Steve Netter

July 11, 2026

Meet BTB Reviewer Steve Netter

Steve Netter

July 11, 2026

Background: Born and raised on the East Coast, I now live on the West Coast after stints in the Midwest and Southwest. Married for 20+ years with 2 kids nicknamed "The Clown Show." Huge sports fan (Go Hoosiers!), addicted to good food, appreciate live theatre and music, enjoy camping & hiking...oh yeah, I also love reading thrillers and military non-fiction.

Go-To Author: William Kent Krueger. His Cork O’Connor series is incredible. I started with Lightning Strike and then rapidly read the entire series. It’s a collection of great writing filled with suspense, emotion, wisdom and fantastic characters. Each book teaches me something, makes me think deeply about my own life and actions, and reading each one for the first time is like a spiritual experience. Then there’s William Kent Krueger’s standalone novels. Wow! They’re breathtaking literature. Can’t wait to see what comes next from this fantastic author.

Author People Should Discover: Lee Goldberg. Everything he writes is engaging and entertaining. His Eve Ronin series is fantastic, chock full of great characters with stories you can't get enough of. And his standalone books, namely Calico and the upcoming 2026 release Murder by Design, are up there with some of the most interesting and unforgettable thrillers you'll ever read.

Books You Would Recommend From 2025:
Red Tide by MP Woodward. An explosive, emotionally powerful, and frighteningly realistic military thriller.

Cry Havoc by Jack Carr. A masterclass in blending storytelling with real-life events, expertly blurring the lines between fact and fiction.

Apostle's Cove by William Kent Krueger. Crafted with precision and purpose to achieve storytelling perfection.

Most-Anticipated Book Of 2026: Dirty 20 by Bill Schweigart. A new thriller by a great author and even better dude, this book that's billed as The Sopranos meets Dungeons and Dragons promises to deliver one hell of an entertaining story.

Favorite Local/Indie Bookstore: Powell's in Portland, OR. One of my favorite things to do is to get lost for hours in the stacks at Powell's, checking out their amazing selection of books. It's one of the largest independent bookstores in the world, but more importantly it serves as my happy place.

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Steve Netter

July 11, 2026

One Of Us Is Guilty By Steve Cavanagh

Steve Netter

July 11, 2026

One of Us Is Guilty is an exhilarating legal thriller that takes readers on a roller coaster filled with emotional twists, dark turns and numerous "oh shit!" moments. Steve Cavanagh's propensity for propulsive storytelling is on full display in this latest installment of the brilliant Eddie Flynn series.

Patrick and Vanessa Vanderpool are married, insanely wealthy, and individually suspected of murdering an aide on Patrick's political campaign for Governor with whom Patrick is also having an affair. Eddie Flynn, an attorney and former con man known for doing whatever it takes to win difficult cases for his innocent clients, is hired to represent Vanessa. Putting Eddie in the crosshairs of the rich, influential, and unscrupulous patriarch of the Vanderpool family. Ignoring the increasing danger to himself and those around him, Eddie digs in and does what he does best: find a way to exonerate his client by any means necessary. But this time, he has a better chance of being killed and buried in the woods than defeating the powers lined up against him.

This series never disappoints and One of Us Is Guilty is a thrilling new edition that elicits strong reactions while keeping you guessing. Eddie Flynn is in top form, maneuvering in ways only he can despite the odds stacked against him, threading the needle of ethical ambiguity that allows him to adhere to his own moral code while simultaneously testing the boundaries of lawful and honorable behavior. Meanwhile, his team adds significantly to the story with their relentlessness and toughness as they journey into the belly of the beast to get the evidence needed to support Eddie's strategy. Not to mention the agendas, both hidden and overt, of the Vanderpools and the murder victim, all of which provides enough doubt and uncertainty to how events will conclude. Setting up showdowns inside and outside the courtroom with multiple lives hanging in the balance.

One of Us Is Guilty is compelling, engaging and gripping in ways that make it impossible to put down this book without it beckoning you to pick it back up in short order. Perfect for anyone who loves a dramatic story with formidable villains stacking the deck against the underestimated underdogs who are no shrinking violets, turning the dangerous tables and bringing justice to those who think they're above the law.

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

Steven Netter

May 30, 2026

The Rust Forest By Anders de la Motte

Steven Netter

May 30, 2026

Dark, intense and gritty, The Rust Forest is a haunting thriller that gets under your skin and sets up shop for the duration. Anders de la Motte has delivered another unsettling novel that takes you on a foreboding journey through the shadows that will leave you shook.

With a path out of purgatory all but assured, Detective Leo Asker is handed a tempting cold case by her nemesis Jonas Hellman that he knows she cannot refuse and one that could torpedo her promotion. The case is a murder of a young woman from a decade ago, presumably by the woman’s husband who has since disappeared without a trace. With fierce determination to solve this case, Asker pulls in her friend and urban explorer Martin Hill for assistance. Despite unresolved feelings and issues between then, Asker and Hill use their complimentary skills to dig into the case, find new clues and get information from key individuals. But when signs point to a conspiracy that hits too close to home, Asker must decide: play ball to save her career or take down those who are responsible no matter the personal consequences.

This is a thriller that has an abundance of suspense and growing sense of dread that will keep you on edge and questioning everything that occurs. Whether it’s the fear, paranoia, trauma and folklore that is rooted in the Rust Forest and fueled by its inhabitants, or the corruption, lies, secrets and emotional weight arising from workplace politics and family/personal relationship dynamics, everything comes together to create a slow-burning tension that continues to rise until it violently explodes. Leaving no one unscathed.

The Rust Forest is a psychological thriller designed for those who enjoy noir, well-developed characters, and an ominous, layered plot. It provokes thought, shreds your nerves and engages you in a chilling exploration of fear, trauma and the evil that lurks in the darkness. A fantastic third edition to this unnerving and entertaining series.

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

Steven Netter

May 16, 2026

Dark Country By Adam Plantinga

Steven Netter

May 16, 2026

Dark Country is a relentless, brutal and emotional tale that forces the flawed hero to face off against horrifying brutality and morally reprehensible motives, providing the reader permission to enjoy the hell out of the sweet violence visited upon the bad guys. Adam Plantinga has delivered another hard-hitting, tension-fueled thriller that you won’t be able to put down.

Kurt Argento is hiding out in South Dakota, wanted by law enforcement and a brutal cartel for events that recently took place in Arizona. Living in a church basement in exchange for tending to the grounds, it’s a simple existence that gives him time to work through his haunted past. Then he meets Majed, a teenage Syrian refugee being pursued by powerful forces for reasons he doesn’t understand. Argento takes to the young man, helps him escape the immediate danger, and gets entangled in a deadly game against psychotic operators who always get the job done. But Argento is street wise and street tough from his days as a Detroit cop. And he will do everything in his power, until his dying breath, to keep Majed safe.

Dark Country will have you on the edge of your seat, captivated by the suspense it builds in between explosive acts of violence. There’s constant danger and intrigue that propels the story forward in a way that commands you to read faster in a desperate attempt to see how things end. But this isn’t one of those thrillers that’s only about the action, despite there being plenty of it. Rather, this is a story about finding redemption. About living by a moral code that focuses on helping people while asking the question if it’s ok to hurt, maim and/or kill bad people in the process. And it’s about learning to live with your past to find a way forward. Deep topics designed to make you think while being entertained by vicious and unforgiving events.

The Kurt Argento series is fantastic and worth your time. It’s intense, high-octane, unrelenting stuff that has everything a thriller fan could want. If you’re not already reading this series, now’s a great time to start.

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Purchase Dark Country
(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

Steven Netter

May 16, 2026

Split Screen By Lee Goldberg

Steven Netter

May 16, 2026

Propulsive, explosive and ridiculously entertaining, Split Screen is a relentlessly fast-paced, amusing and intense police procedural that keeps you engaged as you turn pages with desperate urgency to see how everything turns out. It’s another Lee Goldberg special: a twisting, turning novel that’s fun as hell to read.

LASD Detective Eve Ronin is once again in the center of dramatic events. The new Sheriff coerces Eve to leverage her fame to bring positive press to the department. A famous actress is found dead in her home of a suspected drug overdose. Another actress, the one who plays Eve in the television series about her life, is gunned down in a restaurant. A doctor is found brutally murdered in the parking lot of his practice. An explosion rocks the LASD’s Lost Hills location. Eve’s half sister is caught up in a criminal enterprise that puts her life at risk. And Eve will stop at nothing, including disobeying direct orders, to get to the bottom of every one of these events.

There is so much going on in this book that it doesn’t let you breathe for a moment. But it’s not overwhelming or overcooked in any way. The storylines are complementary and cohesive, the action and investigations are purposeful, and the character development is on point. And with the acknowledgement that Eve will do whatever she wants, it frees up everything and everyone to just go with the flow to let her do what she does best. Which is to solve crimes and put bad guys in jail. Even if it repeatedly puts herself in the line of fire and forces her partner, Duncan “Donuts” Pavone, to continue postponing his retirement to protect Eve from herself. Which is actually great news since Duncan is the clear fan favorite character in this series.

Seven editions into this series and it’s still firing on all cylinders. It’s one of my favorites in the thriller genre and I highly recommend giving it a shot if you haven’t already started it. But if you’re already familiar with Eve Ronin and her exploits, you’re in for a huge treat with Split Screen. It’s excellent!

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Purchase Split Screen
(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

Steven Netter

May 16, 2026

Die Famous By Michael Koryta

Steven Netter

May 16, 2026

Exhilarating and contemplative. Beautiful and tragic. Powerful and emotional. Die Famous thrills you with tales of gangsters, heists and romance while tugging on your heartstrings through a young boy’s journey of self-discovery and his mother’s search for redemption. Michael Koryta has forged and unleashed an epic, layered and indelible tale that echoes in your mind long after the saga’s final reckoning.

Savannah Cody decides two things at roughly the same time: it’s time to be a real mother to her son and she’s going to murder the boy’s father. The father, Eddie “Nickel” Terhune, is on the crew of the infamous Brady Gang, notorious gangsters listed as public enemy number one by the FBI. Arrested herself for her connection and involvement with Nickel and the crimes he’s accused of committing, she has one shot to avoid the electric chair by providing information on the whereabouts of the gang. Joined by her twelve-year-old son Alford and her loving but disapproving father, they set off on a mission from Indiana to Maine to track down Nickel and his associates. Men who don’t want to be found, but also can’t stay away from the next big score.

This is a tremendous and memorable novel driven by phenomenal characters. Deep, complex and incredibly well developed. Each on their own journey of self-discovery filled with love and heartbreak, hope and regret, while facing endless possibilities raging against the seemingly inevitable. Connections form that make it impossible to stop from getting emotionally invested in the outcome, wishing for a redemptive happy ending that deep down you’re not sure everyone deserves but still hope they find.

But this is also a crime novel. With audacious criminal activity, sending bullets flying and resulting in manhunts across the country. Death and destruction left in the wake of a crew led by a man incapable of remorse and in search of fame and fortune procured through nefarious means during a time that romanticized gangsters. Providing intensity and crackling electricity throughout a story that transcends the crime thriller. Ascending into the rarified air that only a truly extraordinary book can bring a reader. That of a story that you know is special because you feel in your bones and understand it will stick with you for a long, long time.

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

Steven Netter

May 16, 2026

London Station By David McCloskey

Steven Netter

May 16, 2026

Fully immersive and brimming with insider knowledge, London Station is the leader in the clubhouse for this year's most authentic espionage thriller. David McCloskey has crafted a propulsive, thought-provoking novel, using his firsthand experience to infuse every page with a level of realism few authors can match.

Following the transition to a new United States administration, a dramatic shift in leadership at the CIA sends shockwaves through one of the intelligence community's most trusted alliances, significantly straining the agency's relationship with British intelligence. As suspicion replaces cooperation, Artemis Procter, the CIA's new chief in London, finds herself facing conflicting orders and a rapidly escalating crisis after a series of covert operatives are mysteriously killed. With political agendas threatening to undermine decades of collaboration, Procter and her team must determine where their loyalties truly lie while racing to uncover the force driving the deadly campaign.

London Station burrows beneath your skin and settles deep in your mind. It begins with richly developed characters who evoke strong emotions…some of whom you'll be tempted to shove down a flight of stairs. From there, McCloskey immerses readers in the intricate world of espionage, where tradecraft, asset handling, clandestine operations, and calculated deception unfold with remarkable authenticity. The result is a masterfully told thriller that delivers a front-row seat to an intelligence war with enormous geopolitical stakes, dripping with insider details that will make you feel less like an observer and more like a participant.

London Station is as real as it gets without going through covert training at The Farm. A chance to feel like a spy from the comfort of your own living room, where the only danger comes from ignoring your family and friends as you fly through this fantastic, unputdownable story.

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Purchase London Station
(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

Steven Netter

May 7, 2026

Beyond Honor By K.B. Brodsky

Steven Netter

May 7, 2026

Nerve-wracking, relentlessly suspenseful and emotionally gripping, Beyond Honor is a thrilling tale of espionage and deceit, brotherhood and family, politics and capitalism, and how far some will push the envelope to beat their adversaries. K.B. Brodsky delivers an enthralling, nail-biting tale that pays homage to the great spy novels of years past with a contemporary edge.

CIA analyst Whiney Skyler uncovers a financial conspiracy involving the Russians that has compromised an American real estate developer with a close friendship to the US President. CIA paramilitary operative Kevin Rhoads, reeling from the devastating results of a recent military operation, undertakes a dangerous solo mission deep into Siberia as the result of a CIA director leveraging Skyler’s intelligence to save an American agent from a Russian black site. Putting Skyler in a difficult spot of being unable to share vital information with Rhoads, a man she has come to love. And when Rhoads learns the truth, it sets off a mission of personal vengeance that disobeys direct orders and makes him a fugitive from the agency and country he served with distinction.

Beyond Honor is the merging of old school espionage novels with modern day military thrillers. Pitting US and Russian intelligence agencies against each other in ways that would make Jason Matthew’s Red Sparrow and Nelson DeMille’s The Charm School proud. And bringing the emotion and kinetic action of paramilitary operations that show the influence of Jack Carr’s The Terminal List and Mark Greaney’s Gray Man series. It keeps readers on their toes for most of the book by navigating between multiple threads to avoid predictability, before converging into a linear sprint to the finish with an almost certain outcome that leads to a cliffhanger finish, brilliantly keeping multiple possibilities available for the future of this nascent series.

If you love spy novels and military thrillers, this is a debut you can’t afford to miss. The beginning of a new series with excellently crafted characters, complex geopolitical and intelligence maneuvering, and explosive action.

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Purchase Beyond Honor
(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

Steven Netter

March 30, 2026

The Shadow Friends By Tess Gerritsen

Steven Netter

March 30, 2026

The Shadow Friends proves that just despite advancing in age your experience brings value that can impact the world, especially with the power of friendship on your side. Tess Gerritsen delivers another wonderfully fun and intense spy novel that grabs you early and keeps you engaged to the bitter end.

An infectious disease expert dies during a conference in Purity, Maine. He also happens to be a Russian defector, putting his death into a suspicious light that activates an investigation by the local friend group of CIA operatives known as The Martini Club. As the search for the truth evolves, it brings up emotional memories of a past mission for Ingrid Slocum, leading her to go off the grid with a former colleague/lover to draw out an enemy that escaped their grasp decades ago. While the rest of the group continue to probe back in New England, friendships and alliances will be questioned and they must rely on old skills to stay safe and avoid the death of those close to them.

This novel, and the series overall, is a wonderful departure from the typical testosterone-fueled and weapons-porn type of thriller, offering something cerebral and contemplative without sacrificing action and intrigue. It relies on the experience and skills honed over decades by wily vets of the espionage game. The Shadow Friends also provides a sliding door storyline that everyone can relate to. Thinking about a time in our lives where we reached a critical decision point, and even if things worked out you still wonder how picking the other option would have turned out. The exploration of this theme within a captivating, suspenseful and unpredictable story works fantastically well.

Grab your favorite cocktail, cozy up on the couch and enjoy watching the exhilarating work of seasoned operatives who might be out of the game, but the game isn’t out of them.

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Purchase The Shadow Friends
(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

Steve Netter

March 29, 2026

You Know Why By J.T. Ellison

Steve Netter

March 29, 2026

Dramatic, anxiety-inducing and with Single White Female vibes, You Know Why will hold you in suspense as you scream out loud at the characters and hang your head in despair as they ignore the warnings they cannot hear. J.T. Ellison has crafted a brilliant psychological domestic thriller that you feel with your whole being, giving you heart palpitations and a pounding pulse.

What begins as a holiday trip to Italy turns into a nightmare when Brooklyn Locke’s husband disappears at the airport without a trace. Searching for answers, she accepts help from a fellow traveler who claims a disturbing connection to Trey’s past and a decades-old murder. As Brooklyn struggles to make sense of the situation, a sudden, life-threatening incident leaves her vulnerable and increasingly dependent on someone she doesn’t trust. With doubts mounting and secrets surfacing, she’s forced to question everything she thought she knew about her husband, her family and her marriage. As the truth closes in, Brooklyn realizes she may be walking straight into a carefully set trap and needs to find a way to survive long enough to turn the tables on her tormentor.

I cannot stress enough how brilliantly stressful You Know Why is for the reader. J.T. Ellison does a masterful job of dripping information to the reader in a way that characters don’t see at the same time. Meaning the reader has insight that others don’t and it threatens to drive you nuts as you watch Brooklyn try to figure out what you’ve already pieced together. You’ll literally yell at her to do certain things and vibrate with anger when she doesn’t. Making this novel one of those exceptional stories that invades your bones and sets up shop for the duration. Leaving a lasting and powerful impression that you’re unable to shake for weeks afterward.

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Purchase You Know Why
(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

Steve Netter

March 28, 2026

Heart Of Glass By Jennifer Hillier

Steve Netter

March 28, 2026

Heart of Glass is a deliciously dramatic print version of reality TV and true crime documentaries coming together to deliver an addictive, guilty pleasure story you can’t look away from. Jennifer Hillier has crafted a twisting, turning, suspenseful thriller that maintains relentless intensity from beginning to end.

A serial killer, serving life sentences for five murders he confessed to, recants his confession to one of the murders on a true crime documentary. The body of a reality TV personality washes up on the shore of Seaside, Washington. For Barb and Nicolette, these events bring up painful memories of twenty-five years ago when their best friend Lorelei was killed…and the secret they swore to keep forever. With Nicolette grappling with her difficult childhood and the trappings of being famous, and Barb stuck in their hometown and finding it tough to have a successful relationship with anyone, their lives have not exactly turned out the way they had expected. Now, they must face the reality of what happened all those years ago and maybe find some peace in the horrible truth finally getting exposed.

On the surface, this is a crime thriller with a reporter trying to get to the truth about a murder and a missing person. And that would be enough to satisfy anyone looking for an intense storyline to lose themselves in. However, there’s so much more to Heart of Glass. It’s filled with drama that hits you from different angles. A killer recanting his confession, broken friendships, family conflict, reality stars behaving badly, relationship problems, and a whole trunk full of bad memories and inappropriate events from years ago. No shortage of oh-shit moments that make the story unpredictable and unputdownable.

It’s juicy and spicy, voyeuristic and indulgent, layered and complex, gripping and satisfying. Another wildly entertaining thriller from an author who always delivers.

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Purchase Heart Of Glass
(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

Steven Netter

March 24, 2026

God's Country By William Kent Krueger

Steven Netter

March 24, 2026

Emotional, dark and suspenseful, God’s Country will have you on the edge of your seat as you sweat out Cork O’Connor’s fate at the hands of dangerously desperate criminals. William Kent Krueger has once again delivered an immersive and engrossing tale that hits with a powerful intensity and rocks you to your core.

Cork O’Connor is preparing for a family outing into the Boundary Waters when he’s struck with an ominous vision. Jarring enough on its own, it is only heightened by the visions shared by his son and grandson. Undeterred, they commence the trip, only to find signs of environmental disrespect and violence that puts Cork on edge. Sending his family back home to alert the authorities, Cork presses on and runs into two brothers who are seeking the hidden fortune from their murderous father. As the threat to himself and others increases, Cork must wrestle with a darkness that settles inside him which unleashes a thirst for vigilante justice that betrays his law enforcement background. But one thing is for sure, Cork would rather die than let a pair of criminals hurt any innocent people.

Usually, every new release in this series feeds my soul and provides an uplifting spiritual experience. Not so this time given the feature of a darkness so immense it wars against the light. It’s raw and vicious. And unlike most of the prior books in this series, Cork’s family and community are ancillary characters (though still important) as the narrative focuses on Cork himself, his mindset, and how far he will go when pushed to the limit. Providing more depth and perspective on a character we thought we knew everything about already. And as unsettling and unexpected as this is, it’s a treat for long-term readers to be involved in this part of Cork’s journey.

And speaking of perspective, for God’s Country William Kent Krueger decided to shake things up and write this story from the first-person perspective. Bringing a freshness to this brilliant series that is twenty-one editions deep by putting readers squarely in the mind of Cork O’Connor. For better or worse, we get a front row seat to his mental struggle between Cork’s natural inclination to do good for those who have earned it and his impulse to cause serious and violent harm to those who deserve it. Providing an exploration of the potential darkness inside the protectors who stand between us and evil. And providing fans with a different look at our honorable and steadfast protagonist.

It also ends with significant questions that we will have to wait to have answered in the next book. Which can’t get here quickly enough. With nothing short of Cork’s soul on the line, it promises to be a poignant and memorable story. Building another layer of greatness on top of the best series in print today.

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Purchase God's Country
(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

Steven Netter

March 14, 2026

What They Did By Rio Youers

Steven Netter

March 14, 2026

What They Did is a suspenseful, dark and emotional tale of family and friendship, trauma and grief, regret and redemption. Brimming with a simmering intensity and a growing sense of dread and desperation as the inevitability of poor decisions begin closing in. Rio Youers has done it again! Delivering a captivating and weighty reading experience you won’t soon forget.

Twenty-four years ago, best friends Carly Rivers and Dana Lee were involved in a tragic experience that set their lives on separate paths. Carly became a police officer while Dana found herself working for a charismatic and dangerous drug dealer. Making a pact to never discuss what happened to them all those years ago, they had fallen out of touch until Carly’s husband is killed in the line of duty and her son, Anthony, ends up in Dana’s backyard making bad choices. Reconnecting isn’t easy, especially with the secret of their past hovering over their heads. But with Anthony’s life in danger, they come together one more time to do what is necessary to keep someone they love from harm.

This is one of those great books that features a duality of storytelling, one moment thrilling readers with a story about crime and violence then delivering emotional gut punches that resonate with anyone who has deeply cared for someone. The thriller side has well-developed characters readers will get invested in, a tremendously developed plot that drives the book forward with urgency, and high-intensity moments that will leave you breathless. The emotional side contains a soul-searching exploration of handling grief and trauma, what family means to us and the lengths we go to protect those we love, and how true friendship never dies no matter time, space and distance. This combination comes together flawlessly to create a novel that is impossible to put down and difficult to get out of your head.

Another brilliantly crafted thriller by Rio Youers. One that’s destined to be an award winner, gracing many lists of top books for 2026 and a favorite of readers everywhere.

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Purchase What They Did
(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

Steve Netter

February 21, 2026

Backtrack By Marc Cameron

Steve Netter

February 21, 2026

Backtrack is a phenomenally written book filled with action, suspense, emotion and family. A brilliantly crafted tale of past and present. Another home run from the pen of the great Marc Cameron!

In 1977, D. Wayne Cutter is a Deputy Sherrif in Texas who kills a suspect in an armored car heist and then leads a manhunt of the other suspects, leading to their arrest and conviction of a 15-year-old to a life sentence. In 2026, Deputy U.S. Marshal Arliss Cutter, D. Wayne’s grandson, gets a call from one of his ex-wives that she suspects she’s being followed on an Alaskan cruise. With a reputation of always coming to the rescue, Arliss goes to check it out and quickly becomes entangled in a dangerous showdown with someone hellbent on getting revenge against the Cutter family or events from almost 50 years ago. Oh, and there’s the small matter of $15M in missing diamonds to make things even more interesting.

For 7 previous books in this series, readers have gotten a glimpse into the man known as Grumpy Cutter, Arliss’ grandfather who raised him. Now in Backtrack, the brilliant usage of dual timelines allows us to see Grumpy in action, learn more about what made him tick, and see the beginnings of his wisdom that he passes down to Arliss. And it’s even more fantastic as fans of this series could have hoped for. Shootouts, manhunting, tracking, showing a young deputy the ropes, going through the emotional situation with his wife, and more is not only a way to provide insight into how Arliss turns out the way he does, but gives us the gift of getting to know Grumpy at a deep level.

But there’s also the modern-day storyline with Arliss coming to the aid of one of his ex-wives, doing what he does best in protecting and serving. With his trusty partner by his side, he dives headfirst into a complicated situation to do what he believes is right, despite the unknown level of lethal danger coming his way. But when the time comes to face that danger, he’s as cool as a cucumber and takes care of business.

The result of these two storylines coming together is one hell of a fun story that advances reader’s understanding and appreciation of these characters. Furthering the depth of connection we have with them. And solidifying this as one of the best law enforcement thriller series in the genre today.

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Purchase Backtrack
(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

Steve Netter

February 20, 2026

Desert Heist By Alex Dekker

Steve Netter

February 20, 2026

Desert Heist is an epic, high-adrenaline, cinematic adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It’s a cross between Indiana Jones and Three Kings, making for a dramatic, intense and incredibly entertaining thrill ride through the desert of Saudi Arabia and the sands of time. A smashing debut by Alex Dekker!

Nate Wilde is a former Green Beret turned student pursuing a PhD in Archaeology at Harvard. Trying to move on from the tragic events at the end of his military career, he pours himself into a dissertation proposal to find the lost Saudi Arabian city of Ubar. When his proposal is rejected, Nate decides he won’t give up that easily and seeks more evidence to gain approval. Teaming up with several of his former teammates and a geologist seeking her missing father, they illegal enter Saudi Arabia via Yemen and quickly find themselves pursued by al Qaeda terrorists and a former Spetsnaz soldier whose orders from a shadowy organization are to stop Nate and his team by any means necessary. Kicking off a life-or-death race against the clock with serious global ramifications on the line. And Nate will not be deterred from achieving his goal. By any means necessary.

The pursuit of lost history and buried treasure, and the dangers inherent in such a risky journey, are enough on their own to produce a pulse-pounding story. Throw in a highly capable and well-financed operator who will stop at nothing to keep that expedition from success, and it throws more fuel on the fire. Then add in a woman who’s desperate to find her father and the attempt to heal broken bonds of a brotherhood forged in battle, and emotional connections are created that grow reader’s investment in the characters. Lastly, exploring themes of resilience, overcoming obstacles and never giving up, give this tale a fist-pumping, cheer-out-loud quality that results in total buy-in from the reader. Simply put, it’s a summer blockbuster action movie in book form.

Alex Dekker has announced himself as an author to keep your eye on with Desert Heist, a thriller that appears to be the start of a promising series with unlimited potential for action and adventure.

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Steven Netter

February 1, 2026

Insurgent By Andrews & Wilson

Steven Netter

February 1, 2026

Gritty, fast-paced and suspenseful, Insurgent is a unflinching, hard-edged, intricately plotted thriller that will keep you up late into the night. Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson once again bring the heat with another masterfully crafted, intense, and emotionally draining thriller.

John Dempsey and his team have an opportunity to take out a high-value target in Yemen, when it all goes to hell and reveals that Task Force Ember’s technology might have been infiltrated by foreign adversaries. Leading to a deadly cat and mouse game with a brilliant and psychotic Chinese operative with grandiose plans to strike massive blows to the United States and Dempsey personally. Including the targeting of Dempsey’s son, Jake, and his SEAL team who find themselves in the middle of the action near a critical US Air Force base. Attempting to tame the beast inside him, Dempsey must outsmart his enemy before he can enact his devilish plans and send the United States into chaos.

Insurgent is a superb continuation of the beloved Tier One series, containing everything you’ve come to expect from the dynamic duo of Andrews and Wilson. Relentless pacing and a constant sense of urgency. Well developed characters fueled by conflict and complex feelings. High stakes, geopolitically and personally, with life and death consequences. A masterful chess match between the good guys and the bad guys. A scary level of realism that makes you think about how this plot could actually be happening right now without us knowing about it. And, of course, action sequences that are tense, tactically authentic, and unrivaled in the genre. In addition, we get to witness Dempsey’s continued emergence as a strategic leader and more self-aware operator/individual. All packaged together to deliver a gripping, pulse-pounding, impossible to put down page-turner that will have you holding your breath before fist pumping in triumph.

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Steven Netter

January 3, 2026

The Elias Conspiracy By Simon Gervais

Steven Netter

January 3, 2026

Tension-filled and adrenaline-fueled, The Elias Conspiracy is a cinematic tale that demands your full attention from the enticing start through the explosive finish. Simon Gervais once again delivers a compelling story filled with action, emotion and intrigue. Adding another stellar edition to this superb trilogy.

Caspian Anderson is on vacation in Mallorca, recovering from his last brutal mission alongside German agent/girlfriend Liesel Bergmann, when he gets involved in trying to stop the abduction of a journalist. Sending him headfirst into a global conspiracy filled with money, power and corruption. As he dodges bullets and unravels the plot, everyone close to him becomes a target and Caspian will have to use every bit of his impressive skillset to keep his loved ones safe while spoiling the nefarious plans of a wealthy philanthropist and a highly determined assassin.

As usual with a Simon Gervais thriller, the writing is fantastic, the storylines are absorbing, the action is intense and the character development is top notch. And it’s the characters that make this story so great. Starting with the further development of Caspian and Liesel, which adds depth and complexity to our heroes, but goes well beyond that to build tremendous characters like an insanely capable assassin and a wealthy philanthropist who’s more than meets the eye. Even the characters with smaller parts or even just cameos are fully cultivated to serve their exact purpose. No one person is superfluous. They’re all integral to furthering the story and help make The Elias Conspiracy as exciting and fast-paced as possible.

Simon Gervais long ago moved into automatic must-read territory and The Elias Conspiracy only further cements his spot among the great storytellers in the thriller genre.

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

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

Steve Netter

January 3, 2026

Lost In Boomville By Montana Kane

Steve Netter

January 3, 2026

Captivating, intriguing and playful, Lost in Boomville is a lively, snow-covered mystery packed with colorful characters, sharp humor, and amorous liaisons. Once again highlighting the tenacity and sassiness of her endearing and highly capable female protagonist, Montana Kane has delivered an entertaining and immersive thriller that keeps you guessing and compels you to keep the pages turning.

Brandy Martini picks up what is supposed to be an easy surveillance case locating and watching an author. Taking advantage of her client’s deep pockets, Brandy builds a team that includes law enforcement, her sister, and their friends from the affectionately named House of Bong. Meanwhile, Brandy is also doing deep background on a couple of ex-cons for a landlord looking to know if they’ll cause trouble as renters. And while all of this is going on, Moose Mountain opens for this year’s ski season, bringing tourists and potential trouble to town. As Brandy gets deeper into the case, she learns several things her client conveniently forgot to mention, putting her in way more danger than she could have ever expected. Now she must use every skill she sharpened in her past life as a Chicago cop to save the day from an unhinged individual who will stop at nothing to get what they want.

This is a series that keeps getting better and better. Now five editions deep, the characters feel more like friends, and you’re fully invested in their continued development. Especially with Brandy Martini. With her humor, sarcasm and lustfulness towards a particular gentleman, she is the kind of protagonist readers enjoy spending time with. And the swings between highlighting her competence and exposing her flaws make her relatable to everyone. Throw in her relentless pursuit to get the job done and you have someone you can’t help but root for to be successful in all aspects of her life.

Additionally, Lost in Boomville strikes the perfect balance between laugh-out-loud moments and genuine suspense. Blending a light tone with dark and mysterious moments that works exceedingly well and keeps readers engaged through all the twists and turns with the case, as well as Brandy’s love life. And the fact that this all takes place in a picturesque mountain town makes it even more fun. Bringing forth a colorful cast of locals and a small-town feel that allows you to escape real life and become a part of a beautiful and enjoyable setting. A setting that becomes its own character in a way that enhances the reading experience.

Come for the mystery, stay for Brandy Martini and the charming yet sinister journey through the wintry streets, hidden secrets, and offbeat personalities of Boomville. You’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, and you’ll pump your fist in triumph.

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

Barrington Books
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Murder By The Book
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The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen

Steven Netter

January 3, 2026

Exit Wound By Isabella Maldonado

Steven Netter

January 3, 2026

Exit Wound will have your adrenaline flowing and your heart beating faster as you are consumed with this battle of good vs. evil. Isabella Maldonado has once again constructed a high-octane, pedal-to-the-floor thriller that holds you captive as you journey to hell and back.

Detective Veranda Cruz is laser focused on dismantling the Villalobos cartel, for both professional and personal reasons. When the extradition of a high-level informant turns out to be a setup to free the brutal criminal, Veranda doubles down on her efforts and puts the people she loves in danger. Disobeying orders from her Lieutenant, she’s able to do some damage to the cartel and its leader, Hector Villalobs. Setting up a deadly showdown where only one of them can walk away with their life.

This is another stellar novel by Isabella Maldonado. Well-written, filled with great characters and a fast-moving plot, it has everything you could want from a thriller. Suspense, action, twists and turns, emotion and drama, and a big showdown between the protagonist and antagonist. It presses all the right buttons to deliver a gripping and engrossing read. With everything hanging in the balance, it’s a book you cannot put down until you know how it ends. Hoping for fist pumping moments but preparing yourself to shed tears of agony.

It’s also a story about family, friendship and finding your own path. Exploring the concept of nature vs. nurture and fate vs. control. Are you destined to follow in the footsteps of your ancestors because the DNA flowing through you has preordained the outcome of your life? Or are you a product of your environment and your actions, controlling the outcome of who you will become? Rare that you can be entertained and left in suspense for hours with a book that also provides something deep to think about. But Exit Wound does just that. Making for a fantastic reading experience.

Isabella Maldonado has entered “must-read” territory. Delivering banger after banger. Crafting stories with depth, emotion, action and bloodshed that are engaging as hell.

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Purchase Exit Wound
(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

Steve Netter

January 3, 2026

Choke Point By Brad Thor

Steve Netter

January 3, 2026

Choke Point is overflowing with international intrigue, explosive action and enough tension to make a bomb technician sweat. It’s Scot Harvath at his best as he engages in a deadly game of cat and mouse through Thailand with thousands of innocent lives and the established world order hanging in the balance. Brad Thor has once again crafted a top-notch thriller that is an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride. Simply put, this book absolutely rips.

A major terrorist bombing takes pace in Bangkok in what appears to be an attempt to destabilize the country. But who is behind the attack? It could be any number of bad actors – Islamic separatists, Cambodian forces, the Chinese or others. While the local intelligence service and law enforcement try to uncover who is pulling the strings, Scot Harvath and his team are tasked with the same mission. They team up with a local CIA agent to conduct their own investigation. Which goes kinetic quickly and raises more questions than answers. Until they get a partial print that suggests a former Navy SEAL turned explosives mercenary is involved. Bringing another level of complication into an already fraught situation.

This may be the twenty-fifth edition in the Scot Harvath series, but it feels fresh and delivers the goods. Harvath is back out in the field with his team and on the hunt. A major attack has already happened so he’s playing from behind and dodging curveballs while trying to get a handle on who’s executing and masterminding these deadly events. All while having to piece together how different factions are involved, where identifying friend vs foe is not black and white. Which puts Harvath’s skills as an operator, a leader and an investigator to the test with no time to spare. Spiking the intensity meter all the way to the danger zone and never letting up for a second. Creating a barnburner of a story that remains at full throttle from the first page to the last. Reminding readers why Brad Thor is still one of the very best in the genre.

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Purchase Choke Point
(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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