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Mercury Cale #1
Critical Salvage
A critical mission requires a deadly operative...
Mercury Cale is as brilliant as she is lethal. When they call her, it's because the world is about to go down in flames.
In the sweltering heat of the Nicaraguan jungle, a CIA plane crashes, leaving no survivors. Amid the wreckage is a black case containing a dark secret... one that, in the wrong hands, will cause bloodshed in the Middle East on a scale never seen before.
The private contractor sent in to retrieve the briefcase is executed. Mercury and her crew are now locked into an urgent, dangerous hunt for the case and assassins, working completely off the books.
From the jetsetting French Riviera to Central America, Mercury reluctantly teams up with the contractor's son, Owen Wright. The former British soldier is determined to avenge his father's death and possesses skills Mercury could use.
They're outnumbered and outgunned... but Mercury Cale will not be outmaneuvered.
Fans of Atomic Blonde, Nikita and Alias will love Critical Salvage.
Mercury Cale is as brilliant as she is lethal. When they call her, it's because the world is about to go down in flames.
In the sweltering heat of the Nicaraguan jungle, a CIA plane crashes, leaving no survivors. Amid the wreckage is a black case containing a dark secret... one that, in the wrong hands, will cause bloodshed in the Middle East on a scale never seen before.
The private contractor sent in to retrieve the briefcase is executed. Mercury and her crew are now locked into an urgent, dangerous hunt for the case and assassins, working completely off the books.
From the jetsetting French Riviera to Central America, Mercury reluctantly teams up with the contractor's son, Owen Wright. The former British soldier is determined to avenge his father's death and possesses skills Mercury could use.
They're outnumbered and outgunned... but Mercury Cale will not be outmaneuvered.
Fans of Atomic Blonde, Nikita and Alias will love Critical Salvage.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2018
34 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Steve Richer
27 books35 followersSteve Richer is the bestselling author of the action thriller The President Killed His Wife. He went to law school and film school before considering becoming a sherpa, though he abandoned the idea upon discovering what a sherpa really was. Now he spends his days writing books.
He specializes in fun, over the top thrillers that read like action movies. He splits his time between Montreal and Miami.
Like Steve on Facebook for all the latest news at
facebook.com/OfficialSteveRicher
Sign up for the newsletter now and receive a FREE NOVEL and EXCLUSIVE short story SteveRicherBooks.com
He specializes in fun, over the top thrillers that read like action movies. He splits his time between Montreal and Miami.
Like Steve on Facebook for all the latest news at
facebook.com/OfficialSteveRicher
Sign up for the newsletter now and receive a FREE NOVEL and EXCLUSIVE short story SteveRicherBooks.com
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 28, 2020
Full review: https://girlswithguns.org/critical-sa...
If you put issues of logic and common sense aside, this works much better, and it’s ideal beach material: a slick page-turner, in which bullets fly and the villain has a seaside lair nicknamed “The Aquarium”, with one glass wall below the water-level, looking out into the ocean. [Memo to self: if ever I become an evil overlord, and construct anywhere nicknamed “The Aquarium,” I will be sure to use bullet-proof materials…] This is involved in the best section, forming the book’s climax, when the stronghold is stormed by Melody, with the assistance of Adriana Tiscareno, a businesswoman she initially suspects of being “Rojas”.
The heroine is something of a cypher. It might have been nice to have learned more about her origins, and how she became such a hard-ass. For comparison, the blurb claims “Fans of Atomic Blonde, Nikita and Alias will love Critical Salvage” – two of those three did explain how their heroines came to be, and those were important parts of the story. While this ties up all its loose ends nicely, and works perfectly well as a stand-alone, it perhaps feels more like a third or fourth book, rather than an introduction. But if I’m in need of some holiday reading down the stretch, future volumes would merit consideration.
If you put issues of logic and common sense aside, this works much better, and it’s ideal beach material: a slick page-turner, in which bullets fly and the villain has a seaside lair nicknamed “The Aquarium”, with one glass wall below the water-level, looking out into the ocean. [Memo to self: if ever I become an evil overlord, and construct anywhere nicknamed “The Aquarium,” I will be sure to use bullet-proof materials…] This is involved in the best section, forming the book’s climax, when the stronghold is stormed by Melody, with the assistance of Adriana Tiscareno, a businesswoman she initially suspects of being “Rojas”.
The heroine is something of a cypher. It might have been nice to have learned more about her origins, and how she became such a hard-ass. For comparison, the blurb claims “Fans of Atomic Blonde, Nikita and Alias will love Critical Salvage” – two of those three did explain how their heroines came to be, and those were important parts of the story. While this ties up all its loose ends nicely, and works perfectly well as a stand-alone, it perhaps feels more like a third or fourth book, rather than an introduction. But if I’m in need of some holiday reading down the stretch, future volumes would merit consideration.
June 1, 2018
Action is Richer's middle name
Once again, Steve Richer has kept me entertained for a while! I got to meet Mercury Cale and was completely captivated for another marathon reading adventure. I've said it before Steve Richer's books do read like an adventure movie. Read and find out yourself.
Once again, Steve Richer has kept me entertained for a while! I got to meet Mercury Cale and was completely captivated for another marathon reading adventure. I've said it before Steve Richer's books do read like an adventure movie. Read and find out yourself.
April 5, 2018
I've read enough of Steve Richer's work now that I'm comparing him to himself. This is a very good story involving the plates for printing Iranian currency. Mercury Cale, a special agent of some sort, is tasked with their recovery.
The story is well written, and features non-stop action. It reads like you're watching a movie. It's a fun experience. Good characters who could use a little more depth, but characters I'd like to get to know further.
It's not Richer's best, but it's still very good.
The story is well written, and features non-stop action. It reads like you're watching a movie. It's a fun experience. Good characters who could use a little more depth, but characters I'd like to get to know further.
It's not Richer's best, but it's still very good.
March 20, 2018
Who do you call when a top secret package is lost in a plane crash in the South American jungle? Mercury Cale, the fierce field agent who is sent in respond to only the most critical situations.
This small case when in the wrong hands has the capacity to alter the balance of power in the world. Mercury who usually operates alone is compelled to accept a couple of partners who have a personal stake in the mission.
The plot is unique with well written, likeable characters. Action packed from beginning to end the way only Steve Richer's books are.
Strongly recommend!
This small case when in the wrong hands has the capacity to alter the balance of power in the world. Mercury who usually operates alone is compelled to accept a couple of partners who have a personal stake in the mission.
The plot is unique with well written, likeable characters. Action packed from beginning to end the way only Steve Richer's books are.
Strongly recommend!
March 4, 2018
Woodland Kaiser
Mercury Cale is assigned to retrieve a package which was lost in a plane crash. The package, called the Woodland Kaiser, contains sensitive items that people are willing to kill for. Very entertaining book!
Mercury Cale is assigned to retrieve a package which was lost in a plane crash. The package, called the Woodland Kaiser, contains sensitive items that people are willing to kill for. Very entertaining book!
March 25, 2018
Good book. Love Mercury! Fair amount of action and at the end, still a mystery!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews