A History Of Fear By Luke Dumas

Devilishly dark and fiendishly ferocious, A History Of Fear is a psychological/horror tale that immediately seizes your attention and takes you on a ride to hell and back.  Luke Dumas has crafted a killer debut novel that is one hell of a fascinating and unforgettable story. 

Grayson Hale, a young American pursuing his PhD in Scotland, was convicted of murdering one of his classmates and was serving a life sentence in prison.  While that is enough content to keep the tabloids going for months, his claim that the devil made him do it added fuel to the fire.  And when he’s found dead, hanging in his cell with strange markings on his body, the thirst for more info becomes insatiable.  Lucky for the public, a manuscript containing Grayson’s life story is found in his cell and promises to shed light on his childhood, his mental state, the crime he committed and his relationship with the so-called devil.  Now it’s up to one reporter to add context to the manuscript and publish the story for all to consume.  Then maybe the question of whether Grayson was insane or if he was telling the truth can finally be answered.  Regardless of the answer, one thing is for certain…the devil is front and center in the consciousness of the Scottish people.  

The way A History Of Fear is structured as a book within a book is incredibly well done and is what makes it so excellent.  It’s captivating to read the first-person account from Grayson Hale on his experience, with editorial notes added to share court proceedings, interview transcripts, psychological evaluations and academic research as a mechanism to provide context and other points of view.  This framework allows the reader to view the whole picture from various angles, rather than just take the convicted murderer’s word on what happened.  It adds credibility to a story that might be easy to dismiss initially as the ravings of a lunatic, making it – and Grayson – seem more rational and his actions more conceivable the more you read.  A clever approach by the author to explore the topic of the devil’s existence in an intelligent, contemplative and a realistic non-fantasy manner.

And one last thing – the ending of this book has me shook.  Like mouth agape muttering “holy shit!” several times kind of shook.  A blindsiding moment of pure genius that adds a whole other layer to the story.  A haymaker delivered with the last few keystrokes.  Bravo Luke Dumas!

A History Of Fear is the perfect novel for those who crave murder mysteries, psychological thrillers and horror stories. It blends all three into a phenomenal story that will burrow into your brain and set up shop for a few months. Which means maybe the greatest trick the devil ever pulled wasn’t convincing the world he didn’t exist, rather it was making sure we remember and fear his existence for all eternity.

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Red Winter By Marc Cameron

Intense, brutal and fast-paced, Red Winter is a stone-cold Cold War spy classic.  Marc Cameron has delivered his most Clancy-esque novel to date in this realistic, brilliantly designed and executed story from the heyday of democracy vs. communism.

Flashback to 1985.  An East German wants to defect and offers the CIA vital secrets in return, while one of his compatriots in deep cover within the US is attempting to steal innovative technology and bring it home for research and development.  Enter the old stalwarts we know and love.  Dan Murray is tasked with leading the manhunt for the spy on the run in the US.  James Greer sends Mary Pat Foley and Jack Ryan to venture into East Berlin to vet the would-be defector.  And John Clark does what John Clark does best – stay in the shadows until his particular set of lethal skills are needed then strike hard, fast and without remorse.  Tensions could not be higher during this high-stakes cat and mouse game with massive implications at the height of the Cold War.

Huge thanks to Marc Cameron for dropping a throwback Clancy espionage thriller into our laps.  For those of us who grew up on Tom Clancy novels, this one is both fresh and nostalgic at the same time.  It brings back beloved characters in a way that adds to their backstories, which is honestly not something I ever expected or thought I needed.  But after reading Red Winter, I can say with 100% certainty that it is a brilliant choice that adds tremendously to the Jack Ryan universe.  To see a young Mary Pat Foley completely in her element behind enemy lines while mentoring an inexperienced Jack Ryan is breathtaking given what we know about her importance and their relationship through the years.  Then to witness Dan Murray’s investigative skills and John Clark’s baddassery on full display is a treat.  Not to mention James Greer’s genius intuition and growing influence within the CIA.  Whoa baby!  And the best part is if you’re not familiar with these characters, this book provides the perfect entry point into this world that’s been around for decades.  

Just a masterful job by Marc Cameron.  Red Winter is an absolute treat!

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Rebellious Son By Joe Goldberg

The Spy Devils are back!  Packed full of action, sarcasm, duplicity and strategic maneuvering, Rebellious Son is a wonderfully amusing, suspenseful, smart and fun thriller.  Joe Goldberg once again delivers a layered and nuanced, yet in your face, twisting and highly entertaining story.

Specter, the infamous bomb-maker presumed dead, appears to be very much alive and back in action as explosions rock Europe.  CIA legend Wes Henslow will stop at nothing to finally capture and kill this terrorist who happens to be his “white whale.”  So he enlists Bridger and the Spy Devils to help, despite the objections of Bridger’s mom and handler, May.  Tracking down Specter will bring them in conflict with a Chinese drug enterprise, the Israeli Mossad, and even some folks within the CIA.  With danger around every corner and the inability to trust anyone, it’s up to Bridger and his crew to outwit the enemy and bring justice to the bad guys before more people wind up dead.

Three things stand out in Rebellious Son and highlight why it’s a highly enjoyable and engaging spy novel.  First, the characters are fantastic.  Whether it’s an old cuss like Demon, a drug cartel CEO like Charlie Ho, or Bridger the mastermind spy, every character brings something unique to the table and adds perfectly to the story.  Second, the plot is fantastic.  Without giving anything away, there is twist upon twist upon twist within a well-designed storyline that connects the drug trade, a terrorist bomb-maker, multiple intelligence agencies, and the Spy Devils themselves.  Just when you think you know what’s going to happen next…BAM!  You’re hit with a new development.  Third, everybody involved is trying to outthink their opponent(s) to get a step ahead and gain an advantage.  And since the characters are constantly calculating and strategizing, it’s an epic battle of wits with life and death stakes.  Which makes it fun to see who will come out on top when the outcomes are not a given.

If you’re in the mood for a thriller filled with ass kicking, cunning characters, twists and turns, humor and an old dude who just wants to torture and/or kill bad guys, then Rebellious Son is the book for you! Get your copy, buckle up and enjoy the ride.

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Blue Like Me By Aaron Philip Clark

Blue Like Me is a gritty, dark and gripping crime thriller featuring flawed characters, complex relationships and facing your past head-on.  Aaron Philip Clark has delivered a second straight compelling novel in this series that will appeal to fans of Michael Connelly and Raymond Chandler.

Trevor “Finn” Finnegan is now a private investigator, working with a law firm to catch dirty cops in the act.  As a former LAPD detective who separated from the department under less than friendly terms, he’s perfectly suited for the role.  While conducting surveillance on his latest job, he comes across his ex-partner Sally Munoz and another detective doing something potentially shady.  All doubt is erased when gunfire erupts, wounding Finn’s ex-partner and killing the other detective.  Meanwhile, Finn’s dear friend and ex-LAPD detective turns up dead.  Needing, but not wanting, each other’s help, Finn and Sally band together to investigate possible connections between the murders.  What they uncover, the secrets that come to light, and the past actions they must reckon with, will change their lives forever.  

While the main crime being investigated is powerful, intriguing and disturbing, it’s the intricacies of Finn’s interpersonal relationships and his personal struggle to be a better man that makes Blue Like Me stand out.  He seems to have a problematic relationship with everyone - his aging and alcoholic father, his concerned girlfriend, his re-emerging ex-girlfriend, his enigmatic business partner, his hostile ex-partner and, frankly, the entire LAPD.  But Finn is aware of his shortcomings and his contribution to the difficult nature of his interactions with these individuals, and he’s shown to care about actively working to repair the damage.  The only questions are whether the job will always get in the way and if it’ll make him emotionally unavailable to those who he cares about.  Questions that will be fascinating to see him attempt to answer in subsequent editions of this budding series.

If you like crime noir, then this Blue Like Me is for you and I recommend going back and reading the first book in the series as well (Under Color Of Law), though you don’t have to have read the previous novel to enjoy this book.  It stands up on its own merit, providing an absorbing ride through the dirty streets of LA and a deep dive into the psyche of an imperfect but hopeful man.  Looking forward to seeing how Finn continues to develop going forward. 

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No Plan B By Lee Child & Andrew Child

Combativeness and fisticuffs abound in No Plan B, a viscous novel chock full of bad guys in need of Reacher’s trademark type of justice…the skull cracking kind. Kudos to Lee and Andrew Child for crafting a classic Reacher story that will appeal to die-hard fans and general thriller enthusiasts alike.  

Reacher is in Gerradsville, Colorado when he witnesses a man push a woman under a bus.  He chases the killer and gets involved in a violent encounter, but the perpetrator gets away.  So when the police officially deem the woman’s death a suicide, Reacher can’t sit idly by and starts to investigate on his own.  Which puts him on the trail of an evil clandestine operation involving money, power and illegal activities.  But Reacher is Reacher, with a sound moral compass and anvils for hands.  As he doggedly pursues justice, he leaves a mountain of unconscious lowlifes in his wake and will stop at nothing until the powers that be pay for their actions.

The best part of No Plan B is clearly Reacher’s aggressiveness and truculence, beating the ever-loving crap out of every miscreant and thug with whom he comes into contact.  He embodies the philosophy of hitting hard and fast, meeting out unadulterated brutality with velocity and violence to those who stand in his way or earned it due to their malevolent behavior.  It’s quite breathtaking to witness and the volume of reprobates he dispatches is beyond impressive.  It’s simply Reacher at his best.

However, don’t be fooled into thinking this is just Reacher kicking ass and taking names for 300+ pages.  No Plan B has multiple plot lines – a runaway in search of his birth father and a grieving dad looking for those who are responsible for his son’s death – that are seemingly random at first, but serve to keep you guessing until they merge in the end to add depth, intrigue and an emotional connection to the case Reacher is investigating.  It’s quite well done.

If No Plan B points to the direction that the Reacher series is heading, then sign me up!  I’m ready for more stories like this with Reacher outwitting evildoers while caving in their craniums.  Grab your popcorn because it’s about to get real!

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The Other Side Of Night By Adam Hamdy

The Other Side Of Night.  Wow!  It broke my brain.  I literally don’t believe I can formulate a coherent thought or produce the necessary words to do justice to what I just read.  But I will try.  It’s a brilliant, genre-busting, inconceivable piece of literature that one does not just read.  You experience and consume it with the entirety of your existence while contemplating the meaning of life and your place in the universe.

I’m not going to summarize the plot for two reasons – (1) it’s best to go into The Other Side Of Night with limited or zero knowledge of the story and (2) to reduce the risk of providing even the slightest of spoilers.  Because a fresh and pure approach as you flip through the pages is assuredly the way to go.  It will enhance your experience and allow this book to thrill and delight you before completely blowing your mind.

The story is crafted and conceived in a way that maximizes mystery within what seems to be a relatively straightforward crime investigation, compelling you to flip pages faster and faster to find out what’ll occur next because you know there is more than meets the eye.  The characters are wonderfully developed and contain depth that is exposed slowly throughout the story through various perspectives, as told through a unique blend of written narrative, transcripts, letters, journals and recordings.  Which combined with the raw emotion that leaps off every page, forces you to visualize and feel everything the characters are experiencing in a way that creates an unbreakable connection with the reader.  And then there’s the moment when every piece suddenly falls into place and leaves you completely stunned and astonished with your jaw on the floor.  It’s at this instant you realize how special The Other Side Of Night truly is.  It’s a masterpiece that will rock your world.

A gorgeous, legacy-defining, genius work of art that Adam Hamdy will long be remembered and revered for creating and gifting to readers.  The Other Side Of Night is astoundingly breathtaking and one of the most memorable, thought-provoking novels I have ever read.  Destined to be included in any conversation about the best books of 2022. 

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The Maze By Nelson DeMille

Brilliant, impetuous, arrogant, sexual, and sarcastic-as-all-hell Detective Corey is back in all his splendor after an interminable 7-year absence.  And what a return it is!  Nelson DeMille’s The Maze delivers a classic John Corey thriller filled with intrigue, romantic entanglements, impulsive actions, exceptional detective work and pulse-pounding action.  And sarcasm.  Tons and tons of trademark Corey sarcasm.  Making it, page for page, perhaps the most sarcastic thriller ever written.  It’s glorious!

John Corey is back on Long Island to recover from wounds received in the line of duty, when two old friends step back into his life.  Police Chief Sylvester Maxwell and Detective Beth Penrose would like Corey to take a position as a private investigator for Security Solutions, a local firm run by and staffed with former detectives.  Looking for some action – both professionally and romantically – Corey agrees and begins a PI consultancy trial period.  However, Corey is a brilliant detective and knows there’s more to this than a couple of friends wanting to help him find a fulfilling outlet for his energy and skill set.  So he goes along with it and isn’t surprised to find out Security Solutions is into some shady business.  Agreeing to be the inside man to help Chief Maxwell and Detective Penrose build and solve a case that is being stonewalled by the powers that be, he will invariably do things his way, leading to hurt feelings, sexual encounters, shootouts and criminals brought to justice.  In other words, John Corey at his finest and in his natural habitat.

As a loudmouth, wise-cracking native New Yorker myself, I can more than relate to John Corey.  He’s my kindred spirit.  My role model.  Someone most men want to be and many women want to be with.   An inspiring individual that speaks my language and exemplifies what I aspire to be when I finally grow up.  And since it’s likely not in the cards at my advancing middle-age to become a world-class detective and ladies man, having John Corey novels to read is the next best thing.  A literary hero and fictional mentor through whom we can live vicariously.  And while I may be fanboying a bit much here, it’s no exaggeration to objectively say that John Corey is one of the all-time great characters in the crime novel genre.  If you know, you know.  And if you don’t know, then I challenge you to sprint to your favorite bookstore and get a copy of Plum Island right freakin’ now.  Seriously, get off your ass and go buy that book immediately.  Guarantee you’ll be hooked and will proceed to read the next seven novels in the series, or your money back.  

(Disclaimer: Best Thriller Books and Steve Netter will in no way, shape or form reimburse you for their free and brilliant recommendations.  So don’t even think about it.)

While John Corey is undeniably the star of the show, don’t let that distract you from the fact that The Maze is an excellent crime thriller written by one of the all-time greats.  The story is methodical, realistic, and a perfect balance of fun and anxiety-inducing.  The characters are impeccably developed in a way that evokes strong feelings about what should happen to them.  And the writing is tremendous, proving once again that Nelson DeMille must be at the forefront of any conversation about the Mount Rushmore of crime novel writers.  

Simply put, The Maze is fantastic!  It’s everything I was hoping it would be and more.  I just ask Mr. DeMille to please not wait another seven years for John Corey to reemerge into our lives.  The thriller genre is much better off with Detective Corey in our lives, solving mysteries, bedding women and exhibiting his trademark New York wit.    

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High Crimes By Montana Kane

Humorous and gripping with plenty of ass-kicking by a strong female protagonist, High Crimes is an intriguing tale of drugs, money, fresh starts and friendship.  Montana Kane delivers a balanced novel featuring equal helpings of deadly situations and lighthearted moments that will entertain you while giving you a contact high, the munchies and a strong desire to go for a hike in the woods.  

After being shot in the line of duty as a detective in Chicago, Brandy Martini moves to Boomville, Colorado to start a new life.  Setting up shop as a private investigator, work is hard to come by until she gets thrown in the slammer and meets her first client who needs help finding her missing first-class weed growing son.  As the investigation proceeds, Brandy finds herself dodging attacks on her life, hanging with skateboarding stoners, cozying up to the locals, fighting her lustful feelings for the local police lieutenant, and dealing with the surprise appearance of her sister.  As clues emerge and the big picture becomes clearer, Brandy will have to rely on everything she learned as a big city detective to outwit and outlast the bad guys, save the missing weed genius, and survive everyone – and everything – that would do her harm.

High Crimes is a wonderful character driven book with the characters being…well…characters.  Some are quirky, carefree and charming.  Others are resourceful and mysterious.  Some are sexy and alluring while others are mischievous and devious.  And at least one is high maintenance and dramatic.  They all come together to form an ensemble cast that plays perfectly off one another.  Creating moments of laughter and danger, friendship and hostility, love and loathing.  It all comes together in a fast-paced, enjoyable and thrilling story that will make you gasp and smile in equal measure.  

Kudos to Montana Kane for crafting this irreverent, spirited and dark story. It’s amusing, engaging and will keep you on the edge of your seat.  Hopefully, this is the start of a series so we can get more Brandy Martini and the other crazy coots of Boomville, Colorado.  And if it is, I recommend getting onboard early to fully enjoy the ride.  

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Treasure State By C.J. Box

Murder, fraud and treasure hunting take center stage in Treasure State, a fast-paced and entertaining novel focused on exploring the lengths people will go to in the quest to obtain a financial windfall.  C.J. Box has crafted another intriguing and enjoyable story sure to please fans of the Cassie Dewell/Big Sky universe.

Cassie Dewell receives a mysterious call from an individual with an unusual request - they want to hire her to see if she can find them.  You see, this person is responsible for the biggest treasure hunt in the United States and wants to ensure his identity is protected to make sure whomever finds the treasure does so on their own merits by figuring out the clues in the poem that started it all.  So if Cassie, an excellent private investigator, can’t find them then they will rest easy knowing their identity will remain secret.  Meanwhile Cassie takes on another case to track down an accused con artist who loved and left a wealthy widow, disappearing with millions of her money and leaving her heartbroken.  A case made dangerous by the fact the prior PI hired by the woman has gone missing.  Which means Cassie will need to be extra vigilant to avoid the same fate.

The dichotomy of the two main plotlines is very well-done and makes for a compelling read. By having two simultaneous cases for Cassie to explore and switching back and forth between the amusing treasure hunt investigation and the treacherous search for the confidence man, Treasure State expertly balances moments of lightheartedness with tension.  Which seems like a proper way to highlight the variability of cases undertaken by a private investigator and is a breath of fresh air from thrillers that solely focus on ratcheting up the tension from start to finish.  

The big question is…will the storylines from Treasure State make their way into the television series Big Sky?  There’s a lot of good stuff in this novel that would adapt well to the small screen and hopefully we’ll see it happen in a future season.  But for now, enjoy it in book form because it’s another stellar and engaging book from C.J. Box.

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Landslide By Adam Sikes

Intense, fast-moving, timely and with major twists, Landslide is an inspired debut espionage thriller by former Marine and CIA operative Adam Sikes that shows promise as a potential long running series with a strong, likeable and capable protagonist.  

Mason Hackett is a former United States Marine who now works for a financial firm in London.  While on a business trip, a report on television catches his eye about an American reporter named Henry Delgado who was kidnapped in Ukraine by what appears to be pro-Russian separatists.  This stops Hackett cold in his tracks, because he believes that reporter is really Kevin Gomez, his best friend and fellow Marine who he saw die in action over 15 years ago in Iraq.  And any thoughts that it’s just a doppelgänger are put to bed when Hackett gets an email with a code word that only Gomez would know that dates back to a pact the two made to always be there for each other.  Which means Hackett has only one option – to drop everything, jump feet first into a situation he knows nothing about and isn’t prepared for, and attempt to find the truth while saving Gomez from excruciating torture and death.

Landslide will capture your attention with Mason Hackett’s backstory, the images and actions that still haunt him and his absolute loyalty to those around him.  Despite being out of the military for over a decade and appearing to be just another corporate guy sporting a suit, he is willing to put himself in grave danger and go to the ends of the earth in the pursuit of truth and upholding the oath he made to his fellow soldier.  Very noble pursuits that are the hallmarks of great thriller heroes.

But Landslide will also capture your heart through Hackett’s unconditional devotion to his friend, his boss, the people he meets on his journey through eastern Europe, and even his ex-girlfriend.  Leading to establishing an emotional connection at multiple points, some through righteous actions and others through devastating setbacks and loss.  However, in all cases it makes you root that much harder for him to succeed.

Throw in the timely Ukraine/Russia plotline, cunning villains, devious intelligence operatives and multiple twists that make it impossible to know who to trust or what will happen next, and you have the makings of a first-class thriller.  One that is certain to appeal to fans of military and espionage thrillers, especially those who enjoy novels by authors such as Don Bentley and Brad Thor.  Get in on this book now because I have a feeling it’s going to serve as the launching point of a series that will have everyone in the thriller genre talking. 

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They Come At Knight By Yasmin Angoe

A story pitting unconditional loyalty versus blindsiding betrayal, They Come At Knight delivers a thriller that balances violence of action with heart wrenching moments offset by psychological healing.  Yasmin Angoe has crafted a second consecutive stellar thriller featuring perhaps the strongest female protagonist in the thriller-verse, proving she’s a rising star in the genre.

Nena Knight is a deadly assassin for a syndicate called The Tribe, an organization in the shadows with the purpose of lifting up Africa and its people through philanthropic, economic and sometimes lethal means. All of which can create enemies as you try to upset the established world order. So after Nena’s latest mission doesn’t go according to plan, it’s clear The Tribe is being targeted and must answer the question of who’s got the means and methods to attack them.  Even more, it seems an insider is aiding and abetting the enemy.  Needing to put a stop to this treachery, Nena will have to be at her very best to save the organization, not to mention her family and friends, before she loses everything important in her life…again.

Two thrillers in, Nena and her personal relationships are the heart and soul of this series.  Her story is powerful, her skillset enviable and her allegiance to her family and friends is exemplary.  Her background and actions stir feelings in readers that builds a fierce connection.  However, duplicating the intense emotions that Her Name Is Knight invoked was always going to be an unenviable and near impossible task given the deep dive into Nena’s horrific past in the first novel.  I’m happy to report Yasmin Angoe rises to the challenge in this second book and does an admirable job infusing emotionally rousing moments throughout They Come At Knight.  These moments might not rise to the exact same level of the successively devastating gut punches as experienced in the first book (thankfully!), but they’re more than sufficient to pull at your heart strings, build an unbreakable bond with the characters and root hard for a successful outcome with the good guys/gals coming out on top.

This series is unlike any other I’ve come across in the thriller genre and it seems to have an unlimited supply of unique storyline opportunities, especially with how They Come At Knight concludes. Which means it goes without saying that I’m very excited to see what direction Yasmin Angoe choses to take Nena and the Tribe next.  Count me as one of the people who will be awaiting the next installment with bated breath.  

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Oath Of Loyalty By Kyle Mills

I read Oath Of Loyalty in a day, unable to be released from its gravitational pull of excellence for even a moment.  It’s fucking fantastic!  Spectacular from start to finish.  Sensational, astonishing and magnificent.  In the dictionary next to the word “awesome” there should be a picture of the Oath Of Loyalty cover.  In fact, just take every superlative you can think of and apply it to this book.  It’s that damn good.

With Anthony Cook in the White House, things are changing in Washington and not for the better.  With the help of his calculating wife, he’s amassing unprecedented power and surrounding himself with people loyal to him, which does not include Irene Kennedy or Mitch Rapp.  And to keep the peace, Kennedy is forced to negotiate a truce between Cook and Rapp to alleviate the President’s concerns that Rapp is a threat to him.  All Rapp must do is stay visible and out of the country as long as Cook is president.  However, one of President Cook’s most loyal advisors gets into Cook’s head that Mitch won’t honor the truce and sets in motion a plot with contracted killers to go after Rapp’s partner Claudia Gould, in a way to keep Rapp occupied and away from the President.  And if Rapp takes a bullet in the process, even better.  But Rapp is still the world’s most elite covert operative and assassin, and he will do everything it takes to protect Claudia and make sure those responsible pay for their actions.  

Oath Of Loyalty’s plot is adeptly crafted with a focus on intensity, intelligence and ingenuity.  The pressure that Rapp is under to protect the people and the country he cares deeply about creates a high level of tension that doesn’t let up for a second.  All the while, Rapp leverages the collective brainpower of those around him to devise plans that he hopes will outwit the President and his team who believe they are a step ahead.  Which leads to a world-class level of creativity and cunning on the part of Rapp and Kennedy – and the inclusion of a few, shall we say, idiosyncratic characters – to ensure they turn the tables on those who mean them harm.  Put together, these pieces create a cerebral thriller with action, humor and pacing as fast as a speeding bullet homing in on its intended target.

The stories Kyle Mills continues to write for the Mitch Rapp series are nothing short of staggering greatness.  With the brilliance of Oath Of Loyalty, there’s now enough statistically relevant evidence to state that Kyle is on one hell of a heater.  He’s producing hit after hit like he’s on a legendary roll in Vegas with no signs of crapping out anytime soon.  He has proven, yet again, that he was the perfect choice to continue this beloved series, taking it to new heights and doing Vince Flynn proud.

Whether you’re a long time Mitch Rapp fan or new to the series, do yourself a favor and purchase this book ASAP, then immediately put it at the top of your TBR pile.  You need to read this book.  It’s phenomenal and easily one of the best books you’ll read this year!

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FNG By Benjamin Spada

Incredibly gruesome and violent – sometimes nauseatingly so – with non-stop action, FNG is an explosive new entry into the military thriller genre.  Featuring a high-octane battle between good and evil, Benjamin Spada pulls in elements of cinematic masterpieces such as The Rock and World War Z to craft an entertaining and visually provocative novel.

Cole West is a Sargent in the Marines and bored out of his mind riding a desk in the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) defense unit when a mysterious man named Captain Vaun pulls him out and makes him the F**king New Guy on a deadly black-ops team under the clandestine Black Spear organization.  Turns out, there’s a well-organized and well-financed outfit called “Terminal” filled with disgruntled veterans who possess a deadly bio weapon and are hellbent on using it to garner attention for their cause.  Now Cole, who has never seen combat before, is thrust into the middle of a violent and deadly battle between Black Spear and Terminal, one of only a handful of people who can stop the contagion from being released and killing an ungodly number of American citizens.  Being tested like never before while still wondering why he was really chosen for this team, Cole will have to step up and do what’s necessary to win the day…and maybe even learn what he’s truly capable of.

While the headliner of FNG has got to be the relentless and vicious action, the highlight is Cole West’s transformational journey.  He’s a guy out of his element, propelled forward by the necessity of the mission and a desire not to let his new teammates down.  He’s forced to evolve in a rapidly changing environment, one in which he’s not sure his values completely align.  But he keeps pushing forward and, in the process, learns that he has what it takes to be a member of this elite black ops unit.  Which is incredibly satisfying to witness…along with the number of rabid zombie-like individuals he kills along the way.

If you like military thrillers with gripping action, fascinating characters and ghastly death, then FNG is the book for you.  It has all of that in spades and is one hell of an absorbing ride from start to finish.  

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Other People's Secrets By Meredith Hambrock

A slow burning, character centric story, Other People’s Secrets elicits emotions ranging from sadness, anger and despair to hope, acceptance and satisfaction.  Meredith Hambrock’s stellar debut novel delivers a compelling read that is part sociological case study and part noir crime thriller.  

Baby has had a tough life.  She was found in a dumpster as a newborn, her adoptive mother died of a stroke, she’s stuck in a small town with little money and few prospects, has a summertime boyfriend who won’t commit, and the lakeside resort she lives and works at has just been sold to someone with grand plans of making changes that will alter the only home Baby has known.  But one thing Baby does have is fiercely loyal friends, who band together with her to plot and scheme to try finding a way to thwart the proposed changes in order to keep the resort the way it is.  But there’s more going on at the resort than her and her friends can possibly understand and while Baby has been a screw-up her whole life, this time she might be in over her head and lose everything she holds dear.  

For a good chunk of Other People’s Secrets, it’s a story about a group of people resistant to change and desperate to hold onto their version of normalcy.  Something many of us can relate to.  Getting comfortable with the status quo even if it doesn’t serve us, but unwilling and/or unable to take the  necessary steps to embrace the possibilities that come with the opportunity to evolve.  In this book, it’s about holding onto a one-sided relationship, the inability to accept changes to the workplace, and not seeing a bigger world is out there beyond this small town.  Desperation wafts off the pages like the stink emanating from a dumpster in a back alley.  And it makes you feel for the characters, wishing there was a way you could guide them to a better future.

But then there’s a point in the book, a big twist/revelation, where the story evolves into one about haves vs. have nots, good guys vs. bad guys and having the courage to make things right in the face of a dangerous foe.  And that’s when Other People’s Secrets kicks up a notch and moves from a dark tale of people down on their luck to an even darker tale of the little guy taking on those who would hold them down.  And that’s where the fun really begins.

Fans of stories featuring well developed characters who are the underdogs taking it to the man will especially love Other People’s Secrets.  It’s a strong debut by Meredith Hambrock and one that sticks with you for days after reading the last sentence.

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Kingdom Of Spies By Bevan G. Roberts

Terrorists threaten to turn an Indonesian province into an Islamic caliphate and threaten the national security of neighboring Australia in Kingdom Of Spies, an explosive thriller filled with violence of action and a tangled web of deception.  A rousing debut by Bevan G. Roberts, bursting onto the scene with a compelling storyline that will open the eyes of Western Hemisphere readers to security concerns and operations in Southeast Asia.  

Australian intelligence officer Jordan Carter is in Indonesia as part of a joint initiative between the two countries to fight Islamic extremism in North Maluku, mainly focused on keeping different factions fighting against each other rather than organize and become a bigger problem.  Only now there’s a rising threat from the Islamic State that is a potential game changer.  Which puts Jordan Carter on the offensive as his network and operations seem to be compromised.  As he takes more and more risks, a journalist desperate for a big scoop inserts herself into the action and gets a story that’s more than she bargained for.  With danger and corruption lurking around every corner, repelling the threat and surviving the action are no guarantee for anyone involved in this bubbling cauldron of violence.  

There is one main aspect to Kingdom Of Spies that makes this novel stand out, namely it’s the first novel I’ve read that focuses exclusively on Southeast Asia.  There are books that involve the region as a setting, sure, but this book is written from the perspective of Australian spies and journalists fighting an emerging threat in their backyard.  There’s no Americans or Europeans involved at all.  As such, it transcends simple entertainment by entering the realm of education, providing a glimpse into terrorist threats on the other side of the world and the resulting geopolitical alliances, challenges and ramifications.  Which is a fascinating and an intriguing departure from the usual focal points of the genre that are promoted in this part of the world.  Something a little different to thrill and excite fans of the genre.  

They say write what you know, and Bevan G. Roberts has done just that, skillfully leveraging his prior defense and foreign affairs experience to craft an absorbing and informative thriller with memorable characters, complex state of affairs and vicious exploits.  Kingdom Of Spies is one heck of a debut that has me excited to see what Mr. Roberts will come up with as an encore.  

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Real Bad Things By Kelly J. Ford

A twisting tale of murder, secrets and coming home to face the music, Real Bad Things will keep you guessing and surprise you with its emotional depth and honesty.  Kelly J. Ford has crafted a stimulating story that’s part crime thriller, part psychological exploration and part social commentary.

Twenty-Five years ago, Warren Ingram disappeared.  It was the latest in a string of male disappearances in Maud, Arkansas.  And despite people believing he got drunk and drowned, Warren’s stepdaughter Jane Mooney had confessed to murdering him.  With no body and no evidence, Jane was released and left town.  Now Warren’s assumed remains have been found after the river floods.  Jane comes back to Maud to await her imminent arrest.  But what really happened on that night twenty-five years ago?  As the investigation unfolds, secrets thought long buried come to the surface and the truth – for better or worse – will finally come to light.

Real Bad Things tackles several intriguing topics through the lens of a murder investigation – adolescent development and loss of innocence, domestic violence, being LGBTQ+ in the rural south, small town living and gossip, protecting those you care about, the haves vs. the have nots, and the pressure of keeping a secret.  All these themes seamlessly come together in a suspenseful whodunit story that makes you root for some characters to find peace while praying others get what’s coming to them.

Engaging and fast-paced with compelling characters, Real Bad Things is a superb and thought-provoking entry in the southern noir genre.  It may have been my first Kelly J. Ford novel, but it won’t be my last.

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Narco Assassins By Jason Kasper

Narco Assassins is an adrenaline-filled, no holds barred, lethal chess match featuring a race against the clock at breakneck speed to stop a global terror plot from coming to fruition.  Jason Kasper once again delivers a scary realistic plot chock full of violence and dire implications.

David Rivers and his covert team of CIA operatives find themselves in South America on the hunt for Sofia Lozano, a dangerous narcotics trafficker and assassin who consorts with known terrorist organizations.  Sofia’s latest client is planning a major event that will kill thousands of people, putting her in the crosshairs of David’s team.  Only there’s one major issue – they need to find her first.  But once they do, they’ll traverse the jungles of Columbia and the coast of Venezuela in tireless pursuit before she can offload her deadly payload and set in motion a devastating attack.  

The intersection of drugs and terror are front and center, with the bad guys and gals playing by their own set of rules while the good guys have bureaucratic and legal constraints set upon them.  Which then necessitates the operators on the ground to color outside the lines and lie by omission or tell half truths to get the job done without being handcuffed – figuratively and literally.  That’s the inconvenient truth that Jason Kasper highlights in Narco Assassins.  Hunting terrorists is a dirty job with a lot of gray areas and requires the occasional need to step over a government-defined line in the interest of protecting normal citizens from death and dismemberment.  And doing so puts the operators in a precarious position with their superiors.  Which makes them even more heroic because they do what’s necessary, caution and consequences be damned, in order to fulfill their oath and life’s mission to stop evil and put the perpetrators six feet under.  Oh, and there’s a ton of kick ass gun battles included in the book too with enough ammo sent down range to please the most hardcore military thriller enthusiasts.

Jason Kasper continues to impress with his ability to craft a compelling storyline with intriguing characters.  If you’re not reading the Shadow Strike series yet, Narco Assassins is a great entry point.  But be warned, it’ll increase your TBR pile because you’ll want to go back and read the prior three thrillers in the series.  Which is a good use of your time anyway so go ahead and read them all.  They’re fantastic.

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Fox Creek By William Kent Krueger

I will never be as good at anything in life as William Kent Kreuger is at writing exquisitely touching and soul restoring novels.  If that wasn’t obvious after the prior 18 books in the Cork O’Connor series, it’s abundantly clear after Fox Creek, a profound and gratifying story about perseverance, wisdom, redemption and following your heart to do what you think is right even when it puts you in harm's way.  

Henry Meloux and Rainy Bisonette are leading a woman through a sweat to help her find answers that she hopes will save her marriage.  But when hired guns approach Henry’s home seeking this woman, he senses their presence and malevolent intentions, allowing him and the women to escape into the wilderness.  Using wisdom and experience he’s gained over more than a century of life, Henry guides the women through the Boundary Waters, leaving minimal tracks, in an attempt to outwit and elude these men that mean them harm.  Meanwhile, Cork O’Connor is on the case to identify these men and track them down before they can harm his friend, his wife, and this stranger who seeks their help.  A race against time, Cork will need to get to the bottom of why these mercenaries are after this woman and those he cares about before it’s too late.

To classify Fox Creek and the Cork O’Connor series as a thriller would be doing a disservice to them because they’re so much more than a simple label.  Yes, they have crimes and mysteries that need to be solved and provide plenty of suspense to keep readers riveted.  However, the brilliance of this series is the deeply contemplative life lessons taught through the lens of the Anishinaabe people and Henry Meloux specifically.  Providing readers with introspective moments to process concepts like patience, tolerance, love, listening, not quitting when things are tough, standing up for what you believe in, doing the right thing even when it’s hard, and more.  And through these instances of enlightenment, you fall deeply in love with the characters.  They become a part of your family.  People who you don’t actually know, and don’t actually exist in the physical world, but for whom you care deeply and can’t help sharing the joys and sorrows of their lives as if they are right beside you on a daily basis.  

There’s no limit to the superlatives that can be utilized to describe this series.  It is the most engaging, thought provoking, beautiful, poignant, wise and overwhelmingly heartwarming series of novels I’ve ever read.  It goes well beyond entertainment.  I learn something new every time I pick up one of these books.  They make me evaluate my attitude and approach to life, make me want to be a better person and inspire me to reach out to the elders in my life to soak up their wisdom.  And I just can’t get enough.  In fact, I read my first Cork O’Connor book, Lightning Strike, in August of 2021 and was so moved that I proceeded to read the other 18 books in the series over the next 11 months.  I crave this series like a thirsty man yearns for water.  It’s deeply satisfying on an emotional level, the perfect prescription to heal what ails you.

Fox Creek on its own is phenomenal and worthy of any reader’s precious time.  But if you’re looking for gripping tales that explore humanity, our connection to the natural world, and to some degree the meaning of life, I urge you to read this entire series start to finish.  It’s a truly lovely experience. 

My deepest gratitude to William Kent Krueger for writing such meaningful stories with wonderful characters that have found a special place in my heart.  Now, please hurry up and write the next novel because I’m starting to feel a bit thirsty.  

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Firestorm By Taylor Moore

A classic David vs. Goliath story set in the Texas panhandle, only if David is an elite operator with a special set of skills and Goliath is an evil foreign-backed corporation raping the earth. Firestorm delivers an emotional experience that will infuriate readers before delivering a satisfying release.  Kudos to Taylor Moore for crafting a page-turning, entertaining and timely story that hits you in the feels. 

After DEA Special Agent Garrett Kohl successfully pulls off a dangerous mission to capture a cartel leader, he returns home to the Texas High Plains to find a different kind of trouble.  Talon, a powerful energy company, has secured the land rights to his ranch and is about to start mining for rare earth minerals.  Furthermore, the high level and aggressive nature of Talon’s security team puts Kohl’s family and friends in harm’s way.  Fearing his land will be demolished, the environment polluted and the endangerment of everyone he cares about, Kohl goes on the offensive and takes the fight – figuratively and literally – to Talon with nothing short than expelling them from his land, an acceptable outcome.  He just better do it quickly before everything he cherishes is destroyed. 

The second book in the Garrett Kohl series, Taylor Moore does a fantastic job of developing all the characters by putting them through difficult trials to see what they are made of.  In fact, this book is all about fighting for what’s right. Whether it’s fighting for a budding romantic relationship or taking on a heartless company, organizational bureaucracy, corruption or the rich and powerful, if the cause is just then the lesson is you must go all-in to fight.  And thankfully, if you have the means to fight and can successfully come out the other side, you’ll be better for it.  In that way, Firestorm is the epitome of the old adage “whatever doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger.”

That being said, rarely have I been so mad reading a book as I was watching Garrett, Lacey, Asadi and their friends and family get bulldozed by a malicious corporation. It’s quite exasperating to watch good people get bullied by ruthless individuals with more money and power who couldn’t care less about the damage they do as long as it’s good for their shareholders and bottom line.  But despite the anger welling up inside while witnessing the callous actions directed at Kohl and crew, it’s worth it when the bad guys get their comeuppance.  It just makes it sweeter.  

The hallmark of a great book is the ability to make the readers feel what the characters are going through on an emotional level.  To build a connection and lead the reader to engage with not only their head, but also their heart.  Firestorm nails this concept wholeheartedly.  Combined with great pacing, a thrilling story and virtuous characters, it makes for an excellent novel.  Taylor Moore clearly has the goods and I can’t wait to see where he takes this burgeoning series next.

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Heat 2 By Meg Gardiner & Michael Mann

What do you get when you pair an Oscar-nominated filmmaker with an Edgar Award-winning author, give them the direction to write a novel that expands the universe of an iconic movie, and then get out of their way?  An insanely intense, action-packed, balls-to-the-wall, extraordinary motherf**king piece de resistance!   That’s what.  Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner have crafted a truly legendary thriller that is literary genius and bound to be a visually stunning cinematic experience.  Simply put, Heat 2 is astonishingly brilliant.

Spanning from 1988 to 2000, Heat 2 serves as both a prequel and sequel to the 1995 movie Heat, seamlessly moving between storylines that provide a look back at Neil McCauley and his crew pulling off daring heists in the Midwest and south of the border, a window into what becomes of Chris Shiherlis after the ill-fated Far East National Bank job that left him a wounded fugitive in the film, and Detective Vincent Hanna’s never ending pursuit of justice over the entire time period.  It also introduces another crew led by a psychopath that pulls off heinous and audacious crimes and an Asian syndicate operating out of South America with big ambitions and formidable rivals, both of which adds depth, new personalities and expanding storylines that fit together with the original film’s plot like a perfectly tailored suit.  

Reading Heat 2 is akin to watching a movie in your mind.  It’s so detail oriented and graphic that you can picture every character, every move, every action sequence as if it’s on a screen in front of you.  And the best part is you don’t have to imagine what many of the characters look like or their mannerisms and speech cadence, because the original movie provides the blueprint.  Pacino, DeNiro, Kilmer, Sizemore, Voight, and Judd marvelously portrayed the main characters and therefore their images vividly leap off the page and into your brain.  As a result, it’s one of the most effortlessly visual books I’ve ever read.  So while watching the movie is not a prerequisite to reading Heat 2 (the prologue does an incredible job of summing it up in a few short pages), not doing so has the potential to suboptimize the reading experience.

But don’t let that stop you.  Because putting its cinematic qualities aside, Heat 2 is one hell of a thriller on its own merit.  This book provides dozens of anxiety-inducing, heart-in-your-throat, butthole-puckering moments through violent encounters, brazen actions and tenacious pursuits – car chases, shootouts, home invasions, highline heists, brutal murders and more.  It also supplies several moving, sometimes heart wrenching scenes to balance the viciousness with emotional depth – instances of mourning, love gained and lost, letting go of the past, etc.  Consequently, this novel the complete package.

Heat 2 is the epitome of unputdownable.  It is highly engaging, engrossing, enraging and exciting from start to finish.  Everything in the world stops while reading it, becoming a single focal point that completely sucks you into the realm of Hanna, McCauley, et al.  It’s a summer blockbuster in print form.  A surefire #1 hit that deserves to be consumed and experienced by as many people as possible.  Bravo to Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner for creating this flawless work of genius.  A top contender for best thriller of 2022.

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