This is a great follow to The Drifter! Peter Ash is a amazing character. This not a series to miss! This one finds Peter in Northern California in the forest minding his own business. When he comes upon a rope hanging from a tree. Next thing he knows he's running through the tree tops with a woman named June. She's being chased because her mom created a computer program that could rule the world. Everytime they turn around they have another possible suspect chasing them. I won't ruin it but it has a really big twist is amazing! READ THIS ONE!

Nick Petrie is one of my favorite thriller writers. He reminds me of Lee Child which in my eyes is about as good as it gets. Petrie catches you from page one and never lets you go. You will need to clear your schedule as I did when you start this involving, exciting, and well plotted second entry of the Peter Ash series.
Burning Bright is a book that is perfect at any time, especially when you are in the mood for action, a fascinating and exciting plot, and a well-told story. My advice- read THE DRIFTER, the initial entry of this already well- established series and immediately buy BURNING BRIGHT. Then wait as I did for another wonderful book in this great series.

3.5 stars. I think I may have enjoyed this one a little more than the first one. I enjoyed the evolvement of Peter Ash and his desire to work towards making his life better. This was action-packed and moved rather quickly.

Book 2 by Nick Petrie. You must read this as well as the Drifter. a great series and it's only getting better. I have heard it is also great to listen to. So no excuses read with your eyes or ears, you will be glad you did.

What a great read!!! This is the second book in the Peter Ash series and it is just as good as the first, The Drifter, if not even better.I was hooked from the first page and continue to want to turn the page up to the end. Burning Bright has it all- great character development and, great plot lines that kept me guessing throughout the novel. This was truly a great thriller.

A psychological suspense thriller, something that was right up my alley it seemed. Here we follow an investigative journalist, June whose mother got killed in a supposed hit and run accident. During the duration of the book, she finds mysterious agencies pursuing her for their own agenda. Her life's in the hands of Peter, who is a veteran from Iraq with PTSD.

This book is very tangly in the sense of political intrigue and government conspiracies, but something was missing. Sure there was something that I would consider as “thrill of the chase”, but that’s not my favorite part of the book. My favorite part was definitively when June repeatedly outsmarted the “bad guys” and was one step ahead of the game in some sense, in others; not.

The worst part in my opinion was the romance, because I just didn’t feel the chemistry. And honestly, I thought that detracted from the main plotline. So many times throughout their sex scenes, I was thinking that this is not the time for this, you are running for your life and might get killed. Like romance is unnecessary as a subplot in this book so I don’t know why it’s even in there.

Coming into this series, I actually wasn’t aware that this was a second book. But let me say that I think that Peter is a pretty messed up character, despite his protective intention. I really do hope that he goes and fixes himself up before he is ready to face “domestic civilization”. That’s why I thought that the ending was thoughtfully done, in a way that opened the door into the next continuation. Let’s just say that I’m not interested in going to read the first book or the next book in the future; I feel indifferent about what will happen in this series.

Honestly, this book felt like an action movie. It only slowed down for the last 100 pages at the end there, where there was a lot of sitting around and waiting. But still, I wouldn’t be surprised if readers alike imagine this as one of those high-dramatic plot-filled action sagas.

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.**

My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an ARC of “Burning Bright” by Nicholas Petrie, in exchange for an honest review.

Marine Lieutenant Peter Ash fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan and returned home with PTSD that has manifested itself as incapacitating claustrophobia, which causes a “static” in his head whenever he’s indoors, and his symptoms get worse the longer he feels confined. To combat this, he lives a nomadic existence, hiking through mountains and sleeping under the open sky. While trekking through the redwoods of Northern California, he encounters a grizzly bear, and while hiding in a tree, he discovers a rope hanging from a nearby tree. Using that rope to escape the grizzly below, he climbs higher into the canopy and finds a woman in a hanging platform, aiming a crossbow at him.

June’s mother was working on a groundbreaking artificial intelligence technology project when she was killed in a hit-and-run accident the week before. June went to her mother’s lab to collect her belongings, only to find men claiming to be from the government already packing up her mother’s computers and equipment. Then they tried to kidnap her off the street. She managed to escape and could only think of her ex-boyfriend’s California redwood research platform as a hiding spot. Realizing Peter is not one of these dangerous men, who have begun shooting up at them from the forest floor, Peter vows to keep her safe, and together, they use the intricate rope system June set up for her ex-boyfriend to escape the men below, and work to figure out who those men are and what they want from June.

This is the sophomore effort from a new author who is already displaying all the skills of a master storyteller. Action packed and fast paced, with terrific plot and character development, Lieutenant Ash is a perfectly written flawed hero, who can always be counted on to do the honorable thing; all the while, desperately fighting his own demons received courtesy of eight years of fighting two wars in the Middle East. His plight feels like a very realistic portrayal of the challenges our veterans face upon their return from war to civilian life, and the author highlights this struggle in a sensitive and powerful way. This is easily becoming one of my favorite series, and I can’t wait for the next exciting installment!

Peter Ash is back in his second adventure. After rescuing the widow of his platoon sergeant in Wisconsin, Peter is backpacking in the Pacific Northwest when he comes across June Cassidy, a freelance investigative reporter. June is on the run from the men who murdered her mother, Hazel, in a hit-and-run accident; they want Tyg3r, her mother's algorithm that could be the secret behind a cognitive artificial intelligence. June is also the daughter of Sasha Kolondy, the mad reclusive software billionaire, who lives in self-isolation in remote eastern Washington. Peter vows to protect June and June vows to protect Tyg3r. They run into a lot of bad guys along the way.

Incredible book that will stay with me for a long time

Hell, yes! Once again, Nick Petrie proves he knows how to write a thriller that kicks ass and takes names.

Petrie's debut novel, The Drifter, was absolutely fantastic, a thriller with a great plot and terrific character development. Featuring war veteran Peter Ash, a complex, intense protagonist, the book even made "honorable mention" on my list of the best books I read in 2015.

Petrie—and Peter Ash—have returned in Burning Bright, a book with even more crackling action and moments of quiet emotion. It might even be better than its predecessor. And here's one thing: I know that blurbs from other authors is just a marketing thing, but when Lee Child is willing to say, "Lots of characters get compared to my own Jack Reacher, but Peter Ash is the real deal," that carries some weight. (Plus, it's true.)

Ash served in Iraq and Afghanistan, returning home after multiple tours of duty plagued by "white static"—serious claustrophobia brought on from the traumatic stress of combat. It's so bad he can barely stand to be indoors for more than a few minutes, and even being outside when the sky is really cloudy gives him trouble. He has once again taken to a long-term hiking and camping trip, this time among the California redwoods, when he discovers he's not as alone as he thought—he encounters a grizzly bear, a rare occurrence these days since most have vanished from that part of the country. His run-in with the bear doesn't approach The Revenant territory, but it sends him up a tree with no gear and supplies, and just slightly worse for wear.

Just as he's beginning to wonder if he'll have to stay in the tree for days until the bear gets distracted, he notices a climbing rope hanging in the tree, what he discovers is a series of ropes hanging from adjacent trees. What better plan that to follow this course, of sorts, and see where it leads? So there he is, traveling from tree to tree, until he finds a hanging platform. All is safe now. Then he finds another danger—a woman with a gun pointed at him. And next? Men with guns. Firing.

June Cassidy is a feisty, Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist known for her investigations into data security. She's been on the run from men purporting to be with the federal government, who are interested in what she knows about her mother's groundbreaking computer software research, since her mother died in an accident not long ago. She doesn't know what her mother was working on, but it must have been something big, because these men keep coming. She doesn't know how to escape them, but discovers Peter might be the help she needs.

As the two team up to figure out who is after June, and what they want, they encounter a series of ever-more-determined men wanting to capture and/or kill them. It's going to take toughness, serious smarts, and pretty mad skills with firearms and getaway cars, none of which seems like a problem for the duo. But as they begin to uncover a serious operation afoot which makes June question whom she can trust, and Peter has to fight both the static and those after June, they may be in more trouble than they think.

Once again, Petrie has written a thriller which is the stuff of which great action films are made. The opening chapters are full of serious pulse-pounding action, but he doesn't give character and plot development short shrift. Peter Ash is so much more than meets the eye, but even though he can drop more than a few assailants at once, he still has a lot of problems of his own, not to mention the adrenaline and, perhaps even a little thrill, which comes from taking care of those looking to do him and June harm. And in June, Petrie has created a terrific foil for Peter.

If you like thrillers which not only ratchet up your pulse but leave you marveling at the author's storytelling skill as well, pick up Burning Bright. (You can read that one first if you want, but The Drifter is equally excellent.) My hope is that Petrie—and Peter Ash—will be back soon, and will get the public recognition they deserve.

NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!

This book really grabbed my attention from the start with almost non-stop excitement. It almost felt like I had been thrown into an action movie and I loved every minute of it. Before I even knew it, I had read a large part of the book. The pace of the story did eventually slow down but the excitement never stopped because I couldn't stop trying to figure out how things would work out. This was such a great read.

Peter Ash is veteran dealing with PTSD which causes him to feel claustrophobic anytime he is indoors. He deals with it as best he can which usually means that he tries to stay out of buildings as much as possible. I find Peter to be a very interesting and unique character. He thinks quick and knows his limitations. June is a reporter that finds herself hiding from a group of men that attempted to kidnap her. June meets Peter and they start to work together to figure out why she has been targeted. June's character really complimented Peter's nicely. Their personalities meshed perfectly and they seemed to be able to work smoothly together almost from the moment that they met.

This book has no shortage of action. Peter and June find themselves in the middle of several intense situations and I never know exactly how things would turn around. I was never quite sure exactly who the bad guy was so I didn't really trust any of the characters besides Peter and June and of course, Lewis, who I was very happy to see make an appearance in this book. The story took quite a few twists and turns with many unexpected moments.

I would recommend this book to others. This is the second book in the Peter Ash series and while it could be read as a stand alone, readers will probably appreciated the background knowledge from the first book. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this exciting series.

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Penguin Group - Putnam G.P. Putnam's Sons via NetGalley and First to Read.