Redeemers

by Edward McBride

For fans of Daniel Silva, Dan Brown, and Frederick Forsyth.
On a luxury yacht in the Mediterranean, two Israeli billionaires make a decision that will shake the foundations of the art world.
Over 100,000 masterpieces plundered by the Nazis during World War II remain missing to this day. Stolen from Jewish families across Europe. Hidden by corrupt governments. Protected by powerful collectors. Lost to history.
Until now.
Led by the brilliant and battle-hardened James McCarthy, the Redeemers are an elite team of ex-Special Forces operatives drawn from the SAS, US Navy SEALs, and Mossad, united by a single recover Raphael's Portrait of a Young Man, a priceless masterpiece valued at over $100 million USD, missing since the darkest days of the war.
But standing between them and justice is Odessa, a clandestine organisation of Nazi descendants who will stop at nothing to keep the looted artworks from their rightful heirs. Corrupt governments, shadowy museums, ruthless art dealers, and powerful collectors all have their own sinister agendas.
And somewhere within the Redeemers themselves, a traitor is waiting.
As the stakes soar to unimaginable heights, loyalties shatter, identities crumble, and the line between justice and survival disappears entirely. The climax — the recovery of the Raphael and its unconditional handover to the museum in Krakow — is a moment of pure, hard-won justice that will stay with readers long after the final page.
Inspired by the author's personal visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp and rooted in the real history of Nazi art plunder, Redeemers is a heart-pounding debut thriller about justice, identity, and the fight to return stolen history to its rightful owners.
Book One of the Redeemers Trilogy. Perfect for readers of Daniel Silva, Dan Brown, Frederick Forsyth, and Ken Follett.

Genres: Thriller

503 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2025

About the author

Edward McBride’s debut novel, “Redeemers,” marked an impressive foray into literature, demonstrating his remarkable talent for weaving a compelling narrative that captivates readers from the first page to the last. Redeemers is a trilogy. He has also published a book of poetry and a fitness book.

His new manuscript, Vigilante, follows his theme of justice. He is aware that this is a sensitive subject of minors and pedophiles.

The author, a Glasgow, Scotland native, has extensively researched the history of WWII and the art plundered by the Nazis. Presently, Mr. McBride divides his time between his residences in Toronto and Puerto Vallarta.

Reviews

[Dmitri Volkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

In our book club, Camille is the one who finds the gems. She’s picky, painfully picky so when she forwarded us Redeemers and said, ‘Trust me, read this now,’ we all jumped in. And wow. The opening conversation on the yacht Blue hooked me instantly. It wasn’t just the mystery, it was the feeling that history was waking up again. The mission to recover Raphael’s Portrait of a Young Man felt so meaningful, like we were holding a piece of the past in our hands. Edward McBride, your research and heart show through every page. Our whole club agreed this is one of the most powerful thrillers we’ve read in years.

[Kamila Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this on a Listopia for "High-Stakes Mind Games," and I’m so glad I did. As a psychological thriller devotee, I usually find "special forces" books a bit too loud—but Redeemers is different. It’s a masterclass in claustrophobic tension.

The real story here isn't the $100 million Raphael painting; it’s the disintegration of trust.

Why you need to read this:

The "Traitor Within" Mechanic: Imagine being trapped on a mission with the world’s most dangerous people (SAS, SEALs, Mossad) and realizing one of them is a sociopath working for the other side. The "who-can-I-trust" element is dialed up to 100. It’s a psychological pressure cooker.

The Villain’s Psyche: The antagonists (Odessa) aren't just faceless bad guys. They are Nazi descendants fighting a war of identity, trying to keep a 80-year-old lie alive. The mental gymnastics they perform to justify their "right" to stolen art is chilling and fascinating.

Moral Ambiguity: This isn't a "good vs. evil" story. It’s about the gray areas of justice and what happens to a person's identity when they are forced to do terrible things for a righteous cause.

The Verdict:
If you love unreliable narrators and the feeling of the floor falling out from under you, Redeemers delivers. It’s fast-paced, but it’s the intellectual and emotional stakes that make it impossible to put down. It’s less about the heist and more about the psychological cost of recovering a stolen soul.

Stop scrolling your "To-Read" list and just get this one. It’s the smartest thriller I’ve picked up this year.

[Dianna Tindra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this on a Listopia and honestly? I’m exhausted because I couldn’t put it down.

If you’re like me and love psychological thrillers because of the mind games and the paranoia, don't let the "special forces" tag fool you. This isn’t just an action book; it’s a high-stakes study in trust and betrayal. The "traitor within the team" subplot turned every conversation into a puzzle. I spent the whole book trying to get inside the characters' heads, wondering who was real and who was a plant. It’s gritty, smart, and the historical weight of the Nazi art plunder adds a layer of "real-world" chills that most thrillers lack.

Bottom line: If you want a book that makes you suspicious of every single character until the very last page, this is it.

[Mei Ling · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a moment when one of the Redeemers reflects on the families who’ve spent generations waiting for news about their stolen art. That small, quiet passage made my chest tighten. McBride has a gift: he knows when to make the reader breathe, and when to knock the wind out of them. The tension with Odessa, the corruption in museums and private collections, the betrayals simmering inside the team, it all comes together into a masterfully layered story. But beyond the action, what struck me was the message: sometimes redemption comes from restoring what was taken, even if it’s decades later. Edward McBride, you wrote something beautiful.

[SAMANTHA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really surprised me. I expected a heavy history read, but it felt more like a deep dive into the minds of powerful and sometimes controversial figures in Latin America.

What I liked most is how the author connects ideas to real-world consequences. You see how certain leaders and thinkers genuinely believed they were “saving” their countries but not all of those stories end well. It makes you question the whole idea of political “heroes.”

It can feel a bit dense at times, especially if you’re not familiar with the history, but the insights make it worth it. Some parts stick with you long after you finish.

[Angela Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward McBride has done the impossible: he’s made the labyrinthine bureaucracy of the UN Security Council accessible without stripping away its complexity. What I found most persuasive was his analysis of the 'P5' (Permanent Five) and how the veto power has transitioned from a tool of stability to a mechanism of global paralysis. McBride doesn’t just complain about the fracture; he offers 'Redeemers'—specific, albeit difficult, ideas for reform that account for the rise of middle powers like India and Brazil. It’s a sobering but necessary read for anyone tired of seeing the Council sidelined during modern crises

[Stephanie Lam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward McBride has done the impossible: he’s made the labyrinthine bureaucracy of the UN Security Council accessible without stripping away its complexity. What I found most persuasive was his analysis of the 'P5' (Permanent Five) and how the veto power has transitioned from a tool of stability to a mechanism of global paralysis. McBride doesn’t just complain about the fracture; he offers 'Redeemers'—specific, albeit difficult, ideas for reform that account for the rise of middle powers like India and Brazil. It’s a sobering but necessary read for anyone tired of seeing the Council sidelined during modern crises

[Jessie Derry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually go for domestic suspense, but I grabbed this from a Goodreads list and was totally sucked in. The "traitor in the group" trope is my absolute weakness, and this book nails the paranoia of not knowing who’s standing right behind you.

It’s one of those rare thrillers where the mental game is just as violent as the action. Watching an elite team of experts slowly realize one of their own is a sociopath was so stressful (in the best way). It’s dark, it’s fast, and it actually makes you think about the real history behind the art.

If you like stories where everyone is lying and the stakes are life-or-death, just buy it. You won't sleep until you finish.

[Amina Hassan]

What stood out to me most was how grounded this book felt despite its globe-spanning missions and high-level threats. The Redeemers don’t have superpowers; they have trauma, discipline, and heart. That makes their victories feel earned and their failures deeply painful. I especially loved the glimpses into the art world — the politics, the secrecy, the greed. Some of the museum-related scenes left me furious in the best way, because the writing makes you care so deeply. McBride, you should be proud. This is a rare thriller that respects the reader’s intelligence and emotions at the same time.

[Alejandro Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

When our group read the summary, we expected action. We didn’t expect to be wiping tears during a thriller. But McBride made us feel every ounce of the loss behind those 100,000 stolen artworks. We loved how the operatives weren’t perfect soldiers, they were wounded, determined, and human. The internal tensions within the Redeemers led to one of the best discussions we’ve had in months. We want the author to know: this book made us feel something deep. This wasn’t just a read, it was an experience.

[Jason Reynolds Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

None of us expected to cry. But somewhere between the quiet reflections on stolen art and the fierce determination of the Redeemers, we felt something crack open in us. One member said, ‘This book feels like justice fighting its way back to the surface.’ And she was right. The scenes involving the legacy of families torn apart during WWII were handled with such grace and respect. Edward, if you ever doubt your impact, know this: your book touched an entire roomful of readers who will be thinking about it for a long, long time.”

[Jose I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes a book enters your life and leaves a mark you didn’t expect. Redeemers was that book for me. There was a chapter where the team stood in front of one of the recovered paintings, and the silence in that moment said more than dialogue ever could.

Edward, your sensitivity as a writer shines in these quiet scenes. You gave value to stillness. You made silence powerful. Not many authors know how to do that. We read this as a group, and even the least emotional among us admitted to feeling something deep and unexplainable. That says everything about your writing.

[DevTech International · Rating 5 out of 5]

McBride’s strength lies in his historical context. He takes the reader through the evolution of the Council’s failures, from the Cold War stasis to the current deadlock over Ukraine and Gaza. The scene-setting in the opening chapters, where he describes the physical and symbolic weight of the Council chamber, creates a great backdrop for his arguments. He argues convincingly that the 'Redeemers' of the system must be the nations currently left on the periphery. It’s a dense but rewarding read that balances historical scholarship with forward-looking policy

[Tyler Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I liked most about Redeemers is that McBride isn't afraid to ruffle feathers among the P5. He spends a significant amount of time detailing how the veto has been weaponized, effectively turning the Council into a theater of the absurd. His 'Ideas to Fix a Fractured Council' are bold—some might say politically impossible—but McBride argues that the alternative is total irrelevance. The chapter on the 'Uniting for Peace' resolution as a potential workaround was particularly enlightening. Truly a high-level analysis of a world in flux.

[Mia Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read more than 100 books a year, and Redeemers was unanimously chosen as our ‘Book of the Year.’ Not because it was flashy, but because it was meaningful. The scale of the loss over 100,000 stolen works shook us. The way McBride intertwined history with present-day danger kept us completely absorbed. And the moral questions he raised stayed with us long after we closed the book. Edward, you wrote something truly extraordinary. Please keep writing our club is already ready for your next one.

[Khaled Saleh · Rating 5 out of 5]

We joke in our club that Camille has a ‘no boring books allowed’ rule and when she emailed Redeemers with the subject line ‘Read this NOW,’ we knew she meant business. I opened the preview intending to skim a page and ended up reading 90 straight minutes. The psychological tension inside the Redeemers team was incredible. And the villains? Odessa was absolutely chilling. Edward, our club wants you to know: your storytelling gave us a journey we’ll remember for a very long time.

[Claire Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t planning to pick up Redeemer. My sister kept insisting, telling me, “You’re going to cry, but you’ll love it.” I gave in just to make her happy… and now I’m the one telling her thank you. This book hit me in the chest. Edward built characters that feel like they’re breathing through the page. I didn’t expect to care this deeply, but I did and still do. If someone recommends this to you, don’t ignore them.

[Robin Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward McBride provides a brilliant, concise diagnostic of the UN Security Council’s current identity crisis. While many authors suggest burning the system down, McBride focuses on 'redemption' through structural reform. His prose is elegant and his arguments are backed by a deep understanding of diplomatic history. It’s rare to find a book on international institutional reform that is this engaging. A must-read for anyone interested in the future of global governance.

[Clark Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most satisfying ending I’ve read in years!
While this is a pulse-pounding thriller, the heart of the story is what got me. There is something so incredibly sweet and moving about seeing these stolen masterpieces finally returned to their rightful homes. Watching the "Redeemers" fight for history was inspiring. It’s a high-stakes ride with a conclusion that feels like a victory for the soul. If you love Silva or Dan Brown, you need this on your shelf!

[Marke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a thriller with real heart.
I read a lot of espionage, but Redeemers stands out because its core is so wholesome, the restoration of stolen Jewish heritage. James McCarthy is a fantastic lead, and the team chemistry is top-tier. The victory at the end is just so sweet; it makes all the tension and the "traitor" subplots worth it. It’s a brilliant mix of history, action, and pure, hard-won justice.

[Angela Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those rare thrillers that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go. Redeemers delivers everything I crave, high-stakes action, intelligent plotting, and a story rooted in real history that actually matters. The Nazi art theft angle adds depth and urgency, making every mission feel personal. James McCarthy is exactly the kind of lead you want sharp, relentless, and haunted. And that twist? I didn’t see it coming. Absolutely brilliant. I’m already counting down to book two.

[Clara Adeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect a thriller to hit this hard emotionally. Beneath all the action and suspense is a deeply powerful story about justice and reclaiming what was lost. Knowing the history behind the stolen artwork made every moment feel more intense and meaningful. It is rare to find a book that balances excitement with emotional weight so well. This is not just a thrilling read, it is an unforgettable experience.

[Laura Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally read literary fiction. Thrillers aren't usually my thing. But someone left this on the office break room table with a sticky note that just said "read this" and I gave it a shot. I'm glad I did. McBride writes with more emotional intelligence than most literary novels I've picked up this year. The action is there but it never drowns out the humanity underneath it. I came in skeptical and left a convert.

[Calebrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot can carry a thriller. Characters make you care about it. The Redeemers aren't soldiers with superpowers. They're people carrying trauma, doubt, and purpose in equal measure. McCarthy is a compelling lead because he's not invincible. The internal fractures within the team and the slow reveal of betrayal from within hurt the way only good character writing can hurt. McBride writes people, not archetypes.

[Alex Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books entertain. Some books ask questions you carry with you afterward. Redeemers did both. The question underneath everything here is whether returning a stolen object can carry moral weight decades after the crime. Can art hold the memory of what was lost? McBride doesn't give you a neat answer. He gives you a story that makes you sit with the question. That's the mark of a writer who trusts his reader.

[Jethro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of Edward McBride before a colleague mentioned this book in passing. I looked it up, read the first page on the preview, and bought it immediately. Now I'm the one telling everyone I know. Redeemers is the kind of debut that makes you wonder where this author has been. The voice is assured, the story is meaningful, and the ending stays with you. I'll be first in line for whatever he writes next.

[Andria Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone with a background in art history, I was watching closely for where McBride would cut corners. He mostly doesn't. The politics of museum acquisitions, the secrecy around private collections, the way institutional greed enables the concealment of looted works is all handled with real understanding. Raphael's Portrait of a Young Man is a genuinely missing painting. Anchoring the fiction to that real open wound was a smart and respectful choice.

[Donald Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest. I almost didn't read this. The cover and premise felt like a dozen other thrillers I've picked up and put down. A friend insisted. Forty pages in I stopped doubting her. What separates Redeemers is that the mission feels genuinely meaningful. Returning stolen art to rightful heirs isn't just a plot device here. McBride makes it feel like justice that actually matters. I'm already waiting for book two.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our group picks a lot of thrillers. We don't always agree. We all agreed on this one. What made it special for discussion was the moral complexity. The team isn't perfect, the institutions meant to protect art are corrupt, and the traitor hiding within the Redeemers forced us into a two-hour debate about loyalty and identity. If your club wants a book that entertains and provokes real conversation, this is the one.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't expect to feel this much reading a thriller. There's a quiet moment where the team confronts what those stolen paintings actually meant to the families who lost them. Generations of history, identity, memory. Something in me broke open. McBride never manipulates your emotions cheaply. He earns every feeling. I finished this with that rare mix of sadness and hope that only the best books leave behind.