Beyond All Measure

Blake MacKay #4

by Thom Tate, Henry Martin

In the frozen depths of the Arctic, the world's largest oil reserve lies waiting—and some will kill to claim it.

When scientist Richard Cathey discovers a game-changing energy source that could reshape global economics, he becomes a target. His sister Evelyn, a Canadian intelligence agent, must unravel a conspiracy that threatens to ignite an international powder keg. Alongside CIA operative Blake MacKay, she races to stop exiled Saudi Prince, Awadi Salib from drilling a reserve that could trigger a catastrophic environmental meltdown.

With mercenaries hunting them, political tensions escalating, and a thin layer of rock separating untapped oil from a massive magma chamber, Evelyn and Blake face an impossible prevent a drilling operation that could flood coastal cities and destabilize the planet—before it's too late.

A heart-stopping thriller that proves some discoveries are better left buried.

304 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2025

About the author

Thom Tate writes cinematic spy thrillers with the impact of blockbuster action. Fast, immersive, and charged with tension that keeps you turning pages long past midnight. His stories plunge readers into covert missions, shadow operations, and global conspiracies where every choice carries lethal consequences.

At the heart of his Covert World series is CIA operative Blake MacKay, often described as a blend of James Bond and Jason Bourne. Deadly, intelligent, and relentless.

Perfect for fans of Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, Tom Clancy, and Mark Greaney who crave high-stakes espionage fiction with authentic geopolitical depth.

Thom's upcoming prequel, Who Is Blake MacKay, arriving mid 2026, reveals the origin story readers have been waiting for.

Start the series with Intercept at tatescovertworld.com

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/author/thomtate

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond All Measure by Thom Tate is an absolute powerhouse of a thriller that grips you from the very first page and never lets go. Set against the stark, unforgiving backdrop of the Arctic, the story blends high-stakes science, global politics, and relentless action into a truly unforgettable read.

The plot is both thrilling and terrifyingly plausible, with a discovery that could reshape the world, and destroy it just as easily. The tension builds masterfully as Evelyn Cathey, a sharp and determined intelligence agent, teams up with the rugged CIA operative Blake MacKay to stop a disaster of unimaginable scale. Their dynamic adds emotional depth to an already explosive narrative.

Tate excels at creating vivid, cinematic scenes, from icy landscapes to pulse pounding confrontations. The pacing is flawless, balancing intense action with moments of intrigue and character development. Every twist feels earned, and the stakes keep escalating until the very end.

What sets this book apart is how it combines edge-of-your-seat suspense with thought-provoking themes about energy, power, and environmental consequences. It’s not just entertaining, it lingers with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

If you’re a fan of intelligent, high-octane thrillers, Beyond All Measure is a must-read. Easily one of the best in its genre, highly recommended!

[K M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was introduced to this book by a friend who couldn't stop raving about it, even though I hadn’t heard of the author before. Intrigued by their enthusiasm, I decided to give it a try, and I’m so glad I did! From the very first paragraphs, I was hooked; the
action was relentless and captivating.
The characters were exceptionally well-developed, making it easy to cheer for the hero and loathe the antagonist. The author's vivid descriptions created scenes that felt like I was watching a movie unfold before my eyes rather than simply reading a book.
After writing this review, I discovered that many others share my sentiments. Overall, this was an incredibly entertaining read that I found hard to put down. Each chapter ended with a cliffhanger, compelling me to dive straight into the next one.
Possible Spoiler Alert: Don’t assume you know how the story will unfold—there are plenty of twists, and characters you think are safe may not make it! This author isn’t shy about eliminating anyone at any moment.

This book was definitely worth the read, and I’m excited to explore more works from this talented author!

[Bluesman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my fourth foray into the Covert World of Blake McKay and the stakes are much higher this time around. What begins as a big money grab turns into a battle with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Blake is partnered with a CSIS operative who is involved for personal reasons that seem to get in the way of the mission progression from time to time, but only temporarily. The villain is a crazy mix of over the top evil with some next level bipolar mood swings happening. There’s also a scientist who is complicated and left me on the fence about how I thought of her, even at the end. There’s a real sense of “how are they going to get out of this” through the book and, in true Thom Tate fashion, puts you on a rollercoaster for the last quarter of the book that makes it so hard to put down. Needless to say, I found myself needing a breather after this one, but I’m looking forward to the next!

[Kristi Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable tale of evil men and brave women and men thwarting their plans to control the world.
It is well paced and the characters are interesting and captivating. The bad guy is a real jerk and everyone is solidly on the good guys side.
We have the CIA, the Canadien Secret Service and numerous other countries on the brink of World War III trying to decipher who is behind the various attacks on governments across the world.
I had a good time reading this book and highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys Bond movies or any spy thriller.

[Cherie Melbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new author to me and I enjoyed the story from the start, it's an absolute page turner. The story built & built & built and kept me wondering how good was going to overcome greed. Who needs sleep when there's a good story to read?
I'll gladly read more from this author.
I received a free advance review copy and I am voluntarily reading my honest review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

An oil reserve has been found in the Artic and so when he develops a new energy source. He becomes a target and his life will get more dangerous. See what is going to happen to everyone as they fight to keep the world safe
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and wow what a read

[Laurie A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually took my Kindle to work so I could read this on breaks, something I've never done before. The Arctic setting is brutal and atmospheric, and the environmental stakes feel terrifyingly plausible. Thom Tate has a way of drawing you in and holding you there.

[Priya Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thriller! The scope of this novel is ambitious: geopolitics, energy, environmental consequences, all unfolding at the edge of the world. But what stayed with me most was how the scale of the threat never overwhelms the people inside it.

[Isabelle Melo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blake MacKay and Evelyn Cathey are driven by purpose, not spectacle, which gives the story real momentum. The Arctic itself becomes a kind of antagonist. Cold, isolation, and inevitability press in on every decision.

[Abigal Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to put down once you pick it up. The drilling operation that could trigger catastrophic meltdown creates incredible tension. Tate does a fantastic job keeping you enthralled as the story develops.

[Michael D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The villain, Prince Awadi Salib, is ruthless and believable. His willingness to drill into a magma chamber just to claim the world's largest oil reserve shows the kind of greed that could actually end civilization.

[Mik Wasiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fun thriller a easy to get in to story

[Taylor Partezana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action packed!

A great book packed with intense fights, thrilling chases, and even some romance! Every action was vividly detailed! I would definitely recommend!!

[Ryan Hillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A overall good book.

[Shelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

What begins with a drone’s-eye view of international intrigue quickly loses altitude—and depth—until the story collapsed. It shows good promise it parts. it wasn't for me. If this were a submersible it imploded.