Cold Fire
The World Changed on 9/11. Now, One Operative Will Change the Way it Fights Back.
February 2002. The War on Terror rages, and Lauren Rampling has become America's most lethal assassin. Operating under John Bishop in the CIA's newest and most classified unit—Penumbra Division—she's spent months systematically eliminating Al-Qaeda's leadership one bullet at a time.
But while Rampling hunts terrorists in the field, Bishop wages his own war in the corridors of Langley. The new CIA Director views Penumbra Division as a dangerous relic, and with the Patriot Act freshly signed into law, the battle lines are drawn over a chilling question: How much power should we give those we trust to protect us?
When intelligence surfaces that Osama Bin Laden escaped Afghanistan before
American boots hit the ground, Rampling is thrust into the hunt of a lifetime. The trail leads from one continent to the next, where she discovers the world's most wanted man isn't just running—he's orchestrating something that will make 9/11 look like a warning shot.
Every step forward brings Rampling closer to a devastating truth: the enemy isn't just planning another attack on American soil—they're preparing to bring the war home in ways that will redefine terror itself.
Can one operative prevent a catastrophe that will change civilization as we know it? And can Bishop prove Penumbra Division’s worth before Washington pulls the plug?
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Sam Cogley
My passion for storytelling began as a child, sparked by the exploits of James Bond and the action films of the 80s and 90s. As I grew, I found inspiration in the literary works of Tom Clancy, Michael Crichton, and Lee Child.
In 2024, I released my debut novel, Shadow Operative, the first in the Adam Knight Thriller series. What began as a single book has since grown into a fast-paced, globe-trotting series spanning five novels...and counting.
In June 2025, I launched a spin-off set in the same universe centering on Penumbra Division, starting with The Last Operator.
In early 2025, I signed a multibook deal with Boldwood Books to launch a brand-new series featuring Dane Winter, an elite ex-soldier turned freelance operative. The first book, Hostile Asset, was released in October.
My second Penumbra Division book will be available in Mid-November.
Off the page, I’m a devoted husband and proud father to a son and daughter. Without them, none of this would be possible.
Penumbra Division Thrillers
Penumbra Division Thrillers consists of three books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

