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Shadow State #1
Shadow State
'Terrific' Sunday Times
___________
In the dark world of cryptocurrency, there's a high price to pay . . .
From the central bank of El Salvador to a tantalum mine in Rwanda, the Acropolis Museum in Athens to the biggest freeport on the planet in Dubai, enter a world ruled by ones and zeroes and inhabited by people who don't believe in trust.
Nathan Pike is one of those people. To some he's a digital Robin Hood. To others he's nothing but an amoral hacker. A codebreaking and encryption expert, he sells his skills to whoever can pay him what he wants or give him something he needs.
And when he's sprung from a Cambodian prison by a woman calling herself Melody Jones, he's made an offer the likes of which he's never seen before.
MORE PRAISE FOR ANDY
'A tremendous adventure story' – Daily Telegraph
'Extraordinary' – The Times
'A rollercoaster ride' – Guardian
'Full on, fast-paced, gripping' – Sunday Sport
'Authentic to the core' – Daily Express
'Stunning' – Sun
'Unstoppable' – Daily Mirror
___________
In the dark world of cryptocurrency, there's a high price to pay . . .
From the central bank of El Salvador to a tantalum mine in Rwanda, the Acropolis Museum in Athens to the biggest freeport on the planet in Dubai, enter a world ruled by ones and zeroes and inhabited by people who don't believe in trust.
Nathan Pike is one of those people. To some he's a digital Robin Hood. To others he's nothing but an amoral hacker. A codebreaking and encryption expert, he sells his skills to whoever can pay him what he wants or give him something he needs.
And when he's sprung from a Cambodian prison by a woman calling herself Melody Jones, he's made an offer the likes of which he's never seen before.
MORE PRAISE FOR ANDY
'A tremendous adventure story' – Daily Telegraph
'Extraordinary' – The Times
'A rollercoaster ride' – Guardian
'Full on, fast-paced, gripping' – Sunday Sport
'Authentic to the core' – Daily Express
'Stunning' – Sun
'Unstoppable' – Daily Mirror
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2023
116 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Andy McNab
205 books1,158 followersAndy McNab joined the infantry in 1976 as a boy soldier. In 1984 he was badged as a member of 22 SAS Regiment. He served in B Squadron 22 SAS for ten years and worked on both covert and overt special operations worldwide, including anti-terrorist and anti-drug operations in the Middle and Far East, South and Central America and Northern Ireland.
Trained as a specialist in counter terrorism, prime target elimination, demolitions, weapons and tactics, covert surveillance and information gathering in hostile environments, and VIP protection, McNab worked on cooperative operations with police forces, prison services, anti-drug forces and western backed guerrilla movements as well as on conventional special operations. In Northern Ireland he spent two years working as an undercover operator with 14th Intelligence Group, going on to become an instructor.
McNab also worked as an instructor on the SAS selection and training team and instructed foreign special forces in counter terrorism, hostage rescue and survival training.
Andy McNab has written about his experiences in the SAS in two bestselling books, Bravo Two Zero (1993) and Immediate Action (1995). Bravo Two Zero is the highest selling war book of all time and has sold over 1.7 million copies in the UK. To date it has been published in 17 countries and translated into 16 languages. The CD spoken word version of Bravo Two Zero, narrated by McNab, sold over 60,000 copies and earned a silver disc. The BBC's film of Bravo Two Zero, starring Sean Bean, was shown on primetime BBC 1 television in 1999 and released on DVD in 2000.
Immediate Action, McNab's autobiography, spent 18 weeks at the top of the bestseller lists following the lifting on an ex-parte injunction granted to the Ministry of Defence in September 1995. To date, Immediate Action has now sold over 1.4 million copies in the UK.
McNab is the author of seven fast action thrillers, highly acclaimed for their authenticity and all Sunday Times bestsellers. Published in 1997, Remote Control was hailed as the most authentic thriller ever written and has sold over half a million copies in the UK. McNab's subsequent thrillers, Crisis Four, Firewall, Last Light , Liberation Day , Dark Winter , Deep Black and Aggressor have all gone on to sell equally well. The central character in all the books is Nick Stone, a tough ex-SAS operative working as a 'K' on deniable operations for British Intelligence.
McNab's fiction draws extensively on his experiences and knowledge of Special Forces soldiering. He has been officially registered by Neilsen Bookscan as the bestselling British thriller writer of the last year.
Trained as a specialist in counter terrorism, prime target elimination, demolitions, weapons and tactics, covert surveillance and information gathering in hostile environments, and VIP protection, McNab worked on cooperative operations with police forces, prison services, anti-drug forces and western backed guerrilla movements as well as on conventional special operations. In Northern Ireland he spent two years working as an undercover operator with 14th Intelligence Group, going on to become an instructor.
McNab also worked as an instructor on the SAS selection and training team and instructed foreign special forces in counter terrorism, hostage rescue and survival training.
Andy McNab has written about his experiences in the SAS in two bestselling books, Bravo Two Zero (1993) and Immediate Action (1995). Bravo Two Zero is the highest selling war book of all time and has sold over 1.7 million copies in the UK. To date it has been published in 17 countries and translated into 16 languages. The CD spoken word version of Bravo Two Zero, narrated by McNab, sold over 60,000 copies and earned a silver disc. The BBC's film of Bravo Two Zero, starring Sean Bean, was shown on primetime BBC 1 television in 1999 and released on DVD in 2000.
Immediate Action, McNab's autobiography, spent 18 weeks at the top of the bestseller lists following the lifting on an ex-parte injunction granted to the Ministry of Defence in September 1995. To date, Immediate Action has now sold over 1.4 million copies in the UK.
McNab is the author of seven fast action thrillers, highly acclaimed for their authenticity and all Sunday Times bestsellers. Published in 1997, Remote Control was hailed as the most authentic thriller ever written and has sold over half a million copies in the UK. McNab's subsequent thrillers, Crisis Four, Firewall, Last Light , Liberation Day , Dark Winter , Deep Black and Aggressor have all gone on to sell equally well. The central character in all the books is Nick Stone, a tough ex-SAS operative working as a 'K' on deniable operations for British Intelligence.
McNab's fiction draws extensively on his experiences and knowledge of Special Forces soldiering. He has been officially registered by Neilsen Bookscan as the bestselling British thriller writer of the last year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
December 27, 2022
As a former member of 22 SAS Regiment, author Andy McNab is well qualified to write exciting thrillers, and he does so with aplomb in his latest offering - Shadow State.
We are introduced to phenomenal hacker Nathan Pike when he is on the receiving end of a thorough beating from his cell mate in Sihanoukville Police Station in Cambodia. Things aren’t looking good at all for Pike until out of the blue steps one Melody Jones who is here to secure his release, but Pike has no idea who this elegant lady is or what she’ll require in return. However, he’s under no illusion that there will be a high price to be paid - the price actually involves a heist of massive and intelligent proportions surrounding cryptocurrency.
Shadow State takes us around the world from Rwanda to El Salvador, Athens to Dubai, on a highly entertaining, action packed thrill a minute ride. This is a complex storyline but it’s well worth the attention required, as the reader will be richly rewarded with a real page turner. Excellent start to a new series.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Welbeck Publishing UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
We are introduced to phenomenal hacker Nathan Pike when he is on the receiving end of a thorough beating from his cell mate in Sihanoukville Police Station in Cambodia. Things aren’t looking good at all for Pike until out of the blue steps one Melody Jones who is here to secure his release, but Pike has no idea who this elegant lady is or what she’ll require in return. However, he’s under no illusion that there will be a high price to be paid - the price actually involves a heist of massive and intelligent proportions surrounding cryptocurrency.
Shadow State takes us around the world from Rwanda to El Salvador, Athens to Dubai, on a highly entertaining, action packed thrill a minute ride. This is a complex storyline but it’s well worth the attention required, as the reader will be richly rewarded with a real page turner. Excellent start to a new series.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Welbeck Publishing UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
December 15, 2022
Geordie Nathan Pike is very much a loner and currently he’s in Sihanoukville Police Station on the south coast of Cambodia getting a beating from his cell mate. It’s not looking good for him until his fairy godmother American Melody Jones turns up. Nathan is a genius hacker though he prefers the term cyber security specialist and so needless to say Melody wants something in return for springing him from jail. Meanwhile, in Rwanda, titan of industry wealthy, Lucius Gasana surveys his operation extracting tantalum used in electronic devices. What’s the connection between Melody’s actions and Lucius Gasana? This action packed thriller takes you on a bit of a world tour including Rwanda, El Salvador, Athens and Dubai with these settings being well described, adding an extra layer to the storytelling. The storyline in San Salvador I find especially fascinating.
I’ve been wanting to read an Andy McNab for a while so it’s great to get in at the start of a new series especially as he writes the kind of thrillers I really enjoy. The plot is complex, it needs focus which is a plus for me and there’s quite a bit of technology so I just go with the flow. The novel is lively, the pace is fast, there really isn’t a dull moment in this audacious plot. There’s a bit of everything from crypto currency to mineral extraction to ruthless/benevolent leaders to various bold thefts. Along the route to the end there is a hefty dose of betrayal and treachery with various righting of wrongs. The several strands in the storytelling connect well and it keeps you invested until the end.
The character of Nathan is so interesting and you really get a good insight into his personality via his growing up years in Newcastle which enables you to understand his motivations.
Overall, this is a good read, it’s intelligent but most importantly it’s very entertaining. If you like political/conspiracy thrillers, then you may enjoy this.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Welbeck Publishing U.K. for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
I’ve been wanting to read an Andy McNab for a while so it’s great to get in at the start of a new series especially as he writes the kind of thrillers I really enjoy. The plot is complex, it needs focus which is a plus for me and there’s quite a bit of technology so I just go with the flow. The novel is lively, the pace is fast, there really isn’t a dull moment in this audacious plot. There’s a bit of everything from crypto currency to mineral extraction to ruthless/benevolent leaders to various bold thefts. Along the route to the end there is a hefty dose of betrayal and treachery with various righting of wrongs. The several strands in the storytelling connect well and it keeps you invested until the end.
The character of Nathan is so interesting and you really get a good insight into his personality via his growing up years in Newcastle which enables you to understand his motivations.
Overall, this is a good read, it’s intelligent but most importantly it’s very entertaining. If you like political/conspiracy thrillers, then you may enjoy this.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Welbeck Publishing U.K. for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
December 29, 2022
A step in a new direction for Andy McNab, away from his normal thrillers and into something less action packed and more of a “caper”.
Nathan Pike is an enigmatic lead character, he is a top hacker with a self-built padd that seems ahead of most modern technology.
Pike is brought into a scheme to steal immensely valuable crypto currency keys belonging to El Salvador but there is a side plot relating to mining in Rwanda.
The Crypto stuff and the economic impact of it on global economics remains a bit of a confusion to most, and I’m not sure this will help educate.
So, to balance that out this needed a strong pacy plot and a lead character you can emphasise with. And that’s a problem, because the plot lacks needed pace and tension and Pike is hard to relate to and understand his agendas.
It’s set up for a series about a shadow state and the way money controls the world, but to be honest I’ve seen it done better and am not sure I’ll be sticking with this series.
Nathan Pike is an enigmatic lead character, he is a top hacker with a self-built padd that seems ahead of most modern technology.
Pike is brought into a scheme to steal immensely valuable crypto currency keys belonging to El Salvador but there is a side plot relating to mining in Rwanda.
The Crypto stuff and the economic impact of it on global economics remains a bit of a confusion to most, and I’m not sure this will help educate.
So, to balance that out this needed a strong pacy plot and a lead character you can emphasise with. And that’s a problem, because the plot lacks needed pace and tension and Pike is hard to relate to and understand his agendas.
It’s set up for a series about a shadow state and the way money controls the world, but to be honest I’ve seen it done better and am not sure I’ll be sticking with this series.
November 29, 2023
One long yawn! Zzzz.
October 26, 2023
Just didn't get into protagonist even with the back story.
January 11, 2025
So, funny story about this one. I picked this up at Kingsford Smith international departures for the exorbitant retail price it was. It starts off with Nathan Pike, a 39-year-old, somewhat lone wolf sort of character getting the crap kicked out of him while locked in a Cambodian jail. And there I was, a 39-year-old somewhat lone wolf character reading it on an Air Asia flight bound for Siem Reap! An omen?!
Turns out no - I didn’t get locked up. But I did thoroughly enjoy Cambodia. And this book.
The blurb says this is the first in a new series by McNab. All I can say is, I hope it’s true and there are more Nathan Pike books coming because it was thoroughly riveting.
Heavily features crafty gamesmanship among the characters who constantly try to outmanoeuvre each other, various settings in adventurous locations globally (I was going through a jungle fascination stage), sufficient tech speak to make you feel like your own bedroom hacker all peppered with the odd bit of action
I haven’t read any other of McNab’s books - and there are plenty. Perhaps I should?
Recommend. 👍🏻
Associate links provided
Turns out no - I didn’t get locked up. But I did thoroughly enjoy Cambodia. And this book.
The blurb says this is the first in a new series by McNab. All I can say is, I hope it’s true and there are more Nathan Pike books coming because it was thoroughly riveting.
Heavily features crafty gamesmanship among the characters who constantly try to outmanoeuvre each other, various settings in adventurous locations globally (I was going through a jungle fascination stage), sufficient tech speak to make you feel like your own bedroom hacker all peppered with the odd bit of action
I haven’t read any other of McNab’s books - and there are plenty. Perhaps I should?
Recommend. 👍🏻
Associate links provided
December 13, 2023
The storyline in Andy McNab's "Shadow State" is overly simplistic, bordering on vanilla and boring. Despite McNab's legendary status, this was my introduction to his work, and it was far from flattering.
The Thailand arrest was a weak opening, and the idea of getting a British citizen out of trouble on a trumped-up charge of rugby tackling a dirty cop and then force said man into forced labour requiring skills yiu did not know he possessed seemed utterly implausible.
Gasana's character, intelligence, and background lacked the complexity needed to run schemes akin to those witnessed in Thailand, El Salvador, Mexico, Greece, and Dubai. The oversight of not checking the thumb drive for a billion-dollar crypto key raised questions about the intelligence assumed of the readers.
The subplot involving the journalist turned amateur sleuth in Rwanda was laughable. The notion of a white woman tailing a finance minister in a predominantly black country without raising suspicion, only to approach him the way she did without consequences, seemed highly unrealistic.
The eccentric billionaire subplot involving a square off between Gassana & Liu and the billionaire impulsively spending $30 million on unwanted art added a layer of teenage storyline nonsense.
The abundance of amateur-hour scenarios in this book made me realize that all the years I spent not reading Andy McNab's books, thinking I was missing out, turned out to be a fortunate decision.
The Thailand arrest was a weak opening, and the idea of getting a British citizen out of trouble on a trumped-up charge of rugby tackling a dirty cop and then force said man into forced labour requiring skills yiu did not know he possessed seemed utterly implausible.
Gasana's character, intelligence, and background lacked the complexity needed to run schemes akin to those witnessed in Thailand, El Salvador, Mexico, Greece, and Dubai. The oversight of not checking the thumb drive for a billion-dollar crypto key raised questions about the intelligence assumed of the readers.
The subplot involving the journalist turned amateur sleuth in Rwanda was laughable. The notion of a white woman tailing a finance minister in a predominantly black country without raising suspicion, only to approach him the way she did without consequences, seemed highly unrealistic.
The eccentric billionaire subplot involving a square off between Gassana & Liu and the billionaire impulsively spending $30 million on unwanted art added a layer of teenage storyline nonsense.
The abundance of amateur-hour scenarios in this book made me realize that all the years I spent not reading Andy McNab's books, thinking I was missing out, turned out to be a fortunate decision.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2025
A slow start but it really builds. A fascinating cyber story that circumnavigates the globe. Big business, crypto currency and a fascinating back story. I have loved Andy Mcnab books since I first read Bravo Two Zero well over 20 years ago. Love this, the characters and the story.
January 2, 2023
My first book of the year and what an awesome start!
This is the start of a new series with Nathan Pike as the main character. a Hacker, code breaker, and expert lock picker but he likes to call himself a cryptographer because that just sounds better!
Nathan finds himself in a prison in Sihanoukville in Cambodia. Then a mysterious woman calling herself Melody Jones(an obvious pseudonym) comes to his rescue but in exchange, he must steal something for her. From here we go on a whirlwind ride to El Salvador, Athens, and Dubai.
We also meet Lucian Gasana who is the baddie in the story and the person behind everything.
We get to know Nathan better through flashbacks to his past and we find out what drives him.
It is a cleverly written story about hacking and ultimately revenge.
With a sleight-of-hand here and a sleight-of-hand there you can get away with almost everything!
Highly recommended!
Thank you to Netgalley and Welbeck Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
This is the start of a new series with Nathan Pike as the main character. a Hacker, code breaker, and expert lock picker but he likes to call himself a cryptographer because that just sounds better!
Nathan finds himself in a prison in Sihanoukville in Cambodia. Then a mysterious woman calling herself Melody Jones(an obvious pseudonym) comes to his rescue but in exchange, he must steal something for her. From here we go on a whirlwind ride to El Salvador, Athens, and Dubai.
We also meet Lucian Gasana who is the baddie in the story and the person behind everything.
We get to know Nathan better through flashbacks to his past and we find out what drives him.
It is a cleverly written story about hacking and ultimately revenge.
With a sleight-of-hand here and a sleight-of-hand there you can get away with almost everything!
Highly recommended!
Thank you to Netgalley and Welbeck Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
December 6, 2024
Wow! What a gripping read! The storyline was not what I was expecting from this author. Totally different but just as compelling. Not as much bloodshed and violence but plenty of backstabbing, lies and trust issues. Cleverly plotted and lots of guessing on my part...like motive, and who is the bad guy here? It kept me on my toes, and that's what I enjoyed. Looking forward to catching up with Nathan Pike very soon!
August 30, 2023
Not what I expected
This was different to his usual stories it was not what I was expecting an Andy Mcnab book to be like ,I found it boring in places and I was glad to get to the end so I could finally be done with it ,I think the three stars I've given it is generous I think I'll stick to his usual action novels from now on .
This was different to his usual stories it was not what I was expecting an Andy Mcnab book to be like ,I found it boring in places and I was glad to get to the end so I could finally be done with it ,I think the three stars I've given it is generous I think I'll stick to his usual action novels from now on .
January 17, 2023
crazy stupid but fun to read
June 23, 2025
6.8/10
September 5, 2023
As this is the first book of the series based on Nathan Pike, the genius hacker who would do some good, there are a lot of background stories in this one.
Nathan Pike is a hacker, and only uses a superphone to hack things.
He was hired by a woman named Jones who cannot be found on the Internet. Seriously, there must be some photo recognition software somewhere that could give this mystery woman some history.
Pike was hired to do a job to steal things. The real job is to steal a cryptocurrency passkey so that someone would get billions. The whole premise is a bit odd. I like the setup of a clever boy forced into a job he didn't choose himself.
So he went and did a job in El Salvador. Not much of it is being set up. At least he didn't act like a tourist. The job is done and the plot twists are the good bit of it.
There are some really big plot holes in this one. Zero-day virus is not a thing. It is just a computer virus that takes advantage of system vulnerability.
From Google:
"Zero-day" is a broad term that describes recently discovered security vulnerabilities that hackers can use to attack systems.
I am not sure it is worth that much to buy a virus.
Anyway, it is used as a plot twist.
With all that, it is still a good read. It is because of the character-building and fast pace.
Nathan Pike is a hacker, and only uses a superphone to hack things.
He was hired by a woman named Jones who cannot be found on the Internet. Seriously, there must be some photo recognition software somewhere that could give this mystery woman some history.
Pike was hired to do a job to steal things. The real job is to steal a cryptocurrency passkey so that someone would get billions. The whole premise is a bit odd. I like the setup of a clever boy forced into a job he didn't choose himself.
So he went and did a job in El Salvador. Not much of it is being set up. At least he didn't act like a tourist. The job is done and the plot twists are the good bit of it.
There are some really big plot holes in this one. Zero-day virus is not a thing. It is just a computer virus that takes advantage of system vulnerability.
From Google:
"Zero-day" is a broad term that describes recently discovered security vulnerabilities that hackers can use to attack systems.
I am not sure it is worth that much to buy a virus.
Anyway, it is used as a plot twist.
With all that, it is still a good read. It is because of the character-building and fast pace.
October 15, 2023
Not what was expected
This book was intriguing and certainly not what I was expecting.the way it covers a back story drawing the reader in.
Then brining you back to the present.
Great Job
This book was intriguing and certainly not what I was expecting.the way it covers a back story drawing the reader in.
Then brining you back to the present.
Great Job
May 22, 2024
I feel like two stars was generous. But one felt a little cruel. The story was choppy, difficult to sink into and even with the main protagonist having a lot of flash backs of a back story it was difficult to follow and get into. Finishing the book was more of a chore than a pleasure.
July 13, 2025
As an avid Andy McNab reader I found this book as usual a well written book that is easy to read and follow. I have read every book in the Nick Stone series and found this book falling short of the usual gripping action I have gome to expect from McNab.
July 22, 2025
Excellent Story
Another excellent story by Andy McNab featuring the world of cryptography amongst its other storylines. Great characters wan interesting ending.Looking forward to reading more.
Another excellent story by Andy McNab featuring the world of cryptography amongst its other storylines. Great characters wan interesting ending.Looking forward to reading more.
November 16, 2025
the absolute crappiest book ever from Andy McNab...but we already know he's pretty illiterate and didn't write it himself!
PLEASE GET A DIFFERENT GHOST WRITER ANDY!!
Your first 10 or so books were great, but now it's reached the point of mindless moronic stupidity
PLEASE GET A DIFFERENT GHOST WRITER ANDY!!
Your first 10 or so books were great, but now it's reached the point of mindless moronic stupidity
May 8, 2023
It’s alright but it’s no Nick Stone or Tom Buckingham. I’d love a new Buckingham novel.
February 1, 2024
interesting, a bit over fetched though but good fun
April 2, 2024
Well chosen characters in what turns into a fascinating novel of worldwide cryptocurrency manipulation
September 2, 2024
An easy enough enjoyable first novel from Andy McNab.
October 1, 2024
Audiobook.
February 7, 2025
Different from his usual books but still a good read.
January 2, 2023
Having read Andy McNab before, I had particular expectations about the story I was to read.
To a degree, these slightly soiled my enjoyment with this book, as I kept expecting certain types of action, whereas the interactions were more celebral. I can’t detract from the story for this, I should have been more open to Mr McNab expanding his story type.
As a story, it was intelligent, well played out and full of surprises, with the main characters and their actions being guided by plans laid well in advance. The plot rolled along at a good pace, I was never left thinking hurry up this is a bit of filler.
I think McNab has created a solid new character with potential for further adventures and look forward to more works featuring him.
I would recommend this book but just add the rider that if you come to it, as I did, expecting military style gung ho adventure, you will be slightly disappointed.
To a degree, these slightly soiled my enjoyment with this book, as I kept expecting certain types of action, whereas the interactions were more celebral. I can’t detract from the story for this, I should have been more open to Mr McNab expanding his story type.
As a story, it was intelligent, well played out and full of surprises, with the main characters and their actions being guided by plans laid well in advance. The plot rolled along at a good pace, I was never left thinking hurry up this is a bit of filler.
I think McNab has created a solid new character with potential for further adventures and look forward to more works featuring him.
I would recommend this book but just add the rider that if you come to it, as I did, expecting military style gung ho adventure, you will be slightly disappointed.
January 5, 2023
Nathan Pike is a top-notch hacker. He's worked for just about everyone at one time or another, even GCHQ for a time. But when a benevolent "fairy godmother" gets him out of a pickle (ie Jail in Cambodia) she offers him a very lucrative gig - one where he can stretch his hacking muscles.
Melody Jones is a bit of a grey character. You're never really sure which side she's on. Nathan isn't exactly an angel but he does at least have some lines he won't cross. The action ricochets across the globe and my head spun trying to keep up with banking and cryptocurrency! The pace does not let up but nothing feels rushed.
The settings are exceptionally depicted and you do feel that you are right there with Nathan. I really enjoyed the San Salvador strand of the story. You really expect taut storytelling in a McNab book and I wasn't let down. Highly enjoyable and I'd definitely read more from this world.
Melody Jones is a bit of a grey character. You're never really sure which side she's on. Nathan isn't exactly an angel but he does at least have some lines he won't cross. The action ricochets across the globe and my head spun trying to keep up with banking and cryptocurrency! The pace does not let up but nothing feels rushed.
The settings are exceptionally depicted and you do feel that you are right there with Nathan. I really enjoyed the San Salvador strand of the story. You really expect taut storytelling in a McNab book and I wasn't let down. Highly enjoyable and I'd definitely read more from this world.
January 8, 2023
If like me you've read some previous Andy McNab and think this will be more of the same then think again. Admittedly my previous reads were some time ago so he may have changed tack from the formula of tough hero prior to this novel but this is my first experience of something different from him.
We have a main character who appears to be someone who doesn't mind some casual breaking of laws with flashbacks throughout the tale providing the background to how he came to be the way he is. The main storyline takes us around the globe with some supporting characters who each, bar one person of mystery, have their own story. That all characters stories become linked shouldn't be a surprise however there are many twists and turns throughout to keep the reader engaged. I thoroughly enjoyed this new style from the author and will certainly consider reading further if this is likely to continue.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy.
We have a main character who appears to be someone who doesn't mind some casual breaking of laws with flashbacks throughout the tale providing the background to how he came to be the way he is. The main storyline takes us around the globe with some supporting characters who each, bar one person of mystery, have their own story. That all characters stories become linked shouldn't be a surprise however there are many twists and turns throughout to keep the reader engaged. I thoroughly enjoyed this new style from the author and will certainly consider reading further if this is likely to continue.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy.
February 20, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. Mind you, i read it on holiday so I wasn't being too demanding of literary merit. But i suppose Andy MacNab does not pretend to be Shakespeare, so that is OK.
In fact this was a good thriller with plenty of twists and turns to the plot, helped by flashbacks and story lines that intertwined in ways that were entirely unexpected. And i did not see the final twist coming at all, which is always a good surprise when reading a book.
The characters were convincing and credible. I loved the villain- what a creepy pig! I do hope he comes back in a later book. I liked the way the story chopped back and forth from Africa to Asia to Europe, to the past, to the present etc etc. I suppose the only criticism that I have is that at the end of the book we did not find out who the mysterious benefactor was. Maybe that is for a future book in the series.
Anyway, a cracking adventure tale. Enjoy
In fact this was a good thriller with plenty of twists and turns to the plot, helped by flashbacks and story lines that intertwined in ways that were entirely unexpected. And i did not see the final twist coming at all, which is always a good surprise when reading a book.
The characters were convincing and credible. I loved the villain- what a creepy pig! I do hope he comes back in a later book. I liked the way the story chopped back and forth from Africa to Asia to Europe, to the past, to the present etc etc. I suppose the only criticism that I have is that at the end of the book we did not find out who the mysterious benefactor was. Maybe that is for a future book in the series.
Anyway, a cracking adventure tale. Enjoy
July 9, 2023
Took a while to transform some disappointment that the latest and new direction by McNab, with new character Nathan Pike, (an intelligent master hacker with burglar skills, but quite average physical abilities), seemed a bit tame compared to the assignments of Nick Stone, former SAS, and become immersed in the upbringing and acquired talents of Pike, put to use by force of others. Usual unrevealed motives of main characters creating plot twists and double cross of which McNab is a master.
Story unfolded at a reasonable pace, less violence than previous offerings, to a reasonable conclusion, while holding interest. Achieved with just the right amount of description to allow realism, explanation, and scene description for the reader, without detracting from the plot moving along.
Will read more in this series, as McNab is a good author, and I suppose Nick Stone's exploits couldn't continue forever.
Story unfolded at a reasonable pace, less violence than previous offerings, to a reasonable conclusion, while holding interest. Achieved with just the right amount of description to allow realism, explanation, and scene description for the reader, without detracting from the plot moving along.
Will read more in this series, as McNab is a good author, and I suppose Nick Stone's exploits couldn't continue forever.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews