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Matt Gamble #1

Good as Dead

Matt Gamble, codename ‘Reaper,’ is the CIA’s deadliest covert operative, the man the government dispatches when its darkest secrets need to be buried and its enemies erased.

Never before has Matt hesitated when executing an assassination. But when his strong moral code conflicts with his current mission, he becomes a problem that needs to go away.

Matt knows that compromising the operation has put his life in danger. Top-tier agency assassins have been dispatched to kill him, and they’ll stop at nothing to end Matt’s life. If he is to stay alive, the black ops specialist will have no choice but to rely on his instincts and go into hiding. If he doesn’t, he’s as good as dead.

Seeking refuge in the shadows of New York City’s Soundview district, Matt takes a job as a volunteer kitchen helper at the Guiding Light Mission. But when a local drug lord threatens to destroy his newfound community, Matt is thrust back into the shadowy world he tried to leave behind. The lives of the vulnerable need his help, and he refuses to turn his back on them.

As the streets become a battleground, Matt and his girlfriend, Kyla, face not only New York’s criminal underworld but the relentless pursuit of the CIA’s second-deadliest assassin. To survive, they must run for their lives.

A full-throttle, edge-of-your-seat thriller jam-packed with explosive action and unrelenting suspense, GOOD AS DEAD introduces readers to a hard-charging and uncompromising covert operative with a target on his back in an unpredictable and addictive series that will leave you binge reading late into the night.

If you enjoy gripping page-turners brimming with mystery, suspense, action, twists & turns, and characters you’ll remember long after the last page, dive into Gary Winston Brown’s high-stakes Matt Gamble thriller series now.

Perfect for fans of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, David Baldacci’s Will Robe, and Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2024

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About the author

Gary Winston Brown

20 books27 followers

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Community Reviews

5 stars
346 (57%)
4 stars
184 (30%)
3 stars
60 (9%)
2 stars
8 (1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
48 reviews
August 6, 2026
Reacher type action story. Ex CIA assassin hides out in New York. He befriends the locals and helps them fight the bad guys. All this while he is hunted himself. A good read with enjoyable characters.
8 reviews
August 23, 2024
Awesome read!!

Great flow, switches were smooth, the writer researched the weaponry & gadgets extremely well! I'll be reading more of his work!
66 reviews3 followers
July 29, 2025
"Matt Gamble just hijacked my weekend… and I regret nothing!"

Good As Dead is the kind of thriller that grabs you by the collar from page one and doesn’t let go. Matt “Reaper” Gamble isn’t your typical CIA hitman, he’s a man wrestling with a moral compass that suddenly refuses to point where it used to. Watching him go from erasing enemies for the agency to defending the vulnerable in the gritty streets of Soundview had me cheering for him all the way.

The tension is relentless... rogue assassins on his trail, a criminal underworld closing in, and a community he refuses to abandon. I loved the mix of high-octane action and surprising heart; Matt’s evolution from ghost to guardian makes him unforgettable.

Gary Winston Brown writes with the kind of pacing that keeps your finger glued to the “next page” button. If you’re into thrillers that blend moral stakes, espionage, and unapologetic action, Good As Dead will keep you up way past bedtime.

I’m already itching for the next book in the Matt Gamble series.

235 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2025
A new strong character

Gamble didn’t complete his kill assignment because of his belief that a son shouldn’t see his father’s assassination. His handler wouldn’t accept his not taking the shot and sends another assassin after him. The assassin sent to kill him, Kayla, was his lover in previous assignments, and wants to save him. They work together to clear a neighborhood of drug dealers. ENJOY!
19 reviews
July 30, 2026
Matt Gamble book 1

I had high hopes for this after reading the synopsis. Unfortunately it didn’t quite deliver for me. Everything was just too perfect and far fetched. But I’ll give book 2 a go when it comes out
Profile Image for Betty Z.
128 reviews2 followers
September 2, 2024
Great read

I couldn't put this book down. The writing was very easy to follow and the storyline kept you grounded to your sat page after page. Mr Brown is a great storyteller!
1 review
January 6, 2025
great book

Wish it continued on their journey into the Honduras. They still have a job to do to finish this story
265 reviews3 followers
February 2, 2025
Dead On

The only gamble with this book is the lead character, Matt Gamble. Everything else is locked in for a superior thrill ride.
639 reviews7 followers
March 2, 2025
Really enjoyed the introduction
of Matt and Kyla. Looking forward
to many more adventures.
35 reviews
June 23, 2025
Great book

My first book by this author. I enjoyed it. I like strong characters and gamble is that. Also very likeable. Look forward to the next book
Profile Image for J.
2 reviews
May 31, 2026
(I haven’t read this) Curious how it compares to Jack Carrs terminal list series
959 reviews11 followers
June 28, 2026
This was a good action thriller, good enough to move on to book 2. Very entertaining,
Profile Image for Jackie Martello.
660 reviews5 followers
August 4, 2026
2.75 stars rounded up.
Not a bad book, but nothing new here. The book is too long and the characters are too formulaic.
I finished it in 1 day, so it can’t be too bad.
Profile Image for Mrs Linda A Barber.
368 reviews3 followers
September 2, 2026
Enjoyed this book

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Pleased that Matt and Kyla helped people and killed the rest. Looking forward to the next one.
105 reviews
September 3, 2026
Brilliant

Really enjoyed this book. Full of action and highly recommended it really draws you in. Great main charachter and story. Now to book two.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews