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Only the Dead
In today’s war-torn Libya, veteran Commando Finn Douglas is forced to commit an appalling act in order to save the lives of his men. Haunted by his actions, he suffers a further blow when he learns that his family has been killed in a terrorist attack in London. Numb with grief and traumatised by guilt, Finn turns his back on the world of conflict and killing and escapes to an island wilderness to heal.
With the country crippled by cyber-attacks and terrorist bombings in the cities, a team of Military Police are tasked with bringing Finn to justice. For one of the policemen, the manhunt is a more personal issue; a chance to redress a wrong at the hands of marines some years before.
When Finn intervenes in a life and death situation, his sanctuary is shattered and the net tightens. The manhunt becomes a race against time between the forces of law and order and a psychotic criminal determined to exact his revenge on Finn for thwarting his plans.
For Finn, the world of killing and conflict returns with a vengeance on the blizzard-swept mountains of the island. Only this time he has nowhere left to run.
With the country crippled by cyber-attacks and terrorist bombings in the cities, a team of Military Police are tasked with bringing Finn to justice. For one of the policemen, the manhunt is a more personal issue; a chance to redress a wrong at the hands of marines some years before.
When Finn intervenes in a life and death situation, his sanctuary is shattered and the net tightens. The manhunt becomes a race against time between the forces of law and order and a psychotic criminal determined to exact his revenge on Finn for thwarting his plans.
For Finn, the world of killing and conflict returns with a vengeance on the blizzard-swept mountains of the island. Only this time he has nowhere left to run.
330 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2017
101 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
James E. Mack
7 books23 followersJames E Mack was a Commando in the late 1980’s before passing selection for a special operations unit. For the remainder of his military career, James operated against terrorist organisations around the globe, hunting down the masterminds and thwarting their attacks. Running agents, surveillance, and operating undercover, James was at the tactical forefront of the global war on terror at its peak. Having completed his full military service and survived shootings, bombings, double agents, and kidnap attempts, James was recruited in the private sector to continue providing his skills to UK and US international partners.
James specialised as a counter terrorism/counter insurgency advisor, assisting over 30 nations with their fight against violent extremist organisations. He also worked with conservation groups in West Africa, setting up counter wildlife poaching programs. In Mozambique, James played a key role in the emergency evacuation of thousands of oil and gas workers from a remote location that had come under terrorist attack. When Russia invaded Ukraine, he deployed to Ukraine and established a recovery and extraction operation for civilians fleeing the war.
James is the author of The Killing Agent and 6 other novels. His unique background and experiences bring a healthy dose of authenticity to his thrillers that his readers enjoy. The rights to his memoirs, ‘Hunter, Killer, Spy’ were bought by Pan Macmillan. The rights to James' future novels have been bought by Penguin Random House. James is represented by The Andrew Lownie Literary Agency in London.
James lives in Northern Scotland where he breaks out his Telemark skis when the white stuff falls or surfs the empty, cold waves of the North Sea.
James specialised as a counter terrorism/counter insurgency advisor, assisting over 30 nations with their fight against violent extremist organisations. He also worked with conservation groups in West Africa, setting up counter wildlife poaching programs. In Mozambique, James played a key role in the emergency evacuation of thousands of oil and gas workers from a remote location that had come under terrorist attack. When Russia invaded Ukraine, he deployed to Ukraine and established a recovery and extraction operation for civilians fleeing the war.
James is the author of The Killing Agent and 6 other novels. His unique background and experiences bring a healthy dose of authenticity to his thrillers that his readers enjoy. The rights to his memoirs, ‘Hunter, Killer, Spy’ were bought by Pan Macmillan. The rights to James' future novels have been bought by Penguin Random House. James is represented by The Andrew Lownie Literary Agency in London.
James lives in Northern Scotland where he breaks out his Telemark skis when the white stuff falls or surfs the empty, cold waves of the North Sea.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 1, 2020
Better than expected
I have not read this author before, and felt the start was slow, and easily could see where the plot was going, but I persevered and actually read it in less than a day.
A few twists and turns, but I really wanted to know what happened to Finn Douglas. Sadly I fear, his illness is felt by a lot of returning soldiers, and we still don't have enough support for them. Worth a read
I have not read this author before, and felt the start was slow, and easily could see where the plot was going, but I persevered and actually read it in less than a day.
A few twists and turns, but I really wanted to know what happened to Finn Douglas. Sadly I fear, his illness is felt by a lot of returning soldiers, and we still don't have enough support for them. Worth a read
November 2, 2021
Excellent Read
I had never heard of James E Mack before I read his book The Sins of the Father and I was hooked. I then read Fear of the Dark and then this book. The books are not connected so you are reading a completely new story with different characters every time. His books for me really are can't put down page turners.
I had never heard of James E Mack before I read his book The Sins of the Father and I was hooked. I then read Fear of the Dark and then this book. The books are not connected so you are reading a completely new story with different characters every time. His books for me really are can't put down page turners.
September 21, 2020
A Work Of Magnificence.
A Royal Marine, already traumatised with the death of a young Arab boy whilst on active service, receives further mental blows with the deaths of his immediate family in a UK terrorist attack.
He reacts with the theft of military weaponry and flees to a remote Scottish Island. However, the fickle finger of fate continues to point in his direction when the peace of his existence is shattered by criminal activity relating to awld wolf pack on that island.
Hunted by the military police his world explodes with violence and a grim struggle for survival. Brilliant stuff.
A Royal Marine, already traumatised with the death of a young Arab boy whilst on active service, receives further mental blows with the deaths of his immediate family in a UK terrorist attack.
He reacts with the theft of military weaponry and flees to a remote Scottish Island. However, the fickle finger of fate continues to point in his direction when the peace of his existence is shattered by criminal activity relating to awld wolf pack on that island.
Hunted by the military police his world explodes with violence and a grim struggle for survival. Brilliant stuff.
July 9, 2017
Only the Dead is not the typical genre i would usually go for, but it got recommended to me by a friend and i'm delighted it did. The storyline had a way of grabbing hold of me from the start & didn't allow me to let it go until the end. James E Mack has a clever way of making you either really care or really not care for the characters & think of them long after you've finished.
Life had to wait with this one & I spent the whole book telling myself "just one more chapter." Excited to have been introduced to this author & looking forward to read what he has in store for us next.
Life had to wait with this one & I spent the whole book telling myself "just one more chapter." Excited to have been introduced to this author & looking forward to read what he has in store for us next.
May 20, 2020
What a great read. This powerful and well thought out book covered so many subjects eg bereavement, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and guilt. We were given a wonderful insight into many of the books characters as opposed to just the main character. I will not go into detail because it will spoil the read. I can only commend the author for taking us on a very thought provoking journey which started in war torn Libya and concluded in a Scottish island. A well deserved 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 15, 2020
This was an absolutely brilliant read from a new author. It was really difficult to believe that this was the first book that he had written. It came across as really well researched and all of the characters were beautifully portrayed. As the story went on it gave off a real “feel good” factor. It was one of the most enjoyable books I have read in quite a while and I feel sure that other readers feel the same way. Read it and you will not be disappointed.
January 24, 2021
A fantastic read, I wasn't sure what to expect with this story but I found myself turning the pages, getting sleepless nights etc until I reached the end.
I won't go into detail regarding the story because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who wishes to read this book. All I will say is that the characters the story and the locations are spot on . I found it to be an interesting and exciting roller coaster that kept me engrossed until the end. I think this book would make a great movie
I won't go into detail regarding the story because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who wishes to read this book. All I will say is that the characters the story and the locations are spot on . I found it to be an interesting and exciting roller coaster that kept me engrossed until the end. I think this book would make a great movie
February 6, 2020
Book review
This book was well written and kept you interested all the time. A story that Brought many aspects of life that is round today from the troubles of Afghanistan to the problems a lot of servicemen came back from the war zones;
.Look forward to reading the next book.
This book was well written and kept you interested all the time. A story that Brought many aspects of life that is round today from the troubles of Afghanistan to the problems a lot of servicemen came back from the war zones;
.Look forward to reading the next book.
June 13, 2020
I
Fantastic Book from start to finish. Well recommended.5*. In fact just read the Second in the series a must for the 3.
Fantastic Book from start to finish. Well recommended.5*. In fact just read the Second in the series a must for the 3.
October 4, 2020
Excellent
This was a nail biting read, you get completely engrossed in the story, so many character’s, so many twists. The charecters each had a role to play.
This was a nail biting read, you get completely engrossed in the story, so many character’s, so many twists. The charecters each had a role to play.
October 6, 2020
Unputdownable
At first I did not think this was going to be my cup of tea but after only a few pages I could not stop reading. I for one will follow the author with a keen interest.
At first I did not think this was going to be my cup of tea but after only a few pages I could not stop reading. I for one will follow the author with a keen interest.
October 11, 2020
Really good book didn't want to put it down ? Hope you will be doing a follow-up to this ?
October 13, 2020
Great read.
Action, drama, tension and more action. Thoroughly enjoyed the book. One of the best reads in this genre this year. Would read more by this author.
Action, drama, tension and more action. Thoroughly enjoyed the book. One of the best reads in this genre this year. Would read more by this author.
January 22, 2021
Really good!
I enjoyed this book, second book I’ve read from this author in the past week. A real page turner with decent characters and a happy ending for a change!
I enjoyed this book, second book I’ve read from this author in the past week. A real page turner with decent characters and a happy ending for a change!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews