Upriver

NCIS Special Agent Linus Schag is no stranger to violence and bloodshed, but when he's sent to Iraq to take custody of two Navy SEALs suspected of murder, he finds himself thrust into a manmade inferno as coalition forces fight to free northern Iraq from the Islamic extremist group called ISIS.

The explosion of an IED allows the SEALs, suspected of killing a fellow commando, to escape and flee up the Tigris River in a stolen Navy patrol boat. Schag pursues the SEALs in another boat assisted by an Army criminal investigator, a vengeful Iraqi interpreter, and a hostile Navy boat crew. Facing danger at each bend in the river, Schag and his companions endure ambushes, firefights, and friendly fire as he tries to discover the secret that lures the SEALs straight into the dark heart of an ISIS-made hell on earth.

Editorial Reviews:

"What sets this solid military thriller apart is the realistic depiction of the effect multiple deployments have on both the professional military and reservists who are called up to assist and train the shaky Iraqi government. While delivering on the action, Hill also shows us the terrible toll on civilians as well. Uncompromising and highly recommended!" (James Benn, author of the Billy Boyle WWII mysteries)

"A must read ... Overall this was hard to put down and difficult to fault. It's given me a desire to go back and read books 1 and 2." (Reedsy Discovery)

"Upriver offers a finely developed and ambitious plot that supplies plenty of tension and action. Hill's straightforward, clear writing style is a solid fit for the subject matter and pace of the novel. In the context of military thrillers, the novel delivers on its promises, along with more than a few fresh and complex twists. Hill's knowledge of Navy Seal operations is apparent throughout the novel, as he develops characters with both nuance, depth, and realistic flaws." (BookLife Prize)

"Hill is adept at blending action and detection and in evoking the real-life experiences of those involved with Operation Inherent Resolve, the 2014 U.S. initiative to combat ISIS's expanding influence. Lee Child fans will be pleased. " (Publisher's Weekly)

"Upriver is one of the year's top military thrillers." (BestThrillers.com)

Martin Roy Hill weaves a gripping tale of murder, war, and mayhem. ... The narrative is unflinchingly raw, intense, and gritty, showcasing the brutal realities of war and all it entails. (Reader's Favorite)