Thunderbird Rising

The Maxx King Thrillers, Book 1

De: John H. Thomas

Narrado por: Scott Fleming

Maxx King is a former Army Ranger turned cybercrime investigator trying to get his life back on track when he has an unexpected confrontation with a ruthless Chinese spy. Struggling to understand the escalating violence, he discovers a clandestine US-China conflict centered around a device of unknown origins with the power to trigger massive natural disasters.

Caught between competing US government agencies, Chinese assassins, secret informants, and a rising number of deaths, Maxx must get to the truth before the next catastrophe strikes. Things get personal when it turns out his girlfriend, Gabby, has been working on the covert project and may be the source of damaging leaks that threaten national security.

The clock is ticking, and a break in the code reveals that something big will happen on September 11th, 2001. Thunderbird Rising is an action-packed alternate-history thriller full of uncertain loyalties, deceit, and international espionage set in Seattle and New York City.

©2024 John H. Thomas (P)2025 John H. Thomas

Modern Intrigue with Pace and Depth.

I'm someone who really enjoys well-constructed audiobooks, especially ones that offer clear and simple explanations in detail. Thunderbird Rising surprised and pleased me. The plot is intense, with a solid protagonist and a geopolitical backdrop that feels real and current. The combination of action and cyber intrigue is nicely balanced.

Scott Fleming's narration is precise and tight, ideal for this type of story. His voice conveys authority and he keeps the pace just right, without exaggeration.

Smart Action with a Touch of Realism.

Thunderbird Rising has a snappy pace and its present-day approach so it managed to grab me immediately. The plot nicely blends modern espionage with personal dilemmas, never losing clarity at any point.

Scott Fleming offers a sober but effective narration, ideal for a story of this type. His tone conveys seriousness without falling into excessive drama. A very good choice for those looking for action with brains.

Intriguing

Maxx King, a former Army Ranger turned cybercrime investigator, is pulled into a deadly web of espionage when he crosses paths with a Chinese spy and uncovers a secret US-China conflict over a device capable of triggering natural disasters. As bodies pile up and loyalties blur, Maxx races to unravel the truth—especially when he learns his girlfriend, Gabby, may be leaking critical intel. With the clock ticking toward a catastrophic event on September 11th, 2001, Thunderbird Rising delivers a high-stakes alternate-history thriller set against the backdrops of Seattle and New York City.

John H. Thomas, author, crafts a complex yet accessible thriller that reimagines a pivotal historical event with compelling fictional twists. His writing is both intelligent and immersive, blending real-world events with imaginative storytelling that captures the listener’s attention from start to finish. The plot is thoughtfully paced, and the characters are richly developed through sharp dialogue and vivid action. Each scene unfolds with purpose, leading to a satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion.

Narrator Scott Fleming elevates the experience with a powerful performance. He captures the essence of every character and moment, using just the right amount of emotion, tension, and intrigue. His voice is clear and expressive, with a steady cadence that keeps the listener engaged. His ability to embody a wide range of personalities brings depth and realism to the story—he truly was the ideal choice for this audiobook.

This is an intriguing and emotionally resonant thriller that not only entertains but also encourages reflection on alternate versions of history. It stirs curiosity, evokes strong emotional responses, and adds a compelling layer to conspiracy theories worth contemplating.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

A Man's Story

Maxx King is a fun character for a man to channel.
I went along with him vicariously as he navigated his threats and challenges by using logic and his fists.
An entertaining conspiracy thriller with vivid characters.

Highly recommended if you like spy stories

Great spy book that keeps you entertained until the end despite being a long audiobook. Maxx has to decide which mess he will stop first, so there are a couple of fronts opened that will keep you listening to it until the end. It is an action book, so if you are looking for a love story, you won't find this book very amusing.

Thunderbird Rising

Thunderbird Rising is a fast-paced, high-stakes techno-thriller which blends espionage, action, and science fiction into one wild ride in the week leading up to the events on September 11th, 2001. The story follows Maxx King, an ex-special forces operative turned cybercrime investigator, who finds himself in the middle of a global conspiracy that could change the world as we know it.

A mysterious “Omega” device of alien origin is at the centre of a deadly game between the U.S. and China. Being the winner means the ability to call down the wrath of the alien protectors who aren’t averse to the odd natural disaster. Mount St. Helens? That’s what you get for misusing the device.

The race has been on since the mid-1950s, with DARPA and other government agencies only now starting to fully decode the instructions.

Maxx is thrust into the middle of all this by accident. The Chinese operatives looking to steal information on the US version of the Omega device try taking him out of the picture, which doesn’t go too well for them. Maxx is a tough, no-nonsense kind of ex-military guy, so when his friends and loved ones are being threatened, it can only end one way.

The whole science fiction angle was a pleasant surprise. I thought I was in for a Borne-style thriller based on the blurb, but the sci-fi element added an interesting twist on the whole genre.

The pacing is one of the book’s strongest points, with a narrative that never lets up. The opening chapter has Maxx in peril almost instantly on the eve of September 11th, and things don’t get less intense as we flash back one-week to how he got there.

An additional layer of intrigue is the effective way it incorporates an alternate history timeline without re-writing the whole narrative. As mentioned, the events of the book take place in the leadup to the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center towers, but not as an alternate explanation for that day, but as a side conspiracy that plays out in the shadows.

Weaving the two together works well, and the slightly conspiratorial side of me thinks it adds plausibility, blurring the lines between real-world and fiction. It’s an approach that ratchets up the tension because we all know how that day played out and it keeps you guessing how the plot may get intertwined.

The narration by Scott Fleming was easy to listen to. He’s got a gruff kind of voice which works well for Maxx and the story in general. I had no notes on production issues, so no obvious re-takes, background noises or other distractions. Fleming is certainly the right voice for the book.

A small bonus at the end where the author lists out the various songs that helped provide inspiration. He’s even got a Spotify playlist you can check out if you’re interested!

If you’re a fan of thrillers that don’t just rush to the finish line but also make you think about what’s else might be out there, Thunderbird Rising is a must-listen. I enjoyed the heck out this one!

thriller and more

If you enjoy books by authors like Tom Clancy, Brad Thor, or Mark Greaney, this one will be right up your alley. Highly recommend

Tech-Conspiracy Thriller With Killer Narration

Thunderbird Rising by John H. Thomas, narrated by Scott Fleming, hits the mark—hands down. This thing’s a rush, mixing tech with conspiracy in a way that’s fast, wild, and full of turns I didn’t see coming. The mix of real and alternative history is solid, the characters stick in your head, and the story’s got suspense that grabbed me.

Scott Fleming’s narration? Man, it’s a winner. He cranks up the action scenes and gives each character their own - Maxx’s voice especially had me hooked. It’s a full-on movie in your head, perfect for tuning out the commute. Clocking in at just over 10 hours, it flew by.

If you’re into thrillers with characters you’d share a beer with and a narrator who nails it, this is the one. Five stars—I’m already looking forward to the next one from this pair!

Gripping and suspense-packed

Thunderbird Rising is a highly entertaining, action-packed story that will keep you hooked and intrigued until the end. The narrator does a very good job. Highly recommend to listen if you like thrillers that are a blend of espionage, cybercrime and real-world stakes.

Best Listen This Year

I was hunting for an audiobook to make my commute less of a drag, and this book checks all the boxes. This thing’s a rush, mixing action with conspiracies in a way that’s fast, wild, and full of turns I didn’t expect. The world feels believable, the characters are interesting, but the story—with a mix of history and fiction—really grabbed me.

The narration? It’s awesome. He cranks up the action scenes and gives each character their own vibe. Maxx’s voice especially had me hooked. It’s a full-on movie in your head, perfect for tuning out traffic crap. If you’re into killer stories with characters you’d share a cold one with and a narrator who makes the real, this is for you. Five stars!