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The Secret Corps #1
The Secret Corps: A Thriller
From New York Times Bestselling author, Peter Telep, comes the fast-paced thriller where corruption within the U.S. intelligence agencies are uncovered by those with the ultimate courage, honor, and commitment to our great nation - The Marines.
"The marines have landed (finally) in the genre...stand by for action!"--Captain Dale Dye, USMC (Ret) Marine, Author, Actor and Filmmaker
When a small town terrorist invasion results in a tragic death, retired Marine Master Sergeant James "Johnny" Johansen agonizes over questions whose answers threaten his loved ones, his career, and his company. The most serious question of all--is Johnny's family linked to Islamic extremists in the United States?
Johnny turns to his former brothers-in-arms, Willie, Corey, and Josh. Relying on their skills as highly trained marines, the team uncovers a treacherous plot involving renegade defense contractor and co-conspirators at the highest levels of U.S. intelligence. Risking their lives to reveal the shocking details of the operation, Johnny and his friends discover that hundreds of terrorists are poised to launch a coast-to-cast attack on American soil.
Time is running out! Who can Johnny trust? No one, except...the Secret Corps.
"The marines have landed (finally) in the genre...stand by for action!"--Captain Dale Dye, USMC (Ret) Marine, Author, Actor and Filmmaker
When a small town terrorist invasion results in a tragic death, retired Marine Master Sergeant James "Johnny" Johansen agonizes over questions whose answers threaten his loved ones, his career, and his company. The most serious question of all--is Johnny's family linked to Islamic extremists in the United States?
Johnny turns to his former brothers-in-arms, Willie, Corey, and Josh. Relying on their skills as highly trained marines, the team uncovers a treacherous plot involving renegade defense contractor and co-conspirators at the highest levels of U.S. intelligence. Risking their lives to reveal the shocking details of the operation, Johnny and his friends discover that hundreds of terrorists are poised to launch a coast-to-cast attack on American soil.
Time is running out! Who can Johnny trust? No one, except...the Secret Corps.
- GenresFiction
440 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2015
About the author
Peter Telep
42 books84 followersPeter Telep is the author of more than fifty novels. His collaboration with Tom Clancy, Against All Enemies, debuted at #1 on the New York Times Bestsellers List. Additionally, he has written many bestselling novels based on Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon, Endwar, and Splinter Cell video game series.
He is a produced film and television writer and has worked alongside professionals throughout the video game industry. The Doc Harrison series marks his return to fantasy and science fiction where he began his career.
Find him on Facebook, Twitter (@petertelep), and email: peter@docharrisonbooks.com. He always loves to hear from his readers!
Bonus info:
Writing as Ben Weaver: Brothers in Arms, Rebels in Arms, Patriots in Arms
Writing as P.W. Storm: The Force 5 Recon Series and The Mercenaries Series
Writing as Pete Callahan: Armored Corps, Attack by Fire, Engage and Destroy
Writing as David Michaels: Endwar, Endwar: The Hunted, Ghost Recon, Ghost Recon: Combat Ops, Splinter Cell: Endgame
Writing as Richard Michaels: The Fall of Eden (Trade Paperback)
He is a produced film and television writer and has worked alongside professionals throughout the video game industry. The Doc Harrison series marks his return to fantasy and science fiction where he began his career.
Find him on Facebook, Twitter (@petertelep), and email: peter@docharrisonbooks.com. He always loves to hear from his readers!
Bonus info:
Writing as Ben Weaver: Brothers in Arms, Rebels in Arms, Patriots in Arms
Writing as P.W. Storm: The Force 5 Recon Series and The Mercenaries Series
Writing as Pete Callahan: Armored Corps, Attack by Fire, Engage and Destroy
Writing as David Michaels: Endwar, Endwar: The Hunted, Ghost Recon, Ghost Recon: Combat Ops, Splinter Cell: Endgame
Writing as Richard Michaels: The Fall of Eden (Trade Paperback)
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 10, 2015
Telep captures the special somethings that make men and women join the United States Marine Corps. His novel Secret Corps captures the Marine Corps ideals such as Semper Fedilis [Always Faithful] as well as honor, duty, and country despite the self sacrifices they might be called upon to make. In the story four no longer active duty Marines uncover a terrorist plot that encompasses the whole nation and work to prevent it. This is an excellent read for Marines and non-Marines alike and sheds light on what could happen if today's incidents of terror and lawless activities by special interest groups continue. The book is a wakeup call for America. It is a must read. My copy was a free review copy from the author.
June 11, 2016
I have great respect for the US Marines and their brotherhood and achievements, but this was far too much of a love letter to the Marines.
A group of ex-Recon Marines discover links into a terrorist plot through the brother of one of their team. The brother is killed and the question is whether he was converted or just an innocent victim. So, suspicious of the Establishment, the guys start their own investigation using their significant skills. At its core this is another fundamentalist terrorist plot, but doesn’t really deliver for me. It offers nothing fresh or new, the writing and the dialogue is clunky and it should have been much better. The author seems to have put the focus on respecting the Marines and their attitudes towards each-other and not enough on the things that matter like plot, characterisation and dialogue.
A group of ex-Recon Marines discover links into a terrorist plot through the brother of one of their team. The brother is killed and the question is whether he was converted or just an innocent victim. So, suspicious of the Establishment, the guys start their own investigation using their significant skills. At its core this is another fundamentalist terrorist plot, but doesn’t really deliver for me. It offers nothing fresh or new, the writing and the dialogue is clunky and it should have been much better. The author seems to have put the focus on respecting the Marines and their attitudes towards each-other and not enough on the things that matter like plot, characterisation and dialogue.
September 28, 2017
I’m new to author Peter Telep and when I got the chance to read his novel The Secret Corps I wasn’t prepared for what was in store. I was immediately drawn into the story by Peter’s fine storytelling skills, narrative and elegant writing. The characters are properly fleshed, the storyline is something which can be the headline of tomorrow’s newspaper, and twists and turns kept me hooked from start to finish.
The Secret Corps by Peter Telep is about retired Marine Master Sergeant James “Johnny” Johansen who faces the biggest challenge of his life when Islamic extremists planned a series of attacks on American soil. He must ponder over uncomfortable questions, and act fast if he is to thwart their sinister designs. With the help of his former comrades-in-arms Willie, Corey, and Josh, Johnny uncovered that the plot has penetrated at various levels, and time was running out.
Author Peter Telep crafted an enjoyable and absorbing thriller which will delight readers with an abomination for plotters of horrendous violence of the 9/11 type. Hinging on the edge of xenophobia, which may not be taken too kindly by readers espousing political correctness, The Secret Corps is a timely read which reflects the mindset at the end of the other political spectrum. It is also a thriller which showcased the ideals of faithfulness, honor, duty and sacrifice for country.
The Secret Corps by Peter Telep is about retired Marine Master Sergeant James “Johnny” Johansen who faces the biggest challenge of his life when Islamic extremists planned a series of attacks on American soil. He must ponder over uncomfortable questions, and act fast if he is to thwart their sinister designs. With the help of his former comrades-in-arms Willie, Corey, and Josh, Johnny uncovered that the plot has penetrated at various levels, and time was running out.
Author Peter Telep crafted an enjoyable and absorbing thriller which will delight readers with an abomination for plotters of horrendous violence of the 9/11 type. Hinging on the edge of xenophobia, which may not be taken too kindly by readers espousing political correctness, The Secret Corps is a timely read which reflects the mindset at the end of the other political spectrum. It is also a thriller which showcased the ideals of faithfulness, honor, duty and sacrifice for country.
March 3, 2025
3.5 STARS
I will say the prelude to this story was really good. It was full of promise, lots of action and a strong start. As the story moved along it was steadily pretty good seeming to lead up to an amazing ending. I think part of the story drug on and the major ending you were looking for never came.
I will say the author definitely was able to get you into the marine mindset and understand their culture. He described combat in a realistic way that kept your reading to find out more.
I do think there were parts that did drag out and were more for filler. I also wished there would have been more of a conclusive ending- overall though it was a good book, and I will read more by the author.
I will say the prelude to this story was really good. It was full of promise, lots of action and a strong start. As the story moved along it was steadily pretty good seeming to lead up to an amazing ending. I think part of the story drug on and the major ending you were looking for never came.
I will say the author definitely was able to get you into the marine mindset and understand their culture. He described combat in a realistic way that kept your reading to find out more.
I do think there were parts that did drag out and were more for filler. I also wished there would have been more of a conclusive ending- overall though it was a good book, and I will read more by the author.
October 17, 2026
Being a veteran and the father-in-law of a retired Marine, I enjoyed delving into this story. The concept is scary and fascinating. The characters are realistic. On the other hand, the scene setting was often way overdone. Far too much "showing" that really ended up being "telling" because there were far too many details to allow the reader to absorb and imagine without losing the overall scene. Particularly in action scenes. I found myself skimming through or skipping over much of that prose. There were also many typographical errors which suggested poor editing and distracted at critical moments.
April 4, 2025
HOORAH!
You don’t have to be a marine to get a kick from this thriller. But you might want to join up after finishing it. If lots of action and widespread twists make for a good thriller, then this one is great.
You don’t have to be a marine to get a kick from this thriller. But you might want to join up after finishing it. If lots of action and widespread twists make for a good thriller, then this one is great.
March 25, 2026
Good Story..scary part..it could happen
Like my shirt says..LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE.. a great story line..lots of corruption in the people who are to be protecting our Country
Like my shirt says..LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE.. a great story line..lots of corruption in the people who are to be protecting our Country
April 12, 2026
Cluttered
Interesting concept but too cluttered with cliched Marine Corps jargon. I say that as a Marine combat veteran and respect for the effort.
Interesting concept but too cluttered with cliched Marine Corps jargon. I say that as a Marine combat veteran and respect for the effort.
September 16, 2016
A small town terrorist invasion results in a tragic death. Retired Master Sergeant
James "Johnny" Johansen agonizes over questions whose answers threaten his loved
ones, his career, and his company. The most serious question of all-is Johnny's family
linked to islamic extremists in the U.S. Johnny has no one else to turn to except his
former brothers in arms, Willie, Corey and Josh. Relying on all their skills the highly
trained Marines uncover a treacherous plot involving a renegade defense contractor
and co conspirators at the highest levels of U.S Intelligence. Risking their lives to reveal
the shocking details of the operation Johnny and his friends discover that hundreds of
terrorists are poised to launch a coast to coast attack on American soil. Time is running
out and Johnny has no one to trust except his buddies-The Secret Corps. This is book one
in The Secret Corps series and it's not a bad story. I thought that Peter Telep got a little
carried away with the Marine camarde stuff and I know a little about this because I was
in the Marines for 8 years. Of course he was talking about lifers and there a little bit
different.I still liked the book though and I gave it a 4.
James "Johnny" Johansen agonizes over questions whose answers threaten his loved
ones, his career, and his company. The most serious question of all-is Johnny's family
linked to islamic extremists in the U.S. Johnny has no one else to turn to except his
former brothers in arms, Willie, Corey and Josh. Relying on all their skills the highly
trained Marines uncover a treacherous plot involving a renegade defense contractor
and co conspirators at the highest levels of U.S Intelligence. Risking their lives to reveal
the shocking details of the operation Johnny and his friends discover that hundreds of
terrorists are poised to launch a coast to coast attack on American soil. Time is running
out and Johnny has no one to trust except his buddies-The Secret Corps. This is book one
in The Secret Corps series and it's not a bad story. I thought that Peter Telep got a little
carried away with the Marine camarde stuff and I know a little about this because I was
in the Marines for 8 years. Of course he was talking about lifers and there a little bit
different.I still liked the book though and I gave it a 4.
July 26, 2015
This was another book recommended to me by the personalized, creepy at times, ads on Facebook. I could tell right away that this was a pro-military book, which is fine. However, it was surprised at just how jingoistic it turned out to be. Instead of pro-military, I came away feeling it to be anti-Muslim. Not a single positive Muslim character in the entire book. It really read as far-right, anti-government, anti-Islam, pro-military propaganda. But man, I couldn't put it down! The author really knows how to build suspense and keep you interested in what's going on. The four main ex-Marine characters are all good guys and you want to see what happens with them. And, indeed, the initial inquiry of the book, is one of the Marine's brother's a radicalized Muslim, keeps you chugging right along with the character. You want to know!
That said, I found after this book that I started to look at Muslims I encountered in the street differently. The premise of this book, that ALL Muslims are part of a grand conspiracy to take down the United States, is infectious in this climate of terrorist attacks across the globe. I hope and believe that that isn't the case, but this book makes no bones about it. Even though it was an entertaining read, along the lines of a Tom Clancy novel, I'm not sure I'd recommend it.
That said, I found after this book that I started to look at Muslims I encountered in the street differently. The premise of this book, that ALL Muslims are part of a grand conspiracy to take down the United States, is infectious in this climate of terrorist attacks across the globe. I hope and believe that that isn't the case, but this book makes no bones about it. Even though it was an entertaining read, along the lines of a Tom Clancy novel, I'm not sure I'd recommend it.
August 18, 2015
This was an OK thriller. Sadly I was a little disappointed. The story line abut ex Marines uncovering a massive terrorist plot had great potential. Unfortunately, the action scenes seemed like just marking time in getting towards solving the mystery. And I even guessed a couple of the plot twists. OK, but it could have been better.
August 23, 2015
I am reading this because my nephew is a character in the book - that's right a real person as a character in this story. I don't know how many characters are like that. I'm not sure I would have chosen this book otherwise. I'm finding the story a little more disconcerting. More when I've finished it.
December 25, 2015
Very well written story.
It was a fine read from an author that I had not previously experienced. Mr. Telep's ability to maintain order in the complex story is commendable.
It was a fine read from an author that I had not previously experienced. Mr. Telep's ability to maintain order in the complex story is commendable.
August 31, 2016
A great post 9/11 thriller!!!
September 25, 2016
FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews