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Operation Firefly
Hunted by his enemies. Betrayed by his own. For Max Voronin, it’s personal.
Ex-special forces soldier and wealthy Russian businessman Max Voronin has spent a decade in self-imposed exile in Malta, protecting the one person who matters most—his daughter, Anna. But when an assassination attempt shatters their quiet life, Max knows his past has finally caught up with him.
Dragged back to Moscow—a city drowning in corruption—Max is thrust into a deadly game of power, betrayal, and revenge. As enemies close in and allies become suspect, he must out manoeuvre a ruthless elite who will stop at nothing to silence him. But amidst the chaos, his daughter’s words haunt him: Turn grief into a force for good.
Is redemption even possible in a world built on lies?
Operation Firefly is a relentlessly fast-paced thriller packed with razor-sharp twists, complex villains, and a flawed but unforgettable hero. Written by an author with over 30 years of first hand experience in Russia, it’s not just an explosive page-turner—it’s a brutal exposé of a corrupt regime.
Ex-special forces soldier and wealthy Russian businessman Max Voronin has spent a decade in self-imposed exile in Malta, protecting the one person who matters most—his daughter, Anna. But when an assassination attempt shatters their quiet life, Max knows his past has finally caught up with him.
Dragged back to Moscow—a city drowning in corruption—Max is thrust into a deadly game of power, betrayal, and revenge. As enemies close in and allies become suspect, he must out manoeuvre a ruthless elite who will stop at nothing to silence him. But amidst the chaos, his daughter’s words haunt him: Turn grief into a force for good.
Is redemption even possible in a world built on lies?
Operation Firefly is a relentlessly fast-paced thriller packed with razor-sharp twists, complex villains, and a flawed but unforgettable hero. Written by an author with over 30 years of first hand experience in Russia, it’s not just an explosive page-turner—it’s a brutal exposé of a corrupt regime.
412 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 3, 2025
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 3, 2025
Thriller
Review: I have re-written this review a few times as I move through the novel. My first review was damning in that this was another Jack Reacher type novel. "Special Ops super covert Russian killer-man - dude and his team of Doc Savage like special ops / sniper / giant bigfoot / recon / infiltrators in one of the Stans, has bad time and becomes billionaire. Although this description is close, it in no way did the novel justice. Max and the supporting cast are a wonderful blend of complex personalities that build with the movement.
Max, despite his Super Operator like Delta Force ninja skills (only Russian type ninja), like Spetznaz but only more speshul is grounded enough that his actions are believable and justified. There were some fails, like how Max can tell what model and caliber a gun is just by the timber of the shots (LOL).
This was an entertaining read and will continue as a series.
The cover art really does not match the MCs description in any way.
I received this ARC for an honest review.
4.3/5
Review: I have re-written this review a few times as I move through the novel. My first review was damning in that this was another Jack Reacher type novel. "Special Ops super covert Russian killer-man - dude and his team of Doc Savage like special ops / sniper / giant bigfoot / recon / infiltrators in one of the Stans, has bad time and becomes billionaire. Although this description is close, it in no way did the novel justice. Max and the supporting cast are a wonderful blend of complex personalities that build with the movement.
Max, despite his Super Operator like Delta Force ninja skills (only Russian type ninja), like Spetznaz but only more speshul is grounded enough that his actions are believable and justified. There were some fails, like how Max can tell what model and caliber a gun is just by the timber of the shots (LOL).
This was an entertaining read and will continue as a series.
The cover art really does not match the MCs description in any way.
I received this ARC for an honest review.
4.3/5
May 7, 2025
I had to laugh at the end… because throughout this whole story,a is clearly not a man to be messed with. And especially people in the government he worked for should now that… but….I wouldn't want to be the one with that job. Just sayin. This was very good. For sure. A couple of times the story fell a little flat, just in certain spots, but overall, it was so good. Even the 'bad' guys really brought a lot to the table. Very much enjoyed it and look forward to more
April 5, 2025
This is a very well written book, the first of which I think will become a series and give a lot of people a lot of pleasure but sadly it wasn't for me,
Ex military and now a wealthy Russian oil magnate, Max Voronin now lives in voluntary exile, no one must know that he is still alive but he feared that his enemies had found him and he feared for his life but most importantly for the life of his beloved daughter, Anna.
Max had reluctantly allowed Anna to follow her own pathway, he had taught her as much as he could to keep her safe but Anna let down her guard in order to help her father, she took one photograph too many, her body was found beaten and discarded.
Devastated Max's life was now in danger, his enemies were powerful, he was out for revenge but something that Anna had said to him "Turn grief into a force for good" kept coming back to him.This is a fast paced story, it is action packed with diverse, complex characters, I am sure that it will give pleasure to many readers.
I found the story a bit hard to get into although I must admit that it did get better as the story progressed, I also had a problem with the Russian names, remembering who was who with names that don't roll of the tongue.
Thank you Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is voluntary.
Ex military and now a wealthy Russian oil magnate, Max Voronin now lives in voluntary exile, no one must know that he is still alive but he feared that his enemies had found him and he feared for his life but most importantly for the life of his beloved daughter, Anna.
Max had reluctantly allowed Anna to follow her own pathway, he had taught her as much as he could to keep her safe but Anna let down her guard in order to help her father, she took one photograph too many, her body was found beaten and discarded.
Devastated Max's life was now in danger, his enemies were powerful, he was out for revenge but something that Anna had said to him "Turn grief into a force for good" kept coming back to him.This is a fast paced story, it is action packed with diverse, complex characters, I am sure that it will give pleasure to many readers.
I found the story a bit hard to get into although I must admit that it did get better as the story progressed, I also had a problem with the Russian names, remembering who was who with names that don't roll of the tongue.
Thank you Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is voluntary.
March 2, 2025
This was a very brave subject for a novel.
Make the main character an all action pin up Russian soldier who served in Afghanastan and then went on to own a Russian oil company, and make him likeable! OK we are spared from knowing the details of any nastiness undertaken in the war and details of his building up of the oil company to huge profitability , but people in his position have not got there by playing nicely.
But the author has done a good job and I did feel sorry for Max Voronin when his daughter is killed and he then sets himself to get revenge on the person responsible despite claiming the moral high ground in most of his dealings with people.
I did follow and enjoy the fast moving plot for about 60% of the book but then the major players and their deputies all seemed to be plotting against each other and it became a bit confusing. I did enjoy reading about the Russian tycoons, mafia bosses and the FSB state security forces and all their corrupt interactions but not enough to want to follow the rest of the series that is planned.
Thanks to NetGalley and BeRead Ltd for the ARC-
Make the main character an all action pin up Russian soldier who served in Afghanastan and then went on to own a Russian oil company, and make him likeable! OK we are spared from knowing the details of any nastiness undertaken in the war and details of his building up of the oil company to huge profitability , but people in his position have not got there by playing nicely.
But the author has done a good job and I did feel sorry for Max Voronin when his daughter is killed and he then sets himself to get revenge on the person responsible despite claiming the moral high ground in most of his dealings with people.
I did follow and enjoy the fast moving plot for about 60% of the book but then the major players and their deputies all seemed to be plotting against each other and it became a bit confusing. I did enjoy reading about the Russian tycoons, mafia bosses and the FSB state security forces and all their corrupt interactions but not enough to want to follow the rest of the series that is planned.
Thanks to NetGalley and BeRead Ltd for the ARC-
May 10, 2025
Operation Firefly is a captivating, thrilling, and heartbreaking spy story. The characters are wonderful and relatable, Mr. Wilder's writing style makes for easy reading, and there's plenty of action. The only small criticism I have is that I felt the need for a scorecard to keep track of all of the characters. In my opinion, for what it's worth, some of the characters could have been done away with, and some sections removed to make for a tighter, smoother flowing story. As you can see, this didn't affect my rating because the story was still enjoyable. I just think it would have flowed better with a little trimming.
This is the first story of Mr. Wilder's that I have read, but I will be looking for more in the future. I received a review copy from the author via BookSirens and this review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.
This is the first story of Mr. Wilder's that I have read, but I will be looking for more in the future. I received a review copy from the author via BookSirens and this review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.
February 26, 2025
Max Voronin is ex special forces, having seen enough whilst in Afghanistan so leaves and becomes the owner of the third biggest Oil company in Russia, whilst in self imposed exile, letting his oil company run with the board in place, keeping an eye on his daughter she is killed, drawing Max out back into the field to hunt down the killer. Using Max's skills wading through mires of disinformation, betrayal and with killers on his tail he plans to take down the killer of his daughter, but things aren't what they appear to be.
Fast paced, great characters, very well written story weaving into modern Russia and its complex politics and oligarchs. Good length full of well twists and fight scenes. Book two planned.
Fast paced, great characters, very well written story weaving into modern Russia and its complex politics and oligarchs. Good length full of well twists and fight scenes. Book two planned.
March 9, 2025
Thanks @netgalley , the author & publisher for the ARC.
This is the first, in which I'm sure will be a series, Max Voronin thriller, although I'm not quite sure how there would be another!
I had to really persevere and concentrate with the first part of the book as it felt a little disjointed at times with all the characters and knowing where they fit in the story but once you got the general gist, it was OK.
It was fast-paced and well written. Really describes the complexities and corruption within Russian politics.
It was an enjoyable read, my kind of book!
This is the first, in which I'm sure will be a series, Max Voronin thriller, although I'm not quite sure how there would be another!
I had to really persevere and concentrate with the first part of the book as it felt a little disjointed at times with all the characters and knowing where they fit in the story but once you got the general gist, it was OK.
It was fast-paced and well written. Really describes the complexities and corruption within Russian politics.
It was an enjoyable read, my kind of book!
March 13, 2025
A very interesting first book in a new series. A story mainly set in Russia which resonates well in the modern world. Max has hidden himself away and is presumed dead by people who have a grudge against him but the his daughter is murdered and he returns to Russia seeking revenge. The cast of characters is rich and diverse fro Russian state police to the Russian Mafia and ex special forces .It moves along at a cracking pace to a climatic conclusion. I shall look forward to furthe
March 3, 2025
The first in the Max Voronin series of thrillers. Very well written. I had to really concentrate and wasn't sure at the start, but so pleased I continued reading as really enjoyed this thrilling adventure. Highly recommended.
I was lucky enough to receive an Advanced Reader Copy and leave this review willingly.
I was lucky enough to receive an Advanced Reader Copy and leave this review willingly.
April 21, 2025
This book is exceptionally written but I think perhaps just not the right storyline for me.
I had to concentrate a lot and it was very political, I can imagine it fascinating many!
If you enjoy Jack Ryan or Reacher this may be for you.
I had to concentrate a lot and it was very political, I can imagine it fascinating many!
If you enjoy Jack Ryan or Reacher this may be for you.
May 30, 2025
The synopsis for this book tempted me to read it but while it is very well written and faced-paced, unfortunately I really struggled to get into this book and found myself more skim reading it. Sadly not a book I would recommend.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews