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Fracture: Shadow Sovereign Series Book 1
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jun 26A murdered diplomat. A dying man's cryptic message. A conspiracy that could shatter NATO.
When U.S. geopolitical strategist Roger 'Simms' Osbourne receives word that his colleague and friend Aslı Green has been killed, he inherits more than grief. He inherits her evidence of a sophisticated Russian operation that sank a Ukrainian tanker and made it look like an accident.
Sent to London to sell a critical NATO surveillance system, Simms quickly discovers his official mission is compromised. A powerful British political faction, backed by shadowy money and royal connections, is determined to see him fail. The deeper he digs into Aslı's murder, the more he realizes the two threats are connected.
Forced to abandon the rulebook, Simms assembles an unlikely his embattled team, a mysterious operative named Katya who knows too much, and assets on both sides of the law. Together, they uncover a sprawling network funneling Russian profits through international shell companies to fuel a political war against the West.
But Russian Admiral Sidorov isn't waiting for the dust to settle. His devastating military demonstration exposes NATO's vulnerabilities and humiliates the alliance on the world stage. And lurking beneath it all is an even darker Chinese technology at the heart of Russia's most advanced weapons.
Now Simms must wage war on three political, financial, and military. Because if he fails, his friend died for nothing. And the next strike won't be disguised as an accident.
For fans of Tom Clancy, Mark Greaney, and Brad Thor.
When U.S. geopolitical strategist Roger 'Simms' Osbourne receives word that his colleague and friend Aslı Green has been killed, he inherits more than grief. He inherits her evidence of a sophisticated Russian operation that sank a Ukrainian tanker and made it look like an accident.
Sent to London to sell a critical NATO surveillance system, Simms quickly discovers his official mission is compromised. A powerful British political faction, backed by shadowy money and royal connections, is determined to see him fail. The deeper he digs into Aslı's murder, the more he realizes the two threats are connected.
Forced to abandon the rulebook, Simms assembles an unlikely his embattled team, a mysterious operative named Katya who knows too much, and assets on both sides of the law. Together, they uncover a sprawling network funneling Russian profits through international shell companies to fuel a political war against the West.
But Russian Admiral Sidorov isn't waiting for the dust to settle. His devastating military demonstration exposes NATO's vulnerabilities and humiliates the alliance on the world stage. And lurking beneath it all is an even darker Chinese technology at the heart of Russia's most advanced weapons.
Now Simms must wage war on three political, financial, and military. Because if he fails, his friend died for nothing. And the next strike won't be disguised as an accident.
For fans of Tom Clancy, Mark Greaney, and Brad Thor.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
About three and a half years ago, I came across this great little Facebook group, Military Thriller Book Group, which has turned me onto a wide variety of "new" authors - both mainstream, like Carr, Clancy, and Taylor, and smaller independent authors such as Galen Peterson, James Rosone, Jim Bultema, and Basar Gorur.
Recently, I had come across a post asking if any members of this group would be interested in reading an ARC of his latest book, Fracture, that is scheduled to be released on 1 June 2026
The novel is a geopolitical techno-thriller and the first installment in the Shadow Sovereign Series. and follows U.S. geopolitical strategist Roger "Simms" Osbourne as he navigates a high-stakes conspiracy that threatens to shatter NATO.
The protagonist, Roger Osbourne, is a geopolitical strategist who is introduced to the reader upon the death of a close friend and colleague, Ash Green, in London, UK. Upon her death, Simms inherits more than just grief; he discovers evidence she left behind of a sophisticated Russian operation involving the sinking of a Ukrainian-crewed tanker—an event staged to look like an accident. Crucially, this event is staged to appear accidental, which directly affects how related insurance or financial claims would be handled.
This "accident" (or false-flag operation) is orchestrated to expose NATO's vulnerabilities and humiliate the alliance on the world stage by the Russians (primarily represented by Admiral Sidorov) and is intertwined with a complex financial conspiracy designed to destabilize the West. The relationship is defined by a cycle of disguised military strikes and the funneling of Russian profits through international networks to fund political warfare.
This political warfare is exemplified by the use of shell companies and financial networks that use the money derived from the sinking of the Ukrainian-crewed tanker to further destabilize Western economies and fund anti-Western operations (particularly in the United Kingdom, where organizations and the media are attempting to sway public opinion against the introduction of a critical NATO surveillance system, TAPSA, which is tasked with maintaining the integrity of the NATO-linked surveillance systems and energy pipelines against external threats), The broader conspiracy involves a sprawling network that funnels Russian profits through international shell companies. These funds are used to fuel a political war against the West.
Simm's introduction transitions from that of a grieving colleague quickly into one of action as he is sent to London on an official mission to sell a critical NATO surveillance system. He soon discovers that his official mission has been compromised by a "shadowy" British political faction (that we later find to be funded by the Russians) that is determined to see him fail. The deeper he digs into Aslı’s murder, the more he realizes the two threats are connected.
The protagonist, Simms, is forced to combat these threats across political, financial, and military sectors to prevent a catastrophic strike against the West. Simms soon discovers a deep-seated secret involving the integration of Chinese technology into Russia's most advanced weaponry, creating a unified threat from both authoritarian powers.
___________________________________
Integration of Chinese Technology in Russian Weaponry
The relationship between Chinese technology and the Russian military is currently a decisive, asymmetrical partnership where China serves as the primary external enabler of Russia's defense-industrial base. While Beijing officially maintains neutrality and avoids direct "lethal" weapon shipments, it provides the critical dual-use technology and industrial machinery required to sustain Russia's war effort in Ukraine.
1. Strategic Role in Weapons Production
China has effectively replaced Western suppliers for critical components found in Russian weapons.
Microelectronics: As of early 2025, China and Hong Kong provided approximately 90% of Russia’s microelectronic imports. Ukrainian intelligence reports that about 60% to 80% of foreign components in recovered Russian weapons—including missiles and drones—originate from China.
Industrial Machinery: China supplies over 70% of Russia’s machine tool imports. High-precision CNC machines from China, valued at over $10 billion, are used to manufacture ballistic missiles (like the Oreshnik) and armored vehicles.
Raw Materials: China is a primary supplier of nitrocellulose (essential for gunpowder and artillery shells), and Chinese firms are the sole foreign suppliers to Russia for critical semi-metals like gallium and germanium, which are essential for manufacturing semiconductors used in missile systems and satellites.
China has become the primary provider of high-tech components that are critical to Russia’s most advanced systems, including the Oreshnik hypersonic missile and various UAV platforms with key areas of integration, including:
• Hypersonic Weapons: China reportedly provides technology and equipment worth over $10 million specifically to enhance Russia’s hypersonic arsenal. This support is vital for developing missiles like the Oreshnik, which are designed to travel at Mach 5+ and evade Western defense systems.
• Critical Electronics & Microchips: Russian weapons, including tanks and drone navigation systems, have shown a significant spike in Chinese-made chips. Reports indicate that newer Russian drones are almost entirely filled with Chinese electronics, replacing formerly used Western microelectronics.
2. Drone Development & Joint Programs
China is deeply integrated into Russia's drone warfare capabilities.
Direct Supply: While major firms like DJI have officially suspended operations in Russia, Chinese-made drone engines, flight controllers, and anti-jamming antennas (such as those from Beijing Microelectronics Technology Institute) are consistently found in Russian "Shahed" and "Geran-2" drones.
Joint Production: Reports indicate Russian and Chinese firms are collaborating on the "Garpiya" long-range attack drone program, with some production occurring at facilities inside China.
3. Space and Intelligence Sharing
The two nations have integrated their satellite systems, enhancing Russia's battlefield awareness.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): China and Russia are pursuing intertwined R&D in military AI to develop autonomous weapons capable of identifying and striking high-value targets without human intervention.
Geospatial Intelligence: China provides high-resolution satellite imagery used by the Russian military for targeting and monitoring Ukrainian infrastructure.
Navigation: Cooperation between China's Beidou and Russia's GLONASS satellite constellations has been enhanced to improve missile guidance and cross-platform interoperability. This cooperation allows Russian missiles and autonomous vehicles to improve tactical navigation and tracking.
4. Technological Exchange (Quid Pro Quo)
The relationship has evolved into a strategic exchange of sensitive technology:
From Russia to China: In exchange for industrial support, Russia has shared once-guarded "crown jewel" technologies, including submarine quieting, advanced stealth aircraft design, and missile early-warning systems.
Recent Leaks: Leaked documents from February 2026 suggest Russia is delivering nearly 50 Ka-52M attack helicopters to China while helping establish local production lines for Russian-designed weaponry.
5. Western Response and Sanctions
The U.S. and EU have increasingly targeted Chinese firms for aiding the Russian military:
Sanctions: Multiple Chinese entities, such as Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine and Redlepus Vector Industry, have been blacklisted for their role in drone production.
Secondary Sanctions: As of late 2025, the U.S. Treasury Department has threatened secondary sanctions against Chinese banks that facilitate these military-related transactions, leading to some slowdowns in trade.
Emerging Strategic Dynamics
Historically, Russia was the senior partner, providing engines and airframes to China. However, this dynamic has reversed in recent years. Russia now relies heavily on Chinese CNC machines—critical for high-precision military manufacturing—which saw a tenfold increase in exports to Russia between early 2022 and mid-2023.
___________________________________
I appreciated how the author manages to weave a multi-threaded plot with overlapping military, intelligence, and financial vectors that create a dense, forward-driving complexity without losing the operational framework. Politically, it captures how alliances strain under ambiguity, how escalation gets managed through narrative and attribution as much as force, and how institutional incentives shape what leaders can admit or authorize.
On my self-determined five-star scale, I would give this author four stars, as this thriller, while rather slow to begin, definitely picks up pace, and the ending leaves an opening for the second in the series. Aficionados of the geopolitical and espionage genre, including fans of Mark Greaney, Brad Thor, Daniel Silva, Mick Herron, and classic Tom Clancy, should be among the first to check this book out.
As with all my literary ramblings, this is just my five cents' worth.
Recently, I had come across a post asking if any members of this group would be interested in reading an ARC of his latest book, Fracture, that is scheduled to be released on 1 June 2026
The novel is a geopolitical techno-thriller and the first installment in the Shadow Sovereign Series. and follows U.S. geopolitical strategist Roger "Simms" Osbourne as he navigates a high-stakes conspiracy that threatens to shatter NATO.
The protagonist, Roger Osbourne, is a geopolitical strategist who is introduced to the reader upon the death of a close friend and colleague, Ash Green, in London, UK. Upon her death, Simms inherits more than just grief; he discovers evidence she left behind of a sophisticated Russian operation involving the sinking of a Ukrainian-crewed tanker—an event staged to look like an accident. Crucially, this event is staged to appear accidental, which directly affects how related insurance or financial claims would be handled.
This "accident" (or false-flag operation) is orchestrated to expose NATO's vulnerabilities and humiliate the alliance on the world stage by the Russians (primarily represented by Admiral Sidorov) and is intertwined with a complex financial conspiracy designed to destabilize the West. The relationship is defined by a cycle of disguised military strikes and the funneling of Russian profits through international networks to fund political warfare.
This political warfare is exemplified by the use of shell companies and financial networks that use the money derived from the sinking of the Ukrainian-crewed tanker to further destabilize Western economies and fund anti-Western operations (particularly in the United Kingdom, where organizations and the media are attempting to sway public opinion against the introduction of a critical NATO surveillance system, TAPSA, which is tasked with maintaining the integrity of the NATO-linked surveillance systems and energy pipelines against external threats), The broader conspiracy involves a sprawling network that funnels Russian profits through international shell companies. These funds are used to fuel a political war against the West.
Simm's introduction transitions from that of a grieving colleague quickly into one of action as he is sent to London on an official mission to sell a critical NATO surveillance system. He soon discovers that his official mission has been compromised by a "shadowy" British political faction (that we later find to be funded by the Russians) that is determined to see him fail. The deeper he digs into Aslı’s murder, the more he realizes the two threats are connected.
The protagonist, Simms, is forced to combat these threats across political, financial, and military sectors to prevent a catastrophic strike against the West. Simms soon discovers a deep-seated secret involving the integration of Chinese technology into Russia's most advanced weaponry, creating a unified threat from both authoritarian powers.
___________________________________
Integration of Chinese Technology in Russian Weaponry
The relationship between Chinese technology and the Russian military is currently a decisive, asymmetrical partnership where China serves as the primary external enabler of Russia's defense-industrial base. While Beijing officially maintains neutrality and avoids direct "lethal" weapon shipments, it provides the critical dual-use technology and industrial machinery required to sustain Russia's war effort in Ukraine.
1. Strategic Role in Weapons Production
China has effectively replaced Western suppliers for critical components found in Russian weapons.
Microelectronics: As of early 2025, China and Hong Kong provided approximately 90% of Russia’s microelectronic imports. Ukrainian intelligence reports that about 60% to 80% of foreign components in recovered Russian weapons—including missiles and drones—originate from China.
Industrial Machinery: China supplies over 70% of Russia’s machine tool imports. High-precision CNC machines from China, valued at over $10 billion, are used to manufacture ballistic missiles (like the Oreshnik) and armored vehicles.
Raw Materials: China is a primary supplier of nitrocellulose (essential for gunpowder and artillery shells), and Chinese firms are the sole foreign suppliers to Russia for critical semi-metals like gallium and germanium, which are essential for manufacturing semiconductors used in missile systems and satellites.
China has become the primary provider of high-tech components that are critical to Russia’s most advanced systems, including the Oreshnik hypersonic missile and various UAV platforms with key areas of integration, including:
• Hypersonic Weapons: China reportedly provides technology and equipment worth over $10 million specifically to enhance Russia’s hypersonic arsenal. This support is vital for developing missiles like the Oreshnik, which are designed to travel at Mach 5+ and evade Western defense systems.
• Critical Electronics & Microchips: Russian weapons, including tanks and drone navigation systems, have shown a significant spike in Chinese-made chips. Reports indicate that newer Russian drones are almost entirely filled with Chinese electronics, replacing formerly used Western microelectronics.
2. Drone Development & Joint Programs
China is deeply integrated into Russia's drone warfare capabilities.
Direct Supply: While major firms like DJI have officially suspended operations in Russia, Chinese-made drone engines, flight controllers, and anti-jamming antennas (such as those from Beijing Microelectronics Technology Institute) are consistently found in Russian "Shahed" and "Geran-2" drones.
Joint Production: Reports indicate Russian and Chinese firms are collaborating on the "Garpiya" long-range attack drone program, with some production occurring at facilities inside China.
3. Space and Intelligence Sharing
The two nations have integrated their satellite systems, enhancing Russia's battlefield awareness.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): China and Russia are pursuing intertwined R&D in military AI to develop autonomous weapons capable of identifying and striking high-value targets without human intervention.
Geospatial Intelligence: China provides high-resolution satellite imagery used by the Russian military for targeting and monitoring Ukrainian infrastructure.
Navigation: Cooperation between China's Beidou and Russia's GLONASS satellite constellations has been enhanced to improve missile guidance and cross-platform interoperability. This cooperation allows Russian missiles and autonomous vehicles to improve tactical navigation and tracking.
4. Technological Exchange (Quid Pro Quo)
The relationship has evolved into a strategic exchange of sensitive technology:
From Russia to China: In exchange for industrial support, Russia has shared once-guarded "crown jewel" technologies, including submarine quieting, advanced stealth aircraft design, and missile early-warning systems.
Recent Leaks: Leaked documents from February 2026 suggest Russia is delivering nearly 50 Ka-52M attack helicopters to China while helping establish local production lines for Russian-designed weaponry.
5. Western Response and Sanctions
The U.S. and EU have increasingly targeted Chinese firms for aiding the Russian military:
Sanctions: Multiple Chinese entities, such as Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine and Redlepus Vector Industry, have been blacklisted for their role in drone production.
Secondary Sanctions: As of late 2025, the U.S. Treasury Department has threatened secondary sanctions against Chinese banks that facilitate these military-related transactions, leading to some slowdowns in trade.
Emerging Strategic Dynamics
Historically, Russia was the senior partner, providing engines and airframes to China. However, this dynamic has reversed in recent years. Russia now relies heavily on Chinese CNC machines—critical for high-precision military manufacturing—which saw a tenfold increase in exports to Russia between early 2022 and mid-2023.
___________________________________
I appreciated how the author manages to weave a multi-threaded plot with overlapping military, intelligence, and financial vectors that create a dense, forward-driving complexity without losing the operational framework. Politically, it captures how alliances strain under ambiguity, how escalation gets managed through narrative and attribution as much as force, and how institutional incentives shape what leaders can admit or authorize.
On my self-determined five-star scale, I would give this author four stars, as this thriller, while rather slow to begin, definitely picks up pace, and the ending leaves an opening for the second in the series. Aficionados of the geopolitical and espionage genre, including fans of Mark Greaney, Brad Thor, Daniel Silva, Mick Herron, and classic Tom Clancy, should be among the first to check this book out.
As with all my literary ramblings, this is just my five cents' worth.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Fracture: The First Book of the Shadow Sovereign Series" by Basar Gorur is an outstanding kind of addendum to the modern technothrillers published by people like FX Holden (a personal favorite of mine). It is being published by Blue Horizon Publishing, who graciously provided me with the ARC from which I am working. I confess that, while I enjoy military technothrillers, I am much less drawn to espionage as a genre (despite an early fascination with Ian Fleming). I kept picking this book up, preparing to put it away and then being sucked back into the sort of hybrid combination of special operations, international banking, and conventional and hybrid military operations that fuel the tale. For me the pacing was somewhat slow, but that was because the author challenges his readers to think about the complex ways in which the modern world conducts its diplomacy and military operations. Once I determined to stick it out, I felt well rewarded for the insights offered into the behind the scenes action surrounding so many policy decisions and their implementations on the ground, or in this case on the high seas. It struck me as very targeted when you think about Russia's shadow fleet of tankers and recent U.S. interdiction campaigns against Venezuela, not to speak of Iran and Cuba. This is a very high stakes game, and the author takes pains to link it to the individual consequences for the men and women moving behind the scenes to serve their principals often at great personal risk. Here the Russians have deployed a new technology and the U.S. has developed a counter, but the smoke and mirrors deployed to mask the weapon's use make it difficult for the U.S. or its allies to move expeditiously to counter their adversaries, and the consequences of this are game changing for the Russian fleet and its access to the North Sea. By the end, the book is moving along much more engagingly. I would recommend for anyone who is interested in modern hybrid warfare, its costs, economic and human, and the implications for geopolitics in the high risk environment we are presently confronting. It is very disquieting!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I can sincerely express that this was an adventure in which I received much more then I was expecting. The story treats naval conflict the way it actually unfolds, as a chain of signals, doctrine, and deniable pressure rather than cinematic heroics. The realism in its application of concepts will definitely fit well with those who follow the genre. Especially the “ghost ship” concept, and the way AIS and collision avoidance rules are treated as a weapon, lands as plausibly modern gray-zone tradecraft. Moreover,the Baltic escalation framework stays grounded in ROE friction and EW pressure and political decision latency are represented masterfully. The plot is deliberately multi-threaded, with overlapping military, intelligence, and financial vectors that create a dense, forward-driving complexity without losing the operational framework. Politically, it captures how alliances strain under ambiguity, how escalation gets managed through narrative and attribution as much as force, and how institutional incentives shape what leaders can admit or authorize. The result is a thriller that feels operationally literate: The characters are competent and readable, though the book sometimes keeps them at professional distance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A smart, tightly paced geopolitical thriller that feels alarmingly close to today’s headlines. The story is very fluent, exciting and also shows how modern conflicts are engineered long before the first shot is fired. With a credible, grounded protagonist and an unsettlingly plausible plot. Loved it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Brilliant work! Basar Gorur succeeds in blending a gripping plot with deep, well-developed characters through a fluent narrative voice. With this work, he seems to be paving the way for his future novels. If you enjoy political thrillers, this is definitely a must-read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews