What do you think?
Rate this book
A Covert War
Marcus Blake's ramshackle security agency has no clients to speak of until Susan Ellis walks into his office and asks him to help find her brother who has gone missing in Afghanistan. In that moment, Marcus' world is turned upside down and he is plunged into a covert war where arms and drugs are traded by renegades within the CIA. Now, in his quest to find Susan's brother, Marcus faces terror and betrayal in a murky world where one cannot easily tell a friend from a foe.
- GenresThriller
294 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2010
About the author
Michael Parker
20 books783 followersMichael Parker writes World War Two historical thrillers set in the shadows of
occupied Paris. His debut, Shadow Over Paris, follows a waitress at the Hotel
Metropole, who uses her lip-reading skills to spy on Nazi officers before the French
Resistance even existed. Macmillan has published his work, and he has
achieved over one million page reads as an independent author. He is currently
completing the Shadow Over Paris trilogy. When not writing, he lives in West Sussex. Start the trilogy today with Shadow Over Paris.
occupied Paris. His debut, Shadow Over Paris, follows a waitress at the Hotel
Metropole, who uses her lip-reading skills to spy on Nazi officers before the French
Resistance even existed. Macmillan has published his work, and he has
achieved over one million page reads as an independent author. He is currently
completing the Shadow Over Paris trilogy. When not writing, he lives in West Sussex. Start the trilogy today with Shadow Over Paris.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 16, 2011
This review is from: A Covert War (Hardcover)
An up-to-date fast-paced thriller from the reliable pen of Michael Parker, A Covert War starts with the words of David Ellis, relating his firsthand experience of a massacre in Afghanistan. These words were written in a notebook now in the possession of his sister, Susan. The mysterious Sir Giles Cavendish gave her the book as possible proof that her brother was alive, though missing.
So begins Susan's quest to find her brother. She recruits a private investigator, Marcus Blake. Apparently, David was a journalist and worked for the organisation called The Chapter; they ran a mission in the Afghan mountains. Yet there's more to The Chapter than this - much more... And Cavendish is more than he seems.
Marcus has a friend from university days - Maggot, from northern Pakistan - and they train in martial arts together. This training proves useful as Marcus begins to uncover odd connections that lead him to a US base in the UK and high echelon contacts in the government.
As the danger mounts, it seems that the only way they'll be able to free David is to travel to one of the most dangerous spots on earth, Afghanistan. Here, David is being used as a pawn and bargaining chip, with his very life as the stake.
And while some villains are American servicemen and rogue CIA operatives, others are hidden, awaiting their moment of betrayal.
There is a strong sense of foreboding as the pages turn, leading on to an inevitable and bloody confrontation. The tension mounts as friend and foe seek to silence their enemies. A satisfying quick read.
This is not the first Parker thriller I've read and, based on this outing, it won't be the last.
An up-to-date fast-paced thriller from the reliable pen of Michael Parker, A Covert War starts with the words of David Ellis, relating his firsthand experience of a massacre in Afghanistan. These words were written in a notebook now in the possession of his sister, Susan. The mysterious Sir Giles Cavendish gave her the book as possible proof that her brother was alive, though missing.
So begins Susan's quest to find her brother. She recruits a private investigator, Marcus Blake. Apparently, David was a journalist and worked for the organisation called The Chapter; they ran a mission in the Afghan mountains. Yet there's more to The Chapter than this - much more... And Cavendish is more than he seems.
Marcus has a friend from university days - Maggot, from northern Pakistan - and they train in martial arts together. This training proves useful as Marcus begins to uncover odd connections that lead him to a US base in the UK and high echelon contacts in the government.
As the danger mounts, it seems that the only way they'll be able to free David is to travel to one of the most dangerous spots on earth, Afghanistan. Here, David is being used as a pawn and bargaining chip, with his very life as the stake.
And while some villains are American servicemen and rogue CIA operatives, others are hidden, awaiting their moment of betrayal.
There is a strong sense of foreboding as the pages turn, leading on to an inevitable and bloody confrontation. The tension mounts as friend and foe seek to silence their enemies. A satisfying quick read.
This is not the first Parker thriller I've read and, based on this outing, it won't be the last.
May 9, 2012
I'm the author of this book so naturally I would give it top ranking. However, I have confidence in my own ability as a story teller, having had eight novels published in hardback. My novels are not all one theme; they are stand alone thrillers set in different locations, countries, genres etc, but each one has received terrific reviews and comments. My latest novel, which was published in December 2011 has been picked up by Harlequin for publishing in Canada and North America, so I can't be that bad, can I? I believe this book will hold the reader and comfortably survive comparison with other top thriller writers. You can see reviews for A Covert War on Amazon. It is also available in Kindle.
August 13, 2012
The novel starts with an attack on a Mission in Afghanistan and proceeds from there. One of the victims of the attack is a British journalist, or so his twin sister thinks, and he has disappeared from the Hospital where he was taken after the attack. She wants to go there to locate him if possible. She joins up with an Investigator who has agreed to help her pro bono. MI6, the CIA, rouge military and spies are all involved as are Afghani Warlords. Lots of action and adventure. Great rainy day summer reading.
Read
August 21, 2012It was ok , two and half stars.
October 4, 2012
A good fast-paced thriller with lots of suspense
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews