A Soldier's Revenge

Spycatcher #6

by Matthew Dunn

Former intelligence agent Will Cochrane must evade US authorities hunting him down for a murder he didn’t commit in this captivating sixth entry in the acclaimed action-thriller series.

Former operative Will Cochrane wakes up in New York’s Waldorf Astoria and is horrified to see blood on his hands—something he remembers absolutely nothing about. When he then finds a woman murdered in his bathroom he knows he’s stepped into a wilderness of terror that is far more dangerous than anything he’s ever faced.

With no memory of the night before nor of the unfortunate woman, Will believes he is being framed and needs to outrun the police who will be looking for him very soon. Until this moment, Will has been on the precipice of a new life, one outside the intelligence service, and one that includes fatherhood. He’s agreed to adopt the twin sons of his former colleague and Navy SEAL operative Roger Koenig, and had been on his way to pick them up before he’d awakened to the carnage in New York.

Will knows his only chance to clear his name is to find the real killer while he’s still free. But he also has to find the twins, suspecting that they’re in danger as well. In Virginia, he discovers one boy alive and his brother missing and most likely kidnapped. What he also finds is the killer’s trail in the form of a man’s voice, which Will recognizes and believes belongs to an old nemesis, a Russian agent he has tangled with before. With local police, the FBI, and even his friends pursuing him, the clever and ruthless operative must track down his adversary, save the boys, and prove his innocence before it’s too late.

A superb blend of action and thrills that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, A Soldier’s Revenge is perfect for fans of Brad Thor, Daniel Silva, and Lee Child.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Espionage, Spy Thriller, Thriller Suspense, Novels, Mystery Thriller

307 pages, Hardcover

Published October 11, 2016

About the author

Matthew Dunn was an MI6 intelligence officer who spent years operating around the world on matters pertaining to the national security of Great Britain and its allies. For the last decade he has been an author and has written 14 published books. He is the author of the "Spycatcher" series and "Ben Sign" series of espionage-mystery noir novels.

Reviews

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman is found murdered in a NYC hotel room. The only suspect: Will Cochrane, a former joint asset of the CIA and MI6. Will finds himself in the struggle of a lifetime to prove his innocence. The manhunt for the true killer takes Will up and down the East Coast and also has a presence overseas. We learn a bit more information about Will's past, and some of the ordeals he went through. This latest installment in the Spycatcher series is definitely a page turner and well worth your time.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will Cochrane has been set up to be pursued by the police for having killed his sister at the Waldorf Astoria. In addition to the person behind the set up, which has ruined Will's life while damaging those around him, he is pursued by a hit man unleashed by one of his former employers, the CIA, and by two highly experienced homicide cops from New York City. He is on the run throughout the book. How he stays alive and achieves a measure of revenge makes for a better than average thriller that is driven by pace (nonstop frenetic) and plotting (fairly intricate) rather than characterization (serviceable).

[Stacy · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I had known how A Soldier’s Revenge would end, I would NEVER have read the series. and I really enjoyed the series.

A note to the Author (could be considered having spoilers):

If I wanted fiction that reflected the many unfair outcomes in the real world, I’d read most of Oprah’s Book Club books or study the oppressive regimes in much of the world. I do not believe that I am alone in my desire to use fiction to put me in a different storyline or “universe” at least for a while. Even real world recounts of the horrendous conditions of the Molokai leper colony (The Colony) or the trials relayed in Unbroken were more readable in that each of these books were uplifting and celebrated perseverance, the strength of the human spirit and positive outcomes.
In fiction, the good guys are supposed to “win.” I expect that the portrayal of the protagonists take us through trials, self-recrimination and harm to loved ones, and that they pay a price for their dedication, but the ultimate end should be one of vindication, and not the loss of the respect of all his loved ones and the “persons in the know.” Revenge is a dish best served cold, but to have kids pay the price. No. Maybe you are setting it up for a continued storyline which could not happen if he took went through with the adoption, but to have everyone but one of the children lose faith. Too dispiriting. Good guys should not get punished to that degree in fiction; it’s bad enough that it happens in life. Not what I ever sign up for in my escapes. I’m bummed because I had enjoyed the series; in a matter of 50 pages you ruined all the books for me.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really torn after reading this novel. I must say that I just finished a binge reading of the Will Cochrane series - including the novellas - and I truly enjoyed the series. I especially love the character of Will. What I'm confused about are my feelings after the last two books. I'm just not sure if these are good feelings or bad. After reading 8 books, you truly get a feel for the character and their lives and I must say that I am extremely depressed. A part of me is mad at the author for creating the miserable circumstances that have happened to Will. The last book was heartbreaking...truly heartbreaking. And I guess I can't go into it because of spoilers, but after that book I thought, how will he ever go on?

And then to immediately start this book and have him experience the total loss of everything, it just left a bad taste in my mouth. I truly do not know if I can continue on with this series - that is - if this wasn't the end. It seems like the author is trying to destroy his protagonist and I do not think I can be a part of that.

Where the heck were his friends? Where were his caches that he set up previously, where was his extra money? Why the heck was he using his own name? These are things that came to mind during the book, but oh well - I guess this is fiction and we are just on the journey that the author intends.

I know that for me to feel so strongly means the author did a tremendous job of creating an excellent main character - one that you do care about. I read about 10 to 15 books a week and I can tell you that many do not stay in my mind after I finish the last page - because I immediately start the first page of another. The last book made me stay up last night and this book did not help.

I am not sure what the intention is? Was this the end of the series? There is still the mystery of Thales? And where was Admiral Mason in all of this? I sure hope that if the author is planning on continuing this series, that he keeps his fans in mind. I'm not sure others feel this way, but there is enough horror in the world. I love to read to experience other challenges in the world and I truly love it when the main character has a happy ending. Call me crazy, but to invest my time in a story to have it depress the heck out of me is not fun. Take Mitch Rapp, another excellent series - yes he has bad things that happen, but then it is tempered with some good things as well - not a lot, grant you- but enough to give me hope. Maybe that's what I lost in this series.....hope.

[Cardyn Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Soldier's Revenge is so exciting to read that the aftermath left me with a headache from the adrenaline crash at the end. (Like a very mild hangover after a super fun night of adult partying.)

Might this swan song launch the beginning of a Painter/Kopanski spin-off series? Will read Spycatcher books 1 through 5 in the meantime.

[Robert Wells · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed the series until this book. The workings of the police jurisdictions in the United States are different from those in the UK. The Supreme Court would never rule before a case has been tried I hope Mr. Dunn does better in the next book.

[Ollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a riveting story about a guy who just wants to retire and raise twin boys in a secure and safe place. He goes to sleep in a fancy hotel on his way to get the twins and awakens almost in an alternate universe. Wow you can't put this book down.

[Boris Feldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entire series is superb. By mistake, I had missed this one, number 6, and read number 7 first. I then circled back to this one. It is the best in the entire series. Riveting.

[Tom Tischler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former operative Will Cochrane wakes up in New York's Waldorf Astoria with blood on his
hands and he finds a murdered woman in the bathroom. He has no memory of the night
before and he believes that he is being framed. Until now Will has been on the precipice of
a new life outside of the intelligence service and one that included fatherhood. He had
agreed to adopt the twin sons of his former colleague and Navy Seal Roger Koenig and had
been on his way to pick them up, now he must find the real killer. The twins he finds are in
Virginia. One is alive and the other is missing believed kidnapped. With the local police, the
FBI and even his friends trying to find him the ruthless operative must track down this
adversary, save the boys, and prove that he is innocent of all the charges. This is the sixth
book in the Will Cochrane series and it's another good story with a lo of action. I gave it a 4.

[Marty Mcintyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a Will Cochrane fan throughout the series. The son of a British mother and American father, Will has been a killing machine for both MI6 and the CIA. Will's world is falling apart just when some personal happiness is within his reach was. He wakes up in the Waldorf with a dead body in his bathroom and all evidence points to him as the murderer. As he tries to uncover what happened in that room all that he has is taken from him. He is on the run with no money, no friends and his face all over the front page of every newspaper for killing his sister. I liked the fast pace of the book but the ending was disappointing.

[Roger Scherping · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the book a lot. There was a lot going on, but the author always found plausible explanations for everything, from the recording of the villian's voice to the capturing of the sniper's car and cell phone connected to the CIA director.

The ending, however, makes no sense. Surviving a fall from the Brooklyn Bridge?

I also didn't understand why certain characters were even included in the story line. The people in his building in England added nothing to the story at all.

[Steve Weatherbe · Rating 2 out of 5]

The action is good. But the hero is unrealistically virtuous if not flawless and the conspirators inexplicably allied. The Supreme Court subplot is an unnecessary subplot based on the completely erroneous notion that the Supreme Court can be summoned to private hearings by the government to rule on legal questions in advance.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Half way through the book I kept looking for a negative(s) in order to justify a four star instead of a 5-star. By and at the end of the book I could not justify anything less than a 5 star. The book was compelling, fast moving and intriguing. Obviously, I can't wait to read the follow up to the latter. Dunn hit a home run with this one.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected

Immersive, enthralling, and gut wrenching. You see this story unfold, and are rooting for Will the entire time. It's unbelievable that people can be so evil. Good thing that Will is trained for special ops. Great read, I was engaged the entire and always guessing what would happen next!

[Leane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will is not left in a great place. Nonstop action with a very high, bloody body count. I will read the next one because Will is such a compelling CH. A lot more stereotypical types on this one than preceding novels in the series. Place, Pace, Plot all more than adequate. RED Flag: Graphic violence; Child endangerment

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent; Continuing character: Will Cochrane; Will is framed for a host of crimes, ranging from murder to kidnapping to cop killing; with few left believing in him, he has to find a way to identify those tearing his life to shreds and protect the innocent

[Rachel Cacek · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible journey

A man who spent many years performing special ops for our government becomes hunted and betrayed by his confederates in service for his country. Scary and sad.

[Dan Cotter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another decent installment in this series. In this one, the main character, Will Cochrane, appears to have killed someone in his hotel room in NYC. Is he framed or the killer?

[Al Stoess · Rating 2 out of 5]

A 2 at best. Maybe 1.5. Hard to believe. I should not have read it.

[Geoff. Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The outstanding continuation of this superb series devoted to spycraft

[Derek Solomon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great spy/mystery thriller

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow...

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Suspenseful, a real page turner.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great 👍

I came across this book series and really enjoy the entertainment he provides to his readers.
Thank you for your work

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Captivating story.

[Nyssy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I still have a problem with the ex spy getting himself in these predicaments for one being highly “special op” trained. 🤨

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good engrossing story and fast paced.. good series

[Jon Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to like this series, but in some ways it is getting quite unbelievable

[Bri B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, very captivating.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was OK. It started off with a bang as the main character wakes up to find himself covered in blood with a body in the bathroom of his hotel suite. Of course he has no idea who, what, when, where, or why. Then we spend the rest of the novel running away from the NYPD and coming to his rescue are his former friends from Mossad and SIS and so it goes. They know he is innocent of this crime, as do the CIA who are just leaving him to dangle in the wind because he could prove to be an embarrassment to the president's chief of staff.

I am sick to death of these unelected minions and all the power they wield over the rest of us, and I am actually getting tired of everybody being innocent and mistakenly accused of the most heinous crimes so that others can wield more power. But this is fairly well-written and the characters are led through some interesting predicaments. I am not sorry I took the time to read it.