Blog Archives
An “Unseen” Enemy
Unseen: Evil Lurks Among Us follows a rookie homicide detective as he investigates a string of murders in Washington, DC and uncovers a vigilante killer and a terrorist conspiracy. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I spent most of my career as a special agent hunting terrorists around the world. I wanted to create a thriller that dealt with real threats, so I wrote about infiltration and subversion by radical Islamists. The plot of Unseen is fictional, but the tactics terrorists employed in my novel are actually happening in the United States today. They truly are an “unseen” enemy fighting what they call Civilization Jihad.
My wife, Cynthia Farahat, is one of the world’s leading experts on radical Islam. She has a nonfiction book coming out about the Muslim Brotherhood, and it will create a huge stir. I relied heavily on her scholarship when I wrote Unseen. In my novel, I discuss the Muslim Brotherhood’s role as the wellspring of modern Islamic terrorism. Most people don’t know that organization is behind almost every Islamic terror group from al-Qaeda to Hamas. I highly recommend people order Cynthia’s brilliant book, The Secret Apparatus, which will launch in March 2022.
Malachi Wolf is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Thank you for that compliment. I try to make my characters complex, because people are complicated, and two-dimensional fictional characters don’t hold my attention as a reader or as a writer.
Malachi was earning his doctorate in economics when terrorists killed his father in the Boston Marathon bombing, and that changed the trajectory of Malachi’s life. He joined the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, in an attempt to stop evil from ruining other people’s lives. He’s brilliant, and he uses tools from behavioral economics to help him solve crimes, but he is riddled with self-doubt. Does he have what it takes to be a homicide detective or is he just an academic playing cop?
Malachi’s wife left him when he became a police officer, and he deals with missing his children and a severe health issue that limits the time he can be a cop—a ticking clock on his career. He catches his first homicide, and one death turns into a string of murders. Malachi races to stop a killer and expose a terrorist conspiracy before time runs out.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Unseen explores two major themes. The first them is radical Islamic infiltration of the media, academia, entertainment industry, and government. This has been happening for decades in the West, and members of terrorist groups have lobbied congress and advised presidents. It’s a very real threat. The second theme is vigilantism. Is it ever justified? What if the rule of law no longer exists? If infiltration undermines the criminal justice system, can extralegal means be used to fight evil? It’s a fascinating moral and ethical question.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My agent has submitted two books to publishers. The first, Blood and Powder, is a nonfiction account of my journey from the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 to fighting terrorism around the world. Battling bureaucrats and terrorists, a special agent pushes DEA into war and makes the first narco-terrorism arrest—forever changing how terrorists are prosecuted. It’s Blackhawk Down meets The Good Soldiers.
The second book out on submission is Shaking, a small-town murder mystery. Struggling with bipolar disorder, Emily Miller lands her dream job as a reporter and returns to her New England hometown, but when her brother becomes a suspect in a gruesome murder, she must identify the killer to save her family, her job, and her life. It’s Sharp Objects meets The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair.
I’m currently editing The Forever Game, a techno-thriller that deals with murder, conspiracy, and life-extending technology. I hope to have it finished in a few months. Thanks for your interest in my writing.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon | BookBub
After his father’s murder, Malachi abandoned his economics doctorate to become a police officer and protect the innocent. Now, he must solve his first homicide to prove himself worthy of the badge. Austin grew up in a strict religious home, with an abusive father who taught him to solve problems with violence, so when an Islamist infiltrator murders Austin’s girlfriend, he seeks revenge the only way he knows how. The body count grows as Malachi hunts the brutal assassin and unearths a sinister scheme that threatens the country. The former academic seeking justice and a vigilante set on revenge travel on a collision course-two men fighting evil by different means. Can Malachi stop the murders and expose the plot before the streets run with blood?
Unseen
![Unseen: Evil Lurks Among Us by [Jeffrey James Higgins]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41lmACuXizL.jpg)
Unseen, Evil Lurks Among Us, is a gripping thriller written by Jeffery James Higgins. The novel has a strong line up of characters, an interesting plot and enough action to keep the reader glued to the book.
There are two main characters in this story, Malachi and Austin; the traditional hero and villain. Rookie Homicide Detective Malachi is a former economics academic, turned detective after the death of his father in the Boston Marathon bombing. Austin is a man hell-bent on revenge after he lost his girlfriend at the hands of an Islamist infiltrator. An ex-solider, he plots his revenge whilst keeping up his appearance as an innocent bachelor who lives with his beloved dog Sophie. These are complex characters, as both show that they have both good characteristics and traits, as well as more disturbing aspects to their personalities. At times both fight their own inner demons. These two characters are well developed and are supported by a range of minor characters including a girlfriend, children, an ex-wife and friends and colleagues. Although they aren’t as well developed, all the minor characters are an integral part of the story.
Unseen, Evil Lurks Among Us is set in present day Washington. Higgins draws the readers into the story by describing the setting in detail. Opening the story with a scene in a bar, the action moves quickly to the outdoors, where even the oppressive humidity is described. Numerous sounds, sights and smells are described throughout the novel, as the story unfolds across various parts of Washington.
This is a fast-paced thriller that follows the typical structure, but the story is told from two points of view (Malachi and Austin’s). It starts with an action packed first chapter, with numerous clues and red herrings. Jam packed full of adventure; it keeps the readers guessing right until the end!
Unseen, Evil Lurks Among Us is a fast paced and enthralling novel. The characters are well developed and interesting, and the storyline, while complex, is still easy to follow. But most importantly for this genre, the plot just keeps you guessing with many twists and turns along the way.
Pages: 377 | ASIN: B09BLN26MG
Hidden Demon
Hidden Demon by Fish Phillips is a fast-paced crime thriller following Dee Johnson, a US Secret Service Agent who is shot in the line of duty, while trying to save the president of the United States. While healing from the wound, Dee learns she’s fired. The account of Dee going from government agent to civilian life becomes more complicated when she learns a comrade and superior sabotaged her career, and then cold-heartedly fired her. Now Dee needs to restructure her life for the civilian world and heal not only from a gunshot wound but from the betrayal of a trusted friend.
Author Fish Phillips cleverly hides the demon among friends. He creates a military bond of secret service agents who trust each other explicitly. The action is gritty and hard-hitting, and the reader never suspects a mole among the group of trusted comrades because the characters all feel authentic.
This is a detailed and fast moving political thriller woven with realistic action and dialogue. The novel begins in Japan, 2044, as an unsuccessful Secret Service mission is underway, where many soldiers die, and Dee is wrongly held accountable. Dee returns to Washington DC where she accepts another mission, but this time it’s a covert op. This request comes from a phone call straight from the President. I loved the setup to the missions and deep political intrigue embedded in the story because I always felt the importance of their missions, which ensures readers are completely invested in the characters and the storyline.
The narrative is concise and consistently moving forward. This is quite a lean novel, with a solid understanding of the path its forging for readers. However, though the novel is packed with exciting scenes, it took me a few chapters to get a grasp on what was going on because of the fast pace, but I’m sure other readers will enjoy how quickly things move.
Hidden Demon has readers questioning everything in this exciting action-adventure novel. Fans of complex but well conceived plots that come together in entertaining ways will have plenty to enjoy in this slick thriller.
Pages: 346 | ISBN: 9781733865630
I Opted For Revenge
24 Hours to Doomsday follows a veteran SAS Sergeant who’s out for revenge when a terrorist group kills his wife. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I was looking for a very powerful emotional core to my story so I opted for revenge as that is a strong motivation. Many films and books have used this e.g. the ‘Death Wish’ series of films and their many imitations. More recently, the ‘Taken’ films used this theme and they were very successful at the box office. My first two novels had a sci-fi element but this time I had a rule that everything in the book had to be scientifically plausible and set in the real world so it features a drone attack on London and a terrorist carrying an explosive charge inside his body, things which the Intelligence Services have always feared.
Rick is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Almost everyone has suffered at the hands of criminals at some point in their lives and we have all thought of revenge. But most people don’t act out these fantasies because they are civilised people and also don’t have the necessary skills or weapons. In the case of Rick he is a highly experienced former soldier in the SAS with all the necessary skills, including unarmed combat and weapons training, to wreak havoc on his opponents and get away with it.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One theme was that terrorists are not reasonable people and can only be defeated by military action. At the same time, I have gone into a lot of detail about why the terrorists act the way they do and I have attempted to explain their behaviour without condoning it. At the same time, I have charted Rick’s personal journey. He experiences a terrible trauma – the death of his wife- just two years after his first wife died – but overcomes a series of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, saves the world and finds lasting happiness with a new love.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next book will be a direct sequel to ’24 Hours to Doomsday’ and continues Rick’s story. I will start this book later this year so it should be available sometime in 2022.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
As he gets closer to the gang, he learns about ‘Operation Armageddon’, their plan to wipe out most of humanity. The pressure intensifies. Can he, with the help of the British Armed Forces, thwart the terrorists’ evil scheme and save the world? Will he ever find happiness again?
Find out in this highly-charged political, terrorist thriller that’s filled with twists and turns, military action and many heart-in-the-mouth moments to keep you engrossed.
Literary Titan Book Awards September 2021
The Literary Titan Book Awards are awarded to books that have astounded and amazed us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original ideas. These books deserve extraordinary praise and we are proud to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and imagination of these talented authors.
Gold Award Winners
Silver Award Winners
La Florida by James D. Snyder
My Hidden Fear by Luan Nguyen
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Phantoms of the Shah
![Phantoms of the Shah by [Dana Duthie]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/413j0fvLOeL.jpg)
After writing masterpiece war thrillers like Dark Rain and Tremble, Colonel Dana Duthie brings us yet another riveting adventure in the life of pilot Brad Mitchell. This time, much of the action takes place in the Iranian airspace at the time when the Shah is in exile and seeking asylum in America for a medical condition. A U.S. Air Force squadron of F-4 Phantoms is deployed to Shiraz Air Base in Iran to train the Iranian Air Force (IAF) to fly the jets that they have purchased from the U.S.
However, things get hot after an American spy is captured by the Ayatollahs, who have grown in power. He is mysteriously extracted from the prison, and all hell starts to break loose. It is time for the U.S.A.F. to leave Iran. But things get complicated and difficult decisions need to be made, much to the enjoyment of the reader.
One of the jets is left behind and needs engine replacement. In the meantime, 14 Americans are held hostage by the opposition forces. This has eerie parallels to real life where we see the Taliban taking over Afghanistan and taking over old military equipment as the U.S. leaves the country. Our hero Brad Mitchell accompanies the Tango Team in the rescue mission. But once again, the operation is compromised as the Secretary of State Bob Taggart is seduced by a young Washington Post reporter. This complex web of relationships, that stretch across the globe, is something that author Dana Duthie excels at. This story does a great job of balancing human drama with tactical military action.
The story has tons of fighter pilot jargon, which firmly places readers within the unique world, but sometimes blunts momentum where we have to take in explanations of what it all means. But I’m sure readers who love to immerse themselves in the details of military procedures will have plenty of depth to dig through in this story.
Phantoms of the Shah gives longtime fans of author Dana Duthie more of the same military fiction they’ve come to enjoy. I would have liked a bit more action throughout the story, but otherwise I think this is a thrilling military adventure story that feels real, pays attention to details, and keeps the tension and intrigue high.
Pages: 239 | ASIN: B08QDSDK5K
Tremble
![Tremble by [Dana Duthie]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/419FvLOLtSL.jpg)
Tremble is yet another well-written, action-packed novel by Dana Duthie. Things get hot in North Korea this time after Kim Jong Un kidnaps seven UN weapons inspectors at a suspected nuclear site, Yongbyon. Melanie Lee Han, a CIA Agent, accompanies the SEAL Team in the hostage rescue mission into the most hostile territory in the world. The mission fails, and all hell breaks loose. The American Air Force comes to their rescue, but Brad Mitchell is shot down, and he ends up joining Melanie on the ground. They make it to the extraction point, but they still have one last face-off before they could make it back home.
Tremble is the prequel to the author’s previous action thriller, Dark Rain. We get to know the protagonists better here, especially Melanie. It must be a coincidence that her father was shot down the same way as Brad in North Korea. The author takes the reader back and forth in the time, providing interesting flashbacks that provide more context to the story. There are few other characters in Tremble which we can find in Dark Rain as well and it creates a nostalgic effect on the readers, at least it did for me.
The events that unfold in the White House Situation Room are stimulating and build a level of intrigue that I enjoyed. The US President Robert Madigan does justice to his role as Commander in Chief with decisive actions to protect the American citizens in the Korean Peninsula. At the same time, the bureaucratic role of the State Secretary is portrayed as that of a salesperson hopelessly trying to sell her ideas to the President.
Dana Duthie’s Tremble deserves a big 5-star rating as he has taken great care in keeping the military and pilot jargon to a minimum, making sure this action adventure novel can easily be read by anyone. This time around we spend less time in the cockpit of the fighter jets and more time with Melanie and Brad on the ground, which provides a more human connection in an otherwise action packed story.
Tremble is relentlessly entertaining and filled with high stakes action that makes this novel a must read for the summer.
Pages: 282 | ASIN: B08QDWJVW5
Dark Rain
![Dark Rain by [Dana Duthie]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41K4XrqeHUL._SY346_.jpg)
Dark Rain is an exciting terrorist thriller written by former Air Force Pilot, Dana Duthie. The story opens up with the protagonist, Col. Brad Mitchell “Conan” flying in his F-16 along with his wingman who turns out to be an impersonator. At the same time, a series of similar “Starkville” penetration unfold at different parts of the States, including a failed attempt to bring down the White House. The investigation into the “Starkville” families reveals Barak El-Kamani as the main handler who is pulling all the strings.
Duthie has expertly utilized his twenty-four years of Air Force experience to paint a realistic picture of military operations with a detailed account of events, from the cockpit of the fighter jet to the White House Situation Room. The author has given a great deal of attention to character development as well. President McDivitt’s role remains refreshing throughout the operation. The Washington Post reporter portrays the tendency of media to go to any ends to get the news. The chapters are brief but very engaging, rarely losing focus on the action and events that are propelling this story forward. The chapters are organized according to the place where the events unfold. This allows the reader to understand the full scope of the story. Which is vital because this is a global story with far reaching effects. The riveting action in the story reminds me of the movie Top Gun, but mixed with the intrigue of Robert Ludlum novels.
Dark Rain is both a novel and an encyclopedia at the same time. The author has included a plethora of military and fighter pilot jargon which is likely to be a delight to any military enthusiast. While the beginning half of the book sets up the larger storyline, the ending half of the book is filled with thrilling action and combat. For anyone with a military background, especially the Air Force, Dark Rain is a goldmine.
Dark Rain is a captivating military thriller that takes readers around the globe and places them in the middle of some high stakes world politics that ensures there’s rarely a dull moment in this suspenseful action novel.
Pages: 330 | ISBN: 1645509699
LITERARY TITAN 