Tag: espionage thriller

Cassandra’s Shadow by M. Brosh Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author M. Brosh shares a daring and thrilling look into the secret world of Israel’s Intelligence agency in the novel “Cassandra’s Shadow.”

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The Synopsis

A gripping Mossad thriller based on real-life intelligence operations.

Since its founding in 1949, the Israeli Mossad has stunned the world with bold, often seemingly impossible missions carried out across the globe. Now, for the first time, many of the secrets behind these covert operations are revealed in a fast-paced, suspense-filled espionage novel.

Blending fact with fiction, Cassandra’s Shadow dives deep into the hidden world of Israeli intelligence, recounting dramatic Mossad operations across European capitals, in the streets of Tehran, beneath the sea aboard stealth submarines, and inside Iran’s secret nuclear facilities. These episodes, inspired by real missions, expose the methods, risks, and sacrifices of one of the world’s most advanced—and most daring—intelligence agencies.

Told in cinematic prose and packed with high-stakes tension, Cassandra’s Shadow is more than just a spy novel. It’s a riveting journey into the shadows of global espionage, based on true events that have shaped the course of modern history.

Perfect for fans of international spy thrillers, political intrigue, and real Mossad operations.

The Review

From the outset, readers are immersed in a world of intrigue and suspense as an intense mission unfolds to prevent a new nuclear power from emerging. The realism and visceral nature of the operations and missions undertaken by the characters, especially given that much of the book is based on real missions carried out by Mossad agents, kept readers engaged and invested in the developing narrative. The adrenaline-fueled action and the powerful imagery of each setting allowed the reader to experience the novel in a very cinematic way, delivering a complex espionage thriller that mirrored the action of live-action projects like 24 and The Jason Bourne series.

The authenticity the author brought to these settings and characters was what stood out in this story. The way the author gave everyone involved in these missions a voice, from the soldiers and military leaders to scientists and spies, felt very well-rounded in delivery, and the realistic nature of the story allowed the more high-stakes, heart-pounding moments to feel visceral in their delivery. 

The Verdict

Action-packed, entertaining, yet thought-provoking all at once, author M. Brosh’s “Cassandra’s Shadow” is a must-read spy thriller. The twists and turns in the narrative, the fast-paced story, and the gripping characters that readers will instantly engage with, make this one thriller readers won’t want to put down this summer. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

A member of a kibbutz in central Israel, M. Brosh has always been drawn to what lies beneath the surface. His writing reflects a quiet familiarity with the hidden layers of reality—shaped by life experiences rarely spoken of, but deeply felt between the lines.

Mission Thaw: A Kaitlyn Stewart Spy Thriller by Kay Sparling Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A promising CIA Agent must infiltrate a cartel by posing as an opera singer and discovers a far more sinister plot at work than anyone realized in author Kay Sparling’s “Mission Thaw: A Kaitlyn Stewart Spy Thriller.”

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The Synopsis

Near the end of the Cold War, Kaitlyn Stewart lands an apprenticeship at the Vienna State Opera. Soon after arriving, she is recruited by the CIA as the only female high profile operative in Mission: THAW. Both CIA and MI6 are in a race against time to uncover a human trafficking cartel set up by fascist Western politicians who are in business with the East Germans and KGB. They are exploiting refugees from the former satellite countries of the USSR. Mission: THAW must infiltrate the cartel in order to shut down the trafficking and destroy the slave labor in East Germany. If the GDR economy fails, the Berlin Wall will come down. Covering as an opera singer, Kaitlyn infiltrates the inner circle of the KGB and neo-Nazis, only to find out that they have a much more deadly, lucrative plan in the making: blueprints for a dirty bomb. MI6 agent Clive Matthews, who is considered the best secret agent in the free world, skillfully guides Kaitlyn through the crazy maze of the mission. Based on fact.

The Review

What a fun and engaging spy thriller! The author did an incredible job of capturing the tension and heavy atmosphere of the Cold War era, a time when spies were prevalent in the social fabric of our world. The action and suspense that came with the narrative of this novel, from the perils of human trafficking to the danger of a dirty bomb and the fate of entire nations as a whole, played well on the page and kept the reader invested efficiently.

This narrative’s unique character development, perspectives, and themes were spectacular. The protagonist, a mix of James Bond meets Clarice Starling with an opera singer twist, is such an engaging protagonist to root for, and her humorous takes on the world help elevate the tension and fear of her mission as it takes on a life of its own. The particular time frame that this novel takes place in, at the end of The Cold War, was a great new perspective to bring readers, and the themes of patriotism, morality, and the power secrets hold were greatly threaded into the story and gave readers a fresh take on a fan favorite genre.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, entertaining, and gripping, author Kay Sparling’s “Mission Thaw” is a must-read spy thriller and suspense novel. The narrative’s twists and turns, the fantastic pacing that kept readers interested while hinting at growing plot points, and the characters’ emotional development made this a memorable novel that readers won’t want to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Kay Sparling is an international opera and sacred singer. Now retired, she lives in the Upper Midwest with her feline writing buddy, the invincible Paducah. When not teaching voice lessons or writing, Kay enjoys gardening, hiking, adventure travelling, and cooking for family and friends.

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Sanctity of Freedom: An Inspector William Fox Series by Peter Thomas Pontsa Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A kidnapped young woman and savagely assassinated diplomats lead an inspector and an FBI agent to hunt down a ruthless killer in author Peter Thomas Pontsa’s “Sanctity of Freedom: An Inspector William Fox Series.”

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The Synopsis

While Inspector William Fox and girlfriend Tracy Jordan cruised on his cigarette boat The Midnight Fox, a crackle of the police scanner informed him a body had washed up on a beach. Much to Tracy’s disapproval, William chose to investigate. The Montreal police investigator already on the scene discovered a note on the body intended for William’s friend and taekwondo master, Mr. Kim. He is certain the note was from his long-lost sister, Mi-Cha. Kidnapped, while still a child, and trapped in North Korea, Kim is convinced she is still alive and implores William to help get her home.

Sanctity of Freedom plunges RCMP Inspector Fox and FBI Special Agent Patrick Reilly into an investigation of a savage assassination of a Canadian diplomat and two Australian intelligence agents. Meanwhile, Kim and his old friends chase down leads to find his sister that point to Pyongyang, the North Korean leadership, and the shadowy operatives of Bureau 39 who skirt the NATO sanctions.

All of them get drawn into a murderous game of cat and mouse leading Mr. Kim to face the man who took his sister and William Fox to match wits with the cunning killer.

The Review

This was such a compelling and engaging read. The author found the perfect balance between character development and fast-paced action, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the world the author crafted. The exploration of different government agencies and law enforcement, and the high-stakes global espionage, drove the narrative forward and added more depth to the murder mystery element that began this story.

The world-building and mystery the story brings together throughout this novel bring the theme of freedom and what one is willing to do to gain that freedom, such as a spotlight. The adrenaline-fueled action and the emotional twist that Mr. Kim and his fight to save his sister gave more purpose to William Fox’s mission, and the amount of detail that went into bringing the setting of North Korea to life with its dangerous regime and geopolitical setting made this a remarkable read. 

The Verdict

The breathtaking imagery, atmosphere, and entertaining narrative made this a must-read international thriller. The suspense and drama fuel the thrilling action, and the remarkable character development adds more emotion and heart to these pages, keeping readers engaged until the very last page. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Peter Thomas Pontsa is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada and the Wordsmiths based out of Alliston, Ontario. An avid British sports car enthusiast, he has raced with Jagged Edge Motorsports, former president of the Headwaters British Car Club and a student of taekwondo with a second-degree blackbelt. A retired business man, he lives in Loretto, Ontario, Canada, with his author wife Angela van Breemen, and their orange tabby, Mr. Tee.

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A Fifth of the Story by Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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A CIA agent must race against the clock to stop a deadly attack on his country in author and Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes’s “A Fifth of the Story”.

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The Synopsis

What happens when you work for the highest security agency in the world but you can’t trust anyone? What if you returned from overseas to protect your country but the country didn’t protect you anymore? Find out what happens when three close friends return from fighting the enemy abroad and are faced with the greatest battles of their lives stateside. They try to stop their country and families from imploding before time runs out.

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The Review 

This was an adrenaline-fueled story that immediately became a hit espionage thriller. The atmosphere and character development in this story really captured the fun and thrill of the recent Netflix series The Night Agent, hitting on the tension buildup between the characters and the intense action scenes that highlight the threat the protagonist faces. 

This novel did an extraordinary job of utilizing imagery to create an almost cinematic reading experience that brought the reader into this action-packed thriller. Yet the tense atmosphere as the protagonist struggled to find a way of protecting those closest to him and the nation he loves, as well as the mystery behind those involved in this conspiracy, made this story shine bright.

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The Verdict 

Memorable, intense, and entertaining author Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes’s “A Fifth of the Story” is a must-read action and espionage thriller that readers will love getting lost in. The twists and turns the story takes and the protagonist’s story of resilience and hope in the face of adversity make this a gripping tale. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today. 

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Dr. Katherine received her BA in English and a MA in Elementary Education at Adelphi University. She received her Doctorate of Education and Supervision at Arizona State University. Katherine taught for 8 years before moving to the principalship of K-8 and K-6 schools for approximately 10 years. She has served as a freelance writer for various magazines including, Church Weekly, Prom Guide and Glendale Magazine. When Katherine isn’t working as counselor or writing curriculum she loves painting and photography. Some of her work in art, poetry and short stories has been distinguished by awards including the New York Mayor’s contribution to the arts Award, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. She also runs recreationally, coordinates fitness boot-camps for women and has a black belt in Taekwondo. Katherine loves speaking to groups delivering her messages with quick wit and real-life stories. She has been involved in church ministry for 18 years leading women’s ministry, teaching, playing piano, singing, and teaching liturgical dance.

https://www.drkatherinehayes.com/

A Death in Berlin (The Simon Sampson Mysteries Book Two) by David C. Dawson Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

In the 1930’s Berlin, a city that once stood for liberation is about to become the capital of one of the world’s largest waves of oppression, and one man must fight to save the lives of several gay men as the Nazi party rises in author David C. Dawson’s “A Death in Berlin”, the second book in The Simon Sampson Mysteries series.

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The Synopsis

Berlin 1933: When the parties stop…the dying begins

The city that’s been a beacon of liberation during the 1920s is about to become a city of deadly oppression. BBC foreign correspondent Simon Sampson risks his life in a bid to save thousands of gay men from the growing Nazi threat.

This is the second in the Simon Sampson mystery series. The first, A Death in Bloomsbury, was hailed as ‘a good old-fashioned John Buchan-esque mystery reworked for the twenty-first century’.

Simon moves to Berlin where he meets British author Christopher Isherwood and his lover Heinz. He’s also reunited with his banter-partner Florence Miles, better known to her friends as Bill. She’s recruited him into the British intelligence services and he’s got the task of hunting down communist spies.

But when Simon is ordered to spy on an old college friend, his loyalties are brought into question. Who are his real enemies? And how much can he trust his masters?

The Review

This was such a well-developed and engaging historical fiction meets mystery thriller. The atmosphere and intrigue the author was able to infuse into the story really elevated the historical time period the narrative took place in, and the gripping story kept me on the edge of my seat as the author’s balance of fast-paced action and slow-build character growth kept the novel moving at an even pace. The LGBTQ aspect of the narrative and the character growth felt refreshingly natural and insightful, as it played into the history itself quite well.

The rich character dynamics and the unique setting are what really made this story stand out. The chaos and sadness that became such a part of everyday life at the beginning of the Nazi occupation were felt strongly in this novel. The harmonious way the author was able to weave these emotions and facts from our world’s history into the actions and experiences of this cast of characters made this novel so gripping. It allowed the mystery itself felt elevated as the narrative dipped into the espionage spy genre with ease.

The Verdict

Entertaining, thought-provoking, and uniquely pertinent to many of the recurring struggles so many around the world face today, author David C. Dawson’s “A Death in Berlin” is a must-read historical fiction meets suspense thriller and a great addition to The Simon Sampson Mysteries series. With the adrenaline rush and mind-bending twists and turns, this narrative will resonate with readers who enjoy an almost pulpy noir-style storytelling with an LGBTQ-driven cast of characters and a heavy dose of historical research and accuracy. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today! 

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Men in love, men in jeopardy.

David C. Dawson is an award-winning writer of page-turner thrillers with a gay theme and the occasional romance.

His latest novel A Death in Bloomsbury was published in November 2021.

His debut novel, The Necessary Deaths, won bronze for Best Mystery & Suspense in the FAPA chairman’s award. It became the first in the Dominic Delingpole series. The other two books are The Deadly Lies and A Foreign Affair.

His first mystery romance For the Love of Luke was published in October 2018 followed by Heroes in Love.

David lives in London with his boyfriend and ageing motorbike.

You can read his blog here: http://bit.ly/DavidCDawsonblog

In his spare time, David tours Europe on his ageing Triumph motorbike and sings with the London Gay Men’s Chorus.

https://www.davidcdawson.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/david_c_dawson

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BB7WHR4N/ref=x_gr_w_glide_sin?caller=Goodreads&callerLink=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F62071459-a-death-in-berlin%3Fac%3D1%26from_search%3Dtrue%26qid%3D8mAMg3tNGM%26rank%3D3&tag=x_gr_w_glide_sin-20

Interview with Dick Woodgate

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I’m 56-years-old and I’m British. I live in rural Kent, the garden of England, with my partner and six-year-old son. As well as being a father and a writer, I’m also a furniture maker. One day in a beautiful garden on a long, languorous summer holiday in Normandy I was relaxing in a sun lounger, looking up at a line of silver birch trees, watching their leaves catching the wind. That was the moment when I decided to start writing something. The story I began in my notebook that day would, several years later, grow to become Cold Star, my first published novel. I’ve also written a short story, Treasure Hunter, a spin-off from Cold Star which is available to members of my mailing list.

2) What inspired you to write your book?

The skies are dark down here in Kent. I bought a telescope soon after we moved here from London and watching the skies with it inspired the idea behind my first novel, Cold Star.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

With Cold Star, there are a few themes and ideas expressed within the story. Firstly, there is the idea of things not always being what they seem and there is no better time in history than during the cold war for this idea to be presented. The obsfercation which was endemic within the soviet’s state-controlled media at that time in Russia is unparalleled. And beyond this, I feel the story explores failure – a subject that is not so often examined in literature. Cold Star is the first book in the Agent series, charting the race to the moon in the sixties and so there is also a sense of that pioneering decade of space exploration expressed in parallel with both the plot and the theme of each book in the planned series.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I just love espionage stories and most especially, Fleming’s James Bond. With Fleming, I think it’s the escapism that Bond represents which I love, not just in place but also in time. Reading Fleming is a nostalgic experience, a link to childhood and to simpler times. And I love the plot-driven nature of the spy story genre, the intrigue that’s always present. I believe Fleming to be hugely underrated and, once you get past the anachronisms of the period in which he wrote his Bond books, you find a highly accomplished writer able to draw perfect pictures with beautifully descriptive passages throughout his stories.

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5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

Valentina Primakova. ‘Will you have dinner with me?’ Do I need to say why?

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

It’s early days for me as an author but I will say that I’ve enjoyed posting on Facebook. I never thought I would ever say that!

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Write the book you want to write, the way you want to write it, and enjoy your writing. Concentrate on getting your story down, all the rest of the process of becoming an author and publishing your book can be dealt with later, just don’t think about it for now. Don’t start re-writing until you get your content down, you’ll never get to the end if you do.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

I’m nearing completion of my follow up to Cold Star, provisionally called Silverbird. It features the Agent again but alongside him this time there’s also a strong female lead. Silverbird is set a little later on in the sixties in Europe, Russia and California.It will be the second book in the Agent series. And besides this, I shall be continuing to promote Cold Star.

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Cold Star Review

About the Author

As well as being a writer, I’m also a furniture maker. I moved from London to rural Kent seven years ago to start a family. The skies are dark down here. I bought a telescope soon after we moved and it was this – and a love of espionage fiction, Fleming in particular – which led me to start writing my first novel, Cold Star.

Cold Star is the first book featuring the Agent in a planned series charting the race to the moon in the sixties. A sense of that pioneering decade of space exploration is expressed in parallel with the plot and theme of each book – I’m nearing completion of the second book, set later on in the decade in Europe, Russia & California. I hope you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I have writing it for you. 

Website: https://www.dickwoodgate.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dickwoodgate

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dickwoodgate/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WoodgateDick

Amazon Author Profile page: https://www.amazon.com/Dick-Woodgate/e/B095C7G189?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000

View Cold Star on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094YJX65Q

Cold Star: The Cold War Just Got Hotter by Dick Woodgate Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

An anonymous secret agent in 1960’s Casablanca must deal with danger, a deadly conspiracy, and heated romance in author Dick Woodgate’s espionage thriller, “Cold Star”. 

The Synopsis

An audacious plan, a dangerous attraction, a deadly agent …a fatal flaw.

The Agent is an anonymous British intelligence agent working for a department so secret the government won’t admit to its existence. In 1960s Casablanca, a devastating fire at the port leads the Agent to Morocco where he uncovers an audacious plot of epic proportions. The Agent must unravel the conspiracy and put a stop to it. The Russian embassy is implicated – and the Agent’s just fallen for one of its diplomats, a beautiful young woman who may hold the key to unearthing the secret in the Sahara… but only if he can overcome his desire for her. And all the while a fatal flaw in the Agent’s assignment goes unnoticed until its explosive revelation in the closing chapters.

The Agent takes you on a thrilling and immersive ride through the heady exoticism of early sixties Casablanca in a compelling cold war era thriller, weaving in science and buckling the classic espionage premise with a twisted finale. Readers of Fleming and le Carré will particularly enjoy this intriguing story, full of narrow escapes and wonderful characters. Brimming with style, detail and atmosphere, Cold Star confidently evokes the period with great historical authenticity. The cold war just got hotter.

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The Review

This was an incredible espionage read. The atmosphere and tone the author employed here very much captured the era of the narrative’s setting. The iconic spy thriller style novel presented both political and action thriller vibes, and the imagery the author used in the writing, from the powerful sports cars the Agent utilized in his adventures to the trickery and air of tension that the protagonist had with other key figures in the novel, really did an amazing job of crafting this fictional world in the reader’s minds.

The characters themselves really brought the novel’s heart into play here. The protagonist himself being this anonymous secret spy known only as The Agent was an inspired choice, as he represented the classic literary characters (and film) such as James Bond that readers have come to know and love over the years while allowing enough room for imagination in the reader’s minds to take over and craft a wholly original and unique experience. The ruthless and almost cold nature of the character’s actions gave such an interesting psychological aspect to his development as well, as he worked to do the “heroic” thing while still struggling to find the meaning and humanity behind his actions. 

The Verdict

A masterfully executed, creative, and engaging spy thriller, author Dick Woodgate’s “Cold Star” is a must-read novel of 2021. The author’s balance of imagery and character growth will have readers harkening back to an iconic time in espionage thriller novels, while the plot and tone will keep readers on the edge of their seat as the shocking finale explodes onto the page. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

As well as being a writer, I’m also a furniture maker. I moved from London to rural Kent seven years ago to start a family. The skies are dark down here. I bought a telescope soon after we moved and it was this – and a love of espionage fiction, Fleming in particular – which led me to start writing my first novel, Cold Star.

Cold Star is the first book featuring the Agent in a planned series charting the race to the moon in the sixties. A sense of that pioneering decade of space exploration is expressed in parallel with the plot and theme of each book – I’m nearing completion of the second book, set later on in the decade in Europe, Russia & California. I hope you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I have writing it for you. 

https://www.dickwoodgate.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dickwoodgate

Net Force: Dark Web by Jerome Preisler Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A series of terrorist attacks emerge just as a brand new Cyber-Security Task Force emerges, and must prove themselves by stopping this powerful new threat in author Jerome Preisler’s action-thriller, “Net Force: Dark Web”. 

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The Synopsis 

The return of the cutting-edge thriller series Net Force, created by Tom Clancy and Steve Pieczenik and written by Jerome Preisler.

The number one threat to our nation’s security is in cyberspace. The new US president wants to tackle the urgent problem head-on and launches a top secret line of defense: Net Force. But before the organization can be announced, the country is hit by an unprecedented, two-pronged terror attack.

Not yet empowered by Congress nor embraced by a dubious intelligence community, still untested, unproven and officially unnamed, Net Force’s elite group of cyber experts and field operatives must lead the fight against the ongoing waves of hacks while tracking down the mastermind. Their failure could mean global catastrophe. Success may lead them to become the highest-level security agency in the United States.

A story that seems ripped from tomorrow’s headlines, Net Force: Dark Web relaunches one of the most prescient thriller series at a time when cybersecurity is more vital than ever.

The Review

An exciting relaunch of a series co-created by icons Tom Clancy and Steve Pieczenik, Net Force: Dark Web is an exciting thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seat throughout the entirety of the novel. Full of action from the book’s first pages, the story is equal parts narrative and character development, giving readers plenty to engage with throughout the novel. 

Employing the same beloved military action, espionage and thriller aspects of any good Tom Clancy novel and incorporating modern day technological warfare and diving into how intimately technology has become a part of our everyday lives, the author does a brilliant job of analyzing our dependence on technology and the next era of terrorism and security around the world. As technology and our society evolves, so to will those seeking to use the good aspects of technology for their own nefarious purposes. 

The Verdict

A well-written, lengthy yet action-packed and engaging read. Author Jerome Preisler has done a marvelous job of creating a cast of characters that feel real and personal enough for readers to feel connected to, like one protagonist named Kali, who’s story evolves greatly from the first page of this novel all the way to it’s end. With the United States facing a dangerous new threat, with government officials in the crosshairs and cyberthreats everywhere, it’s up to a new elite task force to stop the threat before its too late. Find out for yourself why this is the next chapter of an exciting new action-thriller series by preordering your copy of Jerome Preisler’s novel “Net Force: Dark Web” today! 

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Jerome Preisler is the prolific author of almost forty books of fiction and narrative nonfiction, including all eight novels in the New York Times bestselling TOM CLANCY’S POWER PLAYS series.

His latest book is NET FORCE:DARK WEB (November 2019), the first novel in a relaunch of the New York Times bestselling series co-created by Tom Clancy. Forthcoming in May 2020 is the enovella NET FORCE: EYE OF THE DRONE.

Among Jerome’s recent works of narrative history are CODE NAME CAESAR: The Secret Hunt for U-boat 864 During World War Two, and FIRST TO JUMP: How the Band of Brothers Was Aided by the Brave Paratroopers of Pathfinders Company. His next book of nonfiction, CIVIL WAR COMMANDO: William Cushing’s Daring Raid to Sink the Invincible Ironclad C.S.S. Albemarle,will be published by Regnery Books in October 2020.

Jerome lives in New York City and coastal Maine.

https://www.jeromepreisler.com/

https://twitter.com/JeromeAuthor

https://amzn.to/2KB2EKG

The Fourth Courier By Timothy Jay Smith Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A hunt for a killer leads to a high octane thriller filled with drugs, power hungry military leaders and a missing atomic weapon that threatens the security of the free world in author Timothy Jay Smith’s The Fourth Courier. Here is the synopsis. 

The Synopsis

A Fast Paced Espionage Thriller for Alan Furst Fans Set In Post-Cold War Poland. 

It is 1992 in Warsaw, Poland, and the communist era has just ended. A series of grisly murders suddenly becomes an international case when it’s feared that the victims may have been couriers smuggling nuclear material out of the defunct Soviet Union. The FBI sends an agent to help with the investigation. When he learns that a Russian physicist who designed a portable atomic bomb has disappeared, the race is on to find him—and the bomb—before it ends up in the wrong hands.

Smith’s depiction of post-cold war Poland is gloomily atmospheric and murky in a world where nothing is quite as it seems. Suspenseful, thrilling, and smart, The Fourth Courier brings together a straight white FBI agent and gay black CIA officer as they team up to uncover a gruesome plot involving murder, radioactive contraband, narcissistic government leaders, and unconscionable greed.

The Review

A powerful espionage thriller, this novel pushes the envelope and brings a balanced mix of action, suspense and fantastic character development that will instantly make readers fall in love with this story. This novel perfectly explored the post-communism era of Poland as families struggle to make a daily living, shops and restaurants fail to gain the daily resources many take for granted, and drugs begin to filter into the city at a much faster rate. 

The duality of the characters reflects the dual nature of the narrative perfectly. An FBI agent who works to balance his case with a possible romance; a power hungry military leader who hides a truth about himself; a cop who finds themselves crossing the line one too many times. All of these characters bring with them heavy pasts and showcase that everyone has secrets, and everyone is fighting to find the balance between those secrets and daily life. Blended with the larger than life drama and action of this murder mystery and missing nuclear device, and the novel plays out like a must read spring thriller that cannot be missed. 

The Verdict

A must read 2019 novel! Perfectly capturing the espionage thriller genre, author Timothy Jay Smith has brought a rarely seen era in post-communism history to life in a perfect way. The writing is so crystal clear and descriptive that the reader instantly pictures the events like a movie in their own mind, and as the twists and turns in the plot continue to play out in this evenly paced novel, the characters find themselves in the race of their lives as all of their lives begin to converge upon one another. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of “The Fourth Courier” today! 

Rating: 10/10

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Raised crisscrossing America pulling a small green trailer behind the family car, Timothy Jay Smith developed a ceaseless wanderlust that has taken him around the world many times. Polish cops and Greek fishermen, mercenaries and arms dealers, child prostitutes and wannabe terrorists, Indian Chiefs and Indian tailors: he hung with them all in an unparalleled international career that saw him smuggle banned plays from behind the Iron Curtain, maneuver through Occupied Territories, represent the U.S. at the highest levels of foreign governments, and stowaway aboard a “devil’s barge” for a three-days crossing from Cape Verde that landed him in an African jail. 

These experiences explain the unique breadth and sensibility of Tim’s work, for which he’s won top honors. Fire on the Island won the Gold Medal in the 2017 Faulkner-Wisdom Competition for the Novel. He won the Paris Prize for Fiction (now the Paris Literary Prize) for his novel, A Vision of Angels. Kirkus Reviews called Cooper’s Promise “literary dynamite” and selected it as one of the Best Books of 2012. Tim was nominated for the 2018 Pushcart Prize. His screenplays have won numerous competitions. His first stage play, How High the Moon, won the prestigious Stanley Drama Award. He is the founder of the Smith Prize for Political Theater. 

Timothy Jay Smith Social Media Accounts 

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About Arcade Publishing Arcade has been an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing since 2010. We continue doing incredible work discovering, publishing, and promoting new and brilliant voices in literature from around the world. Arcade has published literary giants such as Samuel Beckett, E. M. Cioran, and Leo Tolstoy, alongside new voices such as Ismail Kadar and Andrei Makine. In 2012, Mo Yan won the Nobel Prize for Literature, an exciting achievement for Arcade which had published five of his novels. 

THE FOURTH COURIER by Timothy Jay Smith Arcade * April 3, 2019 * 320 pages * $24.99 ISBN: 978-1948924108 * Hardcover Please visit http://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/arcade-publishing