After stunning with his lights-out debut in 2023, author T.R. Hendricks hits the mark once again with The Infiltrator, delivering an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride that blends heart-stopping action with emotional depth in the same vein as C.J. Box and Taylor Moore.
Set about a year after the events of The Instructor, which saw him fight to bring down a group of domestic terrorists known as Autumn’s Tithe, retired Marine Warrant Officer and SERE instructor Derek Harrington returns as the FBI’s primary operative in the continued hunt for the elusive terrorist group. Eager to right wrongs and settle the score once and for all, Harrington leads the FBI’s efforts against other offshoots of the terror group. Though his relentless pursuit against them has been fruitful at times, with Autumn’s Tithe finally on the ropes and showing signs of retreat, Harrington plans a strike that would stomp them out once and for all.
Recent intelligence reports suggest that Autumn’s Tithe is now operating out of the remote Kentucky wilderness. Taking that camp down would effectively cut the head off the snake, leaving any remaining members slithering and running to ground. Going in is a no-brainer, but when the team of Harrington-led FBI agents storm the compound, Derek quickly realizes that their analysis of the opposition—which is heavily armed and well-trained—is off. That may or may not have something to do with ex-FBI Special Agent Hannah Kittle, who is now going by “Sarah” and continues to scheme against Harrington and her former colleagues, setting them on a high-speed collision course that brings plenty of fireworks, but not before turning deeply personal for David, who finds himself racing to bring down Autumn’s Tithe and protect those he loves most.
Whether you’re new to the series or just jumping in, Hendricks wastes no time plunging readers into the heart of the action as Derek, armed with his unparalleled expertise and unwavering determination, prepares to dismantle Autumn’s Tithe once and for all. What really sets his work apart, though, is Hendricks’ ability to richly depict the outdoor setting, especially remote parts of Kentucky, which serves as both a formidable battleground and an intriguing location in its own right. Similar to C.J. Box or William Kent Krueger, who have mastered finding ways to make their settings feel like characters in the story, Hendricks’s vivid descriptions immerse readers in the rugged terrain, heightening the suspense and accentuating the characters’ struggle for survival against both nature and human adversaries. That deft touch works on its own, but when paired with explosive action sequences, all told with relentless intensity and cinematic flair, you have all the makings of a blockbuster, and Hendricks proves that now two books in, he’s already a literary force to be reckoned with.
The real cherry on top, though, is the character development that spans these first two books. Harrington is as flawed as he is badass, and Hendricks packs loads of emotion into his hero, who certainly feels like a cross between Mark Cameron’s Arliss Cutter and Taylor Moore’s Garret Kohl (with a little Pike Logan thrown in for good measure), allowing Derek to come to life on the page in numerous ways that readers will find relatable. Bottom line—T.R. Hendricks is an author to watch closely moving forward.
Prepare to embark on a pulse-pounding journey alongside Derek Harrington into the heart of darkness with The Infiltrator, the latest adrenaline-fueled adventure from the brilliant mind of T.R. Hendricks. If you’re not already reading this series . . . start!
Book Details
Author: T.R. Hendricks
Series: Derek Harrington #2
Pages: 304 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 1250832268
Publisher: Forge Books
Release Date: April 23, 2024
Praised as “One of the hardest working, most thoughtful, and fairest reviewers out there” by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, Ryan Steck has “quickly established himself as the authority on mysteries and thrillers” (Author A.J. Tata). Steck also works full-time as a freelance editor and is building a growing community on Twitch. His debut thriller, FIELDS OF FIRE, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr says “will leave you speechless and begging for more,” is now available. His second novel, LETHAL RANGE, is also in bookstores, and his third book, OUT FOR BLOOD, comes out on June 4th. For more information, be sure to follow him on Twitter and Facebook. To interact with other readers and talk about your favorite books and authors, join The Real Book Spy’s Discord server.