Scorpion Strike

Set on a private island off Mexico’s Pacific coast, Thriller Award–winner Gilstrap’s 10th Jonathan Grave novel (after 2017’s Final Target) is a sizzling beach read for military action fans. What is supposed to be a lazy tropical holiday at the Crystal Sands Resort for Jonathan and his girlfriend, Gail Bonneville, becomes anything but idyllic with the arrival of Russian terrorist mercenaries intent on hijacking a weapons shipment of unimaginable destructive power. Grave and Gail slip into the jungle to slowly pick off those they can, aided by Tyler Stratton, the resort owner’s ne’er-do-well stepson. Brian “Boxers” Van de Muelebroecke, Grave’s hulking best friend, assembles a team of former Security Solutions operatives to mount a rescue. Boxers intends to save only his compatriots, but Grave, Gail, and Tyler aim to take back the island and eliminate the terrorist threat and destroy the armaments. Tyler’s growth from cowardly beach bum to stalwart hero is impressive, and a precocious teenage girl proves to be a formidable impediment to her captors. This is the perfect summer read for thriller fans. Agent: Anne Hawkins, John Hawkins and Assoc. (July)