Shadow Target By David Ricciardi

Shadow Target is cleared hot right from the start, jammed packed with violence and explosive action from the first sentence to the last.  

In this fourth installment of the series, David Ricciardi delivers another strong, well-written, fast-paced story about intelligence analyst turned CIA operative Jake Keller attempting to figure out who’s trying to kill him.  Along the way, Jake gets entangled in a plot to kill a world leader, a mole hunt, and maybe the most dangerous mission of all…reconciling with a scorned ex-lover.

While the action is unrelenting and highly entertaining, maybe the best part of Shadow Target is the character development. Ricciardi does a marvelous job of adding depth and clarity to Jake’s personality and motivations.  He nails the Russian oligarch’s disposition and behavior.  He also brilliantly crafts the state of mind of a French woman who simultaneously carries a grudge and a torch for Jake.  But what I really loved was the inclusion of two distinguished senior Brits, Lady Celia Parker and Sir James Houghton.  They add wisdom and intrigue inside the unexpected package of grandparent-like figures.  Put it all together and this is a character-driven story that engages the reader throughout.

That’s not to say the book is all about the characters.  The plot is well-crafted, taking the reader from a French ski enclave to the streets of Paris and London and the Washington DC Metro area.  The spy craft is excellent.  The action sequences are fierce.  And the operational details are spot on.  In other words, this book is a well-executed thriller sure to be a hit with fans of the genre.

Once again, David Ricciardi proves he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the big thriller authors.  Fans of Mark Greaney, Brad Thor and Ward Larsen will find this book and the entire series to be an enjoyable and satisfying reading experience. 

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Target Acquired By Don Bentley

Don Bentley delivers the goods in a big way bringing his trademark unapologetic ludicrous speed pacing and relentless brawling action sequences to Target Acquired, his first foray into Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan universe.  It’s an all-out, pedal to the metal, full tilt sprint from beginning to end, propelled forward with 40,000 pounds of thrust from the afterburners of a F-35. 

Breathing new life into the iconic series, Don focuses Target Acquired almost entirely on Jack Ryan Jr with minimal cameos from the team at The Campus.  Jack is in Israel for what should be a milk run observational operation with the CIA, but as you might expect the proceedings go sideways and Jack gets swept into the middle of a multi-faceted operation that threatens the security of Israel, the world, and an American scientist and her innocent son.  Not one to back down from doing what is right, Jack throws caution to the wind – and throws more than a handful of haymakers – in a bloody attempt to rescue the Americans from the clutches of evil.

The brilliance in this book is concentrating the story on Jack Ryan Jr to give us a glimpse into his growth as an operator.  Jack exhibits ceaseless Energizer Bunny persistence with savage close quarters hand-to-hand fighting the likes we haven’t seen from him before, further evolving his character into a bona fide badass and putting more distance between his conflicting personas of clandestine operator and being the President’s son.  He still has a lot to learn before he’s at the level of John Clark and Ding Chavez, but he makes a quantum leap in that direction in Target Acquired.

The Jack Ryan Jr. series is in amazing hands with Don Bentley, a tremendous writer who by all accounts is a fantastic dude to boot.  He promises to continue bringing a fresh take to the Tom Clancy realm that is sure to delight long time Clancy fans as well as bring a new generation into the fold.  I can’t wait to see what he has in store for the next installment.  But if Target Acquired is any indication, you better start strapping in now because it’ll blow your socks clean off.

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Sons Of Valor By Andrews & Wilson

When you think of the best all-time dynamic duos, your mind probably goes right to Batman & Robin, Holmes & Watson, Bert & Ernie, Han Solo & Chewbacca or even Thelma & Louise. But when it comes to military thrillers, Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson are the gold standard. They have been churning out hit after hit with their Tier One novels, a series you need to be reading if you call yourself a fan of the genre. Now after six books featuring John Dempsey, Andrews & Wilson have expanded the Tier One universe with Sons of Valor featuring Keith “Chunk” Redman. Chunk is familiar to Tier One fans as the leader of a SEAL Team who have provided door kicking support to John Dempsey and Team Ember in the past. But now Chunk is the featured character and I’m happy to report he is more than capable of carrying a book/series on his own. In fact, Sons of Valor blew me away and exceeded my incredibly high expectations. This book is incredible!

The storyline of Sons of Valor follows Chunk as he’s tapped to rebuild the Tier One element from scratch after they had been previously ambushed and wiped out. This is the dream opportunity he’s been waiting for and he jumps in with both feet, bringing along familiar SEAL Team Four members along with other accomplished operators and a highly recommended National Counterterrorism Center analyst named Whitney Watts. This team will have the autonomy to develop their own intelligence and select their own missions, circumnavigating the “bang your head against the wall” government bureaucracy that left them frustrated and unfulfilled. As the team passes their operational tests and is given the approval to proceed, Whitney unilaterally uncovers a terrorist plot that sends the new Tier One team to Afghanistan and Pakistan on an urgent mission to stop an Al-Qaeda splinter group from using Chinese drone technology to target US military forces. Finding themselves in a modern-day shell game with deadly implications, Chunk, Whitney and the team must rapidly unravel the knots and take out the terrorists before more damage is done.

Sons of Valor has the amazing military action sequences, weaponry and terminology you expect from an Andrews & Wilson novel. But for me the greatness of the book goes beyond that by exhibiting what good leadership looks like. Chunk might be an apex predator/elite operator with a gruff exterior, but he has heart and demonstrates his ability to modulate leadership styles from coaching others, to showing tough love, to admitting when he is wrong. Chunk is not perfect, but he cares deeply for his team and strives for continuous improvement. He understands what will make the team great and takes intentional actions to bring people along, helping them to be greater than they previously thought possible. Building a great, highly functioning team takes hard work and Andrews & Wilson do a fantastic job highlighting this through Chunk vs. taking the easy path of having everything automatically and magically come together. For me, this approach makes Chunk incredibly likeable and you root for him to successfully navigate the adversity he and the team face throughout the book.

As this series offshoot progresses, I believe two reasonable debates will occur. First, who’s the better character – John Dempsey or Keith “Chunk” Redman? And second, which series is better – Dempsey’s Tier One or Chunk’s Tier One? But here’s the great news…we win no matter the answer because Andrews & Wilson are spectacular authors who continue to churn out winner after winner for readers to enjoy.

Lastly, I want to share that when I read a great book, I always visualize the characters and locations. For Sons of Valor, I visualized the characters as the actors from CBS’s SEAL Team. Wasn’t intentional, it just happened. Maybe it’s because there were a lot of similar terms, maybe it’s because there’s a character named Spence (close to Spence), or maybe it’s because both the show and the book are awesome stories about SEALs. A mystery that might never be solved. Regardless, felt like sharing this revelation. Curious to hear from other readers how they visualize Chunk and team.

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The Spy Devils By Joe Goldberg

Overflowing with graphic action sequences and dripping with hilarious sarcasm, The Spy Devils is a unique and inspired entry into the spy-thriller genre.  It’s an entertaining, playful, zigzagging tale devised for the modern world.  

The Spy Devils are an outfit of wiseass, highly skilled covert operatives with the technical chops to not only go kinetic against their targets, but deploy social media tactics to embarrass and ruin the enemy financially and in the court of public opinion.  Led by Bridger, this eclectic team of spies, operators, tech geeks and even a make-up/special effects artist are caught in the web of a complicated mission to recover stolen technology.  Nothing is as it seems in this story containing corporate espionage, Ukrainian oligarchs, Chinese MSS operatives, double agents, and kompromat.  In fact, it’s a good idea for everyone involved to keep their heads on a swivel and beware the double cross because you can’t trust anyone, even family, when the stakes are this high.

The most-creative aspect of The Spy Devils is how it embraces social media in the plot.  It’s the first novel I’ve read where a covert espionage organization has a visible, thriving online presence.  That seems counterintuitive for a group of individuals for whom anonymity is literally life or death.  And while the operators themselves do remain in the shadows, it’s fascinating to see how an organization can not only manipulate the news cycle to their benefit but also leverage “going viral” to do immense damage to the bad guys by sharing intimate details of their misdeeds.  Fascinating addition to an already amusing cast of characters that make this book one hell of a fun read.

Joe Goldberg has put the genre on notice that he’s bringing a fresh take on spy thrillers and we’re all the beneficiaries.  The Spy Devils comes out of the gates hot, initiating a (hopefully) long series with an inventive and explosive plot featuring outlandish characters.  Pick up a copy so you don’t miss out!

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Arctic Storm Rising By Dale Brown

Arctic Storm Rising represents the start of a new series for acclaimed thriller writer Dale Brown.  It’s a departure from the world of futuristic techno-thrillers featuring the McLanahans and Iron Wolf Squadron taking on their Russian enemies in a battle of advanced military technology.  In their place is Air Force Special Ops Captain Nick Flynn leading a ragtag army of banished malcontents, insubordinates, and scapegoats taking on …well…a Russian enemy with advanced military technology.  But in this book, technology isn’t the stuff of science fiction.  It’s quite realistic and the central aspect of a scary plot that has the US and Russia on the verge of mutually assured nuclear destruction.

This is a story that harkens back to the days of the Cold War with a modern twist.  The Russians have a broken arrow event when one of their pilots, with nothing to lose, absconds with a new stealth bomber prototype loaded for bear with 12 nuclear-armed cruise missiles.  A desperate race ensues between the Russians and Americans as each country tries to get their hands on the bomber at all costs and by any means necessary.  Storms batter the area of operations and sleeper agents engage in sabotage, making it near impossible for the US to respond to Russian aggressions and attempts to recover their bomber.  However, the US is fortunate to have an island of misfit soldiers close to the action who they must rely on to save the day.  They’re not the A-team.  Hell they’re not even the B,C, D or E team.  But they’re the team of underdogs America needs in this very moment to thwart all-out nuclear war.  Will they be successful?  You’ll just have to pick up a copy of Arctic Storm Rising to find out for yourself.

As much as I enjoyed the McClanahan universe Dale Brown has written about for many years, I believe Arctic Storm Rising is a nice change of direction that will garner him more traditional-minded military thriller fans. The book still has the great character development and geopolitical plotlines that the author is known for, he just replaces sci-fi weaponry and battles in the dark vacuum of space with traditional soldiers wielding modern-day weapons while fighting on the frozen Alaskan arctic tundra.

As a result, Dale Brown delivers yet another captivating tale pitting Americans vs. Russians with the whole world facing dire consequences.  He takes the time to set the stage and develop the characters before sprinting for the finish line with astonishingly intense action sequences. Consequently, Arctic Storm Rising is a fun thrill ride that is guaranteed to be enjoyed by fans of Mr. Brown’s prior work as well as fans of military thrillers by authors such as Brad Taylor, Ben Coes and Ward Larsen to name a few.  Preorder a copy now and get ready to meet Nick Flynn, the genre’s newest hero. 

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Treason Flight By T.R. Matson

An enthralling, fast-paced, suspenseful look into the thrilling highs and challenging lows of a Navy Pilot on combat deployment.  T.R. Matson’s extensive real-world knowledge serving as a naval aviator brings authenticity to the gripping pages of Treason Flight, putting the reader in the cockpit to feel the exhilaration of flying alongside the best pilots in the world.

Jack "Rattler" Owen is an elite E-2C Hawkeye Navy pilot on deployment aboard the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier. He’s the best of the best, flying critical missions supporting Naval operations.  While struggling to come to terms with his imminent divorce, he must maintain deep focus on the job at hand because he’s already pulled several rabbits out of his hat to survive multiple catastrophic mid-air events that put the lives of his crew in mortal danger.  Is it just his “luck bucket” being emptied or is someone from his squadron out to get him?  Rattler must decide who he can trust and if it’s worth pursuing possible saboteurs in his mist, putting his career and life on the line to protect and defend the United States of America from all enemies foreign…and domestic.  

Treason Flight has depth that goes way beyond the cool aviation action sequences.  Yes, it gives readers a peek behind the curtain at the life of a naval aviator aboard an aircraft carrier while flying combat missions.  But it’s so much more, exploring the topicsof relationships in a way that applies to anyone whether they have served in the military or not – family dynamics, buddies you would do anything to support, co-workers from subordinates to peers to supervisors, and sexy Australian flight attendants.  Well…we don’t all have relationships with that last one, but dare to dream.

Additionally, Treason Flight delves into leadership, showcasing the impact that good and bad leaders have on the people around them.  Everyone has experienced both good and bad leadership and can relate to toxic office politics that bad leaders cultivate.  This understanding connects the reader to the story because while most of us haven’t flown military aircraft, we absolutely have encountered people we would follow through the gates of hell and others who we wish would get what’s coming to them.  Though to be fair it’s usually without the life and death consequences that Rattler faces.  

Well written, suspenseful and realistic, Treason Flight is a highly relatable and engaging book that flies by with the speed of a F/A-18C Hornet catapulted off the deck of an aircraft carrier.  A highly enjoyable and recommended reading experience for fans of military and/or conspiracy thrillers.  

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Manistique By Craig Terlson

Manistique is a well-crafted old school detective noir tale featuring greed, firepower, organized crime and familial bonds, all contained behind an eye-catching cover that is a gorgeous work of fine art.

What starts as a favor to a friend evolves into a quest across the country to find the truth about what led to a shootout at a poker game inside a New Mexican bar.  Despite constantly insisting he’s not a detective, Luke Fischer certainly acts like one on this mission that he can’t seem to let go despite no apparent reason to continue other than intellectual curiosity and maybe a taste for danger.  His dogged pursuit leads him to Michigan where he teams up with a small-town sheriff and discovers an age-old truth: Follow the money.  As Luke and the sheriff hit the road to find the money and some answers, hitmen come out of the woodwork and bodies start dropping like flies.  Not one to let things go, Luke will stop at nothing to see this case through to the end…even if it costs him his life.

There’s a lot to like about Manistique.  It’s well written and contains intriguing characters that span a spectrum of simple “what you see is what you get” folks to complex individuals with wisdom and depth.  The mysterious circumstances surrounding the case keeps the reader engaged and moves at a good pace that is neither slow nor in a hurry to get to the final destination.  And there is a plethora of action that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

But perhaps the star of the book is the unique settings.  From the middle of nowhere hole in the wall dives of New Mexico to the small towns, lakes and wilderness of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Craig Terlson paints such vivid illustrations of each locale that they become as important to the plot as the individuals and action sequences featured throughout.  Which makes these places way more than just background ambiance.  In fact, they serve as critical characters that add contextual depth and beauty to the story.

All told, Manistique is an entertaining thriller that should be paired with a Pacifico while watching the pinks and purples of a beautiful southwestern sunset to ensure maximum enjoyment.  But even without the cold beer and colorful skies, Manistique holds its own as a perilous whodunit saga with an old-time aura.  

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Basil's War By Stephen Hunter

Basil’s War is a classic spy vs. spy story with old school James Bond vibes. Taking it one step further, Stephen Hunter has channeled John le Carré and combined it with Ted Bell’s character Alexander Hawke to create an alluring WWII tale pitting the British against the Germans in occupied France.  This book has all the hallmarks of a timeless spy thriller – a debonair gentleman spy who’s got financial means and a deft touch with the ladies, a dangerous mission requiring impeccable spy craft to survive in enemy territory, a cat and mouse game with the players trying to guess the other side’s motivations in order to outwit them, and a few twists in the tail to keep the reader guessing.

Known for the Bob Lee Swagger series, this book reminds readers that Stephen Hunter is a talented writer who has range beyond the fictional sniper.  Basil’s War feels like it could be real, dipping its toe into the historical fiction waters without actually diving into that genre.  Hunter vividly paints the picture of the environment surrounding the war and puts the reader in the middle of the action.  It might not contain flashy action with guns blazing all over the place and explosions left and right, but it does have plenty of suspense, tension and intrigue via a tête-à-tête between adversaries.  Like I said, more of a classic spy novel where each side attempts to read the intentions of their enemy, focusing on the chessboard to see several moves ahead in an effort to best their opponent without them even knowing they’ve been had.  

As a result, Basil’s War is an enjoyable book by a fantastic author that will appeal to a broad range of thriller fans.  If you are into historical fiction and/or WWII, this is a book you should definitely check out.  But even if those aren’t your genres, I encourage you to read this book and enjoy a well crafted story.

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Project Hail Mary By Andy Weir

An interstellar tour-de-force!  A triumphant mating of science- fiction, traditional thrillers, and PhD level science.  Project Hail Mary is an outstanding novel from the great Andy Weir, who’s creative mind is as vast and wondrous as the cosmos. 

Dr. Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship millions of miles from Earth with no recollection of how he got there, what he’s supposed to do, or even what his own name is.  As his memory starts coming back in flashes, he pieces together that Earth is facing a mass extinction event and realizes he’s the only one who can save the planet and the human race.  Facing near insurmountable odds, he gets to work exploring the depths of space for salvation.  Along the way he faces many obstacles, achieves many breakthroughs, and comes across an unanticipated ally that provides hope of not only saving Earth, but surviving this perilous mission.  

Project Hail Mary is a thriller wrapped up in a Sci-Fi package, bombarded with a heavy dose of science. Emphasis on the words “heavy” and “science.”  In fact, if you’re a thriller-loving, Star Trek vs. Star Wars debating, Science Mystery Theater 3000 watching, science nerd, then this is the book you’ve been waiting your whole life to read.  For the rest of us, it’s pretty spectacular as well.  Don’t be scared away by the pages and pages of biology, chemistry, physics and astronomy.  If you know Albert Einstein developed the Theory of Relativity and the equation is E=mc2, then you’re good to go and can get through the deep science-y stuff just fine while enjoying the hell out of this book.  

Additionally, if you’ve read The Martian or watched the movie version with Matt Damon (which I have seen dozens of times.  It’s one of the most rewatchable movies on cable today.  Don’t @ me!), then you will definitely enjoy Project Hail Mary.  There are many similarities between the two which I found added to my enjoyment of this book.  Perhaps the biggest similarity, beyond the obvious space exploration, is the deep dive into our humanity and the power of the human spirit to achieve positive results despite seemingly impossible obstacles in our way.  The idea that any one person can make a difference and have a huge impact on the rest of us.  That we are inherently all capable of great things if we just put our mind to it and refuse to quit.  In other words, this book went beyond pure entertainment and gave me renewed hope in people and our future on this planet.

I highly recommend Project Hail Mary, whether you’re a thriller fan, Sci-Fi fan or just someone who likes a great story.  You won’t be disappointed.  It’s a fantastic read.  

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Six Weeks To Live By Catherine McKenzie

Six Weeks To Live is a corkscrewing roller coaster whodunnit family feud filled with secrets, grudges and revenge.  

Jennifer Barnes receives a shocking diagnosis and – you guessed it by the title – is given only six weeks to live.  As you might expect of someone in this position, she spends her final days surrounded by family and reflecting on her life.  As she does this, two things occur.  First, reliving the past drags up painful memories that lead to the family airing their dirty laundry and confronting each other on long harbored resentments.  Second, Jennifer starts to believe she’s been poisoned.  As the end nears for her, she seeks the truth no matter how painful the outcome or what it might reveal about those closest to her.

Six Weeks To Live hooked me with two concepts.  First, it’s a sleuthing mystery wrapped up in family drama that contains enough uncertainty to keep you guessing until close to the end.  A twisting investigation filled with ambiguity, mixed with family issues that people can relate to make for a powerful combination.  Second, the book dives deep into mental illness and its impact on the individual as well as those around them.  Shedding light on the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking help for mental illness is a critical topic that helps us as a society to fight stigmas and make it more acceptable for people to seek treatment and address their overall wellbeing.

Beyond these hooks, Catherine McKenzie does a wonderful job of keeping the reader in suspense with escalating speculation towards determining the culprit.  You will change your mind multiple times before the big reveal and possibly start to question if your own actions could lead your family to plot your demise.  Conjecture, personalization, and a twisting mystery.  A great thriller combination! 

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Bone Rattle By Marc Cameron

I’m a big Marc Cameron fan.  Not because he lives in Alaska, is a retired Chief Deputy US Marshall, and can grow a Santa Claus-like winter beard.  Those things are cool, but the real reason is because he can write a hell of a thriller.  I mean, you don’t get picked to continue the iconic Tom Clancy Jack Ryan series and write four books (and counting?) otherwise.  So anytime Mr. Cameron publishes a book, you can expect a good, action-packed time.  Which is why any book he writes is an automatic must read.  Thankfully, this spring we get Bone Rattle, the third novel in the Arliss Cutter series.  Thriller fans, rejoice!

After reading the prior book in this series, Stone Cross, I learned I'm not man enough, or mean enough, to survive the Alaskan bush. Thankfully I didn’t have to relive that shame in Bone Rattle, a small and magnanimous mercy on behalf of Mr. Cameron.  However, this book made me question if I’m fearless enough to traverse the dark, damp, claustrophobic world of abandoned mines in search of an informant hiding away from a homicidal trio hellbent on protecting their criminal enterprise.  Spoiler Alert: I’m not.  Thanks a lot, again, Mr. Cameron for shining a light on my shortcomings :)

Thankfully, I’m safely tucked away in my home office and Deputy US Marshall Arliss Cutter is the one tasked with saving the day.  Which is a good thing if you want justice to prevail.  Like the Canadian Mounties, he always gets his man.  Although this time he faces more than he bargains for, having to dig (and swim) deep to stop the bad guys from getting away with literal murder.  

I’m a fan of Arliss Cutter.  He’s stoic, protective, and old school.  He doesn’t give a crap what others think of him and is driven by Grumpy’s Man-Rules, a kind of code and way of life his Grandfather passed down to him as a kid.  But behind his gruff exterior, he has depth of character.  He cares deeply for those around him and even shows a chivalrous streak from time to time.  He looks out for his late-brother’s widow, he teaches his nephews to cook and he guides and teaches to his more junior (and kick ass) partner with patience and respect.  Taken all together, Arliss Cutter is a character you root for no matter the situation.   

Fans of Marc Cameron will be pleased with this latest installment of the Arliss Cutter series.  Bone Rattle further develops the characters inside a compelling plot with plenty of action and mayhem.  It continues storylines on the home front with resolution not yet in the offering.  And it deftly opens the door on additional plotlines that are certain to show up in the next book or two.  Which is good news for thriller fans since that means we’re getting more Arliss Cutter novels.  And we can all use more Marc Cameron storytelling in our lives.

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Sooley By John Grisham

Sooley will soar into your heart like Michael Jordan taking off on a gravity-defying flight from the foul line towards the basket.  An underdog story that will make you stand up and cheer like you’re watching the actual NCAA March Madness tournament live on TV.

There are a ton of parallels between the characters and storylines in Sooley and real life events but referencing them would spoil the book.  So I won’t make comparisons or references to protect the reading experience.  What I will say is that basketball fans will easily connect with this story because it’ll remind them of players, teams and experiences from the past.  Which combined with John Grisham’s easy-to-read writing style and passion for the topic result in a book that feels more like historical non-fiction than straight fiction.

However, this book is about much more than basketball.  Grisham dives deep into poverty and armed conflicts between ethnic and political factions in Central Africa.  He paints painfully vivid pictures of desperation through the eyes of displaced and starving characters going through major trials of survival.  But despite the despair and heartbreak, there is hope of enduring to find a better life on the other side of tragedy.   

Sooley will tug at your heart strings, running you through a gamut of emotions. The late great former college basketball coach Jim Valvano said the following during his iconic 1993 ESPYS acceptance speech for the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award: “If you laugh, you think and you cry, that's a full day.” Well, Sooley will make you laugh, think and cry. That’s a full book.

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Judgment At Alcatraz By Dave Edlund

In Judgment at Alcatraz, Dave Edlund skillfully crafts a compelling and scary realistic story, mixing plot setup with ruthless action sequences and pulling it all together via excellent character development…all as a vehicle for social commentary on the reprehensible treatment of indigenous people in this country for hundreds of years.  Which makes this not only a strong thriller, but the perfect time for this book with the heightened awareness and public discourse on social issues for underrepresented populations.  Readers can expect to be entertained, educated, and forced to reckon with the reality of what indigenous communities face every day.

Sound too heavy for you?  Trust me, it’s not.  This book has strong Michael Bay’s The Rock vibes due to utilizing Alcatraz and poisonous materials as central components to the plot.  Though instead of renowned chemical weapons specialist Nicholas Cage fighting terrorists to save the day, we have Mossad-trained mercenary Danya Biton.  And I think I can speak for everyone when I say thank God for that!  I’ll take a badass Israeli female merc any day over Nick Cage.  Especially one with such a lethal skillset and a high moral standard/ethical code who won’t stop bringing the fight to the enemy.

Judgment at Alcatraz is suspenseful, brutal and enlightening. A book you need to read with an open heart and open mind. If you do, I promise you’ll be better off for the experience. Plus, it’s flat out a good thriller! Read it now and thank me later.

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A Gambling Man By David Baldacci

A thrilling and twisting tale of corruption, greed, and betrayal.  A Gambling Man is chock full of virile men, alluring women, fast cars and danger around every corner.  

Archer is back in A Gambling Man, the sequel to David Baldacci’s 2019 release One Good Deed.  After surviving the fatal events of Poca City, Archer heads west looking to apprentice as a private investigator and start a new life in California. Along the way, he hooks up with the fetching and cunning Liberty Callahan, and an exotic 1939 Delahaye automobile (look it up…it’s fantastic!).  Reaching Bay Town, they both settle into jobs that put them in the middle of a sinister conspiracy with murders occurring left and right.  No one is safe as influential and menacing men will stop at nothing to continue amassing fortune and power.

You don’t read A Gambling Man, you watch it.  The late-1940’s setting is so vivid that it feels like you’re sitting in a theater taking in a classic black and white movie with leading men like Cary Grant and Humphry Bogart and gorgeous women like Hedy Lamarr and Rita Hayworth.  You can effortlessly picture the characters, their clothes, their interactions, the locations and the action.  The story is dazzling in its visualization, seducing the reader like an irresistible siren song calling your name.

Beautifully written with rich descriptions, A Gambling Man is a great action thriller transported from 70 years in the past to today’s modern world for a nostalgic read that all generations will enjoy.

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The Last Thing To Burn By Will Dean

The Last Thing To Burn may be Will Dean’s American debut, but it certainly won’t be his last novel to enthrall thriller fans in the US.  This book is dark, haunting, and unbelievably disturbing.  But it’s also captivating, deeply intense, and impossible to put down with clear Misery by Stephen King vibes.  Naturally, I loved it!  

The story is told from Jane’s point of view.  Jane is a victim of human trafficking and has been held prisoner living on a secluded farm with her “husband” Lenn for seven years.  She’s expected to cook, clean and satisfy Lenn, meeting his specific standards for every task every single time.  And if she doesn’t, or if she even contemplates escaping for a millisecond, Lenn will take punitive spirit-breaking action.  

All the while, you’re living this anguishing existence with Jane and imploring her to find a way to escape.  Or for someone to notice what’s going on and call the police.  Or for her to rise up and kill her captor.  But as the book progresses, the situation gets more complicated and it’s clear no one will show up to save her.  Jane is a prisoner of body and mind, but she quietly and relentlessly resists with her entire soul.  Searching for a way to end this nightmare.  Seeking the courage and opportunity to take matters into her own hands.  Because if she can’t, she’ll be condemned to this living hell until her dying breath.  

While rooting like mad for Jane’s salvation, the reader pleads for a big truckload of karma to plow into Lenn and send him to the bowels of Hades.  Lenn is an unassuming but sick bastard with the biggest, most disturbing oedipal complex known to the literary world.  He’s condescending, completely devoid of human decency, and delusional into thinking this is a good life for he and his “wife.”  No fate is too horrible for this guy and you’ll wish you could reach through the pages and strangle Lenn yourself while screaming at Jane to run for her life.  But will he get his comeuppance?  

The Last Thing To Burn may not be a typical mass market big action thriller, but it carves out its own space as a strong, slow burning psychological thriller with several gut-wrenching twists.  The story builds and builds, gripping you early and gradually tightening it’s hold like a boa constrictor until you’re about to explode from the pressure.  But you can’t stop reading.  As if Jane’s destiny is connected to your ability to continue turning the pages.  And you cannot, will not let her down.

I highly recommend The Last Thing To Burn.  It’s demented, suspenseful and will stick with you long after you finish the book.  It has all the hallmarks of a good psychological thriller.  I believe it’ll be a hit with fans of the genre and Will Dean will be an author to be reckoned with going forward.   

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The Devil's Hand By Jack Carr

James Reece is back with a vengeance in The Devil’s Hand, the fourth book in the blockbuster thriller series from former Navy SEAL turned bestselling author Jack Carr.  Jack delivers yet another action-packed race against time thriller that hits close to home, leaving readers holding their breath until the dramatic and climactic conclusion.   

The Devil’s Hand is a return to the winning revenge-seeking formula from Jack’s debut novel The Terminal List.  However, this time it’s not personal for Reece.  He’s the lethal point of the spear being deployed at the behest of the newly elected President of the United States of America, who seeks to avenge the untimely and unjust death of his fiancée on 9/11.  Meanwhile, a terrorist plot unfolds that threatens to murder tens of millions of Americans unless the President authorizes an unthinkable last resort option to contain a deadly virus.  The only hope for the country to avoid further catastrophic loss of life is Reece coming through in the clutch – again – to save the day.

This book is everything you expect from Jack Carr – heart-pounding action sequences, brutal violence, game-changing twists, and annoying politicians you want to punch right in the face hole.  It also goes without saying that not only is The Devil’s Hand well written, it is incredibly well researched.  The meticulous level of detail throughout the book adds to the reading experience by painting a strong visual of the scenes, characters, and objects.  It’s Clancy-esque and continues to be Jack’s calling card, one fans are intimately familiar with since he burst onto the scene in 2018.  

While The Devil’s Hand kicks ass, I will confess that partisan politics and killer viruses are not topics I’m particularly interested in reading at this moment in time.  These subjects obviously add a great deal of realism to the plot, which propels sections of the book into the realm of historical fiction rather than straight thriller from cover to cover.  However, I’m over both topics after living through this past challenging year dominated by Covid-19 and an exceedingly divisive presidential election.  Understand, this is a personal preference and I expect it won’t bother 99% of the readers who pick up a copy of this novel.  And it shouldn’t.  This book is essential reading for thriller fans, worthy of topping bestseller lists, and continues Jack’s hot streak of triumphant storytelling.

Jack Carr continues to throw 100 MPH heat and The Devil’s Hand cements his status as one of the top action thriller writers in the genre today. The thoughtful approach to his craft is apparent on each page of this novel and it’s sure to please newcomers just discovering Jack as well as his most ardent fans. Can’t wait to see where this series goes next!

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The Bounty By Janet Evanovich

Believe it or not, The Bounty is my first Janet Evanovich book.  No, I haven’t been living in a cave.  Truth be told, I have no legitimate excuse.  I’m just extremely late to the party.  And I feel shame.  But when I saw Steve Hamilton was co-authoring this book, I decided now was the time to get my head out of my ass and pick up what I expected would be a well-written, entertaining story.  And I was not disappointed.

First, let’s be clear on one thing.  This book is not a hard-core action thriller, a suspenseful psychological thriller or even a twist-filled political thriller.  What is it?  The Bounty is just unadulterated fun.  It’s pleasurable and playful, amusing and enjoyable.  It’s a combination of National Treasure and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade wrapped inside The Amazing Race.  Except instead of racing against teams of normal people for a chance to win the $1 Million prize at the end of the journey, you’re competing against terrorists and Nazis to see who will be the first to uncover $30 Billion (400 tons) of hidden/stolen Nazi gold.  If that’s not the makings of a compelling story, then I don’t know what is.

The Bounty is the seventh book in the Fox and O’Hare series, but as I mentioned this is my first Evanovich book so I’m curious how long-time fans will receive it.  As a standalone, it works well enough.  I never felt like I was missing out on insider knowledge gained from previous books.  Although there’s obviously a past between Nick Fox and Kate O’Hare, but it isn’t that difficult to figure out and the book does a good job of providing basic backstory information.  My intuition tells me that people who have read the prior six books in the series will derive even more enjoyment from this book because they’ll hold more insight into the characters paths to this point.  But if you haven’t read the prior installments, don’t let that keep you from reading this exciting, somewhat cheesy Hollywood-like thriller that will put a smile on your face.

Additionally, The Bounty provided an evil henchman that has rocketed up the rankings of my favorite thriller bad guy sidekicks.  His name is Franz and he’s a mountain of a man with the resilience of The Terminator.  And because his name is Franz, I can’t help but picture an Andre the Giant-sized, musclebound Kevin Nealon in gray sweats with a bad German accent.  Sorry not sorry for putting that image in your head.  But regardless of how you picture him, Franz is a terrific side character and adds a fascinating aspect to this book.

All told, The Bounty is a great choice if you're looking for an alternative to dark thrillers.  It’s a spirited and delightful book.  A palate cleanser for gritty, emotionally draining, heavy stories.  Guaranteed to provide plenty of excitement and intrigue, leaving you satisfied as you close the back cover.  Pick up a copy, get your popcorn ready, cozy up in your favorite reading spot and enjoy.

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Her Dark Lies By J.T. Ellison

Her Dark Lies by JT Ellison is a page-turning thriller about a fairytale wedding shrouded in dark mystery and sinister secrets.  Claire Hunter, an artist from Nashville, is about to marry Jack Compton, the rich and philanthropic man of her dreams.  However, as they arrive on Jack’s family villa on an Italian island for the wedding week that has been so meticulously planned, everything seems to go wrong.  Blackmail attempts arrive, old bones surface, wedding preparations are sabotaged, and several people end up dead.  What could be the force behind all this evil?  Turns out everyone has a past they’d rather keep buried…including the circumstances behind Jack’s first wife’s demise.

I’m a big fan of JT Ellison’s work.  Her last book, Good Girls Lie, led me to tweet at her “Yes I'm a 40+ male w/2 sons, but I am man enough to admit I loved a book about diabolical teenage girls in a boarding school.”  This is representative of her talented writing ability.  Her books typically focus on female characters and/or romantic relationships that are more than they seem.  As a fan of gritty action-packed thrillers, you wouldn’t expect me to engross myself in the worlds that JT Ellison creates.  Yet I pick up every one of her new releases and find myself fascinated by the cunning characters and the twisting plots.  I’m a big fan of compelling, character-driven stories and JT delivers in this regard with every book she publishes.

Her Dark Lies is no different.  Despite early indications on who is likely behind the plot to destroy Claire and Jack’s wedding/lives, the book keeps you guessing what will happen next and who’s in on it because every single character has a surreptitious past.  As the secrets come out one by one, it keeps the reader riveted while simultaneously adding depth to each character.  It also makes you wonder what you would do in Claire’s position.  Do you keep going?  Do the ends justify the means?  Or is it time to cut bait and run far away?

All told, Her Dark Lies is another thrilling Hollywood-esque story of love, deception, money, and revenge. A tale as old as time, but with a fresh take from the skilled pen of JT Ellison.

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The Beirut Protocol By Joel Rosenberg

The Beirut Protocol is the 4th book in the Marcus Ryker series by Joel C. Rosenberg, which is noteworthy since he’s known for writing several trilogies in the past.  Departing from this successful formula represents a risk, but one in which we need to give Mr. Rosenberg the benefit of the doubt given his tremendous track record for churning out hit after hit.

The Beirut Protocol kicks off with a massive firefight on the Israeli border with Lebanon, resulting in US State Department Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Agents Marcus Ryker and Kailea Curtis, along with Yigal Mizrachi of IDF Intelligence, being taken hostage by an elite unit of Hezbollah militants.  The story then revolves around the trio’s harsh captivity and fight for survival, the US and Israel’s desperate attempt to rescue them, and a global terrorism organization’s plot to destabilize the Middle Eastern peace process.  It’s violent, raw and brutal, but all in the name of advancing the plot and in no way gratuitous.  All of this adds to a story that’s about Marcus trying to save himself and his colleagues more so than about saving the world, although there’s a healthy dose of that as well.  But the focus on Marcus is the compelling part of this book, giving the reader a deeper look into Marcus’ character and spirituality which adds to the overall development of this series.

I’m a big fan of Joel C. Rosenberg’s work.  He’s a fantastic writer and master storyteller.  His deep expertise of Middle Eastern politics leads to incredibly realistic and frightening storylines that we all hope and pray don’t come true.  However, in all honesty The Beirut Protocol isn’t one of his best books.  It’s an entertaining and worthy thriller, but it had potential to be more and didn’t quite get there for two reasons.  First, while we see Ryker’s vulnerability throughout his hostage situation, he seems to bounce back rather quickly once he’s rescued.  While I’m all for the bad-assery of agents and operators, I didn’t buy that he would recover that quickly physically or emotionally.  I’d rather see his continued vulnerability and letting others finish the fight against the bad guys.  Second, while Ryker’s progression as a character is well done, it’s almost the singular focus of character development in the novel.  I would have loved to go deeper into Kailea Curtis’s mentality throughout the ordeal to build a stronger emotional connection with her.  I also wanted to learn more about Yigal Mizrachi.  He’s a pivotal person in the plot, but we don’t learn that much about him.  Not exploring these characters more represents missed opportunities that would have enhanced the story and taken it to the next level.  

Despite my concerns and possible unrealistically high expectations for every Joel C. Rosenberg book, The Beirut Protocol is still a solid entry into the Marcus Ryker series. I’ll be interested to see if the series continues or if the author goes back to writing trilogies.  The ending of this book was clean and events were nicely wrapped up, offering up unlimited possibilities going forward.  Which is exciting as a thriller fan.  No matter what, count me in for the next book by Mr. Rosenberg.  He’s a tremendous writer that I will automatically read whenever he releases a new book.

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The Outside Man By Don Bentley

The Outside Man is the much-anticipated sequel to Don Bentley’s superb debut action novel, Without Sanction, and a must read in 2021! This book is an all gas, no breaks, high octane thriller with a “Ludicrous Speed” pace like a bat out of hell. It unapologetically propels the reader forward from one insane action sequence to the next if for no other reason than to see if Matt Drake can survive, let alone save the day. Do yourself a favor and set aside March 2, 2021 to dive into this book and get lost in the thrilling adventure.

The Outside Man picks up with Matt Drake on a “leave of absence” about a year after the trials and tribulations he endured in Without Sanction. He’s working through some stuff, licking his proverbial wounds and trying to figure out what to do with his life when someone tries to assassinate him on the streets of Austin, TX. This pulls Matt back into the DIA and sets of a chain of events that compels him to attempt saving a sex trafficking victim in the Middle East while simultaneously trying to take out those who would do him harm. As the operation unfolds, Matt comes face to face with The Devil, the leader of an evil terror conglomerate, who previously condemned Matt to death only for him to escape. Now The Devil wants to finish the job, but first tries to use Matt to take care of a little business for him, compelling him to comply through nefarious means. Will Matt Drake’s resourcefulness and indefatigable drive lead to a successful mission outcome? You’ll just have to read to find out.

Beyond the gritty action, and there is plenty of it, this book does a great job of introducing emotional plot twists at key inflection points. This gives the reader a reason to not only root for the good guys to win, but permission to root for them to annihilate every bad guy in their path without mercy. Simply put, it gives the reader “the feels”, something you don’t normally expect from a military/spy thriller that features a deadly, sarcastic protagonist who gets blown up more times than a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloon.

On that last point I will call out that, in my opinion, this book leaves reality in the rear-view mirror at some point and the reader needs to suspend disbelief to truly appreciate the book. But who gives a damn when the ride is insanely fun? Just strap in, hold on tight and enjoy the ride! Trust me, The Outside Man kicks ass and will be a crowd pleaser for sure.

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