Strap in tight because Jack Stewart, author of the hit debut novel, Unknown Rider, has two new books coming out in 2024 . . . and trust me when I say that you do not want to miss either one!
In 2023, Top Gun pilot turned thriller author Jack Stewart (who is also set to co-author a new thriller series with Chad Robichaux) introduced readers to Colt Bancroft, hero of his high-octane debut, Unknown Rider, a novel tailor-written for fans vintage Clancy and Dale Brown. That book earned rave reviews from readers and critics alike and was endorsed by genre heavyweights such as Jack Carr, Brad Taylor, Mark Greaney, and others. The story, set around Colt, follows the pilot as he attempts to clear his name after things outside his control, which he can’t explain, put his military career in hot water. On March 1st, book two in the series, Outlaw, rockets into bookstores. This time around, global tensions ignite when a rogue military faction in China kidnaps a CIA case officer, prompting the U.S. to launch a rescue operation headed up by an elite team of Navy SEALs. Their only cover is a single FA-18E, and while that wouldn’t usually be enough firepower to get the job done, the fighter jet is piloted by Bancroft, who must protect the SEAL team and deal with emerging new threats along the way.
Outlaw, much like Stewart’s first book, is a riveting reading experience unlike anything else in the genre today. Not only does Stewart demonstrate a knack for plotting high-concept storylines that read like Top Gun: Maverick meets Mission Impossible, but he manages to put readers squarely in the cockpit of a roaring fighter jet, allowing them to experience high Gs and spine-tingling suspense. Reading his stuff makes for a wild ride, and thankfully, readers won’t have to wait too long for the third book once Outlaw drops.
Stewart’s third book, Bogey Spades, is set for release on November 19, 2024, and though it’s hard to believe, it might actually be his most action-packed story so far.
“When I wrote Unknown Rider, ” explained Stewart, speaking exclusively to The Real Book Spy. “I wanted to give the reader an opportunity to strap into an ejection seat and go for a ride in a fifth-generation fighter with TOPGUN instructor Colt Bancroft. From the sights and sounds of taxiing on the flight deck to the heart-pounding exhilaration of dogfighting, I wanted the reader to feel the action.”
If Stewart wants readers to feel the action, well, check!
Mission accomplished, Jack.
“In Outlaw,” continued Stewart, “the reader will get a chance to go aboard an aircraft carrier on deployment far from home while confronting a threat that is all too familiar. In early 2020, the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt (commanded by a friend of mine) was sidelined when a virus the world was just learning about began spreading across the ship. But what if a carrier was targeted with a weaponized virus? How can you fight back against an enemy you can’t see? Colt is again on the front lines in a race against time to stop the enemy from taking an American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier off the board.
“In Outlaw,” continued Stewart, “the reader will get a chance to go aboard an aircraft carrier on deployment far from home while confronting a threat that is all too familiar. In early 2020, the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt (commanded by a friend of mine) was sidelined when a virus the world was just learning about began spreading across the ship. But what if a carrier was targeted with a weaponized virus? How can you fight back against an enemy you can’t see? Colt is again on the front lines in a race against time to stop the enemy from taking an American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier off the board.”
Stewart also offered one final teaser for book three.
Enemies. Allies. It’s hard to tell the difference when peace and world order hang in the balance.Returning home a hero, TOPGUN pilot Colt Bancroft is called on to resurrect a Vietnam-era light attack squadron. Once soaring high, he finds himself on the dark side of special operations in a conflict he never saw coming. At its front lines, NCIS Special Agent Emmy “Punky” King is confronted with the timeless question—is the enemy of her enemy her friend?
As Colt and his band of Navy SEALs bring the Black Ponies of VAL-4 to the fight, Punky navigates the murky waters of international espionage and an uneasy alliance with a former adversary to uncover a new threat. At its heart is a weapon that could tilt the scales of global power. And the American Vice President is in the crosshairs.
In a world where every decision has repercussions and trust is a double-edged sword, Colt and Punky must forgive past transgressions and forge new alliances to confront an enemy who always seems one step ahead. In this high-stakes game: every choice counts, and the next move could redefine the future.
From author Jack Stewart, a former US Navy Top Gun instructor pilot, comes the third book in the exhilarating Battle Born series. Bogey Spades is perfect for fans of Tom Clancy and Dale Brown.
Jack Stewart grew up in Seattle, Washington, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy before serving twenty-three years as a fighter pilot. During that time, he flew combat missions from three different aircraft carriers and deployed to Afghanistan as a member of an Air Force Tactical Air Control Party. His last deployment was with a joint special operations counter-terrorism task force in Africa. He is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and holds a Master of Science in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego. He is an airline pilot and has appeared as a military and commercial aviation expert on international cable news. He lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife and three children.
Readers can now pre-order Ouotlaw and Bogey Spades wherever books are sold. In the meantime, if you haven’t already, check out Unknown Rider, currently available in hardcover, trade paperback, e-book, and audiobook.
Praised as “One of the hardest working, most thoughtful, and fairest reviewers out there” by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, Ryan Steck has “quickly established himself as the authority on mysteries and thrillers” (Author A.J. Tata). Steck also works full-time as a freelance editor and is building a growing community onTwitch. His debut thriller, FIELDS OF FIRE, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr says “will leave you speechless and begging for more,” is now available. His second novel, LETHAL RANGE, is also in bookstores, and his third book, OUT FOR BLOOD, comes out on June 4th. For more information, be sure to follow him on Twitter and Facebook. To interact with other readers and talk about your favorite books and authors, join The Real Book Spy’s Discord server.