From the Publisher
McFate just might be the next Tom Clancy, only I think he’s even better... The action is non-stop and shuttles back and forth between scary-believable and rollicking good fun. I read High Treason during a six-hour plane ride and the trip went by like the snap of my fingers.” — James Patterson
“High Treason has brutal assassinations, shocking betrayals, even heated gun battles in the shadow of the White House. It had me breathless—from the sheer audacity of its storytelling to its breakneck pacing. It’s not to be missed!” — James Rollins
“Plenty of political intrigue and is action packed… Tom Locke is a hero people can get behind… He and Lin make a good team and will remind readers of Brad Taylor’s Pike Logan and Jennifer Cahill.” — Crimespree Magazine
“A pulse-pounding, suspense-filled ride… Fans of Tom Clancy or Brad Thor will certainly find the world that Sean McFate has created to be an exciting and familiar one… Like the escapism of a great action movie… Exceptional sense of pacing…” — TheNerdDaily.com
“McFate knows his way around bold, riveting stories, fascinating characters and ground-level combat that are sure to please fans of Brad Thor, Tom Clancy, and Daniel Silva.”
— Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One Minute Out
“A firestorm of action scenes… It's all done with such energy and skill.” — Booklist
“A realistic tour through political intrigue mixed with plenty of excitement from the frontline operators.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A gripping journey inside the world of modern warfare and espionage, and those who enjoy a good military thriller will be hoping that more Tom Locke adventures will follow quickly.” — Booklist
“Intelligent, funny, gritty, Ferrari-paced - at times even electric. Shadow War is in the running for best debut of 2016!” — Ben Coes, New York Times Bestselling author of Eye for an Eye
“McFate knows the world of his first thriller intimately… The novel provides plenty of drama and a realistic view of political intrigue, and McFate really shines with lines that ring with authenticity. . . . A promising debut from an author who clearly knows the realities of the mercenary’s trade.” — Kirkus Reviews
“This book isn’t pretty, but it’s necessary reading for the strategically inclined.” — Kirkus Reviews
“McFate’s experience… inform(s) this standout work of military science… An authoritative and skillful analysis of the state of war today.” — Publishers Weekly
“[A] terrific debut… Resonance and depth [are] certain to make Shadow War the book others… seek to replicate. A tour de force of form and function for a new geopolitical reality.” — Providence Journal
“Shadow War is a full-tilt thriller… Full of tense moments, survival situations, gun fire, explosions, and even a romance (even if it is short lived). I would highly recommend it if you’re a fan of thrillers, spies, foreign relations or just want something good to sink your teeth into for a few days. I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment of the Tom Locke saga.” — BlackDogSpeaks.com
“An American James Bond meets the twists and turns of “Homeland.” — Adm James Stavridis, USN (Ret), Supreme Allied Commander at NATO
“For Black Ops and lots of military action, join Tom Locke for an exciting, wild ride.” — Catherine Coulter, author of Nemesis
“Wars produce warriors. Some, like special operator-turned mercenary Tom Locke, find it a curious calling that pulls them into the darkest of nights and most dangerous of places. Shadow War brings all of it to life in fascinating detail.” — General Stanley A. McChrystal
“Shadow War has pace like a catapult, sudden and fierce, and it will hit readers straight between the eyes.” — Ted Bell, New York Times Bestselling author of Patriot
“Step aside, faux thriller writers and armchair warrior storytellers. Ex-mercenary Sean McFate has produced a first novel that’s assured, authentic, timely, gritty, and most of all real... I enjoyed the hell out of it.” — C.J. Box, New York Times Best-selling Author of Badlands and Off the Grid
“[This] iconoclastic book is being hailed by radicals as a wake-up call to governments and armed forces everywhere… Much of what [McFate] says convinces… If we go on fighting our wars the old way, we shall go on losing them.” — Max Hastings, The Sunday Times
“An important handbook for a new generation of warriors and a primer for the conduct of contemporary armed conflict. The question posed is how to secure a favorable outcome when the concept of victory is so fluid and shaped by perception as much as any military result.” — Sir Richard Dearlove, former director, MI6
