QUIET ECHOES IN THE DARKNESS Book Review

Quiet Echoes in the Darkness (book 1 in Jack Caldwaller series) by Mason Trask, eBook, 474 pages

Synopsis from Goodreads: Jack Caldwaller operates as a black operative for a paramilitary organization known as Daybreak. The best field agent most professionals have ever seen, Jack has a long history of achieving the impossible and ensuring the safety of the United States and its allies. But on his most recent mission, something changed, something outside of Jack's control. Someone must have betrayed not only Daybreak, but Jack Caldwaller personally.

After the mission goes south, his old mentor, Director Hunter of Daybreak, sends him back into the snake den to uncover the truth and root out who is working for the enemy while still working to stop enemies that have become unlikely allies threatening the United States and her interests. Along with his handler, Chelsea Simons, Jack is prepared to do what must be done to protect Daybreak, the United States, and to reveal the truth. Truth that no one may be quite ready for...

BOOK REVIEW: It's been awhile since I've read a good spy story. Not that I've read bad ones...but like it's been a minute since I literally laid my eyes on one. This makes me want to get back into some spy novels. I don't know if it's because I just recently saw an interview with him but casting this in my head, I pictured John Cena as Jack. With Jack trying to get in with the bad guys it just literally played out in my head like a movie and I loved it! It felt familiar but not like I've seen this movie or read this book familiar if that makes sense.

The author does a good job building the relationship between Jack and Chelsea. Even if he hadn't added in "the rumors", you could totally see how they would be floating around because I am rooting for them. I will say that I saw RED when a character said, "...just remember that I was there first." I cannot say who said it, who it was said to, when it was said, or anything because it would be a spoiler but to say I wanted to strangle someone would be an understatement.

Overall I give this a 4.5 (rounded up). There were times when it felt sluggish but those were spaced out throughout the story and didn't last long. It was just enough to make me set the book down and come back to it later. Don't get me wrong, there were scenes I was trying to read before I fell asleep because I couldn't put the book down and would fall asleep reading. The characters the author has brought to us have left me knowing that there will be more to their story. As a Coast Guard veteran I do not take any offense to the character that was a CG officer. Honestly it seemed fairly accurate to some that I came across in my time. I definitely want to see what Jack's next mission is and look forward to what the author comes out with! This debut novel is available now for pre-order on Amazon and will be released on 8.18.2026. It will be available in paper back and eBook upon release!

4.5/5 Stars

2026 Reading Challenge: 31/55 complete