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Jed Mason
The Raiders
They’re coming back to life...
The oldest secret order on earth has just woken up...
They want nothing less than the world...
They are the Hidden Hand...
The race is on to find an ancient power and stop the greatest sacrifice in history…
With the same high-octane pace and thrills of the Joe Hawke series, Raiders is an archaeological and historical action-adventure featuring a great new team and a terrible new enemy.
Former soldier Jed Mason is working as an asset recovery specialist – retrieving kidnapped people and stolen goods in a dog-eat-dog world of international crime, violence and ransoms. Nearly killed on a dangerous mission, he must deal with a terrible personal tragedy, but when a mysterious private consortium briefs him on a violent kidnapping he quickly discovers when one door shuts, another opens.
Why was the head of the Vatican’s secret archive murdered in Rome? Why was a leading American archaeologist snatched? Mason must lead his old team on a new adventure to stop a truly terrifying enemy intent on the sacrifice of millions.
Drawing on the same fast-paced action as the world of Joe Hawke, Raiders introduces a new series with an exciting and compelling band of brothers – and sisters – who must stand together in the face of adversity or die one by one.
The oldest secret order on earth has just woken up...
They want nothing less than the world...
They are the Hidden Hand...
The race is on to find an ancient power and stop the greatest sacrifice in history…
With the same high-octane pace and thrills of the Joe Hawke series, Raiders is an archaeological and historical action-adventure featuring a great new team and a terrible new enemy.
Former soldier Jed Mason is working as an asset recovery specialist – retrieving kidnapped people and stolen goods in a dog-eat-dog world of international crime, violence and ransoms. Nearly killed on a dangerous mission, he must deal with a terrible personal tragedy, but when a mysterious private consortium briefs him on a violent kidnapping he quickly discovers when one door shuts, another opens.
Why was the head of the Vatican’s secret archive murdered in Rome? Why was a leading American archaeologist snatched? Mason must lead his old team on a new adventure to stop a truly terrifying enemy intent on the sacrifice of millions.
Drawing on the same fast-paced action as the world of Joe Hawke, Raiders introduces a new series with an exciting and compelling band of brothers – and sisters – who must stand together in the face of adversity or die one by one.
- GenresAdventure
337 pages, Paperback
Published September 16, 2020
272 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Rob Jones
65 books85 followersInternational bestselling author of twenty-five thrillers, including fourteen in the Joe Hawke action-adventure series and The Hunter Files. All available for the Amazon Kindle.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 8, 2019
The blurb made this book sound interesting, the reality is sadly that it's rather cheesy and, well, crap.
I read a wide variety of books from 1700s history to 1800s fiction to modern thrillers and this just was a bit painful to read. The characters were terribly shallow, the dialogue was cheesy and grating, the idea that they could launch a successful heist in an hours planning to steal from the one of the most secure areas of the Vatican was just absurd. As was the whole having a quick google for blueprints.
There was also some factual errors like a character taking a few Xanax tablets but then the author writes the character is waiting for the Diazepam to work it's magic, I assume this was an attempt to up the intellectual aspect of the novel, execept Diazepam is Valium and Xanax is Alprazolam. I guess at least he got right that it's a benzodiazepine.
I also found the whole idea of the characters organisation being called RAIDERS - "Rapid and Incognito Deployment, Extraction and Rescue Service" with the evil opposition being SPIDERS the abbreviated name of which escapes me at the moment but was equally as awkward, was just clunky and gave the whole novel a B grade feel.
I just really didn't like it.
I read a wide variety of books from 1700s history to 1800s fiction to modern thrillers and this just was a bit painful to read. The characters were terribly shallow, the dialogue was cheesy and grating, the idea that they could launch a successful heist in an hours planning to steal from the one of the most secure areas of the Vatican was just absurd. As was the whole having a quick google for blueprints.
There was also some factual errors like a character taking a few Xanax tablets but then the author writes the character is waiting for the Diazepam to work it's magic, I assume this was an attempt to up the intellectual aspect of the novel, execept Diazepam is Valium and Xanax is Alprazolam. I guess at least he got right that it's a benzodiazepine.
I also found the whole idea of the characters organisation being called RAIDERS - "Rapid and Incognito Deployment, Extraction and Rescue Service" with the evil opposition being SPIDERS the abbreviated name of which escapes me at the moment but was equally as awkward, was just clunky and gave the whole novel a B grade feel.
I just really didn't like it.
September 22, 2024
Reminded me of some David Leadbetter books that I recently read, but different enough to be just as enjoyable.
The Raiders are a team of former military and secret service personnel who are employed to relieve terrorists etc of the valuable relics, or more precious family members, and returning their finds to the appropriate people. It's a highly dangerous line of work, and people get hurt or killed.
The Raiders' opponents are a highly deadly group of people called Occulta Manu, a band of terrorists who seem to have endless amounts of money and ordnance at their disposal. Neither do they care who they hurt or dispose of.
The Raiders and OM travel from the USA, to Europe and on to Egypt, on their joint quest to retrieve the Book of Spells, a.k.a. the Book of Thoth. As with a lot of this type of adventure, there's a battle royal to decide who will win the prize.
The Raiders are a team of former military and secret service personnel who are employed to relieve terrorists etc of the valuable relics, or more precious family members, and returning their finds to the appropriate people. It's a highly dangerous line of work, and people get hurt or killed.
The Raiders' opponents are a highly deadly group of people called Occulta Manu, a band of terrorists who seem to have endless amounts of money and ordnance at their disposal. Neither do they care who they hurt or dispose of.
The Raiders and OM travel from the USA, to Europe and on to Egypt, on their joint quest to retrieve the Book of Spells, a.k.a. the Book of Thoth. As with a lot of this type of adventure, there's a battle royal to decide who will win the prize.
October 5, 2023
Many thousands of books read. Can't finish this one!
Mother of Darkness what a poorly contrived assemblage of shallow characters performing poorly. A 5th grade writing assignment would yield better writing!
An omniscient bad guy organization with uber soldiers with no moral restraints? If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, this work d..amns with faint praise!
The "action sequences" appear to have been written with boxing gloves still on. Hard to find the right keys that way and it shows. On one page I found myself entering so many notes I felt my name should be put on the book cover...but then I wouldn't want it there.
Abandoning this missive at page 143, I firmly recommend no one waste that much effort on this cliche-ridden, puerile dime novel.
Mother of Darkness what a poorly contrived assemblage of shallow characters performing poorly. A 5th grade writing assignment would yield better writing!
An omniscient bad guy organization with uber soldiers with no moral restraints? If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, this work d..amns with faint praise!
The "action sequences" appear to have been written with boxing gloves still on. Hard to find the right keys that way and it shows. On one page I found myself entering so many notes I felt my name should be put on the book cover...but then I wouldn't want it there.
Abandoning this missive at page 143, I firmly recommend no one waste that much effort on this cliche-ridden, puerile dime novel.
November 12, 2023
Rob Jones offered a decent plot although it got off to a confusing start the way the multitude of characters were introduced. There was also a lot of unnecessary dialogue between the characters as a means to communicate the relationships between the characters but it only got in the way of the flow. Further, I found that some of the characters’ intellect didn’t match the “skills” they were portrayed as possessing. The author could have provided historical background more straightforward instead of making some characters appear ignorant.
January 19, 2018
This is the beginning of what I hope will be a new series by Rob Jones. In a similar vein to the Joe Hawke ECHO books, we have a new cast of characters and villains which are certainly keep us turning the pages. This is a well thought out and researched book with lots of twists and turns and a few double crosses along the way all the hope of find a long lost codex that will lead the team to the ultimate goal, or will it??? Great book Rob looking forward to the next instalment.
December 29, 2017
Disappointed
A shame as I enjoyed the Joe Hawke series as light adventure. This came across as a bit silly,breaking into secure vaults with a few minutes planning. Discovering a centuries old famous tomb by googling underground maps? Sorry Rob,just didn't hit the mark with this one.
A shame as I enjoyed the Joe Hawke series as light adventure. This came across as a bit silly,breaking into secure vaults with a few minutes planning. Discovering a centuries old famous tomb by googling underground maps? Sorry Rob,just didn't hit the mark with this one.
February 15, 2024
Meet the RAIDERS!!!
From minute 1 the RAIDERS are going at 100 mph, on or off a motorbike. A fast paced adventure in search of a long lost artifact and along the way, you are asking yourself, whats in the metal tube?
I cant wait to read what is next for this team as they look to save the world and seek revenge!!
From minute 1 the RAIDERS are going at 100 mph, on or off a motorbike. A fast paced adventure in search of a long lost artifact and along the way, you are asking yourself, whats in the metal tube?
I cant wait to read what is next for this team as they look to save the world and seek revenge!!
May 4, 2020
Interesting series
This is the first book in a new series. Interesting characters, lots of heart pounding action and a nice touch of history. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
This is the first book in a new series. Interesting characters, lots of heart pounding action and a nice touch of history. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
June 18, 2021
Adventurous, Fast Moving
There was never a dull moment in this story. Introduction of the characters is very good. Surprise regarding the traitors. Can't wait to start book 2. Great job. Thank you.
There was never a dull moment in this story. Introduction of the characters is very good. Surprise regarding the traitors. Can't wait to start book 2. Great job. Thank you.
June 19, 2023
Jed Mason is up against occult and secret forces!
Jeb Mason never expected his team of merry misfits to wisecrack their way through this challenging assignment up against a secret and ancient cult!
Jeb Mason never expected his team of merry misfits to wisecrack their way through this challenging assignment up against a secret and ancient cult!
October 3, 2024
Rob Jones does it again
Another action packed suspense thriller with Jed Mason at the helm in and out of trouble. The ending was a bit strange and seemed like something was missing. Maybe it was done that way to provide entry to the next Jed Mason adventure
Another action packed suspense thriller with Jed Mason at the helm in and out of trouble. The ending was a bit strange and seemed like something was missing. Maybe it was done that way to provide entry to the next Jed Mason adventure
February 3, 2018
Brilliant
Another great series started, I loved the interaction, was sad over a certain death but the pages flew as I read with enjoyment.
Another great series started, I loved the interaction, was sad over a certain death but the pages flew as I read with enjoyment.
July 12, 2019
Great read
Gripping story line, excellent new characters that seem like old friends. If you enjoy Joe Hawk read this. As well
Gripping story line, excellent new characters that seem like old friends. If you enjoy Joe Hawk read this. As well
March 3, 2022
A great read
Great book to read, full of adventure, history, betrayal and camaraderie. Another great book from Rob Jones, can't wait to read the rest in this series.
Great book to read, full of adventure, history, betrayal and camaraderie. Another great book from Rob Jones, can't wait to read the rest in this series.
June 15, 2023
great book
Rob Jones is an absolutely brilliant writer. He can write an amazing story based on some knowledge of archeology and spin a great story.
Rob Jones is an absolutely brilliant writer. He can write an amazing story based on some knowledge of archeology and spin a great story.
August 31, 2023
The Raiders.
This is an exceptionally exciting and well written novel. You get to know the characters as individual people as the novel progresses. Highly recommended.
This is an exceptionally exciting and well written novel. You get to know the characters as individual people as the novel progresses. Highly recommended.
October 19, 2023
I liked it.
February 12, 2024
good action
There was a lot of action maybe too much and definitely too much as lib. Were you trying to make the characters sound like uneducated buffoons?
There was a lot of action maybe too much and definitely too much as lib. Were you trying to make the characters sound like uneducated buffoons?
August 23, 2024
the raiders
Fabulous first time reading this author. Very powerful stuff and hard to put down. Ready for the next one already.
Fabulous first time reading this author. Very powerful stuff and hard to put down. Ready for the next one already.
February 22, 2025
Very Interesting Read
I found the book very interesting and intriguing. Great distraction and easy to read. Great launch point for a new series.
I found the book very interesting and intriguing. Great distraction and easy to read. Great launch point for a new series.
December 20, 2024
Quick easy read. Had good action, but also very simple action. I would have enjoyed it more if the storyline was more detailed. Solid plotline, but a lot of the "discovery" was predictable and basic. I know this is a semi-prequel to the Jed Mason series, I will read those at some point, but this book did not excite me enough to jump into the next.
February 24, 2024
The book seemed interminable, despite its relatively modest length of three hundred and thirty-odd pages, owing to its relentless succession of chases. I find myself unsure of how to approach narratives of this nature. Should I take them seriously or with a grain of salt (or perhaps with a whole mountain)? Is a tongue-in-cheek attitude warranted? If so, my tongue would rival that of a blue whale in size.
The narrative sets up a group of highly skilled individuals as the best in the world at what they do, only to have them consistently outsmarted by their adversaries. Is this a deliberate tactic to heighten suspense and intrigue? If so, it's undeniably frustrating. In every fight scene, the protagonist is on the verge of unconsciousness so frequently that I begin to feel the sensation myself.
As for the plot, it seems to have slipped away from me amidst the relentless chases. The overarching imperative to be the first, whether reaching a destination or beating others to Rome, dominates my memory of the story, leaving me struggling to maintain focus and engagement.
The narrative sets up a group of highly skilled individuals as the best in the world at what they do, only to have them consistently outsmarted by their adversaries. Is this a deliberate tactic to heighten suspense and intrigue? If so, it's undeniably frustrating. In every fight scene, the protagonist is on the verge of unconsciousness so frequently that I begin to feel the sensation myself.
As for the plot, it seems to have slipped away from me amidst the relentless chases. The overarching imperative to be the first, whether reaching a destination or beating others to Rome, dominates my memory of the story, leaving me struggling to maintain focus and engagement.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews