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Dragon's Mask
A missing drone. A deadly secret. The countdown to war has begun.
Air Force Special Investigator Henry Purcel thought he was chasing a simple data breach. He was wrong.
When classified drone tech surfaces in Chinese hands, Purcel uncovers a covert operation years in the making—one that’s turned America’s own defense network into a weapon aimed at its allies. As invasion fleets mobilize and assassins close in, Purcel races to expose the truth before the first strike ignites a global war.
Spanning Somalia, Washington DC, upstate New York, and the metropolises of China, Dragon’s Mask is a globe-trotting, high-octane military thriller—where protecting critical systems means risking everything to stop a war no one else sees coming. Perfect for fans of Vince Flynn and Mark Greaney.
Air Force Special Investigator Henry Purcel thought he was chasing a simple data breach. He was wrong.
When classified drone tech surfaces in Chinese hands, Purcel uncovers a covert operation years in the making—one that’s turned America’s own defense network into a weapon aimed at its allies. As invasion fleets mobilize and assassins close in, Purcel races to expose the truth before the first strike ignites a global war.
Spanning Somalia, Washington DC, upstate New York, and the metropolises of China, Dragon’s Mask is a globe-trotting, high-octane military thriller—where protecting critical systems means risking everything to stop a war no one else sees coming. Perfect for fans of Vince Flynn and Mark Greaney.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2026
About the author
Adam Kwiat
1 book35 followersBorn and raised in upstate New York, currently residing on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Traveling, reading, good movies/tv series...just a few of my favorite things. Add writing to that now.
Debut novel is Dragon's Mask: A novel of military espionage.
Debut novel is Dragon's Mask: A novel of military espionage.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 11, 2026
Really enjoyable read! I wouldn’t describe this as my typical genre so I wasn’t sure going into it how I’d feel but decided to give it a try. The author laid out a solid foundation and made a complex topic easy to digest. It took me about 50 pages to get a feel for the acronyms and characters but after that it was a page turner with an awesome ending.
March 5, 2026
I feel like there was a bit of bait and switch here.
After the opening chapter, where there's a shootout in Somalia, we get an old fashioned mole hunt.
The usual flawed protagonist searches for the the who and how of the leak, while Chinese intelligence agents mostly panic.
I liked the nuts and bolts aspect, but I feel like we were promised something more Bard Thor and less guys running around asking questions.
After the opening chapter, where there's a shootout in Somalia, we get an old fashioned mole hunt.
The usual flawed protagonist searches for the the who and how of the leak, while Chinese intelligence agents mostly panic.
I liked the nuts and bolts aspect, but I feel like we were promised something more Bard Thor and less guys running around asking questions.
January 19, 2026
An unexpected discovery during a counterterrorism operation leads to uncovering an advanced persistent threat to national security. Excellent, well paced read I thoroughly enjoyed!
February 18, 2026
Exceptional book about a subject I was not familiar with. He made it easy to understand and made me want me. Great read
January 14, 2026
I read this book as an ARC and this review is based on my reading the book and is an honest opinion about it.
Dragon’s Mask was one of those reads that reminded me why I enjoy military thrillers when they are done with confidence and restraint. I read this as an advanced review copy from Severn Publishing and found myself pulled in almost immediately. What begins as a seemingly contained investigation quickly grows into something far more dangerous and global in scope. The escalation feels natural and well paced, never wasting time on unnecessary setup while still giving the story room to breathe.
Henry turned out to be a strong lead for me. He is competent without being invincible and driven without tipping into caricature. I appreciated that he reacts like a real person under pressure rather than a genre checklist hero. His internal commentary adds a grounded tone that balances the high stakes nicely. The author clearly understands how to build tension through character as much as through action, which made the quieter moments just as engaging as the explosive ones.
The plot moves at a brisk pace and leans heavily into international intrigue and modern military technology. This is where the book shines most. The scope feels big without becoming confusing, and the technical elements come across as informed rather than overwhelming. There were a few moments where I could see certain developments coming ahead of time, and some side characters felt more like pieces on the board than fully realized individuals. Those issues kept the story from reaching top tier for me, but they never fully pulled me out of the experience.
The writing style is clean and efficient, clearly focused on momentum. This is not a book that lingers on flowery description, and I think that works in its favor. The author trusts the story to carry itself, and for the most part it does. The tension remains consistent and the stakes feel real, especially as the consequences of failure become clearer.
I am settling comfortably on four stars for Dragon’s Mask. It is an engaging and well constructed thriller that delivers exactly what it promises while still leaving room for growth in future installments. Fans of modern military and espionage thrillers should find a lot to enjoy here, and I will definitely be keeping an eye on where this series goes next.
Dragon’s Mask was one of those reads that reminded me why I enjoy military thrillers when they are done with confidence and restraint. I read this as an advanced review copy from Severn Publishing and found myself pulled in almost immediately. What begins as a seemingly contained investigation quickly grows into something far more dangerous and global in scope. The escalation feels natural and well paced, never wasting time on unnecessary setup while still giving the story room to breathe.
Henry turned out to be a strong lead for me. He is competent without being invincible and driven without tipping into caricature. I appreciated that he reacts like a real person under pressure rather than a genre checklist hero. His internal commentary adds a grounded tone that balances the high stakes nicely. The author clearly understands how to build tension through character as much as through action, which made the quieter moments just as engaging as the explosive ones.
The plot moves at a brisk pace and leans heavily into international intrigue and modern military technology. This is where the book shines most. The scope feels big without becoming confusing, and the technical elements come across as informed rather than overwhelming. There were a few moments where I could see certain developments coming ahead of time, and some side characters felt more like pieces on the board than fully realized individuals. Those issues kept the story from reaching top tier for me, but they never fully pulled me out of the experience.
The writing style is clean and efficient, clearly focused on momentum. This is not a book that lingers on flowery description, and I think that works in its favor. The author trusts the story to carry itself, and for the most part it does. The tension remains consistent and the stakes feel real, especially as the consequences of failure become clearer.
I am settling comfortably on four stars for Dragon’s Mask. It is an engaging and well constructed thriller that delivers exactly what it promises while still leaving room for growth in future installments. Fans of modern military and espionage thrillers should find a lot to enjoy here, and I will definitely be keeping an eye on where this series goes next.
March 20, 2026
This was a really enjoyable read and a great surprise for me. It is not typically the kind of genre I gravitate toward, so I went in a bit unsure, but I’m very glad I gave it a chance. It quickly became a page turner that was hard to put down.
It was interesting how the technical concepts are woven into the narrative. I actually learned quite a bit about hardware security, like RECORD, while the plot unfolded. The tech was explained in a way that added a sense of authenticity without ever feeling overwhelming. It was impressive how the author made complex ideas easy to follow while still keeping the story moving at a great pace.
The story opened my eyes to the cost/benefit of innovation with consequence. Technology creates opportunity, but it also introduces risk, and that balance kept the story compelling. There is a steady sense of tension as things unfold, and the stakes feel meaningful without losing focus on the characters.
I genuinely hope this is the beginning of a series. The concept and characters have plenty of room to grow, and I would absolutely read the next installment. Overall, this was an engaging and well-crafted story that kept me invested the whole way through. A modern day Ray Bradbury with a little bit of Arthur C. Clarke. I found myself reading ahead to see where the tech would lead. Part out of curiosity, and a little out of fear. Would probably make for an interesting movie.
It was interesting how the technical concepts are woven into the narrative. I actually learned quite a bit about hardware security, like RECORD, while the plot unfolded. The tech was explained in a way that added a sense of authenticity without ever feeling overwhelming. It was impressive how the author made complex ideas easy to follow while still keeping the story moving at a great pace.
The story opened my eyes to the cost/benefit of innovation with consequence. Technology creates opportunity, but it also introduces risk, and that balance kept the story compelling. There is a steady sense of tension as things unfold, and the stakes feel meaningful without losing focus on the characters.
I genuinely hope this is the beginning of a series. The concept and characters have plenty of room to grow, and I would absolutely read the next installment. Overall, this was an engaging and well-crafted story that kept me invested the whole way through. A modern day Ray Bradbury with a little bit of Arthur C. Clarke. I found myself reading ahead to see where the tech would lead. Part out of curiosity, and a little out of fear. Would probably make for an interesting movie.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Dragon’s Mask is not one of those slow burn books. It kicks the door in right from the start and does not ever let up. I figured it was going to be just another tech spy story, but it turns into something a whole lot bigger and meaner real quick.
Henry is the kind of fellow who just keeps on digging even when every sign says he ought to quit. What starts off as a missing drone turns into a big pile of secrets, back room trouble, and bad choices people have been making for years. I liked how it shows how one little slip up can blow up into a world size problem.
The story bounces around Somalia, Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, and China, and it never feels lost. It just feels tighter and tighter, like something bad is closing in. Every chapter has people moving pieces around, nobody saying the whole truth, and you can feel the time running out the whole way through.
This book is fast, tense, and hits hard without being dumb about it. It does not try to sound fancy or smart. It just tells a strong story with real danger and big stakes. If you like military thrillers that feel serious and real, this one gets the job done.
I give it a 4 outta 5 catfish!
Dragon’s Mask is not one of those slow burn books. It kicks the door in right from the start and does not ever let up. I figured it was going to be just another tech spy story, but it turns into something a whole lot bigger and meaner real quick.
Henry is the kind of fellow who just keeps on digging even when every sign says he ought to quit. What starts off as a missing drone turns into a big pile of secrets, back room trouble, and bad choices people have been making for years. I liked how it shows how one little slip up can blow up into a world size problem.
The story bounces around Somalia, Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, and China, and it never feels lost. It just feels tighter and tighter, like something bad is closing in. Every chapter has people moving pieces around, nobody saying the whole truth, and you can feel the time running out the whole way through.
This book is fast, tense, and hits hard without being dumb about it. It does not try to sound fancy or smart. It just tells a strong story with real danger and big stakes. If you like military thrillers that feel serious and real, this one gets the job done.
I give it a 4 outta 5 catfish!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received an ARC through "Severn River" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The story begins with a SEAL team from the Navy performing a mission in Somalia to eliminate a high ranking ICU leader. After arriving at their location and completing their mission, they discovered information which will create a major effort to discover who and how an unknown party was able to obtain video from one of America's top secret drones. The Navy informed the head of the organization that was controlling the drones. As a result of these discussions, Henry Purcel , a special agent with AFOSI), was assigned the case and met the people from various organizations which were the requesters. After gathering what information they presented, he decided that his 1st stop would be to talk with the people who handle the drones.
Read along and follow Purcel as he wades through the data and meets with individuals who are associated with the problem. Learn who is behind the drone issues and discover how they managed to hack the drone, what individuals were involved and who and how this group was able to bring the special asset into the picture.
The ending will provide all of the clarification needed and answer any remaining questions you might have. This is a story well worth reading, don't miss out!
The story begins with a SEAL team from the Navy performing a mission in Somalia to eliminate a high ranking ICU leader. After arriving at their location and completing their mission, they discovered information which will create a major effort to discover who and how an unknown party was able to obtain video from one of America's top secret drones. The Navy informed the head of the organization that was controlling the drones. As a result of these discussions, Henry Purcel , a special agent with AFOSI), was assigned the case and met the people from various organizations which were the requesters. After gathering what information they presented, he decided that his 1st stop would be to talk with the people who handle the drones.
Read along and follow Purcel as he wades through the data and meets with individuals who are associated with the problem. Learn who is behind the drone issues and discover how they managed to hack the drone, what individuals were involved and who and how this group was able to bring the special asset into the picture.
The ending will provide all of the clarification needed and answer any remaining questions you might have. This is a story well worth reading, don't miss out!
January 15, 2026
Dragon's Mask: A Novel of Military Espionage (Henry Purcel Book 1), my first read from author
Adam Kwiat. Somewhat reminiscent of the work of Andrew Watts, Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, George Wallace & Don Keith. A well-written book in that mode but there's something lacking that fully puts it into the category of the above named authors. “I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I do look forward to reading more from this author as they're published and his writing takes that next step. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
Adam Kwiat. Somewhat reminiscent of the work of Andrew Watts, Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, George Wallace & Don Keith. A well-written book in that mode but there's something lacking that fully puts it into the category of the above named authors. “I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I do look forward to reading more from this author as they're published and his writing takes that next step. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
April 25, 2026
Dragon’s Mask by Adam Kwiat was my first military thriller, and I found the whole experience absolutely exhilarating. Henry Purcel is a special investigator for the Air Force. Purcel finds himself drawn into an assignment centered on microcircuit technology in a drone. The inclusion of current events made Dragon’s Mask more personal and relatable for me. Adam Kwiat has introduced me to a whole new genre and I look forward to reading any thriller he writes in the future. The story reads easily and flows naturally. I would highly recommend Dragon’s Mask.
January 13, 2026
I received an advanced copy of this book for my honest review. This is the first book in a new series. It is about special agents and spies from China in America. The story weaves around the discovery of a compromised military system and how to get it fixed and find all of the bad guys. The characters are all well developed and believable. The story moves at a good pace to keep the reader interested and wanting more. I’m ready to see the next book in this great start of a series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This novel delivers a compelling blend of suspense, imagination, and wisdom. Scientific innovation is brought to the forefront in a way that feels fresh and engaging, making it an absorbing, fast-paced read from start to finish. It is also especially refreshing to see a female character make such a dramatic, high-impact difference in a genre where that perspective is still too uncommon.
December 4, 2025
**Advanced reader review** This was a great read, with everything I look for in a thriller novel: smart, suspenseful plot; varied and interesting locations; and good characters. Kept me hooked all the way through. Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a page turner for me. It has the perfect combination of relatable characters, unique locations and pulse-pounding action. Great airplane read!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This was a fast paced Military thriller type novel. If you like a lot of detailed explanations into tech and strategy in these types of books you would probably like this one.
January 13, 2026
The Chinese have taken over our drone system and intend to use it against our allies. This is a great book and looks to be a good series.
February 19, 2026
Excellent story! This isn't the usual type of stories I read but after a few pages, I was pulled into the story. I look forward to reading more stories from Mr. Kwait.
March 1, 2026
This was a refreshing change to many of the action thrillers I read. Good story line and controlled action. I enjoyed the read. Now looking for more with Henry Purcel
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 8, 2026* Advanced copy review *
A smartly written techno-thriller that grabs the reader from page one. Kwiat strikes the perfect balance between insightful detail on military hardware and covert operations, and the fast-paced action and political intrigue that define the genre at its best. The story’s protagonist, Henry Purcel, is relatable and fallible, serving as the lynchpin of a compelling storyline that spans not only the nation but the globe. A tremendously impressive debut, and I look forward to more from this author.
A smartly written techno-thriller that grabs the reader from page one. Kwiat strikes the perfect balance between insightful detail on military hardware and covert operations, and the fast-paced action and political intrigue that define the genre at its best. The story’s protagonist, Henry Purcel, is relatable and fallible, serving as the lynchpin of a compelling storyline that spans not only the nation but the globe. A tremendously impressive debut, and I look forward to more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews