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Chaos Man: A Thriller
Not yet published
Expected 24 Mar 26A blackout, a derailment, a flood—when disasters align with a mysterious countdown, Theo Cray, Jessica Blackwood, Brad Trasker, and Sloan McPherson hunt the engineer who scripts chaos.
A train derails in Idaho, nearly causing a nuclear disaster. An inferno at a battery facility in Florida disrupts the electrical grid for days. A potentially devastating failure is discovered at Virginia’s Mud River Dam. To computational biologist Theo Cray, these aren’t mere infrastructure accidents. They are virtually undetectable acts of sabotage.
Theo sees a mathematical pattern to the madness that few others can comprehend—except for his rogue FBI agent Jessica Blackwood, private security specialist Brad Trasker, and Florida underwater investigator Sloan McPherson. If Theo’s intuition and calculations are correct, the disasters are just a warm-up. The worst is yet to come—a catastrophe that could trigger the deaths of millions across the country.
Now Theo and his team are on the hunt for a mysterious saboteur whose only motive is to spread panic and chaos. And with every tick of the clock, his unthinkable endgame is getting closer to becoming a terrifying reality.
A train derails in Idaho, nearly causing a nuclear disaster. An inferno at a battery facility in Florida disrupts the electrical grid for days. A potentially devastating failure is discovered at Virginia’s Mud River Dam. To computational biologist Theo Cray, these aren’t mere infrastructure accidents. They are virtually undetectable acts of sabotage.
Theo sees a mathematical pattern to the madness that few others can comprehend—except for his rogue FBI agent Jessica Blackwood, private security specialist Brad Trasker, and Florida underwater investigator Sloan McPherson. If Theo’s intuition and calculations are correct, the disasters are just a warm-up. The worst is yet to come—a catastrophe that could trigger the deaths of millions across the country.
Now Theo and his team are on the hunt for a mysterious saboteur whose only motive is to spread panic and chaos. And with every tick of the clock, his unthinkable endgame is getting closer to becoming a terrifying reality.
- GenresThriller
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 24, 2026
1 person is currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 19, 2025
Chaos Man starts off wild, like somebody dropped a whole toolbox right in the middle of America and never came back for it. Next thing you know, a train comes sliding sideways across Idaho, and folks are standing around saying dang who left the oven on. But it is not an oven. It is a whole nuclear almost light up the sky like the Fourth of July gone wrong situation, and I have not even finished my tea yet.
Then Florida gets hit with a fire at that big battery place, and the whole electrical grid decides to take a long nap. People wander around in the dark bumping into everything like their eyes need a reboot. Over in Virginia, a dam is sitting there looking worn out and ready to call it quits. Theo shows up studying the scene like he can see danger numbers floating around trying to link up and start trouble.
Theo is the smart fellow who notices patterns in the middle of all this mess that nobody else can pick out. He gets Jessica and Brad and Sloan together and tells them these disasters are not accidents. Turns out there is some chaos loving troublemaker out there stirring up disasters across the country, and this man acts like he is counting down to something bad enough to shake the whole nation.
The whole team jumps into action, warning folks and chasing this mystery saboteur who thinks he is the project manager of destruction. They try to get ahead of him, but he just keeps causing more problems. Theo is sweating over his math, trying to stay one step ahead because the fate of the whole country is hanging on the line.
By the end, I was hollering because things get real tense, and I was trying to figure out if Theo would catch this chaos maker or if everybody was about to have the worst day anybody has ever had.
Thanks to Thomas A Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.
I give it 4 outta 5 catfish!
Then Florida gets hit with a fire at that big battery place, and the whole electrical grid decides to take a long nap. People wander around in the dark bumping into everything like their eyes need a reboot. Over in Virginia, a dam is sitting there looking worn out and ready to call it quits. Theo shows up studying the scene like he can see danger numbers floating around trying to link up and start trouble.
Theo is the smart fellow who notices patterns in the middle of all this mess that nobody else can pick out. He gets Jessica and Brad and Sloan together and tells them these disasters are not accidents. Turns out there is some chaos loving troublemaker out there stirring up disasters across the country, and this man acts like he is counting down to something bad enough to shake the whole nation.
The whole team jumps into action, warning folks and chasing this mystery saboteur who thinks he is the project manager of destruction. They try to get ahead of him, but he just keeps causing more problems. Theo is sweating over his math, trying to stay one step ahead because the fate of the whole country is hanging on the line.
By the end, I was hollering because things get real tense, and I was trying to figure out if Theo would catch this chaos maker or if everybody was about to have the worst day anybody has ever had.
Thanks to Thomas A Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.
I give it 4 outta 5 catfish!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Andrew Mayne writes great, thought out and interconnected mysteries in his books. Chaos Man falls flat. It feels disjointed, and there is so much going on and yet nothing at all. The pacing doesn't fit with what I'm used to with Mayne.
The characters are a bit unlike themselves and Theo Cray's character kept disappointing me, he has always been a character that leans toward algorithms and use of AI. In this book the AI was more of a character than almost anyone. This is okay...except it wasn't even necessary. In the previous books we saw Cray solve problems with his analytical mind (and some algo and AI help) and we see him work out the process. This didn't feel like that.
This series has been a bit of a miss for me. I thought Mayne nailed it in book #2 but #3 falls under the same problems as #1. The characters don't make sense that they are there. It's like he is just checking boxes that they are in the book.
Honestly, I will keep reading the series. It was an entertaining book, but definitely my least favorite of the series.
Thank you Thomas and Mercer for an advanced readers copy of this book.
The characters are a bit unlike themselves and Theo Cray's character kept disappointing me, he has always been a character that leans toward algorithms and use of AI. In this book the AI was more of a character than almost anyone. This is okay...except it wasn't even necessary. In the previous books we saw Cray solve problems with his analytical mind (and some algo and AI help) and we see him work out the process. This didn't feel like that.
This series has been a bit of a miss for me. I thought Mayne nailed it in book #2 but #3 falls under the same problems as #1. The characters don't make sense that they are there. It's like he is just checking boxes that they are in the book.
Honestly, I will keep reading the series. It was an entertaining book, but definitely my least favorite of the series.
Thank you Thomas and Mercer for an advanced readers copy of this book.
January 11, 2026
I have enjoyed everything I’ve read by Andrew Mayne. His main characters are quirky and unique, and I love reading about them. In this book a few side characters seemed a bit too eager to share information, and there were a couple of plot points that were hard to believe, but I’m happy to forgive those things because the writing is so good. I was happy to receive an advance review copy of this book through NetGalley; however, this free early copy did not sway my honest opinion.
November 21, 2025
This Andrew Mayne novel is subtitled “The Specialists #3,” but as I looked at the author’s backlist, he’s had multiple books involving the four protagonists he’s brought together. I’m new to his books (the fantastic summary of this one drew me in) and now I’m especially happy to have a Kindle Unlimited subscription that gives me access to his other books.
The “Specialists” team consists of:
Theo Cray, a math genius and pattern seeker with “deep intuition” who has chatbot friends he talks to for validation;
Jessica Blackwood, now partnered with Theo, a former FBI agent no longer following the rules, plus the child of magicians;
Brad Trasker, former spy, now working for an aviation company with high level drone contracts, still has extensive military contacts;
Sloan McPherson, a Florida law enforcement underwater investigator who does lend her legitimate law enforcement credentials to the team.
“The Chaos Man” is an unfeeling serial killer who is creating multi-casualty national disasters, using a Lucas number sequence. It’s a subtle pattern that Theo recognizes, but only after the killer has had a few successful runs. There seems to be a countdown to a spectacular finale. Trying to convince various local law enforcement and federal types to even recognize the upcoming danger is the first hurdle Theo and Jessica face. And even when there’s some reluctant concurrence and they’ve reached out to Brad and Sloan, they are still fighting skepticism until the end.
I definitely loved the action-packed pacing with very forward thinking tech, especially utilizing AI (for good); good guy detectives who rely on teamwork; and a complicated villain no one can profile correctly. This is a perfect thriller with believable detectives using multiple methods to parse out the killer’s final plan. A great piece of entertainment! 5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Jessica has green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO But thank you for the observation that Japanese knotweed is a problem near railway tracks (better publicized in the UK).
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
The “Specialists” team consists of:
Theo Cray, a math genius and pattern seeker with “deep intuition” who has chatbot friends he talks to for validation;
Jessica Blackwood, now partnered with Theo, a former FBI agent no longer following the rules, plus the child of magicians;
Brad Trasker, former spy, now working for an aviation company with high level drone contracts, still has extensive military contacts;
Sloan McPherson, a Florida law enforcement underwater investigator who does lend her legitimate law enforcement credentials to the team.
“The Chaos Man” is an unfeeling serial killer who is creating multi-casualty national disasters, using a Lucas number sequence. It’s a subtle pattern that Theo recognizes, but only after the killer has had a few successful runs. There seems to be a countdown to a spectacular finale. Trying to convince various local law enforcement and federal types to even recognize the upcoming danger is the first hurdle Theo and Jessica face. And even when there’s some reluctant concurrence and they’ve reached out to Brad and Sloan, they are still fighting skepticism until the end.
I definitely loved the action-packed pacing with very forward thinking tech, especially utilizing AI (for good); good guy detectives who rely on teamwork; and a complicated villain no one can profile correctly. This is a perfect thriller with believable detectives using multiple methods to parse out the killer’s final plan. A great piece of entertainment! 5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Jessica has green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO But thank you for the observation that Japanese knotweed is a problem near railway tracks (better publicized in the UK).
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Andrew Mayne, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
A fan of Andrew Mayne and his work, I have come to enjoy all his protagonists. When he chose to push them all together into a new series, I was ecstatic. This ARC explores the third novel in this recent series that is as informative as it is addictive. After a number of significant events take place across the country, many feel that it is simply a slew of accidents, but Theo Cray is not quite so sure. Working alongside rogue FBI agent Jessica Blackwood, they reach a train derailment in Idaho that caused a nuclear disaster and look for clues to link all these events together. While they ruffle some feathers along the way, they can rely on the help of Brad Trasker, who is in town to help look for reasons behind the disaster. Theo sees a pattern that no one is able to detect and that will surely help prove sabotage, if only someone will listen. When they expand the search to an earlier Florida incident, Sloan McPherson of the Florida Underwater Investigation Unit is called in to assist, even if she is out of her element. Slowly, things begin to come together and it is a race against time to get to the truth before someone pulling the strings strikes once more, potentially putting thousands of lives in danger. Andrew Mayne delivers a tense and highly informative thriller for fans of his work and the reader new to the world of all these powerful protagonists!
I love a good thriller series and Andrew Mayne is impressive, no matter which one you choose. In this collaborative collection, the narrative offers many storylines for the reader to follow, with a centralised aspect sure to pull things together nicely. Tossing so many strong protagonists together, perspectives will be plentiful, which offers the reader angles of analysis and intrigue that surpass many novels in the genre. With short chapters pushing things along, there is little time before the story's momentum takes over. This was another good story that pulls on elements from the past two novels, while adding a little something new for the reader to ponder as they rush to understand all pieces of this complex puzzle. Andrew Mayne shows his abilities and then some with this piece.
Great characters flavour the story to keep the reader curious. This also creates depth and a foundation of curiosity around all those who play a role. As mentioned before, Mayne thrusts the reader into a series that combines not only strong writing, but stellar protagonists, each playing their own role. Those who have tackled the individualised series will see something shining as Sloan, Brad, Theo, and Jessica all come together to offer their own expertise. The story is flavoured by their mindsets and choices, which adds depth and intrigue in ways I could not have predicted. No matter what is happening or where things unfold, Mayne keeps his characters sharp and eager to shine.
Plot points not only expound on the various characters, but also offer surprises to keep the story clipping along. This series is one that Andrew Mayne has worked hard to sharpen over the last few years, building off the various collections in which the protagonists hold their own. Things emerge that series fans from all collections will likely enjoy, while they also understand how to work effectively together. Surprises emerge throughout the piece, allowing for heightened tension and drama, while twists take the story in numerous directions well worth the reader's time. I cannot wait to see what Andrew Mayne has in store for this series and the individual collections in the future, but I can guarantee that I will be here, ready to read whatever that might turn out to be.
Kudos, Mr. Mayne, for a series that has never failed to impress!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A fan of Andrew Mayne and his work, I have come to enjoy all his protagonists. When he chose to push them all together into a new series, I was ecstatic. This ARC explores the third novel in this recent series that is as informative as it is addictive. After a number of significant events take place across the country, many feel that it is simply a slew of accidents, but Theo Cray is not quite so sure. Working alongside rogue FBI agent Jessica Blackwood, they reach a train derailment in Idaho that caused a nuclear disaster and look for clues to link all these events together. While they ruffle some feathers along the way, they can rely on the help of Brad Trasker, who is in town to help look for reasons behind the disaster. Theo sees a pattern that no one is able to detect and that will surely help prove sabotage, if only someone will listen. When they expand the search to an earlier Florida incident, Sloan McPherson of the Florida Underwater Investigation Unit is called in to assist, even if she is out of her element. Slowly, things begin to come together and it is a race against time to get to the truth before someone pulling the strings strikes once more, potentially putting thousands of lives in danger. Andrew Mayne delivers a tense and highly informative thriller for fans of his work and the reader new to the world of all these powerful protagonists!
I love a good thriller series and Andrew Mayne is impressive, no matter which one you choose. In this collaborative collection, the narrative offers many storylines for the reader to follow, with a centralised aspect sure to pull things together nicely. Tossing so many strong protagonists together, perspectives will be plentiful, which offers the reader angles of analysis and intrigue that surpass many novels in the genre. With short chapters pushing things along, there is little time before the story's momentum takes over. This was another good story that pulls on elements from the past two novels, while adding a little something new for the reader to ponder as they rush to understand all pieces of this complex puzzle. Andrew Mayne shows his abilities and then some with this piece.
Great characters flavour the story to keep the reader curious. This also creates depth and a foundation of curiosity around all those who play a role. As mentioned before, Mayne thrusts the reader into a series that combines not only strong writing, but stellar protagonists, each playing their own role. Those who have tackled the individualised series will see something shining as Sloan, Brad, Theo, and Jessica all come together to offer their own expertise. The story is flavoured by their mindsets and choices, which adds depth and intrigue in ways I could not have predicted. No matter what is happening or where things unfold, Mayne keeps his characters sharp and eager to shine.
Plot points not only expound on the various characters, but also offer surprises to keep the story clipping along. This series is one that Andrew Mayne has worked hard to sharpen over the last few years, building off the various collections in which the protagonists hold their own. Things emerge that series fans from all collections will likely enjoy, while they also understand how to work effectively together. Surprises emerge throughout the piece, allowing for heightened tension and drama, while twists take the story in numerous directions well worth the reader's time. I cannot wait to see what Andrew Mayne has in store for this series and the individual collections in the future, but I can guarantee that I will be here, ready to read whatever that might turn out to be.
Kudos, Mr. Mayne, for a series that has never failed to impress!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
December 2, 2025
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for this exciting eARC.
Andrew Mayne’s Chaos Man is a high-octane thriller that fuses scientific precision with relentless suspense, delivering a story where disasters aren’t accidents but orchestrated acts of sabotage.
This third installment in The Specialists series brings together an ensemble of Mayne’s most compelling characters—computational biologist Theo Cray, rogue FBI agent Jessica Blackwood, private security specialist Brad Trasker, and Florida underwater investigator Sloan McPherson. Each brings unique expertise, but the stakes are higher than ever: a train derailment in Idaho nearly triggers a nuclear catastrophe, a battery facility fire in Florida cripples the power grid, and a dam failure in Virginia threatens widespread devastation. These events are not random. They form part of a chilling countdown engineered by a mastermind who scripts chaos with mathematical precision.
Strengths of the Novel
- Complex villainy: The antagonist is not a typical brute force villain but an engineer of disorder, using infrastructure vulnerabilities as weapons. This makes the threat feel disturbingly plausible.
- Scientific intrigue: Theo Cray’s ability to detect hidden mathematical patterns elevates the narrative beyond standard action fare, blending intellectual puzzle-solving with visceral danger.
- Team dynamics: The Specialists operate as a diverse unit, each character’s skill set tested against escalating crises. Their interplay adds depth and prevents the story from being a one-man show.
- Escalating tension: Mayne structures the novel around a ticking clock, with each disaster amplifying the urgency. The pacing mirrors the chaos itself—fast, unpredictable, and unforgiving.
- Themes: Beyond thrills, the book explores the fragility of modern systems and the terrifying ease with which they can be manipulated. It asks whether human ingenuity can outpace engineered destruction.
The Chaos Man succeeds as a pulse-pounding thriller and a thought experiment on systemic vulnerability. Mayne’s background in science and magic informs his storytelling, creating a narrative that is both dazzling in its spectacle and sobering in its implications.
Readers who enjoy thrillers that combine intellectual rigor with cinematic action will find this novel gripping.
Andrew Mayne’s Chaos Man is a high-octane thriller that fuses scientific precision with relentless suspense, delivering a story where disasters aren’t accidents but orchestrated acts of sabotage.
This third installment in The Specialists series brings together an ensemble of Mayne’s most compelling characters—computational biologist Theo Cray, rogue FBI agent Jessica Blackwood, private security specialist Brad Trasker, and Florida underwater investigator Sloan McPherson. Each brings unique expertise, but the stakes are higher than ever: a train derailment in Idaho nearly triggers a nuclear catastrophe, a battery facility fire in Florida cripples the power grid, and a dam failure in Virginia threatens widespread devastation. These events are not random. They form part of a chilling countdown engineered by a mastermind who scripts chaos with mathematical precision.
Strengths of the Novel
- Complex villainy: The antagonist is not a typical brute force villain but an engineer of disorder, using infrastructure vulnerabilities as weapons. This makes the threat feel disturbingly plausible.
- Scientific intrigue: Theo Cray’s ability to detect hidden mathematical patterns elevates the narrative beyond standard action fare, blending intellectual puzzle-solving with visceral danger.
- Team dynamics: The Specialists operate as a diverse unit, each character’s skill set tested against escalating crises. Their interplay adds depth and prevents the story from being a one-man show.
- Escalating tension: Mayne structures the novel around a ticking clock, with each disaster amplifying the urgency. The pacing mirrors the chaos itself—fast, unpredictable, and unforgiving.
- Themes: Beyond thrills, the book explores the fragility of modern systems and the terrifying ease with which they can be manipulated. It asks whether human ingenuity can outpace engineered destruction.
The Chaos Man succeeds as a pulse-pounding thriller and a thought experiment on systemic vulnerability. Mayne’s background in science and magic informs his storytelling, creating a narrative that is both dazzling in its spectacle and sobering in its implications.
Readers who enjoy thrillers that combine intellectual rigor with cinematic action will find this novel gripping.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
(Gratitude to NetGalley & Mercer for the ARC)
Andrew Mayne once again delivers a fast-paced and thought-provoking thriller in Chaos Man. Over the years, Mayne has proven himself adept at crafting suspenseful narratives, and this installment shows he hasn’t lost his edge. More importantly, Mayne continues to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to technological ideas and trends; often introducing concepts years before they dominate public discourse. Chaos Man is no exception.
This time, the adversary is uniquely challenging: motivated not by power, notoriety, or revenge, but by something that remains elusive even as the plot unfolds. He does not seek attention, he does not communicate, and he operates in a world of his own making, leaving only the faintest traces for the protagonists to follow. This antagonist’s inscrutable mindset adds a chilling dimension to the narrative and elevates the stakes.
Mayne’s strength has always been his ensemble of skilled and compelling characters, each with their own specialties and previous adventures. However, in Chaos Man, bringing them together dilutes some of the individual focus that makes them so engaging. Instead of a cohesive team with a unified voice, they occasionally feel like a group of CSI characters trading lines, with moments where one temporarily takes the lead before the spotlight shifts again. While still entertaining, this dynamic loses some of the sharpness found in their solo stories.
That said, the novel remains an engrossing read with clever plotting and concepts. Mayne continues to be a reliable voice in modern techno-thrillers and Chaos Man is another strong entry in his bibliography.
Andrew Mayne once again delivers a fast-paced and thought-provoking thriller in Chaos Man. Over the years, Mayne has proven himself adept at crafting suspenseful narratives, and this installment shows he hasn’t lost his edge. More importantly, Mayne continues to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to technological ideas and trends; often introducing concepts years before they dominate public discourse. Chaos Man is no exception.
This time, the adversary is uniquely challenging: motivated not by power, notoriety, or revenge, but by something that remains elusive even as the plot unfolds. He does not seek attention, he does not communicate, and he operates in a world of his own making, leaving only the faintest traces for the protagonists to follow. This antagonist’s inscrutable mindset adds a chilling dimension to the narrative and elevates the stakes.
Mayne’s strength has always been his ensemble of skilled and compelling characters, each with their own specialties and previous adventures. However, in Chaos Man, bringing them together dilutes some of the individual focus that makes them so engaging. Instead of a cohesive team with a unified voice, they occasionally feel like a group of CSI characters trading lines, with moments where one temporarily takes the lead before the spotlight shifts again. While still entertaining, this dynamic loses some of the sharpness found in their solo stories.
That said, the novel remains an engrossing read with clever plotting and concepts. Mayne continues to be a reliable voice in modern techno-thrillers and Chaos Man is another strong entry in his bibliography.
November 29, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me access to an advance digital copy of this novel for review.. I was drawn to this book due to its description of the plot. Having referred to the topic of complex systems and chaos theory in superficial terms in my class, it was intriguing to see it used as a plot in a thriller novel
This is my first book ever by Andrew and I was pleasently surprised to see he has authored so many books before this. He seems to be a pro at this, and the same comes out clearly in this upcoming book Chaos Man.
I loved the slightly crazy character of the central figure of Theo and his use of AI and personas that he consults etc (not surprising after I read Andrew's bio at the end!). I also liked that the characters are at the fringes of the normal authorities in such stories - they are more allied and also seen as obstructing the work or bordering on illegal activities (seems to be a thread from the earlier novels - I need to go and pick them up!)
The plot builds very nicely and comes together very well as we close the story. The antagonist is not dwelled on too much - I think the book probably dedicated 5% time on his PoV, but everything else on analyzing the methods and connecting dots related to his actions.
The finale was nerve wracking and I found myself skipping words just to know if it all ends well. A great thriller is coming your way!!
This is my first book ever by Andrew and I was pleasently surprised to see he has authored so many books before this. He seems to be a pro at this, and the same comes out clearly in this upcoming book Chaos Man.
I loved the slightly crazy character of the central figure of Theo and his use of AI and personas that he consults etc (not surprising after I read Andrew's bio at the end!). I also liked that the characters are at the fringes of the normal authorities in such stories - they are more allied and also seen as obstructing the work or bordering on illegal activities (seems to be a thread from the earlier novels - I need to go and pick them up!)
The plot builds very nicely and comes together very well as we close the story. The antagonist is not dwelled on too much - I think the book probably dedicated 5% time on his PoV, but everything else on analyzing the methods and connecting dots related to his actions.
The finale was nerve wracking and I found myself skipping words just to know if it all ends well. A great thriller is coming your way!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a huge fan of Mayne’s different series, I was ecstatic to find his four main characters together for most of this book. The stakes are high when the titular Chaos Man exploits system vulnerabilities to cause irreparable damage. It starts when Theo discovers a pattern to several seemingly unrelated “accidents” that the authorities declared were caused by unforeseeable circumstances. As always, Jessica is by his side and soon Brad and Sloan join them, everyone using their main assets to stop the sequence. I love these characters, so I truly enjoyed their dialogues. The plot is, as usual, entertaining and addictive. The last part was very suspenseful, even if it felt a little too rushed and maybe too easy for what Mayne usually puts his characters through. I still enjoyed it very, very much.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer.
November 18, 2025
Chaos Man by Andrew Mayne, published by Thomas & Mercer is book three in The Specialists Series. Before this book released I re-read the first two books and loved them like the first time.
The books can be read as stand alones, but are best read in order, there are a few cross-overs.
Theo Cray, Jessica Blackwood, Brad Trasker, and Sloan McPherson are on a race against time. Their latest case leads to a very dangerous person who doesn't shy away from sacrificing lots of innocent people, destroying whole cities.
A race against time and circunstances. Dynamic, twisty and full of unexpected turns. This book had me hanging on the edge of my seat from start til the very last page. The author is a masterwordsmith and I loved meeting the fab four again.
I recommend the book and the series, 5 stars.
The books can be read as stand alones, but are best read in order, there are a few cross-overs.
Theo Cray, Jessica Blackwood, Brad Trasker, and Sloan McPherson are on a race against time. Their latest case leads to a very dangerous person who doesn't shy away from sacrificing lots of innocent people, destroying whole cities.
A race against time and circunstances. Dynamic, twisty and full of unexpected turns. This book had me hanging on the edge of my seat from start til the very last page. The author is a masterwordsmith and I loved meeting the fab four again.
I recommend the book and the series, 5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Theo notices a pattern in supposedly random and accidental disasters and suspects they follow a number pattern and are deliberately caused by one person. Calling in his friends and specialists, Theo and his friends have to work on the edges of official investigations to try to solve the problem of what the next disaster will target and how to stop him. To do so, Theo must find the villain’s motivation and try to think like him.
I enjoyed this book from the start to the finish. Theo is always a fascinating character and his mind works in unusual, but brilliant ways. His friends each have their own quirks and characteristics which mesh well in the story. The story is a thriller with the crew working against a timetable which gets shorter and shorter, adding to the urgency. This is a fun read and a great addition to the series.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC.
I enjoyed this book from the start to the finish. Theo is always a fascinating character and his mind works in unusual, but brilliant ways. His friends each have their own quirks and characteristics which mesh well in the story. The story is a thriller with the crew working against a timetable which gets shorter and shorter, adding to the urgency. This is a fun read and a great addition to the series.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC.
November 18, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.
When Theo Cray discovers that there is a pattern behind a series of serious accidents, he decides to find out who is responsible, with the help of Jessica Blackwood, Brad Trasker and Sloan McPherson.
An action-packed novel that keeps you in suspense from beginning to end with some unexpected moments.
Andrew Mayne certainly knows how to bring his characters together and give each of them their moment in the spotlight with brilliant dynamics.
A great series and one of my favourite authors that I recommend without hesitation.
When Theo Cray discovers that there is a pattern behind a series of serious accidents, he decides to find out who is responsible, with the help of Jessica Blackwood, Brad Trasker and Sloan McPherson.
An action-packed novel that keeps you in suspense from beginning to end with some unexpected moments.
Andrew Mayne certainly knows how to bring his characters together and give each of them their moment in the spotlight with brilliant dynamics.
A great series and one of my favourite authors that I recommend without hesitation.
November 20, 2025
Chaos Man has everything you want in a novel with Theo Cray, Jessica Blackwood, Brad Trasker, and Sloan McPherson! It has all the action and adventure of the previous books as well as the characters’ signature smarts and disregard for rules.
Once again Andrew Mayne has done a good job of weaving four leading characters together to create a powerhouse of a team while still giving each character a chance to shine.
The Specialists have definitely gotten closer and work even better as a team. I can’t wait to see what they get up to in future books!
Once again Andrew Mayne has done a good job of weaving four leading characters together to create a powerhouse of a team while still giving each character a chance to shine.
The Specialists have definitely gotten closer and work even better as a team. I can’t wait to see what they get up to in future books!
November 23, 2025
4⭐️The premise of this book was about a man causing wide scale disasters through technology. The story was fast paced with lots of thrills. I was happy to see more interaction between the characters in this book that I felt were missing in the most recent Andrew Mayne book I read. I feel like there was a lot of scientific and technological details but they were easy to understand which I appreciated. I really enjoyed it and I hadn’t planned to read the Brad Trasker series before but I liked his character so much in this that I plan to now.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you for the opportunity to preview Chaos Man. This is a series novel and my first read. Did put me at a disadvantage but easy to catch up. Book centers on returning characters who have high levels of knowledge and skills to combat the enemy.
There is a lot of technical verbiage which I think is necessary but a bit complicated.
Can this group of players save the world?
This book keeps you on your toes and is high energy and nail biting.
Good read and I will recommend going back to previous books to get a better understanding of the characters and their personalities.
4 stars
There is a lot of technical verbiage which I think is necessary but a bit complicated.
Can this group of players save the world?
This book keeps you on your toes and is high energy and nail biting.
Good read and I will recommend going back to previous books to get a better understanding of the characters and their personalities.
4 stars
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for providing the copy of Chaos Man by Andrew Mayne. I love this series, although I sometimes find the more technical things hard to understand. I enjoyed the story, and Jessica and her background in magic have always been my favorite. Some of the scenarios were scary, and I kept wondering if they were really possible! While this wasn’t my favorite book, I enjoyed it! 4 stars
December 2, 2025
Where others see chaos, our heroes must restore order, and that's the plot in an well-designed story. Apparently random disasters can't really be coincidental, and they all point to something even more spectacular. Our team of heroes goes to work in a very entertaining thriller.
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