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Intrepid #1
Defender
Part Jason Bourne and part James Bond, Alex Morgan is an agent of INTERPOL’s Intelligence, Recovery, Protection and Infiltration Division – INTREPID. Policeman, soldier and spy, Morgan and his fellow INTREPID operatives are the faceless strangers who serve the greater good – the means to justify the end.
When an intelligence agent is brutally murdered and the president of a small African country is put in danger, Morgan is sent in on his first solo mission.
His cover is to evacuate a group of aid workers, with the help of the beautiful but distant Arena Halls, before the country is swept by civil war. But his true mission is much darker. A spy has gone rogue – and there’s more at stake than the guy’s career in the Secret Intelligence Service.
A heart-pounding, no-holds-barred chase from the dark heart of Africa to the crystalline waters of Sydney culminates in a fight to the death to stop a vicious renegade intelligence officer and uncover the shadowy conspiracy behind him.
Can Morgan stay alive long enough to save the girl, save himself and bring them all to justice?
http://momentumbooks.com.au/books/def...
When an intelligence agent is brutally murdered and the president of a small African country is put in danger, Morgan is sent in on his first solo mission.
His cover is to evacuate a group of aid workers, with the help of the beautiful but distant Arena Halls, before the country is swept by civil war. But his true mission is much darker. A spy has gone rogue – and there’s more at stake than the guy’s career in the Secret Intelligence Service.
A heart-pounding, no-holds-barred chase from the dark heart of Africa to the crystalline waters of Sydney culminates in a fight to the death to stop a vicious renegade intelligence officer and uncover the shadowy conspiracy behind him.
Can Morgan stay alive long enough to save the girl, save himself and bring them all to justice?
http://momentumbooks.com.au/books/def...
372 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2012
108 people are currently reading
813 people want to read
About the author
Chris Allen
6 books74 followersChris Allen is a former paratrooper, with service in the Australian Army - including attachments to the New Zealand Army, the British Parachute Regiment and deployments to Africa, South East Asia and Central America. He retired at the rank of Major.
In addition to his military career: Chris led security operations for a major international aid agency in East Timor during the 1999 emergency. In the wake of the September 11 attacks of 2001, he oversaw the upgrade of Counter Terrorism First Response measures at Sydney Airport. And in 2003 when protestors painted ‘No War’ on the sails of the Sydney Opera House, he was headhunted to take over the protection of the iconic landmark. In 2008 he was appointed Sheriff of New South Wales, one of Australia’s most historic law enforcement appointments.
Today, Chris is a full-time author and lives on the New South Wales south coast with his sons, Morgan and Rhett. You may even see him from time to time cruising up and down the east coast on his treasured Triumph Thunderbird LT!
Chris currently has four novels in his best-selling INTREPID series featuring ALEX MORGAN: DEFENDER, HUNTER, AVENGER and HELLDIVER, which were previously published by Pan Macmillan/Momentum. All four novels are currently available in audio format, published by Wavesound Australia. The INTREPID series has been optioned for film and television.
Chris has recently finished writing INTREPID #5 SHAPESHIFTER, the long awaited return of ALEX MORGAN!
In addition to his INTREPID series, Chris is currently working on an exciting new thriller series featuring former Commando and Australian Secret Intelligence Service veteran BENJAMIN RHETT. In the series, RHETT will be teamed up with former Army Intelligence Officer and current Australian Security Intelligence Organisation agent KAT THOMAS.
The first two novels in the series will be titled EMERALD BEACH and STORM POINT.
Chris is a member of the Australian Crime Writers Association (ACWA) and an Associate Member of Screen Producers Australia (SPA).
In addition to his military career: Chris led security operations for a major international aid agency in East Timor during the 1999 emergency. In the wake of the September 11 attacks of 2001, he oversaw the upgrade of Counter Terrorism First Response measures at Sydney Airport. And in 2003 when protestors painted ‘No War’ on the sails of the Sydney Opera House, he was headhunted to take over the protection of the iconic landmark. In 2008 he was appointed Sheriff of New South Wales, one of Australia’s most historic law enforcement appointments.
Today, Chris is a full-time author and lives on the New South Wales south coast with his sons, Morgan and Rhett. You may even see him from time to time cruising up and down the east coast on his treasured Triumph Thunderbird LT!
Chris currently has four novels in his best-selling INTREPID series featuring ALEX MORGAN: DEFENDER, HUNTER, AVENGER and HELLDIVER, which were previously published by Pan Macmillan/Momentum. All four novels are currently available in audio format, published by Wavesound Australia. The INTREPID series has been optioned for film and television.
Chris has recently finished writing INTREPID #5 SHAPESHIFTER, the long awaited return of ALEX MORGAN!
In addition to his INTREPID series, Chris is currently working on an exciting new thriller series featuring former Commando and Australian Secret Intelligence Service veteran BENJAMIN RHETT. In the series, RHETT will be teamed up with former Army Intelligence Officer and current Australian Security Intelligence Organisation agent KAT THOMAS.
The first two novels in the series will be titled EMERALD BEACH and STORM POINT.
Chris is a member of the Australian Crime Writers Association (ACWA) and an Associate Member of Screen Producers Australia (SPA).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
December 1, 2012
James Bond meets Jason Bourne meets Nick Stone.
I had high expectations for this book, due to the author's life-experiences in the British Paratrooper Regiment. There are many writers out there now who have moved from the life of a soldier--be it SAS, SBS or the Aussie SASR--and they all bring with them a wealth of personal experience that adds a grittiness and a level of reality to the narrative. Chris Allen has done the same.
Defender is a rollicking ride, well-written and plotted with a pace that suits perfectly the action/military-thriller genre that it fits right into.
From the wilds of a third-world African nation in the throes of a coup d'état to the hallowed halls of the British Parliament, and finally to the shores of Australia in the closing sections, Defender manages to keep the interest piqued and the thrills constant. I found myself staying up late to finish, gripped by the predicaments of characters I'd grown to truly feel close to.
Recommended!
Geoff Brown - president, Australian Horror Writers Association
I had high expectations for this book, due to the author's life-experiences in the British Paratrooper Regiment. There are many writers out there now who have moved from the life of a soldier--be it SAS, SBS or the Aussie SASR--and they all bring with them a wealth of personal experience that adds a grittiness and a level of reality to the narrative. Chris Allen has done the same.
Defender is a rollicking ride, well-written and plotted with a pace that suits perfectly the action/military-thriller genre that it fits right into.
From the wilds of a third-world African nation in the throes of a coup d'état to the hallowed halls of the British Parliament, and finally to the shores of Australia in the closing sections, Defender manages to keep the interest piqued and the thrills constant. I found myself staying up late to finish, gripped by the predicaments of characters I'd grown to truly feel close to.
Recommended!
Geoff Brown - president, Australian Horror Writers Association
June 13, 2020
A fairly average spy thriller.
When an intelligence agent is murdered in an African country filled with turmoil, Interpol agent Alex Morgan is sent to find things out.
There's a revolution, and an assassination attempt.
Some of the action scenes are quite good, but they just don't seem to advance the plot very much. The intrigue seems to stall the book in the middle, and the love affair didn't do much for me either.
Not great, but I've read a lot worse.
When an intelligence agent is murdered in an African country filled with turmoil, Interpol agent Alex Morgan is sent to find things out.
There's a revolution, and an assassination attempt.
Some of the action scenes are quite good, but they just don't seem to advance the plot very much. The intrigue seems to stall the book in the middle, and the love affair didn't do much for me either.
Not great, but I've read a lot worse.
July 26, 2013
I started reading Defender just a few days ago. The fact that I have now finished reading it is very significant! I am not a fast reader, not by any stretch of the imagination. That's a fact I always make very clear when asked to review a book. In this instance, I wasn't actually asked to read Defender but I so enjoyed it, how could I not do so?
Those who have read my reviews know hat I say little that's specific about storylines. I have no desire to give away anything of importance to potential readers - and how can I know what they think is important. So I'll stick to my formula!
Defender introduces us to the shadowy Interpol branch: Intrepid. It launches us into the violent, tangled-web world that combines espionage, soldiering and policing. The agents are hard, efficient people dedicated to a cause: the protection of the innocent, whatever the cost, whatever the means. The world has turned hard and harsh. Criminals are just a small part of the tapestry of threat. Terrorists, brutal governments that don't respect their own people let alone international law, arms dealers, drug dealers, business cartels interested in profit at any price, government agencies that cross the line between national interest and criminality. These are the shadows that Intrepid's agents must navigate through, bringing justice, one way or another. And here, in Defender, we meet Alex Morgan, one of Intrepid's best agents, locked in a battle to bring the coldest and most dangerous of criminals to book. A country wrecked to satisfy corporate and personal greed, a rogue with no loyalties except to himself, cravens and the callous. And behind it all, that corporate entity which directs it all. Caught up in it all are the thousands of innocent victims of a nation thrown into savage chaos, bystanders with no part in any of it, and a few brave ones, like Alex Morgan, other Intrepid agents, police forces as dedicated as those of Intrepid, and a young woman, Arena Hall, hurled into this most dangerous of environments.
Death stalks the pages of this book. Sudden, violent death. Can Alex Morgan and his comrades and friends bring justice where it is due? Only time will tell. But the campaign will travel across half the world, until it culminates in stunning climactic action in Sydney. Success and failure are never more than a heartbeat apart.
I had great trouble putting this book aside, for any reason! It's a breathless ride, with very few opportunities to relax. Would I recommend it? Do apples grow on trees? This is one of those books which I will treasure as part of my library! I can only offer my strongest recommendation to anybody who likes to feel their pulse occasionally! Yes, there are moments when you may be made to feel uncomfortable, but know that those passages reflect an ugly reality we are (mostly) protected from. This is a book for adult readers who enjoy the very best writing.
Five stars? I'd double that if I could!
Those who have read my reviews know hat I say little that's specific about storylines. I have no desire to give away anything of importance to potential readers - and how can I know what they think is important. So I'll stick to my formula!
Defender introduces us to the shadowy Interpol branch: Intrepid. It launches us into the violent, tangled-web world that combines espionage, soldiering and policing. The agents are hard, efficient people dedicated to a cause: the protection of the innocent, whatever the cost, whatever the means. The world has turned hard and harsh. Criminals are just a small part of the tapestry of threat. Terrorists, brutal governments that don't respect their own people let alone international law, arms dealers, drug dealers, business cartels interested in profit at any price, government agencies that cross the line between national interest and criminality. These are the shadows that Intrepid's agents must navigate through, bringing justice, one way or another. And here, in Defender, we meet Alex Morgan, one of Intrepid's best agents, locked in a battle to bring the coldest and most dangerous of criminals to book. A country wrecked to satisfy corporate and personal greed, a rogue with no loyalties except to himself, cravens and the callous. And behind it all, that corporate entity which directs it all. Caught up in it all are the thousands of innocent victims of a nation thrown into savage chaos, bystanders with no part in any of it, and a few brave ones, like Alex Morgan, other Intrepid agents, police forces as dedicated as those of Intrepid, and a young woman, Arena Hall, hurled into this most dangerous of environments.
Death stalks the pages of this book. Sudden, violent death. Can Alex Morgan and his comrades and friends bring justice where it is due? Only time will tell. But the campaign will travel across half the world, until it culminates in stunning climactic action in Sydney. Success and failure are never more than a heartbeat apart.
I had great trouble putting this book aside, for any reason! It's a breathless ride, with very few opportunities to relax. Would I recommend it? Do apples grow on trees? This is one of those books which I will treasure as part of my library! I can only offer my strongest recommendation to anybody who likes to feel their pulse occasionally! Yes, there are moments when you may be made to feel uncomfortable, but know that those passages reflect an ugly reality we are (mostly) protected from. This is a book for adult readers who enjoy the very best writing.
Five stars? I'd double that if I could!
April 29, 2013
There are many things that I love about Chris Allen's writing. His wit, his brevity, and his ability to inject tension and drama into a scene with very little effort are just a few items of note. But what is truly special is the knowledge he brings to his work, and the painstaking research that goes into making what could just be another Bond-esque effort something very different indeed.
Chris Allen is, as people who bother to read his bio notes know, ex military. And it shows. It also is obvious that he was not, in military parlance, a 'shiny bummer', or a 'POGUE' - persons other than grunts; in other words, he was in on the action. It shines through in every word, and every tongue in cheek joke; it shows in the respect that he has for the structure of (some) government organisations and their respective senior figures, fictionalised as they may be, in his work. Because whilst it is exciting to operate outside the rules, the reasons for the rules are usually fairly valid ones - to provide some kind of stability to the chaos that goes on inside the human head. We are not civilised by nature, but rather by nurture, and Allen's experiences have clearly shown him this the hard way. It may have impacted on him fairly strongly, but gosh it makes for some great writing.
I like his protagonist, Alex Morgan, very much. He is flawed, as any anti-hero needs to be, but not unrealistically, and unlike some of the current crop of Bourne wanna-bes he is well drawn and well though out, and also not misogynistic. Chris obviously likes and respects women and this is reflected in both Defender and the follow up, Hunter.
This is thriller writing, and yes, it is escapism - but it is escapism with a realistic edge. It is imaginable, and many of the events are unfortunately see-able. Plot wise - well, I don't really want to say too much because it IS a thriller, and I don't want to ruin it. But the précis is this: Alex Morgan is ex special forces, recently recruited to INTERPOL's special 'secret' division - INTREPID - and he is dragged into events involving rogue agents, MI6 and a huge international conspiracy at a very rapid pace. And yes, there is a love interest! It has great locations, fantastic action scenes, but it is, and I know I have used this word a lot, but it has to stand, realistically violent, because it is the way the world is. Oh - and he doesn't hold back on the language either. But then again, what ex-special forces bloke would?
I congratulate Chris on a very deft storytelling style and the ability to keep me glued to the page. He writes with the wryness of one of my favourite authors, the inimitable Len Deighton - whose own not inconsiderable experiences in Berlin led to the brilliant Bernard Sampson series.
So hop to it - if you want to read about the way we are doing battle in the 21st century, get into Chris Allen. Because here is a man who knows where the war lies.
In the shadows - and it's easy to lose yourself there. Thankfully, he didn't - and has lived to tell a very good tale. Or two.
Bring on number three.
Chris Allen is, as people who bother to read his bio notes know, ex military. And it shows. It also is obvious that he was not, in military parlance, a 'shiny bummer', or a 'POGUE' - persons other than grunts; in other words, he was in on the action. It shines through in every word, and every tongue in cheek joke; it shows in the respect that he has for the structure of (some) government organisations and their respective senior figures, fictionalised as they may be, in his work. Because whilst it is exciting to operate outside the rules, the reasons for the rules are usually fairly valid ones - to provide some kind of stability to the chaos that goes on inside the human head. We are not civilised by nature, but rather by nurture, and Allen's experiences have clearly shown him this the hard way. It may have impacted on him fairly strongly, but gosh it makes for some great writing.
I like his protagonist, Alex Morgan, very much. He is flawed, as any anti-hero needs to be, but not unrealistically, and unlike some of the current crop of Bourne wanna-bes he is well drawn and well though out, and also not misogynistic. Chris obviously likes and respects women and this is reflected in both Defender and the follow up, Hunter.
This is thriller writing, and yes, it is escapism - but it is escapism with a realistic edge. It is imaginable, and many of the events are unfortunately see-able. Plot wise - well, I don't really want to say too much because it IS a thriller, and I don't want to ruin it. But the précis is this: Alex Morgan is ex special forces, recently recruited to INTERPOL's special 'secret' division - INTREPID - and he is dragged into events involving rogue agents, MI6 and a huge international conspiracy at a very rapid pace. And yes, there is a love interest! It has great locations, fantastic action scenes, but it is, and I know I have used this word a lot, but it has to stand, realistically violent, because it is the way the world is. Oh - and he doesn't hold back on the language either. But then again, what ex-special forces bloke would?
I congratulate Chris on a very deft storytelling style and the ability to keep me glued to the page. He writes with the wryness of one of my favourite authors, the inimitable Len Deighton - whose own not inconsiderable experiences in Berlin led to the brilliant Bernard Sampson series.
So hop to it - if you want to read about the way we are doing battle in the 21st century, get into Chris Allen. Because here is a man who knows where the war lies.
In the shadows - and it's easy to lose yourself there. Thankfully, he didn't - and has lived to tell a very good tale. Or two.
Bring on number three.
December 20, 2011
If, like me, you grew up on a diet of Len Deighton, Robert Ludlum and John Le Carre novels, there is a chance you're a bit of a fan of fast paced, military, espionage style novels. DEFENDER OF THE FAITH is a recent entry in the what is rapidly becoming a large range pool of choice for Australian readers.
Set within our geographical and political sphere, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH introduces readers to Alex Morgan, special forces operative, good bloke, and all round bit of a hero. The action in this book is really very realistic, and it's not difficult to believe highly informed by the author's own background. There are some good, albeit somewhat expected characterisations, right down to the beautiful blonde love interest, the strong jawed, very Australian main character, and a series of nicely evil villains lead by a mysterious, excellent at disguises archetypal baddy type, all glowering evil genius and callous malevolence.
As this is a thriller there are some givens that readers must expect. A bit of energiser bunniness in the main character, winged frequently but never downed. There was a love story between the two main characters, and of course there was a level of physical attractiveness about them both, although I'm happy to report there were no signs of hair flicking and very little gratuitous comment on beautiful eyes and glorious legs...
What makes a thriller work, or not work, is how these clichés are delivered. In the case of DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, mostly everything worked, the plot was believable without the need to park your disbelief around the back and hide the keys; the love story wasn't too thickly applied, and whilst there was a bit of inexplicable jeopardy for all players, it did all gel. Maybe there are points where the plot got a little vague, but the action elements held up, and the pace certainly didn't let go.
Definitely something on the entertaining side, the only thing that was missing when I read DEFENDER OF THE FAITH was the box of chocolates and deck chair that you'd normally drag out at Christmas to sit down and be thoroughly and comprehensively entertained by a good espionage thriller.
DEFENDER OF THE FAITH is available in various formats - check out the website for details: http://defenderofthefaith.com.au/
Set within our geographical and political sphere, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH introduces readers to Alex Morgan, special forces operative, good bloke, and all round bit of a hero. The action in this book is really very realistic, and it's not difficult to believe highly informed by the author's own background. There are some good, albeit somewhat expected characterisations, right down to the beautiful blonde love interest, the strong jawed, very Australian main character, and a series of nicely evil villains lead by a mysterious, excellent at disguises archetypal baddy type, all glowering evil genius and callous malevolence.
As this is a thriller there are some givens that readers must expect. A bit of energiser bunniness in the main character, winged frequently but never downed. There was a love story between the two main characters, and of course there was a level of physical attractiveness about them both, although I'm happy to report there were no signs of hair flicking and very little gratuitous comment on beautiful eyes and glorious legs...
What makes a thriller work, or not work, is how these clichés are delivered. In the case of DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, mostly everything worked, the plot was believable without the need to park your disbelief around the back and hide the keys; the love story wasn't too thickly applied, and whilst there was a bit of inexplicable jeopardy for all players, it did all gel. Maybe there are points where the plot got a little vague, but the action elements held up, and the pace certainly didn't let go.
Definitely something on the entertaining side, the only thing that was missing when I read DEFENDER OF THE FAITH was the box of chocolates and deck chair that you'd normally drag out at Christmas to sit down and be thoroughly and comprehensively entertained by a good espionage thriller.
DEFENDER OF THE FAITH is available in various formats - check out the website for details: http://defenderofthefaith.com.au/
December 24, 2012
Author Chris Allen’s protagonist Alex Morgan is a perfect blend of Bond and Matthew Reilly’s Scarecrow. Thrust into back-to-back missions, Morgan’s introduction is nothing short of fierce and quickly establishes the character as a hardened military vet with a penchant for justice underlined by an ability to carry out mission objectives without preservation for self.
The action sequences are intense; described in a manner which completely eradicates the world around you and places you inside the fictional landscape scared by the atrocities of war and moulded by intelligence agency corruption.
A mission to Malfajiri uncovers a harsh reality in a spy gone rogue - vicious killer Victor Lundt. Morgan, having lost a friend and fellow operative in Sean Collins via a gruesome death at the hands of a torturous group has to swallow his personal vendetta in favour of serving a greater good. Amidst the chaos of battle, an evacuation delivers a cinematic display of modern warfare and ground tactics yet through Arena Halls (under the guise of a Red Cross worker), author Chris Allen uncovers a semblance of beauty in the face of brutality.
It’s the professional relationship between Arena and Morgan that sets the tone for the remainder of the novel. The chemistry between doesn’t feel forced or without cause. As an operative in her own right, Arena is far from the damsel in distress, in fact Allen goes to great lengths to switch the script by reversing the roles with Arena just as capable as Morgan albeit a little less intimidating than the soldier.
DEFENDER is a multi-layered action thriller which encompasses all the hallmarks of a Hollywood big budget blockbuster. What separates it apart from the contenders is the down to earth Morgan and complex web of lies and half truths spun by the intelligence agencies. Knowing who to trust throughout this story will keep you on your toes.
DEFENDER is a great start to what promises to be an exciting series. The foundation of heroes is laid, the agency administrators established, and background formulated for a number of interesting characters.
The sequel HUNTER: INTREPID 2 is available in December 2012 and I, for one, can’t wait. INTREPID 1 gets 4.5 stars from me.
The action sequences are intense; described in a manner which completely eradicates the world around you and places you inside the fictional landscape scared by the atrocities of war and moulded by intelligence agency corruption.
A mission to Malfajiri uncovers a harsh reality in a spy gone rogue - vicious killer Victor Lundt. Morgan, having lost a friend and fellow operative in Sean Collins via a gruesome death at the hands of a torturous group has to swallow his personal vendetta in favour of serving a greater good. Amidst the chaos of battle, an evacuation delivers a cinematic display of modern warfare and ground tactics yet through Arena Halls (under the guise of a Red Cross worker), author Chris Allen uncovers a semblance of beauty in the face of brutality.
It’s the professional relationship between Arena and Morgan that sets the tone for the remainder of the novel. The chemistry between doesn’t feel forced or without cause. As an operative in her own right, Arena is far from the damsel in distress, in fact Allen goes to great lengths to switch the script by reversing the roles with Arena just as capable as Morgan albeit a little less intimidating than the soldier.
DEFENDER is a multi-layered action thriller which encompasses all the hallmarks of a Hollywood big budget blockbuster. What separates it apart from the contenders is the down to earth Morgan and complex web of lies and half truths spun by the intelligence agencies. Knowing who to trust throughout this story will keep you on your toes.
DEFENDER is a great start to what promises to be an exciting series. The foundation of heroes is laid, the agency administrators established, and background formulated for a number of interesting characters.
The sequel HUNTER: INTREPID 2 is available in December 2012 and I, for one, can’t wait. INTREPID 1 gets 4.5 stars from me.
November 10, 2012
As an avid fan of the military action-thriller genre I've read them all ... but Alex Morgan stands out! With all due respect, the special forces novels have been comprehensively covered and I personally welcomed the more contemporary soldier / spy / policeman style offered by new author Chris Allen (whom I am proud to have served alongside in the distant past).
''Defender' prompted a prolonged period of sleep deprivation ... I just couldn't put it down! I enjoyed the first book in the 'Intrepid' series so much, I've just pre-ordered book 2 'Hunter'. I can't wait to see where Alex Morgan takes me next!
''Defender' prompted a prolonged period of sleep deprivation ... I just couldn't put it down! I enjoyed the first book in the 'Intrepid' series so much, I've just pre-ordered book 2 'Hunter'. I can't wait to see where Alex Morgan takes me next!
October 26, 2011
Wow! What a great book! The author draws you into the story from beginning to end. The characters are three dimensional and the action (and there's a lot of it) rolls well, is authentic and leaves you standing shoulder to shoulder with the characters struggling in the battles. Alex Morgan is the main character and is refreshingly grounded, realistic and what I loved is that I could connect with Morgan (even though he's a tier 1 special forces operative) he is not above and beyond the clasp of the reader, and that made him very real. A thoroughly entertaining read. Highly recommended!
November 8, 2012
I could not put Defender: Intrepid 1 down!
Where has Chris Allen's brilliance been all these years?! He puts you right in the thick of things - it's as if you're right there, experiencing everything all the characters are going through.
I don't want to give too much away, but gosh am I glad the only way I'm experiencing these events is behind the safety of every page. My heart is still pounding as I write this review.
Brilliant work! Can't wait for the next instalment (hint, hint - please let there be another!).
Where has Chris Allen's brilliance been all these years?! He puts you right in the thick of things - it's as if you're right there, experiencing everything all the characters are going through.
I don't want to give too much away, but gosh am I glad the only way I'm experiencing these events is behind the safety of every page. My heart is still pounding as I write this review.
Brilliant work! Can't wait for the next instalment (hint, hint - please let there be another!).
March 3, 2013
This is the first time that I have read anything by this author and I found it to be fair reading. It was entertaining enough that I will read the next in this series.
August 13, 2013
As a fan of James Rollins, Matthew Reilly, Jeremy Robinson, and David Golemon this novel falls squarely into the middle of these individuals. The story line is tight, action driven, and engaging.
October 12, 2020
Rating: 3.5⭐️
This one was all action packed! A military coup is being plotted in Malfajiri and the Uk foreign office and secret service have sent 2 officers out there to work with one of the companies that are working with the local army but they have disappeared. Alex Morgan who has an extensive military background and has joined intrepid a military spin off for Interpol is sent in to find out what is going on. There is corruption within some of the UK government agencies and everything becomes tense as the president of Malfajiri is targeted whilst in London setting of a chain reaction in Malfajiri. Alex Morgan is injured multiple times but still manages to save the day.
I quite enjoyed this but some aspects were a bit confusing, there were a lot of different organisations and it was tough keeping track and though there was an element of romance it is so light a touch that it’s basically non existent.
This one was all action packed! A military coup is being plotted in Malfajiri and the Uk foreign office and secret service have sent 2 officers out there to work with one of the companies that are working with the local army but they have disappeared. Alex Morgan who has an extensive military background and has joined intrepid a military spin off for Interpol is sent in to find out what is going on. There is corruption within some of the UK government agencies and everything becomes tense as the president of Malfajiri is targeted whilst in London setting of a chain reaction in Malfajiri. Alex Morgan is injured multiple times but still manages to save the day.
I quite enjoyed this but some aspects were a bit confusing, there were a lot of different organisations and it was tough keeping track and though there was an element of romance it is so light a touch that it’s basically non existent.
July 28, 2013
"Defender: Alex Morgan Interpol Spy" is an exciting, fast-paced thriller that captivates the reader from the first page to the last. In this story an undercover intelligence agent , Sean Collins, is brutally murdered, another agent has gone rogue and the President of Malfajiria , an small African country with rich resources is in danger. As civil war in Malfajiria mounts, Interpol agent Alex Morgan under the guise of an evacuation specialist is sent to prepare the Chiltenford workers for escape before the rebel armies attack, but his real mission remains top secret. What Alex doesn't know is that Arena Halls, a Foreign Office analyst has been sent to monitor his every move. As their lives intertwine,they'll face chaos and death as Baptiste, a lethal despot and his rebel forces go on a killing spree to gain power. The action never stops as Alex follows Lundt, the rogue agent to Sydney and in a swarm of lethal bullets will uncover a deadly conspiracy as he struggles to save Arena from certain death.
The plot is spellbinding, the story well-written obviously by a writer who has experienced action as a real soldier. The characters are unforgettable and stay with the reader long after the story is finished. Alex Morgan, spy, soldier and policeman is tough and composed under fire. He's a man who enjoys upholding justice in a chaotic world and never questions his role until he meets Arena Halls. This Foreign Office agent appears self-assured and independent, and tries to ignore Alex 's natural charisma, but as the plot thickens Arena must tackle her inner fears and decide what her feelings are for the Interpol agent. Add to these two the clever and insightful Nobby Davenport, and brave,resourceful warriors like Sutherland, Fredericks and Garrett . Even the antagonists are interesting; Lundt the heartless rogue, Abraham Johnson the power -hungry acting head of the Foreign Office, the greedy and depraved Turner, and Cornell, the weak-kneed civil servant.
I thoroughly enjoyed this power-packed novel and recommend it to anyone who wants to read a heart-stopping thriller.
The plot is spellbinding, the story well-written obviously by a writer who has experienced action as a real soldier. The characters are unforgettable and stay with the reader long after the story is finished. Alex Morgan, spy, soldier and policeman is tough and composed under fire. He's a man who enjoys upholding justice in a chaotic world and never questions his role until he meets Arena Halls. This Foreign Office agent appears self-assured and independent, and tries to ignore Alex 's natural charisma, but as the plot thickens Arena must tackle her inner fears and decide what her feelings are for the Interpol agent. Add to these two the clever and insightful Nobby Davenport, and brave,resourceful warriors like Sutherland, Fredericks and Garrett . Even the antagonists are interesting; Lundt the heartless rogue, Abraham Johnson the power -hungry acting head of the Foreign Office, the greedy and depraved Turner, and Cornell, the weak-kneed civil servant.
I thoroughly enjoyed this power-packed novel and recommend it to anyone who wants to read a heart-stopping thriller.
September 3, 2013
The Goodreads synopsis gives a very good account of what the story is about so I did not try to repeat it.
Alex Morgan is the ultimate secret agent type. He gets shot, he keeps moving/fighting/shooting/etc. The women swoon and the men are jealous. In spite of all this uber-testosterone this was a great book if not a bit overdone.
This story was brutal and dark in places. It reveals in this starkly told story that there will always be those men who fight for the good and those who care nothing about the rest of humanity but only hunger for power and wealth.
While I enjoyed this story my logical mind will not allow me to ignore certain missteps in the story, like when a helicopter which has no weapons nor has any fuel (it was empty) explodes in a horribly destructive fireball (I mean WTF exploded?). The romance was just a bit over-the-top and somewhat confusing at best and unbelievable at most points. It did give some James Bond-ish motivation for some of the scenes but the "romance" was more detraction than substance to the story.
What you DO get is some really evil people that need to be brought to some type of justice (death being one method) and my revenge-o-meter rated this highly but it took a long time, the book seemed longer than it should have with all the action.
Bottom Line: Great 4 Star reading, action, story and revenge factor being the biggest reasons. The ending while satisfying till leaves a few things less than optimum for me but only slightly.
Alex Morgan is the ultimate secret agent type. He gets shot, he keeps moving/fighting/shooting/etc. The women swoon and the men are jealous. In spite of all this uber-testosterone this was a great book if not a bit overdone.
This story was brutal and dark in places. It reveals in this starkly told story that there will always be those men who fight for the good and those who care nothing about the rest of humanity but only hunger for power and wealth.
While I enjoyed this story my logical mind will not allow me to ignore certain missteps in the story, like when a helicopter which has no weapons nor has any fuel (it was empty) explodes in a horribly destructive fireball (I mean WTF exploded?). The romance was just a bit over-the-top and somewhat confusing at best and unbelievable at most points. It did give some James Bond-ish motivation for some of the scenes but the "romance" was more detraction than substance to the story.
What you DO get is some really evil people that need to be brought to some type of justice (death being one method) and my revenge-o-meter rated this highly but it took a long time, the book seemed longer than it should have with all the action.
Bottom Line: Great 4 Star reading, action, story and revenge factor being the biggest reasons. The ending while satisfying till leaves a few things less than optimum for me but only slightly.
September 9, 2012
"Australian author Chris Allen brings to life a mysterious and charming character in the fearless INTREPID (Intelligence, Recovery, Protection and Infiltration Division) agent, Alex Morgan in his new book, Defender of the Faith. Chris's knowledge and workings of military and counter terrorist tactics through his own firsthand military service, certainly gives the character Alex Morgan a real true to life feel in this action thriller. The unflappable and professional Alex Morgan takes the reader on a wild, on the edge of your seat chase around the world hunting down a corrupt group of covert agents and politicians. I won't give too much away on the storyline, but if you enjoy a black op's thriller, it is definitely worth a read."
January 7, 2013
The military-action-espionage genre is a rare treat for me - but no holiday or long haul flight is complete without dipping into it! first in the Defender series is a solid, fast paced chase across several continents as good grapples with evil in a brave new world of military contractors, multinationals and bent bureaucrats. The author writes with authoritative intimacy on the life of an elite serviceman, and the quality of the prose is a cut above. Equal parts white knuckle and great fun, I'm already looking forward to book two!
July 10, 2016
It’s great to pick up a book that just gets to the point. In the style of the Bond books of old, Defender delivers the action and situations you wish you were part of, and a hero who feels every punch. The attention to detail indicates this was written with a deep knowledge of the military, the situations they face and the things that go through their mind. Loved it, looking forward to the next book.
November 8, 2012
I LOVED this book! From the moment I started reading it, I was gripped. An absolute page turner that captivated my attention. There were times the action was so real that I turned my head from the page to avoid what was coming next. It's obviously been written by someone who's been in the trenches so to speak which made it all the more exciting to read. If you love spy, action, thriller novels then this one is for you. I can't wait for the sequel! I'm a new fan for sure.
November 8, 2012
I'm not a huge fan of reading adventure novels – I usually have my head stuck in cooking and lifestyle MAGAZINES – so when my daughter gave this to me as a gift, I wondered if she knew me at all.
In any case, I gave it a shot. It was such an incredible read! A couple of other reviews here mention not being able to put it down – they're so right!
This book is full of intrigue. It kept me guessing until the final pages, and I'm craving more!
In any case, I gave it a shot. It was such an incredible read! A couple of other reviews here mention not being able to put it down – they're so right!
This book is full of intrigue. It kept me guessing until the final pages, and I'm craving more!
May 14, 2013
Whew! What a ride!
I don't typically read this genre of book, but I am so glad I picked up Defender. There were many points in the book where I literally couldn't put it down, just had to turn 'one more page' (which turned into many more pages) to find out what was happening with Morgan. Action packed, a bit of romance, and such vivid descriptions I could picture the entire story in my head. Looking forward to seeing what else Mr Morgan gets up to in the next adventure!
I don't typically read this genre of book, but I am so glad I picked up Defender. There were many points in the book where I literally couldn't put it down, just had to turn 'one more page' (which turned into many more pages) to find out what was happening with Morgan. Action packed, a bit of romance, and such vivid descriptions I could picture the entire story in my head. Looking forward to seeing what else Mr Morgan gets up to in the next adventure!
June 28, 2013
I found the first Intrepid book to be completely gripping as I was transported into a world which exists behind the scenes. I imagined the protagonist, Alex Morgan, as a hot Aussie James Bond. This book is exactly right for someone who enjoys intelligent escapist action novels. I'm reviewing both Intrepid novels on my blog http://bookgirloz.wordpress.com where we will be hosting a live author chat with Intrepid creator, Chris Allen in July.
February 28, 2014
After meeting Chris Alleen at the Perth Writer's Festival I (Luke) was excited to see the level of realism he could achieve through writing in a genre reflective of his past life. My expectations were more than satisfied and I found Defender very hard to put down. From action packed shootouts to concealed spy scenes, I was right there beside the characters. My only issue is that I didn't buy the next book in the series while I was there!
January 5, 2012
Finally finished. Because of reading in short bursts, there was one part in the middle I thought was unnecessary, but by the time I'd finished, I was glad for the breather, a bit like an intermission :) Awesome action scenes, leaving me out of breath. I could see the pictures of the action clearly, and can see this as a movie! Great job Chris. Looking forward to the next one.
November 10, 2012
Defender is on the attack from the get-go, thrusting you into the heat of action and Africa. I found Alex Morgan a refreshingly human action hero. Completely impressive but also like someone you might actually be lucky enough to meet one day and not just on a cinema screen. This is a dynamite read and I’m looking forward to getting into the next instalment.
December 5, 2013
Fabulous escapist stuff. Love the attention to detail with the guns & other armaments. Also loved the scene in Hyde Park, Sydney, i could picture EXACTLY where they were. Am never getting in a helicopter in a war zone again though.
December 14, 2012
I loved this book, I read it in only a couple of days. It was a long wait for the story to continue. A really well constructed story :-)
July 5, 2018
Thriller
Faced paced! Move over James Bond, Alex Morgan is on the case!! If you like Clive Cussler’s characters and Jason Bourne, you’ll love the guys at Intrepid.
Faced paced! Move over James Bond, Alex Morgan is on the case!! If you like Clive Cussler’s characters and Jason Bourne, you’ll love the guys at Intrepid.
April 4, 2013
This is honestly one of my favourite books of all time. It's accessible, well-written, completely engaging with fast-paced action and deep, interesting, even sexy characters. I really love the relationship between Ari and Alex Morgan. I think it's perfectly written and adds a great dimension to the overall story - I love it. The characters that Chris writes read like real people that you're sitting with in a room or running around with in an action scene, it's brilliant. I have no military background but that is not at all a problem in reading this; in fact, I find that I learn more about it by reading this and that's something I want a book to do: teach me something. DEFENDER has a real film-like feel to it, especially with short, sharp, snappy scenes - that make me want to see this on the big screen, badly - that are PERFECT for the contemporary era of eBooks and phone-use and an arguably more "distracted" readership with our increasingly busy lives. Hence, Chris keeps his readers involved moreso with the chapter lengths and the way he writes the action, in my opinion. I was totally involved in this novel, to the point that any chance I got, I would find DEFENDER on my computer or in my hands to make sure I could read those characters and scenes again and finish the story. The story and characters are, what I would call, 'magnetic'. I loved that and I think there is a real skill behind making it all that way. It's hard to write books for all different audiences - men and women, with and without expertise, and of all different backgrounds - but I think Chris has a knack of tapping a wide and varied audience, it's a true gift that I can admire and hope to emulate in my own writing someday. The reality behind the book doesn't hit you in the face and startle you, but it makes you think and feel some sense of inhumanity and hope for justice - there's far more to the story than just fiction. I gave DEFENDER to my Dad at Christmas and downloaded it on the computer so I could read it on Boxing Day too. Turns out, Dad was reading hard copy; I had it on the computer screen; and my boyfriend read it on his Kobo all at once - it was a really candid moment. I sped through this one and enjoyed every minute. Chris nailed it. I can't wait to see this on the big screen!
January 19, 2017
The author is clearly writing from his extensive real-life military experience but it shows too much in a bad way. There were two flaws - the writing was terrible and the attitude to the main female character, Arena, was prehistoric.
Firstly, the helicopter scene mid-way through was very well written and captured the tension and drama, even if it did seem to go on and on. But that created a problem with the structure of the book, with the climax too early. There was a strange lull after everyone was saved and the hero and Arena get together. The plot mechanics to then get everyone to Sydney for the final climax just didn't make sense, much as I as a Sydneysider loved reading about Sydney. The main problem with the writing was too many unnecessary descriptions ("he pulled a knife from the pocket of his Canadian-army issue combat pants"), and the author trying too hard to show off his knowledge. But it was almost entertaining once I got used to that.
Then there's the attitude to women. Of course the woman Arena swoons into the arms of our hero who is 15 years older, straight away. Every time Arena appears in the story her physical appearance is re-iterated as her main feature: "she was clearly fit but refreshingly curvy". And although 26 years old and a deputy chief-of-staff, Arena is often referred to as "the girl". Even the blurb on the back of the book refers to our hero saving "the girl", who is very passive and doesn't do much herself.
Like another reviewer, I have written this review because all the other 5 star reviews focus too much on the fast pace and authenticity and over-rate this book. But if you like this style, try Mark Henshaw's Red Cell series.
Once again, the blurb on the back of my copy was inaccurate. Our hero evacuates a group of mine workers, not "aid workers".
Firstly, the helicopter scene mid-way through was very well written and captured the tension and drama, even if it did seem to go on and on. But that created a problem with the structure of the book, with the climax too early. There was a strange lull after everyone was saved and the hero and Arena get together. The plot mechanics to then get everyone to Sydney for the final climax just didn't make sense, much as I as a Sydneysider loved reading about Sydney. The main problem with the writing was too many unnecessary descriptions ("he pulled a knife from the pocket of his Canadian-army issue combat pants"), and the author trying too hard to show off his knowledge. But it was almost entertaining once I got used to that.
Then there's the attitude to women. Of course the woman Arena swoons into the arms of our hero who is 15 years older, straight away. Every time Arena appears in the story her physical appearance is re-iterated as her main feature: "she was clearly fit but refreshingly curvy". And although 26 years old and a deputy chief-of-staff, Arena is often referred to as "the girl". Even the blurb on the back of the book refers to our hero saving "the girl", who is very passive and doesn't do much herself.
Like another reviewer, I have written this review because all the other 5 star reviews focus too much on the fast pace and authenticity and over-rate this book. But if you like this style, try Mark Henshaw's Red Cell series.
Once again, the blurb on the back of my copy was inaccurate. Our hero evacuates a group of mine workers, not "aid workers".
October 30, 2014
If you are a die-hard Ian Fleming fan, then Chris Allen’s Intrepid series may be what you’re looking for –think of it as James Bond has had a revamp. Gone is the misogynist protagonist, and in Bonds place is a new hero – Alex Morgan. Morgan works for a secret agent branch of Interpol, he is tough but fallible, and is a character that I think readers will become invested in as they read the future books.
What gives the Intrepid series kudos is the detail. This has obviously been helped by Allen’s extensive experience in the military, federal police and aid work. It’s this experience that gives the book an authenticity that’s hard to attain by research alone. The story feels grounded in reality –something you don’t usually find in the Action Adventure/Spy Thriller genre.
This solid foundation doesn’t detract from the action –far from it. We are taken on a ride, with Alex Morgan, through the seedy world of gun trafficking in Africa, to corruption in the higher echelons of government agencies in England and then onto a climatic finish in the streets (and harbour) of Sydney, Australia. Allen has given us a protagonist who “keeps the bastards honest”, a character you can barrack for, but he has also delivered on international intrigue, a spy who is ruggedly good- looking (always a bonus), a girl (yes, there is a little romance), action, military know-how and a genuine good read for fans of the genre.
What gives the Intrepid series kudos is the detail. This has obviously been helped by Allen’s extensive experience in the military, federal police and aid work. It’s this experience that gives the book an authenticity that’s hard to attain by research alone. The story feels grounded in reality –something you don’t usually find in the Action Adventure/Spy Thriller genre.
This solid foundation doesn’t detract from the action –far from it. We are taken on a ride, with Alex Morgan, through the seedy world of gun trafficking in Africa, to corruption in the higher echelons of government agencies in England and then onto a climatic finish in the streets (and harbour) of Sydney, Australia. Allen has given us a protagonist who “keeps the bastards honest”, a character you can barrack for, but he has also delivered on international intrigue, a spy who is ruggedly good- looking (always a bonus), a girl (yes, there is a little romance), action, military know-how and a genuine good read for fans of the genre.
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