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A new voice enters the thriller genre, but it sure sounds familiar to echoes of James Rollins and Brad Taylor—making Desert Heist one of the most noteworthy debuts of 2026.
Written with the confidence of someone who’s been there, done that—and survived to tell the tale—newcomer Alex Dekker delivers a high-octane blend of military realism, archaeological mystery, and globe-spanning intrigue that hits the sweet spot between action and discovery, all while building to a pulse-thumping final act that doesn’t disappoint.
At the center of the story is Nate Wilde, a tough-as-nails former Green Beret haunted by a disastrous deployment who trades combat ops for academia in an attempt to rebuild his life. But when his quest to locate the legendary lost city of Ubar is shut down by Harvard and blocked by Saudi authorities, Nate does what great thriller heroes always do—he presses forward anyway.
What follows is a dangerous journey through Yemen and into the Empty Quarter, where the ghosts of his past and the dangers of the suddenly present collide.
There’s a lot to love here, but where Dekker excels is in assembling a memorable team of characters—each member distinct, believable, and useful when things go sideways. Think Taylor’s Taskforce or Rollins Sigma Force (but with a lot less science and more heavy-handed punchers), and you’ve got the right idea. From the battle-hardened British SAS medic to the womanizing UFC fighter-turned-Green Beret, the camaraderie and chemistry between characters feels more real and earned, not manufactured. The addition of geologist Ana Metry, whose personal search intertwines with the larger mystery, adds diversity and emotional weight, but also just the right amount of intellectual depth to the narrative, rounding out the cast nicely.
After the inevitable initial setup and character intros, which allow readers to mesh with and become familiar with Dekker’s universe, the action turns gritty and smashing. Still, it’s never over-the-top or flashy for its own sake, and, honestly, the historical and archaeological elements are genuinely intriguing and, on their own, enough to keep the pages turning. Overall, the story reminded me of a Dan Brown-meets-modern-day-Indiana-Jones–style mystery fused with the grounded tactical realism readers have come to expect from Brad Thor. The result is a cinematic, page-turning thriller that never loses sight of what matters most: delivering a fun ride that’ll stay with you for some time when it’s finally over.
With shadowy adversaries, geopolitical stakes, and a fun, memorable cast of characters led by a promising new hero, Desert Heist is a strong debut, establishing Alex Dekker as a name to watch closely moving forward.
Book Details
Author: Alex Dekker
Series: Nate Wilde #1
Pages: 464 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 166809536X
Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Release Date: July 28, 2026
More thoughts on Alex Dekker, his first book, and Emily Bestler . . .
Come summertime, if you’re on social media, expect to see a lot of hype about this book.
Dekker, for those who don’t know a ton about publishing and how it works, was discovered and signed by Emily Bestsler of Emily Bestler Books, an imprint of Atria Books at Simon & Schuster, one of the “Big Five” publishers based in New York City. Bestler (and her imprint) are home to other powerhouse authors such as Jack Carr, Brad Thor, the Vince Flynn estate . . . .
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 in addition to running TRBS. He is the author of FIELDS OF FIRE, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr says “will leave you speechless and begging for more,” LETHAL RANGE, OUT FOR BLOOD, GONE DARK, and TED BELL’S MONARCH. For more information, follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and BookBub. For even more content and book news, subscribe to The Real Book Spy Substack!