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Free. Scot Harvath parachutes onto supertanker Sienna Star taken over by Somali pirates "skinners" to rescue hostages.

20 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 11, 2013

1490 people are currently reading
3885 people want to read

About the author

Brad Thor

44 books7,280 followers
BRAD THOR is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-five thrillers, including EDGE OF HONOR, SHADOW OF DOUBT, BLACK ICE (ThrillerFix Best Thriller of the Year), NEAR DARK (one of Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of the Year), BACKLASH (nominated for the Barry Award for Best Thriller of the Year), SPYMASTER (“One of the all-time best thriller novels” —The Washington Times), THE LAST PATRIOT (nominated Best Thriller of the Year by the International Thriller Writers Association), and BLOWBACK (one of the “Top 100 Killer Thrillers of All Time” —NPR).

EDGE OF HONOR is on sale now. For more information, visit BradThor.com.

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5 stars
2,331 (40%)
4 stars
2,084 (36%)
3 stars
1,013 (17%)
2 stars
205 (3%)
1 star
97 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
Profile Image for Tim.
2,474 reviews322 followers
February 29, 2020
Too short and quick to get a good feel. 5 of 10 stars
Profile Image for Henry.
843 reviews60 followers
January 10, 2021
A prequel to Hidden Order with a cliffhanger ending. Don't read unless you are going to follow ith Hidden Order.
Profile Image for Charles  van Buren.
1,908 reviews293 followers
June 1, 2016
No conclusion

This really is a prelude rather than a short story as it does not reach a conclusion. Well written as expected but of little interest unless you plan to buy the book.
Profile Image for Michelle.
464 reviews19 followers
June 28, 2013
Very short - just enough to whet the appetite of this fan of spy thrillers...and it worked! Can't wait till Hidden Order comes out!
Profile Image for Karie.
479 reviews25 followers
April 29, 2019
Good action but SUPER short. As we just started Hidden Order, I'm curious to see how much value this actually ads to the story.
Profile Image for Al Macy.
Author 26 books152 followers
Read
December 18, 2019
Warning: This is only about fifteen minutes of reading followed by a preview for another book. I wouldn't mind if that had been clearly stated in the blurb.
Profile Image for John.
771 reviews4 followers
January 1, 2021
Read this as part of the house cup. This short story was great. Maybe because Thor can change up the writing style because of this format. It was action-packed, fresh, and had me going from beginning to end. It's short so there is not much else needed.
Profile Image for SteVen Hendricks.
667 reviews30 followers
January 27, 2024
ebook Review - Free Fall Short Story - Brad Thor
Brad Thor’s “Free Fall” is a prelude ‘teaser’ to his 11th thriller entitled, “Hidden Order.” Scot Harvath parachutes onto a supertanker taken over by Somali pirates to rescue hostages. Extremely vivid writing by Thor on this heroically intense scene. Surprisingly very exciting and well paced for a very short story. Free Fall is a fast moving, decisive, no holds barred by Scot Harvath on his mission and on his game quick read. Like an appetizer prior to a great meal, Free Fall is a must read before reading the full novel Hidden Order. Brad Thor can't write a bad book, even if it's very short. This is a “Wow” short story…
Profile Image for Anne Patkau.
3,692 reviews68 followers
September 15, 2013
http://books.simonandschuster.com/Fre...#
Scot Harvath parachutes onto supertanker Sienna Star taken over by Somali pirates "skinners". Momentum slows for slang and background - "sit rep" for situation report really needs definition? The company of Reed Carlton, former CIA anti-terrorist expert, needs this contract. Better back to action. First man down injured, sneak-by, slug-fast, shoot-down. If the captain needs to be rescued, this is one scary mission.
4 reviews1 follower
November 9, 2014
Not a free book!

Free Fall is a single chapter from another book you have to buy...so it's basically a ripoff if you think you're getting a complete book free. I buy many Kindle books but not this one.
Profile Image for Greg Chesser.
245 reviews4 followers
June 29, 2013
Brad Thor is a jerk! A fast and intense short 20 page story that ends with a cliffhanger from hell.
Now I have to get Hidden Order to find out what happens next.
Profile Image for Mike.
664 reviews8 followers
July 9, 2013
Very good teaser for Hidden Order, which is supposed to come out on July 9, 2013. I have read all Brad Thor's books, and have enjoyed them all.
Profile Image for Joan.
2,860 reviews52 followers
September 22, 2021
Review of eBook

Reed Carlton, the former Central Intelligence Agency operative who created that organization’s counterterrorism center, now heads The Carlton Group, a private intelligence and counterterrorism organization. And, thanks to a disastrous previous mission, he now finds himself in need of business. So he agrees to a mission to rescue the crew of the supertanker “Sierra Star,” currently being held hostage by a group of Somali pirates.

On a moonless night, Scot Harvath, Matt Sanchez, Pat Kass, and John Dean parachute onto the deck of the “Sienna Star” to rescue the crew. All proceeds relatively smoothly until they discover that the pirates have separated the crew . . . and they must recover the entire crew.

Will they succeed in their mission?

First, readers should be aware that this is a prequel, a short but action-packed introduction to the characters and the evolving story of “Hidden Order.” It’s no secret that “Free Fall” is neither a complete book nor a complete story. It says so, right in the title.

Following “Free Fall,” readers will find the prologue and the first three chapters of “Hidden Order” in which Claire Marcourt becomes a victim in some as-yet-unnamed operation while case officer Lydia Ryan finds herself in a troubling position. And the story of Scot Harvath and the rescue team continues as they work to complete their mission.

“Free Fall” begins with a tension-filled opening and never lets up. The undercurrent of tension running throughout the telling of the tale serves to keep the reader on edge as the unfolding action-filled story races along. A strong sense of place and believable, nuanced characters draw the reader into the narrative while surprises and plot twists continue to ramp up the suspense. It’s a power-packed introduction to an electrifying thriller.

Recommended.
202 reviews1 follower
June 24, 2024
#1 in my moratorium

short stories! aaaaggghhh!!! writers of America, hear me please. I am hereby the unofficial spokeswoman of all whole ebook lovers. short stories might be a popular marketing ploy, but they're sort of like watching the first fifteen seconds of a potentially great movie, only to have the credits show up where the next chapter should be...! yuck! I don't care how good you are at your craft; it's your fans you're shortsheeting. your Scott Horvath and his wing man, sanchez, might be one kick butt team of mercenaries, but short stories, not even complete short stories yet with the requisite parts all stories should have, as in a beginning, middle and end, instead have only the first three chapters and then right about b the time the coaster car reaches the top of the first hill, the whole superstructure simply disappears and the reader is left wondering what he or she did to piss the author off! please, please, please find another gimmick to tickle your fan fancies with. I have read 335 James Patterson books, more than 150 of Clive cussler's, and tons more of grisham, child, koontz, peretti, herzog, etc. and they were longer than 52 pages! I came back time and again because they convinced me they could write books worth letting the dishes pile up and the laundry basket overflow or even missing perfectly good sleep time just to binge on the sheer pleasure and treasure of a well written tale. capiche? oh, and while I'm barnstorming, please also avoid that other publisher's tomfoolery and leave the co-authors to learn how to write their own good books. we out here in Fanland read you because we like YOU, and we don't need another cook to spoil your broth!
1,615 reviews2 followers
January 16, 2022
A very short prelude to Hidden Order, Free Fall is a fast moving, decisive, no holds barred Scot Horvath on his mission and on his game.

My Thor reading has been all over the place since I actually started with Foreign Influence (Horvath #9) 12 years ago. Since then. I've been catching up the previous books while reading new books as they've been released. I think #16, Use of Force is the only one left. Consequently, I read Hidden Order before its prelude, Free Fall. Never the less, I enjoyed it as I enjoyed all the Horvath books. Someday I may even read them again . . . in order.

4 Stars
Profile Image for Freda Mans-Labianca.
1,294 reviews122 followers
July 25, 2018
What an exciting little read!
It was my first time reading a book from Brad Thor, and I loved the subject matter. Who wouldn't enjoy an espionage thriller with Somali pirates? I know I did, and it also made me want to read more from the author. I even may start this series right, since this novella is #11.5 in the series, but I didn't know that when I sat to read it. I don't think it mattered anyway. I don't feel like I missed out on anything previously so it's all good.
41 reviews
October 2, 2024
Free Fall is a short, adrenaline-fueled installment in the Scott Harvath universe that packs a punch despite its brief length. Thor masterfully delivers fast-paced action, high-stakes tension, and a glimpse into Harvath’s deadly efficiency. Though short, it doesn’t compromise on suspense or intensity, offering a thrilling experience for fans of the series. It’s a perfect quick read for those wanting a dose of classic Harvath action in a condensed format.
11 reviews
January 6, 2020
Way too short to be worthwhile. Good action, no insight into character or plot. Appears to be a marketing ploy more than a real story. Excerpts for follow on book longer than the short. Very disappointed for cost of book.
14 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2020
I rated this 2 stars only because I wanted more. It was a nice way for me to get a feel of how Brad Thor writes. So I did go right out and download his first book The Lions of Lucerne. Will let you know how that turns out once I’ve finished it.
1,442 reviews4 followers
April 27, 2021
I am not the biggest fan of the short stories in these prelude, I just feel they might as well put it in the book. In saying that, I’ve read every book in this series and I did not read this prelude yet and it was a quick interesting read.
22 reviews
April 10, 2022
FRUSTRATING & IRRITATING…

ALL these damned exciting books end abruptly without a closure!!! I don’t understand!!! Maybe I should find an author that knows how to complete a book!!!
NoshirHooty.
245 reviews1 follower
January 12, 2023
Whoa

Ex navy seals contacted to overthrow Somali pirates that took over a ship. The owner given a win-win solution to his problem. If the seals don't succeed, he doesn't have to pay them.
This prequel, while short, has a lot of action.
Profile Image for Andrew Brooks.
616 reviews18 followers
September 4, 2023
If you love ACTION, Even Nonsense...

I suspected this was going to be another ACTION novel, with no attention paid to plot. I was right; it just didn't spin up to a believable story.
I made it only a small percentage into it before I had to give up.
943 reviews7 followers
June 13, 2017
The book had action and suspense but a bit too much killing for me. I realize this is a prelude to a book and the author needed to hook the reader but it's too much for me.
Profile Image for Jason.
2,340 reviews11 followers
July 4, 2017
I love reading of Scott Harvaths' adventures-full length or short.
3 reviews
September 14, 2017
Great read

it left me wanting more. Well written and engaging this action packed short is top notch. Can't wait to start the next one.
Profile Image for Wendy Jones.
26 reviews
February 21, 2018
An interesting concept to write a short prequel to a novel and then offer it for free. I was planning on reading the book itself, so this short was a good introduction.
29 reviews
May 9, 2018
Brad Thor is awesome

I have read several of Thor’s books and enjoyed them. I now want to read them in order so I have not missed anything!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews

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