Desert Heist

Nate Wilde #1

by Alex Dekker

A former Green Beret and aspiring archaeologist’s expedition to uncover a long-lost ancient civilization turns deadly in this explosive thriller teeming with adventure and discovery.

Nate Wilde is a former Green Beret and aspiring Harvard archaeologist. Leaving the military after a catastrophic deployment that ended with most of his team dead or injured, he chooses to pursue his passion for history. When his dissertation proposal to search for the legendary lost city of Ubar in Saudi Arabia is rejected by the Harvard examining committee and his expedition permit is denied by the Saudi government, Nate resolves to continue his research by any means necessary. And the only path left to him is to enter Saudi Arabia’s Empty Quarter through war-torn Yemen, the same sands where his brothers lost their lives years ago.

Knowing he’s going back into harm’s way, Nate turns to the only men left alive that he truly trusts—Sergeant Benjamin “Wally” Walton, a medic formerly with the British Special Air Service; Shane Price, UFC fighter turned Green Beret and an affluent playboy; and Sergeant Tim McBride, Nate’s former best friend and a true warrior. Along the way the group meets Ana Metry, a geologist of Egyptian heritage searching for her missing father, whose research is key to Nate’s quest.

Hunted by a former Spetsnaz soldier who works for a shadowy organization with unknown goals, and chased through the desert by al Qaeda terrorists, the former commandos must utilize the skills of their past profession in a race to discover whether the city truly exists, as well as uncover a deeper geopolitical mystery with resounding global ramifications.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Adventure, Adult Fiction, Audiobook

464 pages, Hardcover

Published July 28, 2026

About the author

Alex Dekker served as a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces “Green Berets” for nearly 20 years, first with 5th Special Forces Group and then as a special operations team member assigned to the United States Army Special Operations Command. He has deployed multiple times to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations worldwide, and has attended multiple advanced tactical and technical schools within the U.S. Special Operations community and interagency. Alex has traveled to dozens of countries for work and personal adventures and has spent years living abroad. He is an avid student of history who has participated as a volunteer in numerous archaeological digs, is an Arabic speaker, and holds a Masters in Applied Intelligence from Georgetown University. When not traveling, Alex lives in Northern Virginia with his wife Savannah, a former CIA Operations Officer, their children, and their German Shepherd Donovan.

Reviews

[Abibliofob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to try this new author and his book Desert Heist, it's the first in the series about Nate Wild. Ex. green beret. This book has a little of everything in it and that is what drew me and the fact that a lot of readers and writers I follow had good things to say. Alex Dekker has what I beleive to be the makings of a great author and even though I wasn't blown away by this adventure I will pick up the next book by him to see what will happen. If you like mysteries, thrillers, action and adventure then you should try this one out. I don't think you will be sorry, I wasn't.

[Michelle Korting · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free advanced copy from Goodreads giveaway. I was excited to read this debut book for Alex Dekker (a possible distant cousin) the copy I received was uncorrected and it did not disappoint!

A lot of energy and suspense comes out in his writing I could picture each scene and I was able to put myself in his shoes.
I look forward to his next book. I am fascinated by history and archaeology and this book gives both mixed in with action and suspense. Happy reading to all!

[Troy Pool · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indiana Jones meets James Reese.

Desert Heist by Alex Dekker is a blast from the first page till the last. Former Green Beret and archeology student Nate Wilde is in the race of his life to find a lost city in the Saudi desert. With friends from his past life and a beautiful new friend along for the ride they plunge deeper in the mystery and encounter deadly new threats at every turn.

This is a great adventure written by first time novelist Alex Dekker. You'll find yourself saying just one more chapter until dawn. I can't wait to see what other adventures Nate Wilde has in store.

[Janereads10 · Rating 5 out of 5]

National Treasure meets Jack Reacher and I was first in line.

Nate Wilde is the kind of character you love the moment you meet him. A former Green Beret pursuing his PhD in Archaeology, setting out to find the buried city of Ubar in Saudi Arabia — the premise alone had me hooked. The archaeological history was well researched, the fight scenes detailed and authentic, and the base camp dynamics felt real. I couldn't put this down.

What kept me most was the band of brothers grounding the action, and a villain who was Nate's equal in every way. Ruthless, hired to kill, and evenly matched — their final standoff was earned.

At its heart this was a story of brotherhood and the importance of unearthing our past. Early beginnings that deserve not to be forgotten. I'm glad this is the first in a series and I'll be first in line for whatever Nate Wilde does next.

Audiobook Review:
Edoardo Ballerini's narration felt like a movie for my ears, even without sound effects. His nuanced performance gave each character authenticity that matched the print. Pairing the audiobook with the physical book on a rainy afternoon was time well spent. Readers who loved action, adventure, and history will find a lot here.

Thank you Atria Books and Simon & Schuster Audio for my free review copies. All opinions are my own.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Desert Heist" is the kind of debut that makes you immediately curious about what the author will do next.

Alex Dekker blends military thriller, archaeological adventure, historical mystery, and geopolitical intrigue into a story that often feels like Clive Cussler, James Rollins, Brad Taylor, Brad Thor, Dan Brown, and "Indiana Jones" were all thrown into the same desert expedition. That sounds like a lot—and at times it is—but when the book is firing on all cylinders, it is extremely entertaining.

The protagonist, Nathan “Nate” Wilde, is one of the book’s strongest elements. He is a former Green Beret who has traded active operations for academia, becoming a Harvard history PhD candidate obsessed with finding the legendary lost city of Ubar. I liked the “warrior-scholar” concept because Nate never feels like a conventional action hero who just happens to know some history. His intellectual curiosity matters as much as his combat experience, and the combination gives him a distinctive identity.

The story also gives Nate a believable emotional burden. He carries guilt from a disastrous mission in Yemen, and returning to the region forces him to confront more than hostile terrain and armed enemies. There is a recurring theme here about trauma, resilience, brotherhood, and whether moving forward means leaving the past behind or finally facing it.

Once Harvard rejects Nate’s proposed search for Ubar and official channels close around him, he does what thriller protagonists tend to do: he goes anyway.

That decision reunites him with a terrific supporting cast. Benjamin “Wally” Walton, the battle-hardened British SAS medic, Shane Price, the UFC fighter turned Green Beret, and Tim McBride all contribute to a team dynamic that feels earned rather than manufactured. The camaraderie was one of my favorite parts of the novel. These characters sound and behave like people who have actually shared dangerous experiences together.

Geologist Ana Metry adds another dimension to the story. Her search for her missing father gives the expedition a personal urgency, while her scientific knowledge prevents her from feeling like someone included merely to accompany the action heroes.

The book really distinguishes itself through its combination of archaeology and tactical realism. Dekker spent nearly two decades as a Green Beret, served in the Middle East, speaks Arabic, studied intelligence, and has participated in archaeological digs. That background shows. The desert setting feels oppressive, vast, and dangerous, while the military sequences generally have a grounded quality that keeps the action intense without turning it into superhero fantasy.

There is also genuine pleasure in the hunt itself. The mystery surrounding Ubar gives *Desert Heist* that old-fashioned lost-city adventure quality, while the presence of al-Qaeda, a former Spetsnaz assassin, and a larger shadowy organization pulls the novel firmly into the modern geopolitical thriller.

My biggest reservation is pacing.

The setup runs longer than I expected, and there were stretches early in the novel when I wanted the expedition to get moving faster. Conversely, the climax occasionally feels stretched beyond the point where the tension is at its sharpest. A somewhat tighter structure at both ends would have made an already strong thriller considerably stronger.

That said, once the book finds its rhythm, there are some excellent confrontations and several sequences that are very easy to imagine on a movie screen. Dekker knows how to create danger, but he also understands that action becomes much more effective when readers care about the people caught in it.

What impressed me most is that "Desert Heist" already feels like the beginning of something rather than a one-off adventure. Nate Wilde has the potential to anchor a very good thriller series, especially if future books retain the military authenticity, archaeological mystery, international settings, and team chemistry while tightening the pacing.

For a debut novel, this is ambitious, cinematic, and remarkably confident.

Four stars from me. Alex Dekker is definitely a thriller writer I’ll be watching, and I’ll be looking forward to Nate Wilde’s next adventure.

[J. F. "Thriller Ghost Writer" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lawrence of Arabia meets "Call of Duty: Black Ops"!

"Desert Heist", Nate Wilde #1 by Alex Dekker (2026)
Review based on an advance review copy courtesy of Atria/Emily Bestler Books & NetGalley
Rating: ★★★★★ (5.0 Stars!)
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____Review Spotlight: A Warrior & a Scholar!

Unputdownable debut novel —on an Epic scale!

Think "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" by T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia; the Arabian Peninsula episodes in Wilbur Smith's "Courtney Series"; or perhaps, more recently, Jack Carr's "In the Blood", Part 5, James Reece.

Even as art imitates life.
Author Alex Dekker, 20-year vet, Green Beret. Masters in Applied Intelligence, Georgetown. Amateur historian, volunteered in archaeological digs. An Arabic speaker, he's deployed many times to the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East.

Introducing Nate Wilde, military-archaeological thriller protagonist. Ex-Green Beret, Arabic speaker. Boston U undergrad. Burned out, after years of combat deployment in the war on terror, trying to rebuild his life in academia as a Harvard archaeologist, following the footsteps of his Dad, a tenured professor at Princeton.

Wilde is intent in locating Ubar—the legendary lost ancient city known as the "Atlantis of the Sands", mentioned in the Quran as "Iram of the Pillars", for his own high-stakes "desert heist".

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━═ "Desert Heist", Nate Wilde #1 by Alex Dekker (2026)

IRAM OF THE PILLARS.
Arabia, 1932.
Harry St John Philby, a contemporary of T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) and adviser to King Abdulaziz ibn Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia, embarks on an expedition. Proficient in Arabic, the prominent British intelligence officer sets out with camels and Bedouin guides to find the lost city of Ubar, mentioned in the Quran as "Iram dhāt al-ʿimād" (Iram of the Pillars).

Philby traverses the vast expanse of sand called "Rub' al Khali" (The Empty Quarter), the largest contiguous sand desert in the world.

Only to find craters.

But then tribesmen come up to him bearing an object.
"I don't understand", Philby stammers.
"How is such a thing possible?!"

━━━

WARRIOR.
Yemen, Post-911.
Enter Sgt First Class Nate Wilde, on assignment in the war on terror based near the Gulf of Aden. Proficient in Arabic, intelligence NCO in an ODA (Operational Detachment Alpha), 5th SFG (Special Forces Group). In brief downtimes between deployments, he'd been working towards a master's degree in archaeology.

In reviewing JOC (Joint Operations Center) satellite LIDAR imagery of a convergence of camel trails, collaborator Saudi Captain Ahmed Malik, whose tribe hails from the region, exclaims he recognizes the image as the Lost City of Ubar.

SFC Wilde, skeptical, Ahmed unwraps a silk handkerchief and unveils a small golden coin, handed down in his family over generations.

Shortly after, the forward operating base comes under heavy mortar fire, an event which results in death and destruction, six months after which SFC Nate Wilde, Green Beret, has had enough.

He turns to academia.
But never forgets his most trusted friends.
Nor his quest.
━━━

SCHOLAR.
Harvard U, Cambridge, Mass. Two years later.

Dissertation Orals. "But how has your research provided any additional evidence that isn't anecdotal?", asked one of the tenured profs. "You refer to your interaction with the Saudi military officer? That is thirdhand, circumstantial evidence at best. It's not something to base an entire dissertation's research on.", says another.

Nate Wilde's dissertation proposal is rejected. Subsequently, the Saudi government denies his expedition permit.

━━━

DESERT HEIST.

Determined more than ever to find Ubar, the lost city, Wilde decides to bypass legal diplomacy. He plans an illegal entry into the "Empty Quarter", the same vast expanse traversed by St John Philby in 1932, by infiltrating through Yemen. The route forces him to return to the exact desert where a mortar attack had essentially ended his military career.

Code of Conduct: Black Ops.
The Fireteam!
Wilde recruits the only three men from his military days he still trusts. Sgt Tim McBride, his former best friend; Sgt Shane Price, former UFC fighter turned Green Beret; and former SAS Sgt Benjamin Walton. The team is joined by Ana Metry, an Egyptian geologist, whose father's research holds the key to uncovering Ubar's location.

Ubar.
"As the door swung open, the group got their first glimpse of the interior of the city.
And they all froze in awe...."

But, unbeknownst, the small expedition team was hunted.
By Al Qaeda terrorists.
By a heavily armed mercenary unit lead by a ruthless, maniacal former Russian Spetsnaz operator..!
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tgw━━━━════════
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Recommendation: Unputdownable Epic Debut! Not to be Missed.
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Book Details:
Rating: ★★★★★ (5.0 Stars!)
Title: Desert Heist
Author: Alex Dekker
Series: Nate Wilde
Pages: 464
ISBN-13: ‎978-1668095386
Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Release date: July 28, 2026
Order now: https://amzn.to/4535gtT

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#desertheist
#natewilde
#atria
#emilybestlerbooks
#netgalley

[Thrillers R Us · Rating 5 out of 5]

Officially produced one year before the 'temperance drink of choice', Dr Pepper is not classified as a cola beverage per se, though it's been a tough competitor for America's number one soda from the Peach State since 1885. Riffling through 140 years of marketing slogans, the late 80s saw the memorable 'Just what the doctor ordered' tag line and keeps bubbling up well into present-day 21st century advertising. Chasing a PhD in archaeology to become just like famed and fictional Dr. Henry Walton Jones, Jr, Nathan Wilde is looking for relic and treasure lost to the sands of time. Saddled with Special Forces combat experience, a dark past and a need to know, DESERT HEIST is excitement, adventure, and adrenaline; for a man looking for the 'Atlantis of the Sands', good old American action is just what the doctor ordered. The game is violence, the lesson is history, the prize is treasure. This is archaeology. This is DESERT HEIST.

Fresh out of the military and still shaking off PTSD from a deployment that went sideways in Yemen, Nathan Wilde is stuck with a hole in him that even archaeology can't fill. That doesn't mean that he won't try like hell. Buried somewhere in the the vast desert in the Middle East, it's oil and water, water and oil. In the scorching heat of Saudi Arabia, a former Green Beret turned Indiana Jones goes head to head with a ruthless Spetsnaz assassin. And there are secrets, lots of secrets. Ultimately, however, it's about truth, not glory. Knowledge, not wealth--the exact same reason why Green Berets leave Special Forces and get into the publishing business. With subterfuge, diversion and a little bit of luck, Nathan Wilde is on the path of the righteous, walking the walk of warrior academic, fighting with clinical detachment, trying to find something that hasn't been found for thousands of years and get ahead of a devious DESERT HEIST.

Insisting boldly that it's nice to get out of the library sometimes, DESERT HEIST is an interesting and entertaining yarn that doesn't build a story around gunplay and "Wouldn't it be cool action stunting" and instead presents a well-researched story, complex plot and realistic and authentic action. In fact, DESERT HEIST features one of the best page-based firefights readers can enjoy outside of extraordinary THE OUTPOST. Including shout-outs to 'The Most Interesting Man in the World', DOS EQUIS, and Lethal Weapon 3, DESERT HEIST is a modern-day RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, blending adventure, archaeology, and action to perfection. From Boston, Bonn and Raqqa, Green Berets are quite at home there. Quickly, pick the door, double tap, then shoot some more; the bad guys hit the floor. With flourish and in absence of a helipad, the COMMANDO-style knife fight gets the cinematic treatment in a much more exotic and precious locale. However, what may look good on film, a la martial arts end-fight in LETHAL WEAPON, does not usually translate well to the literary page. All the arm bars, holds, chokes, and moves are lost in translation. Nonetheless, DESERT HEIST is a heady mix of combat, cordite and coins. A caper of epic proportions, DESERT HEIST is supreme summer reading and scorching thriller that'll do in a pinch.








Many thanks to Alex Dekker, D.Brown, Emily Bestler and Net Galley for the early look. <3

[Carole Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has an operative turned archaeologist found a legendary lost Arab city?

Nate Wilde took an unusual path towards obtaining a PhD in Archaeology, especially for the son of two academics. He first joined the military, earning his way into the Green Berets and specialized intelligence training. He had a successful career there, but when a deployment in Yemen went horribly wrong and many of his team were killed he felt he needed to move on. Now he is at Harvard pitching his dissertation (one inspired at least in part by conversations with a Saudi officer with whom he had worked in Yemen), but it isn't going well. He believes he is on the path to finding the legendary lost city of Ubar, said to have been a wealthy spot on the ancient trading routes which was wiped from the Earth due to the inhabitants' arrogance. Others in the past have tried to locate it, including famed British explorer T. E. Lawrence, but to no avail. Wilde believes that between access to the records of many failed explorations combined with current day technology he will find Ubar in a remote area of Saudi Arabia but the dissertation committee isn't convinced that he has sufficient basis and reject his proposal. Saudi Arabia won't grant him the necessary clearance to enter the country legally either. Wilde didn't accomplish his previous life goals by giving up easily, and won't do so in this case either...he decides to push on. He enlists the help of former military buddies to accompany him on his quest, beginning with sneaking into Saudi Arabia through war-torn Yemen, the site where the disastrous events which took the lives of so many friends which still haunt him occurred. Before they even begin strange and deadly events start happening to people connected in some way to research material Wilde seeks about the area. Some person or group doesn't want Wilde and company anywhere near the Empty Quarter, so even the known dangers of the Yemeni countryside may be the least of the group's problems.
Desert Heist is a debut thriller penned by retired US Army Special Forces operator Alex Dekker, whose own extensive field experience infuse the novel with authenticity. It combines tactical military elements, an archaeological hunt for a lost piece of history and survival in a hostile environment with a richly illustrated setting. The camaraderie between Wilde and his former teammates also comes across strongly, and the intellectual as well as physical hunt for Ubar was intriguing. Where I found the book fell short of my (admittedly high) expectations was during romantic interactions...the women seemed two dimensional and idealized (the scientist who also was a beauty pageant winner to augment her study fees, for example). I also found the beginning of the book, when the author was setting up the cast of characters and plot, a bit of a slog, while his tendency to describe clothing and weaponry to minute detail a bit annoying (but that's just me, others may enjoy the level of detail). Overall, I found it a book with tremendous potential for a series that brings to mind authors like Clive Cussler, Brad Taylor and Jack Carr, with hints of Indiana Jones, a 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4. My thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books for allowing me access to the book in exchange for my honest review.

[PamG · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a debut novel! Desert Heist by Alex Dekker is a pulse-pounding action-adventure thriller blends the sub-genres of a military thriller, geopolitical intrigue, and an archaeological mystery into a gritty action-packed thriller. Nate Wilde is a former Green Beret and aspiring Harvard archaeologist. When his proposal to search for the legendary lost city of Ubar in Saudi Arabia is rejected by the Harvard examining committee and his expedition permit is denied by the Saudi government, Nate decides to continue his research with the help of men he trusts. Their path is to enter Saudi Arabia’s Empty Quarter through Yemen. However, mercenaries and others plan to stop them.

Nate possesses the elite tactical training as situational awareness from his time as a Green Beret. Additionally, he is proficient in combat and navigation. However, he is also a Harvard academic, historian, and archaeologist who is intelligent, headstrong, enjoys learning and studying, and is fluent in Arabic. There’s a strong cast of supporting characters as well.

Alex Dekker is not only a debut author, but a retired U.S. Army Special Forces operator who drew on his military background and his love for history. He speaks Arabic and is an amateur historian who has volunteered on several archaeological digs. This lends the authenticity to the story’s tactical combat as well has the historical and geographical accuracy.

This atmospheric thriller has a strong sense of place and a wonderful cast of characters. Despite the amount of danger the protagonists are in, they never lose sight of their end goal. This fast-paced narrative is filled with action sequences, suspense, and intrigue. The plot kept me engaged throughout. I enjoyed the tension and intensity of the story with strong characters and vivid descriptions.

Overall, this is a tense, exciting, gripping, and high-octane novel. If you enjoy action thrillers that combine tactical combat, history, archaeology, and geopolitical espionage, then this may be the series for you. This is an outstanding start to the Nate Wilde series. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

Atria Books – Atria/Emily Bestler Books and Alex Dekker provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for July 28, 2026.
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My 4.57 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.

[Tessa Talks Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desert Heist is one wild, dust-covered ride. It blends archaeology, military action, ancient mysteries, and modern geopolitical danger into an adventure that rarely slows down. And I loved that. Every time Nate and his team escaped one impossible situation, something even worse seemed to be waiting over the next sand dune.

What surprised me most was how much character development Alex Dekker worked into such a fast-paced story. This isn’t just action scene after action scene with a few names tossed in between. Nate’s military past, the loss of his team, and his determination to find the lost city give the adventure emotional weight. His choices don’t always come from the safest or most rational place, but they make sense for him—and that made him feel real.

I also loved the team he brings together. Wally, Shane, and Tim each have distinct personalities, histories, and reasons for joining Nate. Their friendship feels lived-in, complete with loyalty, tension, humor, and the kind of trust that can only come from surviving terrible things together. Ana is a compelling addition, too. Her search for her father gives her a personal stake in the expedition, so she never feels like she is there simply to move Nate’s story forward. These characters genuinely jump off the page. I cared about them, which made every dangerous encounter feel that much more intense.

And there are a lot of dangerous encounters.

The writing is wonderfully easy to fall into. Even with the archaeological research, military details, shifting alliances, and larger geopolitical mystery, I never felt lost or weighed down by information. Everything is explained clearly without stopping the story in its tracks. I could picture the vastness of the Empty Quarter, feel the isolation of the desert, and understand exactly why one wrong decision could turn deadly very quickly.

Desert Heist manages to be both plot-driven and character-driven, which is not always an easy balance to pull off—especially at this speed. I wanted to discover whether Ubar existed, but I was just as invested in the people searching for it. That combination kept me completely immersed and on the edge of my seat.

What an impressive debut thriller. It’s exciting, interesting, and genuinely compelling, with lovable characters and enough danger to make the desert feel like it might swallow everyone whole. I’m already curious to see what Alex Dekker does next.

Floral Verdict: 🌹 A Rose — A smart, fast-paced adventure thriller that I enthusiastically recommend.

[Blake]

I listened to the audio version of this book. For anyone interested in the audio version, it was easy listening and easy to follow whether you're on a long walk or drive.

What I found appealing about Desert Heist is that for the amount of archaeology and military thriller books out there, relatively few or almost none combine the two genres, even when the Middle East is a common setting for both. Desert Heist manages to combine the two with its main character, Nate Wilde, a former green beret turned amateur archaeologist looking for a lost city in a war-torn region.

The story was fairly captivating and had its moments where you want to know what happens next. As someone that often reads archaeology and adventure thrillers, the book did have a handful of cliches with its characters.

Nate's best friend holds a grievance towards him for leaving the military, having felt abandoned. His other two friends are a womanizing partyer and a Brit that often uses cockney language and phrases. Ana, the love interest, has trouble finding the perfect man until Nate comes along, and she ends up tagging along to search for her father, already dead. She has a couple of those 'damsel in distress' moments and also becomes conflicted about her love for Nate after seeing him kill several people. As for the villain, it's a Russian cold-blooded killer with morals that are limited by what their employer dictates.

However, there were a few things that made this book unique compared to others in its genre. First off, Ubar is a lost city that is seldom used as the archaeological focus as many other books use Atlantis or El Dorado. The second was the use of GIS technology and data in searching for the lost city, which might be appealing for those who've read Michael Crichton's Congo. Finally, the author incorporates the studies of hydrology and geology in rationalizing the mythological phenomena of ancient cities being destroyed by God.

Overall, I found the book a worthwhile read and a great addition to anybody's reading list even if it had a few cliche moment characters, though that's something I personally felt. I do think that this has the potential to be a book series where Nate Wilde goes on other archaeological expeditions with new characters.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absorbing adventure story filled with ancient secrets and action-packed with adventure and danger, perfect for those who love Indiana Jones like archeological settings and modern action heroes like in Greg Horowitz, Brad Thor or Jack Carr, for example, books. Be prepared for “seat of your pants” reading.

First, what better way to start a book but in 1932, a time of great adventure for those seeking treasures in the Middle East. You know right then you’re in “good” trouble - the lost city of Ubar beckons! Second, if this is going to be a series, this book is an excellent start.

We meet Sergeant First Class Nathan Wilde on a mission in Yemen. While “conjuring up” archaeological “field work in his head, he’s in the Green Berets on a mission where he learns of ancient camel trails used over thousands of years, any of which could be leading to the hidden city of Ubar. Wilde is shown an ancient coin that seems to confirm the existence of this hidden city on the Incense Trail. Fast forward two years, Wilde is now pursuing a PhD but still wants to pursue finding Ubar which he believes exist due to satellite images and the coin he had been shown. Turned down by Harvard and the Saudis, Wilde assembles his former Army unit to go back to find the hidden city.

Wilde assembles a great group of men - and the author’s characters in this group are realistic, believable characters and have great spirit and camaraderie. Of course, there’s a woman in the mix, geologist, Ana Metry - but she’s sharp and adds emotional depth to the group. The book is packed with military realism (the author is a former Green Beret), archaeological and historical elements that are intriguing and a great villain.

My only criticisms are that it took a bit to create Wilde’s world and the ending got a bit too long - it’s a good one though. I think both though slowed the book’s pacing. Otherwise this is a great read for adventure lovers.

My thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for granting me access to this ARC.

[Jean Kolinofsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
If Desert Heist were made into a movie, I would definitely be in line to buy a ticket. From the opening attack on a post in Yemen to an underground confrontation in Saudi Arabia the action never lets up. Intelligence officer Nate Wilde’s unit was devastated and he sustained wounds in the attack. After recovering he left the service to pursue a PhD in archeology at Harvard. His proposed dissertation was on the lost city of Ubar, a once prosperous trading center that was lost beneath the desert in Saudi Arabia. He had studied the writings of past archeologists who had searched the desert, but his dissertation was rejected by the committee. Wilde had heard the stories of Ubar from a fellow officer whose family was from Saudi Arabia. He was shown a coin found in the desert where artifacts sometimes emerged. Wilde is now determined to prove its’ existence. A clue to its’ location turns up in a report by a hydrologist working for the UN. He was murdered to prevent the release of the report, but a copy had already been sent to his daughter Ana. She will give Wilde access to the report only on condition that she can join him and his team on the search. The discovery of Ubar could complicate a potential oil deal. A team of mercenaries is on Wilde’s trail with instructions that Wilde and his team must never leave the desert alive.

Wilde’s team consists of men that he served with in Yemen. Surviving the attack together created a strong bond among the men. Although the search involves an illegal entry into Saudi Arabia and a hostile environment, there is no hesitation to join him. Alex Dekker gives you an adventure that is a cross between Indiana Jones and the thrillers from Brad Taylor or Don Bentley. Throw in a romantic element as Wilde and Ana become close and you have a story that will keep you glued to the pages. The world is filled with undiscovered treasures and I can only hope that Dekker will have Wilde and his team return for further adventures. I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this book.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Atria Mystery Bus for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alex Dekker has my vote for debut thriller of the year. This is a fun adventure that packs a punch and contains many elements for an engaging story.

Adding bits of history aiming to solve a mystery, friends new and old on a quest, and obstacles both natural and man made, this starts off as a slow burn setting the stage, developing the characters and background before ramping up into a fast paced race across the Saudi desert searching for the lost city of Ubar.

Out of the gate, this is a compelling thriller, perfect for beach read, airplane ride, or any vacation where you want to get that element of escape and slip off into the world of Nathan Wilde and friends.

Also this is a debut novel, so there are some aspects of story telling around transitions and pacing that I know Alex will fine tune over time as he hopefully writes more novels. It starts out with 3 different plot lines that all end up converging in the second half of the novel and plays out in a satisfying way. In this novel he displays all the raw tools and elements of compelling story telling that this fine tuning I know will come.

It’s hard with debut novelists, because you want their work to stand on its own, and I think Dekker’s does. At the same time, it’s easy to think “what established authors does this new author’s work feel like?” I’ve been a long fan of thrillers, and this has the feeling of a classic Clive Cussler novel with the history bend and set up mixed with the more modern day action and story telling of Brad Thor or Jack Carr, or even the feeling of a James Rollins Sigma Force novel. It covers all the bases that I look for in an adventure story and it was very hard to put down (almost missed a train stop once!).

Highly recommend, pick it up, strap yourself in, and enjoy the ride.

[Crowley Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Blend of High-Octane Action and Archeological Mystery

If you are a fan of military thrillers but also like historical puzzle-solving, Desert Heist by Alex Dekker is a good choice for your next read. This is Indiana Jones mixed with the high-stakes, hyper-realistic tactical world of Andrews & Wilson’s Tier One series, or perhaps a Dan Brown/Jack Carr crossover event.

The Genre Fit
This debut novel sits perfectly at the intersection of a Military Action-Thriller and an Archeological Adventure Mystery. It takes the puzzle-solving elements of a historic treasure hunt and drops them into a modern, high-stakes combat environment.

What It Gets Right
* Unmatched Realism: Written by a former Green Beret, the book shines in its authenticity. Much like the Tier One books, the weapon handling, squad camaraderie, and operational logistics feel genuine. You can tell this book was thoroughly researched.
* The "Operator-Scholar" Dynamic: Protagonist Nate Wilde balances the grit of a Special Forces soldier with the intellect of a Harvard PhD student, giving off major modern Indiana Jones vibes.
* Squad Chemistry: The banter, dark humor, and loyalty between the team members are organic, bringing much-needed levity to a tense plot.

Minor Criticisms
* The Slow-Burn Setup: An early chunk of the book focuses heavily on academic red tape and planning before the team actually hits the desert. This is necessary in a lot of first novels, and I would expect that to smooth out should the book evolve into a series .
* Familiar Formula: The plot occasionally leans into traditional thriller tropes, particularly with a villain who might be a bit cartoonishly evil.

The Verdict
Alex Dekker delivered a fun, fast-paced adventure that respects the intelligence of both its characters and its readers. It is a fantastic debut!

[Jan Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex Dekker has written an exciting book which I enjoyed reading!

What's not to like?
A group of ex-military bad asses, a beautiful young scientist searching for her missing father, a highly paid assassin with a bunch of very bad guys PLUS Al Qaeda terrorists that are trying to kill these folks while they are ilegally searching for a lost city in the Saudi Arabian desert.

Our main character retired Green Beret soldier Nate Wilde is currently attending Harvard, studying History for his archaeology dissertation about the hidden (lost) city of Ubar in Saudi Arabia. Things do not go well with his professors, Nate decides the only way to prove his findings is to get into Saudi Arabia and find the city himself. After several near death escapes he contacts his former military team for their help.

This part reminds me of the Magnificent Seven when the main gunslinger interviews killers for hire to protect a small town in Mexico. Except Nate and his friends are going up against an organization that does not want them to find the hidden city in the desert and is willing to do whatever it takes to stop them.

You can see where Mr. Dekker's military experience has helped him tell this "heist" story with amazing details not only during the fights, but through past and present battles. Nate & his group fight off wave after wave of "bad characters" to solve a historic mystery where information about the city of Ubar has been passed down through the ages by desert inhabitants with it's fantastic treasures. They also uncover a huge source of water in the desert that will change the global balance of the entire desert region.

It was a fun and exciting read and I hope there is a sequel in the near future.
Enjoy!

[Books With Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had such a fun time falling into this adventure!
What I loved:
1. The pacing. I don't mind a good fast-paced thriller, but this one was perfect for me. Fast enough to keep me interested but slow enough for me to appreciate everything going on.
2. Detailed and accurate descriptions about the combat scenes and weapons. Even though this story is very romanticized, it's so amazing to me how much real experience the author put into this story.
3. Attention to the beautiful culture of the Middle East. We focus so much on the negative aspects and what's going wrong, it was nice to be reminded of the amazing people, history, and culture that exists there.
4. I loved the author's note and realizing some of the characters were based on real people!

What kept it from being perfect for me:
1. The love interest. I'm already not into romance, but I'll take it as a sub-plot sometimes. This love story was just too fast and unrealistic for me.
2. This book reads like watching an action movie. The good thing is it was easy to visualize, the downside was some interactions felt a little cheesy or way over dramatized. The ending was also a quick and perfect happily ever after. I rolled my eyes a few times, but then a fight would happen and I'd be on the edge of my seat.

Overall, I'm so glad I got to read this story. I looked forward to opening this book everyday! I have huge respect and gratitude for people who train and work so hard to defend the USA, and I think it's such a flex to take those experiences and turn it into something that can be shared.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a very mixed review of this - .... the military stuff was of no interest to me and much of it is jargon which made those sections a bit tedious. The archeology stuff was very good -and the reason I read this book. I found myself going onto Wikipedia to look up Yemen, Ubar, etc. That's a good story if it gets me to do that. But so often I found myself thrown out of the story by the odd attention to unimportant details by the author.

For example, there is a detailed description of every watch worn by every character - one character is wearing a 'two-toned Oyster Perpetual Submarine Date Rolex' - why? how does that add to the story and why note the specific watch as it doesn't come into the story later - limiting to 'a rolex' meets the need just as easily - or 'he put on his watch.'

Later the main character changes clothes into levi's, a black Arc^tergx pullover and a pair of tobacco-colored Todd Snyder boots.' How does the brand of pullover and boots matter? I've never heard of Arc^tergx but maybe it's a military thing? Every time it happened it tossed me out of the story because I kept asking 'who cares' - he changed his clothes into levi's, a pullover and some boots. Also,
this character is out of the military, watching his funds as he attends Harvard - yet buys designer clothes (although since I don't know the meaning of noting the brands - maybe they aren't designer but military clothing.)

All that said - the archeology stuff interested me - I would read a second by this author to see where this character goes...

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desert Heist is the debut book by a former Green Beret named Alex Dekker. It’s easy to see from reading his bio that much of the book draws from his experiences. Our lead character, Nate Wilde, is a history-loving former Green Beret now preparing to be an archaeologist. After suffering a rejection he sets out, with some friends and the daughter of a missing United Nations employee, to find a mythical city, perhaps lost many years ago somewhere in the Saudi Arabian desert. One problem – there are bad guys, willing to kill, hot on their trail.

Desert Heist starts out strong with an attack on Nate and his squad in Yemen. There is action throughout mixed with good character development. I greatly enjoyed the book but have one minor criticism, for which I will be somewhat vague to not spoil anything. For a book that is somewhat longer than most of what I read, some things just seemed to happen too easily for the good guys.

Incidentally, the book ended on a fun note as I read the Acknowledgements section in the back. Several characters in the book are evidently named for real people who he thanked in his credits. I find it to be kind of cool when authors do that. Props to the people he so honored!

I’d recommend this book for readers who seek an Indiana Jones or National Treasure-type adventure.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you to Atria Books and Goodreads for the copy provided. The above opinions are my own.

[Derek Ingram · Rating 4 out of 5]

[4.0*] There have been a handful of books I have read the past year that I have remarked would be a fun vacation read with your mom, but am happy to add one for the dads who read out there as well. Desert Heist is a straightforward adventure story centered around Nathan Wilde, a former Green Beret who has off-ramped his military career into the halls of academia as a prospective Harvard archaeologist. As his dissertation approaches, he is unable to ignore his intuition that he may have stumbled upon a lost desert city the last time he was stationed in the Middle East. Despite his dissertation proposal being denied, and his request for a desert expedition being denied by the Saudi government, Wilde forges ahead with his plan with the help of a few friends from his service days.

Why is this one to read with your dad? There is very little that happens off the page, minimal subtext, plenty of action and enough well-researched facts and tidbits about Middle Eastern and military history to furnish a family dinner or two. If you like Indiana Jones movies, the ‘Uncharted’ video games, or – if you want to keep it in the literary realm – the idea of “what if Jack Reacher was in a Dan Brown story?”, then I think Alex Dekker has crafted a very digestible book for your enjoyment.

Thank you Atria Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Suzanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desert Heist is a debut action thriller reminiscent of a fusion of Clive Cussler, Tom Clancy, and Dan Brown. It follows former Green Beret turned Harvard archaeologist PhD student Nate Wilde on an adventure to find the mythical lost city of Ubar deep within the parched, barren Saudi Arabian desert. 

This novel is a lot of fun. It's fast-paced, plot-driven, and action-packed, with short, engaging chapters. The characters are also fun, albeit one-dimensional. Wilde shows the most complexity, but no character, including him, shows any real growth over the course of the novel. 

Elements of this book are likely based of the author's life, who is also former military and spent time in the Middle East. That makes the sense of place a strong element of the novel. He brought the Arabain deserts to life.

One minor thing sucked me right out of the novel - the use of the word 'unalived'. This is social media slang used to avoid being shadow banned; former Green Berets who actively kill and frequently use that verb have no reason to say unalived, and neither does the author. This didn't affect my rating, but I found its use so odd I'm writing an entire paragraph on it in this review...

I will be reading future Nate Wilde books though. It was a fun and wild(e) ride, which is sometimes just what you need.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Mike Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex Dekker's debut novel, Desert Heist, is a must read for any thriller fan. The story follows Nate Wilde, a former Green Beret who leaves the military after a traumatic deployment in Yemen. Now pursuing his doctorate at Harvard, Nate is determined to prove the existence and location of the legendary lost city of Ubar for his dissertation.

Despite facing skepticism and a lack of academic support for his research, Nate refuses to give up on his quest. With the help of former military teammates and an Egyptian geologist, he embarks on a globe-spanning adventure in search of answers. What Nate does not realize is that a former Spetsnaz soldier is determined to stop him from uncovering the secrets of Ubar and whatever may be buried beneath the desert sands.

Dekker crafts an exciting and engaging story that keeps readers invested from beginning to end. Nate Wilde is a particularly strong protagonist: intelligent, resilient, and resourceful. The inclusion of his former teammates adds both emotional depth and camaraderie, making the journey feel even more compelling.

Desert Heist reads like a modern-day Indiana Jones adventure, blending action, mystery, and exploration into a fast-paced thriller. If you enjoy stories filled with ancient secrets, dangerous adversaries, and high-stakes adventure, I am confident you will enjoy this book.

[The Page Judge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel came highly recommended. And thankfully I was able to get an early copy from NetGalley to read and review.
This book started with a bang. An intense, high-stakes action scene right out of the gate. And it was written very well. Very enjoyable. And you can see how everything in this scene sets up the rest of the book.
Then, I'll admit, it started to slow down. I understand the need for the back story, the historical information, but I didn't enjoy this section.
Once Nate is on the road, however, the book picks up again and this time, does not slow down.
The premise is that Nate Wilde, a hopeful archaeologist, and Green Beret, has his sights set on finding the lost city of Ubar, in Saudi Arabia.
Gathering friends and acquaintances along the way, he is forced to work his way into the desert, avoiding all sorts of pitfalls, threats and bad luck, to try to get to where he thinks the city is.

This was well written, and full of enough action to keep you hooked. The scenes in the Arabian desert are excellent. You can feel their despair, and joy. The descriptions transport you to that world.

For a debut novel, I loved it. I look forward to more from Alex Dekker.

[Steven Netter · Rating 4 out of 5]

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books

Desert Heist is an epic, high-adrenaline, cinematic adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It’s a cross between Indiana Jones and Three Kings, making for a dramatic, intense and incredibly entertaining thrill ride through the desert of Saudi Arabia and the sands of time. A smashing debut by Alex Dekker!

The pursuit of lost history and buried treasure, and the dangers inherent in such a risky journey, are enough on their own to produce a pulse-pounding story. Throw in a highly capable and well-financed operator who will stop at nothing to keep that expedition from success, and it throws more fuel on the fire. Then add in a woman who’s desperate to find her father and the attempt to heal broken bonds of a brotherhood forged in battle, and emotional connections are created that grow reader’s investment in the characters. Lastly, exploring themes of resilience, overcoming obstacles and never giving up, give this tale a fist-pumping, cheer-out-loud quality that results in total buy-in from the reader.

Simply put, it’s a summer blockbuster action movie in book form.

[Jenny K (on partial break) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an unusual and engaging novel.

Plot summary: Ex-Green Beret Nate Wilde has settled into academia, which he feels is much more his calling than the military. After hearing about the lost city of riches, Ubar, from his time serving in Yemen, he writes his doctoral thesis on it. When it needs more data, he decides to go see if he can find the lost city.

Danger ensues when a Russian hitman goes after Nate and his team. Why is he on their trail? And can Nate and his team find the city before he does?

Since the author was himself a Green Beret, the details here feel authentic, and it's an exciting ride. There is almost an element of fantasy here in finding the lost city, and there's an excellent mix of thriller and history.

There is a romance part that felt cheesy to me, and this had a whiff of "debut novel." There was also the feeling that the story studiously avoided current Middle Eastern politics, which I'm sure felt like a wise move, but at the same time, took away from the authenticity.

The ending was fabulous, and I liked that he went over each character's arc, just a bit, to tie up all the loose ends.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, and Alex Dekker for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Desert Heist” by Alex Dekker is an entertaining and cinematic adventure debut that promises to be the start of an action packed series.
A former Green Beret turned student, pursuing a PhD in archaeology at Harvard, is trying to move on from tragic events that ended his career. When his dissertation proposal to find the lost Saudi city of Ubar is rejected, he teams up with his special forces buddies to continue the search for evidence of its existence on his own. They illegally enter Saudi Arabia via Yemen and quickly find themselves hunted by terrorists and a former Russian special agent whose bosses have given orders to stop the group at all costs. What follows is a life-or-death race against the clock with serious global consequences on the line.

It’s clear that Mr. Dekker brings his own love of history and his expertise as a past member of the Green Berets to this story. His knowledge gives credibility to the plot and the characters, and I am looking forward to reading the next installment. I recommend to all thrill seekers and lovers of Indiana Jones!
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Trad Leatherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, Ivwoukd like to thank Alex Dekker for sending me an ARC copy of Desert Heist. This was an outstanding debut novel filled with crisp writing, action-packed fighting sequences, great characters, and a very descriptive setting. The story centers around Nathaniel Wilde, a highly decorated Special Forces Green Beret. While on assignment in the Middle East, his friends, and others come under attack barely surviving with their lives. Taking this as a hint to pursue an archeological passion, Nate decides to go back to school and get a degree in archeology. His thesis hinges on the long lost city of Ubar. When he is turned down and laughed at for this pursuit, he recruits some of the same friends he barely survived with and the adventure begins. One can tell right away that the author writes what he knows. The description of the fight sequences, weapons, tactics, and strategies are top-notch. This is certainly a book for those who grew up with Indiana Jones movies or want a high octane thriller. An awesome bonus for me is that one of the main characters is from my hometown of Paducah, Kentucky. Five stars for me.

[Ricki · Rating 3 out of 5]

The original premise was interesting- former Green Beret working towards his Phd proposes his dissertation on tales of a missing rich city named Uber in Saudi Arabia. The dissertation panel is unconvinced and he is told to re-access and come up with a new topic.

That said, the first 40+ pages of background into last deployment, his loss of comrades and meeting bartender Paige could have been condensed. I was seriously contemplating abandoning the book at this point but persevered. It turned into Nate's heading to London for more research and then convincing 3 of his former mates into returning to the middle east to hunt for Uber.

Meanwhile a Russian assassin is terminating people tied to a water study which overlaps with Nate's search for Uber. Nate and his crew are hunted through the desert by al-Qaeda (hired by the Russian) and then the Russian himself.

The finding of Uber is accidental and the ending is wrapped up abruptly with a lot of fanfare for Nate with Saudi Arabia and Harvard. I would say that the reward given by the Saudi prince was meager for the value of the find. Plus if you are expecting a "heist" there isn't one!

[Clayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big thank you to Alex Dekker and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the advanced copy through NetGalley.

What a debut novel from Alex Dekker. A fresh name and a fresh idea into the special operator,/thriller genre. Dekker takes readers on a Wilde ride introducing us to Nathan and his squad. Indiana Jones meshed with Nathan Drake and Pike Logan. Former Green Beret but a mind for ancient history. He doesn't let anything stop him from finding the lost city of Ubar.

Dekker's characters are many, but well developed with background, and one can hope that we get more of their story in the future. The story itself had a lot of slower paced intellectual history lessons, which I found interesting but somewhat monotonous. When the adventure got going it was nonstop.

My one and a half issues with the story are that after the lengthy buildup the cinematic ending was quite short and sudden and the preposterousness of it all.

All said, I definitely will be looking for a future Dekker Novel.

[Krazylars · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is based on a Goodreads giveaway. Thanks!

This was a thrilling oasis of suspense! Desert Heist is a masterclass in high-stakes storytelling. From the opening scene, the atmosphere is thick with heat and tension, making the desert setting feel like a character in its own right. The plot is meticulously paced, blending technical precision with raw, unpredictable human elements that keep you guessing until the final pages.

What truly elevates this experience is the character development; these aren't just archetypes, but flawed, desperate individuals with clear motivations that make the high stakes feel personal. The dialogue is sharp, and the action sequences are choreographed with a cinematic clarity that is rare to find.

The only reason it isn't a "perfect" 5 is a slightly dense middle section where the pacing slows down for technical exposition, but the explosive finale more than makes up for it.

If you’re looking for a gritty, smart, and relentlessly engaging ride, Desert Heist is a must. Highly recommended!