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Bloodline of Redemption: Thriller
A rogue Russian submarine. A buried Cold War vendetta. And a hunted American aircrew forced to fight for redemption across the depths of the Pacific and into the icy peaks of the Cascades.
Bloodline of Redemption is a high-stakes military thriller that weaves real-world naval operations, combat rescue missions, and mountaineering survival into a suspense-filled race against time. When a U.S. Navy aircrew vanishes under mysterious circumstances, former Aviation Rescue Swimmer and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operator Brody Hayes is pulled back into a world he thought he left behind. This time, the threat is personal-and decades in the making.
Written by solo Everest summiteer and survivor Brian Dickinson, also a former U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer, CSAR, and Anti-Submarine Warfare Operator, this debut novel delivers authentic action, raw emotion, and a chilling some secrets never die.
Bloodline of Redemption is a high-stakes military thriller that weaves real-world naval operations, combat rescue missions, and mountaineering survival into a suspense-filled race against time. When a U.S. Navy aircrew vanishes under mysterious circumstances, former Aviation Rescue Swimmer and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operator Brody Hayes is pulled back into a world he thought he left behind. This time, the threat is personal-and decades in the making.
Written by solo Everest summiteer and survivor Brian Dickinson, also a former U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer, CSAR, and Anti-Submarine Warfare Operator, this debut novel delivers authentic action, raw emotion, and a chilling some secrets never die.
419 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2025
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Brian Dickinson
3 books22 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Brian Dickinson, former US Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer (E5), is an expert in survival, adversity, and overcoming obstacles. In 2011, Brian soloed the summit of Mount Everest, but then went completely snow blind on the descent. Hand over hand he made his way down blind and alone. What should have taken three hours to reach high camp ended up taking him seven hours. Brian took a major fall down the south summit and eventually ran out of supplemental oxygen, but through determined faith and focus he survived the impossible.
Brian has been featured on TV, in magazines, and on websites and podcasts countless times to recount his amazing experience. Notably, he has spoken on major news productions such as CNN with Anderson Cooper and Chris Cuomo, ABC’s Good Morning America, and NBC’s Today Show. Brian is also a motivational speaker, and has delivered speeches to a variety of audiences. In his free time, Brian enjoys spending time with his family mountain climbing and snowboarding. He has climbed the Seven Summits—the tallest mountains on each continent—as well as many others.
He lives in Snoqualmie, WA.
Brian Dickinson, former US Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer (E5), is an expert in survival, adversity, and overcoming obstacles. In 2011, Brian soloed the summit of Mount Everest, but then went completely snow blind on the descent. Hand over hand he made his way down blind and alone. What should have taken three hours to reach high camp ended up taking him seven hours. Brian took a major fall down the south summit and eventually ran out of supplemental oxygen, but through determined faith and focus he survived the impossible.
Brian has been featured on TV, in magazines, and on websites and podcasts countless times to recount his amazing experience. Notably, he has spoken on major news productions such as CNN with Anderson Cooper and Chris Cuomo, ABC’s Good Morning America, and NBC’s Today Show. Brian is also a motivational speaker, and has delivered speeches to a variety of audiences. In his free time, Brian enjoys spending time with his family mountain climbing and snowboarding. He has climbed the Seven Summits—the tallest mountains on each continent—as well as many others.
He lives in Snoqualmie, WA.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 15, 2025
A high-stakes military thriller you won’t be able to put down.
Decades ago, in the tense shadows of the Cold War, a rogue Russian submarine made a deadly run toward American shores—only to be intercepted and sunk by the U.S. Navy. The incident, a political powder keg, was buried under layers of secrecy. Every sailor involved was sworn to silence, the truth locked away forever.
But the past refuses to stay hidden. Years later, four of those sailors become targets—methodically hunted by a covert Russian kill team. What begins as quiet lives quickly turns into a desperate fight for survival.
Packed with an unforgettable cast, relentless action, and a razor-sharp plot, this is a story that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go.
Decades ago, in the tense shadows of the Cold War, a rogue Russian submarine made a deadly run toward American shores—only to be intercepted and sunk by the U.S. Navy. The incident, a political powder keg, was buried under layers of secrecy. Every sailor involved was sworn to silence, the truth locked away forever.
But the past refuses to stay hidden. Years later, four of those sailors become targets—methodically hunted by a covert Russian kill team. What begins as quiet lives quickly turns into a desperate fight for survival.
Packed with an unforgettable cast, relentless action, and a razor-sharp plot, this is a story that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go.
September 13, 2025
HUNTER 613, a U.S. Navy SH-60F Seahawk helicopter with Commander Carter, Lt. Ellis, Chief Bishop, and Petty Officer Hayes are tracking a Soviet submarine in the North Pacific Ocean. They launch a torpedo, but they lose track of it, no explosion.
They are told to return to their ship, and ordered to never to talk about the incident.
25 years later, the crew members are mysteriously killed. Only Brody Hayes is left.
Brody and his daughter, Maddy, head out on their annual snow trip and will meet his wife, Bridget and son, Mitch he next day. But they never arrive.
What happens though, becomes a struggle against the extreme cold and Russian spies.
You feel Brody's and Maddy's physical pain, their fight against the extreme cold. Through their actions, you feel the determination to survive, their faith in God, and belief in each other.
The book is exciting and hard to put down. I didn’t want it to end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
They are told to return to their ship, and ordered to never to talk about the incident.
25 years later, the crew members are mysteriously killed. Only Brody Hayes is left.
Brody and his daughter, Maddy, head out on their annual snow trip and will meet his wife, Bridget and son, Mitch he next day. But they never arrive.
What happens though, becomes a struggle against the extreme cold and Russian spies.
You feel Brody's and Maddy's physical pain, their fight against the extreme cold. Through their actions, you feel the determination to survive, their faith in God, and belief in each other.
The book is exciting and hard to put down. I didn’t want it to end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 26, 2025
Although I found the timeline a little confusing at the beginning and even at the end a number of the loops from the beginning were still open, I really enjoyed this.
The outdoor adventure theme really pulled me in together with the storyline of grit & especially teenage courage.
I don't want to give away any of the plot, however this kept me on the edge of my seat.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The outdoor adventure theme really pulled me in together with the storyline of grit & especially teenage courage.
I don't want to give away any of the plot, however this kept me on the edge of my seat.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 4, 2025
A solid 3.75 stars. (When are you going to let us give fractions in these star ratings Goodreads?)
This book surprised me. I've read both of Brian Dickinson's previous books and I listen to his podcast. When he announced that he was releasing a fiction book, I figured I'd give it a shot. Rescue swimmers are cool.
I did not expect him to kill so many people in this book, in some really gruesome ways (being impaled in the eyes by NGVs 😲😲😲)- though the dude getting impaled on the tree was a nice touch. Some deaths were very shocking and sad. Kudos to Mr. Dickinson for not pulling his punches. You've got to be a hard man to write into your book the family golden doodle taking a fatal gunshot to the chest.
I enjoyed the details with the helicopters and submarines. Did I enjoy that whole part where he describes the MH-60S getting outfitted for their rescue mission? You bet your sweet bippy I did. Brian Dickinson knows how to give VERY detailed descriptions. Of course this meant that the story slowed for me when things I was interested in were discussed. I know the author is an avid mountaineer, but that stuff didn't interest me as much. And perhaps there were more mundane details we didn't need as a reader. Such as the flavor of the Gatorade Brody grabs. Did I need to know it was lemon-lime? Probably not. I also thought it was interesting that he described TWO different species of crabs that ended up eating the body of Captain Carter. That specificity made me laugh out loud.
The plot was entertaining and I feel like the story was a slow burn leading up to the last 1/4 of the book where all the tense action happens. That was pretty wild.
This is pretty good for his first fiction book. I'd pick up his next one, though I do hope he'll get more editing help on the next one. There were some instances of repetitiveness. For example, explaining that Bridget is Brody's wife, twice. Also, the spelling of her name bounced between "Bridget" and "Bridgette" within a few pages of each other. I also felt there was a lot of name dropping of brand names that made the book have a slight product placement vibe. I think this is just a result of his wanting to be detailed but like Amazon, Osprey, Lululemon, Quicksilver, and Arc'teryx are just a few I remember off the top of my head. While I love details, TOO many slows the flow of the story.
Lastly, though this was a thriller I appreciate the insertions of some funny moments. Like the guy with IBS from NAS Whidbey blowing up the bathroom stall before their mission and the Russian operative trying In-N-Out and finding it overrated (was that Brian Dickinson 's veiled commentary on In-N-Out????? 😁).
This book surprised me. I've read both of Brian Dickinson's previous books and I listen to his podcast. When he announced that he was releasing a fiction book, I figured I'd give it a shot. Rescue swimmers are cool.
I did not expect him to kill so many people in this book, in some really gruesome ways (being impaled in the eyes by NGVs 😲😲😲)- though the dude getting impaled on the tree was a nice touch. Some deaths were very shocking and sad. Kudos to Mr. Dickinson for not pulling his punches. You've got to be a hard man to write into your book the family golden doodle taking a fatal gunshot to the chest.
I enjoyed the details with the helicopters and submarines. Did I enjoy that whole part where he describes the MH-60S getting outfitted for their rescue mission? You bet your sweet bippy I did. Brian Dickinson knows how to give VERY detailed descriptions. Of course this meant that the story slowed for me when things I was interested in were discussed. I know the author is an avid mountaineer, but that stuff didn't interest me as much. And perhaps there were more mundane details we didn't need as a reader. Such as the flavor of the Gatorade Brody grabs. Did I need to know it was lemon-lime? Probably not. I also thought it was interesting that he described TWO different species of crabs that ended up eating the body of Captain Carter. That specificity made me laugh out loud.
The plot was entertaining and I feel like the story was a slow burn leading up to the last 1/4 of the book where all the tense action happens. That was pretty wild.
This is pretty good for his first fiction book. I'd pick up his next one, though I do hope he'll get more editing help on the next one. There were some instances of repetitiveness. For example, explaining that Bridget is Brody's wife, twice. Also, the spelling of her name bounced between "Bridget" and "Bridgette" within a few pages of each other. I also felt there was a lot of name dropping of brand names that made the book have a slight product placement vibe. I think this is just a result of his wanting to be detailed but like Amazon, Osprey, Lululemon, Quicksilver, and Arc'teryx are just a few I remember off the top of my head. While I love details, TOO many slows the flow of the story.
Lastly, though this was a thriller I appreciate the insertions of some funny moments. Like the guy with IBS from NAS Whidbey blowing up the bathroom stall before their mission and the Russian operative trying In-N-Out and finding it overrated (was that Brian Dickinson 's veiled commentary on In-N-Out????? 😁).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2025
* I received a free advance review copy of this book from the BookSirens.
In sum, I savored every word of Bloodline of Redemption. I found myself engrossed in the eBook late last night, my mind racing after a family emergency. I wasn’t even in the mood to read, but insomnia led me down the rabbit hole of this rogue submarine saga. Let me tell you, it’s a page-turner of epic proportions. If you’re even remotely intrigued, do yourself a favor: read it! You won’t regret it.
Find my full review at https://www.coffeeaddictedwriter.com/....
In sum, I savored every word of Bloodline of Redemption. I found myself engrossed in the eBook late last night, my mind racing after a family emergency. I wasn’t even in the mood to read, but insomnia led me down the rabbit hole of this rogue submarine saga. Let me tell you, it’s a page-turner of epic proportions. If you’re even remotely intrigued, do yourself a favor: read it! You won’t regret it.
Find my full review at https://www.coffeeaddictedwriter.com/....
October 13, 2025
All the reviews so far give an accurate synopsis of the storyline, however for me (as a non military type), the opening pages of the book seem to read as people involved with the military would experience back and forth with commands/orders and in the first person.
It's not something I could connect with and just wasn't the lead in needed to lure me into the story. The military speak, acronyms etc were too much.
It's not something I could connect with and just wasn't the lead in needed to lure me into the story. The military speak, acronyms etc were too much.
August 27, 2025
Fantastic! One of the five best books I have read this year. Brian Dickinson is up there with Jack Carr, Brad Thor, and Dale Brown. Brody Hayes is an excellent protagonist and hopefully there will be more books coming. Especially enjoyable were the water training sequences based on his experience as an aviation rescue swimmer. Great first book!!!
January 3, 2026
GREAT first book of Fiction for this guy. Very well done military thriller pulling in the Submarine Service, SH60 SAR crews, and adventures in the PNW.
October 6, 2025
(4.5 / 5)
A high-octane, authentic military thriller blending naval warfare, espionage, and political drama. Fans of Tom Clancy or Dale Brown will find it deeply satisfying. Its realism and moral tension set it apart from formulaic action thrillers.
A high-octane, authentic military thriller blending naval warfare, espionage, and political drama. Fans of Tom Clancy or Dale Brown will find it deeply satisfying. Its realism and moral tension set it apart from formulaic action thrillers.
August 5, 2025
Bloodline of Redemption is my first novel in the fiction, military thriller genre. Ultimately, my goal was to craft an entertaining military thriller grounded in authenticity—true to history without breaching classified territory. It’s also one of the rare thrillers to feature a U.S. Navy Avia-tion Rescue Swimmer as the protagonist—a role that showcases the adaptability, capability, and mindset we consistently see in this small but elite community.
December 30, 2025
BLOODLINE OF REDEMPTION - An absolutely fabulous story with a variety of characters, interesting story lines, and an immersing writing style that keeps the reader nose deep until the last page. I look forward to reading more from this interesting author. Source: BookSirens. 5*
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews