Hurrah, Ben Koenig is back! Our action man, is minding his own business, when trouble finds him again, but a $5m bounty on your head tends to have that effect. (Not a spoiler)
A double professional hit and abduction in London, finds Koenig, and his good friend Draper, being dragged into a situation which spans The Atlantic. It is a high stakes case involving national security and terrorism.

As you would expect from the author, the book is well written, gripping, littered with humour, and filled with rich characterisation. The book grabs you by the lapels from the very first page, and doesn’t let go until the last has been turned.

I love Koenig’s reference to Reacher, and it’s nice to see his interest in apostrophes is still alive and well. Though I must disagree with his feelings on custard creams, it’s a fine biscuit, especially dunked in a builder’s brew.

I also love that Ben has a huge capacity for what many may consider to be useless information. Mark Twain’s birth and death dates will come in very handy for a pub quiz in the near future, I’m sure.

Nobody’s Hero gives you everything you wanted, and more. It’s a high octane, action packed, humorous rollercoaster. Once again, Koenig proves his bad-*ss credentials, especially in one very intense scene, it genuinely made me wince. If you are wondering in which part of the book this takes place, you will know it when you read, trust me. Apparently I was pulling some strange faces while reading this part.

The author drops a tantalising detail towards the end of the book, a seed, I hope will grow in future books. It’s quite the cliffhanger. As ever with Mike’s books, I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series. It’s an adrenaline fuelled read, 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me, a belter of a book.

WOW! This was amazing. What an incredible thriller that pulled me in and held me in a chokehold till the finish line. What a great book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for this advance reader’s copy, in exchange for an honest review. “Nobody’s Hero” has an expected publication date of December 2024.
And you can check out all of my reviews at my blog site Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com).
“Nobody’s Hero” is the second book in the Ben Koenig series. I had not previously read the first, but took a chance and was not disappointed. Sufficient backstory is seamlessly weaved into the narrative early to enable readers to hit the ground running. And trust me, this story hits the ground running.
At the outset, a woman thought to have died ten years ago murders two London pickpockets. This sets off a chain of events that trigger the Acacia Avenue Protocol. What is that? Craven doesn’t immediately give it away, but instead leads the reader through a series of plot twists and turns to eventually uncover – right around the same time Koenig does – the global repercussions that are at stake.
Craven also establishes three separate, yet related, storylines that will keep readers wondering how and where the myriad narratives and assorted characters will intersect. At times you may find yourself shaking your head and wondering what an old woman dying of cancer has in common with father-daughter contract killers. But trust me, it all comes together.
Koenig is a likeable, though sometimes annoying, character with a dry sense of humor. A rare genetic disorder called Urbach-Wieth disease makes it impossible for him to register fear. The result is a character who seems part James Bond, part Indiana Jones, with a little bit of John McClane (the “Die Hard” movie series) thrown in. His long-winded, sometimes meandering, explanations can test your patience. But stay with it, because they’re important.
As is often the case with these types of stories, the ending can get a bit bogged down when the key antagonist, believing he’s at a point where he can’t be stopped, helps put all the pieces together for the protagonist through some long-winded dialogue. That’s where some of the storyline becomes a bit of a stretch, but it doesn’t detract too much from a fast-paced, highly entertaining read.
Four out of five stars for “Nobody’s Hero.” If you’re looking for an action-packed mystery, check it out when it’s released in early December.

If you like conspiracies, complicated story full of action-packed scenes then, this book is for you!


The characters were so well defined and the descriptions and action scenes were so specific that I felt like I was watching an action movie. 10/10

Ben Koenig is the perfect kind of anti-hero. How he move and think, it's no wonder he's able to save the world countless times over. He’s fearless and really good at thinking outside of the box under pressure. Though the book is 400 pages, this book read very fast. Just make sure you pay attention to understand the whole picture, otherwise it's easy to miss little details.

Overall, Nobody's Hero is a standout thriller that definitely deliver fast-paced and full of action.

A Fearless Soldier On A Mission

Ben Koenig is a marvelous character that captured my imagination right from the start. He has a highly analytical mind that doesn’t feel emotions. After thinking it through about the situation confronting him can walk right into danger without flinching and is usually right on when he does. Usually. Trained by experts in all fields of warfare and self defense he willingly confronts danger however it presents itself. This time he finds himself in the situation of trying to find and assist a person he, himself, helped put into a protection program years before. She has made herself visible and is on a mission. Ben may be the only person who can help her succeed.

If you can put your skepticism aside, this is a return to Craven’s fast paced action making this a quick and enjoyable read.

This is an author I've never read before, and I requested the book purely on the strength of its description. Boy, am I glad I did.

There is some sparkling writing here. I mean, really sparkling, the kind of writing that makes you stop and reread a few sentences just to savor the rhythm and feel of them before you press on. There are also some memorable, well-drawn characters.

What I was less enthusiastic about was the narrative from which all this fine writing and these memorable characters were hung. It seemed to me to be unnecessarily convoluted, and at times I had to flip back a chapter or two in order to get straight in my own mind just what the hell was going on.

And then there was the ending. Maybe the less said about it the better. 'Silly' is the nicest word I can come up with. This book deserved better.

M.w. craven hit it out of the park!!!!!!! The beginning was fascinating and really sucked me in. It was hard to put this one down. The plot twists! The details! The action. I am here for it all. I need to read the first book before this one asap! Thank you for the advanced copy! I think I found one of my new fav authors!

Nobody's Hero by M.W. Craven is a gripping and adrenaline-pumping thriller that captivated me right from the start. Having been introduced to Craven's writing through the Washington Poe series years ago, I was excited to dive into another one of his series for review. Craven consistently delivers with his intelligent, intricate, and immersive storytelling, and this book was no exception!

The storyline in Nobody's Hero is intricately crafted, featuring twists and turns that kept me on edge until the final pages. Craven skillfully builds suspense and tension, unveiling clues and connections gradually and at just the right moments. For me, where this novel falls short is in creating the atmospheric depth and compelling character development that are characteristic of Craven's Washington Poe series. I found the protagonist, Koenig, to be likable, but I felt that his character lacked development, and I didn't feel I knew him any better by the end of the novel than I did at the beginning. Also, I was somewhat taken aback by some of the bravado dialogue, though it did contribute to the superhero-like atmosphere of the story. I was able to look past these shortcomings due to the engaging and intricate storyline, which unfolded at a perfect pace, keeping me intrigued and invested in the narrative.

Though the book is 400 pages, Nobody's Hero is an extremely fast read due to the short chapters and smooth, snappy dialogue. The pacing is spot on and I was able to easily finish it within a couple of days.

Overall, Nobody's Hero is a standout thriller that definitely delivers. It's fast-paced, brutal, and full of action, sure to satisfy adrenaline junkies. While this isn't the type of book I usually read, I'm glad I tried something new from Craven. If you enjoy his Washington Poe series, I recommend checking this out while waiting for Mercy Chair, the next installment in the series, which is set to be released in early June.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and M.W. Craven for an advance copy of the book for review. All opinions are my own.

This book is an electrifying whirlwind of brilliance, speed, humor, tension, and mind-bending twists! Its plot is a labyrinth of intrigue, and the action scenes are pulse-pounding, delivering just the right punch of adrenaline-fueled excitement. What's truly exhilarating is how these scenes rely on Koenig's sharp intellect and agile skills, rather than mere firepower and explosions, adding layers of depth to the narrative.

However, I must admit, I found myself initially struggling to keep up with the breakneck pace, constantly on the edge of my seat as I raced to absorb every twist and turn. It demands your full attention, but oh, the payoff is absolutely worth it!

And hats off to the author for orchestrating such a complex narrative with seamless precision. It's a testament to their mastery of storytelling that they can weave together such a web of intrigue and keep readers hooked from start to finish.

As for the content, this book packs a punch with its array of captivating villains, gripping conspiracy theories, and adrenaline-pumping action—all brought to life with vivid, yet perfectly balanced, descriptions of violence. Trust me, even if it's not your usual genre, you'll find yourself utterly spellbound by this exhilarating rollercoaster of a read!

Absolutely loved this action book and the main character. The opening coffee shop scene alone is worth the price of the book! Koenig has Reacher's analytical brain to the tenth power. He is complex, highly trained, has a strong moral compass and a brain that works better and faster than a computer at parsing and assimilating facts and situations. Oh and he leaves lots of 'neutralized' or dead bodies (bad eggs) in his wake. Trained by nearly every security force in the world, he's one talented man. There is a mystery at the heart of all this as well as several very tough females too. Do they figure things out in time?

The second book I have read for the author, and I hope he continues the story. Koenig is the main character who sees things before everyone else and has a dry sense of humor and the inability to feel fear. This comes in handy during the book and the action and violence seem to fit the story. Koenig is against a very memorable enemy and his brains and bravery have to save the day. This was a quick read because I never put it down. A really well written book. The cliffhanger at the end has me waiting patiently for the next installment.

I received this book as a free read from the publisher. This is review is strictly my own.

This was a great conspiracy theory book. Lots of crazy killing and being killed story.
Koenig was a hot commodity for the US .military and he came through in all areas.
I will.need to read the first book to get a better glimpse of the main character

Breezy, fast, violent and funny as hell. Koenig is a bit of a Jack Reacher knockoff, but a very good one... and the chemistry with Draper is really terrific. The actual plot takes a little while getting off the ground, but this is a book whose pleasures are more in the ride than the destination.

Wow! I loved this entire book! If you like conspiracies and action and mystery, this book is for you. The characters were so well defined and the descriptions and action scenes were so specific that I felt like I was watching an action movie. 10/10

A double murder and abduction on the streets of London pulls Ben Koenig into this story of contract killers, international terrorism and the fate of a nation.

If you enjoyed Fearless, Ben Koenig’s first outing, you’ll love this. Koenig’s snappy dry humour, and the frequent action and bone-crunching violence continue.

If you weren’t sure about Fearless you’ll love this, the plot goes deeper, the cast of characters are well developed, there’s a team effort rather than lone wolf Koenig on a mission.

If you’re reading this book while waiting for M. W. Craven’s next Tilly and Poe book, I think you’ll love it, there’s plenty of intelligent investigation, piecing together the clues and a cameo from a Tilly and Poe character. A good chunk of the book is set in Great British - Notes From A Small Island, with added guns and special ops security clearance.

It’s brilliant, fast, funny, tense and twisting. The plot is involved and the action scenes work superbly, with just the right amount of pain. The action scenes test Koenig’s quick witted reactions and skills rather than firepower and explosions and I love it!

I’ve read quite a few international action novels from crime writers, including William Shaw, A. A. Dhand and M. W. Craven’s Fearless, Nobody’s Hero is my favourite by far.

I think this is a much better book than Fearless (which I really enjoyed), and it sets up the next books in the series brilliantly. I can’t wait!

Excellent! Highly recommended, definitely best read in order.

Thanks to Netgalley and Flatiron Books

Action packed and sometimes graphic, this is a fast paced thriller. Loaded with twists and interesting characters, it's hard to put down.

This was such a complex read and not really like anything I have read before. It was jammed packed with action and unpredictable.
Ben Koenig is a man who can't feel fear (can you imagine never being afraid?) Not totally sure this is a great thing because Ben doesn't seem to always know when he should just walk away. A page turner that will keep you sucked you in until you finish reading.

I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! MW Craven, you did an amazing job of making my brain work really hard while reading this book. Not because it was difficult to understand, but trying to predict what happens next after each twist was near impossible. Now I'm sitting here amazed by another complicated story full of action-packed scenes that made me really stretch my imagination.

Ben Koenig isn't afraid of anything, which makes him the perfect kind of anti-hero, and the actual villains are seriously wicked. With someone with a brain like his, it's no wonder he's able to save the world numerous times over, right? It's hard for me to picture him in reality, but Craven's development of his character really allows his personality shine through. He's superhuman - fearless and really good at thinking outside of the box under pressure.

When I started reading, I had to go slow because Craven incorporates so much nuanced information. The writing is excellent, and I couldn't put it down - I finished it in just three days! But I still felt like I got to savor every part of it, because you really have to pay attention to understand the whole picture, otherwise it's easy to miss little details. I have no clue how Craven mapped out this complex story, but he does so beautifully. If you like books with A) plots about foreign intelligence and terrorism, B) people seeking revenge for dark reasons, and C) a good balance of great humor and lots of exciting action, then this book is perfect for you!

Pick up this book when it comes out in December 2024! Thanks again, NetGalley, for this free ARC!

Twists and turns await you in this book. A true action-packed thriller for those who aren't afraid of a little gore and blood in their reading. And I always enjoy references to our little state of New Hampshire! Good fast-paced story you will want to read!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.