The Belgrade Conspiracy

Shadow Strike #6

by Jason Kasper

A lethal shipment of military hardware.
An international terrorist group on a mission of mass destruction.
One man stands to forever change the course of history…unless David Rivers can stop him. David Rivers is an expert in the art of violence. Together with his team of CIA operatives, he’s executed dozens of covert assassinations—but this mission might turn out to be his deadliest yet. One man stands behind the transfer of high-level military hardware to an international terrorist syndicate. The CIA has uncovered his identity: Yuri Sidorov, a Russian arms dealer with state protection. With the arms deal only days away, David and the team are faced with an impossible challenge: to get close enough to take out their target, they must first win his trust. David and the team infiltrate a black market arms network in Serbia, negotiating a web of secret police and mafia hitmen. Each wrong turn may prove fatal, but they’re determined to succeed at any cost. But Sidorov is still alive for a reason, and when the team uncovers dark forces at work in the Balkans and America, they realize that killing him is the least of their worries. By the time they learn the truth, it’s too late…and now they’re the ones being hunted.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Mystery

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2023

About the author

Jason Kasper is a USA Today bestselling thriller author. He served in the US Army, beginning as a Ranger private and ending as a Green Beret captain. Jason is a West Point graduate and a veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, and was an avid ultramarathon runner, skydiver, and BASE jumper, all of which inspire his fiction.

Follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok at @KasperAuthor.

Join his mailing list for bonus content and book updates: https://bit.ly/440lHom

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and worth a listen or read. 7 of 10 stars

[Steven Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Former special operations soldier Jason Kasper knocks it out of the park again with the sixth entry in the Shadow Strike series, The Belgrade Conspiracy. Still hot on the trail of international terrorist Erik Weisz, the deniable operatives of Project Longwing find themselves in Serbia, a decidedly non-permissive environment, as they attempt to capture another link in Weisz's network. Things go spectacularly awry (as things are wont to do with a Longwing op) and the team scrambles to stay a step ahead of the enemy, obtain the critical intelligence, and bring their shooters home alive.

As usual, Kasper displays his tactical pedigree as the action is kinetic and realistic. Where he truly shines is in the interpersonal interactions between the characters. His dialogue is cuttingly hilarious and representative of the kind of dynamic a close-knit team such as Longwing would share in real life. The humor and personification makes it easy for a reader to invest in the characters, even more so if they've been reading since the beginning of Shadow Strike or even through the American Mercenary series.

I'm eagerly awaiting the pending showdown between Longwing and Erik Weisz!

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the best book ever with David Rivers. The Belgrade Conspiracy by Jason Kasper takes our band of marauders to Serbia. They have a simple task to fulfill but trust them to make it very complicated. No plan survives action. I must admit that I have not read every single book yet by this author but I'm trying to. I just have to tell everyone out there that if you like me found them hard to get into then don't give up, they gather momentum as the series roll along and as I said they only get better and better. A big thanks to Edelweiss and Severn River publishing for letting me read this advance copy.

[SteVen Hendricks · Rating 4 out of 5]

eBook Review – The Belgrade Conspiracy – Jason Kasper
Author Jason Kasper’s Shadow Strike series continues with Book Six, “The Belgrade Conspiracy,” another fiery and captivating military action thriller with intense violence of action and an array of espionage twists and turns. Main character David Rivers and his CIA paramilitary operators hunt a ruthless Russian arms dealer that’s selling high-level military weapons to a terrorist organization. As the plot thickens, things go ‘hot’ when Rivers and his black ops team try to grab the bad character in Belgrade and the story takes off into a non-stop bleeding, wrangling and explosive action thriller with staggering outcomes. Violence, murder, treachery, and spy thriller espionage are all apparent in the plot. Kasper’s former military experience as a former Army Green Beret also lends credence to the well written, well-told and exciting action sequences laden throughout the storyline. He continues to pen some of the most proficient and compelling military action novels in the genre and this series continues to keep me interested. I enjoyed The Belgrade Conspiracy and thank NetGalley, Severn River, and Jason Kasper for the digital advance reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always a nail biter but this one has a shock I didn't see coming at all. Was hoping it wasn't real. Read this one when you have some time because you will not want to put it down once you start.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ken Karcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise behind this series and the previous ones featuring David Rivers and this team is one of revenge and retribution, and this title has this in spades. The search for Erik Weiss takes the team to Serbia to execute the person supplying weapons to the terrorist leader. These novels continue to be hard hitting and intense. Kasper's experience as an Army Ranger shows not only in his action scenes but is highlighted when he looks inside the heads of our group of mercenaries turned CIA assassins. Combat takes a terrible toll on our warriors, and it's shown honestly and tragically, showing the horrific face that our troops suffer and overcome. The team battles through not only the still partially war-torn Belgrade but also the snow-covered mountains of the Serbian countryside. My greatest fear stems from only having five team members. I would like to incorporate a few more so that the team isn't constantly outmatched whenever they assault a target. The lack of additional shooters shows in the number of wounded suffered on this mission. I like that we are moving closer to the ultimate confrontation with the hidden puppet master, but also sorry to see the cost that is paid to find him. We are introduced to new characters and forced to say goodbye to some who have been around for quite some time. I'm thankful these novels are still fresh and written with such skill, I'm always excited about starting one, they get pushed to the top of my reading list when they come out and I'm glad the quality has remained high. I love reading these books. This team of brothers has become dear friends over the years, I'm even fond of Cancer after all, and like the others, I worry about David's use of alcohol. Ad long as this level of excellence remains this high, I'm willing to continue to read and enjoy these novels. If you haven't read these books, I recommend you start at the very beginning of the David Rivers saga like I did to fully appreciate this team and their mission. Now comes the hardest part of these books; waiting for the next one. You'd figure after being in this from the beginning, it would get easier knowing I would have to wait, but they're so well written that it's difficult to be patient waiting for the next one.

[Caroline Paquin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another un-put-downable one!

Be warned: don’t read this book at bedtime if you value your rest, for you won’t be able to find any of it with all the action David River and his team are, again, putting us through.

You can also be warned that if you’re a busy worker, you either will need a couple of days off or will be forced to put the book down for lengthy periods of time.

That’s how good this new Shadow Strike is.

And it also comes with things that made me quite upset, and I’m not talking about my stomach upon reading the medical descriptions (Jason Kasper is one of the rare authors who succeeds in making this happen to me).

In other words, this book is another unputdownable one, much to my pleasure.

[Richard Derus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3* of five

The Publisher Says: **FROM FORMER GREEN BERET AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR JASON KASPER**

A lethal shipment of military hardware. An international terrorist group on a mission of mass destruction. One man stands to forever change the course of history…unless David Rivers can stop him.

David Rivers is an expert in the art of violence. Together with his team of CIA operatives, he's executed dozens of covert assassinations―but this mission might turn out to be his deadliest yet. One man stands behind the transfer of high-level military hardware to an international terrorist syndicate.

The CIA has uncovered his identity: Yuri Sidorov, a Russian arms dealer with state protection. With the arms deal only days away, David and the team are faced with an impossible to get close enough to take out their target, they must first win his trust. David and the team infiltrate a black market arms network in Serbia, negotiating a web of secret police and mafia hitmen. Each wrong turn may prove fatal, but they're determined to succeed at any cost. But Sidorov is still alive for a reason, and when the team uncovers dark forces at work in the Balkans and America, they realize that killing him is the least of their worries. By the time they learn the truth, it's too late…and now they're the ones being hunted.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: I knew when I asked for this read it was #6 in a series, but let's be honest. It's a military thriller. The characters are fairly interchangeable in the genre, they're archetypes: Tech genius, spycraft maven, violent guy...nobody really needs to know much except the outlines to follow along. It's stakes and pacing that matter in this genre.

Still true. If your idea of fun is taking a fast-paced ride through some unfamiliar world locations, here's you a violent, nationalistic read. Guilty pleasure, for me at least, and not a series I'll be pursuing.

Severn River Publishing wants $6.99 for a Kindlebook. Me, I'll wait for a sale, or get it from KU (if I ever join it).

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Belgrade Conspiracy by Jason Kasper
David Rivers Thriller ~ Shadow Strike #6

Riveting Read ~ Could not put it down ~ Stayed up till 3am reading and couldn’t put it down till I read the last page.

What I liked:
* The team: five intrepid, highly skilled, lethal, dedicated, admirable, and intriguing men that worked together seamlessly.
* Hearing David’s first-person experience and a more omniscient version of the other four team members experiences
* The location and learning more about the geography, people, and politics
* Being able to see this story as if it were playing out on a big screen in a theater
* The bond between the team members, the synchronicity of their actions, the use of their skillsets and their uncanny way of reading one another as well as the situation
* Jelena: local Serbian driver working with the USA in a special way and supporting the group in this book – she and Worthy – one and done or more?
* Hearing what was happening back in the USA at the Op-Cen and the twists and turns there as well as on the ground in Serbia
* Wondering what will happen next AND if Erik Wiesz will ever be brought down

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Knowing that the evil in this book is no doubt truer than we want to believe

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC through "Severn River Publishing" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story begins with David Rivers and his team in Belgrade on a mission to terminate an Arms dealer supplying Erik Weisz. They had made arrangements to purchase weapons in the hopes of getting an invite to meet Sidorov who was Weisz's contact for weapons purchases. The 1st purchase did not result with the needed invite. The team once more started planning on what might produce the invite. This time, they looked to purchase something other than weapons. The order was placed and when time came for the meet, there was an ambush set up, so once more no invite. You need to understand that the invite was to enable them to meet Sidorov since they could only kill him if the made verification it was him.

Since things didn't work out as planned, headquarters had intercepted a message which stated Sidorov would be at a specific location, so the team made arrangements to handle the termination at that location.

To discover what the 2nd order was for, how the attempt on Sidorov worked out and what dangers the team needed to overcome in their targeting od Sidorov in addition to what event happened at headquarters that could have impacted the assignment, then you need to read this book.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calling this episode of the Shadow Strike series a thriller is an understatement!!!
Having travelled along with the Project Longwing team on all their previous operations I figured I had seen it all. However along comes the Belgrade operation and I was suddenly struck by a quote from Mike Tyson “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” During the Belgrade operation the team gets “punched in the mouth” several times, some resulting in more serious repercussions than others. Several times I found myself making disparaging comments to the author, I mean really Jason, did you have to do those things? What things you may ask, and I reserve the right to say, read this book for yourself to find out just what he did. What I will tell you is this book is packed with action and intrigue not to mention the normal Longwing interactions and an additional support member who stays involved for the entire operation. If you have read the previous stories, you really need to read The Belgrade Conspiracy, if you are new to this series, you could get by with reading this as a stand-alone, but you would be missing considerable foundation information regarding the full Project Longwing team and their nemesis. I received an Advance Reader Copy of The Belgrade Conspiracy from the publisher and chose to provide my review.

[Shari Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need non-stop action and suspense, author Jason Kasper delivers it straight to the gut, again.
CIA handler Duchess and Project Longwing still have the goal of stopping madman Eric Weisz from completing another poison chemical attack on another city. When word comes down that one of Weisz’s arms suppliers may be flying into Serbia, the ground team springs into action there - with help from a beautiful, highly trained female Serbian ground asset, Jelena!
The tone of this book felt different, more serious, more real (though if you’re this far into the series, you know Kasper writes all of it REAL). It made me very emotional to experience what the the team was doing and feeling.
Follow Suicide, Doc, Racegun, Angel, Cancer and Jelena as they must fight to make their way through different types of illegal buys, to try to meet and kill Weisz’s go-between asset in hopes of finally getting to Weisz himself. Though the team is fighting with everything to sever the supply chain, they soon learn just how far, and how deadly, Eric Weisz’s reach is. Action, action and more action - and I loved it!

[Ross Sidor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I said this about previous books, but this is the best installment in the series yet. The team heads to Serbia to take down a Russian arms merchant and Serbian gangsters connected to a mysterious terrorist facilitator the team has been pursuing. The action set pieces are exciting and brought to life with vivid tactical detail. Ian plays a bigber part, especially in the first act, as he goes undercover. A strong new character is introduced in Jelena, a CIA non-official cover officer assigned to help the team. Cancer displays a rare glimpse of humanity and empathy. For the first time, the team comes directly up against agents of the mysterious syndicate they've been pursuing. And there's a shocking death that promises to shake the series up going forward. The team takes their worst beating in this one. While the story is largely self-contained, Kasper really knows how to draw out the ongoing overarching storyline by increasing the tension and dropping enticing breadcrumbs that don't reveal too much but leave you anticipating the next book.

[Connie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Belgrade Conspiracy is written by Jason Kasper. This is book six in the Shadow Strike Series. This is the first book that I have read by this author - and it will not be the last. I have not read the other books in the series, and after the first few chapters I had a good idea to what was going on.

David Rivers and his team heads to Serbia to take down a Russian arms merchant and Serbian gangsters connected to a mysterious terrorist facilitator the team has been pursuing. The book starts off with a heart pounding action - and you will be hooked and wanting to know what happens next.


David and the team infiltrate a black market arms network in Serbia, negotiating a web of secret police and mafia hitmen. You have to try and sort out the good guys and the bad guys.

I cannot wait to read another book by this author. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

[Jaime N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall. I enjoyed the story and particularly because it took place in Serbia. A land I am unfamiliar with but found intriguing. I liked the use of the mafia and had to look up names of criminal organizations to familiarize myself with the subject matter. Crazy firefights with experienced operators is always fun to read. Some of it is over the top but having never served in a the military, let alone a special group of soldiers I can only guess that’s it’s partly true/part made up. Not to ever say incidents like this never happen. I did expect one or more team members to lose their lives but they did not. Overall. I give the book a 7 out of 10

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, the Project Longwing team from the hidden elements of the CIA are still in pursuit of the elusive Erik Weiss (It is almost like hearing U2 singing “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.” After a harrowing trip to Northern Africa, the team finds themselves in beautiful Serbia trying to do a variety of things from finding and killing a Russian arms dealer named Sidorov and locating and killing Erik Weiss.

The story is fast moving between the actions in Serbia and the actions and decisions made in Washington DC. There is plenty of action with detailed planning, with numerous surprises along the way.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The team are in Bosnia trying to get a link in Weisz. Brilliant

As the team are in Europe they're free to move about like tourists but they still need a translator and guide. Fortunately the CIA have someone already running an op and could possibly help them with their next target in this sixth and best book in the series so far. Just as they think they've made the perfect move the hunters become the hunted in this brilliant all out action thriller. Kasper is brilliant at keeping the suspense high by throwing in the occasional curveball and he throws them alarmingly well in this excellent thriller.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, oh man! David Rivers and his team have always had to fight long odds to succeed on their missions, but this one takes the cake. Bad breaks seem to follow them in Serbia at every turn in as they attempt to take out a reclusive arms dealer who has been supplying syndicate ringleader Erik Weisz with weapons of mass destruction. With local tough-as-nails contractor Jelena added to their team, though, they might just be able to pull it off.

Action packed and full of plot twists and turns, this one will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat! Highly recommended.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.50 Stars 🌟

This is a series that truly grows on you. It's hard to explain, but at this point, I feel like I really understand David Rivers and his group. I loved hearing about Worthy, Reilly, Cancer, Ian...they are characters that I have come to know and care for. It takes a skilled author to create this world.

So, we are thrown into another crazy situation, and even if I had my own personal feelings about Duchess and her group at the CIA headquarters there is a total shock at the events that occur. I kept hoping that it was a mistake.

So, if you have already jumped onto this adventure, you will not be disappointed. It only gets better.....

[Beach Bum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just about keeps your attention

I keep hoping for these books to get better. The potential is there, but so far they haven't managed to hit the mark for me
It's lacking something and even the characters say that the only reason they are still alive is luck and after a time that amount of luck becomes rediculous
One other annoying thing, with David it's all first person, with everyone else it's 3rd person, not a major.issue, I hear you say, but it drives me nuts. Pick one and stick to it

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent addition to the series.
Kasper has incrementally added depth to his characters as each book comes to life. I look forward to this barely-merry team of talented misfits more than any movie series. The dialog is cranky, unexpected and very real. Sang-froid abounds. The action is like nothing else I have read and speaks to the author's own knowledge/experience in this deadly, dirty, and dynamic covert world.
If I were a movie producer, I would already have Jason under contract, for sure.

[Greg D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is is a fast-paced, gripping thriller that blends espionage, action, and political intrigue into a highly entertaining read. Kasper delivers another sharp installment with vivid settings, tense plot twists, and a protagonist you can’t help but root for. The story unfolds with relentless momentum, keeping you on edge as layers of conspiracy and danger unravel across Serbia. It’s a must-read for fans of covert ops thrillers and anyone who enjoys a tightly woven, adrenaline-fueled narrative. Highly recommended!

[Mags Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

They just keep getting better and better. Author Kasper understands clearly about what he rights. Obviously has been there and done that and knows how to tell a story readers will understand and enjoy! I say again, his research and detail are exceptional. And. His every day exchanges between characters are as if he is looking over the readers shoulder relating about someone we know and have experienced in real life. I find myself rushing to finish each book only fearing when I run out of the series. VR, Mags

[Doug Yonce · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Rivers is a genuine star of the action thriller genre. With his team at his side he navigates situations with a determination only a writer with Kasper’s background could imagine/create. In this novel he’s up against the most insidious of opponents who seems to get the upper hand… for a time. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.

[Steven Netter · Rating 4 out of 5]

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books



Make sure to check out the full review

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

explosive

Another spectacular off the hook action packed amazing story from Kasper. He out does himself at every turn with Shadow Strike team is hanging on by a thread, until they aren’t. The story is moves like a freight train headed towards a cliff only to slide right or left and avoid destruction our team driving into the next collision. Couldn’t put it down and can’t wait for the next! Truly captivating and unparalleled!

[Ronaele Whittington, D.S.W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivid descriptions of terrain, people, and action

Remembering fractured Yugoslavia, Kasper writes an elaborate and interesting story. The team pursues bad guys protected by multiple layers of mafia, government, mercenary, and intelligence bad guys. Meanwhile back home, bad guys create turmoil for support services. What's the difference between mercenaries and intelligence operatives?

[Barry M. Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Shadow Strike read

I love David rivers and all the characters in the stories. I don't want to be a spoiler of any story surprises, so I will just say that I was very surprised and dismayed at one of the main characters' death. But I must say that it adds to the future stories interest and intrigue.

Jason Kasper never disappoints. If you are a fan of the Shadow Strike series , you will really love this book.

[MARILYN RAYNER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart Stopping moments from the start.

David and crew set upon a new mission with zeal. Unfortunately disaster besets them from the beginning, having to move from their safe house almost as quickly as they moved in. Sadly the untimely death of The Duchess leaves them in the rookey hands of
her successor.
Corruption, Mafia, and the aim of exposing illegal sale of weapons of warfare, go wrong and the Team are on a roller coaster ride of their lives.
L

[Tim Yaciuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun read by Jason Kasper. Non-stop action from start to finish. The story follows the team through Serbia while continuing the series and the hunt for Erik Weisz. The team follows Serbian mob/arms dealers all the way to Russian nuclear supply.

I highly recommend this story and series and look forward to the next book in the series