Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Danny Black #2

Hunter-Killer

Rate this book
Following a suicide bombing in central London, series SAS hero Danny Black is recruited to be part of an assassination squad, directed by a joint MI5/MI6/CIA committee and tasked with hunting down and killing the terrorist cells believed to be planning further atrocities.

Early leads take them to a North London mosque and a one-armed hate cleric, whom the Home Secretary repeatedly tries and fails to expel from the country, a sleazy Saudi prince living in a Park Lane Hotel - on the surface a devout Muslim, he devotes himself to booze, drugs and hookers as soon as his family are out of the building - and a grizzled ex-Regiment guy who is spreading rumours that Diana was assassinated by the SAS in the tunnel in Paris because of her Arab lover.

The trail of clues takes Danny to a training camp in the Yemen, but just as he has the enemy in his sights, he discovers that they are somehow one step ahead of him, and he begins to suspect that they are being topped off by someone close to home.

432 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2014

202 people are currently reading
772 people want to read

About the author

Chris Ryan

342 books1,020 followers
Colin Armstrong (b. 1961), usually known by the pen-name Chris Ryan, is a British author, television presenter, security consultant and former Special Air Service sergeant.
After the publication of fellow patrol member Andy McNab's Bravo Two Zero in 1993, Ryan published his own account of his experiences during the Bravo Two Zero mission in 1995, entitled The One That Got Away. Since retiring from the British Army Ryan has published several fiction and non-fiction books, including Strike Back, which was subsequently adapted into a television series for Sky 1, and co-created the ITV action series Ultimate Force. He has also presented or appeared in numerous television documentaries connected to the military or law enforcement.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
895 (43%)
4 stars
790 (38%)
3 stars
295 (14%)
2 stars
48 (2%)
1 star
19 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
624 reviews29 followers
May 14, 2025
Took a break from the Stephen Leather, Andy McNab and …Chris Ryan type books for a while. Ex paras doing the dirty for their paymasters. After a while the violence tends to be a bit samey as are the storylines.

But this book has made me want to look for more. Danny Black and his mate Spud are recruited to snuff out a terrorist cell responsible for several London bombings. From London to the Yemen. It’s a rip roaring read.

Black comes across as a likeable rogue you wouldn’t want to mess with. Interesting interaction with his druggie brother and a doctor girlfriend.

I read the book quickly with one eye on tv or other chores as I didn’t want to put it down. Great ending also. No doubt as this is Danny Black book 2 the next one I read will be 19😉
Profile Image for Lynda.
164 reviews21 followers
July 13, 2016
My first book by Chris Ryan....really exciting story about the secret services and the goings on we never hear about in real life.

Danny Black and his side kick Spud..really tough guys! are the main characters in this book which takes you from London to the far east in search of the bad men who bombed the underground..leaving a trail of dead people.

Danny has a brother and girlfriend which also bring trouble for him...follow him as he works on both parts of his weird life and cheer and then weep for him..
Profile Image for Terence M [on a brief semi-hiatus].
692 reviews373 followers
May 14, 2025
4-Stars for Danny Black #2- "Hunter-Killer"
Extract from my Listening Activity:
"After some hesitation related to the 'corny special forces' dialogue and a need to lift the 'plausibility veil', I settled into this book and it proved to be an enjoyable story, very well narrated".

December 12, 2019 – 75.0% "Audiobook - 12:50 Hours - Narrator: Michael Fenner
Listened to: 09:49 Hours - Balance: 03:01 Hours
Profile Image for Jill.
271 reviews5 followers
December 29, 2014
Fabulous as always - it really makes you think about what could actually be going on out there and its quite scary. I love how Chris Ryan writes once you start his books you just cant put them down until you get to the end he writes really gripping books
Profile Image for Jim Whitefield.
Author 8 books28 followers
October 3, 2014
Yet another thrilling read from the master of SAS stories. This time, much of the story is set in London but that doesn't mean it is any the less dramatic or blood-curdling. What could actually happen in real life is frightening. Although this is a good stand-alone story, for the best understanding of characters and continuing enjoyment, I am glad I started at the beginning and enjoyed the sequence as written by Ryan. Five stars plus.
Profile Image for Jude.
96 reviews
August 19, 2015
I got to page 47. I said I would read up to 50 to see if I could get into it, but 47 was the last of a chapter, so it seems to be a good ending spot.

I can't. I cannot get into Chris Ryan's books. His writing bores me. His characters don't interest me. There's something so bland about his writing.

This is the second book of Chris Ryan's that I've failed to read. I simply have some kind of anti-Ryan shield, because I can never get further than 100 pages into his books.
278 reviews
October 18, 2014
Another excellent nail-biting adventure featuring Danny Black.
Profile Image for Book Addict Shaun.
937 reviews319 followers
August 27, 2014
It has been a while since I last read a Chris Ryan book yet after finishing Hunter Killer I am only kicking myself and asking why. Drawing on his experiences and vast knowledge of the areas he writes about, Chris writes stories which are vividly descriptive and scarily all too believable. The story told here was both relevant and frightening but near impossible to put down.

It continues the story of SAS hero Danny Black who previously appeared in Masters of War. I haven't read that book but didn't feel too much out of place as there's plenty of background given to get the reader up to speed. Following a suicide bombing in Central London Danny and his friend Spud are recruited to assassinate the men responsible for the attack before going after the main man Abu Ra'id on a journey that takes them from London to Yemen and back again on what really is a thrilling, fast paced and truly unputdownable read. Almost like a film in parts it was hugely enjoyable.

The very idea of another terrorist attack in London is horrifying and something we hope never to see, the scenes depicted here are quite brutal and not for the faint hearted. Danny and Spud are recruited by various senior members of MI5, MI6 and the CIA. Some of the characters are definitely a bit shady and leave you wondering whether they might have a hidden agenda or two. As the book went on I was both mesmerised and horrified at the situations that unfolded. Conspiracy theories and cover ups galore it was a thought provoking read.

What I particularly like is the way Chris adds humour into the story. Despite the job they have been given and the often life threatening situations the pair find themselves in, there's still an element of banter between them which helps lighten an otherwise quite serious novel. Alongside that also is the danger Danny's girlfriend Clara finds herself in thanks to his out of control brother. All of this culminates in creating a 400+ page novel yet for me the pages turned themselves and I couldn't read quick enough. A book not to miss for die hard fans or those new to the genre/author. Also I really like the cover, probably one of my favourites of the year so far!

Thanks to Hodder (via bookbridgr) for the review copy.
Profile Image for Nick Brett.
1,064 reviews68 followers
April 20, 2015
This is the second of the “Danny Black” adventures, I missed the first one and now not sure if I will ever pick it up. For me, Chris Ryan, has gone off the boil and seems to be churning out by the numbers stories now. The plots feel weaker and it is hard to like the characters.

In this, as a result of significant terrorist attacks in London, Danny Black and fellow SAS trooper “Spud” are asked to ‘take out’ those known to have been part of the attacks. Very much off the books assassinations of bad guys/girls. This leads to them going to Yemen to remove the main protagonist (a “hate preacher”) and at that point they find that they themselves might be targets. But who is it that is targeting them, and why?

This takes a long time to get going and at best is average. The Yemen bit works best but all the London nonsense really doesn’t hang together all that well.
Profile Image for Herbert.
423 reviews8 followers
June 11, 2017
Spannend boek en goed geschreven vrij actueel dus het gaat over terrorisme in Londen en dan uitwijkend naar Jemen. Met de persoonlijke relatie van de SAS operator er doorheen geweven. Ik vond het best leuk om te lezen. Typische Chris Ryan stijl.
Profile Image for Owen Tsang.
34 reviews
November 11, 2024
DNF after one chapter.

First dive back into this series 12 years later and the action felt so bland.
Profile Image for Alison Bradbury.
283 reviews2 followers
February 22, 2025
This is the second outing for lead character Danny Black but my first dip into these stories and I have to say, I was not impressed.

The book opens with a terrorist attack in London where two radicalized Muslim men have befriended a young Down’s Syndrome boy with the express intent of using him in the terror attack. Unbeknownst to the young boy, his new friends aren’t taking him on holiday and when they leave him on the platform and promise to come back in a minute or two, he dutifully stays with the bags only to be right at the heart of the explosion. In the aftermath of this attack, Danny and his friend ‘Spud’ from 22 SAS are deployed to take out the terrorists, whose identity has been discovered with great ease. The first man meets his fate in his flat where Danny has rigged a bomb to explode so they can make it look like an accident (I am ignoring the fact that Danny is in the flat when it blows up hiding under the bed but escapes without so much as a ripple to his hairdo). The second man is found and eliminated in a bike accident 24 hours later.

Meanwhile, a second attack takes place using a similar method of misleading a Down’s Syndrome boy though this time a woman is used to mislead the boy. Danny and Spud are sent to eliminate her too and again, she is identified and dead within 24 hours. However, Danny decides to interrogate the woman before killing her by throwing her out of the window. He finds that she has been employed by radical cleric, Abu Ra’id and even manages to get an address of where to find him. Within a couple of hours a sting operation is set up and Danny et al are raiding the penthouse apartment of Abu Ra’id…only to find that he had left the building a couple of hours earlier.

Through tracking the playboy owner of the penthouse and tasering him until he gives them an answer, Danny and Spud find that Abu Ra’id has been spirited away to the Yemen…so they follow him there. Within 48 hours they have found his secret encampment and infiltrated the camp and killed him too – only to find that he is somehow linked to one of the people that sent Danny and Spud to kill him.

Cue an attempt on Danny’s life too that leaves Spud fighting for survival. What follows is a chaotic trip across Yemen to Saudi Arabia, a flight to Eritrea, on to Frankfurt, and back to the UK through Ireland. Before long, Danny has the source of the leak in his sights…

This is a very gory and violent story. I have read plenty of thrillers and read about lots of murders and killings but nothing has had quite so much spraying blood and dripping brain as this one. One thing I can tell for sure, Chris Ryan loves a good gory scene. There is a baffling side plot to do with Danny’s ex girlfriend, his brother and some Polish drug dealers that also ends with extreme violence.

I was not very taken with the story and struggled to finish it. All the suspects seem to fall into Danny and Spud’s lap without them having to do very much at all – there is no staking out or any real passing of time, it’s all death after death after death, each hot on the heels of the previous. I feel like so much more could have been done with this story – it’s like watching a very violent James Bond film where all the info gathering has been cut out and they just spliced together all the killings.
Profile Image for Maux Ochoa.
Author 2 books5 followers
September 3, 2023
"Hunter Killer" by Chris Ryan is an exhilarating and action-packed military thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. With its gripping plot, well-drawn characters, and meticulous attention to detail, this novel is a testament to Ryan's expertise in the genre.

The story centers around elite SAS soldier Danny Black, who finds himself on a dangerous mission to track down a terrorist cell in Libya. As the plot unfolds, readers are treated to a rollercoaster of suspense, tactical maneuvers, and intense combat sequences that showcase Ryan's deep knowledge of military operations.

One of the strengths of "Hunter Killer" lies in its authenticity. Chris Ryan, a former SAS operative himself, brings a level of realism to the story that is both impressive and immersive. The technical details, the strategies employed by the special forces team, and the depiction of combat scenarios are all grounded in a deep understanding of military operations, lending the narrative a genuine and gritty feel.

The character of Danny Black is a compelling protagonist. His resilience, resourcefulness, and unwavering dedication to his mission make him a character readers can easily root for. Ryan crafts a complex and relatable character who grapples with the physical and emotional toll of his work, adding depth to the story.

The pacing of the novel is relentless, with each chapter delivering new challenges and obstacles for the characters to overcome. Ryan's ability to maintain tension and suspense throughout the narrative keeps readers eagerly turning pages, making "Hunter Killer" a truly gripping read.

However, it's worth noting that this is a novel that primarily caters to fans of the military thriller genre. While the action sequences are expertly choreographed and the military jargon is authentic, those seeking a more character-driven or introspective story may find the focus on action and tactics to be overwhelming at times.

In conclusion, "Hunter Killer" by Chris Ryan is a high-octane military thriller that delivers on its promises of suspense, action, and authenticity. With a compelling protagonist, expertly crafted combat scenarios, and a relentless pace, it's a must-read for fans of the genre. Ryan's firsthand experience and attention to detail shine through, making this book an engaging and immersive experience for those who crave intense military fiction.
Profile Image for Ashraful Anam.
71 reviews3 followers
September 8, 2021
This writer sure loves to put his characters through the wringer, it’s not a happy story(most military fiction isn't anyway) but boy oh boy! This is dower to a whole new level, and quite realistic too. This is not a military fairy tale, not even close to one but that’s okay, I won't have it any other way and it’s not a comfortable read either, edge of your seat taken to overdrive this thing is and I LOVED this aspect of the writing style too, granted one of the characters is a typical stereotype of an islamophobic but I understand it’s what was necessary for the set up, but the part of it I liked the most was the underlying mechanics within the big reveal at the end of the story, I could see the twist coming from miles away but just the head of the twist, the whole body of it was something else entirely which completely blindsided me, and in audiobook format it was double the fun too, what I also liked about it was how the relationship dynamics between the hero if you could say that and the main female lead, in the previous book Clara went through hell, she was tortured and sexually assaulted for being in the wrong place at the wrong time and that isn’t something you can just shrug off and move on like it never happened, the consequences stay with you your whole life and it was factored in this romantic-ish relationship between Danny and Clara masterfully, also the use of everyday technology in really dirty work is my favourite bit of narrative tool in the entire book, and there was no sugarcoating, no romanticising of any of the actions performed in it too which sometimes took the story to horror territory and the scary part is it's all possible. And you need some breathing space too after finishing it which is a rarity in this genre of books and I liked this quality about it, if you don't feel squeamish about torture and murder in your books, then this is just the thing for you.
83 reviews
May 10, 2020
1st book Two Star, This one Clive Cussler good.

If you haven’t read it, the first book is a Tepid confusing affair that attempts both the action and intrigue but falls flat.
It’s worth a read I suppose as it has Danny Black’s back story and a critical element from his operation that is sure to crop up in later books.
Otherwise it’s forgettable.

This however is sits appropriately with Big Boy Thriller writing.
Initially London, terrible happenings. Our protagonist at the edge of things.
But slowly gets pulled into the intrigues of the ‘Decision Makers’ around all this.

This is very appealing. Normally this Genre jokes about ‘Ruperts’ and ‘Spooks’ but that’s about it.
The thriller part of this book deals directly and very cleverly with that world of the duplicitous and backstabbing, is great reading.

The action is excellent London then Abroad.
Black slowly working out that all is not what it seems....
It gets frantic and is a ‘none put down’ affair in the middle.

But with a clever change of pacing, the finale is a more ‘don’t want this to end’ type thing. Very Nicely done in a ‘just when you think it’s over...’ It’s not way.

Black’s brother Kyle, is fleshed out more in this book and the excellent Clara makes brief appearances throughout.

Hat of to the author. Long list of previous books, that give thrills and spills aplenty, pure ‘Action’.
There’s the same here but then a depth of mature writing with intelligence and flair pulling it up to full Thriller work.

Will certainly be buying the next book.
Profile Image for GMan59.
34 reviews2 followers
July 3, 2020
There are so many books of this genre out there to read, but most fall apart within just a few pages. I stumbled on Chris Ryan after binge watching Strike Back Season 1 and noting the TV series was based on a novel by Chris Ryan, so I went looking to see what all he had written, and discovered the mother lode of special forces fiction novels. Even so, I've been disappointed so many times and I wasn't very hopeful, therefore I intentionally picked a book at random and not the first in the series. Hunter Killer (Book 2 of Danny Black series) was fantastic. Excellent writing, excellent story, realistic characters with everything to love in an action novel including political intrigue, excellent villains (backstabbing politicians, terrorists...) believable weapons and tactics.
Oh yeah, and best of all absolutely **NO** political correctness or pandering. Period. (love, love love it...).

I'm looking forward to going back and reading book 1 in the series (Masters of War) and after that everything else Chris has written. Books of this genre I've enjoyed as much as Hunter Killer include: Levon's Night by Chuck Dixon, Without Remorse by Tom Clancy, Term Limits by Vince Flynn and Fade by Kyle Mills.
Profile Image for Beth.
51 reviews2 followers
July 14, 2020
All in all a great second book to the Danny Black series. As always I really enjoy the frequent changes in scenery and the action/suspense parts. The book is very fast paced, which keeps it interesting, there few twists I wasn’t expecting. Like the first book in the series there is a considerable amount of gore detailing that definitely paints a vivid picture in your mind.

The additional storyline with Danny’s brother added another dimension to the narrative, especially because you don’t know when he is lying and when he is telling the truth. You find yourself getting annoyed with him on Danny’s behalf. I liked how both lines of narrative came together at the end, I guessed what Clara’s end reaction would be in final scene and can understand both sides of the coin.

I didn’t realise it was possible to hate Buckingham more than in the first book but this one proved me wrong.
Profile Image for IAN SPEIGHT.
152 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2019


Following a suicide bombing in central London, series SAS hero Danny Black is recruited to be part of an assassination squad, directed by a joint MI5/MI6/CIA committee and tasked with hunting down and killing the terrorist cells believed to be planning further atrocities.

A Non-stop action tour de force! No Complicate plot what you read is what you get! Chris Ryan racks up the tension on every page. I may have given it 5 stars apart from one part I couldn't get away with. That being an amusement arcade being full of people at such an early hour of the morning? I found that hard to understand,.But apart from that superb!
128 reviews1 follower
November 30, 2019
Very good story and a continuation from the 1st book really, the same sort of story line and it is good to see the bad guy sometimes does not win the girl, sad but honest, he is a law unto himself and he is a very disciplined man who has been sent on an undercover job only to find that he has been lied to and his life and his mate are on the line, very good ending but need to read to the next one so that I can find out about his mate. Swearing is a little too much and some of the words in my mind are unnecessary and can be obmitted. It does spoil the reading of some of these books.
Profile Image for Nyashadzashe Chikumbu.
23 reviews6 followers
December 29, 2019
This is a work of art , breathtakingly beautiful yet blood curdling. Chris Ryan makes you rethink whatever notion you had prior on the subjects of terrorism and the operations of the secret service. Through the protagonist SAS agent Danny Black he really shows the readers that there isn't much difference between the mind of a terrorist and that of a secret service operative: both at the end of it are coldblooded and ruthless. The unforeseen aftermath of war. Chris Ryan keeps you wanting to read more , this book is a must read.
Profile Image for Yvonne.
969 reviews82 followers
October 25, 2023
This action is good and kept me interested; it's a little lighter regarding depth/character development.
The author continues referencing women by their physical attributes (flabby, pasty, etc...).
The women are used as props without real agency.

Unfortunate. Some action/suspense authors do a great job of writing female characters. So it can be done.

Danny appears crazy and delusional, and I hope this will be explored more as I explore the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Grada (BoekenTrol).
2,293 reviews3 followers
June 25, 2024
A book that has fast paced action, gives answers to a few of the questions that were left open at the end of the first Danny Black book and is eerily possible in real life.
You never know of course, what the secret services/military are up to in the world. What schemes the think of to ' protect a nation'. Or if it's just one person who's trying to advance their career.

Violence, betrayal, family ties, love, it is all part of this thriller and for me that is the cherry on a good book.
Profile Image for Yemic.
635 reviews
November 6, 2018
O my! I had a blast reading this, you cant go wrong with Chris Ryan's Danny Black. No punches pulled, I mean that literally, all British politeness and manners out the windows. A certain interrogation had my eyes bulge. Characters, plot all on point with a few 'huh really!'.

Having said that, Danny needs intensive therapy he is at the point of no return.
195 reviews
February 12, 2022
This was the first Chris a Ryan novel I’d read and it wasn’t my usual genre, but how I enjoyed it. The camaraderie between the characters, the hidden world of spies and military and governmental back stabbing all contributed to a believable plot. If you like Jack Reacher you will love this story. A fast moving plot with several story threads running through I couldn’t put it down.
69 reviews
July 27, 2025
Compared with the last so called thriller I read this ticked all the boxes, with the action rolling along at pace throughout; along with a series unexpected twists and turns. Perhaps I should have read Danny Black #1 first, but this one was kindly passed on to me by a chum who is particularly partial to books of this genre. Thank you.
Profile Image for Rory.
48 reviews1 follower
May 17, 2017
excellent book. story was entralling, sharp and original. I could hardly put the book down and it kept me reading with an open jaw. Sometimes Chris Ryan's books can be hit or miss. Hunter Killer no doubt a sensational HIT!!
687 reviews8 followers
April 8, 2018
Good old fashioned goody vs baddy with a double agent to add to the twist. Just what we expected from a Danny Black and Chris Ryan book and you will not be disappointed. Families and relationship problems to add. Yes, it's a light read, but still worth the effort.
74 reviews
November 22, 2019
Gripping

I loved this book. It has me gripped straight away, it was intriguing from the beginning, and it got emotions swirling and by the end i wanted to do bad things to certain characters haha!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.