What do you think?
Rate this book
Wolfe's Gambit: A Bill Wolfe Short Thriller 1
'I found myself, on the one hand, racing through this story but, on the other hand, forcing myself to slow down a bit as I didn't want to miss anything!' Grace J Smith
Jerusalem 1946
Bill Wolfe is a captain in the RMP Special Investigations branch.
An insignificant case turns out to be something much, much larger.
And all the time, the clock is ticking.
Jerusalem 1946
Bill Wolfe is a captain in the RMP Special Investigations branch.
An insignificant case turns out to be something much, much larger.
And all the time, the clock is ticking.
82 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 8, 2023
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Murray Bailey
26 books288 followersMurray Bailey was always interested in writing and, at an early age, had articles published in newspapers, including the Times. Despite studying Physics and Mathematics and pursuing a very different career, he also edited a magazine for a year as well as a batch of technical books.
After 10 years of scribbling, in 2016 his first published novel was I Dare You. He went on to demonstrate his passion for ancient Egypt and puzzles in his novel Map of the Dead. However the Singapore series featuring the ex-military policeman Ash Carter was a labour of love and based on his first unpublished story that eventually became Singapore 52.
Born in Greater Manchester, England, he gradually moved south to reach the beautiful Dorset coast where he lives with his wife and family. Having young children and an all-consuming passion such as writing doesn’t leave much free time, but when he does take a break, he enjoys running, cycling, kayaking and building sandcastles with his children.
After 10 years of scribbling, in 2016 his first published novel was I Dare You. He went on to demonstrate his passion for ancient Egypt and puzzles in his novel Map of the Dead. However the Singapore series featuring the ex-military policeman Ash Carter was a labour of love and based on his first unpublished story that eventually became Singapore 52.
Born in Greater Manchester, England, he gradually moved south to reach the beautiful Dorset coast where he lives with his wife and family. Having young children and an all-consuming passion such as writing doesn’t leave much free time, but when he does take a break, he enjoys running, cycling, kayaking and building sandcastles with his children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 8, 2023
A fantastic addition to the Ash Carter Near East Crime series!
Having loved this series, I remember Bill Wolfe very well and he stuck in my memory as a character I would love to read more about so I was thrilled to read this short story. Murray Bailey's books are always an exciting read; the kind where your hear pounds, your pulse races and - always - you wonder how the characters are going to get out of the situations they find themselves in! His use of language and excellent sentence structure always leaves me with the feeling that I've learned something but without any 'preaching' - these are some of the most readable books I've come across.
Very thrilling, I found myself racing through this story but forcing myself to slow down as I didn't want to miss anything! A sheer delight from beginning to end and I really, really hope to read more about Bill Wolfe.
No doubt about it that this is a sparkling 5* read and I'm happy to give it my very highest recommendation. One for the Christmas list!
Having loved this series, I remember Bill Wolfe very well and he stuck in my memory as a character I would love to read more about so I was thrilled to read this short story. Murray Bailey's books are always an exciting read; the kind where your hear pounds, your pulse races and - always - you wonder how the characters are going to get out of the situations they find themselves in! His use of language and excellent sentence structure always leaves me with the feeling that I've learned something but without any 'preaching' - these are some of the most readable books I've come across.
Very thrilling, I found myself racing through this story but forcing myself to slow down as I didn't want to miss anything! A sheer delight from beginning to end and I really, really hope to read more about Bill Wolfe.
No doubt about it that this is a sparkling 5* read and I'm happy to give it my very highest recommendation. One for the Christmas list!
January 15, 2024
Enjoyable very different short stories.
Two very different enjoyable short stories. Both very well written as I have come to expect from this excellent Author. Very engaging easy quick reads. Clever descriptive imaginative with excellent characters.
Completely recommended.
Two very different enjoyable short stories. Both very well written as I have come to expect from this excellent Author. Very engaging easy quick reads. Clever descriptive imaginative with excellent characters.
Completely recommended.
December 18, 2023
Wolfe’s Gambit may only be a short story but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a fully formed tale with a fantastic central character in the shape of Bill Wolfe.
Set in Jerusalem 1947, Wolfe is a no nonsense captain in the military police. A tense atmosphere is palpable in the fragile coexistence of warring factions; a pivotal time in history. Murders, espionage & treason all play their part in this brilliant thriller.
I’m looking forward to seeing more of Mr Wolfe, as well as the continuation of the Ash Carter series.
Set in Jerusalem 1947, Wolfe is a no nonsense captain in the military police. A tense atmosphere is palpable in the fragile coexistence of warring factions; a pivotal time in history. Murders, espionage & treason all play their part in this brilliant thriller.
I’m looking forward to seeing more of Mr Wolfe, as well as the continuation of the Ash Carter series.
December 11, 2023
1947, Jerusalem
Bill Wolfe, SIB operative part of the Military Police, and is hard and tough as they come. Hated by soldiers who in turn are despised by the populace, the atmosphere created is heavy with tension, suspicion is everywhere, a fragile existence of three religions ready to go up in a second.
“ He knew Jerusalem’s shadows like old friends…this place got inside a man, became part of him.”
A yellow ribbon on a door is like lighting a match and the story sets off apace. A Jewish woman attacked on her way home by a para, who Wolfe recognises. Are there links to the seven women murdered over the previous seven months? Instinct tells Wolfe that a single killer is stalking the streets, with bodies discarded like trash across the city he is determined to root out the killer. Setting off a train of events mired in the troubles of the region.
This is a masterful short thriller, atmospheric and evocative. We have a clever killer who think they have covered their tracks, terrorism, and a threat to the delicate balance in the area. I found it quite unnerving given the current situation in Israel and the link to previous events written about here. I enjoyed meeting Bill Wolfe and finding out about his back story.
It rattles along at a fast pace and despite the short length it is full of tension which kept me hooked. A sharp, punchy and gripping thriller with more to come.
Bill Wolfe, SIB operative part of the Military Police, and is hard and tough as they come. Hated by soldiers who in turn are despised by the populace, the atmosphere created is heavy with tension, suspicion is everywhere, a fragile existence of three religions ready to go up in a second.
“ He knew Jerusalem’s shadows like old friends…this place got inside a man, became part of him.”
A yellow ribbon on a door is like lighting a match and the story sets off apace. A Jewish woman attacked on her way home by a para, who Wolfe recognises. Are there links to the seven women murdered over the previous seven months? Instinct tells Wolfe that a single killer is stalking the streets, with bodies discarded like trash across the city he is determined to root out the killer. Setting off a train of events mired in the troubles of the region.
This is a masterful short thriller, atmospheric and evocative. We have a clever killer who think they have covered their tracks, terrorism, and a threat to the delicate balance in the area. I found it quite unnerving given the current situation in Israel and the link to previous events written about here. I enjoyed meeting Bill Wolfe and finding out about his back story.
It rattles along at a fast pace and despite the short length it is full of tension which kept me hooked. A sharp, punchy and gripping thriller with more to come.
January 7, 2024
This is a short story, less than 100 pages, set in Jerusalem in 1946 featuring Bill Wolfe a captain in the RMP Special Investigations branch. The soldiers are hated by the locals and the MPs hated by the soldiers, it’s a powder keg waiting to explode!
Briefly, when a Jewish woman is attacked Wolfe recognises the attacker. His research confirms seven women have been murdered in recent months and he wonders if this attack is connected.
This is a really well written and exciting short story that had me on the edge of my seat. Wolfe is a great character, tough but with a soft side, and someone you would would definitely want on your team in a fight! A very enjoyable read.
Briefly, when a Jewish woman is attacked Wolfe recognises the attacker. His research confirms seven women have been murdered in recent months and he wonders if this attack is connected.
This is a really well written and exciting short story that had me on the edge of my seat. Wolfe is a great character, tough but with a soft side, and someone you would would definitely want on your team in a fight! A very enjoyable read.
December 20, 2023
Bill Wolfe makes an appearance in the Ash Carter Near East series and now has his own spin-off.
Working for the Military Police and based in Israel during the post WWII period where tension is high and the current peace has a fragility to it that could explode at any time.
Murray Bailey is a master wordsmith who creates incredible, flawed, but ultimately lovable, characters who he pitches head first into plots that twist and turn more than the Grand Prix circuit in Monaco.
Wolfe is no exception and nicely compliments the other leads in both the Ash Carter and Blackjack series
This is an excellent short novel that hopefully forms the beginning of a new series for Bill Wolfe
Working for the Military Police and based in Israel during the post WWII period where tension is high and the current peace has a fragility to it that could explode at any time.
Murray Bailey is a master wordsmith who creates incredible, flawed, but ultimately lovable, characters who he pitches head first into plots that twist and turn more than the Grand Prix circuit in Monaco.
Wolfe is no exception and nicely compliments the other leads in both the Ash Carter and Blackjack series
This is an excellent short novel that hopefully forms the beginning of a new series for Bill Wolfe
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews