Shadow War: A Tom Locke Novel

An army veteran with deep expertise in military and international affairs makes his fiction debut with this electrifying international thriller—the first volume in a blistering hot series in the tradition of Brad Thor, Tom Clancy, and Daniel Silva. In Shadow War, an elite American mercenary on a secret mission to save a businessman’s family in Eastern Europe must navigate perilous setbacks and deadly enemies that threaten to tip the balance of power between Russia and the United States.

Tom Locke is an elite warrior working for Apollo Outcomes, one of the world’s most successful private contracting firms. Pulled out of a mission in Libya, he is tapped for an unusual and risky assignment: a top secret black op in Ukraine. He is given one week to rescue an oligarch’s family and pull off a spectacular assault that could have long-lasting repercussions for this imperiled Eastern European nation and the world.

What Locke doesn’t know is that the operation comes with a dangerous complication: Brad Winters. Locke’s ambitious and enigmatic boss is engaged in a secretive, high-stakes geopolitical chess game with several influential powerbrokers in capitals around the world. One misstep could cost him—and Locke—everything.

While Locke has methodically planned the mission and hand-picked a team of trusted operatives to pull it off—and save his ass if things go south—he doesn’t count on running into a former love, war correspondent Alie MacFarlane, who impulsively makes a move that risks both their lives. Locke is an intelligent, iconoclastic soldier who specializes in pulling off the impossible. But all his brilliant preparation can’t prevent the kind of backstabbing and deception that could lead to catastrophe . . . and tip the balance of power toward Putin’s Russia.

From a paratrooper turned private military contractor comes a blistering-hot debut in the tradition of Brad Thor, Daniel Silva, and Tom Clancy about an elite American mercenary on a secret mission to rescue a businessman’s family in Eastern Europe

Tom Locke is an elite warrior working for Apollo Outcomes, one of the world’s most successful private contracting firms. Pulled out of a mission in Libya, he is tapped for an unusual and risky assignment: a top secret black op in Ukraine. He has one week to rescue an oligarch’s family and to pull off a spectacular assault that could have long-lasting repercussions for this imperiled Eastern European nation and the world.

What Locke doesn’t know is that the operation comes with a dangerous complication. Brad Winters, Locke’s ambitious and enigmatic boss, is engaged in a secretive, high-stakes geopolitical chess game with influential power brokers in capitals around the world. One misstep could cost him—and Locke—everything. And that misstep may already have been committed by Locke’s former love, war correspondent Alie MacFarlane, who impulsively makes a move that risks both their lives.

Locke has methodically planned the mission and handpicked a team of trusted operatives to pull it off—and to save his ass if things go south. He is an intelligent, iconoclastic soldier who specializes in achieving the impossible, but all his brilliant preparation can’t prevent the backstabbing and recklessness that is getting in his way. Locke must move quickly to stay ahead of a looming betrayal that could lead to catastrophe . . . and tip the balance of power toward Putin’s Russia.

With fascinating characters, nonstop action, and unparalleled authenticity, Sean McFate and Bret Witter’s thrilling debut will captivate readers and reveal the terrifying power plays and treachery that determine the fate of the modern world.

“Intelligent, funny, gritty, Ferrari-paced - at times even electric. Shadow War is in the running for best debut of 2016!” - Ben Coes, New York Times Bestselling author of Eye for an Eye

“[A] terrific debut… Resonance and depth [are] certain to make Shadow War the book others… seek to replicate. A tour de force of form and function for a new geopolitical reality.” - Providence Journal

“Shadow War is a full-tilt thriller… Full of tense moments, survival situations, gun fire, explosions, and even a romance (even if it is short lived). I would highly recommend it if you’re a fan of thrillers, spies, foreign relations or just want something good to sink your teeth into for a few days. I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment of the Tom Locke saga.” - BlackDogSpeaks.com

“A full-tilt thriller… Full of tense moments, survival situations, gun fire, explosions, and even a romance (even if it is short lived)…. I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment of the Tom Locke saga.” - BlackDogSpeaks.com on Shadow War

“McFate knows his way around bold, riveting stories, fascinating characters and ground-level combat that are sure to please fans of Brad Thor, Tom Clancy, and Daniel Silva.”

“An American James Bond meets the twists and turns of “Homeland.” - Adm James Stavridis, USN (Ret), Supreme Allied Commander at NATO

“A gripping journey inside the world of modern warfare and espionage, and those who enjoy a good military thriller will be hoping that more Tom Locke adventures will follow quickly.” - Booklist

“For Black Ops and lots of military action, join Tom Locke for an exciting, wild ride.” - Catherine Coulter, author of Nemesis

“[A] smart, exciting first novel and series launch…. Readers will look forward to seeing a lot more of Locke.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“McFate knows the world of his first thriller intimately… The novel provides plenty of drama and a realistic view of political intrigue, and McFate really shines with lines that ring with authenticity. . . . A promising debut from an author who clearly knows the realities of the mercenary’s trade.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Step aside, faux thriller writers and armchair warrior storytellers. Ex-mercenary Sean McFate has produced a first novel that’s assured, authentic, timely, gritty, and most of all real... I enjoyed the hell out of it.” - C.J. Box, New York Times Best-selling Author of BADLANDS and OFF THE GRID

“With well-drawn and fascinating characters and ground level espionage and combat sure to please fans of Brad Thor, Tom Clancy, and Daniel Silva, Shadow War is simply one of the most entertaining and intriguing books I’ve read in quite some time.” - Mark Greaney, #1 NYT Bestselling author of BACK BLAST

“Shadow War has pace like a catapult, sudden and fierce, and it will hit readers straight between the eyes.” - Ted Bell, New York Times Bestselling author of Patriot

“Wars produce warriors. Some, like special operator-turned mercenary Tom Locke, find it a curious calling that pulls them into the darkest of nights and most dangerous of places. Shadow War brings all of it to life in fascinating detail.” - General Stanley A. McChrystal