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[Revenge: There can be no greater motivator for evil than a huge sense of injustice!] [By: Ward, Mr Bill] [September, 2013]
There is no greater motivator for evil than a huge sense of injustice!Tom Ashdown, an unlikely hero, owns a betting shop in Brighton and gambles with his life when he stumbles across an attempted kidnapping, which leaves him entangled in a dangerous chain of events involving the IRA, a sister seeking revenge for the death of her brother and an informer in MI5 with a secret in his past. Revenge is a fast paced thriller, with twists and turns at every step. In a thrilling and violent climax everyone is intent on some form of revenge.
- GenresThriller
Paperback
First published September 5, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
April 2, 2014
This was an absorbing thriller focusing on Tom, just a normal guy who has his life turned upside down after saving an American actress. This was quality writing and the fast-paced plot was woven together skilfully, and for me, it was up there with the best thrillers I have read by the big names. But what most impressed was that it was always grounded in reality: believable characters and action scenes as well as the way the storyline unfolded. I think Bill Ward is a talented writer and I look forward to more of his work.
February 14, 2014
Tom Ashdown stumbles across the kidnapping of a famous American actress shopping in London. He becomes a hero in saving Melanie Adams but then other people are intent on seeking revenge. This novel is a crime thriller that centers on the need of some people to seek revenge.
Revenge is a well crafted novel with good back stories and strong character development. Bill's writng style is similar to Robert Fisk's as his characters describe the troubles in Northern Ireland. The plot and pace of this book is good. It builds like a jigsaw with each character having an integral part to play.
Revenge is an easy and entertaining book to read. It is a full story where you feel you are living with the characters as you pick it up again for another session. I got drawn into how each character planned and executed their own act of revenge. It was all done sneaky so that they would not be found out.
The ending was a little like a Dan Brown best seller but by then Bill had ticked all the boxes for a good crime thriller with some conspiracy thrown in for good measure. Revenge is a good read and I vote it the top score of 5 stars. This is Bill's first novel and he plans to publish his second in 2014, I'll look forward to that.
Revenge is a well crafted novel with good back stories and strong character development. Bill's writng style is similar to Robert Fisk's as his characters describe the troubles in Northern Ireland. The plot and pace of this book is good. It builds like a jigsaw with each character having an integral part to play.
Revenge is an easy and entertaining book to read. It is a full story where you feel you are living with the characters as you pick it up again for another session. I got drawn into how each character planned and executed their own act of revenge. It was all done sneaky so that they would not be found out.
The ending was a little like a Dan Brown best seller but by then Bill had ticked all the boxes for a good crime thriller with some conspiracy thrown in for good measure. Revenge is a good read and I vote it the top score of 5 stars. This is Bill's first novel and he plans to publish his second in 2014, I'll look forward to that.
November 19, 2014
In this fast paced, exciting read, we encounter Tom Ashdown on his way to meet his brother, Colin, for their annual get-together meal when three people exit Harrods and are accosted by two men, jumping out of the shadows. Tom, a hard on his luck gambler who owns a betting shop, watches two of the people being gunned down while the third is being kidnapped and in a knee-jerk reaction takes on one of the bad guys to rescue the woman—who he discovers is the famous actress Melanie Adams. The foiled kidnap attempt sets into motion revenge and here’s where the story really gets interesting, involving the IRA, London’s Metropolitan police Counter Terrorism Branch, a sister bent on avenging her brother’s imprisonment, rape, murder, innocent victims, and the bonding of a starlet and common man. The story line is fast paced, the characters well developed, and the plot filled with conflict and tension that continues to the last pages that prove to be unexpected and surprising. This book does not disappoint.
March 24, 2015
After reading Ward's Encryption, I was really looking forward to Revenge. It wasn't the twisting and turning plot of Encryption, but a really good story. I liked how the underlying theme of the story was "revenge" and how that played out through the story.
A couple notes, Sam's character was done superbly ... her motivations and her actions were so in synch. She was one crazy psycho. How her storyline concluded ... completely plausible, and understandable ... and shocking.
I really like how the relationship development between Tom and Melanie, so much so, other then Sam's story I found myself wanting to skip sections just to get back to there story.
The only reason I don't give this book 5-stars is I either missed it, or Revenge never explained clearly what the motivation was to the attempted kidnapping of Melanie. If I missed it and it's explained to me, I'll change this to 5-stars.
A couple notes, Sam's character was done superbly ... her motivations and her actions were so in synch. She was one crazy psycho. How her storyline concluded ... completely plausible, and understandable ... and shocking.
I really like how the relationship development between Tom and Melanie, so much so, other then Sam's story I found myself wanting to skip sections just to get back to there story.
The only reason I don't give this book 5-stars is I either missed it, or Revenge never explained clearly what the motivation was to the attempted kidnapping of Melanie. If I missed it and it's explained to me, I'll change this to 5-stars.
November 10, 2017
The great: character development, rooting for our main characters Tom and Melanie. Sharp dialogue. Keeping distinct the different story lines that trickle together, and I love the voices we get to follow down a path leading to REVENGE. IRA vs MI5 vs a Hollywood actress and a downtrodden gambler - the expectation is set high that there is going to be an epic clash.
Why not 5 stars? That aforementioned expectation takes quite a while to get there. This book does involve a lot of dialogue within each character's thread, and for me, I wanted the characters from different threads to run into each other more. I could have used more "path-crossing" and more action between the first chapter mugging and then the last 20% of the novel when things pick up, and the ending DOES pick up.
Fans of action/adventure novels will enjoy this read - NO DOUBT.
Why not 5 stars? That aforementioned expectation takes quite a while to get there. This book does involve a lot of dialogue within each character's thread, and for me, I wanted the characters from different threads to run into each other more. I could have used more "path-crossing" and more action between the first chapter mugging and then the last 20% of the novel when things pick up, and the ending DOES pick up.
Fans of action/adventure novels will enjoy this read - NO DOUBT.
November 20, 2017
Tom is an unlikely, and accidental hero when he interrupts an attempted kidnapping. Of course, that is just the beginning and Tom is only one of many people pulled into a web of revenge involving several people, all with their own agenda. While there were several involved that enriched the story, Tom and Sam were my favorites.
The plot is really intricate with a lot of strands and several twists. It moves forward at a very fast pace with tension and thrills on every page. There is a nice blend of very gritty events and dark humor. The end is phenomenal.
If you like action thrillers, this is a must read.
The plot is really intricate with a lot of strands and several twists. It moves forward at a very fast pace with tension and thrills on every page. There is a nice blend of very gritty events and dark humor. The end is phenomenal.
If you like action thrillers, this is a must read.
March 27, 2014
Revenge turned out to be quite a quality and engaging read. I didn't know what to expect when I started but was completely thrilled with Mr. Ward's novel by the time I was done. A quick, tense, and action-filled adventure with many moving parts and characters.
The main character Tom is an every man, an average Joe, thrown into a deadly game of intrigue and assassination, and Mr. Ward handles this very well. Tom did not turn into a superhero, suddenly becoming this bullet-dodging invincible action figure. Instead we see a normal man dealing with extraordinary circumstances.
Revenge was replete with well-rounded and sympathetic characters. It moved quickly, didn't hold back on the grit and violence, and held my interest throughout.
My only complaints would be two-fold and they are not really criticism of Mr. Ward's writing. One, I would have liked the novel to have been longer. Coming in at 118 pages on my iPad, I think the novel could have easily been longer, delving more into the violent underbelly of the IRA and the police procedural of the UK's Anti-Terrorist Branch. Secondly, I would have liked more dialogue. Mr. Ward uses description well, and paints scenes pointedly in his writing, but seems to choose describing conversation more than laying it out for us to take part in it. But these complaints are minor when compared to the bigger picture of a quality story.
Overall I was more than happy with Revenge, a quick, tense, and exciting thriller that most anyone would enjoy.
The main character Tom is an every man, an average Joe, thrown into a deadly game of intrigue and assassination, and Mr. Ward handles this very well. Tom did not turn into a superhero, suddenly becoming this bullet-dodging invincible action figure. Instead we see a normal man dealing with extraordinary circumstances.
Revenge was replete with well-rounded and sympathetic characters. It moved quickly, didn't hold back on the grit and violence, and held my interest throughout.
My only complaints would be two-fold and they are not really criticism of Mr. Ward's writing. One, I would have liked the novel to have been longer. Coming in at 118 pages on my iPad, I think the novel could have easily been longer, delving more into the violent underbelly of the IRA and the police procedural of the UK's Anti-Terrorist Branch. Secondly, I would have liked more dialogue. Mr. Ward uses description well, and paints scenes pointedly in his writing, but seems to choose describing conversation more than laying it out for us to take part in it. But these complaints are minor when compared to the bigger picture of a quality story.
Overall I was more than happy with Revenge, a quick, tense, and exciting thriller that most anyone would enjoy.
November 20, 2013
This is a book which is somewhat difficult to read as it jumps from character to character like a chess game. This is not a linear story that develops and builds intensity as it takes time out to introduce each character, his or her background, and tries to get "inside the
head" of each character filling us with too much detail, sidetracking us. Events propel the plot.
The story begins very well and the reader is immediately gripped by it. Tom Ashdown, a guy who lives on the edge loving to gamble, owning a
betting shop is highly principled, doesn't like cheating, etc. happens upon a beautiful famous actrice, Melanie Adams, being kidnapped by members of the IRA. In the process two of Melanie's companions are killed. Tom rises to the occassion and helps take "down" the kidnappers. We immediately like Tom and want him to be our main character but we are torn away from him by the introducing of the
others. It becomes a comedy of errors, everyone trying to kill each other. This would have made a very good play with Acts and Scenes.
This is a book that wants to be modern wherein sex, drugs and a
focus on eating and drinking seems to be an everyday norm. A quote from
this book may be what the plot is all about. "There can be no greater motivator for evil than a huge sense of injustice" pg. 26.
I would have given this book more stars had it been better edited.
head" of each character filling us with too much detail, sidetracking us. Events propel the plot.
The story begins very well and the reader is immediately gripped by it. Tom Ashdown, a guy who lives on the edge loving to gamble, owning a
betting shop is highly principled, doesn't like cheating, etc. happens upon a beautiful famous actrice, Melanie Adams, being kidnapped by members of the IRA. In the process two of Melanie's companions are killed. Tom rises to the occassion and helps take "down" the kidnappers. We immediately like Tom and want him to be our main character but we are torn away from him by the introducing of the
others. It becomes a comedy of errors, everyone trying to kill each other. This would have made a very good play with Acts and Scenes.
This is a book that wants to be modern wherein sex, drugs and a
focus on eating and drinking seems to be an everyday norm. A quote from
this book may be what the plot is all about. "There can be no greater motivator for evil than a huge sense of injustice" pg. 26.
I would have given this book more stars had it been better edited.
February 26, 2014
The first things that struck me about ´Revenge´ by Bill Ward was how interesting it was to read a novel by a British author that didn´t feel the necessity
of Americanizing his work. The originality of the British slang and dialect gave a sense of authenticity to the novel.
The protagonist Tom Ashdown is a regular guy thrust into extraordinary circumstances. There is a bit of everything in ´Revenge´ - the heroic rescue of an
American Actress from an attempted kidnapping brings out a rogues gallery of thugs and cretins. The IRA and its splinter groups, M15 informers and a revenge
seeking relative keep the pace of ´Revenge´ at full speed ahead. The action is constant from the start and the characters are well developed.
Tom´s unlikely attraction for the world famous American actress, so clearly out of his league adds yet another layer of tension to ´Revenge.´
I cannot agree with other reviews that mentioned the multiple characters and switching point of view made the story confusing. Overall, the different characters
all brought a different perspective to the story.
Highly Recommended!. An Indie-suspense-thriller masterpiece.
of Americanizing his work. The originality of the British slang and dialect gave a sense of authenticity to the novel.
The protagonist Tom Ashdown is a regular guy thrust into extraordinary circumstances. There is a bit of everything in ´Revenge´ - the heroic rescue of an
American Actress from an attempted kidnapping brings out a rogues gallery of thugs and cretins. The IRA and its splinter groups, M15 informers and a revenge
seeking relative keep the pace of ´Revenge´ at full speed ahead. The action is constant from the start and the characters are well developed.
Tom´s unlikely attraction for the world famous American actress, so clearly out of his league adds yet another layer of tension to ´Revenge.´
I cannot agree with other reviews that mentioned the multiple characters and switching point of view made the story confusing. Overall, the different characters
all brought a different perspective to the story.
Highly Recommended!. An Indie-suspense-thriller masterpiece.
May 21, 2014
Revenge is the début thriller novel from Bill Ward. There are many facets to this story, suspense, terrorism, politics, romance; all of which combine to make an excellent plot, with equally strong sub-plots. The sense of place and the description of all the settings are superb. With the exception of Melanie Adams, the characters are well rounded and believable, especially the protagonist, Tom Ashdown. Unfortunately I failed to sustain the suspension of disbelief when reading a lot of the scenes with Melanie Adams; the idea of a well-known Hollywood star being able to move around the country mostly unnoticed was dubious – but that is only my opinion obviously. However the story had me gripped from the beginning right through to the end. I would thoroughly recommend this novel to any reader looking for a thriller.
January 30, 2015
In fiction, getting revenge is usually straightforward: someone commits a wrong and someone else sets out to avenge it. But in this story, revenge gets far more complicated and the cycle of "an eye for an eye" continues right up to the last page.
Interesting multi-dimensional characters fill the story. A bookie, a movie star, British secret agents, and assorted Irish revolutionaries cross paths after Tom witnesses an attempted abduction of Melanie Adams, the American movie star, and steps in to save her.
While the use of multiple points of view sometimes interferes with the flow of the story, it also allows the reader to understand all sides of the conflict, which makes it a much richer experience.
Highly recommended.
Interesting multi-dimensional characters fill the story. A bookie, a movie star, British secret agents, and assorted Irish revolutionaries cross paths after Tom witnesses an attempted abduction of Melanie Adams, the American movie star, and steps in to save her.
While the use of multiple points of view sometimes interferes with the flow of the story, it also allows the reader to understand all sides of the conflict, which makes it a much richer experience.
Highly recommended.
March 23, 2018
When the ordinary meets the extraordinary, the terrible and unpredictable can happen. One minute Tom Ashdown is a nondescript and faceless average bloke out for an evening, and then, in a life-changing instant, he’s thrown into the role of a hero.
As in real life, choices lead to actions and actions have consequences, both sweet and tragic. The pace of the story satisfied the action junkie in me. Poor Tom, every time things start to go well, he runs smack into another issue, usually a dangerous one.
Revenge had me cheering for this underdog and willing the tide to change in his favor.
Bill Ward did a fantastic job of holding my attention and I kept those pages turning, despite the lateness of the hour.
As in real life, choices lead to actions and actions have consequences, both sweet and tragic. The pace of the story satisfied the action junkie in me. Poor Tom, every time things start to go well, he runs smack into another issue, usually a dangerous one.
Revenge had me cheering for this underdog and willing the tide to change in his favor.
Bill Ward did a fantastic job of holding my attention and I kept those pages turning, despite the lateness of the hour.
March 27, 2014
Revenge is a clever fast paced thriller which deals with Tom, a regular guy who owns a betting shop. He accidentally strays into the world of crime when he saves a famous American actress from being kidnapped. The fame brings along money and recognition, but also causes the kidnappers to get close to him and strive for revenge.
Underneath all this, there is a budding romance between Tom and the actress, both yearning to find genuine love, which adds to the tension.
I think the author is extremely talented in the way the story unfolds and how each character is developed along. I couldn't put the book down! A must read.
Underneath all this, there is a budding romance between Tom and the actress, both yearning to find genuine love, which adds to the tension.
I think the author is extremely talented in the way the story unfolds and how each character is developed along. I couldn't put the book down! A must read.
April 22, 2017
The writers use of prose is skilful and his scene building, artistic. You fell immersed right away. The back-story is complex and detailed which gives the reader excellent context. When the action starts, it’s hard to put this book down, as the thrills and suspense keep you turning pages. The author subtly develops the characters as the story flows until you feel like you know them and have a stake in their fate.
Tom, the protagonist, is an ordinary guy who by fate and a good deed, becomes tangled in a web of danger and intrigue that will absorb you.
This is an excellent read and I would definitely recommend it.
Tom, the protagonist, is an ordinary guy who by fate and a good deed, becomes tangled in a web of danger and intrigue that will absorb you.
This is an excellent read and I would definitely recommend it.
January 28, 2014
Fast paced from the start and it only goes faster! Revenge drew me in thinking "one more page" as I waited to see what darker twist awaited next. Our main character, Tom, is everything you'd hope for in an unlikely hero. He's someone who's trying to live his life in the best way he knows how, with an every-man's quiet heroic idealism when he gets pulled into a world of increasing violence.
Going between multiple plot lines can get a little overwhelming at times, but the author does an excellent job keeping the characters distinct. Highly Recommended!
Going between multiple plot lines can get a little overwhelming at times, but the author does an excellent job keeping the characters distinct. Highly Recommended!
August 30, 2016
Bill Ward's novel Revenge is an example of everything that I look for in an action thriller that involves suspense, betrayal and of course the key element revenge. Mr. Ward pens a masterful array of events surrounding the unlikely hero in Tom, the main character. His descriptive depiction of scenery and location bring you right into the pages. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a great story that is never dull and will leave you guessing which direction every new corner will lead. Five stars.
February 16, 2014
Bill Ward delivers an expansive, clever thriller in Revenge. Tom, a man down on his luck with a penchant for gambling, rescues a famous actress from an attempted kidnapping, and his life is turned upside down. The IRA targets him, and he finds himself caught in the middle of a sinister plot.
The pace of the story is quick, and the characters are well-rounded. The action sequences have a believable realism, and I enjoyed the twists and turns of the narrative.
I recommend Revenge for any suspense or thriller lovers.
The pace of the story is quick, and the characters are well-rounded. The action sequences have a believable realism, and I enjoyed the twists and turns of the narrative.
I recommend Revenge for any suspense or thriller lovers.
February 13, 2014
This was a fast paced action-packed novel. The chase scenes through the streets of London and the Tube were riveting. I was able to picture the action in my mind. I love books with twists and turns, and the touch of the unexpected. And this book delivered on both.
I enjoyed the scene in the hospital room, where many of my questions were finally answered.
The book had romance, adventure, mystery, and suspense--the perfect combination.
I enjoyed the scene in the hospital room, where many of my questions were finally answered.
The book had romance, adventure, mystery, and suspense--the perfect combination.
February 11, 2014
When Tom happens upon a kidnapping in progress, he steps in and saves the life of a famous American actress. This act of bravery inadvertently makes him a target for the IRA.
This was a great read. I enjoyed all of the action and suspense and how the story unfolded at the proper pace. I felt the author did a great job of creating realistic characters with real emotions.
I will certainly watch for other works from this author.
This was a great read. I enjoyed all of the action and suspense and how the story unfolded at the proper pace. I felt the author did a great job of creating realistic characters with real emotions.
I will certainly watch for other works from this author.
December 18, 2013
This novel is a real page turner! It will keep you on the edge of your seat. Full of twisted plots and interesting characters, REVENGE will draw you in and hold your attention. The author does an excellent job of intertwining several plots to tell a fantastic story!
June 21, 2019
A fast-paced mystery-thriller. Tom Ashdown becomes a hero when he prevents the kidnapping of a movie starlet. From there the story takes you to murders, romance, and intrigue. An enjoyable read.
May 16, 2021
I really enjoyed this action-packed thriller with the plot of a twisty straw. The mundane meets the larger-than-life in an unusual crisis, and an underdog finds a great new home.
Revenge has the essential ingredient of character development and a maturing of the main characters. I finished this book quickly, as it kept me flipping those pages.
Aside from some punctuation issues and the occasional point of view shift, that had me rereading, it was a fantastic read. I’m giving this one, FOUR STARS.
Revenge has the essential ingredient of character development and a maturing of the main characters. I finished this book quickly, as it kept me flipping those pages.
Aside from some punctuation issues and the occasional point of view shift, that had me rereading, it was a fantastic read. I’m giving this one, FOUR STARS.
January 9, 2015
This is the second novel I’ve read by this author, and he continues to excite my imagination. Among the standouts of Mr. Ward’s writing is the compact way in which he develops characters. Within a few pages of introducing them, you feel like you’ve known them your entire life, and what’s more, you can’t wait to spend more time with them. They’re like old friends you haven’t seen in years. He not only spins a great story, what’s more, but incorporates a lot of local culture and history to the region that makes you feel like you’re getting an education in key topics you should have caught in the media previously, but somehow missed, things you need to know to understand your world better. Key factors having to do with how the world really works behind the scenes, between the various power brokers, the hidden political factions, and how spooks and various alphabet agencies interact with one another across the country and across the globe in their pursuits of private agendas which rarely benefit the common bloke as much as we would like to think. And he manages this eye-opening reality check that summarily shatters our comforting illusions of how safe we are, always without slowing the story one stitch. In fact, the eye openers are part of the intrigue that propels the story along.
Fans of Encryption will find picking his book up a no brainer, as it continues in the vein of thrillers set in England, this time set in Brighton, and though with a completely different set of characters, the flavor is familiar. The theme is revenge, this time out, which is the one element connecting the various story threads. With Encryption it was more a matter of seeking justice for a horrific crime, and of discovering what lay behind it, of revealing hidden truths, and teasing apart the cobweb of lies. The truth shall set you free was the subtext behind the last one, at least for me. Here we see what happens in response to a series of gross injustices, as if Mr. Ward felt a need to come at things from the other side of the coin. The characters of Revenge do not seek illumination; they seek an emotional outlet for the toxic emotions that well up from being the victims of other people’s hatred. We get to think a little more about the adage ‘an eye for an eye leaves the world blind.’
As much as I liked this book I found it a little easier to connect to and identify with the characters in Encryption from very early on; of course a lot of that may have more to do with me than with the writer. Here, as before, the characters are very compellingly and believably portrayed, have the same depth and substance as with the earlier novel. So they do win you over in the end. Part of the reason it took me a while longer to connect with all the characters in this one owed, I suspect, to the fact that more names and personalities were thrown at me in act one of the story, so it was a little harder to take it all in. But eventually I got it sorted, and then it was off to the races. Also, these characters are more “grey” than with Encryption where the characters are more black and white, that is to say, more clearly good guys, and more clearly bad guys. So it makes it that much easier in Encryption to pick sides. Here he shows us real world figures that are perhaps arguably even closer to the ones we will meet in real life, for ours is a world where it is much harder to tell who’s good and who’s bad, and what a person’s intentions really are.
Fans of Encryption will find picking his book up a no brainer, as it continues in the vein of thrillers set in England, this time set in Brighton, and though with a completely different set of characters, the flavor is familiar. The theme is revenge, this time out, which is the one element connecting the various story threads. With Encryption it was more a matter of seeking justice for a horrific crime, and of discovering what lay behind it, of revealing hidden truths, and teasing apart the cobweb of lies. The truth shall set you free was the subtext behind the last one, at least for me. Here we see what happens in response to a series of gross injustices, as if Mr. Ward felt a need to come at things from the other side of the coin. The characters of Revenge do not seek illumination; they seek an emotional outlet for the toxic emotions that well up from being the victims of other people’s hatred. We get to think a little more about the adage ‘an eye for an eye leaves the world blind.’
As much as I liked this book I found it a little easier to connect to and identify with the characters in Encryption from very early on; of course a lot of that may have more to do with me than with the writer. Here, as before, the characters are very compellingly and believably portrayed, have the same depth and substance as with the earlier novel. So they do win you over in the end. Part of the reason it took me a while longer to connect with all the characters in this one owed, I suspect, to the fact that more names and personalities were thrown at me in act one of the story, so it was a little harder to take it all in. But eventually I got it sorted, and then it was off to the races. Also, these characters are more “grey” than with Encryption where the characters are more black and white, that is to say, more clearly good guys, and more clearly bad guys. So it makes it that much easier in Encryption to pick sides. Here he shows us real world figures that are perhaps arguably even closer to the ones we will meet in real life, for ours is a world where it is much harder to tell who’s good and who’s bad, and what a person’s intentions really are.
December 28, 2014
Review by Brian O'Hare
Absorbing Thriller, Aptly Titiled.
Revenge by Bill Ward opens quietly. An ordinary man walks homewards in biting wind, lost in his thoughts, worrying about paying his bills. Interesting enough but hardly the stuff of excitement… when, Wham! All hell breaks loose. An attempted kidnapping, two deaths, a wounded hero and police suddenly swarming all over the place…this is how Bill Ward grabs the reader’s early attention and he never loses it.
Revenge is an interesting story with several inter-weaving plot-strands. Bill Ward has a great feel for words, sentence structure and pacing. His writing is professional, bowls briskly along and is never dull. (There may have been the odd difficulty with a comma or two but who cares?) Add this to his background knowledge of his subject, excellent characterisation and nicely sustained suspense throughout and Revenge becomes an absorbing thriller. Plot-strands include the life of an ordinary Joe, a famous movie star, high level politicians, IRA terrorists (post-Good Friday Agreement), the British Secret Service, and a dogged bloodhound of a cop…a diverse mix but interwoven with consummate ease in the dexterous hands of Bill Ward. Everything ties up nicely in a taut thrill-filled climax.
I seldom read a book without experiencing a niggle or two and so, too, it was with Revenge. Bill Ward handles prose beautifully, even when this would normally prove difficult. He has a tendency, therefore, to offer much of his information about the characters through past-tense, passive recording. This is a difficult form of writing to get right and Bill Ward does it very well but I can’t help feeling that presenting much of this information through real-time, live action with plenty of dialogue would have a more immediate impact on the reader’s consciousness. Often one reads in books-on-writing that an author should ‘…always strive for show rather than tell.’ An early example in Revenge would be the ‘exposition’ of Sam seeking help with a drugs cache from Eduardo. This, I believe, would have been more effective as a live, interactive phone call which would allow the writer to insert all sorts of subtleties into the situation and give the reader the opportunity to form his or her own opinions about the characters. Ironically, Ward himself makes this very point later in the book when the policeman, Miller, reflecting about written reports, thinks: ‘Reports are all very well but you couldn’t beat hearing it from the horse’s mouth.’
However, this is, as I say, a personal ‘niggle’ and has no impact on the enjoyment of the story. Most readers will cling happily to Ward’s tail, following where he leads, enjoying the increasing excitement and waiting impatiently to see how the loose ends of all the strands will be tied up. And, indeed, as the fast-paced, tense concluding chapters speed towards the reader, there is no further passive reporting. All is action, suspense, tension and fear until the reverberations of the climactic moments shudder to the calmness of the end. I really enjoyed this book and read it in a couple of sittings…unusual for me. I have no hesitation in recommending it to all fans of the thriller genre.
Absorbing Thriller, Aptly Titiled.
Revenge by Bill Ward opens quietly. An ordinary man walks homewards in biting wind, lost in his thoughts, worrying about paying his bills. Interesting enough but hardly the stuff of excitement… when, Wham! All hell breaks loose. An attempted kidnapping, two deaths, a wounded hero and police suddenly swarming all over the place…this is how Bill Ward grabs the reader’s early attention and he never loses it.
Revenge is an interesting story with several inter-weaving plot-strands. Bill Ward has a great feel for words, sentence structure and pacing. His writing is professional, bowls briskly along and is never dull. (There may have been the odd difficulty with a comma or two but who cares?) Add this to his background knowledge of his subject, excellent characterisation and nicely sustained suspense throughout and Revenge becomes an absorbing thriller. Plot-strands include the life of an ordinary Joe, a famous movie star, high level politicians, IRA terrorists (post-Good Friday Agreement), the British Secret Service, and a dogged bloodhound of a cop…a diverse mix but interwoven with consummate ease in the dexterous hands of Bill Ward. Everything ties up nicely in a taut thrill-filled climax.
I seldom read a book without experiencing a niggle or two and so, too, it was with Revenge. Bill Ward handles prose beautifully, even when this would normally prove difficult. He has a tendency, therefore, to offer much of his information about the characters through past-tense, passive recording. This is a difficult form of writing to get right and Bill Ward does it very well but I can’t help feeling that presenting much of this information through real-time, live action with plenty of dialogue would have a more immediate impact on the reader’s consciousness. Often one reads in books-on-writing that an author should ‘…always strive for show rather than tell.’ An early example in Revenge would be the ‘exposition’ of Sam seeking help with a drugs cache from Eduardo. This, I believe, would have been more effective as a live, interactive phone call which would allow the writer to insert all sorts of subtleties into the situation and give the reader the opportunity to form his or her own opinions about the characters. Ironically, Ward himself makes this very point later in the book when the policeman, Miller, reflecting about written reports, thinks: ‘Reports are all very well but you couldn’t beat hearing it from the horse’s mouth.’
However, this is, as I say, a personal ‘niggle’ and has no impact on the enjoyment of the story. Most readers will cling happily to Ward’s tail, following where he leads, enjoying the increasing excitement and waiting impatiently to see how the loose ends of all the strands will be tied up. And, indeed, as the fast-paced, tense concluding chapters speed towards the reader, there is no further passive reporting. All is action, suspense, tension and fear until the reverberations of the climactic moments shudder to the calmness of the end. I really enjoyed this book and read it in a couple of sittings…unusual for me. I have no hesitation in recommending it to all fans of the thriller genre.
April 2, 2014
Set in London, "Revenge" is an extremely well written and highly engrossing thriller. It is always a pleasure, in this brave new world of independent publishing, to read something with a minimum of typos and other errors. I know, it used to be something we all took for granted in published works, but these days competent writing and proofing has become rare enough to warrant a mention. Clearly, Mr. Ward is a good writer who cares about his craft.
I especially enjoyed the opening incident of the novel and found myself quickly swept into the world of Londoner Tom Ashdown, a down-on-his-luck betting shop owner, as his otherwise discouraging future prospects suddenly take a turn into what could be the best or worst moment of his life. The overlapped turfs of London police and British anti-terror forces as they face off against the often conflicted and always emotionally charged collections of IRA, Real IRA and other terror operatives was great fun and kept things moving along at a good clip. I also enjoyed the guilty pleasure of the unexpected romance between a normally untouchable movie star and our “regular guy” main character.
I felt the book lived up to its title and I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot as each character made fateful decisions based upon some aspect of revenge. Although not exactly a page turner, I will admit that the book certainly did slip by quickly and pleasantly during my plane flight.
I had a few quibbles about the ease with which Melanie Adams, our glamorous movie star, either had or didn’t have bodyguards. Clearly, after the initial attack, she would increase her bodyguard count – and she does. However, after that, the bodyguards were dispensed with, seemingly, whenever their presence would be inconvenient for the plot. This was painfully evident in the hospital scenes toward the end of the book. A minor quibble, I admit, but bothersome nevertheless, and something that could have been easily handled in the text.
Of more concern to me were the unexpectedly graphic sex descriptions. While not a prude, I just felt, in a few instances, that the scenes were a bit more than I had bargained for.
"Revenge" is a delightful trip into London with an author who knows his way around. The local flavor and dialogue were well done and crisp. I do feel, though, that there was a an anti-Irish mood to the novel overall. There didn’t seem to be room for a single Irish character, whether IRA related or not, who had any ounce of morality or true human feeling. They all simply hated the Brits, killed innocents or each other without any second thoughts, and, seemingly, had little purpose to their lives other than mayhem, pleasure and vengeance. Their leaders used any means to advance their “cause” including casual executions of friends and enemies alike, along with trapping politicians into pedophilia using their own Irish girls. I think a more balanced set of protagonists (or at least a few that are morally conflicted) would open up the heart of the novel to even more intensity and allow it to reach a little deeper as well.
I especially enjoyed the opening incident of the novel and found myself quickly swept into the world of Londoner Tom Ashdown, a down-on-his-luck betting shop owner, as his otherwise discouraging future prospects suddenly take a turn into what could be the best or worst moment of his life. The overlapped turfs of London police and British anti-terror forces as they face off against the often conflicted and always emotionally charged collections of IRA, Real IRA and other terror operatives was great fun and kept things moving along at a good clip. I also enjoyed the guilty pleasure of the unexpected romance between a normally untouchable movie star and our “regular guy” main character.
I felt the book lived up to its title and I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot as each character made fateful decisions based upon some aspect of revenge. Although not exactly a page turner, I will admit that the book certainly did slip by quickly and pleasantly during my plane flight.
I had a few quibbles about the ease with which Melanie Adams, our glamorous movie star, either had or didn’t have bodyguards. Clearly, after the initial attack, she would increase her bodyguard count – and she does. However, after that, the bodyguards were dispensed with, seemingly, whenever their presence would be inconvenient for the plot. This was painfully evident in the hospital scenes toward the end of the book. A minor quibble, I admit, but bothersome nevertheless, and something that could have been easily handled in the text.
Of more concern to me were the unexpectedly graphic sex descriptions. While not a prude, I just felt, in a few instances, that the scenes were a bit more than I had bargained for.
"Revenge" is a delightful trip into London with an author who knows his way around. The local flavor and dialogue were well done and crisp. I do feel, though, that there was a an anti-Irish mood to the novel overall. There didn’t seem to be room for a single Irish character, whether IRA related or not, who had any ounce of morality or true human feeling. They all simply hated the Brits, killed innocents or each other without any second thoughts, and, seemingly, had little purpose to their lives other than mayhem, pleasure and vengeance. Their leaders used any means to advance their “cause” including casual executions of friends and enemies alike, along with trapping politicians into pedophilia using their own Irish girls. I think a more balanced set of protagonists (or at least a few that are morally conflicted) would open up the heart of the novel to even more intensity and allow it to reach a little deeper as well.
October 21, 2014
In "Encryption" Bill Ward introduced us to the high tech world of super-secret spy agencies and algorithms that would stop them from reading our emails.
"Revenge" is a far different kind of story.
"Encryption" was about cold rooms, brainy nerds playing with computer programs, deep math and super-spies; "Revenge" is about the cold, hard pavement where cops chase terrorists relying not on computers but on hard evidence and their own gut instincts.
The story revolves around an ordinary guy who stumbles upon an attempted kidnapping one cold evening in London. He jumps in to try to stop it but cannot save two of the three people being attacked. He's no karate fighter and he's not even in particularly good shape but he manages to incapacitate one of the kidnappers, more by luck than skill The second one gets the upper hand on him, however, but before things go really pear-shaped he is rescued from a severe beating and maybe death by the surviving kidnap victim - a beautiful American movie star who knows her way around a firearm.
Things get really interesting from that point on. The IRA and its offshoots might be involved in the kidnap attempt; there's a mole high up in MI5; one of the cops really wants to find the mole who years before got one of his friends killed; the sister of one of the kidnappers is enraged that he's facing life in prison and wants to strike back; and, just to keep the pace exciting, the would-be rescuer might also be a suspect.
Ward also leads the reader on a merry chase through the London Underground system as cops, the ordinary guy turned rescuer and the movie star chase a killer. If you've ever ridden the Tube you're going to love the details in that tautly written chase. If you've never been on a London subway you're going to like Ward's description of the action anyway.
I'm not going to spoil the plot for you by saying anything more about it. I will say that the characters are intriguing and I really like the fact that they aren't super heroes who can fight all day, make love all night and then get up in the morning and run a marathon. These are - save for the movie star - pretty ordinary folks caught up in an extraordinary situation and that makes this book all the more fun to read.
"Revenge" is a far different kind of story.
"Encryption" was about cold rooms, brainy nerds playing with computer programs, deep math and super-spies; "Revenge" is about the cold, hard pavement where cops chase terrorists relying not on computers but on hard evidence and their own gut instincts.
The story revolves around an ordinary guy who stumbles upon an attempted kidnapping one cold evening in London. He jumps in to try to stop it but cannot save two of the three people being attacked. He's no karate fighter and he's not even in particularly good shape but he manages to incapacitate one of the kidnappers, more by luck than skill The second one gets the upper hand on him, however, but before things go really pear-shaped he is rescued from a severe beating and maybe death by the surviving kidnap victim - a beautiful American movie star who knows her way around a firearm.
Things get really interesting from that point on. The IRA and its offshoots might be involved in the kidnap attempt; there's a mole high up in MI5; one of the cops really wants to find the mole who years before got one of his friends killed; the sister of one of the kidnappers is enraged that he's facing life in prison and wants to strike back; and, just to keep the pace exciting, the would-be rescuer might also be a suspect.
Ward also leads the reader on a merry chase through the London Underground system as cops, the ordinary guy turned rescuer and the movie star chase a killer. If you've ever ridden the Tube you're going to love the details in that tautly written chase. If you've never been on a London subway you're going to like Ward's description of the action anyway.
I'm not going to spoil the plot for you by saying anything more about it. I will say that the characters are intriguing and I really like the fact that they aren't super heroes who can fight all day, make love all night and then get up in the morning and run a marathon. These are - save for the movie star - pretty ordinary folks caught up in an extraordinary situation and that makes this book all the more fun to read.
November 15, 2014
4.5 rounded up to 5.
Reasons I wanted to give 5 stars.
The story starts off at a leisurely pace, but chapter to chapter, the pace picks up and by the last few chapters it is hurtling at full speed and becomes a real page turner.
The story itself was fantastic. There was so much going on, Tom just an average guy catapulted into the world of espionage and movie stars after a split second decision, the unlikely love story between Tom and Melanie, the police and the security agencies with their secret agendas, members of the IRA double crossing and betraying one another and the Murphy family and their loyalties. And yet, due to writing skill I never once got confused as to who was doing what to who and the way the strands were all seamlessly brought together at the end, was incredibly skilful. The writer, also managed to weave in real events in Brighton and London. A brilliant and exciting story, sure to appeal to all thriller lovers.
I loved the Jones twist, which took me by surprise.
Good clear descriptions of London and Brighton.
One thing that really struck me reading this book was, I could sense the enthusiasm the writer had for this book, and it was infectious.
Reasons I wanted to give it 4 stars.
As an older reader, who remembers the very real fears of the Irish situation escalating, the level of violence, the bombing of the conservative party conference and the death of Lord Mountbatten, I loved the story. The writer assumes his readers will be fully aware of "the troubles," and so may lose younger readers.
The writer's "chatty" style suited this story well. It emphasised how Tom was an ordinary guy caught up in events, he didn't fully understand. But there were occasions the writing could have been tighter. This is a debut novel & I'm sufficiently intrigued to have Ward's 2nd novel on my kindle.
Overall a fast paced, enjoyable thriller concerning the security forces and the IRA.
Reasons I wanted to give 5 stars.
The story starts off at a leisurely pace, but chapter to chapter, the pace picks up and by the last few chapters it is hurtling at full speed and becomes a real page turner.
The story itself was fantastic. There was so much going on, Tom just an average guy catapulted into the world of espionage and movie stars after a split second decision, the unlikely love story between Tom and Melanie, the police and the security agencies with their secret agendas, members of the IRA double crossing and betraying one another and the Murphy family and their loyalties. And yet, due to writing skill I never once got confused as to who was doing what to who and the way the strands were all seamlessly brought together at the end, was incredibly skilful. The writer, also managed to weave in real events in Brighton and London. A brilliant and exciting story, sure to appeal to all thriller lovers.
I loved the Jones twist, which took me by surprise.
Good clear descriptions of London and Brighton.
One thing that really struck me reading this book was, I could sense the enthusiasm the writer had for this book, and it was infectious.
Reasons I wanted to give it 4 stars.
As an older reader, who remembers the very real fears of the Irish situation escalating, the level of violence, the bombing of the conservative party conference and the death of Lord Mountbatten, I loved the story. The writer assumes his readers will be fully aware of "the troubles," and so may lose younger readers.
The writer's "chatty" style suited this story well. It emphasised how Tom was an ordinary guy caught up in events, he didn't fully understand. But there were occasions the writing could have been tighter. This is a debut novel & I'm sufficiently intrigued to have Ward's 2nd novel on my kindle.
Overall a fast paced, enjoyable thriller concerning the security forces and the IRA.
February 17, 2015
I’ve got to say, I really enjoyed this book. It was given to me in exchange for an honest review and I’m glad I took it on.
Tom owns a betting shop and is a bit pathetic in the beginning of the book. He has no family except for a brother that he rarely sees and we don’t meet a single friend of his. His shop barely pays the bills and he has a gambling problem on top of that. That’s why is so extraordinary when he risks his life to save that of a famous American Actress, Melanie.
Little did he know, Melanie’s attackers were members of the IRA and it opened up a whole world of problems for them.
The story jumps from person to person to give us a scope of how large this really is. We have the cop who’s trying to take down members of the IRA. The girl who wants to save her brother from the police and, when that is no longer possible, she focuses on avenging him. The dirty cop who feeds information to the IRA. It’s all very intricate and complex. When we get to the action sequences, we get to see the same scenes from different points of view. It’s very cool.
For me, the only problem I had with this book was its wordiness. Think character think and describe- a lot. The action sequences- which were so great- tended to be slowed down with unnecessary thoughts or explanations. I’m a big proponent of leaving some things to the reader’s imaginations and I don’t think that was done enough.
I loved the dialogue in this book and I wanted there to be more of it. Reading dialogue and character interactions is much more interesting than reading unspoken explanations. That’s just a style preference for me though, not a comment on the quality of the writing or the story.
The story itself is gripping and the characters are really fantastic. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who takes a liking to crime procedurals!
Tom owns a betting shop and is a bit pathetic in the beginning of the book. He has no family except for a brother that he rarely sees and we don’t meet a single friend of his. His shop barely pays the bills and he has a gambling problem on top of that. That’s why is so extraordinary when he risks his life to save that of a famous American Actress, Melanie.
Little did he know, Melanie’s attackers were members of the IRA and it opened up a whole world of problems for them.
The story jumps from person to person to give us a scope of how large this really is. We have the cop who’s trying to take down members of the IRA. The girl who wants to save her brother from the police and, when that is no longer possible, she focuses on avenging him. The dirty cop who feeds information to the IRA. It’s all very intricate and complex. When we get to the action sequences, we get to see the same scenes from different points of view. It’s very cool.
For me, the only problem I had with this book was its wordiness. Think character think and describe- a lot. The action sequences- which were so great- tended to be slowed down with unnecessary thoughts or explanations. I’m a big proponent of leaving some things to the reader’s imaginations and I don’t think that was done enough.
I loved the dialogue in this book and I wanted there to be more of it. Reading dialogue and character interactions is much more interesting than reading unspoken explanations. That’s just a style preference for me though, not a comment on the quality of the writing or the story.
The story itself is gripping and the characters are really fantastic. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who takes a liking to crime procedurals!
April 2, 2014
I liked this. A quality piece of work by an assured hand.
Tom's a down on his luck Brighton bookie, pretty much married to gambling, and with a relationship with his brother that could be best termed 'distant.'
A chance wandering through London after one of he and his brother's occasional meals together throws Tom headlong into the scene of an attempted kidnap of the world's most famous actress, Melanie Adams, and the cold blooded murder of her assistant and bodyguard. From then on Tom's life blossoms as he becomes a media darling, and his relationships with both his brother, and Melanie grow better than he could ever have hoped. Unfortunately for Tom, the perpetrators of the failed kidnap attempt have friends in very high, and very Irish places, and they've not just got plans for him, but they've plans for a whole lot more.
So yeah, I liked it. Quite a lot too. It's got a bit more than your standard thriller. Bill Ward jabs subtle spikes into several media based figures. Cliff Maxwell, the PR guru, for example. He toys with the concept of the most tenuous of means of celebrity as Tom finds himself a highly sought after mouthpiece. The characters are solid, Tom and his previously downtrodden existence finding a new lease of life after his fortuitous, Connor the devious and harsh rapist hit man. The author deals with them all well. Maybe the humourous dialogue between Tom and Melanie as they play getting-to-know-you sometimes feels slightly forced at times, but I can overlook that for the romping twisting thriller that Bill Ward has laid onto the page.
Overall, you'd do a hell of a lot worse than to settle down and get involved in Revenge. Recommended reading.
Tom's a down on his luck Brighton bookie, pretty much married to gambling, and with a relationship with his brother that could be best termed 'distant.'
A chance wandering through London after one of he and his brother's occasional meals together throws Tom headlong into the scene of an attempted kidnap of the world's most famous actress, Melanie Adams, and the cold blooded murder of her assistant and bodyguard. From then on Tom's life blossoms as he becomes a media darling, and his relationships with both his brother, and Melanie grow better than he could ever have hoped. Unfortunately for Tom, the perpetrators of the failed kidnap attempt have friends in very high, and very Irish places, and they've not just got plans for him, but they've plans for a whole lot more.
So yeah, I liked it. Quite a lot too. It's got a bit more than your standard thriller. Bill Ward jabs subtle spikes into several media based figures. Cliff Maxwell, the PR guru, for example. He toys with the concept of the most tenuous of means of celebrity as Tom finds himself a highly sought after mouthpiece. The characters are solid, Tom and his previously downtrodden existence finding a new lease of life after his fortuitous, Connor the devious and harsh rapist hit man. The author deals with them all well. Maybe the humourous dialogue between Tom and Melanie as they play getting-to-know-you sometimes feels slightly forced at times, but I can overlook that for the romping twisting thriller that Bill Ward has laid onto the page.
Overall, you'd do a hell of a lot worse than to settle down and get involved in Revenge. Recommended reading.
May 14, 2014
A really enjoyable action novel debut from Bill Ward, which features Hollywood glamour, the politics of terror and cheque book journalism, as well as the believable settings in London and Brighton that other reviewers have commented on.
The romantic and heroic leads, betting shop owner and poker addict,Tom Ashdown and feisty, down-to-earth blockbuster actor, Melanie Adams, bring a grittier touch of 'Notting Hill' style class to this fast-flowing 'stop-'em-doing-it' action thriller. There's no doubt their almost instant attraction has us on side from the start, even though it gets a little far-fetched at times during some of the stakeout scenarios.
Have to agree that some of the editing and proofing were not of the best at times, but in the end it's the story quality and writing that counts, so not too many brownie points lost as this is one of the best indie offerings I've read in a good while. I'll look forward to more of the same from this author - perhaps with Tom and Melanie again?
The romantic and heroic leads, betting shop owner and poker addict,Tom Ashdown and feisty, down-to-earth blockbuster actor, Melanie Adams, bring a grittier touch of 'Notting Hill' style class to this fast-flowing 'stop-'em-doing-it' action thriller. There's no doubt their almost instant attraction has us on side from the start, even though it gets a little far-fetched at times during some of the stakeout scenarios.
Have to agree that some of the editing and proofing were not of the best at times, but in the end it's the story quality and writing that counts, so not too many brownie points lost as this is one of the best indie offerings I've read in a good while. I'll look forward to more of the same from this author - perhaps with Tom and Melanie again?
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