Threat Vector By Tom Clancy-Mark Greaney

I had been putting Threat Vector off for months because it seemed like such a daunting read at over 700 pages. I chide myself for it now because every single page of this electrifying grand scale adventure is worth the challenge. It’s classic Tom Clancy with the perfect adrenaline boost we’ve come to love from Mark Greaney’s fast-paced writing style. 

The thriller came out in 2012 but if I hadn’t looked it up, I’d be hard pressed to say it didn’t come out any earlier than a year ago based on its prophetic storyline. When members of the Chinese government decide to strengthen the nation’s economy with a high-risk audacious plan involving a systematic attack on America’s cybersecurity before kickstarting a full-blown war with its allies, it’s up to President Jack Ryan and the operatives of The Campus to navigate the tricky waters of global politics and shadowy espionage in order to prevent World War 3. If that’s not dangerous enough, The Campus is in big trouble from a mysterious syndicate that just might be the biggest threat vector (pun-intended) they’ve faced yet.  

Tom Clancy’s famous attention to details and technical knowledge of the weapons systems and equipment plays a heavy and warranted role in setting up an authentic experience to satisfy even the most hardcore of action thriller fans, while steering an epic politics and espionage laden narrative the likes of which are associated with the Clancy name. Adding to Tom Clancy’s firepower is Mark Greaney’s stellar on-location research and the cinematic action vibe that goes hand in hand with Clancy’s technical combat sequences. The major highlights in the action department for me were the aviation sequences, involving F/A-18 Super Hornets in beautifully realistic dogfights that strap you in the cockpit to face the tight and hard-hitting G-force turns.

The combat takes place on land, at sea, in air, and uniquely on a new battlefield; cyberspace. China’s cyber warfare skills are described with spectacular realism that spoke to the computer scientist in me about coding viruses and hacking measures that feel horrifyingly in tune with what I’ve learned in the classrooms. 

If you’ve read the most recent Target Acquired by Don Bentley, you’ll want to go back and take a look at the previous escapades of Jack Ryan Jr., for which Threat Vector is the perfect choice. A finely crafted geopolitical story with wonderfully written fan favorite characters from older Clancy works and a big stepping stone for Jack Ryan Jr. into the superb protagonist we have seen in the latest books of the long running series. Threat Vector is the genius result of two masters of the espionage action thriller genre coming together to churn out brilliant stories of stellar caliber.  

---

Follow Kashif on Twitter or contact him via the site.

Purchase Threat Vector
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)

Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

Pandora's Grave By Stephen England

Pandora’s Grave is the perfect treat for thriller aficionados. Vivid storytelling, cinematic action sequences, grounded and multidimensional heroes and villains, and meticulous authenticity when it comes to cultures and religions; even this does not do enough justice to Stephen England’s epic narrative.

Enter Harry Nichols, a blue-eyed CIA operator with a friendly demeanor that can change in the blink of an eye when facing an enemy combatant. Facing demons of his own from his past along with a hard-hitting betrayal in the story, his character is a darker version of the likes of Mitch Rapp and Scot Harvath, but profoundly unique. He leads his team of just as intriguingly multilayered characters on dangerous missions, specializing in the Middle East. When an archeological dig team comprised of American, Australian, and Israeli members is captured in Iran after unearthing a bubonic plague, Nichols and his team are sent to recover the team where we come to know there is a mole in the team working for a faction of the Iranian government that wants to use the plague against Israelis in an unconventional way. There is no time to catch a breath in the chaos with non-stop action sequences while dealing with a constant whodunnit vibe where the team is constantly trying to sniff out the traitor. 

It’s not every thriller that handles Middle Eastern religions and cultures so respectfully. Stephen England thoughtfully writes characters of differing religions without demeaning one or another. The religious aspect plays an important role to show what drives both the good and the bad guys, mirroring reality and allowing for beautiful locations with religious significance to be used as backdrops for pivotal plot points and action sequences.

The action sequences are incredibly smooth and cinematic in nature, flowing naturally with accurate tactics and weapons in explosive shootouts that are on par with the best in the genre when it comes to being detailed without compromising the fast-paced thrills. 

This is a beautifully dark and violent story, encompassing the trademark elements of an excellent spy action packed thriller but with a deeper insight into the human psyche behind the curtain that makes the narrative profoundly powerful and emotional. The ending is a mind-blowing cliffhanger reveal that only adds more fuel to the raging fire that is, Pandora’s Grave.  One of the finest books ever written.

---

Follow Kashif on Twitter or contact him via the site.

Purchase Pandora’s Grave
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)

Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

The Ghosts Of Belfast By Stuart Neville

The Ghosts of Belfast is an extraordinary crime thriller tinged with dark supernatural elements that fit in beautifully with the nitty gritty world of unrelenting pain that ultimately gives rise to hope. Stuart Neville has crafted a masterclass of writing a protagonist that’s more flawed than most but still makes you want to root for him with all your heart.

Gerry Fegan, a former paramilitary killer in Northern Ireland, spends his days drinking his mind numb as he is tormented by twelve ghosts, all those whom he had wronged and killed. One fateful night, the voices in his head make it clear what they want from him: exacting vengeance on those who had ordered him to commit the atrocities. Armed with a purpose and his deadly skills, Fegan goes to work on his targets, leading him down a path of further darkness and pain before he can see the light, if he can see the light at all.

The Ghosts of Belfast is a story of resounding hope and forgiveness. It’s a narrative that highlights humanity above all else, above all agendas, religions, and politics. Gerry Fegan’s struggle to seek penance for his sins yields wonderful insights and lessons that readers can embody and apply for better living. 

At the same time, this is very much a knuckle-cracking thriller. Stuart Neville keeps the heat blazing as the action comes in burst with brutal combat, crisp shootouts, and nail-biting twists that pretty much cement that you can and should finish this book in one sitting as I did.

If you’re in the mood to read a gritty atmospheric thriller with acts of bloody vengeance, The Ghosts of Belfast is the book for you. 

---

Follow Kashif on Twitter or contact him via the site.

Purchase The Ghosts Of Belfast
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)

Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

Veterans Day By Jack Stewart

Veterans Day is unlike any action thriller I have read. It has all the elements of a dark exciting vigilante thriller with a damaged but intriguing protagonist who will remind you of a feral Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, grounded and gritty plot, and well executed action sequences that have a cinematic quality to them. Taking the best characteristics of a captivating dark story, Jack Stewart fuses them with theological elements to create an exciting take on the genre. This is a character-driven action-packed narrative that puts you in the front seat of a broken man’s violent journey to salvation from his inner demons.

The story revolves around Ronan Doyle, a badass Combat Controller who blames himself for a tragedy that leads to the deaths of his teammates in the field. We see Ronan’s fall into despair and darkness as his guilt eats away at him, until he finds purpose when a mysterious voice talks to him in his head. This voice seems to be stronger than simple instinct and propels Ronan into situations to save lives. When the voice pushes Ronan to go to New Orleans, he stumbles across a human trafficking ring, only to realize it is not a chance encounter, but the work of a higher power that is guiding Ronan towards saving lives of those who need saving. Teaming up with a New Orleans Detective Kashm, Ronan is exposed to a whole new world that he didn’t believe existed.  

Along with brutal descriptions of severe guilt taking over Ronan’s life, readers are also treated to fantastic action sequences described in wonderful detail that bring the action to life. Ronan is a bonafide badass with both his fists and his weapons, as he engages his opponents in spectacular display of bone crunching and headbutting violence. Think Jack Reacher, but more violent and feral. That is not to say there aren’t shootouts; Ronan shreds bad guys with his Glock and rifle in fast-paced shootouts that evoke feelings of authenticity with the tactical movements and descriptions of the shootouts. To top this off, there is a WOW sequence involving flaming swords and armor and inhuman entities that is sure to blow you out of your seats!

What I found most intriguing was the unfiltered focus on Ronan’s POV as we resonate with him on his journey from rock bottom to having a sense of purpose. With the challenges he faces, the surprises he comes across, the unfathomable twists and turns, I felt deeply connected to Ronan on his journey with such great character development. Ronan’s personal journey sets up a great platform to introduce a theological component into the story, with the idea of good vs bad taking form not only in humans but also with angels and demons. 

I immensely enjoyed Veterans Day and found it to be a unique take on the thriller genre with the fusion of theology with hardcore thriller that readers of the genre love to get into. The nonlinear story builds the mystique while revealing the necessary developments of the story without detracting from the fast-paced narrative. I am very excited for the next adventures of Ronan and Kashm. Think of a more vicious version of Jack Reacher’s vigilante vibe infused with theological elements of Constantine, and you have Veterans Day! A must-read introduction to Ronan Doyle who will be an instant fan favorite.

---

Follow Kashif on Twitter or contact him via the site.

Desperate Pursuit By Kerry Frey

Desperate Pursuit is a strong entertainer with a golden protagonist you’ll be rooting for immediately as he puts everything at stake to save his daughter from a horrible fate. 

Spike Robinson is living the dream life as an Aerospace & Defense executive in Texas when his daughter is diagnosed with a rare blood disease that’s slowly and painfully killing her. Her only hope lies with a scientist who was recently abducted by Russians. With official channels at dead ends, Robinson finds himself allied with a mysterious group of clandestine operatives, the JARIUS group, working outside bureaucracy and red tape to subvert a nefarious plan to kickstart world war 3 with a biological agent.

Kerry Frey strikes a fantastic balance between first person and third person POVs as he switches seamlessly between Robinson-centric narration and the POVs of the antagonists to keep the momentum bursting with energy and unpredictability. The narrative is easy to follow and captures your attention fully from the start. The ingenious biological threat as explored in the book blends reality and fiction for a riveting mix without falling out of touch with the much-appreciated realism of modern thrillers. Spike Robinson blossoms more and more into a relatable character by each chapter, with the strong and raw essence of familial bonds driving him in his quest to save his daughter in the face of prevailing danger. 

Giving Spike Robinson a decorated past as a Navy Corpsman pays off big time as he gets pulled into fast-paced and crisp shootouts, car chases, and hand-to-hand combat sequences with sharp and necessary details to help you visualize the pulse-pounding action with utmost ease. 

Desperate Pursuit packs a lot of potential for future stories to unfold and explore in terms of exciting characters and invigorating plots involving Spike and the JARIUS group working together. Be sure to keep your eyes open for the twists and turns Kerry Frey sends your way in this constantly engaging thriller; you won’t want to miss it.

---

Follow Kashif on Twitter or contact him via the site.