Stephen Mertz


Stephen Mertz is an American fiction author who is best known for his mainstream thrillers and novels of suspense. His work covers a wide variety of styles from paranormal dark suspense to historical speculative thrillers and hardboiled noir.
His novels have been well-received critically. Booklist called Nightwind, “fast-paced...a white-knuckle read.” Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine labeled Mertz, “an action specialist.” Edgar-winner Joe R. Lansdale supplies this career assessment: “Stephen Mertz writes a hard-edged, fast-paced thriller for those who like their tales straight and sharp and full of dark surprise,” while Booklist had this to say about The Korean Intercept: "Fans of political thrillers will relish this high-action tale. An adrenaline rush!” Ed Gorman wrote, “Stephen Mertz just keeps on getting better, each novel more dazzling in story and style.”
Mertz is also a popular lecturer on the craft of writing and has appeared as a guest speaker before writer's groups and at universities. Early in his career, he was a prolific writer of paperback originals under a variety of pseudonyms. His work on Don Pendleton's Mack Bolan series is regarded by fans as some of the best in that series. He also created the Mark Stone: MIA Hunter and Cody's Army series, written under the pseudonyms Jack Buchanan and Jim Case respectively.
Stephen Mertz has traveled widely and is a U.S. Army veteran. He presently lives in the American Southwest, and he is always at work on a new book.

Novels

Some Die Hard The Vampire Chase Blood Red Sun Tunnel Rats Tunnel Rats: Mud and Blood Sudden Death Night Wind Fade to Tomorrow Devil Creek The Korean Intercept Dragon Games Hank & Muddy The Castro Directive
  • ''Blaze!''

The Executioner Series (as Don Pendleton)

The Iranian Hit #42 Return to Vietnam #43 The Libya Connection #48 Tuscany Terror #52 Day of Mourning #62 Dead Man Running #64 Beirut Payback #67 Appointment in Kabul #73 Teheran Wipeout #76 Dirty War Moscow Massacre #92 Save the Children #94

Cody's Army Series (as Jim Case)

Cody's Army Assault into Libya Philippine Hardpunch Belfast Blitz D.C. Firestike Hellfire in Haiti
  • ''Sword of the Prophet''