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Use of Force: A Thriller (The Scot Harvath Series Book 16) Kindle Edition

by Brad Thor (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.5 14,693 ratings

Book 16 of 23: The Scot Harvath

Editors' pick Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

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From the #1 New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brad Thor comes “his very best” (The Washington Times) thriller, following covert operative Scot Harvath as he is called upon to stop an ISIS-led plot to destroy the Vatican.

As a storm rages across the Mediterranean Sea, a terrifying distress call is made to the Italian Coast Guard. Days later, a body washes ashore. Identified as a high value but missing terrorism suspect, his name sends panic through the Central Intelligence Agency.

Where was he headed? What was he planning? And could he be connected to the “spectacular attack” they have been fearing all summer? In a race against time, the CIA taps an unorthodox source to get answers: Navy SEAL turned covert counterterrorism operative, Scot Harvath. Hired on a black contract, Harvath provides the deniability the United States needs, while he breaks every rule along the way.

Teeming with fascinating characters and electrifying intrigue, Brad Thor does it again and proves why he is known around-the-world as a master of thrillers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"His best book yet. Powerful and reads like the news of what is going on today." (Glenn Beck, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author )

"Brad Thor writes like a high-octane mix of Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum." (Andrew Mayne, Bestselling Author of NAME OF THE DEVIL )

“Pure thriller gold…well conceived, perfectly timed…elegantly paced, harking back to the best of masters like Alistair MacLean and David Morrell.” (The Providence Journal)

"The best thriller writer ever." (Bergen Record)

"No one writes a better thriller than Brad Thor--and USE OF FORCE...will be viewed by many as his very best." (The Washington Times)

"When you pick up a novel by Brad Thor, you should prepare to become fully immersed in the machinations and inner workings of modern-day counterterrorism operations . . . . I sleep better at night knowing that peole like Thor and Harvath are out there doing what the rest of us are unable to do to keep our world safe." (Bookreporter.com)

"Adrenaline junkies, this one's for you . . . Filled with action, patriotism, and plot twists, this adventure will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last." (Today.com)

About the Author

Brad Thor is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-three thrillers, including Dead Fall, Black Ice (ThrillerFix Best Thriller of the Year), Near Dark (one of Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of the Year), Backlash (nominated for the Barry Award for Best Thriller of the Year), Spymaster (named “One of the all-time best thriller novels” —The Washington Times), The Last Patriot (nominated Best Thriller of the Year by the International Thriller Writers association), and Blowback (one of the “Top 100 Killer Thrillers of All Time” —NPR). Visit his website at BradThor.com and follow him on Facebook @BradThorOfficial, on Instagram @RealBradThor, and on X @BradThor.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1 CHAPTER 1
BURNING MAN FESTIVAL

BLACK ROCK DESERT, NEVADA

TWO DAYS LATER

Scot Harvath wasn’t supposed to be here. The CIA was forbidden to conduct operations inside the United States—especially the kind he was about to undertake. Desperate times, though, called for desperate measures.

The seven-day Burning Man event was an extreme, weeklong summer solstice festival held on a flat, prehistoric lakebed three hours outside Reno, Nevada. Outrageous costumes were encouraged—as was “tasteful” nudity. Costumes ran the gamut from Mad Max to Carnival in Rio.

As fit as he was, he could have gotten away without wearing much of anything. That wasn’t his style, though. It also wouldn’t have made sense for his assignment.

Instead, the five-foot-ten-inch Harvath, with his sandy brown hair and his glacierlike blue eyes, wore a Continental Army coat and a full face of Cherokee war paint, obscuring his handsome features.

As the wind kicked up again, he pulled a pair of steampunk goggles over his eyes and wrapped a keffiyeh around his face. Clouds of the fine alkaline dust that covered the playa were swirling everywhere. Visibility was dropping.

“Fifty meters,” a disembodied voice said over the device pushed deep into his left ear. He kept walking, scanning from left to right.

Burning Man took place in a temporary “metropolis” built in the Black Rock Desert, which was called Black Rock City. With more than seventy thousand attendees, BRC was twice as dense as the City of London.

Seen from above, the festival was laid out in the shape of a giant letter C, or two-thirds of a circle. It looked like a blueprint for the Death Star with a good chunk blown away.

It was a mile and a half across, and a quarter mile out from the center of the C was the “Man”—a giant effigy that would be set on fire Saturday night.

There were no accommodations in Black Rock City, only what you hauled in (and hauled back out) yourself. “Burners,” as attendees were known, spent months in advance planning elaborately themed camps and villages. Only the ultrarich showed up on Day One, usually via helicopter, to luxury, turnkey camps that had already been constructed for them.

Almost as controversial as the camps of the ultrarich was something called Kidsville. It was one of the largest camps at Burning Man and was for families with children—an interesting choice at such an adult festival. Nevertheless, this year, there were about a thousand kids in attendance.

An army of volunteers, augmented by private security, had screened each vehicle as it entered the festival. Occasionally, the volunteers were assisted by undercover law enforcement.

The massive flow of traffic, in addition to the laid-back atmosphere of the event, made it impossible to do anything thorough. It was more security “theater” than anything else.

Local and state law enforcement patrolled the festival, as did Park Rangers from the Bureau of Land Management. But as long as you weren’t openly doing drugs or providing alcohol to minors, it wasn’t difficult to stay off their radar. They had their hands more than full. It was no wonder Burning Man had caught the attention of terrorists.

The voice spoke again in Harvath’s ear. “You should be able to see it now.”

He stopped walking, raised a bottle of water to his mouth, and used the opportunity to look around.

Banners and tent flaps blew in the wind. There was a makeshift bar called 7 Deadly Gins, something called Camp Woo Woo, another place called No Bikini Atoll, and an enclave named Toxic Disco Clam. Just beyond was the blue RV.

“I see it now,” said Harvath, tossing the water bottle.

“Hey!” a woman behind him complained, but he ignored her and kept moving. He had come too far to let Hamza Rahim escape.

Through the dust, the evening air was redolent with the smoke from bonfires and burn barrels. Music thumped from every direction. Hidden out of sight, diesel generators rumbled their low growls, powering turntables, sound systems, and massive light shows. Dancers on the playa spun flaming orbs on long chains. Rolling art exhibits, brightly lit from end to end, spat fire into the night sky.

He did a slow loop around the camp that contained the blue RV. Everyone seemed to be congregated in a large tent, content to party and wait out the dust storm happening outside.

After a group of bicycles covered in synchronized LED lights passed, Harvath approached the RV.

It was dark inside. He tried to peer through several windows, but the blinds were drawn. A sunshade covered the windshield.

Pressing his ear against the door, he listened. Nothing. If there was anyone inside, they were being very quiet.

He tried to open the door, but it was locked.

Removing a set of picks, he looked over his shoulder to make sure no one was watching. No one was. Within seconds he had the door unlocked, had affixed the suppressor to his Sig Sauer pistol, and had slipped inside.

Even through his keffiyeh, the RV smelled terrible—like stale cigarettes and a toilet that didn’t flush well. After he peeled off his goggles, it took a second for his eyes to adjust.

Plates of half-eaten food sat on the table. Dishes were stacked in the sink. A white plastic trash bag, overflowing with garbage, was tied to one of the drawer handles. The upholstery was torn, the carpeting was stained, and there was playa dust covering everything. Hamza Rahim lived like an animal.

Noticing something on the floor, Harvath bent over and picked it up. Pieces of electrical wire. His heart rate went up.

As far as anyone at the CIA knew, Rahim had been sent to Burning Man for preattack surveillance. His job was to gather intelligence and feed it back up the chain. Harvath’s assignment was to snatch Rahim and break his network by any means necessary. The wires, though, suggested the CIA’s intelligence might have been dangerously off target. Raising his pistol, Harvath crept toward the rear of the vehicle.

The first thing he checked was a small closet. It was filled with junk. Across from it was a set of bunk beds—both of which had been slept in. Bad sign. Rahim was supposed to be alone.

Beyond the bunk beds was the master area. That bed had also been slept in.

There was only one place left to search: the bathroom.

The door to it was shut. Taking up a position to the side, Harvath slowly tried the knob. Locked.

He listened for any sound, but all he could hear was the thump of the dance music pulsing outside.

Stepping in front of the door, he raised his boot and kicked straight through the knob, shattering the lockset and leaving a hole where it used to be.

As the hinges were on the outside, the door was meant to swing away from the bathroom into the RV.

Harvath took one hand off his pistol and reached for the door. That was when it exploded.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01M2BRLHB
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atria/Emily Bestler Books; Reissue edition (June 27, 2017)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 27, 2017
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3079 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 381 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #47,536 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #231 in Political Thrillers & Suspense
- #245 in Assassination Thrillers (Kindle Store)
- #249 in Terrorism Thrillers (Kindle Store)

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4.5 14,693 ratings

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Brad Thor

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Welcome to my Amazon author page. My new thriller, DEAD FALL is now on sale.

I tell people that my books are like the James Bond movies, you don't need to have seen any of the prior films to hop right in and enjoy the latest.

If you're interested in a chronological list of my novels, it can be found under the "Books" section of my website, BradThor.com. While there, I hope you will enjoy the array of terrific bonus material I have created for you. From spotlights on exciting international locations to features on the guns, gadgets, and gear my characters use, there is something for everyone.

Happy reading!

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Dan Berger

A good thriller and quite timely

Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2017

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At the outset Scot Harvath and his team only partly foil a terror attack on the Burning Man Festival, and learn there are more attacks planned. They race against the clock to stop them.

Two are carried out on major European sites, making it all the more critical to stop the last and biggest one. Meanwhile rogue insiders plot against the CIA and the Carlton Group, the subcontractor Harvath works for.

Thor’s infiltration sequences are excellent, from dressing up as freaky steampunkers at Burning Man, to posing as big spenders to lure a mafioso and his entourage to an Italian disco. Harvath and a by-the-book investigator with the Italian Carabinieri must work out an accommodation. The Carabinieri, the man tells Harvath, are mostly men from Mafia controlled areas who didn’t want to become like the Mafia, and he can’t permit Harvath to go full cowboy on Italian soil.

Most harrowing is their journey into Libya to find and interrogate the refugee smuggler who handled an ISIS bomb chemist’s attempted transit to Europe. Harvath’s team is on its own in that chaotic land, outnumbered and outgunned by Libyan militias who come after them. You get a feel for what the heroes of Benghazi went through. They’ve got some drone support but there are diplomatic barriers to actually helping them when they most need it.

And there’s lots of excellent (and depressing) background. The smugglers - who send refugees off in leaky boats that will probably sink, forcing the Italian Navy to rescue them and grant asylum - are some of the worst humans on the planet.

The supporting cast is engaging, including Nicholas, the white-hat computer hacker Harvath works with (a dwarf, probably cast with “Game of Thrones” star Peter Dinklage in mind for a movie), Vella the black-site doctor who uses smell chemicals during interrogations, and Lovett, the gutsy (and gorgeous) CIA officer in Italy who puts herself in harm’s way in an LBD to get the mobster to make a move on her.

Main bad guy Torsunov, a Tajik jihadi, is formidable and disciplined, a former cop and soldier who leaves nothing to chance.

This was my second Scot Harvath novel and I liked it better than the first. Nothing wrong with that one (“The Lions of Lucerne”) but this was better. It felt timely, what with ISIS’s continuing terror attacks in the West, plus my reading it over Labor Day Weekend when Burning Man takes place.

Harvath, a former SEAL, is resourceful, willing to break rules to get his job done, and frustrated by those around him who aren’t. I like how his team members break each other’s balls. His dwarf computer expert, Nicholas, is brilliant and probably created so that Peter Dinklage of “Game of Thrones” can play him in a movie.

There’s enough technical detail to make it sound real and it’s always pertinent to the action but never overwhelming. It lets you know Thor has done his homework.

4 people found this helpful

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Richard T. Homan

as always a great engaging story

Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2024

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The good guys eventually won. Bad things happened; unfortunately that’s realistic. But the story keeps you close and pulls you in as a good suspense novel should.

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Ana Maria Rivera Casco

Keep you reading

Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024

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16 books into a series and the author still manages to keep the story line interesting.
The characters have mature over the time. The plots gets twists in the right place just to keep you at the edge of your seat.

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Slaven

Brad Thor delivers again with non-stop, heart pounding action.

Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2017

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Use of Force brings back Brad Thor’s counterterrorism expert Scot Harvath, with non-stop action from page one to the very end. It’s highly advised that you set aside a good weekend to punch through this thriller because it’s very difficult to put down once you’re in for the ride. From the very beginning, Scot is surrounded by his team of warriors, ranging from Mike Haney & Matt Morrison, two bad ass former Force Recon Marines. Tim Barton, a Navy Seal. Tyler Staelin, A Delta Force Operative. And, Jack Gage, a Green Beret.

As a former Marine, myself, I can appreciate their dialogue between each other, both in battle and off. When you become so close to a small group of people and you literally go through hell and back with them. Certain things, such as joking and throwing “the bird” to each other becomes a part of your regular vocabulary. Brad Thor did not disappoint in that aspect at all. It’s part of serving that builds brotherhood and camaraderie. Very few authors, such as Joshua Hood, who I am using as an example since he’s been there and done that, capture this with such a perfect balance of real and “no way” that’s out of line. It’s clear Brad Thor does his research and puts in work to be as accurate as possible in every detail possible.

Along with those characters, we have some new ones. A very capable and attractive CIA Specialized Skills Officer Deborah Lovett. Paolo Argento, the leader of an elite special unit in Italy tasked with taking down organized crime and terrorists’ networks. You quickly realize, Argento is as motivated as Harvath in taking down terrorists and making his country safe.

Some returning characters include, “the old Man” or Reed Carlton. Which I have very mixed feelings about in regard to his future. I will keep it spoiler free, but once you’ve read it, I look forward to your thoughts. Along with him, is Lydia Ryan & Bob McGee. Both are very competent and provide the right amount of support our counterterrorism expert needs to complete his mission. Finally, my favorite, Nicholas, aka “The Troll.” He is as formidable and bad ass as ever in his craft. Always surrounded by his two loyal companions and no task is too difficult when it comes to cyber espionage.

In conclusion, Use of Force is a MUST READ. If it’s not on your summer must read list, put it on and get it to the top asap. You will not be disappointed. I give this book a very solid five stars, if I could give more I would. It’s THAT good and Brad Thor once again delivers with non-stop, heart pounding action from beginning to end.

41 people found this helpful

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Alex Mills

Use of Force #16 in the series

Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2023

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Brad Thor keeps the hits coming. Always a page turner and well worth reading in numerical order. I love how all the stories connect to each other. Highly recommend.

Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2021

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Unfortunately the story is too convincing in many ways and I hate to think of the guys reading his books and getting ideas. But the good guys as usual won out and in masterful ways for the most part. The only thing I was a little concerned about was the ending period I thought it ended too quickly and too easily period that's all I'm gonna say about it because I don't want to spoil the story for anyone else period but get the book it is a good read

One person found this helpful

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Morris Maple

Hard to put down

Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2023

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Brad Thor keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. All his books are action oriented. A great author

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Dastardly

Ending ruined it for me

Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2017

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I've read all the Scot Harvath books so far. After reading the 10th book in the series, I started at book 1 and have read each of them. I think it is a great series, but this book just didn't deliver in the end. It's too bad, because I loved the book up until the very end, but the climax was so abrupt, I kept waiting for something else to happen. There's realism in that, which I get, but when you build up to what should be a big moment and there isn't, it's disappointing. This isn't to tell anyone not to buy the book. I've recommended this series to all my friends and family, but if you aren't already familiar with the series, start at the beginning. You'll get hooked. If this is the first of the series you read, I don't think you will.

12 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Great

Reviewed in Canada on September 1, 2022

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Love all the Scot Harvath series books

Juan

a tiempo

Reviewed in Mexico on July 25, 2019

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en tiempo y forma

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Abhishek Kumar

Pageturner

Reviewed in India on February 14, 2020

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A good plot and characters make this book by the author a very fast thriller which made me turning the page and difficult to stop. Recommended to the thriller lovers and the fans of the author.

ccoll45

couldn’t put book down

Reviewed in Australia on April 18, 2023

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Thrilling book full of suspense and “baddies” in every direction.
Action packed. So well researched and detailed that I learn something every time I read Brad Thor’s books.
Great characters with their own personalities alluded to. Would highly recommend this book

Mike Duncan

Great book. Highly recommended for fans of Scot Harvath

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2018

Verified Purchase

If you like the Scot Harvath series , you will love this book. It continues the high adrenalin action in the series.
Keep them coming Brad Thor.

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Use of Force: A Thriller (The Scot Harvath Series Book 16) Kindle Edition

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