The Bitter Past

Wow. The Bitter Past is brilliant. This has taken me on an unexpected journey through a messy history. I loved the characters and the story line. Well done.

In addition to an excellent cast of characters, the author adds another—The Cold War. Progressing through the story, the reader learns so much about the tenuous relationship between the world’s super powers as we work through a well-developed story

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I found the subject matter very interesting - nuclear weapons, espionage - and I love when a fiction novel makes me want to read plenty of nonfiction about the time period and/or the subject to learn more; and this book certainly does that. This was definitely a page turner for me.

I did not like the Sana/Beck storyline. It felt forced and I didn’t have many feel-good emotions about it. Some of the thoughts Beck had about her made me eye roll at a character I otherwise liked. It’s not going to stop me from reading more in the series, though and I am looking forward to reading the second book.

Big thanks to both Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Bitter Past!

This entertaining book is set in Nevada's high desert. The first timeline is set in the present and features Sheriff Porter Beck, with the second one taking place in the 1950s during the testing of nuclear bombs. (I appreciated that the 1950s chapters had headings that said "The Past." It's beyond my comprehension why some authors don't do that.) The intriguing characters grabbed me from the beginning and I found the sheriff's humor nicely offset the serious parts of the book.

The Bitter Past deals with the dicey cost of doing the right thing. I hope this will be a series because I want to know what happened after the last paragraph of the book!! This was definitely an impressive first book.

I enjoyed reading the author's notes, especially where he thanked his wife and wrote "When I told you in the second grade this was going to happen, you didn't believe me, did you?"

I truly enjoyed this journey. The author did a wonderful job of weaving the past with the present and created a cast of characters that were relatable. Truth be told, I thought the first 2/3 of the book was masterful. I was on the edge of my seat. The finale went a little too shoot-em-up adventure story for me, but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the tale.

Well done, and highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos An intense and engrossing page turner with intriguing characters, spies, the Cold War, nuclear weapons, torture and murders. Although at times inappropriate, Sheriff Porter Beck's humor does take the edge off themore serious parts of the book. The interactions between Sana and Beck were at times annoying and seemed forced. Author's notes were an added bonus.

Thank you to the author, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book

Big thanks to both Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Bitter Past!

This entertaining book is set in Nevada's high desert. The first timeline is set in the present and features Sheriff Porter Beck, with the second one taking place in the 1950s during the testing of nuclear bombs. (I appreciated that the 1950s chapters had headings that said "The Past." It's beyond my comprehension why some authors don't do that.) The intriguing characters grabbed me from the beginning and I found the sheriff's humor nicely offset the serious parts of the book.

The Bitter Past deals with the dicey cost of doing the right thing. I hope this will be a series because I want to know what happened after the last paragraph of the book!! This was definitely an impressive first book.

I enjoyed reading the author's notes, especially where he thanked his wife and wrote "When I told you in the second grade this was going to happen, you didn't believe me, did you?"

This wildly engrossing novel transported me back to the mountains, and brown-ness of Nevada, where we spent the last nine years, in and right outside of Las Vegas, before moving to the countryside. As much as I missed winter with snow, I have to admit that I do miss desert winters.

Excellent and consuming, I kept at this one and read it quickly. I thoroughly enjoyed what I hope is the opening novel to a new series that I’m looking forward to reading more of (please tell me that is going to be a series!)

I enjoyed this book and believe the author will grow in future books. There were certain elements that needed context and explaining that made me scratch my head. Overall though it was a compelling read that kept me awake to find out what would happen next.

Some Heroes Have Half-Lives. Honestly, I didn't even realize while reading this book that it was Book 1 of a new series - though with the way things end, I could certainly allow for that possibility. Here, Borgos manages to capture a lingering effect of the Cold War not often seen by those of us living on the East Coast - well away from all Cold War era nuclear test sites, including the Nevada deserts pictured here and the New Mexico deserts featured in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, which will be releasing around the same time as this book. We also get a dual timeline yet linked spy thriller (in the past)/ murder mystery (in the present), and in neither case is all as it seems. Borgos manages the pacing of each quite well, and the ultimate integration of the two quite seamlessly. Ultimately this is absolutely a world and storytelling style I'd love to come back to, so I'm glad there will be at least one more book forthcoming here. Very much recommended.

"The Bitter Past" is one of the best novels I have read in recent memory. Fast paced, gripping and really interesting, the plot has one asking "what if" through out. I heartily recommend this book, and look forward to reading more from Mr. Borgos. Outstanding! I didn't want it to end...

A very well written book with events from past and present in one that says the story. Reading this book made me anxious to know what the next adventure of beck will be like in Nevada.other than the sheriff we are introduced to many interesting characters. there are a lot of twist and tons that will keep you engaged.Everything about the book makes you pulled towards the story line, the characters, references about the war,nuclear weapon and the murders. thank you Netgalley and the author for the arc. I can't wait for more Nevada tales.

Very interesting story line . Well thought out and put together. Fluid even though it transpired between two time periods. So unusual - I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Bruce Borgos' The Bitter Past has a sanguinary opening few pages that were a bit difficult to move beyond, and yet, after I read into the well-developed plot of the book, I was quickly taken in. Porter Beck, a retired military man who is now a sheriff in rather remote Nevada, is perplexed by what happened here in the early 1950s and what initiated the contemporary and connected grisly murder he is faced with. Borgos does a great job of examining espionage, results of the Cold War, Russian spies, and nuclear testing sites, thus the eponymous title The Bitter Past.

Borgos is able to skillfully incorporate various characters into the novel, and his familial relationships and his relationships with his "team" at the sheriff's office are important to the progress of the plot. How vitally important we only know at the very end of the book. Borgos also moves seamlessly between the two timelines, that of the contemporary and that of preparations for recondite nuclear testing from the past.

The romance between Sana, the FBI agent, and Porter Beck is not always as strong and clear as it could be, and it creates some questions about the strength of the relationship and its direction. Nonetheless, Porter Beck's connection to his "sister" and to his father are important and seminal, and the final plot surprise at the end of the book definitely leads the reader into curiosity about what will happen in the next book. And, yes, we hope there will be one.

I really enjoyed this book. I got to where I didn't want to stop reading. I loved the mystery and the suspense of it. I had no inclining of who the real Freddie was. It was a twist.

This was a new author for me with the first of what I hope will be many in a new series. At once a spy story from the fifties area 51, romantic yearnings that cannot survive and a present day Russian spy thriller (thriller is an often overused description I rarely use, in this case it’s truly appropriate). The setting in Nevada is ruggedly and beautifully described, including the notorious Secret Area 51 and secret Project 57. The characters kept me engaged and entertained. The premise of the plot is original and hard to put in a cliché category.
Sheriff Porter Beck has a motley staff, some trustworthy, some with questionable allegiance. A case develops that will have him distrusting everything and everyone in his hometown. FBI Special Agent Sana Locke arrives further complicating his personal and professional life. Trust no one in this story. It’s everything you want in a mystery, there’s misdirection, depth of characters, historical relevance, hints of romance, kidnapping, murder, radioactive plutonium, and a Russian intelligence operative.
A powerful story with grains of truth that frighten and horrify me. Not a book I will forget, a fantastic read! My rating would exceed 5 stars and I don’t often do that.
It was a privilege to receive a digital advance reader copy from NetGalley of “The Bitter Past” by Bruce Borgos and St. Martin’s Publishing, Minotaur Books. Scheduled for release July 18, 2023 – don’t miss it! These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily.

I received a digital copy of “The Bitter Past” from Net Galley to read and review. My thanks to Net Galley, the publisher and especial the author, Bruce Borgos for a very entertaining and exciting book.
The book fits the cliche “ a real page turner” and another, “ you will not want to put it down”, but there is nothing tired about this taut thriller. The author gives the book a different plot that begins with the Sherif of a rural Nevada county at the crime scene of a horrible murder. A man, a retired FBI agent , sits blind to a chair. He had been tortured horribly by someone who wanted information. But about what? For all anyone knew the man lived quietly and was long out of the game. Meanwhile the Sheriff’s office is called to investigate the vandalism of three 50 year old graves, the caskets emptied , bones gone. Sheriff Porter Beck begins investigating, but is soon joined by FBI agent Sana, good looking and imperiously all the ultimate Fed.
This story intertwines with the atomic tests which took place at a military facility in just to the east of the county where the murder took place . There are chapters interspersed which depict events at the test grounds. Obviously, everything will come together, and the author moves things right along. Sheriff Beck is exArmy and no stranger to secrets. In fact , many characters in the book have secrets.
It is a real pleasure to read. and see the story unfold with some romance, lot of detection, and an exciting
climax that answers all questions. I really hope that someone gets this book turned into a series or film because it has all the basis for a super movie.
For those who have sensitivities: romance, but no graphic sex. Spies, murder and people get their just deserts in the high dessert.
Highly recommended.

Where’s some place you’ve gone for vacation that was memorable, why?

When I was a kid, my mom and step-father eloped in Vegas. It was a memorable trip because we drove (being stuck in a car with 6 people is a lot) and when we went out to eat there were roaches on the bench at the restaurant. It did make for quite a memorable time!

Porter is a small town sheriff outside of Las Vegas, Nevada doing the job his father retired from. Everything is quiet until an old retired FBI agent is found brutally tortured and killed. When the FBI comes knocking, Porter can’t help but wonder if bigger things are going on. Will he be able to figure it all out before things from the past get out of hand and lives are ruined?

This was a fun and exciting cold war thriller. The past and present time line added depth to the story and made the big reveal even that much better. The plot of this story was unique and not one I had read before – that’s always a plus. I enjoyed the undertones of romance, along with the thriller and mystery aspect of this one. I enjoyed the family dynamic between Porter, his dad, and his adopted sister. She added so much to the story. It’s easy to see that this book will make an interesting series.

I recommend you check this one out July 18th.

Thank you to the publisher St Martin’s Press, @StMartinsPress, @netgalley, and the author, for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. The historical storyline, the current day story, the characters, the twists and surprises, they all came together to make a true page-turner. I'm looking forward to reading more Bruce Borgos books.

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, and so many crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and had me glued to my Kindle! I will definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.
Absolutely absorbing with an opening that was chilling to the bone.
It features Sheriff Porter Beck and the case of a horribly tortured and murdered ex-FBI agent. We go between today and the 50's Cold War, which was fascinating.
When the FBI becomes involved, Porter wonders what on earth is going on. I really liked Porter and his relationship with his father and adorable adopted sister. Hopefully this is the start of a series! Highly recommended!

Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGallery for the advance copy in return for an honest review.

Hands down the best thriller I've ever read! Perfectly balanced between the past and present, the story flowed nicely and kept surprising me. Finding out who Georgiy turned out to be was huge and so well done! I sincerely hope we see more of this author, please!

This is a thoroughly enjoyable novel. Mr. Borgos can certainly write. He creates interesting characters, a strong sense of place, all enveloped in a unique plotline. There is interesting history to be had, as well as, twists and turns the surprise and move the action along. I would recommend this to anyone interested in an entertaining, well done read.

I received this from NetGalley from St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books in exchange for an unbiased review.

I absolutely loved this book. The protagonist was smart, witty and genuinely likable. He was someone I could see myself hanging out with and enjoying a chat. His sense of humor is closely aligned with my own and it was as if he was an old friend.

The tale takes place in the Nevada Big Rocks area near Caliente as well as the surrounding areas. The atmosphere and desert play a large role in the tale. As well, the nuclear testing in the nearby areas that took place in the 1950s is also integral to the story. Russian spies and national security secrets create tension.

The opening scene is pretty gory but it sets the tone for the danger that hangs over the entire book. There are so many moving parts to this story, it’s a rich delight to the reader.

All the characters were well drawn and intriguing. I especially enjoyed the relationship the protagonist had with his father and sister. They seemed like a real-life family. Close but not afraid to be truthful with each other and even make each other angry but still have each other’s backs.

The hero had an interesting past and also had a bit of a handicap with night blindness that added a second layer of drama to the tale. He was definitely someone to root for and that’s always something this reader needs to have in a book. I’m definitely not a reader who likes anti-heroes.

The story was complex and satisfying. It moved seamlessly from the current time to the 1950s and the pace was well done. The mysteries unfolded at a good rate and kept me turning the pages.

I really enjoyed this book and thank the author for creating such a great character in the hero, a complex back story and a well done, intriguing plot. I hope there are more adventures in store with the sheriff of Lincoln County.

I received a free ARC ebook of <i>The Bitter Past </i> from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Borgos sets his thriller in two time frames in the Nevada desert - a Cold War late fifties and a more contemporary time. Due to the time difference there are few common characters but the tension and suspucion carries through the years.

In 1957, nuclear proliferation is rampant and the Russians are determined to discover all the secrets hidden in the desert. A young Russian is sent to America to ingratiate himself within the scientific community and do his best to wreck havoc with nuclear materials. Borgos makes this time period a terrifying thrill ride.

In contemporary Nevada, Sheriff Porter Beck investigates the horrific murder of a former FBI agent. It isn't long before the sheriff and his team discover that the agent was investigating the possible identity of a former Russian spy who remained in America. Joined by Agent Saran Locke, Porter utilizes his expertise as a former American agent in Moscow to investigate the grisly death.

This novel was really enjoyable to read but there were lots of coincidences that in retrospect strain credulity. Yet I would definitely read more by this author with the character Porter Beck.

THE BITTER PAST by author Bruce Borgos is a novel that takes place in the desert of Nevada that tells the story of Sheriff Porter Beck, a second generation lawman who holds the position formerly held by his father, who is now suffering from dementia which adds to Porter’s concerns, along with his investigation into the recent murder of a reclusive retired FBI agent that had recently set himself up in a well planned and secure bunker, which make his murder seem to be related to his past, and evidently involving someone with a special skill set to be able to gain access to him.

Investigation reveals that the retired agent suffered torture, evidently to get information on the possibility of the presence of a Russian spy from a breach at a nuclear facility years ago that was a serious threat to national security.

Porter determines that the murder apparently connects the attempt to locate and kill the spy from the ‘50s, who is believed to have taken up residence in the area after going off the radar, and may be currently living in the area under an alias but otherwise known to the community.

Can Porter locate the murderer before he kills again, and will this require him to reveal the identity of the Russian spy who accessed classified secrets long ago before disappearing?

Great novel that hopefully turns into a series involving the Nevada lawman, and author Bruce Borgos does a great job at keeping the pace of this one going with twists and turns that lead up to the shocking identity of the elusive former spy in the area.

Recommended for those who like authors such as Craig Johnson and C. J. Box as stated in the book details, I can confirm that as a fan of both authors I enjoyed it and look forward to future novels by the author, hopefully with more based on this novel.

5 stars.

"My whole life is not what I thought it was", muses the main character towards the end of this excellent new novel of suspense and mystery from Bruce Borgos. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this upcoming release.
Porter Beck, Beck to one and all, definitely has a lot to unpack as we travel through a mysterious case, one which has its roots in the Cold War and Nuclear Testiing of the 1950s, but has taken root in present the present day, when a former FBI agent is found murdered - and in a most gruesome way.
The FBI sends one of its own to oversee the investigation, and it quickly becomes apparent that secrets from the past are coming home to roost.
Not only was the agent killed investigating the possibility of a Soviet spy somehow involved in a past terrorist event, but also the near certainty that there are operatives in the present trying - with devastating results - to find him and bring him back to Russia.
We are taken back to America's past and the Nuclear Proving Grounds in Nevada and fast-forwarded to the future where it rapidly becomes clear that the present danger is closer than Sheriff Beck knows.
All of the characters in this gripping story are well-drawn, and the author shows an in depth knowledge (thanks to much research, I'm sure) of what went on in the 1950s and how it has ramification even today - although this IS a work of fiction, it is also believable on many levels.
Death by torture, kidnappings, chases through the desert... all of these lead us to a startling conclusion, and one that even Beck could not imagine.
Recommended

Set in Southern Nevada dessert where the nuclear tests of the 1950's took place a Sherriff is called to a grisly murder scene. What begins as a police procedural who dunnit quickly evolves into a nifty little spy cold war revenge suspense novel all rolled into one.

Although the plot is a bit over imagined it more then makes up in quick dialogue and well paced writing.

Great read.

I received this book from NetGalley for my unbiased review.

This was the first book by Bruce Borgos I have read. Hopefully it won't be the last!

The Bitter Past grabs you from the beginning and keeps you turning pages until the end. The characters are well developed and the story has some twists and turns throughout.

Very good read and looking forward to more.

Have never read anything by this author and wasn’t sure I would like this book when it was brought to my attention. Took me a little while to get into it. Don’t like stories bouncing back into time to combine the story. Once I got into the story I didn’t want to put it down. Intriguing story involving a murder of a retired FBI agent that took place in Nevada. The story involves a Russian operative who was working as a spy back 20 years ago. The US government knew there was a spy in Nevada but was sure who it was. The spy helped stop the dangerous mission that the Russian government was involved in but he left bodies doing this before he disappeared but was never caught. At the death of the FBI agent they were afraid that the Russian operative was active again. Interesting book. I would recommend the book to others.

I am an avid reader but the mystery genre is my favorite. That said, I have to admit I was thrilled to be offered a chance to read the first book in a new series by Bruce Borgos, an author new to me. The book is a combination of police procedural, spy/espionage, mystery and thriller with a dash of historical fiction. The combination is very well done. Lincoln County, Nevada Sheriff (just call me) Beck is a likable character from the beginning. If it wasn't for that the gruesome murder scene near the beginning of the book might have stopped me in my tracks. However, I kept turning the pages rapidly to find out how incidents in the late 1950s at the Nevada Testing Site were connected to Beck's present-day murder. The characters are well developed, the story line complex and the pace is fast. Nothing is as it first appears but the author plays fair and ties up everything at the end in a believable manner. This is a series that I will definitely follow based on this first book.


Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing/ Minotaur for the invitation to read and review this new series.

The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos is an engrossing read.. A superb job with plot and characters. Well worth the read.

Fast paced, interesting characters, well-plotted, easy to read. What more could you want for a rainy afternoon?

This is a very interesting and winning page turner combining some spy mystery intrigue with a bit of romance thrown in for fun. I'm hoping there will be a sequel and soon.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

Love. Murder. Russian spies. Nuclear testing. Porter Beck is my new favourite hero! Can’t wait to read the next instalment of his character. Great fiction book based on history. Loved the info on nuclear testing. Just visited the atomic testing museum in Vegas one month ago. Really great timing on this brilliant debut novel. Must read for crime/ spy thrillers.

4.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks to the publishers and author for the arc of this book.

Wonderful book! All the hype of the 50's and family , too. Back then you did what you had to do for country and family and no one knew , Salaries, work conditions, neighbors. where talked about! Family secrets stay in family!

This was a good book in many ways: Fast plot, suspense, and well researched information on a piece of history that is not often told. Characters were written as real people and I look forward to more from this author.

When I first read the synopsis of this book on NetGalley, I was intrigued. When I finished the first chapter, I thought me eyes were going to roll out of my head as a result of all the similes. It was like reading a 1950’s dime store novel. But, I persevered. After all, I was permitted to read this advanced copy as a courtesy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Wow! So glad that I continued. Soon, I was hooked and drawn into the story of Beck, a Nevada sheriff dealing with a horrific murder of an elderly man. During his investigation, we are taken back to the 1950’s Russian spies, and the nuclear testing taking place in the Nevada desert. We meet his unconventional family, his interesting officers, and the lovely agent sent to solve the case. This is apparently, and hopefully, the first in a new series by a debut author. The witty writing often had me laughing out loud. I was gobsmacked when I realized where the story was heading, and totally satisfied when I read the last page. For fans of C.J. Box and that ilk, this is a must read.

The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos
Porter Beck is the Sherrif in Lincoln County, Nevada. The grizzly murder of an ex-FBI agent debuts this mystery. Finding the killer leads to a history of atomic bomb testing and Russian spies.
Borgos spins a believable tale with excellent characterizations. He provides his characters with both strengths and flaws. The characters are believable as is the tale.
The story has abundant twists, plenty of mayhem, and heroics.
I enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

This novel takes place in Nevada during two separate time periods. In the first, the present, we meet Beck, the Lincoln County Sheriff who followed his father into office after a career in the Army. One of his many remarkable abilities is total recall. Lincoln County is north of Las Vegas in the Nevada mountains. The other part takes place following the end of World War II and the Cold War. It involves the secret testing of nuclear weaponry, a Russian spy who was there under cover and an event that could have destroyed Las Vegas. Parts of each chapter deal with each time frame. Normally when I read split times I often lose interest because it becomes convoluted. But not this time. I found myself caring what happened to these characters and what is going on in their lives. I also occasionally laughed out loud at some of the interactions between Beck and his crew. The ending could not have been better. Thanks to Net Galley and Minotaur Books for an ARC for an honest review.

Ebook received for free through NetGalley.

A great book that pulled me in from the beginning and was hard to put down. That’s for letting me read it.

Well, I just found a new Author that will be added to my best Author list. I was engrossed from the beginning. It flowed and kept me interested all the way through. I liked the humor and intelligence of sheriff Porter Beck, he was an interesting character. In fact all the characters were well written. The plot was very engaging and kept you on your toes. I highly recommend you read this book. I look forward to reading his other books.

Kind of a slow read but it was interesting. Main characters were well written. I did like I never figured out the spy until revealed in the story.

This novel about the search for an old Russian spy from the Cold War now living under an alias was a great story. The action, the extremely likable characters and the great humor were enjoyable to read. The only issue I have is that it seems like the author has not researched Brinley’s condition. Other than that, four stars.

42 billion ⭐s

To say I loved The Bitter Past would be quite the understatement. Everyone else is chasing Bruce Borgos for my favorite book of the year. When I was thoroughly horrified at the beginning of the book then all of a sudden I'm crying from laughing is when I knew I had found my soulmate. Maybe two of my favorite jokes are held within The Bitter Past. Violent, unique and fresh, The Bitter Past is filled with unforgettable characters in a unique setting and has my highest recommendation (if that was actually a thing).

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of The Bitter Past.

Meet Sheriff Porter Beck, usually just Beck, of Lincoln County in eastern Nevada, adjacent to the Nevada Atomic Testing Site and Area 51, and, hopefully, the star of a continuing series. I really loved this character so much! He’s likable, smart, witty and gifted with total recall, but saddled with night blindness. An ex-military man, he came back to assist his lawman father who’s suffering from dementia, eventually being elected sheriff himself. Beck is investigating the grisly torture/death of a retired FBI agent and becomes paired with another FBI agent from DC, Sana Locke, who suspects the elderly murder victim was still looking for a Russian spy from 60 years ago.

The action jumps back and forth between the 1950s, as we get to know the Russian spy hidden at the Nevada testing site, and the present, as Beck and Locke try to determine how that obviously very old spy (if alive) figures into the current crime. The narrative comes down to spy vs spy, except the spies are 80 to 90 year old dudes.

Burgos definitely knows the area and landscape, adding weirdly named FLDS characters (those would be the desert polygamists). I moved to Utah from Chicago years ago and originally had no idea what “Downwinders” were and I was initially mystified by men named LaVelle and Enoch. The author expertly explains the unique social heritage and environmental history of the area as the mystery unfolds. It’s atmospheric and unique and even if you’re unfamiliar with the area, you’ll enjoy being plunged into a part of the New West that’s more than cactus and tumbleweeds.

The plot was twisty, the mystery was fairly complex and the finale was action packed! 5 stars! Sheriff Beck deserves a another book or two!

Thank you to St.Martin’s Press/Minotaur and NetGalley for making the suggestion that I’d like this! I did!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Beck’s sister, Brin, has emerald green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Tall cottonwoods are growing where they should be.

The Bitter Past by Bruce Borges is a complex, fascinating, mysterious novel involving nuclear warfare development and testing done in the US in the 50's and 60's and possible spying by the Russians. It has many twists and turns from past to present keeping the reader fully engaged in trying to solve the earlier spying relating it to present day events. This book is well worth a read.

Strong series opener set in rural Nevada with a past-present mystery tied to the lingering effects of atomic bomb testing. The hero is the local sheriff who has a background in Army intelligence, which comes in handy when a Russian spy is at large in the county. The sheriff teams up with a female government agent, and romantic tension ensues.

The first-person narrative is engaging, with a balance of humor and self-reflection. Alternating chapters are set in the 1950s, giving Cold War intrigue that resonates in the present.

The isolation of the high desert was a factor - at one point they had 12 hours to accomplish something, and it seemed like half of it was spent driving somewhere! The opening scene is very gruesome, but it tones down after that, with some action and gunfights and a denouement in a scenic spot.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.

Bruce Borgos has written a great suspense and mystery novel entitled “ The Bitter Past.” Like many of my favorite books there are two storylines running parallel, and perhaps intertwining, and leaving many of the mysteries unresolved till late in the book. The stories never felt forced and the pacing was…just right. The Goodreads summary begins with “ In the tradition of Craig Johnson and C.J. Box” sets the table beautifully since I have read most everything by both of these authors. So a big + before I read the first page.
Porter Beck is a Nevada small town sheriff who gets involved with murky good and bad guys having something to do with the American nuclear program from way back in the 1950’s. And that’s all I shall give y’all: I can only hope this is the 1st book in a series ( Mr. Borgos !) A big “ thanks” to NetGalley for the opportunity to read “The Bitter Past.”

The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos. I did not want to put this book down!! A great story line with great characters. I love the snarky confident complex Porter Beck! Looking forward to reading more books with him! This story is a dual timeline. Present day Nevada near Area 51 with Russian spies and Cold War history in the 1956 timeline. A very believable story with the author keeping the story moving. I definitely recommend this book! Thank you NetGalley for letting me review this book.

This book was awesome. It was a great mystery with a couple of great twists. I highly recommend it and want to read more of this author. Bruce Borgos is an excellent storyteller.

While I agree with some comments that Bruce Borgos’ debut novel, The Bitter Past, is reminiscent of Craig Johnson’s Longmire books, it also brings back memories of Betty Webb’s 2012 Lena Jones mystery, Desert Wind. With two timelines, a mystery and espionage combined in one book, The Bitter Past is a fascinating, unusual debut.

Sheriff Porter Beck is a former Foreign Area Officer in the Army. Now, he’s sheriff of Lincoln County, Nevada, a county the size of Maryland. Despite the vast territory to cover, Beck knows most of the residents. His father was once the sheriff in the county before he developed dementia. Beck recognizes the dead man, a retired FBI agent. Ralph Atterbury was seventy-four. Beck never saw anyone who suffered that level of torture. It was worse than the Taliban. With Beck’s Army background, though, he has suspicions. When Sana Locke, an FBI agent from Washington shows up and wants to see Beck’s crime scene, he’s even more suspicious.

In the 1950s, and for decades afterwards, Nevada was the site for nuclear testing. In the ’50s, a KGB agent, found a way to infiltrate the site, under the name Freddie Meyer. Meyer’s assignment wasn’t just to infiltrate the site. He was part of a larger plan.

Now, over sixty years later, someone is in Nevada, looking for that former KGB agent. Atterbury might have had files that would help identify a man who would now be in his eighties. So, Atterbury was tortured for the information. It’s up to Sheriff Beck and his small team to protect that man, although they have no clue as to his current identity.

The Bitter Past is a gripping story that combines elements of mystery, espionage, and history. Beck wonders if he himself suffers from effects of the radiation from those nuclear tests. His mother, and so many other people who lived there in the 1950s, died of cancer. Animals suffered cruel deaths after the tests. But, during the 1950s, Americans believed the need to beat the Soviets in the nuclear arms race and the Cold War. While Borgos tells a riveting story, he doesn’t neglect the effects of the 1950s tests.

The Bitter Past is an unusual novel. Kudos to the author for a compelling debut.

After seeing this book compared to C.J. Box , I had to read it. Great start to what hopefully becomes a series! The author was able to weave the past and the present together so well and kept me on the edge of my seat.

"The Bitter Past" has been one of my favorite reads this year. I really hope that a network picks it up for a movie or TV series, as it has the potential to be phenomenal. I loved the historical aspect that the book brought, as I did not know much about the Cold War or the atomic age. It was very fascinating! I fell in love with the characters, and although some parts of the plot were predictable, there were still many surprising twists and turns. I enjoyed the past/present perspectives, as they left me eager to continue reading.

Thank you to the author, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an opportunity to preview the book.

Oh Wow! This is one of the best books I've read all year! The story is like Joe Pickett/Jack Reacher/James Bond combined and written by le Carre. It's very good. I could. Not. Put. This. Down! I don't want to spoil this book in any way, and can't rave enough about it! Get this book now! You will not regret it. Highly recommend this book! Oh I hope it becomes a series as the characters are spectacular and need more books! 5 stars plus 5 more at least!

The Bitter Past is a mystery set in the West full of spy craft and the sad truth of American history in the desert. A dead retired FBI agent is found in Sheriff Porter Beck’s remote county outside Las Vegas. His death leads Beck and his deputies on a wild chase of Russian spies and a deep dive into the nuclear tests of the 1950’s. Beck is a tough as nails Sheriff who is a lot wittier than his easy manner suggests. Twisting and blind siding you, the case uncovers some dark secrets as Beck rises to the challenge. Beck is a crafty, formidable protagonist that will win you over and have you coming back for more. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

This was a bit of a slow starter for me, I wasn't sure if I'd like sheriff Porter Beck. He was very unassuming, though we learn later that beneath his laid-back demeanor, he's very observant and has many strengths that he hides, to reveal at just the right time. And a sheriff that has a clear weakness, his night blindness, was something I'd never seen before, and I'm curious to see how it will be developed more in upcoming books.

Likewise, the Cold War and nuclear testing connections had me stepping back and wondering how they would fit. Which really is a good start for a mystery, even if it has me scratching my head a bit.

Sheriff Beck is in charge of a large portion of the Nevada high desert, even if the population is low. So finding a retired FBI agent tortured and murdered is not a normal occurrence and has the whole police force getting involved. The sudden appearance of FBI agent Sana Locke seems like a welcome help, though Beck soon finds himself wondering what she's really there for.

The plot moves well, and everything comes together seamlessly. Plenty of action and intrigue, and a satisfying ending with a welcome cast of characters. I look forward to reading the next installment of Porter Beck's, and learning more about his small town.

Thank you for the ARC through NetGalley.

I must say I was not a fan of Sheriff Beck at the start of this book but sooner rather than later the character changed my mind and I may have fallen a little bit in love with him.

This author did a great job building his story. Alternating the story between the 1950s and the present day kept me reading. Lots of action & violence interspersed with a love story. I got tears in my eyes at the end of this book. I am looking forward to reading another story about Sheriff Beck and his police force.

I was so fortunate to have requested this book and then to have been granted it! It is truly excellent with twists and turns that will have you surprised, to say the least. Well written, carefully crafted, with interesting characters. The story line is believable. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending this book for review consideration. I intend to recommend this read as soon as it is published. All opinions are my own. #NetGalley, #St.Martin’sPress, #TheBitterPast.

Call it 4.5 stars. This book has it all. A small town sheriff in Nevada. A tortured and murdered retired FBI agent. A mystery casting back to the days of the cold war, above ground atomic testing, and Russian spies who were willing to do anything to damage the United States nuclear program. And a cast of well drawn and (mostly) likable characters. The story goes back and forth between what happened back in 1957, and why those events are still vibrating in the present. Highly recommended.

Thoroughly enjoyed this murder mystery! In case you aren't aware this is definitely not a cozy, there are some pretty graphic scenes right in the beginning. I was really impressed how all the backstories were written seamlessly into the novel. I liked the characters and the story resolution was unexpected. Looking forward to the next installment.

Sheriff Porter Beck is content working in Nevada's Lincoln County and Big Rock Wilderness which encompasses Area 51 and the nuclear tests site of the 50's. When he is called to a brutal torture killing of an ex-CIA agent, Washington sends an FBI agent to oversee the investigation. As they work together, it becomes apparent that there are Russian agents trying to find their defector from the 50's' who is still believed to be alive. The government also wants to keep the past secrets, secret.
An intriguing debut thriller from Bruce Borgos, is told in the present day along with the past. Its twists and turns make for a fast paced, throughly enjoyable, story.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins, Minotaur Books for this e-galley of "The Bitter Past".

As someone who does not read the synopsis of a book prior to starting, I had no idea what to expect with this book. Once I realized there was a Russian spy on American soil I was hooked. I loved the back and forth between present day and past - it was like reading two books at the same time that helped piece together the same story.Looking back I believe the author dropped quite a few hints about some of the twists and turns that were to come later on. I did find some parts of the book to be a bit slow and I was not a fan of the romance between two of the characters, but other than that it was a great read!

Be sure to grab this book - available 7/18/2023!

Mesmerizing story in "The Bitter Past" story by Bruce Borgos. The story is set in the Nevada desert in Lincoln County where Area 51 is located. The book has two separate story lines -- one is set in the midst of the Cold War and one in modern times.

Wondering exactly how the two lines converge is a delightful process. The Cold War line is fraught with spies, surveillance, nuclear bomb development, and general espionage. These interplay as a young Soviet falls in love and is troubled on ethical grounds.

The modern story is about a sheriff who has been much more before he comes to Nevada to follow in his father's footsteps in law enforcement. Add in a dose of FBI, CIA, and various Russian security alphabet letters and you have a great story.

Characters seem very real, and you feel their joy and pain as facts emerge that creates issues. Will the modern Nevadans be able to see past the foibles of the past and meet the challenges of the day, or will it all come crashing down?

To find out you will have to immerse yourself in this most delightful book....one of the best I've read in a while, and I read a lot! Definitely recommend this page turner to almost any reader; there is a bit of violence, but it fits the story and is not gratuitous..

What a cast of characters. It's hard to pick a favorite! They made the book, and the story was decent too. Will definitely read the next in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Porter Beck is the sheriff in the high desert of Nevada, north of Las Vegas. Born and raised there, he's back home, doing the same lawman's job his father once did, before his father started to develop dementia. All is relatively quiet in this corner of the world, until an old, retired FBI agent is found killed. He was brutally tortured before he was killed and clues at the scene point to a mystery dating back to the early days of the nuclear age. If that wasn't strange enough, a current FBI agent shows up to help Beck's investigation.

In a case that unfolds in the past (the 1950s) and the present, it seems that a Russian spy infiltrated the nuclear testing site and now someone is looking for that long-ago, all-but forgotten person, who holds the key to what happened then and to the deadly goings on now.

Atmospheric, original, suspenseful, and compelling, this novel deserves to reign at the top the bestseller lists, and this reader is hoping to see that happen. Highly recommended. #TheBitterPast #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthors

An edge of your seat thriller that will raise your heartbeat. Past Russia espionage collides with the present as a Russian assassin goes after men involved in an incident in 1957 looking for a traitor to Russia. The traitor had a job to do and failed. You will never see the ending coming.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

grisly, first-in-series, new-series, Nevada, murder, murder-investigation, law-enforcement, procedural, crime-thriller, fiction, friction, rural, local-law-enforcement, FBI, ex-FBI, snarky, torture, action-adventure, espionage, dual-timeframes, propaganda, lies, 1950s, present-day, ex-military, invisible-disability, punny, CIA, Russian intelligence, unputdownable*****

"Oh good. We're having puns for breakfast." That and references to wearing a Duluth jacket to keep out the cold are my favorite lines.
Cruelty and torture meet with dry wit and horrible puns with Sheriff Porter Beck in the high desert of Nevada even as the story of a Russian agent at the nuclear test site in 1957 plays out. More than one cat toys with intelligent mice until the tables are turned. The massive twist near the end of the book absolutely blew me away! Can't wait til it comes out in audio so I can get a copy to keep!
I requested and received an EARC from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Sheriff Porter Beck is investigating the torture and murder of a retired FBI agent—not the kind of case he usually has to handle in the Nevada desert. FBI Special Agent Sana Locke joins the investigation, connecting a Russian spy from the 1950s to the current murder case.

The pace of the storytelling was great, flipping between the present murder investigation and the past, when the Russian spy infiltrated a nuclear test site.

The action didn’t slow and with Beck’s impressive military background the plot details were believable and interesting—a combination detective novel and spy thriller.

The banter between Beck and Locke was great fun, and while their connection felt genuine, I would have preferred more lead up time for the romance to develop—instead of the immediate internal thoughts from Beck about his physical attraction to Locke.

Overall this was a fast-paced mystery that kept me eagerly turning pages until the end.

Note: While page one contains an explicit description of the crime scene, in general the book was not overly graphic.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaurbooks for the ARC.

Great start to a promising series! Past information is provided to explain what's happening in the here and now. A fictional story with history lessons provided! Looking forward to more happenings in the Nevada desert! Thanks for the opportunity to read and review.

I loved The Bitter Past. Author Bruce Borgos gives us interesting characters in a superb plot. There were several surprises to keep the intrigue active.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Finished ✔️ The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos

4 ⭐️’s
Publish Day: July 18th, 2023
Kindle Unlimited: No

Overall I enjoyed the book.
I liked that I finally found a book that takes place in a state that isn’t a popular location/state that authors use for their settings
It’s the first book in the series
Love how this book involves the mention of the US Army
Stunning opening chapter
A thrilling and assured debut.
A crisp jolt of cask-strength.
Fascinating chapters
Plenty of action
Intriguing story lines
Wonderful humor to offset the tension
Even a hint of romance 🥰
I was sorry to see it end
Yes, I’d recommend it

#DeesReading #DeesRecs #DeesBookRecommendations #BookNerds #BookNerdProblems #BookNerdsUnited #BookProblems #BookProblems101 #BookNerds101 #Bookworms #BookwormProblems #BookwormProblems101 #BooksOfFacebook #DeeTheBookReviewer #DeesReadOfTheDay #DeesBookOfTheDay #DeesBookReviewsOfTheDay #BookReviewer #NewToMeAuthor #BruceBorgos #ReadOfTheDay #BookOfTheDay #TheBittterPast #NetGalley

The Bitter Past is a gripping novel that takes readers on a journey through the high desert of Nevada, following the story of Sheriff Porter Beck as he investigates the brutal murder of a retired FBI agent. Set against the backdrop of a remote and unforgiving landscape, this novel captures the essence of the American West, with all its rugged beauty and untamed danger.

As the story unfolds, we learn that Porter is a second-generation lawman who has taken over his father’s position as sheriff, a role that has become even more challenging due to his father’s deteriorating health. Porter’s investigation into the murder of the retired FBI agent takes him deep into the past, uncovering a mystery that dates back to the early days of the nuclear age and the Cold War.

The retired agent, who had recently set himself up in a secure bunker, was tortured in an attempt to extract information about a Russian spy who had infiltrated a nuclear facility years ago. This spy posed a serious threat to national security, and his whereabouts have remained unknown ever since. As Porter delves deeper into the investigation, he realizes that the murder is connected to the search for the elusive spy, who may be living in the area under an alias.

With each twist and turn, the tension in the novel ratchets up, as Porter races against time to catch the killer and prevent more bloodshed. Borgos masterfully weaves together the present-day investigation with flashbacks to the 1950s, creating a rich and detailed portrait of a bygone era.

Overall, The Bitter Past is a riveting and suspenseful novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Borgos is a talented writer who has created a vivid and compelling world, full of complex characters and unexpected plot twists. Fans of Craig Johnson and Nevada Barr will find much to enjoy in this thrilling new series.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a really good book, the first in a series and I will be looking for the second. Sheriff Porter Beck is called out to a crime scene, a brutal one at that of a retired FBI agent who appears to have been tortured, then slowly killed. Not long after, Agent Sana shows up and tags along with Porter while he investigates the murder and other oddities that are happening in the area (like a missing young girl that's in a polygamy marriage). We are also taken to The Past which describes a young man who eventually is hired on as a security guard at the Nevada Testing site for nuclear weapons, this young may has an ulterior motive though, one that doesn't come clear until near the end. Porter and Sana become close, she's drop dead gorgeous and he's not hard on the eyes, though they both feel guilty after their one night together, that doesn't stop them from investigating further and uncovering little clues that lead to a big reveal. A very good start for this series and I would recommend. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Minotaur for the ARC.

After a career in Army Intelligence Porter Beck returned home to the Nevada high desert and became sheriff just like his dad was. When a reclusive retired FBI agent is brutally tortured and murdered and his home ransacked, Porter can’t help but think there’s more to the story. An FBI agent suddenly showing up to help with the investigation seals the deal. He can’t help but wonder if she’s there to help or hinder him from finding the truth. Could it really have something to do with the 1957 secret nuclear testing and Area 51???

Told in the 1950s and the present, The Bitter Past is a unforgettable story that will keep you turning the pages long into the night. Can’t wait for a sequel.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for making this story available to me in exchange for an honest review.

This book reminded me of both Craig Johnson and C.J. Box, if they blended their westerns with spy novels. The story starts out from page one in a visit to a violent crime scene in C.J. Box style; then we settle in with the small-town sheriff reminiscent of Craig Johnson. Except this particular sheriff has a much different background.
Sheriff Porter Beck grew up in the high desert of Nevada, outside Las Vegas. He was raised there until he left to join the Army. His work as Foreign Area Officer trained him to spent a lot of time in the Soviet Union, so he’s no stranger to secrets.

Now he’s back home, doing the same Sheriff’s job his father did, before Pop started to develop dementia. It’s a quiet life, until an old, retired FBI agent is found murdered, after being gruesomely tortured. The clues point to a mystery dating back to the early days of the nuclear age. Then a stranger, a current-day FBI agent, shows up to insert herself into Beck’s investigation.

In the 1950s, and for decades afterwards, Nevada was the site for nuclear testing. At that time, a KGB agent found a way to infiltrate one of the sites. In The Bitter Past The action jumps back and forth between the 1950s Area 51 and the present, in interspersed chapters. It appears that old Russian spy, now in his eighties, might have stashed some files from that time. Someone is looking for that all but forgotten person, who appears to hold the key to what happened then--and now.

I enjoyed the 1950s chapters. The cold war conflict, Russian spies, and sabotaging of the nuclear testing sites were gripping. Sheriff Beck’s current day investigation was equally absorbing, as he delves into his own team’s motivations, his father’s convoluted history, and the FBI agent’s real reason for being there.

The only weak point was the romance between the FBI agent, Sana, and Porter Beck. I felt to me like a throwaway romance, even though the author did his best to imbed her character in the story.

All of the other characters are vitally important to the plot, and Borgos skillfully weaves both timelines into the end of the book. The final plot surprise at the end definitely makes me curious about Borgos’ next book. I hope there will be one. Five stars for The Bitter Past!

A moving novel based on "doing the right thing".

KGB Lt. Georgiy Dudko is sent to Nevada USA in the 1950s as an undercover spy to gather and report information to Russia on the US nuclear bomb project. As Freddie Meyer he befriends Dr. Ellison and his daughter Kitty. The situations Freddie finds himself put into are one moral dilemma after another.

Present day Sheriff Porter Beck digs into the past to solve the disappearance of a young bride, and sudden deaths of a local elderly men.

Bouncing between 1940s-1950s and present day the story is quite intriguing. How it all comes together is well-done.

Sheriff Porter Beck’s story in the high desert of Nevada, home of nuclear testing in the U.S., begins with the discovery of a murdered retired FBI agent. The story slowly builds as the present search for the murderer intersects with the past – including that of Sheriff Beck’s own father. In addition to an interesting thriller, I enjoyed learning about our involvement in the development of the nuclear age. I received an ARC from NetGalley, and the opinions expressed are my own.

The first book in the Porter Beck series is a winner. There was never a lag in this story about a sheriff in a small town in Nevada who is investigating a series of murders of older men along with the disappearance of a young woman from a religious sect. A female FBI agent is added to the mix which results in some great dialogue. The story is told in the present day as well as in the 1950s when a Russian agent infiltrated his way into a nuclear testing site in Nevada. There were several twists that I didn't see coming and I certainly didn't guess the identity of the Russian agent. I'm already looking forward to the next installment in this series.

I really liked the sections of the book set in the present, but was not fond of those set in the past. I understand how they were supposed to tie together, but I thought the present-day book was strong enough on its own. The twist at the end was totally unexpected and a very fulfilling one. If the author's next book only takes place in the present, I'll be interested in reading it.

The Bitter Past intertwines a current day murder mystery that takes place in the high desert of Nevada with Russian espionage that took place at a nearby nuclear test site in the 1950’s. Sheriff Porter Beck is investigating the torture and killing of a retired FBI agent in his town when a woman, claiming to be an FBI agent, turns up to look into the man’s murder. Beck, who is a former military intelligence officer, feels that something is off about the agent and the entire case for that matter; especially when the clues lead them to Russian espionage at the nuclear test site nearby that took place 70 years ago. Is the killer trying to eliminate the last people who know about the Russian spy? Beck, his team and the FBI agent must work quickly to find out. Borgos has written a very atmospheric and descriptive mystery. The desert and the dangers it holds is as much a character in the novel as the interesting and well-defined people who fill the pages. The story is fast-paced and has several plot twists. Beck is a strong protagonist and I look forward to the possibility of more stories featuring him. I would definitely read them. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur, for providing me an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Minotaur, St. Martin’s and Netgalley for providing the ARC. I didn’t seek out this book and might have never read it had it not been offered to me. That said, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. A local western lawman, combined with an FBI agent to solve a murder with connections stretching back to the early days of the Cold War. And all the characters are not what they seem. It kept me very engrossed for a few late nights. Recommended for anyone who likes a historical fiction mystery.

The Bitter Past deals with the cost of doing the right thing. This entertaining book is set in Nevada's high desert. It has a very interesting story line. It was well thought out and expertly put together. I loved the mystery and suspense. I had no idea who the real Freddie was. It was a very twisty and a wonderful read. I loved this book and I highly recommend it. I was provided an advance reader copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos is a book about Porter Beck. He is second generation sheriff; his father was a sheriff before him and is sliding into dementia.
A retired FBI agent is tortured and killed, and it goes back to the beginning of the nuclear age.
When a current FBI agent shows up to help investigate the murder things start to heat up.
We moved between the present day and 1950s past to find out the mystery. Who is the killer? What are they trying to find out from the past?
I enjoyed the writing and the story. I recommend this book and hope to read more by the author.

I requested to read and review this book for free from Minotaur Books an Imprint of St. Martin's Publishing Company. This book was fantastic. It had some many twist and turns. You won't want to put this book down. It has mystery, drama, suspense and a little romance. Secrets have a way to come back to us some they haunt or others feel freedom. Spies can be anywhere. Trust is a hard thing when you don't know who to trust. Beck is a by the book rules followers. But life is going to get messy for a while for him and the police department. This book can be read anywhere and should be read by a mature audience.

There’s lots of intrigue in this little sleepy town outside of Las Vegas adjacent to the site of nuclear testing in the 40’s.
   The story starts gruesomely with the torture and murder of an old timer from the community. Needless to say, the reason as to why this man was brutalized is the puzzle of the police department, led by Porter Beck. As sheriff and son of the previous sheriff he discovers that the FBI is interested in this murder because the victim may be a Russian spy gone underground.
   The story offers interesting facts about the development of nuclear warfare and the disregard of the health of people in the vicinity when they were tested. Most of the families living there were affected by the radiation: cancer, miscarriages, defects, all were attributed to those tests.
   But now there is a bigger issue: a sleeper spy has been living here all these years and now someone wants him back. The problem is Russia is targeting ALL men of a certain age bracket to torture because they don’t know who it could be 50 years later, either.
   An exciting book that describes an interesting look into the cold War of the 50’s, life in the expanse of the west, the measures the government will takes to do due diligence and the love of a son despite what he discovers about hidden secrets in his own family.
   A definite page turner.

A Thoroughly Engrossing Story

Porter Beck has returned to his home town in Nevada after serving in Army Intelligence doing things no one talks about. Now he’s the sheriff, replacing his father who served the town for many years before dementia took his mind. Nothing much ever happens in this town, until it does. A retired FBI agent is dead, tortured beyond belief by someone looking for information.

The story then switches to The Past, a time in the ‘50s when the government was scrambling to perfect a nuclear bomb. A young Russian has been groomed for this mission, fluent in both Russian and English. His job? Infiltrate the nuclear complex and gain information for the Russians.

This story revolves around these two people doing their jobs as best they can. The chapters switch between the present and the past, pulling you into a deep mystery from the past that has surfaced in the present. It was hard to put this book down. The characters are well developed and I found myself empathizing with the sheriff and the monumental task before him.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of The Bitter Past. This is my honest review.

What an intriguing premise! This was a fast read and I really liked the two different timelines this story took place in. I was equally invested in both. The action never stops! The desert felt so real, it could have been another character.

Don't let the bland, cliched title put you off. This is an absolutely terrific book, the best mystery-thriller-cop-spy novel mashup I've read in years, and I'm blown away by it, honestly.

The narrative is complicated and you have to pay attention, but the voice of the rural sheriff who relates the contemporary portions in the first person is so compelling that you'll find that easy to do. The prose is clean and sharp as the proverbial razor. The dialogue is so real you would swear you're hearing it spoken as you read.

It's a wonderful book, truly. Mystery-thrillers don't get any better than this.

Definitely not my typical read but I throughly enjoyed it and was instantly pulled into the story. The flashbacks certainly were so important to the story and I loved the twists and turns that hat made this book unputdownable.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Who doesn't love a gritty sheriff's tale in the desert of Nevada, Area 51 and russian spies? Sherrif Porter Beck inherited his very large county from his dad, who now suffers from dementia. Beck is investigating the execution of a retired FBI agent living in the middle of the desert with a secret bunker full of files. The former agent was tortured because of this hidden information, which Beck and his team soon discover.

This book is told in alternating timelines between the 1950's and the present day. The past provides the background for the Atom Bomb testing and russian spy that gets hired onto the project. The present is Beck and team racing to prevent the next murder.

The plot, setting and characters were very enjoyable and well done. I am hoping that this will become a new series!

Highly recommend!

In a desert town near Las Vegas, a retired FBI agent is found dead, brutally tortured. Sheriff Porter Beck then gets a visit from another FBI agent offering to help with the investigation, as the murder appears to be connected with possible spying at a nearby nuclear test site. The Bitter Past is a suspenseful and thoroughly entertaining mystery/spy thriller, expertly told in dual timelines alternating from the present to the late 1950’s that will keep you glued to the pages. As the plot unfolds and the timelines merge, the reader is totally engaged with smart, witty dialogue and great characters. Very pleasantly surprised by this one, and definitely looking forward to more in this new series. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos is the first book in the Porter Beck series. This is a thrilling, chilling story. Definitely a page-turner. The characters are well-developed and the storyline flows smoothly. Bruce Borgos is a new-to-me author and I look forward to more stories from him.

This was quite an exciting book. Once I started reading The Bitter Past, I could not put it down. This is about Sheriff Becker in a Nevada town who had left to join the Army, ended up in intelligence and came home to take over his father’s position as Sheriff. A tortured federal agent was found dead and that is where it starts. Story actually goes back to the 1950’s when a Russian spy was working at a Nevada testing site for the Bomb. It is a very interesting story about the test site, the bomb, and how he is told to steal the bomb so it can be used on the US. You will definitely enjoy this story; in fact, I look forward to reading another story by this author, Bruce Brogos. Thank you NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to find a new author.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Sheriff Porter's is called to the scene where a retired fbi agent was murdered. While doing some research, he realizes that he has to go back several decades to find the answers that he is looking for. This was a good book.

Porter Beck is the sheriff in small town in the high desert outside Las Vegas. He followed in his father's footsteps to become sheriff after he returned from dark places around the world. His department is too small to cover the miles and miles included in his jurisdiction. When a retired FBI agent is killed in his remote cabin, Beck is drawn into an investigation that dates back to the days when nuclear bombs were tested in Nevada, resulting in many deaths from cancer and other blood diseases, due to exposure to radiation, including Beck's mother. Now, his father is developing dementia. When other bodies turn up, Beck realizes these murders date back to those days of testing. A Russian agent is in town, cleaning up after something happened back in the 50s. Then, another FBI agent shows up in Beck's office. But, is she? Moving between the 1950s and present-day, Beck has to discover what happened all those years ago that is now getting people killed in his jurisdiction. And, how does his father factor into this? An great read with some excellent plotting; the beginning was a little slow, but it finished with a bang! Recommended.

What a great read! The Bitter Past combines a great mystery with history. The characters are great and I loved getting into the Russian spy's head as well as Beck's. I would love to see what's next for Porter Beck.

A retired FBI agent is brutally killed in a remote desert town; is the reason buried in past secrets?

Porter Beck is the sheriff in Lincoln County, Nevada, a remote and barren desert area north of Las Vegas, as was his father before him. He grew up there but left years earlier to pursue a military career, ultimately serving in Army intelligence. When a mission went awry, he escaped with his life, but it ended his career with the Army. At the same time, Beck’s father was displaying signs of Alzheimer’s, and Beck returned home and took over as Sheriff. Not everyone is happy with Beck being in charge; his lieutenant, Wardell, thinks he should have gotten the job instead. As Wardell is very old school, including being more than a little racist, that was never going to happen, but he doesn't see that. He makes it a point to make Beck’s job difficult when he can, like when he hires a new officer for the team without Beck’s input. ‘New Guy Pete”, as that hire is now known, has worked out thus far, though, so Beck let’s it slide. Others trained under Beck;s dad, and are both competent and happy to work under Beck’s leadership. It is not an area known for major crime, so when the body of Ralph Atterbury, retired FBI agent, is found in his home horribly mutilated and likely tortured before his death, it gets Beck’s attention…and it also summons the arrival of FBI agent Sana Locke, who claims she wants to help. For a quiet area, Lincoln County suddenly starts to show quite a bit of criminal activity. A young woman, married and living in a nearby polygamous community, goes missing….most think she ran away from a restricted life, but her husband swears she has been abducted. Several graves are disturbed. And then another elderly man in the area is found dead. How much of all of this, if any is connected? And does any of it have roots in the area’s past, when they were one many communities impacted by nearby nuclear testing?
Inserted into the narrative are chapters set back in the mid-to-late 1950’s, where we are introduced to Freddie Mercer, a young man newly arrived to Las Vegas and trying to make a career for himself. While working at one of the casinos, he meets Kitty Ellison and they start keeping company. They have much in common, it seems, including a love for physics. Kitty introduces Freddie to her dad, a physicist who works at the nearby nuclear testing site. Dr. Ellison gets Freddie a job doing security at the site, and Freddie’s hard work and intelligence make his a valued employee. But Freddie may be more than what he seems, and in a highly secure place that could be a really big problem.
Lincoln County has suffered for years from the residual effects of exposure to radiation, with cancer and miscarriages affecting so many of its inhabitants. But it seems that what happened there during the Cold War is going to bring more deaths, and expose some long hidden secrets that may be better left buried. This is a criminal mystery, but there are also elements of espionage, conspiracy theory, and the reality that governments often consider its citizens to be expendable in the interest of pursuing a greater good.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and found it hard to put down once I began. Porter Beck is an interesting character, flawed but with a strong code of ethics. His father and sister add some interesting wrinkles to his life, as do some of the odd characters in town. This is billed as the first in a series, and I look forward to reading Beck’s further exploits. Fans of C J Box’s Joe Pickett series and Craig Johnson’s Walt Longmire series would find this story of interest, although it is set in Nevada vs Wyoming, as might readers of Hillerman and even Steve Hamilton and Stephen Hunter. Many thanks to Goodreads and St Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for allowing me access to an advanced reader’s copy of The Bitter Past….it was a wonderful read that I highly recommend.

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: July 18, 2023
Fans of C.J. Box will devour Bruce Borgos’ newest novel. A gripping police procedural set in the Nevada desert, “The Bitter Past” is the first in the Porter Beck series of novels, and it will leave readers gasping!
After leaving the Army, Porter Beck returned home to the Nevada desert, and is now working as the sheriff, the position his father held before dementia claimed his mind. A retired FBI officer is found in his home, tortured and murdered, and signs point to a decades-old incident from the county’s nuclear involvement. Beck and his team are soon joined by the FBI, led by agent Sana Locke, but the crime scene is still doused in mystery and time is running out.
“Past” is an engaging read, narrated in two time periods. First, obviously, is in the present day where Beck and his team are leading the investigation. Then, a Russian operative has infiltrated the American nuclear war program in Nevada, hiding in plain sight as a security officer. The past and present intersect in an unexpected and deliciously twisted way, as Borgos flowing, creative plot suspensefully builds to a powerhouse ending.
I liked the characters, although Beck was portrayed as a little too “country bumpkin” for me, especially for someone who worked as a secret operative in the U.S. Army. Something didn’t sit right with me when it came to Sana (which made sense to me later as the plot developed), but I was not a fan of hers from the jump. She was unprofessional, leaping into bed with Beck during an investigation, and who was intimidated by any other remotely attractive female that was within her vicinity (such as Beck’s sister). Beck’s struggle with his father’s dementia was emotional and heartbreaking and it gave Beck a softer, human side which I appreciated.
The police investigation kept me turning the pages, with its non-stop action and government conspiracy coverups. There was even a side plot where a young woman is kidnapped from a Mormon commune, and Borgos still managed to make everything come together smoothly.
I love C.J. Box and Borgos’ Porter Beck novels are right up there as far as tension and plot fluidity. I look forward to reading more of Beck and his team!

This book was recommended to me as a book that would appeal to CJ Box and Craig Johnson fans. I haven’t read those authors yet so I can’t confirm; however, after reading this book I want to read them both now!

The alternating timelines in this story are done very well, the breaks work to keep the pacing fast and the reader’s interest piqued. The characters were rich and interesting, even side characters had a bit of depth to them. The plotting was brilliant and the twists were fun.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it!

With vivid characters in a unique setting, this story roared along. . I loved the sheriff’s humor.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Definitely enjoyed this and the mix of fact and fiction. There were a couple of things that rubbed me wrong but those are my issues and not really anything that took away from the story.

Nukes and Russians and murder, oh my! Bruce Borgos has constructed an engrossing mystery set in the desert of Nevada. The Bitter Past features Sheriff Porter Beck, a former Army Intelligence Officer, who was born in Nevada and returned there after his time in the service was done. He now holds the position his dad once held. Pop, now quite elderly, has dementia but still has his lucid moments and has a good relationship with Beck. He’s also close with his adopted daughter, Brin. Despite the area’s history with nuclear testing and “Downwinders,” who experienced illness and death due to nuclear fallout, the events in this story are more horrific than Beck or any of his deputies have ever experienced.

It begins with the body of an elderly, retired FBI agent who is found in his remote residence. The ways in which the man has been tortured and the fact that his home has been trashed indicate to Beck that the killer didn’t find what he was looking for. This is a ruthless killer, one who will not stop until he gets what he came for.

Enter FBI Agent Sana Locke. She’s attractive, smart, and secretive. Did I mention attractive? She’s only willing to share so much information with Beck about the dead FBI guy, but Beck’s been around the block a few times and can put two and two together. However, the killer manages to stay one step ahead. This book reads like a chess match on steroids.

Despite the graphic carnage, both Beck and Locke are funny at times, and I found myself laughing out loud at their exchanges. This is all in the present. We get the back story about what and why the Russians are after someone after all this time. Back in the mid- to late 1950 there was a Russian spy who infiltrated the nuclear test site. He was thought to have died, but if he’d lived, he’d be at least in his late 80s.

I enjoyed the pace of this book and the characters. There are twists that I did not see coming. I especially liked the author’s sense of right and wrong, of family, and of caring for others that he instills in several of his characters.

I received a digital copy of The Bitter Past in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and the author.

The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos is a spy/crime thriller taking place in the desert of Nevada where Sheriff Porter Beck is in charge. The story opens up with the investigation of a brutal crime scene of a murdered FBI agent. In a barren land with few neighbors far and wide this isn't a simple home invasion. Something far more serious and complicated is going on. Soon they will learn the case has ties to events from the 1950's and Beck's career in army intelligence in Russia comes into play.

Reading the first scene you might think this is going to be a heavy, dark read. But even when those first details are described the writing makes it easy to get through. It's also the only scene like that.

Sheriff Beck is a likeable character who likes to use humor, probably a smart move considering his jobs. The story moves along quickly after the opening. Beck is very smart and it's fun watching him investigate. We also get chapters from a spy's perspective in the past. I really enjoyed those chapters as well as they bring a different kind of intensity to the story. We also learn about Beck's past. The whole spy angle is very interesting and there are a few reveals to be had.

You could just enjoy this as a fast, action filled read but there's more. The story brings attention to the effects of atomic testing. Not to be forgotten among the spies and government agents are the civilians and animals who lived unaware of what was going on around them until it was too late. The Bitter Past has heart and is a solid read. I look forward to the next one as it looks like this is the first in a series.

When a retired FBI agent is found murdered, Sherriff Porter Beck finds himself in the middle of a mystery that started at the beginning of the Cold War. In walks FBI Agent Sana Locke to assist with the investigation. They must reach into the past to solve the present, but as the past and present collide will Sherriff Beck be able to keep his county safe?
I would describe this story as Longmire Meets Jack Ryan, a small town cop spy thriller. I generally don't enjoy books that have a lot of flashbacks, but this was so well written the flashbacks didn't give me whiplash. This was first person writing done right. I was invested right from the grisly start, The characters were well rounded, full of endearing flaws. The twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat, and I love when I'm surprised by a twist i didn't see coming and this book has a few of those. Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who likes crime/spy thrillers. I definitely would be interested in reading more of this series. Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to review this book.

This was a really good dual timeline mystery. The story revolves around former FBI agent, now sheriff, Porter Beck. Porter is investigating a brutal torture and murder in his small desert town in Nevada. The murdered person was an elderly, retired man, coincidentally also a former FBI agent.

Soon beautiful and intelligent FBI agent, Sana Locke, shows up to take over the investigation. She seems unwilling to answer all his questions, but Beck accepts her help. What ensues turns out to be a totally riveting cat and mouse game with ties to 1950’s Cold War atomic testing, complete with Russian spies.

Beck is oftentimes inappropriately funny, and I loved his character. His wit and past clandestine experience overcome the downside of his department’s small-town staff. I sincerely hope we get to read more about Sheriff Beck or whatever mystery/thriller Bruce Borgos wants to write for us.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Porter Beck spent years in the military in intelligence. Conveniently for this story, he speaks fluent Russian and knows quite about how Russian intelligence does things. He’s returned home to the desert of Nevada after his father developed dementia. Beck becomes the sheriff, taking the role his father once had. But his small department isn’t equipped to deal with a retired FBI agent’s body that was horrifically tortured before he mercifully died. Then swoops in beautiful Special Agent Sana Locke to help out.

I found this to be fun to read and fast paced. There are a fair number of coincidences. The novel takes place in the present and in the 1950s when the United States was doing nuclear testing in the dessert, and Russian spies were doing their best to infiltrate, gather information, and thwart American efforts. The attractions between Sana Locke and Porter Beck wasn’t seamlessly executed, but the police work aspect was well done and enjoyable.

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this novel, which RELEASES JULY 18, 2023.