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Table of Contents
About The Book
A former Green Beret and aspiring archaeologist’s expedition to uncover a long-lost ancient civilization turns deadly in this explosive thriller teeming with adventure and discovery.
Nate Wilde is a former Green Beret and aspiring Harvard archaeologist. Leaving the military after a catastrophic deployment that ended with most of his team dead or injured, he chooses to pursue his passion for history. When his dissertation proposal to search for the legendary lost city of Ubar in Saudi Arabia is rejected by the Harvard examining committee and his expedition permit is denied by the Saudi government, Nate resolves to continue his research by any means necessary. And the only path left to him is to enter Saudi Arabia’s Empty Quarter through war-torn Yemen, the same sands where his brothers lost their lives years ago.
Knowing he’s going back into harm’s way, Nate turns to the only men left alive that he truly trusts—Sergeant Benjamin “Wally” Walton, a medic formerly with the British Special Air Service; Shane Price, UFC fighter turned Green Beret and an affluent playboy; and Sergeant Tim McBride, Nate’s former best friend and a true warrior. Along the way the group meets Ana Metry, a geologist of Egyptian heritage searching for her missing father, whose research is key to Nate’s quest.
Hunted by a former Spetsnaz soldier who works for a shadowy organization with unknown goals, and chased through the desert by al Qaeda terrorists, the former commandos must utilize the skills of their past profession in a race to discover whether the city truly exists, as well as uncover a deeper geopolitical mystery with resounding global ramifications.
Nate Wilde is a former Green Beret and aspiring Harvard archaeologist. Leaving the military after a catastrophic deployment that ended with most of his team dead or injured, he chooses to pursue his passion for history. When his dissertation proposal to search for the legendary lost city of Ubar in Saudi Arabia is rejected by the Harvard examining committee and his expedition permit is denied by the Saudi government, Nate resolves to continue his research by any means necessary. And the only path left to him is to enter Saudi Arabia’s Empty Quarter through war-torn Yemen, the same sands where his brothers lost their lives years ago.
Knowing he’s going back into harm’s way, Nate turns to the only men left alive that he truly trusts—Sergeant Benjamin “Wally” Walton, a medic formerly with the British Special Air Service; Shane Price, UFC fighter turned Green Beret and an affluent playboy; and Sergeant Tim McBride, Nate’s former best friend and a true warrior. Along the way the group meets Ana Metry, a geologist of Egyptian heritage searching for her missing father, whose research is key to Nate’s quest.
Hunted by a former Spetsnaz soldier who works for a shadowy organization with unknown goals, and chased through the desert by al Qaeda terrorists, the former commandos must utilize the skills of their past profession in a race to discover whether the city truly exists, as well as uncover a deeper geopolitical mystery with resounding global ramifications.
About The Author
Photograph by Tim Coburn
Alex Dekker served as a member of the United States Army Special Forces Green Berets for nearly twenty years, first with 5th Special Forces Group and then as a special operations team member assigned to the United States Army Special Operations Command. He has deployed multiple times to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations worldwide, and has attended multiple advanced tactical and technical schools within the US Special Operations community and interagency. Alex has traveled to dozens of countries for work and personal adventures and has spent years living abroad. He is an avid student of history who has participated as a volunteer in numerous archaeological digs, is an Arabic speaker, and holds a master’s in applied Intelligence from Georgetown University. When not traveling, Alex lives in Northern Virginia with his wife Savannah, a former CIA operations officer, their children, and their German Shepherd Donovan.
Product Details
- Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books (July 28, 2026)
- Length: 464 pages
- ISBN13: 9781668095386
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Raves and Reviews
"Alex Dekker's debut Desert Heist has it all – tactical accuracy, globe-trotting locales, and richly researched history. Equal parts Raiders of the Lost Ark and Zero Dark Thirty, it starts like a rocket and never lets up."
– Brad Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of the Pike Logan series
“There is something special and unique about a real warrior crafting a story of adventure, and this one is spellbinding.”
– Enrique “Ric” Prado, Chief of Operations for CIA’s Counterterrorist Center (retired) and New York Times bestselling author of Black Ops
"White-knuckle action and a lost Arabian city, deadly mercenaries and high intrigue, a dash of Jack Carr and a jot of Dan Brown—Desert Heist is a rollicking tale of brotherhood lost and reclaimed. A former Green Beret, Alex Dekker is the real deal, bringing a ring of ground truth to every page. Keep an eye on Dekker and his daring hero Nate Wilde because we’re gonna be seeing them for years to come."
– Gregg Hurwitz, #1 International bestselling author of the Orphan X series
“To all of you who read me, Dan Brown, James Rollins, and Daniel Silva this is THE book for you. No question. No doubt. It’s one terrific story.”
– Steve Berry, New York Times #1 bestselling author
"As a student of history, spies, and terrorism, former Green Beret Alex Dekker's new thriller, DESERT HEIST, is a must-read. Trust me, you won't be disappointed."
– Fred Burton, Former Special Agent and New York Times best-selling author
“Desert Heist crackles with authenticity and momentum. Dekker delivers a debut that’s as cerebral as it is pulse-pounding—perfect for fans who like their thrillers intelligent, cinematic, and relentless.”
– Jack Stewart, USA Today bestselling author of Riptide
"Be prepared to be taken on an epic journey! Alex Dekker weaves a hard-to-put-down story that's so cinematic it needs to be a movie. Desert Heist is an amazing debut novel that makes you want more!"
– Steve Stratton, Award Winning Author of the Shadow Tier Series and Green Beret
"Brutally authentic. If you appreciate intensity, precision, and realism, read Desert Heist! This one hits hard and is impossible to put down. The best book of 2026!"
– Darrell Utt, U.S. Army Special Forces (retired) and author of Grit to Glory
“Alex Dekker brings forward a hard-hitting story nested in the complexity, intrigue, and ancient tapestry of the Middle East as only a seasoned Green Beret can do. In an age of predictable kinetic scenarios, he'll give you plenty of direct action but with a T.E. Lawrencian storytelling depth that is an unconventional breath of fresh air. Get ready for a new modern warrior to root for...his name is Nate Wilde!”
– Scott Mann, New York Times bestselling author of Operation Pineapple Express
"A Dan Brown-meets-modern-day-Indiana-Jones–style mystery fused with the grounded tactical realism readers have come to expect from Brad Thor."
– The Real Book Spy
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