Scan barcode
lynguy1's review
5.0
What a powerful start for a debut novel! Perfect Shot by Steve Urszenyi is the first book in the Special Agent Alexandra (Alex) Martel series and is a combination of a political thriller and an espionage thriller. Alex, a decorated Army sniper is now an FBI special agent on loan to Interpol. From dangerous criminal groups in the Netherlands to the death of an old friend, Alex begins to put together clues left behind pointing to a conspiracy that becomes dire when a nuclear warhead is stolen. She reluctantly joins forces with CIA agent Caleb Copeland. This thriller takes Alex to London, Turkey, and Paris as she unravels the clues.
Alex loves action, is a problem solver, trustworthy, intelligent, and courageous. She’s a strong warrior protagonist who believes in justice, duty, and honor, and she feels satisfied when she halts a threat. Caleb has a calm and casual façade, but he is confident, effective, and lethal. I enjoyed their banter and want to know where it will go in the future.
With exciting action scenes and a couple of surprises, the story kept me captivated from beginning to end. The riveting plot moves at a sizzling pace and the tension level was high throughout. Nearly everyone had agendas and the novel features deception, betrayal, espionage, power, and more. This book felt like it could happen all too easily. Real-world issues were incorporated into the story that added an extra layer of suspense. Do we have an Alex ready to save the world?
Overall, this tense and exciting thriller keeps the reader on an emotional rollercoaster, quickly turning pages with the hope that the world will be safe. This was an excellent start to what I hope will be a long high-octane and dynamic series. I can’t wait to read the next book featuring Alex.
St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and Steve Urszenyi provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 14, 2023.
----------------------------------------
My 4.6 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
Alex loves action, is a problem solver, trustworthy, intelligent, and courageous. She’s a strong warrior protagonist who believes in justice, duty, and honor, and she feels satisfied when she halts a threat. Caleb has a calm and casual façade, but he is confident, effective, and lethal. I enjoyed their banter and want to know where it will go in the future.
With exciting action scenes and a couple of surprises, the story kept me captivated from beginning to end. The riveting plot moves at a sizzling pace and the tension level was high throughout. Nearly everyone had agendas and the novel features deception, betrayal, espionage, power, and more. This book felt like it could happen all too easily. Real-world issues were incorporated into the story that added an extra layer of suspense. Do we have an Alex ready to save the world?
Overall, this tense and exciting thriller keeps the reader on an emotional rollercoaster, quickly turning pages with the hope that the world will be safe. This was an excellent start to what I hope will be a long high-octane and dynamic series. I can’t wait to read the next book featuring Alex.
St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and Steve Urszenyi provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 14, 2023.
----------------------------------------
My 4.6 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
jbrody's review
2.0
Clunky writing; absurd details, such as the brand of watch worn by each character.
bookishblondegirl's review
3.0
2.75 stars
I feel like this should’ve been something I loved, but instead I just found it to be decent.
I found myself wanting to put this down nearly constantly. I felt like I ended up reading this a chapter at a time, which is unusual for me. The plot was…fine. Interesting enough, but none of the twists and reveals surprised me, and none of the red herrings intended to throw me off were effective.
Also, and I can’t totally even explain it, but I just feel like I could tell this female main character was written by a man. It wasn’t blatant, it’s not like her boobs were brought up every other sentence like some male authors, but there was something about the writing and her as a character that was off. I found myself struggling to believe that she was an actual human woman, and in this way I couldn’t connect to the book.
It seems I’m in the minority as far as this one not working for me, so it might be worth it to check it out yourself! Thank you to SMP for granting me access to the egalley for this!
I feel like this should’ve been something I loved, but instead I just found it to be decent.
I found myself wanting to put this down nearly constantly. I felt like I ended up reading this a chapter at a time, which is unusual for me. The plot was…fine. Interesting enough, but none of the twists and reveals surprised me, and none of the red herrings intended to throw me off were effective.
Also, and I can’t totally even explain it, but I just feel like I could tell this female main character was written by a man. It wasn’t blatant, it’s not like her boobs were brought up every other sentence like some male authors, but there was something about the writing and her as a character that was off. I found myself struggling to believe that she was an actual human woman, and in this way I couldn’t connect to the book.
It seems I’m in the minority as far as this one not working for me, so it might be worth it to check it out yourself! Thank you to SMP for granting me access to the egalley for this!
adventures_thru_reading's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
danubooks's review
4.0
A former military sniper has left her days on the battlefield behind her….until the fight is brought right to her door.
FBI Special Agent Alexandra Martel is working in Europe as a liaison to Interpol. As the story begins, she and her team are working in the Netherlands to prevent the sale of nuclear material to an up and coming Islamic terrorist group. Despite their best efforts they are unable to complete the takedown of the involved parties; two of the terrorists make an escape with the contraband, and Alex and her mysterious new teammate Caleb (whom she suspects is CIA) pursue them in a helicopter. With the chopper almost out of fuel, she calls upon her extraordinary sniper skills to bring the fleeing criminals down. Local law enforcement is less than thrilled with the wild chase and the gunfight, but Alex’s bosses try to smooth it over given the satisfactory outcome. Alex, it will become apparent, is very good at what she does, but her actions often result in gunfire and dead bodies…and that tends to annoy the locals. On the heels of this situation, Alex receives notification that Krysten, an MI5 agent with whom she had struck up a friendship some years ago at a security conference, has died. It has been ruled an accident, but Alex is not so sure and heads to London to investigate. Shortly after her arrival Alex finds herself being tailed by Russians (and yes, another firefight ensues), which only intensifies her suspicions. She discovers more about what Krysten was doing undercover for MI5, and learns disturbing facts about Krysten’s background that make her question their friendship….and the encrypted information that Krysten sent to Alex in her final moments. When Alex is yanked out of London and directed to Turkey where a nuclear weapon has gone missing from the American airbase, she reluctantly reunites with Caleb to find out who stole it and why….and must find and neutralize it before it can be released upon the world.
In this first book of a projected series, I enjoyed reading the exploits of a highly trained and very capable woman who started her military career as a medic, morphed into a legendary sniper, and then after experiencing several losses opted to dial back her level of engagement in the world’s conflicts. While she wants to continue to contribute to the effort, she no longer chooses to be the tip of the spear. Caleb has been sent to persuade her otherwise, to remind her of the breadth of her skills and the satisfaction that using those skills brings her. When she is thrust into the murky world of spies and disinformation, she taps into her instincts to sort truth from obfuscation, and follows those instincts even when they contradict direct orders. The author’s background both as a medic and as a CBRNE incident responder provided interesting details throughout the chase, and he wove an interesting plot. Alex seems to get away with a lot of breaches of procedure and protocol to a degree that might strain credulity, but overall it was a fast paced and engrossing read. Readers of Jack Carr, Mark Greaney and Marc Cameron (all of whom have blurbed the novel), as well as Francine Mattews and Cara Black, should pick up a copy and give Alex Martel a spin. Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press/Minotaurs Books for allowing me access to an advanced reader’s copy.
FBI Special Agent Alexandra Martel is working in Europe as a liaison to Interpol. As the story begins, she and her team are working in the Netherlands to prevent the sale of nuclear material to an up and coming Islamic terrorist group. Despite their best efforts they are unable to complete the takedown of the involved parties; two of the terrorists make an escape with the contraband, and Alex and her mysterious new teammate Caleb (whom she suspects is CIA) pursue them in a helicopter. With the chopper almost out of fuel, she calls upon her extraordinary sniper skills to bring the fleeing criminals down. Local law enforcement is less than thrilled with the wild chase and the gunfight, but Alex’s bosses try to smooth it over given the satisfactory outcome. Alex, it will become apparent, is very good at what she does, but her actions often result in gunfire and dead bodies…and that tends to annoy the locals. On the heels of this situation, Alex receives notification that Krysten, an MI5 agent with whom she had struck up a friendship some years ago at a security conference, has died. It has been ruled an accident, but Alex is not so sure and heads to London to investigate. Shortly after her arrival Alex finds herself being tailed by Russians (and yes, another firefight ensues), which only intensifies her suspicions. She discovers more about what Krysten was doing undercover for MI5, and learns disturbing facts about Krysten’s background that make her question their friendship….and the encrypted information that Krysten sent to Alex in her final moments. When Alex is yanked out of London and directed to Turkey where a nuclear weapon has gone missing from the American airbase, she reluctantly reunites with Caleb to find out who stole it and why….and must find and neutralize it before it can be released upon the world.
In this first book of a projected series, I enjoyed reading the exploits of a highly trained and very capable woman who started her military career as a medic, morphed into a legendary sniper, and then after experiencing several losses opted to dial back her level of engagement in the world’s conflicts. While she wants to continue to contribute to the effort, she no longer chooses to be the tip of the spear. Caleb has been sent to persuade her otherwise, to remind her of the breadth of her skills and the satisfaction that using those skills brings her. When she is thrust into the murky world of spies and disinformation, she taps into her instincts to sort truth from obfuscation, and follows those instincts even when they contradict direct orders. The author’s background both as a medic and as a CBRNE incident responder provided interesting details throughout the chase, and he wove an interesting plot. Alex seems to get away with a lot of breaches of procedure and protocol to a degree that might strain credulity, but overall it was a fast paced and engrossing read. Readers of Jack Carr, Mark Greaney and Marc Cameron (all of whom have blurbed the novel), as well as Francine Mattews and Cara Black, should pick up a copy and give Alex Martel a spin. Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press/Minotaurs Books for allowing me access to an advanced reader’s copy.
marilynw's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect Shot by Steve Urszenyi
(Special Agent Alexandra Martel #1)
Narrated by Cynthia Farrell
Nothing can stop Special Agent Alexandra Martel. One of the most renowned and decorated Army snipers, now an FBI special agent on loan to Interpol, Alex is always going places, getting things done, but also prone to PTSD related attacks, triggered by the sounds, smells, sights of the past. A past that includes too many dead behind her, friend and foe. So when her friend, an MI5 officer, has been killed under mysterious circumstances, Alex isn't going to let this event go without finding out what happened to her.
With too many people demanding her attention, time, and that she follow orders, Alex also has to deal with a CIA agent who may be more than he seems. This guy just might want to team up with her but she's not interested. They butt heads, they argue, they almost die together, and there is even a bit of admiration on both sides, his more than hers but she still sees someone who may have what it takes to get things done.
When a nuclear warhead goes missing, Alex must detour from her path of avenging her friend. But is the death of her friend and a missing warhead connected? Just what was her friend involved in and did Alex really know her after all?
Alex lives to shoot, she loves the math of being a sniper and she's going to be doing a lot of shooting. But she's also going to get shot at, thrown, punched, and a lot of other things. Think of her as a living, breathing punching bag that just keeps on getting up and giving as good as she gets. She'll die before she fails but so will a whole bunch of other people. The story is high powered guns, action, and explosions but there is humor along the way. Alex has creative names for her enemies and is good with the snarky and snide retort even in the middle of maybe being about to die.
Pub November 14, 2023
(Special Agent Alexandra Martel #1)
Narrated by Cynthia Farrell
Nothing can stop Special Agent Alexandra Martel. One of the most renowned and decorated Army snipers, now an FBI special agent on loan to Interpol, Alex is always going places, getting things done, but also prone to PTSD related attacks, triggered by the sounds, smells, sights of the past. A past that includes too many dead behind her, friend and foe. So when her friend, an MI5 officer, has been killed under mysterious circumstances, Alex isn't going to let this event go without finding out what happened to her.
With too many people demanding her attention, time, and that she follow orders, Alex also has to deal with a CIA agent who may be more than he seems. This guy just might want to team up with her but she's not interested. They butt heads, they argue, they almost die together, and there is even a bit of admiration on both sides, his more than hers but she still sees someone who may have what it takes to get things done.
When a nuclear warhead goes missing, Alex must detour from her path of avenging her friend. But is the death of her friend and a missing warhead connected? Just what was her friend involved in and did Alex really know her after all?
Alex lives to shoot, she loves the math of being a sniper and she's going to be doing a lot of shooting. But she's also going to get shot at, thrown, punched, and a lot of other things. Think of her as a living, breathing punching bag that just keeps on getting up and giving as good as she gets. She'll die before she fails but so will a whole bunch of other people. The story is high powered guns, action, and explosions but there is humor along the way. Alex has creative names for her enemies and is good with the snarky and snide retort even in the middle of maybe being about to die.
Pub November 14, 2023
windywife's review
4.0
A great read from beginning to end. Unlike some military-based novels, this one was easy to read. I definitely enjoyed Special Agent Alex and hope to read more books about her in the future!
Cautionary: very violent and swearing throughout
Cautionary: very violent and swearing throughout
abibliofob's review
5.0
What a fantastic debut book by this my third favorite Canadian author. Perfect Shot by Steve Urszenyi is the first book about FBI agent Alexandra Martel. She is on lone to Interpol in the beginning of this book and she has a past history in the army as a paramedic and sniper. Urszenyi has created a great character and I can't wait until the next book to see where it all will go. I had some fun when I read this first installment in what I'm certain will be a great series people will talk about and I laughed out loud when two names appeared that I recognised from somewhere else. Both are pilots and one has written a book on my tbr pile. I will recommend this book to all that will listen to me. I found the plot and the telling of it very good and the author has managed to avoid most of the standard things one find in thrillers today, I don't know if it's something about Canada that is different when it comes to making up stories but the authors I like that comes from there is all blazing their own trail. Much to my delight, it can be a bit boring with the same old, over and over again. I must as always thank Minotaur Books Macmillan and Edelweiss for giving me this great new book as an advance copy. It's out in stores November 14th, don't you dare miss it.
cyireadbooks's review
1.0
*Sigh* I've come to the harsh realization that I don't particularly like military and/or special ops novels. Unlike police procedurals, military ops novels have a ton of acronyms that I'm not familiar with. And in the case of the Perfect Shot novel, there were so many acronyms with more letters than a can of alphabet soup. I struggled from the get-go and it became a futile and frustrating exercise in notetaking. I felt that all of the acronyms took away from any enjoyment I might have had with the overall narrative. I do realize, however, that the acronyms are a mainstay of any military op story so I am probably just not a reader that can assimilate and retain all of that military jargon.
I did like most of the characters. And I did enjoy the interaction between the main character of Alex and Caleb. But the characters just couldn't keep me engaged enought to enjoy the story.
Though I normally read to at least 33% of a novel before giving up, I just couldn't get past 25%. It just seemed like an endless sea of acronyms that I couldn't sail through. An unfortunate one star DNF.
I received a DRC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
I did like most of the characters. And I did enjoy the interaction between the main character of Alex and Caleb. But the characters just couldn't keep me engaged enought to enjoy the story.
Though I normally read to at least 33% of a novel before giving up, I just couldn't get past 25%. It just seemed like an endless sea of acronyms that I couldn't sail through. An unfortunate one star DNF.
I received a DRC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
marcirenee1974's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was 1st book by Steve Urszenyi but will def not be my last! This was a great read and wild ride and I was totally here for it! I want to be Alexandra, she is a kickass woman taking no shit and getting it done! I can't wait to read the next installment to see what she gets up to.
#PerfectShot
#NetGalley
#PerfectShot
#NetGalley