If you like a fast paced, exciting thriller, then this is one for you. The first book in the new Dane Winter series starts off at a frantic pace as Dane and his security team are tasked with protecting a Mexican politician. There are some great characters and a good, believable plotline as Dale hunts down a cartel in a quest for revenge. There are a few twists along the way and a nice, well wrapped up ending leading the way into a second book. I hope we don't have too long to wait! Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

I was excited to discover another ex-military, savior of the downtrodden series. Unfortunately, I did not connect with Dane Winter. While there were lots of action scenes as Dane tracks down the leader of a deadly Mexican cartel, his character didn’t really mesh for me. One, he smokes. Yet if he is supposed to be sneaking up to bad guys, cigarette smoke is a dead give away. I also felt the romance was weak. I did like the flashbacks since that gave Dane a background story. I also enjoyed the plot even though I guessed the cartel leader fairly early on.

I received a free copy from Netgalley. this is my unbiased review.

This is a fast paced, action packed suspense that had me captivated from the start. Lots of twists and turns, secrets, and betrayals. The main character, Dane, is incredibly resilient, and instantly likable. I highly recommend this book for those looking for a great action read.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A really great story keeping you hooked as you try to work out if anyone is who they say they are and will they all survive?!

Sam Cogley has become one of my favorite authors. Dane Winter is a new main character, and he is a bit of a rebel. He works for Redwind Security and is ex-military. In this story, he leads a team of four other operatives to provide security for a political candidate in Mexico running for office in a cartel-controlled area. They are there to provide security for an evening fundraiser at the candidate's home.
Things do not go as planned and Dane is out to find out how/why things went so poorly, no matter who tells him leave things alone. Who can he trust, how can he protect those whom help him? Who is the master mind behind this? There are many twists to this tale before it ends. Take a read and hold on to your seat as it will get wild.
I received an advanced reader copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Hostile Asset kicks off the Dane Winter series with high-octane action and relentless suspense. Dane Winter, a former Marine turned elite operative for Redwind Security, is sent to Mexico to protect a gubernatorial candidate in cartel territory—a mission that goes catastrophically wrong. After his team is wiped out and he barely survives, Winter sets out on a solo mission for revenge and justice, facing cartel hitmen, corrupt cops, and hidden benefactors along the way.

Cogley excels at pacing, keeping the tension high from the opening assignment briefing in Nevada to Winter’s audacious maneuvers in Mexico. The plot is audacious but executed with skill: intricate plans, explosive encounters, and a series of twists that keep readers on edge. Secondary characters, especially Maria and her brother, add depth and humanity to the story, balancing the nonstop action with relatable stakes.

Winter himself is a compelling protagonist—highly skilled, determined, and morally grounded despite the brutal world around him. Cogley gives him a backstory that helps explain his drive and adds emotional weight to the violent encounters. The story occasionally leans on familiar military thriller tropes, but Winter’s resourcefulness and the Mexican cartel backdrop give it a fresh, cinematic feel.

If you enjoy Jack Reacher–style lone wolves, fast-paced plotlines, and gritty, high-stakes action, Hostile Asset delivers. It’s an explosive start to a promising new series, and I’m eager to see where Dane Winter goes next.

Dateline: Redwind Security, Nevada desert

Redwind CEO, a Colonel Dawson, summons his top operative, Dane Winter, regarding Winter's upcoming assignment. Another protection gig, this one in Mexico. A retail magnate, Gilberto Sanchez, is planning a run for governor of the (fictitious) Mexican state of Tlapetla. He's hosting a mega fund raiser for all the monied residents and business officials of the state at his home in San Yetaxa. His political platform is based on shutting down one of Mexico's cartels whose home base in in Tlapetla.

A team of 5 are assigned to support Winter. His research uncovers the layout of Sanchez's home. Big, pretentious, in the hills overlooking the city. Limited access to and from the home, local security on site so Redwind will be providing overwatch and backup if needed. Seems like straight forward duty. Discussions on how one might assault the home, duty assignments finalized to each of the team, and they are off to Mexico.

The party will be massive. Dozens upon dozens of limos, hired security, and hundreds of invited guests. If they all open their checkbooks, Sanchez's war chest should be deep enough to propel him to election success.

The team takes up their positions right about the time an extremely large assault on the compound begins. The cartel has decided that a Gov. Sanchez wouldn't be good for business. The foundation of Winter's security plans is based around a safe and rapid evac of the guest in the event of attack. The plan works like a charm. All the guest escape safely, but dozens of Sanchez's local security guards are gunned down . . . including Winter's entire team, all 5 of 'em.

Winter is wounded but manages to crawl out. One of the caterers is Maria, a cafe waitress that the team met upon arrival. In the confusion, she drags Winter off the property, patches him up the best she can, and hides him in her home where her MD-brother is enlisted to make sure he survives.

As Winter heals, he replays the events at the party for clues to what went wrong. Obviously the cartel carried out the attack. But Winter is more interested in the cartel's boss, an Alfonso Berrera and a mysterious 'benefactor' who is the ultimate puller of strings known only as El Maestro. Winter isn't one to settle for just killing the foot soldiers, he wants Berrera and El Maestro and he wants to destroy their drug production processes and facilities. He is reminded by police and Maria that law enforcement has failed for years to take down the cartel, so just how does he think that he, a single man, can do what the cops can't.

And here is where Winter goes full Jack Reacher on Mexico. Author Cogley develops a complicated and treacherous plan for Winter to go after the Cartel bosses, destroy a meth lab the size of an airplane hanger, maintain a working relationship with a local detective, find out why he has been targeted, keep Maria and her brother safe without getting himself torn to shreds by assigned assassins, cartel thugs, disloyal local cops.

And it's a good, if a bit adventurous and audacious execution of an entire cartel in the Mexican desert. We do learn more about Winter's back story from his days as a squad Captain in the Marines in Afghanistan, the loss of men in his command and his girlfriend/almost fiance to get some sense of his motivation behind the use of his killing skills when wronged. Of course there are the requisite twists to the plot as Winter uncovers the layers of corruption involved.

Cogley has penned about a half dozen thrillers, notably a 5-book Adam Knight series. If I read the book blurb, it looks like this is the first in Dane Winter series. If the others are as rough and tumble as this, Cogley might be worth the effort. The one thing that kinda irked me is that the setting is Mexico, but (as written), everyone - Maria, brother, the detective, the cartel leaders, the assassins, a cafe cook and more - all speak English. Only once do I recall Winter eavesdropping on a Spanish conversation. Yeah, I get it, but still, make it seem like the story involves a language barrier.

ECD

What a rollercoaster ride of a book. Does this man Dale ever stand still! Full of intrigue, plot twists and turns. I'd definitely read more books featuring this character.

Couldn't put it down, finished it in 3 days, would've been sooner if I didn't have to work lol.
Sam is a good story teller. Characters detailed enough to keep you interested, but not overly detailed where you want to skip a page to get back to the story.
This new series was engaging and kept me guessing. I could see it playing out in my minds eye like a movie. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

Fast-paced and action-packed, Hostile Asset kicks off the Dane Winter series with serious adrenaline. Dane is a former Marine turned elite operative who gets stranded behind enemy lines in Mexico—and the story takes off from there. He’s a mix of deadly skill and quiet intensity, and the stakes stay high throughout.

The plot is familiar if you’ve read other military thrillers, but the execution is sharp. Maria Pineda, a local woman who helps Dane, adds real depth to the story. Lots of gunfights, close calls, and gritty emotion.

Bottom line: If you're into Jack Reacher or Mitch Rapp, this is worth picking up. A strong start to what looks like a solid action series.

If you like fast paced, action packed thrillers then you'll enjoy Hostile Asset. Sam Cogley is a new author to me and from the premise of this book it sounded like my kind of read and it is. It has everything I like - great writing that pulled me into the story right away, a very likeable main character and a good plot line. Dane Winter is sent with a team to Mexico to protect a man from the local cartel. Their mission is compromised when they come under attack and Winter is helped by two locals. Who can Winter trust and why is he being targeted? The author excels here and writes a very good story that is very believeable and full of suspense and tension. I love the cliff hanger chapter endings that had me want to continue reading to find out what happens next. The flashbacks are a nice touch giving glimpses of Winter's history and what makes him tick. This is a great start to a new series and I will definitely want to see what is in store for Winter next. If you like crime thrillers I think you'd enjoy Hostile Asset and I'd recommend it.

4 stars

Sam Cogley's Hostile Asset is a pacy, action-driven thriller that wears its influences on its sleeve. Ex-Marine Dane Winter is the quintessential one-man army: betrayed, bloodied, and out for vengeance after a mission in Mexico goes violently wrong. Fans of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher or similar lone-wolf heroes will find plenty that feels familiar here—tough dialogue, relentless pacing, and a protagonist who always seems one step ahead of his enemies.

While the novel delivers on action and readability, it never strays far from the well-worn beats of the genre. The revenge-mission setup, the cartel backdrop, and the unstoppable soldier archetype all play out more or less as expected. The story moves quickly, but the predictability means there are few real surprises along the way.

The ending in particular feels underwhelming, wrapping up the mayhem without offering much in the way of depth or originality. Still, if what you’re after is a straightforward, no-frills action thriller, Hostile Asset ticks the boxes. For readers looking for fresh twists or a more satisfying payoff, though, it may come up short

⭐️Spoiler Free Review ⭐️

Thanks @netgalley @samcogleybooks & @theboldbookclub for the ARC.

This is the 1st book in the Dane Winter series and what an explosive start & introduction!
Winter is a former Marine who now works for a security company, & is headed off to Mexico's cartel land for his latest job.
It was full of action from start to finish, fast paced, but not rushed, great characters and twists throughout.
If this is the first then I can wait to read the second!

Dane Winter is a soldier. A machine built for death. And he’s out for revenge. Former US Marine Dane Winter has spent years leading a highly skilled team of operatives for ‘Redwind’ a global private security conglomerate. His latest assignment in Mexico should have been routine: safeguard a high ranking official against a potential attack from a local drug cartel. But nothing can prepare him for the slaughter that unfolds! Wow! Like a high octane action packed movie! This book had high suspense, murder, mystery, intrigue, action packed, and some shocking moments! The story was very interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Great start to the series. Good plot and character build up. Lots on action and grabs your attention. Looking forward to more books in there series

Dane Winter arrives in Mexico via his company's private corp jet with his team of Redwind security & protection operatives. Their job is a quick one; provide security for a candidate running for governor of Mexico, at a campaign reception being held in his home in the heart of drug cartel country.
It turns into anything but a quick in and out.
Great suspense and action with twists impossible to see coming.
The characters are well done in a complicated story that moves right along.
Great book one of a series but could have stood a little less loss.

this was a strong start to the Dane Winters series, I thought it worked well as something that works in the genre. I was engaged from start to finish and was able to get into the world and characters. I cared about what was happening and thought worked in keeping the reader engaged. Sam Cogley was able to weave a strong tale and left me wanting to read more in this series.