This book was so clever… I absolutely loved it! I hope they have more Porter Beck books coming out as this would make an exceptional series! The KGB and backstory was well done and tied into the now story beautifully. I was surprised by the twist and loved the quirky characters!

What a fantastic debut for a series! I loved the pacing, meeting Porter Beck and all the twists, especially the one at the end! Amazing character development, fast paced reading and a great start to a series.
Thankful for the ARC!

Be warned, this book has a very gruesome start! However it is brief (stick with it) and makes for a very quick introduction to Sheriff Porter Beck and his team as they quickly work the crime scene. I instantly liked Porter, even if I did find his constant thoughts on the female body to be annoying. He is highly intelligent and has an incredible memory, making his crime solving skills top notch. He also suffers from night blindness, which makes him vulnerable after dark. This story is told in both the past and the present, with two main characters which eventually intersect in the present to solve the mystery. The pace moves along quickly and the book is a fairly quick read. I would call this a mixture of police procedural and historical fiction. 4.5 stars rounded up.

I understand this is book one in a series and I'm excited to read more of Porter Beck in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos is the first book in the Porter Beck series. The dual-timeline story weaves together a modern-day murder mystery with the Cold War and nuclear testing of the 1950s. I was reminded of a couple of recent television series, The Americans and Big Sky. I will definitely be watching for the author's next book in this series. Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and the author for a copy to read and review.

I was hoping the police procedural aspect of this would be enough to hold my attention but unfortunately it wasn't. The espionage and whatnot storyline just ultimately was not for me. I can definitely see there being a certain audience for this book however which is why it's still getting a 3 star rating from me.

The Bitter Past is a mix of police procedural and espionage thriller, told via a past and present timeline.

This story takes place in the Nevada desert, near the area where nuclear testing was done back in the 1950s. The author does an excellent job of capturing that time in history, giving us some emotional and thought-provoking content.

The characters are well developed, complex people, shaped by their backgrounds and life choices. Sheriff Porter Beck makes a fascinating main character. My one issue was with his attitude toward and relationship with agent Sana Locke, which was unprofessional and unnecessary to the story.

The plot is solid, with steady pacing and surprising twists.

Bonus points because this first book in the Porter Beck series has a solid ending, no cliffhangers or loose ends!

*Thanks to Minotaur Books for the free copy!*

Fascinating story about the beginning of nuclear tests in the Nevada desert, with some espionage thrown in! An interesting mystery thriller, the desert felt like a separate character. Gripping and well written, 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

Most books set in Nevada focus on the cities, either Las Vegas or Reno. Not so with Borgos introduction to his Porter Beck series. Porter is a rural county Sheriff. A seasoned lawman, Porter
now has a debilitating eye disease, one that is threatening his career. Now his quiet county is rocked with brutal murders, and a mystery that crosses generations. The duel plots one dealing with an attempt to steal a nuclear weapon, the other to uncover an assassin lead the reader into page turning adventures. Borgos in interviews states he is a 'plotter' not a 'pantser'. This shows in the intricate
layers of suspense. Both his protagonist, and his secondary characters are very well drawn. It is always a pleasure when a debut author hits a home run. I look forward to his next book, Shades of Mercy, which should be released this coming July.
Highly recommended.

Quickly saying this...I know this is past publication date, but I am in school, and I am going to rapid fire these reviews as I have gotten through many reads from NetGalley.
I enjoyed how this book combined mystery, espionage, crime, conspiracy belief, and even some delightful comedy to mix in with this book. This was my first read by Bruce Borgos, and it won't be my last. I want more of Porter Beck. I love the character development. And I also really enjoyed the alternate timelines!
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, even though I am slightly late at giving it.

This book had a very complex and detailed storyline that I thought I’d love but did not. The main character had just got done describing how woke his very rural small town us then the next chapter he is describing and treating a female FBI agent like it’s the 1950s. I did speed read to the end and I can see where some people would love this book but I just did not. I won’t be reading the next book in the series.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc I received in exchange for my honest review.

Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣 ℙ𝕒𝕤𝕥: 𝔸 𝕄𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕪
𝐁𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐬
Police Procedural
320 pages

Sʜᴏᴿᴛ Sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs

Sheriff Porter Beck is put in a pickle when he finds himself on two cases: one a missing woman and the other a murder. As he investigates, he finds the murder relates to Russia and something in the past.

Mʸ Tᴴᴼᵁᴳᴴᵀs

The Bitter Past rotates between the present and the past. Both are full of intrigue and action and kept me guessing about what would happen and how the two connected.

I enjoyed Sheriff Beck with his smart talk and near photographic memory. He came across as a fine-looking country boy with smarts to boot. The plot is fascinating, especially the chapters dealing with a nuclear bomb. Then comes the ending, filled with revelations that bring everything together.

This book grabbed me from the beginning and made me read late into the night until I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Well-written and full of mystery, The Bitter Past was a book I could dig my teeth into.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Genre/tropes: fiction, mystery, conspiracy theory, dual timelines, Cold War
CW/TW: gruesome crime scenes,

Porter Beck formerly worked in intelligence and is now a sheriff in a town outside of Las Vegas. He arrives at a crime scene where a retired FBI agent has been brutally murdered. Beck already catches that this is an unusual crime scene, and that’s confirmed when Sana, a young FBI agent shows up to investigate. She reveals that someone is hunting down former agents from the ‘50s. The reason lies in the past having to do with Russian spies infiltrating top secret research and development at the military base back then. Whoever it is is looking for the Soviet spy who betrayed his country.

I hadn’t read anything like this where part of it is set during the Cold War. It was kind of refreshing for me. I got caught up in the mystery and the urgency to locate the ex Soviet spy who’s living out the rest of his life in the area. The dual timeline helps to set up the tension perfectly. Beck’s an interesting character - slightly macho (especially when flirting with Sana), and also reckoning with his own flaws that could be hindering him at his job. There’s a family element, too, that’s quite touching, though I struggled to understand his sister’s part in this story. More so why her character was necessary when anyone in his department could’ve fulfilled that role and skills.

I was a little let down that I guessed who they were looking for, but … plot twist! Something else happened that surprised me! So I felt that the story redeemed itself there.

I enjoyed reading this debut. It was different for me, and action-oriented. If you’re interested in a quick mystery/thriller, check this one out.

*This review originally posted on August 12, 2023.

This was a lot of fun! I thoroughly enjoyed Porter Beck as a protagonist and would definitely check out the next Porter Beck novel. There were a few minor things that bothered me -- for instance, Sana Locke didn't have much to do throughout the book other than be Porter's love interest and source of intel. I appreciated the effort at diversity in including her character, but I just wished she had more agency. She was pretty passive and really was only there to provide Beck with information. Also, the way Porter hankers after her right from the start made me roll my eyes a little, but it was more with a grin and not the sense that he was being creepy at all. He's just a man noticing a woman and appreciating her physical traits, which are all the more attractive to him because she's intelligent and can go toe-to-toe with him in a game of wits.

The ending, when I got there, felt predictable, but I appreciated all the twists and turns that led to it. Also, setting this novel in the Nevada desert somehow gave it an old world, cowboy sort of charm to it. That was definitely something I liked as well.

Great all the way around!

Police procedural meets historical fiction. This was a little different than what I normally go for but i did end up enjoying it. Some of it was action packed and then there were chapters that were very slow. I thought the pacing was a little clunky. I also wasnt a fan/didnt buy the romantic element and thought we could have done without.

Oh, this was a good one! Dual timeline, 1950s during the beginning of the nuclear testing program in Nevada. Modern day, Porter Beck is working as the sheriff after recently returning after serving as Army Intelligence. A retired FBI agent is found murdered (points for a unique death). The mystery was a good one, but getting to know Porter Beck and the other supporting characters were the best part. Great character development, suggested for Bosch or other Michael Connelly books. I would read more by this author and look forward to more books in this series.

Title: "The Bitter Past" by Bruce Borgos - A Riveting Historical Thriller

Rating: ★★★★☆

I had the privilege of reading an advanced reader copy of "The Bitter Past" by Bruce Borgos, and it proved to be a captivating historical thriller that masterfully weaves together intrigue, suspense, and richly detailed settings.

Set against the backdrop of World War II, the novel follows the life of John Marley, an American spy who embarks on a perilous mission in Nazi-occupied France. Borgos skillfully transports readers to the tumultuous era, immersing them in the harsh realities of war-torn Europe. The story is brimming with tension and intrigue as John navigates a web of secrets, betrayals, and espionage. Borgos' meticulous research is evident in the authenticity of the historical details, creating a vivid and immersive experience for the reader.

What sets "The Bitter Past" apart is its well-drawn characters. John Marley is a compelling protagonist whose complexities and moral dilemmas add depth to the narrative. His relationships with other characters, particularly the enigmatic Marguerite, are richly developed and enhance the story's emotional resonance. While the pacing can be a bit uneven at times, the overall narrative is gripping, keeping the reader eagerly turning the pages. I would like to express my gratitude to both NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to explore this advanced reader copy. "The Bitter Past" is a four-star historical thriller that seamlessly combines history and suspense, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. Bruce Borgos has crafted a story that pays homage to the heroes of World War II while delivering an enthralling tale of espionage and courage.

Pitched for readers of Craig Johnson and C.J. Box, Bruce Borgos's debut introduces us to what I believe will be an enduring new character in crime fiction, Sheriff Porter Beck. Set in Nevada, this series starter unfolds over two timelines--1950's and present day. Though dark, I loved how the author introduced dashes of humor, particularly among the law enforcement characters. The writing is smooth and assured. And the plot moves. We're hurtled into the story at the gruesome crime scene of a old, retired FBI agent. In the journey to discover his killer, we're front row participants of a fast-moving bullet of a story that dates back five decades to a particularly vivid Russian spy. Recommended!

Overall, I liked it. It would have been a 4-star read for me but the main character is SO misogynistic that it was unbearable sometimes. The way he easily hit on the FBI Agent (and she was his superior!) without a second thought? Gross. There were some good twists toward the end, and I liked the 50’s timeline a lot.

I loved reading this one!! It was my first book by this author but it won't be my last. I loved his writing style and the characters in this. I could not put this down once I started it.

3.5⭐
Genre ~ police procedural
Series ~ Porter Beck, #1
Setting ~ Nevada
Publication date ~ July 18, 2023
Page Count ~ 310 (22 chapter)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 1 minutes
Narrator ~ James Babson
POV ~ single 1st & 3rd
Featuring ~ dual timeline ~ now and the past (1957), espionage, spy, torture, murder

Beck is former military intelligence, and now the sheriff in a small town in Nevada. He's working on a case that brings FBI agent, Sona, in.

I thought all characters were well developed. I liked both Beck and Brinley, his sister. I could have done without the insta-love between Beck and Sona.

I was at 3 stars for most of the book, but decided to round up because I liked that I didn't see the twist coming. I'm not big on espionage thrillers, or historical fiction for that matter, but I do like dual timelines and I felt they were nicely tied together. I'm not sure if I'll pick up the next book in the series or not right now. It comes out in July 2024, so I have some time to decide.

I was fortune enough to have a kindle copy and an audio copy.
Narration notes:
He was pleasant to listen to.