Fast-paced, dual time, with twists and turns.

I enjoyed this one and especially enjoyed the author's writing voice! Really nice and very well written. I found myself thinking about many of the lines as they were spoken (as I did audio) but also felt that it worked with the story as well.

It felt a little like Mark Greaney meets Baldacci with some history thrown in and I found myself totally going on along for the ride. The romance aspect was a little rushed (and gave me a bit of an eye roll) but hey, I get it, it felt very on genre .

I'd recommend it and would definitely be interested in continuing the serires!

Note: Language in this.

My ring: 4*

___
Thanks to NetGalley for this gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

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.

This is my first time listening to a Bruce Borgos novel. This is exactly the type of book my husband and I love listening to together. We both enjoyed it and look forward to listening to more by him. If you enjoy Craig Johnson books you will enjoy this one that switches between a modern day Sheriff, and a Russian spy at the nuclear testing site at the height of the nuclear age. The way the two stories unfold and come together make it hard to put down.

I thank the author, NetGalley and Recorded Books Media for the opportunity to listen to the recorded version.

I finished the listen, but it was a near thing. The lead male and female characters were the most pathetic version of professional lawmakers I ever had the misfortune to meet. Their instant sexual attraction overlay any actual crime-solving efforts. Sheesh. The historical nuclear bomb plot was intriguing but the tie-in with the modern world was flimsy at best.

Not my cup of tea. This is listed as the first of series but I shall pass.

Two stars.

This book was fun and engaging. I listen to it a couple of times as I enjoyed this content so much. I'll definitely pick up and read.

the setup…
Porter Beck is the sheriff of Lincoln County, located in the deserts of Nevada. Though he was born here, Beck has only recently returned after his long stint in Army Intelligence. Things are relatively uneventful so when a retired FBI agent is found brutally murdered it raises suspicions and rightfully so, particularly when FBI Special Agent Sana Locke shows up the next day to investigate. After examining the murder scene, Beck knows that there’s more going on here than a robbery gone wrong.

the heart of the story…
Beck’s prior military career informs him here and it took me a bit to catch on. The story transitions between the present and the past (1957), involving Russian spies and the beginnings of the nuclear testing program. Think the urban legend Yuri concept and you’ve got the idea. It’s somewhat complex but not overly so as I didn’t have any difficulty keeping up and found it deeply interesting. I liked Beck’s skills, intellect and sharp wit but could have done without his objectification of the women around him. His first encounter with Sana Locke had me gritting my teeth and every one that followed kept throwing me out of the story. I’m hoping that dissipates because otherwise, I liked and respected Beck as a law enforcement officer.

the narration…
I enjoyed the narrator who seemed to have captured Beck’s personality really well and handled all those Russian accents authentically. If there’s a book #2, I’m in again for the audio version.

the bottom line…
The mystery elements were exceptional and I liked how the past eventually connected with the present. The continuing secondary characters were effectively introduced and fleshed out, made distinctive enough that they’re memorable. I had a tough time with Agent Locke and Beck’s relationship with her, as well as the inappropriate sexist references that were unacceptable in this day and age. It felt off given Beck’s history and worldliness so I hope that improves in the series. But the strength of the mystery, espionage and intrigue helped compensate and the twists were rather stunning. Never saw them coming though I had a whiff before the reveals. I’m definitely continuing the series if more books are to come…as long as the gender nonsense disappears. 3.5 stars

2.5 stars, not rounded up.

The Bitter Past seemed too oriented towards male readers. Sexist passages only detracted from the solid story. “She looked like a math teacher with her butterscotch hair perpetually tied efficiently behind her head, not alluring like the cigarette and cocktail girls in the casino.” “Sana (beautiful FBI agent) folds her hands together in her lap, which draws her blouse tighter into her very alluring cleavage…She takes a sip and then swirls the scotch provocatively.” Give me a break.

Porter Beck, our main protagonist, has two superpowers. Bullshit makes his nose crinkle. And he is cursed with literally not being able to forget things. He plays the tough guy, superhero part well. Borgos develops interesting family dynamics in the book.

The Bitter Past is well-paced, with the action and dual timelines moving the story forward. I like that they spoke of the health issues people developed downwind of the bomb testing areas. I wish he had delved into this aspect of the story a bit more. The end dragged just a hair with a surprising change of tone to ‘feel good’ as it was wrapping up.

James Babson had a rough tough masculine voice, but it was always easy to understand.

Trigger warning: graphic violence. I took off a full star for the brutal torture description of a murder victim in the opening. I’ve read gritty mysteries in the past, but almost quit this one because of several grotesque scenes. In my opinion, Borgos’ writing was solid, and he didn’t need the stomach-turning descriptions that did not add to the book. The book would appeal to more female readers without the graphic violence.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars, generously rounded upward.

The Bitter Past is the first in the Porter Beck series by Bruce Borgos, and if I liked it, I’d be thrilled to read more. On balance, though, I don’t. Nevertheless, my thanks go to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for the invitation to read and review. This book is for sale now.

The setting is the hinterlands of Nevada; part of the story takes place in the 1950s, and part of it is in the present. I rate the historical threads as 3.5 stars, and the contemporary part as 1. The premise is that Porter Beck is the local sheriff who is called when a grisly murder is discovered; in addition, a sister-wife goes missing. Sana Locke is the woman that the Feds send in, uninvited. The premise for the other thread is that a Russian operative named Georgiy Dudko lands in Nevada, tasked with entering the nuclear test site and stealing a nuclear warhead. Toward the book’s conclusion, we see how the two stories are joined.

Before I am even twenty percent of the way into this story, my hackles are up. I haven’t seen an author write with such brazen disrespect for women in a very long time, and I hope not to see it again. You see, Beck is God’s gift to women, and it’s a good thing, too, because none of them prove smart enough to find their butts with both hands until he sails in and fixes everything. From the instant Agent Sana enters the narrative, introducing herself as FBI, Beck is the guy in charge, and Sana is his li’l buddy, his sidekick. Good thing he is here to educate her. It is Beck that finds a hidden room in a house they’re searching; it is Sana whose eyes “go big.” He has to dive quickly to save her from the bad guy with the gun. He tells her what to do, and she does it. Here are some quotes that set my teeth on edge:

“Before [Sana] can speak, I place a finger over her lips.”
“Sana appears confused.”
“I bring my finger under her chin. ‘Look up.’”

And no collection of sexist bilge is complete without the old saw about how women are unable to get along with other women: “[Sana’s] still miffed about Brinley, [Beck’s sister] and it’s clouding her judgment…I glare at Brin, a warning to her to retract her claws.”

Beck feels completely free to comment on Sana’s physical features, particularly her “exquisite ass,” but of course, Sana likes that in a guy. She’s in the sack with his middle-aged, um, butt in no time flat.

For a long time I hold out hope that things will turn around, and the author will prove to us that actually, Beck is about to get his just desserts, and Sana had been sent to take him down for some reason, but the only comeuppance she deals him at any point is when she pulls a jujitsu move on him, and that’s only once.
What else? Ah yes, the sister-wife. The girl’s husband is a good FLDS neighbor, Beck tells Sana. They don’t force anyone to marry. She’s seventeen years old, so it’s fine.

Seriously? Excuse me while I grab my blood pressure medication.

In addition to all of this, there is the constant use of the word “illegal” to describe a person that is in the U.S. without documentation. They don’t even call them illegal immigrants, or illegal residents. They don’t merit a full grammatical description.

The thread that takes place in the past is more palatable. Georgiy needs into the nuclear test site, and so he befriends a scientist that works there, and is introduced to Kitty, the scientist’s daughter, whom he courts and accidentally falls in love with. Kitty is not developed as a character any more than Sana is, but at the same time, during the 1950s in the U.S., marriage and motherhood were very nearly the only acceptable path for women, so within the context of time and place, this is believable. I like Georgiy much better than Beck, that’s for sure!

There’s a twist of sorts at the end, but it’s not all that impressive, and it mitigates nothing.

I was provided with the digital review copy and the audio as well, and so I listened and read at the same time. Narrator James Babson does a fine job portraying the characters as they are written, and he isn’t to blame for the way I feel as I read.

That’s it in a nutshell. If all of this sounds just fine to you, then go ahead and get this thing, and stay away from me.

I enjoyed my first Bruce Borgos book and can't wait for more!
This dual timeline book manages to combine an espionage thriller, a police procedural and historical fiction all in one. I enjoyed learning about the nuclear testing that went on in the Nevada Desert back in the 1950s. It was a time when the US was determined to solidify their advantage over the Russians, even if it meant harming their own civilians.
The story follows Porter Beck, the county sheriff, following in his father’s footsteps. Porter was previously an army intelligence agent, so it’s a given the man is smart. When an old retired FBI agent is found murdered and tortured, a current FBI agent, Sana Locke, shows up to help with the investigation. They develop an uneasy partnership. The dead man was investigating something from the 1950s which tied into the second storyline.
Meanwhile, a young Mormon woman has gone missing from a polygamist camp.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos

I loved this book! I really enjoyed the modern day element with the tie-in to the past timeline. Even though we are essentially following two storylines, the book did not feel overly long. Just enough detail was given for each one to keep me interested but not bogged down. Sometimes the first book in a series can be a little slow as the characters develop, but we see enough of the characters to care, while the plot moves right along.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys police procedurals or spycraft with a touch of family and work drama thrown in. I will definitely be watching for the next in the series!

The narrator did a great job as well.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #RBMedia for a free copy of #TheBitterPast by Bruce Borgos. All opinions are my own.

'm always a sucker for detective/sheriff and ex-army characters and throw in a little cold war intrigue and a location near area 51 and I'm sold.  I was a little concerned with the cringey flirting at the beginning of this one, but that tapered off pretty quickly.  This ended up being a little twisty and made me say what, a couple of times.

This one has dual timelines of the present and back in the 50s during the cold war with Russia.  I was especially drawn to the timeline in the past where a Russian spy infiltrated the US nuclear testing to pass along sensitive information.  I was keen to know if the Russian spy would get away with it or if it would catch up with him.

This one is quite layered and I was impressed how the timelines came together and that there weren't any dangling plots.  I didn't see where this one was going and was pleasantly surprised.

If you are a fan of dual timelines or cold war action stories, you should pick this one up.

The Bitter Past is a book that fit more than one genre. There are criminals, there is espionage, there is treason, there is police procedural, there is historical fiction and there are dual timelines. Bruce Borgos has masterfully blended so many genres together that it all worked. And worked well.

Sheriff Beck Porter is a complicated character, who doesn't let his peers see his flaws. When a murder takes place in a sleepy Nevada town and the FBI is called in, the plot thickens as the story unravels a complicated tale of espionage, nuclear weapons and revenge.

The cast of characters were easy to become invested in and while I was pretty sure I knew one plot point fairly quickly, the tarmac twist gave The Bitter Past the ending I wanted.

The Bitter Past was hard to put down.

This book checked all kinds of boxes for me - mystery/thriller/espionage/historical fiction. Borgos tells his story with good writing, interesting characters, a great sense of place and a dose of snarky humor. Time shifts between the present back to the 1950's and the nuclear weapons race, and he helps the reader track where he's taking us without confusion. The book starts with the murder of a retired FBI agent, a murder that was preceded by some pretty brutal torture. After that, Sheriff Porter Beck is on the hunt for the killer - and this sheriff has history that makes him exceptionally well-qualified to work and solve this particular case. The question is whether he can beat the ticking clock to prevent more killings. The audiobook is narrated by James Babson, who does an excellent job giving different characters their own voices. The best part? This is the first book of a new series - and I can't wait to see what's next for Porter Beck and his family and co-workers.
Thanks to Netgalley and RB Media for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

4+ stars

Great new series with Sheriff Porter Beck. Beck is a former Intelligence office and is now sheriff in a remote area of Nevada. Lots were happening in the book--covering nuclear testing in the 1950s, the murder of a retired local FBI agent, a local teen bride from a polygamist camp went missing. Loved the characters, can't wait for the next book in the series.

Excellent narration by James Babson.

Thanks #netgalley for this book. I am excited for most installments with this character which I assume will be coming since it says book #1. Interesting plot and characters. Highly recommend

Excellent story! A crime thriller with great pace, likeable characters, true wit and twists! The compelling beginning pulls you straight in! Pick this up! Thank you for my ARC!

The Bitter Past was narrated by James Babson. This is the first time I have listened to his narration. His voice is unique and captivating so he was able to pull me immediately into the story and keep me engaged all the way to the end. I even paused to research what other books he has narrated and as a result, put a hold on that book at the library 😊. The only complaint I had was he used the same voice to narrate both male and female characters without distinction like I’m use to in other audiobooks. Once I got over that, it was still a fantastic listening/reading experience!

What I loved the most is how the author and narrator collaborated well together to tell a great page turner that was filled with some history, captivating characters, humor, a spy thriller plot full of action, and a jaw dropping twist. I am now invested in this series and looking forward to the next book!

Porter Beck is the sheriff in the high desert of Nevada, a large expanse of land north of Las Vegas. Not much happens here, until an old, retired FBI agent is found murdered in his home. The evidence of torture, as well as the destruction of his home, clearly shows Beck that the killer has an agenda that might not be completed. When an FBI agent arrives to help with the case, does she have an agenda of her own? As the investigation deepens, will Beck and FBI agent Sana be in danger?

This novel is travels between the present and the past, the past being at the height of the Cold War. The constant shifts through time, from one set of characters to another, detracts from the book as a whole. The biggest issue that I have with the novel is the way that Porter Beck interacts with Sana. Beck seems like a good man, but the comments he makes about a woman he has just made the acquaintance of does not feel in character. The image came to mind of a cartoon wolf with his tongue hanging on the ground after he sees a beautiful female. The other law enforcement personnel are expected stereotypes and follow a predictable path as part of the investigation. Beck's intuition and insight are interesting traits for a main character, but this has been done before.

James Babson does a good job as the narrator of the audiobook, breathing life into the book. Had I not been listening, I would have given up on the novel half way through. I am a huge fan of mystery thrillers and spy novels, but I would not recommend The Bitter Past to other readers.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Audio Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to listen to the audiobook and review it was entirely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book started off with a bang! It sucked me right in and I really enjoyed the mystery within this book. I really enjoyed the political intrigue in the book and how historical events were incorporated. This was a great read and was a fun ride.

Oh, let me tell you about this thrilling rollercoaster ride called The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos! Picture this: the high desert of Nevada, a place of tranquility shattered by a brutal murder. Enter Porter Beck, the local sheriff, who's back in town after serving in the shadows of Intelligence during his Army days. But things take a wild turn when an old FBI agent is found dead, tortured in a way that points to a mysterious Cold War-era conspiracy. Hold on tight, because this is no ordinary investigation!

Borgos masterfully weaves two timelines, one in the sinister 1950s and the other in contemporary Nevada. Nuclear secrets, Russian spies, and a chase that spans decades create a tension that's absolutely electrifying. As the puzzle unfolds, Sheriff Porter teams up with the enigmatic Agent Saran Locke to dig deeper into the dark secrets buried beneath the desert sands.

I got my hands on an ARC Audiobook of The Bitter Past from NetGalley, and I must say, Borgos has created a nail-biting adventure. The only thing that may stretch your imagination is the number of coincidences that occur along the way. But trust me, the intriguing character of Porter Beck alone makes this journey worth it. If you're ready to dive into a thrilling fusion of history and mystery, buckle up and embrace the unexpected! I'm definitely keeping my eyes peeled for more from this talented author and his captivating protagonist.