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Deadlock: A modern military action thriller (Book three)
A modern military action thriller that instantly pulls you into the authors mind. Modern warfare doesn't get more realistic than this.
The scene is set, everyone is positioned, like coiled springs they wait to strike. But the question is, who is now the hunter, and who the prey?
As a nation is threatened to be overwhelmed by the aggressive pursuits of another, its population fight for its very survival, its defence left to those willing to take a stand. Not for King or country, nor for vanity or thoughts of glory or fame. But for friends, family, and the very place they call home.
Join us in the next exciting instalment of the Operation Fools Mate series, as we follow our characters as some desperately try to fight their way home, others try to save theirs from destruction and some try to keep the country from collapse.
Remember heroes walk amongst us, but they are not born, they are made by those that love them…
The scene is set, everyone is positioned, like coiled springs they wait to strike. But the question is, who is now the hunter, and who the prey?
As a nation is threatened to be overwhelmed by the aggressive pursuits of another, its population fight for its very survival, its defence left to those willing to take a stand. Not for King or country, nor for vanity or thoughts of glory or fame. But for friends, family, and the very place they call home.
Join us in the next exciting instalment of the Operation Fools Mate series, as we follow our characters as some desperately try to fight their way home, others try to save theirs from destruction and some try to keep the country from collapse.
Remember heroes walk amongst us, but they are not born, they are made by those that love them…
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2025
5 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Baldwin
5 books4 followersM L Baldwin is a former Tank Commander who joined the Second Royal Tank Regiment in 1996 and served with them on operations in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan over a 19 year career. He was Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) during his last tour of Afghanistan.
After leaving the forces he decided to try his hand at becoming an author, which is where you join him now in his journey. Inspired by the likes of Clive Cussler and Tom Clancy, he wrote his debut series of books for Operation Fools Mate back in 2023 which he hopes people will enjoy reading as much as he enjoyed writing them. Using his own first hand experiences of life on the front line of combat operations, he hopes to bring a level of realism and excitement that will both shock and excite his readers. After all, the modern battlefield is full of technology but ultimately, it's the human element and a certain degree of luck that play its part the most.
His expertise in his field have garnered widespread acclaim and featured interviews on BBC Radio, whilst his articles in leading publications such as The European, NationalWorld, MSN, the Daily Star (UK), The London Economic and others, have helped solidify his reputation as a sought-after authority in the field.
Keep watching for more exciting titles. In his own words, "I'm not finished yet, I'm only just getting started."
After leaving the forces he decided to try his hand at becoming an author, which is where you join him now in his journey. Inspired by the likes of Clive Cussler and Tom Clancy, he wrote his debut series of books for Operation Fools Mate back in 2023 which he hopes people will enjoy reading as much as he enjoyed writing them. Using his own first hand experiences of life on the front line of combat operations, he hopes to bring a level of realism and excitement that will both shock and excite his readers. After all, the modern battlefield is full of technology but ultimately, it's the human element and a certain degree of luck that play its part the most.
His expertise in his field have garnered widespread acclaim and featured interviews on BBC Radio, whilst his articles in leading publications such as The European, NationalWorld, MSN, the Daily Star (UK), The London Economic and others, have helped solidify his reputation as a sought-after authority in the field.
Keep watching for more exciting titles. In his own words, "I'm not finished yet, I'm only just getting started."
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 25, 2025
An action packed, exciting trio of books
As a young lad I wrote in to 'Jim'll fix it' to ride in a tank. History has shown I was lucky not to get selected. This book really gives a great insight into what it might be like to ride in a tank. The tank sequences and crew camaraderie were really detailed.
Given the current situation between Russia and Ukraine and the loathsome leader of the US, Trump, I found the book unsettling. My distrust of politicians has worsened too. Man's ability to self harm in the pursuit of selfish gain has a good story teller in this author.
Thinking about it, in the future will we find out that Trump is America's Saville?
Who knows how far from reality the war technology described is away from present day. I suspect not far. I found myself wondering how Wendi would get on with Alanson's Skippy? They seemed to share traits.
I highly recommend the books. You can't just read 1 or 2, it had to be all three.
I mentioned it in my review of book 1, the only negative is that there are quite a few typos across all 3 books which slowed my reading pace (I become easily fixated) and the author deserves a good proof reader and I'm happy to hear from him that has happened.
Merry Christmas
As a young lad I wrote in to 'Jim'll fix it' to ride in a tank. History has shown I was lucky not to get selected. This book really gives a great insight into what it might be like to ride in a tank. The tank sequences and crew camaraderie were really detailed.
Given the current situation between Russia and Ukraine and the loathsome leader of the US, Trump, I found the book unsettling. My distrust of politicians has worsened too. Man's ability to self harm in the pursuit of selfish gain has a good story teller in this author.
Thinking about it, in the future will we find out that Trump is America's Saville?
Who knows how far from reality the war technology described is away from present day. I suspect not far. I found myself wondering how Wendi would get on with Alanson's Skippy? They seemed to share traits.
I highly recommend the books. You can't just read 1 or 2, it had to be all three.
I mentioned it in my review of book 1, the only negative is that there are quite a few typos across all 3 books which slowed my reading pace (I become easily fixated) and the author deserves a good proof reader and I'm happy to hear from him that has happened.
Merry Christmas
April 4, 2025
" [...] The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him. [...]"
This was my first encounter with M.L. Baldwin's work. He created a unique story that I hope will never happen to us. The author perfectly presented what will happen when instead of our own defence, we count on NATO allies.
The story hidden in the book "Deadlock" shook me deeply and aroused many emotions. I met a lot of characters here who are worthy of your attention.
I could not come to terms with what happened to Joanna. Pain and anger, these were the emotions that accompanied me then. After this terrible event, I would have done exactly the same as Catherine. I hoped that the Russians would get what was due and this time they would lose.
The story described here could take place in our reality.
Thanks to the author M.L. Baldwin, I found myself in the heart of the war. I literally felt the missiles, drones and observing Apaches flying over my head. I had the opportunity to find myself in tanks, among other things.
I also had to deal with the USA here. Will the NATO allies rise to the occasion and come to help? Do the Russians use human shields?
I regret to say that Russia and its approach to war have not changed at all since World War II. This is perfectly presented by M.L. Baldwin in his book "Deadlock". A backward country remains a backward country.
If you like politics, you have come to the right place.
I recommend this book to readers with strong nerves that can withstand literally anything. The author created a very realistic story. Thanks to his descriptions, I felt what his characters felt. I advise you not to eat while reading.
I was only and exclusively on the side of the British. The Russians irritated me greatly. The Russian president should have gone into battle himself, and not used others. I wonder if he would have been so brave then.
The action of this novel takes place, among other places, in Great Britain.
The ending is unconventional and gives the reader something to think about.
I secretly hope that the author will return to this trilogy someday.
This was my first encounter with M.L. Baldwin's work. He created a unique story that I hope will never happen to us. The author perfectly presented what will happen when instead of our own defence, we count on NATO allies.
The story hidden in the book "Deadlock" shook me deeply and aroused many emotions. I met a lot of characters here who are worthy of your attention.
I could not come to terms with what happened to Joanna. Pain and anger, these were the emotions that accompanied me then. After this terrible event, I would have done exactly the same as Catherine. I hoped that the Russians would get what was due and this time they would lose.
The story described here could take place in our reality.
Thanks to the author M.L. Baldwin, I found myself in the heart of the war. I literally felt the missiles, drones and observing Apaches flying over my head. I had the opportunity to find myself in tanks, among other things.
I also had to deal with the USA here. Will the NATO allies rise to the occasion and come to help? Do the Russians use human shields?
I regret to say that Russia and its approach to war have not changed at all since World War II. This is perfectly presented by M.L. Baldwin in his book "Deadlock". A backward country remains a backward country.
If you like politics, you have come to the right place.
I recommend this book to readers with strong nerves that can withstand literally anything. The author created a very realistic story. Thanks to his descriptions, I felt what his characters felt. I advise you not to eat while reading.
I was only and exclusively on the side of the British. The Russians irritated me greatly. The Russian president should have gone into battle himself, and not used others. I wonder if he would have been so brave then.
The action of this novel takes place, among other places, in Great Britain.
The ending is unconventional and gives the reader something to think about.
I secretly hope that the author will return to this trilogy someday.
November 2, 2025
Operation Fools Mate 3 best of the trio
I thoroughly enjoyed the trilogy with the bulk of the action taking place in an area I know well. I served in the Royal Artillery in the 60’s and 70’s the Salisbury Plain and surrounding area being very familiar. My daughter was born in the Military hospital in Tidworth and after leaving the Army we lived in Dorset. As the scenes played out I found myself on familiar ground loving every minute of it. The ending was perfect. I share the author’s concerns as to the weak woke country we are becoming and sadly there are not only enemies knocking at our doors emboldened by weak and chaotic leadership but enemies within, they being the indolence and incompetence within the corridors of power.
I thoroughly enjoyed the trilogy with the bulk of the action taking place in an area I know well. I served in the Royal Artillery in the 60’s and 70’s the Salisbury Plain and surrounding area being very familiar. My daughter was born in the Military hospital in Tidworth and after leaving the Army we lived in Dorset. As the scenes played out I found myself on familiar ground loving every minute of it. The ending was perfect. I share the author’s concerns as to the weak woke country we are becoming and sadly there are not only enemies knocking at our doors emboldened by weak and chaotic leadership but enemies within, they being the indolence and incompetence within the corridors of power.
January 4, 2026
thoroughly enjoyed it
Have just finished this book, which I’ve found out from reading the authors replies to other reviews, that he has another book in this series to follow, and I can only say,” I can’t wait “ this book, like it’s predecessors has had me hooked from start to finish, and just like the other two books I haven’t been able to put it down, I’ve literally been doing nothing else but picking up my kindle and my phone when I’m out and getting into the action and events unfolding in the book, loving the good guys and loathing the bad and that for me shows how well the book is written to make me feel how I did, so so enjoyed this book and the other two before this and I will most definitely be following and reading more books from Mr ML Baldwin
Have just finished this book, which I’ve found out from reading the authors replies to other reviews, that he has another book in this series to follow, and I can only say,” I can’t wait “ this book, like it’s predecessors has had me hooked from start to finish, and just like the other two books I haven’t been able to put it down, I’ve literally been doing nothing else but picking up my kindle and my phone when I’m out and getting into the action and events unfolding in the book, loving the good guys and loathing the bad and that for me shows how well the book is written to make me feel how I did, so so enjoyed this book and the other two before this and I will most definitely be following and reading more books from Mr ML Baldwin
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews