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John Bailey #2
State of Fear
‘Ayliffe delivers a taut, nail-biting page-turner straight from the headlines, stamping his mark on the modern day thriller’
John Bailey has a history of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The veteran war reporter has been kidnapped and tortured – twice. Finally he’s living something that resembles a normal life. But all that changes when a terrorist murders a woman in front of Bailey in London.
The mastermind behind the attack is Mustafa al-Baghdadi – No.1 on the FBI’s most wanted list – and the man who tortured Bailey in Fallujah a decade ago.
Mustafa has a deadly axe to grind with Bailey. He taunts Bailey with threats of more attacks in other cities, closer to home. Back in Sydney the teenage son of Bailey’s old driver from Iraq is missing, and the people who matter most to Bailey have become targets. Bailey enlists the help of the only man he knows he can trust – ruthless CIA veteran Ronnie Johnson, supposedly retired – in a race against time to take down the world’s most deadly terrorist, once and for all.
Praise for The Greater Good
‘A brilliantly written character starring in a cracking crime thriller’ Herald Sun
John Bailey has a history of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The veteran war reporter has been kidnapped and tortured – twice. Finally he’s living something that resembles a normal life. But all that changes when a terrorist murders a woman in front of Bailey in London.
The mastermind behind the attack is Mustafa al-Baghdadi – No.1 on the FBI’s most wanted list – and the man who tortured Bailey in Fallujah a decade ago.
Mustafa has a deadly axe to grind with Bailey. He taunts Bailey with threats of more attacks in other cities, closer to home. Back in Sydney the teenage son of Bailey’s old driver from Iraq is missing, and the people who matter most to Bailey have become targets. Bailey enlists the help of the only man he knows he can trust – ruthless CIA veteran Ronnie Johnson, supposedly retired – in a race against time to take down the world’s most deadly terrorist, once and for all.
Praise for The Greater Good
‘A brilliantly written character starring in a cracking crime thriller’ Herald Sun
300 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2019
76 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Tim Ayliffe
6 books90 followersTim Ayliffe’s thriller novels have been informed by his 25-year career as a journalist in Australia and around the world. He writes about espionage, extremism, politics and the global power games at play in the 21st Century.
He is the author the standalone thriller - Dark Desert Road - and the ‘John Bailey’ series including The Greater Good, State of Fear, The Enemy Within, Killer Traitor Spy and The Wrong Man. Ayliffe's novels are also in development for TV.
When he's not writing or chasing news stories, Ayliffe watches rugby and surfs. He lives in Sydney.
He is the author the standalone thriller - Dark Desert Road - and the ‘John Bailey’ series including The Greater Good, State of Fear, The Enemy Within, Killer Traitor Spy and The Wrong Man. Ayliffe's novels are also in development for TV.
When he's not writing or chasing news stories, Ayliffe watches rugby and surfs. He lives in Sydney.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 28, 2019
I approached this book with great anticipation, having loved the author's debut novel The Greater Good, hoping that this offering would live up to it's predecessor. I'm happy to say it did, and more!
In this book John Bailey, a journalist battling demons, is witness to a terrorist attack in London, one that has far reaching consequences. Trouble has a habit of following Bailey, and back in his home town of Sydney things start to escalate as the war on terror touches Bailey personally. With the threat to his loved ones coming closer and closer, can Bailey hunt out the root of evil before a tragedy happens?
What can I say except I was glued to my seat the entire time I was reading this book. Tim Ayliffe can certainly tell a ripping yarn, and with John Bailey he has created a very real character, a world weary man who is totally relatable. It's a timely tale, as terrorism grips the world, and shows how fundamentalists really do come from all walks of life, and the threat is real and can be imminent. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of thrillers and suspense.
My thanks to the publisher Simon And Schuster Australia for an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own.
In this book John Bailey, a journalist battling demons, is witness to a terrorist attack in London, one that has far reaching consequences. Trouble has a habit of following Bailey, and back in his home town of Sydney things start to escalate as the war on terror touches Bailey personally. With the threat to his loved ones coming closer and closer, can Bailey hunt out the root of evil before a tragedy happens?
What can I say except I was glued to my seat the entire time I was reading this book. Tim Ayliffe can certainly tell a ripping yarn, and with John Bailey he has created a very real character, a world weary man who is totally relatable. It's a timely tale, as terrorism grips the world, and shows how fundamentalists really do come from all walks of life, and the threat is real and can be imminent. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of thrillers and suspense.
My thanks to the publisher Simon And Schuster Australia for an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own.
December 14, 2021
4.5★
“It was the look that the killer had given Bailey before he charged into a hail of police gunfire. Their eyes had met. A moment of familiarity. That smile. The killer had recognised Bailey. But how?”
A lot of people met Bailey in his past, especially when he was being tortured in captivity in Iraq, back in 2004. They may recognise him, but my guess is he wouldn’t have been in any condition to even see all of their faces.
This is the second book of three, but I’m sure it could be enjoyed as a standalone. There’s enough background given to understand the history, but the action is all current. Bailey, who is always called by his last name, was a war correspondent in the hot spots of the time.
Gerald Summers is his editor and friend, the man who looked after Bailey’s adored daughter, Miranda, when he was kidnapped or otherwise incapacitated.
“They’d been through three wars in three decades of friendship. Iraq, Afghanistan and then Iraq again. Gerald had been on assignment with Bailey in Fallujah when he was kidnapped by Mustafa al-Baghdadi’s Islamic fundamentalists back in 2004.”
He was also the one who picked up the pieces when Bailey had become a falling-down-drunk. He still keeps an eye on him.
“Gerald had teamed up with Bailey’s partner, Sharon Dexter, to confront him about his drinking. It was mainly Dexter’s idea. Her ultimatum. Whisky had become the third wheel in their relationship. It had to go. Bailey knew that his life was better with Dexter in it, so he hadn’t put up a fight. He had been doing well these past few months. He’d even been to a few Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and got himself a sponsor.”
Bailey’s been very good about staying off the booze, but he hasn’t mentioned his actual sponsor to Dexter – yet. She knows all of his history. His sponsor, Annie, was a war correspondent girlfriend back in Beirut.
“They shared information. Travelled together. Drank together. And from time to time, they even slept together. Aid workers liked to call it ‘emergency sex’. It was basically the same thing for correspondents. Sex on the fly. A moment of intimacy. Something that connected them to an ordinary life.”
Meanwhile, another old friend, Omar Haneef, Bailey’s driver and ‘fixer’ in Baghdad, now lives in Sydney with his family, and shows up out of the blue at the paper with disturbing news. His 15-year-old son, Tariq, has disappeared, and they’ve found evidence on the family computer that indicates he may have been radicalised.
Detective Chief Inspector Sharon Dexter, who is keen to prove herself, takes charge with her police force while Bailey’s been relegated to journalist and family friend. Bailey turns to another old friend who has been staying with him for the last few months - the enormous, cigar-chomping ex(?)-CIA agent, Ronnie Johnson, who claims to be there to enjoy the fishing.
Secrets abound, and nobody is ever quite sure who knows what. We see Bailey approached by someone who says Mustafa wants to talk to him, and gives Bailey a piece of paper, supposedly with the phone number of the world’s most wanted terrorist. Mustafa is targeting him, but Bailey doesn’t know why. He was the tortured prisoner, after all.
It’s a terrific read, one of those excellent books where you don’t get side-tracked trying to figure out who is who or who is speaking or why the dialogue is so unnatural or where you are in the timeline, or whatever. It’s just a great story from beginning to end. And you don’t need to know anything about Aussie history or politics, either.
I should add that Ayliffe is good with atmosphere and place, too, none of which I’ve quoted, so here’s what Bailey saw in 2005, when Mustafa finally took him outside the room he’d been held in.
“He looked past Mustafa at the rooftops of the city. It was a place that Bailey knew well.
Mosul.
‘How are you feeling?’
Bailey ignored him. He hadn’t been outside for weeks, and he was revelling in the fresh air, away from the stink of Mustafa’s goons. From where they were standing in Mosul’s right bank, the view was mesmerising. Date palms along the mighty Tigris. A barge packed with produce for the market, drifting slowly on the water. Blocks of white and yellow apartments. Clotheslines pegged with symbols of ordinary life. Fields of sun-kissed grass. And the Grand Mosque, its beautiful golden domes glistening in the sun.”
I enjoyed it so much, I’ve just started the next one!
Here’s my review to the first one, The Greater Good
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
“It was the look that the killer had given Bailey before he charged into a hail of police gunfire. Their eyes had met. A moment of familiarity. That smile. The killer had recognised Bailey. But how?”
A lot of people met Bailey in his past, especially when he was being tortured in captivity in Iraq, back in 2004. They may recognise him, but my guess is he wouldn’t have been in any condition to even see all of their faces.
This is the second book of three, but I’m sure it could be enjoyed as a standalone. There’s enough background given to understand the history, but the action is all current. Bailey, who is always called by his last name, was a war correspondent in the hot spots of the time.
Gerald Summers is his editor and friend, the man who looked after Bailey’s adored daughter, Miranda, when he was kidnapped or otherwise incapacitated.
“They’d been through three wars in three decades of friendship. Iraq, Afghanistan and then Iraq again. Gerald had been on assignment with Bailey in Fallujah when he was kidnapped by Mustafa al-Baghdadi’s Islamic fundamentalists back in 2004.”
He was also the one who picked up the pieces when Bailey had become a falling-down-drunk. He still keeps an eye on him.
“Gerald had teamed up with Bailey’s partner, Sharon Dexter, to confront him about his drinking. It was mainly Dexter’s idea. Her ultimatum. Whisky had become the third wheel in their relationship. It had to go. Bailey knew that his life was better with Dexter in it, so he hadn’t put up a fight. He had been doing well these past few months. He’d even been to a few Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and got himself a sponsor.”
Bailey’s been very good about staying off the booze, but he hasn’t mentioned his actual sponsor to Dexter – yet. She knows all of his history. His sponsor, Annie, was a war correspondent girlfriend back in Beirut.
“They shared information. Travelled together. Drank together. And from time to time, they even slept together. Aid workers liked to call it ‘emergency sex’. It was basically the same thing for correspondents. Sex on the fly. A moment of intimacy. Something that connected them to an ordinary life.”
Meanwhile, another old friend, Omar Haneef, Bailey’s driver and ‘fixer’ in Baghdad, now lives in Sydney with his family, and shows up out of the blue at the paper with disturbing news. His 15-year-old son, Tariq, has disappeared, and they’ve found evidence on the family computer that indicates he may have been radicalised.
Detective Chief Inspector Sharon Dexter, who is keen to prove herself, takes charge with her police force while Bailey’s been relegated to journalist and family friend. Bailey turns to another old friend who has been staying with him for the last few months - the enormous, cigar-chomping ex(?)-CIA agent, Ronnie Johnson, who claims to be there to enjoy the fishing.
Secrets abound, and nobody is ever quite sure who knows what. We see Bailey approached by someone who says Mustafa wants to talk to him, and gives Bailey a piece of paper, supposedly with the phone number of the world’s most wanted terrorist. Mustafa is targeting him, but Bailey doesn’t know why. He was the tortured prisoner, after all.
It’s a terrific read, one of those excellent books where you don’t get side-tracked trying to figure out who is who or who is speaking or why the dialogue is so unnatural or where you are in the timeline, or whatever. It’s just a great story from beginning to end. And you don’t need to know anything about Aussie history or politics, either.
I should add that Ayliffe is good with atmosphere and place, too, none of which I’ve quoted, so here’s what Bailey saw in 2005, when Mustafa finally took him outside the room he’d been held in.
“He looked past Mustafa at the rooftops of the city. It was a place that Bailey knew well.
Mosul.
‘How are you feeling?’
Bailey ignored him. He hadn’t been outside for weeks, and he was revelling in the fresh air, away from the stink of Mustafa’s goons. From where they were standing in Mosul’s right bank, the view was mesmerising. Date palms along the mighty Tigris. A barge packed with produce for the market, drifting slowly on the water. Blocks of white and yellow apartments. Clotheslines pegged with symbols of ordinary life. Fields of sun-kissed grass. And the Grand Mosque, its beautiful golden domes glistening in the sun.”
I enjoyed it so much, I’ve just started the next one!
Here’s my review to the first one, The Greater Good
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 6, 2022
State of Fear is the second book by Tim Ayliffe featuring journalist John Bailey following on from The Greater Good. Although the second book in the series, this is the first one that I’ve read and I had no trouble picking up the essence of the guy and his fight against multiple demons, not the least of which in this case are terrorists and terrorism.
As a journalist Bailey has served time in Iraq and Afghanistan where he not only reported on the action but also became a part of it. He was captured and tortured by Islamic fundamentalists, These days he’s a recovering alcoholic and still suffers nightmares from his hellish past.
Now back in Sydney, Australia, his former driver from Baghdad, Omar Haneef has tracked him down. Omar’s son has disappeared and he’s convinced the 15 year old boy has been radicalised. He has turned to Bailey as the only man he trusts to help him track down and save his son.
On the one hand, Bailey is just a journalist. On the other, he has access to some serious contacts that take him to another level. His girlfriend, Sharon Dexter is a Detective Chief Inspector with the NSW Police and his housemate is the huge (and very enigmatic) ex-CIA agent Ronnie Johnson. With these assets he has the ways and means to get the sort of access unavailable to your average Joe.
Oh yeah, on top of all the rest, one of the most wanted men in the world, terrorist leader Mustafa al-Baghdadi has made contact with Bailey too. Mustafa has a personal vendetta dating back to the kidnapping in Mosul and intends on following through on an ‘eye for an eye’ threat.
This is an action thriller that has become something of the modern-day norm with the threat of terrorism creating an unpredictable and difficult to fight enemy. With numerous confrontations, knife attacks, bombings, tactical operations shootouts and terror cell raids, the action is relentless.
Similarly, despite all sorts of injuries, Bailey manages to continue to put himself in the middle of that action. Not bad for a guy with no fight training.
Although he suffers numerous physical injuries and appears to soldier on manfully, it’s the mental side where he really takes a battering. And this is where we get access to the true character of the man enabling a deeper understanding and compassion for him. He is clearly sitting right on the edge as he constantly battles with his alcoholism, while also holding grave fears for the safety of his closest friends and family (that whole eye for an eye threat).
Part of the territory with any good action thriller is the suspension of disbelief that’s necessary to just sit back and enjoy the ride. Ayliffe provides a really good ride with State of Fear.
As a journalist Bailey has served time in Iraq and Afghanistan where he not only reported on the action but also became a part of it. He was captured and tortured by Islamic fundamentalists, These days he’s a recovering alcoholic and still suffers nightmares from his hellish past.
Now back in Sydney, Australia, his former driver from Baghdad, Omar Haneef has tracked him down. Omar’s son has disappeared and he’s convinced the 15 year old boy has been radicalised. He has turned to Bailey as the only man he trusts to help him track down and save his son.
On the one hand, Bailey is just a journalist. On the other, he has access to some serious contacts that take him to another level. His girlfriend, Sharon Dexter is a Detective Chief Inspector with the NSW Police and his housemate is the huge (and very enigmatic) ex-CIA agent Ronnie Johnson. With these assets he has the ways and means to get the sort of access unavailable to your average Joe.
Oh yeah, on top of all the rest, one of the most wanted men in the world, terrorist leader Mustafa al-Baghdadi has made contact with Bailey too. Mustafa has a personal vendetta dating back to the kidnapping in Mosul and intends on following through on an ‘eye for an eye’ threat.
This is an action thriller that has become something of the modern-day norm with the threat of terrorism creating an unpredictable and difficult to fight enemy. With numerous confrontations, knife attacks, bombings, tactical operations shootouts and terror cell raids, the action is relentless.
Similarly, despite all sorts of injuries, Bailey manages to continue to put himself in the middle of that action. Not bad for a guy with no fight training.
Although he suffers numerous physical injuries and appears to soldier on manfully, it’s the mental side where he really takes a battering. And this is where we get access to the true character of the man enabling a deeper understanding and compassion for him. He is clearly sitting right on the edge as he constantly battles with his alcoholism, while also holding grave fears for the safety of his closest friends and family (that whole eye for an eye threat).
Part of the territory with any good action thriller is the suspension of disbelief that’s necessary to just sit back and enjoy the ride. Ayliffe provides a really good ride with State of Fear.
December 6, 2021
Not sure how this author has flown under my radar for so long, but really enjoyed this second instalment in the John Bailey series and looking forward to number 3.
In this book, Bailey is now being pursued by Mustafa the man who imprisoned Bailey and tortured him for 10 long months in Iraq. Now it appears that Mustafa may be seeking revenge against Bailey and is closing in on him.
When Omar, Bailey's former driver in the middle east, seeks him out terrified for his missing fifteen year old son, Bailey, as well as Dexter, Ronnie and Gerald all find themselves being pulled into a net being cast by a terrorist organisation in Sydney.
This is fast paced and action packed as Bailey moves between London and Sydney in a race against his old enemy.
In this book, Bailey is now being pursued by Mustafa the man who imprisoned Bailey and tortured him for 10 long months in Iraq. Now it appears that Mustafa may be seeking revenge against Bailey and is closing in on him.
When Omar, Bailey's former driver in the middle east, seeks him out terrified for his missing fifteen year old son, Bailey, as well as Dexter, Ronnie and Gerald all find themselves being pulled into a net being cast by a terrorist organisation in Sydney.
This is fast paced and action packed as Bailey moves between London and Sydney in a race against his old enemy.
August 26, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
3.5 stars
Following the publication of The Greater Good in 2018, author Tim Ayliffe has released his second novel, State of Fear. A white knuckle political thriller, State of Fear again features John Bailey, a complex but intriguing lead, who displays a sense of dogged determination in his quest to seek retribution for a terrorist attack.
State of Fear follows The Greater Good, which was released last year to great success. Penned by an author who knows the ins and outs of world news, currents events and international relations, thanks to his work as a decorated journalist, State of Fear is a book that hits the ground running. It begins with a deadly but defining terrorist attack, which directly impacts the lead protagonist of Tim Ayliffe’s novel, John Bailey. This former war correspondent witnesses a horrific act of terrorism in London. He soon learns that the individual responsible for the attack is a man known to him, he is the very same man who tormented Bailey a decade ago in Iraq. As John Bailey grapples with the knowledge of this terrorist’s vendetta, the attacks continue and they hit much closer to home. With the help of a number of key allies, John Bailey must defeat this terrorist mastermind before it is too late.
With a front cover endorsement from an author I respect very much, Sara Foster, stating Tim Ayliffe’s work is ‘sharp, incisive and scarily prescient’, I was soon intrigued in this title. Although I haven’t read the first book by Tim Ayliffe, I didn’t feel I had missed anything. State of Fear could easily be read as a standalone title. I tend not to gravitate towards political thrillers, but as this one was set on home soil for a significant portion of the novel, so I definitely felt a connection to this piece.
Working as the current Managing Editor of television and video for ABC, as well as his many years as a journalist, has provided Tim Ayliffe with a wealth of experience to draw on in composing his novels. Ayliffe is aware of the world climate, current news trends, acts of terrorism, political relations and international issues. His second novel is very here and now, as well as up to the minute, capturing the very essence of the global atmosphere.
John Bailey, the central protagonist of State of Fear, is a returning character, as he featured in The Greater Good, the previous novel penned by Tim Ayliffe. The character development of John Bailey is this book’s strong point. I got a very good feel for this character’s good points and bad points. I also enjoyed his interactions with the key figures in his personal and professional life. The secondary character set are also well rounded. The dialogue is fast and flowing, with an authentic edge. I was struck at many times by the visual quality of this book, it was almost like a television script playing out in front of my eyes. I’m sure this is a sign that this series is destined for the big screen!
There are many themes to draw from in Tim Ayliffe’s second novel, from journalism and reporting, to the war, PTSD, relationships, terrorism, political and international relations. State of Fear is in a constant state of movement from the moment the first page has been turned. This novel pulls the reader in and doesn’t let go until the final parting chapter. I would recommend State of Fear to readers of action packed thrillers, who appreciate a political edge to their storylines.
State of Fear by Tim Ayliffe was published on 1st August 2019 by Simon & Schuster Australia. Details on how to purchase the book can be found here.
*I wish to thank Simon & Schuster Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
*Book #8 of the 2019 Aussie male author challenge.
3.5 stars
Following the publication of The Greater Good in 2018, author Tim Ayliffe has released his second novel, State of Fear. A white knuckle political thriller, State of Fear again features John Bailey, a complex but intriguing lead, who displays a sense of dogged determination in his quest to seek retribution for a terrorist attack.
State of Fear follows The Greater Good, which was released last year to great success. Penned by an author who knows the ins and outs of world news, currents events and international relations, thanks to his work as a decorated journalist, State of Fear is a book that hits the ground running. It begins with a deadly but defining terrorist attack, which directly impacts the lead protagonist of Tim Ayliffe’s novel, John Bailey. This former war correspondent witnesses a horrific act of terrorism in London. He soon learns that the individual responsible for the attack is a man known to him, he is the very same man who tormented Bailey a decade ago in Iraq. As John Bailey grapples with the knowledge of this terrorist’s vendetta, the attacks continue and they hit much closer to home. With the help of a number of key allies, John Bailey must defeat this terrorist mastermind before it is too late.
With a front cover endorsement from an author I respect very much, Sara Foster, stating Tim Ayliffe’s work is ‘sharp, incisive and scarily prescient’, I was soon intrigued in this title. Although I haven’t read the first book by Tim Ayliffe, I didn’t feel I had missed anything. State of Fear could easily be read as a standalone title. I tend not to gravitate towards political thrillers, but as this one was set on home soil for a significant portion of the novel, so I definitely felt a connection to this piece.
Working as the current Managing Editor of television and video for ABC, as well as his many years as a journalist, has provided Tim Ayliffe with a wealth of experience to draw on in composing his novels. Ayliffe is aware of the world climate, current news trends, acts of terrorism, political relations and international issues. His second novel is very here and now, as well as up to the minute, capturing the very essence of the global atmosphere.
John Bailey, the central protagonist of State of Fear, is a returning character, as he featured in The Greater Good, the previous novel penned by Tim Ayliffe. The character development of John Bailey is this book’s strong point. I got a very good feel for this character’s good points and bad points. I also enjoyed his interactions with the key figures in his personal and professional life. The secondary character set are also well rounded. The dialogue is fast and flowing, with an authentic edge. I was struck at many times by the visual quality of this book, it was almost like a television script playing out in front of my eyes. I’m sure this is a sign that this series is destined for the big screen!
There are many themes to draw from in Tim Ayliffe’s second novel, from journalism and reporting, to the war, PTSD, relationships, terrorism, political and international relations. State of Fear is in a constant state of movement from the moment the first page has been turned. This novel pulls the reader in and doesn’t let go until the final parting chapter. I would recommend State of Fear to readers of action packed thrillers, who appreciate a political edge to their storylines.
State of Fear by Tim Ayliffe was published on 1st August 2019 by Simon & Schuster Australia. Details on how to purchase the book can be found here.
*I wish to thank Simon & Schuster Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
*Book #8 of the 2019 Aussie male author challenge.
October 3, 2019
Remember the good old days of thriller fiction, with bad guys that were easy to pick and the good guys plentiful on the ground. Even the lone wolf types seem to inhabit a lot of corners, on a lot of dark streets, in a lot of mean places. Nowadays thriller fiction is reflecting the current day reality of terrorism, in particular political terrorism, in that the people committing the offences are often misguided, radicalised young people; the real bad guys are lurking presences in the background; and the good guys are seemingly under-equipped for the role of lone wolf, single saviour of the world.
Certainly John Bailey is not the typical world saviour type. A journalist who was captured, tortured and nearly killed 10 years ago in Fallujah by the number one entry on the FBI's Most Wanted list, terrorist Mustafa al-Baghdadi, he's battling the demons of his time in captivity, a drinking problem, and a changing newspaper landscape. It's probably worth noting here that there is an earlier book in this series, published in 2018, THE GREATER GOOD, and whilst it's easy to get with the main story line in this outing without the back story, I've a sneaking suspicion it would have been better to read the earlier novel first. Certainly in terms of John Bailey's personal life which seemed nearly as compromised as his professional one.
Things rapidly escalate in STATE OF FEAR from an horrific bombing in London, at the door of the venue that Bailey is speaking at, switching focus quickly back to Sydney and the missing young son of a man who helped Bailey all those years ago in Fallujah. You'll need to pay close attention here as a lot of people get introduced into the mix quite quickly, and it soon becomes apparent that there's major attacks brewing - and there's something very personal in al-Baghdadi's targeting.
The plot expands at break-neck pace in STATE OF FEAR, and Bailey soon endures enough physical and psychological hits to make a normal person curl up in a corner and take a break. But Bailey's not that sort of a person, and the mere fact that these attacks, and the threat is coming from a man who he has such a difficult experience of, makes it personal, even before the threat becomes explicitly personal. He's not completely on his own in the pursuit though, and there are allies, friends, associates and people from the security services that are willing to help, if they can keep up that is.
Needless to say, extreme political terror thriller territory, with an energiser bunny type central character who gets knocked down, and gets up again more times than you can keep count of. The scenario here is frighteningly realistic, possibly as this author knows his subject matter from a journalistic viewpoint as well. At the time of writing Tim Ayliffe was the Managing Editor of television and video at the ABC, with a background in journalism, and he's obviously well aware of the way the news cycle operates around terrorism threats, the way that acts of terrorism are planned, and undertaken, and the political background to most of them. Needless to say we're talking Islamic extremists here, and whilst it's possible to think that's been done before, it's a bit like the good old days of Cold War spy thrillers where the good and bad sides were pretty well formulaic and the activities remarkably similar.
STATE OF FEAR does bring some different elements to the storyline however, with PTSD, the close relationships forged with allies and saviours, and the complications that extreme trauma has when victims try to return to "normal" life. Those messages are deftly wrapped up in a fast moving plot, with heaps of action and a lot of tension. Definitely one for fans of the political thrillers that explore very topical subject matter.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
Certainly John Bailey is not the typical world saviour type. A journalist who was captured, tortured and nearly killed 10 years ago in Fallujah by the number one entry on the FBI's Most Wanted list, terrorist Mustafa al-Baghdadi, he's battling the demons of his time in captivity, a drinking problem, and a changing newspaper landscape. It's probably worth noting here that there is an earlier book in this series, published in 2018, THE GREATER GOOD, and whilst it's easy to get with the main story line in this outing without the back story, I've a sneaking suspicion it would have been better to read the earlier novel first. Certainly in terms of John Bailey's personal life which seemed nearly as compromised as his professional one.
Things rapidly escalate in STATE OF FEAR from an horrific bombing in London, at the door of the venue that Bailey is speaking at, switching focus quickly back to Sydney and the missing young son of a man who helped Bailey all those years ago in Fallujah. You'll need to pay close attention here as a lot of people get introduced into the mix quite quickly, and it soon becomes apparent that there's major attacks brewing - and there's something very personal in al-Baghdadi's targeting.
The plot expands at break-neck pace in STATE OF FEAR, and Bailey soon endures enough physical and psychological hits to make a normal person curl up in a corner and take a break. But Bailey's not that sort of a person, and the mere fact that these attacks, and the threat is coming from a man who he has such a difficult experience of, makes it personal, even before the threat becomes explicitly personal. He's not completely on his own in the pursuit though, and there are allies, friends, associates and people from the security services that are willing to help, if they can keep up that is.
Needless to say, extreme political terror thriller territory, with an energiser bunny type central character who gets knocked down, and gets up again more times than you can keep count of. The scenario here is frighteningly realistic, possibly as this author knows his subject matter from a journalistic viewpoint as well. At the time of writing Tim Ayliffe was the Managing Editor of television and video at the ABC, with a background in journalism, and he's obviously well aware of the way the news cycle operates around terrorism threats, the way that acts of terrorism are planned, and undertaken, and the political background to most of them. Needless to say we're talking Islamic extremists here, and whilst it's possible to think that's been done before, it's a bit like the good old days of Cold War spy thrillers where the good and bad sides were pretty well formulaic and the activities remarkably similar.
STATE OF FEAR does bring some different elements to the storyline however, with PTSD, the close relationships forged with allies and saviours, and the complications that extreme trauma has when victims try to return to "normal" life. Those messages are deftly wrapped up in a fast moving plot, with heaps of action and a lot of tension. Definitely one for fans of the political thrillers that explore very topical subject matter.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
June 30, 2019
State of Fear
This was an engaging, fast paced and thought provoking read. The story was well written and a modern day Australian crime thriller.
John Bailey as a Middle East Correspondent was kidnapped and tortured fifteen years ago by extremists in Iraq and since has had to deal with the demons of his past. He is still a journalist and living a practically normal life but soon his world will be turned upside down once again.
He is invited overseas to London to give a talk about Islamic terrorism. After his speech, when people are leaving he witnesses a sickening terrorist attack that takes place on the street outside the building.
Once Bailey is back home in Sydney, Australia it appears that the attacks are becoming more personal and he’s informed that the world’s most wanted terrorist, Mustafa al-Baghdadi has a score to settle with him.
I admittedly enjoyed this read, it really held my interest and I look forward to the next in the series.
I was lucky enough to receive an advance reading copy of this book, with thanks to Simon & Schuster
This was an engaging, fast paced and thought provoking read. The story was well written and a modern day Australian crime thriller.
John Bailey as a Middle East Correspondent was kidnapped and tortured fifteen years ago by extremists in Iraq and since has had to deal with the demons of his past. He is still a journalist and living a practically normal life but soon his world will be turned upside down once again.
He is invited overseas to London to give a talk about Islamic terrorism. After his speech, when people are leaving he witnesses a sickening terrorist attack that takes place on the street outside the building.
Once Bailey is back home in Sydney, Australia it appears that the attacks are becoming more personal and he’s informed that the world’s most wanted terrorist, Mustafa al-Baghdadi has a score to settle with him.
I admittedly enjoyed this read, it really held my interest and I look forward to the next in the series.
I was lucky enough to receive an advance reading copy of this book, with thanks to Simon & Schuster
September 24, 2025
High suspense and tension with a really intriguing plot. I am loving the setting in Sydney and seeing all the places which show up (particularly Wiley Park & Roselands) as it showing parts of Sydney which are not just the typical places. I did feel as though the character was stuck in a bit of a limbo and I did not feel the reporter side of Bailey coming through. His role was more of an investigative police officer with how involved he was with the investigation but he isn't an officer. I found there was an imbalance and a struggle between where and what Bailey could know and do. I just found it took away from the realism and Bailey's disregard for authority and belief at times that he is above the police began to annoy me. I feel like it just would have made much more sense if he had quit at the start and began as an officer, rather than a bystander being present for a lot of the police raids.
I also disliked Bailey & Dexter's relationship and I found the struggle between their relationship and their jobs to be very prevalent but severely out of balance. I just think their relationship should have been developed a bit further outside of this struggle as it felt as though every interaction revolved around it.
I also disliked Bailey & Dexter's relationship and I found the struggle between their relationship and their jobs to be very prevalent but severely out of balance. I just think their relationship should have been developed a bit further outside of this struggle as it felt as though every interaction revolved around it.
June 17, 2019
Tim Ayliffe has brought his A game to "State of Fear". His go-to character is called John Bailey whose past is littered with being in the wrong place at the wrong time as his role as a war correspondent saw him kidnapped and tortured twice. Now his life changes again as a woman is murdered right in front of him in London.
The mastermind behind this brutal attack is Mustafa al-Baghdadi, the very same man who tortured Bailey in Fallujah ten years earlier. He's also Number One on the FBI's most wanted list. And Mustafa is on a mission to deal again to Bailey and taunts him with threats of more attacks in other cities.
Bailey knows that he can't win this battle by himself so he ropes in ruthless CIA veteran Ronnie Johnson and together they set out to bring down the world's most deadly terrorist.
"State of Fear" is fast paced and the danger leaps off the page. Bailey and Johnson don't shirk the tough stuff and they know they have to get al-Baghdadi before his evil plans bring more mayhem to innocent citizens across the world.
The mastermind behind this brutal attack is Mustafa al-Baghdadi, the very same man who tortured Bailey in Fallujah ten years earlier. He's also Number One on the FBI's most wanted list. And Mustafa is on a mission to deal again to Bailey and taunts him with threats of more attacks in other cities.
Bailey knows that he can't win this battle by himself so he ropes in ruthless CIA veteran Ronnie Johnson and together they set out to bring down the world's most deadly terrorist.
"State of Fear" is fast paced and the danger leaps off the page. Bailey and Johnson don't shirk the tough stuff and they know they have to get al-Baghdadi before his evil plans bring more mayhem to innocent citizens across the world.
July 15, 2019
I really enjoyed this fast-paced thriller. It is set in a very real world where terror attacks occur far too frequently and way too close to home - in this case both Sydney and London. The story is well-written, fast-paced and engaging. It wasn't until I was almost half-way through that I realised that it's the second book in the John Bailey series, but I didn't feel like I had missed anything not having read the first one.
There were a few things I would have liked more explanation on at the end - .
Thanks to Simon & Schuster AU for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There were a few things I would have liked more explanation on at the end - .
Thanks to Simon & Schuster AU for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2019
I really enjoyed this story. Part of it was because it was set in Sydney and Western Sydney and I loved reading the setting so well depicted. However, there were times that the author diverged to make commentary about the government that didn't relate to the story. For example, in one part there was talk about the government's agenda in regards to the building and construction of apartments. Similarly there were times where the descriptions of a street like Parramatta Road lasted for a page. I think Sydney-siders would appreciate this because it is so familiar to us, but I don't think it makes for a good book to target an international audience.
July 6, 2019
I really enjoyed Tim Ayliffe's debut and this follow up is another top read.
Journalist John Bailey finds himself right in the middle of a terrorist plot. Thought provoking, fast paced and frighteningly realistic, the story alternates between Sydney and London.
Journalist John Bailey finds himself right in the middle of a terrorist plot. Thought provoking, fast paced and frighteningly realistic, the story alternates between Sydney and London.
August 28, 2019
I bought The Greater Good because I know a relative of the author. I bought State of Fear because of how good The Greater Good was. I will now buy every book that he writes because this book is brilliant.
September 8, 2024
This book is as good as I thought it would be. It is better than the first, so it appears as if Ayliffe is winding up to something. It’s a very well paced thriller.
August 2, 2019
State of Fear is an entertaining contemporary thriller from Tim Ayliffe, his second novel featuring journalist, John Bailey.
Moments after Australian the veteran war correspondent concludes his speech for an audience in London’s Chatham House about his experience at the hands of a Islamic terrorist organisation, Bailey witnesses a radicalised jihadi youth slit the throat of an innocent woman in St James Square. Less than 48 hours later, back home in Sydney, Bailey learns that the spectacle was orchestrated in part for his benefit by Mustafa al-Baghdadi, the leader of ‘Islamic Nation’, and the man responsible for Bailey’s kidnap and torture a decade ago in Fallujah. Mustafa, has an axe to grind with John, and he is promising more bloodshed to come.
Capitalising on the current threat the Islamic radicalisation of youth poses to Western society, State of Fear has a frighteningly credible plot. Determined to make Bailey pay for a perceived betrayal, Mustafa has planned attacks that will not only spread terror among the population, but will also affect John personally. He begins by radicalising the Australian born child of Bailey’s former Iraqi driver/fixer to get his attention, and then has his believers target Bailey, and those closest to him.
Moving between the inner suburbs of Sydney and London, the fast pace ensures that tension and interest remain high as Bailey joins in the search for the martyrs, attempts to stop further attacks, and locate Mustafa.
John Bailey is an engaging hero, though he certainly has his flaws, struggling daily with his sobriety and suffering PTSD from the months he spent at the mercy of ‘Islamic Nation’. I really liked the strength of his friendship with his editor, Gerald Summers, and CIA agent, Ronnie Johnson (though the latter says ‘Bubba’ way too much). His romantic relationship with Sharon Dexter is complicated, not the least by her new job as the head of the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team.
State of Fear also includes some interesting social commentary from Bailey’s perspective about the state of modern journalism, the failure of the government to address the alienation of the Australian Islamic community, and the indiscriminate filming and social media sharing of tragedy.
I really enjoyed State of Fear, and I’d happily recommend it to fans of authors such as Michael Robotham and Greg Barron.
Moments after Australian the veteran war correspondent concludes his speech for an audience in London’s Chatham House about his experience at the hands of a Islamic terrorist organisation, Bailey witnesses a radicalised jihadi youth slit the throat of an innocent woman in St James Square. Less than 48 hours later, back home in Sydney, Bailey learns that the spectacle was orchestrated in part for his benefit by Mustafa al-Baghdadi, the leader of ‘Islamic Nation’, and the man responsible for Bailey’s kidnap and torture a decade ago in Fallujah. Mustafa, has an axe to grind with John, and he is promising more bloodshed to come.
Capitalising on the current threat the Islamic radicalisation of youth poses to Western society, State of Fear has a frighteningly credible plot. Determined to make Bailey pay for a perceived betrayal, Mustafa has planned attacks that will not only spread terror among the population, but will also affect John personally. He begins by radicalising the Australian born child of Bailey’s former Iraqi driver/fixer to get his attention, and then has his believers target Bailey, and those closest to him.
Moving between the inner suburbs of Sydney and London, the fast pace ensures that tension and interest remain high as Bailey joins in the search for the martyrs, attempts to stop further attacks, and locate Mustafa.
John Bailey is an engaging hero, though he certainly has his flaws, struggling daily with his sobriety and suffering PTSD from the months he spent at the mercy of ‘Islamic Nation’. I really liked the strength of his friendship with his editor, Gerald Summers, and CIA agent, Ronnie Johnson (though the latter says ‘Bubba’ way too much). His romantic relationship with Sharon Dexter is complicated, not the least by her new job as the head of the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team.
State of Fear also includes some interesting social commentary from Bailey’s perspective about the state of modern journalism, the failure of the government to address the alienation of the Australian Islamic community, and the indiscriminate filming and social media sharing of tragedy.
I really enjoyed State of Fear, and I’d happily recommend it to fans of authors such as Michael Robotham and Greg Barron.
July 31, 2021
I received a copy of State of Fear from Simon & Schuster Australia to review.
Rating of 4.5.
One of the fastest-rising Australian thriller writers, Tim Ayliffe, follows up his impressive debut with an excellent second entry in his John Bailey series, State of Fear.
Throughout his long career as a journalist and war correspondent, John Bailey has faced many dangers and been in several terrible situations. However, his worst encounter was with the notorious terrorist mastermind, Mustafa al-Baghdadi, who kidnapped Bailey while he was reporting on the invasion in Afghanistan and relentlessly tortured him mentally and psychically. Following his release from the terrorist group and a retirement from working in active war zones, Bailey thought that his days of dealing with terrorists was over, but he was wrong.
Speaking at a conference on Islamic terrorism in London, Bailey is horrified when a radicalised terrorist murders a woman in front of the convention centre. Rattled, Bailey returns home to Sydney, only to find his troubles have followed him there. The son of his former driver in Bagdad has gone missing, and Bailey has been implored to help. Investigating, Bailey finds that the son has been in contact with some dangerous men with connections to Islamic terrorist cells. Worse, it appears that they are planning to launch a massive attack in Sydney.
Desperate to save his friend’s son from making a terrible mistake, Bailey attempts to make sense of the terrible events unfolding in Sydney. However, the deeper he goes, the clearer it becomes that Mustafa al-Baghdadi is back, and he is targeting Bailey personally. As Bailey and everyone he loves comes under attack, Bailey is forced to turn to his old friend, CIA agent Ronnie Johnson, to find Mustafa and take him down. But will they be able to stop Mustafa before it is too late, or will the world’s most dangerous terrorist destroy everything that Bailey holds dear?
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2021/07/31/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Rating of 4.5.
One of the fastest-rising Australian thriller writers, Tim Ayliffe, follows up his impressive debut with an excellent second entry in his John Bailey series, State of Fear.
Throughout his long career as a journalist and war correspondent, John Bailey has faced many dangers and been in several terrible situations. However, his worst encounter was with the notorious terrorist mastermind, Mustafa al-Baghdadi, who kidnapped Bailey while he was reporting on the invasion in Afghanistan and relentlessly tortured him mentally and psychically. Following his release from the terrorist group and a retirement from working in active war zones, Bailey thought that his days of dealing with terrorists was over, but he was wrong.
Speaking at a conference on Islamic terrorism in London, Bailey is horrified when a radicalised terrorist murders a woman in front of the convention centre. Rattled, Bailey returns home to Sydney, only to find his troubles have followed him there. The son of his former driver in Bagdad has gone missing, and Bailey has been implored to help. Investigating, Bailey finds that the son has been in contact with some dangerous men with connections to Islamic terrorist cells. Worse, it appears that they are planning to launch a massive attack in Sydney.
Desperate to save his friend’s son from making a terrible mistake, Bailey attempts to make sense of the terrible events unfolding in Sydney. However, the deeper he goes, the clearer it becomes that Mustafa al-Baghdadi is back, and he is targeting Bailey personally. As Bailey and everyone he loves comes under attack, Bailey is forced to turn to his old friend, CIA agent Ronnie Johnson, to find Mustafa and take him down. But will they be able to stop Mustafa before it is too late, or will the world’s most dangerous terrorist destroy everything that Bailey holds dear?
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2021/07/31/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
October 11, 2024
Mustafa al-Baghdadi, the terrorist mastermind responsible for John Bailey’s capture and torture in Iraq, is back. This time, it’s personal.
After witnessing a chilling slaying in the heart of London, Bailey receives a hand-delivered message with a phone number on it. The messenger is blunt: ‘Mustafa wants to speak to you’.
Bailey has 49 hours to make the call but he’s nearly due to board a flight from Heathrow to Sydney. Back on Australian soil, circumstances intervene. Bailey’s Iraqi driver from his war correspondent days is waiting for him at his newspaper’s headquarters. The man’s son is missing and he wants Bailey’s help to find him.
When Bailey finally makes the call to the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist, al-Baghdadi accuses him of betrayal: ‘I know what you did.’ Bailey is mystified.
And so, the scene is set. Somehow the threatening re-emergence of Bailey’s old enemy and the disappearance of a Sydney teenager are connected.
Bailey’s sometime partner Sharon Dexter (newly appointed head of the Joint Counter Terrorism Team) and his old buddy and CIA operative Ronnie Johnson are called into action.
And al-Baghdadi’s message to Bailey has set the clock ticking: ‘What you saw in London was nothing. In a few days, you’ll know.’
Strap yourself in for a pacey, twisty, roller-coaster ride.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Each book in the John Bailey series can be read as a standalone novel because Ayliffe carefully fills in critical blanks for new readers, but it’s best to start at #1, The Greater Good , and read the books in order. Backstories, character development, and burgeoning relationships enrich the reading experience when starting at the beginning.
After witnessing a chilling slaying in the heart of London, Bailey receives a hand-delivered message with a phone number on it. The messenger is blunt: ‘Mustafa wants to speak to you’.
Bailey has 49 hours to make the call but he’s nearly due to board a flight from Heathrow to Sydney. Back on Australian soil, circumstances intervene. Bailey’s Iraqi driver from his war correspondent days is waiting for him at his newspaper’s headquarters. The man’s son is missing and he wants Bailey’s help to find him.
When Bailey finally makes the call to the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist, al-Baghdadi accuses him of betrayal: ‘I know what you did.’ Bailey is mystified.
And so, the scene is set. Somehow the threatening re-emergence of Bailey’s old enemy and the disappearance of a Sydney teenager are connected.
Bailey’s sometime partner Sharon Dexter (newly appointed head of the Joint Counter Terrorism Team) and his old buddy and CIA operative Ronnie Johnson are called into action.
And al-Baghdadi’s message to Bailey has set the clock ticking: ‘What you saw in London was nothing. In a few days, you’ll know.’
Strap yourself in for a pacey, twisty, roller-coaster ride.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Each book in the John Bailey series can be read as a standalone novel because Ayliffe carefully fills in critical blanks for new readers, but it’s best to start at #1, The Greater Good , and read the books in order. Backstories, character development, and burgeoning relationships enrich the reading experience when starting at the beginning.
September 17, 2019
Book blurb...
‘Ayliffe delivers a taut, nail-biting page-turner straight from the headlines, stamping his mark on the modern day thriller’
John Bailey has a history of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The veteran war reporter has been kidnapped and tortured – twice. Finally he’s living something that resembles a normal life. But all that changes when a terrorist murders a woman in front of Bailey in London.
The mastermind behind the attack is Mustafa al-Baghdadi – No.1 on the FBI’s most wanted list – and the man who tortured Bailey in Fallujah a decade ago. Mustafa has a deadly axe to grind with Bailey. He taunts Bailey with threats of more attacks in other cities, closer to home.
Back in Sydney the teenage son of Bailey’s old driver from Iraq is missing, and the people who matter most to Bailey have become targets.
Bailey enlists the help of the only man he knows he can trust – ruthless CIA veteran Ronnie Johnson, supposedly retired – in a race against time to take down the world’s most deadly terrorist, once and for all.
My thoughts…
State of Fear is well paced and very realistic, which is a bit sad and scary.
I had mixed feelings about the characters and was very torn, especially when it came to the families of radicalised youth responsible for mass killings and casualties.
A good read with similar storylines to Greg Barron’s first 3 books, which I also really enjoyed.
This review is also published on http://www.readroundoz.wordpress.com
‘Ayliffe delivers a taut, nail-biting page-turner straight from the headlines, stamping his mark on the modern day thriller’
John Bailey has a history of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The veteran war reporter has been kidnapped and tortured – twice. Finally he’s living something that resembles a normal life. But all that changes when a terrorist murders a woman in front of Bailey in London.
The mastermind behind the attack is Mustafa al-Baghdadi – No.1 on the FBI’s most wanted list – and the man who tortured Bailey in Fallujah a decade ago. Mustafa has a deadly axe to grind with Bailey. He taunts Bailey with threats of more attacks in other cities, closer to home.
Back in Sydney the teenage son of Bailey’s old driver from Iraq is missing, and the people who matter most to Bailey have become targets.
Bailey enlists the help of the only man he knows he can trust – ruthless CIA veteran Ronnie Johnson, supposedly retired – in a race against time to take down the world’s most deadly terrorist, once and for all.
My thoughts…
State of Fear is well paced and very realistic, which is a bit sad and scary.
I had mixed feelings about the characters and was very torn, especially when it came to the families of radicalised youth responsible for mass killings and casualties.
A good read with similar storylines to Greg Barron’s first 3 books, which I also really enjoyed.
This review is also published on http://www.readroundoz.wordpress.com
December 21, 2024
Although reading this series out of order, (I started with book 4 and now have finished Book 2,) I am really enjoying getting to know more about John Bailey and I look forward to reading the other 3 books in the series (and more if Tim Ayliffe writes them)
Bailey is no super hero. He is a journalist with an ethical approach who cares about people. He recognises his role and limitations. We learn more about him as Ayliffer reveals his thoughts about people, places and events, and why he reacts as he does.
Thankyou Tim Ayliffe for creating this wonderful character.
Catching the world's most wanted terrorist was supposed to be someone else's job... John Bailey has a history of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The former war correspondent has been kidnapped and tortured – twice. Finally he’s living something that resembles a normal life. But all that changes when a terrorist murders a woman in front of Bailey in London. The mastermind behind the attack is Mustafa al-Baghdadi – No.1 on the FBI’s most wanted list – and the man who tortured Bailey in Fallujah a decade ago. Mustafa has a deadly axe to grind with Bailey. He taunts him with threats of more attacks in other cities, closer to home. Back in Sydney, the people who matter most to Bailey have become targets. Bailey turns to the only man who can help – ruthless CIA veteran Ronnie Johnson – to bring down the world’s most deadly terrorist.
Bailey is no super hero. He is a journalist with an ethical approach who cares about people. He recognises his role and limitations. We learn more about him as Ayliffer reveals his thoughts about people, places and events, and why he reacts as he does.
Thankyou Tim Ayliffe for creating this wonderful character.
Catching the world's most wanted terrorist was supposed to be someone else's job... John Bailey has a history of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The former war correspondent has been kidnapped and tortured – twice. Finally he’s living something that resembles a normal life. But all that changes when a terrorist murders a woman in front of Bailey in London. The mastermind behind the attack is Mustafa al-Baghdadi – No.1 on the FBI’s most wanted list – and the man who tortured Bailey in Fallujah a decade ago. Mustafa has a deadly axe to grind with Bailey. He taunts him with threats of more attacks in other cities, closer to home. Back in Sydney, the people who matter most to Bailey have become targets. Bailey turns to the only man who can help – ruthless CIA veteran Ronnie Johnson – to bring down the world’s most deadly terrorist.
January 29, 2020
I am not a big reader of thrillers but I do love to read a good one from time to time. This one didn't disappoint. I quite enjoyed it.
John Bailey is a journalist that always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and never seems to know what is waiting for him around the next corner. He has great friends around him that seem to keep him alive.
I loved the characters in this novel as they all brought something different to the story. And although it seemed to start a little slow it kept me reading as I never knew what was going to happen next.
Terrorism is a dreadful thing, spanning many countries and this book depicted just how far reaching it is and how young people become radicalised and even brainwashed in order to help the 'Cause'.
A great book and a thrilling read. Might have to read Tim Ayliffe first book now!
Thank you Simon & Schuster Australia
State of Fear
John Bailey is a journalist that always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and never seems to know what is waiting for him around the next corner. He has great friends around him that seem to keep him alive.
I loved the characters in this novel as they all brought something different to the story. And although it seemed to start a little slow it kept me reading as I never knew what was going to happen next.
Terrorism is a dreadful thing, spanning many countries and this book depicted just how far reaching it is and how young people become radicalised and even brainwashed in order to help the 'Cause'.
A great book and a thrilling read. Might have to read Tim Ayliffe first book now!
Thank you Simon & Schuster Australia
State of Fear
February 8, 2024
Terrorism is a cowardice, heinous and manipulative tool used by groups under the guise of religion or a cause.
The Islamic threat is real and tiny minority have created disruption, death and uncertainty amongst nations they target.
Bailey is back and is caught up in the middle plots masterminded by his former captor.
Straight talking, quick witted and perceptive Bailey is drawn into a web of terrorism and is being taunted by Mustafa Al Baghdadi.
A man intent on making the West pay for its alleged sins by manipulating his faithful into suicide missions.
Coded information reveals attacks are imminent.
Mustafa still holds Bailey responsible for the deaths of his family.
Bailey and his immediate contacts are in danger but he is at the forefront of trying to foil attacks and bring evil to justice.
I really felt the authors stance and frustration on this quandary as I devoured this book greedily.
It’s the second book in the series and I just loved it.
World powers playing king of the castle, oil and an evil seed lying in wait to germinate has seen social and political landscapes change dramatically.
Book three here I come.
The Islamic threat is real and tiny minority have created disruption, death and uncertainty amongst nations they target.
Bailey is back and is caught up in the middle plots masterminded by his former captor.
Straight talking, quick witted and perceptive Bailey is drawn into a web of terrorism and is being taunted by Mustafa Al Baghdadi.
A man intent on making the West pay for its alleged sins by manipulating his faithful into suicide missions.
Coded information reveals attacks are imminent.
Mustafa still holds Bailey responsible for the deaths of his family.
Bailey and his immediate contacts are in danger but he is at the forefront of trying to foil attacks and bring evil to justice.
I really felt the authors stance and frustration on this quandary as I devoured this book greedily.
It’s the second book in the series and I just loved it.
World powers playing king of the castle, oil and an evil seed lying in wait to germinate has seen social and political landscapes change dramatically.
Book three here I come.
October 27, 2019
John Bailey is a war correspondent journalist from Sydney, living a life of trying to recover from too much alcohol drinking, nightmares of being held hostage by one of the worlds most dangerous terrorists and trying to keep his romantic relationship going with his girlfriend Sharon Dexter, who works as a cop with the Counter Terrorism Unit.
Bailey’s ordeal begins when he gets a phone call from an unknown caller but he instantly recognised the voice-the wanted terrorist who tortured and held him hostage long ago and wants revenge for the loss of his family by drone. Bailey starts digging and when the son of a Muslim family Bailey knows is kidnapped he finds out the boy and his sister have been brainwashed into joining the terrorist organisation to cause havoc around the worlds cities.
Finding the terrorist is hiding in London, Bailey flies over to try to stop the attacks and bring the wanted man to justice.
Easy to read and good plot pacing this is a book I enjoyed and will definitely read others from this new Australian author.
Bailey’s ordeal begins when he gets a phone call from an unknown caller but he instantly recognised the voice-the wanted terrorist who tortured and held him hostage long ago and wants revenge for the loss of his family by drone. Bailey starts digging and when the son of a Muslim family Bailey knows is kidnapped he finds out the boy and his sister have been brainwashed into joining the terrorist organisation to cause havoc around the worlds cities.
Finding the terrorist is hiding in London, Bailey flies over to try to stop the attacks and bring the wanted man to justice.
Easy to read and good plot pacing this is a book I enjoyed and will definitely read others from this new Australian author.
April 21, 2020
Love the local landmarks that set this book so clearly in Sydney. Noted that most of the driving is done at night which explains how Bailey can cross the city in less than a day. I hadn’t read the first book and John Bailey is living with a lot of stuff from his colourful history. Ayliffe obviously has a rich history himself and we get a fair amount of (Tim’s) Baileys views on current media, politics, race issues and society in general. From the physical description I was kind of picturing a Barry Cassidy tearing around Sydney in his beaten up car following and at times creating mayhem. It’s a tad unlikely that Barry is up to doing those things... however we get the picture that though Bailey is a reluctant hero he is still reasonably up to the task, just.
A good read. A little too much swearing for my liking but I look forward to the next episode where presumably Barry/Bailey is working for The Guardian Or making specials for the ABC.
A good read. A little too much swearing for my liking but I look forward to the next episode where presumably Barry/Bailey is working for The Guardian Or making specials for the ABC.
August 5, 2019
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for my book.
Boy, does this book move along. Straight into the action and it keeps coming. There is deceit, action, corruption, threats and even a little bit of romance. John Bailey, the former war correspondent is a believable character. He wants a normal life, after being kidnapped and tortured, but becomes involved with a deadly terrorist. Bailey's life is certainly not normal.
Very exciting read.
Boy, does this book move along. Straight into the action and it keeps coming. There is deceit, action, corruption, threats and even a little bit of romance. John Bailey, the former war correspondent is a believable character. He wants a normal life, after being kidnapped and tortured, but becomes involved with a deadly terrorist. Bailey's life is certainly not normal.
Very exciting read.
May 17, 2020
Fast moving & action packed thriller. Very enjoyable book to read - well developed characters & great interaction between them. Hints of greater social commentary every now & then without getting too "preachy". And the story line hovers beautifully in the shadows between believable & incredible. Clear, concise prose that conveys the scenes & the story well. Very highly recommended as an Australian thriller. Will certainly read any future instalments about Bailey.
May 24, 2020
Absolutely brilliant! The book had me absolutely captivated within the first couple of pages ... add to that the novelty of the two key characters living within my local area :) ... seriously though, fabulous story, not without its surprises. Story built around a terrorist plot that starts in London and makes it's way to Sydney. Definitely worth reading! I'll be going back for more!
October 23, 2021
the 2nd book in the John Bailye series -journalist who was captured in Iraq and the effect this has on his life-takes you to the world of spies, anti terrorism in UK USA and Australia..
His battles with alcohol, a relationship with a senior police officer, his daughter and his editor are paramount to the story .
His battles with alcohol, a relationship with a senior police officer, his daughter and his editor are paramount to the story .
September 7, 2025
Enthralling! I didn't know what was coming next as this novel had so many twists and turns. While written about the dark side of crime - terrorism - it's so relevant and that makes it so realistic. I'm left wanting more from the characters as it feels like only the start of Bailey's story or perhaps the middle. I'll be looking for more novels by Ayliffe.
July 27, 2019
A very current and so believable terrorist story. Hang on for fast paced, action that barely stops for breath! Great writing that hooks you in as you follow this quest to catch terrorists, save lives, live your life and stay alive.
November 15, 2019
Think this was better than book 1 (The Greater Good). Bailey is a wee bit super-human, but likeable and readable.
A positive shout out to all the good journalists who strive to give us news in an honest, truthful way.
A positive shout out to all the good journalists who strive to give us news in an honest, truthful way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews