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Rogue Warrior #12

Lethal Instinct

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He came looking for a pay check. He found a war.

Bob came to Naples, Florida, looking for honest work. Three months in, he's still looking—until he saves a car dealer from a mugging and lands a gig shuttling vehicles to a nearby town.

A car he's sent to collect is stolen. Bob recovers it from a local chop shop… and finds a dead teenager in the trunk.

The dead boy's eighteen-year-old sister, Hailey, wants justice for her brother. Bob figures it’s not his fight and plans to skip town—until some bad guys grab him and torture him to find out what he knows.

That makes it personal.

Bob launches a one-man war, taking on an organized crime gang, local cops, and a powerful politician. And finds himself caught up in a web of treachery and intrigue where no one is what they seem.

Just like the alligators in the nearby swamp, the deadliest enemies stay hidden, waiting for their moment to strike…

Lethal Instinct - the twelfth in the thrilling Rogue Warrior action thriller series. Perfect for fans of Jason Kasper, Jack Carr, and Lee Child.

299 pages, ebook

Published June 28, 2026

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About the author

Ian Loome

39 books155 followers
NOTE TO AUTHORS RECEIVING LETTERS CLAIMING TO BE FROM ME:



It's a scam. I don't send admiring letters to other ebook authors asking for collaborations. They will direct you to multiple groups, including on Goodreads, to lull you into thinking they are friends, then will use that to direct you to a phishing site to steal your money.

Please check any email addresses for authors you think are writing to you carefully against those on their website BUT don't click ANY links in the email itself, no matter how innocuous, in emails from people you do not know.

Ian Loome originally published novels as 'LH Thomson' and 'Sam Powers' before consolidating them under his own name in 2021.

He grew up in Africa, England and Canada. A former journalist, he was born in Libya and spent much of his youth in Africa in a communist dictatorship. A weekend tennis match was often against a member of the KGB or East German Stasi. He has lived around the world and covered stories ranging violent crime to features and celebrity interviews.

He served several stints as a legislature reporter, assignment editor and newsroom manager.

He writes the Bob Singleton thrillers, the Liam Quinn Mysteries, the Joe Brennan spy novels and numerous stand-alone titles. In his spare time, he plays blues guitar and has toured with a radio charting blues band.

On the autism and ADHD spectrums, he lives with his partner Lori in Canada.

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5 stars
296 (57%)
4 stars
154 (29%)
3 stars
53 (10%)
2 stars
12 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Stefanie Verhelst.
709 reviews41 followers
July 4, 2026
What a story! I’ve read this book in a couple of hours without interruption and it’s really good!

The story is easy to follow, even though there is a lot happening. The action and suspense is worked out well.

I liked the main character and felt for him with everything happening.

The ending was acceptable… I won’t say more because I don’t want to spoil it.

Overall a very good action thriller!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for SophieHT_UK.
113 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 6, 2026
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lethal Instinct grabbed me from the first few pages and barely let go. This is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that keeps you genuinely guessing right up to the final chapters — no small feat. At 90% through I still had no idea how it was going to resolve, which is exactly what you want from a book in this genre.

Bob is a fantastic protagonist. Likeable, realistic, and — crucially — his own man. Comparisons to Jack Reacher are inevitable given the genre, but they do Bob a disservice. He is different enough in character and approach to stand firmly on his own two feet, and I found that genuinely refreshing.

One element that particularly stood out was the handling of Bob's recovery from alcoholism. Fiction has a bad habit of fetishising drinking — endless loving descriptions of amber liquid, condensation on glasses, ice clinking — and it was quietly wonderful to have a protagonist for whom a beer at the bar carries weight and anxiety rather than being another atmospheric prop. It felt considered and real.

The plot does lean into political territory which may not be to every reader's taste, and at times it felt heavier than necessary — but it serves the story and earns its place.

And then there's the epilogue. I won't spoil it. Just — the epilogue. It elevated the entire book and is the reason this is a 4 star read rather than a 3.5.
63 reviews2 followers
July 6, 2026
Lethal Instinct is a relentlessly entertaining action thriller that expertly combines explosive suspense, compelling characters, and a tightly woven criminal conspiracy into a story that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end. Ian Loome once again demonstrates his talent for crafting fast-paced, character-driven thrillers that balance intense action with meaningful emotional stakes.

Bob is an outstanding protagonist whose quiet resilience and unwavering sense of justice make him immediately likable. What begins as a simple search for honest work quickly transforms into a deadly fight for survival after an ordinary assignment uncovers a horrifying crime. Rather than portraying Bob as an invincible hero, Loome gives him believable motivations, making every decision and every confrontation feel earned. His determination to stand up for Hailey and seek justice for her brother adds genuine emotional weight to the story and makes readers fully invested in his journey.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is the way it steadily expands its scope. What initially appears to be an isolated crime soon reveals a far-reaching web of corruption involving organized crime, compromised law enforcement, and powerful political figures. Each new revelation raises the stakes naturally, creating a narrative that is filled with tension, unexpected twists, and constant momentum. The mystery unfolds at just the right pace, encouraging readers to keep turning the pages while carefully building toward a satisfying conclusion.

Loome also excels at creating atmosphere. The backdrop of Naples, Florida, with its hidden dangers and surrounding swamplands, becomes an integral part of the story. The contrast between the area's picturesque setting and the darkness lurking beneath the surface enhances the suspense and reinforces the novel's central message that the greatest threats are often the ones least expected. This vivid sense of place adds another layer of realism to an already immersive narrative.

Perhaps the novel's most impressive achievement is its balance between thrilling action and thoughtful storytelling. The fight scenes are exciting and well choreographed, but they never overshadow the characters or the emotional consequences of the events unfolding around them. Themes of justice, courage, loyalty, and standing up against overwhelming odds give the novel substance beyond its adrenaline-fueled pace.

Overall, Lethal Instinct is another exceptional installment in the Rogue Warrior series. Ian Loome has delivered a gripping thriller filled with memorable characters, intelligent plotting, nonstop suspense, and satisfying action. Fans of military and vigilante-style thrillers will find Lethal Instinct to be an exciting, well-crafted novel that leaves readers eager for the next adventure.
Profile Image for Cathy Geha.
4,469 reviews123 followers
August 11, 2026
Lethal Instinct by Ian Loome
Rogue Warrior #12

~ Bob just wants a calm peaceful life but once again finds himself needing to use his lethal skills to survive while dealing with evil, unscrupulous, greedy, murderous people ~

What I liked:
* Bob Singleton: ex-military, ex-CIA assassin, recovering alcoholic, strong, lethal, has his own moral compass, intelligent, protective, good friend, strategic thinker, survivor, cautious, intriguing, tenacious, resolute, pays his debts, a bit different, deserves a break but…will he ever get one?
* Chuckie Croft: car dealer, offered Bob a job, good brother, protective, kind, in for a surprise
* Hailey Wise: runaway, homeless, protective of her brother Riley who ended up dead, that the breakaway catch on the necklace she gifted someone worked as it was meant to
* Sheriff Jed Jardine: old-time lawman, cares about his town, famous podcast, surprised me
* Detective June Weyerhauser: working undercover, by-the-book officer, straight shooter
* The way Bob adapts and adjusts in and out of life-threatening action scenes
* The twists, turns, and surprises while unearthing who was behind the crime ring and all that were involved
* Being able to thoroughly detest the bad guys and wish Karma (or Bob) would find them
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* That all of the threads of the case were tied up without any left dangling and justice had been served
* Knowing that there will be another book in the series

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how evil, wicked, sadistic, murderous, and amoral some of the characters were
* Knowing that there are people in the world as bad as and worse than the criminals in this story

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to Inkubator Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
1,945 reviews13 followers
July 18, 2026
I received an ARC through "Booksprout" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The story has Bob in Naples, Fla. relaxing on the beach when he sees an individual being attacked and goes to help. Bob is finally able to defeat the attackers and it turns out that the person Bob helped, Chuck Croft had some work that Bob could do. Initially the job was dropping off vehicles bought through auctions and picking up another vehicle to bring back that was obtained the same way. Bob had no issue taking the truck to the drop off, but when he was ready to head back, the vehicle he was supposed to get had just been stolen. Now Bob was not one to just let it go so he began a search for the vehicle. He was able to find it, but when he attempted to recover it he was attacked and needed to save himself. He found the car had a flat tire and upon opening the trunk, he discovered a dead body, the kid who stole the car.

Bob had to stay in the area until he would be able to get the car. As it turned out, Bob's visit turned into one where he promised a young girl whose brother was the dead body, to find out who the killer was. Working with the sheriff's office was not resulting with a lot of assistance, so Bob did his own investigation. His investigation revealed that there was a lot more going than he expected and things got very dangerous for him.

Read along and follow Bob as he searches and find out who he finally received help from and how it eventually ended. The plot is well done and it definitely keeps your interest. This is definitely a book well worth reading, don't miss out!
Profile Image for Emerald Maple.
182 reviews21 followers
June 28, 2026
If you are unfamiliar with the series, they are pretty readable as standalones. Bob is basically Reacher if his old bosses wanted him dead. He goes from place to place, finds work for a while, gets involved with helping someone and the bad guys die.

In Lethal Instinct, Bob takes a job moving cars between dealerships. On his first drive, the car he is picking up is stolen, and when he finds it at a local chop shop, the kid who stole it is dead in the trunk. But when the police seem more interested in Bob's trespassing than the chop shop and they declare the boy's death accidental, then someone grabs him from his hotel - one the police arranged for him - Bob is talked into helping by the thief's sister.

A quick and enjoyable thriller. Loome kept the mental nerve mentions to a minimum this time and there is some very just payback at the end. A bit predictable but at the 12th book in the series, to be expected. There were definitely some 'don't do that' moments where you know they will get in trouble or missed context on who was involved. But you know things will work out for Bob in the end, it always does.

Thanks to Inkubator Books for the advance copy for review through Netgalley.
Profile Image for Abibliofob.
1,689 reviews112 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 12, 2026
Florida is not always so great. Lethal Instinct is the 12th book with Bob Singleton in the series called Rogue Warrior by Ian Loome. I found this author a few years ago through the book Shadow Agenda and I felt that this is great writing. Then I started reading the Bob books and I still find them very entertaining. Bob has to keep a low profile because his ex employer is looking for him. Since they are the CIA it's very hard, but Bob keep rambling from town to town and does what Bob does best. He always seems to find someone in need of help and it usually leeds to some confrontation of the violent kind. I have always been a sucker for this kind of protagonist all the way back to my youth when I started reading so many decades ago. I am into my second half century of reading now, boy does that make me feel old. I can really recommend these books and why not try some of the other works from this author. He sure can tell a story. I always have a good time together with Bob no matter where he is. I must thank Inkubator Books and Netgalley for supplying me with this advance copy. The book is available from the 28th of June.
174 reviews
Review of advance copy
June 14, 2026
Bob is back, and Florida is the latest destination he'll find trouble in. He's just trying to find a job in Naples, when he stumbles on some car thieves who picked the wrong place to rob a car dealer. With a new job delivering cars, it takes only a moment before the car he is supposed to bring back is stolen.

Bob just wants to get the car back, but it leads to more trouble when he finds the thief's body in the trunk. After lots of persuading, he decides it's time to get to the bottom, and finds it's a lot deeper than he realized.

I have to admit, about a 1/3 of the way in, I was ready to stop reading the book as Bob's hemming and hawing on what to do next slowed the story down to a crawl. But once Bob got locked in on what needed to be done - and the ass-kicking began - the plot pace started to pick up and it led to an unexpected twist near the end.

So, if like me you get bogged down and wonder where this story is going, stick with it and you'll probably enjoy the outcome.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,690 reviews33 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
June 14, 2026
Bob gets a job transporting a vehicle which is then stolen. After he tracks it down to a chop shop where he is then set upon, the resultant report to the police seems off and it is clear there is some corruption here in this small town. Things escalate when he is asked to look into the killing of a young man prior to Bob's arrival. While he is reluctant to get involved, the subsequent attacks changes his mind and it is clear there's more going on than just a stolen car racket.

I liked here how you didn't know who to trust and when things become more clearer, there's still some shocking turn of events to come. The twist at the end was something I defy anyone to see coming, and what an ending. I can't wait to see where Bob ends up next and what trouble awaits.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
116 reviews2 followers
July 3, 2026
Bob moves around the country and just tries to mind his own business, but somehow that just never seems to work out. He always seems to be in a place where there is a victim, a gun, and a knife.....Bob to the rescue.

Thugs are trying to steal Chuckie Croft's car only the thing is...it is not his car. Big mistake....Bob asks...know somebody who's got some work, I'll take that. And so it begins, nothing is really easy.

The car he is suppose to pick up gets stolen right out of the auto traders lot. Bob is not going to let it go and one thing leads to another.

Very entertaining book and worth your time.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
63 reviews
Review of advance copy
June 22, 2026
Another great outing with our rogue warrior, Bob. Author Loome never disappoints. It's the usual violence and mayhem caused by our protagonist but only in the process of helping people. It's a fun read. Well between snakes and alligators, gun fights and fist fights and a couple of twists thrown in makes the finale quite something. Love the Epilogue as had to smile. Waiting to see what mischief he gets up to next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
672 reviews
July 1, 2026
Bob being Bob. Part of the Bob Singleton series finding Bob in Naples, Florida. Spending time on the beach after being unable to find a job. As luck would have it his fast hands and quick thinking put him in a position for employment. But of course employment for Bob always gets complicated and it is no different in Florida. The story takes off quickly, gets twisted beyond recognition and stays that way to the end. Rarely a disappointment to try to keep up with Bob.
233 reviews2 followers
July 23, 2026
Love action adventure by Ian Loome. Same category of wandering heroes with military and possibly government experience on war fronts. They help little people who have no one to aid in their problems be it drug dealers, dishonest mega powers whatever. Other authors in same style, Paul Heatley, Logan Ryles. They are a nice change of pace from romantic reads. In fact, once you pick up one, it is hard to put down.
1,709 reviews12 followers
June 28, 2026
Whenever I pick up one of Ian Loome's Rogue Warrior books I can count on it having nonstop action especially when it comes to Bob Singleton whom gets sucked up into someone else's drama in this case a sister asking for help to find her younger brother and the corrupt and vile police officers not bothering to look plus other chaotic situations Oh! I forgot to mention murder also.

Profile Image for Jim Cerone The Perfect Host DJ MC.
409 reviews7 followers
June 30, 2026
Three Quarters

Loome has developed this into a really good series. And this book was humming along great until three quarters of the way through, when it slipped off the rails for a bit. Too many chases and escapes, and dialogue that veered into parody. The conclusion and epilogue brought things back, however. Will keep following this series.
Profile Image for Shannon Binegar-Foster.
3,210 reviews25 followers
July 1, 2026
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Bob is in Naples Florida this time. He takes a simple job for a car dealership. Deliver a truck and pick up a car….simple right….NOPE. Things couldn’t go more wrong. This thriller had me from the start. So many secrets I just didn’t see coming. Excellent read.
156 reviews
July 1, 2026
Lethal Instinct was a fast-paced thriller that kept me interested from beginning to end. The action moved was awesome, and the twists kept me guessing. I enjoyed the characters and found it to be an entertaining read. If you like crime thrillers with plenty of action, this one is worth checking out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,392 reviews47 followers
June 28, 2026
Beware of Bob! You may think you've got him cornered, trapped, or beaten, but that's when he's the most dangerous as the bad guys in this thriller find out. I received an advance coy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
20 reviews
July 17, 2026
This is #12 in Rogue Warriors, and find the story gets shorter, the all-around social part is getting bigger. Find the book OK, but rather see more actual fights and sorts, then the social part which may be interesting to others, but has nothing to do with the actual story.
2 reviews
Read
July 23, 2026
I can't believe I read the whole thing. The main character was oddly devoid of any 'lethal instinct'. I'm really surprised that the author has successfully published numerous books. Obviously not my style.
119 reviews2 followers
July 25, 2026
A little long

Another great story from Loome. Expect several fun plot twists and surprises. One minor issue...It seemed a little long. On the other hand compared to "The Odyssey" movie I just watched it's a short story.
941 reviews13 followers
July 15, 2026
I know whenever I read a book by Ian Loome that it's going to be fantastic. There is always action, suspense an on the edge of your seat thrills. Make sure you read this series.
Profile Image for Connie Hamby.
1,083 reviews11 followers
August 1, 2026
A good book!

This was a really great book I am going to see if I have have read any of more of Ian Loone S books if I haven't I have got to find them to read!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews