This is the second book in Mr. Craven's new series and I was excited to get the opportunity to read it. I have stated before that I am a huge fan of his (especially his Washington Poe series) and I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series. I am totally amazed at how the author can make the 2 series feel so differently. In the Washington Poe series, it takes place in the UK and it feels very European. This series however, stars Ben Koenig and he is an American. Even though the majority of this story takes place abroad, it still has a distinctly American feel to it. I don't know how he does that, but he does.

In this book, I had a harder time getting into the story and had a harder time feeling as connected to Ben. The storyline, while extremely fast paced and action packed, did get a bit complicated at times. There felt like there were a couple of info dumps, which you don't usually see in these types of thrillers, but for the most part, it kept me turning the pages.

In this story, Ben is paired with his handler Jen Draper and they are tasked with discovering why a certain protocol has been triggered at the CIA. The story takes us all over and at the same time we are also following a father daughter pair of contract killers. Even though the 2 storylines are distinctly different, they do end up coming together at the end.

There is a twist at the end that I truly do not see how anyone could see coming - and those are the BEST kind of twists. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone. This book will be out for publication on December 3, 2024.

Reading this book felt a like a rollercoaster. Just when I thought I was getting into it and had figured out what was going to happen around the corner, another twist or turn threw me for a loop. Great read that was hard to put down. Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

The excitement continues ….
This is the second book in the Ben Koenig series. It is just as exciting and explosive as the first one. The action whips around from continent to continent, keeping the reader in suspense. It moves much quicker than the page count might suggest. Ben is a highly trained machine who is incapable of feeling fear. He is also extremely intelligent, creative, and funny. These characteristics, combined with a Byzantine plot and excellent writing, make for a compelling thriller. If you like action-packed stories of international intrigue, you can do a heck of a lot worse than Nobody’s Hero. This is compelling the-fate-of-the-world-is-in-one-man’s-hands stuff. I hope Ben keeps looking out for us all for years to come. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this ARC.

Book Review✨️

Nobody's Hero
By M. W. Craven

Pub Date: Dec 03 2024

Themes:
🎬 Action-Packed
📖 Short Chapters
🥴 Gruesome

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5

Nobody's Hero by M. W. Craven begins with the murder of two London pickpockets, a seemingly small event that sets off a chain of actions with global consequences. The book starts off slowly, with a sprawling cast of characters that can be difficult to track. However, the strength of the novel lies in its character development. As the story unfolds, each individual becomes more distinct, and the effort put into building their backstories becomes evident.

The second half of the novel delivers on action, with fast-paced scenes that bring the plot together in a satisfying way. Some of the action sequences are quite graphic, described in vivid detail, which adds to the intensity of the narrative but might not be for everyone.

Overall, Nobody's Hero is a slow burn that rewards patient readers. Despite a sluggish start, the strong character development and action-packed second half make for an engaging thriller.

Thank you to Net Galley and Flatiron books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

When I was granted an advance copy of this book, I realized it was the second book in the series and so I went back to the first book to see if this book could stand alone or would it be necessary to read the first book to understand. In some ways, you could read the second book without reading the first book but I don't recommend it. For two reasons, there is a lot of great backstory information shared in book 1 and it is also a fantastic book which adds layers of depth to this character. With that said, I liked book 1 better than book 2. When I read a thriller, sometimes I don't mind suspending disbelief in order to "go along" with a storyline that seems far-fetched if the writing is top notch. In the first book of this series, there were a few plot holes that made me slightly wary of the believability of some of the heroism. However, book two ramps up some of the "out of this world" storylines that just make me think..... really? With that said, I just love the writing, the really thorough research and deep dive of information. I read to be entertained and it's always a bonus when I learn things as well. India's Partition is an area of history that I had no clue about and I went down a rabbit hole to learn things about this really horrific tragedy. That being said, what I would love to see is Ben getting a love interest (or at the very least, having someone to care about) and could it possibly be the most hated "handler" in his life? With that said, there were some developments for his character and the ending leads us to believe the storyline will start to move towards giving Ben something to care about.

All that to say, I gave book one 4.5 stars and I'd say book 2 is 3.75 that I'll round up to 4. Not because the writing is bad but because I want the plot to be a little less far fetched.

M.W. Craven delivers a thrilling, fast-paced ride in Nobody's Hero, blending high-octane action with a complex, multi-layered plot that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. At the heart of the story is Ben Koenig, a man who is no stranger to danger but lacks one crucial instinct—fear. This unique trait makes him both fascinating and unpredictable, pulling readers into a tense world of murder, deception, and a secret that threatens to topple the United States.

From the outset, the book grabs attention with a chilling murder and abduction on the streets of London, setting the tone for a relentless narrative. The safe at Langley, untouched for a decade, adds a gripping sense of mystery. The revelation that Koenig is connected to the woman behind the killings plunges him into a race against time to find her before the government does. This dynamic sets the stage for an international chase filled with brutal confrontations, shadowy conspiracies, and high stakes.

Koenig's inability to feel fear adds a compelling psychological layer to his character. He's a man who charges into situations without hesitation, often to his own detriment. Yet this flaw is also his greatest strength, as he navigates a world where danger lurks at every corner. Craven does an exceptional job of portraying Koenig’s inner struggle, making him a flawed yet deeply relatable hero, driven by a code of honor rather than a thirst for power or glory.

The plot is intricate, with layers of intrigue that unfold as Koenig closes in on the woman he once helped disappear. She’s not the deranged villain the world believes her to be, but rather the keeper of a secret so dangerous that it could upend the global order. Craven masterfully escalates the tension, as Koenig pieces together the puzzle and realizes that the threat is far bigger than he ever imagined.

Craven's writing is taut and immersive, packed with crisp dialogue, vivid action sequences, and a strong sense of pacing. Every chapter brings a new revelation, each one raising the stakes higher. The action is brutal yet realistic, making the reader feel every punch, gunshot, and narrow escape. Craven also shines in his ability to weave moral complexity into the story, pushing his characters to the brink as they grapple with the costs of their decisions.

Koenig’s lack of fear sets him apart from typical protagonists, giving the story a fresh and unique edge. His vulnerability comes not from the threat of violence but from the fact that he doesn’t know when to back down—a trait that endangers those around him and leaves the reader constantly on edge, wondering just how far he’ll go.

Nobody’s Hero is a gripping and intelligent thriller, packed with memorable characters, unexpected twists, and a sense of urgency that never lets up. M.W. Craven has created a smart, compelling antihero in Ben Koenig, and the book’s mixture of political intrigue, high-stakes action, and psychological depth makes it a must-read for fans of thrillers. If you’re looking for a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat with every turn of the page, this one is a winner.

Craven’s introduction to Ben Koenig in Fearless blew me away so I had to read the next in series. There’s nothing subtle about the brutality in the opening scenes. Koenig has an astronomical bounty on his head from an old Russian mob disagreement. A plot that takes you on a wild race against time and an incredibly complex plot. It’s impossible for me to envision how the author’s brain concocts such wildly extreme action possibilities. How he dreams up these scenarios and characters is beyond me! There are genius minds testing theories, what if this happens, what if we do it this way? The Intelligence agency, Langley, spies and undercover operatives are all at play. A Protocol has been initiated. The consequences are dire. Koenig has to use his analytical abilities to solve this and stop a catastrophic event.
As I read this story I kept asking myself could something similar to this plot happen? Today with many countries enduring civil unrest, political division and innumerable social issues, it doesn’t seem so improbable or unreasonable. This was an action packed plot with unforeseeable outcomes. The author displays his brilliance at full wattage.
An Advance Reader Copy of “Nobody’s Hero” (Ben Koenig #2) was provided by Flatiron Books (via NetGalley) author M. W. Craven, publication expected 12/03/2024. These are all my own honest, personal thoughts and opinions which are given voluntarily without compensation
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I have found my exact genre sweet spot, but I don't have a name for it. Where do you shelve a book that masterfully weaves CIA intrigue, contract killers, duplicitous government officials, and an inordinate number of dead bodies, with the driest of humor and deadpan comebacks? Look for me next to whatever we call that shelf. It also contains books like the Myron Bolitar series by Harlan Coben. Let's add more to this shelf, please!

I laughed and gasped in shock through Fearless, M.W. Craven's first installment in the Ben Koenig series, so I was thrilled to get my hands on book 2. I am pleased to report that Ben is back and just as smart, witty, and fearless as ever! Nobody's Hero is masterfully plotted and kept me on the edge of my seat, but also had me laughing at loud. Each chapter is action packed and I stayed up way past my bedtime to see what would happen next.

You've got to stretch your imagination a bit to welcome in the "blank check" level of immunity these characters enjoy, but I'm happily stretching just to tag along on the adventure. These pages flew by but the story is so intricate that I had to really pay attention, especially at the beginning. This layered story is no thriller brain candy! Craven is truly at the top of his game with this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the opportunity to reconnect with Ben prior to this book's publication in exchange for my honest review. I can't wait to see what happens next!

I really enjoyed the premise for this book. I think it delves into the psychologically broken mind in a way that I haven’t read about before and brought a unique opportunity for character development and story telling. Highly recommend

Nobody’s Hero by M.W.Craven is a thrilling rolercoaster from start to finish. The story centers around fearless Ben Koenig. From the first chapter, I was hooked. The book’s pacing is relentless and action-packed. I had a hard time putting this down! Craven has a talent for creating vivid action scenes that pull the reader into Ben’s world. The plot is full of twists and turns with a diverse cast of characters and intricate, interwoven storylines that keep the reader guessing.
This was my introduction to Craven’s writing and Ben Koenig story installments. I think this story would make an excellent audiobook, these types of reads are my go-to roadtrip audiobooks! I’d recommend this to any action thriller reader, especially those who enjoy Jack Reacher-style novels.

The man who fears nothing , Ben Koenig is back in Nobody’s Hero!! When the stakes are this high, Ben is your man. How can you not love a man who is scared of nothing, a human fighting machine, with a brain to boot. Oh and he is funny, so funny!! For an action read, there is so much humour which I just loved so much.

I am a big fan of this authors Tilly and Poe series, another dark and disturbing series. If you love those books you need to meet Ben. He is called to action after a double murder and abduction in Hyde Park in London. His name is on a list and he has no idea why. Along with his handler, Jen Draper, they need to stop this and save the world, all the while, avoiding being taken in for the 5 million dollar bounty the Russians have out on him.

As you would expect, this book is action packed from start to finish. It is violent, no holds barred. I was there for it all, an adrenaline rush for thriller lovers. I was in the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. So many wild twists, it was just amazing.

Thanks so much to Flatiron for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes in the US Dec 3rd, and Australia in October.

First, I must admit that this genre is not my favorite but I found this book tough to keep up. The opening was great and hooked me right away but I began to lose interest when so many characters were introduced. During the big reveal, I empathized with what happen to her daughter. However, it all just felt so unrealistic, especially the Koening plane jump and Tas not killing him immediately.

Nobody’s Hero, by M.W. Craven is book two in The Ben Koenig Series. This story follows the main character, Benjamin Koenig, a former special operative detective who has found himself in the crosshairs of the Russian mob as a result of his past line of work. Because of that, he is essentially in hiding, until the Acacia Avenue Protocol was initiated, forcing him back into the limelight. Jen Draper, a current operative and Ben Koenig team up to find out exactly what the protocol is and how he is involved, culminating in the discovery of a situation that could potentially have devastating effects on the entire nation.

From the United Kingdom, to France, to Scotland and finally back to the U.S., Koenig and Draper are on the hunt. Professionally trained as a silent killer, Koenig chases down Margaret Wexmore, an elderly woman who is bent on revenge against the United States and Jakob Tas, who was recruited by her to exact that revenge. Together, Koenig and Draper must track down and stop Tas from initiating what can be classified as terrorism, before it is too late.

Nobody’s Hero is action-packed from beginning to end, placing the reader in one adrenaline-inducing situation after another. This story reminded me of the movie, Die Hard with Bruce Willis, which is actually referenced in the book. Despite its title, Koenig would actually be viewed as a hero for his quick action and detailed analysis of the clues available, which leads to the ultimate happy ending, just in the nick of time.

"Nobody's Hero" by M. W. Craven was my introduction to the captivating world of Ben Koenig, a former U.S. Marshal who possesses an extraordinary inability to experience fear. This gripping novel, which can be enjoyed as a standalone, showcases the author's talent for crafting fast-paced action sequences.

The story unfolds when Ben's name is discovered on a hidden list that had been securely stored for a decade in Langley. To his astonishment, everyone else on the list has already met their demise. As tension escalates, a highly publicized double murder and abduction occur in Hyde Park, thrusting Ben into a race against time to unravel the mystery behind the enigmatic Acacia Avenue Protocol and prevent its catastrophic consequences for the nation.

Throughout the narrative, the plot takes unexpected twists and turns, fueled by a diverse cast of characters and intricate moving pieces. I personally awarded "Nobody's Hero" a solid rating of four stars, particularly recommending it to enthusiasts of action-packed thrillers. This novel is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you to Net Galley and Flatiron Books for ARC to read and review with my honest opinions.

Ben Koenig, US Marshal, has been in hiding ever since his name went on a Russian mob hit list. A double murder and abduction in London triggers a series of events that requires Ben to come out of hiding to find and protect someone from his past. Ben feels no fear and is extremely intelligent. His ability to analyze clues and information is very unique. This is a fast-paced international spy game that keeps you guessing. There’s non-stop action and lots of twists and turns.
I wanted more back story and development of main characters but I didn’t realize that this was the second installment in a series. It is possible I would go have seen that in first book. Not having read book 1 didn’t keep me from following story line. I just wanted a little more on characters.
Trigger alert - this books has a lot of graphic violence and may be difficult for some readers.

Thanks to NetGalley for ARC in exchange for honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book. The main character was interesting, the plot was unique and intriguing and kept me engaged. I'm glad that I got the Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley.

i really enjoyed this story m.w. craven is a hit for me. so this is about a man named ben who,s name is on a hit list because he worked on a case 10 years ago,where he saved a women life. and now he need to find her and figure out what she knows,

Craven doesn’t do books by half does he. Nor characters. When he writes a book he goes all in and each and every time he knocks it out the park.

Koenig 2 is another absolute barnstormer from one of the very best. Craven took the ‘Jack Reacher’ playbook, tore it up, smashed it around a bit and made best even better.

It’s fun, loud, brash, exciting , captivating, deviously clever and really quite special.

My review doesn’t need to rehash the blurb, you know what you’re going to get with Craven and Koenig, so just enjoy the show.

Hollywood beckons - just keep Tom Cruise away yeh?

5⭐️

This is the second book in M.W. Craven's Ben Koenig series. I read the first book last year, and knew I would read the followup. Koenig is a US Marshall who is living in hiding, as a Russian mob boss has a $5M bounty on his head, and in this book, he is called into service to assist in a murder case in the UK which transforms into a national security threat. I'm going to not give any spoilers, but I like the Koenig character -- he has a unique characteristic - a medical condition in which he can not sense fear, enabling him to engage in things the ordinary person would not. In many ways, Koenig feels like an amalgam of Baldacci's "memory man" - Amos Decker; and his Army CID agent John Puller; plus a bit of Reacher. The character is likeable. The story is interesting, but if I have a criticism it was the finale - just seemed a bit unrealistic, even for someone who has no fear. It's not a deal breaker for reading the book,

I really enjoyed this book. The snarky main character was a hoot for me. I enjoyed the mystery because it consistently kept me guessing, but gave me just enough clues to sleuth for myself. I especially appreciated the factoids sprinkled throughout the books that made me feel like I was learning something new. At times though, the book gets too technical. It seems too bogged down with things that dragged it on unnecessarily. that were not important to the overall scheme of things. I rated this one 3.75 rounded up to 4. 60-100 pages shorter and it would’ve been a solid 4 star read for me. Would definitely read more from this author and this main character.