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Eastern Shadows: Alex Thorne Book One
Despite being an excellent spy, Alexandria Thorne was fired from British Intelligence following traitorous allegations against her deceased father. When her former employers ask for her help, she is angry and reluctant to give it. But there's an arms dealer missing in Belarus, and the man holding the key is also the last man to see Alex's parents alive. Thrown into the middle of a civil war, Alex must handle a team of doubtful allies, dangerous enemies, and an eastern shadow from her past... INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR Q - So, what makes the Alex Thorne series special? A - The Alex Thorne series is focused on giving readers a high-thrill, page-turning rollercoaster of female-fronted spy action. There is a heady mixture of adventure, mystery and thriller elements in each instalment that takes the reader down a twisting path of shocking revelations and high adrenaline as Alex uncovers the secrets about both her adversaries and her own family. Q - So, why should readers give these books a try? A - At its heart, because the series is a thrilling ride of action adventure. Also however, there are very few action spy thrillers that focus upon a female protagonist; something that I believe is a travesty and that I hope to do my part to correct with the Alex Thorne series. I believe that it is possible for women to kick just as much butt as any suave male spy could, and I want to showcase this fact. Q - Can readers get the second instalment for free? A - They sure can! Simply go to the web link written in the first few pages of 'Eastern Shadows' and you can have the option of getting 'Patriot Alex Thorne Book Two' for FREE if you sign up to the C.J. Somersby mailing list. And thanks for reading!
76 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2016
27 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 21, 2017
Fast-paced thriller!
Eastern Shadows is a quick read and fast-paced thrilled that has so much action packed into it that it makes your head spin. Alexandria is the main protagonist who is enlisted to secure a man who carries top secret information from the Russians. She is a woman capable of handling herself in any situation.
Alex is given a task force of three men to help her bring this man back safely along with his secrets. There is more to this task force than is evident at first. Alex finds herself under pressure from her uncle who is mired in this Russian complex where her captor is kept.
Alex's past comes back to haunt her when she meets her uncle who is anything but happy to see her. He threatens her life and refuses to answers her questions about the death of her parents.
Will Alex complete her mission and rescue this man along with his mysterious secrets? Read this thriller and find out!
Eastern Shadows is a quick read and fast-paced thrilled that has so much action packed into it that it makes your head spin. Alexandria is the main protagonist who is enlisted to secure a man who carries top secret information from the Russians. She is a woman capable of handling herself in any situation.
Alex is given a task force of three men to help her bring this man back safely along with his secrets. There is more to this task force than is evident at first. Alex finds herself under pressure from her uncle who is mired in this Russian complex where her captor is kept.
Alex's past comes back to haunt her when she meets her uncle who is anything but happy to see her. He threatens her life and refuses to answers her questions about the death of her parents.
Will Alex complete her mission and rescue this man along with his mysterious secrets? Read this thriller and find out!
February 6, 2017
Note – this is a very short installment (around 70 pages). It provides a little backstory and concludes with a complete mission. There is plenty of carnage. There are loads of unanswered questions. As a reader – I’d wait to see what book 2 looks like. Is it another 70 page short? If so, then the price best reflect this. Meaning, if the model is to serialize the story – fine, but if it turns into five books that should be combined into one, then I have an issue.
So – know that upfront. Now, on to the story.
This is a fun, albeit typical, spy story with a near-bullet-proof protagonist (Alex Thorne). She has a past and is an independent contractor. However, a mission comes up and the payoff is worth getting back into bed with the agency that railroaded her out.
Get across a border to find a prisoner and return. That’s the mission. How it turns out - that’s on you to read.
So – know that upfront. Now, on to the story.
This is a fun, albeit typical, spy story with a near-bullet-proof protagonist (Alex Thorne). She has a past and is an independent contractor. However, a mission comes up and the payoff is worth getting back into bed with the agency that railroaded her out.
Get across a border to find a prisoner and return. That’s the mission. How it turns out - that’s on you to read.
June 9, 2022
.
OMIGAWD I WISH I WAS A WOMAN!!! The most powerful, wonderful, fastest, smartest, most strategic, toughest creature ever created!!!
“…She brought her hand back as the man reeled and then struck open-palmed at the side of the man's face, sending him into a backwards stumble. A final kick to the thigh put the man on his back. The woman stepped forward and lent over, her pale skin flushed red with exertion. She reached out with a long, muscle-toned arm and offered the man her hand. He took it and she hauled him to his feet with ease….”
What bllsht.
I quit and returned the book. This is bllsht.
.
OMIGAWD I WISH I WAS A WOMAN!!! The most powerful, wonderful, fastest, smartest, most strategic, toughest creature ever created!!!
“…She brought her hand back as the man reeled and then struck open-palmed at the side of the man's face, sending him into a backwards stumble. A final kick to the thigh put the man on his back. The woman stepped forward and lent over, her pale skin flushed red with exertion. She reached out with a long, muscle-toned arm and offered the man her hand. He took it and she hauled him to his feet with ease….”
What bllsht.
I quit and returned the book. This is bllsht.
.
February 23, 2022
Eastern Shadows Alex Thorne book 1
Kept me interested and keen to read and follow the plot. Started off with the question of what did they want her too do. The plot thickens as she gets further into the book, and ends with what brother did she have and why did he kill their Mum and Dad
Kept me interested and keen to read and follow the plot. Started off with the question of what did they want her too do. The plot thickens as she gets further into the book, and ends with what brother did she have and why did he kill their Mum and Dad
October 12, 2022
Very short read
Sort of interesting, but the usual indestructible spy and the Russians as the bad guys.
If you read about Ukraine Russia conflict you know the Russians are not that tough.
Sort of interesting, but the usual indestructible spy and the Russians as the bad guys.
If you read about Ukraine Russia conflict you know the Russians are not that tough.
August 16, 2024
Not a great piece of literature, and poor editing.
Not well written. Lack of story continuity, and really poor editing.
I won't be looking for other books by this author!
Not well written. Lack of story continuity, and really poor editing.
I won't be looking for other books by this author!
January 19, 2017
"Great High Action Thriller"
In this novella, Alexandria Thorne has been fired from British Intelligence due to allegations against her deceased father. But soon, her previous employers seek her help to locate a missing arms dealer in Belarus. It isn't easy for her as a civil war is being fought and she must rely on some doubtful allies. Also involved is the man who knows the secret behind her parents' deaths. There is much adventure, mystery, and high action which will enthrall readers. This is a spy thriller and the woman investigator is amazingly strong. Get ready for a thrill ride ... you'll not want to put this book down!
In this novella, Alexandria Thorne has been fired from British Intelligence due to allegations against her deceased father. But soon, her previous employers seek her help to locate a missing arms dealer in Belarus. It isn't easy for her as a civil war is being fought and she must rely on some doubtful allies. Also involved is the man who knows the secret behind her parents' deaths. There is much adventure, mystery, and high action which will enthrall readers. This is a spy thriller and the woman investigator is amazingly strong. Get ready for a thrill ride ... you'll not want to put this book down!
June 10, 2016
Alex Thorne is written as a kick-ass female protagonist, reminiscent in many ways of Angelina Jolie’s Lara Croft. She's an expert in hand-to-hand combat and with all kinds of weaponry, and author CJ Somersby wastes no time whatsoever cutting to the chase.
Once the scenario and characters are established, this short adventure romps along at a rapid pace, unhampered by unwarranted exposition or meandering moral debate. The writing style is clear-cut and accessible.
The fight sequences are delivered with considerable punch – violence is merrily meted out by fist and firearm on almost every page. None of it is described in graphic detail, so sensitive stomachs are safe. I struggled somewhat with the scenes where Alex is continually barracked by chauvinist soldiers, which felt kinda clichéd. The military men of my acquaintance have been nothing but respectful of competent humans, regardless of gender. Hopefullly the author doesn’t spend too much time in the next book with the smirking boneheads.
Eastern Shadows is an entertaining opening chapter into a greater conspiracy which threatens global security – and it appears that Alex has some significant skeletons rattling around in her family cupboard, too. Plenty of threads to pick up in the next Alex Thorne adventure, Patriot Traitors.
7/10
Once the scenario and characters are established, this short adventure romps along at a rapid pace, unhampered by unwarranted exposition or meandering moral debate. The writing style is clear-cut and accessible.
The fight sequences are delivered with considerable punch – violence is merrily meted out by fist and firearm on almost every page. None of it is described in graphic detail, so sensitive stomachs are safe. I struggled somewhat with the scenes where Alex is continually barracked by chauvinist soldiers, which felt kinda clichéd. The military men of my acquaintance have been nothing but respectful of competent humans, regardless of gender. Hopefullly the author doesn’t spend too much time in the next book with the smirking boneheads.
Eastern Shadows is an entertaining opening chapter into a greater conspiracy which threatens global security – and it appears that Alex has some significant skeletons rattling around in her family cupboard, too. Plenty of threads to pick up in the next Alex Thorne adventure, Patriot Traitors.
7/10
April 26, 2016
Good
Well told , a couple of good twists, lot of action. Nice to have a female lead, with strong character.
Well told , a couple of good twists, lot of action. Nice to have a female lead, with strong character.
May 9, 2016
Good , short.
Fast moving and entertaining .Had to read it quickly to the end.
Helps to show what happens when a nation //culture develops in isolation.
Fast moving and entertaining .Had to read it quickly to the end.
Helps to show what happens when a nation //culture develops in isolation.
August 7, 2019
Nice story
Nice intro to a new character of which is all action. The story leaves a few questions unanswered that I am in no doubt will be answered in the next book. Enjoyable read.
Nice intro to a new character of which is all action. The story leaves a few questions unanswered that I am in no doubt will be answered in the next book. Enjoyable read.
August 25, 2016
Great read
Good to read about a female action hero. Refreshing change. Look forward to reading more Alex Thorne adventures as well as other C.J. Somerset novels.
Good to read about a female action hero. Refreshing change. Look forward to reading more Alex Thorne adventures as well as other C.J. Somerset novels.
April 4, 2017
I received this free e-book on the understanding that I would give an honest review. It is a short easy to read book that sets you up for the sequel, or is it to be serialised?
Characters are a little 'traditional', but the author's style didn't put me off reading the whole mini-book.
At the end of the book the scene is set for a good solid story, but it ends too soon. Even though this sequences has a conclusion, it did not encourage me to buy the next part.
Perhaps I am old fashioned, but I like to think that when I pay for a book I get a full book, not a lead-in that will cost me more money for the next part.
If a well known author offered me this system, and I'd paid for his/her book only to find I'd been short changed, then the author would have lost me as a loyal reader for all of their future books.
Characters are a little 'traditional', but the author's style didn't put me off reading the whole mini-book.
At the end of the book the scene is set for a good solid story, but it ends too soon. Even though this sequences has a conclusion, it did not encourage me to buy the next part.
Perhaps I am old fashioned, but I like to think that when I pay for a book I get a full book, not a lead-in that will cost me more money for the next part.
If a well known author offered me this system, and I'd paid for his/her book only to find I'd been short changed, then the author would have lost me as a loyal reader for all of their future books.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews