Andrews and Wilson’s latest entry in the Tier One series, The Adversary, is a blistering military thriller that cements the duo’s status at the pinnacle of the genre. The novel immediately plunges Task Force Ember leader John Dempsey into a geopolitical powder keg when a routine intelligence mission in Taiwan goes catastrophically wrong, resulting in a teammate's capture by Chinese operatives. What ensues is a relentless, high-stakes rescue operation that surges forward at a breakneck speed, forcing Dempsey and his team to operate in the shadows to prevent a regional crisis from escalating into a global war. Drawing on their own backgrounds, the authors craft a masterclass in blending authentic military realism with pulse-pounding action sequences that are as tactically precise as they are emotionally charged, making the covert operation in the high-tension environment of the Taiwan Strait feel terrifyingly real.
Beyond the explosive action, this novel explores a profound and moving emotional core, particularly through Dempsey's unplanned interaction with his estranged son, Jake Kemper, who is now a newly minted Navy SEAL. Believing his father to be dead, Jake finds himself unwittingly part of the same complex operation, creating a powerful undercurrent of personal stakes for Dempsey. This dynamic—centered on themes of legacy, sacrifice, and loyalty—elevates the story beyond a standard military procedural. Dempsey must confront not only a formidable external enemy, the chillingly calculating Liu Shazi (a former Chinese Army Snow Leopard turned MSS operative), but also the ghosts of his own past and the overwhelming desire to protect the family he abandoned.
Simply put, The Adversary is a significant achievement for the Tier One series, expertly delivering everything fans expect: brilliant tactical authenticity, a formidable antagonist, and an emotional depth that lingers long after the final page. Andrews and Wilson skillfully weave together the contemporary geopolitical setting in Taiwan and Dempsey's profound "mission above self" internal conflict. The result is a story that is both a heart-pounding military adventure and a stirring exploration of family and sacrifice. It is easily one of the best novels in a series that is a definite must-read for anyone who loves a modern, intense, and emotionally grounded action thriller.
Follow Steve on Twitter or Instagram or contact him via the site.
Purchase The Adversary
(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
