I recently had the tremendous honor of interviewing bestselling author Ted Bell. Known for his popular Alex Hawke franchise, Bell is one of the true must-read thriller authors in the genre today. I asked him about any future writing projects and whether or not we might one day see Alex Hawke on the big screen. Check out his answers below:

Ryan: Ted, you’ve been kind of laying low for a while, are you currently working on anything?

Ted: Great question. The answer is yes, I’m working on a whole lot of things!

Ryan: Your latest novel, Patriot, just came out in paperback, right?

Ted: Correct. In fact, I just took a trip to Paris and London, and it was number five in all the airports, so that was good to see.

Ryan: Patriot was the ninth novel in your bestselling Alex Hawke series, do you have plans to write a tenth novel?

Ted: Absolutely! It’s going to be called Overkill, and I’m well underway with that story. It follows on the heels of my novella, White Death, in that it’s about Switzerland. The villain once more is Putin, who is flat broke and in danger of a coup. There have been assassination attempts on his life and the country is out of money, so he has the brilliant idea to invade Switzerland in an attempt to steal all their gold and cash reserves.

Ryan: Do you know when that will come out?

Ted: I should have it finished by Christmas, so I would say it will probably be a spring or summer release sometime next year.

Ryan: Previously on The Real Book Spy, I reported that you’re also working on a standalone mystery novel. Can you tell me anything about that?

Ted: Sure. I’ve written a book about a Private Investigator who is very much a throwback Thursday kind of guy, very old school in his beliefs and who is completely politically incorrect on every level.

He upsets a lot of people, but he’s a hard-drinking, hard-fighting kind of guy named Blackie Blaine who lives on a converted tugboat in Miami with his sidekick, a guy named Irish, who is an ex-prizefighter. Blackie is a great character and to use an old gangster term, I’m calling the novel Private Dick.

Ryan: How is Blackie Blaine different from Alex Hawke?

Ted: He’s American. He is the polar opposite of an English gentleman. He did go to Princeton, but he got kicked out for stealing his lacrosse coach’s car. He’s just the total opposite of Alex Hawke. Blackie is a one-hundred percent, testosterone-fueled American badass. Hawke is a total gentleman. But Blackie, while not a gentleman, does have a heart of gold.

Ryan: You’ve sort of become known for having plenty of babes, bullets, and fast cars in your books. Can we expect that in Private Dick?

Ted: Well, Hawke is rich. Alex is the sixth richest man in England. Blackie is, like, the sixth poorest man in Miami Beach. Like I said, he lives on a tugboat. He’s scrambling to make a buck!

Ryan: Wasn’t Blackie Blaine in a short story that you wrote?

Ted: He was, yes. Blackie was born in a short story called The Pirate of Palm Beach, which I wrote at the request of Nelson DeMille, who did an anthology called The Rich and the Dead.

Blackie actually lives aboard Errol Flynn’s old yacht, which was fitted with machine guns during World War II. Flynn actually petitioned the Navy to let him keep the guns, but they said no–so that’s in the story. Essentially, Blackie is disinherited by his father and down on his luck, so he becomes a Private Investigator.

Ryan: Vince Flynn was recognized as one of the political thriller authors who first transitioned away from Russia after the Cold War, and turned his attention to Islamic extremists, even before 9/11. In that same sense, you were one of the first authors to transition away from just radical Islam, and set your sights on Russia long before they were a world player like they are today. Even before last year’s Patriot, you were writing in Russian bad guys as far back as TSAR (the fifth Hawke novel), which came out in 2008. What led to you doing that before everyone else?

Ted: Because I felt like, just based on my own intuition about world events, that Putin was going to be the world’s next bad guy. I found him fascinating. I went to Russia, with a little help from some friends in the intelligence community, and spent time in Moscow and Saint Petersburg and even interviewed ex-KGB officers. I just thought Putin was a phenomenally interesting character, and I knew I had to deal with him in my books back in 2007 when I was actually writing TSAR.

Ryan: Is Hawke’s house in Bermuda, Teakettle Cottage, a real place?

Ted: Yes, in fact, if you go to Bermuda you’ll see endless houses that look like Teakettle Cottage. It’s real, but I promised the owner I won’t tell anyone where it is.

Ryan: I know you love to read, which authors do you enjoy?

Ted: Well, my favorite living author is Ian McEwan. He’s just a brilliant writer. He wrote a book called Atonement, which is an amazing novel and was a great film as well. He also wrote a wonderful book called Saturday about the life of a brain surgeon in London. His books are just staggeringly good.

Ryan: What is your favorite show on television right now?

Ted: The best show in the world airs Monday night on Bravo, it’s called Odd Mom Out, and my beautiful daughter, Byrdie Bell, is one of the stars. She plays a character named Simone, and the show is about hyper-competitive moms on the upper east side of New York. It’s hysterically funny, and a really great show. Other than that, I watch Fox News and that’s it.

Odd Mom Out and Fox News, those are my two shows.

Ryan: Hypothetically, if there was ever an Alex Hawke movie, who would you like to see play Hawke?

Ted: When I started to write about Alex, my vision of him was Errol Flynn who, as you probably know, was Australian. As far as looks, that’s who I saw. But I will say that there’s another Australian actor, now, who I think could make a really fine Alex Hawke, and that’s Chris Hemsworth. He checks all the boxes for me when it comes to playing Hawke.

My top three choices, if I had to pick, would be Hemsworth, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Robert Downey Jr.

Ryan: Okay, so you’re writing a tenth Hawke novel (Overkill) and you’re working on a standalone mystery novel (Private Dick). I have one more question… is there any news on the Hollywood front?

Bell: Well, to be honest, Ryan, do you hear that drum roll? Your timing is impeccable on that question because I have just closed a deal with a major Hollywood studio to put Alex Hawke on the big screen. You know, a huge action franchise, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’m just thrilled.

Ryan: Wow!

Ted: I’d love to tell you everything, but we’re waiting for the studio announcement, which could come at any time now, as the deal has closed.

So when that happens, I’ll talk to you all day long about it, because it’s an amazing team that’s been put together at the studio with the executive producer and the screenwriter, and we’re all working really closely together to make Alex Hawke as good as he can be.

Ryan: So you’re going to be involved in that process?

Bell: Yeah, I’m flying out there in the next week or two for story conferences on the story line for the first feature in the Hawke series. I probably shouldn’t tell you the title, but I will. We’re calling it Hawke.

So there you have it, Hawke fans. Straight from Ted Bell himself, it sounds like we might finally be close to seeing Alex Hawke on the big screen!

I’ll be covering all of Ted’s projects, including the next Hawke book and his standalone mystery novel, so make sure to check back for updates. In the meantime, spread the word on social media using the hashtag #HawkeMovie — then let me know which actor you’d most like to see play Lord Alex.

The post Breaking News: Ted Bell and Hollywood first appeared on The Real Book Spy.

In an exclusive interview with The Real Book Spy, sources say that Ted Bell, author of the bestselling Alex Hawke series, is currently working on a standalone mystery novel.

The story is said to be set in present-day Miami and will follow Blackie Blaine, a film-noirish private detective who takes on a pretty client with a potentially deadly case.

In the parlance of old black-and-white gangster movies, the protagonist is a Private Dick–which is currently the novel’s working title.

While my source didn’t comment on how much of Private Dick is already completed, I’ve confirmed that Bell does not yet have a deal in place to publish the book. In fact, Bell’s 2015 thriller, Patriot, the ninth in his Alexander Hawke franchise, was the final novel of the author’s two-book deal that he previously signed with William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins).

Between Private Dick and Overkill, the rumored tenth Hawke novel (also in the works), Ted Bell remains one of the biggest names in the genre, and someone to watch very closely.

I’ll be all over this story moving forward, so be sure to check back for any updates. In the meantime, if you haven’t already, order your copy of Patriot today. 

The post Breaking: Ted Bell Working On New Standalone Mystery Novel (With Details) first appeared on The Real Book Spy.

They can also serve as the perfect appetizer story to a full-course novel, a tactic many of today’s most famous authors use to keep their readers’ hunger in check. Therefore, I’ve compiled a list of twenty short stories (broken down into two separate articles) that I personally recommend thriller fans check out.

Start with these ten awesome mini-reads, and check back for the second part of the list in July!

1.) The Athens Solution – Brad Thor

The Athens Solution is Brad Thor’s first ever short story and was originally part of the International Thriller Writers anthology, titled Thriller. Thor released an updated version of the short story on Kindle back in December of last year, which also includes an exclusive afterword.

So why does The Athens Solution come in at #1 on our list? Simply put, nobody packs as much action into fifty pages as Brad Thor!

When a new type of super-weapon falls into the wrong hands, the U.S. Ambassador to Greece is tasked with recovering it. Things take a shadowy turn, making The Athens Solution heavy on conspiracy–which is why Scot Harvath is brought into the fold. As a traitor emerges, Harvath takes him on in pulse-pounding, high-octane fashion.

Soon, bullets are flying and pages are turning as readers race to see how this story comes to a close. Trust me, it’s well worth the $0.99 price tag, and then some.

Click here to purchase!

2.) White Death – Ted Bell

I’ve been saying for a long time that Ted Bell (along with Daniel Silva) is one of the best pure writers penning thrillers today. Bell’s Alex Hawke series is as good as any, and a must-read for fans of political thrillers.

The majority of Bell’s novels are a little on the long side (hey, I’m not complaining, I’ll take all that I can get!) and feature his mesmerizing writing style intertwined with action. A true wordsmith, Bell writes with a unique cadence to his  dialogue and sentence structure. For this reason, it’s easy to read his books slowly, savoring each and every page.

While Bell’s novels are a savory treat, his short stories pack a quick knockout punch that will thrill readers and leave them begging for more. This is especially true with White Death, Bell’s second novella about a conspiracy involving a Swiss banker who is found dead high up in the Alps.

When concerns rise over the banker’s connection to the British royal family, the Chief of British Intelligence calls on MI6 officer Alex Hawke to collect the pieces and solve the puzzle. But to do that, Hawke must make the dangerous climb up a portion of the Swiss Alps that is essentially a sheet of ice, in less than favorable conditions–and that’s only the beginning.

Coming in at just over two hundred pages, Ted Bell packs a stunning amount of substance into White Death. Plus, he brings the action–and plenty of it.

Click here to purchase!

3.) Plan B – Joseph Finder

Joseph Finder is a master novelist, known primarily for penning standalone stories–which he did for years before finally settling on a series protagonist named Nick Heller. 

Heller, a private spy for hire, is a brilliantly crafted character. He’s introduced in Vanished (2009) and returned for Buried Secrets (2011). The third novel in the series, Guilty Minds, comes out this July and is one of my very favorite books of the year. 

Plan B takes place between Vanished and Buried Secrets and features an action-packed kidnapping plot that will keep readers guessing until the final page. 

On a job in Barcelona, Nick Heller is tasked with rescuing a girl who is being held inside a secure compound against her will. Plan A is to get inside, grab the girl, and then get back out without setting off the alarm or alerting any guards. Things, though, don’t go according to plan, so Heller is forced to switch to Plan B. 

I feel like I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t warn you that this story ends pretty abruptly. Just as you’re settling in, ready to spend the day following Nick around, it’s over. It will definitely leave you jonesing for more, which is okay since your fix is right around the corner with Guilty Minds. 

Click here to purchase!

4.) Gut Instinct – Brad Taylor

Gut Instinct takes place between Brad Taylor’s full-length novels All Necessary Force and Enemy of Mine, which are the second and third books in his Pike Logan series. 

In Gut Instinct, Pike Logan is recovering from injuries he previously sustained. In fact, Pike isn’t of much use, nor is he the main character here. Jennifer Cahil is, taking the lead when another Taskforce team needs a female operative for a specific mission. 

Earlier in the series, Jennifer runs into her ex-husband, Chase, who is a real piece of work. After being physically abused by him for years, Jennifer finally unleashes on Chase–delivering him a thorough beating from head to toe.  Beyond that, the story revolves around a terrorist plot and Jennifer’s “gut instinct” that Taskforce leaders are zeroing in on the wrong targets. Following her own intuition, she and Pike take matters into their own hands.

This short story is a real treat for fans of Taylor’s Pike Logan series and anyone else looking for a quick, awesome read. 

Click here to purchase!

5.) Tracker – James Rollins

Falling between The Devil Colony (2011) and Bloodline (2012), this Sigma Force short story follows Tucker Wayne and his war dog, Kane, as they attempt to help a woman in search of her father. 

Set on the streets of Budapest, Tucker and Kane find themselves mixed up in some trouble when they observe an attractive young woman, Aliza, being followed. Stepping in to save her, they discover that she’s searching for her father, who was kidnapped while searching for Jewish treasures that had been confiscated from the Nazis many years prior. 

Upon learning that the men following Aliza are actually NSZ (Hungary’s equivalent of America’s FBI), Tucker forms a plan and takes action–using Kane, a Belgian Malinois Shepherd, as his secret weapon. 

The only drawback to this short story is that it’s a tad too short and left more to be desired. In the long run, that’s fine, as Rollins has since teamed with Grant Blackwood to write two full-length Tucker Wayne (and Kane) spinoff novels: The Killswitch and War Hawk.  

Click here to purchase!

6.) Soft Targets – John Gilstrap

John Gilstrap writes one of the most underrated series in the thriller genre. His Jonathan Grave franchise is the real deal, and Gilstrap keeps getting better and better with each new book.

Soft Targets is essentially an introduction to the entire series, going back and showing a glimpse of Grave during his younger days–and how he got into the hostage and rescuing business in the first place.

When FBI Agent Irene Rivers’ (who later on in the series becomes the Director) daughters are kidnapped by a man who is both a murderer and a child molester, she becomes desperate to get them back. The problem is that Irene has sworn to follow the law at all times, and the law isn’t getting her anywhere. Therefore, she turns to a man who operates outside of the law.

Jonathan Grave works in the shadows, willing to break whatever laws necessary to help his clients. Especially this time! 

Coming in at just over a hundred pages, Soft Targets is a fun, action-packed read that provides much-needed insight into Gilstrap’s main hero.

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7.) Bullseye – David Baldacci 

With multiple hit series to his name, David Baldacci is one of the most famous–and best-selling–authors on the planet. This novella marks the first time Baldacci merged two of his franchises, mixing super assassin Will Robie with Oliver Stone from The Camel Club. 

Oliver and Robie just happen to be among those present during a bank robbery and are both taken hostage along with the rest of the innocent bystanders. It doesn’t take long, though, for both men to realize there is more than just a heist at play.

The fun starts when the duo decides to team up to stop the bad guys, mixing in old school tactics (Oliver) with younger, brute force (Robie). The two characters, with so vastly different personalities, are a real treat to read together. Their flaws come out, making Bullseye one of the few novellas or short stories that actually add depth to a leading, series-starring character–and in this case, two of them!

Note: This short story was originally written to hold off readers’ appetites leading up to the release of Baldacci’s third novel in his Will Robie series, The Hit. There’s been another full-length novel added to the franchise since then called The Guilty. Bullseye can be read out of order or by new readers of the series, as it’s a standalone story.

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8.) Switchblade – Michael Connelly 

Written and released just before Michael Connelly’s twenty-third Harry Bosch novel, The Crossing, this short story features Connelly’s fictional LAPD detective following up an anonymous tip about a crime that’s remained unsolved for decades. 

The cold case that needs solving revolves around a teenage prostitute who was murdered in the early 1990s. When a well-informed tip comes in, Bosch has to find a way to prove it without the benefit of a body, DNA, or a crime scene to analyze. Fear not, though, because he has a few tricks up his sleeve and immediately gets busy looking for answers. 

Switchblade, released on Kindle, is only a tick over twenty pages long, but what it lacks in length, it more than makes up for with a surprising twist at the end. Connelly’s short story is a fun, easy read for anyone on the hunt for a good, quick mystery story. 

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9.) The Master Falconer – C.J. Box

C.J. Box’s most famous character, without question, is Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett. Joe, the protagonist of sixteen novels, including this year’s Off The Grid (one of my personal favorites so far in 2016), is loved by fans because he is so relatable. Your average hard-working family man just busting his hump to make ends meet, Joe Pickett is just like the rest of us. 

So while Joe is the affable, everyday red-blooded American, Box’s most mysterious (and lethal) character is Nate Romanowski–who was first introduced in the third Pickett novel, Winterkill. 

Nate is a master falconer who, before hunting with his birds, was an elite Special Forces soldier. While Joe is a lousy shot with his state-issued pistol and anything but a tough-guy, Nate is the total opposite. Packing one of the world’s most powerful handguns, which he shoots with incredible accuracy, Romanowski is the type of larger-than-life character you’d expect to see starring in this particular genre. 

This short story, which sees Nate taking on a shadowy figure who comes looking for some trouble, does a terrific job filling in some of the holes from Romanowski’s past. If you’re a fan of this series, you simply have to read this eBook special! 

Click here to purchase! 

10.) Deep Down – Lee Child

In this exhilarating short story, released as an eBook special on Kindle, Jack Reacher must find a way to expose a mole who is leaking classified information. 

Someone is whispering secrets about a new state-of-the-art, high-powered sniper rifle designed for the United States Special Forces. The government, in an effort to make sure this information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands, tabs Reacher to plug the leak. 

In Washington, Reacher is tasked with meeting and having drinks with four officers, during which he is to try and expose one of them as the mole in question. This mission, which is supposed to be quick and easy, turns into anything but, as Reacher once again finds himself in a situation that is more dangerous than he originally thought possible.

Click here to purchase!

The post Twenty Short Stories That Pack a Full-Size Punch: Part 1 first appeared on The Real Book Spy.

Author Vince Flynn first introduced the world to CIA operative Mitch Rapp with his 1999 novel Transfer of Power. Since then, Rapp has gone on to star in thirteen more novels, with the fifteenth (currently untitled) due out later this fall. Throughout his illustrious career, Rapp has earned the nickname “The Angel of Death” from his enemies–as Mitch will stop at nothing to protect his country and countrymen.

Once a world-class athlete, Mitch is remembered as one of the greatest lacrosse players to ever play at the collegiate level. He’s also won the world-famous Iron Man competition in Hawaii and placed several other top-five finishes to go along with it. Since his days as an athlete, Rapp has become America’s greatest defense against terrorism. He’s big, strong, hot-headed, ruthless, and the absolute last person you’d want to come face-to-face with in a dark alley.

Mitch Rapp isn’t just America’s most effect weapon against terrorism, he’s also one of the country’s greatest patriots–and he’s spilled enough blood to keep the red of our flag bright and bold for many years to come.

First book in the series: American Assassin

2.) Scot Harvath

Ever since his first novel, The Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor has churned out Scot Harvath novels at a blistering pace. Harvath, an ex-SEAL who joined the Secret Service before heading up a top secret program designed to take the fight against terrorists straight to their doorstep, is now working with for a private black-ops firm called the Carlton Group.

During his career, Harvath has saved countless lives and doled out some serious punishment to numerous bad guys around the globe. He’s also prevented world wars and stopped several nuclear and EMP attacks aimed at America. Even African Hemorrhagic Fever is no match for Scot, who managed to torpedo a sinister plot from radical progressives who believed the world’s population must be dramatically reduced.

Bottom line: Harvath isn’t just a super agent, he’s freaking Superman!

First novel in the series: The Lions of Lucerne 

3.) Gabriel Allon

Gabriel Allon, the legendary wayward son of Israeli intelligence, is a master of two crafts–restoring famous paintings and killing people. As one of the world’s most prestigious art restorers, Gabriel has touched up some of the most famous paintings the world has ever known. As a spy, he’s protected Israel at all costs, and it has cost him plenty.

While not big in stature, Gabriel relies on his intellect and foresight to outsmart opponents and enemies alike. He’s protected millions throughout his career and lost some of his closest loved ones in the process. His story is sad, action-packed, and compelling beyond words. Silva has written one of the best series the genre has ever seen. 

No matter how many famous paintings are restored, the greatest masterpiece of all will belong to Daniel Silva–for creating the beloved Gabriel Allon. 

First book of the series: The Kill Artist 

4.) Alex Hawke

Oh, to be a handsome billionaire known for your wit and charm… hey, a guy can dream right? Babes, cars, incredible mansions, and a knack for war–Alex Hawke is the most Bond-like character since Ian Fleming first introduced the world to 007. In fact, some could argue (and I will!) that Hawke is a far better character than Bond for a number of reasons. 

Lord Alex has a tragic but fascinating past. He’s descended from pirates, which readers of Ted Bell’s series know all about. No spoilers here, but if you’re not reading Bell’s Hawke series, you’re missing out in a big way. 

Bell’s novels are over-the-top fun, with a side dish of mystery and nonstop action for dessert! Hawke is truly fantastic and showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

First book in the series: Hawke 

5.) Pike Logan

Nephilim “Pike” Logan (yes, Pike is a far better name than Nephilim) is one of the baddest dudes in the genre today. I can’t help but picture Brad Taylor, Pike’s creator, when I read the Logan series. Taylor, the former Delta Force operator, brings knowledge and experience that few others can provide–and his writing skills and storytelling ability are outstanding. 

Pike is a member of the Taskforce, a blacker-than-black-ops unit that answers to a small group of people headlined by the president. They operate outside of the law, doing whatever it takes to keep America safe. Pike is ruthless and capable of stunning violence when he deems it necessary to national security–but that’s just one side to him. He also has a great sense of humor and many other good qualities, loyalty being one of them. 

Taylor is the only author in this genre that consistently releases two books a year. Incredibly, he seems to be getting better with each book–which should scare his competition. If you’re not reading the Pike Logan books, then you’re missing out on the best pure military thriller series currently in print. 

First book in the series: One Rough Man

6.) Dewey Andreas 

I’ll be honest and admit that when I first heard of Dewey Andreas, “Dewey” didn’t seem like a tough-guy name. But don’t let the name fool you, Andreas is a former Delta Force operator who is highly skilled in the art of killing bad guys–which he does a lot.

Ben Coes’ first novel (Power Down) came out in 2010 and was instantly one of the best books in the genre that year, a trend that’s continued each year with each new novel. Coes is a superb writer and crafts his stories so the plot builds with excitement and suspense, leading to action-packed endings that will most certainly get your blood pumping. 

First Strike, the sixth novel to star Dewey Andreas, comes out on June 28th and might be Coes’ best novel yet. Say it with me, In Dewey we trust!

First book in the series: Power Down

7.) Will Robie

When the Unites States government needs someone killed, they call Will Robie. He’s the best there is, and he has the resumé to prove it.

Robie is known for following orders without question and never missing a target. That is, of course, until he begins to question things in David Baldacci’s The Innocent. In doing so, Robie put a target on himself and was forced to slip away into the shadows. Eventually, he returns to his old violent ways, but only when he’s forced to. 

Far too many men learned the hard way that the absolute last place you want to put one of the baddest dudes on the planet is with his back up against a wall and a weapon in his hand. Robie is a compelling protagonist and a ton of fun to follow and root for. This is Baldacci’s best series by far, and maybe the best character he’s ever created. 

First book in the series: The Innocent

8.) John Wells

Bestselling author Alex Berenson has created a hero like no other in John Wells, his series protagonist who has starred in ten novels to date. What makes Wells unique from the other characters in this genre, other than his wise-cracking responses and sarcastic tendencies, is that he’s a devout and practicing member of Islam. 

Wells was first intrigued by the religion when he was working for the CIA and went underground to infiltrate al Qaeda. However, he believes in peace, rather than killing and waging war against infidels. For that reason, he’s still willing to help stop the terror group and anyone else that poses a threat to national security. 

Not only is Wells one of the baddest dudes in the genre, but Berenson oozes talent and has been remarkably consistent in churning out high-octane thrillers. If you haven’t tried this series yet, start at the beginning with The Faithful Spy–which is one of the best spy novels written in the last fifteen years.

First book in the series: The Faithful Spy

9.) Jack Reacher

Jack Reacher is a former Major in the United States Army Military Police Corps, turned mysterious drifter. Reacher, who at 6’5″ is an intimidating presence, is a man who owns nothing and has no place to call home. He has no luggage, no vehicle to drive himself around it, and no cell phone. But don’t feel bad for Reacher, this is exactly how he wants it. 

Reacher is impossible to locate, as he travels mostly by bus from various locations. Often times he arrives in a town, spends a fee nights, then makes his way to the next stop on his never-ending journey. While he often chooses his destinations at random, he has a knack for finding trouble. Reacher, you see, hates bad guys–and not just big-time criminals, but even the petty thugs and purse-snatchers. When he see’s injustice, he deals with it–usually in brutal, devastating fashion. 

Reacher is also a brilliant detective and has an eye for seeing things that others routinely miss. Over the course of twenty novels, most of them best-sellers, author Lee Child has earned a loyal following. His next Reacher novel, Night School, comes out on November 8, 2016. 

First book in the series: Killing Floor

10.) Victor the Assassin

Victor the Assassin is a chillingly brilliant creation by author Tom Wood. Victor has no past, no record of anything, and no last name to go by. He’s a contract killer working for whoever can afford him, and he’s a master of his craft. He’s also skilled in the arts of deception and blending in–changing his appearance when necessary–and is versatile with a variety of weapons. 

If someone takes out a hit on you and they hire Victor to complete the job, well, it’s been nice knowing you. 

Victor is mysterious, and the truest killer on the list–meaning he doesn’t care about the target, law enforcement, innocent lives, nothing… He’s a total anti-hero, which can make it hard to root for him. That’s where Wood’s skilled writing comes into play, sucking the reader in until they can’t help but follow Victor around as he does what he does best. 

First book in the series: The Hunter 

Honorable Mentions: 

Cotton Malone (by Steve Berry), Court Gentry (by Mark Greaney), Kolt Raynor (by Dalton Fury), John Corey (by Nelson DeMille), Scott Coleman (by Vince Flynn), Mason Kane (by Joshua Hood), Logan West (by Matthew Betley), Sam Capra (by Jeff Abbott), Jericho Quinn (by Marc Cameron), Jonathan Grave (by John Gilstrap) and Gil Shannon (by Scott McEwen). 

The post The Ten Baddest Dudes in the Spy Genre Right Now! first appeared on The Real Book Spy.