Red London By Alma Katsu

An intense and engaging edge-of-your-seat thriller, Red London is an uber-realistic espionage tale that feels ripped from the headlines.  Alma Katsu leverages her extraordinary national security experience to deliver a spy novel that puts you in the middle of an operation with vital global implications.  It’ll have you sweating out every action, every conversation and every move until the final page is turned.  

CIA agent Lyndsey Duncan is in London on a new assignment to handle Russian asset and war criminal Dmitri Tarasenko, when MI6 (and an old flame) asks for her help on another case involving Russian Oligarch Mikhail Rotenberg whose home was just attacked.  Lyndsey goes undercover to befriend Rotenberg’s wife Emily to find out who might be behind this suspicious attack and what they are after.  Entering a den of mistrust, subterfuge and danger, Lyndsey has her hands full successfully completing her mission and not blowing her cover.  With time running out and Mikhail in the Kremlin’s crosshairs, Lyndsey will have to go all-in and take necessary but perilous risks to ensure the CIA and MI6 get come out ahead in this battle between geopolitical superpowers.  

Crafted with extreme care for details big and small, Red London isn’t about non-stop violence with guns blazing in the streets for 300 pages (though it has its share of heart-pounding action).  Rather, this book takes the time to properly set up the operation, to cultivate sources, to conduct proper research, and to establish critical decision points before taking the next step…presumably like a real-life espionage operation.  It puts you in the head of an undercover agent, giving a glimpse into the crucial moments and split-second judgment calls they need to make while in stressful situations.  And there’s no rulebook or certainty of outcome to guide them.  All in all, it’s quite fascinating!

Espionage thriller fans will want to get their hands on this book ASAP upon release.  Kudos to Alma Katsu for a stellar story that is captivating, exciting and mentally stimulating from start to finish.  

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Wolf Trap By Connor Sullivan

Wolf Trap is fucking spectacular!  It’s wonderfully written with pacing that ratchets up the intensity and anxiety to near unbearable levels until it quite literally explodes with violence and the big reveal.  Barry Award winner Connor Sullivan has struck gold again, delivering an incredibly brilliant thriller that will make your jaw drop while muttering “holy shit” over and over.

President Angela Buchanan is on the precipice of realizing a lifelong dream with the monumental Global Green Accord days away from being signed by leaders around the world, which would pledge to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and world powers become carbon neutral in short order.  With unlikely allies by her side, everything she believes in and has sacrificed for is within reach…until the world’s newest clean-energy reactors melt down in a cataclysmic event broadcast live for all to see.  With sabotage the likely culprit and a wide-sweeping conspiracy threatening to kick start World War III, it’s up to a secret faction of leaders, analysts and operators to identify the culprits and put a stop to the diabolical scheme before it’s too late.  

Filled with intricate deceptions, secretive plots and conniving cabalists, this book has all the makings of a conspiracy theorists’ wet dream.  On the flip side, it contains men and women who buck the bureaucracy and won’t rest until they thwart the evildoers' plans.  It’s powerful conspiratorial efforts vs. formidable clandestine operations going head-to-head, with nothing short of the established global world order and the fate of the planet at stake.  Throw in a stirring redemption story for good measure and Wolf Trap cements itself as THE espionage thriller of 2022. 

Connor Sullivan is only two thrillers into his young career, yet he is already loudly and definitively announcing his arrival on the scene as someone who threatens to be mentioned with the all-time greats.  It’s early days, but if he continues to deliver books as brilliant as Sleeping Bear and Wolf Trap for the next decade, he’ll be poised to threaten the likes of Le Carré, Clancy, Silva and Flynn for a spot on the Mount Rushmore of espionage thriller authors.  

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The Golden Spoon By Jessa Maxwell

The Golden Spoon is a captivating character-driven story that will make your mouth water and your heart shudder.  Jessa Maxwell has perfectly combined a dash of reality cooking show, a pinch of murder mystery and a smidgen of eccentric personalities to deliver a scrumptious tale sure to please every palate.  

Six new contestants arrive at Grafton Manor, ancestral home of celebrity chef Betsy Martin, to start filming the latest season of the hit show Bake Week.  The beloved competition is known as fun, uplifting and entertaining, but everything is not as it seems on TV.  Betsy is chagrined to share hosting duties for the first time with another television chef with whom she doesn’t get along.  The contestants make suspicious mistakes with their bakes, bringing sabotage into question.  The grounds of this venerable estate hold dark secrets from the past that can’t stay hidden forever.  And to top it off, a dead body is discovered before the competition can conclude.  With everyone a suspect and hidden agendas coming to light, this season of Bake Week will serve up more than delectable pies and cakes…it’ll dish up a delicious murder mystery. 

While The Golden Spoon can hold its own just based on the twists and turns of the murder mystery and the competitive nature of the baking contest, it’s the characters that really make the book sizzle.  Each member of the diverse cast brings something unique to the table and, as you would expect from people entering a television reality show, they have an agenda they wish to pursue that goes beyond just being named the best baker.  Whether they are trying to find themselves, seeking closure from events long ago, want to become a celebrity, need to satisfy their OCD or are attempting to gain/retain power, each person’s actions will put them either in conflict with or in alignment with others.  Which leads to intriguing storylines that keep you guessing throughout.  And as an added bonus, it demonstrates that people of different backgrounds and dispositions, who might not normally get along, can find common ground in the right setting.

It’s not often that a murder mystery can be described as delightful, but it’s an apt description of The Golden Spoon.  It has more than its fair share of dark and anxiety-inducing moments, but in the end there’s something uplifting and satisfying about the journey these characters go through and the destination at which they arrive.  In fact, it’s a bit like a beautiful and tasty cake.  The process may be messy, frustrating and require hard work, but it’s totally worth it when finished and you savor the lusciousness on your tastebuds.   

Kudos to Jess Maxwell for crafting a thriller that is entertaining to read while making you salivate for baked goods.  I recommend at least a muffin, donut or tart be within arms reach when you pick up this book.  It would make for a pleasant paring.  

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It's One Of Us By J.T. Ellison

It’s One of Us is a suspenseful, emotional, and twisting roller coaster murder mystery wrapped within the sensitive – and potentially triggering – topic of infertility.  JT Ellison has smashed a home run with her latest thriller, expertly blending her usual brilliant storytelling and tremendous pacing with her own personal experience to craft one hell of a memorable novel. 

The body of a missing woman is found in a Nashville area lake, with DNA evidence pointing to the son of Park Bender.  However, his wife Olivia has been unable to get pregnant, suffering through multiple rounds of IVF and subsequent miscarriages.  This starts a cascade of secrets coming to light, starting with Park’s confession that he donated to a sperm bank years ago.  As the murder investigation continues, Park’s past is put under the microscope and each revelation is more shocking than the last.  Olivia is furious, heartbroken and trying to come to terms with the likely end of their marriage.  But Park isn’t the only one with a dark past…

It’s One of Us is a complex tapestry featuring intriguing and cagey characters within a multi-layered story, yet it’s simple to follow and seamlessly comes together to deliver quite a powerful punch.  Every character is hiding something, every relationship is complicated, and every action is steeped in self-serving motivations.  And each chapter completed increases the drama, introduces a new twist and sends the reader deeper down the rabbit hole.  Making it near impossible to stop reading, detesting the idea of delaying the satisfaction of learning the full truth.  Which, by the way, isn’t fully revealed until the very last page.

It's impossible to overstate how much I enjoyed this book.  I’ve been a fan of JT Ellison’s prior work, but It’s One of Us reaches a whole new level.  There’s a level of subject matter authority and emotional authenticity in this story that is hard to achieve but brings so much depth and quality to the characters and story. Which is likely a result of the personal nature of the infertility storyline (which is addressed in the author’s note at the end).  To that, I say thank you to JT Ellison for pulling from her painful experiences to deliver such a captivating and stirring story.

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Dempsey By Andrews & Wilson

Audacious, tenacious, dramatic and tense, Dempsey has everything readers could ever want in a military/spy thriller.  Andrews & Wilson demonstrate once again why they are the best tandem writing team in the business, crafting a timely, action-packed and anxiety-inducing novel that tests the hero in incredible ways.

John Dempsey is performing a deep cover operation in the heart of Russia that will take him from a notorious prison to the Bolshoi theatre and require him to collaborate with his most hated enemy to pull off a brazen mission.  Meanwhile his Ember teammates believe Dempsey is dead and are mourning the loss of their leader while still being tasked with critical operations.  The latest of which is to hunt down a suspected Zeta member, which turns into much more than initially expected.  Both Dempsey and his Ember team are unaware of what the other is up to, but their interests will eventually converge and culminate in either a world changing action or the beginning of World War III.

This novel shows Dempsey in a way that we’ve never seen before and severely tests the old adage “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”  Dempsey commits to going through hell to properly set up this mission that only the US Vice President knows about, meaning he’s without a safety net and must rely on his wits and training to pull this off in enemy territory.  And then when he’s got all the proper individuals lined up to support this ridiculous and potentially suicidal operation, he then must trust and rely on the head of the Zetas organization – his sworn enemy who’s killed fellow Ember operators – to be his ally and co-conspirator.  All of which tests Dempsey’s limits for suffering, operating, and willingness to do everything and anything necessary to prevail in his assignment.  As a result, Dempsey puts everything on the line for the greater good with less support than he’s ever had and no guarantees of a positive result.  He will either triumph or perish based on his abilities alone.  But if he is successful, he will become larger than life and secure a more peaceful world for those who inhabit it.  

Andrews & Wilson keep churning out winner after winner and Dempsey is no exception.  It’s a fantastic edition to their Tier One universe and one that ties up a major storyline while setting up the series for a bright future.

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White Smoke By John Gilstrap

What happens when the world is turned upside down overnight, technology no longer works, and every thought and action is all about simply surviving?  White Smoke delves into these questions in a novel with action, death and intrigue around every corner.  John Gilstrap delivers another thoughtful novel in this blossoming series that simultaneously feels distant to reality yet too close to comfort given the state of today’s world.

The surviving citizens of the United States are still adjusting to nuclear Armageddon.  Looking for blood from those who led to this catastrophic event, congressional politicians and the President of the United States are imprisoned and awaiting trial for their actions.  Held captive by a merciless group of men that have seized power, the President sends a messenger for Victoria Emerson, a former congresswoman who is doing her small part to pull society back together.  The request is anything but simple: travel to where her former colleagues are being held and preside over a fair trial.  Despite living within and leading a safe, burgeoning, functioning society, Victoria will risk everything to rise to the call of duty.  Why would she leave the safe haven she’s helped create, travel through dangerous lands where people are desperate and trigger happy, and arrive at a location where people will likely want her dead?  Because she might be the only person left who can bring peace, law and order back to the country.   

White Smoke is another compelling and thought-provoking novel, the third in this series.  It forces you to contemplate your preparedness for a catastrophic event that removes all comforts of modern life and eliminates the functionality of electronic devices.  It shows how quickly society can devolve, ushering in a panicked desperation for people whose only concern is survival and changing behavioral norms overnight to adapt to a new reality.  How would you fare in this instance?  Would you be willing to kill for food?  Shelter?  Weapons?  Could you do it if your life depended on it?

Additionally, there’s a lot of great leadership lessons in this book.  Victoria role models good leadership and Roger Parsons, the head of the murderous band holding the politicians for trial, is a cautionary tale on the impact of poor leadership.  Victoria shoulders the burden of leadership, understands the impact she has on others, and makes decisions that are intended for the greater good.  In fact, she’s put in conflict several times between her commitment and sense of duty to the community versus the safety and well-being of her own family.  And Roger learns that ruling by fear with an iron fist can backfire and put you in a perilous position.  Witnessing this dichotomy certainly makes you reflect on your values, how you would respond in these situations and the importance of good leadership.

For those looking for a book about a post-apocalyptic world that contains plenty of action and makes you think, White Smoke is right in your wheelhouse.  Kudos to John Gilstrap on another well-crafted novel!

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Burner By Mark Greaney

Celebrate!  The Gray Man is back in another action-packed, smashing adventure that moves with the rapid pace and tension of an out-of-control high-speed train.  Mark Greaney’s Burner is another reminder of the sheer awesomeness and lethality the Gray Man exudes and perpetrates.  

Alex Velesky, a Ukrainian employed at a Swiss bank, is on the run.  He’s being hunted by the Russians and the CIA for what’s in his possession – financial transaction information that highlights dirty money flowing from Russia to the west.  This data has the potential to do tremendous harm to Russian leadership…as well as American recipients of these funds.  Overmatched and on the precipice of capture, he needs all the help he can get to remain among the living.  Enter Zoya Zakharova and Court Gentry, each involved in the action but from different sides, unaware of the other’s involvement.  But when they come together with different agendas, they’ll have to figure out how to work together to keep this asset alive long enough to unveil a massive conspiracy and bring down some powerful individuals.  

There are a few things that really stand out and make Burner the latest home run in the Gray Man series.  First, the story is timely with a Ukraine vs. Russia plotline.  There’s a tremendous contrast between a nightmare scenario with the world being willing to overlook Russia’s horrendous transgressions in the name of financial greed versus a dream scenario where the Russians financial apparatus is brought to light and holds them accountable for the evil they have wrought.  Second, all the settings are fantastic but none more brilliant than on a speeding train through Europe with killers all over the place.  The confined space with nowhere to go ratchets up the intensity and action to near unbearable levels and will leave you shook.  Third, the mental states and relationship between Court and Zoya shows that even the most hardcore covert operatives have feelings and a desire for something more out of life.  And maybe, just maybe, they can find some peace and happiness on their own terms.  At least until more bad guys need killing.

A blockbuster of a thriller, Burner will leave you breathless, alternating between fist pumping and pounding your fist on the table in anger, and ultimately rooting for love.  Because nothing says love like financial transactions and shootouts with a high body count.

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The Writing Retreat By Julia Bartz

The Writing Retreat is a wonderfully deranged page-turning psychological thriller with horror, supernatural and sexual elements tantalizingly sprinkled in throughout.  Suspenseful, haunting and enslaving, it gripped me early like a demonic possession and refused to let go until the final page – and figurative exorcism – were concluded.  

Alex is having a rough go of things.  Her job is unfulfilling, she’s battling a long bout of writer’s block and she’s having trouble getting over her best friend severing their relationship.  But things seem to be looking up when she is given an opportunity of a lifetime to join a writing retreat run by her literary hero, Roza Vallo.  Jumping on the opportunity, she arrives at Roza’s estate where she will work with and live alongside with 4 other women – including her ex-best friend Wren – as they all compete to win a million-dollar publishing deal.  However, this writing retreat is anything but normal.  Roza plays weird games with the women, Wren is messing with Alex’s head, strange things occur on the estate and then one of the writers goes missing.  Sensing malevolent forces at play, Alex goes on the offensive to figure out what’s happening.  But she may have bitten off more than she can chew and by the time she realizes what she’s up against, it might be too late.

It’s a bold move to write a novel about…writing a novel.  But it works exceedingly well in The Writing Retreat because of the character-driven nature of the story.  Yes, there are parts of this book that highlight the writing process and excerpts from the book that Alex is writing (which are well done to move the story forward).  But the focus of the book is on the relationships between various characters.  Alex and Wren’s complicated backstory and the uneasy state of their present proximity provide a good deal of captivating drama, but it doesn’t end there.  Putting 5 women in close quarters, having them compete against one another for a publishing deal and the admiration of their god-like hero Roza, and having Roza’s “process” for the writers be anything but conventional, ensures there’s never a dull moment and propels the story forward with various subplots, relationship theatrics, jealous moments and desperate situations.  Add in hidden agendas, dangerous secrets, terrorizing actions and a sexual encounter with a supernatural being and you get a novel that is as unique as it is entrancing.  

I promise that you’ve never read anything quite like The Writing Retreat.  It’s got me shook in the best of ways.  Julia Bartz’s debut novel is incredibly well done and one that I won’t soon forget.  

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The Last Orphan By Gregg Hurwitz

What’s sure to be the perfect Valentine’s Day present for the thriller fan in your life, The Last Orphan is a magnificent novel that exceptionally blends full-throttle action with an epic battle of wits and a healthy dose of emotional awakenings.  Gregg Hurwitz’s eighth Orphan X novel is absolutely special and possibly my favorite in the series to date. 

The unthinkable happens when Evan Smoak, aka Orphan X, is unable to evade and escape an army of federal agents hellbent on capturing him and holding him accountable for his extrajudicial activities as The Nowhere Man.  After rendition to a black site, he comes face to face via video chat with the President of the United States who offers Evan a deal to maintain his freedom.  All he must do is kill a billionaire genius who might be the most powerful and dangerous man on the planet.  Accept and execute the mission, and he’s a free man with the caveat that he must stop being The Nowhere Man.  Decline the mission, and the full weight and power of the United States government will be brought down upon him.  But Evan takes orders from no one, and he lives by a code that compels him to only use his skills against those harming others and getting away with egregious breaches of the law.  Now Evan must decide if this person fits that profile and should be killed, or if not, stick to his personal ideology and face the wrath of the President.

Evan Smoak’s continued personal evolution is on full display in The Last Orphan, adding depth and development to an already amazing protagonist and giving this novel a ton of heart.  Evan’s lethal skillset has not once been in question, but he’s also never been accused of having a high EQ.  However, over the past few novels in the series, readers have gotten glimpses of Evan developing feelings and attachments to individuals like Joey, Mia and Peter.  In The Last Orphan, those emotions grow at an exponential rate as we see Evan act in ways that don’t always line up with the Ten Commandments drilled into him by his handler/father figure Jack Johns.  He shows increasing vulnerability, caring and empathy towards others, including people he just met on this latest mission.  Will this emotional development hold him back or make him a better operator?  Time will tell, but Jack would be proud as he always said the hard part wasn’t turning Evan into a killer but keeping his humanity in the process.  

Beyond Evan’s growth as a human, The Last Orphan contains the hallmarks of a tremendous Orphan X thriller - amazing action sequences with shootouts, knife fights and martial arts beat downs, truly unlikeable bad guys deserving of an ass whooping, and the moral ambiguity of Evan’s actions.  Throw in an intriguing and enigmatic filthy rich megalomaniac and this novel has it all.  

Rarely do thrillers feature non-stop badassery while making you think and giving you the feels. The Last Orphan not only achieves this but does so in spectacular fashion.  It’s an astoundingly brilliant thriller.  A book that is tons of fun to read and stimulates your brain and heart.  It’s not to be missed!

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The Drift By C.J. Tudor

Captivating, provocative, and uber-tense, The Drift puts the reader in the middle of a realistic and vivid virus-ravaged humanity to ask tough questions that require introspection about moral codes, acceptable actions and if the ends justify the means.  CJ Tudor has constructed a foreboding and sober story that tunnels into your brain and sets up shop for the foreseeable future to make you confront inconvenient hypotheticals about how you’d act if put into these untenable situations.  

The Drift is told from the perspective of three individuals.  Hannah is trapped in a bus after it crashes in a snowstorm, tending to the wounded and banding together with several others to find a way out.  Meg is stuck in a cable car suspended high in the air with several strangers, little recollection of how she got there…and a dead body.  Carter resides in a ski chalet with a sketchy power situation and an even more fragile detente with the other inhabitants.  And each one of them is a piece of a larger puzzle where people will do anything – and I mean anything – necessary to survive in a dystopian pandemic-altered world.

The Drift is a fascinating tale about the breakdown of societal norms and the fight for survival.  It’s an exploration into individual motivations and how decision making is impacted when every moment delivers a new life-or-death crisis.  It raises the question of the sanctity of life and whether it’s worth continuing to exist when you and/or the world around you has irreparably changed and everything you care about is gone.  It also studies different reactions to grief and profound loss.  And all of this is wrapped up in a fast-moving psychological story with intriguing characters, a plot that keeps you guessing, and a body count that rivals any action thriller.  

It’s a truly thought-provoking, mentally stimulating, and gripping novel.  Give it a shot if you like to be challenged and entertained at the same time.

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The Devil's Ransom By Brad Taylor

A blisteringly fast-paced, ferociously intense and violent thriller, The Devil’s Ransom is Pike Logan at his absolute world-saving best.  Brad Taylor has gifted readers a classic Pike mission within a timely and modern storyline that will leave readers sweaty and trying to catch their breath.

With the United States pulling out of Afghanistan, a valuable local CIA asset is on the run and in need of assistance.  Luckily, Pike and Jennifer are in nearby Tajikistan as part of their cover as owners of Grolier Recovery Services and can support the extraction.  However, things go sideways quickly – as they usually do when Pike is involved.  The extraction is intercepted by a foreign adversary while at the same time the Taskforce’s technology is down as a result of a ransomware attack.  Now tasked with saving the asset and finding out who’s behind the cyberattack, Pike and his team dive headfirst into a situation that’s much larger and more critical than they initially understood.  With the clock ticking down, the United States desperately needs another dose of that famous Pike Logan magic to save the day before catastrophe strikes.  

The Devil’s Ransom doesn’t let up for a single second.  The chase is on from the very beginning and has several twists and turns along the way.  It features well-timed subjects such as cybersecurity, the US exit of Afghanistan, political divisiveness and the privatization of space travel, all interwoven into a compelling storyline with global ramifications that keeps you engaged and enraged.  And while there is an abundance of ass kicking and an anxiety-inducing race against time, this book has it’s share of emotional moments that remind us that these amazing tier one operators are human too.  

Brad Taylor has delivered another hit in this long-running amazing series.  After 17 books, this doesn’t come as a surprise but it’s still great to see.  Because there’s no better way to kick off each new year than with Pike, Jennifer, Knuckles and crew taking the fight to the enemy and protecting the United States from those who would do us harm.  

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The Bullet Garden By Stephen Hunter

An intense and mysterious historical thriller that keeps you guessing, The Bullet Garden is the perfect origin story for Earl Swagger.  Stephen Hunter puts you in the middle of a crucial WWII sniper hunt to witness Swagger’s genius on full display.

In the thick of WWII, shortly after D-Day, American soldiers are getting picked off one by one as enemy snipers ply their trade in France.  Knowing how critical it is to the war effort and to troop morale to put a stop to the killings, the OSS is tasked with figuring out what’s happening and putting and end to it.  Enter Earl Swagger, legendary war hero on loan from the Marines with orders to track down and kill the snipers.  Using his powerful observation skills, his experience and his leadership abilities, Earl will do anything and everything to successfully complete this critical mission.

The Bullet Garden combines several things I appreciate – WWII stories, historical fiction, and military thrillers – bringing all 3 together to form a brilliant story featuring an iconic character.  It’s multilayered with parallel plotlines, has characters you’ll love and others you’ll hate, has its share of emotional moments, doesn’t give anything away prematurely, and includes all the technical aspects of shooting and the weapons that go bang that you expect from a Stephen Hunter novel.  It’s smart and entertaining.  A true treat to long time fans but also a fantastic standalone novel for people to enjoy.   

Stephen Hunter is one of the best to ever do it and he brings the heat once again in The Bullet Garden. It’s a perfect blend of action, investigation, politics, military operations and espionage. A surefire hit with thriller fans young and old!

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Killer Story By Matt Witten

A no holds barred look at the current state of media and reporting in modern times, Killer Story is an engaging whodunit novel that will intrigue and infuriate you.  A car crash of a story that you can’t look away from as the investigation to find the killer unfolds.  

Petra Kovach is a newspaper reporter in Boston, trying to make a name for herself and find stability in a tough industry.  However, the paper is struggling and desperate to keep from being laid off yet again, she pitches a true crime story idea to her editor about an unsolved murder of Olivia “Livvy” Anderson, a young woman she knew and cared for until she was killed.  This being a very personal story for Petra, she will stop at nothing to find new clues, conduct an investigation and find the killer.  Fighting office politics, apathetic law enforcement, multiple suspects and her own code of ethics, Petra must constantly make decisions on how far she’s willing to go and how many people she’s willing to burn to get justice for Livvy…and to become famous for her reporting while driving millions of clicks to her written stories and podcast.

Matt Witten has achieved quite an interesting feat by making unlikeable characters sympathetic.  The main characters in this book are not good people.  They are constantly exercising poor judgment that show them to be unethical, conniving, self-centered and criminal, all while deluding themselves into thinking the ends justify the means as long as they solve Livvy’s murder.  However, despite wanting to smack some sense into these people, you still can find a way to understand their desperate behavior because we all know what it’s like to be ambitious about your career and/or struggle to deal with the loss of someone close to you.  So while the decisions these characters make – Petra, Natalie and Dave in particular – are frustrating at best and unforgivably despicable at worst, you keep reading with at least a little understanding of their predicament and a smidge of sympathetic hope that they will see the light, turn it around and do the right thing before they become completely unredeemable.  And if not, you want to be there to see them get what’s coming to them for their terrible actions.  

If you like true crime podcasts and books, then you need to pick up a copy of Killer Story.  This is right smack in the middle of your wheelhouse.  And if that’s not your jam, it’s still a compelling read for the suspense and spectacle of a solid murder mystery.  

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Everybody Knows By Jordan Harper

Explosive, powerful and darker than a black hole in deep space, Everybody Knows will put you in a choke hold and not let go until it’s probed the far reaches of your soul.  It’s a haunting, gritty, immaculately written tale that will leave you completely breathless and utterly thunderstruck.  Jordan Harper has crafted a brilliant masterpiece of crime noir that promises to live rent free in your brain for months after completion.  

Mae Pruett is a black-bag publicist, working to own the narrative and win in the court of public opinion for her rich and famous clients when they do something unsavory.  Chris Tamburro is a dirty ex-cop – and Mae’s ex-lover – who is a fixer/investigator for a lawyer who represents the same wealthy clientele as Mae’s PR firm.  They are just two of the many individuals who make up “The Beast,” the dark underbelly of Los Angeles that exists to serve and protect the interests and debauchery of the wealthy and powerful.  When Mae’s boss is gunned down in the streets of Beverly Hills on the eve of sharing a huge and potentially lucrative secret with her, Mae hooks up with Chris to investigate and unravel the mystery with the hopes of hitting it big.  But secrets like this are dangerous, with very influential people willing to do anything to keep them in the dark.  Mae and Chris might be in over their heads but if they play it smart, they just might find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  Maybe even some redemption.  But only if they can survive “The Beast.”

Everybody Knows contains a sadly realistic storyline that not only feels ripped from the headlines, but also taps into the innate nature of humans to desire fame and fortune.  It’s these two features that make it relatable and allows the reader to make connections with characters with whom they wouldn’t normally associate or come into contact.  Which leads to what makes this novel special.  Mae and Chris are employed by the dark side of the celebrity industry with responsibilities that are slimy at best and despicable at worst, which should make them inherently loathsome and unredeemable.  In fact, the investigation they undertake is derived from hatching a get rich quick scheme that includes morally bankrupt motivations and possibly illegal activity. But as the story progresses, they are forced to face their actions and the people they have become, searching their souls to determine if they are so far gone and self-centered that it’s just about the money or if they can eschew a big payday in the name of doing what’s honorable and righteous.  And it’s through this self-reflection and their resulting behavior that Mae and Chris worm their way into your heart and have you hopeful for a happy ending you don’t think is possible, but think they probably deserve.  Because everyone loves a redemption story.  And that’s a big part why Everybody Knows is so phenomenal. 

This was my first Jordan Harper book, but on the basis of this story alone he has entered “must read” territory whenever he publishes a new novel.  It’s so damn good it’s ridiculous.  Do yourself a favor and kick off 2023 in style by getting a copy of Everybody Knows, finding a quiet spot and diving into this magnificent piece of literature.

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My Darkest Prayer By S.A. Cosby

Dark yet vivid.  Beautiful yet violent.  Powerful yet vulnerable.  My Darkest Prayer is a spectacularly constructed debut novel by the amazing S.A. Cosby. In a brilliant move by Flatiron to re-publish this wonderful debut novel after the critically acclaimed and universally loved Blacktop Wasteland and Razorblade Tears have taken the thriller genre by storm over the last few years, it provides S.A. Cosby fans – new and old alike – an opportunity to see where his literary genius all began.  

Whether down range as a Marine, serving his town as a sheriff’s deputy, or working at his cousin’s funeral home, Nathan Waymaker has been around bodies his whole adult life.  And given his service to this country and his hometown, Nathan is known as someone who can be relied on to help those in need.  So when a local minister is found dead and the church’s parishioners don’t feel like local law enforcement appropriately view the circumstances as suspicious, they ask Nathan to conduct an investigation.  Having firsthand experience as to the ineptitude of the local sheriff’s department, Nathan dives headfirst into the case and quickly finds himself immersed in a world of crime, corruption, gangsters, preachers and porn stars.  Using his experience, training, wits and well-honed skill set to maneuver through the dark underbelly of this small southern town, Nathan seeks to bring justice to those who deserve it, peace to those who seek it and maybe even find some redemption for himself along the way.  

My Darkest Prayer takes the reader on an emotional journey with a protagonist that you not only root for to be successful in the current investigation, but that you desperately hope will triumph in life.  It is filled with incredibly well-crafted characters – from the corrupt, to the criminals, to the holy, to the righteous to the ones just trying to get through life.  Some of whom check more than one of those boxes.  Combining these striking characters with exquisite prose, magnificent descriptions and impeccable storytelling results in one hell of a phenomenal novel. 

At this point if S.A. Cosby wrote and published a menu for Cracker Barrel, I’d be first in line to purchase a copy.  Everything he writes is pure gold and My Darkest Prayer is no exception.  A glorious novel by a master of his craft.

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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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