A Red Dotted Line

Mike Walton #2

by Simon Gervais

Terrorism became personal for Mike Walton on his last mission―a mission that resulted in triumph...and devastating tragedy. Now the stakes have been raised again.

Mike and his wife Lisa―both covert assets of the International Market Stabilization Institute, a privately funded organization operating outside official channels to protect North America's financial interests―are sent to Russia after an attempt on their superior officer's life. It is a mission fraught with peril and one that becomes exponentially more dangerous when their covers are blown within hours of setting foot in Moscow. Now, they are being hunted down by the Sheik, the terrorist mastermind behind the kidnapping of Mike's father, Ray Powell, and to the treachery that turned Mike and Lisa's lives upside down.

To make matters worse, there are clues that Biopreparat―the former Soviet Union biological warfare agency―has been resurrected and is about to launch a strike against the United States. This forces Mike and Lisa to make the most difficult choice of all. With Ray Powell's life hanging in the balance, and the slightest mistake potentially igniting the next World War, nothing is what it seems.
And the line between friend and foe is blurring.

A stunning experience by one of the hottest voices in thriller fiction, A Red Dotted Line takes readers on an unforgettable ride.

PRAISE FOR SIMON GERVAIS' INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER THE THIN BLACK

"Realistic, vivid, dramatic, this is a story told by someone who knows what he's talking about. I offer a bow to this exciting debut and to the newest member of the thriller-writing community. Make a in the years ahead Simon Gervais is a name you'll be seeing on many more book covers.” – Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author

“When Simon Gervais writes about the world of high-stakes global security, he knows what he's talking about. His world-class security expertise shines through in THE THIN BLACK LINE, a high-speed, break-neck, turbo-charged thriller that takes readers behind the scenes of the war on terrorism." – David Morell, New York Times bestselling author

"THE THIN BLACK LINE is a refreshingly smart and blisteringly original tale that's equal parts financial thriller and cat-and-mouse game with the survival of the United States economy hanging in the balance. Simon Gervais puts his own law enforcement background to solid use in hitting a home run his first time at the plate. A major debut that places him on the level of Nelson DeMille and Brad Thor." – Jon Land, USA Today bestselling author

“THE THIN BLACK LINE takes a fascinating look into Canada's covert operations, complemented by loveable and heroic characters you will find yourself rooting for. For a thrilling spring read, check out The Thin Black Line!” – Ottawa Life

Genres: Thriller, Espionage

320 pages, Hardcover

First published November 8, 2016

About the author

Simon Gervais is a former federal agent specializing in protective operations and counterterrorism. He spent nearly twenty years in the military and in law enforcement. His assignments took him all over Europe and the Middle East. He's the New York Times and #1 Amazon bestselling author of 15 exciting thrillers, one of these titles—Robert Ludlum's The Blackbriar Genesis—was written for the Robert Ludlum estate. Simon's Clayton White series is presently being adapted for TV by CBS Studios with Jerry Bruckheimer TV attached to produce.

Simon lives with his wife and two children. He's an avid boater, diver, and skier.

Literary Agent: Mark Tavani at David Black Agency.
Film/TV Agent: Debbie Deuble-Hill and Alec Frankel at APA.

The Caspian Anderson series:
THE ELIAS NETWORK (Sept 2024)
THE ELIAS ENIGMA (July 2025)
THE ELIAS CONSPIRACY (July 2026)

The Chase Burke series (co-written with Ryan Steck):
THE SECOND SON (December 2025)
THE MARKED SON (November 2026)

Robert Ludlum's THE BLACKBRIAR GENESIS written by Simon Gervais (October 18, 2022)

The Clayton White series:
THE LAST PROTECTOR (November 2021)
THE LAST SENTINEL (August 2022)
THE LAST GUARDIAN (October 2023)

The Pierce Hunt series
HUNT THEM DOWN (January 2019)
TRAINED TO HUNT (September 2019)
TIME TO HUNT (November 2020)

The Mike Walton series:
THE THIN BLACK LINE (March 2015)
A LONG GRAY LINE (Novella—March 2016)
A RED DOTTED LINE (November 2017)
A THICK CRIMSON LINE (April 2018)

"[An] action-packed series launch by Simon Gervais..." —Publishers Weekly

"One of the most anticipated action thrillers of the year..." —The Real Book Spy

"Gervais is a thriller writer to watch..." —Library Journal

"An action-packed thrill ride with plot twists around nearly every curve" — Kirkus Reviews

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent thriller by Gervais.

Mike and Lisa are still on the trail of The Sheik and Mike's father. The Sheik, in collusion with the Russian president, concocts a plan to infect America with a weaponized virus, leaving no Russian fingerprints behind. In this way, Russia can return to her former glory.

Meanwhile, Mike is having panic attacks, and may get pulled off the case.

Another great book in this stellar series.

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can clearly tell that Simon Gervais is getting comfortable in his writing. I like the bit in the end where he explains some of the things in the book. A Red Dotted Line is the second full length story but the third adventure with Mike Walton. This one sure is a wild ride, you can never tell what will happen and the twists are great. There is a lot going on all the way through. I am glad I decided to read this Gervais first series and still he hasn't let me down once, of to read the last one.

[Herb Evans · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sometimes you run into bad book by a good author and sometimes you run into a bad book by a really bad author. I made it to Chapter Four. This was written by formula driven gnome. Do something else with your life. This is unreadable trash. Go find honest work.

[Kevin Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second novel in the Mike Walton series and picks up where the first (The Thin Black Line) left off. Gervais' experience in the Canadian Special Forces and law enforcement are obvious as he brings his knowledge and training to the page.

Gervais' characters experience personal tragedies by means of a terror attack. While recovering, they are recruited by a private sector intelligence corporation funded by large North American companies to protect North American business interests and the economy from recession caused by terrorism. As a result, they are able to combat the organization that was behind the attack. Being members if a private entity, they are free to operate outside of normal channels.

While the characters still need some development, Gervais does an excellent job of writing about counter terror techniques. He's also not afraid to allow his characters to be injured. many authors in this genre, make their protagonists in to superheroes who always make the right call and never make mistakes.
Gervais knows that dynamic situations are fluid and strategies often fall apart.

i enjoy the plotlines of Gervais' novels and look forward to learning how his characters develop in future novels. if you enjoy the works if Brad Thor and Vince Flynn, you'll like The Thin Black Line, The Long Grey Line (a novella that bridges the two books), and A Red Dotted Line.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced nail-biter with authentic details drawn from the author’s experience as a federal security agent and anti-terrorism specialist, A Red Dotted Line is the second thriller in the Mike Walton series. A mission to Moscow implodes and Walton, his wife Lisa and other covert assets of their privately funded intelligence organization find themselves on the losing side of a battle with terrorist mastermind The Sheik. Fair warning: once you start reading, you won’t want to put it down. Plan to sleep in late tomorrow.

[Kevin Stumpf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may have found a new favorite author. Or maybe I simply feel about the Mike Walton series, the way I USED TO about Harvath and Rapp before Flynn/Mills books lost their way, or Brad Thor started reading his own press instead of writing awesome novels.

Mr. Gervais writes a complete novel. Great character development, believable plot, and does not rush like Brad Thor has done with his last 5+ novels. I have become invested in Mike and Lisa Walton’s story and loves. I can hardly wait to see what will happen next.

[Susan Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon Gervais gives us detailed notes & documentation at the end of each of his Mike Walton Series Books to describe his actual experience to backup his intensely exciting almost unbelievably intense plots. His books as I mentioned in my last review have the credibility that only an expert in the field of spy craft can bring to their work. Dig in and get prepared to not be able to put his books down once you start reading them.

[Steve Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading a Simon Gervais action thriller is like reading a Vince Flynn novel. Mike Walton has the same attributes as Mitch Rapp and is just as enjoyable to read. I love the characters of Mike, Lisa and Zima and the new characters that Gervais has brought in Book #2 of the series. Great action scenes, great character development, great locations and a superb plot that Gervais weaves with great skill.
FIVE STARS - a Red Dotted Line is a MUST read!!

[Jaume Ayala · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is what I was looking for when I read "A Long Gray Line", the status of Mike's father once he was rescued in "The Thin Back Line".
These are not "independent" books belonging to same serie but story s closely related to previous books in the series so don't read this one before reading previous.
Several different situations arising with involvement of a new "bad" party and driving Mike's tem across different geographies.
I really liked this one

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has this really happened?

Simon Gervais is an amazing storyteller. With his knowledge, training, and experience, one could almost think he's telling a story of events that really happened. Of which he was party to. Realistic, smooth flowing, and never a dull moment -- I'm ready for the next Mike Walton book.

[Anita P Greenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anita Greenberg

WOW. What a great adventure. Cannot wait to read the next thriller. Will definitely get all Gervais books. Looking forward to reading the entire series.






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[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun continuation of book 1 in the three book series

This is book 2 of a 3 book series and it seamlessly continued the fun of book one.
A tremendous it concept turns into pages of fun, easy reading.
Can't hardly wait to start book 3!

[John Crutchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

Two thumbs up. Mike Walton is Terrific. Russians, Israelis, and the Sheik. One couldn't ask for a better story. Bravo Simon Gervais!

[Oma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy the series!

I will definitely continue reading next books in this series. Lots of action but great character development too. Even the bad guys!

[barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well documented thriller enjoyed every part of the book Author knows his stuff and explanation at the end of the book love to see a tv series on this .

[Jane Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just really am enjoying his books. In spite of knowing the “hero’s “ outcome, the author manages to continually hols me rivited. I’m always waiting for a sequel.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book within the Mike Walton series by Simon Gervais and it is an excellent thriller with action on every page. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Mags Shaw]

Great Book, all the "...Line" books were excellent. Really enjoyed them. VR, Mags

[Sylvie Tremblay · Rating 5 out of 5]

action filled

The story keeps us on our toes all the way through. Loved it 🙂. And can't wait for the next book

[Naim Peress · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting plot involving espionage from a different perspective, a spy originally from Canada. The author Simon Gervais provides good prose in describing action. For example, “A heat wave engulfed him.” There are interesting characters such as the Russian scientist working for the Americans.
Gervais also gives the villains their human emotions. He ties the characters together well. An interesting book.

[Jay Phillippi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The International Market Stabilization Institute might sound like a boring economics think tank. In reality, it is a privately funded organization working outside official channels to keep people from messing around with the American economic system. Mike and Lisa Walton are two of its top operatives, as well as husband and wife. They are both very good at what they do. Add author Simon Gervais to the list of people who are very good at what they do as well.

I loved the feeling of "reality" that waits around every twist of this novel. There's an old military maxim that says "No battle plan survives contact with the enemy". Too often in thrillers that gets left by the wayside. Early events in the operation go wrong regularly, when the climax comes everything usually goes according to plan. It's also nice that things go wrong for the bad guys as well.

Gervais brings some real world grit to the story, and sometimes the smallest item trips up the operation. That sense of reality comes from the author's real life. Gervais has worked as a federal agent for the Canadian government and protected important personages around the globe. About half way through reading the book I realized there were footnotes! At several points, the author had decided to do something that was going to raise eyebrows among certain readers. He carefully lays out exactly why he told the story the way he did and the real life experience he drew upon for those items.

I have a quick and easy way of judging how much I like a book. If I can set it down and come back to later without trouble, I may like the book but I don't love it. "A Red Dotted Line" falls into that category of books I can not wait to get back to reading. The kind of book you sneak moments during work to read some more. "A Red Dotted Line" is a book you won't want to put down. And you'll be sorry when it's over.

I didn't want to put "A Red Dotted Line" down. I didn't want to go to sleep at night. I can hardly wait to grab the other two pieces (a novel and a novella) in the series.

My full review, plus other reviews and media commentary are at The View From the Phlipside

[Diane Moyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This summer has been great!! Everything that I have read has been outstanding and this book continues the trend!! I was caught up in the novel from the first page. This is the story about Mike Wallace and his quest to find his father. He and his wife Lisa work for a secret organization called the International Market Stabilization Institute. This institute works to protect the citizens of the United States and also insure its financial integrity. The couple are sent to Russia to extract a scientist who wants to defect. He has knowledge of a deadly virus that will not only cripple the US economy but kill a majority of its citizens. They also obtain knowledge that Mike’s nemesis is behind this devastating plot and on top of this, he is holding Mike’s dad hostage. This all combined makes for a fast paced, page turning book that I couldn’t put down.

I loved the way the author handled the plot!! All the characters are together in the beginning of the novel and then they branch out to different areas of the world to perform their individual tasks. He keeps the plot moving by the undertaking of each one and braiding them all together in their quest to save United States and the world from the deadly virus. All are in danger and you are compelled to continue to discover if all are safe and if they are successful.

I highly recommend this book to teen readers and up. The author is very knowledgeable about his subject since it was his former line of work. He keeps it real and interesting and you won’t want to put it down. I will definitely be looking up his previous books!

I received this book for review from The Story Plant and NetGalley.

[John Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A Red Dotted Line” eBook was published in 2016 and was written by Simon Gervais (http://simongervaisbooks.com). Mr. Gervais has published three novels.

I received a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence and Mature Language. The primary characters of the story is Mike and Lisa Walton.

Both Waltons are still working for International Market Stabilization Institute (IMSI), a privately funded organization operating outside official channels to protect North America. Sent to Moscow to investigate an attempt on the head of IMSI, they are drawn into one confrontation after another. They find that The Sheik, who they had encountered in earlier books in the series is behind things.

Mike also gets a lead on his father who had been kidnapped a couple of years earlier. At the same time they are trying to thwart the efforts of the Russian government working with The Sheik to release a biological weapon on the US.

I enjoyed the 5.5 hours I spent reading this 320 page Thriller novel. This wan’t the best I have read, but it was enjoyable. I can’t say much about the cover art. It didn’t give me much of a sense for the novel. I give this novel a 3.8 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.

[John Johnstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

IMSI is a counterterrorism unit privately sponsored and only answerable to the President, as you would expect it is staffed by ex-government or military hired for their expertise, to protect American financial interests overseas. An event at Grand Central Station in New York brings the team into action and they start to chase terrorists around the world. The Sheik is the terrorist mastermind who could be responsible. Known to the team, their aim is to take him down having escaped justice last time. The task is complicated by the intelligence that the old Russian biological warfare department from the cold war has resurfaced. The plot is following on from a previous novel but stands well on its own, a quick pace and thrilling action makes it a very easy read. Simon Gervais is a new author to me and I am very impressed with his style and know I will reading his work again.

[Jeff Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like action, and lots of it, this is a guaranteed winner. #2 in the Mike Walton series after The Thin Black Line and the novella, A Long Gray line. Mike is a covert operative for one of those alphabet soup organisations (IMSI) that is secretly funded by the government so they can disavow any knowledge in case things go haywire. The Sheik is one nasty dude. He attempted the assassination of Mike's boss and kidnapped Mike's father a couple years ago. Now he is working with the Russian President to introduce a virus strain into the US.

[Sheila Beitler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner from Simon Gervais. His Mike Walton character and family are written so well it's like you have your own personal heroes saving the world. The action is non-stop, with many, many, twists and turns that leave you breathless. You come to care so much for these characters and their mission(s) that it's hard to put down to see how they fare. And, as a good written novel should be, all is not what it seems. This 2nd novel in the Mike Walton series is every bit as good as the 1st. Can't wait to see where these characters (and Gervais) lead us on their next mission.

[Todd Gerber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of this author's work! Mike and Lisa Walton are great central characters, and the action doesn't stop. Mr. Gervais' own history with the Canadian military and various government agencies adds a realism that others simply can't match.

To anyone enjoying espionage and international intrigue, grab any of this author's works!!!

[Betty Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Red Dotted line

I liked the first 2 books. Was not disappointed in this. Strong story line,, very suspension filed pages. between Mike and the Israeli's on the same team what could be better and the love of husband and wife. Can't wait for he next book. Please hurry, however, it will be interesting towed if Lisa stays home.

[Ryan Hillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Thriller!!!

[Lynn Sadler · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEW!!!!!

The action in this book was non-stop. The characters, believable but also full of good human traits. Looking forward to the next in the series.