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Tom Wilkes #1
Rogue Element
Joe Light, his computer hacking days behind him, kicks back in first class on board the Qantas 747 bound for London. In the Hawaiian office of the National Security Agency, an electronic intruder within a Government computer network is detected. An unusual radio signal and non-routine troop movements in Indonesia raise suspicions further. An air traffic controller at Denpasar Airport is shocked by the sudden disappearance of Flight QF1 from his screen. He doesn't want to admit what that could mean. The sickening groan of metal breaking up plunges Joe Light and his fellow passengers into everyone's worst nightmare. The 747 is screaming towards earth. On board there is sheer panic.
The news of the downing of the plane in Indonesian airspace is only the beginning of Australian Prime Minister Bill Blight's crisis. ASIO and the NSA piece together a frightening scenario in the face of Indonesia's denial of any knowledge of what happened to the aircraft–one that will pit Australia's crack Special Air Services troops, led by Sergeant Tom Wilkes, and aided by the US Marines, in a desperate covert battle to avert all out war.
The news of the downing of the plane in Indonesian airspace is only the beginning of Australian Prime Minister Bill Blight's crisis. ASIO and the NSA piece together a frightening scenario in the face of Indonesia's denial of any knowledge of what happened to the aircraft–one that will pit Australia's crack Special Air Services troops, led by Sergeant Tom Wilkes, and aided by the US Marines, in a desperate covert battle to avert all out war.
428 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
17 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
David Rollins
21 books86 followersHiya, I'm a fiction author and I live in Sydney, Australia. I guess my best-known work is the series featuring Vin Cooper, a special agent in the United States Air Force OSI.
I have published eleven novels, which most recently includes the seventh novel in the Cooper series, the highly controversial KINGDOM COME.
I've recently discovered the joys of Substack. Come and take a look at davidrollins@substack.com where I'm also serializing BLOOD & EMPIRE, the sequel to FIELD OF MARS.
I have published eleven novels, which most recently includes the seventh novel in the Cooper series, the highly controversial KINGDOM COME.
I've recently discovered the joys of Substack. Come and take a look at davidrollins@substack.com where I'm also serializing BLOOD & EMPIRE, the sequel to FIELD OF MARS.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 30, 2014
Given the events with the NSA and the recent disappearance of MH 370 one would think this book was recently written. In fact it was written more than 10 years ago.
A Qantas 747 flight from Sydney to London goes missing without a clue. It just drops off the controllers radar screen. (Sound familiar?) The plane has actually been shot down by an Indonesian fighter. Two survivors. One a photo journalist and the other a former computer hacker. They are trying to survive in a remote part of one of the islands that make up Indonesia. The are also trying to evade a platoon of Indonesian special forces trying to kill them.
The author paints a very good portrait of ongoing events, both in Canberra and Jakarta. He also does a good job of teaching the history of the animosity between Indonesia and Australia, something of which I was not aware. Authors I read tend to write about problems directly involving the U.S. This was a pleasant departure for me.
About the only negative I can put on this book is the two survivors, trying to evade their pursuers, are discussing the morality of the Indonesian/Australian relationship. I found it hard to wrap my mind around that given the situation.
While there is one more book in the Tom Wilkes series, this book does not end in a cliff hanger. In fact, Rollins does a great job of tying up the loose threads to the story.
Over all, it’s another great read from David Rollins. Based on the dates I have been able to come up with, I believe it to be his first thriller, written prior to the Vin Cooper series.
A Qantas 747 flight from Sydney to London goes missing without a clue. It just drops off the controllers radar screen. (Sound familiar?) The plane has actually been shot down by an Indonesian fighter. Two survivors. One a photo journalist and the other a former computer hacker. They are trying to survive in a remote part of one of the islands that make up Indonesia. The are also trying to evade a platoon of Indonesian special forces trying to kill them.
The author paints a very good portrait of ongoing events, both in Canberra and Jakarta. He also does a good job of teaching the history of the animosity between Indonesia and Australia, something of which I was not aware. Authors I read tend to write about problems directly involving the U.S. This was a pleasant departure for me.
About the only negative I can put on this book is the two survivors, trying to evade their pursuers, are discussing the morality of the Indonesian/Australian relationship. I found it hard to wrap my mind around that given the situation.
While there is one more book in the Tom Wilkes series, this book does not end in a cliff hanger. In fact, Rollins does a great job of tying up the loose threads to the story.
Over all, it’s another great read from David Rollins. Based on the dates I have been able to come up with, I believe it to be his first thriller, written prior to the Vin Cooper series.
October 11, 2015
Interesting premise and strong characters but glacial pacing and 100 pages too long.
April 13, 2017
Deja vu....Flight 370. Loved the characters and action. Looking forward to next in the series.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews