M.P. Woodward exploded on the scene a couple years ago with his debut and continues to get better and better. Dead Drop is a fantastic book with the perfect balance of action and intrigue.

Woodward served as an American Naval Intelligence officer with multiple deployments in the Persian Gulf and the Far East. He then transitioned to a career in tech. This is his second novel and a sequel to "The Handler", which I recommend be read first. In this book Meridith and her ex-husband John are once again involved with getting information from an Iranian nuclear scientist, while the USA is trying to get a nuclear treaty worked out with the Iran government. Meanwhile Mossad is very concerned about information they have that indicates that Hezbollah may be developing their own nuclear missile. In their efforts to get more information and stop the development of the missile, Mossad comes up against the Americans as well... but perhaps it is only in working together that they can make the world safer. This is a fun spy thriller, albeit a quite detailed one. It is a good recommendation for fans of Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy, Vince Flynn, Mark Greaney, etc. I enjoyed it and look forward to more in the series.

This is a very engaging series that is written in an old-school espionage style that I found refreshing to encounter in a modern context. I really like the way Woodward has captured the essence of the classic spy thriller while still maintaining a contemporary sensibility both in the characterizations and the situations encountered. This is a solid series...

I am drawn to CIA-esque novels and I have read The Handler, so when I was offered a chance to read Dead Drop, M.P. Woodward’s new addition to The Handler series. Thank you @berkleypub and @prhaudio for my copies of DEAD DROP!

The novel follows John and Meredith Dale as they navigate multiple thrilling moments of capture and negotiations as the US moves forward in Nuclear negotiations.

I like the way Woodward builds characters that are moles, multiple perspectives, Meredith’s belief in John’s innocence, as well as her ability to craft and orchestrate the BEST moments, the most unlikely characters.

The audio narration is well done- I loved going between the book and the audio- it was a great addition to the storyline!

If you like spy thrillers, you will love this series. This novel can be read as a standalone, but if this is your jam, start with The Handler and move on into this continuation with Meredith and John.

A suspenseful and intriguing spy thriller

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
CIA agents Meredith Morris-Dale and her ex-husband John are once again called in to service. Nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran have reached an impasse. The new American administration wants to move forward, and Iran wants the sanction lifted, but there is a roadblock, Lieutenant Colonel Kasem Kahlidi , an Iranian intelligence officer and US defector. The CIA hoped to turn and use him by returning him to Irani. Now he is a highly valued target.

The Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, will do whatever it takes to prevent Iran’s nuclear weapons. They want Meredith’s help finding the lead Iranian rocket scientist, while John is desperate to keep Khalidi one step ahead of an Iranian hit squad.

REVIEW
DEAD DROP is another suspenseful and intriguing spy thriller from the author of The Handler. The story is complicated, tense, and fast-moving. The writing is good and demonstrates the author’s knowledge of the intelligence community.

There is a huge cast of characters, with Meredith and John’s leading the pack. Their characters were well-developed, and they rapidly propel the narrative. A plethora of emotions, angst, fear, adrenaline, and bravery come through on the pages.

Author M.P. Woodward is a veteran of both US intelligence ops and the entertainment industry. As a naval intelligence officer with the US Pacific Command, he scripted US war game exercises in the Middle East. In multiple deployments to the Persian Gulf and the Far East, he worked alongside US Special Forces, CIA, and NSA. His knowledge comes thru in this story.

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher Berkley
Published May 23, 2023
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

It's been a bit since I read a spy thriller, and now I'm wondering why I got away from the genre. Needless to say, I haven't read the first Handler book, but now that I've met these characters, I want to know more about them. That doesn't mean this one can't be read as a standalone. As far as I'm concerned, it works well as a standalone - at least, I didn't feel like I was lost at any point. The story is fast-paced, and the writing draws you in and holds on tight. It's the kind of book that makes you want to read just one more chapter before going to sleep, then you find that you've been up long past bedtime reading another and another chapter because you're hooked. There's plenty of intrigue to keep you guessing, and M.P. Woodward is certainly worth checking out. I've thoroughly enjoyed this one and the only thing left is to read the debut that started it all and introduced these terrific characters. If you like a good spy thriller, this one should definitely make your TBR.

Dead Drop by M.P. Woodward is an exhilarating and suspenseful spy novel featuring Meredith Morris-Dale, a CIA case officer and John Dale, Meredith’s ex-husband. This second book in the Handler series picks up two months after book one ended. Nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran are underway. There are several obstacles including the Iranian intelligence officer, Lieutenant Colonel Kasem Khalidi, whom the Central Intelligence Agency has in one of its safe houses. The Israeli intelligence agency is determined to eliminate any threat to their country. John and Meredith are caught in the middle.

Meredith is strong, resourceful, self-sufficient, and a well-respected leader. Readers get to see her character change and grow as events unfold. While she is the main character, multiple points of view are used effectively to give the perceptions of the other characters and their situations. Readers gradually gain knowledge of how each character connects to the story line and each other. This adds depth and complexity. Once again, there is a handy character list at the beginning of the book.

The premise of the story felt all too real to me, making it thought-provoking and believable. From the shocking prologue to the tension-filled middle to the action-filled conclusion, this story captivated me. The author has created an adrenaline-fueled work of spy fiction with plenty of action and thrills. This well-written novel has an absorbing plot that builds suspense and is memorable. It features deception, trust, deaths, political maneuvering, and espionage. Blending these with details of the political hierarchy within the CIA, Iran’s military structure, and Israel’s intelligence community makes for a spellbinding tale.

The author is an excellent storyteller who kept me on the edge of my seat and rapidly turning the pages. He balanced the suspense aspects of the novel against the intrigue and action scenes. There are plot twists that provide some startling moments in the story. The tradecraft felt authentic and this is likely due to the author’s intelligence background. The novel takes readers from Virginia to Israel to Lebanon. The world-building was improved in this novel versus book one. Everyone has agendas, but which ones succeed and which ones fail?

Overall, this book was intense, briskly paced, suspenseful, and a powerful page-turner. This novel should delight those readers that enjoy spy thrillers that have strong male and female characters, intense fight scenes, and an absorbing plot. If you are looking for action, drama, and tension, this book will provide it. A few threads could provide story lines for future novels. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

Berkley Publishing Group and M.P. Woodward provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for May 23, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

Dead Drop is book two in A Handler Thriller series. And it’s one of the best spy thriller’s I’ve read to date.

Dead Drop by M.P. Woodward is one of those books that grabs a hold of you by the 2nd page and literally won't let go until the very last sentence.

I absolutely LOVED this book. It grips you from the first pages with the superb pacing and timing. The writing is nothing short of exquisite—great dialogues and lots of skillful storytelling. The characters are well developed and interesting and the suspense is awesome.
The characters and plot kept me wanting to read well into the night.
This book didn't disappoint. It was action packed, gripping, intense, fast paced, chilling – there wasn’t time to take a breath; 457 pages gone by in a flash.
It’s rare to find novels that are so well written that you feel bummed when they end. This book is a stunning novel and I hope we see a lot more from Woodward.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Berkley for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Dead Drop is a sinister follow up to The Handler where MP Woodward introduced us to ex’s John and Meredith Dale. The ‘not together’ couple takes all the wrong turns while trying to avoid one terror organization's sadistic plan of death and destruction.

Woodward builds off his amazing debut as John Dale is forced into action again while ATLAS is on American soil being milked for all the information he has. The Mossad is busy causing havoc on an international scale as they’re destroying city blocks while hunting Quds forces who are arming Hezbollah soldiers. While CIA Officer Meredith Dale is trying to figure her personal life out, her ex-husband John, who also happens to be a CIA Case Officer, is just trying to get his retirement settled and leave the agency. On the heels of The Handler, Meredith is busy getting dragged back to D.C. to handle the ATLAS situation which just might keep rockets from landing in Israel.

Meredith takes a huge chance on finding out if the rockets are designed to hold radiological material when her non-official cover fails and she’s taken into a situation where most wouldn’t survive. John Dale then finds himself trying to protect and save his ex-wife while trying to ensure that he finishes the mission while being seduced by an Israeli bombshell.

Woodward smashes this out of the park. It’s the perfect sequel to watch John Dale battle to uphold his oath and dedication to the CIA. He does want to just relax on his janky ass boat though, who wouldn’t want to just chill on the water. Woodward expertly builds the lore of John and Meredith Dale with cinematic quality and primo storytelling.

His characters are all worth getting to know as they all have reasons to be rooted for. From Legos to the fascination with a decrepit barely afloat boat, he takes time to ensure you enjoy each and every one of them. The story couldn’t have been any better as Woodward kept me guessing and amazed at how imaginatively he connects the dots. This is a great sequel and a very good submission for book of the year!

Filled with clandestine espionage operations and international diplomacy, Dead Drop is a multi-dimensional high-stakes game of Risk with nothing short of nuclear war hanging in the balance. With this second straight stellar novel, MP Woodward has firmly entrenched himself as one of the top spy novel authors in the genre today.

While negotiations between the United States and Iran on a nuclear deal continue to progress, behind the scenes tells a different story. The Israeli Mossad believes a new nuclear-capable missile is being developed by Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in Lebanon. And of course, they can’t sit idly by, so they conduct aggressive and visible operations to ruin the efforts of their enemies despite the international blowback and condemnation. Meanwhile, the Americans are in possession of a high-ranking Iranian intelligence officer from whom they are trying to ascertain the status of this new missile. Until, that is, he escapes and goes on the run. Now it’s a race to find the fugitive between Meredith Morris-Dale and John Dale of the CIA, the Mossad, and the Iranians. Because whoever finds him first will hold all the cards and control what happens next in this critical and audacious game of cat and mouse.

Dead Drop is an instant classic in the espionage genre. It’s not an in-your-face action packed novel, but one that contains copious amounts of suspense and uncertainty to catapult the story forward with a sense of urgency and eagerness to uncover the next move in this masterful chess match between world class intelligence organizations. Furthermore, it blurs the lines between righteous and unjustifiable actions and makes you constantly question who is playing who in each entanglement of spy vs. spy. And lastly, the numerous and intricate moves throughout the story require you to think critically to go beyond the surface and understand motivations and the true outcomes being driven by the various constituencies. In short, it’s a masterful espionage tale.

Additionally, the character development is fantastic, the pacing spot on and the storytelling top notch. It ticks all the boxes for an enjoyable and memorable thriller. MP Woodward is a force to be reckoned with in this genre and I can’t wait to see where he takes the story and the characters next.

This is a wonderful spy thriller that reads as truly authentic. Not only is tradecraft foremost in the storytelling, but the personal lives and relationships of the agents are engaging and realistic. Highly recommended as an action-packed nail-biter of a read.

Two books written by M.P. Woodward; two homeruns. Dead Drop, the follow-up to his debut The Handler, picks up a few months after John Dale's mission inside Iran (I don't want to give spoilers if people haven't read The Handler). The nuclear negotiations with Iran are progressing despite Iran believing the U.S. was responsible for the raid but can't prove it. The President wants the deal signed. The mullahs want the sanctions lifted. So everyone is singing Kumbaya and happy. Everyone - that is - except Israel and The Mossad. Pissed would be an understatement. The Mossad is arguably the most feared intelligence agency in the world. Similar capabilities as the CIA and utterly ruthless, The Mossad's mission is the survival of the Israel and the Jewish people and will do whatever is necessary and no one stand in their way. Including the United States.

There is nothing I don't like about this series. It is unmistakable Woodward is well-versed in which he writes. His characters are complex, the writing and ideas are audacious, and it will at times hit you in the feels.. The way Woodward weaves the threads to bring everything together was masterful. Every time I thought he would go right he would zag left. Part spy thriller, part family drama, part mystery but a 100% banger. Dead Drop has my highest recommendation.

Thank you to M.P. Woodward, Berkley, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing an advanced copy of Dead Drop!

M.P Woodward follows up his raging debut with a banger sequel that escalates both the action and the global stakes while tackling the dangerous game of espionage with a distinctive and grounded twist in Dead Drop.
When nuclear talks between US and Iran gain steam towards a possibly peaceful negotiation, both parties are determined to see it through. However, Mossad believes the negotiation to render a moot point and continues pursuing an aggressive game plan against Iran. When the Israeli intelligence agency seeks to locate an Iranian rocket scientist, they must turn to John and Meredith Dale to gain access to an Iranian captive who was captured by the husband-and-wife pair of spies. But with nerves shot to hell, there is no time for niceties and in addition to finding the Iranian scientist, John and Meredith must face off against a blood-lusting Mossad official who wants his targets without any regard for innocent lives caught in the crossfire.
M.P Woodward creates an intriguing dynamic around the common running theme in the genre by subtly casting individual characters as good and not-so-good as opposed to painting the whole canvas with a generic brush. It beckons you to invest your time and emotions into the flawed characters with their relatable predicaments, especially with how wildly unpredictable the chain of events gets at certain moments. John Dale’s character development continues to be stellar and captivating as he is very much a vulnerable and human protagonist who feels both the punches he takes and those he inflicts. The action sequences capitalize on the unwilling nature of John who doesn’t want to get embroiled in the shadow of death anymore but he can’t escape it. As such, the action is written with an emphasis on realistic combat that emphasizes smart and dirty battle moves in the path to survival with lasting trauma at the cost of living.
Dead Drop is a genuine spy thriller akin to a deadly game of chess that takes place on a global board with the added complexity of both sides playing for and against each other, making it harder for readers and characters alike to distinguish friends from foes.


Full review on https://www.bestthrillerbooks.com/kashif-hussain

I enjoyed "Dead Drop" as much as "The Handler" ! A non-stop spy thriller with terrific characters. When an author brings his characters alive, which Woodward does, then he has knocked it out of the park. The plot kept me turning the pages late at night. If you love Silva, Dugoni, Baldacci or any of the top suspense thriller authors, treat yourself to this series.