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Hans Larsson #1
The Drift
Following the death of his wife and son, Hans Larsson buys a yacht named Future, intending to sail across the Atlantic with his young daughter Jessica. En route they meet Penny, a seasoned English skipper, who joins them as crew, and the larger-than-life Marcel, a Dutch art dealer hiding a secret, along with a stash of drugs on his vintage boat. Battling storms, sharks and pirates, Hans and Jessica experience the adventure of a lifetime, until fate intervenes to leave them fighting for survival on an ocean less perilous than the mind . . .
400 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 2016
23 people are currently reading
812 people want to read
About the author
Chris Thrall
8 books224 followersChris Thrall was born in South-East London and is the host of the popular 'Bought the T-Shirt Podcast'. A former Royal Marines Commando, he served in the Northern Ireland Conflict and trained in parachuting and Arctic warfare and survival. In 2011, Chris wrote the bestselling memoir Eating Smoke, detailing his descent into crystal meth psychosis while working as a nightclub doorman for the Hong Kong triads. A qualified pilot, skydiver and keen snowboarder, Chris has explored over eighty countries across seven continents, including backpacking through all of North, South and Central America. In 2018, he ran the length of Britain, an ultramarathon a day for #999miles, unsupported and carrying a 14kg backpack, to highlight the issue of veterans suicide. In 2019, for his 50th birthday, Chris completed a quadruple ironman-distance triathlon. Chris has firewalked over red-hot coals to raise money to work with street children in Mozambique. He has driven aid workers to India and back by coach and scuba-dived in the Antarctic Polar Circle. In 2001, the Finnish Nation awarded Chris their Second Level Commendation on the grounds of human generosity. He has a degree in youth work and is a life coach and addiction specialist. Chris lives with his partner and son in the UK and plans to continue adventuring and charity work.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 26, 2016
I was living in Hong Kong when Chris Thrall's first book Eating Smoke came out and became something of a sensation over there. It is a cracking read so I was excited to hear about The Drift. I bought it just before going to Portugal last week, thinking it would be the perfect holiday read. The only snag was that it was so gripping, I'd read over half of it on the plane journey over and finished it on the second day.
Hans Larsson is a likeable protagonist; a tough, ex-military American planning to sail across the Atlantic with his young daughter. You can tell that a lot of research has gone into The Drift from the offset as Hans describes points of historical interest in Plymouth, a place the author clearly knows well. This knowledge and attention to detail is evident throughout and as you read about some of Hans' survival skills, you can tell this is written by someone with a Commando background who knows what he's talking about.
Hans and his daughter meet an attractive Englishwoman and a heavy-boozing Dutchman as their adventure picks up pace and becomes utterly gripping. The author cleverly interweaves plots and characters from all across the globe in a writing style which reminded me slightly of David Mitchell's books (not the guy from Peep Show!) There are a number of moments in the book where things come together in intriguing and satisfying conclusions, which I really enjoyed.
Chris Thrall's own stamp is certainly on this though and the fast-paced, page turning action seen in Eating Smoke is back in abundance. There are also dashes of humour and romance throughout in what is a fantastic first foray into fiction. I'll be getting straight into the Trade to find out what happens next!
Hans Larsson is a likeable protagonist; a tough, ex-military American planning to sail across the Atlantic with his young daughter. You can tell that a lot of research has gone into The Drift from the offset as Hans describes points of historical interest in Plymouth, a place the author clearly knows well. This knowledge and attention to detail is evident throughout and as you read about some of Hans' survival skills, you can tell this is written by someone with a Commando background who knows what he's talking about.
Hans and his daughter meet an attractive Englishwoman and a heavy-boozing Dutchman as their adventure picks up pace and becomes utterly gripping. The author cleverly interweaves plots and characters from all across the globe in a writing style which reminded me slightly of David Mitchell's books (not the guy from Peep Show!) There are a number of moments in the book where things come together in intriguing and satisfying conclusions, which I really enjoyed.
Chris Thrall's own stamp is certainly on this though and the fast-paced, page turning action seen in Eating Smoke is back in abundance. There are also dashes of humour and romance throughout in what is a fantastic first foray into fiction. I'll be getting straight into the Trade to find out what happens next!
July 7, 2017
Dude’s wife and son have died horribly, so he takes his small daughter on a yacht trip, where everything goes horribly. During the trip Dude hooks up with the Nanny, a character whom I really liked.
This book started off as problematic for me. The set-up contained with two things I really do not enjoy: 1, the dead wife and child backstory – just don’t do it! Your characters should be stand-alone interesting, they shouldn’t have to rely on past trauma to make them so. I got the impression that Thrall is setting up his protagonist as a Bond/Bourne character who will carry a whole series, but surely giving this guy a dead family is just a pastiche of the genre by now? Furthermore, with this particular book, there was a surviving little girl, and her heartache and loss made the book at times heart-breaking but mainly just a bummer. 2, starting off at the dramatic point and then positing the rest of the book as a flashback.
To quote Morty from Rick and Morty: “Well, um, I’m not a huge fan, personally, of the whole ‘three weeks earlier’ teaser thing. I feel like, you know, we should start our stories where they begin not start them where they get interesting.”. I concur, Morty. I also found that knowing right from the beginning that doom was impending was, mainly, just a bummer.
So, I can’t say that this book was something I personally found an enjoyable read. Parts of it were superb: the attention to detail made the experience realistic. Also, the way the narrative was given from different people in different times to create a whole ‘butterfly effect’ to the impending doom was very well done.
Rating: 4/10. The story had some elements of greatness, but the set-up was everything that grates on me. It bummed out my bubbles.
Reciew by Vikki Heaven
This book started off as problematic for me. The set-up contained with two things I really do not enjoy: 1, the dead wife and child backstory – just don’t do it! Your characters should be stand-alone interesting, they shouldn’t have to rely on past trauma to make them so. I got the impression that Thrall is setting up his protagonist as a Bond/Bourne character who will carry a whole series, but surely giving this guy a dead family is just a pastiche of the genre by now? Furthermore, with this particular book, there was a surviving little girl, and her heartache and loss made the book at times heart-breaking but mainly just a bummer. 2, starting off at the dramatic point and then positing the rest of the book as a flashback.
To quote Morty from Rick and Morty: “Well, um, I’m not a huge fan, personally, of the whole ‘three weeks earlier’ teaser thing. I feel like, you know, we should start our stories where they begin not start them where they get interesting.”. I concur, Morty. I also found that knowing right from the beginning that doom was impending was, mainly, just a bummer.
So, I can’t say that this book was something I personally found an enjoyable read. Parts of it were superb: the attention to detail made the experience realistic. Also, the way the narrative was given from different people in different times to create a whole ‘butterfly effect’ to the impending doom was very well done.
Rating: 4/10. The story had some elements of greatness, but the set-up was everything that grates on me. It bummed out my bubbles.
Reciew by Vikki Heaven
June 28, 2016
Amazingly detailed and gripping thriller with a strong sense of love and loss. Chris Thrall has created a compelling hero in Hans Larsson. Thrall writes about the sea with a depth of knowledge and an overwhelming degree of experience. Throughout the book, he weaves an intricate plot populated with intriguing characters like Penny, Marcel and Innes, and leads you forward with edge of your seat action. The heart of the book is the relationship between Hans and his 7 year old daughter Jessica , which makes this book much more than a page turning nautical thriller. Action, emotion and a sense of tension permeate the book and this reader can't wait to dive into Thrall's next Hans Larsson thriller, The Trade.
May 4, 2016
**(I was given a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.)**
This is the first book in a new action series by author Chris Thrall. Although a bit slow at the start, this story picks up steam in a big way approximately 1/4 of the way through. After that, it becomes a fast-paced adventure that doesn't stop until the very last page. I recommend it for fans of adventure fiction, especially adventure set "at sea." Reading the author's bio, I can quickly understand why he's so efficient at describing such an adventure in technical detail, as Thrall is a former member of the Royal Marine Commandos. Impressive!
This is the first book in a new action series by author Chris Thrall. Although a bit slow at the start, this story picks up steam in a big way approximately 1/4 of the way through. After that, it becomes a fast-paced adventure that doesn't stop until the very last page. I recommend it for fans of adventure fiction, especially adventure set "at sea." Reading the author's bio, I can quickly understand why he's so efficient at describing such an adventure in technical detail, as Thrall is a former member of the Royal Marine Commandos. Impressive!
June 24, 2017
At the beginning, I didn't feel drawn to the story. It wasn't really going anywhere, and for me there were too many descriptions of things that weren't key to the plot, making the reading a bit slow. However, it was later on when it finally got a hold on me as things began to occur. I couldn't stop reading, I desperately wanted to know what was going to happen. And what a cliffhanger that end was!
Sadly, I cannot give it more than three stars. But I will, without a doubt, read the next book of the Larsson series. I need to know.
“What, Papa?”
“Sometimes, when I feel the sun on my face I close my eyes and imagine we are walking along a soft sandy beach by a beautiful blue sea ―you, me, Mommy and JJ― and it’s sunny and warm… and the seagulls are squawking… and the air tastes fresh and salty… and we’re smiling, sweet pea… We’ll always be together… and we’re smiling, my darling. We’re smiling.”
Sadly, I cannot give it more than three stars. But I will, without a doubt, read the next book of the Larsson series. I need to know.
“What, Papa?”
“Sometimes, when I feel the sun on my face I close my eyes and imagine we are walking along a soft sandy beach by a beautiful blue sea ―you, me, Mommy and JJ― and it’s sunny and warm… and the seagulls are squawking… and the air tastes fresh and salty… and we’re smiling, sweet pea… We’ll always be together… and we’re smiling, my darling. We’re smiling.”
December 15, 2024
This was not for me. A thriller you say? It did not thrill me in any sense. It was born and built on misery. So many unanswered questions and the best part of the plot just left hanging. It took me ages to read, I found the chapters boring and like we were getting nowhere. There is a sequel to this book but if I'm honest I don't care enough about the characters to find out what happens next.
February 28, 2017
Have not read this author before, but I will certainly read the next book in the series. The Drift kept me engaged and turning pages to the very end - an end which I did not see coming. Definitely will be keeping an eye on this author and this series.
October 30, 2016
Frustrating!
I cannot believe that the perfect daughter of this wonderful man took the most vital equipment out of the emergency bag to play with! She is a paragon of virtue but much of the story is the result of her childish foolishness. She wouldn't have done it.
If she was one of mine she'd have been shark bait the first day!!
There are several interesting sub plots in the story, so the author has given himself plenty of future openings for a story, although personally I would have liked to see the main characters get out of trouble by the end of the book. Perhaps the author ran out of time or paper. I'll have to buy the next one.
I cannot believe that the perfect daughter of this wonderful man took the most vital equipment out of the emergency bag to play with! She is a paragon of virtue but much of the story is the result of her childish foolishness. She wouldn't have done it.
If she was one of mine she'd have been shark bait the first day!!
There are several interesting sub plots in the story, so the author has given himself plenty of future openings for a story, although personally I would have liked to see the main characters get out of trouble by the end of the book. Perhaps the author ran out of time or paper. I'll have to buy the next one.
December 28, 2016
In The Drift, author Chris Thrall’s masterfully crafted imagery pieces together an intricate puzzle until a Melvillian adventure comes into focus. Several lives from the USA, Japan, Africa and England converge on the Atlantic Ocean, but you aren’t sure how until the very end. Then you realize that the tale has only just begun. In one of the best cliffhangers to a sequel I’ve ever read, The Drift will get you hooked on Hans Larsson, private investigator, so you want to know everything about him (and his adorably precocious daughter, Jessica). Having just begun reading Book 2, The Trade, I’m already looking forward to the 3rd book in the series!
October 30, 2016
4.3/5
From 1/4 of the book onward the story didn't leave the back of my mind until the very end. I want more!
From 1/4 of the book onward the story didn't leave the back of my mind until the very end. I want more!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews