Bestselling author Eric Madeen has announced his latest thriller novel, 'Massage World,' will be available at no charge in e-book form on March 14 and 15, 2026. The novel explores the massage therapy industry through a multicultural thriller lens, examining both legitimate and illicit sides of the business.
The story follows ambitious therapist Ingrid Swanson, who opens Massage World despite opposition from local underworld kingpin Jack Cobb. Cobb attempts to seize control through illicit "massage wars," aided by a corrupt vice detective. The conflict escalates to a dramatic police raid that sparks neighborhood protests and media frenzy, described by Madeen as "a delirious curtain call of sorts."
Madeen describes the novel as cracking "the multicultural thriller 'Massage World' and diving deep into both sides of the massage industry." He notes the story features "conflict galore" and "narrative drive that at one point is literally hell on wheels of a massage table." The plot includes elements from Southern California to Japan, with a fearless female biker gang appearing in the climax.
The novel has received significant praise from literary figures. Larry McCaffery, author of 'Some Other Frequency: Interviews with Innovative American Authors' and former Professor of English and Comparative Literature at SDSU, called it "earthquaking powerful and fresh." William Luvaas, winner of a Huffington Post Book of the Year award, described it as "a sizzler of a thriller bursting with eccentric energy." Harold Jaffe, Professor Emeritus of Creative Writing and Literature at San Diego State University, noted its "canny and calculated construction" and "high-octane" quality.
The free e-book promotion represents an opportunity for readers to access a critically acclaimed work that examines contemporary issues within the growing massage therapy industry. With global demand for massage services increasing, the novel's exploration of industry conflicts and ethical boundaries provides insight into real-world tensions between legitimate businesses and illicit operations.
The e-book will be available through Madeen's author page at Amazon. Madeen's other works include the travelogue 'Asian Trail Mix: True Tales from Borneo to Japan,' the Africa-set novel 'Water Drumming In The Soul,' Tokyo-focused collection 'Tokyo-ing!,' and 'Tennis Clubbed, Snubbed and Rubbity-Dub Dubbed,' which examines cultural tensions in Japan. More information about the author is available at his website.
