Bear Brawl - by Jon Finkel (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Fight Club meets The Revenant in Bear Brawl, a heartfelt revenge-and-redemption story that asks, Could a man really take on a bear?

Brick Bridger is a two-time NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion and the winner of eight UFC fights before retiring. One summer night, running late to his mom's barbecue, disaster strikes. A rogue black bear goes on a rampage, breaks into the cabin, kills his mom, and puts his brother in a wheelchair. Devastated, Brick knows that had he been there, he could have stopped the bear. With the help of a top zoologist, his old wrestling coach, and his training partner, Brick vows to get revenge.

Bear Brawl takes readers on a blockbuster adventure from the first page, with a cast of unforgettable characters you'll root for like you're watching your favorite action movie.

Review Quotes

"Man has never taken on nature like this. Bear Brawl is an action-packed story of love, loss, and revenge that reads like a blockbuster movie script. Buckle up!"

--Rafi Kohan, author of Trash Talk and The Arena, PEN/ESPN Award finalist

"It's insane. It's primal. It's poetic. Bear Brawl is like Rocky IV meets Jaws, but with a deeper emotional undercurrent about grief and masculinity. Finkel captures the mind of a fighter better than most writers ever have--and reminds you that sometimes, the fight isn't just about the opponent, but also with yourself--or in this case, with a bear."

--Ed Latimore, former heavyweight boxer, author of Hard Lessons from the Hurt Business

"Bear Brawl is Jack Reacher meets The Edge--a white-knuckled thriller that pits one man against nature's apex predator. Jon Finkel delivers a page-turner like no other."

--Stayton Bonner, USA Today bestselling author of Bare Knuckle and The Million-Dollar Car Detective

"I loved Bear Brawl and devoured it over the course of a few lazy summer afternoons. It's a fun, fast-paced thriller for anyone who likes a good old-fashioned tale of man versus beast. But there is much more to this book that surprised me. I'm a scientist, and I read Bear Brawl for a bit of escapism, but one thing I couldn't escape was how much science and nature shaped the story. Come for the adventure, and along the way you'll stealthily learn about bears, landscapes, and ecosystems. You'll even meet a strong scientist character, who keeps what might otherwise seem like an outrageous premise firmly in the grounds of reality. Jon Finkel has always been known for his unique writing style, simultaneously cerebral and testosterone-fueled, and here he has outdone himself with the ultimate tale of brawn and brains."

--Steve Brusatte, University of Edinburgh paleontologist and New York Times bestselling author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs and The Story of Birds

"I've long been a fan of Jon Finkel's nonfiction work. Turns out his fiction writing is just as engrossing and, amazingly, feels just as real. Bear Brawl, and the battle of Brick vs. Bear, will stay with me for a long time."

--Chad Finn, author and Boston Globe columnist

"Instead of reaching for your favorite action movie standby, crack open Bear Brawl, Jon Finkel's new thriller pumping with testosterone and all the beats you want and need to release some tension. Finely crafted with endearing characters and vivid descriptions, Bear Brawl will keep you turning pages."

--Brad Balukjian, Los Angeles Times bestselling author of The Wax Pack and The Six Pack

"Jon Finkel's gifts as a rollicking storyteller are on full display in his thriller Bear Brawl, along with his deep expertise in what happens when we're pushed to our physical and mental limits. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll buy an extra can of bear spray next time you head into the woods."

--Alex Hutchinson, New York Times bestselling author of Endure and The Explorer's Gene

"Jon Finkel's ingeniously conceived Bear Brawl is the most fun you'll have reading a novel this year. Set in my home state of Arkansas, this high-octane thriller bleeds raw authenticity. From the expertly plotted action scenes, to its heart-wrenching themes--Finkel's debut novel arrives on the scene loaded for bear."

--Eli Cranor, Edgar Award-winning author of Mississippi Blue 42, Ozark Dogs, and Don't Know Tough

"Man versus beast is an eternal theme that Jon Finkel tackles brilliantly in this exceptional novel. Bear Brawl is edge-of-your-seat storytelling at its finest, with deep, memorable characters and crackling dialogue. A true blockbuster thriller with heart. As for Brick? Get used to that guy. He's an action hero for our modern era."

--Kirsten Fleming, New York Post

"The premise is so wild it genuinely hooked its claws into me. It kept me up late into the night, flatly refusing to let me hibernate...[Bear Brawl] is a sharp, unvarnished look at how destructive masculine grief can be when channeled through pure physical obsession."

--The Campus Files