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The King Snake
When a sadistic human trafficker leads the kidnapping of an Interpol agent, only FBI profiler Sterling Gray can get inside his head…if Gray can stay alive long enough to do it.
The authorities have finally captured Somsak Ritthirong, the most dangerous human trafficker in Southeast Asia. Agent Gray takes the opportunity to interview him, hoping to gain insight into the man who committed so many human atrocities.
When he’s invited to tag along for Ritthirong's extradition to Thailand, Gray doesn’t expect to use any of his new knowledge—until Interpol Liaison Lillie Pratt is taken hostage.
Gray joins forces with a local detective to use his profiling skills to track down the people behind the missing agent, embarking on a wild cat-and-mouse chase across Thailand.
As dangerous forces close in from all directions, will Agent Gray uncover the truth in time to save Lillie Pratt from becoming another victim in Ritthirong’s brutal business?
USA Today bestselling author Ty Hutchinson and former detective and WSJ bestselling author Brian Shea deliver a fast-paced mystery series filled with twists, perfect for fans of James Patterson and Michael Connelly.
______________________
What readers are
★★★★★ "...fantastic..."
★★★★★ "...adrenaline high..."
★★★★★ "...intrigue and action..."
★★★★★ "Great location descriptions."
★★★★★ "...a twisted, dangerous path..."
The authorities have finally captured Somsak Ritthirong, the most dangerous human trafficker in Southeast Asia. Agent Gray takes the opportunity to interview him, hoping to gain insight into the man who committed so many human atrocities.
When he’s invited to tag along for Ritthirong's extradition to Thailand, Gray doesn’t expect to use any of his new knowledge—until Interpol Liaison Lillie Pratt is taken hostage.
Gray joins forces with a local detective to use his profiling skills to track down the people behind the missing agent, embarking on a wild cat-and-mouse chase across Thailand.
As dangerous forces close in from all directions, will Agent Gray uncover the truth in time to save Lillie Pratt from becoming another victim in Ritthirong’s brutal business?
USA Today bestselling author Ty Hutchinson and former detective and WSJ bestselling author Brian Shea deliver a fast-paced mystery series filled with twists, perfect for fans of James Patterson and Michael Connelly.
______________________
What readers are
★★★★★ "...fantastic..."
★★★★★ "...adrenaline high..."
★★★★★ "...intrigue and action..."
★★★★★ "Great location descriptions."
★★★★★ "...a twisted, dangerous path..."
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2022
774 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Brian Christopher Shea
26 books279 followersAuthor also writes under Brian Shea
BRIAN CHRISTOPHER SHEA has spent most of his adult life in service to his country and local community. He honorably served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. In his civilian life, he reached the rank of Detective and accrued ten years of law enforcement experience between Texas and Connecticut. Somewhere in the mix he spent five years as a fifth-grade school teacher. Brian’s myriad of life experience is woven into the tapestry of each character’s design. He resides in New England and is blessed with an amazing wife and three beautiful daughters.
Writing has always been a dream, but life seemed to find a way of interrupting. It wasn’t until recently that he dedicated time to this passion. His first book, The Camel’s Back, gave him a much-needed mental break from his work investigating atrocities against children. He allotted time in the morning each day. Usually waking at 5 to bang away on his manuscript. The second round of daily writing would occur after his children were asleep. He proved that working full-time and raising a family were no longer valid excuses to putting off his novel.
BRIAN CHRISTOPHER SHEA has spent most of his adult life in service to his country and local community. He honorably served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. In his civilian life, he reached the rank of Detective and accrued ten years of law enforcement experience between Texas and Connecticut. Somewhere in the mix he spent five years as a fifth-grade school teacher. Brian’s myriad of life experience is woven into the tapestry of each character’s design. He resides in New England and is blessed with an amazing wife and three beautiful daughters.
Writing has always been a dream, but life seemed to find a way of interrupting. It wasn’t until recently that he dedicated time to this passion. His first book, The Camel’s Back, gave him a much-needed mental break from his work investigating atrocities against children. He allotted time in the morning each day. Usually waking at 5 to bang away on his manuscript. The second round of daily writing would occur after his children were asleep. He proved that working full-time and raising a family were no longer valid excuses to putting off his novel.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 8, 2022
I absolutely love this series as I love shows like Criminal Minds. I enjoy reading Agent Gray’s thought process when he is coming up with his profiles of the criminals – it’s truly fascinating. This book is a bit of a slow burn book, as there is some action throughout, but most of the major action is towards the end. This book was absolutely made for the big screen. As I was reading it, I was imaging it like it was a movie, seeing the action play out. That action, had me on the edge of my seat because just when you think the characters can breathe a sigh of relief, they cannot. As fast as the action was going, was as fast as I was reading – I needed to know how it was going to end!
One of the aspects I really enjoyed about this book was the fact that the authors really made the culture seem very authentic. I’m not sure the reality of the authenticity, I’ll have to do some research, but it seemed very real.
One of the aspects I really enjoyed about this book was the fact that the authors really made the culture seem very authentic. I’m not sure the reality of the authenticity, I’ll have to do some research, but it seemed very real.
June 23, 2022
Another great read in this series. I really enjoy how Gray thinks, and how he analyses people's behaviours to understand their motives.
I was getting frustrated on his behalf in this one, with the lack of answers and help, initially!
This was an action packed, fast-paced read, and I look forward to the next one!
I was getting frustrated on his behalf in this one, with the lack of answers and help, initially!
This was an action packed, fast-paced read, and I look forward to the next one!
June 23, 2022
This second installment in the Sterling Gray series finds Gray on a mission to rescue Lillie Pratt who has been kidnapped in Bangkok after supervising a prisoner transfer. If you’re looking for a lot of FBI profiling detail, you won’t really find much here. This is more of an action driven, easy read that will keep you entertained and will hold your interest until the end.
January 20, 2023
I was very disappointed in this book. It was supposed to be about an FBI profiler, but there wasn't much profiling going on and most of the book dealt with fighting and being chased. It seems like the book was written for a movie rather than for those of us interested in FBI profiling.
November 14, 2022
I read an advance reader copy of Kingsnake in June and found it to be an excellent addition to the series. I was recently offered a review copy of the audiobook from the publisher and immediately took them up on the offer. While I really enjoyed reading this book, listening to Michael Gallagher’s expert narration took the story to an elevated level, and cemented my opinion that Kingsnake was an excellent addition to the series by bringing Sterling’s personality more into focus. The following is my original review of Kingsnake.
This latest Sterling Gray story provides a very illuminating insight into Sterling and just how far he is willing to go to achieve his goal. To say I enjoyed this story would be an understatement, I loved it and found the multiple levels of intrigue and action to be totally entertaining. I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher and chose to provide this review.
This latest Sterling Gray story provides a very illuminating insight into Sterling and just how far he is willing to go to achieve his goal. To say I enjoyed this story would be an understatement, I loved it and found the multiple levels of intrigue and action to be totally entertaining. I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher and chose to provide this review.
June 30, 2022
The King Snake Sterling Gray is a fast read. This Profiler has an on engaging relationship with Ritthirong, a Trafficker that is being deported back to Thailand! As the Thailand government sends only two guards Ped and Gun along with Interpol Lillie and our main Character Sterling Gray to transport Ritthirong back via extradition the action is NON-STOP!
The Landing was indeed the beginning of this fast-paced series of events. Ritthirong and the two guards are in collusion as they escape the return to Thailand kidnapping Interpol Lillie. Sterling is boughed down with gun fire and is separated from Lillie. Sterling attempts to alert all yet to no avail due to corruption and no one really thinks a kidnapping took place as Ritthirong is in Kwang Central Prison, or is he?
Sterling first encounters Nickle, an FBI agent based in Thailand! Nickle introduces Sterling to Chet! Chet is a well healed police officer and after a bit of doing realizes that Sterling is right and the cause for Lillie’s release is what is next.
Along the way we meet up with Cake, head of a Drug Trade in a Section of Thailand. Unknown beknown to her she is robbed because Ritthirong’s men need to pay for said action at the landing back in Thailand.
Cake is a fierce fighter and needs to find out who did in fact rob her. Our two guards are corrupt as you may have guessed. Each one playing the others to do there bidding in the off chance that Sterling, Chet, and Cake will eliminate each other as Ped and Gun live long and prosper with their ill-gotten ways!
The scene at Kwang Central Prison is a work of art! The action the dialog as well as the events are classically scripted!
You will enjoy this lasted part II of the corroboration of these two authors and look forward to the series third due in the coming months!
Strongly recommended and enjoy!
Chuck Mercik
The Landing was indeed the beginning of this fast-paced series of events. Ritthirong and the two guards are in collusion as they escape the return to Thailand kidnapping Interpol Lillie. Sterling is boughed down with gun fire and is separated from Lillie. Sterling attempts to alert all yet to no avail due to corruption and no one really thinks a kidnapping took place as Ritthirong is in Kwang Central Prison, or is he?
Sterling first encounters Nickle, an FBI agent based in Thailand! Nickle introduces Sterling to Chet! Chet is a well healed police officer and after a bit of doing realizes that Sterling is right and the cause for Lillie’s release is what is next.
Along the way we meet up with Cake, head of a Drug Trade in a Section of Thailand. Unknown beknown to her she is robbed because Ritthirong’s men need to pay for said action at the landing back in Thailand.
Cake is a fierce fighter and needs to find out who did in fact rob her. Our two guards are corrupt as you may have guessed. Each one playing the others to do there bidding in the off chance that Sterling, Chet, and Cake will eliminate each other as Ped and Gun live long and prosper with their ill-gotten ways!
The scene at Kwang Central Prison is a work of art! The action the dialog as well as the events are classically scripted!
You will enjoy this lasted part II of the corroboration of these two authors and look forward to the series third due in the coming months!
Strongly recommended and enjoy!
Chuck Mercik
June 26, 2022
Authors Shea and Hutchinson have done it again! The King Snake was an entertaining thrill of a ride as FBI profiler Sterling Gray (after the botched extradition of a prisoner to Thailand) raced around the countryside, the jungle, and the streets of Bangkok, searching for his kidnapped friend and colleague. My heart raced during the numerous fights and narrow escapes of Gray and his companions, and I breathed an enormous sigh of relief when they were finally safe. The ending was wrapped up suitably, and it was good to see justice served (or the best justice possible in such a corrupt country). Many thanks to the authors for an advanced copy of this book. They are fast becoming favorites of mine, and I can’t wait to read their next book. I have given my voluntary and honest opinion.
June 27, 2022
FBI Agent Stirling Gray of the BAU on loan to Interpol, has been enjoying his stay in the UK. He has been interviewing Somsak Ritthirong, the top human trafficker from the East, who was captured in the UK and is waiting to be extradited to Thailand. Gray’s friend Lillie from Interpol invites Gray along on the trip to Thailand for the extradition. Right from the beginning things don’t quite add up, and once landed everything goes blurry … Lillie disappears, kidnapped by the “jailed” Ritthiron, corrupt officials,…
Great read, sit at the edge of your seat in some of the chases (and a bit of humor)
This is book 2 but you can read this at as a standalone, but I am glad I read book 1 too.
Thank you to Severn River Publishing for an Advance Review Copy in exchange for my opinion.
Great read, sit at the edge of your seat in some of the chases (and a bit of humor)
This is book 2 but you can read this at as a standalone, but I am glad I read book 1 too.
Thank you to Severn River Publishing for an Advance Review Copy in exchange for my opinion.
February 6, 2023
Book two in this series. I was hoping the characters would be explored a little deeper. The story starts 2 months since Gray's last op. He has profiled a human trafficker locked up in a maximum security prison and is involved in the prisoner being moved to thailand. This is where the story loses all interest. We have a group of transvite men being refered to as women throughout the rest of the book who have been robbed and set out to discover who robbed them. It all leads in a roundabout way to the human trafficker. No development of characters from previous book. No real story unless you are interested in following a group of men being refered to as women hunt down the people who robbed them.
June 26, 2022
The King Snake has a lot to do with reality in Thailand but just let us hope that the reality is not as bad as fiction. This is a fast-paced story, with a lot of violence (and a detailed description of it), child abuse, women abuse, and a prevailing feeling that justice has no place in that world. It has a good plot and is well written, however, it needs a bit more proofreading. For those who enjoy this sort of story, this is a must-read!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
June 30, 2022
I'm hooked!
I was a little on the fence still with the first book in this series, but I am a huge fan of of Ty Hutchinson and the way he writes action. This book has much more of that and I have the feeling this series will just keep getting better!
In The King Snake, Agent Gray has to navigate the dark side of Thailand and get inside the mind of a psychopath to find his friend Lillie from Interpol who has been kidnapped. He meets some interesting characters along the way and gets into some precarious situations that kept my heart pounding as I devoured every page!
I was a little on the fence still with the first book in this series, but I am a huge fan of of Ty Hutchinson and the way he writes action. This book has much more of that and I have the feeling this series will just keep getting better!
In The King Snake, Agent Gray has to navigate the dark side of Thailand and get inside the mind of a psychopath to find his friend Lillie from Interpol who has been kidnapped. He meets some interesting characters along the way and gets into some precarious situations that kept my heart pounding as I devoured every page!
June 28, 2022
This is the second book in a great series. This can be a stand alone book but, the reader would benefit from reading the books in order. The main characters are the same in both books so you would know them better if the books were read in order. The story starts at a good pace and then accelerates to the great ending. The characters are believable and are well developed. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
June 23, 2022
A soulless human trafficker being profiled by Sterling Gray poses a challenge. When he is extradited to Thailand, Agents Pratt and Gray accompany him. Whilst in Thailand, Pratt is abducted. Can Gray rescue her in a country where corruption and extortion is rampant? Can he trust anyone and will he be able to rescue Pratt? I enjoyed reading this fast paced thriller with its twists.
June 23, 2022
Beyond belief and reality goes out the window. I am a fan of this author and the Boston series. Very mixed feelings on this one. I could not relate to the characters. The storyline was unbelievable. The writing is good but the scrapes the main characters got into and somehow escaped were beyond the bounds of reality.
June 23, 2022
I enjoyed this action-packed story. I have read books from this author before, but this one didn't seem as good. It was hard to relate to the characters and the storyline had me uncertain about where things were going. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
July 23, 2022
A good one
Gray, Pratt and Chet dodge every conceivable effort to end their lives. A terrific story, just like Ben Porter in False Assurances, Threat Bias, Subversive Addiction and Vital Deception!!!
Gray, Pratt and Chet dodge every conceivable effort to end their lives. A terrific story, just like Ben Porter in False Assurances, Threat Bias, Subversive Addiction and Vital Deception!!!
July 24, 2022
Mother great read
Having served in Thailand in the Air force & then working there in 94, the story had brought back memories.
The story was great as your other books. Keep them coming. I've every thing you've written &enjoyed them all.
Having served in Thailand in the Air force & then working there in 94, the story had brought back memories.
The story was great as your other books. Keep them coming. I've every thing you've written &enjoyed them all.
August 14, 2022
Excellent
Superb continuation of the Sterling Gray series. This book is even better than the first one. The characters are likeable and the story is engaging. It's a trip to Thailand that they'll never forget.
Superb continuation of the Sterling Gray series. This book is even better than the first one. The characters are likeable and the story is engaging. It's a trip to Thailand that they'll never forget.
June 23, 2022
An Interpol agent gets captured by a human trafficker and sets off a manhunt to rescue the agent. This novel was very entertaining and action packed to keep you reading.
June 24, 2022
What an amazing story. Full of action and intrigue. Having to save a kidnapped person isn’t so easy. These two authors did an amazing job of drawing you into the story.
July 28, 2022
Grey’s awaking
This book in Grey’s series really allows Grey to understand the way things operate outside of the US and the UK.
This book in Grey’s series really allows Grey to understand the way things operate outside of the US and the UK.
September 22, 2022
Fight
Well written, great characters and a storyline filled with totally unbelievable graft and dishonesty in police department and government.Very enjoyable.
Well written, great characters and a storyline filled with totally unbelievable graft and dishonesty in police department and government.Very enjoyable.
October 23, 2022
Good Read
At times there is a little too much explanation and review of events than is necessary. But the story is very fast paced and was enjoyable to read.
At times there is a little too much explanation and review of events than is necessary. But the story is very fast paced and was enjoyable to read.
November 17, 2022
The King Snake
What a wild ride !! It took me through the jungles of Thailand and the streets and sidewalks of Bangkok !! Another great " you can call me Sterling " Gray book .
What a wild ride !! It took me through the jungles of Thailand and the streets and sidewalks of Bangkok !! Another great " you can call me Sterling " Gray book .
April 16, 2023
Nice
Good story with fun twists and ending. Easy read. Liked the new caricature and the local flavor of Thailand. Quick read.
Good story with fun twists and ending. Easy read. Liked the new caricature and the local flavor of Thailand. Quick read.
May 25, 2023
Good story
So, I totally enjoyed this book. Its a quick read but very entertaining. I highly recommend this book for those looking for action .
So, I totally enjoyed this book. Its a quick read but very entertaining. I highly recommend this book for those looking for action .
June 16, 2023
Just not realistically a good book. I have a hard time Reading it I wanna speed read it . Just doesn't grab my interest. I'll try book 3.
March 23, 2024
Good read, but a little strange. FBI agent, operating, where he has no jurisdiction.
March 7, 2023
Still enjoyed but it went way off track for a police-type procedural. More like it was written for men who just want as many guns and outlandish plots as you can drive a tank through. Yes far from all men want this, I just feel those that do was the author's target audience.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews