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Beyond Honor
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Expected 1 Sep 26A CIA analyst hunting a conspiracy that leads to the Oval Office. A paramilitary operative confronting his grief on a path of retribution. A Russian agent hiding in plain sight. Jason Matthews’s Red Sparrow meets Jack Carr’s The Terminal List in Beyond Honor, a debut political thriller that plunges readers into a world of international espionage, where loyalty and duty are tested.
Whitney Skyler’s investigation into a Russian-backed bank on American soil leads to the President of the United States. CIA paramilitary operative Kevin Rhoads, a man forged in war zones, is shattered by loss. Recruited for a solo extraction mission deep inside Siberia, he discovers a devastating betrayal.
At CIA headquarters, Director Cynthia King plays an audacious gambit, leveraging a thirty-year debt of honor to save a captured American agent. But in this world of shifting alliances, even the most careful plans can unravel.
Skyler faces an impossible expose her mentor’s dangerous game to protect national security, or reveal to Rhoads, the man she loves, a truth that will transform him into a force of vengeance with death in his wake.
From the war-torn streets of Damascus to the merciless Siberian tundra, from the rugged Kenai Peninsula to the polished corridors of Langley, Virginia, Beyond Honor is a white-knuckled thriller about duty, betrayal, and the impossible choices made by those who serve in the shadows.
Whitney Skyler’s investigation into a Russian-backed bank on American soil leads to the President of the United States. CIA paramilitary operative Kevin Rhoads, a man forged in war zones, is shattered by loss. Recruited for a solo extraction mission deep inside Siberia, he discovers a devastating betrayal.
At CIA headquarters, Director Cynthia King plays an audacious gambit, leveraging a thirty-year debt of honor to save a captured American agent. But in this world of shifting alliances, even the most careful plans can unravel.
Skyler faces an impossible expose her mentor’s dangerous game to protect national security, or reveal to Rhoads, the man she loves, a truth that will transform him into a force of vengeance with death in his wake.
From the war-torn streets of Damascus to the merciless Siberian tundra, from the rugged Kenai Peninsula to the polished corridors of Langley, Virginia, Beyond Honor is a white-knuckled thriller about duty, betrayal, and the impossible choices made by those who serve in the shadows.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Retroactively hypothesized as being part of a trilogy crafted by Italian horror-schlock director Lucio Fulci, THE BEYOND didn't even arrive on U.S. shores until two years after its initial Euro release in 1981. Heavily edited and renamed to SEVEN DOORS OF DEATH, THE BEYOND is a surreal tale of black magic, the walking dead, whipping a condemned man with chains, and what lies beyond life and human sense of reality. While entering the gray plains of hell is reserved for the most dastardly walking the earth and the Russians might or might not go to the violent extremes in THE BEYOND, they certainly go BEYOND HONOR to accomplish the aims of their Motherland and its ruthless leader. BEYOND HONOR whips in heavy as a well-crafted Clancy-esque spy thriller that takes advantage of the foreign interference in America's politics over the last ten or so years, both imagined and real, capturing the zeitgeist and sub rosa tradecraft of the spy business intertwined with big time finance and high stakes real estate. The cold war is back on, it's eagle versus bear and the gloves are off. It's total war and it's BEYOND HONOR.
Working the Greek philosopher angle of whole vs sum of parts, BEYOND HONOR does a minimal effort to sandwich MIL-shlock mantra into the equation by starting things off on a US base in Syria, inside the mechanics of Omega team. A buried line-item crew of former Tier Ones, led by James Bondian Kevin Rhoads, ex Delta Force, now CIA Special Activities Division. And special means they're problem solvers, or perhaps problem eliminators with a LICENSE TO KILL. When things go off the rails, they're called up to head deep into Iran, no backup, no second chances. BEYOND HONOR is quite clear; when you take a seat at the grown-up table, you'll have to start acting like grown-ups. You play for keeps. In the halls of power, people much more dangerous than bullets and Babari scheme to restore Americans' faith in their government and make America look less like a Banana Republic. With stakes this high, of course the Russians are in the mix and the rube at the table is a New York City real estate developer who desperately wants to be seen as cultured, wealthy and interesting. In the course of the project of projects that will change the skyline of Manhattan and make him the most famous developer in NYC history, the carefully crafted illusion of a dashing Master of the Universe will expose that the person hiding behind it is nothing of the sort. Taking a slight detour into sexpionage, once a big staple of Soviet spycraft, BEYOND HONOR lays down a ruthless kompromat operation targeting a man that seems to be a composite of the 45th man behind the Resolute Desk and his "wheeling and dealing" milquetoast son-in-law. And the results couldn't be more threatening to the White House, to Democracy. To America.
In light of PROJECT 2025 and the newly started US-Iran war of March 2026, BEYOND HONOR is an interesting read and more than timely and appropriate for 2026's geopolitical climate. Above and beyond a shoutout to NAVY SEALS (1990) and the assertion that theft and blood is how (certain) Russians amass wealth, BEYOND HONOR is a thriller's thriller featuring a cockle-warming rescue and repatriation that'll strum the heartstrings of any ossified action fanatic. Though never delving into what exactly lies BEYOND HONOR--perhaps patriotism, virtue, morals or ethics--the 80s Clancy vibes hit hard, presenting an extraordinary spy adventure that is beyond doubt must-read entertainment. Espionage, politics, action, sex, treason, assassination; in a global play for the biggest prize of them all, national security and the future of America lies just BEYOND HONOR. Get into the game.
Big thanks to KB Brodsky, NetGalley & Simon & Schuster (and imprints) for the ARC. <3
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This gripping debut thriller delivers everything fans of high-stakes espionage and political intrigue could want. At its heart is a battle-hardened paramilitary operative struggling to navigate overwhelming grief after a devastating personal loss. What begins as a quest for vengeance quickly evolves into something far more dangerous as a determined CIA agent uncovers a conspiracy that reaches all the way to the Oval Office.
The novel masterfully weaves together multiple storylines, including a Russian intelligence operative who has spent years hiding in plain sight, manipulating events from the shadows. The tension builds steadily as secrets unravel, alliances shift, and the lines between patriot and traitor become increasingly blurred.
Fast-paced and cinematic, the story balances explosive action with genuine emotional depth. The protagonist’s journey through loss and retribution gives the novel a strong emotional core, while the intricate web of political corruption and international espionage keeps the pages turning. For a debut novel, the author displays remarkable confidence in crafting suspense, memorable characters, and shocking twists.
Fans of modern spy thrillers will find plenty to enjoy in this compelling, adrenaline-fueled story that proves revenge can be a dangerous path—and that some enemies are far closer than they appear.
The novel masterfully weaves together multiple storylines, including a Russian intelligence operative who has spent years hiding in plain sight, manipulating events from the shadows. The tension builds steadily as secrets unravel, alliances shift, and the lines between patriot and traitor become increasingly blurred.
Fast-paced and cinematic, the story balances explosive action with genuine emotional depth. The protagonist’s journey through loss and retribution gives the novel a strong emotional core, while the intricate web of political corruption and international espionage keeps the pages turning. For a debut novel, the author displays remarkable confidence in crafting suspense, memorable characters, and shocking twists.
Fans of modern spy thrillers will find plenty to enjoy in this compelling, adrenaline-fueled story that proves revenge can be a dangerous path—and that some enemies are far closer than they appear.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
Nerve-wracking, relentlessly suspenseful and emotionally gripping, Beyond Honor is a thrilling tale of espionage and deceit, brotherhood and family, politics and capitalism, and how far some will push the envelope to beat their adversaries. K.B. Brodsky delivers an enthralling, nail-biting tale that pays homage to the great spy novels of years past with a contemporary edge.
Beyond Honor is the merging of old school espionage novels with modern day military thrillers. Pitting US and Russian intelligence agencies against each other in ways that would make Jason Matthew’s Red Sparrow and Nelson DeMille’s The Charm School proud. And bringing the emotion and kinetic action of paramilitary operations that show the influence of Jack Carr’s The Terminal List and Mark Greaney’s Gray Man series. It keeps readers on their toes for most of the book by navigating between multiple threads to avoid predictability, before converging into a linear sprint to the finish with an almost certain outcome that leads to a cliffhanger finish, brilliantly keeping multiple possibilities available for the future of this nascent series.
Nerve-wracking, relentlessly suspenseful and emotionally gripping, Beyond Honor is a thrilling tale of espionage and deceit, brotherhood and family, politics and capitalism, and how far some will push the envelope to beat their adversaries. K.B. Brodsky delivers an enthralling, nail-biting tale that pays homage to the great spy novels of years past with a contemporary edge.
Beyond Honor is the merging of old school espionage novels with modern day military thrillers. Pitting US and Russian intelligence agencies against each other in ways that would make Jason Matthew’s Red Sparrow and Nelson DeMille’s The Charm School proud. And bringing the emotion and kinetic action of paramilitary operations that show the influence of Jack Carr’s The Terminal List and Mark Greaney’s Gray Man series. It keeps readers on their toes for most of the book by navigating between multiple threads to avoid predictability, before converging into a linear sprint to the finish with an almost certain outcome that leads to a cliffhanger finish, brilliantly keeping multiple possibilities available for the future of this nascent series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was unexpected. WOW. WHAT A DEBUT.
Thank you to Atria, Emily Bestler Books, K. B. Brodsky for the release through NetGalley.
I didn't know what I was getting into when I pulled down this instant offering from NetGalley, but knowing Emily Bestler's name was attached gave me some hope. Am I glad I gave this a read!
This is a mix of spy/espionage and special operations action thriller, pitting America vs Russia in the shadow world of political manipulation. I will say that the 3 plotlines at the beginning seemed so far apart that I did not know how they were going to come together. Don't get me wrong, they were all interesting and probably could have been their own average story, but the way they spun and weaved the lines together make it one of best books out there.
You feel the tension, the anguish, the sorrow that the characters feel. The way the emotion of the loss and funeral scenes was written hits every fiber in you being. The action is up there with Carr and Greaney.
This book hit every mark. I am super excited to follow these two for their future novels and the return of Rhoads and Skyler.
Standing ovation Karen and Bill! 5 stars!!
Thank you to Atria, Emily Bestler Books, K. B. Brodsky for the release through NetGalley.
I didn't know what I was getting into when I pulled down this instant offering from NetGalley, but knowing Emily Bestler's name was attached gave me some hope. Am I glad I gave this a read!
This is a mix of spy/espionage and special operations action thriller, pitting America vs Russia in the shadow world of political manipulation. I will say that the 3 plotlines at the beginning seemed so far apart that I did not know how they were going to come together. Don't get me wrong, they were all interesting and probably could have been their own average story, but the way they spun and weaved the lines together make it one of best books out there.
You feel the tension, the anguish, the sorrow that the characters feel. The way the emotion of the loss and funeral scenes was written hits every fiber in you being. The action is up there with Carr and Greaney.
This book hit every mark. I am super excited to follow these two for their future novels and the return of Rhoads and Skyler.
Standing ovation Karen and Bill! 5 stars!!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I enjoyed reading the thriller Beyond Honor. This story follows the adventures of Kevin Rhoads. We are introduced to him when he is a 17-year-old Alaskan hunting guide and pilot taking two veterans bear hunting. The veterans were so impressed with Kevin's skills that they gave him a phone number to call when he finished school if he wanted a job using his tracking and shooting skills. Kevin must have called the number because the next time we meet him he is former Delta working in the Special Activities Center. As he and his team follow a trail of money that is funding terrorist activities they encounter money laundering, conspiracy theories, and moral/ethical decisions.
Never share privileged intelligence information with someone who hasn't been cleared to know the information! You don't know that the information won't be shared by them. You don't know who else may be listening.
Never share privileged intelligence information with someone who hasn't been cleared to know the information! You don't know that the information won't be shared by them. You don't know who else may be listening.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a VERY good debut for this author tandem. I found the story very engaging even though the first part of the book bounced around a LOT setting everything up. It worked though - getting glimpses of all the different stories really helped bring it all together and give a fantastic 360 view of all that was going on. The main character definitely gives off James Reece vibes - and I know others have compared this partly to a Jack Carr book, so that tracks.
I will eagerly await a follow-up (really hoping this will become a series)!
Thanks to Net Galley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for this ARC! #beyondhonor #netgalley
I will eagerly await a follow-up (really hoping this will become a series)!
Thanks to Net Galley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for this ARC! #beyondhonor #netgalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advanced copy received from Netgalley
Beyond Honor is an espionage thriller at its best! I was a little concerned at the beginning because Brodsky had so many storylines on the go, (I’ll admit I was a little confused), but they were expertly woven together to form a masterfully crafted story that was fast paced and suspenseful that had me on the edge of my seat. I hope this is the start of a series because I want more of Kevin Rhoads please!
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster (and imprints) for the ARC😊
Beyond Honor is an espionage thriller at its best! I was a little concerned at the beginning because Brodsky had so many storylines on the go, (I’ll admit I was a little confused), but they were expertly woven together to form a masterfully crafted story that was fast paced and suspenseful that had me on the edge of my seat. I hope this is the start of a series because I want more of Kevin Rhoads please!
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster (and imprints) for the ARC😊
Review of advance copy received from Author
Loved this book! Could not put it down. A great suspense story that kept me on edge the whole way through. I especially enjoyed how the multiple storylines wove together and built momentum as the book progressed. I also loved all the details around the vehicles, weapons, tradecraft, and spy-agency speak. The author trusted the reader and didn’t over-explain everything, which made it feel authentic and immersive while still being easy to follow. Excited to see what comes next!
July 8, 2026
Super solid debut. Intrigue, espionage, and danger close to being real…fans of Sons of Valor and Jack Carr will be delighted.
Twist and turns abound in this thriller for sure.
Was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy. And grateful for that opportunity.
At times I felt like I wished there was a timeline at the beginning of chapters.
Twist and turns abound in this thriller for sure.
Was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy. And grateful for that opportunity.
At times I felt like I wished there was a timeline at the beginning of chapters.
July 8, 2026
Couldn’t put it down. Perfect build up, incredible characters, no holes in the plot (this never happens!). Fast and so good action, thriller spy book!
I am so looking to the next
(also can’t help myself, but I want to cast this series/movie)
I am so looking to the next
(also can’t help myself, but I want to cast this series/movie)
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Exhilarating!
June 7, 2026
Decent story just hard to follow.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Great story, kept my on the edge of my seat.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
A very good book. Then ending seemed incomplete though. Possibly because there is a sequel in the works. At least i hope.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews