'A world-class thriller writer' James Phelan ‘Action that hits like an icepick in the back of the head.' John Birmingham 'This chiller thriller will reel you in with ice-cold action' Marie Claire magazine
Antarctica is the coldest, most isolated place on earth. Luke Searle, maverick glaciologist, has made it his home. But soon his survival skills will be tested to the limit by a ruthless mercenary who must win at any cost. The white continent is under attack. The Australian team is being hunted down. Can Luke stay alive long enough to raise the alarm? Can he avert a global catastrophe? The countdown has begun. T minus 5 days, 2 hours and 53 minutes …
L.A. Larkin’s crime-thrillers have won her fans all over the world. Described as a superb “chiller thriller” writer by Marie Claire magazine, and praised by the king of crime, Lee Child, for her “fast and immersive” thrillers, Louisa’s novels will keep you reading all night. Her new Sally Fairburn crime thriller series is receiving rave reviews: Next Girl Missing (book 1), Her Deadly Truth (book 2) and First Victim (book 3) and is available in ebook, audio, and paperback. Amazon link: https://geni.us/B0CD7ZJ5QCauthor
Here’s what readers are saying : “An absolute page-turner.” @mandylovestoread “Will have your heart racing with every page… Completely sucks you in! … Absolutely addictive!” @oh.happy.reading, 5 stars C.J. Carver, "Dark and menacing, Larkin's characters are heart-wrenchingly real" Peter James, "Intrigue in spades" Marie Claire, "This chiller thriller will reel you in" Good Housekeeping, "Brilliant!" James Phelan, "'L.A. Larkin is a world-class thriller writer" Literature Works, "Exciting, original and utterly captivating" Bookseller + Publisher, "Exciting, compulsive reading"
Mac and Dave were in the throes of packing up at the crevasse where they’d been working – they were looking forward to getting back to Hope Station, the Australian base. Winter was settling in and most of the engineers and scientists had left Antarctica for the season; there would only be eight of them left on base for the duration…
Luke Searle had lived on the base for around seven years, going home to Melbourne only occasionally. He loved the research; as a glaciologist he could appreciate the beauty of the ice and the colours of the glaciers. But he respected the countryside as well – fully aware of how dangerous it could be. Maddie was team leader and though she and Luke clashed at times – usually over his stubborn refusal to obey orders – he respected her ability to lead.
But the suddenness of the attack; the brutality of what happened had him filled with terror. What was happening? As the team tried desperately to escape the looming danger, Luke wondered if any of them would survive.
With full-on intense action from the very first page, Thirst by Aussie author L.A. Larkin is a thoroughly enjoyable thriller. Fast paced, riveting and filled with the evil of man, the setting of Antarctica was unique and interesting, while the two main characters, Luke and Maddie set the tone well. Highly recommended.
I blame Cassandra Rose Clarke. Ever since I read and thoroughly enjoyed Our Lady of the Ice, and short story White Out, I've wanted more Antarctic fiction. (Jennifer Longo's Up to This Pointe is on my wishlist, by the way.)
And so I stumbled upon Thirst, a standalone novel by British-Australian author L. A. Larkin. Glaciologist Luke Searle is in for the fight of his life when a sinister plot unravels on the ice, with catastrophic results for the entire world unless Luke can stop it.
I don't read many thrillers nowadays, especially ones that put countries against each other. (Think James Bond.) In this case, the baddie is Chinese, and his father - the General - is even more of a baddie. (Circa page 320, there's a flashback to a pre-rape scene, so you may want to skip those few pages.) Wendy Woo is a great heroine, but she's relegated to only the odd chapter here and there.
Corporate greed has the power to destroy the world in this chilling thriller. Larkin keeps the pace up for the entire novel as survival skills are put to the test. Thirst is bloody good.
In the harsh environment of the Antarctic, the people of Hope Station are been hunted down. Glaciologist, Luke Searle has to fight for survival against a mercenary that will win at any cost, while trying to prevent an environmental disaster. He only has 5 days to fix this, can he stay alive long enough? Does he really know what he is going up against? LA Larkin’s Thirst is an Eco-Thriller set in one of the harshest environments known to man.
Thirst is a fast paced novel that will suck you right in with its constant suspense and the unpredictable elements within this book. The harsh setting of Antarctica and the sense of solitude and danger really helped drive this book and became my favourite element of this book. But there was something in the book that really didn’t sit well with me. This book has one of my Literary Bête Noires in it; the villains. I’ve blogged recently about how I never seem to enjoy cliché villains and unfortunately the fact that the protagonist was up against the Chinese in the book really detracted from my overall enjoyment of this book.
Apart from that one element, this book is a typical thriller, highly enjoyable read with some explosive situations. I’m happy that the book never seemed to go into the realm of formulaic but it did sit on the border and I did feel myself cringe at that thought it might head in that direction. Thankfully Larkin’s was able to recover with her writing style and her research of the environmental aspects of this book. I must admit that towards the end of the book, when I pictured the protagonist Luke Searle, I kept comparing him to Steven Seagal and expected him to act that way.
Thirst was an enjoyable Eco-Thriller which was a lot of fun to read, while I did struggle with the villains being cliché, I did enjoy reading this novel. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a good light read. I know many people are going to compare this book to Matthew Riley’s Ice Station but that shouldn’t be deterrent, it’s nice to see a female (why is there a lack of thrillers written by women within Australia?) can write a thriller just as exciting as something written by Riley.
This is the first work I've read by LA Larkin and I was impressed from the first page to the last.
There were lots of things to like about Thirst, but most importantly it was a page-turner, a book that kept me wanting to come back for more.
I also really enjoyed the setting of Antarctica. Although I’ve never been there, I felt that Larkin captured the environment incredibly well--particularly the feeling of penetrating cold and the sense of complete isolation.
Finally, I liked the way Larkin intertwined a tight story with a stronger, more relevant message of global warming. It wasn’t ‘hit-you-over-the-head’ or preachy, but the underlying environmental messages created yet another great layer in this book.
Engaging characters, a tight plot and a powerful (but not overdone) environmental theme...what more could you want?!
3.5 stars Australian female crime writer, L.A. Larkin has cut through the hard-as-ice male-dominated genre with her second thriller, Thirst. Set in Antarctica and featuring an Australian research team, I appreciate Larkin using characters from our shores who are toughing it out in an exotic location, one of the most untouched regions of the world.
Recluse glaciologist, Luke Searle tends to clash with his team leader Maddie, because his strengths don’t lie in working as a team or following direction. Most of the time, Luke gets away with doing whatever he likes because he is the most knowledgeable and skilled research scientist at the station. But when two men from their team are found murdered, the remaining six members of Hope Station (the Australian team) must band together to escape this icy continent alive.
The expectation of suspense is set from the very beginning; a countdown begins, ticking away the minutes until the intruders unleash their ultimate plan.
Luke is an admirable character; he is rebellious but persistent and accepts responsibility for the fate of his colleagues. He is also believably flawed, he is separated from his young son who lives in Melbourne and his little boy is what drives him toward survival. He also discovers a soft-spot for his boss Maddie, until then they’ve butted heads but when they are thrown together in a life or death situation, personal disclosures are shared and a connection is formed. When Maddie is kidnapped by the intruders, Luke has two motivations: to save Maddie and to keep his son safe.
L.A. Larkin’s knowledge of climate change from her former job as a consultant is clear and it forms an undercurrent throughout the book, exploring politics, treaties and essentially the lengths people will go to, to have power over the world’s resources.
There’s varying viewpoints from Luke, to the villain (a little clichéd in the beginning but expanded throughout the story), to the mysterious Wendy Woo back in Sydney investigating her father’s death. From Sydney to China to the Antartica there’s plenty of geographical dimensions added to this story, topped off by avalanches, frost bite and amateur sleuthing.
Thirst is action-packed with a cast of intriguing characters who are challenged to push above and beyond their limits to achieve their goals. A recommended read for crime thriller fans who enjoy the Aussie voice in this genre.
“Snow algae. Look at the colours: the pink algae, the white ice, the blue sky – it’s breathtaking. It’s untouched. Antarctica is like the Garden of Eden before man cocked it up.” – Thirst
The blurb doesn’t do this impressive environmental thriller justice. Based on that alone, I probably wouldn’t have picked up this book. So thank you to everyone who recommended it.
This action-packed thriller has it all: a unique setting, fast pace, engaging characters (especially Maddie and Luke), a high body count, understated sexual tension and penguins. I’d even go as far as to say it’s heart-pounding – mine certainly was at times.
Thirst is both entertaining and informative. What makes it even more compelling is that the scenario is terrifyingly plausible. “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing” springs to mind. We can only hope the real life Maddies and Lukes continue to prevail.
I was lucky enough to get hold of a first proof copy of L.A. Larkin's awesome Antarctic thriller, Thirst. I can see why it is described as 'The best Antarctic thriller since Ice Station.' The action hooks you in from the very start, the setting is breath-taking, the characters are complex and Luke Searle - the hero, Maddie Wildman - the station leader, Wendy Woo - the daughter of a murdered tailor, and the adversary, all go on character journeys that make them intriguing. And the climax certainly doesn't disappoint - it took my breath away. I hear that the author went to Antarctica and did lots of research to ensure the story rang true. And it totally does. I was transported to Antarctica, to a remote and isolated station. I was inside those deadly crevasses. I was riding that snowmobile in a blizzard. This is one of the best action thrillers I have read in a long long time.
Extremely fast paced thriller with thoroughly researched Antarctic details. 'Thirst' relates to ice-eco-politics and Chinese attempts to illegally harvest ice and militarily strategic minerals from Antarctica. Last month I enjoyed 'Devour' by LA Larkin who is an extremely accomplished plotter, but for character involvement and plot twists I prefer 'Thirst' which is her earlier book in the growing genre of 'Antarctic Noir'. Glaciologist Luke is an adventurous hero with flaws and Station Leader Maddie is well drawn too. Russian Vitaly occurs in both books and probably deserves his own series. Definite filmic potential. Since I've been on an Antarctic expedition as writer, I really enjoyed Larkin's authentic details of life on a base. And I'll be recommending 'Thirst' to my 17 year old grandson who is a keen Matthew Reilly fan.
Fortunate enough to be sent an ARC of Thirst, the second novel by Australian writer, LA Larkin, I spent a cold, rainy afternoon devouring this page-turning adventure in one sitting. While you could liken it to Matthew Riley’s Ice Station, I much preferred this and feel it’s more comparable, for various reasons, to Dan Brown’s Deception Point (set in the opposite pole), though fans of either writer would consume this original novel with pleasure.
Set in Antarctica in present times, Thirst is best described as an eco-thriller that has as its protagonist, the rebellious and solitary but very ethical glaciologist, Luke Searle. Part of an Australian team over-wintering at Hope Station on Pine Island Glacier (or PIG, as it’s known), a small group led by the headstrong Maddie Wildman, Searle is a brilliant researcher and expert not only on glaciers, but climate change and as it conveniently happens, radios.
The book opens with a countdown that reduces over the course of the story, adding to the tension created in the first chapter when hostile intruders accost two of the PIG team. With a blizzard threatening, a rescue party is sent out to account for the missing members and, it’s on the team’s return to base that Searle and Wildman’s abilities and trust in each other are put to a brutal and relentless test.
Segueing between Sydney, China and the Antarctic, the story is fast-paced and, despite some initially clichéd villains (cultural stereo-type warning issued), utterly gripping. The gradual unfolding of the main characters’ backgrounds creates a context for their current choices and later actions and adds a satisfying depth that’s often lacking in books in this ouevre.
Oft-times unpredictable, the action builds quickly and furiously and the descriptions of Antarctica add a chilling frisson (forgive the pun) that keeps you turning the pages.
Larkin clearly has a passion for the environment and a sound knowledge of climate change. The refreshing thing is that though the book can be didactic, the lessons offered do not sacrifice plot, story or characters, which remain strong and consistent throughout. The twists are not obvious and the cliffhanger endings to chapters keep you both guessing and reading.
My only criticism (and this may be because I received an ARC and not the finished book), is I feel a map of the glacier and surrounds would have been really helpful. In books of this kind where location is so important, I would have liked to ground the action and movements of the various groups within the cartography. But this is a minor point in an otherwise excellent addition to the genre.
Overall, this was a fast-paced and furious book that grips you from the first page, holds you in its icy thrall, and doesn’t release you until the nail-biting climax. A terrific read.
Thirst by L.A.Larkin is unashamedly a novel written in Matthew Reilly territory – and that isn’t a bad thing! This is a fast paced novel that is full of twists, turns and action. The novel is set in Antarctica and the unforgiving landscape adds to the tension, as there is very little leniency allowed in the time line. The novel follows an Australian research team who are staying over the winter at Hope Station to continue their work. As you would expect, the main characters are full of interesting flaws that have led them to choose this isolated life. Our villains represent an evil foreign super power but also environmental destruction. It was also interesting to have complexity in the villains and their motives. Family relationships, patriotism and the classic scenario of financial greed all play a part in keeping the twists and turns rolling along. With time ticking down, Larkin keeps the tensions rising and doesn’t disappoint with an exciting climax. I wasn’t totally convinced that the romantic attachment was necessary, but it probably will be when they turn this into a blockbuster film
I did not want to put this book down!! The one thing I really loved was the fact that is was action packed from the first chapter all the way through to the end. Luke Searle, the Aussie in the middle of everything was a very likeable character and kept you on your toes with his "breaking the rules" attitude. When I was half way through this novel I had the pleasure of listening to L A Larkin discuss what she experienced while researching this Antarctic thriller, twice in the one day actually!! By visiting this vast land the Authors description of the huts, the cold and atmosphere of the novels setting much more believable. This story would make a great movie and I can't wait to see if there is another Luke Searle adventure in the future.
Three and a half stars actually as overall this was a very readable thriller...high octane excitement that would make a great film.A ( fairly) believable premise and Larkin clearly knows his/ her?..snowy tundras as the description of Antarctica felt authentic.What let it down in places was a slightly cartoonish element to the bad guys....they were formulaic and old fashioned in what was a current tale of climate change and superpowers putting greed before saving the world. However that said,it is well worth a read and kept me gripped.
Great paced book, scary coincidences to the actual world and current times playing out I think I have done it a disservice by awaiting days in between each read when this should have been a standalone book to finish in a weekend/day
Let me say at the outset that I'm one of those strange dudettes who, given a choice, would much rather have weather that's too cold than too hot. Still, the very thought of spending time at a place that's so cold that you can say goodbye to any body part that's exposed to the air for more than a couple of seconds sends chills up and down my spine.
So when I had a chance to get a free Kindle version of this book, I admit I almost passed it by; the setting is Antarctica - certainly not what I'd call a hotbed. That said, the country has a sort of "connection" to our area and thus a sort of fascination to me. Jerri Nielsen Fitzgerald, who gained fame after diagnosing herself with breast cancer in 1999 as the only doctor working at the National Science Foundation's Amundsen-Scott Station in that country, hailed from my neck of the woods (after a rather dramatic rescue from that country, she returned to the United States and died in 2009).
The minute I opened the book, though, my first instincts kicked in and I almost had to force myself to keep at it; no, I thought, I just can't deal with all this never-ending cold. But I weathered on, and that's perhaps the best testament to the fact that it's really pretty darned good.
The story begins with the disappearance of two of researchers working at an Australian station. When it's learned they were murdered, it becomes clear that the station is under attack - but in this remote part of the world, who could the culprits possibly be? And perhaps more important, what's the motive behind their actions?
As the plot slips along, these questions are answered - but not without the loss of even more lives and the threat of an international disaster of major proportion. Here and there it's a bit trite; there's the obligatory good-looking single guy who's mad at the world and single gal who can't stand him who are forced to cooperate to stay alive (and oh gosh, how do you think that turns out)? In addition, the main characters are put to physical tests that defy belief a bit too often.
Everything moves along quickly, though, and it's clear the author, who also wrote The Genesis Plan, has done lots of research, especially when it comes to environmental issues and what could happen if (when) the fragile Antarctic ice is disturbed. A bit of a twist near the end adds interest as well.
I enjoyed this book, especially as it was one of the free ones from amazon. It is very comparable to Deception point by Dan Brown and i thought it wouldn't live up to it but it did. I liked the characters, they were complex and had lots of baggage which is how i like them lol. Starts with a punch and keeps punching until the climax at the end which is a good one. An easy read that is quite easily read in a single or a couple of sittings. Will look out for more books by this author.
T MINUS 5 DAYS, 2 HOURS, 53 MINUTES March 5th, 9:07 am (UTC-07)
Im guessing this is one of those “beach reads” but instead of being a steamy novel is a thriller. I was lent a “book of selections”, where there are a bunch of short but enticing reads. Thirst was the one that interested me more and I’m proud of my choice capabilities.
Was not only my first read of the type but also my first Eco-Thriller. Luke Searle is simply a researcher who minds his own business and explores the big white continent and studies its glaciers, along with a team of fellow Australians supervised by Maddie. That’s the last place you’d think to find danger other than nature itself, yet, sudenly he has five days to save Antartida, and possibly the planet, from a group of violent military looking personel with mysterious intentions.
The book is intense right from page one and never stops. The plot progresses very well, keeps you going page after page and even includes a timer gimmick of days left to catastrophe. Cool right?! Its fast paced, brutal, violent, shocking and keeps you glued to the pages. I’m guessing for those more experienced with the style will find lots of clichés that I’m very aware of but can forgive a hundred percent in this narrative.
The only thing I’m not used to is the “omnipresent” and “omniscient” views of the narrator, that at times appear and I feel the transition between the chaarcters from that POV can be a bit confusing in those parts. (But I read a portuguese translation that can’t find here, could be the translation fault and make more sense in english)
I recommend to anyone looking for a fast and interesting read. I’m sure it will give you something to talk about next time you’re with friends.
Trying to get a bearing on books set in the Arctic or in this case Antartica is a hard ask. No landmarks to focus the mind, And trying to follow the story when everything is just White! None the less L.A.Larkin knows her stuff when it comes to the Antartic and it shows in this clever Novel, which moves at the pace of a runaway sledge! Good solid characters & a rattling good story.
An isolated scientific station; a ruthless businessman planning to exploit an untapped resource; a maverick hero; a ticking clock; and a conspiracy that reaches from the icy wastes of Antarctica to China’s Communist Party.
At times it could be said the novel hinges on a lot of unlikely events & characters being in the right places at the right time to overhear things. And as always seems to be the case we have a villain, like all other villains who seems Hell bent on sharing his plans instead of just killing the victims, And one other little nitpick would be the heroine, who was early in the book described as being blonde, was later described as having Copper colour hair. Perhaps during all the carnage etc, she found time to dye her hair! Anyway, that aside I enjoyed the book. With it having a strong female included I'd say it was better Than Ice Station Zebra.
A pretty good thriller, action from start to finish & set in the magnificent Antarctic. It gave me the shivers several times, & not just because of the extreme cold - oh, those katabatic winds howling! The area is so sparsely populated that you can imagine people getting away with quite a lot before they are discovered.
The suddenness & brutality of the attack against the small Australian team was quite shocking. They just happened to be in the way of a Chinese company's plans for the massive glacier the team was working on. Despite their animosity, team leader Maddie Wildman & glaciologist Luke Searle were forced to work together in an effort to survive. Even with the help of Luke's friend, Vitaly Yushkov, from the tourist ship Professor Basov, they'll be lucky to survive.
Corporate greed is likely to destroy the world, & the leaders of the corporation couldn't care less as long as they get the rare minerals that they want. It's all about the money, hang the expense to the rest of humanity. Sea levels likely to rise 5 metres... doesn't worry us.
Fast-paced & frightening, survival in these elements is certainly not guaranteed & the thought of falling down a crevasse is terrifying - I felt wrung out by the end. 3.5★
A gripping fast paced adventure from the very first page. Even my kitchen floor had to wait to be cleaned as I just had to read on to see not if, but how Luke would survive against his maniacal opponent who had killed several of his friends and threatened his son's life. Luke is a passionate glaciologist working in Antarctica when some mysterious mercenaries arrive on a top secret and illegal mission. The severity of the climate with unpredictable blizzards, and dangerous crevasses hindering escape add another level of danger. Larkin's research on exposure to the elements without shelter, the abseiling rescues in deep crevasses and the aloneness when communications break down, brings to life the feeling of isolation, hunger, exhaustion and despair. There is also an important message about the need for protection of Antarctica, and how the world could be impacted if we do not take care of this ice mass. A highly recommended read for those who love fast paced action.
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. This book was my attempt at trying a new genre out and I had very mixed feelings about this.
To start, this book is a book that heavily relies on action to drive the story forward. While that has it's positives (it kept me generally engaged throughout), that leaves virtually no space for character. I couldn't find it in myself to connect to any of these characters.
Robert was a brilliant antagonist, though. Riddled with flaws, he had good intentions which were executed terribly. He was morally grey, with actions that made you condemn him to hell but with a backstory that explained why he acts the way he does. Of course there's no excuse to nearly assassinating a child, but at least we got some depth into Robert's character in a story which lacked that certain aspect.
Speaking of which, Wendy's storyline was cut so abruptly it took me off guard. Its a shame that it was too, considering it was the most interesting out of all the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A thriller set in Antartica? I wasn't too sure really. Turns out that it is a fabulous place to set a thriller and Larkin captured the environment incredibly well. I felt as if I were there. I could feel the penetrating cold and the sense of complete isolation. I could picture the scenery clearly.
It is a fast paced, brilliant book. I Loved it. ***************************** Antarctica is the coldest, most isolated place on earth. Luke Searle, maverick glaciologist, has made it his home. But soon his survival skills will be tested to the limit by a ruthless mercenary who must win at any cost. The white continent is under attack. The Australian team is being hunted down. Can Luke stay alive long enough to raise the alarm? Can he avert a global catastrophe? The countdown has begun. T minus 5 days, 2 hours and 53 minutes …
THIRST is about climate change catastrophe. We all know about the effects of global warming and the impact on the polar caps and the glaciers in them. But what if someone decided to harvest the resources in Antarctica, like the rare minerals, and even the water?
This is a fast paced thriller, firmly based on solid research, presenting a scenario that strains the bounds of credibility at first.
It's a cool novel. It's fast paced, classic adventure. Tragedy strikes, but the description is not too gory. I enjoyed reading it. Only, it was one twist too long. Whether the villain went ahead with his, or the hero held his own, I felt that the last "hand played" was a drag. The novel would have ideally ended in 15 less pages.
This "overclimaxing" made it a 3 star, instead of 4 star novel.
Members of an Australian Antartctic station are targeted by a rogue group with resources who need no witnesses to their actions. The threads of the story all well woven. Some of the passages may I had questions about, but I got hooked on finding out which side won and what the full story was. It was a very different book, written a while ago this is worth reading.
Cold, ice, powerful enemies, explosions; this story has it all. I guess it will not be a spoiler to say SOME survive! Rekable story line, strong characters an lots of action!!!
Luke is a glaciologist at Australia's Hope Station in Antarctica. He becomes mixed up in a Chinese plot to blast through the Pine Island Glacier to mine ice for a water supply for China. Many deaths, much skullduggery and plot twists ensue. This is basically an airport novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Environmental Concerns with a twist. It is good to read thriller with links to real life environmental concerns. Although the motives and measures are a bit far fetched, the heroes are credible and the story is fast and exciting