Ok, fair warning. If you pick this book up, do not plan on putting it down, unless like me, life things still had to happen.

“Black Sun Rising” is an edge of your seat thriller and if you are at all familiar with DC, it is so easy to picture the areas referenced so easily. I was so intrigued with the main character, Marco Zorn, as soon as he was introduced. A homicide cop in DC that doesn’t carry a gun? There is definitely a story there.

I believe this is the 3rd book featuring the main character, but I know that at least this one can be read as a standalone novel.

With everything going on in today’s world, it makes Mr. Zorn’s story, as amazing as it is, seem like something similar could happen.

The summary of the book tells you what the book is about. The book on the other hand, if you are anything like me, will leave you with some unanswered questions and slightly afraid of what the answers might be.

This is a quick read and I throughly enjoyed it. I would like to thank Kendall Farris at Meryl Moss Media Group for an advanced reader’s copy. As always, all opinions are my own. Happy reading!

#NetGalley #BlackSunRising #OthoEskin #KendallFarris #MerylMossMediaGroup #ARC #Series #StandAloneBook #Thriller #EdgeOfYourSeat #DC #UrbanMystery #UrbanThriller #ContemporaryMystery #ContemporaryThriller #Mystery #HardToPutDown #QuickRead

WOW ~ Another spine chilling, perfectly,crafted adventure that, by the time
we’re closing in on the wrap-up, has shown again, the peculiarities of the
enigma, Marko Zorn. An Officer who refuses to carry a weapon, and almost
never fires at suspects, is a major headache to the Command Stagg, but is so
bloody valuable,everyone, up as,high as we find ourselves in the powee structure
have to deal with the guy~WHY~ he is a flipping genius/complete odd ball!
Black Sun is world ending stuff, and Marko, aided by his new [and excellent,]
if not ‘rookie raw,’ are going to have to trust each other when it comes to
their eccentricities and different approaches to solving complex cases.
There are too many people who just cannot stand Marko, and for good
reason, however, he’s known for getting things figured out. His new
partner was displaying some detective talents, but sadly, she was
murdered during the fiasco..
I am a huge fan of this series, and this installment, particularly. It’s
clear the Author’s real,world experience has helped him craft/create
the perfect backdrop for,this book. While part of a series, this is,perfect
as a standalone.. this book is perfect for thriller and suspense readers
who enjoy figuring out the stories as they read along. with the main
characters.
My thanks to Meridian Editions via NetGalley for the download copy
of the book,for,review purposes.

Terrifyingly realistic and so timely! This book resonated with me due to our current political culture in the US and the rise of white supremacy. Marko Zorn is a homicide detective in DC and has stumbled on a plot to cripple the US. The deadly poison Zyklon could devastate the US if it is released into the atmosphere. Marko must infiltrate the Black Sun and take down two diabolical men intent on destroying the country in search of power.
This was a taut thriller, and while it is the 4th thriller in the series, you could read this as a standalone. I was completely shocked by one of the events in the book! The book moves quickly - I read it in one sitting!

Review of eBook

The explosion of a bomb outside Friendship House sets a nefarious plan in motion. Detective Marko Zorn, and his partner, Latasha Powell, head to the scene where, while investigating, Marko is attacked. Shortly thereafter, Latasha is murdered, leaving Marko to head off a nightmarish event: the resurgence of a Nazi-era weapon to be used against the American people during the Inauguration Day festivities.

Can Marko stop the attack? And what will be the cost?

=========

Although there are four other books in the author’s Marko Zorn series, this story works well as a standalone. From the outset, this unfolding narrative will keep readers on the edge of their seats, turning pages as fast as possible. Well-developed characters, a strong sense of place, and a gut-wrenching, sinister plot pull readers into the telling of this tale from the outset. Astute readers may identify a significant plot twist early on [there is a clue or two], but this does not detract from the story being told.

An atmosphere of impending doom permeates the pages of the story, keeping readers on edge as tension and suspense keep them guessing. Politics, power plays, and terrifying realism all have a part in the evolving narrative; readers who enjoy political thrillers as well as Marko Zorn fans, will find much to appreciate here in this taut thriller that races toward a somewhat-unexpected denouement. Be prepared, however, for some unanswered questions.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Meridian Editions and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#BlackSunRising #NetGalley

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This is the 4th book in the series and I am not disappointed. The story begins with Marko and Latasha, his partner' at the station when they feel a bomb blast. Soon it is all-hands on deck as the respond to the location, Friendship House, which was a sanctuary for the poor and desperate. While on the scene, Marko walks around looking for someone that might have been involved. Spotting a person, he goes to arrest him, but someone hits him in the head. The suspect escapes, but Marko remembers him telling him about the Black Sun.

As Latasha and Marko investigate, they learn about a Nazi organization. Marko has also gotten involved with three other partiers asking him to find who is the Black Sun. As their search continued, Marko was attacked and he started having someone watch his back. After a meeting with someone regarding Nazi history, Marko went one way while Latasha went to interview someone else. Unfortunately, Latasha was killed along with another police officer who was with her.

It was decided that Marko would go undercover and join the Nazi organization. The Police Chief and an FBI identified Marko as being a wanted man which would allow him to join. The reason they needed Marko to do this, is because the date for the Presidential inauguration was getting close.

Read along and see what Marko had to endure through his training and how the group was going to kill the President. Discover who the Black Sun was and it all worked out in the end.

This is definitely a book well worth reading!

The story throws you right into the action with a car bombing at a homeless shelter. With the President's inauguration right around the corner, the question is if this is a terrorist act. Zorn's instincts kick in, and his new partner has to rush to the scene, but he's assaulted, but not before the suspect delivers a cryptic message. This thriller will keep you guessing.
Thank you to Meridian Editions and NetGalley for this Advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Start's off slow and speed's to the exciting end. Great novel! Very exciting and thrilling I enjoyed this novel very much!

Black Sun Rising is the fourth entry into the terrific Marco Zorn series. The book focuses on the protagonist Marco Zorn, a Washington, D.C., cop. Marco is different because he refuses to carry a weapon, which alienates his partners and the people he works for. However, he is a superior investigator and has a closure rate that is second to none.

As the reader opens the book, a car bomb has gone off, causing the usual mayhem in this day and age of plentiful violence. The question was whether the bomb was an act of a terrorist or a random bad guy. Marco tries to make an arrest, but is deterred when assaulted. Marco‘s bosses want him to go undercover to find and arrest the perpetrator. Officials insist that the upcoming presidential inauguration should not be canceled or postponed, which makes Marco’s work all the more challenging.

Black Sun Rising is a superior book on many fronts.
Most importantly, it deals with topical issues. The author has written a book that is spot on, with enough action and unpredictability to keep even the most dedicated thriller reader glued to the page. Although Black Sun Rising can be read as an outstanding one-off, the reader is advised to check out the preceding three Marco Zorn adventures, which will make Black Sunrising all the better.

An excellent political thriller that started with a bang. This was my first Marco Zorn book, but I will be looking out for the rest in the series. It was octane with interesting characters. Would recommend

Otho Eskin’s Marko Zorn series has become one of my favorites to follow and this one was no exception. When Marko’s partner is murdered he’s thrust into the search for a dangerous group set on destroying the United States.

Good dialogue and great storytelling puts this book at the top of my list! Highly recommend!

After an explosion shakes the city, Marko and his partner jump into the investigation. He’s suddenly in high demand, with several people vying for his attention and trying to sway his findings. Everyone seems to be after the same goal. To infiltrate a neo-Nazi group, Marko has to go undercover—and that means becoming an outlaw himself. With lies all around and pressure from every side, he’s being pulled in multiple directions. Now he has to uncover the truth and stay alive. The question is, can he make it out?

"Black Sun Rising" by Otho Eskin is a gripping political thriller set in Washington D.C. Detective Marko Zorn investigates the murder of his partner, uncovering a violent neo-Nazi group planning a catastrophic attack.
The novel combines high stakes suspense, complex conspiracies, and timely themes of extremist hatred.
Eskin’s detailed plot and flawed yet compelling protagonist make for a fast paced, thought-provoking read.
The amazing blend of political intrigue and action made for a compelling story.

Otho Eskin (https://othoeskin.com) is the author of four novels. Black Sun Rising was published early last June and is the fourth novel in the Marko Zorn series. It is the 69th title I’ve completed reading in 2025.

My opinions are unbiased and entirely my own. Due to scenes of violence and mature language, I categorize this novel as R.

Marko Zorn is a detective with the Washington, C. Police department. He has been very successful, but does not follow orders well. In fact, he was court-martialled for failing to follow orders when he was in the Army.

A new President is about to be sworn in to office. German intelligence has warned that a Neo-Nazi group is planning to assassinate the President-elect on inauguration day. Zorn is ordered to track down the person known as Black Sun and stop the assassination attempt.

Zorn and his young partner, Latasha Powell, are following leads to who set a bomb in a local non-profit. They have reason to believe it is tied to Black Sun. Zorn must deal with interference from several sources.

His former commanding officer (the one who had him courtmartialed) is the Vice President-elect. He orders Zorn to find Black Sun and stop him. One of the world’s richest men, Cosmo Hunter, also calls in Zorn and gives him the same orders. The head of Homeland Security, Liz Fletcher, gives him much the same order.

After a meeting with the Vice President-elect, Zorn is ambushed in a parking garage. He is saved by the intervention of a German Intelligence officer. He, too, wants Zorn to find Black Sun. Zorn discovers the background of Black Sun. Several canisters of lethal nerve gas developed and stored by the Nazis have been found by Glack Sun. Those canisters have now been brought to the US.

As Zorn and his partner continue their investigation, more lethal opposition is encountered, and Powell is shot. With only days left, Zorn is sent undercover to join the Black Sun organization.

Zorn is taken to a training camp with other Neo-Nazi recruits. he is under constant threat as he struggles to prove himself. Among those he encounters is Mrs. Davenport, a beautiful woman known as the Bride of the Apocalypse or sometimes as the Angel of Death.

Zorn distrusts her, and she appears to be a high echelon leader within the movement. Even though she admits to having shot Powell, Zorn is coerced into a night of passion with her.

Then it is time for the showdown. The Neo-Nazis are armed and sent into DC with the gas canisters. Will Zorn find a way to prevent the release of the gas during the inauguration proceedings? Will he survive? Will he find out who Black Sun is?

I enjoyed the 5+ hours I spent reading this 280-page thriller. The novel was short. I think it could have been fleshed out a little more to improve the flow and give depth to the characters. While this is the fourth novel in the series, it reads well as a standalone work. I give this novel a rating of 3.8 (rounded to a 4) out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

this was a strong fourth entry in the Marko Zorn series, it had that thriller element that I was looking for and enjoyed from the other entries in this series. Otho Eskin has a strong writing style and I hope there is more in this series. The characters had that feel that worked with the world and was engaged with what happened to them. I was invested in the romance and how it was developed.