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Ayesha Ryder #3
Ryder: Bird Of Prey
The Maltese Falcon was no mere legend—this fabulously jewelled golden bird really existed. Still exists, according to the last words of a dying man. Ayesha Ryder is on its trail, but not just to find the Falcon itself. It is said to contain a clue to the lost burial place of King Harold of England, a potent symbol for ruthless politicians determined to break up the UK and create a new, independent English Kingdom. The Falcon may also contain a second clue, one that few would believe.
Labelled an assassin, hunted by Scotland Yard and Dame Imogen Worsely of MI5—as well as those who want the Falcon and its secrets for themselves—Ayesha joins forces with Joram Tate, the mysterious librarian known to her friend Lady Madrigal, a one-time lover of Lawrence of Arabia. As Ayesha’s attraction to Tate grows, they follow clues left by long-dead knights to the tomb of a Saxon king and to the ruined Battle Abbey. When the trail leads them to a stunning secret hidden for a thousand years beneath an English castle, Ayesha must battle modern killers with medieval weapons before confronting the evil that would destroy her nation.
Labelled an assassin, hunted by Scotland Yard and Dame Imogen Worsely of MI5—as well as those who want the Falcon and its secrets for themselves—Ayesha joins forces with Joram Tate, the mysterious librarian known to her friend Lady Madrigal, a one-time lover of Lawrence of Arabia. As Ayesha’s attraction to Tate grows, they follow clues left by long-dead knights to the tomb of a Saxon king and to the ruined Battle Abbey. When the trail leads them to a stunning secret hidden for a thousand years beneath an English castle, Ayesha must battle modern killers with medieval weapons before confronting the evil that would destroy her nation.
296 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2015
4 people are currently reading
341 people want to read
About the author
Nick Pengelley
12 books26 followersNick Pengelley cites many influences on his writing. Readers of "Ryder" will not be surprised that authors like H. Rider Haggard, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, John Buchan and Peter O'Donnell figure prominently. He is a fan of the ripping yarns of the inter-war years - by writers such as Sapper, Dornford Yates, Edgar Wallace and Leslie Charteris. His more modern favourites include Umberto Eco (particularly "The Name of the Rose"), Alan Furst, Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman and Elizabeth Kostova ("The Historian"). Nicholas reads a "book or so" a week (and is horrified to think that, if he lives to be 200, he may only get to read 10,000). These days, although he still reads fiction, he is mainly interested in modern European and Middle Eastern history, and biography, having discovered some years ago that truth really is stranger than fiction. He lists his heroes, literary adventurers all, as Winston Churchill, T.E. Lawrence, Gertrude Bell and Teddy Roosevelt.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 16, 2015
Ayesha Ryder thinks she's about to put her hands on the elusive Maltese Falcon, but then she finds her contact dying in an ally. As she evades his killers, she learns the British prime minister has been poisoned, and she has been pegged as the assassin. What makes this even more difficult is that the prime minister is actually her friend. On the run with librarian Joram Tate, Ayesha must find a way to prove her innocence and stop a dirty politician from dissolving the United Kingdom.
Ryder: Bird of Prey is the third book in the Ayesha Ryder series by Nick Pengelley. I haven't read the first two books, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of this book. Pengelley includes some of her back story and references some entanglements that were clearly the topic of previous books. But this one stands alone just fine.
This is a fast-paced novel that's full of action and adventure. There's lots of intrigue and mystery, along with a bit of violence as is typical in a thriller like this. Ryder and Tate aren't just running from the bad guys; they are on an adventure to find a lost treasure. The style is reminiscent of the movie National Treasure, with clues that must be found and understood, and ancient relics to be uncovered.
I liked the characters of Ayesha Ryder and Joram Tate, as well as the archeologist they hook up with later, Niobe Bagot. Ryder is a tough woman but not unlikeable. Tate is quite mysterious at the start, and I found I wanted to know a lot more about him and his history. Bagot added a little fun and excitement to the story; she was so thrilled to be part of the adventure!
I found that the bad guys were too bad. I prefer when the antagonists have a bit more depth and show signs of both good and bad within them. I also wasn't crazy about the overwhelming focus on sexual attraction among just about every character. It just didn't feel real, and as someone who loves thrillers but doesn't enjoy romance novels, it was a bit much for me.
Overall, though, this is a fast-paced, fun and thrilling adventure novel that's full of action and suspense.
Ryder: Bird of Prey is the third book in the Ayesha Ryder series by Nick Pengelley. I haven't read the first two books, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of this book. Pengelley includes some of her back story and references some entanglements that were clearly the topic of previous books. But this one stands alone just fine.
This is a fast-paced novel that's full of action and adventure. There's lots of intrigue and mystery, along with a bit of violence as is typical in a thriller like this. Ryder and Tate aren't just running from the bad guys; they are on an adventure to find a lost treasure. The style is reminiscent of the movie National Treasure, with clues that must be found and understood, and ancient relics to be uncovered.
I liked the characters of Ayesha Ryder and Joram Tate, as well as the archeologist they hook up with later, Niobe Bagot. Ryder is a tough woman but not unlikeable. Tate is quite mysterious at the start, and I found I wanted to know a lot more about him and his history. Bagot added a little fun and excitement to the story; she was so thrilled to be part of the adventure!
I found that the bad guys were too bad. I prefer when the antagonists have a bit more depth and show signs of both good and bad within them. I also wasn't crazy about the overwhelming focus on sexual attraction among just about every character. It just didn't feel real, and as someone who loves thrillers but doesn't enjoy romance novels, it was a bit much for me.
Overall, though, this is a fast-paced, fun and thrilling adventure novel that's full of action and suspense.
September 19, 2015
First of all,its a kind of book that becomes a good company when you give break reading you feel like you gave a break from a tv-series or movie which keeps you thinking what will happen next.As a girl reader,im interested in librarian Joram moremore than Ayesha.Hes intellectual,smart and caring and mysterious as Ayesha thinks like that too.Ayesha a total cool but I feel like shes very vulnerable inside and one of those girls who acts tough to hide her feelings and has strict rules about herself.I felt like shes more like woman version of James Bond dont know why.Secondly its a book which based on politicians and their enviroment that It felt like watching political animals except its more fast-moving though I have to admit that castle parts was a bit technical,those weapon names i believe made me confused and think its a book for boys more.But as a action,thriller novels this parts are necessary and acceptable for sure.Ayeshas flashbacks about her past gives strong signals about storys progress so that you think theres something wrong with Bebe but I've never thought what is behind the seen.Lesbian parts was a bit funny at somepoint it makes you question about every woman in book which makes novel more interesting and enjoyable.I loved word choices of the writer and recommend it everyone with pleasure.
March 23, 2015
This is the third book in the series and is just as superb as the earlier two! The Bird of Prey being sought by Ayesha Ryder in this story is the Maltese Falcon. The story involves solving historic clues, the attempted assassination of a prime minister, murder, archaeology, ancient weapons - including cannons and bows and arrows, parliamentary malpractice, MPs, students, a special family member, new friends, lots of intrigue and twists and turns.
Brilliantly written, with a strong, resourceful and highly intelligent female lead, the story takes the reader on a whirlwind adventure involving many relatively current real occurrences woven into the fabric if the novel making you question what is fact and what is fiction. Superb, scintillating and stupendous - or to put it more plainly, simply brilliant. This is a book I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who enjoys great writing with historical and current affairs entwined in a fast paced, all action mystery thriller.
Whilst it isn’t essential to have read the earlier books in this series to fully appreciate this one, they are all great books so I really recommend you to read them all. I eagerly await the publication of sequels to this as the story continues. This is one of those all action books that you really wish someone would make into a film - they’d be brilliant!
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Brilliantly written, with a strong, resourceful and highly intelligent female lead, the story takes the reader on a whirlwind adventure involving many relatively current real occurrences woven into the fabric if the novel making you question what is fact and what is fiction. Superb, scintillating and stupendous - or to put it more plainly, simply brilliant. This is a book I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who enjoys great writing with historical and current affairs entwined in a fast paced, all action mystery thriller.
Whilst it isn’t essential to have read the earlier books in this series to fully appreciate this one, they are all great books so I really recommend you to read them all. I eagerly await the publication of sequels to this as the story continues. This is one of those all action books that you really wish someone would make into a film - they’d be brilliant!
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2015
Each new Ryder story is more intense and exciting than the last. The fabled Maltese Falcon is the new trigger to a Ryder search , with bad guys coming out of the woodwork and true evil in various disguises. The suspense and action is non-stop. I warn you, you will not be able to stop reading once you start until you reach the end. Dr. Ryder's intellect enables her to understand the most puzzling clues, and her uncanny martial arts ability keeps her in harms way with a minimum of damage. When you finish the book, you will have to allow time for your heart rate to return to normal and your breathing to slow. The story is that intense, right up to the end.
May 4, 2015
I have never read Nick Pengelley series before but I can all you I will start! This book is brilliantly well written with an amazing strong and resourceful female protagonist. The story takes you on a whirlwind adventure using current affairs to drive you from one adventure to the next.
April 22, 2015
Good adventure, fast paced, liked the history tied to the story. Our protagonist, Ayesha Ryder is a female Indiana Jones. Story moves incredibly fast never knowing what is around the next corner. This story contains lost treasure and the Maltese falcon. I love this series!
October 12, 2015
i WAS GRIPPED BY THIS BOOK, AND COULDNT PUT IT DOWN UNTIL i HAD FINISHED IT
September 19, 2025
more like 3.5stars
political infighting about splitting up the UK. About a sword that two men plan to kill the female prime minister. Twist with the first guy. He dies. The other guy takes over the plan. Succession of ruling. Main character Ayesha Ryder is looking for the sword. She meets up with Joram who is a librarian and a past MI6 agent. He helps her out. An archaeologist turns out to help her and they find the body of a king who has a sword that the other males think that it will make then king. The fighting scene at the end is kind of sad/werid/whatever. Students help to fight off mercenaries
that drop from a Zenith flight thingy and an war ensues in the castle where they find the treasures. People die. Ryder is a treasure hunter, it seems. She finds out the woman she was fighting is her long-lost-dead sister. There is a Palestinian back story.
This is the 3rd book in this series and the author is Canadian.
political infighting about splitting up the UK. About a sword that two men plan to kill the female prime minister. Twist with the first guy. He dies. The other guy takes over the plan. Succession of ruling. Main character Ayesha Ryder is looking for the sword. She meets up with Joram who is a librarian and a past MI6 agent. He helps her out. An archaeologist turns out to help her and they find the body of a king who has a sword that the other males think that it will make then king. The fighting scene at the end is kind of sad/werid/whatever. Students help to fight off mercenaries
that drop from a Zenith flight thingy and an war ensues in the castle where they find the treasures. People die. Ryder is a treasure hunter, it seems. She finds out the woman she was fighting is her long-lost-dead sister. There is a Palestinian back story.
This is the 3rd book in this series and the author is Canadian.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2015
Ayesha Ryder returns in this third instalment of the Ryder series called Bird of Prey. And with Bird of Prey this series has most definitely entered alternate history territory, even if at times referencing real-world developments directly, mentioning Richard III’s body being found in Leicester and some of the intricacies of EU economic and political problems. While I greatly enjoyed parts of the narrative and I really liked the book overall, Bird of Prey was my least favourite book of the series so far.
With this third book you can see the Ryder formula emerging: historical detective work ala Indiana Jones – a connection I hadn’t yet made, but which one of the characters made for me by referring to her Indy hat – combined with political conspiracy, one part romance – of the not-so prim and proper variety – all wrapped around the character development of Ayesha Ryder and her history. And like in the previous two books Ayesha has new sidekicks to help her in her investigation, but hopefully the ones she found in this book will stick around for more adventures, they certainly seemed positioned for it.
Ayesha’s development in this novel is wonderful. Pengelley reveals more of her past through flashbacks and more cracks in the walls she’s built around her heart. The things revealed about her past and especially her family are heart-breaking, even more so with later revelations in the book taken into account. It makes the cracks in Ayesha’s walls particularly interesting. At one point she is thinking about Niobe, one of the characters she meets, and the predicament they are in and she wonders whether she’s found another friend, because she’d like one. This to me is the best example of how Ayesha is changing and allowing herself to feel.
The new friends Ayesha makes in Bird of Prey, her sidekicks, were great and I really hope that both of them return in future books. Ayesha’s first new friend and sidekick is Joram Tate, the librarian of The Walshingham Institute, is fabulous, though I might be biased, because I love kick-ass librarian characters. I loved this suave and competent character, who reminded me a lot of a more action-oriented Rupert Giles, he of Buffy fame. Their powerful attraction added some interesting spice to the narrative, though at times Ayesha was a little distracted at inappropriate times, like in the middle of a gunfight. The second sidekick, Niobe Bagot, is just as cool, an archaeologist with an interest in the era of King Harold and the Battle of Hastings, she joins in Ayesha’s and Joram’s quest to find his grave. I really liked her and the big, fat nod to Indiana Jones she implies. And as in the previous books, the recurring characters – Susannah Armstrong, Dame Imogen and her husband, Lady Madrigal and Tatiana – are always a joy, so I’m hoping Tate and Niobe will be part of them from now on. Of the villains the only one to stand out was Bebe Daniells, the rest were somewhat vanilla due to their vagueness.This vagueness was understandable for plot purposes, but it also made them hard to connect to on more than a superficial level.
The plot is as action-packed as the previous books and a great mix of political intrigue and historical mystery. I really liked the Maltese Falcon angle, which beyond the book title and the Bogart film I didn’t know anything about, but that made it all the more interesting. In fact, the historical bits are my favourite thing about this series. Pengelley manages to drop lots of interesting tidbits into the narrative, which had me reaching for Wikipedia more than once to learn more about it. And that is a thing that always makes me happy. Add to that a secret warehouse of old books, a connection to a famous order of knights, and a fantastic siege scene and the history in this book completely won me over.
The one thing I actually disliked about the book was the way Pengelley dismissed Milton Hoenig, Ryder’s partner from the previous book. I really liked them together and I was rather sad that he was gone without any explanation at all. The other thing that bugged me was the role of the Dom/Sub relationship in the plot. This felt off to me from how I’ve seen it discussed in the wake of Fifty Shades of Grey. As far as I’m aware any BDSM relationship has to be based on consent and trust, which didn’t seem the case here. That seems to be the point Pengelley was working towards given the twist created around Bebe Daniels and her past, but it didn’t come together as seamlessly as it could have, if only because the dom/sub relationship as depicted in the book read more like an abusive situation than an actual consensual partnership without anyone actually calling it that.
Still, despite all of this, I had a fun time with Bird of Prey and I can’t wait for the next one, which looks to be just as fun with added T.E. Lawrence to boot if the hook at the end of the story is any indication. If you’re looking for an exciting read for a rainy afternoon inside or even a sunny one outside, this one will definitely do the trick.
This book was provided for review by the publisher as part of a blog tour.
With this third book you can see the Ryder formula emerging: historical detective work ala Indiana Jones – a connection I hadn’t yet made, but which one of the characters made for me by referring to her Indy hat – combined with political conspiracy, one part romance – of the not-so prim and proper variety – all wrapped around the character development of Ayesha Ryder and her history. And like in the previous two books Ayesha has new sidekicks to help her in her investigation, but hopefully the ones she found in this book will stick around for more adventures, they certainly seemed positioned for it.
Ayesha’s development in this novel is wonderful. Pengelley reveals more of her past through flashbacks and more cracks in the walls she’s built around her heart. The things revealed about her past and especially her family are heart-breaking, even more so with later revelations in the book taken into account. It makes the cracks in Ayesha’s walls particularly interesting. At one point she is thinking about Niobe, one of the characters she meets, and the predicament they are in and she wonders whether she’s found another friend, because she’d like one. This to me is the best example of how Ayesha is changing and allowing herself to feel.
The new friends Ayesha makes in Bird of Prey, her sidekicks, were great and I really hope that both of them return in future books. Ayesha’s first new friend and sidekick is Joram Tate, the librarian of The Walshingham Institute, is fabulous, though I might be biased, because I love kick-ass librarian characters. I loved this suave and competent character, who reminded me a lot of a more action-oriented Rupert Giles, he of Buffy fame. Their powerful attraction added some interesting spice to the narrative, though at times Ayesha was a little distracted at inappropriate times, like in the middle of a gunfight. The second sidekick, Niobe Bagot, is just as cool, an archaeologist with an interest in the era of King Harold and the Battle of Hastings, she joins in Ayesha’s and Joram’s quest to find his grave. I really liked her and the big, fat nod to Indiana Jones she implies. And as in the previous books, the recurring characters – Susannah Armstrong, Dame Imogen and her husband, Lady Madrigal and Tatiana – are always a joy, so I’m hoping Tate and Niobe will be part of them from now on. Of the villains the only one to stand out was Bebe Daniells, the rest were somewhat vanilla due to their vagueness.This vagueness was understandable for plot purposes, but it also made them hard to connect to on more than a superficial level.
The plot is as action-packed as the previous books and a great mix of political intrigue and historical mystery. I really liked the Maltese Falcon angle, which beyond the book title and the Bogart film I didn’t know anything about, but that made it all the more interesting. In fact, the historical bits are my favourite thing about this series. Pengelley manages to drop lots of interesting tidbits into the narrative, which had me reaching for Wikipedia more than once to learn more about it. And that is a thing that always makes me happy. Add to that a secret warehouse of old books, a connection to a famous order of knights, and a fantastic siege scene and the history in this book completely won me over.
The one thing I actually disliked about the book was the way Pengelley dismissed Milton Hoenig, Ryder’s partner from the previous book. I really liked them together and I was rather sad that he was gone without any explanation at all. The other thing that bugged me was the role of the Dom/Sub relationship in the plot. This felt off to me from how I’ve seen it discussed in the wake of Fifty Shades of Grey. As far as I’m aware any BDSM relationship has to be based on consent and trust, which didn’t seem the case here. That seems to be the point Pengelley was working towards given the twist created around Bebe Daniels and her past, but it didn’t come together as seamlessly as it could have, if only because the dom/sub relationship as depicted in the book read more like an abusive situation than an actual consensual partnership without anyone actually calling it that.
Still, despite all of this, I had a fun time with Bird of Prey and I can’t wait for the next one, which looks to be just as fun with added T.E. Lawrence to boot if the hook at the end of the story is any indication. If you’re looking for an exciting read for a rainy afternoon inside or even a sunny one outside, this one will definitely do the trick.
This book was provided for review by the publisher as part of a blog tour.
May 19, 2015
Originally published at Reading Reality
Ryder: Bird of Prey is the third book in the Ayesha Ryder series, after Ayesha’s awesome introduction in Ryder: An Ayesha Ryder Novel and Ryder: American Treasure.
Ayesha Ryder still feels like the love child of Indiana Jones and Lara Croft, but her adventures have a “ripped from the headines” feel in spite of their setting in a slightly alternate 21st century from our own.
On the one hand, in Ryder, Ayesha’s adventures led to the foundation of a new combined Israeli/Palestinian country in the Middle East named “The Holy Land”. Her rescue of that peace process and its principal political figures brought her to the attention of world leaders as a Middle East expert and a woman who can and will get the job done and the treasure found, no matter how mythical that treasure might initially seem to be.
In Bird of Prey, Ayesha is hunting for the sword of Harold Godwinson, the last English king. For those not familiar with the history, Harold is the king who lost England in 1066 to William the Conqueror.
While Ayesha’s friend, the British Prime Minister Susannah Armstrong, is vehemently opposed, there is a bill in Parliament, brought forward by Susannah’s Deputy PM, to not only dissolve the United Kingdom but take the remaining country, England, out of the European Union, NATO and the World Trade Organization. This England for the English platform would give Scotland its independence and allow Ireland to reunite. Or not in the latter case, but the English would be officially out of it.
In last week’s newspaper I saw an article about the British Parliamentary elections then in progress which also posits some of the same ideas. That this was closer to real than I expected was a huge surprise.
Back to the story. As a symbol of this England for the English movement, the organizers want Harold’s sword, which was supposed to have been buried with him. As usual for one of Ayesha’s adventures, the question on the table concerns the real life location of that burial. Which is, of course, part of the mystery Ayesha has to solve.
The clues to where that burial might be are hidden in yet another legendary artifact. Not on is the Maltese Falcon real in Ayesha’s world, but it contains both the key to Harold’s burial site and clues to the location of the fabled lost Templar treasure.
Someone, or multiple someones, are willing, in fact downright eager, to kill in order to get the sword and the treasure. But the bad guys should know by now that attempting to pin your crimes on Ayesha Ryder is a ploy that is guaranteed to fail. With extreme prejudice.
Escape Rating B+: It’s the treasure hunts that keep drawing me in. History is fascinating in general, and the idea that so many of the things we thought were legendary might be real is always enthralling. While there seems to be more than a bit of luck involved, it is so easy to get swept up in the way that Ayesha spins from one clue to the next, and always just one step ahead of the villains.
Ayesha’s assistants in this particular treasure hunt are a librarian whose propensity for adventure belongs in the TV show The Librarians and a female archaeologist who is thrilled to be the gender bent Indiana Jones in this running chase and battle.
That the chase comes to its conclusion in a reconstructed castle complete with reconstructed weapons and reenactors, while the villains arrive by Zeppelin, made for an exciting and climactic conclusion that goes from tongue-in-cheek to serious and deadly in the blink of an eye.
That one of the villains is a ghost from Ayesha’s past added to the stakes for her, and the consequences for the next book.
Something about the political setup of this one didn’t quite gel for me. The idea of England for the English is closer to real-life truth than I expected, but the idea that the House of Commons would be moved to revolt by the finding of the sword, or that such an important concept could pass this easily, seemed a bit too far-fetched.
I will say that the idea that highly-placed villains continue to try to shift blame for their crimes at the initial stages of the story by framing Ayesha Ryder has probably run its course. The first time it happened it added to the suspense. In this story even the characters who are intended to investigate the accusation saw it as a red flag that whoever said it must be part of the plot. I hope not to see this idea again for a while.
I absolutely love the treasure hunt aspects of the Ryder series. Ayesha always finds herself on the trail of something incredible, and always finds it, even if she doesn’t always get to keep it. It’s the chase that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, especially because there is always someone out to get Ayesha and that treasure right behind her.
I can’t wait to read more of Ayesha’s pulse-pounding adventures. There must be lots more legendary treasures just waiting to be rediscovered!
Ryder: Bird of Prey is the third book in the Ayesha Ryder series, after Ayesha’s awesome introduction in Ryder: An Ayesha Ryder Novel and Ryder: American Treasure.
Ayesha Ryder still feels like the love child of Indiana Jones and Lara Croft, but her adventures have a “ripped from the headines” feel in spite of their setting in a slightly alternate 21st century from our own.
On the one hand, in Ryder, Ayesha’s adventures led to the foundation of a new combined Israeli/Palestinian country in the Middle East named “The Holy Land”. Her rescue of that peace process and its principal political figures brought her to the attention of world leaders as a Middle East expert and a woman who can and will get the job done and the treasure found, no matter how mythical that treasure might initially seem to be.
In Bird of Prey, Ayesha is hunting for the sword of Harold Godwinson, the last English king. For those not familiar with the history, Harold is the king who lost England in 1066 to William the Conqueror.
While Ayesha’s friend, the British Prime Minister Susannah Armstrong, is vehemently opposed, there is a bill in Parliament, brought forward by Susannah’s Deputy PM, to not only dissolve the United Kingdom but take the remaining country, England, out of the European Union, NATO and the World Trade Organization. This England for the English platform would give Scotland its independence and allow Ireland to reunite. Or not in the latter case, but the English would be officially out of it.
In last week’s newspaper I saw an article about the British Parliamentary elections then in progress which also posits some of the same ideas. That this was closer to real than I expected was a huge surprise.
Back to the story. As a symbol of this England for the English movement, the organizers want Harold’s sword, which was supposed to have been buried with him. As usual for one of Ayesha’s adventures, the question on the table concerns the real life location of that burial. Which is, of course, part of the mystery Ayesha has to solve.
The clues to where that burial might be are hidden in yet another legendary artifact. Not on is the Maltese Falcon real in Ayesha’s world, but it contains both the key to Harold’s burial site and clues to the location of the fabled lost Templar treasure.
Someone, or multiple someones, are willing, in fact downright eager, to kill in order to get the sword and the treasure. But the bad guys should know by now that attempting to pin your crimes on Ayesha Ryder is a ploy that is guaranteed to fail. With extreme prejudice.
Escape Rating B+: It’s the treasure hunts that keep drawing me in. History is fascinating in general, and the idea that so many of the things we thought were legendary might be real is always enthralling. While there seems to be more than a bit of luck involved, it is so easy to get swept up in the way that Ayesha spins from one clue to the next, and always just one step ahead of the villains.
Ayesha’s assistants in this particular treasure hunt are a librarian whose propensity for adventure belongs in the TV show The Librarians and a female archaeologist who is thrilled to be the gender bent Indiana Jones in this running chase and battle.
That the chase comes to its conclusion in a reconstructed castle complete with reconstructed weapons and reenactors, while the villains arrive by Zeppelin, made for an exciting and climactic conclusion that goes from tongue-in-cheek to serious and deadly in the blink of an eye.
That one of the villains is a ghost from Ayesha’s past added to the stakes for her, and the consequences for the next book.
Something about the political setup of this one didn’t quite gel for me. The idea of England for the English is closer to real-life truth than I expected, but the idea that the House of Commons would be moved to revolt by the finding of the sword, or that such an important concept could pass this easily, seemed a bit too far-fetched.
I will say that the idea that highly-placed villains continue to try to shift blame for their crimes at the initial stages of the story by framing Ayesha Ryder has probably run its course. The first time it happened it added to the suspense. In this story even the characters who are intended to investigate the accusation saw it as a red flag that whoever said it must be part of the plot. I hope not to see this idea again for a while.
I absolutely love the treasure hunt aspects of the Ryder series. Ayesha always finds herself on the trail of something incredible, and always finds it, even if she doesn’t always get to keep it. It’s the chase that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, especially because there is always someone out to get Ayesha and that treasure right behind her.
I can’t wait to read more of Ayesha’s pulse-pounding adventures. There must be lots more legendary treasures just waiting to be rediscovered!
December 29, 2015
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 2.25 of 5
Ayesha Ryder is a an adventurer, much like Indiana Jones, and in this book, she's on the hunt for the Maltese Falcon, a real item of legend (though it looks much different from that in the movie) which supposedly lead the owner to another item of legend: the sword once owned by King Harold of the Battle of Hastings.
When Ayesha meets with her contact, she finds him dying, the victim of an assassin. Ayesha knows she's likely a target now and seeks to escape. At this time, the British Prime Minister, a friend of Ayesha's, is also assassinated (poisoned) and all the evidence points to Ayesha as his killer. She now needs to evade her own associates as well as those out to kill her.
To aid in her flight, she teams up with Joram Tate, a librarian, and together they need to prove Ayesha's innocence and stop the downfall of the United Kingdom, while searching for clues to the legendary treasure.
Ryder: Bird of Prey is the third book in a series by Nick Pengelley. This is the first book I've read and I didn't feel I had missed out on too much. The book stands alone on its own adventure. There are references to people and/or events that I presume occurred in one of the earlier books, but the necessary information was provided to keep me reading.
Ayesha Ryder strikes me as an attempt to create a female adventure/thriller hero, ala Mack Bolan or The Executioner, which I thought was a pretty good idea. Unfortunately, I was never able to relate to Ayesha or to any of the other characters in the book. Although there was a great deal of mentioning sexual attraction, there was never any chemistry between the characters and the talk seemed to be to let the reader know that they were attracted to one another instead of just showing us. And Ayesha's skills in fighting were a little beyond real - which is okay in this type of story - but while we are told she's got her doctorate (which should make her totally bad-ass ... smart, good-looking, AND a fighter with crazy mad skills), she often makes the worst choices, relying on fighting rather than thinking things through. The better adventure heroes (and I include James Bond and Indiana Jones in this category) rely on all their skills in equal measure. Ayesha seems to fall back to the fighting and never considers all the angles first.
I have to admit that I didn't expect a lot of character development in a book of this type, but I felt that there was even less than I was expecting. These weren't even interesting stereotypes. The idea ... the hunt for the historic and legendary artifacts ... is what got me through this book, but I can't really recommend it.
Looking for a good book? There are a lot of adventure hero books to choose from, and while Ayesha Ryder, in Ryder: Bird of Prey, by Nick Pengelley, is an interesting concept, it just doesn't live up to all the adventurers who have gone before.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Ayesha Ryder is a an adventurer, much like Indiana Jones, and in this book, she's on the hunt for the Maltese Falcon, a real item of legend (though it looks much different from that in the movie) which supposedly lead the owner to another item of legend: the sword once owned by King Harold of the Battle of Hastings.
When Ayesha meets with her contact, she finds him dying, the victim of an assassin. Ayesha knows she's likely a target now and seeks to escape. At this time, the British Prime Minister, a friend of Ayesha's, is also assassinated (poisoned) and all the evidence points to Ayesha as his killer. She now needs to evade her own associates as well as those out to kill her.
To aid in her flight, she teams up with Joram Tate, a librarian, and together they need to prove Ayesha's innocence and stop the downfall of the United Kingdom, while searching for clues to the legendary treasure.
Ryder: Bird of Prey is the third book in a series by Nick Pengelley. This is the first book I've read and I didn't feel I had missed out on too much. The book stands alone on its own adventure. There are references to people and/or events that I presume occurred in one of the earlier books, but the necessary information was provided to keep me reading.
Ayesha Ryder strikes me as an attempt to create a female adventure/thriller hero, ala Mack Bolan or The Executioner, which I thought was a pretty good idea. Unfortunately, I was never able to relate to Ayesha or to any of the other characters in the book. Although there was a great deal of mentioning sexual attraction, there was never any chemistry between the characters and the talk seemed to be to let the reader know that they were attracted to one another instead of just showing us. And Ayesha's skills in fighting were a little beyond real - which is okay in this type of story - but while we are told she's got her doctorate (which should make her totally bad-ass ... smart, good-looking, AND a fighter with crazy mad skills), she often makes the worst choices, relying on fighting rather than thinking things through. The better adventure heroes (and I include James Bond and Indiana Jones in this category) rely on all their skills in equal measure. Ayesha seems to fall back to the fighting and never considers all the angles first.
I have to admit that I didn't expect a lot of character development in a book of this type, but I felt that there was even less than I was expecting. These weren't even interesting stereotypes. The idea ... the hunt for the historic and legendary artifacts ... is what got me through this book, but I can't really recommend it.
Looking for a good book? There are a lot of adventure hero books to choose from, and while Ayesha Ryder, in Ryder: Bird of Prey, by Nick Pengelley, is an interesting concept, it just doesn't live up to all the adventurers who have gone before.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2015
Nick Pengelley in his new book, “Ryder: Bird of Prey” Book Three in the Ayesha Ryder series published by Alibi gives us another adventure with Ayesha Ryder.
From the back cover: Fans of Steve Berry and James Rollins will devour Ryder: Bird of Prey, the latest white-knuckle thriller featuring Palestinian-born, British-educated adventurer Ayesha Ryder. She’s one of fiction’s boldest heroines—and now she’s rewriting royal history.
According to the last words of a dying man, the Maltese Falcon was no mere legend: The fabulously jeweled golden bird really existed—still exists, in fact. And Ayesha Ryder is hot on its trail. Rumor says the Falcon conceals clues to the burial place of Harold II, the conquered Anglo-Saxon King of England—and to an artifact of astonishing significance that few besides Ryder would understand.
Hunted by Scotland Yard, MI5, and those who seek the Falcon to break up the United Kingdom, Ryder joins forces with Joram Tate, a mysterious librarian with a reputation for turning up things that don’t want to be found. Soon Ryder and her handsome, erudite new companion are venturing through lost tombs and ancient abbeys, following a trail left ages ago by the Knights Templar.
Ryder knows she’s close to a game-changing secret, hidden for a thousand years beneath an English castle. But with ruthless killers waiting in the wings, Ryder must go medieval—to defend her life, her country, and the world as we know it.
There is something about The Maltese Falcon. It gave tough guy Humphrey Bogart’s Sam Spade a huge amount of trouble and now, it seems, it is giving Ayesha Ryder even more. Who would have believed that the statue could hold information that could change England? Ayesha is hired to find it and there are those that do not want it found. Fast paced action, treasure hunts and hidden clues all the while being pursued by deadly assassins are just some of the ingredients in this third adventure with Ayesha Ryder. “Ryder: Bird of Prey” is a top-notch adventure that will really get your blood flowing as you flip pages trying to find out what is going to happen next. Mr. Pengelley really knows how to write a good story that involves you and keeps your interest. I am so glad to have found Nick Pengelley and am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from TLC Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: Fans of Steve Berry and James Rollins will devour Ryder: Bird of Prey, the latest white-knuckle thriller featuring Palestinian-born, British-educated adventurer Ayesha Ryder. She’s one of fiction’s boldest heroines—and now she’s rewriting royal history.
According to the last words of a dying man, the Maltese Falcon was no mere legend: The fabulously jeweled golden bird really existed—still exists, in fact. And Ayesha Ryder is hot on its trail. Rumor says the Falcon conceals clues to the burial place of Harold II, the conquered Anglo-Saxon King of England—and to an artifact of astonishing significance that few besides Ryder would understand.
Hunted by Scotland Yard, MI5, and those who seek the Falcon to break up the United Kingdom, Ryder joins forces with Joram Tate, a mysterious librarian with a reputation for turning up things that don’t want to be found. Soon Ryder and her handsome, erudite new companion are venturing through lost tombs and ancient abbeys, following a trail left ages ago by the Knights Templar.
Ryder knows she’s close to a game-changing secret, hidden for a thousand years beneath an English castle. But with ruthless killers waiting in the wings, Ryder must go medieval—to defend her life, her country, and the world as we know it.
There is something about The Maltese Falcon. It gave tough guy Humphrey Bogart’s Sam Spade a huge amount of trouble and now, it seems, it is giving Ayesha Ryder even more. Who would have believed that the statue could hold information that could change England? Ayesha is hired to find it and there are those that do not want it found. Fast paced action, treasure hunts and hidden clues all the while being pursued by deadly assassins are just some of the ingredients in this third adventure with Ayesha Ryder. “Ryder: Bird of Prey” is a top-notch adventure that will really get your blood flowing as you flip pages trying to find out what is going to happen next. Mr. Pengelley really knows how to write a good story that involves you and keeps your interest. I am so glad to have found Nick Pengelley and am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from TLC Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
June 17, 2015
I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour for a fair and honest review and rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
At the end of Ryder: American Treasure, historian and adventuress Ayesha Ryder was tired, a little beat up and desperate to go back to her research. Something that’s not exactly easy to do when you’re the female version of Indiana Jones and your friends keep getting you involved in solving historical mysteries. Lured by the tale that “The Maltese Falcon”, of Dashiell Hammett fame, is real and still in existence, Ayesha finds herself once again drawn into a treasure hunt in Ryder: Bird of Prey. A thriller filled with political intrigue, dastardly villains and a light touch of romance, Mr. Pengelley’s third installment in the Ayesha Ryder series is sure to be a hit among mystery fans.
Although already an established character, Mr. Pengelley turns up the heat on Ayesha’s character by providing us with more information about her early life in the Middle East and by providing her with a new sidekick, Joram Tate. Still suffering with occasional flashbacks to her activities in the Fedayeen, and her family’s death, Ayesha hopes that getting her hands on the “Maltese Falcon” will help her locate the sword owned by King Harold of England (a.k.a. Excalibur) and also help her locate the lost treasure of the Knights Hospitaller (crusaders who stole the treasure from The Holy Land).
Filled with existing, and well developed, secondary characters, Mr. Pengelley turns up the heat by once again placing Ayesha in a situation where she’s forced to hide from, and outrun, Dame Imogen and MI-5 and once again depend on Lady Madrigal and also on Joram Tate, a new character, who is a librarian with information on the “Maltese Falcon”. An intelligent, attractive man, Joram is an interesting character and one I could see becoming a series regular. The fact that he and Ayesha have great chemistry is also a major plus, all while working for a man who she doesn't like and whose secret agenda is something Ayesha would never approve of.
Will Ayesha locate the real Maltese Falcon and will it give her the clues she needs to find the hidden treasure? Will she somehow manage to save her adopted country and its prime minister once again? You’ll have to read Ryder: Bird of Prey to find out. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading Ayesha’s next adventure,
At the end of Ryder: American Treasure, historian and adventuress Ayesha Ryder was tired, a little beat up and desperate to go back to her research. Something that’s not exactly easy to do when you’re the female version of Indiana Jones and your friends keep getting you involved in solving historical mysteries. Lured by the tale that “The Maltese Falcon”, of Dashiell Hammett fame, is real and still in existence, Ayesha finds herself once again drawn into a treasure hunt in Ryder: Bird of Prey. A thriller filled with political intrigue, dastardly villains and a light touch of romance, Mr. Pengelley’s third installment in the Ayesha Ryder series is sure to be a hit among mystery fans.
Although already an established character, Mr. Pengelley turns up the heat on Ayesha’s character by providing us with more information about her early life in the Middle East and by providing her with a new sidekick, Joram Tate. Still suffering with occasional flashbacks to her activities in the Fedayeen, and her family’s death, Ayesha hopes that getting her hands on the “Maltese Falcon” will help her locate the sword owned by King Harold of England (a.k.a. Excalibur) and also help her locate the lost treasure of the Knights Hospitaller (crusaders who stole the treasure from The Holy Land).
Filled with existing, and well developed, secondary characters, Mr. Pengelley turns up the heat by once again placing Ayesha in a situation where she’s forced to hide from, and outrun, Dame Imogen and MI-5 and once again depend on Lady Madrigal and also on Joram Tate, a new character, who is a librarian with information on the “Maltese Falcon”. An intelligent, attractive man, Joram is an interesting character and one I could see becoming a series regular. The fact that he and Ayesha have great chemistry is also a major plus, all while working for a man who she doesn't like and whose secret agenda is something Ayesha would never approve of.
Will Ayesha locate the real Maltese Falcon and will it give her the clues she needs to find the hidden treasure? Will she somehow manage to save her adopted country and its prime minister once again? You’ll have to read Ryder: Bird of Prey to find out. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading Ayesha’s next adventure,
June 10, 2015
Thanks to netgalley.com, Alibi publishing and Nick Pengelley for the advance copy for my review.
I enjoyed the read, although I'm at a disadvantage since I haven't read the first two and it refers to the previous books. Along with references to Ryder's family, her mother's murder and her deceased sister, Ghayda.
I have purchased both the first and second books, probably will re-read this one afterwards or just add to this review at a later date.
I really liked the Ryder character, it's cool to have a female action hero, one that's not the cookie cutter type and she'd kick Reacher's ass.
Probably the coolest elements of this one, are how the author brought the Maltese Falcon to life, it's just not a movie, the burial place of Harold II, the conquered Anglo-Saxon King of England and all the history.
Pengelley puts the reader into the pages your right their with Ryder and Tate as the escape through St. Paul's Crypt's, finding Harold II burial place with Bagot, the Vicar and at Herstmonceux Castle.
Even brought back fond memories of Universal Studio's Dueling Dragons roller coaster, where you're walking through a Medieval castle, with the skeleton's dungeon and crypt's all to get on the coaster.
I did feel at a few places, it got predictable. The multiple layers of bad guys seems odd that they'd get so high in the British Parliament without being discovered or one eliminating the other advisory and not how it happens in this book.
The weak parts of the book for me was the Zeppelin airship! Since the bad guys probably, would have used a RAF PUMA HC 1 or a Blackhawk helicopter; etc, to get in and out of the Castle.
Longo being able to fire a Uzi or throw a grenade with any accuracy from a narrow steep staircase that are typically found in the Medieval Castles. As a Kid, I've been in several ones in Germany and just can't see that being plausible.
With that said, it's still a worthy read. I didn't let the stuff I hated effect the rating and wish I could give it more than five stars.
This is a newer genre for me to read, really like it, find it as exciting as a good Western and will read more in it from other authors.
While I try not to read books that are in series. I hope or expect the author in this case, Nicholas Pengelley to sell me on wanting to purchase the other books in the series and he did just that with Ryder: Birds of Prey.
I enjoyed the read, although I'm at a disadvantage since I haven't read the first two and it refers to the previous books. Along with references to Ryder's family, her mother's murder and her deceased sister, Ghayda.
I have purchased both the first and second books, probably will re-read this one afterwards or just add to this review at a later date.
I really liked the Ryder character, it's cool to have a female action hero, one that's not the cookie cutter type and she'd kick Reacher's ass.
Probably the coolest elements of this one, are how the author brought the Maltese Falcon to life, it's just not a movie, the burial place of Harold II, the conquered Anglo-Saxon King of England and all the history.
Pengelley puts the reader into the pages your right their with Ryder and Tate as the escape through St. Paul's Crypt's, finding Harold II burial place with Bagot, the Vicar and at Herstmonceux Castle.
Even brought back fond memories of Universal Studio's Dueling Dragons roller coaster, where you're walking through a Medieval castle, with the skeleton's dungeon and crypt's all to get on the coaster.
I did feel at a few places, it got predictable. The multiple layers of bad guys seems odd that they'd get so high in the British Parliament without being discovered or one eliminating the other advisory and not how it happens in this book.
The weak parts of the book for me was the Zeppelin airship! Since the bad guys probably, would have used a RAF PUMA HC 1 or a Blackhawk helicopter; etc, to get in and out of the Castle.
Longo being able to fire a Uzi or throw a grenade with any accuracy from a narrow steep staircase that are typically found in the Medieval Castles. As a Kid, I've been in several ones in Germany and just can't see that being plausible.
With that said, it's still a worthy read. I didn't let the stuff I hated effect the rating and wish I could give it more than five stars.
This is a newer genre for me to read, really like it, find it as exciting as a good Western and will read more in it from other authors.
While I try not to read books that are in series. I hope or expect the author in this case, Nicholas Pengelley to sell me on wanting to purchase the other books in the series and he did just that with Ryder: Birds of Prey.
January 6, 2016
“Ryder: Bird of Prey” eBook was published in 2015 and was written by Nick Pengelley (http://www.nicholaspengelley.com). This is Mr. Pengelley’s third novel and the third of the “Ayesha Ryder” series.
I received a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I would categorize this novel as ‘R’ as it contains scenes of Violence, Mature Language and Mature Situations. The setting of this Thriller novel is contemporary London, England. The primary character is Ayesha Ryder.
A few months have elapsed since the previous novel (“Ryder: American Treasure”). The British Prime Minister has been poisoned and is hovering near death. Ryder is indicated as the prime suspect.
Ryder has been working on finding the Maltese Falcon. Not only is it a jeweled statue, but rumors say it contains clues to an great treasure. It is also rumored to lead the way to the grave of King Harold II.
There are those within the British government that want to dissolve the United Kingdom and make England a separate country. Getting the Prime Minister out of the way was the first step. Now they want the sword of King Harold II to use as a rallying icon. They are after Ryder to get the sword and the treasure.
With the power they wield, the plotters direct Scotland Yard and MI5 to find Ryder. Ryder, with the unexpected help of the Walsingham Institute librarian, is both on the run and following the trail to the treasure. The path leads them through ancient abbeys, lost tombs and ultimately to a remote English castle. They constantly are following a series of clues left behind by the Knights Templar.
It is a race as to who will find the sword and treasure first. There is the added pressure of a pending vote in Parliament on the dissolution of the United Kingdom.
I thoroughly enjoyed the 7+ hours reading this 243 page novel. It was every bit as enjoyable as the first two of the series. The story still reminds me of those with Robert Langdon, Indiana Jones and Laura Croft. If I have the chance some day I would love to visit some of the locations mentioned in the Ryder novels. I give this novel a 4.8 (rounded up to a 5) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I would categorize this novel as ‘R’ as it contains scenes of Violence, Mature Language and Mature Situations. The setting of this Thriller novel is contemporary London, England. The primary character is Ayesha Ryder.
A few months have elapsed since the previous novel (“Ryder: American Treasure”). The British Prime Minister has been poisoned and is hovering near death. Ryder is indicated as the prime suspect.
Ryder has been working on finding the Maltese Falcon. Not only is it a jeweled statue, but rumors say it contains clues to an great treasure. It is also rumored to lead the way to the grave of King Harold II.
There are those within the British government that want to dissolve the United Kingdom and make England a separate country. Getting the Prime Minister out of the way was the first step. Now they want the sword of King Harold II to use as a rallying icon. They are after Ryder to get the sword and the treasure.
With the power they wield, the plotters direct Scotland Yard and MI5 to find Ryder. Ryder, with the unexpected help of the Walsingham Institute librarian, is both on the run and following the trail to the treasure. The path leads them through ancient abbeys, lost tombs and ultimately to a remote English castle. They constantly are following a series of clues left behind by the Knights Templar.
It is a race as to who will find the sword and treasure first. There is the added pressure of a pending vote in Parliament on the dissolution of the United Kingdom.
I thoroughly enjoyed the 7+ hours reading this 243 page novel. It was every bit as enjoyable as the first two of the series. The story still reminds me of those with Robert Langdon, Indiana Jones and Laura Croft. If I have the chance some day I would love to visit some of the locations mentioned in the Ryder novels. I give this novel a 4.8 (rounded up to a 5) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
May 4, 2015
Ayesha's latest treasure hunt was supposed to be more academic and sedate than her most recent adventures. Tasked with hunting down the real Maltese Falcon, it seemed she'd succeeded when she tracked down the ancestor of the latest person who'd had it in their possession. She'd taken on the job at the request of the Deputy Prime Minister, a man bent on selling the British government on English independence. It seems a legend connected to the Maltese Falcon promises to reveal the hiding place of the famed sword that became the basis for the Excalibur legend. A sword he believes would further his attempts.
But when Ayesha's contact is murdered on his way to deliver the falcon she finds herself on the run from a new set of would-be assassins. And then an attempt is made on the Prime Minister's life. If Ayesha is to survive this latest adventure, she'll have to follow the clues herself, with a new set of deadly pursuers hot on her heels every step of the way.
Three books into the series I'll admit they're becoming more than a little formulaic. I still really enjoy the historical aspects, but the treasure hunts, the hidden clues, and especially the Bond-like depraved villains are super predictable. At least this time around the officials in Ayesha's corner don't immediately accept that she's a potential enemy of the state!
The Maltese Falcon/Dashiel Hammett part of this latest is really cool. Pengelley even named a character after one of the actresses in the 1931 film adaptation (Bebe Daniels), though I'm not entirely sure how the actress would feel about the character. The Knights Hospitaller and Battle of Hastings/Harold pieces all fit neatly together and make for a fun combination. Formula aside, or maybe because of the formula, Pengelley certainly knows how to spin an action-packed tale that'll keep you turning pages. Maybe a bit more time between readings would dull the sense of repetition.
But when Ayesha's contact is murdered on his way to deliver the falcon she finds herself on the run from a new set of would-be assassins. And then an attempt is made on the Prime Minister's life. If Ayesha is to survive this latest adventure, she'll have to follow the clues herself, with a new set of deadly pursuers hot on her heels every step of the way.
Three books into the series I'll admit they're becoming more than a little formulaic. I still really enjoy the historical aspects, but the treasure hunts, the hidden clues, and especially the Bond-like depraved villains are super predictable. At least this time around the officials in Ayesha's corner don't immediately accept that she's a potential enemy of the state!
The Maltese Falcon/Dashiel Hammett part of this latest is really cool. Pengelley even named a character after one of the actresses in the 1931 film adaptation (Bebe Daniels), though I'm not entirely sure how the actress would feel about the character. The Knights Hospitaller and Battle of Hastings/Harold pieces all fit neatly together and make for a fun combination. Formula aside, or maybe because of the formula, Pengelley certainly knows how to spin an action-packed tale that'll keep you turning pages. Maybe a bit more time between readings would dull the sense of repetition.
May 31, 2015
Ryder: Bird of Prey – Nick Pengelley 3 Stars
Indiana Jones’ sister on steroids!
Ayesha Ryder is an internationally famous researcher in Middle East History, Politics, Culture and Religion. As a teenager she was a member of the Palestinian Fedayeen and is still proficient in the martial arts taught by the organisation. This training comes to her rescue more than once when she’s forced to go on the run with the librarian of the Walsingham Institute of Oriental Studies (where she is also employed)
The reason she is desperately trying to stay one step ahead of her would be assassins is because she holds key information that the man who wants to be the next Prime Minister of England, desperately wants to find; the sword of King Harold of England. The reason this sword is of such great importance to him, is that he feels with the power the sword will give him, will help to dissolve the present United Kingdom and set up a country with a new king and new boundaries.
Nick Pengelley has come up with a brilliant plot set in a futuristic United Kingdom. I can imagine some far-seeing film producer turning this into a very enjoyable adventure. However, it might warrant an X rating if some of the sexual exploits of certain characters is included!
Even though I can see the potential for a film score, I couldn’t become “a part of the plot”. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters and found the whole story far-fetched. Having said this, if you want a lot of action, some history, a lost relic or two, then you may very well enjoy reading this book.
Treebeard
Best Selling Crime Thrillers were given an advanced copy of this book to review
Indiana Jones’ sister on steroids!
Ayesha Ryder is an internationally famous researcher in Middle East History, Politics, Culture and Religion. As a teenager she was a member of the Palestinian Fedayeen and is still proficient in the martial arts taught by the organisation. This training comes to her rescue more than once when she’s forced to go on the run with the librarian of the Walsingham Institute of Oriental Studies (where she is also employed)
The reason she is desperately trying to stay one step ahead of her would be assassins is because she holds key information that the man who wants to be the next Prime Minister of England, desperately wants to find; the sword of King Harold of England. The reason this sword is of such great importance to him, is that he feels with the power the sword will give him, will help to dissolve the present United Kingdom and set up a country with a new king and new boundaries.
Nick Pengelley has come up with a brilliant plot set in a futuristic United Kingdom. I can imagine some far-seeing film producer turning this into a very enjoyable adventure. However, it might warrant an X rating if some of the sexual exploits of certain characters is included!
Even though I can see the potential for a film score, I couldn’t become “a part of the plot”. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters and found the whole story far-fetched. Having said this, if you want a lot of action, some history, a lost relic or two, then you may very well enjoy reading this book.
Treebeard
Best Selling Crime Thrillers were given an advanced copy of this book to review
May 9, 2015
Book Three in the Ayesha Ryder series. Ryder Bird of Prey is about the search of the Maltese Falcon and the lost sword of King Harold II. Requesting this book from Netgalley was a mistake I thought I could just jump in and start off at book three. I miss some character development and background. I didn't much care for the characters it's an uneven blend of Lara Croft, Indiana Jones and James Bond. I think the saving grace for this book was the action.
On the search for the maltese falcon Ayesha and mysterious librarian Joram Tate. When they find it it leads them on another chase for the lost sword of King Harold II. Which they must find before the British Prime Minister is usurped and the replacement who plans to break the United Kingdom apart. It's a twisty and turny story with lots a back stories that throws me off because just about every chapter begins with a dream or a flashback and I don't know it it was just the ARC formating but it was difficult to tell the difference from them when it starts and ends. The endings so called twist just made me roll my eyes.
I had a hard time just getting through this book. What caught my eye was the comparison to James Rollins, and I am a big fan of James Rollins, but no I would not compare this to James Rollins. The old Indiana Jones novels maybe but not Rollins. This book leaves an opening for book four but I think I'll pass.
ARC REVIEW
On the search for the maltese falcon Ayesha and mysterious librarian Joram Tate. When they find it it leads them on another chase for the lost sword of King Harold II. Which they must find before the British Prime Minister is usurped and the replacement who plans to break the United Kingdom apart. It's a twisty and turny story with lots a back stories that throws me off because just about every chapter begins with a dream or a flashback and I don't know it it was just the ARC formating but it was difficult to tell the difference from them when it starts and ends. The endings so called twist just made me roll my eyes.
I had a hard time just getting through this book. What caught my eye was the comparison to James Rollins, and I am a big fan of James Rollins, but no I would not compare this to James Rollins. The old Indiana Jones novels maybe but not Rollins. This book leaves an opening for book four but I think I'll pass.
ARC REVIEW
February 29, 2016
The more I read about Ayesha Ryder, the more I like her spunk and how Pengelley mixes action with history. The books are very much in the vein of the movie “National Treasure” or books by Dan Brown with a Middle Eastern twist. This book alone had me googling many historical events to figure out what out there could possibly be true…
In this installment, Ayesha is racing the clock as the fate of the United Kingdom, or England?, is at risk. I love Joram’s balance to Ayesha and I hope to see more of him in future books. I think he is a great potential partner with mysteries of his own. And, as before, there were fantastic twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end of the story. This one I saw coming, but that didn’t make it any less enjoyable.
Warning: Contains violence and some sexual references
Who should read it? Mystery and thriller fans – you don’t necessarily have to start at the beginning of the series!
Please note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review courtesy of TLC Book Tours.
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
In this installment, Ayesha is racing the clock as the fate of the United Kingdom, or England?, is at risk. I love Joram’s balance to Ayesha and I hope to see more of him in future books. I think he is a great potential partner with mysteries of his own. And, as before, there were fantastic twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end of the story. This one I saw coming, but that didn’t make it any less enjoyable.
Warning: Contains violence and some sexual references
Who should read it? Mystery and thriller fans – you don’t necessarily have to start at the beginning of the series!
Please note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review courtesy of TLC Book Tours.
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
October 13, 2015
Ayesha Ryder is fast becoming one of my favorite literary characters. She's a female Indiana Jones with guts and gumption and skill. Her history is tragic, but she has risen above it and her curiosity for history has made her an expert. Searching for the not-so-mythical Maltese Falcon, Ayesha is drawn into a dangerous game involving murder and an overthrow of the British Prime Minister. In order to stop it, she must discover the tomb of King Harold, who died at the Battle of Hastings, and locate his sword.
Historically rich, I loved that most of the action was set in Hastings, England and involved so much of the 1066 battle area. My husband is from Hastings, so I'd ask him about some if the places mentioned and they were familiar to him.
Third in the Ayesha Ryder series, the novel can stand alone, but my recommendation is that you read the entire series in order. Many characters return including Dame Imogen and Lady Madrigal. The addition of Joram was terrific. There is more to his story and I really hope he becomes a regular.
The story contains mild sexuality and moderate profanity.
Historically rich, I loved that most of the action was set in Hastings, England and involved so much of the 1066 battle area. My husband is from Hastings, so I'd ask him about some if the places mentioned and they were familiar to him.
Third in the Ayesha Ryder series, the novel can stand alone, but my recommendation is that you read the entire series in order. Many characters return including Dame Imogen and Lady Madrigal. The addition of Joram was terrific. There is more to his story and I really hope he becomes a regular.
The story contains mild sexuality and moderate profanity.
May 13, 2015
Ryder: Bird of Prey is the third book in the Ryder series. It is an extremely well written and professionally edited mystery/suspense/action novel.
Ayesha Ryder has become one of my favorite heroines. She is intelligent, strong, and outrageously fearless. Yet, she is not without faults, but she turns those faults into motivation to succeed. She's a historian and a treasure hunter, backed by an interesting assortment of politicians, historians and spies.
In Bird of Prey Ayesha is searching for the Maltese Falcon which contains a clue that could prevent a coup in the U.K. The action is fast with a particularly unique battle towards the end.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading future books in the Ryder series. It ends with a HFN and with hints about Ayesha's next adventure.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
Ayesha Ryder has become one of my favorite heroines. She is intelligent, strong, and outrageously fearless. Yet, she is not without faults, but she turns those faults into motivation to succeed. She's a historian and a treasure hunter, backed by an interesting assortment of politicians, historians and spies.
In Bird of Prey Ayesha is searching for the Maltese Falcon which contains a clue that could prevent a coup in the U.K. The action is fast with a particularly unique battle towards the end.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading future books in the Ryder series. It ends with a HFN and with hints about Ayesha's next adventure.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
September 19, 2015
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing me with an ARC of Ryder: Bird of Prey by Nick Pengelley.
Bird of Prey,is the third installment of the Ayesha Ryder series. It follows the same format as the previous books - insane action, unrealistic plot, ridiculous thugs, sexual violence and some anti Israel narrative just because the author deems his politics necessary. While book two was entertaining, this sequel is sheer lunacy! Of course, book three ends with the set-up for book four, which I'm sure will be another dose of lather,rinse and repeat. If you really want a no brainer, kickass read then Bird Of Prey will fill the need. Don't get me wrong...Bird of Prey is still a fun read and Ayesha Ryder is one tough bitch!
Bird of Prey,is the third installment of the Ayesha Ryder series. It follows the same format as the previous books - insane action, unrealistic plot, ridiculous thugs, sexual violence and some anti Israel narrative just because the author deems his politics necessary. While book two was entertaining, this sequel is sheer lunacy! Of course, book three ends with the set-up for book four, which I'm sure will be another dose of lather,rinse and repeat. If you really want a no brainer, kickass read then Bird Of Prey will fill the need. Don't get me wrong...Bird of Prey is still a fun read and Ayesha Ryder is one tough bitch!
May 17, 2015
This is a fun and somewhat over the top adventure, in which a Prime Minister falls victim to poison sent by her own party members, while a Mediterranean scholar embarks on a treasure hunt.
If you've read the first Ayesha Ryder book you'll know what to expect; suffice to say that the daring lady chases under and over London and out into the countryside, following clues that may or may not lead her to a great prize. The Maltese Falcon of Dashiell Hammett's book is discovered to be real and is only the first stage of a trail to an even greater discovery.
There's some gory detail among the action, and some strong language, so the tale isn't really intended for young adults although I expect some teens would enjoy it.
If you've read the first Ayesha Ryder book you'll know what to expect; suffice to say that the daring lady chases under and over London and out into the countryside, following clues that may or may not lead her to a great prize. The Maltese Falcon of Dashiell Hammett's book is discovered to be real and is only the first stage of a trail to an even greater discovery.
There's some gory detail among the action, and some strong language, so the tale isn't really intended for young adults although I expect some teens would enjoy it.
April 18, 2016
Another homerun for Nick Pengelley as Ryder continues to seek treasure and trouble continues to seek Ryder. With the mix of British politics and America minding everyone else’s business there is enough backstabbing to fill the Red Cross needs for blood donations. The action is fast paced and nonstop from the first page to the last. As expected there is some carryover of characters from American Treasure but the plot is new and the scheming is just evil. Go Ryder, looking forward to next episode.
May 5, 2015
I typically go for books with more romance but this author is so good at story telling, I am hooked! Follow our heroine as she tracks down ancient artifacts with some help from a new friend and new allies. As always, people are out to get her but that won't stop Ryder from her mission. There is a shock in this one about her family that you won't see coming.
May 4, 2015
Another non stop, action packed adventure with Nick Pengelley and Ayesha Ryder. I love these books, so imaginative but rooted in reality. The characters are interesting and all of them essential to the story. I wait with anticipation for the next one
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