Set in Iceland, many areas of the country are used as the backdrop including the main city which makes for a wonderful story. Many storylines are interwoven and it’s a very interesting ending. I would recommend this book and it gives you some great ideas if you ever want to visit Iceland.

Cold Fear (Finn Thrillers #2)
by Brandon Webb, John David Mann

Finn is a disgraced former Navy Seal who is on the run, wanted for horrible war crimes. Finn's memory is faulty, traumatic events have caused his mind to block out happenings from his youth and from the day atrocities were committed in Yemen. He knows that at least one corrupt Seal is after him and Finn is after some of the corrupt Seals who committed the crimes for which he's being blamed. You don't have to read the first book in this series to enjoy this one but doing so will give you a better understanding of Finn, his memory problems, and how parts of the Yemen incident are slowly coming back to him. Things happening now are triggering a return of some of his memories of just how deep the corruption among the Seals runs.

Finn is an amazing man. He's small, odd looking, about the last person you would think could perform all the rigorous feats required to become a Navy Seal. But Finn's mind, intelligence, and heart have driven Finn to get the most out of his body. When he's not being hampered by PTSD flashbacks, Finn can't be beat. He thinks he knows his enemy, the man chasing him, and he knows he is in danger. He also knows the men he is chasing and it's their weaknesses that he will use against them.

I don't always enjoy military thrillers but I've enjoyed the books in this series. Finn is a character that I want to follow and want to understand better. Also, the side characters are interesting and I hope to see one or two of them again in another book. But I know not to get too attached to anyone who comes in contact with Finn because the dangerous people that surround him will stop at nothing and no one is safe.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam and NetGalley for this ARC.

Steel Fear was one of my favorite reads last year (which I highly recommend you check out if you haven't already, especially if you like high-action or locked-room thrillers) so I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of Cold Fear.

From the publisher via Goodreads: Disgraced Navy SEAL Finn is on the run. A wanted man since he jumped ship from the USS Abraham Lincoln, he's sought for questioning in connection to war crimes committed in Yemen by a rogue element in his SEAL team. But his memory of that night--as well as the true fate of his mentor and only friend, Lieutenant Kennedy--is a gaping hole.

Finn learns that three members of his team have been quietly redeployed to Iceland, which is a puzzle in itself; the tiny island nation is famous for being one of the most peaceful, crime-free places on the planet.

His mission is simple: track down the three corrupt SEALs and find out what really happened that night in Yemen. But two problems stand in his way. On his first night in town a young woman mysteriously drowns--and a local detective suspects Finn's involvement. What's worse, a SEAL-turned-contract-killer with skills equal to Finn's own has been hired to make sure he never gets the answers he's looking for. And he's followed Finn all the way to the icy north.

I loved this book.

For starters, I am partial to Nordic thrillers. Jo Nesbo is an automatic buy for me, so anything with an Icelandic setting immediately piques my interest. Webb and Mann did an excellent job of setting up an enthralling crime with nooks and crannies of doubt. As in the first book, Finn is an interesting character, at once mysterious yet exemplifying a particular set of morals that keeps you turning pages. You don't need to read book one to fully understand the events of this book, which is nice for anyone looking to pick up a new series.

Overall, Cold Fear is a cinematic, high-energy read that will keep you engrossed in both the characters and the plot. Definitely add this to your TBRs.

Big thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.

Navy SEAL Finn is on the run. He's searching for answers about a night in Yemen, that he can't remember... except in bloody flashes. He jumped ship from the USS Abraham Lincoln, to find answers and has tracked three former teammates to Iceland, which is a puzzle in itself; the tiny island nation is famous for being one of the most peaceful, crime-free places on the planet. The clock is running, the longer he stays the more likely he is to be found... but on his first night in town a young woman mysteriously drowns—and a local detective suspects his involvement.

Why I started this book: I requested an ARC because I enjoyed Steel Fear and want to spend a little more time with Finn as he sought to fill the gaps in his memory.

Why I finished it: Propulsive thriller. Finn is both hunting and being hunted in dark short days of an Icelandic winter. Very atmospheric, and interesting to see some of the techniques and skillcraft that Navy SEALs would use on an OP. Hand this to fans of Tom Clancy and James D. Hornfischer.

This book was a bit different from the previous one. It was a little more intense. It was cold and dark much like Iceland.
Finn still reminds me of Jack Reacher. He’s strong, unstoppable and resourceful. I enjoyed the story,I’m looking forward to what he gets into next.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Book Review – Cold Fear – Webb & Mann
Tag team authors Brandon Webb and John David Mann did not disappoint in their follow-up action thriller, “Cold Fear.” While I liked their debut novel “Steel Fear” better, it doesn’t lessen the fact to how good Cold Fear is. Known for their nonfiction work, Webb and Mann are now 2-for-2 in the fiction thriller arena. In Cold Fear, Chief Finn (no second name given) – an AWOL Navy SEAL - is trying to track down three corrupt Navy SEALS who were with him in Yemen when a hideous tragedy happened that resulted in the death of numerous civilians. Subsequently, Finn was blamed for the debacle and has no memory of what happened and would like to clear his name. He believes the crooked three SEALs he's looking for can clear the record and at the very least clear his conscience. Also, while investigating that past tragedy in Yemen, a young woman mysteriously drowns – and a local police detective suspects that Chief Finn is somehow involved. What's worse, a former Navy SEAL-turned assassin has been hired to make sure that Finn doesn’t get the answers that he's looking for. This is a non-stop, multi-layer thrill ride of a lone military warrior, facing overwhelming odds, tracking down three equally well-trained but unscrupulous Navy SEALs, and seemingly trying to avoid an invincible assassin on his trail, all at the same time! All the characters are solid, well-developed, and captivating. Nothing boring going on in this tale because these two authors know how to create tension, drama, and excitement! Between the murder mystery and hunting the Navy SEALs, this is a fabulous combination of a murder mystery and suspense. Cold Fear is a remarkable thriller and I highly recommend reading it. Many thanks to authors Brandon Webb and John David Mann, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, Bantam and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this advance digital eBook copy of Cold Fear!

Chief Finn is back!
This novel is a stand alone novel that follows the first novel Steel Fear.
Chief Finn is a naval Seal officially absent without leave, and still searching to find the other members of the Seal team involved in the disastrous events at Makulla. This search brings him to Iceland wherein he becomes involved with a case the police are investigating regarding a lady found frozen in a pond....
During that process he also discovers what really happened at Makulla...
Action packed. Well written.

4.5 stars, actually.

After being enthralled by "Steel Fear," the first book in this series, I jumped at the chance to request a review copy of this one that features a flawed military hero named Finn. I must say it didn't excite me quite as much as the first, but this remains a series I'm delighted to recommend. The setting this time is not a submarine but Iceland - and the authors certainly did their homework on this (to me) almost mysterious country in the northern Atlantic (if nothing else, I got an engrossing, in-depth history lesson).

As the story begins, Finn - a former Navy SEAL - is trying to track down three SEALS who were with him in Yemen when a monstrous tragedy happened that resulted in the death of numerous civilians. Ultimately, Finn was blamed for the disaster, and one - maybe two - of his buddies at the time has since been murdered. Finn has no memory of what happened and would like to clear his name, of course - and he believes the three he's looking for can clear the record and at the very least clear his conscience.

But early on, life gets in the way as he passes an obviously terrified young woman running toward the bay; while it appears she deliberately drowned herself, clues are murky and suggest the possibility of murder. Because Finn was in the area, he becomes a very unwilling person of interest to the local police. Complicating matters is that he's also a person of interest to his former employer and a contract killer (bringing a whole new meaning to the concept of "somebody's out to get me").

The rest of the book is a wild chase to see who will get to whom first; can Finn, who's taken an interest in the drowning case, solve the mystery surrounding the dead girl and extract the information he needs about what really happened on his military assignment before he's caught by the authorities (or worse)? You'll just have to read it to find out - but I will say it's a heck of a chase. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

"Finn’s search for his memory of one fateful night leads him to Iceland - only to be followed by an unhinged assassin intent on stopping him - in the riveting follow-up to Steel Fear, from the New York Times bestselling writing team Webb and Mann, combat-decorated Navy SEAL Brandon Webb and award-winning author John David Mann.

Disgraced Navy SEAL Finn is on the run. A wanted man since he jumped ship from the USS Abraham Lincoln, he’s sought for questioning in connection to war crimes committed in Yemen by a rogue element in his SEAL team. But his memory of that night - as well as the true fate of his mentor and only friend, Lieutenant Kennedy - is a gaping hole.

Finn learns that three members of his team have been quietly redeployed to Iceland, which is a puzzle in itself; the tiny island nation is famous for being one of the most peaceful, crime-free places on the planet.

His mission is simple: track down the three corrupt SEALs and find out what really happened that night in Yemen. But two problems stand in his way. On his first night in town a young woman mysteriously drowns - and a local detective suspects Finn’s involvement. What’s worse, a SEAL-turned-contract-killer with skills equal to Finn’s own has been hired to make sure he never gets the answers he’s looking for. And he’s followed Finn all the way to the icy north."

ICELAND!!!

Brandon Webb and John David Mann have written a great follow-up to last year's Steel Fear, featuring "disgraced" Seal Finn. Steel Fear was probably the most surprising book I read last year so I had high hopes for Cold Fear. I'm happy to say Webb and Mann did not disappoint. Known for their nonfiction work, they are now 2-for-2 in the arena of fiction. While I didn't love Cold Fear as much as Steel Fear, that should not detract from how good Cold Fear is.

Finn is a deeply flawed man, like the rest of us, which is what makes him such a compelling character. He is a good man doing what is right regardless of the consequences. Webb, a legend within the Seal community, gives Finn all the traits we believe a prototypical Seal should possess: a fierce warrior with an unbreakable moral compass, someone who isn't invincible but fights like he is, and someone who will stand up to evil.

It can't be easy moving from nonfiction to fiction but Webb and Mann have made it seem almost pedestrian. I think we can safely call them stars in the thriller-verse as well as accomplished nonfiction authors. Cold Fear is a compelling, fun read set in a beautiful locale that thriller fans should not miss!

My sincere thanks to Brandon Webb and John David Mann, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, and NetGalley for the privilege of reading an advance copy of Cold Fear!

This book is FANTASTIC. I am officially in love with Brandon Webb's thrillers. They have everything I am interested in in a thriller: vivid descriptions of isolated places that make it more terrifying, a shocking whodunnit, enough bread crumbs throughout the story that you figure it out at EXACTLY the right place for maximum shock value, and then the big standoff and resolution for the remainder of the book. I love that the hero isn't a ridiculously handsome, clever, rich, guy with all of the traits, which makes it unrealistic. He is a damaged but hard working ordinary guy turned hero. I NEED the next installment!!!!!

I received an ARC, but my opinions are all mine.

An intriguing, multi-layered, cerebral whodunit with bursts of vicious action, Cold Fear brings murder and mayhem – violently erupting like a volcano – to the idyllic, picturesque, and peaceful capital of Iceland. The writing duo of Brandon Webb and John David Mann deliver another compelling and fast-paced thriller filled with stimulating characters, captivating mysteries, riveting action and fascinating outcomes.

Finn travels to Iceland on the hunt for members of his former Navy SEAL unit in a desperate attempt to figure out what happened on a mission in Yemen that left him disgraced, his best friend dead and innocents murdered. While his usually flawless memory has little recollection of the events that night, his powers of observation and investigation are still strong. In the process of putting these elite skills to use, he is drawn to an investigation into the mysterious death of a woman found under the frozen surface of a lake, surreptitiously assisting a brilliant Icelandic detective while trying to convince her he’s not a suspect. And then more bodies start to drop in a place renowned for its lack of violent crime. Turns out, Finn isn’t the only one on the hunt. A dangerous contract killer is out to silence Finn before he can find the truth. Will Finn be able to clear his name and fulfill his personal mission find those responsible for the reprehensible actions in Yemen and hold them to account? Or will he be silenced before the truth can be made public?

At its heart, Cold Fear is a character driven novel. It starts with Finn, an enigmatic man with a strong moral code and innate curiosity that leads him to want to help others, even when it takes him away from his primary focus. He can’t help himself. He’s drawn to service and it’s in his nature to solve mysteries by leveraging his training to bring answers to those who seek them. Then there’s Detective Krista Kristjánsdóttir, a formidable and brilliant woman who uses a combination of experience, intuition and an unrelenting pursuit of justice to move an investigation forward despite facing monumental challenges. She’s incredibly impressive and one of the top female characters I’ve read recently. Next we have Boone, a former Navy SEAL and hyperaware, immoral psychopath on a mix of pharmaceuticals that make him immensely dangerous to anyone and everyone he encounters. This dude is crazy and capable, a dangerous combination. And finally, there are several wonderfully developed supporting characters that add so much to the story through their appearance and personalities. It’s a cast of characters that bring a perfect balance to this story.

I’m immensely impressed with Brandon Webb and John David Mann. The transition from writing non-fiction to fiction is not an easy one to pull off, yet two books into this series it’s clear they have conquered this feat with aplomb. Steel Fear was a blindsiding hit for me last year and Cold Fear is a pleasant surprise as a wonderfully satisfying sequel. When the third book in this burgeoning series is released next year, I will not be shocked at how good it is. Because it’s clear, without a shadow of a doubt, that these guys have the goods to deliver distinctive, top-notch thrillers year in and year out. Now’s the time to get into this series because it’s about to take off!

I enjoyed this one even more than the first one in the series! Finn is a former Navy Seal and presently he is AWOL. He needs to find some of his former colleagues who can tell him what happened in Yemen. Finn has no memory of Yemen but knows he took the fall for what happened and he is anxious to clear his name.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Not what I was expecting but a suspenseful and compelling read.
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I have to admit it took me a few chapters to gather my wits about this new story. I was still in the Submarine from the last book and switching to Iceland was wild.

This story brings a ton of twists to it. You really have to pay attention to the underlying and back story with the different characters popping in. Two main storylines are winding through and we are getting Finn’s version of what happened long ago in drips. Webb and Mann are making us sweat it out right along with him!

The characters are strong, well-developed, and interesting. Nothing boring going on in this one. Between the murder mystery and the SEAL’s on the hunt, this is a fabulous combination of a murder mystery and a suspense thriller.

Highly detailed with awesome imagery that brings you right into the crime scenes and the location, this story is a slow burn that grows throughout the book. Definitely carve out some time for this one. It’s a long captivating read!

I received a free copy from NetGalley. The second in the series but it still felt like background was missing even if you read the first. Long, seemed to be missing connections, I won't be looking for a third.

Former Navy SEAL, Finn, is a wanted man. By multiple agencies. After jumping ship from the USS Abraham Lincoln, they say he is wanted for war crimes in Yemen. Only he has no memory of that. An entire village was wiped out and Finn can’t even remember if he was there or not. But his gut tells him he was not and he needs to find out who was and who killed his buddy.

He arrives in Iceland to track members of his team who he thinks have been sent to kill him. At the same time, the local detective has murders on her hands. Iceland never has any murders and now they are popping up every day. But the one that haunts her is the girl beneath the ice. Are the other murders connected to that somehow or are some collateral damage for the insane man that really is hunting Finn down.

All Finn wants to do is confront the three men who served with him and find out what really happened. But they are pointing the finger at him. Which has him questioning himself.

Can he find the answers without dying? You will have to read it to see.

I am a big fan of these two and have read all of their books. It’s full of tension and nail-biting and they really know what they are talking about.

Great Read!

NetGalley/June 7th, 2022 by Bantam

I came across this book while looking at an ARC website and since I loved the first novel I was pleased when I was given the opportunity to read the continuing exploits of Chief Finn. I'm a sucker for a drawn out mysterious backstory, and these authors pepper this tale with brief flashes in not only Finn's tortured past but also his confusing present. Finn has made it to dry land in this book, but the land is Iceland. He's chasing three former team members who know who killed Lt. Kennedy but once again gets entangled in a tragic death of a young woman. They keep things interesting by slipping in the occasional clarifying memory, but as in all good mysteries the answers only create more questions than explanations. Finn is at heart a good and decent person, but not always a nice guy and is set adrift when the answers he seeks seem to point back at himself. Having a dual storyline keeps the book moving forward, propelled by the need to unlock this terrible enigma Finn's found himself and gives even more urgency when he's forced to between the conflicting problems. Finn is not super human, he's a well trained warrior who isn't really at his best right now, and his opponents are other well trained warriors not to mention worldwide law enforcement and the spec ops community; and his humanity shows in the most incredible ways. I must say that I love the "history teacher", and hope we get to see more of them in the future. All in all a very entertaining story giving just enough hints about what is really going on to keep me coming back to see what Finn will get into next. They've figured out the secret to writing a realistic military thriller; keep it real, and they do it very well.

Cold Fear is the follow-up to Steel Fear by authors Brandon Webb & John David Mann's and is the continuing story of Navy Seal Sniper Finn who is accused of killing innocents during his last mission. He is a hunter who knows how to blend into a crowd and needs to find out who was responsible for the atrocity but he is also the hunted. This a quick read that held my attention and is part detective novel, part spy thriller set in Iceland.

This book was so good! I want to see more from this author in the future!! I couldn't put this book down. What a page turner!!!

I was offered this book from NetGalley for my unbiased review.

"This was a good book. It started building interest from the first pages. It really never got to boiling hot, it stayed in a constant simmer. Kept adding layers to the story, fitting in pieces, and fleshing out the tale. Also did some teaching of military processes. It wasn't a book you couldn't put down, but it was a book you looked forward to picking up again."

The above is part of my review from "Steel Fear" by authors Webb and Mann. Cold Fear is the another fine book by these two authors. This book does all of the above and places the main character (Finn) in another dangerous situation. He is still trying to unravel his personal mystery and is lead into another situation.

A good book and as I stated while reviewing Steel Fear I would look forward to reading more by these authors.