Operative 66

Alex Reeve #1

by Andy McDermott

Former special ops soldier Alex Reeve is OPERATIVE 66.

One of the UK's deadliest weapons, he is part of secretive C6 - an elite and covert security service with a remit to neutralize the country's most dangerous enemies.

But now Reeve is in the firing line. Framed as a traitor, Reeve is forced to flee as C6 agents are instructed to eliminate the 'rogue asset' at any cost. Reeve must survive, alone and under the radar, with the full power of the state arrayed against him.

He doesn't know why he's a target. Or who betrayed him. But if one man has the skills necessary to uncover the truth...it is Operative 66.

From the international bestseller comes an explosive and action-packed new thriller - the perfect pulse-racing read for fans of LEE CHILD, DAVID BALDACCI, ROBERT LUDLUM and GREGG HUWITZ.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Audiobook, Action, Military Fiction, Suspense, Scotland

409 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 9, 2020

About the author

Andy McDermott was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and now lives in Bournemouth. As a journalist and magazine editor, amongst other titles he edited DVD Review and the iconoclastic film publication Hotdog. Andy is now a full-time writer.

Reviews

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

An enjoyable ride with some excitement and trepidation that adds up to 3 stars. This was not an edge of the seat thriller but an easy read.

[Lee Willie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

A fantastic and faced paced read from the author of the Chase/Wilde series.
I have really been looking forward to this novel and wasn't disappointed. It has a great plot and loads of thrills, I hope Alex Reeve returns.

[Wayne Fielding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, a great read.

[Wenzel Roessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall it is a very entertaining book. Some of the minor characters tend to blend together, and some of the scenes take way too long to unfold, burdened by too much detail. Thankfully the main characters drive the story.

[TonyAntSonWil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable, what you see is what you get. Typical genre stuff but done so well.

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Good grief - Eddie may have a new challenger as fave character from this author!!

Alex Reeve may be his new name, to go along with his new career in SC9, but he still retains all of his formidable skills. Something that whoever is attempting to frame him as a traitor doesn't seem to take on board. Alex just wanted to serve his country in a new wave but now he's on the run, injured and attempting to find out just who is targeting him.

Thankfully he is not only a man of action but also of intelligence and strategy. He makes mincemeat of those sent against him and manages to make a few unlikely allies along the way!

Alex is a brilliant mix of Bond/Bourne and a dash of The Equalizer for good measure. He may work on the murky side but he has a set of rules that he won't break for anyone. Even on the run his sense of honour won't let him leave those he finds in need to fend for themselves. He'll take on SC9 while fending off drug dealers with murky muscle and defending an abused girlfriend!

Maxwell - I was never quite sure what he was up to! He is your classic spymaster and plays a good game. The other team members all have distinct personalities - even though that means one or two of them I wouldn't mind bashing over the head!

Mad dashes from Scotland to London and France reminds me of The Thirty Nine Steps, one of my favourite books ever. Alex and Connie are a great combo and she takes to the spy life well! I really hope these two get more books and become the Eddie and Nina of the spy world! Brilliant plot and thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex Reeve is a military trained man who works for a secret intelligence agency in Britain called SC9. They are tasked with searching for targets the British establishment regards as hostiles, threats or just someone to get rid of and killing them. Their assignments are off the books so no one in Britain even knows SC9 exists.

The SC9 team are a highly trained crew of various ex military or ex police, brutal in their efficiency. Maxwell is their leader and mentor of the group of Operatives. After passing the test to join SC9 they are assigned as Operative 62 for example. Alex Reeve is Operative 66.

Maxwell ambushes Alex one day, pointing a gun at him in his office, declaring he’d been named Fox Red, a traitor and mole. Alex is appalled and goes on the run from his team and vows to clear his name and find who the real traitor of their team is and stop him.

Along his way Alex meets Connie, a nurse who patches him up after a bullet hit. She tags along with him after he saves both her life and her friends in her lousy block of apartments where she lives and has a drug lord as a landlord.

Exciting, fast paced and so good, this departure from Andy McDermott’s usual novels about Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase is such a fantastic route into perhaps a new series for fans like me of Andy McDermott’s books. Loved it!!

[Jacques Hollands · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all the Eddie Chase and Nina Wilde books and generally enjoyed them. Although of late, I have become a bit weary of the non-stop over-the-top action that was so unbelievable that I started losing interest. I was, therefore, a bit hesitant to read Operative 66, but after it kept popping up as a recommended book, I eventually decided to purchase it.

I have read another review that this is a poor knock-off of the Bourne series, but I think that is a tad harsh. Yes, the stories are vaguely similar, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is Mr McDermott's best novel by far. The action was just right, and the story ticked over at a nice pace without the ridiculous and unbelievable action sequences that so many books offer these days.

The protagonist is a likeable and well-developed character, and I hope this isn't a stand-alone novel. I would love to read more of the adventures of Alex Reeve.

[Sorin Manolescu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of Hollywood type of plot and characters, ready for a new Rambo. Story is weak and completely unrealistic, within the covert intelligence operations scope while the lead character is a super soldier fighting his way through totally surreal situations.
It's fast paced and easy to read. The only two points to score.

[Stefan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was quite good. This was the first novel by Andy McDermott that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Our main character, ex-special ops soldier Alex Reeve, just about to graduate from training in an elite secret British tactical team, when he is accused of being a spy for a foreign government, and a traitor to his country. Because of this, he narrowly escapes with his life, and must flee as the rest of his recently graduated teammates are now out to track him down and terminate him.

This book was one I just picked up after seeing is was in the "Readers Also Enjoyed" portion here on Goodreads. It looked fairly interesting, and I am very glad I took a chance on it.

The pace of the book wasn't non-stop action in your face, as that tends to get a wee bit tiresome. But it also wasn't a dragging story where it puts you to sleep either. I thought it was a happy medium.

I am really hoping that this was not a standalone book. It sure would be nice to read more about Alex Reeve.

[Chen-Wei Cheong · Rating 4 out of 5]

About close to 10 years ago, I was hooked onto Andy McDermott's Chase/Wilde series, but the formula for it soon got boring and I soon gave up on it.
Cut to the present day, and after reading Andy's Persona Protocol, I was hooked on his spy/thriller aspect. This book introduced us to a new character, Alex Reeve, a newly graduated SC9 Operative 66, who was flagged to be terminated on the day of graduation, and on the run from all his SC9 unit, who were hunting him down.
It was a fantastic and fast-paced read. I gave this novel a go, after reading more of the brainy and intellectual novels throughout last year, and it didn't disappoint.
The plot wasn't the most original or exciting, but it gave credance to the current world situation - people who were caught in a system and disappointed by their governments lack of action to make the hard decisions. There were a lot of thrills and escapes, but not as many plot twists as I expected in a secret operative/thriller novel.
Highly recommended just to disconnect, and get your mind off work or anything stressful.
4.5 out of 5 for me.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really really good standalone thriller from Andy McDermott

I really liked this example of the " clandestine operator within a deniable and murky "government" organisation " sub-genre. In my old, less discerning rating system this would have been 5 stars but, since there is nothing particularly original, I feel that I can only award 4 stars. However there is action a-plenty, intrigue, Albanian mafia, assassination attempts, a return trip to the South of France, a brutal hero with a conscience out to clear his name and even a little romantic interest. I'm not sure there will be a sequel but I will certainly be reading it if there is. This is my first book by Andy M. but I suspect that it will be first of many. Narration of the Audio book is good too. Readers of Mark Dawson, Rob Sinclair, Stephen Leather, A.P. Bateman, Jason Kasper, Vince Milan et al will certainly enjoy this one methinks!

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the new character from Andy McDermott. Alex Reeve is a special forces operative that has trained to be part of an elite team, until his instructor tries to kill him just after he graduates from training.

This kicks off a chase to find the truth of why he was marked for death with his class mates trying to track him down. He enlists the help of a nurse who comes along for the adventure, but quickly learns she is over her head and doesn't like what she finds.

Alex comes off as an idealist, that is in it for the "right" reasons, but he didn't understand what he actually signed up to.

The chase is exciting, and I would happily read more about Alex's adventures if Andy decides to give him another run.

[Elizabeth Fantham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rarely read books in this genre because I find the writing subpar compared to the fantasy genre, but I liked the sound of the narrator so decided to give it a try.

I'm kind of torn with this one. It wasn't bad, but it was cliche after cliche. Nothing was original. I have watched and read this scenario 1000x. That being said, the writing was decent.

I loved the narrator on the audible version. I'm not sure I would of enjoyed this book with a different narrator. I do believe he was part of the reason for me liking it.

Overall it's not a bad book, also not a great book. It seems this author may have better book series, so I might give one of the others a try. Especially if this narrator reads any of them.

[Jennifer Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast paced, wild ride of a story, one I enjoyed very much.
It's not as fast paced as a Matthew Reilly novel, but not far off. Alex Reeve is a very likeable character, despite the typical awful childhood most characters written in this type of service scenario have, and being a killer!
I think Connie could have been developed as a character more, particularly at the start - I didn't get a clear sense of what she looked like, so I first thought she would only be a small character in tge book. She seemed to me to be too soft to be Alex's side kick - not like Nina Wilde in McDermot's Wilde/Chase series of books.
All up an enjoyable read.

[Steven Batty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whilst searching for a release date for the next Wilde and Chase novel, I came across Operative 66 and Rogue Asset (to be read next) two titles I'd not heard of. After reading The Persona Protocol, which I didn't enjoy, I was hesitant to purchase these books. Thankfully I found both on a second book store at a cheap price, so thought in for a penny in for a pound. I'm glad I did

Operative 66 is a fast paced light thriller, the premise is a well used narrative but with a twist that makes it stand out from the crowd. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and a much needed change from his usual novels. If you can get them second hand then do so, well worth the money.

[Tom - Reader of Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a huge fan of the author’s ongoing series featuring Wilde and Chase, I was excited to read a different story by Andy McDermott. However I was left feeling distinctly underwhelmed.

This felt like paint by numbers type writing to me, bland and uninspiring characters, a lack of real danger and exciting plot points. It became very clear to me fairly early in, this wouldn’t turn out to be anything different to what we’ve all read before.

I think I’ll stick to Wilde and Chase and hope that series doesn’t suffer from some of the poor elements this book has.

[Gary Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wild ride with intrigue, excitement, and a happy outcome!

Well, it as a change after Nina and Eddie, but I quickly got into the story as it started moving. Then - pow - off it went with rapid acceleration! I am not sure how Alex’s body felt on the roof, but certainly a lot of punishment. Most would never have survived.

One of those books you just have to keep reading. Thanks Andy. Good job!

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alex Reeve is a new member of a British "Black Ops" group, SC9. Suddenly, he is designated as a traitor, and a kill-on-sight order is issued. Trying to clear his name, he also becomes involved with the Lebanese Mafia in London. The body count is astronomical in England and France as Alex pursues redemption. Typical of Andy McDermott novels, there is a car chase, aka a demolition derby, although this one is at the beginning of the story, and not at the end.

[S A R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wild ride

Andy McDermott writes for the screen. His action scenes are meant to be seen. They are full of twists and turns, ups and downs, and are vivid and visual. Operative 66 does not disappoint. I like to see more of Alex and Connie. They fit together like Nina and Eddie. I look forward to more action packed adventures.

[Nicolaas Bergman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish i could give it 3 1/2 thats what i will give. Not his best book and im not sure of this new character Alex Reeve.
Its in a way the British Jason Bourne
There were parts that were drawn out and other parts there were good action so I have mixed feelings about it, its not bad but not in the same class as Edie and Nina
Will see if I follow Operative 66 - not so sure

[Hywel Pinto · Rating 4 out of 5]

It starts like the movie ' The Recruit', but probably from the halfway stage, since the book goes into an overdrive of action a few chapters down. High octane car chases and fight scenes dominate Alex Reeve's journey towards proving his innocence and at the same time staying alive.
A good break from Nina and Eddie series that needed a much required hiatus.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

One minute you are graduating the next you are running for your life. Alex has been trained to be an elite killer no questions asked, but now he needs answers and fast if he is to survive another day. Fast paced action it did not let up the hunters were every bit as good as expected to be in a high actene cat and mouse search and destroy mission.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Operative 66 is the first book by Andy McDermott that I have read. It is a rollercoaster of a ride as an ultra-secret group of operatives rid the UK of any threats of any kind. Alex Reeves is one of those operatives and he is in their sights even though he is one of their own. Wasn't sure at first but I soon came to really enjoy it so pleased I kept reading.

[Neil Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect

Not a very likeable bunch the Operatives. Could a group like this really exist? Very believable and some nice local knowledge put to use around Sandbanks, Poole and Bournemouth.

[Robert Bradberry]

Unputdownable!

Really got into the Alex Reeve character. By knowing
him and living him his incredible survival exploits became
believable and I was rooting for him intensely at the end.
Great job.

[TERENCE CHARLESWORTH · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author has used this book to express his political opinions. So obviously a left wing radical, anti brexit and socialist doctrine. These views add nothing to the story. In fact they detracted from what could have been an albeit average attempt.
I won't be reading anything else by this author.

[Adam Preen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got half way through and gave up, I had to keep looking at when it was originally written as It felt like a book written after the war and I thought it had been badly updated, the characters were terrible and the story line so cheesy.

[Paul McIlroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth a read.

Bit of a slow start for me but interest in the main character grew as I persevered. Turned out to be quite a change from the usual spy plot, and spotlighted issues still remaining in British society. Enjoyed it and will consider others featuring Alex Reeve.

[Allen Prescott · Rating 5 out of 5]

One faced paced story line

This is a new character from this writer so I decided to see if this book would peak my interest. It did!!! The story line is fast paced with lots of interaction with many surprises.