“The future is one of deep uncertainty and few offer a bold or clear exposition of its character. McFate has done just that and the results are both compelling and persuasive. If we heed his advice, we may make the necessary adjustments in time to avert a serious catastrophe.” — Prof. Robert Johnson, Director of the Changing Character of War Program, Oxford University
“Stunning. Sean McFate is a new Sun Tzu…. Drawing on history and ancient principles, McFate masterfully explains how armed conflict works today. The New Rules of War is a must read for anyone who wants to know how war will be fought tomorrow and how the winners will win.” — Admiral James Stavridis (retired), former Supreme Allied Commander at NATO
“[A] smart, exciting first novel and series launch…. Readers will look forward to seeing a lot more of Locke.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“The sharpest account of the dilemmas of war and peace I’ve read in years… A wonderful read.” — Evening Standard (UK)
“Locke is another strong hero in the growing subgenre of black-ops thrillers, and Deep Black is a maze of treachery and intrigue to the very end.” — Booklist Online
“Why do western powers keep getting beaten when they go to war? This hard-hitting polemic by a former US paratrooper explains why – we are addicted to expensive, big tech that is useless against guerrillas.” — The Times (UK)
Crimespree Magazine
Plenty of political intrigue and is action packed… Tom Locke is a hero people can get behind… He and Lin make a good team and will remind readers of Brad Taylor’s Pike Logan and Jennifer Cahill.
TheNerdDaily.com
A pulse-pounding, suspense-filled ride… Fans of Tom Clancy or Brad Thor will certainly find the world that Sean McFate has created to be an exciting and familiar one… Like the escapism of a great action movie… Exceptional sense of pacing…”
Mark Greaney
McFate knows his way around bold, riveting stories, fascinating characters and ground-level combat that are sure to please fans of Brad Thor, Tom Clancy, and Daniel Silva.”
Ben Coes
Intelligent, funny, gritty, Ferrari-paced - at times even electric. Shadow War is in the running for best debut of 2016!
James Rollins
High Treason has brutal assassinations, shocking betrayals, even heated gun battles in the shadow of the White House. It had me breathless—from the sheer audacity of its storytelling to its breakneck pacing. It’s not to be missed!
Booklist
A firestorm of action scenes… It's all done with such energy and skill.
James Patterson
McFate just might be the next Tom Clancy, only I think he’s even better... The action is non-stop and shuttles back and forth between scary-believable and rollicking good fun. I read High Treason during a six-hour plane ride and the trip went by like the snap of my fingers.”
Booklist Online
Locke is another strong hero in the growing subgenre of black-ops thrillers, and Deep Black is a maze of treachery and intrigue to the very end.
Max Hastings
[This] iconoclastic book is being hailed by radicals as a wake-up call to governments and armed forces everywhere… Much of what [McFate] says convinces… If we go on fighting our wars the old way, we shall go on losing them.
Sir Richard Dearlove
An important handbook for a new generation of warriors and a primer for the conduct of contemporary armed conflict. The question posed is how to secure a favorable outcome when the concept of victory is so fluid and shaped by perception as much as any military result.
Evening Standard (UK)
The sharpest account of the dilemmas of war and peace I’ve read in years… A wonderful read.
C.J. Box
Step aside, faux thriller writers and armchair warrior storytellers. Ex-mercenary Sean McFate has produced a first novel that’s assured, authentic, timely, gritty, and most of all real... I enjoyed the hell out of it.
Admiral James Stavridis (retired)
Stunning. Sean McFate is a new Sun Tzu…. Drawing on history and ancient principles, McFate masterfully explains how armed conflict works today. The New Rules of War is a must read for anyone who wants to know how war will be fought tomorrow and how the winners will win.
General Stanley A. McChrystal
Wars produce warriors. Some, like special operator-turned mercenary Tom Locke, find it a curious calling that pulls them into the darkest of nights and most dangerous of places. Shadow War brings all of it to life in fascinating detail.
Catherine Coulter
For Black Ops and lots of military action, join Tom Locke for an exciting, wild ride.
Ted Bell
Shadow War has pace like a catapult, sudden and fierce, and it will hit readers straight between the eyes.
The Times (UK)
Why do western powers keep getting beaten when they go to war? This hard-hitting polemic by a former US paratrooper explains why – we are addicted to expensive, big tech that is useless against guerrillas.
Adm James Stavridis
An American James Bond meets the twists and turns of “Homeland.
BlackDogSpeaks.com
Shadow War is a full-tilt thriller… Full of tense moments, survival situations, gun fire, explosions, and even a romance (even if it is short lived). I would highly recommend it if you’re a fan of thrillers, spies, foreign relations or just want something good to sink your teeth into for a few days. I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment of the Tom Locke saga.
Prof. Robert Johnson
The future is one of deep uncertainty and few offer a bold or clear exposition of its character. McFate has done just that and the results are both compelling and persuasive. If we heed his advice, we may make the necessary adjustments in time to avert a serious catastrophe.
Providence Journal
[A] terrific debut… Resonance and depth [are] certain to make Shadow War the book others… seek to replicate. A tour de force of form and function for a new geopolitical reality.
Booklist
A firestorm of action scenes… It's all done with such energy and skill.
James Patterson
McFate just might be the next Tom Clancy, only I think he’s even better... The action is non-stop and shuttles back and forth between scary-believable and rollicking good fun. I read High Treason during a six-hour plane ride and the trip went by like the snap of my fingers.”
General Stanley A. McChrystal
Wars produce warriors. Some, like special operator-turned mercenary Tom Locke, find it a curious calling that pulls them into the darkest of nights and most dangerous of places. Shadow War brings all of it to life in fascinating detail.
Evening Standard (UK)
The sharpest account of the dilemmas of war and peace I’ve read in years… A wonderful read.
Booklist Online
Locke is another strong hero in the growing subgenre of black-ops thrillers, and Deep Black is a maze of treachery and intrigue to the very end.
James Rollins
High Treason has brutal assassinations, shocking betrayals, even heated gun battles in the shadow of the White House. It had me breathless—from the sheer audacity of its storytelling to its breakneck pacing. It’s not to be missed!
Booklist
A gripping journey inside the world of modern warfare and espionage, and those who enjoy a good military thriller will be hoping that more Tom Locke adventures will follow quickly.
The Times (UK)
Why do western powers keep getting beaten when they go to war? This hard-hitting polemic by a former US paratrooper explains why – we are addicted to expensive, big tech that is useless against guerrillas.
BlackDogSpeaks.com
Shadow War is a full-tilt thriller… Full of tense moments, survival situations, gun fire, explosions, and even a romance (even if it is short lived). I would highly recommend it if you’re a fan of thrillers, spies, foreign relations or just want something good to sink your teeth into for a few days. I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment of the Tom Locke saga.
Providence Journal
[A] terrific debut… Resonance and depth [are] certain to make Shadow War the book others… seek to replicate. A tour de force of form and function for a new geopolitical reality.
Kirkus Reviews
2020-04-13
A military contractor must unravel the mysterious assassination of the U.S. vice president.
With extensive military experience in the 82nd Airborne Division and as a private contractor, McFate brings reliable authenticity to this next book about Tom Locke. While in exile in Israel, Locke learns that the American vice president was killed during an elaborately coordinated attack. Although most experts consider it an act of Islamic terrorism, Locke immediately suspects it's the handiwork of his former employer, a company of mercenaries known as Apollo Outcomes. To confirm his suspicions, Locke must get back inside his old company. But that means putting his life in the hands of former teammates who may have dubious loyalties. At the same time, renegade FBI agent Jennifer Lin has her own questions about the assassination. She immediately sees the imprint of an intricate Russian operation and, using her experience working in organized crime along with immense martial arts skills, starts an off-the-books investigation through a maze of underworld connections. Now, Lin and Locke must plow through the possible suspects, who include high-ranking Cabinet members, the Russian Mafia, and rogue mercenaries. Along the way, the reader is treated to a story bouncing from one action sequence to another.
A realistic tour through political intrigue mixed with plenty of excitement from the frontline operators.
