Eight stars
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Leo J. Maloney, and Kensington Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Always eager to get my hands on anything by Leo J. Maloney, I rushed to read this ARC. Maloney extends the Alex Morgan series with the novella, keeping the excitement high and the backstory ever-developing. Maloney has done well already with the elder Morgan (Dan) in a previous series and this collection is following in its footsteps with the same stellar outcome.
As Alex Morgan is in London for an international security conference, she can only wonder what’s going on. Smoke billows around the city, with explosions in the background, while a sniper has been trying to mow down members of the Zeta Group. While Alex does her best to neutralise the threat from the Ares network, there are apparently larger threats that require her attention on the other side of the world.
After being sent to Japan to help Yoki-Dyne, a significant tech company in the region that finds itself being targeted through cyber attacks, Alex realises that there is more to protection than guns and bullets. She soon learns that Ares has been working to dismantle this company as well, in hopes of siphoning off large portions of its profits, likely funding terrorist efforts around the world. As Alex learns more, she discovers that Ares is using a female operative of their own. This clash of women could turn out to be Alex’s most difficult mission to date.
Working with some locals, as well as members of Zeta, Alex seeks to get to the heart of the matter and stop events from getting out of control, all while seeking to remain one step ahead, of the operative targeting her. While Alex’s father, Dan, was a master at keeping the enemy at bay, she is still earning all the family tricks of the trade, with little time to ponder her next move. Zeta Group is relying on Alex, as are many others, to keep Ares from retrieving some of the most delicate intel and Yoki-Dyne’s profits to fund their future terrorist plots. Alex not only has the Morgan name, but also the grit and determination to get it done. Another stellar piece by Leo J. Maloney that will have series fans begging for more.
I cannot remember how I came across Leo J. Maloney and his early work, but I have never looked back or missed a book. Maloney mixes an intense counter-espionage thriller with something that adds depth to the Morgan family through the eyes of their daughter, Alex. Gritty in its delivery, Maloney pulls out all the stops to keep the reader enthralled with this novella, where there is little time to stop and take a breath. I can only hope that both Morgans will be back soon, in another adventure that keeps me occupied as I delve into the world of terrorism and high-stakes espionage.
Leo J. Maloney has always had a great handle on his narrative, telling a story that keeps the reader on their edge of their seat until the final page turn. As the narrative builds, key characters add something to the story that provides direction where there is little time for stagnancy. A few plot twists occur within the story, keeping the reader wondering as Alex Morgan tries to untangle herself from the web that Ares has spun for her. Strong storytelling and suspenseful writing are two keys to Leo J. Maloney’s work, which are present once again. I can only wonder what Zeta Group and Maloney have in store for readers in the coming months.
Kudos, Mr. Maloney, for another great piece, show as it may have been. I await more, which I am sure is close to completion.
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