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Nick Stone #19
Line of Fire
'Like the best action films in book form' FHMNick Stone is back in London but if he thought he was home for a break, he's very, very wrong.Backed into a corner by a man he knows he cannot trust, ex-deniable operator Nick Stone strikes a devil's bargain. In exchange for his own safety - a life for a life - Stone is charged with locating someone who doesn't want to be found, currently hiding out in the one of the remotest corners of the UK. And for the first time in a long time, he's not operating alone.But Stone and his team don't find just anyone. They find a world-class hacker, so good that her work might threaten the stability of the western world as we know it. These are dangerous waters and Stone is quickly in over his head. Before he finally knows which way to turn, the choice is ripped out of his hands.Most people might think of home as safety but Nick Stone isn't most people. For him and his team, it's just another place to get caught in the line of fire...Nick Stone's adventures continue in Whatever It Takes
359 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2017
207 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
About the author
Andy McNab
205 books1,160 followersAndy McNab joined the infantry in 1976 as a boy soldier. In 1984 he was badged as a member of 22 SAS Regiment. He served in B Squadron 22 SAS for ten years and worked on both covert and overt special operations worldwide, including anti-terrorist and anti-drug operations in the Middle and Far East, South and Central America and Northern Ireland.
Trained as a specialist in counter terrorism, prime target elimination, demolitions, weapons and tactics, covert surveillance and information gathering in hostile environments, and VIP protection, McNab worked on cooperative operations with police forces, prison services, anti-drug forces and western backed guerrilla movements as well as on conventional special operations. In Northern Ireland he spent two years working as an undercover operator with 14th Intelligence Group, going on to become an instructor.
McNab also worked as an instructor on the SAS selection and training team and instructed foreign special forces in counter terrorism, hostage rescue and survival training.
Andy McNab has written about his experiences in the SAS in two bestselling books, Bravo Two Zero (1993) and Immediate Action (1995). Bravo Two Zero is the highest selling war book of all time and has sold over 1.7 million copies in the UK. To date it has been published in 17 countries and translated into 16 languages. The CD spoken word version of Bravo Two Zero, narrated by McNab, sold over 60,000 copies and earned a silver disc. The BBC's film of Bravo Two Zero, starring Sean Bean, was shown on primetime BBC 1 television in 1999 and released on DVD in 2000.
Immediate Action, McNab's autobiography, spent 18 weeks at the top of the bestseller lists following the lifting on an ex-parte injunction granted to the Ministry of Defence in September 1995. To date, Immediate Action has now sold over 1.4 million copies in the UK.
McNab is the author of seven fast action thrillers, highly acclaimed for their authenticity and all Sunday Times bestsellers. Published in 1997, Remote Control was hailed as the most authentic thriller ever written and has sold over half a million copies in the UK. McNab's subsequent thrillers, Crisis Four, Firewall, Last Light , Liberation Day , Dark Winter , Deep Black and Aggressor have all gone on to sell equally well. The central character in all the books is Nick Stone, a tough ex-SAS operative working as a 'K' on deniable operations for British Intelligence.
McNab's fiction draws extensively on his experiences and knowledge of Special Forces soldiering. He has been officially registered by Neilsen Bookscan as the bestselling British thriller writer of the last year.
Trained as a specialist in counter terrorism, prime target elimination, demolitions, weapons and tactics, covert surveillance and information gathering in hostile environments, and VIP protection, McNab worked on cooperative operations with police forces, prison services, anti-drug forces and western backed guerrilla movements as well as on conventional special operations. In Northern Ireland he spent two years working as an undercover operator with 14th Intelligence Group, going on to become an instructor.
McNab also worked as an instructor on the SAS selection and training team and instructed foreign special forces in counter terrorism, hostage rescue and survival training.
Andy McNab has written about his experiences in the SAS in two bestselling books, Bravo Two Zero (1993) and Immediate Action (1995). Bravo Two Zero is the highest selling war book of all time and has sold over 1.7 million copies in the UK. To date it has been published in 17 countries and translated into 16 languages. The CD spoken word version of Bravo Two Zero, narrated by McNab, sold over 60,000 copies and earned a silver disc. The BBC's film of Bravo Two Zero, starring Sean Bean, was shown on primetime BBC 1 television in 1999 and released on DVD in 2000.
Immediate Action, McNab's autobiography, spent 18 weeks at the top of the bestseller lists following the lifting on an ex-parte injunction granted to the Ministry of Defence in September 1995. To date, Immediate Action has now sold over 1.4 million copies in the UK.
McNab is the author of seven fast action thrillers, highly acclaimed for their authenticity and all Sunday Times bestsellers. Published in 1997, Remote Control was hailed as the most authentic thriller ever written and has sold over half a million copies in the UK. McNab's subsequent thrillers, Crisis Four, Firewall, Last Light , Liberation Day , Dark Winter , Deep Black and Aggressor have all gone on to sell equally well. The central character in all the books is Nick Stone, a tough ex-SAS operative working as a 'K' on deniable operations for British Intelligence.
McNab's fiction draws extensively on his experiences and knowledge of Special Forces soldiering. He has been officially registered by Neilsen Bookscan as the bestselling British thriller writer of the last year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
January 18, 2018
McNab’s previous book was perhaps the worst book he has written. An interesting scenario desperately looking for a plot, and failing miserably. It took therapy and the consumption of many much better books to eventually purge most of the memories.
So I was gutted to find this is a bit of a continuation with McNab and his disabled ex-servicemen still together and dealing with the fall-out from the previous book. You probably need to read the previous to have any chance of enjoying this, but (trust me) it isn’t worth it.
Nick Stone and his chums are under threat from the bad guy from the previous book, so of course they go and work for him. And they take a job lifting a female hacker that the bad guy wants (although we never really find out why) and it all goes wrong in Cornwall where the team spend a very dull element of the book wandering around narrow lanes and endlessly reporting about who “has the trigger” on the bad guys. Finding themselves in the middle of something with serious international repercussions they pop off on a side mission to help one of their mates out who is in a bit of bother. As you would of course.
I may have made the book sound more exciting than it is.
(MINOR SPOILERS) McNab, I feel, has run out of ideas. His main character has lost an “adopted daughter” in his early books, then lost a wife and son in later books, made millions and then lost access to it….Stone must now be well over forty and the author can’t just keep re-booting stories without serious character development. The books have become harder to read and he seriously needs to up his game.
So I was gutted to find this is a bit of a continuation with McNab and his disabled ex-servicemen still together and dealing with the fall-out from the previous book. You probably need to read the previous to have any chance of enjoying this, but (trust me) it isn’t worth it.
Nick Stone and his chums are under threat from the bad guy from the previous book, so of course they go and work for him. And they take a job lifting a female hacker that the bad guy wants (although we never really find out why) and it all goes wrong in Cornwall where the team spend a very dull element of the book wandering around narrow lanes and endlessly reporting about who “has the trigger” on the bad guys. Finding themselves in the middle of something with serious international repercussions they pop off on a side mission to help one of their mates out who is in a bit of bother. As you would of course.
I may have made the book sound more exciting than it is.
(MINOR SPOILERS) McNab, I feel, has run out of ideas. His main character has lost an “adopted daughter” in his early books, then lost a wife and son in later books, made millions and then lost access to it….Stone must now be well over forty and the author can’t just keep re-booting stories without serious character development. The books have become harder to read and he seriously needs to up his game.
March 13, 2020
You need to read the previous book to really understand this one as it is pretty much a direct sequeal and it'll introduce you to the surviving members of the special needs service.
This is much better than the last book, not Mcnab's best but a lot better than cold blood. The story sees the SNS travelling up and down the length of England on a good will job for 'The Owl', trying to stop an FSB operation that might very well bring the west to its knees in the secret war. They're out-manded, outgunned, out-limbed, and seriously out of the depth. And just to add to their troubles, it looks like one of them might have been turned...
This is much better than the last book, not Mcnab's best but a lot better than cold blood. The story sees the SNS travelling up and down the length of England on a good will job for 'The Owl', trying to stop an FSB operation that might very well bring the west to its knees in the secret war. They're out-manded, outgunned, out-limbed, and seriously out of the depth. And just to add to their troubles, it looks like one of them might have been turned...
December 21, 2021
Nice is meeting up with some old friends and go on a mission to get to find a young woman Yulia.
They were being bugged and followed and it is not an easy job.
Meanwhile, Gabe got cheated by a scam and lost his money. The team then diverted their attention to find the scammers.
Lot of actions. A bit confusing at first as they are not sure why they were hired to do this job.
They were being bugged and followed and it is not an easy job.
Meanwhile, Gabe got cheated by a scam and lost his money. The team then diverted their attention to find the scammers.
Lot of actions. A bit confusing at first as they are not sure why they were hired to do this job.
September 30, 2022
This turned to be quite good in the end but it took a long time to develop any depth of character and the plot just seemed like a lot of 'running around'. A solid and reasonably enjoyable 3 stars
June 26, 2022
I’ll start this review by saying, I probably shouldn’t have jumped into the series at book 19! I wrongly assumed like other action/thriller books I could pick up and read this. Maybe I should have read other reviews first!
There are quite a few references to other events. However I did still enjoy the story. It’s a decent paced page turner. But there are some odd choices. After following the main plot line through most of the book, the characters decide to go on a side mission near the end of the book. Meaning the main resolution felt a bit rushed and muddled.
Main plot: we follow main character Nick Stone and his team of ex-military buddies as they track down a top hacker for a mysterious man known as The Owl. For the most part we spend our time in the UK, set just before the EU referendum.
An enjoyable book that I probably would have got more out of, if I had read at least the book prior to this. I look forward to reading more McNab
There are quite a few references to other events. However I did still enjoy the story. It’s a decent paced page turner. But there are some odd choices. After following the main plot line through most of the book, the characters decide to go on a side mission near the end of the book. Meaning the main resolution felt a bit rushed and muddled.
Main plot: we follow main character Nick Stone and his team of ex-military buddies as they track down a top hacker for a mysterious man known as The Owl. For the most part we spend our time in the UK, set just before the EU referendum.
An enjoyable book that I probably would have got more out of, if I had read at least the book prior to this. I look forward to reading more McNab
January 19, 2019
After the utter disappointment of the previous novel Cold Blood, I was tempted to give Andy McNab a rest and leave the Nick Stone series in the rear view mirror. Unfortunately I decided to persist for one more book and it was certainly underwhelming. A ridiculous plot involving Russians trying to cut internet cables in Cornwall lead to nothing and a subplot involving a crew pretending to be love interests of one of our heroes suddenly ended up having terrorist implications. It seems that unfortunately the author seems to be running out of ideas. After the death of his girlfriend and young son a few books prior, it might be time to put Nick Stone out of his misery and out to pasture. Regardless of whether he does or not, I unfortunately will not be back for the ride.
January 31, 2023
Literally the only redeeming thing about this book was Gabe. #FellowScotsman If it wasn't for him, I probably would be DNF'd this steaming pile of shit.
November 29, 2018
Laid up with a cold, what better thing to do than curl up with an Andy McNab book. Nothing too demanding and as satisfying as a decent coffee with a chocolate hobnob.
Another Nick Stone adventure, this guy never gives up, but this time he has a team. A new departure for Nick and from the authors point I applaud him for using ex military characters who through their service to their country have become disabled in one way or another and have not received the sort of support or acclaim that say their American brothers and sisters in arms enjoy. Maybe Andy should think about a female joining his team making it a bit less blokey and women not just entering the story as victims to be saved or aggressors/sexy spies etc.
But I enjoyed this, the story is plausible and either Mr McNab does his research well or has a team to do it - the story and the settings all ring true. I enjoyed this very much. (Currently reading the new Reacher novel by Lee Childs and TBH its a bit boring watch this space for the review)
Another Nick Stone adventure, this guy never gives up, but this time he has a team. A new departure for Nick and from the authors point I applaud him for using ex military characters who through their service to their country have become disabled in one way or another and have not received the sort of support or acclaim that say their American brothers and sisters in arms enjoy. Maybe Andy should think about a female joining his team making it a bit less blokey and women not just entering the story as victims to be saved or aggressors/sexy spies etc.
But I enjoyed this, the story is plausible and either Mr McNab does his research well or has a team to do it - the story and the settings all ring true. I enjoyed this very much. (Currently reading the new Reacher novel by Lee Childs and TBH its a bit boring watch this space for the review)
November 16, 2024
This is my first foray into McNab and I’m not sure I’ll be returning to the Nick Stone series in a hurry.
The book is all first person, steeped in British culture (local caravan sites, pubs, Lidl and CEX mentioned countless times) and chock full of SAS lingo like vectors and RVs. So far so good, but it’s all just a bit mediocre.
The characters are wafer thin, the action described like a mate telling another mate down the pub, some mindless violence and some really diluted Le Carre type stuff happening. The whole thing feels like it goes on forever, and there’s a real repetitive nature to the plot and the dialogue. God knows how this could feel fresh at nearly 20 books in!
Recommended?: easy enough to read, but overly simple, repetitive and just not worth it when there’s far higher quality equivalents out there. Feels like reading an ITVx show when you could be watching a Netflix or Prime show instead.
The book is all first person, steeped in British culture (local caravan sites, pubs, Lidl and CEX mentioned countless times) and chock full of SAS lingo like vectors and RVs. So far so good, but it’s all just a bit mediocre.
The characters are wafer thin, the action described like a mate telling another mate down the pub, some mindless violence and some really diluted Le Carre type stuff happening. The whole thing feels like it goes on forever, and there’s a real repetitive nature to the plot and the dialogue. God knows how this could feel fresh at nearly 20 books in!
Recommended?: easy enough to read, but overly simple, repetitive and just not worth it when there’s far higher quality equivalents out there. Feels like reading an ITVx show when you could be watching a Netflix or Prime show instead.
May 17, 2024
Excellent. Probably one of the best I've read in a while.
This one follows on from the previous book in the series 'Cold Blood'. This book can be read on its own, but I'd recommend reading cold blood first so you have a better idea of what the characters are about (who are in this book) and the backgrounds. (Note, Cold blood is not as good as other Andy Mcnab books in my opinion, but is recommended to read anyway).
This book seems much faster paced than the previous and reminds me of the ones I read that got me into this series of books from the start.
Well worth the read.
Now, on to the next.
This one follows on from the previous book in the series 'Cold Blood'. This book can be read on its own, but I'd recommend reading cold blood first so you have a better idea of what the characters are about (who are in this book) and the backgrounds. (Note, Cold blood is not as good as other Andy Mcnab books in my opinion, but is recommended to read anyway).
This book seems much faster paced than the previous and reminds me of the ones I read that got me into this series of books from the start.
Well worth the read.
Now, on to the next.
May 6, 2018
The plot is fast paced action. They leave a lot of bodies behind. In the middle of the UK.
The premise of action like that from the Russians is terrifying but with the latest news seems only too alarmingly possible.
What I personally don't like is the writing style. The permanent use of jargon, abbreviation and slang makes me long for conventional language. A well written book increases the joy of reading. This is meant to make it feel authentic, I suppose, but it just makes it jarring and grating on my nerves.
The premise of action like that from the Russians is terrifying but with the latest news seems only too alarmingly possible.
What I personally don't like is the writing style. The permanent use of jargon, abbreviation and slang makes me long for conventional language. A well written book increases the joy of reading. This is meant to make it feel authentic, I suppose, but it just makes it jarring and grating on my nerves.
November 25, 2020
A typical, fast-paced, Andy McNab book. What I call 'bloke fodder', if faced with a problem, kill it, or beat it and move on. If it's too big to beat, box around it and move on. Like all his books, he taps right in to the male psyche, of the 'man alone against the world/elements/bad guys. Not a complex story nor book, but fun.
I'm the same age as the character, and still push myself in martial arts, climbing, walking etc. but I have diminished so much since I hit fifty, I'm not sure I could beat even an untrained, fit person between twenty five and forty.
But as a good book it stands.
I'm the same age as the character, and still push myself in martial arts, climbing, walking etc. but I have diminished so much since I hit fifty, I'm not sure I could beat even an untrained, fit person between twenty five and forty.
But as a good book it stands.
April 16, 2020
This is a well-written book bringing into play a number of different facets and characters and a hint of mystery. You are never really certain who are the good guys and who are bad, indeed the end even leaves you pondering this
The fact that is mainly set in the UK allows you to focus more and also possibly learn more about these islands we live in and the multifaceted nature of the people who live and work here.
I enjoyed the book and hope that you find the time to do so as well
The fact that is mainly set in the UK allows you to focus more and also possibly learn more about these islands we live in and the multifaceted nature of the people who live and work here.
I enjoyed the book and hope that you find the time to do so as well
January 27, 2019
Not one of his best
Found the book a bit tiresome actually.. Read most of Mcnabs fiction early on and that was brilliant. Slow paced not the page Turner he used to be. Bought it on the esteem I used to hold him in. Average at best. Fizzled out maybe I am being cynical has to be his worst work yet.
Found the book a bit tiresome actually.. Read most of Mcnabs fiction early on and that was brilliant. Slow paced not the page Turner he used to be. Bought it on the esteem I used to hold him in. Average at best. Fizzled out maybe I am being cynical has to be his worst work yet.
July 23, 2022
I wasn't sure where this was going to start with, based in Cornwall and not the usual exotic or thrilling locations in these novels. And a great deal going on in one setting. But, wow! The story was high-octane with twists and turns. A great read, and fabulous twists to keep you guessing until the very end!
November 8, 2017
I enjoyed this a lot. For the first time in a long while, Nick is part of a team again and it works well. The details about Cornwall were interesting and had me looking at Google maps. I would definitely recommend this to fans of Andy McNab and this type of thriller.
November 18, 2017
O.k. As usual enjoying to read, with the usual attention to detail and dark humor.
The story itself however is, like his last book, a bit thin. A very simple storyline that could have been worked out further.
The story itself however is, like his last book, a bit thin. A very simple storyline that could have been worked out further.
July 31, 2018
Brilliant.story keeps you on your toes
These books are addictive you follow the characters .story line keep you hooked. Wanting to know .what's next you won't be disappointed try one full of twists and turns
These books are addictive you follow the characters .story line keep you hooked. Wanting to know .what's next you won't be disappointed try one full of twists and turns
May 27, 2019
You get a real feel and image of the conditions and pain that Nick endures. The beginning of the book starts out slowly with the build up half way through, when the real action happens. I would recommend.
April 19, 2020
Not my favourite book by this author but still a good read. I was a little confused of the story line at first but things eventually gelled together. A fair amount of action which increased towards a tension building end.
November 25, 2020
Having read ALL of McNab's books, prior to this one, I was hoping for the usual fast-paced, enthralling, crackling story. This one, however, is a clunker. While well written, the story is more like a travelogue with ZERO intrigue or action. Hopefully, his next one is better which I already own!
March 6, 2021
Good as ever
Didn’t take me long to read it, mostly as I wanted to devour the story! Not one to pick up and put down; it moves too fast. I loved the lads. If they have fairly-real counterparts, I love them to. Thank goodness we have an army!
Didn’t take me long to read it, mostly as I wanted to devour the story! Not one to pick up and put down; it moves too fast. I loved the lads. If they have fairly-real counterparts, I love them to. Thank goodness we have an army!
June 20, 2021
Confusing but held my attention. Some Afghan vets with prosthetics take on a mission to capture Yulia and return her to the Owl? Turns out she's a techie helping FBS agents to intercept Internet traffic in Cornwall.
November 21, 2024
After having read almost every book in the Nick Stone series, it feels almost like I'd been really out there in the field with him. Very thrilling, suspenseful, and realistic. You don't want to put the book down!
June 3, 2025
I do not know why I read these books. Maybe for the sake of that trekking in South-America with a lady. That was good. The rest is the same, affectation. Lying on his stomach and a stronger somebody is sitting on his back, with a gun. That could be very boring.
October 21, 2017
Great
Nick Stone hasn't lost his touch and neither has Andy McNab. Another roller coaster ride from Cornwall to Leicester taking in the not-so-scenic parts of town.
Nick Stone hasn't lost his touch and neither has Andy McNab. Another roller coaster ride from Cornwall to Leicester taking in the not-so-scenic parts of town.
November 8, 2017
Another cracker. As a frequent visitor to both, I very much enjoyed seeing Sennen Cove and Seaview holiday park through the eyes of Nick Stone.
November 28, 2017
An OK read. Not a gripping as the earlier ones in the series.
February 16, 2018
A little hard for Americans
The action parts were great, but all of the local British slang and words were disconcerting. left. I may give up on him.
The action parts were great, but all of the local British slang and words were disconcerting. left. I may give up on him.
August 2, 2018
Great fast action book, just seem to lack an ending, it felt like Andy had got bored. The story could of continued for at least another 100 pages or so. I really enjoyed the rest.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews