Enemy of My Enemy: A Daredevil Marvel Crime novel

Marvel Crime #2

by Alex Segura

Los Angeles Times Book Prize winner Alex Segura (Secret Identity) continues the Marvel Crime series of thriller books for adults with the all-new legal noir story of the Punisher on trial for the murder or the Kingpin—with Matt Murdock as his defense attorney.

When the call comes in that the Kingpin and a police officer have been killed and that Frank Castle (aka the Punisher) has turned himself in for it, Matt senses holes in the narratives the media and the streets are quick to run with.

Both criminals have been Matt’s nemeses when he dons the cowl of the Daredevil, and there’s no denying that New York is better off without its Kingpin and the Punisher behind bars. And yet, while the Punisher is a murderous vigilante, he doesn’t kill cops. And he doesn’t turn himself in.

Castle certainly deserves prison for all of the other crimes he has committed in the past. However, Matt’s indominable sense of justice insists that nobody should be sent to prison for crimes they didn’t actually commit. Representing the vigilante in court, Matt enters a contest of wills and guile with Castle to try and uncover the game beneath the game. And when Matt’s girlfriend takes the stand and complicates matters, there’s truly no rest for the wicked or the just. As the Kingpin’s absence has passions running hot in Hell’s Kitchen, Matt must decide if justice means the letter of the law, what’s best for the citizen on the streets, or where is heart is beginning to lead him.

Enemy of My Enemy continues the Marvel Crime series that began with Lisa Jewell’s Breaking the Dark, and brings fans into a grittier, street-level side of the Marvel Universe.

Genres: Marvel, Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fantasy, Superheroes

336 pages, Hardcover

First published March 24, 2026

About the author

Alex Segura is the bestselling and award-winning author of Secret Identity, which The New York Times called “wittily original” and named an Editor’s Choice. NPR described the novel as “masterful” and The L.A. Times called it “a magnetic read.”

Secret Identity received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and Booklist, was listed as one of the Best Mysteries of the Year by NPR, Kirkus, Booklist, LitReactor, Gizmodo, BOLO Books, and the South Florida Sun Sentinel, was nominated for the Anthony Award for Best Hardcover, the Lefty and Barry Awards for Best Novel, the Macavity Award for Best Mystery Novel, and won the LA Times Book Prize in the Mystery/Thriller category.

His upcoming work includes the YA superhero adventure Araña/Spider-Man 2099: Dark Tomorrow, the follow-up to Secret Identity, Alter Ego, and the sci-fi/espionage thriller, Dark Space (with Rob Hart). Alex is also the author of Star Wars Poe Dameron: Free Fall, the Anthony Award-nominated Pete Fernandez Miami Mystery series, and a number of comic books – including The Mysterious Micro-Face (in partnership with NPR), The Black Ghost, The Archies, The Dusk, The Awakened, Mara Llave – Keeper of Time, Blood Oath, stories featuring Marvel heroes the Avengers, Sunspot, White Tiger, Spider-Man and DC’s Superman, Sinestro, and The Question, to name a few.

His short story, “90 Miles” was included in The Best American Mystery and Suspense Stories for 2021 and won the Anthony Award for Best Short Story. Another short story,“Red Zone,” won the 2020 Anthony Award for Best Short Story.

Alex is also the co-creator of the Lethal Lit podcast, named one of the best fiction podcasts of 2018 by The New York Times.

A Miami native, he lives in New York with his wife and children.

Reviews

[littlefox · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars ♡

A big thank you to Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Expected Publication Date: March 24th, 2026

As a huge Daredevil and Marvel fan, receiving this ARC made me so happy!! Getting to see Matt Murdock defend Frank Castle in court for killing Wilson Fisk with appearances by my favorite characters? Hell YES.

I can tell Alex Segura really understands and loves Matt Murdock. His knowledge of Daredevil and his skill at capturing Matt's and Frank's voices really shone through. I could hear the characters' voices when reading the dialogue, their personalities were so vivid. Alex Segura KNOWS Daredevil, both in the show and the comics, and clearly did his research, which shows in his writing

...this wasn't always a good thing though. I noticed that there were quite a few info dumps and unnecessary passages reminding us of previously established lore. For example, we'd learn a piece of info through Matt early in the book and a few chapters later, it would be brought up and we would be reminded of how Matt came across the info (with his senses + a long-winded passage describing how he was trained), what the info is, and THEN why it's relevant.
The constant reminding would get in the way of the development of the main mystery, which was actually really interesting. I wouldn't say the plot twists were completely shocking but it was a fun read nonetheless and featured a true-to-show action scene.
AND THE COURT SCENES!!! Probably my favorite part of the entire book was reading about Matt defending Frank in court. I'm glad we got to see a bit of Matt the Lawyer and not just Matt as Daredevil.

A second issue I had, which is honestly really minor but confusing considering the quality of the dialogue, was the AAVE used as Gen Z slang. As far as I noticed, it was only a couple times and only spoken by Matt and Frank - which... the concept of MATT MURDOCK and FRANK CASTLE saying things like "take the L" and "we're cooked"
I don't understand why that was included because this is an adult book, featuring grown men who are certainly not kid-friendly, and aside from that, these characters' dialogue was truly spot on. It was so confusing 😭

If you are a fan of Daredevil or new to Daredevil lore but curious, this is perfect for you!!
*this plot exists in a separate universe, so no need to be worried about Daredevil: Born Again spoilers*

[claire]

my girlfriend saw me react to the announcement and went “how are you not screaming right now?” and honestly it’s because i’m crying. what the fuck

[Stewart Tame · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I won a free copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

The Kingpin is dead, apparently shot by the Punisher. With every mobster in the city looking to take over, Daredevil has his work cut out for him, especially since he's also the Punisher's lawyer …

I really wanted to like this book. And, all things considered, it's not bad. Once it gets going, it moves along at a brisk pace. But it's really more of a comic book without artwork than it is a mystery novel, which is what it's allegedly trying to be.

I mean, the cover touts it as “A Daredevil Marvel Crime Novel.” And casually allows that Alex Segura is an “LA Times Book Prize Winner.” I don't know about you, but I'm imagining something that will sit comfortably on the shelves in the Mystery section of the local bookstore snugly next to Raymond Chandler, John D. MacDonald, Sara Paretsky, and the like. I don't read a lot of mysteries, but you know what I mean. And certainly Daredevil has always had a bit of noir in the mix, at least since the Frank Miller days. It would seem like a match made in heaven.

The book seems to have been written more for comics fans. I've never followed Daredevil regularly, but it seems like everyone he's ever fought or otherwise interacted with gets paraded through the book at some point. Heck, I'd forgotten Dakota North even existed! And most of them barely rate an introduction. You either catch the reference or you don't. And the general survival rate for seemingly fatal wounds seems absurdly high. It's a familiar comic book trope, sure. But what's it doing here, in what's ostensibly a mystery novel? It felt jarring to me.

And remember earlier, when I used the phrase, “Once it gets going …?” That's because the first chapter is mostly exposition, recapping Daredevil's origin. I suppose it's a necessary evil. Readers need to know who he is, after all. But surely there was a better way to integrate it into the story? Worse yet, the framing sequence for the expository dump is a courtroom scene where Matt Murdock is defending a client. This would be a great place to establish his legal skills, show us what a good lawyer he is. But instead of showing us how, Segura simply tells us that Matt won the case. That is incredibly lazy writing, and I came perilously close to chucking the book across the room.

The writing does improve from that point–really, how could it not?--and we do get a passable Daredevil story. This book is probably best suited for comics fans. I'm not sure how much casual readers will get from it. Definitely don't let that first chapter throw you.

[Luke Swanson · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read the back of this book, I got really excited—what a fantastic premise for a Daredevil story. Unfortunately, the prose, dialogue, and story progression weren’t very good. Dozens of characters just show up with info-dumps of their past adventures, no actual narrative introductions. The writing was pretty repetitive, and I never felt any energy. Disappointed.

[Marc *Dark Reader with a Thousand Young! Iä!*]

Publication delayed until February 2026, as I just learned when I requested my public library acquire it and they said, "Nope!" because you can only request something once it's been published.

[Shazzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would be so good if it had better writing. Can follow the story easily but a big part of it was screaming at the reader to remind them who they were following. That got annoying.

I was given a review copy by the publisher.

[dovey]

I want this lowkey

[Neil Scharnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Daredevil will get everything they’re looking for in this novel—a well-balanced mix of action and legal/investigative drama that includes every ingredient needed to put you in Daredevil’s Hell’s Kitchen. Alex Segura really knows Matt’s character and motivations. He also knows the other players in Matt’s world, mixing in a surprising number of characters from DD’s rogue’s gallery.

If you love comic books and the comics industry, read Segura’s SECRET IDENTITY. If you love Daredevil—either from the comics or the TV series—read this.

[delaney :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enemy of my Enemy: A Daredevil Crime Novel is exactly what it says on the wrapper -- A Daredevil tie-in crime novel. It's not bad, but I wouldn't call it all that spectacular either. If you want more of Matt Murdock and are looking to get back into reading, this might be a good reading-slump buster for the comic book fans out there.


What this book does well:
The twists and turns were fun! I liked the banter between Matt and Frank. The two big twists at the end of the novel were set up well. Matt was written with a voice that felt in-character, and his actions make sense for who he is as a person. It really captures how flawed and human he is, which is great. The pacing was fast-paced but not overwhelming, and the action sequences were written so that I could visualize them clearly.


My quibbles:
The narration is surprisingly dry, and there were moments of exposition that, even for someone who hasn't watched the show in nearly five years, felt excessive. Yes, I am familiar with the source material. Maybe someone who wasn't would have needed the extra explanation. Where it overdoes itself at some points, But some of the language surrounding Matt's senses could have been more...descriptive? Flowery? and I wish we had more time with Foggy. I know Matt's the main character, and there was a LOT of action happening, but it would've been nice to have a few more slower moments with our civilian side-characters. Actually, I think a little fluff overall would have benefitted this book. It was very plot-focused, yes, but even adding a few more sensory details here and there would have immersed me more within in the story. It felt like a lot of telling, and less showing. Which, again, maybe is the point. I, personally, am more used to character-driven stories. So it could just be a personal preference thing.


Overall, not bad. A bit dry, a bit too plot-focused as opposed to character focused. But it was fast-paced, interesting, and had some fun surprises for sure.


A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Mimi Schweid · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC.

Alex Segura wrote a fantastic Daredevil book. I will say more when it's out next week!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daredevil: Enemy of My Enemy by Alex Segura is a legal thriller and action novel. Enemy of My Enemy is the second book in the Marvel Crime Series, with the first being Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell. This series focuses on street level characters, with Luke Cage up next.

The plot centers on the Punisher, who has allegedly killed the Kingpin. Only Matt Murdock, also known as Daredevil, does not believe he is responsible. The supposed murder sparks a gang war as criminal factions battle to claim Kingpin’s territory. Daredevil must protect the innocent both in the courtroom and in the streets.

Alex Segura clearly knows Daredevil extremely well. He has said that he read every Daredevil comic before writing the novel and even wrote a book on the character’s history. That deep knowledge shows in the writing. Segura understands Daredevil inside and out, and most of the time it works beautifully. At times, however, the background information becomes excessive and slows the story. It can feel like starting season four of a show and constantly being reminded of everything that happened in the first three seasons. Segura also has to navigate the differences between comic continuity and the television version, which leads to moments that feel like over explanation.

The voice of the Punisher is absolutely nailed. I only wish he had appeared more, because Segura captures his character perfectly.

The mystery itself is uneven. Some elements were very compelling, while others were predictable. Everything involving the Punisher in court worked extremely well. The storyline involving the police brothers was strong. The mystery surrounding who was moving in to take over Kingpin’s territory was less effective. I guessed the culprit early on and did not like how that thread ultimately concluded.

The ending contains a major twist that did not work for me. It relies on superpowers that were not clearly explained, making the reveal difficult to accept. Another twist, which I had anticipated, was handled much better and felt satisfying.

Daredevil: Enemy of My Enemy will be published on March 24, 2026, by Disney Hyperion Avenue

Why did I read Enemy of My Enemy by Alex Segura?

I have read and reviewed Alex Segura’s work before. I enjoyed his young adult Star Wars tie-in novel Poe Dameron: Free Fall. I also read his darker short story La Mala Hora from The End of the World as We Know It: New Tales of Stephen King’s The Stand. I have met Segura in person, and he signed both books while we talked about his work on Daredevil. Enemy of My Enemy was already on my most anticipated books of 2026 list. I did receive Enemy of My Enemy early for review, thanks to NetGalley and Disney - Hyperion Avenue.

[Rachel Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between 3 1/4 and 4 stars. Daredevil is one of my favorite Marvel characters and I really enjoyed reading this. It was a fun story. The writing could have been better though- sometimes stuff was repeated over and over- basic facts- as if the reader couldn’t remember them. There was one glaring plot error- not a big one but I was like huh? Mentioned a character being attacked in prison but they were not in prison at the time and when asked about the attack in the next chapter they said they were in a warehouse when attacked. Hopefully an editor caught that and the typos for the final copy of this. It’s sloppy if not. Also many characters were brought in that I assume were in Daredevil comics (I have plans to read some soon) and we were given quick histories on them and their dealings with Matt/Daredevil, but it didn’t always flow well with the story. But overall a fun read. I have the Jessica Jones novel to read and I cannot wait for S.A. Cosby’s Luke Cage novel. Shout out to The Whispering Shelf in Indianapolis, IN where I snagged my ARC from!

[Hannah Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for an ARC of this book!

I love this Marvel series! If you enjoyed the comics, you will understand many of the references and the characters woven into this story. I’m a big Marvel fan, and really appreciated the storytelling in this mystery. I loved the descriptions of how Matt is able to use his senses in a unique way to help him find clues or people he is looking for. Alex Segura keeps you wanting more as the story builds to the twists! You need to keep with the story, the twists and turns are chaotic and exciting!

[marisdreaming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining, if a bit predictable. I appreciated Elektra’s povs (and her scenes in general) the most.
Didn’t love the writing for Matt’s pov, sometimes there are visual descriptions (like colors) that felt out of place in his perspective.

[August]

What a time to be a Daredevil fan!

[Justin Soderberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

After loving the first book in the Marvel Crime series, I was eager to see what Alex Segura would do with Daredevil in Enemy of My Enemy . Segura crafts a tale that feels just as much as a Daredevil comic as it does the crime novel it sets out to be. With plenty of twists, turns and action, it's truly is a fantastic Marvel crime story.

When reports come in that the Kingpin and a police officer have been killed and that Frank Castle (aka the Punisher) has turned himself in for it, Matt Murdock senses holes in the narratives the media and the streets are quick to run with.

Both criminals have been Matt’s nemeses when he dons the cowl of the Daredevil, and there’s no denying that New York is better off without its Kingpin and with the Punisher behind bars. And yet . . . while the Punisher is a murderous vigilante, he doesn’t kill cops. And he doesn’t turn himself in.

Castle certainly deserves prison for all of the other crimes he has committed in the past. However, Matt’s indominable sense of justice insists that nobody should be locked away for crimes they didn’t actually commit. Representing the vigilante in court, Matt enters a contest of wills and guile with Castle to try and uncover the game beneath the game. And when Matt’s girlfriend takes the stand and complicates matters, there’s truly no rest for the wicked or the just. As the Kingpin’s absence causes passion and ambitions to run hot in Hell’s Kitchen, Matt must decide if justice means the letter of the law, what’s best for the citizen on the streets, or where his heart leading him.

Personally, I believe Marvel made all the right choices with the first two books in the Marvel Crime series. Focusing on characters such as Jessica Jones and Daredevil were strong places to begin, but the real success lies with bringing on authors such as Lisa Jewell and Segura to foster this stories. While I feel this series suits Jessica Jones just the slightest bit more, this latest installment in the series fearing Daredevil was also wonderful.

Enemy of My Enemy reads with such cinematic presence, feeling a ton like the Netflix and Disney+ series featuring Charlie Cox as titular character. So much so, that I was picturing Cox's portrayal of Matt Murdock/Daredevil as the main character in this story. The crime is high-profile, but the story plays more to the street level of the characters allowing us to connect to them on a more personal level. At times, it felt like a blend of Marvel and Law & Order, which, personally, was an absolute delight.

Segura intertwines and features a ton of Daredevil related characters from the comics which I felt could've been distracting if not handle just right, but the author was purposeful on how he used each and every one of them. Longtime fans of Daredevil will love the nods to the classic characters and the inclusion in this crime story. While Enemy of My Enemy is undeniably a superhero story, at its core is a crime noir. The purpose of this tale is to solve a crime and what happens along the way is what made it feel like the Daredevil we all have come to love. Mixing mediums like this can be challenging but Segura handles it with ease.

While I found myself figuring out the major twist before it was revealed, it didn't take away from the story and my overall enjoyment. I still wanted to continue to the end and wrap on the story at hand.

Enemy of My Enemy by Alex Segura carries forward the feeling of the Marvel Crime series that began with Breaking the Dark , but brings a bit more of the grit and grime of the street-level side of the Marvel Universe in Hell's Kitchen. It expands this emerging corner of the Marvel Crime universe, but is a nice standalone crime story that doesn't need any further reading to enjoy.

Enemy of My Enemy hits bookstores everywhere on March 24, 2026 from Hyperion Avenue. The audiobook is available exclusively via Audible.

NOTE: We received an advance copy of Enemy of My Enemy from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

[✨! · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SUCH a lovely little treat I devoured this like a kid in a candy store

This is, first and foremost, a celebration of Daredevil and its history. It pays homage to iconic DD scenes, and his struggles in the story are illustrative of what make him compelling as character and as a hero (to the point where it is reeeeally lacking in subtlety lmao but I think expecting that is a misunderstanding of what the book is going for). The mystery and plot weaves in aspects and characters from the comics without making the fanservice overbearing, and I ate it up like slop every time. I was kicking my feet and giggling like a lil dork

That isn't to say that the noir crime aspects aren't interesting - my favorite parts of this are when Matt was in the courtroom or having conversations with Castle as his lawyer - but imo they're just adequate, and it's clear Segura was prioritizing making this a Daredevil story. The conclusion of the mystery was pretty clear to me from the beginning, but the journey and twists were still engaging because Segura REALLY did his homework and uses the extensive lore to his advantage. It's integrated soooo well and it didn't feel clunky or forced. It reads like a Daredevil comic arc in prose. It elevated this book for me. I really liked it!!! But I feel a little bad for the show-only people in the comments. I don't think your knowledge needs to be by any means comprehensive, and the book does its best to give background on anything that's going on, but even then, what's the point of reading if you're going to be missing out on a significant chunk of what makes this so great?

It's Spider-Man: No Way Home but for comic Daredevil people. It reads like an event and a love letter to the character. I feel like newcomers are just gonna think that this is okay at best, but if you like Daredevil comics, you're probably gonna have a good time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC! The review is honest tho I had an embarrassing amount of fun

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for an advance copy of this novel featuring a comic book hero whose powers are advanced senses, a sense of responsibility, and a keen legal mind, all things he will need to draw on to stop the city he loves going up in the flames of vengeance.

Daredevil was a character in comics I was aware of but I never really followed. The idea seemed like a melding of Doctor Midnight with The Batman DC that I was reading at the time and liked. I loved comics but was a neither a Marvel zombie nor a superfan of the distinguished competition, so I loved who I liked and ignored those that did nothing for me. That changed with Frank Miller and his take on the character, creating a mythos that is still resonating today. I became of fan of Ol' Hornhead, and found more of an appreciation for the character, his Catholic guilt mixing with his love of punching, plus a supporting cast that was interesting, and deadly in their own rights. There have been many creators, many mixing the many traits of Matt Murdock, the enhanced senses, the ninja aspect, the guilt, the emotional pain that many like to put on him, even his law career. However Alex Segura is the first writer to capture all of this and create a story both unique, and very familiar. Enemy of My Enemy: A Daredevil Marvel Crime Novel, by Alex Segura is the second in a series of prose novels that tells the stories of some of Marvels street level heroes, in a case that is explosive in natures leading to a trial that might decide the fate of a city, and how it might be destroyed.

Matt Murdock is trying not to let people down, something Murdock does quite well in both his job as lawyer, and as the Superhero known as Daredevil, the man without fear. Before things get worse Murdock hears news that both elates him, and makes him worry about the future. Wilson Fisk, known to many as a humble dealer of spices, but better known as the Kingpin of crime, has been murdered in his office. The suspect is the man known as Frank Castle, the Punisher, a vigilante with a murder list bigger than a phone book. However to Murdock things don't make sense. Another person was killed with the Kingpin, a cop, and Castle has made it clear that his war on crime does not involve the innocent, nor law officers. When arrested Castle seems too calm, like things are working out the way he wants. As Murdock and Daredevil begin to look into the case, Murdock as Castle's lawyer, and Daredevil being Daredevil, things start to get confusing. Evidence is pointing towards something else, something that even Daredevil's heightened abilities can't seem to answer. Something that might leave the city a smoking ruin as criminals fight over who will take over the Kingpin's realm, even if they have to rule over ashes.

I have read a lot of comic book novelizations and novels based on heroes. Many are lacking something that maybe only sequential art can fill in. The writers seem to be missing something that makes the hero tick. Segura has none of these problems. Right from the beginning he understands Daredevil, and more importantly Matt Murdock. Matt is a good man, who does bad things, feels guilty and goes out and hits people as a penance. As a hero Matt is great, as a man, ahh he's got feet of clay and morals of a tom cat especially for women. Segura understands this, even has the women characters discuss this. Segura has done the research and has a big supporting cast, both heroes, villains, friends and well Electra and the Punisher. All of them sound right, act right, and realy flesh out the story, which is good. Segura is a great choice for this, a writer who understands comics, understands what makes them tick, and what does not translate to prose writing.

A really good story about Daredevil and one that fans will appreciate. I have not read the first book in this series, though I plan to now. Perfect for comic readers and a very good introduction to the writer Alex Segura, whose work in comics and novels I have enjoyed. I look forward to the next book in this series, as well as anything Segura has planned.

[Bookreporter.com Mystery & Thriller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not sure I can properly put into words the excitement I felt while poring over ENEMY OF MY ENEMY. I hope that I speak for most Marvel fans when I say that this novel, which stars the superhero from Hell’s Kitchen --- Daredevil --- made me feel like a boy again who was gleefully enjoying the latest comic book starring “the man without fear.”

Alex Segura, who has a great love for superhero comics, fills this Daredevil story with so many beloved characters and Marvel Easter eggs that I almost lost count --- all while grinning from ear to ear and eating up every line. For those who are not familiar with Daredevil, he is the alter ego of defense attorney Matt Murdock. He also happens to be blind but has taken skills originally taught to him as a boy by his late prizefighter father and honed them with superior martial arts abilities paired with heightened senses that do not include sight.

ENEMY OF MY ENEMY opens with a startling piece of news that rocks Matt’s world and shakes up the entire spectrum of New York City. Head mob boss Wilson Fisk (aka the Kingpin) has been shot dead, and his criminal domain is now up for grabs. Making matters even more interesting is the rumor that the vigilante known as the Punisher is the one who took the Kingpin down.

Matt and his law partner, Foggy Nelson, do not believe this for a second. As the Daredevil, Matt locates Frank Castle (aka the Punisher), who confirms his innocence moments before giving himself up to the authorities. Matt immediately decides to take on this highly controversial client who also allegedly killed a police officer.

Ben Urich of The Daily Bugle was the first person to alert Matt to the Kingpin’s death, as well as the rumor about the Punisher being behind it. Like Matt, he also does not think that the dark vigilante is guilty, but he still has a column to write. The problem is that the Punisher is giving next to nothing in his jailhouse meetings with Matt, who now must investigate on his own what really happened to the Kingpin. All of this is going down while a group of the Kingpin’s soldiers are making attempts to take the crown as new head of the NYC mob syndicate.

The first criminal adversary Daredevil has to take down is the Owl. However, with some assistance from his former partner and lover Elektra, Daredevil will still need to face a host of other villains --- like Hammerhead, Typhoid Mary, Bullseye, and the Kingpin’s right-hand man, the Arranger. During these battles, we also are thrown into the courtroom for the Punisher’s trial. It’s a fight that no one, including Foggy, believes can be won.

It will take everything Matt can give, both as a shrewd defense attorney and as the persistent Daredevil, to get to the bottom of this case. Along the way, he is severely injured and hospitalized more than once. He also is in danger of losing his partnership with Foggy, who wants to walk away. When Matt’s new girlfriend is attacked by the sinister group of ninjas operating as the Hand, Daredevil begins to see some of the landscape behind this situation --- an amazing feat for someone without sight.

Alex Segura has more than a few shocking plot twists up his sleeve, as well as additional Marvel characters who make welcome appearances. ENEMY OF MY ENEMY presents an explosive finale that left me reeling and giddy at the same time. It’s a complete joy, and I highly recommend it to fans of Daredevil, Marvel, or combustible crime thrillers that never cease to amaze.

Reviewed by Ray Palen

[Ray Palen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not sure I can properly put into words the excitement I felt while quickly poring through the novel ENEMY OF MY ENEMY by Alex Segura. I hope that I speak for most Marvel fans when I say that this novel, which stars the superhero from Hell’s Kitchen, NYC, Daredevil made me feel like a boy again who was gleefully enjoying the newest comic book starring ‘the man without fear.’

Segura, who has a great love for superhero comics as evidenced in the various books and graphic novels he has written, fills this Daredevil story with so many beloved characters and Marvel Easter eggs that I almost lost count. All of this while grinning from ear to ear and eating up every line. For those who are not familiar with Daredevil, he is the alter ego of Defense Attorney Matt Murdock. He also happens to be blind but has taken skills originally taught to him as a young boy by his late prizefighter father and honed that with superior martial arts skills paired with heightened senses that do not include sight.

ENEMY OF MY ENEMY opens up with a startling piece of news that rocks Matt’s world and shakes up the entire spectrum of NYC. The head mob boss Wilson Fisk, nicknamed The Kingpin, was shot dead and now his criminal domain is up for grabs. Making matters even more interesting is the rumor that the vigilante known as the Punisher was the one to take The Kingpin down.

Matt and his law partner, Foggy Nelson, do not believe this for a minute and as Daredevil, Matt locates Frank Castle a.k.a. The Punisher who confirms his innocence to him moments before giving himself up to the police. Matt immediately decides to take on this highly controversial client who also allegedly killed a police officer in addition to Kingpin.


Ben Urich of the Daily Bugle was the first person to alert Matt to the death of The Kingpin as well as the rumor about the Punisher being behind it. Like Matt, he also does not think the dark vigilante did this but still has a column to write. The problem is that Punisher is giving next to nothing in his jailhouse meetings with Matt and now our hero has to investigate on his own what really happened to Kingpin. All of this is happening while a group of Kingpin’s soldiers are making attempts to take the crown as new head of the NYC mob syndicate.

The first criminal adversary Daredevil has to take down is the Owl. The problem is that Daredevil, with some assistance from his former partner and lover Elektra, will still need to face a lineup of other villains like Hammerhead, Typhoid Mary, Bullseye, and Kingpin’s right-hand-man known as The Arranger. During these battles, we are also thrown into the courtroom for the murder trail of Frank Castle, a fight that no one including Foggy Nelson believes can be won.

It will take everything Matt can give, both as a shrewd defense attorney and the persistent Daredevil, to get to the bottom of this case. Along the way, Matt/Daredevil is severely injured and hospitalized more than once. He is also in danger of losing his partnership with Foggy who wants to walk away from this entire case. When Matt’s new girlfriend and NYPD Detective Melinda is attacked by the sinister group of ninjas operating as The Hand, Daredevil begins to see some of the landscape behind this situation --- an amazing feat for someone without sight!

Segura has more than a few shocking plot twists, as well as additional Marvel characters who make welcome appearances, and ENEMY OF MY ENEMY presents an explosive finale that left me reeling and giddy all at the same time. This novel was a complete joy, and I highly recommend to fans of Daredevil, Marvel, or combustible crime thrillers that never cease to amaze.

Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter

[libreroaming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex Segura pens the second book in the Marvel Crime series, following Matt Murdock in his quest to safeguard Hell's Kitchen from crime. For those wary about MCU endless tie-ins, this is a standalone novel, so reading the preceding book by Lisa Jewell isn't necessary, although knowing about Daredevil in the comics will give readers a better advantage at guessing the mystery early on.

"Enemy of My Enemy" has a promising setup, where two of Matt Murdock's antagonists have gone against each other and one has paid the price with his life. Daredevil's archnemesis, Wilson Fisk a.k.a "the Kingpin" of crime, was seemingly gunned down by the murderous vigilante, the Punisher. Matt decides to give Frank Castle a fair day in court by defending him, even though the Punisher has unquestionably murdered many people, and doesn't exactly deny killing Fisk, he's adamant about not killing the cop who was in the same area. It's a great setup to really play with Matt's devotion to the ideals of justice, even as he spends a lot of the time swinging around at night as a vigilante.

Segura writes this like a comic book, right down to the pacing. While the courtroom drama simmers in the background, Daredevil gets into fights that would leave him hospitalized at least three times during the book. His search for answers leads him to some fan favorite cameos and lesser-explored villains (but no Stilt Man, sorry to the four Still Man fans out there). This keeps the chapters brisk and adventurous, but I admit I personally was more interested in seeing the overarching legal conflict more than Daredevil punch mobsters. Matt struggling to deal with Frank's point of view, that a flawed system doesn't provide real justice, was frequently sidelined and I felt that Frank Castle was not as well-written as the other established characters. Which is really a shame because that was the most interesting part for me, so even though the rest of the novel was very strong, it felt like that was at the expense of something better.

Even though I felt the coutroom drama was underutilized, it wasn't as if the plot was spinning its wheels. The murder mystery was established, although comic book powers mean it's not exactly fair play when you can legally call up Skrull shapeshifters and L.M.D. robots to explain away why people who were supposed to be dead are suddenly walking around. If people were reading this expecting a Connelly or Crais investigation, they'll probably be disappointed. But comic book fans will nod and say, "okay, yeah sure that made sense" when everything is revealed. Daredevil's many vignettes of crime fighting do build up to some thread of comprehension, and the flashbacks to his past help non-comic book readers to keep up with his adventures while not overstaying their welcome to those who already know about Daredevil's many rock bottoms.

Overall, this is a really solid outing for Marvel prose novels. It pays homage to the many dark conflicts of Hell's Kitchen and gives Matt more than just rooftop ledges to grapple with. While I don't think it stuck the landing as well as could be, the adventure is worth the read. Unless you're a Punisher or Stilt Man fan.

[Ammon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enemy of My Enemy by Alex Segura is Book 2 in Marvel's Crime series, and it delivers a somewhat familiar premise: the Punisher is on trial for the Kingpin's murder, with Matt Murdock as his defense attorney. It channels prime Frank Miller Daredevil, one of my top ten comic runs ever.

Segura crafts a Hell's Kitchen that feels less like scenery and more like a character in its own right. From Josie's Bar, populated by snitches and small-time crooks, to the worn-down offices of Nelson & Murdock, this world doesn't just feel lived in, it feels exhausted by its own history. The Kingpin's death sparks a power vacuum and a rapidly escalating gang war, with Frank Castle emerging as the prime suspect and uncooperative client, despite evidence that doesn't quite add up.

What makes the novel work is Segura's mastery of the Daredevil canon. Familiar faces like Ben Urich, Turk, Foggy Nelson, Bullseye, and Elektra populate the story naturally, alongside rogues like the Owl, Silvermane, Hammerhead, and The Hand. He even digs into deeper cuts like Dakota North, rewarding longtime readers without alienating newcomers. The nods to legendary runs — Miller/Janson, Miller/Mazzucchelli, Smith/Quesada, Bendis/Maleev, Brubaker/Lark, Waid/Samnee, Nocenti/Romita Jr., and Zdarsky/Checchetto — feel earned rather than performative. Segura read every Daredevil issue before writing a single word, and it shows.

At its core, Enemy of My Enemy is part legal thriller, part detective noir with capes. The philosophical clash between Matt and an uncooperative Frank Castle drives the story: Matt's faith in the legal system versus Castle's brand of nihilistic vigilante justice. It's a tension the character has always embodied, and Segura handles it with confidence. Meanwhile, threats like The Arranger and Bullseye lurk in the margins, keeping the street-level stakes alive outside the courtroom.

A few minor gripes: some formatting quirks, odd spacing, and billy club descriptions that don't quite translate from page to prose pull you out of the narrative occasionally. A pop culture reference or two may date the book down the road. And the ending follows a fairly formulaic arc that veteran comics readers will likely see coming. None of these are dealbreakers, though. Segura's canon credibility and genuine affection for these characters make Enemy of My Enemy a worthy addition to Hell's Kitchen's mythology.

If you're a fan of the Daredevil comics or the Netflix and Disney+ series, Enemy of My Enemy belongs on your pull list.

Prose: ⭐⭐⭐
Storyline: ⭐⭐⭐
Character Mastery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy (ARC) from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. These opinions are my own.

[Will Swardstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether you’re a fan of Daredevil, Marvel Comics or just what you’ve seen on-screen for the MCU, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy Alex Segura’s Enemy of My Enemy, the second installment in the Marvel Crime novel series. At this point, it’s a little hard to separate out Charlie Cox’s work as Matt Murdock and Daredevil and Vicent D’Onofrio’s take on Kingpin, but I think that really works in Segura’s favor in this case. As I read through Enemy of My Enemy, I couldn’t help but hear the characters from the Netflix/Disney+ shows reverberating through my head with the heartbeat of New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen pumping through the background. Without even trying, Segura was able to world-build for his characters and it paid off in the form of a really fun read.

Not that this is the universe portrayed on screen most recently in the Disney+ show Daredevil: Born Again. There are plenty of similarities of course, but in this universe, Karen Page is deceased at the hand of Bullseye and Foggy lives as Matt’s “blissfully-unaware of who Daredevil is” lawyer sidekick. Due to those changes and a few others, Segura does have to set the stage for the audience from time to time, but expectations for our characters are baked in already. (No worries though — Chappell Roan is confirmed to be pushing out chart-topping hits in Segura’s Street-Level Marvel Universe).

I didn’t get a chance to read the first in the Marvel Crime series – a multi-author anthology series which featured Jessica Jones in the first book, Breaking the Dark, and will have a third book on the horizon about Luke Cage from S.A. Cosby. I imagine there is some tie-in between the books if for no other reason that in the epilogue of Enemy of My Enemy, both Jones and Cage make an appearance.

As for this book — I had a few questions before starting it, namely:
— Is this just a regurgitated comic book?
— Does this work as a novel?

As for the first question — Nope. This is an original story from Segura, and based on one concept: “Punisher on trial for the murder of the Kingpin.” Alex Segura was able to take this simple, yet complicated plot and weave the main character throughout. This is very much a Daredevil book, but also very much a Matt Murdock book. There is plenty of action and intrigue in the alleys and rooftops from the Man Without Fear, but Murdock gets plenty of time to shine as a lawyer and in relation to Foggy and Ben Urich. There are very few pages of this novel without either Daredevil or Murdock in one form or another.

And the second question – Absolutely. It becomes a bit of a whodunit with Punisher taking the fall for the murder of Kingpin and a seemingly innocent NY Police Officer. But, that’s what tips Murdock that this isn’t a simple Punisher hit — Frank Castle doesn’t usually go after innocent cops. Daredevil turns detective, going after one candidate after another who benefit from Wilson Fisk’s death, ultimately seeing many of them taken out themselves or severely injured in the process. It becomes an almost unending stream of red herrings for Murdock until he and Urich finally uncover the truth.

I had a lot of fun reading Enemy of My Enemy, and it felt as though Segura did as well, jumping into Marvel’s Street-level sandbox and getting to do almost whatever he wanted with this character and that. He goes deep on the Marvel bench and if you aren’t super knowledgeable about Marvel B, C, and D-rank characters, you’ll definitely discover some new ones along the journey.

One of the finest seasons of television we’ve seen in the last couple decades was Daredevil, Season 2 when it was on Netflix, especially the philosophical discussions of good and evil between Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and Jon Bernthal’s Punisher characters. Segura gives his audience a bit more of that in this novel as Murdock takes on Castle as his client. At first, Castle clams up, but eventually the two of them have some fascinating discussions, echoing what made the TV show great.

I definitely recommend Alex Segura’s Enemy of My Enemy, especially for fans of Marvel comics and TV shows.

Thank you to Hyperion Avenue for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone whose favorite Marvel character is Daredevil, I have been excited and eagerly anticipating this novel since the moment it was announced. I’m very happy to say it lived up to the expectations I had and even exceeded them!

The story takes you on a true journey, with all the twists and turns I’ve come to expect and love from not only a Daredevil adventure but comics as a whole. It’s packed with cameos from other beloved characters, heroes and villains alike, and several fun easter eggs for those who care to notice. This is the Daredevil we’ve all come to know and love: the one who gets beaten and bloodied to keep Hell’s Kitchen safe, the one who puts aside the needs of his own life to save others and make sure justice is dealt in equal and fair measure, the one who does it all with a smirk on his face and his fists raised. Whether you’re a fan of Daredevil in the comics or the shows, this book is for you. It has mystery, intrigue, murder, memorable fights, and, most importantly, Matt Murdock doing what he does best: being the best defense attorney in NYC.

This second installment in the Marvel Crime series is a huge step above its predecessor, and I can’t wait for more people to experience it! Some of the writing can get slightly repetitive toward the beginning as things are being established, and I do wish some of the fighting had been given longer sequences, but overall I loved every moment and neither aspect takes away from my enjoyment of the story. It gets a solid 4.5/5 stars from me, and I look forward to the day I can add a physical copy to my shelves and can re-read it as often as I choose!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Hyperion Avenue, for allowing me access to an advance review copy. I don’t believe I have ever been more excited to receive an email!

[Toober · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many people, I became a fan of the Marvel Universe through the movies rather than the comic books. After watching those early Phase One films, I couldn’t get enough and dove into the comics. My favorite run was Ed Brubaker’s Captain America, though I only sampled a few Daredevil issues along the way.

I didn’t know much about Daredevil as a character until I watched the Netflix series, and the gritty crime story pulled me in immediately. I loved every season and am still eagerly waiting for more. So when I discovered there was a Daredevil crime novel, I wanted to get my hands on it right away.

The book opens with the shocking news that the Kingpin, Daredevil’s nemesis, has been killed by the Punisher. Matt Murdock decides to defend the Punisher while also trying to uncover what really happened to the Kingpin in his role as Daredevil. Balancing his life as a lawyer, a vigilante, and an ordinary man takes its toll. As other criminals attempt to step into the Kingpin’s shoes, they are attacked as well, making it increasingly difficult to determine what is truly going on.

I enjoyed this novel from beginning to end. It hits the ground running on page one and doesn’t let up. I will say that having seen the TV series was helpful, as I already knew many of the characters and their relationships. The book is written so that prior knowledge isn’t necessary, but I do think it enhanced my experience.

Learning that this is actually the second book in a series, with Lisa Jewell writing the first installment and S. A. Cosby set to write the third, only made me more excited. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more.

Thank you to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[🌷𝓜𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓭𝓲𝓽𝓱✨🎀📖 WildestDreamingReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

1) I hate writing bad reviews
2) I’m one of the biggest Daredevil fans you will ever meet. I love the comics and the TV shows. I’ve eagerly waited for this book for months.
3) I’m sure there are other hardcore DD fans that will enjoy this, because art is subjective.

Sadly, I was disappointed in this highly anticipated read.

What I liked: the courtroom scenes playing out and the final quarter of the book with some twists I didn’t suspect. That’s where we get the second star here.

What I struggled with: The writing came off as the PAINFUL YA style. Everything stayed so surface level when Matt Murdock is one of the deepest characters you can dive into, to the point I wondered if this author was invested. There were lines from many of the characters that seemed so OOC or were just…..bad. From Matt “not being able to stop himself” when cheating, to looking down poorly on Foggy, and some casually thrown in ableism now and then.

The characters. SO many. Everyone made an appearance, which is fun, but each came with a long summary that took away from the plot. Speaking of plot, there was a lot of repetitiveness before we got to the good stuff in the last quarter of the book. Major events would took place over a few sentences.

If you read and enjoyed, I’m happy for you! As with all comic adaptations, there’s going to be those that like it and those that don’t. All in all, I was sad and disappointed as a huge DD fan. I hope my husband gets more novelizations in the future.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything I know about Daredevil I learned from the Netflix series...

I'm more of a Punisher fangirl (I may have skipped every part of the second season that didn't have the Punisher in it...) so I was hoping we'd see more of Frank Castle than we did. That said, this felt like it could have been a solid story arc in the show. Castle is on trial (again) for murdering Fisk! Or did he...

Daredevil is still struggling (and failing) to balance his personal life and his alter ego. He also has a team around him that he sometimes asks for help, which is always nice to see in a genre where the main character tends to be a lone wolf.

While I was suspicious about the demise of a certain character, the plot did keep me guessing up until the reveal. The short, snappy chapters kept things speeding along. I did feel like maybe I was missing a previous book since Daredevil kept flashing back to previous events.

This does not appear to be a tie in to the show as a certain character's death did not occur in the show, so I'm guessing the books all tie in to their own universe. Either way, basic knowledge of Daredevil is all that is needed to enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Marvel Crime novel featuring Matt Murdock, otherwise named Daredevil. It appears that Punisher has killed a cop and Kingpin. He gives himself up and Matt signs up to be his lawyer against Foggy’s vote, Punisher is adamant he never killed a cop but never said yes or no to Kingpin and doesn’t help Matt put together a defense. Hat leaves Matt to do what he can in the courtroom but he can do so much more on the streets as Daredevil with big thanks to his newspaper friend Ben. I will stop there because you need the read the rest yourself.
This was so good but being a fan of these offshoots of Marvel I figured I would like it. If you are a purest of the original comic there might be some differences, but I didn’t mind. I would have to say I like Daredevil the most as he has really no superpowers, just what he has been trained for since he lost his sight as a child. This book is action packed and fast paced so hang on this will be quite the ride.
Review copy provided by Netgalley

[Jalin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent crime novel. The storyline was engaging and I enjoyed the plot twists. However, I expected the content of the book to include more segments aligned to that of a legal thriller/drama given the fact that Matt Murdock is a lawyer.

I also read the first Marvel Crime novel, Breaking the Dark, authored by Lisa Jewell. Although the novels are meant to build on one another, I was hoping for more of a connection between the characters earlier on in the book.

The Marvel Crime novels do not require familiarity with Marvel or the other books in the series. If you are a Marvel fan and already have background information on Murdock and the origin story of Daredevil, you may find some parts of the book repetitive. I did not necessarily feel this way because I have only watched Netflix’s Daredevil series several years ago.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review. Enemy of My Enemy will be published on March 24th, 2026.

[Chesli · Rating 4 out of 5]

"... a man driven by justice, scarred by tragedy, complicated by lust, and haunted by religion." Alex Segura on Daredevil p.303

I've been waiting for this installment of the Marvel Crime series because of Alex Segura's love of comics, and you can really tell that he knows Matthew Murdock/Daredevil inside and out. He's basically written a love letter to the character, and I am HERE for it. Murdock is put to the test as he struggles to balance a seemingly impossible legal showdown alongside his gritty investigation efforts where he is disguised as his vigilante alter ego. The Devil of Hell's Kitchen may be hard to kill, but Segura really put him through his paces! Fans of Marvel will enjoy getting to revisit this character in the novel format, as well as seeing other familiar characters pop up here and there as friends and as foes. Crime fiction fans will enjoy a thrilling read packed with courtroom drama, plot twists, action, and tests of moral character.

(4.5/5 rounded to 4 stars)