HAMMER Receives BookLife Review from Publishers Weekly Reviewers

Big news for HAMMER—my debut political thriller has received an official review from BookLife, written by reviewers affiliated with Publishers Weekly.

Even more exciting, this review is scheduled to appear in Publishers Weekly magazine on May 11, placing HAMMER before approximately 68,000 publishing professionals, including booksellers, librarians, editors, reviewers, and industry decision-makers, along with thousands of online readers. That kind of visibility is a major milestone for any novel, especially a debut release.

For an independent author, recognition from Publishers Weekly carries real weight. It signals that the book is reaching beyond its immediate audience and entering broader conversations in the publishing world.

A Strong Early Review for HAMMER

One line from the review immediately stood out:

“Hammer is a propulsive yarn with tight pacing and word-level economy that keep the story moving.”

That captures exactly what I wanted this novel to deliver: relentless forward momentum, sharp tension, and a story that never loses pressure.

The review summarizes the novel this way:

Betar’s political thriller follows retired MMA fighter Jack “Hammer” Garrett, the son of U.S. Congressman Louis Garrett and his wife Dottie. When the staff of the Terlingua River Ranch in Texas find Louis and Dottie shot to death, zip tied, and hung from the ceiling in their room, the FBI suspects a Mexican cartel execution. Jack, however, is not about to take anyone else’s word when it comes to his parents’ murder.

Why HAMMER Stands Out as a Political Thriller

The review also recognized the broader scope of the story, that was essential in building Jack Garrett’s world.

His vigilante quest soon leads him into a deep conspiracy involving not just the cartel but also a crooked humanitarian aid organization, Bulgarian arms dealers, South African militants, and his own family’s long-kept secrets.

At the center of that conspiracy is Elijah Cargill, one of the novel’s most dangerous figures:

As founder of Helping Hands—a global humanitarian organization—Elijah has friends in high places. And he uses those connections to cover his true work: shipping arms disguised as medical supplies to South Africa and facilitating human trafficking in China.

That blend of international corruption, political power, cartel violence, and personal betrayal is what drives HAMMER beyond simple revenge fiction into the territory of global political suspense.

A Cast Built for Suspense

The review also highlighted the layered supporting cast:

The plot links multiple threads and a colorful cast: a hitman who steals a button from the clothing of his kills, an FBI intelligence analyst with an IQ of 180 and a crippling case of Tourette’s syndrome, and a young South African boy who turns out to be one of Jack’s biggest fans.

And it closes with a line I truly appreciate:

“The message of this novel may be a simple one, but Betar has the props necessary to hammer it home.”

Official Takeaway from BookLife

BookLife’s summary line describes the novel as:

“Dense, twisty political thriller with a deep respect for vigilante justice.”

That may be the most concise summary of HAMMER yet.

Read the Full Review

You can read the complete review here: https://booklife.com/booklife-review/9781968127220

Thank You to Readers Supporting HAMMER

Every review, recommendation, preorder, and message helps this novel reach more readers. For a debut book, support from readers matters more than ever—and moments like this are possible because of that support.