Enjoyed this one very much, another great suspense thriller from author Michael Laurence. Never disappoints, highly recommend!

Wow, just when I thought this series couldn't get any more thrilling, the latest installment proved me wrong! Once again, the author masterfully weaves a tale that blurs the lines between historical fact, conspiracy theories, and pure fiction, creating a political thriller that feels unsettlingly real. The stakes are higher than ever as the story delves deeper into the series' central conspiracy, making for a reading experience that's as intellectually engaging as it is pulse-pounding.

For anyone new to the series, a quick heads-up: while this book stands on its own merits, it picks up intricately from where the last one left off. Starting here might leave you a tad lost with the rich details and expansive character roster. So, I genuinely recommend kicking things off with the first two books—you won't regret it!

As our familiar characters navigate through increasingly perilous twists, their adventures resonate with a genuine authenticity that had me hooked from start to finish. This story is filled with moments that had me raising my eyebrows in surprise and sitting on the edge of my seat, eager to see what would happen next.

If you're looking for a series that cares as much about its historical and political authenticity as it does about keeping you entertained, this is it. This book not only met my expectations but exceeded them in ways I hadn't anticipated.

The Elimination Threat is the third in a series; due to this series continuing to build on previous installments, I do not recommend it being read as a standalone novel. FBI Agent James Mason, his new partner agent Jessica Layne, and his childhood friends Ramses Donovan and Gunnar Backstrom are right back in the thick of investigating a shadowy, Illuminati-esque group called The Thirteen. Elimination Threat kicks off with the death of one of The Thirteen's own via a frightening weapon that burns the victim to death, leaving everything around them intact. And deep in south Texas, the death of a border agent who was investigating strange crop and die offs bears some striking similarities. When Mason and Layne begin to look into the death of the border patrol agent, they find themselves on the trail of the most frightening and potentially devastating plot The Thirteen has put together to date.

The Elimination Threat is another tight storyline that builds well on previous installments and seamlessly weaves together history, science, and conspiracy theory in a fast paced plot that is reminiscent of Dan Brown or James Rollins's novels.

Michael Laurence continues to hit his stride with the third book in the series, an edge of your seat thriller that left me eager to read the next in the series. I highly recommend The Elimination Threat for fans of well-researched and historically tied thrillers like those of James Rollins, Dan Brown, and Steve Berry.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Elimination Threat is the third book of the series, a series that you really need to read in order. Each book is a continuation of the previous one showcasing multiple characters involved in a non stop action thriller.
This adrenaline charged storyline will keep your heart racing at full tilt until that final page is turned.
If you are into secret societies with nefarious plans for the world and a team of eccentric characters trying to stop them, you will not regret diving into the pages of this fast paced series.

This book is an intelligent, clever techno-thriller that will have you reading and quickly turning the pages well into the night.

The story centers around two FBI special agents (James Mason and Jessica Layne) who are partners and have worked together on many cases. Currently they are on the trail of a monster known as "The Dragon" but his identity is unknown other than he is the head of a group (cult) only known as "The Thirteen" who are planning on taking over the world as we know it and they want to eliminate the majority of the population to start a.New World. The Dragon has created the ultimate weapon where it is being tested in many areas and on certain people have been chosen to endure the most incredible, painful deaths that scientists have ever seen and the government has no idea when or where this inevitable force will strike. The agents job is to find and take down "The Dragon" but also to bring him in custody alive so the agents can find out the identities of "The Thirteen". These special agents along with some other incredible people will be involved with hair-raising encounters with a drug cartel in Mexico, encounters with the Russians and travel from Florida to Texas, Mexico, Washington DC and Philadelphia all within a four day period. The Thirteen want Agent Mason dead since they know he is the only one capable of interfering and thwarting their plans of mass destruction. Who are "The Thirteen" and will the United States be able to take them down before they start any of their attacks on our people?

Wow Wow, Wow! Brilliantly written story that had me holding my breath many times while reading this thriller. My introduction probably sounded far fetched but as you read this frightening book you will find everything plausible which makes for a horrific nightmare. This book is truly brutal with the most horrifying monsters (human) and criminals that I have ever come across. I am so glad this is a work of fiction because I'm still having nightmares after reading this story. The storyline and writing was superb and the only fault I had with the book is there were many terms that had abbreviations and I couldn't find out what they were in the dictionary and would stop reading trying to find out what they meant, so that was distracting for me but by no means did it interfere with the story. This author is outstanding and his intelligence and research and writing can't be topped. Well, I had no idea this brilliant author "Michael Lawrence" was actually "Michael McBride" until after I finished reading the book. What a wonderful surprise that was to find out, that they were one and the same person. I highly recommend this book to any action/thriller loved and will continue to seek out this writer's books.

I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this outstanding novel and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I have given this captivating book a rating of 4 1/2 PHENOMENAL🌟🌟🌟🌟✴ STARS!!

This action packed suspenseful novel is not for the weak of heart. Mason is on the trail of a nasty group accumulating power for centuries. They have done some gruesome murders to send a message to those opposing them. Mason and his crew are out to catch the nefarious people before they change the world for the worse, perhaps causing a war between the U.S. and Russia. This group has infiltrated many U.S. government law agencies so Mason is pretty much on his own.

I liked the novel, one in the genre of rather normal guy saving the world from a secret and powerful group. While there is a great deal of chasing after bad guys and suspenseful results, there is also quite a bit of informative material in the book. The potential threat has a nuclear aspect and we learn a great deal about nuclear bombs, material needed, and how they can be produced. There is also quite a bit of information about the Federal Reserve, printing money and the national debt. There is also a section on oil, petrodollars and the real reason the U.S. invaded Iraq. I did feel Laurence has some particular political viewpoints on the above topics that he had his characters proclaim. I wish there had been an author's note as to the elements of the novel based on fact.

This is a novel for readers who like lots of action, even if some of it is pretty gruesome, advanced technology, a complex plot, and lots of history and background information. There is a clear distinction between good and evil with the bad guys being quite evil in their pursuit of money and power. We are left with more potential danger so I'll be watching for the next in this series.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

The 3rd book in the Extinction Agenda series finds us a dozen steps further in FBI SA James Mason's chase of the Thirteen, a group of families determeined to change the world to fit their vision, no matter the cost or consequences. The first two books in the series would give readers a better understanding of the challenges that face SA Mason and his supporting cast of friends and colleagues. Each member is uniquely skilled to follow the myriad links of the families to their actions. In The Elimination Threat, Michael Laurence sets his not-quite-super hero SA Mason's team against The Dragon, a mass murderer determined to set off a nuclear bomb.

In this series, Michael Laurence is world building, with each book taking us a little further into the hunt for the Thirteen. He shows how these families have connected their fortunes and futures to the domination of their corner of the world, joining together to achieve global command. The stories connect to each other, setting the scene for the next one. You can easily find yourself having nightmares about the "what if it happened" events in the books. Read at your own risk.

Wow, another terrific installment in this techno thriller series featuring an unusual team of FBI agents and their friends going after the worst villains humanity has on tap — those intent on the destruction of the world and the annihilation of order. All for money and power. The Thirteen are jockeying for position...

Do you like a fast paced novel with lots of action, shadowy conspiracies focusing on everything from drug cartels to the Federal Reserve Bank and the extremely powerful businessmen owning access to natural gas and oil reserves? Included are lots of gory and grisly murders, new and dangerous weapons, and a cult focused on world dominion. If so -- stop now -- because you must start at the beginning of this story for this one to have the best impact.

The characters are the same from book one: FBI Special Agents James Mason and Jessica Layne, a computer hacker with international connections, Gunnar Backstrom, and and old buddy, Ramses Donovan, who is extremely wealthy and has a way to provide what is needed at just the right time. Yes, this crew manages *gasp* to save the world each and every time, but the ride is a lot of fun so just suspend your disbelief and enjoy. There's definitely more to come...

Just a side note here: lots of detail about financial systems and the making of different types of nuclear material for weapons and power so, if that technical stuff doesn't interest you, skip on ahead to the team racing around the USA to track their current nemesis, the Dragon.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. I can't wait for the next installment -- what a great miniseries this would make -- Netflix?

I have been loving this story since the first book in the series (The Extinction Agenda). I love the titles, but the action and storyline are even more exceptional. You can tell a lot of research went into this novel. The characters become a part of you, and you become so invested in the outcome that you just can't put the book down til you're done. The action is non-stop like you are actually chasing the clues yourself and time is running out.
Although I guess this book could be read alone, it is much better as part of the series. Whether you like action, espionage, or even puzzles, you will love this book!

The saga of The Thirteen continues as Special Agents Mason and Layne race to stop a nuclear attack as well as take down The Dragon, a member of the Thirteen or a hired gun for them.

Fresh on the heels of taking down the Scarecrow in NYC as she attempted to release a deadly gas in the subway system, Special Agents Mason and Layne are headed to South Texas to investigate the mysterious death of a boarder patrol agent. What they find unnerves them as another devastating attack is about to unfold as The Thirteen work to shift the world towards their global worldview where they sit in the seats of power.

It's a race against the clock and against all odds as they work to unravel the who and the what for the impending attacks. Michael Laurence has again written a thriller that is fast paced, and contains plenty of nuances to keep the reader guessing and engaged. This is book three of the Extinction Agenda series. The series is best read in order.

After finishing the first chapter of this book, I asked myself why on earth I had requested an advance readers copy. Oh, that's right -- it's a St. Martin's Press book, and St. Martin's is my go-to publisher. Plus, I had read the two earlier books in the series. Unfortunately, I'd given both of them a two-star rating.

Author Michael Laurence previously published sci-fi and horror books under the name Michael McBride, and when he switched over to political thrillers, he brought along some of the over-the-top conventions of the other genre.

Obviously, many people love this mash-up -- but if you like your political conspiracies to have a veneer of plausibility, or if you're a fan of subtlety, this is probably not your guy.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's for a advance readers copy.

*3.5 stars rounded up. The third book in this exciting series featuring FBI Special Agents James Mason and Jessica Layne along with Mason's friends with special skills, Ramses and Gunnar. They are in a mad dash to save the world from a nuclear catastrophe and the diabolical madmen who are poised to take over world power and prey upon the survivors. Pure escapist reading: it's an action-filled techno-thriller from start to finish that is often quite gory.

I received an arc of this new thriller from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for the opportunity.

The plot of this book, and the two earlier books in the series, are attempts by the FBI to stop the Thirteen. The Thirteen are thirteen uber-rich families that have been controlling the world for centuries. In this book, one of the Thirteen, the Dragon, is using a directed energy weapon to burn his enemies from the inside out. This weapon is ripped directly from current headlines about US diplomats being shot with microwave weapons by Russia or China. It scrambles their brains but doesn’t kill them. But there are many kinds of directed energy weapons so the one in the book is perfectly plausible.

While I loved the convoluted conspiracy plot, other aspects of the book failed for me. There is a near constant referencing of the two previous books in the series. I’ve read the first but not the second. Neither are needed to understand the plot of this book. I believe it may be a misguided marketing idea. But it was just annoying and inflated the book unnecessarily. Also, there are a massive number of characters in this book. I really don’t need the names and histories of every minor character.

The best parts of The Elimination Threat are when Agent Mason figures out what happened at crime scenes. Or when his team is investigating documents about the victims. In my review of the first book in the series, I stated this series is a mashup of a conspiracy thriller and a police procedural. In this book, the procedural parts worked the best for me. 3 stars.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Michael Lawrence’s “The Elimination Threat” was a difficult read for me, and several times I struggled with thoughts of setting it down in the DNF pile. There was one shining beacon that kept me reading. Here’s the ups and downs of this book.

This is book three of a trilogy about James Mason, and FBI agent on the trail of super-villains (that’s my term for them, as they perform large scale horrible deeds and have their own special names such as The Scarecrow and The Dragon). Although not possessing any superpowers or weapons, Mason has an incredible team he has assembled, enabling him to jump from place to place as the team finds the clues he needs. This is pure escapism reading, and I enjoy a book like this from time to time.

Where the author lost me was in his constant recaps about what happened in the first two books. Continuous referrals with facts that are meaningless to this book’s plot regularly slowed down the pace, sometimes happening in the middle of what was supposed to be an action scene. This continued through the entire book. Mr. Lawrence also had a habit of completely describing a new character without giving the action the opportunity to introduce this new person. This also slowed the book down as the author told us about everyone rather than allowing readers the chance to experience the character.

I was all set to give “The Elimination Threat” two stars until I realized that the plot, even though fantastic at times, was still grounded in enough realism to be entertaining. It was what kept me reading all the way to the last page. Overall, while I wasn’t thrilled with the entire package, the book has some redeeming qualities. While it wasn’t my favorite story of the year, you might like it. Three stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a complimentary electronic copy of this book.

Book 3 in the series and I liked it better than book 2. It’s slow moving for the first 50% and then the excitement really starts.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins for the arc.

Yowsa there's a lot going on here. FBI SA James Mason and his cohorts are (once again) the only ones standing against the possibility of destruction of the US. The global cabal the Thirteen has infiltrated the FBI, terrorized the US. and is doing all sorts of terrible things. Honestly, I gave up. I liked the first book in this series which (presciently involved a killer virus) but this one lost me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm sure others will enjoy it but it wasn't my cup of tea.

Leans too much into science fiction for my taste. Took a bit to long to get up to speed but overall okay.

Another riveting thriller from the Extinction Agenda series. It has a slow burn to it, but the intensity and pace picks up throughout the book. This one skews towards a more futuristic threat while also staying somewhat grounded.

I wish I would have gone back to re-read the previous two to really get into the right mindset. I forgot some of the backstory of Mason and The Thirteen. However, that's on me and not the author.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC.

The Elimination Threat by Michael Laurence is a well-written, engrossing, and scary-to-think-about technothriller with a conspiracy angle, some science, and a dash of history. It is the third book in the Extinction Agenda series and picks up soon after the end of book two, The Annihilation Protocol. FBI Special Agent James Mason is meeting with his partner Special Agent Jessica Layne, an old friend, Gunnar Backstrom who is a computer and hacking expert, and Ramses Donovan, owner of a private night club with a lot of international connections.

A syndicate known only as the Thirteen has been infiltrating governments and businesses for centuries. After narrowly preventing a major disaster in book two, Mason and his friends are now facing a mass murderer known as the Dragon. Facing a mysterious weapon and the additional threat of nuclear destruction, can the team make the necessary connections in time to prevent more deaths? Who are the Thirteen and will the team find them?

There wasn’t a lot of time to see the private side of Mason, but there were a few glimpses that added depth and warmth to his character. However, I would like a little more insight. The supporting characters were an odd assortment that enhanced the story line and the partnership with Layne added a needed dimension to the book. The unique personalities provided balance and interplay.

A very complex story line with several sub-plots kept me turning the pages. Enough was at stake to keep me engaged throughout the book. Depth in the science and financial part of the tale gives it extra realism. The world-building was absolutely fantastic and gave a clear sense of time and place. While the main mystery and issues were resolved in the book, there are several open threads for future books in the series. Will you be able to make the necessary connections to determine what is going on before Mason and his team?

Readers should be aware that there are also several detailed technical discussions of innovative weapons as well as financial and energy related topics and some very graphic, horrifying scenes. Additional themes include cults, revenge, family, friendship, international politics, and monetary policies.

Overall, the plot was chilling, dramatic, electrifying, and well-paced with lots of action and a twist at the end that I didn’t expect. I would recommend it to those that enjoy complex conspiracy-driven techno-thrillers. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Michael Laurence for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for August 24, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

The third in a series of books about a cabal of thirteen families who secretly rule the world. Mason and Layne are the FBI agents trying to expose them and their plots to gain more power. The book is very well written and tense. I like how Lawrence was able to explain in laymen's terms how things like the Federal Reserve work and the concept of petrodollars. It readily explained how ultra wealthy corporations and governments make trillions of dollars leaving taxpayers to foot the bill. I also liked how there were plots within plots upping the ante to saving the world.

There are a lot of references to the previous 2 books in the series. I haven't read them but that didn't spoil any enjoyment I got. But it is spurring me to go back and read the first 2 books.