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Tara Wolfe Thrillers #1
Purity Kills
NOW: AN ACTION-PACKED SPIN-OFF SERIES FROM THE GABRIEL WOLFE THRILLERS
They want her to kill for the Party – but she has other ideas
As a baby, Tara Wolfe was kidnapped by Hong Kong triads. After a bungled ransom demand, she was taken sceretly to the mainland. Now known as Wei Mei, she has known no other life but the rural village where ‘Mummy Rita’ raised her. When men with guns arrive in the village looking for her, she runs away to the Chinese megacity of Shenzhen, and a life on the streets.
Witnessed by a talent scout defending herself from an assault by three rich kids, Mei is recruited for a Communist Party school for assassins. The training is brutal, but Mei makes a couple of friends along the way: ‘Rats’ and ‘Sis’. Then, after an arduous training exercise, something happens that tears the tight-knit trio apart.
Mei’s dreams hint at a life she can’t remember. Determined to escape and return to make sure Mummy Rita is safe, she ends up in even worse danger than before, as foreign agents close in. Then she discovers the secret that will destroy any chance she has of returning to a normal life.
She hatches a daring plan to free herself from the Party’s clutches before it’s too late. But with just 24 hours before she is taken to a Beijing facility where her fate will be sealed, time is running out, fast.
They want her to kill for the Party – but she has other ideas
As a baby, Tara Wolfe was kidnapped by Hong Kong triads. After a bungled ransom demand, she was taken sceretly to the mainland. Now known as Wei Mei, she has known no other life but the rural village where ‘Mummy Rita’ raised her. When men with guns arrive in the village looking for her, she runs away to the Chinese megacity of Shenzhen, and a life on the streets.
Witnessed by a talent scout defending herself from an assault by three rich kids, Mei is recruited for a Communist Party school for assassins. The training is brutal, but Mei makes a couple of friends along the way: ‘Rats’ and ‘Sis’. Then, after an arduous training exercise, something happens that tears the tight-knit trio apart.
Mei’s dreams hint at a life she can’t remember. Determined to escape and return to make sure Mummy Rita is safe, she ends up in even worse danger than before, as foreign agents close in. Then she discovers the secret that will destroy any chance she has of returning to a normal life.
She hatches a daring plan to free herself from the Party’s clutches before it’s too late. But with just 24 hours before she is taken to a Beijing facility where her fate will be sealed, time is running out, fast.
- GenresThriller
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2022
About the author
Andy Maslen
77 books549 followersMULTI-MILLION COPY BESTSELLER
Andy Maslen writes thrillers across a number of genres: police procedurals, vigilante, psychological, suspense and horror. He spent 30 years in business before turning to writing full time.
Readers praise Andy's novels for their relatable characters, realistic dialogue, sense of place and kinetic action sequences, and for his meticulous research into police procedure around the world.
He is the creator of best-selling series featuring Kat Ballantyne, Gabriel Wolfe, Stella Cole and Inspector Ford, plus standalone novels and short stories.
Andy was born in Nottingham, England. After leaving university with a degree in psychology, he worked in business for thirty years as a copywriter. In his spare time, he plays the guitar. He lives in Wiltshire.
Andy Maslen writes thrillers across a number of genres: police procedurals, vigilante, psychological, suspense and horror. He spent 30 years in business before turning to writing full time.
Readers praise Andy's novels for their relatable characters, realistic dialogue, sense of place and kinetic action sequences, and for his meticulous research into police procedure around the world.
He is the creator of best-selling series featuring Kat Ballantyne, Gabriel Wolfe, Stella Cole and Inspector Ford, plus standalone novels and short stories.
Andy was born in Nottingham, England. After leaving university with a degree in psychology, he worked in business for thirty years as a copywriter. In his spare time, he plays the guitar. He lives in Wiltshire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 17, 2022
Gabriel Wolfe has a sister, a woman we now know as Tara Wolfe. But she did Not start out that way, as her young life was twisted and tossed around many times. This is the story of her very beginning, who she learned from, being kidnapped and taken to live with 'Mummy Rita'. Learning a simple life until men with guns force her to the streets of the city. Here she becomes smart, cunning, and ruthless, having to defend herself against three rich kids as a 'talent scout' spots her. And takes her away from jail to a 'school' for Communist assassins. And she learns faster than ever when taught by those only seeking the brightest and quickest. She is Wei Mei at this time, and school and learning to kill becomes her life.
The school makes it almost impossible to leave, but Mei still has thoughts of the quiet in the village with Mummy Rita, and starts to plan an escape. An interesting story as we follow all a young girl goes through on her way to become the strong woman she is today. I am eagerly awaiting the next in this series! I received an ARC from the author and I offer you my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
The school makes it almost impossible to leave, but Mei still has thoughts of the quiet in the village with Mummy Rita, and starts to plan an escape. An interesting story as we follow all a young girl goes through on her way to become the strong woman she is today. I am eagerly awaiting the next in this series! I received an ARC from the author and I offer you my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
March 18, 2024
Being one of my favourite authors he never disappoints
I now need to read the others!
I now need to read the others!
January 15, 2022
What did Tara Wolfe get up to after being kidnapped as an infant?
A lot, it turns out.
She spends a relatively poor but peaceful childhood in a remote Chinese village. But after a surprise visit from mysterious men in suits forces her to run away to the big city, teenage Tara lives on the streets, surviving off petty crimes, before getting recruited into a military programme.
This novel is the story of how Tara is trained to become the deadly fighter she is today. It’s as action-packed and gory as you’d expect from a Maslen thriller, but with a subtle sensitivity that gives the story more depth.
A worthy origin story for a badass character, and an extremely promising start to a new series.
I’m looking forward to seeing what twists and turns Tara’s journey will take next.
A lot, it turns out.
She spends a relatively poor but peaceful childhood in a remote Chinese village. But after a surprise visit from mysterious men in suits forces her to run away to the big city, teenage Tara lives on the streets, surviving off petty crimes, before getting recruited into a military programme.
This novel is the story of how Tara is trained to become the deadly fighter she is today. It’s as action-packed and gory as you’d expect from a Maslen thriller, but with a subtle sensitivity that gives the story more depth.
A worthy origin story for a badass character, and an extremely promising start to a new series.
I’m looking forward to seeing what twists and turns Tara’s journey will take next.
January 26, 2022
Another Fantastic Offering By A Great Author-The First Spin-Off From The “Gabriel Wolfe Series”
The Author, Andy Maslen, has added an exciting new book to his fans in this new series “spin-off” from his exceptional “Gabriel Wolfe Series” and it is well worth reading. I “Highly Recommended It”, and I believe the majority of you will agree with me.
The story holds together well, and the plot carries the story, and there is plenty of action for the most “jaded action junkies” among us.
I’m assuming, if you’re reading my review, that you’ve already read the “Author’s Blurb” on Amazon, (or other source), but if you haven’t I recommend it. The author gives an excellent synopsis of what is inside without any “spoilers”. I hate spoilers, and therefore I’m loathe to say more here.
Oh yes. Before I forget:
Yes, I am an Advanced Copy Reader (and sometimes Beta Reader), and therefore I received a copy of this book, in exchange for agreeing to write, and post, an “honest” review. I was neither offered nor did I accept any other consideration to influence my review, nor do I have any financial motive for its success or failure. This review is based solely upon my personal subjective enjoyment of the book.
The Author, Andy Maslen, has added an exciting new book to his fans in this new series “spin-off” from his exceptional “Gabriel Wolfe Series” and it is well worth reading. I “Highly Recommended It”, and I believe the majority of you will agree with me.
The story holds together well, and the plot carries the story, and there is plenty of action for the most “jaded action junkies” among us.
I’m assuming, if you’re reading my review, that you’ve already read the “Author’s Blurb” on Amazon, (or other source), but if you haven’t I recommend it. The author gives an excellent synopsis of what is inside without any “spoilers”. I hate spoilers, and therefore I’m loathe to say more here.
Oh yes. Before I forget:
Yes, I am an Advanced Copy Reader (and sometimes Beta Reader), and therefore I received a copy of this book, in exchange for agreeing to write, and post, an “honest” review. I was neither offered nor did I accept any other consideration to influence my review, nor do I have any financial motive for its success or failure. This review is based solely upon my personal subjective enjoyment of the book.
January 17, 2022
I am a huge fan of Andy Maslen's work and eagerly anticipated reading Mei's back story. However, the first few chapters left me wondering whether he had actually written them himself – nowhere near his usual standard. There are some grammatical errors and far too much use of coarse language. I appreciate that he is setting the scene amongst “street life” but even so the amount of swear words, in my opinion, was not necessary. I was so disappointed by the style and content of the writing at the start of this book, that had I not been reviewing it, I would not have read any further.
I did continue and the content improved greatly, to the standard I have come to expect from this author. It can be read as a stand alone or as an “added interest” to the immensely good Gabriel Wolfe series of books.
January 18, 2022
Thank you Andy...At last we have the story about Tara, and what happened to her after her kidnapping as a very young child.
What a childhood she had! Taken from the woman she thought was her mother, Mummy Rita. She's taken away to the City where she lives on her wits, stealing food, money whatever they need to survive.
Then, without giving away the sensational storyline, she's trained to be an Assassin!
This is a truly amazing book, such a thrilling, heartwarmimg in places the way the children help one another. But violence, cruelty, togetherness and the characters that keep the pages turning.
Now we need the next book to see how Gabriel and Mei (Tara) get together for the first time.
An awesome storyline that you're going to put everything else on hold because you are simply unable to stop reading.
Highly recommend this brilliantly written thriller by Andy Maslen.
What a childhood she had! Taken from the woman she thought was her mother, Mummy Rita. She's taken away to the City where she lives on her wits, stealing food, money whatever they need to survive.
Then, without giving away the sensational storyline, she's trained to be an Assassin!
This is a truly amazing book, such a thrilling, heartwarmimg in places the way the children help one another. But violence, cruelty, togetherness and the characters that keep the pages turning.
Now we need the next book to see how Gabriel and Mei (Tara) get together for the first time.
An awesome storyline that you're going to put everything else on hold because you are simply unable to stop reading.
Highly recommend this brilliantly written thriller by Andy Maslen.
January 18, 2022
Purity Kills is the first book in a brand-new series.
Wei Mei was introduced in one of the latest Gabriele Wolfe series of books, also written by Andy Maslen.
This novel begins with Wei Mei (aka Tara Wolfe, Gabriele's sister), a twelve-years old young girl in a small village in China. It follows as she trains as #12 of twelve students in a Chinese school to become an assassin.
This great book is about Wei as she tackles the various training steps during the brutal months it lasts. Included are enough surprises to keep the reader not wanting to stop reading, thereby making it a challenge to finish it.
So hop to it anyway!
Wei Mei was introduced in one of the latest Gabriele Wolfe series of books, also written by Andy Maslen.
This novel begins with Wei Mei (aka Tara Wolfe, Gabriele's sister), a twelve-years old young girl in a small village in China. It follows as she trains as #12 of twelve students in a Chinese school to become an assassin.
This great book is about Wei as she tackles the various training steps during the brutal months it lasts. Included are enough surprises to keep the reader not wanting to stop reading, thereby making it a challenge to finish it.
So hop to it anyway!
January 19, 2022
Purity Kills by Andy Maslen is the first in the Tara Wolfe thrillers, and whilst it is an offshoot of the Gabriel Wolfe thriller series,it could well be even more successful than the Gabriel Wolfe series.
I started the book late yesterday afternoon and have just finished this mesmerising story the following afternoon. The beginning of the Tara Wolfe series sets out how she lived as a small child, with the woman she called Mummy Rita and how she started her training to be as expert as Gabriel in combat.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more in this series.
Highly recommended
I started the book late yesterday afternoon and have just finished this mesmerising story the following afternoon. The beginning of the Tara Wolfe series sets out how she lived as a small child, with the woman she called Mummy Rita and how she started her training to be as expert as Gabriel in combat.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more in this series.
Highly recommended
January 12, 2022
The beginning of a new series from Andy about the early days of a Chinese assassin named Mei Wei. A Chinese girl always in trouble gets taken to a Chinese training camp after killing a cop and a party officials son. As her training begins all she wants is to escape and go home. This is non stop action from beginning to end ! An awesome cast of characters and superb storyline will keep up reading late ! Can’t wait for the next one ! If you’re a Gabriel Wolfe fan you will definitely be interested.
January 14, 2022
Good first book in a new series that explains how Mei Wei became the adult she is today. Kidnapped as a baby, growing up on the streets of Shenzhen after fleeing the village she had been raised in. After being arrested , Mei Wei is recruited by an organization to learn how to kill the enemies of the people of China. After months of training with other students, Mei finds out the next step is brainwashing. She devises a plan to escape. It is not easy, but she succeeds and returns to her village.
January 18, 2022
This is my honest unbiased review of an arc book I was pleased to receive from the Author.
I enjoyed finding out about Tara Wolfe's early life after she was kidnapped as a tiny baby. In this first book she is known as Wel Mei and it shows the hard and dangerous life she led. It's a book full of action and killing, mostly by Wel Mei herself, which is an essential part of the story.
It's a very compelling and riveting read which had me not wanting to put down till finished.
I very much enjoyed this and look forward to get next book.
Always love reading Andy's books.
I enjoyed finding out about Tara Wolfe's early life after she was kidnapped as a tiny baby. In this first book she is known as Wel Mei and it shows the hard and dangerous life she led. It's a book full of action and killing, mostly by Wel Mei herself, which is an essential part of the story.
It's a very compelling and riveting read which had me not wanting to put down till finished.
I very much enjoyed this and look forward to get next book.
Always love reading Andy's books.
February 13, 2022
Mei is a teenager from Shenzhen in China. Other then her street smarts and survival skills she has very little hope for her future survival. She is arrested for killing a street vendor who attacked Incarcerated and probably facing a long sentence or execution she is rescued by a female inside of the jail.,She has been selected to become a student in a institution that will train her to become an assassin. If she refuses she goes back to jail. This is an extremely fast paced action thriller!! Enjoyed immensely!!
January 18, 2022
Excellent first book in a new series by this master craftsman.
Gabriel Wolf has a sister, Wei Mei, this is her story.
Hopefully the first of many tales featuring this new/old character ( if you've read Andy's other work you'll know what I mean ).
Starts of at a pace and just gets faster, characters are extremely well plotted and developed for the first in the series.
Can't wait for the next instalment, but with so many irons in the fire, that could be a while.
Gabriel Wolf has a sister, Wei Mei, this is her story.
Hopefully the first of many tales featuring this new/old character ( if you've read Andy's other work you'll know what I mean ).
Starts of at a pace and just gets faster, characters are extremely well plotted and developed for the first in the series.
Can't wait for the next instalment, but with so many irons in the fire, that could be a while.
January 18, 2022
I received this book as an ARC inreturn for my honest review. First read for this author although I have many more on my tbr list. I found Mr. Maslen to be a fine writer. He grabbed my interest right away and kept it to the last page. His descriptions made me feel I was right in China. The intrigue had me turning pages all night. I now find I have to get back to the beginning with the Gabriel Wolfe stories both to catch up and I find myself wanting more Andy Maslen.
January 18, 2022
A new series about Gabriel Wolfe sister Tara Wolfe who was kidnapped at a young age.
She lived a simple life looked after by a woman who she knew as Mummy Rita in a remote village.
She runs away to the city after men turn up looking for her.
In the city she learns how to survive and is spotted for her skills and is taken away to train in a school for Communist Assassins.
The book explains about her life at the school and is very exciting to read.
Denise
She lived a simple life looked after by a woman who she knew as Mummy Rita in a remote village.
She runs away to the city after men turn up looking for her.
In the city she learns how to survive and is spotted for her skills and is taken away to train in a school for Communist Assassins.
The book explains about her life at the school and is very exciting to read.
Denise
January 10, 2022
The first I assume in a new series of books by Andy Maslen. It introduces the new leading character and describes her early life and how she becomes who she is. It is a very interesting and enjoyable read and kept me reading till the end. I will be looking for the next in the series to see how the story evolves . Worth a read
January 16, 2022
An excellent thriller with a well written storyline and a great cast of characters. Mei's (Tara) character evolves in this new series as she is groomed to be an assassin. A page turning read with plenty of non-stop action and suspense. Very enjoyable and interesting read that I would highly recommend. Will be looking for the next book in this series to find out Mei's next adventure.
January 18, 2022
The formative years of Wei Mei (Tara Wolfe). Having already met Tara in the Gabriel Wolfe books, it is good to understand what happened in her early after she was kidnapped by the Hong Kong Triads.
Being a street kid and living on her wits, to becoming a trainee assassin for the Chinese state; she very quickly learns how to look after herself.
Being a street kid and living on her wits, to becoming a trainee assassin for the Chinese state; she very quickly learns how to look after herself.
February 8, 2022
What a talented author Andy Maslen. I've been following him for a long time, and each and every tome is a winner. Purity Kills is an awesome novel. Doesn't get better than this. An inspired story, exceptional presentation of characters, this story grabs and keeps you riveted until the end. What a great start to what I hope is a very long series. I read 3-5 books a week, and this is the kind of book that I relish. Kudos
April 21, 2022
Another excellent Andy Maslen
Another excellent Andy Maslen novel. A totally different storyline, but like all his books, over way too soon. The main character you feel between sorrow and encouragement during her training, but hoping for revenge. All lovers of his work will not be disappointed with this one. Leaves one feeling he has left a lot unwritten for further books.
Another excellent Andy Maslen novel. A totally different storyline, but like all his books, over way too soon. The main character you feel between sorrow and encouragement during her training, but hoping for revenge. All lovers of his work will not be disappointed with this one. Leaves one feeling he has left a lot unwritten for further books.
September 17, 2023
good read perhaps revealing too much here..
Heart tugging, but kept me up til 3 am reading. Mei, the primary in the book is admirable as a determined, strong young girl. She’s smart and knows what she wants. Having read the other Gabriel books I was disappointed in what she “remembered” as an infant….BUT A GOOD BOOK NONETHELESS.
Heart tugging, but kept me up til 3 am reading. Mei, the primary in the book is admirable as a determined, strong young girl. She’s smart and knows what she wants. Having read the other Gabriel books I was disappointed in what she “remembered” as an infant….BUT A GOOD BOOK NONETHELESS.
January 9, 2022
A new series we meet Tara later known as Mei. A life she had known to be taken and trained to be an assassin. Risking death to get back to what she once knew. A good beginning of one so young, now older than her years
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
January 24, 2022
First book in what I hope will have more to follow. Compulsive reading. So didn't want this book to end when it did. Can't wait to read the follow up. It's a different style from his other works, but it definitely hits the right spot.
January 25, 2022
Great book
Another great book from Andy Maslen, slightly different to the Gabriel Wolfe series really looking forward to the next in the series and find out how the interaction with the triads begins
Another great book from Andy Maslen, slightly different to the Gabriel Wolfe series really looking forward to the next in the series and find out how the interaction with the triads begins
February 7, 2022
Mei
Brilliant, Andy Maslen has out done himself in bringing fourth Mei. Gabriel Wolfes kidnapped sister. How she lived, survived and learned how to care for herself and others. Fantastic
Brilliant, Andy Maslen has out done himself in bringing fourth Mei. Gabriel Wolfes kidnapped sister. How she lived, survived and learned how to care for herself and others. Fantastic
February 26, 2022
Purity Kills. Great Opening Story.
I want more. Really fine characters, story, development. Super believable protagonist. A heroic assassin is born. I don't write long reviews, but I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Looking for the sequel now.
I want more. Really fine characters, story, development. Super believable protagonist. A heroic assassin is born. I don't write long reviews, but I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Looking for the sequel now.
October 30, 2023
interesting
It was interesting to get more background on Gabriel’s sister , not too many pages of dreams. Had to skip through pages and pages of uninteresting thoughts and dreams in most of the Gabriel Wolfe books.
It was interesting to get more background on Gabriel’s sister , not too many pages of dreams. Had to skip through pages and pages of uninteresting thoughts and dreams in most of the Gabriel Wolfe books.
January 10, 2022
A well written story of Wei Mei, it will be interesting to find out what happens to her and how she connects with her family, in future books.
January 18, 2022
Brilliant
A brilliant book. Hard to put down. How Gabriel Wolfe's sister was raised and trained. First book in a new series I hope. Highly recommend all of Andy Maslen's books.
A brilliant book. Hard to put down. How Gabriel Wolfe's sister was raised and trained. First book in a new series I hope. Highly recommend all of Andy Maslen's books.
September 18, 2022
Quirky but very good
Fast paced and a tad hard boiled. Loved all the would be assassins learning their tradecraft. Very well written with a flowing storyline
Fast paced and a tad hard boiled. Loved all the would be assassins learning their tradecraft. Very well written with a flowing storyline
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews