SSG: Spy/Spec-Ops Group discussion

So, I know I'm not alone when I talk about the anxiety that has washed over me after finishing the last book in a series. After reading a few different series, I can't help but feel incredibly lucky that I was able to stumble upon some amazing books...just for context purposes, I started with Gilstrap's "Jonathan Grave" series, Coughlin's "Kyle Swanson" series (FAVORITE), and just finished all of Flynn's "Mitch Rapp" series.

Before I dive into a new series, I wanted to know if anyone had any good recommendations for me based on the three series (above) that I've read so far. My interests are sparked by anything Military/Spec. Forces, Black Ops, Tactical, etc.

I LOVED the Jonathan Grave and Kyle Swanson series!!! Mitch Rapp series was intense as well, though not as focused on military as much as CIA/Spy thriller.

I'm sure I'm not alone when I voice concerns about diving into a new series as, once I get started, its awful hard for me to stop, thus the reason I want to be careful in my next selection. Any Recs that may relate to the series mentioned above?

Thanks!

Steven, you could try my series, Stone Soldiers--super soldiers vs he supernatural. Book 1 is free on Kindle, Smashwords, etc.



Also, the new spinoff of The Destroyer series, Legacy has a spec ops soldier learning Sinanju.

I would recommend the 'Gray Man' series by Mark Greaney, where Court Gentry is ex CIA operative and now is a freelance assassin who only kills those he feels need to be killed.

I am just finishing book 3 and they have been captivating books thus far.

http://www.goodreads.com/series/62220...

** Self-promotion warning ** Consider reading Bloodridge - Book 1 of the Spies Lie series, by DS Kane (me). What if the Mossad discovered that a well-funded terrorist group was about to buy a cold war era nuclear submarine from the Russian Mafiya in Vladivostok?

Steven wrote: "So, I know I'm not alone when I talk about the anxiety that has washed over me after finishing the last book in a series. After reading a few different series, I can't help but feel incredibly luck..."

Have you tried Trevor Scott's Jake Adam's series?

I enjoy Mark Greany's books as well - good call by Jake. You might also try W. E. B. Griffin's Brotherhood of War series - I got addicted to the Audiobooks so they spilled over my daily commute!

I have the W. E. B. Brotherhood series on my to read list, furthermore, I recommend the Presidential Agent series from W. E. B. Griffin. I read through the series non-stop and look forward to picking up the latest edition, Hazardous Duty.

Thanks for the tip Jake - I had been considering the Presidential Agent series, now I'll check it out for sure!

My new World War II spy novel, A Strange Murder in the Persian Corridor, is now available on Amazon in paperback and as a Kindle e-book. Tom O'Brien, an intelligence officer with the OSS, has been sent to Iran to help the Secret Service prepare for the Tehran Conference and to do some subtle spying on the Russians, who along with the British have occupied Iran for the duration of the war. The historic conference passes without incident, and as part of his cover O'Brien finds himself searching for an African American soldier accused of murdering an American contractor suspected of spying for the Nazis. But what was supposed to be a humdrum assignment turns deadly as O'Brien unexpectedly runs into a Soviet NKVD agent seeking personal revenge for O'Brien having "kneecapped" him earlier in the year.

This is the third novel in the O'Brien series that recounts his exploits with the OSS as America gears up for the war, and the specter of the post-victory Cold War begins to appear on the horizon.

Try out the Will Robie series by David Baldacci

I find his books to read like movies and always keep me flipping pages!

I agree. Will Robie teamed with Jessica Reel are a good read. Also, John Puller, another David Baldacci character is also very interesting. I would no to look these.

Steven, you might give Brad Thor's books a try. I've read all of his Scott Harvath books and found them exciting, face paced and fun to read. I'm now going to jump around some and read some from Vince Flynn, Brad Taylor and a relatively new author, Ben Coes.

Daniel Silva is another series to try. The hero is Israeli. His latest book remind me of a cross between Brad Thor and the movie The Sting. Always current, always impossible to guess the ending.

I am reading the Ward Larsen series, 2nd one Assassin's Game. Also, about a former Mossad Kidon operative. Love this series.

Try "I am Pilgrim" I Am Pilgrim

Another vote for Dan Silva's Gabriel Allon series. I would plug my stuff, but I don't think it's quite what you're looking for.

Eduardo Suastegui
Story-telling that captures the heart

Reading Mark Greaney Gray Man right now, pretty good. But check out Ben Coes series with Dewey Andreas, it is very good. I have Black Site by Daulton Fury on my to read list, he authored the non-fiction "Kill Bin Laden" so you know he has spec ops background. If you are into non-fiction get your hands on "Blackhawk Down" by Mark Bowden. And if you want an earth shattering read about a true American hero, check out "Fearless, the Adam Brown Story".

I'm also on the Gray Man series. Just finished Ballistic (3rd of 4 books). Good stuff.

If you are intent on a military series vs CIA stuff, give the First Team a try that combines all of them. You have to tough through the first 50 pages or so of banter but then you love the characters, especially Ferguson.

Ok "First Team" huh? Is that a series-type novel kinda like Thor's Harvath or Flynn's Rapp series? Good character development?

I find Mitch Rapp to be the best character out there, followed by Bourne but both are more spy/assassin types. First Team is on the military side and although the initial banter of the first book isn't the greatest, I found I really liked the characters and wanted more when I finished the final book. I am just about to start Court Gray so we will see how that goes...

Whose the author of FirstvTeam? Or is that the name of the series?

I started the Grey Man series and I'm SOOOOO happy I did!!! I'm just sad I finished his first two books already and am halfway through the last one, "Ballistic".

In about a week I'll be right back to square one looking for another similar series ugh!!!

Mark Greaney! Awesome series!!

How abouta WWII spec ops\commando sort of thing?

I tried one of Jack Badelaire. They're sort of boys own type of thing, but plenty of action.

.

Our you could try one of mine!

Guys, please remember: in any thread not under the 'Author Promo' section, you have to just be a regular poster --ready to talk about books. Not 'on-the-sell' for your own works.

Simply put: any kind of sales-pitch posting (no matter how casual) goes under 'author promo'. You have pretty free rein there. In other threads (like this one) I'll relax a little, but sometimes even I get fed up.

This is why I go out of my way to assist your promo whenever you actually, *really* need it-- because I want you to realize it belongs in its own zone.

Definately check out Daniel Silva's Gabriel Allon series, Brad Taylor's Pike Logan series, Brad Thor's Scot Harvath series, Eric Van Lustbader continues the Jason Bourne series, Jason Matthews who wrote Red Sparrow & Palace of Treason (both good). I enjoyed Scott McEwen's Target America. There are many more but this is a good list to get started.

I recommend this series. It's about a contract killer who the CIA has cultivated as a deniable asset for situations when their Special Activities Division would be unsuitable.
The thing which makes him stand out is his consistency. He's basically Forsyth's Jackal as a series character.

Polite, professional and always with a plan to kill everyone he meets, he is a man who has few moral line left to cross. As a result, he's not a boy scout or someone who adopts a holier than thou attitude to his profession and his fellow participants in the killing business. He's ahead of the curve, because he doesn't dress up his job in the cloak of an idea or belief. It's that honesty which makes him rather endearing in a twisted sort of way.

That's not to say he doesn't have standards. On the contrary he does. Just much less than the standard "hitman with a code of honor" character.

But ideology and values are ultimately secondary to him unlike Courtland Gentry or Mitch Rapp.
With his lack of scruples, he does the things which they aren't willing to do when getting the jobs he's been contracted to carry out done.

Any Eric Ambler fans out there? I've never read him. Any recommendations?

heck yeah! Very engaging, 'draws-you-right along' type of writer.

Start with '

then,

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Anyone read any Jonathan Maberry books? I saw 'Patient Zero' pop up on my rec's...

Hi, Steven.

Just wanted to throw this your way if you're still looking for more books to read. The first book in my Warrior Spy Thriller series was just released in December. It's called...(big surprise)...The Warrior Spy. You can find out more about the book/series and me on my website: DonyJayBooks.com. The Warrior Spy features Delta Force operator Reagan Rainey who is on loan to the CIA. if you like Vince Flynn or Brad Thor, I think you'll like The Warrior Spy.

Thanks and God bless!

DJ

Just downloaded it will start today! Thanks!!

Steven wrote: "Just downloaded it will start today! Thanks!!"

Great! Thanks! Hope you enjoy it!

For those who liked Gray Man and Victor the assassin - you might also like David Stone's Micah Dalton series and Bratt Battles' Jonathan Quinn.
There is also Dead six by Larry Correia but for some reason they are usually placed in Sci-Fi though have not seen much of the fantastic there

Look if the both rather new series would be something for you (both so far two books):

J.T. Patten: &

Joshua Hood: &

Should anybody like vintage spy/action thrillers, back to the 80s this was one of the best books you could read IMHO.

Any recommendation for a good spy/military thriller about biotech / bioterrorism?

Oscar wrote: "Any recommendation for a good spy/military thriller about biotech / bioterrorism?"

One of the better books I read last year fits your criteria. I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes is frighteningly possible. Here is my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Niles wrote: "Oscar wrote: "Any recommendation for a good spy/military thriller about biotech / bioterrorism?"

One of the better books I read last year fits your criteria. I Am Pilgrim by [autho..."

Thank you, Niles. I'll check it out.

A classic men's action fiction series much admired for the quality of its exotic locales. There's about 7-8 of them, here are just a few:






Cushman also wrote westerns