The Real Book Spy

17/08/2024

If you're a fan of C.J. Box and/or Craig Johnson and you're not reading William Kent Krueger you're missing out in a big way. His latest book, SPIRIT CROSSING, comes out Tuesday and is a masterclass in suspense and atmospheric storytelling.

Full (spoiler-free) review below!

William Kent Krueger delivers another masterclass in suspense and atmospheric storytelling with his latest Cork O’Connor novel, Spirit Crossing, the twentieth book in his New York Times bestselling…

16/08/2024

A new TRBS newsletter just went out. See news on TWO new Tom Clancy Thrillers + a look back at this week's new mystery & thriller releases AND this week's best deals on must-read books!

View here: https://mailchi.mp/therealbookspy/20-must-read-thrillers-hitting-bookstores-this-fall-10702914

13/08/2024

It all started like a normal day, but when a plane falls from the sky and crashes into a nuclear power plant, it quickly becomes the WORST CASE SCENARIO. And when the worst happens, it’s the everyday men and women who become the heroes we need.

Do NOT miss this brilliant new novel from T.J. Newman—now available in bookstores everywhere!

Order here: https://amzn.to/3Sfbb98

12/08/2024

Have you pre-ordered Simon Gervais' THE ELIAS NETWORK yet?

It's part Mr. & Mrs. Smith, part political thriller, part action adventure. It's seriously awesome. #1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor called it "Absolutely riveting."

Trust me, you do not want to miss this one!

The Elias Network (Caspian Anderson)

12/08/2024

"For a book with the word “empty” in the title, Robert Crais sure does pack a ton into his latest offering . . . With his sharp prose, well-drawn characters, and an intricate plot that never ceases to surprise, Robert Crais has crafted another masterpiece, delivering a story that is both a gripping page-turner and a profound exploration of hidden evils in The Big Empty, a must for anyone in search of an edge-of-your-seat reading experience that’ll stay with you long after turning the final page."

Featured Review: ‘The Big Empty’ by Robert Crais

In Robert Crais’ latest masterpiece, the 20th in his #1 New York Times bestselling series, the dynamic duo of Elvis Cole and Joe Pike deliver one of their most riveting adventures yet. Ten years ag…

11/08/2024

Featured Review: ‘The Beijing Betrayal’ by Joel C. Rosenberg (from Tyndale House Publishers & Tyndale House Crazy4Fiction)

Joel C. Rosenberg is back with his most explosive novel to date, one that brings his bestselling Marcus Ryker series to an epic conclusion. Set after the events of The Libyan Diversion (2023), form…

11/08/2024

Don't miss a single new mystery or thriller this month!

  A new month means a new Reading Guide, and over the next four weeks, tons of great mysteries and thrillers are set to hit bookstore shelves. As always, we’ve highlighted several titles…

10/08/2024

PRESUMED GUILTY: Scott Turow’s Next Novel Slated for January 2025 Release

On January 14th, 2025, Presumed Guilty, the all-new novel from New York Times bestselling author Scott Turow, will hit bookstores everywhere. Turow, a retired partner of a major international law f…

09/08/2024

National Book Lovers Day: Discover These 15 Must-Read Mysteries & Thrillers

Includes books from Vince Flynn C.J. Box Agatha Christie Anthony Horowitz Brad Thor Harlan Coben Ruth Ware Jack Carr Mark Greaney Louise Penny Brad Taylor Daniel Silva Riley Sager and more!

Happy National Book Lovers Day, everyone! My favorite day of the year, I am personally celebrating by listening to the audiobook of Brad Thor’s new Scot Harvath thriller, Shadow of Doubt. I& #…

09/08/2024

For the night crowd: Here is EVERY Mystery & Thriller Hitting Bookstores this Fall!

  Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy mystery, a head-spinning whodunit, or an action-packed thriller that’ll have your heart rate up and leave you ducking for cover, good news—f…

08/08/2024

Hard to believe (because time absolutely flies!) but LETHAL RANGE was released one year ago today.

My second Matthew Redd thriller, this one is special to me for a number of reasons. Not only does Redd really come into his own here—now that he’s married and has a son—but I also got to introduce Redd’s closest friends, Mikey and Liz Derhammer, and of course, his bestest boy, Rubble the Rottweiler.

When thinking about FIELDS OF FIRE, I had only ever hoped to sell ONE book. I just wanted to get published. I remeber very vividly signing my contract, a two-book deal, and thinking to myself, “oh, shoot! They’re going to want a second book!” And then getting right to work on Redd #2.

So, in honor of LETHAL RANGE coming out a year ago, here’s a couple fun facts:

1.) The original working title was KILLING GROUND.

2.) When I wrote the first drafts of FIELDS OF FIRE, I always knew that Redd would end up with Emily, a nurse practitioner, and have a family. Ironicaly, in real life—my best friend, Mikey (who is also Redd’s best friend), ended up marrying a woman named Emily, and I kid you not… she’s a nurse practitioner. (I may have willed that to happen guys, just saying. Ha!) Anways, when I wrote real Mikey into the books, I couldn’t put his wife—real Emily, one of my other best friends—in as herself. Therefore, in the books, Mikey is Married to Liz, after real Emily’s middle name. Crazy, right?!

3.) We went over a few cover concepts for the artwork you see today, and every single change I asked for made the cover infinitely worse. Thankfully, Dean — the artist at Tyndale — knows what he’s doing. We literally went back to the original concept he created and used that. Dean is a wizard, and I love this over! (I’ve since learned to hold my tongue on anything art or cover related.)

4.) Long before I wrote the first draft of what would later before FIELDS OF FIRE, I wrote an action thriller (that was never published) called THE HIDDEN TRUTH, starring a former assassin named Aaron Decker. Whelp, in LETHAL RANGE, Decker has a cameo, before becoming a full-time participant in the events of OUT FOR BLOOD.

5.) Because I am so fond of Decker, I held onto those early works that never saw the light of day. Now, I get to reimagine and totally and completely re-write it as Redd #5 — which I’ve just begun tinkering with. It’s Redd’s book, and all about him, but when I added Decker’s cameo in LETHAL RANGE, it was always to setup the fifth book.

6.) The last three words of LETHAL RANGE revealed the title of Redd #3 — OUT FOR BLOOD — long before we actually announced it.

7.) Of all my books, LETHAL RANGE had the biggest changes (during the editing process) to any ending I’ve written to date.

8.) By far, this is the fastest I’ve ever written a book. I’m not sure why — but that remains true today. (I think it took four months to complete.)

9.) I only have two aunts, (Shelly and Marlene), and I’m very close with my aunt Marlene. Her favorite author is Nelson DeMille. Nelson DeMille blurbed LETHAL RANGE. She was the first person I called when he sent me his endorsement.

10.) This was the book that made me actually FEEL like a real author.

If you haven’t read it, I sure would be honored if you’d check it out!

Lethal Range (A Matthew Redd Thriller)

08/08/2024

From cozy mysteries and head-spinning whodunits to physiological suspense and hard-hitting action and everything in between, here's . . . EVERY Mystery & Thriller Hitting Bookstores this Fall!

  Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy mystery, a head-spinning whodunit, or an action-packed thriller that’ll have your heart rate up and leave you ducking for cover, good news—f…

07/08/2024

What an awesome event!

VIP, general admission and virtual tickets are available for our October 26th Thrills & Chills fundraiser benefiting Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Click the link for all the details.

https://www.citypapertickets.com/events/155795235/thrills-chills

06/08/2024

To stay in the loop on all things mystery & thriller, sign up for TRBS newsletter! It's free and includes the latest news, best deals, and new releases YOU need to know about. We have a new newsletter going out tonight. Make sure you don't miss it!

The Real Book Spy Email Forms

06/08/2024

The "scientists with guns" aka the gang from Sigma Force are back and better than ever in ARKANGEL, the latest thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author James Rollins. Get your copy today!

Arkangel: A Sigma Force Novel (Sigma Force, 18)

06/08/2024

Only three more hours until Scot Harvath is back in bookstores!

Whatever you do, do not miss SHADOW OF DOUBT, the latest high-octane thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor!

Order here: https://amzn.to/3AgvmNS

06/08/2024

I can’t wait for you all to read Brad Thor’s new book. It’s one of my very favorite Scot Harvarh books yet!

Tomorrow's the big day. SHADOW OF DOUBT will officially be on sale. My thanks to all of you who have pre-ordered and those of you picking it up tomorrow to help make it our biggest Day One ever.

Tonight, there's only one thing left to do. Cheers.

03/08/2024

WATCH: The Real Book Spy Chats with WORST CASE SCENARIO Author T.J. Newman

  You might have heard already, but this summer’s most explosive thriller is set to hit bookstores on August 13th. Worst Case Scenario, the full-throttle, impossible-to-put-down new nove…

31/07/2024

Want a sneak peek at every mystery & thriller coming out next month? We've got you covered!

  A new month means a new Reading Guide, and over the next four weeks, tons of great mysteries and thrillers are set to hit bookstore shelves. As always, we’ve highlighted several titles…

29/07/2024

Summer is heating up. Don't head to the beach empty-handed. Take one of these red-hot thrillers!

Summer is just starting to heat up, which means many will soon head for sand and water in search of relaxation and much-needed sun. That also means that readers will start looking for their next gr…

29/07/2024

WORST CASE SCENARIO: 5 Questions with T.J. Newman

  It started like any other day. Then, an airplane fell from the sky, struck a nuclear power plant, and suddenly, things go from bad to . . . The Worst Case Scenario. But don’t let that …

28/07/2024

Stay up to speed on all things mystery and thriller by signing up for The Real Book Spy newsletter!

Join here:

The Real Book Spy Email Forms

27/07/2024

These Major Bestselling Mysteries & Thrillers are all 95% off On Kindle Right Now!

See 'em here: https://open.substack.com/pub/therealbookspy/p/these-major-bestselling-mysteries?r=42q54u&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

27/07/2024

When James Patterson calls a book "the best thriller I've read so far this year," you know what to do.

Do NOT miss this summer's hottest new release!

Pre-order now.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/4aTQFCi
B&N: https://bit.ly/44hP2vB
Indiebound: https://bit.ly/4bbupTV
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/worst-case-scenario/id6479973957

27/07/2024

See EVERY Mystery and Thriller Hitting Bookstores Next Month!

A new month means a new Reading Guide, and over the next four weeks, tons of great mysteries and thrillers are set to hit bookstore shelves. As always, we’ve highlighted several titles that w…

27/07/2024

THE MEDICI RETURN: Steve Berry's Next Cotton Malone Novel Set for Early 2025

  On February 11th, 2025, Cotton Malone returns to solve a five-hundred-year-old mystery in The Medici Return, the latest thriller in Steve Berry’s New York Times bestselling series. Ber…

26/07/2024

Featured Review: ‘Tom Clancy Shadow State’ by M.P. Woodward

While working on a “white side” operation for Henley and Associates, Jack Ryan Junior finds more than he bargained for in this thrilling series debut from author M.P. Woodward. When he&…

26/07/2024

In my latest Substack write-up (aimed to go BTS on a deeper level than The Real Book Spy website), I'm looking at The Rise In Popularity of Mystery Novels in Today's Pop Culture & BookTok Era (Part 1)

Check it out below!

And what that means for thrillers

24/07/2024

My latest Substack ($) article is live: My 5 Favorite Books of 2024 (So Far) . . . And I would bet at least 2 of these titles will surprise everyone!

NOTE: 90% of what I share on this page will be *free* content from The Real Book Spy flagship website. The Substack column is new, providing readers and book-lovers with even more in-depth reviews, articles, interviews, giveaways, etc.

Everything on The Real Book Spy site will remain the same. In fact, we've posted six new articles in the last 48 hours.

Those curious about how I'll be using Substack as an extension
of what I already do, feel free to click the link below!

And why you should read them too!

24/07/2024

After immediately making their presence in the Ryanverse felt, Andrews & Wilson will follow up Act of Defiance, their direct sequel to Tom Clancy's The Hunt For Red October, with . . .

TOM CLANCY DEFENSE PROTOCOL

Details below!

  Following their smash-hit, chart-topping first entry into the Ryanverse, Andrews & Wilson’s second Jack Ryan novel, Tom Clancy Defense Protocol, is set to hit bookstores on Decembe…