Stecks debut thriller is a solid entry into the military thriller sub-genre. He's made an intriguing protag with Matty,a
former Marine Raider. FIELDS OF FIRE is a rollicking thriller set in the wild western United States. The next question is can Stecks carry this character and series forward into the next book.

It was clear before reaching the "Author's Acknowledgments' at the end that Steck is a fan of the Lee Child/Vince Flynn-style hero and storyline. We've got the 'huge' intimidating trained killer hero, the emphasis on every weapon that gets used during the story, a 'big' plot with some sinister bad guys and a story that burns slowing only to roar into fast paced action about 60 per cent through. It's a fun easy read.

Matt Redd, is a disgraced Special Forces Marine. He went missing before arriving for a mission. Interesting Redd has the same initials as Steck's story hero, Mitch Rapp by Vince Flynn. He returns home to Montana to find a lots changed and someone's trying to take over his adopted father's land. And then things get a little crazy and the action really heats up.

There's a lot to like about this story; the plot is involved and keeps the reader on their toes and the pace once it gets going is good. We must remember it's a first novel and in that context, it's a good one. And Steck has set a solid base for a second story and perhaps an ongoing series.

I struggled a little with Redd for much of the story. In fact, I didn't really like him. He seemed a little too familiar and cardboard-cutout. The cliched bad guys with their 'buxom bimbo' attachments just got on my nerves (aren't we past this style of character?) and it took me a while to believe the linkage of the plot points as it took a while for them to come together.

There's lots of action, and I liked Emily, Redd's childhood sweetheart and I would have liked to have met JB, Redd's adopted father, as he came across as a good man.

It's an enjoyable read and I'll happily check out the sequel as I expect Steck's writing will have further matured.

I was fortunate to receive an early ebook copy of the story from the publisher via NetGalley with no expectation of a positive review.

The man better known as The Real Book Spy has broken into the thriller scene with an outstanding debut. After many years as a reader, editor, and book critic, it’s only now that he fulfills his lifelong dream of seeing his name on the cover of a novel.

Read the full article in the October 2022 edition of The Big Thrill

When I first started reading thrillers, it was Ryan Steck’s reviews and recommendations that I followed first. He was one of the resounding voices that originally pulled me into this genre, and it has been a wild ride ever since! Now, I am so excited to say that Mr. Ryan Steck is a published author with his debut novel Field of Fire making quite a splash in the thriller genre.

Matthew (Matty) Redd is a member of the esteemed Marine Raider’s, and he and his team are prepping for a time critical deployment. Hours before taking off, Redd stops on the side of the road to help a stranger…only to wake up a day later with no memory of what just transpired, and with the knowledge that his entire team was wiped out. Wrestling with the fact that he may have leaked sensitive information to this stranger, Redd must accept the only deal that will keep him out of prison, to walk away from the Marine Corps.

With his life in shambles, Redd sees a message from his adoptive father, J.B., that he is in serious trouble, and that he needs Redd’s help. Knowing that J.B. never asks for help, Redd heads out to his childhood home in rural Montana. As he arrives, Redd discovers he was too late, J.B. has died. Wracked with guilt at the death of his team, and of his father, Redd starts to dig into the suspicious evidence of J.B.’s death. As Redd digs deeper, he discovers a deep seated conspiracy in his home town, and he must tread lightly has he tries to figure out who to trust.

Although Field of Fire is a debut novel, it reads like a well established series. Steck expertly sets up the novel, and takes the reader on a crazy ride of twisted trust issues as we start to question who is telling the truth? At the culmination of events, Steck throws one bomb shell after an other as the story line unfolds in front of us. Matty Redd is a wrecking ball of fury through the entire read, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him!

Fields of Fire is an exciting suspense novel with a military feel. It has plenty of action, though fairly graphic at times, and a riveting mystery as Matthew tries to discover who killed his father and destroyed his career. There is a small romantic subplot as well, which adds nicely to character development. I enjoyed reading this, although it’s not my typical favorite romantic suspense novel!

I enjoyed this intriguing, riveting thriller, with a captivating plot that thickens with every page. Readers get a peek at who Matthew Redd is on the battlefield. From the start. “Matthew Redd wasn’t afraid to die, but first he had some killing to do.”

Out on the field, Matthew is a man’s man, a trained killer with military training, and he protects the people he loves and the place he calls home. This reminded me of a few movies Bourne Identity – in the way he is tracking down the people who are trying to kill him, and for the fact he doesn’t recall what happened to him the day his world changed forever.

It also reminded me a little of the Reacher series in the aspect of everyone was out to get him and he didn’t know why. He holds his own but doesn’t know who to trust, just like Matthew Redd.

This is an action-adventure novel I couldn’t put down. If you like fast-paced, thrilling novel where there is a mystery to solve. It will keep you guessing until the end. I was excited to learn this is the first of many adventures’ readers will go on with Matthew Redd. This is a stunning debut novel you don’t want to miss. This author is one to watch and a book that would work well for a lively book club discussion.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher/NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

This book is for anyone who loves military suspense/ thrillers. Lots of action and the author is very knowledgeable on weapons and battlefield maneuvers. I gave it 3 stars as it was not my cup of tea. Although, there are many guys who will love it and I will recommend this title to them. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this fantastic first novel by Ryan Steck!

Fields of Fire introduces us to Matthew Redd, a former Marine Raider who is called back to Montana after a cryptic call for help from his dad. What he finds is devastating and he quickly learns he will need all of his special skills as an operator to survive. Lots of action and plenty of twists leaves me anxious for the next installment.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The best conspiracy theories contain an element of truth, and the best novels containing conspiracies do as well. Such is the case with Ryan Steck’s Fields of Fire, the debut novel from the founder of The Real Book Spy, one of the Web’s go-to resources for thriller lovers.

Matthew Redd is doing not only what he loves, but something he is good at as well: being a Marine Raider, part of the tip of the spear that is America’s special operations forces. With nods to the characters of Vince Flynn, Lee Child, Brad Taylor, and others, Redd is a hard-charging Marine with a heart of gold, both thanks to his adoptive father, J.B. But while gearing up for the takedown mission of a scientist-terrorist, Redd is deceived by the person he helps out on the side of the road, and the result is his being disgracefully drummed out of his beloved Corps. To make matters worse, he emerges from the stockade to find out J.B. has died.

Redd sets off to his home in Montana, to the small town and open spaces he hasn’t been around in for close to a decade. He finds himself at odds with his neighbor, the son of a BigTech billionaire, learns his high school sweetheart has returned, and can’t square the messages he’s getting about J.B.’s death with the man himself. Not getting any help from local law enforcement, Redd sets out to get answers using the skills taught to him by J.B. and the Marine Corps.

Ryan Steck enters an already crowded thriller field, but brings something fresh and new in the story of Matty Redd. As not only a lover of the thriller genre, but a student, Steck has learned his lessons well and crafted a solid debut. Incorporating bits of real life, such as the Georgia Guidestones and Bill Gates buying up farmland, albeit in this case his fictitious tech billionaire being the buyer, Steck weaves a conspiracy of global proportions into the rough-and-tumble locale of Big Sky life in Montana.

Steck signed a two-book deal with his publisher, and the next novel is easily but convincingly set up at the conclusion of this one. As an adoptive father myself, I could feel J.B.’s pain and pride as Redd recounted lessons his dad had taught him. I also enjoyed the carefully-laid plot twist. If you are a lover of the thriller genre, this is a great read to add to your library.

Ryan Steck aka The Real Book Spy takes his turn in writing a thriller and absolutely crushed his debut novel. Fans of CJ Box and Jack Carr will love this book. Non stop action from start to finish and the ending is amazing! Ryan has taken his career of reviewing thrillers and written an amazing one of his own. Can’t wait for the next one. Go get this on the day it comes out. You will not regret it!

Loved this book. Matt Redd was a proud Marine, and considered his Marine team to be his family. His team was primed to go on a difficult mission, but Matt was missing in action when they left, the mission was compromised,
and his life was changed because he was not there. On top of that, his father figure sent a text asking for help, and Matt rushed to help, but he was too late. There are good guy and bad guys and Matt is a super hero. Maybe everything he does is a bit unrealistic, but it makes a rousing good story. I am looking forward to the next book featuring Matt. I received this as an ARC and am under no pressure to write a positive review.


Ramona Thompson

In Ryan Steck’s debut novel, Fields of Fire, he has somehow found a balance between rough and tumble military and murder thriller without being too heavy on the testosterone. Just when I thought the story was becoming too heavy-handed, Steck integrated some heart and soul.

Having a background of working with the military and a husband who was a military aircraft design engineer, it helped this female reader to understand some of the ramifications of mission sensitive activities. But when the scene changed to beautiful, rural Montana, somehow the story truly developed its heart. Yet even more mysteries unfolded, which had me turning those pages.

PLOT: Marine Raider Matthew Redd on his way to a top-secret mission stops to help a stranded motorist. He wakes hours later missing the mission—the mission that went tragically awry, killing all the members of his team. Since he remembers nothing, he has no defense against what appears to be a treasonous act, and reluctantly takes a deal to leave the Corps.

He tries to contact his adoptive father in Montana. When he checks his messages, he realizes that his father left a cryptic message for him days ago. And now, his father isn’t answering his phone. Driving nonstop, Matt arrives in his hometown only to learn that his father died in an accident on his ranch.

Something doesn’t sit right with Matt about his father’s death. And the more he digs, the more twists and turns climb like a mountainous road.

A real page-turner that I recommend for those who love military thrillers and mysteries. Not for the squeamish, but definitely recommended for those fifteen and older. Looking forward to more of Matt Redd.

Thanks to Tyndale for the advanced eBook copy of #FieldsofFire through #NetGalley for my honest review.

Fields of Fire is a well written suspense. A fast paced plot with good character dynamics. My thanks to the publisher for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

I picked this up primarily due to the publisher (Thomas Nelson, a Christian publishing house) and the back-cover copy. It sounded like next-level Joel Rosenberg, upping the ante a bit.

It upped the ante, for sure--and for me, at least, not always in a good way. I assumed that the publisher name attached to it meant it would be clean, from language, most alcohol, etc. ... unfortunately, that was not the case, so I'm setting aside as a DNF due to my own personal content policy.

There were multiple uses of "h___"--I could overlook one or two given context, but that got old quickly as well as proved unnecessary. Multiple references to getting laid or drunk, as well, were--to me--over the top (and in the case of the alcohol, downright triggering now that I no longer drink). Disappointing, again, based purely on my own experience and expectations with Thomas Nelson as a publishing company.

Steck is a talented author with a lot going for him; the book was definitely interesting, and I would have kept reading except for the noted missteps given what I was personally (not) looking for.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Fields of Fire is a terrific debut novel from long-time thriller reviewer Ryan Steck. The story starts with Matty Redd, a dedicated marine Raider, carved by a hard life from the granite of the Montana mountains, preparing for a counter-terror mission in Mexico when his worlds collide. In the after math of the resulting cataclysm, he ends up back in Montana in disgrace but eventually finds understanding, redemption, purpose, and a love with no firmer foundation. This is a story of hard men and true grit. Those of us that have followed Ryan's career and had our shared love of thrillers enhanced by his wit and insight, compassion and humanity, are happy for his success with this outstanding first start, and I wish him a long and successful career as an author.

I received an ARC of Ryan Steck’s debut novel Fields of Fire in exchange for my review. Thanks to NetGalley, Ryan Steck and Tyndale House Publishers for the ARC.
Matt Redd is the protagonist. He is a Marine Raider. Just before a big op he gets delayed and misses the action. Which turns out to be good because the bad guys knew enough to ambush and kill everyone on the mission. Matt gets some heat and is bounced from the service without an honorable discharge.
Matt then learns that J.B., the man who raised him, indicated he was in trouble and could use some help. And we’re off …. Have you ever heard the saying that some days you’re the wind shield and some days you’re the bug? That is true of Matt in this tale.
There are lots of interesting characters and enough development to understand their thinking and actions. Matt uncovers an interesting scheme and does well to stop, or at least delay, it. He also gets reacquainted with lots of people he used to know in Montana. Some friends, some not so much. Plenty of action and adventure too. There were a few things that I might quibble over, but I was very entertained.
Ryan has written quite a debut and I really enjoyed it. I recommend Fields of Fire.

This heart-stopping debut thriller kept me turning pages late into the night! Part military thriller and part Western, this story will transport you to rural Montana, drawing you in and never letting go. Matthew Redd is everything you want in a hero - smart, tough, and a little broken, with a dogged determination to discover the truth about what happened to his father. He thinks quick on his feet and acts even quicker as the hits keep on coming, both literally and figuratively. This book captured my attention more completely than any book I've read in a long time; it will definitely be on my top ten list for 2022! I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in Redd's story!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fields of Fire is a stellar debut in a genre teeming with rough men ready and able to do what needs to be done. Matt Redd fits in well without skipping a beat. A disgraced man who finds the only mission left for him is back home. What starts out as a covered up murder in the wilds of Montana, with it's own unique cultural battles touched on recently by authors like Jack Carr and television programs such as Yellowstone, winds it's way into a frantic battle against one of the richest men in the country. A man gearing up to remake the world in his own vision. One that threatens to impact every man, woman and child on the planet.

From murder and heartbreak to two-way blistering violence and dynamic set pieces , Fields of Fire has something for every fan of the thriller genre. Ryan Steck hasn't just been reviewing books these past years as the Real Book Spy, he's been studying and it shows. Get in early and hold tight, his debut and what will follow is going to be one helluva ride!

If you are a fan of military type thrillers, Fields of Fire will blow you away with the action, suspense and over the top drama in this fantastic debut by Ryan Steck!

Marine Raider Matthew Redd is heading to be deployed on a top-secret mission when he stops to help a stranded motorist on the side of the road only to wake up hours later missing the mission that his team is all been killed on. Now he is having to take a deal to leave the Corps to avoid being arrested for treason. It is the only life he has known and loved and now he must return to his home town in Montana when he receives a message from his adoptive father saying he might be in trouble. When he gets home, he is too late, his dad is dead and he is left with more questions than answers. The more he digs into it all, the harder it is to know who to trust and what has really been going on while he was away serving his country.

When I started reading Fields of Fire, I didn’t realize this was the first novel by Ryan Steck. For a debut novel, Steck did an outstanding job of creating characters and putting them in situations that kept me on the edge of my seat. Matthew Redd is a great main character with a lot of heart, hurt and determination to try and do what is right no matter what it costs him. For the longest time while reading this, I wasn’t sure where the story would end up, and by the time it all came together, I was able to connect the dots back to the beginning and it all fit together nicely. Each character had a purpose and was set in place at just the right time to move the story along at the right speed. As the story progressed, so did the tension; by about the halfway point I found myself unable to put the book down until I found out what was going to happen. This is set as the first in a series and I can’t wait to see what comes next for these characters. I recommend this book to anyone that loves a great suspense thriller with fun characters and the start of a new series.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Awesome thriller! I had a hard time putting this book down. Read it in a day. Now I can't wait for the next book.
Matty walked away from his adoptive father and the farm he grew up on to join the marines. He worked his way up the ranks and became a member of their elite team. On the day his team was deploying for an important mission, Matty goes missing. The events that unfold from there lead the reader on one exciting ride! The book has it all = suspense, action, regret, and second chances. Highly recommend.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.