After FBI special agent Garrett Mann executes a deadly raid on an underground facility in New Mexico, the sole survivor’s testimony reveals a greater threat to come.
The covert lair was a training ground for hundreds of cartel sicarios, who have since disappeared into the US, their ultimate mission still unknown. When another FBI raid goes catastrophically wrong, Mann finds himself on the trail of the Bureau’s original target—a moonlighting serial killer who leads the agent into a nightmare that’s darker and more extensive than Mann ever feared.

I found this book very confusing. I discovered that this is book two in a series but the author seems to expect that the reader has read the first book, which I haven't. I didn't like any of the characters and I thought the actual storyline was weak and difficult to follow. Not for me.

A fantastic follow up to A Clean Kill. Steven Konkoly delivers a faced paced thriller, with a great cast of characters, a solid plot line, and a whole lot of action to keep you turning the pages. I stayed up later than normal just to finish it because I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep. A Hired Kill comes out on May 27th, so buy the 1st book now and read it. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC of this great thriller and I highly recommend reading it. Thank you Steven for writing another killer thriller and I also recommend reading any of his books, especially The Black Flagged series.

A Hired Kill (2025) by Steven Konkoly is the second book in a thriller series featuring FBI Special Agent Garrett Mann. Special Agent Mann is heading an off the books task force known as ARETIMAS. The discovery of an underground training facility in New Mexico sets off a series of violent confrontations with mercenaries hired by Axiom to end ARETIMAS. Garrett becomes aware there is a mole in their midst, and a fateful ambush requires them to find and stop Axiom. An action-packed hunt and counter offence moves across America as the highly placed secret organisation is determined to take out Garret’s team. Although a series, there is no need for any prior knowledge of the preceding book for this top-class action thriller, with a four and a half star read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement. With thanks to Thomas & Mercer and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.

Honestly.. this book was extremely confusing. I feel the timeliness jumped all over the place and a lot of the storyline was unnecessary to the overall story..

A Hired Kill is an intense, action-packed thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. As the sequel to A Clean Kill, this book picks up right where the first left off, following FBI agent Garrett Mann and his team as they uncover a dangerous conspiracy. The story is full of military-style action, government intrigue, and unexpected twists.
Konkoly’s writing is sharp and gripping, making it hard to put the book down. While there are a lot of characters to keep track of, the fast-paced plot and high stakes make it worth the ride. If you enjoy thrillers with political drama, secret missions, and nonstop suspense, this book is for you. I highly recommend reading the first book before diving into this one for better context. Overall, A Hired Kill is a must-read for fans of action-packed, high-stakes thrillers!
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A thrilling sequel to the first book in the series (A Clean Kill). An action packed story; with plenty of characters - so many that I finally gave up trying to keep track. Reading the first book in the series is definitely a requirement to keeping the many characters straight and understanding the background of this book. If you enjoy military detailed action, government agency drama and political driven villains, then you will enjoy this read.

This is a very detailed and entertaining book. It felt like i was watching a movie. I will definitely recommend it.

I'm pretty sure the first in this series made my top reads of last year. I didn't like the follow up as much, as you can see. I felt like the first one was more focused on the characters and this one...too much government intrigue shit in a time when man I fucking hate hearing about the government and I'm up to my neck in its lying intrigue shit. So this is definitely an it's not you, it's me moment. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes May 27

If you're looking for a gripping thriller, Steven Konkoly is the author to check out. A Hired Kill is the second book in the series featuring FBI agent Garrett Mann, picking up right where the first book, A Clean Kill, left off. Konkoly has consistently impressed me with his writing, and I now consider him a must-read author. This book is packed with thrilling action, suspense, and a plot full of twists that will have you second-guessing everything. I highly recommend this book and the series to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced, intense read. A big thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy, which will be available in stores at the end of May.

I really enjoyed the first book in the Garrett Mann series which I purchased a while back. When I had the opportunity to preview this edition via NetGalley, I jumped on it.

For those of you who enjoy thrillers that move at a measured pace with a large cast of characters, you'll enjoy A Hired Kill. For me, this volume was a slower read than the first, as there's a lot to digest and the character count kept me looking back to remember who was who. Suffice it to say, while the plot was interesting, my simple mind struggled to keep track at times of all that was going on, especially in the middle. Once it finally started to all click, I found it had a satisfying conclusion.

I'm curious to see where Konkoly goes with the next volume in the series. While this wasn't my personal favorite of the first two books, I'll certainly be open to read volume 3 when it comes out.

A Hired Kill continues from where A Clean Kill left off, with Mann's ARTEMIS team pursuing the remnants of a cartel-based serial killing Triad. During their mission, the team discovers that the New Mexico facility is a training center for a network of for-hire terrorist cells in the U.S., to be leased out to the highest bidders by a reconstituted True America from the Black Flagged series.

New readers are advised to read A Clean Kill first, as knowledge of that book is assumed in A Hired Kill. Readers of A Clean Kill will benefit from a good memory.

I am new to Steven Konkoly but I really enjoyed this fast paced, military meets vigilante read! Very feasible in today's political climate, and the author’s background shines as he orchestrates this amazing plat-by-play! I couldn't stop reading the second half!

I highly recommend to all looking for a read in to military/police thriller genres. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!

Another great read from Steven Konokoly in the Garrett Mann series. Lots of action and intrigue. Great story, great pacing, and great characters. Can't wait for the next book in the series. #AHiredKill #NetGalley

If you want a solid thriller, don't look any further. Steven Konkoly is your man. A Hired Kill is the second book about FBI agent Garrett Mann and it continues where the first one A Clean Kill ended. I must tell you that Konkoly delivers, he has surprised me with every book I've read so far. He is so solid a writer that if I see his name on a book I will read it. This one is so filled with both action and suspense not to forget an intriguing plot so fileed with twists you will end up looking over your shoulder to see where the story took you. I will recommend this book and series to all that can stand my ravings. I must thank Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for letting me read this advance copy of a book that hits the stores in the end of May this year.

A Hired Kill is book 2 in the Garrett Mann series, and picks up right where book 1 ended. Mann and his team of “misfit” FBI agents are hot on the trail of a serial killer with ties to a shadowy conspiracy organization bent on disrupting the upcoming US elections. The action is fast and furious in this one, as top level FBI directors are targeted for assassination, and Mann’s team is under siege from cartel hit men. The continued plot in book 2 is more clearly explained, as are the roles of the various characters and organizations involved, which was all a bit muddled in book one, making this a much more enjoyable read, as the combat scenes, while a little over the top, are thrilling and tense. The loose ends are nicely tied up as well. Highly recommend reading the first book in the series though. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A pulse pounding and adrenaline spiked sequel to the first book in the series (A Clean Kill). A wonderfully crafted story; action packed with plenty of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat right to the last page. I can’t wait to see where the author takes us next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The plot had potential, with high-stakes moments and a strong focus on FBI agent Garrett Morgan, but I found the story a bit hard to follow at times. The overuse of acronyms and an overwhelming number of characters made it difficult to stay engaged, especially for readers jumping in without having read the first book.

While there are some standout moments, the lack of depth in character development and the somewhat predictable twists held it back from being great. It’s a solid read for fans of military-style thrillers, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this book. Since this is the second in the series and I had not read the first installment, it was a little confusing to start, but it got better as I continued. A great finish. Worthwhile and recommended.

A Hired Kill is a must-read for fans of edge-of-your-seat thrillers with complex plots and compelling characters. If you’re a fan of high-stakes action, intricate conspiracies, and protagonists who are as tough as they are relatable, this book is for you. Konkoly expertly weaves together elements of crime, suspense, and political intrigue, delivering a story that’s as thought-provoking as it is exhilarating.

I enjoyed this continuation of FBI agent Garrett Morgan's story. I did read the first book in the series. I could see that if you did not read the first novel, you might be confused. However, this is an action-packed story, so if a fast-moving plot is important to you, you should enjoy reading how Garrett Morgan solves this case.