This will be my 200th review for NetGalley, so I'm glad it can be an unreservedly positive one! The first in a series about disgraced former MI6 agent Scott Pearce, this was a fast-paced exciting action/spy thriller introducing a hero who resembles a British Mitch Rapp (that's a very good thing!)
Scott Pearce is on an obsessive one-man mission to track down the terrorists whose attack he thwarted in Islamabad, but political wrangling in the aftermath ended his career so he's carrying on alone. In Thailand posing as a climbing guide, he is tracked down by a Melody Gold, young lawyer who offers him a job finding the people who killed his friend. Realising she has been followed by sinister figures intent on killing them both, and that his cover is now blown, Pearce escorts her back to Britain and enlists the help of his friends to protect Melody and expose a dark conspiracy with roots in the far right extremist movement.
The author has a background as a screenwriter, and it shows in his storytelling - I could vividly picture every scene and think this would make an excellent TV series. Scott is an appealing hero - super tough but caring, not too damaged - unlike his friend Leila, a fantastic character, who has risen above the horrors of her past to become a powerful ally on Scott's mission. There were some other interesting side characters who will hopefully be developed further in future books, and hopefully we'll learn more about Scott's past missions.
The plot was exciting if unoriginal, and the baddies rather stereotypically evil, but the set-up was scarily convincing and while Scott's escapades seemed far-fetched, the nefarious plot was depressingly believable. In his afterword, the author describes his rationale for telling his story this way, and the extensive research he did. I like political thrillers and this felt very Now.
The action shifts between various UK locations, which made a nice change as most of the books I've read in this genre have been American. It's told in traditional close third person past narration, which was a relief. It's well written and the dialogue was just right. There is quite a lot of violence but it's not gratuitous, and no animals are harmed. I liked the way the story wrapped up satisfactorily but led us on to the next one, which I look forward to reading in due course. 4.5 stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review, and apologies that it's a little late. Black 13 is available now, but looks like it's still available to request (until 29.02.20) so grab it now if you're a fan of 24, Mr Rapp, or Mick Herron's Slow Horses series.
Sue B, Reviewer
Joanna J, Reviewer
Heath H, Reviewer
