Field of Valor

Logan West #3

by Matthew Betley

Oath of Honor and the discovery of a deadly global conspiracy, the president requests Logan West to form a covert task force with the mission to dismantle a nameless enemy.

With the full resources of the Justice Department, Intelligence Community, and the military (not to mention presidential pardons pre-signed), Logan must battle a secret organization with the connections and funding to rival many first-world nations. The goal of this organization is both singular and sinister—to pit the United States against China in a bid to dismantle the world’s security and economy. Back on US soil, Logan and his task force pursue the elusive foe from the woods of northern Virginia to the banks of the Chesapeake Bay, from suburban Maryland across the urban sprawl of Washington DC. The stakes have never been higher for Logan or America itself...

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Action, Crime, Espionage, Suspense

383 pages, Hardcover

First published May 22, 2018

About the author

Matthew Betley grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, which he considers home after his family moved there from New Jersey, where he was born and which also explains his affinity for the New York Yankees. He attended St. Xavier High School and then Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he graduated with a B.A. in psychology and minors in political science and sociology. He also spent the first semester of senior year investigating felony murder cases as an intern investigator in Washington, D.C., for the Public Defender’s Office, a formative experience that provided countless stories that could fill the pages of a non-fiction book. Upon graduation, he worked in corporate America for five years in Cincinnati before joining the Marine Corps in 1999.

Matt spent ten years as a Marine officer and was trained as a scout sniper platoon commander, an infantry officer, and a ground intelligence officer. His experiences include deployments to Djibouti after 9/11, and Fallujah, Iraq, prior to the surge, both in staff officer support billets.

Finally, and most importantly, Matt is a recovering alcoholic with nearly seven years of sobriety. He credits the Marine Corps with providing a foundation in discipline and personal accountability for his desire to initially seek help. Matt is open and direct about it and has spoken in front of large groups of people with one clear message – if he can get sober, so can anyone. He credits his recovery with providing the authenticity for Logan West’s struggle with his inner demons.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logan West and his team are after the usual mastermind out to foment a war between America and China. This time, the father of one of the Chinese agents killed by West in the last book is out to kill the team. He's high up in the Chinese intelligence community, and has a legion of minions to help.

Very exciting. Highly recommended.

[John of Canada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who can you trust these days? C.I.A? Police? Lawyers? Politicians? If you said none of the above, then you are correct! Thank heavens for men like Logan West and his crew. Another noisy thriller. Betley offers all kinds of sound effects.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think you have to read the prior novel in the series to make sense of this one. Enjoyed it. Non-stop action but I found the plot farfetched. Or maybe Spectre really exists....3 Stars

[Slaven Tomasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word comes to mind when writing a review for Matthew Betley’s Field of Valor... WOW!!! Just WOW. If you’ve been following his books since his debut in 2016 with Overwatch, then the amazing follow up Oath of Honor, you would know why I’m saying that. This man can write a book that will speak to you. I had no idea how he was going to write a better thriller than the emotional rollercoaster Oath of Honor is, but somehow Matthew exceeded all my expectations.

On the very first page, on the very first line the bullets are flying and from there it barely lets up long enough for you to absorb what just occurred and moves on to another action scene which comes up as a total surprise. Like, WOW (again) I didn’t see that coming.

Side note: If you’ve had the absolute pleasure of serving in my beloved United States Marine Corps. This book along with Overwatch and Oath of Honor is written for you. It will speak to you in so many ways. There are many talented authors out there, but those who have served often throw small, often overlooked dialogue that pin points their time in the service. Small things that come to mind is Brad Taylor’s Pike Logan series with call signs, or Joshua Hood’s Mason Kane, when he talks about the canvas cots we sleep on that are such a pain to put together. With Matthew Betley, his time in the USMC is clearly evident with so much sarcasm thrown in that is very specific to Marines.

Field of Valor is an action filled, page turning thriller that will keep you wanting more and it will deliver more with every page. In this soon to be cinematic universe Matthew Betley has created characters who have become family, on a mission to bring down an “organization” which has grown globally. Logan West and John Quick are brothers in arms, who are as formidable as they are determined to complete their mission. Joined with them are returning characters, Cole and the beautiful Amira. Together they deliver an action filled thriller that is a MUST READ.

[Brian Costello · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most Action Per Page in the genre

With Field of Valor Matthew Betley has somehow figured out how to fit an IMAX 3D Hollywood Summer Blockbuster onto the pages of a novel (which is probably why his books have been optioned by Thunder Road Films!). Right off the bat I’ll let it be known that I think this will go down as one of 2018s best thrillers. This is a novel of pure adrenaline and thrills that delivers something on every page. Its the ideal summer read which makes its release right before Memorial Day an act of sheer brilliance. For fans of Betley’s two previous novels: The Barry Award nominated Overwatch and 2017s brilliant follow up Oath of Honor, you’re in for a treat! For readers new to Betley you’ll find that Field of Valor works as a tremendous stand alone thriller which will ultimately make you want to go back and read book 1 and 2.

A quick spoiler free over view of what you’ll see. Field of Valor centers around a secret cabal hellbent on creating a rogue republic and it is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goal. It’s up to Logan West and his team to stop them before the United States is changed forever.

With Field of Valor, Matthew Betley has not only crafted his best thriller yet but has as I’ve said already produced what will easily be one of 2018s best thrillers. Betley who has quickly become one of the most unique and original voices in the genre, has upped the ante with his third novel. Field of Valor, is a thriller of such breakneck speed and intensity that it might be impossible for you to put it down. Betley’s trademark action and humor are in full display and he has once again proved he is not an author who merely writes cookie cutter thrillers.

One of the things I appreciate most about Betley’s writing is that he is willing to make each novel feel so unique but at the same time crafts such an interesting overall arc between each book. In Overwatch, Betley was able to give us an origin story that felt fresh and original. With Oath of Honor, it was a globe trotting adventure worthy of the best Mission Impossible and Bond films. With Field of Valor, he has mixes it up again and has given us a novel that plays out over only a few days time. This creates such a sense of tension, that it forces readers into the same sense of anxiety that the characters face. Each of Betley’s book provides the readers with a new vibe and for that he is to be commended.

One thing that every Betley book has is action! That never changes and it’s what he is the best at. Pound for pound no one delivers more action in a novel than Betley. He doesn’t create just a fight scene, he create grand action set pieces. They are big, they are insane and they are written in such a way that you feel your seeing the action unfold before you not reading or listening to it. It’s safe to say you get more action in a Betley book that you would if you added up 2 to 3 books worth of action from other authors.

This is a must read! Start your summer reading out the best way possible. Field a Valor is a 5 Star thriller. Enjoy!

[Shirley Laliberte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Logan West. The best special agent. Glad someone reviewed a previous book and let me know what a great character Logan West is.

[Zachery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still a good story without getting too predictable!

[Tom Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always expect great writing from Betley. But this time he blew the top of this one. You don't even get to take a breath and the action is of the hook. Logan finds out about a secret organization that is has some very shadowy figures involved in it. He's in a race to find out who, what, when, where and why. The deeper he digs the deeper he finds out it runs. Unfortunately it runs so the way to the top. He proceeds to get his hands on a list that details everything. While this is all happening the action is still non stop.I won't say anymore because of spoilers but I will say this one is in my top 5 favorite of all time books. Do yourself the service of this series and you'll understand why!

[Rob Leininger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had the feeling I was in for trouble when, on page five, I read this sentence: He maneuvered the pickup along the dirt road as the tires gripped the surface and kept the vehicle aimed toward the entrance.
I'm not sure why Betley needed to tell the reader that the tires of the pickup gripped the surface, because, hey, Betley, that's what tires do. Let us know when they don't, otherwise leave us alone.
Some of the writing was okay, but when Betley gets to action scenes, he goes so far over the top that it's a literal circus. A scene, several chapters long, that takes place in the Air and Space Museum is just such a circus, with two main characters launching themselves through the air and landing on and swinging from air exhibits precisely like circus acrobats. They do this independently, unaware of each other at the time, in a cartoonish display that had me agog with the magnitude of the nonsense. But I pushed on, for another few pages, then realized that I was about to be treated to a backstory that was going to run from page 115 to 160 and slow the main story down to a dead stop, so I skipped the backstory, started reading at page 163, and realized two pages later than I didn't care in the least if any of the characters lived or died. If Logan West were killed, I would have just shrugged. As soon as I realized that, I gave up.
To be kind, I gave the book two stars. That's like the kind of "grade inflation" we now see in the public school system when a "C" student is given an "A" so they don't feel bad, which means a high school diploma is now just a piece of paper, like Kleenex.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Field Of Valor is the third book in the action packed Logan West series. I found this to be the best book in the series and it is highly enjoyable. The characters and the writing have gotten stronger as the series has progressed, and that is saying something because the series has been solid from the get go. I would highly recommend starting this series or continuing the series if you've read the first two. What I especially liked about this book is how each character was developed and their strengths are allowed to shine. It centers around Logan West, but there are other characters that help this series be so enjoyable. In fact, I would be interested in reading some spinoff series if Matthew Betley was interested in doing such a thing. Overall, I really enjoyed Field Of Valor. I was given a promotional copy of Field Of Valor from the publisher via Netgalley.com for an honest review.

[Kashif · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the get-go, Mr. Betley creates a tense action packed atmosphere for readers to delve into and be treated to the return of Logan West and members of the newly formed Task Force Ares. The narrative flows smoothly for readers to follow with ease. The witty banter that exists between our favorite heroes, namely Logan West and John Quick, is always a pleasant experience for the readers and there is no shortage of in this excellent follow up to Oath of Honor. My personal favorite part of Field of Valor was seeing Logan tap into his dark rage and channel it towards his adversaries, creating countless bad-ass moments resulting in crazy action sequences that will be remembered for ages to come. Every moment of the novel felt as if polished with finesse and I can not wait to read the next one coming out this year. Hats off to Mr. Betley and here is to more and more of Logan West.

[Chris Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Logan West, he’s been through hell and back. He’s dealt with potential world ending psychopaths all the way down to the scum of the terrorists. He’s a Marine hardened former alcoholic that serves his country in a way no one can imagine. A black ops squad with black ops money performing black ops work and keeping the ole USA safe, you can’t miss this one. Matt ties in some emotion, intrigue and a ton of action. I’ve been fortunate enough to read the ARC courtesy of Emily Bestler books and Matt himself and you will be flatbout astounded. I’m not even going out on a limb here, this is his best work yet and you can see his growth as an author between Overwatch (his first thriller) to Field of Valor. You will not be disappointed. Pre-order now and be ready for one heck of a ride in May!!!

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I just killed a Secret Service agent. I’m pretty sure that’s a crime, and this is now officially a really bad day,”

Ohio author Matthew Betley grew up in Cincinnati, attended St. Xavier High School and Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he earned a B.A. in psychology and minors in political science and sociology. He also spent the first semester of senior year investigating felony murder cases as an intern investigator in Washington, D.C., for the Public Defender's Office. After graduation, he worked in corporate America for five years in Cincinnati before joining the Marine Corps in 1999. Matt spent ten years as a Marine officer and was trained as a scout sniper platoon commander, an infantry officer, and a ground intelligence officer. His experiences include deployments to Djibouti after 9/11, and Fallujah, Iraq, prior to the surge, both in staff officer support billets. Of important note Matt is a recovering alcoholic with nearly eight years of sobriety. He credits the Marine Corps with providing a foundation in discipline and personal accountability for his desire to initially seek help. Matt is open and direct about it and has spoken in front of large groups of people with one clear message - if he can get sober, so can anyone. He credits his recovery with providing the authenticity for Logan West's struggle with his inner demons.

With a bio such as this it is no wonder Matt has become such an important writer in the genre of military and terrorist thrillers. He knows the military, the legal system, and the impact of personal demons. But that does not always accompany a fine writing style: in Matt’s case the tools and the manner in which they are conveyed are married well.

Pulling the reader into the drama happens immediately – even for those who have not had the experience of getting to know Logan West from the initial book in this series OVERWATCH. ‘Quantico, Virginia Thursday, 0740 EST Crack-crack-crack! The rear windshield of the Ford F-150 shattered onto the backseat as glass was blown inward behind Logan West and John Quick. The raspy and harmonious voice of the Stone Temple Pilot’s lead singer filled the cab from the pickup’s surround sound stereo system. Once Logan West—former Marine Force Recon platoon commander, recovering alcoholic, and the head of the president’s Task Force Ares—had turned on the ignition, shifted gears, and floored the pickup away from the smoking headquarters building, the alternative rock band’s music had provided an audio backdrop to the unfolding battle. He hadn’t bothered turning it down as he’d fled the carnage, intent on only one thing—survival. More bullets tore through the cab and punched holes in the front windshield, the cracks of the rounds audible inside the truck. “Jesus Christ,” Logan said, as he reached out and hit the power button on the stereo, interrupting Scott Weiland midvocal. “I always figured you for more of a country guy. STP? Seriously?” “Hey, it depends on my mood,” John Quick—Logan’s second-in-command and former Force Recon platoon sergeant—said, and coughed, a sound that sounded tinny and hollow, concerning Logan. “I even like Eminem from time to time.” “Get out of here,” Logan replied. “Will wonders never cease?”

Matt provides a fine if too brief synopsis for this Volume 3, FIELD OF HONOR - ‘The president requests Logan West to form a covert task force with the mission to dismantle a nameless enemy. With the full resources of the Justice Department, Intelligence Community, and the military (not to mention presidential pardons pre-signed), Logan must battle a secret organization with the connections and funding to rival many first-world nations. The goal of this organization is both singular and sinister—to pit the United States against China in a bid to dismantle the world’s security and economy. Back on US soil, Logan and his task force pursue the elusive foe from the woods of northern Virginia to the banks of the Chesapeake Bay, from suburban Maryland across the urban sprawl of Washington DC. The stakes have never been higher for Logan or America itself....’

Thriller authors of this caliber are rare. Matt Betley has earned his kudos and his honors to our good fortune. Highly Recommended.

[Bookreporter.com Mystery & Thriller · Rating 5 out of 5]

If by chance you have recently picked up a novel advertised as a “thriller,” only to set it down in disappointment a third of the way through, let me recommend FIELD OF VALOR to you. Author Matthew Betley has earned the right to talk the talk because he has walked the walk, having spent 10 years as a Marine officer in deployments in Djibouti and Iraq. Some of this background informs the narrative directly, in particular during a flashback vignette. But in general, the book is shot through --- literally --- with Betley’s world vision, paid for with dear coin earned through experience.

FIELD OF VALOR is the third in Betley’s series of thrillers featuring Logan West. Those who are familiar with OVERWATCH and OATH OF HONOR, the first two installments, need no further introduction. However, for the uninitiated, let me briefly state that Logan, a marine voluntarily separated from active service, is the tip of the spear known as Ares, a black-ops task force commissioned by the President and assigned to take down a large, multiple-tentacled group known as the Organization.

Started by a billionaire, known as the Founder, with a troubled past and the best of intentions, the Organization --- as a result of its independent and complicated structure --- has slipped loose from his control and is now orchestrating multiple false flag attacks against the United States with the intent of creating instability between the US and China. Betley is aware that the Organization’s membership runs deep into the US government; what he doesn’t know is how high it truly goes.

So it is that FIELD OF VALOR opens with the members of Ares under attack from...well, you’re just going to have to read the first few pages because I am not going to spoil it for you. Know that the story kicks off with a vignette taking place about 48 hours after the book actually begins --- call it a flash-forward --- and that it sets the tone for all that follows while taking over half of the novel to wondrously catch up with itself. It is full of car chases, ambushes, explosions, hand-to-hand combat, double-crosses, and a trail of dead bodies, most of them (though not all) belonging to the bad guys, who are being dispatched by Logan, his loyal and reliable second-in-command John Quick, and an additional assortment of memorable characters with the right stuff and attitude.

Logan is not one to trouble himself with political correctness, given that he functions in the real and immediate world, and the result is a refreshing change from what is all too often foisted upon the public as entertainment. This is not to say that things go smoothly for Ares in general or Logan in particular. While the book is complete in itself, there is a bit of mopping up left to do by the time the story concludes, and your favorite character may not make it to the final pages, as in real life. Once you begin reading, however, you will set all else aside to reach the end.

What we have here is non-stop action. The series has been optioned for video and is a natural for cross-marketing between the books and the digital. If you have seen “Strike Back,” the addictive Cinemax series, or the beautifully realized John Woo movie franchise, you’ll get a hint of what FIELD OF VALOR is like. Strongly recommended, especially for those who prefer to read their fiction without blinders.

Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in Matthew Betley's Logan West series finds the titular hero on the hunt for those out to destroy the country as the story started in Overwatch & Oath of Honor kicks into an even higher gear.

The Task Force Ares has a presidential mandate to track down and stop The Organization, a shadowy group with its corrupt tendrils threaded throughout both civilian and military hierarchy. When Logan and his team of John Quick, Amira Cerone and Cole Matthews get a break in their hunt, they soon find themselves ambushed and cornered by members of The Organization.

But putting Logan and his team in a corner is a bad idea because their lethal tendencies become unleashed and all bets are off. But no one can be prepared when they find out the identity of one of the highest ranking members, the group learns that pretty much no one can be trusted to be who they say they are.

Logan and his cohorts find themselves in jeopardy throughout the book. Their survival, at least in the midst of the actual story, is definitely in question. Betley's ability to craft high octane action sequences that don't feel like overkill keeps the readers on the edge of their seat.

The method of storytelling was a bit twisted around this time out. It started out in the present but then used one of those "48 hours previous" flashback sequences. But that didn't detract from the story. The one thing I didn't like was using a sizeable section of the story for another flashback sequence all to familiarize readers with a newly introduced character. I get why this was included, so readers could understand the depth of military background and shared experiences Logan and John shared with the character but it seemed like something that could've been done in a shorter amount of time.

Still, there is so much going on with this story and other than that particular nitpick, it was all good. I like the way the story is mostly action buffered by short amounts of downtime for exposition's sake. It's all about the story here and for me that's what makes the series such a compelling read for me.

The notions of duty, loyalty and honor are given quite a workout for both the better and worse (depending on which characters are taking center stage in the narrative at a given time). In Logan West's world, there's a clearly defined line between what's right and what's wrong. And author Matthew Betley does a commendably fantastic job of drawing readers into that world and making you want to stay there to see just what's going to happen next.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher via Goodreads to read and review. My apologies for keeping on my bookshelf so long as I read and enjoyed every exciting page.

“ Field of Valor”, the third in a series of special-ops thrillers featuring former Marine. Logan West, by Matthew Bentley will please every fan of the genre. The novel begins with an all-out action scene and continues at that heightened pace for the next five hundred pages. I think that there is a shootout virtually every thirty pages, with the reader never having a moment to catch his breath.
“Field of Valor” begins with West and his team in a vehicle chase along the George Washington Parkway just outside of Washington , D.C. At this point the the reader has no idea why Logan is being pursued by a SecretService SUV loaded with agents who are shooting at him. It does not promise to end well. That chapter ends with the beginning of a flashback section with the backstory of what led up to Chase’s team of special secret Presidential operatives being the object of a Secret Service shoot to kill directive. From then on the pace of the novel is unrelenting, violent action fun. The book is an action thriller an conforms to the rules of the genre. Logan operates by his own rules with his special sense of honor. He is nearly indestructible, a crack shot and physically daunting. The same goes for the story : a plot against the USA, by a super - secret shadow government which has infiltrated the highest levels, etc. It is all in good, paranoid, high testosterone fun. Like Hollywood action movies, the idea is to just sit back, reach for the popcorn and enjoy.
Cautions: If you haven't figured it out, there is lots of close combat and blood spilling. No sexual content. No graphic language. Oh, and not a lot of sense, but a whole bunch of fun.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Betley can definitely write an action-packed thriller. The third in his Logan West series is filled with gunfire, explosions, stabbings, car chases, profanity, betrayal, and dead bodies. A list of who's who in The Organization, a shadow group attempting to provide stability through illegal and lethal means, is given to Logan and the subset of The Organization that has decided chaos is better wants it back. The names on the list go higher than Logan and Team Ares can imagine, and it will take all their skill to survive.

My only real quibble with Betley's work is some of his writing choices. This may improve with time, but as someone who reads heavily in this genre, these tendencies grate. We know every time there is an explosion because the text says, "B-B-Boom!" Sound effects aren't necessary. Just say the RPG hit the target and the resulting explosion blew everything to smithereens. Also, Logan is a badass. I get it. There is no need to describe how terrifying he looks to every single bad guy. Some of the dialogue is clunky. Only continued writing (and great editors) will fix that, and I feel certain that future novels will show that improvement.

Betley has a solid grip on the story and the military, and he can definitely keep your attention for 400 pages. He's well on his way to being a star in this genre.

[Todd Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story. The Author has done a wonderful job in the detail and background of the characters, and Logan West is the ultimate fighting machine. There are plenty of action scenes, and I quite enjoyed the plot. It just never lets up, which is one of the things I love about Matthew Betley’s books. He certainly knows how to entertain.
Lau Han wanted revenge for his son’s death, more than anything else in the world, and he was sure Logan West was the man responsible. Logan spent years overseas in the military, and he normally knew who is enemy was. Now the President has given him the mammoth task of finding a different enemy, and they are going to be a lot harder to find and defeat. Luckily Logan has an incredible team of amazing operators, that are very deadly in their own right. However, Logan is scared of losing one of them, as he is still haunted by the death of his friend Mike Benson. Logan manages to get his hands on the list that has every member’s name on it, belonging to the rouge group that they are hunting down. He’s just got to work out who he can trust, and stay alive at the same time. A very good story from start to finish. If you enjoy Action Thrillers then you will love this book.

I received a copy of this book for an open and honest review

[Phillip III · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading the third book in the Logan West series. Matthew Betley’s Field of Valor is comparable to the first two in the series. Non-stop adrenaline. Witty banter. A clever plot. Twists and turns, and more twists, and even more turns . . .

A rogue republic is operating inside the government. The group, known as the Organization, is made of a select group of powerful people. They make things happen, get things done. Sometimes the end does not always justify the means. More and more that is the case.

When a thumb drive, containing names and secret information on important people is taken, Logan and his team of skilled friends (and associates) are called in to make things right. The information on the drive will cause chaos inside the U.S. government, and if leaked to the wrong people, would cause anarchy in America.

Security details, special agents, and lots and lots of gunfights fill the pages of Field of Valor. Logan and Quick battle the various enemies side-by-side. Who is good? Who is bad? Who can be trusted? The thing about Logan, he doesn’t run and hide from trouble. He meets it. Head on. And usually, almost always, a lot of people die when they get in his way. Good fun.

Phillip Tomasso
Author of Absolute Zero
and Damn the Dead

[Tad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew Betley exploded onto the scene with Overwatch which introduced the world to Logan West. In Oath of Honor, West and his team reached new heights and now in Field of Valor Betley has proven that he has what it takes to stand alongside all the greats in the field and his character Logan West can stand shoulder to shoulder with Jack Reacher and Mitch Rapp. Lock those three in a room and I wouldn’t care to wager which one walks out.

In Field of Valor West is leading a covert task force sanctioned by the President to take down a group whose aim is to pit China and the US against each other, leading to a world and a government that is shaped more to their liking. Once again, the action leaps off the page, literally from the opening words. Betley writes high-octane action as well as anyone and the wise-cracking pair of Logan West and John Quick are a blast to watch. Cole and Amira, the other two members of the team, first introduced in the previous book are back for more action as well.

Betley has a knack for quickly sketching out characters that make them instantly relatable. He did it in the previous book when introducing Cole and Amira and he does it here as well with Special Agent Austin Chang of the Secret Service. In just a few pages, he lets you get to know Chang and then drops him in the middle of an intense firefight. Not only are you invested in the action, you are invested in Chang and whether or not he will make it out in one piece. This kind of attention to what in other hands might be a throwaway character are one of the things that set Betley apart.

West and his team follow clues that take them from a Space Center in Virginia to a private residence/fortress on the Chesapeake Bay and into the heart of his own government. Throw in some flashbacks to West and Quick’s time in Iraq where they are first introduced to some of the other characters that pop up and you have the stage set for some jaw-dropping action sequences. Betley can write a scene that will leave you gasping for air and convinced you can spell the gunsmoke in the air. Logan West is a larger-than-life figure who draws both fear and admiration. “The man fell to the earth, looking up at the looming figure of Logan West descending toward him like a mythological god of death and destruction.” That is Logan West in a nutshell.

This is a fantastic series and Field of Valor will rank as one of the best thrillers of the year. If you haven’t picked up these books yet, do it now. Highly recommended.

I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Linda Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

After having read the next book in this series, I had to read the prior book; not because the next book is not a perfect stand alone thriller, but out of shear curiosity! I needed to know how Logan and his Are crew really learned about the Organization; a deadly global organization bent on what they see as ‘righting wrongs’ across the world.

The Organization has global connections and funding that rivals most ‘First” World nations. While its main goal had been to do good, the group has now splintered and part of the Organization has decided to place the United States in a deadly war against China, to dismantle both the world’s economy and security.

Logan and his crew stumble on the group after being ambushed on their own turf, now they must mount a battle with an elusive worldwide force. The stakes for Logan and crew have never been higher and this time the fate of their homeland lies on the brink of disaster.

[Azriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sincerity of the author's cheesy SEMPER FI attitude is strangely refreshing and motivating to read. What Betley lacks in deep character development, or more than framing plot devices, he makes up in an ability to describe space and location perfectly. This makes his set pieces uniquely cinematic, especially when combined with the familiarity (esp to me as a veteran of the conflicts he mentions,as well as a DC veteran) of the locations. While nothing in this book matches the sheer visual intensity or scope of the shootout at the Haditha Dam in his first book, the car chases on MCB 1 Quantico, shootout at the National Cathedral, and chase through Rock Creek park are crisp and real.

That being said, the plot here is bare bones, and seems to be simply a bridge to the fourth book. He has sold me on the series, and has a unique talent for staging a mass spectical inside my head.

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit this was my first tap into Matthew Betley's blockbuster series with Field of Valor. It was definitely better than I expected it too be. I'm not sure what I expected, but exceeded whatever was in my brain! Excellent. The crafting of the scenes, including the fighting, settings, and action were off the charts. All I could say was, DAMN, that was good. It's that kind of thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat and leaves you full when you're done. The plot to stop a global conspiracy with the lethality, resources, and resolve that rival our own military make this a homerun. In fact, it seems like the conspiracy gets deeper and deeper as the book goes along. I jumped into this series with Field of Valor, so have to go back and devour the first two books. Overwatch and Oath of Honor. So I'll be ready for book 4 when it comes out early next year!

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bettley gets better with each book. After I listened to Overwatch I wasn't sure I'd continue the series. The dialogue was too quippy and bad, and the story wasn't my favorite. However I kept on and liked Oath of Honor more. The dialogue improved and the story got deeper. Here in Field of Valor Bettley hit his stride. The dialogue is much improved and the action is non-stop. Probably some of the best action sequences I've read. Also, I love how he connected the story arc from book to book and deepened the conspiracy plot, even if some things really really push the envelope of suspension of disbelief.

I definitely recommend the series if you're a fan of the genre. Bettley doesn't seem to get the same level of attention as his peers, but that should change. I can't wait to pick up the next one.

[Steven McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first introduction to the work of Matthew Betley and wow what an introduction. The action starts on page one and is relentless as we are thrown right into the drivers seat as our two heroes are fleeing for their life and have rogue agents on their tails. The story then back tracks a few days to see how we ended up here. I’m told that this continues on from his previous book (which I’ll be seeking out) but it also works as a stand alone story. For those people (like me) who are unaware of Logan West then you are in for a treat. He’s in charge of the Ares programme run by the President and is as relentless and unstoppable as The Terminator. An excellent book laced with action, violence and stunning set pieces. Highly recommended.

[Richard Guerrero · Rating 3 out of 5]

I probably would be about 3.5 stars. Like usual action packed but I feel they took a step back from the previous book. The second book in the series was so good then now this one to me was just way too much over the top at times. Again, I did enjoy it and I do like the characters. It was just way too much with all the acrobatics at the museum, the big fight at the mansion and their headquarters, then the whole thing at the Cathedral and the after effects chasing the vice president. Another thing, the author must be double dipping. He must have a signed contract with Oakley, it’s mentioned throughout. Oakley tactical boots, Oakley tactical backpacks, Oakley tactical soft leather gloves, and of course Oakley sunglasses. Am I missing something?

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without a doubt this a book that starts at a blazing pace and never lets up. Now, that being said, I wish there were more moments of reprieve. He does have a tendency to give too much description to his gear and equipment (Which is definitely his thing, I just read The Neighborhood and he did the same thing there).

It was a super-fast ride, loaded with nothing but action. I wish the story had a bit more meat to its bones. It was a good story, I can say that. An easy way to think of it would be Field of Valor is a Snickers bar; it's a good every-day treat and will satisfy a sweet-tooth. If you think this will be a finely crafted chocolate from a master chocolatier, layered with notes of craftsmanship, this is not it.

[Jack Stubblefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sometimes think current thriller writers get paid by the page, because of the size of some novels published. I often find myself losing interest halfway through a 600 page thriller. Not really thrilling or engaging.
Not so with Mr. Betley! The action comes out at a breakneck pace and rarely stops 'til I'm finished with the book. Just what I want in a thriller . . . thrills! If you want fast paced, action packed stories then I definitely recommend any of Matthew Betley's novels to you.
Good Stuff, Maynard!

[Don Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord have mercy!

Lord have mercy, but Mr. Bentley has outdone himself again. The intensity and forward movement of his plot has again kept me totally committed to finishing this book before undertaking what I needed to do in life at bay until I finished the last page. But as before, he didn't really FINISH the story. He seems to have just finished this episode. I sincerely hope that he's well on his way toward finishing the next episode.

[Douglas Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings to an end the "Organization" a well financed international cabal of men bent on the destabilization of the U.S. government. Logan West and John Quick and the rest of their team battle rouge government Secret Service agents, military traitors and mercenaries in order to accomplish their mission. The President gives them a free hand to do what ever it takes to take them all down, which they do with bloody efficiency. It's and action packed read with a few surprises thrown in.