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The war on drugs.
A deadly cartel.
One Marine fighting back.


It's 1983 and we're losing the war on drugs.

When a network news report exposes the flood of narcotics coming into the United States through the Caribbean and South America, the President has had enough. He tasks his inner circle to take the fight to the Medellín cartel. To even the playing field. But with fragile alliances on the line, the White House wants to keep the fight off the front pages.

Time to deploy one of the Marine Corps best. Sergeant Lenny Cox. No one knows how to cause trouble like Lenny.

When Lenny is witness to the sad reality of the drugs on Washington streets, he becomes even more motivated to hunt down the people responsible. But as he follows the trail into the Caribbean, he finds that even people within his own government have ulterior motives, and Lenny is being set up to fail.

But Lenny has a secret An old friend from the Australian Army with a penchant for mischief—Lucas Burnside. Together, Lenny and Lucas will take the fight to the cartel, with deadly consequences.

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2024

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About the author

A.J. Stewart

46 books127 followers
A.J. Stewart has lived in so many places it feels like he has a home team in every game he sees. Which explains why his wife begins any sports telecast with "who are going for today?" A.J. and his family currently spend their time in Los Angeles and South Florida, but stay tuned, anything could happen.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
569 (57%)
4 stars
299 (30%)
3 stars
97 (9%)
2 stars
12 (1%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Andy Behrendt.
12 reviews
February 5, 2024
Best AJ Stewart novel so far?

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this was my favourite AJ Stewart book so far. It has all the hallmarks of his natural story telling, and builds on the legend of Lenny that all Miami Jones will be familiar with. If you haven't read the Miami Jones, that's okay as you will very quickly understand the qualities of the man that is Lenny Cox. Throw in a very good affectation of the legendary Aussie that is Lucas, and you have characters that really carry a story.
In this book, Lenny is asked to go under the radar and cause chaos for the Medellin Cartel, all while also giving President Reagan some valuable political points in his war on drugs. Lenny is up against political forces from back home who don't want him to interfere with their obsidious programs in other countries, and he must always stay one step ahead of those seeking to put him off course.
There is a lot of historical reference in this novel, and I think that is a genius move. There is a real air of credibility to the story that made this very hard to put down.
Profile Image for Jeff Benham.
1,800 reviews12 followers
February 5, 2024
This is not your basic page turning action. This is your international page turning action. Back in the good old days before cell phones and drones. Lenny is a Marine sergeant who colors outside the lines. Lucas is an Aussie, SAS. They got together in Temple of Gold, so be sure to read that one too. The POTUS is tired of all the cocaine coming into the country. Lenny's job is to create havoc at the point where it leaves to be delivered. Just where is that? Seems his intel is faulty. He can't even trust the people within his own government. Lenny still manages to put on quite a show. Highly recommend this one.
1 review
January 29, 2025
Excellent and enjoyable read!

This is my first read of the Lenny and Lucas series and I found it to be fast paced, with engaging characters and a solid plot line. It had a nice balance of action and irreverence that I really enjoy. Recommend it highly for those that don't need an action novel take itself too seriously.
61 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2024
Great story

Loved the story and the fast action. No unnecessary dialogue, but plenty of adventure. It's nice to get some after the fact background on the late Lenny Cox after having become acquainted through Miami Jones. Looking forward to the next installment.
Profile Image for Jim.
793 reviews
March 11, 2024
Book 1 in the series

Cocaine coming through the Caribbean into the United States has become a major problem. Lenny is sent to “cause trouble” and he gets Lucas to help. A great story. Temple of Gold is the first book (prequel) in this series.
1 review
July 15, 2024
Just enough good action between Lenny and Lucas to highlight the bond between them. But the part i liked most was the tie in with the true history of the war on drugs, Col. North, Panama and all the rest. Just started the next in the series.
Profile Image for David Webster.
106 reviews1 follower
October 27, 2024
Exciting Page Turner!

It's HOT in the tropics, and HOTTER when Sgt. Lenny Cox USMC teams up with his Aussie mate Lucas Burnside and they jump into a fast Cigar Boat to go after the Colombian Drug Cartel. FABULOUS!
3 reviews
August 23, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed my first Lenny and Lucas novel. Very well written with lots of historical references that make it believable. Having read all the Miami Jones series, am glad we get a chance to know the Lenny behind the legends!
17 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2026
good read

It kept me up late but was worth it. A good story, well told. You have to be willing to suspend disbelief when one guy can cause the amount of mayhem the lead character in this novel causes.
20 reviews
January 16, 2026
Like a history lesson on cartels and drugs.

I enjoyed the book and I'm not usually drawn to military books. Characters were well fleshed out and interesting. Can't wait to read the sequel!
32 reviews
February 8, 2024
Wonderful, exciting, awe inspiring read.

Thank you, AJ Stewart, for another great story. I do love Ronald Reagan. Thanks for reminding people he was a hero too.
Profile Image for Louise Barnes.
22 reviews
February 10, 2024
full of action

Lenny Cox is a smooth operator with the United States Marines and is also very intelligent. Good at what he does. Follow him for some great adventures.
11 reviews
February 13, 2024
Great characters

Aj Stewart had created great characters again. Lenny Cox and his cohort Lucas. With new characters showing up.
Good read
148 reviews1 follower
March 4, 2024
A good book

Tropical Snow is a good book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Lenny and Lucas make a good pair. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.
Profile Image for Mary Kay.
682 reviews1 follower
March 4, 2024
More Lenny and Lucas save the day, chasing the bad guys, destroying drugs and generally creating mayhem to annoy the drug cartels. All in a day’s work!
4 reviews
April 4, 2024
love it

I like the two characters of Lenny and Lucas and the adventures that they undertake. They go to real places that I’ve been and I just enjoy their travels.
Profile Image for Linda.
93 reviews
Read
May 22, 2024
Loved this book

The time frame is something I remember, the action was fantastic. This is my guest Luke and Lenny book, it won't be my last.. Highly recommend it.

19 reviews
July 10, 2024
Great book

Fast reading book. Read it in one afternoon. Lenny is fearless in stopping the drug trade. Would recommend this book to any reader.

Betty P
Profile Image for Connie Hamby.
1,057 reviews9 followers
August 24, 2024
A really good book

For a first book A J Stewart done an awesome job I really enjoyed this book this is the kind of book s I like I can't wait till the next one!
545 reviews8 followers
September 8, 2024
Good one

Ok, new best author and maybe a damn good series. What's neat about this one is it mirrors history in the Caribbean. Recommended and ur going like it.
3 reviews
January 19, 2025
Kept interest entire book

Action filled and interesting drug transport theme. Do not know how true much was, but I couldn’t put it down
Profile Image for John Wood.
593 reviews5 followers
January 25, 2025
Nice story!

Somewhat of a true story, about the drug wars of the early 80's and a one mans crusade to end the flow of drugs into th US. Looking forward to book 2.
2 reviews
Read
January 30, 2025
Engaging. Lots of details from when o was younger. People in office etc. seems very real. Well written. Can’t wait to start to read the next book.
Mfdk
Profile Image for Mike Pearson.
175 reviews1 follower
February 6, 2025
Great story

Great start to a good adventure. The author has laid out a great story and has been very good at the beginning
44 reviews
March 9, 2025
Another winner

Great adventure mystery. Had to read books on Lenny and Lucus. I read the Miami Jones series and was introduced to Lenny. Mr Stewart thank you.
1 review
May 26, 2025
Good start for new series!

Strong start for a new series. Great action from the beginning to the end. Look forward to the next Lenny and Lucas adventure.
147 reviews1 follower
October 21, 2025
Very good! A Marine killing drug dealers and cartel members all over the US and Latin America. Doesn't get much better.
19 reviews
April 5, 2026
The beginning!!

Nice to read the beginning of the Miami Series based on the main character in this first book. Several things that happened here are part of the future series.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews