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Broken Creed: A Psychological Thriller
He died in Iraq. Hell sent him back.
Jonah Creed—former Army HUMINT collector, disgraced cop, now a Houston PI—survived an IED blast that should have killed him. Instead, it gave him a glimpse of something worse than death. Now, twenty years later, the same warped symbol from a Fallujah ritual chamber is appearing in Houston.
What starts as a routine corporate espionage case spirals into a hunt for a conspiracy that spans continents and threatens to tear dimensional breaches across the globe. The darkness Jonah thought he left behind in Iraq has found him.
From the war-torn streets of Fallujah to the heart of North Africa, one man's investigation becomes a battle against forces that shouldn't exist.
BROKEN CREED is a supernatural military thriller for readers who want their horror grounded in tactical reality. No Hollywood heroics. No easy answers. Just one operator, unlikely allies, and a war that never ended.
Written by a former Army combat medic (68W) who deployed to Iraq.
Pre-order now. January 1, 2026.
Jonah Creed—former Army HUMINT collector, disgraced cop, now a Houston PI—survived an IED blast that should have killed him. Instead, it gave him a glimpse of something worse than death. Now, twenty years later, the same warped symbol from a Fallujah ritual chamber is appearing in Houston.
What starts as a routine corporate espionage case spirals into a hunt for a conspiracy that spans continents and threatens to tear dimensional breaches across the globe. The darkness Jonah thought he left behind in Iraq has found him.
From the war-torn streets of Fallujah to the heart of North Africa, one man's investigation becomes a battle against forces that shouldn't exist.
BROKEN CREED is a supernatural military thriller for readers who want their horror grounded in tactical reality. No Hollywood heroics. No easy answers. Just one operator, unlikely allies, and a war that never ended.
Written by a former Army combat medic (68W) who deployed to Iraq.
Pre-order now. January 1, 2026.
477 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2026
2 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Michael Mancino
1 book1 followerFormer Army combat medic. Iraq veteran. Investigator. Author.
I've had vivid dreams and supernatural experiences my entire life. As a former Army combat medic (68W) who deployed to Iraq, worked executive protection and private investigations, traveled many parts of the globe, and spent nearly a decade investigating financial crimes, I've seen enough of the world to know that darkness—both human and otherwise—is real.
My background includes service as a TCCC instructor, deployment to Kirkuk/Mosul, and later career work in financial crimes investigation where I earned CAMS and CFE certifications. I've maintained an extensive operator network of federal agents, SOF veterans, and law enforcement who continue to inform the technical accuracy in my work.
I also have an extensive combat sports background including Muay Thai, Sanda, MMA, and Krav Maga, which informs the tactical realism in my writing.
Why I Write
Broken Creed is testimony disguised as fiction.
Some of what happens to Jonah Creed happened to me. The Hell tour. The possession attempt. The feeling of being marked by something you can't see and can't escape. I wrote this to process those experiences, and it was as difficult to write as it may be for some to read.
My goal isn't shock value—it's to give readers a glimpse of what true malevolence feels like. This is grounded supernatural horror built on real experience, real trauma, and real spiritual warfare.
For those who bear witness: thank you.
I've had vivid dreams and supernatural experiences my entire life. As a former Army combat medic (68W) who deployed to Iraq, worked executive protection and private investigations, traveled many parts of the globe, and spent nearly a decade investigating financial crimes, I've seen enough of the world to know that darkness—both human and otherwise—is real.
My background includes service as a TCCC instructor, deployment to Kirkuk/Mosul, and later career work in financial crimes investigation where I earned CAMS and CFE certifications. I've maintained an extensive operator network of federal agents, SOF veterans, and law enforcement who continue to inform the technical accuracy in my work.
I also have an extensive combat sports background including Muay Thai, Sanda, MMA, and Krav Maga, which informs the tactical realism in my writing.
Why I Write
Broken Creed is testimony disguised as fiction.
Some of what happens to Jonah Creed happened to me. The Hell tour. The possession attempt. The feeling of being marked by something you can't see and can't escape. I wrote this to process those experiences, and it was as difficult to write as it may be for some to read.
My goal isn't shock value—it's to give readers a glimpse of what true malevolence feels like. This is grounded supernatural horror built on real experience, real trauma, and real spiritual warfare.
For those who bear witness: thank you.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This one grabbed my attention immediately as its not my usual read. Michael Mancino is a former Army Medic, and you can see that lived experience written into this fictional story.
The book opens with an intense, vivid nightmare and a very unnatural ritual chamber Creed encountered overseas. Now back home and working as a detective after an IED blast changed his world, that chamber still haunts him in ways he can’t shake.
Creed finds himself trapped in a supernatural “in between,” trying to piece together what’s happening without sounding completely unhinged. On top of navigating his PTSD. Armed with high tech gear and spy level gadgets, he starts digging into a case that slowly unravels the angels, demons, and dark shadows lurking around.
Has Creed finally lost his grip on reality or is Hell far more real than anyone wants to believe?
Packed with guns, gadgets, tactical sleuthing, a creepy AI and a glimpse of Hell (plus a Keanu Reeves shout out that I loved), this story blends military missions with supernatural horror. The writing is descriptive and fun. (Think Call of Duty fun)
The book opens with an intense, vivid nightmare and a very unnatural ritual chamber Creed encountered overseas. Now back home and working as a detective after an IED blast changed his world, that chamber still haunts him in ways he can’t shake.
Creed finds himself trapped in a supernatural “in between,” trying to piece together what’s happening without sounding completely unhinged. On top of navigating his PTSD. Armed with high tech gear and spy level gadgets, he starts digging into a case that slowly unravels the angels, demons, and dark shadows lurking around.
Has Creed finally lost his grip on reality or is Hell far more real than anyone wants to believe?
Packed with guns, gadgets, tactical sleuthing, a creepy AI and a glimpse of Hell (plus a Keanu Reeves shout out that I loved), this story blends military missions with supernatural horror. The writing is descriptive and fun. (Think Call of Duty fun)
January 4, 2026
I got this book as an ARC and have been talking to the author regularly. I just have to say this book is deliciously dark in all the best ways. The MMC is definitely a character I can get behind, the depiction of his character is delectable. Gives off broken but can be fixed vibes for sure. The military themes throughout the book are very well done unlike some books out there. I really enjoyed this story, the characters, and the plot. It was all so well written and kept you wanting more. The mystery of what was actually going on and what was going to happen had me thinking about the book even when I was running around doing other things during the holiday season. If you want a book with a bit of mystery, a ton of suspense, and a healthy dose of psychological wtf?! this book is for you. It wasnt too dark or too much, it was just enough for a seasoned reader of this genre. Definitely a great read and I cant praise it more.
December 4, 2025
I went into this thinking it would be a straightforward military thriller, and then the paranormal elements slid in and hooked me immediately. The title Broken Creed is such a clever choice, it connects to the character in more ways than you realize at first, and watching those layers peel back was one of my favorite parts.
Creed himself is complex in a way that feels real: capable but damaged, guarded but still someone you root for. The mix of military grit and supernatural tension works so well together that I could not stop reading!
If you like thrillers with sharp pacing, strong character work, and a little paranormal mystery woven in, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.
Creed himself is complex in a way that feels real: capable but damaged, guarded but still someone you root for. The mix of military grit and supernatural tension works so well together that I could not stop reading!
If you like thrillers with sharp pacing, strong character work, and a little paranormal mystery woven in, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.
January 2, 2026
This was a longer book then what I’ve been used to reading lately and have been wanting to slowly build my way up but when I got offered the opportunity to read this I couldn’t say no. It was such a good psychological thriller. Had a slow burn to it but still kept me hooked from page one until the end.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews