Witness X

Group Fifteen Files #2

by Mark Dawson, Scott Mariani

Mark Dawson’s Group Fifteen Files. Quick, lightning-paced, action from the first page to the last.

Bryan Duffy is Witness X - a government agent implicated in a national scandal and banished to Spain until the agenda can be moved on.

But when North Korean hitmen attack a seeming innocent on the streets of London, Duffy is called back to the fold. He is tasked with finding the woman's assailants and bringing them to justice.

Why has the woman been attacked? Duffy investigates, and finds himself sucked into a whirlwind of action and mayhem that is particularly well suited to his special set of skills...


Praise for Mark Dawson:

"It’s impossible not to think of Lee Child’s super-selling Jack Reacher. " - The Times

"A literary sensation." - The Daily Telegraph

"Dawson writes the kind of thrillers I love. Non-stop, grab-you-by-the-throat tales of doing the right thing no matter the odds. Simply excellent." - USA Today bestselling author Brett Battles.

More than 1m copies sold in the John Milton and Rose series and 1000s of five star reviews.

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery, Espionage, Suspense, Short Stories

92 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 13, 2017

About the author

For news and special offers join Mark's mailing list at:

http://eepurl.com/Cai5X

Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.

He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).

The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.

Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.

You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Want a fast, short story about a government secret agent? Get Mark Dawson’s “Witness X”.

I listened to the audible audio, narrated by David Thorpe. It’s a 2 ½ hour listen. It’s a series, and this is book 2; yet it’s a great standalone.

Brian Duffy, Witness X, is caught in a national scandal and exiled to Spain. After a North Korean hitman attacks a woman in London, Duffy is sent back and finds himself in an area of espionage.

This is an entertaining interlude that I chose for a trip that was 2 ½ hours long. Both my husband and I enjoyed it.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intense short listen. I will definitely continue this series. Poor Tamson!

[Terence M [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!] · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0-Stars - I Liked It
Witness X By: Mark Dawson, with Scott Mariani
Audiobook Novella - 02:37 Hours
Narrated by: David Thorpe

The influence of Scott Mariani is evident in the writing of this audio-novella and it was an ok short story about some action undertaken by Bryan Duffy, who is only referred to as Number XII and is one of XV very special British Government assassins. Number X, another of the XV assassins, assisted XII and witnessed some short, sharp action.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mark Dawson at his best bringing new stories from his secret service creation Group 15.
Number 12 is on gardening leave until a legal problem can be resolved or overcome. So when he is called back to meet Control he knows that this must be a special assignment. In fact it goes deeper than that and it suddenly becomes very personal to him.
Duffy, is an effective killing machine and he is tasked with closing a potential security breach and allowed to eliminate part of the enemy he wants to kill for revenge.
A rogue nation state; the quest for intercontinental missile technology and agents using a modern weapon to deliver a message all feature here. Demonstrating again that this author is always current, relevant and fearless in pitching his stories amid the affairs that fill our news media today.
The tension is built and the action never eases up as Duffy’s approach to work is tested throughout this assignment. Failure could lead to a strategic shift in the balance of power and embarrass the U.K. government by undermining close allies defences. It would also mean that the personal revenge is not achieved. If the fight has to be taken back to the internal borders of this dictatorship Duffy will follow them back to their homeland. It would possibly be a suicide mission but he will not fail until he avenges the attack on someone special to him.
A short story that delivers like fans of this author have come to expect and are rarely disappointed.

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent edit by the author as this story grabs your attention immediately, and by the end I can't wait to read more about this new agent!
A great adventure as Agent 12 learns of a horrible thing done to his old girlfriend, the only love of his life. Control, head of a special group, wants him to find what has happened after hearing a phone call that hints of a traitor to their country.
Written so well you just keep reading until done, and then are looking for more!

Merged review:

Excellent edit by this author as this story grabs your attention immediately, and by the end I can't wait to read more about this Agent 12, Bryan Duffy!!
A great adventure as Bryan learns of a horrible thing done to his old girlfriend, the only love of his life. Control, the head of this group of agents known as group 15,wants him to find what has happened, as he hears a phone call from the girl's husband that points him as a traitor to his country!
This is written so well that you just keep reading until your done and left looking for more!!
All those who like a little adventure in their thrillers will enjoy this story of a new special group that works to keep their country strong

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella featuring Bryan Duffy, a colleague of John Milton, in the days when they were both in Group Fifteen, the secret service elite assassin team. Very violent and messy.

[Pierre Tassé (Enjoying Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good short story. I enjoyed the action and involvement of individuals that were previously known throughout the Mark Dawson series. I am moving on to #3 in this series.

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witness X is the second book in the Groupp Fifteen Files by Mark Dawson. This time the main character is Bryan Duffy who will appear in other books such as the series about Beatrix Rose. It is interesting reading about this group because they are always in the background in the John Milton series. If you like me is a series lover then you have your work cut out for you. Start reading all the series related to Group Fifteen, such as: Beatrix Rose, Isabella Rose, John Milton and this Group fifteen Files. Then you have over 30 books to enjoy.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is the second novella in the Group Fifteen Files by Mark Dawson. It's super fast with plenty of action and violence. It follows a spy / military / government group through a different mission each time.
Really liking these - v entertaining!

[Trish R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our hero in this book was Bryan Duffy and all I can say is the narrator did a terrible voice for him. Everyone sounded like perfectly speaking English men and women but Duffy sounded like he came straight out of the London rookeries. So I would suggest you don’t listen to this but read it.

Duffy’s old girlfriend, Tamsin, had acid thrown in her face because of something her husband did and it was up to Duffy to find the bad guys, since Duffy worked for Group Fifteen, the same group as John Milton from the Group Fifteen Files and Michael Pope from the Isabella Rose series. All were really good books so I just keep reading Mark Dawson’s books. I’m thinking The Cleaner is next, it’s a John Milton book.

Overall, this was exciting when they got to the company and the battle began. And then it was back to the hospital to see Tamsin. Wow, what a mess her face was, the description was kind of disgusting.

So, as for the swearing? The F-bomb was used ONE time. I have no idea why they would throw that in there.

As to the narration: David Thorpe does not disappoint except when he does a woman’s voice. He really needs practice to get that better.

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first of these new Group Fifteen novellas was excellent, and this one continues the trend of being a high quality read. the characters are believable and well developed and the plot is strong and deals with topical issues and is well seasoned by Mark Dawson's usual exciting action passages.
All-in-all a great read, I just wish that these books were full-length novels, rather than novellas, but I'm sure that the different format will appeal to reader's who haven't discovered Mark Dawson, and hopefully they will do themselves the favour of reading some of the full-length Milton books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, but I have voluntarily written this honest review based on my own opinions.

[Ruth Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Mark Dawson's Rose/Milton series.
This is a great way to get me through to the next big book.
The back-story to the ill-fated members of Group 15,
this one explains the life of Duffy, as he moves inexorably
towards his dark side, and his fate.
Looking forward to the next one.
Who will it be ?

[Taju Noor · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slight hint of Manage Risk at the end was a nice touch.

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second novella in the Group Fifteen Files written by Mark Dawson with the help of some of his peers. This book was better than the 1st, which wasn't bad and now I'll go the last as of this date, Little Sister. All of these can be read for free on Kindle Unlimited at this time.

Witness X starts out with an attack on a woman for no apparent reason but when MI5 starts digging into everything they bring in the people that pulls the trigger, Group Fifteen. Control, the man that oversees Group Fifteen calls for the one man that can get to the bottom of everything, Twelve, or the under suspension Bryan Duffy. The reason Duffy is brought in is that this attack was personal. The attack was carried out by a North Korean agency equivalent to Group Fifteen and espionage was a reason for them to kill anybody that would get in their way.

Dawson and Mariani pack 104 pages full of action and very little wasted space. So far if this is a genre you like then I suggest this little novella series as "Group Fifteen Files, Volume 1" be added to your reading list if you want something quick to read.

Witness X by Mark Dawson and Scott Mariani
A Group Fifteen Novella (Group Fifteen Files Book 2)

[Greg Strom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems more Scott than Mark and you never want to have a story start out with poor innocent woman getting disfigured with acid....wth? And why is it called witness x again? Anyway Duffy is group 15 and enjoying exile in Spain when called back to the job in London because lo and behold the innocent woman is the former love of his life. Seems the N Koreans want some formula for weapons that only her actual greedy bastard chemist boyfriend can provide so instead of just forcing him to give them up they cowardly disfigure poor woman for life. We never really find out who threw the acid so revenge is not as straightforward as it should be, of course Duffy gets the bastards and a knife in the arm, swears to take care of former girlfriend since the did end up getting her husband after all, then says he is ready to resume job at group 15. Not sure how girl gets cared for but it wasnt that great a story anyway so lets move on shall we? Where is John Milton?!

[Steve Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those short 2 hour audiobooks that I suspect are released as teasers to hook readers on a series. They’re often offered for free on Audibles.

Dawson’s stories are far better than Lee Child’s “Reacher”. The action sequences are well done, and Dawson seems to have done some research on weapons and tactics and fighting. He misses the mark occasionally.

Dawson borrows heavily from Ian Fleming. Agents are numbered. The head of his organization is called “Control”. It’s very “Bond”- esque,

His protagonist here, Duffy, is a mouthy and impulsive weapon of war, sent on a mission that, coincidentally, is one of personal revenge for him. The story seems to be introducing another series.

The audiobook was superbly narrated.

I’d listen to more of these if they were available through a library app.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is possibly my favourite among the three. The arch of the story, though somewhat predictable, remains thrilling. The first 1/3 of the book seems to be overtly too long for a background but I like how the love angle propels the hero. The middle action part is exciting, perfect on a car or train or plane ride. The final sections of the books always disappoint me, leaving the reader hanging.

You can read any of the trilogy in any order as there is just minor continuity issues and every agent is different and has little relation to the other characters. Overall a good short thrilling read.

[Mrs V · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating read for all group fifteen readers.

A short story that condenses all that you need if you're a John Milton series follower.

Although Milton doesn't appear in this novella it shows how group fifteen works and has developed, this time featuring with a very capable 12 dealing with foreign activists. The plot is well constructed and succinct with a fabulous ending which, I'm sure, will develop in future books.

I did however notice in chapter 16 that One turned into Ten and then back to One, was this a typo or to check who notices?

A great read and I look forward to reading more.

[RJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Duffy, Number 12, has been called back to London on the order of Control, head of Group 15. He had been residing in Spain while a court case involving him was being resolved. Control had an assignment for him. Camden, a woman Duffy had met and romanced on leave from Afghanistan four years ago had acid thrown in her face. In the interim, Camden had married a gent named Tony Bell who is employed by Rush Laboratories as a Senior Project Manager. Recently, the Bells have been living well beyond their means. A panicked, undisclosed telephone call to Rush Labs made all the pieces come together. Duffy is to squeeze Bell and entrap all the players. Duffy wasted no time fulfilling his mission.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella features one of John Milton's colleagues from Group 15 and is a topical tale which resonates in these uncertain times. Bryan Duffy is drawn into what turns out to be a very personal case for him. The action starts horribly and shockingly and races through the streets of London and beyond to a bloody conclusion.
As always with Mark's books, the story is exciting, action-packed, full of detail and absolutely unputdownable. Don't miss these extra bonus stories while waiting for the next full length book.

[Carla Warren · Rating 2 out of 5]

WITNESS “X”

Advertised as a Thriller, but personally thought it was more action, that seriously lacked on the thriller side of things.

But still a fast paced, high octane audio novella.

Witness X is book #2 in a series, I haven’t read/ listened to the first but I’d say it works well enough as a stand-alone…

Or maybe it doesn’t, and that’s why I failed to engage in the story ?

I did however enjoy the narration, and this along with its fast pace was what stopped me from giving up on Witness X.

#audionovella #fastpaced #highoctane

[dennis barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witness X. Mark Dawson

Duffy, is part of Group 15. A clandestine group within the British secret service. They do the jobs that require immediate closure. North Korea needs a better propulsion system to launch its nuclear weaponry. They have turned a British scientist. A Korean hit squad is operating in London. They need to be shut down and the flow of scientific information closed. Permanently. This Novella is bursting with action. Enjoyed tremendously!

[Mr B Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Group 15 story

I love these sort updates on some of the work of Group 15 and this one was another action packed offering.
It was good to see another character, number 12 this time, completing a very difficult mission which was very personal to him.
We meet this agent again in a Betrix Rose story under very different circumstances and things don't go as well.
A great read for when you have a few hours to spare.

[Neelabh Pratap Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Witness X" is a novella centered on Bryan Duffy, a Group Fifteen operative tasked with unraveling the mystery behind North Korean assassins responsible for an acid attack on his former girlfriend. Duffy's intriguing character. The novella, marked by excellent action sequences, maintains a brisk pace, complemented by the brevity of the book. While Duffy's character may stretch credibility, "Witness X" offers an enjoyable and concise read for those seeking a dose of gripping espionage.

[Sue Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fab book from Mark Dawson

I am not a massive fan of novellas to be honest - I prefer a longer, meatier book. However this one is very good and neatly paves the way for more books about the main character ( hope they are full length ones). If you like fast paced action books this is a must.

[Marika Charalambous · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second short novella in the Group Fifteen Files series takes us to another agent, Bryan Duffy, whom we previously met in Blood Moon. Now Duffy has to find the killers of his ex-girlfriend before things get even worse. A great read. Wonder when the third book will be published.

Full review: https://mysterysequels.com/witness-x-...

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witness X

It was nice to read about another Group Fifteen member other than John Milton (not that I don't love him), but it was nice to see that someone else in the group shows some badassery, too. I wouldn't mind seeing another story with agent Duffy in it some day. He was ruthless. But yet sensitive to the one he loved.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Dawson does it again! Witness X is Group Fifteen novelette and is very well written and current topics. Mark Dawson’s lead character is Bryan Duffy who is a member of the elite Group Fifteen. If the novel or novelette is written by Mark Dawson, then it will be an exciting, adventurous, and up to date suspense story. A must read!

[Zenizole Gqada · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t particularly enjoy this book. All the space and weapons of destruction talk was just a tad bit too much for me. It started out well but it just didn’t deliver.

That might be because I read it after having read one of the John Miltons books and number 12 just doesn’t do it for me. I don’t know.

[Joanne West · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read another novella by Mark Dawson a while ago and I wasn't overly keen however I had this in my library so thought I would give it a try and I'm very glad that I did.

Plenty of detail and description and being a novella it's fast paced. I enjoyed the story and have even gone and purchased the next novella as well