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Jude Lyon #2
The Saboteur
A stunning, apocalyptic standalone sequel to The Stranger.
The Terrorist Guy Fowle, known as the Stranger, escapes from prison.
A mysterious Russian hacker is murdered in London and his thumb cut off.
At the heart of government, the Chancellor of the Exchequer is desperate to keep a secret.
It's a puzzle that Jude Lyon of MI6 must solve, and quickly.
If he doesn't the world will literally go up in flames.
The Terrorist Guy Fowle, known as the Stranger, escapes from prison.
A mysterious Russian hacker is murdered in London and his thumb cut off.
At the heart of government, the Chancellor of the Exchequer is desperate to keep a secret.
It's a puzzle that Jude Lyon of MI6 must solve, and quickly.
If he doesn't the world will literally go up in flames.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2021
About the author
Simon Conway
13 books106 followersSimon Conway is a former British Army officer and international aid worker. With The HALO Trust and later as director of Landmine Action he cleared landmines and unexploded bombs in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
As Co-Chair of the Cluster Munition Coalition he successfully campaigned to achieve an international ban on cluster bombs.In 2014 he returned to The HALO Trust to lead the organisation's effort to address urban conflict in the Middle East.
He lives in Glasgow with his wife the journalist and broadcaster Sarah Smith. He has two daughters.
As Co-Chair of the Cluster Munition Coalition he successfully campaigned to achieve an international ban on cluster bombs.In 2014 he returned to The HALO Trust to lead the organisation's effort to address urban conflict in the Middle East.
He lives in Glasgow with his wife the journalist and broadcaster Sarah Smith. He has two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 31, 2021
*4.5 stars *
‘If we continue to expect the next terrorist attack to look like the last one, we will always be one step behind’ John Robb, Brave New War
Author, Simon Conway, is a former British Army officer and international aid worker. With The HALO Trust and later as director of Landmine Action he cleared landmines and unexploded bombs in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. This guy is well qualified to write about terrorists, and the methods and weapons that they use, and that makes The Saboteur particularly frightening!
MI6 agent Jude Lyon, has survived an ambush in Syria, and is now up and running again, whilst his adversary, terrorist Guy Fowle, has escaped from prison. This is not a man that you want on the loose!
Meanwhile, the Russians have invented something that could bring the UK to its knees, bringing death to many thousands, and an infrastructure that will be destroyed. They may or may not use it, but when it falls into Guy Fowle’s hands, there’s no question of whether it will be used!
An action packed storyline filled with political intrigue, and nerve shredding tension, not to mention an array of interesting characters, makes Jude Lyon a hero, and The Saboteur a winner!
*I was invited to read The Saboteur by the publisher, and have given an honest unbiased review in exchange*
‘If we continue to expect the next terrorist attack to look like the last one, we will always be one step behind’ John Robb, Brave New War
Author, Simon Conway, is a former British Army officer and international aid worker. With The HALO Trust and later as director of Landmine Action he cleared landmines and unexploded bombs in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. This guy is well qualified to write about terrorists, and the methods and weapons that they use, and that makes The Saboteur particularly frightening!
MI6 agent Jude Lyon, has survived an ambush in Syria, and is now up and running again, whilst his adversary, terrorist Guy Fowle, has escaped from prison. This is not a man that you want on the loose!
Meanwhile, the Russians have invented something that could bring the UK to its knees, bringing death to many thousands, and an infrastructure that will be destroyed. They may or may not use it, but when it falls into Guy Fowle’s hands, there’s no question of whether it will be used!
An action packed storyline filled with political intrigue, and nerve shredding tension, not to mention an array of interesting characters, makes Jude Lyon a hero, and The Saboteur a winner!
*I was invited to read The Saboteur by the publisher, and have given an honest unbiased review in exchange*
August 19, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
MI-6 Agent Jude Lyon is back in the explosive sequel to The Stranger, which we reviewed last August. This time, Jude is up against an enemy he had hoped would remain behind bars, the notorious Guy Fowle, murderer, narcissist, egocentric, and very, very powerful.
As the court proceedings start against Guy he is sprung from the courtroom in a sickening attack and freed by the Russians. This is a man who has the power to bring the country to its knees and with a body count last time of over two hundred people, this time his attacks would be much deadlier, costlier, and more vicious.
Jude Lyon knows that he has to stop Guy, but with a government fighting within itself and Guy having mighty allies is Jude capable of getting his man for a second time?
Once again author Simon Conway has written a gripping thriller that had me on the edge of my seat. I loved the first in the series, The Stranger, and couldn’t wait to begin The Saboteur. It was everything I had been waiting for, and more. Whilst I always believe it is best to start a series at the beginning, the book does work as a standalone as snippets of information from the first are inserted throughout.
The plot draws you into the life of Jude Lyon, his missions, his target, his family, friends, and his lover. He knows just how deadly Guy Fowle can be. This is a man who tortured his sister, so killing innocent people wouldn’t bother him one bit, and even give him pleasure.
I raced through the book which is full of action. I was intrigued where the author would take the story given that he is an ex-military officer, one who knows this world inside and out and I certainly wasn’t disappointed, in fact, I was left stunned.
The Saboteur has everything you would want from a political thriller. It is twisty, keeps you guessing, and is finely detailed. The short chapters keep the pace fast and the suspense had me unable to put the book down for more than a few minutes before needing to be back in the thick of it. This is a must-read.
MI-6 Agent Jude Lyon is back in the explosive sequel to The Stranger, which we reviewed last August. This time, Jude is up against an enemy he had hoped would remain behind bars, the notorious Guy Fowle, murderer, narcissist, egocentric, and very, very powerful.
As the court proceedings start against Guy he is sprung from the courtroom in a sickening attack and freed by the Russians. This is a man who has the power to bring the country to its knees and with a body count last time of over two hundred people, this time his attacks would be much deadlier, costlier, and more vicious.
Jude Lyon knows that he has to stop Guy, but with a government fighting within itself and Guy having mighty allies is Jude capable of getting his man for a second time?
Once again author Simon Conway has written a gripping thriller that had me on the edge of my seat. I loved the first in the series, The Stranger, and couldn’t wait to begin The Saboteur. It was everything I had been waiting for, and more. Whilst I always believe it is best to start a series at the beginning, the book does work as a standalone as snippets of information from the first are inserted throughout.
The plot draws you into the life of Jude Lyon, his missions, his target, his family, friends, and his lover. He knows just how deadly Guy Fowle can be. This is a man who tortured his sister, so killing innocent people wouldn’t bother him one bit, and even give him pleasure.
I raced through the book which is full of action. I was intrigued where the author would take the story given that he is an ex-military officer, one who knows this world inside and out and I certainly wasn’t disappointed, in fact, I was left stunned.
The Saboteur has everything you would want from a political thriller. It is twisty, keeps you guessing, and is finely detailed. The short chapters keep the pace fast and the suspense had me unable to put the book down for more than a few minutes before needing to be back in the thick of it. This is a must-read.
August 19, 2021
The Saboteur is the second instalment in the Jude Lyon series featuring the eponymous MI6 Agent who traverses the globe neutralising threats and completing assignments set him by his handlers. Jude's nemesis, terrorist Guy Fowle, has been captured, extricated and brought back to British soil to serve justice for his crimes, but he has other ideas and during a court appearance while on trial for previously committed atrocities, he manages to cause enough drama followed by the sudden infiltration of his rescuers to precipitate his escape. Apparently, a Russian group had raided the courtroom in a brash and precise move and their strategy had worked perfectly. But once free the carnage doesn't stop there and Jude is tasked with locating and hunting Guy down once more. He has plans to hit us where it hurts by bringing the country's infrastructure to a standstill or at least wreak havoc making everyday life much harder for everyone.
The psychopath begins plotting and coordinating mass destruction and instigating attacks in which tens of thousands of people will lose their lives. Meanwhile, the UK government are in limbo about what to do regarding the Russian agents. As the pressure mounts on Jude, and Fowle escalates the situation, the tension ratchets up to a palpable level. Can Lyon stop Fowle from succeeding at his evil game plan? This is a compulsive, enthralling and action-packed espionage thriller from the moment you pick it up through till the end, and the twists, turns and red herrings have your heart in your mouth at times as Jude races against the clock. It's an explosive, rapid-fire paced read with never a dull moment, and Conway infuses the plot with his expertise on warfare, bombs and detonations giving it a ring of truth and authenticity. A timely and absorbing thriller ripe with geopolitical intrigue. Highly recommended.
The psychopath begins plotting and coordinating mass destruction and instigating attacks in which tens of thousands of people will lose their lives. Meanwhile, the UK government are in limbo about what to do regarding the Russian agents. As the pressure mounts on Jude, and Fowle escalates the situation, the tension ratchets up to a palpable level. Can Lyon stop Fowle from succeeding at his evil game plan? This is a compulsive, enthralling and action-packed espionage thriller from the moment you pick it up through till the end, and the twists, turns and red herrings have your heart in your mouth at times as Jude races against the clock. It's an explosive, rapid-fire paced read with never a dull moment, and Conway infuses the plot with his expertise on warfare, bombs and detonations giving it a ring of truth and authenticity. A timely and absorbing thriller ripe with geopolitical intrigue. Highly recommended.
July 23, 2021
The Saboteur is a sequel to ‘The Stranger’, Simon Conway’s first book about MI-6 agent Jude Lyon. Once again, he’s battling with Guy Fowle, the terrorist who is sprung from prison at the start of the book and begins to activate Russian sleepers in key positions in the UK. What is the goal? Is he working alone or having his strings pulled?
The Russians are confused, the UK government is uncertain. Jude Lyon needs to find Guy and stop him before he destroys the UK infrastructure. But it's not just Fowle’s actions that necessitates speed; the lack of trust between the governments and within the governments mean both governments are considering whether to declare hostilities. In the midst of this, a high ranking member of the UK government finds himself with a dangerous dilemma.
The book moves through events with panache and pace. Every character is very well drawn in such a way that made me hold my breath at each event before I knew who was still alive. I mourned the ones who didn’t make it. The detail about the sleeper agents, their background and motivations was done with deftness. Some of the government personnel are thinly disguised and that adds to the narrative.
The series of terrorist attacks on London and the fear created was easy to envisage after the pandemic. And that made ‘apocalyptic’ events less remote and James Bond- ish The book echoes the impact of the pandemic - the government did not know what they were dealing with or how to control it and at one point discuss a slogan beginning ‘Stay Home, Stay Alert …..’
The final phrase is fast moving, detailed and satisfying. I found it hard to put down and the ending paved the way for possibly another Jude Lyon adventure. I hope so.
I hadn’t read ‘The Stranger’ and ‘The Saboteur’ is described as a ‘standalone sequel’. I didn’t find the book any less enjoyable because I hadn’t read the earlier book.
I am very grateful to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Russians are confused, the UK government is uncertain. Jude Lyon needs to find Guy and stop him before he destroys the UK infrastructure. But it's not just Fowle’s actions that necessitates speed; the lack of trust between the governments and within the governments mean both governments are considering whether to declare hostilities. In the midst of this, a high ranking member of the UK government finds himself with a dangerous dilemma.
The book moves through events with panache and pace. Every character is very well drawn in such a way that made me hold my breath at each event before I knew who was still alive. I mourned the ones who didn’t make it. The detail about the sleeper agents, their background and motivations was done with deftness. Some of the government personnel are thinly disguised and that adds to the narrative.
The series of terrorist attacks on London and the fear created was easy to envisage after the pandemic. And that made ‘apocalyptic’ events less remote and James Bond- ish The book echoes the impact of the pandemic - the government did not know what they were dealing with or how to control it and at one point discuss a slogan beginning ‘Stay Home, Stay Alert …..’
The final phrase is fast moving, detailed and satisfying. I found it hard to put down and the ending paved the way for possibly another Jude Lyon adventure. I hope so.
I hadn’t read ‘The Stranger’ and ‘The Saboteur’ is described as a ‘standalone sequel’. I didn’t find the book any less enjoyable because I hadn’t read the earlier book.
I am very grateful to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2021
Both a thrilling masterpiece and a jarring wake-up-call
Jude Lyon has no time to recover from the events of THE STRANGER. Trying to uncover vital information in Syria, he once more finds himself in a life or death confrontation. And things are only going to get worse from here. Because London soon comes under attack from a psychopath. A psychopath whose last strike on British soil left nearly three hundred dead and the Houses of Parliament in ruins. And this time around, Guy Fowle not only has the best of her Majesty’s training and his cunning intellect to call upon. He also came into possession of a terrifying secret weapon. One which might enable him to tear London apart at the seams…
The year is only two thirds over but THE SABOTEUR could very well end up as the best spy thriller of the year. What could have easily become an absurd and unbelievable tale of escapism if handled by a lesser author, Conway deftly turns into an equally enthralling and horrifying tour de force ithrough the dark heart of espionage and terrorism.
The author’s cynical portrayal of the inner machinations of intelligence gathering and international politics drips with authenticity, whereas the fascinating larger-than-life characters awake fond memories of the late Ian Fleming. The plot is a rollercoaster of twists and deadly surprises and also conveys a deeper message. Because despite the literary thrill of all the mayhem and cinematic action scenes, the reader quickly realises how vulnerable modern societies and their infrastructures truly are and that something similar could very well occur in the real world.
To sum things up, Simon Conway is a master of his trade who delivers engaging prose and clearly has done extensive research on the topics he writes about. I can’t wait for Jude Lyon #3. In the meantime, pick up THE SABOTEUR as fast as you can. It doesn’t get any better than this!
Jude Lyon has no time to recover from the events of THE STRANGER. Trying to uncover vital information in Syria, he once more finds himself in a life or death confrontation. And things are only going to get worse from here. Because London soon comes under attack from a psychopath. A psychopath whose last strike on British soil left nearly three hundred dead and the Houses of Parliament in ruins. And this time around, Guy Fowle not only has the best of her Majesty’s training and his cunning intellect to call upon. He also came into possession of a terrifying secret weapon. One which might enable him to tear London apart at the seams…
The year is only two thirds over but THE SABOTEUR could very well end up as the best spy thriller of the year. What could have easily become an absurd and unbelievable tale of escapism if handled by a lesser author, Conway deftly turns into an equally enthralling and horrifying tour de force ithrough the dark heart of espionage and terrorism.
The author’s cynical portrayal of the inner machinations of intelligence gathering and international politics drips with authenticity, whereas the fascinating larger-than-life characters awake fond memories of the late Ian Fleming. The plot is a rollercoaster of twists and deadly surprises and also conveys a deeper message. Because despite the literary thrill of all the mayhem and cinematic action scenes, the reader quickly realises how vulnerable modern societies and their infrastructures truly are and that something similar could very well occur in the real world.
To sum things up, Simon Conway is a master of his trade who delivers engaging prose and clearly has done extensive research on the topics he writes about. I can’t wait for Jude Lyon #3. In the meantime, pick up THE SABOTEUR as fast as you can. It doesn’t get any better than this!
August 15, 2021
4.5 Stars
The terrorist Guy Fowle aka The Stranger has escaped from prison & starts activating sleeper cells. Jude Lyon of MI-6 has been saved from a Syrian ambush by his lover - and enemy? - Julia Ermolaeva. A mysterious Russian has been murdered in London and his thumb cut off. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has made an unfortunate social connection at a party, which he hopes he can keep secret. Jude needs to start putting together the pieces of this jigsaw and quickly, because someone is putting into play a terrifying Russian plan to disable and destroy the UK. Once it has begun, it is designed to be impossible to stop.
A fast paced engrossing read, which I found very hard to put down & finished it well into the night. Strong characters with depth, I do like Jude & hope there are lots of books to follow. Action packed with lots of political intrigue & the tension kept me on the edge of my seat - I loved it
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The terrorist Guy Fowle aka The Stranger has escaped from prison & starts activating sleeper cells. Jude Lyon of MI-6 has been saved from a Syrian ambush by his lover - and enemy? - Julia Ermolaeva. A mysterious Russian has been murdered in London and his thumb cut off. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has made an unfortunate social connection at a party, which he hopes he can keep secret. Jude needs to start putting together the pieces of this jigsaw and quickly, because someone is putting into play a terrifying Russian plan to disable and destroy the UK. Once it has begun, it is designed to be impossible to stop.
A fast paced engrossing read, which I found very hard to put down & finished it well into the night. Strong characters with depth, I do like Jude & hope there are lots of books to follow. Action packed with lots of political intrigue & the tension kept me on the edge of my seat - I loved it
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
August 19, 2021
The Saboteur is a sequel to Simon Conway’s book The Stranger which introduced Jude Lyon an MI6 agent and Guy Fowle a psychopathic terrorist trained by UK agencies.
Recaptured and brought back to the UK for previous atrocities Guy Fowle now faces trial but bloody carnage in the court room allows Fowle to escape.
Using his knowledge, cunning and his newly acquired secret weapon Fowle begins to coordinate mass destruction and death in the UK.
The possibility of retaliatory strikes against what appears to be a Russian attack on UK resources and infrastructure is discussed by the Government but Jude Lyon an MI6 agent convinces the Prime Minister that Guy Fowle is the instigator.
When UK targets are destroyed and Russian agents also become directly involved confusion builds and Jude is tasked by the Prime Minister to stop Guy Fowle and the further attacks being coordinated to destabilize the UK.
Grom is linked to Fowle, but what is Grom? Jude’s team desperately search for connections with Fowle to understand where his next target will be.
This book moves at pace with Jude Lyon confronted by Guy Fowle’s devious plans for UK catastrophic mass destruction and loss of lives.
The mixed groups of gangland thugs, white supremacists and Russian sleeper cells, all with different individual motivation are being used and coordinated by a vicious evil terrorist with his own very personal agenda. Fowle also intends to eliminate Jude.
But, after his trap to kill Jude fails, Fowle commences destruction of the UK Banking industry.
Jude with the assistance of Yulia his Russian Lover and his younger sister Tamara are still playing catch up whilst Mosques and synagogues are burning and looters clash with Police.
Hospitals are under severe pressure. There is turmoil across the Globe.
The Prime Minister is hospitalized. Government mood shifts as the catastrophe unfolds with the UK FTSE suspended.
Jude’s SCO19 protection team diminishes dramatically. Russia is targeted by a GCHQ DNS attack on their financial transactions.
The plot is frighteningly ‘up to date’ and you can feel the edge to the terror and the epic disasters and havoc being created.
The reader can visualize terrifying images of collateral damage and casualties, whilst feeling the impotence of those attempting to second guess Fowle and prevent him from unleashing even more catastrophe.
A masterful well planned, fast paced, inventive and thought provoking plot with good rounded characters building and binding a solid picture for the reader to enjoy.
It’s a very enjoyable engrossing read right up to the book's climax and it makes the reader think and well worth buying.
My thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy of The Saboteur by Simon Conway for my honest review.
Eddy Weatherill
Recaptured and brought back to the UK for previous atrocities Guy Fowle now faces trial but bloody carnage in the court room allows Fowle to escape.
Using his knowledge, cunning and his newly acquired secret weapon Fowle begins to coordinate mass destruction and death in the UK.
The possibility of retaliatory strikes against what appears to be a Russian attack on UK resources and infrastructure is discussed by the Government but Jude Lyon an MI6 agent convinces the Prime Minister that Guy Fowle is the instigator.
When UK targets are destroyed and Russian agents also become directly involved confusion builds and Jude is tasked by the Prime Minister to stop Guy Fowle and the further attacks being coordinated to destabilize the UK.
Grom is linked to Fowle, but what is Grom? Jude’s team desperately search for connections with Fowle to understand where his next target will be.
This book moves at pace with Jude Lyon confronted by Guy Fowle’s devious plans for UK catastrophic mass destruction and loss of lives.
The mixed groups of gangland thugs, white supremacists and Russian sleeper cells, all with different individual motivation are being used and coordinated by a vicious evil terrorist with his own very personal agenda. Fowle also intends to eliminate Jude.
But, after his trap to kill Jude fails, Fowle commences destruction of the UK Banking industry.
Jude with the assistance of Yulia his Russian Lover and his younger sister Tamara are still playing catch up whilst Mosques and synagogues are burning and looters clash with Police.
Hospitals are under severe pressure. There is turmoil across the Globe.
The Prime Minister is hospitalized. Government mood shifts as the catastrophe unfolds with the UK FTSE suspended.
Jude’s SCO19 protection team diminishes dramatically. Russia is targeted by a GCHQ DNS attack on their financial transactions.
The plot is frighteningly ‘up to date’ and you can feel the edge to the terror and the epic disasters and havoc being created.
The reader can visualize terrifying images of collateral damage and casualties, whilst feeling the impotence of those attempting to second guess Fowle and prevent him from unleashing even more catastrophe.
A masterful well planned, fast paced, inventive and thought provoking plot with good rounded characters building and binding a solid picture for the reader to enjoy.
It’s a very enjoyable engrossing read right up to the book's climax and it makes the reader think and well worth buying.
My thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy of The Saboteur by Simon Conway for my honest review.
Eddy Weatherill
August 1, 2021
I was really excited to have the chance to read an advance copy of The Saboteur having enjoyed The Stranger so much. Jude Lyon returns in this high action, fast paced thriller. This could be enjoyed as a stand alone, but also benefits from some familiar characters returning to assist Jude in fighting a deadly battle against Guy Fowle. The actions of incompetent politicians mean that Jude and his team have their work cut out to fight against Guy and a network of sleeper cells. This book is an outstanding. addition to the Jude Lyon series and I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a high octane plot enriched with believable detail that brings the story to life. I can’t wait for the next instalment!
September 2, 2021
An excellent follow up to the Stranger. It's a high octane, adrenaline fuelled and fast paced story.
The author delivers a gripping and entertaining story, the characters are well developed and the world of espionage is described in an interesting way.
The villain scared me, the characters are fleshed out.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
The author delivers a gripping and entertaining story, the characters are well developed and the world of espionage is described in an interesting way.
The villain scared me, the characters are fleshed out.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
January 20, 2023
Second in a trilogy. UK spy/terror thriller. Even better than the first.
But why on earth is this not available on kindle in US? Some stupid DRM? Or just publisher greed?
But why on earth is this not available on kindle in US? Some stupid DRM? Or just publisher greed?
October 10, 2021
Action-packed from start to finish. The pace is fast and frantic with Jude Lyons rushing from one shoot-out to the next in pursuit of the dastardly terrorist Guy Fowles.
This is a plot-driven adventure thriller and it packs a punch as the cliche says. Lots of detailed references to cyber technology and weaponry etc but also some interesting characters like Yulia the Russian spy though the villain of the piece does seem a bit two-dimensional. I haven’t read the first book but still enjoyed this as a piece of escapism.
Bond meets Bourne!
This is a plot-driven adventure thriller and it packs a punch as the cliche says. Lots of detailed references to cyber technology and weaponry etc but also some interesting characters like Yulia the Russian spy though the villain of the piece does seem a bit two-dimensional. I haven’t read the first book but still enjoyed this as a piece of escapism.
Bond meets Bourne!
May 10, 2022
A shoot-em-up video game of a book, The Saboteur gets its excitement from the number of characters killed and its verisimilitude from its precise descriptions of military hardware, ranks and tactics. Most of the minor characters are given potted biographies to serve as justification for their highly-simplistic motivations. There were too many characters for me to be certain I knew which was which; frankly, I didn't care. Few of them were any more than one-dimensional.
It was a little like a superhero film. The protagonist, Jude, was too wonderful to be believable. If he didn't have actual superpowers, he had extraordinary abilities. "He runs through a training sequence in Pencah Silat, the ancient martial art that he studied as a young man in the Indonesian archipelago" (Ch 12). Of course he does. It's a typical cliche from the genre.
It is possible that highly trained commandos may have many of his strengths; the author has been in the army and may know people such as Jude. You might even argue that the world needs men such as Jude who never panics and who can act rationally and lethally in the face of great personal danger, despite sustaining huge levels of accumulated physical and psychological damage. But such people don't make interesting and complex characters that I want to read about. They don't make heroes. Humans make heroes and this protagonist is an automaton.
To double down, the antagonist is a classic supervillain from the same sort of film. He, too, is apparently undestroyable and utterly one-dimensional.
If the characters are cliched, so is the plot. The whole thing was utterly simplistic and predictable.
It was a page-turner but only because I was desperate to get to the end so I could read something more interesting.
One sentence I didn't understand refers to the acting Prime Minister: "Given the calumny the country faces, can he really be said to be running anything?" Calumny means 'false accusation'. Does the author mean 'calamity'?
Boring.
It was a little like a superhero film. The protagonist, Jude, was too wonderful to be believable. If he didn't have actual superpowers, he had extraordinary abilities. "He runs through a training sequence in Pencah Silat, the ancient martial art that he studied as a young man in the Indonesian archipelago" (Ch 12). Of course he does. It's a typical cliche from the genre.
It is possible that highly trained commandos may have many of his strengths; the author has been in the army and may know people such as Jude. You might even argue that the world needs men such as Jude who never panics and who can act rationally and lethally in the face of great personal danger, despite sustaining huge levels of accumulated physical and psychological damage. But such people don't make interesting and complex characters that I want to read about. They don't make heroes. Humans make heroes and this protagonist is an automaton.
To double down, the antagonist is a classic supervillain from the same sort of film. He, too, is apparently undestroyable and utterly one-dimensional.
If the characters are cliched, so is the plot. The whole thing was utterly simplistic and predictable.
It was a page-turner but only because I was desperate to get to the end so I could read something more interesting.
One sentence I didn't understand refers to the acting Prime Minister: "Given the calumny the country faces, can he really be said to be running anything?" Calumny means 'false accusation'. Does the author mean 'calamity'?
Boring.
August 22, 2021
Reading Stuff 'n' Things
I was lucky enough to be invited to read "The Saboteur" having previously read and thoroughly enjoyed the first in the series, "The Stranger". Let me tell you that I was not disappointed in the slightest and I was on the edge of my seat and totally engrossed in this book from the first to the last line. I want to reassure you that you don't have to have read "The Stranger" to enjoy this; this can most definitely be read as a standalone.
This book is absolutely packed to the rafters with action and suspense, thrills and spills, tension and twists. The plot is engrossing, riveting and fast paced - I found myself having to remind myself to breathe!
The cast of characters that Mr Conway has created are just fantastic - I literally cheered when the baddies got their comeuppance and cried when people were lost; not many books do this to me.
The ending was perfect and definitely leaves things open for a third - well I hope so anyway because I will be first in line.
Many, many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for inviting me to read this and, in return, to provide an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
I was lucky enough to be invited to read "The Saboteur" having previously read and thoroughly enjoyed the first in the series, "The Stranger". Let me tell you that I was not disappointed in the slightest and I was on the edge of my seat and totally engrossed in this book from the first to the last line. I want to reassure you that you don't have to have read "The Stranger" to enjoy this; this can most definitely be read as a standalone.
This book is absolutely packed to the rafters with action and suspense, thrills and spills, tension and twists. The plot is engrossing, riveting and fast paced - I found myself having to remind myself to breathe!
The cast of characters that Mr Conway has created are just fantastic - I literally cheered when the baddies got their comeuppance and cried when people were lost; not many books do this to me.
The ending was perfect and definitely leaves things open for a third - well I hope so anyway because I will be first in line.
Many, many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for inviting me to read this and, in return, to provide an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
April 24, 2023
I wrote in response to the previous installment that there was more than a hint of a modern Jack Higgins style to the storyline, and this is even moreso, right down to at least one of the characters caught up in the denouement and its locale... although this is definitely a post 9-11/Fukushima Higgins, with a body count usually reserved for zombie-apocalypse dystopian shockers. The villain is definitely a variation on Bond/M's nemesis from Skyfall, and knowing the author from long-long ago, and having followed his career with interest, there is undoubtedly a touch of fantasy self-projection in the hero, together with a literary nod to his highly successful journalist-wife in another character. Perfect post-covid holiday reading... including the passing allusion to the lockdown and infantile 3 phrase message management by our impotent/incompetent/venal government. Tho it makes me realise that with the halfwits we currently have in office it could be even worse...
October 28, 2021
Jude Lyon is one of those characters that rarely comes along in fiction. He is hard-hitting, intelligent and an all round badass.
This time he is up against odds that seem insurmountable, but he’s never one to back down. He’s just escaped an ambush by a group of Syrians, thanks to his lover/enemy Julia Ermolaeva, and now he has to stop a Russian plot to destroy the infrastructure of the UK before it gets out of hand and find out the culprit. Is it the Russians or someone worse, namely Fowle aka The Stranger?
Another rip roaring book by Simon Conway. An action packed fast paced page turner with a great main character and a spectacular story to-boot, along with his superb writing and jaw dropping scenes. This is a book that I can’t recommend enough. Just balls to the wall brilliant.
This time he is up against odds that seem insurmountable, but he’s never one to back down. He’s just escaped an ambush by a group of Syrians, thanks to his lover/enemy Julia Ermolaeva, and now he has to stop a Russian plot to destroy the infrastructure of the UK before it gets out of hand and find out the culprit. Is it the Russians or someone worse, namely Fowle aka The Stranger?
Another rip roaring book by Simon Conway. An action packed fast paced page turner with a great main character and a spectacular story to-boot, along with his superb writing and jaw dropping scenes. This is a book that I can’t recommend enough. Just balls to the wall brilliant.
November 28, 2022
A grisly yet, compelling story about London under attack from a well educated psychopath that aims to destroy London, laying it ruins. The pyschopath had been locked up in prison for war crimes and had been on trial in London on further charges until his well planned and well executed escape. That little interlude takes you a mere ten or so chapters into a eighty chapter thriller. Hold on tight because it might be Simon Conway's most main stream novel yet, it still has plenty of violence, death and blood-shed to curl you toes. His other novels have gotten four stars or so in the past, but this one gets five from me. ++++ FIVE STARS ++++
December 30, 2021
Apparently the second book in a series and I can’t wait to read the first! The villain here is a British soldier who defected to Al Qaeda and ISIS, was imprisoned by ISIS for being too bloodthirsty and then returned to the UK to conduct a series of terrorist attacks, drawing on a Russian sleeper network that he took over. A *proper* thriller, and one that stands out in a crowded market.
April 13, 2022
one is good, two is too much
Following the Stranger this book picks up the pace of mayhem, death, destruction delivered to the UK by one of it’s own. Whilst the Stranger had some clever and insightful political intrigue underneath the violence, this one is just a turbo charged shoot out. A bit boring really.
Following the Stranger this book picks up the pace of mayhem, death, destruction delivered to the UK by one of it’s own. Whilst the Stranger had some clever and insightful political intrigue underneath the violence, this one is just a turbo charged shoot out. A bit boring really.
August 15, 2022
Well written, solid thriller and a worthy sequel.
A little bit technical for me as I like to breeze through a novel if possible but certainly well researched.
Great writing style and good characterisation.
A little bit technical for me as I like to breeze through a novel if possible but certainly well researched.
Great writing style and good characterisation.
January 10, 2022
Just a great thrilling read. Conway is a talented writer.
November 6, 2022
Risable story. Like an Arnold Schwarzenegger action movie in print. Ridiculous tho some resident entertainment value as action scenes slickly done.
December 30, 2022
all good
The second book
Fast. Tightly written. Creative. A quick read.
Lives up to its pre publicity.
Read book 1 first.
The second book
Fast. Tightly written. Creative. A quick read.
Lives up to its pre publicity.
Read book 1 first.
December 30, 2022
Absolutely excellent. Part of a series with a really fabulous bad guy: the utterly pitiless and evil Guy Fowle.
Really kinetic and compulsive reading and amongst the very best of its genre.
Really kinetic and compulsive reading and amongst the very best of its genre.
January 25, 2023
Tense and exciting
January 27, 2023
Just got too outlandish for this final book. Just couldn’t believe Guy didn’t die and is STILL not dead. Please please let there not be another one in this series with Guy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 17, 2024Excellent sequel to The Stranger, scarily plausible.
July 24, 2022
I liked this one but not as much as the first one, its just action with not a lot of intrigue
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