"The Redemption File", by Marc Sinibaldi

This mystery has Detective Brandon Sidney living in the wake of a personal tragedy had to dealt with the murder of his best friend and partner Derek Hill. It seemed evidence showed Derek was on the take. Not believing this to be so, Brandon maneuvers through an underworld of drug dealers, rival cops, weapon smugglers to solve not only Derek’s murder but also to clear his name….

I was on the edge of my seat following Brandon confronting a labyrinth of corruption while dealing with his personal drama. The author deftly balances the crime and personal struggle and by doing so he has expertly penned an emotionally charge thriller for us to enjoy.

The fast paced and tightly woven narrative is vividly said and very engaging. The tension is relentless and never lets go, needless to say I was hooked from the start. I love the gritty plot line and how Brandon tackled the investigation leaving no stone unturned.

Drugs, murders, smugglings, kidnappings, mole in the department, mob boss and it goes on and on….what is not to like when you have a story filled with all kinds of excitements.

Well said and well done

Thank you Lisa from Swell Media for this ARC which I received via Netgalley for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.

"The Second Son", by Simon Gervais

From soldier to sommelier Chase Burke finds himself dealing with the aftermath of his older brother covert action branded a traitor. His attempts to move his life forward was soon derailed when he is caught in crossfire protecting congresswoman who was dining at the restaurant where he worked at. Question by detectives investigating the shooting, when things didn’t quite add up, they soon had doubts about his heroism and Chase soon became a person of interest. He then went on the run to clear his name and get at the bottom of this mystery…. Enjoy

I simply couldn’t put this story down, both authors are at the top of their game writing this type of thriller. It is a pulse-pounding espionage thriller that is writing with realism only someone in the know can do. Even with its breakneck intelligent pacing it still offers a deeply human core and insights into loyalty. This book is well worth passing time with. The story is well balanced with high- octane moments and quieter ones.

Chase Burke is a wonderful protagonist well worth rooting for: intelligent driven and somewhat flawed and by far not superhuman, he has bad moments. I loved how he partners with a street-smart NYPD detective to uncover the truth before the shadowy network of mercenaries silence them both.

In whole, this story is a nice blend of action, emotion and family drama. I loved every moment I spent time reading it.

Special thanks to Thomas & Mercer for this ARC which I received via Netgalley

"The Quiet War", by Michael J. Lalonde

Book#1

Drawing from his service in the Canadian Armed Force and years as a military intelligence officer, the author has penned a political thriller in a narrative that is gripping of operations, espionage and geopolitical tension. This debut novel places Canada at the centre of a global conflict along with its allies.

Sergeant Sebastien Ray leads JTF2’s (Joint Task Force) Alpha team on a rescue mission: free the hostages and eliminate their captors. The enemy is no ordinary zealot; he is the architect of upheaval intent to changing the entire world. The story begins with a rescue that spirals out of control…..

First, a note from the author:

“Most Canadians have never heard of them, but when a Canadian veteran and a British intelligence officer vanish in Belize, it’s JTF2 that answers the call.” This first installment recreates a version of the mission.

In “The Quiet War”, Canada may be the first target but is not the last. U.K. USA and beyond will be subjects of their own war…I simply can’t wait to see how far- reaching the tentacle of war can be.

With steady pacing and grounded heroes this thriller feels too real IMO and stands apart other geopolitical stories by showing what Canada can do when it is force to act. The narrative is active and passionate, a cinematic glimpse into the high-stake world of a quiet war: it may be drugs, trafficking, abductions even murders whatever the prime target is, hopefully someone higher up the chain of command will be there to take the right decisions.

This first installment challenges assumption about Canadian identity, strength and sovereignty…..so real in today’s world.

This is an excellent read that will have you flipping pages at the speed of light. Interesting and captivating to no end….I simply loved it.

Well-said and well-done.

My thanks to the Book Whisperer for this ARC which I received from Netgalley