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Paul Madriani #12.5
The Second Man
Navy SEALs are the military's elite—highly trained, deadly, and sworn to secrecy about the details of their dangerous and confidential missions. So when one of the men goes public about a high-profile assassination abroad, all of his comrades are thrown into peril.
In this riveting novella, attorney Paul Madriani comes to the aid of a Navy SEAL who is pursued by his own government and facing possible prosecution for disclosures he says were made by others. When the soldier disappears, Paul finds himself ensnared in a deadly game of intrigue that forces him to track the man down before it is too late.
In this riveting novella, attorney Paul Madriani comes to the aid of a Navy SEAL who is pursued by his own government and facing possible prosecution for disclosures he says were made by others. When the soldier disappears, Paul finds himself ensnared in a deadly game of intrigue that forces him to track the man down before it is too late.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2015
About the author
Steve Martini
96 books695 followersSteven Paul "Steve" Martini is an American writer of legal novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 6, 2015
This is a novella involving Martini's on going character Paul Madriani. Quite frankly, I enjoyed this little novella more than I have Martini's most recent full length novels.
Cam Aker wants Paul and crew to represent him. The US government is preventing Cam from obtaining work. Cam is a former Navy SEAL who the US thinks is talking too much about one of his missions. It appears that Cam was the individual who assassinated Osama Bin Laden.
Paul's girlfriend Jocelyn takes off with Cam to get an up close glimpse of one of the Navy's newest lethal weapon. During their trip things go wrong and it becomes Paul to the rescue.
The entertaining little novella brings out an important issue facing those who have served our country and have trouble adjusting once they leave the service: PTSD. It seems our country can use someone and then throw them away, so to speak, when their value is depleted.
Enjoyable read which is a good change from Martini's more recent full length novels.
Cam Aker wants Paul and crew to represent him. The US government is preventing Cam from obtaining work. Cam is a former Navy SEAL who the US thinks is talking too much about one of his missions. It appears that Cam was the individual who assassinated Osama Bin Laden.
Paul's girlfriend Jocelyn takes off with Cam to get an up close glimpse of one of the Navy's newest lethal weapon. During their trip things go wrong and it becomes Paul to the rescue.
The entertaining little novella brings out an important issue facing those who have served our country and have trouble adjusting once they leave the service: PTSD. It seems our country can use someone and then throw them away, so to speak, when their value is depleted.
Enjoyable read which is a good change from Martini's more recent full length novels.
April 15, 2015
Mr. Martini wrote this short novel for a reason. It wasn’t just to sell some more books in the Paul Madriani series. It wasn’t to make a quick buck. He wrote this book because he believes that PTSD is a real problem in this country. He uses The Second Man as a way to publicize what is happening to our returning serviceman and women. But he writes this, not as a sermon, but rather as an exciting thriller. He takes a couple of hours out of your life and entertains you, and leaves you thinking about the problem that we all are facing.
This was a thoughtful but exciting book. I give The Second Man 4 Stars out of 5, and a Big Thumbs Up! If you are a Paul Madriani fan, you will like the different point of view in this book, but this story holds up well as a “stand-alone” book. That means that everyone should read it, because the message is important.
I received this book from the publisher.
This was a thoughtful but exciting book. I give The Second Man 4 Stars out of 5, and a Big Thumbs Up! If you are a Paul Madriani fan, you will like the different point of view in this book, but this story holds up well as a “stand-alone” book. That means that everyone should read it, because the message is important.
I received this book from the publisher.
September 23, 2015
Have you noticed that writers are beginning to publish short novellas between major books? Aside from the economic motive, I have to wonder why they undertake the minor projects. The economics are clear: the small paperbacks are priced at $5 and cost a quarter to so to produce. Sales are pretty much guaranteed, since there is a built-in audience of loyal readers. In some cases, the novella serves as a bridge between two major titles. And, the books typically include an excerpt touting the next major effort. But if an idea is worthy of publication, why not develop it into a full-blown story. The Second Man was OK, but not worth the price.
February 12, 2026
Got this book because I am running out of Paul Madriani books to read. I already knew this was not a book with a court case but was ok with that, until I found that most of the book was about Paul's girlfriend Joselyn, whom I find extremely annoying. Paul sees a client at the request of his investigator Herman, the guy is an ex-seal. Harry and Paul agree not to take his case. But when Joselyn walks in she wants to have drinks with the guy. From there her actions are stupid, not worthy of any woman, nor a woman that supposedly was once a lawyer. She goes off with the client, named Cam, without knowing much about him. Over drinks she flirts with him, in front of Paul and when he calls her on it, she gets mad. In a childish act not worthy of an adult she goes off with this ex SEAL to see some new weapons. The excuse the writer uses is she is doing it for work, no she isn't. In this day and age what woman goes off with a very strong guy all alone? Like that is even remotely safe, plus she tells no one at work or Paul where she is going. Causing Paul to worry, duh and wonder if she is going to sleep with him, which is funny since he cheated on his dead wife, but whatever. The book was suspenseful but not really worthy of Steve Martini's story telling skills. Joselyn is saved and now her and Paul are closer than ever so it's ok that she was flirting with a guy and almost got herself killed. Whatever, she is a pain in the butt. Also, odd there is no mention of his daughter Sarah in this book, like at all. I have no idea why Martini started the series with Paul being married and having a kid when he treats them like after thoughts that an editor has to remind him, they are still around. He should have just started him off single so he can sleep with whoever he wants without making transparent excuses or pretend he has guilt about his dead wife.
One thing I did love was seeing Harry Hinds Paul's partner at the firm get active in this case by going to the house of the ex-SEAL even though he swore he would not get involved. I loved when Harry acts because normally the character's goal seems to be the path of least resistance. Still plan to try and find the last two books of this series because I do love the way Martini writes. I hope he starts again!
One thing I did love was seeing Harry Hinds Paul's partner at the firm get active in this case by going to the house of the ex-SEAL even though he swore he would not get involved. I loved when Harry acts because normally the character's goal seems to be the path of least resistance. Still plan to try and find the last two books of this series because I do love the way Martini writes. I hope he starts again!
July 20, 2021
Not recommended.
A novella, very poorly edited. The author seems intent on the message of how irresponsible the US government treats veterans and how much pain and distress they are in after devoting their lives to the service of their country.
All true, and not to be diminished. But, using this message as a main plot point in such a poorly constructed, throw away story is also a disservice.
I've read this author before - he can do better.
A novella, very poorly edited. The author seems intent on the message of how irresponsible the US government treats veterans and how much pain and distress they are in after devoting their lives to the service of their country.
All true, and not to be diminished. But, using this message as a main plot point in such a poorly constructed, throw away story is also a disservice.
I've read this author before - he can do better.
October 29, 2017
This was an interesting book. The Lawyer Paul gets involved with a former Navy Seal and his girlfriend goes off with the Seal to view a military secret plane. One thing leads to another, and she is a kidnap victim. Paul and his friend try to find them and it leads them to the military installation. This is a good moving book and keeps the reader involved.
December 3, 2021
Steve Martini’s Paul Madriani Series are fast paced legal thrillers with well crafted plots which will have you guessing until the end. Attorney Paul Madriani just seems to attract clients who draw him into mysterious situations that in turn draw Madriani into unraveling the threads to help his clients.
February 2, 2019
Decent, but unspectacular novella about Martini’s ongoing and outgoing series main character Paul Madriani. The story has most of the hallmarks of Martini’s better works, but the story is thin. An unremarkable read.
June 9, 2022
I loved this book. I have read all of Mr. Martini’s books. Some of them more than once. He is a wonderful writer and I miss him. This book was different from his previous books but I loved it just the same. I do hope that he continues to write. He is a wonderful author. - Lana Souza
April 22, 2023
It was a fine short story. The premise and fact Jaclyn went with him was head scratching and not really believable. And since that was basically the entire story. There wasn’t a whole lot of reason for any of the story to happen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2026
So, so bad...nothing like the other books I've read from Steve Martini. 160-something pages of pure drivel. Take your $7 and scatter it in the wind. It'll be more fun to watch it flutter in the air than it was to read this book.
July 16, 2017
Short, but a typical Madriani novel. Worth an afternoon.
October 20, 2018
So sad but so true to real life
Written as a good book but tells the reader what happens so often to our war heroes when life becomes too hard to bear.
Written as a good book but tells the reader what happens so often to our war heroes when life becomes too hard to bear.
January 5, 2019
Pedantic,quasi lecture
Not up to usual standards. This reads like a plea for understanding of tragedy of war. Not Martini's usual story telling with twists and intrigue.
Not up to usual standards. This reads like a plea for understanding of tragedy of war. Not Martini's usual story telling with twists and intrigue.
May 19, 2019
Altho I am a fan of Steve Martini's books, this is not one of his best. It seemed very contrived and far-fetched, so I only gave it two stars.
February 7, 2021
Very good
Well written plot and a very god. Characters AR well drawn and believable. Enjoyed this book and looki:my do,reward to others.
Well written plot and a very god. Characters AR well drawn and believable. Enjoyed this book and looki:my do,reward to others.
June 5, 2022
A short novella without all of the great attributes which make for a great Martini/Madriani tale. Hard to find, not worth the effort
July 4, 2022
As a veteran I appreciate this book bringing to light the trouble some veterans face.
December 3, 2022
Ok but somewhat disappointing. It wasn't indicated as being a Novella and was a departure from the other books in this series. Good quick read though.
August 3, 2024
While considered a novella, it wasn't all that short.
March 24, 2015
Paul Mandriani was introduced to a prospective clint by his assistant, Herman. The client, Cam Akers, is a former Navy SEAL who tells the attorney that he has been drummed out of the service and federal charges are being brought against him. The alleged reason for the charges was because Cam claimed to be the real killer of Bin Laden and the military felt that he had disclosed that information to the media.
Paul and his partner, Harry, decided against taking the case but invited Akers out for a few drinks with them and Paul's girlfriend, Joselyn. She then became friendly with Akers after she told him that she worked for a foundation concerned with stopping weapons of mass destruction. He told her of his knowledge of a military base where weapons trials were taking place and she seemed interested.
The following morning Joselyn and Akers disappeared and so started an adventure that might prove deadly to Joselyn as well as others.
This is a short but fast paced book. There is little character development but the target readers may be those who have read other books in this series.
Paul and his partner, Harry, decided against taking the case but invited Akers out for a few drinks with them and Paul's girlfriend, Joselyn. She then became friendly with Akers after she told him that she worked for a foundation concerned with stopping weapons of mass destruction. He told her of his knowledge of a military base where weapons trials were taking place and she seemed interested.
The following morning Joselyn and Akers disappeared and so started an adventure that might prove deadly to Joselyn as well as others.
This is a short but fast paced book. There is little character development but the target readers may be those who have read other books in this series.
April 17, 2015
Mr. Martini wrote this short novel for a reason. It wasn’t just to sell some more books in the Paul Madriani series. It wasn’t to make a quick buck. He wrote this book because he believes that PTSD is a real problem in this country. He uses The Second Man as a way to publicize what is happening to our returning serviceman and women. But he writes this, not as a sermon, but rather as an exciting thriller. He takes a couple of hours out of your life and entertains you, and leaves you thinking about the problem that we all are facing.
This was a thoughtful but exciting book. I give The Second Man 4 Stars out of 5, and a Big Thumbs Up! If you are a Paul Madriani fan, you will like the different point of view in this book, but this story holds up well as a “stand-alone” book. That means that everyone should read it, because the message is important.
I received this book from the publisher.
This was a thoughtful but exciting book. I give The Second Man 4 Stars out of 5, and a Big Thumbs Up! If you are a Paul Madriani fan, you will like the different point of view in this book, but this story holds up well as a “stand-alone” book. That means that everyone should read it, because the message is important.
I received this book from the publisher.
March 6, 2017
So-so book. Not the usual Martini legal thriller. Courtroom drama not part of the story. Actually a novella. Suspense gradually, mounts, however. Ending chapters are page-turners. Attorney Madriani and his law partners all present.
October 27, 2015
OK. Yes, novella, as in not very long at all, so it's a quick read. Interesting for the most part. I'm bothered by some of the decisions the female lead made, but if she had done the logical or safe thing the story would have been even shorter. Overall, I don't see a long relationship here for her in this series. Mandrini and Hinds are still very interesting.
November 5, 2016
This was a very quick read, even more than most of Martini's Madriani novels. Often there is a lot of banter between the familiar characters of the series. This book has far less of that banter, but I hardly missed it because the rest of this story unfolded so quickly. It also felt a bit more probable than other stories in this series. In short, it was a good find.
April 9, 2015
pure Paul. just wondering though after all this time that they are close to being or are broke. you would think that they would be solvent and not just scraping by..... but great story all the same.
May 20, 2015
Excellent story
Sad story of a soldier suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and how prevalent it is. Good story even though ending sad.
Sad story of a soldier suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and how prevalent it is. Good story even though ending sad.
June 30, 2015
Completely predictable.
August 20, 2015
Eh. There was so much buildup throughout, I was expecting a big climax...but was left hanging.
Read
June 20, 2016Alright & light read
It's a good and light read, if you want something to read on your flight or somewhere on transit about tactical stuff.
It's a good and light read, if you want something to read on your flight or somewhere on transit about tactical stuff.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews