What do you think?
Rate this book
Peter Ash #10
Shadow Game
Not yet published
Expected 9 Mar 27When he thwarts an attack on the Appalachian Trail Peter Ash finds himself battling a team of professional killers in this propulsive new thriller from the bestselling and award-winning series.
For the troubled soul of Peter Ash there's no balm like time spent in the outdoors. So a through hike on the Appalachian Trail should be a relaxing break.
But an encounter with a suspicious old man is only the first sign that something isn't right. Even though he's been warned to mind his own business by the other man, Peter isn't about to stand by and watch a senior citizen be menaced by two gun-wielding thugs.
Saving the victim doesn't end the threat. In fact, Peter soon finds himself being chased by a team of professional assassins as well as law enforcement. Intervention quickly morphs into "in over his head," but that's nothing new for Peter Ash.
For the troubled soul of Peter Ash there's no balm like time spent in the outdoors. So a through hike on the Appalachian Trail should be a relaxing break.
But an encounter with a suspicious old man is only the first sign that something isn't right. Even though he's been warned to mind his own business by the other man, Peter isn't about to stand by and watch a senior citizen be menaced by two gun-wielding thugs.
Saving the victim doesn't end the threat. In fact, Peter soon finds himself being chased by a team of professional assassins as well as law enforcement. Intervention quickly morphs into "in over his head," but that's nothing new for Peter Ash.
400 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 9, 2027
About the author
Nick Petrie
18 books1,310 followersNick Petrie received his MFA in fiction from the University of Washington, won a Hopwood Award for short fiction while an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, and his story “At the Laundromat” won the 2006 Short Story Contest in The Seattle Review, a national literary journal. A husband and father, he has worked as a carpenter, remodeling contractor, and building inspector. He lives in Milwaukee.
For more on Nick Petrie, see his website NickPetrie.com, or find him on Facebook or Twitter.
For more on Nick Petrie, see his website NickPetrie.com, or find him on Facebook or Twitter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
Shadow Game is brilliantly crafted tribute to the classic spy novel, contained within a modern action-packed, all-gas no brakes thriller that keeps the tension cranked to eleven. Nick Petrie’s latest installment in the must-read Peter Ash series will have you entranced, breathless and on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It’s another smash hit! Once you start, good luck putting it down
Shadow Game is brilliantly crafted tribute to the classic spy novel, contained within a modern action-packed, all-gas no brakes thriller that keeps the tension cranked to eleven. Nick Petrie’s latest installment in the must-read Peter Ash series will have you entranced, breathless and on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It’s another smash hit! Once you start, good luck putting it down
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The story begins with Peter Ash walking off his white static on the Appalachian Trail. And because Peter is a trouble magnet, it isn't long before he crosses paths with an armed and decidedly unfriendly old man somewhere in Tennessee. Peter continues on his way, but two days later he encounters the man again, this time being accosted by two professional killers. Peter steps in to help because, well, Peter just doesn't know when to quit. Before long, he's helping an old man who has more secrets than a government file marked CLASSIFIED, being framed for murder in three different states, and running from professional killers while still trying to figure out exactly what he's gotten himself into.
And I loved every minute of it.
Shadow Game is another outstanding entry in Nick Petrie's Peter Ash series. Petrie does his usual excellent job of creating secrets that have secrets, layering in twists and surprises, and making sure almost nobody is quite who they appear to be. I would have happily read this book in one sitting if I'd had the opportunity.
One thing I particularly enjoyed was the way Petrie connected current political events and events surrounding the fall of the Berlin Wall to the story. I remember that period, and the combination of those historical elements with today's political drama gave the story an additional sense of authenticity. Rather than feeling tacked onto the thriller, the past becomes an important part of understanding what's happening in the present.
Peter remains one of my absolute favorite fictional characters. His instinct to help someone in trouble regardless of the danger to himself is simultaneously one of his best qualities and the reason he keeps ending up in situations like this. And then there's Lewis. Resourceful, loyal, adaptable Lewis, who would apparently rather hunt bad guys with Peter than help his sweetheart take her kids on a college tour. Their friendship continues to be one of my favorite parts of the series. When Peter needs him, Lewis shows up, no matter the risk. Everyone should have a Lewis.
I really don't have a meaningful criticism of this one. The old man's determination to keep his secrets could easily have become frustrating, but Petrie reveals enough at exactly the right moments that his silence makes sense before it becomes annoying. The pacing stays tight, the mystery keeps unfolding, and the twists keep coming.
Shadow Game can stand alone, but readers will get much more out of Peter, Lewis, and their history if they've spent some time with them before. At the very least, I'd recommend starting with The Drifter. You'll want to meet Peter and shake his hand before inviting him to dinner.
Five stars, hands down. This is exactly what I want from a Peter Ash novel: danger, mystery, loyalty, history, plenty of surprises, and Peter Ash being constitutionally incapable of walking away from trouble.
Content warnings include murder, violence, gun violence, PTSD/trauma, and references to war and political violence.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
And I loved every minute of it.
Shadow Game is another outstanding entry in Nick Petrie's Peter Ash series. Petrie does his usual excellent job of creating secrets that have secrets, layering in twists and surprises, and making sure almost nobody is quite who they appear to be. I would have happily read this book in one sitting if I'd had the opportunity.
One thing I particularly enjoyed was the way Petrie connected current political events and events surrounding the fall of the Berlin Wall to the story. I remember that period, and the combination of those historical elements with today's political drama gave the story an additional sense of authenticity. Rather than feeling tacked onto the thriller, the past becomes an important part of understanding what's happening in the present.
Peter remains one of my absolute favorite fictional characters. His instinct to help someone in trouble regardless of the danger to himself is simultaneously one of his best qualities and the reason he keeps ending up in situations like this. And then there's Lewis. Resourceful, loyal, adaptable Lewis, who would apparently rather hunt bad guys with Peter than help his sweetheart take her kids on a college tour. Their friendship continues to be one of my favorite parts of the series. When Peter needs him, Lewis shows up, no matter the risk. Everyone should have a Lewis.
I really don't have a meaningful criticism of this one. The old man's determination to keep his secrets could easily have become frustrating, but Petrie reveals enough at exactly the right moments that his silence makes sense before it becomes annoying. The pacing stays tight, the mystery keeps unfolding, and the twists keep coming.
Shadow Game can stand alone, but readers will get much more out of Peter, Lewis, and their history if they've spent some time with them before. At the very least, I'd recommend starting with The Drifter. You'll want to meet Peter and shake his hand before inviting him to dinner.
Five stars, hands down. This is exactly what I want from a Peter Ash novel: danger, mystery, loyalty, history, plenty of surprises, and Peter Ash being constitutionally incapable of walking away from trouble.
Content warnings include murder, violence, gun violence, PTSD/trauma, and references to war and political violence.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Shadow Game • Nick Petrie
Peter Ash #10
One phrase: Appalachian Trail survival chaos 🏔️🔥
A peaceful through hike on the Appalachian Trail turning into a fight against professional assassins?
Immediately yes.
Shadow Game sounds like exactly the kind of propulsive thriller that starts with one suspicious encounter and then spirals into full blown danger. Peter Ash is just trying to find some peace in the outdoors, but because apparently this man cannot have one relaxing hike, he ends up stepping into trouble the second he sees an old man being threatened by armed men.
And obviously Peter is not the type to walk away.
Saving one person quickly turns into being hunted by professional killers and law enforcement, which is such a high stakes setup. I love thrillers where the main character is thrown into survival mode and has to rely on instincts, grit, and whatever resources are around them.
The Appalachian Trail setting also feels like such a perfect backdrop for danger. Remote woods, long stretches of isolation, unpredictable terrain, and nowhere easy to hide when the wrong people are after you.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🏔 Appalachian Trail setting
🔥 action thriller
🔫 professional assassins
🏃♂️ hunted hero
🌲 wilderness survival
👀 suspicious stranger
⚖️ law enforcement pressure
💥 high stakes chase
🧠 tactical survival
🖤 troubled hero energy
📚 Read this if you like:
Action packed thrillers, wilderness danger, lone heroes who cannot mind their business, assassins on the hunt, and stories where one good deed turns into absolute chaos.
This sounds tense, fast moving, and packed with exactly the kind of danger that makes a thriller impossible to put down.
#ShadowGame #NickPetrie #ThrillerBooks #ActionThriller #BookReview
Peter Ash #10
One phrase: Appalachian Trail survival chaos 🏔️🔥
A peaceful through hike on the Appalachian Trail turning into a fight against professional assassins?
Immediately yes.
Shadow Game sounds like exactly the kind of propulsive thriller that starts with one suspicious encounter and then spirals into full blown danger. Peter Ash is just trying to find some peace in the outdoors, but because apparently this man cannot have one relaxing hike, he ends up stepping into trouble the second he sees an old man being threatened by armed men.
And obviously Peter is not the type to walk away.
Saving one person quickly turns into being hunted by professional killers and law enforcement, which is such a high stakes setup. I love thrillers where the main character is thrown into survival mode and has to rely on instincts, grit, and whatever resources are around them.
The Appalachian Trail setting also feels like such a perfect backdrop for danger. Remote woods, long stretches of isolation, unpredictable terrain, and nowhere easy to hide when the wrong people are after you.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🏔 Appalachian Trail setting
🔥 action thriller
🔫 professional assassins
🏃♂️ hunted hero
🌲 wilderness survival
👀 suspicious stranger
⚖️ law enforcement pressure
💥 high stakes chase
🧠 tactical survival
🖤 troubled hero energy
📚 Read this if you like:
Action packed thrillers, wilderness danger, lone heroes who cannot mind their business, assassins on the hunt, and stories where one good deed turns into absolute chaos.
This sounds tense, fast moving, and packed with exactly the kind of danger that makes a thriller impossible to put down.
#ShadowGame #NickPetrie #ThrillerBooks #ActionThriller #BookReview
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Nick Petrie continues his service to readers and military vets with another episode in the life of Peter Ash. As someone that has come from a military family, I love the realism in which he writes Ash and his mental struggles after what he has experienced. Also, if you haven’t done so, read the after message that he includes with his books. His love for those that have served is truly inspiring.
This time around, Ash is walking the Appalachian Trail to clear his mind and soothe his weary soul. Along his journey, he comes across another hiker who is less than friendly. Moving along, eventually he sees that the older man has run into some trouble with some young men. Ash can’t just sit back and let that go and gets involved. And it is all downhill from there.
This adventure was a lot of fun but did seem to drag in a few places. But that has been my experience with this series. Always good, but a moment or two that could be sharpened or trimmed. But when it is on, you can’t beat Petrie’s writing.
Always an enjoyable visit with Peter Ash and I am already awaiting the next go round.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
This time around, Ash is walking the Appalachian Trail to clear his mind and soothe his weary soul. Along his journey, he comes across another hiker who is less than friendly. Moving along, eventually he sees that the older man has run into some trouble with some young men. Ash can’t just sit back and let that go and gets involved. And it is all downhill from there.
This adventure was a lot of fun but did seem to drag in a few places. But that has been my experience with this series. Always good, but a moment or two that could be sharpened or trimmed. But when it is on, you can’t beat Petrie’s writing.
Always an enjoyable visit with Peter Ash and I am already awaiting the next go round.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another terrific Peter Ash read by Petrie.
Ash is hiking the Appalachia Trail when he cones across an older Jan who seems weak and possibly in need of some help. When the man pulls a gun on him, accuses him of following him, and denies needing any help and then orders him on his way, Ash does exactly that and departs, greatly suspicious of the man.
When their paths across again, further up the trail and he finds the man being beaten and attacked by 2 men, he immediately comes to his aid and then the story takes off.
Enter hit men, current and former CIA black ops operatives and a riveting story of suspense and murder unfolds.
Just a super read with non stop action from the very first pages.
Peter Ash is a formidable and extremely intriguing character that Petrie does a phenomenal job with.
Every.
Single.
Time.
Ash is hiking the Appalachia Trail when he cones across an older Jan who seems weak and possibly in need of some help. When the man pulls a gun on him, accuses him of following him, and denies needing any help and then orders him on his way, Ash does exactly that and departs, greatly suspicious of the man.
When their paths across again, further up the trail and he finds the man being beaten and attacked by 2 men, he immediately comes to his aid and then the story takes off.
Enter hit men, current and former CIA black ops operatives and a riveting story of suspense and murder unfolds.
Just a super read with non stop action from the very first pages.
Peter Ash is a formidable and extremely intriguing character that Petrie does a phenomenal job with.
Every.
Single.
Time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance Read Copy provided by Netgalley.
This book had my interest immediately with the Appalachian Trail. I grew up in the Appalachian Mountains and I love reading books with them in it! The setting adds to the feel of isolation and potential danger of being out in the woods solo.
This was a great read! I was surprised multiple times by the sequence of events and how the book changed as I read it. It had multiple POVs that added a lot of depth and understanding to the story. It's a fun, fast paced, thrilling book that has former spies and veterans joining forces to fight corruption- from another country, or our own government? It kept me guessing and I felt like I couldn't put it down! Definitely read this book if you are drawn to action and spy novels, you won't be disappointed.
Thank you Netgalley & Putnam for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.
This book had my interest immediately with the Appalachian Trail. I grew up in the Appalachian Mountains and I love reading books with them in it! The setting adds to the feel of isolation and potential danger of being out in the woods solo.
This was a great read! I was surprised multiple times by the sequence of events and how the book changed as I read it. It had multiple POVs that added a lot of depth and understanding to the story. It's a fun, fast paced, thrilling book that has former spies and veterans joining forces to fight corruption- from another country, or our own government? It kept me guessing and I felt like I couldn't put it down! Definitely read this book if you are drawn to action and spy novels, you won't be disappointed.
Thank you Netgalley & Putnam for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2026
Another entry in the Peter Ash series, SHADOW GAME, and I can’t believe we’re already at the tenth book. Ash is a great hero, complete with worthy sidekicks, fascinating backstory and ongoing personal challenges. This time Ash finds himself in some version of Boris and Natasha from Rocky and Bullwinkle. The Russians are coming but the vibe is definitely Cold War. The book is an homage to the world of spies before the Berlin Wall fell. The villain is ultimately not surprising but the path to disclosure is a good one. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In Shadow Game, veteran Peter Ash seeks peace and quiet by hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. His solace is cut short when he encounters an elderly hiker being hunted. Stepping in to protect the senior citizen, Peter finds himself on the run from both the law and foreign killers connected to the old man's time during the Cold War-era.
There was so much about this book I LOVED: Peter Ash, the old man, the Appalachian Trail, wilderness survival, and the Wild Woman of Poughkeepsie! There was a lot of suspenseful action involved. I was biting my nails as I read about the chases.
On the other hand, there was also a LOT about who the hunters were and why they were hunting. It was too much detail for me and I felt like it bogged the book down.
My opinion in a nutshell: There was a lot to love, but also a little too much detail for me.
Thank you, #GPPutnamsSons, for providing this book for consideration and review via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Shadow Game has an expected publication date of March 9, 2027.
There was so much about this book I LOVED: Peter Ash, the old man, the Appalachian Trail, wilderness survival, and the Wild Woman of Poughkeepsie! There was a lot of suspenseful action involved. I was biting my nails as I read about the chases.
On the other hand, there was also a LOT about who the hunters were and why they were hunting. It was too much detail for me and I felt like it bogged the book down.
My opinion in a nutshell: There was a lot to love, but also a little too much detail for me.
Thank you, #GPPutnamsSons, for providing this book for consideration and review via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Shadow Game has an expected publication date of March 9, 2027.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews