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Sam Archer #3
Blackout
Young counter-terrorist cop Sam Archer arrives for work at the Armed Response Unit expecting a quiet day. But unbeknownst to him, a storm is coming. Three men have already been killed that morning. One committed suicide by the River Thames. Another was strangled in his car in Washington D.C. And the third was shot in the face in his high-rise New York apartment as he slept. The deaths seem random, thousands of miles apart. But they are all connected. By a shocking event fifteen years ago. And this is only the beginning. Archer, Chalky and the rest of the Unit suddenly find themselves plunged into a ferocious and violent confrontation, fighting for their lives. The enemy they are up against are brutal, highly trained, well-armed and anonymous. No one knows where they have come from. No one seems to know who they are. But they have a vendetta. They will never forgive or forget, or show mercy. And for some reason, they’re hell-bent on killing ten specific people before the end of the day. As the Unit tries to find out who these killers are and locate the remaining targets so they can protect them, it becomes a race against time to see who can get there first. As the counter-terrorist unit and the vengeful enemy come up against each other all over the city, Archer and the team soon realise two things. This enemy is more proficient and deadly than any they've ever encountered. And one of their own ARU men is on the extermination list.
398 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2012
1257 people are currently reading
1385 people want to read
About the author
Tom Barber
41 books151 followersBorn in Sydney, Australia and raised in England and Brunei, Tom Barber has always had a passion for writing and story-telling. It took him to Nottingham University, England, where he graduated in 2009 with a 2:1 BA Hons in English Studies. Post-graduation, Tom moved to New York City and completed the 2 Year Meisner Acting training programme at The William Esper Studio, furthering his love of acting and screen-writing.
Upon his return to the UK in late 2011, Tom set to work on his debut novel, Nine Lives, which has since become a five-star rated Amazon UK Kindle hit. The following books in the series have been equally successful, garnering five-star reviews in the US, UK, France, Australia and Canada. The Sam Archer series has had over a million books downloaded worldwide and each title is currently being adapted into audiobook format.
Tom spends most of his time back and forth between the US and the UK. He can be contacted at http://www.tom-barber.co.uk/
For info on all upcoming releases: http://tom-barber.us6.list-manage1.co...
Upon his return to the UK in late 2011, Tom set to work on his debut novel, Nine Lives, which has since become a five-star rated Amazon UK Kindle hit. The following books in the series have been equally successful, garnering five-star reviews in the US, UK, France, Australia and Canada. The Sam Archer series has had over a million books downloaded worldwide and each title is currently being adapted into audiobook format.
Tom spends most of his time back and forth between the US and the UK. He can be contacted at http://www.tom-barber.co.uk/
For info on all upcoming releases: http://tom-barber.us6.list-manage1.co...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
July 17, 2018
Sam Archer's Last Work with the Armed Response Unit
I really love Archer's adventures, all fast-paced with thrills and chills , this time as his boss gets worried when a man visits him. The Unit is located in large building, with tech support on one floor, the officers and supplies in another area.
The boss, Cobb, explains what is happening that affects him and his visitor. All the men who were involved in a secret operation to save three men while in the service, are being systematically eliminated. Cobb and the visitor,Jackson, were in charge of that mission.
This is an incredible thriller, the characters well described and you feel like you know them! So many things go on that you cannot stop reading, thinking you are missing out! I have thoroughly enjoyed all books in this series and will definitely be reading number 4!!
I really love Archer's adventures, all fast-paced with thrills and chills , this time as his boss gets worried when a man visits him. The Unit is located in large building, with tech support on one floor, the officers and supplies in another area.
The boss, Cobb, explains what is happening that affects him and his visitor. All the men who were involved in a secret operation to save three men while in the service, are being systematically eliminated. Cobb and the visitor,Jackson, were in charge of that mission.
This is an incredible thriller, the characters well described and you feel like you know them! So many things go on that you cannot stop reading, thinking you are missing out! I have thoroughly enjoyed all books in this series and will definitely be reading number 4!!
February 20, 2017
A decent fast paced thriller about a faction of renegade Serbian rebel soldiers hunting for American and British soldiers involved in a massacre which was hushed up due to the involvement of higher-ups in the CIA.
January 8, 2019
Addictive
Great pace, easy to read. Unpredictable and heart racing. Love the way these books pull together, comes from all angles to meet in the middle. Archer is a great main character, smart moves, skilled and his heart is in the right place.
Great pace, easy to read. Unpredictable and heart racing. Love the way these books pull together, comes from all angles to meet in the middle. Archer is a great main character, smart moves, skilled and his heart is in the right place.
October 7, 2015
Third in the series and maintaining the pace and danger of the previous two. An incident that took place during the war in Kosovo leads to Cobb and others being targeted by former Kosovan Elite Forces. Makes for a lively and exciting read, showing just what revenge means to some people. Interesting change of direction at the end.
October 15, 2017
This is a decent book that has a lot of action in it but a somewhat cheesy and cliché ending. The writing style is a little awkward at times with the author repeatedly repeating similar words within a couple of sentences and this repetition gets annoying. Overall, the storyline is good, however, and it was an enjoyable read with quite a bit happening throughout.
September 28, 2016
Interesting plot but the constant descriptions of weaponry and the action scenes make it feel more like a video game in print. The characters were stereotypes. Not the most subtle writing I've ever read but it was an okay commuting read. Won't read another in the series though.
January 20, 2019
Terrific!
Another terrific Sam Archer book and another all nighter. I’m sorry, but I don’t expect to get any sleep at night if I am reading aSam Archer book.
Another terrific Sam Archer book and another all nighter. I’m sorry, but I don’t expect to get any sleep at night if I am reading aSam Archer book.
April 4, 2019
Whilst I was reading
This is one of worst books of the genre, I’ve ever read. The author, if he continues to write such books ought to leave his Liberal aspersions at the door of his writing room. It’s unheard of for the "baddies" to kill as many as the men that they are after. Jack Reacher or John Puller would never let that happen. He needs to read Lee Child and David Baldacci to learn how to write this type of book. I wouldn’t ever read another book by this author. Don’t waste your time on this author's books.
This is one of worst books of the genre, I’ve ever read. The author, if he continues to write such books ought to leave his Liberal aspersions at the door of his writing room. It’s unheard of for the "baddies" to kill as many as the men that they are after. Jack Reacher or John Puller would never let that happen. He needs to read Lee Child and David Baldacci to learn how to write this type of book. I wouldn’t ever read another book by this author. Don’t waste your time on this author's books.
January 29, 2018
Lots of Action in a Good Guys against the Bad Plot
Blackout is an action thriller, with the good guys (Archer and his teammates) against the bad. And for that simple storyline, it has all the right parts. The pacing is fast. You hardly have time to relax from one attack to the next. The action scenes are intense, explicit, and sometimes grisly (be forewarned). The tension is good, with a foe that appears invincible. And all of those parts are well done. But if you’re looking for more – say character development beyond the minimal or even a bit of a romantic backstory? Well, you need to look elsewhere.
Blackout builds suspense by methodically revealing first, what’s happening, then who’s involved, and finally, why. In fact, the why continues to almost the end of the book…which is possible because there are ten targets and seven killers, not including Archer’s organization, the Armed Response Unit (ARU). We end up with a lot of stories about upbringing, battles, and family, but these generally serve to reinforce a stereotype. Even Archer, who seems to lament his time away from a woman he likes, puts himself squarely in the macho, save-the-world mold when he thinks, “To be with her, he would have to leave the Armed Response Unit. And right now that wasn't something he was prepared to do.”
The tension in Blackout is stoked by the fact that the good guys are less experienced, less well armed, and less ruthless than their foe. That stumped me at first, as a job with “one of the two premier counter-terrorist squads” in London would seem to attract ex-special forces personnel. But for some reason, the men of the ARU came up through the police ranks, a fact that becomes clear later in the book. Yeah, you’re not going to stop a terrorist by reading him his rights.
Although I’ve said the storyline is simple, the good guys are wearing gray hats, not white, as you will find. More could have been made of that issue, but then, it probably would have come at the expense of the action. And action is this book’s forte. I can’t fault the author for his decision.
There were only a few places where I ended up scratching my head. For one, the bad guys’ safe house was a recently completed office building. It had such poor security that they seemed to come and go at will over several days, even wiring it for self-destruction in advance. Or in another case, one of the targets decided to hide in an unknown location…after telling everyone else in the office where they would be. That seemed to go well beyond naivete.
But these concerns were small and overall, the tension and pace of this action thriller are hard to beat. Just don’t look for too much beyond the good guys against the bad.
Blackout is an action thriller, with the good guys (Archer and his teammates) against the bad. And for that simple storyline, it has all the right parts. The pacing is fast. You hardly have time to relax from one attack to the next. The action scenes are intense, explicit, and sometimes grisly (be forewarned). The tension is good, with a foe that appears invincible. And all of those parts are well done. But if you’re looking for more – say character development beyond the minimal or even a bit of a romantic backstory? Well, you need to look elsewhere.
Blackout builds suspense by methodically revealing first, what’s happening, then who’s involved, and finally, why. In fact, the why continues to almost the end of the book…which is possible because there are ten targets and seven killers, not including Archer’s organization, the Armed Response Unit (ARU). We end up with a lot of stories about upbringing, battles, and family, but these generally serve to reinforce a stereotype. Even Archer, who seems to lament his time away from a woman he likes, puts himself squarely in the macho, save-the-world mold when he thinks, “To be with her, he would have to leave the Armed Response Unit. And right now that wasn't something he was prepared to do.”
The tension in Blackout is stoked by the fact that the good guys are less experienced, less well armed, and less ruthless than their foe. That stumped me at first, as a job with “one of the two premier counter-terrorist squads” in London would seem to attract ex-special forces personnel. But for some reason, the men of the ARU came up through the police ranks, a fact that becomes clear later in the book. Yeah, you’re not going to stop a terrorist by reading him his rights.
Although I’ve said the storyline is simple, the good guys are wearing gray hats, not white, as you will find. More could have been made of that issue, but then, it probably would have come at the expense of the action. And action is this book’s forte. I can’t fault the author for his decision.
There were only a few places where I ended up scratching my head. For one, the bad guys’ safe house was a recently completed office building. It had such poor security that they seemed to come and go at will over several days, even wiring it for self-destruction in advance. Or in another case, one of the targets decided to hide in an unknown location…after telling everyone else in the office where they would be. That seemed to go well beyond naivete.
But these concerns were small and overall, the tension and pace of this action thriller are hard to beat. Just don’t look for too much beyond the good guys against the bad.
November 25, 2017
Will I Read Another in this Series?
As the rating shows, I was disappointed with this book in the series. Was it really necessary for so many deaths and blood and gore? I don't think so. Even murder gets boring after so many murders. I have enjoyed others in the series, so I may give it one more try.
As the rating shows, I was disappointed with this book in the series. Was it really necessary for so many deaths and blood and gore? I don't think so. Even murder gets boring after so many murders. I have enjoyed others in the series, so I may give it one more try.
January 18, 2018
Backout
Master story telling. The setting in London and across the pond. Fast action never stopping. I look forward to reading the next adventure of Archer getting acquainted with America
Master story telling. The setting in London and across the pond. Fast action never stopping. I look forward to reading the next adventure of Archer getting acquainted with America
July 22, 2025
A group of Serbian rebels and their families were gunned down by british and american agents. The survivors of this brutal killing spree are out for revenge, in both countries. They are well trained, well organised, well armed and good planners. The 8 agents who were on this revenge attack are now being hunted by the rebels and the murdered are piling up quickly and one of these british agents waiting to be killed is the boss of Agent Sam Archer. The attacks are well co-ordinated and they are happening over a few days in America and Britain, quite a few have already been murdered before the intelligence agencies realise that they have a serious problem.
The book is fast paced and is relentless in its pursuit on both sides of the atrocity which took place. The agents are being gunned down fast and they are heading now for britain. There isn't time to effectively hide the last remaining few. The scene where Archer's boss is in his office with others in hiding when the serbians ram in and start firing. Except that Archer's boss had bullet proof windows fitted a few months ago and they are holding out and the serbians agents have to flee fast.
I thought the story was exciting, fast paced, bit complicated at times, but a very good book. This is number 3 in the series so am off to look up the others!
The book is fast paced and is relentless in its pursuit on both sides of the atrocity which took place. The agents are being gunned down fast and they are heading now for britain. There isn't time to effectively hide the last remaining few. The scene where Archer's boss is in his office with others in hiding when the serbians ram in and start firing. Except that Archer's boss had bullet proof windows fitted a few months ago and they are holding out and the serbians agents have to flee fast.
I thought the story was exciting, fast paced, bit complicated at times, but a very good book. This is number 3 in the series so am off to look up the others!
August 14, 2023
Looked forward to this book. Unfortunately, it simply didn’t measure up. The writing is a bit quirky. I read the word “handbrake” 20 times in a chapter but it was more than just this example. There was a fair amount of random detail down to a “foam coffee cup”. Aside from the quirks, it was hard to really dive in to the storyline. The characters don’t reel you
in, you’re not really rooting for anyone. It lacks buy in as well as continuity. Sure, there’s action, but it’s choppy and some of it just doesn’t made sense. For a bunch of guys who are “saving the world”, the communications are weird. Maybe it’s not a stand alone book and if you were up to speed on the previous books this one is a breeze. I wouldn’t read the others based on this read.
in, you’re not really rooting for anyone. It lacks buy in as well as continuity. Sure, there’s action, but it’s choppy and some of it just doesn’t made sense. For a bunch of guys who are “saving the world”, the communications are weird. Maybe it’s not a stand alone book and if you were up to speed on the previous books this one is a breeze. I wouldn’t read the others based on this read.
July 6, 2025
This is an unusual war story in that there's a 15 year time lapse in the events that lead to the plot of this story that takes place in the current day. The story involves a special police unit in London. The lead officer of that unit was involved in a special rescue operation in Kosovo 15 years earlier. The action of that rescue is the cause of today's events.
Sam Archer, the series' subject is a member of the special unit. The story contains moral ambiguities about the consequences of war not addressed in most war stories. Action-filled with a collection of good characters and villains.
I thought the climax had holes in the action sequences but still had a satisfactory ending.
I'm looking forward to reading #2
Sam Archer, the series' subject is a member of the special unit. The story contains moral ambiguities about the consequences of war not addressed in most war stories. Action-filled with a collection of good characters and villains.
I thought the climax had holes in the action sequences but still had a satisfactory ending.
I'm looking forward to reading #2
January 22, 2020
I felt this book was of average fare. When the troops headed off to resolve a new issue with the Serbs, it was fairly easy to think ahead and know what was coming. When they went off to save the next victim, I always knew they’d be too late. I’ll continue reading his books in hopes of thicker plots and fewer cold killings. Easy to kill, but do it with imagination. Killers like these don���t just show up for another massacre, this “elite” unit must have better intelligence to provide warnings.
July 16, 2021
ARU looks like amature's unit
The ARU personnel behave as though this is their first assignment. The villains can follow them. They can attack the headquarters twice in a day. The boss hides but tells everyone where he would be hiding. He is supposed to control the unit from there, but can not be contacted at crucial time. Every time the villain attacks he puts off the main switch and no one can stop it.
All though written well, the above lacunae makes it irritating.
The ARU personnel behave as though this is their first assignment. The villains can follow them. They can attack the headquarters twice in a day. The boss hides but tells everyone where he would be hiding. He is supposed to control the unit from there, but can not be contacted at crucial time. Every time the villain attacks he puts off the main switch and no one can stop it.
All though written well, the above lacunae makes it irritating.
April 23, 2019
Military drama
in a riveting story with non-super heroes in good guy roles. Regular guys with regular families and military training. Terrific timing on auth’s part, just enough down time to help catch your breath. Will read more of this writer’s work and recommend that others start.
in a riveting story with non-super heroes in good guy roles. Regular guys with regular families and military training. Terrific timing on auth’s part, just enough down time to help catch your breath. Will read more of this writer’s work and recommend that others start.
Read
February 10, 2020As all the other books, a lot of action, however this book had a lot of explanations and it was needed. The reason why a bunch of seemingly unrelated people start getting killed. They do pass the buck a bit, but our hero, the blond, good looking English man, comes out with a few scars but he can take a lot of mistreatment. An enjoyable read if you believe the good guy should win!
Read
March 5, 2020Revenge is a dish best served cold!
Sam Archer returns and finds himself embroiled in a sadistic revenge plot with one of the targets his own boss. As the team race to stop the assassins and the bodies mount up Sam finds himself in the crosshairs of a madman. I recommend this action packed seat of the pants thriller to all lovers of good books.
Sam Archer returns and finds himself embroiled in a sadistic revenge plot with one of the targets his own boss. As the team race to stop the assassins and the bodies mount up Sam finds himself in the crosshairs of a madman. I recommend this action packed seat of the pants thriller to all lovers of good books.
July 8, 2021
Blood-thirsty tale of a revenge-seeking group of Albanian ex-soldiers who escape from an obscure
Serbian prison and set out to kill British and American military involved in the war following the USSR collapse. Nicknamed the Black Panthers because of their reputed ferocity, they have inhuman physical and mental powers despite a decade of incarceration in a cruel prison.
Serbian prison and set out to kill British and American military involved in the war following the USSR collapse. Nicknamed the Black Panthers because of their reputed ferocity, they have inhuman physical and mental powers despite a decade of incarceration in a cruel prison.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2022
On the edge of your seat
So much can happen in just a short amount of time. This story takes that to a whole new level. The non-stop action keeps you on the edge of your seat. This story is an excellent work of artistry. The characters give you the sense of knowing them fully. The plot is well defined. I'm looking forward to the next one.
So much can happen in just a short amount of time. This story takes that to a whole new level. The non-stop action keeps you on the edge of your seat. This story is an excellent work of artistry. The characters give you the sense of knowing them fully. The plot is well defined. I'm looking forward to the next one.
July 19, 2025
Blackout is a story of a group of men who had their family killed 15 years ago by three drunken soldiers. They seek revenge on the soldiers and one day they start to get it. The story is very well done, and is full of suspense. The only questionable aspect is that a small team takes them on without getting full backup support. I would read more by this author.
August 25, 2017
Another great book!!
I've read every one of the books in the series so far and enjoyed each more than the previous one. Tom Barber puts so much action into his books that I don't want to stop reading and want to finish so that I can start reading the next.
I've read every one of the books in the series so far and enjoyed each more than the previous one. Tom Barber puts so much action into his books that I don't want to stop reading and want to finish so that I can start reading the next.
December 26, 2017
Plenty of action to keep the reader engrossed!
With a string of seemingly disconnected murders in both the UK and the US, a pattern emerges that shakes the foundation of a UK counter-terrorism organization. This story has good character development and an interesting plot!
With a string of seemingly disconnected murders in both the UK and the US, a pattern emerges that shakes the foundation of a UK counter-terrorism organization. This story has good character development and an interesting plot!
January 1, 2018
This is the kind of book that you want to read more of.
You don't learn a lot about Sam Archer personally but the story line more than makes up for that. I definitely want to read more of the Sam Archer books.
You don't learn a lot about Sam Archer personally but the story line more than makes up for that. I definitely want to read more of the Sam Archer books.
June 18, 2018
Great story line
Would recommend this book and this character to anyone that enjoys Action/Adventure genre. Well written, excellent story line and fast paced. The major flaw I saw was in the research he did about the weapons. Glock pistols don’t have safeties.
Would recommend this book and this character to anyone that enjoys Action/Adventure genre. Well written, excellent story line and fast paced. The major flaw I saw was in the research he did about the weapons. Glock pistols don’t have safeties.
September 3, 2018
Very Good
This was my first experience with this author, and I am pleasantly surprised. This book was really good. I like the characters, and this story. Very written well, giving a great back story on how each of the Black Panthers became who they were.
This was my first experience with this author, and I am pleasantly surprised. This book was really good. I like the characters, and this story. Very written well, giving a great back story on how each of the Black Panthers became who they were.
October 5, 2018
War Revenge
Another great story from the files of Sam Archer. And once again great writing. Tom Barber has done a fabulous job in crafting this book, great flow, this book is packed with mystery, adventure and action. On to the next chapter.
Another great story from the files of Sam Archer. And once again great writing. Tom Barber has done a fabulous job in crafting this book, great flow, this book is packed with mystery, adventure and action. On to the next chapter.
May 28, 2019
Well crafted cliffhanger
Fast paced. Intriguing. Characters consistent. Brit speak and American vernacular seamlessly added into the mix. I will read more from this author. Some people introduced into the story could have either been developed or not mentioned.
Fast paced. Intriguing. Characters consistent. Brit speak and American vernacular seamlessly added into the mix. I will read more from this author. Some people introduced into the story could have either been developed or not mentioned.
March 7, 2021
Can't understand how the man got killed with the A.R U present surely they would have seen men turn up with weapons and when the cars got blown up would have thought they would have had a look out outside !!Good story but lot of flaws as to their being professional .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews