Last year Peter Kirsanow introduced us to Mike Garin, another alpha-male, apex predator, save the world hero in the thriller genre. Second Strike picks up the story a month or so after Garin foiled an attempt by the Russians to strike America with an EMP via a nuclear blast in the atmosphere. Still stinging from the loss of his team and friends, the group known as Omega, as well as the betrayal of one of the Omega members, Mike is participating in ultra extreme endurance competitions. It doesn't take long before an attempt on his life brings him back into predator mode.

I enjoyed this book. I thought the story was a little better developed than Target Omega, and that Kirsanow's writing has improved. Garin is still a little to close to super-human for me, but the storytelling compensates for that. In addition, the supporting cast of characters really helps to entertain and bring life to the story as well as temper the super-human factor.

I feel that Kirsanow excels in the high-octane action sequences. It is easy to feel the tension and picture myself in the midst of the scene. These sequences don't disappoint, and in my opinion bump the book up an extra star.

The story is a continuation from Target Omega, but it is also well enough written that it would make sense as a stand alone if one hadn't yet read the first book.

I am looking forward to a third book for more from Garin and his supporting cast, as well as to see continued improvements from an up-and-coming author in the genre. Kirsanow has potential to be around for years to come.

I am grateful to Net Galley and the good folks at Dutton for an advance copy of Second Strike in exchange for my thoughts and comments. Second Strike hits bookstores next week on 15 May 2018.

I would like to thank The Penguin Group and NetGalley for making this book available in exchange for my honest review. In Target Omega, Peter Kirsanow introduced Mike Garin, a cross between Jason Bourne and Jack Reacher. When his Omega team was assassinated, it was Garin who discovered a connection to a planned EMP attack on the US, planned by the Russians to look like an Iranian operation. The Russian assassin responsible for the murder of Garin’s team escaped, but now he is back.

The return of Taras Bor and an attack on Garin raises his suspicion that an attack of some sort is impending, but suspicions alone do not raise any alarms. The movement of Russian troops, the murder of an American scientist and Bor’s re-appearance also cause Olivia Perry, an assistant to the National Security Advisor to alert her boss.

In Russia, President Mikhailov has a team working on a project that will wreak havoc in the US and cause the death of millions. This time he is staging the operation to divert attention to ISIS, while using the opportunity to expand Russia with little opposition. Once again Garin must use every skill he possesses to thwart the operation.

With the assistance of Olivia and Dan Dwyer, a military contractor and former business associate, Garin tracks Bor to Washington DC. Despite the high tech equipment available to them, it is the determination of an elderly widow of one of Bor’s victims to catch her husband’s murderer that provides an essential clue.

This is a high octane thrill ride that does not slow down until the closing pages. Kirsanow leaves an opening at the end that will have the reader looking for the return of Mike Garin. If you are a fan of Lee Child or Erik Lustbader you will definitely add Kirsanow to your must read list.

The Russians are still trying to attack the United States. This book starts when the first one finishes. Michael Garin follows the trail of Taras Bor who is Russian in the US to lead to the next planned attack. This is as good as the first book. When they are trying to figure out things. There is a line “Bull. You don’t do surveillance. You do death and destruction,”
There is a really good scene where Michael is about to be tortured by The Butcher. Also enjoyed the call from the President to Ruth Ponder. She called FBI to try and find her husband’s killer. He was killed by Bor. The ending of the book sets up what I assume to be the third book in the series about the Russians and their attempt to take over the world

Fast paced action thriller—not top of class but close to it—look for sophomore effort.