Armageddon Denied

by Mike Monahan

Armageddon Denied thrusts readers into the turbulent world of geopolitical intrigue and looming global catastrophe. The story kicks off with the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, leaving behind an array of untold dangers, from abandoned allies to the looming threat of nuclear material falling into the wrong hands. As multiple global powers vie for dominance, the novel seamlessly weaves together the military's role in the South China Sea, the Taliban's resurgence, and a daring rescue mission involving a rogue Task Force. The narrative focuses on Detective Mike O'Shaughnessy, a weathered NYPD officer, who is unexpectedly pulled into a covert mission with the elite Task Force Pineapple to rescue stranded American assets from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Alongside him is Ameen, a former interpreter for U.S. forces, who holds vital information about an imminent terrorist attack on U.S. soil. As the story escalates, the race to prevent a nuclear dirty bomb plot in New York intensifies, leading the characters from the chaotic streets of Kabul to the tense skies of international politics. Brimming with action, intrigue, and a chilling portrayal of modern warfare, Armageddon Denied explores the volatile relationships between the U.S., China, Russia, and extremist groups. With humanity’s fate hanging in the balance, only courage, loyalty, and tactical brilliance stand between civilization and destruction.

193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2024

About the author

Mike Monahan was born in the Bronx, NY. His father and grandfather were NYC Police officers so it was only natural that he follow the same "calling" and continue the proud family tradition. Scuba diving became a hobby that grew into a passion sending the Bronx cop across the globe in search of famous shipwrecks to explore. Mike Monahan earned the coveted gold detective shield before retiring from the NYPD. He has since turned his police and scuba experiences into writing thriller novels. Barracuda is the first of these novels. New hobbies include sea kayaking, fishing, bike riding, golf, scuba and cruising upstate NY on his motorcycle. The author is living the bachelor life again living in a waterfront condo in NY.

Reviews

[george gawors · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner.couldn"t put it down.easy read.full of action.i'd say it's a must read.cant wait for the next one.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[R.W. Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

NYPD Detective Mick O'Shaughnessy is going back to Bikini Atoll, this time with his partner Gus Lopez, at the request of FBI agent Buddy Burger. The FBI is investigating a heroine tracking ring, bringing the drug into Los Angeles from Afghanistan through the Pacific Islands. During the investigation our protagonist discovers three mutant barracuda menacing the lagoon. Find out how the drug traffickers are brought to justice, and the dangerous beasts are dealt with. This is a nice sequel to Barracuda.

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Armageddon Denied: A Pulse-Pounding Geopolitical Thriller That Hits Too Close to Home
Rating: 4.6/5

Mike Monahan’s Armageddon Denied is a masterclass in high-stakes storytelling that blurs the line between fiction and unsettling reality. As someone who typically approaches military thrillers with skepticism (often finding them overly technical or jingoistic), this novel disarmed me with its raw emotional core and scrupulous attention to geopolitical nuance.

Why This Book Stands Out
Monahan’s background as a veteran and law enforcement officer bleeds into every page, lending an authenticity that elevates the novel beyond typical genre fare. The Afghanistan evacuation scenes—particularly the abandoned allies subplot—carry a visceral weight that left me equal parts furious and heartbroken. Detective O’Shaughnessy’s reluctant heroism avoids cliché; his world-weariness feels earned, not performative. The interplay between tactical operations (Task Force Pineapple’s rescue mission) and global chess moves (U.S.-China-Russia tensions) is seamless, offering a 360-degree view of modern conflict.

Emotional Impact & Revelations
This book is a rollercoaster of dread and hope. Ameen’s character arc—a translator betrayed by geopolitical whims—struck me hardest, embodying the human cost of policy failures. The dirty bomb plot’s plausibility triggered real-world anxiety, especially in today’s climate of resurgent extremism. Monahan’s refusal to vilify any single faction (even the Taliban is portrayed with strategic nuance) forces readers to sit with uncomfortable moral ambiguities.

Constructive Criticism
The pacing stumbles slightly in mid-act exposition dumps (e.g., over-detailed briefings on South China Sea dynamics). Ameen’s backstory could benefit from deeper exploration to match O’Shaughnessy’s dimensionality. The ending, while satisfying, leans slightly deus ex machina for a story grounded in realism.

Final Verdict
A thinking person’s action novel—Tom Clancy meets The Sympathizer, with Monahan’s unique boots-on-the-ground perspective. This isn’t just entertainment; it’s a cautionary tale wrapped in a page-turner.

Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and the publisher for the gifted copy. Reading this felt like holding a mirror to our fractured world—terrifying yet necessary.

Pair with: The Afghanistan Papers for nonfiction context or The Terminal List for complementary tactical thrills.

For fans of: Mark Greaney’s geopolitical depth, Brad Thor’s operational realism, and Zero Dark Thirty’s moral complexity.

Note: Keep a stress ball handy—the Kabul evacuation chapters will have you white-knuckling your couch.

[Carla Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank Goodreads and the publisher for the gifted copy.

Detective Mick O'Shaughnessy is going bak to Bikini Atoll, but this time he will have his partner Gus Lopez at his side as well, they are going at the request of FBI agent Buddy Burger. The FBI is tracking a large heroin ring bringing drugs into Los Angeles.

The book is very well written and the author has a great way of storytelling. I liked the book more so than most with this type of plot. It seemed more authentic and real, way better than average. It keeps your emotions all over the place and on your toes. This book is full of action that keeps you turning the pages. A very good action thriller that keeps you thinking. If you like this type of novel I highly recommend it.

[Audrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot happened for nothing to happen. It builds and stops.