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MANCUSO: Dark Secrets Rising: Rocco Mancuso Cold War Fiction Mystery Thriller Book 1
He looks like a mafia hitman. He's actually America's top atomic spy catcher—and the only man standing between a Soviet plot and mass death on U.S. soil.
Rocco Mancuso has the face of a killer—strong Italian features, a wicked scar running from eye to chin, and a permanent five o’clock shadow. But behind that menacing exterior is an Ivy League law degree and one of the sharpest minds in counter-espionage. As the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission’s top operative in 1965, Mancuso tracks spies who would sell America’s nuclear secrets to the highest bidder. It’s a brutal, thankless job—and he's damn good at it.
A loner by nature, Mancuso is now truly alone. His wife Carol left without a word beyond a note forbidding all contact—because he liked a few beers after work. Who wouldn’t, after spending their days unraveling plots that could trigger global catastrophe? Between hospital stays, nightmares, and a boss who openly despises him, Mancuso’s only constant is the mission.
Then everything changes.
While investigating a routine security breach, Mancuso stumbles onto a horrifying Soviet operation—a plan to sabotage America’s plutonium production and poison over 50,000 people in the process. With just 24 hours to act and no military support thanks to political betrayal, Mancuso must race against time to stop the attack alone.
And just as a glimmer of new love appears, the weight of sacrifice threatens to crush him.
Gritty, explosive, and razor-sharp, Dark Secrets Rising is a Historical Fiction Mystery Thriller that plunges readers into the dark heart of Cold War espionage, where one man’s loyalty is tested against impossible odds—and failure isn’t just death, it’s Armageddon.
Rocco Mancuso has the face of a killer—strong Italian features, a wicked scar running from eye to chin, and a permanent five o’clock shadow. But behind that menacing exterior is an Ivy League law degree and one of the sharpest minds in counter-espionage. As the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission’s top operative in 1965, Mancuso tracks spies who would sell America’s nuclear secrets to the highest bidder. It’s a brutal, thankless job—and he's damn good at it.
A loner by nature, Mancuso is now truly alone. His wife Carol left without a word beyond a note forbidding all contact—because he liked a few beers after work. Who wouldn’t, after spending their days unraveling plots that could trigger global catastrophe? Between hospital stays, nightmares, and a boss who openly despises him, Mancuso’s only constant is the mission.
Then everything changes.
While investigating a routine security breach, Mancuso stumbles onto a horrifying Soviet operation—a plan to sabotage America’s plutonium production and poison over 50,000 people in the process. With just 24 hours to act and no military support thanks to political betrayal, Mancuso must race against time to stop the attack alone.
And just as a glimmer of new love appears, the weight of sacrifice threatens to crush him.
Gritty, explosive, and razor-sharp, Dark Secrets Rising is a Historical Fiction Mystery Thriller that plunges readers into the dark heart of Cold War espionage, where one man’s loyalty is tested against impossible odds—and failure isn’t just death, it’s Armageddon.
553 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 20, 2025
MANCUSO: Dark Secrets Rising by W. Michael Hewitt is a masterful fusion of history, espionage, and human complexity that grips readers from the very first page. Rocco Mancuso a scarred yet brilliant atomic spy catcher is one of the most memorable Cold War protagonists in recent fiction. Hewitt paints him as both warrior and philosopher, a man fighting not only enemies of the state but also the ghosts of his own past.
The book’s authenticity is remarkable, from its meticulous depiction of 1960s intelligence operations to the moral grayness that defines every decision Mancuso makes. The tension builds with cinematic precision, but what truly sets the novel apart is its heart the quiet moments of reflection and regret that make Mancuso’s battle as internal as it is external.
Hewitt doesn’t just tell a spy story; he explores the cost of loyalty, the burden of conscience, and the lonely courage of those who stand between chaos and civilization. Dark Secrets Rising is a gritty, emotionally intelligent thriller that reminds readers that even in the shadows of war, humanity and hope endure.
The book’s authenticity is remarkable, from its meticulous depiction of 1960s intelligence operations to the moral grayness that defines every decision Mancuso makes. The tension builds with cinematic precision, but what truly sets the novel apart is its heart the quiet moments of reflection and regret that make Mancuso’s battle as internal as it is external.
Hewitt doesn’t just tell a spy story; he explores the cost of loyalty, the burden of conscience, and the lonely courage of those who stand between chaos and civilization. Dark Secrets Rising is a gritty, emotionally intelligent thriller that reminds readers that even in the shadows of war, humanity and hope endure.
January 14, 2026
MANCUSO: Dark Secrets Rising is a pulse-pounding Cold War thriller that blends razor-sharp espionage with rich historical detail. W. Michael Hewitt delivers a compelling hero in Rocco Mancuso a tough, brilliantly intelligent operative whose personal demons make him as human as he is formidable. The stakes feel immense, the pacing is relentless, and the moral tension of loyalty, sacrifice, and isolation is expertly handled. With its gritty atmosphere, authentic 1960s backdrop, and high-octane plot, this book is a gripping start to a series that espionage and historical thriller fans will devour.
January 15, 2026
The book was a page turner for sure ! The short chapter format keeps the reader engaged. Thoroughly enjoyed the mystery thriller setting and location as a history buff. At first, I was slow to care about the main character but that quickly changed as the plot's twist and turns took off! Interesting fast read! I will definitely read Hewitt's other books.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews