After a career in medicine, Mike succumbed to the call to hang up his stethoscope and pursue his other passion as a writer of fast-paced thrillers. A rabid fan of authors such as Clancy, Mark Greaney, Vince Flynn, and Brad Thor, Mike loves series writing with strong characters, fast pacing and international locations, all of which explode into action in his debut novel, a Zebulon Award winner, a double winner in the AIN Book of the Year Awards for the Thriller/Suspense and Action/Adventure categories, and Finalist in the International Thriller awards. Mike draws on his international wrestling background and 5 years of undefeated tournament martial arts combat in Tae Kwon Do and Chinese Kempo to bring vivid and realistic scenes to his writing. He is also the founder and co-creator of The CREW Reviews podcast--a weekly show interviewing the publishing industry's best-selling authors. When not at the keyboard, he can be found on the firing range, traveling for research across the globe, or trying out the latest dry-fly pattern on a Gold Medal trout stream. He lives at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
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ThrillerFest 2019
Blurbs for DARK SPIRAL DOWN:
“DARK SPIRAL DOWN, the debut thriller from Michael Houtz is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller written in the same vein as Peter Kirsanow and Brad Taylor.”
-The Real Book Spy
“If you’re in the market for a fast paced, action filled, page-turning thriller, Mike Houtz delivers a must-read novel. I highly recommend this emotional rollercoaster of a book for every die-hard thriller reader…Get it ASAP!”
–Lima Charlie Review
“Dark Spiral Down is a phenomenal debut novel by Mike Houtz! This book has everything readers of the genre love: a great plot, memorable characters, and a powerful voice. It’s a must-read!”
-Ammar Habib, Bestselling & Award-Winning Author, Editor-in-Chief of Thriller Magazine