ARC Review: Out in the Cold by Steve Urszenyi

Out in the Cold
Author: Steve Urszenyi
Series: Special Agent Alexandra Martel (Book 2)
Publication: Minotaur Books (November 12, 2024)

Description: Special Agent Alex Martel is thrown back into a deadly world of deception when a series of attacks threaten to incite World War III in this action-packed thriller.

While sailing across the Mediterranean, the megayacht Aurora is rocked with explosions, taken under siege by unknown assailants. On board are some of Europe’s wealthiest and most powerful political players, including the secretary general of Interpol, a high-ranking Finnish diplomat, and Special Agent Alex Martel―whose lethal sniper skills kick in to bring them safely to shore.

Someone is waging a ruthless campaign of attacks against Finland, one of NATO’s newest members, in an attempt to throw the Alliance into turmoil. Teaming back up with CIA agent Caleb, Alex is thrust into the middle of the fray, pursuing the villains from the waters off of Monaco to the Baltic Sea and home to American soil.

As the US is pulled deeper into the conflict, a global catastrophe seems inevitable. But who is really responsible for these escalating attacks on Finland? The Russians, or someone much closer to home? As new allies surface and old enemies reappear, Alex has no way of knowing who to trust―and she might only have one last shot to keep the world from going to war.

My Thoughts: The second Alex Martel thriller was an excellent story. It begins with Alex on a mega-yacht with her friend Celeste who is the secretary general of Interpol. She sees Celeste meeting with a Finnish ambassador who would like Interpol to begin an investigation.

When the ship is attacked, Alex's skills as a medic, sniper, and all around badass are called into play. Her goal is to get Celeste and her boyfriend to safety. Along the way she has to deal with boatloads of invaders. 

The next day Celeste and her boyfriend are attacked. The boyfriend is killed, and Celeste is in a coma. Alex who has been seconded to the CIA was recalled to Washington before the second attack. She goes rogue to find out who is targeting her friend. Then she's called to Finland where she learns that the Finns don't believe that it is the Russians who have been causing all sorts of problems and raising tensions in the area. 

Meanwhile, back in the US, the reader learns that there is a conspiracy that reaches deep into government and even to the President's advisers whose goal is to "restore American supremacy" by bringing the US to war with Russia. 

I really enjoyed the twists and turns as Alex and some of her fellow spies unravel the conspiracy and find a way to end it. Fans of Alex who is a female version of James Bond will enjoy this fast paced adventure. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.