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Lambeth Group #3
The Black Fox
Zoe Tampsin is resourceful, smart and Special Forces-trained, but she has been given an impossible mission.
She has to protect scientist, Gavin Shawlens, from assassination by the CIA, and discover the secret trapped in Gavin's mind that the CIA want destroyed.
As the pressure to find Shawlens escalates – the CIA send Zoe's former mentor to track her down and her fate seems sealed when he surrounds Zoe and Gavin with a ring of steel. With each hour that passes, the ring is tightened, and the window for discovering Gavin's secret will shut.
Zoe is faced with a decision that goes against all of her survival instincts. If she is wrong – they both die. If she is right – she will discover the secret and become the next target for assassination.
Run for your life…
She has to protect scientist, Gavin Shawlens, from assassination by the CIA, and discover the secret trapped in Gavin's mind that the CIA want destroyed.
As the pressure to find Shawlens escalates – the CIA send Zoe's former mentor to track her down and her fate seems sealed when he surrounds Zoe and Gavin with a ring of steel. With each hour that passes, the ring is tightened, and the window for discovering Gavin's secret will shut.
Zoe is faced with a decision that goes against all of her survival instincts. If she is wrong – they both die. If she is right – she will discover the secret and become the next target for assassination.
Run for your life…
- GenresThriller
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2015
5 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Bickerstaff
25 books105 followersI was born and raised in Glasgow but spent my student years in Edinburgh. I spent over 30 years as a university lecturer and 25 years as an Open University tutor before I retired to write fiction. I live with my wife in Scotland where corrupt academics, psychopaths, serial killers, mystery, murder, and intrigue exists mostly in my mind.
I write the Lambeth Group series of standalone crime/conspiracy/suspense thrillers. Inspired by the 1970s 'Doomwatch' TV series, they feature undercover investigators Zoe and Gavin who protect the country and the world from the worst nightmares that mankind can imagine.
I enjoy walking in the hills, 60s & 70s music, reading and travel.
https://gordonbickerstaff.blogspot.com/
I write the Lambeth Group series of standalone crime/conspiracy/suspense thrillers. Inspired by the 1970s 'Doomwatch' TV series, they feature undercover investigators Zoe and Gavin who protect the country and the world from the worst nightmares that mankind can imagine.
I enjoy walking in the hills, 60s & 70s music, reading and travel.
https://gordonbickerstaff.blogspot.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 31, 2018
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THE BLACK FOX (Lambeth Group Thriller Series #3) by Gordon Bickerstaff is a nonstop thriller that has hairpin plot twists, action-packed scenes that keep you turning the pages and characters that are complex, intense and memorable beyond the pages.
Zoe Tampsin has been ordered to take Dr. Gavin Shawlens into hiding.
The United States has deemed Gavin a national security threat of the highest order and are willing to send the CIA and Special Forces onto English soil to find and eliminate him if the English will not hand him over. The British government wants to hand him over, but to also find out what Gavin knows that is worth billions and an international incident. Zoe is a highly decorated and trained British Special Forces captain. She is tasked with keeping Gavin alive and hidden until he can remember what memories are so important to the Americans.
On the run, Zoe displays why she was code named the “Black Fox” in Bosnia. Friends old and new come to her and Gavin’s aid. The run to the climax is filled with ingenious tricks and strategic brilliance on Zoe’s part that just keep ramping up the suspense to a climax that gave me chills.
Mr. Bickerstaff has demonstrated his ability once again to write a thriller that grabs your attention and imagination. This is a fast paced read that surprised me many times with situational plot twists that I did not see how Zoe and Gavin could survive and a climatic secret that had me stunned. Zoe is brilliant, in deeds, action and character. Gavin is also brilliant, but in a very different way which makes the pairing work and these two characters fascinating. This book can be read as a standalone on-the-run thriller, but the depth of the characters is better appreciated by reading at least the previous book, Everything to Lose.
The Black Fox needs to be a “Must Read” on your TBR thriller list!
THE BLACK FOX (Lambeth Group Thriller Series #3) by Gordon Bickerstaff is a nonstop thriller that has hairpin plot twists, action-packed scenes that keep you turning the pages and characters that are complex, intense and memorable beyond the pages.
Zoe Tampsin has been ordered to take Dr. Gavin Shawlens into hiding.
The United States has deemed Gavin a national security threat of the highest order and are willing to send the CIA and Special Forces onto English soil to find and eliminate him if the English will not hand him over. The British government wants to hand him over, but to also find out what Gavin knows that is worth billions and an international incident. Zoe is a highly decorated and trained British Special Forces captain. She is tasked with keeping Gavin alive and hidden until he can remember what memories are so important to the Americans.
On the run, Zoe displays why she was code named the “Black Fox” in Bosnia. Friends old and new come to her and Gavin’s aid. The run to the climax is filled with ingenious tricks and strategic brilliance on Zoe’s part that just keep ramping up the suspense to a climax that gave me chills.
Mr. Bickerstaff has demonstrated his ability once again to write a thriller that grabs your attention and imagination. This is a fast paced read that surprised me many times with situational plot twists that I did not see how Zoe and Gavin could survive and a climatic secret that had me stunned. Zoe is brilliant, in deeds, action and character. Gavin is also brilliant, but in a very different way which makes the pairing work and these two characters fascinating. This book can be read as a standalone on-the-run thriller, but the depth of the characters is better appreciated by reading at least the previous book, Everything to Lose.
The Black Fox needs to be a “Must Read” on your TBR thriller list!
February 14, 2019
I’ve read and enjoyed several Lambeth Group Thrillers. This is now my favorite. Wow! Non-stop action and intrigue. A fascinating premise. I couldn’t wait to find out what earthshaking secret Gavin Shawlins knew, but didn’t know he knew. And boy, is it a doozy! It’s cool that the author makes a female Special Forces-trained agent the lead in these stories. Zoe Tampsin is smart, resourceful and daring. And she doesn’t give up. Taking on the CIA and the British intelligence agencies makes for a heart-thumping story. There’s also the personal stuff that brings these characters to life.
February 14, 2019
"The Black Fox" is third in author, Gordon Bickerstaff’s Lambeth Group Thriller series. Lead character is Zoe Tampsin, a feisty, exceptionally resourceful, former British Special Services officer seconded to MI5 (also known as the Security Service), who is asked by her boss, Sir Milton Johnson, to babysit Dr. Gavin Shawlens. The scientist has been targeted by the CIA for assassination. The Company knows he has a secret hidden in the depths of his subconscious which, if it ever surfaced, would cause an international incident of monumental proportions. To justify itself to its British counterparts, the CIA maintains that Shawlens is a national security threat. Things get complicated when Sir Milton tells Zoe that no-one, not even colleagues in her own organisation, is to know the details of her assignment. As the pressure to find Shawlens intensifies, Zoe finds herself pitted, not only against the might of the CIA and resources available to it from other American security and military organisations, but those of her own country as well. Eventually, the pair is tracked down by her former mentor and they are surrounded, trapped in their own nightmare. As the hunters move in, Zoe must make the decision of a lifetime. If she is wrong, she will die with the man she has been entrusted to protect. If she is right, she will discover the secret locked in a vault in his memory and become a target for assassination herself.
Gordon Bickerstaff knows his stuff. If he doesn’t, he sure sounds convincing. "The Black Fox" covers operational matters pertaining to the CIA, Britain’s MI5 as well as military and law enforcement procedures. This is why it is such a riveting read. You tend to believe what’s going on, even though the subject matter is, in fact, unbelievable. "The Black Fox" is a joy to read, particularly if, like me, you are partial to thrillers in this sub-genre. Bickerstaff meanders seamlessly from the Oval Office in Washington to MI5 headquarters in Thames House, London and to various other geographical locations in the UK and North America, keeping his readers enthralled at all times. Just when you think you’re getting a breather from this fast paced thriller, something happens to get your adrenaline racing again. Just one word of caution: there are many characters and a lot of scenes on both sides of the Atlantic so you need to keep your wits about you. But this is a book you won’t want to put down.
Gordon Bickerstaff knows his stuff. If he doesn’t, he sure sounds convincing. "The Black Fox" covers operational matters pertaining to the CIA, Britain’s MI5 as well as military and law enforcement procedures. This is why it is such a riveting read. You tend to believe what’s going on, even though the subject matter is, in fact, unbelievable. "The Black Fox" is a joy to read, particularly if, like me, you are partial to thrillers in this sub-genre. Bickerstaff meanders seamlessly from the Oval Office in Washington to MI5 headquarters in Thames House, London and to various other geographical locations in the UK and North America, keeping his readers enthralled at all times. Just when you think you’re getting a breather from this fast paced thriller, something happens to get your adrenaline racing again. Just one word of caution: there are many characters and a lot of scenes on both sides of the Atlantic so you need to keep your wits about you. But this is a book you won’t want to put down.
December 29, 2015
It’s getting harder and harder to find genuine gems in this genre but The Black Fox is certainly one of them. Weaving an exhilarating plot and narrative the author Gordon Bickerstaff really knows how to spin an intriguing tale. There’s a nice balance between suspense, heightened tension and the relationship between the main characters which adds genuine depth to the story. As part of a series I will definitely being reading the other books.
April 17, 2021
The Black Fox by Gordon Bickerstaff is not my first read from this author and certainly won’t be my last. I love his writing. The Black Fox was quite the thrill ride. The twists and turns had me holding my breath, fearing the characters wouldn’t make it through. This was a one-sitting read for me, and I just love when books hold my attention like that.
The pacing is non-stop. I really enjoyed the action sequences as well. Very impressive. I really enjoyed the characters as well. They were well writing, thoroughly fleshed out, and felt real. I cared about their safety.
The Black Fox is a superb novel. I didn’t have to think long about the rating for these. Easy five stars. I highly recommend giving it a read!
*I received a free copy of this book from Damppebbles Blog Tours to review honestly on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
The pacing is non-stop. I really enjoyed the action sequences as well. Very impressive. I really enjoyed the characters as well. They were well writing, thoroughly fleshed out, and felt real. I cared about their safety.
The Black Fox is a superb novel. I didn’t have to think long about the rating for these. Easy five stars. I highly recommend giving it a read!
*I received a free copy of this book from Damppebbles Blog Tours to review honestly on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
March 2, 2018
The Black Fox by Gordon Bickerstaff is an exciting concept – a large canvas, monumental stakes, forceful characters, and loads of suspense. Set mostly in the highest echelons of government, particularly involving the machinations of the CIA in the USA, and MI5 in Britain, Bickerstaff writes with conviction and knowledge, giving the story depth and credibility.
The Black Fox revolves around Dr. Gavin Shawlens who finds himself in the middle of a world conspiracy, with two governments trying find him because of what’s buried in the depths of his mind. Although Gavin cannot remember what he is supposed to know, the fact that he has this knowledge prompts the US Government to issue a shoot-to-kill order and sends its top espionage teams to effect this execution. Gavin is being protected by Zoe Tampsin, a British agent, strong, creative, brilliant at armed and unarmed combat, and always a step ahead of the enemy. Zoe is a feisty, hugely attractive character, who carries a great deal of the story on her narrow but wiry shoulders.... and the reader is perfectly happy for her to do so. There are lots of exciting twists and turns, suspense, thrills and intrigue, culminating in a chest-clutching chase across England into Scotland as the protagonists seek to elude the combined forces of American and British Intelligence Agencies.
Bickerstaff is an exceptional writer with a great gift for telling a story. As thrillers go, this book will not disappoint, and the story drags the reader along to its dramatic climax in a strange underwater military facility.
If I were to identify one niggle, it would be the author’s tendency to over-describe every new character. Nor am I sure that it is necessary to provide each character with a detailed back-story. These tend to disrupt the flow of the writing and, in any event, there are so many that they are quickly forgotten by the reader. A few quick, brush strokes would suffice. The future conversations and actions of the characters will not be long allowing the reader to see the type of people they are.
That said, this is one of the best thrillers I have read in a while and I have no hesitation in recommending it to any readers who love this genre.
The Black Fox revolves around Dr. Gavin Shawlens who finds himself in the middle of a world conspiracy, with two governments trying find him because of what’s buried in the depths of his mind. Although Gavin cannot remember what he is supposed to know, the fact that he has this knowledge prompts the US Government to issue a shoot-to-kill order and sends its top espionage teams to effect this execution. Gavin is being protected by Zoe Tampsin, a British agent, strong, creative, brilliant at armed and unarmed combat, and always a step ahead of the enemy. Zoe is a feisty, hugely attractive character, who carries a great deal of the story on her narrow but wiry shoulders.... and the reader is perfectly happy for her to do so. There are lots of exciting twists and turns, suspense, thrills and intrigue, culminating in a chest-clutching chase across England into Scotland as the protagonists seek to elude the combined forces of American and British Intelligence Agencies.
Bickerstaff is an exceptional writer with a great gift for telling a story. As thrillers go, this book will not disappoint, and the story drags the reader along to its dramatic climax in a strange underwater military facility.
If I were to identify one niggle, it would be the author’s tendency to over-describe every new character. Nor am I sure that it is necessary to provide each character with a detailed back-story. These tend to disrupt the flow of the writing and, in any event, there are so many that they are quickly forgotten by the reader. A few quick, brush strokes would suffice. The future conversations and actions of the characters will not be long allowing the reader to see the type of people they are.
That said, this is one of the best thrillers I have read in a while and I have no hesitation in recommending it to any readers who love this genre.
April 15, 2021
I have been a fan of Gordon’s work for a while now. I love the way in which he writes such gritty, fast paced action adventure stories. ‘The Black Fox’ is the third book in ‘The Lambeth Group’ and what a book it is too. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Black Fox’ but more about that in a bit.
It took me no time at all to get into ‘The Black Fox’. In fact as soon as I started to read the book, that was it. It was a case of sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride as it were. I just couldn’t put the book down. It wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I just couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I got rather a surprise when I turned the page to find that my home town featured as part of the story. The thought of the CIA potentially coming to the North East tickled me. Then I realised that we had already had the FBI in my home town so we might as well have the CIA too. To say that reading ‘The Black Fox’ became addictive is like me saying that I like cake- a massive understatement. I raced through the book in a day, which is really quick for me. I found ‘The Black Fox’ to be a gripping read, which kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The Black Fox’ is brilliantly written but then I think that to be true of Gordon’s books in general. He certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into one hell of a story. For me, the story hits the ground running and maintains a breakneck pace throughout. Reading ‘The Black Fox’ was like being on a very scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with many twists and turns along the way. I felt as though I was part of the story myself, which is all thanks to Gordon’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of the story and the fact that my home town made a surprise and unexpected appearance. I would definitely recommend this book and this series to other readers. It’s only my opinion but I think Gordon’s ‘Lambeth Group’ series is better than the James Bond series. I can’t wait to read more of Gordon’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
It took me no time at all to get into ‘The Black Fox’. In fact as soon as I started to read the book, that was it. It was a case of sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride as it were. I just couldn’t put the book down. It wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I just couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I got rather a surprise when I turned the page to find that my home town featured as part of the story. The thought of the CIA potentially coming to the North East tickled me. Then I realised that we had already had the FBI in my home town so we might as well have the CIA too. To say that reading ‘The Black Fox’ became addictive is like me saying that I like cake- a massive understatement. I raced through the book in a day, which is really quick for me. I found ‘The Black Fox’ to be a gripping read, which kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The Black Fox’ is brilliantly written but then I think that to be true of Gordon’s books in general. He certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into one hell of a story. For me, the story hits the ground running and maintains a breakneck pace throughout. Reading ‘The Black Fox’ was like being on a very scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with many twists and turns along the way. I felt as though I was part of the story myself, which is all thanks to Gordon’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of the story and the fact that my home town made a surprise and unexpected appearance. I would definitely recommend this book and this series to other readers. It’s only my opinion but I think Gordon’s ‘Lambeth Group’ series is better than the James Bond series. I can’t wait to read more of Gordon’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
March 5, 2019
A while back, I read the first of Gordon Bickerstaff’s Lambeth Group Thrillers, and gave Deadly Secrets 4 Stars. When The Black Fox: Run for Your Life appeared in my recommendations, I added it to my TBR. Here is my review.
Synopsis (from the author):
Zoe Tampsin is resourceful, smart and Special Forces-trained, but she has been given an impossible mission.
She has to protect scientist, Gavin Shawlens, from assassination by the CIA, and discover the secret trapped in Gavin's mind that the CIA want destroyed.
As the pressure to find Shawlens escalates – the CIA send Zoe's former mentor to track her down and her fate seems sealed when he surrounds Zoe and Gavin with a ring of steel. With each hour that passes, the ring is tightened, and the window for discovering Gavin's secret will shut.
Zoe is faced with a decision that goes against all of her survival instincts. If she is wrong – they both die. If she is right – she will discover the secret and become the next target for assassination.
Run for your life…
What I liked:
As I’ve mentioned in the past, I like thrillers. The Black Fox: Run for Your Life has all the elements for a great thriller. Lots of action, plenty of plot twists, and a large-scale conspiracy blend to make this an excellent read! Zoe is a great character, a believable operative, and her talents are fully on display in the book. Gavin plays a central role as the pair struggle to stay alive and solve the mystery of why the CIA wants him dead. No spoilers from me, so you’ll just have to read this one to find the answers!
What I didn’t like:
I had a couple of complaints about the book. First, Gavin was such a weak persona in this book compared to the first book of the series. Secondly (and admittedly this is personal bias as a former submariner), the submarine parts seemed a bit farfetched.
Overall impression:
The Black Fox: Run for Your Life entertained me from start to finish. With tons of action, good characters, lots of plot twists, and an interesting finish, I enjoyed it. If you like thrillers, try this one!
My rating:
4.5 Stars (round to 5 Stars)
Synopsis (from the author):
Zoe Tampsin is resourceful, smart and Special Forces-trained, but she has been given an impossible mission.
She has to protect scientist, Gavin Shawlens, from assassination by the CIA, and discover the secret trapped in Gavin's mind that the CIA want destroyed.
As the pressure to find Shawlens escalates – the CIA send Zoe's former mentor to track her down and her fate seems sealed when he surrounds Zoe and Gavin with a ring of steel. With each hour that passes, the ring is tightened, and the window for discovering Gavin's secret will shut.
Zoe is faced with a decision that goes against all of her survival instincts. If she is wrong – they both die. If she is right – she will discover the secret and become the next target for assassination.
Run for your life…
What I liked:
As I’ve mentioned in the past, I like thrillers. The Black Fox: Run for Your Life has all the elements for a great thriller. Lots of action, plenty of plot twists, and a large-scale conspiracy blend to make this an excellent read! Zoe is a great character, a believable operative, and her talents are fully on display in the book. Gavin plays a central role as the pair struggle to stay alive and solve the mystery of why the CIA wants him dead. No spoilers from me, so you’ll just have to read this one to find the answers!
What I didn’t like:
I had a couple of complaints about the book. First, Gavin was such a weak persona in this book compared to the first book of the series. Secondly (and admittedly this is personal bias as a former submariner), the submarine parts seemed a bit farfetched.
Overall impression:
The Black Fox: Run for Your Life entertained me from start to finish. With tons of action, good characters, lots of plot twists, and an interesting finish, I enjoyed it. If you like thrillers, try this one!
My rating:
4.5 Stars (round to 5 Stars)
May 26, 2022
Gordon Bickerstaff’s Lambeth Group series has me hooked; more so after having read and thoroughly enjoyed ‘The Black Fox’, the third thriller in the set. Recovering from their prior mission, Special Forces Captain Zoe Tampsin and scientist Gavin Shawlens are hiding in one of Zoe’s safe houses. Zoe receives a worrying call from her superior in MI5, the British Security Service, telling her to go dark. Without knowing why, it appears that the CIA and British Intelligence have joined forces with the one objective of killing Shawlens. Zoe must protect him with her life and use all her ingenuity and training to prevent the scientist from falling into the CIA’s hands. Something big has motivated this, though neither Zoe nor her boss are aware what, and Shawlens cannot recall anything he might know or have done or seen that could warrant the death sentence. The stage is set for one of those books that is destined to steal your nighttime rest in favor of ‘just one more chapter’.
The tight writing style of author Bickerstaff ensures a fast-paced read, yet the tale is populated with memorable characters, fully fleshed out and credible. The story, especially the enormous twist in the last few chapters, which caught me completely by surprise yet was subtly foreshadowed throughout, is solid and highly believable despite what appear to be extreme events. Curiously, part of the final explanation had me reflecting on current events (not saying more to avoid any kind of spoiler).
Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite reads of the year so far, and with more of Gordon Bickerstaff’s novels on my Kindle, I’m assured of some superb reads in the near future. I highly recommend this thriller to anyone who needs their heart rhythms accelerated, their sleeping hours to be irretrievably lost, and their mind shaken with the very real possibility that the author’s tale has touched on a very real scary subject. Do not miss this one!
The tight writing style of author Bickerstaff ensures a fast-paced read, yet the tale is populated with memorable characters, fully fleshed out and credible. The story, especially the enormous twist in the last few chapters, which caught me completely by surprise yet was subtly foreshadowed throughout, is solid and highly believable despite what appear to be extreme events. Curiously, part of the final explanation had me reflecting on current events (not saying more to avoid any kind of spoiler).
Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite reads of the year so far, and with more of Gordon Bickerstaff’s novels on my Kindle, I’m assured of some superb reads in the near future. I highly recommend this thriller to anyone who needs their heart rhythms accelerated, their sleeping hours to be irretrievably lost, and their mind shaken with the very real possibility that the author’s tale has touched on a very real scary subject. Do not miss this one!
February 16, 2019
"The Black Fox: Run For Your Life" by Gordon Bickerstaff is the third of a currently six book Lambeth Group Series featuring the tough, special forces trained agent, Zoe Tampsin. In this novel, Zoe has received the impossible mission of protecting Gavin Shawlens, a scientist who unwittingly holds a sixty-year-old secret that if revealed would unleash a maelstrom of global anger and hostility. The CIA wants him silenced. Zoe must not only protect Shawlens, she also has to go "dark" and thereby become a target from her own organization while trying to discover the scientists' secret. She has one chance, but it's a chance fraught with danger and against her own hard-earned survival instincts. If she's wrong, they die. If she's right, and she discovers the secret, she becomes the new target.
My first opportunity to read a novel in this series by Gordon Bickerstaff was memorable. I can't remember the last time I read a thriller that featured such a fantastic, true to life, female lead. Zoe Tampin…in fact, all the characters, are cleverly portrayed and arrayed within an intriguing plotline that continually provides a new clue or a new twist in the action. Truly an exciting, page-turner, readers will have a difficult time stopping to eat or sleep. Especially near and dear to my reading heart is verisimilitude in all facets of the story. From character development, to weapons, to factual organizations and geography, Bickerstaff keeps a close eye on maintaining a sense of reality that most readers intuitively recognize. "The Black Fox" was my first Bickerstaff novel; it will most assuredly not be my last.
My first opportunity to read a novel in this series by Gordon Bickerstaff was memorable. I can't remember the last time I read a thriller that featured such a fantastic, true to life, female lead. Zoe Tampin…in fact, all the characters, are cleverly portrayed and arrayed within an intriguing plotline that continually provides a new clue or a new twist in the action. Truly an exciting, page-turner, readers will have a difficult time stopping to eat or sleep. Especially near and dear to my reading heart is verisimilitude in all facets of the story. From character development, to weapons, to factual organizations and geography, Bickerstaff keeps a close eye on maintaining a sense of reality that most readers intuitively recognize. "The Black Fox" was my first Bickerstaff novel; it will most assuredly not be my last.
April 18, 2021
This time it's personal. When Zoe receives a directive from Sir Milton Johnson, director of special services, to take Dr. Gavin Shawlens and go dark, she never expects the CIA to come for her with deadly force, let alone her family in jeopardy as well. There is a secret afoot that the Americans don't want the Brits to know and Johnson and Zoe believe Gavin's nightmares are the key. Zoe is deemed a traitor by the U.S. and she and Gavin flee from England to Scotland on a fast-paced deadly chase to jog Gavin's memory and find out why the Americans want them dead.
As a new reader of Gordon Bickerstaff and this series, I was enthralled by Zoe Tampsin's special ops skills, dedication, and determination to save a man who she really doesn't like that much. Gavin is an academic with no clue how to shoot a gun let alone kill anyone, but he follows Zoe's directions to stay alive. Gavin can't fathom what the bad guys think he knows, but as memories start to surface and they get closer to the truth, the more they understand they have to die to keep the secret. Or do they?
I'm a big fan of action, adventure, and espionage and I really liked this book, but as everyone knows, it's best to read this genre from the start of a series. And I believe this is one of those series that I need to go back to the beginning.
If you enjoy action-packed plot twists, complex, badass characters, and a secret that will blow your mind, give this book a try.
Thank you to Mr. Bickerstaff for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
As a new reader of Gordon Bickerstaff and this series, I was enthralled by Zoe Tampsin's special ops skills, dedication, and determination to save a man who she really doesn't like that much. Gavin is an academic with no clue how to shoot a gun let alone kill anyone, but he follows Zoe's directions to stay alive. Gavin can't fathom what the bad guys think he knows, but as memories start to surface and they get closer to the truth, the more they understand they have to die to keep the secret. Or do they?
I'm a big fan of action, adventure, and espionage and I really liked this book, but as everyone knows, it's best to read this genre from the start of a series. And I believe this is one of those series that I need to go back to the beginning.
If you enjoy action-packed plot twists, complex, badass characters, and a secret that will blow your mind, give this book a try.
Thank you to Mr. Bickerstaff for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
April 16, 2021
My thanks to Emma of Dampppebbles Blog tours for the opportunity to take part in the blog tour of this book. I gave this a 4 stars or 8/10.
This is the third in the Lambeth Group thriller series featuring Zoe Tampsin a female agent and Gavin Shawlens a scientist. I have read and previously enjoyed the first two in the series, Deadly Secrets and Everything to Lose. I have also read others in the series and actually read some of the later stories before reading these. That has in no way marred my enjoyment of them at all as they can be read as standalone reads. Whilst it makes sense to read a book series in order, they can easily be read out of order, but why would you do that intentionally?
In The Black Fox, Zoe Tampsin is as always at the heart of all the action. In this instalment of the Lambeth Group Thriller series, she is tasked with protecting Gavin Shawlens a scientist, who the CIA are after. It is the intention of the CIA to try and assassinate Gavin, due to something that has happened in the past and is hidden in the recesses of his mind! As the story progresses, Gavin begins to have flashbacks of what has happened in the past, can all be revealed and if it is what consequences will it have for him and those around him?
I am really enjoying this series and enjoy my time spent among the pages of each story as it progresses. Zoe is quite a determined agent and her heart is always in the right place, as she goes by in her day to day work. She knows right from wrong and does her best to maintain that principle. I really enjoy the interaction between her and Gavin.
Gordon Bickerstaff draws you into the world of the Lambeth Group. He has created a female character that would sit well among the pages of an Ian Fleming book.
Can the CIA get to him and prevent things being revealed or is Zoe and her team successful at keeping him below the radar and out of danger? To answer this, you will need to grab a copy for yourself, settle yourself somewhere comfy with a brew and allow yourself to be sucked into the world of Zoe and her accomplices as they try to keep one step ahead of the CIA.
This is the third in the Lambeth Group thriller series featuring Zoe Tampsin a female agent and Gavin Shawlens a scientist. I have read and previously enjoyed the first two in the series, Deadly Secrets and Everything to Lose. I have also read others in the series and actually read some of the later stories before reading these. That has in no way marred my enjoyment of them at all as they can be read as standalone reads. Whilst it makes sense to read a book series in order, they can easily be read out of order, but why would you do that intentionally?
In The Black Fox, Zoe Tampsin is as always at the heart of all the action. In this instalment of the Lambeth Group Thriller series, she is tasked with protecting Gavin Shawlens a scientist, who the CIA are after. It is the intention of the CIA to try and assassinate Gavin, due to something that has happened in the past and is hidden in the recesses of his mind! As the story progresses, Gavin begins to have flashbacks of what has happened in the past, can all be revealed and if it is what consequences will it have for him and those around him?
I am really enjoying this series and enjoy my time spent among the pages of each story as it progresses. Zoe is quite a determined agent and her heart is always in the right place, as she goes by in her day to day work. She knows right from wrong and does her best to maintain that principle. I really enjoy the interaction between her and Gavin.
Gordon Bickerstaff draws you into the world of the Lambeth Group. He has created a female character that would sit well among the pages of an Ian Fleming book.
Can the CIA get to him and prevent things being revealed or is Zoe and her team successful at keeping him below the radar and out of danger? To answer this, you will need to grab a copy for yourself, settle yourself somewhere comfy with a brew and allow yourself to be sucked into the world of Zoe and her accomplices as they try to keep one step ahead of the CIA.
September 4, 2019
The ‘Black Fox’, is the first thriller I have read by Gordon Bickerstaff and it won’t be the last. I found it entirely convincing, embracing intrigues and conspiracies at the highest possible government level, involving both MI5 and the CIA with unforeseen consequences.
After completing her latest assignment, Zoe Tampsin, a highly resourceful British agent is ordered to go into hiding to protect her colleague Dr. Gavin Shawlens from being handed over to the US to extract vital information that is thought would put the US itself at risk.
The problem is that Shawlens has no idea what he is supposed to know that makes him such a high priority and after exchange talks fail, Zoe is left with the impossible task of finding out what it is whilst protecting him at all costs from a mounting US manhunt with orders to shoot on sight. To make matters worse, although brilliant at armed and unarmed combat, she is faced with the prospect of only having six bullets in her pistol, leaving her totally unprepared for any action in an emergency.
As the net tightens around her Zoe, with the help of her brother Michael and old wartime contacts, uses all her powers of concentration in finding ways to elude capture in a roller coaster dramatic chase that will have you hanging on to your seats until the last page.
After completing her latest assignment, Zoe Tampsin, a highly resourceful British agent is ordered to go into hiding to protect her colleague Dr. Gavin Shawlens from being handed over to the US to extract vital information that is thought would put the US itself at risk.
The problem is that Shawlens has no idea what he is supposed to know that makes him such a high priority and after exchange talks fail, Zoe is left with the impossible task of finding out what it is whilst protecting him at all costs from a mounting US manhunt with orders to shoot on sight. To make matters worse, although brilliant at armed and unarmed combat, she is faced with the prospect of only having six bullets in her pistol, leaving her totally unprepared for any action in an emergency.
As the net tightens around her Zoe, with the help of her brother Michael and old wartime contacts, uses all her powers of concentration in finding ways to elude capture in a roller coaster dramatic chase that will have you hanging on to your seats until the last page.
July 25, 2020
Wow. What a rollercoaster ride this author takes readers on. Zoe Tampsin is a British agent who is told by her boss to go dark with her team member, Galvin, who supposedly has a secret that will devastate the United States. He has no idea of what it may be, but reoccurring dreams are beginning to shed some light. While Zoe pulls in some friends that she trusts, they all continue to run for their lives. So many times, I've thought that it was all over for them when it seems by some miracle they manage to evade the trap. There are many twists and turns along the way, but author, Gordon Bickerstaff managed to bring it all together with a satisfying finish.
This is the first book I've read by this author and because it is written in the British language, I found, at times, to be confused as to what I just read. Some of the words used in the story were new to me and I eventually figured them out., but It also seemed that added or missing words were included frequently in sentences. However, I soon let that go and just figured it to be the norm when writing from the British POV.
I did enjoy the book immensely and recommend it to anyone enjoying a great action story with a highly skilled and tough female protagonist. I was aware that this is book 3 of a series but found it did well as a stand-alone. Well done Mr. Bickerstaff!
This is the first book I've read by this author and because it is written in the British language, I found, at times, to be confused as to what I just read. Some of the words used in the story were new to me and I eventually figured them out., but It also seemed that added or missing words were included frequently in sentences. However, I soon let that go and just figured it to be the norm when writing from the British POV.
I did enjoy the book immensely and recommend it to anyone enjoying a great action story with a highly skilled and tough female protagonist. I was aware that this is book 3 of a series but found it did well as a stand-alone. Well done Mr. Bickerstaff!
November 23, 2017
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This was the second book that I have read by this author and I have to say they have both been excellent! I do love a good thriller and this is definitely up there with some of the best I have read this year, whilst it features the characters from the other books in the Lambeth Group series I feel that it is fine to be read as a stand alone.
Zoe is a great character and I love her strength and attitude. The plot was really well thought through and very detailed to make the book a gritty thriller with a superb pace. I thought it was an excellent page turner and I thoroughly enjoyed it - from the books I have read this really is a superb series so far!
I have given the book 5 stars and it is one I really would recommend to fans of this genre, lots of twists and turns, suspense and thrills - I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it!!
This was the second book that I have read by this author and I have to say they have both been excellent! I do love a good thriller and this is definitely up there with some of the best I have read this year, whilst it features the characters from the other books in the Lambeth Group series I feel that it is fine to be read as a stand alone.
Zoe is a great character and I love her strength and attitude. The plot was really well thought through and very detailed to make the book a gritty thriller with a superb pace. I thought it was an excellent page turner and I thoroughly enjoyed it - from the books I have read this really is a superb series so far!
I have given the book 5 stars and it is one I really would recommend to fans of this genre, lots of twists and turns, suspense and thrills - I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it!!
March 30, 2021
This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I want to give myself a stern talking to for not reading any of his books sooner. This is a crazy action-packed, conspiracy fuelled thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish.
The main lead for this story is Zoe, she is one tough cookie and knows how to handle herself in a fight. She is a clever main character who has a whole load of skills, and I am sure that there are some that I have yet to discover with other books. Her brief is to kidnap Gavin, a scientist, who has been under her watch and disappear.
What starts off as a storyline that had a simple beginning the author then jets off into a full-blown chase to the death, that involves the US and its various agencies and departments on British soil. Dodging, ducking and diving traps and lures to discover why on earth the US are willing to risk everything to get their hands on this scientist.
This is one for those, who like me, love a bit of conspiracy, a dash of espionage and a sprinkle of double-crossing within governmental agencies. I was very surprised that when I started to write this review I looked at the page count, 330 of them and the amount of detail that is included is astonishing. There are so many double-crosses, twists, foiled plans and side steps I have to take my hat off to the author for keeping track of everything and still creating a story that has a fabulous flow.
The characters are superb, Zoe as I have mentioned is a one-woman wonder. Comes across as being tough as nails but does has a slight softness to her. Gavin is a nerdy guy, but he has problems with his memory and this adds another dimension to his story. There are additional characters as you would expect, but I will let you meet them yourself.
This is a book that would appeal to those who like fast-paced, action and adventure stories that involve a superbly worked plot and has full-on chases and explosive scenes. I adored this from start to finish and I would definitely recommend it.
The main lead for this story is Zoe, she is one tough cookie and knows how to handle herself in a fight. She is a clever main character who has a whole load of skills, and I am sure that there are some that I have yet to discover with other books. Her brief is to kidnap Gavin, a scientist, who has been under her watch and disappear.
What starts off as a storyline that had a simple beginning the author then jets off into a full-blown chase to the death, that involves the US and its various agencies and departments on British soil. Dodging, ducking and diving traps and lures to discover why on earth the US are willing to risk everything to get their hands on this scientist.
This is one for those, who like me, love a bit of conspiracy, a dash of espionage and a sprinkle of double-crossing within governmental agencies. I was very surprised that when I started to write this review I looked at the page count, 330 of them and the amount of detail that is included is astonishing. There are so many double-crosses, twists, foiled plans and side steps I have to take my hat off to the author for keeping track of everything and still creating a story that has a fabulous flow.
The characters are superb, Zoe as I have mentioned is a one-woman wonder. Comes across as being tough as nails but does has a slight softness to her. Gavin is a nerdy guy, but he has problems with his memory and this adds another dimension to his story. There are additional characters as you would expect, but I will let you meet them yourself.
This is a book that would appeal to those who like fast-paced, action and adventure stories that involve a superbly worked plot and has full-on chases and explosive scenes. I adored this from start to finish and I would definitely recommend it.
April 15, 2021
THE BLACK FOX is #3 in the Lambeth Group series by Gordon Bickerstaff and it is a belter.
Here, Zoe (Black Fox) has been tasked with taking Dr Gavin Shawlens into hiding to keep him safe from the CIA. What does Dr Shawlens know that is worth causing an international incident over?
What can I say? This is an action packed, tense thriller that has you utterly gripped from start to suspense filled end. Full of sharp twists and complex characters that makes this a true page turner. (It would make a perfect movie). A truly memorable thriller. I love this series and it’s perfect for anyone who loves a clever thriller.
Thank you to Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to be part of this blog tour, for the promotional material and an eARC of The Black Fox.
Here, Zoe (Black Fox) has been tasked with taking Dr Gavin Shawlens into hiding to keep him safe from the CIA. What does Dr Shawlens know that is worth causing an international incident over?
What can I say? This is an action packed, tense thriller that has you utterly gripped from start to suspense filled end. Full of sharp twists and complex characters that makes this a true page turner. (It would make a perfect movie). A truly memorable thriller. I love this series and it’s perfect for anyone who loves a clever thriller.
Thank you to Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to be part of this blog tour, for the promotional material and an eARC of The Black Fox.
May 3, 2019
Protagonist Zoe has been assigned a mission impossible: to go into hiding with Dr. Gavin Shawlens who is considered a national security threat by the U.S. Not only is the CIA after him but the British government wants him handed over. But first the British want to discover what Shawlens knows about a billion dollar event. From all this it’s clear that there is no lack of conflict (storyline tension) to move the plot along, which it certainly does move at a rapid action-packed pace. The characters are well-cast with the attractive, strong Zoe Tampsin cleverly running a collision course to protect Shawlens. The plot held my attention right down to the satisfying ending. No spoilers here. Suffice it to say that Bickerstaff knows how to spin a great and suspenseful read.
July 29, 2019
When friends fall out anything can happen – misunderstandings – anger – fear – a desire for revenge or self-protection. The “special relationship” between America and Britain is in danger of collapse with catastrophic results, and one man holds the key. Zoe Tampsin, The Black Fox, has him in her care, but what is the secret he’s forgotten, and can she keep him alive until his memory returns? Swinging from one end of the UK to another, and with USA settings at presidential level, this a political thriller with a story so convincing it’s frightening.
October 9, 2019
Highly recommend to fans of spy thrillers.
I thought this story took a while to get going and I couldn't fathom why America would be prepared to go to such lengths to kill Dr. Shawlens. But once the story gets going and it is revealed how much is at risk and why it turns into a cracking good read.
I love how the author puts his characters in seemingly impossible situations and makes the adversaries dangerous and capable of outwitting the good guys. I also read these books wondering if it all might be going on behind the scenes for real.
Very enjoyable read.
I thought this story took a while to get going and I couldn't fathom why America would be prepared to go to such lengths to kill Dr. Shawlens. But once the story gets going and it is revealed how much is at risk and why it turns into a cracking good read.
I love how the author puts his characters in seemingly impossible situations and makes the adversaries dangerous and capable of outwitting the good guys. I also read these books wondering if it all might be going on behind the scenes for real.
Very enjoyable read.
August 6, 2020
I enjoyed Zoe's character- her strength, intelligence, and loyalty. The race to figure out what lurked in Gavin's subconscious thrilled. The many twists and the difference between what he thought was happening and what was genuinely happening surprised me. His character seemed a little weak and, at times, annoying, but his wits prevailed in the end, and he was redeemed. The action and battle of strategic forces entertained.
May 13, 2019
Oh, my! Make sure to have plenty of time to finish this one if you need to sleep. Had an appointment and read until the last second when I had to leave. Rushed back to finish it. It is a wild ride for sure. And my favorite sea monster is involved. This ties up all the lose ends and finished the series with a bang. Wow. Great job.
November 16, 2017
Zoe is one awesome woman! She is really a one-woman force of nature. I love her. I also really enjoyed Gavin, who played very well with her. Gavin and Zoe are such fascinating characters, complex, yet relatable. While they are the main focus there are loads of well fleshed characters in this story. Since I started with this book, reading out of order, I really appreciated the way the author explained who was who as we met them in the story.
The plot was intricately woven, with several unexpected reveals. I liked the intelligent story that gave me a lot to think about as it wet along. I enjoyed the pace, deliberate in places, and intensely thrilling in others.
If you are looking for an intelligent action-packed thriller, I highly recommend this, and will be reading more in this series.
The plot was intricately woven, with several unexpected reveals. I liked the intelligent story that gave me a lot to think about as it wet along. I enjoyed the pace, deliberate in places, and intensely thrilling in others.
If you are looking for an intelligent action-packed thriller, I highly recommend this, and will be reading more in this series.
January 15, 2019
This book kept me hooked from the very beginning. That is high praise considering I haven't read the previous 2 books in the Gavin Shawlens series. It is a real art to continue a series whilst also ensuring the story works as a stand alone. Gordon Bickerstaff nails this aspect of series writing.
The relationships, plot and speed of the story work really well together to make an interesting whole. The conspiracy and mystery also keeps the pages turning.
I'm not going to say more about the plot, because I really enjoyed it coming at me as a surprise (perhaps not so much if you have read the rest of the series...)
Recommended for anyone who loves this genre. Although I'm sure it makes sense to start at book one... I will be unorthodox and read them the other way around!
The relationships, plot and speed of the story work really well together to make an interesting whole. The conspiracy and mystery also keeps the pages turning.
I'm not going to say more about the plot, because I really enjoyed it coming at me as a surprise (perhaps not so much if you have read the rest of the series...)
Recommended for anyone who loves this genre. Although I'm sure it makes sense to start at book one... I will be unorthodox and read them the other way around!
April 19, 2021
'Black Fox'by Gordon Bickerstaff is the third book in the Gavin Shawlins series and the first time I have read any of this series. Packed full of conspiries and intrigue I was what you could call 'blown away' with it all. I really wish I had read the first two books! Now I need to go and get them, typical for me.
Zoe Tampsin, a British agent, after finishing her current assignment is ordered to go into hiding with a colleague Dr Gavin Shawlins. Her job is to protect him from being handed to the U.S so they can get the information he holds in his head out. This information is thought to be enough to put the U.S itself in danger. Shawlins has no clue what this information is to make him such a prize. The failure of exchange talks results in Zoe having the impossible task of discovering what information Shawlins holds that is important enough for the U.S to order a manhunt with a shoot to kill on sight for him. As the situation grows darker as the minutes tick by we see Zoe doing everything in her power to ensure her assignment is carried out.
No lack of action and drama in this suspenseful book, one that has conspiracies high within the government that involve the CIA and MI5 also. We see Zoe encountering the fight of her life to keep Shawlins safe. She is a highly resourceful agent but even they struggle sometimes. She has a monumental task ahead of her and she has to make a decision that goes against everything her survival instincts tell her. Two strong, believable and interesting characters and a plot that just keeps giving, kept the pages turning for me. A story that Gordon Bickerstaff has woven together skilfully. Bringing twist, turns,suspense and intrigue throughout. I really was on the edge of my seat towards the end with a chase from England to Scotland with British and U.S agents on their tails. I could recommend this for anyone with a decent blood pressure due to the hair raising events throughout the story.
Thanks to Emma at Damp Pebbles Blog Tours and Gordon Bickerstaff for the copy of the book and my place in this tour, It had been a honour.
Zoe Tampsin, a British agent, after finishing her current assignment is ordered to go into hiding with a colleague Dr Gavin Shawlins. Her job is to protect him from being handed to the U.S so they can get the information he holds in his head out. This information is thought to be enough to put the U.S itself in danger. Shawlins has no clue what this information is to make him such a prize. The failure of exchange talks results in Zoe having the impossible task of discovering what information Shawlins holds that is important enough for the U.S to order a manhunt with a shoot to kill on sight for him. As the situation grows darker as the minutes tick by we see Zoe doing everything in her power to ensure her assignment is carried out.
No lack of action and drama in this suspenseful book, one that has conspiracies high within the government that involve the CIA and MI5 also. We see Zoe encountering the fight of her life to keep Shawlins safe. She is a highly resourceful agent but even they struggle sometimes. She has a monumental task ahead of her and she has to make a decision that goes against everything her survival instincts tell her. Two strong, believable and interesting characters and a plot that just keeps giving, kept the pages turning for me. A story that Gordon Bickerstaff has woven together skilfully. Bringing twist, turns,suspense and intrigue throughout. I really was on the edge of my seat towards the end with a chase from England to Scotland with British and U.S agents on their tails. I could recommend this for anyone with a decent blood pressure due to the hair raising events throughout the story.
Thanks to Emma at Damp Pebbles Blog Tours and Gordon Bickerstaff for the copy of the book and my place in this tour, It had been a honour.
November 1, 2017
I love espionage, CIA stories and action packed plots, but usually in movie form. That means
I don't read enough of them. Gordon Bickerstaff's books could easily one day show up on the big screen. Zoe might be one of my favourite leads of the year!
I'm not giving away any spoilers - you'll want to find them all out for yourself. I will say this is a 5 star read.
I don't read enough of them. Gordon Bickerstaff's books could easily one day show up on the big screen. Zoe might be one of my favourite leads of the year!
I'm not giving away any spoilers - you'll want to find them all out for yourself. I will say this is a 5 star read.
March 31, 2021
This book is quite a departure from the kind of books I usually read. It certainly keeps you motivated to read the next chapter and the next. There is a lot of action in the story and a lot of outwitting of ‘the enemy’, the enemy being the CIA – the US president no less, wants Gavin Shawlens dead.
What can a lowly laboratory scientist possibly have knowledge of that would spook the US President to such an extent that he must have him killed, no matter how the deed is done. Gavin himself certainly has absolutely no idea. He suffers nightmares and bad dreams, could that give some clues?
Originally the US had agreed to pay large sums to the UK Government in exchange for handing Shawlens over, no questions asked. I thought that was pretty believable, the UK would be willing to sell its own metaphorical grandmother if the price was right. However Sir Milton Johnson head of Security Services was not so easily bought. He knew that whatever knowledge Gavin Shawlens was believed to have, it must be something of great interest for the kind of money the US were prepared to pay and he wanted to know what it was.
Hence he secretly recruits Zoe Tampsin, having a strong military background and working for the British Security Service, she is known as The Black Fox. Her mission – to keep Shawlens hidden away from both the CIA and UK authorities until they can find out what secrets he unwittingly holds.
All of this takes the reader on a cat and mouse chase with Zoe always one step ahead with an arsenal of tricks up her sleeve to outwit the pursuers. The story culminates in Scotland in the unlikeliest of places with a tense and thrilling ending.
It’s an action packed book with many twists and turns along the way where absolutely no one can be trusted.
What can a lowly laboratory scientist possibly have knowledge of that would spook the US President to such an extent that he must have him killed, no matter how the deed is done. Gavin himself certainly has absolutely no idea. He suffers nightmares and bad dreams, could that give some clues?
Originally the US had agreed to pay large sums to the UK Government in exchange for handing Shawlens over, no questions asked. I thought that was pretty believable, the UK would be willing to sell its own metaphorical grandmother if the price was right. However Sir Milton Johnson head of Security Services was not so easily bought. He knew that whatever knowledge Gavin Shawlens was believed to have, it must be something of great interest for the kind of money the US were prepared to pay and he wanted to know what it was.
Hence he secretly recruits Zoe Tampsin, having a strong military background and working for the British Security Service, she is known as The Black Fox. Her mission – to keep Shawlens hidden away from both the CIA and UK authorities until they can find out what secrets he unwittingly holds.
All of this takes the reader on a cat and mouse chase with Zoe always one step ahead with an arsenal of tricks up her sleeve to outwit the pursuers. The story culminates in Scotland in the unlikeliest of places with a tense and thrilling ending.
It’s an action packed book with many twists and turns along the way where absolutely no one can be trusted.
October 21, 2016
I'm continuing my indulgence of reading novels by self published authors, looking for the good ones. This is another new genre for me. I don't usually read espionage and national security or CIA books, but I love this cover. That's why I bought the book. The Black Fox opens with thrilling action and mystery just the way I like my novels. The action continues throughout the book. Could you hold a gun to a Conrad's head and pull the trigger to save your child? I was on the edge of my seat with this one. This is just one scene that kept me reading.
There are many characters to keep up with as well as places between the US and the UK. They are all well formed. I must admit that Zoe is my favorite. She's smart, strong, brave, resourceful, and won't give up. She's been betrayed and left on her own without the much needed weapons, but that doesn't slow her down. Not even being saddled with Gavin who has memory blocks coming to life in haunting nightmares is blocking her progress to the truth.
It's all here; hostages, bombs, lies, twists and turns and even the Lock Ness Monster.
Brigitta
There are many characters to keep up with as well as places between the US and the UK. They are all well formed. I must admit that Zoe is my favorite. She's smart, strong, brave, resourceful, and won't give up. She's been betrayed and left on her own without the much needed weapons, but that doesn't slow her down. Not even being saddled with Gavin who has memory blocks coming to life in haunting nightmares is blocking her progress to the truth.
It's all here; hostages, bombs, lies, twists and turns and even the Lock Ness Monster.
Brigitta
August 25, 2017
Gavin Shawlins is on the run, only he doesn't know it. Following their last mission for the Lambeth Group someone realised he knew something important, something that could put the US itself at risk. Zoe Tampsin, on the order of her superior, takes him and goes dark. In exchange for Gavin the US have offered The UK billions in upgrades, a manhunt of epic proportions is about to begin, no quarter will be shown, no stone unturned. Zoe swears to protect him at all costs, attempting to tease a secret, that even he doesn't realise he knows, from him. Time is running out.
I really enjoy reading Gordon Bickerstaff 's books. He weaves excellent tales of secrets and conspiracies, all enhanced by vivid characters. It is rare for me to say that something would work well on the big screen, as either a series or movies, but these books would. They are dark, interesting, believable, and could easy be transferred into a gripping film. I certainly had a hard time putting this book down. If you want to lose yourself in a thrilling, action packed, conspiracy, espionage, then this is certainly a read you'll enjoy.
I really enjoy reading Gordon Bickerstaff 's books. He weaves excellent tales of secrets and conspiracies, all enhanced by vivid characters. It is rare for me to say that something would work well on the big screen, as either a series or movies, but these books would. They are dark, interesting, believable, and could easy be transferred into a gripping film. I certainly had a hard time putting this book down. If you want to lose yourself in a thrilling, action packed, conspiracy, espionage, then this is certainly a read you'll enjoy.
December 7, 2019
A Compelling Conspiracy Thriller
The Black Fox: Run for Your Life is the third book in the series, but it's the first one I've read. The tension ramps up almost immediately and doesn't let up until the end. Zoe Tampsin is a heroine in every sense. She is always the most skilled and the smartest person in the room, which is what you want in a heroic protagonist. The mystery of Gavin Shawlens' lost memory remains a mystery until very late in the book, and when it's all revealed it's definitely something you won't see coming.
The Black Fox is the kind of novel that you find yourself sneaking opportunities to read "just another chapter" whenever you can get away with it. Bickerstaff's complicated plot holds you tightly all the way through. The CIA and American military don't come off well here, but the British authorities don't fare much better. All of them play the villain in this complex thriller. That seems about right to me. Finally, Zoe Tampsin is such a compelling character, I'll be seeking out more of her adventures.
The Black Fox: Run for Your Life is the third book in the series, but it's the first one I've read. The tension ramps up almost immediately and doesn't let up until the end. Zoe Tampsin is a heroine in every sense. She is always the most skilled and the smartest person in the room, which is what you want in a heroic protagonist. The mystery of Gavin Shawlens' lost memory remains a mystery until very late in the book, and when it's all revealed it's definitely something you won't see coming.
The Black Fox is the kind of novel that you find yourself sneaking opportunities to read "just another chapter" whenever you can get away with it. Bickerstaff's complicated plot holds you tightly all the way through. The CIA and American military don't come off well here, but the British authorities don't fare much better. All of them play the villain in this complex thriller. That seems about right to me. Finally, Zoe Tampsin is such a compelling character, I'll be seeking out more of her adventures.
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