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Paul Adams #1
Man Down
You don't have to be killed in action to be a casualty of war.
Medics Paul Adams and Lizzie Jarman are one of the most welcome sights to injured soldiers in the war-torn poppy fields of Afghanistan. With red crosses on their arms and medical equipment strapped to their backs, they thunder into battle in a Chinook helicopter – straight into areas everyone else is desperate to get away from.
In the middle of the fiercest fighting British troops have seen since the Falklands War, the medics are the last defence from death on the ground in some corner of a foreign field. But in Afghanistan, where a hostile is only obvious when they raise a weapon, there's no such thing as a non-combatant. And not all enemies are on the other side.
Despite the heroic efforts of the medics on the ground and in the air, someone in the field hospital is determined to finish what the Taliban has started. Wounded soldiers – who should be living – are dying. Their deadliest enemy is much closer to home than they realise.
As the death toll and the temperature rise, can the medics finish their tour of duty, or will it finish them?
Medics Paul Adams and Lizzie Jarman are one of the most welcome sights to injured soldiers in the war-torn poppy fields of Afghanistan. With red crosses on their arms and medical equipment strapped to their backs, they thunder into battle in a Chinook helicopter – straight into areas everyone else is desperate to get away from.
In the middle of the fiercest fighting British troops have seen since the Falklands War, the medics are the last defence from death on the ground in some corner of a foreign field. But in Afghanistan, where a hostile is only obvious when they raise a weapon, there's no such thing as a non-combatant. And not all enemies are on the other side.
Despite the heroic efforts of the medics on the ground and in the air, someone in the field hospital is determined to finish what the Taliban has started. Wounded soldiers – who should be living – are dying. Their deadliest enemy is much closer to home than they realise.
As the death toll and the temperature rise, can the medics finish their tour of duty, or will it finish them?
- GenresThriller
314 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2020
100 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Burrows
49 books164 followersNathan Burrows is a writer based in Norfolk in the United Kingdom. His debut novel, Blind Justice, was published in March 2018.
Nathan's a keen reader as well as a writer. He occasionally runs marathons, has a Norwich City football club season ticket, and is the proud part-owner of a Daschund puppy called Bertie.
Nathan's a keen reader as well as a writer. He occasionally runs marathons, has a Norwich City football club season ticket, and is the proud part-owner of a Daschund puppy called Bertie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 14, 2020
This book gives a very realistic view of trauma team responders being sent into very, very unsafe, Taliban controlled territory to bring out injured and dead soldiers in Afghanistan, by helicopter. In addition to this dangerous set-up, there is a dangerous team member who is actively sabotaging their efforts and you have no idea who this person is, until very close to the end! It would be good to continue to follow these "good guys and gals" in future books! I am a retired RN and I totally endorse the accuracy of the medical aspect.
August 22, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book, and this is an honest and voluntary review.
I have been following this author since thoroughly enjoying his dark humour trilogy The Butcher, The Baker and The Candlestick Maker. This is the first time I have tested his writing in a 'serious' story and it has confirmed my suspicion that he is an excellent author.
The story is set in a military medical facility in Afghanistan, so a tiny knowledge of military and medical procedure would be an advantage to the reader, however, it is not crucial to be able to follow the story. The story itself centres around the activities and emotions of both the military and medic personnel, and their reactions to both the obvious enemy, the Taliban, and an undiscovered enemy within their own colleagues who is sabotaging the medicine being provided to the wounded. The tension, suspense and mystery is maintained throughout the book and not revealed until close to the end.
Recommended read.
I have been following this author since thoroughly enjoying his dark humour trilogy The Butcher, The Baker and The Candlestick Maker. This is the first time I have tested his writing in a 'serious' story and it has confirmed my suspicion that he is an excellent author.
The story is set in a military medical facility in Afghanistan, so a tiny knowledge of military and medical procedure would be an advantage to the reader, however, it is not crucial to be able to follow the story. The story itself centres around the activities and emotions of both the military and medic personnel, and their reactions to both the obvious enemy, the Taliban, and an undiscovered enemy within their own colleagues who is sabotaging the medicine being provided to the wounded. The tension, suspense and mystery is maintained throughout the book and not revealed until close to the end.
Recommended read.
September 24, 2021
It was an amazing book to read! It’s full of action and you will always be eager to read what happens next. If you like medical mysteries and war thriller then Nathan Burrows “Man Down” is the book for you.
September 26, 2019
I received an ARC from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion. What an AMAZING read! I was hooked from the first pages and couldn't read fast enough. As a retired nurse, it was really good to see all the medical details and very surprising how few (if any) details Mr. Burrows got wrong. I don't know if he was writing from experience or did excellent research, but everything hit just the right note. There is plenty of action and adventure, the true comradeship that develops between people who experience traumatic events together, the emotional minefield medical personnel have to traverse when working in a war zone, and it is all handled with just the right amount of honesty, humor, and sarcasm. All of the characters feel true to life, even the not so pleasant ones. The only criticism I have, and it is a very minor one, is that as a true mystery buff, I would have liked to have seen the murders and motive more fully developed. However, I realize that if Mr. Burrows had tried to do that the book would have had to be 500 pages long. As it is, I think he provided an awesome compromise. I most definitely recommend Man Down and I think it will appeal to fans of several different genres: military, mystery, and medical thrillers. Don't miss out.
August 5, 2021
I am writing this as I was given a free copy by the author to read for a honest review. It is the first in a series and not something I would normally read but thought so took me out my comfort zone.... I couldn't put it down and read through the night to finish it. I then read the novella for finishing it, which was a nice touch by the author and because of the ending in the book it was really nice to have. Now I am on the second book and can't wait for the next book to come out.
It's a fusion of a military thriller/suspense mystery, that had accurate medical details and military procedures in war zone Afghanistan that follows the lives of a medic team and joint support team. Unbeknown to the team someone is causing deaths and it leads to a fantastic climax ending with lots of twists and turns and sitting on the edge of your seat, including a close friendship you want to become a romance. It had a military focus both army and airforce as they work together and does use military language, I think if you wasn’t used to it you would work it out and at the back there is a glossary.
You start to get to know their characters, the group dynamics and there was your typical character traits, forces banter, rank politics and snobbery. It really was all very real life. He drew out the comradeship and also the ugliness of conflict and war and did not try to protect you from the horrific details. It really is a very serious, accurate account of what the armed forces personnel have to go through and how they react and work as a team due to training. It also shows how they are deal with it emotionally, are trained to move on and have each others backs because their survival, mental wellbeing depends on it.
An absolute must read is you like a thriller suspense and interested in knowing what it is really like for the services over there, how medics really do save lives and put themselves in danger to save others because time is critical, increases the odds of casualties surviving which is why they go out on the helios to evac and there is always a designated medical person in the team with the troops on the ground. Burrows doesn’t hold back, his knowledge is amazing (I am left wondering if he has served in the forces and has medical knowledge) he opens it up and you see the good, bad and the ugly and it won’t disappoint, just the ending a little, even that is very forces but read the novella and next book!
It's a fusion of a military thriller/suspense mystery, that had accurate medical details and military procedures in war zone Afghanistan that follows the lives of a medic team and joint support team. Unbeknown to the team someone is causing deaths and it leads to a fantastic climax ending with lots of twists and turns and sitting on the edge of your seat, including a close friendship you want to become a romance. It had a military focus both army and airforce as they work together and does use military language, I think if you wasn’t used to it you would work it out and at the back there is a glossary.
You start to get to know their characters, the group dynamics and there was your typical character traits, forces banter, rank politics and snobbery. It really was all very real life. He drew out the comradeship and also the ugliness of conflict and war and did not try to protect you from the horrific details. It really is a very serious, accurate account of what the armed forces personnel have to go through and how they react and work as a team due to training. It also shows how they are deal with it emotionally, are trained to move on and have each others backs because their survival, mental wellbeing depends on it.
An absolute must read is you like a thriller suspense and interested in knowing what it is really like for the services over there, how medics really do save lives and put themselves in danger to save others because time is critical, increases the odds of casualties surviving which is why they go out on the helios to evac and there is always a designated medical person in the team with the troops on the ground. Burrows doesn’t hold back, his knowledge is amazing (I am left wondering if he has served in the forces and has medical knowledge) he opens it up and you see the good, bad and the ugly and it won’t disappoint, just the ending a little, even that is very forces but read the novella and next book!
October 24, 2021
Wow! Wow! Wow! if I could give this one more than 5 stars I would!
Military medical murder thrillers are not my usual bag, but this one was great and absolutely had me hooked from start to finish. What I know about the military you could write on the edge of a postage stamp, but the medical descriptions certainly seemed bang on. It comes across as a very authentic read.
The action is based in a British medical unit in the Afghan war, with an insider bumping off casualties that the others are putting 100% into saving. I loved the characters created by the author, especially Adams and Lizzie. There is great banter between some of the medical people as well as their colleagues on the helicopter team. The scenes of life inside the unit seemed very believable to me, and every time the Chinook landed I could almost taste the dirt being blown around!
It looks like there are more books after this one - I think I've found a new favourite author to follow :)
The story lived up to the blurb. Can definitely recommend.
I received a free copy of this one from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review. Sometimes you strike gold. Woo hoo!
Military medical murder thrillers are not my usual bag, but this one was great and absolutely had me hooked from start to finish. What I know about the military you could write on the edge of a postage stamp, but the medical descriptions certainly seemed bang on. It comes across as a very authentic read.
The action is based in a British medical unit in the Afghan war, with an insider bumping off casualties that the others are putting 100% into saving. I loved the characters created by the author, especially Adams and Lizzie. There is great banter between some of the medical people as well as their colleagues on the helicopter team. The scenes of life inside the unit seemed very believable to me, and every time the Chinook landed I could almost taste the dirt being blown around!
It looks like there are more books after this one - I think I've found a new favourite author to follow :)
The story lived up to the blurb. Can definitely recommend.
I received a free copy of this one from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review. Sometimes you strike gold. Woo hoo!
August 9, 2021
What a ripper of a read! If you love a good medical thriller, with a very believable military storyline thrown in, then Nathan Burrows’ “Man Down” is just the book you were looking for.
Set in Afghanistan’s war zone in a busy medical facility and it's surrounds, you are instantly captured by the strong storyline and great characters. Clearly the author has a thorough knowledge of both the medical and military aspects of his writing. The authenticity of the storyline draws you in from the first page, and you quickly feel as though you know the characters so well that you’d recognise them if you passed them on the street. The mystery thread which is woven through the book adds yet another layer to keep the pages turning and the book light on until late in the night.
I can’t wait to read the continued story of medics Paul Adams and Lizzie Jarman in book 2 of the series, “Incoming Fire”.
Definitely 5 stars from me!
My thanks to Voracious Readers Only for a complimentary copy of this book in return for my unbiased review.
Set in Afghanistan’s war zone in a busy medical facility and it's surrounds, you are instantly captured by the strong storyline and great characters. Clearly the author has a thorough knowledge of both the medical and military aspects of his writing. The authenticity of the storyline draws you in from the first page, and you quickly feel as though you know the characters so well that you’d recognise them if you passed them on the street. The mystery thread which is woven through the book adds yet another layer to keep the pages turning and the book light on until late in the night.
I can’t wait to read the continued story of medics Paul Adams and Lizzie Jarman in book 2 of the series, “Incoming Fire”.
Definitely 5 stars from me!
My thanks to Voracious Readers Only for a complimentary copy of this book in return for my unbiased review.
May 16, 2022
I received a copy of this book via VRO in exchange for a review. This story marks the dawn of a new genre in fiction -the medical military thriller. The concept of a male nurse as a protagonist is very original and unique in my opinion since nurses are often associated with the female gender. The novel focuses on the fascinating world of the medical professionals (e.g. doctors, nurses and paramedics) and shows us a realistic glimpse of their field work in Afghanistan. It offers us a eagle's eye view of how they provide and respond to the medical needs of the military in a war zone. The characters are engaging and well developed. The writer was adept and skilled in drawing the reader's attention to the believable action scenarios and gun battles. His description of how a single penetrating bullet can affect the human organs in a body was vividly dramatic and interesting. The book was definitely well researched since the writer had the military parlance down pat. Nathan Burrows is a rising star in the category of medical military thrillers!!!
October 12, 2021
A riveting enjoyable medic war zone thriller.
“The more I read the more I got into the book and the better the book got!”
Not being my normal genre but luckily gave it a go and once into the story really enjoyed as it was had realistic characters, full of believable and realistic action, suspense and plenty of twists and turns! What more do you need?
The story is about a UK medical team out in Afghanistan and is absolutely riveting at times with the medics out in a warzone doing their bit.
The story gives personal insights to the trauma and the effects it has on everyone, just like in real life. You don’t have to have medical knowledge or enjoy medical army stories. This is a great read that builds and builds keeping your interest to the end.
Recommend you give this a go you won’t be disappointed.
“The more I read the more I got into the book and the better the book got!”
Not being my normal genre but luckily gave it a go and once into the story really enjoyed as it was had realistic characters, full of believable and realistic action, suspense and plenty of twists and turns! What more do you need?
The story is about a UK medical team out in Afghanistan and is absolutely riveting at times with the medics out in a warzone doing their bit.
The story gives personal insights to the trauma and the effects it has on everyone, just like in real life. You don’t have to have medical knowledge or enjoy medical army stories. This is a great read that builds and builds keeping your interest to the end.
Recommend you give this a go you won’t be disappointed.
August 15, 2021
It took me a while to get used to the author’s way of writing, but after that I loved the book! I felt there was a bit too much ‘tell’ and not enough ‘show’. Either that changed throughout the story or I simply stopped noticing it.
There are a lot of characters. The almost choppy way of storytelling, with the ever changing perspective, seems suiting when describing a team that is in a warzone. It has a bit of everything. Men, women, flirting, suspense, anticipation, humor, death.
The eventual plot twist started off quite slow. It wasn’t mentioned much in the first part and I think that wasn’t balanced as well as could be, but that is just a minor point of contempt. The British English sprinkled into this story is just marvelous. In a way it was like reading a Strike Back episode.
I’ve received this book from Viracious Readers Only for free. In the give away email there was a reviewer who compared this book to Chris Ryan story. Honestly, I think this book is better than those books. Man Down’s characters feel more lifelike and there is an emotionel dept in this story I don’t see in Ryan’s stories.
There are a lot of characters. The almost choppy way of storytelling, with the ever changing perspective, seems suiting when describing a team that is in a warzone. It has a bit of everything. Men, women, flirting, suspense, anticipation, humor, death.
The eventual plot twist started off quite slow. It wasn’t mentioned much in the first part and I think that wasn’t balanced as well as could be, but that is just a minor point of contempt. The British English sprinkled into this story is just marvelous. In a way it was like reading a Strike Back episode.
I’ve received this book from Viracious Readers Only for free. In the give away email there was a reviewer who compared this book to Chris Ryan story. Honestly, I think this book is better than those books. Man Down’s characters feel more lifelike and there is an emotionel dept in this story I don’t see in Ryan’s stories.
August 21, 2021
I received this book from the author and the folks at voraciousreadersonly.com in return for an honest review.
I found it humorous that www.voraciousreadersonly.com started to send me emails asking me to review the book before the author had sent me the novel.
Needless to say, I really enjoyed this book (or what I had completed at the time that this review was written, as I still had a few chapters left to read as of this writing). This book definitely seemed to address the actions from the viewpoint of the man on the ground and was instantly captured by the strong storyline and believable characters.
That being said, I am giving this author a strong four stars out of five as the authenticity of the books definitely captures and holds the reader prisoner.
As with all reviews, this is just my five cents worth.
I found it humorous that www.voraciousreadersonly.com started to send me emails asking me to review the book before the author had sent me the novel.
Needless to say, I really enjoyed this book (or what I had completed at the time that this review was written, as I still had a few chapters left to read as of this writing). This book definitely seemed to address the actions from the viewpoint of the man on the ground and was instantly captured by the strong storyline and believable characters.
That being said, I am giving this author a strong four stars out of five as the authenticity of the books definitely captures and holds the reader prisoner.
As with all reviews, this is just my five cents worth.
September 30, 2021
This book makes you feel like you are on the front lines helping the casualties and finding safety. This had my heart puming a little harder as the medical staff and soldiers were all trying to help their buddies. The helicopter rides and the ongoing shelling in the surrounding areas made my mind imagine and feel what that could be like.
This to me seemed like a reminder and a virtual way of putting myself in the shoes of another soldier or battleground medic.
Well done Nathan Burrows!
This to me seemed like a reminder and a virtual way of putting myself in the shoes of another soldier or battleground medic.
Well done Nathan Burrows!
July 13, 2020
Wow what an intense read! A military, war and medical mystery all in one. The team in a frontline medical facility in a Taliban controlled area are dealing with casulties of war while someone is trying to sabotage their efforts. A well written book showing the horrors of war and the impact it has on those on the front lines.
Although the ending felt a bit incomplete, the author included a link to a novella about some of the characters that ties things up nicely.
Although the ending felt a bit incomplete, the author included a link to a novella about some of the characters that ties things up nicely.
July 26, 2021
WOW!! Deserves way more than 5 stars. The descriptions written by this author make you feel as though you are actually there. You can feel the heat, taste the dirt and hear the gunfire. There's great camaraderie among the characters and the plot thickens as the book goes on. If you love a story full of action and adventure then this one is definitely for you. It's a real page turner which I found very hard to put down.
August 7, 2021
Great story about a military medical unit and all the horrible things they have to endure. The story flowed very well and was super easy to read. The only little let down was the ending felt a bit rushed given the development of the story as a whole. Still, a great little read jam packed with page turning incidents and situations depicting the scary nature of war and what people sacrifice when they are a part of it, no matter what role they play.
October 4, 2021
The strength of this book lies in the totally convincing portrayal of life in Camp Bastion. The descriptions of medics flying in to rescue wounded soldiers whilst under fire were absolutely heart-stopping.
The author has created some really memorable characters that you want to get to know, and desperately want to live. In a way, the murder investigation takes a back seat, although it does add a twist.
The author has created some really memorable characters that you want to get to know, and desperately want to live. In a way, the murder investigation takes a back seat, although it does add a twist.
April 14, 2021
All the horrors of war in Afghanistan and the hardworking medics at camp Bastion trying to save lives in the worst of conditions yet one of them is killing the soldiers they're labouring so hard to save.
An excellent book full of action from beginning to end, I'm looking forward to the next book to see what happens to Addams and Lizzie.
An excellent book full of action from beginning to end, I'm looking forward to the next book to see what happens to Addams and Lizzie.
July 29, 2021
Review through Voracious Readers Only
A real eye opening read on what the medics can experience on a tour of duty in Afghanistan. The streak of realism in the thriller was exciting and although some of the lingo was new to me - the inclusion of a glossary of the military terminology was helpful and appreciated. I'm looking forward to seeing where Lizzie and Adams story goes.
A real eye opening read on what the medics can experience on a tour of duty in Afghanistan. The streak of realism in the thriller was exciting and although some of the lingo was new to me - the inclusion of a glossary of the military terminology was helpful and appreciated. I'm looking forward to seeing where Lizzie and Adams story goes.
August 5, 2021
This is an interesting read, although not a fast paced thriller. Everything, at the end, happened very quickly, but not completely. There wasn’t an extensive character development of the antagonist, and I feel vaguely unsatisfied that this book falls under the mystery classification of “not fair to the reader.” Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book.
October 9, 2021
Good war and Medical Stories
What a wonderful series of Stories. Nathan Burrows has designed a group of characters, that you will fall in love with!! The plot and series of stories will make you cringe and wince as they progress. All I can say is wow!! A VERY GOOD READ. Santa Mike.
What a wonderful series of Stories. Nathan Burrows has designed a group of characters, that you will fall in love with!! The plot and series of stories will make you cringe and wince as they progress. All I can say is wow!! A VERY GOOD READ. Santa Mike.
October 9, 2021
Hard to put down
This was a fine story and very hard to put down. I had some work to do, but couldn’t leave to get to it until I finished the read. Lots of intrigue and suspense. This book is well worth the time you have to read it, and makes one think of the very awful things that must go on in a war zone.
This was a fine story and very hard to put down. I had some work to do, but couldn’t leave to get to it until I finished the read. Lots of intrigue and suspense. This book is well worth the time you have to read it, and makes one think of the very awful things that must go on in a war zone.
October 15, 2021
What a great read. I received this book from Voracious Readers to review. It is the story of frontline military medical workers in a war zone in Afghanistan. They are portrayed as devoted dedicated professionals working as a team to save lives. The writing is very descriptive, the characters seem authentic and the humour is a nice touch. Highly recommend.
March 15, 2022
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only
What a ripping read. I loved the chemistry between the various characters. You got a real sense of how a base, a medical unit works in the midst of a war. The seriousness, but also light-hearted side of military personnel dealing with war in their own way.
I’m looking forward to the next book.
What a ripping read. I loved the chemistry between the various characters. You got a real sense of how a base, a medical unit works in the midst of a war. The seriousness, but also light-hearted side of military personnel dealing with war in their own way.
I’m looking forward to the next book.
August 13, 2021
Lucky me, I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers.
What an exciting read. Romance, intrigue, action, this book has it all. Nathan Burrows brings the characters and locations to life making it hard to put down.
What an exciting read. Romance, intrigue, action, this book has it all. Nathan Burrows brings the characters and locations to life making it hard to put down.
October 6, 2021
riveting
This book took all of my attention from page 1. The hell these people have to go through day to day is incredible. Well written and makes you appreciate our men in the service.
This book took all of my attention from page 1. The hell these people have to go through day to day is incredible. Well written and makes you appreciate our men in the service.
October 10, 2021
war and the hell I brings
Good story with great descriptions of the area and what it was like being there. It makes you feel like you are there with the characters. I especially liked Adams and Lizzie. Hope their story continues in the next book.
Good story with great descriptions of the area and what it was like being there. It makes you feel like you are there with the characters. I especially liked Adams and Lizzie. Hope their story continues in the next book.
October 18, 2021
Fair
The book was pretty well thought out. I really don't know what to say about a story about war since I was never in one. I will try another book by this author to see how good he really is.
The book was pretty well thought out. I really don't know what to say about a story about war since I was never in one. I will try another book by this author to see how good he really is.
October 29, 2021
Thanks for a well told story that I pray is "pure fiction". Serving in an active war-zone is dangerous enough, add a self-centered senior officer who is far more than "a few marbles short" paints a picture that sent chills down my spine.
November 13, 2021
Enjoyed every bit of this book. It has an authentic feel, especially the emergency medical scenes. (I'm an EMT so it would be easy to spot an author writing way out of his or her knowledge zone). Lots of action and character development. Definitely worth the read.
December 10, 2021
I enjoyed this book, it was non stop action and kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. It was had to put down. The author drew a picture in my mind of the scene with his descriptions in a similar mode to Wilbur Smith. Thanks very much to the author thanks Nathan.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews