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Isabella Rose #1
The Angel
White light. Heat. A drawn-out moment of complete silence. And then the screaming starts.
An Underground carriage in London is destroyed by a suicide bomber. The injured and the dead litter the platform. But as a crowd forms at street level, Michael Pope knows that this is only the beginning.
Pope, head of top-secret Group Fifteen, is tasked with finding the perpetrators of this atrocity and bringing them to justice, any way he can. He knows that the answers to many of his questions will lie at the end of the money trail, but he also knows that whoever funded and organised the attack will kill again for their freedom.
This is an operation that requires a very special kind of agent. Pope needs someone who exists outside of normality. Someone who floats above it, treading softly through a fractured life.
He needs the Angel.
An Underground carriage in London is destroyed by a suicide bomber. The injured and the dead litter the platform. But as a crowd forms at street level, Michael Pope knows that this is only the beginning.
Pope, head of top-secret Group Fifteen, is tasked with finding the perpetrators of this atrocity and bringing them to justice, any way he can. He knows that the answers to many of his questions will lie at the end of the money trail, but he also knows that whoever funded and organised the attack will kill again for their freedom.
This is an operation that requires a very special kind of agent. Pope needs someone who exists outside of normality. Someone who floats above it, treading softly through a fractured life.
He needs the Angel.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2015
2671 people are currently reading
1528 people want to read
About the author
Mark Dawson
114 books1,848 followersFor news and special offers join Mark's mailing list at:
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
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.
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 282 reviews
May 30, 2022
I did not know what to expect given a new series, but it was alright. Could have been 4 stars but given the non-ending, 3 stars.
December 5, 2015
Thank you to Net Galley, the publishers and author Mark Dawson for an advanced copy for my honest review.
To me a great opportunity to read one of my favourite authors, and start a new trilogy which carries on after the three great Beatrice Rose books, with the start of the Isabella Rose books.
I know now that you came a Mark Dawson book, you start with action, plots, twists, great characters, and of course the return of a great character in "Control", or Michael Pope.
White light. Heat. A drawn-out moment of complete silence. And then the screaming starts.
An Underground carriage in London is destroyed by a suicide bomber. The injured and the dead litter the platform. But as a crowd forms at street level, Michael Pope knows that this is only the beginning.
Pope, head of top-secret Group Fifteen, is tasked with finding the perpetrators of this atrocity and bringing them to justice, any way he can. He knows that the answers to many of his questions will lie at the end of the money trail, but he also knows that whoever funded and organised the attack will kill again for their freedom.
This is an operation that requires a very special kind of agent. Pope needs someone who exists outside of normality. Someone who floats above it, treading softly through a fractured life.
He needs the Angel!
The action travels throughout the UK, Morocco and Switzerland, as well follow the plot, as usual the pace is fast, action packed with tension, great characters, lots of twists, shoot outs.
Always guaranteed a good story, plenty of action, lots of tension.
Why only four stars, the naughty ending !!!
It is like watching your favourite action series, the last episode in the series, it end on a cliffhanger, and that's it !
So all I can ask , when is Isabelle Rose part 2 coming out !!!
But still highly recommended, but do read the three Beatrice Rose books first.
To me a great opportunity to read one of my favourite authors, and start a new trilogy which carries on after the three great Beatrice Rose books, with the start of the Isabella Rose books.
I know now that you came a Mark Dawson book, you start with action, plots, twists, great characters, and of course the return of a great character in "Control", or Michael Pope.
White light. Heat. A drawn-out moment of complete silence. And then the screaming starts.
An Underground carriage in London is destroyed by a suicide bomber. The injured and the dead litter the platform. But as a crowd forms at street level, Michael Pope knows that this is only the beginning.
Pope, head of top-secret Group Fifteen, is tasked with finding the perpetrators of this atrocity and bringing them to justice, any way he can. He knows that the answers to many of his questions will lie at the end of the money trail, but he also knows that whoever funded and organised the attack will kill again for their freedom.
This is an operation that requires a very special kind of agent. Pope needs someone who exists outside of normality. Someone who floats above it, treading softly through a fractured life.
He needs the Angel!
The action travels throughout the UK, Morocco and Switzerland, as well follow the plot, as usual the pace is fast, action packed with tension, great characters, lots of twists, shoot outs.
Always guaranteed a good story, plenty of action, lots of tension.
Why only four stars, the naughty ending !!!
It is like watching your favourite action series, the last episode in the series, it end on a cliffhanger, and that's it !
So all I can ask , when is Isabelle Rose part 2 coming out !!!
But still highly recommended, but do read the three Beatrice Rose books first.
November 19, 2015
DNF @75%
The Angel started off with a bang, and it was fantastic. Unfortunately, that excitement and momentum didn't last.
The Angel started off with a bang, and it was fantastic. Unfortunately, that excitement and momentum didn't last.
December 27, 2015
Book 1, in the Isabella Rose Thriller series
This new series is a spin off from the Beatrix Rose Trilogy. “The Angel “is referred as Act 1 in a story involving Isabella Rose, Beatrix Rose‘s fifteen year old daughter. Although not necessary, I would suggest starting with the Beatrix Rose wonderful Trilogy first and to look into the John Milton novels as well.
It opens with a multi-faceted terrorist attack in London and the drama is told from the point of views of the terrorist as they carry out their mission. Creatively based on events that surfaced in the past years Mr. Dawson didn’t spare anything: the suspense is wild, people die and body count mount. As the narrative changes its course, the action brings us throughout the UK, Morocco and Switzerland into an operation that will bring justice any way possible.
Although we have plenty of tense moments, some twists and lots of bang at first unfortunately the experience kind of slowly petered out and became less realistic when Pope head of “The Firm”, is tasked with finding who is behind this atrocity brings in a 15 year old to do undercover work. “The Angel” is her code name.
This may be a cliff-hanger but the drama leaves too many questions unanswered by the end to be a fully satisfying read. Ending a story so abruptly may be a ruse to pique out interest but this gambit may not turn out to be a good one in the long run. Now we need to wait for the unmissable sequel…
I received this book for free from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This new series is a spin off from the Beatrix Rose Trilogy. “The Angel “is referred as Act 1 in a story involving Isabella Rose, Beatrix Rose‘s fifteen year old daughter. Although not necessary, I would suggest starting with the Beatrix Rose wonderful Trilogy first and to look into the John Milton novels as well.
It opens with a multi-faceted terrorist attack in London and the drama is told from the point of views of the terrorist as they carry out their mission. Creatively based on events that surfaced in the past years Mr. Dawson didn’t spare anything: the suspense is wild, people die and body count mount. As the narrative changes its course, the action brings us throughout the UK, Morocco and Switzerland into an operation that will bring justice any way possible.
Although we have plenty of tense moments, some twists and lots of bang at first unfortunately the experience kind of slowly petered out and became less realistic when Pope head of “The Firm”, is tasked with finding who is behind this atrocity brings in a 15 year old to do undercover work. “The Angel” is her code name.
This may be a cliff-hanger but the drama leaves too many questions unanswered by the end to be a fully satisfying read. Ending a story so abruptly may be a ruse to pique out interest but this gambit may not turn out to be a good one in the long run. Now we need to wait for the unmissable sequel…
I received this book for free from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
November 12, 2015
I have a number of Mark Dawson books on kindle just waiting the time to get into one of his series; I was delighted therefore when Net GALLEY offered me an opportunity to read the first in his latest, the Isabella Rose series.
The thing that grips you straight away was the immediacy of the story, bang up to date, the threat of and execution of terrorist attacks on mainland Britain in London and the seat of government.
Building on real events Dawson's creativity immediately builds and starts to run amok; unaffraid to suggest the defence of UK citizens is straightforward or even a given. This gives an authenticity to the writing such that "good" people also die, its not just a body count of the "bad" terrorists.
The Firm are the go to guys to fix things in this account but following an error of Mr de Menezes proportions this last shield seems to be stood down for political reasons.
What follows are unofficial opporations beyond the right side of the law but perhaps the only way to counter this modern threat.
A thrilling story that keeps you reading and fully involved in a reality too close for some, the radicalisation of young muslims and the rise of IS and the engagement of open warfare in a jihad.
A cracking read that asks more questions than it answers and leaves you guessing who will survive to the end of the book.
The story has its genesis in previous series: John Milton & Beatrix Rose and the clever reader who hasn't read these will be drawn back to them like me. However, the story of Isabella, code name 'The Angel' is not resolved at the end of this book so with me you'll be waiting for the sequel in due course.
Frightening modern and contemporary thriller with a realistic voice. This is a book to shock and entertain in equal proportions as it brings terror to the streets of the capital with no quick fix solution.
While we remember in November, those who died for our freedom it perhaps takes a novel like this to suggest we cannot rest in that struggle and many still give their lives to maintain our security and way of life.
The thing that grips you straight away was the immediacy of the story, bang up to date, the threat of and execution of terrorist attacks on mainland Britain in London and the seat of government.
Building on real events Dawson's creativity immediately builds and starts to run amok; unaffraid to suggest the defence of UK citizens is straightforward or even a given. This gives an authenticity to the writing such that "good" people also die, its not just a body count of the "bad" terrorists.
The Firm are the go to guys to fix things in this account but following an error of Mr de Menezes proportions this last shield seems to be stood down for political reasons.
What follows are unofficial opporations beyond the right side of the law but perhaps the only way to counter this modern threat.
A thrilling story that keeps you reading and fully involved in a reality too close for some, the radicalisation of young muslims and the rise of IS and the engagement of open warfare in a jihad.
A cracking read that asks more questions than it answers and leaves you guessing who will survive to the end of the book.
The story has its genesis in previous series: John Milton & Beatrix Rose and the clever reader who hasn't read these will be drawn back to them like me. However, the story of Isabella, code name 'The Angel' is not resolved at the end of this book so with me you'll be waiting for the sequel in due course.
Frightening modern and contemporary thriller with a realistic voice. This is a book to shock and entertain in equal proportions as it brings terror to the streets of the capital with no quick fix solution.
While we remember in November, those who died for our freedom it perhaps takes a novel like this to suggest we cannot rest in that struggle and many still give their lives to maintain our security and way of life.
April 19, 2018
This was the story of Group Fifteen who were an undercover group of men and women who protected Great Britain from terrorists. The story of those same terrorists blowing up the underground trains and the House of Commons, where they killed a lot of people.
And it’s about Michael Pope the Captain of the group who had been told to “stand down” by his superior, only to be told to continue his work in secret by another superior. AND it’s about Isabella, the girl who was trained by her mother since she was a little girl and could do some serious ass-kicking now and continued to train, and she’s only fifteen. Pope drove her away after she killed the last man who had torn her family apart when she was little. She lives alone in Marrakesh now and was in London for a meeting with Pope when she was caught in the underground explosion
It was a great story, made better by the narration, and I’m definitely going to move on to the next book. Oh, and this is a cliffhanger after each book. I THINK book 4 is the end of them but I'm not really sure.
My main problem with this book is how often the author gave directions throughout the book. So many highways and streets with French names. It was a little much. Too much filler.
As to the narration: Napoleon Ryan is just awesome with the voices and the emotions when he reads.
And it’s about Michael Pope the Captain of the group who had been told to “stand down” by his superior, only to be told to continue his work in secret by another superior. AND it’s about Isabella, the girl who was trained by her mother since she was a little girl and could do some serious ass-kicking now and continued to train, and she’s only fifteen. Pope drove her away after she killed the last man who had torn her family apart when she was little. She lives alone in Marrakesh now and was in London for a meeting with Pope when she was caught in the underground explosion
It was a great story, made better by the narration, and I’m definitely going to move on to the next book. Oh, and this is a cliffhanger after each book. I THINK book 4 is the end of them but I'm not really sure.
My main problem with this book is how often the author gave directions throughout the book. So many highways and streets with French names. It was a little much. Too much filler.
As to the narration: Napoleon Ryan is just awesome with the voices and the emotions when he reads.
November 30, 2015
Page turning excitement from page 1.
This is not the shootup novel I was expecting, it’s dark, philosophical, and definitely thought provoking, but also with plenty of action and particularly topical in view of the recent atrocities in Paris.
Michael Pope, head of top-secret Government funded Group Fifteen has to find the perpetrators of a London tube bombing.
The story has a follows very closely the 7/7 tube bombings, including the aftermath with an innocent man shot dead after being mistaken for a bomber.
Pope decided to ask 15 year old Isabella Rose for help for reasons that become obvious in the book. The book is labelled Isabelle Rose 1, so a second book must be of the offing.
If book 1 is anything to go by it will be an unmissable sequel.
If you liked the BBC TV series Spooks, then definitely give this first book from Mark Dawson a go.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This is not the shootup novel I was expecting, it’s dark, philosophical, and definitely thought provoking, but also with plenty of action and particularly topical in view of the recent atrocities in Paris.
Michael Pope, head of top-secret Government funded Group Fifteen has to find the perpetrators of a London tube bombing.
The story has a follows very closely the 7/7 tube bombings, including the aftermath with an innocent man shot dead after being mistaken for a bomber.
Pope decided to ask 15 year old Isabella Rose for help for reasons that become obvious in the book. The book is labelled Isabelle Rose 1, so a second book must be of the offing.
If book 1 is anything to go by it will be an unmissable sequel.
If you liked the BBC TV series Spooks, then definitely give this first book from Mark Dawson a go.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
June 21, 2017
The first thing to note about this book is that it's very much the first act of a story - it ends on a cliffhanger with virtually nothing resolved.
The second thing to note is that it's a spinoff of the John Milton stories, and a sequel to the Beatrix Rose books. However, as long as you can cope with references to people you've never met, The Angel works as the first book in its own series, without the need to have read the others first.
I know that Mark Dawson doesn't have military/intelligence prior experience, but he seems to be taking good advice. His soldiers act like the soldiers I know. :-) The narrative 'feels' real - at least, the parts about Group 15. The bits about Isabella Rose, somewhat less so - but then, this is fiction, after all.
As this isn't really a whole book, it's difficult to review - but I will say, it's made me want to read the next episode in the story.
The second thing to note is that it's a spinoff of the John Milton stories, and a sequel to the Beatrix Rose books. However, as long as you can cope with references to people you've never met, The Angel works as the first book in its own series, without the need to have read the others first.
I know that Mark Dawson doesn't have military/intelligence prior experience, but he seems to be taking good advice. His soldiers act like the soldiers I know. :-) The narrative 'feels' real - at least, the parts about Group 15. The bits about Isabella Rose, somewhat less so - but then, this is fiction, after all.
As this isn't really a whole book, it's difficult to review - but I will say, it's made me want to read the next episode in the story.
November 6, 2015
Confusing and unfinished
I normally like this authors writings but angel (Isabella Rose) was hardly mentioned until the 2nd half of the book. A lot of time and description went into talking about a weapons storage area she fixed up but never really used in the story. Pope, who is control for 15 is out of order, doing unauthorized vigilante work, while two of his agents get killed from out of the blue with a fake Swiss police roadblock. Mohammed the criminal mastermind seems to be out of the picture. The book feels like its half written.
I normally like this authors writings but angel (Isabella Rose) was hardly mentioned until the 2nd half of the book. A lot of time and description went into talking about a weapons storage area she fixed up but never really used in the story. Pope, who is control for 15 is out of order, doing unauthorized vigilante work, while two of his agents get killed from out of the blue with a fake Swiss police roadblock. Mohammed the criminal mastermind seems to be out of the picture. The book feels like its half written.
June 8, 2021
Listened to this on KU and enjoyed it.
The story used some past events to base some of the story on.
Some of the action scenes were quite graphic.
Several times I was totally entranced.
Looking forward to listening to the next one.
The story used some past events to base some of the story on.
Some of the action scenes were quite graphic.
Several times I was totally entranced.
Looking forward to listening to the next one.
June 11, 2017
I came across the fiction of Mark Dawson because it kept coming up in the Amazon recommendations for books similar to my own novel. At first, I thought this Mark Dawson author-guy was established in the main stream publishing market, because his covers were very professional and he had lots of positive reviews. Then a writing friend pointed out to me that he was indie like me. It was then I decided I better check this guy out, and see what he was doing right.
I don’t know why I went for the Isabella Rose series first, because it seems so much has gone before it in Dawson’s John Milton and Beatrix Rose series, but the premise just seemed too cool to ignore. A fifteen-year-old girl who is trained as a covert operative living alone in Morocco seemed such as interesting idea I had to start there.
The Angel opens with a terrorist bombing in central London, not unlike the recent attacks the country has suffered. We are introduced to Pope, head of a secretive British Government division of the intelligence services that performs unofficial sanctioned wet-works (AKA assassinations). Pope is like your James Bond or Mitch Rapp character, but a more mature version as he’s juggling the challenges of managing a family as well as the day to day functions of a department, and the assassin employees working for him.
Pope and his team go up against the Islamic State terrorists attacking British Parliament, managing to stop the cowardly terrorists from creating more civilian and government causalities, but not without personal cost to Pope and his team.
The bombing is the first of three acts that make up the book, and after that things start to get really interesting when Isabella Rose comes more to the forefront of the action. She’s in Morocco, stocking her weaponry stash and honing her skills with military weapons in isolated firing ranges in the Saharan Desert. She very lonely but she also wants things to be that way, making her an complex character.
Pope is known to Isabella, they have a history whereby he helped Isabella avenge the murders of both her father and mother (the subject of other Mark Dawson novels). But Pope’s visit is only partially about keeping an eye on her. He wants Isabella to act in an undercover role in an exclusive highschool for super-rich kids in Switzerland. The end objective: Pope asks Isabella to spy on a suspected paymaster of the terrifying Islamic State.
I won’t say more as I don’t want to spoil the twists and turns that follow.
This is a great book. There was not a moment where I was bored or skipping ahead. The characters are well forged and the plot interesting. In fact, the balance between characters and a geopolitical plot is perfectly managed, and at no point did I feel like I was being lectured on the ins and outs of the intelligence, military and government activities and their technology which many other authors in genre feel they need to do.
The Angel ended on a cliff-hanger, but I knew that was coming. This is of course a trilogy (for now), and once I finished The Angel, I immediately picked up Book 2, The Asset and kept reading. It was that good.
If you haven’t entered the exciting world of British espionage that Mark Dawson has crafted, I’d highly recommend starting with this one.
I don’t know why I went for the Isabella Rose series first, because it seems so much has gone before it in Dawson’s John Milton and Beatrix Rose series, but the premise just seemed too cool to ignore. A fifteen-year-old girl who is trained as a covert operative living alone in Morocco seemed such as interesting idea I had to start there.
The Angel opens with a terrorist bombing in central London, not unlike the recent attacks the country has suffered. We are introduced to Pope, head of a secretive British Government division of the intelligence services that performs unofficial sanctioned wet-works (AKA assassinations). Pope is like your James Bond or Mitch Rapp character, but a more mature version as he’s juggling the challenges of managing a family as well as the day to day functions of a department, and the assassin employees working for him.
Pope and his team go up against the Islamic State terrorists attacking British Parliament, managing to stop the cowardly terrorists from creating more civilian and government causalities, but not without personal cost to Pope and his team.
The bombing is the first of three acts that make up the book, and after that things start to get really interesting when Isabella Rose comes more to the forefront of the action. She’s in Morocco, stocking her weaponry stash and honing her skills with military weapons in isolated firing ranges in the Saharan Desert. She very lonely but she also wants things to be that way, making her an complex character.
Pope is known to Isabella, they have a history whereby he helped Isabella avenge the murders of both her father and mother (the subject of other Mark Dawson novels). But Pope’s visit is only partially about keeping an eye on her. He wants Isabella to act in an undercover role in an exclusive highschool for super-rich kids in Switzerland. The end objective: Pope asks Isabella to spy on a suspected paymaster of the terrifying Islamic State.
I won’t say more as I don’t want to spoil the twists and turns that follow.
This is a great book. There was not a moment where I was bored or skipping ahead. The characters are well forged and the plot interesting. In fact, the balance between characters and a geopolitical plot is perfectly managed, and at no point did I feel like I was being lectured on the ins and outs of the intelligence, military and government activities and their technology which many other authors in genre feel they need to do.
The Angel ended on a cliff-hanger, but I knew that was coming. This is of course a trilogy (for now), and once I finished The Angel, I immediately picked up Book 2, The Asset and kept reading. It was that good.
If you haven’t entered the exciting world of British espionage that Mark Dawson has crafted, I’d highly recommend starting with this one.
December 2, 2023
After reading and being completely engrossed by the Beatrix Rose trilogy, I was really looking forward to the Isabella Rose trilogy. Beatrix, as we know, was a highly skilled assassin working in an elite group for the British Government on covert-ops. Before she so tragically died she trained her daughter well and passed on many of her special talents to Isabella and also left her well funded.
After a hideous terrorist atrocity in London, Pope (Control) even though he is told to stand his team down, he is then tasked with finding the perpetrators and enlists Isabella, who is now a very mature 15 yr old, into his cunning plan, as events unfold, things don’t quite go to plan and we are left on a cliffhanger and must await the next instalment.
Apart from the opening chapters with the explosive terrorism their are only a few smidgins of action, but I presume (as with all Mark Dawson’s books) that, that will develop in future episodes. I am rooting for Isabella mainly because of her tragic life and that she has had to learn to stand up for herself in the hardest way possible.
The Angel returns in The Asset, can’t wait. 5/5
After a hideous terrorist atrocity in London, Pope (Control) even though he is told to stand his team down, he is then tasked with finding the perpetrators and enlists Isabella, who is now a very mature 15 yr old, into his cunning plan, as events unfold, things don’t quite go to plan and we are left on a cliffhanger and must await the next instalment.
Apart from the opening chapters with the explosive terrorism their are only a few smidgins of action, but I presume (as with all Mark Dawson’s books) that, that will develop in future episodes. I am rooting for Isabella mainly because of her tragic life and that she has had to learn to stand up for herself in the hardest way possible.
The Angel returns in The Asset, can’t wait. 5/5
January 31, 2016
The Angel – (Isabella Rose) – Mark Dawson
Isabella Rose is the daughter of Beatrix Rose, has the traits and skills of her mother and is as determined as her mother!
This is a new book in a series all about Isabella.
Group 15 is an elite task force who are a bit of a secret group, and after a shaky start and a turbulent meeting which resulted in them being disbanded, the group leave their location and begin to head home. Just as they are leaving a series of explosions occur in London, the first one being on the London Underground and “the hunt is on”.
This is a job for a special agent called “Pope” and he needs assistance. He needs “The Angel”.
The book starts off in London, travels through other parts of the UK and then Morocco and Switzerland. It is fast paced, gripping and leave the reader wanting to read just that one more page / chapter.
My thanks go to Mark Dawson for allowing me the opportunity of reading this and as usual a great book that draws the reader in.
Isabella Rose is the daughter of Beatrix Rose, has the traits and skills of her mother and is as determined as her mother!
This is a new book in a series all about Isabella.
Group 15 is an elite task force who are a bit of a secret group, and after a shaky start and a turbulent meeting which resulted in them being disbanded, the group leave their location and begin to head home. Just as they are leaving a series of explosions occur in London, the first one being on the London Underground and “the hunt is on”.
This is a job for a special agent called “Pope” and he needs assistance. He needs “The Angel”.
The book starts off in London, travels through other parts of the UK and then Morocco and Switzerland. It is fast paced, gripping and leave the reader wanting to read just that one more page / chapter.
My thanks go to Mark Dawson for allowing me the opportunity of reading this and as usual a great book that draws the reader in.
July 14, 2018
Subpar writing and unbelievable situation
This book starts out appearing to be an entertaining read, until you realize the plot is not moving forward by much. After wading thru many pages of unnecessary description, you begin to wonder why the female character was introduced in the beginning, and what happened to her. Then suddenly, there she is again. This is where it goes beyond belief: the head of a British anti-terrorist group chooses this 15-year-old girl he hardly knows and sends her into an upscale private school in a special assignment. Well, you don't get to find out how that works out, because soon both the girl and her new boyfriend are on a plane to the Middle East and you're at the end of the book. You have to go on to Book 2 in the series to find out what happens. I value my time more than that, and you should too.
This book starts out appearing to be an entertaining read, until you realize the plot is not moving forward by much. After wading thru many pages of unnecessary description, you begin to wonder why the female character was introduced in the beginning, and what happened to her. Then suddenly, there she is again. This is where it goes beyond belief: the head of a British anti-terrorist group chooses this 15-year-old girl he hardly knows and sends her into an upscale private school in a special assignment. Well, you don't get to find out how that works out, because soon both the girl and her new boyfriend are on a plane to the Middle East and you're at the end of the book. You have to go on to Book 2 in the series to find out what happens. I value my time more than that, and you should too.
November 17, 2015
Highly recommended
Welcome Isobella to the family of Mark Dawson. This book introduces the character of Isobella as a 15 year old girl, but who happens to have a mother who trained her daughter to look after herself, and when your mother was a government assassin the training was second to none. The interactions of Isobella with members of her mother's old team cross links previous books by Mark Dawson, however it could be read as a stand alone book because there are hints to the characters past. The story contains suicide bombers, government agencies, rich bankers who don't get their hands dirty but provide the money to fund the bombers. All in all an excellent read,can't wait to read the second instalment
Welcome Isobella to the family of Mark Dawson. This book introduces the character of Isobella as a 15 year old girl, but who happens to have a mother who trained her daughter to look after herself, and when your mother was a government assassin the training was second to none. The interactions of Isobella with members of her mother's old team cross links previous books by Mark Dawson, however it could be read as a stand alone book because there are hints to the characters past. The story contains suicide bombers, government agencies, rich bankers who don't get their hands dirty but provide the money to fund the bombers. All in all an excellent read,can't wait to read the second instalment
November 7, 2015
I have read quite a few books by Mark Dawson and I really enjoy his writing style so I was genuinely excited to be able to grab a copy of this book. The characters are great and I was hooked from page one and flew through it - I cannot wait for the next in the series to see what happens, it really does leave you with a cliff hanger - excellent and I can't wait to see what's around the corner in the next instalment for Isabella Rose. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2019
Interesting
5*
I found the story was told in two halves, the first half laying the foundation of bringing in the main character, the second half of the main protagonist standing up on her feet to follow in the footsteps of several people who are prepared to stand up for their country anonymously.
The ending has clearly shown that there will be further instalments in this series.
5*
I found the story was told in two halves, the first half laying the foundation of bringing in the main character, the second half of the main protagonist standing up on her feet to follow in the footsteps of several people who are prepared to stand up for their country anonymously.
The ending has clearly shown that there will be further instalments in this series.
August 12, 2020
Not a bad thriller but quite dragging. It took almost half the book until Isabella was on in the spotlight. While the ISIS/Islamic thing is something I'm not thrilling with, Isabella's story is what I want to know. I want to see her kickingass. So I guess I have to keep read since The Angel is totally just an introduction with a cliff hanger.
February 23, 2020
I read all of the Beatrix Rose books, and while they suffered from plot constraints at the end, I enjoyed them. This story of her daughter Isabella has the potential to be very interesting, but the author doesn't convey the life of rich teens very well, and that makes the older adults look like fools.
This ends on a true cliff-hanger, so be warned. I don't think I will read the next one.
This ends on a true cliff-hanger, so be warned. I don't think I will read the next one.
May 20, 2023
Excellent. First Mark Dawson book I have read. Bit surprised at some of the negative reviews.
October 1, 2018
Just okay for me. Okay narration too. (audible review)
This was just okay for me. I have a hard time with this girl being 16 years old. I know she is the daughter of spy but still. It was rather slow going too.
There was a lot of stuff going on that didn't necessarily need to be there.
It wasn't a bad book, It just didn't make me want to keep going with the series.
As for the narration it was okay. I think I would have liked Jay Snyder a little better for this book. Just my opinion. Napoleon Ryan does a good job on the female voices and the accents well.
This was just okay for me. I have a hard time with this girl being 16 years old. I know she is the daughter of spy but still. It was rather slow going too.
There was a lot of stuff going on that didn't necessarily need to be there.
It wasn't a bad book, It just didn't make me want to keep going with the series.
As for the narration it was okay. I think I would have liked Jay Snyder a little better for this book. Just my opinion. Napoleon Ryan does a good job on the female voices and the accents well.
July 6, 2016
'Our words are dead until we give them life with our blood'
This is a fantastic book. After reading Blood and Roses last year I vowed to read the other books in the series and I was not disappointed.
A fantastic page turner with a very interesting plot and brilliantly realistic characters.
I would highly recommend this series and Mark Dawson's work.
...'an amateur practised something until she did it right, but a professional practiced until she couldn't do it wrong'.
This is a fantastic book. After reading Blood and Roses last year I vowed to read the other books in the series and I was not disappointed.
A fantastic page turner with a very interesting plot and brilliantly realistic characters.
I would highly recommend this series and Mark Dawson's work.
...'an amateur practised something until she did it right, but a professional practiced until she couldn't do it wrong'.
September 6, 2018
Great Read !
Very exciting book. It really kept my interest. Mark Dawson The Angel was the my first read of his. It was very riveting it really kept my interest. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of his books including going backwards to read about Isabella Rose’s Mother. The book was full of suspense and very exciting. The way the end book feeds into the next book in the series really makes you want to continue reading the series.
Very exciting book. It really kept my interest. Mark Dawson The Angel was the my first read of his. It was very riveting it really kept my interest. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of his books including going backwards to read about Isabella Rose’s Mother. The book was full of suspense and very exciting. The way the end book feeds into the next book in the series really makes you want to continue reading the series.
March 14, 2019
Not much of Isabella
For bearing her name in the title, Isabella Rose is not a major participant in the novel. I realize that a fair amount of time is spent setting up the terror that occurs in London. And then there is the official de-commissioning of the group that operates secretly, assassinating enemies all around the world. The very end of the story sets up the next take of Isabella's life.
For bearing her name in the title, Isabella Rose is not a major participant in the novel. I realize that a fair amount of time is spent setting up the terror that occurs in London. And then there is the official de-commissioning of the group that operates secretly, assassinating enemies all around the world. The very end of the story sets up the next take of Isabella's life.
September 26, 2019
Good start for the follow on to the Beatrix Rose series. Her daughter Isabelle was trained by her mother and puts those skills to work in this first installment. The pace is good, and thd author reminds us that, while she is a prodigy, Issabelle is srill only 15 years old. The mix of youth and maturity makes her an interesting protagonist as she tries to develop social skills she didn't pick up during her isolated prior life.
March 16, 2021
The first book in the "Isabella Rose" series. The hero is the teenage daughter of a British agent who has an untimely end in a previous series. Trained by her mother in the basics of the secret agent business, she agrees to a simple surveillance mission against the father of school mate. As expected, the wheels come off and our hero finds herself in a bad position at the end of the book. It's a solid story, well written and documented. I'm looking forward to reading the second installment,
June 30, 2017
This series of books take off from where the Beatrix Rose leaves off. In the first book you learn how well Beatrix has taught her daughter about surviving. She does very well alone. until Mr. Pope comes and has a talk with her. I am looking forward to the rest of the series and hope they turn out as well as the John Milton and Beatrix Rose series.
December 22, 2019
Tricked!
Was trying to become a Mark Dawson fan after reading the first two Cleaner books. Very disappointed when The Angel slowed considerably in the back half and then left us hanging to get another book! When did it become ok to not finish a story?
Was trying to become a Mark Dawson fan after reading the first two Cleaner books. Very disappointed when The Angel slowed considerably in the back half and then left us hanging to get another book! When did it become ok to not finish a story?
September 6, 2015
Like another reader, I was an advance reader. It's brilliant and heralds the emergence of another compelling Mark Dawson hero and another excellent series.
September 1, 2022
First off I enjoyed reading the Beatrix Rose thrillers. I just completed the original trilogy, after reading the first two issues of the Comixology Unlimited series. I then read the first of the Hong Kong stories. I saw this Isabella series and thought, why not?
But, my biggest concern after reading Blood and Roses, was that Dawson would continue with the Isabella series with her still a teenager. I though there was no way he would do that, it would THEN be a Young Adult novel. I have read several YA novels, but it seemed out of place here.
I assumed that the series would kick off say, 10-12 years later, where Isabella, now 25 or so and seasoned as an assassin, would be ready to go out and face the world, to carry on the legacy of her mother, Beatrix Rose. But no, the story continued just 2 years later with Isabella at just 15.
Her character and actions at the end of Blood and Roses were perfect for that novel. Who doesn't love a good ole revenge story. But is way out of place here.
In this book, all the terrorist's actions and such feature Michael Pope and his crew. Isabella's role was basically to play a character from the TV series "21 Jump Street". Hey, we need a teenager to infiltrate this school. Let's place an untested 15 year old in harm's way. It was very difficult to go from a tough as nails assassin like Beatrix Rose to a teenager who cannot legally drive or drink.
Her mom only had one year to train her, and she had cancer, and certainly could not have been at the top of her game.
But hey, Mark Dawson is the author and doing well. I just thought the story would carry on AFTER Isabella was more properly trained and experienced in worldly activities. I don't know, maybe something like a young Bruce Wayne did in his teens: travel the world, learn from experts, actually complete her education and learn a ton of things that pertain to her trade craft, and quite simply, time to Grow Up! How many times is Isabella going to be able to convince the world she is older? This is like a real young Lee Anne Rhymes singing about her heart getting broken at 13? Go thru a divorce or the death of a spouse, then tell me about heartbreak.
I just feel awkward reading about such a young kid. To picture Isabella at 15 as a tough as nails killer? No, just don't see it. I bet Mark has plans for Isabella to keep playing the part of jail bait and doing those "21 Jump Street" type actions. To boldly go where only teenagers would fit in. What next, have her play as a babysitter for a terrorist? No more Isabella novels for me, until she gets older and a little more believable.
I do plan to go back and finish off the last two Hong Kong Beatrix Rose novellas. YA novels are okay, IF you know they are YA.
But, my biggest concern after reading Blood and Roses, was that Dawson would continue with the Isabella series with her still a teenager. I though there was no way he would do that, it would THEN be a Young Adult novel. I have read several YA novels, but it seemed out of place here.
I assumed that the series would kick off say, 10-12 years later, where Isabella, now 25 or so and seasoned as an assassin, would be ready to go out and face the world, to carry on the legacy of her mother, Beatrix Rose. But no, the story continued just 2 years later with Isabella at just 15.
Her character and actions at the end of Blood and Roses were perfect for that novel. Who doesn't love a good ole revenge story. But is way out of place here.
In this book, all the terrorist's actions and such feature Michael Pope and his crew. Isabella's role was basically to play a character from the TV series "21 Jump Street". Hey, we need a teenager to infiltrate this school. Let's place an untested 15 year old in harm's way. It was very difficult to go from a tough as nails assassin like Beatrix Rose to a teenager who cannot legally drive or drink.
Her mom only had one year to train her, and she had cancer, and certainly could not have been at the top of her game.
But hey, Mark Dawson is the author and doing well. I just thought the story would carry on AFTER Isabella was more properly trained and experienced in worldly activities. I don't know, maybe something like a young Bruce Wayne did in his teens: travel the world, learn from experts, actually complete her education and learn a ton of things that pertain to her trade craft, and quite simply, time to Grow Up! How many times is Isabella going to be able to convince the world she is older? This is like a real young Lee Anne Rhymes singing about her heart getting broken at 13? Go thru a divorce or the death of a spouse, then tell me about heartbreak.
I just feel awkward reading about such a young kid. To picture Isabella at 15 as a tough as nails killer? No, just don't see it. I bet Mark has plans for Isabella to keep playing the part of jail bait and doing those "21 Jump Street" type actions. To boldly go where only teenagers would fit in. What next, have her play as a babysitter for a terrorist? No more Isabella novels for me, until she gets older and a little more believable.
I do plan to go back and finish off the last two Hong Kong Beatrix Rose novellas. YA novels are okay, IF you know they are YA.
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