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Second Strike: The pulse-pounding 2025 thriller from the no.1 bestselling SAS hero
A single terrible mistake cost David Hawkins everything. His marriage. His relationship with his daughter - and his career in the SAS. Now Hawkins is a man on the downward slope of life. Banished from the Regiment, relegated to a desk job at one of Britain's biggest private defence contractors, haunted by the memories of the past.
But when a talented young engineer dies in mysterious circumstances, Hawkins is sent down to Plymouth to investigate. Working alongside the company's new cyber-security expert, Alex Millar, Hawkins must find out who murdered the engineer - and why.
What begins as a straightforward case soon turns into a deadly manhunt, as Hawkins and Millar pursue their quarry from the streets of Liverpool to the Firth of Clyde, in a frantic race against time to expose a deadly conspiracy targeting the heart of the UK's defences. Win, and they'll prevent a terrifying attack. Fail, and Britain will be at the mercy of its deadliest enemy...
But when a talented young engineer dies in mysterious circumstances, Hawkins is sent down to Plymouth to investigate. Working alongside the company's new cyber-security expert, Alex Millar, Hawkins must find out who murdered the engineer - and why.
What begins as a straightforward case soon turns into a deadly manhunt, as Hawkins and Millar pursue their quarry from the streets of Liverpool to the Firth of Clyde, in a frantic race against time to expose a deadly conspiracy targeting the heart of the UK's defences. Win, and they'll prevent a terrifying attack. Fail, and Britain will be at the mercy of its deadliest enemy...
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2025
48 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Chris Ryan
343 books1,024 followersColin Armstrong (b. 1961), usually known by the pen-name Chris Ryan, is a British author, television presenter, security consultant and former Special Air Service sergeant.
After the publication of fellow patrol member Andy McNab's Bravo Two Zero in 1993, Ryan published his own account of his experiences during the Bravo Two Zero mission in 1995, entitled The One That Got Away. Since retiring from the British Army Ryan has published several fiction and non-fiction books, including Strike Back, which was subsequently adapted into a television series for Sky 1, and co-created the ITV action series Ultimate Force. He has also presented or appeared in numerous television documentaries connected to the military or law enforcement.
After the publication of fellow patrol member Andy McNab's Bravo Two Zero in 1993, Ryan published his own account of his experiences during the Bravo Two Zero mission in 1995, entitled The One That Got Away. Since retiring from the British Army Ryan has published several fiction and non-fiction books, including Strike Back, which was subsequently adapted into a television series for Sky 1, and co-created the ITV action series Ultimate Force. He has also presented or appeared in numerous television documentaries connected to the military or law enforcement.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 18, 2025
Awful
I've followed this author from the begging with the first of these SF books being Bravo Two Zero by McNabb and his Recount The One That Got Away and have to say this is his (and his ghost writers) worst work in my opinion. He's done some great reads, so 5 Stars and I've read them all, but it's seems to be he's getting his ideas from poor British Soap Opera's as this mushy depressing storyline combine with the unbelievable indecisive actions of the lead former SF character for three quarters of the book and then pops up a great storyline and finish. Hard, hard work and time I'll never get back. I know I should give up if it's this terrible to start with but, unfortunately I find it hard to believe it would continue to be this hard. It was!
I've followed this author from the begging with the first of these SF books being Bravo Two Zero by McNabb and his Recount The One That Got Away and have to say this is his (and his ghost writers) worst work in my opinion. He's done some great reads, so 5 Stars and I've read them all, but it's seems to be he's getting his ideas from poor British Soap Opera's as this mushy depressing storyline combine with the unbelievable indecisive actions of the lead former SF character for three quarters of the book and then pops up a great storyline and finish. Hard, hard work and time I'll never get back. I know I should give up if it's this terrible to start with but, unfortunately I find it hard to believe it would continue to be this hard. It was!
December 28, 2025
slow starter with a cracking finish
Good to see a flawed character progressing towards redemption as the book picks up pace in the latter stages. Hawkins and bald are a good double act with similar trajectories after leaving the shed. Sad that these super soldiers are often left to their own devices and their super skills are almost ignored in civvie street, which is a sad indictment of current society, instead of valuing and rewarding their years of sacrifice and service. Good read in the last third of the book and I’d like to see a follow up with Hawkins and Bald and the aftermath with these two and the results of their heroics with the shed and Deepspear. Highly recommended.
Good to see a flawed character progressing towards redemption as the book picks up pace in the latter stages. Hawkins and bald are a good double act with similar trajectories after leaving the shed. Sad that these super soldiers are often left to their own devices and their super skills are almost ignored in civvie street, which is a sad indictment of current society, instead of valuing and rewarding their years of sacrifice and service. Good read in the last third of the book and I’d like to see a follow up with Hawkins and Bald and the aftermath with these two and the results of their heroics with the shed and Deepspear. Highly recommended.
December 31, 2025
Action and Energy
As you would expect from Chris Ryan this is a fast paced all action read that keeps you turning the pages up to an exciting climax as Hawkins and Bald race to stop the Russians destroying Britain’s nuclear arsenal in Scotland.
As you would expect from Chris Ryan this is a fast paced all action read that keeps you turning the pages up to an exciting climax as Hawkins and Bald race to stop the Russians destroying Britain’s nuclear arsenal in Scotland.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews