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She’s determined to save a stolen son. But will that mean justice?
As a high-ranking woman in the Royal Military Police, Major Helen Scott gets the job done – no matter the task. So when she is pulled in to lead a NATO summit security team in Paris, it barely causes a ripple. Yet within hours she’s dispatched to Lyon on a new mission. One with a complex problem at its heart.
Kahlil Dalmani and Fawaz bin Nabil were close in childhood, growing up in the hubbub of Algiers. As men, they are both wildly successful. Yet their paths to fortune have caused a rift. Fawaz’s empire is built on illegal trade, and when his estranged friend refuses to grant a favour he seeks to change Kahlil’s mind the best way he knows how: kidnapping his son, Hakim.
Working out of the Interpol headquarters, Helen must unpick a web of deceit that spreads across borders and dates back years. Only by trusting those from her own painful past can she hope to return Hakim to his family. But with her focus on saving one life, she risks overlooking a plan that puts many others in grave danger.
An explosive and gripping crime thriller from one of the most brilliant British crime fiction authors of recent years. For fans of Angela Marsons and Lee Child.
As a high-ranking woman in the Royal Military Police, Major Helen Scott gets the job done – no matter the task. So when she is pulled in to lead a NATO summit security team in Paris, it barely causes a ripple. Yet within hours she’s dispatched to Lyon on a new mission. One with a complex problem at its heart.
Kahlil Dalmani and Fawaz bin Nabil were close in childhood, growing up in the hubbub of Algiers. As men, they are both wildly successful. Yet their paths to fortune have caused a rift. Fawaz’s empire is built on illegal trade, and when his estranged friend refuses to grant a favour he seeks to change Kahlil’s mind the best way he knows how: kidnapping his son, Hakim.
Working out of the Interpol headquarters, Helen must unpick a web of deceit that spreads across borders and dates back years. Only by trusting those from her own painful past can she hope to return Hakim to his family. But with her focus on saving one life, she risks overlooking a plan that puts many others in grave danger.
An explosive and gripping crime thriller from one of the most brilliant British crime fiction authors of recent years. For fans of Angela Marsons and Lee Child.
378 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2021
182 people are currently reading
840 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Lynch
82 books413 followersRachel Lynch grew up in Cumbria and the lakes and fells are never far away from her. London pulled her away to teach History and marry an Army Officer, whom she followed around the globe for thirteen years.
A change of career after children led to personal training and sports therapy, but writing was always the overwhelming force driving the future. The human capacity for compassion as well as its descent into the brutal and murky world of crime are fundamental to her work.
A change of career after children led to personal training and sports therapy, but writing was always the overwhelming force driving the future. The human capacity for compassion as well as its descent into the brutal and murky world of crime are fundamental to her work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
April 20, 2021
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THE RIFT by Rachel Lynch is a new standalone political crime thriller by a new-to-me author featuring a strong female career military protagonist.
Major Helen Scott, UK Royal Military Police has dedicated her life to her career and is known for getting the tough jobs done. She is tasked to liaison with the US security team in charge of the NATO summit to be held in the Palace of Versailles with Afghanistan representatives.
Helen finds everything secure, but she is pulled from that job by the British ambassador to work with Interpol on the kidnapping of the son of an international businessman.
As Helen and a former military colleague, Grant Tennyson work to save the young kidnapping victim, they uncover a web of historical family interactions that have led to lies, deceit and an assassination plot which could tie back to members of the NATO summit.
I enjoyed protagonist Major Helen Scott. She is intelligent and tough and very human as you learn about her personal life. Ms. Lynch does a great job of writing Grant Tennyson into the story as a male counterpart to Helen who does not take over as a savior or diminish Helen’s strength and talent. The past and current family interactions between Khalil and Fawaz add a depth to the story and to the international intrigue.
The plot is tightly written with many threads that all get woven together throughout the story. My only disappointment was in how long the set-up of the plot and the introduction of all the characters took to get moving into the action. Once everything does get moving though, it took off at an increasing pace to a very exciting climax and satisfying conclusion.
I can recommend this standalone thriller and I will be looking for more from this author.
THE RIFT by Rachel Lynch is a new standalone political crime thriller by a new-to-me author featuring a strong female career military protagonist.
Major Helen Scott, UK Royal Military Police has dedicated her life to her career and is known for getting the tough jobs done. She is tasked to liaison with the US security team in charge of the NATO summit to be held in the Palace of Versailles with Afghanistan representatives.
Helen finds everything secure, but she is pulled from that job by the British ambassador to work with Interpol on the kidnapping of the son of an international businessman.
As Helen and a former military colleague, Grant Tennyson work to save the young kidnapping victim, they uncover a web of historical family interactions that have led to lies, deceit and an assassination plot which could tie back to members of the NATO summit.
I enjoyed protagonist Major Helen Scott. She is intelligent and tough and very human as you learn about her personal life. Ms. Lynch does a great job of writing Grant Tennyson into the story as a male counterpart to Helen who does not take over as a savior or diminish Helen’s strength and talent. The past and current family interactions between Khalil and Fawaz add a depth to the story and to the international intrigue.
The plot is tightly written with many threads that all get woven together throughout the story. My only disappointment was in how long the set-up of the plot and the introduction of all the characters took to get moving into the action. Once everything does get moving though, it took off at an increasing pace to a very exciting climax and satisfying conclusion.
I can recommend this standalone thriller and I will be looking for more from this author.
March 12, 2021
A standalone crime thriller by the author of the DI Kelly Porter series Rachel Lynch. I really enjoy the DI Kelly Porter series and can’t wait for the next instalment but was interested to read this standalone thriller.
Major Helen Scott is a high-ranking woman in the Royal Military Police and has a well deserved reputation for achieving her goals. So what better choice would there be than Helen to oversee the search and rescue of the kidnapped son of successful businessman Kahil Dalmani.
Kahlil Dalmani and Fawaz bin Nabil were close when growing up in Algiers and are both now successful. Fawaz’s empire is built on illegal trade, and when Kahili refuses to grant a favour he arranges the kidnap of Kahil’s son to try and persuade him.
It is Helen’s task to unravel the lies and return Kahlil’s son to the family home. The big concern is who to trust in a sea of lies and deceit and while trying to save the life of one she is potentially putting several others at risk.
I enjoy Rachel Lynch’s writing and although I do enjoy her regular series it was good to see her let loose on a fast paced standalone thriller with completely new characters. Overall I think she did a good job and produced a very good entertaining page turner.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Canelo for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Major Helen Scott is a high-ranking woman in the Royal Military Police and has a well deserved reputation for achieving her goals. So what better choice would there be than Helen to oversee the search and rescue of the kidnapped son of successful businessman Kahil Dalmani.
Kahlil Dalmani and Fawaz bin Nabil were close when growing up in Algiers and are both now successful. Fawaz’s empire is built on illegal trade, and when Kahili refuses to grant a favour he arranges the kidnap of Kahil’s son to try and persuade him.
It is Helen’s task to unravel the lies and return Kahlil’s son to the family home. The big concern is who to trust in a sea of lies and deceit and while trying to save the life of one she is potentially putting several others at risk.
I enjoy Rachel Lynch’s writing and although I do enjoy her regular series it was good to see her let loose on a fast paced standalone thriller with completely new characters. Overall I think she did a good job and produced a very good entertaining page turner.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Canelo for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2025
I'm a huge fan of Kelly Porter books by Rachel Lynch so approached this new story with a bit of hesitation. Needlessly so though.
Major Helen Scott is a formidable character. With some tragic events in her past, she more than holds her own in the male dominated world she works in. She's strong, she's determined, smart and yet we get to see her more caring and vulnerable side too.
Rachel Lynch writes with ease and in The Rift gave us a strong new character with a great story to support her.
Major Helen Scott is a formidable character. With some tragic events in her past, she more than holds her own in the male dominated world she works in. She's strong, she's determined, smart and yet we get to see her more caring and vulnerable side too.
Rachel Lynch writes with ease and in The Rift gave us a strong new character with a great story to support her.
April 22, 2021
The Rift is a standalone crime thriller from the bestselling author of the brilliant DI Kelly Porter series, and although this is different to her usual fare, it is every bit as scintillating and nerve-shredding. As a high-ranking woman in the Royal Military Police, Major Helen Scott gets the job done – no matter the task. So when she is pulled in to lead a NATO summit security team in Paris, it barely causes a ripple. Yet within hours, she’s dispatched to Lyon on a new mission. One with a complex problem at its heart. Kahlil Dalmani and Fawaz bin Nabil were close in childhood, growing up in the hubbub of Algiers. As men, they are both wildly successful. Yet their paths to fortune have caused a rift. Fawaz’s empire is built on illegal trade, and when his estranged friend refuses to grant a favour he seeks to change Kahlil’s mind the best way he knows how: kidnapping his son, Hakim. Working out of the Interpol headquarters, Helen must unpick a web of deceit that spreads across borders and dates back years.
Only by trusting those from her own painful past can she hope to return Hakim to his family. But with her focus on saving one life, she risks overlooking a plan that puts many others in grave danger. She’s determined to save a stolen son. But will that mean justice? This is an explosive and enthralling read from start to finish and the type of book you race through, have palpitations over and are sad about when you turn the final page. It's a gritty and gripping tale from an author I feel I can always trust to bring that rare mix of excitement, setting and characterisation, which makes for a riveting, fully rounded reading experience. Moving at a blisteringly quick pace, The Rift is full of everything needed for a satisfying and exhilarating thriller - wily action, wicked twists, red herrings, gasp-worthy reveals, intense drama and, last but by no means least, characters you come to care about as the narrative progresses. A must-read for fans of Lynch; this will no doubt satiate current fans and new ones alike. Highly recommended.
Only by trusting those from her own painful past can she hope to return Hakim to his family. But with her focus on saving one life, she risks overlooking a plan that puts many others in grave danger. She’s determined to save a stolen son. But will that mean justice? This is an explosive and enthralling read from start to finish and the type of book you race through, have palpitations over and are sad about when you turn the final page. It's a gritty and gripping tale from an author I feel I can always trust to bring that rare mix of excitement, setting and characterisation, which makes for a riveting, fully rounded reading experience. Moving at a blisteringly quick pace, The Rift is full of everything needed for a satisfying and exhilarating thriller - wily action, wicked twists, red herrings, gasp-worthy reveals, intense drama and, last but by no means least, characters you come to care about as the narrative progresses. A must-read for fans of Lynch; this will no doubt satiate current fans and new ones alike. Highly recommended.
April 8, 2021
It was very difficult for me to keep track of the characters, other than Major Helen Scott. The characters were a bit more complicated and confusing for me. As a result, I found myself putting this book aside. That’s not to say it’s a bad book, because I have read the Kelly Porter series by Rachel Lynch and they are outstanding. Maybe I was expecting something along those lines. The book seems to be more of a conspiracy thriller. I am going to do my best to continue reading the book and perhaps do an edited review later. Well, I did finish reading the book and my review stands as is.
I would really like to hear your thoughts! I’m sure it’s a great book so please read it. Thank you to #NetGalley for providing me with AC of this book.
I would really like to hear your thoughts! I’m sure it’s a great book so please read it. Thank you to #NetGalley for providing me with AC of this book.
April 16, 2021
Rating: 4/5 stars.
“The Rift” is a crime thriller by Rachel Lynch. The plot has a political and military focus, with the main character trying to ensure the safety of a NATO gathering in Paris, France. The plot is a slow burn at first but is very worth it. The author perfectly leads up to the culminating climax at the end of the novel. I loved how the author intricately weaves together characters through a variety of locales, creating a complex but not overly technical plot.
With the plot being such a slow burn, it does lag in a few spots, and can feel somewhat repetitive. I only wish that some of the major plot twists had not been revealed so early in the novel, as this could have helped with the pacing issues. Overall, I enjoyed the book, and will be checking out more from the author.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book on NetGalley and have provided an honest review.*
“The Rift” is a crime thriller by Rachel Lynch. The plot has a political and military focus, with the main character trying to ensure the safety of a NATO gathering in Paris, France. The plot is a slow burn at first but is very worth it. The author perfectly leads up to the culminating climax at the end of the novel. I loved how the author intricately weaves together characters through a variety of locales, creating a complex but not overly technical plot.
With the plot being such a slow burn, it does lag in a few spots, and can feel somewhat repetitive. I only wish that some of the major plot twists had not been revealed so early in the novel, as this could have helped with the pacing issues. Overall, I enjoyed the book, and will be checking out more from the author.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book on NetGalley and have provided an honest review.*
July 12, 2022
Crime novel set in FRANCE and NORTH AFRICA
“To save one life, she risks many others”
The Rift is a stand-alone crime fiction novel from author Rachel Lynch, who is known for her DI Kelly Porter novels. It follows Major Helen Scott who must deploy all the detective skills she has gained during her career in the military police as she combats a double threat of terror and violence. She is tasked with ensuring the security of international VIPs at a NATO summit in the Palace of Versailles in Paris, but she finds the task stifling as her male senior officer seems determined to put her down. When the Hakim, the student son of an Algerian oil billionaire Khalil Dalmani, is kidnapped, Helen is urgently seconded to an Interpol team in Lyon to discover who has the boy – and why. She relishes the fresh challenge and the professionalism of her new colleagues, but she feels torn between her human instinct to rescue the hostage and her original commitment to keep the British Prime Minister and other VIPs safe.
Helen’s investigations take her to the seedier parts of Lyon and Marseille, while other powerful influences conspire in the deserts of North Africa. Helen quickly realises that the security of the NATO summit and the kidnapping of the boy are linked. She is surrounded by colleagues she has never worked with before, and she discovers that her former lover, Grant Tennyson, is part of Dalmani’s security team, so she must decide who she can trust. The lives of many people depend on her making the right call.
Although the novel begins slowly, it soon gathers pace. Author Rachel Lynch skilfully guides the reader through contrasting settings in France; from the historic details of the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles; to the anonymity of immigrant communities in the old town of Lyon, with its traboules or secret passageways, and on to the bustling commercial port of Marseille. The action moves on to the elegant luxury of an oil-billionaire’s estate in Algiers, and then the dusty, oppressive heat and poverty of North African countries such as Mali and Mauritania, as this tense story winds up to its climax.
The author describes the methods employed by the detectives in their investigation fascinating detail and the book will certainly appeal to fans of modern police procedural novels. The characters are complex and skilfully drawn – it’s not easy to tell which are to be trusted and which are being deceptive, and this is further increases the tension. Helen Scott is a strong and professional detective and it’s easy to admire these characteristics, especially her restraint in dealing with the attitudes of her some of her male colleagues. In a poignant twist, Helen’s past surfaces and she is forced to confront her emotions regarding the death of her own son five years earlier. It is the gradual revelation of her back story that makes Helen a more rounded and sympathetic character: we truly want her to succeed.
In summary, this book is highly recommended for travellers to France or North Africa, particularly those who enjoy spotting clues and solving the mystery alongside the detectives.
“To save one life, she risks many others”
The Rift is a stand-alone crime fiction novel from author Rachel Lynch, who is known for her DI Kelly Porter novels. It follows Major Helen Scott who must deploy all the detective skills she has gained during her career in the military police as she combats a double threat of terror and violence. She is tasked with ensuring the security of international VIPs at a NATO summit in the Palace of Versailles in Paris, but she finds the task stifling as her male senior officer seems determined to put her down. When the Hakim, the student son of an Algerian oil billionaire Khalil Dalmani, is kidnapped, Helen is urgently seconded to an Interpol team in Lyon to discover who has the boy – and why. She relishes the fresh challenge and the professionalism of her new colleagues, but she feels torn between her human instinct to rescue the hostage and her original commitment to keep the British Prime Minister and other VIPs safe.
Helen’s investigations take her to the seedier parts of Lyon and Marseille, while other powerful influences conspire in the deserts of North Africa. Helen quickly realises that the security of the NATO summit and the kidnapping of the boy are linked. She is surrounded by colleagues she has never worked with before, and she discovers that her former lover, Grant Tennyson, is part of Dalmani’s security team, so she must decide who she can trust. The lives of many people depend on her making the right call.
Although the novel begins slowly, it soon gathers pace. Author Rachel Lynch skilfully guides the reader through contrasting settings in France; from the historic details of the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles; to the anonymity of immigrant communities in the old town of Lyon, with its traboules or secret passageways, and on to the bustling commercial port of Marseille. The action moves on to the elegant luxury of an oil-billionaire’s estate in Algiers, and then the dusty, oppressive heat and poverty of North African countries such as Mali and Mauritania, as this tense story winds up to its climax.
The author describes the methods employed by the detectives in their investigation fascinating detail and the book will certainly appeal to fans of modern police procedural novels. The characters are complex and skilfully drawn – it’s not easy to tell which are to be trusted and which are being deceptive, and this is further increases the tension. Helen Scott is a strong and professional detective and it’s easy to admire these characteristics, especially her restraint in dealing with the attitudes of her some of her male colleagues. In a poignant twist, Helen’s past surfaces and she is forced to confront her emotions regarding the death of her own son five years earlier. It is the gradual revelation of her back story that makes Helen a more rounded and sympathetic character: we truly want her to succeed.
In summary, this book is highly recommended for travellers to France or North Africa, particularly those who enjoy spotting clues and solving the mystery alongside the detectives.
March 16, 2021
What an absolutely fantastic book!
The pace was brilliant, the knowledge of the author was second to none. The story was incredibly believable and the ending was just perfect, a very brave writer to break away from the norm of crime writing.
I liken this to the successful Strike Back TV show, but without the sex and constant swearing with a courageous female lead.
Fabulous!
Wish I could give it more stars!
I do hope there will be more?
The pace was brilliant, the knowledge of the author was second to none. The story was incredibly believable and the ending was just perfect, a very brave writer to break away from the norm of crime writing.
I liken this to the successful Strike Back TV show, but without the sex and constant swearing with a courageous female lead.
Fabulous!
Wish I could give it more stars!
I do hope there will be more?
March 4, 2021
The Rift - Rachel Lynch
𝑻𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒌𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔.
𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒚𝒂𝒍 𝑴𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆, 𝑴𝒂𝒋𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒕𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒅 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆. 𝑶𝒏 𝒂 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝑵𝑨𝑻𝑶 𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒚𝒆𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒍 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 ��𝒏 𝑳𝒚𝒐𝒏.
𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏'𝒔 𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂 𝒌𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒎 - 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒊𝒍 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑲𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒍 𝑫𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒊. 𝑻𝒉���� 𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝑭𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒛 𝒃𝒊𝒏 𝑵𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍, 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔.
𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝑲𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒍'𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅. 𝑨𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕?
Initially I took some time to bed in with this book, there are lots of abbreviations early on which took me a bit of time to get my head round and to figure out who was who.
I immediately liked Grant Tennyson, calm solid, no nonsense top of his game and
Helen; smart and sensible, she seems to have to fight her corner, a woman in a mans world. There is definitely something afoot there I thought! They come at this story from opposite ends and you can perhaps see where this might go given their history which is drip fed to us, it’s clearly heading for butting heads, a bit of chemistry and a denouement for the two of them which I loved!
'𝑶𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎.'
There is cat and mouse, family friendships and betrayals, parental love and asks the question - how far will you go for your child?
𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒂𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅𝒔, 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈.'
The tension builds as the clock is ticking, time running out for Khalil’s son and it fairly raced towards a very dramatic conclusion and then the ante upped again with a twist just when you thought it was done - I loved it!
✩✩✩✩
[AD-GIFTED]
𝑻𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒌𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔.
𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒚𝒂𝒍 𝑴𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆, 𝑴𝒂𝒋𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒕𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒅 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆. 𝑶𝒏 𝒂 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝑵𝑨𝑻𝑶 𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒚𝒆𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒍 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 ��𝒏 𝑳𝒚𝒐𝒏.
𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏'𝒔 𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂 𝒌𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒎 - 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒊𝒍 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑲𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒍 𝑫𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒊. 𝑻𝒉���� 𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝑭𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒛 𝒃𝒊𝒏 𝑵𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍, 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔.
𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝑲𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒍'𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅. 𝑨𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕?
Initially I took some time to bed in with this book, there are lots of abbreviations early on which took me a bit of time to get my head round and to figure out who was who.
I immediately liked Grant Tennyson, calm solid, no nonsense top of his game and
Helen; smart and sensible, she seems to have to fight her corner, a woman in a mans world. There is definitely something afoot there I thought! They come at this story from opposite ends and you can perhaps see where this might go given their history which is drip fed to us, it’s clearly heading for butting heads, a bit of chemistry and a denouement for the two of them which I loved!
'𝑶𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎.'
There is cat and mouse, family friendships and betrayals, parental love and asks the question - how far will you go for your child?
𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒂𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅𝒔, 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈.'
The tension builds as the clock is ticking, time running out for Khalil’s son and it fairly raced towards a very dramatic conclusion and then the ante upped again with a twist just when you thought it was done - I loved it!
✩✩✩✩
[AD-GIFTED]
May 3, 2022
This could have been a good story. Sadly it was one of the most clumsily written novels I have ever read; both the narrative and the deeply unrealistic speech read as if they had been translated into English from German by a speaker of Korean. Pity.
March 24, 2021
Something very different from Rachel Lynch.
It’s always a surprise (shock) when you see that and author has written a book that isn’t part of their long running series, how dare they! I’m happy to report that I think the change was a good one and while it’s billed as a standalone novel I’m hoping it might be the first of a new series. Major Helen Scott we are told ‘gets the job done’ and yes she absolutely does. There was a lot of setting up here and I felt I was a quarter way through before it really got going and then I was hooked. Even at its most shocking this never felt far fetched. Helen is a great character and I’d love to see her return (preferably with Grant Tennyson). A change of direction for Rachel Lynch but I think she nailed it.
It’s always a surprise (shock) when you see that and author has written a book that isn’t part of their long running series, how dare they! I’m happy to report that I think the change was a good one and while it’s billed as a standalone novel I’m hoping it might be the first of a new series. Major Helen Scott we are told ‘gets the job done’ and yes she absolutely does. There was a lot of setting up here and I felt I was a quarter way through before it really got going and then I was hooked. Even at its most shocking this never felt far fetched. Helen is a great character and I’d love to see her return (preferably with Grant Tennyson). A change of direction for Rachel Lynch but I think she nailed it.
March 7, 2021
A massive 5 star read !!
What an absolutely brilliant book this was the action just never let up and it was a read that grabbed me right from the start ... amazing writing from Rachel Lynch.
Having read all the books in the Kelly Porter series so far and loved each and every one of them I was intrigued to see how this change in direction would pan out and oh boy no worries there it was terrific and I hope that although this is marked as a stand-alone that we may be lucky enough to get to see more from Major Helen Scott.
So the story is one set in Paris where Major Helen Scott a high ranking woman in the Royal Military Police is tasked with overseeing a NATO conference in Paris but she is immediately pulled from that job when the kidnapping of the son of Khahil Dalmani takes place and the suspect is Fawaz bin Nabil and these are both dangerous and powerful men in their own right.
This really is fabulous international thriller full of tension and twists and it races along to an explosive conclusion I loved the book it was different and very compulsive and I found myself completely immersed in the story.
Highly recommended and many thanks to Rachel Lynch for a wonderful read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Canelo for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
What an absolutely brilliant book this was the action just never let up and it was a read that grabbed me right from the start ... amazing writing from Rachel Lynch.
Having read all the books in the Kelly Porter series so far and loved each and every one of them I was intrigued to see how this change in direction would pan out and oh boy no worries there it was terrific and I hope that although this is marked as a stand-alone that we may be lucky enough to get to see more from Major Helen Scott.
So the story is one set in Paris where Major Helen Scott a high ranking woman in the Royal Military Police is tasked with overseeing a NATO conference in Paris but she is immediately pulled from that job when the kidnapping of the son of Khahil Dalmani takes place and the suspect is Fawaz bin Nabil and these are both dangerous and powerful men in their own right.
This really is fabulous international thriller full of tension and twists and it races along to an explosive conclusion I loved the book it was different and very compulsive and I found myself completely immersed in the story.
Highly recommended and many thanks to Rachel Lynch for a wonderful read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Canelo for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 22, 2021
Loved this. The sort of book that you end up staying awake to finish. I’m a huge fan of the author’s Kelly Porter series so I did wonder what this might be like, because not all authors can cross the divide between a long running successful series and a stand a lone, but I needn’t have worried, she knocked it out of the park.
Helen, a Major in the Royal Military Police is tasked with overseeing the security at a NATO summit, but the kidnap of the son of a prominent Algerian business man causes far reaching problems and Helen is put on the case. It soon becomes apparent that there’s a possible crossover and when someone from her past arrives on the scene she must leave her personal feelings behind her and decide who she can really trust. The plot was tense and a real rollercoaster ride, the descriptions of the various countries so vidid you could feel the heat and the finale brilliant.
I really liked the characters of both Helen and Grant and would love to read more with them in it
Helen, a Major in the Royal Military Police is tasked with overseeing the security at a NATO summit, but the kidnap of the son of a prominent Algerian business man causes far reaching problems and Helen is put on the case. It soon becomes apparent that there’s a possible crossover and when someone from her past arrives on the scene she must leave her personal feelings behind her and decide who she can really trust. The plot was tense and a real rollercoaster ride, the descriptions of the various countries so vidid you could feel the heat and the finale brilliant.
I really liked the characters of both Helen and Grant and would love to read more with them in it
November 28, 2022
Not a patch on DI Kelly Porter will not be reading book 2
June 26, 2022
Finished reading: June 25th 2022
“Grant had seen enough during his many tours of duty to know that perspective is irrelevant in war: it was only the winners who got to write about it afterwards.”
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
April 24, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and Canelo for an advance copy of The Rift, a stand-alone thriller set in France and North Africa.
Major Helen Scott of the Royal Military Police is in Paris overseeing the security arrangements for a NATO-Afghan summit when the British Ambassador asks her to go to Lyon to liaise on the kidnapping of Algerian magnate Khalil Said al-Rashid ibn Dalmani’s eldest son, because the main suspect is Fawaz bin Nabil, a well known arms and drug smuggler, whom the ambassador suspects of plotting to endanger his summit.
I am a fan of the DI Kelly Porter series so I was interested to see what Ms Lynch could do out with her comfort zone. It must be said that France, North Africa and terrorism are a far cry from the Lake District and yet she handles it with aplomb, dexterity and detailed knowledge. I will admit that this praise stems from later in the novel because the first quarter did not hold my attention at all and I put it down frequently, loath to pick it up again. There is a lot of necessary scene setting that flits between characters and scenarios, but it gives the reader nothing of substance to grab hold of because it doesn’t stay long enough with any one character and only hints at motivation in a loose way.
Once, however, Helen moves to Lyon and her investigation gets going the pace picks up and my interest level rose accordingly. The plotting is tight and the powers available to the police under the guise of counterterrorism activity eye opening. I really liked the neat efficiency of it all. Needless to say, the final blaze of glory action scene is a cracker, unusual and clever, although I was slightly disappointed that the twist I was expecting didn’t happen, but then this isn’t really a novel with twists. Yes, there are surprises, but no real twists, rather it is a fast moving investigation with one development leading to the next.
I’m not quite sure what to think about Major Helen Scott. She is definitely very likeable by the end of the novel when her secrets and sorrows have been revealed and she has proved herself to be more than competent in her field. I liked the small bit of reality when her educated surmises were not taken seriously by her male colleagues. I didn’t find her romance quite as realistic.
After a slow start The Rift becomes a very readable thriller.
Major Helen Scott of the Royal Military Police is in Paris overseeing the security arrangements for a NATO-Afghan summit when the British Ambassador asks her to go to Lyon to liaise on the kidnapping of Algerian magnate Khalil Said al-Rashid ibn Dalmani’s eldest son, because the main suspect is Fawaz bin Nabil, a well known arms and drug smuggler, whom the ambassador suspects of plotting to endanger his summit.
I am a fan of the DI Kelly Porter series so I was interested to see what Ms Lynch could do out with her comfort zone. It must be said that France, North Africa and terrorism are a far cry from the Lake District and yet she handles it with aplomb, dexterity and detailed knowledge. I will admit that this praise stems from later in the novel because the first quarter did not hold my attention at all and I put it down frequently, loath to pick it up again. There is a lot of necessary scene setting that flits between characters and scenarios, but it gives the reader nothing of substance to grab hold of because it doesn’t stay long enough with any one character and only hints at motivation in a loose way.
Once, however, Helen moves to Lyon and her investigation gets going the pace picks up and my interest level rose accordingly. The plotting is tight and the powers available to the police under the guise of counterterrorism activity eye opening. I really liked the neat efficiency of it all. Needless to say, the final blaze of glory action scene is a cracker, unusual and clever, although I was slightly disappointed that the twist I was expecting didn’t happen, but then this isn’t really a novel with twists. Yes, there are surprises, but no real twists, rather it is a fast moving investigation with one development leading to the next.
I’m not quite sure what to think about Major Helen Scott. She is definitely very likeable by the end of the novel when her secrets and sorrows have been revealed and she has proved herself to be more than competent in her field. I liked the small bit of reality when her educated surmises were not taken seriously by her male colleagues. I didn’t find her romance quite as realistic.
After a slow start The Rift becomes a very readable thriller.
May 31, 2021
I thoroughly enjoy Rachel Lynch’s DI Kelly Porter series so I was delighted to discover she was releasing this standalone thriller, The Rift. It was great to see what Rachel Lynch can do in addition to that series and she really hits the bullseye!
Major Helen Scott works for the Royal Military Police and is asked to lead a NATO summit security team in Paris. She has barely unpacked when she is dispatched to Lyon on a mission involving international kidnapping. Helen is prepared to do whatever it takes to complete the job, even when it means having to trust someone from her painful past.
Kahlil Dalmani and Fawaz bin Nabil grew up together in Algiers and were very close. Now, both very successful businessmen, they chose very different routes to get there and are estranged. When Fawaz is desperate for help from his former friend, Kahlil refuses to assist. Kahlil Dalmani a billionaire, is an oil magnate and has inherited an empire, AlGaz. His eldest son, 20-year-old Hakim is at university in Paris. Despite employing a bodyguard for his son, Hakim has disappeared from the airport in Paris.
Rachel Lynch’s overall style awed me again in this compelling, wonderfully thrilling tale. The story really gets going once Helen goes to Lyon. The plotting is tight and I really liked the neat and efficient deliverance. The final action scene is clever and a real cracker. There are plenty of surprises, in this galloping, blisteringly-paced investigation with one development leading rapidly onto the next. For me, The Rift has it all - a plot brimming with reveals, suspense, and an intense and riveting ending as well as characters that are believable and you want to care about. Very highly recommended and well worth reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Canelo via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Major Helen Scott works for the Royal Military Police and is asked to lead a NATO summit security team in Paris. She has barely unpacked when she is dispatched to Lyon on a mission involving international kidnapping. Helen is prepared to do whatever it takes to complete the job, even when it means having to trust someone from her painful past.
Kahlil Dalmani and Fawaz bin Nabil grew up together in Algiers and were very close. Now, both very successful businessmen, they chose very different routes to get there and are estranged. When Fawaz is desperate for help from his former friend, Kahlil refuses to assist. Kahlil Dalmani a billionaire, is an oil magnate and has inherited an empire, AlGaz. His eldest son, 20-year-old Hakim is at university in Paris. Despite employing a bodyguard for his son, Hakim has disappeared from the airport in Paris.
Rachel Lynch’s overall style awed me again in this compelling, wonderfully thrilling tale. The story really gets going once Helen goes to Lyon. The plotting is tight and I really liked the neat and efficient deliverance. The final action scene is clever and a real cracker. There are plenty of surprises, in this galloping, blisteringly-paced investigation with one development leading rapidly onto the next. For me, The Rift has it all - a plot brimming with reveals, suspense, and an intense and riveting ending as well as characters that are believable and you want to care about. Very highly recommended and well worth reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Canelo via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
October 3, 2024
I listened to this on audiobook (thank you Libby app!) and the female narrator is a pro. And easy to listen to. This is the 1st book in the series “Helen Scott Royal Military Police”, which I’ve read out of order but it still has worked for me.
I prefer novels by women authors about strong and interesting women. Major Helen Scott is both of these as well as a highly intelligent person and well recognized for it, with of course some jealous colleagues. In some ways, this novel might be better read in a book form since there are so many secondary characters to keep track of. I wanted her in every scene but many scenes were about the Algerian men.
Thank you Rachel Lynch for another thriller that illuminates people’s strengths, troubles, weaknesses, and interests. I enjoyed reading about the Algerians in France. TY for your publisher who signed you and continues to bring us your interesting and intriguing novels.
Look at the publishers blurb for more.
I prefer novels by women authors about strong and interesting women. Major Helen Scott is both of these as well as a highly intelligent person and well recognized for it, with of course some jealous colleagues. In some ways, this novel might be better read in a book form since there are so many secondary characters to keep track of. I wanted her in every scene but many scenes were about the Algerian men.
Thank you Rachel Lynch for another thriller that illuminates people’s strengths, troubles, weaknesses, and interests. I enjoyed reading about the Algerians in France. TY for your publisher who signed you and continues to bring us your interesting and intriguing novels.
Look at the publishers blurb for more.
April 10, 2022
Another great book by Rachel Lynch
March 23, 2021
I have loved Rachel Lynch's work since I read the first Detective Kelly Porter book Dark Game. I was really interested to see if the author could deliver what both the prologue and synopsis was offering and boy did she deliver! We meet a new protagonist in a new setting in #TheRift Helen Scott, a Major in the Royal Military Police who's current assignment is to oversee with the security at a Nato summit in Versailles.
With the kidnap of Hakim the son of Kalil Dalmani, an exceptionally influential and wealthy Algerian business man. Hakim studies in Paris and because his father was so high profile he had been on some kind of "worst case scenario courses", he also had a guard of his own, Jean-Luc. Following the kidnap someone with Major Scott's talents and experience was needed in Lyon to liaise with Interpol ASAP! This is the stuff she lived for and it's what she does best, at least that's what the reputation which preceded her tells us. Grant Tennyson is the newly employed head of security for the Dalmani family so obviously his first job is to figure out where his one and only suspect Fawaz bin Nabil has got him held. Sadly the 2 older men where friends many years ago but they are sworn enemies. Fawaz is also an extremely weathly man, he was the CEO of Nabil Tradings Incorporated.
As always it's good to meet a new set of characters making sense of who fits where and why, immediately in this book one of my firm favourites was Grant Tennyson, although every time I saw just his surname I thought of Jane Tennyson it did make me smile. Major Helen Scott initially comes across as what I'd call a bit of a coldfish and more than a little standoffish it wasn't long before I wanted to know her backstory and why she was that way. We also had Sylyvia Drogan now I'll be honest and admit that for some reason I didn't quite trust her but she did appear to come good in the end.
I have noticed over the last 3 or 4 years that the majority of my reads have been home grown crime thrillers by home grown authors. Maybe becasue it's been a while since I've had to dust off my passport but I definitely needed it for #TheRift especially as we jaunted off to Paris and Morroco just to name a few places. I think that could have been part of the reason why it took me a few chapters to get as caught up as I normally would be with something from the author. I didn't realise until recently that this has been written as a standalone but theres definite scope for a series following the antics of this dastardly duo.
Read for an honest review. Thanks to the author Ms Lynch, #Netgalley and Canelo
With the kidnap of Hakim the son of Kalil Dalmani, an exceptionally influential and wealthy Algerian business man. Hakim studies in Paris and because his father was so high profile he had been on some kind of "worst case scenario courses", he also had a guard of his own, Jean-Luc. Following the kidnap someone with Major Scott's talents and experience was needed in Lyon to liaise with Interpol ASAP! This is the stuff she lived for and it's what she does best, at least that's what the reputation which preceded her tells us. Grant Tennyson is the newly employed head of security for the Dalmani family so obviously his first job is to figure out where his one and only suspect Fawaz bin Nabil has got him held. Sadly the 2 older men where friends many years ago but they are sworn enemies. Fawaz is also an extremely weathly man, he was the CEO of Nabil Tradings Incorporated.
As always it's good to meet a new set of characters making sense of who fits where and why, immediately in this book one of my firm favourites was Grant Tennyson, although every time I saw just his surname I thought of Jane Tennyson it did make me smile. Major Helen Scott initially comes across as what I'd call a bit of a coldfish and more than a little standoffish it wasn't long before I wanted to know her backstory and why she was that way. We also had Sylyvia Drogan now I'll be honest and admit that for some reason I didn't quite trust her but she did appear to come good in the end.
I have noticed over the last 3 or 4 years that the majority of my reads have been home grown crime thrillers by home grown authors. Maybe becasue it's been a while since I've had to dust off my passport but I definitely needed it for #TheRift especially as we jaunted off to Paris and Morroco just to name a few places. I think that could have been part of the reason why it took me a few chapters to get as caught up as I normally would be with something from the author. I didn't realise until recently that this has been written as a standalone but theres definite scope for a series following the antics of this dastardly duo.
Read for an honest review. Thanks to the author Ms Lynch, #Netgalley and Canelo
April 5, 2021
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this gripping novel
oh were to start...a stand alone novel from this author and hopefully not the last after reading this one...
normally middle eastern books with politics involved doesnt interest me and this had it by the spades...but the actual storyline gripped me
a young man is kidnapped, his father is one of the riches men in the world and he is about to be blackmailed...
wow this book had me hooked right from the beginning...though i struggled with certain names and places the actually kidnapping and blackmail caught my attention and gripped me right to the end...
brilliant, thoroughly enjoyed it
cant wait for the next book off this author
oh were to start...a stand alone novel from this author and hopefully not the last after reading this one...
normally middle eastern books with politics involved doesnt interest me and this had it by the spades...but the actual storyline gripped me
a young man is kidnapped, his father is one of the riches men in the world and he is about to be blackmailed...
wow this book had me hooked right from the beginning...though i struggled with certain names and places the actually kidnapping and blackmail caught my attention and gripped me right to the end...
brilliant, thoroughly enjoyed it
cant wait for the next book off this author
March 17, 2021
Major Helen Scott is very good at what she does and her reputation usually precedes her. A serving officer in the Royal Military Police, when she is assigned a case her superiors, whatever they think of her, know she will get the job done.
As the lead security expert for the forthcoming NATO summit in Paris, Helen has no doubt she can do the job even if the city holds painful memories for her of a life almost lived. Before she has even had time to unpack however, she is sent to Lyon to liaise with Interpol after the kidnapping of the son of Kahlil Dalmani, a vitally important and exceptionally wealthy player in the trade between Europe and North Africa.
Grant Tennyson is ex-military and has recently been hired as head of security for all of Dalmani's business interests and it falls to him to try to locate Hakim before the unthinkable happens. With time against him, Grant finds himself working in unwilling tandem with the Interpol investigators trying to locate witnesses or those close to his number one suspect, Kahlil’s childhood friend, but present day enemy, Fawaz bin Nabil before the local authorities close in on them.
With the clock ticking Grant and Helen find themselves chasing down the same leads from different angles until a devastating piece of information changes their focus completely as they realise just what they are up against.
This is a standalone from the author of the excellent DI Kelly Porter series and although totally different is every bit as captivating as her previous books. I don't usually read thrillers but as with Helen, Rachel Lynch's reputation precedes her and I loved it. The amount of research undertaken must have been staggering because this novel moves through so many different scenarios and never feels wrong or factually weak. I don't know if there will be any future outings for Helen or Grant but I will definitely be looking out for them, just in case.
Helen and Grant are great protagonists and although I wasn't sure if this book, being so different to Ms Lynch's previous series, was my kind of read I was totally hooked very early on. The gradual discovery of what happened to Hakim was only one part of a mystery which didn't become clear until the finale took my breath away with its complexity and audacity.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller even though it was outside my comfort zone. I am delighted I took the chance on it.
As the lead security expert for the forthcoming NATO summit in Paris, Helen has no doubt she can do the job even if the city holds painful memories for her of a life almost lived. Before she has even had time to unpack however, she is sent to Lyon to liaise with Interpol after the kidnapping of the son of Kahlil Dalmani, a vitally important and exceptionally wealthy player in the trade between Europe and North Africa.
Grant Tennyson is ex-military and has recently been hired as head of security for all of Dalmani's business interests and it falls to him to try to locate Hakim before the unthinkable happens. With time against him, Grant finds himself working in unwilling tandem with the Interpol investigators trying to locate witnesses or those close to his number one suspect, Kahlil’s childhood friend, but present day enemy, Fawaz bin Nabil before the local authorities close in on them.
With the clock ticking Grant and Helen find themselves chasing down the same leads from different angles until a devastating piece of information changes their focus completely as they realise just what they are up against.
This is a standalone from the author of the excellent DI Kelly Porter series and although totally different is every bit as captivating as her previous books. I don't usually read thrillers but as with Helen, Rachel Lynch's reputation precedes her and I loved it. The amount of research undertaken must have been staggering because this novel moves through so many different scenarios and never feels wrong or factually weak. I don't know if there will be any future outings for Helen or Grant but I will definitely be looking out for them, just in case.
Helen and Grant are great protagonists and although I wasn't sure if this book, being so different to Ms Lynch's previous series, was my kind of read I was totally hooked very early on. The gradual discovery of what happened to Hakim was only one part of a mystery which didn't become clear until the finale took my breath away with its complexity and audacity.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller even though it was outside my comfort zone. I am delighted I took the chance on it.
April 6, 2021
Major Helen Scott has been tasked with checking the security at Versailles for a NATO Summit. When a kidnapping situation develops she is dispatched to Interpol Headquarters in Lyon to rescue the hostage and to check for any connection.
When her ex Grant Tennyson turns up with more intel things develop very quickly.
#Netgalley #The Rift #Rachel Lynch
When her ex Grant Tennyson turns up with more intel things develop very quickly.
#Netgalley #The Rift #Rachel Lynch
March 14, 2021
“The Rift” is an explosive and gripping crime thriller written by the brilliant British fiction author, Rachel Lynch. With well-honed crime writing skills, Lynch writes to show that to save one life, sometimes you have to risk others.
Major Helen Scott, 35, is a high ranking officer in the Royal Military Police. She’s been pulled in to lead a NATO summit security team in Versailles and then dispatched to Lyon on a mission involving international kidnapping. Driven towards success, Helen does whatever it takes to get the job done, even when it means having to trust someone from her painful past.
Fawaz bin Nabil, a native of Algiers and a billionaire, built his empire on illegal trade at the cost of his friendship with a family friend. He’s been under surveillance by the Americans lately, and although there’s no link to illegal arms dealing, they suspect him of being responsible for Morocco’s hashish export. Needing help to transport items for his business, Nabil Tradings Incorporated, he asks his estranged friend if he can use his ships between Algiers and Marseilles. When refused, he does what he knows will hurt Kahlil the most; take the most precious thing he owns. More precious than his trading deals, his tankers, his oil and his pipeline with the Americans, Nabil kidnaps his former friend’s eldest son, Hakim.
Kahlil Dalmani, also a native of Algiers and a billionaire, is an oil magnate and has inherited an empire, AlGaz. His eldest son, 20 year old Hakim, attends university in Paris. Knowing the nature of his own lifestyle and its hazards, he has employed a bodyguard for his son. Unfortunately, despite precautions, Hakim has disappeared from the airport in Paris.
I believe Lynch’s personal knowledge of the military has helped with the success of this book. Not only does it show in her well-crafted characters and their reactions, it also shows in the plot and the manner in which the background information is shared with readers. It was fast-paced with lots of twists and I was on the edge of my seat wondering if they’d get to Hakim in time. I thought it sad that Fawaz had to push everyone away from him because he knew he lived in a world where they couldn’t be protected. Is it worth it to be a part of that world? I hope to see Helen and Grant in a sequel as I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to them yet! You won’t have to read too far to agree that this novel has amazing potential for screen adaptation.
Thank you to Rachel Lynch, Canelo, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Publishes April 22, 2021
Major Helen Scott, 35, is a high ranking officer in the Royal Military Police. She’s been pulled in to lead a NATO summit security team in Versailles and then dispatched to Lyon on a mission involving international kidnapping. Driven towards success, Helen does whatever it takes to get the job done, even when it means having to trust someone from her painful past.
Fawaz bin Nabil, a native of Algiers and a billionaire, built his empire on illegal trade at the cost of his friendship with a family friend. He’s been under surveillance by the Americans lately, and although there’s no link to illegal arms dealing, they suspect him of being responsible for Morocco’s hashish export. Needing help to transport items for his business, Nabil Tradings Incorporated, he asks his estranged friend if he can use his ships between Algiers and Marseilles. When refused, he does what he knows will hurt Kahlil the most; take the most precious thing he owns. More precious than his trading deals, his tankers, his oil and his pipeline with the Americans, Nabil kidnaps his former friend’s eldest son, Hakim.
Kahlil Dalmani, also a native of Algiers and a billionaire, is an oil magnate and has inherited an empire, AlGaz. His eldest son, 20 year old Hakim, attends university in Paris. Knowing the nature of his own lifestyle and its hazards, he has employed a bodyguard for his son. Unfortunately, despite precautions, Hakim has disappeared from the airport in Paris.
I believe Lynch’s personal knowledge of the military has helped with the success of this book. Not only does it show in her well-crafted characters and their reactions, it also shows in the plot and the manner in which the background information is shared with readers. It was fast-paced with lots of twists and I was on the edge of my seat wondering if they’d get to Hakim in time. I thought it sad that Fawaz had to push everyone away from him because he knew he lived in a world where they couldn’t be protected. Is it worth it to be a part of that world? I hope to see Helen and Grant in a sequel as I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to them yet! You won’t have to read too far to agree that this novel has amazing potential for screen adaptation.
Thank you to Rachel Lynch, Canelo, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Publishes April 22, 2021
March 21, 2021
Enjoyed this read far more than I expected to given it wasn’t the type of read I would normally go for but I was recommended the author by a friend. Great detail and thought went into the writing and the final few chapters had me gripped and chewing my lip as it all came to a head. I’ll certainly be looking into other books by Rachel Lynch.
March 14, 2021
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
to much to-ing and fro-ing for my taste, it does come together at the end but a bit weird for my taste
to much to-ing and fro-ing for my taste, it does come together at the end but a bit weird for my taste
March 28, 2021
This was a conspiracy thriller which was mostly exciting and entertaining. Helen Scott is a member of the military police and she is assigned to look in to the security of a summit of world leaders taking place in Versailles. As part of this assignment she is asked to investigate the kidnapping of university student, Hakim, son of a millionaire Algerian businessman, Khalil. In the course of her search for Hakim she uncovers a link to Fawaz, a wealthy drug and arms smuggler and there is then a rush to find Hakim alive and stop a plot that Fawaz has instigated. Why has Fawaz kidnapped Khalil’s son and what has this got to do with the world summit?
Although the book was generally a good thriller, it contained a lot of extraneous information from different characters points of view and so many characters that I found it quite difficult to work out who everyone was. At one point I was skim reading the extra descriptive sections which were complicated and went on for far too long. This movement between these different view points definitely slowed down the narrative for me and I think a bit of judicial editing would improve the flow of the story. The last section of the novel definitely picked up and by this stage I was thoroughly invested in the plot.
I really liked the bits about Helen Scott, herself including her back story and previous relationship with the head of Khalil’s security.
I can see this book being part of a series and would be happy to read the next episode in Helen Scott’s career.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.
Although the book was generally a good thriller, it contained a lot of extraneous information from different characters points of view and so many characters that I found it quite difficult to work out who everyone was. At one point I was skim reading the extra descriptive sections which were complicated and went on for far too long. This movement between these different view points definitely slowed down the narrative for me and I think a bit of judicial editing would improve the flow of the story. The last section of the novel definitely picked up and by this stage I was thoroughly invested in the plot.
I really liked the bits about Helen Scott, herself including her back story and previous relationship with the head of Khalil’s security.
I can see this book being part of a series and would be happy to read the next episode in Helen Scott’s career.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2021
4.5* The Rift is Rachel Lynch’s latest book it is set mainly in France as its main character, Major Helen Scott of the Royal Military Police (RMP) is assigned to the British Ambassador in Paris. She is to oversee the security for a NATO summit.
As she is undertaking this duty she is also tasked to assist Interpol with a missing persons case. The son of Khalil Dalmani, a very wealthy man, is kidnapped as he returns to Paris where he’s been studying.
Helen understands the situation not only from a work point of view, her skill set is quite something, but also as she is able to empathise with the young mans parents with regard to the potential loss of a child. She has, albeit under different circumstances, tragically suffered such a loss and is determined that their son will be found.
It’s an intriguing case in which a possible suspect is soon on Major Scott’s radar. Fawaz bin Nabil is known to Interpol and has been the subject of a US operation but why would Fawaz have Khalil’s son taken? Is there a link to her work for the Ambassador?
Whilst Helen Scott is the main character and I really liked her, we also have parts of the book from the kidnapped Hakim’s point of view as well as Khalil, Fawaz and Grant Tennyson. Tennyson works for Khalil heading up security in AlGaz Khalil’s company. Interpol are investigating Hakim’s kidnapping but Khalil wants Grant to undertake his own search to find Hakim.
Rachel Lynch balances each of these threads beautifully as the story unfolds and we are privy not only to what is happening with the investigation but what is happening beyond it. Each thread is drawn together as we and Scott begin to understand, albeit through some complicated information, what is happening and how it all fits in.
This is a fascinating insight not only into the work of an RMP officer, Interpol and security forces but also of the criminal/terrorist workings and mindset. It doesn’t just give you ‘goodies vs baddies’ although it is quite clear on that front but the author allows you to understand why things are happening without any over sentimentalism.
The pace of the book is really good allowing lots of information to be processed without getting bogged down in it, describing some really wonderful scenes for the understanding of the characters, the geographical settings and the on the ground operations as they take place so you feel like it is all unfolding before your very eyes. Culminating in a thrilling, intense and riveting conclusion.
Rachel Lynch writes and you are transported into another world. The Rift is compelling, a cracking story and well worth reading.
My Thoughts on Rachel Lynch’s DI Kelly Porter Books:-
Bold Lies | Bitter Edge | Dead End | Deep Fear | Dark Game | Blood Rites | Little Doubt | Lost Cause
Can be found on my GoodRead or my blog*
Thanks: My thanks to Emma at #damppebblestours for the invite to join the blog tour for The Rift and for an eCopy of the book from Canelo.
Blog Tour: Why not check out the rest of the tour? It’s on Twitter until 21st April
You’ll certainly be dying to read The Rift by then so why not get it ordered now? There are lot’s of options on my blog (*www.LoveBooksReadBooks.com) or, you know, now they’re open again maybe get it from your favourite bookshop.
As she is undertaking this duty she is also tasked to assist Interpol with a missing persons case. The son of Khalil Dalmani, a very wealthy man, is kidnapped as he returns to Paris where he’s been studying.
Helen understands the situation not only from a work point of view, her skill set is quite something, but also as she is able to empathise with the young mans parents with regard to the potential loss of a child. She has, albeit under different circumstances, tragically suffered such a loss and is determined that their son will be found.
It’s an intriguing case in which a possible suspect is soon on Major Scott’s radar. Fawaz bin Nabil is known to Interpol and has been the subject of a US operation but why would Fawaz have Khalil’s son taken? Is there a link to her work for the Ambassador?
Whilst Helen Scott is the main character and I really liked her, we also have parts of the book from the kidnapped Hakim’s point of view as well as Khalil, Fawaz and Grant Tennyson. Tennyson works for Khalil heading up security in AlGaz Khalil’s company. Interpol are investigating Hakim’s kidnapping but Khalil wants Grant to undertake his own search to find Hakim.
Rachel Lynch balances each of these threads beautifully as the story unfolds and we are privy not only to what is happening with the investigation but what is happening beyond it. Each thread is drawn together as we and Scott begin to understand, albeit through some complicated information, what is happening and how it all fits in.
This is a fascinating insight not only into the work of an RMP officer, Interpol and security forces but also of the criminal/terrorist workings and mindset. It doesn’t just give you ‘goodies vs baddies’ although it is quite clear on that front but the author allows you to understand why things are happening without any over sentimentalism.
The pace of the book is really good allowing lots of information to be processed without getting bogged down in it, describing some really wonderful scenes for the understanding of the characters, the geographical settings and the on the ground operations as they take place so you feel like it is all unfolding before your very eyes. Culminating in a thrilling, intense and riveting conclusion.
Rachel Lynch writes and you are transported into another world. The Rift is compelling, a cracking story and well worth reading.
My Thoughts on Rachel Lynch’s DI Kelly Porter Books:-
Bold Lies | Bitter Edge | Dead End | Deep Fear | Dark Game | Blood Rites | Little Doubt | Lost Cause
Can be found on my GoodRead or my blog*
Thanks: My thanks to Emma at #damppebblestours for the invite to join the blog tour for The Rift and for an eCopy of the book from Canelo.
Blog Tour: Why not check out the rest of the tour? It’s on Twitter until 21st April
You’ll certainly be dying to read The Rift by then so why not get it ordered now? There are lot’s of options on my blog (*www.LoveBooksReadBooks.com) or, you know, now they’re open again maybe get it from your favourite bookshop.
May 5, 2021
Rachel Lynch has been on my radar for quite some time as I have gradually been collecting her DI Kelly Porter novels but unfortunately I haven't read any of them yet. The author's outstanding reputation drew me to The Rift before I had even read the blurb and I have to say that this book is even better than I expected.
Incredibly well written, this is a book that grabbed me from the start and didn't let go. I loved the character of Major Helen Scott; she's not only brilliant at her job, she has had to overcome sexism in the workplace and she has had to deal with her own grief after suffering a terrible tragedy. Of all this makes Helen more human and relatable, enabling her character to virtually leap out from the page. I have my fingers crossed that this isn't the last we'll hear of Major Helen Scott.
I don't want to say too much about the plot other than to say it is breathtakingly brilliant. I don't know whether that sort of thing is possible but it's certainly very believable and incredibly scary. I even jumped in shock towards the end and I found myself holding my breath as the vivid and dramatic scene played out in front of my eyes.
One thing to pay attention to is the exotic names of the characters. I wish I'd taken a note of some of the names because it sometimes caused me a little bit of confusion as to which side they were on. It's not a criticism of the book at all as I think this is mostly down to me reading kindle books in bed just before I go to sleep so my concentration levels aren't at their peak.
Blisteringly fast-paced and completely gripping, The Rift is a fantastic read; it's like a whole series of 24 squeezed into one book with a strong female lead who shows Jack Bauer how it should be done. I'm really looking forward to reading more Rachel Lynch books so it's lucky for me that I already have her whole back catalogue sitting on my bookshelf.
I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Incredibly well written, this is a book that grabbed me from the start and didn't let go. I loved the character of Major Helen Scott; she's not only brilliant at her job, she has had to overcome sexism in the workplace and she has had to deal with her own grief after suffering a terrible tragedy. Of all this makes Helen more human and relatable, enabling her character to virtually leap out from the page. I have my fingers crossed that this isn't the last we'll hear of Major Helen Scott.
I don't want to say too much about the plot other than to say it is breathtakingly brilliant. I don't know whether that sort of thing is possible but it's certainly very believable and incredibly scary. I even jumped in shock towards the end and I found myself holding my breath as the vivid and dramatic scene played out in front of my eyes.
One thing to pay attention to is the exotic names of the characters. I wish I'd taken a note of some of the names because it sometimes caused me a little bit of confusion as to which side they were on. It's not a criticism of the book at all as I think this is mostly down to me reading kindle books in bed just before I go to sleep so my concentration levels aren't at their peak.
Blisteringly fast-paced and completely gripping, The Rift is a fantastic read; it's like a whole series of 24 squeezed into one book with a strong female lead who shows Jack Bauer how it should be done. I'm really looking forward to reading more Rachel Lynch books so it's lucky for me that I already have her whole back catalogue sitting on my bookshelf.
I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
May 11, 2021
This was a harder than usual book to review. Some books fly and others are a struggle. This book was a fight, but not due to any fault of the story or the author. It was because of personal reasons of mine as the reader. While this is packaged as a crime thriller(and it is!), first and foremost, I found The Rift to be a book about the love of a parent for a child. And the scope that grief can cause a person to act out in.
The Rift has 2 main plots, that of the kidnapping of Hakim Dalmani and the security of the upcoming NATO summit, as well as a third minor plot regarding Helen’s Scott’s former lover and the child they lost. The author has definitely done extensive research on military and diplomatic security measures, reading the passages regarding these topics made me feel as though I was in the room with the characters and the air of confidence and competence was impressive. Equally, the moments with Hakim as he processes his kidnapping and his fight to survive filled me with empathy for his plight. These seemingly unconnected events are interwoven strand by strand, growing ever tighter until the enormity of a revenge plot years in the making is unveiled.
Rachel Lynch has a way of describing both the environs and the personalities of her characters that makes them both real and relatable, whether they are hero, villain, or innocent bystander. The Rift is a solid thriller with that links international crime and terrorist threats to a wonderful understanding of how international cooperation between nations and their agencies can be incredibly effective and how the human element (our emotions and motivations) can have wide reaching effects.
The Rift has 2 main plots, that of the kidnapping of Hakim Dalmani and the security of the upcoming NATO summit, as well as a third minor plot regarding Helen’s Scott’s former lover and the child they lost. The author has definitely done extensive research on military and diplomatic security measures, reading the passages regarding these topics made me feel as though I was in the room with the characters and the air of confidence and competence was impressive. Equally, the moments with Hakim as he processes his kidnapping and his fight to survive filled me with empathy for his plight. These seemingly unconnected events are interwoven strand by strand, growing ever tighter until the enormity of a revenge plot years in the making is unveiled.
Rachel Lynch has a way of describing both the environs and the personalities of her characters that makes them both real and relatable, whether they are hero, villain, or innocent bystander. The Rift is a solid thriller with that links international crime and terrorist threats to a wonderful understanding of how international cooperation between nations and their agencies can be incredibly effective and how the human element (our emotions and motivations) can have wide reaching effects.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews