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Dewey Andreas #6
First Strike
The violent terrorist group ISIS has launched a major military campaign to take over Syria. But as they commit more and more public atrocities, their sources for ammunition are drying up. However, their charismatic and tyrannical leader, Tristan Nazir, has a major card left to play, which will get a new secret shipment of arms underway.
Dewey Andreas is sent into the field to meet Mallory, the Milan CIA station chief who has explosive proof about the source of the terrorists group’s original funding. While ISIS operatives take out both Mallory and his source, Dewey escapes with the proof―the group’s original munitions were provided by a black-ops program from deep within the Pentagon itself.
The program unravels in time for the arms shipment to be stopped before it reaches its destination. But Isolda isn't finished. He launches a bold strike into the heart of America, sending a team to take over a dorm at Columbia University, capturing nearly 500 college students as hostages. Among those hostages is CIA Director Hector Calibrisi's daughter, Daisy. For every hour that the shipment of weapons is delayed, the radicals will publicly execute one student. A frontal assault will result in untold number of dead students. Sending the shipment will give Isolda and his followers the means to capture Syria and its resources, creating a terrorist run nation.
In a situation with no solutions, there remains only one option―Dewey Andreas.
Dewey Andreas is sent into the field to meet Mallory, the Milan CIA station chief who has explosive proof about the source of the terrorists group’s original funding. While ISIS operatives take out both Mallory and his source, Dewey escapes with the proof―the group’s original munitions were provided by a black-ops program from deep within the Pentagon itself.
The program unravels in time for the arms shipment to be stopped before it reaches its destination. But Isolda isn't finished. He launches a bold strike into the heart of America, sending a team to take over a dorm at Columbia University, capturing nearly 500 college students as hostages. Among those hostages is CIA Director Hector Calibrisi's daughter, Daisy. For every hour that the shipment of weapons is delayed, the radicals will publicly execute one student. A frontal assault will result in untold number of dead students. Sending the shipment will give Isolda and his followers the means to capture Syria and its resources, creating a terrorist run nation.
In a situation with no solutions, there remains only one option―Dewey Andreas.
414 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2016
678 people are currently reading
3112 people want to read
About the author
Ben Coes
35 books1,794 followersHi and thanks for visiting my Goodreads profile!
I'm a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of international political and espionage thrillers. Nine of these books are part of a series featuring Dewey Andreas, including:
Power Down #1
Coup D'Etat #2
The Last Refuge #3
Eye for an Eye #4
Independence Day #5
Trap the Devil #6
First Strike #7
Bloody Sunday #8
The Russian is the first book in a new spin-off series about the Russian Mafia, starring Rob Tacoma.
My next book The Island comes out this summer and is available for pre-order.
All of my books are based on current events and are strongly influenced by friends who are or were in the military, law enforcement, and intelligence circles.
I went to Columbia College and was awarded the university's highest writing award, the Bennett Cerf Memorial Prize for Fiction. I was a White House Intern under Ronald Reagan and served as a White House-appointed speechwriter to the U.S. Secretary of Energy during the Gulf War. I was a Fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
I lives in Massachusetts with my wife and children.
I hope you'll visit my website and sign-up for my newsletter: https://bencoes.com
Thanks for being a reader!!
I'm a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of international political and espionage thrillers. Nine of these books are part of a series featuring Dewey Andreas, including:
Power Down #1
Coup D'Etat #2
The Last Refuge #3
Eye for an Eye #4
Independence Day #5
Trap the Devil #6
First Strike #7
Bloody Sunday #8
The Russian is the first book in a new spin-off series about the Russian Mafia, starring Rob Tacoma.
My next book The Island comes out this summer and is available for pre-order.
All of my books are based on current events and are strongly influenced by friends who are or were in the military, law enforcement, and intelligence circles.
I went to Columbia College and was awarded the university's highest writing award, the Bennett Cerf Memorial Prize for Fiction. I was a White House Intern under Ronald Reagan and served as a White House-appointed speechwriter to the U.S. Secretary of Energy during the Gulf War. I was a Fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
I lives in Massachusetts with my wife and children.
I hope you'll visit my website and sign-up for my newsletter: https://bencoes.com
Thanks for being a reader!!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 366 reviews
February 2, 2023
Update 9/24/2019:
I don't have much to add that I didn't say below. I listened to the book on Audible and the narrator did a fantastic job. I felt more fear, anxiety and tension than I did when I read the book the first time. I also loved how he changed his voice for Dewey's internal monologue. I still think this is my favorite of the series.
Ben Coes gets better with each book. In this installment in the Dewey Andreas series, Dewey faces his most challenging assignment to date. He is going up against ISIS, both in Syria and in the US. There is a brief appearance by Kohl Meir and a more significant role for (my favs) Katie and Rob. There is even a hint that Dewey is finally getting over the death of Jessica.
What I love about these books is the (often) irreverent humor that cuts through some of the tensest moments ("who's idea was it to crawl through a tunnel smaller than a man's a$$hole?") Let's face it...Dewey is a super hero. But we all need super heros in our life!
Some may say that there was an excessive amount of violence in this book. But, for me, it perfectly described my expectations of how terrorists would behave.
In the world of action-thrillers, Ben Coes is my favorite author. I'm definitely moving straight in to Trap the Devil to get myself caught up before Bloody Sunday arrives on July 30th.
I don't have much to add that I didn't say below. I listened to the book on Audible and the narrator did a fantastic job. I felt more fear, anxiety and tension than I did when I read the book the first time. I also loved how he changed his voice for Dewey's internal monologue. I still think this is my favorite of the series.
Ben Coes gets better with each book. In this installment in the Dewey Andreas series, Dewey faces his most challenging assignment to date. He is going up against ISIS, both in Syria and in the US. There is a brief appearance by Kohl Meir and a more significant role for (my favs) Katie and Rob. There is even a hint that Dewey is finally getting over the death of Jessica.
What I love about these books is the (often) irreverent humor that cuts through some of the tensest moments ("who's idea was it to crawl through a tunnel smaller than a man's a$$hole?") Let's face it...Dewey is a super hero. But we all need super heros in our life!
Some may say that there was an excessive amount of violence in this book. But, for me, it perfectly described my expectations of how terrorists would behave.
In the world of action-thrillers, Ben Coes is my favorite author. I'm definitely moving straight in to Trap the Devil to get myself caught up before Bloody Sunday arrives on July 30th.
August 17, 2016
This story seems to glorify death at the hands of terrorists. Readers are treated to blow by blow descriptions of butchery that even the good guys can't escape. Cold blooded, hopeless killings do not make for an interesting, exciting or rewarding story. 0 of 10 stars
April 1, 2016
Read this review and more at www.TheRealBookSpy.com
What if America accidentally created her biggest enemy? That question is the basis for Ben Coes’ latest Dewey Andreas novel, titled First Strike.
Through a series of flashbacks, Coes takes the reader behind the scenes of two secret meetings. One takes place four years ago in the presidential palace in Egypt. The other is six months after that, in the back room of a popular Washington, D.C. steakhouse. What follows is one government official’s attempt to control Islamic terror groups in the Middle East by hand-picking a man to lead a new group that will secretly work with America behind the scenes–under the condition that they’ll leave the United States and her allies alone.
In the present day, things go terribly wrong.
After secretly receiving money and weapons, which were supposed to be used to destroy other terrorist organizations (like Al Qaeda) on their way to establishing a Muslim country, the world instead watched as this terror group became the most savage and barbaric of them all. One American, unbeknownst to his country, had made a deal with the devil–and as a result, ISIS was born.
When ISIS starts to run low on guns and ammo, their leader, Tristin Nazir, blackmails the government official (who secretly helped create them) into sending them one last very large weapons shipment. That’s where Dewey Andreas enters the picture, after the United States government catches wind of the shady deal.
Dewey heads to the Middle East, a part of the world he’s not all that fond of, to assist in an operation that at first glance seems simple enough. However, as often is the case with Coes’ novels, things quickly take an unforeseen turn as the plot unfolds.
What appears to be a victory for the United States and the rest of the world soon proves to be just the beginning of an even bigger crisis. ISIS isn’t going to just lay down and accept that their weapons shipment isn’t coming. Instead, they launch an operation designed to twist America’s arm into giving them exactly what they want.
An ISIS terrorist cell takes control of a Columbia University dormitory, holding hundreds of students hostage. They issue a demand, and vow to execute one student for each hour they are made to wait for their weapons shipment. To make matters worse, it’s revealed that the daughter of a high-ranking government official is currently among the students being help at gunpoint.
And just like that, a bad situation went to worse, then morphed into impossible…
Whenever someone pushes the panic button, Dewey Andreas is the man who comes running to save the day. This time, though, the odds are stacked against Dewey more than ever before. The entire ordeal is a game of impossible decisions. Do you give ISIS the weapons they’ll need to conquer the rest of Syria and other parts of the Middle East, to save the lives of a few hundred college students–or do you refuse to hand over the weapons no matter what, even if it means letting ISIS behead the innocent students one by one?
Like I said, it’s an impossible situation. It’s also terrifying, considering that none of what Coes wrote seems to be outside the realm of possibility in Today’s world. Anyone paying attention to the current headlines around the world knows just how capable ISIS is of these types of inhumane, vile and barbaric actions.
First Strike, which is without a doubt Coes’ best book yet, is a heart-pounding thriller that is impossible to put down!
WHY I LOVED IT
Of all the big-name protagonists in the political thriller/spy genre, Dewey Andreas is the largest in stature. He also has the best sense of humor. I love his jokes, which are so terribly timed that nobody but the reader ever seems to appreciate them. Then again, Dewey, at 6’4″ and 250 pounds, is a giant man capable of breathtaking brutality. So while he’s funny, he’s also nothing to laugh at.
While I’ve enjoyed all of Coes’ previous novels, I personally thought last year’s Independence Day was a tad unoriginal for an author of his considerable talent. I was especially disappointed with the way it ended, and was beyond thrilled to see that he tied up those loose ends in a surprisingly satisfying way early on in this book.
To that point, this book reminds me a lot of Protect and Defend, one of Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp novels, which opened with Rapp tying up a loose end from the previous book. Additionally, Flynn’s novel is filled to the brim with action and shifting story lines, which is also the case with First Strike–which gives the term “action-packed” a whole new meaning.
Some people will take issue with how ISIS was created in this book, because it may not be completely historically accurate. To that point I urge readers to just sit back and remember that this is a thriller novel, not a textbook. Others will struggle with some of the lingo and terminology used during military and clandestine operations, of which there is plenty. But if you read the genre often, you’ll be fine.
Also, while some may find this book to be extremely violent and gruesome, I found it necessary to accurately portraying who ISIS is, and how they operate. That said, this book is not for the faint of heart. If you’re bothered by blood then there’s one scene in particular, involving a surgical operation, that might get to you. In the end it’s all worth it though, so even if you are a tad squeamish just push through it and hang on for the ride!
WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT
Coes writes with the same precision and expertise that fans of Vince Flynn and Brad Thor have come to expect. Of all the books I’ve read this year, nothing has come close to the nonstop action that Coes has crammed into First Strike. This book has it all, and then some. Buy it and read it, you’ll thank me later!
What if America accidentally created her biggest enemy? That question is the basis for Ben Coes’ latest Dewey Andreas novel, titled First Strike.
Through a series of flashbacks, Coes takes the reader behind the scenes of two secret meetings. One takes place four years ago in the presidential palace in Egypt. The other is six months after that, in the back room of a popular Washington, D.C. steakhouse. What follows is one government official’s attempt to control Islamic terror groups in the Middle East by hand-picking a man to lead a new group that will secretly work with America behind the scenes–under the condition that they’ll leave the United States and her allies alone.
In the present day, things go terribly wrong.
After secretly receiving money and weapons, which were supposed to be used to destroy other terrorist organizations (like Al Qaeda) on their way to establishing a Muslim country, the world instead watched as this terror group became the most savage and barbaric of them all. One American, unbeknownst to his country, had made a deal with the devil–and as a result, ISIS was born.
When ISIS starts to run low on guns and ammo, their leader, Tristin Nazir, blackmails the government official (who secretly helped create them) into sending them one last very large weapons shipment. That’s where Dewey Andreas enters the picture, after the United States government catches wind of the shady deal.
Dewey heads to the Middle East, a part of the world he’s not all that fond of, to assist in an operation that at first glance seems simple enough. However, as often is the case with Coes’ novels, things quickly take an unforeseen turn as the plot unfolds.
What appears to be a victory for the United States and the rest of the world soon proves to be just the beginning of an even bigger crisis. ISIS isn’t going to just lay down and accept that their weapons shipment isn’t coming. Instead, they launch an operation designed to twist America’s arm into giving them exactly what they want.
An ISIS terrorist cell takes control of a Columbia University dormitory, holding hundreds of students hostage. They issue a demand, and vow to execute one student for each hour they are made to wait for their weapons shipment. To make matters worse, it’s revealed that the daughter of a high-ranking government official is currently among the students being help at gunpoint.
And just like that, a bad situation went to worse, then morphed into impossible…
Whenever someone pushes the panic button, Dewey Andreas is the man who comes running to save the day. This time, though, the odds are stacked against Dewey more than ever before. The entire ordeal is a game of impossible decisions. Do you give ISIS the weapons they’ll need to conquer the rest of Syria and other parts of the Middle East, to save the lives of a few hundred college students–or do you refuse to hand over the weapons no matter what, even if it means letting ISIS behead the innocent students one by one?
Like I said, it’s an impossible situation. It’s also terrifying, considering that none of what Coes wrote seems to be outside the realm of possibility in Today’s world. Anyone paying attention to the current headlines around the world knows just how capable ISIS is of these types of inhumane, vile and barbaric actions.
First Strike, which is without a doubt Coes’ best book yet, is a heart-pounding thriller that is impossible to put down!
WHY I LOVED IT
Of all the big-name protagonists in the political thriller/spy genre, Dewey Andreas is the largest in stature. He also has the best sense of humor. I love his jokes, which are so terribly timed that nobody but the reader ever seems to appreciate them. Then again, Dewey, at 6’4″ and 250 pounds, is a giant man capable of breathtaking brutality. So while he’s funny, he’s also nothing to laugh at.
While I’ve enjoyed all of Coes’ previous novels, I personally thought last year’s Independence Day was a tad unoriginal for an author of his considerable talent. I was especially disappointed with the way it ended, and was beyond thrilled to see that he tied up those loose ends in a surprisingly satisfying way early on in this book.
To that point, this book reminds me a lot of Protect and Defend, one of Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp novels, which opened with Rapp tying up a loose end from the previous book. Additionally, Flynn’s novel is filled to the brim with action and shifting story lines, which is also the case with First Strike–which gives the term “action-packed” a whole new meaning.
Some people will take issue with how ISIS was created in this book, because it may not be completely historically accurate. To that point I urge readers to just sit back and remember that this is a thriller novel, not a textbook. Others will struggle with some of the lingo and terminology used during military and clandestine operations, of which there is plenty. But if you read the genre often, you’ll be fine.
Also, while some may find this book to be extremely violent and gruesome, I found it necessary to accurately portraying who ISIS is, and how they operate. That said, this book is not for the faint of heart. If you’re bothered by blood then there’s one scene in particular, involving a surgical operation, that might get to you. In the end it’s all worth it though, so even if you are a tad squeamish just push through it and hang on for the ride!
WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT
Coes writes with the same precision and expertise that fans of Vince Flynn and Brad Thor have come to expect. Of all the books I’ve read this year, nothing has come close to the nonstop action that Coes has crammed into First Strike. This book has it all, and then some. Buy it and read it, you’ll thank me later!
June 4, 2016
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Ben Coes, and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of this book, which allows me to provide you with this review.
In a great addition to his Dewey Andreas series, Coes offers a somewhat unique take on the ISIS obsession in thriller novels. After the fall of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Tristan Nazir is approached by America's Deputy Secretary of Defence with an offer he cannot refuse; accept a large sum of money to build a state to counter the radical efforts of the region and come out strongly pro-USA. However, after Nazir double-crosses the Deputy Secretary, he emerges with a strong fighting force to amass his own anti-American state, ISIS, which has made inroads into both Syria and Iraq. With the American money having gone to fund this group, there is no turning off the spigot, for fear of significant blackmail. A new shipment of a billion dollars' worth of arms comes through some secret slush funds within the Department of Defence and ISIS remains strong as it fights the very nation supporting it. Dewey Andreas is sent into Syria to attempt to quell some of the fallout and kill the kingpin to the entire operation. However, rather than getting his man, Andreas finds himself being held by ISIS, ready to make him answer for the crimes of his country. Upon learning of the latest shipment headed for the region, the Americans intercept it and turn the ship back, which only ups the ante and forces Nazir to call for a plan of retribution. Using a cell within America, he organizes a hostage taking at Columbia University with students at the core. Will the President blink and openly negotiate with terrorists for the lives of Americans on their own soil, or will Columbia University turn into a bloodbath? With Andreas preparing for a public beheading, anything seems possible, even as the clock ticks down. Coes offers readers a wonderfully fast-paced thriller that will keep readers guessing and hoping until the last page. Not to be missed by Coes fans, new and old!
Coes proves yet again that he is the master of his trade as he constructs an Andreas thriller that pits his protagonist in his most dire situation yet. Building not only on his present storyline but also constructing more of the Dewey Andreas backstory, Coes offers his readers another glimpse into why there is always something new to offer. With a strong cast of characters whose own plots are built into the larger narrative, Coes advances much for fans who have keen interests in those who support the story. Infused with description when it proves necessary, but not too much to turn the reader away, there are many layers to the story that help present it in a factual manner. That said, the reader can suspend a little reality at times and sit back while enjoying the ride.
Kudos, Mr. Coes for another stellar piece of work. I never tire of your stories or how they play out on the page. As always, you keep the reader guessing just enough that they must come back for more.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
In a great addition to his Dewey Andreas series, Coes offers a somewhat unique take on the ISIS obsession in thriller novels. After the fall of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Tristan Nazir is approached by America's Deputy Secretary of Defence with an offer he cannot refuse; accept a large sum of money to build a state to counter the radical efforts of the region and come out strongly pro-USA. However, after Nazir double-crosses the Deputy Secretary, he emerges with a strong fighting force to amass his own anti-American state, ISIS, which has made inroads into both Syria and Iraq. With the American money having gone to fund this group, there is no turning off the spigot, for fear of significant blackmail. A new shipment of a billion dollars' worth of arms comes through some secret slush funds within the Department of Defence and ISIS remains strong as it fights the very nation supporting it. Dewey Andreas is sent into Syria to attempt to quell some of the fallout and kill the kingpin to the entire operation. However, rather than getting his man, Andreas finds himself being held by ISIS, ready to make him answer for the crimes of his country. Upon learning of the latest shipment headed for the region, the Americans intercept it and turn the ship back, which only ups the ante and forces Nazir to call for a plan of retribution. Using a cell within America, he organizes a hostage taking at Columbia University with students at the core. Will the President blink and openly negotiate with terrorists for the lives of Americans on their own soil, or will Columbia University turn into a bloodbath? With Andreas preparing for a public beheading, anything seems possible, even as the clock ticks down. Coes offers readers a wonderfully fast-paced thriller that will keep readers guessing and hoping until the last page. Not to be missed by Coes fans, new and old!
Coes proves yet again that he is the master of his trade as he constructs an Andreas thriller that pits his protagonist in his most dire situation yet. Building not only on his present storyline but also constructing more of the Dewey Andreas backstory, Coes offers his readers another glimpse into why there is always something new to offer. With a strong cast of characters whose own plots are built into the larger narrative, Coes advances much for fans who have keen interests in those who support the story. Infused with description when it proves necessary, but not too much to turn the reader away, there are many layers to the story that help present it in a factual manner. That said, the reader can suspend a little reality at times and sit back while enjoying the ride.
Kudos, Mr. Coes for another stellar piece of work. I never tire of your stories or how they play out on the page. As always, you keep the reader guessing just enough that they must come back for more.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
November 6, 2016
I’ve noted before that the entire genre of military-based, anti-terrorism novels…those novels “ripped from today’s headlines”…has grown very tiresome for me. It just seems like they are mostly all the same. As a result, I have limited my reading of them to only a handful of authors today (and some of those are indie authors like Stephen England). However, from the first time I got to read Ben Coes’ first novel, Power Down, I knew I had something special in my hands. Thankfully, each novel since has been fantastic, and this sixth book in the Dewey Andreas series is no exception.
The book has all the hallmarks of a great action-adventure novel, with lots of suspenseful build-ups to mini-climaxes, edge-of-your-seat moments, and unexpected turns of events. But Mr. Coes goes far beyond the “formula” of these sorts of books and provides us with another intriguing story. Just a good ol’ fashioned story, that’s what I want. That would seem to be every author's goal, but sadly, is often underachieved.
Engaging characters populate the novel, as I’ve come to expect from this author, many of whom we’ve encountered before. The main protagonist, Dewey Andreas, continues to grow and change based on his experiences and this time around, that is wonderful to see. He shows a lot more humor in his personality than we’ve seen before as he starts to grow more comfortable with his role in life. I love the fact that he uses his relationship with a major mob boss (and even likes the guy) to save lives. It’s certainly a cliché for reviewers to note they feel like they are right there with the characters but that is exactly how I felt reading this book. I loved that there are consequences to their actions, and not always what they (or we) had anticipated.
And finally, I am happy to report that this is a book that shines the best light on the country’s leadership, both at the presidential level and at the decision-makers and planners and doers at lower levels. Frankly I grow tired of those people (no matter what country we’re talking about) always being portrayed as incompetent, overly bureaucratic, egotistical idiots, or even just evil. Same thing goes for the first responders, whether police, medical, firefighters, SWAT, FBI hostage negotiators etc.
All in all, yet another great read from Ben Coes. Bravo sir, and hurry up and publish the next book, if you please...
The book has all the hallmarks of a great action-adventure novel, with lots of suspenseful build-ups to mini-climaxes, edge-of-your-seat moments, and unexpected turns of events. But Mr. Coes goes far beyond the “formula” of these sorts of books and provides us with another intriguing story. Just a good ol’ fashioned story, that’s what I want. That would seem to be every author's goal, but sadly, is often underachieved.
Engaging characters populate the novel, as I’ve come to expect from this author, many of whom we’ve encountered before. The main protagonist, Dewey Andreas, continues to grow and change based on his experiences and this time around, that is wonderful to see. He shows a lot more humor in his personality than we’ve seen before as he starts to grow more comfortable with his role in life. I love the fact that he uses his relationship with a major mob boss (and even likes the guy) to save lives. It’s certainly a cliché for reviewers to note they feel like they are right there with the characters but that is exactly how I felt reading this book. I loved that there are consequences to their actions, and not always what they (or we) had anticipated.
And finally, I am happy to report that this is a book that shines the best light on the country’s leadership, both at the presidential level and at the decision-makers and planners and doers at lower levels. Frankly I grow tired of those people (no matter what country we’re talking about) always being portrayed as incompetent, overly bureaucratic, egotistical idiots, or even just evil. Same thing goes for the first responders, whether police, medical, firefighters, SWAT, FBI hostage negotiators etc.
All in all, yet another great read from Ben Coes. Bravo sir, and hurry up and publish the next book, if you please...
June 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Relentless, raw, and impossible to put down.
First Strike hits like a gut punch from page one and never lets up. Dewey Andreas is everything I want in a thriller hero — unflinching, resourceful, and just dangerous enough to make you wonder what he’ll do next. The scenario in this book is terrifying: ISIS taking over a U.S. college and unleashing hell. Coes writes it with urgency and grit, making the stakes feel real and the violence unflinchingly brutal.
What sets Ben Coes apart is how well he balances action with intelligence — it’s not just shootouts and explosions (though he does those better than anyone), it’s strategy, character, and consequence. First Strike might be one of his most intense books yet — and that’s saying something.
If you’re into high-stakes, high-body-count thrillers with a pulse-pounding pace, this one’s a must-read. Coes never misses.
Relentless, raw, and impossible to put down.
First Strike hits like a gut punch from page one and never lets up. Dewey Andreas is everything I want in a thriller hero — unflinching, resourceful, and just dangerous enough to make you wonder what he’ll do next. The scenario in this book is terrifying: ISIS taking over a U.S. college and unleashing hell. Coes writes it with urgency and grit, making the stakes feel real and the violence unflinchingly brutal.
What sets Ben Coes apart is how well he balances action with intelligence — it’s not just shootouts and explosions (though he does those better than anyone), it’s strategy, character, and consequence. First Strike might be one of his most intense books yet — and that’s saying something.
If you’re into high-stakes, high-body-count thrillers with a pulse-pounding pace, this one’s a must-read. Coes never misses.
June 15, 2016
I'm a long-time Ben Coes fan. I've read every book in the Dewey Andreas series--loved every one of them. He always includes some sort of military-terrorist-weapon detail that rings true even when I know nothing about the topic. Here's how he describes a shipment of illicit weapons being shipped to the Middle East:
"The guns were sanitized. There were no manufacturer engravings or other identifiers on any of them. And they were all precisely the same model: M4 carbine, blackish gray, gas-operated, magazine-fed, telescoping stock, Picatinny rail, vertical forward grip..."
No one can write in that level of detail and not know what he is talking about. At least, that's my conclusion.
His latest Andreas adventure, First Strike (St. Martin's Press 2016) is probably the best yet (OK, I might say that about every book. Coes just keeps getting better and better). It starts with the rise of ISIS, born from the traitorous actions of a few misguided politicians. By the time we get to present day, stopping this group is well-beyond simple. When the stakes become too high to ignore, the only solution anyone has is to call Dewey Andreas.
One of the masterful techniques Ben Coes uses in this series is to show us the human side of this unstoppable, bigger-than-life warrior. It may be an emotion or simply thoughts that any of us would have in his position, even those of us who aren't miracle workers:
"When Dewey climbed aboard the jet earlier that day [this is when Andreas believes he has stopped the terrorist threat, before he finds out they have a lethal Plan B], he thought he would enjoy a calm ride home followed by a few weeks off. He felt battered and bruised. Not to mention the horrible feeling he could not shake, the feeling of having a knife against his throat."
While I've always been in awe of the fullness of Andreas' character--his compassion, his moral compass, his strategic wisdom--the biggest takeaway from this story is an understanding of why ISIS-type terrorists choose such feral and violent methods to deliver their message:
"[The ISIS leader is talking to one of his followers, currently in charge of a deadly act of terrorism on America's soil] In the moments just before victory, fear, intimidation, violence, brutality must be doubled, tripled, quadrupled. It is not because you are evil. It is because this is how countries are born."
Even if you aren't into thrillers, read this novel for the geopolitical understanding of what is happening around us.
"The guns were sanitized. There were no manufacturer engravings or other identifiers on any of them. And they were all precisely the same model: M4 carbine, blackish gray, gas-operated, magazine-fed, telescoping stock, Picatinny rail, vertical forward grip..."
No one can write in that level of detail and not know what he is talking about. At least, that's my conclusion.
His latest Andreas adventure, First Strike (St. Martin's Press 2016) is probably the best yet (OK, I might say that about every book. Coes just keeps getting better and better). It starts with the rise of ISIS, born from the traitorous actions of a few misguided politicians. By the time we get to present day, stopping this group is well-beyond simple. When the stakes become too high to ignore, the only solution anyone has is to call Dewey Andreas.
One of the masterful techniques Ben Coes uses in this series is to show us the human side of this unstoppable, bigger-than-life warrior. It may be an emotion or simply thoughts that any of us would have in his position, even those of us who aren't miracle workers:
"When Dewey climbed aboard the jet earlier that day [this is when Andreas believes he has stopped the terrorist threat, before he finds out they have a lethal Plan B], he thought he would enjoy a calm ride home followed by a few weeks off. He felt battered and bruised. Not to mention the horrible feeling he could not shake, the feeling of having a knife against his throat."
While I've always been in awe of the fullness of Andreas' character--his compassion, his moral compass, his strategic wisdom--the biggest takeaway from this story is an understanding of why ISIS-type terrorists choose such feral and violent methods to deliver their message:
"[The ISIS leader is talking to one of his followers, currently in charge of a deadly act of terrorism on America's soil] In the moments just before victory, fear, intimidation, violence, brutality must be doubled, tripled, quadrupled. It is not because you are evil. It is because this is how countries are born."
Even if you aren't into thrillers, read this novel for the geopolitical understanding of what is happening around us.
March 4, 2017
Dewey Andreas is human. His encounter against ISIS shows him as a human being who is afraid and is less than a bad ass. He fears the brutality seen from them and almost begs for bullet instead of being beheaded.
The plot of First Strike is a chilling possibility. The idea of terror cells being able to strike deep in the heartland of America is distinctly possible as the recent lone wolf attacks in Florida and San Bernardo has shown us. The idea that a group of fighters trained and ready to wage guerrilla war cannot be denied.
The story of First Strike tells how America created its new worst nightmare. This time by establishing and arming ISIS. Meant to be a counter balance against the radical spread of Islamic Jihad, they inadvertently back the wrong horse and in essence hand over arms to a megalomaniac who is inspired by the American struggle for freedom and choose to carve out his own swatch of country from Iraq and Syria using the same methods employed by Europeans against the Native Americans in the early 1600s when they colonized America.
The difference between that time and now is the almost instant gratification that Internet provides. In those days news took months if not years to be spread across, the awareness was not as instant as it is now due to the spread of Internet. The daily dose of barbarism that has been propagated by ISIS has in turn galvanized and horrified the world simultaneously.
First Strike also marks a significant firsts for Ben Coes and Dewey Andreas. Most of the time the main characters in a series appear indestructible. They are Superman like but not in First Strike.
In this book Andreas appears human, he hurts, he bleeds and he even loses consciousness while trying to crawl through a tunnel that is all too small for him. It makes him fallible, he does not come across as this all conquering bad ass against whom no force of nature can stand. This is a distinct departure from how Coes has written about Andreas in past. In the previous books we have always known that Dewey will prevail because he is such a bad ass, but in this one he falters, he fears for his own life and he even has a moment of weakness where he tries to take the easy way out. I loved this book for precisely that reason, it made me like Andreas even more as a character and my respect for Coes as an author increased due to this.
That said I am docking a star for Coes showing a relationship between Dewey and Daisy, for Pete's sake she's old enough to be his daughter. What is this fascination with always pairing up the lead character? So many women falling over themselves to get Dewey. I would like to see Dewey evolve but even he should have realized by now that relationships are not his cuppa.
Every strong hero needs a very strong villain to prop him up. Tristan Nazir is one such villain. The man with a clerical slightly nerdy appearance exudes menace by his deeds. He's not a Jihadi, he has a bigger endgame in mind and is playing for keeps. All the gory stuff put out by this version of ISIS is keeping Tristan Nazir's end game in mind. I thank god that we are dealing with a simpler Baghdadi in real life who is no less of threat than a diabolical Nazir for whom I am quite sure the geo politicians of this world would have no answer in the current context.
First Strike is definitely something that is worth a read to the fans of breakneck action and kickass storyline.
The plot of First Strike is a chilling possibility. The idea of terror cells being able to strike deep in the heartland of America is distinctly possible as the recent lone wolf attacks in Florida and San Bernardo has shown us. The idea that a group of fighters trained and ready to wage guerrilla war cannot be denied.
The story of First Strike tells how America created its new worst nightmare. This time by establishing and arming ISIS. Meant to be a counter balance against the radical spread of Islamic Jihad, they inadvertently back the wrong horse and in essence hand over arms to a megalomaniac who is inspired by the American struggle for freedom and choose to carve out his own swatch of country from Iraq and Syria using the same methods employed by Europeans against the Native Americans in the early 1600s when they colonized America.
The difference between that time and now is the almost instant gratification that Internet provides. In those days news took months if not years to be spread across, the awareness was not as instant as it is now due to the spread of Internet. The daily dose of barbarism that has been propagated by ISIS has in turn galvanized and horrified the world simultaneously.
First Strike also marks a significant firsts for Ben Coes and Dewey Andreas. Most of the time the main characters in a series appear indestructible. They are Superman like but not in First Strike.
In this book Andreas appears human, he hurts, he bleeds and he even loses consciousness while trying to crawl through a tunnel that is all too small for him. It makes him fallible, he does not come across as this all conquering bad ass against whom no force of nature can stand. This is a distinct departure from how Coes has written about Andreas in past. In the previous books we have always known that Dewey will prevail because he is such a bad ass, but in this one he falters, he fears for his own life and he even has a moment of weakness where he tries to take the easy way out. I loved this book for precisely that reason, it made me like Andreas even more as a character and my respect for Coes as an author increased due to this.
That said I am docking a star for Coes showing a relationship between Dewey and Daisy, for Pete's sake she's old enough to be his daughter. What is this fascination with always pairing up the lead character? So many women falling over themselves to get Dewey. I would like to see Dewey evolve but even he should have realized by now that relationships are not his cuppa.
Every strong hero needs a very strong villain to prop him up. Tristan Nazir is one such villain. The man with a clerical slightly nerdy appearance exudes menace by his deeds. He's not a Jihadi, he has a bigger endgame in mind and is playing for keeps. All the gory stuff put out by this version of ISIS is keeping Tristan Nazir's end game in mind. I thank god that we are dealing with a simpler Baghdadi in real life who is no less of threat than a diabolical Nazir for whom I am quite sure the geo politicians of this world would have no answer in the current context.
First Strike is definitely something that is worth a read to the fans of breakneck action and kickass storyline.
July 9, 2016
My first book by Ben Coes and I'm hooked. Very intense thriller. 4.5 stars
September 2, 2016
I've had this book for awhile and have been dying to get to it. So now that my Historical Fiction challenge is over for the summer, this was the first book for me starting out the fall. I love this genre and I love this author. This is my 4th book by this author and it happens to be the 6th one in the Dewey Andreas series by Ben Coes. This story kept me on the edge of my seat. I like Dewey and I'm always wondering how he is going to get out of his predicaments.
I liked this book and the humor. I also have to mention the narrator. He did a fantastic job with all the accents. I will say that some of the dialogue felt "unreal" and at times, it felt like the author was bent on giving the reader everything he thought they wanted. I'm not complaining at all about that because I've come to expect certain things from him....but the dialogue.! Thankfully there was so much going on with all the action that I didn't have time to dwell on that. Definitely 4 star worthy.
I liked this book and the humor. I also have to mention the narrator. He did a fantastic job with all the accents. I will say that some of the dialogue felt "unreal" and at times, it felt like the author was bent on giving the reader everything he thought they wanted. I'm not complaining at all about that because I've come to expect certain things from him....but the dialogue.! Thankfully there was so much going on with all the action that I didn't have time to dwell on that. Definitely 4 star worthy.
August 7, 2021
I don´t usually finish a book in one sitting, but this was an exception. Not for the weak-stomached(is that even a word?) this was very violent but the research put into it was impressive. There were even Russian good guys! I guess I´ĺl have to go to the beginning of the series.
February 18, 2025
4 Stars. Just a little slow in the beginning. Dewey and Company pulled it out though. I’m certain that I’m not claustrophobic but there was a part that made me think I might be... Coes wrote that part better than just about anything I’ve read.
These books are always fun. Definitely looking forward to the rest.
These books are always fun. Definitely looking forward to the rest.
July 2, 2016
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; JULY 1, 2016
Narrator: Peter Hermann
First Strike was worth waiting for. Every excruciating minute since Independence Day, the previous installment. The bad news is that I now have to wait another year before I get my next Dewey Andreas fix.
In this book, Coes has the US creating ISIS, albeit inadvertently. This idea isn't new since there's a plethora of rumors that Osama bin Laden was trained by the CIA and even funded by them. What I liked about Coes' take on this is that he gives me intriguing villains. Here, it's Tristan Nazir. I'm curious about why he has that name, Tristan. He may have been Oxford-educated by he was still a staunch Muslim.
Coes sets the stage in the early chapters by taking me to different events in different locations but, unlike me and Brad Thor (Scot Harvath), I never have difficulty following them. Dewey doesn't get to do his thing until much later but the preceding events are still interesting so I never doubted that when Dewey makes his entrance, the author would give him his due.
And...drumroll here...COLE MEIR makes a bit part!
I wish there was more of him but a Cole Meir sighting is still a squee moment. The guy needs his own series. Seriously.
The action sequences are non-stop and had my guts tied up in knots. Chapter 41 where the Aussie heart surgeon works on Hector Calibrisi had me holding my breath so long I nearly passed out. And the tunnel scene is ideal for a movie.
Conclusion? More than 5 stars for everything - the characters, the plot, the pacing and oh yeah - Daisy Calibrisi and Dewey. Go girl!
Narrator: Peter Hermann
First Strike was worth waiting for. Every excruciating minute since Independence Day, the previous installment. The bad news is that I now have to wait another year before I get my next Dewey Andreas fix.
In this book, Coes has the US creating ISIS, albeit inadvertently. This idea isn't new since there's a plethora of rumors that Osama bin Laden was trained by the CIA and even funded by them. What I liked about Coes' take on this is that he gives me intriguing villains. Here, it's Tristan Nazir. I'm curious about why he has that name, Tristan. He may have been Oxford-educated by he was still a staunch Muslim.
Coes sets the stage in the early chapters by taking me to different events in different locations but, unlike me and Brad Thor (Scot Harvath), I never have difficulty following them. Dewey doesn't get to do his thing until much later but the preceding events are still interesting so I never doubted that when Dewey makes his entrance, the author would give him his due.
And...drumroll here...COLE MEIR makes a bit part!
I wish there was more of him but a Cole Meir sighting is still a squee moment. The guy needs his own series. Seriously.The action sequences are non-stop and had my guts tied up in knots. Chapter 41 where the Aussie heart surgeon works on Hector Calibrisi had me holding my breath so long I nearly passed out. And the tunnel scene is ideal for a movie.
Conclusion? More than 5 stars for everything - the characters, the plot, the pacing and oh yeah - Daisy Calibrisi and Dewey. Go girl!
June 8, 2021
Who funded ISIS? Can Dewey Andreas stop the arms shipment? I have read First Strike by Ben Coes to find out. This is one of the better books in the series I actually just reread it. I really like the character Dewey and the intense action and dry humor in these books. Even though I sometimes feel that Deweys private life is a little tough, I would love for him to have some luck in life. I must thank @netgalley and @stmartinspress for making this one available to me. If you like actionthrillersuspense books then this is for you.
June 20, 2018
I loved every Dewey Andreas book so far, and this was no exception. So why only 4 stars? Because the author's lack of proper research when writing this book.
One chapter in the book is about Cyprus, Nicosia, which apparently has an airport. As I live in Nicosia, that was news to me.
Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus, the sunny island in the Mediterranean, but it has no functioning airport. The actual airport is at Larnaca, which is where apparently Mallory was headed from the Nicosia airport.
Now I know in the large scheme of things this is such a small issue, but if you want people all around the world to read your books and enjoy them, please make your proper research about the international places you're writing about. You don't even have to travel to Larnaca airport to be onsite. A simple Google search should give you all the answers you need.
One chapter in the book is about Cyprus, Nicosia, which apparently has an airport. As I live in Nicosia, that was news to me.
Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus, the sunny island in the Mediterranean, but it has no functioning airport. The actual airport is at Larnaca, which is where apparently Mallory was headed from the Nicosia airport.
Now I know in the large scheme of things this is such a small issue, but if you want people all around the world to read your books and enjoy them, please make your proper research about the international places you're writing about. You don't even have to travel to Larnaca airport to be onsite. A simple Google search should give you all the answers you need.
April 3, 2018
Great fast paced thriller. And the audiobook narrator is fantastic. He doesn't just read the book. he voices all the characters and acts their dialog.
June 21, 2016
Ben Coes is at the top of his game here, delivering the best Dewey Andreas novel yet. This is a very interesting, enjoyable, and informative concept for a novel. Ben Coes always writes like an expert on the subject of military tactics and espionage, and he has obviously done his homework on the inner workings of the CIA, FBI, NSA, and ISIS. He takes you inside the secret control rooms where operations are discussed and launched. Very intense and descriptive battle scenes put you on street level, right in the thick of the action. The storyline has many layers but flows really well, and the chapters are relatively short. The action is fast paced. The pulse pounding anticipation will keep you reading well into the night.
This novel, like the author's previous works, presents a truly terrifying scenario that's not too far from the realm of possibilities. Dewey Andreas stands out as the go to guy when an impossible task arises, often operating behind the scenes and, in some cases, underground. He has a broad and diverse network of associates at his disposal to aid along the way. The classic Dewey humor is a bonus that readers always enjoy. The villain, Nazir, is richly developed so that the reader can understand how his mind works and why he does the things he does.
There is no shortage of carnage and bloodshed, including the senseless killings of civilians by ISIS. The hostage situation that takes place is laid out and written like a masterpiece. It reminded me of one of my favorite movies from many years ago, "Toy Soldiers". There is a touching scene that stands out in my mind near the end of the book that involves the president's daughter. This small scene could have been omitted without losing anything from the book. I believe it shows a testament to the author's heart and appreciation to the men and women that protect this country from harm day in and day out.
I would highly recommend this book to all fans of thrillers, particularly clandestine operations or anyone with an interest in ISIS. I received this as a free ARC from St. Martin's Press on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This novel, like the author's previous works, presents a truly terrifying scenario that's not too far from the realm of possibilities. Dewey Andreas stands out as the go to guy when an impossible task arises, often operating behind the scenes and, in some cases, underground. He has a broad and diverse network of associates at his disposal to aid along the way. The classic Dewey humor is a bonus that readers always enjoy. The villain, Nazir, is richly developed so that the reader can understand how his mind works and why he does the things he does.
There is no shortage of carnage and bloodshed, including the senseless killings of civilians by ISIS. The hostage situation that takes place is laid out and written like a masterpiece. It reminded me of one of my favorite movies from many years ago, "Toy Soldiers". There is a touching scene that stands out in my mind near the end of the book that involves the president's daughter. This small scene could have been omitted without losing anything from the book. I believe it shows a testament to the author's heart and appreciation to the men and women that protect this country from harm day in and day out.
I would highly recommend this book to all fans of thrillers, particularly clandestine operations or anyone with an interest in ISIS. I received this as a free ARC from St. Martin's Press on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2022
I went back and forth between rating this book a 3 or 4 star. I ended up going with a 4 because when Dewey Andreas is in the book, it is really good. The problem is he is barely in it in the first half of the book. It reminds me a lot of Coup d'Etat, number two in the series, because Dewey isn't in the first half of that book either. I know Mr. Coes is trying to build the story, but you need to have your star in the book. It's like having Wayne Gretzky on your team, but only playing him in the third period. As I did mention, when Dewey is in the book, the story is interesting and moves. Luckily, Dewey is involved heavily in the second half of the book to save it. The book centers around ISIS, it origins, and their attempts to get weapons. I don't want to give too much away, so I won't share much more. I will say the storyline is very unique and interesting. Mr. Coes really knows his stuff, and I really enjoy his writing style. Overall, this was still a pretty good book, just not quite up to the standard set by the rest of the series. The Dewey Andreas series is quickly becoming one of my favs, I suggest you pick one of the books up and find out what you are missing.
May 7, 2017
This was a book down memory lane for me. Too true Carmen Hall at Columbia was a very ugly building both inside and out. This was scary how terrorists could possibly take over and plan such an assault. I remember a freshman was killed during our orientation, so it was a vulnerable time at the university and Coes chose the same time frame.
Metrotech was in the planning stages, when I designed the fiber optic network to handle the communications demands of the Center. Wow!
I've read this entire series and this one was truly terrifying and well done.
Metrotech was in the planning stages, when I designed the fiber optic network to handle the communications demands of the Center. Wow!
I've read this entire series and this one was truly terrifying and well done.
July 1, 2016
What a Book
After reading this book you are left with the feeling that this book is a brilliant piece of writing, one that has left me wanting more of (Dewey) and his colleagues.
It's always good to read a well thought out book with a very current idea which was very cleverly designed, which kept the reader always keen to find out what happens next.
Role on his next book in the current series.
After reading this book you are left with the feeling that this book is a brilliant piece of writing, one that has left me wanting more of (Dewey) and his colleagues.
It's always good to read a well thought out book with a very current idea which was very cleverly designed, which kept the reader always keen to find out what happens next.
Role on his next book in the current series.
August 29, 2016
Another great Dewey Andreas novel.
Really a novel of two parts. First Dewey goes to Syria to get some information on the source of ISIS's funding. He gets captured and has to escape. This is exciting enough, but then terrorists take over a dorm in Colombia university. Dewey and Company try to perform a Die Hard type rescue, while Hector has a heart attack.
Great stuff form beginning to end.
Really a novel of two parts. First Dewey goes to Syria to get some information on the source of ISIS's funding. He gets captured and has to escape. This is exciting enough, but then terrorists take over a dorm in Colombia university. Dewey and Company try to perform a Die Hard type rescue, while Hector has a heart attack.
Great stuff form beginning to end.
June 29, 2016
A great post 9/111 thriller. Dewey Andreas is a teue American Hero!!
September 7, 2016
I really enjoyed this book! Was exciting to the very end. Loved the narrator too....... Peter Hermann was perfect for this book - An excellent narrator for this type of book.
July 6, 2018
Ben Coes worked in the White House so one would think that he would know that special operators don’t directly contact the President in the midst of terrorist crises. Another common flaw in national security thrillers is the idea that the protagonist is a super hero, able to carry on after shootings, stabbings, falls, and bad food. Why isn’t the terrorist villain more three dimensional? Although ISIS leader Nazir attended Oxford, he goes bad as a result of bullying. How credible is it that a deputy secretary of defense would betray his country by selling weapons to terrorists? The ones I have observed are much more mundane, spending most of their time worry about budgets. So if I think that Ben’s assumptions are unrealistic, what am I giving this such a good review? The reason is that this book contains what everyone wants – an exciting story that you can’t put down. This one is about ISIS terrorists taking over a dormitory full of students and parents at Columbia University on move-in day. The building is wired with bombs to prevent assault and students are thrown off the roof each hour until the US decides to permit a shipment of guns and bullets to reach a Middle Eastern port. Despite the unrealistic characters, this is a good beach or rainy day read.
October 8, 2019
This is the kind of book I really like a lot. It's fiction, so the author can make a diamond out of coal if he or she is talented enough. But this story kept me glued to it through almost all of it. If you like tales of political intrigue with special warriors who save the day more than once a week in different parts of the globe and get vengeance on the bad guys and there is vast danger and people to be saved then I think you have a good chance of liking this story. I generally read a pretty good amount of non fiction and if it is well written and the story is remarkable enough I will enjoy it more than fiction. I do try to intersperse some great fiction in there too so I don't get too bogged down reading about economics of our times or the history of mans inhumanity to man, not that there's anything wrong with reading those, but they can be a little dusty at times.
August 28, 2024
This story is certainly suspenseful and there are thrills enough for anyone. I think maybe this author's style is something I am struggling with. It just doesn't work for me. Also, why is it that when the Alpha Male in these stories gets around to some romance they all seem to turn into Andy Hardy at the soda shop from the '40s or '50s?
June 1, 2017
This book is just amazing and hard to know what to expect, suspense levels are high and the plots are superb. Looking forward to the next one which I will have to wait for a few weeks but totally worth the wait.
October 21, 2018
Wow! As a longtime reader and absolute fan of Ben Coes, Dewey Andreas, I continue to be surprised, elated, physically and emotionally exhausted after finishing one of these books. An absolute riot of action, adventure, suspense and drama, again Ben Coes exceeds my expectations and delivers an absolute blockbuster of joy. Well done, Ben, well done. Onto the next...
May 1, 2021
With plenty of action and an indestructible hero, the author adds enough twists and turns to help suspend disbelief and enjoy a good story. I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
April 24, 2017
This is by far the best of the Dewey Andreas series by the author. Extra action, extra thrill, superb comic timing - More than enough to keep you hooked.
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