Girl Under Fire

by Julia Payne

Nyke Papadopoulos was the single most devious criminal mastermind Sam Hemming had come across. So, when the time came to take him down, she did not hesitate to set up the sting and plan the take-down. As the New York Field Office’s most experienced agent, Sam leads the elite FBI SWAT team to a location in downtown Manhattan.
But all does not go well.

Somehow, there is a leak within the Bureau and the take-down is a disaster. There seems to be only two people who could have been responsible for the leak. Half of the Bureau thinks it Sam, the other half thinks it’s the Assistant Director and head of the New York office.

As the treachery begins to reveal itself, the depth of the crime syndicate that Nyke leads comes into focus. Sam begins to realize that it is larger than what anyone had even contemplated or imagined. It was not just about money laundering, gambling, and illegal trade, it was far worse. The profits they were accumulating were going toward a larger purpose, one that would affect the whole world.

As Sam follows the trail of the syndicate, she finds that there is no one she can trust and no one who trusts her. But, loyalty to the constitution and the flag allow her to push through to the next challenge.

Girl Under Fire is a short prequel introduction to the Sam Hemming FBI Thriller Series and can be read as a standalone.

31 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2021

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st story that I have read from this author. Thje story introduces Sam Hemming, an FBI agent in N.Y.C. that is the lead for the arrest of a wanted international fugitive. The day of the takedown is snowing and her boss questions her whether she really wants to go forward with it. She tells him that she does and her boss agrees. As the FBI team of SWAT agents are going to the sign, a major offensive ensues.

Sam after leaving the vehicle and expecting her team to be with her discovers that she is alone. She is under fire and her only option is to cross the street and get to the building where construction is going on. She makes it there and discovers that this building is next to the one that the wanted man was located. She makes her way inside and winds up tearing a portion of a wall down. Once she has done that, she discovers a good deal of information as well as locates the area where the target was holding a meeting with members of thee American crew.

Sam makes a call to the emergency number and relays information that she discovered. If you want to discover what happened to her team and what the purpose of her call was, Then you will need to read this book. You will find pout whether she was able to accomplish what she started out to do.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting prequel to a very promising series with a fantastic female protagonist, Sam Hemming who is strong, smart and no nonsense. The only thing she cares about is the flag, country and constitution. When she is put in charge of a major take-down of a formidable and elusive criminal that is long coming, she jumps at the change and heads the swat teams. All goes well until they get to the place where they were supposed to make the penetration and they are all ambushed. Everyone is taken out except Sam who manages to escape after trying to reach the director in charge, Harold, and getting no answer. And the criminal Nyke and his men get away again. Someone in the Department is a mole! Could it be the Director? How come all his men in the communication room were killed and he conveniently left the room just before. Is he the mole? Who can she trust? Why is she being ferreted away by the CIA? Half the FBI office think it was Sam's fault and the other half think it's the Director. Who is it and how can she figure it all out and go after Nyke again? This is a fast paced, short read that makes you excited the first book in this series is next on its way! I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Sofe · Rating 5 out of 5]

EBook Review: GIRL UNDER FIRE by Julia Payne

(G) athering
( I ) nformation...
(R) eally
(L) ooking...

(U) nderstanding
(N) uances...
(D) eterminedly
(E) xamining
(R) esults...

(F) ate
( I ) s
(R) arely
(E) scaped...

GIRL UNDER FIRE, must move fast.
A matter of, life or death.

Must use all, of her skills.
Deception lies behind, screen of perception.

Wondering if this, her last day.
Only one way, to find out.

Easy to read, beginning to end.
I couldn't put, the book down.

Very well written, on tiptoes suspense.
Who gets it, in the end?

*************************************************
I received an advance review copy for free,
and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
*************************************************

[Steve Edelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia Payne Puts You In The Middle Of The Action

In the prequel - “Girl Under Fire” - Julia Payne has written a fast-paced police drama that is a real page-turner. Although the prequel is only a little more than thirty pages, it has the ‘look’ of a full-length novel.

Ms. Payne’s writing-style carries the reader along with her heroine - FBI Special Agent Sam Hemming - through all the action, fear, uncertainty and self-determination she needs to accomplish her mission.

My only criticism is that the story needs much better editing; there are far too many errors in such a short story.

Be that as it may, anyone into police crime will enjoy “Girl Under Fire”.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Any novella that bills itself as a prequel needs to do one simple thing, i.e. be interesting enough to make you want to read more.
"Girl Under Fire", at least for me, fails that simple test.
While it kinda stands on its own it is very similar to what happens in the last two or three chapters of many crime novels.
An FBI strike team gets taken out by a crime boss. Only Sam Henning is left standing and she's got just a couple of pages, her wits and shooting skills to save the day.
When the dust settles Sam knows who the traitor was who betrayed the FBI, but that's a story for another day.
1 Star.

[Colin Guest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although a short story, I thought it a great thriller and packed with action. Vast sums of money are earnt from drugs, arms, prostitution, and other illegal activities. Therefore, it is little wonder that some officials accept large payoffs to turn a blind eye against what they are doing. As the story shows, it can often lead to the death of those dedicated to try and put a stop to illegal activities.

[Tom Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia Payne never disappoints, another action packed story, characters that we will learn through time but FBI Agent Sam Hemming certainly packs a punch, she is a person that you can easily imagine.
Excellent start to the series.
I received this book for free from the author and wanted to give an honest review.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

[Laura Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a thrilling, heart-pounding short story, this is it. Samantha Hemming is a woman that is not to be underestimated. From the first page to the last, the reader is kept wondering what will happen. Loved it. This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and engaging. The story is mainly the events of one major bust that goes wrong, but the details show the series and story has much more to come… a mole in the FBI, retribution, details on the Secret Service role, relationship questions and more. Great descriptions and vivid scenes. Plan on reading the next book shortly.

[Maria Snowdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good prequel to a new series

I found this short prequel quite gripping, and am looking forward to reading the first book in the series. Sam seems to be an interesting character who will be fighting corruption.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling and intriguing story with lots of twists and turns. Plenty of drama to keep you turning the pages. Interesting and entertaining characters. Hard to put down. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margot Frye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book as an ARC with the promise of a review. This is a prequel to Sam Hemming In the FBI by Julia Payne. The action is non-stop and the characters grab you right away. There are twists and the story is compelling. I recommend this one if you enjoy an action thriller.

[Sharon Ryder Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think this novel is one for not only women but men also... No love interest at the moment, not sure if there will ever be. The plot is solid, but to short to make any further comment on to where this novel is heading.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great starter to the whole story. Confusion, intrigue, and the double cross; all good picks to pull you in.

[Chava Nechama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of action

A good intro to the next book but this one is also filled with suspense! Looking forward to more in this series!

[Mwambula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

The story was very interesting, once I started I couldn't stop reading it.

I am looking forward to the next story

[Buzz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book.

[Tara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish. I couldn't get hooked into it.