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Fractured Virtues
A commanding new voice in military thriller fiction.
A country on the brink.
A cartel leader rising from the shadows.
Two soldiers caught in a merciless game of survival.
In the heart of Belize’s turbulent underworld, Nardus, a Kriol man of unexpected heritage, is thrust into the leadership of the Sinaloa drug cartel after the former leader vanishes. As he grapples with his newfound power, a deadly vendetta ignites with the ruthless Guatemalan Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, led by the infamous El Carnicero, a man whose brutal reputation precedes him.
Meanwhile, British Army soldier Jack is entangled in a web of suspicion following the mysterious disappearance of a comrade, all while he fights to muster his courage against a brutal reality. To complicate matters, he is joined by Grace, a fierce and skilled infantrywoman returning from a personal crisis, who finds herself undercover in a world of chaos.
With danger lurking at every turn and loyalties tested, Jack and Grace must navigate a treacherous journey through the jungle as they confront enemies who will stop at nothing for their own gain. Can they untangle the web of betrayal and survive a conflict that threatens to engulf them all, or will they become pawns in a war that spans the dark underbelly of South America?
KEITH DOBSON served in the armed forces in Europe, Central America, and during the Falklands conflict. He later became a Detective Superintendent in Specialist Operations at Scotland Yard.
A country on the brink.
A cartel leader rising from the shadows.
Two soldiers caught in a merciless game of survival.
In the heart of Belize’s turbulent underworld, Nardus, a Kriol man of unexpected heritage, is thrust into the leadership of the Sinaloa drug cartel after the former leader vanishes. As he grapples with his newfound power, a deadly vendetta ignites with the ruthless Guatemalan Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, led by the infamous El Carnicero, a man whose brutal reputation precedes him.
Meanwhile, British Army soldier Jack is entangled in a web of suspicion following the mysterious disappearance of a comrade, all while he fights to muster his courage against a brutal reality. To complicate matters, he is joined by Grace, a fierce and skilled infantrywoman returning from a personal crisis, who finds herself undercover in a world of chaos.
With danger lurking at every turn and loyalties tested, Jack and Grace must navigate a treacherous journey through the jungle as they confront enemies who will stop at nothing for their own gain. Can they untangle the web of betrayal and survive a conflict that threatens to engulf them all, or will they become pawns in a war that spans the dark underbelly of South America?
KEITH DOBSON served in the armed forces in Europe, Central America, and during the Falklands conflict. He later became a Detective Superintendent in Specialist Operations at Scotland Yard.
290 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2025
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About the author
Keith Dobson
2 books2 followersKeith Dobson
Keith Dobson is a married father of two and lives in Wirksworth in the Derbyshire Dales.
At the age of 15 years, he enlisted in the Royal Corps of Signals as a Radio Telegraphist, and against all odds was awarded the 'Best Recruit' trophy as the most outstanding army recruit in an intake of over 300 older soldiers. Keith went on to experience operational deployments to Germany, Cyprus, Belize and the Falklands war.
In 1993 he left the forces and joined the UK Police. Following police training in Durham, he was awarded the PMAS trophy as the most outstanding police recruit of his intake. He then served in West Yorkshire Police, Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police.
During his time in the police, Keith rose quickly through the ranks to become a highly respected senior police officer. Throughout his career, he held a variety of roles, both in uniform and as a detective. He became an experienced strategic firearms commander, advanced public order commander and senior investigating officer, investigating many high-profile murders. His last operational posting was at Scotland Yard as Detective Superintendent in SO20 Specialist Operations and Counter Terrorism.
Keith is the author of Crossing the Line, his debut novel, and a prequel to his upcoming second book, which is scheduled for launch in 2025. Keith's third novel, Hidden in the Ashes, is still in development and is scheduled for release in 2026.
He can be contacted at;
Website - keithdobson.com
X - @keithdobson108
Instagram - keith_j_dobson
Facebook - Crossing the Line
Keith Dobson is a married father of two and lives in Wirksworth in the Derbyshire Dales.
At the age of 15 years, he enlisted in the Royal Corps of Signals as a Radio Telegraphist, and against all odds was awarded the 'Best Recruit' trophy as the most outstanding army recruit in an intake of over 300 older soldiers. Keith went on to experience operational deployments to Germany, Cyprus, Belize and the Falklands war.
In 1993 he left the forces and joined the UK Police. Following police training in Durham, he was awarded the PMAS trophy as the most outstanding police recruit of his intake. He then served in West Yorkshire Police, Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police.
During his time in the police, Keith rose quickly through the ranks to become a highly respected senior police officer. Throughout his career, he held a variety of roles, both in uniform and as a detective. He became an experienced strategic firearms commander, advanced public order commander and senior investigating officer, investigating many high-profile murders. His last operational posting was at Scotland Yard as Detective Superintendent in SO20 Specialist Operations and Counter Terrorism.
Keith is the author of Crossing the Line, his debut novel, and a prequel to his upcoming second book, which is scheduled for launch in 2025. Keith's third novel, Hidden in the Ashes, is still in development and is scheduled for release in 2026.
He can be contacted at;
Website - keithdobson.com
X - @keithdobson108
Instagram - keith_j_dobson
Facebook - Crossing the Line
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 14, 2025
A gripping, high-stakes military thriller that announces a powerful new voice in the genre.
This novel delivers everything fans of modern military and geopolitical thrillers look for: relentless tension, complex characters, and a setting that feels raw, dangerous, and vividly alive. Set against the volatile backdrop of Central America’s criminal underworld, the story balances cartel power struggles with the psychological strain faced by soldiers operating in hostile terrain.
The author’s real-world military and law-enforcement background is evident throughout, lending authenticity and authority to every scene. The characters are layered and compelling, particularly the soldiers forced to navigate shifting loyalties and moral gray zones while fighting to survive. The pacing is tight, the stakes are high, and the sense of menace never lets up.
This is not just action for action’s sake it’s a smart, immersive thriller that explores power, identity, and survival in a world where one wrong move can be fatal. Fans of military fiction, cartel thrillers, and international suspense will find this a thoroughly absorbing read.
Highly recommended.
This novel delivers everything fans of modern military and geopolitical thrillers look for: relentless tension, complex characters, and a setting that feels raw, dangerous, and vividly alive. Set against the volatile backdrop of Central America’s criminal underworld, the story balances cartel power struggles with the psychological strain faced by soldiers operating in hostile terrain.
The author’s real-world military and law-enforcement background is evident throughout, lending authenticity and authority to every scene. The characters are layered and compelling, particularly the soldiers forced to navigate shifting loyalties and moral gray zones while fighting to survive. The pacing is tight, the stakes are high, and the sense of menace never lets up.
This is not just action for action’s sake it’s a smart, immersive thriller that explores power, identity, and survival in a world where one wrong move can be fatal. Fans of military fiction, cartel thrillers, and international suspense will find this a thoroughly absorbing read.
Highly recommended.
December 22, 2025
3.75/5
yes please!! full of secrets and betrayals, fractured virtues is a great introduction to military thrillers.
keith dobson has a way with writing that just draws you in. acting as a sequel to the first book, crossing the line, the story picks up very soon after the finale of the previous book. I really liked the new POV’s in the story and the trajectory of the story and how it progressed. keith had me questioning whether there is such a simple truth of right and wrong. whether people are inherently bad or if nurture comes into play. the characters felt so refreshingly raw and real, showing their strengths and their flaws, and it was such an experience to traverse through the story with them. the only thing I could of asked for would be for it to be longer; I really like these characters but I’d of liked some more scenes to show more of their character introductions to get a greater sense of character dynamics. the book is full of suspense, action, and several twists and turns that really grip you. the way it comes to a close is really well done and makes you yearn for more! I would be really interested to learn more about these characters and how their story progresses - fingers crossed keith blesses us with another book in the series🤞🏼
yes please!! full of secrets and betrayals, fractured virtues is a great introduction to military thrillers.
keith dobson has a way with writing that just draws you in. acting as a sequel to the first book, crossing the line, the story picks up very soon after the finale of the previous book. I really liked the new POV’s in the story and the trajectory of the story and how it progressed. keith had me questioning whether there is such a simple truth of right and wrong. whether people are inherently bad or if nurture comes into play. the characters felt so refreshingly raw and real, showing their strengths and their flaws, and it was such an experience to traverse through the story with them. the only thing I could of asked for would be for it to be longer; I really like these characters but I’d of liked some more scenes to show more of their character introductions to get a greater sense of character dynamics. the book is full of suspense, action, and several twists and turns that really grip you. the way it comes to a close is really well done and makes you yearn for more! I would be really interested to learn more about these characters and how their story progresses - fingers crossed keith blesses us with another book in the series🤞🏼
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews