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Shadow Hunt
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Expected 25 Apr 26Discover the first in this breathtaking, unputdownable series from bestselling author Tom Bale. Suddenly Joe was back in the job and doing what he did best… becoming someone else. Mixing with the bad guys in order to bring them down.
Three years ago, after an undercover police operation went disastrously wrong, CID officer Joe Clayton lost his career and his family. Forced to adopt a new identity, he lives under the radar, taking whatever jobs he can find. Always looking over his shoulder, always hunted.
Now living on the tiny south coast island of Terror's Reach, home to rival business tycoons Robert Felton and Valentin Nasenko, Joe works as a bodyguard to Nasenko's wife, Cassie, and her two children.
But when a burning summer's day explodes into violence, and a murderous gang targets the ultra-exclusive community, only one man stands a chance of saving the residents from annihilation. Joe must draw upon all his skills and determination to keep them alive.
But nothing is as it seems on Terror's Reach, and a long night of betrayal and murder leaves Joe fighting for his own survival ...
*Title previously published as Terror's Reach
Praise for Tom
'Very clever and very nasty. Tom Bale is back. With a vengeance.’ - Bestselling author Luke Jennings
'A masterclass in nail-biting tension and a true page turner' Bestselling author K. L. Slater
'A fantastic thriller. Gripped me from the first page and didn’t let go. Tom Bale is the British Harlan Coben.' John Carson
'Tom Bale is one of the best British thriller writers around.' Simon Kernick
Readers are loving the Joe Clayton series...
'A beautifully crafted book Mr Bale. Give me more more more!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'Buckle up! Another great read from this superb author' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'Think of the type of character Reacher is, re-invent him as English and you have Tom Bale's Joe.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'Relentless action and drama. Tom Bale's books are brilliant' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'"Unputdownable" is a cliché but it applies to Bale's books. a great read.'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
Three years ago, after an undercover police operation went disastrously wrong, CID officer Joe Clayton lost his career and his family. Forced to adopt a new identity, he lives under the radar, taking whatever jobs he can find. Always looking over his shoulder, always hunted.
Now living on the tiny south coast island of Terror's Reach, home to rival business tycoons Robert Felton and Valentin Nasenko, Joe works as a bodyguard to Nasenko's wife, Cassie, and her two children.
But when a burning summer's day explodes into violence, and a murderous gang targets the ultra-exclusive community, only one man stands a chance of saving the residents from annihilation. Joe must draw upon all his skills and determination to keep them alive.
But nothing is as it seems on Terror's Reach, and a long night of betrayal and murder leaves Joe fighting for his own survival ...
*Title previously published as Terror's Reach
Praise for Tom
'Very clever and very nasty. Tom Bale is back. With a vengeance.’ - Bestselling author Luke Jennings
'A masterclass in nail-biting tension and a true page turner' Bestselling author K. L. Slater
'A fantastic thriller. Gripped me from the first page and didn’t let go. Tom Bale is the British Harlan Coben.' John Carson
'Tom Bale is one of the best British thriller writers around.' Simon Kernick
Readers are loving the Joe Clayton series...
'A beautifully crafted book Mr Bale. Give me more more more!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'Buckle up! Another great read from this superb author' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'Think of the type of character Reacher is, re-invent him as English and you have Tom Bale's Joe.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'Relentless action and drama. Tom Bale's books are brilliant' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'"Unputdownable" is a cliché but it applies to Bale's books. a great read.'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 25, 2026
About the author
Tom Bale
26 books254 followersTom Bale is the author of nine thrillers, published between 2006 and 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 5, 2026
After reading one of the author’s other books Deadly Games, I was excited to read this first in a new series involving Joe Clayton, a mysterious quiet type, with a lifetime of secrets.
Joe has been tasked with being the bodyguard to business tycoon, Valentin Nasenko’s wife Cassie, and her two children, Jaden and Sophia.
They live on the exclusive island of Terror’s Reach which is also home to rival business tycoon Robert Felton. One hot Summer’s night, all hell breaks loose, and Joe must gather all of his skills and expertise, to save the tiny community of residents, against a violent attack.
This was gripping and exciting from the ‘get go’…think, Die Hard with Jack Reacher, and you’ve got an idea, just how energetic, and high octane action packed this is. I loved every bit of it, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
4 ⭐️
Thanks to Tom Bale, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
Available: 25 April 2026
Joe has been tasked with being the bodyguard to business tycoon, Valentin Nasenko’s wife Cassie, and her two children, Jaden and Sophia.
They live on the exclusive island of Terror’s Reach which is also home to rival business tycoon Robert Felton. One hot Summer’s night, all hell breaks loose, and Joe must gather all of his skills and expertise, to save the tiny community of residents, against a violent attack.
This was gripping and exciting from the ‘get go’…think, Die Hard with Jack Reacher, and you’ve got an idea, just how energetic, and high octane action packed this is. I loved every bit of it, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
4 ⭐️
Thanks to Tom Bale, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
Available: 25 April 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Shadow Hunt, is the first book in the Joe Clayton series by Tom Bale. This is a fast paced, action thriller, set against the claustrophobic backdrop of a private island.
Joe Clayton is a man living in the wreckage of a “disastrously wrong” undercover operation. Having lost his career, his family, and even his original name, he is the ultimate outsider, always looking over his shoulder, always the hunted. Tom Bale sets the stage for what I am sure will be a successful series. Joe Clayton is now working as a bodyguard for Cassie Nasenko, wife of a business tycoon on Terror’s Reach, a tiny south coast island that serves as a playground for the ultra-wealthy. Joe thinks he’s found a way to stay under the radar, but all that is about to change.
This is a fast paced novel that bursts into action when a terrifying gang threatens the island leaving Terror’s Reach cut off, and the residents facing annihilation.
Joe Clayton is an interesting and intriguing character. A man with a dark mysterious past who is determined to carry out his current job to the death. Set on the atmospheric setting of an exclusive island the suspense is increased by the suggestion that some of the guests may not be all they seem. Joe’s struggle for his own survival is tied to his need for redemption after his failed police career.
“Joe Clayton spent years trying to disappear, but on Terror’s Reach, he’s the only man everyone is looking for. This isn’t just a bodyguard job; it’s a war.”
This is a gritty thriller that combines tactical action with deep-seated betrayal.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Boldwood books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Joe Clayton is a man living in the wreckage of a “disastrously wrong” undercover operation. Having lost his career, his family, and even his original name, he is the ultimate outsider, always looking over his shoulder, always the hunted. Tom Bale sets the stage for what I am sure will be a successful series. Joe Clayton is now working as a bodyguard for Cassie Nasenko, wife of a business tycoon on Terror’s Reach, a tiny south coast island that serves as a playground for the ultra-wealthy. Joe thinks he’s found a way to stay under the radar, but all that is about to change.
This is a fast paced novel that bursts into action when a terrifying gang threatens the island leaving Terror’s Reach cut off, and the residents facing annihilation.
Joe Clayton is an interesting and intriguing character. A man with a dark mysterious past who is determined to carry out his current job to the death. Set on the atmospheric setting of an exclusive island the suspense is increased by the suggestion that some of the guests may not be all they seem. Joe’s struggle for his own survival is tied to his need for redemption after his failed police career.
“Joe Clayton spent years trying to disappear, but on Terror’s Reach, he’s the only man everyone is looking for. This isn’t just a bodyguard job; it’s a war.”
This is a gritty thriller that combines tactical action with deep-seated betrayal.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Boldwood books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Shadow Hunt is one of those thrillers that grabs you by the collar from the first page and refuses to let go. Tom Bale introduces Joe Clayton with the kind of bruised humanity and quiet resilience that makes you root for him long before the bullets start flying. He’s a man living in the wreckage of a life he once knew, forced into the shadows after an undercover operation shattered everything he cared about. And yet, when danger comes calling, he steps forward without hesitation.
Terror’s Reach is a wonderfully atmospheric setting—sun‑drenched, isolated, and simmering with the kind of tension that tells you something is very wrong beneath the glossy surface. Bale uses that heat to full effect, letting the story build from a slow, uneasy hum into a full‑throttle siege that feels both cinematic and intimate. When violence erupts, it’s fast, chaotic, and frighteningly plausible, and Joe’s instinctive shift back into the role he once excelled at is as compelling as it is heartbreaking.
What really elevates the book is the sense that nothing is quite what it seems. Loyalties blur, motives twist, and every chapter peels back another layer of danger. Joe’s fight to protect the people around him becomes a fight for his own survival, and Bale keeps the tension tight right up to the final pages.
If you love the grit and moral complexity of Reacher‑style heroes, Joe Clayton will be right up your street. Shadow Hunt is sharp, breathless, and utterly addictive—a brilliant start to a series I’m already eager to continue.
With thanks to Tom Bale, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Terror’s Reach is a wonderfully atmospheric setting—sun‑drenched, isolated, and simmering with the kind of tension that tells you something is very wrong beneath the glossy surface. Bale uses that heat to full effect, letting the story build from a slow, uneasy hum into a full‑throttle siege that feels both cinematic and intimate. When violence erupts, it’s fast, chaotic, and frighteningly plausible, and Joe’s instinctive shift back into the role he once excelled at is as compelling as it is heartbreaking.
What really elevates the book is the sense that nothing is quite what it seems. Loyalties blur, motives twist, and every chapter peels back another layer of danger. Joe’s fight to protect the people around him becomes a fight for his own survival, and Bale keeps the tension tight right up to the final pages.
If you love the grit and moral complexity of Reacher‑style heroes, Joe Clayton will be right up your street. Shadow Hunt is sharp, breathless, and utterly addictive—a brilliant start to a series I’m already eager to continue.
With thanks to Tom Bale, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Three years ago, after an undercover police operation went disastrously wrong, CID officer, Joe Clayton, lost his career and his family. Forced to adopt a new identity, he lives under the radar, taking whatever jobs he can find, Always looking over his shoulder, always hunted. Now living on the tiny south coast island of Terror's Reach, home to rival business tycoons Robert Felton and Valentin Nasento, Joe works as a bodyguard to Nasrnko's wife, Cassie, and her two children. But when a burning day explodes into violence, a murderous gang targets the ultra-exclusive community, only one man stands the chance of saving the residents from annihilation. Joe must draw upon all his skills and determination to keep them alive.
Previously published as Terror's Reach.
This story is action-packed. I liked the main character, Joe Clayton, for several reasons. This is a gripping, tense, well-written and fast-paced read. I could not put the book down. I needed to know if Joe was going to survive and I wanted to know more about him.
Published 25th April 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #TomBale for my ARC of #ShadowHunt in exchange for an honest review.
Previously published as Terror's Reach.
This story is action-packed. I liked the main character, Joe Clayton, for several reasons. This is a gripping, tense, well-written and fast-paced read. I could not put the book down. I needed to know if Joe was going to survive and I wanted to know more about him.
Published 25th April 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #TomBale for my ARC of #ShadowHunt in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“Shadow Hunt” is the beginning of a new series by author Tom Bale. This novel was originally released in 2010 under the name “Terror’s Reach” after the location in the book. Bale has decided to bring it back and get things rolling with quite an interesting character.
Think “Die Hard” starring Jack Reacher and you will have the mindset for this book. Now, don’t read that as in this is a boring knockoff. That is not the case, by far. The book starts out pretty quickly and never lets up.
Bale has created a main character, Joe Clayton, with a bit of a mysterious past that has him on the run. By the end of this first novel, we have some answers about his life story, but there is enough left out to make you want to keep reading.
And why wouldn’t you want to? This is non-stop action. It’s such a quick and enjoyable read. I can easily see someone picking this up and making a major motion paction out of this series.
So sit back, get your favorite beverage ready, set aside a day and enjoy.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Think “Die Hard” starring Jack Reacher and you will have the mindset for this book. Now, don’t read that as in this is a boring knockoff. That is not the case, by far. The book starts out pretty quickly and never lets up.
Bale has created a main character, Joe Clayton, with a bit of a mysterious past that has him on the run. By the end of this first novel, we have some answers about his life story, but there is enough left out to make you want to keep reading.
And why wouldn’t you want to? This is non-stop action. It’s such a quick and enjoyable read. I can easily see someone picking this up and making a major motion paction out of this series.
So sit back, get your favorite beverage ready, set aside a day and enjoy.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved Shadow Hunt—an easy five stars from me. This is the first book I’ve read by Tom Bale, and it definitely won’t be my last. From the very first page, I was completely hooked. It’s a twisty, action-packed, suspenseful thriller that doesn’t let up, with a pace that keeps you flying through the chapters.
Joe Clayton is such a compelling main character—mysterious, layered, and the kind of person you can’t quite figure out but really want to. There’s a depth to him that adds more than just action to the story, and I found myself fully invested in what happens to him.
The setting and high-stakes tension give it a cinematic feel, and if you’re a fan of characters like Jack Reacher—with a bit of Bourne or even Bruce Willis energy thrown in—you’ll absolutely love this. It’s gripping, intense, and incredibly hard to put down.
A brilliant start to a series—I’m already looking forward to what comes next!
Joe Clayton is such a compelling main character—mysterious, layered, and the kind of person you can’t quite figure out but really want to. There’s a depth to him that adds more than just action to the story, and I found myself fully invested in what happens to him.
The setting and high-stakes tension give it a cinematic feel, and if you’re a fan of characters like Jack Reacher—with a bit of Bourne or even Bruce Willis energy thrown in—you’ll absolutely love this. It’s gripping, intense, and incredibly hard to put down.
A brilliant start to a series—I’m already looking forward to what comes next!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Absolutely Addictive! Tom Bale delivers a triumph of tension with Shadow Hunt, a high-stakes action packed thriller that feels like a cinematic siege.
We follow Joe Clayton, a disgraced ex-CID officer hiding from a shattered past, who now serves as a bodyguard on the sun-soaked, ultra-exclusive island of Terror’s Reach.
What begins as a quiet life protecting a tycoon’s family quickly spirals into a violent, breathless nightmare.
Bale expertly utilises the isolated setting to create a pressure-cooker atmosphere where loyalties shift like sand.
If you enjoy the gritty, capable moral complexity of heroes like Jack Reacher, you’ll find Clayton’s desperate fight for survival absolutely addictive. It’s a sharp, heart-pounding series opener that I couldn’t put down.
My thanks to Boldwood Books for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
We follow Joe Clayton, a disgraced ex-CID officer hiding from a shattered past, who now serves as a bodyguard on the sun-soaked, ultra-exclusive island of Terror’s Reach.
What begins as a quiet life protecting a tycoon’s family quickly spirals into a violent, breathless nightmare.
Bale expertly utilises the isolated setting to create a pressure-cooker atmosphere where loyalties shift like sand.
If you enjoy the gritty, capable moral complexity of heroes like Jack Reacher, you’ll find Clayton’s desperate fight for survival absolutely addictive. It’s a sharp, heart-pounding series opener that I couldn’t put down.
My thanks to Boldwood Books for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨️Spoiler Free Review✨️
Thanks to @netgalley @tombalewriter and @boldwoodbooks for the ARC in return for my honest review.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I would definitely pick up their books again! It was a twisty action packed, suspenseful thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. I really liked the main character, Joe, who is the deep and mysterious type but there's something about him.
If you are looking for a cross between Jack Reacher, and maybe a little bit of Bourne or Bruce Willis then this is for you!
Thanks to @netgalley @tombalewriter and @boldwoodbooks for the ARC in return for my honest review.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I would definitely pick up their books again! It was a twisty action packed, suspenseful thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. I really liked the main character, Joe, who is the deep and mysterious type but there's something about him.
If you are looking for a cross between Jack Reacher, and maybe a little bit of Bourne or Bruce Willis then this is for you!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Joe is our heroic protagonist who has a past that is slowly revealed. He is now a bodyguard tasked with protecting a young mother and her children. But he may end up fighting for his own life too. This story is masterfully crafted with action that leaves you hanging and drama that has you wanting more. I enjoyed the nail biting experience. I think Joe might give Reacher a run for his money!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews