Landslide

by Adam Sikes

US Marine veteran Mason Hackett moved to London to start his life over, and he’s done his best to convince himself that what happened fifteen years ago doesn’t matter—the people he killed, the men he lost, the lives he ruined. But when Mason sees the face of a dead friend flash on a television screen, and then receives a mysterious email referencing a CIA operation gone bad, he can no longer ignore his inner demons.

Driven by loyalty and a need to uncover the truth, Mason launches on a perilous journey from the Czech Republic to Romania toward the war-torn separatist region in eastern Ukraine to honor a fifteen-year-old promise. The answers he seeks—the fate of a friend and his connection to the underworld of international arms dealers and defense corporations—throw Mason into the cauldron of a covert war where no one can be trusted.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, War, Mystery, Espionage, Spy Thriller

370 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2022

About the author

Adam Sikes is a novelist and non-fiction author, and his debut thriller, LANDSLIDE, was a finalist for the National Indi Excellence Awards. His latest novel, THE UNDERHANDED, releaseed in April 2024. He also co-authored OPEN SKIES: MY LIFE AS AFGHANISTAN'S FIRST FEMALE PILOT. Prior to taking up the pen, Adam served for over twenty-five years in US national security and is a former paramilitary officer with the CIA and a US Marine Corps combat veteran. He has lived and operated in the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, Europe, and Russia. Wherever he went, his books and notepads came with him, and his experiences now inform his writing. Adam holds an M.A. in History from Georgetown University and resides in Southern California. Be sure to follow Adam:

BookBub: @sikesar
Instagram: @Adam_R_Sikes
X: @Adam_R_Sikes
FB: Adam Sikes
Threads: Adam_R_Sikes

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

The start of an intended series, Landslide by Adam Sikes is his debut fiction novel. Former veteran US Marine, Mason Hackett now lives in London troubleshooting for a British Finance Investment firm. He receives a surprising email from his former marine mate, who was killed by an IUD in Iraq over a decade ago. So begins a most entertaining tale, with Mason travelling across Europe and crossing borders illegally, whilst evading nefarious types wanting to stop him at any cost. He is caught up in the war-torn separatist region of eastern Ukraine and the international criminal arms trade, whilst not knowing whom to trust. A riveting espionage thriller in a credible plotted and nicely paced adventure that is a four and a half star read rating. With thanks to Oceanview Publishing and the author, for an uncorrected advanced reader copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.

["Avonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

LANDSLIDE (A Mason Hackett Espionage Thriller Book #1) by Adam Sikes is the first book in an exciting new espionage thriller series featuring a US Marine veteran living in London. This is the author’s debut novel, and I am looking forward to many more stories featuring this protagonist.

Mason Hackett is a US Marine veteran who left the states fifteen years ago to get his master’s degree in England and is working as an international banker in London. Mason sees the face of his dead best friend from his unit in Iraq on the television. He believes it just may be a doppelganger because this kidnapped man is a reporter, but then Mason gets a cryptic email that can only be from his friend asking for his help.

Mason discovers his friend has been involved in a CIA operation and has been captures by separatist in Ukraine. Mason is thrown into a morass of covert operations, arms dealers, international corporations, and war with no back-up, and no one can be trusted.

I really enjoyed this fast-paced espionage thriller. I liked the main character, Mason Hackett and his sense of loyalty and determination. The plot of this thriller kept me turning the pages, but as in most thrillers of this type some suspension of belief must be applied and this story had almost everyone being killed along the journey except for our hero. The characters are believable, but hopefully as the series continues, they will become more fully fleshed.

Overall, this is a new thriller and author worth taking the time to read.

[T.R. Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stellar debut that fires on all cylinders. LANDSLIDE feels like a peek behind the curtain of international espionage, the grim reality of which will make you want to avert your eyes. Yet you won't be able to because the fast-paced spiral of the narrative keeps you glued to the page and propels you forward to the exciting conclusion. Mason Hackett is an everyday hero, competent and courageous, but accessible through his flaws and vulnerabilities. The author's knowledge of this world bleeds onto the page, and I can't wait to see what comes next from Adam Sikes!

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 4 out of 5]

Landslide is an exciting contemporary action thriller by a debut author who previously worked for the CIA. I was invited to read it by the publisher, and liked the premise of a one-man mission to rescue a friend against impossible odds in war-torn Ukraine. It feels like the book may have predated the current conflict but has been updated to incorporate the current situation.

Mason Hackett is a former US Marine with a bad case of survivor guilt, who works for a London investment firm, and has just split up with his girlfriend because he feels he’s too damaged. When he catches a TV report about a journalist kidnapped in disputed Ukrainian territory, he is stunned to recognise the face of his best friend - only how can it be when he watched Kevin Gomez die in Afghanistan fifteen years earlier? Then he receives an email from Gomez invoking a vow they made back in the desert - if one needed help, the other would do anything he could, and so begins Hackett’s quest…

This was a fast-paced fluidly written military adventure starring a conflicted but honourable hero. I enjoyed the first person past narrative style - with occasional third person chapters showing events happening elsewhere. The author states in the foreword that he based the story on episodes from his former career - but that the book was vetted to ensure no state secrets were revealed! With any thriller of this kind, you have to suspend disbelief if you want a suspenseful plot - yes there were too many coincidences and Hackett is knocked out too many times to realistically be able to function let alone shoot. He is also improbably lucky every time something goes wrong, but isn’t this what you expect from this genre?

There were some good support characters - my favourite, despite being under used, was Ike, an Alfred Pennyworth-like Englishman - I hope he will feature more prominently in the sequel - there has to be one, surely, after that ending. Don’t worry, it’s not a cliffhanger, but things are definitely left open for further escapades and I’d put my hand up to read about them. Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview for the ARC. Landslide is published on September 20th.

[Ross Sidor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the type of paramilitary espionage/political thriller the genre needs more of. A raw, gritty, down-to-earth story competently told without any stupid gimmicks, over-the-top contrivances, or pandering political agenda and requiring minimal suspension of disbelief. The first in what will hopefully be a series, this book mostly focuses on establishing the primary characters and their relationships and the end of the book seems to set up the premise for future stories. The protagonist is different than the usual Rapp/Harvath clones. He's a former Marine and mostly a regular, flawed guy and not an uber-super elite operator, although by the end, he appears to be established as a newly minted intelligence agent. The author's next book looks to be unrelated, but hopefully he returns to the world of Mason Hackett sooner than later. Landslide is a strong debut novel and a satisfying introduction to a promising new series.

[Jeff Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Landslide by Adam Sikes is about as contemporary an action thriller as one can find. Former Marine Mason Hackett must revisit his life in global espionage to find and save a friend, even if that friend is in the war-torn no-mans-land of Ukraine. The question is who is going to save whom? Super well written and about as gritty-real as it gets. In part, Landslide is a mash-up of Jason Bourne and James Bond but with some decidedly unique differences. I like the differences that an emerging author brings to the table. As a first book in a new series, Landslide delivers. I like the first-person voice of the book. It is so authentic. Reading Landslide, made me wonder if this may be the real Adam Sikes. I will follow the rest of his books. Jeff Bailey, author of the conspiracy thriller Not On My Watch.

[Pamela Small · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Too many holes. Too fantastical. Suspension of disbelief too predominant.

[Danielle Kaitlin (daniallreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam Sikes is a writer you should keep on your radar. Between his collaboration on Niloofar Rahmani's memoir "Open Skies" and his newest military thriller "Landslide," his writing is entertaining and equally gripping.

I have previously dove into the military thriller genre but Sikes "Landslide" is exceptional. As soon as I opened the book I was absorbed. The story of brotherhood and the connection between two friends is exquisitely written. Our main character, Mason, is flawed and complicated. He's a character you'll love to root for while reading this story. You'll find his story deeply intense and traumatic. The reflection of brotherhood between veterans and the hardships of post-war life are flawlessly represented throughout the story.

Yet the story being centered around the drama of Mason's traumatizing past and present, it doesn't take away from it movie-esc. appeal. It's filled with constant action. There ceases to be a moment where Sikes drops a twist into the heat of the action or makes your heart race with the addition of a dangerous foreign character. This thriller will constantly keep you on the edge of your seat.

I have high praise for "Landslide." Adam Sikes has a writing style that will make you quickly addicted to the story. The action and drama unfolds until you close the back cover.

This book is for you if you:
▪️ Love a story that reads like a movie
▪️ If you loved the movies "American Sniper" or "Jack Reacher"
▪️ ACTION ACTION ACTION EVERY CORNER
▪️ Unputdownable
▪️ Gore doesn't make you cringe
▪️ An underdog story
▪️ Love to root for the good guys
▪️ Explosions and gunfire are key to keeping you interested in a story

I want to personally thank Adam Sikes and Oceanview Publishing for sending me an early copy of "Landslide." I absolutely adored both works that Sikes has published. He's quickly become an auto-buy author for me.

Get your hands on a copy this military thriller on September 20th from your favorite book store or by checking out Adam Sikes website.

[pawsreadrepeat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Adam Sikes and Partners In Crime Tours. I'm excited to be a part of this tour.

What an action-packed debut political thriller! Landslide is the first in the Mason Hackett Espionage series. In this book we meet U.S. Marine veteran Mason Hackett. Mason has relocated to London and convinced himself that a traumatic event 15 years prior doesn’t matter until he spots a dead friend on TV and is forced to deal with his demons.

The author’s background in the Marines and CIA comes through in this book. The story is told as only someone who has experienced this could describe and added a depth that made the story more intriguing to me. As a result of having lived experience, the characters are well developed while also being interesting. I enjoyed the cast of supporting characters and they were perfect for moving the story forward. The setting is timely and explores the depths of hatred between Russia and Ukraine.

I must admit, I was immersed in this story from start to finish. It has everything – back door deals, betrayal, espionage, an international flare, mystery, and suspense – all wrapped up in a cohesive story.

I highly recommend and will be anxiously awaiting book 2. I can’t wait to see how this series evolves

[Mitch Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thriller for a reader in the mood for authenticity. There is plenty of action, all of it plausible and exciting. A great read.

[Zach Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Would strongly suggest if you have read any of the Private series by James Patterson!

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Landslide by Adam Sikes
A Mason Hackett Espionage Thriller #1

Excellent debut novel by an author that has a bright future – I am sure that as more books are written they will get even better.

What I Liked
* Mason – banker, businessman, trouble shooter, travels to difficult locations to meet with shady characters, ex-Marine, has survivor’s guilt and PTSD, trust issues, closed off, provds to be more than I first expected
* Delgado – Mason’s friend and colleague in the marines, has a hold on Mason, plays a big part in this story
* The plot, pacing, writing and international setting
* The intrigue and international travel
* The fast-paced rollercoaster ride provided
* That the story is pertinent to current world events
* That I easily visualized the story as it was
* The direction the story is moving
* That there will be another book in the series

What I Didn’t Like
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* The twists and turns along with surprises that kept me guessing
* The loss of life that occurred reminding me of war and the evil it truly is

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

[Tracey Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marine veteran Mason Hackett moved to London to start life over as a banker while coping with guilt and nightmares about the lives lost under his command. When an old friend, a fellow Marine he last saw and believed to be dead on the battlefield, reaches out to him for help, Hackett drops everything to get to him as quickly as possible.

Landslide is a fast-paced, action-packed geopolitical thriller of international espionage with real-world storylines of governments that say one thing and do another, breaking the rules as it suits them, regardless of the costs – even of human life.

Adam Sikes has created a classic hero in Mason Hackett, a character of honor and tenacity whose journey the reader will want to follow into future books. Landslide ends with a perfect transition to book two and, hopefully, many more to come.

Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishers for the ARC in exchange for an independent review.

[Steven Netter · Rating 4 out of 5]

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books



Make sure to check out the full review

[James Winchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mach speed mayhem as Steve Berry said, I 100% agree. Smooth, fast and enjoyable read. I was completely in the dark until til the very end on how it was going to end. Surprised from the beginning to the end. I love the plug for Tom Clancy at the end. Fast paced, action on every page never a dull experience.

[Kyle Feth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Sikes ability to be accurate and intelligent in his writing makes this my new favorite series. It is worth every page...read it and you will not be disappointed.

[David Wulfsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling story…real life characters well developed…looking forward to Mason’s next adventure…

[Bookreporter.com Mystery & Thriller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This prodigious series launch introduces Mason Hackett as a senior partner at Ruttfield & Leason, a London investment firm. Hackett jets about Europe cobbling mega-bucks transactions. At a Frankfurt financial firm, he learns from muted TV news captions accompanied by a photo that journalist Henry Delgado has been kidnapped in Ukraine. Hackett recognizes the man as his Iraq combat comrade, but “Kevin Gomez died over 15 years ago on a blood-soaked gurney.” In Iraq, Gomez had communicated to Lieutenant Hackett, “Landslide, the call for immediate help.” Then RPGs turned bodies into blood.

Unnerved by the TV image, Hackett blunders through the investment presentation. Leaving the meeting, an email ping with the subject line “Past Debts” stuns him. The sender states that “something has gone wrong and I need your help. Remember that promise we made in the desert? I’m calling it in --- Landslide.” Only two initials close the message: KG. A postscript instructs to “Start with Doug.”

Doug Mitchell, whom Hackett knew as an “observer” commanding officer from Camp Ramadi in Iraq, is now a CIA operative. He tells Hackett (with intimidating emphasis) to forget about the journalist in Ukraine. An emotionally vexed Hackett must infiltrate Ukraine’s Russian-annexed area to ransom Gomez. Mitchell refuses to acknowledge that Gomez is there or that the CIA is involved. Hackett takes leave from his gig at Ruttfield --- and a few hundred thousand euros.

Bribing dubious contacts, the stack of euros dwindles as Hackett sans passport zigzags through Eastern Europe into Romania abutting Ukraine. Rifle-toting guards at the border were not expected, and plans go awry. Surprisingly, the Slavic word ukraine means border or frontier. As munitions explode and bodies fall, Hackett is thrown back into his military mindset. But he’s now at the Ukraine-Russia border. All but a few Ukrainian loyalists want him dead. Is there any hope to save Gomez?

John le Carré at his best would envy this tale of international intrigue, CIA operatives and paramilitary espionage. I can’t wait for the film adaptation, with shades of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Adam Sikes coauthored OPEN SKIES with Niloofar Rahmani, the person referenced in the nonfiction book’s subtitle: My Life as Afghanistan’s First Female Pilot. Prior to becoming an author, Sikes was a CIA paramilitary officer. Before that, he served a 10-year stint in the Marine Corps. Semper fi!

Reviewer’s note: Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, reviving Cold War-style behavior that most of the world had thought disappeared in 1989. Sikes started writing LANDSLIDE four years later, disturbed by the separatist conflict going on in eastern Ukraine that only occasionally made headlines (think Malaysia Airlines Flight 17). But fact follows fiction, as the final draft of LANDSLIDE went to the typesetter in January 2022 and Russia invaded Ukraine one month later. Tragically, Sikes’ fictional story tracks too easily the war that still rages.

Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy

[Delbert Roll · Rating 5 out of 5]

LANDSLIDE by Adam Sikes

Looking for something special? This is it. I’ve often said, there is something truly special about a novel written by a former practitioner, and Adam Sikes does not disappoint. A former CIA Officer and Marine, his debut thriller brings something different to the genre, a new twist on the everyman protagonist who is about to discover his deep connections to the wilderness of mirrors and that he is far more than ordinary.

The protagonist’s journey, written in first person, is of a man who believes he’s left his former life behind. Once a Marine, he is now living in Europe, living a prosperous life in the world of finance, believing he has left his demons behind him in the sands of Iraq. Then comes a whisper from the darkness, from his past, from a brother he knows to be dead.

Sikes’ characters are richly layered and genuine, and his protagonist Mason Hackett is a standout from the cannon of military/espionage heroes—a flawed man with no background in the world of shadows who is both pulled and wades into the darkness of his own accord. The action is frenetic from beginning to end and the narrative is all too believable. What really catches my attention is Sikes’ eyes for the details, a sophisticated balance of authenticity in his writing, but short of what might make his former colleagues world needlessly more difficult than it already is. If that appeals to you, an authentic experience, you will love this.

Fresh and truly excellent on multiple levels. Personally, I can’t wait for the next installment.

[Suanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Landslide is author Sikes’s debut novel and the start of a series involving U.S. Marine veteran Mason Hackett. After being deployed in Iraq and losing his best friend in a disastrous military maneuver, he moves to London, goes to business school, and tries to start his life over. His PTSD and survivor’s guilt, though, get in the way of his full recovery and any potential relationships. When Mason sees the image of his long-dead best friend on TV, he seeks the truth about his friend’s death and ends up involved in a journey into eastern Ukraine.

Though Sikes previously worked for the CIA, oddly, his protagonist is not trained in spy techniques. However, Mason is not entirely naive: he has a good sense of self-preservation gained from his tenure in the military. He is honorable, willing to sacrifice his life to rescue his friend. Though touted as good for those readers who like Daniel Silva and Brad Thor, this book, lacks the sophistication of a Daniel Silva novel. The writing style, with its short chapters and tense prose, are consistent more consistent with Brad Thor than Daniel Silva. I like the novel’s premise: one man’s mission to save a friend against impossible odds. The locations seem authentic. Not all the supporting characters are well-developed, but Alex had dimension, and Ike has the potential to be a recurring character.

[Suanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Landslide is author Sikes’s debut novel and the start of a series involving U.S. Marine veteran Mason Hackett. After being deployed in Iraq and losing his best friend in a disastrous military maneuver, he moves to London, goes to business school, and tries to start his life over. His PTSD and survivor’s guilt, though, get in the way of his full recovery and any potential relationships. When Mason sees the image of his long-dead best friend on TV, he seeks the truth about his friend’s death and ends up involved in a journey into eastern Ukraine.

Though Sikes previously worked for the CIA, oddly, his protagonist is not trained in spy techniques. However, Mason is not entirely naive: he has a good sense of self-preservation gained from his tenure in the military. He is honorable, willing to sacrifice his life to rescue his friend. Though touted as good for those readers who like Daniel Silva and Brad Thor, this book, lacks the sophistication of a Daniel Silva novel. The writing style, with its short chapters and tense prose, are consistent more consistent with Brad Thor than Daniel Silva. I like the novel’s premise: one man’s mission to save a friend against impossible odds. The locations seem authentic. Not all the supporting characters are well-developed, but Alex had dimension, and Ike has the potential to be a recurring character.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an action packed novel and a fine debut effort. Readers are taken into the dangerous world of arms trafficking, centering in Ukraine. While this novel takes place prior to the invasion, it gives good insight into the tension at the border. Some of the characters are from previous Soviet countries and we see how they feel about possible aggression.

Mason is a capable hero. Though working for an investment company now, he had military experience. His adventures draw lots of bullets his direction. The body count is high as those opposing Mason have no qualms killing people. During one fire fight, Mason is amazed to find he is still alive. I was too. That Mason was willing to endanger his life for his friend is amazing, showing the loyalty forged on the battlefield.

The plot is complex with quite a bit of explanation at the end. There is loads of suspense, devastating betrayal and people who aren't who they say. It gives a clear picture of the horrible deeds some will do for power and money. And Mason is right in the middle of it all.

I hope this is just the first in a series. I'd like to see where the powers that be might send him next.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Military Writers Society of America (MWSA)]

MWSA Review

Adam Sikes’ thriller, Landslide is one long adrenaline rush. Protagonist Mason Hackett, a US Marine combat veteran, is settled in London, minding his own business. Imagine his shock when his old Marine buddy’s face is plastered on the news, especially since Hackett saw him die fifteen years ago. The claim that his old friend is a journalist, has a different name, and is detained on the Russia-Ukraine border perplexes Hackett even more. A cryptic plea for help clinches it and Semper Fidelis—the Marine motto, Always Faithful—kicks in, and we’re taken on a wild, violent ride. Hackett’s seat-of-his-pants tenacity while searching for his friend forces him to face his own demons while fending off what seems like half the Slavic world. “[N]eighbors had become enemies, families had split, and sometimes people never revealed their true loyalties, exacerbating the distrust and making everyone suspicious of another’s true intentions.”

Written before the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine and with Sikes’ first-hand experience as a combat Marine and CIA operative, the story is eerily feasible. Despite too many clichés throughout the book, Landslide is a contemporary, intriguing, espionage thriller.

Review by Sue Rushford (June 2023)

[Carl Vonderau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Sikes has written an exceptionally well-informed thriller that takes place in the cauldron of the Ukrainian border. There are so many factions that no one is sure whose side their neighbor is on, or whether a friend will betray them. Sikes' protagonist, Mason Hackett, is a former marine working in international finance in London. He gets an email that his close friend from the time they fought together in Iraq needs help. He thought his friend was dead and now learns he's been captured and is being tortured by Russian paramilitaries. The loyalty to his brother eclipses all other responsibility and he travels to the war zone to rescue him. Sikes, a former marine, knows a great deal about the murky politics there, the techniques and arms the fighters use, and the philosophies they live by. Plus some excellent action sequences. Underneath it all is a military industrial complex that fuels the fighting for profit. There are some very interesting characters in a promising start that will almost certainly be Sikes’ first book in a series.

[Maria Beltrami · Rating 4 out of 5]

While discussing with a German ministry official, Mason Hacket, an ex-marine who has recycled himself as a banker, sees the news of the kidnapping of an American journalist in Dombask, Ukraine, by unspecified forces running on the TV. The only problem is that this journalist has the exact and identical face of one of his comrades-in-arms and dear friend who died many years before. This is the starting point for an adrenalin-fuelled affair, which crosses endless borders and leaves behind an inexhaustible trail of corpses, ending up in a daring way in one of the most dangerous areas of the world (as recent events prove). The narrative is appreciable, even if there is some repetitiveness in the continuous self-flagellation of the protagonist, and some of the motivations of the villains, while plausible, are poorly articulated and generic, although I admit that researching in certain environments is anything but easy. Inevitable the hook for an upcoming second episode.

[Danielle Urban · Rating 4 out of 5]

Landslide by Adam Sikes is another geopolitical thriller that I have enjoyed reading. It has all the right elements to make it interesting. Action-packed, high risks, and danger all play a key role in this novel. I love the sole hero going at it alone. It reminds me sort of Hercules having to go through a series of danger to prove himself to the Gods. In this case, the danger exists everywhere. One man searching for answers he needs. A sort of redemption kind of tale too. Mason Hackett is the type of character that drew me in deeper. I needed to know his full story and how it would end. Overall, I was impressed with Adam Sikes tale. Landslide definitely fits in with all the major thrillers can crime fiction reads like that of Ian Flemming's and Brad Thor. Adam Sikes writes in a way that makes the readers want to become invested in the character and the overall story. Well done. I was hooked.

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

[MargoMerck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Landslide and loved it ! What a read. I didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait for the next book and for the story to continue.
A brilliant ending leaving readers wanting to read the next adventures of these two “long lost” best friends - involved in the CIA and the military industrial complex ! Not normally a thriller type reader I found this esp fun since I know you (a bit). I could imagine you as the main character and felt as if I got to know you a little bit more. I Loved all the characters, the story line, the setting(s) and realized half way through that we wouldn’t begin to get to know Delgado/ Gomez until the next book in your series. I can’t wait. Congratulations !

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Sikes knows his stuff (former Marine & CIA) and it shows in his debut thriller. This book set in the no-man's land near the Ukraine-Russian border came out in 2022, so it's doubly-fascinating to see his characters and events lend flesh and blood to what we've read in the news. His lead, Mason Hackett, is compelling and leads us through an ever-escalating series of events as he tries to rescue his former brother-in-arms from some vicious international thugs. And then he sets all this on a bigger stage of geopolitics and the business thugs who profit from it. Can't wait to read his second Mason Hackett book, The Underhanded.
P.S. I had the pleasure of meeting Adam at the 2024 Left Coast Crime Convention. He's a helluva nice guy and generous to a nascent writer.

[Trad Leatherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do if, watching TV, you suddenly saw a person that you were certain died 15 years ago? And then get an email from this same person the next day saying the word "Landslide". This was a code for drop everything and come to me rescue/ help me howerver you can. That is what former soldier turned financial banker Mason Hackett must decide what to do. Not sure what to believe he gets a visit from an unsavory individual. This confirms that he must do whatever he can to help his friend. Set in the unforgiving, war-torn area of Ukraine and taken from today's headlines this is a full-throttle adventure. Fast-paced and well written this story is a fun read. The ending leads to believe there will be a second installment.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Landslide is book one of the Mason Hackett Espionage Thriller series. Mason Hackett has moved to London hoping to start over while dealing with guilt and nightmares of the men under his command that did not make it. He sees the picture of one of them but doesn't believe his eyes that he might be alive. He gets an email from the same man asking him to investigate.

This is a fast paced action thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat as it gets intense and lives are in danger.

Not my typical book but it was interesting and held my interest until the end.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.