"An outstanding spy action thriller - first in a series and an absolute reading feast, meet former Foreign Legion Commando Dan Raglan!"
Klaxon alert! Discover full-on heart-pounding action, plus smart, sharp writing in this absolute reading feast of a book. Travelling from Africa to the UK and ending in Russia, former Foreign Legion Commando Dan Raglan is on a hunt that guarantees death. This is the first in what promises to be a smash-hit spy thriller series and I already can’t wait for the next book. The prologue throws you straight into October 2019 with a man running through a frozen Russian forest while bullets whip towards him. Chapter one turns to 2013 and from here we get to know Dan Raglan. As an introduction, it’s spot on, within pages I was on board and by his side. Author David Gilman is a former firefighter, paratrooper, and photographer and now writes full time. His words build a vivid picture, this world feels authentic and I read with full confidence. I was so involved in the unfolding story that my thoughts didn’t skim backwards or forwards, I purely existed in each moment as it hit. And boy, each moment lands with ferocious intensity. Shockwaves of action expanded and the storyline tripped me with unexpected developments. Even though I had read the prologue, the ending still came with a whammy. LoveReading Book of the Month - tick, LoveReading Star Book - tick, one of my personal Picks of the Month - tick! The Englishman comes with a tremendous thumbs up from me, more please!
| Primary Genre | Action Adventure |
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A unique story that is a hugely descriptive and atmospheric thriller. Fast paced with characters you come to care about and identify with. One of the best books I have read this year.
I have never tried this author before, but I absolutely loved this story. In fact it's probably one of the best books I have read this year. So descriptive and fast paced - I actually found myself holding my breath on more than one occasion whilst racing through the pages. I learnt a lot too as I imagine the research was meticulous.
I really identified with the characters too - always a test of a good book to get drawn in and really care about what happens, good and bad. It would make a great film!
A gripping read, well researched and with great characters. Who could ask for more?!
Although David Gilman is an award winning author this was the first of his books that I had tried. For the first couple of chapters I must admit I didn’t know if I would stay the course. It was all very informative in terms of organisations, protocols etc. but too much description seemed at first to blunt the action. I needn’t have worried, by the time I was a couple more chapters in I had difficulty putting it down! "The Englishman", one Dan Raglan, moves from the desert border of Algeria with The French Legionnaires, to a kidnap in West London and then on to a Russian penal colony in the middle of nowhere with consummate ease - and Gilman makes the character so believable that there is no question in one’s mind that this could happen!
Thoroughly enjoyed this gripping novel from start to finish.
Simply brilliant!
A really great read, with a true grit.
The action rolls from each page, keeping you coming back for more.
