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The Tom Kessler Thrillers #4
A Shared Danger: A Tom Kessler Thriller - Book 4
"Rules? They left those behind a long time ago."
The mission was supposed to be straightforward. It never is.
Deep inside Iran, a covert delivery ends in an airstrike, a destroyed vehicle, a cover blown beyond salvage. An IRGC colonel now believes Tom Kessler and Martina Johnson are responsible. He has the authority, the resources, and the motive to make sure they don't leave the country alive.
They have one option.
They run.
Hunted from the air and the ground, moving through remote villages and tightening cordons, every mile south narrows the margin. Every decision closes off another exit. And somewhere in the wreckage of the operation is a teenage girl neither of them was supposed to save, and neither of them can leave behind.
Getting out was always going to be hard.
Getting out with her changes everything.
From the mountains of eastern Iran to the port of Bandar Abbas, A Shared Danger is a relentless, ground-level thriller about survival, loyalty, and what two people will still risk when there is nothing left to for each other, and for a girl the mission never accounted for.
The fourth Tom Kessler thriller.
Perfect for readers of Mark Dawson, Gerald Seymour and Charles Cumming.
The mission was supposed to be straightforward. It never is.
Deep inside Iran, a covert delivery ends in an airstrike, a destroyed vehicle, a cover blown beyond salvage. An IRGC colonel now believes Tom Kessler and Martina Johnson are responsible. He has the authority, the resources, and the motive to make sure they don't leave the country alive.
They have one option.
They run.
Hunted from the air and the ground, moving through remote villages and tightening cordons, every mile south narrows the margin. Every decision closes off another exit. And somewhere in the wreckage of the operation is a teenage girl neither of them was supposed to save, and neither of them can leave behind.
Getting out was always going to be hard.
Getting out with her changes everything.
From the mountains of eastern Iran to the port of Bandar Abbas, A Shared Danger is a relentless, ground-level thriller about survival, loyalty, and what two people will still risk when there is nothing left to for each other, and for a girl the mission never accounted for.
The fourth Tom Kessler thriller.
Perfect for readers of Mark Dawson, Gerald Seymour and Charles Cumming.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2026
About the author
Peter J. Charles
5 books46 followersPeter J Charles is a British crime and intelligence fiction writer whose work grows out of a lifetime spent inside real investigations. Born in September 1953, he began his career in uniform with the Royal Air Force in 1970 before moving into policing in 1983. He later served as a detective with Surrey Police, spending nine years on the Drug Squad and working across surveillance, criminal intelligence, and informant handling. Those years shaped his understanding of how investigations actually unfold — the pressure, the compromises, and the small decisions that change everything.
His fiction reflects that world. Based in Winchester, Hampshire, England, he writes crime and espionage novels that stay close to operational reality. The series follows investigators and intelligence officers navigating credible surveillance work, shifting alliances, and the human cost of modern policing. He favours clean prose, a restrained tone, and character‑driven tension over spectacle. Many of the details in his books come from real operations, though he leaves it to readers to decide which.
Readers who appreciate grounded British crime, authentic tradecraft, and stories built on ensemble dynamics tend to find a natural home in his work.
His fiction reflects that world. Based in Winchester, Hampshire, England, he writes crime and espionage novels that stay close to operational reality. The series follows investigators and intelligence officers navigating credible surveillance work, shifting alliances, and the human cost of modern policing. He favours clean prose, a restrained tone, and character‑driven tension over spectacle. Many of the details in his books come from real operations, though he leaves it to readers to decide which.
Readers who appreciate grounded British crime, authentic tradecraft, and stories built on ensemble dynamics tend to find a natural home in his work.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 3, 2026
Another Tom Kessler assignment, with some hold your breath moments, as he and Martina are chosen for a special assignment.
The situation is dangerous and even more so when the bombs begin to fall.
A recommended read if you like action thrillers.
Thank you for the opportunity to read your book Peter.
The situation is dangerous and even more so when the bombs begin to fall.
A recommended read if you like action thrillers.
Thank you for the opportunity to read your book Peter.
August 7, 2026
I can highly recommend A Shared Danger: A Tom Kessler Operation - Book 4 The Tom Kessler Thrillers) by Peter J. Charles.
Tom Kessler and Martina Johnson are sent on a mission to Iran where they are under the cloak of the Red Cross driving a covert delivery truck which was supposed to be straight in and out.
Unfortunately, an airstrike destroys their truck and an IRGC colonel is putting the blame on both Tom and Martina. Whilst on the run they happen to come upon a young girl Jaleh hiding in a boot of a car and they both don't have the heart to leave her behind.
They all have to keep one step ahead whilst the IRGC are on their tails. It is a treacherous journey, partly by vehicle, until the driver had to abandon them before coming to a check point. Then on foot through the mountains, they were all under added pressure, as the IRGC had helicoptors in the air trying desperately to capture them. Their destination is the port of Bandar Abbas where hopefully they can be rescued.
This espionage thriller was so exciting. I felt I could smell the dust, taste the petrol, and I had empathy for all three as they had to travel by night and sleep during the day. Every day was a challenge in more ways than one.
Tom Kessler and Martina Johnson are sent on a mission to Iran where they are under the cloak of the Red Cross driving a covert delivery truck which was supposed to be straight in and out.
Unfortunately, an airstrike destroys their truck and an IRGC colonel is putting the blame on both Tom and Martina. Whilst on the run they happen to come upon a young girl Jaleh hiding in a boot of a car and they both don't have the heart to leave her behind.
They all have to keep one step ahead whilst the IRGC are on their tails. It is a treacherous journey, partly by vehicle, until the driver had to abandon them before coming to a check point. Then on foot through the mountains, they were all under added pressure, as the IRGC had helicoptors in the air trying desperately to capture them. Their destination is the port of Bandar Abbas where hopefully they can be rescued.
This espionage thriller was so exciting. I felt I could smell the dust, taste the petrol, and I had empathy for all three as they had to travel by night and sleep during the day. Every day was a challenge in more ways than one.
May 27, 2026
This is book 5 in the Tom Kessler series. Book 1 started the series as a very realistic day to day life of and English police drug squad. But the story has evolved significantly into something completely different. Tom became a civilian because of a very small minded, objectionable higher level desk officer. His "arrangement" that was becoming friendship with Pete, a top level cocaine dealer and his wife Martina. has turned into something very much more, along with an ex GCHQ computer expert, a very successful car burglar and Tom's two ex army friends. Bought together by an MI 5 operations man, in this book two of the group - Tom and Martina volunteer - are charged with a very dangerous mission. Honestly, my heart was thumping at times as they struggle to stay alive and find a way home. This book is thrilling, exciting, and also looks at the changing relationships within this tight group. Excellently written, I thoroughly recommend it.
June 25, 2026
A Shared Danger Book 4
By Peter J Charles
This book felt more like a prequel or the first half of a larger story leading into ‘A Reluctant Asset’ rather than a complete installment on its own.
The suspense throughout was captivating and kept me turning the pages, eager to see how each challenge and dangerous situation would unfold. However, I found the payoff somewhat disappointing, as many of the storylines and conflicts seemed to reach conclusions too quickly or without the depth I was expecting.
While it wasn’t my favourite book in the series, it did a good job of building anticipation for what comes next. I’m hopeful that ‘A Reluctant Asset’ will tie together the loose ends and deliver the satisfying resolution that this book appeared to be setting up.
By Peter J Charles
This book felt more like a prequel or the first half of a larger story leading into ‘A Reluctant Asset’ rather than a complete installment on its own.
The suspense throughout was captivating and kept me turning the pages, eager to see how each challenge and dangerous situation would unfold. However, I found the payoff somewhat disappointing, as many of the storylines and conflicts seemed to reach conclusions too quickly or without the depth I was expecting.
While it wasn’t my favourite book in the series, it did a good job of building anticipation for what comes next. I’m hopeful that ‘A Reluctant Asset’ will tie together the loose ends and deliver the satisfying resolution that this book appeared to be setting up.
July 5, 2026
Tom Kessler and Martina Johnson go on a voluntary mission to Iran for the United States. The rest of the team stays in England. The two are to be part of a convoy bringing supplies to a refugee camp just inside the border of Iran. They also bring money to finance the opposition in Iraq. A girl, whose father was a dissident in Iraq, goes with her mother to visit her grandmother who is ill. Through teenage stubbornness, she does not heed her mother's warning and is caught by the authorities. The three find each other in their escape from Iraq. A good read.
October 14, 2026
Devoured with a passion!
I am thoroughly enjoying all of the Tom Kessler thrillers. They are extremely well crafted and the characters grow from strength to strength. The developing relationships give additional depth to the stories, particularly with the overlapping between the episodes. I won’t give any spoilers but I found myself caught well and truly off guard by a storyline, which I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated!
I’m about to start the 5th book … what am I going to do without a 6th being available yet?
I am thoroughly enjoying all of the Tom Kessler thrillers. They are extremely well crafted and the characters grow from strength to strength. The developing relationships give additional depth to the stories, particularly with the overlapping between the episodes. I won’t give any spoilers but I found myself caught well and truly off guard by a storyline, which I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated!
I’m about to start the 5th book … what am I going to do without a 6th being available yet?
August 6, 2026
an absolutely gripping read
I picked it up meaning to get through a few chapters and ended up staying awake into the early hours because I just had to see how it ended. The tension builds perfectly, the characters feel more layered than ever, and the whole story drives forward with real purpose. Couldn’t put it down. A fantastic instalment in the series.
I picked it up meaning to get through a few chapters and ended up staying awake into the early hours because I just had to see how it ended. The tension builds perfectly, the characters feel more layered than ever, and the whole story drives forward with real purpose. Couldn’t put it down. A fantastic instalment in the series.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews