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Max Thatcher
A Dragon's Ransom
The stakes in this deadly game of chance couldn’t be higher for Max and his team. Who can you trust in this fast moving story of betrayal and greed? Brutal drug lords, kidnappings and lethal violence are all cleverly interwoven within this page turning thriller.
292 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2014
About the author
Mike Smart
20 books15 followersA BBC Radio and press featured author Mike writes very well received fast moving thrillers which are packed with action and are short on flowery prose. The series all feature a lead character called Max Thatcher, an ex Special Forces operative who takes no prisoners.
Written for you to enjoy on a flight, by the pool or to break up the monotony of the daily commute. Not suited for under 18's nor those wanting an early night as readers complain they can't put them down!
Written for you to enjoy on a flight, by the pool or to break up the monotony of the daily commute. Not suited for under 18's nor those wanting an early night as readers complain they can't put them down!
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 30, 2014
With explosive action, incredibly evil bad guys, and , amazingly hot women, "A Dragon's Ransom" by Mike Smart bursts open like an A-bomb from page 1. The leader of a drug cartel named Francis who's out to muscle his way into the very influential Chang family from China. Francis has a plot to take over the Chang business, and incorporate his own drug empire along side it. Francis' scheme begins with Chang's daughter Jia kidnapped, and held for ransom. Ensuring that the Chang's would give up their family business. Jia escapes and gets in touch with one of her old friends and one time lover Max Thatcher. Max is luckily in Scotland as Jia is running around London helpless.Max and his team race to London to rescue Jia. The evil Francis then kidnaps Jia's parents to force Jia back to China. Loaded with action packed dialog and non stop twists and turns in the story line, "A Dragon's Ransom" is an incredibly quick and heart pounding read ! I was hooked from page one. I sat down in just 2 reading sessions to finish this novel. It's characters are bigger than life. The book's dialog is fast paced and riveting. Reading this book reminded me of sitting in a movie theater that was playing an old James Bond flick. From start to finish this one reads at 100 MPH or faster. 5 stars out of 5. It was a hell of a read. Looking for another Max Thatcher book to jump into. Do not miss this book ! One of the best I've read in a very long time.
May 21, 2014
"A Dragon's Ransom" is the fourth action-packed adventure in the life of Max Thatcher, a former Special Boat Service Operative and the owner of Falcon Services Security. As the story unfolds the boss of a South American drug cartel has abducted billionaire Lei Chang, owner of the largest and most modern shipping fleet, and his wife as well as targeting his daughter Jia who's on a business assignment in London. After Jia narrowly escapes the clutches of a professional assassin she calls her ex-lover Max and his team for help. What the security consultant doesn't expect is to not only take on a merciless drug lord and Jia's incompetent brother, but the boss of the Dragon Triad.
Set between London and Hong Kong this fast-paced and riveting plot is filled with vicious drug lords, kidnappings and murder. But woven into the violence and brutality are elements of greed, betrayal, and deliverance. The narrative focuses on the heart- pounding action of Max and his team's latest exploit into the world of crime leaving a more descriptive style behind. And when you think you have the end of the plot all worked out, the author throws in a surprising twist at the end that will shock and amaze.
With clever dexterity Mike Smart has created memorable and realistic characters like Max Thatcher, a man plagued by the murder of his girlfriend whose enjoyment in living is reawakened by a former lover. He's calm, cool, clever and tough, but has a sharp sense of humor and a strong allegiance to his friends. Of his two lieutenants in the agency, Patrick a former intelligence officer is observant and astute while Greg once a fearless soldier is an easy-going investigator with lethal combat skills. In the Chang family Jia's a hardworking lawyer, multi-talented, brave and perceptive; her father Lei who's opposed to organized crime is a highly respected entrepreneur; her mother Meili exhibits composure and strength of character under pressure, while Huan the eldest son is feckless, debauched, untrustworthy and weak. But in this story the criminals send chills up your spine with their cruelty, heartlessness and killer instincts especially the drug lord Francis Onate and the triad boss Lee Chow.
"A Dragon's Ransom" is a short, heart stopping, action-packed thriller that you can't put down. I have become a fan of Max Thatcher, the multi-talented, clever security consultant who dives into one adventure after another with his team of experts. I liked his latest exploit immensely and can't wait for the next novel in the series.
Set between London and Hong Kong this fast-paced and riveting plot is filled with vicious drug lords, kidnappings and murder. But woven into the violence and brutality are elements of greed, betrayal, and deliverance. The narrative focuses on the heart- pounding action of Max and his team's latest exploit into the world of crime leaving a more descriptive style behind. And when you think you have the end of the plot all worked out, the author throws in a surprising twist at the end that will shock and amaze.
With clever dexterity Mike Smart has created memorable and realistic characters like Max Thatcher, a man plagued by the murder of his girlfriend whose enjoyment in living is reawakened by a former lover. He's calm, cool, clever and tough, but has a sharp sense of humor and a strong allegiance to his friends. Of his two lieutenants in the agency, Patrick a former intelligence officer is observant and astute while Greg once a fearless soldier is an easy-going investigator with lethal combat skills. In the Chang family Jia's a hardworking lawyer, multi-talented, brave and perceptive; her father Lei who's opposed to organized crime is a highly respected entrepreneur; her mother Meili exhibits composure and strength of character under pressure, while Huan the eldest son is feckless, debauched, untrustworthy and weak. But in this story the criminals send chills up your spine with their cruelty, heartlessness and killer instincts especially the drug lord Francis Onate and the triad boss Lee Chow.
"A Dragon's Ransom" is a short, heart stopping, action-packed thriller that you can't put down. I have become a fan of Max Thatcher, the multi-talented, clever security consultant who dives into one adventure after another with his team of experts. I liked his latest exploit immensely and can't wait for the next novel in the series.
June 19, 2014
Fast moving? Yes. For the right reasons? Not completely.
If books chockablock with action, and short of "flowery prose" are for you then you may well enjoy reading Smart's latest offering. If you hate being spoon-fed details, being told exactly what a character is thinking, or are looking for a mystery of sorts, then maybe not.
A Dragon's Ransom is the forth book in a series, yet it can easily be read as a stand-alone. This was fortunate, since this was my first time reading anything by Smart.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it. This has nothing to do with how well Smart tells a story, and even less to do with his characters. It is more to do with the fact that Smart's writing style just isn't to my taste. For me, Smart weighs far too much towards telling (rather than showing), and he switches between characters too much. There were several disorienting moments were the focus shifts midstream, often accompanied by thoughts in italics (a pet peeve).
But other than the writing style? Still not great.
Perhaps part of the problem here is that this isn't the first book, but I experienced no emotional attachment/connection to any of the characters. Since I didn't care who lived and who died, there was a certain detachment from the story which almost certainly played a part in another big problem: There was absolutely no suspense. The sheer predictability, combined with the feeling that Max was 100% going to save the day, meant that no matter how "brutal" any of the "bad guys" were meant to be, it didn't mean a jot.
The fact that this was received for free, through goodreads, is the sole reason A Dragon's Ransom managed to snag two stars. Had this been a book I'd brought, I'd never have read past the first few chapters. But again, I want to make it clear that this is strongly influenced by Smart's style of writing not suiting me personally, and shouldn't stop anybody else giving this book a go.
If books chockablock with action, and short of "flowery prose" are for you then you may well enjoy reading Smart's latest offering. If you hate being spoon-fed details, being told exactly what a character is thinking, or are looking for a mystery of sorts, then maybe not.
A Dragon's Ransom is the forth book in a series, yet it can easily be read as a stand-alone. This was fortunate, since this was my first time reading anything by Smart.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it. This has nothing to do with how well Smart tells a story, and even less to do with his characters. It is more to do with the fact that Smart's writing style just isn't to my taste. For me, Smart weighs far too much towards telling (rather than showing), and he switches between characters too much. There were several disorienting moments were the focus shifts midstream, often accompanied by thoughts in italics (a pet peeve).
But other than the writing style? Still not great.
Perhaps part of the problem here is that this isn't the first book, but I experienced no emotional attachment/connection to any of the characters. Since I didn't care who lived and who died, there was a certain detachment from the story which almost certainly played a part in another big problem: There was absolutely no suspense. The sheer predictability, combined with the feeling that Max was 100% going to save the day, meant that no matter how "brutal" any of the "bad guys" were meant to be, it didn't mean a jot.
The fact that this was received for free, through goodreads, is the sole reason A Dragon's Ransom managed to snag two stars. Had this been a book I'd brought, I'd never have read past the first few chapters. But again, I want to make it clear that this is strongly influenced by Smart's style of writing not suiting me personally, and shouldn't stop anybody else giving this book a go.
April 18, 2014
REVIEW FROM AMAZON
4.0 out of 5 stars Drugs, Sex, Murder, Kidnapping, and of course the rescue. What else could you want?, April 9, 2014
By T. Wilds - See all my reviews
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: A Dragon's Ransom (Max Thatcher Series) (Kindle Edition)
This latest exploit of Max Thatcher is an exciting read and will keep your attention. You think you know your family? You will think again after reading A Dragon's Ransom. I've read the complete from new author Mike Smart and have enjoyed them all. I have always liked a good adventure book and story and these fit the bill. Going on a long plane ride? Need a book to read on a lazy spring day? Then give Dragon's Ransom a try (along with the rest of the series).
June 4, 2015
Won this Through Goodreads First Read.
Easy to read. Good story telling. Not lacking on drama. Will recommend to anyone who loves reading fast paced crime stories.
Easy to read. Good story telling. Not lacking on drama. Will recommend to anyone who loves reading fast paced crime stories.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews