I love diving into a story and realizing that it’s going to be a really good read just from the first few chapters. I thought this story was espionage-based however, this new release is actually a murder mystery. I was excited to read this unique story set in an unlikely location. Check out my thoughts and review below.
Steel Fear by Brandon Webb; John David Mann
Publisher: Bantam (July 13, 2021)
ISBN-13: 978-0593356289
OVERVIEW:
The moment Navy SEAL sniper Finn sets foot on the USS Abraham Lincoln to hitch a ride home from the Persian Gulf, it’s clear something is deeply wrong. Leadership is weak. Morale is low. And when crew members start disappearing one by one, what at first seems like a random string of suicides soon reveals something far more sinister: There’s a serial killer on board. Suspicion falls on Finn, the newcomer to the ship. After all, he’s being sent home in disgrace, recalled from the field under the dark cloud of a mission gone horribly wrong. He’s also a lone wolf, haunted by gaps in his memory and the elusive sense that something he missed may have contributed to civilian deaths on his last assignment. Finding the killer offers a chance at redemption . . . if he can stay alive long enough to prove it isn’t him.
Steel Fear by Brandon Webb; John David Mann Review
I love it when a story turns into something different from what you were expecting. I was looking for espionage and what I ended up with was a uniquely captivating story of a murder mystery on a aircraft carrier.
The authors really did an amazing job with this one! Not only do we have a murderer on the loose on a navy ship, but we also have an unknown stranger who boarded just before the murders started and is arousing suspicion. The crew is starting to get nervous and the SEAL doesn’t help by slinking around the ship at all hours.
With intricacy and great detail of the navy vessel, with all of the cubby holes and hidden spaces, the reader is involved and committed with every turn of the page. This writing duo has fanned the flames as I found I could not turn the pages any faster. In fact, I had to go back and re-read in a few places as I was flying through trying to get to the conclusion.
When a former SEAL creates a story about a SEAL and the navy, including such precise, minute elements regarding the plot, a vessel, a job, and the characters, you have an immediate winner in a novel. This writing team dives deep into human nature, understanding of the psychology of a person under pressure, and the creativity necessary to map out this awesome story! The character development was spot on!
Looking for a new series? Encourage Webb and Mann to keep Steel Fear going! Truly a story that you will need to map out a time to read because you will not want to put it down. So many sneaky twists and an edge of your seat ending!
Damn, it was good! I want more.
5 Fabulous STARS
Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.