I have found my exact genre sweet spot, but I don't have a name for it. Where do you shelve a book that masterfully weaves CIA intrigue, contract killers, duplicitous government officials, and an inordinate number of dead bodies, with the driest of humor and deadpan comebacks? Look for me next to whatever we call that shelf. It also contains books like the Myron Bolitar series by Harlan Coben. Let's add more to this shelf, please!

I laughed and gasped in shock through Fearless, M.W. Craven's first installment in the Ben Koenig series, so I was thrilled to get my hands on book 2. I am pleased to report that Ben is back and just as smart, witty, and fearless as ever! Nobody's Hero is masterfully plotted and kept me on the edge of my seat, but also had me laughing at loud. Each chapter is action packed and I stayed up way past my bedtime to see what would happen next.

You've got to stretch your imagination a bit to welcome in the "blank check" level of immunity these characters enjoy, but I'm happily stretching just to tag along on the adventure. These pages flew by but the story is so intricate that I had to really pay attention, especially at the beginning. This layered story is no thriller brain candy! Craven is truly at the top of his game with this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the opportunity to reconnect with Ben prior to this book's publication in exchange for my honest review. I can't wait to see what happens next!

I really enjoyed the premise for this book. I think it delves into the psychologically broken mind in a way that I haven’t read about before and brought a unique opportunity for character development and story telling. Highly recommend

Nobody’s Hero by M.W.Craven is a thrilling rolercoaster from start to finish. The story centers around fearless Ben Koenig. From the first chapter, I was hooked. The book’s pacing is relentless and action-packed. I had a hard time putting this down! Craven has a talent for creating vivid action scenes that pull the reader into Ben’s world. The plot is full of twists and turns with a diverse cast of characters and intricate, interwoven storylines that keep the reader guessing.
This was my introduction to Craven’s writing and Ben Koenig story installments. I think this story would make an excellent audiobook, these types of reads are my go-to roadtrip audiobooks! I’d recommend this to any action thriller reader, especially those who enjoy Jack Reacher-style novels.

The man who fears nothing , Ben Koenig is back in Nobody’s Hero!! When the stakes are this high, Ben is your man. How can you not love a man who is scared of nothing, a human fighting machine, with a brain to boot. Oh and he is funny, so funny!! For an action read, there is so much humour which I just loved so much.

I am a big fan of this authors Tilly and Poe series, another dark and disturbing series. If you love those books you need to meet Ben. He is called to action after a double murder and abduction in Hyde Park in London. His name is on a list and he has no idea why. Along with his handler, Jen Draper, they need to stop this and save the world, all the while, avoiding being taken in for the 5 million dollar bounty the Russians have out on him.

As you would expect, this book is action packed from start to finish. It is violent, no holds barred. I was there for it all, an adrenaline rush for thriller lovers. I was in the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. So many wild twists, it was just amazing.

Thanks so much to Flatiron for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes in the US Dec 3rd, and Australia in October.

First, I must admit that this genre is not my favorite but I found this book tough to keep up. The opening was great and hooked me right away but I began to lose interest when so many characters were introduced. During the big reveal, I empathized with what happen to her daughter. However, it all just felt so unrealistic, especially the Koening plane jump and Tas not killing him immediately.

Nobody’s Hero, by M.W. Craven is book two in The Ben Koenig Series. This story follows the main character, Benjamin Koenig, a former special operative detective who has found himself in the crosshairs of the Russian mob as a result of his past line of work. Because of that, he is essentially in hiding, until the Acacia Avenue Protocol was initiated, forcing him back into the limelight. Jen Draper, a current operative and Ben Koenig team up to find out exactly what the protocol is and how he is involved, culminating in the discovery of a situation that could potentially have devastating effects on the entire nation.

From the United Kingdom, to France, to Scotland and finally back to the U.S., Koenig and Draper are on the hunt. Professionally trained as a silent killer, Koenig chases down Margaret Wexmore, an elderly woman who is bent on revenge against the United States and Jakob Tas, who was recruited by her to exact that revenge. Together, Koenig and Draper must track down and stop Tas from initiating what can be classified as terrorism, before it is too late.

Nobody’s Hero is action-packed from beginning to end, placing the reader in one adrenaline-inducing situation after another. This story reminded me of the movie, Die Hard with Bruce Willis, which is actually referenced in the book. Despite its title, Koenig would actually be viewed as a hero for his quick action and detailed analysis of the clues available, which leads to the ultimate happy ending, just in the nick of time.

"Nobody's Hero" by M. W. Craven was my introduction to the captivating world of Ben Koenig, a former U.S. Marshal who possesses an extraordinary inability to experience fear. This gripping novel, which can be enjoyed as a standalone, showcases the author's talent for crafting fast-paced action sequences.

The story unfolds when Ben's name is discovered on a hidden list that had been securely stored for a decade in Langley. To his astonishment, everyone else on the list has already met their demise. As tension escalates, a highly publicized double murder and abduction occur in Hyde Park, thrusting Ben into a race against time to unravel the mystery behind the enigmatic Acacia Avenue Protocol and prevent its catastrophic consequences for the nation.

Throughout the narrative, the plot takes unexpected twists and turns, fueled by a diverse cast of characters and intricate moving pieces. I personally awarded "Nobody's Hero" a solid rating of four stars, particularly recommending it to enthusiasts of action-packed thrillers. This novel is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you to Net Galley and Flatiron Books for ARC to read and review with my honest opinions.

Ben Koenig, US Marshal, has been in hiding ever since his name went on a Russian mob hit list. A double murder and abduction in London triggers a series of events that requires Ben to come out of hiding to find and protect someone from his past. Ben feels no fear and is extremely intelligent. His ability to analyze clues and information is very unique. This is a fast-paced international spy game that keeps you guessing. There’s non-stop action and lots of twists and turns.
I wanted more back story and development of main characters but I didn’t realize that this was the second installment in a series. It is possible I would go have seen that in first book. Not having read book 1 didn’t keep me from following story line. I just wanted a little more on characters.
Trigger alert - this books has a lot of graphic violence and may be difficult for some readers.

Thanks to NetGalley for ARC in exchange for honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book. The main character was interesting, the plot was unique and intriguing and kept me engaged. I'm glad that I got the Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley.

i really enjoyed this story m.w. craven is a hit for me. so this is about a man named ben who,s name is on a hit list because he worked on a case 10 years ago,where he saved a women life. and now he need to find her and figure out what she knows,

Craven doesn’t do books by half does he. Nor characters. When he writes a book he goes all in and each and every time he knocks it out the park.

Koenig 2 is another absolute barnstormer from one of the very best. Craven took the ‘Jack Reacher’ playbook, tore it up, smashed it around a bit and made best even better.

It’s fun, loud, brash, exciting , captivating, deviously clever and really quite special.

My review doesn’t need to rehash the blurb, you know what you’re going to get with Craven and Koenig, so just enjoy the show.

Hollywood beckons - just keep Tom Cruise away yeh?

5⭐️

This is the second book in M.W. Craven's Ben Koenig series. I read the first book last year, and knew I would read the followup. Koenig is a US Marshall who is living in hiding, as a Russian mob boss has a $5M bounty on his head, and in this book, he is called into service to assist in a murder case in the UK which transforms into a national security threat. I'm going to not give any spoilers, but I like the Koenig character -- he has a unique characteristic - a medical condition in which he can not sense fear, enabling him to engage in things the ordinary person would not. In many ways, Koenig feels like an amalgam of Baldacci's "memory man" - Amos Decker; and his Army CID agent John Puller; plus a bit of Reacher. The character is likeable. The story is interesting, but if I have a criticism it was the finale - just seemed a bit unrealistic, even for someone who has no fear. It's not a deal breaker for reading the book,

I really enjoyed this book. The snarky main character was a hoot for me. I enjoyed the mystery because it consistently kept me guessing, but gave me just enough clues to sleuth for myself. I especially appreciated the factoids sprinkled throughout the books that made me feel like I was learning something new. At times though, the book gets too technical. It seems too bogged down with things that dragged it on unnecessarily. that were not important to the overall scheme of things. I rated this one 3.75 rounded up to 4. 60-100 pages shorter and it would’ve been a solid 4 star read for me. Would definitely read more from this author and this main character.

Ben Koenig is unable to feel fear.

Koenig’s is one of the names discovered on a list that has been safeguarded at Langley for ten years. When a double murder and an abduction takes place in the world’s oldest and most famous free speech platform in Hyde Park, London, a ripple effect is started. Starting with the opening of the safe at Langley.

Koenig is clueless as to why his name is on this top-secret list, however all three of the other people listed are dead. Propelled into action by the need for answers, he seeks out to find a woman who was supposed to be dead but has resurfaced as a person of interest in something called the Acacia Avenue Protocol. Could she be the key to saving the nation from its destruction.

Moving headlong into a dangerous sea of contract killers, international terrorism, and devious intent, Koenig must find her before it’s too late. But will his lack of a fight or flight response cause him to recklessly brave the dangers ahead?

This is the first M.W. Craven book that I’ve read, and it did not disappoint. From the first page to the very last, I was engrossed in the plot, engaged in the action, and absorbed by the characters. Both the thriller junkie and the action junkie in me were sated. The characters were believable, and the action scenes came alive on the page. Craven is an extremely talented author who has a gift for words, plots, characters, scenes, and situations. He also makes his readers smarter as there’s always something he throws in that makes you say “Wow! I didn’t know that was real.” Urbach-Wiethe disease is a real thing! There have been approximately 400 cases of this disease since its discovery – look it up. Knowing this brings even more credence to Ben Koenig’s character, as at the end of the book (no spoilers) I was shouting to myself, “Why in the world would you do that Ben?” But someone’s got to do what others will not in the face of total catastrophe if it means saving the world, right?

If I had to give a constructive criticism, I’d have to say that a book titled “Nobody’s Hero” doesn’t deserve Ben Koenig.

If you crave non-stop action and enjoy all the bumps, twists, and loops of a roller coaster ride, you will love this book. Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book. I am providing this review strictly voluntarily.

Absolutely phenomenal read by M. W. Craven. I couldn’t put this book down! I look forward to reading more of M.W. Craven in the future. Thank you NetGalley and Flatiron Books

I found this book to be confusing as I started reading. As I continued I found the whole book fascinating and had problems putting it down to do “real life”. The storyline is a spy type setting that doesn’t fail to keep you guessing. The main character is so deep in that he feels no emotions and is so intelligent. His process of putting “clues” together is beyond amazing. Will definitely look forward to more books by this author.

M. W. Craven may be the most erudite mystery and thriller out there. The man is brilliant at his craft and blesses readers with explosive, page-turning adventures. "Nobody's Hero" is no exception. Ben Koenig is back in the saddle for an international cat and mouse game that begins with a murder in London, and escalates to a wild and intricate revenge plot of catastrophic proportions. Craven trusts that his readers can handle complicated plots, and he doesn't hold back with the twist and turns. Even better: the book ends with a shocking reveal that sets the reader up for a third installment. This was such a great escapist read. Of note, this book is on par with his other novels in terms of graphic violence, and includes a detailed scene of torture that was difficult to read. Proceed with caution.

Mike Craven really is a master at the very top of his game.
This is an absolutely fantastic read. Exciting, tense, exhilarating and pacy - I just loved it.
Move over Jack Reacher, Ben Koenig has well and truly arrived.
Koenig is the perfect protaganist and it would come as no surprise to see this on the big screen.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this.

This is my first encounter with M.W. Craven’s work, and I can confidently say that it will not be my last. While I did not read the first installment in this series, it did not hinder my enjoyment or understanding of this book. I’m sure prior knowledge may have added another layer of enjoyment, but this book stood on its own from start to finish.

“Nobody’s Hero” was incredibly engaging, surpassing mere captivation, and earning a top spot in my list of favorites. It set a new standard for a 5-star action thriller in my eyes with its intricate plot, clever writing, and moments of levity in the dialogue. The pacing of the book was exceptionally well done.

This book featured three distinct storylines, each with its own characters and plots, that ultimately intertwined. The unexpected twists kept me on my toes, and just as I thought I had it all figured out, the author threw a curveball out of left field that reset everything.

Ben Koenig’s character was filled with random, fascinating tidbits that added depth to the story. The author’s writing was impeccable, weaving together analogies and explanations seamlessly. The narrative was so vivid that it felt like watching a film rather than reading a book.

Despite the complexity of the plot and multitude of characters, everyone was well-developed. Each character possessed a complex and multifaceted nature, akin to the layers of an onion. The dynamics between characters were intriguing, though I still found myself drawn to certain personalities more than others. Even the antagonists were portrayed with depth and layers, making them more than just one-dimensional villains.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for an engaging action thriller that draws you in and offers a delightfully gratifying reading experience, then this is the book for you.

Nobody’s Hero by M.W. Craven is nonstop action and I enjoyed it. Ben Koenig is an interesting character. His Urbach-Wiethe affliction of never feeling fear and not choosing flight over fight is a bit scary. Jen Draper is Ben’s handler and I totally feel her pain of having to deal with Ben. He has a dry sarcastic sense of humor and Jen is not amused with him. But she is a strong confident female lead and can totally hold her own. Ben and Jen have a contentious relationship but it works for them.
This book has a lot of characters and plots but they all tie into the main story. This book is slow at times with a little too much detail on some topics but there is a lot action that totally makes up for it. I am a huge fan of The Gray Man and Orphan X series and this book has just as many action packed nail biting scenes that kept me engaged in the story.
This book is a solid 4.5 stars! There is a twist at the end that makes me want to read the next book asap!! Thank you to M.W. Craven and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.