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Duncan Hunter Thriller #1
Special Access
Basking in the glory of killing Osama bin Laden, the President revealed that US Navy SEALs carried out the mission. His constant heralding of their heroism and capabilities damaged the SEAL's operational security, revealed tricks of their trade, and endangered them and their families. As some in the Special Operations community expected and feared, a number of SEALs are being systematically killed across the country. The Navy's legendary SEAL commander, Captain Bill McGee, believes he is the next target of a sniper and seeks help from a close friend with unusual contacts and capabilities. Duncan Hunter, a retired Marine Corps fighter pilot, flies a top secret airplane with his mentor, Greg Lynche, the sometimes über-liberal retired CIA Chief of Air Branch. Together, in their quiet airplane, they execute some of the CIA's most sensitive airborne counterterrorism missions under a Special Access Program. Saving McGee from a sniper's bullet comes at a price as Duncan Hunter finds himself at the crossroads - either remain a contract pilot and betray a friend or become a patriot and risk exposure as a traitor. His decision pulls him into one intrigue after another, finally revealing the truth behind several conspiracies hidden behind the firewalls of top secret security clearances, CIA files, and Special Access Programs.
657 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2013
2112 people are currently reading
3332 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
February 21, 2018
A wet dream for Obama-haters and Trumpanzees.
November 30, 2021
Ridiculously far right
Mark Hewitt is the poster boy for right wing conspiracy theorists. He takes pot shots at Muslims, women, immigrants, gay people and everyone else he can think of. Everything in this book is blatantly bigoted all under the pretense of being patriotic. With all of that said it's just badly written with heroes with absolutely no morals or honor. As far as thrillers go, we poor plotting, badly defined, one dimensional characters and absolutely ridiculous bad guys ...I would rather read an Ian Fleming, James Bond from the 60's than ever pick up anything from this author again. If I could give it zero stars I would. Poorly written and offensive.
Mark Hewitt is the poster boy for right wing conspiracy theorists. He takes pot shots at Muslims, women, immigrants, gay people and everyone else he can think of. Everything in this book is blatantly bigoted all under the pretense of being patriotic. With all of that said it's just badly written with heroes with absolutely no morals or honor. As far as thrillers go, we poor plotting, badly defined, one dimensional characters and absolutely ridiculous bad guys ...I would rather read an Ian Fleming, James Bond from the 60's than ever pick up anything from this author again. If I could give it zero stars I would. Poorly written and offensive.
March 8, 2021
What could have been a good story destroyed by bigoted, racist bullshit of the highest order, drivelling on about the mighty right and how wonderful the American forces are, held back by the people overseeing them. As for the description of folk who live in the Middle East, puerile and insulting is putting it mildly, I gave up after 25%, I couldn't take any more of this blah blah, tell a story by all means but there's no need to be insulting, if your country was so wonderful it wouldn't have so many problems.
November 26, 2020
Please don't waste your time. I stuck with it for 17% and those are hours that I will never get back. The author tries to write up things he knows little about and makes constant errors not to mention his timeline is self contradictory in many cases.
January 15, 2020
Right wing propaganda
According to this book, liberals are all scum, but the hero's are all law breakers.
Which is it? Can't have it both waya.
According to this book, liberals are all scum, but the hero's are all law breakers.
Which is it? Can't have it both waya.
December 27, 2021
Sad
It was sad to be forced to read the political trashing of liberals
It spoiled some good writing
I could not read another book by this insecure right wing author
It was sad to be forced to read the political trashing of liberals
It spoiled some good writing
I could not read another book by this insecure right wing author
April 16, 2020
Special Access kicks off the Duncan Hunter series. I see that it was originally published in 2013, which does make it a little dated. The premise is good, Mark Hewitt posits that Osama Bin Laden was actually captured, not killed. His capyure leads to uncovering information that keeps the excitement flowing. The story itself is fast paced, exciting, lots of sex and violence. The main character isnt as complex as I would like, but it is only book 1, perhaps he will become more layered as the series progresses. Others have commented that this novel is a little slanted towards the conservative, which it is, but that isnt a deal breaker for me. If you like action, this series looks promising.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.
August 6, 2025
What the hell did I jyst read?
Special Access is without a doubt the ABSOLUTE WORST BOOK I EVER READ! the story jumped to so many places leaving this reader bewildered. Also it seemed like the author just tried to use as many words as possible to complete pointless and useless paragraphs time and time again. I have read thousands of novels in my 67+ years and without a doubt this topped the shittiest book ever produced.
Special Access is without a doubt the ABSOLUTE WORST BOOK I EVER READ! the story jumped to so many places leaving this reader bewildered. Also it seemed like the author just tried to use as many words as possible to complete pointless and useless paragraphs time and time again. I have read thousands of novels in my 67+ years and without a doubt this topped the shittiest book ever produced.
September 12, 2019
This novel is all about conspiracy theories on a grand scale and the efforts of good all-American heroes to get to the bottom of them.
At about 650 pages it is quite a hefty read. The writer evinces a great interest in planes and cars - especially spy planes with quiet engines. That may well appeal to those readers who enjoy war/adventure novels. Then there is the hero, Duncan Hunter,who does everything right by his compatriots, and more. The fact his favourite plane for carrying out spy missions against drugs, smugglers and migrants is called 007 looks to be a big hint about who this dashing hero might be based on (he always gets the girl, too). That may all have an appeal to those who like black-and-white stories where the good guys are very, very good and the bad guys, truly evil. However, all this might have worked just as well with little less of chapters full of conversations in which various military persons just report on protocols and actions completed.
There is a glossary for all the militarily acronyms used at the back of the book.
As for the grand conspiracy that is the main point of the tale: nice idea, that 9/11 was really all about revenge by children abused in high places, but all this business about a an illegal alien president mixed up with all this..........please.
Isn't it about time this particular conspiracy theory was laid to rest?
At about 650 pages it is quite a hefty read. The writer evinces a great interest in planes and cars - especially spy planes with quiet engines. That may well appeal to those readers who enjoy war/adventure novels. Then there is the hero, Duncan Hunter,who does everything right by his compatriots, and more. The fact his favourite plane for carrying out spy missions against drugs, smugglers and migrants is called 007 looks to be a big hint about who this dashing hero might be based on (he always gets the girl, too). That may all have an appeal to those who like black-and-white stories where the good guys are very, very good and the bad guys, truly evil. However, all this might have worked just as well with little less of chapters full of conversations in which various military persons just report on protocols and actions completed.
There is a glossary for all the militarily acronyms used at the back of the book.
As for the grand conspiracy that is the main point of the tale: nice idea, that 9/11 was really all about revenge by children abused in high places, but all this business about a an illegal alien president mixed up with all this..........please.
Isn't it about time this particular conspiracy theory was laid to rest?
April 3, 2021
I generally like long books with lots of detailed action, but his book was long on conversations but short on action detail. There was mention of the flights along the Mexican border which has numerous positive results but no details about the flights.
The other thing I didn't like was the thinly veiled but obvious portrayal of Barack Obama as an imposter who was not born in this country and was a secret agent of Al Qaeda. I was tempted to quit part way thru the book but I did finish it, although I will not continue with the additional books in the series.
The other thing I didn't like was the thinly veiled but obvious portrayal of Barack Obama as an imposter who was not born in this country and was a secret agent of Al Qaeda. I was tempted to quit part way thru the book but I did finish it, although I will not continue with the additional books in the series.
May 31, 2025
Exciting story, but too much political opinion.
The storyline was exciting, but the author injected way too much political opinion. He hates "liberals", thinks they are communist and marxist and lets you know it. He even takes thinly veiled swipes at Obama. I read a thriller to be entertained by the storyline, not to be told all liberals are communist. I will not be reading another book by this author.
The storyline was exciting, but the author injected way too much political opinion. He hates "liberals", thinks they are communist and marxist and lets you know it. He even takes thinly veiled swipes at Obama. I read a thriller to be entertained by the storyline, not to be told all liberals are communist. I will not be reading another book by this author.
September 20, 2020
Tell me how great I am
I got really bored after two chapters. After getting through the book of how Duncan Hunter is so great and all the statistics of every car or weapon or anything he touches was a real turn off.
I got really bored after two chapters. After getting through the book of how Duncan Hunter is so great and all the statistics of every car or weapon or anything he touches was a real turn off.
September 11, 2021
POOR RATTING
Well written, good story but, interjection of politics sucks and is totally not necessary. This comment comes from an U.S. Army vet, Fire-Fighter /EMT , clergyman, and proud liberal Democrat. Will not read another Mark Hewitt book.
Well written, good story but, interjection of politics sucks and is totally not necessary. This comment comes from an U.S. Army vet, Fire-Fighter /EMT , clergyman, and proud liberal Democrat. Will not read another Mark Hewitt book.
February 3, 2023
Beware of Rampant Bias
An interesting plot is ruined by a persistent right-wing bias that infects the entire book. If you like Tucker Carlson’s hit jobs on Fox News, you’ll love this book.
An interesting plot is ruined by a persistent right-wing bias that infects the entire book. If you like Tucker Carlson’s hit jobs on Fox News, you’ll love this book.
March 1, 2023
Wow. Terrible.
So bad, I had to jump over the cringier parts. The only thing more distracting was all the typos. Typical middle-agreed male fantasy. Sexist, homophobic, xenophobic. The hero has never, not once, experienced failure or growth. Just crappy writing.
So bad, I had to jump over the cringier parts. The only thing more distracting was all the typos. Typical middle-agreed male fantasy. Sexist, homophobic, xenophobic. The hero has never, not once, experienced failure or growth. Just crappy writing.
May 24, 2023
Had the potential to be a good storyline, but got totally destroyed by the right wing bulls….. Also, the main character jumped the shark a couple of times. Don’t waste your time reading this wet dream republican bullish….
May 19, 2021
Too perfect hero
The perfection of the hero makes this a boring read. No suspense at all. Poor plots and predictable conclusions. Stopped reading after 15%
The perfection of the hero makes this a boring read. No suspense at all. Poor plots and predictable conclusions. Stopped reading after 15%
October 29, 2021
Aggressively hostile to democrats, liberals, anybody not hard right. This author has his character think that Joseph McCarthy was a good guy!
Book also drags on.
Book also drags on.
November 18, 2019
Originally published in 2013, this book is partly political thriller and partly historical fiction. Yet reads as if it were aimed at a contemporary 2019 American public.
The plot is intriguing and draws the reader into the story which takes place over a twelve-year period from 1999 to 2011. The reader is walked through the trauma of September 11, 2001, and the taking of Osama bin Laden on May 1, 2011. The story assumes that bin Laden was not disposed of in the Indian Ocean as was announced publically, but instead was taken alive and interrogated by a team of independent ex-Seals and other special ops personnel before dying. The author’s background is ideal for imagining a story wrapped in the world of espionage and the special ops military troops which are the highlight of the story. The author’s knowledge of aircraft history and the use of quiet aircraft during the Vietnam War added an additional sense of realism to the story.
Though having a unique and intensive plot, the book does have its flaws. The timeline is not linear and dates each chapter. Other times it arises as the author introduces the characters’ recall of their own backstories. This non-linear flow of events makes the story difficult to follow at times. The book is very political - Democrats are consistently equated to communists. The Democratic President toward the end of the book is not named, but is described as having “large ears”. At times the story seemed to drag - as if the reader were required to carry a heavy load as he or she moved through the book. It should be noted that a movie based upon the book would be rated “R” as there seemed to be an abundance of unnecessary violence and sexuality. Personally, if I had known the extremes these elements pervaded the story, I would have avoided the book and chosen to spend my time reviewing another book.
It is this combination of a good story and the book’s limitations which force me into writing a 2½ star review.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
The plot is intriguing and draws the reader into the story which takes place over a twelve-year period from 1999 to 2011. The reader is walked through the trauma of September 11, 2001, and the taking of Osama bin Laden on May 1, 2011. The story assumes that bin Laden was not disposed of in the Indian Ocean as was announced publically, but instead was taken alive and interrogated by a team of independent ex-Seals and other special ops personnel before dying. The author’s background is ideal for imagining a story wrapped in the world of espionage and the special ops military troops which are the highlight of the story. The author’s knowledge of aircraft history and the use of quiet aircraft during the Vietnam War added an additional sense of realism to the story.
Though having a unique and intensive plot, the book does have its flaws. The timeline is not linear and dates each chapter. Other times it arises as the author introduces the characters’ recall of their own backstories. This non-linear flow of events makes the story difficult to follow at times. The book is very political - Democrats are consistently equated to communists. The Democratic President toward the end of the book is not named, but is described as having “large ears”. At times the story seemed to drag - as if the reader were required to carry a heavy load as he or she moved through the book. It should be noted that a movie based upon the book would be rated “R” as there seemed to be an abundance of unnecessary violence and sexuality. Personally, if I had known the extremes these elements pervaded the story, I would have avoided the book and chosen to spend my time reviewing another book.
It is this combination of a good story and the book’s limitations which force me into writing a 2½ star review.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
January 3, 2021
Overall Rating = 3.42
Storyline & Concept = 3.25
Writing & Delivery = 3.5
Editorial = 3.5
Special Access is the first in a five-book series of military thrillers. It introduces Duncan Hunter, a retired fighter pilot, who becomes enmeshed in situations and missions over a time span of twelve years.
The author’s experience and knowledge of aircraft and military procedures shines through in this novel, but at over 650 pages, it requires a commitment. The plot has plenty of action and covers counterterrorism missions, including events surrounding 9/11 and the search for Osama bin Laden. It also undertakes conspiracies and corruptions involving the then-Democratic government and President. The flawless protagonist is portrayed as a superhero who must choose between friendship and patriotism. At the end of the novel, an eight-page glossary is provided for the numerous acronyms used throughout the novel.
This novel will thrill fans of technical military procedures and spy conspiracies. However, the author’s decision to politicize the plot may not appeal to all readers.
Sublime Line: “Special Access is an action-packed military thriller that will appeal to lovers of political conspiracies and CIA counterterrorism missions.”
Storyline & Concept = 3.25
Writing & Delivery = 3.5
Editorial = 3.5
Special Access is the first in a five-book series of military thrillers. It introduces Duncan Hunter, a retired fighter pilot, who becomes enmeshed in situations and missions over a time span of twelve years.
The author’s experience and knowledge of aircraft and military procedures shines through in this novel, but at over 650 pages, it requires a commitment. The plot has plenty of action and covers counterterrorism missions, including events surrounding 9/11 and the search for Osama bin Laden. It also undertakes conspiracies and corruptions involving the then-Democratic government and President. The flawless protagonist is portrayed as a superhero who must choose between friendship and patriotism. At the end of the novel, an eight-page glossary is provided for the numerous acronyms used throughout the novel.
This novel will thrill fans of technical military procedures and spy conspiracies. However, the author’s decision to politicize the plot may not appeal to all readers.
Sublime Line: “Special Access is an action-packed military thriller that will appeal to lovers of political conspiracies and CIA counterterrorism missions.”
January 15, 2025
An OK, kind of interesting story, and a somewhat different take on the military/SpecOps, thriller genre - probably a 3, if you can get by the superhero, comic book character of Hunter, the main character. But the real story here is the insane politics of the jerk who wrote it and how he keeps incessantly inserting his personal far, far-right fascist politics into the story. This is an alt-right, nut job work to proselytize for the far-right, conspiracy theory, political whackos. I'm surprised he didn't add Pizza Gate and all "them" pedo Democrats keeping little kids in the basement. I suspect Hewitt is an exalted hero of the QAnon, 4Chan, and 8Chan crowds.
The author seemingly knows only 2 kinds of people: conservatives [his brand] and liberals, aka commies, socialists, treasonists and seditionists, haters of freedom and liberty all. He even extols Sen. Joe McCarthy. Hewitt is a fascist s**t stain on democracy who should never have been allowed into the uniform of the United States military. Just give this book 1 star and move on.
The author seemingly knows only 2 kinds of people: conservatives [his brand] and liberals, aka commies, socialists, treasonists and seditionists, haters of freedom and liberty all. He even extols Sen. Joe McCarthy. Hewitt is a fascist s**t stain on democracy who should never have been allowed into the uniform of the United States military. Just give this book 1 star and move on.
February 23, 2018
Special Access is a great first draft. I urge Mr. Hewitt to take a bit more time with the review and editing part of writing and perhaps consider purchasing some software designed to track plot events so they aren't repeated multiple times, as well as being able to make the storytelling flow more smoothly. This is not a negative review, I am quite impressed with the writing skill, just know that editing by someone very experienced, or more time spent doing so would greatly improve the reading experience.
This book will offend any liberal or re-(pro) gressive, and will have conservative minded individuals
applauding many of the political views expressed. The overall story was interesting and given more experience or editing by outside parties this author will be a writing force to be reckoned with. Best wishes to Mr Hewitt for a long successful writing career.
This book will offend any liberal or re-(pro) gressive, and will have conservative minded individuals
applauding many of the political views expressed. The overall story was interesting and given more experience or editing by outside parties this author will be a writing force to be reckoned with. Best wishes to Mr Hewitt for a long successful writing career.
November 12, 2024
Exciting Techno Thriller
This book's timeline goes from the late 1990s to the end of Osama Bin Laden and beyond. There are occasional forays to the war in Vietnam, the war against drugs in South America and Central America, and assorted kidnappings. The book blends fact with fiction to give us an overall story of what could have been. I looked at it as historical fiction. It starts with some heavy technical jargon, but it gets all smoothed out. It is a pretty clean book with nothing to give you nightmares or make you blush. There is a limited amount of foul language and bedroom scenes. There is some violence and some gore. There is sex trafficking and torture. I have no tolerance for these and it did not give me nightmares. It is a long book, but you can really sink your teeth into it and it seems to fly by. I am all ready to go on to book 2!
This book's timeline goes from the late 1990s to the end of Osama Bin Laden and beyond. There are occasional forays to the war in Vietnam, the war against drugs in South America and Central America, and assorted kidnappings. The book blends fact with fiction to give us an overall story of what could have been. I looked at it as historical fiction. It starts with some heavy technical jargon, but it gets all smoothed out. It is a pretty clean book with nothing to give you nightmares or make you blush. There is a limited amount of foul language and bedroom scenes. There is some violence and some gore. There is sex trafficking and torture. I have no tolerance for these and it did not give me nightmares. It is a long book, but you can really sink your teeth into it and it seems to fly by. I am all ready to go on to book 2!
May 12, 2025
Long book, in all fairness it spans 12+ years of espionage, undercover work sometimes stepping over the “line” in remarkable fashion. Lots of spycraft and special operator action. Enough acronyms to fill several bowls of alphabet soup. Spoiler alert: Glossary at the end of the book decodes the cryptic letters. The hero is invincible, indestructible, omnipotent and in general perfect. The story contains what (might be) fictitious allusions to past administrations in the US that prompts a HOORAH from patriots and head explosions to others. There is a love story entwined in the action packed adventures. I did enjoy the read, however, some parts were a bit sappy. That said I would recommend it. HOORAH!!
July 7, 2022
A Look Behind the Public Records
Special Access reminds me of one of the great thrillers from the Cold War days. Packed with high tech spook toys, heroic patriots who work for America, not for fame and a driving plot to keep you reading all night long.
Mark Hewitt pulls no punches when it comes to expressing his view of what's wrong with the American Government. And he writes it into a deliciously addictive thriller full of characters that you will fall in love with forever.
What I liked best about Special Access is that it made me think about what the average person reads in the headlines and what might really be going on in the background. Great read!
Special Access reminds me of one of the great thrillers from the Cold War days. Packed with high tech spook toys, heroic patriots who work for America, not for fame and a driving plot to keep you reading all night long.
Mark Hewitt pulls no punches when it comes to expressing his view of what's wrong with the American Government. And he writes it into a deliciously addictive thriller full of characters that you will fall in love with forever.
What I liked best about Special Access is that it made me think about what the average person reads in the headlines and what might really be going on in the background. Great read!
January 20, 2020
Black Ops Thriller
I loved Special Access - I couldn't turn pages quickly enough, and was very sorry when it ended! This is a contemporary espionage and covert ops novel providing alternative endings to world events that have already occurred.
I would highly recommend this title to any reader seeking black ops or espionage procedural novels.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free digital copy of this title to review from Net Galley.
#SpecialAccess#NetGalley#Goodreads
I loved Special Access - I couldn't turn pages quickly enough, and was very sorry when it ended! This is a contemporary espionage and covert ops novel providing alternative endings to world events that have already occurred.
I would highly recommend this title to any reader seeking black ops or espionage procedural novels.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free digital copy of this title to review from Net Galley.
#SpecialAccess#NetGalley#Goodreads
December 18, 2022
I thought that overall this was a pretty good read. This is a story with action and political intrigue that made me think of a DeMille or a Clancy thriller. I did find the context switching between chapters in the early part of the book a little challenging but it tied together later on.
Covering a period from the 1980s to the early 2010s, the author uses the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks as a key context for the overall plot but the author clearly notes this book is purely a work of fiction. It is a relatively long story, almost acting as a biography of the protagonist.
Covering a period from the 1980s to the early 2010s, the author uses the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks as a key context for the overall plot but the author clearly notes this book is purely a work of fiction. It is a relatively long story, almost acting as a biography of the protagonist.
February 25, 2024
The world as we wish it was.
A very involved story of a complex world that seems slow to begin, but as pieces fall in place, the intensity rises. Soon it becomes recognizable as real events come along aside the covert world. The bad guys fulfill roles some if us have long suspected as possible.
To day more would give away the fun, but the ride is worth every twist and turn, especially the wild finish.
Wondering how the next books can keep up the pace, but I am looking forward to more adventures.
A very involved story of a complex world that seems slow to begin, but as pieces fall in place, the intensity rises. Soon it becomes recognizable as real events come along aside the covert world. The bad guys fulfill roles some if us have long suspected as possible.
To day more would give away the fun, but the ride is worth every twist and turn, especially the wild finish.
Wondering how the next books can keep up the pace, but I am looking forward to more adventures.
September 16, 2021
Hewitt is the best thriller writer alive…
If James Bond were American, a fighter pilot, engineer, and special operator, his name would be Duncan Hunter. You won’t put this book down, willingly. In fact, you’ll dread finishing it, suspecting that nothing on the horizon may be as good. Time will tell, and I for one, will be looking for more excitement by Mark A. Hewitt- author extraordinaire…
If James Bond were American, a fighter pilot, engineer, and special operator, his name would be Duncan Hunter. You won’t put this book down, willingly. In fact, you’ll dread finishing it, suspecting that nothing on the horizon may be as good. Time will tell, and I for one, will be looking for more excitement by Mark A. Hewitt- author extraordinaire…
September 25, 2021
very good and entertaining.
This is a very good and entertaining book that has story lines that sound more real than not. The characters are real and the author gives a good description of each. The description of the president and dci are very real and true to the real men’s personality they portray. The author tells it like it is , wish makes it hard to understand how liberals are like they are. Read the book and enjoy.
This is a very good and entertaining book that has story lines that sound more real than not. The characters are real and the author gives a good description of each. The description of the president and dci are very real and true to the real men’s personality they portray. The author tells it like it is , wish makes it hard to understand how liberals are like they are. Read the book and enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews