Stories worth crossing oceans for often unfold in the pages of adventure thriller novels, where the thrill of exploration meets the depth of historical fiction. Whether you're diving into military adventure novels or losing yourself in the dark twists of Noir Fiction, these thrillers promise to take you on unforgettable journeys.
Mharai Books specializes in meticulously researched historical fiction, producing novels across five distinct genres: adventure thriller novels in the classic pulp style, nautical military adventure novels with a focus on the Age of Sail (1757-1820) and the critical decades from 1890-1930, noir fiction, 1970s espionage thrillers, and suburban 1990s horror with a noir feel. What sets Mharai Books apart is our unwavering commitment to weaving actual historical events into our thrilling narratives. Each story is crafted to entertain while providing readers with an authentic glimpse into the past, creating an immersive experience where adventure and history converge.
Boston, December 1931. Loyalty has worth—most men don’t.
Frank Wallace is dead, and the Gustin Gang is on the ropes. Irish crews are tearing each other apart to see who will take the top spot, and the Italians smell blood.
Fifteen years at sea haven’t washed South Boston out of Patrick Flynn. When the former Navy Chief comes home on the bitter end of a losing streak, the only open door belongs to Donal Murphy—the childhood mentor who once helped him skip town ahead of a robbery charge, and now runs with Kieran Maguire, a small-time mobster with ambitions.
Before long, Flynn is back in the rackets, knee-deep in blood, whiskey, and betrayal. Every handshake hides a blade, and every favor has a cost.
As Kieran tightens his grip on Southie, Flynn must choose between being able to look in the mirror and a loyalty that might get him killed. When the streets burn and the kings of Southie make their final play, Flynn learns there are no good men left—only the ones who must live with what they’ve done.
A hard-boiled crime novel steeped in loyalty, betrayal, and Boston’s dark alleys — in the tradition of Chandler, Ellroy, and Lehane — The King’s Menis the first book in a gritty new trilogy about love, honor, and survival in Prohibition era Boston.
When ancient cartographers ventured into unknown territory, they marked their maps with a warning: "Here There Be Dragons." For CIA officer Mitch Dunnigan, those dragons are all too real. Operating under diplomatic cover in 1972 Manila, Dunnigan believes he’s just hunting a ruthless Philippine guerrilla commander. However, the situation escalates dramatically when Chinese intelligence agents covertly deliver a nuclear weapon to local insurgents, shifting the mission from counterterrorism to preventing a nuclear catastrophe. Now, with President Nixon's upcoming visit to Subic Bay looming as the deadline, Dunnigan must race against time to avert disaster. His only allies include a battle-hardened ex-SEAL, a brilliant bar girl who doubles as his agent, and a unit of Philippine Marines. Yet, he faces formidable obstacles: a wife spiraling into mental illness, a kidnapped son, a treacherous American officer, and a merciless enemy ready to sacrifice everything for his cause. From the bustling streets of Manila to the jungle-covered mountains of Zambales, Dunnigan discovers that in this shadow war, dragons aren't mere myths—they're very real and extraordinarily deadly. This gripping tale embodies the essence of military adventure novels, blending elements of historical fiction and Noir Fiction, making it a must-read for fans of adventure thriller novels and thrillers alike. By K. Scott Schaefer.
Available on KDP Select
I have always been driven by the desire to blend history and fiction, illustrating that historical events are so much more than just dates in a textbook. Every historical event involved real people, with genuine hopes, dreams, and fears. This blend of reality and imagination fuels my writing—bringing the past to life through adventure thriller novels and making history breathe again.
After proudly serving in the United States Navy for more than 20 years (retiring in 2016), I launched Mharai Books as a way to transform my lifelong passions into something greater than a dream, focusing on military adventure novels that reflect my experiences.
For those interested in exploring historical fiction, I highly recommend the works of Bernard Cornwell, Richard McKenna, and Herman Wouk. Their storytelling has significantly shaped my approach and continues to inspire me. Even if you never read anything I write, do yourself a favor and dive into their books—you won’t regret it.
I live in northern Virginia with my wife, my two youngest children (the oldest has flown the nest), three dogs, and two cats.