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Viper Island
Viper Island is a globe-spanning biotech thriller that follows former neurosurgeon-turned-covert-agent Molly Jones, now known as Amy Michaels, as she’s thrown into a high-stakes mission to protect a prominent philanthropist targeted by a shadowy assassin. The operation quickly unravels into a nightmarish hunt across Accra, Ghana, with deadly biological weapons, political intrigue, and military-level ambushes at every turn. From the glittering lights of a humanitarian gala to the gritty chaos of street markets and parking-lot shootouts, Moore delivers an adrenaline-packed story where the dangers are as invisible as they are deadly.
I had a blast reading this. Moore’s writing is fast and sharp, like a cinematic pulse running under every scene. The pacing is relentless, but it never feels exhausting. It just pulls you in deeper. The action scenes are slick and visceral, with an energy that made me grip the pages. There’s also real thought put into the science behind the threat. The DNA-targeting bioweapon isn’t just a sci-fi gimmick; it feels alarmingly plausible. But what really landed for me was Molly. She’s not some bulletproof superhero. She doubts. She hesitates. But she keeps moving, keeps protecting. That made her feel real, and someone I could root for.
The book walks a razor-thin line between thrilling and overwhelming. There were moments when the sheer amount of action and military chatter had me longing for a bit of quiet, just a second to breathe or reflect. And while the story is tight, I wanted more time with the team before chaos tore them apart. Still, those are small bumps in a ride that’s otherwise turbocharged. Moore isn’t just throwing grenades for the sake of noise—there’s real tension, clever plotting, and genuine emotion underneath all the shootouts and spy gear.
Viper Island is for readers who crave high-octane storytelling with just enough smarts to keep you thinking between heart-pounding moments. If you like James Rollins, Gregg Hurwitz, or early Vince Flynn, you’ll feel right at home here. It’s a wild, breathless run through the dark alleys of science, politics, and personal redemption. I’d recommend it to action lovers, thriller junkies, or anyone who wants to feel like they’re strapped to the side of a missile.
Pages: 400 | ASIN: B0FCLN3H8L
How Do You Identify Danger If You Are Never Scared?
Fearless follows a woman with the unique ability to not feel fear, who finds herself being wanted by China’s MSS to be turned into a weapon for their world domination. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Fearless is the second book in my Trident Force thriller series and is the continuation of the story of a covert taskforce called Trident, established to thwart threats to America from emerging technologies. The inspiration for the series came from my former day job, where I worked at a major scientific research organization which, in part, explored ways to commercialize emerging technologies.
I worked in risk management, which required an understanding of the risks posed by these emerging technologies. And there were many risks! My time there inspired the idea of a team created to combat these risks and led to the first book in the series, Dark Cure. The setup of Fearless was inspired by transcripts I came across while conducting research for the series, of an interview with a woman known only as “Y”. She is afflicted with the same condition as Molly Jones, a protagonist in Fearless. Only 400 people in recorded history are known to have had this condition, so the story of the challenges she has faced throughout her life and how she had to find ways to compensate for her lack of fear, was enthralling to me. “Y”’s identity has been kept secret because of how attractive she would be to medical researchers and entities who want to exploit her condition. The idea of how irresistible she would also be to Trident and other, more insidious entities, inspired Fearless.
Molly is an intriguing character that has to balance her lack of fear with her moral compass. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I was captivated by the real-life story of “Y”, and how her rare brain condition has impacted her life. Her lack of fear is a curse, not a blessing as some might think. Being unable to feel fear means her body does not have the normal fight or flight response, which has placed her in considerable danger many times. I really explored this with Molly. How would someone survive with no physiological fear response? How would they identify danger if they were never scared? How would they compensate for this lack of fear in order to get though life unscathed? I investigated these questions in detail as I developed Molly’s character which took me in some surprising directions as I wrote Fearless!
I also looked at other ways in which “Y”’s personality has been affected by her condition, as I developed Molly’s character. One unique side effect that particularly drove Molly’s character was recklessness. In Molly’s case, this character trait had some tragic outcomes that influenced her outlook on life and where she fits in the world. It also defines her interactions in Fearless with Karl Shepherd, a former U.S. Army Ranger in charge of the Trident team. The dynamic between this volatile duo and how their relationship evolves, became one of the most enjoyable things about writing Fearless!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The dangers posed by emerging technologies–in the wrong hands–is one of the key themes I am exploring with my Trident Force series. Major advances in biotechnology in particular have significant benefits to society–but can also be weaponized. In Fearless, the mapping of the human genome is harnessed to create a most unique biological weapon.
Espionage is another key theme I explore in Fearless. Emerging technology is big business and the new arms race of the twenty-first century. The lengths to which certain individuals, entities and superpowers will go to get their hands on valuable, paradigm-shifting technologies, is a driving theme in Fearless and in my Trident Force series.
What is the next book in the Trident Force series that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am currently working on the third book in the Trident Force series. It involves the Trident team racing to stop a unique assassin harnessing futuristic technology against the U.S President’s inner circle. In doing so, they uncover a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of U.S political power and has global implications.
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After saving his daughter’s life by making a breakthrough medical discovery, Dr. Karl Shepherd works for Trident, a covert organization that counters threats to America from emergent technologies.
He encounters Molly Jones, a unique woman who is incapable of feeling fear. But, her “gift” leads to excessive risk-taking, which costs her career as a neurosurgeon. Little does she know that her rare ability is desired by the MSS, China’s Ministry of State Security. The MSS has built capabilities to transform someone into a bioweapon that can annihilate towns and assassinate political leaders.
In a race against time, Shepherd and Molly must risk everything to thwart China’s plans. But, can Shepherd trust Molly? Her lack of fear can be manipulated by the very evil that wants to destroy them.
If they fail, the entire world will be overcome by terror.
Shepherd must face the ultimate choice…trust his instincts to avoid getting killed or risk his life to follow a woman who knows no fear.
Fearless
Fearless is a gripping thriller that masterfully combines elements of science, espionage, and the human psyche. The book’s premise, centered around Dr. Karl Shepherd and Molly Jones, immediately captures the reader’s attention as it dives into the world of covert operations and the thin line between heroism and recklessness.
The author crafts a captivating narrative that takes readers on a roller-coaster ride, exploring the depths of human emotions. The character of Molly Jones, with her ability to feel no fear, is both fascinating and frightening. Her character development is handled deftly, allowing readers to understand and empathize with her as she grapples with her unique gift.
Dr. Karl Shepherd, a dedicated scientist and father is also a well-crafted character. As he and Molly join forces, their dynamic challenges the reader to consider the balance between trust and self-preservation. The antagonist in the novel, China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), serves as a formidable and sinister opponent. The MSS’s plan to weaponize Molly’s unique ability is terrifying and provides ample suspense throughout the book. The author’s portrayal of geopolitics and emerging technologies lends an air of authenticity to the overall story and was something I really enjoyed.
Fearless is a fast-paced and action-packed thriller that does not shy away from exploring moral dilemmas and the consequences of one’s actions. The author’s writing style is engaging, and the twists and turns in the plot keep the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end. Fearless is a must-read for fans of espionage thrillers and intellectually-stimulating stories that delve into the complexities of human nature. With its gripping narrative, well-developed characters, and exploration of emergent technologies, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on its readers.
Pages: 372 | ASIN: B0C43H6CGJ
LITERARY TITAN 