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Special Agent Alexandra Martel #1
Perfect Shot
Special Agent Alexandra Martel has put her days on the battlefield behind her. Charming and disarming, relentless and lethal, she earned a reputation as one of the most renowned and decorated Army snipers in the service before stepping away. But when Alex, now an FBI special agent on loan to Interpol, learns that an old friend, an MI5 officer, has been killed under mysterious circumstances, she’s pulled back into the dangerous world she left behind: a world where some people fear her, some want to recruit her, and everyone seems to want her dead.
Following a trail of clues left behind by the dead woman, Alex pieces together a terrifying conspiracy that only escalates when a nuclear warhead goes missing. Dodging death at every turn, she reluctantly joins forces with a CIA agent, but he has plans of his own for her—and will stop at nothing to achieve them.
Chasing the truth through the streets of London and bustling Turkish markets to the underbelly of Paris, Alex is unrelenting in her pursuit of justice. But as the clock ticks down and the world edges closer to doom, she must fall back on her Special Ops skills to stop the unthinkable. She thought her life as a sniper was behind her— but with stakes this high, she might be the only person with the perfect shot to render the world safe.
Following a trail of clues left behind by the dead woman, Alex pieces together a terrifying conspiracy that only escalates when a nuclear warhead goes missing. Dodging death at every turn, she reluctantly joins forces with a CIA agent, but he has plans of his own for her—and will stop at nothing to achieve them.
Chasing the truth through the streets of London and bustling Turkish markets to the underbelly of Paris, Alex is unrelenting in her pursuit of justice. But as the clock ticks down and the world edges closer to doom, she must fall back on her Special Ops skills to stop the unthinkable. She thought her life as a sniper was behind her— but with stakes this high, she might be the only person with the perfect shot to render the world safe.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published November 14, 2023
190 people are currently reading
11308 people want to read
About the author
Steve Urszenyi
7 books194 followersSteve Urszenyi served for many years as a paramedic and a police tactical medic. He is an expert in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) incident response. When not writing, Steve loves international travel and touring on his Harley-Davidson with his wife, Lynne.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 311 reviews
November 21, 2023
OMG, I'm so excited to read a novel with a badass female sniper!! Thanks to Canadian author, Steve Urszenyi's debut. Now the long wait for his next novel!
Former Army sniper and paramedic Alexandra Martel is now a Special Agent with the FBI. She's on loan to work with Interpol and has to partner with Caleb from the CIA, something she isn't too happy about!
This is an action-packed globetrotting adventure that begins in the Netherlands then to London, Istanbul, and Paris after terrorists get their hands on a nuke warhead. Oh yes, I was surprised at the reveal and LOVE the ending! Terrific characters, plot, and pace. I love watching sniper movies, of course, "Shooter" with Mark Wahlberg is one of them. Hahaa, yesss!! 😍
I listened to the audiobook read by Cynthia Farrell and she's terrific. I enjoy her narration from Nora Kelly's series. Somehow there is a lot of distracting mouth/breathing noise with this production or maybe just the advance copies? 🤷♀️
Thank you RB Media and Netgalley for the ALC.
Out Nov 14, 2023!
13 hrs and 21 mins
Former Army sniper and paramedic Alexandra Martel is now a Special Agent with the FBI. She's on loan to work with Interpol and has to partner with Caleb from the CIA, something she isn't too happy about!
This is an action-packed globetrotting adventure that begins in the Netherlands then to London, Istanbul, and Paris after terrorists get their hands on a nuke warhead. Oh yes, I was surprised at the reveal and LOVE the ending! Terrific characters, plot, and pace. I love watching sniper movies, of course, "Shooter" with Mark Wahlberg is one of them. Hahaa, yesss!! 😍
I listened to the audiobook read by Cynthia Farrell and she's terrific. I enjoy her narration from Nora Kelly's series. Somehow there is a lot of distracting mouth/breathing noise with this production or maybe just the advance copies? 🤷♀️
Thank you RB Media and Netgalley for the ALC.
Out Nov 14, 2023!
13 hrs and 21 mins
November 7, 2023
What a powerful start for a debut novel!
Perfect Shot
by Steve Urszenyi is the first book in the Special Agent Alexandra (Alex) Martel series and is a combination of a political thriller and an espionage thriller. Alex, a decorated Army sniper is now an FBI special agent on loan to Interpol. From dangerous criminal groups in the Netherlands to the death of an old friend, Alex begins to put together clues left behind pointing to a conspiracy that becomes dire when a nuclear warhead is stolen. She reluctantly joins forces with CIA agent Caleb Copeland. This thriller takes Alex to London, Turkey, and Paris as she unravels the clues.
Alex loves action, is a problem solver, trustworthy, intelligent, and courageous. She’s a strong warrior protagonist who believes in justice, duty, and honor, and she feels satisfied when she halts a threat. Caleb has a calm and casual façade, but he is confident, effective, and lethal. I enjoyed their banter and want to know where it will go in the future.
With exciting action scenes and a couple of surprises, the story kept me captivated from beginning to end. The riveting plot moves at a sizzling pace and the tension level was high throughout. Nearly everyone had agendas and the novel features deception, betrayal, espionage, power, and more. This book felt like it could happen all too easily. Real-world issues were incorporated into the story that added an extra layer of suspense. Do we have an Alex ready to save the world?
Overall, this tense and exciting thriller keeps the reader on an emotional rollercoaster, quickly turning pages with the hope that the world will be safe. This was an excellent start to what I hope will be a long high-octane and dynamic series. I can’t wait to read the next book featuring Alex.
St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and Steve Urszenyi provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 14, 2023.
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My 4.6 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
Alex loves action, is a problem solver, trustworthy, intelligent, and courageous. She’s a strong warrior protagonist who believes in justice, duty, and honor, and she feels satisfied when she halts a threat. Caleb has a calm and casual façade, but he is confident, effective, and lethal. I enjoyed their banter and want to know where it will go in the future.
With exciting action scenes and a couple of surprises, the story kept me captivated from beginning to end. The riveting plot moves at a sizzling pace and the tension level was high throughout. Nearly everyone had agendas and the novel features deception, betrayal, espionage, power, and more. This book felt like it could happen all too easily. Real-world issues were incorporated into the story that added an extra layer of suspense. Do we have an Alex ready to save the world?
Overall, this tense and exciting thriller keeps the reader on an emotional rollercoaster, quickly turning pages with the hope that the world will be safe. This was an excellent start to what I hope will be a long high-octane and dynamic series. I can’t wait to read the next book featuring Alex.
St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and Steve Urszenyi provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 14, 2023.
----------------------------------------
My 4.6 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
February 18, 2024
Alex Martel has put her days on the battlefield behind her. Before stepping away, Martel had earned a reputation as one of the most renowned and decorated Army snipers.
Alex, now an FBI special agent on loan to Interpol, must fall back on her Special Ops skills when she learns that an old friend, an MI5 officer, has been killed under mysterious circumstances and a global nuclear threat is imminent. She's pulled back into the dangerous world Alex left behind: a world where some people fear her, some want to recruit her, and everyone seems to like her dead because she is a threat to the people behind a dangerous conspiracy. Everything isn't as it seems.
The story takes place in various locations, from London to Turkey and on to Paris. There is a lot of action behind the scenes, but most of the action for the reader is in the last thirty percent. Before then, we got abundant technical military/government agency talk throughout the book with short action scenes, which made it hard for me to stay connected with the story.
The story is at its best when there is action. I found the downtime hard to get through. There was a lot of dialogue that felt disjointed and choppy at times. The book is relatively long, and by sixty percent through, I still didn't know what was going on.
It was hard to connect to Alex, but as this will be a series, Maybe the author intended the first book to be her origin story. I will read the second book because I'm curious about the author's direction for the series.
I want to thank St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Perfect Shot in exchange for an honest opinion.
Alex, now an FBI special agent on loan to Interpol, must fall back on her Special Ops skills when she learns that an old friend, an MI5 officer, has been killed under mysterious circumstances and a global nuclear threat is imminent. She's pulled back into the dangerous world Alex left behind: a world where some people fear her, some want to recruit her, and everyone seems to like her dead because she is a threat to the people behind a dangerous conspiracy. Everything isn't as it seems.
The story takes place in various locations, from London to Turkey and on to Paris. There is a lot of action behind the scenes, but most of the action for the reader is in the last thirty percent. Before then, we got abundant technical military/government agency talk throughout the book with short action scenes, which made it hard for me to stay connected with the story.
The story is at its best when there is action. I found the downtime hard to get through. There was a lot of dialogue that felt disjointed and choppy at times. The book is relatively long, and by sixty percent through, I still didn't know what was going on.
It was hard to connect to Alex, but as this will be a series, Maybe the author intended the first book to be her origin story. I will read the second book because I'm curious about the author's direction for the series.
I want to thank St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Perfect Shot in exchange for an honest opinion.
September 24, 2024
Perfect Shot by Steve Urszenyi
Synopsis /
Special Agent Alexandra Martel has put her days on the battlefield behind her. Charming and disarming, relentless and lethal, she earned a reputation as one of the most renowned and decorated Army snipers in the service before stepping away. But when Alex, now an FBI special agent on loan to Interpol, learns that an old friend, an MI5 officer, has been killed under mysterious circumstances, she’s pulled back into the dangerous world she left a world where some people fear her, some want to recruit her, and everyone seems to want her dead.
Following a trail of clues left behind by the dead woman, Alex pieces together a terrifying conspiracy that only escalates when a nuclear warhead goes missing. Dodging death at every turn, she reluctantly joins forces with a CIA officer, but he has plans of his own for her—and will stop at nothing to achieve them.
Chasing the truth through the streets of London and bustling Turkish markets to the underbelly of Paris, Alex is unrelenting in her pursuit of justice. But as the clock ticks down and the world edges closer to doom, she must fall back on her Special Ops skills to stop the unthinkable. She thought her life as a sniper was over—but with stakes this high, she must use whatever means necessary to render the world safe.
My Thoughts /
Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.
When author Mark Greaney has this to say about Perfect Shot: “Starts fast, and finishes faster”, you know that I’m definitely going to read it.
To be frank, you will need to suspend all disbelief when reading this, because how Special Agent Alexandra Martel is still alive and kicking after everything she’s done in her career to date is, well, beyond all comprehension. But, since you don’t always get an action packed, high adrenaline story which features a kick-ass, likeable, female lead, I’m happy to oblige.
I don’t usually like to make comparisons, but.....as I was reading I kept thinking how much our female mc, Special Agent Alexandra Martel reminded me of Matthew Reilly’s enigmatic character Lieutenant Colonel Shane Schofield (aka Scarecrow) in his Shane Schofield series. Former special ops veteran, army medic and a decorated combat sniper, Alex Martel has left that life behind and now works as a Special Agent with the FBI.
She lived by the motto. a gun with an empty chamber is nothing more than a clumsy hammer’.
Working a spec ops mission in the Netherlands, Martel, who is currently “on loan” to Interpol receives word of the death of a close friend, Krysten Gosling. Ms. Gosling, an intelligence officer with MI5 and a former member of Britain’s elite Special Reconnaissance Regiment, was found dead in suspicious circumstances; but before she died, was able to send Alex a warning in the form of an encrypted message. As Alex tries to come to terms with how and why her friend died, she slowly unravels the encrypted message. In it, Krysten hints at a plot by high ranking members of the Russian Government and military to steal a nuclear weapon from a US airbase in Turkey.
When Alex takes her concerns about Krysten’s message to her superiors at Interpol and the rest of the US alphabet intelligence agencies, they dismiss her concerns as pure conjecture. Added to that, new information had come to light that Krysten was actually a Russian Agent - an illegal working as a British intelligence officer. This leaves Alex wondering whether her friendship with Krysten was in fact real, or whether she was being played.
Then, when a nuclear warhead is actually discovered stolen, the consequences of Krysten’s prior warning become immediately ominous.
This book won’t be for everyone. Even this reader was doing massive eye-rolls at parts. It has a military theme, which I like, and there are LOTS of acronyms jumping off the pages. Yes, the plot is a little lacklustre; and there are ‘dastardly’ villains and a heroine with (it seems) extraordinary lifesaving abilities. However, this type of light reading movie-like entertainment fills a void in this reader’s repertoire and makes a welcome change to heavier reads. There will always be a place for a little ‘escapism’ in my reading list.
Will I continue with the series?
You betcha.
#Not all heroes wear capes. 🦹
Synopsis /
Special Agent Alexandra Martel has put her days on the battlefield behind her. Charming and disarming, relentless and lethal, she earned a reputation as one of the most renowned and decorated Army snipers in the service before stepping away. But when Alex, now an FBI special agent on loan to Interpol, learns that an old friend, an MI5 officer, has been killed under mysterious circumstances, she’s pulled back into the dangerous world she left a world where some people fear her, some want to recruit her, and everyone seems to want her dead.
Following a trail of clues left behind by the dead woman, Alex pieces together a terrifying conspiracy that only escalates when a nuclear warhead goes missing. Dodging death at every turn, she reluctantly joins forces with a CIA officer, but he has plans of his own for her—and will stop at nothing to achieve them.
Chasing the truth through the streets of London and bustling Turkish markets to the underbelly of Paris, Alex is unrelenting in her pursuit of justice. But as the clock ticks down and the world edges closer to doom, she must fall back on her Special Ops skills to stop the unthinkable. She thought her life as a sniper was over—but with stakes this high, she must use whatever means necessary to render the world safe.
My Thoughts /
Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.
When author Mark Greaney has this to say about Perfect Shot: “Starts fast, and finishes faster”, you know that I’m definitely going to read it.
To be frank, you will need to suspend all disbelief when reading this, because how Special Agent Alexandra Martel is still alive and kicking after everything she’s done in her career to date is, well, beyond all comprehension. But, since you don’t always get an action packed, high adrenaline story which features a kick-ass, likeable, female lead, I’m happy to oblige.
I don’t usually like to make comparisons, but.....as I was reading I kept thinking how much our female mc, Special Agent Alexandra Martel reminded me of Matthew Reilly’s enigmatic character Lieutenant Colonel Shane Schofield (aka Scarecrow) in his Shane Schofield series. Former special ops veteran, army medic and a decorated combat sniper, Alex Martel has left that life behind and now works as a Special Agent with the FBI.
She lived by the motto. a gun with an empty chamber is nothing more than a clumsy hammer’.
Working a spec ops mission in the Netherlands, Martel, who is currently “on loan” to Interpol receives word of the death of a close friend, Krysten Gosling. Ms. Gosling, an intelligence officer with MI5 and a former member of Britain’s elite Special Reconnaissance Regiment, was found dead in suspicious circumstances; but before she died, was able to send Alex a warning in the form of an encrypted message. As Alex tries to come to terms with how and why her friend died, she slowly unravels the encrypted message. In it, Krysten hints at a plot by high ranking members of the Russian Government and military to steal a nuclear weapon from a US airbase in Turkey.
When Alex takes her concerns about Krysten’s message to her superiors at Interpol and the rest of the US alphabet intelligence agencies, they dismiss her concerns as pure conjecture. Added to that, new information had come to light that Krysten was actually a Russian Agent - an illegal working as a British intelligence officer. This leaves Alex wondering whether her friendship with Krysten was in fact real, or whether she was being played.
Then, when a nuclear warhead is actually discovered stolen, the consequences of Krysten’s prior warning become immediately ominous.
This book won’t be for everyone. Even this reader was doing massive eye-rolls at parts. It has a military theme, which I like, and there are LOTS of acronyms jumping off the pages. Yes, the plot is a little lacklustre; and there are ‘dastardly’ villains and a heroine with (it seems) extraordinary lifesaving abilities. However, this type of light reading movie-like entertainment fills a void in this reader’s repertoire and makes a welcome change to heavier reads. There will always be a place for a little ‘escapism’ in my reading list.
Will I continue with the series?
You betcha.
#Not all heroes wear capes. 🦹
December 7, 2023
*Sigh* I've come to the harsh realization that I don't particularly like military and/or special ops novels. Unlike police procedurals, military ops novels have a ton of acronyms that I'm not familiar with. And in the case of the Perfect Shot novel, there were so many acronyms with more letters than a can of alphabet soup. I struggled from the get-go and it became a futile and frustrating exercise in notetaking. I felt that all of the acronyms took away from any enjoyment I might have had with the overall narrative. I do realize, however, that the acronyms are a mainstay of any military op story so I am probably just not a reader that can assimilate and retain all of that military jargon.
I did like most of the characters. And I did enjoy the interaction between the main character of Alex and Caleb. But the characters just couldn't keep me engaged enough to enjoy the story.
Though I normally read to at least 33% of a novel before giving up, I just couldn't get past 25%. It just seemed like an endless sea of acronyms that I couldn't sail through. An unfortunate one star DNF.
I received a DRC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
I did like most of the characters. And I did enjoy the interaction between the main character of Alex and Caleb. But the characters just couldn't keep me engaged enough to enjoy the story.
Though I normally read to at least 33% of a novel before giving up, I just couldn't get past 25%. It just seemed like an endless sea of acronyms that I couldn't sail through. An unfortunate one star DNF.
I received a DRC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
September 8, 2024
(Rounded up from 3.5)
Perfect Shot is a thriller/spy novel that features female Special Agent Alex (Alexandra) Martel, FBI currently seconded to Interpol. The book opens with an exciting sequence in the Netherlands, which spotlights Alex’s sniper/sharpshooting skills, while she’s part of a team trying to prevent nuclear materials from getting into the wrong hands. For a debut novel, this was a really good tale, with vivid writing. It does get bogged down a bit here and there with a ton of acronyms and technical information, especially one chapter later in the book that gives me more information on nuclear bombs that I ever needed to know, but the action picks up again.
Of course, Alex is beautiful. Of course. And Caleb, a CIA guy who winds up working with her, is handsome. Of course. There are some stock figures in a bunch of evil scheming Russians and a couple of double agents along the way. Since this is the first in a new series (book two, Out In The Cold, will be out later this fall), there are a bunch of flashbacks inserted here and there, to give us Alex’s backstory, but they do take you out of the narrative flow.
One character I really loved was Gareth, a super-helpful cabbie in London. I hope he somehow reappears in further books, but that probably won’t happen. This book takes us to several places: Arnhem in The Netherlands, London, Paris and an airbase in Turkey.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Perfect Shot is a thriller/spy novel that features female Special Agent Alex (Alexandra) Martel, FBI currently seconded to Interpol. The book opens with an exciting sequence in the Netherlands, which spotlights Alex’s sniper/sharpshooting skills, while she’s part of a team trying to prevent nuclear materials from getting into the wrong hands. For a debut novel, this was a really good tale, with vivid writing. It does get bogged down a bit here and there with a ton of acronyms and technical information, especially one chapter later in the book that gives me more information on nuclear bombs that I ever needed to know, but the action picks up again.
Of course, Alex is beautiful. Of course. And Caleb, a CIA guy who winds up working with her, is handsome. Of course. There are some stock figures in a bunch of evil scheming Russians and a couple of double agents along the way. Since this is the first in a new series (book two, Out In The Cold, will be out later this fall), there are a bunch of flashbacks inserted here and there, to give us Alex’s backstory, but they do take you out of the narrative flow.
One character I really loved was Gareth, a super-helpful cabbie in London. I hope he somehow reappears in further books, but that probably won’t happen. This book takes us to several places: Arnhem in The Netherlands, London, Paris and an airbase in Turkey.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
February 20, 2024
This apparently is the first in a new series by this author.
So…
Let me begin with…
Can I just reclaim my breath please?
And…
What about my stamina? How do they do it? Are they superhuman? They get in to fights and are thrown on cement floors and against walls and they can still get up and kick away and move on and walk away before being dragged down, punched and kicked, and seemingly unscathed even after all those bullets have been flying around them.
Into another running after her scene, with bullets flying, and did I mention the car hitting her, too?
But…
She just picked herself up and walked away. Maybe she was just nicked a bit. My bad.
Oh…
And when did they last brush their teeth?
I don’t know. Are these silly questions?
One reviewer wrote:
“Urszenyi’s characters are a bit stiff, and his dialogue can feel flat-footed, but he nails a golden thriller rule on his first try: give readers enough action to chew on, and they’ll eagerly turn the pages.”
Well…
Let me just say…
They were right. To a point.
I was turning pages.
But…
Not eagerly.
I wanted to know when they were going to let me breathe.
And…
What the heck was going on? I guess if I was a patient person, it would all come together at some point.
But…
All the globe-trotting and mayhem got me a bit dizzy.
“He took a step toward her to examine the cut under her eye, her fat lip, and the hand she was favoring. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, Chief.”
Really? Seriously! I would want a hug and the paramedics and a nice cozy room at the hospital immediately!
I need a rest.
But no…
Not our main protagonist, superwoman. She is onward to rescue the city of Paris. Will she do it in time?
“Where’s your sense of adventure?”
“At home with my wife and children, who I would very much like to see again at the end of this day.”
Oh yes. Please. Will we ever make it to the end of this day, I mean, book?
“Please, let me breathe.”
And then…
For all her troubles… (I can’t say, because then I would divulge spoilers.)
Let’s just wonder…
Will she live and breathe to fight and kill some more bad guys in book 2? What do you think?
If you like special-ops tales, where breathing often is not an option, this one is for you.
So…
Let me begin with…
Can I just reclaim my breath please?
And…
What about my stamina? How do they do it? Are they superhuman? They get in to fights and are thrown on cement floors and against walls and they can still get up and kick away and move on and walk away before being dragged down, punched and kicked, and seemingly unscathed even after all those bullets have been flying around them.
Into another running after her scene, with bullets flying, and did I mention the car hitting her, too?
But…
She just picked herself up and walked away. Maybe she was just nicked a bit. My bad.
Oh…
And when did they last brush their teeth?
I don’t know. Are these silly questions?
One reviewer wrote:
“Urszenyi’s characters are a bit stiff, and his dialogue can feel flat-footed, but he nails a golden thriller rule on his first try: give readers enough action to chew on, and they’ll eagerly turn the pages.”
Well…
Let me just say…
They were right. To a point.
I was turning pages.
But…
Not eagerly.
I wanted to know when they were going to let me breathe.
And…
What the heck was going on? I guess if I was a patient person, it would all come together at some point.
But…
All the globe-trotting and mayhem got me a bit dizzy.
“He took a step toward her to examine the cut under her eye, her fat lip, and the hand she was favoring. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, Chief.”
Really? Seriously! I would want a hug and the paramedics and a nice cozy room at the hospital immediately!
I need a rest.
But no…
Not our main protagonist, superwoman. She is onward to rescue the city of Paris. Will she do it in time?
“Where’s your sense of adventure?”
“At home with my wife and children, who I would very much like to see again at the end of this day.”
Oh yes. Please. Will we ever make it to the end of this day, I mean, book?
“Please, let me breathe.”
And then…
For all her troubles… (I can’t say, because then I would divulge spoilers.)
Let’s just wonder…
Will she live and breathe to fight and kill some more bad guys in book 2? What do you think?
If you like special-ops tales, where breathing often is not an option, this one is for you.
October 28, 2023
Perfect Shot is damn near a perfect thriller debut. Special Agent Alex Martel, former decorated Army sniper and currently on loan to Interpol from the FBI, is not to be trifled with. She's intelligent, charming, always underestimated and she will kick your ass. A U.S. nuclear warhead has gone missing from a base in Turkey and pulls Alex back into the world of special operations. Alex reluctantly teams up with the CIA officer trying to recruit her to find the missing nuclear warhead and stop the destruction of a major European city. Or die trying.
I have no doubt readers are going to love Alexandra Martel. In a male dominated world, Steve Urszenyi gives voice to a perspective seen rarely in this genre. And Urszenyi provides the perfect foil for Alex in her CIA "partner", Caleb. Their relationship will be interesting to watch how it evolves. At times, the dialogue between the two remindsed me of a teenage girl who tolerates the little kid with a crush on her. It's an interesting little wrinkle that works well amidst the hail of bullets.
Urszenyi has crafted an intelligent, non-stop thriller with memorable characters that fly off the page. I can't recommend Perfect Shot enough!
My sincere thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Perfect Shot.
I have no doubt readers are going to love Alexandra Martel. In a male dominated world, Steve Urszenyi gives voice to a perspective seen rarely in this genre. And Urszenyi provides the perfect foil for Alex in her CIA "partner", Caleb. Their relationship will be interesting to watch how it evolves. At times, the dialogue between the two remindsed me of a teenage girl who tolerates the little kid with a crush on her. It's an interesting little wrinkle that works well amidst the hail of bullets.
Urszenyi has crafted an intelligent, non-stop thriller with memorable characters that fly off the page. I can't recommend Perfect Shot enough!
My sincere thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Perfect Shot.
May 31, 2023
What a fantastic debut book by this my third favorite Canadian author. Perfect Shot by Steve Urszenyi is the first book about FBI agent Alexandra Martel. She is on lone to Interpol in the beginning of this book and she has a past history in the army as a paramedic and sniper. Urszenyi has created a great character and I can't wait until the next book to see where it all will go. I had some fun when I read this first installment in what I'm certain will be a great series people will talk about and I laughed out loud when two names appeared that I recognised from somewhere else. Both are pilots and one has written a book on my tbr pile. I will recommend this book to all that will listen to me. I found the plot and the telling of it very good and the author has managed to avoid most of the standard things one find in thrillers today, I don't know if it's something about Canada that is different when it comes to making up stories but the authors I like that comes from there is all blazing their own trail. Much to my delight, it can be a bit boring with the same old, over and over again. I must as always thank Minotaur Books Macmillan and Edelweiss for giving me this great new book as an advance copy. It's out in stores November 14th, don't you dare miss it.
September 25, 2023
Wow! I would have never guessed this is a debut novel. Well-written and very fast-paced action thriller featuring a female protagonist.
Description:
Special Agent Alexandra Martel has put her days on the battlefield behind her. Charming and disarming, relentless and lethal, she earned a reputation as one of the most renowned and decorated Army snipers in the service before stepping away. But when Alex, now an FBI special agent on loan to Interpol, learns that an old friend, an MI5 officer, has been killed under mysterious circumstances, she’s pulled back into the dangerous world she left behind: a world where some people fear her, some want to recruit her, and everyone seems to want her dead.
Following a trail of clues left behind by the dead woman, Alex pieces together a terrifying conspiracy that only escalates when a nuclear warhead goes missing. Dodging death at every turn, she reluctantly joins forces with a CIA agent, but he has plans of his own for her—and will stop at nothing to achieve them.
Chasing the truth through the streets of London and bustling Turkish markets to the underbelly of Paris, Alex is unrelenting in her pursuit of justice. But as the clock ticks down and the world edges closer to doom, she must fall back on her Special Ops skills to stop the unthinkable. She thought her life as a sniper was behind her— but with stakes this high, she might be the only person with the perfect shot to render the world safe.
My Thoughts:
Looks like I will be following another series as I really enjoyed this one. Alex Martel makes a great heroine with a strong sense of duty and responsibiity. The book is full of action and I only got bogged down for a short period in technical details (when they are in Thailand military base). The plot is gripping and kept my attention throughout. I would recommend to anyone who likes action thrillers.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on November 14, 2023.
Description:
Special Agent Alexandra Martel has put her days on the battlefield behind her. Charming and disarming, relentless and lethal, she earned a reputation as one of the most renowned and decorated Army snipers in the service before stepping away. But when Alex, now an FBI special agent on loan to Interpol, learns that an old friend, an MI5 officer, has been killed under mysterious circumstances, she’s pulled back into the dangerous world she left behind: a world where some people fear her, some want to recruit her, and everyone seems to want her dead.
Following a trail of clues left behind by the dead woman, Alex pieces together a terrifying conspiracy that only escalates when a nuclear warhead goes missing. Dodging death at every turn, she reluctantly joins forces with a CIA agent, but he has plans of his own for her—and will stop at nothing to achieve them.
Chasing the truth through the streets of London and bustling Turkish markets to the underbelly of Paris, Alex is unrelenting in her pursuit of justice. But as the clock ticks down and the world edges closer to doom, she must fall back on her Special Ops skills to stop the unthinkable. She thought her life as a sniper was behind her— but with stakes this high, she might be the only person with the perfect shot to render the world safe.
My Thoughts:
Looks like I will be following another series as I really enjoyed this one. Alex Martel makes a great heroine with a strong sense of duty and responsibiity. The book is full of action and I only got bogged down for a short period in technical details (when they are in Thailand military base). The plot is gripping and kept my attention throughout. I would recommend to anyone who likes action thrillers.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on November 14, 2023.
December 8, 2023
Perfect Shot is the first book in a planned series about former US army medic and sniper turned FBI Special Agent Alex Martel. I was invited to read it by the publisher, and seeing all the high-star reviews and mentions of how badass Alex is, thought it would be right up my alley. I would normally finish this type of thriller within two days, sometimes less, but unfortunately this has taken 16, and even that involved a determined effort to push on to the end, one chapter at a time.
Alex Martel has been seconded to Europe to work with Interpol, and finds herself drawn into a political storm, when a mission to intercept a terrorist plot goes wrong. Aided and pursued by the annoyingly charming Caleb of the CIA, who wants her to work for him, she discovers a coded message from an old friend, pointing her towards an even bigger conspiracy.
I wanted to like this more than I did, but I literally found myself putting my kindle down after every chapter so I could check the news or social media, then had to make myself go back to it. Had it not been an ARC I would’ve bailed. It’s a shame, because the story was fine, if predictable, but the pacing was slowed by overly frequent flashbacks and scene changes. Even the action sequences were - I hate to say this of a debut author - boring. The writing is overly descriptive - we don’t need to know every little detail of what fleeting characters are wearing, and the author drops in pretentious words like libation when he means drink or cocktail, which felt out of place in this kind of thriller. Alex was a bit too cocky for me as a heroine, so while a lot of the issues I’ve raised are fixable with better editing, I would probably pass on the sequel. 2.5 rounded up because the last quarter does speed up.
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily. Perfect Shot is available now.
Alex Martel has been seconded to Europe to work with Interpol, and finds herself drawn into a political storm, when a mission to intercept a terrorist plot goes wrong. Aided and pursued by the annoyingly charming Caleb of the CIA, who wants her to work for him, she discovers a coded message from an old friend, pointing her towards an even bigger conspiracy.
I wanted to like this more than I did, but I literally found myself putting my kindle down after every chapter so I could check the news or social media, then had to make myself go back to it. Had it not been an ARC I would’ve bailed. It’s a shame, because the story was fine, if predictable, but the pacing was slowed by overly frequent flashbacks and scene changes. Even the action sequences were - I hate to say this of a debut author - boring. The writing is overly descriptive - we don’t need to know every little detail of what fleeting characters are wearing, and the author drops in pretentious words like libation when he means drink or cocktail, which felt out of place in this kind of thriller. Alex was a bit too cocky for me as a heroine, so while a lot of the issues I’ve raised are fixable with better editing, I would probably pass on the sequel. 2.5 rounded up because the last quarter does speed up.
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily. Perfect Shot is available now.
April 18, 2025
Longer than necessary when at times less is more.
November 9, 2023
Special Agent Alexandra (Alex) Martel is on loan to INTERPOL from the FBI when a thermonuclear bomb goes missing off of an American Air Force base in Turkey. Was it the Turks? The Russians? A terrorist organization? That's what Alex and her CIA work mate (she says he's not her partner) Caleb have to find out.
On top of that, Alex's friend in the intelligence community has died, and Alex thinks that was no accident. Can she get to the bottom of her friend's death, and together with Caleb, find the nuke before it's detonated?
What a ride this book was! Steve Urzenyi writes action scenes that make this book nearly impossible to put down. As others have said, there's a lot of acronyms in this book, but I don't think that was necessarily an issue. Many of them you'll only see once or twice. There's a lot of technical information/ jargon here, too, but I think it lends authenticity to the story. The author has clearly done his research and knows his stuff.
Alex is a great character, and I can't wait to see how she develops. Hopefully, Caleb continues to develop in further titles by the author because he's kind of a jerk. The scenery descriptions were so vivid that it felt like I was watching yhis unfold on the big screen. If you're a fan of espionage, military thrillers, or edge of your seat action, you don't want to miss Perfect Shot!
In stores November 14.
My appreciation to Saint Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, author Steve Urzenyi, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
On top of that, Alex's friend in the intelligence community has died, and Alex thinks that was no accident. Can she get to the bottom of her friend's death, and together with Caleb, find the nuke before it's detonated?
What a ride this book was! Steve Urzenyi writes action scenes that make this book nearly impossible to put down. As others have said, there's a lot of acronyms in this book, but I don't think that was necessarily an issue. Many of them you'll only see once or twice. There's a lot of technical information/ jargon here, too, but I think it lends authenticity to the story. The author has clearly done his research and knows his stuff.
Alex is a great character, and I can't wait to see how she develops. Hopefully, Caleb continues to develop in further titles by the author because he's kind of a jerk. The scenery descriptions were so vivid that it felt like I was watching yhis unfold on the big screen. If you're a fan of espionage, military thrillers, or edge of your seat action, you don't want to miss Perfect Shot!
In stores November 14.
My appreciation to Saint Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, author Steve Urzenyi, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
November 20, 2023
PERFECT SHOT is the impressive debut novel from author Steve Urszenyi and the first book in the Special Agent Alexandra Martel series. I'll admit to being a bit skeptical about a male author's ability to accurately portray an authentic female point of view in a lead character role in a foreign/domestic terrorist style thriller where men normally reign supreme. I'm excited to say my fears were unwarranted as Urszenyi stepped up to the plate and gifted readers with a strong, lethal, intelligent, highly skilled, legendary former army sniper now FBI Agent heroine with a keen sense of justice skirting the world, saving the day leaving dead bodies in her wake. Alex is a great character who comes across as a highly trained professional holding her own in a male dominated world. Readers are going to love her!
Special Agent Alex Martel stepped down from her stressful role as one of the most renowned, accurate Army snipers to ever serve to accept a position with the FBI where she can still serve her country in a less demanding role. While on loan to Interpol, she’s disturbed to learn an old friend, M15 Agent Krysten, was killed in what's being called a tragic accident just after sending Alex a warning in the form of an encrypted message. Alex travels to London to conduct her own investigation, quickly realizing she's being tailed by unscrupulous characters who subsequently attack her. Although the numbers and odds are against her, she fights them off until she finds herself at the wrong end of a gun barrel when Caleb, whom she suspects is a CIA agent, steps in shooting the man. Caleb tries to recruit Alex to join his team of highly skilled operatives conducting missions around the world, but she repeatedly refuses to be pressured back through that closed door. When her superiors send her to Turkey in search of a stolen nuclear warhead, she has no choice but to team up with Caleb to stop terrorists before it's too late. The more the pair investigates, the more obvious it becomes that the death of Alex's friend is connected to the missing Warhead, and clues to the who, when and where are hidden within the encrypted message from Krysten. With stakes this high and the world in imminent danger, Alex has no choice but to fall back on her Special Op skills as a sniper. The countdown to doomsday has begun.
PERFECT SHOT is a thrilling, tightly plotted thriller with action burning up the pages nonstop from cover to cover. The tone is dire, the plot insane and the delivery pure gold. Author Steve Urszenyi has rendered a high-octane story of subterfuge centered around spies, terrorists, special operatives and a race against time to save the world. From the streets of London to the markets and military bases in Turkey to the catacombs under the city in Paris, the action is swift, the characters larger than life and the outcome questionable right up to the cinematic end. The inclusion of every agency, foreign and domestic, with their many acronyms and official lingoes require readers to stay on their toes with minds engaged less they get a bit lost in this one; however, the payoff is worth it as it's nigh on impossible to put this book down. The author's background as a paramedic and police tactical medic is evident in the authenticity of terms and events as they play out.
PERFECT SHOT is a breath of fresh air in the male dominated genre of military style thrillers. Urszenyi's rendering of this story through a female's point of view is brilliant and spot-on with Alex coming across as a highly intelligent, take no prisoners heroine with admirable skills seldom seen in female leads in the genre. By allowing her to narrate this story, readers also get to know the woman behind the gun, and she's smart, authentic and highly skilled. Readers will have no issue cheering her on. I'm excited to read more about Alex and Caleb in coming books and can't wait to see where the author leads them both professionally and personally. Highly recommended to fans of high action and domestic/foreign terrorists style thrillers.
Special thanks to Minotaur Books for an arc of this title. All opinions expressed are my own. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is now available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
Special Agent Alex Martel stepped down from her stressful role as one of the most renowned, accurate Army snipers to ever serve to accept a position with the FBI where she can still serve her country in a less demanding role. While on loan to Interpol, she’s disturbed to learn an old friend, M15 Agent Krysten, was killed in what's being called a tragic accident just after sending Alex a warning in the form of an encrypted message. Alex travels to London to conduct her own investigation, quickly realizing she's being tailed by unscrupulous characters who subsequently attack her. Although the numbers and odds are against her, she fights them off until she finds herself at the wrong end of a gun barrel when Caleb, whom she suspects is a CIA agent, steps in shooting the man. Caleb tries to recruit Alex to join his team of highly skilled operatives conducting missions around the world, but she repeatedly refuses to be pressured back through that closed door. When her superiors send her to Turkey in search of a stolen nuclear warhead, she has no choice but to team up with Caleb to stop terrorists before it's too late. The more the pair investigates, the more obvious it becomes that the death of Alex's friend is connected to the missing Warhead, and clues to the who, when and where are hidden within the encrypted message from Krysten. With stakes this high and the world in imminent danger, Alex has no choice but to fall back on her Special Op skills as a sniper. The countdown to doomsday has begun.
PERFECT SHOT is a thrilling, tightly plotted thriller with action burning up the pages nonstop from cover to cover. The tone is dire, the plot insane and the delivery pure gold. Author Steve Urszenyi has rendered a high-octane story of subterfuge centered around spies, terrorists, special operatives and a race against time to save the world. From the streets of London to the markets and military bases in Turkey to the catacombs under the city in Paris, the action is swift, the characters larger than life and the outcome questionable right up to the cinematic end. The inclusion of every agency, foreign and domestic, with their many acronyms and official lingoes require readers to stay on their toes with minds engaged less they get a bit lost in this one; however, the payoff is worth it as it's nigh on impossible to put this book down. The author's background as a paramedic and police tactical medic is evident in the authenticity of terms and events as they play out.
PERFECT SHOT is a breath of fresh air in the male dominated genre of military style thrillers. Urszenyi's rendering of this story through a female's point of view is brilliant and spot-on with Alex coming across as a highly intelligent, take no prisoners heroine with admirable skills seldom seen in female leads in the genre. By allowing her to narrate this story, readers also get to know the woman behind the gun, and she's smart, authentic and highly skilled. Readers will have no issue cheering her on. I'm excited to read more about Alex and Caleb in coming books and can't wait to see where the author leads them both professionally and personally. Highly recommended to fans of high action and domestic/foreign terrorists style thrillers.
Special thanks to Minotaur Books for an arc of this title. All opinions expressed are my own. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is now available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
October 20, 2023
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: November 14, 2023
“Perfect Shot” is the first novel by Steve Urszenyi, a former paramedic and police tactical medic with experience in every kind of urgent emergency response. “Shot” is also the first in a series, led by protagonist Special Agent Alexandra Martel.
After earning a reputation as one of the most precise and skilled shooters in the Army, Alex Martel is now working for the FBI, currently on loan with Interpol, trying to find and disarm all sorts of domestic threats. When she receives the news that her friend, Krysten, is dead, Alex also discovers that Krysten is not who she says she was. Krysten claimed to be working for MI5, but it seems she was connected to some very dangerous Russian terrorist groups, and Krysten wasn’t even her real name. However, the information she left Alex seems very legit and if true, entire continents could fall. But when Alex tries to get her contacts at the FBI involved, no one wants to trust intel from a Russian spy, and Alex is forced to go at it alone, hoping that trusting her gut will be enough to, literally, save the world.
Urszenyi has definitely put a lot of time and energy researching the novel of this plot (his personal experience doesn’t hurt either). Every agency, foreign and domestic, is involved, and every acronym comes to play- FBI, CIA, M15, FSB, SVR, and that doesn’t cover all of them. Not to mention every department and title therein, including military roles and ranks. It gets wordy and confusing, so you have to pay careful attention as to who is doing what to whom and why.
Alex is a great character and Urszenyi actually creates a representational and honest female viewpoint, which I respect. I was doubtful that brave, strong women like Alex would be given the chance to showcase their skills in male-dominated, misogynistic government and law agencies, but Urszenyi makes sure to cite a few examples in his “acknowledgements”, and I was grateful to know about these amazing human beings.
Alex narrates the entire story, which takes her all over the world, and there is not a single page in the novel that isn’t full of gun-toting, fast-paced action. If you can get through the acronyms and all of the scientific and official details provided, be prepared for lots of intrigue, subterfuge, coercion and gunfire! “Perfect Shot” sets the right amount of tension, preparing the reader for the next saga in Alex Martel’s electrifying life!
Expected publication date: November 14, 2023
“Perfect Shot” is the first novel by Steve Urszenyi, a former paramedic and police tactical medic with experience in every kind of urgent emergency response. “Shot” is also the first in a series, led by protagonist Special Agent Alexandra Martel.
After earning a reputation as one of the most precise and skilled shooters in the Army, Alex Martel is now working for the FBI, currently on loan with Interpol, trying to find and disarm all sorts of domestic threats. When she receives the news that her friend, Krysten, is dead, Alex also discovers that Krysten is not who she says she was. Krysten claimed to be working for MI5, but it seems she was connected to some very dangerous Russian terrorist groups, and Krysten wasn’t even her real name. However, the information she left Alex seems very legit and if true, entire continents could fall. But when Alex tries to get her contacts at the FBI involved, no one wants to trust intel from a Russian spy, and Alex is forced to go at it alone, hoping that trusting her gut will be enough to, literally, save the world.
Urszenyi has definitely put a lot of time and energy researching the novel of this plot (his personal experience doesn’t hurt either). Every agency, foreign and domestic, is involved, and every acronym comes to play- FBI, CIA, M15, FSB, SVR, and that doesn’t cover all of them. Not to mention every department and title therein, including military roles and ranks. It gets wordy and confusing, so you have to pay careful attention as to who is doing what to whom and why.
Alex is a great character and Urszenyi actually creates a representational and honest female viewpoint, which I respect. I was doubtful that brave, strong women like Alex would be given the chance to showcase their skills in male-dominated, misogynistic government and law agencies, but Urszenyi makes sure to cite a few examples in his “acknowledgements”, and I was grateful to know about these amazing human beings.
Alex narrates the entire story, which takes her all over the world, and there is not a single page in the novel that isn’t full of gun-toting, fast-paced action. If you can get through the acronyms and all of the scientific and official details provided, be prepared for lots of intrigue, subterfuge, coercion and gunfire! “Perfect Shot” sets the right amount of tension, preparing the reader for the next saga in Alex Martel’s electrifying life!
November 13, 2023
I have to be perfectly honest. I do not ordinarily gravitate toward this type of book. However, I am so glad that I went with my gut and read this one. I was more than pleasantly surprised. Apparently this is Steve Urszenyi's debut novel and, in my opinion, is destined for the best seller list. I loved the characters in this story, especially the main character, Alexandra Martel. Alexandra Martel can be your best friend or your worse enemy. She is a former army sniper, who is highly skilled and highly decorated. She was actually a legend in the ranks of those who knew about her skills. She is now working as an FBI agent on loan to Interpol. Her keen observation skills, as well as her other talents have made her an indispensable part of their team. When a nuclear warhead goes missing, there is no better person for the job. She is not only talented, but she is tenacious and aggressive in her quest for setting things right. This is made even more evident when she gets a tragic message about a friend from her past that sets her spidey senses tingling.
You will be carried into the underbelly of many places I would never dream of being. There is loads of intrigue and suspense which will keep you on your toes. Alex does not know who she can trust, and you will not know who to trust either, but I knew that I would definitely want Alex on my side in the event of a catastrophe. Steve Urszenyi's bio shows a background that is interesting and multi-faceted, and has given him knowledge about things that shine through in his writing. I was hooked from the first couple of chapters. Alex Martel is a fantastic character who is a hero that needs no accolades. She is just doing her job. It indicated that this book #1. This makes me hopeful that we will be seeing more of Alexandra Martel. Even if you do not ordinarily enjoy an international thriller, do not hesitate to buy this book. I promise you will not not be disappointed.
Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
You will be carried into the underbelly of many places I would never dream of being. There is loads of intrigue and suspense which will keep you on your toes. Alex does not know who she can trust, and you will not know who to trust either, but I knew that I would definitely want Alex on my side in the event of a catastrophe. Steve Urszenyi's bio shows a background that is interesting and multi-faceted, and has given him knowledge about things that shine through in his writing. I was hooked from the first couple of chapters. Alex Martel is a fantastic character who is a hero that needs no accolades. She is just doing her job. It indicated that this book #1. This makes me hopeful that we will be seeing more of Alexandra Martel. Even if you do not ordinarily enjoy an international thriller, do not hesitate to buy this book. I promise you will not not be disappointed.
Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 28, 2023
This is a good debut military fiction novel, but it was not a Perfect Shot for me.
I like to vary different types of genres in my reading library, and I love a great espionage thriller now and then. I highly anticipated that this book would be one of those. However, it turned out to be a bit too predictable and formulaic.
The strong female FBI shooter protagonist (Alexandra, "Alex") is attractive, witty, and intelligent. Her male CIA counterpart (Caleb) is good looking, tough, and always available to save Alex's life when she is in a tight situation. It becomes their job to solve the murder of one of Alex's friends and to hunt down and retrieve a nuclear bomb that was stolen from an American Air Base in Turkey. But, they must avoid the stereotypical Russian mastermind and the dumb Russian grunts that are easily expendable in every adversarial situation.
This may be the perfect recipe for this cat and mouse game for some readers, but I thought that the storyline dragged somewhat, and I didn't feel enough tension or excitement in the narrative until the last hundred pages. Way too much time is spent going into excessive detail about what the characters are wearing or what they are eating. Did we really need to know about the guy's "lush nasal hairs"?! There were also too many flashbacks into the past that I didn't feel were necessary for the backstory and there were way too many military acronyms.
I realize that a debut novel may undergo some growing pains in the hopes of becoming a series and I think that this one may have benefited from some judicious editing. Once the wrinkles are smoothed out, I would probably venture to read another book by this author.
I like to vary different types of genres in my reading library, and I love a great espionage thriller now and then. I highly anticipated that this book would be one of those. However, it turned out to be a bit too predictable and formulaic.
The strong female FBI shooter protagonist (Alexandra, "Alex") is attractive, witty, and intelligent. Her male CIA counterpart (Caleb) is good looking, tough, and always available to save Alex's life when she is in a tight situation. It becomes their job to solve the murder of one of Alex's friends and to hunt down and retrieve a nuclear bomb that was stolen from an American Air Base in Turkey. But, they must avoid the stereotypical Russian mastermind and the dumb Russian grunts that are easily expendable in every adversarial situation.
This may be the perfect recipe for this cat and mouse game for some readers, but I thought that the storyline dragged somewhat, and I didn't feel enough tension or excitement in the narrative until the last hundred pages. Way too much time is spent going into excessive detail about what the characters are wearing or what they are eating. Did we really need to know about the guy's "lush nasal hairs"?! There were also too many flashbacks into the past that I didn't feel were necessary for the backstory and there were way too many military acronyms.
I realize that a debut novel may undergo some growing pains in the hopes of becoming a series and I think that this one may have benefited from some judicious editing. Once the wrinkles are smoothed out, I would probably venture to read another book by this author.
September 10, 2023
I loved that a female main character with military background. She's like the Liam Neeson character in female form. She's highly trained, deadly and capable of doing things most wouldn't think were possible. She's now an FBI agent and trouble came to her, so she's going to handle her business. And she did! So gripping and thrilling. I ended up reading this in one sitting. This isn't my typical genre with the FBI/military stuff but it truly was a fascinating read!
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
November 20, 2024
Wow!! If you are looking to get taken by surprise by a brand-new series from a debut author, then you have got to grab Perfect Shot. It is a high-octane rollercoaster ride, so strap in and get ready to take off!
What appealed to you the most in this story?
This book kicks off like a Mission Impossible movie and takes you on one heck of an intense espionage ride till the very end! Seriously, I felt like I was watching the story unfold as it was happening just like at the movies. The only thing missing was the popcorn!
I also really loved how you could see Urszenyi’s work as a paramedic and a police tactical medic influence the story along with his trainings in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) incident response.
Read if you like:
Nonstop action
Espionage
Twists
Multiple POV
Suspense
Bad ass female MC
Dynamic characters
How was the pace?
FAST!! I really could not turn the pages fast enough to keep up with my rapid heartbeat as I read. Saying I was captivated is an understatement.
Do you recommend this book?
I cannot get over how well thought out and layered this story was, and I won’t be surprised when someone like Netflix buys the rights and makes one kick ass series out of it! Now to try to wait patiently for the next book to come out, so I can see what kind of butt Special Agent Alexandra Martel kicks next!
Thank you, Minotaur Books, for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
What appealed to you the most in this story?
This book kicks off like a Mission Impossible movie and takes you on one heck of an intense espionage ride till the very end! Seriously, I felt like I was watching the story unfold as it was happening just like at the movies. The only thing missing was the popcorn!
I also really loved how you could see Urszenyi’s work as a paramedic and a police tactical medic influence the story along with his trainings in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) incident response.
Read if you like:
Nonstop action
Espionage
Twists
Multiple POV
Suspense
Bad ass female MC
Dynamic characters
How was the pace?
FAST!! I really could not turn the pages fast enough to keep up with my rapid heartbeat as I read. Saying I was captivated is an understatement.
Do you recommend this book?
I cannot get over how well thought out and layered this story was, and I won’t be surprised when someone like Netflix buys the rights and makes one kick ass series out of it! Now to try to wait patiently for the next book to come out, so I can see what kind of butt Special Agent Alexandra Martel kicks next!
Thank you, Minotaur Books, for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 29, 2023
"Fate whispers to the warrior, you cannot withstand the storm. The warrior whispers back, I am the storm."
*Genre* Thrillers / Espionage
*Rating* 4.0
*Source* Publisher
*Thoughts*
Perfect Shot is Steve Urszenyi's is the first installment in the authors Special Agent Alexandra Martel series as well as his debut novel. Alex has seemingly put her days on the battlefield behind her. Charming and disarming, relentless and lethal, she has earned a reputation as one of the most renowned and decorated Army snipers and combat medics in the service of her country before stepping away. As the story is filled with action, and suspense, you should be ready right on the opening chapter as Alex and her team race to stop an alleged Islamic terror group from exchanging special nuclear material.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Thrillers / Espionage
*Rating* 4.0
*Source* Publisher
*Thoughts*
Perfect Shot is Steve Urszenyi's is the first installment in the authors Special Agent Alexandra Martel series as well as his debut novel. Alex has seemingly put her days on the battlefield behind her. Charming and disarming, relentless and lethal, she has earned a reputation as one of the most renowned and decorated Army snipers and combat medics in the service of her country before stepping away. As the story is filled with action, and suspense, you should be ready right on the opening chapter as Alex and her team race to stop an alleged Islamic terror group from exchanging special nuclear material.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
December 28, 2023
When Alex learns a friend has been killed, she’s pulled back into the dangerous world of espionage.
Perfect Shot is the first book in the Special Agent Alexandra Martel series. Alex is charming, lethal, a sniper, and a special agent with the FBI.
This book is action packed, and takes place all over the world. A fast-paced read recommended for fans of spy thrillers with female protagonists.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Perfect Shot is the first book in the Special Agent Alexandra Martel series. Alex is charming, lethal, a sniper, and a special agent with the FBI.
This book is action packed, and takes place all over the world. A fast-paced read recommended for fans of spy thrillers with female protagonists.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 4, 2023
This is a fascinating look at FBI Special Agent Alex as she battles the "bad guys" in a plot involving the transfer of nuclear materials that are initially "deposited" at the bottom of a river in the Netherlands. The novel moves from there to London, to Russia and involves an entire cast of characters that are dedicated to whatever cause they believe will keep their country safe from harm. But of course Alex emerges as the true heroine as she is eager to do her job and will stop at nothing to do what's best without regard for her personal safely. Lots of great action and adventure, and although I'm not usually a fan of military maneuvers, this novel has kick-ass women whom I loved!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
November 13, 2023
4.5 stars
Oh, this is the kind of book that makes you so glad it's the start of a series and that - of course - there is more to come!
Alex is a compelling protagonist, and this book (refreshingly) passes the Bechdel test. This lead is not in the world saving business just to pass the time until she finds some man to save her (rolls eyes forever). She kicks butts happily, she's smart, and most interestingly to me, she's in part on the hunt to discover what happened to another woman and to provide a voice to the otherwise voiceless. Though this latter element is not an overtly featured goal, it still felt like a thoughtful choice to me. This isn't an anomalously smart or capable woman. In this universe, women are expected to be useful, skilled, and effective, and they prove that they are over and over again.
I was fortunate to receive the audiobook and listened to it almost straight through on a long day of chores and meal prep. It held my attention throughout, and I am already looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble Alex can resolve next!
*Special thanks to NetGalley, Recorded Books, Minotaur Books, and especially Stephen Erickson at St. Martin's Publishing Group for this alc and arc. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Oh, this is the kind of book that makes you so glad it's the start of a series and that - of course - there is more to come!
Alex is a compelling protagonist, and this book (refreshingly) passes the Bechdel test. This lead is not in the world saving business just to pass the time until she finds some man to save her (rolls eyes forever). She kicks butts happily, she's smart, and most interestingly to me, she's in part on the hunt to discover what happened to another woman and to provide a voice to the otherwise voiceless. Though this latter element is not an overtly featured goal, it still felt like a thoughtful choice to me. This isn't an anomalously smart or capable woman. In this universe, women are expected to be useful, skilled, and effective, and they prove that they are over and over again.
I was fortunate to receive the audiobook and listened to it almost straight through on a long day of chores and meal prep. It held my attention throughout, and I am already looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble Alex can resolve next!
*Special thanks to NetGalley, Recorded Books, Minotaur Books, and especially Stephen Erickson at St. Martin's Publishing Group for this alc and arc. The opinions expressed here are my own.
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October 31, 2023PERFECT SHOT by Steve Urszenyi is a hair-raising international thriller debut that will captivate readers and simultaneously catapults the author into the ranks of Jack Carr and Mark Greaney. Do not miss this one!
Read the full review on BookTrib.com
Read the full review on BookTrib.com
November 14, 2023
A former military sniper has left her days on the battlefield behind her….until the fight is brought right to her door.
FBI Special Agent Alexandra Martel is working in Europe as a liaison to Interpol. As the story begins, she and her team are working in the Netherlands to prevent the sale of nuclear material to an up and coming Islamic terrorist group. Despite their best efforts they are unable to complete the takedown of the involved parties; two of the terrorists make an escape with the contraband, and Alex and her mysterious new teammate Caleb (whom she suspects is CIA) pursue them in a helicopter. With the chopper almost out of fuel, she calls upon her extraordinary sniper skills to bring the fleeing criminals down. Local law enforcement is less than thrilled with the wild chase and the gunfight, but Alex’s bosses try to smooth it over given the satisfactory outcome. Alex, it will become apparent, is very good at what she does, but her actions often result in gunfire and dead bodies…and that tends to annoy the locals. On the heels of this situation, Alex receives notification that Krysten, an MI5 agent with whom she had struck up a friendship some years ago at a security conference, has died. It has been ruled an accident, but Alex is not so sure and heads to London to investigate. Shortly after her arrival Alex finds herself being tailed by Russians (and yes, another firefight ensues), which only intensifies her suspicions. She discovers more about what Krysten was doing undercover for MI5, and learns disturbing facts about Krysten’s background that make her question their friendship….and the encrypted information that Krysten sent to Alex in her final moments. When Alex is yanked out of London and directed to Turkey where a nuclear weapon has gone missing from the American airbase, she reluctantly reunites with Caleb to find out who stole it and why….and must find and neutralize it before it can be released upon the world.
In this first book of a projected series, I enjoyed reading the exploits of a highly trained and very capable woman who started her military career as a medic, morphed into a legendary sniper, and then after experiencing several losses opted to dial back her level of engagement in the world’s conflicts. While she wants to continue to contribute to the effort, she no longer chooses to be the tip of the spear. Caleb has been sent to persuade her otherwise, to remind her of the breadth of her skills and the satisfaction that using those skills brings her. When she is thrust into the murky world of spies and disinformation, she taps into her instincts to sort truth from obfuscation, and follows those instincts even when they contradict direct orders. The author’s background both as a medic and as a CBRNE incident responder provided interesting details throughout the chase, and he wove an interesting plot. Alex seems to get away with a lot of breaches of procedure and protocol to a degree that might strain credulity, but overall it was a fast paced and engrossing read. Readers of Jack Carr, Mark Greaney and Marc Cameron (all of whom have blurbed the novel), as well as Francine Mattews and Cara Black, should pick up a copy and give Alex Martel a spin. Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press/Minotaurs Books for allowing me access to an advanced reader’s copy.
FBI Special Agent Alexandra Martel is working in Europe as a liaison to Interpol. As the story begins, she and her team are working in the Netherlands to prevent the sale of nuclear material to an up and coming Islamic terrorist group. Despite their best efforts they are unable to complete the takedown of the involved parties; two of the terrorists make an escape with the contraband, and Alex and her mysterious new teammate Caleb (whom she suspects is CIA) pursue them in a helicopter. With the chopper almost out of fuel, she calls upon her extraordinary sniper skills to bring the fleeing criminals down. Local law enforcement is less than thrilled with the wild chase and the gunfight, but Alex’s bosses try to smooth it over given the satisfactory outcome. Alex, it will become apparent, is very good at what she does, but her actions often result in gunfire and dead bodies…and that tends to annoy the locals. On the heels of this situation, Alex receives notification that Krysten, an MI5 agent with whom she had struck up a friendship some years ago at a security conference, has died. It has been ruled an accident, but Alex is not so sure and heads to London to investigate. Shortly after her arrival Alex finds herself being tailed by Russians (and yes, another firefight ensues), which only intensifies her suspicions. She discovers more about what Krysten was doing undercover for MI5, and learns disturbing facts about Krysten’s background that make her question their friendship….and the encrypted information that Krysten sent to Alex in her final moments. When Alex is yanked out of London and directed to Turkey where a nuclear weapon has gone missing from the American airbase, she reluctantly reunites with Caleb to find out who stole it and why….and must find and neutralize it before it can be released upon the world.
In this first book of a projected series, I enjoyed reading the exploits of a highly trained and very capable woman who started her military career as a medic, morphed into a legendary sniper, and then after experiencing several losses opted to dial back her level of engagement in the world’s conflicts. While she wants to continue to contribute to the effort, she no longer chooses to be the tip of the spear. Caleb has been sent to persuade her otherwise, to remind her of the breadth of her skills and the satisfaction that using those skills brings her. When she is thrust into the murky world of spies and disinformation, she taps into her instincts to sort truth from obfuscation, and follows those instincts even when they contradict direct orders. The author’s background both as a medic and as a CBRNE incident responder provided interesting details throughout the chase, and he wove an interesting plot. Alex seems to get away with a lot of breaches of procedure and protocol to a degree that might strain credulity, but overall it was a fast paced and engrossing read. Readers of Jack Carr, Mark Greaney and Marc Cameron (all of whom have blurbed the novel), as well as Francine Mattews and Cara Black, should pick up a copy and give Alex Martel a spin. Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press/Minotaurs Books for allowing me access to an advanced reader’s copy.
October 12, 2024
Perfect Shot (audio)
Action packed military thriller! I purchased this audiobook after winning a GoodReads Giveaway for Steve Urszenyi’s newest novel, book 2 in the Alexandra Martel series. Before digging into the ARC I wanted to read/listen to the first book.
This is full of nonstop action from beginning to end. There was always a lot going on and quite a few characters. It was an audiobook that required my full attention so I wouldn’t miss crucial information as the book flew along. The narrator did an amazing job, especially with so many accents.
Action packed military thriller! I purchased this audiobook after winning a GoodReads Giveaway for Steve Urszenyi’s newest novel, book 2 in the Alexandra Martel series. Before digging into the ARC I wanted to read/listen to the first book.
This is full of nonstop action from beginning to end. There was always a lot going on and quite a few characters. It was an audiobook that required my full attention so I wouldn’t miss crucial information as the book flew along. The narrator did an amazing job, especially with so many accents.
April 7, 2023
Perfect Shot. Perfect book.
Special Agent Alex Martell is on loan to Interpol from the FBI when a nuclear weapon is stolen from the American military base in Turkey. Alex is assigned to the team charged with recovery of the weapon and capture of the perpetrators. In a real hard- to-put-down thriller, Alex and her team’s findings chase her from one European capital to the next with unexpected revelations along the way.
The plot and characters are perfectly executed and I will eagerly look forward to the next adventure from the pen of Mr. Urszenyi. Thank you NetGalley for the introduction to this author and the opportunity to read an advance copy of this novel.
Special Agent Alex Martell is on loan to Interpol from the FBI when a nuclear weapon is stolen from the American military base in Turkey. Alex is assigned to the team charged with recovery of the weapon and capture of the perpetrators. In a real hard- to-put-down thriller, Alex and her team’s findings chase her from one European capital to the next with unexpected revelations along the way.
The plot and characters are perfectly executed and I will eagerly look forward to the next adventure from the pen of Mr. Urszenyi. Thank you NetGalley for the introduction to this author and the opportunity to read an advance copy of this novel.
August 14, 2023
I just finished this OUTSTANDING book. I loved the tension and edge-of-my-seat excitement all the way through the novel.
The author did an incredible job of doing his due diligence with military information.
I felt like I was being chased through the streets of Paris and Turkey.
I hope there will be another installment so we can see where Caleb and Alex with their relationship.
I loved it!
The author did an incredible job of doing his due diligence with military information.
I felt like I was being chased through the streets of Paris and Turkey.
I hope there will be another installment so we can see where Caleb and Alex with their relationship.
I loved it!
March 3, 2024
Better late than never - thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! There is a new operator in town and she has quite the attitude. Special Agent Alex Martel is a go-getter. She has a particular set of skills behind the scope of a rifle that she plies when her nation requires it. Fans of heavy hitters like Don Bentley, Brad Thor, and Jack Carr will want to add this debut novel to their “To-Read” list! Five big stars!
November 27, 2023
This is an excellent read with complex characters and plotline. I was sucked into the story from the beginning. The writing made me feel like I was right there with the characters. The pacing is fast and the suspense high. I will definitely be reading this author again.
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