The Second List

by Max Bridges

The Second List is a gripping thriller full of plot twists, perfect for the fans of high-paced, international mystery novels.

Patrick Rooper, an investigative journalist and ex-Navy SEAL, is looking forward to his upcoming wedding when a rich socialite walks into his office and offers a lucrative assignment. To retrieve a document from the Swiss Alps seems easy enough for someone with Patrick’s accolades, but unbeknownst to him, the undertaking poses an existential threat to someone powerful—someone desperate to stop him at any cost.

The socialite’s granddaughter, Susan, gets pulled into the unfolding events and narrowly escapes a deadly assassin. When chance unites her with Patrick, the duo must solve the mystery around the document if they want to survive. But with every revelation, the seemingly impossible effort to save their lives draws them even deeper into danger. After a chase halfway around the world, the pair makes a fateful discovery.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

418 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 2021

Reviews

[Urs Britschgi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic new thriller by first-time author Max Bridges.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from a GoodReads Giveaway. It is rather disappointing… It reads as if it were written in a different language and harshly translated. I genuinely tried to push myself through this, and I didn’t succeed. For reference, I’ve had ONE other book in my entire life that I did not finish, and this marks two.

My issues with this book is that it is so incredibly choppy, and you simply cannot keep up. An international series or read should feel rushed and intense at times, but not so poorly described that you cannot even follow the plot. The characters are poorly described and the writing doesn’t allow for you to attach to the characters in anyway. There’s a spot where the parties are nearly assassinated, and even that was anti-climactic. So sad. This needs far less location and time changes (every other paragraph is a country or time and location within the new country change with new characters), and deeper connection with the characters.

[Jeyran Main · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second list is an organized crime thriller story. It all begins with Patrick Rooper, a journalist and an ex-navy SEAL who is given a request to retrieve a document from the Swiss Alps, realizing he got more than what he bargained for.
The story is fast-paced and is an international thriller. It may not be for everyone but it was interesting to read. The ending is thought-provoking and definitely make you wonder afterwards. The author makes sure the experience is filled with entertaining action-packed scenes and reveals many twists and turns.

I would have liked more character development and the dialogues to represent a personal touch however what did exist was good and pleasing.

I recommend this book to action fiction readers.

[Huguette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. It is definitely fast-paced and I finished reading it in a couple of days. It’s not my usual cup of tea but I thought it was ok as far as entertainment value goes but not so great in character development. All in all, a guilty pleasure, like some action movies I’ve watched. It should definitely appeal to fans of the genre.

[Susan Davoodifar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a page-turner from start to finish. I just got the book a few days ago and am already done. The story features interesting characters, lots of unsuspected twists and turns, and keeps you engaged all the way. Kudos to the author for writing this, from what I understand, debut novel.

[Nana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Loved the theme and action throughout the book. The ending was quite explosive. Not sure why hours(time) were used to separate the sections...I just skipped over those but other than a thick book it was a page turner.

[Manos Collias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly constructed & written. A very entertaining read, had trouble putting the book down. Finished in three days of reading. A thriller with passion & compassion thrown in.

[Lrlane318 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of twists and turns in the plot.