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Sam Archer #Story Set
Close Calls
Praise for 'Close Calls':‘These three short stories are excellent in filling out the background of three key characters from the Sam Archer series’‘The depth put into the back stories and the overwhelming sense of truth made me want more. However, these stories stand alone and don't need anything else to involve you’‘Heart wrenching, but excellent’‘ Love Tom Barber's way with words and characters. This is one of my most liked of his books’From the author of the best-selling Sam Archer thriller series comes a collection of three roller-coaster stories. A vigilante cage fighter, with a violent score to settle. A sniper caught in a hellacious ambush, thousands of miles from home. A young woman called in for a stand-in shift at the World Trade Center on 9/11. In these three stories from Tom Barber, familiar characters from the Sam Archer thriller series look Death right in the eye and don’t blink first. Moments that forged the people they are today. Moments they would never forget. Their close calls.
411 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 8, 2016
364 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Tom Barber
43 books154 followersBorn in Sydney, Australia and raised in England and Brunei, Tom Barber has always had a passion for writing and story-telling. It took him to Nottingham University, England, where he graduated in 2009 with a 2:1 BA Hons in English Studies. Post-graduation, Tom moved to New York City and completed the 2 Year Meisner Acting training programme at The William Esper Studio, furthering his love of acting and screen-writing.
Upon his return to the UK in late 2011, Tom set to work on his debut novel, Nine Lives, which has since become a five-star rated Amazon UK Kindle hit. The following books in the series have been equally successful, garnering five-star reviews in the US, UK, France, Australia and Canada. The Sam Archer series has had over a million books downloaded worldwide and each title is currently being adapted into audiobook format.
Tom spends most of his time back and forth between the US and the UK. He can be contacted at http://www.tom-barber.co.uk/
For info on all upcoming releases: http://tom-barber.us6.list-manage1.co...
Upon his return to the UK in late 2011, Tom set to work on his debut novel, Nine Lives, which has since become a five-star rated Amazon UK Kindle hit. The following books in the series have been equally successful, garnering five-star reviews in the US, UK, France, Australia and Canada. The Sam Archer series has had over a million books downloaded worldwide and each title is currently being adapted into audiobook format.
Tom spends most of his time back and forth between the US and the UK. He can be contacted at http://www.tom-barber.co.uk/
For info on all upcoming releases: http://tom-barber.us6.list-manage1.co...
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 11, 2018
Getting to Know All Members of the Counter Terrorism Team
Another great collection of stories by Tom Barber delving into the background of Counter Terrorism team members. I liked reading about their lives and learning what got them to where they are now.
Another great collection of stories by Tom Barber delving into the background of Counter Terrorism team members. I liked reading about their lives and learning what got them to where they are now.
May 25, 2018
Close Calls: 3Sam Archer Novellas
Very entertaining storyline about an abused boy and his life. Suffering abuse is never a good thing but for the character in this series it prepared him for life as a soldier, sniper and police officer, excelling at each.
Very entertaining storyline about an abused boy and his life. Suffering abuse is never a good thing but for the character in this series it prepared him for life as a soldier, sniper and police officer, excelling at each.
October 9, 2018
Depth
I haven't read the Sam Archer series (I will now), so I had no expectations. The depth put into the back stories and the overwhelming sense of truth made me want more. However, these stories stand alone and don't need anything else to involve you.
I haven't read the Sam Archer series (I will now), so I had no expectations. The depth put into the back stories and the overwhelming sense of truth made me want more. However, these stories stand alone and don't need anything else to involve you.
February 18, 2025
I haven't read anything by this author before, but I will definitely be looking for this series. The three short stories that detail the lives of three people who made them who there are was very well done. The characters were well developed, the story-line gripping. There were a few words left out of the last two stories (didn't notice any in the first), but not bad enough to detract from the story itself.
March 3, 2019
3 novellas, all worth reading. Hard reminder of 9-11 but there’s no bad time to reflect on the loss. Stories are fact-based fiction. It’s impossible to change the facts of that day. I hope to read more of this interesting author. Suggested reading for history, mystery, military, fiction and Americans.
February 3, 2021
Blown away
This collection of short stories was one of the best reads I ve had. The stories were each so well told and characters were so developed that you get pulled right in with them as their lives unfold and you hold your breathe from one page to the next hoping that they won the day. Just a really outstanding read.
This collection of short stories was one of the best reads I ve had. The stories were each so well told and characters were so developed that you get pulled right in with them as their lives unfold and you hold your breathe from one page to the next hoping that they won the day. Just a really outstanding read.
July 8, 2025
I REALLY liked this. I had never heard of the Archer series or these characters. When I read the intro that this was three different stories-back stories of these characters I asked myself do I really want to read this-about characters I don’t know and don’t care at all about. I am so glad I read them. Such a great read. Great page turner. As a result I’ll be exploring the Archer series.
February 25, 2018
Three characters from the Sam Archer series are given time in this book to show the reader how they came to be the people they are. These three stories are just as thrilling as the Sam Archer books.
May 28, 2020
I learned a lot reading these three stories.
What these three people went through could have gone in a negative way or a positive way.
I thought that I followed the last story real close and I knew what was going on---boy was I surprised.
What these three people went through could have gone in a negative way or a positive way.
I thought that I followed the last story real close and I knew what was going on---boy was I surprised.
April 13, 2025
All three were very good stories, but for me, their pleasure was marred by the constant, and intermittent 'flash backs' often without notice or introduction. One moment I'm totally engrossed - the next I'm floundering out of my depth...
April 26, 2025
Interesting perspective of 9-11 and other stories
An interesting, in depth look at 3 individuals from Barber's books. A perspective of the 9-11 bombing that I've not seen previously. A perspective we should not forget. Thanks for a great read.
An interesting, in depth look at 3 individuals from Barber's books. A perspective of the 9-11 bombing that I've not seen previously. A perspective we should not forget. Thanks for a great read.
August 19, 2025
very good short stories
Very interesting. Give a background of the authors characters in his other books. These stories are well written and makes it easier to understand the characters better.
Very interesting. Give a background of the authors characters in his other books. These stories are well written and makes it easier to understand the characters better.
March 23, 2018
Another fantastic novel by Tom Barber. I haven't read a bad one yet.
September 8, 2018
Excellent
If you like fast paced excitement this is for you - from the first story all the way through the third.
If you like fast paced excitement this is for you - from the first story all the way through the third.
October 25, 2018
Great stories!
First read from this author. Three very different stories. All interesting & well written. You will not waste your time, reading these!
First read from this author. Three very different stories. All interesting & well written. You will not waste your time, reading these!
July 27, 2019
Not a bad set of stories..
While not typical genre, I did like how the three novellas tied together at the end of the three. Nice characters with great backstories
While not typical genre, I did like how the three novellas tied together at the end of the three. Nice characters with great backstories
September 14, 2019
Could not put it down
It's a good job I am retired so that I can read into the night I had great late lie in as a result fantastic story.
It's a good job I am retired so that I can read into the night I had great late lie in as a result fantastic story.
August 15, 2021
Seriously good
I have enjoyed all the Sam Archer books. This one was really enjoyable. I love a well written back story
I have enjoyed all the Sam Archer books. This one was really enjoyable. I love a well written back story
June 4, 2022
Three great reads
Really enjoyed getting to know these three characters, previously introduced during these books. Lots of character development. Great stories, well told.
Really enjoyed getting to know these three characters, previously introduced during these books. Lots of character development. Great stories, well told.
June 6, 2025
Absolutely fantastic!
What a great background on three amazing characters who deserved the very best in life after giving unselfishly of their time and selves. Excellent read!
What a great background on three amazing characters who deserved the very best in life after giving unselfishly of their time and selves. Excellent read!
June 23, 2025
Enjoyed the back stories of 3 of the characters in the series
March 11, 2019
ONE. WAY
Getting away in a strangers car, which the bad guys now chasing them, tires blown out. Taking cover in a Harlem tenement building, which the bad guys seal off. Now realizing he is with US Marshall’s they were protecting a witness and they were ambushed. With no agents to give them help, now will Sam and the Marshall get out. There are twists, which one didn’t expect, and a surprise ending. Good fast paced, tense thriller.
RETURN. FIRE
They met during the incident in Harlem, both fell hard for one another, and now after harsh words, would it be the last. The panic thoughts and hoping for an olive branch, both unable to sleep well. He had her adopted daughter, and the nightmares she was going thru were unreal for a young kid. Josh comes Alice has been kidnapped, she works with Counter Terrorism Bureau, she had a flight to be home soon. Did they know who she was, not much in her history to have enemies. The possibility was it Sam, he goes to London, and reunited with workers and friends. As usual it is another gripping story, of who is involved.
Getting away in a strangers car, which the bad guys now chasing them, tires blown out. Taking cover in a Harlem tenement building, which the bad guys seal off. Now realizing he is with US Marshall’s they were protecting a witness and they were ambushed. With no agents to give them help, now will Sam and the Marshall get out. There are twists, which one didn’t expect, and a surprise ending. Good fast paced, tense thriller.
RETURN. FIRE
They met during the incident in Harlem, both fell hard for one another, and now after harsh words, would it be the last. The panic thoughts and hoping for an olive branch, both unable to sleep well. He had her adopted daughter, and the nightmares she was going thru were unreal for a young kid. Josh comes Alice has been kidnapped, she works with Counter Terrorism Bureau, she had a flight to be home soon. Did they know who she was, not much in her history to have enemies. The possibility was it Sam, he goes to London, and reunited with workers and friends. As usual it is another gripping story, of who is involved.
May 1, 2017
I liked the three short stories in this book. The stories were engrossing. I couldn't put it down. I have read all his books and look forward to more.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews