The Neighborhood by Matthew Betley

 

Matthew Betley's Logan West thrillers contain globe-trotting, high-octane action from start to finish. In his new standalone thriller, The Neighborhood, the action is all contained in one spot, save for some flashback sequences. 

Hidden Refuge is a little secluded subdivision in Virginia. The neighborhood happens to harbor a piece of stolen equipment that some very important people would like returned and they've hired some very bad men to make that happen. What they didn't know was that Hidden Refuge is also the home of former CIA agent Zach Chambers. Zach left the CIA behind, but what he didn't leave behind were the deadly skills he learned in their employ. Skills that are quickly coming back to him once he sees a group of mercenaries threatening his neighbors. 

It's not going to be a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

One of Betley's greatest skills is quickly sketching solid characters that are easy to either fear or empathize with. Zach Chambers is a great character as is his babysitter/neighbor, Samantha Hawkins. Griffin Huntsmen as the leader of the group tasked with retrieving the equipment is a great foil for Chambers and is both feared and respected for his prowess.  

It doesn't take long for the action to start hopping, and once it does, you are in for a roller coaster ride all the way to the finish. The plot is aided by a number of coincidences, but the action keeps coming fast and furious. Flashbacks fill in Chambers and Griffin's shared history which lends impact to the showdown that you know is coming between these two. While I missed some of the globe-spanning scope of the Logan West thrillers, you can always count me in for intense battles and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Thriller fans will find a lot to like here!

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.