Publishers Weekly
10/09/2023
Urszenyi’s fun-but-formulaic debut sets FBI agent Alexandra “Alex” Martel on a high-stakes quest to recover a stolen nuclear bomb before it destroys Paris, where world leaders have gathered for an annual “Peace Summit.” Alex, a combat medic turned sniper turned FBI agent, learns from Interpol that her old friend, a British intelligence officer, has been killed in the City of Light, and uncovers the impending nuclear plot by decoding a message left in the woman’s personal effects. Alex’s warnings are met with eye rolls and scorn from her fellow agents, until a team of Russian operatives succeeds in lifting a nuclear bomb from the U.S. Air Force base in Incirlik, Turkey. With a CIA colleague in tow, Alex launches a whirlwind chase for the nuke, which leads to several rip-roaring action set pieces, including a well-choreographed air attack and a sweat-inducing pursuit of the bomb and its handler in the Paris catacombs. Urszenyi’s characters are a bit stiff, and his dialogue can feel flat-footed, but he nails a golden thriller rule on his first try: give readers enough action to chew on, and they’ll eagerly turn the pages. Urszenyi is a writer to watch. (Nov.)
From the Publisher
"A smart and engaging protagonist, plenty of action in exotic places and a plot line that would make Tom Clancy think twice." —The Globe and Mail
“Urszenyi jump-starts his exciting, action-packed debut novel by plunging into the high-stakes world of FBI special agent Alexandra "Alex" Martel…highly entertaining.” –Shelf Awareness
"An action-packed thriller that reads like the best of Mark Greaney and Brad Thor in globe-trotting and mayhem." —A. J. Landau, author of Leave No Trace
“Urszenyi’s plotting and the texture of his writing reads like post-modern John le Carré…a modern-day masterpiece of international intrigue.” BookTrib
“Urszenyi brings his background as a police tactical medic to this boldly authentic debut, introducing an impressive female warrior in the first of an anticipated series.” –Booklist
"Alex launches a whirlwind chase for the nuke, which leads to several rip-roaring action set pieces, including a well-choreographed air attack and a sweat-inducing pursuit of the bomb and its handler in the Paris catacombs...Urszenyi is a writer to watch." –Publishers Weekly
"A page-turning adventure that packs a mean punch...Perfect Shot is a perfect strike for debut author Steve Urszenyi, who dials up the kind of globe-trotting, action-packed adventure that thriller fans everywhere are sure to enjoy." –Ryan Steck, The Real Book Spy
"An action-packed thriller that reads like the best of Mark Greaney and Brad Thor in globe-trotting and mayhem." —A. J. Landau, author of Leave No Trace
“Action-packed with an amazing plot. Steve Urszenyi is the next great thriller writer.” –Fred Burton, New York Times bestselling author of Ghost: Confessions of a Counterterrorism Agent
“Gripping and on target, Perfect Shot hits with maximum impact. Steve Urszenyi’s debut thriller never lets up from the first page to the last. Read it today!” –Jack Carr, New York Times bestselling author of The Terminal List
“A stunning debut heralding an extraordinary new character and series. Alex Martel is a kick-ass special agent in an action-packed, on-the-edge-of-your-seat espionage thriller with a jaw-dropping finish.” — Robert Dugoni, New York Times bestselling author of the Charles Jenkins Espionage series
"Perfect Shot is a cracker-jack debut novel! A compelling plot and richly drawn characters pull readers in from the very first paragraph and keep the pages flying by.” —Marc Cameron, New York Times bestselling author of Tom Clancy: Shadow of the Dragon
“Steve Urszenyi’s powerful debut starts fast and finishes faster. Full of high-octane thrills and intricate details that bristle with authenticity.” –Mark Greaney, #1 NYT bestselling author of Burner: A Gray Man Novel
“A gripping, high velocity thriller with a groundbreaking protagonist.” –Jeff Rovin, New York Times bestselling author of the Tom Clancy: Op-Center series
“Opening this book is like trying to jump onto a fast-moving train. Urszenyi is the real deal.” –Linwood Barclay, New York Times bestselling author of Take Your Breath Away