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Alexander Hawke #12
Sea Hawke
Alex Hawke is sailing into trouble when an around-the-world journey becomes a fight against terror in the latest exciting adventure from New York Times bestselling novelist Ted Bell.
After saving the kidnapped heir to the British throne, gentleman spy and MI6 legend Alex Hawke is due for some downtime. He’s got a new custom built sailing yacht and to get closer to his son Alexi during an epic cruise across the seven seas.
But fate and the chief of MI6, Lord David Trulove, have other plans.
There’s an unholy alliance of nations who are plotting to attack Western democracies. The wily intelligence leader plans to use Hawke to drive a knife into the heart of this conspiracy. From an island base off Cuba to a secret jungle lair deep in the Amazon, on the land and the seas, the master spy and his crew of incorrigibles are in for the fight of their lives—the fight for freedom.
After saving the kidnapped heir to the British throne, gentleman spy and MI6 legend Alex Hawke is due for some downtime. He’s got a new custom built sailing yacht and to get closer to his son Alexi during an epic cruise across the seven seas.
But fate and the chief of MI6, Lord David Trulove, have other plans.
There’s an unholy alliance of nations who are plotting to attack Western democracies. The wily intelligence leader plans to use Hawke to drive a knife into the heart of this conspiracy. From an island base off Cuba to a secret jungle lair deep in the Amazon, on the land and the seas, the master spy and his crew of incorrigibles are in for the fight of their lives—the fight for freedom.
464 pages, Paperback
First published December 7, 2021
222 people are currently reading
2325 people want to read
About the author
Ted Bell
51 books859 followersTed Bell was the author of 12 consecutive New York Times best sellers and a former advertising executive. He began his advertising career in the 1970’s as a junior copywriter at Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB), New York. At the age of 25, he sold his first screenplay to Hollywood, as well as became the youngest vice-president in the storied history of DDB. He then joined Leo Burnett Co., Chicago, as a creative director and four years later, he was named President, Chicago Creative Officer where he was credited with developing numerous innovative and award-winning advertising campaigns. In 1982, Bell joined Young & Rubicam, London, and in 1991 he became the Vice Chairman and Worldwide Creative Director. Ted won every award the advertising industry offers, including numerous Clios and Cannes Gold Lions, and while at Young & Rubicam, the Grand Prix at the Cannes Festival. In 2001, Ted retired to write full time. He has 10 New York Times Bestsellers to his credit: The Alex Hawke series of spy thrillers published by HarperCollins and the young adult targeted time travel adventure series, Nick of Time and The Time Pirate published by St. Martins Press.
A native Floridian, Bell graduated from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia and was a former member of the college’s Board of Trustees. He held an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Kendall College in Michigan. Bell was also an Adjunct Professor of English Literature at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. He was a member of the Defense Orientation Conference Association (DOCA), a program run by the Department of Defense in support of America’s military. He served on the Advisory Board at George Washington’s Home at Mount Vernon, a group chaired by former Secretary of the Army, Togo West. He also served for a time as an advisor to the Undersecretary for Domestic Relations at the U.S. Department of State.
For the 2011-2012 Academic Year, Sir Richard Dearlove, Former Chief of MI6, British Intelligence, sponsored Ted to become a Visiting Scholar at Cambridge University (UK). In addition, he was named Writer-in-Residence at Sydney-Sussex College, Cambridge and studied at the University’s Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLIS) under the tutelage of Sir Dearlove, who was the Master of Pembroke College.
In May 2018, Ted published OVERKILL, the 10th book in the popular Alex Hawke spy thriller series.
In January 2019, Ted and Jon Adler of Jon Adler Films formed El Dorado Entertainment, a feature film and television production company based in New York.
In July 2019, Ted signed a two-book deal with Random House.
In July 2020, the 11th Alex Hawke thriller, DRAGONFIRE, was published.
On December 7, 2021, the 12th Alex Hawke thriller, SEA HAWKE was published.
Ted appeared on numerous television and radio programs and was a featured speaker at associations, clubs, libraries and organizations across the country.
Ted traveled the world and lived in Italy, London, France, Palm Beach, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Maine. He last lived in a beloved 19th century farmhouse in Connecticut.
A native Floridian, Bell graduated from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia and was a former member of the college’s Board of Trustees. He held an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Kendall College in Michigan. Bell was also an Adjunct Professor of English Literature at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. He was a member of the Defense Orientation Conference Association (DOCA), a program run by the Department of Defense in support of America’s military. He served on the Advisory Board at George Washington’s Home at Mount Vernon, a group chaired by former Secretary of the Army, Togo West. He also served for a time as an advisor to the Undersecretary for Domestic Relations at the U.S. Department of State.
For the 2011-2012 Academic Year, Sir Richard Dearlove, Former Chief of MI6, British Intelligence, sponsored Ted to become a Visiting Scholar at Cambridge University (UK). In addition, he was named Writer-in-Residence at Sydney-Sussex College, Cambridge and studied at the University’s Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLIS) under the tutelage of Sir Dearlove, who was the Master of Pembroke College.
In May 2018, Ted published OVERKILL, the 10th book in the popular Alex Hawke spy thriller series.
In January 2019, Ted and Jon Adler of Jon Adler Films formed El Dorado Entertainment, a feature film and television production company based in New York.
In July 2019, Ted signed a two-book deal with Random House.
In July 2020, the 11th Alex Hawke thriller, DRAGONFIRE, was published.
On December 7, 2021, the 12th Alex Hawke thriller, SEA HAWKE was published.
Ted appeared on numerous television and radio programs and was a featured speaker at associations, clubs, libraries and organizations across the country.
Ted traveled the world and lived in Italy, London, France, Palm Beach, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Maine. He last lived in a beloved 19th century farmhouse in Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
November 30, 2021
Sea Hawke
by Ted Bell is an exhilarating action adventure and spy novel featuring Alex Hawke, a wealthy counterterrorism officer with MI6. Alex has had a yacht custom built and wants to take a year off to sail with his son around the world. Instead his boss, Lord David Trulove wants him to combine the trip with some business. An alliance of nations are plotting to attack Western democracies and Trulove wants Alex to stop the conspiracy. It has aspects of both political and military thrillers as well as an action-adventure thriller and is the twelfth book in the Alexander Hawke series.
Alex is an intelligent and likeable character who adores his young son Alexei. From teaching him to tie knots to reading a variety of books together, their bond grows during their voyage and there are some profound and heartfelt moments. While Alex can be somewhat daring and seemingly doesn’t always address some issues when readers may want him to, he also demonstrates integrity, honor, leadership, decisive action, and friendship. I got a sense of what he is like in the down time between missions and what his hopes are for the future.
The first 25 percent of the novel was slower than I anticipated, but that allowed me to learn about Alex’s past and present, Alexei, and Alex’s friends, crew, and colleagues. This enabled me to read it as a standalone since this is my first book by Bell. However, after the slower beginning, there is plenty of action and thrills that kept me engaged and flying through the pages. Bell’s unique writing style may take readers a little while to adjust to, but it flows well and also has some humorous moments. Additionally, it highlights the dangers posed by terrorists and unstable governments as well as others that threaten democracy.
The novel takes readers on a sea voyage from England to the Netherlands to Bermuda and Cuba, and finally to Brazil. The world-building is especially good in the latter three as well as while the yacht is at sea. As with many military thrillers, there’s information on a variety of weapons and battle tactics and strategies. However, it isn’t overdone and fits with the genre and was worked into the plot well. While a lot of the action is over-the-top, it kept me engaged. I also loved the numerous literary references in the novel.
Overall, this book was suspenseful, riveting, fast-paced, action-oriented, and entertaining. If you enjoy action thrillers that have strong male characters, then this may be the series for you.
Berkley Publishing Group – Berkley and Ted Bell provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for December 7, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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Per publisher approval guidelines, my review will not be posted until approximately 11/30/2021.
Alex is an intelligent and likeable character who adores his young son Alexei. From teaching him to tie knots to reading a variety of books together, their bond grows during their voyage and there are some profound and heartfelt moments. While Alex can be somewhat daring and seemingly doesn’t always address some issues when readers may want him to, he also demonstrates integrity, honor, leadership, decisive action, and friendship. I got a sense of what he is like in the down time between missions and what his hopes are for the future.
The first 25 percent of the novel was slower than I anticipated, but that allowed me to learn about Alex’s past and present, Alexei, and Alex’s friends, crew, and colleagues. This enabled me to read it as a standalone since this is my first book by Bell. However, after the slower beginning, there is plenty of action and thrills that kept me engaged and flying through the pages. Bell’s unique writing style may take readers a little while to adjust to, but it flows well and also has some humorous moments. Additionally, it highlights the dangers posed by terrorists and unstable governments as well as others that threaten democracy.
The novel takes readers on a sea voyage from England to the Netherlands to Bermuda and Cuba, and finally to Brazil. The world-building is especially good in the latter three as well as while the yacht is at sea. As with many military thrillers, there’s information on a variety of weapons and battle tactics and strategies. However, it isn’t overdone and fits with the genre and was worked into the plot well. While a lot of the action is over-the-top, it kept me engaged. I also loved the numerous literary references in the novel.
Overall, this book was suspenseful, riveting, fast-paced, action-oriented, and entertaining. If you enjoy action thrillers that have strong male characters, then this may be the series for you.
Berkley Publishing Group – Berkley and Ted Bell provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for December 7, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
----------------------
Per publisher approval guidelines, my review will not be posted until approximately 11/30/2021.
January 24, 2022
Ted Bell does remember how to write, although not as well. 6 of 10 stars
March 9, 2022
A longtime fan of Ted Bell and his Alex Hawke series, I was eager to get my hands on this latest novel. Full of the same intrigue and espionage that I have come to know with Bell’s writing, I was pleased with the outcome and hope other series fans will be as well. With a new and powerful yacht in his possession, Lord Alex Hawke is made aware of situation brewing in the Caribbean. He makes his way there, with his band of merry men in tow, only to discover that things are a lot more complicated. There appears to be a secret alliance of Communist countries in the works, this one spanning the globe, which could surely put Hawke and many countries in the West on high alert. Bell is entertaining and brilliant in his delivery yet again.
Lord Alex Hawke has never been one to shy away from conflict, but is living a lavish lifestyle that suits him best. While awaiting the completion of his newest yacht in Europe, Hawke receives word that there is talk of new issues in Cuba, where a revolution is set to overthrow the American-backed government. it is led by another Castro, a name many know all too well ion the island nation. While it will take some time to cross the Atlantic, Hawke and his crew will be ready, fitted with the most up to date arms that anyone could need.
When they make it to that part of the world, Hawke is worried to see that other of his nemeses are part of the shenanigans, which will only make matters worse. As an attack seems imminent, Hawke ands his team prepare for the worst, hoping that it will be quick. They soon discover that there is more to this than a takeover of Cuba, back into the hands of communist rule. It is much more dangerous.
All the while, the leaders of China and Russia have been meeting to discuss a new Communist Alliance, which could be both brutal in his enforcement and highly troublesome for countries of the West. With Havana as the purported headquarters, a new Cuban regime could monitor things for these two great powers and serve as a backdoor into the American sphere, should armed conflict arise. Hawke will have to be ready, even if he has no idea what awaits him. Ted Bell does a masterful job with this piece and I am eager to see where things will go as the series continues to gain momentum.
Ted Bell has been writing this Alex Hawke novels for years, always looking for new ways to impress the reader, while also pulling on some modern day situations to flavour the story. He’s done it again, creating a modern James Bond out of Alex Hawke and using political happenings to shape his narrative, while using real life characters to fuel the action and some of the intrigue. Alex Hawke surrounds himself with many an intriguing character, which only adds to the depth of the novel.
As with each of the other novels in the series, Alex Hawke takes centre stage and provides the reader with a fair bit of entertainment, from his combat abilities to his eccentricities related to being a lord. Hawke always provides the odd anecdote, which builds his backstory, but it is his development throughout the series that has made the greatest impact on the reader. His connections to many people of varied fame cannot be overlooked, nor can his attention to detail. His is complemented by a handful of highly unique characters as well, well worth the reader’s attention as they may their way through the novel.
Ted Bell has captured all the elements of a great novel with this series, providing the reader with something highly entertaining from start to finish. The narrative flows well, taking the reader on an adventure from the outset. The characters emerge throughout to offer up a great flavouring to the overall story, keeping the reader wondering how they will fit together to add to the story. Chapters of various lengths keep the reader engaged with the story, though permits a little ‘give and go’ to see how interested they tend to be. As with many of the stories, there are some intriguing political aspects to the book, including cameos by Russian’s own tyrannical leader, Putin, which only adds to the story’s robustness.
Kudos, Mr. Bell, for another great story. I can only hope there are a few more before this series tied itself off.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Lord Alex Hawke has never been one to shy away from conflict, but is living a lavish lifestyle that suits him best. While awaiting the completion of his newest yacht in Europe, Hawke receives word that there is talk of new issues in Cuba, where a revolution is set to overthrow the American-backed government. it is led by another Castro, a name many know all too well ion the island nation. While it will take some time to cross the Atlantic, Hawke and his crew will be ready, fitted with the most up to date arms that anyone could need.
When they make it to that part of the world, Hawke is worried to see that other of his nemeses are part of the shenanigans, which will only make matters worse. As an attack seems imminent, Hawke ands his team prepare for the worst, hoping that it will be quick. They soon discover that there is more to this than a takeover of Cuba, back into the hands of communist rule. It is much more dangerous.
All the while, the leaders of China and Russia have been meeting to discuss a new Communist Alliance, which could be both brutal in his enforcement and highly troublesome for countries of the West. With Havana as the purported headquarters, a new Cuban regime could monitor things for these two great powers and serve as a backdoor into the American sphere, should armed conflict arise. Hawke will have to be ready, even if he has no idea what awaits him. Ted Bell does a masterful job with this piece and I am eager to see where things will go as the series continues to gain momentum.
Ted Bell has been writing this Alex Hawke novels for years, always looking for new ways to impress the reader, while also pulling on some modern day situations to flavour the story. He’s done it again, creating a modern James Bond out of Alex Hawke and using political happenings to shape his narrative, while using real life characters to fuel the action and some of the intrigue. Alex Hawke surrounds himself with many an intriguing character, which only adds to the depth of the novel.
As with each of the other novels in the series, Alex Hawke takes centre stage and provides the reader with a fair bit of entertainment, from his combat abilities to his eccentricities related to being a lord. Hawke always provides the odd anecdote, which builds his backstory, but it is his development throughout the series that has made the greatest impact on the reader. His connections to many people of varied fame cannot be overlooked, nor can his attention to detail. His is complemented by a handful of highly unique characters as well, well worth the reader’s attention as they may their way through the novel.
Ted Bell has captured all the elements of a great novel with this series, providing the reader with something highly entertaining from start to finish. The narrative flows well, taking the reader on an adventure from the outset. The characters emerge throughout to offer up a great flavouring to the overall story, keeping the reader wondering how they will fit together to add to the story. Chapters of various lengths keep the reader engaged with the story, though permits a little ‘give and go’ to see how interested they tend to be. As with many of the stories, there are some intriguing political aspects to the book, including cameos by Russian’s own tyrannical leader, Putin, which only adds to the story’s robustness.
Kudos, Mr. Bell, for another great story. I can only hope there are a few more before this series tied itself off.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 12, 2022
#12 in the Alexander Hawke series. This 2021 series entry by author Ted Bell was far below the standard for the series. The series set a standard of derring-do requiring a suspension of credulity, but this entry has faults beyond that. Sir David Trulove, head of MI-6, suggests/requires two personnel additions for Hawke's ship that had me wondering if he had been subverted by the Chinese. Gosling's Black Label rum and Marlboro cigarettes were mentioned so often that they must have paid for product placement. The hull of the ship is described as White, Ivory, Ebony and Black at various times. I don't know why Hawke would be accompanied by his 11-year-old son on a mission to destroy Chinese espionage efforts as well as Putin's assassin, Mr. Smith. Indeed, the boy isn't mentioned for a long spell before Congreve voices his misgivings. This series entry could certainly have used some better editing. BTW, why with a perfectly good laser cannon at his disposal, did Hawke get within boarding range of the ISIS troop carrier and allow injuries to his men? Was it just to indulge in his Errol Flynn fantasies of a sword wielding, bare chested he-man?
December 29, 2021
I’ve read and enjoyed all the other Alex Hawke novels but this one was very poorly written and stretched credibility beyond what a fictional novel should. Example: Castro’s army is on an island with their escape blocked off but are suddenly driving through the outskirts of Havana! How? They were on an island with no escape! As far as a laser cutting a hole in a nuclear sub, having actually been on those type of vessels, you would need an enormous amount of energy and a very long time to do that, a nuclear submarine’s hull is incredibly thick. I agree with many of the other reviews here, Bell’s earlier works were really good, but this one didn’t seem like it was by the same author. Disjointed, lacked credibility, and poorly proofread.
December 17, 2021
I have read all the Hawke books but somewhere in the last few books I've lost interest. The prose is a bit antiquated, while some of the book has Hawke being a sort of swashbuckling pirate (swinging from a rope barefooted & barechested- thought this was a scene from a romance novel) while in others he's using a new laser cannon!
I have kept up hope that the books would revert to the original better written ones but was disappointed.
I have kept up hope that the books would revert to the original better written ones but was disappointed.
September 10, 2021
I've read and enjoyed all of Ted Bell's Alexander Hawke series but thought the last few were not up to level of earlier books in the series. Sea Hawke, while not the best book in the series, is a big improvement over the last few books. Bell was able to tap into the magic that made the Hawke series so successful in the beginning.
Bell isn't the easiest author to read and isn't for everyone. What makes it so difficult is his style is unlike anything in the genre today and takes a while to get used to. And the big words. I'm fairly intelligent and on average I probably had to look up the meaning of a word on every page. I can see how some people could be turned off by that. Otherwise, it was a fun action thriller with a little bit of heart thrown in.
Bell enjoys putting public figures in his stories. Elon Musk is mentioned so much and with such esteem it wouldn't surprise me if he wrote the book. In all seriousness, Bell's name dropping adds a fun layer to the story.
If you can get past the big words and unorthodox style Sea Hawke is a fun tale with a bit of heart thrown in.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing an advanced copy of Sea Hawke
Bell isn't the easiest author to read and isn't for everyone. What makes it so difficult is his style is unlike anything in the genre today and takes a while to get used to. And the big words. I'm fairly intelligent and on average I probably had to look up the meaning of a word on every page. I can see how some people could be turned off by that. Otherwise, it was a fun action thriller with a little bit of heart thrown in.
Bell enjoys putting public figures in his stories. Elon Musk is mentioned so much and with such esteem it wouldn't surprise me if he wrote the book. In all seriousness, Bell's name dropping adds a fun layer to the story.
If you can get past the big words and unorthodox style Sea Hawke is a fun tale with a bit of heart thrown in.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing an advanced copy of Sea Hawke
January 11, 2022
4.5****Unlike a number of Goodreads readers, I loved SEA HAWKE. True, it did not have as many 'edge-of-your-seat moments', but it was a moving Alexander Hawke novel. Ted Bell's style of writing is similar to that of Jeffrey Archer, one of my very favorite authors, as each one uses colorful 'British English' which is a delight to read. At sea for "6 glorious, sun-filled days, the big, gleaming white-hulled boat....Looking forward over the bow pulpit at some porpoises frolicking just to port, putting on their splendid acquatic ballet, he (Hawke) saw that the sea and sky were welded together without a joint, and in the luminous space, screeching white gulls and shrieking storm petrels wheeled and hovered about in the dome of clear blue skies vaulting overhead." In discussing his upbringing with his 11 year old son, Alexei, Hawke explains how his mother had taught him of the power of books. "A book is a ship that can carry you far, far away." "You read them and you are laying down a foundation for a lifetime of swimming in endless pools of sublime literature." "You see, she gave ne that pretty wooden box over there on the table for my seventh birthday. She said, 'inside that old box, Alex, there are ten ships that will carry you far, far away.' "
(those 10 books are listed at the bottom of p.256).
SEA HAWKE is the heartwarming story of a father teaching and helping his son become a man. To do so, Hawke takes his son along on what is to be a voyage around the world on his brand new ship laden with the newest equipment, including a laser weapon unlike anything else.
Of course, being a Alexander Hawke novel, SEA HAWKE is full of grandiose scenes of derring-do that add excitement and 'unbelievable' battles of this wonderful story. Even the "love of his life" Anastasia makes an appearance in this delightful novel.
Ted Bell has done it again.
(those 10 books are listed at the bottom of p.256).
SEA HAWKE is the heartwarming story of a father teaching and helping his son become a man. To do so, Hawke takes his son along on what is to be a voyage around the world on his brand new ship laden with the newest equipment, including a laser weapon unlike anything else.
Of course, being a Alexander Hawke novel, SEA HAWKE is full of grandiose scenes of derring-do that add excitement and 'unbelievable' battles of this wonderful story. Even the "love of his life" Anastasia makes an appearance in this delightful novel.
Ted Bell has done it again.
December 24, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
After the events of the last book, Hawke decides to take a year's sea voyage with his son in his custom yacht...which just happens to be better armed than most destroyers.
Lots of derring-do!
After the events of the last book, Hawke decides to take a year's sea voyage with his son in his custom yacht...which just happens to be better armed than most destroyers.
Lots of derring-do!
December 20, 2021
Alex Hawke wages a personal war from his incredibly armed yacht. A highlight is his suggested reading list for young boys at the conclusion of Chapter 38.
April 20, 2022
Beware, read at your own risk. Some minor spoilers are listed below.
I had to struggle to finish. This is the end of Alex Hawke for me and the end of Ted Bell for me also. This book and the two before it have been extremely poorly written and more poorly edited!
Way too many inconsistencies and when you starting messing with major geographical locations, for me that's it! You can NOT sail south from Bahia to reach the Amazon! Bahia IS south of the Amazon!
At the beginning, Alexi is turning 11 and for his birthday they are launching the Sea Hawke. Everyone treats and speaks to Alexi as if he is still 6. "My darling boy", really? And how has Alexi achieved 11 years of age and Alex is still in the same mid-30's he was in before Alexi was even born?
The new "Sea Hawke" starts out as a "gleaming white-hulled boat, polished to a glossy ivory perfection" on page 54. Then on page 130 "...moored the gleaming black-hulled yacht safely in the harbor in Havana." Now on page 318 we are back to "Find and sink the big white yacht with the name Sea Hawke emblazoned on her transom." Make up your mind, white or black.
Back on Cuba, Alex, Stoke & Harry are betrayed and captured by General de Los Reyes who then takes the three of them in a fishing trawler to Isla de Pinos and delivers them to the Presidio Modelo (prison). Now since they are on a separate island from Cuba, how does the General speed away "through the very lovely old El Vedado residential neighborhood of Havana."?!?
Then there is the issue of Thunder being at two different locations at once. First he is on Isla de Pinos helping blow up the rebel's boats in the harbor and then he's onboard the Sea Hawke and joins Stoke and Harry in a stealth mission to capture Alex's old nemisis, Haji, and deliver him to the Sea Hawke's brig. All while Alex and his troupe of "Tarzan" sailors swing around in the upper rigging and drop down to capture Mr. Smith.
I won't go into anymore of my issues with this book other than to say that it seems to be written by 3 or 4 different people or someone with an extremely bad memory. And maybe it was edited by more than one person because of the lack of continuity.
I had to struggle to finish. This is the end of Alex Hawke for me and the end of Ted Bell for me also. This book and the two before it have been extremely poorly written and more poorly edited!
Way too many inconsistencies and when you starting messing with major geographical locations, for me that's it! You can NOT sail south from Bahia to reach the Amazon! Bahia IS south of the Amazon!
At the beginning, Alexi is turning 11 and for his birthday they are launching the Sea Hawke. Everyone treats and speaks to Alexi as if he is still 6. "My darling boy", really? And how has Alexi achieved 11 years of age and Alex is still in the same mid-30's he was in before Alexi was even born?
The new "Sea Hawke" starts out as a "gleaming white-hulled boat, polished to a glossy ivory perfection" on page 54. Then on page 130 "...moored the gleaming black-hulled yacht safely in the harbor in Havana." Now on page 318 we are back to "Find and sink the big white yacht with the name Sea Hawke emblazoned on her transom." Make up your mind, white or black.
Back on Cuba, Alex, Stoke & Harry are betrayed and captured by General de Los Reyes who then takes the three of them in a fishing trawler to Isla de Pinos and delivers them to the Presidio Modelo (prison). Now since they are on a separate island from Cuba, how does the General speed away "through the very lovely old El Vedado residential neighborhood of Havana."?!?
Then there is the issue of Thunder being at two different locations at once. First he is on Isla de Pinos helping blow up the rebel's boats in the harbor and then he's onboard the Sea Hawke and joins Stoke and Harry in a stealth mission to capture Alex's old nemisis, Haji, and deliver him to the Sea Hawke's brig. All while Alex and his troupe of "Tarzan" sailors swing around in the upper rigging and drop down to capture Mr. Smith.
I won't go into anymore of my issues with this book other than to say that it seems to be written by 3 or 4 different people or someone with an extremely bad memory. And maybe it was edited by more than one person because of the lack of continuity.
December 27, 2021
I’ve enjoyed previous Alex Hawke novels, and saved this as a Christmas reading treat. I was disappointed in this one. The character development in this novel was limited and one dimensional. The idea that any government would commission someone to go on a roving mission to engage and kill is too far fetched to be believable. The timing of arrivals of the bad actors, and limited Intel on their strength and intentions combined with a sea trial of an unproven vessel as the main attack platform is totally unrealistic. A military planning cell would never develop an oplan with these few factoids. In the military engagements, reliance on an untried and unproven coherent laser weapon is a bridge too far. The capacitors needed to hold a charge would require extensive power generation capacity, which is never mentioned (though some three turbo diesels are mentioned as shipboard power plants). The storyboard for this novel should have been more detailed, and the writing should reflect more detailed research. I’d have to say this reads like a money making exercise done in a short period, at shallow depth. I have come to expect better, and look forward to the next novel in the series.
December 20, 2021
(1 1/2). Dear Ted,
It has been 11 years since we met. Things were so glorious at first. Always exciting, eagerly anticipating our next visit. But then, things began to cool off. The anticipation of our interactions became tepid, I no longer put you on my must read list, I did not seek out your next publication. Lord Hawke saving the world with untold acts of heroism, incredible physical feats and dealing in massive violence and death lost its appeal. As a kind gesture, I will mark our last rendezvous up to two stars. Yes, this is the end, a final meeting that will be remembered for one last effort of non-memorable stuff.
It has been 11 years since we met. Things were so glorious at first. Always exciting, eagerly anticipating our next visit. But then, things began to cool off. The anticipation of our interactions became tepid, I no longer put you on my must read list, I did not seek out your next publication. Lord Hawke saving the world with untold acts of heroism, incredible physical feats and dealing in massive violence and death lost its appeal. As a kind gesture, I will mark our last rendezvous up to two stars. Yes, this is the end, a final meeting that will be remembered for one last effort of non-memorable stuff.
December 30, 2021
Having read the Alex Hawke books from the beginning I am disappointed in the last 3 or so. It's not something I can put my finger on. Is the author writing with a ghost writer? Is he trying to make the superhuman Alex more human as he ages? I know it is just a story, but the earlier installments were much better.
I find it fun when he includes the Queen, Putin and other well known people. Ever wonder if they are aware of their appearance in Ted Bell's books?
This book was exceptionally wordy and at times disjointed. I found myself re-reading parts and turning back to figure out what was what.
Not sure I'll be reading any further installments of this series.
I find it fun when he includes the Queen, Putin and other well known people. Ever wonder if they are aware of their appearance in Ted Bell's books?
This book was exceptionally wordy and at times disjointed. I found myself re-reading parts and turning back to figure out what was what.
Not sure I'll be reading any further installments of this series.
January 14, 2022
A very disappointing book. Based on previous books by this author I was looking forward to a good adventure story. Instead it turned out to be a very annoying book with a juvenile writing style which I thought I could maybe give to my grandson but the excessive foul language throughout the book makes it inappropriate for most discerning readers - maybe intended for cops or sailors. Dialogue is trite, unrealistic and stilted. Hard to believe it is the same writer but I could not find any mention of a co- or ghost writer (maybe no-one wanted to have their name associated with it). Stay far away.
April 2, 2022
Like many others who have reviewed this novel, I'm a long time fan of Ted Bell's Alex Hawke series and was thrilled to find there were some news books after a long while. Unfortunately, this one in particular was a major disappointment.
The writing is excessively verbose and flowery, the plot is absurd beyond even the standards of most heroic thrillers, and the whole thing feels like it was pieced together from leftover parts that don't fit properly.
Add to that the posturing and signaling for various positions and causes that Mr. Bell obviously believes in, and you've got quite a mess of a book. Do not recommend.
The writing is excessively verbose and flowery, the plot is absurd beyond even the standards of most heroic thrillers, and the whole thing feels like it was pieced together from leftover parts that don't fit properly.
Add to that the posturing and signaling for various positions and causes that Mr. Bell obviously believes in, and you've got quite a mess of a book. Do not recommend.
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January 11, 2022Disappointing
The thin plot was all over the place, from one unbelievable situation to another. This was not the Hawke from previous book for sure. When Alex Hawke cried, yes cried when he gave his son his first set of books given to him by his mother, good grief, who is this lame character. It just didn't feel like a book written by Ted Bell. Compare earlier books about Alex Hawke to this newest book and you won't even recognize Alex as the same person. I won't be reading anymore books in this series.
The thin plot was all over the place, from one unbelievable situation to another. This was not the Hawke from previous book for sure. When Alex Hawke cried, yes cried when he gave his son his first set of books given to him by his mother, good grief, who is this lame character. It just didn't feel like a book written by Ted Bell. Compare earlier books about Alex Hawke to this newest book and you won't even recognize Alex as the same person. I won't be reading anymore books in this series.
January 7, 2022
I've read all of Ted Bell's Alexander Hawke books and have enjoyed most of them, even though I sometimes find Hawke to be a bit James Bond-ish. In my opinion, this book was by far the worst of his. It was like reading a comic book without graphics. Heroes, villains, superheroes, supervillains, and the most ridiculous "super yacht". One reason I gave this book two stars instead of one is Bell's description of Cuba's history. I'm not sure I'll pick up another of his books.
August 28, 2021
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
Equal parts awesome and outlandish, capturing the spirit of the best 007 stories and then taking it up a notch. It’s wildly entertaining.
Make sure to check out the full review
Equal parts awesome and outlandish, capturing the spirit of the best 007 stories and then taking it up a notch. It’s wildly entertaining.
Make sure to check out the full review
December 25, 2021
Not his best work
Too many cute things were talked about that took away from the story, For example Man the decks and his personal relationship with Elon Musk., Talking about all the things the green laser could do which was impossible. I have read all of his books and this is the first one that I did not care for.
Too many cute things were talked about that took away from the story, For example Man the decks and his personal relationship with Elon Musk., Talking about all the things the green laser could do which was impossible. I have read all of his books and this is the first one that I did not care for.
January 31, 2022
This was truly an awful piece of writing. I was impressed early on in this series on how well written the books were. The last few in this series seem to be written by someone else entirely. How does the publisher even let this be released?
April 15, 2022
Sea Hawke
This book was the least enjoyable of Mr. Bell's novels, all of which I had read! The plot was so unbelievably childish with the references to pirates, and boarding and setting up teak ladders by the bad guys from a Cuban vessel! Lost complete interest by page 280!
This book was the least enjoyable of Mr. Bell's novels, all of which I had read! The plot was so unbelievably childish with the references to pirates, and boarding and setting up teak ladders by the bad guys from a Cuban vessel! Lost complete interest by page 280!
February 2, 2022
I used to love these Ted Bell Alexander Hawkes, but recently. I've felt a bit ambivalent toward the stories as newer "geopolitical thriller" authors have surpassed them...In this one Lord Hawke is charged with throwing a monkey wrench into a reemerging Communist conspiracy, involving all of th major Communist players in the world...He has the use of his new, state of the art, Sea Hawke and his old crew to do it! Meh!
May 28, 2022
I really enjoyed some of the earlier Hawke books but this one simply rehashes much of the history of Hawke and his entourage before getting info a new plot. Maybe it never does but I couldn’t hang around to find out. DNF.
January 10, 2023
Incredible book. A typo, contradiction, inane rehash of the plot, logical failure, or similar distracting gaffe on almost every page. Only worth reading to discover the next glaring error.
August 15, 2023
This was my least favorite of these books. Beginning started ok but then Mr. Bell went off the rails into pure fantasy. The battle action was not even close to believable.
January 23, 2022
Up until now I’ve enjoyed the Alex Hawks tales. This one just wasn’t as good as previous ones. Maybe it’s because I was so turned off by Bell’s portrayal of Alexi. He had an 11 year-old behaving like a six year-old. There were just too many far fetched scenarios for my taste. It may well be the last one of the Hawke series that I read.
November 15, 2023
Not my favorite Hawke story. Story bounces all over and never richly developed.
Completely leaves the story of time with his son hanging at the end.
Completely leaves the story of time with his son hanging at the end.
August 29, 2022
I was apprehensive at first, noting that there was an endorsement on the back cover from Rush Limbaugh (see Al Franken's book "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot..."). Does this mean that Ted Bell thinks an endorsement by Rush Limbaugh is a good thing, or that they have similar outlooks? Bad news either way. Nonetheless, I thought maybe there was a slim chance the book could still be OK and I gave it a shot. Big mistake! I gave up after a few chapters.
The writing is laughable. As others have said, it seems to have been cobbled together by a group of ghostwriters who had been given little to go on. I doubt that anyone in England actually talks the way they do in this book. Here's Lord Hawke saying "by Jove" followed by Sir David Trulove (or is it Tanqueray as on page 31?) saying "by Jove" a minute later.
The endless fawning over Lord Hawke gets very tedious as well. Here's Hawke's servant having been attacked by an assassin, saying "the blood flows like wine, m'lord...". The assassin then disembowels Hawke, which would be a serious setback for most of us, but of course Hawke bounces right back, much like Superman. Then there's the lack of editing, and on and on. All in all, a waste of time.
The writing is laughable. As others have said, it seems to have been cobbled together by a group of ghostwriters who had been given little to go on. I doubt that anyone in England actually talks the way they do in this book. Here's Lord Hawke saying "by Jove" followed by Sir David Trulove (or is it Tanqueray as on page 31?) saying "by Jove" a minute later.
The endless fawning over Lord Hawke gets very tedious as well. Here's Hawke's servant having been attacked by an assassin, saying "the blood flows like wine, m'lord...". The assassin then disembowels Hawke, which would be a serious setback for most of us, but of course Hawke bounces right back, much like Superman. Then there's the lack of editing, and on and on. All in all, a waste of time.
December 19, 2021
Alex Hawke #12
I have mixed emotions about this latest installment in the Alex Hawke series, and it pains me to only rate the story with 3 stars. All in all, Ted Bell was really reaching in this story, offer scenes that were overly dramatic, to say the least, while even boarding on the totally unrealistic side, too. Another disappointing aspect of the story was that Hawke and crew never really had to overcome any obstacles/hardships in pursuit of their goals. Everything worked perfect, a little too perfect imo. Also, the way Bell wrapped up the Sh!t Smith character was beyond disappointing. Not only was the 1st encounter w/ Smith highly improbable and unbelievable, his ultimate demise came in an entirely anticlimactic way. All in all, the book followed too much of a cookie cutter outline, and greatly lacked the thrill and tension of past books. My final complaint was, while introducing the new Hawke-Yacht, Bell doesn’t take any time at all to cover the many bells and whistles that made past boats fascinating (aside from a science-fiction weapon courtesy of Elon Musk, what?!). Spend more time focusing on what made Alex Hawke a superhero of the genre, and less on wrapping up a story line.
I have mixed emotions about this latest installment in the Alex Hawke series, and it pains me to only rate the story with 3 stars. All in all, Ted Bell was really reaching in this story, offer scenes that were overly dramatic, to say the least, while even boarding on the totally unrealistic side, too. Another disappointing aspect of the story was that Hawke and crew never really had to overcome any obstacles/hardships in pursuit of their goals. Everything worked perfect, a little too perfect imo. Also, the way Bell wrapped up the Sh!t Smith character was beyond disappointing. Not only was the 1st encounter w/ Smith highly improbable and unbelievable, his ultimate demise came in an entirely anticlimactic way. All in all, the book followed too much of a cookie cutter outline, and greatly lacked the thrill and tension of past books. My final complaint was, while introducing the new Hawke-Yacht, Bell doesn’t take any time at all to cover the many bells and whistles that made past boats fascinating (aside from a science-fiction weapon courtesy of Elon Musk, what?!). Spend more time focusing on what made Alex Hawke a superhero of the genre, and less on wrapping up a story line.
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