Praise for Al Pessin and His Task Force Epsilon Thrillers

Shock Wave

“Intense, unique, and frighteningly real. A standout!”

—Marc Cameron, New York Times bestselling author of the Tom Clancy Jack Ryan Novels

"In Shock Wave, war correspondent Al Pessin brings back Faraz Abdallah—a hero in the war on terror for our generation—in the explosive third book in the Task Force Epsilon Series. His novel Blowback is a tough act to follow, but Pessin does so, bringing us on an intense, non-stop ride with characters, action, and geopolitical intrigue written with authenticity and emotion possible only from someone who has been there and seen it firsthand. Pessin proves himself to be a master storyteller in this authentic, heart stopping thriller that is sure to be one of the best reads of the year. Don't miss this one!"

—Andrews and Wilson, International bestselling author team

“Al Pessin is the perfect blend of Daniel Silva and Lee Child.”

—Dave Zeltserman, Shamus and Derringer Award-winning author

“Action, intrigue, and adventure—all wrapped up in extraordinary characters and a gripping story. Pessin has it all!”
—JD Allen, Award-winning author of the Sin City Investigation Series

“Al Pessin mixes a potent cocktail of political intrigue with high-octane action, and serves up a timely thriller that brings a pulse-pounding series to its satisfying conclusion.

—M.E. Browning, Award-winning author of the Jo Wyatt and Mer Cavallo mysteries

“Explosive. The emotional impact hits like a hand grenade.”

—Avanti Centrae, International bestselling author of the VanOps thriller series

“Shock Wave is an exciting, authentic and realistic thriller. I have run into most of the characters in real life as a reporter. I'm left with a feeling that this horrendous scenario could have actually unfolded, and perhaps it still can.”
—Mark Lavie, Middle East correspondent, author of Why Are We Still Afraid?

“Strap yourself in! The relentless tension takes off early in this fast-paced story. Al Pessin treats his subjects and their struggles with a delicacy and veracity true to his journalistic roots. And he deftly maneuvers his diverse, constantly shifting cast of well- crafted characters across the blood-spattered, shrapnel-littered landscapes of the Middle East. Shock Wave is military drama at its finest!”

—Carole Stivers, The Mother Code

“Shock Wave combines relentless action and nail-biting suspense with an up-close-and- personal look at the dedicated people and complicated forces behind today’s headlines. Al Pessin has done it again!”
—Bonnar Spring, Toward the Light

Blowback

“If your thing is adventure, political intrigue, suspense and action galore, then this is the thriller for you. Don't wait. Check it out. Now.”
—Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of the Cotton Malone thrillers

“Don't mess with the good guys. Reading Al Pessin’s Blowback is like saddling a rocket. Once it gets going, hang on for one helluva ride!”
—John Gilstrap, New York Times bestselling author of the award-winning Jonathan Grave thriller series

“Blowback is a realistic—and top-notch—boots-on-the-ground military thriller featuring the secret counterterrorism unit Task Force Epsilon. Author Al Pessin gives readers a front row seat as uber-resilient unit leader Bridget Davenport directs U.S. Army Lt. Faraz Abdallah on a harrowing undercover mission to the Syrian terrorist camps in pursuit of the elusive Taliban mastermind al-Souri. The pages will fly by as you draw closer to the heart-thumping, action-packed climax. Pessin really knows his stuff and Blowback proves it!”
—Alan Orloff, Thriller and Derringer Award–winning author of I Know Where You Sleep

“Blowback is a timely military thriller that pulls no punches. Al Pessin brings the war on terror to life as few authors can. Highly recommended for fans of Alex Berenson and Brad Thor.”
—Ward Larsen, USA Today bestselling author of Assassin’s Strike

"The blistering and bracing Blowback is a thinking man’s (or woman's!) action thriller, a scarily prescient take on current events that foretells the headlines instead of exploiting them. Al Pessin’s second entry in the Task Force Epsilon series conjures comparisons to James Rollins’s seminal Sigma Force in all the right ways, while staking out his own turf in a crowded landscape. A riveting and relentless read."
—Jon Land, USA Today bestselling author

“Original, action-packed, gripping and timely—Blowback kept me up all night. Al Pessin knows Washington and the war on terror. And Hollywood, take note, Al Pessin is the new Tom Clancy.”
—Tony Park, international bestselling author

“The literary world is so cluttered with action thrillers that it’s difficult to stand out in the crowd. But Al Pessin deftly manages to do just that in the brilliant Blowback. A former foreign correspondent, Pessin makes splendid use of that experience in crafting a thriller that’s a smooth and sultry mix of Brad Taylor and James Rollins. Solid in all respects as he lays claim to his own place in the genre.”

—The Providence Journal

Sandblast

“A rousing tale.”

—Financial Times

“Al Pessin escorts you through thrills and chaos, writing with the sure hand of authority. This guy knows his stuff.”
—Richard Castle, New York Times bestselling author of the Nikki Heat thrillers

“In Sandblast, Al Pessin has crafted a taut action-thriller that really pulls you in. You’ll feel like you’re right beside the main character, on an increasingly perilous journey filled with impossible choices that threaten to change him at his very core. The plot is highly original, and I felt like I was there. It’s a great book.”
—Henry V. O'Neil, author of the Sim War Series

"Sandblast is the definition of a terrific military thriller—straightforward, precise and devastating. This timely, realistic story—with its authentic and knowing voice and courageous main characters—propels readers to the peak of white-knuckled brinksmanship and will be awarded top marks by fans of Alex Berensen and Vince Flynn."
—Hank Phillippi Ryan, Mary Higgins Clark, Anthony, and five-time Agatha Award winner

“Sandblast is tense, believable and relevant. Pessin calls on his years in the Pentagon and White House press corps for the keen details that bring this tale to life. There’s a high emotional content here, too, as we follow the almost impossible quest of a likable and massively outgunned hero.”

—T. Jefferson Parker, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Good Guy

"So exciting and so terrifyingly realistic, you won’t be able to put it down. If you like complex international thrillers, keep Al Pessin on your short list of must-read authors."

—D. J. Niko, international bestselling author of the Sarah Weston Chronicles

"Sandblast is an aptly titled nail-biter of a thriller that opens at a pulse-rattling pace and only ratchets upwards from there. Al Pessin not only knows how to tell a story, but his journalistic background imbues this tale of an Afghan-American army officer infiltrating a terrorist organization with compelling authority."
—Les Standiford, author of Water to the Angels and many other books, director of the Creative Writing Program at Florida International University

“Al Pessin brings a lifetime of frontline experience to a novel that could have been taken from today's headlines. Utterly compelling and a cautionary tale for our times.”

—Retired Admiral James Stavridis, author, former dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts University, former commander of NATO forces and media commentator

“Sandblast vividly depicts a close-to-real scene [which] makes the story more entertaining, real and educating.”
—Ali Ahmad Jalali, author, former interior minister of Afghanistan and Afghan presidential candidate, distinguished professor at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA) at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.

“The author writes with incredible authenticity . . . exceptionally well plotted . . . complex and consistent . . . each chapter adds a new hook . . . the story will appeal to a broad range of readers. We met the people, felt their anxiety, sweated with them in their decision process. This is a deeper story than it appears . . . the inner turmoil of [the] protagonists propels the story. The reader is pulled along, seeing lives lived, lost, and changed. [Faraz] is a heroic character of sequel deserving merit.”

—Statement of the judges of the 2018 Royal Palm Literary Awards