A James Becker Suspense/Thriller Series

FROM A USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR. SUMMARY: Terrorists plan to attack Minnesota's Prairie River Nuclear Power Plant, but they’re not your typical band of Islamic extremists. True, there’s an al Qaeda connection. But the heart of the ‘terror cell’ is homegrown, right here in the United States. James "Beck" Becker is a former elite U.S. government intelligence operative who has retired to his childhood hometown of Red Wing, Minnesota – just six miles down the Mississippi from the Prairie River Power Station. He recognizes connections between seemingly unrelated incidents – a murdered agronomy professor, a missing lab assistant, an international cell call, a stolen fertilizer truck, an explosion in the street in front of City Hall – but can't piece it together in enough detail to convince government authorities that a larger threat exists. Only his American Indian friend, "Bull," will help Beck defuse the threat. So it's Beck and Bull versus the best terror cell west of the Mississippi. May the better men win. GOLD MEDAL THRILLER – Readers Favorite Book Awards. "Best Self-Published Book" – Dollycas's Blogspot. “Rich with intrigue and mind-bending suspense, The 19th Element is a compelling read. Throughout the pages of his enrapturing new political thriller, author John Betcher takes the reader on a nonstop, action-packed ride of true-to-life adventure.” Apex Reviews “A First Rate Psychological Thriller – Highly Recommended.” Readers Choice Reviews. “This book is now tied with Harlan Coben's CAUGHT as the best book I have read this year. If you like a riveting, page turner this is definitely a book that should be in you hot little hands today.” Lori Caswell. Amazon Top Reviewer and Book Blogger. "Betcher writes with intelligence and humor. The 19th Element is an intriguing blend of Robert Parker wit and Vince Flynn action. A fun, exciting read for anyone who enjoys a well-written thriller." Lois Greiman, award-winning author of the Chrissy McMullen mysteries. “A very realistically portrayed terrorist attack in an unusual setting provided me with a nerve-wrenching adrenalin rush. If you're into suspenseful thrillers, try this one on for size.” Steven Moore for Book Pleasures Reviews. “John Betcher has written a realistic, page-turning, pulse pounding thriller.” Doug Dorow, Author of The Ninth District. “The book is a fabulous well-written thriller about nuclear terrorism. . . .In light of the Nuclear Plant disaster in Japan, John's thriller is a timely masterpiece.” Amazon Reviewer. “The 19th Element is a heart-pounding, pure adrenaline rush. I actually felt exhausted after reading it. This is probably one of the highest compliments that I could ever give. When I get so wrapped up in a book that I feel like I'm the main character, I know that I've read a winner! I loved this book!” Bridget Hopper (KY). Book Blogger and Reviewer. “The plot takes you right to the nail biting end, hoping that it all works out. You'll have to read for yourself to see what happens. It will be well worth your time. James Patterson move over because John L. Betcher can tell a fantastic story!” Amazon Reviewer.

By a USAToday Bestselling Author. “The Missing Element is an action-packed, high-stakes suspense thriller. Taut, compelling, and highly entertaining, The Missing Element is a dynamic read. The latest thrilling offering from an exciting new literary voice.” APEX REVIEWS. “The Missing Element is well-written, the plot is intriguing, and the characters are interesting. Betcher draws you in from page one and holds your interest to the very last. Unlike many recent novels, Betcher takes his time tying up the loose ends and concluding the story. This book is obviously the beginning of an exciting new series of suspense novels for Betcher. The Missing Element is highly recommended . . . “ READERS CHOICE REVIEWS. “I was impressed all the way around with the writing, the plot, the whole story. As I finished the last pages I closed the book very satisfied that all the loose ends had been tied and hopeful that I could follow the roads that Beck travels again...” Sheila A. DeChantal, Book Reviewer & Blogger. “Sure this was a great mystery and it was complex and diverse enough to keep me totally interested while both Beck and his wife must get involved in order to stop what would have been a world-wide "information" disaster. So if mysteries are your interest, The Missing Element by John L. Betcher is excellent reading. But if you are also a fan of the late Robert B. Parker and/or fun snappy dialogue, then I move this into the must-read category for you! For myself, you might have already realized that I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with James Becker, et. al., and look forward to meeting them again in their next mystery! GA Bixler (PA), REVIEWERS ROUNDUP “This is such a good book. It is written at the perfect pace that keeps you turning page after page after page. It is hard to believe this is the author's first mystery novel. The characters are wonderfully developed, my favorite character of the book is Bull, an American Indian, with some very special skills and a very dry wit. The plot is one that may scare anyone who uses a computer, which today is everyone, when you realize this story can actually be true. Are machines running the world? Are humans THE MISSING ELEMENT? Lori Caswell, Book Reviewer and Blogger. SUMMARY: After decades of clandestine government operations, James "Beck" Becker and his wife Elizabeth return to Beck's childhood home town to enjoy a settled retirement in the small Mississippi river community of Red Wing, Minnesota. But "settled" is a relative term and no matter where Beck goes, intrigue follows. When Minneapolis computer genius, Katherine Whitson, disappears under peculiar circumstances, her husband exploits a sympathetic Red Wing acquaintance to enlist Beck's aid in finding her. As Beck searches for Katherine, the tangled trail leads from her luxury Minneapolis Warehouse District condo, through her husband's extra-marital escapades, past the entrenched hierarchy of elite computer professionals, and into the mind-bending world inside computer microprocessors. Katherine's kidnapping is clearly more complicated than a typical abduction. As it turns out, the Beckers must use all of their considerable experience -- his as a military intelligence operative; hers as a CIA code-cracker -- to save Katherine and bring her abductors to justice.

From a USAToday Bestselling author comes this Amazon TOP 100 and B&N Nook TOP 10 bestseller. Former military intelligence operative, James “Beck” Becker and his CIA code-cracking wife, Beth, have retired to Beck’s hometown of Red Wing, Minnesota. Their retirement has already proven more exhilarating than they’d expected. But they could never have anticipated the new source of crime and intrigue in their small community. A Mexican drug cartel has set up shop a few miles down the road. And they’re not just selling. The new meth production facility is the largest north of the Rio Grande. To complicate matters further, Terry “Bull” Red Feather’s former comrade-in-arms has come to visit. And he’s on a mission. His decades-long assault on the cartels is coming to a head. His plan is to blow up the drug plant . . . if he can find it. He wants Bull to help. The Beckers’ challenge? To dismantle cartel operations before a full-blown drug war breaks out in Red Wing. SILVER MEDAL - 2011 and 2012 Readers Favorite Book Awards. “I loved this book, I couldn't put my Kindle down! I can't wait to read more of this author's works. This book was so intriguing and suspenseful and best of all WELL WRITTEN.” Amazon Review. “An intelligent thriller that weaves the echoes of recent events into a lively narrative. Plotted deftly, this is a recommended read for all who appreciate stories in the vein of Clancy and Flynn.” Ryne D. Pearson, Bestselling Author of Simple Simon (which became the movie, Mercury Rising) “This is a well-plotted and exceptionally written and researched thriller. Betcher tells a convincing story and yet manages to keep the violence and coarse language to a minimum and thus ensures a wide and satisfied audience. All the players are brought together as Betcher builds momentum and suspense for a satisfying ending that will leave you entertained and excited for the next episode. The book stands alone well, but I dare you to read this one without needing to quickly purchase The Missing Element (book 1) and The 19th Element (book 2). Highly Recommended. READERS CHOICE REVIEWS. “This novel tells a complicated tale of revenge that comes to those who wait.” Marty Dodge for Book Pleasures. “Follow the potential life of one Mexican-American individual who dedicated his life to eliminating the Drug Cartels. John Betcher's choice to use this character is intriguing, allowing us to see into the heart of many Mexicans who are just as concerned, and maybe even more so, about the influence of drugs in the United States and throughout the world. I commend John for this effort and look forward to future important books in this series. Highly recommended.” GA Bixler for REVIEWERS ROUNDUP.

FROM A USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR. In response to recent turmoil in Egypt’s intelligence community, the CIA has recalled Beth Becker to active duty. Though she accepts the assignment, the backstabbing and deceit she finds festering within the Agency remind her why she retired from government work in the first place. Meanwhile, her husband, “Beck,” stays home in Red Wing, helping Chief Deputy Sheriff, Doug “Gunner” Gunderson, formulate what should be routine security plans for a visiting dignitary. But a less than stellar private security firm, and a determined sniper, result in a crisis situation that stretches our heroes’ abilities to their limits. Filled with intrigue, humor, and ripped-from-the-headlines action, THE EXILED ELEMENT will remind you why you came to love the Beckers in the first place. FIVE STARS for THE EXILED ELEMENT -- John Betcher does it again! He brings readers an exciting, action-filled, fast paced, thriller. Betcher always manages to fill his books with intrigue and a dash of humor. His plots are fiction but could easily be ripped from the headlines. Beth is a strong character in more than one way. I appreciate the way Betcher developed her. She makes me want to take a few self-defense classes. Betcher's books are equally plot and character driven. He makes me eager for the next book in this series. Reviewed by Anne B. for Readers Favorite RATING: 5.0 STARS "The Exiled Element" is a follow-up novel in the Beck Suspense/Thriller series and it is well-written, filled with suspense and unexpected twists and turns. Readers will follow the plot as it proceeds to a satisfying conclusion and will love all the characters, especially Dakota Native American "Bull". In fact, readers will adore and even reread the part at the book's conclusion where Bull acts out off-camera violence in the assassin's prison cell. Formatting and editing are above par and fans of thrillers will put "The Exiled Element" at the top of their reading list. Reviewed by Alice D. for Readers Favorite

From a USA TODAY bestselling author. The scientific community declared the North Korean “weather satellite” dead on arrival in space. And until recently, the scientists were right. But now the satellite has awakened and the Kim regime wastes no time in launching its secret space-based weapon against the American mainland. Unfortunately, the North Koreans’ aim is bad and their package lands in the middle of nowhere—Ottawa County, Minnesota—where the deadly delivery sets in motion a sequence of events even its creators in Pyongyang could never have anticipated. James “Beck” Becker has retired from a twenty-year career serving his country as a military intelligence operative and now practices law in his childhood hometown of Red Wing, Minnesota. When local huckster Rodney Holton seeks his legal advice regarding a meteor strike on Rodney’s farm in rural Red Wing, Beck suspects that the “meteor” may be more (or possibly less) than a natural phenomenon—a suspicion that is confirmed when the FBI rolls into town looking for the mysterious space rock. But before the authorities can get their hands on the meteor, it vanishes from Rodney’s farm, leaving Beck and the feds behind to deal with an angry farmer and a troubling circumstance—Rodney’s cattle have begun to get sick.