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Sean Dillon #14
The Killing Ground
The master returns, with a chilling novel of modern terrorism and revenge.
For intelligence operative Sean Dillon, it begins with a routine passport check. But the events it will lead to will be as bloody as any he has ever known.
The man he stops at Heathrow Airport is Caspar Rashid, born and bred in England but with family ties to a Bedouin tribe fiercely wedded to the old ways.
Rashid's thirteen-year-old daughter, Sara, has been kidnapped by Rashid's own father and taken to Iraq to be married to a man known as the Hammer of God, one of the Middle East's most feared terrorists. When Rashid begs Dillon for help, he sees a chance to settle some old scores-but he has no idea of the terrible chain of events he is about to unleash. Before his journey is done, many men will die-and Dillon may be one of them.
For intelligence operative Sean Dillon, it begins with a routine passport check. But the events it will lead to will be as bloody as any he has ever known.
The man he stops at Heathrow Airport is Caspar Rashid, born and bred in England but with family ties to a Bedouin tribe fiercely wedded to the old ways.
Rashid's thirteen-year-old daughter, Sara, has been kidnapped by Rashid's own father and taken to Iraq to be married to a man known as the Hammer of God, one of the Middle East's most feared terrorists. When Rashid begs Dillon for help, he sees a chance to settle some old scores-but he has no idea of the terrible chain of events he is about to unleash. Before his journey is done, many men will die-and Dillon may be one of them.
564 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 2008
222 people are currently reading
989 people want to read
About the author
Jack Higgins
487 books1,284 followersThere is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Jack Higgins was best known of the many pseudonyms of Henry Patterson. (See also Martin Fallon, Harry Patterson, Hugh Marlowe and James Graham.)
He was the New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy thrillers, including The Eagle Has Landed and The Wolf at the Door. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Patterson grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a child, Patterson was a voracious reader and later credited his passion for reading with fueling his creative drive to be an author. His upbringing in Belfast also exposed him to the political and religious violence that characterized the city at the time. At seven years old, Patterson was caught in gunfire while riding a tram, and later was in a Belfast movie theater when it was bombed. Though he escaped from both attacks unharmed, the turmoil in Northern Ireland would later become a significant influence in his books, many of which prominently feature the Irish Republican Army. After attending grammar school and college in Leeds, England, Patterson joined the British Army and served two years in the Household Cavalry, from 1947 to 1949, stationed along the East German border. He was considered an expert sharpshooter.
Following his military service, Patterson earned a degree in sociology from the London School of Economics, which led to teaching jobs at two English colleges. In 1959, while teaching at James Graham College, Patterson began writing novels, including some under the alias James Graham. As his popularity grew, Patterson left teaching to write full time. With the 1975 publication of the international blockbuster The Eagle Has Landed, which was later made into a movie of the same name starring Michael Caine, Patterson became a regular fixture on bestseller lists. His books draw heavily from history and include prominent figures—such as John Dillinger—and often center around significant events from such conflicts as World War II, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Patterson lived in Jersey, in the Channel Islands.
Jack Higgins was best known of the many pseudonyms of Henry Patterson. (See also Martin Fallon, Harry Patterson, Hugh Marlowe and James Graham.)
He was the New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy thrillers, including The Eagle Has Landed and The Wolf at the Door. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Patterson grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a child, Patterson was a voracious reader and later credited his passion for reading with fueling his creative drive to be an author. His upbringing in Belfast also exposed him to the political and religious violence that characterized the city at the time. At seven years old, Patterson was caught in gunfire while riding a tram, and later was in a Belfast movie theater when it was bombed. Though he escaped from both attacks unharmed, the turmoil in Northern Ireland would later become a significant influence in his books, many of which prominently feature the Irish Republican Army. After attending grammar school and college in Leeds, England, Patterson joined the British Army and served two years in the Household Cavalry, from 1947 to 1949, stationed along the East German border. He was considered an expert sharpshooter.
Following his military service, Patterson earned a degree in sociology from the London School of Economics, which led to teaching jobs at two English colleges. In 1959, while teaching at James Graham College, Patterson began writing novels, including some under the alias James Graham. As his popularity grew, Patterson left teaching to write full time. With the 1975 publication of the international blockbuster The Eagle Has Landed, which was later made into a movie of the same name starring Michael Caine, Patterson became a regular fixture on bestseller lists. His books draw heavily from history and include prominent figures—such as John Dillinger—and often center around significant events from such conflicts as World War II, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Patterson lived in Jersey, in the Channel Islands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
March 13, 2015
i just think these books are so good and all worth five stars.
March 10, 2015
Jack Higgins is one of those authors who doesn't lets his readers put down the book. The pages simply fly. Dillon is my hero. He is too good.
July 2, 2017
The gang continues to fight a good fight. Great British/Irish piece of action and mystery. This one really was good interjecting a thirteen year old beyond her years.
March 10, 2011
I would give this 1.5 stars if I could.
In one word, contrived.
The coincidental events (perfect people overhearing perfect conversations and deciding to report them to the perfect people at the perfect time with perfect results) were to the point of being ludicrous.
I lost count of how many people were "shot between the eyes".
I'm not one to start a book and not finish it but I sure came close with this one. All in all, it was just silly and I would not recommend it to anyone.
In one word, contrived.
The coincidental events (perfect people overhearing perfect conversations and deciding to report them to the perfect people at the perfect time with perfect results) were to the point of being ludicrous.
I lost count of how many people were "shot between the eyes".
I'm not one to start a book and not finish it but I sure came close with this one. All in all, it was just silly and I would not recommend it to anyone.
June 11, 2012
Contains reference to modern war. Sadam Hussein and terrorism. Old Ira members to the rescue.
December 24, 2008
I'd really give this 2 1/2 stars, but that isn't an option on this site, I guess. It is another entertaining Higgins' tale, but like most of his newer novels, it lacks the original punch of his earlier novels. They begin to read all the same. That said, this one was an improvement over some of the other recent novels, and he does tell an entertaining story.
One gripe... he has characters who are cursing and hating Sunni Muslims, which would imply -- as they are Muslim characters -- that they are Shiite Muslims. But then a few sentences later, they are praising Osama Bin Laden and their loyalty to his cause. Major disconnect there. Bin Laden's Al Qaeda is a SUNNI-based organization, has spoken against Shiites, and has few, if any, friends in Shiite circles. That's not to say that Shiites are not involved in terrorism or fighting America/UK forces in Iraq, but it just is a bit off to me.
One gripe... he has characters who are cursing and hating Sunni Muslims, which would imply -- as they are Muslim characters -- that they are Shiite Muslims. But then a few sentences later, they are praising Osama Bin Laden and their loyalty to his cause. Major disconnect there. Bin Laden's Al Qaeda is a SUNNI-based organization, has spoken against Shiites, and has few, if any, friends in Shiite circles. That's not to say that Shiites are not involved in terrorism or fighting America/UK forces in Iraq, but it just is a bit off to me.
August 2, 2008
My first Jack Higgins novel, "The Eagle Has Landed", showed just what he was capable of.
By comparison, "The Killing Ground" seems formulaic.
If you like cardboard cut-out characters and gung-ho action, you might enjoy this. I'm afraid that, just four weeks after reading it, I can't remember a thing about it.
By comparison, "The Killing Ground" seems formulaic.
If you like cardboard cut-out characters and gung-ho action, you might enjoy this. I'm afraid that, just four weeks after reading it, I can't remember a thing about it.
March 3, 2015
Jack Higgins is on top of his game. Sean Dillon and company are doing what they do best--track down the bad guys and get rid of them. As in all Higgins books, there is a high body count. This story does leave a few loose ends: Sara, the Broker, and Ali Hassim to name a few.
June 22, 2022
i love killing. this book doesn;t have enough. fals eadvertising
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October 19, 2018
Bravo! A good fast read! now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
November 14, 2008
Good book to read if you want something that you can put down at any time. It seems that Jack Higgins used scenes from several of his older books and just rewrote them a little. If you like his characters you will enjoy this book. If you expect something original you will be disappointed.
July 20, 2014
Good story, fast paced novel - international intrigue
September 13, 2017
Fourteen books into the Sean Dillon series, it's clear Jack Higgins got bored. Without Mercy, the previous entry, was an awful book, and The Killing Ground isn't much better. It reads like it was written over a weekend, not edited, and published just to get another Dillon adventure on the shelves. Aside from some character names, weapons and drinks, they barely resemble the older books in the series.
Staking out an airport, Sean Dillon captures a member of the Rashid family, but this particular Rashid is actually an honest citizen. He does, however, have a kidnapped daughter, and when Dillon and the rest of the Prime Minister's Private Army offer to help they get pulled into a bigger plot involving Russian spies, the IRA and an Al Qaeda connected terrorist known as the Hammer of God. It's nowhere near as cool as it sounds.
Spoilers...
It's hard to know where to begin complaining. The plot is convoluted as hell, and it never comes together in any coherent way. I guess this network of Russians is going to remain in the background pulling the evil strings, which is fine, but then they're mashed up with the Rashids -- another group of recurring villains, and a better one because instead of bringing the same characters back a new group of family members will just turn up in each book -- plus hired IRA gunmen and a mysterious figure called the Broker who seems to be involved with everyone. And most of the villains are still around by the end. The Russians are all there; the head IRA guy is alive, though some of his henchmen were killed; the Broker is not only at large but not identified. Only Hussein Rashid and his sect of the Rashid family are dealt with. Too many times the bad guys are intentionally wounded; even Harry Salter, who is supposed to be a ruthless gangster, sends an assassin to kill a Russian who attacked him and the assassin just shoots him in the leg. Everything amounts to a game of tag, and it just becomes boring.
The characters are dull and inconsistent. Sean Dillon is indistinguishable from anyone else; all his charm, humor and cool are gone and he just speaks matter-of-factly about everything, like everyone else. Sara Rashid is supposed to be thirteen but acts like she's fifty and addicted to Prozac; she also vascillates from wanting to escape Hussein to wanting to stay with him, and there's no rhyme or reason to any of it. There was an opportunity to show how being exposed to religious fanaticism can indoctrinate someone, but it's never dealt with in any coherent manner. And everyone commenting how astonishing she is gets old fast. Igor Levin is a part of the team now, despite being one of the people responsible for killing Hannah, which none of her "friends" seem to care about. There are also way too many characters, to the point where Dillon no longer feels like the lead; he's just another supporting character. There were so many assassination attempts in this book it would've been the perfect opportunity to thin the herd at least a little; alas, no.
Then there are many technical problems. There are lots of moments where it's impossible to tell who's talking, partly due to inconsistencies in speakers (a character will speak in one paragraph, then take over for himself in the next). At one point, Roper -- who is paralyzed -- stands up out of his wheelchair. A Rashid is killed by a group of Sunnis, which makes no sense because they're affiliated with Al Qaeda, which is a Sunni organization, making the Rashids Sunni as well. All of these things and more are why I say it feels like the book wasn't edited.
Reading these last two Higgins books was a real bummer. I don't know if he's tired of Dillon or what, but I don't think his heart is in it anymore. I've stuck with the series for a long time so it's hard to abandon it now, but I'm sorely tempted.
Staking out an airport, Sean Dillon captures a member of the Rashid family, but this particular Rashid is actually an honest citizen. He does, however, have a kidnapped daughter, and when Dillon and the rest of the Prime Minister's Private Army offer to help they get pulled into a bigger plot involving Russian spies, the IRA and an Al Qaeda connected terrorist known as the Hammer of God. It's nowhere near as cool as it sounds.
Spoilers...
It's hard to know where to begin complaining. The plot is convoluted as hell, and it never comes together in any coherent way. I guess this network of Russians is going to remain in the background pulling the evil strings, which is fine, but then they're mashed up with the Rashids -- another group of recurring villains, and a better one because instead of bringing the same characters back a new group of family members will just turn up in each book -- plus hired IRA gunmen and a mysterious figure called the Broker who seems to be involved with everyone. And most of the villains are still around by the end. The Russians are all there; the head IRA guy is alive, though some of his henchmen were killed; the Broker is not only at large but not identified. Only Hussein Rashid and his sect of the Rashid family are dealt with. Too many times the bad guys are intentionally wounded; even Harry Salter, who is supposed to be a ruthless gangster, sends an assassin to kill a Russian who attacked him and the assassin just shoots him in the leg. Everything amounts to a game of tag, and it just becomes boring.
The characters are dull and inconsistent. Sean Dillon is indistinguishable from anyone else; all his charm, humor and cool are gone and he just speaks matter-of-factly about everything, like everyone else. Sara Rashid is supposed to be thirteen but acts like she's fifty and addicted to Prozac; she also vascillates from wanting to escape Hussein to wanting to stay with him, and there's no rhyme or reason to any of it. There was an opportunity to show how being exposed to religious fanaticism can indoctrinate someone, but it's never dealt with in any coherent manner. And everyone commenting how astonishing she is gets old fast. Igor Levin is a part of the team now, despite being one of the people responsible for killing Hannah, which none of her "friends" seem to care about. There are also way too many characters, to the point where Dillon no longer feels like the lead; he's just another supporting character. There were so many assassination attempts in this book it would've been the perfect opportunity to thin the herd at least a little; alas, no.
Then there are many technical problems. There are lots of moments where it's impossible to tell who's talking, partly due to inconsistencies in speakers (a character will speak in one paragraph, then take over for himself in the next). At one point, Roper -- who is paralyzed -- stands up out of his wheelchair. A Rashid is killed by a group of Sunnis, which makes no sense because they're affiliated with Al Qaeda, which is a Sunni organization, making the Rashids Sunni as well. All of these things and more are why I say it feels like the book wasn't edited.
Reading these last two Higgins books was a real bummer. I don't know if he's tired of Dillon or what, but I don't think his heart is in it anymore. I've stuck with the series for a long time so it's hard to abandon it now, but I'm sorely tempted.
November 24, 2016
The days of vintage Jack Higgins are long gone, drowned in a sea of vinegar that is the Sean Dillon books. These identikit novels see Dillion and his increasingly large posse take on some criminal or other and win the day. I think I have read nearly all of them, but the similarity that they possess means that I can never be too sure if I have picked up a new book, or am just reading it again. ‘The Killing Ground’ is a rare treat in the series of being a book that is alright. Yes, it is another Dillon book, but the action is quick and the consequences nonsensical.
Dillon is up against another of the Rashid family, in this case an aged Uncle, but also a young and deadly killer. When a young women is kidnapped form the UK and forced into living in Iraq, the undercover spy decides to go even more off the books and get her back without the knowledge of Brigadier Ferguson.
By being even more rogue than usual, ‘Killing’ is slightly punchier and fun than other Dillon books written around the same period. The plot feels very similar to others and even references previous set pieces, before copying them – a very odd way of writing. However, there are a few very entertaining action sequences here that cannot be said of some of the other books in the series. A rescue from Iraq stands out as it leaves even Dillion feeling a little helpless.
Perhaps it is the few years I have given between reading Higgins books, but this was not a bad effort. It is a quick read, daft and full of action. It won’t win any prizes and is nowhere up to the author’s own standards from the 60-80s, but still it has enough in it to keep long term fans of the author happy.
Dillon is up against another of the Rashid family, in this case an aged Uncle, but also a young and deadly killer. When a young women is kidnapped form the UK and forced into living in Iraq, the undercover spy decides to go even more off the books and get her back without the knowledge of Brigadier Ferguson.
By being even more rogue than usual, ‘Killing’ is slightly punchier and fun than other Dillon books written around the same period. The plot feels very similar to others and even references previous set pieces, before copying them – a very odd way of writing. However, there are a few very entertaining action sequences here that cannot be said of some of the other books in the series. A rescue from Iraq stands out as it leaves even Dillion feeling a little helpless.
Perhaps it is the few years I have given between reading Higgins books, but this was not a bad effort. It is a quick read, daft and full of action. It won’t win any prizes and is nowhere up to the author’s own standards from the 60-80s, but still it has enough in it to keep long term fans of the author happy.
March 23, 2017
I do so enjoy these Sean Dillon books from Jack Higgins. They are always loads of fun to read and this was no exception.
The Killing Ground continues the Rashid storyline which has been a story arc in a few of the Dillon books.
This time it is a different member of the Rashid family, Caspar who lives with his with Molly and daughter Sara in London. Caspar is no longer Muslim and has been rejected by his Bedouin brothers in Hazar. However, as punishment, they kidnap his daughter for her to be betrothed to Hussein Rashid who as a follow of Bin Laden has been given the name Hammer of God.
Billy Salter and Dillon, go to Hazar and kidnap Sara back in payment for Caspar giving them more information about the Rashid organisation that is left. At the same time, the Russians have also decided that they have had enough of Ferguson, Dillon and Salter's interference in their affairs and have decided to take them out.
Again, the action travels from Baghdad, Hazar to Dublin, London and Sussex with the stories connecting to give you the final play out at the end. Higgin's later books, flow so well and are very easy to read, there is no nonsense with them and take you from one situation to the next so well. He manages to connect them so well with how people betraying other people so they find out the information they need.
This time I have knocked off one star, because I had one small gripe, which was the repeated use of a storyline that Higgin's has used before in another Dillon book. I don't want to go into too much detail as it might spoilt for those who have not read it yet. But it relates to the use of a disused tunnel to get into a compound without anyone knowing about it. I am sure that Higgin's used this not long ago and sometimes his lack of imagination for solving problems can let him down.
Otherwise I would have given it 5 stars because it was a really enjoyable read overall.
The Killing Ground continues the Rashid storyline which has been a story arc in a few of the Dillon books.
This time it is a different member of the Rashid family, Caspar who lives with his with Molly and daughter Sara in London. Caspar is no longer Muslim and has been rejected by his Bedouin brothers in Hazar. However, as punishment, they kidnap his daughter for her to be betrothed to Hussein Rashid who as a follow of Bin Laden has been given the name Hammer of God.
Billy Salter and Dillon, go to Hazar and kidnap Sara back in payment for Caspar giving them more information about the Rashid organisation that is left. At the same time, the Russians have also decided that they have had enough of Ferguson, Dillon and Salter's interference in their affairs and have decided to take them out.
Again, the action travels from Baghdad, Hazar to Dublin, London and Sussex with the stories connecting to give you the final play out at the end. Higgin's later books, flow so well and are very easy to read, there is no nonsense with them and take you from one situation to the next so well. He manages to connect them so well with how people betraying other people so they find out the information they need.
This time I have knocked off one star, because I had one small gripe, which was the repeated use of a storyline that Higgin's has used before in another Dillon book. I don't want to go into too much detail as it might spoilt for those who have not read it yet. But it relates to the use of a disused tunnel to get into a compound without anyone knowing about it. I am sure that Higgin's used this not long ago and sometimes his lack of imagination for solving problems can let him down.
Otherwise I would have given it 5 stars because it was a really enjoyable read overall.
February 29, 2024
Ruslar Volkov'un emri ile Blake Johnson'a bir suikast düzenler ama yine başarılı olamazlar. İşi araştıran Harry Salter, George Moon'un işin içinde olduğunu öğrenir ve evine gider. Burada karısı Ruby'ye kötü davrandığını görür ve onu yanına alır. Dillon ve Billy Salter ise havaalanında Caspar Rashid adında biri ile karşılaşır. El Kaide'den kaçtığını ve kızının kaçırıldığını söyleyen Caspar yardım ister. Karısı Molly işine her şeyden çok önem veren bir cerrahtır. Dedesinin yanında kalan kızı Sara, kuzeni Hussein Rashid ile evlenmek zorundadır. Hussein, El Kaide adına çalışan Allahın Çekici lakaplı bir suikastçidir. Dillon ve Billy Irak'a gider ama başarılı olamaz. Hussein ve Sara Hazar bölgesine yola çıkmıştır. Burada Hal Stone'un da yardımıyla kızı kaçırırlar ve Londra'ya gelirler. Hussein'in fotoğrafı tüm gazete ve televizyonları süslemiştir. Volkov, Dublin'de kalan Igor Lrvim ve yanındaki. Chomsky'yi Popv vasıtasıyla öldürmeye kalkınca onlar da Greta Novikova gibi Ferguson'a çalışmaya başlar. Hussein ve kuzeni Khazid bir sürü badire atlatarak İngiltere'ye gelir. Bu arada Molly ve ailesinin kaldığı yer değişmiştir ama telefonla konuşan Molly bu bilgiyi ağzından kaçırır. Khazid ve Hussein, Hal Stone'un evini basar. 2 kurşun yiyen Stone ölmediği halde Hussein ölmüş gibi bırakır. Broker dedikleri kimliği bilinmeyen adam ve Khan adlı profesör bilgiler verir. Zion House denilen yere girmem için bir gizli geçit dahi bulurlar. Buraya girerler ve Sara ile karşılaşırlar. Acaba bundan sonra ne olacaktır? Hussein ne yapacaktır? Dillon, Ferguson, Roper ne yapacaktır? Soluksuz okunan bir roman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2020
My first Jack Higgins novel was "The Eagle Has Landed". I recall it was excellent.
This was crap.
So some spoilers to explain why.
The Arab terrorists in question, the wealthy Iraqi Rashid family, are allied with Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaida. However the Rashid family patriarch gets murdered by "the Sunnis". Here's where Jack Higgins is either unplugged with geo-politics or expects his readers to be. Al Qaida's followers follow Sunni Islam. Its allies are Sunnis. To be otherwise would be an enemy of Osama's views on Islam.
Weapons. Good God...what is a "Colt 25"? In 1903 there was a Colt chambered in the anemic and often considered inadequate .25 caliber, but this piece is pretty much a collector. It seems there are two pistols in Higgins' world. This imagined Colt 25 and a Walther...which everybody has and with a silencer. No Glocks. No HK's. At one point Sean Dillon remarks how much he likes the Uzi submachine gun. He likes it because, he says, if he drops it, it automatically stops working. Forget, reader, that when you quit pressing the trigger of any submachine gun, IT STOPS WORKING.
The audiobook reader was talented, but his Arab accents sounded awfully Indian, and he continually mispronounced the name "Igor", rhyming it with "Eye sore."
This is my third Higgins novel, and likely my last. He lost his mojo.
This was crap.
So some spoilers to explain why.
The Arab terrorists in question, the wealthy Iraqi Rashid family, are allied with Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaida. However the Rashid family patriarch gets murdered by "the Sunnis". Here's where Jack Higgins is either unplugged with geo-politics or expects his readers to be. Al Qaida's followers follow Sunni Islam. Its allies are Sunnis. To be otherwise would be an enemy of Osama's views on Islam.
Weapons. Good God...what is a "Colt 25"? In 1903 there was a Colt chambered in the anemic and often considered inadequate .25 caliber, but this piece is pretty much a collector. It seems there are two pistols in Higgins' world. This imagined Colt 25 and a Walther...which everybody has and with a silencer. No Glocks. No HK's. At one point Sean Dillon remarks how much he likes the Uzi submachine gun. He likes it because, he says, if he drops it, it automatically stops working. Forget, reader, that when you quit pressing the trigger of any submachine gun, IT STOPS WORKING.
The audiobook reader was talented, but his Arab accents sounded awfully Indian, and he continually mispronounced the name "Igor", rhyming it with "Eye sore."
This is my third Higgins novel, and likely my last. He lost his mojo.
May 9, 2023
During a routine assignment, professional hard bastard Sean Dillon uncovers the kidnapping of a schoolgirl whose grandfather has terrorist connections and decides to go behind his paymaster Ferguson’s back to intervene. A good deed in a naughty world, as he considers it. He accomplishes the mission efficiently enough, but sets in motion a chain of consequences. After a few lacklustre outings, ‘The Killing Ground’ was a nice reminder of why I read these kind of novels. It was also a reminder of previous titles in the saga since Higgins can never resist a bit of self-plagiarism. Ah well, a naughty deed in a good thriller.
March 23, 2023
Higgins stories hold you captive from cover to cover and even more so when it is a Sean Dillon story.
Dillon and the team are brought to rescue the kidnaped daughter of Caspar and Molly Rashid, Sara, who is taken to Iraq to become the wife of her cousin, the Hammer of God. Many people die along the way and as usual the bad guys seem the have a larger body count when it comes to deaths.
Safe houses prove not to be that safe due to leaks and Sara's mother unwittingly contributes to aiding the killers.
Dillon and the team are brought to rescue the kidnaped daughter of Caspar and Molly Rashid, Sara, who is taken to Iraq to become the wife of her cousin, the Hammer of God. Many people die along the way and as usual the bad guys seem the have a larger body count when it comes to deaths.
Safe houses prove not to be that safe due to leaks and Sara's mother unwittingly contributes to aiding the killers.
May 11, 2017
Not a bad story but I found in this book and some of the others in the series that the ending is a total of 5 pages of the book. Some books will use that as an epilogue but when you still have what would normally be at least 20 pages or more of and ending crunched into 5 pages or so, it just feels like it could have been better. Heck I'm not a writer but I could have written a better ending. Maybe the next one will be better. Other than that, if you have liked the series so far it is like that.
May 12, 2018
Sorry, but this one stunk! I like the Sean Dillon character, I like the writing, but the plot on this one was terrible. Unbelievable supporting characters and a plethora of coincidences, also unbelievable (for both the good and the bad guys). Without happenstance, none of the action would have happened, none of the main characters would have been able to have their final duels. I can only hope the next is better.
October 18, 2022
As usual a very fast paced book and hard to put down. A young girl is kidnapped and since she is related to Muslim family, she is to be the bride of her cousin when she comes of age. Her cousin is an assassin known as the hammer of god. She is rescued by Billy Salter and Sean Dillon. He comes after her and since her mother gave away the location the assassin knows where to find her, they’re stopped by Billy and Sean.
July 20, 2017
Good guys always win! I am being a little facetious but the bad guy Muslims always lose in this book. Yeah, a few
Good guys get wounded but let's face it, real battles with ISIS are fought with IED's, snipers, rocket launchers, and machine guns. They do not have face-to-face contact
With small caliber pistols. Mr. Higgins needs to get more creative.
Good guys get wounded but let's face it, real battles with ISIS are fought with IED's, snipers, rocket launchers, and machine guns. They do not have face-to-face contact
With small caliber pistols. Mr. Higgins needs to get more creative.
October 30, 2018
One murder after another. Plots to kill terrorists and government officials combined with a back story about a Bedouin family, an assassin, and a 13 year old girl abducted from her home to become a child bride. The "good" guys win all of the gun battles such as they are. Don't read unless you trying to read all the Higgins books.
August 12, 2022
I don't not finish books. It took me a long time to get past the first few pages of The Heart of Darkness. It took me weeks to get past chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby, which subsequently became one of my favourite books. I've struggled on to page 55 of The Killing Ground and can safely say it is the worst book I have ever read. Incoherent, implausible, painful. What a waste of paper.
February 12, 2024
This genie is fairly basic. I enjoyed Andy McNab's Nick Stone series, was then disappointed with Chris Ryan's first Danny Black novel, therefore didn't go any further. Had hoped Jack Higgins Sean Dillion series would be my next "trashy" bedtime read. Alas no, this is possibly the lowest grade book I've ever read 🤣
June 23, 2024
A formulaic Jack Higgins novel, but better than others I've read because it doesn't assume the reader knows who all the standard recurring Higgins characters are, and how they relate to each other. The characters still fly all over the world at a moment's notice, but the plot is reasonably coherent and there are a good number of action scenes.
July 31, 2025
A fair enough story. It is a typical Jack Higgins book. I've read most of what he's written. He has a standard formula, and he uses a certain phrase in almost every book he's written. For a light weight action story, it's fine. I guess that after not having read any of his books in a while, I found it a little too "breezy" and lightweight.
March 26, 2017
Pretty weak. Picked the book up at a travelers book exchange at the hotel we were staying at in Cinque Terre. Lots of British good guys against Islamic and former IRA bad guys. And a not very believable kid napped 13 year old.
October 1, 2017
It wasn't too bad in Parts but there were a lot of schlocky names comments posing and poising. Got to be that it was meant more for 14 or 15 year old boy then an adult. In the end I'd gotten about maybe a third of the way through it and had to put it down.
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