Steven Netter

Denied Access By Don Bentley

Mitch Rapp is Back!!!  And all is right in the world.  Except it isn’t.  Which is, of course, why Rapp is once again let loose to deploy his lethal skillset.  Taking readers on a white-knuckle, violent journey to defeat a worthy adversary with visions of vengeance on their mind.  Don Bently has delivered a masterful espionage thriller with a relentless pace, ruthless impact, and razor-sharp execution.  A tale where spycraft and intense action collide on every page, with every decision laced with brutal consequences.

With the recent collapse of the Soviet Union, the CIA finds itself in the crosshairs of a US Congress that is considering shutting them down.  As interim CIA director Thomas Stansfield fights for his organization’s future, a Russian intelligence leader is running a multi-pronged operation that paralyzes the CIA’s Moscow Station, imprisons the wife of an American case officer, and assassinates old adversaries.  Meanwhile, Mitch Rapp’s vacation is cut short when he and his girlfriend are targeted by covert operatives, which thrusts him into the middle of an escalating espionage battle between the US and Russia.  Now Rapp, with the help of his Orion program colleagues, must pull off an audacious life-threatening mission to stop the Russians, settle old scores, and thwart an all-out war from breaking out in Europe. 

Denied Access picks up after events of Kill Shot, completing the Mitch Rapp origin trilogy that starts with American Assassin.  Going back to that timeframe is a brilliant choice by Don Bentley for a couple of reasons.  First, it’s a target rich environment from a historical perspective with the recent fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and remnants of the cold war still present.  All of which provide a fertile ground for intriguing storylines and chaos for our hero to navigate.  And besides, who doesn’t love a United States vs. Russia Spy vs. Spy tale?  That never gets old.

Second, it provides new insights and early character building for Rapp and friends, something you wouldn’t expect for characters that have been in our lives for over 25 years.  In a stroke of genius, Bentley gives fans the gift of going back in time and witnessing a young Mitch Rapp develop as he tries to figure out who he is as an operative and as a person, attempting to reconcile his desire for a long-term romantic relationship with being an assassin.  But it’s not just Rapp whose development Denied Access explores. Readers also get a glimpse into Thomas Stansfield’s WWII exploits and a front row seat to his current-day maneuverings that lead to his ascension to DCI.  We get to witness Irene Kennedy’s incredible intellect on display as she blossoms into Stansfield’s primary confidant, as well as her fearlessness going into the lion’s den that is Moscow Station.  And then there’s the chance to learn more about Stan Hurley’s cold war exploits, which serves to add more depth and intrigue to an already fascinating man.

In addition to the memorable time period and the impressive character development, Denied Access provides one hell of an espionage story with multiple moving parts that tie past events from WWII and the cold war to the book’s current setting in a way that suspends you in a constant state of tension.  And it goes beyond the agent running, violent action and high-stakes operations, which are naturally intense.  Even the political theater and intelligence game-planning discussions are loaded with urgency and friction that adds to a sense of foreboding.  Which is further enhanced by an excellently created, cold and calculating enemy that is not to be underestimated.

Add it all up and Denied Access is a masterful tale that adds depth and excitement to one of the most important thriller franchises in print today.  A phenomenal addition to this beloved series that long-time Rapp fans are sure to savor, while also providing an easy on-ramp for new readers to discover why Rapp is on the Mount Rushmore of thriller protagonists. 

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Dead Ringer By Chris Hauty

Dead Ringer will scratch the conspiracy theory itch that resides inside all of us with a Da Vinci Code-esque quest for the truth with no less than history, cabals and zealous assassins standing in the way.  Chris Hauty has crafted a tale that blurs the lines between fact and fiction, adding fuel to the already decades-long smoldering fire of speculation regarding what happened at Dealey Plaza on November 22, 1963.

There are many conspiracy theories about who killed JFK.  Now, an unlikely pair – a disgraced former Secret Service agent and a Jesuit professor – are thrust together by the murder of a mutual acquaintance who’s dying act was to ask them to finish her investigation into JFK’s death.  Sending them on the hunt for evidence long ago hidden that can only be discovered by those who can decipher the riddles and codes that protect the potentially explosive information.  But the pair are not the only ones on the hunt.  A nefarious cabal will do anything to keep the truth from coming out…including dispatching assassins to take out anyone who gets too close to figuring out who was really behind the JFK hit.  It’s a race between the forces of good and evil…with a bombshell revelation waiting to be discovered.

Hauty once again shows his masterful skill at taking readers on a journey of discovery through the blending of authentic events with imaginative storytelling that makes you wonder what’s real versus what’s fantasy.  It’s done in such a way that everything feels plausible, including the trademark Hauty gigantic twist.  Keeping readers guessing and thinking, forming our own theories and predictions along the way.

The vehicle for this adventure is strong but flawed characters grappling with their parts in this grandiose odyssey.  And along the way they must overcome many roadblocks – including those who believe they serve a higher purpose which gives them a mandate to do whatever it takes to thwart their adversaries.  Resulting in testing our would-be heroes’ resolve and courage to continue when giving up and saving themselves would be the wise and easy decision.  But their commitment to the mission comes first and, in the end, they are rewarded with revelations about what happened in the past…as well as revealing the strength of their own character and purpose as they find redemption.

Dead Ringer is a fantastic historical fiction account of one of the biggest events in US history.  It’s sure to be a hit with history buffs, conspiracy nuts and anyone who likes a good, fast-paced story that distorts the border between the believable and the imagined. 

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Robert B. Parker's Showdown By Mike Lupica

Suspenseful, honest, witty and engrossing, Robert B. Parker’s Showdown is a well-crafted modern take on this cherished five-decade long series.  Mike Lupica has given us another wonderful Spenser novel that provides new challenges for our old hero.  Delivering a thrilling no-nonsense detective story with the comforting dry humor and moral complexity readers have come to appreciate from our beloved Boston PI.

Spenser is pulled into a sensitive case by his friend and powerful attorney Rita Fiore.  Rita represents a young man whose mother was murdered and is now trying to find his birth father, with evidence pointing to controversial podcaster Vic Hale.  Given Hale’s anti-immigration position and the young man’s mother having entered the US illegally, this has the potential to be big news.  Especially with Hale about to sign a massive deal that will make some powerful people a lot of money.  Spenser, feeling responsibility to Hale’s father for having once saved his life, promises to take the investigation to wherever it may lead.  And despite death threats, shootouts and offers of big payoffs, he will not be deterred from finding out the truth. 

Showdown will appeal to long term fans of the series as well as those who are just looking for a good book to read.  It’s a timely story that features the ever-growing influence of podcasters while addressing several hot button topics such as immigration, money, power, and divisiveness within an investigation that includes paternity, murder, and capitalism.  It has it all!

And for those of us who have followed the series for decades, Showdown leans on a familiar formula of Spenser tackling a deadly serious case with his trademark sarcasm and playfulness to provide balance and entertainment.  Add in a healthy dose of Hawk, Susan Silverman, Rita and other long-time characters, and it feels more like visiting with old friends than reading a fictional book. 

No matter what your familiarity with Spenser and friends, Showdown is a book that provides entertainment while provoking thought.  Leading to a reading experience filled with juicy drama, amusement, reflection and fun within a thrilling package.

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The Second Son By Simon Gervais & Ryan Steck

The Second Son is an explosive rollercoaster thrill ride filled to the brim with haymakers and gut-punches.  Simon Gervais and Ryan Steck team up to deliver an action-packed, conspiracy-laden thriller that keeps you on edge throughout and leaves you reeling with an unbelievable ending.

Chase Burke is living a good and quiet life as a sommelier at a Michelin starred restaurant, trying to leave his checkered past behind him.  But that seems impossible after the death of his brother in a covert op, followed by the attempted kidnapping and murder of a US Congresswoman from his restaurant.  With the cops looking hard at his involvement in the potential abduction, Chase realizes his only option is to find out who’s pulling the strings in order to clear his name.  And while he can rely on his elite skillset from his military days to help him go on the offensive, he is wholly unprepared for the revelations he will uncover that rock his world. 

This book is all gas, no brakes.  The Second Son is non-stop action and suspense that creates a sense of urgency to find out what will happen next.  It doesn’t allow you to catch your breath for even one moment, and you’ll find your blood boiling and blood pressure rising on multiple occasions.  It also contains a fair bit of emotion through the exploration of family dynamics and the consequences of choices previously made.  All of which makes for a phenomenally crafted, brilliantly executed and well-rounded thriller.  One that absolutely needs to be inserted into everyone’s TBR pile come November. 

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The Tin Men By Nelson DeMille and Alex DeMille

The Tin Men is an intensely terrifying look at the future of warfare that will freak you the hell out.  This high-stakes, vivid and disquieting thriller will challenge your thought process on the use of AI and robots in the military setting, giving you consternation and a severe case of angina.  This novel is a gift from Alex DeMille and his late father, Nelson DeMille, offering one final, profound and entertaining story from the pen of the great literary master for readers to devour.

Army CID Special Agents Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor are sent to investigate the death of a chief scientist who oversees a deep black war games program featuring a platoon of Army Rangers and a few dozen lethal autonomous weapons – aka killer robots.  Brodie and Taylor quickly ascertain that the situation they find themselves in is quickly deteriorating.  The Rangers are being pushed to the limits of their physical and psychological well-being, the robots are acting well beyond their supposed software limits, deception is rampant, and everyone is a suspect.  In the middle of the desert and without the ability to contact the outside world, Brodie and Taylor must not only determine who killed the scientist, but also find out who and what is behind this secret program.  Because if they are unsuccessful, everyone on this base will die and these next-gen weapons systems will be unstoppable.   

This is a military thriller wrapped inside a crime thriller with psychological thriller sprinkled on top.  It is suspenseful, tension-filled and jam packed with misdirection and unanswered questions that keep you guessing until the end when it explodes in ruthless violence.  It has fantastic characters, tests your views on morality, and moves at a breakneck pace.  It also really messes with your head and makes you desperately hope that our government isn’t actually working on a program like this.  Because if they are, no one is safe. 

The Tin Men is a relentless thrill ride.  Tight as a Terminator’s death grip, and just as impossible to escape.  A brilliantly constructed story that will increase your heart-rate and exercise your brain.

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Leverage By Amran Gowani

You don’t have to be a finance bro to enjoy the investment of your time in Leverage, a dark and droll tale about money and power with the focus on what some people are willing to do to attain them…and just how far people will go to protect both.  Amran Gowani crushes this debut novel with a deep dive into Wall Street depravity and ill-gotten gains, the corrupting influence of wealth, and the lucrative trafficking of illicit information.

Ali “Al” Jafar is a star at infamous hedge fund Prism Capital, when he loses $300M on one investment in a single day.  Instead of firing him, the firm’s founder decides to back Al into a corner with a ridiculous scenario – either Al makes back the $300M in 3 months or he will frame him for insider-trading and have him sent to prison.  Battling depression and desperation, Al gets involved with a shadowy figure named Simon, who is willing to sell the type of information that Al needs to make big moves in the market and save his own ass.  But when Al realizes that even succeeding at this insane game won’t truly set him free, he decides there’s only one thing he can do…turn the tables on his rich and powerful boss.

Gowani does a brilliant job of exploring the finance culture and its cutthroat nature while maintaining the humanity of some characters and highlighting how others sold their soul a long time ago.  Leverage entertains with stories of misconduct, debauchery and megalomaniacs, but balances those out with an examination of being the “other”, mental health challenges, and the dynamics of the different types of relationships in people’s lives.  Resulting in a story with depth that is equal parts crazy intense and quite profound.  Leaving a lasting impact, you’ll be ruminating on for days to come.

Additionally, while this book is a work of fiction, it will have you thinking more skeptically about wild swings in stock prices and if anyone is behind the scenes pulling the strings.  Doing what great novels do – blurring the lines between make-believe and the real world. 

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The Art Of A Lie By Laura Shepherd-Robinson

The Art of a Lie will keep you on your toes as you navigate the twists and turns of an intricate battle of wits between the sexes.  Larua Shepherd-Robinson’s tale of love, fortune, deceit and regret in 18th-century England is completely engrossing, seductively tantalizing and deliciously scandalous. 

Hannah Cole’s husband has been murdered, and she is struggling to keep her life from falling apart.  Her confectionary shop is barely making money, she’s in debt and unable to access her dead husband’s frozen funds, and the local magistrate considers her a prime suspect in her husband’s murder.  Enter William Devereux, a handsome and suave gentleman claiming to be a friend of Hannah’s late husband.  He steps in to help her with legal and business matters, giving Hannah hope for a prosperous future.  But not all is as it seems with William, and Hannah will have to figure out whether to follow her brain or her heart. With devastating consequences awaiting if she makes the wrong decision, Hannah must act carefully.

Thriller fans, don’t let the prospect of a drama set in 1700’s England keep you from picking up a copy of this book.  It’s charming, fast-paced and fascinating.  A crime novel disguised as a romance story that is more cons and mystery than it is love and lust.  The plot is fantastic, the writing superb and the uncertainty of the final outcome drives everything forward at top speed.  But it’s really about the characters.  Individuals who are so intriguing and engaging that you connect deeply with them and care about their fate, knowing they possess both good and bad intentions and continuously rooting for their better selves to prevail.  Rooting for love and redemption while fearing heartbreak and tragedy. 

The Art of a Lie is a suspenseful emotional rollercoaster that ropes you in and gives you a hell of a ride before leaving you spent in the end.  A tasty tale of love, loss, crime and cons.  It’s fantastic!

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Declared Hostile By Jack Stewart

Gripping, explosive and intricate, Declared Hostile gets your heart pumping with intense action sequences wrapped around a frightening scenario that will give you chills.  Jack Stewart has once again crafted a high-octane story that oozes authenticity in the sky and bleeds intrigue on the ground. 

NCIS Special Agent Emmy “Punky” King is doggedly investigating a conspiracy that possibly links Russian operatives with a curiously obscure corporation and the President of the United States.  Meanwhile, Colt Bancroft and his team are sent into Ukraine on a desperate mission to thwart the Russians from retrieving long lost suitcase nukes and selling them to terrorists.  Despite the distance between them, Punky and Colt’s missions are interconnected, and their success is critical to avoiding a catastrophic event from thrusting the world into disarray. 

Combining covert operations, conspiracies, compromised politicians, Russian aggression in Ukraine, and kinetic action featuring investigators, fighter pilots, and special forces into one exciting narrative results in one hell of a compelling novel.  The stage is patiently set, the characters developed with care, and every detail meticulously placed before a flood of action and anxiety propel the reader forward towards a payoff that’s both satisfying and exceptional.  It’s political/military thriller storytelling at its finest.

Jack Stewart’s fourth Battle Born book delivers the goods with another well-written, entertaining, been-there done-that legitimacy that thriller fans will love.

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Departure 37 By Scott Carson

Departure 37 reads like a spooky episode of The Twilight Zone.  Twisting and turning, exposing the audience to an extremely unsettling and improbable scenario that scares you enough to make you wonder if it’s more feasible than you realize.  Scott Carson has crafted a gripping, mysterious and chilling historical sci-fi novel that will leave you uneasy and reflective.  

Hundreds of commercial pilots receive calls from their mothers, begging them not to fly today.  While that’s concerning on its own, it’s even stranger considering that the mother’s deny making the calls…and some of the mothers are dead.  While the powers that be in the US government search for answers, a teenage girl in Maine finds a balloon at a famous B-52 crash site.  The balloon is carrying a strange note and an old watch that belonged to a brilliant physicist named Martin Hazelton, who worked on top secret projects for the US military over 60 years ago.  Now, everyone involved must play their part to figure out exactly what is going on…and stop a long dead cold war program from starting WWIII.

This story builds suspense and tension by moving between characters and timelines that are more than 6 decades apart.  With this approach, readers get a slow and steady drip of past and present information that converge at precisely the right time to illuminate the full truth and provide an emotional weight to what has transpired.  And while you’re trying to comprehend some crazy concepts you wouldn’t possibly imagine in your wildest dreams, you’re also feeling a strong connection to the tragic nature of almost every character contained within the pages of Departure 37. 

It’s a bit disorienting, but in the way that only good books can achieve by making you think and feel at the same time.  Especially if they leave you with a few questions in the end that keep you awake at night trying to parse out the answers.  And rest assured, Departure 37 will certainly stick with you long after you finish it. 

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Final Strike By Jason Kasper

Final Strike is timely, intense and devastating.  A thriller that makes you hold your breath, fearing the worst from start to finish.  Toying with your emotions through explosive action, high-stakes drama, relentless tension and gut-wrenching results.  Jason Kasper crushes this tenth edition of the Shadow Strike series with a story that will leave you in pieces. 

The CIA is disbanding Project Longwing, but first David Rivers and his team must infiltrate Iran to locate and take out the world’s most wanted terrorist.  The mission goes awry early with catastrophic consequences and requires Rivers and team to adapt on the fly, putting them in mortal danger and pushing them to their limits.  And in the process, they uncover a plot that is larger and more nefarious than their intelligence had suggested.  Requiring them to throw caution to the wind and make a desperate attempt to thwart these evil plans, understanding it likely means not all of them will make it out alive.  But this team has never played it safe and will go to extreme lengths to finish their mission.  No matter the cost. 

The timing for releasing this novel could not be more perfect.  It features several aspects of current events – Iran, terrorism, B-2 bombers and clandestine missions.  And while the storyline is not the exact same thing as what’s happening currently in the Middle East, it makes for a surreal and more vivid reading experience when you compare and contrast it to real life events happening in parallel.

Additionally, with this book potentially being the last in this great series, Kasper holds nothing back.  Testing the team like never before.  Slinging led with desperate abandon, defying orders more than normal and fighting like hell for their brothers.  It’s powerful stuff.  A journey into hell and back.  Certain to leave you shattered in the end.

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Fallen Star By Lee Goldberg

Fallen Star is the most fun you can have while being immersed in a murder investigation.  It’s a deadly serious and dangerous investigation juxtaposed with sarcasm, humor and tasty cuisine.  Lee Goldberg delivers once again, crafting an unputdownable police procedural containing wonderfully constructed characters engaged in deception and political maneuverings within a pulse-racing plot.

LASD homicide detectives Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan “Donuts” Pavone are called to Malibu to investigate a dead body found in a fifty-five-gallon drum on the beach.  They quickly recognize the victim as a key player in an ongoing bribery and corruption scandal involving local politicians and businessmen.  And if that’s not enough, a helicopter crashes on the hillside behind Eve’s home that is connected to both the corruption case and Eve’s past.  Leading Eve and Duncan on a twisting and turning investigation that will have far reaching ramifications.  Including putting Eve’s life in mortal danger.

All Lee Goldberg does is churn out exceedingly entertaining books that you plow through like Duncan Pavone at a Las Vegas buffet, leaving you full, satisfied and with a smile on your face upon completion.  Fallen Star is just the latest example.  It’s chock full of intrigue, politics, crime, shady characters, misdirection, investigative twists, ethical dilemmas, and food.  Oh, and Eve continuously ignoring the sage advice of her partner, Captain and everyone else around her, resulting in putting herself in harms way time and time again. But while her actions are questionable, her instincts are undeniable and she gets results.  Along with some scrapes and bruises.

This has been a fantastically fun series and there are no signs of it slowing down anytime soon.  It will be exciting to see where it goes next.  In the meantime, if you’re not already reading about Eve Ronin’s exploits with the LA Sherrif’’s department, you need to rectify that immediately.  And if you have, then do not miss this latest installment.  It’s excellent!

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Apostle's Cove By William Kent Krueger

Poignant, evocative and completely engrossing, Apostle’s Cove is a corkscrewing mystery that will exercise your brain and stir your emotions.  William Kent Krueger has done it again, delivering another impressive and moving story in this incredible series.  From the littlest details to the big picture, everything is crafted with precision and purpose to achieve storytelling perfection.

Cork O’Connor receives a call from his son Stephen, who tells him that while working for a nonprofit dedicated to freeing wrongfully convicted prisoners, he has come across a murder case involving an Ojibwe man whom Cork helped imprison.  A man who now appears to be innocent.  Cork is compelled to reinvestigate the case but must do so without the help of the very convict he put away, who has found purpose and peace behind bars.  As he digs deeper, old feelings that something was always off about this case arise and are further stoked when he becomes a target by those in Tamarack County who want to leave the past buried.  However, Cork will not be deterred in his quest to find the truth and defend his honor as a law enforcement officer and as a person with a strong moral compass.  Even if there are others who would do him harm to keep him from finally figuring out what happened 25 years ago.

Apostle’s Cove is structured in two parts:  part one is an uninterrupted flashback to the crime and the initial investigation and part two is the current day reexamination of the case.  Which makes this feel like two stories in one book that each provide an undisturbed narrative of the events as they happened, rather than a slow drip of info that goes back and forth between past and present.  Both methods can work, but in this case, it was the perfect choice to grab the reader’s attention and hold it throughout, essentially having us ride shotgun during both investigations and asking us to continuously theorize what really happened and who was involved. 

And it is one hell of a well-written story that has everything you would expect from a Cork O’Connor novel.  Crime, investigations, a divided community across Native American and Caucasian lines, tremendous character development, dangerous situations, gruesome and lewd descriptions balanced out with moments of love and tenderness, and the truth finally revealing itself after a twisting and turning examination where Cork seeks the help and wisdom of others. 

And of course there’s a healthy dose of family, spirituality, emotion and life lessons that make your heart feel full and your soul feel free as you close the back cover.  Marking the twenty-first example of William Kent Kruger’s literary brilliance in telling Cork O’Connor’s stories.  And resulting in the annual confirmation that this is the best, and my favorite, series in print today.

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The Grave Artist By Jeffrey Deaver & Isabella Maldonado

Captivating and intense, The Grave Artist is a suspenseful thriller that grips you by the collar and won’t let you breathe until it concludes.  Jeffrey Deaver and Isabella Maldonado have crafted a second straight banger with great characters, a gripping plot, sinister mystery and emotional attachments.

A newlywed is found dead in what appears to be a tragic accident but later discovered to be the result of foul play.  As agent Carmen Sanchez and her partner Jake Heron investigate, they find other similar crimes that point to an intelligent and methodical serial killer at large.  Dubbing him the Honeymoon Killer, they find the killer revels in the grief of the survivors more so than in the murder itself.   Now, Sanchez and Heron must use every tool and resource at their disposal – blurring the lines of legality – to quickly determine who this individual is before more innocent people are targeted and killed. 

Fast-paced with no wasted movement, The Grave Artist moves with purpose towards the inevitable showdown between good and evil.  Even though the reader knows who the killer is early on, there is plenty of intrigue and twists to keep the story exciting and far from predictable.  The enjoyment is derived through the process of being on the hunt for a serial killer…and having a front row seat to the will they/won’t they romantic undertones of Sanchez and Heron’s relationship.  Throw in a sentient AI program that helps accelerate the investigation and you have a bit of everything you could want in a thriller.

The first two installments of this series have been action-packed, anxiety-inducing and fun as hell.  The result of two great authors teaming up to create something new and entertaining.  Don’t sleep on this series!

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The Glass Man By Anders de la Motte

Suspenseful, intriguing and propulsive, The Glass Man hooks you early and keeps you riveted until the very end.  Anders de la Motte delivers another well-written, multi-perspective mystery with tremendous characters and a compelling plot that urges you to race to the finish to learn the truth.

Detective Leo Asker is a brilliant and dedicated cop whose been exiled to lead the Department of Lost Souls by a bitter rival.  Out of the blue, she hears from Prepper Per, her father, who needs her help figuring out how a dead body has turned up by his farm/doomsday compound.  Despite her very complicated relationship with Per, Leo feels compelled to help to ensure the right person is brought to justice.  Meanwhile, Associate Professor Martin Hill has traveled to Astroholm, the estate of famous business leader Gunnar Irving, commissioned to write a biography about Gunnar, his inventions and his company.  But Martin quickly suspects something dark is being hidden behind the shiny facade.  As Leo and Martin dig deeper to find answers to their individual questions, they’ll find there’s much more at play and that danger is lurking in the shadows.

As the second installment in this series, The Glass Man does a wonderful job of developing Leo, Martin and the supporting characters around them.  Diving deeper into Leo’s past and her strained relationship with her parents takes center stage, showing how resilient and strong she is while also providing insight into how she developed her keen skills of observation, preparation and tenacity that make her such a good detective.  And her investigation, rife with hard feelings, office politics, and personal potholes, is the perfect avenue for exploring who she is as a person and what she’s capable of.

It's also the interplay between Leo and Martin that adds depth and emotion to the novel.  They clearly care for each other and lean on one another for support and help in their individual pursuits, yet they are restrained and careful about being vulnerable in front of each other.  So, while they have mutual respect and a personal connection, there is also some tension and reservations that seem to be holding them back just a bit.  Which adds an undercurrent of “will they/won’t they” storyline to an already suspenseful tale.

Blending law enforcement investigations, academia, business pursuits, scientific advancements, urban exploration, survivalists and family drama into one thrilling novel, The Glass Man provides hours of gripping entertainment that’s sure to be as thought provoking as it is anxiety inducing.

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The Devil's Advocate By Steve Cavanagh

Intense, unsettling and mesmerizing, The Devil’s Advocate is an electrifying legal thriller with the pace of a runaway freight train that demands you keep reading as fast as possible to uncover the truth.  Steve Cavanagh has crafted a world-class story that is insanely engrossing while feeling horrifyingly plausible.

College student Skylar Edwards is found murdered in her rural Alabama hometown and the Sheriff arrests Andy Dubois, a young black man who worked with Skylar at a truck stop bar.  The evidence is overwhelmingly stacked against Andy and everyone believes he’s guilty.  Proving his guilt is the job of district attorney Randal Korn, who happens to have the most death penalty convictions of anyone in the history of the United States…and it’s not even close.  Eddie Flynn usually doesn’t take cases like this but is persuaded that something fishy is going on in Alabama and flies down from New York to defend Andy.  And the more Flynn and his team dig into the case, the more they are convinced that not only is he innocent, but that there’s a dangerous conspiracy at play that they must stop before many more innocent people die. 

This is pedal to the metal storytelling at its finest.  The Devil’s Advocate is full throttle from start to finish, powered by the emotional dread of an innocent man being put to death by a corrupt system manipulated by powerful people with an agenda.  And only a knight in shining armor, with a relentless will and balls of steel, can mount a challenge that maybe just maybe can thwart the inevitable.  That’s Eddie Flynn.  Along with a few of his ethically principled and integrity-driven colleagues, Flynn shows tremendous courage and virtuousness, unwilling to flinch in the face of mortal danger, to do what’s right and help the little guy stand a chance against a stacked deck.  Making him a character that you connect with and root for with your entire being.  Especially as he sticks it to those who think they’re too smart to be foiled.

The Devil’s Advocate will fill you with anxiety and foreboding before concluding in immensely satisfying fashion and restoring a smidge of faith in humanity.  A book that begs to be read in one sitting and will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions.  A masterclass in storytelling by the great Steve Cavanagh.

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Dead Line by Marc Cameron

Intense action and extreme weather fill the pages of Dead Line, a thriller you feel as much as you read.  Marc Cameron has crafted a high-stakes novel that’s chilling in more ways than one. 

Deputy US Marshals Arliss Cutter and Lola Teariki are pursuing a dangerous fugitive and his associates across Alaska, with the goal of arresting him and sending him back to Missouri to stand trial for the capital murder of his pregnant wife.  Simultaneously, a vicious mob boss hellbent on revenge has sent a team of killers into the frigid Alaskan wilderness to track down and kill the witness – and her former lover – who put her father in prison.  Cutter and Teariki are tasked with checking in on the witness, who hasn’t reported in as scheduled.  Which they quickly discover is not a breach in protocol, but a deadly serious situation with the man in witness protection at risk of being found and killed.  Leading to a race against the clock through ungodly freezing temperatures to stop the hit squad, resulting in an explosion of lethal violence.  And if the bullets don’t kill you, exposure to the elements surely will. 

Cutter’s manhunting and tactical brilliance are again on display as he thrusts himself and his law enforcement partners into the middle of treacherous operations with the single objective of bringing criminals to justice.  But his emotional side is explored more in Dead Line than perhaps any other book in the series due to his emerging romantic relationship with his brother’s widow Mim, as well as having to reconcile his feelings about his long-lost mother who finally returns to his life.  It’s this exploration of his emotions and psyche that takes this superhuman hero and gives him a soft, relatable side that connects with the reader.

But make no mistake, the star of this show is the Alaskan weather.  Tracking down killers in the middle of the wilderness during winter is hard enough. Try doing it when it’s possibly too cold for an airplane to transport you without the fuel freezing solid midair.  Or while riding a snowmobile when the temperature is -72 degrees Fahrenheit.  And that’s before the wind chill puts the real feel closer to -130 degrees.  Yes, the Alaskan landscape and unimaginably flesh-freezing elements take center stage and impact every action taken by every character.

It's another exciting and bone-chilling adventure in the great Arliss Cutter Series.  But maybe read it on a warm, sunny day to take the edge off.  Because you will definitely feel the cold in your bones as you immerse yourself in this frosty story.

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Fade In By Kyle Mills

Fresh and incredibly relevant to today’s geopolitical landscape, Fade In is a slow-burn thriller that meticulously sets the scene and challenges your view of global power before exploding with violence that leaves you stunned.  Kyle Mills has delivered a powerful novel with a unique protagonist that will keep you riveted while asking you to ponder moral quandaries between bursts of action. 

Salam al-Fayed, aka Fade, wakes up in the hospital after taking a sniper bullet to the spine.  Unable to move and a shadow of the formidable Navy SEAL he used to be, he wishes for death.  But then he’s resurrected, receiving the best rehabilitation money and technology can provide, as long as he signs on to the paramilitary unit of a shadowy organization run by a billionaire with designs on changing the world order.  Now recovered, Fade joins a team hunting a reclusive Chinese scientist who has announced the imminent release of a virus that will wipe out over 10% of the population.  Up against the clock and facing an unknown enemy force, Fade locks in and gets down to what he’s best at – succeeding at impossible missions where others will certainly fail. 

Fade is a tremendous character, matching an elite tier one skillset with a nihilistic attitude that allows him to operate with freedom and a lack of concern for personal consequences because of coming back from near death on multiple occasions.  He has a moral compass that seems to have some flexibility to it. He’s an independent thinker who doesn’t blindly follow orders and he’s also unafraid to challenge those in who sign his paychecks.  So, while a powerful entity will want to use him as a tool to further their agendas, Fade will not do so without serious consideration first.

Additionally, this novel makes you think about significant topics in today’s world.  Things like the vulnerabilities of an aging population and the desires/frustrations of younger generations who inherit the world for better or worse from their elders, the traditional power of sovereign nations vs. the emerging power of wealthy and influential individuals, and the grand possibilities of technological advancements in the field of human performance and lifespan elongation in relation to the ethical usage of such technology.  Don’t worry, there’s plenty of bullets flying, hand to hand combat, and explosions contained within the pages of this book to excite an action junkie.  But it’s a thinking man’s/woman’s thriller.  Pensive and exhilarating.  The best of both worlds. 

Thriller fans will enjoy Fade In on its own merits but will also be excited for the potential of where this series can go in the future.  It’s set up for more intriguing plots, ethical inquiries and exhilarating action.  Can’t wait to see what Kyle Mills delivers next.

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The Poisoned Pen

The Elias Enigma By Simon Gervais

Action-packed, suspenseful and anxiety-inducing, The Elias Enigma is a full throttle thrill ride filled to the brim with fisticuffs, shootouts, chases and international intrigue.  Simon Gervais proves once again why he’s one of the best in the genre, delivering a well-crafted cinematic story that will make you hold your breath with every pulse-pounding moment.

After an unsanctioned operation to Kenya to eliminate a personal threat that raised more questions than answers, Caspian Anderson (code name: Elias) is back in action in France surveilling the CEO of an important defense technology start-up.  However, this operation goes sideways as multiple factions with different agendas collide in their operations targeting the same individual.  With no clarity on who’s who in the zoo and an inability to trust anyone, Caspian and his team must work alone to untangle this complex web and stop foreign powers from completing their mission to acquire game-changing technology that would put the US at risk of deadly attack.

The Elias Enigma is just a damn good book that you can’t put down.  It’s got action, it’s got emotion, it’s got conflict, it’s got multiple international players with different agendas, and it’s got heart.  In addition, as the second book in this series, it does a great job of using the plot as a vehicle to add depth and development to the main characters, providing more insight into their motivations, emotional states and capabilities.  Furthermore, Gervais does a brilliant job of taking these extraordinary individuals and making them relatable, forging a connection with the reader that makes them live and die with every action, rooting for our valiant protagonists to win the day. 

In short, this novel is well-written, contains fantastic characters, and is tons of fun to read.  All of which is completely unsurprising for a Simon Gervais thriller.  He always delivers and I can’t wait to see where he takes this series next.

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Edge Of Honor By Brad Thor

Gripping, explosive and adrenaline-fueled, Edge of Honor is a timely thriller with nothing less than the fate of the country hanging in the balance.  Brad Thor’s latest novel ignites your patriotic spirit while delivering hard-hitting action and high-stakes intrigue within a masterfully-written package.

Scot Harvath and his wife Sølvi are back in the United States after traveling abroad for the last 6 months.  On their way to the Norwegian embassy, they witness a violent attack on peaceful protestors outside the Vice-President’s residence and immediately jump into action, neutralizing the threats.  But that’s only the beginning, pulling them both into a deadly conspiracy aiming to permanently damage the country.  With no idea who he can trust, Harvath pulls together a small but mighty team to determine whose behind the violence and to take the fight to their front door.  Hoping like hell he’s not to late to stop the carnage that threatens to send the US into chaos.

Last we saw our hero, Harvath was retiring to enjoy married life with Sølvi.  Leaving readers anxious that we’d seen the last of our beloved character kicking ass and taking names.  However, fear not my friends, because it turns out Brad Thor has crafted a highly engaging story that blends elements of our current political and social climate with a fictitious attack that thrusts Harvath back into the hot seat, slinging lots of lead downrange and taking out a bevy of bad guys involved in a massive conspiracy to reshape America. 

Well, at least let’s hope this story is fiction.  Because let’s be honest, Brad Thor’s track record of predicting future events is cause for concern.  They don’t call him the “King of Faction” for nothing.  So maybe keep your heads on a swivel just in case.  And in the meantime, sit back, relax and enjoy this entertaining novel while relishing the latest display of Harvath’s deadly awesomeness.

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The Medusa Protocol By Rob Hart

Rob Hart has done it again!  The Medusa Protocol is another stunningly unique and bad-ass thriller that combines brutal action and perilous circumstances with heartfelt moments and commitment to self-improvement.  It’s the most fun you can have watching assassins trying to not kill people.

Astrid has missed several Assassins Anonymous meetings and the group is concerned, not knowing if she’s still alive.  When a pizza covered in olives is delivered to their secret location, they know Astrid is still above ground and in need of help.  Then the pizza delivery is immediately followed by a kill team looking to eliminate these dangerous former assassins who have taken the pledge never to kill again.  After finding a way through this dangerous situation, Mark, Booker and the others set out to locate Astrid and enact a rescue plan.  But infiltrating a black site on a remote island covered in poisonous snakes to save a member of their “family” without taking a life will test their skills and their resolve like never before.

Most thrillers put the protagonists in an untenable position surrounded by enemies with blood lust in their eyes, then have the good guys kill everyone as they make their escape or stalk their prey.  But The Medusa Protocol is not like most thrillers.  First, the main characters are former assassins who were addicted to killing and are now trying to reform themselves through putting their lethality behind and making amends to the living relatives of those they dispatched.  With so much blood on their hands, it’s hard to say they’re the “good guys.”  Second, because they’re in recovery they cannot kill again and still maintain their sobriety.  So when Mark, Astrid, Booker and the others are put into incredibly dangerous situations, they must fight their way out by hurting, disabling, neutralizing and maiming, but not killing.  A less than ideal situation that takes a lot of skill and dedication to the program to avoid caving to temptation and relapsing into their murderous ways. 

The result is fantastic action sequences filled with creativity, fisticuffs and thoughtful violence with a purpose that is spawned from a moral clarity of those who are trying to be a little bit better every day.  So when vicious predators interrupt their attempts at salvation and a peaceful existence, they act like the rest of us and just do the best they can with the hand they’re dealt.  It just happens to be that their best is a lot more physically punishing and potentially incapacitating with higher risk of death than what the general population experiences on a daily basis.  But growth is in the learning and attempting to do better, right?  And if a few bodies drop in the process, who’s going to put up a fuss?  I’m certain thriller fans will be quite alright with it.

Two books into this unique series and it’s already one of my favorites in the thriller genre.  And the great news is Rob Hart’s got the chops, storylines and characters to continue entertaining us for many books to come.  I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Follow Steve on Twitter or contact him via the site.

Purchase The Medusa Protocol
(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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