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Nicholas Sharp #1
Killsong
Reluctant, determined, lethal. Nicholas Sharp is a killer musician… literally!
Nicholas Sharp knew there would be blood on his hands. It was just a question of how much.
The death of a child and her mother, or the loss of countless thousands. Sharp is ordered to choose, but the former Marine Sniper gave up following orders long ago.
Turning his back on the military system that turned him into a killer when he shot an innocent man, Sharp’s newfound refuge as a musician is suddenly blasted apart. While he is preparing to back well-known singer Robbie West on a USO tour of Iraq, a close friend and her daughter disappear.
Simultaneously, faces previously exorcised to Sharp’s troubled past re-emerge.
Coincidence?
Nicholas Sharp has survived by not believing in coincidence.
Trapped in a deadly maze of colliding worlds and dark agendas as competing forces race to locate discarded biological weapons, Sharp is compelled to act.
One wrong decision, one misstep… and the consequences could be disastrous.
Somewhere between Clancy’s Jack Ryan and Ludlum’s Jason Bourne, Nicholas Sharp may be a flawed and reluctant hero, but you sure as hell want him on your side.
Nicholas Sharp knew there would be blood on his hands. It was just a question of how much.
The death of a child and her mother, or the loss of countless thousands. Sharp is ordered to choose, but the former Marine Sniper gave up following orders long ago.
Turning his back on the military system that turned him into a killer when he shot an innocent man, Sharp’s newfound refuge as a musician is suddenly blasted apart. While he is preparing to back well-known singer Robbie West on a USO tour of Iraq, a close friend and her daughter disappear.
Simultaneously, faces previously exorcised to Sharp’s troubled past re-emerge.
Coincidence?
Nicholas Sharp has survived by not believing in coincidence.
Trapped in a deadly maze of colliding worlds and dark agendas as competing forces race to locate discarded biological weapons, Sharp is compelled to act.
One wrong decision, one misstep… and the consequences could be disastrous.
Somewhere between Clancy’s Jack Ryan and Ludlum’s Jason Bourne, Nicholas Sharp may be a flawed and reluctant hero, but you sure as hell want him on your side.
Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2023
199 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Mark Mannock
20 books13 followersMark Mannock was born in Melbourne, Australia. He has had an extensive career in the music industry including supporting, recording with or writing for Tina Turner, Joni Mitchell, The Eurythmics, Irene Cara and David Hudson. His recorded work with Lia Scallon has twice been long-listed for Grammy Awards.
As a composer/songwriter Mark’s music has been used across the world in countless television and theatre contexts, including the ‘American Survivor’ TV series and ‘Sleuth’ playwright Anthony Shaffer’s later productions.
Mark has also been active in music education across Australia promoting student’s ownership and voice in their own educational music journeys. He has won several awards for his endeavours in this area.
Mark is presently writing the successful ‘Nicholas Sharp’ thriller series about a disillusioned former US sniper whose past plagues him as he makes his way in the contemporary music industry. Sharp is a man whose insatiable curiosity and embedded moral compass lead him to places he ought not go. The series is currently read in over 50 countries.
Mark is also writing the new Lachlan Byrn Thriller series. Is Byrn an assassin, vigilante or serial killer?
Mark lives in Kettering, Tasmania with his family. His travels around the globe act as inspirations for his writing.
Mark enjoys hearing from his readers, so please feel free to contact him.
As a composer/songwriter Mark’s music has been used across the world in countless television and theatre contexts, including the ‘American Survivor’ TV series and ‘Sleuth’ playwright Anthony Shaffer’s later productions.
Mark has also been active in music education across Australia promoting student’s ownership and voice in their own educational music journeys. He has won several awards for his endeavours in this area.
Mark is presently writing the successful ‘Nicholas Sharp’ thriller series about a disillusioned former US sniper whose past plagues him as he makes his way in the contemporary music industry. Sharp is a man whose insatiable curiosity and embedded moral compass lead him to places he ought not go. The series is currently read in over 50 countries.
Mark is also writing the new Lachlan Byrn Thriller series. Is Byrn an assassin, vigilante or serial killer?
Mark lives in Kettering, Tasmania with his family. His travels around the globe act as inspirations for his writing.
Mark enjoys hearing from his readers, so please feel free to contact him.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 28, 2025
Killsong
This was an interesting story with probably some truth in it. The characters were good and with an understanding of the parts played. I wish Nicholas Sharp and Jack Greatrex were a little stronger in their personalities, not so weak and undecided. The story line and the way the author put it together was good, only a small part was a little too wordy. Book well worth reading.
This was an interesting story with probably some truth in it. The characters were good and with an understanding of the parts played. I wish Nicholas Sharp and Jack Greatrex were a little stronger in their personalities, not so weak and undecided. The story line and the way the author put it together was good, only a small part was a little too wordy. Book well worth reading.
February 11, 2021
Marine sniper turns musician. A clever mix of two totally different worlds and a lot of soul searching.
Nicholas' past catches up with him when he has to save the lives of 2 people again when blackmailed into getting a chemical weapons sample out of Iraq.
With good insights into the concert world of rock bands as well as the military, this all comes together as a great thriller.
Nicholas' past catches up with him when he has to save the lives of 2 people again when blackmailed into getting a chemical weapons sample out of Iraq.
With good insights into the concert world of rock bands as well as the military, this all comes together as a great thriller.
February 10, 2023
Piano Man
A fast-paced action story of a former marine who wants to forget that past life and live as the talented keyboardist he became. However, his past and present are ruthlessly exploited by a former officer with no moral compass who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. It's up to Nicholas to figure out how to prevent that terrible outcome.
A fast-paced action story of a former marine who wants to forget that past life and live as the talented keyboardist he became. However, his past and present are ruthlessly exploited by a former officer with no moral compass who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. It's up to Nicholas to figure out how to prevent that terrible outcome.
April 29, 2021
Shallow
Sorry but this did not do it for me, nor did it compare with the Reachers of the literary world.
I chose this book on amazon based on reviews making comparisons with these characters but I was left disappointed.
Sorry but this did not do it for me, nor did it compare with the Reachers of the literary world.
I chose this book on amazon based on reviews making comparisons with these characters but I was left disappointed.
March 15, 2023
conventional or chemical weapons
Full of action and drama this is definitely worth the read. Completely involved in Nicholas and Jack’s loves I felt like I was fighting the good fight. Interested to see what happens next.
Full of action and drama this is definitely worth the read. Completely involved in Nicholas and Jack’s loves I felt like I was fighting the good fight. Interested to see what happens next.
January 31, 2021
Okay reading
Not up to making Nick a bad ass which it seemed what the author was trying to do. Great effort but not quite there.
Not up to making Nick a bad ass which it seemed what the author was trying to do. Great effort but not quite there.
April 10, 2021
Did not finish. Yet another clueless author, too lazy to check details. There is no such thing as a Glock 19 revolver.
March 13, 2023
Tremendous thriller! Grabs the reader and keeps hold until the end.
May 30, 2023
I thought that this overall was an okay read. Decent pace, but it did not engage me.
June 12, 2023
Nick and Jack seem to be in over their heads, don't they??? But, never underestimate them!!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
January 28, 2024
A former sharpshooter marine, Nicholas was now in a band, but still called on when help was needed.
Plenty of excitement in this book and the writing is very good.
Plenty of excitement in this book and the writing is very good.
December 21, 2024
Great story
A rather different type of action tale with a clever musical twist that enhances an exceptional story that is brilliantly written
A rather different type of action tale with a clever musical twist that enhances an exceptional story that is brilliantly written
June 22, 2025
An absolutely action packed thriller from go to whoa, with an endearing hero who is actually fallible, but still able to win through in the end. Highly recommended.
October 23, 2025
Wow
Hope, they know about your past. Can you be the man you were ,or not! Test your self to save country?
Hope, they know about your past. Can you be the man you were ,or not! Test your self to save country?
January 14, 2024
Good read. Well written. I particularly like the inner turmoil the main character struggles with in meteing out vigilante justice or turning a blind eye. I like the protagonist Nicholas Sharp. And, I look forward to reading more books by this author.
July 18, 2020
Mark, I really enjoyed the sniper-musician-reluctant warrior character and thought you brought to life his emotions nicely. I connected. Looking forward to the next chapter.
August 14, 2020
Jack Reacher's attitude and John Lennon's sensibilities.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews