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Geordie Sharp #3
The Kremlin Device
Geordie Sharp is asked to undertake an SAS operation so outrageous that his conscience will barely allow him to carry it out.
The ostensible aim of Operation NIMROD is to train a new Spetznaz unit to combat the threat of the Russian mafia, but Sharp's orders contain a sinister hidden agenda.
When two SAS men are lifted by Mafia agents, the British authorities' secret weapon is turned against London and only Geordie Sharp can save the day.
The ostensible aim of Operation NIMROD is to train a new Spetznaz unit to combat the threat of the Russian mafia, but Sharp's orders contain a sinister hidden agenda.
When two SAS men are lifted by Mafia agents, the British authorities' secret weapon is turned against London and only Geordie Sharp can save the day.
412 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1996
114 people are currently reading
358 people want to read
About the author
Chris Ryan
342 books1,021 followersColin Armstrong (b. 1961), usually known by the pen-name Chris Ryan, is a British author, television presenter, security consultant and former Special Air Service sergeant.
After the publication of fellow patrol member Andy McNab's Bravo Two Zero in 1993, Ryan published his own account of his experiences during the Bravo Two Zero mission in 1995, entitled The One That Got Away. Since retiring from the British Army Ryan has published several fiction and non-fiction books, including Strike Back, which was subsequently adapted into a television series for Sky 1, and co-created the ITV action series Ultimate Force. He has also presented or appeared in numerous television documentaries connected to the military or law enforcement.
After the publication of fellow patrol member Andy McNab's Bravo Two Zero in 1993, Ryan published his own account of his experiences during the Bravo Two Zero mission in 1995, entitled The One That Got Away. Since retiring from the British Army Ryan has published several fiction and non-fiction books, including Strike Back, which was subsequently adapted into a television series for Sky 1, and co-created the ITV action series Ultimate Force. He has also presented or appeared in numerous television documentaries connected to the military or law enforcement.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
April 5, 2020
Typical "top 10 bestseller" book. Decent enough light read in that "special forces"-type genre.
My favorite thing was how extremely British the narrator was. Lots of "bollocks" and tea drinking.
The last half was definitely better than the first, maybe because it had more action and less introduction to female characters, all of whom were primarily introduced by their degree of physical attractiveness in typical 90s macho style.
My favorite thing was how extremely British the narrator was. Lots of "bollocks" and tea drinking.
The last half was definitely better than the first, maybe because it had more action and less introduction to female characters, all of whom were primarily introduced by their degree of physical attractiveness in typical 90s macho style.
September 10, 2021
I enjoyed this book.
October 31, 2022
Took until the end of the first chapter to get into but once here it was hard to put down. Some elite soldiers went out to Russia to help train a special task force to deal with the Mafia who were taking over the country. Lots of action and with an extra hidden agenda the tale blossoms into something which could cause your sleep deprivation!
December 20, 2008
So here we have the third in the Geordie Sharp stories, and this time there’s a change of scenery as our boys travel to Russia to help train up some troops.
Of course, there wouldn’t be much of a book if the story was that simple, so an extra plot involving planting a nuclear device beneath the Kremlin is thrown into the mix.
This one benefits from the engaging Russian locales and supporting characters, who are a breath of fresh air in a series typically set in the UK. There’s the requisite mix of sinister goings-on, car chases and gun fights, and it’s all written in a straightforward, no-bull prose.
I’ll admit right now that I’m a massive fan of Ryan and, for me, this is another winner.
Of course, there wouldn’t be much of a book if the story was that simple, so an extra plot involving planting a nuclear device beneath the Kremlin is thrown into the mix.
This one benefits from the engaging Russian locales and supporting characters, who are a breath of fresh air in a series typically set in the UK. There’s the requisite mix of sinister goings-on, car chases and gun fights, and it’s all written in a straightforward, no-bull prose.
I’ll admit right now that I’m a massive fan of Ryan and, for me, this is another winner.
October 22, 2019
Sad to say I failed to get into this book. It's the first Chris Ryan I've read, and I found it rather slow going. There's no real action until about page 300 - until that point the book is mainly about the team getting ready for a mission and background to the story. I was very surprised by that - I had expected it to be action start-to-finish. I also found the storyline totally unbelievable, which didn't help.
March 1, 2017
After reading the previous two Geordie Sharp books, I thought this one was just as good. If you liked the others then you'll like this.
I'm just about to start the fourth book in the series and hope that is just as good.
I'm just about to start the fourth book in the series and hope that is just as good.
July 24, 2018
This was a readable book but for me lacked a little something.
December 17, 2019
Long on detail, short on substance! I'd imagine that being in the SAS Is 99.9999% waiting around for things to happen or planning out for things to happen. This, after all, is the best regiment in the world! However, in this case, it doesn't make for the best of novels! A slow plodding read that seldom sparks into life. The author will in the future write better novels than this. This was one of his early books.
Geordie Sharp is asked to undertake an SAS operation so outrageous that his conscience will barely allow him to carry it out.
The ostensible aim of Operation NIMROD is to train a new Spetznaz unit to combat the threat of the Russian mafia, but Sharp's orders contain a sinister hidden agenda.
When two SAS men are lifted by Mafia agents, the British authorities' secret weapon is turned against London and only Geordie Sharp can save the day.
Geordie Sharp is asked to undertake an SAS operation so outrageous that his conscience will barely allow him to carry it out.
The ostensible aim of Operation NIMROD is to train a new Spetznaz unit to combat the threat of the Russian mafia, but Sharp's orders contain a sinister hidden agenda.
When two SAS men are lifted by Mafia agents, the British authorities' secret weapon is turned against London and only Geordie Sharp can save the day.
February 28, 2019
This was a tense action packed fun book, which was an enjoyable read with great characters in that were well thought out and was full of great military terms and strategies which being an former soldier himself Chris Ryan does an excellent job with the action, it will be great to read another one of his at some point.
September 4, 2022
A good, solid and entertaining novel, ideal for lovers of military fiction. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. The action starts out fairly fast-paced, then picks up and sweeps one along.
I can recommend this one!
I can recommend this one!
December 2, 2022
Excellent story!
This was a really good read, the characters were all totally believable, the storyline excellent, couldn't put it down, until it was finished, will be adding Chris Ryan to my searches!
This was a really good read, the characters were all totally believable, the storyline excellent, couldn't put it down, until it was finished, will be adding Chris Ryan to my searches!
August 17, 2017
Great story, well-developed characters. Enjoyable read but I find the writing style a little less enjoyable
February 25, 2018
Loved it. Seriously, I could read books about the British SAS and Geordie Sharp all day and all night!
March 15, 2018
Read better
December 10, 2019
Loved it from start to finish!
January 9, 2020
A cracker of a story.
September 28, 2020
The Kremlin device
The Kremlin device by Chris Ryan great storyline and a great read can't wait for the next book bring it on
The Kremlin device by Chris Ryan great storyline and a great read can't wait for the next book bring it on
April 28, 2022
Read on Amsterdam Trip - timing of events ironically coinciding with the Ukraine-Russia Conflict
May 5, 2022
The team need to travel to Russia to train up teams to fight the mafia, but become involved in helping to combat the influence that the mafia have over the locals.
August 7, 2022
What a bookAn incredible story line
An incredible story line. A must read book if you’re into the SAS. Written as if it were happening all around you. Fist class.
An incredible story line. A must read book if you’re into the SAS. Written as if it were happening all around you. Fist class.
March 7, 2023
Action packed from start to finish. Good old espionage and secret missions . Decent .
June 23, 2023
Loving these books and can’t wait to read the next
April 5, 2024
First rate. Excellent read.
August 13, 2024
Been a long time since I got really absorbed in a book, let alone a series! This series has really is turning into a great read/listen. It’s great for those of us with sight loss to get these great little gems gifted to RNIB Thank you
January 15, 2025
It started out slowly but built up to a whirlwind ending
April 15, 2011
Summary: Geordie is officially leading a crack SAS team to Russia to teach the Russian SAS to deal with the proliferating Mafia. The trip is a cover for a far more sinister objective – which then goes disastrously wrong…
Acquired second-hand (from the condition of the spine, 20th-hand) in a double edition with The Watchman.
As ridiculous and unbelievable as the plot was (Russian Mafia? Resurgence of Cold War politics?), this was a fun romp of a read. I really liked how the plot developments were driven by the characters’ actions and mistakes, rather than all sorts of unnecessary events being introduced all over the place.
The language was pretty colourful (although, it appears, no worse than that to which one is subjected on the 22:45 from Reading to Slough…) and littered with military jargon – although the author’s/publisher’s trick of using jargon and including a glossary, rather than the hideous construction that many similar books include, of spattering jargon about the place and using up 90% of the text explaining the terminology, at least meant that the reader could slide past the acronyms fairly painlessly.
The characters were pretty one-dimensional but with a racing plot they don’t really need any more development, and the collection of similar (and therefore amalgamat-able) personalities (expert SAS types) each with one or two distinctive features of physique and character meant that a multi-faceted group personality emerged, a very effective and economical device. The hero had doubts and failings, which again was a pleasant relief from so many SAS/CIA thrillers. One token woman, but an interesting character, not just a leggy blonde.
Lots of fun!
Acquired second-hand (from the condition of the spine, 20th-hand) in a double edition with The Watchman.
As ridiculous and unbelievable as the plot was (Russian Mafia? Resurgence of Cold War politics?), this was a fun romp of a read. I really liked how the plot developments were driven by the characters’ actions and mistakes, rather than all sorts of unnecessary events being introduced all over the place.
The language was pretty colourful (although, it appears, no worse than that to which one is subjected on the 22:45 from Reading to Slough…) and littered with military jargon – although the author’s/publisher’s trick of using jargon and including a glossary, rather than the hideous construction that many similar books include, of spattering jargon about the place and using up 90% of the text explaining the terminology, at least meant that the reader could slide past the acronyms fairly painlessly.
The characters were pretty one-dimensional but with a racing plot they don’t really need any more development, and the collection of similar (and therefore amalgamat-able) personalities (expert SAS types) each with one or two distinctive features of physique and character meant that a multi-faceted group personality emerged, a very effective and economical device. The hero had doubts and failings, which again was a pleasant relief from so many SAS/CIA thrillers. One token woman, but an interesting character, not just a leggy blonde.
Lots of fun!
August 10, 2014
The Kremlin Device merupakan novel kesinambungan untuk dua buah novel yang sebelumnya iaitu Stand By,Stand By dan Zero Option. Ketiga-tiga novel menampilkan Geordie Sharp sebagai watak utama. Di dalam novel ketiga ini,Geordie dan beberapa rakan sepasukannya di dalam Special Air Service (SAS) telah ditugaskan untuk melatih Tiger Force,sebuah pasukan khas baharu Rusia yang berperanan untuk menangani aktiviti keganasan Mafia Rusia. Namun demikian,pada masa yang sama,mereka juga ditugaskan untuk meletakkan dua buah alat letupan nuklear di negara bekas Komunis tersebut! Tambah merumitkan keadaan,mereka menjadi sasaran Mafia Chechen sehingga menyebabkan dua orang di bawah kawalan Geordie ditangkap dan dijadikan tebusan. Manakala,salah satu daripada bom nuklear telah dirampas.
Berbanding dua buah novel yang sebelumnya,saya agak kurang berpuas hati dengan mutu penyampaian yang dilakukan penulis. Plot dan jalan ceritanya tidak se-thrill seperti yang saya harapkan. Malahan,penamat ceritanya boleh saya jangkakan dan tiada kejutan. Ringkasnya,cerita novel ini bersifat plain dan tidak kompleks. Jalinan elemen-elemen cerita juga tidak diterapkan atau dieksploitasikan dengan baik. Masih boleh dikira menghiburkan,tetapi,sedikit membosankan.
Berbanding dua buah novel yang sebelumnya,saya agak kurang berpuas hati dengan mutu penyampaian yang dilakukan penulis. Plot dan jalan ceritanya tidak se-thrill seperti yang saya harapkan. Malahan,penamat ceritanya boleh saya jangkakan dan tiada kejutan. Ringkasnya,cerita novel ini bersifat plain dan tidak kompleks. Jalinan elemen-elemen cerita juga tidak diterapkan atau dieksploitasikan dengan baik. Masih boleh dikira menghiburkan,tetapi,sedikit membosankan.
August 11, 2013
Solo chi ha già letto i capolavori di McNab può apprezzare al massimo questo libro Un libro colmo di colpi di scena da togliere il fiato, ma l'inimmaginabile conclusione del romanzo lascia colpiti e spinge a leggerlo ancora una volta. D'accordo è un romanzo frutto della fantasia del suo autore ma chi preferisce testimonianze reali (vedi "Azione immediata" e "Pattuglia Bravo Two Zero") non si accorgerà della minima lontananza dalla realtà, poichè un professionista come Chris Ryan, anche lui membro del S.A.S., non può che scrivere solo basandosi sull'esperienza acquisita durante la sua carriera!Trovo questo libro semplicemente fantastico
January 15, 2012
Third book by Geordy Sharp seems to confirm my suspicion that what the author goes for here is some sort of "Richard Sharpe joins SAS" type of franchise. And sure enough, yet again it's a fun read for grown-up boys, as long as you don't expect excessive depth in in anything but the military parts of the book. The strength of "The Kremlin Device" lies in detailed descriptions of special ops, it is very clear that Ryan knows what he's talking about. Everything else - the story, the characters, the environments - takes the second seat... if you allow yourself to notice that fact.
February 4, 2015
The whole story was a stretch. Basically the story is about the SAS helping the Russians in their training but they also have a secret mission to put a portable nuclear device in Russia. The idea seems interesting, but the story itself wasn't really well developed. There were more bits and pieces here and there. Like one moment it focuses on the training, the next about the device. Just felt the story could have been more focused.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews