APEX PREDATORS

by Anthony Karrier

419 pages, Paperback

Published January 29, 2025

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book such an interesting concept!

Gives law abiding citizen vibes (one of my favourite movies)

Definitely recommend if you are into characters who take matters into their own hands.

This author impressed me with his ability to hook me even after the perp is revealed quickly. The journey the main character is on; past and present, is the draw of the story

I loved all the characters development so well thought out and ties everything together

Great exploration of some moral questions of what is right or wrong and what makes a good person or a bad person.

[Shay loves books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hook, line and sinker from the get go. I loved the writing style and twists and turns in this book were amazing. This book follows the MMC Mike Willy who lives in Canada. He has a bad up bringing at the hands of his piece of crap father. The torment and abuse he went through was awful. His dad (an ex cop) was mean. One minute he was mean and nasty, the next kind as cld be. Mike is a former boxer, raised and bread to be a fighter his entire life, his dad wld see no other way, until he was finally able to get out from under his father’s grasp. Mike was sick and tired of the criminal justice system being broke and decided to take matters into his own hands when bad people got off scott free. Now a vigilante, he has to fight to keep his identity hidden and protect those he cares about. Fighting to stay hidden from the dirty cop, and working as an iron worker, trying to do the justice he felt the criminals deserved, and maybe finding love, he kept pushing through. In the end he finds himself in a corner when the dirty cop finds out who he is and is after him, will Mike get caught or will the law finally catch up with him? You need to read this book! I cldnt put it down! I’m a fan for life!

[Kyle Modschiedler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn’t my typical genre (crime fiction) but I did enjoy it. I think that this will be a fun time for crime junkies and especially if you like morally grey characters that take matters into their own hands!

[Kennedy Keown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual genre, but I love the opportunity to support an independent author! After watching an interview and interacting with this author on TikTok, I dove into his novel and audiobook. This story sucked me in and I was very surprised by how immersed I was in this story. Mike Willy gives vigilante… taking matters into his own hand to bust bad people when the justice system fails to do so. And his reasoning for doing this is pure.
Loved it. Excellent audiobook to listen while driving, cleaning, etc.
My only critique is that the physical read contained quite a number of grammar and punctuation errors, which would sometimes pull me out of the story.
But I will definitely be picking up book two. Highly recommend if you like a true crime thriller.

[Heather Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually read horror, but wanted a change of pace, so I took a chance with this story and was very pleased with myself for going in this direction. This action filled novel following around our main character, Mike, had me itching to find out what craziness he would find himself in next. Picture a man with little to no regard for himself, living recklessly, while being able to maintain a seemingly regular life. Definitely the type of story that keeps you turning the page. Excited to read more from this author to see what other action packed stories he’s got in store for us.

[Seth Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apex Predators is a novel with complex and morally gray characters. Very compelling. It's brutal and honest, and it has deeper themes than just being a great, fun story—justice, corruption, etc. The people feel real and there's plenty of humor to make you smile. I highly recommend you give it a shot.

[Lyn]

When life has been hard, when you’ve suffered or witnessed the devastating suffering of someone else, you have a choice. You can stay silent or step into the darkness yourself because no one else will.

In Apex Predators by Anthony Karrier, that choice takes center stage.

Meet Mike Wolly, a complicated man with a complicated past. As his story unfolds, we begin to understand the experiences that shaped him and the pain that ultimately led him to become a vigilante for others who have been hurt.

Mike is hard, but he’s compassionate.
He’s smart, but he’s cunning.
He’s damaged, but he’s determined.
He’s capable of violence, but he has a code.
He’s not a hero in the traditional sense, but you can’t help but root for him.

And that’s what makes this story so compelling.

Karrier doesn’t give us a neat, black-and-white world where good people are always good and bad people are always bad. Instead, he gives us characters who live in the gray—and makes us question how far someone should go when the system fails them.

Apex Predators is gritty, raw, and intense, but underneath the violence is a story about pain, justice, revenge, and the choices we make because of what life has done to us.

I listened to the Audible format, and I couldn’t stop. It completely pulled me in. Once I got into Mike’s world, I wanted to know everything about him—why he was who he was and where his story was going to take me next.

And when the final chapter closes, you may be finished listening, but you won’t be finished thinking about it. That, to me, is the mark of a memorable story.

I totally recommend this FIVE-STAR novel for readers who enjoy gritty crime fiction, morally complex characters, vigilante justice, and stories that blur the line between hero and villain.

[Daniel Craparo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. At its core is Mike Wolly, a towering force of nature shaped by pain, grit, and a personal code of justice.

Karrier writes with brutal clarity, painting a world where moral ambiguity reigns and redemption is as elusive as peace.

What sets Apex Predators apart is its refusal to flinch. The action is visceral, the emotion is raw, and the pacing is relentless. But underneath the blood and bone is a deep meditation on justice, vengeance, and the cost of living by your own rules.

If you like your thrillers morally complex and unapologetically intense, this one’s for you. Great read.

[Autumn Reads · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

This was a good read, I did the audiobook and that was good. This is a crime fiction thriller. It did take a little bit for me to get into the story, but once I was invested, it was really good. This is a dual pov story. The first is a morally grey vigilante (Mike) and the second is a police officer with substance use issues and some line crossings (Steve). I especially loved Mike’s pov chapters. I liked how it ended, and will be reading the sequel soon.

[Hijabi_booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you’re looking for a slow burn with a fast-paced storyline, a plot-driven story, and characters you’ll love to love or love to hate Apex Predators by Anthony Karrier is the book for you!

I am 1000% Team Mike Wolly. Mike is a man who has personally experienced the blatant disregard of the justice system, and when the system fails him and others, he decides to take matters into his own hands. He becomes a vigilante determined to help those who have been failed by the justice system.

Mike’s story hit especially close to home for me because I have personal experience with the negligence of the justice system and what it feels like to watch a perpetrator get away with their actions because they were a master at “manipulating others around them.” That made Mike’s motivations and his anger toward a system that doesn’t always protect the people it is supposed to protect feel especially relatable to me.

I absolutely loved Mike’s character. His backstory was both endearing and heartbreaking, and it gave him so much depth. An ironworker by trade, standing at 6’5” and 205 pounds, Mike is definitely a force to be reckoned with. The real question is: What side will you fall on?

Sasha was another character I really enjoyed. I thought she was a great addition to Mike’s world, and I loved the witty banter between the two of them. Their interactions added a fun dynamic to the story.

And then there’s Eddie and Steve… 😡 I could NOT stand these two. They are perfect examples of people who use their power and titles to abuse those around them for their own personal gain. I spent a good portion of the book wanting to punch them right out of the story!

I loved that this was more than just a vigilante story. There was character growth, depth, an engaging plot, and plenty to keep me turning the pages. I ended up reading it in less than 24 hours, which should tell you everything you need to know!

If you love vigilante stories, plot-driven books, complex characters, character growth, and plenty of people to love and hate, definitely add Apex Predators to your TBR.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 stars from me!

[Josh Jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this thriller! Mike Wolly is a great character. The amount of effort put into his back story, really made you feel for the character. I think a character that you can relate with, or at least empathize with, is one that leaves an impression. Even though Wolly is doing some...questionable things, you cannot help but feel he is doing it for the right reasons. He is a character that you both love, and go, "What the h**l??" on the regular.

The way that the author portrays the surroundings and world of Apex Predators, is really great! Being based in Canada, you really get a feel for the area, and experience the characters surroundings. The description of characters, situations, and even the violence, allow you to really transport yourself to his world. Enjoying it from right in the drivers seat, rather than something completely from the outside.

I do hope there are more Mike Wolly adventures in the future! He is very reminiscent of "Dexter", and that is my FAVORITE show, so this is right up my alley. There is some violence, borderline gratuitous violence, but its not so intense as to make it unbearable.

Over all, Love It!!! Well worth a credit or the read!

[Mallory Claymore · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband, also in law enforcement, recommended this book to me, and I’m glad he did. I’ve worked the job long enough to know when a story feels real, and "Apex Predators" absolutely does. This isn’t some overdone cop drama or another recycled crime thriller. It hits different gritty, painful, and honest.

I’ve met people like Mike Wolly. People who carry trauma in their silence and only trust action over words. The kind who’ve seen too much and don’t play by the rules because the rules never worked for them. Karrier clearly isn’t guessing when he writes this—there’s truth in the way he lays it out.

If you’re tired of the same paint-by-numbers crime stories, pick this up. It’s brutal, unpolished, and exactly what the genre needs.

[Tyler Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book doesn’t hold your hand or clean up the mess it drags you straight into it. This story is violent, raw, and uncomfortable in all the right ways. Mike Wolly isn’t a hero, he’s a weapon one shaped by years of damage and disappointment. And yet, you get it. You root for him even when you’re not sure you should.

What hit hardest was how real it all felt. The fights, the emotions, the complete lack of sugarcoating it’s like Karrier ripped these pages from real life and slapped them down in front of you. If you’re looking for a neat story with a clean ending, look elsewhere. This one makes you feel every broken knuckle.

[Rachel Watkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a predominantly romance, dark romance, and fantasy reader, I gotta say I LOVED this book!

You get the story from 2 perspectives; 1. Mike Wooly a vigilante kick ass boxer and 2. Steve Parent, a police officer with a drug problem!
Oh, and it's takes place in Hamilton, Windsor, and Niagara Falls, Ont( some of the main cities)! And I'm from Milton, so it all makes sense to me!!

I loved getting the back story for Mike, how he grew up and all the shit he's gone through, and decides to take the justice system into his own hands.
The character building was fantastic, and it makes you really understand Mike and his upbringing.

[Ashley Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me in from the first chapter and didn’t let go. Apex Predators is raw and brutal in the best way possible. Mike Wolly is one of the most compelling characters I’ve read in a long time, rough around the edges, but you get why he is the way he is. Nothing about this story feels whitewashed. The violence is ugly, the choices are hard, and there’s no clean version of justice here.

If you like your crime fiction gritty, honest, and full of heart, this one’s worth your time.

[Marcela Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Apex Predators through TikTok and gave it a shot. Glad I did. This isn’t just mindless violence, it’s a story about someone pushed to the edge, doing what needs to be done when no one else will.
Mike Wolly isn’t perfect, but he’s believable. You feel the years on him, the damage, and the reason behind every choice he makes. It’s a hard book, but one that sticks with you. Definitely worth reading if you like crime fiction.

[John Hinchliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have listened to the Audio version of this book.
Apex Predators by Anthony Karrier, Narrated by Jesse Werner
An edge of your seat vigilante thriller. Mike Wolly, a former boxer turned ironworker, takes justice into his own hands when the system fails. Gritty and intense, his story is both brutal and compelling. Jesse Werner’s narration is perfect, bringing raw power to every scene. Highly recommended.

[Sandrine Lavoie-Filion · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a woman, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book at first, since the main character was an ironworker and I didn't know anything about it, but I'm glad I listened to the story. I very much enjoyed knowing more about Mike's upbringing, about the fights, and about the justice he creates in this world. I got attached to the characters way more than I was expecting. I laughed and got emotional at times, and believe me, this is a story worth listening to.

[Juline Felbel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. A quick read in the best way ( couldn’t put it down). In a world where people get a slap on the wrist, Mike goes the distance to bring them down for good. Mikes character was really well thought out. The dual timelines really helped you to understand where he was coming from and why he stands for justice. Well done!

[Andrew Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story really breaks away from traditional crime fiction. It starts as a bit of a slow burn. But engaging from the beginning with strong character building, but once it picks up, it goes a thousand miles an hour and doesn’t let up. The pacing, the violence, the emotion, it all hits hard. I’ve genuinely never read anything like this before. It sticks with you.

[Dan Thorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent over 30 years in law enforcement and I’ve read my share of crime fiction. Most of it either glorifies the badge or paints every cop as corrupt. This book does neither. This book walks that fine line and tells the kind of story most people don’t want to admit exists, the ones where the system doesn’t work, and someone takes matters into their own hands.

[Rebecca Yu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Apex Predators surprised me in the best way. It didn’t feel like a typical crime story,it felt personal, like the author had actually lived through some of this. The way the characters think, the way they carry their pain,it felt real. It’s the kind of book that stays with you, long after the last page.

[Jade Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up after meeting the author Really glad I did. The detail is solid, the pacing keeps you hooked, and the story actually feels real. Nothing pulled me out of it with a “come on, seriously?” moment like I’ve had with other books. Just a great read start to finish.

[Malik Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm from Windsor, and let me tell you,this dude knows what it's like. The story hits different because i've seen some of the things he writes about. It’s not over the top, just real. The way people talk, the way things go down… you can tell it comes from experience.

[Sue Menard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this at noon and did not stop until I finished at 9:30 pm - I even skipped dinner. If you like strong men who believe in justice, this is the book for you.

[Cameron T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Went into it expecting a revenge carbon. Was very wrong. The world and ensemble were written with much care and detail! Amazing read.

[Courtney Innes · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a great book. dark and exciting . couldn't stop listening.

[L.P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting debut novel

Bold, gritty and thoroughly entertaining, this book is way outside my usual genres but I am already looking forward to book II.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't typically read thrillers, but oh boy did I love this one! Started off a bit slow but once it picked up I could NOT put it down. The characters are multilayered and compelling, the plot complex but not confusing, and the care the author put into crafting the story is very apparent. Highly highly recommend

[Erica Lindell · Rating 4 out of 5]

gritty, dark and oh so good

If you’re a fan of graphic novels or the older detective movies that were in black and white- this reminded me so much of them. The theme was absolutely point on about our failures in the justice system and I enjoyed the grittiness of the story. I don’t know who I’d compare the writing to as Anthony has created his own voice in this book.