While Steve Urszenyi's new thriller "Out in the Cold" isn't short on action, what it does lack is exposition. While each military grade device and weapon is given a thorough description, the main character doesn't get any such description until several chapters in, where only her outfit is described. This book may speak more to those with a military background or extensive knowledge of military-grade weapons, but as an ordinary reader I found my eyes glazing over unable to get involved with the characters or the plot.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press & Minotaur Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Out in the Cold should be hot on the bookstore shelves upon release. I'll confess I did not read the first book by Steve Urszenyi in this series, but I will right that wrong. This is an amazing Alex Martel adventure. It is full of extraordinary action. I loved the plot which is full of international intrigue and very timely for readers in 2024. There are a lot of alphabet agencies at play in this book and Urszenyi uses them well. Martel is a superstar character but the book soars to great heights because it is populated by other memorable characters too. Bravo to the author for the satisfying conclusion to this thriller. Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, & NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Action packed from the first scene. The plot has it all - beside the action, there is deceit, intrigue, globe trotting, and of course a sprinkle of romance. While this book 2, it can be read as a standalone. You will be rooting for Alex and Caleb throughout the book. Great political thriller.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

It always troubles me not to be able to speak positively about a title when a publisher has been good enough to provide me with an ARC, but I was terribly disappointed with this book. It may seem harsh to say so, but the narrative functions at the intellectual level of a comic book, the characters are cliched and unlikable, and the writing is mostly awkward and clunky. It's just not a very good novel. Even if your taste runs to mindless action, there are a lot better examples of it out there. Sorry.

I started reading this book and felt like I knew these people - what a great surprise to realize that this is the sequel to Perfect Shot. Alex Martel is a formidable opponent with her quick thinking, her tactical skills, and her ability to cut to the core of a situation. She follows her own ethical code, which always seems to align her on the edge of subordination. She is not the best team player, but she is also not a lone wolf. She has friends in high places that trust her capabilities. Out in the Cold is action-packed, fast-paced country-hopping to avoid a global war. There is danger, humor and a slow burn par-romance. I was hooked right from the start, not only because this book is engaging, but also because I was able to continue the high from Alex's previous investigation. Join Alex on this new mission as she digs deep to find how high the conspiracy goes . You, too, will be hooked and left wondering, "Wow! What's next?".

A mindlessly entertaining summer read with occasional large dollops of superhero behavior.

I appreciate the author's long-term development of their parade of characters. (Um, did the villain truly die in that explosion at the end of the story?) Yet I have enough other books on my ToBeRead list that I won't pick up this series.

Special Agent Alex Martel is back, this time as a CIA contractor on a special taskforce. Of course, where Alex is involved, it is not going to be smooth sailing; in this case, quite literally, as the mega yacht she is on with the Secretary General of Interpol (Celeste Cliquot) comes under attack. But who was the target -- Cliquot? Valtteri Lehtonen, the wealthy Finnish businessman who owned the yacht? Mikko Selanne, the Finnish ambassador to NATO? Alex is able to help neutralize the immediate threat, but will she be able to stop future attacks?

Over the past year there have been a series of incidents in Finland, such as massive blackouts and cyberattacks on critical systems, aimed at destabilizing the country, and these incidents all have the hallmark of Russian operation. This is escalating tension between NATO (of which Finland is one of the newest members) and Russia. Not everyone is convinced that Russia is behind these attacks, but those who suspect a different mastermind are not sure who they can trust in their own governments or allied governments. When a second attack on Cliquot proves more successful (though only partially) and the Deputy Director of the CIA refuses to authorize Alex to check on her friend's health and safety and investigate the attacks, Alex sees no choice but to go rogue.

However, she will soon find herself with new allies, as well as the unexpected assistance of a deadly adversary. Alex will need all the help she can get to unravel a plot that reaches deep into the US government and is aimed at starting WWIII.

Wow! I loved the first book but this one was so amazing! I read it in one sitting. Great conspiracy, tough to guess the culprits, non stop action and great character development. Loved it and cannot wait for book 3 of Caleb and Alex!

A fast paced fun read. Action starts right away and keeps going through the whole book. Second book in the Alex Martel series. You can read this without having read the first. The US and Russia are heading to war but everything is not what it seems. Alex gets dragged into it and finds the truth.

A fun read and look forward to more books in the series and by the author.

I was grateful to receive an early copy of this book from NetGalley. I hadn’t yet read the first Alex Martel novel, it had heard good things and wanted to get the series going. I feel like I was handicapped a little starting with this one first as I had to quickly get up to speed with the characters and history from the first novel.
But once I was comfortable, the story progresses excellently. Good characters, classic protagonist with their flaws, dilemmas and in this case, two masters that she wants to satisfy.
Alex is torn throughout the novel with her decisions, not wanting to upset one person, but knowing what she really wanted and needed to do.
This story has the typical end of world quandary, it goes about it in a fresh way. Until the reveal, you are not sure who is behind what and the writing makes you guess and be wrong a couple of times.
Good writing and a story that grabs you until the end, with twists and turns.
I look forward to finding the first novel to read it now.

An incredibly riveting action read with tons of thrills and twists to keep you turning the pages. Steve Urszenyi keeps you entertained with a formidable protagonist kicking ass with tactical and technical authenticity.