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Beirut: An Explosive Thriller
Michel Freij is a powerful man. But he wants more. Two hundred kilotons more.
Michel Freij is poised to become the next president of Lebanon. The billionaire businessman’s calls for a new, strong regional role for the country take on a sinister note when European intelligence reveals Freij has bought two ageing Soviet nuclear warheads from a German arms dealer.
Maverick British intelligence officer Gerald Lynch has to find the warheads, believed to be on board super-yacht the Arabian Princess, before they can reach Lebanon. Joined by Nathalie Durand, the leader of a French online intelligence team, Lynch is pitched into a deadly clash with Freij and his violent militia as he pursues the Arabian Princess across the Mediterranean.
Beirut – An Explosive Thriller sweeps through Lebanon, Hamburg, Prague, Malta, Albania and the Greek Islands on its journey to a devastating climax.
Michel Freij is poised to become the next president of Lebanon. The billionaire businessman’s calls for a new, strong regional role for the country take on a sinister note when European intelligence reveals Freij has bought two ageing Soviet nuclear warheads from a German arms dealer.
Maverick British intelligence officer Gerald Lynch has to find the warheads, believed to be on board super-yacht the Arabian Princess, before they can reach Lebanon. Joined by Nathalie Durand, the leader of a French online intelligence team, Lynch is pitched into a deadly clash with Freij and his violent militia as he pursues the Arabian Princess across the Mediterranean.
Beirut – An Explosive Thriller sweeps through Lebanon, Hamburg, Prague, Malta, Albania and the Greek Islands on its journey to a devastating climax.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2012
About the author
Alexander McNabb
19 books53 followersALEXANDER MCNABB
Alexander McNabb has been working as a journalist, editor and magazine publisher in the Middle East for some 38 years. Today he consults on media, publishing and digital communications.
Alexander's first serious novel was the critically acclaimed Olives - A Violent Romance, a work exploring the attitudes, perceptions and conflicts of the Middle East, exposing a European sensibility to the multi-layered world of life on the borders of Palestine. Published in 2011, the book triggered widespread controversy, finding a receptive audience in the Middle East and beyond.
Olives was followed in 2012 by testosterone-soaked international spy thriller Beirut - An Explosive Thriller. His third Middle East-based novel, Shemlan - A Deadly Tragedy, about a man dying of cancer unearthing a deadly past, published in 2013. Together, the three form the 'Levant Cycle'.
A Decent Bomber, set in Ireland, published in 2015. It tells the story of a retired IRA bomb-maker forced to resume his old trade, pitching 'old terror' against 'new terror' in a battle of wits between an Irish farmer with a violent past and Somali extortionists with a questionable future.
His next novel, Birdkill, is a psychological thriller about a teacher who has lost her recent past to 'The Void', a terrible incident she can't recall and nobody seems to be in a hurry to tell her about. Her friend Mariam embarks on a race to uncover the truth before Robyn is driven over the edge into insanity.
His latest, The Dead Sea Hotel, is part spy thriller, part morality tale, part ghost story. Krikor Manoukian is the proprietor of the run-down Dead Sea Hotel. His beloved wife Lucine has passed away, his daughter Araksi is mooning around in love with an unsuitable boy and Manoukian is in debt up to his eyeballs. The last thing he needs is a dead Englishman in one of his rooms, but that's just what he's got. Little does Manoukian know it but he's got the Englishman's ghost to deal with, to boot.
You can find Alexander and his books at www.alexandermcnabb.com.
Alexander McNabb has been working as a journalist, editor and magazine publisher in the Middle East for some 38 years. Today he consults on media, publishing and digital communications.
Alexander's first serious novel was the critically acclaimed Olives - A Violent Romance, a work exploring the attitudes, perceptions and conflicts of the Middle East, exposing a European sensibility to the multi-layered world of life on the borders of Palestine. Published in 2011, the book triggered widespread controversy, finding a receptive audience in the Middle East and beyond.
Olives was followed in 2012 by testosterone-soaked international spy thriller Beirut - An Explosive Thriller. His third Middle East-based novel, Shemlan - A Deadly Tragedy, about a man dying of cancer unearthing a deadly past, published in 2013. Together, the three form the 'Levant Cycle'.
A Decent Bomber, set in Ireland, published in 2015. It tells the story of a retired IRA bomb-maker forced to resume his old trade, pitching 'old terror' against 'new terror' in a battle of wits between an Irish farmer with a violent past and Somali extortionists with a questionable future.
His next novel, Birdkill, is a psychological thriller about a teacher who has lost her recent past to 'The Void', a terrible incident she can't recall and nobody seems to be in a hurry to tell her about. Her friend Mariam embarks on a race to uncover the truth before Robyn is driven over the edge into insanity.
His latest, The Dead Sea Hotel, is part spy thriller, part morality tale, part ghost story. Krikor Manoukian is the proprietor of the run-down Dead Sea Hotel. His beloved wife Lucine has passed away, his daughter Araksi is mooning around in love with an unsuitable boy and Manoukian is in debt up to his eyeballs. The last thing he needs is a dead Englishman in one of his rooms, but that's just what he's got. Little does Manoukian know it but he's got the Englishman's ghost to deal with, to boot.
You can find Alexander and his books at www.alexandermcnabb.com.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 25, 2013
Insightful understanding of the Middle East and Beirut in particular, with details of every day life only someone very familiar with the country can highlight. An extremely entertaining "imagine if" storyline that you feel is oddly plausible in Lebanon yet with enough twists to keep you flipping the pages. The only thing I felt could have made it better is a slightly more elaborate ending. Otherwise, adored this book.
January 3, 2013
A gripping tale that if murder and mystery with a Middle Eastern James Bondesque twist to it. McNabb is clearly developing Gerald Lynch series of books and like James Bond, a series of leading ladies who share the spotlight.
May 28, 2018
The only distinguishing feature of this action thriller is its setting in Beirut, a first as far as I'm concerned. A JamesBond-esque secret agent takes on the most powerful man in Lebanon who wants to kill the peace in the middle east to achieve he-only-knows-what. And there are many dead bodies, strewn across many countries as the story moves from Lebanon to England to Germany to Czech to Malta to Albania and back to Lebanon again - I might have missed a few, though.
The story moves quite fast and the sights and sounds of Beirut have been described well; description of action sequences and death scenes, too, is vivid. But, there are a few back stories that are hazy, maybe left so in order to build upon in some sequel. The motives and roles of some characters are not clear even after the book is finished -rather anticlimactically.
In short, this is a quick read that has more action than substance.
The story moves quite fast and the sights and sounds of Beirut have been described well; description of action sequences and death scenes, too, is vivid. But, there are a few back stories that are hazy, maybe left so in order to build upon in some sequel. The motives and roles of some characters are not clear even after the book is finished -rather anticlimactically.
In short, this is a quick read that has more action than substance.
March 13, 2024
Macho spy hero who Fucks every girl and drinks all the whisky goes after the most powerful person in Lebanon, trying to stop a mysterious plan involving a dangerous cargo with the potential to bring about chaos to the region.
A string of implausible scenes that felt like they might have been fun to watch on a movie but did nothing for me, culminate in an abrupt and anticlimactic ending with some loose ends and underdeveloped side stories.
The setting was interesting though, dialogues were mostly ok and it advanced with good rhythm. Characters felt a bit like caricatures but there were some emotional and engaging scenes.
A string of implausible scenes that felt like they might have been fun to watch on a movie but did nothing for me, culminate in an abrupt and anticlimactic ending with some loose ends and underdeveloped side stories.
The setting was interesting though, dialogues were mostly ok and it advanced with good rhythm. Characters felt a bit like caricatures but there were some emotional and engaging scenes.
March 12, 2024
World Class Writing!
I’ve powered through this in a few hours with a small number of breaks. In itself this’s an indicator of the suspense, tension & magnificence of a superb book. A character whom in book 1 was non gratis, now the hero!
The gamut of all possible behaviours, plots, twists & turns, betrayals, the double-cross’, and anything else you can think of (adults ‘doing it!) is here, in this amazing book. I cannot see why you don’t read it — noyy!
I’ve powered through this in a few hours with a small number of breaks. In itself this’s an indicator of the suspense, tension & magnificence of a superb book. A character whom in book 1 was non gratis, now the hero!
The gamut of all possible behaviours, plots, twists & turns, betrayals, the double-cross’, and anything else you can think of (adults ‘doing it!) is here, in this amazing book. I cannot see why you don’t read it — noyy!
September 30, 2017
very good story with a policital background, could be a true story about the work of intelligence and black ops. Liked the personal touch and the characters. Pretty good and close to reality ..............
December 2, 2017
Not as explosive as I'd hoped
Maybe it was just me but I found d it very difficult to stop my mind from wandering. I couldn't wait to finish it as I don't like to give up on books but I jus found this difficult to get into.
Maybe it was just me but I found d it very difficult to stop my mind from wandering. I couldn't wait to finish it as I don't like to give up on books but I jus found this difficult to get into.
March 10, 2018
The storyline is good but the whole book is poorly written. There is nothing to compel you to carry on reading. Very little action and boring narrative. I was surprised I managed to finish it.
January 9, 2022
i loved this book. i loved the james bond vibe thing that was going on while also learning more about the middle east and beirut very insightful
March 6, 2017
Excellent spy thriller!
A really good, well researched, read! I recommend it to all who enjoy spy thrillers. Would make a great movie!
A really good, well researched, read! I recommend it to all who enjoy spy thrillers. Would make a great movie!
July 13, 2013
Spy fiction? Check. Set in the Middle East? Check. Written by a UAE-based author? Check. Published a year ago, Beirut – An Explosive Thriller is the brainchild of Alexander McNabb.
Michael Freij is looking to take on the mantle of President of Lebanon. However, it would seem that he has recently been involved in the purchase of two nuclear warheads from a German arms dealer.
Enter British intelligence officer Gerald Lynch who makes his second appearance following his outing in McNabb’s first book, Olives – A Violent Romance. Can he find the warheads, and defeat Freij before it’s too late?
Most spy novels are set in the West, with occasional nods towards intrigue in other parts of the world. This book stands apart from the start with its engaging story set in the Middle East. And, while it would be better to read the first book for context, it isn’t necessary as the story flows as a stand-alone.
McNabb uses the knowledge and understanding gained from his years spent in the region to write a story which seems believable; it’s not a case of a Western author parachuting into a country he or she knows nothing about and writing what might be right.
The characters are developed well, particularly Lynch. He is a deliciously grey personality, and you will want to root for his ‘black Irish heart’. McNabb perhaps cannot resist dropping in a cheesy line where Lynch introduces himself as: “Lynch. Gerald Lynch” showing he is pitching the character in the same hall of spies like James Bond, or even Jack Ryan, albeit a rougher version. He’s not a polished hero, but a real one, and that’s what will endear the reader to him.
The plot is written well; although it gets slightly slow in the middle before the action kicks off in a resounding way towards the end. But it hits a nerve, precisely because of the general state of unrest in the region which makes nearly everything in the book feel like it could really happen. So if you’re looking for action, fun characters, and intrigue, this one is for you.
Michael Freij is looking to take on the mantle of President of Lebanon. However, it would seem that he has recently been involved in the purchase of two nuclear warheads from a German arms dealer.
Enter British intelligence officer Gerald Lynch who makes his second appearance following his outing in McNabb’s first book, Olives – A Violent Romance. Can he find the warheads, and defeat Freij before it’s too late?
Most spy novels are set in the West, with occasional nods towards intrigue in other parts of the world. This book stands apart from the start with its engaging story set in the Middle East. And, while it would be better to read the first book for context, it isn’t necessary as the story flows as a stand-alone.
McNabb uses the knowledge and understanding gained from his years spent in the region to write a story which seems believable; it’s not a case of a Western author parachuting into a country he or she knows nothing about and writing what might be right.
The characters are developed well, particularly Lynch. He is a deliciously grey personality, and you will want to root for his ‘black Irish heart’. McNabb perhaps cannot resist dropping in a cheesy line where Lynch introduces himself as: “Lynch. Gerald Lynch” showing he is pitching the character in the same hall of spies like James Bond, or even Jack Ryan, albeit a rougher version. He’s not a polished hero, but a real one, and that’s what will endear the reader to him.
The plot is written well; although it gets slightly slow in the middle before the action kicks off in a resounding way towards the end. But it hits a nerve, precisely because of the general state of unrest in the region which makes nearly everything in the book feel like it could really happen. So if you’re looking for action, fun characters, and intrigue, this one is for you.
November 17, 2012
I read this book at the request of the author and received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I have previously read and reviewed Olives, the first book in this series.
Beirut is a thriller that centers around the Middle East. Michel Freij, a powerful Lebanese billionaire is running for the office of president, with his central platform being the claim that he will unify the many factions in Lebanon. He and British intelligence agent Gerald Lynch are set on a collision course in Olives, and the conflict continues as Lynch and a community of European intelligence agents seek to keep Cold War nuclear warheads from ending up in Freij's hands. Freij, however, is a skilled adversary and he takes the intelligence community on a twisting, turning chase as he executes one slight of hand after another in order to obtain his prize.
There are a couple things I really liked about this book. I enjoyed Olives immensely, so I was happy to see Beirut picks up almost immediately where Olives ended. I also like that this book delves deeper into the character of Gerald Lynch. The best part is the author has done an amazing job of weaving together all the pieces to keep the reader guessing - and the location of the nuclear warheads and what Freij plans on doing with them isn't the only question. Every time I thought I had at least part of the plot figured out, another faction slid in under the radar, surprising me (and Lynch as well, on occasion).
I was fully engaged in this story from start to explosive finish and only wish I had more hours to sit and read - I would've finished it in a one day if I'd had the time to spare. This one goes on my recommended list, along with the recommendation that you watch for the next book in the series.
Beirut is a thriller that centers around the Middle East. Michel Freij, a powerful Lebanese billionaire is running for the office of president, with his central platform being the claim that he will unify the many factions in Lebanon. He and British intelligence agent Gerald Lynch are set on a collision course in Olives, and the conflict continues as Lynch and a community of European intelligence agents seek to keep Cold War nuclear warheads from ending up in Freij's hands. Freij, however, is a skilled adversary and he takes the intelligence community on a twisting, turning chase as he executes one slight of hand after another in order to obtain his prize.
There are a couple things I really liked about this book. I enjoyed Olives immensely, so I was happy to see Beirut picks up almost immediately where Olives ended. I also like that this book delves deeper into the character of Gerald Lynch. The best part is the author has done an amazing job of weaving together all the pieces to keep the reader guessing - and the location of the nuclear warheads and what Freij plans on doing with them isn't the only question. Every time I thought I had at least part of the plot figured out, another faction slid in under the radar, surprising me (and Lynch as well, on occasion).
I was fully engaged in this story from start to explosive finish and only wish I had more hours to sit and read - I would've finished it in a one day if I'd had the time to spare. This one goes on my recommended list, along with the recommendation that you watch for the next book in the series.
May 19, 2018
I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
November 8, 2014
This is the second time of reading this title, initially in paperback about 3 years ago. It holds up well under second read, the pace and action were just as pacey and fresh. Characters are well developed for the story and it is the second in a three part series rather than a real trilogy. It is most set in the Lebanon and the city of, er, Beirut - no surprises there. The story has some very nice twists, some very nice scenes and well paced action. It has good guys good bad guys and bad guys, it covers the religious divide, the corruption and politics of the time and place. And yes, in a year or 2 or 3 - it will be worth another read, maybe a slower on next time : ))))
If you haven't read any of Alexander's other books - it can be a good intro to his work.
If you haven't read any of Alexander's other books - it can be a good intro to his work.
January 6, 2018
This was an ebook suggestion, a freebie emailed to me. I enjoyed it. It was James Bondish. The main spy even references Bond. Only he is proudly Irish not English, thank you very much.The novel has an Irish Intelligence man who will stop at nothing to get his revenge and information to save the day.It has a nemesis who is rich, powerful and crazy along with the inevitable women. There is politics involved, egos bruised and scary warheads to find. I picked this one up to fulfill my World Challenge for Lebanon. I only got a small taste of Lebanon regarding the culture, it was a rivoting read.
October 26, 2016
Truly excellent
A different thriller than most, it very accurately described the tension that is still in Beirut. The descriptions of the people, area, buildings and climate were right on.
A different thriller than most, it very accurately described the tension that is still in Beirut. The descriptions of the people, area, buildings and climate were right on.
December 2, 2012
Gear plot
December 15, 2012
Poorly written and badly developed characters (if any development at all)
May 14, 2013
I'd give this 3.5 out of 5. Solid, but went on a little bit too long for my tastes.
December 10, 2013
Loved this book. Gerald Lynch is a great character. Compelling plot. Alexander McNabb is a good, fun writer - I really enjoy his work.
April 18, 2016
Read this after admiring and enjoying McNabb's Olives a Violent Love Story. This is the 2nd in the series with a carry over character from the first, Olives. I found this one barely readable.
July 20, 2016
Awful
The plot is not so fanciful but the author's character development is weak and the lead character is little more than a caricature.
The plot is not so fanciful but the author's character development is weak and the lead character is little more than a caricature.
December 13, 2016
Had a hard time reading this.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews