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A review by lynguy1
Steel Fear by John David Mann, Brandon Webb
4.0
Steel Fear by Brandon Webb and John David Mann is suspenseful, gripping, and intense military thriller set on board the USS Abraham Lincoln. A helicopter crew from the aircraft carrier picks up Chief Finn, a combat decorated SEAL, in Bahrain. Finn is being sent back to the United States on ‘special assignment’ which can mean debrief, disgrace, or worse. However, once Finn is aboard, he notices that morale is low. Then, crew members begin disappearing. Is it suicide or something much worse?
Finn is a well-developed character with courage, resilience, and great observation skills. However, he is also experiencing memory lapses and doesn’t feel comradery like others do. This ups the impact and intrigue as the story unfolds. There is a wide range of supporting characters that provide conflict and interest.
The story started out strong, but got even better as the characters became better known and the action amps up. The last half was excellently paced and kept this reader fully engaged. It was interesting to see the different methods and steps taken in the investigations of the same events. There are some red herrings and a twist or two. While the ending brings the reader closure on most things, there is one important item that isn’t fully resolved.
Those that enjoy military crime novels and locked room mysteries will likely enjoy this novel. It was not a light read, but it was well written and atmospheric. Will this be the first novel in a new series featuring Chief Finn? With high stakes, great characterization, and plenty of action; I certainly hope so.
Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Brandon Webb, and John David Mann provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for August 24, 2021.
Finn is a well-developed character with courage, resilience, and great observation skills. However, he is also experiencing memory lapses and doesn’t feel comradery like others do. This ups the impact and intrigue as the story unfolds. There is a wide range of supporting characters that provide conflict and interest.
The story started out strong, but got even better as the characters became better known and the action amps up. The last half was excellently paced and kept this reader fully engaged. It was interesting to see the different methods and steps taken in the investigations of the same events. There are some red herrings and a twist or two. While the ending brings the reader closure on most things, there is one important item that isn’t fully resolved.
Those that enjoy military crime novels and locked room mysteries will likely enjoy this novel. It was not a light read, but it was well written and atmospheric. Will this be the first novel in a new series featuring Chief Finn? With high stakes, great characterization, and plenty of action; I certainly hope so.
Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Brandon Webb, and John David Mann provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for August 24, 2021.