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The Vane-Martin Conundrum
The Prime Minister, a pacifist at heart, cannot stop the carnage, but the tough-minded Anne Argento, a member of his government can. She needs to declare war, and she can only do that if she is Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister of Great Britain is to be assassinated – Frederick Vane and Andrew Martin are sure of it. Do they allow the assassination to continue? Do they tell DCI Isaac Cook, a tall black man of Jamaican heritage? Do they inform Anne Argento? Can a policeman and a politician be trusted with the information?
A nuclear-powered submarine has been lost. A cathedral prevented from destruction at the last minute. Shopping centres and churches throughout the length of England subjected to random attacks. Patrons at public houses enjoying a quiet night’s drink slaughtered.
Terrorism is destroying England. The Master, the head of the Islamic State in England is orchestrating the attacks. Durrani, the bomb maker, is giving him the weapons of destruction. Shafi, an unscrupulous drug dealer, is out on the street aiming to infiltrate the Islamic State, and the Master’s daughter, the beautiful Sara, seduces her future husband, a Naval officer, and forces him to sabotage his submarine after she has inadvertently fallen in love with him.
The lead policeman, DCI Isaac Cook, and Anne Argento, the Deputy Prime Minister are heading towards a romantic entanglement where their professional proprieties conflict with their personal feelings.
The Prime Minister of Great Britain is to be assassinated – Frederick Vane and Andrew Martin are sure of it. Do they allow the assassination to continue? Do they tell DCI Isaac Cook, a tall black man of Jamaican heritage? Do they inform Anne Argento? Can a policeman and a politician be trusted with the information?
A nuclear-powered submarine has been lost. A cathedral prevented from destruction at the last minute. Shopping centres and churches throughout the length of England subjected to random attacks. Patrons at public houses enjoying a quiet night’s drink slaughtered.
Terrorism is destroying England. The Master, the head of the Islamic State in England is orchestrating the attacks. Durrani, the bomb maker, is giving him the weapons of destruction. Shafi, an unscrupulous drug dealer, is out on the street aiming to infiltrate the Islamic State, and the Master’s daughter, the beautiful Sara, seduces her future husband, a Naval officer, and forces him to sabotage his submarine after she has inadvertently fallen in love with him.
The lead policeman, DCI Isaac Cook, and Anne Argento, the Deputy Prime Minister are heading towards a romantic entanglement where their professional proprieties conflict with their personal feelings.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2015
148 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Phillip Strang
197 books82 followersPhillip Strang is a well-travelled writer who has spent considerable time in many remote and exotic parts of the World installing telecommunication networks.
A number of years in Afghanistan and Pakistan have given him a good insight into the culture of both of these countries, and an understanding of the problems they jointly share.
In recent years, there have been extended periods throughout many countries in Africa including Liberia, Nigeria, and Guinea.
He is married and lives in Australia.
A number of years in Afghanistan and Pakistan have given him a good insight into the culture of both of these countries, and an understanding of the problems they jointly share.
In recent years, there have been extended periods throughout many countries in Africa including Liberia, Nigeria, and Guinea.
He is married and lives in Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 22, 2016
Plausible conundrum!
Possibly this is not a purely action-packed book that thrills you with stunning war scenes and superheroes.
In fact, this story balances on the verge of fiction and reality today. It definitely gives us some serious food for thought, warning signs, even preventive measures, if not 'recipes.'
We could compare it with Baldacci, in a way, due to the fact that both authors seem to send out messages for the world society to heed.
However, Phillip Strang has his own writing style, which is quite analytical, structured, systematic and convincing.
Possibly this is not a purely action-packed book that thrills you with stunning war scenes and superheroes.
In fact, this story balances on the verge of fiction and reality today. It definitely gives us some serious food for thought, warning signs, even preventive measures, if not 'recipes.'
We could compare it with Baldacci, in a way, due to the fact that both authors seem to send out messages for the world society to heed.
However, Phillip Strang has his own writing style, which is quite analytical, structured, systematic and convincing.
April 23, 2020
Not as good as his last book
I was disappointed having invested a lot of time reading all of the previous Isaac Cook, that this book did not the up the loose ends e.g. What happened to his previous colleagues & how did he get into the anti terrorist command. What happened to the annoying commissioner Davies. What happened to his wife & child. It just would be good to have some more background having had these characters in most of the other books. Other than this i did like the story, but much prefer the previous ones.
I was disappointed having invested a lot of time reading all of the previous Isaac Cook, that this book did not the up the loose ends e.g. What happened to his previous colleagues & how did he get into the anti terrorist command. What happened to the annoying commissioner Davies. What happened to his wife & child. It just would be good to have some more background having had these characters in most of the other books. Other than this i did like the story, but much prefer the previous ones.
July 13, 2017
Murder Without Reason (The Vane-Martin Conundrum) by Phillip Strang Review 7/13/17
In terrorism is there ever really a choice????
DCI Isaac Cook, now a Senior Member of London's Counter Terrorism Command at Scotland Yard, faces his Greatest Challenge. The Islamic State is waging war in England, and they are winning. Not only does Isaac Cook have to contend with finding the perpetrators, but he is being forced to commit to actions contrary to his mandate as a police officer. And then, there is Anne Argento, the Prime Minister's Deputy. The man has proven himself to be a pacifist and is not up to the task. She needs to take his job if the country is to fight back against the Islamists. Vane and Martin have provided the solution. Will DCI Cook and Anne Argento be willing to follow through? Are they able to act for the good of England, knowing that a criminal and murderous activity is about to take place? Do they have any option?
What did I like? I found this to be interesting due to the turmoil that is in the world today. I wondered all the way through if this was really what the authorities went through every time an incident occurred. To know that they are out there and there is so little to go on to find the ones responsible and stop them. I was even more intrigued with the use of the analysts in developing a method to track them. I know that there are many things that the Counter Terrorism teams here and all over the world use in tracking and capturing but to sit and read it in this context brought it home. I can also imagine now what went through the minds of those groups when 9/11 and all the other incidents happen. The fear, anger, frustration and defeat that they must have gone through in the moments afterwards!
What are you going to like? Very developed storyline with unbelievable brutal action with twists and turns that you will never see coming. Characters that are so lifelike you will be involved to the hilt. This story will, I am sure, make you think and ponder the amount of fiction to nonfiction to an eerie degree! The descriptions and details are spot on with nothing left to the imagination and will again move you right into the storyline. I read every one of the reviews and I disagree with most of them. The editing was a problem but if you are a reader and have a great storyline that can be overlooked… The storyline is good and even with some of the editing problems one that I enjoyed. Warning: some sexual content. I received this from the author for an honest review with no other compensation.
In terrorism is there ever really a choice????
DCI Isaac Cook, now a Senior Member of London's Counter Terrorism Command at Scotland Yard, faces his Greatest Challenge. The Islamic State is waging war in England, and they are winning. Not only does Isaac Cook have to contend with finding the perpetrators, but he is being forced to commit to actions contrary to his mandate as a police officer. And then, there is Anne Argento, the Prime Minister's Deputy. The man has proven himself to be a pacifist and is not up to the task. She needs to take his job if the country is to fight back against the Islamists. Vane and Martin have provided the solution. Will DCI Cook and Anne Argento be willing to follow through? Are they able to act for the good of England, knowing that a criminal and murderous activity is about to take place? Do they have any option?
What did I like? I found this to be interesting due to the turmoil that is in the world today. I wondered all the way through if this was really what the authorities went through every time an incident occurred. To know that they are out there and there is so little to go on to find the ones responsible and stop them. I was even more intrigued with the use of the analysts in developing a method to track them. I know that there are many things that the Counter Terrorism teams here and all over the world use in tracking and capturing but to sit and read it in this context brought it home. I can also imagine now what went through the minds of those groups when 9/11 and all the other incidents happen. The fear, anger, frustration and defeat that they must have gone through in the moments afterwards!
What are you going to like? Very developed storyline with unbelievable brutal action with twists and turns that you will never see coming. Characters that are so lifelike you will be involved to the hilt. This story will, I am sure, make you think and ponder the amount of fiction to nonfiction to an eerie degree! The descriptions and details are spot on with nothing left to the imagination and will again move you right into the storyline. I read every one of the reviews and I disagree with most of them. The editing was a problem but if you are a reader and have a great storyline that can be overlooked… The storyline is good and even with some of the editing problems one that I enjoyed. Warning: some sexual content. I received this from the author for an honest review with no other compensation.
June 20, 2018
Interesting read spoilt by a very weak ending.
July 12, 2015
The Vane-Martin Conundrum is a foreboding story about terrorists operating within England and creating havoc across the country. The Islamic State has recruited many English born Muslims / converts who are willing to martyr themselves for the sake of their religion, following the wishes of "The Master" in his scheme to take over the country. Multiple suicide bombers conduct coordinated attacks throughout the country, blowing up restaurants, churches, sinking a nuclear sub and even penetrating the inner sanctum of Scotland Yard. Hundreds of lives are lost needlessly and citizens are beginning to panic and look to their leadership to put a stop to this destruction. However, the government is also in turmoil, unsure on how to deal with this threat. The Prime Minister's popularity is falling and some members of Parliament want his job - using this diversion for their own benefit in achieving that goal.
The "Master" has eyes and ears everywhere - his reaches far and wide, those opposing or double-crossing him are quickly found out and killed without remorse. His plan is to convert England into an Islamic State and impose Sharia Law across the country. Is there no stopping them?
This is a story that will enlighten many readers, exposing them to the inner circle of these religious fanatics, England's Parliament and the Anti-Terrorists Unit of England to see how they operate. It is a roller coaster ride filled with intrigue and edge of your seat suspense. The last 100 pages will be impossible to put down as the many plots come together and play out. Great job Mr. Strang. Enjoyed the story immensely!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
The "Master" has eyes and ears everywhere - his reaches far and wide, those opposing or double-crossing him are quickly found out and killed without remorse. His plan is to convert England into an Islamic State and impose Sharia Law across the country. Is there no stopping them?
This is a story that will enlighten many readers, exposing them to the inner circle of these religious fanatics, England's Parliament and the Anti-Terrorists Unit of England to see how they operate. It is a roller coaster ride filled with intrigue and edge of your seat suspense. The last 100 pages will be impossible to put down as the many plots come together and play out. Great job Mr. Strang. Enjoyed the story immensely!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
August 13, 2015
Frederick Vane and Andrew Martin, long-time colleagues, are experts at making predictions based on events and trends. When the British government is faced with a crisis in the Middle East, and criminal activity at home, that is hard to get a handle on, the two are brought in to develop predictions to allow a reasoned government response. The Islamic State (IS) is mounting a concentrated bombing campaign in the UK, and the British Prime Minister (PM) is incapable of handling the situation.
Police DCI Isaac Cook, faced with a series of random bombings, is led to the conclusion that the PM is the ultimate target, and Vane and Martin come to the same conclusion. While investigating the bombings, Cook develops a relationship with the ambitious deputy PM. Now, the three men, along with the deputy PM face a moral and ethical challenge, do they allow the planned assassination of the PM to happen, or do they try to stop it. Their futures as well as the future security of the nation and the world rides on the decision they make.
The Vane-Martin Conundrum by Phillip Strang is a tense thriller, with all the elements that make it a potential blockbuster film: romance, politics, terror, and religion, all combined in a story that will grab you by the short hairs and not let go until the end. An in-depth analysis of the possible outcome when an international terrorist organization’s goals happen to coincide with the political desires of certain individuals within the target country. This is a down and dirty thriller that you shouldn’t miss!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.
Police DCI Isaac Cook, faced with a series of random bombings, is led to the conclusion that the PM is the ultimate target, and Vane and Martin come to the same conclusion. While investigating the bombings, Cook develops a relationship with the ambitious deputy PM. Now, the three men, along with the deputy PM face a moral and ethical challenge, do they allow the planned assassination of the PM to happen, or do they try to stop it. Their futures as well as the future security of the nation and the world rides on the decision they make.
The Vane-Martin Conundrum by Phillip Strang is a tense thriller, with all the elements that make it a potential blockbuster film: romance, politics, terror, and religion, all combined in a story that will grab you by the short hairs and not let go until the end. An in-depth analysis of the possible outcome when an international terrorist organization’s goals happen to coincide with the political desires of certain individuals within the target country. This is a down and dirty thriller that you shouldn’t miss!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.
November 14, 2015
"A Gripping Story About Terrorism Goals For Our World"
I finished reading this book the day after the 11-13-15 attack by ISIS on several Paris locations. The story line in this novel is how these attacks are planned and initiated. It's a gripping story about terrorism out to destroy England. The scourge of Islamic fundamentalism and madness is starting to consume England. Faisal Aslam, the Master, is there in England to guide and counsel the recruits in the bombings. His goal is to establish the Islamic State of England. This novel is definitely an eye-opener. Author Phillip Strang has seen the troubled world during his telecommunications careers which took him to many countries in the middle-east. This novel has several sub-plots disclosing Islamic terrorist organizations and how they plan their terrorist attacks, murder, investigations, and dirty politics. It reads like the true events which has shocked the current assault on Paris. The novel is very well written, and the story is one we all must read. Highly recommend.
I finished reading this book the day after the 11-13-15 attack by ISIS on several Paris locations. The story line in this novel is how these attacks are planned and initiated. It's a gripping story about terrorism out to destroy England. The scourge of Islamic fundamentalism and madness is starting to consume England. Faisal Aslam, the Master, is there in England to guide and counsel the recruits in the bombings. His goal is to establish the Islamic State of England. This novel is definitely an eye-opener. Author Phillip Strang has seen the troubled world during his telecommunications careers which took him to many countries in the middle-east. This novel has several sub-plots disclosing Islamic terrorist organizations and how they plan their terrorist attacks, murder, investigations, and dirty politics. It reads like the true events which has shocked the current assault on Paris. The novel is very well written, and the story is one we all must read. Highly recommend.
February 4, 2016
Hmmm.... I was asked by the author to read and honestly review this book, so I'm going to give it my best shot. This book scares the hell out of me!
Coming into this story, I knew next to nothing about the Islamic State organization, but I feel like I have a bit of a better understanding of the way this organization operates; the atrocities they commit, all in the name of religion.
Still... the thought that terrorists could actually take down England? Scary (and timely) stuff right there!
The book itself can get a bit confusing at times, mainly because there are so many characters that need to be given backstory and followed, but that aside, once I actually sat down and started this book, I had a great deal of difficulty putting it down! I just could not wait to see how this conundrum ended!
Needless to say, I was not disappointed by the climax, though I did think the book ended rather abruptly. I would be highly interested to see what happens next (hint, hint).
Coming into this story, I knew next to nothing about the Islamic State organization, but I feel like I have a bit of a better understanding of the way this organization operates; the atrocities they commit, all in the name of religion.
Still... the thought that terrorists could actually take down England? Scary (and timely) stuff right there!
The book itself can get a bit confusing at times, mainly because there are so many characters that need to be given backstory and followed, but that aside, once I actually sat down and started this book, I had a great deal of difficulty putting it down! I just could not wait to see how this conundrum ended!
Needless to say, I was not disappointed by the climax, though I did think the book ended rather abruptly. I would be highly interested to see what happens next (hint, hint).
August 1, 2016
Lots of characters. The focus was on Britain's vulnerabilities. I found drawn into the story because of it's timeliness and portrayal of how extremists think. While the novel shows the progression of the terrorist escalations it falls a bit short in the reality of how police and anti-terror organizations would react with today's surveillance and analysts. Although it did open my eyes to how petty politics can and do affect responses to national threats.
August 13, 2015
Ripped from the headlines
Gripping read that cod be tomorrow's lead story. I can't wait to read the the next installment by Mr. Strange.
Gripping read that cod be tomorrow's lead story. I can't wait to read the the next installment by Mr. Strange.
August 16, 2016
Surprise
This is an engaging contemporary read that does an excellent job of laying out the complexities of religious and cultural terrorism.
This is an engaging contemporary read that does an excellent job of laying out the complexities of religious and cultural terrorism.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews