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Harry Bauer Thriller #1
Dead of Night
What do you do when the only skill you ever learned was how to kill, when you’re among the best of the best, but they tell you you can’t do that anymore? What do you do when they send you home from Afghanistan and tell you to get a job, like everybody else?
But you’re not like everybody else.
After eight years as a trooper in the SAS, fighting the secret, untold wars in the deserts and the jungles of the world, Harry Bauer has been kicked out for attempting to assassinate Mohammed Ben Amini, the Butcher of Al-Landy. He’s been sent home, to New York, where he was raised an orphan ‘til he was old enough to split and join the special forces.
Now he’s back, and unemployed; until Russian Mafia boss Peter Rusanov offers him a job wiping out the Albanian Mafia. It’s a job he figures could make him rich, until Colonel Jane Harris shows up, takes him for a ride to Pleasantville, and tells him about Cobra…
Then all hell breaks loose.
But you’re not like everybody else.
After eight years as a trooper in the SAS, fighting the secret, untold wars in the deserts and the jungles of the world, Harry Bauer has been kicked out for attempting to assassinate Mohammed Ben Amini, the Butcher of Al-Landy. He’s been sent home, to New York, where he was raised an orphan ‘til he was old enough to split and join the special forces.
Now he’s back, and unemployed; until Russian Mafia boss Peter Rusanov offers him a job wiping out the Albanian Mafia. It’s a job he figures could make him rich, until Colonel Jane Harris shows up, takes him for a ride to Pleasantville, and tells him about Cobra…
Then all hell breaks loose.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2020
6101 people are currently reading
1099 people want to read
About the author
Blake Banner
153 books400 followersUSA TODAY and Amazon #1 bestselling author of the OMEGA and DEAD COLD MYSTERY series. Learn more about Blake Banner at his website: www.blakebanner.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
February 23, 2022
Wasn't expecting this good. Hard to put down and enjoyed the action and details. Great story looking forward to #2.
December 13, 2022
DNF@14%
This is not for me, I’d have liked to continue. If it wasn’t written in MCs point of view it might have been better, I think.
This is not for me, I’d have liked to continue. If it wasn’t written in MCs point of view it might have been better, I think.
August 11, 2021
Wow, what a great story. I know I’m enjoying a book when I can’t get through it quick enough, and this is certainly one of those. The plot is nonstop and unpredictable, which I always enjoy, and I love the diverse range of characters. Harry Bauer is brilliant, and I’m looking forward to reading more on him in the series.
Harry Bauer loved being in the SAS, it was the one thing he was good at. He had become pretty good at it after 8 years, spending time in some of the most hostile places in the world hunting terrorists. However, that had suddenly come to an end, and he was at a bit of a loss at what he was going to do next. He was pretty good at killing men that deserved to die, but being a mercenary wasn’t high on his list. Maybe being a doorman wasn’t so bad, but Bauer was not the kind of man to sit idle.
You can’t help but be pulled into this story. It’s well worth a read. 5/5 Star Rating
Harry Bauer loved being in the SAS, it was the one thing he was good at. He had become pretty good at it after 8 years, spending time in some of the most hostile places in the world hunting terrorists. However, that had suddenly come to an end, and he was at a bit of a loss at what he was going to do next. He was pretty good at killing men that deserved to die, but being a mercenary wasn’t high on his list. Maybe being a doorman wasn’t so bad, but Bauer was not the kind of man to sit idle.
You can’t help but be pulled into this story. It’s well worth a read. 5/5 Star Rating
September 26, 2024
We all know a cobra is a very deadly snake. Much like Harry Bauer turned out to be after eight years as a SAS operative. A very lethal one.
And now ignominiously dismissed.
Back in New York he struggled to find a proper job.
Then, after a rather deadly engagement Harry got introduced to the Cobra.
No. This time this Cobra is a rather secretive organisation where Harry's deadly skills fit right in.
And mankind acquires a new super hero. Sort off. And he is sheer poison.
Hats off to author Blake Banner for this very fast paced action thriller that tends to raise heart palpitations every chapter.
Enjoy.
And now ignominiously dismissed.
Back in New York he struggled to find a proper job.
Then, after a rather deadly engagement Harry got introduced to the Cobra.
No. This time this Cobra is a rather secretive organisation where Harry's deadly skills fit right in.
And mankind acquires a new super hero. Sort off. And he is sheer poison.
Hats off to author Blake Banner for this very fast paced action thriller that tends to raise heart palpitations every chapter.
Enjoy.
March 7, 2021
Harry Bauer is an ex British army coerced into resignation. Soon after he's inducted into a secret off the record organization called Cobra, which takes out the scum; his first target being a terrorist who was involved in his last mission in the army. What follows is a game of cloak and dagger, smoke and mirrors, Tom Clancy, Fredrick Forsyth and Robert Ludlum kind of espionage thriller. The story is short and crisp and at times reminiscent of James Bond kind of action.
July 19, 2022
Brutal. Unforgiving. That would be Harry Bauer.
I know he's some kind of Special Ops guy, but where did he get all this assassin training? Seems like he was part of a British team that was kind of like a Tier One unit. But he seems to have all these specific one-guy abilities to assassinate people. His training really isn't explained.
And boy does he assassinate people out of revenge and in savage ways. Yikes.
Of course I'm in for the rest of the series, but I'll be fast forwarding when he does things like set people on fire. Killing people is one thing; making them suffer while you kill them is another thing entirely.
And Ray Porter, nuff said.
I know he's some kind of Special Ops guy, but where did he get all this assassin training? Seems like he was part of a British team that was kind of like a Tier One unit. But he seems to have all these specific one-guy abilities to assassinate people. His training really isn't explained.
And boy does he assassinate people out of revenge and in savage ways. Yikes.
Of course I'm in for the rest of the series, but I'll be fast forwarding when he does things like set people on fire. Killing people is one thing; making them suffer while you kill them is another thing entirely.
And Ray Porter, nuff said.
May 26, 2020
Not impressed yet. Too james bondish...or Matt Helmish
June 6, 2020
Brilliant new adventure
Again another great story from Blake Banner. His books always have lots of twists and you never know what will happen next, or what the end will be until you get to the end.
Again another great story from Blake Banner. His books always have lots of twists and you never know what will happen next, or what the end will be until you get to the end.
July 4, 2020
couldn't connect with the lead character. action was good. but plot was not developed to excite a thrill.
June 1, 2020
Fast paced
Harry Bauer is an interesting character, who you immediately like. He ranks up there with Noah Wolf, Jericho Quinn, Tanner, Jet...
Harry Bauer is an interesting character, who you immediately like. He ranks up there with Noah Wolf, Jericho Quinn, Tanner, Jet...
November 19, 2021
So, OK…who doesn’t get his or her back up over a veteran who is treated shabbily by the governments he works for? In this book, that veteran is Harry Bauer and he is indeed shafted by the British SAS at the behest of the CIA. Exit SAS veteran. Enter an American James Bond complete with weaponry knowledge, a love for fast cars, fine wines and finer whiskies (particularly The Macallan…mmm, a truly luxurious single malt scotch whisky). Unlike James Bond, I’m glad to read that Harry Bauer doesn’t smoke. I used to worry about Bond’s overindulgence in stay-alert pills, booze, and cigarettes. I always imagined lung cancer would have caught up with him before a bullet did…or maybe cirrhosis.
It’s impossible to read this book without thinking of Ian Fleming’s James Bond, but I have to say I like Harry Bauer better. A man, “the brigadier,” for whom Bauer worked during his time in Afghanistan, among other places, while serving in the SAS, seeks him out after he is shunted out of the service, returns to New York City, and is unable to find a legitimate job.
The story is fast paced and doesn’t let up – this definitely holds the reader’s interest. I would have read it all in one sitting if my Kindle hadn’t run out of power while I was nowhere near a plugin. Blake Banner’s style is so good that the reader doesn’t actually catch herself/himself reading – the reader falls into the story – actually, is catapulted into the story – and becomes engrossed. Words become pictures and the reader is right there with Harry Bauer. Now THAT is an outstanding writer.
It’s difficult not to be in awe of Bauer’s prowess in…well…just about everything. He really is an elite assassin. But in a book like this, where the hero is all over the place geographically as well as knowledgably, it is important that the writer does very tight research, since the protagonist is expert in so many topics and locations.
There are some errors. For example:
Harry Bauer is speaking in first person and Brigadier Byrd tells him, “’You will stay at the Four Seasons on Avenue George V.’ He pronounced it the French way, ‘Avenoo George Canz,’ with a soft ‘G’….”
“V” is Roman numeral 5. In French that’s cinq, pronounced “sank” not quinze (French for 15) which is pronounced “canz.” The writer has Bauer staying at the Four Seasons hotel on Avenue George XV (15), at least as he has Brigadier Byrd pronounce it. The avenue, in the 8th arrondissement, is named after the British monarch, George V. There was no George XV, although there was a Louis XV, pronounced “Louis canz.” I’m pretty sure the writer is describing the 5-star luxury Four Seasons hotel that is, indeed, on Avenue George V. Pretty swank and as much a landmark as the Arch de Triomphe or the Tour Eiffel.
Harry Bauer is talking about the distance over which a device will wipe out electronics and thinks, “…radius of a mile – half a mile each way….” I think he means the diameter is a mile since the radius is half the diameter…? So, maybe he would be thinking, “…diameter of a mile – half a mile each way….” It may be I’m being presumptuous – his statement seems to place him in a circle (or a sphere, maybe – and that would be a different formula) so if the diameter were 1 mile, then that would yield half a mile each way (i.e., each radius, so to speak, since the radius is half the diameter). Or…if the radius really is 1 mile – the electronic disturbance would be a circle with a diameter of 2 miles, or an area of 3.14 square miles ( ∏r2), quite impressive! At any rate, Bauer’s thoughts sent me down a rabbit hole to calculate exactly at what distance electronic equipment would be affected.
[Ooh…P.S. Maybe, based on how the EMP generator is used we should consider its influence on half a sphere. Hmm…or would it penetrate beneath ground? If so, we’re back to that sphere. Be that as it may, sphere, half sphere, or circle, there’s still gonna be a radius and diameter to play with. See? Math is way cool fun. N’est pas? as they say on Avenue George V.]
Speaking of which…Bauer had knocked out all electronics systems with an EMP generator and unless properly insulated, all electronic systems, including cell phones, would be fried within a radius of a half mile in each direction (depending on the radius vs. diameter controversy – kind of important, actually). The manual for the EMP generator that Bauer found alerts him that the truck he is in is insulated and protected from the disturbance…so he leaves his cell phone in the cab of the truck in order to protect it. So…one wonders…how it is he was able to use one of the bad guys’ cell phones to detonate a gas leak and cause a huge explosion. Given the parameters of the EMP tool…he couldn’t.
Errors are unfortunate because they remove the reader from the story and make her/him puzzle out what the writer is trying to say. It can decrease the enjoyment a bit because errors are story stoppers.
On a very positive note, Mr. Banner has an excellent style of writing with few grammatical/typographical errors and that is an exceptional thing. Too many grammatical errors make a reader weep.
One final observation. The writer tells us that Russell Bertrand is the founder and still director of Cobra, the clandestine organization seeking Harry Bauer’s talents. I suspect this is a flip of the name Bertrand Russell although I’m not sure why. Bertrand Russell was one of the founders of analytic philosophy in the early 1900s. He was a pacifist so maybe this is an ironic nudge at pacifism? I liked it, at any rate.
I strongly recommend reading and enjoying this book. Kindle shows 10 books in the series. That’s a lot, while I believe Ian Fleming wrote 14 James Bond books, usually one a year. Our writer, Blake Banner, seems to write a great deal faster…and better. Mr. Banner’s books are a fascinating read and if you are looking for a captivating way to spend an afternoon, grab this book and devour it. You’ll be glad you did.
It’s impossible to read this book without thinking of Ian Fleming’s James Bond, but I have to say I like Harry Bauer better. A man, “the brigadier,” for whom Bauer worked during his time in Afghanistan, among other places, while serving in the SAS, seeks him out after he is shunted out of the service, returns to New York City, and is unable to find a legitimate job.
The story is fast paced and doesn’t let up – this definitely holds the reader’s interest. I would have read it all in one sitting if my Kindle hadn’t run out of power while I was nowhere near a plugin. Blake Banner’s style is so good that the reader doesn’t actually catch herself/himself reading – the reader falls into the story – actually, is catapulted into the story – and becomes engrossed. Words become pictures and the reader is right there with Harry Bauer. Now THAT is an outstanding writer.
It’s difficult not to be in awe of Bauer’s prowess in…well…just about everything. He really is an elite assassin. But in a book like this, where the hero is all over the place geographically as well as knowledgably, it is important that the writer does very tight research, since the protagonist is expert in so many topics and locations.
There are some errors. For example:
Harry Bauer is speaking in first person and Brigadier Byrd tells him, “’You will stay at the Four Seasons on Avenue George V.’ He pronounced it the French way, ‘Avenoo George Canz,’ with a soft ‘G’….”
“V” is Roman numeral 5. In French that’s cinq, pronounced “sank” not quinze (French for 15) which is pronounced “canz.” The writer has Bauer staying at the Four Seasons hotel on Avenue George XV (15), at least as he has Brigadier Byrd pronounce it. The avenue, in the 8th arrondissement, is named after the British monarch, George V. There was no George XV, although there was a Louis XV, pronounced “Louis canz.” I’m pretty sure the writer is describing the 5-star luxury Four Seasons hotel that is, indeed, on Avenue George V. Pretty swank and as much a landmark as the Arch de Triomphe or the Tour Eiffel.
Harry Bauer is talking about the distance over which a device will wipe out electronics and thinks, “…radius of a mile – half a mile each way….” I think he means the diameter is a mile since the radius is half the diameter…? So, maybe he would be thinking, “…diameter of a mile – half a mile each way….” It may be I’m being presumptuous – his statement seems to place him in a circle (or a sphere, maybe – and that would be a different formula) so if the diameter were 1 mile, then that would yield half a mile each way (i.e., each radius, so to speak, since the radius is half the diameter). Or…if the radius really is 1 mile – the electronic disturbance would be a circle with a diameter of 2 miles, or an area of 3.14 square miles ( ∏r2), quite impressive! At any rate, Bauer’s thoughts sent me down a rabbit hole to calculate exactly at what distance electronic equipment would be affected.
[Ooh…P.S. Maybe, based on how the EMP generator is used we should consider its influence on half a sphere. Hmm…or would it penetrate beneath ground? If so, we’re back to that sphere. Be that as it may, sphere, half sphere, or circle, there’s still gonna be a radius and diameter to play with. See? Math is way cool fun. N’est pas? as they say on Avenue George V.]
Speaking of which…Bauer had knocked out all electronics systems with an EMP generator and unless properly insulated, all electronic systems, including cell phones, would be fried within a radius of a half mile in each direction (depending on the radius vs. diameter controversy – kind of important, actually). The manual for the EMP generator that Bauer found alerts him that the truck he is in is insulated and protected from the disturbance…so he leaves his cell phone in the cab of the truck in order to protect it. So…one wonders…how it is he was able to use one of the bad guys’ cell phones to detonate a gas leak and cause a huge explosion. Given the parameters of the EMP tool…he couldn’t.
Errors are unfortunate because they remove the reader from the story and make her/him puzzle out what the writer is trying to say. It can decrease the enjoyment a bit because errors are story stoppers.
On a very positive note, Mr. Banner has an excellent style of writing with few grammatical/typographical errors and that is an exceptional thing. Too many grammatical errors make a reader weep.
One final observation. The writer tells us that Russell Bertrand is the founder and still director of Cobra, the clandestine organization seeking Harry Bauer’s talents. I suspect this is a flip of the name Bertrand Russell although I’m not sure why. Bertrand Russell was one of the founders of analytic philosophy in the early 1900s. He was a pacifist so maybe this is an ironic nudge at pacifism? I liked it, at any rate.
I strongly recommend reading and enjoying this book. Kindle shows 10 books in the series. That’s a lot, while I believe Ian Fleming wrote 14 James Bond books, usually one a year. Our writer, Blake Banner, seems to write a great deal faster…and better. Mr. Banner’s books are a fascinating read and if you are looking for a captivating way to spend an afternoon, grab this book and devour it. You’ll be glad you did.
January 18, 2021
All I want from books like this is pulp fiction action and adventure. And this book provided that in spades - I read it in one day! With all due respect to the writer I just wanted something pretty brainless to read on the bus, in the taxi, in bed, while Im having coffee between the lessons I give at university. I really don't want to be overthinking some convoluted plot. And this sort of stuff does it for me - just like cowboy (Louis Lamour) and detective novels by Micky Spillane got me through my university years. I've already read the other 3 I think I'm waiting on the next in the series....
January 5, 2021
Usual shooty. Could use editing.. all the baddies have "300 dollar haircuts"..and the same suits. Don't know what thing the author has with the temp of showers..
May 8, 2022
just a mass murder
If you want to read a book in the first person of someone graphically murdering about 50 people (maybe more?) with limited plot other than “they’re bad guys” and all the various bad guy groups involved in a bunch of conspiracies (uncovering them is just the character going “a ha! Now I’ve realized that…..”). But mostly it’s just page after page of a guy violently and graphically murdering groups of people. If that’s what you like, this will be a good book. Wasn’t for me.
If you want to read a book in the first person of someone graphically murdering about 50 people (maybe more?) with limited plot other than “they’re bad guys” and all the various bad guy groups involved in a bunch of conspiracies (uncovering them is just the character going “a ha! Now I’ve realized that…..”). But mostly it’s just page after page of a guy violently and graphically murdering groups of people. If that’s what you like, this will be a good book. Wasn’t for me.
March 24, 2022
The book is too unrealistic. Harry Baur kills more people by himself than an entire platoon. The action was good, but the plot, or lack there of, leave much to be desired. I thought the story was too unrealistic.
May 5, 2022
SUPERB!
ALWAYS EXCITING! Never fails to entertain with sex,,,food and wine tips…gun expertise…
And well choreographed violence! WELL PLAYED, BB!…WILD ABOUT HARRY!
ALWAYS EXCITING! Never fails to entertain with sex,,,food and wine tips…gun expertise…
And well choreographed violence! WELL PLAYED, BB!…WILD ABOUT HARRY!
November 17, 2022
Dead of Night is Book #1 in what I expect to learn is a series of stories about Harry Bauer. Before going any farther with this review, I plan to get and read #2, #3, etc., as soon as possible. I like Harry Bauer. He's my kind of cut-throat, murdering mercenary.
Blake Banner, the author, has created an interesting lead character who is fun to follow through his action packed, thriller of a life. Banner's story-telling is matched well with his writing style. He holds the reader's attention, wanting to know what happens next, and next, and next.
As for that lead character, Harry Bauer is an American who joined the British Army as a young, relatively directionless young man, and wound up in the SAS (Special Air Service). SAS is similar to the US Army Special Forces Rangers on steroids. To say they are an elite force understates how well trained, and how good they really are.
Bauer is a good soldier, and loves it, but an incident in the Middle East gets him booted from the Regiment. They allowed him to resign, rather than be court martialed and dishonorably discharged. Unfortunately, his "resignation" didn't come with an honorable discharge, and there was no glowing letter of recommendation to benefit his future opportunities.
At this point, with his future in doubt, no immediate prospects in the offing, and no education or training beyond being really good at killing people, Harry Bauer moves back to America--New York to be specific. He can't find security work, because of his lack of any recommendation from the British Army, and by dumb luck winds up working for a Russian gangster.
Harry quickly proves his worth, and his ability to kill people, but his less-than-legal activities have been monitored. Harry's toast, but he's offered an alternative. Thus begins the thrilling adventures of Harry Bauer, assassin.
Blake Banner, the author, has created an interesting lead character who is fun to follow through his action packed, thriller of a life. Banner's story-telling is matched well with his writing style. He holds the reader's attention, wanting to know what happens next, and next, and next.
As for that lead character, Harry Bauer is an American who joined the British Army as a young, relatively directionless young man, and wound up in the SAS (Special Air Service). SAS is similar to the US Army Special Forces Rangers on steroids. To say they are an elite force understates how well trained, and how good they really are.
Bauer is a good soldier, and loves it, but an incident in the Middle East gets him booted from the Regiment. They allowed him to resign, rather than be court martialed and dishonorably discharged. Unfortunately, his "resignation" didn't come with an honorable discharge, and there was no glowing letter of recommendation to benefit his future opportunities.
At this point, with his future in doubt, no immediate prospects in the offing, and no education or training beyond being really good at killing people, Harry Bauer moves back to America--New York to be specific. He can't find security work, because of his lack of any recommendation from the British Army, and by dumb luck winds up working for a Russian gangster.
Harry quickly proves his worth, and his ability to kill people, but his less-than-legal activities have been monitored. Harry's toast, but he's offered an alternative. Thus begins the thrilling adventures of Harry Bauer, assassin.
July 29, 2020
It's all very strangely familiar. And that puzzles me. I checked my files. Documents. Amazon list of books I already own - no trace. The publication date is shown to be 2020. Yet I swear I've read this before; Harry Bauer, an American fighting for Her Majesty in her Special Operations Group in Afghanistan, is sent on a mission with others to finde and capture a terrorist. He and his mates witnessed the man committing atrocities and were about to kill him when the CIA stepped. Bauer was then offered the choice - resign or court martial.
He returns to NYC. He's a killing machine. He finally lands a job with the Russian mob, and then single handedly destroys two families of it before being recruited by his former boss into a clandestine execution squad. The first target - that terrorist he gave up to the CIA. He says go to LA; his boss sends him to Paris. Death and destrunction follow, including an innocent CIA analyst. He then heads to the West Coast. Finds the guy. Breaks up the plot.
I like Banner's work. This was an enjoyable, relatively quick read. But throughout I was sure I had read it before and am still hunting. Perhaps it came under a different name. In any case, it's worth a free read, but I can't say as I'd buy it - Bauer is not a full blown protagonist. More of a cartoon. Working on the next book (hooray for Kindle Unlimited) to see if he grows.
He returns to NYC. He's a killing machine. He finally lands a job with the Russian mob, and then single handedly destroys two families of it before being recruited by his former boss into a clandestine execution squad. The first target - that terrorist he gave up to the CIA. He says go to LA; his boss sends him to Paris. Death and destrunction follow, including an innocent CIA analyst. He then heads to the West Coast. Finds the guy. Breaks up the plot.
I like Banner's work. This was an enjoyable, relatively quick read. But throughout I was sure I had read it before and am still hunting. Perhaps it came under a different name. In any case, it's worth a free read, but I can't say as I'd buy it - Bauer is not a full blown protagonist. More of a cartoon. Working on the next book (hooray for Kindle Unlimited) to see if he grows.
June 1, 2020
At the start it was nice to read about a new hero (Harry Bauer) and my expectations were high because the author does write good thrillers and so it proved until in the story it was mentioned that he turned up from the USA and joined the SAS and unless they have changed the criteria to join you still have to serve at least 2 years in a line Regiment or the Paras before entry to the SAS and the subsequent training to get in is very gruelling.
The book fairly romped along and would you believe it but the Brigadier that Harry met when he was discharged was in charge of Cobra, now there was a turn up for the books along with a Colonel from JSAC, I would be interested to find out the make-up of this super secret firm, Harry is then sent to Paris on an obviously wrong assignment, his tradecradt at times left a lot to be desired and hopefully he will get better in the future.
After utilising the EMP appartus he entered the compound and took one of the guards cell phones and sent a text to himself for the explosion which happened later but all electrics were fried when he used the EMP machine apart from his own which was safe!!
I did enjoy the book but hope that in the future the author ensures that his investigations are implemented better so that the reader can thoroughly enjoy the book without having to mark any mistakes, which spoils the book.
The book fairly romped along and would you believe it but the Brigadier that Harry met when he was discharged was in charge of Cobra, now there was a turn up for the books along with a Colonel from JSAC, I would be interested to find out the make-up of this super secret firm, Harry is then sent to Paris on an obviously wrong assignment, his tradecradt at times left a lot to be desired and hopefully he will get better in the future.
After utilising the EMP appartus he entered the compound and took one of the guards cell phones and sent a text to himself for the explosion which happened later but all electrics were fried when he used the EMP machine apart from his own which was safe!!
I did enjoy the book but hope that in the future the author ensures that his investigations are implemented better so that the reader can thoroughly enjoy the book without having to mark any mistakes, which spoils the book.
February 3, 2021
Promising new series
For me this is probably 3.5 stars. It is a decent enough thriller with a secret agency recruiting the main character Barry Bauer - ex SAS and out for payback! Nothing particularly original but compelling enough for me to want to read the next instalment soon. I am a big fan of Blake Banner's Dead Cold series which invariably are 5-star contenders for me. This Cobra series opener lacks the sparkling dialogue of Dead Cold - not surprising as Bauer is something of a loner in this book. There are glimpses of the engaging descriptive writing - "one liners" that are often memorable - which can also make Blake Banner a cut above . The story ends quite abruptly, with plenty still to resolve - not exactly a cliffhanger, but definitely one episode in a series.
My Favourite authors in this "clandestine agent/assassin/ex-special forces / operator genre are Barry Eisler (especially on Audio book) and Mason Cross. Blake Banner is "up there" for me with his dead cold series (different genre - cop/procedural) and I am hoping he can reach the same heights in the future Cobra books - I will certainly be reading the next book to find out.
For me this is probably 3.5 stars. It is a decent enough thriller with a secret agency recruiting the main character Barry Bauer - ex SAS and out for payback! Nothing particularly original but compelling enough for me to want to read the next instalment soon. I am a big fan of Blake Banner's Dead Cold series which invariably are 5-star contenders for me. This Cobra series opener lacks the sparkling dialogue of Dead Cold - not surprising as Bauer is something of a loner in this book. There are glimpses of the engaging descriptive writing - "one liners" that are often memorable - which can also make Blake Banner a cut above . The story ends quite abruptly, with plenty still to resolve - not exactly a cliffhanger, but definitely one episode in a series.
My Favourite authors in this "clandestine agent/assassin/ex-special forces / operator genre are Barry Eisler (especially on Audio book) and Mason Cross. Blake Banner is "up there" for me with his dead cold series (different genre - cop/procedural) and I am hoping he can reach the same heights in the future Cobra books - I will certainly be reading the next book to find out.
March 1, 2022
I really liked this book for the most part. And was looking forward to The next book.
Unfortunately, the next books aren’t on audible yet which was very disappointing to find out. Had I noticed that I wouldn’t have started a series until the rest were out. It does look like they’re going to be released on audible but I don’t know when.
I did kind of think the main character Harry Bauer was a jerk for the most part. So, when the rest of the books are released I’m hoping that Harry is less of a jerk and more likable. I mean you like him but you kinda don’t sometimes.
This book was full of action, bad guys, killing, and spying and espionage type of story. He’s not the Court Gentry, Dewey Andreas, James Reese, or Evan Smoak, but there is potential there, I hope.
Also, if the next books do get released I hope they continue with Ray Porter or if it’s someone else let it be someone as good like Jay Snyder or Scott Brick.
As for the Narration, it’s Ray Porter. So you know it’s amazing. Ray Porter is a fantastic top 5 or 3 narrators. He brings stories to life, love him.
Unfortunately, the next books aren’t on audible yet which was very disappointing to find out. Had I noticed that I wouldn’t have started a series until the rest were out. It does look like they’re going to be released on audible but I don’t know when.
I did kind of think the main character Harry Bauer was a jerk for the most part. So, when the rest of the books are released I’m hoping that Harry is less of a jerk and more likable. I mean you like him but you kinda don’t sometimes.
This book was full of action, bad guys, killing, and spying and espionage type of story. He’s not the Court Gentry, Dewey Andreas, James Reese, or Evan Smoak, but there is potential there, I hope.
Also, if the next books do get released I hope they continue with Ray Porter or if it’s someone else let it be someone as good like Jay Snyder or Scott Brick.
As for the Narration, it’s Ray Porter. So you know it’s amazing. Ray Porter is a fantastic top 5 or 3 narrators. He brings stories to life, love him.
September 20, 2023
As of this date I have read all 17 of the Harry Bauer books published thus far. This has been my 1st experience with Blake Banner publications. Have found them to be thoroughly entertaining.
Have always enjoyed the macho, devil may care, pride in self and country, honor life, and liberty attitudes amongst soldiers, ex soldiers and those types of heroes we find written about in novels but rarely get to meet in real life. Blood and gore? Plenty but only the bad guys. And Harry does love explosions. Mr. Banner adds just enough romanticism to make the story good and leaves the raw sexual exploits to those more interested in reading that stuff. As my husband used to say “May he rest in peace”, if you’ve read one sex scene you’ve read them all. Lol. Irregardless of the sex scenes Blake entertains love, devotion and feeling into his stories that keep you on the edge of your seat (or up late wandering what happens). Always plenty of action! No foul language! Thank you Blake (well, little every now & then). And the good guys win! How else could the series go on?
Through the entire series, it is amazing how quickly his mind has put together the scenarios he has created; gotten them on paper and to his publisher. Just when you think Harry has a friend you find he’s a foe and vice versa. Mr. Banners mind has to work @ warp speed to keep things so interesting.
I would say he must keep an entire department busy just previewing, correcting, and getting his books in print. Just keep up the good work Blake.
To the reader? This series can be read as stand alone books but it makes for a much better saga reading the entire series in order. Hopefully there will be a Harry Bauer #18 in the near future and a 19, 20, 21, etc. lol. Enjoy. And congrats to the writer.
Have always enjoyed the macho, devil may care, pride in self and country, honor life, and liberty attitudes amongst soldiers, ex soldiers and those types of heroes we find written about in novels but rarely get to meet in real life. Blood and gore? Plenty but only the bad guys. And Harry does love explosions. Mr. Banner adds just enough romanticism to make the story good and leaves the raw sexual exploits to those more interested in reading that stuff. As my husband used to say “May he rest in peace”, if you’ve read one sex scene you’ve read them all. Lol. Irregardless of the sex scenes Blake entertains love, devotion and feeling into his stories that keep you on the edge of your seat (or up late wandering what happens). Always plenty of action! No foul language! Thank you Blake (well, little every now & then). And the good guys win! How else could the series go on?
Through the entire series, it is amazing how quickly his mind has put together the scenarios he has created; gotten them on paper and to his publisher. Just when you think Harry has a friend you find he’s a foe and vice versa. Mr. Banners mind has to work @ warp speed to keep things so interesting.
I would say he must keep an entire department busy just previewing, correcting, and getting his books in print. Just keep up the good work Blake.
To the reader? This series can be read as stand alone books but it makes for a much better saga reading the entire series in order. Hopefully there will be a Harry Bauer #18 in the near future and a 19, 20, 21, etc. lol. Enjoy. And congrats to the writer.
September 26, 2022
My only real complaint about this book is that I wish it was longer. This starts off with a British special forces team with an American as part of it raiding some bad guys in Afghanistan and then follows the American (Harry Bauer) through the aftermath of the raid and on from there. Its packed with a lot of action so if you like that you will love this book.
If you like Brad Thor, Vince Flynn and or Mark Greaney then this will really be right up your alley. Harry Bauer is crafted to be like Court Gentry, Mitch Rapp and Scot Harvath. I look forward to the next book in the series but seriously Blake Banner if you read your reviews please make them a bit longer, maybe not Brad Thor big but you could at least make them as long as the Vince Flynn books!
#thriller
#action
#suspense
#espionage
#adventure
If you like Brad Thor, Vince Flynn and or Mark Greaney then this will really be right up your alley. Harry Bauer is crafted to be like Court Gentry, Mitch Rapp and Scot Harvath. I look forward to the next book in the series but seriously Blake Banner if you read your reviews please make them a bit longer, maybe not Brad Thor big but you could at least make them as long as the Vince Flynn books!
#thriller
#action
#suspense
#espionage
#adventure
July 29, 2022
This was a short book in terms of length. I didn't even know the story had ended because there were plenty of pages left when it concluded. So, I turned the page and a question appeared: What did you think? This was followed by an excerpt from the next book in the series. Harry Bauer, the protagonist (I think), is a first-class killer. He killed lots of people while serving in a special military unit overseas, and then killed lots of people on behalf of some unsanctioned organization bent on assassinating bad people Harry's an unlikeable sort. I tried to root for him, but I couldn't. So that left me with no good guys to get behind. So, here's what I think. The best parts of the book involved Harry's spur-of-the-moment decisions to deal with seemingly impossible odds. That's all folks!
December 20, 2020
Who or What is Cobra?
When you are a trained killer there just aren't slot of job options. Harry Bauer returns from his deployment to the Middle East unsure of his next stop. After "following orders", he finds himself dishonorable outside the Military he thinks if as family.... The only real family he's ever had.
When an opportunity presents itself, Harry is unsure of his decision. Just who, or what, is Cobra anyway? But when he finds himself involved again with one if the firmer officers from his past, his level of comfort increase. Not for long! Harry is a lone wolf and his idea if Justice may involve more than Cobra is ready to accept.
When you are a trained killer there just aren't slot of job options. Harry Bauer returns from his deployment to the Middle East unsure of his next stop. After "following orders", he finds himself dishonorable outside the Military he thinks if as family.... The only real family he's ever had.
When an opportunity presents itself, Harry is unsure of his decision. Just who, or what, is Cobra anyway? But when he finds himself involved again with one if the firmer officers from his past, his level of comfort increase. Not for long! Harry is a lone wolf and his idea if Justice may involve more than Cobra is ready to accept.
June 3, 2025
DEAD OF NIGHT by Blake Benner is an action-packed thriller. Harry Bauer becomes a cold-blooded assassin for a covert British agency called Cobra. The story is fast-paced and follows Bauer through the storyline as a one-man wrecking machine. I lost count of how many targets were eliminated. Seems to be a good start to a new series - I'll try #2 before making a final determination of following the entire series. There are some grammatical and editing issues, something that I wouldn't expect with so many published books by this author. It doesn't appear as if the author is using a professional editor before publication. This could have been five stars!
August 31, 2020
Common theme, but well written and entertaining
Thank you.
I do not write severe criticism as I am not a writer, I am a reader, consumer of books.
Though the overall plot (a highly trained loner, funded by a secret organization) is a bit tired, as many, many have utilized same, the "super soldier" that has no fear, can anililate dozens of combatants, and be supremely aware is too, a bit tired.
That said, the flow and drama is written well and is entertaining.
I shall now read book two and continue the series, as I like the characters and the pace.
Again, thank you
Thank you.
I do not write severe criticism as I am not a writer, I am a reader, consumer of books.
Though the overall plot (a highly trained loner, funded by a secret organization) is a bit tired, as many, many have utilized same, the "super soldier" that has no fear, can anililate dozens of combatants, and be supremely aware is too, a bit tired.
That said, the flow and drama is written well and is entertaining.
I shall now read book two and continue the series, as I like the characters and the pace.
Again, thank you
December 28, 2021
Quantity Over Quality
While this had potential to be a good book, it really does suffer from the hasty writing pace and lack of editing. Technical details are inconsistent or flat out wrong, and character development is shallow. All in all it reads like low to mid grade fanfic by a young writer who thinks he’s better at this than he actually is.
Blake, slow your roll a bit, and get a better editor. The potential is there, but there needs to be a focus on improving quality, even if that means turning out a book every 3 months.
While this had potential to be a good book, it really does suffer from the hasty writing pace and lack of editing. Technical details are inconsistent or flat out wrong, and character development is shallow. All in all it reads like low to mid grade fanfic by a young writer who thinks he’s better at this than he actually is.
Blake, slow your roll a bit, and get a better editor. The potential is there, but there needs to be a focus on improving quality, even if that means turning out a book every 3 months.
March 25, 2024
Thrilling
Great storyline. Moves quickly…keeps you engaged to see what’s going to happen next. Strong character, although I don’t really believe Harry conjures up the image in my head. It’s been awhile since I’ve stayed keen on a book to finish it within 24 hrs. I look forward to reading this series. Political influences, espionage, alphabet agencies and international “negotiating” under the pretext of alliances is right up my alley. Especially with an intelligent main character delivering the message.
Great storyline. Moves quickly…keeps you engaged to see what’s going to happen next. Strong character, although I don’t really believe Harry conjures up the image in my head. It’s been awhile since I’ve stayed keen on a book to finish it within 24 hrs. I look forward to reading this series. Political influences, espionage, alphabet agencies and international “negotiating” under the pretext of alliances is right up my alley. Especially with an intelligent main character delivering the message.
July 9, 2020
Dead of Night. Blake Banner
Harry Bauer, ex SAS. American recently discharged or he was to be court martialed for attempting to kill his prisoner, against orders. The prisoner deserved to die. The CIA disagreed. Harry's superiors were on his side but their hands were tied. Now Harry works for a clandestine agency that eliminates the world of bad people. The perfect job for him. Non stop action. Enjoyed immensely!
Harry Bauer, ex SAS. American recently discharged or he was to be court martialed for attempting to kill his prisoner, against orders. The prisoner deserved to die. The CIA disagreed. Harry's superiors were on his side but their hands were tied. Now Harry works for a clandestine agency that eliminates the world of bad people. The perfect job for him. Non stop action. Enjoyed immensely!
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