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Dan Calder Series
Bonded
Some families shouldn't stick together. When unlimited wealth and power are incorporated into the mix too, no boundaries are safe.
Dan Calder's thrown in at the deep end to help Police unravel the evidence of a terrorist bombing plot at Auckland International Airport, but the one thing he needs most of all is the one thing he doesn't have .... time.
When Calder challenge the authorities view, he's summarily dumped from the investigation. Aggrieved and hell bent on solving the outrageously audacious crime, he takes off to St Louis in search of a missing sister and preventing the family reunion to end all reunions.
Dan Calder's thrown in at the deep end to help Police unravel the evidence of a terrorist bombing plot at Auckland International Airport, but the one thing he needs most of all is the one thing he doesn't have .... time.
When Calder challenge the authorities view, he's summarily dumped from the investigation. Aggrieved and hell bent on solving the outrageously audacious crime, he takes off to St Louis in search of a missing sister and preventing the family reunion to end all reunions.
324 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2021
3 people want to read
About the author
Ian Austin
6 books11 followersMy childhood was spectacularly normal. I came from a settled and happy home; one older sister, one younger brother. I obtained no qualifications at school and hated every minute of it. Looking back now it was because they could not teach the way I needed to learn, and I could not learn the way they taught. I thought I was stupid and did little to persuade anybody differently. I was good at sports which got me through.
After school I drifted between various jobs including hotel porter and photocopier salesman. Hampshire Police proved to be my salvation. I joined in 1985 and immediately found that ‘thing’ I’d been looking for, for my whole life.
I was a career policeman and if I hadn’t been I would probably have been a criminal. That poacher turned gamekeeper stood me in good stead. I gained a reputation as a thief-taker because I could put myself in the crim’s position; several times fleeing burglars literally ran into my arms because I guessed where they would try to escape.
During early writing of reports, statements and interviews etc I discovered I was talented in that direction and enjoyed that aspect. It got me known and trusted to provide high quality work.
I became a specialist public order and tactical firearms officer. Later I was selected as a detective.
On Christmas Eve 1991 I was almost beaten to death outside a pub in Southampton. My recovery included long spells of depression and a breakdown. My marriage failed too.
I was selected for a specialist surveillance team which led to undercover work and then onto operational work with Regional and National Crime Squads and Special Branch. I was necessarily bound by the Official Secrets Act which is still in force today.
My talents led me to be selected as the youngest ever (in terms of years’ service) National Crime Squad trainer for surveillance. It was here I developed my writing skills completing lesson plans, operational orders, multi-agency reports etc.
In 2003 I was selected to transfer to the New Zealand Police. I served in Auckland for 4 years before I left. In 2009, my partner Sallie gave me a year off to write a book which had a been an ambition for years. I loved the whole process and found a job satisfaction equal to what the police gave me.
That first book, The Ideas Man (2010) proved to me that I could do it. It received good reviews in New Zealand as well as selling over 3000 copies. I have been committed to becoming a successful author since then in the crime thriller genre.
One of my best traits is I know what my weaknesses are; therefore, I have used the best at what they do to assist me. Stephen Stratford has edited my books and been an awesome assistance to me. I have another great copy editor (Deborah Shaw) and the best media and public relations person in the country (Raewyn Davies.) Wickliffes of Auckland have printed my two Calder books and Nationwide Book Distributors have been able to place them around the whole country including a retail chain called Paper Plus who are NZ’s version of W.H. Smith. I pride myself on producing the best final product I can and understand this is very much a team effort.
I have created a character Dan Calder, he’s an ex- British detective based in New Zealand. He is not me, but I have used personal experiences as a template to create something new, different and according to the critics very good.
The Dan Calder series is a trilogy of crime novels featuring the uniquely talented but also uniquely flawed ex-detective. His struggles with depression and a cupboard bursting with skeletons vie for attention as he reluctantly travels from England to the other side of the world and back again, attempting to prevent or solve some of the darkest crimes imaginable, while trying to maintain his loose grip on sanity all at the same time. Causing trouble or falling headlong into it is more than a habit for Calder and it’s only the depth which ever seems to vary.
After school I drifted between various jobs including hotel porter and photocopier salesman. Hampshire Police proved to be my salvation. I joined in 1985 and immediately found that ‘thing’ I’d been looking for, for my whole life.
I was a career policeman and if I hadn’t been I would probably have been a criminal. That poacher turned gamekeeper stood me in good stead. I gained a reputation as a thief-taker because I could put myself in the crim’s position; several times fleeing burglars literally ran into my arms because I guessed where they would try to escape.
During early writing of reports, statements and interviews etc I discovered I was talented in that direction and enjoyed that aspect. It got me known and trusted to provide high quality work.
I became a specialist public order and tactical firearms officer. Later I was selected as a detective.
On Christmas Eve 1991 I was almost beaten to death outside a pub in Southampton. My recovery included long spells of depression and a breakdown. My marriage failed too.
I was selected for a specialist surveillance team which led to undercover work and then onto operational work with Regional and National Crime Squads and Special Branch. I was necessarily bound by the Official Secrets Act which is still in force today.
My talents led me to be selected as the youngest ever (in terms of years’ service) National Crime Squad trainer for surveillance. It was here I developed my writing skills completing lesson plans, operational orders, multi-agency reports etc.
In 2003 I was selected to transfer to the New Zealand Police. I served in Auckland for 4 years before I left. In 2009, my partner Sallie gave me a year off to write a book which had a been an ambition for years. I loved the whole process and found a job satisfaction equal to what the police gave me.
That first book, The Ideas Man (2010) proved to me that I could do it. It received good reviews in New Zealand as well as selling over 3000 copies. I have been committed to becoming a successful author since then in the crime thriller genre.
One of my best traits is I know what my weaknesses are; therefore, I have used the best at what they do to assist me. Stephen Stratford has edited my books and been an awesome assistance to me. I have another great copy editor (Deborah Shaw) and the best media and public relations person in the country (Raewyn Davies.) Wickliffes of Auckland have printed my two Calder books and Nationwide Book Distributors have been able to place them around the whole country including a retail chain called Paper Plus who are NZ’s version of W.H. Smith. I pride myself on producing the best final product I can and understand this is very much a team effort.
I have created a character Dan Calder, he’s an ex- British detective based in New Zealand. He is not me, but I have used personal experiences as a template to create something new, different and according to the critics very good.
The Dan Calder series is a trilogy of crime novels featuring the uniquely talented but also uniquely flawed ex-detective. His struggles with depression and a cupboard bursting with skeletons vie for attention as he reluctantly travels from England to the other side of the world and back again, attempting to prevent or solve some of the darkest crimes imaginable, while trying to maintain his loose grip on sanity all at the same time. Causing trouble or falling headlong into it is more than a habit for Calder and it’s only the depth which ever seems to vary.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 16, 2022
The 4th in the Dan Calder series, set around a terrorist bombing plot at Auckland International Airport, these are high octane, high risk thrillers written by a former cop and security specialist, who obviously has a lot of information about the way that these sorts of events play out.
Calder has had a complicated path from his home in the UK to New Zealand, from being an English cop to semi-exiled to New Zealand and into the role of investigator on the spot for each of the previous novels (THE AGENCY, THE SECOND GRAVE and FROZEN SUMMER). Very much an on the spot investigator again, Calder is at the Auckland Airport, running a training session, as a terrorist attack occurs. Clashing with authorities, he's summarily dumped from the investigation and continues lone wolfing his way through some decidedly hair raising scenarios.
This whole series is very much in the thriller / lone wolf category - with Calder nearly always put upon, nearly always clashing with authorities, and able to perform feats that make you wonder how he's ever going to survive. He's also from the not-super-hero's / ordinary blokes with principles and the determination to carry them through group of central protagonists.
A tendency towards info dumps and a lot of research making it onto the page may make this series less successful for fans of the past-paced, high-octane, never a moment's let up style of thriller, but if you like your thrillers with a depth of detail then it could be for you, although I'd have to say I think it's a series that benefits from reading in full, in order. There's a lot of back story to Calder and his previous outings that will help you understand where he's coming from and why he's going where he's headed.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
Calder has had a complicated path from his home in the UK to New Zealand, from being an English cop to semi-exiled to New Zealand and into the role of investigator on the spot for each of the previous novels (THE AGENCY, THE SECOND GRAVE and FROZEN SUMMER). Very much an on the spot investigator again, Calder is at the Auckland Airport, running a training session, as a terrorist attack occurs. Clashing with authorities, he's summarily dumped from the investigation and continues lone wolfing his way through some decidedly hair raising scenarios.
This whole series is very much in the thriller / lone wolf category - with Calder nearly always put upon, nearly always clashing with authorities, and able to perform feats that make you wonder how he's ever going to survive. He's also from the not-super-hero's / ordinary blokes with principles and the determination to carry them through group of central protagonists.
A tendency towards info dumps and a lot of research making it onto the page may make this series less successful for fans of the past-paced, high-octane, never a moment's let up style of thriller, but if you like your thrillers with a depth of detail then it could be for you, although I'd have to say I think it's a series that benefits from reading in full, in order. There's a lot of back story to Calder and his previous outings that will help you understand where he's coming from and why he's going where he's headed.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
February 8, 2022
Bonded is the fourth novel in The Dan Calder Series. The previous titles are The Agency, The Second Grave & Frozen Summer.
After a dramatic conclusion to the previous book in the series ( Frozen Summer), I was eagerly awaiting the next book featuring ex-police officer Dan Calder, and I'm thrilled to say I was very impressed.
Austin is not only a terrific storyteller, who skillfully manages to plot novels that are realistically written, but also nails the characterization. On top of that, Austin's previous law enforcement career really shines through, making the story believable.
Bonded is incredibly well researched, fast-paced, and a superbly exciting read.
I highly recommend Ian Austin's books, and if you are lucky enough to have just discovered this series, you are in for a treat. Bonded had me on the edge of my seat until the very last page. Outstanding effort again !!
After a dramatic conclusion to the previous book in the series ( Frozen Summer), I was eagerly awaiting the next book featuring ex-police officer Dan Calder, and I'm thrilled to say I was very impressed.
Austin is not only a terrific storyteller, who skillfully manages to plot novels that are realistically written, but also nails the characterization. On top of that, Austin's previous law enforcement career really shines through, making the story believable.
Bonded is incredibly well researched, fast-paced, and a superbly exciting read.
I highly recommend Ian Austin's books, and if you are lucky enough to have just discovered this series, you are in for a treat. Bonded had me on the edge of my seat until the very last page. Outstanding effort again !!
January 9, 2022
This is the fourth book of Ian Austin’s I have read, and I know we aren’t supposed to have favourites. . . . but for me Bonded is my all-time fav! There are still some of the familiar characters from his previous books, but this book can easily be read as a stand-alone story.
The story starts to unfold into a ‘situation’ at Auckland airport where Dan Calder happens to be running a training session at the time. The layers and complexity of the situation start to build rapidly really getting your mind into thinking about all the different variables and outcomes this could possibly go.
The second half of the book takes you to America where the story starts to get really juicy and the book becomes really hard to put back down!
Dan Calder is such an intriguing character who really draws you in by the way his mind works and the way he acts boldly on his inner hunches that he intuitively has around criminal situations.
Ian Austin has a great ability to write in such a way that you can visualise all of the senses in great detail which makes you feel super connected to the characters – especially Dan Calder. If you enjoy books that really get your mind thinking and leaves you in great suspense not know what is coming next then I highly recommend this book!
The story starts to unfold into a ‘situation’ at Auckland airport where Dan Calder happens to be running a training session at the time. The layers and complexity of the situation start to build rapidly really getting your mind into thinking about all the different variables and outcomes this could possibly go.
The second half of the book takes you to America where the story starts to get really juicy and the book becomes really hard to put back down!
Dan Calder is such an intriguing character who really draws you in by the way his mind works and the way he acts boldly on his inner hunches that he intuitively has around criminal situations.
Ian Austin has a great ability to write in such a way that you can visualise all of the senses in great detail which makes you feel super connected to the characters – especially Dan Calder. If you enjoy books that really get your mind thinking and leaves you in great suspense not know what is coming next then I highly recommend this book!
December 9, 2021
The story is of a complex situation at an international airport, puzzling and very intriguing throughout the first part of the book. "Bonded" was written by former police officer and security specialist Ian Austin, who demonstrates the depth of his knowledge in this masterpiece of processes and protocols, right down to the last details of how airport security can be breached. One can only hope that international criminals don't read it and learn too much.
The characters follow on from several previous books, but it can be read as a stand-alone story as there is enough detail to give a good picture of Dan Calder, the man who solves the puzzle at the risk of his own life. Dan is a likeable character, who rings true - not an superhero, just a man of principle who can also forget the rules and apply to practical justice when needed. I'm looking forward to reading more by Ian Austin!
The characters follow on from several previous books, but it can be read as a stand-alone story as there is enough detail to give a good picture of Dan Calder, the man who solves the puzzle at the risk of his own life. Dan is a likeable character, who rings true - not an superhero, just a man of principle who can also forget the rules and apply to practical justice when needed. I'm looking forward to reading more by Ian Austin!
January 16, 2024
52 Book Challenge 2024:
#9 - A Character-Driven Novel
#14 - A Grieving Character
#20 - A Revenge Story
#30 - Picked without reading the blurb
#32 - Timeframe Spans a Week or Less
#41 - A Sticker on the Cover
#9 - A Character-Driven Novel
#14 - A Grieving Character
#20 - A Revenge Story
#30 - Picked without reading the blurb
#32 - Timeframe Spans a Week or Less
#41 - A Sticker on the Cover
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews