Pedaling East by E.A. Coe pulls you into present-day Nevada with FBI Agents Marina Butnari and Doug Hill, freshly suspended after a chaotic operation with ICE. With their careers on hold, they decide to turn this setback into a cross-country bike adventure, stretching from Oregon all the way to Boston. They’re not just pedaling for fun—danger shadows them the whole way as cartel-connected militia members work to erase any loose ends from past crimes. Alongside them are friends and partners, like Doug’s wife (Henrietta) and Marina’s close ally (Tatiana), who add humor, skill, and loads of emotional support to the ride. Between RV breakdowns and run-ins with dangerous groups, the whole trip turns into an invigorating survival test. Can our agents make it across the country without getting caught in a deadly trap?

E.A. Coe’s Pedaling East is a gripping crime thriller that’s equal parts adrenaline rush and character-driven adventure. The pacing really keeps you moving. One moment, the team is biking through small towns and fixing RV engines in tight spots; the next, they’re dodging cartel threats and armed militia members. Marina and Doug’s partnership is the highlight of the book. You can sense the trust and history between them, and the story even weaves in the dynamics of the supporting cast without slowing the plot down, even a little. You can practically see Nevada's deserts, Oregon's forests, and the little diners you pass. This immersive world-building makes the whole chase feel very real. The tension ramps up gradually as the agents' vacation trip slowly turns into a dangerous investigation, and Coe balances suspense with moments of humor and friendship. If you enjoy thrillers where adventure and crime-solving blend nicely, this ride is one you'll want to take.

When you fight crime, criminals fight back. If you tolerate them, they will corrupt you. In Pedaling East by E. A. Coe, two FBI agents, Doug Hill and Marina Butnari, were tracking human traffickers in Nevada when they bumped into ICE operatives who stopped them from investigating further. ICE forces the FBI to suspend Butnari and Hill while a report is filed and an inquiry takes place, but nothing ever materializes. In the meantime, Doug and Marina go on a biking trip across America to pass their ninety-day suspension, but the danger of that aborted mission follows them. They have seen shadows of people and transactions that should not exist and are now loose ends to be tied up. Fortunately, Doug and Marina are no pushovers, but they have family and friends — potential collateral damage — on the trip. Will their dream vacation become a painful memory?

E. A. Coe’s Pedaling East is a crime thriller that provides exactly what a reader wants: excitement, engagement, conciseness, and professional editing. The plot is solid, with characters reflecting diversity in their thoughts and actions, while their relationships and conversations sound remarkably realistic. It is a well-thought-out story with great side attractions, genuine humor, and enough details to make enthusiasts of the great outdoors get excited. I found the novel difficult to put down, and it made me want to go on an extended sightseeing trip myself. I also liked that between the suspense, preparation for the trip, and the trip itself, the story portrays a work-life balance that is realistic, inspiring, and worth striving for. Pedaling East by E. A. Coe is a fantastic novel. A worthwhile read.

In E.A. Coe’s Pedaling East, Special Agents Marina Butnari and Doug Hill are involved in a special task force targeting human trafficking. After interference from ICE 287(g) during a critical assignment, both agents are unexpectedly suspended for 90 days. Determined to make the most of this, Marina convinces her partner Tati, along with Doug and his wife Henri, to embark on a monumental cycling journey across the continent. With one of the group of friends following in a newly purchased RV, the trip begins. Their cycling journey turns dangerous when Doug notices a suspicious pickup truck that has been following them. As the journey progresses, a series of serious and increasingly dangerous incidents arises. Marina and Doug question whether their suspension is entangled in something far more sinister, possibly a connection between a corrupt 287(g) unit and a shadowy trafficking network.

Pedaling East by E.A. Coe had me hooked from start to finish. The plot was adventurous and intriguing. The steady pace gave me enough time to process everything and get to know the characters. There were a few intense moments where I could not turn the pages fast enough to see what would happen next. I sat on the edge of my seat, biting my nails during some events. The characters were realistic, and each had an interesting background. The writing style was engaging and descriptive. It allowed me to feel I was part of these friends' journey, and I could visualize the beautiful scenes they saw. The book was brilliantly written and has all the components to be a great success. I enjoyed reading the book, and it will stay with me for a while.

The Iron Shield is a national organization with numerous local chapters throughout the country. The group consists mainly of ex-military misfits, country-boy gun enthusiasts, and videogame war heroes. The local chapter in McClintock County is led by Elwood Farley and is currently involved in shady deals while collaborating with ICE agents in the county. One deal goes horribly wrong, which leads the FBI to become involved. The boss of Iron Shields and other trafficking gangs also wants the issue handled to avoid the heat from being looked into by a federal agency. The issue gets Elwood killed, and his colleagues are tasked with handling the sheriff and the FBI agents involved. Meanwhile, Special Agent Douglas Hill and his friends decide to ride across the country as the issue with the ICE agents gets resolved. How will things unfold in Pedaling East by E. A. Coe?

Pedaling East by E. A. Coe is wonderfully written, and once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. The writing is crisp and engaging, and the twists and turns in the flawlessly flowing plot kept me looking forward to the events of subsequent chapters. I loved the topics covered, like immigration and how polarization of the issue has brought various problems into society. Other themes covered, like diversity and the need for tolerance, will also resonate with many readers. Coe also ensured all events and places were vividly captured, which helped to create a mental picture of what was happening. The characters were well-developed, and the reader will also appreciate the amazing narration, which added to the overall beauty of the work. This was a good read, and I look forward to reading something else by this talented author.