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Alex King #10

The Asset

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When a deniable mission to infiltrate Albanian and Russian organised crime is compromised, the Security Service distance themselves ahead of political fallout leaving their missing operatives off the grid with no clue to their status.
Alex King is re-evaluating his options after a rogue mission has cost him his career. He has sworn to leave the shadowy world he knows behind, but to do so would mean the fate of his closest friend will remain a mystery. He has questions, but the answers lie with an asset who had been supplying MI5 with information from within the inner circle of the Russian mafia. With the Russian mafia on one side and the Albanian brotherhood on the other, getting the asset out is just the beginning in what will be a dirty war fought against a ruthless enemy who have no limits and hold all the cards.

406 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2020

146 people are currently reading
46 people want to read

About the author

A.P. Bateman

44 books79 followers
A P Bateman is the author of seventeen novels, with twelve of his titles reaching No.1 in Amazon's paid top 100 categories in all Amazon regions and four titles reaching No.1 in Kindle sales in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia.

He has a background in close protection and investigations which has given him a unique insight into the scenarios and locations his characters find themselves in.

His hobbies are swimming, driving, archery, shooting and food; his passions are travel and writing.

He has recently released his seventeenth novel - "Hunter Killer" - the twelfth book in the highly acclaimed Alex King series.

You can keep up with A P Bateman and discover more at his Facebook page: @authorapbateman or his website: www.apbateman.com

Reading Order:

The Rob Stone Series:
1) The Ares Virus
2) The Town
3) The Island

The Alex King Series:
1) The Contract Man
2) Lies and Retribution
3) Shadows of Good Friday (A series prequel)
4) The Five
5) Reaper
6) Stormbound
7) Breakout
8) From the Shadows
9) Rogue
10) The Asset
11) Last Man Standing
12) Hunter Killer

Standalone Novels:
Hell's Mouth
Unforgotten

Short Stories:
The Perfect Murder?
Atonement (an Alex King thriller)

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5 stars
643 (66%)
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277 (28%)
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44 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Kathi Defranc.
1,182 reviews497 followers
November 19, 2020
A Close Friend Is Missing, M15 Gives Up, But They Tell King!!!

A retired Alex King is actually happy, a life with Caroline just What he needed...But here comes M15..Ramsey and Meriwether...Rashid Is Missing...M15 is done...Alex doesn't have many friends...But Rashid is one of them, and has saved his life several times...He Has to go after him!!
Caroline tries to disagree, but gets no where with her hard-headed fiance...And so King begins what he hopes is a solo rescue, praying Rashid and his small team are Not already dead...
This series continues to surprise and keep you glued to the pages...Can Alex actually fight his way through weather, back-stabbing and many fighters in his way....Well He damn well is going to try....
Profile Image for Elite Group.
3,112 reviews53 followers
August 14, 2020
Another action-packed thriller

This is the tenth in the Alex King series (can it really have been going that long?). By now, many series will have run out of steam but not A P Bateman. The author has the talent to ring the changes and introduce new ideas so that it’s as fresh as the first (The Contract Man) which was published in 2015.

Alex has retired and is looking forward to a quiet period with his beloved Caroline. His tranquillity is disturbed by a visit from his former bosses at MI5 with the “request” that he consider taking on a hands-on, off-the-record project to disrupt the activities of the Russian and Albanian drug and people smugglers who are becoming too troublesome. He refuses, and his long-time team member takes up the challenge.

When Rashid needs help, King feels obliged to dig him out of the dangerous quagmire into which he has fallen. When King himself needs help. Who is going to be willing to risk their lives on a rescue mission?

Despite this being labelled an Alex King book, we read much more about the other characters which have been introduced in previous novels in the series. Alex King is, of course, ever-present though and acts as the glue which sticks the whole plot together. The action is fast and furious and takes place all over Europe, but the plot is so well constructed that the reader never feels left behind or that he has missed something. Attention to just enough detail is Bateman’s stock in trade.

I always feel disappointed when I reach the last pages of a Bateman novel – not because it has let me down in any way but because I have finished another great read. I look forward to the next one.

Anyone who enjoys the genre should begin with the first book in the series, and work their way through. What a treat you have in store. Once you have finished the King novels take a look at the shorter Rob Stone series which is different but just as well-written and exciting.

mr zorg

Elite Reviewing group received a copy of the book to review.

923 reviews
July 28, 2020
Great read and some very tense moments !Alex is sent on a mission to find Rashid and his group after they disappeared being a loyal friend he accepts the mission even though he didn't want any more missions .Not going to say more just to say you won't be disappointed .
674 reviews18 followers
September 19, 2020
One of the best Alex King novels

The series just keeps getting better and new plot lines evolving rapidly. Loved this book and worth a re-read as well
Profile Image for Chris Terrill.
8 reviews
April 10, 2021
Once again a riveting read the only problem is only a couple more to go
The author manages to spin a fast paced thriller each one an individual story in its own right with characters you care about
All the team have a large part to play whilst Alex King is key but doesn’t dominate the whole story
153 reviews3 followers
June 11, 2021
Another great story with lots is action and, alas, typos galore

I really enjoy the King series and Bateman's writing style. But it seems that every other page has typographical errors. (A great bowl of soup, with flies in it.) Please do your loyal readers a favor and spend some time proofreading? I've identified 20-30 errors to fix as a start!
Profile Image for Paul Esberger.
4 reviews
April 13, 2022
Another blockbuster from the man

As ever AP Bateman has done it again non stop thrills from Alex King and the team an author anyone who enjoys these kinds if books should read added to my list of favourite authors along with Stephen leather and Matthew Reiley keep up the good work
Profile Image for Connie Hamby.
1,007 reviews9 followers
September 13, 2020
A good book

When I started reading this book I thought I wasn't going to read it but the more I read it the better it got and I also recommend this book to any body that likes these books!
11 reviews
December 18, 2021
Just finished The Asset

Alex King is the character that often goes it alone, but has the good sense to depend on his mates when the going gets rough. Often they turn out to be the hero’s. Will finish this series and have enjoyed everyone of them.
2 reviews
March 8, 2023
Another good read. Look forward to Kings next operarion.

Loved the slow build up and the explosive episodes when the "Cowboys and Indians "made contact.
Roll on Kings next adventure.
17 reviews
June 1, 2023
another great book on the series

King what a character this time he’s drawn back from retirement into action to help his trusted friend Rashid who has gone missing.
A roller coaster ride with continuous action !!
A must read series.
Profile Image for Monroe Bryant.
411 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2021
Another great action story with my favorite good guy, Alex King. Keep em coming A. P.
32 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2021
Another Winner

A another great thriller in the Alex King series non stop action. Can't wait to read the next One.Read most of the series and enjoyed them all
9 reviews
August 14, 2021
Another one

Another amazing story line, filled with twists and turns, action and adventure, I am now as much of a fan for Alex as I am of Jack Reacher .
17 reviews
March 5, 2022
Another enjoyable read

Another enjoyable story, I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Alex, Caroline and crew are great
12 reviews
September 3, 2024
Great read

Great read sitting on the edge of your seat stuff... recommend all of his books in this series ... onto the next one
27 reviews
January 15, 2024
easy read but still gripping

10 books in and you still can’t stop. Now I feel like I know the main characters well enough but still feel the tension with the way Bateman describes the action; his intimate knowledge of weaponry and manoeuvres makes for a solid believable read. Next…
14 reviews
March 31, 2021
Good but not the best in the series. It feels like the story may be drawing to a close, which is a shame. I hope the King story arc can be reinvigorated going forward.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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