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Harbinger: The Prophet's Game
Three victims. Three methods. One black feather.
Chicago's wealthiest citizens are being murdered and displayed for the city to see. The press has already given their killer a name: the Harbinger — a self-appointed judge targeting people whose money and influence have kept them beyond consequence.
Detective Sam Rourke has no interest in the mythology. Military-trained and carrying the weight of an old war, a fading faith, and a father disappearing into dementia, Rourke believes evidence will eventually tell the truth — if he's patient enough to find it.
Disgraced investigative reporter Miles Carter receives a message from the killer. For Miles, it's a chance to reclaim the career and the name he lost. For Rourke, it's evidence being shaped by a man desperate to write himself into the story.
With every murder, the investigation uncovers powerful law firms, fraudulent developments, and the hidden machinery of Chicago politics. The Harbinger's victims begin to look less like isolated targets—and more like pieces of something built to stay buried.
The closer Rourke gets, the harder it becomes to separate justice from vengeance, truth from narrative, and the corrupt from the protected.
Because the Harbinger isn't only killing Chicago's powerful.
He is showing the city its hidden rot.
HARBINGER: THE PROPHET'S GAME is the first novel in the Sam Rourke Thrillers — a dark, character-driven crime series about murder, corruption, loyalty, and the cost of refusing to look away.
Chicago's wealthiest citizens are being murdered and displayed for the city to see. The press has already given their killer a name: the Harbinger — a self-appointed judge targeting people whose money and influence have kept them beyond consequence.
Detective Sam Rourke has no interest in the mythology. Military-trained and carrying the weight of an old war, a fading faith, and a father disappearing into dementia, Rourke believes evidence will eventually tell the truth — if he's patient enough to find it.
Disgraced investigative reporter Miles Carter receives a message from the killer. For Miles, it's a chance to reclaim the career and the name he lost. For Rourke, it's evidence being shaped by a man desperate to write himself into the story.
With every murder, the investigation uncovers powerful law firms, fraudulent developments, and the hidden machinery of Chicago politics. The Harbinger's victims begin to look less like isolated targets—and more like pieces of something built to stay buried.
The closer Rourke gets, the harder it becomes to separate justice from vengeance, truth from narrative, and the corrupt from the protected.
Because the Harbinger isn't only killing Chicago's powerful.
He is showing the city its hidden rot.
HARBINGER: THE PROPHET'S GAME is the first novel in the Sam Rourke Thrillers — a dark, character-driven crime series about murder, corruption, loyalty, and the cost of refusing to look away.
505 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
Steven Harrison
1 book4 followersSteven Harrison writes dark crime and police procedural thrillers about corruption, conspiracy and the people who keep digging when the truth becomes dangerous.
His debut novel, Harbinger: The Prophet’s Game, introduces Chicago detective Sam Rourke. When the city’s wealthy and powerful begin turning up dead, each victim is left with the same calling card: a black feather.
Steven carried the idea of writing a novel for nearly thirty years before finally sitting down to begin. He now spends much of his time writing, rewriting and learning how stories change when they leave the author’s desk and reach readers.
Harbinger: The Prophet’s Game was published on 1 September 2026 and is available in eBook, paperback and hardback.
Website: stevenharrisonauthor.com
His debut novel, Harbinger: The Prophet’s Game, introduces Chicago detective Sam Rourke. When the city’s wealthy and powerful begin turning up dead, each victim is left with the same calling card: a black feather.
Steven carried the idea of writing a novel for nearly thirty years before finally sitting down to begin. He now spends much of his time writing, rewriting and learning how stories change when they leave the author’s desk and reach readers.
Harbinger: The Prophet’s Game was published on 1 September 2026 and is available in eBook, paperback and hardback.
Website: stevenharrisonauthor.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 18, 2026
An ambitious and thoroughly compelling debut Novel from Harrison. He invites us into what feels like familiar territory for fans of crime fiction: A serial killer haunts the dank, grimy alleyways of Chicago. Hunting him is Sam Rourke, a detective carrying his own personal burdens.
'Harbinger' sucks us deep into the story as Harrison builds two different worlds. In one, exhausted Cops chase every lead. In the other, a remorseless killer watches, plans and strikes. Tension racks up steadily as we sense those two worlds must collide.
This novel, though, isn't content just to tread a path we know. Harrison has written a thriller for our times. In a world where globalisation, Mega-corporations, and Billionaires exert ever greater power 'Harbinger' slowly reveals a deeper evil moving behind Chicago's gleaming Corporate facades. Rourke's hunt for one killer finally pits him against a more powerful enemy. An enemy with no regard for human life. Faceless, and seemingly able to reach anyone it chooses.
This is confident story-telling. Harrison delivers all the things we expect. A rainy, frightened city. Cops who are convincing, believable people, but he builds this story into something bigger. It's the kind of book you'll read, but go back and read again to find the clues you were given first time round.
'Harbinger' is planned as the first of a series featuring Rourke, and I am keeping an eye on Harrison's website for news of the follow-up.
'Harbinger' sucks us deep into the story as Harrison builds two different worlds. In one, exhausted Cops chase every lead. In the other, a remorseless killer watches, plans and strikes. Tension racks up steadily as we sense those two worlds must collide.
This novel, though, isn't content just to tread a path we know. Harrison has written a thriller for our times. In a world where globalisation, Mega-corporations, and Billionaires exert ever greater power 'Harbinger' slowly reveals a deeper evil moving behind Chicago's gleaming Corporate facades. Rourke's hunt for one killer finally pits him against a more powerful enemy. An enemy with no regard for human life. Faceless, and seemingly able to reach anyone it chooses.
This is confident story-telling. Harrison delivers all the things we expect. A rainy, frightened city. Cops who are convincing, believable people, but he builds this story into something bigger. It's the kind of book you'll read, but go back and read again to find the clues you were given first time round.
'Harbinger' is planned as the first of a series featuring Rourke, and I am keeping an eye on Harrison's website for news of the follow-up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Disclaimer: I was the one to discover Steven Harrison’s book in the submissions pile when working as an Agent’s Assistant at Darley Anderson Agency. I worked with Steven to edit Harbinger and I’m incredibly proud of everything Steven has accomplished and what this book has become! Despite this connection, my thoughts here are entirely my own, and as I no longer work at DA Agency, this is not a paid promotion. It is simply my true love of the book!
I was passionate about Harbinger from the very first time I read the very first page. I knew this book was one in a million when I stumbled upon it and I cannot wait for everyone to get their hands on this masterpiece.
Harbinger is a gripping, un-put-downable thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. The team dynamics are beautifully written and full of characters you cannot help but root for. Detective Sam Rourke is a brilliant series character, comparable to the phenomenal Jack Reacher.
Fans of Steve Cavanagh, Lee Child, and James Patterson, will find themselves addicted to Harrison’s writing and his brilliant characters. I highly recommend Harbinger to any crime thriller fans!
Steven Harrison is definitely one to watch out for. With Harbinger as his debut, Harrison easily has the potential to become a fast bestseller.
I was passionate about Harbinger from the very first time I read the very first page. I knew this book was one in a million when I stumbled upon it and I cannot wait for everyone to get their hands on this masterpiece.
Harbinger is a gripping, un-put-downable thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. The team dynamics are beautifully written and full of characters you cannot help but root for. Detective Sam Rourke is a brilliant series character, comparable to the phenomenal Jack Reacher.
Fans of Steve Cavanagh, Lee Child, and James Patterson, will find themselves addicted to Harrison’s writing and his brilliant characters. I highly recommend Harbinger to any crime thriller fans!
Steven Harrison is definitely one to watch out for. With Harbinger as his debut, Harrison easily has the potential to become a fast bestseller.
September 11, 2026
Great Read…twists & turns
If you want like a book that keeps you wanting to read, with twists & turns along the way…then this is your kind of book.
If you want like a book that keeps you wanting to read, with twists & turns along the way…then this is your kind of book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews