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Edge of Disaster
Dodging bullets was never part of the deal.
Max Kline thought he had retired from the battlefield, but when negotiating the sale of his friend's tech company, he's thrust back into the line of fire. Literally.
The company's powerful new software has the potential to upend the global economy, or worse, if it falls into the wrong hands-- and it's missing.
Now Max must recover the code, but he is not the only one searching. A mysterious fanatical group has their own motivations and they're playing for keeps. Whatever the risk, he knows that he can’t let them win.
When the architect of the code turns out to be an old flame and she gets caught in the crossfire, his only exit strategy might cost more than he is willing to pay.
Max Kline thought he had retired from the battlefield, but when negotiating the sale of his friend's tech company, he's thrust back into the line of fire. Literally.
The company's powerful new software has the potential to upend the global economy, or worse, if it falls into the wrong hands-- and it's missing.
Now Max must recover the code, but he is not the only one searching. A mysterious fanatical group has their own motivations and they're playing for keeps. Whatever the risk, he knows that he can’t let them win.
When the architect of the code turns out to be an old flame and she gets caught in the crossfire, his only exit strategy might cost more than he is willing to pay.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2024
34 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 24, 2024
This review also features on Diary of an Ink Drinker
Friends are there for each other. Friends for more than a decade have had each other's backs. Friends who have saved each other's lives have a bond forged in destiny. So, if such a friend asks you for a favour and offers to pay you well for your time, what reason would you have to say no?
Edge of Disaster is a fast-paced suspense action thriller and boy does it take you on a ride! Tasked with negotiating the sale of his friend’s tech company, Max Kline soon finds himself fighting for his life and answers as things quickly spiral out of control. Initially, I thought I had the ending figured out, but Thomas Puck excels at planting red herrings and flipping the story when you least expect it. Reading it felt like diving into a much less predictable Jack Reacher book, making it a thoroughly enjoyable read.
There were several aspects I loved about this book. In the first chapter, the main character is in the Middle East fighting with the military. Almost unavoidably in this type of story religion is thrown in, but it was very refreshing to not be focused on Muslims which seem to be the default option in this genre of late. As the story progresses, it becomes very tech-focused. Coming from a tech background, nothing lands a book on my DNF (Did Not Finish) list faster than wildly inaccurate depictions of technology within a realistic setting. Puck, however, has done his research. The technology is portrayed accurately, allowing for some creative licence, and he does a commendable job of explaining complex or unusual concepts in layman’s terms. The pacing was spot-on, never letting the story fall into a lull.
However, there were a few elements that let the book down a bit. Occasions of overused words, such as emblematic twice in almost as many pages felt a little jarring. While the characters were interesting, they lacked significant depth. This didn’t affect the action or mystery, but it did hinder personal investment in them. This lack of depth had an impact later when the romance subplot came into play; it felt flat and shoehorned in. The story would have been stronger with a focus on friendship rather than romance. It is rare for an action book to weave romance in successfully, so while this wouldn’t put me off reading more from the genre, I wish authors would stick to their strengths.
Overall, Edge of Disaster is a well-paced, genuinely intriguing story that manages to dodge most of the clichéd pitfalls of the genre. It is a commendable debut novel that leaves me eager to see what Puck will come up with next.
Thank you to Discovery and Mill Pond Ventures for providing me with this eARC. All opinions are my own.
Friends are there for each other. Friends for more than a decade have had each other's backs. Friends who have saved each other's lives have a bond forged in destiny. So, if such a friend asks you for a favour and offers to pay you well for your time, what reason would you have to say no?
Edge of Disaster is a fast-paced suspense action thriller and boy does it take you on a ride! Tasked with negotiating the sale of his friend’s tech company, Max Kline soon finds himself fighting for his life and answers as things quickly spiral out of control. Initially, I thought I had the ending figured out, but Thomas Puck excels at planting red herrings and flipping the story when you least expect it. Reading it felt like diving into a much less predictable Jack Reacher book, making it a thoroughly enjoyable read.
There were several aspects I loved about this book. In the first chapter, the main character is in the Middle East fighting with the military. Almost unavoidably in this type of story religion is thrown in, but it was very refreshing to not be focused on Muslims which seem to be the default option in this genre of late. As the story progresses, it becomes very tech-focused. Coming from a tech background, nothing lands a book on my DNF (Did Not Finish) list faster than wildly inaccurate depictions of technology within a realistic setting. Puck, however, has done his research. The technology is portrayed accurately, allowing for some creative licence, and he does a commendable job of explaining complex or unusual concepts in layman’s terms. The pacing was spot-on, never letting the story fall into a lull.
However, there were a few elements that let the book down a bit. Occasions of overused words, such as emblematic twice in almost as many pages felt a little jarring. While the characters were interesting, they lacked significant depth. This didn’t affect the action or mystery, but it did hinder personal investment in them. This lack of depth had an impact later when the romance subplot came into play; it felt flat and shoehorned in. The story would have been stronger with a focus on friendship rather than romance. It is rare for an action book to weave romance in successfully, so while this wouldn’t put me off reading more from the genre, I wish authors would stick to their strengths.
Overall, Edge of Disaster is a well-paced, genuinely intriguing story that manages to dodge most of the clichéd pitfalls of the genre. It is a commendable debut novel that leaves me eager to see what Puck will come up with next.
Thank you to Discovery and Mill Pond Ventures for providing me with this eARC. All opinions are my own.
July 3, 2024
This story has more twists and turns than a roller coaster. Unfortunately, there's a lot of track missing on this ride. While the characters are mostly developed and believable, you don't feel any true passion between the 'romantic' characters. The editing is good and the writer's style almost flows. But the story just doesn't ring true and it takes lots of hops. At the halfway point of the book, I wasn't sure I wanted to finish it, but I persevered to the end. At which point, it does do a wrap up that ties up all the loose ends and different threads.
July 10, 2024
Edge of Disaster
An excellent involved thriller mystery which I enjoyed reading. Very good characters and many emotions to help the story along. I will look forward to reading the next book by Thomas Puck.
An excellent involved thriller mystery which I enjoyed reading. Very good characters and many emotions to help the story along. I will look forward to reading the next book by Thomas Puck.
September 15, 2024
intense
An enjoyable, exciting, intriguing story with lots of suspense and surprise. I had trouble putting the story down and was “forced” to read into the early morning when I couldn’t sleep. I think that Puck has a best seller here.
An enjoyable, exciting, intriguing story with lots of suspense and surprise. I had trouble putting the story down and was “forced” to read into the early morning when I couldn’t sleep. I think that Puck has a best seller here.
August 14, 2024
Friends
Really enjoyable twisting plot with old flames and friends not so much. Very smooth read and satisfying ending with a bit of humor.
Really enjoyable twisting plot with old flames and friends not so much. Very smooth read and satisfying ending with a bit of humor.
August 17, 2024
Riveting
Great characters and unexpected turns in this suspenseful book. Hard to put down. Hoping there are more Max adventures to come!
Great characters and unexpected turns in this suspenseful book. Hard to put down. Hoping there are more Max adventures to come!
September 14, 2024
Engaged throughout this realistic novel. Good job
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews