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Paul Chavasse #5
Dark Side of the Street
With commando-like precision, someone was breaking Britain's most notorious prisoners out of jail, and delivering convicted spies back to the Soviets. His code name was The Baron -- there was just one way to trace him: put a secret operative inside the walls and let the Baron get him out.
To do it the Special Branch needed an agent with the cunning mind of a criminal and the cold heart of a killer. That agent was Paul Chavasse.
To do it the Special Branch needed an agent with the cunning mind of a criminal and the cold heart of a killer. That agent was Paul Chavasse.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1967
367 people are currently reading
383 people want to read
About the author
Martin Fallon
21 books6 followersOne of the many pseudonyms used by Henry Patterson. See Jack Higgins for more complete information.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 18, 2016
Ben Hoffa was whisked away from prison with little fuss – but it brought the attention of the special branch to the fore. They suspected Harry Youngblood would be next – because of the nature of the crimes – and before he knew it, Intelligence Agent Paul Chavasse was inside prison alongside Harry, determined to become his new best friend. Paul Chavasse was now Paul Drummond, undercover and not liking prison that much.
The escape was well planned but they hadn’t expected another person along for the ride. But Chavasse knew the game and kept his eyes open. And he didn’t like what he could see. The psychopath who was directing the escape was supposedly leading them to the Baron – an enigmatic crime leader no one seemed to know anything about. But had Chavasse finally bitten off more than he could chew?
Dark Side of the Street by Jack Higgins is another intense and gritty thriller that I read in a matter of hours. The pace is electric; the twists and turns fill the book. I love this author’s work and highly recommend Dark Side of the Street to readers of the genre.
The escape was well planned but they hadn’t expected another person along for the ride. But Chavasse knew the game and kept his eyes open. And he didn’t like what he could see. The psychopath who was directing the escape was supposedly leading them to the Baron – an enigmatic crime leader no one seemed to know anything about. But had Chavasse finally bitten off more than he could chew?
Dark Side of the Street by Jack Higgins is another intense and gritty thriller that I read in a matter of hours. The pace is electric; the twists and turns fill the book. I love this author’s work and highly recommend Dark Side of the Street to readers of the genre.
December 31, 2017
This story was great.....until its end. Quite the shame and waste. 7 of 10 stars
March 31, 2024
Hapishanede zengin suçluları kaçıran bir şeye vardır ve bu çete son zamanlarda meşhur hırsızları da kaçırmaya başlar. Şef Mallory bu iş için Chavasse'yi işe sokacaktır. Chavasse bir dükkan soyar ama yakalanır ve Harry Youngwood'un hücre arkadaşı olur. Daha öncede Harry ile hırsızlık yapan Ben Haffa da kaçırılmıştır. Ama sonra bir adama ve yardımcısı Benny tarafından öldürülmüştür. Harry bir gün rahatsızlanır ve Paul Drummond yani Chavasse de onun hayatını kurtarır. Ama hastaneye gittiklerinde buradan Harry kaçırılır. Polisin silahını alan Paul de onlarla kaçar. Bir eve gelirler. Burası Benny'nin evidir. Adam onları Benny'ye öldürtmek ister ama Paul bunu engeller. Üvey kızı Molly de Harry'ye aşıktır ve onlara yardım etmek için o da peşlerine takılır. Örgütün planlayıcısı eski bir psikopat olan Simon Vaughn'dır. İzleri bir yere çeker ama Paul hepsinde başarılı olur. En sonunda kendi de esir düşer ve Baron denilen kont Starza'nın adasına doğru giderler. Gemiye bomba yerleştirse de Simon, Paul geçici olarak etkisi hale getirir. Adada ise esir düşerler. Kont, Harry'ye kaçmaları için teklifte bulunur. Harry bunu kabul eder, ama Paul ne yapacaktır? Molly ona engel olacak mıdır? Sıkılmadan bir solukta okunan bir roman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2022
“He had about him the air of a man who has long since decided that life is obviously a rather bad joke and not to be taken seriously.”
The twenty-first jack Higgins / martin Fallon / Hugh marlowe / harry patterson / henry patterson novel dark side of the street published in 1967. paul chavasse returns in this fifth book in the series. A prison break, helicopter rescue, a shocking ending to the first chapter, an undercover/infiltration mission to bring down a secret organisation that helps traitors defect to foreign nations, a creepy farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, a remote island base of operations - what’s not to love? Great atmosphere, fantastic pacing, action and adventure. Short and punchy with an explosive and satisfying ending.
The twenty-first jack Higgins / martin Fallon / Hugh marlowe / harry patterson / henry patterson novel dark side of the street published in 1967. paul chavasse returns in this fifth book in the series. A prison break, helicopter rescue, a shocking ending to the first chapter, an undercover/infiltration mission to bring down a secret organisation that helps traitors defect to foreign nations, a creepy farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, a remote island base of operations - what’s not to love? Great atmosphere, fantastic pacing, action and adventure. Short and punchy with an explosive and satisfying ending.
May 7, 2017
Harry Youngblood is jailed for twenty years but he believes he can buy his freedom with a shadowy figure on the outside named the Baron.
But Harry's cellmate Drummand (really Paul Chavasse) is working undercover to try and bring the Baron down as he is selling state secrets and the people in prison he "helps" are never heard of again.
Alongside the ruthless Harry can Paul track down the nefarious Baron and bring his operation to its knees?
A brilliant and inventive thriller that reads just like an adventure, a very readable story with a great plot, first one I have read by this author and hope to read more in the future.
But Harry's cellmate Drummand (really Paul Chavasse) is working undercover to try and bring the Baron down as he is selling state secrets and the people in prison he "helps" are never heard of again.
Alongside the ruthless Harry can Paul track down the nefarious Baron and bring his operation to its knees?
A brilliant and inventive thriller that reads just like an adventure, a very readable story with a great plot, first one I have read by this author and hope to read more in the future.
February 28, 2022
#5 in the Paul Chavasse series. This 1967 series entry by author Jack Higgins writing as Martin Fallon is a fine addition to the series. A criminal is suspected of being the next in a series to be broken out of prison by a secret mastermind; Chavasse is convicted of an armed robbery and imprisoned with the target. After Chavasse saves the criminal's life, he invites himself along on the prison break. There is still a long and winding road to reach The Baron, the mastermind behind the prison breaks. Great read.
April 12, 2023
A dang good action story by one of the best. Never read a bad Higgins and this is no exception. Someone named the Baron is getting Britain's most notorious crooks out of jail with daring raids. There is no clue who he is and only chance they have is to put someone under cover in prison to get next to the person they think may be one who will be broke out. That man is Paul Chavasse, a member of special branch.
Highly recommended, a very fast paced action story with great characters. Always enjoy a prison break novel and this has that plus the mystery of who is the Baron going for it.
Highly recommended, a very fast paced action story with great characters. Always enjoy a prison break novel and this has that plus the mystery of who is the Baron going for it.
September 19, 2019
A good yarn
April 29, 2020
Świetny kriminał, historia dziwnego gangu i uciekających więźniów
May 7, 2021
A quick easy read, read it in one afternoon
May 28, 2021
Another great story from Jack Higgins. This is one of the Paul Chevase stories. Well written, gripping story line and the ending was great.
August 28, 2024
Fun plot. Needed another chapter to really wrap things up. I had completely forgotten the story, so I was almost reading it the first time.
August 10, 2025
Pobre muchacha feita
December 7, 2025
Loved it!
February 11, 2018
Dark Side of the Street by Jack Higgins ... A second read after nearly 3 decades as inspiring as ever...
March 17, 2021
Classic early Higgins. The Paul Chavasse series is great; he's basically Higgins' version of James Bond. This story has some nice Ian Fleming-style touches: the evil but refined supervillain, the relentless killer henchman, the M-style boss, the Moneypenny-style secretary, the island hideout. The story moves along quickly with lots of action in typical Higgins style, from heist to prison break to deadly chase to commando raid by sea, but it never turns into a ridiculous cartoon like Nick Carter. A solid read for fans of old-school spy/men's adventure novels.
May 8, 2014
Dios mío, en serio que fue algo decepcionante!
La historia era prometedora, lo admito, pero si no es por la serie de casualidades y suerte de los protagonistas, la historia acaba en el 3º capítulo, y dudo MUCHO que las cosas realmente puedan desenvolverse de ese modo ¬¬
Entretenido al final, pero PESADO como él solo y aburrido casi todo el libro, no vale la pena salvo que te gusten las historias de policías y ladrones.
La historia era prometedora, lo admito, pero si no es por la serie de casualidades y suerte de los protagonistas, la historia acaba en el 3º capítulo, y dudo MUCHO que las cosas realmente puedan desenvolverse de ese modo ¬¬
Entretenido al final, pero PESADO como él solo y aburrido casi todo el libro, no vale la pena salvo que te gusten las historias de policías y ladrones.
May 2, 2015
Dark side of the street. Jack higgins
Another great read by Higgins. Fast paced,plenty of intrigue,deceit .Agent chavasse enters prison to get close to an inmate to obtain intelligence on a Count Baron. Enjoyed immensely!
Another great read by Higgins. Fast paced,plenty of intrigue,deceit .Agent chavasse enters prison to get close to an inmate to obtain intelligence on a Count Baron. Enjoyed immensely!
August 2, 2010
An old classic by Higgins.
April 21, 2012
These early books by higgins are quite interesting. I really liked this one.
September 27, 2012
Good old fashioned Jack Higgins - very similar to a James Bond novel.
September 7, 2012
An old fashioned mystery/crime thriller. Refreshing to read. Made me of remember old James Hadley Chase thrillers.
August 6, 2013
Short, punchy, kept the reader interested from beginning to end. I liked it, I believe this was my first Jack Higgins novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'll need to look out for more.
October 23, 2014
It was a good read.
December 14, 2015
An old classic and lots of fun to read.
May 18, 2015
Good with twist. Chavasse always the hero.
June 20, 2014
A very good Audio book
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews