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The Killing Crew: An absolutely gripping thriller
Ash Carter and Bill Wolfe are in Israel hunting a group of British Army deserters known as the Killing Crew. Some people think they were a myth, others believe they were the most hated of British soldiers.
In the newly formed state that’s at war with the Arab nations, hated by Jews and despised by Arabs, the two SIB officers think they face an uncomfortable task.
But when they become targets they realise this is more than just a job. It’s life or death.
In the newly formed state that’s at war with the Arab nations, hated by Jews and despised by Arabs, the two SIB officers think they face an uncomfortable task.
But when they become targets they realise this is more than just a job. It’s life or death.
299 pages, Hardcover
Published November 9, 2021
12 people are currently reading
647 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 24, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
The Killing Crew is the second book in the Ash Carter Near East Crime-Thriller series, with book one being ‘Cyprus Kiss‘, which I reviewed earlier in the year.
The series is a historical crime-thriller set in 1948 with military investigator Ash Carter in Cyprus searching for a connection between a gang, a missing woman, and a murder.
In this second book, it is now June 1948 and Ash Carter is in Israel. The State of Israel is at war and most of the British Army has been evacuated but a few remain to find British deserters. Ash and Captain Bill Wolfe are on the hunt for a group of deserters known as ‘The Killing Crew’ along with fellow officers Finney and Rom.
I really enjoyed this book and especially the history within as the time period was well-described and gave me a clear picture of the era and the setting. All the drama being played out showed exactly how things were in Israel in the late 1940s. Ash Carter is a good guy. I love his character immensely, especially his determination to get to the truth. He has both a sensitive side, such as when he comes across a lady with a young baby in desperate need of food and better lodgings. Then we see his more fierce side as he deals with destruction, cruelty, and violence of war.
The Killing Crew is an excellent read with lots of action throughout. There were a great many twists and turns which kept me on my toes and interested. Plus, this was a real page-turner as I didn’t want to put it down once I had begun. I loved the ending too which I presume might mean there will be a book three?
Ash Carter Near East Crime-Thriller series is for anyone who loves a good military action book. It is gritty and dark at times and loving and heartfelt at others. It is also one of the best series I have read.
The Killing Crew is the second book in the Ash Carter Near East Crime-Thriller series, with book one being ‘Cyprus Kiss‘, which I reviewed earlier in the year.
The series is a historical crime-thriller set in 1948 with military investigator Ash Carter in Cyprus searching for a connection between a gang, a missing woman, and a murder.
In this second book, it is now June 1948 and Ash Carter is in Israel. The State of Israel is at war and most of the British Army has been evacuated but a few remain to find British deserters. Ash and Captain Bill Wolfe are on the hunt for a group of deserters known as ‘The Killing Crew’ along with fellow officers Finney and Rom.
I really enjoyed this book and especially the history within as the time period was well-described and gave me a clear picture of the era and the setting. All the drama being played out showed exactly how things were in Israel in the late 1940s. Ash Carter is a good guy. I love his character immensely, especially his determination to get to the truth. He has both a sensitive side, such as when he comes across a lady with a young baby in desperate need of food and better lodgings. Then we see his more fierce side as he deals with destruction, cruelty, and violence of war.
The Killing Crew is an excellent read with lots of action throughout. There were a great many twists and turns which kept me on my toes and interested. Plus, this was a real page-turner as I didn’t want to put it down once I had begun. I loved the ending too which I presume might mean there will be a book three?
Ash Carter Near East Crime-Thriller series is for anyone who loves a good military action book. It is gritty and dark at times and loving and heartfelt at others. It is also one of the best series I have read.
March 10, 2022
The Killing Crew is the second book in Murray Bailey's Near East series but Ash Carter was also the protagonist in his Singapore thrillers meaning these prequels are equally as enjoyable for those who are already familiar with the character and those who are just discovering him now.
There are a number of reasons why I choose to return to these books but it's perhaps the way in which the time and place are evoked with such assured authenticity that is always a particular highlight. The Killing Crew is set in the newly formed state of Israel and although a fragile peace currently exists, there is an underlying sense of tension running throughout the novel. Carter is again working alongside Bill Wolfe and both have recently been promoted, to Captain and Major respectively. Ash knows that their higher ranks have been awarded as an attempt for them to gain more respect but though they have permission to be in Israel, it's evident throughout that they are not welcome. I was fascinated to learn more about the desertions to both Arab and Jewish sides as British troops withdrew from what was Mandatory Palestine. Carter is reminded several times that the British are now hated and as a principled, thoughtful man, it's clear that he has deep empathy for those who feel betrayed by Britain.
Nevertheless, he and Wolfe have been sent to the country on a mission to discover whether stories about the Killing Crew, a group that possibly includes former British soldiers and which may have been responsible for some of the unexplained bombings and killings during the conflict prior to partition, are true. The prologue sets the scene for a plot filled with misdirections and that certainly proves to be the case but although the simmering risk of violence is implied throughout, this isn't an all-out action thriller and the painstaking work needed to identify likely suspects ensures the investigation is as believable as it is intriguing. Ash's innate sense of moral justice at the start of the book results in a sub-plot involving money-lenders and debt collectors and the clever way it intertwines with and complements the main storyline is excellent.
Of course, this is still effectively a warzone and Carter and Wolfe - joined by their new Jewish assistant, Sylvia Rom (whom they suspect to be a spy) and the eager, inexperienced young Sergeant Finney who is fresh off the boat - are met with resistance that leaves them and readers in no doubt as to the ruthless capabilities of those they are pursuing. There are some shocking developments and as they begin to suspect that the Killing Crew have an explosive finale planned, tensions grow increasingly tense between Ash and Bill in particular. As they gather the scraps of clues they uncover and try to figure out the identities of those involved - no easy task when changes of name have become commonplace - they also need to work out who can be trusted.
The doubts that are cast about several characters engenders a nerve-wracking sense of ominous suspicion which becomes almost unbearable as the novel nears its exciting conclusion. The Killing Crew is a complex, thoughtful thriller that rewards its readers with a memorable, intelligent plot that vividly and sympathetically explores the complicated politics and cultural issues that still persist today. I highly recommend it and look forward to the next book in this reliably compelling series.
There are a number of reasons why I choose to return to these books but it's perhaps the way in which the time and place are evoked with such assured authenticity that is always a particular highlight. The Killing Crew is set in the newly formed state of Israel and although a fragile peace currently exists, there is an underlying sense of tension running throughout the novel. Carter is again working alongside Bill Wolfe and both have recently been promoted, to Captain and Major respectively. Ash knows that their higher ranks have been awarded as an attempt for them to gain more respect but though they have permission to be in Israel, it's evident throughout that they are not welcome. I was fascinated to learn more about the desertions to both Arab and Jewish sides as British troops withdrew from what was Mandatory Palestine. Carter is reminded several times that the British are now hated and as a principled, thoughtful man, it's clear that he has deep empathy for those who feel betrayed by Britain.
Nevertheless, he and Wolfe have been sent to the country on a mission to discover whether stories about the Killing Crew, a group that possibly includes former British soldiers and which may have been responsible for some of the unexplained bombings and killings during the conflict prior to partition, are true. The prologue sets the scene for a plot filled with misdirections and that certainly proves to be the case but although the simmering risk of violence is implied throughout, this isn't an all-out action thriller and the painstaking work needed to identify likely suspects ensures the investigation is as believable as it is intriguing. Ash's innate sense of moral justice at the start of the book results in a sub-plot involving money-lenders and debt collectors and the clever way it intertwines with and complements the main storyline is excellent.
Of course, this is still effectively a warzone and Carter and Wolfe - joined by their new Jewish assistant, Sylvia Rom (whom they suspect to be a spy) and the eager, inexperienced young Sergeant Finney who is fresh off the boat - are met with resistance that leaves them and readers in no doubt as to the ruthless capabilities of those they are pursuing. There are some shocking developments and as they begin to suspect that the Killing Crew have an explosive finale planned, tensions grow increasingly tense between Ash and Bill in particular. As they gather the scraps of clues they uncover and try to figure out the identities of those involved - no easy task when changes of name have become commonplace - they also need to work out who can be trusted.
The doubts that are cast about several characters engenders a nerve-wracking sense of ominous suspicion which becomes almost unbearable as the novel nears its exciting conclusion. The Killing Crew is a complex, thoughtful thriller that rewards its readers with a memorable, intelligent plot that vividly and sympathetically explores the complicated politics and cultural issues that still persist today. I highly recommend it and look forward to the next book in this reliably compelling series.
December 17, 2021
A masterpiece of intrigue, author Murray Bailey took me to a point in history I knew little about. World War II is over and Israel is in its infancy. While the story is fictional, it is intertwined with historical events that make this story so believable. I was able to feel the heightened tensions and Bailey captures the anger and distrust against the British. Ash Carter and Bill Wolfe, the two main characters, are in Israel in pursuit of a notorious group known only as ’The Killing Crew’. The Crew is believed to be made up of British soldiers who are deserters.
Kudos to Bailey.
Kudos to Bailey.
Read
February 25, 2022The second tantalising read in this great series!
Having left Cyprus behind, Ash Carter and Bill Wolfe are now in Israel trying to track down a group of British deserters known as The Killing Crew. The newly formed state isn’t a comfortable place to be for the two SIB men; with Jews and Arabs at war with each other and neither side viewing them favourably, they have their work cut out for them. And when they become targets, it’s as much about staying alive as it is capturing their prey.
As anyone who follows my reviews will know, I really enjoyed the first in what is shaping up to be a superb series and could barely wait to get into this second novel. Murray Bailey has the gift of creating wonderful characters within a period setting which smacks of reality, pulling readers into the story and keeping a tight grip of them until the bitter end. Yet again, I found myself reading into the early hours – racing through the pages, desperate to find out what happened next! Completely unpredictable, this book kept me awake and alert long after I should have closed my eyes and, try as I may to work out where it was all heading, I was shocked and surprised several times over. Here is an author who not only knows his craft but has the skill to transfer a riveting story to the page and keep his readers enthralled and entranced all the way through. I really hope there are more adventures on the way for Ash and Bill; I can’t help but think that this would transfer to film / tv and be compulsory viewing! In the meantime I shall be moving on to his other series featuring Ash Carter. Can you get too much of a good thing? I really don’t think so! This is, with no hesitation whatsoever, a sparkling five star read and has my highest recommendation.
Having left Cyprus behind, Ash Carter and Bill Wolfe are now in Israel trying to track down a group of British deserters known as The Killing Crew. The newly formed state isn’t a comfortable place to be for the two SIB men; with Jews and Arabs at war with each other and neither side viewing them favourably, they have their work cut out for them. And when they become targets, it’s as much about staying alive as it is capturing their prey.
As anyone who follows my reviews will know, I really enjoyed the first in what is shaping up to be a superb series and could barely wait to get into this second novel. Murray Bailey has the gift of creating wonderful characters within a period setting which smacks of reality, pulling readers into the story and keeping a tight grip of them until the bitter end. Yet again, I found myself reading into the early hours – racing through the pages, desperate to find out what happened next! Completely unpredictable, this book kept me awake and alert long after I should have closed my eyes and, try as I may to work out where it was all heading, I was shocked and surprised several times over. Here is an author who not only knows his craft but has the skill to transfer a riveting story to the page and keep his readers enthralled and entranced all the way through. I really hope there are more adventures on the way for Ash and Bill; I can’t help but think that this would transfer to film / tv and be compulsory viewing! In the meantime I shall be moving on to his other series featuring Ash Carter. Can you get too much of a good thing? I really don’t think so! This is, with no hesitation whatsoever, a sparkling five star read and has my highest recommendation.
March 21, 2022
My Thoughts: Murray has done it again, created a book that is just so easy to devour and lose track of the day reading it, I made the mistake of picking this one up for the first time when I had an hour to kill before work & the temptation to call in sick and just sit and finish the book was real 😂
This time we’re following Ash Carter and Bill Wolfe whilst they’re in Israel trying to identify and bring to justice the members of The Killing Crew.
We’re introduced to some new faces as well as being reacquainted with some old ones, but don’t make the mistake of getting attached like I did because no one is ever safe and you may find yourself crying 🥺
The story was action packed with lots of twists and turns & red herrings galore.
I had a particular soft spot for Ruth Gotting, thanks again Murray for putting in someone named after me that doesn’t get killed, not sure I’ve forgiven you yet for killing Patrice in the last book 😂
I love the fact that Murray can write characters that you fall in love with & then make you doubt their intentions later down the line, there were a few characters like that this time, I honestly had no idea where the story was going or who the guilty party would be.
I cannot recommend this book enough, or just Murray as an author, this isn’t a genre I would’ve picked up a couple of years ago but I now find myself looking forward to his next book!
This time we’re following Ash Carter and Bill Wolfe whilst they’re in Israel trying to identify and bring to justice the members of The Killing Crew.
We’re introduced to some new faces as well as being reacquainted with some old ones, but don’t make the mistake of getting attached like I did because no one is ever safe and you may find yourself crying 🥺
The story was action packed with lots of twists and turns & red herrings galore.
I had a particular soft spot for Ruth Gotting, thanks again Murray for putting in someone named after me that doesn’t get killed, not sure I’ve forgiven you yet for killing Patrice in the last book 😂
I love the fact that Murray can write characters that you fall in love with & then make you doubt their intentions later down the line, there were a few characters like that this time, I honestly had no idea where the story was going or who the guilty party would be.
I cannot recommend this book enough, or just Murray as an author, this isn’t a genre I would’ve picked up a couple of years ago but I now find myself looking forward to his next book!
February 20, 2022
In the second prequel to this excellent series, Military Police investigator Ash Carter is in Israel. It's 1948 and he's tasked with tracking down a group of British Army deserters, collectively known as the Killing Crew. Set against an increasingly volatile political backdrop where the British are perceived by many as the enemy, Carter's mission is fraught with danger.
Having now read several Ash Carter books, I'm always astonished by how thoroughly researched they are. The attention to detail and sense of time and place is superb. As the action kicks off, the twists and turns are plentiful. Unsure who he can trust, Carter is thrown headfirst into the thick of things as danger lurks around every corner.
I've always enjoyed books which combine real-life history with fictional people and this series does it fantastically. Characters are fully developed with interesting backstories. The action is fast-paced; the plot insightful and gripping. In my opinion it's a must-read series that just keeps getting better and better. A thoroughly enjoyable page-turning read from an author at the top of his game.
Having now read several Ash Carter books, I'm always astonished by how thoroughly researched they are. The attention to detail and sense of time and place is superb. As the action kicks off, the twists and turns are plentiful. Unsure who he can trust, Carter is thrown headfirst into the thick of things as danger lurks around every corner.
I've always enjoyed books which combine real-life history with fictional people and this series does it fantastically. Characters are fully developed with interesting backstories. The action is fast-paced; the plot insightful and gripping. In my opinion it's a must-read series that just keeps getting better and better. A thoroughly enjoyable page-turning read from an author at the top of his game.
February 15, 2022
The Killing Crew is not my first read by Murray Bailey and won’t be my last. This can be read as a standalone, in my opinion.
I like learning more about Ash Carter during his younger year. I already really enjoyed his character, but learning about his past made him even more well-rounded for me. His backstory clearly lays out how and why he becomes the character he is in the other books.
Murray Bailey is an excellent thriller writer. The twists and turns come out of nowhere and the pace is always fast. It’s easy to get sucked into The Killing Crew and it’s difficult to put down.
I really enjoyed The Killing Crew and would definitely recommend giving it a read. Easy five stars for me.
Thank you to author Murray Bailey for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
I like learning more about Ash Carter during his younger year. I already really enjoyed his character, but learning about his past made him even more well-rounded for me. His backstory clearly lays out how and why he becomes the character he is in the other books.
Murray Bailey is an excellent thriller writer. The twists and turns come out of nowhere and the pace is always fast. It’s easy to get sucked into The Killing Crew and it’s difficult to put down.
I really enjoyed The Killing Crew and would definitely recommend giving it a read. Easy five stars for me.
Thank you to author Murray Bailey for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
February 24, 2022
I am beyond excited to back in the world of Ash Carter! A world where things aren’t always as they seem but that doesn’t stop our man, prepare yourself for action, adventure and a history lesson along the way!
In true Bailey style, we are dropped straight into action, our tender hearted Carter cannot turn a blind eye on a damsel in destress but he does find himself in hot water!
I enjoyed the history that was intertwined into the story, how the different parts of the story are slowly pulled together and figuring out who you can and can’t trust.
Action packed, pages and pages of twists and turns that keep you reading past your bedtime. A series that is a must read!
In true Bailey style, we are dropped straight into action, our tender hearted Carter cannot turn a blind eye on a damsel in destress but he does find himself in hot water!
I enjoyed the history that was intertwined into the story, how the different parts of the story are slowly pulled together and figuring out who you can and can’t trust.
Action packed, pages and pages of twists and turns that keep you reading past your bedtime. A series that is a must read!
March 10, 2022
Another Superb Thriller from Murray Bailey as he takes his protagonist Ash Carter on his 2nd Prequel Story to the fantastic Singapore Series.
Ash And Wolfe are now In Israel, and investigating ‘The Killing Crew’ who they believe to be a rouge team of British Soldiers turned Mercenary.
A story with a real sense of place unfolds, paced reasonably well as the complex and really quite intelligent mystery is set out.
With plenty of shocks, thrills and explosions, this prequel is another success and I thoroughly enjoyed the finale.
Ash And Wolfe are now In Israel, and investigating ‘The Killing Crew’ who they believe to be a rouge team of British Soldiers turned Mercenary.
A story with a real sense of place unfolds, paced reasonably well as the complex and really quite intelligent mystery is set out.
With plenty of shocks, thrills and explosions, this prequel is another success and I thoroughly enjoyed the finale.
May 24, 2022
Intriguing
At first this book was a little hard for me to follow. There were many groups, good and bad, mentioned. It was hard for me to keep track. Also I had no prior knowledge of any of the issues in the area at that time. The book was enlightening to say the least. Once the action started to roll it kept me on my toes. I was constantly changing my mind as to who was good and who was bad. Very good story.
At first this book was a little hard for me to follow. There were many groups, good and bad, mentioned. It was hard for me to keep track. Also I had no prior knowledge of any of the issues in the area at that time. The book was enlightening to say the least. Once the action started to roll it kept me on my toes. I was constantly changing my mind as to who was good and who was bad. Very good story.
April 13, 2022
Great when is the next one out,could not put it down
February 8, 2024
I am beyond excited to back in the world of Ash Carter! A world where things aren’t always as they seem but that doesn’t stop our man, prepare yourself for action, adventure and a history lesson along the way!
In true Bailey style, we are dropped straight into action, our tender hearted Carter cannot turn a blind eye on a damsel in destress but he does find himself in hot water!
I enjoyed the history that was intertwined into the story, how the different parts of the story are slowly pulled together and figuring out who you can and can’t trust.
Action packed, pages and pages of twists and turns that keep you reading past your bedtime. A series that is a must read!
In true Bailey style, we are dropped straight into action, our tender hearted Carter cannot turn a blind eye on a damsel in destress but he does find himself in hot water!
I enjoyed the history that was intertwined into the story, how the different parts of the story are slowly pulled together and figuring out who you can and can’t trust.
Action packed, pages and pages of twists and turns that keep you reading past your bedtime. A series that is a must read!
February 21, 2026
A pacy Ash Carter thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end
May 11, 2022
This second book in the Near East series, prequels to Murray Bailey's thrilling Singapore books, finds Ash Carter now promoted to Captain and back working alongside his SIB boss Tom Wolfe in the newly formed state of Israel.
Carter and Wolfe are here to track down a band of British deserters known as The Killing Crew, but the region in 1948 is a tricky place to be if you are British. Although the conflict between Jewish and Arab forces is currently suspended by a cease fire, the peace is very fragile, threatening to erupt into more violence at any moment - and both sides detest the British following the decision to light the touch paper and then withdraw to let Jews and Arabs fight it out in a bloody war. The odds of getting either side to co-operate with their investigation are slim, but at least they are here with official permission... for now.
Progress is slow, and this is an investigation that requires a painstaking examination of teetering piles of paperwork to get a handle on who's who, and who may or not be responsible for the orgy of terrorist atrocities that have marked recent times. It's hard even to establish whether or not The Killing Crew exist at all, but once Carter and Wolfe's ranks are bolstered by the young, inexperienced Sergeant Finney and their new Jewish assistant Sylvia Rom they begin to see a pattern emerging, with a mysterious figure known as The Engineer at the centre.
Can they get to bottom of what is really going on here, before they become targets themselves?
My favourite thing about Murray's books is the way he drops you right into the chaos of the post-World War Two landscape, creating such an authentic feeling of time and place and exploring the real nitty-gritty of the whys and wherefores of the situation. But if shining a light on the fascinating truth behind some very difficult political and military shenanigans wasn't enough, he mixes this with such gripping mysteries at the same time, that you almost find yourself absorbing all the history contained in his stories by stealth as you desperately pursue the answers to Ash Carter's investigations.
I learned so much about 1950s Singapore in the Ash Carter series, and the Near-East prequels are shaping up to be just as entertaining and informative, starting with the last book Cyprus Kiss and continuing with this new adventure The Killing Crew.
Inevitably, Bailey does spend quite a lot of the first half of this book making sure you understand the political tensions and violence that marked the bloody birth of the state of Israel. Even though I did know quite a lot about the lay of the land in the Middle East at this time, there was so much more to learn and Bailey deftly walks you through what things were really like on both sides of the conflict, while emphasising the hatred and resentment towards the British. I confess I did not know about the scale of desertions from the British Army, with soldiers defecting to both sides of the conflict for a variety of reasons, but found the idea that many were persuaded to join the Jewish ranks after what they had seen of Hitler's concentration camps both intriguing and particularly poignant.
Of course, Bailey is also a dab hand at a darned good thriller, so Carter gets himself involved in a bit of bother right from the word go that threatens to derail the investigation, and forms a nicely contrived sub-plot around some unpleasant gangster types which touches on the plight of post-war refugees. The threads of the central mystery gradually reveal themselves, and they become ever more complex as the story goes on, until you suspect almost everyone of dirty deeds and do not know who Carter can trust - even down to those very close to him. There are twists galore as Murray misleads both you as the reader and Capt. Carter; all the chases, back-stabbings and explosions you could possibly want; and lashings of the tension and intrigue I have come to expect from Bailey's cracking novels, with the added menace of a war-zone this time around too.
It's fair to say that this is a slow burner, but each and every part of this storyline builds beautifully towards the whole, and the pay-off of Bailey's detailed and very necessary groundwork comes once the sparks start to fly, unleashing a tide of chaos packed with action and surprisingly affecting emotion. This is certainly another highly enjoyable page-turner from Murray Bailey, and I am really looking forward to what he has in store for Carter next as he heads back to Cyprus!
Carter and Wolfe are here to track down a band of British deserters known as The Killing Crew, but the region in 1948 is a tricky place to be if you are British. Although the conflict between Jewish and Arab forces is currently suspended by a cease fire, the peace is very fragile, threatening to erupt into more violence at any moment - and both sides detest the British following the decision to light the touch paper and then withdraw to let Jews and Arabs fight it out in a bloody war. The odds of getting either side to co-operate with their investigation are slim, but at least they are here with official permission... for now.
Progress is slow, and this is an investigation that requires a painstaking examination of teetering piles of paperwork to get a handle on who's who, and who may or not be responsible for the orgy of terrorist atrocities that have marked recent times. It's hard even to establish whether or not The Killing Crew exist at all, but once Carter and Wolfe's ranks are bolstered by the young, inexperienced Sergeant Finney and their new Jewish assistant Sylvia Rom they begin to see a pattern emerging, with a mysterious figure known as The Engineer at the centre.
Can they get to bottom of what is really going on here, before they become targets themselves?
My favourite thing about Murray's books is the way he drops you right into the chaos of the post-World War Two landscape, creating such an authentic feeling of time and place and exploring the real nitty-gritty of the whys and wherefores of the situation. But if shining a light on the fascinating truth behind some very difficult political and military shenanigans wasn't enough, he mixes this with such gripping mysteries at the same time, that you almost find yourself absorbing all the history contained in his stories by stealth as you desperately pursue the answers to Ash Carter's investigations.
I learned so much about 1950s Singapore in the Ash Carter series, and the Near-East prequels are shaping up to be just as entertaining and informative, starting with the last book Cyprus Kiss and continuing with this new adventure The Killing Crew.
Inevitably, Bailey does spend quite a lot of the first half of this book making sure you understand the political tensions and violence that marked the bloody birth of the state of Israel. Even though I did know quite a lot about the lay of the land in the Middle East at this time, there was so much more to learn and Bailey deftly walks you through what things were really like on both sides of the conflict, while emphasising the hatred and resentment towards the British. I confess I did not know about the scale of desertions from the British Army, with soldiers defecting to both sides of the conflict for a variety of reasons, but found the idea that many were persuaded to join the Jewish ranks after what they had seen of Hitler's concentration camps both intriguing and particularly poignant.
Of course, Bailey is also a dab hand at a darned good thriller, so Carter gets himself involved in a bit of bother right from the word go that threatens to derail the investigation, and forms a nicely contrived sub-plot around some unpleasant gangster types which touches on the plight of post-war refugees. The threads of the central mystery gradually reveal themselves, and they become ever more complex as the story goes on, until you suspect almost everyone of dirty deeds and do not know who Carter can trust - even down to those very close to him. There are twists galore as Murray misleads both you as the reader and Capt. Carter; all the chases, back-stabbings and explosions you could possibly want; and lashings of the tension and intrigue I have come to expect from Bailey's cracking novels, with the added menace of a war-zone this time around too.
It's fair to say that this is a slow burner, but each and every part of this storyline builds beautifully towards the whole, and the pay-off of Bailey's detailed and very necessary groundwork comes once the sparks start to fly, unleashing a tide of chaos packed with action and surprisingly affecting emotion. This is certainly another highly enjoyable page-turner from Murray Bailey, and I am really looking forward to what he has in store for Carter next as he heads back to Cyprus!
October 17, 2021
The Killing Crew - Murray Bailey
𝗔𝘀𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗹𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝘀𝗿𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘄. 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝘆𝘁𝗵, 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀.
𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗯 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗯𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗦𝗜𝗕 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸.
𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗷𝗼𝗯. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵.
I just love the Ash Carter series of books, this is the second in the series of prequels to the Singapore thrillers and can be read as a stand alone novel.
Ash Carter is back and now in Israel, officially sanctioned to be there and hunting the Killing Crew, a mysterious group of British deserters who either left before independence or when the British left. They are believed to be responsible for a series of terror type attacks, seemingly not linked but slowly the SIB team of Carter, Wolfe, Finney and Rom start to un pick the threads and piece together their identity and involvement with ‘The Engineer’.
I loved this one, gripping and twisting, Murray Bailey is exceedingly good at what he does!
I don’t have much understanding of what happened in this region post war, it is complex but it is outlined well in this novel and not to the detriment of the story.
I really like the younger Ash Carter, he is less hardened, he has ‘tude’ but has good values. He is softer around the edges than the later series, you can see him developing into the character he later becomes and how this backstory informs the later set Singapore series of novels.
As Ash and Wolfe get closer to the truth and the danger increases, they realise this is something more complex than they thought. In searching for the Killing Crew will they in fact find something more sinister and the identity of The Engineer - is he a man or a myth?
There are Slovak gangs, bombs, terror and a lot of chases. I liked the complexity, using their brains not their brawn to unpick the puzzle yet it is still thrilling and packs a real punch.
An adrenaline fuelled thriller with high stakes - if you haven’t discovered Ash Carter yet- where have you been?
✩✩✩✩
[AD-PR Product]
Many thanks to @murraybaileybooks for my copy of this ebook
𝗔𝘀𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗹𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝘀𝗿𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘄. 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝘆𝘁𝗵, 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀.
𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗯 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗯𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗦𝗜𝗕 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸.
𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗷𝗼𝗯. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵.
I just love the Ash Carter series of books, this is the second in the series of prequels to the Singapore thrillers and can be read as a stand alone novel.
Ash Carter is back and now in Israel, officially sanctioned to be there and hunting the Killing Crew, a mysterious group of British deserters who either left before independence or when the British left. They are believed to be responsible for a series of terror type attacks, seemingly not linked but slowly the SIB team of Carter, Wolfe, Finney and Rom start to un pick the threads and piece together their identity and involvement with ‘The Engineer’.
I loved this one, gripping and twisting, Murray Bailey is exceedingly good at what he does!
I don’t have much understanding of what happened in this region post war, it is complex but it is outlined well in this novel and not to the detriment of the story.
I really like the younger Ash Carter, he is less hardened, he has ‘tude’ but has good values. He is softer around the edges than the later series, you can see him developing into the character he later becomes and how this backstory informs the later set Singapore series of novels.
As Ash and Wolfe get closer to the truth and the danger increases, they realise this is something more complex than they thought. In searching for the Killing Crew will they in fact find something more sinister and the identity of The Engineer - is he a man or a myth?
There are Slovak gangs, bombs, terror and a lot of chases. I liked the complexity, using their brains not their brawn to unpick the puzzle yet it is still thrilling and packs a real punch.
An adrenaline fuelled thriller with high stakes - if you haven’t discovered Ash Carter yet- where have you been?
✩✩✩✩
[AD-PR Product]
Many thanks to @murraybaileybooks for my copy of this ebook
January 20, 2022
The Ash Carter Singapore series is one of my favourites and now the author has written two prequels as part of the new Near-East series, this being the second following Cyprus Kiss. I hope there are many more to come as I’m not ready to hear the last from Ash Carter!
The year is 1948. The setting is Israel. The British army have pulled out of the war end evacuated. The British are now despised and seen by many as the enemy. Ash Carter and Bill Wolfe are military police investigators and have been tasked, with the knowledge and agreement of the Israeli government, with finding a team of British deserters who call themselves The Killing Crew. Some are not convinced this crew exists, although a reporter has written articles about them. They need to speak to him.
The search for the Killing Crew is going to be difficult as they have a list of 81 deserters and they don’t know who amongst that list are the crew they are searching for.
Before he gets involved in the search, Carter shows his good guy side by coming to the aid of a mother in distress, and speaking to her he finds she is an illegal Jewish immigrant. A refugee. Carter provides them with basic food which is being rationed. Then he gets rid of the two Slovak debt collector thugs who are preying on her and many others in her situation. A decision which has repercussions.
The search for the Killing Crew leads Carter and Wolfe to a group called Frank’s Band, having had help locating them from a local informant. Are they the Killing Crew? Who is the person known as ‘The Engineer’ who could be the bomb maker?
There are some shady characters in this book and you don’t know who to trust. Can Carter trust those closest to him?
As well as many twists and turns, there is a huge red herring where I was almost shouting at the pages for Ash and Wolfe to realise the connection only to find later I was wrong!
The author has based this book on some historical facts and real events, and a lot of believable fiction, putting the reader right in the middle of the action.
As with all of the author’s books I have read, I thoroughly enjoyed this action packed fast paced thriller and of course meeting Carter again. Ash Carter is an excellent protagonist and I would highly recommend this series, as well as the Singapore series.
The year is 1948. The setting is Israel. The British army have pulled out of the war end evacuated. The British are now despised and seen by many as the enemy. Ash Carter and Bill Wolfe are military police investigators and have been tasked, with the knowledge and agreement of the Israeli government, with finding a team of British deserters who call themselves The Killing Crew. Some are not convinced this crew exists, although a reporter has written articles about them. They need to speak to him.
The search for the Killing Crew is going to be difficult as they have a list of 81 deserters and they don’t know who amongst that list are the crew they are searching for.
Before he gets involved in the search, Carter shows his good guy side by coming to the aid of a mother in distress, and speaking to her he finds she is an illegal Jewish immigrant. A refugee. Carter provides them with basic food which is being rationed. Then he gets rid of the two Slovak debt collector thugs who are preying on her and many others in her situation. A decision which has repercussions.
The search for the Killing Crew leads Carter and Wolfe to a group called Frank’s Band, having had help locating them from a local informant. Are they the Killing Crew? Who is the person known as ‘The Engineer’ who could be the bomb maker?
There are some shady characters in this book and you don’t know who to trust. Can Carter trust those closest to him?
As well as many twists and turns, there is a huge red herring where I was almost shouting at the pages for Ash and Wolfe to realise the connection only to find later I was wrong!
The author has based this book on some historical facts and real events, and a lot of believable fiction, putting the reader right in the middle of the action.
As with all of the author’s books I have read, I thoroughly enjoyed this action packed fast paced thriller and of course meeting Carter again. Ash Carter is an excellent protagonist and I would highly recommend this series, as well as the Singapore series.
February 3, 2022
I was kindly sent an ARC of The Killing Crew by the author Murray Bailey in return for an honest review.
The Killing Crew follows on from Cyprus Kiss in following the exploits of SIB Captain Ash Carter, who joins his boss Bill Wolfe in Israel. It is set a couple of years after the end of WWII and I love the way Murray conveys to the reader the topography of the region populated by the multi-facet chaos that existed at that time. The author creates a real sense of place which transports the reader with such realism.
The authentic backdrop provides a solid fabric for the story to unfold within as Ash, his boss, and their new assistant Rom and Finney, helped by others; frantically try and trace a bunch of British Army deserters known as The Killing Crew. They are thought to be responsible for atrocities and a shadowy figure known only as The Engineer is thrown into the mix.
This is a real page-turner where you wonder who Ash can really trust, who is on whose side, and what is the fatal deadline the characters find themselves chasing?
This is a five star read which I highly recommend.
The Killing Crew follows on from Cyprus Kiss in following the exploits of SIB Captain Ash Carter, who joins his boss Bill Wolfe in Israel. It is set a couple of years after the end of WWII and I love the way Murray conveys to the reader the topography of the region populated by the multi-facet chaos that existed at that time. The author creates a real sense of place which transports the reader with such realism.
The authentic backdrop provides a solid fabric for the story to unfold within as Ash, his boss, and their new assistant Rom and Finney, helped by others; frantically try and trace a bunch of British Army deserters known as The Killing Crew. They are thought to be responsible for atrocities and a shadowy figure known only as The Engineer is thrown into the mix.
This is a real page-turner where you wonder who Ash can really trust, who is on whose side, and what is the fatal deadline the characters find themselves chasing?
This is a five star read which I highly recommend.
August 24, 2022
This was another great Ash Carter adventure.
Though it was the most recently published novel (at time of reading), it is book two in chronological order, following “Cyprus Kiss” and set prior to the Ash Carter adventures in Singapore & Malaysia.
After leaving Cyprus, Ash Carter was transferred to post war Israel where he was part of a team that was looking to find a killing crew responsible for several terror attacks.
For those who have never read an Ash Carter novel before, I'd suggest reading Cyprus Kiss first but “The Killing Crew" was another great stand alone novel, even more so if you have an interest in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
While I knew the basic problem in that part of the world at the time, I never had any detailed knowledge about it. Thanks to the author, the story provides all relevant information needed to get a good feel for the time and place without deflecting too much from the story itself.
This book could be particular interesting to fans of Sam Bourne though I recommend it to all thriller readers.
Though it was the most recently published novel (at time of reading), it is book two in chronological order, following “Cyprus Kiss” and set prior to the Ash Carter adventures in Singapore & Malaysia.
After leaving Cyprus, Ash Carter was transferred to post war Israel where he was part of a team that was looking to find a killing crew responsible for several terror attacks.
For those who have never read an Ash Carter novel before, I'd suggest reading Cyprus Kiss first but “The Killing Crew" was another great stand alone novel, even more so if you have an interest in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
While I knew the basic problem in that part of the world at the time, I never had any detailed knowledge about it. Thanks to the author, the story provides all relevant information needed to get a good feel for the time and place without deflecting too much from the story itself.
This book could be particular interesting to fans of Sam Bourne though I recommend it to all thriller readers.
December 7, 2021
In this follow up to ‘Cyprus Kiss’ Ash Carter is posted to post-war Israel on a clandestine mission to track down and apprehend the mysterious ‘Killing Crew’ who are rumoured to be composed of pro-Arab British Army deserters.
This is a great sequel to ‘Cyprus Kiss’ and is full of the author’s trademark twists and turns which keep you guessing right to the end. In fact it has more twists and turns than the Monaco Grand Prix.
With an interesting cast of characters and locations this was yet another un-putdownable offering from Murray Bailey.
Mr Bailey doesn’t allow you to let your guard down for a minute as the plot races along and you never know exactly who to trust.
Ash Carter is fast becoming my favourite not-so-secret agent and I can’t wait to get my teeth into the next installment
Twists, turns & shocks are the order of the day
This is a great sequel to ‘Cyprus Kiss’ and is full of the author’s trademark twists and turns which keep you guessing right to the end. In fact it has more twists and turns than the Monaco Grand Prix.
With an interesting cast of characters and locations this was yet another un-putdownable offering from Murray Bailey.
Mr Bailey doesn’t allow you to let your guard down for a minute as the plot races along and you never know exactly who to trust.
Ash Carter is fast becoming my favourite not-so-secret agent and I can’t wait to get my teeth into the next installment
Twists, turns & shocks are the order of the day
February 22, 2022
This book is set in a time & place I know very little about. The fledgling state of Israel emerging after World War Two.
It is 1948, the British Army has been evacuated but a handful of deserters remain. Some have joined the Arabs, some the Jews & some freelance. Mercenaries for hire. Carter & Wolfe are searching for the eponymous ‘Killing Crew’, they have the support of the authorities to hunt them down but not everyone is in their side.
I loved this book, an easy read history lesson - the story may be fictional but the back drop fact. Ash Carter is a fantastic character & in this second prequel, you can see why he is like he is in the later Singapore series.
Plenty of action, with lots of twists & turns as you would expect. Highly recommended.
It is 1948, the British Army has been evacuated but a handful of deserters remain. Some have joined the Arabs, some the Jews & some freelance. Mercenaries for hire. Carter & Wolfe are searching for the eponymous ‘Killing Crew’, they have the support of the authorities to hunt them down but not everyone is in their side.
I loved this book, an easy read history lesson - the story may be fictional but the back drop fact. Ash Carter is a fantastic character & in this second prequel, you can see why he is like he is in the later Singapore series.
Plenty of action, with lots of twists & turns as you would expect. Highly recommended.
June 29, 2022
This is the second book of the Ash Carter Near East series but works as a standalone story. Well written and researched as I have come to expect from this quality wordsmith. Gripping from first to last page with plenty of surprises and twists along the way. Terrific engaging characters with tense intense action sequences. Surprisingly no love interest as we have come to expect for our hero, but a change is as good as a rest so they say and the book was no the worse for it. I look forward to the next instalment.
I particularly enjoyed the new character Sylvia Rom hoping to join the Israeli Police Force, surely scope for her own story soon I hope.
Completely recommended.
I particularly enjoyed the new character Sylvia Rom hoping to join the Israeli Police Force, surely scope for her own story soon I hope.
Completely recommended.
November 15, 2022
Murray Bailey's "The Killing Crew" definitely fits the category of a page-turner. If ever a reader wanted an insight into history and what it would be like living in the newly formed State of Israel in 1948, shortly after the British Mandate of Palestine ended, then this book is it. Bailey's fast paced novel in full of intrigue, knotty problems that have to be solved, leading the reader on quite a chase to find the truth of what Ash Carter has been sent to investigate.
This is a very well researched novel, and the author has used historic incidents to good effect, to give the reader a glimpse into the complex and troubled world in that part of the Middle East.
This is a very well researched novel, and the author has used historic incidents to good effect, to give the reader a glimpse into the complex and troubled world in that part of the Middle East.
August 2, 2022
I enjoyed this more than the 1st one , it's such a page turner and you think you know who the bad guys are until there's a twist. Such a good storyline and again as the 1st book, this would make a great film! If you don't normally read this type of book, give a try you will be surprised. It has everything in it.
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