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Dempsey/Devlin #5
The Shadow Network
How do you take down an enemy when no one believes they exist? When the lawyers of alleged war criminal Hannibal Strauss are caught up in a terror attack in The Hague, barrister Michael Devlin immediately suspects all is not what it seems. Teaming up once more with Agent Joe Dempsey, they must find who's behind it all before any more innocent lives are lost.
With their key witness on the run and assassins on their tail, their only lead is a the Monk, a legendary and mysterious foreign agent with a fearsome reputation. But what is his stake in this dangerous game? And just who is part of his shadowy network of spies? Caught in a complicated web of lies, secrets and double agents, there's no one Dempsey and Devlin can trust but themselves.
With their key witness on the run and assassins on their tail, their only lead is a the Monk, a legendary and mysterious foreign agent with a fearsome reputation. But what is his stake in this dangerous game? And just who is part of his shadowy network of spies? Caught in a complicated web of lies, secrets and double agents, there's no one Dempsey and Devlin can trust but themselves.
532 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2024
93 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Tony Kent
11 books93 followersTony Kent’s first novel, KILLER INTENT, was one of the ‘must reads’ of 2018. It was selected for the Zoe Ball Book Club and is now to be adapted for television, directed by the award-winning filmmaker Duncan Jones.
Tony Kent grew up in a close-knit Irish family in London and studied law in Scotland.
A top-ranking barrister, Tony’s case history includes prosecuting and defending many high-profile, nationally reported trials.
Before his legal career, Tony boxed internationally as a heavyweight and won a host of national amateur titles.
Tony’s love of crime thrillers was inspired by powerhouse writers like Lee Child, Robert Ludlum, John Grisham, David Baldacci and Frederick Forsyth.
Tony Kent grew up in a close-knit Irish family in London and studied law in Scotland.
A top-ranking barrister, Tony’s case history includes prosecuting and defending many high-profile, nationally reported trials.
Before his legal career, Tony boxed internationally as a heavyweight and won a host of national amateur titles.
Tony’s love of crime thrillers was inspired by powerhouse writers like Lee Child, Robert Ludlum, John Grisham, David Baldacci and Frederick Forsyth.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
February 13, 2024
I was introduced to the formidable Joe Dempsey and his friend, lawyer Michael Devlin, when I read the previous novel in the series, No Way to Die. Dempsey, the perpetual loner, had the key role in that book, alongside the most trusted member of his hand-picked team, Eden Grace. I was pleased to see Eden return in this book and she proves herself just as accomplished and fearless as before.
The Shadow Network is the epitome of a page-turner: the short chapters give it real pace and the frequent shifts between different points of view make you feel you’re witnessing events in real time. The author is adept at ending a chapter with a killer last line meaning you’ve simply got to read on, and there are plenty of developments that I certainly didn’t see coming.
The storyline is cleverly constructed to reflect contemporary events – although I hope not too closely – incorporating global conspiracies, political extremism and media manipulation. The idea of a cunning, ruthless mind pulling strings to influence world events is pretty scary.
If I had to sum up the storyline of The Shadow Network in a phrase, it would be ‘don’t trust anyone’ – except, of course, Dempsey or Devlin. Another might be ‘never turn your back on someone’.
Tony Kent’s bio claims his previous experience brings ‘a striking authenticity to his thrillers’ and there’s certainly plenty of ‘striking’ in this one, with fist fights galore which make you wonder just how much more a body can take. A lot more is the answer when it comes to Dempsey. And even Devlin has to call on the darker, more violent instincts he’s long fought to suppress. (The source of these will be apparent if you’ve read earlier books in the series.)
The Shadow Network is what I like to call a ‘planes, trains and automobiles’ read. In other words, the ideal book to get you through a long journey. Actually, reading it on a train journey may not be a good idea as you might miss your stop. And thinking about it, listening to it while driving could be problematic since it will definitely make you want to steer clear of underground car parks. As a passenger, fine, although rather than ‘Are we there yet?’ you might find yourself asking ‘Are we there already?’. A beach read then? Definitely, although slap on the factor 50 in case you lose track of time.
The Shadow Network is the epitome of a page-turner: the short chapters give it real pace and the frequent shifts between different points of view make you feel you’re witnessing events in real time. The author is adept at ending a chapter with a killer last line meaning you’ve simply got to read on, and there are plenty of developments that I certainly didn’t see coming.
The storyline is cleverly constructed to reflect contemporary events – although I hope not too closely – incorporating global conspiracies, political extremism and media manipulation. The idea of a cunning, ruthless mind pulling strings to influence world events is pretty scary.
If I had to sum up the storyline of The Shadow Network in a phrase, it would be ‘don’t trust anyone’ – except, of course, Dempsey or Devlin. Another might be ‘never turn your back on someone’.
Tony Kent’s bio claims his previous experience brings ‘a striking authenticity to his thrillers’ and there’s certainly plenty of ‘striking’ in this one, with fist fights galore which make you wonder just how much more a body can take. A lot more is the answer when it comes to Dempsey. And even Devlin has to call on the darker, more violent instincts he’s long fought to suppress. (The source of these will be apparent if you’ve read earlier books in the series.)
The Shadow Network is what I like to call a ‘planes, trains and automobiles’ read. In other words, the ideal book to get you through a long journey. Actually, reading it on a train journey may not be a good idea as you might miss your stop. And thinking about it, listening to it while driving could be problematic since it will definitely make you want to steer clear of underground car parks. As a passenger, fine, although rather than ‘Are we there yet?’ you might find yourself asking ‘Are we there already?’. A beach read then? Definitely, although slap on the factor 50 in case you lose track of time.
June 11, 2024
WOW, WOW, WOW, where do I start with this review, I will be honest and say I have the first 4 books in this series but haven’t yet read them, I was hoping to fit them in before reading this one but overbooked myself on blog tours to allow them to fit in. Seeing this was 525 pages I wanted to read it early. Had I known how fast paced it was going to be I wouldn’t have worried. I had literally just finished one book and picked this up straightaway.
From page one literally to the end you are engrossed in a fast paced thriller where you have no idea who the bad guys are. Obviously not counting Michael Devlin and Joe Dempsey of course they are the good guys. I kept forgetting that the whole book is only over 24 hours one minute Devlin and Dempsey are at Devlin’ boys christening, the next they are off to The Hague after what looks like a terrorist attack has hit. But it’s Michael that needs to go as his friend Will Duffy is there and has left Michael a message, with no one able to contact him Michael fears the worst but needs to see for himself.
What the duo don’t realise is what they are getting themselves into. It was no terrorist attack but an attack on the two lawyers Will Duffy and Mendal Prochnik who were due to meet Kon Frankowski, who has information they need for the client they are representing Hannibal Strauss. But who has organised the attack? It appears that Frankowski holds the key but he is somehow in the wind.
With the CIA involved but holding their cards very close to their chests and not giving anything away except that Will is still alive and in a hospital. Devlin and Dempsey head there to see what the situation is. It’s not long before Devlin finds himself in a fight as someone posing as a dr enters Will’s room to attempt to end his life. This is looking more and more serious as time goes on, what could they possibly want from Will? Dempsey has called his ISB team in the US as he learns who Frankowski is married to. He needs to know she and her boys are safe at all costs. But it seems the threats are not just in The Hague but in the US as well. No one can be trusted. Seems who is running the show has lots of people under control. But when Dempsey learns it’s The Monk he doesn’t believe it initially The Monk has been a Myth for years. But has he? Is The Monk real?
This is one gripping, rollercoaster of a read, I could not put this book down literally, I read half yesterday and finished it today picking it up the minute I was awake, the story still playing in my head. I love the characters Devlin and Dempsey along with the rest of Dempsey’s team. They are so believable, I was holding my breath at times at the action scenes not sure who was going to win. The tension is there at the beginning but as you gradually get further into the story it gradually ratchets up a notch every few chapters, as you get to the final 50 pages you are literally in the edge of your seat biting your fingernails. When I learnt who The Monk was my jaw hit my chest. This story never lets up, I loved the fast pace, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I need more of this now. I will get to read the first four books I wish I had read them first as I like to see the characters grow from when they are first introduced. But thank you Tony Kent for a fantastic read the best I have read this year. This deserves ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💥💥💥💥💥 without a doubt. I could watch this turned into an action packed film. I can’t wait for book 6 please keep them coming. I promise I will have read the first 4 by then.
From page one literally to the end you are engrossed in a fast paced thriller where you have no idea who the bad guys are. Obviously not counting Michael Devlin and Joe Dempsey of course they are the good guys. I kept forgetting that the whole book is only over 24 hours one minute Devlin and Dempsey are at Devlin’ boys christening, the next they are off to The Hague after what looks like a terrorist attack has hit. But it’s Michael that needs to go as his friend Will Duffy is there and has left Michael a message, with no one able to contact him Michael fears the worst but needs to see for himself.
What the duo don’t realise is what they are getting themselves into. It was no terrorist attack but an attack on the two lawyers Will Duffy and Mendal Prochnik who were due to meet Kon Frankowski, who has information they need for the client they are representing Hannibal Strauss. But who has organised the attack? It appears that Frankowski holds the key but he is somehow in the wind.
With the CIA involved but holding their cards very close to their chests and not giving anything away except that Will is still alive and in a hospital. Devlin and Dempsey head there to see what the situation is. It’s not long before Devlin finds himself in a fight as someone posing as a dr enters Will’s room to attempt to end his life. This is looking more and more serious as time goes on, what could they possibly want from Will? Dempsey has called his ISB team in the US as he learns who Frankowski is married to. He needs to know she and her boys are safe at all costs. But it seems the threats are not just in The Hague but in the US as well. No one can be trusted. Seems who is running the show has lots of people under control. But when Dempsey learns it’s The Monk he doesn’t believe it initially The Monk has been a Myth for years. But has he? Is The Monk real?
This is one gripping, rollercoaster of a read, I could not put this book down literally, I read half yesterday and finished it today picking it up the minute I was awake, the story still playing in my head. I love the characters Devlin and Dempsey along with the rest of Dempsey’s team. They are so believable, I was holding my breath at times at the action scenes not sure who was going to win. The tension is there at the beginning but as you gradually get further into the story it gradually ratchets up a notch every few chapters, as you get to the final 50 pages you are literally in the edge of your seat biting your fingernails. When I learnt who The Monk was my jaw hit my chest. This story never lets up, I loved the fast pace, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I need more of this now. I will get to read the first four books I wish I had read them first as I like to see the characters grow from when they are first introduced. But thank you Tony Kent for a fantastic read the best I have read this year. This deserves ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💥💥💥💥💥 without a doubt. I could watch this turned into an action packed film. I can’t wait for book 6 please keep them coming. I promise I will have read the first 4 by then.
January 29, 2024
Firstly I would like to thank the lovely folks at Elliot & Thompson for sending me a review copy of this book with a request for an open and honest review.
This book will have you on the edge of your seat. A blistering page turner of a novel. The chapters are quite short and snappy which adds to that feeling of being on a literary rollercoaster ride.
A political thriller to end all political thriller.
There has been a terror attack in a city square in The Hague. Many people lie dead and among them are two lawyers who believed they were on to something huge. We then follow Michael Devlin and Joe Dempsey as they delve into a world of lies, spies, double agents and death. Who can they trust, or indeed can they trust anyone?!
Tony Kent is easily one the best contemporary writers around today. His writing and fast paced plotting will quite literally take your breath away and have to wanting more immediately.
I’m not usually a fan of spy novels or political thrillers. This may just be the book that changes that outlook for me.
This book will have you on the edge of your seat. A blistering page turner of a novel. The chapters are quite short and snappy which adds to that feeling of being on a literary rollercoaster ride.
A political thriller to end all political thriller.
There has been a terror attack in a city square in The Hague. Many people lie dead and among them are two lawyers who believed they were on to something huge. We then follow Michael Devlin and Joe Dempsey as they delve into a world of lies, spies, double agents and death. Who can they trust, or indeed can they trust anyone?!
Tony Kent is easily one the best contemporary writers around today. His writing and fast paced plotting will quite literally take your breath away and have to wanting more immediately.
I’m not usually a fan of spy novels or political thrillers. This may just be the book that changes that outlook for me.
February 7, 2025
Tony Kent’s fifth Dempsey/Devlin story is as good as the other four. A cracking, topical plot melds high drama and politics into a potent mix that keeps you reading well after the bedside lamp ought to be turned off. His legal expertise is put to good effect in this tale of Russian intrigue and secret infiltration of the security services. A five-star review is the least I can give it. Roll on book six in the series.
March 11, 2024
A public massacre masking a targeted hit, shadowy networks and conspiracies, a near-mythical foreign agent that’s been pulling global strings for decades; British barrister and former boxing champion Tony Kent’s latest thriller certainly packs a wallop.
The fifth instalment in his very good series starring Northern Irish-born lawyer Michael Devlin and deadly United Nations intelligence agent Joe Dempsey, The Shadow Network sees the pair called to action for personal reasons after a mass shooting at the Grote Markt in the heart of The Hague, where lawyers for an alleged war criminal are gunned down as part of a massacre. They become further entwined in conspiracy and international intrigue as they try to find the mystery man the lawyers were meeting and protect his stateside wife – Dempsey’s long-ago lover – from deadly assassins doing the bidding of ‘the Monk’, a foreign agent many believe is more rumour than reality. Things get complicated by the various agencies who get in on the action, including the CIA.
Kent maintains a high tempo while providing some fascinating characters and set-pieces; the pages whir by on a litany of secrets and lies, double-crosses and cover-ups, fight scenes and action. Readers who love action-packed crime ala Lee Child or the globe-trotting spy thrills of the likes of Ludlum and Forsyth really should give Tony Kent’s books a whirl. There’s lots to savour; like any great boxer, a blend of brawn and brains.
[This review was first written for Good Reading magazine]
The fifth instalment in his very good series starring Northern Irish-born lawyer Michael Devlin and deadly United Nations intelligence agent Joe Dempsey, The Shadow Network sees the pair called to action for personal reasons after a mass shooting at the Grote Markt in the heart of The Hague, where lawyers for an alleged war criminal are gunned down as part of a massacre. They become further entwined in conspiracy and international intrigue as they try to find the mystery man the lawyers were meeting and protect his stateside wife – Dempsey’s long-ago lover – from deadly assassins doing the bidding of ‘the Monk’, a foreign agent many believe is more rumour than reality. Things get complicated by the various agencies who get in on the action, including the CIA.
Kent maintains a high tempo while providing some fascinating characters and set-pieces; the pages whir by on a litany of secrets and lies, double-crosses and cover-ups, fight scenes and action. Readers who love action-packed crime ala Lee Child or the globe-trotting spy thrills of the likes of Ludlum and Forsyth really should give Tony Kent’s books a whirl. There’s lots to savour; like any great boxer, a blend of brawn and brains.
[This review was first written for Good Reading magazine]
February 15, 2024
Dies ist der neueste Thriller des britischen Autors Tony Kent. Erneut sind Michael Devlin und Joe Dempsey die Protagonisten, was eine spannende und actionreiche Geschichte erwarten lässt. „Dempsey and Devlin“ – immer für eine Überraschung gut!
Es beginnt mit einer Massenschießerei auf dem Grote Markt in Den Haag, dem Zentrum für Einkäufe und Feiern in dieser südniederländischen Stadt. Die Schießerei mutet an wie ein Attentat, ein Amoklauf oder auch ein Terroranschlag. Es kommen dabei 32 Menschen ums Leben und es werden 43 verletzt. Die ganze Welt ist geschockt.
Gleichzeitig findet in London ein Treffen von Freunden statt. Der Anwalt Michael Devlin hat Besuch. Selbst sein Freund Joe Dempsey von der Spezialeinheit der Vereinten Nationen ist aus New York eingeflogen, um mit seinen Freunden zu feiern. Über die Nachricht im Fernsehen erfahren Sie von der Massenschießerei in Den Haag. Auf den Bildern im Fernsehen entdecken sie den Freund eines Freundes von Michael Devlin. Alarmiert und mit der Frage konfrontiert ob Devlins Freund wohl auch dort in Den Haag dabei war, beschließen sie sofort, dies herauszufinden.
Schnell wird alles arrangiert, um von London nach Den Haag zu fliegen. Devlins Freund, für Dempsey ist klar, dass Michaels Freunde auch seine Freunde sind, ist Anwalt und hatte einen Prozess am internationalen Gerichtshof, weshalb er zusammen mit seinem Anwaltsteam dort zu tun hatte.
Parallel dazu erfährt der Leser, dass einer aus diesem Anwaltsteam aus der Schießerei heraus fliehen konnte und kein Opfer wurde. Die Kollegen und Freunde Prochnik und Duffy waren beide Opfer geworden. Ihn, Konrad Frankowski, hat es nicht erwischt. Aber er hat Angst. Er muss fliehen, da ihr Mandant an einem Deal gearbeitet hat, der einen russischen Verbrecher, den Mönch, zum Ziel hatte.
Tony Kent hat erneut einen höchst spannenden Thriller geschrieben, bei dem die Wendungen immer höher gedreht werden. Der Roman legt ein hohes Tempo vor, was seine Handlung angeht. Schließlich geschieht fast alles innerhalb von 24 bis maximal 48 Stunden. Abgesehen vom Prolog zwei Wochen später.
Gleichzeitig wird an dem einen Tag, an dem sich alles abspielt, an mehreren Orten auf zwei Kontinenten agiert. Dank des Teams vom International Security Bureau der Vereinten Nationen (ISB), welches von Joe Dempsey geführt wird, sind Leute in den USA am Brennpunkt wie auch in den Niederlanden.
Interessant ist der Hintergrund von »The Shadow Network«, auf dem Toni Kent seine Story aufbaut. Der Ukraine-Krieg ist auf vollen Touren, die russische Geheimdienstorganisation Mladorossi und der Mönch, ihr Gründer und Führer existiert schon seit über 100 Jahren und wird tatsächlich als real existierend für möglich gehalten. Toni Kent hat ihr handfeste Machenschaften und Handlungen aufs Auge gedrückt. Das ist echt interessant!
Ebenso interessant sind die Konflikte innerhalb der Sicherheitseinheiten. In seiner fiktiven Konstellation lässt Toni Kent die staatlichen und halbstaatlichen Institutionen FBI CIA MI6 neben dem ISB agieren. Sie sind misstrauisch gegeneinander und erwartungsgemäß wird erst am Ende aufgedeckt, wer zu den Guten und wer zu den Bösen zählt. Schließlich ist auch unter deren Mitarbeitern Korruption nicht ausgeschlossen.
Insgesamt ist »The Shadow Network« von Tony Kent ein absolut fesselnder Thriller, der die Leser von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite in Atem hält. Mit einer packenden Handlung, interessanten Charakteren und einer Prise geopolitischer Spannung ist dieses Buch ein Must-read für alle Thriller-Fans. Kent gelingt es, die Leser in eine Welt der Intrigen und Geheimnisse zu entführen und sie mit unvorhersehbaren Wendungen zu überraschen. Obwohl es sich um ein fiktives Werk handelt, fühlt es sich doch erschreckend realistisch an, was den Nervenkitzel noch verstärkt. Wer auf der Suche nach einem actiongeladenen, mitreißenden und packenden Lesevergnügen ist, sollte sich »The Shadow Network« nicht entgehen lassen. Tony Kent hat erneut bewiesen, dass er zu den Meistern seines Genres gehört. Lesen Sie diesen Thriller und lassen Sie sich in eine Welt voller Geheimnisse und Gefahren entführen!
© Detlef Knut, Düsseldorf 2024
Es beginnt mit einer Massenschießerei auf dem Grote Markt in Den Haag, dem Zentrum für Einkäufe und Feiern in dieser südniederländischen Stadt. Die Schießerei mutet an wie ein Attentat, ein Amoklauf oder auch ein Terroranschlag. Es kommen dabei 32 Menschen ums Leben und es werden 43 verletzt. Die ganze Welt ist geschockt.
Gleichzeitig findet in London ein Treffen von Freunden statt. Der Anwalt Michael Devlin hat Besuch. Selbst sein Freund Joe Dempsey von der Spezialeinheit der Vereinten Nationen ist aus New York eingeflogen, um mit seinen Freunden zu feiern. Über die Nachricht im Fernsehen erfahren Sie von der Massenschießerei in Den Haag. Auf den Bildern im Fernsehen entdecken sie den Freund eines Freundes von Michael Devlin. Alarmiert und mit der Frage konfrontiert ob Devlins Freund wohl auch dort in Den Haag dabei war, beschließen sie sofort, dies herauszufinden.
Schnell wird alles arrangiert, um von London nach Den Haag zu fliegen. Devlins Freund, für Dempsey ist klar, dass Michaels Freunde auch seine Freunde sind, ist Anwalt und hatte einen Prozess am internationalen Gerichtshof, weshalb er zusammen mit seinem Anwaltsteam dort zu tun hatte.
Parallel dazu erfährt der Leser, dass einer aus diesem Anwaltsteam aus der Schießerei heraus fliehen konnte und kein Opfer wurde. Die Kollegen und Freunde Prochnik und Duffy waren beide Opfer geworden. Ihn, Konrad Frankowski, hat es nicht erwischt. Aber er hat Angst. Er muss fliehen, da ihr Mandant an einem Deal gearbeitet hat, der einen russischen Verbrecher, den Mönch, zum Ziel hatte.
Tony Kent hat erneut einen höchst spannenden Thriller geschrieben, bei dem die Wendungen immer höher gedreht werden. Der Roman legt ein hohes Tempo vor, was seine Handlung angeht. Schließlich geschieht fast alles innerhalb von 24 bis maximal 48 Stunden. Abgesehen vom Prolog zwei Wochen später.
Gleichzeitig wird an dem einen Tag, an dem sich alles abspielt, an mehreren Orten auf zwei Kontinenten agiert. Dank des Teams vom International Security Bureau der Vereinten Nationen (ISB), welches von Joe Dempsey geführt wird, sind Leute in den USA am Brennpunkt wie auch in den Niederlanden.
Interessant ist der Hintergrund von »The Shadow Network«, auf dem Toni Kent seine Story aufbaut. Der Ukraine-Krieg ist auf vollen Touren, die russische Geheimdienstorganisation Mladorossi und der Mönch, ihr Gründer und Führer existiert schon seit über 100 Jahren und wird tatsächlich als real existierend für möglich gehalten. Toni Kent hat ihr handfeste Machenschaften und Handlungen aufs Auge gedrückt. Das ist echt interessant!
Ebenso interessant sind die Konflikte innerhalb der Sicherheitseinheiten. In seiner fiktiven Konstellation lässt Toni Kent die staatlichen und halbstaatlichen Institutionen FBI CIA MI6 neben dem ISB agieren. Sie sind misstrauisch gegeneinander und erwartungsgemäß wird erst am Ende aufgedeckt, wer zu den Guten und wer zu den Bösen zählt. Schließlich ist auch unter deren Mitarbeitern Korruption nicht ausgeschlossen.
Insgesamt ist »The Shadow Network« von Tony Kent ein absolut fesselnder Thriller, der die Leser von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite in Atem hält. Mit einer packenden Handlung, interessanten Charakteren und einer Prise geopolitischer Spannung ist dieses Buch ein Must-read für alle Thriller-Fans. Kent gelingt es, die Leser in eine Welt der Intrigen und Geheimnisse zu entführen und sie mit unvorhersehbaren Wendungen zu überraschen. Obwohl es sich um ein fiktives Werk handelt, fühlt es sich doch erschreckend realistisch an, was den Nervenkitzel noch verstärkt. Wer auf der Suche nach einem actiongeladenen, mitreißenden und packenden Lesevergnügen ist, sollte sich »The Shadow Network« nicht entgehen lassen. Tony Kent hat erneut bewiesen, dass er zu den Meistern seines Genres gehört. Lesen Sie diesen Thriller und lassen Sie sich in eine Welt voller Geheimnisse und Gefahren entführen!
© Detlef Knut, Düsseldorf 2024
November 6, 2023
After the events that took place in No Way To Die, it would be fair to say that Joe Dempsey has earned himself a bit of a break. A few days R&R, feet up, quiet life ... that kind of thing. And as he's visiting London to take his place as Godfather to the twin sons of his best friend, Barrister, Michael Devlin, and his partner, journalist Sarah Truman, that's exactly what he's going to get. How much trouble could he possibly get in just doing that? ... Well, based on the heart pounding opening to The Shadow Network, and the fact that Tony Kent doesn't allow his protagonists all that much by way of down time (luckily for us), the answer to that question was always going to be 'loads'.
To be fair to Dempsey and Devlin, it's not the christening that is going to put them in harms way, but as news arrives that one of Michael's friends is caught up in a suspected terrorist incident in The Hague, neither will rest until they have found him and brought him home, whatever his fate. it's a decision that is going to see both men face one of the biggest fights of their lives, against a foe with all the might, myth and mystery of Keyser Soze. Could Dempsey have finally met his match? How do you defeat a man of legend, someone that no-one knows truly exists?
Well - if you read, The Shadow Network, you will find out. Jam packed with tension and action from the off, this book had me in its thrall immediately and did not let me go until I read that very last page. A tale of corruption, conspiracy and bloody brilliant misdirection, this is a tale which will have Tony Kent fans chuckling with glee. Not for the fate of our favoured protagonists - if you think that Dempsey has been through the ringer before, you ain't seen nothing yet, trust me. This is a situation that is going to push him, And Michael, to their very limits, and with the very person they are up against being little more than a ghost, it's a battle that will be very hard to win. But it makes for one heck of a read and had me powering through the pages, long after I should have been heading to bed. Exactly what I want in a book. Great fight scenes, a lot of mystery and a whole host of suspicious characters and people of dubious intent that kept me completely on edge.
I do love the characters in this series. Tony Kent has created two very different people in Joe Dempsey and Michael Devlin, but they compliment each other perfectly. Whilst Michael may not be as skilled as his friend, he can hold his own in the battle stakes, and he has somewhat of a past of his own, which fans of the series will understand. We haven't seen him in a few stories now, so it was great to be back in his sphere, even if, to a degree, he still played a slightly lesser role than Dempsey. But then again, danger and action are Dempsey's life, so when it comes to taking down the bad guys, he was always going to play a significant role. And it was really good to see his team on the other side of the Atlantic playing a very key role in the action too. Led by Eden Grace, they are faced with protecting a key figure in the whole plot, without really knowing who it is they would be defending them against. I really like Eden and seeing her in this situation, guided by Dempsey to a degree but ultimately having to use her own intuition and skills to defeat an unknown foe was great to see. As readers we know a trifle more about who we can, or cant ,trust, but not everything.
This book is packed with action, suspense and conspiracy. Drawing on some very recent current affairs and life events, this is one of those books which really does have a strange ring of truth about it. It's not beyond the realms of possibility, I guess. Would explain a lot as well. There were moments in the book that really made me smile, for reasons I can't state here, but it certainly resonated. But most of all, I just loved getting lost in the action, that kind of feeling where you find yourself slowly leaning forward in your chair as the action picks up and the tension starts to sky rocket. With this kind of tale, where the bad guy will literally use any means necessary to get what they want, and where weaknesses are expose and exploited, it was so hard to know who trust, and that makes for a really intense read. And I loved it. The ending - surprising, but not. The promise the author has left us with for what may be yet to come ... So absolutely perfect. Loaded with threat, leaving me apprehensive but also really excited. I cannot wait. But I will have to I guess. (Boooooo).
God I've missed these guys. Most definitely recommended.
To be fair to Dempsey and Devlin, it's not the christening that is going to put them in harms way, but as news arrives that one of Michael's friends is caught up in a suspected terrorist incident in The Hague, neither will rest until they have found him and brought him home, whatever his fate. it's a decision that is going to see both men face one of the biggest fights of their lives, against a foe with all the might, myth and mystery of Keyser Soze. Could Dempsey have finally met his match? How do you defeat a man of legend, someone that no-one knows truly exists?
Well - if you read, The Shadow Network, you will find out. Jam packed with tension and action from the off, this book had me in its thrall immediately and did not let me go until I read that very last page. A tale of corruption, conspiracy and bloody brilliant misdirection, this is a tale which will have Tony Kent fans chuckling with glee. Not for the fate of our favoured protagonists - if you think that Dempsey has been through the ringer before, you ain't seen nothing yet, trust me. This is a situation that is going to push him, And Michael, to their very limits, and with the very person they are up against being little more than a ghost, it's a battle that will be very hard to win. But it makes for one heck of a read and had me powering through the pages, long after I should have been heading to bed. Exactly what I want in a book. Great fight scenes, a lot of mystery and a whole host of suspicious characters and people of dubious intent that kept me completely on edge.
I do love the characters in this series. Tony Kent has created two very different people in Joe Dempsey and Michael Devlin, but they compliment each other perfectly. Whilst Michael may not be as skilled as his friend, he can hold his own in the battle stakes, and he has somewhat of a past of his own, which fans of the series will understand. We haven't seen him in a few stories now, so it was great to be back in his sphere, even if, to a degree, he still played a slightly lesser role than Dempsey. But then again, danger and action are Dempsey's life, so when it comes to taking down the bad guys, he was always going to play a significant role. And it was really good to see his team on the other side of the Atlantic playing a very key role in the action too. Led by Eden Grace, they are faced with protecting a key figure in the whole plot, without really knowing who it is they would be defending them against. I really like Eden and seeing her in this situation, guided by Dempsey to a degree but ultimately having to use her own intuition and skills to defeat an unknown foe was great to see. As readers we know a trifle more about who we can, or cant ,trust, but not everything.
This book is packed with action, suspense and conspiracy. Drawing on some very recent current affairs and life events, this is one of those books which really does have a strange ring of truth about it. It's not beyond the realms of possibility, I guess. Would explain a lot as well. There were moments in the book that really made me smile, for reasons I can't state here, but it certainly resonated. But most of all, I just loved getting lost in the action, that kind of feeling where you find yourself slowly leaning forward in your chair as the action picks up and the tension starts to sky rocket. With this kind of tale, where the bad guy will literally use any means necessary to get what they want, and where weaknesses are expose and exploited, it was so hard to know who trust, and that makes for a really intense read. And I loved it. The ending - surprising, but not. The promise the author has left us with for what may be yet to come ... So absolutely perfect. Loaded with threat, leaving me apprehensive but also really excited. I cannot wait. But I will have to I guess. (Boooooo).
God I've missed these guys. Most definitely recommended.
December 17, 2024
The action bursts forth at the very beginning, with a mass shooting in a main square in The Hague. Initially thought to be a terrorist atrocity, it later transpires to be a disguised hit on a man and two lawyers who were coming to meet him. However, the hit has been only partially successful.
At the same time there is a peaceful juxtaposition in the UK, where it is a beautiful late spring day and Michael Devlin and Sarah Truman’s twin boys are going to be christened. Surrounded by a small circle of friends including Joe Dempsey who is going to be Godfather. This is an interesting choice as Dempsey is the head of a select UN security agency and man who is often in the firing line, literally, with his life in danger. Still today is a day to relax and enjoy, life is good. That is until they get the message that one of the lawyers in The Hague is a great friend of Michael’s Will Duffy. Celebration cut short, Dempsey pulls strings and he and Devlin rush to the scene.
The man the lawyers were meeting, Konrad Frankowski, holds important information connected to a war crimes case and now he is on the run. The assassins are from an organisation run by a man known only as The Monk and are on his trail, but can Dempsey and Devlin find Frankowski first? Dempsey is to discover there is more at stake than first thought, it is imperative that they get there first.
This is exactly what the reader wants and expects from the genre; all out action, relentless at times, bloodshed, fights and violence, frantic chases and plenty of ‘boy’s toys’ at their disposal. It’s not all testosterone driven anger though, as there is genuine depth to the plot and characters.
The plot is quite perceptive when you strip away the all the action. The Monk is the head of a network built over a century that works to penetrate and influence whilst remaining out of sight as The Shadow Network. Conspiracy theorists love the idea of mysterious controlling cabals but there is already evidence of influence in elections and where does soft diplomacy end and undue influence begin. Why fight bloody, costly wars if you can infiltrate to get what you want. These ideas are introduced subtly, and I must say convincingly within the story, even if it is not happening now (which it probably is) then it is a prescient warning.
The series at heart is a ‘buddy’ set up, with Dempsey and Devlin an unusual pairing of the all-action agent and the barrister (albeit one who can handle himself). There is also the secondary professional relationship between Dempsey and Eden Grace (his de facto number two). These interactions provide the glue that holds everything together. Of the supporting characters Frankowski is one of those characters where reader empathy will swing back and forth as the story progresses.
Thematically the story is about family, be it through blood, marriage or adoption and the kind of lifelong friendship that binds just as tight as family. Dempsey and Devlin are as good as brothers and to Dempsey his team is his family. In quieter moments we learn of Dempsey’s sacrifice, how having a real wife and family would put them in danger or a risk of being widowed and orphaned. Then later in almost mirror image we see these thoughts from the perspective of Eden Grace. These thoughts are well timed within the story and will make the reader ponder the sacrifices others make to keep us safe.
The pacing is rapid, at times it’s like the author is discharging an M16, but even he must change magazines occasionally and the respite is welcome with some thoughtful scenes introduced and the tension built up the scenes in the US.
The UN (United Nations) and the ICC (International Criminal Court) are portrayed as we would want them to be rather than the shambolic institutions they have become. This allows the CIA to take the role of the necessary evil we would rather not exist but know must if only it can be controlled.
At the same time there is a peaceful juxtaposition in the UK, where it is a beautiful late spring day and Michael Devlin and Sarah Truman’s twin boys are going to be christened. Surrounded by a small circle of friends including Joe Dempsey who is going to be Godfather. This is an interesting choice as Dempsey is the head of a select UN security agency and man who is often in the firing line, literally, with his life in danger. Still today is a day to relax and enjoy, life is good. That is until they get the message that one of the lawyers in The Hague is a great friend of Michael’s Will Duffy. Celebration cut short, Dempsey pulls strings and he and Devlin rush to the scene.
The man the lawyers were meeting, Konrad Frankowski, holds important information connected to a war crimes case and now he is on the run. The assassins are from an organisation run by a man known only as The Monk and are on his trail, but can Dempsey and Devlin find Frankowski first? Dempsey is to discover there is more at stake than first thought, it is imperative that they get there first.
This is exactly what the reader wants and expects from the genre; all out action, relentless at times, bloodshed, fights and violence, frantic chases and plenty of ‘boy’s toys’ at their disposal. It’s not all testosterone driven anger though, as there is genuine depth to the plot and characters.
The plot is quite perceptive when you strip away the all the action. The Monk is the head of a network built over a century that works to penetrate and influence whilst remaining out of sight as The Shadow Network. Conspiracy theorists love the idea of mysterious controlling cabals but there is already evidence of influence in elections and where does soft diplomacy end and undue influence begin. Why fight bloody, costly wars if you can infiltrate to get what you want. These ideas are introduced subtly, and I must say convincingly within the story, even if it is not happening now (which it probably is) then it is a prescient warning.
The series at heart is a ‘buddy’ set up, with Dempsey and Devlin an unusual pairing of the all-action agent and the barrister (albeit one who can handle himself). There is also the secondary professional relationship between Dempsey and Eden Grace (his de facto number two). These interactions provide the glue that holds everything together. Of the supporting characters Frankowski is one of those characters where reader empathy will swing back and forth as the story progresses.
Thematically the story is about family, be it through blood, marriage or adoption and the kind of lifelong friendship that binds just as tight as family. Dempsey and Devlin are as good as brothers and to Dempsey his team is his family. In quieter moments we learn of Dempsey’s sacrifice, how having a real wife and family would put them in danger or a risk of being widowed and orphaned. Then later in almost mirror image we see these thoughts from the perspective of Eden Grace. These thoughts are well timed within the story and will make the reader ponder the sacrifices others make to keep us safe.
The pacing is rapid, at times it’s like the author is discharging an M16, but even he must change magazines occasionally and the respite is welcome with some thoughtful scenes introduced and the tension built up the scenes in the US.
The UN (United Nations) and the ICC (International Criminal Court) are portrayed as we would want them to be rather than the shambolic institutions they have become. This allows the CIA to take the role of the necessary evil we would rather not exist but know must if only it can be controlled.
February 15, 2024
With the power and speed of an energiser bunny Tony Kent goes from a relaxing back yard post christening party into a massacre at The Hague in this pulse-pounding dramatic thriller that is both engaging and immersive.
What I love about this series is the strong bond of friendship between barrister Michael Devlin and Joe Dempsey of the UN’s International Security Bureau. When all the chips are down and you don’t know who to trust, these men will always have each other’s backs, no questions asked.
Dempsey is chilling at the home of Sarah and Michael just hours after taking on the responsibility of being godfather to Michael and his journalist wife Sarah’s twin boys. They learn of a supposed terrorist attack which one of Michael’s colleagues, Will Duffy, has been caught up in and badly injured.
Using Dempsey’s ISB resources the pair are soon on their way to Amsterdam to find Will and make sure he can return home safely. But this is a novel in which nothing is as it seems. Soon they find themselves caught up in a deadly conspiracy. At the heart of that conspiracy is a shadowy figure known as The Monk who runs an organisation of spies and infiltrators.
Kon Frankowski is a man Dempsey is all too aware of and suddenly this deadly conspiracy is both deeply personal and professional. Frankowski was with Will Duffy at the time of the attack and it quickly becomes clear that he was the real target of this assignation attempt. Now he’s in the wind, trying to keep a low profile and Dempsey and Devlin have to bring him in safely and recover the vital intelligence he has – intelligence that the Monk is willing to massacre as many people as it takes to get hold of.
Kent builds in some contemporary background to this shadow network which is beautifully judged and lends an air of authenticity to an organisation whose name reminds me of a tribe in Game of Thrones.
The CIA become involved too, but they don’t play nicely with others and Dempsey doesn’t know who he can trust so there are many twists and turns and action packed explosive moments on the way to getting to the truth.
Dempsey deploys Eden Grace to keep Frankowski’s family safe and it’s great to see her in full on action mode as this pacy, action packed, explosive thriller reaches its propulsive heights.
There are some genuinely surprising moments and some terrible misjudgements which all lead to a twisty, surprising read that leaves you breathless with the pace and dizzy with the possibilities for betrayal. When the chips are down, though, there are only a few people Dempsey can trust with his life.
Verdict: Short, sharp chapters combine with non-stop action and a deeply embedded subversive conspiracy network to produce an explosive action thriller packed with tension and with strong emotional undertones which beautifully offset the macho action. Explosive, adrenalin fuelled, surprising and immersive, The Shadow Network is a terrific read from a thriller writer who knows just how to keep his audience hooked.
What I love about this series is the strong bond of friendship between barrister Michael Devlin and Joe Dempsey of the UN’s International Security Bureau. When all the chips are down and you don’t know who to trust, these men will always have each other’s backs, no questions asked.
Dempsey is chilling at the home of Sarah and Michael just hours after taking on the responsibility of being godfather to Michael and his journalist wife Sarah’s twin boys. They learn of a supposed terrorist attack which one of Michael’s colleagues, Will Duffy, has been caught up in and badly injured.
Using Dempsey’s ISB resources the pair are soon on their way to Amsterdam to find Will and make sure he can return home safely. But this is a novel in which nothing is as it seems. Soon they find themselves caught up in a deadly conspiracy. At the heart of that conspiracy is a shadowy figure known as The Monk who runs an organisation of spies and infiltrators.
Kon Frankowski is a man Dempsey is all too aware of and suddenly this deadly conspiracy is both deeply personal and professional. Frankowski was with Will Duffy at the time of the attack and it quickly becomes clear that he was the real target of this assignation attempt. Now he’s in the wind, trying to keep a low profile and Dempsey and Devlin have to bring him in safely and recover the vital intelligence he has – intelligence that the Monk is willing to massacre as many people as it takes to get hold of.
Kent builds in some contemporary background to this shadow network which is beautifully judged and lends an air of authenticity to an organisation whose name reminds me of a tribe in Game of Thrones.
The CIA become involved too, but they don’t play nicely with others and Dempsey doesn’t know who he can trust so there are many twists and turns and action packed explosive moments on the way to getting to the truth.
Dempsey deploys Eden Grace to keep Frankowski’s family safe and it’s great to see her in full on action mode as this pacy, action packed, explosive thriller reaches its propulsive heights.
There are some genuinely surprising moments and some terrible misjudgements which all lead to a twisty, surprising read that leaves you breathless with the pace and dizzy with the possibilities for betrayal. When the chips are down, though, there are only a few people Dempsey can trust with his life.
Verdict: Short, sharp chapters combine with non-stop action and a deeply embedded subversive conspiracy network to produce an explosive action thriller packed with tension and with strong emotional undertones which beautifully offset the macho action. Explosive, adrenalin fuelled, surprising and immersive, The Shadow Network is a terrific read from a thriller writer who knows just how to keep his audience hooked.
June 17, 2024
Mr Kent. You kept me awake until after 2am as I just had to finish The Shadow Network! The quality of the writing. The characters. The fast pace. The non stop action. Thrillers just do not come any better than this.
Tony Kent draws from his experience and his knowledge of the criminal world, writing a fast paced, perfectly plotted and authentic storyline and larger than life characters. Literally in the case of one of them. As an ex boxer and current criminal barrister we don’t know what he is drawing from the real criminal world and what is from his imagination, but this reads as something which could actually happen.
The story opens with an apparent terror attack at The Hague, taking the reader straight into the action and not letting them go until the last page has been read. This is a chunky book with 525 pages which just flew past. I could have carried on reading and can’t wait for the next one.
Dempsey and Devlin are at the christening of Devlin’s boys completely unaware of the events unfolding in The Hague. When they are made aware there has been a random terrorist attack and Devlin’s friend is missing they arrange to travel to The Hague immediately to look for him. They have no idea what they are heading into or that the attack was actually targeted. His friend being one of the targets.
Joe Dempsey. Ex Army and current agent for the International Security Bureau, the UN’s intelligence service, puts his hand selected alpha team to work. The small team of four is unofficially led by the very able Grace. They are sent to find the wife of a missing man and protect her but she is gone when they reach her home.
We get to see the softer side of Joe as his ex girlfriend appears in this story. He had to finish the relationship to keep her safe as his life does not allow for a family. Unbelievably she has got involved in the day’s atrocities by way of her husband and now her life is in danger.
There is a legendary foreign agent at play known as ‘The Monk’ who appears to be pulling the strings. He leads an organisation which was said to have been set up decades ago and which has its tentacles spread out across the globe. His identity is unknown. Even the people who work for him do not know who he is. It is up to Dempsey and Devlin to put their lives on the line to get to the bottom of today’s attack, find a missing computer expert who escaped from the attack and is now in hiding and who may have the answer, and track down the possibly non existent Monk.
I don’t want to spoil the plot but I gasped out loud at one revelation towards the end I did not see coming. Brilliant.
This is the fifth Dempsey and Devlin book. I have read Power Play (another fantastic read and my review is on my blog) and absolutely intend to read the others in the series. So glad there are even more to come.
Tony Kent draws from his experience and his knowledge of the criminal world, writing a fast paced, perfectly plotted and authentic storyline and larger than life characters. Literally in the case of one of them. As an ex boxer and current criminal barrister we don’t know what he is drawing from the real criminal world and what is from his imagination, but this reads as something which could actually happen.
The story opens with an apparent terror attack at The Hague, taking the reader straight into the action and not letting them go until the last page has been read. This is a chunky book with 525 pages which just flew past. I could have carried on reading and can’t wait for the next one.
Dempsey and Devlin are at the christening of Devlin’s boys completely unaware of the events unfolding in The Hague. When they are made aware there has been a random terrorist attack and Devlin’s friend is missing they arrange to travel to The Hague immediately to look for him. They have no idea what they are heading into or that the attack was actually targeted. His friend being one of the targets.
Joe Dempsey. Ex Army and current agent for the International Security Bureau, the UN’s intelligence service, puts his hand selected alpha team to work. The small team of four is unofficially led by the very able Grace. They are sent to find the wife of a missing man and protect her but she is gone when they reach her home.
We get to see the softer side of Joe as his ex girlfriend appears in this story. He had to finish the relationship to keep her safe as his life does not allow for a family. Unbelievably she has got involved in the day’s atrocities by way of her husband and now her life is in danger.
There is a legendary foreign agent at play known as ‘The Monk’ who appears to be pulling the strings. He leads an organisation which was said to have been set up decades ago and which has its tentacles spread out across the globe. His identity is unknown. Even the people who work for him do not know who he is. It is up to Dempsey and Devlin to put their lives on the line to get to the bottom of today’s attack, find a missing computer expert who escaped from the attack and is now in hiding and who may have the answer, and track down the possibly non existent Monk.
I don’t want to spoil the plot but I gasped out loud at one revelation towards the end I did not see coming. Brilliant.
This is the fifth Dempsey and Devlin book. I have read Power Play (another fantastic read and my review is on my blog) and absolutely intend to read the others in the series. So glad there are even more to come.
February 1, 2024
This is the latest in Tony Kent's explosive thriller series featuring Irish barrister Michael Devlin and Joe Dempsey of the UN's International Security Bureau. Devlin is married to journalist Sarah Truman, both now parents to baby twins, and have organised the christening of the boys. Joe has not seen his friends for some time, and zoom is hardly the same thing, he has flown in for the ceremony and to enjoy a break, having been chosen to be godfather to the boys. Whilst not certain of his suitability for the role, he falls in love with the babies on first sight, however celebrations are cut short when the wife of lawyer Will Duffy learns of a apparent horrifying 'terrorist' attack in Amsterdam, and it seems likely Duffy might have been injured or worse.
Joe rises to the situation and soon he and a deeply scared Devlin are on a flight to find out what happened to Will, who with a Hungarian lawyer, were part of a team defending notorious war criminal, Hannibal Strauss. As it happens it soon becomes clear that Joe's involvement as part of ISB is required, his presence not welcomed initially by a covert CIA team, who know Strauss's lawyers were the real targets of the deadly attack. So begins the start of non-stop breathless action scenes as Joe in particular is to be to be tested in his most challenging mission ever, along with Devlin who finds himself reclaiming the more violent side of his nature when required. Joe is shocked to find himself up against a mythological and long running legendary enemy, known as The Monk, and he may not live to tell the tale as he does his best to ensure a lover from his past is protected, the only woman he has ever lived.
There is much to admire in this global political conspiracy thriller, the complex storytelling, the short snappy chapters that ratchet the tension and suspense sky high, the never ending twists and turns, and an enemy the like of which Joe has never come across. However, for me, this addition to the series does not flow as seamlessly as the previous books, and there was a little too much repetition when it comes to the action, and at the end, The Monk as a character comes across as similar to The Wizard of Oz when he is unveiled. Having said all that, I still found this a sufficiently engaging and entertaining thriller, and I have every intention of reading the next in the series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
Joe rises to the situation and soon he and a deeply scared Devlin are on a flight to find out what happened to Will, who with a Hungarian lawyer, were part of a team defending notorious war criminal, Hannibal Strauss. As it happens it soon becomes clear that Joe's involvement as part of ISB is required, his presence not welcomed initially by a covert CIA team, who know Strauss's lawyers were the real targets of the deadly attack. So begins the start of non-stop breathless action scenes as Joe in particular is to be to be tested in his most challenging mission ever, along with Devlin who finds himself reclaiming the more violent side of his nature when required. Joe is shocked to find himself up against a mythological and long running legendary enemy, known as The Monk, and he may not live to tell the tale as he does his best to ensure a lover from his past is protected, the only woman he has ever lived.
There is much to admire in this global political conspiracy thriller, the complex storytelling, the short snappy chapters that ratchet the tension and suspense sky high, the never ending twists and turns, and an enemy the like of which Joe has never come across. However, for me, this addition to the series does not flow as seamlessly as the previous books, and there was a little too much repetition when it comes to the action, and at the end, The Monk as a character comes across as similar to The Wizard of Oz when he is unveiled. Having said all that, I still found this a sufficiently engaging and entertaining thriller, and I have every intention of reading the next in the series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
February 6, 2024
I would like to thank Netgalley and Elliott & Thompson for an advance copy of The Shadow Network, the fifth novel to feature ICB Agent Joe Dempsey and barrister Michael Devlin, set mostly in The Netherlands.
A mass shooting in The Hague brings Dempsey and Devlin to the scene, where they quickly realise that it was not a random event, but a disguised assassination orchestrated by a shadowy operative known as The Monk. With their only witness on the run and The Monk’s minions trying to kill them they can only rely on themselves.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Shadow Network, which is a high octane read with an above average level of both violence and mistrust. Still, at the end of the day it’s all good, clean fun in the sense of see baddy, shoot him (and they’re all men) and that the good guys (not all men) are simply smarter.
The action opens with the shooting, but told mostly from the witness, Kon Frankowski’s point of view. This ratchets up the tension as he’s a civilian and is scared witless. After that there is a gradual accumulation of knowledge until the endgame plays out. This accumulation of knowledge is punctuated by various attempts on their lives, betrayal, twists and lots of bullets.
I take the general mayhem and indestructability of Dempsey and Devlin as entertainment rather than realism, but the background of the Ukrainian invasion gives it a present day realism and is the idea of an old network with rogue agents embedded all over the world so fanciful when western countries have been doing it for years? The CIA and their secretive ways add a further dimension. It all creates an interesting stew, although I don’t think The Monk’s identity is as well hidden as it could be because I guessed a bit before the unmasking. On the other hand, some of the other twists caught me by surprise.
The novel is told from various points of view with Kon Frankowski on the run in The Netherlands and and Dempsey’s number two, Eden Grace, weathering the storm in the States adding a broader perspective to events, while The Monk’s interactions with his underlings give the reader a good idea of his stone cold personality. Unfortunately this constant changing of voice gives the novel a choppy feel.
The Shadow Network is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
A mass shooting in The Hague brings Dempsey and Devlin to the scene, where they quickly realise that it was not a random event, but a disguised assassination orchestrated by a shadowy operative known as The Monk. With their only witness on the run and The Monk’s minions trying to kill them they can only rely on themselves.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Shadow Network, which is a high octane read with an above average level of both violence and mistrust. Still, at the end of the day it’s all good, clean fun in the sense of see baddy, shoot him (and they’re all men) and that the good guys (not all men) are simply smarter.
The action opens with the shooting, but told mostly from the witness, Kon Frankowski’s point of view. This ratchets up the tension as he’s a civilian and is scared witless. After that there is a gradual accumulation of knowledge until the endgame plays out. This accumulation of knowledge is punctuated by various attempts on their lives, betrayal, twists and lots of bullets.
I take the general mayhem and indestructability of Dempsey and Devlin as entertainment rather than realism, but the background of the Ukrainian invasion gives it a present day realism and is the idea of an old network with rogue agents embedded all over the world so fanciful when western countries have been doing it for years? The CIA and their secretive ways add a further dimension. It all creates an interesting stew, although I don’t think The Monk’s identity is as well hidden as it could be because I guessed a bit before the unmasking. On the other hand, some of the other twists caught me by surprise.
The novel is told from various points of view with Kon Frankowski on the run in The Netherlands and and Dempsey’s number two, Eden Grace, weathering the storm in the States adding a broader perspective to events, while The Monk’s interactions with his underlings give the reader a good idea of his stone cold personality. Unfortunately this constant changing of voice gives the novel a choppy feel.
The Shadow Network is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
June 14, 2024
We open on a warm summer's day in the Grote Markt, a prime destination in The Hague, filled with locals and tourists eating and drinking and generally living life. Then a meeting between tech geek Kon Frankowski and two lawyers is suddenly, shockingly interrupted. Meanwhile, in London, Sarah Truman and Michael Devlin are preparing for the christening of their twin sons, with close friends, including Joe Dempsey, being godparents. Afterwards, there is celebration. Then their peace is shattered by the news from the Netherlands.
Kon was a web designer on the surface, but his technical skills were used for a much darker (and highly lucrative) purpose, it turns out. After the horrors of the Grote Markt attack, Kon goes on the run, terrified for his life. Two CIA agents are in the mix, along with Dempsey's team in the US protecting Kon's family, plus there's a group of men who specialise in bringing death and destruction.
And then there's a figure at the end of an encrypted phone line, who calls himself the Monk, who runs the shadow network of the title. He is a bedtime story bogeyman almost no-one in the intelligence community believes exists. But he is very real...
The Shadow Network is carefully woven, frequently twisty and has some eye-popping reveals in among the heart-stopping action. It's a pace-y read throughout, and a neat combination of solo battles in Europe and team tactics in the US ensures everyone gets their moment in the spotlight ahead of the final pages which deliver a pragmatic but also satisfying conclusion.
This is a thriller which adheres to its genre traditions nicely. However, the legal elements, and reminders that Dempsey and Devlin are connected to the world rather than a couple of lone wolves, give it a fresh spin and a modern heart. And it's a nice touch that Devlin is as useful a boxer as a barrister, with both skills getting an outing or two.
Wherever you're spending your holiday this summer, be it on a sunny beach or on the sofa at home, grab a copy and escape the everyday.
Kon was a web designer on the surface, but his technical skills were used for a much darker (and highly lucrative) purpose, it turns out. After the horrors of the Grote Markt attack, Kon goes on the run, terrified for his life. Two CIA agents are in the mix, along with Dempsey's team in the US protecting Kon's family, plus there's a group of men who specialise in bringing death and destruction.
And then there's a figure at the end of an encrypted phone line, who calls himself the Monk, who runs the shadow network of the title. He is a bedtime story bogeyman almost no-one in the intelligence community believes exists. But he is very real...
The Shadow Network is carefully woven, frequently twisty and has some eye-popping reveals in among the heart-stopping action. It's a pace-y read throughout, and a neat combination of solo battles in Europe and team tactics in the US ensures everyone gets their moment in the spotlight ahead of the final pages which deliver a pragmatic but also satisfying conclusion.
This is a thriller which adheres to its genre traditions nicely. However, the legal elements, and reminders that Dempsey and Devlin are connected to the world rather than a couple of lone wolves, give it a fresh spin and a modern heart. And it's a nice touch that Devlin is as useful a boxer as a barrister, with both skills getting an outing or two.
Wherever you're spending your holiday this summer, be it on a sunny beach or on the sofa at home, grab a copy and escape the everyday.
November 14, 2023
Tony Kent is one of the best thriller writers writing today, known for pulsating action combined with plot that allow the story to flow.
The Shadow Network for me is Tony Kents best book to date, and that is saying something as the preceding four books are all standout reads in their own right
A pulsating page turner, that will leave you breathless, knowing you have read something that will stay with you
I deliberately took my time to read, so as not to miss anything out, this only heightened what was already a truly absorbing read
What follows will have nothing of the plot or storyline, you need to discover this for yourselves, it is purely my thoughts on the book.
As I started out to read I knew I was reading something a little different from the previous books. For me it doesn’t start out as an action thriller, it sets the scene and lays down markers, the opening pages perfectly set up what will follow, straight away I was drawn in left with the feeling of where is the story going to take me.
The quality of the writing with its descriptive narrative on the page had me transfixed, there is an assuredness to the way the story flows and whilst in essence the book is an action thriller it is so much more, the plot line and characters have the book at its heart. There is a richness and depth to the writing which allows the story to develop.
The writing draws the plot out in a slow reveal, the chapters setting the scene in detail which allowed me to draw everything in, the way the back story feeds into and drives the plot, and the way the characters draw the plot out, there is a quality here which is reminiscent of reading Le Carre
Tony Kent has constructed an intelligent plot, one which is full of intrigue, suspense, with a frightening premise that runs deep within the corridor’s of power.
Whilst there any many returning characters which have a familiar feel, Tony Kent is able to introduce new characters in a way that each carry that air of believeability that they are the role that they play within the book, and whilst this is a Devlin and Dempsey novel, Grace Eden has a role within the book which allows her the freedom to let her talents and leadership come to the fore, fearless in the face of danger, she has the ability to quickly assess a situation and formulate a strategy and plan to overcome the given situation which is in front of her, within the ISB there is no time for egos, leaders are defined and their actions followed without question, you can also see a mutual respect between Grace and Dempsey.
The book had a wonderful feel of being character driven, who move the plot seemlessly along
I loved the way that the plot is slowly revealed, in doing so heightening the suspense and tension, but then the writing builds to a crescendo and it races to the end, throughout the book has an overriding air of mystery which hangs over you as you read
It would be fair to say that the book has some surprising twists and moments which left me with a feeling of disbelief
Tony Kent takes the thriller, but then adds to this supreme storytelling which draws you in, making for a powerful read
This maybe a work of fiction, but it left me with a sense of total believe-ability in what I was reading. The fight scenes have a real impact you can see Tony’s experiences as a boxer come to the fore
Overall this is an outstanding read, a high octane thriller which combines all the right elements, plot, character, storytelling, pure action scenes
Tony Kent has taken the thriller to another level, cannot recommend The Shadow Network enough
The Shadow Network for me is Tony Kents best book to date, and that is saying something as the preceding four books are all standout reads in their own right
A pulsating page turner, that will leave you breathless, knowing you have read something that will stay with you
I deliberately took my time to read, so as not to miss anything out, this only heightened what was already a truly absorbing read
What follows will have nothing of the plot or storyline, you need to discover this for yourselves, it is purely my thoughts on the book.
As I started out to read I knew I was reading something a little different from the previous books. For me it doesn’t start out as an action thriller, it sets the scene and lays down markers, the opening pages perfectly set up what will follow, straight away I was drawn in left with the feeling of where is the story going to take me.
The quality of the writing with its descriptive narrative on the page had me transfixed, there is an assuredness to the way the story flows and whilst in essence the book is an action thriller it is so much more, the plot line and characters have the book at its heart. There is a richness and depth to the writing which allows the story to develop.
The writing draws the plot out in a slow reveal, the chapters setting the scene in detail which allowed me to draw everything in, the way the back story feeds into and drives the plot, and the way the characters draw the plot out, there is a quality here which is reminiscent of reading Le Carre
Tony Kent has constructed an intelligent plot, one which is full of intrigue, suspense, with a frightening premise that runs deep within the corridor’s of power.
Whilst there any many returning characters which have a familiar feel, Tony Kent is able to introduce new characters in a way that each carry that air of believeability that they are the role that they play within the book, and whilst this is a Devlin and Dempsey novel, Grace Eden has a role within the book which allows her the freedom to let her talents and leadership come to the fore, fearless in the face of danger, she has the ability to quickly assess a situation and formulate a strategy and plan to overcome the given situation which is in front of her, within the ISB there is no time for egos, leaders are defined and their actions followed without question, you can also see a mutual respect between Grace and Dempsey.
The book had a wonderful feel of being character driven, who move the plot seemlessly along
I loved the way that the plot is slowly revealed, in doing so heightening the suspense and tension, but then the writing builds to a crescendo and it races to the end, throughout the book has an overriding air of mystery which hangs over you as you read
It would be fair to say that the book has some surprising twists and moments which left me with a feeling of disbelief
Tony Kent takes the thriller, but then adds to this supreme storytelling which draws you in, making for a powerful read
This maybe a work of fiction, but it left me with a sense of total believe-ability in what I was reading. The fight scenes have a real impact you can see Tony’s experiences as a boxer come to the fore
Overall this is an outstanding read, a high octane thriller which combines all the right elements, plot, character, storytelling, pure action scenes
Tony Kent has taken the thriller to another level, cannot recommend The Shadow Network enough
January 25, 2024
No time to catch a breath in this one- the action just keeps on coming- this is edge of your seat action and I just couldn’t put the book down.
A continuation of the Joe Dempsey and Michael Devlin series, “The Shadow Network”starts innocuously enough at Devlin’s sons’ christening where Joe is to be a Godfather.
However there is a mass shooting in Holland where one of the guest’s lawyer husband is working and Michael and Joe rush over to locate Will, dead or alive and in doing so get caught up in a huge plot, run by a shadow man known as The Monk, a man who has agents everywhere and will stop at nothing to protect his network.
As those close to Joe get caught up in the danger he is forced to send his team in the US to find and protect people he cares for whilst he works out what the Monk is after.
This thriller contains almost more excitement than is good for me- I barely had time to collect my thoughts as I raced through the book.
Joe and Michael do not know who to trust as there are enemy agents everywhere and this builds the tension even more. It seems at one point that the only people they can have faith in are themselves.
This is a fast paced, cleverly plotted thriller which had me gripped from the very first page and I highly recommend it to all fans of action novels. It helps if you’ve read the previous books but it is not a prerequisite- if you haven’t you will definitely enjoy the earlier ones too.
I have no hesitation in giving “The Shadow Network” five stars and eagerly await the next one in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
A continuation of the Joe Dempsey and Michael Devlin series, “The Shadow Network”starts innocuously enough at Devlin’s sons’ christening where Joe is to be a Godfather.
However there is a mass shooting in Holland where one of the guest’s lawyer husband is working and Michael and Joe rush over to locate Will, dead or alive and in doing so get caught up in a huge plot, run by a shadow man known as The Monk, a man who has agents everywhere and will stop at nothing to protect his network.
As those close to Joe get caught up in the danger he is forced to send his team in the US to find and protect people he cares for whilst he works out what the Monk is after.
This thriller contains almost more excitement than is good for me- I barely had time to collect my thoughts as I raced through the book.
Joe and Michael do not know who to trust as there are enemy agents everywhere and this builds the tension even more. It seems at one point that the only people they can have faith in are themselves.
This is a fast paced, cleverly plotted thriller which had me gripped from the very first page and I highly recommend it to all fans of action novels. It helps if you’ve read the previous books but it is not a prerequisite- if you haven’t you will definitely enjoy the earlier ones too.
I have no hesitation in giving “The Shadow Network” five stars and eagerly await the next one in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
February 14, 2024
Book 5 of the series this time featuring solicitor Michael Devlin and Agent Joe Dempsey an investigator for the UN. There are a number of different protagonists in this series and they swap and change a bit, the team in America are involved this time, but from a distance. It would help to read the earlier books to understand the individuals but reads well as a stand alone book. This time one of Devlin closest friends is in The Hague when he is involved in a mass shooting, believed to be a terrorist incident. It soon becomes clear that it was a deliberate act of murder and both Devlin and Dempsey rush to Holland to find out what happened. Told from multiple POV’s this is a well written fast paced and exciting thriller.
Briefly, it appears Devlin’s friend was acting as a lawyer for an alleged war criminal Hannibal Strauss and he and another solicitor, along with some bystanders, were killed in a cafe shooting. But who are the people prepared to commit wholesale murder? Joe is surprised to find a previous adversary know as The Monk, a ghost figure, is involved.
Told from multiple POV’s this is a well written fast paced and exciting thriller. A great plot full of intrigue, secrets and lies, full of action and as always there are references to current affairs that help keep things real. Alongside the main event there are a number of other thread keeping the tension high. A very good conspiracy thriller with some good chapter end cliffhangers and great red herrings. Very entertaining read.
Briefly, it appears Devlin’s friend was acting as a lawyer for an alleged war criminal Hannibal Strauss and he and another solicitor, along with some bystanders, were killed in a cafe shooting. But who are the people prepared to commit wholesale murder? Joe is surprised to find a previous adversary know as The Monk, a ghost figure, is involved.
Told from multiple POV’s this is a well written fast paced and exciting thriller. A great plot full of intrigue, secrets and lies, full of action and as always there are references to current affairs that help keep things real. Alongside the main event there are a number of other thread keeping the tension high. A very good conspiracy thriller with some good chapter end cliffhangers and great red herrings. Very entertaining read.
November 30, 2023
Wow, wow, wow. This is a very fast paced, thoroughly enjoyable read with a great multi layered plot line and is full of suspense, thrills and action. The Shadow Network really hit the mark with me and is one of my best reads this year. Dempsey and Devlin are in London when they hear of shootings in The Hague and that a friend is one of the victims. What follows is a roller coaster of a read that at times took my breath away. I loved being back in the world of Dempsey and Devlin and following them as they investigate the shootings. Who can they trust and is everyone as they appear to be? I liked that the story is told through different characters and their perspectives and the move from character to character is seamless. I love the cliff hanger chapter endings that made me desperate to know more and what was coming next. Dempsey's team in USA play a part in the story, adding more suspense and action and having the story take place in two countries just added to my enjoyment when reading. Tony Kent builds up the tension, suspense, intrigue and mystery so well that I was hanging onto every word as the story unfolds. This is a very well written book that really hits the ground running and certainly grabbed my attention and interest and held it all the way through to the very last page. I think, for me, this is the best book so far in this series. If you like thrillers, you'd like this book and I'd recommend it.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
March 8, 2024
The Shadow Network… frighteningly plausible
Joe Dempsey and Michael Devlin’s latest adventure is gripping from start to finish as they uncover a vast criminal conspiracy while battling to keep themselves and their loved ones alive.
The plot revolves around a money-hungry computer nerd, Kon Frankowski, who launders money via the dark web for important clients. One such client, Hannibal Strauss, facing trial at The Hague on war crimes charges, and needing a ‘get out of jail card’, has entrusted Frankowski with information about his parent criminal organization (the Shadow Network of the title), headed by a mysterious figure known only as “The Monk”.
A meeting is set up in The Hague for Frankowski to hand the data over to Strauss’s lawyers in a public square “The Monk” cannot let that happen and organizes a false flag ‘terrorist attack’ in the square. One of the lawyers is Michael Devlin’s closest friend and news that he has been critically wounded draws Devlin and Dempsey into the investigation. Our two heroes end up fighting for their lives, and those of their loved ones, while beset by treachery. With unflagging pace, and an all-too-plausible scenario, the only implausible note is just how much physical punishment and injury the good guys can take and stay alive.
Joe Dempsey and Michael Devlin’s latest adventure is gripping from start to finish as they uncover a vast criminal conspiracy while battling to keep themselves and their loved ones alive.
The plot revolves around a money-hungry computer nerd, Kon Frankowski, who launders money via the dark web for important clients. One such client, Hannibal Strauss, facing trial at The Hague on war crimes charges, and needing a ‘get out of jail card’, has entrusted Frankowski with information about his parent criminal organization (the Shadow Network of the title), headed by a mysterious figure known only as “The Monk”.
A meeting is set up in The Hague for Frankowski to hand the data over to Strauss’s lawyers in a public square “The Monk” cannot let that happen and organizes a false flag ‘terrorist attack’ in the square. One of the lawyers is Michael Devlin’s closest friend and news that he has been critically wounded draws Devlin and Dempsey into the investigation. Our two heroes end up fighting for their lives, and those of their loved ones, while beset by treachery. With unflagging pace, and an all-too-plausible scenario, the only implausible note is just how much physical punishment and injury the good guys can take and stay alive.
September 23, 2024
The time has finally arrived where I find myself having caught up with the world of Dempsey and Devlin and it is a case of saving the best one for last. When a close friend of Michael Devlin is caught up in a shooting in the Hague, he drops everything to find him and ensure that he is alive. Not knowing what they are likely to come up against Joe Dempsey is not about to leave his friend to face it alone and insists on going with him. What they thought would be a simple trip soon has them involved in situations that put their lives in danger and questioning just who they can trust.
Right from the start you know that you are going to be taken on quite a roller coaster adrenaline ride with this book and maybe just maybe Dempsey has met his match and taken on a fight he is not going to win as the mythical “Monk” seems to be one step ahead of him at every turn. He knows how to exploit people’s weaknesses giving them no alternative but to do or die making them more dangerous than anyone, after all they really do have nothing else left to lose.
There is a lot a stake and Dempsey has had to split his team to deal with the fallout both in Europe and in the States where Eden Grace is charged with the safety of someone from his past who he had severed connections with to spare them from the very thing they were now in the middle of. It’s a reunion that neither were prepared for. Eden plays quite a significant role in this book, and we can see just how much she thinks of Dempsey and what she is willing to risk to keep everyone safe and in one piece, even if it means working with her least favourite team member.
There is a mental as well as physical toll to this latest situation and more than one price is paid before it is over. You are left feeling that there is still a lot of unfinished business that may come back to bite them just as they think the dust has settled. Throughout the whole series you can’t help but get invested in the main characters and the outcome of whatever they find themselves in the middle of. What I do know is that if I ever found myself in real trouble, I wish I had someone like them to fight my corner both figuratively and literally
Right from the start you know that you are going to be taken on quite a roller coaster adrenaline ride with this book and maybe just maybe Dempsey has met his match and taken on a fight he is not going to win as the mythical “Monk” seems to be one step ahead of him at every turn. He knows how to exploit people’s weaknesses giving them no alternative but to do or die making them more dangerous than anyone, after all they really do have nothing else left to lose.
There is a lot a stake and Dempsey has had to split his team to deal with the fallout both in Europe and in the States where Eden Grace is charged with the safety of someone from his past who he had severed connections with to spare them from the very thing they were now in the middle of. It’s a reunion that neither were prepared for. Eden plays quite a significant role in this book, and we can see just how much she thinks of Dempsey and what she is willing to risk to keep everyone safe and in one piece, even if it means working with her least favourite team member.
There is a mental as well as physical toll to this latest situation and more than one price is paid before it is over. You are left feeling that there is still a lot of unfinished business that may come back to bite them just as they think the dust has settled. Throughout the whole series you can’t help but get invested in the main characters and the outcome of whatever they find themselves in the middle of. What I do know is that if I ever found myself in real trouble, I wish I had someone like them to fight my corner both figuratively and literally
October 28, 2025
The Shadow Network by Tony Kent is an electrifying thriller that keeps you hooked from the first page to the final, pulse-pounding twist. ⚡
Tony Kent masterfully weaves together espionage, political intrigue, and high-stakes action in a story that feels as real as today’s headlines. Barrister Michael Devlin and Agent Joe Dempsey make a dynamic duo—sharp, relentless, and human enough to make you root for them as they chase a truth that everyone else refuses to see.
From The Hague’s courtrooms to the world of covert assassins and shadowy spies, every chapter brims with tension and betrayal. The mysterious figure known as the Monk adds an extra layer of danger and intrigue that keeps readers second-guessing every motive and alliance.
Fast-paced, intelligent, and cinematic, The Shadow Network proves why Tony Kent is one of the most compelling voices in modern thriller fiction. Perfect for fans of Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, and Mark Greaney. 🔥
Tony Kent masterfully weaves together espionage, political intrigue, and high-stakes action in a story that feels as real as today’s headlines. Barrister Michael Devlin and Agent Joe Dempsey make a dynamic duo—sharp, relentless, and human enough to make you root for them as they chase a truth that everyone else refuses to see.
From The Hague’s courtrooms to the world of covert assassins and shadowy spies, every chapter brims with tension and betrayal. The mysterious figure known as the Monk adds an extra layer of danger and intrigue that keeps readers second-guessing every motive and alliance.
Fast-paced, intelligent, and cinematic, The Shadow Network proves why Tony Kent is one of the most compelling voices in modern thriller fiction. Perfect for fans of Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, and Mark Greaney. 🔥
September 27, 2024
This is the first book in this series I've read and I received a copy from Elliott and Thompson via Netgalley.
When the legal team defending suspected war criminal Hannibal Strauss becomes victims of a terror attack in The Hague, barrister Michael Devlin immediately suspects something suspicious is happening. Once again partnering with Agent Joe Dempsey, they must uncover the mastermind before more innocent lives are lost. The only clue is a codename: the Monk.
This was a slow burn for me. It started out quite excitingly and fast-paced, but then it took a while before it reached the same level. The story itself is brilliant and I loved the elusiveness of that particular world. I usually enjoy spy thrillers and this was no exception so I would definitely read a follow up (although I found out later that this was already book 5 in a series).
4/5⭐️
When the legal team defending suspected war criminal Hannibal Strauss becomes victims of a terror attack in The Hague, barrister Michael Devlin immediately suspects something suspicious is happening. Once again partnering with Agent Joe Dempsey, they must uncover the mastermind before more innocent lives are lost. The only clue is a codename: the Monk.
This was a slow burn for me. It started out quite excitingly and fast-paced, but then it took a while before it reached the same level. The story itself is brilliant and I loved the elusiveness of that particular world. I usually enjoy spy thrillers and this was no exception so I would definitely read a follow up (although I found out later that this was already book 5 in a series).
4/5⭐️
March 10, 2025
Story is very gripping throughout and even though there are a couple of anomalies they don’t really detract from the pace and tension. It gives greater meaning to some aspects of the story if you have read the previous novels and helps to set certain actions into context if you are aware of the relationships between the main characters. Having said that it could quite easily be read as a freestanding story. I was introduced to Tony Kent as an author by my son - who lectures in law/business studies - and enjoy comparing our opinions on completion of the books.
I can see why some people compare Tony Kent to Lee Childs but the personalities of their main characters are very different.
A fast paced, exciting book which I really enjoyed.
I can see why some people compare Tony Kent to Lee Childs but the personalities of their main characters are very different.
A fast paced, exciting book which I really enjoyed.
March 13, 2024
Thank you Elliot and Thompson for sending me a review copy of this novel.
I have never read any novels by Tony Kent and definitely thoroughly enjoyed it. This novel kept me up late at night, telling myself to read onw more chapter after finishing each one. It seemed to be a series book, and having not read the ones before it, I did not feel lost or felt like I needed to read the others to know exactly what was going on. I would recomend this book to thrill seakers and political thrill readers.
I enjoyed the back and forth of narrators throughout the book. I will be looking to read those prior to this book in this series.
I have never read any novels by Tony Kent and definitely thoroughly enjoyed it. This novel kept me up late at night, telling myself to read onw more chapter after finishing each one. It seemed to be a series book, and having not read the ones before it, I did not feel lost or felt like I needed to read the others to know exactly what was going on. I would recomend this book to thrill seakers and political thrill readers.
I enjoyed the back and forth of narrators throughout the book. I will be looking to read those prior to this book in this series.
July 4, 2024
An action packed, fast moving thriller. A well plotted rollercoaster.
The story is set in the USA and Europe. I didn’t realise it was book #5 in a series. There is no need to have read the previous books. I was surprised how much punishment a person can take and still get up and carry on hitting each other. The action galloped along at a great rate so the plot didn’t feel stretched. The sudden inclusion of a heart to heart between the women in the middle of action seemed a bit out of character and not realistic at all.
I don’t think writing from a female perspective works in this story.
I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
The story is set in the USA and Europe. I didn’t realise it was book #5 in a series. There is no need to have read the previous books. I was surprised how much punishment a person can take and still get up and carry on hitting each other. The action galloped along at a great rate so the plot didn’t feel stretched. The sudden inclusion of a heart to heart between the women in the middle of action seemed a bit out of character and not realistic at all.
I don’t think writing from a female perspective works in this story.
I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
April 23, 2025
This is one of my first political thriller books I’ve ever really read and let me tell you it really surprised me. The angle the author has taken to write this was extremely clever, it really goes to show how the media really do glorify terrorism in the news and how corrupt governments are and the great lengths they will go to to cover their tracks. All in all it was a really fast cleverly paced book with loads of different POVs to really make it feel like the story was flowing in normal time rather than story time. I would be very open to reading the rest of the stand alone novels in this series.
January 15, 2024
This is book 5 in the excellent, action filled, Dempsey and Devlin series from Tony Kent, an author at the top of his game!. It can easily be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend this thrilling series to lovers of the genre. It has a contemporary and believable plot, very relevant to world events today. The characterisation is very believable, with it's clever plotting and brilliant descriptive passages. I devoured this book from page 1 as I just could not put it down and I loved the ending. Looking forward to more in this series. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
February 15, 2024
Thank you to the author, Elliott & Thompson and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the fifth book in a series, and the first book I've read by this author. The writing is atmospheric and the story is engrossing and a quick read, moving at breakneck speed - and there is no problem reading this as a stand-alone. However, I wish I had done a bit more research before requesting, as this is a book I would normally not read due to the extreme amount of gratuitous violence. Great f0r fans of the Jack Reacher series, but not my cup of tea.
This is the fifth book in a series, and the first book I've read by this author. The writing is atmospheric and the story is engrossing and a quick read, moving at breakneck speed - and there is no problem reading this as a stand-alone. However, I wish I had done a bit more research before requesting, as this is a book I would normally not read due to the extreme amount of gratuitous violence. Great f0r fans of the Jack Reacher series, but not my cup of tea.
August 21, 2024
If you like Lee Child then this book should be right up your street.
Drawn in by the possible death of a friend, barrister Michael Devlin accompanied by UN agent Joe Dempsey rush to The Hague and straight into a web of international espionage and the sights of The Monk, the ruthless leader of a shadow network. Not knowing who they can trust and whether they’ll survive can they find the key witness and bring the Monk down.
Well paced with interesting characters Tony Kent spins a believable story using real world events as a backdrop.
Drawn in by the possible death of a friend, barrister Michael Devlin accompanied by UN agent Joe Dempsey rush to The Hague and straight into a web of international espionage and the sights of The Monk, the ruthless leader of a shadow network. Not knowing who they can trust and whether they’ll survive can they find the key witness and bring the Monk down.
Well paced with interesting characters Tony Kent spins a believable story using real world events as a backdrop.
February 15, 2024
This is the 5th book in the Dempsey / Devlin series and I have read books 3, 4 + 5 in just a few weeks since I discovered them. They are a great action packed pair. I see some reviews say this is the 'new Jack Reacher' and funnily enough I've been watching the first series of Reacher and that was who I was picturing whilst reading these books.
I look forward to the next outing of the pair and their team.
I look forward to the next outing of the pair and their team.
August 7, 2024
Having seen Tony Kent at the Harrogate Crime Writing festival I was intrigued. He was an entertaining and perceptive speaker in a panel discussion so I approached his latest book full of hope but came away a bit underwhelmed! Story plot was okay and the action rattled along but I rather tired towards the final few chapters. So not really up there with Lee Child (at his best) but I will investigate others in the series.
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