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The Outsiders
Winnie Monks has never forgotten, or forgiven, the death of a young agent on her team at the hands of a former Russian army major turned gangster. Now, years later, she hears the Major is travelling to a villa on the Costa del Sol. For the young British couple housesitting it is supposed to be a carefree break in the sun. But when the secret service team arrives in paradise, everything changes.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2012
41 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Seymour
98 books285 followersGerald Seymour (born 25 November 1941 in Guildford, Surrey) is a British writer.
The son of two literary figures, he was educated at Kelly College at Tavistock in Devon and took a BA Hons degree in Modern History at University College London. Initially a journalist, he joined ITN in 1963, covering such topics as the Great Train Robbery, Vietnam, Ireland, the Munich Olympics massacre, Germany's Red Army, Italy's Red Brigades and Palestinian militant groups. His first book, Harry's Game, was published in 1975, and Seymour then became a full-time novelist, living in the West Country. In 1999, he featured in the Oscar-winning television film, One Day in September, which portrayed the Munich Olympics massacre.
Television adaptations have been made of his books Harry's Game, The Glory Boys, The Contract, Red Fox, Field Of Blood, A Line In The Sand and The Waiting Time.
The son of two literary figures, he was educated at Kelly College at Tavistock in Devon and took a BA Hons degree in Modern History at University College London. Initially a journalist, he joined ITN in 1963, covering such topics as the Great Train Robbery, Vietnam, Ireland, the Munich Olympics massacre, Germany's Red Army, Italy's Red Brigades and Palestinian militant groups. His first book, Harry's Game, was published in 1975, and Seymour then became a full-time novelist, living in the West Country. In 1999, he featured in the Oscar-winning television film, One Day in September, which portrayed the Munich Olympics massacre.
Television adaptations have been made of his books Harry's Game, The Glory Boys, The Contract, Red Fox, Field Of Blood, A Line In The Sand and The Waiting Time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
December 27, 2013
A typical Gerald Seymour novel. I find his books not an easy read, but they certainly get your attention. Then you simply have to finish them. Many of his thrillers have apparently quite separate threads - which is what I find difficult to comprehend - that gradually converge toward the end point, with the consequence that a spectacular finish is almost always guaranteed.
For many readers this book would be worth 5*. An excellent read.
For many readers this book would be worth 5*. An excellent read.
May 31, 2012
The Outsiders are former or current Intelligence personnel who carry out a semi-freelance operation to avenge the murder of a colleague. It is not giving too much away to reveal that there is Russian mafia-style involvement. Previous Seymour readers will expect to find various exotic locations together with presumably authentic acronyms for police and intelligence bodies, and assuredly reliable details of firearms; they will not be disappointed.
The main locale is Malaga. The author's journalistic instincts rarely let him down and here he is bang up to date at the scene of the building scandals that currently threaten the Spanish economy. The ratchetting of tension works, too. Gerald Seymour fans should buy with confidence.
Yet for the uncommitted there have to be caveats. Winnie Monk, a central figure, is not easily credible, not helped by having only two character props - smoking cigarillos and using the f-word - which crop up with almost her every appearance. Stylistically, I am not alone in finding the jumpy chronology at times confusing. The mannerism of beginning a new section with a pronoun that leaves the reader guessing for a paragraph or two is simply irritating. And there is the over-emphasis on Seymour's theme that organised crime is a bigger threat than terrorism: after the second appearance by 'the Latvian policeman' his contributions can be skipped with no effect whatsoever on the narrative.
The main locale is Malaga. The author's journalistic instincts rarely let him down and here he is bang up to date at the scene of the building scandals that currently threaten the Spanish economy. The ratchetting of tension works, too. Gerald Seymour fans should buy with confidence.
Yet for the uncommitted there have to be caveats. Winnie Monk, a central figure, is not easily credible, not helped by having only two character props - smoking cigarillos and using the f-word - which crop up with almost her every appearance. Stylistically, I am not alone in finding the jumpy chronology at times confusing. The mannerism of beginning a new section with a pronoun that leaves the reader guessing for a paragraph or two is simply irritating. And there is the over-emphasis on Seymour's theme that organised crime is a bigger threat than terrorism: after the second appearance by 'the Latvian policeman' his contributions can be skipped with no effect whatsoever on the narrative.
August 8, 2020
This story was one of my favourites from Gerald Seymour. He is truly an exceptional writer who has produced, yet another, masterpiece! His books are sophisticated and challenges the reader to keep up with his multi-layered story line that have a plethora of characters which he refers to almost randomly, but with great purpose (so keep a pen and paper handy). The storyline unfolds gradually which gives the reader time to identify the characters (which amount to more than twenty). These include, but aren't limited to the Graveyard Team-the surveillance team and Sparky, the Spanish Intelligence team, the Major and his Russian Mafia, the Tractor and his 'clean' operation in Spain, the outsiders, themselves, who are the holiday couple from England and a group of low level English criminals who conspire with the 'Tractor' for interesting results.
His descriptions of some these characters and the area are so vivid that it felt as though they could be living next door to you. (That is, of course, if you had the several million euro's to buy a spanish villa in Costa Del Sol, Spain). This time round, Seymour takes the foot off the gas towards the very end of the book to give a somewhat unusually 'pleasant' ending (at least by his standards). It cried out (at least to me) that decency, worthiness, justice, proper and humbleness are virtues that can't be destroyed- no matter how hard you try. Of course, the ending could have had another theme that decried one of tragedy, sorrow, regret, remorse, grief and guilt- like a lump in the gut that doesn't go away, but, this time round, Seymour lets the reader off lightly. He isn't so forgiving with some of his other books! 4 Stars!
Gerald Seymour has been writing thrillers for more than thirty five years. Here are a few ranked accordingly:
5 Stars ~ ‘A Line in the Sand’ and ‘Home Run’.
4 Stars ~ ‘The Waiting Time’, ‘Holding the Zero’, ‘The Dealer and the Dead’, ‘’No Mortal Thing’, The Outsiders’, ‘A Deniable Death’, ‘A Damn Serious Business’, ‘Archangel’, ‘No Mortal Thing’, ‘The Collaborator’ and ‘Killing Ground’ ,’ The Journeyman Tailor’, ‘Field of Blood’, 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' and ‘Harry’s Game’.
3 Stars ~ ‘A Song in the Morning', 'In Honour Bound’ & ‘The Untouchable’
2 Stars ~ ‘The Corporals Wife’ & 'The Unknown Soldier’.
Other similar authors that this person has read include: John le Carre, Len Deighton, Graham Greene, Alan Furst, Mick Herron, Ted Allbeury and Robert Ludlum who focused on spy novels, conflicts or on espionage.
His descriptions of some these characters and the area are so vivid that it felt as though they could be living next door to you. (That is, of course, if you had the several million euro's to buy a spanish villa in Costa Del Sol, Spain). This time round, Seymour takes the foot off the gas towards the very end of the book to give a somewhat unusually 'pleasant' ending (at least by his standards). It cried out (at least to me) that decency, worthiness, justice, proper and humbleness are virtues that can't be destroyed- no matter how hard you try. Of course, the ending could have had another theme that decried one of tragedy, sorrow, regret, remorse, grief and guilt- like a lump in the gut that doesn't go away, but, this time round, Seymour lets the reader off lightly. He isn't so forgiving with some of his other books! 4 Stars!
Gerald Seymour has been writing thrillers for more than thirty five years. Here are a few ranked accordingly:
5 Stars ~ ‘A Line in the Sand’ and ‘Home Run’.
4 Stars ~ ‘The Waiting Time’, ‘Holding the Zero’, ‘The Dealer and the Dead’, ‘’No Mortal Thing’, The Outsiders’, ‘A Deniable Death’, ‘A Damn Serious Business’, ‘Archangel’, ‘No Mortal Thing’, ‘The Collaborator’ and ‘Killing Ground’ ,’ The Journeyman Tailor’, ‘Field of Blood’, 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' and ‘Harry’s Game’.
3 Stars ~ ‘A Song in the Morning', 'In Honour Bound’ & ‘The Untouchable’
2 Stars ~ ‘The Corporals Wife’ & 'The Unknown Soldier’.
Other similar authors that this person has read include: John le Carre, Len Deighton, Graham Greene, Alan Furst, Mick Herron, Ted Allbeury and Robert Ludlum who focused on spy novels, conflicts or on espionage.
June 26, 2017
I read this book by cd in the car and was somewhat disappointed with it .However the story and plot were well constructed and it did keep my interest until the end. On the other hand, I felt that it was too long winded for my taste, with a lot unnecessary repetition. If it had been cut back by say 10%, I think that I would have enjoyed it more. I gave what ought to have been a 4 star rating, 3 stars
August 14, 2012
A brilliant taut thriller pulling all threads together at the end without any sense of contrivance or happy ever after. Complicated cast of characters meant I couldn't leave it alone for long in case I got confused. Believable in so far as the world of terror and espionage can be to Joanne Public. Really enjoyed it!
September 22, 2012
As usual, bang up to the minute. A little confusing at times but it does all come together in the inimitable GS style. Irresistible reading.
Read
July 1, 2014i think was good
March 10, 2019
Another classic Seymour thriller showcasing all his strengths, but alas the flaws too. The usual ingredients are all here; credible villain (the Major, a Russian crimelord) damaged heroes seeking revenge for their murdered colleague, all in a wholly authentic setting with a well-drawn supporting cast. The heroine is an MI5 officer, Winnie Monks, and her team of no-hopers is labelled the Graveyard Shift. A former Para sniper is involved too - cue much PTSD analysis.
The author's customary top notch research ensures we are presented with a convincing warts and all picture of the Costa del Sol (!?), apparently a hive of scum and villainy to rival Mos Eisley. A recurring theme of recent Seymour novels is also to the fore - the main threat to our welfare isn't terrorism but organised crime. Our security forces lack resources, unity and leadership, with Russia's influence particularly malign, both state sponsored and private sector criminals. There is another truly memorable entry in the Seymour list of "gruesome deaths handed out by gangland bosses".
I've read all this writer's thrillers and he is one of my favourite authors, a true master of the form. That said, I skipped his books for around ten years as they were growing a bit samey and slow. The writing style can confuse at times (putting the reader "in media res" means we sometimes have to work out where the hell we are/ who's being described). The slow (SLOW) build up of tension is fine, but I found the ending here a bit of a let down. Maybe it's my memory playing me false, but his earlier works seemed to have more action. Perhaps it's just that the pace seems languid compared to today's turbo driven fare and silly one page chapters (yes Patterson, I mean you): this is v. much your 5 day test match, not your 20/20 slogfest. So not one of his best but still a cut above most.
The author's customary top notch research ensures we are presented with a convincing warts and all picture of the Costa del Sol (!?), apparently a hive of scum and villainy to rival Mos Eisley. A recurring theme of recent Seymour novels is also to the fore - the main threat to our welfare isn't terrorism but organised crime. Our security forces lack resources, unity and leadership, with Russia's influence particularly malign, both state sponsored and private sector criminals. There is another truly memorable entry in the Seymour list of "gruesome deaths handed out by gangland bosses".
I've read all this writer's thrillers and he is one of my favourite authors, a true master of the form. That said, I skipped his books for around ten years as they were growing a bit samey and slow. The writing style can confuse at times (putting the reader "in media res" means we sometimes have to work out where the hell we are/ who's being described). The slow (SLOW) build up of tension is fine, but I found the ending here a bit of a let down. Maybe it's my memory playing me false, but his earlier works seemed to have more action. Perhaps it's just that the pace seems languid compared to today's turbo driven fare and silly one page chapters (yes Patterson, I mean you): this is v. much your 5 day test match, not your 20/20 slogfest. So not one of his best but still a cut above most.
November 15, 2019
This is a revenge story, but the object of the revenge is not as loathsome as some of the other characters with whom he ends up associating, and that sense of misplaced indignation stayed with me from the point in the book where there is a particularly gruesome and horrific murder until the end. I thought the book was too long, and the constantly shifting points of view and casts of characters made reading this a bit of a slog. Having vacationed on the Costa del Sol, and in Marbella in particular, I kept looking for resonances with my experience, but I have to say I was blissfully unaware of any of the organized crime activity attributed to the region in this book (my wife and I had a great time there a couple of years ago, but then again we don't exactly walk on the wild side) except from occasional stories in the media. I will say that he perfectly captures the sleaze factor that oozes from Gibraltar, though I enjoyed our brief stay in that colonial outpost as well. A prevalent subtext is the difference in perception of the work of anti-terrorist groups versus the work of anti-organized crime groups, even though the moral degradation of the targets of the latter's efforts often exceed those of the former's. That point was well-made by Seymour, but I found the characters of the eponymous trio to be all but inexplicable and their behavior perplexing at best, so that was a disappointment. In sum, if you are new to Seymour's work I would recommend a different novel (The Journeyman Tailor is very good) than this one. If you are already a fan and don't mind a bit of a slog, this one will do.
January 30, 2025
I picked up this book because I have read - and enjoyed - a Seymour before. Also I like books written by 'practitioners', in his case as a journalist. I cannot help wondering how much of the story is informed by real life. I have to say, though, that this book was a disappointment. As can happen, I only kept going because I wanted to know how it ended (and, to be fair, the ending was one I had not anticipated at all).
I have mumbled before about how an author controls the flow of information. (Does that sound too much like a scientist, a computer scientist?) In a way that is their job. They know who done it, but they are not going to splurge that on the first page if they want to retain the reader. In this case, though, I did not like how Seymour used that control.
I should perhaps firstly admit (again, as I have said in other reviews) that I have difficulty in following a lot of characters; I lose track of who is who; I prefer just three or four so I know who they are. This book has a lot of - disparate - characters and I could not keep track. That's my problem, but it was exacerbated by Seymour's style. The book is build of short sections (filmic? short scenes?) A surprising number of those sections started with 'He', or something similarly anonymous. That is to say that you had to read on a few sentences, or even a paragraph, to work out which 'he' it was. Given that I was already struggling with who was who, I found that really quite frustrating. I suppose the author was trying to avoid the more obvious, 'Meanwhile in Gibraltar, X was...' but it went too far.
I think that has put me off. I won't pick up the next Gerald Seymour that I see..
I have mumbled before about how an author controls the flow of information. (Does that sound too much like a scientist, a computer scientist?) In a way that is their job. They know who done it, but they are not going to splurge that on the first page if they want to retain the reader. In this case, though, I did not like how Seymour used that control.
I should perhaps firstly admit (again, as I have said in other reviews) that I have difficulty in following a lot of characters; I lose track of who is who; I prefer just three or four so I know who they are. This book has a lot of - disparate - characters and I could not keep track. That's my problem, but it was exacerbated by Seymour's style. The book is build of short sections (filmic? short scenes?) A surprising number of those sections started with 'He', or something similarly anonymous. That is to say that you had to read on a few sentences, or even a paragraph, to work out which 'he' it was. Given that I was already struggling with who was who, I found that really quite frustrating. I suppose the author was trying to avoid the more obvious, 'Meanwhile in Gibraltar, X was...' but it went too far.
I think that has put me off. I won't pick up the next Gerald Seymour that I see..
February 6, 2022
MI5 agent Winnie Monks is big on loyalty and as leader of 'The Graveyard Team' she vowed to avenge the death of youngest member Damien Fenby, brutally murdered in Budapest. Years later a embittered young Russian walks into the British Embassy in Baku and puts a name to her target. She gathers together the former members of her team and using her contacts heads up an operation to make that goal a reality.
Jonno and girlfriend Posie are offered the opportunity to house-sit a property on the outskirts of Marbella and jump at the chance of a couple of weeks in the sun at Villa Paraiso. Their dreams of an idyllic break don't last long however, the property is run down, the location not what they thought and unexpected guests turn up to carry out an MI5 undercover surveillance operation on the property next door.
With a tightly knit and cleverly executed plot this thriller took me into the heart of the Costa del Crime. The cast of characters was confusing at first but the strength of this novel was in the detail. The location was superbly described and the expat community of Marbella and their disillusionment with the Spanish dream, the influx of Eastern Europeans and criminals who had made this area their home was well depicted.
A good read, an intelligent plot with the tension building to a satisfying conclusion.
Jonno and girlfriend Posie are offered the opportunity to house-sit a property on the outskirts of Marbella and jump at the chance of a couple of weeks in the sun at Villa Paraiso. Their dreams of an idyllic break don't last long however, the property is run down, the location not what they thought and unexpected guests turn up to carry out an MI5 undercover surveillance operation on the property next door.
With a tightly knit and cleverly executed plot this thriller took me into the heart of the Costa del Crime. The cast of characters was confusing at first but the strength of this novel was in the detail. The location was superbly described and the expat community of Marbella and their disillusionment with the Spanish dream, the influx of Eastern Europeans and criminals who had made this area their home was well depicted.
A good read, an intelligent plot with the tension building to a satisfying conclusion.
May 26, 2025
Classic Seymour, one of the best intelligence / thriller writers around. If you have not read any of his books before I suggest you start with "Harry's Game", probably his best.
This one starts slowly but builds up to a fast paced and unpredictable ending. It is in parts a little "Le Carre" in nature, but doesn't lose anything by it.
Basic plot, intelligence officer is killed whilst in a foreign country by a Russian gangster and his bodyguards. The intelligence officers "Team" vow to avenge his death. Circumstances do not arise to carry this out for several years when an opportunity arises when an informant gives information pointing to a meeting on Spain.
A plan is set in train but is somewhat compromised when the building they intend to use for observations is unexpectedly occupied by a young couple who are asked to look after the house whilst the owners are away.
This, together with the involvement of "retired" London gangsters trying to sort out the loss of a shipment of drugs which has been seized by customs and the associated debt they owe to a Russian businessman, blows a whole in what was always a shaky plan.
Characters well drawn and stories well interlinked.
Recommended.
This one starts slowly but builds up to a fast paced and unpredictable ending. It is in parts a little "Le Carre" in nature, but doesn't lose anything by it.
Basic plot, intelligence officer is killed whilst in a foreign country by a Russian gangster and his bodyguards. The intelligence officers "Team" vow to avenge his death. Circumstances do not arise to carry this out for several years when an opportunity arises when an informant gives information pointing to a meeting on Spain.
A plan is set in train but is somewhat compromised when the building they intend to use for observations is unexpectedly occupied by a young couple who are asked to look after the house whilst the owners are away.
This, together with the involvement of "retired" London gangsters trying to sort out the loss of a shipment of drugs which has been seized by customs and the associated debt they owe to a Russian businessman, blows a whole in what was always a shaky plan.
Characters well drawn and stories well interlinked.
Recommended.
April 16, 2020
This author is apparently a best selling author and a famous journalist, and the second half of the book was pretty good.
But the first 100 pages were very frustrating. I kept asking, "What does that mean?" "Who is this person?" "What just happened?" "What is he talking about?" The author has a way of writing very obscurely. He'll write an entire section with just pronouns so you're not really sure what's happening. He'll often write uncredited dialogue, or write about a character without enough information to identify who they are. I wouldn't expect this kind of obscurity from a trained journalist.
I found nothing to like about the protagonist, Winnie, and all of her colleagues were pretty shallow characters. I cared most about the old couple, Izzy and Myrtle, who drove the confrontation at the end. They had personality and depth and backstories that were well told. Even Jonno and Posie were hard to believe in.
But the first 100 pages were very frustrating. I kept asking, "What does that mean?" "Who is this person?" "What just happened?" "What is he talking about?" The author has a way of writing very obscurely. He'll write an entire section with just pronouns so you're not really sure what's happening. He'll often write uncredited dialogue, or write about a character without enough information to identify who they are. I wouldn't expect this kind of obscurity from a trained journalist.
I found nothing to like about the protagonist, Winnie, and all of her colleagues were pretty shallow characters. I cared most about the old couple, Izzy and Myrtle, who drove the confrontation at the end. They had personality and depth and backstories that were well told. Even Jonno and Posie were hard to believe in.
April 1, 2021
I have read several other books by Gerald Seymour, and although no literary giant I have enjoyed them as light relief from eg Covid-19. Sadly this book just did not 'connect' with me at all. A strange sense of dis-location hangs over proceedings as we wait for things to come together to provide an exciting finale. Except it never quite happens, the strands of the story never quite knit together convincingly and it is hard to empathise or sympathise with any characters. The most interesting detail was the picture we had painted of Costa del Sol with an ageing population of UK ex-pats, and an incoming wave of 'new' criminals from Eastern Europe, Russia, and all points. Massive, un-regulated development and an all-pervading air of money (of whatever origin) greasing all sorts of deals and building projects. Ah well, another place off the list for when travel resumes. Approach with caution...Marbella and the book!
July 30, 2017
An awfully painful read. Wonder what made the author write such a confusing novel, mucking up a decent plot about Russian mafia living in Southern Spain, away from the long arms of law, but continuing to indulge in their dark deeds.
While there are lot many characters introduced by the author without a care, not one stands out, despite the irritating detail in which their thoughts and emotions are described.
For sure, the author would have laboured a lot to write this novel, but that is nothing compared to what it takes for one to read it till the end.
While there are lot many characters introduced by the author without a care, not one stands out, despite the irritating detail in which their thoughts and emotions are described.
For sure, the author would have laboured a lot to write this novel, but that is nothing compared to what it takes for one to read it till the end.
March 3, 2022
The story was complete in the end, but a little too convoluted over the span of 400 pages for my taste. The thriller was staged on both the Continent and Great Britain, with the large cast of disparate characters coming from nearly every country contained in this setting. The various individual participants were a little hard to maintain, and yet a few late arrivals were introduced when some of the originals were knocked off. Not a bad read, I liked the ending.
April 7, 2022
Another winner from Gerald Seymour. The story is engaging, the characters interesting. The bad guys are really bad. The good guys are not perfect by any stretch. I marvel at how he starts with new characters and settings in every book. I wonder how he would fare with a series with one protagonist going from adventure to adventure. No matter, I'll keep reading what he's written and know that I will not be disappointed.
December 17, 2016
Not a book for the faint of heart! Descriptions of bodies being put through "chippers" can turn a weak stomach. I found the language unnecessary as it didn't really add to the story. I did however enjoy the twist and turns and would welcome reading other books by Gerald Seymour. If you enjoy "The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo" then you may very well enjoy this author's work too, I did.
October 11, 2019
Someone gave this book to me as a gift and it was a much appreciated gift.
Unfortunately, while reading it, I discovered this is not my favourite literary genre; the writer's style and language are quite difficult to me at the moment. Still something at the back of my mind tells me I will try again with another of Mr. Seymour's books.
Unfortunately, while reading it, I discovered this is not my favourite literary genre; the writer's style and language are quite difficult to me at the moment. Still something at the back of my mind tells me I will try again with another of Mr. Seymour's books.
November 20, 2025
I like Seymour's novels, he writes solid thrillers. I do however sometimes want for a little something more. Le Carre and Deighton give something more, in their own ways. Nothing wrong with not being on their level but perhaps just solid thrillers are the high mark here.
September 15, 2018
Couldn't finish. The story is not bad, but it is quite long and I couldn't get into it.
October 29, 2018
Sheer brilliance. Seymour is a master of the slow build towards an excellent payoff. Tense, twisting and human.
October 31, 2019
Struggled with this one, just couldn't find it interesting, gave up half way through.
March 30, 2020
Ok, but not one of Gerald's best in my opinion.
August 8, 2022
Beautifully written. You really have to concentrate to follow the various threads which come together in an excellent climax.
September 27, 2022
It’s certainly an interesting and exciting read.
April 2, 2023
Fun, complicated, violent, and highly entertaining audiobook. Not sure I would have enjoyed it as much as a reading book due to its length but it was a great audio one.
June 17, 2023
One from the backlist. Perfectly competent narrative but perhaps hampered by the absence of a clear protagonist.
December 3, 2025
A long and intricate read with many strands that comes together in final quarter of the book for a pulsating denouement.
April 11, 2013
Time Taken to Read - 3 days
Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton
Blurb From Goodreads
Winnie Monks has never forgotten - or forgiven - the death of a young agent on her team at the hands of a former Russian Army Major turned gangster. Now, years later, she hears the Major is travelling to a villa on the Costa del Sol and she asks permission to send in a surveillance unit.
They find an empty property near the Major's. The Villa Paraiso. It's perfect to spy from - and as a base for Winnie's darker, less official, plans.
But it turns out that the property isn't deserted. The owners have invited a young British couple to 'house sit' while they are away.
For Jonno and Posie, just embarking on a relationship, this is supposed to be a carefree break in the sun. But when the Secret Service team arrives in paradise, everything changes.
My Review
I think I can safely say I have never read a book quite like this one before! I have no idea who the main character was as there where so many of them. A young agent is murdered by an ex Russian Army Major and his team leader won't let it go, the Major will pay. She sends a team to monitor his colleagues and movements, to a house they think is empty. However the house is occupied by a young couple and the two need to deal with each others presence to get the job done.
This is a fairly brutal book that delves into the past of both the Major and the members of the surveillance team, back into the war and things that happened. There is some derogatory names used in some parts of the book and some of the killing and scenes described are horrific.
The main story, when I could follow it was good, revenge for an innocent life brutally ended. However far too much of it went off on spiels that I couldn't follow. Page breaks would be the only indication a scene had changed and even then it could start with she did.... so you had no idea who she or he was and if the scene had changed. For me a lot of things didn't make sense and it really was a headache trying to keep up with all the characters, plots, story lines and timescale.
Maybe this is the norm for this author, he is very successful and I am sure plenty will love this book however for me I just couldn't get on with it. I felt there wasn't much depth to any of the characters, I cared about none and couldn't wait for the story to be done with. At the end there is a recap of what happened so that was good for me as I was practically clueless although I was still left with many questions. 2/5 for me and to be honest I doubt I will read this author again, the style is not for me I'm afraid. Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for giving me a chance to try a new author. For fans of Seymour this book is out from April 25th, 2013 in paperback and ebook priced £6.99.
Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton
Blurb From Goodreads
Winnie Monks has never forgotten - or forgiven - the death of a young agent on her team at the hands of a former Russian Army Major turned gangster. Now, years later, she hears the Major is travelling to a villa on the Costa del Sol and she asks permission to send in a surveillance unit.
They find an empty property near the Major's. The Villa Paraiso. It's perfect to spy from - and as a base for Winnie's darker, less official, plans.
But it turns out that the property isn't deserted. The owners have invited a young British couple to 'house sit' while they are away.
For Jonno and Posie, just embarking on a relationship, this is supposed to be a carefree break in the sun. But when the Secret Service team arrives in paradise, everything changes.
My Review
I think I can safely say I have never read a book quite like this one before! I have no idea who the main character was as there where so many of them. A young agent is murdered by an ex Russian Army Major and his team leader won't let it go, the Major will pay. She sends a team to monitor his colleagues and movements, to a house they think is empty. However the house is occupied by a young couple and the two need to deal with each others presence to get the job done.
This is a fairly brutal book that delves into the past of both the Major and the members of the surveillance team, back into the war and things that happened. There is some derogatory names used in some parts of the book and some of the killing and scenes described are horrific.
The main story, when I could follow it was good, revenge for an innocent life brutally ended. However far too much of it went off on spiels that I couldn't follow. Page breaks would be the only indication a scene had changed and even then it could start with she did.... so you had no idea who she or he was and if the scene had changed. For me a lot of things didn't make sense and it really was a headache trying to keep up with all the characters, plots, story lines and timescale.
Maybe this is the norm for this author, he is very successful and I am sure plenty will love this book however for me I just couldn't get on with it. I felt there wasn't much depth to any of the characters, I cared about none and couldn't wait for the story to be done with. At the end there is a recap of what happened so that was good for me as I was practically clueless although I was still left with many questions. 2/5 for me and to be honest I doubt I will read this author again, the style is not for me I'm afraid. Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for giving me a chance to try a new author. For fans of Seymour this book is out from April 25th, 2013 in paperback and ebook priced £6.99.
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