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Firefight
A terrorist attack. A killer on the loose. And a final, desperate mission . . .
Former SAS Captain, Tom Jackson, is a man with nothing to lose. A veteran of the most dangerous missions the Regiment could throw at him, his life was torn apart the day a terrorist attack killed his family. Now he grieves in obscurity, the world of warfare nothing but a distant memory.
However, people higher up the chain of command have other plans for Jackson. They are in a mess of their own making, and make him an offer he can’t refuse — an offer that will take him back into the brutal theatre of war. There’s a disaster waiting to happen, which only one person can help prevent, and that person is being held by the Taliban insurgency in the depths of a harsh Afghanistan winter.
As Tom reluctantly prepares for this final mission, he does so in the knowledge that it will stop a devastating terrorist attack — as well as satisfy an ulterior motive of his own. But as events begin to unfold, Tom suspects that someone is playing a game with him; that nobody can be trusted; and that in the murky world of international terrorism, things are seldom what they seem . . .
From the Trade Paperback edition.
Former SAS Captain, Tom Jackson, is a man with nothing to lose. A veteran of the most dangerous missions the Regiment could throw at him, his life was torn apart the day a terrorist attack killed his family. Now he grieves in obscurity, the world of warfare nothing but a distant memory.
However, people higher up the chain of command have other plans for Jackson. They are in a mess of their own making, and make him an offer he can’t refuse — an offer that will take him back into the brutal theatre of war. There’s a disaster waiting to happen, which only one person can help prevent, and that person is being held by the Taliban insurgency in the depths of a harsh Afghanistan winter.
As Tom reluctantly prepares for this final mission, he does so in the knowledge that it will stop a devastating terrorist attack — as well as satisfy an ulterior motive of his own. But as events begin to unfold, Tom suspects that someone is playing a game with him; that nobody can be trusted; and that in the murky world of international terrorism, things are seldom what they seem . . .
From the Trade Paperback edition.
343 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 2008
41 people are currently reading
438 people want to read
About the author
Chris Ryan
342 books1,020 followersColin Armstrong (b. 1961), usually known by the pen-name Chris Ryan, is a British author, television presenter, security consultant and former Special Air Service sergeant.
After the publication of fellow patrol member Andy McNab's Bravo Two Zero in 1993, Ryan published his own account of his experiences during the Bravo Two Zero mission in 1995, entitled The One That Got Away. Since retiring from the British Army Ryan has published several fiction and non-fiction books, including Strike Back, which was subsequently adapted into a television series for Sky 1, and co-created the ITV action series Ultimate Force. He has also presented or appeared in numerous television documentaries connected to the military or law enforcement.
After the publication of fellow patrol member Andy McNab's Bravo Two Zero in 1993, Ryan published his own account of his experiences during the Bravo Two Zero mission in 1995, entitled The One That Got Away. Since retiring from the British Army Ryan has published several fiction and non-fiction books, including Strike Back, which was subsequently adapted into a television series for Sky 1, and co-created the ITV action series Ultimate Force. He has also presented or appeared in numerous television documentaries connected to the military or law enforcement.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 9, 2019
4,25 sterren - Nederlandse paperback - Minibieb Venlo dank je wel - 🍃🍃🍃
Quote boek : orders van MI 5. Bel maar op. Maar hou mij niet tegen.🌷🌷🌷
Dit boek is duidelijk geschreven door een voormalig SAS agent. Rauw, soms kort door de bocht, wordt je meegenomen naar een wereld waar we alleen wat van weten als er zo nu en dan een documentaire over is op tv.
Ik verbaas mij steeds weer wat de mens elkaar aan kan doen. Ik moet ook eerlijk bekennen dat sommige passages zo binnen kwamen dat ik alleen de bovenst regel, midden regel en laatste regel van elke bladzijde las. Wel een aanrader als je van dit soort boeken houdt. 🍁🍁🍁
Quote boek : orders van MI 5. Bel maar op. Maar hou mij niet tegen.🌷🌷🌷
Dit boek is duidelijk geschreven door een voormalig SAS agent. Rauw, soms kort door de bocht, wordt je meegenomen naar een wereld waar we alleen wat van weten als er zo nu en dan een documentaire over is op tv.
Ik verbaas mij steeds weer wat de mens elkaar aan kan doen. Ik moet ook eerlijk bekennen dat sommige passages zo binnen kwamen dat ik alleen de bovenst regel, midden regel en laatste regel van elke bladzijde las. Wel een aanrader als je van dit soort boeken houdt. 🍁🍁🍁
July 13, 2022
4 sterren - Nederlandse paperback
April 8, 2010
I would never normally pick this book up.... however, I was at the beach and needed a new book and the rest of the books on the exchange shelf were in German or Thai so I figured why not. I actually really enjoyed the book... it is my first Iraq/Afghan/military war book but it was done really well. At times it was a little too much war stuff for me but I feel the author did a great job keeping the graffic to a minimum in order to keep the story rich. It also helps that the author is a real army intelligence guy from England. There are parts in the book that make you upset with being an American (but that goes without saying)... That being said if I see more books by him I wouldn't mind picking up another one...
March 12, 2025
Brilliant book. Couldn't put it down, great story. Will be looking for more titles by this author
October 18, 2010
A good entertaining story. Slightly far fetched at times and on a couple of occasions reality was stretched a bit too far which made certain scenarios unbelievable and spoilt it a bit. However, on the whole it was a decent book full of action and suspense as you would expect from Chris Ryan. I had not read a Ryan book for a while but won't leave it as long next time.
June 15, 2021
This is a decent book with a compelling story and good action sequences. It is not the best thriller I have ever read but nor is it the worst. Despite being written by someone who has SAS experience some parts just felt unbelievable and more so than willing suspension of disbelief. However I will be seeking out and reading more books by the author.
November 10, 2025
Riveting!
From start to finish I couldn’t put this book down. Once more Ryan takes his readers to near impossible situations and weaves a tale full of subterfuge leading to unpleasantness coupled with a touch of compassion. I thought I’d figured out the ending, I got it wrong! Great read.
From start to finish I couldn’t put this book down. Once more Ryan takes his readers to near impossible situations and weaves a tale full of subterfuge leading to unpleasantness coupled with a touch of compassion. I thought I’d figured out the ending, I got it wrong! Great read.
October 27, 2017
Meh, I am sure Chris Ryan was a bored writing this book as I was reading it.
Predictable, uninspiring, at times unbelievable but in a bad way.
Plenty of better military action fiction novels out there to read.
Predictable, uninspiring, at times unbelievable but in a bad way.
Plenty of better military action fiction novels out there to read.
December 30, 2020
A decent storyline and well paced action. As with most of these types of book, the ghost writers get some of the details wrong and the reader needs a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief, but this one was fun and engaging.
There is plenty to like here, although the yank bashing was a little heavy handed.
There is plenty to like here, although the yank bashing was a little heavy handed.
January 3, 2023
Finally read it after my wife dug it out of some hiding place.
Part of the story seemed familiar, but parts of it didn't, so there's either another book with part of a very similar plotline, or I've just read the book for the second time!
Part of the story seemed familiar, but parts of it didn't, so there's either another book with part of a very similar plotline, or I've just read the book for the second time!
June 6, 2023
Get this book
If you enjoy action thrillers with a strong special forces flavour, I strongly recommend this book. It is well written with well crafted characters and an unusual plot with a surprising end.
If you enjoy action thrillers with a strong special forces flavour, I strongly recommend this book. It is well written with well crafted characters and an unusual plot with a surprising end.
August 24, 2017
Same
Good guy has tragic fate. Bad guy isn't who it seems at first. Much shooting. Good guy kills bad guy ( & others ) then lumps off into tragic but moderately happy sunset.
Good guy has tragic fate. Bad guy isn't who it seems at first. Much shooting. Good guy kills bad guy ( & others ) then lumps off into tragic but moderately happy sunset.
September 6, 2018
It was OK, not one of his better books.
June 11, 2019
SAS officer....Family.... Terrorist Attack....Revenge....Dark Secret....Modified Revenge...
I bet, this will keep you engaged until you are done with it...
I bet, this will keep you engaged until you are done with it...
August 7, 2019
Great read
October 11, 2019
Really interesting book, nice plot and really interesting characters
December 17, 2019
I really enjoyed the story and characterisation. I am hopeful of a follow-up story for the main character ‘Will Jackson’.
January 1, 2020
Pure chris ryan at his fast paced best
January 4, 2020
This book "the thing" that makes other ryans book so great. Dunno what it is, but it was missing in here.
September 16, 2020
TBH 3 & A Half Just OK
April 6, 2022
Excelant read
What can one say excelant read dont want to put it down suspensebor action on every page a must for any reader
What can one say excelant read dont want to put it down suspensebor action on every page a must for any reader
April 16, 2022
good well paced story
Enjoyed very much. A good read. Kept me turning the pages. Well thought out plot. Realistic and not to far fetched
Enjoyed very much. A good read. Kept me turning the pages. Well thought out plot. Realistic and not to far fetched
June 6, 2022
A good steady Chris Ryan Thriller with plenty of action and a believable plot., not to mention a good array of characters with depth and heart.
February 9, 2023
Reality was stretched a fair bit in this one. Not his best but decent.
June 4, 2023
How have I never read this guy until now?? Explosive plot with such great detail/ realism
June 8, 2023
Firefight
Excellent book well written as usual by an excellent writer Chris Ryan always writes stories that have content and human emotion that bring the story to life
Excellent book well written as usual by an excellent writer Chris Ryan always writes stories that have content and human emotion that bring the story to life
August 13, 2023
Compenent thriller which seems authentic
October 5, 2023
Good story
Enjoyed the book and character
Enjoyed the book and character
April 5, 2024
Good one.
February 4, 2025
Not my usual read but found it to be a great page turner. Great relatable characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews