“But what connected a rock climbing accident 8 years ago to more recent events? Whatever it was, it was worth killing for.”

Chris Whitaker’s endorsement had me giving this new to me author a try during a recent road trip with my husband. During last car rides, we seem to have hit the sweet spot with audiobooks like Jason Bourne and Orphan X. The similarities kept us listening, but there was a glaring difference that we both noticed - the lack of a female character (or two) who had a significant contribution to the plot line.
Even with an inferred gruesome scene with a child and dog in the opening chapters, we finished the novel but found it to be overly male-dominated. I enjoyed the backstory and swagger attached to Ben Koenig, the main character, and will most likely read additional books in this series. I will definitely try Mr. Craven’s Washington Poe novels on the recommendation of a trusted reviewer!

Thank you Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

Brilliant, brilliant audiobook!
I am so looking forward to this series! We are in for a treat!
I love Craven's Washington Poe series. They are some of my favourite characters. So I was intrigued by the premise of Fearless, as it seems to be tailored to appeal to US readers. Fascinating to think of a plot then choose which character/country to use.
US or UK, it didn't matter. Craven has written another fast paced, gripping action thriller that has whetted my appetite for further books.
Craven's sense of humour is never far away, and my favourite line is of course spaniel related: "I love spaniels; they're like the clowns of the dog world'. LOL. So true.
Ben Koenig is fascinating as a protagonist and I cannot wait to see how his character develops.
The narrator was absolutely amazing. I hope he continues to narrate the following books in the series.

Fearless is the first book with Ben Koenig as the main character, a U.S. Marshall from a special unit who disappeared six years earlier. His disappearance and need to live off the grid was due to something that happened on the job, we become aware of that as the story progresses.

Ben has a lot of skill and when he is needed to find out what happened to the daughter of his past boss, we become acutely aware of his talents. His knows a lot about a lot, but most certainly about guns, ammo and any other type of weapon. Ben definitely falls into the Jack Reacher category of loaner out to avenge the woman taken.

The storyline, using a solar energy company in Texas to cover criminal activities, is interesting and how Ben solves what and how things are being done at the company are satisfying. I just don't really care about guns and the details of all involved was extraneous noise for me. I also could have used less descriptions about what happened to all the people he hurt or killed. I've read a lot of thriller-type books that don't have these in-depth descriptions, I can enjoy those more. It felt like the author, Craven, is in love with all things guns and just needed to add as much gore as possible.

The story is well-written for the most part and the narrator did a good job. Even though I enjoyed Ben as a character, I won't read any more of this series due to the extraneous blood and gore.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This audiobook was a delight to listen to and the narration was excellent. This was a different genre for MW Craven but it did not disappoint. The story line was action packed and it kept you guessing right till the end.I hope there will be more books in this line of work from Mr.Craven.

I believe I may become a devoted follower of MW Craven, as I wholeheartedly relished the experience of reading Fearless. However, I did encounter some difficulty in differentiating the protagonist, Ben Koening, from a fraternal twin of Jack Reacher. Ironically, it seems the author himself recognized this resemblance, as one of the characters even quips, 'You didn't have to go all Jack Reacher on us,' directed at Ben. Let's explore the nuances that set these two leading men apart. While Reacher prefers coffee, Ben is partial to tea. Additionally, Ben's mother hails from England, whereas Reacher's heritage is French. Reacher served in the military police, while Ben is a member of the US Marshalls. Both have struggled with finding their place in the world outside their respective professions, particularly due to their specialized military training acquired from experts around the globe. Interestingly, they both identify as drifters, even sharing a tendency to quickly succumb to slumber whenever an opportunity arises. The most notable distinction lies in Koening's inclination to carry a backpack, in contrast to Reacher's minimalist reliance on only a toothbrush. Moreover, the internal monologues and overall narrative voice of Koening bear an uncanny resemblance to Lee Child's works. Although I have not yet explored MW Craven's other literary creations, being a fan of Child's writing, I now intend to do so. The story itself lives up to expectations, delivering the thrilling and action-packed experience one would anticipate from a Reacher-esque tale. Consequently, when all is said and done, I wholeheartedly recommend this book due to its gripping action and well-maintained momentum.

#Fearless #MWCraven #MacmillanAudio #FlatironBooks #NetGalley

This is a fast-paced book interspersed with quick action and violence. Ben Koenig, a US Marshal with the Special Operations Group, disappeared off the face of the earth for six years. When his cover is blown, he finds himself on the run. A woman goes missing, and he is asked by her father to find her.

His investigation leads him to the town of Gauntlet, in the desert, where he finds that there are secrets that men will kill over. With explosive action and adrenaline-fueled sprints, Ben races against the clock to stay alive and find the missing woman before it is too late. Reminiscent of other action-heroes like Child's Reacher, Ben knows no fear and has no compunction facing anything that his adversaries might throw at him.

William Hope does a great job narrating the story, making this ALC an enjoyable listen.

I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher via NetGalley.

3.5 * rounded down. The narrator was excellent - very clear and well-paced. Sometimes the attempt at women's 'voices' was a bit painful, but thankfully there wasn't much of that.

I loved the first two-thirds - Ben fearlessly facing impossible odds and then either being rescued or escaping over and over again. The tone was humorous and laid back and it all felt like a bit of a fast-paced romp. But then the tone shifted - Ben spent ages purchasing and adoring and describing various guns and knives, before going on a killing rampage which was described again in loving detail. Then when the climax was reached there were a final couple of chapters blatantly setting up later instalments in this series, but which were something of an anti-climax.

I had never heard of this author before I listened to this audio book. After finishing, I immediately ordered more by him. This reminded me of a Jack Reacher book before he jumped the shark.

The hero is trying to find the daughter of his friend, a very important man in the US government. Along the way he has to kill a lot of people, but unlike recent Reacher books, they are not crazily far-fetched. He uses his brains as well as brawn.

Excellent book. I will recommend this author to many people.

This was my first book by this author and I’m hooked!

I love a good action/thriller with a lone man dynamic and Craven nailed that with Fearless. About a man who can’t feel free who has (a ridiculous amount of) training and goes after bad guys.

In the way of many thrillers you really do have to suspend belief but Ben is supposed to be almost invincible and I was rooting for that. He makes mistakes, which I appreciated, and is just a likable character.

I could have done without the extra gruesome details of some of the kills 🙈 but it was done with a type of cold detachment I expect which made it a little easier to take (but not much).

I highly recommend this to fans of Baldacci with the caveat that there is some detailed gore to watch out for.

*One note on the audio copy: The narrator is excellent so I don’t want to even say this…but I will note that he sounds like a man in his 50s which immediately made me think Ben (the MC) was MUCH older than he actually is at 36 according to him in one of the later chapters. It’s not bad, just really confused me upon listening when I pictured some hardened Marshall in his 60s or something and he’s really around my age 😆

My rating: 4.2*
——
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this gifted audio copy. All opinions are my own.

From Vanished to Vigilante: The Emergence of the Man Without Fear, Ben Koenig……

Book Information

“Fearless” is written by the renowned English crime writer M.W. Craven. Spanning 416 pages, the book is scheduled to be published on July 11, 2023. The audiobook version, narrated by William Hope, has a runtime of 11 hours and 10 minutes. Craven is well-known for his notable contributions to the crime fiction genre, including the popular Washington Poe series and the DI Avison Fluke series. In 2019, his novel The Puppet Show received the esteemed Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger Award. Thanks to Flatiron Books and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an Advance Readers Copy of this book for review.

Summary

Ben Koenig, the enigmatic former leader of the US Marshal's Special Operations Group, vanished without a trace six years ago. Untraceable and forgotten, he became a ghostly figure, drifting from place to place, leaving no footprint behind. But now, the man who no longer exists is thrust into the spotlight as someone from his past launches a relentless pursuit to find him.

In a high-stakes game of revenge, Ben is coerced into a mission he cannot refuse. A town called Gauntlet, nestled in the scorching Chihuahuan desert, holds a dangerous secret, and its inhabitants will stop at nothing to protect it. With his unique condition that renders him immune to fear, Ben is a force to be reckoned with.

As his face graces every television screen in the nation, it's tempting to dismiss Ben as just another drifter. However, underestimating him would be a grave mistake. Gauntlet's hidden powerbrokers have shed blood before and will do so again, but little do they know that Ben Koenig is about to become their worst nightmare.

My Thoughts

A gripping debut in an electrifying new series, Fearless is an adrenaline-fueled roller coaster you won't want to get off. If you're a fan of Jack Reacher, Jason Bourne, or Jack Bauer, you will undoubtedly love Ben Koenig. As the first book in this series, Fearless introduces us to a well-written story with a great set of characters, full of surprises and twists.

Told in the first person, the story unfolds through Koenig's perspective, allowing readers to unravel the plot and think through the mysteries alongside him. Koenig has a unique personality. He is cocky but also has a head full of random thoughts and facts. This personalizes him and adds a touch of quirkiness, even amidst the action-packed moments, often leading to a laugh or two. He also has a rare disorder that renders him incapable of feeling fear. Despite his disorder, Koenig is relatable due to the little details that Craven includes, such as his love for chocolate milkshakes and unwavering devotion to family and friends.

Fearless strikes a good balance with a compelling, intriguing storyline, thrill-ride action, and necessary violence (at least for this kind of story). The book maintains a good pace, with an involved plot and gripping action scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat. Craven's attention to detail and impressive research contribute to the believability and realism of the story. That is not to say that there are parts where believably and probability aren’t stretched—even to their limit—but that’s what makes a fictional thriller. Extraordinary events require extraordinary circumstances.

The standout aspect of Fearless for me is the development and depiction of Ben Koenig, which sets the stage for exciting follow-up novels in this series. The supporting characters also play significant roles and add depth to the story. As a reader, there is a lot to like here and much to look forward to in the future installments of this series, given the strong foundation laid by this book.

In the audiobook rendition of Fearless, narrated by William Hope, his performance is exceptional. Striking a delicate balance, Hope skillfully avoids both underperforming and overacting, a challenge often encountered in this genre. With finesse, he captures the full range of emotions and experiences of the characters, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the novel.

Recommendation

“Fearless” is a thrilling ride filled with action, suspense, and unexpected twists—a must-read for fans of Jack Reacher, Jason Bourne, or Jack Bauer. With its engaging plot, excellent character development, and impressive attention to detail, I highly recommend it.

Rating

4 Chocolate Milkshake Stars

There is a medical condition where people feel no fear and Ben Koenig has it. Ben was a special ops agent until something happened during an op that caused him to have to disappear for 6 years. He has somehow been found by his old boss who needs Ben to find his kidnapped daughter. When you feel no fear you do things your enemies don’t expect, and this is one of the reasons Ben is able to get out of seemingly impossible situations. His lack of fear and his training with special ops groups from all over the world has given him the techniques and ability to survive even the most unbelievable situations. Jack Reacher move over you would be no match for Ben.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

This book was good but it gets really graphic and brutal at some points. I love a thrilled and a mystery but i don’t love cop / detective stories so this was a solid in between. I probably won’t continue with the series but overall I enjoyed this.

This fast-paced action novel was far too violently descriptive about how people were injured and killed in the course of the plot. The short chapters keep me reading but the cliffhanger sentence at the end of every chapter got manipulative. I enjoyed the main character and the mystery of who and what he’d find and where he’d been.

I listened to the well-narrated audiobook version, eleven hours and ten minutes in length. The chapters are concise, and there are 127 of them that move the story along at a swift, relentless pace. I have read and loved all of M. W. Craven's Poe and Tilly series, and this book was a departure for the author. It is very different but equally as brilliant in type and tone that I never felt the same author had written the book. This was an outstanding thriller with a tough, propulsive, riveting, action-packed storyline. Be prepared for an exciting, explosive, high-octane adventure.

The new protagonist and hero is Ben Koenig, who had been extensively trained in martial arts and weapons for all combat situations. He headed the US Marshal's elite Special Operations group. He led the group against Mafia, drug traffickers, the Russian mob, and deranged killers. He acquired a neurological condition that rendered him incapable of feeling fear. At that time, he was sent for more training and observed to determine if he should be retired. He remained highly effective in hunting and eliminating the worst criminals and was considered an apex predator.

Ben is highly intelligent, quickly thinks out and describes his every move or type of weapon when in a fight, and has a dry sense of humour. His descriptions make the scenes highly cinematic and drew me into the action. At first, I considered him arrogant as he was completely assured of his ability. He lacked a sense of remorse when taking out a perceived enemy, but I came to regard him as an appealing and top-ranked action hero. When faced with torture and death, his lack of fear confused and distracted his prey, making them wonder if a group surrounded them to rescue him.

After killing the son of a Russian mob, a large bounty was placed on his capture and death. He effectively disappeared for six years. He was forced out of hiding when his picture appeared on a highly public, fake, most-wanted criminal list. This brought him in contact with an old mentor and friend, Mitch, director of Marshal's Service, who feels that Ben is the only one who can help him. Mitch's daughter, a university student, has been missing and is probably dead. He needs Ben to find out what happened to her and punish her abductors. He is also in contact with a tough, skillful and helpful woman. They mutually hate each other.

Ben learns that the daughter had been writing a thesis about two rock climbers who attended the same college, and the missing paper seems to be a clue to her disappearance. This is improbable and cleverly plotted, and leads him to a desert town in Texas. The town, Gauntlet, survives in the blazing sun as it is the centre of a successful solar panel business. Some evil people have heard that Ben is coming for them. They should be terrified! It takes Ben some time to figure out the reason for a complicated criminal conspiracy centred in Gauntlet. Is there any connection with the abduction of Mitch's daughter? If so, is he able to return her body to Mitch? He is in extreme danger after discovering what is happening in the town. There is an intense battle with a group of the residents, and Ben, being alone, seems unlikely to survive. It will take all his quick thinking and skills to avoid death.
Many thanks and appreciation for the audiobook from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio. It is due to be published on July 11th and is highly recommended for anyone who loves a fast-paced action story and fans of M.W. Craven.
I look forward to the next book in the Ben Koenig series.

4 stars

Since this type of broody hero is one I tend to spend more time with in action films than in my quieter reading life, I was more curious than certain about how I'd encounter this book. I'm pleased to say that I'm already a fan of Ben Koenig, and I'm looking forward to all of his future exploits.

Koenig is one of those super talented dudes who can handle any problem on the DL, but his most recent trick is disappearing. The funny thing about this is that he's so likeable and engaging that I found myself more aware of the character than the plotting - not something I'm used to in this brand of action/adventure/mystery - so while he may be good at disappearing in his world, he became ultra present in mine! To compound this, the narrator of the audiobook is so talented. Voice, inflections, interpretation...these all work together to bring the elusive Koenig - ironically - very much to the forefront!

This is an engaging narrative, but the standout feat here is really the development and depiction of Koenig, and for the start of a series, readers can't ask for more. I'm leaving this one excited to see what Koenig will get up to next and hoping I'm lucky enough to listen to it through the interpretation of this great narrator. Obviously, I recommend the audiobook where/when accessible and available.