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Tom Wilkes #1
Rogue Element
When QF1, enroute from Sydney to London, enters Indonesian airspace, it is behind schedule, but flying smoothly. None of the 400 plus people on board have any indication that their plane will face problems. Yet that's exactly what happens - in spectacular fashion. Problems strike first one engine, then another, and eventually the plane is forced down.Last located near the island of Sulawesi, no one knows where the plane has finally landed. Is it possible it has landed safely, or has it crashed? And why are the Indonesian government reluctant to let outside help in to help locate the wreckage? Meanwhile, intelligence services in the USA have put together seemingly unconnected snippets of information, which point to a deliberate plot to down the plane and ensure there are no survivors. Australian officials are reluctant to face this likelihood - it could mean all out war.Deep in the jungle of Sulawesi, the survivors of the crash are now fighting for their lives. Tracked by enemies better equipped and better trained than they are, they are running out time, until Sergeant Tom Wilkes and his SAS Unit are deployed to rescue the survivors and avert all-out war. Can it be done? Rogue Element is a political thriller. Lovers of espionage and covert operations, and those who like to predict possible futures for world politics will be intrigued.
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