No Way To Die

Dempsey/Devlin #4

by Tony Kent

A deadly threat. A ghost from the past. And time is running out...

When traces of a radioactive material are found alongside a body in Key West, multiple federal agencies suddenly descend on the crime scene. This is not just an isolated murder: a domestic terrorist group is ready to bring the US government to its knees.

The threat hits close to home for Agent Joe Dempsey when he discovers a personal connection to the group. With his new team member, former Secret Service agent Eden Grace, Dempsey joins the race to track down the terrorists’ bomb before it’s too late. But when their mission falls apart, he is forced to turn to the most unlikely of allies: an old enemy he thought he had buried in his past.

Now, with time running out, they must find a way to work together to stop a madman from unleashing horrifying destruction across the country.

Genres: Crime, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery

Audiobook

Published November 18, 2021

About the author

Tony Kent’s first novel, KILLER INTENT, was one of the ‘must reads’ of 2018. It was selected for the Zoe Ball Book Club and is now to be adapted for television, directed by the award-winning filmmaker Duncan Jones.

Tony Kent grew up in a close-knit Irish family in London and studied law in Scotland.

A top-ranking barrister, Tony’s case history includes prosecuting and defending many high-profile, nationally reported trials.

Before his legal career, Tony boxed internationally as a heavyweight and won a host of national amateur titles.

Tony’s love of crime thrillers was inspired by powerhouse writers like Lee Child, Robert Ludlum, John Grisham, David Baldacci and Frederick Forsyth.

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony Kent's latest thriller is set in the U.S. and features the return of ex-military Joe Dempsey, living in New York, getting ready to return to the UK to visit his closest friends, Michael Devlin and Sarah Truman who want him to become godfather to their child. At Key West in Florida, a patrolman is gruesomely murdered after seeing shadowy figures approaching on the beach. This murder is being investigated by homicide cop, Sergio Vega, who finds Homeland Security agents O'Rourke and Nicki May at his crime scene. CCTV images identify the killer as a member of a dangerous terrorist organisation, Liberation, with a far right agenda and a well organised militia, and claims to be fighting for freedom. After traces of radioactive material are discovered at the murder scene, Vega's case is taken over by Homeland Security.

Dempsey's plans change when he hears of this incident and the terrifying threat that is posed to democracy in the US. His involvement is further driven by his personal interest in protecting Scott Turner, who it appears has become a active and crucial member of Liberation. Dempsey works for the International Security Bureau (ISB), proud of the talented team he has managed to put together. He and former Secret Service agent Eden Grace make their way to Florida, offering to join O'Rourke's team to locate the members of Liberation and the van they are travelling in, believed to be carrying the radioactive material that can be used to make lethal dirty bombs. In Texas, there is a secret high security prison that incarcerates without trial, for life, the most dangerous individuals in the country, where one of the prisoners has made it his mission to protect another high profile inmate.

As O'Rourke and Dempsey finds themselves outwitted at every turn, Dempsey finds himself forced to work with a former enemy to try and stop the nightmare horrors threatening the country. The author deploys his trademark skills in writing a compulsive thriller that is packed with suspense and tension. This is an entertaining, dark, intense and engaging read, and given the contemporary political divisions in the U.S., the storytelling resonates, particularly with the former President and the Republican Party's inability to accept the results of the election. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Random Things Tours.

No Way To Die is an absolutely action packed, smooth flowing, explosive read! I could not put this book down. There were so many amazing characters in this story and the plot was well plotted, executed and full of twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. This is the first of Tony Kents books that I've ever read and it will not be the last! I'm scrambling about online right now looking for all his other books to read!
This book is so good that it played like a movie in my mind and would indeed make an amazing action movie!
Without giving too much away, this story is set after the civid pandemic about a terrorist threat, a race against time, double-crossing, teamwork and way more. I can't wait to see what direction the next book takes. I especially loved Joe Dempsey and Eden Grace and their friendship is intriguing. I also really enjoyed Bambis character and hope she makes an appearance in future books! If you love books full of action you definitely need to read this!

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent and thrilling page turner from Tony Kent- Edge of the seat stuff here with a race against the clock to stop a terrorist attack and save the day.

The characters are excellent of course, Dempsey is back and as on the ball as ever plus the group dynamics are fascinating and unpredictable.

I loved it.. really didn't want to put it down but nor did I want it to end too fast so I read it all during my work breaks. Absolutely brilliant. Highly Recommended.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Way To Die is the fourth book in Tony Kent’s Dempsey/Devlin series featuring ISB agent Joe Dempsey, a man described as ‘an unquestioning soldier with a talent for death’.

Since it’s impossible to summarise the plot without giving anything away plus the fact I still haven’t got my breath back after finishing it, I’ll just say No Way To Die is:

- a book with an explosive (literally), twist-a-minute plot that incorporates double-crosses, triple-crosses, quadruple-crosses (you get the picture) and more state-of-the art military hardware than you could ever want (or need)
- a story involving right-wing extremists, conspiracy theorists and a deadly plan of breathtaking audacity
- perfect for thrill-seekers, those suffering from James Bond withdrawal symptoms or evil geniuses in search of their next masterplan for world domination

[Suze Clarke-Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always excited for a new Tony Kent novel because, having now read three of the four (need to go back for number two), I know I'm in for a treat. 

Joe Dempsey is in the airport waiting to fly to London to see his dearest friends when he finds out about the murder of a patrolman and heads to the crime scene instead. There is a possibility radioactive material has been handled there, hence the interest of Joe's International Security Bureau. But this is just the beginning of a race against time which not only involves the ISB but also several other law enforcement agencies and someone very unexpected from Dempsey's past...

This is a fairly hefty tome coming in at just short of 500 pages but it never feels it. Short, sharp chapters and a whole heap of excitement meant I powered through this in two days. This is a book that hits the ground running and doesn't pause for breath until the end. It's action packed and super tense. 

Joe Dempsey is the hero we all need. He has a strong sense of right and wrong, always calm and ready for absolutely anything. Fear never stops him. We learn a little about him when he was younger in this book, which was welcome, just adds to his character.  There is a personal angle for Joe in this book and I really liked that. And I love Eden Grace, Dempsey's most recent recruit, who we met in the last book. She's pretty awesome. In fact, women feature heavily in this story which you wouldn't necessarily expect from such an action packed thriller. Aside from Grace, O'Rourke was the standout from these. From the remaining cast of characters, which is quite large, Vega broke my heart. 

This is the first book I've read that's tackled the Covid 19 pandemic head on. Others have touched on mask wearing and hand washing but Kent has cleverly incorporated it into the plot without ever making the story about it,  if you know what I mean. I know from the acknowledgements that he started out writing a very different book but the pandemic changed that. But the book he ended up writing is fabulous, focusing on a domestic terror threat, which I'm sure is a constant and very real worry for the US. 

No Way To Die is everything you could want from a thriller. It's explosive, action packed and tense. It's full of shocks and surprises. It pulls you in from the first chapter and keeps you there. You won't notice the time passing, I promise you. Tony Kent has delivered all that and done it with heart. There were moments amidst the chaos and shooting that I found really quite moving. In case you are still wondering, I loved this book! 

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed this author’s previous novels featuring Joe Dempsey and Michael Devlin so I was excited to receive this review copy of No Way To Die via NetGalley.
For me this was a slow burner. The first half of the book set the scene and moved around between different characters including Sergio Vega a Florida cop investigating a murder along with homeland security agents O ‘Rourke and Nicki May, a secret prison containing high security prisoners, held without trial and Joe Dempsey and his special agent team. Joe is about to fly to England to become godfather to Micheal Devlin’s children when he is called to assist in the murder investigation.
The brutal stabbing of a security guard in Florida is being linked to a terrorist plot to set off a bomb in the mainland United States and it is a race against time to find the perpetrators and the location of the device.
Joe has a special interest as his oldest friend’s son appears to somehow be involved in the plot and Joe has a pressing reason why he wants to find out what is going on and if indeed Phd student Scott Turner has been radicalised.
Once the groundwork had been laid the second part of the novel was fast moving and compelling as the reader is taken on a chase across the post pandemic US in an attempt to avoid a major atrocity.
The plot was easily believable and the terrorist characters were only too real, living as we do in a world where extreme political views are very prevalent.
I liked the way the pandemic is in the background but not centre stage to the story. It does fuel the fire for some of the characters and defines motivation for some of the more violent terrorists.
This is a chilling tale which made an enjoyable thriller. I am now looking forward to the next Joe Dempsey and Michael Devlin thriller.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 4 in the Dempsey and Devin Series and literally an explosive read. This latest instalment from Dempsey and his team at the International Security Bureau can be read as a stand-alone but reading the previous books will give a good grounding to this one. An exciting and chilling read full of suspense.

Briefly, set in July 2021, during the Pandemic, the story opens with a murder in Key West. Following local investigations both Homeland Security and ISB are called in as it appears a quantity of Caesium has been involved. Switch to a secret high security prison in Texas, where an adversary of Dempsey is being held, and from there the book evolves at an extremely fast pace as an anti establishment group appears to want to use the radioactive elements to create dirty bombs.

There are so many twists and turns, along with false trails, with Dempsey unable to tell who is friend or foe, as it builds towards a deadly climax in the hills of Pennsylvania. Despite the subject this is not a gory read but a good, fast paced novel. A really enjoyable book. 4.5⭐️

[Samantha (A Dream of Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow...

[Karen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The slightly altered world in No Way To Die finds this USA apparently coming out of the Covid-19 lockdown in far better shape than the real country. This President surrounds himself with the best, taking notice of the advice give to him and subsequently reacted swiftly and decisively; as a result, the infection and death rates were kept well below the global average - and the President won his second term by a landslide. Not everybody is enamoured with the man in charge, however, and this strikingly contemporary thriller examines a scenario that events in recent times suggest is unsettlingly possible.
The murder of a time-served patrolman in Key West is a senseless tragedy and the local law enforcement are determined that justice will be served. However, homicide investigator Sergio Vega is surprised to find federal agents at the murder site. Tony Kent has already shown us some of what happened to Ricardo Garcia but it quickly becomes obvious that his death is just the beginning of something much bigger.
No Way To Die is the fourth novel in the Dempsey and Devlin series but Michael Devlin only features by mention here and this is Joe Dempsey's book. He's not introduced to proceedings from the start, though and this allows a number of other characters to make their mark - not an easy task with such a charismatic main protagonist but it's clear throughout that the development of his characters is a vital consideration for Tony Kent. This isn't the almost superhuman hero single-handedly saving the day, with the rest of the cast little more than cannon fodder. It's a beautifully rounded ensemble piece and while the plot is blisteringly exciting, it also packs quite the emotional punch at times too.
Joining Dempsey on his mission to save the country from a devastating attack by a powerful right-wing conspiracy terrorist organisation are a trio of women whose presence is welcomed and applauded in a genre which can sometimes be rather male-dominated. It's particularly refreshing to note that the three are distinct from one another but also not just shoved in as little more than male characters given a woman's name. Their strengths and weaknesses are varied and believable. Eden Grace was introduced in the previous novel, Power Play and she makes a welcome return here. Her interest in the boss who has become her advisor and friend, allows new readers to learn a little about the enigmatic Dempsey, a man who is clearly troubled by his past but resolute enough not to let it stop him doing what needs to be done now. It means the book can easily be enjoyed as a standalone, although there are some faces from the past whose appearance will mean more to returning readers. The pair make an excellent partnership and while he is obviously a highly skilled and experienced mentor, her intelligence and clear-headed perceptiveness makes her an important asset.
Meanwhile Bambi O'Rourke has an interesting name and an intriguing personality. She's a Special Agent with Homeland Security and there is no doubt that this middle-aged black woman is in charge. She knows that she has paved the way for others like her to follow and she commands the room with her words rather than her physical presence. I loved this steadfast yet very human addition to the cast; she is authoritative yet has a sense of humour, and a vulnerability which she keeps hidden but which makes her all the more impressive. Meanwhile, Agent Nikki May isn't just the token attractive woman brought along for the ride and her interventions are just as integral to proceedings as the decisions made by more experienced personnel.
The race against time ensures tension levels are constantly headed towards boiling point and the chapters which follow the villains of the piece ensure readers are slightly ahead of Dempsey and co - and it's an uncomfortable place to be. We don't see the whole picture but we are given the sense that this is a well-planned and ruthless operation which is designed to make maximum impact. Of course, you only have to spend a short time on social media or see the various protests around the world to understand that the mandates that have accompanied the pandemic have angered many people. Tony Kent examines what could happen to those radicalised by the conspiracy theorists here, and it's a frightening prospect which almost certainly isn't too far from reality.
One of the strengths of this series is that while it's obviously fiction, it doesn't take too much of a stretch to consider that some of the choices made behind closed doors - whether in governments or by those who oppose them - are terrifyingly plausible. No Way To Die is exactly what I want in a political action thriller; the breathtakingly tense storyline had my heart racing throughout and the intelligent, complex exploration of modern politics made me perhaps even more nervous. With a sense of place that thrust me right into the heart of the action, No Way to Die has a cinematic quality which means it's crying out to be turned into a movie or television series. An outstanding thriller, then and a book which should firmly cement Tony Kent as one of the best in this genre. Very highly recommended.

[Kon Frankowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Redemption Comes at a Price: No Way To Die by Tony Kent

Heroes. They are never spotless. They make mistakes. And sometimes, they become villains to transform into heroes again.

This plasticity of heroism is impeccably studied by Tony Kent Tony Kent in No Way To Die, his fourth novel in a Devlin/Dempsey series, debuted in 2018 with flawless Killer Intent. Over the course of four books, Kent established himself as a master storyteller, bringing the grandiosity of bombastic action films into the universe of political intrigue, uncomfortable questions of loyalty, extremism, and the sheer human will fuelled by steel resolve and often a misguided sense of duty.

In this gender-bending thriller, Tony Kent once again delivers a phenomenal amalgamation of a high-paced action thriller, raw drama and political fiction, coupled with King-esque character development, which the author of Power Play swiftly delivers with a surgical precision of a single sentence. To me, this is one of the measures of a great writer and Tony Kent is growing to be one of the greatest.

This takes me to the next point: consistency. Every novel penned by Mr Kent is a natural extension of its predecessor. Despite being different in style, pace and delivery, they share the voice and tonal consistency. No Way to Die takes it further. The fictional universe created by Kent is firmly planted in our reality, with multiple mentions of real-life events intertwined with the story's narrative. It gives the series a new dynamic and sprinkles it with a healthy dose of relatable authenticity. Nothing is too outlandish or over the top. Although dynamic and heartstopping, action sequences are delivered with grace and quiet confidence. Kent doesn't rely on any genre tropes. He deconstructs them and adds them one by one into his writer's toolkit. And yet again, it's consistent with his work started with Killer Intent.

And then there's an audio version of the novel. Indeed, after reading a pre-release ebook and getting a hardback on the publication day, I knew I had to listen to the audiobook. And disappointed, I wasn't. Superbly delivered by Simon Slater, the unabridged version of No Way To Day took me straight back to the BBC Radio 4's Book at Bedtime territory. Acting and delivery are spot on, and the production value of the book is simply spectacular. The publisher, Elliot & Thompson Audio, superbly recreated the stereo and "crackliness" of two-way conversations via CB/ham radio, which indeed contributed to the overall dramatic effect.

On a final note and without revealing any spoilers... No Way To Die is also an exquisite trip down the memory lane of the series. For a plethora of reasons, the characters allude to multiple events from Killer Intent and Power Play, firming up the Kentverse as one of the best fictional universes I've ever come across. The book's grand finale brings us a resolution and, I dare say, redemption to ALL of our heroes. And that heroism, along with its multifaced, fickle nature, is a motif explored by Kent. All sides depicted in the novel have valid reasons for their action. They all have their motives, and neither is truly evil, whichever way we look at it. Our heroes can be villainous, our villains heroic. The cast and crew are nuanced, and the story doesn't provide a clear-cut picture of good and evil. The machiavellian yet emotional aspect of the main plot becomes a study of nature, nurture and circumstances. And it has to be savoured.

No Way To Die by Tony Kent is available on Amazon, Waterstones and Audible.

[Peter Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘No Way to Die’ is the fourth in the series and whilst I enjoyed it and most readers could pick it up as a stand alone, I think I would have enjoyed it more having read the earlier ones and having more insight into the ‘back story’.

This is a traditional action thriller where the men are tough, and in this case the woman are not far behind the men. Like so many before him Joe Dempsey is willing to negotiate but he’s just as happy to give someone a right good thumping. When you select a novel like this you want some intrigue, the odd chase and the bad guys getting their butts kicked and here you will not be disappointed.

In the acknowledgements (yes I do read them) it states that the original plan for this novel in the series was somewhat prescient in that it was going to be a battle against a weaponised virus, but by March 2020 that story was no longer viable. So, during the global lockdown No Way to Die was conceived and written to stand in its place. It’s the first book I have read which references Covid and some assumptions regarding its infection progress trajectory have obviously had to be made. Despite the entirely new plot the themes are still very much on point for today. The world fears major bombings and in particular ‘dirty’ bombs contaminated with nuclear, chemical, or biological agents.

The plot is not so much complex as very detailed. The first half of the book revolves around the search for the radioactive material and involves local police, the FBI, Homeland Security and Dempsey’s ISB. There are two strands, what the fugitives are doing and what law enforcement are doing, and rather a lot seems to be going on. This however is in part a smokescreen for the second half of the story, which becomes apparent as you read. These deceptions within the plot work well and surprised me. The reader gets a clear impression that there are motives not being revealed and must keep guessing where the story line of the fugitives is going.
The pacing for the plot varies, the first part is slow as there is at lot going on which must laid out, then mid-way through it speeds up considerably and builds up a sense of anxiety as they are working against the clock. There is still time for a couple of bluffs in the final third but when the final unwind comes it is rapid, perhaps a little too quickly for me as this is a not short novel, but this is a minor criticism and certainly shouldn’t put a potential reader.

Joshua who is incarcerated without trial in a secret army facility is a great character. After all who can resist a prisoner who has some inner goodness and can kill fellow inmates with plastic cutlery? He then provides a counterpoint to Dempsey, and they get the opportunity to clash like rutting stags. A bit of in-team aggression and mistrust is a great addition to the mix, but I’ll add no more to avoid the dreaded spoiler.

Although secondary to the two main male characters the female roles are good and are not mere additions. Indeed, there is no casual female conquest we are so used to from 007 through to Jack Reacher.
The ending itself appears conclusive, but do I detect a possible future get out? I guess I will need to keep reading to find out for sure, which after all is the mark of a good book series!

[Lynsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘No Way To Die’ is a high octave, action packed thriller that has your heart rate rising! This was a welcome return to this series and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Joe Dempsey is a character who you can’t help falling in love with - he is a spy with a heart, a guilty conscious and a deadly aim! He is certainly someone who you want on your side. This is the fourth book in the Killer Intent series but you can read it as a standalone as although there are mentions of past events, they don’t distract from the narrative in this one. You can be completely new to Dempsey and fall in love just as easily after reading only this book.

When there is a brutal murder of a police guard in Florida, the investigating cop Sergio is surprised that when he turns up to the crime scene that Homeland Security (Agent O’Rourke and May) has arrived before him. They believe that a nuclear delivery has taken place and that an alt-right terrorist organisation is behind it. Joe is about to actually take a holiday back to London but when an old friend’s son is associated with the incident in Florida he decides to make his way down there with Agent Eden Grace. What follows is a high-paced juggernaut of a plot that involves secret prisons, the US government having to negotiate with terrorists and an explosive ending to the story!

Basically I couldn’t put this book down and devoured in over two evenings. It reflects the political situation in America at the moment, with references to the Capital storming, the growth of the alt-right and people reacting to the restrictive covid lockdowns. It makes this a believable plot and an all realistic feel to the writing. This is a writer who has honed his craft - this is now the fourth book in the series and it feels as if everything has now come together to create a spectacular outing. The writing makes visualising the scenes as easy as if you were watching it on a screen, in fact I would love to see it on a screen! I also really enjoyed the characters in this one, they were all extremely well developed and I was particularly intrigued at the relationship between O’Rourke and May. I could even see them with a book of their own to delve more into that dynamic. Joe is currently my favourite ‘spy’ of the moment - he has a bit more humility in his soul, more able to understand people’s motivations and how they tick. He understands remorse but also the need to perform in a such a way to protect the world’s population. I like that inner turmoil that is running through him, otherwise he would just be a killing machine.

I honestly loved ‘No Way To Die’ and can’t wait for the next one in the series.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Elliott & Thompson for an advance copy of No Way to Die, the fourth novel in the Killer Intent series, set in the United States and featuring Agent Joe Dempsey of the International Security Bureau.

A man is murdered in Key West and his death is linked to a credible threat from right wing “patriot” militia when traces of radioactive material are found on the body. Joe Dempsey gets involved in the investigation with different federal agencies when he discovers a personal link, but when events threaten to spiral out of control he has to rely on an old enemy for help.

I enjoyed No Way to Die, which is a tightly plotted, fast moving thriller with multiple twists and turns. It should be noted that novel is far from realistic in the level of planning and execution from the militia, but who cares when it makes for such an exciting read? Fiction is the key word here and the author is to be commended for his imagination, plotting and execution.

The novel is exciting and action packed with a high body and weapon count. It moves relentlessly from one action scene to the next, throwing in twists at every turn. Personally, I found it easier to put down than it should be and this because it constantly switches point of view. I just got settled in to one character when it switches to another. At the beginning I had no idea who all these characters were and where they fitted in so it was a bit bewildering and, to be honest, off putting. Even when I knew where everyone fits in the switches were frequent enough to be discordant. I can understand that this offers a wider perspective on events, but I felt it was too much.

I was interested in the author’s take on the politics of this novel. His take on right wing extremism chimes with my understanding of the thought process and he says it so much better than I could. More interesting is his picture of a government with a cynical disregard for human rights and a mindset that thinks they can do anything they want. Exactly what the militia wants to destroy.

No Way to Die is a good read that I can recommend.

[Cassandra MADEUP BookBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy Crime Thrillers that keep you guessing, with twists and turns that have your best attempts at beating the author to the punch thwarted, then you need to give this book a go.

The story is well paced from the very beginning, keeping things moving until the very end. Several times I thought i could see where the story might be about to take me, only to grin when something different happened.

Several times when reading this book I have sat frowning at what was happening, for family to ask what’s up and be shushed for interrupting! I have to say that when I read the blurb I was curious to get stuck in, but wary. Being heavily pregnant and uncomfortable with it, i have been struggling at times to get my head involved in a story, but this one had me reading it within a few days. I kept coming back to see what would happen next!

Ordinarily I wouldn’t delve into a series in the middle, but not only did I love every page of this, it has easily convinced me to start at the beginning and keep an eye out for more from the Author. The storyline itself was a new idea to me, the premise being modern and unexpected in many ways, and the way the story progressed was unpredictable from start to end.

There are several characters central to the story, each with a unique reason for being included, yet each made sense! I would imagine that in this kind of scenario, it would make sense to have to work with some shady people to get answers, and the author has used that in a way that weaves into the tale seamlessly and more importantly, believably!

If you enjoy your crime thrillers with a modern slant, that will keep you engaged and guessing from start to very end, then make you want to dive into another when the last page is turned, then this is one you simply MUST add to your TBR!!

[Cheryl M-M · Rating 4 out of 5]

The unexpected and brutal death of a security guard is the starting point for a chase across country to catch a militant group with a deadly mission. Joe Dempsey finds himself pulled between saving many and finding someone who may or may not be at the middle of an insidious plot.

Kent spins a web a little bit like someone attached pins to a board and drawing string from one pin to the other. Connecting places, people and events - all driven by a common denominator. I kind of liked the way the author takes the reader into one corner and completely submerges everyone in the here and now, only to whip them straight out of that moment and into a another in the blink of an eye.

It gives this thriller an element of mystery, whilst also giving it on point political vibe. The drive of fanatics and the very real danger of domestic terrorism. Not a new concept, but a very divisive one at the moment. Does the goal justify the means depending on the message? Has a new kind of division created the kind of wedge it's hard to remove?

I think that's certainly a strongpoint when it comes to Kent's books. You get the action, the humanity, the brotherhood, but also the realism.
*I received a courtesy copy*

[Paul Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced action thriller, the entire plot taking place over only a few days. It features Joe Dempsey, a Special Agent at the fictitious UN International Security Bureau, as he assists an investigation into a domestic terrorist plot in the US.

The plot becomes increasingly complex as the action develops. Initially driven by the actions of the terrorists, the balance changes as they are pursued by a combination of US and ISB agents. There are also question marks about the personal motives and agendas of some of the characters.

The action takes place in 2021 and the author has been brave enough to incorporate the covid pandemic, albeit obliquely, into the narrative. But he has also changed a few fundamentals, with an effective President who has be re-elected to office (not Trump, then).

It kept me guessing, thereby holding my interest, until the final showdown. In general I'm not a big fan of this type of story (perhaps because having worked in international relations I know how mundane and boring the reality is, compared with the intrigue such storylines rely on). So it's a tribute to Tony Kent's writing that I enjoyed this enough for 4 stars.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another very exciting Joe Dempsey thriller (Irish barrister, Michael Devlin, doesn't put in an appearance this time - he's simply mentioned by name). This time, he's hunting down a domestic terrorist group which is planning to bring down the US government. But when things go awry, Dempsey is forced to enlist the help of his old friend, and now his old enemy, Jim Turner - last seen being shot (and believed to be dead) by Dempsey at the end of the first book, Killer Intent.

My only complaint is that the ending felt rather rushed. Everything up until then - the opening murder, the chase, the random killings along the way, the release of the terrorist leader, Peyton Travis, the twists and turns - was a slow burn which simply added to the tension. But then, in what seemed like only a matter of chapters, the terrorists' base was found, Turner's son was rescued, and the bad guys were duly despatched. I'd looked forward to a real showdown at the end but the fight felt as though it was over in a matter of moments.

[Alex Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the books I’ve read this year, this book screams Hollywood, it’s Calling for Michael Bay and a leading man to sizzle, crack and explode like Tony Kent’s latest smashing Thriller.

Pumped full of adrenaline, this thriller actually burns slowly throughout but when it flexes its muscles it hits like a heavyweight boxer.

Kent’s writing style is extremely stylish, and his stories, characters and locations are second to none.

This is an author who really write. With a story set against a very distant pandemic, Kent manages to include the devastation of Covid 19 without distraction from his story, which includes white supremacy and terrorist born from the land of which they terrorise, I love how Kent doesn’t just go the easy route with his villains.

Powerful, suspenseful, explosive and quite enthralling, slap this on the big screen, throw me some nachos and let me re live Dempsey at his best.

Fine stuff

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

No Way To Die By Tony Kent
The 4th book in the series and we see the Return of Joe Dempsey as he battles homegrown terrorists determined to bring the US Government to there knees.
I have been a fan of these books since the start with Killer intent they are action packed with killer plots and writing, However as much as this is a good book and I did enjoy it, I felt what we get here in book 4 is a little rinse and repeat from the previous books, we get no new insights into the character of Dempsey and was a little disappointed that the cool Irish lawyer Devlin did not even feature in this book other than a small name check.
The book is packed full of action and the plot is a little unbelievable for My tastes, this can be read as a stand alone so need to have read the three previous books to get into this one.

I will continue to support and read Mr. Kents books as they are a hell of a lot better than what is knocking around in this genre.
overall a fairly solid book.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Way to Die: An amalgam of 007 and Orphan X
Rating: A well deserved 5/5.
Wow, from the first to the last page a jam packed action thriller. The USA is threatened with dirty bombs but who is behind it and what is it that they want. Innocent bodies are scattered everywhere as the chase is on to prevent a catastrophe.
I read No Way to Die as a stand-alone and was thoroughly engrossed by the characters; especially Dempsey, Eden Grace and the enigmatic O’Rourke. The gripping plot and action were riveting.
This is the first novel I have read by the exceptionally talented Tony Kent and it certainly won’t be the last. Why am I so sure, I have just purchased the first two books in this series.
Many thanks to Tony Kent, Elliott and Thompson and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read No Way to Die and discover Tony Kent’s novels. In return I have have written an honest and unbiased review,
Highly recommended.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Way to Die by Tony Kent is book 4 in the Dempsey/Delvin series and what a brilliant series it is!
In short, it starts with a body found in Key West and worrying traces of radioactive material which is why Joe Dempsey and his Alpha Team from the International Security Bureau get involved in this dangerous, fast moving case involving a terrorist group ready and determined to bring the US Government to its knees. Dempsey discovers he also has a personal connection to the group, so expect high octane drama.
Wow, this book/series is a real treat for fans of hard hitting, fast paced action thrillers that keep you hooked until the very end! Long live Joe Dempsey. I highly recommend this book.
Big thanks to Tony Kent, Elliott and Thompson and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.

[Monika Harry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explosive, relentless, and impossible to put down! No Way to Die cements Tony Kent as a master of the modern thriller. From the gripping opening in Key West to the heart-stopping finale, the tension never lets up.

When a body is found with traces of radioactive material, what seems like an isolated crime quickly escalates into a national nightmare. Joe Dempsey is once again thrown into the center of chaos—this time with new partner Eden Grace, a brilliant former Secret Service agent. Their chemistry and determination drive the story forward as they chase a domestic terror threat that feels chillingly real.

Kent weaves action, intelligence, and emotion seamlessly. The plot races at breakneck speed, yet every twist feels earned, and the reappearance of Dempsey’s past nemesis adds a layer of depth and suspense that keeps you guessing until the end.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the furthest from my usual choice of read - it’s not even billed as something I would generally buy. I read it as I was interviewing the author, what I will say as a complete novice to thrillers is that I was pleasantly surprised. Despite the fast moving pace you get to know all the characters and actually care about what happens to them as they are all come across as quite real/normal characters. The plot went at quite a pace and was full of twists and turns, although this can be enjoyed as a stand-alone I felt I missed out from not reading earlier novels. Despite the action there isn’t a large amount of gore and I liked that it is set jn it’s own version of now. I would read more from this author 4* from me

[John Thurlbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful to Elliott and Thompson, and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I had already read a couple of Tony's books and anticipated what No Way To Die might bring. I was not disappointed!

Tony's storyline and its characterisations, especially Dempsey and some new additions to the roster, make for pulse-racing, dynamic reading at its best. Fortunately, the story leaves you wanting more each chapter with more twists and turns than a fantastic roller-coaster.

The story quickly unfolded and gathered momentum until a fascinating outcome. It hooked me from the start, and I loved it!

If you like fast-paced, cracking thrillers, you will not be disappointed!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not going to lie - I do love me a bit of Joe Dempsey. Luckily for me, with No Way To Die Tony Kent has treated readers to a whole lot of Dempsey and a lot more besides. Tense, action packed and full of threat, mystery and misdirection, this book grabs you from the opening pages and rattles every last nerve as it takes you on one heck of a bumpy ride. It's up to Dempsey, Eden Grace and a whole host of Special Agents from across the US Agencies to prevent what would potentially be one of the most catastrophic acts of domestic terrorism the country has seen.

I'm exhausted just thinking about it, but that's nothing compared with what awaits my favourite action man, Joe Dempsey. And all when he thought he was set to have a nice long holiday too ... I love the way in which Tony Kent pulls us into this story. You know from the beginning that something is a little ... off, but it takes a time for the whole picture to become clear. Even as the facts slowly emerge, I felt my spine tingling, knowing that there was someone very clever, very manipulative, pulling the strings. It's just that underlying sense of something darker, something just out of line of sight, that permeates the narrative and really kept me focused and intrigued on what I was reading.

And what a something that is. There was a point in the story where I could see the direction the story was going to take ... sort of. You can see the deception playing out, to a degree, but I certainly wasn't prepared for everything that came to pass. The author has played a blinder, letting readers in on the secret just a fraction before Dempsey sees the light, but in such a deadly game, that fraction of a second is all it takes for everything you think you know to be completely blown apart, and to very spectacular effect. It had me both hopping mad AND smiling with delight, not an easy combination to pull off I think you'll agree.

I do love the way in which Tony Kent has built up his characters. As much as he was a kind of aloof, rather. reserved and focused figure in KIller Intent, over the course of the series we have really come to know Joe Dempsey, and the more I know, the more I see of him beyond the rigid, duty driven soldier persona, the more I like him. He's definitely one of my favourite action heroes and an absolute go to when it comes to needing a thrill fix to read. Alongside him it is great to see Eden Grace back. She really made a mark in the book's predecessor and it is great to see such a strong, capable female character matching Dempsey stroke for stroke. They make a brilliant combination and compliment each other perfectly. Dempsey may have more experience and more pure strength, but Eden is right up there too as a force to be reckoned with.

In fact, there are a lot of strong female characters in this book with some notable, high profile characters taking centre stage. Whereas once upon a time this kind of novel would be awash with testosterone, and don't get me wrong, there is still plenty on display, two very key players are rocking the XX chromosomes and really making waves in Key West. The presence of Special Agent 'Don't call me Bambi' O'Rourke of Homeland Security and Agent Nicki May from the Department of Justice make it clear very early on that the case is big. Almost as big as O'Rourke's personality. She made me laugh at times, but she has been written perfectly. Never any question over her authority, but it was an understated commanding of the scenes in which she appeared rather that made the impression, rather than an over exaggerated expression of dominance that is often seen when trying to develop strong female characters.

The bad guys in this novel are underhand and very, very cunning much as you may expect. There is a level of violence which underpins parts of the text, but never played out in a gratuitous way. Tony Kent brings the action to the page in an almost matter of fact way - quick, sharp, exact and over in the blink of an eye - much as you'd expect when you realise quite who is involved. If you have been with the series from the start then a certain name may well make you sit up and take note. When this person is involved it can only mean danger, although the circumstances may be a touch surprising too. But I liked it, liked the way Tony Kent used the tension and history between the characters to inform and enhance the story, and loved watching the conflicting emotions within Dempsey as he tried to work out just who to trust.

If you like action packed, high stakes, high tension reads, packed with brilliant characters, tight plotting and a truly addictive story that will keep you riveted from start to finish, you need to read this book. I loved it. Heck. You need to read the whole series. It's a heady combination of action, legal and political thrillers that is just damned good fun. Definitely recommended. And for the humour, the misdirection and the mighty fine characters, it's getting a red hot read tag too.

[KerryO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tony Kent’s No Way to Die is a fast-paced action thriller about a terrorist group attempting to bring down the government of the United States with radioactive bombs. In pursuit is ISB Agent Joe Dempsey and his team. From Key West, Florida up the eastern coast the action is non-stop. Joe soon discovers a personal connection to one of the terrorists which leads to the discovery that actions in Joe’s past are not as he has come to believe. With a race to find the weapons, this is a book you can’t put down until the story ends! I received an ARC from NetGalley, and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Adrian Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an interesting series this. Two key characters, Devlin the barrister and Dempsey the agent. The first and third book employs them both. The second is all Devlin and book 4 is all Dempsey.
It's based entirely in the USA and deals with the threat of white supremacists getting organised.
It's a good read, but I kind of worked out what was going on quite quickly. Given Dempsey's almost superman status, it seemed odd he was so slow on the uptake on this one.
The tension is maintained throughout with plenty of action and a good ending.

[Nigel Street · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time I have read this author and it has been some while for me away from books. While this genre is always easy to get into and eases you back into reading by not being to intellectually demanding I recall often end up feeling unfulfilled at the end. Getting invested in the key characters is crucial and it is here that I probably struggled most as Dempsey, the principle character, did nothing for me - another super fit killing machine. So maybe I need to look elsewhere for my thriller action…

[Georgina Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @randomthingstours for my copy of this book.

I do enjoy a good thriller with a race against time storyline and this was it. Written superbly and in a fast paced way, this kept you gripped from the offset. This is book 4 in the series but can be read as a standalone.

The main characters were likeable, entertaining and great at what they do. Every timeline within the book came together brilliantly at the end, although I was a bit apprehensive that the ending was going to feel rushed. After 500 pages, it still hadn’t concluded (it was 530 altogether) but it wasn’t, the ending was great.

A good enjoyable thriller, I’m definitely going to check out the earlier books in the series.

[Neil Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4th book in Dempsey & Devlin novels.
Excellent fast paced thriller set in Florida Keys. Encompassing a sect of redneck terrorists a terrorist locked up in a Texas facility who’s inmates. Aren’t allocated a trial but there for life. Also Joshua Dempseys mentor but also locked up in the facility without Dempsey’s knowledge as he thought he’d killed him in an earlier book but needs his help to defeat the terrorists. Highly recommended must read book as Tony gets better & better book by book.