Former Special Forces soldier Jeff Bradley is meeting with the mafia in Bari, Italy, to discover the whereabouts of his nemesis—criminal overlord Avni Leka—when he receives a message from an old friend. Barry is on board a tourist bus that has been hijacked by terrorists near Istanbul. Strapped with explosives, it is racing across Turkey to the northern borders of Syria, Iraq and Iran.
The Turkish president will not negotiate. The Turkish military will not allow the bus to cross the border. The hijackers will kill themselves and their hostages if they cannot escape.
Jeff knows it’s down to him to rescue his friend. Joining forces with US special agent Reason Johanson, he faces his toughest test a race against time to track down the bus before it reaches the border.
Along the way, Jeff uncovers a conspiracy that could not only lead him to those responsible for the hijacking, but also threaten global security itself. Will he be able to stop the bus in time? Or will they run out of road?
Thomas Ryan has been a soldier in a theatre of war, traded in Eastern Europe, trampled the jungles of Asia, and struggled through the trials of love and loss; ideal life experiences for a would be author. Schooled by professionals, who have helped him hone his literary skills, Ryan is quickly establishing himself as a skilled writer of thriller novels and short stories. He considers himself foremost, a story teller, a creator who has enthusiastically plunged his psyche into the world of creativity and fantasy. With the reader in mind he weaves colourful characters into the fabric of his riveting storylines. Taking readers on a thrilling journey is what motivates Ryan as a writer.
Reading Thomas Ryan's books takes me back to tearing through Alistair McLean tales as an adolescent. The Jeff Bradley series is action-packed, full of interesting characters, locations, and incidents. They're fast, fun reads.
Following on from books set in Kosovo and New Zealand, this one takes us to Turkey (and a side trip to Italy) - although once again the local action has global implications. Ryan keeps the excitement levels high as Jeff Bradley and a highly skilled US operative look into the hijacking of a busload of Australian and New Zealand tourists visiting Gallipoli commemorations (with some relatives of important US diplomats along for the ride).
Classic old Skool storytelling with heroes, villains, and powerful forces plotting behind the scenes. A series for fans of James Bond, Jason Bourne, and the like.
If you're a fan of fast paced, fun thrillers and haven't clued into the Jeff Bradley Thrillers from New Zealand based author Thomas Ryan yet then you are in for a treat.
Action packed, set in interesting places with excellent plots and a great central character in Former Special Forces soldier Jeff Bradley - this third book in the series sees the place become primarily Turkey, the plot about the hunt for nemesis and master criminal, sidelined when an old mate calls for help. He's trapped on an explosives stuffed tourist bus, hijacked by terrorists and it's heading fast across Turkey, towards Syria, Iraq and Iran. When Bradley realises rescue is down to him, he calls in some help from US Special Agent Reason Johanson and they head off in a race against time, with a threat that turns out to have bigger stakes than just a mate's life, and some dangerous implications all round.
Needless to say a bit of James Bond / Jason Bourne / Die Hard type action with a lot of daring doings, some seriously impressive heroics, a bit of pathos and some good old fashioned mateship (not the icky / political kind), the "will come close to dying if necessary but would prefer not to" kind.
These novels do stand alone if you need to jump in somewhere / anywhere - but if you're a fan of this sort of action adventure over the top, one man to save the world type stuff (as is this reader) then launch yourself into this series wherever you jolly well can.
I don't know why but I've been winning a lot of these real life, military, spy, crime, novels from the giveaways. I'm not complaining at all because I've actually really been enjoying them and this book is no acceptation to that. Even though this is the third book in the series I didn't find myself wondering about characters and what happened in the first two books which I really like, it stands alone. I felt like the pace was good and characters were fun, couldn't ask for much more.
This is the first book I have read by author Thomas Ryan. The action pack novels are most favorite to read. The story wasn't anything special but it was constantly moving and kept my attention. I do feel there could have been more details about the Jeff Bradley character. With this being the 3rd book it is possible the first two would have provided more.
This book shows the genius of Ryan' writing, and his knowledge, real or imagined, about Special Forces. In this one, he traverses far and wide: Istanbul, Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran, to bring readers the action, fast and hot as it happens. If you love an action-packed, spy thrillers, then Ryan’s The Ottoman Conspiracy is for you.
Unique story line with many twists and turns that kept me guessing as to what the true situation was and what the underlying plot really was. In the end we have an ongoing saga for future use and it seems the bad guy really didn't lose out as we might have expected.
New Zealand’s answer to Ben Hope or Jack Reacher in the third part of his four part adventure. This instalment takes place in Turkey and the story clips along at a good pace. Sure there are some parts that stretch belief but we read novels to be entertained. This story entertains, give it a go.
I received this as part of a Goodreads giveaway. It was an okay read- lots of interconnected characters and kept the story moving. I did not care for the patronizing nature of the main character, but overall a good quick read.
Moves along at steady pace,the characters are real and Jeff Bradley is believable main character not an impossible superman.really enjoyed whole story and would recommend it anyone for cracking down to earth read.
A great third story in the series featuring Jeff Bradley. Lots of twists and turns plus plenty of action. I hope that there are going to be more books in this series.
Predictable plot line with unbelievable luck from the main character but entertaining read- Looking forward to reading what happens next in the series.
My first book featuring this character. Did enough for me to want to read another title I think, but as ex-military myself, found some of the stuff a little hard to accept as credible
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. Ex-Special Forces Jeff Bradley is trying locate his nemesis, criminal overlord Avni Leka. He's been invited to the wedding of some friends. Barry and his fiancé, on a tour bus, are kidnapped. Barry manages to get a message out to Jeff and the chase is on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This reads more like a script for an action movie than a novel in places but that's not a bad thing. It's a page turner and if it's unrealistic in parts, well that's ok too. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
There is something about all these spy/ action thrillers that warms your blood and sets your heart racing. The intrigue and rush of adrenaline that comes with such plotlines keeps you asking for more and keeps your attention till the very end. I loved the plot, though some of the familiarity amongst the character thus indicate towards the previous books in the series, but not wnough to distract you from finishingn the book in peace. The drama and action is perfectly balanced and though the character of Jeff Bradley doesn't really hit any chord of love and affection, he does garner respect from the readers for his dedication and endurance. The Turkish setting however does hits the traveler within me; and that's the only correlation it highlights witth the title. Consideringn the dramatic potline and the cover image, the title does feel like a contrast considering the conspiracy is not of the Ottomans but of something entirely different in nature.
My opinion: From this third installment I can confidently say that this is a good series. The dramatic ending will definitely make me want to read the next book in series.
The second book in this series did not disappoint. The same dedication to the protagonists was there as was the brilliant storyline. Cannot Wait to read the next in the Jeff Bradley series, if the are as good as these 2.
I won this in a GOODREADS giveaway - The Ottoman Conspiracy by Thomas Ryan - exciting story but the main character made a few amateur mistakes (for his skill set) ...