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Open Arms
Kate Thompson - glamorous housewife-turned-MP - surprises everyone with her meteoric rise at Westminster. When Kate is sent as a trade minister to India, she hopes it will be her moment to shine. But, embroiled in a personal scandal, she gets drawn into a dangerous world of corruption and political intrigue... Billionaire Deepak Parrikar - head of an Indian arms technology company - is magnetically drawn to the beautiful British minister. But while their relationship deepens, India's hostilities with Pakistan reach boiling point, causing more than just business and politics to collide. In the race to prevent disaster, can their conflicting loyalties survive being tested to the limit? Open Arms is an explosive thriller which circles from Whitehall to the slums of Mumbai. Cable's sweeping tale combines unrivalled political detail with international intrigue, desire, and the quest for power. An electrifying debut.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 7, 2017
4 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Vince Cable
42 books18 followersJohn Vincent "Vince" Cable is a British politician and Leader of the Liberal Democrats. He was the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills from 2010 to 2015 and the Member of Parliament for Twickenham from 1997 until losing his seat in the 2015 election. He regained his seat in the 2017 election and became leader of the Liberal Democrats soon after.
Cable studied economics at the University of Cambridge and the University of Glasgow, before becoming an economic advisor to the Government of Kenya between 1966 and 1968 and to the Commonwealth Secretary-General in the 1970s and 1980s. From 1968 to 1974 he lectured in economics at Glasgow University. Later, he served as Chief Economist for Shell from 1995 to 1997. In the 1970s Cable was active in the Labour Party, becoming a Labour Councillor in Glasgow. In 1982 he joined the Social Democratic Party – which later joined with the Liberal Party to form the Liberal Democrats – and he unsuccessfully stood for Parliament in the general elections of 1970, 1983, 1987 and 1992 before being elected as the MP for Twickenham in 1997.
Cable became the Liberal Democrats Treasury Spokesman in June 2003, and was elected Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in March 2006, becoming Acting Leader for two months in 2007 following Sir Menzies Campbell's resignation until the election of Nick Clegg. He resigned from both of these position in May 2010 after becoming Business Secretary.
Cable studied economics at the University of Cambridge and the University of Glasgow, before becoming an economic advisor to the Government of Kenya between 1966 and 1968 and to the Commonwealth Secretary-General in the 1970s and 1980s. From 1968 to 1974 he lectured in economics at Glasgow University. Later, he served as Chief Economist for Shell from 1995 to 1997. In the 1970s Cable was active in the Labour Party, becoming a Labour Councillor in Glasgow. In 1982 he joined the Social Democratic Party – which later joined with the Liberal Party to form the Liberal Democrats – and he unsuccessfully stood for Parliament in the general elections of 1970, 1983, 1987 and 1992 before being elected as the MP for Twickenham in 1997.
Cable became the Liberal Democrats Treasury Spokesman in June 2003, and was elected Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in March 2006, becoming Acting Leader for two months in 2007 following Sir Menzies Campbell's resignation until the election of Nick Clegg. He resigned from both of these position in May 2010 after becoming Business Secretary.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 19, 2017
Try as I might I just couldn't really get into this book. The story sounds promising - the meteoric rise of a female MP, a sinister plot involving "defence" weapons with a bit of romance thrown in - but, for me, the writing style was a bit dry and plodding so I found I could only manage a couple of chapters at a time before becoming bored with it.
It did give an interesting insight into the world of British and International politics but you definitely come away with the feeling that most of the people who are in positions to serve the country are mostly just serving themselves!
The bottom line for me was that this book just didn't grab me - even the terrorist event seemed like a bit of a damp squib - a shame really as, given the storyline and how relevant it is at the present time, this could have been a real thriller!
It did give an interesting insight into the world of British and International politics but you definitely come away with the feeling that most of the people who are in positions to serve the country are mostly just serving themselves!
The bottom line for me was that this book just didn't grab me - even the terrorist event seemed like a bit of a damp squib - a shame really as, given the storyline and how relevant it is at the present time, this could have been a real thriller!
September 13, 2017
Meh. I'm not really a fan of this book, to be honest. The summary sounded really good and I was excited to read it, but it was far more political than I was expecting, and this made it incredibly hard to read.
For me, this novel never really got going. It was just a clear political statement from start to finish, and to be perfectly honest, it was dull. The only exciting parts of the story were the interactions between Kate and Deepak, but even these were few and far between. They were also completely unrealistic. Kate announces that she's in love with Deepak after meeting him what, once? Maybe twice?
It was well written, don't get me wrong, and I think it had the potential to be a really interesting story, but it there was just too much 'filler' stuff. I don't know, maybe it's just because I'm not really into political fiction, but this really didn't do it for me.
For me, this novel never really got going. It was just a clear political statement from start to finish, and to be perfectly honest, it was dull. The only exciting parts of the story were the interactions between Kate and Deepak, but even these were few and far between. They were also completely unrealistic. Kate announces that she's in love with Deepak after meeting him what, once? Maybe twice?
It was well written, don't get me wrong, and I think it had the potential to be a really interesting story, but it there was just too much 'filler' stuff. I don't know, maybe it's just because I'm not really into political fiction, but this really didn't do it for me.
September 21, 2017
Mr Cable knows politics at local and government level. He know the arms business and quite a lot about India.
He does not know how to write a thriller.
This book has no drama, no humour.
The characters are from a dusty shelf in an old Woolworths.
Hackneyed phrases abound:
"They got in under the radar. They must have an inside source."
The bad guys are "unsavoury small fry" and are "at the bottom of criminal food chain."
And my favourite:
"The political wind blowing in the wrong direction."
I will struggle on.
Finished it. terrible book.
(Is 'hackneyed phrase' a 'hackneyed phrase'?)
He does not know how to write a thriller.
This book has no drama, no humour.
The characters are from a dusty shelf in an old Woolworths.
Hackneyed phrases abound:
"They got in under the radar. They must have an inside source."
The bad guys are "unsavoury small fry" and are "at the bottom of criminal food chain."
And my favourite:
"The political wind blowing in the wrong direction."
I will struggle on.
Finished it. terrible book.
(Is 'hackneyed phrase' a 'hackneyed phrase'?)
September 10, 2017
Open Arms sets out to be a political thriller but fails to excite and presents a depressing view of the workings of government. It also shows the danger of predicting events in the near future – but then the author was not the only one who expected a crushing election defeat of the opposition by a female Conservative Prime Minister following the Brexit vote.
The plot had some interesting potential, but the heavy narrative style read more like a report of events so there was little feeling of suspense. The characters came over as types not people and even in intimate situations sounded as if they were summarising their position rather than conversing.
I would have liked much more of an insider’s feel for Westminster politics and characters I could connect with so that I cared about their triumphs and disasters.
The plot had some interesting potential, but the heavy narrative style read more like a report of events so there was little feeling of suspense. The characters came over as types not people and even in intimate situations sounded as if they were summarising their position rather than conversing.
I would have liked much more of an insider’s feel for Westminster politics and characters I could connect with so that I cared about their triumphs and disasters.
April 15, 2018
A decent read, the book starts slowly and builds as the various characters and storylines converge.
Vince Cable uses his knowledge of ministerial life to put a decent storyline together.
The only criticism is there are too many subplots and at times made it difficult to follow parts of the story.
Vince Cable uses his knowledge of ministerial life to put a decent storyline together.
The only criticism is there are too many subplots and at times made it difficult to follow parts of the story.
October 1, 2017
Political Thrillers are not really my cup of tea if I am being honest but I enjoyed the majority of the book. There are an awful lot of disparate characters and in the early stages it is a little confusing as to who is who and what they have to do with the story but it soon begins to gel. I was impressed with how well Vince Cable brought all the various strands and characters together at the end of the book. About halfway through I did start to lose heart and think that it was just going to be a jumble at then end but it has been brought together very well and ties up, moderately well.
From a personal enjoyment perspective this was only a 3 Star read however I felt compelled to give an extra star for the craftmanship in dealing with this complex tale and bringing it to a logical conclusion.
From the initial description of the book and the front cover you may think that this book centres strongly on the female protagonist of the novel, Kate Thompson. However, in my opinion, the main thrust of the book deals with the Indian side of the story particularly Deepak Parrikar and his family. There is also quite a lot of attention given to Steve Grant and Shaida Khan and family at the UK end of the deal. So much so that it appears that the character of Kate has only been picked on for the attract to try and woo a certain sub-set of readers in. Whilst she is an integral part of the story she is not the main focus.
Set in the near future of 2019 Open Arms is set in a post-Brexit Britain and deals with the necessity for opening up new export links with emerging nations, particularly India. In particular it examines the putative deal in defensive weapons technology between Parrikar Aviation and the British based Pulsar. Along the way the book deals with racial tension between India and Pakistan, the internecine warfare of the British Political System, religious and racial hatred in Britain.
I have been careful in this review not to discuss any specific plot points as it would be nigh on impossible to do so without introducing spoilers to the mix.
I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM READERS FIRST IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
From a personal enjoyment perspective this was only a 3 Star read however I felt compelled to give an extra star for the craftmanship in dealing with this complex tale and bringing it to a logical conclusion.
From the initial description of the book and the front cover you may think that this book centres strongly on the female protagonist of the novel, Kate Thompson. However, in my opinion, the main thrust of the book deals with the Indian side of the story particularly Deepak Parrikar and his family. There is also quite a lot of attention given to Steve Grant and Shaida Khan and family at the UK end of the deal. So much so that it appears that the character of Kate has only been picked on for the attract to try and woo a certain sub-set of readers in. Whilst she is an integral part of the story she is not the main focus.
Set in the near future of 2019 Open Arms is set in a post-Brexit Britain and deals with the necessity for opening up new export links with emerging nations, particularly India. In particular it examines the putative deal in defensive weapons technology between Parrikar Aviation and the British based Pulsar. Along the way the book deals with racial tension between India and Pakistan, the internecine warfare of the British Political System, religious and racial hatred in Britain.
I have been careful in this review not to discuss any specific plot points as it would be nigh on impossible to do so without introducing spoilers to the mix.
I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM READERS FIRST IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
January 31, 2018
A first novel from a man with much experience of the worlds he portrays. A political thriller taking in arms dealers, local and national politics in Britain, India and Pakistan, islamism and a bit of business skullduggery on the way. In some ways it is a typical first novel. Cable tells a good story: there needs to be less telling and more showing. Characters are reasonably drawn, but not sufficiently differentiated in dialogue; and his writing reflects the detached bonhomie of his public persona – the moments of tension and high dram barely feel tense or dramatic at all.
There is great plausibility in much of the story. The protrait of a fictional local party association will have activists all over the country thinking it must be modelled on them. And it goes along at a decent pace. If Mr Cable did not have a day job, he could well earn a decent crust writing more novels like this.
There is great plausibility in much of the story. The protrait of a fictional local party association will have activists all over the country thinking it must be modelled on them. And it goes along at a decent pace. If Mr Cable did not have a day job, he could well earn a decent crust writing more novels like this.
August 16, 2020
Vince Cable has admirable aims with this book set around Westminster and the business sector (home and abroad). Unfortunately, the execution is poor, the characterisation is weak or rushed and in some places early on the book plods along so slowly it is boring. Saying that there was something about the book that kept me reading it (probably in the hope it would improve) and the pace picks up towards the end with shorter passages however the finale is rushed and a let down. Cable is clearly more comfortable writing non fiction, a large chunk of the book is full of description but little dialogue.
November 16, 2020
I'm not sure that one woman risks everything in this at all, and certainly not Kate Thompson.
The beginning is detailed and a little confusing, following the various characters and their stories takes a bit too much effort. In the middle, it gets interesting, particularly the Indian side of the story. It promises quite a lot. And then, for some reason, with minimal build up, it finishes in pretty much one chapter.
I think there is a lot of potential in here, and perhaps a bit of nurturing could make the next book much better.
The beginning is detailed and a little confusing, following the various characters and their stories takes a bit too much effort. In the middle, it gets interesting, particularly the Indian side of the story. It promises quite a lot. And then, for some reason, with minimal build up, it finishes in pretty much one chapter.
I think there is a lot of potential in here, and perhaps a bit of nurturing could make the next book much better.
May 9, 2021
Really too tedious and exhausting to the normal thriller reader.. Too much of political jargon .. I really had high hopes looking at the cover of the book and reading the back over... But deeply disappointed..
May 24, 2020
It had some interesting plot concepts that provided a very good start and middle. Sadly the ending felt like it was rushed for a print deadline. Such a shame when it had such promise.
May 25, 2024
Found this hard-going. Think it took too long for the plot to get going, and the ending was a bit of an anti-climax - too many unanswered questions for me.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews