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Hummingbird
When Jake Hardy was 12, his father settled a gambling debt by trading Jake’s twin sister Catherine to the man he owed. Now an agent with the Department of Homeland Security, Jake spends his life hunting human traffickers and most of all, the man who took his sister. When Jake and his partner rescue 13 girls from a shipping container in Houston, they stumble onto a lead that will take Jake across the country, into a secret society of predators, and ultimately to the Devil himself. Haunted by nightmares of failed rescues but buoyed by his partner and a mysterious woman he’s drawn to but doesn’t know he can trust, Jake barrels toward the deadly confrontation he’s been anticipating for 20 years. It’s a race against time to stop this man who calls himself “The Sommelier,” and to rescue Catherine before there’s nothing left of her to find.
"There are countless types of human trafficking in the U.S. and globally, and in Hummingbird, Michael Tuggle incorporates many of them into a gripping story that will leave you both horrified and thinking it can't be true. I’ve spent more than two decades in the war against global trafficking and, while Hummingbird is fiction, the scenarios it depicts are, unfortunately, all too real."
SUSAN COPPEDGE, Former Federal Prosecutor and Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
"There are countless types of human trafficking in the U.S. and globally, and in Hummingbird, Michael Tuggle incorporates many of them into a gripping story that will leave you both horrified and thinking it can't be true. I’ve spent more than two decades in the war against global trafficking and, while Hummingbird is fiction, the scenarios it depicts are, unfortunately, all too real."
SUSAN COPPEDGE, Former Federal Prosecutor and Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2025
18 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 9, 2025
This debut novel is powerful, disturbing, and absolutely necessary. It tackles the dark and often overlooked world of human trafficking with unflinching honesty. Michael Tuggle exposes the underbelly of a problem that too many still dismiss as “someone else’s issue,” forcing readers to confront the uncomfortable truth that is closer than we think.
The story is haunting yet beautifully told—hard to put down, emotionally charged, and evocative on every page. Both heartbreaking and illuminating, it's the kind of book that stays with you long after you finish.
The writing is tight, vivid, and cinematic—I could easily see this becoming a film. Hummingbird is a book that deserves attention and conversation. A remarkable debut that shines light into the darkest corners of humanity.
The story is haunting yet beautifully told—hard to put down, emotionally charged, and evocative on every page. Both heartbreaking and illuminating, it's the kind of book that stays with you long after you finish.
The writing is tight, vivid, and cinematic—I could easily see this becoming a film. Hummingbird is a book that deserves attention and conversation. A remarkable debut that shines light into the darkest corners of humanity.
September 26, 2025
How does one rate a book that deals with this subject matter? Just imagining that this is happening in every corner of the world is such an overwhelmingly dark and depressing thought. But, I had to give it five stars because it is so well written. Tuggle expertly weaves a web of suspense and keeps the reader wound up in it til the very last page. The reader is immersed in a dangerous world where beautiful restaurants and wine bars hide unspeakable crimes. I finished Hummingbird in one sitting, on the edge of my seat the entire time needing to know how it was going to end for Jake and his quest to find his sister Catherine. Every chapter is fraught with a sense of foreboding and dread. As I was reading, I literally felt like I was in a movie. I actually forgot I was reading and felt like I was right there with Jake, on his relentless pursuit to find Catherine and to shut down the monster that took her and so many others, the entire time.
This is not an easy story to tell. It doesn’t offer a tidy, wrapped up ending but delivers a narrative that does not let the audience look away from the injustice of human trafficking. It is a call to awareness and one I will never forget.
This is not an easy story to tell. It doesn’t offer a tidy, wrapped up ending but delivers a narrative that does not let the audience look away from the injustice of human trafficking. It is a call to awareness and one I will never forget.
