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David Hawkins #1
Second Strike
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...
- GenresFiction
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2025
About the author
Chris Ryan
359 books1,047 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 29, 2026
David Hawkins is head of security at a defence contractor, when an employee working on a secret new torpedo is killed in mysterious circumstances following an attempted cyberattack on the firm’s systems he and the head of cybersecurity set out to investigate.
Hawkins is a complex character, ex-SAS, haunted by the death of his brother, estranged from his daughter and borderline alcoholic. He needs to set aside his own demons as he gets drawn into a race against time to prevent disaster.
The pace is fast and furious, especially towards the end. That said the writing gets a bit overwrought in places – doors are wrenched open, helicopters thunder through the night – and there’s a tendency to reuse analogies. At times it also feels like there are too many characters and it can be hard to keep track of who’s who.
The plot is very much of the modern post-Ukraine world and scarily believable. There are no literary prizes to be won here but it is top-notch entertainment.
Hawkins is a complex character, ex-SAS, haunted by the death of his brother, estranged from his daughter and borderline alcoholic. He needs to set aside his own demons as he gets drawn into a race against time to prevent disaster.
The pace is fast and furious, especially towards the end. That said the writing gets a bit overwrought in places – doors are wrenched open, helicopters thunder through the night – and there’s a tendency to reuse analogies. At times it also feels like there are too many characters and it can be hard to keep track of who’s who.
The plot is very much of the modern post-Ukraine world and scarily believable. There are no literary prizes to be won here but it is top-notch entertainment.
August 20, 2026
Great book, Mr Ryan at it again
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.
February 22, 2026
A ludicrous thriller and possibly the worst of the Chris Ryan books.
Ex-SAS head of security at a military/technology firm is send to deal with the mysterious death of an employee. Together with an IT expert he uncovers a wider conspiracy that could have significant implications on U.K. security.
This is packed with astonishingly poor plotting, characterisation and caricatures. It’s so bad in places you want to wince. I’ve read some good reviews of this and I can barely believe we read the same book
Ex-SAS head of security at a military/technology firm is send to deal with the mysterious death of an employee. Together with an IT expert he uncovers a wider conspiracy that could have significant implications on U.K. security.
This is packed with astonishingly poor plotting, characterisation and caricatures. It’s so bad in places you want to wince. I’ve read some good reviews of this and I can barely believe we read the same book
August 14, 2026
A solid page turner about an ex-SAS soldier turned head of security for a private defence supplier in the UK who gets drawn into a time sensitive mission to protect key UK military assets from overseas' attack.
The action is well-written and the book also covers a number of topical issues, including the increasing influence of billionaires on politics, the overseas' threat to UK and European countries and the danger of failing to invest in up-to-date military equipment.
The action is well-written and the book also covers a number of topical issues, including the increasing influence of billionaires on politics, the overseas' threat to UK and European countries and the danger of failing to invest in up-to-date military equipment.
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.
Read
June 7, 2026Typical Chris Ryan. The further on in the book the more rapid the reading becomes, determined to find out what happens.
Great story and chillingly realistic as to what could happen with Putin's maniacal determination and mistrust of the West no matter how unfounded.
Great story and chillingly realistic as to what could happen with Putin's maniacal determination and mistrust of the West no matter how unfounded.
July 29, 2026
Good exciting read, started off slowly but gathered momentum with a good story line. A few twists malso make it a good read and the odd comment about where this country stands in the world I felt added authenticity.
January 20, 2026
Best book I've read for some time. i struggle to put it down. The plot is very close to what is happening in the world today.
January 22, 2026
I enjoyed it but the plot was a tad weak for me. Having said that Ryan leaves it wide open for a follow up.
May 15, 2026
Not great.
June 24, 2026
Another brilliant story by Chris Ryan
July 22, 2026
Second strike
Excellent read full of action and twists to keep your intrest and make you turn the pages really would recommend this book
Excellent read full of action and twists to keep your intrest and make you turn the pages really would recommend this book
August 3, 2026
a good old “boys own” adventure
Lots of action and heroics as two SAS soldiers, well past their prime, ignore politics and orders to defeat a clandestine Russian attack
Lots of action and heroics as two SAS soldiers, well past their prime, ignore politics and orders to defeat a clandestine Russian attack
August 3, 2026
I read this in a few hours. Absolutely gripping from start to finish and thoroughly enjoyable.
The pages have never turned so fast !
The pages have never turned so fast !
August 9, 2026
Tonnes of action
Edge of your seat stuff
Awesome
Edge of your seat stuff
Awesome
August 16, 2026
What can I say, Chris Ryan delivers every time. He has the tech and tactics down because he has lived it, that's why he's one of our many armed forces heroes, he's one of the best. Enjoy!
Read
August 28, 2026Great book
Not read a Chris Ryan book in a while glad I did great book really enjoyed
Always edge of the seat
Not read a Chris Ryan book in a while glad I did great book really enjoyed
Always edge of the seat
August 28, 2026
good yarn, well told
A good story and had me wanting to jump into the next chapter.
Well written and mainly believable
Worth a read
A good story and had me wanting to jump into the next chapter.
Well written and mainly believable
Worth a read
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews