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Discipline
Two homicide detectives track a brazen killer who’s dropping bodies at historical Philadelphia landmarks in this action-packed crime thriller.
Giuseppe “Discipline” Cain is a cold-hearted, calculated, and resentful murderer who turns Philadelphia into his own personal killing ground. As the death toll rises, city officials and the police department clamor to calm the fears of the citizens about this brazen serial killer. When an elected official’s family member is found dead, no one in the city is safe.
Detective Aaden Bravo is a highly decorated officer with a legendary clearance rate. Detective Christian Bennett is flashy, reckless, and a serial womanizer. After Christian’s transfer to the Philadelphia Police Department’s homicide division, these two starkly contrasting officers are forced to work together. Despite their disdain for each other, Aaden and Christian’s skill sets complement each other. While Aaden is all about the job and Christian is all about the women, their next case is all about survival.
Will they succumb to the pressure of maintaining their partnership, or can they cast aside their differences and stay alive long enough to bring Discipline to justice?
Giuseppe “Discipline” Cain is a cold-hearted, calculated, and resentful murderer who turns Philadelphia into his own personal killing ground. As the death toll rises, city officials and the police department clamor to calm the fears of the citizens about this brazen serial killer. When an elected official’s family member is found dead, no one in the city is safe.
Detective Aaden Bravo is a highly decorated officer with a legendary clearance rate. Detective Christian Bennett is flashy, reckless, and a serial womanizer. After Christian’s transfer to the Philadelphia Police Department’s homicide division, these two starkly contrasting officers are forced to work together. Despite their disdain for each other, Aaden and Christian’s skill sets complement each other. While Aaden is all about the job and Christian is all about the women, their next case is all about survival.
Will they succumb to the pressure of maintaining their partnership, or can they cast aside their differences and stay alive long enough to bring Discipline to justice?
273 pages, Paperback
First published May 27, 2025
58 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
About the author
Marc Avery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
March 9, 2025
**ARC REVIEW**
I absolutely loved this action-packed, crime-solving, heart-racing thriller! From start to finish, Discipline was executed perfectly—the storyline was straight fire! As I read, I could picture every scene so vividly, it felt like a movie playing out in my mind. Honestly, this needs to be a movie!
Giuseppe “Discipline” Cain was on a ruthless mission for revenge, and he stopped at nothing to get it. He was unstoppable… until he wasn’t. The intensity, the suspense, the way the story unfolded—it had me hooked the entire time.
If you love crime thrillers that keep you on edge, trust me when I say this is top 5 material. I can’t wait for its official release so y’all can experience it for yourselves!
I absolutely loved this action-packed, crime-solving, heart-racing thriller! From start to finish, Discipline was executed perfectly—the storyline was straight fire! As I read, I could picture every scene so vividly, it felt like a movie playing out in my mind. Honestly, this needs to be a movie!
Giuseppe “Discipline” Cain was on a ruthless mission for revenge, and he stopped at nothing to get it. He was unstoppable… until he wasn’t. The intensity, the suspense, the way the story unfolded—it had me hooked the entire time.
If you love crime thrillers that keep you on edge, trust me when I say this is top 5 material. I can’t wait for its official release so y’all can experience it for yourselves!
Read
October 23, 2025DNF at 60%. It had a decent start but as time went on, it was super hard to pick up. Loved how it was based in my city of Philadelphia but it just felt off.
May 21, 2025
ARC review
This is my first Marc Avery book, and I must say I’m a thoroughly impressed and I enjoyed every second.
The book kicks off putting you into the action and never lets up the rest of the book.
The character development was very good also, the author was very descriptive and you could visualize the characters in the story.
This book reminded me of the books by the author K’wan and his “Animal” series or his solo title “Wrath”.
My only negative is that it seems that the ending was a bit rushed at the end, however, it definitely left room for a sequel.
This is my first Marc Avery book, and I must say I’m a thoroughly impressed and I enjoyed every second.
The book kicks off putting you into the action and never lets up the rest of the book.
The character development was very good also, the author was very descriptive and you could visualize the characters in the story.
This book reminded me of the books by the author K’wan and his “Animal” series or his solo title “Wrath”.
My only negative is that it seems that the ending was a bit rushed at the end, however, it definitely left room for a sequel.
December 7, 2025
3.75 rounded up⭐️!
I enjoyed the plot and Philly setting a lot. I’ll be honest… I was on Discipline’s side until the very last page 😂
This was full of action, gritty, grim and moved fast. I wouldn’t have minded a more drawn out story to show a slow progression between the two detectives finding common ground and maybe some more flashbacks on both of their backgrounds. It was hard to connect to that part of the story but the book is under 300 pages, so I get it. However, I love how he set up for the next book without leaving us on a crazy cliffhanger.
I enjoyed the plot and Philly setting a lot. I’ll be honest… I was on Discipline’s side until the very last page 😂
This was full of action, gritty, grim and moved fast. I wouldn’t have minded a more drawn out story to show a slow progression between the two detectives finding common ground and maybe some more flashbacks on both of their backgrounds. It was hard to connect to that part of the story but the book is under 300 pages, so I get it. However, I love how he set up for the next book without leaving us on a crazy cliffhanger.
September 2, 2025
A fast-paced, action packed crime thriller. I finished reading in two days as I was hooked right from the very first page.
Side note - I found myself rooting for the main character who the book is named for. I found myself stunned by the turn of events at the end. That’s all I’ll say about that as I don’t want to spoil it.
A fantastic and creative debut.
Side note - I found myself rooting for the main character who the book is named for. I found myself stunned by the turn of events at the end. That’s all I’ll say about that as I don’t want to spoil it.
A fantastic and creative debut.
June 22, 2025
Discipline by Marc Avery is a gritty, heart-pounding thrill ride from the prologue until the end. Giuseppe “Discipline” Cain turns Philadelphia into a personal playground of revenge, leaving bodies in the city’s most iconic landmarks. And it’s not just the body count rising—it’s the pressure, the politics, and the stakes.
Detectives Aaden Bravo and Christian Bennett are an explosive duo—total opposites forced to work together. Aaden is all business, while Christian is all charm and chaos, but together they make for a dynamic team you can’t look away from. Their clashing personalities add layers to the nonstop action, and the tension between them is just as sharp as the tension in every crime scene.
Avery doesn’t pull any punches with the violence—every scene is vividly described and memorable. But what sells this novel is the depth: the backstories, the motives, the city that feels like a living, breathing character. And just when you think you’ve caught your breath, something-or—or someone pulls you right back into the fire.
There are hints of sex throughout, but they never overshadow the main event: the chase, the partnership, and the desperate hope that justice will be served. And that ending? Let’s just say, I need to know what happens next.
A five-star read for fans of action-packed police procedurals, complex characters, and twisted, relentless killers. Bring on book two!
Thank you, Black Odyssey Media, for this ARC. I also listened to the audio while following the ebook. Opinions and thoughts are my own.
Detectives Aaden Bravo and Christian Bennett are an explosive duo—total opposites forced to work together. Aaden is all business, while Christian is all charm and chaos, but together they make for a dynamic team you can’t look away from. Their clashing personalities add layers to the nonstop action, and the tension between them is just as sharp as the tension in every crime scene.
Avery doesn’t pull any punches with the violence—every scene is vividly described and memorable. But what sells this novel is the depth: the backstories, the motives, the city that feels like a living, breathing character. And just when you think you’ve caught your breath, something-or—or someone pulls you right back into the fire.
There are hints of sex throughout, but they never overshadow the main event: the chase, the partnership, and the desperate hope that justice will be served. And that ending? Let’s just say, I need to know what happens next.
A five-star read for fans of action-packed police procedurals, complex characters, and twisted, relentless killers. Bring on book two!
Thank you, Black Odyssey Media, for this ARC. I also listened to the audio while following the ebook. Opinions and thoughts are my own.
June 1, 2025
Enjoyable read
3.75 rounded up.
"Discipline" by Marc Avery is an action-packed crime thriller featuring two homicide detectives hunting a bold killer targeting historic Philadelphia landmarks. With a gripping plot and well-developed characters, it's a must-read for fans of fast-paced thrillers.
3.75 rounded up.
"Discipline" by Marc Avery is an action-packed crime thriller featuring two homicide detectives hunting a bold killer targeting historic Philadelphia landmarks. With a gripping plot and well-developed characters, it's a must-read for fans of fast-paced thrillers.
December 24, 2025
Marc Avery's “Discipline” is a welcome addition to the crime thriller landscape. As a Philadelphia native now living in Delaware, Avery draws from his intimate knowledge of the City of Brotherly Love to craft a story that's as much about personal vendettas as it is about the city's fractured soul. Often, it feels like a high-octane cat-and-mouse game that echoes the buddy-cop films of the '90s with a bit of modern grit.
At the heart of the novel is Giuseppe "Discipline" Cain, a cold, calculated killer fresh out of prison. Wrongly incarcerated for years (or so he claims), Discipline turns Philadelphia landscape into a gallery of revenge-motivated crime scenes. Some readers even say root for him, despite his methodical, resentful, and oddly charismatic persona.
Opposing him are two mismatched homicide detectives forced into an uneasy partnership. Aaden is the straight-arrow veteran and Christian is a flashy, often reckless womanizer who treats police work like a game. Together, they are a tinderbox alway ready to explode under the pressure of departmental politics, media pressure, and the toll of chasing a ghost who is one step ahead.
More than that, Avery's Philadelphia is no tourist postcard. He plunges readers into the shadowy corners of North Philly's tough streets, Fishtown's gentrifying edges, Rittenhouse Square's elite enclaves, and seedy gentlemen's clubs. Avery’s prose also captures the rhythm of Philly speech as sharp, street-smart dialogue. It’s here that he shines as a fresh voice: unfiltered and raw, with an ear for how real people talk in high-stakes moments. Along with this, Avery is brutally hones about masculinity. In an era where crime fiction often tiptoes around toxic traits or reframes them through contemporary lenses, Avery leans in without apology. His heroes, villains, and those in between are all swaggering, flawed, and unrepentantly alpha. At the same time, Avery helps readers understand it. Discipline’s past is filled with deep pain. The detective’s build a reluctant alliance organically. Some female characters prove they can be equally viscous.
That said, Avery is still an emerging writer, and the thriller is occasionally betrayed by novice edges. The middle act drags on too long as an extended chase, a third detective is underdeveloped, and the ending feels rushed, barreling toward a whirlwind climax that resolves an immediate threat and leaves the possibility of a sequel open.
Ultimately, however, this is a satisfying crime thriller that delivers on its promises. It’s easily captures ticks off enough boxes to earn four stars out of five, with enough room to leave readers craving another story pulled from the shadows of Philly's dark side.
At the heart of the novel is Giuseppe "Discipline" Cain, a cold, calculated killer fresh out of prison. Wrongly incarcerated for years (or so he claims), Discipline turns Philadelphia landscape into a gallery of revenge-motivated crime scenes. Some readers even say root for him, despite his methodical, resentful, and oddly charismatic persona.
Opposing him are two mismatched homicide detectives forced into an uneasy partnership. Aaden is the straight-arrow veteran and Christian is a flashy, often reckless womanizer who treats police work like a game. Together, they are a tinderbox alway ready to explode under the pressure of departmental politics, media pressure, and the toll of chasing a ghost who is one step ahead.
More than that, Avery's Philadelphia is no tourist postcard. He plunges readers into the shadowy corners of North Philly's tough streets, Fishtown's gentrifying edges, Rittenhouse Square's elite enclaves, and seedy gentlemen's clubs. Avery’s prose also captures the rhythm of Philly speech as sharp, street-smart dialogue. It’s here that he shines as a fresh voice: unfiltered and raw, with an ear for how real people talk in high-stakes moments. Along with this, Avery is brutally hones about masculinity. In an era where crime fiction often tiptoes around toxic traits or reframes them through contemporary lenses, Avery leans in without apology. His heroes, villains, and those in between are all swaggering, flawed, and unrepentantly alpha. At the same time, Avery helps readers understand it. Discipline’s past is filled with deep pain. The detective’s build a reluctant alliance organically. Some female characters prove they can be equally viscous.
That said, Avery is still an emerging writer, and the thriller is occasionally betrayed by novice edges. The middle act drags on too long as an extended chase, a third detective is underdeveloped, and the ending feels rushed, barreling toward a whirlwind climax that resolves an immediate threat and leaves the possibility of a sequel open.
Ultimately, however, this is a satisfying crime thriller that delivers on its promises. It’s easily captures ticks off enough boxes to earn four stars out of five, with enough room to leave readers craving another story pulled from the shadows of Philly's dark side.
June 23, 2025
This book is one hell of a ride! Discipline is the story of a man who got no breaks in life. In and out of foster care, Giuseppe has to remain in control; calm and collected. Until he is set up to take the fall for a dirty cop and is sentenced to 5 years in prison.
When he finally gets out, he has a kill list ready to take down everyone who betrayed him. On his tail are two detectives with a strained relationship; one of them deeply flawed. Will they find Discipline before he can complete his mission?
The story is an edge of your seat thriller that will keep you hooked from beginning to end. Giuseppe aka Discipline and detectives Aiden and Christian are all flawed, morally gray characters. I couldn’t help but pull for Discipline, because he tried everything he knew to stay ahead of a system that always did him wrong.
When he finally gets out, he has a kill list ready to take down everyone who betrayed him. On his tail are two detectives with a strained relationship; one of them deeply flawed. Will they find Discipline before he can complete his mission?
The story is an edge of your seat thriller that will keep you hooked from beginning to end. Giuseppe aka Discipline and detectives Aiden and Christian are all flawed, morally gray characters. I couldn’t help but pull for Discipline, because he tried everything he knew to stay ahead of a system that always did him wrong.
December 8, 2025
This was a really good read that read like an episode of Criminal Minds or Chicago PD or something. It was action packed from Page 1 up until the end. All of the characters were flawed and layered, toeing the lines of morality and skirting around ethics. I actually found myself empathizing with the “villain” and to me that’s a marker of a good story when you love a character you’re “supposed” to dislike. I do feel like the ending was a bit anticlimactic. Like Discipline did ALL that just to go out like THAT? I love how it ended though, it leaves room for a spin off or something because I REFUSE to believe this is all we’ll see of these characters! I want some more!
September 6, 2025
I love a good villain with a code of “ethics”
4.5 Stars
This was such a fun and fast paced read. The only reason it wasn't a full 5 stars for me was it felt a little too fast. The characters didn’t really have time to breathe. The book is only 270pgs so not quite a novella. I think another 200-250pgs would have been the perfect amount to really unfold more of Disciplines villain origin story as well as the detectives relationships with the infamous Armstrong. All in all, still an amazing read and I can’t wait to read more from Marc Avery!
4.5 Stars
This was such a fun and fast paced read. The only reason it wasn't a full 5 stars for me was it felt a little too fast. The characters didn’t really have time to breathe. The book is only 270pgs so not quite a novella. I think another 200-250pgs would have been the perfect amount to really unfold more of Disciplines villain origin story as well as the detectives relationships with the infamous Armstrong. All in all, still an amazing read and I can’t wait to read more from Marc Avery!
June 26, 2025
A lot of action but this one wasn’t for me. I read a lot of police procedural books and it’s obvious no research was done as none of the usual things you would do to gather evidence during police investigation was done. And if I had to read the name of the song playing in the strip club I was gonna stream!!
June 24, 2025
Every character is flawed and real. The plot is fast moving and the ending will blow you away!
I stand and applaud you, Mr. Avery.
I stand and applaud you, Mr. Avery.
June 19, 2025
Discipline, Discipline, Discipline… if you love a good revenge plot add this to your TBR asap!! I can’t wait for book two. What a ride this was!
August 3, 2025
3.75 rounded up. Fun to have the book set in Philly. Interesting characters, but a little too predictable. Fun read. Look forward to more stories
September 3, 2025
A non stop rollercoaster
I started this book and couldn’t put it down. Finished it about 4 days. It was exhilarating and full of twists and turns that were unexpected.. there has to be a part 2 and I’m ready to read it!
I started this book and couldn’t put it down. Finished it about 4 days. It was exhilarating and full of twists and turns that were unexpected.. there has to be a part 2 and I’m ready to read it!
September 7, 2025
Discipline is a raw, street-lit revenge story full of trauma, survival, and corruption. It had me hooked in parts, but the pacing and a few unrealistic moments threw me off. Still, it’s a gritty ride that fans of urban drama and fast-paced thrillers will probably enjoy.
September 21, 2025
This book was so good and suspenseful. I cannot wait until book two.
May 30, 2025
Action. Grit. Revenge. Welcome to Philly, baby.
If you're into heart-racing, jaw-clenching crime thrillers that read like a damn movie, then let me hand you Discipline by Marc Avery and tell you to cancel your weekend plans. 📚🔥
Giuseppe “Discipline” Cain isn’t just a villain, he’s a calculated storm of vengeance, rewriting Philly’s history with blood and bullets.
🏙️ One landmark at a time.
💀 One body at a time.
“One down. Many more to go.”
He’s not here to play games. He’s here to make you pay.
Meanwhile, we’ve got two homicide detectives thrown into a forced partnership and the tension is thiccc.
Detective Aaden Bravo? The straight-laced legend.
Detective Christian Bennett? Cocky, chaotic, womanizing wildcard.
And yet... somehow, they’re the only thing standing between this city and total chaos. 😵💫👮♂️👮♂️
“Please tell me my new partner is a woman.” “Nope.”
Enemies-to-partners energy? CHECK. Corrupt cops, courtroom drama, and high-octane shootouts? CHECK. A villain with layers so deep, you’re not even sure who to root for? DOUBLE CHECK. 😮💨
What I loved: ✨ The dual POVs that let you live inside everyone’s head ✨ The cinematic pacing that seriously NEEDS to be a series ✨ The moral gray zones—justice? revenge? survival? Who's really the villain?
And let’s talk Discipline for a sec… because this man? He’s got trauma, pain, and precision. He’s a ghost of the system’s failure. He’s not just killing. He’s making a statement.
“They stole five years of my life from me. I’ll die in the streets first before I ever come back here.”
This book hits hard and doesn’t let up. From gritty shootouts to moments that make you pause and feel the weight of everything these characters have survived. Marc Avery delivers a knockout debut that’s all gas, no brakes.🖤💥
🎬 Top-tier thriller. 💣 Explosive twists. 😈 A villain you might secretly root for. 🔥 And a partnership that might just break before it bends.
Highly recommend if you like:
🖤 The Wire meets Training Day 🖤 morally messy characters 🖤 urban grit with psychological depth 🖤 fast pacing + high stakes
Now excuse me while I go manifest book 2. ‘Cause Discipline’s not done yet. 😈
If you're into heart-racing, jaw-clenching crime thrillers that read like a damn movie, then let me hand you Discipline by Marc Avery and tell you to cancel your weekend plans. 📚🔥
Giuseppe “Discipline” Cain isn’t just a villain, he’s a calculated storm of vengeance, rewriting Philly’s history with blood and bullets.
🏙️ One landmark at a time.
💀 One body at a time.
“One down. Many more to go.”
He’s not here to play games. He’s here to make you pay.
Meanwhile, we’ve got two homicide detectives thrown into a forced partnership and the tension is thiccc.
Detective Aaden Bravo? The straight-laced legend.
Detective Christian Bennett? Cocky, chaotic, womanizing wildcard.
And yet... somehow, they’re the only thing standing between this city and total chaos. 😵💫👮♂️👮♂️
“Please tell me my new partner is a woman.” “Nope.”
Enemies-to-partners energy? CHECK. Corrupt cops, courtroom drama, and high-octane shootouts? CHECK. A villain with layers so deep, you’re not even sure who to root for? DOUBLE CHECK. 😮💨
What I loved: ✨ The dual POVs that let you live inside everyone’s head ✨ The cinematic pacing that seriously NEEDS to be a series ✨ The moral gray zones—justice? revenge? survival? Who's really the villain?
And let’s talk Discipline for a sec… because this man? He’s got trauma, pain, and precision. He’s a ghost of the system’s failure. He’s not just killing. He’s making a statement.
“They stole five years of my life from me. I’ll die in the streets first before I ever come back here.”
This book hits hard and doesn’t let up. From gritty shootouts to moments that make you pause and feel the weight of everything these characters have survived. Marc Avery delivers a knockout debut that’s all gas, no brakes.🖤💥
🎬 Top-tier thriller. 💣 Explosive twists. 😈 A villain you might secretly root for. 🔥 And a partnership that might just break before it bends.
Highly recommend if you like:
🖤 The Wire meets Training Day 🖤 morally messy characters 🖤 urban grit with psychological depth 🖤 fast pacing + high stakes
Now excuse me while I go manifest book 2. ‘Cause Discipline’s not done yet. 😈
June 4, 2025
I am always excited to see a book set In Pennsylvania (even if it’s Philadelphia 😉 I am from Pittsburgh so I have to tease Philly a little bit!!)
I started reading this book and could not put it down!! I was guessing what was going to happen (and I was wrong lol) and this story really kept me on the edge of my seat. If you love thrillers/crime fiction I would definitely give this a read.
The plot was interesting and the characters surprised me (in the best ways.) No spoilers…but let’s just say one of my favorite colors is morally gray!
✨What To Expect:
⁉️Suspense/Thriller
🔍Crime Thriller
🌪️Twists & Turns
😒Reluctant Partners
🐈⬛Cat and Mouse
🔪Revenge
🥀Criminal Mastermind
🦅Set in Philadelphia
I started reading this book and could not put it down!! I was guessing what was going to happen (and I was wrong lol) and this story really kept me on the edge of my seat. If you love thrillers/crime fiction I would definitely give this a read.
The plot was interesting and the characters surprised me (in the best ways.) No spoilers…but let’s just say one of my favorite colors is morally gray!
✨What To Expect:
⁉️Suspense/Thriller
🔍Crime Thriller
🌪️Twists & Turns
😒Reluctant Partners
🐈⬛Cat and Mouse
🔪Revenge
🥀Criminal Mastermind
🦅Set in Philadelphia
May 30, 2025
Marc Avery has written a fast paced crime thriller in the heart of Philly with Guiseppe “Discipline “ Cain out for revenge with 2 detectives hot on his trail. You will see the good, the bad and the ugly in this tale! And there will be a follow up which is good to know- cause this sure ended with a cliffhanger! Thanks to @netgalley, @katerockliteraryservices, @iamblackodyssey and the author @iammarcavery for my ecopy of Discipline.
May 18, 2025
Thank you so much to Black Odyssey Media for the free book!
Marc Avery has written a fantastic book! Discipline, is a thrilling crime story and isn't just something you read; it felt like a real movie happening in my head. It grabbed my attention from start to finish.
The story is about a man named Giuseppe "Discipline" Cain. He's been hurt and now he wants to get even. He starts killing people in famous spots around Philadelphia, leaving clues that show he's doing it on purpose and out of anger. Everyone in the city is scared, and the police are desperate to stop him.
Two detectives, Aaden Bravo and Christian Bennett, are given the job to catch him. Bravo is a top cop who solves a lot of cases. Bennett is wild, takes risks, and likes women a lot. They don't like each other at first, but they have to work together. Even though they don't get along, their different skills help them catch this smart killer. Their teamwork becomes a fight to do their job and stay alive.
Avery did an amazing job writing a suspenseful story that never slows down. The action scenes are so real, they pull you right into the chaos. Discipline also makes you think about what's right and wrong and trust me you will be torn. As you learn more about Giuseppe Cain, you'll wonder who you should feel sorry for. Who do you want to win when everyone is messed up in some way? This look into complicated feelings makes the book more than just a simple chase story and I can't wait for book 2!
Marc Avery has written a fantastic book! Discipline, is a thrilling crime story and isn't just something you read; it felt like a real movie happening in my head. It grabbed my attention from start to finish.
The story is about a man named Giuseppe "Discipline" Cain. He's been hurt and now he wants to get even. He starts killing people in famous spots around Philadelphia, leaving clues that show he's doing it on purpose and out of anger. Everyone in the city is scared, and the police are desperate to stop him.
Two detectives, Aaden Bravo and Christian Bennett, are given the job to catch him. Bravo is a top cop who solves a lot of cases. Bennett is wild, takes risks, and likes women a lot. They don't like each other at first, but they have to work together. Even though they don't get along, their different skills help them catch this smart killer. Their teamwork becomes a fight to do their job and stay alive.
Avery did an amazing job writing a suspenseful story that never slows down. The action scenes are so real, they pull you right into the chaos. Discipline also makes you think about what's right and wrong and trust me you will be torn. As you learn more about Giuseppe Cain, you'll wonder who you should feel sorry for. Who do you want to win when everyone is messed up in some way? This look into complicated feelings makes the book more than just a simple chase story and I can't wait for book 2!
May 12, 2025
Thank you for the opportunity to preview Discipline.
This a a tough novel with lots of action and suspense.
This novel centers on a young man who finds himself trapped in his own world. He has suffered from depression from an early age. He found his parents dead from an overdose, been abused by foster parents, and the one person who meant anything to him, a foster mother, was killed in front of him. He hooks up with a crooked cop who sets him up and he is sent to prison. But Discipline is not a man who can let go of the past and he is determined to set the record straight.
The book also includes the story of two Philadelphia police officers who are not necessarily the most ethical. They are involved at first on the periphery of Disciplines life but will soon get to know him more and more as Discipline sets about making his vengeance upon those who have wronged him known.
This is gritty and very true to real life.
I see a part 2 in the future.
4 stars.
This a a tough novel with lots of action and suspense.
This novel centers on a young man who finds himself trapped in his own world. He has suffered from depression from an early age. He found his parents dead from an overdose, been abused by foster parents, and the one person who meant anything to him, a foster mother, was killed in front of him. He hooks up with a crooked cop who sets him up and he is sent to prison. But Discipline is not a man who can let go of the past and he is determined to set the record straight.
The book also includes the story of two Philadelphia police officers who are not necessarily the most ethical. They are involved at first on the periphery of Disciplines life but will soon get to know him more and more as Discipline sets about making his vengeance upon those who have wronged him known.
This is gritty and very true to real life.
I see a part 2 in the future.
4 stars.
May 4, 2025
Det Bravo and his new partner Christian Bennett are tasked with looking into and taking down
a notorious killer in Phil. Bennett is a new transfer into the dept and takes the place of his
former partner who is under suspicion for possible criminal activities. He also happens to be a personal close
associate and coworker of Bennet's.
Tensions get higher and whether they can work together in peace and cooperation, remains to be seen.
Suspense is good and the story line is okay, but I really could not get into the partner by play at all.
a notorious killer in Phil. Bennett is a new transfer into the dept and takes the place of his
former partner who is under suspicion for possible criminal activities. He also happens to be a personal close
associate and coworker of Bennet's.
Tensions get higher and whether they can work together in peace and cooperation, remains to be seen.
Suspense is good and the story line is okay, but I really could not get into the partner by play at all.
May 6, 2025
Discipline by Marc Avery is a high-octane crime thriller that plunges you into the gritty streets of Philadelphia and will keep you hooked from the first page. Told through the shifting perspectives of two determined officers (who have an inherited beef) and the
enigmatic fugitive they're chasing, the story builds relentless momentum, suspense, and anticipation as it unfolds. As the manhunt intensifies, you're pulled into the layered psyche of Giuseppe "Discipline" Cain, a man shaped by trauma, betrayal, and a hunger for justice on his own terms. Beyond its rapid pace and intense action, the novel delves into moral complexities, leaving you questioning who truly deserves your sympathy. Who do you root for when everyone's broken?
Thank you to Marc Avery and Black Odyssey Media for this advanced reader copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!
enigmatic fugitive they're chasing, the story builds relentless momentum, suspense, and anticipation as it unfolds. As the manhunt intensifies, you're pulled into the layered psyche of Giuseppe "Discipline" Cain, a man shaped by trauma, betrayal, and a hunger for justice on his own terms. Beyond its rapid pace and intense action, the novel delves into moral complexities, leaving you questioning who truly deserves your sympathy. Who do you root for when everyone's broken?
Thank you to Marc Avery and Black Odyssey Media for this advanced reader copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!
August 20, 2025
This is a gritty crime thriller set in Philadelphia, where I live. I enjoyed all of the familiar Philly locations in the book, it was fun to see the city as the backdrop for the story. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m the right audience for this book. There are a lot of scenes in strip clubs and most of the women in the book are sex workers. I wasn’t expecting so many sex scenes or descriptions of women’s bodies. Most of the characters are morally gray so it was hard to root for anyone. I went into this book not knowing it was a revenge story, and I typically do not enjoy revenge stories.
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March 25, 2025Soon!
July 25, 2025
Back in 1987, Lethal Weapon exploded the buddy-cop formula with bravado, booze, and bullets. The movie jammed together a number of urban cop themes and motifs that are now seen as cliché tropes. Two cops who can't stand each other. A commanding officer who's had enough. A smooth-talking villain with a vendetta. At the time, Dick Donner and Shane Black’s take was excessive, fresh, naughty, and fun. Decades later, those same tropes can feel as worn and tired as the Sixers without Joel or Tyrese.
Enter Discipline by Philadelphia native Marc Avery. On the surface, Avery’s setup hits familiar beats: two mismatched detectives chasing a killer through city streets, dodging bureaucracy, nursing personal demons, and exchanging tough-guy banter while the body count climbs. Yes, this is a premise that could easily fall into cliché, but Avery brings the heat with electric street slang, Philly-specific flair, and an explosive hyperbole that gives the genre a sharpness to its pulse.
Set amidst both the gritty corners and historic landmarks of the City of Brotherly Love, Discipline features anything but. The title refers to a former street hustler turned revenge-driven killer done wrong and imprisoned away by a corrupt badge. Yet all his time in lockup did was give Discipline time to plan. Upon his release, he decides to take out his anger in the most murderous of fashion, killing all those responsible for his capture and incarceration. His message becomes loud and public. Bodies start turning up at recognizable sites: Rittenhouse Square, the Franklin Institute, 30th Street Station, even Independence Hall. Seems like the only landmark spared is Citizens Bank Park.
On the case are Detectives Aaden Bravo and Christian Bennett - two Philly cops with enough chemistry in their kit to light a raging fire. Bravo’s working through a bitter divorce while Bennett does his best to keep online sporting apps in business. They are flawed, they are wounded, they are good cops on a bad beat. And they might be the only ones who can stop the city from bleeding out.
Avery works through his story like a blue-collar tradesman: steady, no-nonsense, and hands-on. He hits all the beats to satisfy the genre requirements. Yet while working around those big beats, Avery charms in some pure magic. When Bravo and Bennett drop the posturing and just talk, the dialogue slips into something looser, funnier, more alive. These moments don’t just elevate the characters, they hint at what Avery is capable of when he leans into rhythm over routine. When the slang increases, the narrative dances.
The villain, too, is more than a plot device. While Bravo and Bennett posture like Crockett and Tubbs, Discipline the character is given real depth. He’s not creepy and sinister like Seven’s John Doe or the chaos engine of Nolan’s Joker. He’s a man who believes he’s been wronged by the system, and Avery doesn’t shy away from giving his motivations weight. In some moments, Discipline feels more grounded, more purposeful, than the detectives trying to bring him down.
If there’s any fault with the read, it’s that Discipline sometimes plays it too straight. The plot’s procedural spine is solid, but also rigid. We have all stood at attention with the likes of this before. The book needed more of those relaxed, swaggering moments. Avery is at his best when the story breathes and the prose pops.
Discipline is a fun, easy read. Marc Avery is a young writer with a distinct voice, a sharp ear for street dialogue, and an instinct for pacing that keeps things moving. He’s clearly refining his craft, but the talent is there and Avery is damn hungry. With his Philly roots and hard-boiled style, he’s a natural fit for fans of S.A. Cosby or Walter Mosley, carving out his space in modern crime fiction one body at a time.
Marc Avery may be just getting started, but if Discipline is a sign of talent, he’s already on the move… and well beyond the traffic of the Schuylkill.
For more reviews and Philly jawn, run up those Art Museum steps and visit Read @ Joe's. Yo.
Enter Discipline by Philadelphia native Marc Avery. On the surface, Avery’s setup hits familiar beats: two mismatched detectives chasing a killer through city streets, dodging bureaucracy, nursing personal demons, and exchanging tough-guy banter while the body count climbs. Yes, this is a premise that could easily fall into cliché, but Avery brings the heat with electric street slang, Philly-specific flair, and an explosive hyperbole that gives the genre a sharpness to its pulse.
Set amidst both the gritty corners and historic landmarks of the City of Brotherly Love, Discipline features anything but. The title refers to a former street hustler turned revenge-driven killer done wrong and imprisoned away by a corrupt badge. Yet all his time in lockup did was give Discipline time to plan. Upon his release, he decides to take out his anger in the most murderous of fashion, killing all those responsible for his capture and incarceration. His message becomes loud and public. Bodies start turning up at recognizable sites: Rittenhouse Square, the Franklin Institute, 30th Street Station, even Independence Hall. Seems like the only landmark spared is Citizens Bank Park.
On the case are Detectives Aaden Bravo and Christian Bennett - two Philly cops with enough chemistry in their kit to light a raging fire. Bravo’s working through a bitter divorce while Bennett does his best to keep online sporting apps in business. They are flawed, they are wounded, they are good cops on a bad beat. And they might be the only ones who can stop the city from bleeding out.
Avery works through his story like a blue-collar tradesman: steady, no-nonsense, and hands-on. He hits all the beats to satisfy the genre requirements. Yet while working around those big beats, Avery charms in some pure magic. When Bravo and Bennett drop the posturing and just talk, the dialogue slips into something looser, funnier, more alive. These moments don’t just elevate the characters, they hint at what Avery is capable of when he leans into rhythm over routine. When the slang increases, the narrative dances.
The villain, too, is more than a plot device. While Bravo and Bennett posture like Crockett and Tubbs, Discipline the character is given real depth. He’s not creepy and sinister like Seven’s John Doe or the chaos engine of Nolan’s Joker. He’s a man who believes he’s been wronged by the system, and Avery doesn’t shy away from giving his motivations weight. In some moments, Discipline feels more grounded, more purposeful, than the detectives trying to bring him down.
If there’s any fault with the read, it’s that Discipline sometimes plays it too straight. The plot’s procedural spine is solid, but also rigid. We have all stood at attention with the likes of this before. The book needed more of those relaxed, swaggering moments. Avery is at his best when the story breathes and the prose pops.
Discipline is a fun, easy read. Marc Avery is a young writer with a distinct voice, a sharp ear for street dialogue, and an instinct for pacing that keeps things moving. He’s clearly refining his craft, but the talent is there and Avery is damn hungry. With his Philly roots and hard-boiled style, he’s a natural fit for fans of S.A. Cosby or Walter Mosley, carving out his space in modern crime fiction one body at a time.
Marc Avery may be just getting started, but if Discipline is a sign of talent, he’s already on the move… and well beyond the traffic of the Schuylkill.
For more reviews and Philly jawn, run up those Art Museum steps and visit Read @ Joe's. Yo.
May 23, 2025
I received this as an ARC via Netgalley. All views expressed are my own.
Worth a Try - This may not be for everyone, as it’s intended to be a detective-y story (not quite at the level of thriller). Fairly predictable plot but quite readable.
Blurb is at the end of the review, for those who aren’t into that sort of thing.
Detective/police story. No substantive romantic subplot.
Told from three different POVs, this crime fiction story was a fast and easy read. Set in Philadelphia, it follows both the criminal in question, but also the detectives who’re trying to track him down.
I really wanted to like this book. I follow Avery on Threads, and I like him quite a lot as a person.
Unfortunately, I found the character development, and exploration of character backgrounds, to be curiously flat. This was further hindered by the lack of distinction between the different characters’ voices. Everyone was corrupt, everyone had vice, everyone supported and backed each other until they didn’t.
At points, it felt like Avery had written personalities to suit the plot, and to further it, rather than for any substantive reason.
Nevertheless, it was an interesting enough read. Certainly enough to read through, even if the outcome seemed a foregone conclusion.
As a sidenote, the formatting on the ebook was also distracting - there were page numbers in the middle of the page, some of the chapter headings also seemed inconsistently.
Synopsis:
Giuseppe ‘Discipline’ Cain has had a hard life. Now that he has been released from prison, he is seeking to hold accountable those he believes responsible for his troubles. Meanwhile, two detectives are on his trail, seeking to put a stop to Discipline’s spree before additional damage can be done.
In summary, this was a very decent and easy read. It was certainly something I could readily slip in and out of, and with a fulfilling ending. I’d love to see how Avery continues to grow as a writer in his future works.
Worth a Try - This may not be for everyone, as it’s intended to be a detective-y story (not quite at the level of thriller). Fairly predictable plot but quite readable.
Blurb is at the end of the review, for those who aren’t into that sort of thing.
Detective/police story. No substantive romantic subplot.
Told from three different POVs, this crime fiction story was a fast and easy read. Set in Philadelphia, it follows both the criminal in question, but also the detectives who’re trying to track him down.
I really wanted to like this book. I follow Avery on Threads, and I like him quite a lot as a person.
Unfortunately, I found the character development, and exploration of character backgrounds, to be curiously flat. This was further hindered by the lack of distinction between the different characters’ voices. Everyone was corrupt, everyone had vice, everyone supported and backed each other until they didn’t.
At points, it felt like Avery had written personalities to suit the plot, and to further it, rather than for any substantive reason.
Nevertheless, it was an interesting enough read. Certainly enough to read through, even if the outcome seemed a foregone conclusion.
As a sidenote, the formatting on the ebook was also distracting - there were page numbers in the middle of the page, some of the chapter headings also seemed inconsistently.
Synopsis:
Giuseppe ‘Discipline’ Cain has had a hard life. Now that he has been released from prison, he is seeking to hold accountable those he believes responsible for his troubles. Meanwhile, two detectives are on his trail, seeking to put a stop to Discipline’s spree before additional damage can be done.
In summary, this was a very decent and easy read. It was certainly something I could readily slip in and out of, and with a fulfilling ending. I’d love to see how Avery continues to grow as a writer in his future works.
November 19, 2025
Discipline delivers a multi POV, that of Giuseppe “Discipline” Cain, and police officers Aaden Bravo and Christian Bennett. When Discipline is betrayed and framed by a police officer he hustles with, he catches a grueling five year prison sentence. While in prison he bides his time, and plots his revenge to payback anyone who has ever been guilty of double crossing him. Meanwhile, distrusting officer Aaden Bravo gets word that he’s getting a new partner. Coincidentally, his new partner Christian, turns out to be a recent partner of his ex partner, the same shady cop who put Discipline behind bars. After Discipline is released from prison he begins to set his revenge tour in motion. Not only does he start taking out people from his past, but he begins leading detectives Bravo and Bennett on a cat and mouse chase through the city of Philadelphia leaving his victims at historical landmarks. Will the detectives be able to ever trust each other long enough to nab Discipline before he reaches his next victim, or will Discipline keep staying ten steps ahead until he fulfills the revenge quota he so desperately needs? I was really impressed with the interweaving of the characters throughout this story. Author Marc Avery, is a master of puppets who has spun this elaborate spiderweb of interconnected backstories, and successfully weaved them into the present, creating one hell of a crime mystery labyrinth. ‘Discipline’ has everything you want in a story of its kind with lies, deception, manipulation, corruption, and most importantly revenge. Through gritty descriptions, readers can see and feel how the city of Philly integrates into the lives of this cast of characters. From the dilapidated to the upscale, the unsavory to the luxury, there’s a clear divide of disproportionate circumstance and economic inequality that lends itself to the attitude and atmosphere of the story as a whole. I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next, and I would definitely recommend if you enjoy suspense, mystery, and a dive into the underworld of crime.
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