Falling By T.J. Newman

Falling is a prime example of writing a nail-biting thriller without the shootouts and car chases mostly found in the best of the genre. Instead, readers are treated to an intense situation 35,000 feet in the air onboard a plane piloted by a man who has to choose between saving his family and saving the souls on board his aircraft. T.J. Newman spins a captivating yarn full of deeply grounded characters standing up to challenging dilemmas no reader would ever want to face. It isn’t often you see a debut novel written with such finesse as Falling.

One of my quicker reads, I finished Falling in two days. The story moves at a breakneck pace without faltering or dragging. There is always something happening that pushes the story forward. The driving forces of the narrative are the highly relatable characters. Each character feels like someone you may cross paths with without even realizing. It is only when the going gets tough and the situation takes a nosedive (pun-intended) that the characters are tested and their true natures revealed in displays of unflinching bravery ( or betrayal for some ). Even the antagonists are painted in a shade of gray rather than a simple ‘evil’ label. I felt for the bad guys just as I did for the good ones when Newman aptly highlights their painful desperation. This is the brilliance of Falling. Flashbacks and powerful dialogue are brilliantly used to convey the gravity of the hostile situation, always keeping readers on their toes to be prepared for anything to happen, much like how the characters in the story feel. 

I am glad I read Falling safely on ground and not in the air because I would have been a nervous wreck for the entire flight. Void of cliché agendas for bad guys and highly elaborate conspiracy stories, Falling opts for a character-driven escapade with a personal message for all readers in a race-against-time setting to drive home the gut-wrenching stakes of the narrative. It is only a matter of time before we see a big screen adaptation of this exquisite debut, so be sure to read it ASAP!

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Sleeping Bear By Connor Sullivan

Sleeping Bear surprises with its gripping and unpredictable storyline involving highly-relatable and despicable characters. It’s an excellent debut novel, with huge potential for more stories.

The thriller revolves around the eerie abductions of campers in Alaska, including Cassie Gale, an Army Veteran and graduate of Ranger School. Her father, sister, and brother-in-law set out to find her. Cassie’s abduction ties into a cold-war Russian experiment to mold warriors into feeling no remorse at the prospect of killing and her father’s mysterious past with Vladmir Putin’s mentor. The elements of espionage, sleuthing and nail-biting tension make this a nerve-wracking experience in a great way!

Sleeping Bear’s characters evoke emotions from sympathy to disgust. Cassie Gale is a badass with brains, brawn and a tragic backstory. With her father, you sense there’s more than what meets the eye and Sullivan’s depiction of his agony as he searches for his daughter resonates. Same goes for her sister and brother-in-law: invoking a strong sense of empathy for the family.  The opposite is true for the antagonists, as readers will dread them for their despicable and hauntingly-violent acts towards innocents. This creates a compelling juxtaposition, and a desperation for justice to be carried out.

The book is not too heavy on action, but the short and visceral action sequences include authentic weaponry details and crafty spy tools that feel straight out of the Mission Impossible movies. Sullivan mainly focuses on the cerebral components of the story, as the Gale family tries to save Cassie. 

With a cold-war linked narrative that includes unethical-human experiments, relatable heroes, despicable villains and great twists, Sleeping Bear is a remarkable debut and an absolute must-read. It’s absolutely a book worth losing a night’s sleep over.  I should know, since I stayed up all night to finish it!  

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Shadow Masters By J.T. Patten

Right off the bat, Shadow Masters is a dark and visceral story that requires you to take a deep cleansing hot shower afterwards to rid yourself of the flashing images of the worst of the humanity. If you think his Drake Woolf stories were dark, you’re in for a lesson. JT Patten takes you deep in the heart of the ugly, less glamorous side of espionage with fast-paced action, gut-wrenching scenes that may haunt you for a while, and highly realistic and flawed characters even when it comes to the protagonist. 

Sean Havens is off on a contracting mission in a third world country when his family is harmed by an unknown organization disguising itself as an ordinary criminal gang to throw off its scent for the investigating authorities. The story continues to push Havens in purgatory until he decides to take the law in his own hands and seek those who harmed his family. The nefarious organization behind it has big plans for Havens and if he wants to survive, he must outwit enemies who he may not even want to believe are his enemies. 

As a big fan of JT Patten’s Drake Woolf series, I knew I was in for a treat. The storytelling is meticulously detailed with pertinent information and subtle foreshadowing to keep the story pumping at full steam and the readers guessing furiously as to what can happen next, only to be amazed when the twists hit like a freight train. JT Patten’s expertise in the dark arts of espionage pays dividends in Sean Havens’ character development as a riveting operative trained expertly in both intel and kinetic operations that mirror real-world headlines. The bad guys are despicable and utterly evil, and you’ll cheer for Havens to exact his revenge in the most brutal fashion, which he most certainly will. The blood spatters right out of the pages.

The action hits fast and hard with vivid descriptions of hand-to-hand combat and fast-paced shootouts written with the principle of shoot first and shoot well. I wouldn’t want to mess with Sean Havens in any way whatsoever. The action serves not just to get the heart rates rising but also to showcase the pragmatic brutal environment of combat where decisions are made in a split second. You will shudder at some of the decisions Havens makes in the heat of combat.

Shadow Masters easily rattled my top thriller list long before I reached the last page. Espionage, action, drama; it adroitly balances all aspects of a profoundly captivating thriller. The ending jarred me because I was not expecting that cliffhanger! A thriller fan has not truly explored the genre if they haven’t read JT Patten.

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The Impostor By David Temple

The Impostor is an intense and bone-chilling narrative pitting a deranged serial killer against a determined detective who will spare no expense at catching the one who got away from her. Both sides try to outwit each other with matching fervor and grit to come out on the top. Will the detective catch the killer first or will the killer escape through her grasp one last time?

The opening chapter kicks off with a dark theme that chilled my bones, a feeling akin to when I watched Silence of the Lambs for the first time. Detective Pat Norelli is recuperating after a close call with a serial killer, colloquially known as The Poser, who had been operating in the Beverly Hills as a psychiatrist. In the events of the previous book, The Poser had fled before he could be arrested. Almost a year to that date, the showdown begins one last time where Norelli is motivated to bring The Poser down once and for all. The narrative gets darker as The Poser’s twisted attraction to Norelli is explored and its consequences as she goes on an international manhunt with a few allies. The first half is perhaps the strongest as the second half feels a bit uneven as multiple traps are set for The Poser but are half-heartedly dismissed in execution by Norelli herself. The good grace for The Poser’s evasion seems a bit undercooked but may make sense after a long thought. 

Even with an uneven second half, The Impostor is highly enjoyable due to its dark tone and a fulfilling resolution that ties up loose ends wonderfully. A great pick for fans of grim psychologically haunting stories.

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Stealth Attack By John Gilstrap

Stealth Attack is an exciting tale of brutal retribution packed with crisp action and a scary time crunch for the protagonists who have to utilize their espionage expertise to rescue two kids from being executed by cartel members. John Gilstrap launches the action almost immediately, wasting no time in setting up an intriguing chain of events that unravel smoothly and naturally. 

Even though this was my first Jonathan Grave thriller, the characters were developed with the right combination of intrigue and background that made it very easy to resonate with the personal stakes of the narrative. Grave and his team have a great dynamic with witty banters as well as heated arguments on the morality of actions in the heat of combat. The cartel members earn the title of proper villains with their inhumane violent and unpredictable actions that lend gravitas to the frightening predicament of the kidnapped youngsters. 

The crisp and authentically detailed action sequences power on at rocket-fast pace, keeping the readers hooked in for the well-placed headshots and body shots where necessary. The narrative is not extensively packed with action, but it is wisely utilized when the situation calls for violence against evil. 

Balancing a captivating story with exciting characters, Stealth Attack is a no-brainer choice for those seeking an easy read with a simple story and gritty action.

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Cthulhu Reloaded By David Conyers

Cthulhu Reloaded is one of the weirdest thrillers you will ever read. A mind-bending, time-traveling, non-linear, action-packed narrative combining elements of Cthulhu science fiction stories with those of espionage action. It may not be the most obvious pick for traditional thriller fans, but it is definitely worth branching out to. 

Major Harrison Peel of Australian Intelligence Agency thinks he has seen it all until he discovers the existence of sentient alien life on Earth. The narrative wastes no time in going full Christopher Nolan as multiple closely-linked plotlines happen simultaneously, sometimes in not so obvious ways and in different timelines as to require the full attention of the reader. The story packs quite a few scares particularly with horrifying descriptions of aliens that consume humans in haunting fashion. David Conyers takes a step forward in experimenting with the Cthulhu genre by interjecting spycraft in the narrative as the leading characters find themselves embroiled in conspiracies concocted by various -states-sponsored actors to acquire alien technology. The aliens themselves play into the espionage narrative in a rather interesting way which can only make sense once you read it for yourself.

Actions fans need not worry, there are copious amounts of grand action sequences where humans battle each other as well as the aliens with a fusillade of high caliber bullets. The shootouts are written with a keen eye for authentic weapons and tactics to catch the eyes of action aficionados. 

For thriller fans trying to expand their horizons with new genres, Cthulhu Reloaded is a brilliant choice.

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Shadow Target By David Ricciardi

Shadow Target is an adrenaline-rush that wastes no time in putting the protagonist in grave danger from the get-go.

Jake Keller, a CIA paramilitary officer, is onboard a plane heading for The Alps when the plane is shot down and Jake is the only survivor. Turns out, he was targeted by a Russian oligarch with a mysterious agenda and a mole within the CIA. As Jake flies off to London and France to get some much-needed assistance in figuring out who is gunning for him and why, there is no respite for him as he constantly fends off assassins in gun battles and mortal hand-to-hand combat. 

As with the previous Jake Keller thrillers, Shadow Target contains authentic and grounded action sequences that keep the heart rate high and the sleepiness far away. David Ricciardi keeps the story running at full steam with frequent shootouts and fisticuffs with just the right amount of detail to help readers visualize the action easily. 

Jake Keller’s character development is amazing in this thriller as we see Jake’s romantic interest play an important role in the narrative, not only for the story but also to further develop Jake as a vulnerable human being who is looking for a reason to keep fighting in a world where he has learned not to trust anyone.

With crisp writing and superb build-up of mystique for the mole and the grand plans of the organization targeting Jake, Shadow Target is an easy recommendation for readers looking for their next adrenaline fix. I found the culmination of the twists and turns to be a bit passive but I still enjoyed the book for what it is; a riveting action thriller from the first page to the very last. I cannot wait to see where David Ricciardi takes Jake Keller next on a mission.

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The Tipping Point By David Darling

The Tipping Point is a splendid suspenseful thriller fueled by a dark mystery and excellent twists to keep readers locked on. 

The story debuts Sergeant Noah Hunter of the Arrow Point Police Department whose investigations of grisly murders in his city paints a target on his back and those he loves. David Darling does a great job of keeping the suspense high with smart misdirection to keep the readers from grasping the twists too early. The small-town vibe coupled with the hair-raising details of crime scenes in the narrative invoke the gritty feeling of reading a scary story at 3 in the morning. Of course, it helps that the protagonist is a strong lead.

Noah Hunter is instantly likable, and his development persists throughout the story, paved by both positive and tragic experiences which make him relatable. Coupling his army experiences with his police investigative training, he is both the brains and the brawns depending on what the situation calls for. 

I could see this adapted into a fun movie down the line. The Tipping Point branches out to different subgenres thriller to cater to different kinds of readers and to keep building the momentum,starting off with an aura of dark crime mystery, delving into organized crime, and finally finishing with an exciting shootout with Glocks, Remingtons, and AR-15s. I am very excited for the next Noah Hunter book and I hope I don’t have to wait too long.

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Target Acquired By Don Bentley

Target Acquired immediately captures your attention with stunning characters, an unconvoluted and elegant storyline, amazing action sequences, and an aura of intrigue that sets in from the very first chapter. Don Bentley introduces his badass rendition of Jack Ryan Jr. while sticking true to the character development seen in the previous books.

Jack Ryan Jr. is in Tel Aviv on a simple mission when he comes across a Chinese assassin trying to kill a mother and her child. Spinning quickly into action, he finds himself embroiled in a dangerous game of catch-up with American, Chinese, and Russian forces amongst others along with the cunning commander of Iranian Quds Force who has a few aces up his sleeves up to no good. There is no shortage of vicious action sequences that are sure to make you wince. Don Bentley’s highly regarded proclivity for striking a  wonderful balance between realistic and grand action sequences pays off as Ryan Jr. takes quite a beating but also dishes out vengeful punishment of his own whether with his own fists or with lead in gritty sequences of pure awesomeness. I really enjoyed reading Ryan Jr. trapped in a situation with little to no support and having to navigate through some unsavory parts of the world relying on his skills as a Campus operative. The setting provided a great opportunity for Ryan Jr.’s character development out of his father’s shadow and into his own persona. 

On a side note, there is an excellent aerial sequence with F-35 fighter jets described with a panache so much so that I could picture the G-Forces attacking the pilots maneuvering the jets at high speeds on an interception plot. I loved it and I am sure readers will be enthralled by it. 

Without spoiling too much, I’ll say that Target Acquired is an excellent continuation of Jack Ryan Jr., keeping the iconic franchise kicking with superb action and highly likable characters in a fast-paced setting. There isn’t a single dull moment throughout the story. Don’t worry if you haven’t read all the previous Jack Ryan Jr. novels because Don Bentley ensures the readers can quickly catch up with utmost ease. Read it ASAP!

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Sons Of Valor By Andrews & Wilson

Sons of Valor is an excellent beginning of a new spectacular, action-packed, twists-filled, fast-paced, well thought-out series. I was on the search for a phenomenal action-heavy and smart read when I came across Sons of Valor. Knowing the excellent work of the authors on the Tier One series, I knew it would be WOW good. I just didn’t know it would be “WOW!!!” good.

Sons of Valor centers on Lieutenant Keith “Chunk” Redman, a fan favorite recurring badass in the Tier One series who assists Team Ember from time to time in their clandestine missions. Based on his stellar success record, Chunk is given command of the new Tier One element, rising from the ashes of Operation Crusader, in which the previous Tier One element was ambushed and murdered. Chunk picks a handful of his superb teammates from his SEAL team on this endeavor, enlisting intelligence assets to ensure there are no intelligence hiccups, like the one that led to Operation Crusader faux-pas. Chunk’s leadership skills are put to the test when a mysterious splinter group of Al Qaeda, known as Al Qadr, recruit a British Aero employee, whose family was killed in a drone strike in Afghanistan. With a sinister build up to the main threat of the group involving the use of a completely terrorist-controlled drone with the ability to be controlled by multiple pilots, the new Tier One operators have their hands full with their first mission.

While I enjoyed Chunk in the Tier One books, I was not sure he would be able to carry his own series. The dynamic duo of the authors proved me wrong in spectacular fashion. Chunk’s character is thoughtfully developed and displayed in a relatable manner that allowed me to immediately connect with him as the main protagonist of the story. There is a dark mystery to his persona that is hinted and saved for future stories to explore. Each character in the book feels like a personification of a real person, relatable in motivations and agendas. The kicker is that the authors brilliantly keep the genre fresh from falling into the cliches of simple good vs bad by writing multi layered characters, even the antagonists and the terrorists, who seem to have agendas rooted in reality born of hardships and bad luck that shape their paths.

An Andrews and Wilson book is not without groundbreaking action. Sons of Valor is no exception. This narrative is packed with realistic firefights that are complimented by authentic and detailed weaponry to help readers visualize the adrenaline pumping sequences in their full glory and terror. The action sequences are fast-paced and character oriented, fully immersing the readers in the action, with every weapon sight, caliber, trigger pull, recoil, working their way into the readers’ visualizations like a 4D experience. Top-notch action!

The plot was a major plus point in my eyes. While the plot features Islamist extremists as the bad guys as done so in majority of the action thrillers, this plot delves deeper into the psyche of war and perversion of nature based on horrible circumstances that start an ordinary decent man on the long but ultimately violent path of retribution. At the same time, we see the Tier One element as the necessary intervention to evil, using violence against a few as means to deter violence against thousands more. It’s a thought-provoking concept, in line with the intellectually stimulating narrative that plays on the gray moral edges of the brain instead of pure evil vs pure good.

Despite being a spin off of the Tier One series, Sons of Valor stands firm on its own (team-ups would be fantastic though). The chain of events felt smartly connected that further augmented the reading experience for me. Coincidence was taken over by brilliance on both, good and bad, sides of the equation. The characters were well-developed and relatable. The action sequences are excellent. Sons of Valor, so far, is the best action thriller I have read for 2021. The ending is not a simple killed-and-gone one, but rather a set-up for something bigger in the works, much like how Tier One’s story was not culminated in one book, but rather over multiple books. I look forward to more to come in this series, and Chunk is THE leader for the Tier One of a new era.

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The Spy Devils By Joe Goldberg

The Spy Devils is a refreshing change of storytelling in the spy action genre with creative action sequences, dark humor, and witty good guys and gals who go to rather extreme antics in their missions of battling the worst mankind has to offer. The smart and slick narrative gets better by the page, and it makes you wonder if truth really is stranger than fiction when you remember that the foreword mentions the story is based on true events.

The Spy Devils are a lethal ragtag group of former spies who put their skills to use against exposing nefarious criminal and meddling espionage organizations. This idea is executed brilliantly by Joe Goldberg who balances both the gritty and violent nature of the business with the satirical and darkly humorous nature of The Spy Devils to create a fun environment that is not found in many thrillers today. The team, even as a force of good, feels more of an anti-heroic team as it battles fire with fire.  There are moments where if not for the complete context, you’d think The Spy Devils were the antagonists with the way they interrogate the bad guys like it’s just another day at the office. It’s beautiful.  

The action sequences are some of the more brutal, vicious, and stylish I have read in the genre, with authentically detailed weaponry in shootouts and hand-to-hand combat sequences. The Spy Devils use high-tech gadgets in addition to the conventional weaponry, particularly the ‘Stick’; a telescoping baton, that also acts as a taser and an aerosol dispenser of toxins, and augmented mini-drones nicknamed ‘Devilbots’ that are capable of shooting 9mm bullets accurately over a decent range in addition to being pretty hand for recess. The creative technology utilized in The Spy Devils feels right at home in a Mission Impossible movie crossed with The Expendables-styled shootouts and knife fights.

The story itself is a big deviation from the usual Middle-Eastern themed narratives, instead focusing on grayer than gray shadowy personal vendettas in a corporate espionage setting that is tied expertly to foreign states and dangerous criminals. There is an aura of mistrust in every page, keeping readers guessing wildly as to who to believe all the way to the ending. Gripping subplots are woven seamlessly to work their way simultaneously to the climax where the bigger picture hits you in the face and you can’t help but be impressed.

If I could sum up the vibe of the book, I’d ask you to imagine the talents behind The Expendables movies, The Mission Impossible movies, and Archer TV series all joining together for one grand witty spy action thriller that is The Spy Devils!

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Warshot By Don Keith And George Wallace

Warshot is a superb choice if you’re in the mood to read some tense naval standoffs with a pinch of old-school treasure hunt. The narrative focuses on altercations between US and Chinese naval forces as China tries to extend its grasp on an island beneath which lies unexplored gold in abundance. Facing the threat of upsetting the world economy, US steps in to protect its interests. The matter quickly escalates to stressful situations where warring submarines are pitted against each other in descriptive sequences of naval combat that vividly highlight the somber yet energetic mood of the submariners as they try to sink their opponent as quickly as possible while aggressively evading incoming torpedoes. I loved the realistic details presented of the inner workings of the submarines from the commands to the equipment without becoming too complex for a layman. Reading the skippers shout commands to dive down from periscope depth took me back to the days of watching The Hunt for The Red October and Crimson Tide. The narrative moves a little slow at first to set up the necessary characters, but once the first torpedo is launched, the action sets off relentlessly underwater and on land as well. The writing puts an emphasis on the communication breakdown between naval officers having to commit to a course of action, and bureaucracy underestimating the need for swift movements. The story fills you with an immense sense of gratitude for sailors who undertake the daunting endeavor of wading into battle in a confined medium in the dark depths of the vast oceans where anything can happen. This is a story you’ll want to kick back to and enjoy on a sunny weekend by the beach. Mirroring the recent geopolitical situations and blending them with an adventurous plot, Warshot is definitely recommended for readers seeking an underwater escapade.

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A Hostile State By Adrian Magson

There is no such thing as too many great spy action thrillers. I am constantly searching for unexplored territory of well-written action espionage thrillers, and that search led me to A Hostile State by Adrian Magson. As soon as I flipped to the first page, I knew I would love it when the very first chapter hooked me in with the protagonist, Marc Portman code-named Watchman, maneuvering under sniper fire while equipped with a Kahr semi-automatic pistol. The action takes off without wasting momentum and the plot fires away with the high-octane action. 

Without giving away too much, A Hostile State puts Marc Portman, a contractor for the CIA, under the spotlight where his cover is blown by a secretive Russian group that aims to take revenge against its recent espionage failures by putting a bullseye on Portman who happens to be one of the most effective CIA assets. Then begins a long trail of blood and bullets with Portman chased from Lebanon to Paris by assassins who will stop at nothing to kill Portman. The plot thickens when the pattern can only be accredited to a leak in the CIA that is feeding Portman’s location to the assassins. The fast-paced and nail-biting aura of the narrative where Portman is constantly surveilled and targeted by killers, aided by a few friendlies, makes for an extremely compelling and energetic read. This sets up a fantastic stage for Marc Portman to show why he truly should be feared by his adversaries, as he parries and counters the assassins sent after him in brutal hand-to-hand combat and explosive shootouts. 

With such a propelling story, it needs to have breakneck action sequences, and the author delivers on this promise. There is absolutely no shortage of bullets and gunfire as Marc showcases his lethal talents with pistols, rifles, and even a crossbow on a globetrotting hunting ground. With accurate weapons descriptions in the sequences detailing Marc’s tactical acumen, the reading experience is everything an action thriller fan could ask for. Even without a weapon, Marc puts his fists to good use with detailed descriptions of hand-to-hand combat with a focus on practicality and speed. 

With A Hostile State being the 5th novel in the Marc Portman series, I was surprised by the ease of which I slipped into the narrative. The right amount of backstory is provided for readers to get into this book and enjoy it immensely. The characters are developed over the narrative with grounded personalities and foundations that made it easy to visualize and resonate with them fairly quickly, especially Marc Portman. While his profession is utterly violent, he comes across as the kind of guy you would root for without any hesitation. A straight shooter who will get the job done while exhibiting a strong moral compass. I immediately gelled with Marc Portman and his down-to-earth but intriguing personality, cultivated to preserve his anonymity. The strong focus on his POV as a first person POV, only shifting to a handful of other characters to progress the parallel storyline of the CIA leak, was done superbly to kept the momentum rolling. There was always something happening in the narrative that was extremely vital to the bigger picture. 

Even before I had finished this thriller, I knew I was going to read the previous Marc Portman books. With such crisp and captivating writing, intriguing characters, fantastic action, and authentic narrative, I am sold on A Hostile State being a must-read for action thriller fans who are on the search for a new exciting thriller series to dive into. It is no piece of cake to allow readers to jump in headfirst in the latest thriller in a series without having read the previous books, but Adrian Magson pulls it off!

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Bone Rattle By Marc Cameron

Bone Rattle is a captivating and gritty crime thriller that puts seasoned Deputy Marshal Arliss Cutter hot on the trail of murderers and corrupt politicians in the heart of Alaska. 

Arliss Cutter is brought to the city of Juneau to assist with marshaling criminals tied to a sinister businessman with an inclination towards violence. There is more than meets the eye and Cutter is pitted against killers who are looking to silence a witness who can blow the whistle on a huge conspiracy built on the dead and the wronged. It is up to Cutter to find the truth and save the witness, easier said than done with all the mind-boggling plot twists.

Bone Rattle balances sleuthing and action in the delicate fashion of keeping a realistic tone. The majority of the narrative focuses on investigative deductions of Cutter until the climax where Cutter and a friend are caught in a guns-blazing shootout without proper cover whilst only utilizing a Colt Python and a Glock. It’s an excellent action sequence that is augmented by Marc Cameron’s descriptive environments of the rocks and gravel in the cavernous hills and mines.

Arliss Cutter continues to be a delight to read as a no-nonsense Marshall who tracks his prey without fail and renders justice. Marc Cameron continues to develop Cutter as a complex personality, displaying his ferocity in dealing with his antagonists as well as his warmth when it comes to his family. His thoughts and actions resonate with readers not only when he stands up to bullies and murderers, but also when he struggles to deal with his inner turmoil, especially when it comes to his sister-in-law.

Cameron’s Arliss Cutter books are written with emphatic visuals of the environments to portray the cold and gloomy feelings of crime scenes and isolated locales in Alaska. The heavy environmental descriptions only serve to personify the locations as living breathing personalities, and immerse the readers further into the the trade and tricks of tracking prey as Cutter tracks his. 

Bone Rattle continues the charm of the Arliss Cutter books with the confident protagonist, devilish antagonists, chilly descriptions of Alaska, and well-executed action at the opportune moments. The book ends with an eerie cliffhanger that I hope brings an even darker chapter for Cutter next time. Bone Rattle is a superb blend of intellectual stimulation and adrenaline-pumping action.

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Red Wolves By Adam Hamdy

Red Wolves is a remarkably ingenious timely thriller with a unique story and tortured characters that make them all the more interesting to connect to. Adam Hamdy has outdone himself with the action-packed narrative that may just be his finest work yet.

Scott Pearce is back on the trail of the mysterious organization that has eluded him and every major intelligence agency after causing destruction in the capital city of Pakistan and then waging a terrible war against immigrants in the UK. Pearce is determined to unveil the shroud of mystery around the sinister group of connected individuals and joins the team of an enigmatic benefactor who has his own personal vendetta against the nefarious group. A violent prison break, a terrifying bioweapon unlike any other, and a plot to lay waste to America by hooking its citizens on a sophisticated drug; all three events are all linked to a major terrorist attack perpetrated by a non-state entity with operatives in every agency around the world. Can Pearce connect the dots in time to stop the terrorists from holding America hostage? 

Adam Hamdy writes some of the most sophisticated modern spy thrillers. The narrative keeps the brain cogs functioning in overdrive as every other chapter brings about hair-raising twists and turns that fit perfectly in a spy thriller where secrets are the norm. The pace is kept on high with a steady amount of adrenaline secreted from visceral action sequences. For a contemporary spy thriller, Adam Hamdy capitalizes on the ever-growing industry of technology with creative gadgets and airborne vehicles that are written with strong authenticity and are a huge delight to see in action.

Pearce is one of my favorite protagonists with the charisma of a badass operative who thinks on his feet and the vulnerability of a tormented soul for whom the impacts of violence and keeping secrets actually exact a toll. His motivations are not confined to the plot and are based off personal desires that make him more relatable and likeable amongst a sea of action protagonists. Pearce is undoubtedly the main lead but Adam Hamdy ensures that every character on either side of the equation is imbued with a unique personality, bringing them to life just as vividly as Scott Pearce with gradual and empowering character development. I fell in love with characters I could not have imagined liking when I had started Red Wolves.

A huge commendable aspect of Red Wolves is Adam Hamdy’s brilliant decision to base the story in the current global landscape, particularly one that has now gotten used to COVID-19. Adam Hamdy does not shy away from how the world has changed with regards to travel restrictions, face masks, and testing for Coronavirus. The face masks add a new layer of hardship for catching bad guys now that they can cover their faces without raising suspicion, an aspect no other thriller author has yet explored so well. A positive spin on the matter comes with the concept of all locations having the resources to use rapid Coronavirus testing to ensure anyone going into coffee shops and restaurants is not infected; a simple and elegant measure to not limit the story in any way while basing the narrative in the current times.

It is not a stretch to say Red Wolves is one of the best books to come out this year. However, taking into consideration the vast scale of globetrotting action as well as grounded storytelling with characters fleshed out expertly over time, it may very well be THE best action espionage thriller of 2021. The ending leaves no doubt for more of Scott Pearce to come in the future with a bigger mission. The mystery is far from being uncovered.

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The Devil's Hand By Jack Carr

The Devil’s Hand is an unflinching thriller masterpiece that I applaud for not shying away from the reality we now live in.  It’s on a much grander scale than the previous Jack Carr thrillers but entails the same ferocious James Reece who takes his combatants down in ways that will thrill even the most hardcore action fans of the genre. 

The Devil’s Hand is one of the first books to acknowledge the profound effects of the changes in the world brought on by the onset of COVID-19, adding a deeper level of connection to the story that comes with reading thrillers inspired by real events and situations. The President of the United States offers James Reece a secret mission of assassinating all those who had a role in perpetrating the horrible tragedy of 9/11. At the same time, an engineered biological virus is planned to be spread by members of the same terrorist cell in the hopes of pushing the president to enact a contingency that involves burning down US cities to contain a pathogen. When Reece stumbles unexpectedly upon this dangerous plot, he has to act quickly before innocent lives are lost to both the deadly virus and the explosive contingency of the US government. If the terrorist cell was not enough, Reece also has to outwit an ambitious senator who wishes to take control of the country at the expense of innocent lives. 

While the build-up to action does take a while, it’s worth it. The action sequences are a huge step up from the past James Reece thrillers. When Reece is targeted and his girlfriend is caught in the crossfire, Reece unleashes his feral side in a display of beautifully violent combat. In one particular shootout, Reece makes a brilliant dual wield combo of his Sig P365 compact pistol and a Tomahawk while taking on multiple opponents at a time. The action is not a flurry of movements, but detailed in the art of combat. 

The book does incorporate heavy political views at times that may not resonate with all the readers; I had some reservations as well. However, if one can put aside the political reservations, The Devil’s Hand is a highly rewarding and thrilling experience.

It is a relatively longer thriller than most, but it’s not a drag. The length is due to the world-building information that Jack Carr aptly presents in order to establish the foundations for scenarios and characters, giving the impression that the events in the book are not as far-fetched as one might think. It’s an aspect that will strike a chord with connoisseurs of classic action thrillers which detailed the world of the story to resonate with the readers. 

With awe-striking action sequences, riveting plots that merge together brilliantly, and a kickass protagonist, Jack Carr delivers another banger that ends with the promise of a showdown that needs to be done justice in the next thriller!

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A Dangerous Freedom By John Ruane

A Dangerous Freedom is an ambitious and timely take on the gun violence in America and the profoundly disastrous effects on those inflicted by the carnage. John Ruane depicts the life of a young anti-gun advocate, Dylan Reilly, who finds himself in not one, not two, but three situations where terrorists and unhinged gunmen go on shooting sprees around him. When the third bloodshed hits close to home, Reilly comes to a startling realization that he must bear arms to protect himself when he witnesses the helplessness of facing the shooting end of an automatic AR-15. Training himself to become proficient with a S&W .38 special six shooter, he tries to channel his hatred for the shooters into his training to become a gunslinger/vigilante.

While the story can be a bit far-fetched at times, the narrative engages the reader with John Ruane’s perspective of gun control expressed through his protagonist’s thoughts and actions. The story is augmented with admirable research of the Islamic culture that goes a long way towards highlighting the negative stereotypes towards the religion that many thrillers more often than not support. For a new author, there is room for John Ruane to enhance his storytelling with better dialogue and higher stakes for the characters to more effectively engage the reader. That being said, A Dangerous Freedom is an interesting read as a bold social commentary.

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Renegade By Rob Sinclair

Renegade is an adrenaline shot right to the heart. There is no rest for the protagonist nor the reader as the formidable hero punches, shoots, kicks his way out of lethal situations one after another. This is not the first book in the series but that did not prevent me from having a blast with it. By the time I flipped to the last page, Rob Sinclair was already in my list of excellent thriller authors.

Renegade sees James Ryker, a freelancing operative of sorts with a murky past, surveilling a potential meeting between a banker and a right-wing extremist responsible for sowing unrest in the Middle East. Two pages in and Ryker is involved in a dangerous car chase when the meeting goes horribly wrong. From that moment on, the pace does not let up as Ryker tries to unravel the conspiracy of the highest order. The story preserves the shroud of secrecy one would expect with the best of espionage thrillers by providing just enough clues for Ryker to take the next step without revealing the hidden ace until the HOLY MOLY moment. It barely took me a day to finish it, because the narrative warrants pure attention. I had no idea what the next big twist would be. The suspense was immensely helped by well-written characters, especially those of the antagonists, whose motivations ran deep beyond the somewhat cliched and saturated religious impetuses. 

Reading Ryker take on bad guys in the most badass of combat techniques is one of the most fun I have had reading an action thriller. Pump up the killer jams when reading the cinematic action sequences involving Ryker using bad guys as landing cushions and punching bags. There are tons of hand-to-hand combat sequences and a few shootouts, all of which are written with the elegance of detailed visualizations without becoming too complicated for readers. I would rank the action up with the best in the genre such as the works of Tom Wood and Mark Greaney. 

Aside from my enthusiasm for the raving action, Renegade offers more. Even though it is quite a few books into the series, I had no trouble familiarizing myself with Ryker. His admirable traits make it super easy to root for him but Rob Sinclair skillfully adds a few chinks in Ryker’s lethal persona for character growth and allowing readers to resonate with Ryker. The hints to his secretive and crazily wild past have me ordering the previous books in the series.

Full disclaimer, there is a big twist that I didn't see coming and it left me absolutely stunned for a good full minute. This action thriller has everything an action thriller fan wants to read. It left me wanting more of Ryker, and it is a hard feat to accomplish if I have not read the previous books in the series. 

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The Bounty By Janet Evanovich

The Bounty is a great break from the mostly grim action thrillers, with a fun-filled adventure for a world war II era treasure in the most exotic locales, superb action sequences, witty humor, great characters, and a popcorn munching narrative.

FBI agent Kate O Hara and international con man Nick Fox are surveilling a thief hired to supposedly steal the Pope’s ring from The Vatican, when the culprit turns out to be Nick’s father with a much grander plan involving gold bars in buried Nazi train, and a Neo-Nazi group known as The Brotherhood. What follows is a fast-paced search for hidden clues leading to the treasure in formerly Axis powers-controlled countries. To make things spicy, the merry band team of Kate, Nick, and their dads have to deal with the constant meddling of red star tattooed Nazis, polar bears, avalanches, dune buggies, depth charges, and one admirably persistent Brotherhood lieutenant who simply refuses to die. It’s not the ideal family vacation but it is an incredibly fun experience for the readers.

I was worried about jumping in on the 7th book in the series without reading the previous ones. My worry was unfounded because the book is a standalone experience with just the right amount of background for each character to become quickly acquainted with them and focus on the new narrative. 

I was most impressed with the action sequences which depict detailed weaponry in the shootouts, and focused viewpoints in chases for an easy read-through. The action is infused with subtle humor in keeping with the overall breezy vibe of the story.

The Bounty is unlike any story I’ve read. After reading quite dark thrillers recently, I relished reading a light hearted thriller that may sound cheesy but is more humorous than cringe. I would love to see it adapted for the big screen!

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Red Widow By Alma Katsu

Red Widow is a fascinating cerebral spy thriller that reads like an old school spy thriller with ample focus on character development and well-written twists that are worth the slow burn narrative. Alma Katsu utilizes her real-life experiences in the CIA to create a riveting cat-and-mouse tale of spies and betrayals in the gray world of espionage.

Red Widow presents Lyndsey Duncan, known as the human lie detector for her uncanny ability to catch micro expressions and nuances of her targets, in a compromising situation which puts her under the spotlight for fraternizing with an agent from a foreign intelligence organization. She is suddenly brought onboard to investigate the deaths of several Russian assets of the CIA. With a mole suspected of leaking the identities of the CIA assets, one of whom Lynsey personally handled during her successful tenure in Russia, she has to treat everyone as a suspect. Even when the identity of the supposed mole is revealed halfway through ( only to readers ), the mystique simply continues with hidden agendas and WOW-level twists. Without spoiling the fun part, the best advice is to be ready for ANY possibility in the narrative. 

Red Widow benefits immensely from Alma Katsu’s real experiences in the CIA. The slow burn allows more time to understand and resonate with the realistic characters. The inner workings of CIA are presented with an authority and expertise that feel extremely interesting to read through, especially with how Lyndsey investigates the mole through the use of CIA tools and tradecraft. Switching the POV from Lyndsey to the mole and back is a superb technique to create an aura of a chess match where the readers are feverishly flipping the pages to see who comes out on top. 

The only weapons in this espionage thriller are the incredibly relatable characters that drive the story with intense emotions and personal stakes, and that is all the ammunition needed for this clever narrative. I found the characters to be extremely well-written with consistent development throughout the narrative to give insights into backstories that, when combined with the present actions of said characters, clarify prior twists and give rise to new turns in the story. 

Red Widow is a nail-biting story with growing tension of a showdown between a mole and a molehunter that pays off very well by the end. This story was just the tip of the iceberg, with an anxious cliffhanger that will have you wanting more! I am extremely excited to read more thrillers in this exquisite cerebral spy series by Alma Katsu. From the moment I read the first page to the moment I closed the book, I had no intention of putting the book down. 

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

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Murder By The Book
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The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen