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Lethal Force: A Derek Vesper Action Thriller, Book 1
Lethal Force (Book 1) is the first book in a gripping new action thriller series from the USA Today best-selling author Jack Mars (with over 10,000 five-star reviews).
Former Army Ranger and ex-NASCAR driver Derek Vesper is used to high velocity, whether its wheels, wings or skis. Assumed to be KIA in a firefight, Derek, unknown to anyone, uses his unique skills as a secret government operator to work outside the scope of protocol and to embrace the most dangerous—and fraught—of missions....
In Lethal Force (Book 1), when CIA agent Alexis Frost is compromised and forced to race in the Monaco Grand Prix with explosives rigged to her vehicle, operative Derek Vesper has only one desperate enter the race himself. The world's most glamorous sporting event is about to become a deadly game of cat and mouse, where finishing second means certain death.
The Derek Vesper series delivers pulse-racing thrills and knife-edge suspense that seizes your attention with an iron grip. Featuring spectacular action sequences and mind-blowing twists, this series will propel you through a rollercoaster ride, from dynamite openings to jaw-dropping finales. Ideal for listeners who love the works of Daniel Silva, Brad Taylor, and Vince Flynn.
Future books in the series are also available!
Former Army Ranger and ex-NASCAR driver Derek Vesper is used to high velocity, whether its wheels, wings or skis. Assumed to be KIA in a firefight, Derek, unknown to anyone, uses his unique skills as a secret government operator to work outside the scope of protocol and to embrace the most dangerous—and fraught—of missions....
In Lethal Force (Book 1), when CIA agent Alexis Frost is compromised and forced to race in the Monaco Grand Prix with explosives rigged to her vehicle, operative Derek Vesper has only one desperate enter the race himself. The world's most glamorous sporting event is about to become a deadly game of cat and mouse, where finishing second means certain death.
The Derek Vesper series delivers pulse-racing thrills and knife-edge suspense that seizes your attention with an iron grip. Featuring spectacular action sequences and mind-blowing twists, this series will propel you through a rollercoaster ride, from dynamite openings to jaw-dropping finales. Ideal for listeners who love the works of Daniel Silva, Brad Taylor, and Vince Flynn.
Future books in the series are also available!
Audible Audio
Published February 3, 2026
About the author
Jack Mars
703 books717 followersJack Mars is author of the bestselling LUKE STONE thriller series, which include the suspense thrillers ANY MEANS NECESSARY (book #1), OATH OF OFFICE (book #2) and SITUATION ROOM (book #3).
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 2, 2026
LETHAL FORCE (Book #1) is the first book in a new action thriller series from the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author Jack Mars.
In LETHAL FORCE (Book #1), when CIA agent Alexis Frost is compromised and forced to race in the Monaco Grand Prix with explosives rigged to her vehicle, operative Derek Vesper has only one desperate play: enter the race himself. The world's most glamorous sporting event is about to become a deadly game of cat and mouse, where finishing second means certain death.
The Derek Vesper series delivers a different thrills and okay suspense that seizes your attention with reasonable pace. Featuring great setting around Monaco action sequences and okay twists, the first in the series of a series with Derek Vesper, close to action thrillers from Daniel Silva, Brad Taylor, Vince Flynn, Tom Wood, Kerry J Donovan, Mason Cross, but not as fast paced at these, not a real strong main character, to me anyway.
Not as gripping or tense as many books I read
Three Stars
In LETHAL FORCE (Book #1), when CIA agent Alexis Frost is compromised and forced to race in the Monaco Grand Prix with explosives rigged to her vehicle, operative Derek Vesper has only one desperate play: enter the race himself. The world's most glamorous sporting event is about to become a deadly game of cat and mouse, where finishing second means certain death.
The Derek Vesper series delivers a different thrills and okay suspense that seizes your attention with reasonable pace. Featuring great setting around Monaco action sequences and okay twists, the first in the series of a series with Derek Vesper, close to action thrillers from Daniel Silva, Brad Taylor, Vince Flynn, Tom Wood, Kerry J Donovan, Mason Cross, but not as fast paced at these, not a real strong main character, to me anyway.
Not as gripping or tense as many books I read
Three Stars
August 16, 2026
An adrenaline packed espionage novel with a tiny bit chance of success but entertaining nonetheless.
Alexis Frost, a CIA agent deep undercover has infiltrated the net work of a powerful arms dealer living in Monaco. However her true identity has been compromised and she needs to be rescued. There’s only one person able to infiltrate the fortress and army of this villa, Dereck Vesper. In a daring scheme Dereck is determined to rescue Alexis during the famous F1 Grand Prix.
Overall very entertaining.
Alexis Frost, a CIA agent deep undercover has infiltrated the net work of a powerful arms dealer living in Monaco. However her true identity has been compromised and she needs to be rescued. There’s only one person able to infiltrate the fortress and army of this villa, Dereck Vesper. In a daring scheme Dereck is determined to rescue Alexis during the famous F1 Grand Prix.
Overall very entertaining.
August 6, 2026
Lethal Force introduces Derek Vesper, a former special ops soldier presumed dead after a tragedy overseas, who is now working as a mechanic. When an undercover CIA agent gets into serious trouble in Monte Carlo, Vesper is recruited for a rescue mission. He infiltrates the Formula 1 scene under the guise of a mechanic, but the situation quickly spirals into a ridiculous sequence of events.
The climax of the book involves Vesper stealing and repairing a race car to save the agent, who has been forced into the race with a bomb on board. Vesper must drive alongside her to jam the remote detonator signal while ignoring the black flags. While I am accustomed to action thrillers where the hero is virtually invincible, the execution here felt far too implausible, even for the genre. The technical details regarding the racing were particularly frustrating, especially the unrealistic portrayal of the agent's driving abilities.
I’ve read other books by Jack Mars, but this one was the turning point for me. Between the suspension of disbelief required and the uneven pacing, I have decided to stop purchasing his titles. This one is a pass.
The climax of the book involves Vesper stealing and repairing a race car to save the agent, who has been forced into the race with a bomb on board. Vesper must drive alongside her to jam the remote detonator signal while ignoring the black flags. While I am accustomed to action thrillers where the hero is virtually invincible, the execution here felt far too implausible, even for the genre. The technical details regarding the racing were particularly frustrating, especially the unrealistic portrayal of the agent's driving abilities.
I’ve read other books by Jack Mars, but this one was the turning point for me. Between the suspension of disbelief required and the uneven pacing, I have decided to stop purchasing his titles. This one is a pass.
July 7, 2026
fantastic read
Very fast paced, grit and danger, determination beyond abilities. I loved this book. First one read by this author and I want to read more of the adventures of Genesis.
Very fast paced, grit and danger, determination beyond abilities. I loved this book. First one read by this author and I want to read more of the adventures of Genesis.
July 24, 2026
Jack Mars stories are usually well thought out and easy to read, but this story line around the Monaco Grand Prix was totaly unrealiatic and I don't think thought out at all.I will still read his books in the future.
August 7, 2026
Fast paced
This is the first read for me of Jack Mars and I was impressed with his intensity and gripping pace, description and detail. The ending left me wanting to know what happens next. Great writing Jack
This is the first read for me of Jack Mars and I was impressed with his intensity and gripping pace, description and detail. The ending left me wanting to know what happens next. Great writing Jack
June 3, 2026
Brilliant
What a fantastic read Jack, as usual the characters that you have created well written! I enjoyed every page and I look forward to reading more!
What a fantastic read Jack, as usual the characters that you have created well written! I enjoyed every page and I look forward to reading more!
June 8, 2026
A readable yarn but a bit too far fetched for my liking, especially the participation in the motor race.
June 20, 2026
I thought that this overall was an okay read. A fast-paced and entertaining enough action story. Needed to suspend belief a bit, especially around the F1 aspect of the story.
July 19, 2026
Unputdownable
A captivating read. A brilliant author with a great way to keep his readers interested, great telling of a great plot.
A captivating read. A brilliant author with a great way to keep his readers interested, great telling of a great plot.
July 7, 2026
Lots of Action.
This book is all action from start to finish. The story line is interesting and the characters are good. Their abilities were hard too believe sometimes. If you like action and good lead characters this book is for you.
This book is all action from start to finish. The story line is interesting and the characters are good. Their abilities were hard too believe sometimes. If you like action and good lead characters this book is for you.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews