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Michael Thomas Thriller #5
The Exporter
Father Michael Thomas works for a secret organization within the Vatican, and he delivers last rites to the greatest evils on earth. His boss just sent him to his own reckoning.
Michael Thomas lives a complicated life. He’s a former street cop, and official church records show he’s a parish priest in Santa Fe. Secret files stored deep within the Vatican’s Division of Intelligence and Counterespionage confirm Michael’s also a covert agent engaged in a life-and-death struggle against the greatest evils that prey upon humanity. Michael hunts those who hunt others, and he’s very good at it. His biggest problem, though, is that his handler, a former boss at CIA, is convinced that Michael betrayed him and their secret organization ten months ago. They intend to retaliate.
After months of isolation and radio-silence from the organization, Michael Thomas is suddenly dispatched to New Orleans, his first domestic assignment. The target is a prominent and well-guarded local businessman alleged to have the vilest secret Michael’s ever encountered, and he soon confirms his target’s businesses are mere fronts to conceal the real source of his extravagant income: modern-day international slave trading. Just as Michael’s prepared to offer the man a Final Absolution and send his soul on to judgment, new information changes everything.
With dozens of innocent lives unexpectedly hanging in the balance, Michael must protect his target from external forces hellbent on killing the man, save his target’s victims from a literal hell on earth, and prove to his bosses that he hasn’t betrayed their confidence and secrecy. Should he fail at any one of these tasks, Michael’s life won’t be the only one lost.
If he fails to save the innocent victims he swore to protect, Father Michael Thomas will wish that he only died.
Michael Thomas lives a complicated life. He’s a former street cop, and official church records show he’s a parish priest in Santa Fe. Secret files stored deep within the Vatican’s Division of Intelligence and Counterespionage confirm Michael’s also a covert agent engaged in a life-and-death struggle against the greatest evils that prey upon humanity. Michael hunts those who hunt others, and he’s very good at it. His biggest problem, though, is that his handler, a former boss at CIA, is convinced that Michael betrayed him and their secret organization ten months ago. They intend to retaliate.
After months of isolation and radio-silence from the organization, Michael Thomas is suddenly dispatched to New Orleans, his first domestic assignment. The target is a prominent and well-guarded local businessman alleged to have the vilest secret Michael’s ever encountered, and he soon confirms his target’s businesses are mere fronts to conceal the real source of his extravagant income: modern-day international slave trading. Just as Michael’s prepared to offer the man a Final Absolution and send his soul on to judgment, new information changes everything.
With dozens of innocent lives unexpectedly hanging in the balance, Michael must protect his target from external forces hellbent on killing the man, save his target’s victims from a literal hell on earth, and prove to his bosses that he hasn’t betrayed their confidence and secrecy. Should he fail at any one of these tasks, Michael’s life won’t be the only one lost.
If he fails to save the innocent victims he swore to protect, Father Michael Thomas will wish that he only died.
462 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2022
7 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Gavin Reese
28 books107 followers[ READ AN INTERVIEW WITH GAVIN: https://gavinreese.com/qa/ ]
Gavin Reese grew up in the rural American Southwest and eventually moved to the Big City with his family. He considers both New Mexico and Arizona “home.” Citing his parents and grandparents as tremendous, motivating role models, Gavin felt an intense call to service and had planned on joining the military after college. Despite having worn his university’s uniform on the playing field and running half-marathons for fun, childhood medical issues prevented him from serving in that capacity. After two lifelong friends became patrol cops, they had Gavin out for a few ride-alongs, and he started the prolonged application process to join them.
Since completing the police academy and field training, Gavin has enjoyed incredible success, and a lot of luck, in acquiring a diverse range of training and experiences that allowed him to be truly effective in almost every situation and service call. As a Jack of All Trades, Gavin’s ongoing course- and case-work in high-risk police operations includes street-level narcotics, combat medical care, international drug trafficking, organized crime syndicates, S.W.A.T. operations, human smuggling, outlaw motorcycle gang investigations, prostitution and sex trafficking, witness protection, hazardous materials incident response, radiation and nuclear terrorism, post-blast explosives investigations, and Dark Web smuggling operations.
Before retiring from active law enforcement, Gavin comforted the dying, talked dozens out of suicide, and saved domestic abuse victims from their assailants. He’s taken child rapists, murderers, and human traffickers into custody, and Gavin’s had the distinct honor of protecting visiting foreign royalty and national American political figures from both sides of the aisle. He’s been trained by a variety of Special Forces operators, as well as those who trained them. Several of his friends and colleagues have been murdered or killed, and he’s occasionally been tasked to pursue those responsible. Despite yesterday’s successes, Gavin wakes up and dons his gun and badge with the sincere hope to again make a positive difference in the lives around him. Someday, he might save enough strangers that they, in turn, will collectively save him.
When not donating his time to crime victims, first responders, and veterans’ groups, Gavin tries to relax with his family. He can frequently be found outdoors and involved in what his wife calls “reindeer games.” With a love of practical jokes and the long-con, Gavin’s been an accused, and occasionally confirmed, shenaniganator for most of his life. He summits tall mountains, swims in deep oceans, brews mediocre beer, and has a strong opinion on the Oxford comma. His curiosity about the world and the peoples and cultures within it have inspired a love of travel, spontaneous adventure, and lifelong learning. Gavin knows his greatest blessing is his wife, and he wakes each morning grateful she continues to play along. A portion of all Gavin’s sales is donated to charities that serve law enforcement professionals, their families and heirs, and honor the memory of our Fallen Heroes.
Gavin Reese grew up in the rural American Southwest and eventually moved to the Big City with his family. He considers both New Mexico and Arizona “home.” Citing his parents and grandparents as tremendous, motivating role models, Gavin felt an intense call to service and had planned on joining the military after college. Despite having worn his university’s uniform on the playing field and running half-marathons for fun, childhood medical issues prevented him from serving in that capacity. After two lifelong friends became patrol cops, they had Gavin out for a few ride-alongs, and he started the prolonged application process to join them.
Since completing the police academy and field training, Gavin has enjoyed incredible success, and a lot of luck, in acquiring a diverse range of training and experiences that allowed him to be truly effective in almost every situation and service call. As a Jack of All Trades, Gavin’s ongoing course- and case-work in high-risk police operations includes street-level narcotics, combat medical care, international drug trafficking, organized crime syndicates, S.W.A.T. operations, human smuggling, outlaw motorcycle gang investigations, prostitution and sex trafficking, witness protection, hazardous materials incident response, radiation and nuclear terrorism, post-blast explosives investigations, and Dark Web smuggling operations.
Before retiring from active law enforcement, Gavin comforted the dying, talked dozens out of suicide, and saved domestic abuse victims from their assailants. He’s taken child rapists, murderers, and human traffickers into custody, and Gavin’s had the distinct honor of protecting visiting foreign royalty and national American political figures from both sides of the aisle. He’s been trained by a variety of Special Forces operators, as well as those who trained them. Several of his friends and colleagues have been murdered or killed, and he’s occasionally been tasked to pursue those responsible. Despite yesterday’s successes, Gavin wakes up and dons his gun and badge with the sincere hope to again make a positive difference in the lives around him. Someday, he might save enough strangers that they, in turn, will collectively save him.
When not donating his time to crime victims, first responders, and veterans’ groups, Gavin tries to relax with his family. He can frequently be found outdoors and involved in what his wife calls “reindeer games.” With a love of practical jokes and the long-con, Gavin’s been an accused, and occasionally confirmed, shenaniganator for most of his life. He summits tall mountains, swims in deep oceans, brews mediocre beer, and has a strong opinion on the Oxford comma. His curiosity about the world and the peoples and cultures within it have inspired a love of travel, spontaneous adventure, and lifelong learning. Gavin knows his greatest blessing is his wife, and he wakes each morning grateful she continues to play along. A portion of all Gavin’s sales is donated to charities that serve law enforcement professionals, their families and heirs, and honor the memory of our Fallen Heroes.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 19, 2022
Another great fast paced page-turner revolving around Father Michael Thomas and the secret band of "fixers" within the Vatican. As with all the books in this series, Father Michael is called upon to rid the world of another evil soul...this time a human trafficker. And, once again, if this was a movie, there are times I would be closing my eyes and peeking at the screen through my fingers. Lots of tension and action since not only is the group hunting an evil human trafficker, one of his colleagues believes Father Michael betrayed him so is intent on killing him once he has the proof he needs. Since the story is based on "real" bad guys harming/killing innocent victims, I got knots in my stomach while reading even though I anticipated the team being successful. I kept wondering if all the "good players" would make it through to the end. Two big questions: will Father Michael survive the covert operation of ridding the world of another evil soul, and if he does, will he survive a possible killing by one of his own team members? If you haven't read any of the Michael Thomas Thrillers, I recommend perusing the back of the book where you can find the characters sorted by roles. It will help you keep track of the characters. I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 27, 2022
Brisk, suspenseful, and very, very satisfying.
I think that The Exporter is the best of the “Absolver” series. So far. The pacing is torrid, with changes in settings that keep the narrative fresh and engrossing.
This, like the previous Absolver novels is standalone, with the usual caveat that there are references to previous events and characters which would be more meaningful if those previous novels had been read first. And while there is resolution at the end (with help from the seven brief “epilogues”), there is also the promise that things will quickly move ahead by way of the next novel, The Importer”.
I already pre-ordered The Importer, and suggest that you at least check out the blurb that accompanies this next novel
I think that The Exporter is the best of the “Absolver” series. So far. The pacing is torrid, with changes in settings that keep the narrative fresh and engrossing.
This, like the previous Absolver novels is standalone, with the usual caveat that there are references to previous events and characters which would be more meaningful if those previous novels had been read first. And while there is resolution at the end (with help from the seven brief “epilogues”), there is also the promise that things will quickly move ahead by way of the next novel, The Importer”.
I already pre-ordered The Importer, and suggest that you at least check out the blurb that accompanies this next novel
January 7, 2022
Michael was a street cop, a parish priest, and now into special op’s
Life is never boring with him, not are the stories involved in his missions.
A test now to prove he is loyal to the cause, to find what was behind the
businesses income and the evil that was being done.
Lives and freedom are on the line for the innocent victims.
Gripping plot, with a touch of humor, the dedication to prove he is worthy.
Excellent series to enjoy
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion ..Feb 8 release
Life is never boring with him, not are the stories involved in his missions.
A test now to prove he is loyal to the cause, to find what was behind the
businesses income and the evil that was being done.
Lives and freedom are on the line for the innocent victims.
Gripping plot, with a touch of humor, the dedication to prove he is worthy.
Excellent series to enjoy
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion ..Feb 8 release
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews