The Extremist

John Kerr #2

by Roger Pearce

In a race down the Thames, Detective Chief Inspector John Kerr is caught in a fight ot the death with two gold smugglers. The American wife of the British Defence Secretary is brutally murdered while walking her dog. A senior judge is executed in Middle Temple Lane.Blocked by 'affirmative inaction' at New Scotland Yard and threats from MI6, Kerr deploys a talented female operative undercover to force the truth.A dirty bomb attack proves the motive is hatred of the United States and the special relationship. But is this domestic extremism or the work of foreign spies?As attacks escalate, Kerr confronts treachery and corruption from his own side and resorts to action as extreme as the dark forces turned against him.

452 pages, Paperback

First published July 4, 2013

Reviews

[Malcolm Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

How much you like this book will depend on the speed at which you like your action. If you like it to be faster than can be accurately described through writing or faster then the details of what is going on to be clear as you read them then some of this book is for you. Most of it is slower though, and there are a choice of characters who could be The Extremist of the title, though in the end there can only be one and he remarkably inventive and thorough with his means of disposing of people, mostly at his handler's handlers request, but also for his own reasons. The picture of London that is painted by the book is a queasy mix of the squalid, the secretive, the wealthy and the several security services all of whom seem to be more aware of them poaching each other members and territory/case work than they are of foreign intelligence. Where the book details violence and the effects of bombs going off the results are quite spectacular, but I did tire of John Kerr barely getting scratched in hot pursuit of the baddies and shaking off the concern of his fellow officers rather too easily. In my opinion the way the book ended was a missed opportunity for some very good writing as the book wrapped up rather rapidly on a 'John Kerr in charge' note.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

Having read the first book of this author and really enjoying that, I naturally purchased this one straight after. I have to say it wasn't as good as the first....It started off fast paced and I thought I was in for another gritty thriller but then it dropped me from a great height. It picked up pace again from about 86% and WOW it was exactly as it had started right to the very end.

[Steve Hawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great John Kerr series book from Roger Pearce!

The continued series of John Kerr in the excellent read of “The Extremist” is an absolute classic. #1 Agent of the State 10 out of 10, #1 The Extremist 10 out of 10. So pleased to know a 3rd John Kerr book is available in the “The Javelin”

[Dilwyn Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

As long as you don’t think it’s accurate

The exhilarating and funfair style ride of life with a maverick Special Branch DCI. As unlike any “Special Branch” Officer I’ve ever met. But fun.....

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, can't wait for the new one!!

[Eric Grounds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good gritty stuff.

[Monica Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

At times my heart pounded. Terrifying, gripping, didn't want the story to finish.

[janette rooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this second book.

I throughly enjoyed this book,great characters and believable plots in this day and age,ready to start book three great find.

[Mrs Anne Marie Sapsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great thriller

Fast, pacey and bang up to date. A long time since I read such a good book from an author who clearly knows his stuff. Highly recommended.

[I. Vickery]

Excellent book that kept you interested and looking forward to turning the page. Intricate plot and fast paced.

[Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

** 4.5 stars **

[Nabarun · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute mind-blowing espionage, counter-terrorism thriller, an un-put-downable page turner right from the first word till the last page! Roger Pearce is steadily becoming one of my favorite author for espionage, surveillance, anti-terrorism novelist. And come to think of it, this is just his second novel! I thought his first novel, the agent of the state was awesome, brilliant and didn't read anything that good for a long time. When this book was published, I thought how can someone better that first novel.

Man, how wrong I was? This book which made me take 1 day off work just to finish this as I was so hooked into it! It's a pity that I can give this book only 5-out-of-5 stars, I seriously wanted to give around 6 stars as my rating. I can confidently say that Detective Inspector Jon Kerr is very soon going to be made into a Hollywood block-buster and I would love to watch him in real! Thanks Roger for the second installment, I can't wait for your third spin!!

This book starts off from where it left from the last novel. Kerr is on a high profile chase of some terrorists on boat in Thames. This leads to many new subplots of how some terrorists are trying to spoil the closely friendly relationship between the US and the British. Lots of brilliant sub-plots, multiple calculated & perfectly executed murders, surveillance on terror profiles, attacks on politicians and high-profile civilians, inter-country espionage plots and mass-terror in the streets of London - that's the heady concoction of this novel. The end is just brilliant, explosive yet humane!

Great work, Mr. Pearce, keep them coming...and fast!

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The names 'Bond' James Bond .... opps wrong writer. This book is NOT about 007 but is about counter espionage, twinges of Tinker, Taylor, Soldier and akin to Ian Flemings writings not the films etc Once you get past all the government agencies like MI5, MI6, DSGE (or is it ?) and a host of other ones and start making the links and who does what and why the story line is good and totally believable. Great pace and good characters, makes you ponder on whats happening today in the UK with terrorism and the stresses on agents in this field. Will def read his next one.

[Col Bury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute cracker, this one. Superb incites into a secret world many never glimpse and very well drawn, believable characters. Only criticism is that perhaps it's too detailed and some of the description could have been diluted a tad, but a real authentic page-turner and well worthy of five stars.

[Germaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant

[Steve Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

superb read. 2 for 2 . looking forwards to number 3