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Desert Venom
In the dying embers of the British Empire, a broken veteran is about to make a killing.
It should have been a glamorous first posting for junior pilot Rob May. Flying the latest RAF jet, the Venom, from an overseas airfield near exotic Baghdad.
But the Royal Air Force is being chased out by a government looking to throw off its imperial ties.
Paired with an irascible and eccentric flight commander, Squadron Leader ‘Bunny’ Pater-Smith, May finds himself plunged head-first into the chaos of the evacuation and a hidden plan to profit from the situation.
In a mix of biting desert sandstorms, an unpredictable flight commander and a corrupt member of the Iraqi royal family, May must choose his next step carefully.
His life depends on it.
From Cold War master, James Blatch, Desert Venom is a novella that evokes the golden age of military jets in the last years of the British empire.
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What they said about Blatch’s first two Cold War
“…a beautifully structured story, full of intriguing characters and a pulsating finale’Sir John Major, former British Prime Minister“This is a beautifully written book and is the best military book I've read since Mark 'Billy' Billingham's "The Hard Way" and Andy McNab's 'Bravo Two Zero!"Mark Llewhellin“James Blatch writes with an authority and authenticity that transports you mind and soul into a 1960s RAF test squadron.”Nathan Van Coups“…a gripping novel from such an accomplished journalist.”Five-star Amazon review“As an ex-RAF technician I was totally absorbed by this rollerball of a story.”Five-star Amazon review“I was rapidly and inexorably drawn deep into the world of Test Flying. Having worked at Boscombe Down some 4 decades after the time this story is set, I soon found myself saying “Yep, I know just what he means!” or “That reminds me of when I….!”Five-star Amazon review“I must admit that I became hooked on this book and by the end couldn’t put it down! Exciting and a cracking ending!”Five-star Amazon review“A wonderful book, capturing the spirt of the period and injecting some heart stopping action into this thrill ride. There was a moment in this book where I had to put it down and go for a walk to organize my thoughts, such was the devasting revelation, but it which ultimately served to make me feel closer to the characters.”Amazon Five-star review
It should have been a glamorous first posting for junior pilot Rob May. Flying the latest RAF jet, the Venom, from an overseas airfield near exotic Baghdad.
But the Royal Air Force is being chased out by a government looking to throw off its imperial ties.
Paired with an irascible and eccentric flight commander, Squadron Leader ‘Bunny’ Pater-Smith, May finds himself plunged head-first into the chaos of the evacuation and a hidden plan to profit from the situation.
In a mix of biting desert sandstorms, an unpredictable flight commander and a corrupt member of the Iraqi royal family, May must choose his next step carefully.
His life depends on it.
From Cold War master, James Blatch, Desert Venom is a novella that evokes the golden age of military jets in the last years of the British empire.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What they said about Blatch’s first two Cold War
“…a beautifully structured story, full of intriguing characters and a pulsating finale’Sir John Major, former British Prime Minister“This is a beautifully written book and is the best military book I've read since Mark 'Billy' Billingham's "The Hard Way" and Andy McNab's 'Bravo Two Zero!"Mark Llewhellin“James Blatch writes with an authority and authenticity that transports you mind and soul into a 1960s RAF test squadron.”Nathan Van Coups“…a gripping novel from such an accomplished journalist.”Five-star Amazon review“As an ex-RAF technician I was totally absorbed by this rollerball of a story.”Five-star Amazon review“I was rapidly and inexorably drawn deep into the world of Test Flying. Having worked at Boscombe Down some 4 decades after the time this story is set, I soon found myself saying “Yep, I know just what he means!” or “That reminds me of when I….!”Five-star Amazon review“I must admit that I became hooked on this book and by the end couldn’t put it down! Exciting and a cracking ending!”Five-star Amazon review“A wonderful book, capturing the spirt of the period and injecting some heart stopping action into this thrill ride. There was a moment in this book where I had to put it down and go for a walk to organize my thoughts, such was the devasting revelation, but it which ultimately served to make me feel closer to the characters.”Amazon Five-star review
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2023
24 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 6, 2023
Desert Venom
Another page turner from James Blatch!
Well done, James. Look forward to what comes next. It was fun to have a short book to zip through as my last book was quite lengthy .
Another page turner from James Blatch!
Well done, James. Look forward to what comes next. It was fun to have a short book to zip through as my last book was quite lengthy .
January 11, 2025
I enjoyed the book and it’s a compelling page turner and quick read. Having read the final flight first I felt this was not quite as gripping. That said it’s still a great read with plenty of plot twists.
December 25, 2025
Intriguing from the off ...!
Loved it - but wanted more - read it in one sitting! Great story though and a great aeroplane, and all set in that fascinating, post war/1950's time period.
Loved it - but wanted more - read it in one sitting! Great story though and a great aeroplane, and all set in that fascinating, post war/1950's time period.
October 13, 2023
In memory
This story has a very interesting twist to it but with a very fitting end.
Highly recommended it to everyone.
This story has a very interesting twist to it but with a very fitting end.
Highly recommended it to everyone.
November 18, 2023
An enjoyable novella about the RAF in Iraq....looking forward to reading the other books by JB
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews