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Mike Ambrose #1
Project Overkill
Project Overkill opens with episodes from the early life of Mike Ambrose, the main narrator and central figure in this absorbing crime / occult drama that is also a compelling love story. Following a gruelling Army training course he is in Kosovo as part of the United Nations force. After fighting to help protect his comrades he deserts them to rescue a civilian whose plight so affects him that he feels he has no choice. We see his capacity for deep and sometimes misplaced loyalty, and the genesis of his searing need for redemption.
Post-Kosovo he begins working in an Information Technology project for the mesmerising but mysterious Claire Osbourn. He also meets Marcia, and then almost loses her following a malign party at which Montgomery Summers exerts an influence far beyond what we know as normal.
While he is caught up in savage office power politics his boss is suddenly murdered and suspicion falls on Mike. At the same time he is made aware of a terrifying plot to take Marcia from him and abuse her to serve the purposes of Summers, who shows himself to be a true entrepreneur of the occult. Can the power of their love for each other give Mike and Marcia the strength to prevail?
Set predominantly in the medieval town of Shrewsbury, England, in the present day the novel also moves to New York in the 20s and 80s, London in the 50s, Paris, Leamington, and finally Chester for its graphic and horrifying climax. The sometimes extreme violent action and intense sexual activity has a rationale that is completely in context with the deeply researched plot and character-driven passions that so distinguish this novel.
Project Overkill is a first: it depicts the effect extreme occult powers can have on ordinary people who are desperate to fight back but must first search for the means to do so. And throughout, with sinister endurance, runs the residual ‘magick’ of the notorious occultist Aleister Crowley.
This is a thrilling, terrifying, and unforgettable excursion into sinister darkness, where only the strength of love and the use of extreme force, aided by the forces of light can hope to triumph.
Post-Kosovo he begins working in an Information Technology project for the mesmerising but mysterious Claire Osbourn. He also meets Marcia, and then almost loses her following a malign party at which Montgomery Summers exerts an influence far beyond what we know as normal.
While he is caught up in savage office power politics his boss is suddenly murdered and suspicion falls on Mike. At the same time he is made aware of a terrifying plot to take Marcia from him and abuse her to serve the purposes of Summers, who shows himself to be a true entrepreneur of the occult. Can the power of their love for each other give Mike and Marcia the strength to prevail?
Set predominantly in the medieval town of Shrewsbury, England, in the present day the novel also moves to New York in the 20s and 80s, London in the 50s, Paris, Leamington, and finally Chester for its graphic and horrifying climax. The sometimes extreme violent action and intense sexual activity has a rationale that is completely in context with the deeply researched plot and character-driven passions that so distinguish this novel.
Project Overkill is a first: it depicts the effect extreme occult powers can have on ordinary people who are desperate to fight back but must first search for the means to do so. And throughout, with sinister endurance, runs the residual ‘magick’ of the notorious occultist Aleister Crowley.
This is a thrilling, terrifying, and unforgettable excursion into sinister darkness, where only the strength of love and the use of extreme force, aided by the forces of light can hope to triumph.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 17, 2012
1 person is currently reading
About the author
Alan Shaw
3 books1 followerFollowing careers in the Civil Service, Military, and Information Technology I began writing in 2008.
I believe that history is contemporary and that events from the past sometimes shape those in the present. This suited the mainly paranormal genre I chose for my Mike Ambrose series of novels comprising Project Overkill, The Shrewsbury Murders, and disAPPear. Each is set partly in the Shropshire, England town of Shrewsbury where I live.
My main writing motivation is to intrigue, thrill, and entertain.
I chose self publishing because although several publishers showed an interest in the first book, they were reluctant to take a risk on an unknown author in the period following the 2008 financial crash. I found that quite reasonable, and have not regretted taking the Kindle route.
My next project will either be another novel or a volume of short stories. The thought of the latter, after over three hundred thousand words on a trilogy is quite appealing.
I believe that history is contemporary and that events from the past sometimes shape those in the present. This suited the mainly paranormal genre I chose for my Mike Ambrose series of novels comprising Project Overkill, The Shrewsbury Murders, and disAPPear. Each is set partly in the Shropshire, England town of Shrewsbury where I live.
My main writing motivation is to intrigue, thrill, and entertain.
I chose self publishing because although several publishers showed an interest in the first book, they were reluctant to take a risk on an unknown author in the period following the 2008 financial crash. I found that quite reasonable, and have not regretted taking the Kindle route.
My next project will either be another novel or a volume of short stories. The thought of the latter, after over three hundred thousand words on a trilogy is quite appealing.
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