Along the border in Texas, a deadly firefight claims the lives of two Border Patrol agents. On a highway in suburban Virginia, a bomb blast targets the director of the CIA. From the halls of power in D.C., secrets reach out, signing the death warrants of those who uncover them.
For CIA Paramilitary Harry Nichols, deceit has become a way of life. Fifteen years in the Clandestine Service have left him weary, recovering from a devastating betrayal. Little does he know...the betrayals have only begun.
With CIA Director David Lay missing and presumed dead, Nichols finds himself tasked with protecting Lay's estranged daughter and hunted by an ex-Spetsnaz kill team. His only mission is to keep her safe. Her only desire is to find the man who ordered her father's murder. For him, she becomes the only motivation to leave behind the life of violence he's known, but only his talent for violence can save them now. Pursued by an unknown enemy, their danger will draw them together, even as her quest for truth plunges them both into the abyss.
But as their world turns upside down, as a Pakistani terrorist prepares to attack an American city, even as everything once sure turns to quicksand, one thing becomes breathtakingly clear.
All that stands between them and the truth is an American president willing to bury his secrets one enemy at a time.
Stephen England is the author of the bestselling Shadow Warriors thrillers, including Amazon's #1 Bestselling Political Thriller, Pandora's Grave, and its long-awaited sequel, Day of Reckoning--a novel hailed as "the perfect spy thriller for our time--chaotic, cynical, with only a few good men keeping the barbarians from the gate."
Drawing upon nearly a decade of research into the nature of Islam, the Middle East, espionage and counterterrorism operations, England's work has drawn praise for breathing new life into the genre with the hard-edged, unsparing realism of his portrayal of the war on terror, the people who wage it, and the moral and psychological costs exacted of those who take the war to the enemy where he lives. "Soldiers without uniforms. Fighting a war without end. Shadow warriors. . ."
The short stories NIGHTSHADE and TALISMAN round out the Shadow Warriors series, and England's work also includes the stand-alone historical adventure novel, Sword of Neamha.
Stephen England came highly recommended to me through thriller writing colleagues, and the more I discussed politics and national security issues with him, the clearer it became that the man knew what he was talking about. When he offered to send me a free copy of Day of Reckoning for review, it was a no-brainer.
Unlike many thriller novels, Day of Reckoning starts with a bang and rarely ceases its breakneck pace. With the murder of two Border Patrol agents and a successful assassination attempt on DCIA David Lay, paramilitary officer Harry Nichols goes off the reservation, taking Lay's estranged daughter, Carol, with him. Running parallel to this plot line is a scheme by a Pakistani terrorist released from Guantanamo Bay to seek vengeance against the United States, as well a thickening web of corruption surrounding the presidency of one Roger Hancock. While some may find it initially difficult to keep track of all these plots at once, England masterfully sends all lines on a collision course, and the result is well-structured literarily and frighteningly bloody plot-wise.
The authenticity England brings to his novels is reminiscent of the late Tom Clancy. One has to wonder where England--a man with no military or intelligence background--gets the information that he does. It's a testament to his intellect and dedication to the details. The prose itself reads very well, a little on the poetic side but not difficult to read. England does his best to bring the reader up to speed with the events of the opening Shadow Warriors work, Pandora's Grave, though I feel more of the details would have been apparent had I read Pandora's Grave first. It's not necessary to do so--the overall plot is still easily comprehended--but it's highly recommended. Day of Reckoning's ending also sets the stage for the next book, Embrace the Fire, which I will be looking forward to reading.
One other thing England is to be commended for is his knowledge of the Islamic world. Unlike other authors of the genre who prefer to go with what they hear on the news, it is apparent England has devoted much time and effort to studying Islam, as well as jihadism. He does an excellent job of portraying things as they are, and not as what one side or another in the media says it is. When reading scenes that deal with jihadists and Muslims, the difference is immediately clear. It reads more like a journalistic account rather than a propagandist piece.
Day of Reckoning is a welcome introduction to England's work. It is a harrowing tour de force representative of how to write an action thriller, a work that taps into current political concerns and national security threats then extrapolates them into a taut, gripping thriller. Ladies and gentlemen, clear some space on your bookshelf and add some money to your book purse, because Stephen England is in the thriller game in a big way and he's here to stay.
I must confess, I was worried when I heard the teasers for this book. I wondered “how will a domestic chemical weapon strike on American soil top the horrifying false-flag biowarfare attack on one of the world’s holiest sites in the last book?” Well, “Day Of Reckoning” by Stephen England pulls it off in style through a combination of epic action scenes, increasing the paranoia to Orwellian levels and throwing in some major character development for the colossal cast of characters. Now to the review. Everyone knows that it’s illegal for the CIA to operate knowingly on American soil. Officially. But when no one knows……
The novel kicks off with the protagonist, Harry Nicholas going through a grilling with the CIA inspector general at Langley. Elsewhere, the DCI, David Lay is being chauffeured to work when a suicide bomber attacks his SUV. In the chaos, Lay is missing and a replacement is hustled up on short notice. Meanwhile, Nicholas discovers a phone with a message from Lay, hinting at a ghastly political conspiracy and ordering him to secure Lay’s daughter Carol and run for the hills before the plotters target her. Harry does so, being forced to use a taser on several CIA employees and becoming a fugitive as a result of his actions. As this is going on, a Pakistani terrorist and former Guantanamo Bay inmate arrives in the USA and purchases a unique chemical weapon, his target unknown. With Harry running from every alphabet agency in the USA , he’s also forced to stop the Pakistani’s terrorist attack, the titular “Day Of Reckoning” or die trying.
Plot-wise, “Day Of Reckoning” is brilliant. Gunfire, technology, an epic political conspiracy, it’s all there and a whole lot more. The author even elegantly inserted a social commentary/subtext in the book, but unlike others which are “preachy” and often irrelevant to the books they appear in, this one is highly plot relevant and helps make the atmosphere bursting with paranoia. The settings are also excellent. Like a modern day Roger Thornhill albeit one with a M1911A1 in a shoulder holster and a H&K UMP .45 in his hand luggage, Nicholas takes a cross country trip with car chases in Virginia to gunfights on the highways of Los Angeles and a frantic, bittersweet climax in Caesar’s Palace Nevada, there’s also a certain LeCarre melancholy in the settings, due to the book being set near Christmas. As for research, “Day Of Reckoning” is one of the best researched spy thrillers released this year. From a crash course in bomb disposal to flying decades-old helicopters out of kill-zones, people bored with re-reading their old Tom Clancy novels will drool at all the tradecraft, tactics and weapons presented in the book.
As for characters, “Day Of Reckoning” shines, with a gigantic yet life-like cast of characters. As there are too many good characters to discuss, here are three standouts. Harry Nicholas, the protagonist while a solid hero in the previous book goes through major upheavals in Day Of Reckoning. From finding love while on the run and reflecting on the career choices he’s made over the course of 15 long years in the Special Activities Division, we get to poke around Harry's head, see how he ticks and what drove him to signing up on a thankless and dangerous calling. Next, there’s Sammy Han, one of Harry’s former colleagues, now a recluse roughing it in a secret government bunker. Readers of the short story “Nightshade” where Han first appears will be shocked like I was when we finally meet him in a snowy hilltop. From a happy, almost optimistic man, he’s now a bitter, tragic figure suffering from PTSD. The author uses him to demonstrate one of the books many themes, that the job of killing terrorists is not glamorous but emotionally costly to most involved, and that the reader should appreciate the service they do, that of being “the rough men who do battle on our behalf as we sleep peacefully at night”. Finally we have the anti-hero Alexei Vasiliev, the FSB representative at the Russian consulate in LA and the one who steals the show. He’s one of the best Russian spies portrayed in fiction, charming, hilarious and lightening up what is a very dark affair. He’s also one of Harry’s biggest allies and at several critical junctures saves his operations from falling apart. Vasiliev even gets what is basically a happy ending, leaving the story completely intact and with a feather in his cap as a bonus.
“Day Of Reckoning” is one of the best “independent” published thrillers released in 2013. With a delicious cocktail of top notch research, LeCarre’ style atmosphere, action scenes that will make your eyes bulge and “24” style grit and paranoia, you will be cheating yourself by not downloading this book on Kindle. If Tom Clancy was the thriller author for the age of Regan, if Vince Flynn was the thriller author for the age of Bush, then Stephen England has written the perfect spy thriller for the age of Obama, chaotic, cynical with only a few good men keeping the Barbarians away from the gates. Overall, “Day Of Reckoning” blows its predecessor “Pandora’s Grave” out of the water in terms of quality and is the best spy thriller I've read in 2013.EXTREMELY RECOMMENDED.
Rarely have I had the privilege of reading a book as well researched, well written, and terrified me as much as Stephen England’s newest opus. If 1/8 of this book is true, I suggest you build a bunker, stock it well, or RUN! When you work for the Border Patrol along the Rio Grande, you expect to run into the occasional “Coyote”… an illegal smuggler, a guide for illegal aliens, etc, but not someone that is carrying a fully automatic Kalashnikov and speaks Pashtu. Harold (Harry to his friends) Nichols is a well-seasoned combat veteran who has returned to work for the CIA after a disastrous betrayal. Being interrogated by a superior is bad enough, but having your personal loyalty questioned by a member of the armed forces is hurtful. During his interrogation he receives a call telling him that the DCIA has been the target of a bombing, and that he again has been betrayed. Director David Lay and Harry had worked together for years, so they are friends as well as combat buddies. When Harry located a “drop” phone from Lay saying that if Harry is listening to it, then Lay’s dead, he’s stunned. Lay begs him to take his daughter Carol and RUN as there is even more going on at Langley and its all bad. So where do you go to hide in plain sight? How do you exact revenge on the person that’s killed your father? From Virginia, to Maryland, to West Virginia, to Kentucky, to Dearborn Michigan, Las Vegas, and California Harry and his few hopefully trustworthy friends make a run for it, praying that Lay isn’t dead and that things aren’t as bad as they seem. Sorry, they are worse. When a Russian Mafia guy gets his hands on Soman (a cross between Sarin and VX nerve gas) and a delivery system and and sells it to an ex gitmo detainee Tarik abdul Muhammand who decides he’s going to exact his own revenge on the USA, Harry, of course, gets caught up in it and tried to stop it. The thing is, when you’re in the military you are taught to obey orders, and to have each other’s backs in times of trouble. So what do you do when even your commander in Chief is corrupt? Most orders come from the top down. If you buy only one CIA thriller this year, this is the one to buy. You can’t put it down. It’s fast paced, packed full of information unknown to the common man, but will terrify you.
England may just be getting his feet wet as a writer, but he can hold his own with Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, Tom Clancy, and just about everyone else. I’m already dying to get his next book. So Mr. England, PLEASE, write more and soon!
When I read and reviewed the first book of this 'Shadow Warriors' series, Pandora's Grave, I remarked on how impressed I was that a new author could manage to write such a good novel in the over-crowded thriller/anti-terrorist genre. So when I approached this book, quite frankly I was more than a little worried that it would fail to live up to the promise of such a strong beginning to the series.
Happily, I can report that lightning does, indeed, strike twice. This novel is a sequel to that first novel...but it is so much more than "just a sequel". Once again, the author is not afraid to take chances with his characters and plot. So many times these kinds of thrillers are predictable. They mostly tend to be about how the hero, despite overwhelming odds, leads a team to get the bad guys and save the day. And while, at times, the pace and action in this novel does remind me of the Jason Bourne series, or the TV show '24', it delves much deeper into the complexities of terrorists and those that fight against them.
The main character, Harry Nichols is a complex person and has no trouble going way off the grid and taking matters into his own hands. But unlike most thrillers, Harry pays deeply for his actions. There are lots and lots of other characters but I never felt lost or confused on who's who. Even though it's a roller coaster of a plot, it's paced exceedingly well, allowing time for us readers to catch our breath. The chapters are broken down into relatively short segments, denoted with time and location stamps much like a Tom Clancy or W.E.B. Griffin novel, so it's hard to lose your way. I was also pleased to see the author display his knowledge of the military and spy craft without beating me over the head with it. No long paragraphs detailing weapons platforms.
By the end of the book, it's apparent that the novel is just part of a much larger epic. Many plots and subplots are resolved (and several of them coaxed me to do a mental fist pump in satisfaction), but not everything is wrapped up in a nice little bow. The next book is clearly laid out and we know what to expect coming up.
It's so satisfying to see a young author that is so good and still at the beginning of an inevitably long career. I will be following him for as long as he writes. But for now, I wish he could write faster (without sacrificing quality, mind you) so I can start reading book number three.
Day of Reckoning by Stephen England is the second novel in the Shadow Warriors series.
An assassination attempt on CIA Director David Lay leaves him missing, presumed dead and CIA operative Harry Nichols finds himself protecting Lay’s daughter who is sought after by the same team that hunted her father.
Nichols’ mission is to keep the girl alive until he finds who killed her father, but as the plot thickens, it turns out that a much larger threat, one that would kill thousands, is tangled in the mix.
Day of Reckoning by Stephen England is a mixture of political intrigue, thriller and high octane adventure. Mr. England’s writing has improved and his story telling ability, which was always good, is even better in this novel. I enjoyed the first book in the series, Pandora’s Grave, but enjoyed this second novel more.
The story starts with a bang (literally and figuratively) and doesn’t let up until the last pages. The narrative is told in neck breaking speed with an authentic, real-life, feel. Mr. England’s attention to detail does not impede the narrative from flowing and he works that in very well with the storyline.
I found that Mr. England does not write to the lowest common denominator, his work makes me think about the issues. Rather than simply tell the reader what to think, the author paints a picture of a grey world with very few absolutes.
Even though this novel is the second in the series, it is a standalone story which one could enjoy. The returning characters are re-introduced and the synopsis of the first book is rehashed throughout. The story is told horizontally, meaning that the various storylines are happening at the same time but at a different location. The author did a great job setting up the pages so the breaks are easy to follow and understand.
Mr. England is getting better and better with every book. This political thriller / action novel is no different. The author shows that independent authors can hold their own with their published cousins, providing a top-notch thriller and outstanding entertainment.
The world falls apart quickly and convincingly at the start of Stephen England’s Day of Reckoning. Border patrol agents die in Texas, the head of the CIA is targeted by a bomb in Virginia, and paramilitary CIA agent Harry Nichols is suddenly on the run, hunted by all and desperate to fulfill one last request. Betrayals come thick and fast, and the reader, following various different characters through the plot, is often left waiting to find out which side each warrior might be on. The result creates a surprising depth in this fast-action novel. What would you do? Who would you betray? And when should one who’s sworn to obey risk taking up arms along a different path?
Added to all these questions are issues of the protagonist’s faith and past. It’s pleasing to see both Christian and Muslim characters pondering where faith and violence meet. The subtext of honesty and loyalty adds credence to Harry’s dilemma when he finds his heart and soul pouring their questions into his training. But training and a talent for violence might be all that stands between life and death, for himself and those around him.
Day of Reckoning is long, and ought to be a long drawn-out read. But it’s not. It’s fast and furious, intriguing and thought-provoking, intelligent and exciting, and I sincerely hope to encourage my husband to read it.
Disclosure: I was given a free copy by the author after I enjoyed the first book, Pandora’s Grave, in this Shadow Warriors series.
I thoroughly enjoyed Stephen's first book in the Shadow Warriors series , Pandora's Grave, I expected nothing less than an edge of the seat thrill ride, I wasn't to be disappointed. CIA agent Harry Nichols will stop at nothing,no matter the cost to protect the daughter of CIA Director David Lay. Stephen has a knack for character development that is refreshing, leaves you waiting impatiently for his next book.
A thriller that stays with you long after the last page!
“Day of Reckoning” is a dark, enthralling tale of high concept action and suspense! Stephen England masterfully jumbles multiple engaging plotlines, while brilliantly reflecting on the harsh reality of our times!
Stephen has a unique gift-- the words fly off the pages at you and the pace of the story keeps the book in your hands! I completely devoured this book. The story was well researched and unfortunately, very plausible with the way the world is going today. Highly recommend!
A brilliant mixture of a fast paced action packed story and a suspenseful, edge of of your seat thriller. Great read for anyone interested in CIA type stories. Could not put this book down. In my opinion a story which is masterfully told.
Any additional comments? One of the best audiobooks in the Thriller genre that I’ve listened to in recent memory, Day of Reckoning is the second book in the Shadow Warriors series by bestselling author Stephen England. I enjoyed Mr. England’s writing style since I read Pandora’s Grave last year, and this time around, the new narrator, Colin Iago McCarthy is just amazing and fits all requirements in order to deliver a very entertaining and truly immersive listening experience.
A firefight near the border in Texas, the director of the Central intelligence agency missing and presumed dead, his daughter hunted by Russian assassins, terrorists on US soil looking to strike again at the heart of America and one man trying to make sense of it all. After the dramatic events in Pandora’s Grave, CIA special operator Harry Nichols still feels the betrayal and hurt of that tragic mission, but he must protect at all costs the CIA Director‘s daughter. Nichols‘s job will get much harder as everyone, from traitors in the CIA to politicians, high up in the US government, to Russian spies and to a highly trained ex-Spetsnaz special forces team, want him and his principle dead. They will stop at nothing in thier mission to bring down Nichols and the girl, while our hero will protect her with his own life…
The story of Day of Reckoning is very well thought out, with multiple plot points and complicated characters that will draw near towards the end of the book for a very emotional conclusion. Believe me when I tell you that I cried at one point, and although I loved the characters from the begining, I didn’t realise how much I cared for them until they were in harm’s way. Stephen England is one of those rare authors who doesn’t use profanity or on needed violence in his works. His books are easy to read and it’s very clear the a lot of research has been done for them.
As I said in the intro of this review, Day of Reckoning is one of the best thriller audiobooks that I’ve listened to in recent memory and that is in part due to the excellent performance delivered by Colin Iago McCarthy. This narrator, although not as well known like others in the Audiobooks Industry can stand alongside them as he brings all the characters to life with passion and talent. Day of Reckoning is a long audiobook, over 18 hours in listening time and Mr. McCarthy keeps up the pace, changes voices and accents with ease, keeping all the characters clearly differentiated in the listener’s mind.
I hope to see even more audiobooks from this great author and narrator pair, as they do a fantastic job together. In fact, I already know that a short story in the Shadow Warriors series will be available very soon…
I love so many things about Day of Reckoning that I could write a short story myself, but, I will say this. Stephen England just climbed up to my top of favorites thriller authors and he is up there alongside Tom Clancy, W.E.B Griffin, Mark Greaney and Daniel Silva. If you want a great, unputdownable, immersive thriller with an original plot and characters that you’ll care for, Day of Reckoning is the perfect book for you.
Another splendid action/adventure/thriller novel featuring CIA counter-terrorism agent Harry Nichols. This novel takes you from one action scene and a resolution of a terror threat that leads you right into the next terror threat and the next terror threat and so forth. It is non-stop action and suspense as the good guys don’t always achieve complete victory. Innocent and not so innocent people die. The action scenes are well written and bring you plenty of tension and suspense. This thriller is somewhat of a continuation of the novel titled Pandora’s Grave. While it probably isn’t necessary to read Pandora’s Grave, it would be helpful. All plot lines from Day of Reckoning aren’t completely resolved. You’ll have to continue onto the next book in the Shadow Warriors series, Embrace the Fire, if you need resolution to plot lines left open at the conclusion of Day of Reckoning. I know I’ll be reading that next installment of the Shadow Warriors series. I gave this book, Day of Reckoning, 4 stars instead of 5 because the skill set of the terrorist and their worldwide connections seemed implausible to me. If real terrorist are as good and as well connected as this set of fictional terrorist, the real world is in for much more trouble. However, Day of Reckoning is a work of fiction and an enjoyable read if taken as fiction and not reading it in a manner that attempts to see if it could fit into the real world.
Loved,loved,loved this book. I just didn't expect it to start the way it did and the race against time. Nichols being the protector but on the run meant every minute was like a wound up coil. There's one thing about this author and that is, he's not afraid for the unthinkable events to happen. I'm not spoiling this book by giving that review because I'm thinking of a couple of times where my mouth was open and I couldn't say anything at all then... "Oh My God". This is the book where trust me if you're beginning to predict the end. You're wrong!! Stephen England is now my favourite author after these two books and book three. Moving into book 4 but just getting my heart to return to normal. I love this genre. I've read the SAS books and lots of others thinking they were so good but they don't come close to this author.
What an outstanding and superbly crafted story. Brilliant from the first page to the last. Entanglement, intrigue, betrayal... enthralling. I cannot wait to read the others in the series. Even when not actually reading the story, I kept thinking of the protagonists next move.. what would it be! My mind would not leave the plot alone. This is story telling at its best
Then s novel exceeded every aspect I could have imagined. The plot is realistic and the action keeps the reader at the edge of their seat or side of their bed because this is a story that is extremely difficult to put down. I look forward to reading Mr. England's next Shadow Warriors book. How he can possibly keep up this momentum is to be seen. Keep up the good work Stephen!
England keeps this series incredibly exciting. Harry Nichols is becoming my new hero. England shows a unique sense of excitement as well as a bit of ironic humor in the story. I need to rest my eyes after the last hundred pages to the climax of the story. A must read for political action fans
This is the second of the series I have read. Totally loved the first book. This one was even better in my opinion. I could not put it down. A little disappointed in the end for a few of the characters (don't want to be a spoiler here). I highly recommend the author and I'm on to book 3
This has been a thrill ride up to this point and I really think it can only get better! The author words seem to leap off the page. Espionage, betrayal, and back room deals abound from page one. Add in a fierce lowalty to team mates and I am hooked. 10 stars from me.
If you take the time to read this novel x you will be rewarded with a complex story probably based more in reality than fantasy. Bringing realism to the forefront to take on another journey, a sad but rewarding path... Worth every penny.
Several good storylines that intertwined with each other. I wasn't extremely pleased with the ending, however some of the sub-climaxes were entertaining.
This story is awesome and thrilling. I had problems going to sleep, the scenes were so realistic. And thought provoking. It brought to my imagination the "what if" question. England is a master of prose especially dislogue.
A scary and frightening truth that whist a work of fiction with the ever looming fear of Trump on the horizon a truth that is in the making God help America and the rest of the world !