Public Land: Warrior in the Woods

Deep in the shadows of a Midwestern state park, something is hunting humans. When Special Forces veteran David Stoneking returns home to find his childhood haven has become a killing ground, he knows he can't ignore the mounting disappearances that local law enforcement seems powerless to solve. Drawing from his military training and haunted by his own mysterious encounter in these same woods years ago, David launches a private investigation that quickly becomes personal. With each missing person report, each grieving family interview, he uncovers patterns that others have missed. Alongside his resourceful friend Evan, David ventures deeper into the darkness, where the skills that kept him alive in combat may be all that stands between more innocent victims and an predator that's been perfecting its craft for years. Written by outdoorsman and martial artist Matthew Rudolph, "Public Land" brings authenticity to every scene, from tactical operations to wilderness survival. Rudolph's decade of hunting experience and martial arts expertise infuse this thriller with brutal realism, creating a story where every snapped twig and shadowy movement could mean the difference between life and death. For fans of William Kent Krueger's Cork O'Connor series and C.J. Box's Joe Pickett novels, "Public Land" delivers a pulse-pounding mix of military precision and wilderness survival, where the tranquil façade of public parks masks deadly secrets, and the skills learned in war find new purpose in the battle for justice at home. About the Author: >His diverse background includes coaching football and basketball at both middle school and high school levels, achieving rank in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the prestigious Carlson Gracie lineage, and maintaining certification as a personal trainer. This unique combination of athletic discipline and tactical knowledge infuses his writing with rare authenticity. A graduate of both Central Michigan University and the University of Cincinnati with degrees in History and English, Rudolph brings an academic's attention to detail to his outdoor pursuits. When not writing, he can be found teaching youth BJJ classes, training Muay Thai, or pursuing game through the Midwest wilderness with his two golden retrievers, Ezekiel and Bode. His decade of hunting experience and martial arts expertise provide the foundation for stories that blend technical precision with heart-pounding adventure.