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Jeremy Lopez, US Army Ranger #1
The Most Dangerous Man
The Grey Man meets “The Most Dangerous Game” in this military thriller from a U.S. Special Forces veteran turned investigative journalist.
There are rumors that in some corners of the world, wildlife poachers have become the prey themselves—hunted for the sport of one man hunting another.
Staff Sgt. Jeremy Lopez is a U.S. Army Ranger serving in the highly secretive Regimental Reconnaissance Company, providing support on covert missions in West Africa. When Lopez accepts the wrong drink in the wrong bar from the wrong woman, her face is the last thing he remembers before waking up in a locked dirty cell.
It soon becomes clear that this is no government facility–this is a holding cell for an elite hunting party, and Lopez has been chosen as their next quarry. These hunters started killing poachers who crossed their paths, and they’ve been building towards a more challenging game.
But Lopez isn’t he’s a hunter himself. When he’s set loose into the wilds, Lopez knows that he’ll need to get to work and do his survive, evade, escape, and kill.
Former US Army Ranger and Green Beret Jack Murphy delivers a military thriller that’s as urgent and technically accurate as it is explosive, perfect for fans of Mark Greaney and Jack Carr.
There are rumors that in some corners of the world, wildlife poachers have become the prey themselves—hunted for the sport of one man hunting another.
Staff Sgt. Jeremy Lopez is a U.S. Army Ranger serving in the highly secretive Regimental Reconnaissance Company, providing support on covert missions in West Africa. When Lopez accepts the wrong drink in the wrong bar from the wrong woman, her face is the last thing he remembers before waking up in a locked dirty cell.
It soon becomes clear that this is no government facility–this is a holding cell for an elite hunting party, and Lopez has been chosen as their next quarry. These hunters started killing poachers who crossed their paths, and they’ve been building towards a more challenging game.
But Lopez isn’t he’s a hunter himself. When he’s set loose into the wilds, Lopez knows that he’ll need to get to work and do his survive, evade, escape, and kill.
Former US Army Ranger and Green Beret Jack Murphy delivers a military thriller that’s as urgent and technically accurate as it is explosive, perfect for fans of Mark Greaney and Jack Carr.
304 pages, Paperback
Published June 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 18, 2026
I got this book from LibraryThing as an Early Reviewer.
Military thrillers are normally not my cup of tea, but I had fun reading this take on The Most Dangerous Game.
“You see,” the American said as he opened the bolt on his rifle and inspected the chamber. “We’re hunting the most dangerous game.”
He smiled.
“You.”
The main character, Jeremy Lopez, is an active duty Army Ranger, as tough as they come and ready to take on any situation that presents a danger or an affront to him personally or to America. I believe the term is Hooah! . He's also informative. Very informative. His knowledge of military armaments is vast and deep. And he lets you know about them in great detail, which is why military thrillers are not normally my cup of tea. Fortunately, this is not a huge part of the book.
Of course there are evil villains. Instead of the run-of-the-mill terrorists and Russians (although there are a few of those), we have techbros. I laughed out loud at their introductions. They're all there. Zuck, Pichai, the late Jobs, Thiel, and, of course, what group of evil rich tech bros would be complete without Musk? I'm not up on rich life and health insurance bros, so I didn't recognize the others.
Murphy does a good job putting all of them through their paces with a few twists and turns to keep everything moving at a brisk pace. There are a few soliloquy-like paragraphs from one of the tech-bros that were a bit bizarre and seemed completely out of place. It slowed the action down to a crawl. I can only assume that it may be part of one of the books to come, as this is the first book in a series.
Overall, it's a good choice for a summer read on the porch.
Military thrillers are normally not my cup of tea, but I had fun reading this take on The Most Dangerous Game.
“You see,” the American said as he opened the bolt on his rifle and inspected the chamber. “We’re hunting the most dangerous game.”
He smiled.
“You.”
The main character, Jeremy Lopez, is an active duty Army Ranger, as tough as they come and ready to take on any situation that presents a danger or an affront to him personally or to America. I believe the term is Hooah! . He's also informative. Very informative. His knowledge of military armaments is vast and deep. And he lets you know about them in great detail, which is why military thrillers are not normally my cup of tea. Fortunately, this is not a huge part of the book.
Of course there are evil villains. Instead of the run-of-the-mill terrorists and Russians (although there are a few of those), we have techbros. I laughed out loud at their introductions. They're all there. Zuck, Pichai, the late Jobs, Thiel, and, of course, what group of evil rich tech bros would be complete without Musk? I'm not up on rich life and health insurance bros, so I didn't recognize the others.
Murphy does a good job putting all of them through their paces with a few twists and turns to keep everything moving at a brisk pace. There are a few soliloquy-like paragraphs from one of the tech-bros that were a bit bizarre and seemed completely out of place. It slowed the action down to a crawl. I can only assume that it may be part of one of the books to come, as this is the first book in a series.
Overall, it's a good choice for a summer read on the porch.
August 6, 2026
Inspired by Richard Connell's Most Dangerous Game this book by a former Army Ranger hits the spot.
On recc duty in Niger Sgt Jeremy Lopez Army Ranger is unwinding in a local bar after an assignment. He's slipped a Mickey (as my grandfather would have called it) and winds up a captive to a South African war criminal who fancies himself a safari guide.
But game animals are not enough challenge for his billionaire clients so he arranges for a gen-u-ine US soldier as a quarry. They weren't ready for a Ranger.
On recc duty in Niger Sgt Jeremy Lopez Army Ranger is unwinding in a local bar after an assignment. He's slipped a Mickey (as my grandfather would have called it) and winds up a captive to a South African war criminal who fancies himself a safari guide.
But game animals are not enough challenge for his billionaire clients so he arranges for a gen-u-ine US soldier as a quarry. They weren't ready for a Ranger.
August 1, 2026
A modern retelling of "The Most Dangerous Game". The author did a very good job. This story captured my attention early on and I zipped thru it very fast! Kudos for selecting the Most Dangerous Man to be an Army Ranger instead of a Navy SEAL (which almost every other author does nowadays).
Well written, and suspenseful.
Well written, and suspenseful.
July 8, 2026
In some corners of the world, wildlife poachers have become the prey themselves—hunted for sport: the sport of one man hunting another.
Staff Sgt. Jeremy Lopez is a US Army Ranger serving in the highly secretive Regimental Reconnaissance Company, providing support on covert missions in West Africa. Lopez accepts the wrong drink in the wrong bar from the wrong woman, her face is the last thing he remembers before waking up in a locked, dirty cell.
It soon becomes clear that this is no government facility–this is a holding cell for an elite hunting party, and Lopez has been chosen as their next quarry. These hunters started killing poachers who crossed their paths, and they’ve been building toward a more challenging game.
But Lopez isn’t prey: He’s a hunter himself. When he’s set loose into the wilds, Lopez knows that he’ll need to get to work and do his job: survive, evade, escape, and kill those same hunters that are now hunting him….
Little do they NOT know he’s a bigger challenge than they realize…
Worth my time reading…👍👍👍
Staff Sgt. Jeremy Lopez is a US Army Ranger serving in the highly secretive Regimental Reconnaissance Company, providing support on covert missions in West Africa. Lopez accepts the wrong drink in the wrong bar from the wrong woman, her face is the last thing he remembers before waking up in a locked, dirty cell.
It soon becomes clear that this is no government facility–this is a holding cell for an elite hunting party, and Lopez has been chosen as their next quarry. These hunters started killing poachers who crossed their paths, and they’ve been building toward a more challenging game.
But Lopez isn’t prey: He’s a hunter himself. When he’s set loose into the wilds, Lopez knows that he’ll need to get to work and do his job: survive, evade, escape, and kill those same hunters that are now hunting him….
Little do they NOT know he’s a bigger challenge than they realize…
Worth my time reading…👍👍👍
August 17, 2026
Jack is Back!
Jack Murphy makes his triumphant return to the world of fiction with THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN.
The basic overview: during a deployment to West Africa, Recce Ranger Jeremy "J-Lo" Lopez is abducted. When he wakes up, he's surrounded by the worst kind of 1% Epsteinian scum. They want literal human blood on their hands, and Lopez is their chosen prey. Sent running without so much as a pocket knife, Lopez fights tooth and nail in a desperate effort to survive his affluent predators.
Those who have followed Jack from the beginning will recognize the same kind of irreverence for the "übermensch" class that was present in his PROMIS and Deckard series (especially REFLEXIVE FIRE).
At the same time, it's far from rehashing old territory. Fans of action thrillers will be glued to the page, eager to see what comes next. It's a timely take on the classic "The Most Dangerous Game," one where the reader will cheer Lopez on from start to finish, and one where Murphy--in his trademark style--immerses the reader and leaves them wondering where the fiction ends and the facts begin.
The most succinct way to put it? Jack is back, baby. Stop reading this review and snag your copy already!
Jack Murphy makes his triumphant return to the world of fiction with THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN.
The basic overview: during a deployment to West Africa, Recce Ranger Jeremy "J-Lo" Lopez is abducted. When he wakes up, he's surrounded by the worst kind of 1% Epsteinian scum. They want literal human blood on their hands, and Lopez is their chosen prey. Sent running without so much as a pocket knife, Lopez fights tooth and nail in a desperate effort to survive his affluent predators.
Those who have followed Jack from the beginning will recognize the same kind of irreverence for the "übermensch" class that was present in his PROMIS and Deckard series (especially REFLEXIVE FIRE).
At the same time, it's far from rehashing old territory. Fans of action thrillers will be glued to the page, eager to see what comes next. It's a timely take on the classic "The Most Dangerous Game," one where the reader will cheer Lopez on from start to finish, and one where Murphy--in his trademark style--immerses the reader and leaves them wondering where the fiction ends and the facts begin.
The most succinct way to put it? Jack is back, baby. Stop reading this review and snag your copy already!
July 21, 2026
An interesting storyline, Army Ranger, Jeremy Lopez, is out in a battle for his life-literally! Africa is the setting, billionaire’s on a safari hunt?, J Crew would be happy with their attire, the hunter versus the hunted, a page turner but be sure to have your dictionary ready for the acronyms used in the military. Enjoy
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Not quite the crossover between LAWRENCE OF ARABIA and JAWS as pitched to execs by two-time Academy Award winning screenwriter William Goldman, THE GHOST AND THE DARKNESS deftly delivered an incredible thriller of two murderous lions on a bloody rampage in Africa and the hunter on their trail to end the carnage. From HATARI! to WHITE HUNTER BLACK HEART and BEAST, hunting big game in Africa is the exotic escape that makes for great silver screen distraction. When big game is no longer big enough, an intrepid US Army Ranger on temporary duty finds himself in the crosshairs deep in the heart of Africa. Even alone and hunted, he's a force to be reckoned with. To survive, he must become the ghost AND the darkness. This one's up close. Bloody. Personal. He's THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN.
Living and breathing the Ranger Creed, Jeremy Lopez is on temporary duty in east Africa, a stone-throw from the vast preserve of Benin, playground of the rich, armed and shameless. Fifteen years in, Ranger Regiment and the most elite Regimental Reconnaissance Company (RRC), the boy from rural Alabama nicknamed "J-Lo' has zero patience for officer ranks or nonsense. Accordingly, Lopez's career track is in slow grind, landing him as a one-man army in West Africa, looking at a potential one-night stand through a whiskey tumbler and ending up shackled in the middle of nowhere. Right there with him, all the baddies are present; Silicon Valley scum and titans of industry, led by a Ketamine micro-dosing billionaire from South Africa. Tired of the lions, leopards, elephants, cape buffalo, and rhinos, the murderous seven are looking to make it the big six by giving their taxidermist a heart attack when they bring him Lopez's head. They're on a quest to break the ultimate taboo...murder. Better than Sherman McCoy, they're the Masters of the Universe, the future of America and thus the world. On the wrong side of hunting rifles, Lopez can run but to survive, deception is more important than distance. Bringing the Wild West to Africa, THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN must take his hunters apart and break them--physically and mentally. It's kill or be killed. A dog eat dog world.
Closely married to THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME by title and topic, THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN expounds that simple tactics are often the most effective. A combat vet Green Beret/Ranger by training and an investigative journalist by trade, the author leverages this to utmost effect, as THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN doesn't mess around. No lengthy intro. No proselytizing. No sermons. Title page, lock and load. Go. It's a wild action ride that takes advantage of atmospherics, tension and the thrill of the hunt. Reminding of AVENGING FORCE, SURVIVING THE GAME, HARD TARGET, and some elements of FIRST BLOOD and PREDATOR, THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN sets off a new thriller series with a bang. Among the snark and sniping, THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN slays with fire phrases like 5.11 tuxedo, memetic warfare and tree stacking. Timely and relevant, THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN explores today's cultural ethos and the world we live in, superimposed on a deadly game of cat and mouse, inadvertently advocating that the best man shall win. Outnumbered and outgunned, THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN delivers a breathtaking and savage tour de force thriller. Gear up and load out, THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN is running free.
Big thank you to Jack Murphy, Net Galley, and Crooked Lane Book for the thrilling ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
BOOK REVIEW The Most Dangerous Man by Jack Murphy
Jack Murphy leads the way giving readers a fresh Ranger story that trades chest beating for pulse pounding precision. As a respected voice, Jack doesn’t follow the genre, he says, Follow Me.
—————
Jack Murphy’s The Most Dangerous Man hits different because it comes from someone who has actually done the job. Ranger. Green Beret. Journalist. He writes with authority you cannot fake, cannot deny, and he does not need to explain.
What jumped out right away (literally) is the focus on the Regimental Reconnaissance Company. Most authors stay in the safe lane with douchy cliche broken down battle-weary SEALs, Delta, or CIA Ground Branch. Murphy goes where it is quieter and more lethal. RRC is rarely explored in fiction and he brings it forward without turning it into mythology. It feels controlled, deliberate, and real. And I love that the guy was tracked or tracking the whole time with authenticity.
Jeremy Lopez is a strong ballsy choice for a lead. A mixed race Ranger operating in spaces where elitism and quiet (and not so quiet) racism exist that adds weight without dragging the story into a lecture. You see it. You feel it. Then the mission keeps moving. That balance is not easy to pull off and Murphy puts the right amount of light on it for shades of contrast.
The violence is also earned. Not flashy for the sake of it. When it comes, it is direct and final. There is a certain satisfaction in watching the right people get what is coming to them. Call it justice delivered at speed. Don’t get me wrong, I love his old character series with Deckar and the expected grey matter splatter, but this could be an airport book rack best seller.
As noted, where Jack separates himself is in the tradecraft. Survival is not luck. It is process. It is TTPs. Movement, decision making, pressure, all of it tracks. You can tell he understands how professionals think when things go bad and how they stay alive when they should not.
There are also moments that will land for readers who know the deeper ecosystem. Subtle touches that reflect how an ISA operator would be in the same mess. Nothing loud. Just enough to signal credibility and know how JSOC pieces fit together. Drake Woolf would be proud.
Most important, this is not another recycled operator story. No inflated ego. No fantasy heroics. This is a thinking man’s thriller that still brings violence, suspense, and forward momentum.
Murphy didn’t just write another strong entry in the genre. He widened it. Just enough for other writers to attempt replication only to fall to their deaths over Jack’s punji stakes.
-JT Patten, Author, Task Force Orange series
Jack Murphy leads the way giving readers a fresh Ranger story that trades chest beating for pulse pounding precision. As a respected voice, Jack doesn’t follow the genre, he says, Follow Me.
—————
Jack Murphy’s The Most Dangerous Man hits different because it comes from someone who has actually done the job. Ranger. Green Beret. Journalist. He writes with authority you cannot fake, cannot deny, and he does not need to explain.
What jumped out right away (literally) is the focus on the Regimental Reconnaissance Company. Most authors stay in the safe lane with douchy cliche broken down battle-weary SEALs, Delta, or CIA Ground Branch. Murphy goes where it is quieter and more lethal. RRC is rarely explored in fiction and he brings it forward without turning it into mythology. It feels controlled, deliberate, and real. And I love that the guy was tracked or tracking the whole time with authenticity.
Jeremy Lopez is a strong ballsy choice for a lead. A mixed race Ranger operating in spaces where elitism and quiet (and not so quiet) racism exist that adds weight without dragging the story into a lecture. You see it. You feel it. Then the mission keeps moving. That balance is not easy to pull off and Murphy puts the right amount of light on it for shades of contrast.
The violence is also earned. Not flashy for the sake of it. When it comes, it is direct and final. There is a certain satisfaction in watching the right people get what is coming to them. Call it justice delivered at speed. Don’t get me wrong, I love his old character series with Deckar and the expected grey matter splatter, but this could be an airport book rack best seller.
As noted, where Jack separates himself is in the tradecraft. Survival is not luck. It is process. It is TTPs. Movement, decision making, pressure, all of it tracks. You can tell he understands how professionals think when things go bad and how they stay alive when they should not.
There are also moments that will land for readers who know the deeper ecosystem. Subtle touches that reflect how an ISA operator would be in the same mess. Nothing loud. Just enough to signal credibility and know how JSOC pieces fit together. Drake Woolf would be proud.
Most important, this is not another recycled operator story. No inflated ego. No fantasy heroics. This is a thinking man’s thriller that still brings violence, suspense, and forward momentum.
Murphy didn’t just write another strong entry in the genre. He widened it. Just enough for other writers to attempt replication only to fall to their deaths over Jack’s punji stakes.
-JT Patten, Author, Task Force Orange series
August 5, 2026
All adrenalin, all the time.
This is a high paced, fast moving, Schwarzenegger-esque read. Included are lots of acronyms, military/law-enforcement/special-forces lingo and descriptions of military equipment and guns which will have a lot of meaning to those who are familiar with the terms and equipment. I do not have any of the knowledge however this did not take away from the story. This book starts fast, and it moves fast .. in the beginning the chapters jump around, keeping the readers as much on their toes as Jorge is in the book. Once you settle in, be prepared for a non-stop high-octane read. There is no letting up, for the entire book.
Follow Jeremy Lopez as he finds himself kidnaped for the ultimate hunt. And unbelievable story that as you read it, there is some part of you that realizes this could in fact be a reality in this lifetime (and possibly in the underworld already). There is a lot the relates to society today and I love how the characters sound vaguely familiar in their profession and personalities. hmm.. who could they possibly be! This story would make and epic movie, gun fights and killing in every scene as Lopez fights to stay ahead of the group following him …. and then he changes the tune of the game.
Great guys read. I do have to admit, by chapter 4, I was completely hooked, even though the military and equipment descriptions meant nothing to me. I was able to figure out some meanings just from the context so no worries if you are not familiar with the terms or equipment, it works its way out. The book is a guy book, a bit raw and unpolished but that is what this book is and is about. It developed well and the writing kept me wanting to keep reading. Great macho flavor. Great writing. Great story. And let me premise this by saying, I am not the typical person you would find reading this book. I middle-aged woman, no military or law-enforcement background who reads mostly kids books, historical fiction and the occasional light romance, and yet, this was a great read! I could not put this book down!
This is a rough, raw book and they are hunting.. Lopez. This book was a fantastic read! I LOVED every minute of it! I cannot wait to read more about Lopez
If this is the type of book you enjoy reading, you will not be disappointed! Thank you to LibraryThing and Crooked Lane Books and the author for this ARC to read and review. The opinions in this review are my own.
This is a high paced, fast moving, Schwarzenegger-esque read. Included are lots of acronyms, military/law-enforcement/special-forces lingo and descriptions of military equipment and guns which will have a lot of meaning to those who are familiar with the terms and equipment. I do not have any of the knowledge however this did not take away from the story. This book starts fast, and it moves fast .. in the beginning the chapters jump around, keeping the readers as much on their toes as Jorge is in the book. Once you settle in, be prepared for a non-stop high-octane read. There is no letting up, for the entire book.
Follow Jeremy Lopez as he finds himself kidnaped for the ultimate hunt. And unbelievable story that as you read it, there is some part of you that realizes this could in fact be a reality in this lifetime (and possibly in the underworld already). There is a lot the relates to society today and I love how the characters sound vaguely familiar in their profession and personalities. hmm.. who could they possibly be! This story would make and epic movie, gun fights and killing in every scene as Lopez fights to stay ahead of the group following him …. and then he changes the tune of the game.
Great guys read. I do have to admit, by chapter 4, I was completely hooked, even though the military and equipment descriptions meant nothing to me. I was able to figure out some meanings just from the context so no worries if you are not familiar with the terms or equipment, it works its way out. The book is a guy book, a bit raw and unpolished but that is what this book is and is about. It developed well and the writing kept me wanting to keep reading. Great macho flavor. Great writing. Great story. And let me premise this by saying, I am not the typical person you would find reading this book. I middle-aged woman, no military or law-enforcement background who reads mostly kids books, historical fiction and the occasional light romance, and yet, this was a great read! I could not put this book down!
This is a rough, raw book and they are hunting.. Lopez. This book was a fantastic read! I LOVED every minute of it! I cannot wait to read more about Lopez
If this is the type of book you enjoy reading, you will not be disappointed! Thank you to LibraryThing and Crooked Lane Books and the author for this ARC to read and review. The opinions in this review are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Most Dangerous Man is listed as #1 of the Jeremy Lopez, US Army Ranger series on Goodreads so it looks like it will have a sequel but didn’t leave any major cliffhangers to set one up which is nice. The author has several military non fiction and investigative pieces published and that doesn’t always translate well to fiction but I really enjoyed this one.
A modern take on Richard Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game, the world’s billionaires in tech and more have become bored with illegally hunting elephants and other protected species. Even the occasional poacher isn’t enough for their bloodlust. They want to kill a SEAL Team member or similar, someone who they can really hunt. Bad news for them is the person kidnapped for their hunting please is Jack Lopez, an elite Army Ranger. “J-Lo” works for the Regimental Reconnaissance Company, often working alone doing recon for JSOC missions. Jack isn’t someone you hunt, he is the hunter.
Over the next few days, Jack turns the tables on the billionaires hunting him despite their many guns, having access to food/water and shelter and an experienced guide. For most people, they may take out one or two hunters before they are caught. They track each other through forests as you realise just how psychopathic they are. The hunt is just the start. These tech bros really want to make a new world caste system with white billionaires at the top using social media, news, tech and even the health care system to get it.
Killing off that many of a hunting party would not usually be that believeable, especially starting with nothing but the clothes on his back. But for Jack, it seems believeable. You feel his struggle and perseverance to get back to rescue his friend who was also kidnapped to make him participate.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the advance copy for review through Netgalley.
Content warnings: outside of the obvious gore and strong language, this had themes of racism I did not expect
A modern take on Richard Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game, the world’s billionaires in tech and more have become bored with illegally hunting elephants and other protected species. Even the occasional poacher isn’t enough for their bloodlust. They want to kill a SEAL Team member or similar, someone who they can really hunt. Bad news for them is the person kidnapped for their hunting please is Jack Lopez, an elite Army Ranger. “J-Lo” works for the Regimental Reconnaissance Company, often working alone doing recon for JSOC missions. Jack isn’t someone you hunt, he is the hunter.
Over the next few days, Jack turns the tables on the billionaires hunting him despite their many guns, having access to food/water and shelter and an experienced guide. For most people, they may take out one or two hunters before they are caught. They track each other through forests as you realise just how psychopathic they are. The hunt is just the start. These tech bros really want to make a new world caste system with white billionaires at the top using social media, news, tech and even the health care system to get it.
Killing off that many of a hunting party would not usually be that believeable, especially starting with nothing but the clothes on his back. But for Jack, it seems believeable. You feel his struggle and perseverance to get back to rescue his friend who was also kidnapped to make him participate.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the advance copy for review through Netgalley.
Content warnings: outside of the obvious gore and strong language, this had themes of racism I did not expect
June 10, 2026
The Most Dangerous Man delivers exactly what a top tier military thriller should: relentless pacing, authentic tactical detail, and a protagonist capable of carrying enormous tension from the first page to the last. Jack Murphy combines survival thriller intensity with elite military realism to create a story that feels both cinematic and grounded.
Jeremy Lopez is an especially compelling lead because he never comes across as invincible. His training, instincts, and discipline make him dangerous, but the novel works because the threat around him feels equally lethal. Once the premise shifts into a deadly human hunt, the tension escalates rapidly and rarely slows down.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its authenticity. Murphy’s military background gives the action sequences credibility without overwhelming the narrative with unnecessary jargon. The tactical elements enhance the suspense rather than interrupt it, making every pursuit, escape, and confrontation feel immediate and believable.
The novel also succeeds because it taps into primal survival themes hunter versus hunted, instinct versus strategy, control versus chaos. Fans of fast moving military fiction, covert operations, and survival based thrillers will find plenty to enjoy here.
Sharp, brutal, and intensely readable, The Most Dangerous Man is a standout debut for readers who enjoy high stakes military suspense with real world grit and momentum.
Jeremy Lopez is an especially compelling lead because he never comes across as invincible. His training, instincts, and discipline make him dangerous, but the novel works because the threat around him feels equally lethal. Once the premise shifts into a deadly human hunt, the tension escalates rapidly and rarely slows down.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its authenticity. Murphy’s military background gives the action sequences credibility without overwhelming the narrative with unnecessary jargon. The tactical elements enhance the suspense rather than interrupt it, making every pursuit, escape, and confrontation feel immediate and believable.
The novel also succeeds because it taps into primal survival themes hunter versus hunted, instinct versus strategy, control versus chaos. Fans of fast moving military fiction, covert operations, and survival based thrillers will find plenty to enjoy here.
Sharp, brutal, and intensely readable, The Most Dangerous Man is a standout debut for readers who enjoy high stakes military suspense with real world grit and momentum.
July 9, 2026
“The Most Dangerous Man” by Jack Murphy is a very well told story with a fast pace. The main character, Jeremy Lopez, is an Army Ranger kidnapped from a bar in Niger after being drugged by a beautiful woman. The reason he and another soldier are kidnapped will be revealed in the story and becomes important in the story’s climax. The main plot is a take on the The Most Dangerous Game where men are paying to hunt other men. When Lopez is released into the wild, he is given a 30 minute head start before the hunters will start pursuing him. He is told if he manages to survive, he and the other soldier will be released. The hunters consist of a bunch of rich billionaires and a former South African soldier turned safari leader for hunting the five big game animals in Africa. These billionaires have hunted poachers before with this safari leader. They were paying this time to be able to hunt a more capable soldier for a harder challenge. The story plays out in Benin where Lopez turns the game around and the hunters become the hunted.
Another novel with a similar plot line is Jack Carr’s Savage Son.
Another novel with a similar plot line is Jack Carr’s Savage Son.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Well well well.
It’s like The Hunger Games, but not?
Jeremy Lopez, an Army Ranger, gets unknowingly drugged & captured, only to be hunted. Yes, you read that right, HUNTED. Now he’s in for basically the fight of his life. He has to run, defeat these bad guys & also rescue his comrade, because “no man left behind” all while making sure he stays alive in order to do so.
My fav quotes:
"Honey, you slipped a Mickey in my drink and shanghaied me across an international border in order for a group of fucking psychopathic whack jobs to hunt me like an animal for sport. You're like some kind of fucked-up version of Charlize Theron."
"No, nothing like me. I kill to survive, not for
petty vanity."
"SIT THE FUCK down right there," one of the JSOC officers ordered Lopez.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, & the author for my copy of this arc.
All opinions are my own and my review reflects as such. 🌍🏃🏽💨⌛️
It’s like The Hunger Games, but not?
Jeremy Lopez, an Army Ranger, gets unknowingly drugged & captured, only to be hunted. Yes, you read that right, HUNTED. Now he’s in for basically the fight of his life. He has to run, defeat these bad guys & also rescue his comrade, because “no man left behind” all while making sure he stays alive in order to do so.
My fav quotes:
"Honey, you slipped a Mickey in my drink and shanghaied me across an international border in order for a group of fucking psychopathic whack jobs to hunt me like an animal for sport. You're like some kind of fucked-up version of Charlize Theron."
"No, nothing like me. I kill to survive, not for
petty vanity."
"SIT THE FUCK down right there," one of the JSOC officers ordered Lopez.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, & the author for my copy of this arc.
All opinions are my own and my review reflects as such. 🌍🏃🏽💨⌛️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book will not be for everyone due to violence and human predation. If you can stomach these, then you'll find it an intriguing story of a military member and what he faces in the wilds of Africa.
Staff Sergeant Jeremy Lopez is a member of an elite unit. They can be sent anywhere in the world. After coming off of a mission on the African continent, he takes a break to rest and recuperate. Having a beer and a conversation with a beautiful woman seemed like a good way to do both. Unfortunately, some women can't be trusted and Jeremy found himself on the other side of loaded weapons. Now it's a matter of survival.
If the galley copy I received is any indication, the author did an awesome job of telling a fiction story that felt realistic. I hope proofreading has been done before the final release.
Disclaimer: I saw this book on NetGalley, and the synopsis spoke to me. I voluntarily read the book, and I'm providing my honest feedback on it.
Staff Sergeant Jeremy Lopez is a member of an elite unit. They can be sent anywhere in the world. After coming off of a mission on the African continent, he takes a break to rest and recuperate. Having a beer and a conversation with a beautiful woman seemed like a good way to do both. Unfortunately, some women can't be trusted and Jeremy found himself on the other side of loaded weapons. Now it's a matter of survival.
If the galley copy I received is any indication, the author did an awesome job of telling a fiction story that felt realistic. I hope proofreading has been done before the final release.
Disclaimer: I saw this book on NetGalley, and the synopsis spoke to me. I voluntarily read the book, and I'm providing my honest feedback on it.
July 15, 2026
This book is a quick read, and Murphy, being a former solider knows his stuff. He's "been there, done that" in a variety of scenarios, and he brings a technical expertise, complete with terminology, that validates so much of the story.
The story is an age-old story of the hunter turned to hunted, but Murphy does a good job of putting a bit of a different twist on it. He's helped a great deal by having a big cast of "bad guys," and they're despicable to the very one. Therefore, Murphy gets to have his protagonist, Lopez, deal with them throughout the book, which not only was satisfying to this reader, but also kept the pages turning. Dealing with one bad guy made me want to go forward and see how the others were dealt with.
There's some scenarios that are a bit cliche, but none cringeworthy.
It's a good action thriller that should be optioned into a motion picture. If you're looking for fast-paced summer read that will keep your interest, give it a shot.
The story is an age-old story of the hunter turned to hunted, but Murphy does a good job of putting a bit of a different twist on it. He's helped a great deal by having a big cast of "bad guys," and they're despicable to the very one. Therefore, Murphy gets to have his protagonist, Lopez, deal with them throughout the book, which not only was satisfying to this reader, but also kept the pages turning. Dealing with one bad guy made me want to go forward and see how the others were dealt with.
There's some scenarios that are a bit cliche, but none cringeworthy.
It's a good action thriller that should be optioned into a motion picture. If you're looking for fast-paced summer read that will keep your interest, give it a shot.
July 3, 2026
Go with review by Ramona Thompson dated Feb 19, 2026.
Ex-Army Ranger Jeremy Lopez works for a private military contractor (a good friend) and after an op he's at his hotel, meets a woman, gets drugged/kidnapped and awakens to find he's the hunted in a safari hunt. It's pretty unbelievable that he's capable of evading/killing the hunting party but they are a bunch of super-rich men with nothing to challenge them. The conversations of these guys are over the top ridiculous and they deserved what they got.
Another sign it's over the top- Ranger Lopez call sign is J Lo! Really?
Just a no for me, had to force myself to finish. The description says "Gray Man meets the Most Dangerous Game" -really how can this be compared to a Gray Man novel?
Ex-Army Ranger Jeremy Lopez works for a private military contractor (a good friend) and after an op he's at his hotel, meets a woman, gets drugged/kidnapped and awakens to find he's the hunted in a safari hunt. It's pretty unbelievable that he's capable of evading/killing the hunting party but they are a bunch of super-rich men with nothing to challenge them. The conversations of these guys are over the top ridiculous and they deserved what they got.
Another sign it's over the top- Ranger Lopez call sign is J Lo! Really?
Just a no for me, had to force myself to finish. The description says "Gray Man meets the Most Dangerous Game" -really how can this be compared to a Gray Man novel?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An Army Ranger was drugged and captured to be used as the prey for a group of wealthy men who were on a safari in Africa to kill people not animals . I'm not sure who was the audience for this book. The writing style was right for a middle school student. The themes, the violence and the language were for an adult. The plot was unrealistic with one unarmed man eventually disposing of all of the original hunters, plus a second group, including women and children, who were flown in to finish the job the original hunters were unable to do. Skip this one. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc with no pressure for a positive review. One star because I had to choose a star.
July 2, 2026
This was a very interesting concept for a story and I really liked it. I felt like the beginning and the end were sort of rushed to get to and through the main cruz of the story. I also would've like to have a little more character development, BUT for the premise of the story, I feel like we saw the glimpses of all the characters that we needed to. The story kept me engaged throughout and I highly recommend as long as you can handle the violent nature of the plot. I'm hoping due to some lingering questions that we might see a second entry in this series and I will definitely be eager to read it!
July 6, 2026
Jack Murphy’s THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN is the summer read you didn’t know you needed. With a blistering pace from the first page, TMDM is a modern twist on the classic short story, The Most Dangerous Game. On one level, it is a dark reflection of where we are as a society – the degradation of morality and norms triggered by astronomic wealth, power and technology. On the other, it is an adrenaline-laced adventure spiked with nuanced authenticity that only a former practitioner can deliver.
Get a copy and clear your schedule. You can thank me later
Get a copy and clear your schedule. You can thank me later
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a fantastic book. Great non-stop action. For what I like to think is an improbable premise, the author did a great job making it seem like a possibility. There were great, likeable characters and those that you really disliked but both were very believable.
I'll be looking for more books by this author moving forward.
I'll be looking for more books by this author moving forward.
July 6, 2026
As a huge fan of The Gray Man series and the Orphan X series, I was intrigued by this book. The fact that Mark Greaney recommended it was a bonus. This book didn't disappoint. It was exciting from beginning to end. I'm a huge fan of action movies and this played out like one. I'm a visual reader so I watched it as I read. I'm very excited about this being a series.
July 18, 2026
As an action thriller its entertaining, but some of the parts don’t really seem to fit together. The characters skew towards caricature, parts read like attempts to incorporate the author’s journalistic work on special operations, while others read like a political/philosophical statement that is either too on the nose or doesn’t quite land.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lopez, an Army Ranger, is drugged and taken out to the African savanna. He is forced to run, prey for wealthy hunters on a murderous safari. Lots of thrills as Lopez tries to outsmart the hunters. Fast fun read.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This was a great and fast paced story. It is in need of some editing, but I loved every minute of it. A little. Unbelievable in parts but, I think it worked for this story. It also had a very nice ending. This book was a pleasant surprise.
July 25, 2026
Murphy’s Triumphant Return
Murphy returned to fiction with a hard hitting, hard shooting, action thriller. If you like military thrillers, you should enjoy this one. Hopefully we’ll see this as a movie.
Murphy returned to fiction with a hard hitting, hard shooting, action thriller. If you like military thrillers, you should enjoy this one. Hopefully we’ll see this as a movie.
August 19, 2026
Man is being hunted like prey by 8 people, his skill, wit and being Special ops Ranger keeps him at and advantage. Read by the light of a lantern, when power went out for 2 days. It is worth the read
May 18, 2026
An old school survival story filled with carnage and chaos. I don’t read many military thrillers, but this one was excellent.
June 9, 2026
Great book, by a great author.
A modern take on a classic novel, this book is just plain awesome. Especially if you are a veteran. Jack is that good of an author.
A modern take on a classic novel, this book is just plain awesome. Especially if you are a veteran. Jack is that good of an author.
June 13, 2026
Great read!
Great read!
Can't wait for the next Jack Murphy thriller.
The next Jack Carr!
......
Random words added for word count
Great read!
Can't wait for the next Jack Murphy thriller.
The next Jack Carr!
......
Random words added for word count
June 26, 2026
Surviving The Game 3.0
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