The Mountain

Ryan Decker #3

by Steven Konkoly

Investigating a missing persons case on Murder Mountain means looking for trouble in a propulsive thriller by the author of The Raid.

When someone disappears on Northern California’s lawless Murder Mountain, it isn’t news. The vast terrain for illegal marijuana harvests is also a notorious black hole for outsiders. But when that someone is the family friend of the persuasive and righteous Senator Steele, finding him becomes covert investigator Ryan Decker’s mission.

For Decker, the risks of infiltrating a multibillion-dollar outlaw industry are greater than he could possibly understand. Especially when that industry has flourished into the profitable backbone of a secretive and influential DC-based think tank. And protecting its untraceable revenue in the Emerald Triangle is a band of ruthless white nationalists.

What begins as a seemingly straightforward favor soon pulls Decker and his partner, Harlow Mackenzie, into a high-stakes conspiracy linked to the most cold-blooded puppet masters and power brokers in the country. The harder Decker and Harlow work to expose the insidious faction, the harder it’ll be to make it out of Murder Mountain alive.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Action, Suspense, Crime, Mystery Thriller

395 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 14, 2020

About the author

Steven graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1993, receiving a bachelor of science in English literature. He served the next eight years on active duty, traveling the world as a naval officer assigned to various Navy and Marine Corps units. His extensive journey spanned the globe, including a two-year tour of duty in Japan and travel to more than twenty countries throughout Asia and the Middle East.

From enforcing United Nations sanctions against Iraq as a maritime boarding officer in the Arabian Gulf, to directing aircraft bombing runs and naval gunfire strikes as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) assigned to a specialized Marine Corps unit, Steven's "in-house" experience with a wide range of regular and elite military units brings a unique authenticity to his thrillers.

He still wakes up at "zero dark thirty" to write for most of the day. When "off duty," he spends as much time as possible outdoors or travelling with his family--and dog.

Steven is the bestselling author of ten novels and several novellas, including a commissioned trilogy of novellas based on the popular Wayward Pines series. His canon of work includes the popular Black Flagged Series, a gritty, no-holds barred covert operations and espionage saga; The Perseid Collapse series, a post-apocalyptic thriller epic chronicling the events surrounding an inconceivable attack on the United States; and The Fractured State series, a near future, dystopian thriller trilogy set in the drought ravaged southwest

You can contact Steven directly by email (stevekonkoly@striblingmedia.com) or through his blog (www.stevenkonkoly.com).

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE MOUNTAIN by Steven Konkoly is the third book in the Ryan Decker series and the second one in the series that I have read. While this book worked well as a standalone novel but reading the series in order would provide additional depth and background.

Senator Steele asks Ryan and the team to investigate the disappearance of a friend’s son on Northern California’s Murder Mountain. Despite legalization, there are many illegal marijuana farms in the area and strangers tend to disappear. Ryan Decker is working as a private investigator and his partner is Harlow Mackenzie. What starts out as a favor, soon turns into a high stakes mission.

The story largely takes place in California except for a couple of scenes near the end. It is exactly what you would expect from a well-written action thriller with lots of concern over who can be trusted as well as plenty of information on weapons and covert gear.

There was a lot more character development in this book. It was so full of action and excitement that it kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. I was fully engaged in the mission becoming a success. The goals were clear and the motivations were believable. The secondary characters were well-rounded without overwhelming the story. The plot twists were believable and there was a major reveal near the end of the book that sets up book four in the series.

Overall, this book was suspenseful, riveting, fast-paced and entertaining. Steven Konkoly has become one of my favorite authors and I look forward to reading more from him. If you enjoy action thrillers that have both strong male and female characters, then this may be the series for you.

Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Steven Konkoly for a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

[Sean Peters (A Good Thriller) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isn't it great when a new book arrived on your kindle, especially when you forgot about it, and here we have Book 3 in the Ryan Decker series....

Investigating a missing persons case on Murder Mountain means looking for trouble in a propulsive thriller by the author of The Raid.

When someone disappears on Northern California’s lawless Murder Mountain, it isn’t news. The vast terrain for illegal marijuana harvests is also a notorious black hole for outsiders. But when that someone is the family friend of the persuasive and righteous Senator Steele, finding him becomes covert investigator Ryan Decker’s mission.

For Decker, the risks of infiltrating a multi-billion-dollar outlaw industry are greater than he could possibly understand. Especially when that industry has flourished into the profitable backbone of a secretive and influential DC-based think tank. And protecting its untraceable revenue in the Emerald Triangle is a band of ruthless white nationalists.

What begins as a seemingly straightforward favour soon pulls Decker and his partner, Harlow Mackenzie, into a high-stakes conspiracy linked to the most cold-blooded puppet masters and power brokers in the country. The harder Decker and Harlow work to expose the insidious faction, the harder it’ll be to make it out of Murder Mountain alive.

Steven Konkoly delivers a thrilling action thriller, action packed, current event relevant story to keep every reader fully engaged from beginning to end. Decker and Harlow are knee deep trying to decipher the mystery of the Murder Mountain. The mountain is known for its small illegal marijuana farms but something more sinister and deadly brings Decker and crew snooping at its core.

Steve Konkoly brings together a fast paced book, great action, good chemistry, great characters, good and bad, full explosive stunts, and continues this series as a great series to follow, you just cannot dislike Ryan Decker and the great Harlow and her team

A great and easy four stars...

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the 1980's there was a television show titled "The A-Team" starring George Peppard which was about a group of soldiers of fortune who in each episode came to the aid of someone and took on all kinds of bad guys. The bad guys outnumbered the A-Team and usually had money and connections. There were lots of assault weapons and explosions. Lots of explosions. At the end of the day the A-Team emerged victorious. I was thinking of this oldie while reading this third book in the series.

The story opens with Decker and Harlow on a mission where they are apparently trying to save a girl who is being held by skinheads in a motel. Things go sideways and there is a firefight. Decker and Harlow come to the rescue of a girl they think is Brooke Miller. In actuality it is a girlfriend of one of the skinheads. Lots of skinheads get killed. Decker and Harlow get arrested. The reader never hears about the fate of Brooke Miller.

The scene shifts to Humboldt County in Northern California. Murder Mountain where illegal marijuana farms rule. Strangers are not welcome. People disappear and are never heard from again. When Brett Hale disappears things are different. His mother is a good friend of Senator Steele. Brett's mother calls Senator Steele. Senator Steele calls Decker and Harlow. Decker and Harlow are out of jail and agree to help. How hard can it be to find a teenager, last known to be working on a marijuana farm? He probably just got stoned and forgot to call home. Wrong!

Decker and one of the other operatives in Harlow's agency, Pam, are sent to Humboldt County to find out what happened to Brett. They discover that there is something big going on. Again we have skinheads but they appear to be just the face of a multi-billion dollar marijuana operation. Behind them is a secretive and influential Washington DC think tank. As mentioned previously strangers are not welcome. Especially strangers asking questions. Decker and Pam are ambushed in their motel in the middle of the night. It looks like a war zone. Lots of casualties. Harlow brings her entire team to Murder Mountain. Along with some of Decker's friends. And a letter from Senator Steele. The A-Team has arrived and this is war.

Things didn't get off to a good start with Decker, Pam and the local sheriff. Decker winds up handcuffed to a hospital bed. Pam's fate is unknown. There is also a corrupt cop in the sheriff department. It isn't long before the sheriff becomes an ally of Decker and Harlow in the war on Murder Mountain. While handcuffed to the hospital bed Decker had told the sheriff about the corrupt deputy in his department. That is the last the reader hears about this. Just like Brooke Miller. The author brings this up but leaves the reader in the dark.

The syndicate on Murder Mountain has all kinds of high tech gear … motion detectors, cameras, they can hack into drones sent to fly over their compound. But they are no match for Decker and Harlow. They have their own high tech gear. They have private investigators, mercenaries and geeks. The syndicate has military helicopters. Decker and Harlow have Bernie and his plane. The syndicate has a Washington DC think tank. Decker and Harlow have Senator Steele. It is no match.

The story became especially enjoyable after the ambush on Decker and Pam when everyone converged and decided to take the syndicate on Murder Mountain on. Now it was no longer about searching for a missing teenager. This was personal. In the A-Team television show no one got hurt or killed. In this story there are lots of casualties. Lots of violence. If you like action thrillers and stories about conspiracies at the highest levels in government you will probably like this story. You just can't take this stuff to seriously!

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Can Make It Up Murder Mountain...The Trick Is Making It Down!

An outstanding thriller as Ryan Decker returns, asked as a favor to locate a friend's son who is missing in California's Murder Mountain area. An area that shields many illegal marijuana field's and the hardened men who own and run them, they do not take kindly to anyone running around asking questions...So Ryan, Harlow and a crew they put together walk into a world of hidden secrets, bad people and quick actions taken with no thought or remorse...
A highly suspenseful story with unbelievable action as Ryan and team use every bit of athleticism, bravery and questionable tactics available to make their way back down...hopefully keeping everyone alive along the way..
A great story to read as you see humor, friendship and love, and what a group with only good on their minds can accomplish when pushed to their limits...
A 5 STAR tale any adventure and thriller lovers NEED to read, You will thank me later!
I received an ARC from the author and offer You only my honest thoughts and feelings on this exciting story.

[Pierre Tassé (Enjoying Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book with lots of action and movement between characters. Never a dull moment.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This entry in the Ryan Decker series starts in Humboldt County, where spoiled rich kid gets in over his head and executed by serious marijuana growers. His parents are connected to Senator Steele, who sends Decker and Company to the locale to find the missing lad.

Of course, Athena is involved, and there's all kinds of shoot outs.

Another exciting book!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mountain by Steven Konkoly

Synopsis /

When someone disappears on Northern California’s lawless Murder Mountain, it isn’t news. The vast terrain for illegal marijuana harvests is also a notorious black hole for outsiders. But when that someone is the family friend of the persuasive and righteous Senator Steele, finding him becomes covert investigator Ryan Decker’s mission.

For Decker, the risks of infiltrating a multibillion-dollar outlaw industry are greater than he could possibly understand. Especially when that industry has flourished into the profitable backbone of a secretive and influential DC-based think tank. And protecting its untraceable revenue in the Emerald Triangle is a band of ruthless white nationalists.

What begins as a seemingly straightforward favour soon pulls Decker and his partner, Harlow Mackenzie, into a high-stakes conspiracy linked to the most cold-blooded puppet masters and power brokers in the country. The harder Decker and Harlow work to expose the insidious faction, the harder it’ll be to make it out of Murder Mountain alive.

My Thoughts /

Coming straight off reading Ice Station (by Matthew Reilly), this book certainly had a lot to live up to. And while it didn’t “knock my socks off”, I’m very comfortable saying that (for me at least) this book could be described as the calmer, more believable “little brother”. The characters were well-developed, believable and likeable, with just that hint of badass(ness) and sass without being too over the top. I enjoyed the storyline and the book was a nice easy read – it helped that there were quite a few chuckle out load moments along the way as well – like my favourite quote from the book which reads “Am I that transparent?” “Like a see-through shower curtain.” 😆 Will definitely read more from this author.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this series of books were movies it would be like the Lethal Weapon movies. Instead of cops we have idealistic but pragmatic veterans as defense contractors. The banter and “bromance” or camaraderie between Ryan Decker and his team of men and women leaves you chuckling before they confront their next life or death encounter.

In a familiar theme another military industrial complex like cartel is hunkered down in Humboldt County growing marijuana on a scale that’s Amazon like. They’ve fortified the mountain with mines, drones, and a paramilitary enforcement force of bikers who obscure the real power. It’s a gulag of sorts as they have annexed and acquired by intimidation and coercion their adjacent small growers and neighbors into a buffer zone. The resources available to the cartel approach those of a nation state.

Decker is sent there to look for a missing person, the son of his principal client’s college roommate. It escalates quickly as he does his initial reconnaissance. Something’s really off and his “spidey” senses are tingling. Needlessly to say it’s a rollicking ride to the end state. Righteous ending as always.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favour for Senator Steele has Decker and his team looking into a missing person's case on the aptly named Murder Mountain in Northern California in the third entry in this explosive thriller series. Non-stop action, a ridiculously high body count, and a fastpaced plot that has you on the edge of your seat from start to finish - sometimes, that's really all you need, and Konkoly delivers all that and more. Next book, please!

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not his best work but action scenes were good, as was the storyline. I believe this book was vastly overrated, based on his previous work.

[Jerry Walch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mountain, Book 3 in the Ryan Decker thriller series opens with Decker and Pam engaged in a gun battle where they are vastly outnumbered and outgunned. A gunfight that leaves a motel parking lot strewn with the skinhead's dead bodies, and leaves Pam seriously wounded and Decker with a flesh wound to the thigh. The Mountain ends with a series of gunfights where Decker and his partners are again vastly outnumbered and outgunned. You’ll have to read this adrenaline-fueled roller coaster thrill ride to find out how those gunfights end.

In The Mountain, Konkoly leaves us with a solid foreshadowing of what lies waiting for us in the next book in the series. I have already downloaded and started reading Skystorm, Book 4 in the Ryan Decker Thriller series and it looks to be another action-packed nonstop roller coaster thrill ride. With each new book in this dynamic series that I read, the more convinced I become that these books need to be read in order because of their over-arching plot line, they aren’t standalone thrillers. Unlike most episodic thrillers they aren’t true cliffhangers because the readers aren’t kept on tenterhooks until they get their hands on the next book in the series. Each episode ends with a solid satisfying ending. You could start reading these books as standalone thrillers but once you’ve read one you will want to go back and read all those preceding it.

I, for one, have been there, and as hard as I have tried, I can’t find any errors in these books, Konkoly gets it all right!!

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading this author for me and I was not disappointed. Actually, I was surprised at how once I started this book, I did not put it down until I finished it, I read it in one night. The characters and the storyline were all such that everything moved in a way that everything flowed. Decker was a character that was easy to get into and the story itself of a missing son was also easy to follow. Living in California already knows about the drug problem and the different busts that they have made over the years in Northern California and the huge amount of pot fields they have come across. Also, about people either missing or being shot at over the years, at least years ago not so much now. This story was easy to get into and to follow.
Everything about this from the first time they set foot in Northern California and dealing with the local Police all the way to the end and what I think is a set up for the next book just made for a very good read and one that was fast-paced and full of action and good dialogue. From the opening pages to the end this is an outstanding book. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Gloria Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've seen a documentary about the history of so-called Murder Mountain. It started out as the home of fun-loving hippies raising their children and living commune style. They grew weed because they liked to get high and they may have grown produce because they liked to eat. Law enforcement cracked down on the place and treated the residents harshly. The result was the fun-loving harmless people left and the more hard-core people stayed. The place started to attract more dangerous, territorial weed growers. Every year young people travel from all over the world hoping to make some quick money harvesting weed. The film I saw showed the families of a couple of those young folks trying to find out what happened to their children and discovering why the place is called Murder Mountain.

That brings us to this book. Our hero, Ryan Decker has been asked to look into the disappearance of a naive young man who went up on that mountain looking to make money by investing in the weed business. Some thing sinister is going on. I did not have a dull moment reading and listening to this book..

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is #TheMountain the third Ryan Decker book by Steven Konkoly and I must thank #Netgalley and #ThomasandMercer for giving me this ARC to enjoy and review. I really like this sries and I think this one was the best so far. I was a little hesitant after reading the first one but the characters grew on me. I have seldom had so much fun reading a thriller with such a sinister content. Some of the situations are wonderfully written and with lot of humor. I can really recommend that you try this series, but start from the beginning.

[Jeremy Peers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of "The Mountain", the third book in the Ryan Decker series. The first two books were great so I had high expectations coming in and I'm happy to say they were met. Decker and his associates are highly regarded for their work rescuing kidnapped and sex trafficking c victims. This time around they are tasked with investigating the disappearance of a man on a place known as Murder Mountain, which is aptly named. While slightly different than his first books in this series, "The Mountain" is still a page turner.

[Jackie Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

His name is Decker. This is third read in series. Didn;t read first two. Love this character as he does not let anyone or anything stand in his way. Is fearless. He works with a private detective agency that is run by women. One his love. Much action in this book and kept me on the edge of my seat. Is about criminals in the drug business. They have been working without any law after them. When Decker gets involved they don't stand a chance. Lots of killing and harm to the good guys. You will love it if you love mysteries.

[Richard Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventure continues in style.

Steven Konkoly's always managed to produce some hard edged thrillers, and the Ryan Decker series is no exception. Before starting The Mountan, I went back and re-read the first two Decker novels to refresh my memory of his cast of characters . I'm glad I did, just simply because I spent two days in the world he created.

After the military and the CIA, Decker put his skills to use forming a private World Rescue Group of mostly former operatives. Hunting for the missing daughter of a Senator, everything Ford's wrong at once. The FBI interrupts the op, everyone attempting to rescue the hostages is blown up, and Decker winds up in jail. He survived 8 attempts on his life over two years while at the same time his wife and son are killed, surviving !embers of his team (and their families) are killed, and he's about to testify about when 1) the case is dropped and 2) he's suddenly agree man.

After surviving assassination attempts immediately after release, he partners with Harlow McKenzie and her team of people committed to stopping human trafficking. (She's already in love with him - 10 years prior she was a teenager rescued by his tesm). And that was the first few chapters of The Rescue, book 1!

The relationships deepen in The Rescue and the action continues not and heavy. This is combat-based fiction, after all. The uber villain of book one was never caught and he's plotted revenge on all. Decker is shot up again, risky ops are undertaken, and Harlow and Decker move towards some sort of romance. One thing to be said for Konkoly 's writing - there 's a lot of battlefield humor. Lovevit !

In The Mountain, a good friend of that Senato (now a high level supporter of the team) asks for help - her son is missing. He'd gone to Humboldt County to make money on the word of illegal marijuana growing and disappeared. Turns out that there's a huge pot farm ruled by paramilitary employing skin heads as enforcers, backed by enormous corporate resources. And that's for starters. Out thinking and maneuvering them is the fun of the rest of it.

At the very end, the shadowy group behind it all comes out of hiding to threaten the senator, and what was about to become a romantic recuperation for Decker and Harlow is going to be put on hold on the next book.

I've pre-order it.

[J. F. "Thriller Ghost Writer" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: The Mountain (Ryan Decker #3) by Steven Konkoly
(Published by Thomas & Mercer, July 14, 2020)

4.25 Stars

"Murder Mountain", Alderpoint, Humboldt County, California.

From the hot and humid southern border in Book 2, the author transports the reader to Northern California in Book 3, to a mountain - verdant, picturesque, nestled among Redwood trees, and perhaps cloaked within its bowels, mystery - and murder.

Ex-CIA operator /mercenary Ryan Decker's third installment is based on actual high profile cases featured in Rolling Stone Magazine and in a six-part Netflix mini-series, - against the backdrop of what is now a multi-billion dollar industry, the largest cannabis-producing region in the U.S.A., the famed "Emerald Triangle" in Northern Calif.

Top action entertainment value that cuts through the chase. Check.

Imaginative adaptation, twists and turns. Check.

Cutting-edge technology. Check.

Decker, his sidekick Brad Pierce and techie Joshua, and his indomitable crew of all-female private investigators cum Amazonian warriors introduced in Book 1, led by now-love interest Harlow MacKenzie, all allied under the auspices of US Senator Steele, have their hands full against local armed and vicious guardians of lucrative, if at times clandestine, weed farms, - and against an enterprise far more sinistre, cloaked in the ghost of the very person who'd killed his wife and son....

* * *

Some gunbattles and action scenes without relevance to the story, particularly in the beginning, while spectacular and formidable as to be expected from the Konkoly brand, are disorienting and give the appearance of filler pages. Chapter One. What did I miss? Where did Book 2 end? Who are these guys and why are bullets flying?

So too do protracted segments of the dialogue, chock-a-block with repetitive puerile jests and repartee, actually cringeworthy after the nth iteration.

Overall, these take nothing away from a terrific read where you'd just settle down with a chilled Pinot Noir, and let the author use his talent and imagination to push and pull the levers on that roller-coaster ride!

Review based on an ARC from Thomas & Mercer through NetGalley.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book through the Read Now program on NetGalley.

Ryan Decker and Pam had just been on a simple surveillance when it erupted into a shootout. Because of that, both Ryan wound up on restricted duty. The team receives a call from Senator Steele who makes a request that they check out the disappearance of the son of one of the Senator's friends. The last location for him was the place identified as the Mountain where a lot of marijuana plants were being grown.

Pam and Ryan went to check into the disappearance and their vist to the Mountain raised some feathers. Ryan and Pam received a visit from members of the wolfpack who attempted to kill them. Pam was heavily wounded and only action by Ryan ultimately saved her. It took awhile before Ryan's team mates became aware of the situation, but once hey learned about it, they sent a group to look into the situation. Once they arrived, they were able to get co-operation from the Sheriff, things started to progress.

The group overseeing the marijuana operation had big plans and they needed to make sure that they were able to transport the plants to another location for processing. Ryan and the rest of the team, in addition to the Sheriff's department were able to force the group off of the Mountain to the other location where there was a plan in place that would ultimately wind uo with an attack occurring.

If you want to find out what group was involved in the marijuana operation and how Ryan's group fared, then you will need to read the book which I recommend highly.

[Adam Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

In summary, after someone goes missing in the middle of a known cannabis farm, Ryan Decker and his team are called in to try to retrieve them. Things don't necessarily go to plan, and Decker has to resort to his mental bag of tricks to try and get everyone home safe.

Steven Konkoly is showing his knowledge and personal experiences with his descriptive work in this novel. Due to the nature of the main protagonist being a previous hostage retrieval expert, his use of weapons is brought to life extremely well by the author.

This book is the third in the Ryan Decker series, and I have actually read the previous two. This follows on from the previous novels with some little references, but not enough to trouble new readers who are reading this book first. The book starts off a bit slow as it tries to establish the the role of the antagonist and the location, but once the action starts, it doesn't let up. A great book to read, and I was able to get through it in a few days (I can't read all the time, sometimes work gets in the way!) and thoroughly enjoyed it.

If you think the title is about a love affair in a mountainous region then you're way off base, and you'll have to look elsewhere, If you like action thrillers, then this is a book for you,

This review is based on a free digital ARC copy provided by NetGalley. My views are provided based on the book content only

[Chessy The Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan Decker has a reputation for leaving a pile of dead bodies in his wake. He seems to be a magnet for bad guys. When the opportunity to leave the Los Angeles area in order to help a friend of Senator Steele’s in northern California becomes available, he hopes to get a break from that legacy. With Harlow Mackenzie and the rest of her team in tow, Ryan encounters something much more sinister than just locating a missing person.

Konkoly’s third novel in The Ryan Decker series, The Mountain is by far the best of the series. It’s highly engaging and draws the reader in so deep that is it hard to put down. The plot twists and turns as often as the roads that lead up the mountain. His world-building is vividly descriptive. The reoccurring support characters get a little more fleshed out. And, the relationship between Ryan and Harlow is integrated in such a way that it doesn’t overwhelm the action.

Senator Steele is committed to righting wrongs no matter how powerful the opposition. This time though she may have wandered into a force she may not be able to reckon with. The heart-pounding ending will leave you wanting more.

5 out of 5 stars.

**This book is expected to be published July 14, 2020**

[Steven Mastroyin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this series but I am liking each subsequent book a little less. Really these are closer to 4 star enjoyment, but with a 5 star system, it's hard to express that you liked the first one better without it being a 5 star book so here we are. I know, complaining about the rating system, I'm so edgy.

One thing I am struggling with is why, given the main protagonists are so hyper focused on human trafficking, we are getting pulled into these other stories? I feel like maybe there is more to tell about human trafficking and there are enough other books about drugs and the border.

Like a lot of these series, you have to accept that our protagonists are basically super-human, which does conflict with the otherwise realistic descriptions of the action. That's totally on-brand for the genre, I get it, but once in a while it does seem out of place.

That said, I read these fast, I generally like Konkoly's writing itself. I don't find a lot of bad internal consistencies, and the characters are pretty good in the "this is who they are and these books are not about character development" kind of way, and while the stories have some twists and turns they aren't overly complex or hard to follow. I'll keep reading.

[Marc Jentzsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best installment so far, this one is a rollercoaster of excitement and escalation, a pure fantasy of vigilantism that transcends its reality to become a fable of justice and the epic struggle against those with power who would abuse it.

Leaning heavily into familiar territory not just in this series but for techno-thrillers in general, the villains are familiar and all to believable in spite of the unbelievable outcomes.

Arguably among the best men's adventure fiction being published today, the Ryan Decker series manages to be both modern and classic and caters well to anyone looking for an updated action-hero and his plucky sidekicks.

I still think Harlow (and Pam, let's be honest) needs more exploration and focus, but that's probably never going to be in the offing in this particular series. That's okay but I still think her potential is gold compared to Decker's utterly bog-standard past.

So yeah, keep on if you like this sort of thing. It's exactly what you'd expect from a book of this type, with very little of the idiocy or misogyny you might expect of the genre. It's basically very buttery, salty popcorn in book form.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting investigation. This one starts when Senator Steel gets a call from her college roommate about her missing son. He is missing in Northern California where there is lots of marijuana growing. He was looking to invest and hoped to meet some growers. So, who does Senator Steel call to investigate? Ryan Decker of course. Decker puts together a team including Harlow Mackenzie and her company of investigators, his buddy Price and some of Price’s mercenary friends. They all head for what is known as Murder Mountain to look for the young man. What happens at that point is pure Decker. It is another fast moving, high tech, skillful use of weapons, and some bad guys who don’t come out as well as they might. But, then of course no one wins with Decker. I read some and listened to Thom Rivera narrate the story. I enjoy the narration because it brings the characters to life. So far the dialogue and action have been terrific. Book 4 sounds like it will be more intense but that’s okay. I recommend these books to anyone who enjoys intrigue and intensity.

[Michael Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan Decker and crew are at it again. This time in northern California on a pot sniffing job.

Decker and Senator Steele are asked to look into a friend's disappearance from a job he was working in Humboldt County on a marijuana farm. What they find calls all hands on station for a whomping good time!

Decker and his associates can always be counted on stir up some trouble. Not of their own making, of course. Their close knit crew can always be counted on in a fight, and there is plenty of that in this book! Nonstop action made for a couple long sessions not being able to put the book aside for a bit, but way too many can't-stop-now pages that kept me going to wee early hours. Fantastic stories to read, the repartee between operators, the smell of gunpowder and blood, you can almost hear the snap-buzz of lead pellets in the air!

Another fine story in the Ryan Decker line. Don't miss this!

[Aimee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dragged On. Lackluster.

Oh, my goodness. This book took me weeks to finish. It might even be a month now. Usually I read a book a day, sometimes I start a second the same day, especially if it is a really intriguing series. I can read non-stop. Several times I almost quit reading The Mountain altogether. I just really wanted to see the outcome. And the first two books were really interesting. Unfortunately, the ending was lackluster. There seems to be a lot of the same thing happening. And it dragged out. And why is Harlow so clingy with Decker. Ryan Decker never met her before her firm stepped in to save him, she appeared to be constantly fixated on him, he started working for her, then they were madly in love. And she is extremely clingy. The whole relationship is odd and seemed to form unnaturally.

I am not quite sure if I will continue with the Ryan Decker series. I have a stack of books requiring my attention.

[Mary Hladio · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Mountain" by Steven Konkoly is a thrilling continuation of his gripping series, showcasing Konkoly’s flair for crafting fast-paced, action-packed narratives. This novel, earning a solid four stars, plunges readers back into the tense and turbulent world of Ryan Decker, a former mercenary turned problem solver whose missions are as morally complex as they are dangerous.

Set against the rugged backdrop of Montana's untamed wilderness, "The Mountain" finds Decker entangled in a deadly conspiracy that strikes close to home. The novel opens with a chilling attack on a remote government facility, pulling Decker into a web of intrigue involving corrupt officials, covert operations, and a looming threat that could have catastrophic consequences. Konkoly skillfully layers multiple plot threads, weaving them into a tight narrative that keeps readers guessing at every turn.

Konkoly's prose is sharp and engaging, capturing the intensity of the action and the stark beauty of the mountain setting with equal skill. His descriptions are vivid and atmospheric, serving to immerse the reader fully in the story’s setting. The pacing is relentless, with well-executed action sequences that are both realistic and exhilarating. Konkoly's expertise in military tactics and weaponry shines through, lending authenticity to the combat scenes and strategic maneuvers that drive the plot.

Character development is a standout feature of "The Mountain." Ryan Decker is more than just a skilled operative; he is a man with deep convictions and complex emotions. This novel explores Decker's personal stakes in the mission, delving into his relationships with his team members and his own internal conflicts. The supporting characters are robustly developed, each adding depth to the story and highlighting different aspects of Decker's character. Their interactions are marked by sharp dialogue and a camaraderie that adds a layer of warmth to the tense narrative.

While the novel delivers non-stop action and complex character interactions, it occasionally struggles with predictability in some of its plot twists. Some developments may feel familiar to seasoned readers of the genre, slightly diminishing the impact of the revelations. However, these moments are more than compensated for by the overall excitement and narrative drive.

In conclusion, "The Mountain" is a formidable addition to Steven Konkoly's oeuvre, demonstrating his undeniable talent for blending high-stakes thriller elements with deep human drama. This book is a must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike, offering a compelling mix of suspense, action, and emotional depth. It solidifies Konkoly's status as a master of the modern thriller, capable of both entertaining and engaging his audience with each new installment.

[Jim Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third Ryan Decker book continues to maintain the excitement of the first two books as long as you define "excitement" as lots of shooting, advanced weaponry, and plenty of bad guys getting killed. There's a little titillation inserted with Decker and Harlow enjoying a side show of romance. It's in the preliminary stages, so look for it to become a bigger factor in future novels. The story itself is somewhat believable in this day and age of marijuana freedoms and it goes to show where such liberties may take us. The story moved along fairly well until it got to the ending - which I won't give away. But I will say that it was a bit confusing to me with all of the various locations involved. I had difficulty visualizing exactly where the various locations were - but I'm old ..... In general, the book was an enjoyable read and I will look for Decker #4 (Skystorm) in 2021.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan Decker is back in this third installment in the series, and the action and body count is higher than ever. Decker and his crew are tasked with investigating the disappearance of the son of a friend of Senator Steele, their group’s benefactor. The investigation leads to a multi-billion dollar marijuana operation, and in true Decker fashion, everything soon goes to hell. Another great story in the series, lots of action, and as usual really over the top gun battles, but fans will be extremely pleased with the action in this one, and the ending sets up the next book, which is great to see. Another win in a highly entertaining series. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through @NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Mountain is aptly named. When Ryan Decker, Harlow Pierce, and the rest of their team head there to find Brett Hale, a young man who has gone missing, they have no idea what is ahead. Turns out there really is a billion dollar marijuana crop, lots of bad guys, and, wait for it---a conspiracy that links back to Washington. The hunt for Hale takes Decker into one of those situations that might remind you of a movie (and indeed it would make a good movie). It's an acti0n packed read that's totally plot driven. Lots of tech, lots of ops stuff, lots of good guys versus bad guys. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This would be a great travel book (if we were doing that) but it's also a fine armchair read.