Reciprocity
About
Reciprocity is a high-voltage action thriller jam-packed with action, intrigue, and morally complex characters. When a gang of human traffickers kidnap two young ladies who are leaving their troubled past in Vietnam to start new lives in America, their dreams suddenly become a nightmare. JD Cordell, a retired US Navy SEAL, and relative of one of the young ladies, races to the Philippines to lead a rescue team through the dangerous streets of Manila’s infamous Tondo district, searching for a former American Special Forces sniper lost in its dark and violent underbelly of cheap alcohol, fast women, and unsanctioned fights - and who just may be their only hope to locate and rescue the two girls. Death lurks around every corner as the clock is ticking. Will JD and his team be able to rescue the girls in time, or will these two young ladies become the latest victims in a deadly game of kidnapping and vengeance?
Praise for this book
This is easily one of the best military thrillers I’ve read in years. D.C. Gilbert doesn’t just write combat, he writes the soul behind it. JD Cordell is the kind of protagonist you root for from start to finish. The stakes are high, the mission is intense, and the villains feel all too real.
Gilbert excels at writing deeply flawed, human characters. Taylor’s self-destruction, Hana’s quiet resilience, and Blessica’s moral complexity all stand out. No one is entirely good or bad. These characters live in the gray, and that makes them unforgettable.
Reciprocity weaves multiple threads—revenge, redemption, corruption, and unlikely alliances—into a fast-paced, emotionally intelligent narrative. There’s action, but it’s always driven by character and motive. The pace doesn’t lag, and every scene matters. Whether it’s a brutal fight or a quiet conversation over tea, each moment builds toward something bigger. The story is tight, layered, and unpredictable. 5 out of 5 stars for this book and highly recommended!