This was a thrilling book full of adventure and intrigue. Fast paced with various stories coming together, a fun weekend read.

I was really excited about this book because I am a big fan of spy/military (Jack Ryan and Reacher enter the chat). But this one just was a little too political in chunks of it. While I enjoy the stereotypical Russia vs US story line, it just wasn't cutting it for me this time.

Heavy action spy thriller with friendship, espionage, family, revenge, and whatever other spy clichés you can think of pretty much sum this up.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my DRC.

This was my first foray into a novel written by Christopher Reich. Perhaps it was a bit too political thriller for me. The story was well written and certainly interesting but I did not particularly connect with the character.

Matterhorn by Christopher Reich is a new and improved Cold War spy story.

Will Mac and Ilya figure out their differences and become friends again?

We bounce points of view, but our main character is Robbie Steinhardt or Mac Dekker. He is the same person. Robbie changed his name and appearance and has been hiding in Switzerland for quite some time. However, Robbie isn’t really living. After Mac’s son is killed on the Matterhorn, he needs answers to the tons of questions bombarding his mind. But more importantly, can Mac figure out what happened to Will before he is caught?

I love how the author portrays Mac as a special agent who never gave up training so he wouldn’t lose his skills. He never would have gotten to where he is if he had allowed doubt to clog his mind. I felt sorry for Mac; he made some horrible choices, but I understand his reasons.

Ilya
The character that I despised was Ilya. His parents moved from Russia and became citizens of the United States. Ilya was a marine and acts like he loves America but it is all lies. Or is it? Is he just acting out because he is jealous of Mac? Ilya isn’t a nice person, and to me, it seems like he doesn’t like himself or the choices that he has made. Not that he can undo them now.

The Mystery
Our characters follow clues and leave a trail of destruction along their way. Switzerland will never be the same. I was a bit surprised at the outcome, but I love a happy ending.

Four Stars
My rating for Matterhorn by Christopher Reich is four stars. I love the story and most scenes, yet I found some unbelievable. However, that is my lack of understanding when climbing a mountain. I recommend Matterhorn as the story is wonderfully written, and the characters will stick with you for days.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Matterhorn by Christopher Reich.

Until the next time,
~Jen

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

This novel starts with a bang on the peaks of the Matterhorn and doesn't let up from there. Mac Dekker, former CIA agent, comes out of hiding/back from the "dead" to avenge the death of his son in this fast-paced, exciting book. Most of the story takes place in Switzerland with periodic flashbacks to earlier times. I would definitely recommend Matterhorn and look forward to the next installment of what appears to be new series.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC.

This is a riveting thriller, full of suspense, that keeps you on the edge of your seat! I enjoyed all the characters and how they were all centrally connected to the main protagonist, Mac Dekker, who comes out of “forced retirement” from the CIA. Thrust into the limelight suddenly, Dekker finds himself in an extreme alpine adventure while searching for a killer from his past. Excellent action and not your “run of the mill” spy thriller. My one caveat is the ending which seemed abrupt and a little too “easy” for the main antagonist to be killed off, especially after all the detail and action in the novel leading up to finale.

Thanks to Net Galley for this ARC. What a gem of a read!
#NetGalley #Matterhorn #SpyThriller #4StarRead

A good book by an author not known by me. I love the Matterhorn and the backdrop of the story. A spy attempting a meet is surprised and dies during the meeting and an old spy comes out of the cold to find out what happened. It just happens this old spy is the man's father and is 60 years old. A really good read that kept the action moving and kept me guessing to the end. A set of well-developed characters propelled the story.. I hope the author continues with these characters and look forward to more from this group.

A stereotypical Russia v. USA storyline forum the naughties. Action heavy spy thriller with a realistic undercurrent. Friendship, espionage, family, revenge. A movie I’ve already seen.

*Thank you C. Reich and Thomas & Mercer for the, Matterhorn ARC.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the ARC.

I’ve been a fan of this author’s for many years and Matterhorn, a new “series”, did not disappoint. The fast paced action begins on page one and doesn’t stop.

Upon the devastating news of his son’s death, Robbie Steinhardt comes out of hiding, where he’s been the past many years, to investigate and avenge. What follows are discoveries and resolutions of old betrayals (backstories included) as well as revenge as he travels the country to avenge his son’s death.

I look forward to the second installment of this series.

"Matterhorn" by Christopher Reich is a gripping thriller that takes readers on a high-stakes journey into the world of international espionage and intrigue. Set against the backdrop of the Swiss Alps, the novel follows former agent Mac Dekker as he navigates a web of deception, betrayal, and danger in his quest to uncover the truth.

Reich's masterful storytelling keeps readers on the edge of their seats as Mac races against time to unravel a complex conspiracy involving a deadly biological weapon and a shadowy network of enemies. With its fast-paced plot, vivid descriptions, and well-developed characters, "Matterhorn" is a captivating read that will leave readers breathless until the very end.

Filled with twists and turns, unexpected alliances, and heart-pounding action, "Matterhorn" is a must-read for fans of espionage thrillers and anyone looking for a riveting tale of suspense and adventure. Reich's expert blend of suspense, intrigue, and heart-pounding action makes "Matterhorn" an unforgettable literary journey that will keep readers guessing until the final page.

Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC through Netgalley

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Matterhorn by Christopher Reich is a gripping thriller that takes readers on a tumultuous journey through the treacherous terrains of espionage and personal vendettas. The protagonist, Mac Dekker, is a retired CIA agent who is thrust back into the world of covert operations following the mysterious death of his son, Will. The narrative unfolds in the serene backdrop of an alpine village, juxtaposing the tranquility of nature with the chaotic undercurrents of spy craft.

Reich's storytelling is masterful, weaving a complex web of characters and plotlines that keep the reader engaged from start to finish. The novel's pacing is relentless, with each chapter ratcheting up the tension and stakes. The author's attention to detail shines through in the vivid descriptions of the Matterhorn and the intricate workings of the intelligence community.

The character of Mac Dekker is well fleshed out, with a rich backstory that adds depth to his motivations and actions. His quest for answers about his son's fate drives the narrative forward, while his confrontation with his past, in the form of his old nemesis Ilya Ivashka, adds a layer of emotional complexity to the story.

The supporting cast is equally compelling, with each character contributing to the tapestry of the tale. The dynamics between friends, rivals, and lovers are explored, adding a human element to the high-stakes world of espionage.

As well as a top-quality spy novel, this is a story about redemption, loyalty, and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth. It's a testament to Reich's skill as a writer that he can balance action-packed sequences with introspective moments that give the reader a chance to breathe and reflect.

Matterhorn combines the best elements of suspense, mystery, and action.

This novel will appeal to fans of the genre and newcomers alike, offering a satisfying blend of excitement and depth that is rare in thrillers today.

This book is very well written, and has a great plot and great characters. The action is also good, the problem is that it's almost all in the second half, as there are too many descriptions taking up the first half.

Good, fun, easy reading. Action packed from the beginning, kept me interested the whole time. A few predictable storylines, but not enough to ruin the experience.

I'd consider this to be your stereotypical spy story- good guy confronts bad guy, bad guy kills good guy, another good guy out to kill bad guy. The cherry on top is the stereotypical Russian vs American spies.
The did, however, appreciate the setting and the action-packed moments on the Matterhorn, however there were so many characters to keep up with, and what seemed to be a lot of (unnecessary) detail. As a book, it was ok, but I feel this would do great as a movie!

Matterhorn by C. Reich is the first book in the Mac Dekker duet.
A fast paced, complex story that doesn't take prisoners. There is no easing in, you get the full experience right from the start.
I read the blurb and expected something like a Luis Trenker movie - yes I'm that old. But far far from it. An excellent read, 5 stars.
Blurb:
Robbie Steinhardt lives a peaceful life. A fixture of his small alpine village, he tends cattle, minds his own business, and doesn’t dwell on his former life and the family and lover he left behind—back when he was Mac Dekker, CIA.
But when he learns his son Will died following in his footsteps, he needs answers. What mission took Will up into the alpine heights, and why is Ilya Ivashka on the same trail? Ilya—his close friend, his rival in love. Ilya, who framed Mac for treason and sent him into hiding.
Wiping away the years, Mac returns to the field to find the secrets Will hid and finds himself facing the Herculean task of stopping a terrorist plot that threatens thousands. But in a field of double agents, who can he trust?

this book was so well written and such a different book from what i would typically decide to read, but i simply couldn't put it down!!!! 5/5 stars

Review: Another great thriller with our favorite ops guy, Dekker.

I loved the setting and the characters in this instance. Although slighlty formulaic, it still punches you hard in the guts. This could also have used a dose of mystery to drive the story more intricately.

Rating: 3.7/5

“Matterhorn” by Christopher Reich was one of the most exciting thrillers I have read in a long time! An American agent who has been in hiding in the Swiss Alps because of a double cross has to return to his real identity. He finds himself wanting revenge for the murder of his son by his double crossing ex best friend and partner. He did not know his son was a CIA agent, he did not know why he was climbing the Matterhorn or what his deadly mission was or that there was a terrorist plot to kill millions. These comments are just a hint to tell you that this book left me breathless! The author’s skillful storytelling and vivid characters had me reading way into the night. This is book 1 of a new series and I can’t wait for the next installment!!!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Nifty spy thriller set mostly in Swiss Alps

Eight years ago Robbie Steinhardt started working and living in a small town in Switzerland. Today he got terrible news and Robbie Steinhardt will be no more.

I'm not usually a huge fan of espionage thrillers but I do like climbing books so I wanted to read this offering. There wasn't much climbing in it, I'm afraid, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless. Russian spies, CIA, traitors, WMD - all were thrown together along with great chase scenes around Switzerland.

I especially liked the scenes when Robbie came out of hiding and his backstory of being in hiding.

Fun story and I highly recommend.

I received this Digital Review Copy from Thomas & Mercer through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review. This is that review.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is my first time reading this author. My first spy novel in a long time. Reminds me of books by Robert Ludlum. Double agents, traitors yes. Action yes even some romance and revenge! I am not an expert so probably some nuances I skipped. Towards the end I did think it was super unrealistic. Did I enjoy it? Yes and I would gladly read other books by this author. Loved the setting and learning a smidge about mountaineering. 4 stars