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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
About the author
Brian Andrews
46 books1,242 followersBrian is a US Navy veteran, nuclear engineer, and former submarine officer. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in psychology, holds a Master's in business from Cornell University, and is a Park Leadership Fellow. He is a principal contributor at Career Authors, a site dedicated to advancing the careers of aspiring and published writers: www.careerauthors.com.
He is half of Andrews & Wilson, the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, & #1 Amazon best-selling co-author team behind the TIER ONE series. New in 2026:
- SLEDGEHAMMER (short): (JAN)
- SCARS (audiobook): (FEB)
- THE EQUESTRIAN (short): (MAR)
- INSURGENT: Tier One #10 (JULY
- And much more!
In addition to their novels, Andrews & Wilson have multiple projects under development for film and television with major motion picture studios including Tier One, Dark Intercept, 4 Minutes, Portal, Glitch, and The In Between.
Find Brian online at:
Web: www.andrews-wilson.com
Instagram: @andrewsandwilson
Twitter: @BAndrewsJWilson
Sign-up for his newsletter at www.andrews-wilson.com to stay informed about all his new releases or "Follow" his Amazon Author page!
He is half of Andrews & Wilson, the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, & #1 Amazon best-selling co-author team behind the TIER ONE series. New in 2026:
- SLEDGEHAMMER (short): (JAN)
- SCARS (audiobook): (FEB)
- THE EQUESTRIAN (short): (MAR)
- INSURGENT: Tier One #10 (JULY
- And much more!
In addition to their novels, Andrews & Wilson have multiple projects under development for film and television with major motion picture studios including Tier One, Dark Intercept, 4 Minutes, Portal, Glitch, and The In Between.
Find Brian online at:
Web: www.andrews-wilson.com
Instagram: @andrewsandwilson
Twitter: @BAndrewsJWilson
Sign-up for his newsletter at www.andrews-wilson.com to stay informed about all his new releases or "Follow" his Amazon Author page!
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 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.
April 12, 2026
Now 70 years old a former military badass goes into Syria on an extraction mission to rescue his daughter from captives. Pretty good short story for those who enjoy this type of action.
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.
March 31, 2026
So much packed into a short story. Bravo!
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.
April 10, 2026
eBook Review – Sledgehammer – Andrews & Wilson
“Sledgehammer” – the short story military thriller by co-authors Brian Andrews & Jeff Wilson delivers the blistering action, the emotional depth, and a hero worth rooting for that is always expected by these outstanding co-authors.
This short-story thriller hits with the force of its title, following former Green Beret and CIA Ground Branch operator Mack Holland as he is yanked out of isolation by the unthinkable news that his daughter — believed dead for five years — is alive and being held hostage in Syria.
What makes this brief story shine is the balance between high‑stakes combat and raw, human motivation. Holland just isn’t fighting terrorists — he’s fighting time, regret, and the weight of everything he’s lost. His reunion with his old special ops team injects camaraderie, grit, and tactical authenticity, while the mission itself unfolds with Andrews & Wilson’s trademark precision and movielike pacing.
Despite being a short story, Sledgehammer feels complete, very intense, and emotionally meaningful. The co-authors pack in tension, character, and heart without ever slowing the momentum. Holland’s determination — fueled by love, guilt, and hope — gives the action real emotional stakes, elevating the story beyond a standard rescue thriller.
Very fast, fiercely fierce, and surprisingly moving, Sledgehammer is a compact powerhouse that showcases Andrews & Wilson at their best — blending tactical realism with a father’s unbreakable resolve.
Excellent short-story as expected!
“Sledgehammer” – the short story military thriller by co-authors Brian Andrews & Jeff Wilson delivers the blistering action, the emotional depth, and a hero worth rooting for that is always expected by these outstanding co-authors.
This short-story thriller hits with the force of its title, following former Green Beret and CIA Ground Branch operator Mack Holland as he is yanked out of isolation by the unthinkable news that his daughter — believed dead for five years — is alive and being held hostage in Syria.
What makes this brief story shine is the balance between high‑stakes combat and raw, human motivation. Holland just isn’t fighting terrorists — he’s fighting time, regret, and the weight of everything he’s lost. His reunion with his old special ops team injects camaraderie, grit, and tactical authenticity, while the mission itself unfolds with Andrews & Wilson’s trademark precision and movielike pacing.
Despite being a short story, Sledgehammer feels complete, very intense, and emotionally meaningful. The co-authors pack in tension, character, and heart without ever slowing the momentum. Holland’s determination — fueled by love, guilt, and hope — gives the action real emotional stakes, elevating the story beyond a standard rescue thriller.
Very fast, fiercely fierce, and surprisingly moving, Sledgehammer is a compact powerhouse that showcases Andrews & Wilson at their best — blending tactical realism with a father’s unbreakable resolve.
Excellent short-story as expected!
April 16, 2026
Sledgehammer. A Short Story by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson is a fast paced, action driven thriller that delivers intensity in a compact format. The story follows Mack Holland, a former elite operative pulled back into danger when he learns his daughter believed dead is alive and being held hostage.
What stands out is the emotional core. Beneath the explosive action and high stakes mission is a deeply personal story about redemption, loss, and a father’s determination. The pacing is sharp, with tension building quickly as the mission unfolds in hostile territory.
Overall, it’s a gripping short thriller that combines military action with emotional weight, making it a satisfying read for fans of high intensity, character driven rescue stories.
What stands out is the emotional core. Beneath the explosive action and high stakes mission is a deeply personal story about redemption, loss, and a father’s determination. The pacing is sharp, with tension building quickly as the mission unfolds in hostile territory.
Overall, it’s a gripping short thriller that combines military action with emotional weight, making it a satisfying read for fans of high intensity, character driven rescue stories.
March 20, 2026
Overall, it was 4.5 stars for me. I rounded up to 5 stars because I think is difficult to write a solid, action-packed story in a novella. The setup was well laid out, but I still found it hard to believe a 70 year old man (even in good shape) could quickly jump into a high-risk operation. That was my reason for the 4.5 star rating.
It will be interesting to see if any of the characters from this novella have their own series. I think the female sniper would be an excellent candidate for her own book. Or a book about Mack when he was younger.
It will be interesting to see if any of the characters from this novella have their own series. I think the female sniper would be an excellent candidate for her own book. Or a book about Mack when he was younger.
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 19, 2026
Another Great Story!
Awesome short story. I was only going to read a couple of pages and go to sleep, but I couldn’t stop. I’m glad I read it all. Keep putting out these great stories. Thanks.
Awesome short story. I was only going to read a couple of pages and go to sleep, but I couldn’t stop. I’m glad I read it all. Keep putting out these great stories. Thanks.
March 30, 2026
Mission: Rescue
Great military rescue mission tale. As usual the authors introduced the characters and told an exciting story. The hero leads a team to rescue family from middle eastern terrorists.
Great military rescue mission tale. As usual the authors introduced the characters and told an exciting story. The hero leads a team to rescue family from middle eastern terrorists.
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.
April 23, 2026
A great short listen or read.
May 26, 2026
A short story, but a real good one! I really like the way Brian Andrews writes, he captures the adventure quickly and keeps the reader involved thoughout the story. Just a great read!
June 14, 2026
"It's like taking a sledgehammer to a bug. It's overkill but it gets the job done."
This was a quick fun read!
This was a quick fun read!
Review of advance copy
A real fan of this writing duo. This is a short story but it grabs your attention and keeps it all the way to the end. It is rare that I give any author more than one series but with this writing team I am hopelessly addicted.
June 8, 2026
this was not what I was expecting. Some of the twists were good, but overall I would have been fine skipping this.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews