FIRST CASE

Code Name: Intrepid #1

by Robert J. Mendenhall

January 1932. When the mutated corpse of a Federal agent turns out to be his childhood friend, Major Rick Justice, U.S. Army Air Corps, confronts a shadow group of foreign agents that has created and unleashed monstrous creatures, amalgams of rock and ice and human beings. Justice is caught in conflicts at the highest levels of the military as he struggles to stop the evil plot to discredit the United States and murder innocent civilians. In his fight, he reunites with comrades from the Great War, cultivates a team of highly-trained military fighters, and draws on the skills of remarkable civilians. But for Justice and his new-found allies, time is running out.

In the pulp tradition of Doc Savage, the Shadow, and the Avenger. FIRST CASE . Book one in the Code Intrepid adventure series. The nation turns to Intrepid, because extraordinary threats require extraordinary measures.

238 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 14, 2022

Reviews

[Gerald Creasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up direct from the author at Pulpfest 2025 in Pittsburgh this year and the author sold me on the concept.
This would fall in the "New Pulp" category of fiction: New characters and stories with the same ethos as old school seat of the pants adventure pulp stories.
As the title says this is the first case of what becomes the Intrepid team. Most of the book is getting to know the individuals of the team as they gather to investigate what becomes their first case. And the characters are well rounded if slightly cliched (we are trying to evoke characters that would have appeared in Pulp , after all.) So much time is taken introducing the characters and getting them in the same place to do those daring deeds which inspired the origin of the team, that the first case itself seems a little rushed.
The writing is very readable and not fraught with the pitfalls of other NEW pulp writers (excessive wordiness, lack of character development, or just terribly edited.)

I LIKE the characters and already have the second entry in this series. If you like bad a$$ Americans getting the better of certain despicable German people prior to WWII, you'll probably like this story.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super fun time. Sometimes, you need a little action-packed American hero adventure, and this delivers! Think Captain America and the Avengers, if they were actually relatable and more competent than full of super powers. The characters were fun - every single one of these characters is someone you know or wish you could be. And it's very clear the author knows his way around aircraft! I didn't feel like I needed to know everything about aircraft in order to enjoy this, but the author doesn't hold your hand to explain everything in detail either, which I really appreciate.

I listened to the audiobook version, and the narrator also did a great job! Distinct voices without being too distinct to be distracting.

[Miranda Summerset · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 STARS! This audiobook is a fun one. Really interesting & unique historical plot taking place in the 20th century. Liked the characters and was excited to see how the story unfolded. Definitely made me want to read book 2. A good action-adventure!

[Alan Houk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action packed and fast moving! Well written story. I would classify this as historical pulp fiction with interesting and very likable characters. Definitely worth the read. I met this author at Pulp Fest last week and I am glad I did. I am starting book two “Death in Scarlet” right now.