The Piper's Promise: Book 3 In The Ridge Walker Series

by Alex Breck

‘A real page turner, it keeps you guessing the outcome till the very end.’
When his best friend Thad is arrested for a series of murders he didn’t commit on the wrong side of the planet, the young Scottish adventurer, Ridge Walker, must find the real killer in order to prove his innocence.
But as Ridge crosses swords with a merciless adversary and the savage ethos of centuries of warrior culture, the death toll speeds up and the seemingly random slayings take on a laser-sharp accuracy slicing ever closer to those he loves. Two worlds collide in this race against time. As he sinks deeper into the macabre quagmire of a sick and vengeful mind he begins to realise the full horror that awaits him. They say ‘the apple never falls far from the tree’ and it’s going to be a bitter harvest this season.
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WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT ALEX
THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
‘Highly recommend to pretty much anyone and everyone who loves a good read!’
‘More than a story, I recommend this book to readers who appreciate good writing. I am truly impressed and hope to see more books by Alex Breck.’
‘A moving, gripping and at times disturbing thriller with the rich scene setting we have come to expect from Alex Breck.’
THE PIPER’S LAMENT
‘Another gripping adventure for Ridge Walker, this book doesn't disappoint! Well rounded characters, old and new, exciting storyline, all told with a touch of grim humour. Buy it!’
HE WHO PAYS THE PIPER
‘A darkly comic romp from Scotland right through Central America. Fast paced action and some great incidents along the way to a surprise ending - looking forward to seeing what Ridge gets up to next!’
‘Fast paced with good characterisation... I genuinely wanted to find out what would happen next... happy to recommend’
Wendy H. Jones author of the DI Shona McKenzie mysteries
If you like Passenger 19 or Play Dead or The Missing Ones then you’ll love Alex Breck!
Find out more about Alex Breck and get a free short story at www.alexbreckbooks.com
Crime Thriller & Mystery/Crime Fiction/Serial Killers Crime Thriller & Mystery/Crime Fiction/British & Irish/Scottish Mystery Thriller & Suspense/Crime/Serial Killers/Vengeful Mystery Thriller & Suspense/ Thrillers/ Action-packed

321 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2017

About the author

Alex Breck was born in Scotland in 1962. He studied at Aberdeen University. The many paths he has trodden since then include driving an ice-cream truck in Kansas, banking in San Francisco and teaching English (badly) in Madrid.
He's been a director of both a health club and a meat factory but would stress there was no obvious connection between the two.
He lives quietly on the beautiful West Coast of Scotland where he likes to ride his bike up and down hills much to the consternation of his family. The name Alex Breck is a pen name using an old family name and that of a historical ruffian who might be found in the fine novel Kidnapped.

Reviews

[Cathy Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although The Piper’s Promise is the third in the Ridge Walker series, I found no problem in getting into the characters. Sometimes with a series, an author will include too much information from the others books, but Alex Breck did a great job in incorporating just enough background for the reader to get a feel for the characters and enjoy this new one on its own merits.

The Piper’s Promise was very well written and an exciting read. Ridge Walker, his wife Orla, and their friends are all strong, likeable and interesting characters who portray courage, obligation and commitment to their friends. The other characters were complex and had great depth to their personalities. I liked that there were not too many characters and so I was able to focus on them as the scenes moved from one to the other.

The action is well paced and had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens. I usually read more than one book at the time, depending on my mood, but I so enjoyed The Piper’s Promise that I didn’t touch another book until I had finished it.

I really enjoyed Mr Breck’s style of writing and will definitely be reading more of his work.

[Chris Longmuir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piper’s Promise was a real page-turner of a book, a thrilling action adventure involving a set of memorable characters.

Ridge Walker leaves his home and family on the Scottish island of Sorsay to fly to the rescue of his friend, Thad, who has been arrested for the murder of a young girl in Tokyo. This sets off a series of events involving Thad’s high profile mysterious father, a Japanese serial killer, and various equally mysterious adventurers including Ridge’s brother-in-law, and his friends The Diamond Dogs.

I don’t want to give any spoilers so I won’t elaborate on the plot, but this was a book that kept me turning the pages faster and faster. I don’t often award a book 5-stars, so it has to be something special to warrant this. However, I have no hesitation in awarding the full 5-stars to this thrilling book.

[J.S. Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know this book was a series until I listed it over her to read. I had no problem getting into the story, it's fast paced and well written. This crime Thriller is set countries such as Japan to the Scottish island. Ridge Walker best friend is arrested of a murder he did not commit. The author provided enough backstory for the reader to keep up. The Characters were complex but likeable.

I would like to thank the author for giving me a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.

[Angela Lockwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ridge Walker finds himself in unfamiliar territory (Japan), when his friend Thad is accused of a murder he didn’t commit. He is out of his depth after making some questionable decisions and underestimating a ruthless killer. Luckily Thad has a powerful dad, but not even he can anticipate what waits for him in Japan. This was a high octane thriller with some nail biting scenes. I Liked the scenes set in Scotland, it is clear that the writer has a fondness of the Scottish Isles. The problem I had with the book was that I came into the series at book 3 (Because it was free for a limited time). I had not grown into the characters and some seemed to be a bit too unlikely, especially the diamond dogs. Alex Breck does fill us in about the characters pasts but a lot has happened in the previous books and I would recommend starting at book one.

[Abdul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thrilling Highland-Tokyo Fusion


This gripping international thriller takes readers on a wild ride from Tokyo to the Scottish Highlands.

Ridge Walker's loyalty is put to the test as he races to clear his best friend's name in a series of gruesome murders.

Breck masterfully weaves together the neon-lit streets of modern Tokyo with the ancient warrior code of the samurai.

The contrast between Japan's metropolis and Scotland's wilderness adds intrigue to the plot. As Ridge delves deeper into the twisted mind of a merciless killer, the story takes on a chilling and personal turn.

Breck brings both settings to life, making readers feel like they're right there alongside Ridge

With its unique combination of cultures and time periods, "The Piper's Promise: 3” offers a fresh take on the international thriller genre.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[Susi Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read from this author; I enjoyed meeting the quirky character, Ridge Walker, in his latest adventure as he becomes embroiled in a perilous attempt to save a friend, which takes him from his carefully planned security and his home and family on a peaceful Scottish island to the catwalks of Tokyo. The plot is good, the writing engaging, and there are enough twists to keep a page-turning pace. And, without giving any spoilers, there are a few surprises. This will appeal to adventure fans

[Carmel Audsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The action is set in Japan and Scotland, as young Scotsman Ridge Walker sets out to prove that his friend is innocent of the murder of a young girl in Japan. The author has a modern writing style, creating likeable and interesting characters that are not overly described so as to detract from the plot. Although this is the third book in the series, I found it easy to pick up and easy to follow the action. There are enough twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages. I’m look forward to reading the other books in the series.

[Sandy Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like I was “watching” a violent movie rather than reading a book. The characters in the book are complicated, full of dark secrets and a bit hard to keep track as I started at book 3. The forest scene of Ridge getting lost was so disturbing and eerie that one might not look at a forest the same way again. This book is not for the faint-hearted or weak stomach, so I don’t recommend reading it before bedtime. But it did have a satisfying ending for those who like justice served.

[Maria Riegger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and fast-paced. I couldn't put it down. This was my first book in the Ridge Walker series, and I'll definitely be picking up the others. This is an extremely well-written, well-researched novel. Loved the multicultural aspect to it. A great thriller!