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Nick Kane #1
Devil to Pay
Nick Kane is a man with nothing to lose, and everything to prove. A model soldier fighting for queen and country, it seemed nothing could stop him becoming one of the very top officers. But that was then. And this is now. Injured in a bomb blast on reconnaissance in Iraq he’s forced out of the army and into the quiet life.
But after a year in civvies rebuilding his life and his relationship with his family, things for Nick are looking up. That is until he finds out that his old army buddy Ben Webster is dead. Word is that he took his own life, but Nick knows that Ben had everything to live for, and when he starts to question the circumstances of his friend’s death, he discovers that there are people who will stop at nothing to cover up the terrifying truth.
Explosive and gripping, Devil to pay is the electrifying new action thriller from best-selling author Ross Kemp.
But after a year in civvies rebuilding his life and his relationship with his family, things for Nick are looking up. That is until he finds out that his old army buddy Ben Webster is dead. Word is that he took his own life, but Nick knows that Ben had everything to live for, and when he starts to question the circumstances of his friend’s death, he discovers that there are people who will stop at nothing to cover up the terrifying truth.
Explosive and gripping, Devil to pay is the electrifying new action thriller from best-selling author Ross Kemp.
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First published June 9, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 28, 2022
Devil to Pay is a fictional novel by actor and documentary maker, Ross Kemp ( yes, he of Eastenders fame)! It’s based around ex-special forces soldier Nick Kane. Having heard that his best friend has committed suicide, Nick refuses to believe it and the story covers his investigation into the death, taking him from London to Afghanistan on a roller coaster of action that is both enjoyable and believable.
Whilst this is not a work of great literary art, it is well written and very topical. The in depth knowledge of Afghanistan, its politics, the people, the soldiers and the contractors helped the story unfold in a credible way that some such adventure type books lack. I wondered whether it was actually fiction in some places as there are obviously correlations to what is actually happening – and if you have ever seen a Ross Kemp documentary you know that he has actually been in these places and spent time with the people.
The story unfurls via a narrative style, reflective of what you would expect from an individual like Nick Kane, that for me made it feel as if I were listening to an interview of an after the fact experience told in a person’s own way. It added explanations on why some weapons didn’t work so well in fighting, what the real people of Afghanistan really thought, and how the military operated, that added something you don’t often get in such books.
For those of you who like the more adventure style novel and have an interest in modern day politics outside the UK or just want an enjoyable and easy read, this book is for you.
Whilst this is not a work of great literary art, it is well written and very topical. The in depth knowledge of Afghanistan, its politics, the people, the soldiers and the contractors helped the story unfold in a credible way that some such adventure type books lack. I wondered whether it was actually fiction in some places as there are obviously correlations to what is actually happening – and if you have ever seen a Ross Kemp documentary you know that he has actually been in these places and spent time with the people.
The story unfurls via a narrative style, reflective of what you would expect from an individual like Nick Kane, that for me made it feel as if I were listening to an interview of an after the fact experience told in a person’s own way. It added explanations on why some weapons didn’t work so well in fighting, what the real people of Afghanistan really thought, and how the military operated, that added something you don’t often get in such books.
For those of you who like the more adventure style novel and have an interest in modern day politics outside the UK or just want an enjoyable and easy read, this book is for you.
July 25, 2011
I chose this book at my local library, after having seen it on sale at a supermarket. It's written in a style rather similar to that of Andy McNab. I know McNab's writing style is not really considered one of the literary greats, but it does what it does well: it makes a fast-paced book with an enjoyable story.
Ross Kemp does a good job of following the same style with his 2011 novel, 'Devil to Pay'. The story follows an ex-soldier who is trying to find out why an army buddy committed suicide despite having a wife and kids, and living a rather normal life. The protagonist's name is Nick Kane, which is again similar to the protagonist in many of McNab's novels, who is named Nick Stone. Look past this, however, and there is a genuinely exciting plot awaiting.
While the book's blurb does not go into much detail on the locations, it shifts from London to Afghanistan, and pits the protagonist characters in a struggle between the Taliban and private security companies acting in the area. Suffice to say, Kemp nails the British gang culture perfectly during a scene with an attempted mugging early in the story. His ability to describe a situation like this is unsurprising due to his work on gangs.
It takes some time to get into the actual action of the story but for the most part the book moves very quickly, and makes for an enjoyable summer read. It might not be an incredibly thought-provoking story but the facts presented at the conclusion are actually very interesting.
I had only one problem with the book during my time reading it; the number of little errors I saw throughout. They were relatively minor but for some reason I picked up on them with this one book in particular. Maybe all books have the same number of errors but I only ever have picked up on them so regularly in this one book. Regardless it is a good read.
Ross Kemp does a good job of following the same style with his 2011 novel, 'Devil to Pay'. The story follows an ex-soldier who is trying to find out why an army buddy committed suicide despite having a wife and kids, and living a rather normal life. The protagonist's name is Nick Kane, which is again similar to the protagonist in many of McNab's novels, who is named Nick Stone. Look past this, however, and there is a genuinely exciting plot awaiting.
While the book's blurb does not go into much detail on the locations, it shifts from London to Afghanistan, and pits the protagonist characters in a struggle between the Taliban and private security companies acting in the area. Suffice to say, Kemp nails the British gang culture perfectly during a scene with an attempted mugging early in the story. His ability to describe a situation like this is unsurprising due to his work on gangs.
It takes some time to get into the actual action of the story but for the most part the book moves very quickly, and makes for an enjoyable summer read. It might not be an incredibly thought-provoking story but the facts presented at the conclusion are actually very interesting.
I had only one problem with the book during my time reading it; the number of little errors I saw throughout. They were relatively minor but for some reason I picked up on them with this one book in particular. Maybe all books have the same number of errors but I only ever have picked up on them so regularly in this one book. Regardless it is a good read.
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May 3, 2020Fast passed
If you're a fan of chris Ryan or andy McNabb you'll probably enjoy this book.faced paced with plenty of action.could do with being properly proof read as there are some.strange continuity errors and a page that shows up twice .on the whole a good read
If you're a fan of chris Ryan or andy McNabb you'll probably enjoy this book.faced paced with plenty of action.could do with being properly proof read as there are some.strange continuity errors and a page that shows up twice .on the whole a good read
October 29, 2017
A lean and action-packed thriller. The plot steams along at a furious pace with not a word wasted, and its all the better for that. All thrills no frills. Recommended.
October 15, 2019
a real boys own story
when one of his mates gets into trouble ex specials services guy nick kane jumps into action
loved the story and loved the pace
when one of his mates gets into trouble ex specials services guy nick kane jumps into action
loved the story and loved the pace
August 17, 2021
Gave up halfway through, just not my bag in the end. Found it altogether too cheesy and little substance. But hey I tried it
September 26, 2022
Ok read
May 11, 2024
Good
February 25, 2012
I didn't think was I was going to like this book but I really enjoyed it. It was about a man named nick kane and he has a friend who dies and they both was in the army so know tires to find out what happened to his friend because everyone is telling him that his mate killed himself but he knows that's not true so he has to travel to Afghan to find out what happens to his mate really don't want to give any thing away
September 6, 2012
Good read, cross between an Andy McNabb & Stephen Leather.
August 7, 2013
My son brought this book for me for my birthday as Im a Ross Kemp fan. I loved it
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews