ARC eBook Review – Breakneck – Marc Cameron
Author Marc Cameron’s fifth installment of the Arliss Cutter series – “Breakneck” – is thrilling, chilling, captivating and suspenseful, all with a ‘tad-bit’ of Hallmark Cards-like moments thrown in for sentimental value. This book is literally a wild and intense train ride on the Alaska Discovery Train through the vivid Alaskan wilderness. As usual for this series, Cameron uses the picturesque Alaskan wilderness as the backdrop for telling this story. Main character Deputy US Marshal Arliss Cutter and his partner Deputy Marshal Lola Teariki are assigned to security detail for a Supreme Court Justice and her daughter at a judicial conference in Fairbanks, Alaska. Teariki is tasked with guarding the justice’s teenaged daughter while Cutter manages the entire protective services assignment. It’s a simple and routine assignment until the mother and daughter decide to explore the Alaskan wilderness on the famous Glacier Discovery train—which is key to the storyline. No one is aware of the danger lurking around until a group of Russian mafia terrorists – hiding onboard – launch a surprise attack on the Justice and her daughter. The Russian Mafia leader bears a deep seeded grudge against the Justice and is hellbent on revenging the death of his late wife by assassinating the Justice while she’s attending the juridical conference in Alaska. When the action starts, Cutter manages to escape the moving train with the Justice by jumping off into the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness. Cameron then guides the reader through this adventurous narrative with plenty of daring thrills, unexpected scares, courageous feats, intense action, and sentimental moments offset with some very real and well-developed characters – both good and bad. The plot twists-and-turns provided unpredictable situations that kept me turning pages with high anticipation and curious wonderment. There is a lot going on in this story – with additional subplots – but Cameron pulls it all together in this action-laden crime thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout its entirety. Marc Cameron knows his stuff – a retired US marshal himself, specializing in dignitary protection – which is why this series is so appealing, and so authentic. Breakneck is a thrilling and intense Alaskan ‘train’ ride with tons of action, plenty of intrigue and lots of vivid imagery that engages the reader like no other crime thriller. Probably my favorite in the five-book series now. Awesome read which I absolutely enjoyed! Thank you NetGalley, Marc Cameron, and Kensington Publishing for the digital eBook Advance Reader’s Copy in exchange for my honest review.

Breakneck is the fifth book in the Arliss Cutter series. This is an action packed story with with US Marshall Cutter and his partner, Lola Teariki having been assigned to guard a Supreme Court Justice who is in Alaska to give a speech and sightseeing with her teenage daughter.

A young girl named Winnie goes missing and after the search stops, Cutter and Lola come across a girl on the banks of a river. Deciding it must be Winnie they attempt to rescue her.

A Russian mob boss is determined to have revenge against the judge. The Russian's are preparing to assassinate the judge, leaving a trail of death behind them.

This is the first book I have read by this author. While the writing is very good and easy to read, there are a lot of characters to keep track of. It is full of drama that keeps the reader engaged.

Breakneck is Book 5 in the Arliss Cutter series from Marc Cameron.

"US Marshals Arliss Cutter and Lola Teariki are assigned to the protection detail of a Supreme Court Justice that wants to visit Alaska with her teenage daughter. A group of the Russian Bratva want revenge and are determined to kill the judge publicly. Cutter and his team find themselves trapped in the wilds of Alaska on a train with no nearby help. It will take all of Cutter's skill and a lot of luck to keep the judge alive."

Lots of action in this one. Cameron has continued to impress with his action/suspense writing. The scenes at the end between the Marshals and the Russian Mafia are wild and unpredictable. Cameron puts Cutter and the Supreme in an impossible situation and then makes it believable.
It's great when an author can take a more obscure agency and write an entertaining story and it doesn't feel like a gimmick. Anyone who has been to or lived in Alaska will enjoy the desciptions of the beauty and ruggedness of the Alaskan landscape.

Great pick if you're looking for an action-filled, entertaining story.

I LOVE me some Arliss Cutter!!! Yeah, I know, I sound just like some teeny bopper, fangirl. Well, the fangirl part is right but I’m a card-carrying AARP type of fangirl😊

The book summary pretty much lays out the primary storyline. While the protection for the judge and her daughter from the Russian mob is the primary storyline, the actual protection detail storyline doesn’t begin until the halfway point. There are, of course, other storylines that are introduced in the first half of the story. There is the storyline regarding the mob boss, Maxim, and his impending death of pancreatic cancer, and his efforts to make sure his son, Alex, is guaranteed elevation to the mob boss after he is gone. In order to ensure this, he must keep Alex safe from this last job he is doing, in honor of his ex-wife, who he blames the judge for her death.

There is also the storyline around Mim and the continuing drama of investigating the death of her husband, Arliss’s older brother, Ethan. Mim has gone off half-cocked to some remote village to meet with someone her husband worked with for the purpose of getting info on Ethan and the company he worked for. However, she ends up finding out more about Ethan than she ever imagined (or probably wanted to know). Arliss is in love with Mim and is worried about her being on her own and putting herself in danger, which, by the way, Mim has done.

In the second half of the story, Arliss and Lola take up the protection of the judge and her daughter who drag the whole security team on a scenic train ride through Alaska. From this point, this particular storyline takes off like a rocket (or a speeding train) that had me blasting through the pages of the story, careening through one death defying scene after another, gasping “OMG” at the desperate and daring actions of the characters. While the conclusion of the storyline around Mim’s trip to find out more about Ethan’s death was a little underwhelming (sort of), there was a lead-in to the next installment that inferred there was a whole other line of investigation that they needed to consider.

I read this installment in three sittings (one a very late night) because I had such a hard time putting it down. Fortunately, I work remotely and don’t have to make that long early morning LA commute to get to work anymore and I have the luxury of occasionally sleeping in a little longer if need be😊 If I could, I would give this installment 4.5star rating, but I'm feeling compelled to round up.

I want to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

@NetGalley @ KensingtonBooks @Breakneck

*4.5 stars rounded up. 'Breakneck' is the perfect title for this Alaskan adventure thriller featuring Deputy US Marshall Arliss Cutter and his partner, Lola Teariki. This time around they are assigned to a protection detail when a group of US justices convene in Fairbanks. Meanwhile a Russian mob boss is seeking revenge for the death of his ex-wife while in prison and the judge who sentenced her will be at the meeting. Who will make the best moves in this game and win out in the end?

I would recommend reading this series in order since the personal relationships progress with each story. I am liking the direction this is going. These are such interesting characters in a wild Alaskan adventure. Pure escapism!

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new thriller via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Marc Cameron has created another action-packed, suspenseful, and shocking crime thriller in Breakneck , the fifth book in the Arliss Cutter series. What could possibly connect a family going to their fish camp for the spring, a fishing vessel, and a U.S. Supreme Court Justice planning a trip to Alaska? Read this riveting novel to discover the connections.

Supervisory Deputy US Marshall Arliss Cutter and his partner Deputy Lola Teariki are often tracking fugitives, and that’s where they start in his novel. However, their next assignment will be part of the security detail at the annual Alaskan judicial conference. Lola will be guarding Justice Charlotte Morehouse’s daughter, Ramona, while Arliss provides counter-surveillance. It’s a routine assignment that goes horribly wrong when Morehouse and Ramona decide to explore the Alaskan wilderness on the Glacier Discovery train.

Arliss and Lola are very different characters. He’s experienced, a fantastic tracker, no-nonsense, and somewhat surly. She works out a lot, and wants assignments that are new and interesting. She also wants to glean all possible knowledge from Arliss. They have flaws and virtues just like everyone else. Readers get a good sense of how Arliss treats his co-workers as well as his sister-in-law and her children. He is very protective of his team and underdogs, and he doesn’t tolerate bullies, no matter who they are. This can lead to some interesting interactions, to say the least. In this novel, we get to see more character development with Lola. I also liked that readers got to see some new developments in Arliss’s and Lola’s personal lives. The antagonists’ actions and thoughts had a terrifying realism that is memorable. They were brutal and vengeful.

This story is set largely set in and around Fairbanks with some scenes in Anchorage as well as the Alaskan wilderness. The author does a great job of making the reader feel transported to early spring in Alaska. I felt as though I was living the events alongside the characters.
Cameron has a way of introducing various aspects of the story and the characters in the beginning that eventually connect. This powerful page-turner kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It has a deeply involved plot that moves at a blistering pace, and an incredible setting, as well as extraordinary and diverse characters. Just when a reader thinks the situation can’t get any worse, it does. Readers are transported into the dark and terrifying world of the victims, the criminals, and the investigators.

Overall, this tense, exciting, gripping, and high-octane book takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster. If you enjoy action thrillers that have both strong male and female characters, then this may be the series for you. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Arliss and Lola, as well as go back and read the first two books in this series. Readers that enjoy action crime thrillers will likely enjoy Cameron’s writing.

Kensington Books and Marc Cameron provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for April 25, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

US Supreme Court Justice Charlotte Morehouse has, unfortunately, become a target for an evil Russian gangster who holds her responsible for the death of his ex-wife but he's almost less of a problem than his son, who is seriously unhinged. Morehouse is in Alaska for a speech and she's lucky that Arliss Cutter, his partner Lola, and the rest of the US Marshalls are there to protect her because things are about to go off the deep end. Oh, and she has her teen daughter with her. At the same time, Cutter's sister in law Mim is coming closer to answers about the death of her husband Ethan- and she gets a surprise. I admit to being a huge fan of this series of fast paced thrillers set in Alaska (I love all the details, right down the info about the flies). Cutter and Lola make a terrific team-they are both strong determined people with not just physical capabilities but serious smarts. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Cameron's storytelling is boffo- great read.

My favorite of the series so far! I love Marc Cameron's Jericho Quinn books but I think Arliss Cutter has moved into first. A leader in the Bratva, Russian Mafia, is hellbent on revenge for the death of his wife. Using trusted enforcers, his plan is to assassinate a Supreme Court Justice while she is attending a conference in Alaska while also livestreaming it. He also as big plans for his son, Alex. Alex is an entitled dick (think the son in John Wick) and daddy is grooming him to take his place. It's up to Arliss and his fellow marshals to thwart whatever the Russians have in store and keep the Justice safe during her visit

Breakneck is a fantastic thriller with shades of other genres mixed in. It is this shading that makes Breakneck--and the whole series-- shine. Breakneck has all the hallmarks of a great thriller: great characters, a multi-faceted plot and nonstop action highlighted by a very James Bond/Jason Bourne-esque trip on a train. All of that is well and good but what the entire series hinges on are relationships. The relationships Cutter has with his grandfather, Cutter's partner Lola, his niece and nephews, and especially his sister-in-law, Mim. The relationship with Mim would be more likely found in a Hallmark movie or romance novel (I'm guessing) but it works. The overt and hidden emotion between the two, and how they navigate their situation, is powerful, easily relatable, and precarious.

Breakneck is an intense Alaskan tour de force with tons of heart that you do not want to miss!

Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of Breakneck!

Breakneck
Marc Cameron
April 25, 2023

We head back to the wilds of Northern Alaska for Cameron’s Arliss Cutter novel #5 when Pete Tomaganak decides it’s time to go duck hunting. His wife Gladys was not so sure of it. The last time was about the same time of year when ice was melting off the Yukon. The entire family’s trek with their children, 15 year old Emmett, 12 year old Winnie, and baby Martha. Upon their arrival all had their positions to get settled in the old cabin. The boys began unpacking the truck then headed out to hunt ducks. Gladys went in to begin a clean up with baby Martha in the kuspuk. She asked Winnie to head down by the river to fill up the bucket. What seemed like hours had passed, Winnie had still not returned. Gladys summed for help yet the young girl never came. In the days to follow, Arliss Cutter alerted his patriots in the Marshals Service. During this pursuit the government boys discovered that some of the gaming sites were being taken over by the Russian Mafia.
Breakneck will be published by Kensington Books on April 25, 2023. I was selected to read and review Marc Cameron’s latest title via NetGalley. This novel is quite the adventure leading us from the Alaskan territories into Russia. With the service hunting for Winnie, at the same time using all their power and people to respond to the mafia’s challenge.
It is a long, detailed plot with many characters behind Arliss Cutter and the Russian, Lev Rudenko. This is a marathon novel that requires much attention to detail (marathon meaning many pages). In the end you will find it was worth the time and the effort but be advised that Cameron’s book is not a cozy mystery. It hits hard on suspense, chaos and murder.

What a treat to be able to have another installment in the high crimes and international intrigue featuring the
US Marshal’s service and their adventures that take place in some of the most interesting places in the great
State of Alaska. In addition to the interesting history, the venues come to life in full color making the stories
like mini vacations. While Russia plays a part, there isn’t much about life in the Country..
This assumes you aren’t one of the unlucky Russians who are up to no good, and come up against
US Marshal Arliss Cutter and his Partner, Lola Teariki. These two are a force to be reckoned with, and
between the two of them, Rather than sharing the entire story, I recommend this series to everyone who
enjoys a good mystery thriller where the good guys will probably come out on top, but they will have to
work for it - and the partnership between Cutler and Lola is ever evolving, and I look forward to the next
adventure involving the Marshal in Alaska and the problems handed them by their counterparts in the
Nations Capitol- the folks who think the Marshall’s are not busy enough and manage to throw shade on
the Alaska Protectors.
There is a fun surprise at the end of this book! I recommend this is folks for enjoy well written, super
interesting geographical settings and outstanding narration. I do suggest going back and catching up
with the rest of the series, although this book is good as a stand-alone. The thing is the book is deep
and whatever you would recall from the most recent book will make things even more interesting, I
am involved in the relationships more because I have been cheering on a ‘hopeful’ in the couple Department.
My sincere thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Publishers for providing me with this advance in exchange
for this voluntary review.

Marc Cameron’s best yet! The story is rich and fast paced. Cutter and Teariki are put on dignitary protection while a motivated group of Russian mobsters make a plan for revenge. Mim makes a solitary effort to unearth the truth about her dead husband. This one is a must read!

A huge thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I'm a fan of the Arliss Cutter series , and this one does not disappoint. The slow buildup that culminates into a frantic climax was a thrilling experience. The entire book felt like an immersive experience in Alaska's environment. I really liked that Ethan's subplot is getting more storytime and I look forward to that being hopefully investigated in the next book!

Excellent book. Very much enjoyed this book. I give this book five stars. Definitely would recommend this book

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Marc Cameron, and Kensington Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

A fan of many novels Marc Cameron has penned, I was eager to get my hands on the latest in the Arliss Cutter series. Set in Alaska, the novel takes a unique approach the crime fighting and keeps the reader outside their comfort zone. With strong characters and a great backstory, Cameron provides the reader with something well worth their time. This was a wonderfully challenging piece, moving some of the story arcs along, while introducing new things to explore throughout. I’m eager to see where things are headed and can only hope they will keep progressing at a wonderful pace.

A small fishing vessel is found floating in the waters of the northern coast of Russia, with Alaska in sight. Aboard, the captain and crew have been brutally murdered with their bodies stuffed away. While there is little to indicate who might be responsible, some suspect the Bratva, Russian mob, which could only be the beginning of a much larger plot.

Across the continent in DC, Supreme Court Justice Charlotte Morehouse has been invited to attend a judicial symposium in Alaska. She’s making preparations to head there, alongside her daughter. While this will be a significant trip, it is not without its issues. First and foremost, the safety of the Justice, especially in the rural areas of America’s northernmost state.

Deputy US Marshal Arliss Cutter and his partner, Lola Teariki, have long called Anchorage home and will be heading up the local contingent of the Justice’s protective detail. Cutter is ready for what is sure to be a routine assignment, but things take a significant twists when the Justice and her daughter decide to leave the beaten path and travel along the Glacier Discovery Train, taking in all the sights that postcards cannot replicate. Little does Cutter know, but the Bratva have been eyeing the Justice and find this the perfect opportunity to strike, exacting a bloody attack that will receive significant press coverage.

In the scuffle, Arliss and Justice Morehouse narrowly escape the attack, but find themselves in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness, with little protection and few supplies. With the Russians scouring the area, ready to strike at a moment’s notice, Cutter will have to rely on his skills and intuitiveness to stay one step ahead of these men, with his most important protectee offering up her own ideas.

All the while, Cutter’s sister-in-law, Mim, continues her sleuthing into the death of her husband, who may not have been killed in a freak accident after all. She takes a position at a rural hospital, which only opens up old wounds and leads Mim to discover that the man she married led a different life. Will Arliss Cutter have to pull her out of her own tragic situation, while trying to stay alive? Marc Cameron pulls it all together in this explosive thriller that keeps the reader on the edge of their seats throughout the experience.

The Alaskan wilderness is a great backdrop to any thriller, though Marc Cameron pushes things a little further by making the entire series centre around it. Rural, cold, and nothing like the streets of Florida where Arliss Cutter grew up, Anchorage has all the elements for keeping anyone on their toes. Marc Cameron uses a strong narrative to guide the reader throughout the wonderful thrills of his story, providing some great characters to offset the tense mements embedded throughout. Plot twists abound and provide unpredictable situations, allowing Arliss Cutter and those around him to discover their mettle and personal values. While there is a lot I did not know about the far north, the story works well and kept me intrigued yet again. Marc Cameron knows his stuff and keeps readers coming back for more, with crime thrillers like no other.

Kudos, Mr. Cameron, for another great piece. I cannot wait to see what’s to come!

Breakneck by Marc Cameron is a fantastic Arliss Cutter novel. The supporting characters are well developed as the plot unfolds, with plenty of back story. Arliss is his typical self with references to Grumpy and his devotion to his job and family. Taking place mostly on a train, the Alaskan wilderness once again supplies the background location. I was very glad to see his family relationship developing and progressing. 5 out of 5 stars. Can't wait for the next one.

Marc Cameron brings an exciting new adventure that takes Arliss Cutter out of his element just enough to make things interesting and unpredictable. Cameron's formidable writing keeps you on the edge of your seat as pieces fall into place bit by bit to come to a death-grip climax. From assassins to train fights, this thriller is a fantastic addition to the Cutter series.

Breakneck is the right title as there is non-stop action in this thrill ride of a novel. Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshall Arliss Cutter and his partner, Lola Teariki, are pressed to their limits in protecting a visiting Supreme Court justice and her daughter. Throw in the Russian bratva (mafia) and a string of murders stretching across Alaska. They have plenty of challenges to keep their charges safe. Movie-worthy action happens on a scenic train ride on the Alaska Railroad.

We get some new clues in the ongoing story surrounding the death of Evan Cutter, Mim's husband and Arliss's brother. Mim starts to investigate Evan's death on her own. This increases Arliss's protective instincts and we get further glimpses into their back story. Grumpy's (Arliss's grandfather's) pearls of wisdom are peppered throughout the story. I loved that Lola Teariki shines in this 5th entry in the Arliss Cutter series and shows how badass she is.

This is an excellent thriller to read on its own but check out the other titles in the series as they are all great!

Thanks to Kensington Books for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley.

Russian mafia, Alaskan wilderness and a wild train ride make for an exciting adventure. This is edge of your seat adventure that will keep you turning the pages. This book is part of a series, I haven’t read the others, but I had no trouble keeping up with the story. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

I loved the first book in this series and found the next three a little slow but wow, this the fith was a fantastic read. Breakneck by Marc Cameron is the fith installment about Arliss Cutter US marshall. It's like the previous books all set in Alaska and I seem to have a few favorite series set in that part of the world now. Arliss Cutter and his Grumpy rules are one of my favorite characters and his partner Lola Teariki is also fantastic. This book is literally a wild ride mostly on a train. We also get to know a little more about Ethan Arliss dead brother and his widow is out and about on her own adventure. There is a lot going on in this series and that is one of the great parts. If you by some kind of mistake haven't started reading these books, get moving. They are awesome and highly recommended. Thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for providing me with this advance copy.

The Alaskan wilderness is both beautiful and dangerous…..and a vicious criminal has chosen it as a setting for revenge.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Arliss Cutter was raised in rural Florida by his lawman grandfather. He learned a great deal from his Grumpy, including how to be a fantastic tracker. Military service overseas was followed by different posts while with the Marshal Service, leading him to his current job in Alaska. In Breakneck, the fifth outing in this series by Marc Cameron, Cutter and his partner Lola Teariki have just been assigned to a security detail for a judicial gathering in Fairbanks. The most celebrated attendee is U.S. Supreme Court Justice Charlotte Morehouse, who has brought along her teenage daughter to experience some of the breathtaking Alaskan sites. Justice Morehouse is known to be a bit controversial…her positions on rulings have at different times angered people on both ends of the political spectrum. What neither she nor her protective detail know, however, is that she has been targeted for death by a high level leader in the Russian Bratva. He blames Justice Morehouse for the death of a former lover, and has determined that this is the time and place to make her pay. He has assembled a crew of cold-blooded killers to penetrate the shield of protection around her. A train ride through remote and rugged terrain will lead Cutter and his agents into a deadly trap, and it will take all of Cutter’s skills to keep the judge, and her daughter, alive.

The author uses his extensive knowledge of the Marshal Service and the state of Alaska where he now lives to great effect in the Cutter novels, At the heart of each is a well-plotted page-turner, but the reader is also gifted with glimpses into different aspects of Alaskan life, including that of the Native inhabitants. It is a wonderful introduction to much of what is Alaskan life (although i have to admit that I might be a better candidate for this sort of armchair traveling than I would be to travel to a town where you need to check whether or not the polar bears are feeding at a particular end of town). The characters are nuanced, and the story grips you quickly and doesn’t let go. Fans of this and Marc Cameron’s other series featuring Jericho Quinn as well as the Tom Clancy/Jack Ryan novels he has authored for the Tom Clancy estate will certainly enjoy Breakneck. Readers of Lee Child and Nevada Barr may also find this series appealing. It also brought to mind the 1990 movie Narrow Margin (with Gene Hackman and Anne Archer), given the train setting. Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advanced reader’s copy.