Reviewed by: Keith Nixon
Genre: Action-Adventure/Short Story
Approximate word count: 9-10,000 words
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Author:
Alex
Shaw was a drama teacher in an international school based in Kyiv until he left
to set up his own consultancy business.
Hetman, the author’s first novel, took 12 years to
write, subsequently followed up by Cold
Black. Both were Kindle bestsellers.
You can learn more about
the author at his website.
Description:
1994, SAS trooper Aidan Snow is seconded to a covert intelligence
and security unit serving in Northern Ireland. Their task is to stop a
breakaway IRA cell before it can halt the peace process in its tracks.
The operation they
undertake is initially a success, Fox and Snow confirm the cell is armed and
possesses explosives, but before the terrorists can be arrested they disappear
and an informer, part of the cell, is found dead…
Appraisal:
This novella is an
introduction to the protagonist Aidan Snow who appears in the author’s novels, Hetman
and Cold Black. If you’re a fan
of army based thrillers then this story will appeal to you. There’s plenty of
military references and acronyms, procedures and processes. Thankfully, not too
many to slow the story down. There’s also an experience of life in the army,
some humour and some hurt. It brings quite a personal side to the tale.
The action starts from the
opening line with Snow and his colleague, Paddy Fox, entering the field on a
mission. Although the peace process is underway, the troubles aren’t over and
that fact filters into the story throughout. There’s a constant underlying feeling
of risk and danger. The reader follows Snow as he undertakes his dangerous
tasks, fighting for survival when captured and making his first ‘kill’ in order
to escape.
It’s a short, snappy read
that gives a strong taste for the novels. It’s pacy, well written with good
dialogue. There’s a strong sense of time and place, set nearly twenty years ago
in a problematic period that’s still a strong memory for many.
Well worth picking up if
this is a genre you enjoy. I’ll be looking out for other work by the author.
Format/Typo Issues:
A small
number not worth mentioning.
Rating: **** Four Stars
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