Not all secrets that are lost stay buried...
Nate Wilde is a former Green Beret and aspiring Harvard archaeologist. Leaving the military after a catastrophic deployment that leaves 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 prior.
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 meet Ana Metry, a geologist of Egyptian heritage searching for her missing father, who possesses the research 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 that will have resounding global ramifications.
Coming 28 July 2026
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Praise for Desert Heist
"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."
“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.”
“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.”
“Desert Heist is a white-knuckle debut perfectly fusing the action of a military thriller with high geopolitical intrigue and a riveting archeological mystery. Dekker has lived this world as a special forces operator and it shows – the novel brims with authenticity and adventure as it tells a heart-pounding story of brotherhood and sacrifice. Not to be missed.”
“Former Green Beret Dekker’s first novel is a lot of fun and reads like the result of mixing Brad Thor with Clive Cussler. Engaging characters, hair-raising escapes, and a touch of romance blend nicely into this adventure, which one hopes is the start of a new series. Grab this thriller by any means necessary.”
“Alex Dekker, a former Special Forces soldier who has clearly lived the world he's writing about, comes in hot with DESERT HEIST. Relentlessly paced and richly grounded, it's a blistering read! My favorite debut of 2026!”
“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.”
“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.”
“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!”
“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!”
“There is something special and unique about a real warrior crafting a story of adventure, and this one is spellbinding.”
“Desert Heist finally answers the question, “what if Indiana Jones had been a Green Beret?” Alex Dekker has created an action-packed thriller that brilliantly combines his intimate knowledge of Special Forces tactics and tradecraft with master storytelling that makes the reader feel like they are part of the action. You can’t help but be drawn into the story by the vividness of the environment and the richness of the main characters, all set within a considerable amount of action and intrigue. Dekker delivers an authentic action-packed adventure that I hope is the first in an eventual series.”
“Brutally authentic. If you appreciate intensity, precision, and realism, readDesert Heist! This one hits hard and is impossible to put down. The best book of 2026!”
“Nate Wilde is a modern-day Indiana Jones, except instead of delivering haymakers to Nazis, he’s slinging lead at terrorists. With any good treasure hunt, X marks the spot, and with his debut novel Desert Heist, Alex Dekker hits the mark. Expect big things from him.”
“Former Green Beret Alex Dekker has crafted a dramatic and engaging novel that immediately immerses the reader in close combat alongside a US Army Special Forces Operational Detachment-A (the famous A-Team) and their UK SAS partners fighting extremist terrorists in the Yemeni desert. From that point of departure, Dekker takes the reader on a non-stop adventure replete with international intrigue, assassins, ancient mysteries and struggles over critical resources. If geo-political intrigue and special operations are "your thing," then Desert Heist is your go-to read.”
“Alex Dekker writes with operator clarity and combat-honed candor – a fierce, fast, full-throttle thriller from first page to last.”
“A Dan Brown-meets-modern-day-Indiana-Jones–style mystery fused with the grounded tactical realism readers have come to expect from Brad Thor.”
…an Indiana Jones meets Jack Reacher adventure thriller…