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Alexander Hawke #11
Dragonfire
December 8, 1941, Washington, D.C.
The new Chinese ambassador to the United States, Tiger Tang, meets with President Roosevelt one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. For the next four years, China and the U.S. will be wartime allies, but the charming, sophisticated ambassador may be playing his own treacherous game.
Today, The Bahamas
Alex Hawke is recovering from serious injuries incurred during a battle with a malevolent enemy. His recuperation is interrupted by a desperate call from the Queen. Her favorite grandson has disappeared in the Bahamas. Lord Hawke is the only man she trusts with a mission this sensitive. All she knows is that the young prince was last seen at the exclusive Dragonfire nightclub owned by the nefarious Tang brothers, grandsons of Ambassador Tiger Tang.
The new Chinese ambassador to the United States, Tiger Tang, meets with President Roosevelt one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. For the next four years, China and the U.S. will be wartime allies, but the charming, sophisticated ambassador may be playing his own treacherous game.
Today, The Bahamas
Alex Hawke is recovering from serious injuries incurred during a battle with a malevolent enemy. His recuperation is interrupted by a desperate call from the Queen. Her favorite grandson has disappeared in the Bahamas. Lord Hawke is the only man she trusts with a mission this sensitive. All she knows is that the young prince was last seen at the exclusive Dragonfire nightclub owned by the nefarious Tang brothers, grandsons of Ambassador Tiger Tang.
Audiobook
First published July 21, 2020
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About the author
Ted Bell
51 books859 followersTed Bell was the author of 12 consecutive New York Times best sellers and a former advertising executive. He began his advertising career in the 1970’s as a junior copywriter at Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB), New York. At the age of 25, he sold his first screenplay to Hollywood, as well as became the youngest vice-president in the storied history of DDB. He then joined Leo Burnett Co., Chicago, as a creative director and four years later, he was named President, Chicago Creative Officer where he was credited with developing numerous innovative and award-winning advertising campaigns. In 1982, Bell joined Young & Rubicam, London, and in 1991 he became the Vice Chairman and Worldwide Creative Director. Ted won every award the advertising industry offers, including numerous Clios and Cannes Gold Lions, and while at Young & Rubicam, the Grand Prix at the Cannes Festival. In 2001, Ted retired to write full time. He has 10 New York Times Bestsellers to his credit: The Alex Hawke series of spy thrillers published by HarperCollins and the young adult targeted time travel adventure series, Nick of Time and The Time Pirate published by St. Martins Press.
A native Floridian, Bell graduated from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia and was a former member of the college’s Board of Trustees. He held an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Kendall College in Michigan. Bell was also an Adjunct Professor of English Literature at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. He was a member of the Defense Orientation Conference Association (DOCA), a program run by the Department of Defense in support of America’s military. He served on the Advisory Board at George Washington’s Home at Mount Vernon, a group chaired by former Secretary of the Army, Togo West. He also served for a time as an advisor to the Undersecretary for Domestic Relations at the U.S. Department of State.
For the 2011-2012 Academic Year, Sir Richard Dearlove, Former Chief of MI6, British Intelligence, sponsored Ted to become a Visiting Scholar at Cambridge University (UK). In addition, he was named Writer-in-Residence at Sydney-Sussex College, Cambridge and studied at the University’s Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLIS) under the tutelage of Sir Dearlove, who was the Master of Pembroke College.
In May 2018, Ted published OVERKILL, the 10th book in the popular Alex Hawke spy thriller series.
In January 2019, Ted and Jon Adler of Jon Adler Films formed El Dorado Entertainment, a feature film and television production company based in New York.
In July 2019, Ted signed a two-book deal with Random House.
In July 2020, the 11th Alex Hawke thriller, DRAGONFIRE, was published.
On December 7, 2021, the 12th Alex Hawke thriller, SEA HAWKE was published.
Ted appeared on numerous television and radio programs and was a featured speaker at associations, clubs, libraries and organizations across the country.
Ted traveled the world and lived in Italy, London, France, Palm Beach, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Maine. He last lived in a beloved 19th century farmhouse in Connecticut.
A native Floridian, Bell graduated from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia and was a former member of the college’s Board of Trustees. He held an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Kendall College in Michigan. Bell was also an Adjunct Professor of English Literature at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. He was a member of the Defense Orientation Conference Association (DOCA), a program run by the Department of Defense in support of America’s military. He served on the Advisory Board at George Washington’s Home at Mount Vernon, a group chaired by former Secretary of the Army, Togo West. He also served for a time as an advisor to the Undersecretary for Domestic Relations at the U.S. Department of State.
For the 2011-2012 Academic Year, Sir Richard Dearlove, Former Chief of MI6, British Intelligence, sponsored Ted to become a Visiting Scholar at Cambridge University (UK). In addition, he was named Writer-in-Residence at Sydney-Sussex College, Cambridge and studied at the University’s Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLIS) under the tutelage of Sir Dearlove, who was the Master of Pembroke College.
In May 2018, Ted published OVERKILL, the 10th book in the popular Alex Hawke spy thriller series.
In January 2019, Ted and Jon Adler of Jon Adler Films formed El Dorado Entertainment, a feature film and television production company based in New York.
In July 2019, Ted signed a two-book deal with Random House.
In July 2020, the 11th Alex Hawke thriller, DRAGONFIRE, was published.
On December 7, 2021, the 12th Alex Hawke thriller, SEA HAWKE was published.
Ted appeared on numerous television and radio programs and was a featured speaker at associations, clubs, libraries and organizations across the country.
Ted traveled the world and lived in Italy, London, France, Palm Beach, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Maine. He last lived in a beloved 19th century farmhouse in Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
November 1, 2022
3.75 rounded up to 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Alex Hawke and his spy compadres are in the thick of it again as they race the clock for Queen and country.
This edition of the series has alternating storylines involving not only present-day Alex, but his grandfather “Blackie” as well who is fighting the Nazis with the help of a future author.
A lot going on in this book! 😊
Alex Hawke and his spy compadres are in the thick of it again as they race the clock for Queen and country.
This edition of the series has alternating storylines involving not only present-day Alex, but his grandfather “Blackie” as well who is fighting the Nazis with the help of a future author.
A lot going on in this book! 😊
August 5, 2020
This story is all over the place, including decades. Little of this novel is good. I miss the writer Ted Bell used to be. 1 of 10 stars
August 29, 2020
Settling in for another great Ted Bell thriller, the reader can expect much from Lord Alex Hawke and those around him. Bell creates a strong story and stellar characters that push this exciting adventure to new heights well into this series. When Lord Alex Hawke is called away from a dinner party to attend an issue back at his manor in Bermuda, he encounters a sword-wielding man who has been sent to kill him. While refusing his ultimate mission, the killer does leave Alex with a serious injury, forcing the gentleman spy tp convalesce in hospital. While he is in a coma, news comes that the Queen’s grandson has gone missing and Her Majesty refuses to allow anyone to investigate, save Lord Hawke. After he is healthy enough to leave the hospital, Hawke is told of the mission and agrees to scope things out at a resort in the Bahamas, the last place the scandalous prince was seen. In a parallel narrative, it is 1941 and the Japanese have just struck at Pearl Harbor. Tiger Tang arrives in Washington as the new Chinese Ambassador, ready to work with FDR on a joint effort to focus wartime attention on their mutual enemy. Tang may be a young playboy, but he has been called the ‘good egg’ of his well-known Chinese crime family. While Tang seeks to solidify the Chinese presence in Washington, he receives a disturbing message from home about a mission he should complete to ‘right the political discrepancy’. A somewhat interesting tertiary narrative sees Horatio Black ‘Blackie’ Hawke—grandfather to the present-day Lord Hawke—spend some time in Washington, where he rubs elbows with Ambassador Tang, before being called to London to help the British with the Nazis. Blackie works alongside Ian Fleming to sneak into Germany and try to derail the Nazi’s efforts as they build their strength. Returning to the modern Bahamas, Hawke and his compatriots arrive at the Dragonfire nightclub, the last known location of the prince. It also happens to be owned by the Tang Brothers, ruthless criminals in their own rights and grandsons of the aforementioned ambassador. While Hawke begins his search, he stumbles upon something even more troubling, something that will make a royal kidnapping seem like child’s play and will surely cause massive ripples on the international front. While Hawke knows that he must blow the lid off what he’s discovered, he must be careful or he may find himself in the middle of World War Three, with no way to save himself. A gripping tale that takes series fans deeper into the backstory of the Hawke family and shows that Lord Hawke is nothing if not resourceful. Recommended to series fans who need more Hawke, as well as those who enjoy a thorough and complex spy thriller.
I’ve spent years following and reading the entire Alex Hawke collection of novels, which seem to get better the more Ted Bell invests in their development. They may have a degree of fancifullness, but they are gripping and quite well constructed if one peels back the frills that Bell uses as a humorous offshoot of the central plot. Lord Alex Hawke remains the central character and appears to be embodying the modern James Bond. He has a man’s man mentality, able to slay any foe with little concern, while wooing the ladies with those deep, blue eyes. Hawke does have an emotional side, which is revealed at various points throughout the book and some quasi-backstory comes to the surface, if not a general familial one with the introduction of Blackey Hawke and the sub-plot that weaves its way throughout the novel. There are a number of returning characters, as well as some new faces, to entertain the reader. This mix of perspectives offers an interesting flavouring to the narrative and adds depth where Bell needs it to accentuate piece. The reader will have to pay close attention, as the names are numerous and how they fit into the larger story may become confusing to the uninitiated. The story itself was quite busy, with a number of storylines building off one another (and sometimes standing alone). While Bell has a great deal going on, much of it is necessary to understand the central story, though it takes a while to get there. Bell has a wonderful way of telling his stories and keeps the reader in the middle of the action, stopping only to offer some humour to cut the tension. There does not seem to be any clean ending to the series, though Bell seems always able to surprise me with new and time-relatable plots. I cannot wait to see what else Alex Hawke will do and how he continue to juggle his ever-growing list of female admirers.
If I may add something as an aside. As I listened to the audiobooks for this series, the switch from John Shea to Simon Vance threw me for a loop in this piece. Shea is THE voice of Bell’s books for me and has developed a great set of personalities that I have come to expect. Vance did well with this piece, but there were some things that I missed. Perhaps the swap out was for complex accents or availability, but audiobook series fans will have to take this into account when they delve into this eleventh novel.
Kudos, Mr. Bell, for another great book. I love my regular Hawke stories and hope you will keep them coming for years to come.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
I’ve spent years following and reading the entire Alex Hawke collection of novels, which seem to get better the more Ted Bell invests in their development. They may have a degree of fancifullness, but they are gripping and quite well constructed if one peels back the frills that Bell uses as a humorous offshoot of the central plot. Lord Alex Hawke remains the central character and appears to be embodying the modern James Bond. He has a man’s man mentality, able to slay any foe with little concern, while wooing the ladies with those deep, blue eyes. Hawke does have an emotional side, which is revealed at various points throughout the book and some quasi-backstory comes to the surface, if not a general familial one with the introduction of Blackey Hawke and the sub-plot that weaves its way throughout the novel. There are a number of returning characters, as well as some new faces, to entertain the reader. This mix of perspectives offers an interesting flavouring to the narrative and adds depth where Bell needs it to accentuate piece. The reader will have to pay close attention, as the names are numerous and how they fit into the larger story may become confusing to the uninitiated. The story itself was quite busy, with a number of storylines building off one another (and sometimes standing alone). While Bell has a great deal going on, much of it is necessary to understand the central story, though it takes a while to get there. Bell has a wonderful way of telling his stories and keeps the reader in the middle of the action, stopping only to offer some humour to cut the tension. There does not seem to be any clean ending to the series, though Bell seems always able to surprise me with new and time-relatable plots. I cannot wait to see what else Alex Hawke will do and how he continue to juggle his ever-growing list of female admirers.
If I may add something as an aside. As I listened to the audiobooks for this series, the switch from John Shea to Simon Vance threw me for a loop in this piece. Shea is THE voice of Bell’s books for me and has developed a great set of personalities that I have come to expect. Vance did well with this piece, but there were some things that I missed. Perhaps the swap out was for complex accents or availability, but audiobook series fans will have to take this into account when they delve into this eleventh novel.
Kudos, Mr. Bell, for another great book. I love my regular Hawke stories and hope you will keep them coming for years to come.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
August 12, 2020
Difficult getting into the stories...author is skipping back and forth between the two.
Not up to Ted Bell standards. Almost as though someone else wrote it.
Not sure I will finish it.
Not up to Ted Bell standards. Almost as though someone else wrote it.
Not sure I will finish it.
July 26, 2020
As a huge fan of the Alex Hawke series, I was disappointed in this offering. While the transitions from 1942 to present day showed promise, I felt that the characters of Tiger Tang and his descendants were never developed and his relationship with the President never rang true. Other gaps included no follow-up of the assailant Mr Smith, the engagement of the elder Hawke with the duplicitous Winnie Woolworth, the mysterious and invisible Tang twins, and the connection between the Tangs and the Hawkes. Still, spending a couple of days reuniting with Alex Hawke and company is always enjoyable.
July 30, 2020
As much as it pains me to say, I shall be moving on from this series. I wanted to give it another chance after the Overkill abortion, but it's clear that I've outgrown this cliched series. The only motivating factor that Alex Hawke has at this point is for those close to him to die horribly.
I'm happy for those of you who enjoyed this book, it's a great series and Alex is a great character and if you haven't read the previous books in the series, I highly recommend them. Unfortunately, things seem to have gone of the rails in the last few years and I won't be waiting around for the next one.
I'm happy for those of you who enjoyed this book, it's a great series and Alex is a great character and if you haven't read the previous books in the series, I highly recommend them. Unfortunately, things seem to have gone of the rails in the last few years and I won't be waiting around for the next one.
July 30, 2020
Very disappointed with the latest Hawke outing disjointed and bitty to say the least
July 30, 2020
The first half of Ted Bell's Alexander Hawke series was finely written, tightly plotted spy fiction with a touch of outlandishness; a kind of millennial James Bond for the 21st century. Starting with #7, Phantom, Bell began to lean on some of the genre's more tired tropes and spend less time making his plots fit together. He also kept going back to the well of killing whatever woman with whom Alex became involved in order to motivate the hero, a practice pop culture calls fridging. This, the 11th Hawke novel, so disposes of not one but two paramours in the course of its dual plotlines and would be given a negative star if such a rating existed.
While recuperating from an encounter with a vicious assassin. Alex Hawke is summoned by the Queen for the kind of discreet and ruthlessly competent service he has consistently provided in service to crown and country. But this request has a bit of a personal dimension as well, since it concerns a missing royal grandson last seen in a Bahamas nightclub owned by two notorious Chinese criminals. Though he may not be exactly 100% just yet, Hawke has enough in him to answer Her Majesty's call and woe betide any who stand in his way.
In a parallel story set during World War II, the new Chinese ambassador to the United States begins his job almost simultaneously with the Pearl Harbor attack by Japan and the declaration of war. Though he is meant to serve as a diplomat, Tiger Tang will find himself enmeshed in both British and American espionage work during the war, side by side with an Englishman named Ian Fleming and Horatio Hawke. Their descendants will meet also, as the grandchildren of Tiger Tang own the club, Dragonfire, where the royal grandson was last seen and where Alex Hawke will begin his search.
While Bell's writing in Dragonfire is just about as good as it has ever been, it's being used in service of two barely connected plots that have only the flimsiest reason to be between the same covers. The Tiger Tang narrative is interesting enough but neither it nor the hunt for Prince Henry makes a full story and combined the seams show clearly.
In the course of his hunt Alex reconnects with China Moon, a People's Republic secret service operative whom he crossed paths with several years ago. An old romance is rekindled as her loyalty to her nation and its goals take second place to her love of Alex. But wait, you ask. As I recall, in Overkill, Alex rekindled an old affair with Sigrid Kissl -- is he two-timing her? Of course not! Bell had Sigrid Kissl killed back in chapter 6 at the hands of renegade super-assassin Shit Smith, who will not, by the way, be seen again in this book. Sigrid is not even given the courtesy of being fridged for the current narrative, only a potential future one. China Moon will herself be killed in an epilogue, with Bell doubling down on his grotesque habit of killing any woman with whom Alex grows close.
It's not common to find so many hack habits and choices in a book by an author of Bell's clearly demonstrated but pointlessly employed skill. But he's a published best-selling author and if his publisher permits he can indulge himself however he pleases.
The reader, on the other hand, is cautioned against indulging him at all.
While recuperating from an encounter with a vicious assassin. Alex Hawke is summoned by the Queen for the kind of discreet and ruthlessly competent service he has consistently provided in service to crown and country. But this request has a bit of a personal dimension as well, since it concerns a missing royal grandson last seen in a Bahamas nightclub owned by two notorious Chinese criminals. Though he may not be exactly 100% just yet, Hawke has enough in him to answer Her Majesty's call and woe betide any who stand in his way.
In a parallel story set during World War II, the new Chinese ambassador to the United States begins his job almost simultaneously with the Pearl Harbor attack by Japan and the declaration of war. Though he is meant to serve as a diplomat, Tiger Tang will find himself enmeshed in both British and American espionage work during the war, side by side with an Englishman named Ian Fleming and Horatio Hawke. Their descendants will meet also, as the grandchildren of Tiger Tang own the club, Dragonfire, where the royal grandson was last seen and where Alex Hawke will begin his search.
While Bell's writing in Dragonfire is just about as good as it has ever been, it's being used in service of two barely connected plots that have only the flimsiest reason to be between the same covers. The Tiger Tang narrative is interesting enough but neither it nor the hunt for Prince Henry makes a full story and combined the seams show clearly.
In the course of his hunt Alex reconnects with China Moon, a People's Republic secret service operative whom he crossed paths with several years ago. An old romance is rekindled as her loyalty to her nation and its goals take second place to her love of Alex. But wait, you ask. As I recall, in Overkill, Alex rekindled an old affair with Sigrid Kissl -- is he two-timing her? Of course not! Bell had Sigrid Kissl killed back in chapter 6 at the hands of renegade super-assassin Shit Smith, who will not, by the way, be seen again in this book. Sigrid is not even given the courtesy of being fridged for the current narrative, only a potential future one. China Moon will herself be killed in an epilogue, with Bell doubling down on his grotesque habit of killing any woman with whom Alex grows close.
It's not common to find so many hack habits and choices in a book by an author of Bell's clearly demonstrated but pointlessly employed skill. But he's a published best-selling author and if his publisher permits he can indulge himself however he pleases.
The reader, on the other hand, is cautioned against indulging him at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2021
Too much shifting around. I gets boring in some spots. Not Ted's best. Besides Hawke is a solider of fortune NOT james bond.
August 17, 2020
Who wrote this story? Has Ted Bell gone on a long vacation? I have read all of Hawke's books from the very beginning and the last two books are not written by Ted Bell. There were times in this book I did not now what year it was and what was the connection between the two stories. As a matter of fact I did not see the link with one Tang being a good guy and the newer Tangs being despicable.
It would be wonderful if I could ask for my money back.
China Moon has been killed off and it is time for Alex to retire.
It would be wonderful if I could ask for my money back.
China Moon has been killed off and it is time for Alex to retire.
August 1, 2020
Very disappointed.
August 10, 2020
This novel is an absolute mess. If you must read the next Hawke novel then do so, but don't expect much.
July 28, 2020
Disappointing and awful
I love Alex Hawke but this was boring. Hardly any action. I still don't know what the point was of the WW2 references through half the book.
Really boring, if this was my first Alex Hawke, it would have been my last.
I will read all the reviews before I buy another one.
And this boring book was made worse by the wrong narrator. His voices were terrible, awful, Alex sounded like a whiny child and Stokely was just yuk! Ambrose was just as bad.
Why did John Shea not narrate this? I will not listen to another book by this narrator; no emotion, very very bad voices.
I am only giving it 2 stars because the other books were good. Sad sad day
I love Alex Hawke but this was boring. Hardly any action. I still don't know what the point was of the WW2 references through half the book.
Really boring, if this was my first Alex Hawke, it would have been my last.
I will read all the reviews before I buy another one.
And this boring book was made worse by the wrong narrator. His voices were terrible, awful, Alex sounded like a whiny child and Stokely was just yuk! Ambrose was just as bad.
Why did John Shea not narrate this? I will not listen to another book by this narrator; no emotion, very very bad voices.
I am only giving it 2 stars because the other books were good. Sad sad day
August 24, 2020
I liked Lord Hawke and his adventures, but there were many grammatical errors, duplicate words, and sentences repeated twice. I’m surprised the editor/ publisher let the book go to print with so many errors.
September 6, 2020
Can’t believe he dropped John Shea. Went through all of Ted Bell’s books during
this tough time. This was not up to Ted’s high standards. The book was all over the place and tough to get into any plot.F0r those of you who have read or listen to it , save your time
this tough time. This was not up to Ted’s high standards. The book was all over the place and tough to get into any plot.F0r those of you who have read or listen to it , save your time
March 1, 2022
Two alternating stories -- between WWII era and present day. I listened to the whole story and still couldn't make the connection and understand why the author found the need to run these stories together. The only good thing about this story was listening on my Kindle at 1.6 times regular speed to put me out of my misery faster. This narrator did NOT do just to the Stokely Jones character that previous narrators have. Don't waste your time - 1 out of 10.
August 4, 2020
Ted Bell holds a special place in my heart. I used to hate reading but while on vacation, my dad had Mr Bell's book "Assassin"about an English Lord named Alexander Hawke, descendant of the notorious pirate Blackhawke. From that book grew my love of reading and always enjoy the adventures of Lord Hawke. "Dragonfire" was no different. My only problem with this book is the dialogue seems a bit cheesy, but I'm not an English Aristocrat so it could just be me being a hillbilly. Regardless, I hope Lorde Hawke doesn't take two more years to show up. Thanks also to NetGalley for the chance to read a preview!
September 17, 2020
The 11th in Ted Bell's "Alex Hawke" series...Hawke, the British aristocrat-spy is again thrown into another conflict that brings world peace into peril...Unusually structured, we are given three parallel stories of Hawke, seeking the return of the Queen's kidnapped grandson that exposes a Chinese Triad's criminal and military threats in the Caribbean, a story of a Chinese ambassador's relationship with FDR and a story of Alex's Grandfather's spec ops against the Nazis during WWII...not the best in the series, but enjoyable for me because of my love for historical fiction.
August 19, 2020
Good grief this book is absolute garbage. Bell used to be able to write. I guess I won’t be reading any more Hawke. This honestly reads like a ten-year old wrote it. Abandoned.
September 17, 2020
I don’t think this was ever in the hands of a competent editor. I can’t believe I actually finished it.
August 5, 2020
Despite a dramatic though somewhat unbelievable opening scene in Ted Bell's Dragonfire (Penguin 2020), 11th in his storied Alex Hawke series, where Hawk is almost killed defending his manservant and sometimes best friend Pelham, the story quickly becomes the usual hard-charging who-done-it-and-how involving the talented British spy Lord Alexander Hawke and his sidekick Stokely Jones, spiced up with their usual enticing and cleverwit:
“Well! Zhang, my dear, here I was, all prepared for a battle of wits, but you appear to be unarmed. . . .”
They are charged with finding the Queen's missing adult grandson, also Hawke's godson, last seen at the swanky Bahamian resort, Dragonfire. To solve this requires a cold but fresh eye on events that happened during WWII that unexpectedly intersected with the present.
I'm a long time fan of the Alex Hawke series though the last few have lacked the earlier luster. They seem to be trying to present the same skill and cleverness of earlier novels with a hand tied behind the back, like I sometimes experience when reading novels from ghostwriters. I'd love to hear what you thought of this one.
“Well! Zhang, my dear, here I was, all prepared for a battle of wits, but you appear to be unarmed. . . .”
They are charged with finding the Queen's missing adult grandson, also Hawke's godson, last seen at the swanky Bahamian resort, Dragonfire. To solve this requires a cold but fresh eye on events that happened during WWII that unexpectedly intersected with the present.
I'm a long time fan of the Alex Hawke series though the last few have lacked the earlier luster. They seem to be trying to present the same skill and cleverness of earlier novels with a hand tied behind the back, like I sometimes experience when reading novels from ghostwriters. I'd love to hear what you thought of this one.
April 5, 2021
Something absolutely horrible has happened to this series, Ted Bell, the editors, or all of the above.
The Alex Hawke series is one of my favorites in some time. However, this book - as well as the proceeding book in the series "Overkill" - is an unmitigated disaster.
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Let me just say that this book bounces back and forth from 1940's to present day, which really hampers the cohesiveness of the story. The 2 timelines do not connect in ANY cohesive or relevant way. At the very least things would have been better if the book was simply divided directly into 2 parts with the first half of the book being 1940's, and the second half being present day. The 1940's story has absolutely no relevance or impact whatsoever to the present-day plot.
The only way this book would be tolerable is if you hadn't read any previous books in the series, but since I have, the inconsistencies, uncharacteristic actions, and revised history found in this book for anyone who knows the characters from previous books is too much to forgive.
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I could literally go page-by-page and provide some issue as it relates to the rest of the series. Here are just a few that I can remember:
1. The most egregious of all the blunders in this book is the entire backstory of "China Moon" - Apparently China and Hawke had a previous relationship, and China had a twin sister that she "lost because of Hawke's actions in Hong Kong" NO. None of this is right. China Moon did not have a twin. Hawke has no relationship with China Moon ever. He has never met China Moon. Also China Moon's name is spelled "Chyna" in previous books. She has a run-in with Ambrose Congreve, and is currently locked up in a max-security prison. Hawke has literally never seen her before. Chyna did have 2 sisters who were twins. Jet and Bianca. Hawke had a relationship with Jet, which is loosely accredited to China in this book. Hawke had nothing to do with the killing of the twin sister Bianca. Jet killed her. Hawke later killed Jet without even knowing it was her at the end of Book 8, Warriors. - Where I might add he also kills her farther General Moon, in a way that is not even remotely close to Stokely's retelling of events to China Moon in this book.
2. The end of the chapter 24 talks about how Stokely's former friend and business partner, a man referenced as being one "Sharkey Rodriguez-Rodriguez" was killed in a shark attack in the Florida Keys. Actually he was eaten by sharks after being killed by 2 cuban brothers working for the KGB, and his freaking name.......... throughout the whole series......... was "Sharkey GONZALES-GONZALES"!!! NOT RODRIGUEZ-RODRIGUEZ.
3. Chapter 36, Stokley is impressed by the Walleytender 48 speedboat Hawke has borrowed from the Tang Brothers.... asks a bunch of questions about it. Only in the previous book, Stoke piloted the same book in France when he and Hawke kidnapped and tortured the hotel owner who was in league with the russians who had kidnapped Alexi. It is later mentioned that the Wally has a speed of 38 knots. Then it is later and previously mentioned in Overkill that the Wally has a speed of almost 60 mph. Then near the end of this book, a chinese frigate chases them down across open water while they are fleeing the island with the prince... The chinese frigate has a speed of 27-30 knots max.
4. Chapter 36 mentions that Stoke had chosen the new Russian rebreather equipment - "the latest thing for underwater combat operations" because they dont leave bubbles. These are called Draeger rebreathers and are German. They are used several times in earlier books and referenced correctly.
5. Chapter 44 page 1 talks about the Minox B camera that Hawke is using. It then says "... it had first been conceived in Latvia in 1922. And it was finally invented and produced in 1936 by a Baltic German named Walter Zapp. It was the camera of choice on both sides of the Iron Curtain during the whole of the Cold War" - This is directly a word-for-word copy paste of the Wikipedia page for the Minox B. Seriously - go have a look.
6. Hawke is dumbfounded with China Moon's vehicle - a Fiat Jolly. With its wicker seats, fringe on the roof, no doors.... This whole part is INSANE. ALEX HAWKE used the same vehicle around Bermuda from Tea Kettle cottage in earlier books, and Congreve and Pelham always gave him hell about it. In this chapter it is apparent that Hawke has never seen such a vehicle before, and thinks it is ridiculous.
7. The book uses a reference to Ambassador Tang's driver Bobby Ray being from "lower bottom Georgia which is right down the mountain from upper bottom Georgia" Ugh... this same line has been used in previous books but about Kentucky. Just annoyed me. Then Bobby Ray talks about how Georgia Bulldogs are playing the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl. The 1942 sugar bowl was between the Missouri Tigers and the Fordham Rams. I get that this book is fiction, but the book's generally are accurate when they mention historic events. No reason for this fictional match up to be referenced when Georgia actually played Florida in the Rose Bowl that year.
8. Chapter 72 talks about how Hawke has just commissioned a new Yacht that will be a sailing yacht over 200 feet long, and that she would be a war ship - appearances to the contrary. THIS BOAT HAS ALREADY BEEN BUILT and used since book #7 Phantom. Absurd.
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In closing, I can only believe that Ted Bell did not write this book, but that is was spliced together in no particular order from random notes, names, products, and places that a ghost writer found laying around in Ted Bell's desk drawer. It is unforgivable from the standpoint of a reader and fan of previous Alex Hawke installment. This is one of my favorite series and writers that i have found in the past 10 years, but the destruction of the central character and the disloyalty to the fanbase shown in this book may have ruined my entire view of the writer and series.
The Alex Hawke series is one of my favorites in some time. However, this book - as well as the proceeding book in the series "Overkill" - is an unmitigated disaster.
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Let me just say that this book bounces back and forth from 1940's to present day, which really hampers the cohesiveness of the story. The 2 timelines do not connect in ANY cohesive or relevant way. At the very least things would have been better if the book was simply divided directly into 2 parts with the first half of the book being 1940's, and the second half being present day. The 1940's story has absolutely no relevance or impact whatsoever to the present-day plot.
The only way this book would be tolerable is if you hadn't read any previous books in the series, but since I have, the inconsistencies, uncharacteristic actions, and revised history found in this book for anyone who knows the characters from previous books is too much to forgive.
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I could literally go page-by-page and provide some issue as it relates to the rest of the series. Here are just a few that I can remember:
1. The most egregious of all the blunders in this book is the entire backstory of "China Moon" - Apparently China and Hawke had a previous relationship, and China had a twin sister that she "lost because of Hawke's actions in Hong Kong" NO. None of this is right. China Moon did not have a twin. Hawke has no relationship with China Moon ever. He has never met China Moon. Also China Moon's name is spelled "Chyna" in previous books. She has a run-in with Ambrose Congreve, and is currently locked up in a max-security prison. Hawke has literally never seen her before. Chyna did have 2 sisters who were twins. Jet and Bianca. Hawke had a relationship with Jet, which is loosely accredited to China in this book. Hawke had nothing to do with the killing of the twin sister Bianca. Jet killed her. Hawke later killed Jet without even knowing it was her at the end of Book 8, Warriors. - Where I might add he also kills her farther General Moon, in a way that is not even remotely close to Stokely's retelling of events to China Moon in this book.
2. The end of the chapter 24 talks about how Stokely's former friend and business partner, a man referenced as being one "Sharkey Rodriguez-Rodriguez" was killed in a shark attack in the Florida Keys. Actually he was eaten by sharks after being killed by 2 cuban brothers working for the KGB, and his freaking name.......... throughout the whole series......... was "Sharkey GONZALES-GONZALES"!!! NOT RODRIGUEZ-RODRIGUEZ.
3. Chapter 36, Stokley is impressed by the Walleytender 48 speedboat Hawke has borrowed from the Tang Brothers.... asks a bunch of questions about it. Only in the previous book, Stoke piloted the same book in France when he and Hawke kidnapped and tortured the hotel owner who was in league with the russians who had kidnapped Alexi. It is later mentioned that the Wally has a speed of 38 knots. Then it is later and previously mentioned in Overkill that the Wally has a speed of almost 60 mph. Then near the end of this book, a chinese frigate chases them down across open water while they are fleeing the island with the prince... The chinese frigate has a speed of 27-30 knots max.
4. Chapter 36 mentions that Stoke had chosen the new Russian rebreather equipment - "the latest thing for underwater combat operations" because they dont leave bubbles. These are called Draeger rebreathers and are German. They are used several times in earlier books and referenced correctly.
5. Chapter 44 page 1 talks about the Minox B camera that Hawke is using. It then says "... it had first been conceived in Latvia in 1922. And it was finally invented and produced in 1936 by a Baltic German named Walter Zapp. It was the camera of choice on both sides of the Iron Curtain during the whole of the Cold War" - This is directly a word-for-word copy paste of the Wikipedia page for the Minox B. Seriously - go have a look.
6. Hawke is dumbfounded with China Moon's vehicle - a Fiat Jolly. With its wicker seats, fringe on the roof, no doors.... This whole part is INSANE. ALEX HAWKE used the same vehicle around Bermuda from Tea Kettle cottage in earlier books, and Congreve and Pelham always gave him hell about it. In this chapter it is apparent that Hawke has never seen such a vehicle before, and thinks it is ridiculous.
7. The book uses a reference to Ambassador Tang's driver Bobby Ray being from "lower bottom Georgia which is right down the mountain from upper bottom Georgia" Ugh... this same line has been used in previous books but about Kentucky. Just annoyed me. Then Bobby Ray talks about how Georgia Bulldogs are playing the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl. The 1942 sugar bowl was between the Missouri Tigers and the Fordham Rams. I get that this book is fiction, but the book's generally are accurate when they mention historic events. No reason for this fictional match up to be referenced when Georgia actually played Florida in the Rose Bowl that year.
8. Chapter 72 talks about how Hawke has just commissioned a new Yacht that will be a sailing yacht over 200 feet long, and that she would be a war ship - appearances to the contrary. THIS BOAT HAS ALREADY BEEN BUILT and used since book #7 Phantom. Absurd.
************
In closing, I can only believe that Ted Bell did not write this book, but that is was spliced together in no particular order from random notes, names, products, and places that a ghost writer found laying around in Ted Bell's desk drawer. It is unforgivable from the standpoint of a reader and fan of previous Alex Hawke installment. This is one of my favorite series and writers that i have found in the past 10 years, but the destruction of the central character and the disloyalty to the fanbase shown in this book may have ruined my entire view of the writer and series.
February 4, 2021
Well, Ted Bell is clearly not writing these anymore.
It may have been written by a racist computer.
If not a racist computer, then whoever ghosted this needs to cool it with so many things including their love affair with the phrase "hors de combat" and the outrageous product placement that appeared to be taken exclusively from the list of businesses with British royal warrants.
I finished this book because I was curious how bad it could get.
It's pretty damn bad.
It may have been written by a racist computer.
If not a racist computer, then whoever ghosted this needs to cool it with so many things including their love affair with the phrase "hors de combat" and the outrageous product placement that appeared to be taken exclusively from the list of businesses with British royal warrants.
I finished this book because I was curious how bad it could get.
It's pretty damn bad.
November 3, 2022
As a big fan of Ted Bell’s Hawke character, and having looked forward to the novel set in two of my favorite islands, Bermuda and the Bahamas, I was seriously disappointed. The plot left much to be desired and for the first time I had little interest in Lord Hawke, his pals and the parallel story of his grandfather. Tedious at best.
September 27, 2020
Thankfully I’m finished. In the first 15 pages I thought “Bell is putting us on!” 408 pages later I still believed that. Cheesy dialogue.....I rolled my eyes so many times I think I’m cross eyes. At times I thought I was reading W. E. B. Griffin and at other times I thought I was listening to my old uncle with dementia because of the repeats. Where are the editors? Hawke isn’t maturing, he’s getting more juvenile. Finis.
July 27, 2020
Thrilling
The last 20% of this book was fabulous with non stop action Bell brings to a story. The first 80% was overdone.
The last 20% of this book was fabulous with non stop action Bell brings to a story. The first 80% was overdone.
September 4, 2020
I've noticed a decline in the quality of Ted's writing in the last two books, but this one is absolutely terrible. The plot jumps all over the place with characters suddenly left hanging or mentioned, but never appear.
Worse yet is the timeline continuity. How can Alex have a godson old enough to have been at a debaucherous resort when Alex is supposed to be in his mid-30's? The math just doesn't add up.
Ted, I've really enjoyed the Alex Hawke series up until now, but perhaps it's either time to retire or fund a really good editor/co-author.
Worse yet is the timeline continuity. How can Alex have a godson old enough to have been at a debaucherous resort when Alex is supposed to be in his mid-30's? The math just doesn't add up.
Ted, I've really enjoyed the Alex Hawke series up until now, but perhaps it's either time to retire or fund a really good editor/co-author.
August 25, 2020
Ted Bell used to be my favorite author. His last 2-3 books have been not as great, but this book was appalling bad! He credits his new editor, Tom Colgan, in the acknowledgements, but I it doesn't seem Colgan edited it at all. So many errors, repetitions - even repeated phrases and descriptions, and confusing circumstances. Did Harry Brock come to the Bahamas twice? I think something was missed there. Why was Shit Smith there in the beginning? It could've easily been deleted and the plot carried on without effect. As it was, Hawke made a miraculous recovery and didn't seem the least big chuffed by the early death of his lover. But the biggest issue: why was there the 1942 plot? There was such a small connection, and what purpose did Blackie Hawke's exploits serve, except to be fun to read? Bell could've easily left out the Tiger Tang plot because it really had no bearing on the present day and what the Tang empire were doing. I just kept waiting for something to link them, but nothing did. I was left with the feeling, "Why did I read this novel?" I was constantly distracted by the poor writing, editing, and terrible dialogue.
The only redeeming quality of this book is the well-done action scenes. Fast pace and entertaining. That's the only reason this review has 2 stars instead of 1.
The only redeeming quality of this book is the well-done action scenes. Fast pace and entertaining. That's the only reason this review has 2 stars instead of 1.
September 3, 2020
Terribly disappointed once again in this episode of the Alexander Hawke series. The early books were filled with adventure and witty dialogue. Characters were vivid and the pages rolled by with ease. The past 3 books have not been up to the high standard that the earlier ones were. It felt as though I was reading a soap opera.
January 28, 2021
Like other reviewers, I was disappointed with this book. I’ve read all of Ted Bell’s previous books and this one does not reach the same standard.
It’s basically the story of two families (Hawke & Tang) whose paths initially cross during WWII. A friendship quickly develops between two young men. While they compete for the affections of a young woman this never really becomes a tension within their friendship. Both man are actively engaged in bringing an end to the war, but from very different roles. One political while the other designs and executes acts of sabotage against the Nazis. This is the backdrop to a modern day story where the paths of the two families crosses again.
In the modern story the two families interaction is far more limited and involves the disappearance of Alexander Hawke’s godson at an exclusive resort owned by the Tang family. The only direct interaction is between Alexander and Zhang Tang the seductive sister of the mysterious brothers that own the resort.
This book is loaded with characters and plots lines that are completely unnecessary. A number of characters from previous books are brought back with very limited value. Much of this could have been better spent developing why the Tang family has none of the characteristics of their grandfather that garnered such mutual respect of Alexander’s grandfather.
It’s basically the story of two families (Hawke & Tang) whose paths initially cross during WWII. A friendship quickly develops between two young men. While they compete for the affections of a young woman this never really becomes a tension within their friendship. Both man are actively engaged in bringing an end to the war, but from very different roles. One political while the other designs and executes acts of sabotage against the Nazis. This is the backdrop to a modern day story where the paths of the two families crosses again.
In the modern story the two families interaction is far more limited and involves the disappearance of Alexander Hawke’s godson at an exclusive resort owned by the Tang family. The only direct interaction is between Alexander and Zhang Tang the seductive sister of the mysterious brothers that own the resort.
This book is loaded with characters and plots lines that are completely unnecessary. A number of characters from previous books are brought back with very limited value. Much of this could have been better spent developing why the Tang family has none of the characteristics of their grandfather that garnered such mutual respect of Alexander’s grandfather.
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