Ricardo: A Mad Mick Prequel

by Franklin Horton

Through the bestselling Mad Mick series, readers have learned only bits and pieces about the Mad Mick’s aloof handler, Ricardo. Now, in this prequel, we finally learn what started Ricardo on his journey toward becoming an elite player in the darkest and dirtiest realm of government assassination.

Ricardo likes expensive suits, fine shoes, good watches, espresso, and exotic weapons. He has money, offices, and caches of weapons hidden around the world. He carries a briefcase of secure phones and a little black book full of the deadliest, most dangerous freelancers in the world, but it wasn’t always that way.

Ricardo is notoriously tight-lipped about anything personal. He doesn’t discuss where he came from and how he grew up. No one knows his last name, but there was a day when Ricardo was simply another young man desperate to escape poverty. His world was the crime and drug ravaged El Raval neighborhood of Barcelona. There, Ricardo attended school during the day, worked construction in the evenings, and did his best to avoid getting killed on the streets. Then one night, armed with only a pocketknife, Ricardo walked into a situation that changed his life forever.

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2026

About the author

Franklin Horton lives and writes in the mountains of southwestern Virginia. He attended Virginia Intermont College and Virginia Commonwealth University. In his spare time he pursues outdoor adventures with his wife and two children. His interests include camping, kayaking, backpacking, mountain biking, and shooting.

Reviews

[Fred Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE HELL OF A GREAT BOOK & HOPEFULLY THE START OF ANOTHER SPIN-OFF SERIES IN THE MAD MICK SERIES 

11/08/26 Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+

Wow...just WOW! One hell of a story...nothing short of what we all have come to expect from Franklin Horton, but again, wow, he's out done himself on this book. I really hope he continues with how Ricardo becomes the person we know in the Mad Mick series, Conor Maguire's friend, boss, and partner. I can easily see Franklin writing a whole series devoted to the life of Ricardo prior to the terrorist attacks that lead to the Mad Mick series and the spin-off series that followed.

Ricardo: A Mad Mick Prequel (The Mad Mick Series) by Franklin Horton is a very well-written, action-packed, thriller that will hold your interest from the first page to the end and once you've reached the last page you'll find yourself wishing there was more and hoping Franklin will continue with additional books making his another award winning series he's added to the Mad Mick series and spin-off series. The characters are well developed and you'll find yourself drawn into the situations Ricardo finds himself in dealing with the cartel family that has destroyed his life and that of his family's all along starting him down the path of a security and wet ops specialist and broker. 

If you haven't already read the Mad Mick series or any of the spin-series, I highly recommend them. It is not a prerequisite to reading Ricardo. In fact, Ricardo just might be a great place to start since this story's time frame is well before the rest of the Mad Mick series. Believe me. If you're someone who enjoys a great action-packed thriller, this is definitely a great book that I truly believe you're going to really enjoy.

In addition, with the connection of Hoffman from the Mad Mick series also in Ricardo, Franklin has opened the door for not only for additional books dedicated to Ricardo and Hoffman as well. I can also picture a whole spin-off series devoted to Hoffman growing up in his father's gun and sporting goods store, becoming a gun dealer himself as a teenager, an arms dealer, and a CIA operative. 

Quotes:

"A proper cup of coffee was one of those small luxuries that could make any day better.”

[Craig D Orzel, Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

A prequel to the Mad Mick series tells the story about the roots of Ricardo and how he grew up with a tale of vengeance. Highly recommend reading this.

[Susan Pavis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice

Let's hope this is the beginning of a new series. Horton is quickly becoming a favorite author. Looking forward to the next.

[Slympicins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay. I'm now hooked on the Ricardo series. Reads like it's going to be a great series like all your others.

[Jeff Latimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most enjoyable reads (or in my case... listen on Audible.)

I don't want to spoil anything here, so I won't, but I did want to post a review. I enjoyed this prequel a lot. I have read every book from Franklin Horton and this is one of his best. I enjoyed the story, and the premise of looking back to what made Ricardo the man he is in The Mad Mick series. I hope Franklin writes more of these stories.

I'd also love to read more stories of what made Conor the man he is as well.

Keep up the good work Franklin!

And thanks to Kevin Pierce for his voicing these books as well.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

For context, I haven't read a Franklin Horton book that I didn't like. My favorites are the ones where the series focus on the core group and really get into the characters behind all that action. The story of Ricardo does that, but shows Horton can put the SHTF fast paced action aside and go deep into a character. It is set in a different time, place, culture, etc. so feels very different, but brings the same "edge of my seat what is going to happen next" Horton signature style. Horton books can't release fast enough!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mad Mick Prequel? Without Mick? No way.

Way.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book, but I'm glad I read it. Even though it is (kinda) set in the same world as Mick, The Forgotten World, et. al., it is completely different from all of them. This one takes us into the early days of the enigmatic Ricardo, and it all feels so real that I forgot I wasn't actually smoking a cigarette and sipping an espresso in Barcelona. It's a great story about a great character that I thought I already knew.

[thomas obrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ricardo ??????

Couldn't put it down. Good story. Now we know some of Ricardo's history. I will have go back and check, but i don't remember getting his last name??? I assume this branch of mad mick will continue

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to know

I've often wondered what Ricardo story was. Now I know. Starts out so sweet and stays sweet. Would be nice to have a second book taking us further in. I like this book lots!

[Steve Olive · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a great way to meet Ricardo

Finding out where Ricardo started life & joined the world of arms dealing & espionage makes you understand his life with The Mad Mick. That life started with a robbery, launched with a knife & an introduction to the lifestyle of the mega rich. Franklin Horton delivers another great read.

[Brenda Cosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick easy read

I love this series and have read them all. Ricardo is one of my favorite characters and I’m glad to know where he came from. I hope there’s another prequel that tells of the meet up with Ricardo and the Mad Mick. A perfect match!

[Keith E. Riggin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers of the Mad Mic series will love this book. It’s challenging to write a prequel to a highly successful series already printed, but FH knocks it out of the park from the outset. Want to know what turned Ricardo into the person we know in MadMic series, read this one and understand.

[Tamara Gravelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book about Ricardo. His background is so mysterious in the Mad Mick books, so it’s nice to get a glimpse into his past. I was sorry when this book ended.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

phenomenal

Ricardo is such an intriguing character. It was a fun read understanding his humble and heartbreaking history. Loved the insight of his character. And of course being read by Kevin Pierce is a wonderful experience.

[Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb

Horton gets in to the world of how the dark side of the world really is. And yes folks, they actually do people like Ricardo.

[Bill Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent addition to the Franklin Horton World of the Post-EMP society. It is nice learning something about Mad Mick's old handler. The storyline is excellent and now I can't wait for Book 2 of the prequel. This book is action packed, moves well and the characters are real. Anyone interested in excellent stories and characters that don't get stale. Highly recommend this book and the series as well as the other books of the series.
The Borrowed World Series (12 books)
The Locker Nine Series (4 Books)
The Mad Mick Series (12 books)
A Mad Mick Prequel Series (1 Book)
The Defeated Creek Series (2 books)
The Way of Dan Series (5 books)
Random Acts (A Stand-Alone Book)
All the books are related with the first 5 series all overlap each other

[Pete Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome origin story

Wow! What a great story! This gives fans of the Mad Mick Series some much needed perspective on Ricardo. Well done, Mr. Horton another home run!

[Jody A Mashensic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Backstory.

Always wondered about Richard's story ever since meeting his character in the Mad Mick series. I hope that this is just the beginning!