Deadly Mistake By Rob Sinclair

Rob Sinclair continues his streak of hits with Deadly Mistake, packed with bone-crunching action and pedal to the metal pacing that makes this one heck of an entertaining thriller.

Simon Peake is living off the grid, as one can get, after suffering some grave wounds in the events of Dead Reckoning. A familiar face knocks on his door with a lucrative offer, if he helps dispose of a dead body of a woman. Only trouble is, she’s not really dead. Acting more on instinct to protect, he finds himself digging graves for more than he expected and creates some ripples large enough for criminal enterprises and some 3 letter alphabet agencies to come down on Peake. But Simon is nothing if not determined to take the fight to his adversaries.

Rob Sinclair finds some interesting ways to link espionage and crime genres together with an action-vehicle that keeps all your senses on high alert. From car chases to brutal gunfights, there’s no shortage of adrenaline. On top of that, Deadly Mistake packs riveting twists and turns that not only catch you off guard but twist the whole story on its head until you really can’t trust any character except for Simon Peake. The adrenaline-infused paranoia elevates the reading experience to much more satisfying heights. 

Deadly Mistake is an incredible thriller with all that you want to read in a fast-paced no-nonsense action-packed story to take your mind off a boring day.

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Kill Code By Alex Shaw

Alex Shaw brings back the deadly Ukrainian assassin that we loved in Wolf Six with some great insights into the character while keeping the pace revving on all cylinders. 

Ruslan Akulov finds himself in a plane, not sure how he got there. When the plane crashes, he washes ashore in a small town where he’s detained by shady town officials. If that wasn’t enough, he’s hunted by a face from his past, someone he wants to kill as badly. With new adversaries in play and old friends in danger, Akulov must navigate the threats and put an end to them before they can take him out first. 

Alex Shaw elevates the narrative with a very human touch to Akulov as a man who eats death for breakfast but still holds onto his moral code of exacting justice in a world where very rare amounts are dished out. Shaw concocts a grand storyline that weaves together the past and the present on a global scale as we not only see Akulov fight his way in the present but also get an excellent action-packed glimpse into his past that builds his character for much-appreciated resonance. If Akulov wasn’t one of your favorite assassins so far, he’s bound to become one as soon as you begin your journey with Kill Code. Whether you’re following Akulov on his quest for the truth, his thirst for vengeance, or his desire for penance, you’re in for a memorable read.

Kill Code is a winner, offering an engrossing and entertaining reading experience that combines cinematic action with fast-paced non-linear storytelling executed with finesse. 

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The Art Of A Lie By Laura Shepherd-Robinson

The Art of a Lie is a beautifully-haunting tale of love and violence by Laura Shepherd-Robinson. You’re going to finish it with a broken heart and a thoughtful mind that ponders over the intricacies of what makes us tick.

Set in the 18th Century, we’re introduced to Hannah Cole, a confectioner who’s dealing with the murder of her husband as part of a supposed robbery gone wrong. Barely able to make ends meet, all hope feels lost as the police investigation drains more and more of her lifeline, until she meets William Devereux. Sophisticated and charming, he pledges to help Hannah with her struggles by helping her with the mysterious circumstances around her husband’s death so the police can unfreeze her assets. But is he really the charming person he appears to be? Moreover, is she the unwitting lady she wants the police to think she is?

Even though I’m not one for romantic crime dramas, let alone historical, Laura Shepherd-Robinson won me over. Before I knew it, I was flying through the pages, mesmerized by how 18th century England came to life in my mind through the eloquent descriptions of the author. I found myself deeply invested in seeing the characters meet their fate, almost heartbreakingly. It helps that the story is shrouded in mystery, layering the narrative between well-timed and gut-wrenching twists that flip the narrative on its head repeatedly in the best possible ways.  You’re drawn to the characters in their plights and pain as much as their potential for good, and it’s all conveyed through the characters themselves, with the way they feel and behave that make them all the more real and meaningful for you to invest your emotions in. Even as I finished the book, I was shell-shocked to reel it all in, the enormity of the emotional complexity surrounding the characters’ actions as well as the nuanced nature of the ending.

The Art of a Lie is a fascinating crime drama that burrows into your brain and sits with you as you think back to the entire length of the book, finally unwinding from the suspense and thrills of the narrative. 

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Departure 37 By Scott Carson

Departure 37 is timely, terrifying, and builds upon the best of sci-fi horror genres resulting in one of the most-engaging books I have read this year.

How would the nation react if commercial pilots all over the country got an eerie call from their mothers with one message: “Do not fly today”? That’s the question Scott Carson, a sneaky pseudonym for Michael Koryta, poses in this narrative. Around the same time, a curious sixteen year old Charlie finds a mysterious balloon-like object crash landing near her place. What’s the connection, and how does it all trace back to a 1960’s top secret experiment that would have revolutionized warfare as much as Oppenheimer did, if not more?  These are the burning questions that you’re in store for with this terrific thriller.

This book succeeds at both piquing your curiosity as well as terrifying you past your bedtime. But instead of ghosts or creatures, Carson gives you reasons to fear mankind’s propensity for risking it all in the name of territorial squabbles when unexplained phenomena and scientific discoveries have the power to change the entire world. Seamlessly switching between the present day and the historical context, Carson propels this story to warrant your full attention, dangerously so because you won’t be paying attention to anything else until you get to the final page.

Departure 37 is the perfect read for folks who like their thrillers brimming with relevant topics, historical settings, simmering mystery, and relentless suspense.

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Last Chance By Stephen Leather

Stephen Leather is back with a Dan Shepherd aka Spider headlined thriller that pits the legendary spy against a syndicate of assassins operating on behalf of nation states to silence dissidents in the United Kingdom.

When opponents of the Iranian government are assassinated across the country, MI5 bequeaths the assignment of following the trail of bodies to the responsible parties to none other than Dan Shepherd who is known for getting results no matter what odds are stacked against him. The only question remains, how high must he go up the food chain to ferret out the problem and will that hit closer to home than anyone anticipates?

Last Chance shines with tactical authenticity, pragmatic characters and realistic tradecraft that focuses more on intelligence than brawn. Leather gives the narrative ample space to grow and evolve towards a rational conclusion, very much in-line with his propensity of keeping his Dan Shepherd series as close to tactical and espionage authenticity as possible. I immensely enjoyed the slow-burn nature of the investigation, with the natural flow of conversations and standoffs that pack the gritty rush of action when the time comes to take the gloves off.

Last Chance is an excellent addition to the Dan Shepherd series with a plethora of cool and nerdy insights into the world of intelligence gathering and covert operations. You’ll walk away satisfied yet craving for the next Stephen Leather book.

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Fade In By Kyle Mills

I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by Kyle Mills. He rejuvenated Mitch Rapp and kept a powerful legacy motoring full steam ahead. I was quite saddened when Mills’ departed from the series, but now I’m glad that he did because Fade In is the most fun I’ve had reading a thriller in a while. It’s creative, unorthodox and just what the doctor recommends if you’re looking for something new in the genre.

Ex-navy SEAL Salam al-Fayed, a.k.a. Fade, wakes up in a hospital, cheating death for yet another time after he stepped in the path of a sniper’s bullet to save a woman. He has dwindling prospects as a wanted man, until a shadowy organization reaches out to him with a new lease on life - rehabilitating him with mysterious science before unleashing him on his first mission: dealing with the power vacuum stemming from governments being rendered all but useless in the face of a handful of powerful entities controlling global interests. It’s a tall order, but for a man like Fade, it’s just another day at work.

Kyle Mills utilizes a completely distinctive writing style from his days with Mitch Rapp. Where he was previously writing legacy characters, he sets off on his own with Fade: an invigorating, witty, and highly-likable protagonist who you want in your corner when the going gets tough. He’s a sarcastic killing machine and he achieves his goals with a healthy blend of efficiency and style. His ethnicity enhances the narrative - adding some flavor to this fresh experience. 

The action sequences are fast paced and wonderfully succinct in conveying Fade as a force to be reckoned with, providing readers with all the necessary information in tactics and technical aspects while creating a cinematic and immersive experience without bogging down the pace. Very Kyle Mills indeed!

I believe a great thriller balances cool action with a fresh and exciting narrative that doesn’t feel like a rehash of something you’ve read way too many times. Fade In embodies that energy with cool twists and morally-gray character motivations that add a charismatic dimension to the story, ensuring you're invested all that much more. Kyle Mills’ take on a shadowy cabal with somewhat noble and highly pragmatic intentions hits you in the gut and will make you think a little harder about how this world has evolved over the recent years. 

The global stakes make me super excited for all the possible adventures Kyle Mills can pursue in his future Fade adventures, and if there’s anything I can say with certainty after reading Fade In, it’s that he’s creating one of the most fascinating protagonists in the thrillerverse.

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The Confessions By Paul Bradley Carr

The Confessions is a riveting, timely, and educational thriller that is perhaps the most powerful narrative I’ve read in the past year. Paul Bradley Carr’s take on AI and its influence on our day-to-day life is incredibly realistic and one of the most-interesting I have encountered.

In a world where everyone is dependent on AI to chart a course for their lives on a day to day basis, what’s the worst thing that can happen? Paul Bradley Carr answers the question in this story of such an AI inexplicably going offline and unresponsive. The sheer panic and unrest is matched only by the mystery of an assortment of letters being delivered around the world with supposedly each person’s sins that they must atone for. The CEO of the parent company overseeing this AI must pair up with an ex-nun who was there at the beginning to help the AI understand the true meaning of life. Can they get to the bottom of the mystery before the veiled devious plan fully executes? 

It’s impossible to read this narrative and not find stark similarities in our daily life. ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Bard are just a few examples of how ubiquitous AI is becoming for our society. We ask it to plan our day, our travels, our meals, and so much more. This realization makes The Confessions even scarier and more eerie with how it’s not so much of a far-fetched concept as one thought a decade ago. 

On top of mirroring our world, Carr infuses the story with a fast-pace that keeps your interest at maximum levels with one big twist after another. It’s thoroughly thrilling, superbly thought-provoking, and overall an absolutely engaging experience that will have you finishing it in two sittings if not just one prolonged session. The impact however is a long-lasting one as you find yourself pondering over the well-crafted ideas that Carr conveys through his taut writing. 

Hard to believe The Confessions is Carr’s debut in the thrillerverse because it feels like the work of a veteran who balances gritty and grounded human emotions, actions, and the grand stakes so adroitly without the slightest hiccup.

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An Even Chance Of Violence By Jethro Wegener

Jethro Wegener brings back 70’s pulpy action-packed fiestas in retro awesomeness with An Even Chance of Violence.

Hard-Hitting Straight-Talking Duke Gibbs can’t stand bullies. So naturally when he sees some picking on someone, Gibbs dispenses justice with a hard iron fist. That’s when he gets caught up in a cycle of violence aimed at a small community deemed hippie by the unruly racist folks occupying the nearby area. With disappearances racking up and innocent people getting murdered, Gibbs steps in because no one else will.

Wegener veers deep into the mystery and intrigue with this latest thriller, taking readers on a suspense-filled adventure through a historical and dark time in US history. That’s where Duke Gibbs shines more than ever in this environment as he grapples with his propensity for violence while understanding the need to balance out the scales of justice with an even chance of violence (wink-wink). Adding to the suspense-heavy narrative of Gibbs trying to figure out what the fuss is all about are some killer action sequences, particularly one where Gibbs wreaks havoc on the bad guys with his Colt Python and a classic M-14. The gritty and cinematic action sequences alone are worth the cost of admission. 

With such a larger than life protagonist, it’s easy to lose track of what makes such a character tick. However, Wegener maintains a laser-focus on further fleshing out Duke Gibbs as a resonating and engaging hero, despite his almost invincibility, and he does this by showing readers what makes Duke the man he is, through trials of kindness, compassion, and a thirst for justice when all seems to be hopeless.

An Even Chance of Violence is a fast-hitting thriller that pumps you full of adrenaline and excitement with its cool action and sublime storytelling.

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The Twilight Town By Terrence McCauley

Terrence McCauley writes a lean and compelling thriller taken straight from the history books but made so much more alive and tangible. You’ll be bound to look at certain events very differently after reading The Twilight Town.

It’s 1963 in Dallas and Dan Wilson, a Dallas PD Detective, is working undercover with the FBI to uncover a dirty captain in cahoots with the Dallas mob. With growing evidence of corruption that spans the biggest names in history, Dan must navigate a labyrinth of danger and misdirection before he himself becomes a target.

What stands out most in McCauley’s stellar writing is how real The Twilight Town feels. It becomes less like reading a story and more like reliving events of the past that were so beyond our initial comprehension. The lifelike and engaging characters each have their moment in the spotlight that make for a devastating spiral into destitute, or a motivational rise from the bottom. At its heart, The Twilight Town is a crime thriller that is filled to the brim with twists and turns that guarantee a riveting read.

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Supreme Justice By Eric Bishop

Supreme Justice is an enthralling ride through unbridled violence and high-tier suspense that’ll have you finishing this book in a single sitting.

Merci de Atta makes her triumphant return as a highly skilled and unrelenting assassin. Her latest contract puts her right in the crosshairs of a conspiracy involving the possible blackmail of a Supreme Court Associate Justice whose vote on a landmark case would have rippling consequences for all powers. At the same time, Nick Jordan, the current Body Man serving the office of the US President, contends with a haunting discovery of a list of names tied to a powerful secret. As both parties work to solve their crises, they’re bound to cross paths once again, in very unexpected ways.

Eric Bishop rages forward with timely stories, impressive characters, and a pacing that makes it almost impossible to find a good point in the narrative to take a breather. The story advances at lightning speed with gritty action and taut plot twists and turns that feel right at home in this political and espionage thriller. Bishop continues to outshine himself with each book and this one is by far my favorite one in his series. Merci de Atta is easily one of the most distinguished and intriguing assassins I’ve read in recent literature. The balance between her vulnerability in solvent moments and her icy-demeanor in the face of trauma and danger make for a compelling combo to dive into. She stole the spotlight in this one and rightfully so.

Eric Bishop cooks with his signature recipe of unyielding thrills in Supreme Justice. Be warned, the ending will make the wait quite unbearable until Bishop comes up with the next book. 

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Ghost Cell By Zac Topping

Ghost Cell is an action spectacle that throttles ahead with cinematic sequences of sheer mayhem and beautifully grim neo-noir setting of a maybe not so distant future. 

Ander Rade is a super soldier on the run from his previous employers after a rogue operation. He’s slumming it with the Russian Mafia when he gets roped back into the field by an old friend to go undercover with a new outfit that’s sprung up, calling itself Ghost Cell. It’s composed of rogue individuals like Rade, making him the perfect operative to slip in and find out what the cell’s enigmatic leader is up to. Further propelled by the fact that one of Rade’s former comrades is part of the Cell, he sets off on a mission to right some wrongs. Not only must he stay safe from dangerous operatives but he must also outwit a grand scheme of politics and genetic manipulation to uncover the dangerous secret of the Ghost Cell.

It’s my first time reading Zac Topping’s work but I’m convinced I’ll read whatever he puts out next, because Ghost Cell is my kind of thriller. The scale of the action sequences is insanely impressive. He spares no expense at highlighting Rade’s modified abilities as a killer with well-crafted and high adrenaline skirmishes that will have you at the edge of your seat with grand shootouts and brutal close quarters combat. The action works in tandem with stellar characterization of Ander Rade as a protagonist you easily gel with. Even if you haven’t read the first book, you’re able to get a great feel for Rade as a man with a haunted past who wishes nothing more than to reconnect with his people. It’s this simple yet powerful desire that forms the crux of his character arc.

Come for the futuristic action, stay for the wild and addictive ride through awesome twists and thrilling escapades of enhanced human beings and cutthroat politics. Ghost Cell is an incredibly fun and exciting thriller that gives you all that you want to read in a fast-paced twister of a read.

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The Blue Horse By Bruce Borgos

The Blue Horse is Bruce Borgos’s hat trick in the Porter Beck thrillers. He continues to evolve not just the characters but the writing in general to a cohesive and dynamic third installment that feels like the best one of them all.

Porter Beck has his work cut out for him when he witnesses a helicopter crash into the mountains. The situation worsens when the cause is a bullet found lodged in the pilot. Then comes the gnawing politics and scrupulous double crosses, but more than that, it’s a threat that hits close to home for Beck in ways he could never anticipate.

Bruce Borgos takes the best of both slow-burn and fast-paced thrillers and finds the sweet spot in between where investigative thrillers thrive. He starts the narrative on a slope, rounds off as the story gets fleshed out with more clues and twists and keeps a steady pace to ensure readers have ample time to both appreciate and prepare themselves for the discoveries, and then picks up the momentum again at the end for a highly satisfying conclusion. Throughout this all, he never leaves a moment to fall off course; every page feels vital to the narrative and every character plays an interesting role to advance the story with surprise revelations that catch you off-guard.

The Blue Horse is an excellent thriller that hits all the right notes for the most avid thriller aficionados and then some. If you like your modern stories with a touch of western and a lot of thrills, The Blue Horse is a must-read.

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The Elias Enigma By Simon Gervais

Simon Gervais dials up the high-octane adrenaline rush in The Elias Enigma that reads at the breakneck pace of a tomahawk missile.

Caspian Anderson, the venerable assassin codenamed Elias, is coming to grips with the realization that he was used as a pawn in a nefarious game of deception where his handler was effectively using Caspian on unjustified hits. On a personal mission to tie up loose ends, he catches a glimpse of his partner, Liesel Bergmann, where she shouldn’t have been. Before he can find a good answer to his gnawing suspicion, he finds himself facing another global conspiracy, one that involves his own parents. With little time and heavy consequences, it’s showtime for Caspian to put his skills as Elias to lethal use once again.

Simon Gervais hits all the correct notes in the symphony of fast-paced action and a scintillating story that evolves superbly with each chapter. The action sequences are ripe for a big screen adaptation, catering to that sweet blend of cinematic visuals and tactical gravitas to get your hearts racing. It’s all the more better because the action compliments the high-thrills story with an emotional drive for the protagonists and an international presence with descriptions that’ll make you forget you’re reading and not actually experiencing the high-stakes thrills and twists of the conspiracy. 

It’s evident that Caspian Anderson is here to stay as a remarkable protagonist who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. Be careful you don’t sit too close to the edge of your seat because The Elias Enigma brings you to the precipice with its non-stop excellence and high quality storytelling where you’re pressed to keep flipping the pages to uncover one suspenseful plot after another.

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Welcome To Cottonmouth By Jay S. Bell

Welcome to Cottonmouth is the kind of thriller you dive into when you’re looking for a killer weekend read: something hardcore and enthralling with an old-school approach to kick-assery.

Welcome to Cottonmouth, a secluded town in Texas. The folks here may seem harmless on the surface, but if you look at their redacted and classified rap sheet, you’ll find they’re no strangers to the world of espionage and violence. In fact, they are retired agents relocated for their own safety under the watchful eyes of the US government. This group is led by Devlin Mahoney, a man with his fair share of secrets. When he runs across two women running from dangerous criminals, Devin must choose between securing his team and saving the women from a very unfortunate fate.

Jay S Bell packs a lot of firepower centered around an impressive emotional core that adds gravitas to the fun thriller. There’s darkness to the core as well as a sense of urgency and intensity that make for a page-turning read. Devlin and his team are a delight to root for, flawed in their ways but nevertheless inspiring and determined to fight for justice. The small-town setting works great to help readers get familiar with the characters in a close-proximity setting before taking the finale to grander locales. 

I found myself easily hooked in and catapulted into the fray with the characters, feeling the adrenaline coursing in me during the gritty and intense action sequences that align with the realistic setting and fast-paced storytelling. The dynamic between the characters is fun and compelling, with intrigue and tension that infuse the story with great momentum.

This seems like a promising start of a new series and I am so excited to get onboard at the very beginning of the ride. Welcome To Cottonmouth is a thriller’s thriller.

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Edge Of Honor By Brad Thor

Brad Thor kicks up the perfect storm with his nail-bitingly intense new thriller that jolts you stronger than a double shot of caffeine. 

When Harvath comes back to the US after a blissful few months of honeymoon with his wife, he expects to leave his old life behind. But trouble has a way of finding him. Caught straight in the crosshairs of growing dissent among the public and the newest administration, Harvath must quickly navigate the quagmire of turning loyalties and dangerous threats to the country that are more internal than external. With the clock ticking, Harvath must fight his way to the truth.

Thor leaves no stone unturned in his mission to entertain readers as the intensity skyrockets from 0 to a 100 within just the first few pages. The action flows smooth like a hot knife through butter, both tactical and cinematic in its execution as Thor nails the chaotic but controlled energy of the action sequences. The action neatly compliments the crisp and fast-paced storytelling as Harvath unravels a conspiracy-laden thread of political maneuvering and violations, the likes of which beckon that we have people like Harvath at the frontlines of fighting for justice and truth. Like a heat-seeking missile, the narrative doesn’t lose momentum in its build-up towards a wild and unpredictable finale.

Edge of Honor stands tall in the sea of thrillers as a worthy addition to the Scot Harvath saga and keeps you coming back for more.

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The Medusa Protocol By Rob Hart

Rob Hart dishes out another great round of kickass philosophical conundrums in the form of an action-packed high octane thriller that not only lives up to its predecessor but exceeds it in a lot of ways. 

The Medusa Protocol sees Astrid (formerly known as the assassin called Azrael) caught up in a mysterious experiment where the group that took her begins to unravel her carefully hidden past. At the same time, her sponsor for Assassins Anonymous, Mark, worries for her abrupt disappearance. The clock’s ticking for Astrid, Mark, and his group of former assassins-turned friends to get to the bottom of the mystery while evading trained killers on their trail.

Rob Hart punches straight in the gut with heavy emotions and fast-paced writing that gel together for a riveting experience without compromising the heart of the narrative. How do killers survive in their world of kill or be killed if they shall no longer kill? That’s the question Rob Hart answers once more in The Medusa Protocol with ingenuity and class. Even as a form of entertainment, the question of the value of a human life and what it means to take one is explored with beautiful subtlety and nuance throughout the story. 

If you’re worried that the emphasis on non-lethal combat may dim the action, you needn’t be concerned. Hart finds fun ways to amp up the action and there are some cool hand-to-hand combat sequences that will immensely please readers craving some hardcore action.

The Medusa Protocol is philosophy and fun-filled action and suspense all-in-one packaging meant to deliver the most out of your reading experience. I love that the story stands on its own with fresh ideas and clever execution.

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Dead Reckoning By Rob Sinclair

Rob Sinclair’s Dead Reckoning hit me like a surprise freight train where I went in blind and found myself reading through a riveting crime drama with tactical action and an exciting protagonist.

Simon Peake is looking for a job. Fresh out of prison for dishing out justice in a violent manner, he says he wants a quiet life but falls in with an Irish mobster. It doesn’t help that he’s also attracted to the mobster’s niece but he makes it work. It’s only when his past catches up to him that he must find a way to protect those he loves before he finds himself in a precarious situation as a prey of those who have a vendetta against him.

Sinclair writes an all-engrossing story that captures the high tactical features of a military/espionage action read and infuses them with the gritty crime drama spectacle that I found very compelling, especially as a fan of Don Winslow’s work. This all rides on the perspective of Simon Peake as an underdog hero who tries to live a simple life after a lifetime of violence but just can’t catch a break. His dilemmas are meaningful and handled with messy and frustrating realities of life where the protagonist doesn’t get to play the hero and come out unscathed. 

Dead Reckoning brings you the perfect blend of drama and action with a captivatingly flawed but root-worthy protagonist of whom you’ll want to read more, as soon as possible.

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Blunt Force By Aiden Bailey

Blunt Force is an action-driven narrative that hits hard and fast like its name and dazzles you with cool and creative action sequences that you wish would be adapted for the big screen in the near future.

Aiden Bailey kicks off this new entry with an exciting action sequence much like a Bond movie where Mark Pierce battles a Russian assassin on rooftops and enclosed trenches in a fight to the death. Pierce is then assigned to do a deeper investigation of a leak that has powerful entities on the hunt for the material, killing any and all journalists associated with it. Can Pierce get to the surviving journalists and prevent the material from falling into the wrong hands? 

If nothing else, Bailey’s stories are full of adventure and adrenaline-pumping scenarios fleshed out for an immersive reading experience. Luckily, we’re treated to a lot more than action with stunning locales, high suspense, and intriguing characters, particularly the protagonist who continues to remain a mystery but with some new clues revealed to his enigmatic past. Fans of the series are in for a marvelous treat as Bailey takes the characters on the road across volcanic scenery and urban centers with bursts of energetic action. 

Blunt Force is an action fan’s thriller with just about everything you crave to read when you’re jonesing for an adrenaline rush. 

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

Blood Feud By Martin Rooney

Blood Feud is a broiling tale of murderous rampage and unfiltered chaos. It’s these dark qualities that make Martin Rooney’s fiction debut a real killer.

Lee Cain is nobody’s idea of a hero. Abrasive, mean, maybe even a little bigoted, these are not necessarily heroic qualities. But he’s a fighter. Whether it’s cancer, drunks, assassins or a shadowy organization hell-bent on protecting their secrets of immortality, Cain will beat the heck out of anyone in his path. Bring it on for Lee Cain, the man’s a killer.

One of the most mesmerizing qualities of the narrative is its hard-knuckled action. You don’t really feel Cain’s ever in mortal danger, but that doesn’t prevent the amount of thrills delivered per page as Cain takes out his adversaries with brutal efficiency. The fight scenes are meticulously crafted with a punch-by-punch breakdown of each grapple, choke, and lock, powered by Rooney’s own skillset of MMA fighters. 

Lee Cain’s personality is a very bold and intriguing choice by Rooney. It’s not an easy decision to have a lead that doesn’t speak to the best of your qualities, but maybe that’s why the narrative works. The pulpy characterization fits the dark and violent core and works as a cautionary tale of a man subject to abuse and violence as a child who grows up to embody evil and hatred. That much is conveyed hauntingly well by Rooney through troubling flashbacks into Cain’s childhood.  

Blood Feud is just the beginning of what is shaping up to be an enthralling series and I am pumped to see this story fleshed out further with its set of very flawed and human characters and situations.

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Purchase Blood Feud
(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 Palace Of Sinners And Saints By Ammar Merchant

The Palace of Sinners and Saints is a brutally fun time for action readers who like their protagonist to be unabashedly awesome and badass. Ammar Merchant shows great talent in crafting powerful and feral action sequences that make a lasting impression, an impressive feat given that it’s his debut.

Irfan Mirza is a freelance operative who lends his violent and aggressive skillset to the cause of helping those in trouble. He was kidnapped as a child and indoctrinated into becoming a fearsome assassin who ultimately broke out of the mold to fight for the right reasons. When a despotic king in a Middle Eastern kingdom, known for suppressing his opponents by making them disappear, sets his sights on a woman, he is not aware that would be his undoing. For that woman is Irfan’s foster sister. Spiraling into a personal rampage, Irfan kicks off a mission to infiltrate a 12th-century Middle Eastern castle turned black-site prison with a small band of specialists. Never count Mirza out, especially as long as he breathes.

Irfan Mirza’s introduction goes down as one of the most smashing and captivating moments I’ve read. Suave and cool yet so feral and wild, it sets the tone for Mirza as a character. Merchant builds up the foundation for Mirza as a force to be reckoned with through showing us these character-making sequences as opposed to simply dropping anecdotes. It goes a long way in establishing this debut protagonist as one of the most compelling characters in the thrillerverse.

Merchant takes the road not taken by setting Irfan Mirza as a man hailing from Pakistan and a practicing Muslim. But these are far from brownie points to write a distinctive character. Ammar Merchant takes full advantage of this cultural shift in the genre to help flesh out Mirza as a complex and layered character who is flawed enough to actually exist yet has admirable qualities and principles from his culture that make him someone to root for, a gentleman in an ungentlemanly time.

There’s plenty of fuel in this action-packed ride with bike chases, hand to hand combat, shootouts, and after all, a full-blown infiltration into a castle with tons of explosions. However, my favorites have to be the bike chase being one heck of an adrenaline rush and all of the close quarters combat sequences where Irfan’s fighting style can only be described as that of a giant who simply tramples his opponents. 

Ammar Merchant made an immediate impression on me with The Palace of Sinners and Saints that not only kept me energized with action but also made me crave to know more about Mirza’s past as well as what he’ll be up to next. This is an exciting thriller that stands on its own unique takes on the fundamentals of the genre and I can’t wait to read what Merchant follows this up with next. 

Follow Kashif on Twitter or contact him via the site.

Purchase The Palace Of Sinners And Saints
(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

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