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Steve Stilwell #3
The Hidden Key
When Kevin Jones opens the door late one night for two men he believes must be fellow Iraq War veterans, he has no way of knowing the chain of events he is about to unleash. One week later, attorney Steve Stilwell is invited to London to meet with a billionaire businessman in a popular Indian eatery. He informs Steve he has already wired half-a-million dollars into Steve’s account. All Steve has to do is serve as executor for the man’s estate in the United States. Before Steve can learn more, two men burst into the restaurant and Steve’s new client cries out “I’ve sold my soul.” Moments later he is dead, leaving Steve to figure out why.
Back in his law office in Virginia, Steve finds his first clue in a package addressed to his dead client containing an ancient map etched into a clay tablet. Before Steve realizes the value of the treasure he holds, his dead client’s former lover and the FBI descend on him and his wounded warrior law partner, Casey Pantel, to take the tablet from them. Not knowing who can be trusted and who should be feared, they dig deeper and deeper to decipher the tablet’s secrets. Their quest takes them along a trail of murder and intrigue winding from Italy to India. With time running out and others questioning whether their motives are pure, Steve and Casey must unmask those seeking to exploit the tablet’s secrets before they, too, fall victim to its power.
Back in his law office in Virginia, Steve finds his first clue in a package addressed to his dead client containing an ancient map etched into a clay tablet. Before Steve realizes the value of the treasure he holds, his dead client’s former lover and the FBI descend on him and his wounded warrior law partner, Casey Pantel, to take the tablet from them. Not knowing who can be trusted and who should be feared, they dig deeper and deeper to decipher the tablet’s secrets. Their quest takes them along a trail of murder and intrigue winding from Italy to India. With time running out and others questioning whether their motives are pure, Steve and Casey must unmask those seeking to exploit the tablet’s secrets before they, too, fall victim to its power.
389 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published June 1, 2021
3 people are currently reading
1330 people want to read
About the author
David E. Grogan
4 books67 followersDavid E. Grogan is an award-winning author who served on active duty in the U.S. Navy for over 26 years as a Navy judge advocate. During the course of his Navy career, he prosecuted and defended court-martial cases; negotiated agreements in capitals around the world; lived abroad in Japan, Cuba and Bahrain; deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf onboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise; and actively contributed to the fight against piracy and international terrorism. His experiences abroad and during the course of his career influence every aspect of his writing. His fourth book, Learning to Live from Those Willing to Die, was released in September 2025. He has also published three novels comprising the Steve Stilwell thriller series: The Hidden Key (Military Writer's Society of America Silver Medal winner), Sapphire Pavilion (Military Writer's Society of American Bronze Medal Winner), and The Siegel Dispositions.
Dave’s current home is in Savoy, Illinois, where he lives with his wife. He has three children.
Dave’s current home is in Savoy, Illinois, where he lives with his wife. He has three children.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 23, 2020
is a propulsive, action driven thriller that starts on page one when an Iraq war veteran and US Navy Seabee answers his front door at 10:30 p.m. and is confronted by a pair of thugs intent on robbing him of a clay tablet he brought home as a war souvenir. It’s the opening gambit in a hunt and chase for an ancient relic with a treasure map etched on it. Exactly one week later, retired U.S. Navy JAG (Judge Advocate General) officer and practicing Commonwealth of Virginia attorney Steve Stilwell is summoned to London to meet with an Indian billionaire at a skeezy restaurant to discuss terms of employment. They’re barely seated, when two men with guns burst into the eatery and Stilwell’s new client screams I’ve sold my soul to the Devil, and now I must pay. Moments later he is dead, leaving the confused American attorney in the hands of a pair of Scotland Yard detectives. Days later, back in Virginia, while trying to probate the late billionaire client’s estate, Steve and his war wounded partner Casey, come into possession of the mysterious purloined clay tablet and set off a thrilling international chase where no one is safe from death or the allure of an ancient treasure . . . and that’s only the first fifty pages of this electrifying novel . . .
The Hidden Key is a smoking-hot thrill ride from beginning to end and will leave all action adventure enthusiasts howling for their next Steve Stilwell yarn!
The Hidden Key is a smoking-hot thrill ride from beginning to end and will leave all action adventure enthusiasts howling for their next Steve Stilwell yarn!
April 20, 2020
David Grogan delivers a gripping tale of intrigue, honor, and bravery in “The Hidden Key.”
Tightly constructed and painstakingly researched, this third novel in the Steve Stilwell mystery series moves apace as Stilwell, his partner, their allies, and their foes travel across three continents seeking artifacts and justice.
Grogan’s attention to detail creates an immersive experience as his adventure invites the reader to travel with Stilwell into the exotic, exciting, and dangerous world of international art crimes. The author understands human nature – from his career as a Navy JAG and as a man of deep faith -- and his characters display both the shine and the tarnish of real people risking lives, fortunes, and honor for deeply held beliefs.
“The Hidden Key” is more than a fun summer read, although it is that. Stilwell’s honor, courage, and commitment teach lessons about duty, respect, and love – lessons that will continue to encourage and guide the reader long after the warmth of a single summer has passed.
Tightly constructed and painstakingly researched, this third novel in the Steve Stilwell mystery series moves apace as Stilwell, his partner, their allies, and their foes travel across three continents seeking artifacts and justice.
Grogan’s attention to detail creates an immersive experience as his adventure invites the reader to travel with Stilwell into the exotic, exciting, and dangerous world of international art crimes. The author understands human nature – from his career as a Navy JAG and as a man of deep faith -- and his characters display both the shine and the tarnish of real people risking lives, fortunes, and honor for deeply held beliefs.
“The Hidden Key” is more than a fun summer read, although it is that. Stilwell’s honor, courage, and commitment teach lessons about duty, respect, and love – lessons that will continue to encourage and guide the reader long after the warmth of a single summer has passed.
July 25, 2022
Thanks to Epicenter Press/Camel Press for introducing me to the legal thrillers/mysteries of author DAVID E. GROGAN. Fortunately, for me and you, this fine writer has two previous titles in the series. I read THE HIDDEN KEY without having read the first two and felt that I was missing some facts in Steve Stilwell’s life and career. However, that was NOT a detriment to my enjoyment of this exciting story.
Stilwell is a retired U.S. Navy Captain whose career was spent in the Judge Advocate General (J.A.G.) division, which is the Navy’s legal department. Upon his retirement, Stilwell set up a private practice in Williamsburg, Virginia (not far from Washington D.C.). His practice specializes in trusts and estates. He has a young partner, Casey Pantel who left the Army after she was severely injured when the helicopter she was piloting crashed (in Iraq), costing her the lower part of a leg. The third staff member is Marjorie Weldman the practice’s office manager.
The story opens at the home of Chief Petty Officer Kevin Jones, a Navy construction equipment operator (Seabee) just before 11 PM. There is a knock on his door. He opens it. Two men storm in demanding the “brick” he had advertised as being for sale. After a long struggle, two men lie dead and the “brick” is gone.
A few days later, Steve Stilwell is meeting, in an Indian style restaurant in London, a very rich and new client from India. He wants to hire Steve as his American estate lawyer, which Stilwell thinks is strange since the client is not old and appears to be healthy. While sitting and talking, Arul Ashirvadam (the new client) sees two men outside the restaurant and panics. He takes out a gun and kills himself. The two men are from Scotland Yard and they question Steve about the meeting/suicide. Stilwell tells them that they had just met and that he had been hired to settle Arul’s American estate. Detective Sergeant Cavendish tells Stilwell that his late client may be involved with collecting stolen historical artifacts.
When Steve gets back to his office, he finds he has received a check for $500,000 as a retainer from Ashirvadam. In addition, there is a key to a safe deposit box with a note detailing what is to happen with the contents of it. In the safe deposit box is a shoe-box sized package, a receipt and a piece of paper with two handwritten phone numbers but no names. In the box is an ancient looking “brick” with a map and cuneiform writing meaning it could be thousands of years old and very valuable.
One other member of Steve’s team is Phan Quoc Cuong, the office custodian and Steve’s friend. Stilwell had helped Cuong emigrate from Vietnam to the U.S. as part of another story. Phan surprises a burglar in the office early one morning. The crook is looking for the “brick” and he threatens Cuong and his family if he does not get him the “brick”.
Also involved in the plot is a very beautiful, Italian businesswoman who also wants the “brick”. Her name is Michela Baresi and her business is located in Milan, Italy. Her Executive Assistant Giorgio Stassi may be working against his boss for his own reasons.
Casey and Steve travel to England, India, Italy and Bahrain, sometimes together and sometimes not, in order to serve their client. If you are a fan of legal thrillers, read this book for law parts. If you are a fan of archaeological/historical thrillers, read this book. If you enjoy whodunits, read this book. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Grogan’s books. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! GO! BUY! READ!
Stilwell is a retired U.S. Navy Captain whose career was spent in the Judge Advocate General (J.A.G.) division, which is the Navy’s legal department. Upon his retirement, Stilwell set up a private practice in Williamsburg, Virginia (not far from Washington D.C.). His practice specializes in trusts and estates. He has a young partner, Casey Pantel who left the Army after she was severely injured when the helicopter she was piloting crashed (in Iraq), costing her the lower part of a leg. The third staff member is Marjorie Weldman the practice’s office manager.
The story opens at the home of Chief Petty Officer Kevin Jones, a Navy construction equipment operator (Seabee) just before 11 PM. There is a knock on his door. He opens it. Two men storm in demanding the “brick” he had advertised as being for sale. After a long struggle, two men lie dead and the “brick” is gone.
A few days later, Steve Stilwell is meeting, in an Indian style restaurant in London, a very rich and new client from India. He wants to hire Steve as his American estate lawyer, which Stilwell thinks is strange since the client is not old and appears to be healthy. While sitting and talking, Arul Ashirvadam (the new client) sees two men outside the restaurant and panics. He takes out a gun and kills himself. The two men are from Scotland Yard and they question Steve about the meeting/suicide. Stilwell tells them that they had just met and that he had been hired to settle Arul’s American estate. Detective Sergeant Cavendish tells Stilwell that his late client may be involved with collecting stolen historical artifacts.
When Steve gets back to his office, he finds he has received a check for $500,000 as a retainer from Ashirvadam. In addition, there is a key to a safe deposit box with a note detailing what is to happen with the contents of it. In the safe deposit box is a shoe-box sized package, a receipt and a piece of paper with two handwritten phone numbers but no names. In the box is an ancient looking “brick” with a map and cuneiform writing meaning it could be thousands of years old and very valuable.
One other member of Steve’s team is Phan Quoc Cuong, the office custodian and Steve’s friend. Stilwell had helped Cuong emigrate from Vietnam to the U.S. as part of another story. Phan surprises a burglar in the office early one morning. The crook is looking for the “brick” and he threatens Cuong and his family if he does not get him the “brick”.
Also involved in the plot is a very beautiful, Italian businesswoman who also wants the “brick”. Her name is Michela Baresi and her business is located in Milan, Italy. Her Executive Assistant Giorgio Stassi may be working against his boss for his own reasons.
Casey and Steve travel to England, India, Italy and Bahrain, sometimes together and sometimes not, in order to serve their client. If you are a fan of legal thrillers, read this book for law parts. If you are a fan of archaeological/historical thrillers, read this book. If you enjoy whodunits, read this book. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Grogan’s books. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! GO! BUY! READ!
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March 17, 2022MWSA Review
Author David E. Grogan has created a series of page turning legal thrillers featuring attorney Steve Stillwell, who like the author is a retired Navy JAG officer now in private practice. In what should be a routine civilian law practice handling wills, trusts and real estate closings, Stillwell instead attracts clients who involve him in international intrigue and violence.
His latest novel, The Hidden Key, features a complex plot that includes the theft of ancient artifacts, Russian mercenaries, and the search for the Garden of Eden. Kudos to Grogan who ties all these disparate elements together in a story that also brings Steve Stillwell full circle in his personal life.
Characters from previous Stillwell novels Sapphire Pavilion and The Siegel Disposition grow in significance. Early readers of the series will want to tackle all three books. Grogan personally visits the multiple scene locations that he writes about, providing clear and compelling descriptions.
The Hidden Key starts in sleepy Williamsburg, Virginia, but careens across the globe to Iraq, England, India, Italy, and the isolated island nation of Bahrain. Stillwell lives a more dangerous life than your normal local attorney as he deals with threats, shootings, and car chases. At times it’s difficult to keep up with the surprising plot twists but Grogan provides a concluding scene that will make the reader scratch his head and say, “Oh yeah. I get it.”
Review by James Elsener (February 2022)
Author David E. Grogan has created a series of page turning legal thrillers featuring attorney Steve Stillwell, who like the author is a retired Navy JAG officer now in private practice. In what should be a routine civilian law practice handling wills, trusts and real estate closings, Stillwell instead attracts clients who involve him in international intrigue and violence.
His latest novel, The Hidden Key, features a complex plot that includes the theft of ancient artifacts, Russian mercenaries, and the search for the Garden of Eden. Kudos to Grogan who ties all these disparate elements together in a story that also brings Steve Stillwell full circle in his personal life.
Characters from previous Stillwell novels Sapphire Pavilion and The Siegel Disposition grow in significance. Early readers of the series will want to tackle all three books. Grogan personally visits the multiple scene locations that he writes about, providing clear and compelling descriptions.
The Hidden Key starts in sleepy Williamsburg, Virginia, but careens across the globe to Iraq, England, India, Italy, and the isolated island nation of Bahrain. Stillwell lives a more dangerous life than your normal local attorney as he deals with threats, shootings, and car chases. At times it’s difficult to keep up with the surprising plot twists but Grogan provides a concluding scene that will make the reader scratch his head and say, “Oh yeah. I get it.”
Review by James Elsener (February 2022)
January 6, 2022
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Grogan at the Fort Campbell Kentucky military base PX at his book signing right before Christmas. At the time my son was with me and stopped to speak with him to ask him about his books. I was intrigued and was just going to buy his last book The Hidden Key but my son told him he wanted to get Sapphire Pavilion as well and that he would gift them both to me. Both books I finished within a weeks time of getting back to Mexico where I currently live after visiting my son both of us are veterans. I was at the edge of my seat and could not stop reading as soon as I began the first. They were definitely page turners and full of action. Loved them so much that my only regret now is not having purchased his first book at the time the Siegel Dispositions however, it too shall find its way into my reading collection as soon as I can find it online. I can not wait to see what he comes up with next!!!
December 19, 2020
"He drove out the man; and at the east end of of the garden of Eden he placed the Cheribum, and flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the tree of life..."
The Hidden Key is, so far, my favorite book by Mr. Grogan.
Laced with intrigue, danger, antiquities, love, hope, and recovery the twist and turns of this story kept me guessing til the very end unfolded.
I look forward to the return of Majorie, Casey, Phan, Gallagher, "Steve Stilwell and Sarah" in a fourth thriller.
Congratulations! I wish you continuing success Mr. Grogan.
The Hidden Key is, so far, my favorite book by Mr. Grogan.
Laced with intrigue, danger, antiquities, love, hope, and recovery the twist and turns of this story kept me guessing til the very end unfolded.
I look forward to the return of Majorie, Casey, Phan, Gallagher, "Steve Stilwell and Sarah" in a fourth thriller.
Congratulations! I wish you continuing success Mr. Grogan.
January 5, 2023
Definitely drew me in. Saw a few twists before they happened but missed some others.
May 23, 2023
I couldn’t stop reading this book. It was action packed from the beginning to the end. Took me less than 48 hours - kind of reminded me of Robert Langton meets Alex Cross with a splash of lawyer.
August 17, 2020
A must read! Loved it from beginning to end!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews