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Street Soldier #2
Silent Weapon
The second instalment in Andy McNab's Street Solder Series.
HOW DO YOU FIGHT AN INVISIBLE ENEMY?
A high-speed chase through the backstreets of Lagos and an unexpected bomb explosion in the jungle – it’s all in a day’s work for soldier Sean Harker.
Looking forward to a well-earned break back home, Sean and his platoon fly back to the UK, only to find themselves fighting their way out of an airport hostage situation, and the country on high terrorist alert.
Barely escaping with his life, Sean must now embark on a dangerous mission: to locate a deadly weapon, capable of destruction on a massive scale
. . . a weapon no one will see coming.
HOW DO YOU FIGHT AN INVISIBLE ENEMY?
A high-speed chase through the backstreets of Lagos and an unexpected bomb explosion in the jungle – it’s all in a day’s work for soldier Sean Harker.
Looking forward to a well-earned break back home, Sean and his platoon fly back to the UK, only to find themselves fighting their way out of an airport hostage situation, and the country on high terrorist alert.
Barely escaping with his life, Sean must now embark on a dangerous mission: to locate a deadly weapon, capable of destruction on a massive scale
. . . a weapon no one will see coming.
334 pages, Hardcover
Published August 10, 2017
32 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Andy McNab
205 books1,171 followersAndy McNab joined the infantry in 1976 as a boy soldier. In 1984 he was badged as a member of 22 SAS Regiment. He served in B Squadron 22 SAS for ten years and worked on both covert and overt special operations worldwide, including anti-terrorist and anti-drug operations in the Middle and Far East, South and Central America and Northern Ireland.
Trained as a specialist in counter terrorism, prime target elimination, demolitions, weapons and tactics, covert surveillance and information gathering in hostile environments, and VIP protection, McNab worked on cooperative operations with police forces, prison services, anti-drug forces and western backed guerrilla movements as well as on conventional special operations. In Northern Ireland he spent two years working as an undercover operator with 14th Intelligence Group, going on to become an instructor.
McNab also worked as an instructor on the SAS selection and training team and instructed foreign special forces in counter terrorism, hostage rescue and survival training.
Andy McNab has written about his experiences in the SAS in two bestselling books, Bravo Two Zero (1993) and Immediate Action (1995). Bravo Two Zero is the highest selling war book of all time and has sold over 1.7 million copies in the UK. To date it has been published in 17 countries and translated into 16 languages. The CD spoken word version of Bravo Two Zero, narrated by McNab, sold over 60,000 copies and earned a silver disc. The BBC's film of Bravo Two Zero, starring Sean Bean, was shown on primetime BBC 1 television in 1999 and released on DVD in 2000.
Immediate Action, McNab's autobiography, spent 18 weeks at the top of the bestseller lists following the lifting on an ex-parte injunction granted to the Ministry of Defence in September 1995. To date, Immediate Action has now sold over 1.4 million copies in the UK.
McNab is the author of seven fast action thrillers, highly acclaimed for their authenticity and all Sunday Times bestsellers. Published in 1997, Remote Control was hailed as the most authentic thriller ever written and has sold over half a million copies in the UK. McNab's subsequent thrillers, Crisis Four, Firewall, Last Light , Liberation Day , Dark Winter , Deep Black and Aggressor have all gone on to sell equally well. The central character in all the books is Nick Stone, a tough ex-SAS operative working as a 'K' on deniable operations for British Intelligence.
McNab's fiction draws extensively on his experiences and knowledge of Special Forces soldiering. He has been officially registered by Neilsen Bookscan as the bestselling British thriller writer of the last year.
Trained as a specialist in counter terrorism, prime target elimination, demolitions, weapons and tactics, covert surveillance and information gathering in hostile environments, and VIP protection, McNab worked on cooperative operations with police forces, prison services, anti-drug forces and western backed guerrilla movements as well as on conventional special operations. In Northern Ireland he spent two years working as an undercover operator with 14th Intelligence Group, going on to become an instructor.
McNab also worked as an instructor on the SAS selection and training team and instructed foreign special forces in counter terrorism, hostage rescue and survival training.
Andy McNab has written about his experiences in the SAS in two bestselling books, Bravo Two Zero (1993) and Immediate Action (1995). Bravo Two Zero is the highest selling war book of all time and has sold over 1.7 million copies in the UK. To date it has been published in 17 countries and translated into 16 languages. The CD spoken word version of Bravo Two Zero, narrated by McNab, sold over 60,000 copies and earned a silver disc. The BBC's film of Bravo Two Zero, starring Sean Bean, was shown on primetime BBC 1 television in 1999 and released on DVD in 2000.
Immediate Action, McNab's autobiography, spent 18 weeks at the top of the bestseller lists following the lifting on an ex-parte injunction granted to the Ministry of Defence in September 1995. To date, Immediate Action has now sold over 1.4 million copies in the UK.
McNab is the author of seven fast action thrillers, highly acclaimed for their authenticity and all Sunday Times bestsellers. Published in 1997, Remote Control was hailed as the most authentic thriller ever written and has sold over half a million copies in the UK. McNab's subsequent thrillers, Crisis Four, Firewall, Last Light , Liberation Day , Dark Winter , Deep Black and Aggressor have all gone on to sell equally well. The central character in all the books is Nick Stone, a tough ex-SAS operative working as a 'K' on deniable operations for British Intelligence.
McNab's fiction draws extensively on his experiences and knowledge of Special Forces soldiering. He has been officially registered by Neilsen Bookscan as the bestselling British thriller writer of the last year.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 28, 2017
As previously mentioned in my review of Street Soldier (the prequel to this book) I won this book and the prequel in a Goodreads giveaway so thank you to the publishers for sending me a copy of these books.
I enjoyed this book more than it's prequel - perhaps because as Sean has matured after a year or so of military training, the nature of the book has matured too. Although I am nowhere near saying that I didn't enjoy the other book, I just engaged more with the plot from the beginning of this book.
Fast paced plot, with a central narrative, again, that I find interesting and want to keep reading to see what happens next. This time, Sean has to work to stop the most silent, and perhaps most destructive, of weapons.
I hope there's a sequel. I enjoy Andy McNab's ability to draw the reader in without patronising those with little, to no, military knowledge. I'd highly recommend this series. I'll be checking out his other work too.
I enjoyed this book more than it's prequel - perhaps because as Sean has matured after a year or so of military training, the nature of the book has matured too. Although I am nowhere near saying that I didn't enjoy the other book, I just engaged more with the plot from the beginning of this book.
Fast paced plot, with a central narrative, again, that I find interesting and want to keep reading to see what happens next. This time, Sean has to work to stop the most silent, and perhaps most destructive, of weapons.
I hope there's a sequel. I enjoy Andy McNab's ability to draw the reader in without patronising those with little, to no, military knowledge. I'd highly recommend this series. I'll be checking out his other work too.
August 10, 2017
Silent weapon by andy mcnab.
HOW DO YOU FIGHT AN INVISIBLE ENEMY?
A high-speed chase through the backstreets of Lagos and an unexpected bomb explosion in the jungle – it’s all in a day’s work for soldier Sean Harker.
Looking forward to a well-earned break back home, Sean and his platoon fly back to the UK, only to find themselves fighting their way out of an airport hostage situation, and the country on high terrorist alert.
Barely escaping with his life, Sean must now embark on a dangerous mission: to locate a deadly weapon, capable of destruction on a massive scale
. . . a weapon no one will see coming.
A really enjoyable read with great characters. Lots of action too. Could see this as a movie. Sean was my favourite character. Can't wait for next part. 5*.
Netgalley and penguin random house UK children's.
HOW DO YOU FIGHT AN INVISIBLE ENEMY?
A high-speed chase through the backstreets of Lagos and an unexpected bomb explosion in the jungle – it’s all in a day’s work for soldier Sean Harker.
Looking forward to a well-earned break back home, Sean and his platoon fly back to the UK, only to find themselves fighting their way out of an airport hostage situation, and the country on high terrorist alert.
Barely escaping with his life, Sean must now embark on a dangerous mission: to locate a deadly weapon, capable of destruction on a massive scale
. . . a weapon no one will see coming.
A really enjoyable read with great characters. Lots of action too. Could see this as a movie. Sean was my favourite character. Can't wait for next part. 5*.
Netgalley and penguin random house UK children's.
July 29, 2017
I really enjoyed this though it is aimed at older teens (which like the first book lost it a star for the amount of bad language) reading as an adult the storyline was fast paced and engaging with twists and turns along the way it was nice to see a terrorist storyline that wasn't full of Arabic names and Muslim baddies.
September 18, 2018
The loud violence of war goes silent in this novel that looks at current more deadly weapons.
Wolston and his section of Fusiliers leave war-torn Nigeria in a civilian aircraft to go back home for leave. An incident during the flight leaves Wolston with a decision to make sure his entire team are grouped closely together, to deal with what he believes is an unknown situation. The flight has been diverted to a small airport south of Heathrow because of a security alert at Heathrow. Upon landing the section are informed that their leave is cancelled.
The diversion to another airport landed them in a situation which unfolded in slow motion for Wolston, Sean and the team. They were ambushed by men in black with weapons. Wolston and Sean’s army training and instincts kicked in, they just couldn’t lie down and let the enemy take control. The whole team realised they had to move fast. For a moment Wolston was frozen in fear, however in seconds he took back control and whispered orders to his section. Their attempt to subdue the men in black failed. Although the section halted any civilian deaths the three masked men got away in the mayhem.
This was only a diversion though to enable the real war to take place which is a more deadly and silent war. Wolston and his team continue the search for the men in black.
Read the book to find out who these men/women were and what their goal was because this is the threat humanity is facing in the world today.
Surprising build-up of the plot, I found that excellent.
BonnieK
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Wolston and his section of Fusiliers leave war-torn Nigeria in a civilian aircraft to go back home for leave. An incident during the flight leaves Wolston with a decision to make sure his entire team are grouped closely together, to deal with what he believes is an unknown situation. The flight has been diverted to a small airport south of Heathrow because of a security alert at Heathrow. Upon landing the section are informed that their leave is cancelled.
The diversion to another airport landed them in a situation which unfolded in slow motion for Wolston, Sean and the team. They were ambushed by men in black with weapons. Wolston and Sean’s army training and instincts kicked in, they just couldn’t lie down and let the enemy take control. The whole team realised they had to move fast. For a moment Wolston was frozen in fear, however in seconds he took back control and whispered orders to his section. Their attempt to subdue the men in black failed. Although the section halted any civilian deaths the three masked men got away in the mayhem.
This was only a diversion though to enable the real war to take place which is a more deadly and silent war. Wolston and his team continue the search for the men in black.
Read the book to find out who these men/women were and what their goal was because this is the threat humanity is facing in the world today.
Surprising build-up of the plot, I found that excellent.
BonnieK
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
August 12, 2017
In Street Soldier, Sean was a delinquent from a poor background. He was part of a street gang, until he was given a break which changed his life. Although, this can be read as a standalone, the first installment gives a good grasp of how Sean comes to be where he is now.
Six months of training and fighting against the insurgents in Nigeria is coming to its end. Sean and his unit have only hours to go, before returning to England. They are looking forward to a well earned break in Spain.
Despite, the severity of the threats, this story starts on a fairly lighthearted note. Sean and his best friend Bright take great delight into taking the mickey out of the new recruits. Not in a nasty way. It's all in good fun and I found myself grinning on a few occasions.
Their return trip to England doesn't go as planned and they face a hostile situation at the airport. There are different theories about this attack, but nothing is as it seems. The attackers are connected to Sean's home town and he comes under scrutiny before he is "volunteered" to assist with the investigations. The small team involved includes MI5. Time is of essence! Lives depend on it.
Sean is more mature and his problem solving skills are impressive. The team is looking for weapons stashed by the terrorists, but what they find turns out to be more lethal. It's so deadly that other special units have to be brought in. Will they have enough time to save the day?
It's fast paced, full of action and mysteries. I like the author's sense of humour, which lightens the severity of the story. There are some strong messages about the perception of radicalision. It's a fascinating concept that could easily turn into reality. This thriller would appeal to readers of all ages.
I was kindly issued with an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley and the views expressed are my personal opinion.
Six months of training and fighting against the insurgents in Nigeria is coming to its end. Sean and his unit have only hours to go, before returning to England. They are looking forward to a well earned break in Spain.
Despite, the severity of the threats, this story starts on a fairly lighthearted note. Sean and his best friend Bright take great delight into taking the mickey out of the new recruits. Not in a nasty way. It's all in good fun and I found myself grinning on a few occasions.
Their return trip to England doesn't go as planned and they face a hostile situation at the airport. There are different theories about this attack, but nothing is as it seems. The attackers are connected to Sean's home town and he comes under scrutiny before he is "volunteered" to assist with the investigations. The small team involved includes MI5. Time is of essence! Lives depend on it.
Sean is more mature and his problem solving skills are impressive. The team is looking for weapons stashed by the terrorists, but what they find turns out to be more lethal. It's so deadly that other special units have to be brought in. Will they have enough time to save the day?
It's fast paced, full of action and mysteries. I like the author's sense of humour, which lightens the severity of the story. There are some strong messages about the perception of radicalision. It's a fascinating concept that could easily turn into reality. This thriller would appeal to readers of all ages.
I was kindly issued with an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley and the views expressed are my personal opinion.
August 3, 2017
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
A fast paced thriller.
Plenty of action and totally believable.
A good quick read.
A fast paced thriller.
Plenty of action and totally believable.
A good quick read.
October 20, 2017
Well this was definitely a different read to my usual genre ( ya fantasy, romance, fiction) So i was quite nervous when books came ( i also read street soldier) But gave them a chance flipping brilliant!! If you are into thrillers with descriptive fight scenes you will live these books. Obviously this booked very reality based, themed around terrorism i was impressed at the research the author must have done!! Loved glossary at front maybe as i not used to this type of book it helped me alot i had to reference it afew times but it made my read enjoyable!! Obviously it hard to do an overview of story without giving away too much of plot( which is amazing and keeps you on edge from chapter 4 for me) the ‘blip’ given is enough info and you will not be disappointed It is fast paced and interaction between characters is sometimes deceitful and violent other times total loyalty. Also even though it very manly it very proportioned enough female hero’s!! Being a muslim myself meant i could relate to alot of this story! But dont want to spoil it!! Great present for active people, i going to pass to my brother he will love this! Also read very easy it not a complicated book it defo a pleasure read!! Thank you Andy Mcnab
August 25, 2017
I got my copy through the good reads giveaway scheme and along with this book I also received a copy of the prequel to this and the first in this series, Street soldier. I was glad to get the first book so that I could get used to the main character of Sean Harker and his thought processes. I feel it is important to say that these books although readable for adults they are more aimed at the YA market, although be aware that the language is sometimes perhaps not suitable for younger readers??
I enjoyed the concept in silent weapon more and it raised some interesting points as to why some people may become radicalised and take the actions that they did. I won't say what these actions are so as not to ruin it for people who may read this series of books. The character of Harker and Adams are believable and you feel on their side and want them to "win". Overall an enjoyable and easy read.
I enjoyed the concept in silent weapon more and it raised some interesting points as to why some people may become radicalised and take the actions that they did. I won't say what these actions are so as not to ruin it for people who may read this series of books. The character of Harker and Adams are believable and you feel on their side and want them to "win". Overall an enjoyable and easy read.
March 6, 2018
When I saw this on the shelf at my local library, I debated whether or not to get it as I was not particularly impressed with the first book in the series, Street Solder. However, I remembered that with the last YA set of McNab's that I read (the Liam Scott set), that I did not overly like book one then either but the set got better as it went on, so I decided to give it a go.
I'm really glad I did because that was excellent, really enjoyable. Sean Harker or Stenders to the squaddies, who is the main protagonist of the book is starting to grow on me and I actually quite liked him in this book.
The storyline was really good and it was action packed from start to finish. The first 100 pages especially were spectacular. I was happy with how the story played out and really enjoyed it.
4 stars. Much more enjoyable than book one and I would definitely now continue if they are any more.
I'm really glad I did because that was excellent, really enjoyable. Sean Harker or Stenders to the squaddies, who is the main protagonist of the book is starting to grow on me and I actually quite liked him in this book.
The storyline was really good and it was action packed from start to finish. The first 100 pages especially were spectacular. I was happy with how the story played out and really enjoyed it.
4 stars. Much more enjoyable than book one and I would definitely now continue if they are any more.
August 4, 2017
*I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I found this a fast, enjoyable thriller which was all about confronting terrorism on the streets of London and how extremism isn't limited to a certain religion or race. This was fast-paced enough to keep me interested right up until the end, I never knew exactly what was going to happen next, and I found Sean a likeable enough protagonist. I hadn't read the first book in the series but I never felt like I was missing too much. This book stands alone pretty well.
The only thing I would say is that the characters were a little flat, probably sacrificed for the plot. It didn't detract too much, I see it more in thrillers than any other genre, but it did make it hard to care about the other characters except for Sean.
Good book, would recommend!
I found this a fast, enjoyable thriller which was all about confronting terrorism on the streets of London and how extremism isn't limited to a certain religion or race. This was fast-paced enough to keep me interested right up until the end, I never knew exactly what was going to happen next, and I found Sean a likeable enough protagonist. I hadn't read the first book in the series but I never felt like I was missing too much. This book stands alone pretty well.
The only thing I would say is that the characters were a little flat, probably sacrificed for the plot. It didn't detract too much, I see it more in thrillers than any other genre, but it did make it hard to care about the other characters except for Sean.
Good book, would recommend!
September 15, 2017
I received an arc copy from Netgalley of this book for an open and honest review.
I was surprised to find that I really liked this book, more than I expected too. It was well written and interesting. The plot was current and hits home as to just how much work goes on behind the scenes to thwart terrorism and I love how 2 different departments worked together. Its scary and real about radicalisation and I was plesed to see there were no type casts in this story.
There were a few things that made this a 4 star rating- in some areas I felt the story was perhaps a little rushed (near the beginning) and some parts could have been more polished. As I was reading this I felt I had missed something (I didn't know there was a prequel to this) I didn't know the whole background story which threw me off.
But the storyline was greatc and kept me hooked :)
I was surprised to find that I really liked this book, more than I expected too. It was well written and interesting. The plot was current and hits home as to just how much work goes on behind the scenes to thwart terrorism and I love how 2 different departments worked together. Its scary and real about radicalisation and I was plesed to see there were no type casts in this story.
There were a few things that made this a 4 star rating- in some areas I felt the story was perhaps a little rushed (near the beginning) and some parts could have been more polished. As I was reading this I felt I had missed something (I didn't know there was a prequel to this) I didn't know the whole background story which threw me off.
But the storyline was greatc and kept me hooked :)
June 18, 2025
Unfortunately, I only got to page eleven, and that already swore multiple times. I was willing to suck it up, but then they used God's name in vain... It had a lot of potential, but unfortunately I DNF :( ...
July 27, 2017
I loved this book so much action and intrigue 5 out of 5 stars
October 25, 2017
Enjoyed this book!! I have done another review in more detail!! Not my usual genre but was great read
July 8, 2024
Not as good as the first one, but it still held my interest and entertained me.
January 20, 2025
Good easy tead
August 13, 2017
Silent Weapon is the second book in the Street Soldier novels. I hadn't read the first book but didn't find that to be to problematic. This reads well as a standalone novel if anything it has given me the desire to read the first book and i'm really looking forward to continuing these novels.
The street soldier books cover the life of Sean Harker. Sean and his unit are returning to England after six months of training and fighting against the insurgents in Nigeria. They are looking forward to some well earned down time. But on their return things quickly change at the airport. They are faced with a hostile situation. And Sean is pulled into question when the attackers are found to be from his home town. His team is then sent on a mission looking for the weapons hidden by the terrorists, but what they find turns out to be much more lethal than they ever expected.
Silent Weapon is a fast paced, action packed read. It was captivating with strong messages about the perception of radicalism on how extremism isn't limited to a certain religion or race. One thing i really enjoyed from this Andy McNab read was the humour and banter involved between the soldiers it gave a more realistic feel to the story. No hazing involved just good natured ribbing making this action packed read appealing to all ages.
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February 2, 2018A high-speed chase through the backstreets of Lagos and an unexpected bomb explosion in the jungle – it’s all in a day’s work for soldier Sean Harker.
Looking forward to a well-earned break back home, Sean and his platoon fly back to the UK, only to find themselves fighting their way out of an airport hostage situation, and the country on high terrorist alert.
Barely escaping with his life, Sean must now embark on a dangerous mission: to locate a deadly weapon, capable of destruction on a massive scale . . . a weapon no one will see coming.
Looking forward to a well-earned break back home, Sean and his platoon fly back to the UK, only to find themselves fighting their way out of an airport hostage situation, and the country on high terrorist alert.
Barely escaping with his life, Sean must now embark on a dangerous mission: to locate a deadly weapon, capable of destruction on a massive scale . . . a weapon no one will see coming.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews