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Tina Boyd #6
Ultimatum
A threat has been made. An ultimatum delivered. Innocent people are in mortal danger. The gripping new bestseller from the master of the race-against-time thriller.
THE THREAT
8am: an explosion blasts through a cafe in Central London.
THE ULTIMATUM
Minutes later, a call from an unknown terror group warns that a far greater attack will be launched in 12 hours' time.
THE PRISONER
William Garrett, AKA Fox, is awaiting trial for mass murder. He claims he can name the bombers. But only at a price.
THE CLOCK IS TICKING
It's a terrifying race against time for DI Mike Bolt and DC Tina Boyd as they chase their targets across the city in a desperate bid to stop a major atrocity - before it's too late ...
THE THREAT
8am: an explosion blasts through a cafe in Central London.
THE ULTIMATUM
Minutes later, a call from an unknown terror group warns that a far greater attack will be launched in 12 hours' time.
THE PRISONER
William Garrett, AKA Fox, is awaiting trial for mass murder. He claims he can name the bombers. But only at a price.
THE CLOCK IS TICKING
It's a terrifying race against time for DI Mike Bolt and DC Tina Boyd as they chase their targets across the city in a desperate bid to stop a major atrocity - before it's too late ...
Paperback
First published October 8, 2012
81 people are currently reading
1177 people want to read
About the author
Simon Kernick
74 books1,166 followersSimon Kernick (born 1966 in Slough, Berkshire) is a British thriller/crime writer now living in Oxfordshire with his wife and two daughters. He attended Gillotts School, a comprehensive in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Whilst he was a student his jobs included fruitpicker and Christmas-tree uprooter. He graduated from Brighton Polytechnic in 1991 with a degree in humanities. Kernick had a passion for crime fiction writing from a young age and produced many short stories during his time at polytechnic. After graduating Kernick joined MMT Computing in London in early 1992, where a relative was the Chairman and Managing Director. Kernick was a key member of the sales team and was very highly regarded. However, he left the company after 4 years in the hope of trying to secure a publishing deal. Despite interest from a number of publishers Kernick was unable to secure a deal, so he joined the sales force of the specialist IT and Business Consultancy Metaskil plc in Aldermaston, Berkshire in 1998 where he remained until he secured his first book deal (The Business of Dying) in September 2001. His novel Relentless was recommended on Richard & Judy's Summer book club 2007. It was the 8th best-selling paperback, and the best-selling thriller in the UK in the same year
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
January 29, 2015
Yes another great book from one of my favourite authors.
I have yet to read a book by Simon Kernick that is not a rollercoaster ride, filled with goodies and baddies, action, gripping suspense.
With the return of Tina Boyd to a major role, and Mike Bolt, two of Simon Kernicks best characters.
This story continues a year after the tragic circumstances of The Stanhope Hotel, with the return of one ruthless baddie.
Tina Boyd ruthless and tough attitude often gets in trouble, but gets the job done, with sometimes brutal results, often battered and bruised.
The great setting of London, lots of nasty characters, with no let up in the pace, make this yet another great book by the great Simon Kernick.
I really enjoy the way he brings characters back in different books.
I can always confidently recommend any Simon Kernick book !
I have yet to read a book by Simon Kernick that is not a rollercoaster ride, filled with goodies and baddies, action, gripping suspense.
With the return of Tina Boyd to a major role, and Mike Bolt, two of Simon Kernicks best characters.
This story continues a year after the tragic circumstances of The Stanhope Hotel, with the return of one ruthless baddie.
Tina Boyd ruthless and tough attitude often gets in trouble, but gets the job done, with sometimes brutal results, often battered and bruised.
The great setting of London, lots of nasty characters, with no let up in the pace, make this yet another great book by the great Simon Kernick.
I really enjoy the way he brings characters back in different books.
I can always confidently recommend any Simon Kernick book !
June 15, 2022
Simon Kernick'ten bir diğer Pazar günü ulusal kanalda yayınlanan ucuz aksiyon filmi tadında kitap. Fazla bir şey beklemeden okursanız beklediğinizi alırsınız. Bölüm sonu canavarı şeklinde hiyerarşik bir sıralamada giden kötüler, İngiltere'nin neredeyse her kitapta sektirmeden bahsedilen beceriksiz polisleri, güçlü bir kadın karakter, ırkçılık ekseninde ekstremizm ve daha niceleri.
Olimpos Yayınları da şaşırtıcı bir şekilde iyi bir iş çıkarmış. Ne çeviride ne de yayında büyük bir problem görmedim. Polisiye romanlara gösterilen özeni düşünürseniz gayet başarılı diyebilirim.
Herkese keyifli okumalar.
Olimpos Yayınları da şaşırtıcı bir şekilde iyi bir iş çıkarmış. Ne çeviride ne de yayında büyük bir problem görmedim. Polisiye romanlara gösterilen özeni düşünürseniz gayet başarılı diyebilirim.
Herkese keyifli okumalar.
June 12, 2017
When you read Kernick, you better be really good with names, otherwise you're lost!
CONTENT
The story is quite easy. Terrorists set up a total of three bombs and if the government does not do as they want, they will blow up something big and significant. Tina Boyd and Mike Bolt have to stop them in time. Meanwhile imprisoned terrorist Fox decides he has some information. But he won't speak to anyone but Tina.
SOMETHING OVERALL
I really like to read Kernick's books, but unfortunately I did not start with the first one. So if you plan on reading him, grab The Business of Dying and work your way through. Because even if you decide you only want to read about certain of his characters (e.g. I'm not particularly interested in Tina), some events require you to know what has happened before, or who a certain person is.
The POV changes between a lot of characters. Mostly Jones, an undercover cop, Tina, Mike, Fox and sometimes e few others.
I might also mention, that the German cover is actually the english cover of Payback....(I have no idea why, but it IS confusing)
STYLE OF WRITING
It's hard to tell, because I read the translation AND left out a few books, but I'm sure his style was better in the Denis Milne series. There were a few sentences too short, or strange. Could be the translation, though.
Overall it's nice to read, and the things that bother me will probaply not even be noticed by most.
CHARACTERS
Like I said, I've already read a few of Kernick's books, and I'm used to him using many characters, and jumping around between their POVs (aaaand I know soem of them already). But it's quite annoying if you want to write about them...
There's the terrorist Fox; he was part of an attack on the Stanhope hotel in the previous book, and ended up in jail. He's very intelligent and rutheless, and in all honesty, I've come to like him a lot. Tina (there are 5 other books about her, she works for the MET) seems to have a few problems with her career, but she knows what she wants, and she gets results, if not in the way her superiors want her to. On the one hand I did not want to read her books for a long time, but I can't say she bothers me, if she appears. After all she's tough, and she gets things to move along.
I don't like Mike (also Police) however. He seems to like Tina, and he's good in what he does, but I don't like the way he tells her what to (not) do.
Jones is undercover for Mike, and the only person that talks to us (yes he does!) in first person. He has a lot to do with the terrorists, and even gets to be part of their organisation. I like him for beeing a good guy, especially because he's got reasons not to be, but I might have liked him more if he turned bad.
OPINION
Kernick's book is fast paced and thrilling. I could not put it down, and there was not one bit, where I was bored. I think, however, he might need a register at the beginning so you know who is who. Like Nicholas Tyndall. I'm sure he's been mentioned in almost every other book I've read from Kernick, but I could not tell you why he's supposed to be important, if he is.
CONTENT
The story is quite easy. Terrorists set up a total of three bombs and if the government does not do as they want, they will blow up something big and significant. Tina Boyd and Mike Bolt have to stop them in time. Meanwhile imprisoned terrorist Fox decides he has some information. But he won't speak to anyone but Tina.
SOMETHING OVERALL
I really like to read Kernick's books, but unfortunately I did not start with the first one. So if you plan on reading him, grab The Business of Dying and work your way through. Because even if you decide you only want to read about certain of his characters (e.g. I'm not particularly interested in Tina), some events require you to know what has happened before, or who a certain person is.
The POV changes between a lot of characters. Mostly Jones, an undercover cop, Tina, Mike, Fox and sometimes e few others.
I might also mention, that the German cover is actually the english cover of Payback....(I have no idea why, but it IS confusing)
STYLE OF WRITING
It's hard to tell, because I read the translation AND left out a few books, but I'm sure his style was better in the Denis Milne series. There were a few sentences too short, or strange. Could be the translation, though.
Overall it's nice to read, and the things that bother me will probaply not even be noticed by most.
CHARACTERS
Like I said, I've already read a few of Kernick's books, and I'm used to him using many characters, and jumping around between their POVs (aaaand I know soem of them already). But it's quite annoying if you want to write about them...
There's the terrorist Fox; he was part of an attack on the Stanhope hotel in the previous book, and ended up in jail. He's very intelligent and rutheless, and in all honesty, I've come to like him a lot. Tina (there are 5 other books about her, she works for the MET) seems to have a few problems with her career, but she knows what she wants, and she gets results, if not in the way her superiors want her to. On the one hand I did not want to read her books for a long time, but I can't say she bothers me, if she appears. After all she's tough, and she gets things to move along.
I don't like Mike (also Police) however. He seems to like Tina, and he's good in what he does, but I don't like the way he tells her what to (not) do.
Jones is undercover for Mike, and the only person that talks to us (yes he does!) in first person. He has a lot to do with the terrorists, and even gets to be part of their organisation. I like him for beeing a good guy, especially because he's got reasons not to be, but I might have liked him more if he turned bad.
OPINION
Kernick's book is fast paced and thrilling. I could not put it down, and there was not one bit, where I was bored. I think, however, he might need a register at the beginning so you know who is who. Like Nicholas Tyndall. I'm sure he's been mentioned in almost every other book I've read from Kernick, but I could not tell you why he's supposed to be important, if he is.
June 30, 2017
The Good: Author seems like a cool guy
The Bad: This reads like the absolute worst kind of male fantasy masquerading as SERIOUS COP STUFF.
The main character, Tina, has absolutely no regard for protocol (in the face of events recquiring strict adherence to), no regard for the lives of her colleagues, and is an embarrassing cariacature of every steely female copper we've seen on telly for the past 20 years. Her attractiveness is mentioned roughly every 30 pages (in case we managed to forget).
The men she works with, are all bland with no personality, but we're meant to believe that this paragon of male fantasy is smitten with- look, I can't even remember his name already. The one who was in a bomb blast, had a heady injury/concussion and couldn't stand up straight, but powered through it to keep working. This included driving around greater London for God's sake.
The villains were copy + pasted from a latter season of Criminal Minds i.e. predictable and it's just a matter of waiting and seeing what anti-climatic trick the author pulls out the hat to defeat them.
A lot of innocent people die, no one seems to really be that bothered or, in a couple of cases, even notice.
The Bad: This reads like the absolute worst kind of male fantasy masquerading as SERIOUS COP STUFF.
The main character, Tina, has absolutely no regard for protocol (in the face of events recquiring strict adherence to), no regard for the lives of her colleagues, and is an embarrassing cariacature of every steely female copper we've seen on telly for the past 20 years. Her attractiveness is mentioned roughly every 30 pages (in case we managed to forget).
The men she works with, are all bland with no personality, but we're meant to believe that this paragon of male fantasy is smitten with- look, I can't even remember his name already. The one who was in a bomb blast, had a heady injury/concussion and couldn't stand up straight, but powered through it to keep working. This included driving around greater London for God's sake.
The villains were copy + pasted from a latter season of Criminal Minds i.e. predictable and it's just a matter of waiting and seeing what anti-climatic trick the author pulls out the hat to defeat them.
A lot of innocent people die, no one seems to really be that bothered or, in a couple of cases, even notice.
December 2, 2014
Good but somewhat predictable thriller with an out of control Tina Boyd. She takes the most unbelievable risks and has no sympathy for the well being of her working colleagues. It's all going to end in tears Tina if you don't slow down and think before you act
January 5, 2021
I finally got around to this thriller. I had read and loved my first Simon Kernick thriller:
featuring DC Tina Boyd way back in 2013. This was an e-book from the Entitle app. Then I quickly read
within a few weeks of the Siege. Loved them both (also as an Entitle book). Then I ordered the sequel of sorts to the Siege, which is Ultimatum. However, shortly after the Entitle company sold out and I lost access to all my Entitle books (well over 20, at $5 a pop).
I finally got the idea to find a paperback copy on line and now I loved it. Very exciting ending. Brings back images of my own London visit back in Oct of 2017. I also picked up a pb copy of another Kernick thriller:
. If you like Stephen Leather's books (and I do), then you will enjoy Simon Kernick's as well.
featuring DC Tina Boyd way back in 2013. This was an e-book from the Entitle app. Then I quickly read
within a few weeks of the Siege. Loved them both (also as an Entitle book). Then I ordered the sequel of sorts to the Siege, which is Ultimatum. However, shortly after the Entitle company sold out and I lost access to all my Entitle books (well over 20, at $5 a pop).I finally got the idea to find a paperback copy on line and now I loved it. Very exciting ending. Brings back images of my own London visit back in Oct of 2017. I also picked up a pb copy of another Kernick thriller:
. If you like Stephen Leather's books (and I do), then you will enjoy Simon Kernick's as well.
December 5, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is full of good guys and bad guys and the storyline will keep you up at night. It is fast paced with good guys tracking terrorists in London. I am looking forward to reading another Simon Kernick book.
August 26, 2014
“Ultimatum” by Simon Kernick, published by Atria Paperback.
Category – Mystery/Thriller Publication Date – September 09, 2014
Simon Kernick is a British author who has written 12 books, “Ultimatum is a continuation of “Siege”. The novels focus on DC Tina Boyd and her trails and tribulations in the London Police Force. Tina is not your normal London Police Officer, she is out to get the “bad guys” with or without a gun, with or without permission, and oblivious to the legality of her actions.
She found herself in a heap of trouble at the end of “Siege” and is attempting, quite unsuccessfully, to get into the good graces of her superiors.
A bomb blast rocks London and a terrorist group claims responsibility. The group claims that another bomb will go off with far more deadly results if their demands are not met. They add emphasis to this by setting off two more bombs. The only clue to the group is held by William Garrett, the Fox, who is in prison for the horrific crime committed in the “Siege”. Fox agrees to give the information only to Tina and under certain conditions, including his movement from prison to a safe house. Time is running out as Tina tries to get information from the Fox, and the terrorist group obtains the weapon to carry out their attack. If only the authorities could find out where the attack will take place they might be able to avoid a catastrophe.
An exciting and fast moving novel, that is definitely not in the normal British style. A novel that will have you wanting to go back and read the first book, which you should read first anyway, and looking forward to the next installment in the life of Tina Boyd.
Category – Mystery/Thriller Publication Date – September 09, 2014
Simon Kernick is a British author who has written 12 books, “Ultimatum is a continuation of “Siege”. The novels focus on DC Tina Boyd and her trails and tribulations in the London Police Force. Tina is not your normal London Police Officer, she is out to get the “bad guys” with or without a gun, with or without permission, and oblivious to the legality of her actions.
She found herself in a heap of trouble at the end of “Siege” and is attempting, quite unsuccessfully, to get into the good graces of her superiors.
A bomb blast rocks London and a terrorist group claims responsibility. The group claims that another bomb will go off with far more deadly results if their demands are not met. They add emphasis to this by setting off two more bombs. The only clue to the group is held by William Garrett, the Fox, who is in prison for the horrific crime committed in the “Siege”. Fox agrees to give the information only to Tina and under certain conditions, including his movement from prison to a safe house. Time is running out as Tina tries to get information from the Fox, and the terrorist group obtains the weapon to carry out their attack. If only the authorities could find out where the attack will take place they might be able to avoid a catastrophe.
An exciting and fast moving novel, that is definitely not in the normal British style. A novel that will have you wanting to go back and read the first book, which you should read first anyway, and looking forward to the next installment in the life of Tina Boyd.
June 1, 2022
Hæsblæsende spænding, eksplosioner og lejemord, bombetrusler og flirt mellem kolleger. Mange personer at holde styr på, men mange interessante karakterer iblandt. Hovedpersonen Tina Boyd er dog en kende for irriterende egenrådig til min smag, og tager nogle dumme, egoistiske valg.
February 13, 2013
I was hovering between four and five stars for this one. I'm trying to save five stars for books which I loved. Books which I can't put down and books which when I finish them I want to tell everybody to read. And in the end this was one of those books so I had to give it five stars. It also just so happens to be Simon Kernick's best book yet.
Admittedly when I read the blurb for the book I thought it sounded just like Siege. However it is a continuation of sorts of Siege and contains some of the same characters and for that reason it would be wise to read Siege before this book just to get a bit of background on the characters and the stories (and because it's a damn good book in itself!).
Tina Boyd and Mike Bolt are also back in this book. Fans of Kernick will know how much of a livewire Tina is and this book is no different! The scene where she is planting bugs in a suspect's house had me holding my breath with her as she hid in a wardrobe. She is a fantastic character but you can really feel Mike's frustration with her when she constantly makes errors and does things she isn't supposed to! But it all adds to the tension I suppose and I like reading about police officers that aren't afraid to break a few rules e.g. Logan McRae and Tom Thorne!
The eery thing about this book was just how real it felt. The riots of 2011 really made people realise just how possible it is for the country to be 'taken over' for want of a better description and the terrorist attacks in this book were not hard to imagine. The book takes place mostly over the course of one day and for that reason it moves at a breakneck speed and you will struggle to put this book down and hate whatever it is that makes you have to stop reading. The short chapters also make it a quicker read and you finish one chapter and just have to read the next.
I have to admit that even though the terrorists are evil, in the interest of making the book a good read you really do hope that they succeed in blowing things up and causing mayhem, after all if they got caught at the start of the book it'd be a rubbish read! So reading about the potential ruin of one of London's newest famous landmarks was another heart stopping moment and easy to imagine. Books like this should be made into movies but you wonder how much of the book they could or would actually include in said film.
Overall this book was a rollercoaster ride and I loved every minute of it. Simon Kernick is one of my favourite authors and easily one of the best writers in the UK right now. Most of his books have been unputdownable reads and he just seems to improve with each book he writes! This book did end on a cliffhanger of sorts so I hope that the next book will be a continuation on from this and again feature the fantastic duo of Tina Boyd and Mike Bolt. Do not miss this book.
Admittedly when I read the blurb for the book I thought it sounded just like Siege. However it is a continuation of sorts of Siege and contains some of the same characters and for that reason it would be wise to read Siege before this book just to get a bit of background on the characters and the stories (and because it's a damn good book in itself!).
Tina Boyd and Mike Bolt are also back in this book. Fans of Kernick will know how much of a livewire Tina is and this book is no different! The scene where she is planting bugs in a suspect's house had me holding my breath with her as she hid in a wardrobe. She is a fantastic character but you can really feel Mike's frustration with her when she constantly makes errors and does things she isn't supposed to! But it all adds to the tension I suppose and I like reading about police officers that aren't afraid to break a few rules e.g. Logan McRae and Tom Thorne!
The eery thing about this book was just how real it felt. The riots of 2011 really made people realise just how possible it is for the country to be 'taken over' for want of a better description and the terrorist attacks in this book were not hard to imagine. The book takes place mostly over the course of one day and for that reason it moves at a breakneck speed and you will struggle to put this book down and hate whatever it is that makes you have to stop reading. The short chapters also make it a quicker read and you finish one chapter and just have to read the next.
I have to admit that even though the terrorists are evil, in the interest of making the book a good read you really do hope that they succeed in blowing things up and causing mayhem, after all if they got caught at the start of the book it'd be a rubbish read! So reading about the potential ruin of one of London's newest famous landmarks was another heart stopping moment and easy to imagine. Books like this should be made into movies but you wonder how much of the book they could or would actually include in said film.
Overall this book was a rollercoaster ride and I loved every minute of it. Simon Kernick is one of my favourite authors and easily one of the best writers in the UK right now. Most of his books have been unputdownable reads and he just seems to improve with each book he writes! This book did end on a cliffhanger of sorts so I hope that the next book will be a continuation on from this and again feature the fantastic duo of Tina Boyd and Mike Bolt. Do not miss this book.
January 10, 2015
This book is some sort sequel to Siege, but unfortunately it never gets even close to being as good. Despite the deadline-driven plot, Ultimatum lacked the urgency and intimacy of Siege. Also, the characters (apart from Jones, the only first-person narrator for no apparent reason) were unconvincing, as were some of their motives. Tina Boyd and Mike Bolt were back but they, and Tina in particular, have almost become a caricatures of their original characters. Some of their dialogues actually made me cringe. And then there was the scene where Tina is described as an attractive woman, while hanging on the door handle of a moving car driven by one of the bad guys. I may have winced.
I expect there will be a sequel to this story, since two of the main villains manage to escape. Let's hope the quality of that one will be similar to that of Siege.
I expect there will be a sequel to this story, since two of the main villains manage to escape. Let's hope the quality of that one will be similar to that of Siege.
November 12, 2017
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
An explosion blasts through a cafe in Central London. Minutes later, a call from an unknown terror group warns that a far greater attack will be launched in twelve hours’ time.
William Garrett, nicknamed “Fox,” is awaiting trial for mass murder. He claims he can name the bombers—but only at a price.
It’s a terrifying race against time for Detective Inspector Mike Bolt and Deputy Commissioner Tina Boyd as they chase their targets across the city in a desperate bid to prevent a major atrocity before it’s too late…
Another cracking novel from the pen of Simon Kernick. Contemporary in nature - terrorism being at the heart of this story - this story races along at the speed of sound, never letting up on the action or suspense, until the final showdown which promises plenty...and delivers!
Tina Boyd is in her 6th novel and I do think this is the best one so far - not just for the story, but for her involvement as well. Mike Bolt plays a big part in this as well - and that adds a great balance between the two MC's. The addition of "Fox" for another novel really made a difference - he is smart and adds a certain mystery to the story for me.
The plot itself isn't completely new - but the way that Kernick writes, you won't care. You get swept up in the action, and don't want the end to come.
Grab it and give it a go - I doubt you will be disappointed!
Paul
ARH
An explosion blasts through a cafe in Central London. Minutes later, a call from an unknown terror group warns that a far greater attack will be launched in twelve hours’ time.
William Garrett, nicknamed “Fox,” is awaiting trial for mass murder. He claims he can name the bombers—but only at a price.
It’s a terrifying race against time for Detective Inspector Mike Bolt and Deputy Commissioner Tina Boyd as they chase their targets across the city in a desperate bid to prevent a major atrocity before it’s too late…
Another cracking novel from the pen of Simon Kernick. Contemporary in nature - terrorism being at the heart of this story - this story races along at the speed of sound, never letting up on the action or suspense, until the final showdown which promises plenty...and delivers!
Tina Boyd is in her 6th novel and I do think this is the best one so far - not just for the story, but for her involvement as well. Mike Bolt plays a big part in this as well - and that adds a great balance between the two MC's. The addition of "Fox" for another novel really made a difference - he is smart and adds a certain mystery to the story for me.
The plot itself isn't completely new - but the way that Kernick writes, you won't care. You get swept up in the action, and don't want the end to come.
Grab it and give it a go - I doubt you will be disappointed!
Paul
ARH
August 9, 2018
I picked this up from the train station and I was pleasantly surprised as I could barely put it down.
I thought this might be more of a mystery crime novel, however, I found it more of an action novel where there is a lot of drama but you know who the baddies are quite early on.
In this book, two bombs have gone off in central London and the terrorists are making demands or threatening a further attack at 8pm.
It's mostly all action and there isn't much discussion around the emotional impact of a terrorist attack. But it is very fast paced and gripping to read.
I did wonder if we were heading for an anti-climatic ending as it seemed like the terrorists would be stopped by their 8pm deadline but it made for a surprise that the attack did happen.
One this I really didn't like about this book is Tina Boyd. She is an awful cop and just makes things so much worse. She cannot just do what she likes and I was hoping she would die at the end of the book or at least get some sort of comeuppance! It was really annoying me how she could never admit she was wrong either.
I thought this might be more of a mystery crime novel, however, I found it more of an action novel where there is a lot of drama but you know who the baddies are quite early on.
In this book, two bombs have gone off in central London and the terrorists are making demands or threatening a further attack at 8pm.
It's mostly all action and there isn't much discussion around the emotional impact of a terrorist attack. But it is very fast paced and gripping to read.
I did wonder if we were heading for an anti-climatic ending as it seemed like the terrorists would be stopped by their 8pm deadline but it made for a surprise that the attack did happen.
One this I really didn't like about this book is Tina Boyd. She is an awful cop and just makes things so much worse. She cannot just do what she likes and I was hoping she would die at the end of the book or at least get some sort of comeuppance! It was really annoying me how she could never admit she was wrong either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2019
A book for a day kind of a read (Feels quite good to do that after a long time). This is one of those unputdownable spicy novels. If you enjoy fast paced series like 24 or Jack Ryan, this is the one for you.
September 30, 2014
Ultimatum is filled with action, bad guys, the good guys and the somewhat in-between guys. I was excited to read this novel after just recently reading another of Simon Kernick's to see how it compared. Whilst I enjoyed this one more, I still can't push past a 3 star rating. In saying that I did enjoy this book and think many others will too.
What's the book about?
An explosion blasts through a cafe in Central London. Minutes later, a call from an unknown terror group warns that a far greater attack will be launched in twelve hours’ time.
William Garrett, nicknamed “Fox,” is awaiting trial for mass murder. He claims he can name the bombers—but only at a price.
It’s a terrifying race against time for Detective Inspector Mike Bolt and Deputy Commissioner Tina Boyd as they chase their targets across the city in a desperate bid to prevent a major atrocity before it’s too late…
My Review:
This book kicks off with a fantastic beginning as we are party to a bomb being planted in a busy, crowded London cafe. Only one person is the kill target but civilians are looked at as collateral damage. It's blamed on a militant Islamic group in the UK that take the heat for it. But wait there's more....
DC Tina Boyd is a good character, although I really wanted to connect with her a bit more and just missed the mark on it. I don't know if I had read previous books in this series first if that would have helped but I wanted a deeper connection. As a character however she is portrayed as a gutsy, somewhat reckless and passionate police officer, known for not always following the rules in the bid to collar the criminal. She does it her own way.
The book switches points of view effectively between various characters, from those behind the terror campaign, to the police and over to "Fox", the mass murderer who is sitting in prison negotiating with the police that if he gives information on the recent bombing they will help him with his case. DC Tina Boyd is sent in at his request to talk to him and try to get the information they need to stop the terror rolling out.
There are plenty of shootings, killings, bombs, chases on foot and in cars, all that action type stuff that you might love in a good thriller. It's a scary reality that the storyline might actually not be fiction in the current climate we live in with the threat of terrorism all around. Not so far from the truth perhaps.
I found the book an easy read with plenty of things to hold my interest, like other books of Kernick's I have read however I just feel it's missing that special something to push my rating up, I read a lot in the crime thriller genre so I have a lot of good books to compare to.
The plot is good, it's interesting where it ends up leading too, the last few chapters I particularly enjoyed as the hunt and the pressure builds up to crisis point in the city of London. Will the criminals get to carry out their master plan or not. The book ends on a note that tells you it may be picked up on in the next installment of this series, which would be interesting if it did.
If you like a crime thriller with a good pace and lots of action you will enjoy Ultimatum by Simon Kernick. It's full steam ahead all the way. An enjoyable read.
I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What's the book about?
An explosion blasts through a cafe in Central London. Minutes later, a call from an unknown terror group warns that a far greater attack will be launched in twelve hours’ time.
William Garrett, nicknamed “Fox,” is awaiting trial for mass murder. He claims he can name the bombers—but only at a price.
It’s a terrifying race against time for Detective Inspector Mike Bolt and Deputy Commissioner Tina Boyd as they chase their targets across the city in a desperate bid to prevent a major atrocity before it’s too late…
My Review:
This book kicks off with a fantastic beginning as we are party to a bomb being planted in a busy, crowded London cafe. Only one person is the kill target but civilians are looked at as collateral damage. It's blamed on a militant Islamic group in the UK that take the heat for it. But wait there's more....
DC Tina Boyd is a good character, although I really wanted to connect with her a bit more and just missed the mark on it. I don't know if I had read previous books in this series first if that would have helped but I wanted a deeper connection. As a character however she is portrayed as a gutsy, somewhat reckless and passionate police officer, known for not always following the rules in the bid to collar the criminal. She does it her own way.
The book switches points of view effectively between various characters, from those behind the terror campaign, to the police and over to "Fox", the mass murderer who is sitting in prison negotiating with the police that if he gives information on the recent bombing they will help him with his case. DC Tina Boyd is sent in at his request to talk to him and try to get the information they need to stop the terror rolling out.
There are plenty of shootings, killings, bombs, chases on foot and in cars, all that action type stuff that you might love in a good thriller. It's a scary reality that the storyline might actually not be fiction in the current climate we live in with the threat of terrorism all around. Not so far from the truth perhaps.
I found the book an easy read with plenty of things to hold my interest, like other books of Kernick's I have read however I just feel it's missing that special something to push my rating up, I read a lot in the crime thriller genre so I have a lot of good books to compare to.
The plot is good, it's interesting where it ends up leading too, the last few chapters I particularly enjoyed as the hunt and the pressure builds up to crisis point in the city of London. Will the criminals get to carry out their master plan or not. The book ends on a note that tells you it may be picked up on in the next installment of this series, which would be interesting if it did.
If you like a crime thriller with a good pace and lots of action you will enjoy Ultimatum by Simon Kernick. It's full steam ahead all the way. An enjoyable read.
I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2014
This was a Goodreads giveaway.
So glad it was. I have found another author that I will read again! I enjoy the thriller genre, so I was looking forward to trying this author out, whom I had never heard of to be honest. I was pleasantly surprised! The action takes place in London, England, which I am familiar with as my mum was raised there and I still have relatives who live there. So the surroundings were somewhat familiar, as was the British slang and ranks of the authorities. I thought the book was great, and it kept me engaged. I am not going to mention specific spoilers here, as it may ruin it for some, or even bias them a bit. I like to read a new author blind, without reading reviews from other people to limit my bias.
SO, if you like a fairly fast-paced read, action movie type story, with a few storylines intertwined, then give this a go. I would definitely recommend this author to those of you who like the action-type movies. Simon Kernick will now be added to my list of books to read! Thank you Simon, and thank you Atria books for the giveaway!
Just an fyi, this book occurs in the middle of a couple of different series - Tina Boyd #6, as well as a follow up to Siege (which I am now going to go back and read!) - Scope 1. I don't think it will affect your thoughts on this story, but may give a bit of background for Ultimatum. Oh yeah, and Siege is supposed to be better than this one! I know I will now go back and read all of his books. So many books and so little time!
So glad it was. I have found another author that I will read again! I enjoy the thriller genre, so I was looking forward to trying this author out, whom I had never heard of to be honest. I was pleasantly surprised! The action takes place in London, England, which I am familiar with as my mum was raised there and I still have relatives who live there. So the surroundings were somewhat familiar, as was the British slang and ranks of the authorities. I thought the book was great, and it kept me engaged. I am not going to mention specific spoilers here, as it may ruin it for some, or even bias them a bit. I like to read a new author blind, without reading reviews from other people to limit my bias.
SO, if you like a fairly fast-paced read, action movie type story, with a few storylines intertwined, then give this a go. I would definitely recommend this author to those of you who like the action-type movies. Simon Kernick will now be added to my list of books to read! Thank you Simon, and thank you Atria books for the giveaway!
Just an fyi, this book occurs in the middle of a couple of different series - Tina Boyd #6, as well as a follow up to Siege (which I am now going to go back and read!) - Scope 1. I don't think it will affect your thoughts on this story, but may give a bit of background for Ultimatum. Oh yeah, and Siege is supposed to be better than this one! I know I will now go back and read all of his books. So many books and so little time!
April 2, 2013
This is another high octane thriller, the kind that Kernick does so well. I read it while away for a long weekend and it was the perfect mindless yet gripping holiday companion. It follows on from Siege, and whilst it's not necessary to have read that book first, you'll probably enjoy this one more if you have. The ending also sets itself up for a sequel to continue the story further.
What I like about Simon Kernick's books is the way that he juggles several characters and storylines which all come together in the end. There's always lots of twists and turns and the action is fast. All his trademark attributes and characters are here, but for whatever reason I felt like the formula was showing more than usual. The introductory action sequences which you know will tie back to the story but you don't initially know how. The character who won't be what he seems to be. Tina Boyd acting rashly as usual. It all felt a little like I'd read it before.
It's a fine balance for author who write multiple thrillers, finding a way to make each book different without changing it so much that they lose the formula for success. I just felt that this time around, Kernick perhaps hadn't pushed himself as far as he could have.
Having said that, I reiterate that it's a perfectly entertaining thriller which I tore through in no time flat and enjoyed. I look forward to Kernick's next book and seeing what happens next!
What I like about Simon Kernick's books is the way that he juggles several characters and storylines which all come together in the end. There's always lots of twists and turns and the action is fast. All his trademark attributes and characters are here, but for whatever reason I felt like the formula was showing more than usual. The introductory action sequences which you know will tie back to the story but you don't initially know how. The character who won't be what he seems to be. Tina Boyd acting rashly as usual. It all felt a little like I'd read it before.
It's a fine balance for author who write multiple thrillers, finding a way to make each book different without changing it so much that they lose the formula for success. I just felt that this time around, Kernick perhaps hadn't pushed himself as far as he could have.
Having said that, I reiterate that it's a perfectly entertaining thriller which I tore through in no time flat and enjoyed. I look forward to Kernick's next book and seeing what happens next!
April 19, 2014
Usually these kind of books are right up my street. I’m a big fan of Peter James but I also like the more sort ‘ex-soldier turned crime fighting hero’ kind of books too, the sort Stephen Leather writes. So this should have been up my alley but I just wasn’t feeling it. I found it easy to read and the plot carried me along but there was just something missing. I’m not sure whether it’s because I have not read Siege, (even though it’s on my shelf to read. I didn’t realise it was the prequel to this until it was too late) but I just found the characters pretty one dimensional. It wasn’t bad by any means but it just wasn’t of the standard I expect from him.
July 21, 2015
I received this book via Net Galley in return for an honest review of this Simon Kernick novel "Ultimatum". I have to admit that I am already a fan of Simon Kernick's books so this was a pleasure to review. The novel is fast paced with plenty of action and well developed characters that come to life in his books. This is typical of Simon Kernick's work and if you like this book you are sure to like his other work which is equally high in quality and enjoyment. The novel contains a few of his trusted characters from previous novels and this just adds to the enjoyment.
August 26, 2020
Good read, but I wish there wasn't so much swearing. Doesn't need it to be a great thriller. So I've docked a star!!!
Plenty of twists and turns and who done what to whom.
Perhaps the most important element caught in this thriller is apportioning blame on one section of the public in order to achieve ones ultimate aim in life. This is the part of the book that really caught my imagination.
Plenty of twists and turns and who done what to whom.
Perhaps the most important element caught in this thriller is apportioning blame on one section of the public in order to achieve ones ultimate aim in life. This is the part of the book that really caught my imagination.
June 22, 2013
I couldn't put this down! As a series of bombings rock London, a mysterious group increase the threats even as the Police try to hunt them down. Clever , twisty , action goodness :)
September 10, 2025
Just one time, simply solve a case. You don't need to save the entire country with all the cases, not al cases need to be bigger than they seem. And they couldn't even solve it completely and it seems as if it will continue in the last book of the series, but I don't have that book, and anyway, I think I have had enough.
And I am so done with these books targeting Muslims as the villians.
SPOILERS AHEAD
You see, there is a big explosion, and first, it looks like it is the doing of a hateful Muslim, but it isn't more than that. Apparently the British people don't want other ethnicities, and people from other religions, particularly Muslims in their country, and some of these British people make it look like the Muslims are getting involved in such attacks so that the public would also hate the Muslims and they would vote for politicians who want to send them away.
The book also mentions the British sendings soldiers to the Muslim countries, though, and I hate the way their brains work, really. First, they go to Muslim countries and make those places literally inhabitable, so the people have to immigrate. Some of them come to England to start a new life, and they don't want them there, either. THESE PEOPLE HAVE TO LIVE SOMEWHERE!!!
Anywho, super cops Tina Boyd and Mike Bolt save the day. I am bothered by the way Tina acts, though, because she seems to think that breaking as many rules as she possibly can is some sort of accomplishment. They figured out that the bombings were a way to get a man, a guy whose nickname was Fox, out of prison. Fox and one of the guy trying to get Fox out ended up dead, but as I wrote above, the case also had a political side, and they couldn't figure that out completely.
And it was this book, as well as the end of my journey alongside Tina Boyd.
And I am so done with these books targeting Muslims as the villians.
SPOILERS AHEAD
You see, there is a big explosion, and first, it looks like it is the doing of a hateful Muslim, but it isn't more than that. Apparently the British people don't want other ethnicities, and people from other religions, particularly Muslims in their country, and some of these British people make it look like the Muslims are getting involved in such attacks so that the public would also hate the Muslims and they would vote for politicians who want to send them away.
The book also mentions the British sendings soldiers to the Muslim countries, though, and I hate the way their brains work, really. First, they go to Muslim countries and make those places literally inhabitable, so the people have to immigrate. Some of them come to England to start a new life, and they don't want them there, either. THESE PEOPLE HAVE TO LIVE SOMEWHERE!!!
Anywho, super cops Tina Boyd and Mike Bolt save the day. I am bothered by the way Tina acts, though, because she seems to think that breaking as many rules as she possibly can is some sort of accomplishment. They figured out that the bombings were a way to get a man, a guy whose nickname was Fox, out of prison. Fox and one of the guy trying to get Fox out ended up dead, but as I wrote above, the case also had a political side, and they couldn't figure that out completely.
And it was this book, as well as the end of my journey alongside Tina Boyd.
November 12, 2025
In einem Café in London explodiert eine Bombe und die Attentäter kündigen einen weiteren Anschlag an. Die Polizei steht vor einem Rätsel, wer dahinter steckt. Da meldet sich jemand der behauptet genau das zu wissen. Es ist William Garrett, der seit der Geiselnahme in einem Londoner Hotel auf seinen Prozess wegen Massenmords wartet.
Wieder einmal ereignet sich alles innerhalb von nur wenigen Stunden und trotzdem ist alles detailliert beschreiben. Genau das macht für mich die Krimis von Simon Kernick aus. Meistens gibt es eine Deadline und die Geschichte wird immer spannender, je näher sie kommt. Es fällt mir immer sehr schwer, Kernicks Bücher aus der Hand zu legen.
Auch diesmal war Tina Boyd mit von der Partie. Ich mag diese leicht durchgeknallte Polizistin einfach. Sie ist immer ein bisschen übereifrig, was bedeutet dass ihre Einsätze immer sehr dramatisch enden. Aber sie hat Erfolg und nur das sollte zählen. Leider tut es das nicht immer, aber sie kann nun mal nicht aus ihrer Haut heraus, was sie mir nur noch sympathischer macht.
Simon Kernick scheint kaputte Typen zu mögen. Diesmal gibt es nicht nur Tina, sondern auch einen sehr interessante neue Figur, der im Untergrund mitmischt. Von ihm hoffe ich, noch mehr zu erfahren.
Auch das Ende ist typisch für Bücher. Es bleibt ein bitterer Nachgeschmack zurück, weil die Guten eben nicht immer nur gewinnen können.
Wieder einmal ereignet sich alles innerhalb von nur wenigen Stunden und trotzdem ist alles detailliert beschreiben. Genau das macht für mich die Krimis von Simon Kernick aus. Meistens gibt es eine Deadline und die Geschichte wird immer spannender, je näher sie kommt. Es fällt mir immer sehr schwer, Kernicks Bücher aus der Hand zu legen.
Auch diesmal war Tina Boyd mit von der Partie. Ich mag diese leicht durchgeknallte Polizistin einfach. Sie ist immer ein bisschen übereifrig, was bedeutet dass ihre Einsätze immer sehr dramatisch enden. Aber sie hat Erfolg und nur das sollte zählen. Leider tut es das nicht immer, aber sie kann nun mal nicht aus ihrer Haut heraus, was sie mir nur noch sympathischer macht.
Simon Kernick scheint kaputte Typen zu mögen. Diesmal gibt es nicht nur Tina, sondern auch einen sehr interessante neue Figur, der im Untergrund mitmischt. Von ihm hoffe ich, noch mehr zu erfahren.
Auch das Ende ist typisch für Bücher. Es bleibt ein bitterer Nachgeschmack zurück, weil die Guten eben nicht immer nur gewinnen können.
June 23, 2018
As a long term fan of Kernick since way back in the day when the Business of dying was released.
Its refreshing to see that his writing only goes from strength to strength.
Ultimatum is not a direct sequel to siege but it will help IMO if you have read the fore mentioned book.
London once again is the star as it comes under attack from the ruthless, we follow four characters stories and see the events unfold from many different perspectives.
I love Kernick’s writing style in that he has short punchy chapters, gripping scenes and full on action, I finished this book in double fast time Kernick has also finished the book leaving a breadcrumb trail of what's to come in his next book no doubt Tina Boyd will be back up to her eyes in more blood and guts a great read.
Well worth your time and hard earned cash.
Its refreshing to see that his writing only goes from strength to strength.
Ultimatum is not a direct sequel to siege but it will help IMO if you have read the fore mentioned book.
London once again is the star as it comes under attack from the ruthless, we follow four characters stories and see the events unfold from many different perspectives.
I love Kernick’s writing style in that he has short punchy chapters, gripping scenes and full on action, I finished this book in double fast time Kernick has also finished the book leaving a breadcrumb trail of what's to come in his next book no doubt Tina Boyd will be back up to her eyes in more blood and guts a great read.
Well worth your time and hard earned cash.
February 3, 2019
A breath of fresh air, what a dynamic book. I've had this book for awhile and sort of forgot about it. When I realized it was part of a series I wondered if I would get lost or confused. Nope, definitely a standalone story. Although I could tell Tina has a past and some of past incidents were mentioned they had no baring on the story. The characters were numerous ranging from cops, terrorists, undercover informant, and various criminals. The events occur over the course of a day, told in multiple points of view, and never with a dull moment. Definitely an exciting book. Netgalley provided my copy.
September 22, 2018
Only just started reading Kernicht but have rapidly elevated hi to one of my favourites with authors such as Baldacci and Lee Childs and (another new name for me Tim Tigers. I made the mistake of starting off with book five so now that I am hooked I need to go back to one the business of dieing. Kernichts books offer a roller coaster of thrills and “what’s happening next” moments. Definitely spoilt my early nights as I find his books difficult to put down. Yes I definitely recommend this series.
September 19, 2022
This is the seventeenth book which I have read by this author. It was probably a mistake on my part to read three Tina Boyd stories consecutively as it made me aware of how formulaic the author can be. This book features Boyd (now a Detective Constable) and Mike Bolt but a lot of the book is told in the first person by Jones, an ex-soldier, ex-police officer, who following his release from prison is now an informant for Bolt. As ever the plot is outrageous but if you go with the flow it is an exciting read. The main story is about a terrorist plot and by the end a lot of people are dead.
October 10, 2022
Rip roaring thriller.
Despite some criticism from some reviewers about this series to date, yes, it can be a tad far fetched at times but this does not take anything away from the story. All is within the realms of possibility but hopefully not.
No spoilers from me, but this is a good thriller which does not come to a satisfactory conclusion despite all the efforts by Tina. The work relationship with Mike Bolt comes under some strain but is romance in the air again?
In my opinion, another excellent novel!
Despite some criticism from some reviewers about this series to date, yes, it can be a tad far fetched at times but this does not take anything away from the story. All is within the realms of possibility but hopefully not.
No spoilers from me, but this is a good thriller which does not come to a satisfactory conclusion despite all the efforts by Tina. The work relationship with Mike Bolt comes under some strain but is romance in the air again?
In my opinion, another excellent novel!
December 1, 2024
Not sure how to rate this installment of Tina Boyd series. It's solid 4 on its own, but considering Simon Kernick's oft repeated formula, similar characters and plot it would be just 3. Once again, domestic terrorists, masquerading as Arabs, trying - successfully so- to saw chaos in London. Once again, Tina Boyd is in the middle of all the action. I guess we will see Garth Grossman (mastermind behind terrorists, budding politician, and the only survivor of Brotherhood that we know of) in future novels.
May 9, 2018
I like thrillers. And I like the fast pace of a Simon Kernick thriller. Always in the first person, the plots are delivered at breakneck speed, and generally, it works, well for the ones I have read. Except for this one. Because he uses 1st person and then flips between several characters it became awkward. For me, it just did not work.
Good plot, though, just the delivery didn’t quite work for me.
Good plot, though, just the delivery didn’t quite work for me.
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