The Compass Room by Mark James

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

The gripping sequel to the Kirkus-starred Friendship Games — The Compass Room is a Wartmann Thriller that stands powerfully on its own.

The war was over before it even started.

In the aftermath of disaster, more than 200,000 Americans are stranded in hostile territory, and Washington reels from a conflict it never imagined losing. Across Europe, unrest spreads while America's allies falter, divided and indecisive — much like its own President. In contrast, Turkey moves boldly to expand its reach, while Russia and China seize the moment to press their advantage.

Vice President George "Daddy Longlegs" Wartmann now faces his greatest test: holding a fractured nation together as political polarization deepens, impeachment looms, unrest grows at home, markets crash, and enemies maneuver abroad. Every choice carries peril, and survival may depend on finding direction in a world turned upside down.

The war might have been over before it started… but one man refuses to accept defeat, and he knows the story is only beginning.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 353 / 71,564

The Big Bad by Brad Huestis

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

The Big Bad by Brad Huestis
When Jessica Gilbert, a US Army JAG Corps major, deploys to Iraq in early 2006, she is excited to help rebuild the rule of law. But soon the disturbing allegation that an infamous Army colonel cut the ears from dead Iraqi fighters as bloody war trophies captures her focus. Her investigation quickly morphs into a murder inquiry when she uncovers gruesome photographs revealing that the fighters were brutally executed on the battlefield. In her quest to uncover the truth of what happened and why, she wrestles with the disparity in treatment of decision-makers versus trigger-pullers. Besides figuring out who committed this atrocity and their motives, she must fight to make sure everyone involved-from the top down-is held responsible.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 240 / 66,679

The Long Game by Mark Fleisher

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

In The Long Game Mark Fleisher serves up a quartet of stories involving murder, mayhem, courtroom drama, and old-fashioned detective work. His locations are diverse: Kentucky, New York City, Boston, and western Massachusetts. All are places he describes with pinpoint accuracy and replete with local flavor and local characters. His moments of serious dialogue crackle and sizzle. Yet Fleisher writes tenderly of relationships and sprinkles humor throughout the stories. The final paragraphs of each tale will keep the reader guessing where the main characters will next journey.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 175 / 46,000

The Scout by Michael C. Dixon

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

Staff Sergeant Elijah Kane has spent his career operating in the shadows of modern warfare, where missions are classified, failures are buried, and the truth is often the first casualty. When a covert operation in Eastern Europe goes catastrophically wrong, one of his men disappears—officially listed as killed in action, unofficially erased.

Years later, fragments of that mission begin to surface. Conflicting intelligence, altered records, and quiet warnings suggest that the truth surrounding the operation was deliberately obscured. As Kane is drawn back into the orbit of black-budget programs and deniable task forces, he is forced to confront the possibility that loyalty and obedience may have been weaponized against him.

The Scout follows Kane as he navigates a world where accountability no longer exists, alliances are provisional, and survival often depends on knowing when not to ask questions. The novel explores the psychological toll of command, the cost of moral compromise, and the enduring bonds between soldiers long after the fighting ends.

Grounded in realism and restraint, The Scout is a military thriller focused less on spectacle and more on consequence—examining what happens when duty collides with conscience, and when the truth refuses to stay buried.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 319 / 55,387

Another Death at Antietam by Peter Adams Young

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

SEPTEMBER 1998

Compelling echoes of the Civil War resonate to the present day.

Five days before the 136th anniversary of the bloodiest day in American history, the body of a young man is found at the center of the Antietam National Cemetery. He is wearing the uniform of a Union Army private. Annie and Mike Davis are drawn into the leisurely official investigation into the mystery of the young man’s death, eventually encountering intertwined evidence of human trafficking, illegal arms smuggling, and a self-styled constitutional militia unit.

This is the second of the series of modern-day murder mysteries by award-winning author Peter Adams Young. The first of these, "Another Death at Gettysburg", is set in and around that historic battlefield.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 434 / 119,158

Soulless by Joseph Badal

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

Soulless features Eddie Parnall and Tatiana Borodvic who were introduced in Joseph Badal's novel Justice, the third book in the Curtis Chronicles series. Parnall, a retired CIA agent, and Borodvic, a former Bulgarian Special Operator, join a high-octane cast of characters who starred in previous books in the Curtis Chronicles series. Joseph Badal introduces diabolical villains whom the reader will love to hate, while cheering on the good guys as they work to bring down evildoers. At a time when human trafficking has become a $150 billion-dollar annual business and a global catastrophe, SOULLESS offers a picture of the extent of this crime against humanity and puts the reader on a roller coaster ride of tension and suspense. The story is presented via well-drawn characters and dynamic dialogue that will entertain the most demanding thriller and mystery fans. Fans of Robert Ludlum, Robert Dugoni, and Brad Thor will love this story. Badal is a master at mystifying, misleading, surprising, and entertaining the reader.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 414 / 100,293

Task Force Thunderbolt by Galen D. Peterson

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

After six months stagnation on the Ukrainian battlefield, NATO’s counteroffensive looms. Captain Logan Trondfjell and the armored warriors of Lightning Troop will guard the right flank. On the eve of battle, Logan moves up to squadron staff, pulling him farther from his old battle buddy, Sergeant First Class Running Bear. Opposite no-mans-land, Russian divisions mass to crush the counteroffensive. Behind the Russian divisions, a top-secret prisoner of war camp contains Americans the Russians would rather kill than return. Only a daring raid by Captain Sam Gentry’s U.S. Rangers can rescue their fate. As Russian President Voroshilov’s war climaxes, a blizzard isolates all and stirs the swirling chaos.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 312 / 92,000

Target Kyiv by J. M. Taylor

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Author's Synopsis

FEBRUARY 2022: Intelligence reports prompt a call to Matt Ross, ex-U. S. Army nuclear expert and sniper, to deal with the nuclear threat not only to the Ukrainian military and civilians, but also to the International Atomic Energy team at Chernobyl and his new friends in the Ukrainian drone-flying, tank-busting Aerorozvidka outfit. Along the way, Ross picks up Ulf, a brindle Dutch Shepherd bomb detection dog, and finds himself in the middle of the Russian invasion, trying to remember how to down an attack helicopter with a Stinger missile, destroy a tank with a Ukrainian Skif anti-tank missile, and prevent the spread of radioactive debris across Europe.

Genre(s): Fiction

Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle, ePub/iBook

Monroe Doctrine: A Post-War Novel by James Rosone

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MWSA Review

The final book of the Monroe Doctrine series is just as exciting and just as plausible as the rest of the series has been. Though hostilities have ended, the absence of war doesn't necessarily mean peace. China needs to be rebuilt, along with the US economy. And not everyone in China is happy with the peace agreement. Thousands of former Chinese soldiers are now without a job and anxious to avenge their country's defeat. The Artificial Intelligence entity, Jade Dragon, is still alive and still wants to achieve the goals it was given. In the meantime, India wants that same AI advantage, as it seeks to fill the void left by China, and America wants its own, more ethical robot warrior program.

These elements all set the just recently "peaceful" world on a collision course for more violence, more chaos, and more death. How will the human leadership of the world navigate this new landscape? The characters that have survived this far are committed to doing what they can, but will it be enough?

Fans of Tom Clancy and Dale Brown will enjoy this ending to a very well written and engaging series.

Review by Rob Ballister (July 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Jade Dragon had been crushed…

…China was forced to relent…

…but picking up the pieces had only just begun.

After years of conflict, the Allies emerged victorious on the battlefield. However, the World was left bruised and battle-worn. American President Maria Delgado had her hands full with the recovery efforts.

Blain Wilson would be pulled in…

…deeper down the rabbit hole than he intended.

Trying to avoid mistakes of the past, the United States limited its peacekeeping force and relied on allies. General Song appeared to be a leader the people of China could rally behind.

Would reconstruction efforts be enough to avoid a future war?

Soldiers who had become accustomed to war now had to readjust to peace—a return to life in a world they barely recognized. Many struggled greatly with this transition, medicating themselves with alcohol or by other means.

Who would find the strength to pull through?

What nations would be the ones to rise from the ashes of war?

Find out what happened after the war ended. You’ll love this exciting continuation of the Monroe Doctrine series because the characters’ fates are not always what they seem.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 274

Word Count: 90,271

Murder Comes Home by Rosalie Spielman

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MWSA Review

Murder Comes Home by Rosalie Spielman is a cozy mystery with all the elements required to fit the subgenre of crime fiction. Spielman’s story is characterized by a focus on suspense, misdirection, and an intriguing plot. She avoids graphic violence and profanity while setting the stage with two amateur sleuths, Aunt Edna and her niece, Army retiree Tessa Treslow.

The story takes place in the small, close-knit community of New Oslo, Idaho complete with quirky characters, including two elderly sisters, Ginny and Olive Prunn, who are good at local historical genealogies as well as noticing everything that goes on in New Oslo from their storefront windows.

As with most cozy mysteries, this one also has an underlying humorous tone that made me chuckle occasionally. The victim of the crime is not particularly likable, and many have a motive to want him out of the picture. Tessa and Edna focus on the complicated puzzle of solving the mystery and begin to uncover a tortured family history of the previous occupants of their home.

As the story unravels, author Spielman deftly intersperses believable red herrings to keep the reader guessing who the real culprit is. As with most cozy mysteries, this one is solved by Tessa and Edna in a satisfying and happy ending, restoring order and peace to New Oslo, Idaho. I enjoyed following the amateur sleuths on their journey to solve this crime.

Review by Nancy Panko (May 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Army retiree Tessa Treslow is as excited as the other residents of New Oslo, Idaho, when the cast and crew of the TV show Picks with Ricks comes to town! Tessa and her Aunt Edna put their car restoration business on hold to let the celebrity antique hunters pick through their old garage, hoping the trash contains a treasure that will help fund their new business. But it turns out that the pickers come with TV cameras, likeable stars, a stressed-out producer—and a murderer!

The show’s lead makes an insistent offer on one of Aunt Edna’s renovation projects and won’t take no for an answer. And when Tessa finds the show's cameraman dead in the restored 1965 Mustang, Tessa knows murder has come home yet again. And the mystery takes a very personal turn when the dead man is found with an antique inscribed pocket watch connected to the former owners of Aunt Edna's farmhouse. As Tessa digs into the history surrounding the pocket watch and the relationships of the TV crew, shocking details—both old and new—arise. Will Tessa be able to catch a killer...before they return for a repeat performance?

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 283

Word Count: 76,000

Chasing Money: A Marty and Bo Thriller by Michael Balter

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MWSA Review

Chasing Money: A Marty and Bo Thriller is a twisting mystery romp, a mixture of satire and dark humor that keeps readers hooked from the first page.

Marty and Bo are struggling entrepreneurs, always chasing money to fund their struggling new business. When they connect with Nico Scava, he seems to be the perfect angel investor: the answer to their prayers, with connections in the art world and a creative idea. But instead, Nico proves the adage, “Be careful what you wish for.”

The plot involves the Russian mob, faked artwork, a bogus baron, violent murders, and a frantic chase from a cabin on Mount Hood to a Portland strip club.  Debut author Michael Balter’s wry humor, clear writing style, and knowledge of art history make this a captivating story.  

Balter has teamed up with Mission Point Press, a publishing firm with a history of transforming first-time authors into success stories.  Chasing Money, published in 2023, has already garnered an impressive roster of literary awards. This is the first of two Marty and Bo thrillers, with a sequel eagerly anticipated.  

Review by James Elsener (May 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Most investor pitch meetings don’t end in murder - but then Marty and Bo haven’t had a lot of luck lately. They’ve been struggling to keep their startup business alive. It’s not high-tech, it’s not highly successful and the pressure to find capital has strained their bank accounts and Marty’s marriage.

So when Nico Scava offered to invest they eagerly accepted. He had money, connections in the art world, and a creative idea, but maybe they should have asked more questions. Now Nico’s dead and they’re on the hook for whatever scheme he was running. The Russian mob is after them, and if they don’t find $10 million and a mysterious missing painting in the next few days they’ll be dead too.

Their frantic chase will lead them from a cabin in the Oregon woods to a Portland strip club, from an aging artist to a bogus baron, and deep into the history of a missing masterpiece that someone is willing to kill to obtain. As the bodies pile up, Marty and Bo will have some tough choices to make about how far they’ll go to protect their families, their company, and themselves.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 286

Word Count: 79000

The Very Last War by WH Hawthorne

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MWSA Review

W.H. Hawthorne’s The Very Last War is a believable techno-thriller that combines plausible weapons tech with American fighting spirit.
After a disastrous presidential administration ruins America’s reputation and causes her allies to turn against her, the United States leaves the UN and finds herself without international friends. The world, sensing the weakness of its once greatest superpower, plots to destroy her once and for all. However, two factors arise which stand in their way.
First, America’s new president, Jake O’Connor, believes in returning America to the people, and soon the country is rallying around his simple message. America’s spirit is reborn. Second, this president believes in restoring America’s military dominance and gives free reign to young technological minds to push the limits of technology on the battlefield. They soon come up with what may be a “wonder weapon.” America’s arsenal is ready.
The now hostile UN plans a two-prong invasion of the United States, with Germany pushing through Canada and China attacking via Mexico. Friendless, America is left only with her rebuilding military, its new techno-toy, and the spirit of her citizens. Will it be enough?
Fans of Tom Clancy, Harold Coyle, and Dale Brown will love this book. The science is sound, the characters colorful, and ending more than satisfying.
Review by Rob Ballister (May 2025) 

Author's Synopsis

#1 Amazon Bestseller, Political Fiction

A pivotal election revives freedom and self-governance in America, sending shockwaves across the globe and rattling four rival powers—European socialists, Chinese communists, Islamic radicals, and avaricious Russian leaders.

With dreams of world domination fading, they set aside differences and forge an alliance. Not to simply defeat America, but—with the help of a devastating new weapon—to erase it from the earth.

Outnumbered and alone, America answers with its own revolutionary weapon. But machines, no matter how intelligent, won’t be enough. Once again, survival will depend on something older. Something deeper.

The unbreakable American spirit.

In dimly lit halls of power, shadowy intrigues unfold. On sunlit battlefields, selfless heroism burns bright. Across North America, war rages from the frozen tundra of Alaska to the red clay of Alabama, from the mountains of Montana to the scorching deserts of Mexico.

If America falls, the free world falls with her.

A great generation will be needed. But can America still produce greatness?

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 543

Word Count: 153,790

Note: Audiobook version coming out by April 2025

Red Lines by James Bultema

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MWSA Review

Red Lines by James Bultema describes the US response to Iran’s attack on Independence Hall, crossing a red line that the US does not tolerate. In the air, on the ground, on the sea, and under the sea, the US demonstrates not only its might in terms of people but also technology. The Iranian forces are also well trained and have many technologically advanced weapons. This is no walk in the park for the US troops.

In addition to having Iran as the antagonist, the other difference in this book is the use of AI in so many ways. Cyberwarfare is exercised by both sides in ways you may not have thought about. The battle scenes are realistic. Chapter 4 especially outlines the strengths and weaknesses of both the US and Iran. The book makes clear that modern warfare is complex, and communication is strategically important.

Review by Nancy Kauffman (March 2025)

Author Synopsis

From seven-time award-winning author James Bultema, Red Lines is the third explosive installment in the Sea of Red series, plunging readers into the heart of a modern military war between the United States and Iran.

After a devastating attack on a symbol of American freedom by radicalized domestic Hezbollah terrorists, the US finds itself on the brink of war. Tensions escalate as retaliatory strikes lead to a high-stakes confrontation that reverberates across the globe.

In a game of cat and mouse, submarines prowl the depths, fighter jets streak across the skies, and warships clash in an epic struggle for dominance. With advanced weaponry and strategic cunning, both sides push the boundaries of warfare, drawing the world's superpowers into a conflict that threatens global stability.

With the future of international order hanging in the balance, Red Lines takes readers on a relentless journey through the complexities of modern warfare and the far-reaching consequences of a single, violent act.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 410

Word Count: 75,765

Author's Synopsis

The Only Ones Left by KE Jennings

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MWSA Review

The Only Ones Left is an intriguing and, at times, thrilling story of a woman and her young son who believe they are the last people on Earth after everyone, including her husband, disappears without explanation.

It is not a new plot (see The Twilight Zone Episode 1, Season 1, "Where is Everyone"), but it provides some unique twists with a nod to modern times. Malia is trying to live as normal a life as possible despite their circumstances. There are some chill-inducing encounters with "Shadow Man" and the red-eyed crow. When Malia is contacted by one other survivor of the apocalypse, an online relationship develops. Ian lives in Australia, Malia in the U.S. Ian has to figure out how to travel halfway around the world to reach her. I was stunned by the ending, as it left a lot for the reader to interpret and provided more questions than answers.
This was a dark thriller that was a good read...but left me a bit in the dark. Perhaps there is a sequel in the works.

Review by James Elsener (March 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

Malia lives with Cole, her little boy. They are always together and live a very quiet life because absolutely everyone else in the world has gone, including Malia's beloved husband Josh. Malia can't think too deeply about what has happened, or why she and Cole are the only people left on the planet. The thought scares her, so she lives what she perceives to be a 'normal' existence until one day, she is messaged by someone on defunct social media channels. In a desperate attempt to connect to this man, Malia strikes up an online friendship with Ian, in Australia. That's when even more strange and unnatural things start to happen. Dark entities and crows begin to threaten Malia and Cole's very existence, which Malia desperately tries to cling onto while Ian is trying to get to her and her son. Will he make it? Will Malia and Cole survive and who are the dark entities that threaten then only ones left?

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 208

Word Count: 62805

The Black Raven's Song by Macklin Grey

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MWSA Review

The Black Raven's Song by Macklin Grey is fast-moving international thriller that any thriller fan should enjoy. Author Grey's protagonist, Chase Harper, is a former U.S. military special forces soldier who finds himself unexpectedly thrown into a hunt to find a kidnapped friend. Little does he suspect that the kidnapping is related to some stolen enriched uranium and a North Korean plot to get itself out of a terrible famine or go to war trying. Most of the book is set in or around exotic Singapore. A nuclear explosion, helicopters, submarines, gangsters, and North Korean assassins all team up to take the reader on quite the reading journey. Chase Harper is a protagonist who is easy to cheer for. I enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it.

Review by Bob Doerr (May 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

An anonymous threat, a catastrophic explosion, and a deadly race against time all collide at once.

After a nuclear bomb devastates St. Petersburg, Russia, killing hundreds of thousands and plunging the global economy into chaos, the world teeters on the brink of disaster. Amidst the turmoil, Chase Harper is sent to Singapore to salvage his company’s future. But fate has other plans for the former mercenary haunted by the recent loss of his wife and daughter. When North Korean assassins kidnap his closest friends to use as leverage in an attempt to seize mysterious cargo traveling across the Indian Ocean, Chase is dragged back into a world he desperately tried to leave behind. Intent on rescuing those he holds dear, Chase must confront his buried demons and reawaken his deadly skills.

Teaming up with an unlikely ally, he is thrust into a high-stakes operation to stop a madman intent on unleashing a catastrophic attack that could kill millions. Together, they must navigate a treacherous web of international intrigue and deadly conspiracies. With everything on the line, Chase faces a harrowing choice: become the killer he once was or risk losing all that he holds dear. If he fails, the last remnants of his shattered family will die, along with countless others.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 349

Word Count: 116,000

Broken Shadows by Patrick J Hughes

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MWSA Review

Dolan Keane is a broken man, but that doesn’t mean he is incompetent. While struggling with the results of a military mission gone wrong, his subsequent court martial, and PTSD, he still manages to get by, albeit with a high degree of paranoia. As a former intelligence officer, Keane keeps tabs electronically on the man who took out Keane’s entire SEAL team, Rami Al-Mahdi. As Al-Mahdi targets Keane and his family, the pace quickens. Keane’s son is embroiled in the plot, and Keane must rescue him, with the help of a few friends.

The action is intense, and the ending is surprising. Those who enjoy military thrillers, twisty plots, and a protagonist who must overcome intense psychological and physical threats will be enthralled with Broken Shadows.

Review by Betsy Beard (April 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Haunted by his past, former intelligence officer Dolan Keane finds himself at the heart of a deadly conspiracy in Broken Shadows. After a failed mission in the Middle East leaves his SEAL team dead and his career in shambles, Dolan retreats to the small, sleepy town of Onancock, Virginia, hoping to escape the weight of his failures and the memories that refuse to fade.

But the past never stays buried. When his son Kevin is drawn into a global web of deceit orchestrated by the enigmatic Rami Al-Mahdi—a notorious terrorist leader—and Slater, a corrupt insider with ties to military intelligence, Dolan is thrust back into the shadows. His search for answers reveals that the catastrophic mission he barely survived was not a failure of circumstance, but part of a larger scheme with far-reaching implications.

With the clock ticking, Dolan must navigate a world of betrayal, uncover hidden truths, and face his darkest fears to save Kevin and unravel a conspiracy that threatens to ignite chaos in the Middle East. The journey takes him from the tranquil shores of Virginia to the harrowing depths of enemy strongholds, forcing him to confront not just the external forces working against him but the inner demons that have long consumed him.

In a breathtaking climax, Dolan must rely on his wits, skills, and the strength he didn’t know he still possessed to face Al-Mahdi and bring his son home. Yet redemption does not come without sacrifice. As Dolan wrestles with the cost of his choices, he discovers that healing is not found in revenge but in the enduring bonds of family and the hope for a future unshackled from the shadows.

You will be captivated by this intense military thriller that masterfully weaves themes of resilience, redemption, and the unyielding power of love. Broken Shadows is a story of a man’s fight to protect what matters most in a world where every step closer to the truth could be his last.

Format(s) for review: Kindle Only

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 459

Word Count: 104272

The Spear and the Sentinel by J. L. Hancock

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MWSA Review

J. L. Hancock has delivered an outstanding sequel with The Spear and the Sentinel, following his previous work, The Hawk Enigma. The fast-paced thriller continues the exploits of Voodoo and his courageous special operations compatriots in their mission to uncover secrets in the sinister world of advanced artificial intelligence (AI). The team is tasked with a covert assignment deep in the heart of Kazakhstan with little to no lifeline to the outside world. The reader will experience a rapid tempo of unexpected turns, twists, unpredictable relationships, and old adversaries that will keep the pages turning.

Hancock exhibits his mastery of character development. They are credible and wonderfully flawed. His knowledge of black ops/special forces is impressive; the dialogue and narratives demonstrate this unique quality. His world of technical advancement in weaponry, surveillance, and AI is almost unbelievable and many times highly sinister. Is this a glimpse into the future, or are we already there?  The reader will not be disappointed. The language is sometimes technical and specialized, but Hancock takes us along for the ride. And what a ride it is—thoroughly worth the trip!

Review by Sandi Cathcart (March 2025)

Author's Synopsis

Voodoo and his team of special operators are thrust into the heart of a global conflict. The stakes have never been higher as China’s Belt and Road Initiative pushes into Central Asia, exposing dark ambitions and a secret lab advancing AI warfare.

Set against the vast steppes of Kazakhstan, this story unfolds in the shadow of the former Soviet Union. Tensions rise as Voodoo’s team embarks on a covert mission. New team members add to the friction as more troubles from Voodoo’s past return to the present.

They soon find themselves on the brink of a perilous future the Western world is unwilling to face: a world where AI reigns supreme, and there's no turning back. Fans of Jack Ryan, Tom Clancy, and Clive Cussler will snatch this thriller and refuse to let go.

Will Voodoo’s team succeed? Or has his luck finally run out?

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 340

Word Count: 80,000

The Bridge by George Encizo

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MWSA Review

The Bridge by George Encizo is appropriately dedicated "To fathers, daughters, and dog owners everywhere." This is a book about relationships between teens, teens and their parents, and people with their dogs.

JD Pickens is a sheriff in a small rural county in Central Florida, and he is the father of 16-year-old Sarah and owner of a dog named Bailey. He and his daughter have a very good relationship with trust on both sides.

At various points in the story, there is a murderer in the area, who adds to the pressures on the sheriff as he deals with his daughter's new interest in boys and with the death of their beloved dog Bailey.

While the back cover blurb describes the sheriff's portion of the book rather than giving a more holistic picture, it’s not as much a mystery/thriller/crime story as it is about relationships with people as well as with dogs.

Review by Nancy Kauffman (February 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Sheriff JD Pickens had never experienced such turmoil in his personal and business life as he did now. Whenever he thought he had the situation under control, something new would crop up. But Pickens forged on undaunted, yet the enormity of the conditions rolled over him like a giant bolder and threatened to crush him like a cockroach. Pickens felt like giving up, but he wasn’t one to surrender without a fight. The problem was whether Pickens could win.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 287

Word Count: 65,720

Nightmares in Green by Dale Kelley

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Author's Synopsis

The darkest dreams meet the light of day.

It’s 1968. Sean Hurley is a hot-headed platoon leader deep in the jungles of Vietnam. This immersive novel brings you betrayals, friends killed in action, and an unexpected spy to keep you guessing rings up to the end.

Genre(s): Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery/Thriller

Format(s): Soft cover, ePub/iBook

ISBN/ASIN: 9798334347021

Heroic Measures by Joel Shulkin, MD

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MWSA Review
If you are looking for a medical sci-fi technothriller to read, look no further than Heroic Measures, Book 1 of the Death Benefits series, by Joel Shulkin, MD. Shulkin has crafted a roller coaster ride of a thriller.

Stephen Englehart is a top Armed Forces medical examiner, whose goal in life is to help bring peace to families of the fallen. But during a not-quite-routine, combat-death autopsy, he stumbles onto a mystery when the photos of the body and rank of the servicemember don’t match the physical remains on his autopsy table. During the procedure, the supposedly dead marine wakes up and creates havoc in the morgue. Englehart refuses to let the misidentification mystery rest and pursues what looks like a military conspiracy.

Just when I thought I knew who the good guys were, the author flipped the script, keeping me in suspense to the end. Characters were believable, and the medical sci-fi aspects were explained with enough techy-talk to make them plausible. The surprises just kept coming. There is a bit of a Captain America comic book feel to the book, and the author explains that very well.

Review by Betsy Beard (February 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

Stephen Englehart, an Armed Forces medical examiner. dedicates his life to bringing peace to the families of fallen soldiers. Tagged as one of the best, he’s able to spot forensic clues others miss. But when the body of a US Marine, supposedly burned beyond recognition, shows up with hardly a scratch, even Stephen is stumped. Were the bodies switched? Then, in the middle of the autopsy, the impossible happens.

The soldier wakes up.

Something incredible—and dangerous—is happening to the military’s elite, and Stephen may be the only one who can figure it out. And when Stephen’s sister, a Green Beret, goes missing, the entire military machine seems designed to stop him from finding her. To find the truth and save his sister, one man must stand against an army. Can he be the hero he never thought he could?

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 380

Word Count: 87000