October 13, 2025
I could’ve read this entire book in one sitting if I let myself. This is genuinely one of the most well thought out and well executed books I have ever read. It genuinely feels like you’re watching a movie through words. The way that the story unfolds and intertwines is absolutely perfect. Genuinely I can never say enough good things about this book and the man who wrote it. Everyone should read this book as soon as it comes out because it will genuinely change your life!!
September 30, 2025
what a fantastic debut,
Not a subject I would have normally gravitated, too! but boy, am I glad I have read this...
Jake is a complex character, but you are quickly engaged in his quest to find his sister and bring an end to the sordid underbelly of people trafficking.
As the pages turn, it quickly becomes for me a page turner. The ending didn't disappoint either.
Not a subject I would have normally gravitated, too! but boy, am I glad I have read this...
Jake is a complex character, but you are quickly engaged in his quest to find his sister and bring an end to the sordid underbelly of people trafficking.
As the pages turn, it quickly becomes for me a page turner. The ending didn't disappoint either.
October 27, 2025
Fast read — about two sittings. The story runs deep with hurt, shame, and some scary reality, but it also offers real redemption. Tight dialogue drives the story, and there are a couple of characters you’ll really attach to. Can’t wait to see what comes next.
August 18, 2025
An incredible debut novel. Can’t wait to read it again!
October 10, 2025
Hummingbird is a novel that packs a punch. From the topic of human trafficking to the descriptive text that transports you to places & situations you should hope to never go, I was both enthralled and horrified. To think that such things exist in our world is sobering. This is not my usual genre of choice but I am glad I was able to experience it and it has definitely left me with questions and more urgent concerns about some of our most vulnerable humans.
October 11, 2025
Such a great read, definitely worth waiting for! Every chapter pulled me in and kept me wanting more. The characters felt real and relatable, and a few had just the right amount of mystery to keep me guessing the whole way through. I’ll absolutely recommend this book to friends and family!
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October 9, 2025Wow, what an intriguing, emotional stirring, gut turning, captivating and courageous Novel! Your book shines a light into the darkness of this modern day slavery. Thanks for your compassion, curiosity and the invitation to change the narrative.
December 8, 2025
Hummingbird is an impressive debut novel written in wonderful prose. From the opening paragraph to the last sentence, Jake's story held me captive with descriptive imagery and authentic dialogue. Michael Tuggle tackles the difficult topic of human trafficking with an awareness of its human toll. You won't want to put this book down!
September 30, 2025
Very well written! I find a lot of authors repeat information over and over as filler, but there was none of that. The subject matter is tough but handled well, and the story line keep me engaged rebought. I highly recommend.
November 19, 2025
This book is gripping. So well written for a first-time author.
November 16, 2025
A hummingbird’s wings can beat up to 80 times per second.
While in flight, a hummingbird's heart can reach up to 1,260 beats per minute.
Good to know. So...??
So, prepare to channel your inner hummingbird as you step aboard the bullet train that is Michael Tuggle’s extraordinary debut novel. Be sure to buckle your seatbelt and, fair warning, don’t forget to breathe.
Like the book’s namesake, this train hurtles at heart-racing speed, taking us through deep, circuitous tunnels, both literal and figurative. Tuggle meticulously engineers a ride through a morass that is dark and inherently stealth, yet at times operates brazenly in the light of day, all the more evil in its arrogance. The subject matter is excruciating. Sex trafficking is something we’d prefer not to think about, pretend it doesn’t exist, look away and maybe it will go away. With Hummingbird, Tuggle shines a spotlight on the inconceivable, and we cannot look away; it is consuming. His masterful storytelling weaves its way into and through the insidious web that is the world of sex trafficking and deftly manages to create a precarious balance between grisly gut punch and heartfelt hope, as DHS Agent Jake Hardy refuses to abandon his life-long mission to find the sister that was cruelly and inexplicably taken from him decades ago, a child, destined to become yet another victim of the hellscape that is sex trafficking. Simultaneously fearless in his effort and fearful of what he may find, or not, Jake relentlessly pursues the truth, the perpetrators and the justice his sister Catherine deserves.
Hummingbird is a bullet train that lurches headlong into the unspeakable and unknown, turns precipitously, screeches to a halt, abruptly hits reverse, lurches again and always, always surprises. Wanna ride? Fair warning: Don’t forget to breathe.
While in flight, a hummingbird's heart can reach up to 1,260 beats per minute.
Good to know. So...??
So, prepare to channel your inner hummingbird as you step aboard the bullet train that is Michael Tuggle’s extraordinary debut novel. Be sure to buckle your seatbelt and, fair warning, don’t forget to breathe.
Like the book’s namesake, this train hurtles at heart-racing speed, taking us through deep, circuitous tunnels, both literal and figurative. Tuggle meticulously engineers a ride through a morass that is dark and inherently stealth, yet at times operates brazenly in the light of day, all the more evil in its arrogance. The subject matter is excruciating. Sex trafficking is something we’d prefer not to think about, pretend it doesn’t exist, look away and maybe it will go away. With Hummingbird, Tuggle shines a spotlight on the inconceivable, and we cannot look away; it is consuming. His masterful storytelling weaves its way into and through the insidious web that is the world of sex trafficking and deftly manages to create a precarious balance between grisly gut punch and heartfelt hope, as DHS Agent Jake Hardy refuses to abandon his life-long mission to find the sister that was cruelly and inexplicably taken from him decades ago, a child, destined to become yet another victim of the hellscape that is sex trafficking. Simultaneously fearless in his effort and fearful of what he may find, or not, Jake relentlessly pursues the truth, the perpetrators and the justice his sister Catherine deserves.
Hummingbird is a bullet train that lurches headlong into the unspeakable and unknown, turns precipitously, screeches to a halt, abruptly hits reverse, lurches again and always, always surprises. Wanna ride? Fair warning: Don’t forget to breathe.
November 17, 2025
A hummingbird’s wings can beat up to 80 times per second.
While in flight, a hummingbird's heart can reach up to 1,260 beats per minute.
Ok, good to know. So...??
So, prepare to channel your inner hummingbird as you step aboard the bullet train that is Michael Tuggle’s extraordinary debut novel. Be sure to buckle your seatbelt and, fair warning, don’t forget to breathe.
Like the book’s namesake, this train hurtles at heart-racing speed, taking us through deep, circuitous tunnels, both literal and figurative. Tuggle meticulously engineers a ride through a morass that is dark and inherently stealth, yet at times operates brazenly in the light of day, all the more evil in its arrogance. The subject matter is excruciating. Sex trafficking is something we’d prefer not to think about, pretend it doesn’t exist, look away and maybe it will go away. With Hummingbird, Tuggle shines a spotlight on the inconceivable, and we cannot look away; it is consuming. His masterful storytelling weaves its way into and through the insidious web that is the world of sex trafficking and deftly manages to create a precarious balance between grisly gut punch and heartfelt hope, as DHS Agent Jake Hardy refuses to abandon his life-long mission to find the sister that was cruelly and inexplicably taken from him decades ago, a child, destined to become yet another victim of the hellscape that is sex trafficking. Simultaneously fearless in his effort and fearful of what he may find, or not, he relentlessly pursues the truth, the perpetrators and the justice his sister Catherine deserves.
Hummingbird is a bullet train that lurches headlong into the unspeakable and unknown, turns precipitously, abruptly screeches to a halt, hits reverse, lurches again and always, always surprises. Wanna ride? Fair warning: Don’t forget to breathe.
While in flight, a hummingbird's heart can reach up to 1,260 beats per minute.
Ok, good to know. So...??
So, prepare to channel your inner hummingbird as you step aboard the bullet train that is Michael Tuggle’s extraordinary debut novel. Be sure to buckle your seatbelt and, fair warning, don’t forget to breathe.
Like the book’s namesake, this train hurtles at heart-racing speed, taking us through deep, circuitous tunnels, both literal and figurative. Tuggle meticulously engineers a ride through a morass that is dark and inherently stealth, yet at times operates brazenly in the light of day, all the more evil in its arrogance. The subject matter is excruciating. Sex trafficking is something we’d prefer not to think about, pretend it doesn’t exist, look away and maybe it will go away. With Hummingbird, Tuggle shines a spotlight on the inconceivable, and we cannot look away; it is consuming. His masterful storytelling weaves its way into and through the insidious web that is the world of sex trafficking and deftly manages to create a precarious balance between grisly gut punch and heartfelt hope, as DHS Agent Jake Hardy refuses to abandon his life-long mission to find the sister that was cruelly and inexplicably taken from him decades ago, a child, destined to become yet another victim of the hellscape that is sex trafficking. Simultaneously fearless in his effort and fearful of what he may find, or not, he relentlessly pursues the truth, the perpetrators and the justice his sister Catherine deserves.
Hummingbird is a bullet train that lurches headlong into the unspeakable and unknown, turns precipitously, abruptly screeches to a halt, hits reverse, lurches again and always, always surprises. Wanna ride? Fair warning: Don’t forget to breathe.
October 23, 2025
Hummingbird by Michael Tuggle tackles the disturbing subject of human trafficking with remarkable sensitivity and emotional intelligence. It’s a difficult topic to face, yet Tuggle balances the horror with humanity and hope, crafting a story that feels both urgent and deeply personal.
Jake, the protagonist, immediately stood out to me. So often, Marine or Special Ops characters are written as emotionally one-dimensional, but Jake is refreshingly complex—introspective, compassionate, and grounded in a moral awareness that gives real weight to his choices.
Rachel, the central female lead, is equally strong and compelling. Tuggle resists every “damsel in distress” cliché, instead giving her strength, resilience, and her own hard-earned complexity. The dynamic between Jake and Rachel is built on respect and mutual courage, which makes their connection feel authentic and earned.
And then there’s The Sommelier—one of the most memorable villains I’ve read in a long time. The way he hides his crimes is both clever and terrifying, showcasing Tuggle’s imagination and attention to psychological realism.
I also loved that even the side characters and victims have meaningful depth and interest. I found myself wanting spinoffs just to follow their lives further—a testament to how vividly Tuggle brings them to life.
Without revealing spoilers, the hummingbird motif is masterfully integrated, unfolding with quiet emotional resonance as the story progresses.
An incredibly done debut novel—taut, heartfelt, and impossible to put down. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hummingbird adapted for the screen someday; it has all the makings of a powerful and cinematic story.
Jake, the protagonist, immediately stood out to me. So often, Marine or Special Ops characters are written as emotionally one-dimensional, but Jake is refreshingly complex—introspective, compassionate, and grounded in a moral awareness that gives real weight to his choices.
Rachel, the central female lead, is equally strong and compelling. Tuggle resists every “damsel in distress” cliché, instead giving her strength, resilience, and her own hard-earned complexity. The dynamic between Jake and Rachel is built on respect and mutual courage, which makes their connection feel authentic and earned.
And then there’s The Sommelier—one of the most memorable villains I’ve read in a long time. The way he hides his crimes is both clever and terrifying, showcasing Tuggle’s imagination and attention to psychological realism.
I also loved that even the side characters and victims have meaningful depth and interest. I found myself wanting spinoffs just to follow their lives further—a testament to how vividly Tuggle brings them to life.
Without revealing spoilers, the hummingbird motif is masterfully integrated, unfolding with quiet emotional resonance as the story progresses.
An incredibly done debut novel—taut, heartfelt, and impossible to put down. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hummingbird adapted for the screen someday; it has all the makings of a powerful and cinematic story.
October 31, 2025
(No spoilers) If fans of Reacher are looking for their next great thriller, the page-turning "Hummingbird" (2025) will leave your heart thrumming like a bird in motion.
With the tactical precision of Lee Child combined with the moral weight and Southern gravity of Greg Iles, Michael Tuggle’s "Hummingbird" is a journey into the heart of moral darkness, testing how far a good man will go to stop evil.
Agent with the Department of Homeland Security Jake Hardy hunts predators who profit from human lives. But when his latest mission takes him deep into the shadowed world of human trafficking, Hardy finds himself trapped between his oath to the Bureau and his own haunted sense of right and wrong. As he battles powerful enemies and his own ghosts, every step draws him closer to a line he swore he’d never cross and the impossible hope he thought was long gone.
Fans of crime fiction, action, page-turners, FBI tales, mystery, suspense and morally complex heroes will devour this heart-pounding debut.
If you love thrillers where justice gets personal, "Hummingbird" will be your next obsession. Add this first Jake Hardy Thriller to your Goodreads shelf and prepare for sleepless nights, unexpected twists and an unforgettable ending. (Read it before it gets snapped up for a movie.)
With the tactical precision of Lee Child combined with the moral weight and Southern gravity of Greg Iles, Michael Tuggle’s "Hummingbird" is a journey into the heart of moral darkness, testing how far a good man will go to stop evil.
Agent with the Department of Homeland Security Jake Hardy hunts predators who profit from human lives. But when his latest mission takes him deep into the shadowed world of human trafficking, Hardy finds himself trapped between his oath to the Bureau and his own haunted sense of right and wrong. As he battles powerful enemies and his own ghosts, every step draws him closer to a line he swore he’d never cross and the impossible hope he thought was long gone.
Fans of crime fiction, action, page-turners, FBI tales, mystery, suspense and morally complex heroes will devour this heart-pounding debut.
If you love thrillers where justice gets personal, "Hummingbird" will be your next obsession. Add this first Jake Hardy Thriller to your Goodreads shelf and prepare for sleepless nights, unexpected twists and an unforgettable ending. (Read it before it gets snapped up for a movie.)
October 22, 2025
Stunning, beautiful, gripping, intense. Michael Tuggle has taken a dark subject matter that most shy away from and has brought it to the light in a compelling and meaningful book that gives voice to so many whose voices have long been silenced. This debut novel will keep you on the edge of your seat from chapter 1 to the very end. The characters are so authentic and beautifully represented; their development is impeccable. The tension is palpable as Jake races through one of the darkest underbellies of modern day society to find his sister and to save those who’ve been exploited by the most diabolical operators imaginable. Such an important conversation about the reality of human trafficking told so tactfully is a feat for any writer much less for a debut novel, but Mr Tuggle has created an insightful and engaging story to do just that. I believe this novel is as important as it is entertaining. I recommend everyone read and read again!!
October 28, 2025
Wow! I just finished reading Hummingbird and as anxious as I was to get to the end, now I am a bit sad that I don't have more to read. The characters are well developed, I was invested in Jake's life right away and I didn't want to give up on him. Tuggle's descriptions are spot on...enough for you to understand and feel the locations (many cities of which I am very familiar), but not too much to bore the reader. While the topic of human trafficking is difficult, this book does a phenomenal job opening our eyes to the evil that is among us. Seeing the "do you need help" signs in the airport restrooms will bring me back this book and make me question, "is this doing enough?" Sadly, as Jake points out, the answer is that there is much more to be done to end human trafficking. If you can handle the topic, the story and suspense that Tuggle presents are well written, intriguing, and worthy of a good read.
October 2, 2025
HUMMINGBIRD took me on an emotional rollercoaster I wasn’t quite prepared for. From the very first chapter, I was drawn into the lives of these characters — so real, so well-developed, that I couldn’t help but feel everything they were going through. At times I felt deep empathy and sympathy, other times pure rage and heartbreak, and in moments even a flicker of hope.
It’s not an easy story — the subject matter is dark and devastating — but it’s told with such care and intensity that I couldn’t put it down. In fact, I lost a couple of nights of sleep because I had to keep reading.
This book is powerful, unforgettable, and important. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a story that not only thrills, but also makes you feel and think long after you’ve turned the last page.
It’s not an easy story — the subject matter is dark and devastating — but it’s told with such care and intensity that I couldn’t put it down. In fact, I lost a couple of nights of sleep because I had to keep reading.
This book is powerful, unforgettable, and important. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a story that not only thrills, but also makes you feel and think long after you’ve turned the last page.
October 22, 2025
I had to remind myself to breathe while reading this book! The ugly truth is that it COULD be a real story. As the mother of a daughter who will have to face this world one day without me, I applaud Tuggle for bringing awareness to this horrendous crime. And he did so in such a brilliant way. I felt like I was following Jake on his search for his sister. The details were exquisite— down to the small town shout outs, the colors, and so much more. This book reminds me of why I enjoy thrillers over any other type of book. Well done Tuggle!!
September 30, 2025
This debut thriller from Michael Tuggle is definitely a must-read! But get ready, it's going to make you very uncomfortable. The topic is TOUGH but sheds light on an issue that more people need to be aware of.
Tuggle did a beautiful job of writing and creating imagery that made you feel like you were right there with them. I enjoyed the inclusion of the faith journey the main character went on.
Overall, super impressed with this one, definitely recommend!
Tuggle did a beautiful job of writing and creating imagery that made you feel like you were right there with them. I enjoyed the inclusion of the faith journey the main character went on.
Overall, super impressed with this one, definitely recommend!
December 23, 2025
A page-turner that will have you on the edge of your seat, holding your breath and at some points putting the book down to catch your breath. At once heart-breaking and horrifying, Hummingbird is about the evil men do and the determination of family, diving deep into a dark world we wish didn't exist. Tuggle writes with heart and the experience of a lifelong storyteller. A must-read for thriller fans.
October 6, 2025
Michael's novel, through characters, reveals the amount of sex trafficking that exists in the US. You'll leave with an understanding of how evil individuals create an environment for predators to take advantage of innocent people. It's quite disturbing to learn how these morally corrupts psychopaths can get away with such horrific acts.
October 22, 2025
Few new authors are able to hit it out of the park, but Michael Tuggle hit a grand slam with "Hummingbird". From the first paragraph, it is a guaranteed page-turner that leads the reader down into the depraved reality of human trafficking as Jake Hardy pursues the disappearance of his sister, Catherine. Do yourself a favor and nab this thriller for your next read.
November 7, 2025
This story was a crazy ride! Joining Jake on the hunt for his sister is worth your time. There are many twists and hard turns, dark corners and underground tunnels along the way, but I left the story satisfied and ready to read more about Jake’s part in the war on this sick trade. Happy to read that the author is working on the next installment!
November 16, 2025
This book was an eye-opener! It is so chilling and difficult to think of the sordid underworld described but this is an important and extremly timely tale to read right now. The characters are relatable, and the story flows naturally. This page turner is easily consumed in one or two sittings. Highly recommend!
October 8, 2025
A gripping-edge-of-your-seat read that not only thrills but exposes the dark reality of sex trafficking. Twists and turns that mimic life. Love books that bring awareness to a subject we all pretend doesn’t affect us.
October 13, 2025
What a wonderful first novel! It is a very rough subject matter but the writing is so descriptive I felt I was in the room. I really loved the character development and would love to see Jake, Catherine and Rachel again.
November 10, 2025
This is Michael Tuggle’s first book and oh my it is beautifully written. He writes about human trafficking. I started this book and could not put it down. I was touch with how well the author writing this book. It brought up so much emotion and I definitely recommend.
November 12, 2025
In Hummingbird, Tuggle creates an all-too-realistic world of good and evil, and the hero finds himself pitted against a worthy adversary. The stakes are high, and the action is swift. Hummingbird’s an enjoyable read worthy of your time, and I look forward to what’s next from this debut author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews