What do you think?
Rate this book
Scott Pearce #3
White Fire
An ex-MI6 agent driven to avenge a tragic death.
A radical environmental group determined to avert climate catastrophe.
A lone outsider with the power to devastate the world.
Scott Pearce has torn up the espionage rulebook to overcome those spreading division and hate, but radical environmental group White Fire is a new kind of enemy posing a new kind of threat.
With everything on the line, Pearce discovers links to an old enemy thought long defeated, and as the danger rises, he realises he and his team, Leila Nahum and Kyle Wollerton, have underestimated the fight ahead.
As the conspiracy that links Black 13 and Red Wolves emerges from the shadows, the team has one chance to avert a global catastrophe that could disable the world permanently . . .
Packed with tension and pace, White Fire is the third Scott Pearce novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author.
A radical environmental group determined to avert climate catastrophe.
A lone outsider with the power to devastate the world.
Scott Pearce has torn up the espionage rulebook to overcome those spreading division and hate, but radical environmental group White Fire is a new kind of enemy posing a new kind of threat.
With everything on the line, Pearce discovers links to an old enemy thought long defeated, and as the danger rises, he realises he and his team, Leila Nahum and Kyle Wollerton, have underestimated the fight ahead.
As the conspiracy that links Black 13 and Red Wolves emerges from the shadows, the team has one chance to avert a global catastrophe that could disable the world permanently . . .
Packed with tension and pace, White Fire is the third Scott Pearce novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author.
384 pages, Paperback
Published August 31, 2023
18 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Adam Hamdy
35 books340 followersI'm a Sunday Times and international bestselling author and screenwriter.
I write topical, thought-provoking novels that aim to entertain, and I love lived research, so the events in my books are often inspired by real events.
Before I became a professional writer I was a strategy consultant and advised global businesses in a variety of sectors. I co-founded Capital Crime and am now on the advisory board. I'm also on the board of ITW. I enjoy rock climbing, skiing, sailing and competitive shooting.
I live in Mauritius with my wife and our three children.
I write topical, thought-provoking novels that aim to entertain, and I love lived research, so the events in my books are often inspired by real events.
Before I became a professional writer I was a strategy consultant and advised global businesses in a variety of sectors. I co-founded Capital Crime and am now on the advisory board. I'm also on the board of ITW. I enjoy rock climbing, skiing, sailing and competitive shooting.
I live in Mauritius with my wife and our three children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 29, 2023
Scott has sex with cultists.
Please tell me it gets better.
Please tell me it gets better.
February 10, 2024
Something is very wrong with Goodreaders if this and the two preceding books in the Scott Pearce series are getting five stars.
This is simply the most badly written book I have ever read. Red Wolves was only slightly better and Black 13 was the best in the series (which is why I then bought Red Wolves and White Fire together), but none of these books can possibly be worth an average rating of 4+; presumably, Hamdy has somehow persuaded his mates in what can only be a fit of compassion on their part to rate his books with a top ranking. Shame on you all.
The plot...global conspiracy...small band of cardboard action men and a crippled (yet somehow a ninja) woman thwart their dastardly plots. Mayhem everywhere...endless villains getting gunned down, stabbed blah blah blah...and law enforcement that is either a part of the conspiracy or just simply NOT THERE as the bodies pile up (any idea that some of this trail of destruction happening in broad daylight might be recorded on the millions of CCTV we have in the UK today...nah...why have something as inconvenient as that get in the way of this ridiculous story?).
Once you get to Red Wolves and White Fire, the action / destruction seemingly becomes the only point of these books, so forget the plot, just get stuck into the groove of three pages of filler, three pages of extreme violence, three pages of filler, three pages of extreme violence and on and on and on....
Everything about this latest book is laughably awful. I really wish I had more aptitude in literary criticism so that I could explain why this book is so bad.
Try this: "X was seething. Y had once been nothing more than an inconvenience, but X hated Y ever since that night at Z when X had been forced to shoot her father"...or
"She turned to see X swing the gun at her, (note pointless use of an Oxford comma) and cursed herself for underestimating the vile women"; or
"Bullets bit into the pillar and dust swirled in a violent cloud. Y heard a screech of tyres and looked over the tops of the nearby parked cars to see a trio of vehicles - a Mercedes E-Class, a Lexus ES and a Tesla Model X - streaming down a ramp". [I've picked this one as just one of at least fifty places where Hamdy just has to list the specific type of car / motorcycle / gun / explosive / whatever etc...something that Anthony Horowitz irritatingly did throughout the Alex Rider series, but at least those had something of a story to redeem them...no such redemption here, I'm afraid]
I could pick out sentences like these from every page of this book (or, maybe I could try to find sentences that are not like these). How on earth does Hamdy have the stamina to pump out this relentless drivel?
If you're wondering why I have even read these books, well, I started, so I made it my mission to finish. I don't think I have the heart to inflict these books on the charity shops. I might simply use them to prime my wood burner stove.
NB: it didn't really take me ten days to read this book...I put it down for several days, then decided to finish it so that I could justify writing a review.
This is simply the most badly written book I have ever read. Red Wolves was only slightly better and Black 13 was the best in the series (which is why I then bought Red Wolves and White Fire together), but none of these books can possibly be worth an average rating of 4+; presumably, Hamdy has somehow persuaded his mates in what can only be a fit of compassion on their part to rate his books with a top ranking. Shame on you all.
The plot...global conspiracy...small band of cardboard action men and a crippled (yet somehow a ninja) woman thwart their dastardly plots. Mayhem everywhere...endless villains getting gunned down, stabbed blah blah blah...and law enforcement that is either a part of the conspiracy or just simply NOT THERE as the bodies pile up (any idea that some of this trail of destruction happening in broad daylight might be recorded on the millions of CCTV we have in the UK today...nah...why have something as inconvenient as that get in the way of this ridiculous story?).
Once you get to Red Wolves and White Fire, the action / destruction seemingly becomes the only point of these books, so forget the plot, just get stuck into the groove of three pages of filler, three pages of extreme violence, three pages of filler, three pages of extreme violence and on and on and on....
Everything about this latest book is laughably awful. I really wish I had more aptitude in literary criticism so that I could explain why this book is so bad.
Try this: "X was seething. Y had once been nothing more than an inconvenience, but X hated Y ever since that night at Z when X had been forced to shoot her father"...or
"She turned to see X swing the gun at her, (note pointless use of an Oxford comma) and cursed herself for underestimating the vile women"; or
"Bullets bit into the pillar and dust swirled in a violent cloud. Y heard a screech of tyres and looked over the tops of the nearby parked cars to see a trio of vehicles - a Mercedes E-Class, a Lexus ES and a Tesla Model X - streaming down a ramp". [I've picked this one as just one of at least fifty places where Hamdy just has to list the specific type of car / motorcycle / gun / explosive / whatever etc...something that Anthony Horowitz irritatingly did throughout the Alex Rider series, but at least those had something of a story to redeem them...no such redemption here, I'm afraid]
I could pick out sentences like these from every page of this book (or, maybe I could try to find sentences that are not like these). How on earth does Hamdy have the stamina to pump out this relentless drivel?
If you're wondering why I have even read these books, well, I started, so I made it my mission to finish. I don't think I have the heart to inflict these books on the charity shops. I might simply use them to prime my wood burner stove.
NB: it didn't really take me ten days to read this book...I put it down for several days, then decided to finish it so that I could justify writing a review.
August 25, 2023
My thoughts about Adam Hamdy’s spy action thriller White Fire, is a perfect blend of drama, suspense, mystery, and a pinch of action. Writer Adam Hamdy does justice to the book’s gripping plot, the readers get completely invested from the beginning to the very end. Adam Hamdy’s third book in the Scott Pearce spy thriller series has all the ingredients to draw the readers attention. If there’s one spy thriller series that sets the bar high for thrilling espionage books, it’s Adam Hamdy’s White Fire. Writer Adam Hamdy has masterfully woven intricate plotlines that keep reader’s on the edge of their seats, eager to unravel the mysteries alongside the characters. Adam Hamdy’s White Fires story begins with an ex-MI6 agent driven to avenge a tragic death. A radical environmental group determined to avert climate catastrophe. A lone outsider with the power to devastate the world. Scott Pearce has torn up the espionage rulebook to overcome those spreading division and hate, but radical environmental group White Fire is a new kind of enemy posing a new kind of threat. With everything on the line, Pearce discovers links to an old enemy thought long defeated, and as the danger rises, he realises he and his team, Leila Nahum and Kyle Wollerton, have underestimated the fight ahead. As the conspiracy that links Black 13 and Red Wolves emerges from the shadows, the team has one chance to avert a global catastrophe that could disable the world permanently. Overall Adam Hamdy’s White Fire stands out as a shining example of top-tier entertainment. With its heart-stopping action, intricate storytelling, and exceptional characters, this series not only pays homage to the source material but also brings a fresh and engaging perspective to the espionage genre. Adam Hamdy’s is a must read. I would like to say a big thank you to author Adam Hamdy, and publishers Macmillan books for kindly sending me a gifted copy for me to read and review. Adam Hamdy’s White Fire is phenomenal. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥💥💥
May 8, 2024
Set against a background of unstoppable climate change, White Fire, is an extraordinary, easy to read, impossible to put down, thought-provoking thriller.
Scott Pearce, Kyle Wollerton, and Leila Nahum form a close team of outstanding security operatives funded by billionaire Huxley Blaine Carter. They are three thinking, feeling people whose task is to disrupt/eliminate the leaders of powerful interest groups who have willfully harnessed and fostered the frustrations of genuine environmental groups. Lack of action against potentially devastating climate change has allowed rogue operators to infiltrate, finance and radicalise action groups for their own - not necessarily so erudite or praiseworthy - causes. The fight against these malign forces takes the team to the top of some of the most influential financial, media and technology companies and casts shadows over one’s confidence in our future national security, intelligence and possibly even political and military independence.
Set mostly in London, Wales and New York, the action is relentless. Pearce, Wollerton and Leila skip between safe houses and enemy strongholds. Whilst always concerned for each other’s safety, they create an extraordinarily high body count as they deploy a seemingly inexhaustible supply of conventional weapons and impressive technical gizmos.
On the personal side, whilst attracted to more than one of the females he meets, Pearce seems to accept that he is trapped in his adversarial lifestyle. Wollerton is parted from his wife and fears for his relationships with his young children. Leila, the team’s technical whiz is a Syrian refugee. In constant pain, she is determined to find her sister whom she believes had been trafficked to somewhere in Europe. Hope is raised that she might locate her soon.
White Fire is the third Scott Pearce novel. It certainly won’t be the last.
------
Reviewer: Angela Crowther
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
Scott Pearce, Kyle Wollerton, and Leila Nahum form a close team of outstanding security operatives funded by billionaire Huxley Blaine Carter. They are three thinking, feeling people whose task is to disrupt/eliminate the leaders of powerful interest groups who have willfully harnessed and fostered the frustrations of genuine environmental groups. Lack of action against potentially devastating climate change has allowed rogue operators to infiltrate, finance and radicalise action groups for their own - not necessarily so erudite or praiseworthy - causes. The fight against these malign forces takes the team to the top of some of the most influential financial, media and technology companies and casts shadows over one’s confidence in our future national security, intelligence and possibly even political and military independence.
Set mostly in London, Wales and New York, the action is relentless. Pearce, Wollerton and Leila skip between safe houses and enemy strongholds. Whilst always concerned for each other’s safety, they create an extraordinarily high body count as they deploy a seemingly inexhaustible supply of conventional weapons and impressive technical gizmos.
On the personal side, whilst attracted to more than one of the females he meets, Pearce seems to accept that he is trapped in his adversarial lifestyle. Wollerton is parted from his wife and fears for his relationships with his young children. Leila, the team’s technical whiz is a Syrian refugee. In constant pain, she is determined to find her sister whom she believes had been trafficked to somewhere in Europe. Hope is raised that she might locate her soon.
White Fire is the third Scott Pearce novel. It certainly won’t be the last.
------
Reviewer: Angela Crowther
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
August 30, 2023
This book continues the story started first in Black 13 and which was continued in Red Wolves. Usually with series books I would recommend you start from the beginning and read in order but I think this time I would do more than recommend as there is a LOT that has gone before and the catch-up contained herein only serve as memory links rather than proper fill the gaps. What has already happened is a bit convoluted and it's all interconnected with what happens here so I think you'd be on a hiding to nothing if you go in blind. And... they are both cracking reads in themselves anyway!
So... Scott Pearce and his team continue fighting the good fight. Many times over. This book, like its predecessors, hits the ground running, is action packed all the way through, only stopping momentarily for a bit of reader respite. Pearce continues with the indestructible Captain Scarlet persona he has channelled through the previous books! Jeez how much more can a guy actually take!?!
This time it's a bit topical as it concerns Climate Change - a hot topic indeed. And a radical group are taking steps to try and avert climate catastrophe. Steps that to anyone would be completely over the top, but as with any good "radical group" they have managed to infiltrate the more sensible, peaceful, protesters and convinced them to join ranks. But what they are planning to do with, well, let's just say the fallout would not be pretty if they are not stopped.
As with previous books, the action comes thick and fast and the whole delivered punch after punch - literally in some cases. It all ramps up to a wholly satisfying climax which satisfies most of the ongoing threads but leaving enough open for me to get excited at what might happen in book four.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So... Scott Pearce and his team continue fighting the good fight. Many times over. This book, like its predecessors, hits the ground running, is action packed all the way through, only stopping momentarily for a bit of reader respite. Pearce continues with the indestructible Captain Scarlet persona he has channelled through the previous books! Jeez how much more can a guy actually take!?!
This time it's a bit topical as it concerns Climate Change - a hot topic indeed. And a radical group are taking steps to try and avert climate catastrophe. Steps that to anyone would be completely over the top, but as with any good "radical group" they have managed to infiltrate the more sensible, peaceful, protesters and convinced them to join ranks. But what they are planning to do with, well, let's just say the fallout would not be pretty if they are not stopped.
As with previous books, the action comes thick and fast and the whole delivered punch after punch - literally in some cases. It all ramps up to a wholly satisfying climax which satisfies most of the ongoing threads but leaving enough open for me to get excited at what might happen in book four.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
February 12, 2024
I chose to read White Fire, the third in a series by Adam Hamdy featuring Scott Pearce, thinking I had read the previous two books (when you read a lot it’s easy to get confused). I soon found out I was mistaken as there are numerous references to Black 13 and Red Wolves which made no sense at all to me. I would not recommend starting with White Fire as there are narrative threads that seem to run through all three books.
Scott is part of a team, funded by a wealthy benefactor with seemingly unlimited resources, who are up against a shadowy organisation with members everywhere – this is not a new or unique scenario. In order to avenge a colleague, Scott goes undercover with a radical environmental group with links to the man they are trying to locate. His fellow team members, Leila and Kyle, are pursuing a different lead. Somehow, the opposition always seem to be one step ahead.
The characters are well drawn and believable, though some of the bad guys are a bit formulaic, and action scenes keep the plot moving along at a fair pace. I enjoyed reading White Fire on one level, but not enough to bother going back to read the first two books. This is a very crowded market and the author did not bring anything that had not been done before. Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
Scott is part of a team, funded by a wealthy benefactor with seemingly unlimited resources, who are up against a shadowy organisation with members everywhere – this is not a new or unique scenario. In order to avenge a colleague, Scott goes undercover with a radical environmental group with links to the man they are trying to locate. His fellow team members, Leila and Kyle, are pursuing a different lead. Somehow, the opposition always seem to be one step ahead.
The characters are well drawn and believable, though some of the bad guys are a bit formulaic, and action scenes keep the plot moving along at a fair pace. I enjoyed reading White Fire on one level, but not enough to bother going back to read the first two books. This is a very crowded market and the author did not bring anything that had not been done before. Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
August 31, 2023
This is the third in the “Scott Pearce” trilogy, a small team working for a mysterious benefactor against a group that seems to have endless power and influence. Very much action packed and page turning stuff, as per the previous books. Here the team are trying to stop something that could be truly world changing and they may be too late. Good characters and interaction between them.
Like the other books this is great fun and an easy page turning read. If I was to be slightly critical I would mention slight repetition, clues with expiring breath, bad guys assaulting as soon as the team appear to be safe etc, but a minor quibble in what is an action packed and entertaining read.
Like the other books this is great fun and an easy page turning read. If I was to be slightly critical I would mention slight repetition, clues with expiring breath, bad guys assaulting as soon as the team appear to be safe etc, but a minor quibble in what is an action packed and entertaining read.
January 19, 2024
Scott Pearce is back. This time infiltrating an ecoactivist group that not only has ties to Extinction Rebellion (in sharing a cause) but also to Black 13, the antagonists from the series looking to exploit an opportunity.
It’s the trademark recipe from the series again - action, drama, suspense all in fine form. The characters are well formed particularly our heroes. But it felt a bit too safe in places and didn’t have as much of a powerful punch as I was hoping for. It’s also hard to feel some of it is just a rehash from the previous 2 but as the endgame approaches I’m hopeful to see what is to come.
It’s the trademark recipe from the series again - action, drama, suspense all in fine form. The characters are well formed particularly our heroes. But it felt a bit too safe in places and didn’t have as much of a powerful punch as I was hoping for. It’s also hard to feel some of it is just a rehash from the previous 2 but as the endgame approaches I’m hopeful to see what is to come.
September 4, 2023
I've been a massive fan of Adam's books for a few years now and I always look forward to a new release. Adam has the perfect balance into espionage, action, mystery and suspense 8n White Fire. The plotlines kept me wanting to read more and Scott Pearce is the perfect spy. When an ex MI6 agent goes rouge in order to avenge a personal death all hell breaks loose. Also Scott and the team are also on the hunt for a radical climate change group that try to avert a climate catastrophe but with deadly consequences. Action packed throughout a fantastic thrill of a ride. Can't wait for the next one!
September 5, 2023
Scott Pearce and his associates are back and on the trail of the people behind the Black 13 and Red Wolves movements. Scott infiltrates an environmental group called White Fire and soon discovers that the leader and members have been tricked into working with the group behind Black 13 and Red Wolves - what is planned would be catastrophic for the country.
Don't want to say anymore for fear of spoilers but highly recommend this and the whole Scott Pearce series.
Thanks to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and Adam Hamdy for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Don't want to say anymore for fear of spoilers but highly recommend this and the whole Scott Pearce series.
Thanks to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and Adam Hamdy for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
August 29, 2023
Another fast paced thriller from Adam. A well plotted novel which keeps you on the edge of you seat. Scott Pearce and his team investigate Whit Fire an environmental group which links to an old enemy. A first class thriller highly recommended. Thanks to publishers for a first read of this book.
September 17, 2023
I love thriller featuring Scott Pearce and this one was fast paced, action packed, and thrilling.
An exciting and gripping read, full of surprising twists.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
An exciting and gripping read, full of surprising twists.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
December 17, 2023
The third instalment of this espionage action thriller series. Ex-MI6 operative Scott Pearce is drawn into a high-stakes fight where danger lurks at every corner. This tale will keep you hooked until it's explosive end.
July 15, 2024
brilliant
Fast paced and an excellent read. To many descriptions of car and places but otherwise excellent. Next time kill Donald
Fast paced and an excellent read. To many descriptions of car and places but otherwise excellent. Next time kill Donald
August 13, 2023
I can picture the movie of this book very clearly and you can see what the author wanted from this book.
This is a decent book but it does not work as a standalone book. You need to have read the previous books in the series for you to be investigated in this book I think. It’s unfortunate as I wanted to love this book and I just felt… indifferent.
Based on the type of book it is and the subject matter I should love this book but it’s just too…. disparate I think it’s not quite high paced thriller, nor is it slow, nor is it drawing me in or keeping me hooked. I could put it down and not be bothered about not knowing how it ended or where it went.
Even with the climax this is dry. I don’t get why though. Some will love it but it’s not for me
The climate change bit seemed self righteous and just off. Like it was shoehorned in to try and make the book somewhat noble.
Its a decent book but not amazing but that could be down to my expectations
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC and the chance to read this book.
#Bookreview
This is a decent book but it does not work as a standalone book. You need to have read the previous books in the series for you to be investigated in this book I think. It’s unfortunate as I wanted to love this book and I just felt… indifferent.
Based on the type of book it is and the subject matter I should love this book but it’s just too…. disparate I think it’s not quite high paced thriller, nor is it slow, nor is it drawing me in or keeping me hooked. I could put it down and not be bothered about not knowing how it ended or where it went.
Even with the climax this is dry. I don’t get why though. Some will love it but it’s not for me
The climate change bit seemed self righteous and just off. Like it was shoehorned in to try and make the book somewhat noble.
Its a decent book but not amazing but that could be down to my expectations
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC and the chance to read this book.
#Bookreview
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews