City of Night

CITY OF NIGHT is the first book in Aaron Gibson’s Mark Bender series of thrillers, set in Australia. Mark survived an attempted execution during his final tour of duty in Afghanistan. Returning to civilian life hailed as a hero, but a broken man, he carries the deaths of those he couldn’t save with him. When his twin sister convinces him to find out what happened to his missing first love from high school, he’s drawn into an ever-tightening net of power, deceit, and a centuries old secret society. The city of Sydney and its surrounding area serves as an additional character in the story, adding an excellent layer of both physical and emotional geography. The action is fast-paced and well-choreographed, the dialogue strong, and the sensory detail well-chosen and visceral. CITY OF NIGHT is a page turner that is satisfying in and of itself, while also a strong setup for the series.