Fans of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels will absolutely love Ben Koenig, the fearless protagonist in M.W. Craven’s must-read thriller Nobody’s Hero. In this sequel to Fearless, the first in the Ben Koenig series, Craven has produced a thriller that all of us readers will love. Koenig, a lone wolf with a strong moral compass, is a protagonist that you will laugh with, tremble with, and heartily cheer for as he unravels a plot to damage America in a way that neither he nor you will believe.

Honestly, this series featuring Ben Koenig has been my favorite find of the year and is also my most recommended read. I truly found myself setting aside time during the day to dig back into Nobody’s Hero as Craven had me spellbound attempting to solve this thriller along with his characters in the book. I think that this is another book series that I will be wistfully waiting for the next book to come along.

Don’t miss out on this electrifying read and prepare for a rollercoaster ride of suspense and action. Take my advice and pre-order Nobody’s Hero today and prepare to be captivated. You can thank me later.

Nobody's Hero explores some very interesting concepts with a tight plot, very specific characters, and great action scenes. A series of kidnappings and killings draw former operatives out of hiding, each with a more colorful backstory than the last. Mercenaries work around the globe to take pieces off the board and pick up clues in some intricate 3D chess to set the stage for the mysterious Acacia Avenue protocol.
Intricate descriptions of strategies, attacks, injuries, and the calculated, devious scheme are very engaging; though some of the quirks that advance the plot and chase are a bit contrived, and frankly could pay off more ironically.
The characters have great extremes -- no fear but great lateral thinking; abilities to torture but also access to a corporate jet, etc. -- if only the plotters had taken them off the board!
A very fun entertaining ride with only a few minor expositional pauses.

This book was not my cup of tea.
I don’t really get into books like this, but I wanted to give it a try.
I felt like the dialogue was on the cheesy side. Kind of was like watching one of those old detective shows.
I just couldn’t really ever get into it.
The story was actually pretty good though. Craven set up some really nice twists.
If male mystery authors are your jam, you will probably like this.
Thanks netgalley!

Dammit Margaret! You were my favorite!

This book was phenomenal. Right from the start it was action packed and kept me engaged. I listened on audio and the narrator was one of the best I have listened to. The chapters were short which kept the story moving nicely. The humor in this book is so very my style and on point. I laughed out loud several times. I love Ben Koenig’s character and really, all the characters were enjoyable, even the bad guys.

The way MW Craven is able to weave such complicated topics into such a complex story is really mind blowing and proves his immense intelligence. This was his second book of his I have read and I immediately went and bought more. This may be my favorite read of 2024. I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys thriller’s!

Thank you to NetGalley, the Author and Macmillan Audio for my complimentary copy. I will be purchasing the physical copy of this book to keep on my shelf.

Nobody’s Hero I Book 2 Ben Koenig
M. W. Craven
Macmillan Audio Narrated by William Hope
Flatiron Books
December 3, 2024

Ben Koenig is back!!! Ben has had damage to his brain takes away his ability to feel or understand fear, even down to his adversaries facial expressions. This leads to years of training, being sought after for his skills and eventually being pursued. (you are going to want to read the first book) Book 2 picks up because Koenig has a very large bounty on his head and hiding didn’t work out as he planned. What starts as a visit to a coffee shop for Ben to send his monthly email, eventually turns into a global pursuit uncovering secrets and leaving multiple dead bodies in its wake.

The Acacia Avenue Protocol, a cryptic directive, has resurfaced and Ben is needed because everyone who can stop it dead. What makes it better is that one of the names on this list, was killed by Ben Koenig himself. Ben loves to drop his random spiel of information and how he got to his conclusion. He irritates those around him, especially his handler Jen Draper, but for me, it’s perfect. This book has so much going on you just can’t stop. A father daughter pair of contract killers, a woman presumed dead for decades, corrupt cops, a lot of action and a twist at the end that you will NOT see coming. It’s perfect. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

This was my first novel by Craven and it will not be my last. A complex story, so you need to pay close attention. Lots of action, some humor and plot lines.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, M.W. Craven, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

I have long enjoyed the work of M.W. Craven, who has never failed to impress. This newer series has me curious, as Ben Koenig reminds me of Jack Reacher, but with a different flavouring. Craven has been able to craft his protagonist well and keeps the reader wondering. After the murder of two pickpockets in the heart of London, a secret list demands that Ben Koenig be notified and brought into the investigation. While Koenig is former US Military, his current nomadic lifestyle has many wondering if this is a typo. However, Koenig provides some context and is sent to London to look into the murders, as well as a larger investigation into a group of killers. Craven does well to add depth to this series, which still has a great deal to offer.

The murder of two London pickpockets sets off a chain of events with global repercussions. While the investigation appears to be going nowhere, a list actioning a mysterious protocol includes one odd addition, former US Military officer Ben Koenig. This will take some time and effort, but when Ben Koenig is located, his presence on the list baffles everyone, particularly because he is such a nomad and has no firm ties to the US Military or Intelligence spheres.

While Koenig is unsure why he is asked to help, but he does recognize the killer, someone he killed a decade ago. Still, he’s up for a mystery and agrees to head to London to get some answers. While there, he discovers that there is more to the story than simply a series of murders. Koenig remains on the outside why and how his name found its way onto the list, but he is determined to get answers. Traipsing across the world and following any lead presented to him, Ben Koenig wants to know what’s going on, no matter how many bodies he leaves in his wake. A chilling story that never leaves the reader a chance to catch their breath, in true M.W. Craven style.

There is never a lack of action when M.W. Craven has a story idea. His work is always so busy and keeps the reader wondering what awaits them. The narrative style of this story works well and keeps the reader guessing as they learn a little more about Ben Koenig. Building momentum, the story soon finds its climax and stays intense for the remainder. Koenig is a great protagonist and is surrounded by strong characters, all of whom flavour the book in their own ways. The plot gets thicker and keeps things moving, using short chapters to add to the surprise. Who is Ben Koenig and how will he add to the series? This and many other questions await the dedicated reader whose curiosity is not easily sated.

Kudos, Mr. Craven, for another great addition to this series.

“Nobody’s Hero” by M.W. Craven is a wild ride that mixes crime-solving with a healthy dose of personal chaos. Our hero is a bit of a hot mess, trying to figure out his life while diving headfirst into a case. Craven’s writing is sharp and funny, and the twists keep you guessing. The narrator was great! He did a great job of expressing the sarcasm and humor of our hero. If you enjoy thrillers with flawed characters and a dash of humor, this book’s for you!

🎧 4.75⭐️

Ben Koenig no 2

I enjoyed the first book, and heard that this was is even better so I was keen to find out for myself. I’m not a big action thriller fan, the draw is definitely the author.

I had the audiobook read by William Hope his voice is good for Koenig although he sounds older than I’d imagined,and decent for the two main female characters Draper and Danielle.


Best read in order as things link from the first book.

Ben is in London looking for a woman he has previously helped. He has diplomatic immunity…. What could possibly go wrong along the way???? On route he gets accosted on route by a UK police chief superintendent who is annoyed that her murd*r investigation has been shut down and that the US has sent over their own people, she manages to join Ben and Jen offering to help smooth their path.

This maintains the author’s trademark snappy writing style with dollops of dry pithy humour and mini cliffhanger chapter endings.

Ok so Ben spouts continuous reams of information which becomes annoying quite quickly. I appreciate that it’s part of his ‘thing’ but it mostly doesn’t work well for me, although there’s an occasional gold nugget. I would prefer to have less of it. It definitely decreased in the second half of the book as the tension increases. That’s its only draw back for me, otherwise it’s pacy, it’s action packed - albeit sophisticated action, it’s very entertaining, the rest of the writing is concise and sparing. I loved the cross over using a character from another series.

This one seems more cerebral than brawn focused, less gung ho, I feel it’s more sophisticated with much broader appeal, it definitely hooked me. I also liked that this one is set in the UK.

Nobody’s hero is excellent. Much better than the first book. Very intricate clever plotting with some unique strategies being used. I am now a Koenig fan, I highly recommend this book.

You don’t want to mess with Ben Koenig. He’s had training by all the special forces teams in the world including Navy SEALs and Israeli IDF. He thinks 10 steps ahead and, significantly, doesn’t fear. He just doesn’t have those receptors in his brain. And that makes him both fearless and - to his opponents - very scary.
This is the second book in this series and the stakes are high. Multiple agencies need his help. While I enjoy a good political thriller with spycraft, Craven’s books are so full of trivia, MacGyverisms, and thought experiments, I feel smarter after listening to them. Not able to fight-off-4-attackers-at-once smarter, but definitely more-aware-of-my-surroundings-and-possible-escape-routes smarter.
The novels are thrilling escapism amid what’s-the-world coming-to commentary on a range of contemporary issues. Yeah, there are no Ben Koenigs.But if there were, I’d want him to have the same smarts and moral compass as this fictional character. And I enjoy his snarky attitude and banter. Very enjoyable.
My thanks to the author, publisher, producer, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes. Publication date is Dec 3, 2024, so go ahead and read the first in the series (Fearless) if you haven’t done so!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

M. W. Craven’s “Nobody’s Hero” is a pulse-pounding thriller that plunges listeners into a world of high-stakes espionage and relentless action. This second installment in the Ben Koenig series showcases Craven’s knack for crafting intricate plots and unforgettable characters, brought to life by the exceptional narration of William Hope.

The novel begins with a shocking murder and abduction on the streets of London, drawing Ben Koenig, a man who can’t feel fear, back into the fray. Koenig is tasked with finding a woman he helped disappear a decade ago, a woman who holds a secret that could destabilize the Western world.

Ben Koenig is a compelling protagonist whose unique condition—an inability to feel fear—adds a fascinating layer to his character. His relentless pursuit of the truth and his complex moral compass make him a standout in the thriller genre. My person favorite characters were the father and daughter serial killer team.

“Nobody’s Hero” explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of secrets. Craven delves into the psychological and emotional toll of living without fear, examining how this affects Koenig’s interactions and decisions.

William Hope does a great job narrating this thrill-ride of an audiobook. His ability to convey tension and emotion enhances the listening experience, making the characters and their predicaments feel real and immediate.

Craven’s writing is sharp and evocative, with a keen eye for detail that brings the settings and characters to life. The pacing is brisk, with enough twists and turns to keep listeners on the edge of their seats.

“Nobody’s Hero” is a thrilling and thought-provoking addition to the Ben Koenig series. M. W. Craven has crafted a story that is both entertaining and intellectually stimulating, with a protagonist who is as intriguing as he is relentless. William Hope’s masterful narration elevates the audiobook, making it a must-listen for fans of the genre.