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Incendiary
‘She’s like nothing you’ve ever seen. She is beautiful – a perfect fusion of physical and mental supremacy. And she hasn’t been free for forty years. Who knows what she’ll do?’
Almost 50 years later, Dr Mel Villiers, a researcher at the UK’s top secret Porton Down research centre, shivers in the pre-dawn darkness by a remote dockside at Southampton, England. She awaits the delivery of a unique specimen from the Plum Island biological research facility in New York State. Only a handful of government scientists and spies even know it exists.
When contact with the transport ship is lost, an elite SBS unit led by Mel’s boyfriend, Captain Steve Warren, is sent aboard to investigate. They find an empty container and lots of dead bodies. Things get worse when he learns that the creature is still hiding somewhere aboard the ship. And its escape was no accident.As time runs out, a frantic race is triggered to stop the deadly creature before it escapes captivity for good. The very future of humanity as the dominant lifeform on Earth is at stake.
Incendiary is the relentlessly gripping, suspense-filled fourth novel from Carl Rackman, author of Jonah.
Carl Rackman is a highly-regarded independent author. Incendiary is his fourth novel.
Readers’ reviews:
“[It’s] like Jurassic Park, if it was written by Tom Clancy or Clive Cussler.” [Incendiary]
“Carl Rackman is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors.” [Jonah]
“It's really, really, really good. You should download it. Immediately. Definitely one of the best five books I've read this year.” [Jonah]
“The story is utterly gripping and unpredictable, the sense of menace builds up at just the right pace, and even by the last chapter I had no idea of the outcome (and, indeed, thought it would go another way).” [Jonah]
When contact with the transport ship is lost, an elite SBS unit led by Mel’s boyfriend, Captain Steve Warren, is sent aboard to investigate. They find an empty container and lots of dead bodies. Things get worse when he learns that the creature is still hiding somewhere aboard the ship. And its escape was no accident.As time runs out, a frantic race is triggered to stop the deadly creature before it escapes captivity for good. The very future of humanity as the dominant lifeform on Earth is at stake.
Incendiary is the relentlessly gripping, suspense-filled fourth novel from Carl Rackman, author of Jonah.
Carl Rackman is a highly-regarded independent author. Incendiary is his fourth novel.
Readers’ reviews:
“[It’s] like Jurassic Park, if it was written by Tom Clancy or Clive Cussler.” [Incendiary]
“Carl Rackman is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors.” [Jonah]
“It's really, really, really good. You should download it. Immediately. Definitely one of the best five books I've read this year.” [Jonah]
“The story is utterly gripping and unpredictable, the sense of menace builds up at just the right pace, and even by the last chapter I had no idea of the outcome (and, indeed, thought it would go another way).” [Jonah]
306 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2018
5 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Carl Rackman
6 books21 followersHi! I'm Carl Rackman, a British former airline pilot turned author. I spent my working life travelling the world and this has given me a keen interest in other people and cultures. I've drawn on my many experiences for my writing.
I write suspense thrillers with a grounded science-fiction theme. I like reading novels that feature atmospheric locales and I enjoy complex, absorbing storylines combined with rich, believable characters, so that's the sort of fiction I write. I try to create immersive worlds for the reader to explore, and characters who are more than just vehicles for the story.
I come from a naval military background and have held a lifelong interest in military history and seafaring - all my books usually contain some of these elements!
I hope you'll enjoy my books and leave reviews. I try to personally thank reviewers if they've particularly enjoyed my books.
I write suspense thrillers with a grounded science-fiction theme. I like reading novels that feature atmospheric locales and I enjoy complex, absorbing storylines combined with rich, believable characters, so that's the sort of fiction I write. I try to create immersive worlds for the reader to explore, and characters who are more than just vehicles for the story.
I come from a naval military background and have held a lifelong interest in military history and seafaring - all my books usually contain some of these elements!
I hope you'll enjoy my books and leave reviews. I try to personally thank reviewers if they've particularly enjoyed my books.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 4, 2019
It’s nearly fifty years since a platoon of soldiers in the Cambodian jungle stumbled upon a horrific scene they couldn’t begin to process. Multiple gruesome deaths…a fantasy creature spouting flames….civilians seemingly worshiping the apparition. Now Dr Mel Villiers, a researcher at a top secret facility, along with her boss Dr Harry Egerton, are waiting for the arrival of a cargo ship from America carrying that same creature. Project Horla was being moved to Britain. The head of the project, Isabelle March, is Mel’s nemesis. March bullied and belittled Mel for the four years of her post-doctoral research placement.
Egerton is concerned by the lack of updates and response from the ship and daylight brings disturbing images. An elite SBS unit is sent to the ship, with no knowledge of the cargo or what they might encounter, headed by Mel’s boyfriend, Captain Steve Warren. What the investigation team find defies belief and it becomes a fight for survival as they realise the creature is loose and the only survivor is Isabel March.
Incendiary is a faced paced, tension filled story from the start. An extremely well devised mixture of mythological fantasy and contemporary spy thriller with just a dash of romance. The fantasy element is written in such a way as to make it totally plausible, the notion that humans may not ultimately be the superior species on earth adds another layer to the story.
Carl Rackman delivers a compelling, excellently written and researched story. Imaginative and individual as always, the narrative has several unpredictable twists and wonderfully crafted characters you’re never sure of. A thought provoking slant on the motivations and trustworthiness of secret government agencies, and indeed the government itself, is also a believable theme running through. The descriptions and details paint incredible imagery and I couldn’t hazard a guess as to how the story would pan out—or the ending….but it couldn’t have been better. There’s a very interesting author’s note at the end too which is well worth reading.
Egerton is concerned by the lack of updates and response from the ship and daylight brings disturbing images. An elite SBS unit is sent to the ship, with no knowledge of the cargo or what they might encounter, headed by Mel’s boyfriend, Captain Steve Warren. What the investigation team find defies belief and it becomes a fight for survival as they realise the creature is loose and the only survivor is Isabel March.
Incendiary is a faced paced, tension filled story from the start. An extremely well devised mixture of mythological fantasy and contemporary spy thriller with just a dash of romance. The fantasy element is written in such a way as to make it totally plausible, the notion that humans may not ultimately be the superior species on earth adds another layer to the story.
Carl Rackman delivers a compelling, excellently written and researched story. Imaginative and individual as always, the narrative has several unpredictable twists and wonderfully crafted characters you’re never sure of. A thought provoking slant on the motivations and trustworthiness of secret government agencies, and indeed the government itself, is also a believable theme running through. The descriptions and details paint incredible imagery and I couldn’t hazard a guess as to how the story would pan out—or the ending….but it couldn’t have been better. There’s a very interesting author’s note at the end too which is well worth reading.
September 22, 2018
4.5 stars
When I read that this book was a naval military type thriller that featured a fire-breathing, wingéd monster, I couldn't see how the two would work together, to the extent that when Mr Rackman first tweeted about it I thought he was joking. But he has totally pulled off the challenge with Incendiary ~ the dragonesque Horla and her species are completely plausible.
The story starts with a gripping scene from the Vietnam war, then moves onto a ship with a top secret cargo ~ all the stuff of which good action horror stories are made. The novel is pacy and suspenseful, factually convincing and cleverly put together, told from the third person points of view of Dr Mel Villiers, researcher, and the man with whom she has recenty become involved, Captain Steve Warren from the elite SBS unit. Threads of governmental falsehoods, cover-ups and conspiracies run through the book as it moves from Porton Down research centre to a submarine in the Arctic ~ which is where the greatest twist of all takes place. Got me there; I love a surprise I didn't see coming, and it's one that turns the whole story on its head.
The thought of a world in which the human is not the dominant species gives much food for thought, as do several passages about the way in which those in power keep hold of it; the book has a fair bit to say, as well as being a good story. It's an unusual, intelligently-written page-turner, and the Author's Note stuff about dragons at the back is worth reading, too. Tick! ✔
When I read that this book was a naval military type thriller that featured a fire-breathing, wingéd monster, I couldn't see how the two would work together, to the extent that when Mr Rackman first tweeted about it I thought he was joking. But he has totally pulled off the challenge with Incendiary ~ the dragonesque Horla and her species are completely plausible.
The story starts with a gripping scene from the Vietnam war, then moves onto a ship with a top secret cargo ~ all the stuff of which good action horror stories are made. The novel is pacy and suspenseful, factually convincing and cleverly put together, told from the third person points of view of Dr Mel Villiers, researcher, and the man with whom she has recenty become involved, Captain Steve Warren from the elite SBS unit. Threads of governmental falsehoods, cover-ups and conspiracies run through the book as it moves from Porton Down research centre to a submarine in the Arctic ~ which is where the greatest twist of all takes place. Got me there; I love a surprise I didn't see coming, and it's one that turns the whole story on its head.
The thought of a world in which the human is not the dominant species gives much food for thought, as do several passages about the way in which those in power keep hold of it; the book has a fair bit to say, as well as being a good story. It's an unusual, intelligently-written page-turner, and the Author's Note stuff about dragons at the back is worth reading, too. Tick! ✔
October 27, 2018
This is another winner from Carl Rackman - who can always be relied upon to deliver a story that makes you want to find out what happens next. This is one of those books where at first, you want to keep reading because you want to find out what Horla is. The big reveal isn't an "in your face" moment but there is a drip of information so that the reader realises the truth with a satisfying "oh, I get it". Once the truth has been revealed, then you want to find out what happens next. The ending is well done, though I did struggle with the change of heart from Mel, one of the main characters, which for me, didn't ring true. This is enough of an action thriller to appeal to a male audience and enough of a study of human character and motivation to appeal to all. Carl Rackman has done it again.
October 16, 2018
Another amazing work of literary genius from a brilliant author.
It amazes me sometimes that just a few years ago, I wouldn’t have even considered picking up a Science Fiction Thriller novel, but thanks to the work of two self published authors, I am now hooked.
Carl Rackman is one of them and has once again, taken me into a plausible, parallel world of fantasy, this time with a winged, thought reading, dragon like creature. I’m going to stop there as I don’t want to delve too much into the story by way of my review.
Beautifully honed characters, a romantic interest and a struggle between the two main females, a protagonist and an antagonist with history between them, whose paths cross years later. Deception and a voyage of discovery await.
I could not fathom how the story was going to end and that’s what made it an absolute page turner for me. I love books when they become a temporary addiction and this one is an absolute belter in that respect.
A must read novel. I’m absolutely in awe of Carl’s imagination.
It amazes me sometimes that just a few years ago, I wouldn’t have even considered picking up a Science Fiction Thriller novel, but thanks to the work of two self published authors, I am now hooked.
Carl Rackman is one of them and has once again, taken me into a plausible, parallel world of fantasy, this time with a winged, thought reading, dragon like creature. I’m going to stop there as I don’t want to delve too much into the story by way of my review.
Beautifully honed characters, a romantic interest and a struggle between the two main females, a protagonist and an antagonist with history between them, whose paths cross years later. Deception and a voyage of discovery await.
I could not fathom how the story was going to end and that’s what made it an absolute page turner for me. I love books when they become a temporary addiction and this one is an absolute belter in that respect.
A must read novel. I’m absolutely in awe of Carl’s imagination.
September 23, 2018
A good read
Another great read from Carl. Many "can't put it down" passages. A new, refreshing twist in the centuries old dragonlore story.
Another great read from Carl. Many "can't put it down" passages. A new, refreshing twist in the centuries old dragonlore story.
October 29, 2020
An exciting thriller with well-researched detail and believable characters, the fourth novel by Carl Rackman will pique your interest from the first mention of the creature, Horla.
The fast-paced action begins on a transport ship on its way to a research facility in Southampton, England - but what is being transported there and why?
Following the action onboard the ship, the reader is introduced to Dr Melanie Villiers, a research scientist who has been working on the top secret Project Horla for years and something of an ‘underdog’. As we learn about her relationships with the other characters, we find ourselves rooting for Dr Mel against the abrasive people she has to deal with once the terrible creature becomes loose. The plot thickens when we discover that the creature did not escape without help and that it has interesting powers of persuasion.
Aware that the story was taking place in the naval military world, which I know nothing about, I did wonder if I might get lost in some of the terminology and I found myself getting tangled up in all of the different code words and aliases, but the descriptions were clear enough that this was not a problem.
The action sequences were very compelling and well-written and made up for some of the relationships between the main characters which sometimes felt a little contrived.
I would love to see a sequel or two concerning this species. All in all I would (and will) definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a little escapism right now.
Buy here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/171988...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1719...
The fast-paced action begins on a transport ship on its way to a research facility in Southampton, England - but what is being transported there and why?
Following the action onboard the ship, the reader is introduced to Dr Melanie Villiers, a research scientist who has been working on the top secret Project Horla for years and something of an ‘underdog’. As we learn about her relationships with the other characters, we find ourselves rooting for Dr Mel against the abrasive people she has to deal with once the terrible creature becomes loose. The plot thickens when we discover that the creature did not escape without help and that it has interesting powers of persuasion.
Aware that the story was taking place in the naval military world, which I know nothing about, I did wonder if I might get lost in some of the terminology and I found myself getting tangled up in all of the different code words and aliases, but the descriptions were clear enough that this was not a problem.
The action sequences were very compelling and well-written and made up for some of the relationships between the main characters which sometimes felt a little contrived.
I would love to see a sequel or two concerning this species. All in all I would (and will) definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a little escapism right now.
Buy here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/171988...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1719...
October 6, 2020
Another exciting page-turner from the mind and keyboard of Carl Rackman.
The action and intrigue of Incendiary keeps the reader interested producing a thoroughly enjoyable read to take you away from the reality and routine of everyday life.
The action and intrigue of Incendiary keeps the reader interested producing a thoroughly enjoyable read to take you away from the reality and routine of everyday life.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews