The Marked Son

Chase Burke #2

by Simon Gervais, Ryan Steck

In another high-stakes installment of the Chase Burke series, the oncoming collision between a sleeper network, a rogue operative, and a rising political star threatens the world as he knows it.

As sleeper cells activate and political pressure mounts, Chase Burke confronts the possibility that the woman he loves may be a pawn—or willing participant—in a deadly campaign of foreign influence.

It’s been months since brothers Chase and Michael Burke began their covert war against FATHOM, the underground network bent on global political manipulation. Months of false starts and stalled leads. Then a routine operation in Jersey City explodes into chaos, exposing a level of coordination neither the former soldier nor the seasoned federal agent ever could have imagined.

Meanwhile, another power play kicks into gear. The shadowy Project XIII sets its sights on Congresswoman Tanya Hemsworth, the promising up-and-comer, national hero…and woman Chase is in love with. And while he may not know the secrets of her past, Tanya’s future now stands fully at risk.

With global tensions rising and danger looming, Chase, Michael, and the NYPD team up to pinpoint the connection between FATHOM, Project XIII, and Tanya. And as the plot against America’s politics thickens, Chase not only fights for his country—he races to save the ones he loves most, no matter what they’ve done.

362 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 10, 2026

About the author

Simon Gervais is a former federal agent specializing in protective operations and counterterrorism. He spent nearly twenty years in the military and in law enforcement. His assignments took him all over Europe and the Middle East. He's the New York Times and #1 Amazon bestselling author of 15 exciting thrillers, one of these titles—Robert Ludlum's The Blackbriar Genesis—was written for the Robert Ludlum estate. Simon's Clayton White series is presently being adapted for TV by CBS Studios with Jerry Bruckheimer TV attached to produce.

Simon lives with his wife and two children. He's an avid boater, diver, and skier.

Literary Agent: Mark Tavani at David Black Agency.
Film/TV Agent: Debbie Deuble-Hill and Alec Frankel at APA.

The Caspian Anderson series:
THE ELIAS NETWORK (Sept 2024)
THE ELIAS ENIGMA (July 2025)
THE ELIAS CONSPIRACY (July 2026)

The Chase Burke series (co-written with Ryan Steck):
THE SECOND SON (December 2025)
THE MARKED SON (November 2026)

Robert Ludlum's THE BLACKBRIAR GENESIS written by Simon Gervais (October 18, 2022)

The Clayton White series:
THE LAST PROTECTOR (November 2021)
THE LAST SENTINEL (August 2022)
THE LAST GUARDIAN (October 2023)

The Pierce Hunt series
HUNT THEM DOWN (January 2019)
TRAINED TO HUNT (September 2019)
TIME TO HUNT (November 2020)

The Mike Walton series:
THE THIN BLACK LINE (March 2015)
A LONG GRAY LINE (Novella—March 2016)
A RED DOTTED LINE (November 2017)
A THICK CRIMSON LINE (April 2018)

"[An] action-packed series launch by Simon Gervais..." —Publishers Weekly

"One of the most anticipated action thrillers of the year..." —The Real Book Spy

"Gervais is a thriller writer to watch..." —Library Journal

"An action-packed thrill ride with plot twists around nearly every curve" — Kirkus Reviews

Reviews

[Abibliofob]

Simon Gervais and Ryan Steck is two authors I have been reading for a number of years now. The Marked Son is their second adventure into the life and world of Chase Burke. This series is not only about political threats and high speed action it's also about the life of Chase and his friends and family, oh, and wine. I think that is Simon who writes the wine parts. IYKYK. I haven't read everything by Steck, I only read his Matthew Redd series but I have read everything by Gervais and so far I have never been dissapointed. They are really great storytellers, sadly I can't read every book that is printed. I do love this series and I can tell you that it's not all happy endings, or is it? We will have to wait for the third book to find out. It's as I expected well written and it keeps you reading way past your bedtime. I must thank Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for letting me read this advance copy.

[John]

I found this book to be better than the 1st. Chase, Michael, and Alice are chasing down leads for a suspected sleeper terror cell, with bits of info. to lead them in the right direction. Very good storyline, sketchy cast of character's, and with inevitable plot twists. The end kinda blew me away (already waiting for the 3rd book) Major CLIFFHANGER to The End! Not many authors write one and done books anymore. Reading the 1st book will set the scene for this one.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC and the book release is Nov. 10th.

[The Page Judge]

I was excited for this novel, having enjoyed The Second Son last year. And was not disappointed.
The Marked Son continues the story of Chase Burke soon after the events of The Second Son. He is on a task force with his brother and Alice Doyle to uncover the group FATHOM.
Meanwhile, his new girlfriend, Congresswoman Tanya Hemsworth, is having some past secrets come to light and is given a warning of an upcoming terrorist event in New York.
Chase, Michael and Alice all jump into action, confirming the event is going to happen and then working to thwart it.

This novel is what we have come to expect from both Gervais and Steck. Lots of action, great writing, memorable characters and a story that is both gripping and all-to-possible. With characters that are not superhuman, but more real and understandable, you are absorbed into the story, hoping that good will triumph.
This is an excellent follow-up to The Second Son and the real beginnings of a great series. One I will definitely keep reading.

[Doug Yonce]

Excellent sequel about brothers and their escapades. You'd almost think the authors were brothers as well since the story is so seamless. The political insight and the spy craft of the protagonists is fully on display. I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.

[Jeff]

WARNING: If you have not read the first book in this series, “The Second Son”, you need to do so before reading this book. Can this book be a stand-alone book? Yep, but trust me, you don’t want to do that. I found the audiobook cheap and listened to “The Second Son” and it was worth it.

Okay. Some of you are going to heed my warning but still read this review. I will try to write it so it doesn’t spoil anything from the first book.

The opening of this book plays out like the opening of a James Bond film. It is so well done by the authors. And honestly, for the most part, it doesn’t really slow down too much. There are a few dips just to catch your breath, but then it goes right back to the action. Each scene is bigger than the last. If this isn’t turned into a show on a streaming service or a summer blockbuster movie series, then what are we doing?

Chase, although he is trying his best to stay clear of trouble and just focus on his blossoming relationship, continues to be drug right back into the thick of things.

There were moments in this novel that I could swear I could hear the clock from the show “24” ticking. Each tick driving my heartrate up a notch.

And the ending of this book…

Read “The Second Son” and then quickly join in on “The Marked Son”. If you are reading at night, understand you are about to stay up way too late with this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.

[Julie]

Absolutely riveting next installment of the Burke brothers series. Gervais and Steck have hit the pit of gold with this one.
Fresh off of their FATHOM entanglement, Chase, the sommelier, and Michael, the cop, find themselves knee deep in an apparent Iranian terrorist plot to cause a major attack in NYC. Working off leads from an Iranian friend of Chase's girlfriend Tanya, who also happens to be a US Congresswoman, they are on the clock to try to thwart an attack with the help of Alice Doyle, a NYC cop working with Michael and their family friend, US Secretary Williams.
Non stop action, intrigue and suspense that doesn't quit.
Great story with characters that are positively chillingly defined.
Sooooooooo ready for the next one.

[Judy Odom]

The Marked Son is the highly anticipated second book in the Chase Burke series and it does not disappoint. (that is understated)

The stakes are high in this fast paced political thriller with non stop action that will have you holding your breath.

The opening alone will grab your attention in this gripping story and it does not let up from beginning to end.

Chase and Michael are up to their necks racing against the clock in an Iranian terroist plot against New York City.

I literally could not put this book down as my heart was racing I has sped to the ending binge reading it in a day.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the privilege of reading and reviewing The Marked Son.

[KDRBCK]

The Marked Son by new to me authors Simon Gervais and Ryan Steck is the second installment in the Chase Burke Serial. The previous book is The Second Son and I recommend to read the books in order. The books are published by Thomas & Mercer.
The story picks up soon after the previous book was left off.
Brothers Chase and Michael Burke's next case is a high profile one with global threats and danger, fast paced, breathtaking. A race against time in their fight for their country.
Liked the complexity, the pace and the story, 4.5 stars.

[Joanne Hurley]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "The Marked Son", the second book in Simon Gervais and Ryan Steck's "Chase Burke" series.

They've done it once again! This time, the brothers - Michael and Chase, with a little help from Doyle - are out to dismantle an Iranian sleeper cell that is poised to rain destruction upon the US, while at the same time dealing with the fact that Congresswoman Tanya Hemsworth, Michael's love, is possibly a foreign asset.

This one has layers upon layers, and it's never really clear until the very end. I really don't want to spoil anything so my review will be short. If you loved the first book, then you know that this one won't disappoint. (Although there is one twist that I was not at all happy with.)

Recommended, especially if you like action.

[Jon]

Buckle in, but be sure to read The Second Son first. This plot line rolls out where Second Son finished like a season of 24 in printed form.

From sleeper cells to interested parties, Chase and Michael Burke, with help from Alice Doyle, are on a time sensitive mission to stop an attack. The intrigue weaves through multiple plots with a couple of opportunities for the reader to take a break but be prepared to struggle putting this one down and keep the pages turning. Incredibly well written with another massive cliffhanger to take you into waiting for Book #3.

[T Olsen]

This book is saved by having a great deal of action, and a plot that's almost possible at this time, but otherwise the plot is very simplistic. Most of the book is filled with excessive descriptions and repetitions, but there's still entertainment value.