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The Powder Monkey
Experience a heart-pumping and thrilling tale of suspense!Originally published in THRILLER (2006),edited by #1 New York Times bestselling author James Patterson.In this offbeat Thriller Short, New York Times bestselling writer Ted Bell takes his hero Alex Hawke on a different kind of journey. It’s 1880 and a lovelorn newspaperman journeys to the Channel Islands to learn the true story of the pirate captain Billy Blood’s demise. While there, he learns how a small boy held captive aboard Blood’s frigate is saved from certain death. The boy’s name is Alex Hawke. His dramatic rescue sets the stage for later adventures.Don’t miss any of these exciting Thriller James Penney’s New Identity by Lee ChildOperation Northwoods by James GrippandoEpitaph by J. A. KonrathThe Face in the Window by Heather GrahamKowalski’s in Love by James RollinsThe Hunt for Dmitri by Gayle LyndsDisfigured by Michael Palmer and Daniel PalmerThe Abelard Sanction by David MorrellFalling by Chris MooneySuccess of a Mission by Dennis LyndsThe Portal by John Lescroart and M. J. RoseThe Double Dealer by David LissDirty Weather by Gregg HurwitzSpirit Walker by David DunAt the Drop of a Hat by Denise HamiltonThe Other Side of the Mirror by Eric Van LustbaderMan Catch by Christopher RiceGoodnight, Sweet Mother by Alex KavaSacrificial Lion by Grant BlackwoodInterlude at Duane’s by F. Paul WilsonThe Powder Monkey by Ted BellSurviving Toronto by M. Diane VogtAssassins by Christopher ReichThe Athens Solution by Brad ThorDiplomatic Constraints by Raelynn HillhouseKill Zone by Robert LiparuloThe Devils’ Due by Steve BerryThe Tuesday Club by Katherine NevilleGone Fishing by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
- GenresFiction
37 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2017
About the author
Ted Bell
51 books868 followersTed Bell was the author of 12 consecutive New York Times best sellers and a former advertising executive. He began his advertising career in the 1970’s as a junior copywriter at Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB), New York. At the age of 25, he sold his first screenplay to Hollywood, as well as became the youngest vice-president in the storied history of DDB. He then joined Leo Burnett Co., Chicago, as a creative director and four years later, he was named President, Chicago Creative Officer where he was credited with developing numerous innovative and award-winning advertising campaigns. In 1982, Bell joined Young & Rubicam, London, and in 1991 he became the Vice Chairman and Worldwide Creative Director. Ted won every award the advertising industry offers, including numerous Clios and Cannes Gold Lions, and while at Young & Rubicam, the Grand Prix at the Cannes Festival. In 2001, Ted retired to write full time. He has 10 New York Times Bestsellers to his credit: The Alex Hawke series of spy thrillers published by HarperCollins and the young adult targeted time travel adventure series, Nick of Time and The Time Pirate published by St. Martins Press.
A native Floridian, Bell graduated from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia and was a former member of the college’s Board of Trustees. He held an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Kendall College in Michigan. Bell was also an Adjunct Professor of English Literature at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. He was a member of the Defense Orientation Conference Association (DOCA), a program run by the Department of Defense in support of America’s military. He served on the Advisory Board at George Washington’s Home at Mount Vernon, a group chaired by former Secretary of the Army, Togo West. He also served for a time as an advisor to the Undersecretary for Domestic Relations at the U.S. Department of State.
For the 2011-2012 Academic Year, Sir Richard Dearlove, Former Chief of MI6, British Intelligence, sponsored Ted to become a Visiting Scholar at Cambridge University (UK). In addition, he was named Writer-in-Residence at Sydney-Sussex College, Cambridge and studied at the University’s Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLIS) under the tutelage of Sir Dearlove, who was the Master of Pembroke College.
In May 2018, Ted published OVERKILL, the 10th book in the popular Alex Hawke spy thriller series.
In January 2019, Ted and Jon Adler of Jon Adler Films formed El Dorado Entertainment, a feature film and television production company based in New York.
In July 2019, Ted signed a two-book deal with Random House.
In July 2020, the 11th Alex Hawke thriller, DRAGONFIRE, was published.
On December 7, 2021, the 12th Alex Hawke thriller, SEA HAWKE was published.
Ted appeared on numerous television and radio programs and was a featured speaker at associations, clubs, libraries and organizations across the country.
Ted traveled the world and lived in Italy, London, France, Palm Beach, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Maine. He last lived in a beloved 19th century farmhouse in Connecticut.
A native Floridian, Bell graduated from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia and was a former member of the college’s Board of Trustees. He held an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Kendall College in Michigan. Bell was also an Adjunct Professor of English Literature at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. He was a member of the Defense Orientation Conference Association (DOCA), a program run by the Department of Defense in support of America’s military. He served on the Advisory Board at George Washington’s Home at Mount Vernon, a group chaired by former Secretary of the Army, Togo West. He also served for a time as an advisor to the Undersecretary for Domestic Relations at the U.S. Department of State.
For the 2011-2012 Academic Year, Sir Richard Dearlove, Former Chief of MI6, British Intelligence, sponsored Ted to become a Visiting Scholar at Cambridge University (UK). In addition, he was named Writer-in-Residence at Sydney-Sussex College, Cambridge and studied at the University’s Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLIS) under the tutelage of Sir Dearlove, who was the Master of Pembroke College.
In May 2018, Ted published OVERKILL, the 10th book in the popular Alex Hawke spy thriller series.
In January 2019, Ted and Jon Adler of Jon Adler Films formed El Dorado Entertainment, a feature film and television production company based in New York.
In July 2019, Ted signed a two-book deal with Random House.
In July 2020, the 11th Alex Hawke thriller, DRAGONFIRE, was published.
On December 7, 2021, the 12th Alex Hawke thriller, SEA HAWKE was published.
Ted appeared on numerous television and radio programs and was a featured speaker at associations, clubs, libraries and organizations across the country.
Ted traveled the world and lived in Italy, London, France, Palm Beach, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Maine. He last lived in a beloved 19th century farmhouse in Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 12, 2018
The Powder Monkey. Ted Bell
A fast paced novella featuring Lord Hawke as a dashing adventurer on a small British warship to wage battle against the English turncoat Captain Blood who now sails for France. Hawke's son is being held prisoner by Captain Blood as well as many other young children in hopes of collecting a large ransom. A very entertaining and enjoyable read!
A fast paced novella featuring Lord Hawke as a dashing adventurer on a small British warship to wage battle against the English turncoat Captain Blood who now sails for France. Hawke's son is being held prisoner by Captain Blood as well as many other young children in hopes of collecting a large ransom. A very entertaining and enjoyable read!
October 22, 2020
Originally published in THRILLER (2006),edited by #1 New York Times bestselling author James Patterson.
This is a short story by Ted Bell who takes his hero Alex Hawke on a different kind of journey. It’s 1880 and a young newspaperman journeys to the Channel Islands to learn the true story of the pirate captain Billy Blood’s demise. While there, he learns how a small boy held captive aboard Blood’s frigate is saved from certain death. The boy’s name is Alex Hawke. His dramatic rescue sets the stage for later adventures.
This was an interesting introduction to Bell’s character, Alex Hawke. I enjoy it and was a but transfixed to keep on reading!
This is a short story by Ted Bell who takes his hero Alex Hawke on a different kind of journey. It’s 1880 and a young newspaperman journeys to the Channel Islands to learn the true story of the pirate captain Billy Blood’s demise. While there, he learns how a small boy held captive aboard Blood’s frigate is saved from certain death. The boy’s name is Alex Hawke. His dramatic rescue sets the stage for later adventures.
This was an interesting introduction to Bell’s character, Alex Hawke. I enjoy it and was a but transfixed to keep on reading!
September 18, 2020
Very good effort on a Ted Bell short story that kept me turning pages again. Ted Bell and Clive Cussler are two of my favorites in this genre. Glad to have a nice change of pace occasionally. This one did the trick.
June 10, 2018
Wish it had been longer
November 12, 2019
I kept thinking it was some kind of a scam. But it wasnt, interesting story good ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2025
A nice short tale. Pirates and a battle. A happy recovery. Then the tale to win a prize for the reporter.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews