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Black Flagged #0.5-1
ALPHA
Includes INCEPTION, a 70-page BONUS prequel novella
A "RETIRED" COVERT OPERATIVE WILL DO ANYTHING TO GUARD HIS DARKEST SECRETS...
Daniel Petrovich, formerly part of the Department of Defense's infamous Black Flag Program, protects a secret buried in the deepest vaults of the Pentagon. Blackmailed into executing one final mission for his previous commanding officer, Daniel's carefully constructed "life" rapidly disintegrates into a relentless federal manhunt-- and a "24-style" race against the clock to suppress the shocking truth about his past. To survive, he'll release the darkest side of his concealed identity. A dark side with few boundaries--and even fewer loyalties.
Black Flagged lays the foundation for a gritty, high-octane series exploring the serpentine link between covert operations and government agency politics.
A "RETIRED" COVERT OPERATIVE WILL DO ANYTHING TO GUARD HIS DARKEST SECRETS...
Daniel Petrovich, formerly part of the Department of Defense's infamous Black Flag Program, protects a secret buried in the deepest vaults of the Pentagon. Blackmailed into executing one final mission for his previous commanding officer, Daniel's carefully constructed "life" rapidly disintegrates into a relentless federal manhunt-- and a "24-style" race against the clock to suppress the shocking truth about his past. To survive, he'll release the darkest side of his concealed identity. A dark side with few boundaries--and even fewer loyalties.
Black Flagged lays the foundation for a gritty, high-octane series exploring the serpentine link between covert operations and government agency politics.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 9, 2014
6551 people are currently reading
761 people want to read
About the author
Steven Konkoly
70 books1,230 followersSteven graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1993, receiving a bachelor of science in English literature. He served the next eight years on active duty, traveling the world as a naval officer assigned to various Navy and Marine Corps units. His extensive journey spanned the globe, including a two-year tour of duty in Japan and travel to more than twenty countries throughout Asia and the Middle East.
From enforcing United Nations sanctions against Iraq as a maritime boarding officer in the Arabian Gulf, to directing aircraft bombing runs and naval gunfire strikes as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) assigned to a specialized Marine Corps unit, Steven's "in-house" experience with a wide range of regular and elite military units brings a unique authenticity to his thrillers.
He still wakes up at "zero dark thirty" to write for most of the day. When "off duty," he spends as much time as possible outdoors or travelling with his family--and dog.
Steven is the bestselling author of ten novels and several novellas, including a commissioned trilogy of novellas based on the popular Wayward Pines series. His canon of work includes the popular Black Flagged Series, a gritty, no-holds barred covert operations and espionage saga; The Perseid Collapse series, a post-apocalyptic thriller epic chronicling the events surrounding an inconceivable attack on the United States; and The Fractured State series, a near future, dystopian thriller trilogy set in the drought ravaged southwest
You can contact Steven directly by email (stevekonkoly@striblingmedia.com) or through his blog (www.stevenkonkoly.com).
From enforcing United Nations sanctions against Iraq as a maritime boarding officer in the Arabian Gulf, to directing aircraft bombing runs and naval gunfire strikes as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) assigned to a specialized Marine Corps unit, Steven's "in-house" experience with a wide range of regular and elite military units brings a unique authenticity to his thrillers.
He still wakes up at "zero dark thirty" to write for most of the day. When "off duty," he spends as much time as possible outdoors or travelling with his family--and dog.
Steven is the bestselling author of ten novels and several novellas, including a commissioned trilogy of novellas based on the popular Wayward Pines series. His canon of work includes the popular Black Flagged Series, a gritty, no-holds barred covert operations and espionage saga; The Perseid Collapse series, a post-apocalyptic thriller epic chronicling the events surrounding an inconceivable attack on the United States; and The Fractured State series, a near future, dystopian thriller trilogy set in the drought ravaged southwest
You can contact Steven directly by email (stevekonkoly@striblingmedia.com) or through his blog (www.stevenkonkoly.com).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
April 26, 2022
Clandestine thriller with twists and turns throughout. Many characters that were hard to keep track of at first, but a “list of characters” helped to refer to when needed. A real page turner and a good read! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
September 23, 2019
Excellent Thriller
This got my interest from very early on until the end. I enjoyed the action, along with the motivations and struggles of the main characters. Steven has written a book every bit as good as a Baldacci, and I say that as someone who has read most of Baldacci's books. I will definitely be reading more of this series.
This got my interest from very early on until the end. I enjoyed the action, along with the motivations and struggles of the main characters. Steven has written a book every bit as good as a Baldacci, and I say that as someone who has read most of Baldacci's books. I will definitely be reading more of this series.
February 27, 2020
Solid
Compared to some detail-heavy books that get weighed down by minutiae, this had enough to imagine the scene without coming across as fellating either the military or the weaponry. I actually bought the next three books in this series because I enjoyed this one more than I expected. It didn't have enough heart to earn that last star but it's a very solid series opener.
Compared to some detail-heavy books that get weighed down by minutiae, this had enough to imagine the scene without coming across as fellating either the military or the weaponry. I actually bought the next three books in this series because I enjoyed this one more than I expected. It didn't have enough heart to earn that last star but it's a very solid series opener.
January 20, 2023
Nearly a Miss
I almost gave this 5 star tale 3 stars! There were so many characters, and so many code names, and so many sides, that I had trouble keeping track of who was who! As I finished ALPHA, I discovered the PREQUEL, which explains so much of the main characters! I plan to read more books in the Black Flag series.
I almost gave this 5 star tale 3 stars! There were so many characters, and so many code names, and so many sides, that I had trouble keeping track of who was who! As I finished ALPHA, I discovered the PREQUEL, which explains so much of the main characters! I plan to read more books in the Black Flag series.
January 15, 2020
Movie like!
If Tom Clancy had written this, due to his excessive details, I might not have completed it and just hoped it would become a movie. But, for me, this was like reading a movie that had me enthralled from beginning to end. I’m glad I finally got around to reading this after being in my stack for a few years. Thank you for the amazing read.
If Tom Clancy had written this, due to his excessive details, I might not have completed it and just hoped it would become a movie. But, for me, this was like reading a movie that had me enthralled from beginning to end. I’m glad I finally got around to reading this after being in my stack for a few years. Thank you for the amazing read.
December 14, 2019
Good read!!
July 7, 2022
Another great read from one of my favorite authors.
Super characters and action.
Super characters and action.
September 19, 2021
I love Konkoly's Ryan Decker series so when this popped up as a prime read I jumped at the chance to read some more.
I will admit that I had trouble getting through this. I think there are a few too many points of view and we would be better served just seeing this story through the eyes of the two primary characters. Yes some of the story that we would have to have delivered to us from off screen would be lost, but I think it would have been better to spend more time in the main protagonists heads than with any of these other people. Just my opinion of course.
As for the story the biggest problem is everyone sucks like a real lot until about 75% of the way through and this makes it hard to enjoy the action.
I will not continue this series as I just do not enjoy these characters at all but I will still keep my eyes open for more from this author.
I will admit that I had trouble getting through this. I think there are a few too many points of view and we would be better served just seeing this story through the eyes of the two primary characters. Yes some of the story that we would have to have delivered to us from off screen would be lost, but I think it would have been better to spend more time in the main protagonists heads than with any of these other people. Just my opinion of course.
As for the story the biggest problem is everyone sucks like a real lot until about 75% of the way through and this makes it hard to enjoy the action.
I will not continue this series as I just do not enjoy these characters at all but I will still keep my eyes open for more from this author.
October 3, 2020
😊
Fast paced and action packed to the brim. Daniel Petrovich is blackmailed into doing one last mission for his old commanding officer. One last mission his deepest darkest secrets will be revealed formally see. Daniel can't allow this to happen. A federal manning tendencies following Daniels carnage wherever he goes.
Written really well and not bogged down by too many minute military style details like many other books on the same kind of subject. It was get in, do the job, get out. Fast, down to the point and out!
Fast paced and action packed to the brim. Daniel Petrovich is blackmailed into doing one last mission for his old commanding officer. One last mission his deepest darkest secrets will be revealed formally see. Daniel can't allow this to happen. A federal manning tendencies following Daniels carnage wherever he goes.
Written really well and not bogged down by too many minute military style details like many other books on the same kind of subject. It was get in, do the job, get out. Fast, down to the point and out!
December 2, 2021
Lots of action and blood.
The author put together a very exciting book with a lot of action. All the characters are well developed and carry mystery about their actions. By the end of the book the author explains there life, training and their expectation. The characters aren’t simple, they have complex personality that really gives them several different personalities. Makes it interesting to try to figure out the next move. The General stays ahead of everybody. Read and enjoy.
The author put together a very exciting book with a lot of action. All the characters are well developed and carry mystery about their actions. By the end of the book the author explains there life, training and their expectation. The characters aren’t simple, they have complex personality that really gives them several different personalities. Makes it interesting to try to figure out the next move. The General stays ahead of everybody. Read and enjoy.
December 27, 2022
ALPHA: A Black Flagged Thriller (The Black Flagged Series Book 1)
First, the last 80 odd pages is actually a novella called Inception. It is the "prequel" and provides a basic understanding of the Black Flagged mentality with an in depth look into Daniel. I recommend reading it first. There aren't spoilers, I promise! ;-)
Steven Konkoly tells an amazing story, especially when twisted up from the inside out. I am really looking forward to the next book!
First, the last 80 odd pages is actually a novella called Inception. It is the "prequel" and provides a basic understanding of the Black Flagged mentality with an in depth look into Daniel. I recommend reading it first. There aren't spoilers, I promise! ;-)
Steven Konkoly tells an amazing story, especially when twisted up from the inside out. I am really looking forward to the next book!
March 11, 2024
Intrigue Fantasy
Another novel I wanted to like, lots of intrigue and action, for sure. Daniel Petrovich is very talented and quite lucky as he gets through scrapes, one after another. Among all of the security and investigative departments deployed in this story, it was all I could do to try and keep everybody straight. A little less busy read might have been a easier and more believable way to spend my afternoons.I
Another novel I wanted to like, lots of intrigue and action, for sure. Daniel Petrovich is very talented and quite lucky as he gets through scrapes, one after another. Among all of the security and investigative departments deployed in this story, it was all I could do to try and keep everybody straight. A little less busy read might have been a easier and more believable way to spend my afternoons.I
March 22, 2020
A fast-paced thriller that keeps your attention from beginning to end. As other reviewers have mentioned this book read like you were watching an action movie. I really enjoyed the main character, Daniel Petrovich, which combines elements of Jack Ryan, Jack Reacher, and John Rambo all rolled up into one effective weapon against those he perceives as the enemy. If the series "Burn Notice" was rated R and made into a movie with sequels this series would likely be the result. The author manages to add just the right amount of detail and authenticity to both weapons and clandestine organizations mentioned in the book. He also does a great job of not making the main character perfect and without character flaws, which made the character more believable. A solid read that makes me want to explore the series further to see if it maintains the standard this book has set.
April 11, 2020
Daniel aka Marko aka etc.....
A complicated story with so many alphabet agencies, such as CIA, FBI, NSA, DoD, and so on.
I really lost track.
But the cruelty in my opinion does not add to the storyline.
If just a small percentage of the story is true it would scare the s..t out of me.
Not my kind of literature, although it kept me guessing till the end.
A complicated story with so many alphabet agencies, such as CIA, FBI, NSA, DoD, and so on.
I really lost track.
But the cruelty in my opinion does not add to the storyline.
If just a small percentage of the story is true it would scare the s..t out of me.
Not my kind of literature, although it kept me guessing till the end.
November 16, 2020
Great characters!
What a cast of characters! This book of covert operations is frighteningly believable, and the characters are well developed and also believable. The warped minds of these operatives are entertaining and the story grabs you from start to finish, though this story is obviously just beginning!
What a cast of characters! This book of covert operations is frighteningly believable, and the characters are well developed and also believable. The warped minds of these operatives are entertaining and the story grabs you from start to finish, though this story is obviously just beginning!
March 14, 2021
A start to a good series
The action in this book portends of more to follow. The story line moves at a good pace although some of the plot is a little far fetched. The characters were developed reasonably and some were very believable. I will consider reading the other books by this author.
The action in this book portends of more to follow. The story line moves at a good pace although some of the plot is a little far fetched. The characters were developed reasonably and some were very believable. I will consider reading the other books by this author.
November 18, 2021
Black Flagged series is going to a fun read!!
I’ve read the first book Alpha and prequel Inception. Appreciate Inception because it gave the backstory for Petrovich. I enjoyed his character even though his accomplishments against much greater odds is a wee bit too unrealistic. But I intend to enjoy the ready of the series!!
I’ve read the first book Alpha and prequel Inception. Appreciate Inception because it gave the backstory for Petrovich. I enjoyed his character even though his accomplishments against much greater odds is a wee bit too unrealistic. But I intend to enjoy the ready of the series!!
July 12, 2022
Lots of characters in many roles make in hard to keep up with the action in this book. I had to go back several times to be certain I knew which agency or role a character was playing. Since this is a first in a series, I think it will be easier to keep track with the next book. It’s very well written and if you like the spy/conspiracy genre you will like this book.
September 10, 2022
Excellent
It took a few pages to get into the flow. There are a lot of players and I found myself double checking the cast of characters. It was worth the time. If you get a chance, read the prequel. I plan to read the rest of the books. The story line is classic spy, good guy bad guy: except it takes a bit longer to put them in the correct category.
It took a few pages to get into the flow. There are a lot of players and I found myself double checking the cast of characters. It was worth the time. If you get a chance, read the prequel. I plan to read the rest of the books. The story line is classic spy, good guy bad guy: except it takes a bit longer to put them in the correct category.
December 28, 2022
A prequel to the Black Flagged Novel. You truly can’t read one without the other! They flow seamlessly together and in the flow of it, you find your way and lose it many, many times!
It’s all very intriguing. (This review tells you nothing much, other than: Read this first, it won’t be half as compelling if you read it later).
It’s all very intriguing. (This review tells you nothing much, other than: Read this first, it won’t be half as compelling if you read it later).
December 18, 2025
A strong beginning.
Great character development, but the author's use of similar names (Munoz and Menendez) had me second guessing myself as to which character was which. Hopefully Mr. Konkoly won't repeat that error in the sequels, which I'll be reading because this initial effort was so good.
Great character development, but the author's use of similar names (Munoz and Menendez) had me second guessing myself as to which character was which. Hopefully Mr. Konkoly won't repeat that error in the sequels, which I'll be reading because this initial effort was so good.
March 18, 2020
Good action thriller with some twists
This book started with some fast action, then proceeded to introduce a host of characters until you couldn't tell who was who and the good guys from the bad guys.
Eventually it all sorts out and things come together nicely.
This book started with some fast action, then proceeded to introduce a host of characters until you couldn't tell who was who and the good guys from the bad guys.
Eventually it all sorts out and things come together nicely.
March 30, 2020
Wordy
I prefer more action, less explanations. Daniel is a trained operative, and the top of his profession. His previous employer needs him on short term, but he's reluctant. Hold on for the ride, this is a bumpy trip. Well told.
I prefer more action, less explanations. Daniel is a trained operative, and the top of his profession. His previous employer needs him on short term, but he's reluctant. Hold on for the ride, this is a bumpy trip. Well told.
Read
April 9, 2020Interesting Read
This was interesting. It was entertaining. It is sort of a Jason Borne story without the memory loss. This character knows who he is and what he is. He just wanted out. Good job.
This was interesting. It was entertaining. It is sort of a Jason Borne story without the memory loss. This character knows who he is and what he is. He just wanted out. Good job.
June 8, 2020
Action packed. Not sure who came first Vince Flynn with his Mitch Rapp characters or this black flag group.
One was quite like the other almost to a T
Doubt I will purchase any more of this series as I seem to have read them already to some degree.
One was quite like the other almost to a T
Doubt I will purchase any more of this series as I seem to have read them already to some degree.
July 19, 2020
This starts out strong, but then becomes a bloody mess. Bodies are everywhere, the main character, Daniel Petrovich, is a non-stop killing machine. The group he kills for is Black Flag, also the name of a well known insecticide. I may have to stop reading this,
February 17, 2021
Black Flag book review
Black flag this whole series was great from start to finish even though the audiobook was 67 hours long it was a great series I would highly recommend this book I give it 4 + 1/2 Stars
Black flag this whole series was great from start to finish even though the audiobook was 67 hours long it was a great series I would highly recommend this book I give it 4 + 1/2 Stars
September 8, 2021
Superbly crafted!
The longer I read, the better this book got! The intrigue is off the chart high, and the characters were easy to get completely invested in, within the exciting storyline. I’m headed for REDUX right now!!
The longer I read, the better this book got! The intrigue is off the chart high, and the characters were easy to get completely invested in, within the exciting storyline. I’m headed for REDUX right now!!
November 11, 2021
Confused
Maybe this was the author’s intention, but the whole time reading this book I was never sure who were the good guys and who were the bad guys.
Think I figured it out at the end.
Maybe this was the author’s intention, but the whole time reading this book I was never sure who were the good guys and who were the bad guys.
Think I figured it out at the end.
April 19, 2022
Awesome book
This is not my usual genre but i devoured the pages. Would love to continue the series straight away. Reminds me a lot of Jason Bourne if course which I read in elementary shool more than 25 years ago.
This is not my usual genre but i devoured the pages. Would love to continue the series straight away. Reminds me a lot of Jason Bourne if course which I read in elementary shool more than 25 years ago.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews