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Sam Wick Universe #5
Wicked Ghost: A Sam Wick Thriller
We were born because of 9/11.
A sensible man somewhere in Washington convinced another sensible and powerful man that not every battle is fought at the border. That there's no glory in dying on our land. In fact, it's in striking them hard on their ground.
After countless meetings and debates and squandering the taxpayer's money, it was finally decided that an elite program will be created and tested for two years. And depending upon the results, the future course of action would be decided.
The identity of the person made in charge of this program was decided to be kept a secret from everyone including the US president. The only thing known about him or her would be a title – Mother.
They called this special ops team Task Force -77 or TF-77.
All these years, one thing that kept TF-77 alive was its precision and accuracy to accomplish seemingly impossible missions until the USA was attacked in one of the biggest attacks after 9/11.
Little did the team know that this would be their last mission. This story is about that mission.
They believed that their training and experience were adequate to handle this crisis. They were dead wrong.
If you like Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, Ted Bell's Alex Hawke, Lee Child's Jack Reacher, Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp, WEB Griffin's Killer McCoy, Stephen Hunter's Bob Lee Swagger, and Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne, you will love SAM WICK.
A sensible man somewhere in Washington convinced another sensible and powerful man that not every battle is fought at the border. That there's no glory in dying on our land. In fact, it's in striking them hard on their ground.
After countless meetings and debates and squandering the taxpayer's money, it was finally decided that an elite program will be created and tested for two years. And depending upon the results, the future course of action would be decided.
The identity of the person made in charge of this program was decided to be kept a secret from everyone including the US president. The only thing known about him or her would be a title – Mother.
They called this special ops team Task Force -77 or TF-77.
All these years, one thing that kept TF-77 alive was its precision and accuracy to accomplish seemingly impossible missions until the USA was attacked in one of the biggest attacks after 9/11.
Little did the team know that this would be their last mission. This story is about that mission.
They believed that their training and experience were adequate to handle this crisis. They were dead wrong.
If you like Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, Ted Bell's Alex Hawke, Lee Child's Jack Reacher, Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp, WEB Griffin's Killer McCoy, Stephen Hunter's Bob Lee Swagger, and Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne, you will love SAM WICK.
662 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2021
178 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 25, 2021
I must thank the author for putting me on the advance reading team. Wicked Ghost by Chase Austin is the latest adventure with Sam Wick and TF-77. We continue hunting for the persons behind the terror attacks on American soil. We also hunt for the person called "Professor". In this book that continues where the last one left us we get a new boss at NSA and he has some trying first days at the office. I have seldome had such fun reading as with the dialogue involving Odom. We also continue following the power struggle between different government organisations and a somewhat dubious president. We also get a lot of travel and action. Some of the scenes are fantastic. I really starting to like this series.
May 11, 2024
Another great installment in the Sam Wick Universe.
Under the orders of the President 'through' the enigmatic 'Mother' (who I already don't trust) - we head to Saudi Arabia....
The U.S. government is still on edge from recent events, and none of the 'Alphabet' groups are very trusting of each other.
As usual, we,and the team, have trepidations about the mission and are on a need-to-know basis. As it should be.
Action-packed, as always, Wick needs to get the team to work together with new and old players. Trust in this line if work is precarious....
The descriptive narrative of the sites and sounds brings the story to life, and we are IN the locations.
Un-put-downable!!
I received an ARC of this book from the author, and I am giving you my honest review.
Under the orders of the President 'through' the enigmatic 'Mother' (who I already don't trust) - we head to Saudi Arabia....
The U.S. government is still on edge from recent events, and none of the 'Alphabet' groups are very trusting of each other.
As usual, we,and the team, have trepidations about the mission and are on a need-to-know basis. As it should be.
Action-packed, as always, Wick needs to get the team to work together with new and old players. Trust in this line if work is precarious....
The descriptive narrative of the sites and sounds brings the story to life, and we are IN the locations.
Un-put-downable!!
I received an ARC of this book from the author, and I am giving you my honest review.
August 25, 2021
A real page Turner. I couldn’t put it down. Action from start to finish with some surprises, but won’t know til next book if the are true or not.
August 24, 2021
Sam Wick returns with the next excellent book in the series , good exciting action from the start and I would recommended it highly to those who like this genre of books.
September 2, 2021
Another incredibly thrilling ride in the Sam Wick universe. There is corruption around every corner, and it’s hard to tell an enemy from a friend. There were so many obstacles at every turn, but Wick, as always, was up to the task. Natasha is a great addition to the team, and I look forward to seeing the impossible situations they get themselves into in the next book. I love that Wick has such a strong moral compass, although he has no qualms about the violence and killing of those scumbags that turn up everywhere he goes. Mr. Austin is a brilliant storyteller and weaves together an excellent storyline with interesting and complex characters. I received an advanced copy of this book from the author, and am giving my voluntary and honest opinion.
August 28, 2021
I received an ARC for an honest review.
In this story, the team is trying to recover from the attacks made on several cities carried out by terrorists. As a result of Helms’ daughter being killed in one of the attacks, Helms resigned as NSA Director. The President announced that in order to find the individuals responsible, he was setting up a team that would be led by Sam Wick. Sam was talking with Mac who was helping out the mother of one of TF77’s members who had been killed. She was in the hospital and was in need a a blood transfusion. Sam was called to Washington to meet with the new NSA director, but he promised Mac that he would get to the hospital with a blood donor after his meeting.
While discussion the mission with the NSA director, Sam told him that he would pick his team members. The Director of the CIA wanted to have a member included, but Sam had final say. Before the team started, Sam was pursuing clues trying to find out information. Working with Mac, he was able to narrow down potential suspects to a few. Sam eventually located him and received important information to continue his search. He figured out where the terrorists’ training site and asked two of his team to meet him there. At the same time, the individual representing the CIA took control on her own, and this led Sam to realize that there was a leak. Sam and his team eventually learned where the individual that financed the terrorist operation was and made arrangements to capture him. His team was all notified and they all set of individually. The CIA director inserted another agent to follow and report back to the Director what was going on.
When they got to the location, things quickly went to pot. The meeting location of the team was learned and a portion of the team came under attack. Sam also discovered that the individual that he was searching for had hire bodyguards that Sam had a history with.
To discover who and what location the terrorist financier was, what Sam’s captured caused, and who the individual making the leak was, then you need to read the book. You will also see how the individual called "The Professor” came into play as well.
In this story, the team is trying to recover from the attacks made on several cities carried out by terrorists. As a result of Helms’ daughter being killed in one of the attacks, Helms resigned as NSA Director. The President announced that in order to find the individuals responsible, he was setting up a team that would be led by Sam Wick. Sam was talking with Mac who was helping out the mother of one of TF77’s members who had been killed. She was in the hospital and was in need a a blood transfusion. Sam was called to Washington to meet with the new NSA director, but he promised Mac that he would get to the hospital with a blood donor after his meeting.
While discussion the mission with the NSA director, Sam told him that he would pick his team members. The Director of the CIA wanted to have a member included, but Sam had final say. Before the team started, Sam was pursuing clues trying to find out information. Working with Mac, he was able to narrow down potential suspects to a few. Sam eventually located him and received important information to continue his search. He figured out where the terrorists’ training site and asked two of his team to meet him there. At the same time, the individual representing the CIA took control on her own, and this led Sam to realize that there was a leak. Sam and his team eventually learned where the individual that financed the terrorist operation was and made arrangements to capture him. His team was all notified and they all set of individually. The CIA director inserted another agent to follow and report back to the Director what was going on.
When they got to the location, things quickly went to pot. The meeting location of the team was learned and a portion of the team came under attack. Sam also discovered that the individual that he was searching for had hire bodyguards that Sam had a history with.
To discover who and what location the terrorist financier was, what Sam’s captured caused, and who the individual making the leak was, then you need to read the book. You will also see how the individual called "The Professor” came into play as well.
August 31, 2021
The forces against TF-77 are exposed…
If you have read all of the books in this series, you should have no trouble connecting the dots. Otherwise, what can I say? This book draws upon the past to try to make sense of the present. Is there still only one mastermind for Wick to target?
Wick is a true patriot whose mission is to eliminate the worst of the worst under extreme conditions. There is no justifying their heinous crimes against Americans. His unique skill sets and black-ops cover enables him to take risks and get revenge without the need to play politics. Known for their precision and successful missions and a few blunders, TF-77 may have lost favor among certain elites who now pose a threat to his team. Who can Wick trust?
I really enjoy the flow of Chase Austin’s writing despite the need for more editing. I am sure it will get a clean sweep by the time others get to read it. The spacing and pacing draws you in and moves you along. This “mission impossible” thriller will not disappoint just as long as you can accept the violence that is necessary to the task at hand. Personally, that is the only reason I refrain from five stars (4.5 more like it). I love the planning, the anticipation and the mystique of Wick and other characters and prefer less graphic fighting. However, these guys (and gals) are trained to endure what would seem unbearable to you and me, thus demonstrating their uniqueness…but can Wick survive what lies ahead? I am looking forward to where he is led to next…I received an arc and this is my honest and voluntary review.
If you have read all of the books in this series, you should have no trouble connecting the dots. Otherwise, what can I say? This book draws upon the past to try to make sense of the present. Is there still only one mastermind for Wick to target?
Wick is a true patriot whose mission is to eliminate the worst of the worst under extreme conditions. There is no justifying their heinous crimes against Americans. His unique skill sets and black-ops cover enables him to take risks and get revenge without the need to play politics. Known for their precision and successful missions and a few blunders, TF-77 may have lost favor among certain elites who now pose a threat to his team. Who can Wick trust?
I really enjoy the flow of Chase Austin’s writing despite the need for more editing. I am sure it will get a clean sweep by the time others get to read it. The spacing and pacing draws you in and moves you along. This “mission impossible” thriller will not disappoint just as long as you can accept the violence that is necessary to the task at hand. Personally, that is the only reason I refrain from five stars (4.5 more like it). I love the planning, the anticipation and the mystique of Wick and other characters and prefer less graphic fighting. However, these guys (and gals) are trained to endure what would seem unbearable to you and me, thus demonstrating their uniqueness…but can Wick survive what lies ahead? I am looking forward to where he is led to next…I received an arc and this is my honest and voluntary review.
August 28, 2021
Wicked Ghost is the greatest Sam Wick book yet!
About this story:
Heroes
• Sam Wick
• Jessica, Eddie, and Mac, teammates of Sam:
• Virat, Anna Wong, Chris Brown, Heidi, Zain, and Abbas; former teammates of Sam, all hired for a new mission.
• Natasha, a CIA agent, newly-assigned to Sam's team.
• Mother, an unknown person who is the official head of Task Force-77 (TF-77)
Anti-Heroes
• The Professor, the headmaster of worldwide terrorism, who seems to know everything about everybody
• Muslim cleric Irfan-Ul-Haq
• Kali and her two brothers, Atticus and Statham, mercenaries for hire
• Walter Raborn, Head of the CIA, replacing William Helms, Sam's friend
• Bobby Odom, Head of the NSA
The Story Line
After multiple terrorist attacks in the USA, President Hancock assigns TF-77 to find the instigators to the attacks and assigns the CIA and NSA to provide support to Sam's team.
However, once the mission starts, Sam and his teammates find themselves in the middle of traitorous mayhem while trying to end their newest mission with a success.
Your Problem? Once you start reading this book, you will find that it is truly difficult to stop for any reason whatsoever!
About this story:
Heroes
• Sam Wick
• Jessica, Eddie, and Mac, teammates of Sam:
• Virat, Anna Wong, Chris Brown, Heidi, Zain, and Abbas; former teammates of Sam, all hired for a new mission.
• Natasha, a CIA agent, newly-assigned to Sam's team.
• Mother, an unknown person who is the official head of Task Force-77 (TF-77)
Anti-Heroes
• The Professor, the headmaster of worldwide terrorism, who seems to know everything about everybody
• Muslim cleric Irfan-Ul-Haq
• Kali and her two brothers, Atticus and Statham, mercenaries for hire
• Walter Raborn, Head of the CIA, replacing William Helms, Sam's friend
• Bobby Odom, Head of the NSA
The Story Line
After multiple terrorist attacks in the USA, President Hancock assigns TF-77 to find the instigators to the attacks and assigns the CIA and NSA to provide support to Sam's team.
However, once the mission starts, Sam and his teammates find themselves in the middle of traitorous mayhem while trying to end their newest mission with a success.
Your Problem? Once you start reading this book, you will find that it is truly difficult to stop for any reason whatsoever!
August 28, 2021
Wow, where do I start? Action and a lot more is what you’ll get with this book but also an insight into the Machiavellian machinations of the various agencies supporting the security of the US and the derision and suspicion with which they view each other. Couple that with some really suspect characters, old adversaries and a traitor in his team and Wick is really up against it. This book has you reading with baited breath and a thumping heart. Just what an adrenaline junkie feeds on. Couple that with a really good background story and more than a few twists and turn and you have the next Chase Austin Sam Wick story you’ve been waiting for. It does not disappoint. God I love Wick. He’s just amazingly formidable and I just love this whole series. Thankyou Chase Austin for livening up the literary world.
August 31, 2021
If you enjoy fast-paced action books with unattainable goals (that only become possible because of Sam Wick), and so many lies that you really do not know whom you can trust, this is the book for you! I do hope that in real life things are cleaner and straighter forward and those field operators (doesn´t matter which agency they belong to) are able to live better lives than the one by led by our hero. But who knows what politics is all about and who really are the bad guys in the present world... Better stay with stories in the books!
I downloaded a free copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
I downloaded a free copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
September 10, 2021
Excellent!
An exciting, action packed, thriller, with a few double crossed that I didn't see coming. Sam discovered one double cross but not the others and what is the link to his parents, hopefully we will find out in subsequent books.
The well described action scenes had me gripped!
I can't wait to find out how the adventure continues in the next book!!!
Sam Wick remains one of my favourite characters, don't miss his books, you will be sorry...
I received an ARC and I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review.
An exciting, action packed, thriller, with a few double crossed that I didn't see coming. Sam discovered one double cross but not the others and what is the link to his parents, hopefully we will find out in subsequent books.
The well described action scenes had me gripped!
I can't wait to find out how the adventure continues in the next book!!!
Sam Wick remains one of my favourite characters, don't miss his books, you will be sorry...
I received an ARC and I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review.
August 29, 2021
What can I say. I love the Sam Wick universe and this just blew me away. From the first page the espionage thriller hooks you. The storyline possibly ripped from the front page of the news, is awesome from Wicks perspective. The thrills and action are a crazy roller coaster ride that leave you breathless u til the last page. You so t want to put it down. King is a serious master at his craft and you don’t want to miss this one. Read it. You won’t be disappointed!
August 31, 2021
This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
September 18, 2021
TF77 is a team of operators that was unprepared to deal with issues of politics and domestic terrorism once it reaches US soil
betrayals from the highest offices in the land, on down to inabilities to get a blood transfusion highlight systemic and individual flaws and short comings
poignant intrigue and drama
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
betrayals from the highest offices in the land, on down to inabilities to get a blood transfusion highlight systemic and individual flaws and short comings
poignant intrigue and drama
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 3, 2021
Sam Wick is on top of his game. He doesn’t have all the answers and who he can trust. Has to take on enemies without his entire team, but that doesn’t stop him.
Mach action from beginning to end with more twists than a pretzel. This is an alarming fiction of our time.
Well written, suspenseful, action packed adventure. This is Chase Austin at his best. Looking forward to the next.
Mach action from beginning to end with more twists than a pretzel. This is an alarming fiction of our time.
Well written, suspenseful, action packed adventure. This is Chase Austin at his best. Looking forward to the next.
September 4, 2021
Talk about extremes! This book really takes you on a wild journey of disbelief.. Why would any team risk failure in hand to hand combat when they have a gun available to them and their opponent does not? I got an Advance Reader copy in exchange for an honest review. Lots of action and confusion. Sorry, but I was not impressed with this Sam Wick story.
September 6, 2021
This is a fast-paced and action-packed thriller that I couldn't put down. The characters are well-depicted, intelligent, and realistic. The storyline is intriguing and riveting. This book is a must-read for fans of action thrillers.
I read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book with no obligation.
I read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book with no obligation.
August 28, 2021
A well written San Wick adventure with a great storyline and many excellent characters. Very enjoyable page turning read with plenty of action and suspense. An intense and addictive read that I highly recommend. An excellent book and series in the San Wick adventure series.
September 9, 2021
Sam Wick: Unstoppable Force
Simply put…the best Sam Wick novel period! Everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong except that Sam Wick is an unstoppable force! Buckle up and hold on tight because this ride has no breaks!
Simply put…the best Sam Wick novel period! Everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong except that Sam Wick is an unstoppable force! Buckle up and hold on tight because this ride has no breaks!
November 13, 2021
Great read and plenty of action Sam and his team is trying to find the people behind the attacks on USA ,also trying to find out about his parents ,finding the professor !Keep wondering if it's Mother soo much for Sam and team to find out !
going to miss Sam and team gotta wait for next year now .
going to miss Sam and team gotta wait for next year now .
March 24, 2023
Five Stars
Wow, non stop action and so many twists and turns. It was almost impossible to put the book down. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this series. A big thank you to the author Chase Austin and from me another well deserved 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Wow, non stop action and so many twists and turns. It was almost impossible to put the book down. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this series. A big thank you to the author Chase Austin and from me another well deserved 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
March 23, 2024
A lot of action non stop!
Sam gets to take on enemies who are attacking the USA. In the end he will kill a lot of people, and lose a lot of good friends. He will have to kill a friend too.
Sam gets to take on enemies who are attacking the USA. In the end he will kill a lot of people, and lose a lot of good friends. He will have to kill a friend too.
January 4, 2022
I have read this series back to back and have really enjoyed each book. This book is really fast paced with a plot with many twists and turns .
Can’t wait for book 10.
Can’t wait for book 10.
May 4, 2022
Good Read!
Nice pacing and compelling story line. Good character development with a nice twist at the end to boot. Waiting for #10.
Nice pacing and compelling story line. Good character development with a nice twist at the end to boot. Waiting for #10.
October 11, 2023
Another awesome segment. Still want more. And still waiting for the movies/TV series.
November 18, 2024
another run down a brutal path to success
The path of intrigue continues with who are the Professor and Mother and might either of them be related to Wick.
The path of intrigue continues with who are the Professor and Mother and might either of them be related to Wick.
June 11, 2023
Wicked Ghost: A Sam Wick Thriller
Chase Austin
There has always been something amateurish about the writing style here but the action sequences are gripping and spine-tingling, usually deadly. The competitive nature of relations between the various security agencies and the back-stabbing involved serves to show why the enemies of America are so successful and why the agency Sam works for operates outside this inter-agency rivalry.
It is in this episode in the series that the tale gets bogged down in the politics that surrounds all things in Washington. This may always have been active behind the scenes but until this point Wick has largely avoided it. Unless you’re a political junky it gets boring fast. This outing delves into politics and subterfuge more so than any other I’ve read but Wick does manage to take out nearly a dozen bad guys in a restaurant in hand to hand combat. If he’s not worried about the injuries and fatalities he causes he makes it look easy.
And the text continues like the script for a chop-socky movie.
Chase Austin
There has always been something amateurish about the writing style here but the action sequences are gripping and spine-tingling, usually deadly. The competitive nature of relations between the various security agencies and the back-stabbing involved serves to show why the enemies of America are so successful and why the agency Sam works for operates outside this inter-agency rivalry.
It is in this episode in the series that the tale gets bogged down in the politics that surrounds all things in Washington. This may always have been active behind the scenes but until this point Wick has largely avoided it. Unless you’re a political junky it gets boring fast. This outing delves into politics and subterfuge more so than any other I’ve read but Wick does manage to take out nearly a dozen bad guys in a restaurant in hand to hand combat. If he’s not worried about the injuries and fatalities he causes he makes it look easy.
And the text continues like the script for a chop-socky movie.
April 24, 2024
Wicked Ghost - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Imagine an homage to James Bond, a soupçon of Mission Impossible, a main character much like Jason Bourne and touches of other classic spy-thrillers and you have a pretty good idea how good Chase Austin's Sam Wick books are.
In Wicked Ghost, the main antagonist, know only as 'Professor', pays for Islamic anti-West fanatics to carry out his megalomaniacal revenge on a poorly-prepared America, in the wake of 9/11.
Needless to say, it's up to Wick to take the fight to the enemy before the terrorists can strike at his homeland again.
What happens to the double-crossing power-brokers in the CIA and FBI, who corrupt their remit to defend both President and people from outside attack for their own ends? Who is Mother?
Can Professor be exposed and defeated once and for all?
Get your copy of Wicked Ghost to discover the truth for yourself!
Imagine an homage to James Bond, a soupçon of Mission Impossible, a main character much like Jason Bourne and touches of other classic spy-thrillers and you have a pretty good idea how good Chase Austin's Sam Wick books are.
In Wicked Ghost, the main antagonist, know only as 'Professor', pays for Islamic anti-West fanatics to carry out his megalomaniacal revenge on a poorly-prepared America, in the wake of 9/11.
Needless to say, it's up to Wick to take the fight to the enemy before the terrorists can strike at his homeland again.
What happens to the double-crossing power-brokers in the CIA and FBI, who corrupt their remit to defend both President and people from outside attack for their own ends? Who is Mother?
Can Professor be exposed and defeated once and for all?
Get your copy of Wicked Ghost to discover the truth for yourself!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews