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The Solitary Man
Chris Hutchison is a man on the run.Imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, Hutch escapes from a British maximum-security prison and starts a new life in Hong Kong. But a ghost from his past catches up with him and gives him a help a former terrorist break out of a Bangkok prison - or face life behind bars once more.Meanwhile, the DEA wants to nail the vicious drug warlord responsible for flooding the States with cheap heroin. And decides to use Hutch as a pawn in a deadly game.Hutch's bid for freedom takes him into the lawless killing fields of the Golden Triangle, where the scene is set for one final act of betrayal . . .**********PRAISE FOR STEPHEN LEATHER'A master of the thriller genre'Irish Times'A writer at the top of his game'Sunday Express'As tough as British thrillers get . . . gripping'Irish Independent
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 17, 2020
This was probably one of the largest books I read in what must be couple of hours (although spread over several days, for this I can only blame my everyday chores). Story was so fast-paced it kept me glued to the end (or inevitable sleep :)). Story of a man who tries to live his life but finds himself brought back to the underworld, betrayed and left to fight for himself under circumstances he had no power over.
Author manages to paint a vivid picture of Thailand, busy Bangkok, overcrowded prisons and wilderness of the so called Golden Triangle, area that drug-lords and war-lords keep under their thumb. When chain of events triggers a revenge campaign aiming to kill off the most powerful of drug-lords our hero's mission goes from high-level-of-failure to almost suicidal.
What I liked is the rather realistic approach to criminal underworld - anyone snooping around pretty soon gets offed and it does not matter if they are locals or foreigners. People die after betrayals or in ambushes - it is not guaranteed who will manage to survive. I was kept on my toes urging the characters to be smarter and avoid stupid mistakes and make it to the last pages of the novel (and unfortunately some did not). This is dog-eat-dog world and one can only hope to bring more firepower against the enemy if one wants to survive. In this way book reminds of Tom Clancy's "Clear and Present Danger" (another great book on anti-drug operations, highly recommended if you have not read it). Characters are well portrayed. Main hero Chris Hutchison is interesting guy. Unwillingly brought into the world of crime he manages to escape from the long term jail sentence but he is forced to start new life on the other end of Earth. After he gets pushed back into criminal world through blackmail we can see that he is more than capable to take care of himself - he manages to manipulate and fight off the criminals and make allies in what must be one of the worst prisons in the world. Author also emphasizes the crucial role friends play in everyone's lives. And lets be honest Chris would not survive single day without friends.
Book ends on a positive note and I was pleasantly surprised by it. I think that lately happy endings are becoming somewhat extinct - it is always some gloom ending or capital loss. So when things end up on a positive note I find it truly refreshing.
Great action, great characters. Highly recommended to all fans of thrillers and action.
Author manages to paint a vivid picture of Thailand, busy Bangkok, overcrowded prisons and wilderness of the so called Golden Triangle, area that drug-lords and war-lords keep under their thumb. When chain of events triggers a revenge campaign aiming to kill off the most powerful of drug-lords our hero's mission goes from high-level-of-failure to almost suicidal.
What I liked is the rather realistic approach to criminal underworld - anyone snooping around pretty soon gets offed and it does not matter if they are locals or foreigners. People die after betrayals or in ambushes - it is not guaranteed who will manage to survive. I was kept on my toes urging the characters to be smarter and avoid stupid mistakes and make it to the last pages of the novel (and unfortunately some did not). This is dog-eat-dog world and one can only hope to bring more firepower against the enemy if one wants to survive. In this way book reminds of Tom Clancy's "Clear and Present Danger" (another great book on anti-drug operations, highly recommended if you have not read it). Characters are well portrayed. Main hero Chris Hutchison is interesting guy. Unwillingly brought into the world of crime he manages to escape from the long term jail sentence but he is forced to start new life on the other end of Earth. After he gets pushed back into criminal world through blackmail we can see that he is more than capable to take care of himself - he manages to manipulate and fight off the criminals and make allies in what must be one of the worst prisons in the world. Author also emphasizes the crucial role friends play in everyone's lives. And lets be honest Chris would not survive single day without friends.
Book ends on a positive note and I was pleasantly surprised by it. I think that lately happy endings are becoming somewhat extinct - it is always some gloom ending or capital loss. So when things end up on a positive note I find it truly refreshing.
Great action, great characters. Highly recommended to all fans of thrillers and action.
August 23, 2018
An interesting novel full of cliches but also surprising twists and turns that make you wonderful depth of the authours mind. Is he also as devious or had bad experiences in life😂
Another well written book that keeps you awake trying to see what comes next. A true thriller that starts much as any other before taking off with a life of its own Stephen is a master of these tales and you soon feel your living them rather than reading them
I recommend reading this and his other offerings .if they are new to you. I am sure you won't be disappointed
Another well written book that keeps you awake trying to see what comes next. A true thriller that starts much as any other before taking off with a life of its own Stephen is a master of these tales and you soon feel your living them rather than reading them
I recommend reading this and his other offerings .if they are new to you. I am sure you won't be disappointed
January 4, 2023
This is the first Stephen Leather novel I read. I was really impressed with his writing. He has written quite a few books and I will be reading more. The story starts off with a criminal that has escaped prison and has a new identity and is brought back into the life he was trying to get away from. He is blackmailed into going back to prison in Bangkok and to break out with another prison. There is no shortage of action in the book. It’s a dog-eat-dog adventure. Read it you’ll love it. Thank you Rachel Amphlett for recommending the great novel.
November 25, 2017
Usual excellent writing from Stephen leather. Likeable characters interesting plot
Page turner. Had to get to the end In a day or two
Still don't get the end. It was a bit cryptic...... Not sure why Hutch cared so much for a man who lead his life astray and threatened his child.
Page turner. Had to get to the end In a day or two
Still don't get the end. It was a bit cryptic...... Not sure why Hutch cared so much for a man who lead his life astray and threatened his child.
April 8, 2018
Excellent
Another excellent story from Stephen Leather.
This is a first class effort and is well worth a read , drugs, golden triangle, jail breaks, attack helicopters, it has it all.
Keeps you reading until the end.
Another excellent story from Stephen Leather.
This is a first class effort and is well worth a read , drugs, golden triangle, jail breaks, attack helicopters, it has it all.
Keeps you reading until the end.
April 9, 2018
Action packed thrills just keep on coming.
Stephen Leather never disappoints, his Spider Shepherd series rivals Lee Child for full on sustained action. This stand alone blockbuster thriller never let's up.
Stephen Leather never disappoints, his Spider Shepherd series rivals Lee Child for full on sustained action. This stand alone blockbuster thriller never let's up.
May 16, 2019
An excellent read!
Stephen Leather certainly knows how to write great books, and The Solitary Man is no exception. It’s fast paced from the start right through until the end, and the storyline contains all the necessary elements for a thrilling read.
Stephen Leather certainly knows how to write great books, and The Solitary Man is no exception. It’s fast paced from the start right through until the end, and the storyline contains all the necessary elements for a thrilling read.
May 16, 2020
This THE best Stephen Leather book I have read in a long time.! Great storyline and gripping suspense until the very end.
This THE best Stephen Leather book I have read in a long time.! Great storyline and gripping suspense until the very end.
This THE best Stephen Leather book I have read in a long time.! Great storyline and gripping suspense until the very end.
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October 7, 2021Exciting edge of your seat writing
Lots of.twists and turns just when you think you know what's going to happen it's doesnt. Mr Leather never fails to capture me with his writing, no boring bits to skip past
Lots of.twists and turns just when you think you know what's going to happen it's doesnt. Mr Leather never fails to capture me with his writing, no boring bits to skip past
July 18, 2018
Great thrill-a minute read from a master of the action genre. Great believable characters in a tale of great loyalty and treachery.
April 30, 2019
thud and blunder par excellence!
March 3, 2020
Wow another spectacular read from Stephen Leather. Really loved this one great plot and lots edge of the seat seat moments
Excellent read I highly recommended this title 👍🏻
Excellent read I highly recommended this title 👍🏻
November 15, 2020
Good
It took me a while to get into but I raced through the second half. Weird when you are on the side of a baddie because every character is a bad person.
It took me a while to get into but I raced through the second half. Weird when you are on the side of a baddie because every character is a bad person.
January 25, 2022
Solitary man
Excellent story very well put together the story unfolded very well and quickly paced must be one of his best I am looking forward to more of his work
Excellent story very well put together the story unfolded very well and quickly paced must be one of his best I am looking forward to more of his work
April 15, 2022
I LOVED THIS – MY KIND OF BOOK
A fast-moving action-packed story set in Thailand following the drug trade. Nail-biting and exciting.
A fast-moving action-packed story set in Thailand following the drug trade. Nail-biting and exciting.
August 9, 2023
Good read
I am a fan of Steven leather and this book did not disapcpoint always delivers the goods good plot and interesting characters
I am a fan of Steven leather and this book did not disapcpoint always delivers the goods good plot and interesting characters
August 14, 2023
Fake copied bull shit from a silly / sad little old man!
April 8, 2024
a brilliant read. this guy must do some much research
August 19, 2024
Very good read. Interesting characters and plot
November 28, 2024
Very Very good book
April 25, 2025
Good Paper TV 👍
November 18, 2020
I couldn't put it down. A true reflection of Thailand. As a retired farang having been brought up and worked, like Stephen, in Manchester I have spent the last 12 years in Hua Hin, and totally agree with S.L.'s observations on Thai's beliefs and morality.
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January 23, 2020A general thriller, however I enjoyed the setting, in Asia, and the references to Thailand.
May 22, 2023
Out of the Ordinary
I have most of the Spider Shepard novels so was expecting something similar. However this is very different as a story but similar in the methods employed. A crook who broke out of Parkhurst is blackmailed to do a job by his former cell mate. The job is to break out a drug dealer from a prison in Bangkok. Sounds simple enough but it isn't. What follows is a very Stephen Leather scenario, twists and turns, involvement from a range of outside agencies, all together a great tale, well written and as ever plenty of Scary villains for our hero to overcome. We'll worth a read.
I have most of the Spider Shepard novels so was expecting something similar. However this is very different as a story but similar in the methods employed. A crook who broke out of Parkhurst is blackmailed to do a job by his former cell mate. The job is to break out a drug dealer from a prison in Bangkok. Sounds simple enough but it isn't. What follows is a very Stephen Leather scenario, twists and turns, involvement from a range of outside agencies, all together a great tale, well written and as ever plenty of Scary villains for our hero to overcome. We'll worth a read.
January 22, 2008
Hutch - the hero - escapes from prison [yawn - he didn't actually commit the crime - yawn - too predictable] and starts a new life in Hong Kong [not anymore buddy!]. He is then used by the to capture/convict a drug warlord responsible for importing drugs into the US of A. Cityscape, jungle, car chases and shoot outs - it has it all.
A standard Leather production that doesn't disappoint.
A standard Leather production that doesn't disappoint.
July 11, 2011
Jailbreaks, drugs and triads make exciting copy individually, and when mixed together in an explosive cocktail, really enliven a book. When the protaganist must help a prisoner break out, the book seems action only. But the mix of spying, romance, crime, violence and the ending; all make this an amazing read, playing roller coaster with your emotions.
November 26, 2011
Leather seems to have a central theme in many of his books; that of a man accused of a crime but not guilty and then spending days, months, years trying to exonerate himself. Often from incarceration. This one was an edge of chair read with many twists and turns. I always find him interesting and knowledgeable, albeit a bit in your face with violent scenes.
September 30, 2014
Difficult to rate this one. It took me about 3 months to read the first 4 chapters, after that it took about 3 days to read the rest. Slow beginning, great, fast paced middle, but the ending seems really abrupt and very unrealistic compared to the rest of the book. Overall an enjoyable read if you can bear with it.
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March 6, 2014Narrator - Paul Thornley
Unabridged
Runtime - 16hrs 15muns Approx
mp3
*INCOMPLETE AUDIO FILE*
Unabridged
Runtime - 16hrs 15muns Approx
mp3
*INCOMPLETE AUDIO FILE*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2012
Forgettable. Began well but drifted. Published in 1997 so I'm assuming the authors only gained in skill.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews