What do you think?
Rate this book
Nicholas Sharp #2.5
Play Out
A Terrorist attack on the London Underground. Nicholas Sharp doesn’t think so.
While on leave from Iraq, the U.S. Marine Sniper finds himself intervening when innocent lives are threatened. He walks away, but for Sharp, it’s never that easy. Something doesn’t feel right. Twenty-four hours later, everything is wrong.
The brief solace he finds in his beloved piano is shattered when Sharp becomes the attacker’s next target. Step up or step away. Nicholas Sharp doesn’t like to kill, but he sure as hell knows how to.
Somewhere between Lee Child’s Jack Reacher and Robert Crais’ Elvis Cole, Nicholas Sharp may be a flawed hero, but you certainly want him on your side.
While on leave from Iraq, the U.S. Marine Sniper finds himself intervening when innocent lives are threatened. He walks away, but for Sharp, it’s never that easy. Something doesn’t feel right. Twenty-four hours later, everything is wrong.
The brief solace he finds in his beloved piano is shattered when Sharp becomes the attacker’s next target. Step up or step away. Nicholas Sharp doesn’t like to kill, but he sure as hell knows how to.
Somewhere between Lee Child’s Jack Reacher and Robert Crais’ Elvis Cole, Nicholas Sharp may be a flawed hero, but you certainly want him on your side.
88 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2023
5 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Mark Mannock
21 books13 followersMark Mannock was born in Melbourne, Australia. He has had an extensive career in the music industry including supporting, recording with or writing for Tina Turner, Joni Mitchell, The Eurythmics, Irene Cara and David Hudson. His recorded work with Lia Scallon has twice been long-listed for Grammy Awards.
As a composer/songwriter Mark’s music has been used across the world in countless television and theatre contexts, including the ‘American Survivor’ TV series and ‘Sleuth’ playwright Anthony Shaffer’s later productions.
Mark has also been active in music education across Australia promoting student’s ownership and voice in their own educational music journeys. He has won several awards for his endeavours in this area.
Mark is presently writing the successful ‘Nicholas Sharp’ thriller series about a disillusioned former US sniper whose past plagues him as he makes his way in the contemporary music industry. Sharp is a man whose insatiable curiosity and embedded moral compass lead him to places he ought not go. The series is currently read in over 50 countries.
Mark is also writing the new Lachlan Byrn Thriller series. Is Byrn an assassin, vigilante or serial killer?
Mark lives in Kettering, Tasmania with his family. His travels around the globe act as inspirations for his writing.
Mark enjoys hearing from his readers, so please feel free to contact him.
As a composer/songwriter Mark’s music has been used across the world in countless television and theatre contexts, including the ‘American Survivor’ TV series and ‘Sleuth’ playwright Anthony Shaffer’s later productions.
Mark has also been active in music education across Australia promoting student’s ownership and voice in their own educational music journeys. He has won several awards for his endeavours in this area.
Mark is presently writing the successful ‘Nicholas Sharp’ thriller series about a disillusioned former US sniper whose past plagues him as he makes his way in the contemporary music industry. Sharp is a man whose insatiable curiosity and embedded moral compass lead him to places he ought not go. The series is currently read in over 50 countries.
Mark is also writing the new Lachlan Byrn Thriller series. Is Byrn an assassin, vigilante or serial killer?
Mark lives in Kettering, Tasmania with his family. His travels around the globe act as inspirations for his writing.
Mark enjoys hearing from his readers, so please feel free to contact him.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 8, 2020
I’ve read hundreds of books throughout the years and the pandemic has provided me with extra time to discover more reading treasures. Play Out is one of the best in recent years.
In my opinion, an author’s hallmark are the adjectives that eloquently, descriptively and effectively illustrate the mood, actions and situation to enable the reader to vividly imagine the character’s state of mind as well as the scene(s) in the story. In Play Out I found the entire novel to be regal consistently and wonderfully done.
The plot, dialogue, private thoughts, realistic human reactions and protagonist Nicholas Sharp were also great.
I was throughly captivated reading the entire story.
In my opinion, an author’s hallmark are the adjectives that eloquently, descriptively and effectively illustrate the mood, actions and situation to enable the reader to vividly imagine the character’s state of mind as well as the scene(s) in the story. In Play Out I found the entire novel to be regal consistently and wonderfully done.
The plot, dialogue, private thoughts, realistic human reactions and protagonist Nicholas Sharp were also great.
I was throughly captivated reading the entire story.
August 17, 2021
London, England. Westminster Underground station. BOOM! A loud explosion quieted the woman’s scream.
Injured civilians were being attended to as the police arrived.
Lieutenant Nicholas Sharp (USMC sniper, Iraq) was in pursuit of 1 of the terrorist bombers.
Jack Greatrex (BMF) came to help Nicholas figure out the terrorist plot.
Lauren Milne (Ministry of Defence) name came up.
DCI Liam Edwards (New Scotland Yard) has been assigned to the case.
Sir Michael Tyler was found dead in a hotel room in Belgravia, & it looks like suicide.
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written thriller (short story) book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a small description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great terrorist thriller movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is an extremely easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Shotfire Books; BookFunnel; OddlyBooks; Amazon Digital Services LLC. Kindle Mobi; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Injured civilians were being attended to as the police arrived.
Lieutenant Nicholas Sharp (USMC sniper, Iraq) was in pursuit of 1 of the terrorist bombers.
Jack Greatrex (BMF) came to help Nicholas figure out the terrorist plot.
Lauren Milne (Ministry of Defence) name came up.
DCI Liam Edwards (New Scotland Yard) has been assigned to the case.
Sir Michael Tyler was found dead in a hotel room in Belgravia, & it looks like suicide.
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written thriller (short story) book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a small description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great terrorist thriller movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is an extremely easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Shotfire Books; BookFunnel; OddlyBooks; Amazon Digital Services LLC. Kindle Mobi; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
April 30, 2021
The protagonist in this novella hits all the right criteria for a series that I want to follow. He has the heart and the talent to do what is called for in a life or death situation. His talents also include a relationship with the piano. He calls her (the piano) his therapist. A very enjoyable action packed page turner.
September 25, 2022
This was a book/novella that I had received some time ago for joining this author's mailing list.
This is an exciting read that would be enjoyed by any action afficiendo and is worthy of four stars out of five.
As with all reviews, this is just my five cents worth.
This is an exciting read that would be enjoyed by any action afficiendo and is worthy of four stars out of five.
As with all reviews, this is just my five cents worth.
March 3, 2024
Good military sniper thriller set in London. More of an interesting read due to that minor Queen's English thang that separates us from either that side of the pond or the wide ditch down under. Still good story and interesting characters.
November 15, 2020
A fantastic quick read. I happily rode the rollercoaster with the hero. I was left exhausted but happy. Thank you for writing this novella. Believable emotions from all characters.
May 11, 2021
Nicholas Sharp intervenes in a terrorist attack, Turns out it was not a terrorist attack, but sn sttempt to obtain top secret government files
September 19, 2021
A novella that I e enjoyed. Good characters and real dialogue. Small plot but well done.
November 17, 2021
Nicholas Sharp is one cool operator and I thoroughly enjoyed this introductory novella. Full of action and a great story.
February 26, 2024
I thought that this origins novella was an okay read. This fast paced action story introduces the protagonist but only hints at the origins of the character.
December 9, 2024
Fast paced and action packed. High intensity and a man with integrity. I liked that he knew when the game was over for him. A man of character and strength. Good story.
May 12, 2025
Enjoyed reading this author. Loads of drama and kept me on the edge of my seat. Will be reading more from this author.
June 18, 2023
Nicholas Sharp-A Principled Assassin
Nicholas Sharp was led to believe the target he eliminated was a righteous kill. Not so. The target was an innocent civilian. As such, Nicholas finds himself in London on orders to get his head and his priorities straight. This finds Mr. Sharp in the wrong place at the wrong time; a subway platform that is the unfolding scene of a terrorist attack. Or was it not a terrorist attack? Nicholas takes action to protect a woman and her child, an action that puts him in the cross hairs of Compass Black and, just like that, his life is again a massive black hole.
Nicholas Sharp was led to believe the target he eliminated was a righteous kill. Not so. The target was an innocent civilian. As such, Nicholas finds himself in London on orders to get his head and his priorities straight. This finds Mr. Sharp in the wrong place at the wrong time; a subway platform that is the unfolding scene of a terrorist attack. Or was it not a terrorist attack? Nicholas takes action to protect a woman and her child, an action that puts him in the cross hairs of Compass Black and, just like that, his life is again a massive black hole.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews