The Hidden Girl by Louise Millar

The Hidden Girl by Louise Millar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If all escapes to the country were as eventful as this one, people would only be living in cities. A slow burner which has you guessing for some time but keeps you hooked. From the start Hannah and Will's move to the remote Suffolk countryside of his youth is filled with mystery, why leave a good job for this house, who is Barbara and why is she visiting? Then there is the mysterious tall figure lumbering in front of Will's car. All of these events are not explained until later but the help build the tension. Louise Millar the author gradually builds up this tension bit by bit until Hannah starts to question her sanity, and then it explodes into action.

This is not your normal murder mystery thriller, but is does have murder, mystery and it thrills.

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Sting of the Drone by Richard A. Clarke

Sting of the Drone by Richard A. Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We have all seen the news footage of the strikes against the terrorist Taliban but don't really know much more. Richard A Clarke brings a thrilling and frightening clarity to the drone operations of the US Government. He details the fight against the terrorists in many guises, and how the programme has to continually evolve to stay ahead of the continually evolving terror groups. Using his extensive knowledge the author leads us through the policy, the procedures and reality of operating remotely controlled aircraft to eliminate terrorists, including the collateral damage and it's control. The kill decisions in Washington are explained and and the flight operations located in Nevada carry out the orders. The Al Qaeda group is now using contractors like the terrorist criminal cartels like the Qazzanis giving the story it's thread,

This is not a normal fictional thriller because of the depth of detail provided but it is a compelling and exciting read that does not try to preach any opinion, it is left for you to decide on.

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Dire Wolf by Eric Jubb

Dire Wolf: a Novel by Eric Jubb
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

With the main character John Johnston having virtually the same name as myself how could I not review it. Sadly I don't live up to the heroics of the Afghan veteran who retires from the army back to his family's home in Montana. Beset by tragedy John starts to build a new life, when his young brother is attacked by wolves. John decides he must track and kill the wolves responsible to allow his brother to eradicate his trauma. Over time the body count of the wolves starts to climb and with the help of university professor Doctor Beth Wall, they decide the wolves are genetic mutants from the medieval past. The hunt is now on weather allowing.

This is a good adventure which is written in the first person, and in some places the language is very naive, but it does not really affect the story telling. The book also describes some of the problems war veterans have in readjusting to civilian life, and war wounds. Not exactly my normal thriller read but good none the less.

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Zero Alternative by Luca Pesaro

Zero Alternative by Luca Pesaro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The general view is that finance is boring and for sad people, however Luca Pesaro has given us a brilliantly different one. Starting with a tough day on the trading floor of an investment bank, Scott Walker is drawn into a web of deceit, murder, revenge and sex. These are the classic elements of a great thriller and Zero Alternative does not disappoint. Most of us have suffered losses from the 2008 finance market disasters but here the author takes it on to the next level. Walker's friend DM has developed predictive software that will rock the markets and the race is on to get possession by any means.

If you like a fast paced action thriller that is easy to read and does not try to lecture you on the subject matter, then this is a book for you.

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The Eye by Bill Pronzini & John Lutz

The Eye: A Novel of Suspense by Bill Pronzini
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very good detective suspense novel situated in New York. Unlike other novels we know the identity of the killer from the start, and the suspense is created by the chase to find him before the body count gets to high. The killer Lewis Collier is obviously a crazy who believes he is acting out Gods justice and cannot be caught. He spys on his victims from the other side of the Hudson River using his telescope "the eye of God". The authors flip from one character to another as they build the story, but cleverly tell you each time they change character so it is easy to keep track. E.L. Oxman is the main detective assigned to solve the case. Can he find the killer before he himself is in danger?

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The Last Chameleon by James North

The Last Chameleon by James North
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As the second novel in the Vanguard series my expectations were high, unfortunately James North has missed a great opportunity to deliver a worthy follow on story. The storyline is an excellent idea but the book has not quite delivered the exciting thriller to the standard of Deep Deception. Vanguard a secret organisation formed after the ending of the Cold War, is tracking down illegal nuclear supplies to Iran and North Korea and deploys Caroline Dupre on her first important mission. I think this is where it goes wrong, the lead character does very little for the mission until late in the day, with all the detective work and heroics being completed by others in the organisation - the lead character needs to do this. It is still a good book with the author getting hold of current issues, highlighting the problems in the world today driven by power and greed.

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The Remaining by D. J. Molles

The Remaining by D.J. Molles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lee Harden a Captain in the US Army has an unusual job, he waits in isolation for something to happen. Part of the Hometown project Lee must stay in his protected bunker when catastrophe threatens the US. A plague ravages across America and Lee along with Tango his dog is living underground for thirty days before he can emerge to carry out his mission. The plague is turning the population into zombie like creatures intent on killing any normal humans they spot. As Lee finds out fulfilling his mission criteria is not going to be easy.

The Remaining is the first part of a series by DJ Molles and if the subsequent books are as scary, thrilling and compelling to read he has a winner. The author's description of the events is very believable and therefore scary. As a fan of The Walking Dead TV show I can draw some similarities but thats all it is, the storyline is clear it is all about survival in a new world and trying to establish a new society. I look forward to reading the follow on books in the series and recommend it to any The Walking Dead fans. 

You can view my blogs on The Walking Dead just follow the links

The Walking Dead - Season 4
The Walking Dead - Mid Season Break

The Walking Dead - Season 4 Finale

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