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Matt Drake #23

The Sea Rats

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Following the ruthless hijacking of a cruise liner by Somalian pirates in the Indian Ocean, Matt Drake and his Special Forces team are thrust into a gripping new mission. A mission made even deadlier by the return of the world’s most extreme and infamous assassin – The Devil.

Split apart by the twin demands of infiltrating the ship disguised as passengers, and launching a direct attack on the pirates’ land-based shanty town HQ, it quickly becomes apparent that the hijacking is a ruse to conceal a far more disturbing and sinister operation. What are the pirates really looking for aboard the ocean liner?

An old KBG informer, partly responsible for the Soviet Union’s downfall, disappeared thirty years ago, escaping first from KGB and then CIA custody. He is onboard and the Devil will do anything to get him.

As the tension reaches breaking point, as the hostages face increasing violence, and Special Forces head for land and sea, an infinitely more terrifying threat is uncovered...

Bombs have been attached to the ship’s hull... and nothing can stop them from detonating...

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2019

306 people are currently reading
92 people want to read

About the author

David Leadbeater

90 books1,104 followers
International bestselling author of twenty one thrillers, thirteen in the Matt Drake Action/Adventure series, also The Disavowed and Alicia Myles series'. All available for the Amazon Kindle.

Website - www.davidleadbeater.com

Reader of multiple genres. Husband. Father of two beautiful girls, aged 5 and 7. Joss Whedon fan.

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5 stars
285 (57%)
4 stars
154 (31%)
3 stars
52 (10%)
2 stars
4 (<1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Kylie D.
464 reviews609 followers
February 15, 2020
Another marvellous adventure in the Matt Drake series, now 23 books strong. In this novel a luxury passenger liner has been taken hostage by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, and Drake and the Strike Force team are called in. What are the pirates really after? Ransom? Or is there something else driving them? Thankfully our intrepid team are on hand to try to save the passengers, but then, of course, things go pear shaped.

This is one of my favourite series, yes it's a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. I love the banter between the characters that I've gotten to know so well over the years. Great escapist fiction, and a lot of fun. I recommend this series to all lovers of action and adventure.
Profile Image for Margaret Tilbury.
8 reviews
January 28, 2020
Matt Drake and The Team

Once again there is excitement in this book from the get go. Following on from previous books the Strike Force team once again are faced with dealing with the Devil and the Blood King. They didn’t know at the time of going to help rescue passengers on a cruise ship that was being held hostage by pirates that this was the case but on hearing some of their discussions it soon became clear that this was a staged takeover In order to find one person in particular. As time runs out the pirates take drastic measures to try and find the person and many people are either injured or killed. The team must step in and do what they can to save as many people on board as possible.

Will they manage to find the person the pirates are looking for first? Will they all get off the ship unscathed? Will they save the passengers, and the ship?? All questions you’ll be wanting answers for but you need to read the book, cover to cover. Only when you’ve done that will you be ready to read the newest instalment which is released February 2020.

Well done to David Leadbeater for managing to keep us all on the edge of our seats through so many books!
Profile Image for Nigel.
560 reviews7 followers
November 27, 2019
Another absolute winner from David. Still recovering from the events in Japan the team are dispatched to a cruise liner hijacked by Somali pirates to rescue an old spy
Who has valuable information about their nemesis.
Full of explosive twists and turns and even Dahl takes on a submarine I’ll say no more Brilliant as usual thank you David.
Profile Image for Sheila Walker.
463 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2020
When lives are at steak the team jump right in

Cruise liner overtaken by pirates Drake Alicia Mia and Luther become part of the passenger list and all this to find one man an old Russian spy and of course the Devil had to have a hand in this ready to sacrifice 200 passengers just one man. Once the team knew the reason it was business as usual save everyone except the pirates. It’s hell on Earth for everyone, in the mean time Dahl Hayden and the others make for the strong hold of the pirates only to end up almost sinking a sub to catch the leader. Once all back on board the ship the ex spy tells them of 3 old Russian KGB are behind the sinking ship and the blood king is trying to bring the world to it knees, first job get the KGB then find the blood king. It’s full of blood sweat and snot gun toting thugs and those who will bring them down. Not forgetting the Devil he wants to reek his own revenge on our hero’s. Highly recommend for adventure seekers
171 reviews4 followers
April 15, 2020
Another winner from a great author.

Another adventure for Matt Drake and his team of special forces to save the lives of innocent civilians and take down some really bad guys.
The author has the knack of making the reader understand the characters and the storyline to such an extent that it is very hard to put the book down📖📖📖I am now in the process of reading the follow on book in this great series.
Profile Image for Marie Cartwright.
36 reviews
October 7, 2020
Amazing

I've been reading the whole collection of these books and am addicted they are full of action and the friendships and relationships are brilliant to read about. I would be gutted if these books ever stop thank you for keeping my attention on these books they are a great read.
433 reviews8 followers
February 28, 2024
CC1

This was an ex chapter in the Drake series. Finding out that the a Devil was behind the Somalia pirates taken of cruise ship. They needed to find Volkov . But Drake and team put a stop to that, Volkov help with information on the new Blood King. Can't for next chapter !!!! 10 stars plus!!!! Thanks Carl Clause
1,680 reviews
September 26, 2022
Brilliant Series

The Sea Rats (Matt Drake Book 23) by David Leadbeater. Strike Force One are in action again. This time rescuing passengers and crew from Somalian pirates but there’s more to it than highjacking. Of course.
402 reviews3 followers
April 6, 2021
A lot more action

Belting read with action all the way from the get go, to the very last page. This book is a real page turner.
Profile Image for Susan Freeman.
93 reviews
March 31, 2024
Another great read around Matt Drake and the team, always gripping from start to finish.
27 reviews
February 15, 2020
Story line not as good as other's.

Hope next book has a more interesting plot.This one was not as interesting. Did not hold my attention well. Perhaps I miss some of the old characters.
Profile Image for William Beck.
Author 5 books14 followers
February 9, 2020
Exciting , action-packed, and a read that will send you racing through the pages

One word to sum it up. Excellent You won't be able to put it down and it will leave you craving for more of Matt Drake and friends!
Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,889 reviews71 followers
December 12, 2019
The Sea Rats - a review by Rosemary Kenny

David Leadbeater's brilliant Matt Drake series reaches #23 with an all-action thriller that will blow other authors in the genre clear out of the water, as it's so exciting right from the very first page.
And what a first page it is - we learn of Drake's old adversary, the aptly-named Devil and the atrocious crimes he's willing to commit to further his revenge on his and Drake's mutual enemy, the equally-deadly (new), Blood King (fiendishly cruel son of an Attila the Hun-like father,with the same epithet),who detonated and destroyed the Devil's former island lair in an earlier novel..As if that plot alone weren't exciting enough for you, there's also a tie-in to the former USSR and three of its evil former KGB spymasters, a traitorous agent-spy Volkov,(on the run for 3 decades from the double-crossing CIA).who now faces death from every side. Then there is the Somalian pirate force hired through middleman Salene, who board a doomed luxury ocean liner, (shades of Titanic!), on which Volkov and (his one weakness), his lady-love Mary,are travelling.
Needless to say, Drake and his Special Force Team are soon racing against the clock to save as many innocent lives as possible, locate Volkov to find either/both the Blood King's whereabouts or the Devil's, then get him and Mary to safety (they believe),in the US, with new IDs etc.Will they go down with the ship, or be able to save it? What happens in the attack on Salene's HQ? Why does Dahl wrestle a mini-sub?
When does Alicia's nose get broken - and what happens next? Who gets unexpected flying lessons in Russia?
I can highly recommend this 5-star winner, The Sea Rats by the incredible David Leadbeater - it's well-written,fast-paced and will keep you on the edge of your seat til the very end,with its roller-coaster,thrill-a-minute plot that you're sure to enjoy. Grab your copy today and tell all your friends!
70 reviews
October 21, 2019
Action packed!

The latest book in the Matt Drake series does not disappoint! From the start to the finish, it is filled with the non-stop action we have come to expect from the team. This time they are back on the trail of the Devil through the pirate take over a luxury cruise ship with 200 innocents aboard. Many things going on at once with the team separated and trying to determine the reasons for the two related groups and the end point. This a great read that I could hardly put down! Looking forward to the next book in this really good series, thank you David!
484 reviews4 followers
January 11, 2020
Best adventure yet!

I think this is the best story so far in the Matt Drake series. I am so glad we did not lose any of our group or did we? Read the book to find out! The group were firing on all cylinders and I am glad to see they got down to business and took care of the missions. I can’t recommend this author enough if you have not read his works then you are missing out! Thank you for using Kindle Unlimited.
79 reviews
October 8, 2019
Five stars all the way

Once again we are treated to a book that can't be put down.
Really bad idea releasing a new Matt Drake at midnight, just read a couple of chapters and leave it for morning ? NO can't be done.
Another exhilarating ride with the team, no spoilers but can't wait for the next instalment.
Profile Image for Nanette Mitchell.
379 reviews
November 4, 2019
A cruise of death

What should have been a wonderful relaxing cruise vacation has turned into a nightmare because of the pirates and plans of The Devil. Thank goodness for a well trained team of special forces team lead by Drake. Enjoyed the team spirit and looking out for each other. Entertaining
Profile Image for Morag Lamond.
83 reviews
December 18, 2019
Definitely a five star read

Continuing the escapades of Drake and company, this book is so full of action I couldn't put it down. David manages to keep each adventure fresh and gripping. Hijacked ship, old enemies, this book leaves you waiting impatiently for the next in the series.
Profile Image for Trevor.
1,452 reviews2 followers
October 25, 2019
The team return, as the Devil is again in play. This time he is hunting a former Russian spy and a ship of 200 innocent people are of non consequence!! As the team are split between two objectives, a deadly race begins.
81 reviews
November 15, 2019
Exciting stuff

Another good book by David Leadbeater where the team one again go into the thick of it, this time in a cruise ship. The Devil and Blood Kings name rear their ugly heads once again in this fast paced exciting book.
10 reviews
November 18, 2019
READ THIS

Please read these books in order, I started to read Sea Rats before its predecessor and it didn't read right, so I went back. This was a fantastic book and I can't wait to see what happens next versus The Devil and The Blood King.
2 reviews
January 15, 2020
Good read....

Looking for a new read, saw David Leadbeater who i had not heard of, so I took a chance, Sea Rats book 23, enjoyed this book took me out of myself...now i have to start reading from book 1....
70 reviews
October 12, 2019
Wonderful Continuation of the series

Really enjoyed how the series is evolving. Can’t wait for the next adventure to start. I love all of the characters.
Profile Image for Jackie Hare.
11 reviews
October 26, 2019
Go team, go

Actually I'm not going to review this book. I'll say 2 things; read and enjoy, and, I can't wait for January 2020!
Profile Image for melinda bostic.
63 reviews1 follower
October 27, 2019
Great

Book. Keeps you going with the turn of the pages. I look forward to the next book. Carry the story line on
Profile Image for Olga Cerpentier.
32 reviews
November 12, 2019
Wow !

Another fast paced book, full of suspence and some terrible twists and turns. I couldn't put it down once I started it. I'm so looking forward to the next book !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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