What do you think?
Rate this book
A Line Too Far
Chinese commandos in a lightening raid have seized the vast, under-populated, resource-rich lands of Northern Australia. Thousands of Australian soldiers are held hostage. International realpolitik has left Australia abandoned by its supposed allies and its brittle social fabric is rapidly unwinding as the people panic.
A Chinese ultimatum demands the annexation of the country’s top half in ten days, or face a full scale invasion.
As other politicians clamour to sue for peace, Prime Minister, Gary Stone, in a desperate race against time and impossible military and political odds must commit to a risky and controversial plan to try and free the country …
A Chinese ultimatum demands the annexation of the country’s top half in ten days, or face a full scale invasion.
As other politicians clamour to sue for peace, Prime Minister, Gary Stone, in a desperate race against time and impossible military and political odds must commit to a risky and controversial plan to try and free the country …
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2016
26 people are currently reading
572 people want to read
About the author
B.C. Colman
2 books10 followersBarry Colman is an award-winning journalist and publisher who divides his time between homes in the Gold Coast and Auckland. He is a former staff reporter for the Courier Mail and Sunday Mail, Brisbane.
A very successful business executive, he founded The Liberty Publishing Company which produced financial and classified papers in New Zealand. He acquired The National Business Review from Fairfax and Sons in 1989.
He has always had a strong interest in geopolitics and his works of fiction are set against realistic political and social possibilities.
He is a recipient of the Queens Service Medal for services to publishing.
A very successful business executive, he founded The Liberty Publishing Company which produced financial and classified papers in New Zealand. He acquired The National Business Review from Fairfax and Sons in 1989.
He has always had a strong interest in geopolitics and his works of fiction are set against realistic political and social possibilities.
He is a recipient of the Queens Service Medal for services to publishing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 12, 2016
China quietly invades North Australia without firing a shot. They want the resources there. How can the Prime Minister resolve this without giving in to the demands. He may have to sacrifice some of those resources and a few people may die but the whole country is really at stake here. I found this to be a good read and shows the reaction of the people well if that situation were to happen. Hope we will see more from this author.
September 3, 2016
Too Improbable! China invades northern Australia and tries to annex it and it's mineral-rich land. A good yarn, very engaging, but highly, highly unbelievable. SPOILER WARNING - I found the book to be a bit too farfetched for the following reasons:1 - China manages to set up an large invasion force, infiltrate Australia, and no one notices?2 - the Chinese manage to take over multiple military bases, with no shots being fired, all due to the incompetence and complete unawareness of the Australian military3 - AND A BIG WHAT???? - China invades and the rest of the world stands by and does absolutely nothing, other than some private companies boycotting Chinese goods. No government reaction anywhere, as if mutual aid treaties are completely worthless. In fact, in this world, no other governments (other than New Zealand) even contact the Australians.4 - Even though the United States has a large military component stationed in the area, they don't come to the aid of their own soldiers....conveniently explained away as the force was rotated out the day before the invasion (and no one was rotated in???)5 - The Australian Prime Minister throws aside experienced government officials in favor of negotiations being conducted by a old friend with a bad attitude and a drinking problem6 - AND PERHAPS THE BIGGEST WHAT????? - Australia detonates, over the course of several days, six nuclear explosions in their country, AND NOBODY IN THE WORLD NOTICES??? No concern expressed by anyone, anywhere? 7 - Even though his country has been invaded, the Prime Minister still makes time to go golfing with friends, and continue his regular daily "paperwork" like it's any other day?
September 2, 2016
Bad news: I was up until 4 am knocking off this book. Good news: Really, really enjoyed it. Australia is invaded and her northern territories annexed by a long-term thinking, resource limited, surgent China emboldened by a slow witted western world caught up in its age of debilitating self-introspection. Fortunately, and to the consternation Aussie branded appeaser, the current PM is both smart and courageous and rallies a few good men and women around him and a patriotic if half-starved military to take decisive action while the rest of the world slowly stirs itself. But, will it be enough.
January 25, 2017
A great read - I'll be looking for more by this author.
June 4, 2018
This was an interesting read on a number of levels. The debut novel from an author who has been heavily involved in antipodean business journalism for decades, it's the kind of tale that you can really enjoy if you just park your disbelief at the outset and go with the action-packed flow. It veers a little cheesy or overcooked at times, like an 80s action flick, but in the same vein if you just settle in and don't take it too seriously it's a pretty exciting and fun read.
The hook is quite an interesting idea: what would happen if China, perhaps becoming the world's major superpower, decided it needed more than what it has? The sparse, mineral-rich landscapes of nearby Australia could look very promising, and the way the world has responded to many recent conflicts around the world means the fictional Chinese government could feel like they might 'get away with it' - on a might-is-right and 'no-one else wants to start a World War' kind of footing.
This is a book with plenty of military threat, but is more of a political thriller as Australian Prime Minister Gary Stone tries to work out the best options he has (if he has any) and how to deal with both the Chinese excursion into northern Australia and the various machinations within his own government. The Chinese have managed to take over a chunk of Australia without firing a shot. But the menace is there. What price peace? How much would you risk to try to regain what you had?
It took me a little while to settle into this book, given the author's writing style, but Colman sets the hook well and keeps the pages turning. The underlying story is an interesting one, and there are some thought-provoking themes bubbling beneath the overripe action or melodrama. Overall, a good first outing that perhaps could have done with a stronger editorial hand, but is a fun, exciting read.
The hook is quite an interesting idea: what would happen if China, perhaps becoming the world's major superpower, decided it needed more than what it has? The sparse, mineral-rich landscapes of nearby Australia could look very promising, and the way the world has responded to many recent conflicts around the world means the fictional Chinese government could feel like they might 'get away with it' - on a might-is-right and 'no-one else wants to start a World War' kind of footing.
This is a book with plenty of military threat, but is more of a political thriller as Australian Prime Minister Gary Stone tries to work out the best options he has (if he has any) and how to deal with both the Chinese excursion into northern Australia and the various machinations within his own government. The Chinese have managed to take over a chunk of Australia without firing a shot. But the menace is there. What price peace? How much would you risk to try to regain what you had?
It took me a little while to settle into this book, given the author's writing style, but Colman sets the hook well and keeps the pages turning. The underlying story is an interesting one, and there are some thought-provoking themes bubbling beneath the overripe action or melodrama. Overall, a good first outing that perhaps could have done with a stronger editorial hand, but is a fun, exciting read.
January 26, 2017
This shows how countries must ultimately take care of themselves
This novel kept me enthralled without revealing the end until the actual end. I thought the author did a great job of keeping the suspense going till the
This novel kept me enthralled without revealing the end until the actual end. I thought the author did a great job of keeping the suspense going till the
March 14, 2017
“A Line Too Far” eBook was published in 2016 and was written by B. C. Colman. This is Mr. Colman’s first publication.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in and around contemporary Australia. The primary character is Australian Prime Minister Gary Stone, though there are many other characters of significance.
China makes a sneak attack on Australia, taking over all of the military bases in the north of the country. Thousands of military are held hostage and negotiations begin to formalize the new ownership of the north. Stone decides on an extreme plan of action that he hopes will bluff the Chinese into leaving Australia.
The story encompasses conflict within the Australian government. You are taken on missions by the Australian SAS and Navy. There is also a few stories of how the invasion affected some of the civilian.
I enjoyed the 7.5 hours I spent reading this 324 page Thriller. I liked the characters depicted in the story. I thought that this was a good plot. The cover art is OK, but doesn’t really convey much about the story. I give this novel a 4.4 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in and around contemporary Australia. The primary character is Australian Prime Minister Gary Stone, though there are many other characters of significance.
China makes a sneak attack on Australia, taking over all of the military bases in the north of the country. Thousands of military are held hostage and negotiations begin to formalize the new ownership of the north. Stone decides on an extreme plan of action that he hopes will bluff the Chinese into leaving Australia.
The story encompasses conflict within the Australian government. You are taken on missions by the Australian SAS and Navy. There is also a few stories of how the invasion affected some of the civilian.
I enjoyed the 7.5 hours I spent reading this 324 page Thriller. I liked the characters depicted in the story. I thought that this was a good plot. The cover art is OK, but doesn’t really convey much about the story. I give this novel a 4.4 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
February 7, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It made me think about our country and what could happen in the future. It is written in a way that you hear the story of people from different walks of life and how it affects them and how they get involved in war. It makes you think, it makes you worry and it makes you wonder! A very intriguing read read!
February 26, 2018
This was a GoodReads giveaway of a Kindle Edition ebook.
This book was pace pounding from start to finish. But my first impression was that is was overdone. It came across to me as "over the top" as William Shatner's acting is sometimes "over acted". It would make for a good TV movie. There was a bit of conflict regarding racism that I would have liked to see expanded upon, but it would have made for a longer book. But this story could have used a longer storyline. I think it would have benefited from some lulls in the action to allow your mood to swing from high to low a few times in the course of the telling.
This book does seem to reinforce my general opinion that ebooks just don't seem to live up to the same writing standard as print books.
Now go out and have a GoodReads.
This book was pace pounding from start to finish. But my first impression was that is was overdone. It came across to me as "over the top" as William Shatner's acting is sometimes "over acted". It would make for a good TV movie. There was a bit of conflict regarding racism that I would have liked to see expanded upon, but it would have made for a longer book. But this story could have used a longer storyline. I think it would have benefited from some lulls in the action to allow your mood to swing from high to low a few times in the course of the telling.
This book does seem to reinforce my general opinion that ebooks just don't seem to live up to the same writing standard as print books.
Now go out and have a GoodReads.
October 8, 2017
I was hoping this would more of a military thriller but it is correctly listed as a political thriller. The story of a lightning Chinese take-over is hopefully highly improbable. The majority of the story revolves around Prime Minister Stone and his residence, the Lodge. Very little time spent on the international aspects of the invasion. Character and plot development are definite weaknesses of the book. If you are an Australian you would be much more comfortable with cultural references contained in this book. Not a bad read but not great.
February 25, 2018
Very enjoyable read!
After you get a little ways into this book, you just can’t put it down. The premise seems very possible, but I’ll not say more. Don’t want to give anything away. One little issue having nothing to do with the book...I had trouble flipping pages. I know it sounds silly, but I’ve not run across this before. Sometimes took 3 attempts to advance a page.
After you get a little ways into this book, you just can’t put it down. The premise seems very possible, but I’ll not say more. Don’t want to give anything away. One little issue having nothing to do with the book...I had trouble flipping pages. I know it sounds silly, but I’ve not run across this before. Sometimes took 3 attempts to advance a page.
July 10, 2019
A good read.
Well written around a plausible plot. Probably a bit stereotyped but it is fiction and entertaining. Good characters to follow alongside nasty villains. Action sequences hold you but there could be more. Enjoyed a good bit of escapism. More please. You could do with a better proof reader though.
Well written around a plausible plot. Probably a bit stereotyped but it is fiction and entertaining. Good characters to follow alongside nasty villains. Action sequences hold you but there could be more. Enjoyed a good bit of escapism. More please. You could do with a better proof reader though.
March 29, 2023
Was a great read about the Chinese invading Australia and taking over a base with thousands of Aussie soldiers. The Australians fight back to stop the invasion by setting some dirty bombs that are to be exploded in the top end of Australia the navy is sent into to stop the Chinese navy. It was a very good read a page turner.
Read
December 11, 2016An exhilarating easy read.
The scary reality is that this could actually happen in real life.
An author now on my watch list
The scary reality is that this could actually happen in real life.
An author now on my watch list
July 26, 2017
Very good story
Fast pace good dialog. Hard to put down kept reading to see what was going to happen next. Only thing that was not realist was Chinese behav
Fast pace good dialog. Hard to put down kept reading to see what was going to happen next. Only thing that was not realist was Chinese behav
September 4, 2017
Got to read this, because it is about what could happen Down Under!
January 10, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Character development was fine and the story was a page turner. Some reviews complained that it was not plausible etc. It is FICTION, and a damn good story to boot.
December 9, 2021
A Line Too Far is a solid, fast paced thriller. A good novel for the author to have turned out as a first!
October 1, 2016
Before I start my review, I would like to thank The Liberty Publishing Company and NetGalley for allowing me to review A Line Too Far by B.C. Colman.
**All opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone. I received A Line Too Far from The Liberty Publishing Company through NetGalley for free for my honest review**
Now onto my review:
I was initially undecided about this book when I was reading the email with it featured (along with a few other books). See, I am not a huge fan of war/spy books but will read them. I mainly read them because it makes me feel closer to my grandfather, who died in June of 2015. He was always reading and he loved that genre. That is what ultimately made me chose this book.
To be honest, I was prepared to not like the book and just trudge through it. But I ended up really liking it. The beginning was a little bumpy but once it ironed out and the book picked up pace, it was a very enjoyable read. I actually read it one day.
Now, I did read some reviews where people were complaining that this scenario is unrealistic. Ummm….hello, it’s a fiction book. Fiction. For those unfamiliar with the definition here it is (pulled from Google). Everyone is entitled to their opinions but jeeze….lol.:
fic·tion
ˈfikSH(ə)n/
noun
literature in the form of prose, especially short stories and novels, that describes imaginary events and people.
synonyms: novels, stories, (creative) writing, (prose) literature;
informallit
“the popularity of South American fiction”
invention or fabrication as opposed to fact.
plural noun: fictions
“he dismissed the allegation as absolute fiction”
synonyms: fabrication, invention, lies, fibs, untruth, falsehood, fantasy, nonsense
“the president dismissed the allegation as absolute fiction”
a belief or statement that is false, but that is often held to be true because it is expedient to do so.
“the notion of that country being a democracy is a polite fiction”
I highlighted the areas that I think stand out and that’s all I have to say about it.
Anyways, like I said above, I thought it was a good and quick read. I think I learned more about how the Australian government works than I ever wanted to know. I thought the author did a realistic job of showing how people will panic when an event like this happens (or as preppers like to say: SHTF: Shit Hit The Fan). From the racist targeting of Chinese Australians to petrol rations to people just being dirtbags….it was pretty realistic.
I was impressed with PM Stone’s, well, stones….as well as his wife’s and most of his Cabinet members.
The author also dealt with the aftermath of what happened realistically too. I actually liked the ending because of how true to life it is.
I do think that this book would have been one that my grandfather would have liked.
How many stars will I give A Line Too Far: 3 1/2-4
Why? An action filled, fast paced book that was great to read.
Will I reread? Yes
Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes
Age range: Adult
Why: Violence and language
**All opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone. I received A Line Too Far from The Liberty Publishing Company through NetGalley for free for my honest review**
Now onto my review:
I was initially undecided about this book when I was reading the email with it featured (along with a few other books). See, I am not a huge fan of war/spy books but will read them. I mainly read them because it makes me feel closer to my grandfather, who died in June of 2015. He was always reading and he loved that genre. That is what ultimately made me chose this book.
To be honest, I was prepared to not like the book and just trudge through it. But I ended up really liking it. The beginning was a little bumpy but once it ironed out and the book picked up pace, it was a very enjoyable read. I actually read it one day.
Now, I did read some reviews where people were complaining that this scenario is unrealistic. Ummm….hello, it’s a fiction book. Fiction. For those unfamiliar with the definition here it is (pulled from Google). Everyone is entitled to their opinions but jeeze….lol.:
fic·tion
ˈfikSH(ə)n/
noun
literature in the form of prose, especially short stories and novels, that describes imaginary events and people.
synonyms: novels, stories, (creative) writing, (prose) literature;
informallit
“the popularity of South American fiction”
invention or fabrication as opposed to fact.
plural noun: fictions
“he dismissed the allegation as absolute fiction”
synonyms: fabrication, invention, lies, fibs, untruth, falsehood, fantasy, nonsense
“the president dismissed the allegation as absolute fiction”
a belief or statement that is false, but that is often held to be true because it is expedient to do so.
“the notion of that country being a democracy is a polite fiction”
I highlighted the areas that I think stand out and that’s all I have to say about it.
Anyways, like I said above, I thought it was a good and quick read. I think I learned more about how the Australian government works than I ever wanted to know. I thought the author did a realistic job of showing how people will panic when an event like this happens (or as preppers like to say: SHTF: Shit Hit The Fan). From the racist targeting of Chinese Australians to petrol rations to people just being dirtbags….it was pretty realistic.
I was impressed with PM Stone’s, well, stones….as well as his wife’s and most of his Cabinet members.
The author also dealt with the aftermath of what happened realistically too. I actually liked the ending because of how true to life it is.
I do think that this book would have been one that my grandfather would have liked.
How many stars will I give A Line Too Far: 3 1/2-4
Why? An action filled, fast paced book that was great to read.
Will I reread? Yes
Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes
Age range: Adult
Why: Violence and language
March 3, 2020
Hmmmm this book was a little to unbelievable. China invades Australia quietly and tries to claim in.. How no one notices it is beyond me.. I am not sure about this book.. It was ok, but not my style.
March 31, 2017
Is this a portent of more great stories BC....Believable senario and semblance to actual characters , an interesting and enjoyable read. Onya' BC waiting for your next book.
April 5, 2017
Surprisingly good yarn
Loved it. Well written and a very credible storyline. Well done to Coleman first his first political thriller. What's next?
Loved it. Well written and a very credible storyline. Well done to Coleman first his first political thriller. What's next?
Want to read
February 9, 2018Placeholder
I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews