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49 ratings | 1 review | avg rating:3.94

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Brian’s 2025 Year in Books

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2026 Reading Challenge

2026

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Brian McDonald has read 44 of 50 books.

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Brian McDonald

Goodreads Author

Born

Charleston, Illinois, The United States

Website

https://www.authorbrianmcdonald.com

Genre

Crime, Thriller, Fiction

Member Since

February 2026

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Brian McDonald writes crime fiction that lingers in the gray areas – where right and wrong blur and every choice has a cost. He is the author of three self-published novels, The Defenders, and its sequels, The Virtue of Vengeance and Bitter Justice. Drawn to the darker edges of human behavior, he crafts thrillers that explore motive, morality, and the consequences of choice.

Influenced by current events and a fascination with human nature, Brian creates unique and compelling characters operating in ethically complex situations. He is currently working on his fourth book – and probably overthinking the perfect plot twist.

When he’s not writing, he enjoys riding his Harley Street Glide, hiking with his dog, and playing golf. He lives in Bloomin ...more

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Combine Editions
Brian McDonald’s books

Average rating: 4.56 · 27 ratings · 5 reviews · 4 distinct works • Similar authors

	THE DEFENDERS 4.54 avg rating — 13 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Virtue of Vengeance (The Defenders Book 2) 4.45 avg rating — 11 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Red Kettle Caper: A Short Story it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Bitter Justice: Book 3 in The Defenders Series 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Brian is Currently Reading

Brian McDonald is currently reading

The Last Coyote (Harry Bosch, #4)

by Michael Connelly (Goodreads Author)

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Oct 15, 2026 02:19PM

Brian McDonald is currently reading

Skimming Stones

by D.M. Gritzmacher (Goodreads Author)

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Oct 15, 2026 02:18PM

Brian McDonald is currently reading

Exceptionals: A Humorous Supernatural Thriller Father-Daughter Story, a Lost Love Rekindled Romance, and a Hard-Knuckled Action Extravaganza Set in the 1980's

by Bowen Gillings (Goodreads Author)

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Apr 27, 2026 12:31PM

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Brian’s Recent Updates

Brian McDonald rated a book liked it Leave No Trace (National Parks Thriller, #1) by A.J. Landau	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 15, 2026 02:39PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Leave No Trace by A.J. Landau. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Leave No Trace by A.J. Landau <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Brian McDonald rated a book In Too Deep (Jack Reacher, #29) by Lee Child (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 15, 2026 02:32PM · like
Brian McDonald rated a book The First Commandment (Scot Harvath, #6) by Brad Thor (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 15, 2026 02:29PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The First Commandment by Brad Thor. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The First Commandment by Brad Thor <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Brian McDonald rated a book Choke Point (Scot Harvath #25) by Brad Thor (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 15, 2026 02:27PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Choke Point by Brad Thor. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Choke Point by Brad Thor <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Brian McDonald rated a book Rising Tiger (Scot Harvath #21) by Brad Thor (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 15, 2026 02:27PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Rising Tiger by Brad Thor. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Rising Tiger by Brad Thor <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Brian McDonald rated a book Backtrack (An Arliss Cutter Novel) by Marc Cameron (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 15, 2026 02:25PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Backtrack by Marc Cameron. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Backtrack by Marc Cameron <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Brian McDonald rated a book The Collector (Gabriel Allon, #23) by Daniel Silva	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 15, 2026 02:22PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Collector by Daniel Silva. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Collector by Daniel Silva <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Brian McDonald is currently reading The Last Coyote (Harry Bosch, #4) by Michael Connelly (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 15, 2026 02:19PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Last Coyote by Michael Connelly. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Last Coyote by Michael Connelly <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Brian McDonald is currently reading Skimming Stones by D.M. Gritzmacher (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 15, 2026 02:18PM · like
Brian McDonald rated a book really liked it The Closers (Harry Bosch, #11; Harry Bosch Universe, #15) by Michael Connelly (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 15, 2026 02:07PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Closers by Michael Connelly. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Closers by Michael Connelly <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">