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Matthew Redd Thriller #0.5
Redd Christmas
From The Real Book Spy Ryan Steck comes an exciting novella that goes back in time to show how Matthew Redd becomes the hardened, battle-tested operator that readers meet in FIELDS OF FIRE
I remember that promise to J. B. like it was yesterday . . .
After losing his mom at age ten, Matthew Redd found a new home in Montana with J. B. Thompson—a man who knew the value of hard work and simple living. J. B. didn’t have much reason to celebrate Christmas before becoming Redd’s dad but threw himself into building traditions, including a tree, a few practical gifts, and the essential holiday A Christmas Story and Die Hard.
Eight years later, Redd realizes this is the last Christmas he’ll spend at the ranch with his dad before heading off to join the Marines. He impulsively promises J. B. that even if they can’t be together on Christmas Eve, he’ll call every year without fail.
It’s a promise Redd keeps until the year his squadron is called in to assist when a nearby Special Forces team comes under enemy fire. The Marines’ mission is to secure the scene and evacuate the wounded, but soon after their arrival, they realize the initial attack was only the first wave. Before long, Redd and his team are outmanned and outgunned. With the clock ticking down, he begins to wonder if this is the year he’ll have to break his promise . . . or if he’ll make it out alive.
I remember that promise to J. B. like it was yesterday . . .
After losing his mom at age ten, Matthew Redd found a new home in Montana with J. B. Thompson—a man who knew the value of hard work and simple living. J. B. didn’t have much reason to celebrate Christmas before becoming Redd’s dad but threw himself into building traditions, including a tree, a few practical gifts, and the essential holiday A Christmas Story and Die Hard.
Eight years later, Redd realizes this is the last Christmas he’ll spend at the ranch with his dad before heading off to join the Marines. He impulsively promises J. B. that even if they can’t be together on Christmas Eve, he’ll call every year without fail.
It’s a promise Redd keeps until the year his squadron is called in to assist when a nearby Special Forces team comes under enemy fire. The Marines’ mission is to secure the scene and evacuate the wounded, but soon after their arrival, they realize the initial attack was only the first wave. Before long, Redd and his team are outmanned and outgunned. With the clock ticking down, he begins to wonder if this is the year he’ll have to break his promise . . . or if he’ll make it out alive.
139 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2023
41 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Steck
10 books531 followersRyan Steck is the author of FIELDS OF FIRE, LETHAL RANGE, REDD CHRISTMAS, OUT FOR BLOOD, and the forthcoming Alex Hawke thriller TED BELL MONARCH. He is also a freelance editor, the founder and editor-in-chief of The Real Book Spy, and was named an “Online Influencer” by Amazon. Praised as “One of the hardest working and fairest reviewers out there” by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, Steck has “quickly established himself as the authority on mysteries and thrillers” (Author A.J. Tata). His books have been endorsed by major #1 New York Times bestselling authors James Patterson, Brad Thor, C.J. Box, Jack Carr, Mark Greaney, Nelson DeMille, James Rollins, Brad Meltzer, Kyle Mills, as well as Don Winslow, T.J. Newman, Brad Taylor, Gregg Hurwitz, and Steve Berry. Visit TheRealBookSpy.com or email him directly at Ryan@TheRealBookSpy for more details.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 8, 2025
This book was printed after the first in the series but was suggested to be read first. Therein lies the problem.
The first part refers to some items that are yet to be resolved in future books. Unless the memory fails, the reader will know the resolution of some issues ahead of time. Not fun. But on the other hand it gives the reader the insight into the relationship between Matthew Redd and his “father” Jim Bob Thompson.
Starting with the second part the book covers great material, touching on the experiences Redd had in the military that shaped the man he is now. Forged by fire comes to mind.
In spite of all the action, death, remorse, bravery and frustration it was a very touching story. The ending takes the breath away and plucks the heart strings. This is indeed a remarkable read.
The first part refers to some items that are yet to be resolved in future books. Unless the memory fails, the reader will know the resolution of some issues ahead of time. Not fun. But on the other hand it gives the reader the insight into the relationship between Matthew Redd and his “father” Jim Bob Thompson.
Starting with the second part the book covers great material, touching on the experiences Redd had in the military that shaped the man he is now. Forged by fire comes to mind.
In spite of all the action, death, remorse, bravery and frustration it was a very touching story. The ending takes the breath away and plucks the heart strings. This is indeed a remarkable read.
November 16, 2023
I have always been a fan of neat little short stories that ties in with the main body of works in a series. Redd Christmas is just that. In this book by Ryan Steck we get a little background to Matthew and his relationship with the man he has seen as his father although he wasn't. But J.B. Thompson was the man who raised Redd and probably made him what he is. The book is also a great story about how he ended up doing what he did for the military. It is a great book and it's well written with some great action thrown in for good measure.
December 21, 2023
eBook Review – Redd Christmas – Ryan Steck
The Real Book Spy, now thriller author Ryan Steck creates a moving and heartfelt holiday novella – “Redd Christmas” – that takes readers back to protagonist Matthew Redd’s beginnings as a hardened, battle-tested US Marine Raider. If readers have read Ryan’s two other Matthew Redd thrillers – “Fields of Fire” and “Lethal Range” – you’re going to love this short novella (120 pages). Steck tells the story of when Redd was a young Marine on assignment overseas in Northern Iraq when Redd and his squadron are engaged in a fierce and raging battle – but begins to wonder if he will be able to keep his promise of calling home on Christmas Eve to his step-father – the man who raised him and has had a significant impact on his life. Steck demonstrates his artistic writing skill by keeping the pace fast, the sense of danger prevalent and the page turning rapidly. Redd Christmas is a prequel to Fields of Fire and tells the genuine and heartfelt story of how the main character, Matt Redd becomes the fierce special ops operator that he is. This eBook is a very good holiday military thriller novella – too long to be a short story but not long enough to be a full novel. Steck did an exceptional job! I’m really looking forward to book three in the series – “Out for Blood” – published June 2024. I really enjoyed this novella!
The Real Book Spy, now thriller author Ryan Steck creates a moving and heartfelt holiday novella – “Redd Christmas” – that takes readers back to protagonist Matthew Redd’s beginnings as a hardened, battle-tested US Marine Raider. If readers have read Ryan’s two other Matthew Redd thrillers – “Fields of Fire” and “Lethal Range” – you’re going to love this short novella (120 pages). Steck tells the story of when Redd was a young Marine on assignment overseas in Northern Iraq when Redd and his squadron are engaged in a fierce and raging battle – but begins to wonder if he will be able to keep his promise of calling home on Christmas Eve to his step-father – the man who raised him and has had a significant impact on his life. Steck demonstrates his artistic writing skill by keeping the pace fast, the sense of danger prevalent and the page turning rapidly. Redd Christmas is a prequel to Fields of Fire and tells the genuine and heartfelt story of how the main character, Matt Redd becomes the fierce special ops operator that he is. This eBook is a very good holiday military thriller novella – too long to be a short story but not long enough to be a full novel. Steck did an exceptional job! I’m really looking forward to book three in the series – “Out for Blood” – published June 2024. I really enjoyed this novella!
December 22, 2023
Different Christmas story about relationships and Christian values
Adopted father and US Marine soldier relationship. Talks about how war affects them. Values and family relationships are focused as they were apart for Christmas.
Adopted father and US Marine soldier relationship. Talks about how war affects them. Values and family relationships are focused as they were apart for Christmas.
May 1, 2024
I’ve heard so much about the author but haven’t gotten a chance to read any of his books. This short novella offered through the public library was the perfect introduction to his writing and it was quite enjoyable. It’s kind of like Matthew’s origin story and now I definitely need to read the series.
May 1, 2024
Great novella for the fans! A flashback novel!
Now you finally get to know more behind the story on how Matthew became a Marine Raider!
Now you finally get to know more behind the story on how Matthew became a Marine Raider!
November 15, 2023
I've read both of the full length Redd novels and they're very good. This short novella (120 or so pages) goes back in time to show us Redd as a young Marine on one of his first overseas assignments in Northern Iraq. After a slowish beginning, the story heats up fast and Steck demonstrates his writing prowess in keeping the pace fast, the sense of danger intense and you're flipping pages as quick as you can read them.
Clearly, this mission has a far-reaching impact on Redd which we'll see in the future stories. Redd's relationship with his 'step'-father, JB Thompson, is significant and it's lovely to see their interactions.
The story wraps up well which is important for a strong novella.
If you're new to Ryan Steck's writing, this is a good start to see the beginnings of Matthew Redd.
Clearly, this mission has a far-reaching impact on Redd which we'll see in the future stories. Redd's relationship with his 'step'-father, JB Thompson, is significant and it's lovely to see their interactions.
The story wraps up well which is important for a strong novella.
If you're new to Ryan Steck's writing, this is a good start to see the beginnings of Matthew Redd.
February 10, 2024
An intense, heart wrenching, gritty, disturbing look at combat.
January 14, 2024
Redd Christmas is a novella that serves as a prequel to the Matthew Redd Thriller series by Ryan Steck, a USA Today bestselling author of spy thrillers. The book tells the story of how Matthew Redd, a former CIA agent turned freelance assassin, made a promise to his adoptive father, J. B., to call him every Christmas Eve, no matter what. The book alternates between Redd's childhood memories of celebrating Christmas with J. B. and his present-day mission in Afghanistan, where he and his team are ambushed by enemy forces while trying to rescue a Special Forces unit. The book is a mix of action, suspense, and emotion, as Redd faces a life-or-death situation and tries to keep his promise to J. B.
Ryan Steck is a talented and experienced writer, who creates realistic and gripping scenes of espionage, combat, and survival. His characters are complex and compelling, especially Redd, who is a flawed but fascinating anti-hero, who struggles with his past and his loyalty. The plot is fast-paced and unpredictable, with surprises and shocks that keep the reader engaged until the end.
Redd Christmas is a highly recommended read for fans of spy thrillers, political intrigue, and military thrillers. It is a standalone novel, but it is better to read the previous books in the series to fully appreciate the character development and the backstory. It is a relevant and captivating book that raises important questions about the role of technology, power, and family in our world.
Ryan Steck is a talented and experienced writer, who creates realistic and gripping scenes of espionage, combat, and survival. His characters are complex and compelling, especially Redd, who is a flawed but fascinating anti-hero, who struggles with his past and his loyalty. The plot is fast-paced and unpredictable, with surprises and shocks that keep the reader engaged until the end.
Redd Christmas is a highly recommended read for fans of spy thrillers, political intrigue, and military thrillers. It is a standalone novel, but it is better to read the previous books in the series to fully appreciate the character development and the backstory. It is a relevant and captivating book that raises important questions about the role of technology, power, and family in our world.
January 15, 2026
4.85 stars, easily rounded to 5
Gritty, heart-wrenching, and raw, this novella leaves you in awe of warfare and our American soldiers who choose to put their lives at risk every day.
This is a Christmas story as much as Die Hard is, but it has a lot of heart regardless. I understand that this is a prequel, with apparently many easter eggs, and many people are reading this after some context. For me, however, this is my first Redd novel and my first Steck read as well. It will assuredly not be my last.
The plot was tight. The thrill was almost constant. It had me tearing up. What a brutal world of warfare. It was also great to see Redd as a young man with such honorable values. I know he inevitably will be forged into a different man through his experiences as the series goes on, but I can't help but feel that he is still tangible and not just a faraway superhero protagonist. I enjoyed seeing his relationship with his adoptive dad - it's clearly of precious value to him.
Gritty, heart-wrenching, and raw, this novella leaves you in awe of warfare and our American soldiers who choose to put their lives at risk every day.
This is a Christmas story as much as Die Hard is, but it has a lot of heart regardless. I understand that this is a prequel, with apparently many easter eggs, and many people are reading this after some context. For me, however, this is my first Redd novel and my first Steck read as well. It will assuredly not be my last.
The plot was tight. The thrill was almost constant. It had me tearing up. What a brutal world of warfare. It was also great to see Redd as a young man with such honorable values. I know he inevitably will be forged into a different man through his experiences as the series goes on, but I can't help but feel that he is still tangible and not just a faraway superhero protagonist. I enjoyed seeing his relationship with his adoptive dad - it's clearly of precious value to him.
December 16, 2023
This was such a good shot story. I love that we get to see JB and Matt’s’ relationship prior to his passing rather than told in reference. The story itself was wrapped up nicely even though the reality of the situation Matt found himself in was not exactly a pleasant one. This was the inception of the fierce warrior Matt would become.
“Mike,” the NCO Special Operator seemed to be the inspiration for him becoming a, Marine Raider. He encouraged him to be the leader he was and died heroically on the battle field. Never relenting.
I cannot wait for “Out For Blood.”
“Mike,” the NCO Special Operator seemed to be the inspiration for him becoming a, Marine Raider. He encouraged him to be the leader he was and died heroically on the battle field. Never relenting.
I cannot wait for “Out For Blood.”
December 19, 2023
Great short book overall. It is a novella in part of a series but since this book is considered like a prequel then I didn’t feel like I was lost not having read the other two books before. There is a good amount of military terminology I was having to look up so do know that going in, which was the main reason I didn’t give it 5 stars.
January 30, 2024
Clean thriller
This is the fourth book I have read in this series and I've enjoyed each one. It's like a clean Seal Team. I appreciate the honorable, patriotic, big and tough main character. In his other books in this series, there was also some romance and some Jack Teacher elements. I look forward to the next book.
This is the fourth book I have read in this series and I've enjoyed each one. It's like a clean Seal Team. I appreciate the honorable, patriotic, big and tough main character. In his other books in this series, there was also some romance and some Jack Teacher elements. I look forward to the next book.
June 16, 2024
Gritty and emotional
I wasn't quite sure how to rate this. It kept me engaged once it got going. It was a quick read. However, it was very emotional. There was a lot of fighting and a lot of military terminology, but no language or sexuality. It's a good story if you enjoy a good military fight, but be ready for the emotion.
I wasn't quite sure how to rate this. It kept me engaged once it got going. It was a quick read. However, it was very emotional. There was a lot of fighting and a lot of military terminology, but no language or sexuality. It's a good story if you enjoy a good military fight, but be ready for the emotion.
December 19, 2024
A novella and a prequel. 18 yr old Matthew Redd learning how to become Matthew Redd. It shows his life growing up in Montana, his 1st deployment to Iraq, and his promise to his dad to call every Christmas Eve, no matter where he is. If you have read Fields OF Fire, you can see how important this time was for Redd. This is the story of how he almost missed that call. It shows the reality of war.
December 19, 2023
A 3.5 for sure. Short story/novella taking us back to Matthew's time in the Marines, a raging battle he was involved in in the Middle East and the man he met that shaped his decision to join the Marine Raiders.
It was a hard won battle filled with heartache and the shaping of Matthew Redd.
It was a hard won battle filled with heartache and the shaping of Matthew Redd.
December 15, 2024
A quick and engaging read that reminds us that not every Christmas is white, and that the best heroes keep their promises. Ryan Steck does it again with “Redd Christmas,” and has created quite the jarhead in Matty Redd.
November 15, 2023
Very well done. Best novella that I’ve read in a long time.I will continue to read the authors books. Five star rating.
July 14, 2024
It's definitely not a Hallmark Christmas in July movie, but as Matthew Redd said in the novella, "Heckuva way to spend Christmas Eve."
December 22, 2024
4 ⭐️ Very intense and action packed story about a marines experience on Christmas Eve in Iraq. Kept me on the edge of my seat and was almost in tears at the end!
January 19, 2025
A delight of an addition in the Matthew Redd saga. Simply brilliant and poignant. It leaves me hunting for the Easter eggs that I know are hidden throughout! Just what I needed!
January 24, 2025
Action Packed and Poignant
A great story and writing that made me feel like I was right there. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.
A great story and writing that made me feel like I was right there. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.
November 12, 2025
4
An excellent introduction to the Matthew Redd character. The annoying thing about the military books is that there is no glossary of the many acronyms used.
Ahimsa papa j
An excellent introduction to the Matthew Redd character. The annoying thing about the military books is that there is no glossary of the many acronyms used.
Ahimsa papa j
December 11, 2025
This is my first book in the MR series and it is excellent. Hugs and prayers for veterans of those far away battles and the families of those we lost.
January 8, 2024
⭐️ GREAT START TO A NEW SERIES ⭐️
An outstanding start to a new series with a great protagonist. Matthew Redd, a marine raider framed for something he had zero control over is discharged with a OTH (other than honorable) discharge. He returns to his home in Montana to find the man he called Dad dead. The story begins.
An outstanding start to a new series with a great protagonist. Matthew Redd, a marine raider framed for something he had zero control over is discharged with a OTH (other than honorable) discharge. He returns to his home in Montana to find the man he called Dad dead. The story begins.
June 7, 2025
Love this little prequel! Such good stuff in so few pages!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews