There are legal thrillers—and then there’s Private Force by Richard Malmed, which takes everything you think you know about justice, flips it on its head, and lights it on fire. This book isn’t here to expose how messy, corrupt, and outright ridiculous those rules can be. And honestly? It’s kind of brilliant.
Peter Stern, a retired lawyer with a CIA past and a mind that just won’t sit still, gets pulled into a world where law enforcement is privatized, weaponized, and just rogue enough to work. It all starts with a software deal that should’ve meant quiet retirement, but instead throws him into the underground operations of a covert group called the Blue Eagles—a team that doesn’t wait for warrants. They handle drug dealers, corrupt cops, and international criminals their own way.
“Your boss will think you ripped him off and he’ll take care of you in prison. So take your pick: fingers first, balls first or New York motel.”
— Private Force, Chapter 6, p.26
Yep. That’s the tone. Brutal, blunt, and way too real.
Taking Down Crime Differently
Private Force takes us deep into the world of vigilante justice—except this time, it’s organized, strategic, and backed by ex-military minds and ex-cops who’ve had enough of bureaucracy and red tape. The story runs through drug busts, cartel takedowns, and secret operations run outside government approval. But this isn’t just action for action’s sake—Malmed uses Peter Stern to challenge what it means to truly enforce justice in a system where the bad guys keep slipping through.
The heart of the book is this ethical tug-of-war. Stern doesn’t just jump in guns blazing. He questions everything. He wants to know the legal lines, the moral costs, and whether they’re turning into what they’re fighting. That tension—between clean-cut law and dirty boots-on-the-ground justice—is what keeps the story burning.
And the Blue Eagles? They’re fascinating. Each one has a backstory, a specialty, and a reason they’re doing what the government won’t. They go undercover, gather intel, and strike with precision. But it’s not without consequences—because when you work outside the law, everyone becomes a target, even the people you’re trying to protect.
Meet the Man Behind the Mission
Richard Malmed, an accomplished attorney with a sharp wit and sharper pen, delivers yet another legal thriller that balances brains and action like a pro. He’s been a practicing lawyer for decades and brings that courtroom clarity to every scene, but this isn’t his first time writing a book with bite. Malmed knows how systems work—and more importantly, where they fail.
He’s been praised for tackling real-world legal issues through fast-paced fiction, and Private Force shows just how far he’s willing to go to call out corruption, inefficiency, and the gray areas where real decisions get made. This isn’t guesswork—it’s storytelling built on experience.
So yeah, Private Force is a must-read. The book invites you to ask tough questions about law, justice, and what really keeps a community safe—especially when the system doesn’t.
Private Force
Grab your copy and step into a world where justice doesn’t wait its