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Unit 1 #5

Straits of the Between: The Unit 1 Series, Book 5

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What begins as a mission to save a Tibetian holy man takes a shocking turn...

When the CIA learns that the Panchen Lama, abducted as a boy by Chinese agents, is still living and wishes to be freed from Chinese captivity, Unit One agent Britt Haugen is assigned to locate and liberate the Tibetan holy man. With a small covert team, she enters tightly controlled Tibet, only to discover that the rescue operation is not what it seems. She and her team may be the hunted.

Britt and agent Manny Beg are in a race against time to locate and rescue the man who should play a pivotal role in selecting the next Dalai Lama. In true Allen Kent fashion, the book informs, thrills, puzzles, and entices, adding an element of outrage as we learn about Chinese efforts to supplant the true Panchen Lama and tighten Chinese control on this remote mountain kingdom.

Straits of the Between masterfully weaves together the mythical world of monks, monasteries, and mystery that is Tibetan Buddhism with an exhilarating chase across the top of the world! Another classic international thriller in the vein of Kent’s popular The Wager and The Shield of Darius. Scroll up and buy the audiobook today!

Audible Audio

Published April 3, 2020

63 people are currently reading
50 people want to read

About the author

Allen Kent

24 books35 followers
Allen Kent is the author of the popular “Unit 1” thriller series, the Whitlock Trilogy in historical fiction, and a number of other mysteries and action novels. His books are published in electronic form by Kindle Press and in paperback by AllenPearce Publishers. He lives and writes in rural southwest Missouri.

Kent is a former Air Force pilot and educator who spent four years of his early life living in Iran and England. He has traveled and worked extensively in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia – experiences that are often reflected in his writing.
Writing as Kent Farnsworth, Kent has also published two works of non-fiction: “Grassroots School Reform” and “Leadership as Service.”

He and his wife Holly are avid travelers, gardeners, and conservationists, and live in an eco-friendly home near the community of Neosho.

See: https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Kent/e/B...

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5 stars
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25 (31%)
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Janet Womack.
278 reviews8 followers
May 25, 2020
Although this is book 5 of the Unit 1 series, it's the first one I've read. I listened to the audio version. The narrator did an excellent job. Straights of the Between is filled with action and political intrigue. The descriptions of different locations in the book make you feel like you're there. I've read several other books by Allen Kent and have been thoroughly impressed with all of them.
Profile Image for Robbi Hartford.
Author 2 books27 followers
June 22, 2019
Brilliant Cultural.Artistry


I came to Straits of the Between without reading any of Allen Kent's previous Unit One novels. Britt, a tall, athletic agent with red hair and striking green eyes, is recruited by Unit One to covertly find the Panchen Lama believed to be exiled in China. Manny, another Unit One agent who's already at risk following his own special ops assignment in Pakistan, is directed to assist Britt when her situation is compromised.

Aside from a few places when the pace is slowed by changes in perspective which include redundant or distracting backstory, the plot is riviting. Whenever the distant supporting players are in the shadows, Manny and Britt plunge courageously ahead in their perilous quest. Kent's cohesive portrayal of opposing political agendas is galvanized by his attention to many fine nuances of regional cultures. The brilliant cover forecast an exquisite cultural adventure, and Kent delivered a masterpiece.

I highly recommend this book, particularly to readers who enjoy a plausible adventure while broadening their worldview.
1,566 reviews13 followers
April 12, 2022
This is the story of an undercover mission to rescue a young man held prisoner with his family in Asia. Inventive agents puzzle their way through the twists and turns of the challenge, while crossing borders and dealing with literal roadblocks. This is the first book that I've read in this series, but I was able to read the book with no problem.

I have enjoyed every book that I've read from Allen Kent. He's clearly done in depth research for every book, including this one. I learn a lot from his books, and I appreciate that. I think the details he provides add depth to the story.

This book has some adult themes so I recommend it for adult readers or mature young adults.

I listened to the audio version and I have to give the narrator a rating of 5. He does an outstanding job of performing the book and his accents are really wonderful.
Profile Image for Jan Miller.
732 reviews7 followers
April 11, 2020
Allen Kent pulled me in immediately with Straits of the Between. I loved the imagery this book had with its exotic location of Nepal and Tibet. The cultural differences to Western life were eye-opening. The fast paced story with current political interference and manipulations was thought provoking. The adventure and suspense was very well done. I love "spy" type books and this one had all the elements I so enjoy. The ending was so well done too. The author notes at the end of the book were an added plus for me. Paul J . McSorely was fantastic with his performance. He is smooth and articulate and adds the right inflections to his voice that add to the story. He brings the characters to life. This book is both part of a series and a standalone listen.
Profile Image for Roger.
5,562 reviews28 followers
January 5, 2022
Straits of the Between: A Unit One Novel (The Unit 1 Series Book 5), my eighth outstanding read from author Allen Kent each book better than the last. Reminiscent of author Robert Ludlum's & Tom Clancey's writings. Outstanding thrillers with well-written characters & plots you can buy into with unexpected twists & turns. I got this book back in June of 2019 and now that I've read 5 Allen Kent books in the last 6 days this was next in line. I look forward to reading more from this author and since I own a total of 24 books by him I eagerly look forward to reading more! “I received a free Audible copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." Narrator Paul J McSorley's narration made a good book even better. The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. Since I've already read Ring of Thorns: A Unit 1 Novel (The Unit 1 Series Book 6) this concludes the series. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
Profile Image for Al Gritten.
525 reviews7 followers
February 15, 2018
This is a very good read and as usual Kent delivers action and adventure and great locales! I have to say that this one started slowly for me, however, and I believe it's because it took me a while to related to the new characters he introduces. But as he says himself this is a transitional book, both for him and Unit 1 as well as for the readers. And while it took me a bit to acclimate to Manny and Britt, by the time I got into it, it was rolling along as all of his do - at a fast pace that makes it difficult to put down. I look forward to seeing how Unit 1 develops from here and eagerly await the new look and the next adventure.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
562 reviews
January 4, 2018
With as many twists as the Himalayan roads where the novel is set, Kent kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. The novel is action packed, but the characters go beyond the stock action heroes and become people I cared about. The descriptions are beautiful, and Kent is true to this mostly unknown part of the world. I felt as if I had been to Tibet and Nepal. I loved the unique setting, the idea of rescue, and the social issues that were addressed indirectly. Lovely writing, and a great read!
18 reviews
February 18, 2019
Tibet long holds a deep, mysterious interest for me.

The Unit One have each proved intriguing, exciting, yes, but more so. A depth further. Emotions under the surface? Specific details gathered on-site and woven into the story fabric.

So, this one locked in on page one. Kept me reading into the evenings. And up for four hours in the middle of the night to finish it.

Only one issue, that being one of the people following the protagonist. I won't say more here. Don't want to spoil anyone's read!
7,749 reviews49 followers
April 13, 2020
Haven’t read the author before, to revisit Nepal and Tibet drew me to this book.CIA learning that one of the holy men wished to be freed, a covert op was set up. Unit One Britt and her team upon entering the assignment was not what she expected. A region that is a tight controlled area, with vast regions of mountains, and access is limited. With the temples and the monks and their way of living, with no violence and most live in a cluster around the temples. It was well written of the settings, the mission, and held ones interest.
2,000 reviews37 followers
May 30, 2020
A CIA agent is sent to extract the kidnapped Panchen lama from Chinese captivity in this interesting story about international politics, intrigue and eastern culture.
Well researched and written, this story has plenty of action and some great characters, interesting cultural and geographic references and a kickass heroine you can't help but like.
A great story about a part of the world about which I know very little.
Profile Image for BJ.
465 reviews5 followers
July 3, 2021
This one wore me out!

While I do enjoy some travelog in a book this one was just a little much. I didn't need to wade through pages of descriptions of every small village, the detail of the dress of the residents, and every turn of an almost impassable road. The highlights would have been fine. That said, the twists in the story, and there were many, were pretty tense. The Unit is changing!
1,259 reviews
May 7, 2020
Another great addition to the "Unit 1" series. Finding missing warheads and rescuing the young man who is next in line to be the Tibetan Lama is all in a day's work for the operatives. The new agents of the unit are carrying on in the tradition of the old guard with some new twists. I was gifted this from the author.
Profile Image for Louann.
10 reviews
May 12, 2018
Riveting

At first I thought the novel started a little slow and a lot of background given on some of the characters. This background allows the novel to be stand alone or reminds the reader of the previos books. Once the action started, you did not want to stop reading.
Profile Image for Michaela | Reading in the Heartland.
3,664 reviews66 followers
September 9, 2021
This was another good audio in the Unit 1 saga. I love the connections to the prior books. I'm definitely curious to see where this series will go. I was kept on my toes and there were some great surprises in here. I love the real life connections.
Profile Image for Sabina D'agliano.
188 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2022
Excellent Read

Edge of your seat exciting and well executed, I loved the story, the plot, the characters, everything!!! Solid action thriller.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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