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Mace Mason #1
Call to Kill: The first in a brand new high-octane SAS series
THE FIRST IN A BRAND NEW SERIES FROM SAS: WHO DARES WINS STAR .
A country in turmoil.
A rescue mission gone wrong.
A hero unlike any other fighting to save a broken world.
Matt 'Mace' Mason is deployed on a deniable SAS mission in war-torn Yemen, becoming embroiled in a hostage rescue that goes terribly wrong.
Pulling at the strings of the local political scene is not only the local warlord who is destined to become Mace's nemesis, General Ruak Shahlai, but hardbitten American arms dealer Erica Atkins, who controls a whole international network to her advantage.
As well as his own team, Mace has to work, initially unwillingly, with female CIA Agent (and Islamic scholar) Redford. Together they will need to prevent an attack that would spark a regional war and create the largest environmental disaster the world has ever seen.
DON'T MISS THE FIRST IN THE NEW MATT MASON SERIES FROM AN AUTHOR WHO HAS BEEN THERE AND DONE IT ALL, BILLY BILLINGHAM.
About the Author
Billy Billingham spent 17 years in the SAS. He was responsible for planning and executing strategic operations and training at the highest level in locations including Iraq, Afghanistan, South America and Africa, and has led countless hostage rescues. He later became a bodyguard to A list celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Sir Michael Caine, and Tom Cruise. Since 2015, Billy has been one of the lead presenters on the popular Channel Four series SAS: Who Dares Wins .
A country in turmoil.
A rescue mission gone wrong.
A hero unlike any other fighting to save a broken world.
Matt 'Mace' Mason is deployed on a deniable SAS mission in war-torn Yemen, becoming embroiled in a hostage rescue that goes terribly wrong.
Pulling at the strings of the local political scene is not only the local warlord who is destined to become Mace's nemesis, General Ruak Shahlai, but hardbitten American arms dealer Erica Atkins, who controls a whole international network to her advantage.
As well as his own team, Mace has to work, initially unwillingly, with female CIA Agent (and Islamic scholar) Redford. Together they will need to prevent an attack that would spark a regional war and create the largest environmental disaster the world has ever seen.
DON'T MISS THE FIRST IN THE NEW MATT MASON SERIES FROM AN AUTHOR WHO HAS BEEN THERE AND DONE IT ALL, BILLY BILLINGHAM.
About the Author
Billy Billingham spent 17 years in the SAS. He was responsible for planning and executing strategic operations and training at the highest level in locations including Iraq, Afghanistan, South America and Africa, and has led countless hostage rescues. He later became a bodyguard to A list celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Sir Michael Caine, and Tom Cruise. Since 2015, Billy has been one of the lead presenters on the popular Channel Four series SAS: Who Dares Wins .
352 pages, Hardcover
Published May 13, 2021
92 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 28, 2022
One of the better books from the UK's elite Special Author Service (SAS). An SAS soldier accidentally left behind after a failed hostage rescue in Yemen, a female CIA operative hunting an Iranian general, an American arms dealer in bed with the Saudis, and international corruption form the plot threads in a grounded, up-to-date thriller written with fast-paced, minimalist prose. If you like this sort of book, you'll love this one. Definitely looking forward to more Matt Mason books.
June 21, 2023
This is the first Mace Mason book by Billy Billingham and the title is Call to Kill. I listened to a podcast and found this author that way and though the book is great it's sad to read the afterword where he explains his frustration with faults in movies when he himself has made some faults. Mainly the description of how heavy and hard to handle the M72 rocket launcher is. I did however really enjoy the book and found the story and character great, I will read book two later and see what will happen to Mason. I recommend this if you like military action thrillers.
June 10, 2021
Not something I would usually pick up, but for some unknown reason I was drawn to read this. Well, I can happily report that it's great! It's a perfect example of its genre: multiple narrative, snappy plot, well-drawn characters on all sides, satisfying resolution and a TON of military tech that even someone with no military background (me) can enjoy . There are also some very interesting political observations in there too. I found it very readable and whizzed through it.
September 18, 2025
Not for me
May 28, 2021
What an exhilarating read filled with fast-paced action, a daring escape from a car boot (I have to admit this scene also made me giggle with the visual images in my head!) And a race against time to stop a catastrophe!
I love books written or co-written by people who have been in the thick of things because it is so much more authentic and this book is no exception. I also liked all the technical details. It made for fascinating reading.
I can't wait for the next book in the series because there will be nothing holding
Matt back now and I think this will become another favourite series for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
I love books written or co-written by people who have been in the thick of things because it is so much more authentic and this book is no exception. I also liked all the technical details. It made for fascinating reading.
I can't wait for the next book in the series because there will be nothing holding
Matt back now and I think this will become another favourite series for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
August 16, 2022
An enjoyable debut novel. Good, clear characterisation, powerful action scenes, amongst clear geographical setting & descriptions. Refreshing to read a novel of this type set in Yemen, rather than Iraq/Afghanistan. Took me a little while to get into it but read the final third in one setting - simply could not put it down. Would recommend for fans of Andy McNab, Chris Ryan, and perhaps even for fans of spy thriller genre.
July 10, 2021
Absolutely brilliant! What a thrilling story. I thought that it was well written and researched by a writer who has experienced much of the same himself. I found it an extremely hard book to put down with loads of action and an excellent storyline. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
February 10, 2022
Matt Mason is a fantastic protagonist. He lives in the grey area, doing what he has to to protect his country.
Written so succinctly, Call to Kill is the war time tale we didn't know we needed.
With Billinghams knowledge of battle being integrated into the novel, this book feels authentic.
A great read.
Written so succinctly, Call to Kill is the war time tale we didn't know we needed.
With Billinghams knowledge of battle being integrated into the novel, this book feels authentic.
A great read.
May 4, 2021
🅑🅞🅞🅚 🅡🅔🅥🅘🅔🅦
CALL TO KILL
Billy Billingham
A British citizen is held by terrorists in war-torn Yemen, and an SAS team led by Sergeant Matt “Mace” Mason are deployed to rescue him. Forced upon Mace’s team is Agent Redford of the CIA, who only wants the leader General Ruak Shahlai, but the mission doesn’t go to plan for either party.
In the background, General Shahlai, and American Arms Dealer Erika Atkins are manipulating the situation to their own ends; his, divine revenge, hers, power and money. Mace’s team and Agent Redford must work together to stop an attack which would cause a regional war, and the worst environmental disaster ever seen.
My thanks go to NetGalley for sending me an advance copy of CALL TO KILL in return for my honest review.
I really enjoyed reading this book and found the principal characters likeable and believable. The action scenes felt authentic, and the author's own experiences of serving in the SAS, rising to the rank of Squadron Sergeant Major, only served to injected even more integrity to the subject.
The characters are well developed, and given Billy's experience, I would say very realistic. I found myself liking Mace and his team, and even Agent Redford, although I shared his reluctance to work with her in the beginning. The "Baddies” were definitely loathsome from the outset.
I found the descriptions of locations to be so vivid that it was very easy to form a mental picture of the scene. This only serves to make reading a more enjoyable experience. The story was easy to follow, exciting, and I felt compelled to read the book in one sitting.
Overall, I think CALL TO KILL would be considered a very good novel for a seasoned writer, but as it is Billy's debut novel, it's simply amazing, hence the five stars. I can't wait to see where he takes Mace next time.
May 8, 2021
In war-torn Yemen a Christian priest from Norwich is being held hostage by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. Laid up just a short distance away is a team of British SAS soldiers led by Staff Sergeant Matt Mason, their rescue mission planned they’re waiting for the order to go.
Unfortunately even elite soldiers don’t get it right every time and after not one but two failed rescue attempts that end with one of the team killed in action and another being captured, Captain Peter Hopkins is summoned back to Hereford to face the music. He’s expecting the worst, but his career taking a nosedive is the least of his worries when he finds out what’s expected of him. For a soldier his mates will always come first, others might not have the same priorities.
I really liked this one and pretty much read it from start to finish in one go. Its not all blood, guts and glory instead its a clever and engaging thriller set against a backdrop of politics, civil war, insurgency and commercial contracts worth billions. At the heart of any good novel is a good storyline and believable characters and this one has both. Matt Mason and the rest of his team aren’t superhero’s they’re well drawn characters who are realistic and believable, each of them with their own personalities and skills that make them part of the team. A cut above many of the other offerings in the genre, its fiction but there’s enough realism about this novel to convince me that a lot of it is based on knowledge of the area, its politics and similar events that may or may not have happened. My only disappointment is that this is the first in a new series and I can’t move straight onto the second one.
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for the advance copy for review purposes, I was under no obligation and all opinions expressed are my own.
Unfortunately even elite soldiers don’t get it right every time and after not one but two failed rescue attempts that end with one of the team killed in action and another being captured, Captain Peter Hopkins is summoned back to Hereford to face the music. He’s expecting the worst, but his career taking a nosedive is the least of his worries when he finds out what’s expected of him. For a soldier his mates will always come first, others might not have the same priorities.
I really liked this one and pretty much read it from start to finish in one go. Its not all blood, guts and glory instead its a clever and engaging thriller set against a backdrop of politics, civil war, insurgency and commercial contracts worth billions. At the heart of any good novel is a good storyline and believable characters and this one has both. Matt Mason and the rest of his team aren’t superhero’s they’re well drawn characters who are realistic and believable, each of them with their own personalities and skills that make them part of the team. A cut above many of the other offerings in the genre, its fiction but there’s enough realism about this novel to convince me that a lot of it is based on knowledge of the area, its politics and similar events that may or may not have happened. My only disappointment is that this is the first in a new series and I can’t move straight onto the second one.
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for the advance copy for review purposes, I was under no obligation and all opinions expressed are my own.
June 14, 2021
This was a great read, I wasn't sure what to expect when I bought it. I found it a little slow at first but before I knew it I was knee deep in the plot and on the edge of my sofa, desperately needing to know what was going to happen next. I've no doubt that this story is true to real war, politics and hostage situations, it has given me a new healthy appreciation for our soldiers who give their all so that we can live as we do. Looking forward to the next book Billy! 🤛
May 20, 2021
A great first debut novel by Ex SAS Billy Billingham. The storyline was fantastic and you can actually believe all this had happened. So you truly get engrossed in the tale as it evolves. The start is a little slow to get into and lacking in some atmosphere but it still gets the 5 stars for the storyline and the ending. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next instalment.
July 30, 2021
A good adventure story made great by the insightful meat on the bones
A really enjoyable action adventure told with proper experience and knowledge, having "been there and done it" but without giving away secrets, just adding the small details that lifted the book from a run of the mill story to a fantastic one.
A really enjoyable action adventure told with proper experience and knowledge, having "been there and done it" but without giving away secrets, just adding the small details that lifted the book from a run of the mill story to a fantastic one.
January 25, 2022
4⭐️
British SAS solider Matt ‘Mace’ Mason and his team have been sent to Yemen to rescue English priest Eli Drake. When they fail on their first attempt, the CIA becomes involved as the priest’s captor is thought to be the infamous Iranian General Ruak Shahlai, who the CIA have been chasing for years. A second rescue attempt is soon made, but with CIA and SAS not playing nice, it goes horribly wrong.
With a man down and now isolated from his team, Mace is not having a good day at the office. To make matters worse, American arms dealer Erica Atkins is double crossing everyone in order to get rich and the General is about to unleash a series of events that will cause an environmental disaster.
Mace is not the man to play cat and mouse with; but is he good enough to prevent WWIII? To find out you’re just going to have to read military thriller Call to Kill by Billy Billingham.
I really enjoyed this book. Billingham is a former SAS operative himself and his first hand knowledge jumps off the page with authenticity of someone who has ‘been there done that’ not just in the characters themselves; but in their actions and their surrounds. The writing is very descriptive, without being verbose; and it easily paints a picture in your mind of the characters going about their business, despite much of the plot occurring in places many of us would never see or experience in real life.
I really liked the characters. Mace as the lead SAS solider was very well written and I’m glad that this is the first book in the series and that we will see more of him in the future. There were several supporting characters, both good and evil; and they too were well developed and slotted into the plot well without slabs of annoying black story, which is always a credit to the writer in my opinion. I’m looking forward to seeing which of them pop up in book two, especially given how this book ended.
For a debut novel, this was a great read and one which will no doubt go onto be the first a successful series of military thrillers/action books. A must for fans of Chris Ryan and Andy McNab; newly released Call To Kill is a recommended read.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
British SAS solider Matt ‘Mace’ Mason and his team have been sent to Yemen to rescue English priest Eli Drake. When they fail on their first attempt, the CIA becomes involved as the priest’s captor is thought to be the infamous Iranian General Ruak Shahlai, who the CIA have been chasing for years. A second rescue attempt is soon made, but with CIA and SAS not playing nice, it goes horribly wrong.
With a man down and now isolated from his team, Mace is not having a good day at the office. To make matters worse, American arms dealer Erica Atkins is double crossing everyone in order to get rich and the General is about to unleash a series of events that will cause an environmental disaster.
Mace is not the man to play cat and mouse with; but is he good enough to prevent WWIII? To find out you’re just going to have to read military thriller Call to Kill by Billy Billingham.
I really enjoyed this book. Billingham is a former SAS operative himself and his first hand knowledge jumps off the page with authenticity of someone who has ‘been there done that’ not just in the characters themselves; but in their actions and their surrounds. The writing is very descriptive, without being verbose; and it easily paints a picture in your mind of the characters going about their business, despite much of the plot occurring in places many of us would never see or experience in real life.
I really liked the characters. Mace as the lead SAS solider was very well written and I’m glad that this is the first book in the series and that we will see more of him in the future. There were several supporting characters, both good and evil; and they too were well developed and slotted into the plot well without slabs of annoying black story, which is always a credit to the writer in my opinion. I’m looking forward to seeing which of them pop up in book two, especially given how this book ended.
For a debut novel, this was a great read and one which will no doubt go onto be the first a successful series of military thrillers/action books. A must for fans of Chris Ryan and Andy McNab; newly released Call To Kill is a recommended read.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
October 31, 2021
Slow start, but an excellent read!
Normally read biographical accounts of military operations, not normally interested in fiction. However, once this got going, I thoroughly enjoyed until the end.
Well written.
Looks like I might be reading a little more fiction 🤓
Normally read biographical accounts of military operations, not normally interested in fiction. However, once this got going, I thoroughly enjoyed until the end.
Well written.
Looks like I might be reading a little more fiction 🤓
June 18, 2025
Solid Story
A good action story and introduction to a character for future stories. The characters were the usual stock ones, slimy politician, corrupt business person, terrorists, but all of it was done well.
A good action story and introduction to a character for future stories. The characters were the usual stock ones, slimy politician, corrupt business person, terrorists, but all of it was done well.
June 7, 2021
Great read!
Really good storyline, I really didn't know what was going to happen next, I struggled to stop reading the book, l am looking forward to the next one.
Really good storyline, I really didn't know what was going to happen next, I struggled to stop reading the book, l am looking forward to the next one.
June 26, 2021
A brilliant debut book by Billy Billingham. Action packed throughout. Could not put this down.
July 6, 2021
Excellent read
Entertaining I'm not an expert on the military but it appeared factual easy to read without oodles of terminology.in complicated read it in a day!
Entertaining I'm not an expert on the military but it appeared factual easy to read without oodles of terminology.in complicated read it in a day!
July 19, 2021
Easy to read and insightful
I enjoyed it was an easy read but not fully gripping me. Meaning its a great read for a busy a schedule look forward to the next one
I enjoyed it was an easy read but not fully gripping me. Meaning its a great read for a busy a schedule look forward to the next one
July 22, 2021
Awesome read
If this is the first, can't wait for the next, already ranks with and above the rest in this genre, great first book.
If this is the first, can't wait for the next, already ranks with and above the rest in this genre, great first book.
December 1, 2021
Excellent read. The story is gripping from start to finish.. You can tell its been written by someone with Special Forces knowledge. Well worth a read.
December 2, 2021
Explosive, thought-provoking when it is understood that most of the detail is based on experiences survived. A good first novel.
December 21, 2021
Highly recommend, all the characters felt real and believable and the story flows well and at not one point do you want it to speed up.
Can’t wait for the next instalment!!
Can’t wait for the next instalment!!
May 27, 2022
Excellent thriller. Read it fast as it was an easy read and kept me engaged. Would be interested in reading the next book in the series.
June 20, 2022
Great
Such a fantastic read. Realistic action. I am looking forward to reading the next book. Let us hope there are many more.
Such a fantastic read. Realistic action. I am looking forward to reading the next book. Let us hope there are many more.
August 11, 2022
Good book love it.
October 11, 2022
Gripping read
This book goes into you from page 1 and does not let go very factual you can certainly tell the author is ex regt. Can't wait to read the next book.
This book goes into you from page 1 and does not let go very factual you can certainly tell the author is ex regt. Can't wait to read the next book.
January 23, 2023
A fast-paced read, hard core characters and realistic events.
January 30, 2023
Would have been 3 stars but I'm afraid Billy Billingham would come find me and do me in.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews