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Defence Mechanism
The past is never over. It just lies dormant.
Life is good for Nick Ivanek-Williams.
Not only is he the newest member of long-running soap opera Love Kills, but he's hotly tipped to win Best Newcomer at the upcoming soap awards.
On top of that, his co-star, Danni - the Queen of daytime television - likes him. A lot.
Even his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder seems to be at bay.
In short, a year on from the events with Gideon Matthias - the criminal genius who Nick can't get out of his head - he is living his dream.
Or at least he was, until a vengeful figure emerges from the shadows. Benjamin, a London crime boss whose brother was killed by Gideon, is laser-focused on revenge and will stop at nothing to get to the elusive Gideon.
And if he can't, Nick will make the perfect substitute.
As Nick navigates a world where every ally could be an enemy, Gideon returns from the shadows to protect his friend.
But does this make Nick's world safer, or even more deadly...?
What people are saying about the
“Touches on philosophy, psychology and mental health, as well as being an excellent crime thriller.” – Amazon reviewer
“Nick is the most sarcastic character since Myron Bolitar from Harlan Coben's books!” – Goodreads reviewer
“Would definitely recommend this one… a nice change from the usual 'cat and mouse' type crime fiction.” – Amazon reviewer
Life is good for Nick Ivanek-Williams.
Not only is he the newest member of long-running soap opera Love Kills, but he's hotly tipped to win Best Newcomer at the upcoming soap awards.
On top of that, his co-star, Danni - the Queen of daytime television - likes him. A lot.
Even his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder seems to be at bay.
In short, a year on from the events with Gideon Matthias - the criminal genius who Nick can't get out of his head - he is living his dream.
Or at least he was, until a vengeful figure emerges from the shadows. Benjamin, a London crime boss whose brother was killed by Gideon, is laser-focused on revenge and will stop at nothing to get to the elusive Gideon.
And if he can't, Nick will make the perfect substitute.
As Nick navigates a world where every ally could be an enemy, Gideon returns from the shadows to protect his friend.
But does this make Nick's world safer, or even more deadly...?
What people are saying about the
“Touches on philosophy, psychology and mental health, as well as being an excellent crime thriller.” – Amazon reviewer
“Nick is the most sarcastic character since Myron Bolitar from Harlan Coben's books!” – Goodreads reviewer
“Would definitely recommend this one… a nice change from the usual 'cat and mouse' type crime fiction.” – Amazon reviewer
344 pages, Paperback
Published May 5, 2025
3 people want to read
About the author
Angelo Marcos
9 books58 followersAngelo Marcos is a writer, actor and stand-up comedian, who for some reason refers to himself in the third person.
He writes psychological thrillers and crime fiction, often with a dash of humour thrown in for good measure.
Drawing on his background in law and psychology, he crafts memorable characters and suspenseful mysteries which shine a light on human behaviour and why people do what they do.
See? I told you he refers to himself in the third person...
Website - http://www.angelomarcos.com
Twitter - @theangelomarcos
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theangelomarcos
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyDHu...
He writes psychological thrillers and crime fiction, often with a dash of humour thrown in for good measure.
Drawing on his background in law and psychology, he crafts memorable characters and suspenseful mysteries which shine a light on human behaviour and why people do what they do.
See? I told you he refers to himself in the third person...
Website - http://www.angelomarcos.com
Twitter - @theangelomarcos
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theangelomarcos
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyDHu...
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 6, 2025
EXCERPT: Dominic wasn't sure what he'd heard first - the shouts or the gunshots.
Sitting behind his sprawling desk in his oversized leather chair, he slipped the gun from his shoulder holster. He didn't need to check it was loaded, the weight of it told him it contained a full clip.
He scanned the bank of monitors on the wall, and a sudden jolt of adrenalin shot through him. In the corridor just outside stood a figure, motionless as a statue, and staring into the camera. He was dressed head to toe in tight black clothes, with what looked like a small rucksack on his back. In his hand was the unmistakable outline of a handgun, its barrel glinting as the harsh overhead lights reflected off the metal. No mask, no dark glasses, he obviously wasn't worried about being recognised.
As it happened, Dominic didn't recognise him, but he'd seen that look before. The eerie stillness of the hunter, the laser focus of the apex predator. Dominic knew he was there for one reason alone.
Him.
ABOUT 'DEFENCE MECHANISM': The past is never over. It just lies dormant.
Life is good for Nick Ivanek-Williams.
Not only is he the newest member of long-running soap opera Love Kills, but he's hotly tipped to win Best Newcomer at the upcoming soap awards.
On top of that, his co-star, Danni - the Queen of daytime television - likes him. A lot.
Even his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder seems to be at bay.
In short, a year on from the events with Gideon Matthias - the criminal genius who Nick can't get out of his head - he is living his dream.
Or at least he was, until a vengeful figure emerges from the shadows. Benjamin, a London crime boss whose brother was killed by Gideon, is laser-focused on revenge and will stop at nothing to get to the elusive Gideon.
And if he can't, Nick will make the perfect substitute.
As Nick navigates a world where every ally could be an enemy, Gideon returns from the shadows to protect his friend.
But does this make Nick's world safer, or even more deadly...?
MY THOUGHTS: I haven't read many thrillers lately but when I was offered the chance to read Defence Mechanism, I jumped at it. I have read and loved many of Angelo Marcos's books, but Victim Mentality, #1 in the Nick and Gideon series, has always stuck in my mind. It was superb. Here is the link to my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... It's possibly not entirely necessary, but I do recommend you read Victim Mentality before Defence Mechanism - you'll have a far better understanding of the characters.
The follow-up has been a long time coming but it has definitely been worth the wait. I just vacuumed it up, then went back and read it more slowly a second time.
Nick is just Nick, plagued by self-doubt and insecurity, and largely controlled by his OCD. Gideon is both his protector and his nemesis. Benjamin is the flash point, the man hell bent on revenge and, if he can't get to Gideon, he'll take aim at Gideon's weak point, Nick.
Clever, thrilling, and with flashes of humor, Defence Mechanism has cured my thriller slump.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#DefenceMechanism #AngeloMarcos
MEET THE AUTHOR: Angelo Marcos is a writer, actor and stand-up comedian, who for some reason refers to himself in the third person.
He writes psychological thrillers and crime fiction, often with a dash of humour thrown in for good measure.
Drawing on his background in law and psychology, he crafts memorable characters and suspenseful mysteries which shine a light on human behaviour and why people do what they do.
See? I told you he refers to himself in the third person...
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to author Angelo Marcos for providing an e-ARC of his novel Defence Mechanism for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Sitting behind his sprawling desk in his oversized leather chair, he slipped the gun from his shoulder holster. He didn't need to check it was loaded, the weight of it told him it contained a full clip.
He scanned the bank of monitors on the wall, and a sudden jolt of adrenalin shot through him. In the corridor just outside stood a figure, motionless as a statue, and staring into the camera. He was dressed head to toe in tight black clothes, with what looked like a small rucksack on his back. In his hand was the unmistakable outline of a handgun, its barrel glinting as the harsh overhead lights reflected off the metal. No mask, no dark glasses, he obviously wasn't worried about being recognised.
As it happened, Dominic didn't recognise him, but he'd seen that look before. The eerie stillness of the hunter, the laser focus of the apex predator. Dominic knew he was there for one reason alone.
Him.
ABOUT 'DEFENCE MECHANISM': The past is never over. It just lies dormant.
Life is good for Nick Ivanek-Williams.
Not only is he the newest member of long-running soap opera Love Kills, but he's hotly tipped to win Best Newcomer at the upcoming soap awards.
On top of that, his co-star, Danni - the Queen of daytime television - likes him. A lot.
Even his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder seems to be at bay.
In short, a year on from the events with Gideon Matthias - the criminal genius who Nick can't get out of his head - he is living his dream.
Or at least he was, until a vengeful figure emerges from the shadows. Benjamin, a London crime boss whose brother was killed by Gideon, is laser-focused on revenge and will stop at nothing to get to the elusive Gideon.
And if he can't, Nick will make the perfect substitute.
As Nick navigates a world where every ally could be an enemy, Gideon returns from the shadows to protect his friend.
But does this make Nick's world safer, or even more deadly...?
MY THOUGHTS: I haven't read many thrillers lately but when I was offered the chance to read Defence Mechanism, I jumped at it. I have read and loved many of Angelo Marcos's books, but Victim Mentality, #1 in the Nick and Gideon series, has always stuck in my mind. It was superb. Here is the link to my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... It's possibly not entirely necessary, but I do recommend you read Victim Mentality before Defence Mechanism - you'll have a far better understanding of the characters.
The follow-up has been a long time coming but it has definitely been worth the wait. I just vacuumed it up, then went back and read it more slowly a second time.
Nick is just Nick, plagued by self-doubt and insecurity, and largely controlled by his OCD. Gideon is both his protector and his nemesis. Benjamin is the flash point, the man hell bent on revenge and, if he can't get to Gideon, he'll take aim at Gideon's weak point, Nick.
Clever, thrilling, and with flashes of humor, Defence Mechanism has cured my thriller slump.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#DefenceMechanism #AngeloMarcos
MEET THE AUTHOR: Angelo Marcos is a writer, actor and stand-up comedian, who for some reason refers to himself in the third person.
He writes psychological thrillers and crime fiction, often with a dash of humour thrown in for good measure.
Drawing on his background in law and psychology, he crafts memorable characters and suspenseful mysteries which shine a light on human behaviour and why people do what they do.
See? I told you he refers to himself in the third person...
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to author Angelo Marcos for providing an e-ARC of his novel Defence Mechanism for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
May 4, 2025
I have been waiting for this sequel to come out for forever!
I read Victim Mentality (first in the series) and loved it because it's funny and clever at the same time and Nick reminded me of Myron Bolitar from Harlan Coben's books! So I was very happy to get an email from the author (I'm on his email list) telling me this second book was out.
The story has moved on and one or two characters are gone (No spoilers don't worry!) but I was pleased to see that it was business as usual between Nick and Gideon Matias.
Like Victim Mentality there are some laugh out loud moments (I loved Tino the Make Up Guy!) as well as some shocks and twists along the way. This is one of those sequels that is not only as good as the first novel but maybe even better!
I'm adding this to my 'reread' pile too!
I read Victim Mentality (first in the series) and loved it because it's funny and clever at the same time and Nick reminded me of Myron Bolitar from Harlan Coben's books! So I was very happy to get an email from the author (I'm on his email list) telling me this second book was out.
The story has moved on and one or two characters are gone (No spoilers don't worry!) but I was pleased to see that it was business as usual between Nick and Gideon Matias.
Like Victim Mentality there are some laugh out loud moments (I loved Tino the Make Up Guy!) as well as some shocks and twists along the way. This is one of those sequels that is not only as good as the first novel but maybe even better!
I'm adding this to my 'reread' pile too!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews