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Simon Ellice #1
Dead Ground
In the mountains and passes of Nuristan the men of patrol base Azun grind through their days and nights of constant vigilance. They hunt the Taliban and try to win hearts and minds. Trouble is coming, that is certain. How or when, where and in what form, they do not know. They fear it and also long for it.
Only Lieutenant Simon Ellice, with a clarity born of grief and anger, can see the shape of it. Only he, being beyond care, will do what has to be done and pay the price. Not that he will be the only one to pay.
Dead Ground is a story of the impossibility of the task assigned to British forces in Afghanistan and the heroism of some of those who attempted it.
“[Dead Ground]… unfolds with stealth, careful observation and close detail combining to produce an explosive ending. The battle narrative is superb, understated and economical, it’s an immersive, terrifying and moving experience.”
Only Lieutenant Simon Ellice, with a clarity born of grief and anger, can see the shape of it. Only he, being beyond care, will do what has to be done and pay the price. Not that he will be the only one to pay.
Dead Ground is a story of the impossibility of the task assigned to British forces in Afghanistan and the heroism of some of those who attempted it.
“[Dead Ground]… unfolds with stealth, careful observation and close detail combining to produce an explosive ending. The battle narrative is superb, understated and economical, it’s an immersive, terrifying and moving experience.”
66 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2016
7 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Rod Humphris
5 books13 followersIn his office you will find Rod typing, flanked by two enormous dogs, and surrounded by the ephemera he has collected on his travels.
“I always read. Since I can remember. First Asterix, then Willard Price, then Conan Doyle, then everything else. I've had a paperback jammed into my back pocket most days of my life. I remember wanting to write a book when I was about 12 and wanting to put everything into it”
“I've read every kind of book, but the ones I love most are stories of adventure, so that's what I write. I've put thousands of hours into learning to do it well. It's taken me a long time, but I've developed my own voice and my own style. I spend so much time with Si, my main character, that he seems as real to me as anyone I know. In some cases, more so. I'm happiest and most productive when travelling about in my battered old truck with a canoe on top and a dog in the back.”
Winner of N. N. Light Best Fiction Award 2016
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 4, 2020
This novella is, I guess, an introduction to the world of Simon Ellice. Here we find him fighting in the war on terror and I must say for such a short book (89 pages) it certainly packs a lot in. Ellice himself feels like he is a bit of a Jack Reacher type so it'll be interesting to see where future stories lead him.
I'm not a particular fan of War stories but enjoyed this a lot
3.5/5* (upgraded to 4)
I'm not a particular fan of War stories but enjoyed this a lot
3.5/5* (upgraded to 4)
May 3, 2021
This is the first of the Simon Ellice books, which I read after being introduced to him in the fourth, 'Bloodstock'. War stories are not generally my chosen genre, and I would never have read this without that introduction. I loved him in that book, so have gone back to find out more of his back story. This book doesn't do that as much as I hoped, but knowing how he develops, I urge you to read this and continue with the series - as I intend to. The storyline of this book is pretty basic, expressing the futility of war, it is about the soldier who has instinctive insights into behaviour and consequently can predict outcomes which his superior officers can't (won't?) see. He is portrayed as insubordinate but has integrity, and that's what makes Simon Ellice such a great protagonist. As a war story, it was well written, and as an introduction to Simon, it's a must-read. I'm looking forward to more of him in 'Go Fast', the next in the series.
May 3, 2021
A short but gritty introduction to Simon Ellice. Although this was a novella it packed a punch with some heartbreaking moments. Now I can’t wait to read more about Si’s post army life.
Thanks Pigeonhole and Rob for this opportunity.
Thanks Pigeonhole and Rob for this opportunity.
May 3, 2021
Not my usual genre but it’s good to step out of one’s comfort zone occasionally and I’m glad I did. This novella was tense and gripping and I look forward to reading more of this author’s work. Thank you Pigeonhole for the opportunity of reading along with others including Rod Humphris.
July 12, 2016
I have a Master’s in Military History and I have been reading military books for well over 40 years. This is one of the best war books I have ever read. It is a must read now that we are stuck in this endless War on Terror.
My only issue was that this book wasn’t 550 pages. It is such an incredible compelling read that I was saddened it ended so quick. The author captures perfectly the insanity of theatres of war that soldiers have been sent to in this war.
This book tells the story of a British Unit fighting the losing battle in Afghanistan. It so perfectly could represent any nation’s unit in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Not only faced with an intractable enemy, you are faced with an unforgiving climate and a command structure that makes winning nearly impossible and survival the only goal.
I would suggest this brilliantly written, evocative war book is a must read. I also suggest every single person who went to a beach or a bbq while soldiers of their country were fighting an endless ground war in Iraq/Afghanistan must read this book.
The War on Terror has been fought by such a tiny portion of society in the west that it really hasn’t been ‘inconvenient’ to the majority. Every draft age male who didn’t serve the U.S./Canada/U.K. should be forced to read this book and thank their lucky stars that their ass wasn’t hung out to dry for 3 or 4 tours of duty in the war on terror.
A fantastic book that totally captures what that mess – that will go on past 2016 – has been, is and will be. I would give it 100 stars, if I could.
My Rating: 5+ stars
This review first appeared: https://princessofthelight.wordpress.com
My only issue was that this book wasn’t 550 pages. It is such an incredible compelling read that I was saddened it ended so quick. The author captures perfectly the insanity of theatres of war that soldiers have been sent to in this war.
This book tells the story of a British Unit fighting the losing battle in Afghanistan. It so perfectly could represent any nation’s unit in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Not only faced with an intractable enemy, you are faced with an unforgiving climate and a command structure that makes winning nearly impossible and survival the only goal.
I would suggest this brilliantly written, evocative war book is a must read. I also suggest every single person who went to a beach or a bbq while soldiers of their country were fighting an endless ground war in Iraq/Afghanistan must read this book.
The War on Terror has been fought by such a tiny portion of society in the west that it really hasn’t been ‘inconvenient’ to the majority. Every draft age male who didn’t serve the U.S./Canada/U.K. should be forced to read this book and thank their lucky stars that their ass wasn’t hung out to dry for 3 or 4 tours of duty in the war on terror.
A fantastic book that totally captures what that mess – that will go on past 2016 – has been, is and will be. I would give it 100 stars, if I could.
My Rating: 5+ stars
This review first appeared: https://princessofthelight.wordpress.com
December 28, 2016
I chose to read this novella after receiving a free e-copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
Simon Ellice has just returned to his patrol base after having time off due to the loss of a loved one. He is still in the anger stage of grief and, on top of that, he has a bit of a problem with authority which doesn't serve him well. When he figures out when the base is going to be attacked, he takes it on his own to take his company to try to defend the base because he knows his commanding officer won't believe him.
Dead Ground is short but not sweet. There was a lot packed into these few pages. I felt like I was just getting to know Simon Ellice and the book was over. It was one I won't soon forget even though it was short. The futility of fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan is well portrayed and a good lesson for all of us.
There were a lot of military terms in this book and most of them I knew or could figure out but there were some I didn't understand. A glossary would have been nice for someone like me who has never been in the military.
Although Dead Ground could have been longer, it is a good beginning to the Simon Ellice series.
Simon Ellice has just returned to his patrol base after having time off due to the loss of a loved one. He is still in the anger stage of grief and, on top of that, he has a bit of a problem with authority which doesn't serve him well. When he figures out when the base is going to be attacked, he takes it on his own to take his company to try to defend the base because he knows his commanding officer won't believe him.
Dead Ground is short but not sweet. There was a lot packed into these few pages. I felt like I was just getting to know Simon Ellice and the book was over. It was one I won't soon forget even though it was short. The futility of fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan is well portrayed and a good lesson for all of us.
There were a lot of military terms in this book and most of them I knew or could figure out but there were some I didn't understand. A glossary would have been nice for someone like me who has never been in the military.
Although Dead Ground could have been longer, it is a good beginning to the Simon Ellice series.
August 31, 2016
Having recently suffered the loss of someone close to him, Lieutenant Simon Ellice returns to his base camp in the mountains of north eastern Afghanistan, where they train Afghan National Army soldiers. With his trusty band of C Section soldiers, Simon ventures out into the "dead ground" - the ground not visible from the base camp and, therefore, prone to attack - in search of insurgents. As the men are fond of saying, "What could possibly go wrong?"
The story is a bit hard to follow as nothing is spelled out, there are a lot of characters, and it's full of military jargon; an explanation the first time each term is used, or a glossary of terms at the end of the book, would be useful. Nevertheless, the author skillfully creates an atmosphere of foreboding and builds the tension. And once the action hits, all of the pieces come together to complete the puzzle.
Warnings: coarse language, violence.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post (31 August): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
The story is a bit hard to follow as nothing is spelled out, there are a lot of characters, and it's full of military jargon; an explanation the first time each term is used, or a glossary of terms at the end of the book, would be useful. Nevertheless, the author skillfully creates an atmosphere of foreboding and builds the tension. And once the action hits, all of the pieces come together to complete the puzzle.
Warnings: coarse language, violence.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post (31 August): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
May 3, 2021
Set in Uristan (the land of light) Lieutenant Simon Ellice has just returned to the Patrol base in Nuristan (the land of light) after taking bereavement leave to attend his much beloved grandfather’s funeral in the UK.
When Si gets up during the night to relieve himself he hears scuffling noises and he finds Wur, one of their Afghan translators, dead Si believes this is a sign of an imminent attack from the Taliban. He makes the decision to rouse his team known as C Section consisting of seven men and a woman and they set off on a dangerous mission climbing up into the rocky mountain where they can watch for any signs of attack on their Patrol Base below.
This is a story of a group of young soldiers who, without question, follow their Lieutenant into danger showing loyalty, heroism and remarkable bravery throughout their mission.
Thank you Pigeonhole and Rod Humphris for the opportunity to read Dead Ground.
When Si gets up during the night to relieve himself he hears scuffling noises and he finds Wur, one of their Afghan translators, dead Si believes this is a sign of an imminent attack from the Taliban. He makes the decision to rouse his team known as C Section consisting of seven men and a woman and they set off on a dangerous mission climbing up into the rocky mountain where they can watch for any signs of attack on their Patrol Base below.
This is a story of a group of young soldiers who, without question, follow their Lieutenant into danger showing loyalty, heroism and remarkable bravery throughout their mission.
Thank you Pigeonhole and Rod Humphris for the opportunity to read Dead Ground.
October 9, 2020
This is a short, sharp, punch drunk, fighter of a book. It tells the tale of a lieutenant in the British Army in Afghanistan, boarders of both Pakistan and Afghanistan, who essentially manages to get all his soldier friends killed and this fact doesn’t worry him or seem to bother him at all. I did quite like how the this book is written, it held some interesting and brutal portrayals of life in the Army, BUT!!! And it’s a big one, I can’t get to grips with the main character, he seems just like a machine, no thoughts just
Killing and an almost psychotic nature to him too, also a somewhat toxic masculine type guy who seems to not give a shit. I am not sure I like him if at all, he’s selfish, rude and just a horrible man. But it’s also compelling.
Killing and an almost psychotic nature to him too, also a somewhat toxic masculine type guy who seems to not give a shit. I am not sure I like him if at all, he’s selfish, rude and just a horrible man. But it’s also compelling.
May 4, 2021
Even though this is not something I would normally read, I did enjoy it. It was very tense and exciting and it gave us an insight into the frightening world of the armed forces as well as an introduction to the main character, Simon Ellice. I am not sure whether I will read any further, similar books, as I don't think I can stand that kind of tension! Nevertheless, for lovers of this genre, it is an excellent choice.
October 23, 2022
No doubt this was very realistic. This short story was a prequel, giving a bit of background to main character, Simon Ellice, of the series.
This is the telling of the run up to and the final fire-fight during his tour of duty in Afghanistan.
This was fast paced and very graphic, giving great insight into the mentality of Ellice. Will continue reading the rest of the series.
With thanks to the author and the Pigeonhole for the opportunity.
This is the telling of the run up to and the final fire-fight during his tour of duty in Afghanistan.
This was fast paced and very graphic, giving great insight into the mentality of Ellice. Will continue reading the rest of the series.
With thanks to the author and the Pigeonhole for the opportunity.
November 5, 2020
This is a prequel to Bloodstock/Go Fast. We get to find out about Si's army career and is set in the Afghanistan war. It reads like a first hand real life experience with a lot of army slang for authenticity. There is a glossary at the back of the book - which I was very grateful for. Another book from this author that has a strong female character as one of the army officers.
May 3, 2021
This was an exciting and tense read, I was holding my breath for much of the action. This is also a sad and incredibly moving story. Si Ellice is a fantastic character and I can't wait to read more about him in the future! Thank you to The Pigeonhole and Rod for the opportunity to read this novella. I definitely recommend it!
May 3, 2021
I was impressed by this novella! In so few pages (89), the reader gets a solid view of what it means to fight in Afghanistan! Solidarity, honour, death, fear intertwined with individual emotional states of mind have kept me hooked till the very end. Hopefully, this novella is a prequel of novels!
May 5, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, I have read it before but it was worth reading again. Si the main character, has strength and is a man with a concious. A story that any soldier will understand and feel part of.
May 3, 2021
A terse, grim, concise war story. The origin story for Humphris’ anti-hero Si Ellice. Read through the Pigeonhole app.
May 8, 2021
A tense and exciting read. I enjoyed this Novella thanks to Pigeonhole
May 9, 2019
This prequel to Go Fast is somewhat of an origin story for our hero, Simon Ellice.
The author accurately captures the chaos of the Afghani conflict and the humanity of the soldiers who fought there. In under 100 pages, we are transported to the harsh landscape of Nuristan and introduced to a full cast of three-dimensional characters. The brutality of the conflict is reflected in the people and the landscape.
It also introduces us to a different Simon: a Simon coming to terms with grief. As he loses himself in the catharsis of battle, we begin to better understand the Simon of Go Fast and his motivations.
If you know Simon already, this adventure will reveal him in a new light.
If you have yet to meet Simon, this is a good place to start.
Another excellent offering by Rod Humphris.
The author accurately captures the chaos of the Afghani conflict and the humanity of the soldiers who fought there. In under 100 pages, we are transported to the harsh landscape of Nuristan and introduced to a full cast of three-dimensional characters. The brutality of the conflict is reflected in the people and the landscape.
It also introduces us to a different Simon: a Simon coming to terms with grief. As he loses himself in the catharsis of battle, we begin to better understand the Simon of Go Fast and his motivations.
If you know Simon already, this adventure will reveal him in a new light.
If you have yet to meet Simon, this is a good place to start.
Another excellent offering by Rod Humphris.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews