This is an action packed book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It was a little political for me, which is a huge turnoff. This is perfect for fans of Cold War drama.

Out in the Cold was a very intense, action packed thriller. Almost too much for my own taste.

I really appreciate how much research Urszenyi put into this novel, but, as a layperson, I don’t necessarily need to know every single specification of each weapon. I felt like it got bogged down in those details too much.

I did not read the first book in the series and I think that may have been a mistake because the characters did not connect with me as much as I would’ve liked.

Overall, a decent book but not for me.

Thanks to the publisher for my DRC for an honest review.

Alexandra Martel is such a fantastic character in this thriller series. It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. This book definitely hits the "thrilling" of the thriller category!

If you like stories similar to those from the Cold War this one is for you. Thrills and international spys in a world where nobody is who and what they seem to be. I enjoyed the read and expect we will read more from this author. The book is dark and political and will appeal to an audience that appreciates that in their reading. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review#NetGalley#Outinthecold.

Special Agent Alex Martel shines as a fearless protagonist in Steve Urszenyi's thrilling novel "Out In The Cold". The intense opening action scene is bananas, making it a standout moment that could translate to a 93-minute movie scene. Bond movies wish they had this opening sequence. Martel's dynamic partnership with CIA agent Caleb adds depth to the narrative, their chemistry driving the story forward with a mix of intrigue and a will-they-won't-they vibe. Readers will be drawn--like a moth to a flame--to the duo's compelling dynamic, ensuring they return for whatever is next.

Thank you to Minataur Books for the advanced copy of Out in the Cold via NetGalley.

Special Agent Alex Martel is back is Steve Urszenyi's new thriller.

It was supposed to be an upscale party on the mega yacht of a Finnish diplomat. Some of Europe's richest and most influential are there. Until the quiet is interrupted by an explosion.

As a new member of NATO, someone thinks Finland might be a wink link. And that someone plans to exploit the weakness. Working with CIA Agent Caleb, Alex is thrust into the middle of a conflict she doesn't understand. And neither she nor Caleb can tell the good guys from the bad.

Part political thriller, part suspense, this is a roller coaster ride of action and excitement. From the halls of CIA headquarters at Langley to the situation room of the Whitehouse, from the French Riviera, to Helsinki and Paris, Alex and Caleb always seem to be one step behind. Short chapters, changes in location, in focus and the constant threat of danger and confrontation allowed for a constant undercurrent of tension that builds as the story nears it's volatile conclusion.

I'm glad to see Alex back in action. As I wrote in my review of Perfect Shot, the first book in this series, Alex is my new hero.

Out in the Cold is the second book after Perfect Shot. While I didn't find Out in the Cold quite as gripping as the previous book, it was still a very enjoyable read. However, I did think that the characters, especially Alex and Caleb, could have been developed much more than they were. The reader just got a brief look into each character and the ending was quite abrupt, leaving the reader waiting for the next book.

I would still recommend this spy thriller and I thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy.

OUT IN THE COLD is the second in a series. Alex is presently acting as a consultant for the CIA. We find her on a yacht owned by the rich boyfriend of her former boss at Interpol Celeste Cliquot, Action starts at the very beginning. I could NOT TURN THE PAGE fast enough for the first 25-30 percent of the book. Alex and Caleb work to save the life of Celeste and her boyfriend when mercenaries board the yacht. After returning to the US and her job, she finds out that Celeste was seriously injured at The Hague. Celeste defies her superior’s orders and flies to the Netherlands. This is where I find the book drags until the last fourth of the book.

Out in the Cold is the second book in the Alex Martel spy thriller series about a maverick former sniper and army medic turned Special Agent who is now working for the CIA. I was rather lukewarm about the first book, Perfect Shot, and hadn’t intended to continue the series, but then the ARC became available and I felt I should give the author another try, because I do usually like this kind of action novel. I’m glad I did because I enjoyed this one a lot more - the things that annoyed me last time do not recur, and this was a fun fast paced story with a suitably kick-ass heroine. You don’t need to have read the first instalment to follow what’s going on here and there are no major spoilers for it here.

Alex Martel is enjoying some down time in the South of France with her mentor and friend Celeste, the head of Interpol, when the luxury superyacht they are travelling on is boarded my pirates. Alex is able to save her friends but it turns out this is just part of a conspiracy targeting Finland with a series of attacks. How can one woman stop the powerful figures intent on bringing about war between Russia and the USA when she doesn’t know who she can trust even on her own side?

I loved how this book wasted no time throwing our heroine into a Die Hard on a Boat scenario - the movie is referenced so it’s clearly a deliberate homage. The action takes her from France to Washington to The Hague and finally to Finland, and a showdown with global implications. Alex is stroppy, brave, resourceful and happy to take down anyone who gets in her way, but also willing to accept help from unexpected sources. Looking forward to the next one!

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC and apologies for the late review. Out in the Cold is available now.

Steve Urszenyi (https://steveurszenyi.com) is the author of two novels. Out in the Cold was published last November and is the second book of his Special Agent Alexandra Martel series. It is the 91st book I completed reading in 2024.

Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence and mature language, I categorize this novel as R.

The story opens with Special Agent Alex Martel a guest aboard the megayacht Aurora sailing through the Mediterranean off the southern coast of France. She is mixing with the VIP guests when the yacht comes under attack. Martel and her new boss, CIA paramilitary operations officer and branch chief Caleb Copeland, are aboard at the invitation of Martel’s former boss Madame Cęleste Clicquot. Clicquot is the Secretary General for Interpol and is in a relationship with the owner of Aurora, multibillionaire Valtteri Lehtonen. Between Martel, Copeland, and Lehotonen’s security team, Clicquot and Lehtonen escape. They are pursued by their attackers, but make it to the French coast.

The question remains as to the objective of the attack. Was it Clicquot, Lehtonen, or guest Mikko Selänne, the Finnish representative to NATO, the target? Martel and Copeland apply their special skills to dispatch most of the raiders. Once the dust settles, they head to the US for a briefing on their first mission. A series of attacks on Finland appear to be the work of the Russians, though they deny it. Martel and Copeland are part of an intelligence task force whose mission is to investigate.

Meanwhile, Lehtonen’s limo is ambushed leaving passenger Clicquot hospitalized in serious condition. Martel insists on returning to Europe to see her friend Clicquot. Reluctantly, Martel is given permission. After seeing Clicquot, she is secretly whisked away to Finland to see their President. He has intelligence that Russia is indeed innocent of the attacks. That information had been passed by Selänne to Clicquot the night of the attack on the yacht.

Armed with this information, Martel gains CIA backing to investigate further. What she uncovers is a conspiracy to stir up animosity between the US and Russia. This will drive the sale of new military hardware, earning those in the arms trade millions.

Martel finds herself in one deadly situation after another. The trail leads her from the French coast to the US, Belgium, the Baltic, and back to the US. The conspirators will do almost anything to keep their plot hidden. Time and again, Martel puts herself in harm’s way as she unravels the conspiracy.

I enjoyed the 9 hours reading this 329-page thriller. While this is the second book of a series, it reads well on its own. The novel is full of action and intrigue, with a touch of romance for Martel. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4.5 (rounded to 5) out of 5.

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This was a very addicting thriller into figuring out who is trying to cause the third world war to show that America is the world’s greatest power. But detective Alex is on the case and won’t let that happen if she has something to say about it.

Alex, a medic turned sniper is back. Alex has trouble playing with others and an aversion to taking orders. After being pushed out of the FBI and then loaned Interpol she ends up on Caleb’s anti-terrorist group. A working vacation on a super yacht with her old boss and her boss’s billionaire boyfriend ends up as another typical Alex explosion.

The plot centers around a cabal promoting world war for financial gain. The action is nearly continuous and makes it very difficult to put the book down at bedtime. Street, a private security agent, interacts with Alex and Caleb, not without some friction.

An old adversary turns up unexpectantly and with surprising behavior.

Urszenyi has crafted a winning protagonist in Alex. There is more than sufficient intrigue, action, and deceit, although this plot is not quite as byzantine as the first book.


I recommend the book and look forward to reading more from this author.

Steve Urszenyi is back with his second thriller featuring Alex Martel. Steve simply knows how to write a great thriller book. Nonstop action from start to finish and I absolutely cannot wait to read the next one. If you like espionage thrillers this one has to go to the top of your TBR pile!

Action and espionage featuring female CIA Special Agent Alex Martel. Someone is targeting Finland and trying to provoke a global disturbance--Russia, or someone else? The book is action-packed and some of it seems to be based on real current events. My only quibble is that Alex seems a little too capable--a superhero instead of a real person--at least when it comes to the action. She seems a little clueless in other areas, however. ;)

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

Out in the Cold is the second book in the Special Agent Alexandra Martel series. Alex is charming and lethal. She’s a skilled sniper, and currently working as a contractor with the CIA.

A series of destabilizing events have targeted Finland. Alex is thrown into the middle of the turmoil, and must help discover who is behind the attacks.

Out in the Cold is action packed. A fast-paced read recommended for fans of spy thrillers with female protagonists.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Special Agent Alex Martel is off galavanting around the world trying avert imminent disaster. She’s as loyal as they come and as deadly as needed. This thriller is the female born identity! Thanks to NetGalley for the read!

Perfect Shot introduced Alexandra Martel, a former medic, sniper and FBI agent who is now a contract employee of the CIA. It was an edge of your seat thriller that left me hoping for her return. Now she is back and Steve Urszenyi has done it again. From a luxury yacht under attack in the Mediterranean to the streets of Helsinki, Alex jumps from one dangerous situation to another. Attacks have been staged against Finland, the newest NATO member, indicating that Russia is responsible. Madame Celeste Clicquot, the secretary general of Interpol and Alex’s friend and former boss, has her doubts. Her investigation into the actions leads to an attack that leaves her in intensive care. At the request of the Finnish prime minister, Alex continues the investigation. An attack on Alex leads to the discovery that her attackers are American. She is saved by Tatiana, a Russian agent who had once sworn to kill her. Tatiana provides proof of a conspiracy that could lead to a world war and it is up to Alex to find who is responsible. Time is running out as the president is being urged to take action and political tensions are growing.

Alex is a wild card. She is assigned to a task force back in Washington, but after the attack on Clicquot she is willing to put her career in danger by rushing to her friend’s side. Feelings have been developing between Alex and Caleb, her direct supervisor. He knows what she is capable of and provides what help he can when she goes off on her own. Rejoining at a conference in Helsinki and taking the action back to the United States for a final confrontation, this is an action packed thriller. Fans of Simon Gervais, Brad Thor and Brad Taylor will be adding Steve Urszenyi to their must read list. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press - Minotaur for providing this book.

In this 2nd in the series, kick ass heroine Alexandra Martel works for the CIA but still follows her own drummer as she tries to prevent World War III.

Of course we know she will, but it's the journey that entertains!

Another excellent adventure from Urszenyi in a sequel that keeps the fast, gripping pace and storytelling of the first book and expands on it by taking advantage of a world that's already laid out. If the first book was unrelenting, this one's ferocious in its pacing.

Things happen almost on top of each other as Special Agent Alexandra Martel finds herself in the middle of an ambush on a private yacht in the Mediterranean that's only the beginning of dominoes falling toward a great catastrophe. Alex has to rush from one fantastic location to another in hopes of saving her friends and avoiding WWIII.

It's violent and threatening, but I appreciate how Urszenyi keeps it entertaining and not as distressing as some international thrillers can get. The events feel alarmingly plausible, but hyper enough that you at least hope it's all just great imagination and craftsmanship at work.

I can't wait for the next adventure.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the exhilarating read!

Wow, I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series. This second book has just blown me away. It kept me wondering what was going to happen every time I turned around. It is full of suspense, mystery, and surprises! I definitely can’t wait to see what is going to happen next in this series.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.