Ten Seconds To Die is a relentless, fast-paced thriller that grips readers from the first page and never lets go. With pulse-pounding suspense, political intrigue, and a murder mystery that spirals into an international conspiracy, this novel delivers twist after twist until its jaw-dropping finale. When a hiker is found dead at the base of a cliff near Dahlonega, Georgia, Deputy Sheriff Bob Denton suspects a tragic accident―until the victim's sister uncovers a chilling clue. Joined by Marlane Somer, a young journalist chasing her first big story, Denton begins to unravel a string of mysterious deaths, all linked to a pharmaceutical plant deep in the North Georgia Mountains. As the investigation leads them underground into an abandoned gold mine, Denton uncovers a covert operation tied to a powerful terrorist network with Nazi roots. What began as a local murder case explodes into a global threat, with connections stretching into major U.S. cities, Germany, the Middle East, and Africa. Driven by cold fury and haunted by his own transformation, Denton must confront the killer within―and risk everything to stop a conspiracy that could change the world. Perfect for fans of Lee Child, Daniel Silva, and James Rollins, Ten Seconds To Die is a gripping blend of psychological suspense, action-packed mystery, and high-stakes political drama. "Ten Seconds to Die is a pulsating political thriller. There is not a single moment in the book that allows your attention to waver. Marshall Mattingly has the reader's attention from the outset with a gripping plot full of pulse-pounding scenes and twists and turns that keep you guessing." Readers' Favorite 5 Star rating Marshall Mattingly writes thrillers steeped in Southern grit, atmospheric tension, and psychological depth. His debut novel, Ten Seconds to Die, unfolds in a fictionalized version of Dahlonega, Georgia―a former gold mining town nestled in the Appalachian foothills. Drawing on years of research and personal connection to the region, Mattingly crafts a setting rich in folklore, secrets, and slow-burning menace. Before turning to fiction, he spent a decade at The Wall Street Journal, where he honed his storytelling instincts amid world-class journalism. Later, he ran a successful advertising agency in Atlanta, writing award-winning TV and radio spots. But the pull of the novel never left him. Influenced by masters of suspense like Dean Koontz, Nelson DeMille, and John Grisham, Mattingly blends procedural realism with emotionally complex characters and a strong sense of place. His thrillers explore the shadows beneath small-town life―where history lingers, danger simmers, and no one is quite who they seem. Now retired in the South Carolina Lowcountry, he's working on the sequel to Ten Seconds to Die. When not writing, he explores the region's natural beauty with his wife Carolyn, an accomplished artist, and enjoys time with their children and grandchildren.