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Mac Dekker #1
Matterhorn
A sudden family death and an old nemesis bring retired agent Mac Dekker in from the cold in this alpine thriller from New York Times bestselling author Christopher Reich. Robbie Steinhardt lives a peaceful life. A fixture of his small alpine village, he tends cattle, minds his own business, and doesn't dwell on his former life and the family and lover he left behind--back when he was Mac Dekker, CIA. But when he learns his son Will died following in his footsteps, he needs answers. What mission took Will up into the alpine heights, and why is Ilya Ivashka on the same trail? Ilya--his close friend, his rival in love. Ilya, who framed Mac for treason and sent him into hiding. Wiping away the years, Mac returns to the field to find the secrets Will hid and finds himself facing the Herculean task of stopping a terrorist plot that threatens thousands. But in a field of double agents, who can he trust?
333 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2024
7555 people are currently reading
7466 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Reich
28 books738 followersChristopher Reich was born in Tokyo. In 1965 his family moved to Los Angeles. He attended Georgetown University and the University of Texas and worked in Switzerland before returning to the United States to become an author. His novel The Patriots Club won the International Thriller Writers award for Best Novel in 2006. He lives in Encinitas, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 673 reviews
March 11, 2024
I was away from laptop when I read this intense book that begins with cinematic mountain vistas with helicopter shooting winning over what was at hand for the two atop the mountain. It makes for quite an opening in this espionage thriller. Loads of political and social conflict and strong characters throughout. Find a quiet place with no interruptions to enjoy this book.
March 15, 2024
Finally, a winner in a long line of losers from Amazon Kindle First Reads. This was my free March selection and rare as it is, it actually was a good one.
I got a little bogged down with the rock/mountain climbing terminology and details. But it is an action packed, fast paced story that could be a good movie.
I got a little bogged down with the rock/mountain climbing terminology and details. But it is an action packed, fast paced story that could be a good movie.
April 21, 2024
Spies on a Mountain
Review of Amazon First Reads Kindle eBook edition (March 1, 2024) of the Thomas and Mercer hardcover/paperback/audiobook/eBook (April 1, 2024)
Matterhorn proved to be another case where choosing a veteran author out of the mix of Amazon Prime First Reads candidates was the winning option. Author Christopher Reich specializes in suspense thrillers with recurring characters such as Simon Riske and Jonathan Ransom. His latest protagonist is Mac Dekker and Matterhorn is the first of an expected series.
That is not to say that there weren't a lot of espionage thriller clichés piled on in this 'prevent the mass casualty terror attack' plotline. There is the betrayed veteran spy who comes out of hiding for revenge, the ruthless Russian mastermind and their associated thug (shades of From Russia, With Love), the traitorous mole embedded in the CIA, the loyal ex-lover who reunites with their long-lost love and brings a tame cyber hacker along for the ride, the perilous escape against all odds out of Russia with a child in tow, etc. etc. It opens and concludes with desperate scenes at the summit of Mt. Matterhorn in Switzerland.
All of the Switzerland scenes felt well researched and authentic. Some of the situations were pretty hair-raising and bone-chilling, as there is a race to discover the evidence of the terror plot with the barest of clues as to its location.
Statue of St. Bernard on Matterhorn. Image sourced from SummitPost.org.
A final showdown confrontation in just about the most remote location you can imagine takes place.
Photograph of the Solvay Hut on Matterhorn. By Whgler - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link. Image sourced from Wikipedia.
So well done to Christopher Reich and last month's First Reads!
Soundtrack
There was no music mentioned in this book, but I couldn’t help thinking about the Donovan song “There is a Mountain” which was inspired by the Zen story / parable. You can listen to Donovan’s original version here. There is a bluegrass version by David Amram and Steve Earle which you can listen to here. Finally there is the Allman Brothers Band’s “Mountain Jam” which improvises around Donovan’s melody but which doesn't include the lyrics, which you can listen to here.
Trivia and Links
Amazon Prime First Reads advance reading copies (ARCs) are available to Amazon Prime subscribers. They offer advance reads of books in Kindle eBook format one month before the date of official release. The current month's selection is available here (Link goes to Amazon US, adjust for your own country or region).
Review of Amazon First Reads Kindle eBook edition (March 1, 2024) of the Thomas and Mercer hardcover/paperback/audiobook/eBook (April 1, 2024)
From here the trail grew steeper, several modest climbs, one false summit after another, before marching across a maze of steel-grate platforms drilled into the escarpment, cables set for handholds. Then a traverse across rocky talus, before the last climb, a series of switchbacks up a vertical escarpment to the Hörnlihütte at the very base of the Matterhorn. All told, 2,300 vertical feet. A three-mile hike. Ninety minutes if he pushed it.
Matterhorn proved to be another case where choosing a veteran author out of the mix of Amazon Prime First Reads candidates was the winning option. Author Christopher Reich specializes in suspense thrillers with recurring characters such as Simon Riske and Jonathan Ransom. His latest protagonist is Mac Dekker and Matterhorn is the first of an expected series.
That is not to say that there weren't a lot of espionage thriller clichés piled on in this 'prevent the mass casualty terror attack' plotline. There is the betrayed veteran spy who comes out of hiding for revenge, the ruthless Russian mastermind and their associated thug (shades of From Russia, With Love), the traitorous mole embedded in the CIA, the loyal ex-lover who reunites with their long-lost love and brings a tame cyber hacker along for the ride, the perilous escape against all odds out of Russia with a child in tow, etc. etc. It opens and concludes with desperate scenes at the summit of Mt. Matterhorn in Switzerland.
All of the Switzerland scenes felt well researched and authentic. Some of the situations were pretty hair-raising and bone-chilling, as there is a race to discover the evidence of the terror plot with the barest of clues as to its location.
A photograph appeared. It showed a slim, dark, weathered statue of what appeared to be a monk. The words HI BERNARD were carved cheekily on his cassock.
“Saint Bernard,” said Mac, at once.
“What?” said Ava. “You know it?”
“Patron saint of alpinists. It stands just below the summit of the Matterhorn.”
Statue of St. Bernard on Matterhorn. Image sourced from SummitPost.org.
A final showdown confrontation in just about the most remote location you can imagine takes place.
There was no time to rest. He sucked down a breath and set off. A short traverse, a steep staircase of loose rock, and he was at the Solvay Hut. He pulled himself onto the terrace, barely an arm’s length wide. The hut was a one-room wooden cabin built on a perch hardly larger than the cabin itself. He paused, leaning against the cabin, a little light headed.
Photograph of the Solvay Hut on Matterhorn. By Whgler - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link. Image sourced from Wikipedia.
So well done to Christopher Reich and last month's First Reads!
Soundtrack
There was no music mentioned in this book, but I couldn’t help thinking about the Donovan song “There is a Mountain” which was inspired by the Zen story / parable. You can listen to Donovan’s original version here. There is a bluegrass version by David Amram and Steve Earle which you can listen to here. Finally there is the Allman Brothers Band’s “Mountain Jam” which improvises around Donovan’s melody but which doesn't include the lyrics, which you can listen to here.
Trivia and Links
Amazon Prime First Reads advance reading copies (ARCs) are available to Amazon Prime subscribers. They offer advance reads of books in Kindle eBook format one month before the date of official release. The current month's selection is available here (Link goes to Amazon US, adjust for your own country or region).
March 4, 2024
Not bad: it's an interesting twist on the "coming out of retirement because bad guys killed my dad" trope - in this case . It's very much in the vein of Cold War thrillers: the Russians are the bad guys, but it's set in the modern era, where the invasion of Ukraine plays a critical part. Once it gets going, the action doesn't let up, and although most of the plot twists are pretty much what you'd expect, it hammers along at a fair old pace. Plus, in the tradition of classics like the Eiger Sanction, there's plenty of detailed climbing action to create a perilous environment.
Will I read more? Maybe.
Will I read more? Maybe.
April 25, 2024
Christopher Reich is back with another great thriller that has strong espionage undertones. When a former CIA agent emerges to investigate his son’s death in Switzerland, many begin to panic. Mac Dekker is not only an agent with a past, he has a great deal to prove, especially those who thought they rid themselves of a problem. In a strong story that has all the elements for success, Reich delivers a series debut well worth the wait.
Switzerland is a bucolic place for Robbie Steinhardt, who’s found a way to live the small-town alpine life. He has a few acquaintances and tends to milking the cows, as well as keeping some sheep, all while staying away from drama. He holds onto a big secret that absolutely no one knows. At one time, he had a family, a lover, and even a great job working within the CIA. After being charged with treason, he orchestrated his death and fell off the grid. Now, that is all a distant memory and Steinhardt is happy to keep it there. Time as Mac Dekker is firmly stored away, never to emerge once more.
All that changes when Steinhardt learns of the death of his son, Will. After a freak accent while trying to climb a Swiss mountaintop, Will’s body is recovered. Steinhardt learns the news and resumes his life as Mac Dekker, all so that he can get answers. Thought deceased by the Agency, Dekker will have to slink his way out of hiding, as he discovers the truth behind Will’s death, which sounds less like an accident the more that is revealed.
When Dekker discovers that his old friend, Ilya Ivashka, could be involved, things take a significant turn. Ilya was once the closest thing that Mac had to a brother, but after he was framed for a murder while working for the Agency, he was a wanted man and Ilya was nowhere to be found to tell the truth., hence the faked death and going into hiding. Knowing that Ilya is behind this newly-discovered terrorist plot to kill thousands, Mac will have to scramble to get the truth, while avenging Will’s death at the same time. Reich does a great job portraying the truth in this piece and keeping the reader fully engaged.
Never one to shy away from tackling a difficult subject, Christopher Reich delivers with a solid narrative and clear path for this series debut. Pulling on a number of elements that have long been in his arsenal, Reich provides the reader with a story that has momentum and action at every turn. A story that pulls on espionage elements and with a few flashbacks to solidify the character development. Reich introduces some great new faces for the reader to meet and keep track of as they learn more about the life Mac Dekker had and how he feels the need for revenge.
Plot points keep the story moving and leaves the reader hungering for more. Reich knows how to deliver a story that has intensity and a number of unpredictable elements. The story is full of these moments, which adds to the intensity of the plot and leaves much left unanswered for future novels. I cannot wait to see how things will progress with this series, a fresh look at his strong style.
Kudos, Mr. Reich, for a chilling series debut.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Switzerland is a bucolic place for Robbie Steinhardt, who’s found a way to live the small-town alpine life. He has a few acquaintances and tends to milking the cows, as well as keeping some sheep, all while staying away from drama. He holds onto a big secret that absolutely no one knows. At one time, he had a family, a lover, and even a great job working within the CIA. After being charged with treason, he orchestrated his death and fell off the grid. Now, that is all a distant memory and Steinhardt is happy to keep it there. Time as Mac Dekker is firmly stored away, never to emerge once more.
All that changes when Steinhardt learns of the death of his son, Will. After a freak accent while trying to climb a Swiss mountaintop, Will’s body is recovered. Steinhardt learns the news and resumes his life as Mac Dekker, all so that he can get answers. Thought deceased by the Agency, Dekker will have to slink his way out of hiding, as he discovers the truth behind Will’s death, which sounds less like an accident the more that is revealed.
When Dekker discovers that his old friend, Ilya Ivashka, could be involved, things take a significant turn. Ilya was once the closest thing that Mac had to a brother, but after he was framed for a murder while working for the Agency, he was a wanted man and Ilya was nowhere to be found to tell the truth., hence the faked death and going into hiding. Knowing that Ilya is behind this newly-discovered terrorist plot to kill thousands, Mac will have to scramble to get the truth, while avenging Will’s death at the same time. Reich does a great job portraying the truth in this piece and keeping the reader fully engaged.
Never one to shy away from tackling a difficult subject, Christopher Reich delivers with a solid narrative and clear path for this series debut. Pulling on a number of elements that have long been in his arsenal, Reich provides the reader with a story that has momentum and action at every turn. A story that pulls on espionage elements and with a few flashbacks to solidify the character development. Reich introduces some great new faces for the reader to meet and keep track of as they learn more about the life Mac Dekker had and how he feels the need for revenge.
Plot points keep the story moving and leaves the reader hungering for more. Reich knows how to deliver a story that has intensity and a number of unpredictable elements. The story is full of these moments, which adds to the intensity of the plot and leaves much left unanswered for future novels. I cannot wait to see how things will progress with this series, a fresh look at his strong style.
Kudos, Mr. Reich, for a chilling series debut.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
April 6, 2024
Well this was a fantastic surprise. The most fun I’ve had reading this year.
A modern day spy thriller with CIA agents, Russian agents, traitors, all set in current times involving the war in Ukraine but mainly based in Switzerland. Sounds mad but it’s an absolute hoot in the best possible way.
I devoured this book. The best book I’ve read this year so far. A great story, great characters, great pacing and just so bloody readable. Read like a novella rather than a full blown novel. When I finished I couldn’t believe I’d just read 350 odd pages. It absolutely flew by.
This looks like the first in a series which is fantastic news. I’d never read this author before but boy can he spin a good yarn.
If you like fast paced, interesting spy thrillers set against the backdrops of some beautiful scenery, or just enjoy really good story telling, get your hands on a copy of Matterhorn. It’s an absolute gem.
Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC through Netgalley.
A modern day spy thriller with CIA agents, Russian agents, traitors, all set in current times involving the war in Ukraine but mainly based in Switzerland. Sounds mad but it’s an absolute hoot in the best possible way.
I devoured this book. The best book I’ve read this year so far. A great story, great characters, great pacing and just so bloody readable. Read like a novella rather than a full blown novel. When I finished I couldn’t believe I’d just read 350 odd pages. It absolutely flew by.
This looks like the first in a series which is fantastic news. I’d never read this author before but boy can he spin a good yarn.
If you like fast paced, interesting spy thrillers set against the backdrops of some beautiful scenery, or just enjoy really good story telling, get your hands on a copy of Matterhorn. It’s an absolute gem.
Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC through Netgalley.
March 7, 2024
This was one of the best AFRs in a long time. It held my attention from beginning to end with fairly continuous action. First in a series, but it is a stand alone story. I especially liked the main character being older instead of in his 20s or 30s. The descriptions of the Swiss Alps was done well and I learned a few new words, something pretty rare for me nowadays. A fun, captivating spy novel.
April 5, 2024
Somewhat Disappointing....
So this book ended up disappointing me. I see the famous mountain on the cover and I had thought it would be a thrilling story about climbing that mountain. And while they are on the mountain, the bits about the actual climbing are sort of skipped over? That is, its not really about climbing the mountain at all but these other things - plus there were a few truly bizarre things in here as well - like an elevator on the outside of a cliff??! Elevators are inside buildings. So there I was reading and they mentioned an elevator and then they are talking about it going down past a cliff face. That just totally threw me out of the story and I only felt totally confused.
But I did read this entire thing and I am not impressed. It all boiled down to something along the lines of a petty high school fight? For one character anyway. It was very childish.
I also could not relate to the characters at all. I sort of liked the first 40% of the book. It made sense and I could follow it ok. But after that it grew worse. By the 60% mark I was feeling pretty confused. There was all of this racing around and this spy stuff. And I found that extremely boring. I wanted to know when were they going to do the mountain climbing? Which is why I chose this book. You know, some scary thrills high up the side of a mountain clinging to a rope? Maybe the wind blowing? Crampons, etc. Tricky handholds. But the author pretty much races through that and none of it was satisfying at all.
There was a surprise in here but I really didn't care. I really didn't care about any of the characters at the end. Or how it ended. But this was not a thriller at all. In fact the second half was having the opposite effect and was putting me to sleep!
Pretty cover but a blah book.
So this book ended up disappointing me. I see the famous mountain on the cover and I had thought it would be a thrilling story about climbing that mountain. And while they are on the mountain, the bits about the actual climbing are sort of skipped over? That is, its not really about climbing the mountain at all but these other things - plus there were a few truly bizarre things in here as well - like an elevator on the outside of a cliff??! Elevators are inside buildings. So there I was reading and they mentioned an elevator and then they are talking about it going down past a cliff face. That just totally threw me out of the story and I only felt totally confused.
But I did read this entire thing and I am not impressed. It all boiled down to something along the lines of a petty high school fight? For one character anyway. It was very childish.
I also could not relate to the characters at all. I sort of liked the first 40% of the book. It made sense and I could follow it ok. But after that it grew worse. By the 60% mark I was feeling pretty confused. There was all of this racing around and this spy stuff. And I found that extremely boring. I wanted to know when were they going to do the mountain climbing? Which is why I chose this book. You know, some scary thrills high up the side of a mountain clinging to a rope? Maybe the wind blowing? Crampons, etc. Tricky handholds. But the author pretty much races through that and none of it was satisfying at all.
There was a surprise in here but I really didn't care. I really didn't care about any of the characters at the end. Or how it ended. But this was not a thriller at all. In fact the second half was having the opposite effect and was putting me to sleep!
Pretty cover but a blah book.
May 1, 2024
I could almost go 3 stars, but am finding out reading several pages of car chases or narrow escapes in climbing just aren't for me. That stuff is fine as a movie but my eyes glaze over when I have to read it. I guess I'm not overly interested in the whole CIA/Russian spy plots either.
October 19, 2024
Matterhorn is a fast-paced spy thriller with a nice twist. Mac Dekker, a former CIA agent hiding out in a quiet Swiss village, is pulled back into action when his son dies on the Matterhorn.
The action is nonstop—think gun battles, car chases, and intense mountain climbing scenes. Reich knows how to use the harsh weather and terrain to build tension - the icy environment is as much of a challenge as the bad guys. Fans of climbing will love the details, but even casual readers will feel the thrill.
Where it falls short is the characters. Dekker is your standard tough guy, and the rest are pretty one-note, including the villain. Some subplots, like one involving a child, feel like missed opportunities for something more. But, I guess, Reich will use this sublot in the sequels.
Overall, Matterhorn is solid, if predictable, action-packed thriller. It may not reinvent the genre, but it delivers the adrenaline rush fans of the genre are looking for. Kudos for great narration.
The action is nonstop—think gun battles, car chases, and intense mountain climbing scenes. Reich knows how to use the harsh weather and terrain to build tension - the icy environment is as much of a challenge as the bad guys. Fans of climbing will love the details, but even casual readers will feel the thrill.
Where it falls short is the characters. Dekker is your standard tough guy, and the rest are pretty one-note, including the villain. Some subplots, like one involving a child, feel like missed opportunities for something more. But, I guess, Reich will use this sublot in the sequels.
Overall, Matterhorn is solid, if predictable, action-packed thriller. It may not reinvent the genre, but it delivers the adrenaline rush fans of the genre are looking for. Kudos for great narration.
May 4, 2024
I've been rewatching all the Mission: Impossible movies and this would fit right into one of those. It was a ton of fun to read. Reich is really good at writing action scenes so I knew exactly what was going on and it made it all the more exciting.
Mac Dekker, former CIA, has been in hiding for over eight years while his friends and family all think he's dead because of his former friend and partner, Ilya Ivashka, defected to Russia and framed Dekker for all sorts of things on his way out. No one believed Ilya was that clever to pull it all off himself, so they believed Dekker knew and helped him. Dekker faked his own death and has been in hiding ever since. It isn't until the death of his son, who had followed him into the CIA, that brings him out of hiding and on the hunt to catch Ilya.
There were quite a few twists and turns that I didn't not expect or see coming. I was rooting for almost all of these characters and very worried about a lot of people's lives! The car chases and mountain climbs were so exciting to read. I loved that most of it took place in Switzerland. It was fun to read about it.
I look forward to more in this series.
Mac Dekker, former CIA, has been in hiding for over eight years while his friends and family all think he's dead because of his former friend and partner, Ilya Ivashka, defected to Russia and framed Dekker for all sorts of things on his way out. No one believed Ilya was that clever to pull it all off himself, so they believed Dekker knew and helped him. Dekker faked his own death and has been in hiding ever since. It isn't until the death of his son, who had followed him into the CIA, that brings him out of hiding and on the hunt to catch Ilya.
There were quite a few twists and turns that I didn't not expect or see coming. I was rooting for almost all of these characters and very worried about a lot of people's lives! The car chases and mountain climbs were so exciting to read. I loved that most of it took place in Switzerland. It was fun to read about it.
I look forward to more in this series.
March 6, 2024
Gave this book five stars. I should have read the other reviews but I prefer to stick my neck out.
Usually, I don’t like to read books with a number of concurrent plot lines. I’m too simple minded to follow all of the complications happening to so many characters. However, in this case I was brought along cleverly by the author.
This is the first Max Decker book in a series that will find it second addition in May 2025. I love Switzerland and I love Swiss cheese. I think Max Decker hanging out for eight years in a little town to do his family, friends and colleagues won’t discover that he’s not dead and buried
I loved his character and the fact that he tends cows and sells the milk. When his son dies he locks up and leaves his safe haven to discover what happened. His headlong jump into danger drives you through the narrative and allows you to tolerate the concurrent plots
One of the best reads I’ve had in a long time and my first Christopher Reich. I am going to find his other novels
Herb
Usually, I don’t like to read books with a number of concurrent plot lines. I’m too simple minded to follow all of the complications happening to so many characters. However, in this case I was brought along cleverly by the author.
This is the first Max Decker book in a series that will find it second addition in May 2025. I love Switzerland and I love Swiss cheese. I think Max Decker hanging out for eight years in a little town to do his family, friends and colleagues won’t discover that he’s not dead and buried
I loved his character and the fact that he tends cows and sells the milk. When his son dies he locks up and leaves his safe haven to discover what happened. His headlong jump into danger drives you through the narrative and allows you to tolerate the concurrent plots
One of the best reads I’ve had in a long time and my first Christopher Reich. I am going to find his other novels
Herb
June 13, 2024
Setting: beautiful Switzerland.
Spies, espionage, thriller.
Well written & handled backstories skillfully.
I enjoyed this novel.
I recommend it!
Spies, espionage, thriller.
Well written & handled backstories skillfully.
I enjoyed this novel.
I recommend it!
March 14, 2024
Matterhorn
By: Christoper Reich
Publishing date: April 1, 2024
4⛰️⛰️⛰️⛰️
Mac (Robbie) has been retired from the CIA and living in a small alpine village, until he finds out his son Will died. He left his old life behind.
⛰️
Now Mac Dekker (Robbie) is determined to see what happened to his son. He was an avid climber and does not believe Will fell off the mountain.
⛰️
He realizes his son was in the military and wonders if his son was killed. Could this be revenge? Ilya his former friend set him up for treason and sent Mac into hiding.
⛰️
I can see this as a movie. This is first in a series, so I look forward to reading the next one. Very detailed and full of non-stop action. This was my first by this author, and I would definitely read more.
⛰️
Thank you Thomas & Mercer for this advanced copy.
By: Christoper Reich
Publishing date: April 1, 2024
4⛰️⛰️⛰️⛰️
Mac (Robbie) has been retired from the CIA and living in a small alpine village, until he finds out his son Will died. He left his old life behind.
⛰️
Now Mac Dekker (Robbie) is determined to see what happened to his son. He was an avid climber and does not believe Will fell off the mountain.
⛰️
He realizes his son was in the military and wonders if his son was killed. Could this be revenge? Ilya his former friend set him up for treason and sent Mac into hiding.
⛰️
I can see this as a movie. This is first in a series, so I look forward to reading the next one. Very detailed and full of non-stop action. This was my first by this author, and I would definitely read more.
⛰️
Thank you Thomas & Mercer for this advanced copy.
March 15, 2024
worth the time, kinda
Tons of buildup to a very short and anti-climatic ending. Also tons of characters to keep track of in certain parts. Overall, good enough/ not a waste of time, but wasn’t enough for me to continue with other Mac Dekker books.
Tons of buildup to a very short and anti-climatic ending. Also tons of characters to keep track of in certain parts. Overall, good enough/ not a waste of time, but wasn’t enough for me to continue with other Mac Dekker books.
January 4, 2025
It was a fun spy thriller but in the end I wasn’t surprised at anything and a few parts seemed overly simplified.
June 2, 2024
Fast paced espionage thriller that I read in one day at the pool. Interesting story that has Switzerland, Matterhorn and rock climbing throughout to weave the story together across characters. Lots of twists with most predictable but to me still a good read. I’ll definitely be reading the next one in this series.
May 19, 2024
I seriously underestimated this - Like jumping into a season finale of Criminal Minds
July 18, 2024
Loved it! Takes place in Switzerland…. Many places I was familiar with. A spy story… exciting and yet a personal story!
July 22, 2024
Fast-paced. It is better to read it when you have few interruptions. Exciting! It would make a great movie!!
January 9, 2025
Fun read that scratched my espionage itch.
May 5, 2024
Just book was hard to follow due to so many switching places and characters. It all fit together in the end, but the transitions were hard to keep up with In my personal opinion
January 21, 2024
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
Make sure to check out the full review
Make sure to check out the full review
April 7, 2024
“Matterhorn” by Christopher Reich was one of the most exciting thrillers I have read in a long time! An American agent who has been in hiding in the Swiss Alps because of a double cross has to return to his real identity. He finds himself wanting revenge for the murder of his son by his double crossing ex best friend and partner. He did not know his son was a CIA agent, he did not know why he was climbing the Matterhorn, or what his deadly mission was, or that there was a terrorist plot to kill millions. These comments are just a hint to tell you that this book left me breathless! The author’s skillful storytelling and vivid characters had me reading way into the night. This book is #1 of a new series and I can’t wait for the next installment!!!
March 18, 2024
All of the promised thriller action, mediocre research, a bit of US conservative spin and conspiracy theory, and workman like writing. About what you’d expect and mercifully free of any emotionally disturbing content despite the kill count.
In a few years this will be the kind of book AI trained on Tom Clancy and Dan Brown spits out, but it is still a very good way to kill time on an airplane today and I found it a cut above Lee Child. They’re all behind Alistair MacLean and Ian Fleming in writing quality and excitement.
In a few years this will be the kind of book AI trained on Tom Clancy and Dan Brown spits out, but it is still a very good way to kill time on an airplane today and I found it a cut above Lee Child. They’re all behind Alistair MacLean and Ian Fleming in writing quality and excitement.
April 5, 2024
Textbook
All the same plot lines. All the missteps of men writing women. Was it entertaining? Yes. Was it good? Not really.
All the same plot lines. All the missteps of men writing women. Was it entertaining? Yes. Was it good? Not really.
October 18, 2025
Headline: Gripping International Spy Thriller!
Book Review: Matterhorn, Mac Dekker #1 by Christopher Reich
Published by Thomas & Mercer, April 1, 2024
— An Amazon First Reads selection, March 2024
★★★★★ (5/5 Stars, Rave!)
"Mac Dekker", international spy thrillers. For this review I read both novels in the series: this book, Book 1 "Matterhorn" (2024); and Book 2 "The Tourists" (2025). Either one can be read as a standalone, but I'd strongly recommend the books be read in sequence.
// "Matterhorn", Mac Dekker #1 by Christopher Reich (2024) //
— An Amazon First Reads selection, March 2024.
A death on an Alps mountaintop draws the attention of a small-scale dairy farmer in Zinal, Switzerland, 10 miles north of the Matterhorn as the crow flies. Robbie Steinhardt is, in fact, a humble hired hand at the Brunner Farming Collective AG, fluent in the local vernacular, assimilated after a decade of residence in the canton.
THE 7TH FATALITY of the season at the Matterhorn was reported to be that of an American skiing alone. 29-year-old William Andrew Dekker, an IT sector executive based in Lausanne.
Will was gone, his body airlifted to Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn. Him, a CIA operative who'd followed his Dad's footsteps.
Robert A. Steinhardt picks up his mobile and places a call his only contact. Then, out the door, he, Mackenzie "Mac" Dekker, father, ex-CIA operative, nine years removed from the agency, takes the southbound rack railway train to Zermatt.
And, there, on the summit of the Alps, Dekker would endeavor to do what his son, Will, had died trying.
Stop the deployment of "Hercules". A high casualty WMD.
To see my review for "The Tourists", Mac Dekker #2 (2025), click on the link below.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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With 16 novels under his belt, Christopher Reich may be one of the most underrated American thriller writers. Born in Tokyo to a Swiss travel agent, educated at Georgetown, then UT, a career with UBS in Geneva and Zurich, his bio, itself, could be the outline for an international suspense thriller.
NEVER A DULL moment in the Christopher Reich books I've read, a few more in TBR, with compelling protagonists, —Jonathan Ransom, surgeon with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), freelance industrial spy Simon Riske. — And now, Mac Dekker, CIA spy with a complex past.
The audiobook for Christopher Reich's 1998 debut novel, the 768-page financial thriller, "Numbered Account", a million-copy bestseller, is scheduled for release by Random House in December 2025. Certainly something that this reader, and many others, are looking forward to!
Non-stop action. Fresh themes. Gripping international spy thriller!
Review based on an An Amazon First Reads selection, March 2024.
Book Review: Matterhorn, Mac Dekker #1 by Christopher Reich
Published by Thomas & Mercer, April 1, 2024
— An Amazon First Reads selection, March 2024
★★★★★ (5/5 Stars, Rave!)
"Mac Dekker", international spy thrillers. For this review I read both novels in the series: this book, Book 1 "Matterhorn" (2024); and Book 2 "The Tourists" (2025). Either one can be read as a standalone, but I'd strongly recommend the books be read in sequence.
// "Matterhorn", Mac Dekker #1 by Christopher Reich (2024) //
— An Amazon First Reads selection, March 2024.
A death on an Alps mountaintop draws the attention of a small-scale dairy farmer in Zinal, Switzerland, 10 miles north of the Matterhorn as the crow flies. Robbie Steinhardt is, in fact, a humble hired hand at the Brunner Farming Collective AG, fluent in the local vernacular, assimilated after a decade of residence in the canton.
THE 7TH FATALITY of the season at the Matterhorn was reported to be that of an American skiing alone. 29-year-old William Andrew Dekker, an IT sector executive based in Lausanne.
Will was gone, his body airlifted to Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn. Him, a CIA operative who'd followed his Dad's footsteps.
Robert A. Steinhardt picks up his mobile and places a call his only contact. Then, out the door, he, Mackenzie "Mac" Dekker, father, ex-CIA operative, nine years removed from the agency, takes the southbound rack railway train to Zermatt.
And, there, on the summit of the Alps, Dekker would endeavor to do what his son, Will, had died trying.
Stop the deployment of "Hercules". A high casualty WMD.
To see my review for "The Tourists", Mac Dekker #2 (2025), click on the link below.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
-----
With 16 novels under his belt, Christopher Reich may be one of the most underrated American thriller writers. Born in Tokyo to a Swiss travel agent, educated at Georgetown, then UT, a career with UBS in Geneva and Zurich, his bio, itself, could be the outline for an international suspense thriller.
NEVER A DULL moment in the Christopher Reich books I've read, a few more in TBR, with compelling protagonists, —Jonathan Ransom, surgeon with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), freelance industrial spy Simon Riske. — And now, Mac Dekker, CIA spy with a complex past.
The audiobook for Christopher Reich's 1998 debut novel, the 768-page financial thriller, "Numbered Account", a million-copy bestseller, is scheduled for release by Random House in December 2025. Certainly something that this reader, and many others, are looking forward to!
Non-stop action. Fresh themes. Gripping international spy thriller!
Review based on an An Amazon First Reads selection, March 2024.
March 31, 2024
Robbie Steinhardt lives a peaceful, solitary life in a small village in Switzerland. When he learns his son, Will, has died in an apparent climbing accident on Matterhorn, he leaves Zinal for the first time in eight years. Robbie's real identity is Mac Dekker, a former CIA agent who was framed for a former friend and colleague for treason. Now Robbie has to figure out who he can trust as he searches for answers in Will's death and fights to stop a plot to kill thousands more innocent people.
Matterhorn is a fast-paced, action-packed spy thriller with characters to root for (as well as a couple to root against!) The vivid characterizations allowed me to really connect with the story and the suspenseful, high-stakes situations kept me glued to the pages. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but they do all play a role in the overall story. The majority of the story takes place in Switzerland, but there are a few other countries and multiple points-of-view in the book. I can't go into details without spoiling, but there are a few surprising plot twists and one in particular near the end that I loved and didn't see coming. This book is different from the thrillers I usually read, but I really enjoyed it and would definitely follow Mac Dekker on his next adventure if there's a sequel. 4.5 stars
I received an advance copy of this book at no cost from MBC Books and Amazon Publishing, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
Matterhorn is a fast-paced, action-packed spy thriller with characters to root for (as well as a couple to root against!) The vivid characterizations allowed me to really connect with the story and the suspenseful, high-stakes situations kept me glued to the pages. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but they do all play a role in the overall story. The majority of the story takes place in Switzerland, but there are a few other countries and multiple points-of-view in the book. I can't go into details without spoiling, but there are a few surprising plot twists and one in particular near the end that I loved and didn't see coming. This book is different from the thrillers I usually read, but I really enjoyed it and would definitely follow Mac Dekker on his next adventure if there's a sequel. 4.5 stars
I received an advance copy of this book at no cost from MBC Books and Amazon Publishing, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
Read
April 24, 2024As with his 2020 novel THE PALACE, you almost need a roadmap to follow this rambling tale (MATTERHORN) with its many characters through its 333 pages. 3 1/2***.
CIA Agent Mac Dekker, disgraced by his friend and fellow CIA employee Ilya Ivashka, and now hunted down by the CIA, has fled the US and his wife, son, and daughter, and settled down to a peaceful existence in Switzerland. Ilya returned to Russia and became an enforcer for Mother Russia with his primary aim in life to find and kill Mac Dekker. Mac, on the other hand, would like to rid the world of Ilya, especially after learning that his son had become a CIA agent and had jumped to his death from the Matterhorn just before Ilya was going to kill him.
From this point on, the novel follows Ilya killing many, many folks on his journey to kill Mac. Mac, on the other hand, spends his time hunting down Ilya. And so the adventure continues. Mac, also has time to meet his wife, who has spent many years wondering what happened to her husband and why he would leave her and their two children. His daughter also makes an appearance. What will happen in the long run? Will Ilya be successful in killing Mac? Will Mac be successful in killing Ilya? Will Mac make amends for his absence and rejoin his wife and daughter?
MATTERHORN in my opinion is not among Christopher Reich's best novels, like NUMBERED ACCOUNT, THE FIRST BILLION, and PATRIOTS CLUB, my 3 favorite Reich novels.
CIA Agent Mac Dekker, disgraced by his friend and fellow CIA employee Ilya Ivashka, and now hunted down by the CIA, has fled the US and his wife, son, and daughter, and settled down to a peaceful existence in Switzerland. Ilya returned to Russia and became an enforcer for Mother Russia with his primary aim in life to find and kill Mac Dekker. Mac, on the other hand, would like to rid the world of Ilya, especially after learning that his son had become a CIA agent and had jumped to his death from the Matterhorn just before Ilya was going to kill him.
From this point on, the novel follows Ilya killing many, many folks on his journey to kill Mac. Mac, on the other hand, spends his time hunting down Ilya. And so the adventure continues. Mac, also has time to meet his wife, who has spent many years wondering what happened to her husband and why he would leave her and their two children. His daughter also makes an appearance. What will happen in the long run? Will Ilya be successful in killing Mac? Will Mac be successful in killing Ilya? Will Mac make amends for his absence and rejoin his wife and daughter?
MATTERHORN in my opinion is not among Christopher Reich's best novels, like NUMBERED ACCOUNT, THE FIRST BILLION, and PATRIOTS CLUB, my 3 favorite Reich novels.
June 2, 2024
This one hit the spot! I loved the thrills, action and story that played out like I was watching a movie.
Mac Dekker left his life in the CIA behind, inventing a new identity as Robbie Steinhardt and wanting a quiet life. His quiet life is shattered when he finds out his son has died after trying to be like his dad and now, he must find answers to what happened. It doesn’t take long for his old life to come back, and muscle memory takes over as he gets back in the field to avenge the death of his son and figure out who he can trust in a life that makes it hard to trust anyone.
Matterhorn is the start of the Mac Dekker series and I personally hope it is the start of a very long series. I can’t wait to see where these characters go and accompany them on the adventures they take. I love a well-written military thriller that keeps me invested in the characters and what they are trying to accomplish. This one kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire story and I loved the action and adventure on every page. I picked this one up after several lack-luster reads and it was the perfect one to get me back in the groove. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great thriller they can’t put down.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
Mac Dekker left his life in the CIA behind, inventing a new identity as Robbie Steinhardt and wanting a quiet life. His quiet life is shattered when he finds out his son has died after trying to be like his dad and now, he must find answers to what happened. It doesn’t take long for his old life to come back, and muscle memory takes over as he gets back in the field to avenge the death of his son and figure out who he can trust in a life that makes it hard to trust anyone.
Matterhorn is the start of the Mac Dekker series and I personally hope it is the start of a very long series. I can’t wait to see where these characters go and accompany them on the adventures they take. I love a well-written military thriller that keeps me invested in the characters and what they are trying to accomplish. This one kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire story and I loved the action and adventure on every page. I picked this one up after several lack-luster reads and it was the perfect one to get me back in the groove. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great thriller they can’t put down.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
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