I will be recommending Relentless—period. No questions asked. I absolutely loved this book. Michael Maloof has delivered a high-octane thriller that balances breakneck pacing with emotional weight, and I was not prepared for how deeply it would hit me. I don’t cry over books, especially not thrillers—but this one got me. To have a male author write a female protagonist with such authenticity and depth that it breaks through my emotional armor? That’s a winner in my eyes. Kate Preacher is the kind of lead you instantly root for: tough, brilliant, and emotionally complex. From the opening pages, the story never lets go—packed with high-stakes action, globe-trotting danger, and a conspiracy centered on a chillingly plausible piece of tech. Despite the shifting players and international locations, nothing feels overwhelming; it all clicks together seamlessly. And the supporting cast? I loved every single one. They’re more than just background—they’re distinct, fleshed out, and integral to story. The linear timeline keeps the momentum strong, while the standout dialogue breathes life into every scene. And just when you think you have the plot figured out, it flips again. Relentless reads like the second or third book in a series—in the best way. You’re dropped into Kate’s world mid-stride, and as the pages turn, her backstory begins to unfold naturally, adding layers without info-dumping. This makes her feel lived-in, real, and fully formed from the start. It’s rare to find a debut that’s this polished, this emotionally resonant, and this unrelentingly gripping. I’m already diving into book two, because Kate Preacher is a force, and I’m all in.

Michael Maloof has me speechless after reading his debut novel, “Relentless.” He had me at the first paragraph. This is the first of hopefully many books in the new Kate Preacher series, and I am over the moon with this character and the potential shown in this first book. Kate Preacher is a brilliant woman who attended MIT when most her age were still worrying about who would ask them to the junior prom. She had a stellar career as a CIA analyst that was disrupted when bad intel caused her capture, torture, and near death. But during that hellish time, she met the love of her life, Jake, a Navy SEAL, and her white knight. Theirs is an incredibly romantic and close-knit relationship. With nearly five years of marriage, they’re still very much in love and absolute best friends. Theirs is the kind of relationship most of us think we’re going to have forever when we walk down that aisle; it’s a matter of cherishing, respecting, and loving unconditionally. And in the end, when the angels ask what I loved most, I will tell them every moment with you. Now as their fifth wedding anniversary rapidly approaches, Kate is working at her new job in Virginia as Jake works with his security company on assignment in Paris. That’s when their world forever changes. As I tore through this book like a beggar at a banquet, I was astonished by the richly developed characters and how quickly they became real to me. Kate is fascinating. Jake is everything and more that thriller readers expect from a former SEAL. The person known only as Nomad is a wonderfully rich and complex character. Jake’s and Kate’s co-workers are excellent supporting cast, and the antagonists are much more complex than just being simply the “bad guys.” Sorry, I can’t expound on that without creating the possibility of spoilers. Suffice it to say, that the entire cast of diverse personalities is proportional to the stellar storyline. What a story it is. Just a few pages into this novel I was convinced I was reading a novel by one of the mainline best-selling authors. It has the sleek style of a tale by someone like Karin Slaughter, Scott Pratt, or Robert Dugoni. It’s also got the military/special ops grit of a blockbuster by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson. In short, for those of us who love sharp military, anti-terrorist, or alphabet agency reads, this is pure perfection. Among many items, one of the best takeaways for me was the reminder of the dignity with which the US Military treats its fallen soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen. Being the spouse, child, sibling, and parent of those who have offered their all for the liberty of others, I’m aware that the dignity and respect shown to those who have fallen is generally unknown to those outside the military. It is one of the things that sets military personnel apart, and it’s an enduring part of their tradition at a time when so much of our history seems to be up for revision. Dignity, Honor, and Respect. I am delighted to highly recommend this victorious achievement and genuinely amazing addition to the thriller/suspense genre. Readers will simply not be disappointed by the thoroughbred pace, the thrill-ride dynamics of the storyline, or the genuinely engaging characters. “Relentless” by Michael Maloof is aptly named: there are many within its pages that could be called such. But only one will prove to be the most relentless. I absolutely cannot wait for the next installment in the Kate Preacher series. She’s as bad@$$ as they come.