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Gabriel Wolfe #4
First Casualty
KILL THE TRUTH, PAY THE PRICE
When British Special Forces veteran Gabriel Wolfe flies to Mozambique in search of the mortal remains of his friend and former comrade Mickey “Smudge” Smith, he has the backing of the British prime minister. But every favour comes at a price. And now Gabriel has to complete another hit before he can continue his search for salvation.
What he discovers next shakes his faith in everything he trusts. He has marched headlong into the heart of a corrupt web of land deals, blood diamonds and the global arms trade. At the centre of the web sits someone Gabriel can hardly believe is guilty. Someone he’ll need every ounce of his skills and resolve to defeat.
Standing between him and the truth are tooled-up mercenaries, a local warlord and his machete-wielding ‘Rock and Roll Boys’ and a mysterious assassin who anticipates his every move.
This complex and breathtaking action thriller is the fourth novel in Andy Maslen’s Gabriel Wolfe series. First Casualty begins in the middle of a firefight in Africa, where Gabriel and his partner, Britta Falskog, are facing a crew of bloodthirsty militia fighters commanded by the terrifying Mama Chissano.
The action moves between London, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Hong Kong and never lets up. As he begins to uncover the truth, Gabriel sees that his adversaries have spun a web of betrayal that stretches right back to his last, fateful mission in the SAS.
When British Special Forces veteran Gabriel Wolfe flies to Mozambique in search of the mortal remains of his friend and former comrade Mickey “Smudge” Smith, he has the backing of the British prime minister. But every favour comes at a price. And now Gabriel has to complete another hit before he can continue his search for salvation.
What he discovers next shakes his faith in everything he trusts. He has marched headlong into the heart of a corrupt web of land deals, blood diamonds and the global arms trade. At the centre of the web sits someone Gabriel can hardly believe is guilty. Someone he’ll need every ounce of his skills and resolve to defeat.
Standing between him and the truth are tooled-up mercenaries, a local warlord and his machete-wielding ‘Rock and Roll Boys’ and a mysterious assassin who anticipates his every move.
This complex and breathtaking action thriller is the fourth novel in Andy Maslen’s Gabriel Wolfe series. First Casualty begins in the middle of a firefight in Africa, where Gabriel and his partner, Britta Falskog, are facing a crew of bloodthirsty militia fighters commanded by the terrifying Mama Chissano.
The action moves between London, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Hong Kong and never lets up. As he begins to uncover the truth, Gabriel sees that his adversaries have spun a web of betrayal that stretches right back to his last, fateful mission in the SAS.
- GenresThriller
502 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2016
692 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Andy Maslen
73 books518 followersMILLION COPY BESTSELLER SHORTLISTED FOR KINDLE STORYTELLER AWARD
Andy Maslen writes thrillers across a number of genres: police procedurals, vigilante, psychological, suspense and horror. He spent 30 years in business before turning to writing full time.
Readers praise Andy's novels for their relatable characters, realistic dialogue, sense of place and kinetic action sequences, and for his meticulous research into police procedure around the world.
He is the creator of best-selling series featuring Kat Ballantyne, Gabriel Wolfe, Stella Cole and Inspector Ford, plus standalone novels and short stories.
Andy was born in Nottingham, England. After leaving university with a degree in psychology, he worked in business for thirty years as a copywriter. In his spare time, he plays the guitar. He lives in Wiltshire.
Andy Maslen writes thrillers across a number of genres: police procedurals, vigilante, psychological, suspense and horror. He spent 30 years in business before turning to writing full time.
Readers praise Andy's novels for their relatable characters, realistic dialogue, sense of place and kinetic action sequences, and for his meticulous research into police procedure around the world.
He is the creator of best-selling series featuring Kat Ballantyne, Gabriel Wolfe, Stella Cole and Inspector Ford, plus standalone novels and short stories.
Andy was born in Nottingham, England. After leaving university with a degree in psychology, he worked in business for thirty years as a copywriter. In his spare time, he plays the guitar. He lives in Wiltshire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 7, 2017
Another great book in the series except towards the end when Wolfe racked back the slide of his Glock and then took off the safety. A little research would have helped in knowing there is no safety on a Glock 19.
April 1, 2017
First casualty by andy Maslen.
Can a government assassin avenge betrayal or will he lose his career, his mind and his life?
An absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. Full of twists and plots. Highly recommended. 5*. Thanks tbc on fb.
Can a government assassin avenge betrayal or will he lose his career, his mind and his life?
An absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. Full of twists and plots. Highly recommended. 5*. Thanks tbc on fb.
June 2, 2023
The Gabriel Wolfe series is only getting better and better for every book I read. First Casualty by Andy Maslen deals mostly about Wolfes past, both as child and with what happened in Mozambique. I found the book and story an entertaining and fast paced thriller and I also got to learn a lot about Gabriel. Some really good characters and some unusual solutions with some swift justice as well. I really can recommend this series and now I have to save up to buy more of them.
September 1, 2019
Gabriel wants to go back to Africa and find the remains of his fellow troupe who was killed and lsft behind. The Prime minister oks it and provides support but has one request. Gabriel is to assassinate a politician who he PM claims is sponsoring terrorism and responsible for killing some British nurses and British Soldiers. Gabriel reluctantly agrees and follows through although he is beginning to have doubts about the PMs story. When he and Friend Britta head out to find the lost soldier they are twice the targets of ambushes and end up having to flee back to England. Now Gabriel doubts are growing and he does some investigating and finds.... No more you will have to read to find out for yourself what he discovers.
August 13, 2021
What a ride!
Another fantastic page turner in the series, so many twists and turns you'd almost get dizzy, but so worth the ride.
Another fantastic page turner in the series, so many twists and turns you'd almost get dizzy, but so worth the ride.
April 1, 2017
My husband has read them all, this is my first and I will certainly read the other three now. I couldn't put it down! highly recommended.
March 26, 2017
4.5 stars
This was a gritty, fast-paced action-thriller that delivered plenty of realism amid fast-moving military conflicts. The tale is infused as well with no small amount of political intrigue. Our Jack Reacher-like hero oozes his own humanity and well-roundedness. Guys with a hard-on for weapons play, both the intricate details behind the equipment involved and the military strategy and tactics should particularly enjoy this one. For myself, this is my first novel by this author, but I’ll definitely be circling back to catch up on the rest of the series.
This was a gritty, fast-paced action-thriller that delivered plenty of realism amid fast-moving military conflicts. The tale is infused as well with no small amount of political intrigue. Our Jack Reacher-like hero oozes his own humanity and well-roundedness. Guys with a hard-on for weapons play, both the intricate details behind the equipment involved and the military strategy and tactics should particularly enjoy this one. For myself, this is my first novel by this author, but I’ll definitely be circling back to catch up on the rest of the series.
March 22, 2017
Andy Maslen First Casualty
This is a power house of an action thriller! The story line is fast paced and moves from the UK to USA to Africa to Hong Kong. I haven't read the 3 other books in the series but that did not spoil my enjoyment of this 4th in the Gabriel Wolfe series. The main protagonist is a highly trained soldier suffering with PTSD. The plot is as complex as Gabriel; it involves corrupt politicians at the highest level, blood diamonds, a wise Hong Kong elder, a multimillionaire Russian with a private jet oh and a love interest in the shape of a Britta, Swedish sharpshooter!! What else could you possibly ask for from a novel. I recommend this to lovers of high octane thrillers. I'll definitely now go read the first 3 in the series. Happy to give this 4 big stars!!
This is a power house of an action thriller! The story line is fast paced and moves from the UK to USA to Africa to Hong Kong. I haven't read the 3 other books in the series but that did not spoil my enjoyment of this 4th in the Gabriel Wolfe series. The main protagonist is a highly trained soldier suffering with PTSD. The plot is as complex as Gabriel; it involves corrupt politicians at the highest level, blood diamonds, a wise Hong Kong elder, a multimillionaire Russian with a private jet oh and a love interest in the shape of a Britta, Swedish sharpshooter!! What else could you possibly ask for from a novel. I recommend this to lovers of high octane thrillers. I'll definitely now go read the first 3 in the series. Happy to give this 4 big stars!!
March 19, 2017
This is the first of Andy Malen's books I have read and I have to say it was really good and I will be looking at his back catalogue as well as keeping an eye out for new ones.
Gabriel Wolfe has never reconciled the fact that in a previous mission he left behind a fallen comrade and he promised his family he would bring back his remains when he could. The opportunity comes along when the PM and his boss need him to do a job for them in the same area. This he jumps at and he and Britta his friend and a member of MI5, he has to assassinate a corrupt official of Mozambique before he causes more deaths of comrades and bring our government trouble. To say all is not as it seems is an understatement and the plot has many surprises which keep you glued right to the very end, I found myself routing for Gabriel and hoping he did what he had orignally set out to do. Did he manage it? you will have to read it for yourself. It is well worth the time.
Gabriel Wolfe has never reconciled the fact that in a previous mission he left behind a fallen comrade and he promised his family he would bring back his remains when he could. The opportunity comes along when the PM and his boss need him to do a job for them in the same area. This he jumps at and he and Britta his friend and a member of MI5, he has to assassinate a corrupt official of Mozambique before he causes more deaths of comrades and bring our government trouble. To say all is not as it seems is an understatement and the plot has many surprises which keep you glued right to the very end, I found myself routing for Gabriel and hoping he did what he had orignally set out to do. Did he manage it? you will have to read it for yourself. It is well worth the time.
March 14, 2017
Let me start by saying that this is not my kind of book but I read it with an open mind and all I can say is wow!! It's the fourth Gabriel Wolfe book that Andy Maslen has written and my enjoyment was not spoilt by the fact that I have not read any of the previous books. I usually read psychological thrillers and this was a different kind of action-packed thriller sometimes violent and always gripping.
I liked the flawed hero Gabriel Wolfe and I liked his female sidekick Britta. Britta is a credit to Andy Haslen - as brave and fearless as Gabriel and a wonderful character in the book. Gabriel travels to Mozambique to try to bring back the remains of a former SAS comrade. His visit is unofficial but sanctioned by government officials who want a quod pro quo - the assassination of s corrupt foreign official.
I won't spoil the story but will say that I loved this book!! I couldn't put it down as the story twisted, turned and kept me guessing right until the end. If you like thrillers, political intrigue, drama and some good old fashioned intrigue you will love this book! Highly recommend it!!
I liked the flawed hero Gabriel Wolfe and I liked his female sidekick Britta. Britta is a credit to Andy Haslen - as brave and fearless as Gabriel and a wonderful character in the book. Gabriel travels to Mozambique to try to bring back the remains of a former SAS comrade. His visit is unofficial but sanctioned by government officials who want a quod pro quo - the assassination of s corrupt foreign official.
I won't spoil the story but will say that I loved this book!! I couldn't put it down as the story twisted, turned and kept me guessing right until the end. If you like thrillers, political intrigue, drama and some good old fashioned intrigue you will love this book! Highly recommend it!!
October 28, 2016
Wow ! Andy has given us another awesome Gabriel Wolfe story. Again we are given an action packed conspiracy thriller complete with Brita and a look back at some of Gabriel's earlier memories as a boy growing up. If you aren't reading this series of books you are really m
October 28, 2016
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book.
Andy Maslen has done it again. Another superb Gabriel Wolfe novel, the 4th in the series that can be read as a standalone.
Gabriel Wolfe is on a mission to find any remains of Smudge’s remains. Helped by the British Prime Minister Barbara Sutherland, he needs to assassinate Zimbabwean Finance Minister Philip Agambe before moving onto Mozambique to find Smudge’s remains. He takes Britta Falskog attached to M15, they come under fire 1st by mercenaries and then a tribal gang. Tatyana Garin, CEO of Garin Group, Mining and refining who Gabriel met when he recused her handbag by a thief gets him out of Mozambique on her company’s private jet. Tatyana gives Gabriel information that helps him. With a trip to Hong Kong, another attempt to kill him, betrayal from the highest level, power and money this book keeps you reading till the end.
Andy Maslen has done it again. Another superb Gabriel Wolfe novel, the 4th in the series that can be read as a standalone.
Gabriel Wolfe is on a mission to find any remains of Smudge’s remains. Helped by the British Prime Minister Barbara Sutherland, he needs to assassinate Zimbabwean Finance Minister Philip Agambe before moving onto Mozambique to find Smudge’s remains. He takes Britta Falskog attached to M15, they come under fire 1st by mercenaries and then a tribal gang. Tatyana Garin, CEO of Garin Group, Mining and refining who Gabriel met when he recused her handbag by a thief gets him out of Mozambique on her company’s private jet. Tatyana gives Gabriel information that helps him. With a trip to Hong Kong, another attempt to kill him, betrayal from the highest level, power and money this book keeps you reading till the end.
May 8, 2019
Good gripping easy read
Enjoy reading the Gabriel Wolfe series. There’s clearly a lot of research and attention to detail that goes into every book. The characters are well drawn and the plot is always sound. If you’re new to the series it’s best to start at the beginning. First Casualty is as engrossing as the books before it and I love how the author is still building up aspects of the central characters, adding to their story constantly and keeping things fresh and interesting.
Enjoy reading the Gabriel Wolfe series. There’s clearly a lot of research and attention to detail that goes into every book. The characters are well drawn and the plot is always sound. If you’re new to the series it’s best to start at the beginning. First Casualty is as engrossing as the books before it and I love how the author is still building up aspects of the central characters, adding to their story constantly and keeping things fresh and interesting.
September 6, 2020
LOVE*LOVE*LOVE Gabriel Wolfe! Can't get enough of his story ~ love the long over the course of individual books story arc; love the individual books' stories; love Gabriel's vulnerabilities; love that someone's realistically writing about how soldiers deal with and process PTSD: each one is different, and they DON'T want to acknowledge it, but there ARE therapists available who CAN help! THANK YOU, Mr Maslen, for dealing with this tragic subject to realistically; love reading about Hong Kong; also love the Gabriel-Britta relationship. What's NOT to love about this series???
June 30, 2023
Action Packed Psychological Thriller
Gabriel Wolfe has demons, bothp real and imagined.
The web of intrigue surrounding past missions, involving high ranking politicians, manipulative international agencies has Gabriel returning to his formative years to try and unravel his mind, to stop the torturous guilty thoughts and find closure. All the while being hunted not knowing who to trust, will he survive completely intact?
Totally immersive read, Andy Maslen's attention to detail is utterly superb, crafting a visually spectacular action packed story.
Thoroughly recommended
Gabriel Wolfe has demons, bothp real and imagined.
The web of intrigue surrounding past missions, involving high ranking politicians, manipulative international agencies has Gabriel returning to his formative years to try and unravel his mind, to stop the torturous guilty thoughts and find closure. All the while being hunted not knowing who to trust, will he survive completely intact?
Totally immersive read, Andy Maslen's attention to detail is utterly superb, crafting a visually spectacular action packed story.
Thoroughly recommended
November 1, 2016
First Casualty. Andy Malsen
Corrupt politicians, who place money before honor and duty. Gabriel Wolfe, ex SAS works for the P.M. of England. Covert missions, he trusts the people he works for. Betrayal treachery. Wolfe will make them all pay. This is . A brilliantly written action thriller!! My highest recommendation.
Corrupt politicians, who place money before honor and duty. Gabriel Wolfe, ex SAS works for the P.M. of England. Covert missions, he trusts the people he works for. Betrayal treachery. Wolfe will make them all pay. This is . A brilliantly written action thriller!! My highest recommendation.
March 13, 2019
First casualty
The combination of action and PTSD made for an ever changing set of circumstance that confused as well as clarified the tale. Good story ending and made me look for more of his work.
The combination of action and PTSD made for an ever changing set of circumstance that confused as well as clarified the tale. Good story ending and made me look for more of his work.
April 1, 2019
Excellent
Another good one, what ar really great series of books. If you like intrigue, action and adventure give these books a go! Well written and page turning as good if not better than Lee Child!! Bring on the next one.
Another good one, what ar really great series of books. If you like intrigue, action and adventure give these books a go! Well written and page turning as good if not better than Lee Child!! Bring on the next one.
December 30, 2019
Intriguing
Another good read with an interesting storyline. Can be a bit of a reach on occasion and feel as if it's rushing to a climax.
Do enjoy the growth of the main character though.
Another good read with an interesting storyline. Can be a bit of a reach on occasion and feel as if it's rushing to a climax.
Do enjoy the growth of the main character though.
October 1, 2018
Great read, highly recommend !!!
Would recommend to anyone who likes action thrillers ! Lively action, and very subtle humour. One could almost be there. !
Would recommend to anyone who likes action thrillers ! Lively action, and very subtle humour. One could almost be there. !
November 1, 2018
Love the series cannot believe it took me so long to find it!
January 1, 2019
Stronger, better imagery and detail.
Book 3 fell flat but 4 redeems. Better imagery and visual detail , stronger writing overall. A little long, but that’s a small quibble.
Book 3 fell flat but 4 redeems. Better imagery and visual detail , stronger writing overall. A little long, but that’s a small quibble.
March 10, 2019
Brilliant
Another great read from Andy very moving story but glad Justice was served yet again. Keep up the good work.
Another great read from Andy very moving story but glad Justice was served yet again. Keep up the good work.
May 16, 2020
Another great read from the Wolfe series from Andy. There are a few points I personally feel it goes into too much detail however, I reay enjoyed it and some of the easiest books to read.
Read
May 5, 2021Very repetitive not only within the text but too much from previous books in the series. Usually a good plot line though and written grammatically.
May 26, 2022
Another very good read
I love the Gabriel Wolfe series, I look forward to read the next book in this brilliant series of books
I love the Gabriel Wolfe series, I look forward to read the next book in this brilliant series of books
October 2, 2022
The end?!
Gabriel finally found his lost teammate and brought him home to his wife and daughter. He also tied up some very loose ends.
Gabriel finally found his lost teammate and brought him home to his wife and daughter. He also tied up some very loose ends.
January 8, 2023
Best one so far. Learning more and more about Gabriel with each book in the series. No spoilers here but just to say this one spans the globe in an effort to fulfill a promise.
July 8, 2024
Very easy to read if a little far fetched at times , really is a3.5 .
Like the characters .
Like the characters .
July 15, 2024
I didn’t care for Condor, the last book, but this one is back to what I enjoyed about the first two. Interesting, fairly buyable, layered, etc. I was nicely entertained.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews