned with at some point in the future.  But the lessons that really resonate, and my favorite part of the book, are the stories of redemption and hope.  Falling down but picking yourself up.  Stepping up and making difficult decisions when the need arises. And being part of something bigger than yourself, selflessly putting it all on the line for the benefit of the collective.  Beautiful stuff intertwined in an enjoyably tense yet fun novel.

This book is fantastic!  Kudos to Hart and Segura for teaming up to deliver this cosmic tale.  Hopefully there’s more to come.  Because I’m not ready to say goodbye to these characters and the worlds they inhabit. 

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The Seventh Floor By David McCloskey

Dark, gritty and teeming with authenticity, The Seventh Floor is a classic US vs. Russia espionage tale from the pen of David McCloskey that’s filled with deceit, betrayal and honor.

An operation goes bad in Singapore with the CIA losing the asset and their agent ending up in a Russian torture chamber.  Operations chief Artemis Proctor is made the scapegoat by the new leaders of the CIA, one of which holds a grudge against Artemis for past transgressions.  Months later the missing agent, Sam Joseph, shows up at Proctor’s trailer in Florida with an explosive revelation:  there’s a Russian mole high within the CIA.  They start an off the books investigation that puts every one of Proctor’s closest friends on a shortlist of suspects.  Putting her personal feelings aside, Proctor will do her duty to root out the mole in service the country she has sworn to protect.  But what she finds will haunt her and she may never be the same again.

This is a story about a good old fashioned espionage mole hunt harkening to the days of the cold war where the US and Russia were focused on recruiting and running spies deep within each other’s intelligence organizations.  Paranoia reigns supreme, literally no one can be trusted, and each side is pushing the envelope on what they can get away with.  Unwritten rules are broken, spies are captured and swapped, sleepers are activated, and people who know too much are in danger of elimination.  It’s violent, intense and heart wrenching, but highly engaging and absorbing.  A novel that fans of old-school spy stories will devour.

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The Elias Network By Simon Gervais

Filled with secrets, shootouts and spies, The Elias Network is an absorbing edge-of-your-seat espionage thriller that increases your heart rate, makes you sweat and gives you one hell of a ride.  Simon Gervais delivers yet again…and this one might be his best novel to date.

Caspian Anderson, code name Elias, is an elite assassin for a clandestine organization deep within the Department of Homeland Security.  While on a mission to prosecute a target tied to a human trafficking ring, he identifies another team of operators in play and is further confused when they try to abduct the wife and daughters of his target.  What he learns from that point onward will make Caspian question everything he thought he knew about the organization he works for, the people he interacts with in his cover job as a UN translator, and even if his girlfriend is who he thought she was.  But one thing is certain. Caspian’s lethal skillset will be put to the test and result in the death of anyone who gets in his way.

Gervais has crafted an intricate and engaging story that puts multiple spies and operators in the same theater and watches them gorge themselves on a smorgasbord of violence.  From Switzerland to Italy to France to the US, bodies drop and blood spills at a high rate.  Which is awesome and entertaining if you’re into that kind of thing (in the pages of a novel at least).  However, this book has much more going for it, traversing a tangled web of relationships, operations and organizations that keeps everyone on their toes trying to figure out who’s in cahoots with who and ultimately how everything is going to play out.  Plus, there’s a love story wrapped inside it all with career spies seemingly willing to give it all up to live happily ever after.  What more could you possibly want?

The Elias Network is coming in hot this fall!  Don’t miss out on this entertaining, spicy, fast-paced thriller that kicks off the next great series by the fabulous Simon Gervais. 

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Ashes Never Lie By Lee Goldberg

Lee Goldberg’s smooth and alluring storytelling talent is on fill display in Ashes Never Lie, an irresistible tale of arson, murder and fraud that locks you in early and keeps you riveted to the end.    

Newly constructed homes in a housing development are catching fire with no obvious cause but thankfully with no fatalities.  Miles away another home burns to the ground, but this one contains a dead body and lots of questions.  In the pursuit of answers to the seemingly unrelated cases, arson investigators Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker team up with homicide detectives Even Ronin and Duncan “Donuts” Pavone.  What follows is a series of eye-opening revelations and undercover operations to catch an arsonist, stop a long-running scam, and save thousands from unbearable pain and certain death.

This book is all-gas, no breaks. Including multiple events and dangerous situations that propel the story forward at high speeds with the heat of a five-alarm fire.  And containing investigations that twist, turn, and require every bit of skill, creative thinking and unsanctioned initiative from the venerable law enforcement team of Sharpe, Walker, Ronin and Pavone.  A partnership that is a brilliant combination of personalities and capabilities that effortlessly leverages the strengths of each member and is entertaining as hell to witness.  Especially as they go after incredibly well-devised characters with complex criminal personas that would excite and fascinate any psychologist, let alone a thriller enthusiast.  In other words, this book has everything you could want in an unputdownable action/mystery novel.

Lee Goldberg is an automatic must read and Ashes Never Lie is just the latest example of why.  He yet again delivers an exhilarating plot filled with intriguing, well-developed characters contained within a smooth-flowing, well-written and enthralling story.  Not to be missed by anyone who enjoys a good thriller.

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The Accomplice By Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson & Aaron Philip Clark

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson teams up with the fantastic Aaron Philip Clark to deliver a dark, gritty and propulsive thriller that packs a vicious punch.  Once you pick up The Accomplice, you won’t be able to put it down and it’ll stick with you long after completion.

Nia Adams is the first Black female Texas Ranger who not only has to catch dangerous criminals, but also must navigate the complicated politics of her organization.  Her latest case takes her to a bank robbery where nothing seems to be missing.  The vault is untouched and the tellers not asked to empty their registers, but a hidden safe in a small room has been breached.  Turns out a Vietnam vet turned master thief has removed the contents of that safe, which threatens to expose a wealthy family’s dirty secrets.  A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues.  Resulting in a pile of dead bodies, Nia’s career in jeopardy and, most importantly, her life in grave danger.

This book will smack you upside the head with crisp, gruesome action sequences and gallons of bloodshed.  Seriously, the violence is no joke.  Brutal and lurid, intense and evoking a powerful reaction.  But whether you enjoy that kind of maliciousness or not, you’ll find you’re sticking around for the well-crafted nuances of the characters.  These are complex individuals with very different pasts, motivations, and proclivities.  It’s not as simple as cops vs. robbers.  And that’s what makes this book so compelling and entertaining.  Well…that along with the relentless action and blind siding twists. 

The Accomplice is an exhilarating read.  All gas, no breaks.  Looking forward to more collaborations between 50 Cent and APC.  Have a feeling they have more in store for thriller fans.

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Capture Or Kill By Don Bentley

A gripping story that will leave you breathless, Capture of Kill is an unyielding adrenaline rush of fierce kinetic action delivered at breakneck speed.  Don Bentley enters the Rapp-verse throwing haymakers in a full-throttle adventure of bullets, beatdowns and brinkmanship. 

It’s 2011 and Mitch Rapp is called upon to do what he does best.   Namely kill a bunch of bad guys.  Starting with a mission to take out a terrorist financier in Pakistan and expanding from there to chase down a Quds Force leader who’s high on the CIA hit list and an Afghanistan jihadi leader of a splinter group called Hiz-i-Islami, both of whom are in possession of new missile technology that threatens the safety of American service members.  But wait, there’s more.  Rapp is also tasked with getting definitive proof that Osama Bin Laden is in a Pakistani compound, permitting the US President to send in Seal Team 6 to take out the most wanted man on the planet before he disappears again.  Big asks of one man to stop more American bloodshed and avenge those who perished on 9/11.  Good thing for the good guys – and a nightmare for the bad guys – that Mitch Rapp is the one on these critical missions.

From the first word onward, Capture of Kill never stops picking up steam and delivers high-octane thrills until the very end.  Rapp is constantly on the move, having to balance different objectives across kill orders, clandestine meetings, rescue missions and just plain saving the day in general.  Sometimes on his own, other times with highly capable agents and operators both new and old, Rapp displays his trademark adaptability, relentless determination, intelligence bordering on clairvoyance, leadership capabilities and lethal skillset to get the job done once again for the country he loves. 

Don Bentley does a stellar job with the daunting task of picking this beloved series from Vince Flynn and Kyle Mills.  His first entry is heart-pounding stuff and endlessly entertaining.  Fans should look forward to watching him grow into this series, further finding Mitch’s voice and sending Rapp on hair-raising, anxiety-inducing operations.  Our beloved character is in good hands. 

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Fatal Intrusion By Jeffrey Dever & Isabella Maldonado

Chilling and thrilling, Fatal Intrusion is a harrowing tale filled with twists and turns, investigations and technology, and dogged determination by the righteous versus sociopathic motivations by the malevolent.  The partnership of Deaver and Maldonado comes out of the gates swinging hard and landing haymakers to kick off this exciting new series.

Homeland Security Investigations Agent Carmen Sanchez gets involved in a case outside her scope and jurisdiction when her sister is attacked in Southern California.  As she digs into the case, she realizes it’s more than just a random act of violence.  As she makes her case to her boss and the local law enforcement agencies to allow her continued participation, more connected crimes occur.  With time of the essence to stop the perpetrator, she turns to Professor Jake Herron, an intrusion security expert who colors outside the lines and is known to cross a legal line or two.  Putting aside their complicated past, Sanchez and Herron work the case, finding clues and chasing down every little lead to locate and stop the man they’ve nicknamed Spider.  But they’d better hurry.  Because the violence isn’t going to slow down anytime soon and the driving forces behind this deadly spree are much larger than they could have possibly imagined.

Fatal Intrusion will grab ahold of you quickly and sink it’s hooks into you for the duration.  The plot is fast and suspenseful, and the intensity of the investigative chase is unrelenting.  But it’s the compelling and intriguing characters that make this story so scintillating.  The bad guys are diabolical, meticulous and depraved.  Easy to hate but hard to look away from, worried about what tricks they have up their sleeves next and knowing they must be stopped.  Which is where the wonderful yin and yang of Sanchez and Herron come in.  Sanchez the rule following career law enforcement officer teaming up with an academic, law-breaking hacker.  An unlikely pair that need each other’s strengths and different approaches to progress the investigation farther than either could do on their own.  It’s a brilliant match of personalities teaming up to stop the evil spreading in their community.

This is a really fun, exhilarating and captivating novel.  Looking forward to seeing where these fantastic authors take this series next.

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