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Project Icarus

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Hostage negotiator Ethan Munroe is called urgently to a developing crime scene. A serial killer is holding a young girl hostage, and, inexplicably, demands his attendance. Events quickly spiral out of control, and the security of Ethan's life is stripped away, as he is thrown headlong into a perilous world of deception, espionage and danger, lurking deep within the shadows of political power. Ethan will discover things about himself he could never have suspected, come face-to-face with a terrifying foe, and uncover an unthinkable truth that could not only shatter his own future but that of the world… The enigma that is Project Icarus. A totally gripping conspiracy thriller with a twist you will never see coming, perfect for fans of Lee Child, Scott Mariani, and Adam Hamdy.

350 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

37 people are currently reading
86 people want to read

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R.D. Shah

9 books34 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for John Kelly.
270 reviews166 followers
September 17, 2023
A literary feast of heart-pounding action and nail-biting suspense

Book Information

“Project Icarus” authored by R. D. Shah, is a 322-page thriller published on November 18, 2021. The audio version is Narrated by Russell Bentley and was released on September 7, 2023. Thank you to Saga Egmont Audio for providing me an advance reader copy of this book for review.

Summary

Summoned urgently to a crime scene, hostage negotiator Ethan Munroe faces a grim scenario: a serial killer has abducted a young girl and insists on his presence. From this seemingly unremarkable event, Ethan is thrust into a dangerous world of political shadows, deception, and espionage, where he will unearth startling truths about himself, confront a terrifying adversary, and uncover the unthinkable reality of Project Icarus, a revelation that could alter not only his future but the fate of the world.

My Thoughts

"Project Icarus" by R. D. Shah, the first installment in the 'Disavowed' series, delivers an exhilarating, darkly captivating thriller. Shah's writing is both suspenseful and well-crafted, providing readers with a relentless, unpredictable narrative that never loses its entertainment value.

The depth of the characters, particularly the no-nonsense hero Ethan, is a crucial driver of this story. While the action in the book is virtually nonstop, Shah manages to provide quite a bit of back story for Ethan which allows the reader to make a connection with him. You will want him to succeed and share in his joy or pain of self-discovery. All the while, whether it be heart-pounding fights, car chases, intense gun battles, attack helicopters, or espionage, the book is a rollercoaster of action that will keep you engaged throughout.

While some elements may require a suspension of disbelief, this is consistent with the genre's conventions and doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment. The plot is ingeniously crafted with multiple unexpected twists, ensuring the story remains riveting. The book's plot twists are like hidden landmines, exploding with unexpected revelations that will leave you breathless.

Russell Bentley's narration elevates the audiobook version experience, embodying the character of Ethan and giving each personality a distinct voice. His performance brings the narrative to life, making it even more engaging. I eagerly anticipate the next two books in the series, hoping for Bentley's continued involvement.

Recommendation

"Project Icarus" is a nerve-racking, jaw-dropping thriller that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the Disavowed series. Those who enjoy nonstop tension and action will enjoy this book. Highly recommended.

Rating

4 Secret Organization Stars
Profile Image for E.A..
Author 12 books191 followers
November 19, 2023

Snappy and action-filled, it reads like Jason Borne.

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with this book but I love a good thriller where the MC has a past and special skills to rely on.

Yes, some parts were a little too easy, a little too convenient, and the Nazi aspect felt a little tedious (like, Nazis again?), but in all I enjoyed this read and look forward to the next installment.

My rating: 3.2*
—-
Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Keshav Nair.
298 reviews
December 21, 2021
323 pages of scintillating and unputdownable thrilling read in the first book of the 'Disavowed' series by R. D. Shah. Having read all the five books in the Harker Chronicles, I was wondering what next series would be offered by the author to his enthusiasts and this one is an astounding beginning to a new series. The book opens with a meeting between the new UK ambassador to Germany with the Chancellor and during a press briefing, the UK ambassador pulls out a gun and shoots the German chancellor in cold blood causing a furor. Several miles away, Metropolitan Superintendent and hostage negotiator, Ethan Monroe is attending a party hosted by his orphanage caretaker Peter Devon at Coppa Club, when is asked to report to a hostage situation, where the perpetrator is adamant to talk only to Ethan. He is soon identified as Icarus (an alias name), who has been involved in several other killings. However, he makes a daring escape near Waterloo bridge assisted by a group of armed mercenaries after being apprehended by Ethan. Trailing a lead, he finds his family photo in Icarus's house and is determined to find the connection. Meanwhile, he is approached by a clandestine organization DS5, also known as Disavowed that was formed after WWII by the British, French, and the US and operates below the radar of their formidable intelligence agencies. He is aghast of a secret society called Daedalus, which was formed by a group of Nazis from a pure bloodline who escaped Germany after WWII into Latin America and began secretly reorganizing themselves and infiltrating into the highest echelons of power in several countries to establish a fourth Reich and new world order. Ethan learns more about Daedalus during his mission to Brazil, where he discovers how an assassin like Icarus is born and manipulated aided by modern medical advancements. During his investigation, he learns about the handlers and tutors of Daedalus and is kidnapped on their way back. In this captivity, he encounters Hans Bauer, a high-ranking official in the Daedalus, and through him comprehends the gargantuan nature of this fourth Reich and their ambitions. Will Ethan be able to bring down this cult organization single-handedly? Is there a mole within the intelligence agency that keeps them one step ahead? How is all this connected to his family and the death of his wife and child in a terrorist bomb blast? Who is Icarus? Is he friend or a rogue? Answers to these can be found if you read this nerve-racking and jaw-dropping thriller that is entwined with stomach-churning moments, scary and unpredictable revelations and some unsuspecting betrayal that you will never see coming. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Peter Fleming.
468 reviews6 followers
September 3, 2023
With action fiction good advice is to start dramatic and keep it going if you can. Well, our author has managed that. The novel commences with the new British Ambassador to Germany going berserk at a function with the German Chancellor and that is merely an amuse bouche. From that point the action is pretty much non-stop until a final confrontation, but even then, the epilogue manages to squeeze in a final hook to book 2 in the series.

The plot is joyously ludicrous, which pretty much goes with the territory of the genre, but then nobody reads James Bond and Jason Bourne novels and all the others that have followed for the realism. Naturally there needs to be some grounding in real life, but it is escapist reading and the more outlandish the story the better. Terrorist threats are regularly thwarted by governments but battles for world domination are decidedly fewer thankfully. What matters most of all is whether the story is entertaining and is the writer fully committed, because if the author is not fully behind and engaged with the story then why should the reader be. Well Project Icarus is certainly entertaining, oh boy there’s a lot going on, and certainly the author has put his heart and soul into it.

There are ingredients that the reader comes to expect in these action thrillers. Firstly, we need a central ‘hero’ character to follow and get behind, usually quite dashing and well able to take care of himself. Nathan Munroe is ex-army, being first in the SBS and then more latterly the SAS before a honourable discharge and joining the police where he is now a Superintendent specialising in hostage negotiations. So just the qualities needed, but there is also depth and a bit of mystery too as he is an orphan, being in a children’s home since the age of four, and his wife and daughter are dead. So, some emotional depth to go with all the kick ass.

We need action, and there is almost too much to handle. There are fights, chases, gun battles the threat of torture, and it all comes thick and fast. Those familiar with the case of HH Holmes might appreciate a slight nod to his ‘home’. Fans of hardware can expect Humvees, C130 Hercules and a stealth helicopter, all manner of guns, military fighting knives and trackers.

Of course, we need opposing sides, there is nothing like the good old battle between good and evil. On the black side is a clandestine organisation which has reached out with tentacles and penetrated society. The good side is a small organisation set up by the British, French and American governments 60 plus years ago, CSV. Small but highly skilled, motivated and fiercely loyal.

Exotic locations help and here there is a visit to a remote spot in Brazil and a trip to New Orleans during Mardi Gras together with London and the French countryside.

The story is told at a rapid pace, especially considering that being the first of a series there is some back story to be built up. The reader barely has time to get their breath back from one action scene then the next one is thrust upon them. A bit of the procedure and tracking narrative has been filleted out to accomplish this, which seems to be well judged as the result is entertaining and never boring. The action scenes are confidently dealt with and well written, there’s a bit of gore but nothing excessive.
Profile Image for John Purvis.
1,358 reviews23 followers
November 21, 2021
Author R.D Shah https://rd-shah.com published the book “Project Icarus” a few days ago. Mr. Shah has published six novels so far. This is the first book of his ‘Disavowed’ series.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this book as ‘R’ as it contains scenes of violence and mature language. The primary character is hostage negotiator Ethan Munroe.

Munroe is urgently called to the scene of a hostage standoff. He is perplexed by being asked for specifically by the kidnapper. This spawns a new life and a series of adventures for Munroe.

Munroe was dedicated to his job. He had served for several years in the army before joining the police. He had made that transition after his wife and daughter had died in a terrorist attack five years earlier. Against protocol, Munroe enters the house where the kidnapper is holding a young girl. That is where he meets a man who calls himself Icarus. The action escalates from there.

Munroe is approached by DS5, otherwise known as the Disavowed. Following the end of WWII, DS5 was formed by the British, French, and US. It has been kept top secret with only a handful in the organization. It was created to counter the anticipated rise of a Nazi Fourth Reich.

Nazi leaders were known to have escaped Germany before the war ended. The new organization, Daedalus, had been scheming for decades. They were on the brink of rising to power. Their plans are somewhat thwarted when one of their ranks becomes a serial killer. That man is Icarus. Munroe is swept up in a modern-day struggle against the Nazis.

I enjoyed the 8.5 hours I spent reading this 323-page thriller. I thought that this novel had an interesting plot with more than one twist. I do look forward to reading other books in this series. The cover art is OK. I rate this book as a 4 out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
Profile Image for Merril Anil.
927 reviews78 followers
December 15, 2023
Either I was back on a reading slump, or the book really couldn’t keep me hooked because I did not enjoy this book. Well, technically I know this book is filled with everything I would love in a thriller. The book is almost like a Mission Impossible or Jason Bourne chase against Time kind of thriller but the only chase I did was trying to keep myself up with the book. Keeping with events that were happening and then keeping myself awake.

I had this book on audio and perhaps it was the thick accent and robotic narration or maybe simply i picked the book at the wrong time. Somehow the book felt dragging with conversations and monologues and inner turmoils rather than getting on to the heart of the action. Even when the action was happening, it was all sort of linear and couldn’t pull me out to sit up straight and take notice.

As I said, technically the book has it all. Villains, government agencies, spies, heroes, collaterals, world domination and even some interesting and buzzworthy conspiracy theories. But in general, for me, the treatment and narration didn’t spark much life into the book. Could be the audio narration or it could be the general treatment of the book. The book had a very melancholic vibe and not in the nicest way.

Conclusion

If you hate romance then this is your book because it got none or at least you get more reason to hate it. Ok that was actually pretty harsh. Sorry about that. Basically if you have been a fan of the series for its romance then don’t come looking for that in here but if you had love the whole ExcelsiCon universe, then yes go for it. The book has everything else working in it except for the romance.

Profile Image for Nickie.
299 reviews1 follower
August 21, 2023
Audiobooks, I love them. They allow me to get lost in other worlds whilst I am mindlessly playing games on my phone or cleaning the house. Thriller books are usually great as audiobooks as they keep your attention due to the fast pace of them.

When I saw Project Icarus available as an audiobook on Netgalley I just had to request it as it sounded right up my street. I mean who wouldn’t when you read this: Hostage negotiator Ethan Munroe is called urgently to a developing crime scene. A serial killer is holding a young girl hostage, and, inexplicably, demands his attendance.

Sounds great right? And it is a really good book with some interesting themes throughout. The story flowed well throughout. I have found that how much you like the narrator is often a key indicator of how much you will like the book. In fact they can often make or break a book at times. The narrator for this one is Russell Bentley and whilst I got used to his voice and his style I found it wasn’t one that drew me in or one that ‘become’ the character for me. Some of the dialogue felt forced or fake and I couldn’t tell if that was the writing or the narration and it pulled me out of the world of the book slightly.

So whilst this is a good book with lots of twists and turns it left me wanting.. something. What that something is I couldn’t tell you but I wanted something more. Interestingly the Netgalley page states that fans of Adam Hamdy might love this and I can see that. I had a similar feeling with his writing so if you like Adam Hamdy then grab this book!
Profile Image for Misty.
57 reviews
September 2, 2023
What a first chapter!- Ambassador shoots chancellor in front of press and diplomatic delegation and then starts killing the press!

First let me say the narrator Russell Bentley did a phenomenal job! He kept me engaged in the book where I might have given up.

Can we talk about that prologue?! What a perfect way to set up the rest of the story. I had to listen to it twice to make sure I heard it correctly. I was hooked and couldn’t wait to see what would unfold. I can’t remember the last time a prologue/first chapter had me so invested.

My biggest issue with the book was the villains’ motivation. When it was revealed I had to roll my eyes. Not because it isn’t relative in 2023, but because it has been done so many times. I don’t want to give too much away, but it was very reminiscent of the plot of a Marvel movie. I almost stopped listening but Russell Bentley’s narration kept me interested.

Even with my gripe about the villains, the story was well told and will probably read the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Nikki.
1,189 reviews28 followers
August 22, 2023
Project Icarus by R. D. Shah
Narrated by Russell Bentley
Published: Saga Egmont Audio
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: September 7, 2023

Project Icarus is the first book in The Disavowed series by R. D. Shah. This is a fast paced thrill-ride with tons of twists and turns. Once I thought I knew what was going on, there would be a new twist! I thought this was fascinating and I'm looking forward to the next book(s)!

The narration by Russell Bentley was incredible!!! I loved how he gave each character their own voice and brought the story to life!

I definitely recommend reading Project Icarus! It's got the feel of a Dan Brown novel!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Mark Shannon.
138 reviews2 followers
November 19, 2023
I requested this book as it came across in the description that it sounded like a modern day Jack Higgins, which 20 years ago I loved.

That is pretty much what it was. This is the first book in a series that follows hostage negotiator Ethan Munroe. Ethan is summoned to the scene of where a known serial killer (Icarus) is holding a young girl hostage. This is the start of something he could not have ever predicted, let alone know why he was selected.

What follows you can not quite comprehend, an attack in the Palace of Westminster, silent helicopters, Nazi references and non stop action.

I really enjoyed this action packed starter and will definitely look out for the Disavowed series. I gave this 5/5.
Profile Image for Miranda YEUNG.
365 reviews17 followers
August 1, 2023
Project Icarus by R. D. Shah
(Narrated by Russell Bentley)

Ethan Munroe is a hostage negotiator. He was called to a crime scene while the hostage was a young girl.. The situation was soon uncontrollable and it involved political power. The truth behind may affect the himself and the world.

I enjoyed the story flow. It was dark, twisty and gripping. I have never read any topic like this before, it kept me guessing the ending. No dragging of the storyplot. Well-developed of all the characters. The narrator presented the story in a tensed and dark theme, which matched with the whole story.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Saga Egmont Audio and RD Shah for the audiobook!
382 reviews8 followers
August 24, 2023
A great start to this new series! Shah’s characters continually provide surprises as the story unfolds as each one deals with their strengths and weaknesses. The author’s wonderfully developed characters that you will love or otherwise love to hate make this a riveting read. This is a well-written, suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat thriller that will leave you breathless at times in anticipation of the next twist in the plot. Don’t start reading this book if you are not prepared to stay up all night. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Egmont Audio who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Adam Jones.
97 reviews2 followers
April 12, 2022
What a start to a new series. With sleeper agents, races against time and unknown enemies, this is how thriller series should be written.

I have never read anything by the author, but after reading this, I will be keeping an eye out for future releases. I was entertained, thrilled and kept guessing until the end. Would recommend if you are a lover of minor conspiracies and thrills.

I was given a free ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Karen Kepner.
363 reviews3 followers
December 1, 2023
Icarus, Daedalus and the Fourth Reich

This is an action packed thriller involving murder, intrigue and lies. Spies and more spies, good and bad vie back and forth until the denouement. Well written, historical facts throughout, UK, US, Brazil all get time in the spotlight. If you like thrillers, you will like this book.
Profile Image for Mike Jean.
16 reviews1 follower
December 14, 2021
Great read. Action cover to cover

Ethan Monroe is going to be a fun one to follow. The author pulls you in with clear images of the settings, and the beginnings of some deep character development. Great tale. Well with the read!
Profile Image for Dave.
460 reviews
May 13, 2022
Start of a new series from R. D. Shah and I have to say it looks promising. We have a no nonsense hero with a likeable sidekick and boss fighting against a known evil.
It will be interesting to see where this goes as a series and I’m looking forward to finding out.
Profile Image for Mr C Evans.
23 reviews4 followers
September 29, 2022
Escapist nonsense with totally unbelievable action gets you turning the pages quickly hardly drawing breath. The main character has more lives than the proverbial cat and the central conspiracy theory would only convince a child. A chance to suspend belief and waste a few hours.
50 reviews1 follower
November 11, 2021
So. Much. Action! The book left me dizzy with the constant action, and the story was familiar and laboured. Interesting back story, strong characters but not something I'd relish reading again.
8 reviews
October 10, 2022
Action plot.

Good story and well done. Not too far fetched and there is too many Nazi adherents in many countries to make this particular story believable.
Profile Image for Christine Lapping.
173 reviews3 followers
October 29, 2022
I won't be looking out for number 2 in the series. Old storyline, not particularly well written, badly proof read.
49 reviews
December 15, 2022
Scary

This book is relevant, timely & rather eye-opening. Things are happening in this book that aren't out of the realm of possibility.
Profile Image for Melissa Keen.
50 reviews
September 15, 2025
Not a bad book, a fast read, a bit cheesy and the epilogue was a bit annoying - 2 moles in a team of about 6 is very excessive especially considering they supposedly vet people really thoroughly!
988 reviews16 followers
August 15, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and Saga Egmont Audio for an advanced audio book in exchange for an honest review.

3.8 stars

Ethan Munroe is ex-military and currently a hostage negotiator. He is called to the scene of a kidnapping at the request of the hostage taker. Lots goes on as Ethan flies all over the world to solve the case.

Excellent narration by Russell Bentley.
661 reviews7 followers
September 18, 2023
A serial killer takes a young girl hostage and asks for Ethan Monroe thus thrusts Ethan in a completely different world full of secret organisations in this all action thriller. Well realised characters and plenty of plot twist. Highly recommended. Russell Bentley' remarkable narration only adds to this book. Thanks to Saga Egmont audio for this audiobook copy for a review.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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