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Milkshake
Put that in your car and smoke it!
On the day David Turner is supposed to emigrate to New Zealand, he witnesses a savage murder and becomes caught up in ruthless global conspiracy.
A thirty year-old technological discovery threatens his own future and jeopardises the lives of millions of others as David discovers that starting a new life is about to become a deadly game of cat and mouse... and, somewhat surprisingly, cows.
Modifying milk so that ethanol can be processed from it could be the solution to an impending global oil crisis, but drinking it will kill you.
Can the truth be uncovered before an entire country is sacrificed to satisfy the world's demand for bio-fuel?
On the day David Turner is supposed to emigrate to New Zealand, he witnesses a savage murder and becomes caught up in ruthless global conspiracy.
A thirty year-old technological discovery threatens his own future and jeopardises the lives of millions of others as David discovers that starting a new life is about to become a deadly game of cat and mouse... and, somewhat surprisingly, cows.
Modifying milk so that ethanol can be processed from it could be the solution to an impending global oil crisis, but drinking it will kill you.
Can the truth be uncovered before an entire country is sacrificed to satisfy the world's demand for bio-fuel?
- GenresThriller
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
6 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Matt Hammond
9 books11 followersMatt Hammond was born in London and spent much of his life in the UK before emigrating to New Zealand in 2002.
Inspired by the scenery and the laid back Kiwi lifestyle, he began to develop a fully-fledged fast-paced ecologically-inspired thriller, 'Milkshake'.
In December 2013 he published the sequel 'The Destiny Stone' and is now working on the third and final book in the trilogy.
Inspired by the scenery and the laid back Kiwi lifestyle, he began to develop a fully-fledged fast-paced ecologically-inspired thriller, 'Milkshake'.
In December 2013 he published the sequel 'The Destiny Stone' and is now working on the third and final book in the trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 4, 2012
On the day David Turner is supposed to emigrate to New Zealand, he witnesses a savage murder and becomes caught up in ruthless global conspiracy. A thirty year-old technological discovery threatens his own future and jeopardises the lives of millions of others as David discovers that starting a new life is about to become a deadly game of cat and mouse... and, somewhat surprisingly, cows.
A relatively enjoyable, if flawed, debut thriller. There is a good narrative drive, and plenty of action - but sometimes the writing isn't as smooth as some crime fiction fans might like. A little too much exposition and 'telling' (sometimes repeatedly - which is a pet peeve of mine, but doesn't bother some other readers as much), and Hammond seems to feel the need to regularly remind the reader of the situation the protagonist, David Turner, finds himself in (a bit too much 'spelling it out').
But despite some irritating flaws - which in all honesty aren't unexpected for a debut book that hasn't come through the editing process of a major publisher - I still found myself compelled to keep turning the pages. Hammond has brought together some really good ideas and interesting concepts, and also shows a nice turn of phrase and descriptive passage now and then, in amongst all the action, with some good 'visuals'. I was certainly intrigued, or hooked, to find out how it all comes together. And whether my home country would just become a testing ground for fuel-hungry Americans.
MILKSHAKE is a good solid debut, that might have moved into the very good/great category with some tighter editing. In all fairness, there are plenty of big-name, hugely popular bestsellers that suffer from the same flaws - plot and action-centric conspiracy thrillers where the writing is a little 'on the nose' (eg Dan Brown etc). So I imagine many, many people would enjoy MILKSHAKE, which is entertaining and interesting.
A relatively enjoyable, if flawed, debut thriller. There is a good narrative drive, and plenty of action - but sometimes the writing isn't as smooth as some crime fiction fans might like. A little too much exposition and 'telling' (sometimes repeatedly - which is a pet peeve of mine, but doesn't bother some other readers as much), and Hammond seems to feel the need to regularly remind the reader of the situation the protagonist, David Turner, finds himself in (a bit too much 'spelling it out').
But despite some irritating flaws - which in all honesty aren't unexpected for a debut book that hasn't come through the editing process of a major publisher - I still found myself compelled to keep turning the pages. Hammond has brought together some really good ideas and interesting concepts, and also shows a nice turn of phrase and descriptive passage now and then, in amongst all the action, with some good 'visuals'. I was certainly intrigued, or hooked, to find out how it all comes together. And whether my home country would just become a testing ground for fuel-hungry Americans.
MILKSHAKE is a good solid debut, that might have moved into the very good/great category with some tighter editing. In all fairness, there are plenty of big-name, hugely popular bestsellers that suffer from the same flaws - plot and action-centric conspiracy thrillers where the writing is a little 'on the nose' (eg Dan Brown etc). So I imagine many, many people would enjoy MILKSHAKE, which is entertaining and interesting.
November 11, 2011
This book does what all thrillers should - it keeps you hooked and ensures you keep turning the pages.
At first, it all seemed a little unlikely, but as the story progressed the possibility that such an imperialistic move could be made in the fight for alternative fuel products became frighteningly feasible. Especially when you find out who is behind it. Let's face it, who else could it be?
Matt Hammond also paints a fabulous picture of New Zealand. So much so that I shall be serously considering a trip sometime.
At first, it all seemed a little unlikely, but as the story progressed the possibility that such an imperialistic move could be made in the fight for alternative fuel products became frighteningly feasible. Especially when you find out who is behind it. Let's face it, who else could it be?
Matt Hammond also paints a fabulous picture of New Zealand. So much so that I shall be serously considering a trip sometime.
June 27, 2017
How can the USA keep up with the demand for fuel? Thriller featuring a conspiracy to take over another country to solve the problem.
March 18, 2024
Great story. Needed proofreading.
April 20, 2012
An interesting tale of conspiracy set in the very contemporary political climate between the USA and New Zealand, Milkshake was a fast-paced and fairly easy read. I enjoyed the premise - that New Zealand had been chosen by the US as an off-shore bio-fuel production plant and all that was left was to take it over subtly (using such techniques as buying the ground from under us and influencing immigration and emigration). Given that I had no knowledge of the science behind their plans, I accepted all of that with the same suspension of disbelief I grant fantasy and science fiction.
The characters (almost entirely male) were fairly good, though could have done with a little more depth. My favourite by far was the handsome and brilliant Maori SIS dude who unfortunately only turned up in the final quarter of the novel. By the end of the book, I felt most of my questions had been answered and the conclusion was certainly satisfactory.
Being a self-published author myself, I know how hard it can be to eliminate all those pesky grammatical errors, and I was impressed for the most part by the smooth, readability of Matt's writing. He kept me interested right up to the last page (though I skimmed a few parts which were essentially 're-telling' the situation just in case you had forgotten what was going on).
I do recommend giving this one a go, especially if you are interested to read a story where you get to see New Zealand through the eyes of someone who has never been here before. I think that was actually my favourite thing about this book in the end - just the wonderful descriptions and insights of someone seeing the place I have always taken for granted with new eyes.
The characters (almost entirely male) were fairly good, though could have done with a little more depth. My favourite by far was the handsome and brilliant Maori SIS dude who unfortunately only turned up in the final quarter of the novel. By the end of the book, I felt most of my questions had been answered and the conclusion was certainly satisfactory.
Being a self-published author myself, I know how hard it can be to eliminate all those pesky grammatical errors, and I was impressed for the most part by the smooth, readability of Matt's writing. He kept me interested right up to the last page (though I skimmed a few parts which were essentially 're-telling' the situation just in case you had forgotten what was going on).
I do recommend giving this one a go, especially if you are interested to read a story where you get to see New Zealand through the eyes of someone who has never been here before. I think that was actually my favourite thing about this book in the end - just the wonderful descriptions and insights of someone seeing the place I have always taken for granted with new eyes.
October 28, 2012
Three and a half stars actually! For a debut novel, it is a good read. The language is lucid and proper British English, with no use of slangs or street lingo, and I immensely enjoyed this fact.
However, the novel loses out on a complex plot. It tries to be a bit of everything- science fiction, action and adventure, international espionage and spies, and international politics. The result is that no one item gets the full treatment it individually deserves, and makes the plot complex and confusing at times. Also, the novel seems to have two protagonists- the first half revolves around Dave, while the second half is a show centered primarily around a character Brent, and Dave is suddenly relegated to being a supporting character.
On the positives, though, the speed is terrific, and the desire to know what happens next is irresistible at times. The central theme of one country (America) trying to stealthily and surreptitiously invade another country (New Zealand) through covert economic means instead of direct invasion, is intriguing. Slightly unbelievable, but thrilling nonetheless! Overall, a nice read, which could have been a lot better.
However, the novel loses out on a complex plot. It tries to be a bit of everything- science fiction, action and adventure, international espionage and spies, and international politics. The result is that no one item gets the full treatment it individually deserves, and makes the plot complex and confusing at times. Also, the novel seems to have two protagonists- the first half revolves around Dave, while the second half is a show centered primarily around a character Brent, and Dave is suddenly relegated to being a supporting character.
On the positives, though, the speed is terrific, and the desire to know what happens next is irresistible at times. The central theme of one country (America) trying to stealthily and surreptitiously invade another country (New Zealand) through covert economic means instead of direct invasion, is intriguing. Slightly unbelievable, but thrilling nonetheless! Overall, a nice read, which could have been a lot better.
August 16, 2014
Set in New Zealand this is the story of turning milk into fuel. The U.S. Government is implementing a plan that undermines the New Zealand Government in order to solve the American dependence on foreign oil. Unsuspecting immigrants are bringing illegal funds into the country that will be used to finance this plan. Once instituted this plan will destroy the pristine beauty of this wonderful nation and may also end upkilling the citizens of New Zealand.. But an underground group is working with one immigrant, that has caught on to the plan, to expose the American plot. The action keeps the reader on the edge of his/her seat.
A very well written novel that I found at www.kindlebuffet.com when it was offered free, but well worth the price anyway.
A very well written novel that I found at www.kindlebuffet.com when it was offered free, but well worth the price anyway.
January 27, 2016
A fast paced and engrossing thriller, with an original and creative premise, well developed. Much of it is set in New Zealand, who's scenery and culture is well described, giving it a great background. Unfortunately, it loses its way towards the end, become bogged down in information dumps and large lumps of back story - just at the point when it should be speeding up to a climax. The ending is a bit of a damp squib - a great pity, since the early part of the book showed a lot of promise.
July 11, 2013
This is a well-written thriller on an original theme. While it does stretch credibility at times, what good thriller doesn't? Kept me guessing right till the end who were the good guys and who were the bad guys, and I definitely had to know how it all turned out. I would read more by this author, not least because it was so original and different from other thrillers.
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February 25, 2016.99 on kindle
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews