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Beatrix Rose #2

Blood Moon Rising

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Ten years ago, Beatrix Rose headed an off-the-books hit squad to carry out the dirty work of the British government. When she discovered that the commander of the squad was corrupt, he sent five of his assassins to rub her out. But they failed. Bad mistake.

There were six names on Beatrix’s Kill List. Two have been accounted for, and she has number three in her sights. But Bryan Duffy is in Iraq, surrounded by mercenaries, and there’s no easy way for Beatrix to get to him and no easy way to get out.

Strap in for Book Two of Mark Dawson’s heart-stopping, bestselling Beatrix Rose trilogy.

214 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2014

1476 people are currently reading
1212 people want to read

About the author

Mark Dawson

114 books1,848 followers
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Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.

He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).

The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.

Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.

You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.

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5 stars
3,166 (49%)
4 stars
2,341 (36%)
3 stars
725 (11%)
2 stars
127 (1%)
1 star
46 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
Profile Image for Sean Peters  (A Good Thriller).
823 reviews116 followers
August 10, 2015
Ten years ago, Beatrix Rose headed an off-the-books hit squad to carry out the dirty work of the British government. When she discovered that the commander of the squad was corrupt, he sent five of his assassins to rub her out. But they failed. Bad mistake.

There were six names on Beatrix’s Kill List. Two have been accounted for, and she has number three in her sights. But Bryan Duffy is in Iraq, surrounded by mercenaries, and there’s no easy way for Beatrix to get to him and no easy way to get out.

Strap in for Book Two of Mark Dawson’s heart-stopping, bestselling Beatrix Rose trilogy.

Mark Dawson has created a great lead female character, with a really powerful story through the trilogy of books. You understand Beatrice Rose's thought and her personality.

At 224 pages Mark Dawson knows how to get straight into the action and the story builds so quickly and at a fast paced all the way through.

Really enjoy his books, great detail, great characters, great story, action and tension and reality behind the characters.

I highly recommend these books, if you want a fast paced quick read.

Now starting number 3 in the trilogy and last one, then will start on his other character John Milton.

February 9, 2024
*Never Underestimate Beatrix Rose*

**4.5 Stars**

Now in this instalment Beatrix is after another member on her kill list. These are people like her who are assassins for the government ‘Group Fifteen’ years ago she was betrayed after making a discovery. This meant that she had to be silenced. But when they took everything that she held dear and almost leaving her for dead they are going to wish they had killed her.

This target is in Iraq and sadly Beatrix is seriously unwell but what she can do in her condition astounds me, roll on the next instalment, this target should be impossible to get to. I found it hard to put down. It was like anticipating a really scary ride with so much more, I was in the edge of my seat
Profile Image for Richard.
2,313 reviews197 followers
May 17, 2017
Beatrix Rose has planned her revenge; the list of six has shrunk to four; and a quick kill here at the start of the novel brings it down further and adds another tattoo to her collection.
However, the future is tinged with regret. The lost years with her daughter whose own growing up is hindered by the need to be alert and carry on her Mother's fight if she cannot complete it herself.
The main thrust of this chapter of vengeance is centred on Iraq where her next victim has located. He is a loathsome bully of a man seen torturing the local population and quelling protest with disproportional violence.
The story is beautifully poised and constructed to allow Beatrix a degree of support in her mission but as her kill list grows those she's coming for are more aware and alert to the danger she poses to them, Duffy her latest target is the leader of a group of ex-soldiers and mercenaries now employed on government contracts to keep the peace and maintain law and order around the oil wells near Basra.
With a number of twists with compelling scenes of suspense and tension the image of a country emerging from all its troubles is depicted sensitively. Beatrix Rose is also working against an internal clock that limits her effectiveness and reduces her odds of success.
Since book three ends this trilogy we can route for her but not before we see the integrity of her mission as seemingly innocent and non-combatants are caught up in unscrupulous methods.
However, is the cost worthwhile; in trying to make up for the past lost with her daughter is she just blighting her future? Or if she fails isn't she aware that her enemies will exact their own vengeance and Isabelle can never be safe until the last one is killed? This drives her on where other human beings might just roll over and fall back to sleep.
Profile Image for David Dalton.
3,060 reviews
October 23, 2014
I just checked and I gave the first Beatrix Rose thriller a 4-star review. What was I thinking? Blood Moon Rising (Rose #2) is a 5-Star action thriller ALL THE WAY! Wow! An homage to Kill Bill indeed. This is a very well written action thriller and I double dare you NOT to fall in love with Beatrix as she runs down her own list of people who have DONE HER WRONG!

OMG, the last several chapters feature one thrill after another.....action here, action there, action everywhere. Guns blazing, bombs exploding, and all sorts of turmoil. Rose is a stone killer and you DO NOT want her on your case. When I saw the book description for the 1st Rose thriller In Cold Blood (Beatrix Rose #1) by Mark Dawson , I stopped reading the John Milton thrillers and started the Rose thrillers.

But now, before I go on to the third and final (?) Beatrix Rose thriller: Blood & Roses (Beatrix Rose #3) by Mark Dawson , I will go back and read the 4th John Milton book that FIRST featured Rose. Before it ends, I need to know how it started: Ghosts by Mark Dawson . Can't say enough about how much I loved this book. If you like TV series like STRIKEBACK then you will love these stories (both John Milton and Beatrix Rose).
Profile Image for Shelley.
5,598 reviews489 followers
September 1, 2015
**I received this book for free from (Publisher) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*Genre* Adult, Thriller
*Rating* 3.0

*My Thoughts*

Blood Moon Rising is the second installment in the Beatrix Rose trilogy, or as I like to call it, Kill Bill: Volume 3. As a summary, ten years ago Beatrix Rose was at the top of her game and called number one by the group known as Group Fifteen. She carried out off the books dirty work for a man called Control. When she discovered that Control was corrupt, five of his assassins were sent out to kill her.

They ended up killing her husband instead and left Beatrix without her daughter Isabella for the 8 long years that she was hiding out in Hong Kong. Bad mistake. There were six names on Beatrix’s Kill List. Two have been accounted for: Oliver Spenser was eliminated in Russia (Reading Ghosts, a John Milton thriller would be helpful). Joshua Joyce was killed in Somalia (See In Cold Blood which you must read before Blood Moon Rising).

*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*

http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...

Published July 14th 2015 by Thomas & Mercer
Profile Image for Terence M [on a brief semi-hiatus].
692 reviews373 followers
December 13, 2017
Audiobook - 5:22 hours - Narrator: Mark Deakins
3.5 out of 5.0 stars rounded down.
Good, quite exciting, well-written story, that maintained its pace and energy.
At 5:22 hours this is also too short, as was #1 "In Cold Blood", to be reviewed as a full-length adventure novel. Rounded down to 3.0 out of 5.0 for this reason, but I enjoyed it and the excellent narration.
Profile Image for Laz the Sailor.
1,799 reviews80 followers
January 25, 2020
The first story was new and exciting. This one is still exciting, but there is much less plot, as we all know what is happening and why.

Still some clever machinations, but it lacks the unique quality of #1.
Profile Image for Eric_W.
1,954 reviews428 followers
January 21, 2016
Continuing her quest for vengeance, Beatrix is now after Duffy who is ensconced in Iraq with some other mercenaries and working for a company called “Manage Risk” (clearly meant to be like Blackwater.) Control has gone into hiding and Michael Pope is now the new leader of Group Fifteen. He is surreptitiously helping Beatrix with her search as Britain’s interests in the oil fields just happen to coincide with Beatrix’s plans.

The book is a competent page turner, but I’ve downgraded it a little for some obvious miscues on the part of the author, or, perhaps inadequate proofing. In one situation, Beatrix’s helper uses the thunder and downpour of a rainstorm to cover two sniper shots, yet moments later Beatrix remarks about all the dust from gate she has just knocked down with her car. You can’t have both a downpour and dust, even in Iraq. Another obvious one is when she dials a phone number she has committed to memory yet not a few pages later calls “the only number” she has in her memory and guess what; it’s not the same one. She’s also in the final stages of cancer, often in extreme pain, yet manages to pull off stunts that would test someone in the prime of health. Finally, here’s a tall, striking, blonde woman, in a Muslim country, using only a Hijab to hide her blonde hair and manages to walk around ignored. And what else? A long dress? Pantsuit? Skin color issues? Can’t see her running around wiping out the bad guys in Arab garb and in western clothes she would stand out worse than the proverbial sore thumb. My crap detector was screaming for mercy.

As I have noted earlier, the books are all in sequence and should be read in order. A good action story, but this one had too many holes.

P.S. I saw a Blood Moon last time it came around and have to admit it’s spectacular.
Profile Image for Neil.
543 reviews56 followers
September 7, 2015
Blood Moon Rising is the 2nd book in the Beatrix Rose trilogy. The reader follows Beatrix as she continues to work through her revenge list, against former colleagues. They are no ordinary colleagues though, as they are all former assassins when they were part of the shadowy Group Fifteen. In the 1st instalment the reader got to discover the reasons behind the list, and this book develops the character even more.
The good thing is that this series does not have to be read in conjunction with the John Milton series, but satisfies a craving until a new book is released. The pacing of the plot line has stepped up a notch from Rose's initial outing, and for lovers of the thriller genre the books by this author will not disappoint. They are well thought out, and peopled by believable characters. Definitely a pair of series which I would recommend
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,473 reviews20 followers
March 27, 2016
2.5 stars
It was okay but I should have loved it - is it me?
Beatrix is a determined and focused assassin hell-bent on revenge. She has all the skills and her back story and subsequent contacts are interesting.
I'm not sure what's wrong here that I don't love it. It can't be so bad as will read the last in the trilogy to make a final judgement!
Profile Image for James Hayward.
181 reviews1 follower
October 21, 2015
This is the second book in the trilogy and what a fantastic book it is. The book starts with Beatrix taking revenge on one of the people on her kill list , which then leads her very quickly to find the next one. This is another short book but the author again has crammed so much into those pages. The plot is great and moves along at a fantastic pace . I am going to read the last book in the trilogy straight away I have enjoyed reading the first two books so much.
Profile Image for Frank Dupree.
322 reviews3 followers
January 11, 2019
Two to go...

Beatrix Rose is focused like a laser... She wants those who killed her husband and took her daughter away from her... Beatrix was #1 then... She’s 10 years older but no less deadly. I’m wondering what Isabella will become when she finishes her task and her time here...
Profile Image for Samuel  Flanigan.
271 reviews15 followers
March 8, 2017
Seldom is the sequel as good as the first and unfortunately this one was the same. It had a great storyline but at times the story itself became bogged down. There was very limited character growth from the first book to the second. I still enjoyed the book enough to give it 4 stars and would still recommend reading it if you are into adventure books.
Profile Image for Sue Wallace .
7,399 reviews140 followers
March 18, 2016
I received this as an arc from net galley in exchange for an honest review.
Ten years ago, Beatrix Rose handed an off - the - books hit squad to carry out the dirty work of the British government. When she discovered that the commander of the squad was corrupt, he sent five of his assassins to rub her out. But they failed. Bad mistake.
Wow. OMG. Wow.
Absolutely fantastic read.
CNPID.
I loved the story and the characters.
Beatrix Rose is still my favourite character.
She is so strong and determined.
What a ending.
Can't wait for next part.
Wow. just wow.
This is a must read series and I would highly recommend this book.
Definitely worth more than 5 *.
Profile Image for Emma.
88 reviews2 followers
January 3, 2016
Well this was a great read. Beatrix is a great character and I like how the men fear her. I enjoyed seeing the more maternal side of her as well as the action. I'm looking forward to reading the 3rd book
Profile Image for Msnella.
4 reviews
April 9, 2015
Now I'm tempted to read the third part. Faulkner didn't have to die though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for David Highton.
3,742 reviews32 followers
February 5, 2016
Bloody and brutal story, part 2 of a trilogy, gripping but not very credible
544 reviews
September 8, 2020
The second volume in the Beatrix rose Trilogy is a quick but rewarding read.

Former operative of The Group, Rose is checking names of the list of corrupt Group operatives - and, Control, their boss) - responsible for killing her husband and kidnapping her daughter, Isabella.

While the searches out the six responsible, she's also teaching Isabella (rescued via less than legal means from her kidnappers) everything she knows so that she will be able to look after herself if those persons should get to her before Rose gets to them.

In this volume, Rose is after a man named Bryan Duffy - now with a 'security' firm called Manage Risk. With a little help from the new Control and contacts from the more or less squeaky clean new Group, she also has agreed to exfiltrate a former employee of the firm who has damning eyewitness testimony against their current operation in Iraq.

Enter a twelve-year old Iraqi girl who's mother has been killed by Manage Risk goons and whose brother has been taken by them (and Iraqi police) to be executed for being a terrorist (which he is definitely not!).

At a sleek 210 pages, Blood Moon Rising practically reads itself to the reader - and even with all the action and prep, it contains a wealth of character development and nuance.

Mark Dawson is prolific (more than a dozen-and-a-half novels in three series and a couple of standalones), but his craft is superb.

His plotting is meticulous (as is his research) and the first two entries this trilogy, in particular, are excellent examples of directions you can take a vengeance thriller.
15 reviews
August 6, 2018
Wow, just wow!

A real difference between this book and others of this genre, is the believability of the character and the violence. Sure they escape from harm in amazing ways, but somehow it just seems doable and consistent with the characters. I really couldn't stop reading, and am anxious to get to the finale. Get this series from the beginning--you won't be disappointed (read below first).

I am, however, disappointed in one aspect of this series. After spending $1.99 for the 1st two books, the 3rd one is now $4.99. It really irritates me to be the victim of what I consider to be a form of Bait and Switch. I tried to order through my library, only to find that the first 2 are there, but not this one. While I paid this, because I need to know how this all ends, I will NOT continue to read books by this author, since I can't count on a consistent price point. So if you haven't read 1 & 2, and are considering starting this series, I would seriously consider skipping it and moving on.
Profile Image for Trish R..
1,772 reviews58 followers
September 19, 2018
So, Beatrix is getting sicker and sicker. If she doesn’t quit now I’m just not going to believe it. She killed another off her kill list and I think she’s about to get #5 as she heads home at the end of this book. That will only leave #6, Control, and I don’t think she’ll be able to get him so that’ll be up to Isabella, when she gets older. But not much older because she’s only 15 when HER series begins and she can kick some ass as well as her mother. Beatrix was a very good teacher.

So, I’ve already bought the last book in this series so I’d better get to it.

No romance and the F-bomb was used 11 times.

As to the narration: Mark Deakins does a fine job on the voices. Yeah, his women’s voices could use some work BUT as I always say, “better a female with a deeper voice than a man with the voice of a girl.” A perfect example is the Beatrix Rose’s The Hong Kong Stories narrated by Jane Slavin. There are men talking in the audible sample and they sound just like women. So, I won’t be getting that 3 book set.
Author 3 books5 followers
April 5, 2022
As with the first book in this short series, I found the lead character slightly harder to engage with than Milton. However, once the story get’s going it is typically action packed. After the initial introduction where Rose ticks off the next name on her revenge list, we are taken to Iraq and a military contractor Rose wants to find.
Short and sharp, the details of her time in Iraq are engaging, although there is a slightly strange side line to the main mission. I plan to ‘finish’ the series, in terms of reading “Blood and Roses” which appears to be the last in the series, although there are two others listed on Amazon as book 4 & 5.
Despite this being my 10th Dawson book, I had not realised they were as old as they are - the start of the Milton series and these Rose books are all 7 years old (or more). It is testament to Mr. Dawson's writing they have aged so well and still feel up to date.
Profile Image for Mary.
577 reviews
January 11, 2018
I have read all of the John Milton books by Mark Dawson and really enjoyed them. I’ve now moved on to the spin-off novels about his onetime operative colleague Beatrix Rose. You learn some of her backstory in one of the Milton novels but you don’t have to have had read them to enjoy the Rose novels. I would recommend reading them in order though.

Rose is on a mission of revenge against the Firm she used to work for who sold her out to the enemy. She has a kill list which she is methodically working her way through. This is the second novel covering her quest for revenge.

As with all Dawson’s novels they are action-packed page turners and this and the other Rose novels are quick and satisfying reads. It is good to see a powerful, female protagonist
262 reviews3 followers
February 10, 2019
Very abrupt ending... Not a conclusion -The story continues

Beatrix went through some more terrible events -included among those was the spontaneous liberation of a 19 year old man unfortunately swept into an Iraqi prison. While extracting herself from a mob attack at an oilfield, refusing work to native Iraqi, she encountered a young girl whose father had died in battle, mother had been killed trying to get information, and who brother Faik had been falsely imprisoned while trying to see to his mother's remains. Beatrix reunites the siblings and eliminated one more man from the list of those who killed her husband and kidnapped her daughter, only recently reclaimed by her mother. There is another book to finish this tale!
294 reviews
May 5, 2019
I really liked this one. I felt like it was better than the first one, and built off of what Beatrix had done in the previous story. She continues on her journey of going through her list, and eliminating her targets, but for a more personal reason.

I felt like the writing style improved, and the pacing throughout was much better than what I remember of the first one. The action wrenches up near the end, and the last few chapters are a thrill ride.

Beatrix Rose was my first foray into the stories of Mark Dawson, but I will definitely be reading the John Milton series after I finish this trilogy with Beatrix's story. I can only hope Beatrix and her daughter have a happy ending, but only the next book will tell.
246 reviews
June 24, 2019
Great second book in this series. Beatrix is such a strong character and we get to know her even better in her personal journey to avenge her husband and the lost childhood of her precious daughter. Yet again we see how deadly and ruthless she is but this is countered by her compassion and love.

It has built intriguingly towards the third book and its compelling climax. Surely she’ll despatch Connor English with ease but will she be able to get to Control in his stronghold and still have time to say goodbye to her daughter before the ravages of her cancel finally claim their prey?

And will her daughter’s training pay off and will she be recruited into this dark and secret world? Will John Milton make an appearance?

I’m starting the final book tomorrow.
577 reviews
May 29, 2022
This is the second in a series about a crusade for revenge by a top tier assassin that was betrayed by her boss and several of the other assassin's on their elite government team. They killed her husband and took her daughter and she has been on a mission to find and kill them all. This book covers two of those ex-teammates and leaves two more still to track down.

Mark Dawson is one of the better authors in this genre and is best know for his stories of another ex-assassin on that team, John Milton. He also left the team, for other reasons and his series follows his attempts to embark on a new life away from the old one. It is perhaps the better of the two series with many more books devoted to him a protagonist.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews

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