What do you think?
Rate this book
Danny Black #3
Hellfire
On the Syria/Iraq border a British hostage is beheaded by IS terrorists. The executioner is a young British extremist. A masked figure watches him. This mysterious person is treated with a mixture of respect and terror. They call him the Caliph.
In Nigeria the British High Commisioner and his young aide are kidnapped. A four-person SAS team, including Regiment hero Danny Black, is deployed to find him. The team find devastation in Nigeria, and when they discover prisoners infected with the plague they realise they have uncovered a combined Boko Haram/IS plot to unleash a bio-terror attack upon the world.
The team must stop the terrorists and identify the Caliph before the deadly disease threatens those much closer to home.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2015
197 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
About the author
Chris Ryan
342 books1,019 followersColin Armstrong (b. 1961), usually known by the pen-name Chris Ryan, is a British author, television presenter, security consultant and former Special Air Service sergeant.
After the publication of fellow patrol member Andy McNab's Bravo Two Zero in 1993, Ryan published his own account of his experiences during the Bravo Two Zero mission in 1995, entitled The One That Got Away. Since retiring from the British Army Ryan has published several fiction and non-fiction books, including Strike Back, which was subsequently adapted into a television series for Sky 1, and co-created the ITV action series Ultimate Force. He has also presented or appeared in numerous television documentaries connected to the military or law enforcement.
After the publication of fellow patrol member Andy McNab's Bravo Two Zero in 1993, Ryan published his own account of his experiences during the Bravo Two Zero mission in 1995, entitled The One That Got Away. Since retiring from the British Army Ryan has published several fiction and non-fiction books, including Strike Back, which was subsequently adapted into a television series for Sky 1, and co-created the ITV action series Ultimate Force. He has also presented or appeared in numerous television documentaries connected to the military or law enforcement.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
June 19, 2019
I think this just scrapes into the 4 star bracket courtesy of being rounded up from 3.5.
More tomorrow
And so as night follows day, tomorrow arrived and went , and it is now 2 days later.
I've been pondering this book on and off over the last couple of days and think the writing is actually very good. I'm sorry Chris Ryan if I sound surprised but I hadn't really expected that in an SAS shoot em up ex war hero macho large gun (nudge nudge) book. In reality the only issue I have with the book (ignoring some of the stereotypes - and well you have to if you read this type of book) was the violence. Now I am not naive, I have been on this planet 59 years and 9 months now and I know there is horrendous violence occurring every second on my life somewhere in the world, but I have had only moderate exposure to it directly (try growing up in London and not be exposed to it (read beaten up)). That said I don't particularly like violence, ok LotR has battles and whole armies get wiped out and Boromir got hit by a zillion Orc (Uruk-hai) arrows, but its not too graphical, whereas in places this was.
That aside it is, to quote a friend of mine a "blaster" of a story and a real "rollercoaster" with some excellent twists.
Now the friend who recommended this to me, is the one who has passed on a dozen or so Lee Childs and other books, and I thought I had already read a Chris Ryan but on searching I hadn't (just discovered it was Andy McNab, oops)
Anyway the upshot is I'd like to read a little more about young Danny Black (the hero) and so I've added books 1 and 2 to my (never ending) TBR.
More tomorrow
And so as night follows day, tomorrow arrived and went , and it is now 2 days later.
I've been pondering this book on and off over the last couple of days and think the writing is actually very good. I'm sorry Chris Ryan if I sound surprised but I hadn't really expected that in an SAS shoot em up ex war hero macho large gun (nudge nudge) book. In reality the only issue I have with the book (ignoring some of the stereotypes - and well you have to if you read this type of book) was the violence. Now I am not naive, I have been on this planet 59 years and 9 months now and I know there is horrendous violence occurring every second on my life somewhere in the world, but I have had only moderate exposure to it directly (try growing up in London and not be exposed to it (read beaten up)). That said I don't particularly like violence, ok LotR has battles and whole armies get wiped out and Boromir got hit by a zillion Orc (Uruk-hai) arrows, but its not too graphical, whereas in places this was.
That aside it is, to quote a friend of mine a "blaster" of a story and a real "rollercoaster" with some excellent twists.
Now the friend who recommended this to me, is the one who has passed on a dozen or so Lee Childs and other books, and I thought I had already read a Chris Ryan but on searching I hadn't (just discovered it was Andy McNab, oops)
Anyway the upshot is I'd like to read a little more about young Danny Black (the hero) and so I've added books 1 and 2 to my (never ending) TBR.
November 16, 2016
Another gripping Danny Black novel from Chris Ryan. What is always scary about these intense stories is the fact that some of the events portrayed could actually happen in real life and devastate the world. Let's hope they remain enjoyable fiction and never become fact.
![Profile Image for Terence M [on a brief old bloke's hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1712357414i%2F6658001._UY200_CR4%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
December 28, 2019
My review will be written once I catch up with the Christmas / New Year bluster and carry-on!🤩💥
August 25, 2021
In these trying times of Pandemic, this book is very scary! Terrorists have a Chinese Made Bio-weapon, a specially designed strain of Plague, and are attempting to release it on the west, and only Danny and Spud can stop them.
This Chris Ryan all over, gritty and realistic, sparing none of the brutality of our world. Would recommend this to anyone but Covid Conspiracy Theorists, this will only encourage them.
This Chris Ryan all over, gritty and realistic, sparing none of the brutality of our world. Would recommend this to anyone but Covid Conspiracy Theorists, this will only encourage them.
August 19, 2021
If you want action this has got it. If you don't, then don't bother turning the first page
September 27, 2025
Rete spannend, wrede details, geen kabbelend geleuter over personages. Gewoon actie!
September 25, 2015
Another great book with loads of action.
June 30, 2016
This was pretty good. The theme is terrifying plausible which makes it uncomfortable reading at certain points :(
October 24, 2016
Excelente historia
January 25, 2016
great book which has got me into the series now for the rest for his book
July 28, 2016
Absolutely brilliant, best novel he's written.
June 25, 2020
Very vague spoilers ahead...
Another great read by Chris Ryan, I’m reading them in order and thoroughly enjoyed the first 2. Just like the first 2 one of my favourite elements of these is the drastic and frequent change in place alongside the new information that takes them to each location. This makes the story fast paced, gripping and kept me wondering what was coming next. The relationship aspect as a secondary storyline is a really nice touch and adds depth to Danny and makes him more relatable, I like that his love interest remains the same throughout the first 3 books.
The main plot point of the book was very well executed and an intriguing idea, for a novel, capturing how various governments, militaries and personnel could act in this sort of situation. In this day and age it wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination for something like this to happen, which makes the story interesting on a few different levels.
I really liked the civil rivalry aspect between Danny and Tony, each of the characters in the book are multi-layered with their own personal stories that really give the whole novel depth and realism. Spud has to be one of my favourite characters in the series and I loved coming back to his parts throughout the book, I hope in future books they assign him a role that he enjoys and is suited to his talents. Lastly, the author clearly knows his stuff, as everything is very detailed from guns to geography, which helps with picturing each scene in your minds’ eye as it plays out.
I look forward to reading the next one.
Another great read by Chris Ryan, I’m reading them in order and thoroughly enjoyed the first 2. Just like the first 2 one of my favourite elements of these is the drastic and frequent change in place alongside the new information that takes them to each location. This makes the story fast paced, gripping and kept me wondering what was coming next. The relationship aspect as a secondary storyline is a really nice touch and adds depth to Danny and makes him more relatable, I like that his love interest remains the same throughout the first 3 books.
The main plot point of the book was very well executed and an intriguing idea, for a novel, capturing how various governments, militaries and personnel could act in this sort of situation. In this day and age it wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination for something like this to happen, which makes the story interesting on a few different levels.
I really liked the civil rivalry aspect between Danny and Tony, each of the characters in the book are multi-layered with their own personal stories that really give the whole novel depth and realism. Spud has to be one of my favourite characters in the series and I loved coming back to his parts throughout the book, I hope in future books they assign him a role that he enjoys and is suited to his talents. Lastly, the author clearly knows his stuff, as everything is very detailed from guns to geography, which helps with picturing each scene in your minds’ eye as it plays out.
I look forward to reading the next one.
October 25, 2017
Not bad but not that great either. In the third Danny Black book we have him leading an SAS team that chases down the kidnappers of a senior British official in Nigeria and then go on the hunt for something utterly deadly.
It has plenty of pace and action but is also flawed once you sit back and double think a couple of things. Why have one member of the team a criminal and unproffessional? There is a scene involving an elderly couple that is thrown in there for a reason that just doesn't work and quite a few logic gaps.
Good to see the SAS in action rather than the loner soldier though. It's okay for easy reading, but you sense Mr Ryan is struggling for a good plot.
It has plenty of pace and action but is also flawed once you sit back and double think a couple of things. Why have one member of the team a criminal and unproffessional? There is a scene involving an elderly couple that is thrown in there for a reason that just doesn't work and quite a few logic gaps.
Good to see the SAS in action rather than the loner soldier though. It's okay for easy reading, but you sense Mr Ryan is struggling for a good plot.
April 20, 2019
Danny Black is back in another terrorist plot to foil. He teams up with Caitlin, Ridley and his Regiment enemy Tony face the foes together. Spud is out on the side lines taking a Regiment break with MI6 trying to foil the plot from the other side. Great book and looking forward to the rest in the series.
August 9, 2021
Ruthless & Hard Hitting
The second in the series and it did not disappoint at all.
Good story line with plenty of subterfuge, action and suspense, combined with the ruthlessness of some of the characters.
It really is the sharp end of the sword being Danny Black and I'm just about to start No.3.
Thanks for a great read.
The second in the series and it did not disappoint at all.
Good story line with plenty of subterfuge, action and suspense, combined with the ruthlessness of some of the characters.
It really is the sharp end of the sword being Danny Black and I'm just about to start No.3.
Thanks for a great read.
September 9, 2023
Plot felt messy and almost like a screenplay.
Be warned, about 60% of the way through there is a full chapter of pointless and gratuitous violence which adds nothing to the story really. Skip this chapter and you’ll be better off for it.
Pausing this series for a while given how disappointing this read was.
Be warned, about 60% of the way through there is a full chapter of pointless and gratuitous violence which adds nothing to the story really. Skip this chapter and you’ll be better off for it.
Pausing this series for a while given how disappointing this read was.
November 23, 2017
Great read
I gave this book 5 stars because I could not put it down. Any opportuinity i got I picked the book up to read. A must buy. Thrilling full of twists & turns. Can't wait for the next book. !
I gave this book 5 stars because I could not put it down. Any opportuinity i got I picked the book up to read. A must buy. Thrilling full of twists & turns. Can't wait for the next book. !
January 4, 2018
A brilliant action book
This book is full of action and adventure whilst keeping the reader up to speed on the characters involved.
A great story which makes it difficult to put down. Excellent!
This book is full of action and adventure whilst keeping the reader up to speed on the characters involved.
A great story which makes it difficult to put down. Excellent!
July 16, 2019
Gripping reading, couldn’t put it down. Must be hell being an SAS operative if the stories are based on the things that happen. Thank you to the servicemen for there true hard work and courage. I hear Football pundits talking about courage with a tackle or pass, what a load of old tosh!!
October 22, 2020
Another interesting read by Chris Ryan. This one drew me in fast, I'm not sure if it's because it's set in Nigeria or some of the events are could happen.
I can't remember the day the travelled from Lagos to the North, it most definitely was not on a Thursday or Friday night. The mission would have ended before it even started, because the entirety of the book would have taken place in traffic on the express way.
I can't remember the day the travelled from Lagos to the North, it most definitely was not on a Thursday or Friday night. The mission would have ended before it even started, because the entirety of the book would have taken place in traffic on the express way.
January 31, 2025
An enjoyable and yes gripping read with some interesting insights into the SF environment and unexpected set pieces along the way. It just missed a 5 star review because I “ joined the dots” before Danny Black did.
May 5, 2017
An absolutely brilliant read. Every book in this series just gets better than the one before. Topical, action-packed and brutal. A must read for fans of military thrillers.
October 31, 2017
Now this was good. Why have I not been reading Chris Ryan books until now?
A very exciting, fast paced and easy read. I’ll certainly reading more from this series.
A very exciting, fast paced and easy read. I’ll certainly reading more from this series.
November 22, 2017
Amazing book... very gripping.
Amazing book. Very catching, really good detail of scenes and a nice twist towards the end. You would think it's a true story the way it's told.
Amazing book. Very catching, really good detail of scenes and a nice twist towards the end. You would think it's a true story the way it's told.
February 1, 2018
Excellent thriller read. Exciting all the way through. Love the detail it goes into.
July 14, 2018
Another good read from Chris Ryan, action,intrigue,and suspense. The man is a master of is craft.
August 21, 2018
Excellent read, highly recommend.
September 6, 2018
Wow! This is my highest rating for any book. Chris Ryan is a wonderful storyteller. His books are fantastic!
September 25, 2018
Loved it! I don't know what it is about Chris Ryan books but he makes it easy to just lay back and relax and read a story. Thoroughly enjoyed it mate!
October 28, 2018
Hellfire
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and will read more from this author in the future and looking for the next one
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and will read more from this author in the future and looking for the next one
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews