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Sledgehammer: A Short Story
From New York Times bestselling authors Andrews & Wilson Sledghammer is a blistering, high-stakes thriller about redemption, sacrifice, and how far one man will go for family.
Mack Holland might as well have the word “former” tattooed across his chest. He’s a former Green Beret. A former CIA Ground Branch Team Leader. A former husband. A former father.
At least his dog, Blue, still appreciates him.
But when a black SUV with government plates crunches down the gravel driveway of his remote backwoods home, Mack’s quiet, post-operator life is shattered. The G-man who steps out brings news Mack never expected to his daughter Lindsey, officially dead and buried for five years, is alive. And she’s being held hostage in Syria.
With his frozen heart suddenly ablaze with hope, Mack reassembles his old Counter Terrorism team from Ground Branch. The mission is nearly impossible but so is stopping a father on a rescue. As the team plunges into enemy territory, Mack’s resolve—and his aging body—are pushed to the limit. Because bringing his daughter home will cost far more than he ever imagined.
Mack Holland might as well have the word “former” tattooed across his chest. He’s a former Green Beret. A former CIA Ground Branch Team Leader. A former husband. A former father.
At least his dog, Blue, still appreciates him.
But when a black SUV with government plates crunches down the gravel driveway of his remote backwoods home, Mack’s quiet, post-operator life is shattered. The G-man who steps out brings news Mack never expected to his daughter Lindsey, officially dead and buried for five years, is alive. And she’s being held hostage in Syria.
With his frozen heart suddenly ablaze with hope, Mack reassembles his old Counter Terrorism team from Ground Branch. The mission is nearly impossible but so is stopping a father on a rescue. As the team plunges into enemy territory, Mack’s resolve—and his aging body—are pushed to the limit. Because bringing his daughter home will cost far more than he ever imagined.
82 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2026
24 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 31, 2026
Action Packed Short Story
Action packed.
Military story.
Good dialogue.
Sweet dog.
Fast paced.
I enjoyed this well written short story & recommend it.
Action packed.
Military story.
Good dialogue.
Sweet dog.
Fast paced.
I enjoyed this well written short story & recommend it.
February 9, 2026
This was a surprise that I happened to run across unexpectedly from one of my favorite writing duos. Andrews and Wilson are an automatic auto-buy for me so I did not even hesitate before clicking the "buy" button without even reading the summary.
This was a very short read/listen narrated by Stephen Lang that pops us right back into a Tier One styled world, but this time from the POV of a "retired" operator.
MMC Mack Holland was a legend after his time on the Teams, and he now tries to find other things to keep him busy after leaving that life. He is 70 years old after all.
This short story takes us on a journey when Mack discovers that his daughter needs his help. Just the type of help that he spent his life giving for other people. It is different when it is someone you love.
I had a blast listening to this and it was over before I knew it. In the Author's Note, it sounds like this writing duo is going to be putting out more shorts like this one in the future and I, for one, am all for it.
This was a very short read/listen narrated by Stephen Lang that pops us right back into a Tier One styled world, but this time from the POV of a "retired" operator.
MMC Mack Holland was a legend after his time on the Teams, and he now tries to find other things to keep him busy after leaving that life. He is 70 years old after all.
This short story takes us on a journey when Mack discovers that his daughter needs his help. Just the type of help that he spent his life giving for other people. It is different when it is someone you love.
I had a blast listening to this and it was over before I knew it. In the Author's Note, it sounds like this writing duo is going to be putting out more shorts like this one in the future and I, for one, am all for it.
January 29, 2026
Excellent Reading
All of Andrews and Wilsons books are the best Christian and faithful
military action books I have ever read. They keep your attention page after page. You DO NOT want to put the books down.
All of Andrews and Wilsons books are the best Christian and faithful
military action books I have ever read. They keep your attention page after page. You DO NOT want to put the books down.
February 11, 2026
hope more comes from this story!!
January 24, 2026
Fast paced and exciting read
Andrews and Wilson are my favorite writing team. Their life experiences bring a level of authenticity and insight into the worlds of their characters and stories. I enjoyed this short story and was pulled in right away. Once again, good job, Gentlemen!
Andrews and Wilson are my favorite writing team. Their life experiences bring a level of authenticity and insight into the worlds of their characters and stories. I enjoyed this short story and was pulled in right away. Once again, good job, Gentlemen!
February 5, 2026
good read, just too short
Same high quality as full length books. Hopefully, this leads to another series! I read all their stuff. It’s that good.
Same high quality as full length books. Hopefully, this leads to another series! I read all their stuff. It’s that good.
January 20, 2026
Fast Paced Thriller
Sledgehammer is an excellent story from Andrews & Wilson. What would you do for family? In this short story an old operator works to save his daughter. A thrilling story that leaves you wanting more Mack Holland. Sledgehammer could easily become a new hit series.
Sledgehammer is an excellent story from Andrews & Wilson. What would you do for family? In this short story an old operator works to save his daughter. A thrilling story that leaves you wanting more Mack Holland. Sledgehammer could easily become a new hit series.
February 14, 2026
Whether it is a short or a long novel, stand-alone story or a series. The writing duo of Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson always delivers.
The story of a father who will stop at nothing to get her daughter back is a story that many can relate to. Top that off with loyal teammates and non-stop military action. I also highly recommend the Tier One series by Andrews & Wilson if you have not dived into that yet.
The story of a father who will stop at nothing to get her daughter back is a story that many can relate to. Top that off with loyal teammates and non-stop military action. I also highly recommend the Tier One series by Andrews & Wilson if you have not dived into that yet.
January 26, 2026
This is the five-star rating system I use:
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I read it again.
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I read it again.
February 21, 2026
Awesome writing!
Kept my heart pounding the entire time! Love to read, but don’t have a lot of time. Short stories help feed my desire to read and accomplish that desire. Also short stories don’t drag on the book with unnecessary chatter!
Kept my heart pounding the entire time! Love to read, but don’t have a lot of time. Short stories help feed my desire to read and accomplish that desire. Also short stories don’t drag on the book with unnecessary chatter!
February 25, 2026
Never too old to kick some.
The fire inside never goes away and having the opportunity to use it for good and in a personal way is even better. Mack was awesome and thanks for doing this. More please!
The fire inside never goes away and having the opportunity to use it for good and in a personal way is even better. Mack was awesome and thanks for doing this. More please!
March 11, 2026
I wish there was more here! The main characters are interesting and the story is full of action and suspense. I’d love to see a full novel written around this.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews