Black 13 Paperback

Read this in one sitting... started it just ro kee my reading streak alive... couldn't stop! Whirlwind ride. Can't wait to find the next one!

This was an exciting read with real villains and antiheroes. The conspiracy matches today's headlines and runs deep into government and the elite.But, as having had carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists, I must say that the hero's totally unbelievable recovery from agonizing injuries and pain and weakness is totally bogus. No way he could do all the things he does in 4 days with injuries that leave the wrists without strength. Also, doing what he does would leave him permanently disabled.I lost faith in the writing at that point.

An entertaining and broad stroke story of intrigue & action. Ex Increment operator, Scott Pearce, disowned by MI6, takes on some real right baddies with the help of Leila Nahum, a very special kind of heroine. A fast paced enjoyable read.

Adam Hamdy has created something truly unique with BLACK 13 - A story about asymmetric warfare, fanatism and the evolution of evil and espionage alike.Scott Pearce makes for a compelling protagonist, differing from the stereotypical PTSD heroes, who have to claw their way back to humanity. He rather is a driven man with a mission, who finds himself unable to quit. I also enjoyed how the author shrouded parts of his past in mystery and didn’t reveal his whole backstory at once.Leila Nahum on the other hand is such a special character that I won’t spoil her here.The other characters and their motivations are fleshed out in great detail as well, including the villains.The action is mesmerizing and the pacing just perfect, with the author throwing in a new twist every time you think you are one step ahead of the game.The ending bodes well for the next entry into the series and I couldn’t be more excited!

Jack Reacher, James Bond, Chuck Norris - they have nothing on Scott Pearce, nothing more to say really.Storyline is pretty ridiculous as well but you known exactly what you're getting and it's an easy read.

Started out like a pretty good story, similar to a Mark Greany 'Grey Man's novel. Before long, it descended into overblown and hysterical left-wing characterizations of the menace of the intolerant right. I was going to ignor that and finish the book but I couldn't. Only 40 pages shy of the end and I just didn't care. The characters had morphed into the immature and catty types you find in the worst of David Baldacci mailing it in. The accolades from other authors shows that they never read it and will say whatever they're told to say. This experience has taught me that much.

I assume the 5* reviews here are friends of the author or employees of his publisher since this is a truly terrible book. It's very poorly written and the narrative is confused and largely incoherent. The oddest thing of all is that I gather the book is supposed to have a political purpose of some kind since the author includes a note at the end of the book which becomes rant against the evils of 'extremism' of all kinds, although what that really has to do with the narrative is a complete mystery to me. I think it's simply appalling that a mess like this could ever be published. Don't waste your time and money.

If you like thrillers with twists and turns, this book is for you!! I couldn't put it down. I know it is cliche' to say it's a page turner, but it is.

Black 13 is a fantastic thriller and does not disappoint.The action really didn't stop, from the moment we were introduced to Scott Pearce in Thailand all the way to the breathtaking/horrifying climax. The plot, both intriguing and well-written, continued to twist and turn throughout. It was impossible to see where events would go. The political elements felt frightening true to life and gave the book a different kind of edge for this genre. I absolutely loved Leila's character and like other reviewers she really stood out for me. Pearce was heroic yet human and it was great to see such diverse cast of characters overall.I would have liked to have heard more about the events in Islamabad and hear more about Pearce's personal life but I can see there is more to come! Roll on the next book in the series....

What a pleasant surprise it is to get a product that is what it says on the packet. This long but very clear and logical novel is exactly that and I am still recovering my breath. Scott Pearce is an ex soldier and MI6 man with all the attributes you would expect from such a background, strong, resourceful and very focused. When it comes to the crunch, killing is not a problem for him. How he becomes involved in this saga is that by chance an attractive girl who practises law has a problem. The man she hires to sort it out is murdered by a mysterious organisation and his good friend Pearce takes on the job. He then recruits an associate, Wayne, from the same background, and a Syrian lady,Leila, crippled previously by unspeakably cruel acts. She is a simply outstanding computer operative and all these skills are brought to bare over the extent of the assignment. What they uncover is something so big and rotten, extending to the highest levels of British society, that the job becomes a war against the all powerful underground movement. Hamdy takes us on a bumpy ride and I personally was sore all over, suffering in sympathy some of the knocks that Pearce takes. It culminates in a most hateful and despicable attack on an infants school - yes really, - and our hero has to deal with the subversive faction calling themselves Black 13. I would normally not fully endorse a novel where there is an unnecessary use of obscene language and say once again that these out bursts are uncouth and add nothing to a story. Chapter 41 could virtually be ignored as superfluous to the action, but noticeably the several last chapters leading to a climax do not contain this disfiguring language, allowing us to go with the action without side issues. Despite my reservations I cannot but praise the author for sustaining an all action mystery and yet having the time and sensitivity to make philosophical points about a society where powerful rich men and women hold society in their hands and need to be taken down. A very fine and exciting adventure then which you will not want to miss.

The other thug had a milky eye and an acid scar. Must confess I did not get any further than these descriptions on the first few pages as enough had been said about the type of fiction this was. Not for me sorry.

It's a fairly formulaic story (but no worse off for this) and "the most explosive thriller etc." is definitely an overestimation. The start of the book is the usual scene setting but the characterization is, in my opinion, poor and disjointed. There are far too many "convenient" skills, too much unexplained (or unbelievable) sources of wealth and all together it seems as though the author suddenly needs a character's resource and then simply invents it to suit the passage of prose rather than plans for it in the initial characterization.After the build-up and the hype it was ultimately disappointing.

Started reading this book and ended up finishing it the same day! Action all the way through and can’t wait for the next one in the series And such excellent writing I am going to read others from this author