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Finn Thrillers #1
Steel Fear
An aircraft carrier adrift with a crew the size of a small town. A killer in their midst. And the disgraced Navy SEAL who must track him down . . . The high-octane debut thriller from combat-decorated Navy SEAL Brandon Webb and award-winning author John David Mann.
The moment Navy SEAL sniper Finn sets foot on the USS Abraham Lincoln to hitch a ride home from the Persian Gulf, it's clear something is deeply wrong. Leadership is weak. Morale is low. And when crew members start disappearing one by one, what at first seems like a random string of suicides soon reveals something far more sinister: There's a serial killer on board.
The moment Navy SEAL sniper Finn sets foot on the USS Abraham Lincoln to hitch a ride home from the Persian Gulf, it's clear something is deeply wrong. Leadership is weak. Morale is low. And when crew members start disappearing one by one, what at first seems like a random string of suicides soon reveals something far more sinister: There's a serial killer on board.
Suspicion falls on Finn, the newcomer to the ship. After all, he's being sent home in disgrace, recalled from the field under the dark cloud of a mission gone horribly wrong. He's also a lone wolf, haunted by gaps in his memory and the elusive sense that something he missed may have contributed to civilian deaths on his last assignment. Finding the killer offers a chance at redemption . . . if he can stay alive long enough to prove it isn't him.
464 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 418 reviews
July 9, 2023
Steel Fear by Brandon Webb, John David Mann
I rarely read military books but the synopsis made me want to read it. A serial killer is on an aircraft carrier and new passenger, Navy Seal Finn, can tell right away that things are not right on this ship. The captain is a huge part of the problem and because of his weak, almost non existent leadership, morale is very low and sinking by the day. A helicopter crew was recently lost and the accident is being blamed on the crew. Then the suicides start but were they really suicides? Next come the grisly murders and the knowledge that there is a serial killer aboard the ship.
Finn is a secretive, shifty, manipulative guy. He has huge gaps in his memory and he's been sent away from his team after a horrible atrocity. He is unable to contact anyone to ask questions about what happened on his last mission, he knows it was very bad, he just doesn't know his role in what happened. He's treating his time on this ship as a mission because he knows he can't ever let his guard down.
I really liked Finn and all we learned about him. There are also several other interesting characters we get to know. No one is perfect and there are a couple of likely suspects whose names are being thrown around as the potential murderer but I threw my net wider because more than a few people gave me reason to side eye them. The feeling of claustrophobia on a ship is enormous and then add a serial killer to the mix and this closed location of almost 6000 people is roiling with fear and mistrust. The incompetent captain just makes the situation worse. It doesn't help that many of the deaths are drawn out and detailed. Thank goodness the ship has psychologist although few want to jeopardize their careers by having official visits on their records.
The story was easy for me to read even though I don't have a lot of military knowledge. The chapters are short and although there are a good number of featured characters, I had no trouble keeping track of them. Finn is my favorite and I wanted to know as much as I could about him. This is a story of huge ship being controlled by a very real fear.
Pub: July 13, 2021
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Bantam and NetGalley for this ARC.
I rarely read military books but the synopsis made me want to read it. A serial killer is on an aircraft carrier and new passenger, Navy Seal Finn, can tell right away that things are not right on this ship. The captain is a huge part of the problem and because of his weak, almost non existent leadership, morale is very low and sinking by the day. A helicopter crew was recently lost and the accident is being blamed on the crew. Then the suicides start but were they really suicides? Next come the grisly murders and the knowledge that there is a serial killer aboard the ship.
Finn is a secretive, shifty, manipulative guy. He has huge gaps in his memory and he's been sent away from his team after a horrible atrocity. He is unable to contact anyone to ask questions about what happened on his last mission, he knows it was very bad, he just doesn't know his role in what happened. He's treating his time on this ship as a mission because he knows he can't ever let his guard down.
I really liked Finn and all we learned about him. There are also several other interesting characters we get to know. No one is perfect and there are a couple of likely suspects whose names are being thrown around as the potential murderer but I threw my net wider because more than a few people gave me reason to side eye them. The feeling of claustrophobia on a ship is enormous and then add a serial killer to the mix and this closed location of almost 6000 people is roiling with fear and mistrust. The incompetent captain just makes the situation worse. It doesn't help that many of the deaths are drawn out and detailed. Thank goodness the ship has psychologist although few want to jeopardize their careers by having official visits on their records.
The story was easy for me to read even though I don't have a lot of military knowledge. The chapters are short and although there are a good number of featured characters, I had no trouble keeping track of them. Finn is my favorite and I wanted to know as much as I could about him. This is a story of huge ship being controlled by a very real fear.
Pub: July 13, 2021
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Bantam and NetGalley for this ARC.
June 7, 2022
Okay, what the freak?! 😱 Quote by the author; "Steel Fear is a work of fiction inspired by true events that took place when I was stationed aboard CVN 72 Abraham Lincoln before I went to SEAL training."
Love locked-room mysteries, but tired of the same ol' same ol' setting? Well, hop on board the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier of the United States Pacific fleet with six thousand souls on board.
This book has it all. Locked-room mystery, serial killer, whodunit, and military fiction all in one. It was top-notch. Steel Fear is well written, and captivating. With short chapters, a mini cliffhanger at the end of each one - just one more - I tell myself, this book flew by at a rapid pace.
The protagonist, a Navy SEAL, Chief Finn is an odd one. He's mysterious, observant, a man of few words, but you'll warm up to him. Finn is picked up by Monica, a helo pilot from Bahrain to the Lincoln. No one knows why he's there. Just a passenger or is there more to it? I can't wait for the second book so that I'll learn more about Finn. This is my first book with details about an aircraft carrier. It's fascinating stuff. The movie "Top Gun: Maverick" (2021) was also filmed on this ship.
I borrowed this book on audio and let me tell you that the narration is good, but very different. Johnathan McClain. I don't know what to think, but his voice "POL-LY WOG!! POL-LY WOG!!!" freaks me out!
I recommended this audiobook to my public library, so THANK YOU for purchasing it! 💖
Love locked-room mysteries, but tired of the same ol' same ol' setting? Well, hop on board the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier of the United States Pacific fleet with six thousand souls on board.
This book has it all. Locked-room mystery, serial killer, whodunit, and military fiction all in one. It was top-notch. Steel Fear is well written, and captivating. With short chapters, a mini cliffhanger at the end of each one - just one more - I tell myself, this book flew by at a rapid pace.
The protagonist, a Navy SEAL, Chief Finn is an odd one. He's mysterious, observant, a man of few words, but you'll warm up to him. Finn is picked up by Monica, a helo pilot from Bahrain to the Lincoln. No one knows why he's there. Just a passenger or is there more to it? I can't wait for the second book so that I'll learn more about Finn. This is my first book with details about an aircraft carrier. It's fascinating stuff. The movie "Top Gun: Maverick" (2021) was also filmed on this ship.
I borrowed this book on audio and let me tell you that the narration is good, but very different. Johnathan McClain. I don't know what to think, but his voice "POL-LY WOG!! POL-LY WOG!!!" freaks me out!
I recommended this audiobook to my public library, so THANK YOU for purchasing it! 💖
December 18, 2021
What a great read. Loved it. Just when I thought I’d read every possible story concept someone comes up with one that is not only stunning in its creativity but unique in that it all at once crosses several subgenres in the mystery/thriller category.
Steel Fear is a locked room mystery only the locked room is a US carrier with six thousand sailors aboard in transit out to sea. The book is also a serial killer story. You’d think serial killer books have been done to death (so to speak) but this fresh concept spins it on its head.
Then you toss into this setup, a Jack Reacher type character and you have a sensational read. This Jack Reacher is more authentic in that he has flaws and is vulnerable like regular humans.
The book is not only in a thriller structure but in a thriller format as well, so it reads fast and easy. What I think detracts from the book a little is the number of points of view characters. I would’ve like to be in the main point of view a little longer to be more grounded. I did get to know some of the other characters well enough that when they were placed in jeopardy, I said “Oh, no run for your life.”
This book wasn’t on my radar I saw it on several “best book of the year,” lists and I’m glad I did. It goes up there in the top five for the year. This one has a hint of The Caine Mutiny, Jack Reacher and Agatha Christie, what more could a reader ask?
David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson series.
Steel Fear is a locked room mystery only the locked room is a US carrier with six thousand sailors aboard in transit out to sea. The book is also a serial killer story. You’d think serial killer books have been done to death (so to speak) but this fresh concept spins it on its head.
Then you toss into this setup, a Jack Reacher type character and you have a sensational read. This Jack Reacher is more authentic in that he has flaws and is vulnerable like regular humans.
The book is not only in a thriller structure but in a thriller format as well, so it reads fast and easy. What I think detracts from the book a little is the number of points of view characters. I would’ve like to be in the main point of view a little longer to be more grounded. I did get to know some of the other characters well enough that when they were placed in jeopardy, I said “Oh, no run for your life.”
This book wasn’t on my radar I saw it on several “best book of the year,” lists and I’m glad I did. It goes up there in the top five for the year. This one has a hint of The Caine Mutiny, Jack Reacher and Agatha Christie, what more could a reader ask?
David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson series.
June 30, 2021
Steel Fear
by Brandon Webb and John David Mann is suspenseful, gripping, and intense military thriller set on board the USS Abraham Lincoln. A helicopter crew from the aircraft carrier picks up Chief Finn, a combat decorated SEAL, in Bahrain. Finn is being sent back to the United States on ‘special assignment’ which can mean debrief, disgrace, or worse. However, once Finn is aboard, he notices that morale is low. Then, crew members begin disappearing. Is it suicide or something much worse?
Finn is a well-developed character with courage, resilience, and great observation skills. However, he is also experiencing memory lapses and doesn’t feel comradery like others do. This ups the impact and intrigue as the story unfolds. There is a wide range of supporting characters that provide conflict and interest.
The story started out strong, but got even better as the characters became better known and the action amps up. The last half was excellently paced and kept this reader fully engaged. It was interesting to see the different methods and steps taken in the investigations of the same events. There are some red herrings and a twist or two. While the ending brings the reader closure on most things, there is one important item that isn’t fully resolved.
Those that enjoy military crime novels and locked room mysteries will likely enjoy this novel. It was not a light read, but it was well written and atmospheric. Will this be the first novel in a new series featuring Chief Finn? With high stakes, great characterization, and plenty of action; I certainly hope so.
Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Brandon Webb, and John David Mann provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for August 24, 2021.
Finn is a well-developed character with courage, resilience, and great observation skills. However, he is also experiencing memory lapses and doesn’t feel comradery like others do. This ups the impact and intrigue as the story unfolds. There is a wide range of supporting characters that provide conflict and interest.
The story started out strong, but got even better as the characters became better known and the action amps up. The last half was excellently paced and kept this reader fully engaged. It was interesting to see the different methods and steps taken in the investigations of the same events. There are some red herrings and a twist or two. While the ending brings the reader closure on most things, there is one important item that isn’t fully resolved.
Those that enjoy military crime novels and locked room mysteries will likely enjoy this novel. It was not a light read, but it was well written and atmospheric. Will this be the first novel in a new series featuring Chief Finn? With high stakes, great characterization, and plenty of action; I certainly hope so.
Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Brandon Webb, and John David Mann provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for August 24, 2021.
September 3, 2024
Steel Fear is a mystery thriller that bends the genre just a little, what with it being aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, one of the biggest, most modern aircraft carriers in the world. Not only are we stuck on a boat with around 6000 people but there’s a murderer on the loose, picking people off one by one. And it introduces one of the more enigmatic protagonists you’ll ever come across.
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has just taken a new passenger aboard. Navy SEAL sniper Finn (that’s just Finn, no last name thanks) has been given a ride home from the Persian Gulf with no real word as to why he’s going home alone and what he left behind. This all seems rather mysterious but then, we’re soon to find out that Finn is a somewhat enigmatic character who does a lot of observing but not a great deal of explaining.
Conditions aboard the Abraham Lincoln are not great. Morale is low, the captain’s kinda asleep at the wheel and, to top it off, people are starting to die in uncertain circumstances.
The problem for Finn is that he’s the newbie aboard, his presence prompts questions and his immediate past is a bit murky. He also seems to be one of the first on scene when each murder happens which doesn’t look good, in fact, it looks downright suspicious.
Steel Fear is an action thriller and, thanks to its setting, boasts a unique opportunity to feel as though I’ve become acquainted with one of the most modern warships. As such, this can be termed a locked room mystery, only the locked room is an aircraft carrier with a working crew of 6000 aboard.
The suspect list is extensive, the clues are sparse and the protagonist is quite the mystery himself. He has a past that haunts him, he’s wracked with guilt and he’s been separated from his unit and sent home early which marks him as a potential problem. But he’s definitely worth following. He’s clearly highly skilled, thinks laterally and comes up with unexpected answers when faced with tough questions.
Steel Fear is a fast-paced thriller that offers the reader the chance to solve a perplexing whodunnit while also enjoying the technical detail provided about the day to day operation of an aircraft carrier. There’s something for everyone: military nuts will soak up the technical speak, mystery aficionados will enjoy taking on the challenge of putting the clues together and finding the killer and action freaks will find lots to lap up amid the gunfights, daring plane landings and things that go boom.
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has just taken a new passenger aboard. Navy SEAL sniper Finn (that’s just Finn, no last name thanks) has been given a ride home from the Persian Gulf with no real word as to why he’s going home alone and what he left behind. This all seems rather mysterious but then, we’re soon to find out that Finn is a somewhat enigmatic character who does a lot of observing but not a great deal of explaining.
Conditions aboard the Abraham Lincoln are not great. Morale is low, the captain’s kinda asleep at the wheel and, to top it off, people are starting to die in uncertain circumstances.
The problem for Finn is that he’s the newbie aboard, his presence prompts questions and his immediate past is a bit murky. He also seems to be one of the first on scene when each murder happens which doesn’t look good, in fact, it looks downright suspicious.
Steel Fear is an action thriller and, thanks to its setting, boasts a unique opportunity to feel as though I’ve become acquainted with one of the most modern warships. As such, this can be termed a locked room mystery, only the locked room is an aircraft carrier with a working crew of 6000 aboard.
The suspect list is extensive, the clues are sparse and the protagonist is quite the mystery himself. He has a past that haunts him, he’s wracked with guilt and he’s been separated from his unit and sent home early which marks him as a potential problem. But he’s definitely worth following. He’s clearly highly skilled, thinks laterally and comes up with unexpected answers when faced with tough questions.
Steel Fear is a fast-paced thriller that offers the reader the chance to solve a perplexing whodunnit while also enjoying the technical detail provided about the day to day operation of an aircraft carrier. There’s something for everyone: military nuts will soak up the technical speak, mystery aficionados will enjoy taking on the challenge of putting the clues together and finding the killer and action freaks will find lots to lap up amid the gunfights, daring plane landings and things that go boom.
July 17, 2021
A mission gone wrong and Navy SEAL sniper Finn was onboard a chopper, about to join the USS Abraham Lincoln heading for the United States from the Persian Gulf. But it didn’t take Finn long to work out that things on board the ship – the steel fortress – were bad. The captain was invisible, there was no encouragement from him, no ‘well done lads’ after the daily sorties were over. The screaming of the big jets as they came in to land on the carrier roof; as they thumped to a halt when the wire caught the hook. The shouts of ‘bolter, bolter’ as the jet missed the wire and headed out over the sea again. And when the first crew member disappeared – ‘man overboard, man overboard’ – (Schofield, a man Finn had liked) and wasn’t found, followed by another disappearance a few days later, Finn knew his observations would be needed.
Finn had had a scattered childhood, one of hardship, loneliness and fear. He also had gaps in his memories of more current events. But he knew, because he was newly on board, that he would be blamed for what was going on. But how could he prove it wasn’t him? He had to find the killer before it was too late. As events escalated and crew – a total of around six thousand men and women – showed their fear, Finn worked hard. And as shore leave was cancelled, first Port Klang in Malaysia, then Fremantle, Australia, their ship felt more like a prison. Would Finn manage to oust the killer before more went missing?
Steel Fear is the 1st in the Finn Thrillers series by authors Brandon Webb and John David Mann and it was brilliant! The best of this type of book I’ve read in a long time! Gripping, intense, fast paced, chilling – there wasn’t time to take a breath; 464 pages gone by in a flash! I enjoyed reading the notes at the end, of the authors’ experiences – Webb was a SEAL himself. Steel Fear is a spectacular piece of writing and I’m looking forward to #2 already! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and Kathleen Quinlan of Penguin Random House/Ballantine for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Finn had had a scattered childhood, one of hardship, loneliness and fear. He also had gaps in his memories of more current events. But he knew, because he was newly on board, that he would be blamed for what was going on. But how could he prove it wasn’t him? He had to find the killer before it was too late. As events escalated and crew – a total of around six thousand men and women – showed their fear, Finn worked hard. And as shore leave was cancelled, first Port Klang in Malaysia, then Fremantle, Australia, their ship felt more like a prison. Would Finn manage to oust the killer before more went missing?
Steel Fear is the 1st in the Finn Thrillers series by authors Brandon Webb and John David Mann and it was brilliant! The best of this type of book I’ve read in a long time! Gripping, intense, fast paced, chilling – there wasn’t time to take a breath; 464 pages gone by in a flash! I enjoyed reading the notes at the end, of the authors’ experiences – Webb was a SEAL himself. Steel Fear is a spectacular piece of writing and I’m looking forward to #2 already! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and Kathleen Quinlan of Penguin Random House/Ballantine for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2021
An aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, hard working people living and working in this city on the sea. Some work on lower decks, rarely seeing the sun above, while others assist the fast, fighter planes that leave and return above. Then their are the pilots, those of the planes and the rescue choppers that oversee all from above. Sometimes life gets hard, always moving quickly, but things are taking a morbid turn as death comes to the ship...
Navy Seal Sniper Finn is delivered to this place, supposedly on 'special assignment', but he is leaving his men and mission with doubts and questions. And this ship, bad morale, slow to move leadership, and now a string of 'suicides' that coincide with his arrival...Finn is a lone wolf, quiet, always observing, always moving. So of course suspicion falls on him, as it is realized these are Murders, Not suicides!
A serial killer in a city adrift at sea, fear starts to feed into every little thing, and Finn is doing his best to catch a killer, but also to figure out just What happened on his mission! An intense story, that makes you feel you are right there, on the deck of the Lincoln, with the wind blowing your hair and shadows making you quake in your shoes!
I received an ARC from NetGalley, the author and company who I thank for an incredible adventure! I offer you my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
Navy Seal Sniper Finn is delivered to this place, supposedly on 'special assignment', but he is leaving his men and mission with doubts and questions. And this ship, bad morale, slow to move leadership, and now a string of 'suicides' that coincide with his arrival...Finn is a lone wolf, quiet, always observing, always moving. So of course suspicion falls on him, as it is realized these are Murders, Not suicides!
A serial killer in a city adrift at sea, fear starts to feed into every little thing, and Finn is doing his best to catch a killer, but also to figure out just What happened on his mission! An intense story, that makes you feel you are right there, on the deck of the Lincoln, with the wind blowing your hair and shadows making you quake in your shoes!
I received an ARC from NetGalley, the author and company who I thank for an incredible adventure! I offer you my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
January 7, 2022
Such high hopes that were obviously too high. Annoying to no end. 0 stars
July 3, 2021
The authors do an incredible job at writing a high-stakes mystery/thriller. This wouldn't have been a four-star rating if not for the navy ship setting, Webb and Mann do a great job at really making you feel like you KNOW the area. Having a clear image of it in my head made it a lot more exciting to read, retrace, and investigate the path of the serial killer.
I don't think Steel Fear is a book that would immediately interest a lot of my friends right away, but I do think it's fully worth a shot. I liked a lot of niche details or "military vocabulary" that wouldn't have been included if the writers weren't knowledgeable in this field. But what ultimately took the cake was the incredibly well-plotted ending that took me by complete surprise.
While the beginning is a bit of a slower pace and overwhelming, the chase for the killer was unputdownable and irresistible exciting. Thank you Random House and Netgalley!
I don't think Steel Fear is a book that would immediately interest a lot of my friends right away, but I do think it's fully worth a shot. I liked a lot of niche details or "military vocabulary" that wouldn't have been included if the writers weren't knowledgeable in this field. But what ultimately took the cake was the incredibly well-plotted ending that took me by complete surprise.
While the beginning is a bit of a slower pace and overwhelming, the chase for the killer was unputdownable and irresistible exciting. Thank you Random House and Netgalley!
July 8, 2021
The aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln has 6,000 people on board and one of them is killing their fellow shipmates. The question is, who? Is it Finn, a strange Navy SEAL who is hitching a ride back to the States for a debrief after a failed mission? Is it Papadakis, a mysoginistic flight commander who may have assaulted female personnel? Told from several POV, we go along with several members of the ship's crew to get to the bottom of the mystery.
This book is part military thriller and part locked room mystery. With 6,000 possible suspects, I knew this would be a fun read and I wasn't disappointed. There is a lot of action, combined with short chapters that makes the reader say "just one more chapter." The POV changes are easy to follow and the authors do a fantastic job of explaining military terms for those who have limited or no knowledge so the reader doesn't get lost in the jargon. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who appreciates a good military thriller or locked room mystery.
My thanks to Ballantine, Bantam, authors Brandon Webb and John David Mann, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book is part military thriller and part locked room mystery. With 6,000 possible suspects, I knew this would be a fun read and I wasn't disappointed. There is a lot of action, combined with short chapters that makes the reader say "just one more chapter." The POV changes are easy to follow and the authors do a fantastic job of explaining military terms for those who have limited or no knowledge so the reader doesn't get lost in the jargon. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who appreciates a good military thriller or locked room mystery.
My thanks to Ballantine, Bantam, authors Brandon Webb and John David Mann, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 4, 2021
Finn, a Navy SEAL, is sent home from the Persian Gulf on the aircraft carrier Abrham Lincoln. He learns quickly that there is something seriously wrong on the ship. Crew members start disappearing. At first everyone thinks they are suicides, but then are suspicous there may be a serial killer on board. Finn becomes a suspect since the killings seemed to begin when he arrived on the ship. He had been recalled from his duties when a mission went terribly wrong and he was under a cloud of suspision. Even more disturbing, Finn has been having memory lapses.
This was a good thriller, well-written, and well paced. I enjoyed the characters and the investigation. There were some surprise revelations and some false leads.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy.
This was a good thriller, well-written, and well paced. I enjoyed the characters and the investigation. There were some surprise revelations and some false leads.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy.
June 6, 2021
4 military stars
I don’t read much military fiction, but this one was a good opportunity to do just that! Set on an aircraft carrier, the authors did a great job of setting the stage and describing what this world is like for the men and women out at sea.
One thing that shocked me was thinking about the size of the ship and how many people are on board – around 6,000! How do you catch a killer in that setting?
Finn is our main character, a Navy SEAL who is being sent home via the aircraft carrier. There’s a lot of mystery around that, why not just fly him home? Even Finn himself doesn’t really know. Finn is a bit of an odd character, but I did really like him, and it was fascinating to see how a sniper sees the world. Finn knows things are not quite right on this aircraft carrier and he becomes the prime suspect for the murders.
Finn is struggling to remember just what happened on his last mission while trying to find the murderer on board. I enjoyed the cat and mouse game in this one and I did not figure out the culprit. This one seems all set up for a sequel!
Thank you to Random House/Ballantine for the opportunity to read this one.
I don’t read much military fiction, but this one was a good opportunity to do just that! Set on an aircraft carrier, the authors did a great job of setting the stage and describing what this world is like for the men and women out at sea.
One thing that shocked me was thinking about the size of the ship and how many people are on board – around 6,000! How do you catch a killer in that setting?
Finn is our main character, a Navy SEAL who is being sent home via the aircraft carrier. There’s a lot of mystery around that, why not just fly him home? Even Finn himself doesn’t really know. Finn is a bit of an odd character, but I did really like him, and it was fascinating to see how a sniper sees the world. Finn knows things are not quite right on this aircraft carrier and he becomes the prime suspect for the murders.
Finn is struggling to remember just what happened on his last mission while trying to find the murderer on board. I enjoyed the cat and mouse game in this one and I did not figure out the culprit. This one seems all set up for a sequel!
Thank you to Random House/Ballantine for the opportunity to read this one.
July 19, 2021
Outstanding military mystery thriller about a serial killer on a Navy aircraft carrier at sea. Suspicion quickly falls on SEAL Chief Finn on board the Abraham Lincoln for mysterious reasons. Finn, a veteran SEAL sniper and master of observation notes poor morale on the carrier returning from the Persian Gulf. Unexplained deaths by accident or suicides begin to panic the crew as the clueless Captain wants to rush the investigations before they damage his career...The plot premise is stunningly original as a locked room mystery in a massive room with 6000 suspects. The characters are incredibly dynamic, the pace combustive and the prose brilliantly captures the unique world of Naval officers, pilots, chiefs, jet mechanics, enlisted ranks and SEALs on a carrier at sea. I highly recommend this book #1 in a projected series to all my GR friends especially those avid readers of exceptional military fiction. My late brother served as a communication specialist on the John F Kennedy for 6 years in the 70's and reading this book, I fervently wished he was still alive to discuss it with me.
January 15, 2022
What a great book and good introduction to Finn. I am looking forward to reading Book #2
July 8, 2021
Fabulous read! So many sneaky twists and edge of your seat ending!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The authors really did an amazing job with this one! Not only do we have a murderer on the loose on a navy ship, but we also have an unknown stranger who boarded just before the murders started and is arousing suspicion. The crew is starting to get nervous and the SEAL doesn't help by slinking around the ship at all hours.
With intricacy and great detail of the navy vessel, with all of the cubby holes and hidden spaces, the reader is involved and committed with every turn of the page. This writing duo has fanned the flames as I found I could not turn the pages any faster. In fact, I had to go back and re-read in a few places as I was flying through trying to get to the conclusion.
When a former SEAL creates a story about a SEAL and the navy, including such precise, minute elements regarding the plot, a vessel, a job, and the characters, you have an immediate winner in a novel. This writing team dives deep into human nature, understanding of the psychology of a person under pressure, and the creativity necessary to map out this awesome story! The character development was spot on!
Looking for a new series? Encourage Webb and Mann to keep Steel Fear going! Truly a story that you will need to map out a time to read because you will not want to put it down. So many sneaky twists and an edge of your seat ending!
Damn, it was good! I want more.
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/steel-fear-b...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The authors really did an amazing job with this one! Not only do we have a murderer on the loose on a navy ship, but we also have an unknown stranger who boarded just before the murders started and is arousing suspicion. The crew is starting to get nervous and the SEAL doesn't help by slinking around the ship at all hours.
With intricacy and great detail of the navy vessel, with all of the cubby holes and hidden spaces, the reader is involved and committed with every turn of the page. This writing duo has fanned the flames as I found I could not turn the pages any faster. In fact, I had to go back and re-read in a few places as I was flying through trying to get to the conclusion.
When a former SEAL creates a story about a SEAL and the navy, including such precise, minute elements regarding the plot, a vessel, a job, and the characters, you have an immediate winner in a novel. This writing team dives deep into human nature, understanding of the psychology of a person under pressure, and the creativity necessary to map out this awesome story! The character development was spot on!
Looking for a new series? Encourage Webb and Mann to keep Steel Fear going! Truly a story that you will need to map out a time to read because you will not want to put it down. So many sneaky twists and an edge of your seat ending!
Damn, it was good! I want more.
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/steel-fear-b...
July 21, 2021
Steel Fear is the first in a series by Brandon Webb and John David Mann. It’s billed as a “high-octane thriller,” and that’s what it is. My thanks go to Net Galley and Random House Ballantine for the invitation to read and review. You can buy this book now.
Before starting the novel, I flipped to “About the Authors,” which is at the end of the book. Webb is a retired SEAL himself, boasting a list of awards as long as your flippers. He is a top level frog, which is a combat diver, and he not only is trained as a sniper, but has been in charge of training other snipers. Suffice to say, he is qualified to write a book like this and knows what he’s talking about. This thriller took ten years to see publication, and a good part of that delay was getting one aspect after another of his description of the aircraft carrier, The Abraham Lincoln, cleared by the Pentagon. Mann is not ex-military, but has an impressive list of achievements in the arts.
Our protagonist is Finn, a SEAL who’s being sent back to the states on The Abraham Lincoln. He doesn’t know why; nobody on the boat does, either; and he cannot reach anyone that can enlighten him. This keeps Finn off balance, the reader doesn’t know whether Finn is trustworthy, so that keeps the reader off balance, too. We meet him when Monica Halsey, a helicopter pilot who is also an important character, is sent to pick him up. Two men approach the helicopter, and they are described as a large man that looks like a mountain lion, and a little guy that looks like a marsupial. Finn is the marsupial, and when I learn that he is a funny-looking little guy, it endears him to me. When we see him disappear on board ship, blending in, seeing and hearing things he isn’t meant to, it’s all the more impressive. I still don’t know if I should like this guy, yet I do.
The crew is reeling from a horrible, unexplainable accident that took the lives of a helicopter crew; soon after, there is a suicide, and then another. Suicide, we learn, is at epidemic levels in the military, and so at first, most people don’t question it; but both suicides are a little too similar, and Halsey smells a rat. So does Finn.
At the outset, there’s a great deal of description of the aircraft carrier, and at first I feel impatient to get on with the story, but soon I can see that the setting is very important, and the description is necessary to understanding it. Webb does a fine job with it, and it’s a good thing, because when I ran a Google search for images, I got mostly air.
National security indeed.
The chapters are very short, and the point of view changes constantly, with Finn and Monica occupying more space than other crew members. Between the shifting viewpoints; Finn’s anxious attempts to find out where he’s going, what his status is, and why he’s being sent away; and Monica’s urgent need to know why her friends are dead, and if anyone else she cares about is next, I am kept on the edge of my seat. Still more deaths follow, and by the halfway mark, my heart is beating a little quicker, and I know better than to let myself read it at bedtime. Fortunately, despite the deaths, which continue of course, there isn’t a lot of gore, and I happily made this book my lunchtime companion. Once I got near the climax, there was no putting it down till the thing was done.
I tend to be leery of books written by military folks, because sometimes there’s a right-wing overtone to the prose that grates against my own values. This isn’t a problem here. Instead, this is a rock solid opening to a promising new series, and I can’t wait to read the next one. Highly recommended to all that love the genre.
Before starting the novel, I flipped to “About the Authors,” which is at the end of the book. Webb is a retired SEAL himself, boasting a list of awards as long as your flippers. He is a top level frog, which is a combat diver, and he not only is trained as a sniper, but has been in charge of training other snipers. Suffice to say, he is qualified to write a book like this and knows what he’s talking about. This thriller took ten years to see publication, and a good part of that delay was getting one aspect after another of his description of the aircraft carrier, The Abraham Lincoln, cleared by the Pentagon. Mann is not ex-military, but has an impressive list of achievements in the arts.
Our protagonist is Finn, a SEAL who’s being sent back to the states on The Abraham Lincoln. He doesn’t know why; nobody on the boat does, either; and he cannot reach anyone that can enlighten him. This keeps Finn off balance, the reader doesn’t know whether Finn is trustworthy, so that keeps the reader off balance, too. We meet him when Monica Halsey, a helicopter pilot who is also an important character, is sent to pick him up. Two men approach the helicopter, and they are described as a large man that looks like a mountain lion, and a little guy that looks like a marsupial. Finn is the marsupial, and when I learn that he is a funny-looking little guy, it endears him to me. When we see him disappear on board ship, blending in, seeing and hearing things he isn’t meant to, it’s all the more impressive. I still don’t know if I should like this guy, yet I do.
The crew is reeling from a horrible, unexplainable accident that took the lives of a helicopter crew; soon after, there is a suicide, and then another. Suicide, we learn, is at epidemic levels in the military, and so at first, most people don’t question it; but both suicides are a little too similar, and Halsey smells a rat. So does Finn.
At the outset, there’s a great deal of description of the aircraft carrier, and at first I feel impatient to get on with the story, but soon I can see that the setting is very important, and the description is necessary to understanding it. Webb does a fine job with it, and it’s a good thing, because when I ran a Google search for images, I got mostly air.
National security indeed.
The chapters are very short, and the point of view changes constantly, with Finn and Monica occupying more space than other crew members. Between the shifting viewpoints; Finn’s anxious attempts to find out where he’s going, what his status is, and why he’s being sent away; and Monica’s urgent need to know why her friends are dead, and if anyone else she cares about is next, I am kept on the edge of my seat. Still more deaths follow, and by the halfway mark, my heart is beating a little quicker, and I know better than to let myself read it at bedtime. Fortunately, despite the deaths, which continue of course, there isn’t a lot of gore, and I happily made this book my lunchtime companion. Once I got near the climax, there was no putting it down till the thing was done.
I tend to be leery of books written by military folks, because sometimes there’s a right-wing overtone to the prose that grates against my own values. This isn’t a problem here. Instead, this is a rock solid opening to a promising new series, and I can’t wait to read the next one. Highly recommended to all that love the genre.
January 25, 2022
Wow! It's almost 2 hours since I finished this novel and I'm still hyped. Certainly need no caffeine in any form.
Those who know through practice, they may realize I do not give 5 stars often. And this in particular will not be a 5 star read for all general readers. But in the concept of THRILLER, in the sense of definition to what thriller core means as a genre? This is one.
The first half is military aircraft carrier tech and personnel tending toward the glib fact and dry. It's also a long, difficult read. USA Navy wise or context wise to both politico and psychological. And although the chapters are short, the shifting from Finn is also rather distracting. Although so many voids and holes appear, as in his memory? Well, it is shifty as the Gulf or the Pacific. With just as many shadows of monsters flicking through too.
It's also very, very gore held. So this is not a read for all of those who have thin skins. Any type of thin skins. Physical description to emotional blackness- this is early Stephen King chewy. Be warned.
It also held some of the prime tenets of authority and conscience. Both of groups and of individuals as loyalty to groups are served. It also embedded sisterhood of women friends, brotherhood of both and every type too.
Also, the last quarter of the book was masterful. All 8 or 9 primes coming to various crisis or entwined revelations peaking at very close to the same immediate times. Blood rising TENSION ensues.
There were 3 of those primes I thought were possibly the snake in the ship. Narrowed it down to two before the last 50 pages. But it is truly harrowing. Regardless of guesswork. Especially within the bowels of those mazes, dungeons of recycle, miles and miles of metal and ladders /levels. Just enthralling in scope. Kind of like Die Hard when he was in the elevator of the skyscraper. Massively interesting to all the equipment of every ilk too.
So come up to the flying deck at time to do the daily survey walk and muster up for this one if you have the sensibility of your urban forensics coroner. Or if you want to know why Finn is Finn. That too.
I'll be reading other Finn's. This was creative and real. USS Abraham Lincoln real. 6000 plus residents all in a "locked room". Agatha would have loved it.
Those who know through practice, they may realize I do not give 5 stars often. And this in particular will not be a 5 star read for all general readers. But in the concept of THRILLER, in the sense of definition to what thriller core means as a genre? This is one.
The first half is military aircraft carrier tech and personnel tending toward the glib fact and dry. It's also a long, difficult read. USA Navy wise or context wise to both politico and psychological. And although the chapters are short, the shifting from Finn is also rather distracting. Although so many voids and holes appear, as in his memory? Well, it is shifty as the Gulf or the Pacific. With just as many shadows of monsters flicking through too.
It's also very, very gore held. So this is not a read for all of those who have thin skins. Any type of thin skins. Physical description to emotional blackness- this is early Stephen King chewy. Be warned.
It also held some of the prime tenets of authority and conscience. Both of groups and of individuals as loyalty to groups are served. It also embedded sisterhood of women friends, brotherhood of both and every type too.
Also, the last quarter of the book was masterful. All 8 or 9 primes coming to various crisis or entwined revelations peaking at very close to the same immediate times. Blood rising TENSION ensues.
There were 3 of those primes I thought were possibly the snake in the ship. Narrowed it down to two before the last 50 pages. But it is truly harrowing. Regardless of guesswork. Especially within the bowels of those mazes, dungeons of recycle, miles and miles of metal and ladders /levels. Just enthralling in scope. Kind of like Die Hard when he was in the elevator of the skyscraper. Massively interesting to all the equipment of every ilk too.
So come up to the flying deck at time to do the daily survey walk and muster up for this one if you have the sensibility of your urban forensics coroner. Or if you want to know why Finn is Finn. That too.
I'll be reading other Finn's. This was creative and real. USS Abraham Lincoln real. 6000 plus residents all in a "locked room". Agatha would have loved it.
October 2, 2022
Nice Murder mystery with a different setting. The chapters were really short, usually unnecessarily short.
July 9, 2021
STEEL FEAR by Brandon Tyler Webb & John David Mann
Anticipated Publication Date: July 13, 2021
By Random House Publisher’s Group ( Ballantine / Bantam)
A high octane military and psychological thriller with elements of a locked room mystery
aboard an aircraft carrier at sea, as crew keep disappearing. A character and plot driven mystery with mounting tension, anxiety and terror. The initial two disappearances are thought to be “suicides”, although both of their notes are typed and unsigned. This occurs shortly after
a helicopter and all crew perish in an explosive crash on a routine training mission due to “pilot error”
Shortly after the crash, one of the six helicopters aboard is diverted to Bahrain to pick up a Navy SEAL sniper, who will accompany the ship until its final destination in San Diego. Enter the main protagonist, Chief Finn, anything but a typical hero-like figure. Short and wiry, with oversized eyes, and described by some as a marsupial. Our quirky, and flawed anti-hero, although haunted by a traumatic childhood, and somewhat of a recluse is quite intelligent and calculating with a highly deductive mindset and certainly belongs to this elite group. Once on board, Finn treats his confinement as a mission. He stalks the corridors of the ship and interacts with crew members , while gathering Intel. This is the key to any mission …. mastering the terrain. He quickly identifies the crew's low morale due to their long deployment without leave, and also partly due to the ship's poor leadership of their captain. Captain Eagleberg is more worried about a possible upcoming promotion than the proper every day running of a ship.
When crew members continue to inexplicably disappear the tension, terror and anxiety are
palpably escalated. In proper psychological warfare, the entire crew is crippled with confusion, chaos, and terror. All soon realize that they are trapped aboard with a serial killer. The reader is treated to some of the heinous manners in which the crew are disposed of. Finn takes it upon himself to investigate. Neither the Captain or Finn himself are aware of the reason he is being recalled back to the States. The Captain surmises he is spying on him and the ship, while Finn is wondering if he is being recalled in disgrace. Finn admittedly suffers from “gaps” in his memory. His last mission was a failure, which was based upon poor intel. However, an innocent village close to his mission area was reportedly annihilated with atrocities committed against man, woman and children. He is unaware of any connection to this rogue mission.
Webb and Mann expertly weave a complex and twisted narrative , that is thoroughly authentic and chilling. Multiple possible characters are developed in convincing detail to cast suspicion on their true motivations and actions. Although Finn himself is considered a plausible killer, the twisted reveals cast doubt on many of the players. The senior staff and captain appear poorly prepared to investigate the possible presence of a serial killer. Finn like a wandering samurai and bloodhound , tracks and stalks the ship for clues in his search for the killer amongst them. Only one who has experienced real-life action can provide the authentic cinematic smell, sounds and terror of this situation. The short chapters in multiple points of view provide for a propulsive read and page-turner. Daring the reader to not read the next chapter and miss an unexpected reveal . Although both authors are best-selling authors of non-fiction, Webb is a decorated Navy SEAL with multiple action based deployments in his past. This well suited partnership into fiction is a highly anticipated debut for both authors. Hopefully the enigmatic character and background of Finn will be developed further in future novels. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for supplying an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review. (from readersremains.com) ... Published at Mystery and Suspense Magazine
Anticipated Publication Date: July 13, 2021
By Random House Publisher’s Group ( Ballantine / Bantam)
A high octane military and psychological thriller with elements of a locked room mystery
aboard an aircraft carrier at sea, as crew keep disappearing. A character and plot driven mystery with mounting tension, anxiety and terror. The initial two disappearances are thought to be “suicides”, although both of their notes are typed and unsigned. This occurs shortly after
a helicopter and all crew perish in an explosive crash on a routine training mission due to “pilot error”
Shortly after the crash, one of the six helicopters aboard is diverted to Bahrain to pick up a Navy SEAL sniper, who will accompany the ship until its final destination in San Diego. Enter the main protagonist, Chief Finn, anything but a typical hero-like figure. Short and wiry, with oversized eyes, and described by some as a marsupial. Our quirky, and flawed anti-hero, although haunted by a traumatic childhood, and somewhat of a recluse is quite intelligent and calculating with a highly deductive mindset and certainly belongs to this elite group. Once on board, Finn treats his confinement as a mission. He stalks the corridors of the ship and interacts with crew members , while gathering Intel. This is the key to any mission …. mastering the terrain. He quickly identifies the crew's low morale due to their long deployment without leave, and also partly due to the ship's poor leadership of their captain. Captain Eagleberg is more worried about a possible upcoming promotion than the proper every day running of a ship.
When crew members continue to inexplicably disappear the tension, terror and anxiety are
palpably escalated. In proper psychological warfare, the entire crew is crippled with confusion, chaos, and terror. All soon realize that they are trapped aboard with a serial killer. The reader is treated to some of the heinous manners in which the crew are disposed of. Finn takes it upon himself to investigate. Neither the Captain or Finn himself are aware of the reason he is being recalled back to the States. The Captain surmises he is spying on him and the ship, while Finn is wondering if he is being recalled in disgrace. Finn admittedly suffers from “gaps” in his memory. His last mission was a failure, which was based upon poor intel. However, an innocent village close to his mission area was reportedly annihilated with atrocities committed against man, woman and children. He is unaware of any connection to this rogue mission.
Webb and Mann expertly weave a complex and twisted narrative , that is thoroughly authentic and chilling. Multiple possible characters are developed in convincing detail to cast suspicion on their true motivations and actions. Although Finn himself is considered a plausible killer, the twisted reveals cast doubt on many of the players. The senior staff and captain appear poorly prepared to investigate the possible presence of a serial killer. Finn like a wandering samurai and bloodhound , tracks and stalks the ship for clues in his search for the killer amongst them. Only one who has experienced real-life action can provide the authentic cinematic smell, sounds and terror of this situation. The short chapters in multiple points of view provide for a propulsive read and page-turner. Daring the reader to not read the next chapter and miss an unexpected reveal . Although both authors are best-selling authors of non-fiction, Webb is a decorated Navy SEAL with multiple action based deployments in his past. This well suited partnership into fiction is a highly anticipated debut for both authors. Hopefully the enigmatic character and background of Finn will be developed further in future novels. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for supplying an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review. (from readersremains.com) ... Published at Mystery and Suspense Magazine
October 5, 2021
Steel Fear is a terrific thrill ride across mighty oceans on a behemoth, a modern nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with nearly six thousand souls on board. The narrative gives a great feel to just how massive and unwieldy the giant ship is and how the crew on the landing area seems like a giant steel ant colony and how difficult, if not nearly impossible, it is for the small jets to land on the tiny in-motion runways. This particular ship is not the magnificent, positive one Finn sailed on years ago. It is not a ship where the captain opens each morning with superlatives, inspiring the crew. The captain never talks to the crew and is hidden away, even when it becomes obvious that this is a voyage of the damned right through the gates of hell.
The lead character, Finn (no last name), is a decorated SEAL TEAM member, who has few clues why he was whisked out of Yemen and deposited on the carrier. The officers on the carrier don’t know why he is there and are suspicious when he spends his time doing the only thing he knows: reconnaissance — wandering the endless hallways of the giant city on water. He is an odd one, this Finn, always on the job, disconnected from others, unable often to muster common emotions. His thoughts are a great part of the read, including where he notes that there are those types of leaders, those who grow to fill the high positions they were given and those who use their position to arrogate power to themselves and become smaller versions of themselves, small men in high places.
But, don’t let the setting or the background of the authors fool you. This novel is not a military battle story. Nor is it a special forces expedition to root out terrorists. And, even if you do not read those types of stories, you will find this one quite compelling and hard to put down. Rather, it is like those murder mystery weekends set in an old hotel in the Poconos, only the hotel is flipped on its side floating on the water and seventy million dollar planes take off from its topside.
Almost as soon as Finn boards the carrier, strange things start happening and crew members disappear. Finn, himself, has rather large memory gaps and doesn’t know precisely what he was doing. What also makes it quite fascinating is that it is not altogether evident that the disappearances are foul play rather than accidents or suicides. There are few clues and little makes sense about what is happening.
The story opens with Monica, a jet pilot, who feels she is where she is despite the odds and that she has made it to the boys’ club in the Top Gun skies only by being tough enough. She wants to be promoted based on her qualifications and not to be accused of “flying while female.” The authors do a great job of creating complex characters instead of just caricatures. She notes that being a helicopter pilot is so different than being a jet pilot and that airline pilots are “open, clear-eyed, buoyant extroverts” and “helicopter pilots are brooders, introspective anticipators of trouble.”
All in all, this is a surprisingly terrific read, more crime thriller than military battle story, and compelling from page one right through to the end. When they talk about books that are impossible to put down, they are talking about this one.
The lead character, Finn (no last name), is a decorated SEAL TEAM member, who has few clues why he was whisked out of Yemen and deposited on the carrier. The officers on the carrier don’t know why he is there and are suspicious when he spends his time doing the only thing he knows: reconnaissance — wandering the endless hallways of the giant city on water. He is an odd one, this Finn, always on the job, disconnected from others, unable often to muster common emotions. His thoughts are a great part of the read, including where he notes that there are those types of leaders, those who grow to fill the high positions they were given and those who use their position to arrogate power to themselves and become smaller versions of themselves, small men in high places.
But, don’t let the setting or the background of the authors fool you. This novel is not a military battle story. Nor is it a special forces expedition to root out terrorists. And, even if you do not read those types of stories, you will find this one quite compelling and hard to put down. Rather, it is like those murder mystery weekends set in an old hotel in the Poconos, only the hotel is flipped on its side floating on the water and seventy million dollar planes take off from its topside.
Almost as soon as Finn boards the carrier, strange things start happening and crew members disappear. Finn, himself, has rather large memory gaps and doesn’t know precisely what he was doing. What also makes it quite fascinating is that it is not altogether evident that the disappearances are foul play rather than accidents or suicides. There are few clues and little makes sense about what is happening.
The story opens with Monica, a jet pilot, who feels she is where she is despite the odds and that she has made it to the boys’ club in the Top Gun skies only by being tough enough. She wants to be promoted based on her qualifications and not to be accused of “flying while female.” The authors do a great job of creating complex characters instead of just caricatures. She notes that being a helicopter pilot is so different than being a jet pilot and that airline pilots are “open, clear-eyed, buoyant extroverts” and “helicopter pilots are brooders, introspective anticipators of trouble.”
All in all, this is a surprisingly terrific read, more crime thriller than military battle story, and compelling from page one right through to the end. When they talk about books that are impossible to put down, they are talking about this one.
May 5, 2021
Disgraced Navy Seal, Finn, is sent home from the Persian Gulf. He is ordered to board the USS Abraham Lincoln for the trip home. This is odd, but he goes along.
He is shocked by the Captain's behavior and by the low morale on the ship. Soon, crew members start disappearing. Is it suicide, or something far more sinister? Is there a serial killer aboard? Being the newcomer, Finn quickly falls under suspicion. He's a loner, being sent home in disgrace. There are gaps in his memory and he thinks he may have caused civilian deaths during one of his fugues.
He decides that he will find the killer. Now he just has to stay alive long enough to do so.
I read Steel Fear in one sitting. This is the best thriller I've read in a long while. I would give it 6 stars, if I could. Many thanks to the authors, #Netgalley and #Ballentine for letting me read this arc. I highly recommend Steel Fear to thriller fans.
He is shocked by the Captain's behavior and by the low morale on the ship. Soon, crew members start disappearing. Is it suicide, or something far more sinister? Is there a serial killer aboard? Being the newcomer, Finn quickly falls under suspicion. He's a loner, being sent home in disgrace. There are gaps in his memory and he thinks he may have caused civilian deaths during one of his fugues.
He decides that he will find the killer. Now he just has to stay alive long enough to do so.
I read Steel Fear in one sitting. This is the best thriller I've read in a long while. I would give it 6 stars, if I could. Many thanks to the authors, #Netgalley and #Ballentine for letting me read this arc. I highly recommend Steel Fear to thriller fans.
July 8, 2021
How would you like to be at sea aboard an aircraft carrier with over 6000 crew members, one of whom is a serial killer??
This outstanding thriller takes place aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln sailing in the Persian Gulf. A Navy Seal named Chief Finn from Black Squadron is brought aboard as their passenger and no one seems to know exactly why he's there 'on special assignment' but soon after he arrives, crew members start dying.
Finn is an odd duck: short with thin wiry wrists, knobby joints, oversize eyes. He seems to miss nothing but sometimes inexplicably blanks out. If the truth be known, he's struggling to remember what happened on his last assignment and wondering why he's being sent home in this roundabout way. Is he in disgrace?
The Lincoln has been plagued with problems but shortly after Finn's arrival, a suicide occurs, followed by another. At first, Finn is the only one who suspects murder, but when it becomes more obvious, he is the chief suspect.
The story is well paced and atmospheric, with tension building as one turns the pages. The characters are so well written, delving into their relationships with each other, and their thoughts and fears as they deal with this threat. A thoroughly enjoyable read! I know it's a cliche, but I couldn't put it down. I certainly hope there will be more coming from these two authors.
I'm sure I accepted a widget for an arc of this new thriller from the publisher via NetGalley because I thought both my husband and I might enjoy the book. I'm not usually into military thrillers myself but this one completely won me over. Many thanks for the opportunity.
This outstanding thriller takes place aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln sailing in the Persian Gulf. A Navy Seal named Chief Finn from Black Squadron is brought aboard as their passenger and no one seems to know exactly why he's there 'on special assignment' but soon after he arrives, crew members start dying.
Finn is an odd duck: short with thin wiry wrists, knobby joints, oversize eyes. He seems to miss nothing but sometimes inexplicably blanks out. If the truth be known, he's struggling to remember what happened on his last assignment and wondering why he's being sent home in this roundabout way. Is he in disgrace?
The Lincoln has been plagued with problems but shortly after Finn's arrival, a suicide occurs, followed by another. At first, Finn is the only one who suspects murder, but when it becomes more obvious, he is the chief suspect.
The story is well paced and atmospheric, with tension building as one turns the pages. The characters are so well written, delving into their relationships with each other, and their thoughts and fears as they deal with this threat. A thoroughly enjoyable read! I know it's a cliche, but I couldn't put it down. I certainly hope there will be more coming from these two authors.
I'm sure I accepted a widget for an arc of this new thriller from the publisher via NetGalley because I thought both my husband and I might enjoy the book. I'm not usually into military thrillers myself but this one completely won me over. Many thanks for the opportunity.
March 21, 2022
Outstanding military mystery/thriller about a serial killer on a Navy aircraft carrier at sea. Suspicion quickly falls on SEAL Chief Finn on board the Abraham Lincoln for mysterious reasons. Finn, a veteran SEAL sniper and master at observation notes the poor morale by the 6000 Navy personal returning from the Persian Gulf. Unexplained deaths by accident or suicides begin to panic the crew as the clueless Captain wants the mystery solved quickly before it damages his career. The plot premise is stunningly original as a locked room mystery in a very massive room! The characters are incredibly dynamic, the pace combustive and the prose brilliantly captures the unique world of Naval officers, pilots, chiefs, jet mechanics, enlisted ranks and SEALs on a carrier at sea. I highly recommend this book #1 of a projected series to all my GR friends especially those avid readers of exceptional military fiction. My late brother served as a communications specialist on the John F. Kennedy for 6 years in the 70's and reading this book, I fervently wished he were alive today so we could discuss it.
July 16, 2021
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Thrillers / Suspense
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
Steel Fear is the first installment in what is being called the Finn Thrillers by co-authors Brandon Webb, and John David Mann. Collaboration between Webb and Mann began with the NY Times Bestselling memoir, The Red Circle (St. Martin’s, 2009), followed by a string of commercially successful, internationally published nonfiction projects. A former Navy SEAL who was also a search and rescue swimmer, Brandon Webb is regularly featured in international media as a military and Special Operations subject matter expert
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Thrillers / Suspense
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
Steel Fear is the first installment in what is being called the Finn Thrillers by co-authors Brandon Webb, and John David Mann. Collaboration between Webb and Mann began with the NY Times Bestselling memoir, The Red Circle (St. Martin’s, 2009), followed by a string of commercially successful, internationally published nonfiction projects. A former Navy SEAL who was also a search and rescue swimmer, Brandon Webb is regularly featured in international media as a military and Special Operations subject matter expert
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
April 3, 2021
A decent read. Plot revolves around a Navy Seal stuck on a U.S. Carrier trying to solve a series of murders onboard the ship. Thought it got off to a slow start and the first half dragged along a bit. Picked up steam in the second half and was hard to put down towards the end as you tried to figure out a classic “whodunnit”. Liked the short chapters which allowed easy reading in quick snippets.
November 15, 2021
4.5 stars. A great murder mystery debut from Mr. Webb. I'm looking forward to Cold Steel.
June 9, 2021
This was officially the first military novel I have read and was surprised to found it to be intriguing, exciting, and very interesting. It would make a great movie. Would definitely recommend it.
Thank you for the ARC of this book. #netgalley, #SteelFear
Thank you for the ARC of this book. #netgalley, #SteelFear
April 17, 2022
That rare gem
A nuclear aircraft carrier, a serial killer on the loose and a brilliant but damaged Navy SEAL, whose not only embroiled in a shadowy conspiracy beyond his control but also becomes entangled into the serial killer’s complex web of deceit, death and psychological warfare…
STEEL FEAR is one of those rare gems where everything adds up. The pacing, the plotting, the action and above all, the characters.
They are not only life-like in their depth but truly fascinating in their complexity, especially Finn, this story’s troubled, thrilling protagonist.
I won’t spoil anything, other that I’m so glad the sequel COLD FEAR is right around the corner, since it is now my most-awaited read and I can’t wait to find out how Finn’s journey continues.
If you can just read two books this year, make it this series. You won’t regret it!
A nuclear aircraft carrier, a serial killer on the loose and a brilliant but damaged Navy SEAL, whose not only embroiled in a shadowy conspiracy beyond his control but also becomes entangled into the serial killer’s complex web of deceit, death and psychological warfare…
STEEL FEAR is one of those rare gems where everything adds up. The pacing, the plotting, the action and above all, the characters.
They are not only life-like in their depth but truly fascinating in their complexity, especially Finn, this story’s troubled, thrilling protagonist.
I won’t spoil anything, other that I’m so glad the sequel COLD FEAR is right around the corner, since it is now my most-awaited read and I can’t wait to find out how Finn’s journey continues.
If you can just read two books this year, make it this series. You won’t regret it!
July 13, 2021
I received this ebook for an honest review. I found this book to be a stunning Tour de force, what I truly hope will be an ongoing collaboration between these two authors. What do you do when 6000 people are trapped with a killer and there is no escape. For the first time in a very long time, having finished 85% of the book finding out that I did not know who the killer was. Chief Finn is a seriously flawed character that you couldn’t help but root for. If it wasn’t enough that the others keep you guessing about the killer, the very last chapter kept me scratching my head until I had to sit back and think. WELL DONE ! I can not wait for more in what I truly hope is a new series!
July 30, 2021
I am so excited. A new great thriller series comes our way. This was action packed with some creepy serial killer type stuff. Vince Flynn meets Stephen King. I like the main character, Finn, almost as much as Mitch Rapp. He is secretive, tough, invincible and a loner.
This one lays the ground work for the character's personality.
Totally loved it.
This one lays the ground work for the character's personality.
Totally loved it.
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