What do you think?
Rate this book
Hunting Nora Stone
Taken from the streets, no money, no family, Nora Stone is transformed by a black ops division of the CIA. Her body, now a mixture of sophisticated bioengineering, has become a lethal weapon. A weapon that has disappeared. Eddie Conrad, an Ex Navy seal turned military analyst, is counting the days to when he can be officially discharged. His nightmares, following a year in captivity in Syria, the only survivor of a mission gone wrong, are growing worse. When the bodies of a tactical team sent in to find Nora Stone show up horribly mutilated, Eddie is coerced into going back into the field to find her. But Nora wants to be found, is waiting to be found. And is ready to take revenge
370 pages, Paperback
Published September 12, 2017
83 people are currently reading
476 people want to read
About the author
Colin Weldon
9 books28 followersI am from Dublin, Ireland and have been writing most of my life. I studied Journalism and then went on to do an MA in Screenwriting. I love travelling, reading but most days you'll find me sitting in one of the many coffee shops around the city trying to write stories.
twitter @colinweldon
twitter @colinweldon
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 18, 2018
Ended up giving this thriller 4 stars because I was getting so caught up in the action towards the end. I liked the basic concept of the story: with an enhanced killer with cyber parts turns back on her own, things were set up well. I liked the plot of Nora (cyber enhanced killer) going up against an even more technical version of herself against a killer who was more machine than human.
The human cast of characters were set up as well. As other reviewers have mentioned there are several spelling mistakes here and there. But the action kept me zipping along.
Is this a one-shot story? Not sure. If not, then I would like to see Nora team up with Eddie to tackle the Academy and really stick it to the evil scientists. Would have been nice to have Holt on that team as well.
The human cast of characters were set up as well. As other reviewers have mentioned there are several spelling mistakes here and there. But the action kept me zipping along.
Is this a one-shot story? Not sure. If not, then I would like to see Nora team up with Eddie to tackle the Academy and really stick it to the evil scientists. Would have been nice to have Holt on that team as well.
December 20, 2017
Nora Stone, a nobody who is part of a top-secret bio-engineering research and development program and she has gone AWOL. Eddie Conrad has been ordered to bring her in. He has the support of a tech geek and a psychologist, they have no real field experience, but have invaluable knowledge and background of Nora. As things evolve in the story, Eddie soon realises that he does not have all the facts, things don’t smell right and discovers that there are secrets, cover-ups, lies and corruption. Also that there are things that are more top secret than top secret itself.
This is a well paced book that I really enjoyed reading. It has a technological aspect to it, with computers, bio-engineering and various other things, but to be honest it is not an intense information overload, it gives enough to make you realise that this is advanced science but not so much that you get bamboozled. What starts off as being a woman hunt, takes a few turns and reforms into something else, very nicely manipulated to add some good plot twists. It has a good deal of conspiracy, corruption and secrets of a military aspect, that goes down well with this reader. The characters themselves I found to be memorable, and soon recognised them and their roles, there is not a huge cast, which for this book is perfect given the top top-secret aspects. They are gradually introduced as the story progresses.
So given that it is a book with a technology side to it that I would not understand if too advanced, I found it to be an enjoyable, well paced book, that I actually felt I understood and made sense. I really liked the idea behind it, the bio-engineered or super soldier aspect. As I said I really liked this, it is a book that put me in mind of Universal Soldier meets Jack Reacher.
I think this would appeal to readers who like a military style action adventure read, with an element of slight sci-fi, with a good deal or corruption and conspiracy thrown in. A book that I would have happily read in one sitting if I didn’t have to go to work.
This is a well paced book that I really enjoyed reading. It has a technological aspect to it, with computers, bio-engineering and various other things, but to be honest it is not an intense information overload, it gives enough to make you realise that this is advanced science but not so much that you get bamboozled. What starts off as being a woman hunt, takes a few turns and reforms into something else, very nicely manipulated to add some good plot twists. It has a good deal of conspiracy, corruption and secrets of a military aspect, that goes down well with this reader. The characters themselves I found to be memorable, and soon recognised them and their roles, there is not a huge cast, which for this book is perfect given the top top-secret aspects. They are gradually introduced as the story progresses.
So given that it is a book with a technology side to it that I would not understand if too advanced, I found it to be an enjoyable, well paced book, that I actually felt I understood and made sense. I really liked the idea behind it, the bio-engineered or super soldier aspect. As I said I really liked this, it is a book that put me in mind of Universal Soldier meets Jack Reacher.
I think this would appeal to readers who like a military style action adventure read, with an element of slight sci-fi, with a good deal or corruption and conspiracy thrown in. A book that I would have happily read in one sitting if I didn’t have to go to work.
April 12, 2018
From my rating I see I'm on the far low end of the ratings spectrum for this book, but I felt compelled to do so anyway after having read through it and being rather affronted at the makeup of this tale. With that written, I begin.
The plot is what I would call "bubble gum" reading, meaning it's not something you're going to take seriously. Think of it as a made-for-TV movie in book form. Government-enhanced person goes missing, everyone sent to find her gets killed, so trouble ex-Navy SEAL is sent in to do the job no one else has been able to do. Only there's a reason Nora has gone missing. Sounds like a good waste of time, right? That's what I thought.
First, the book is full of technological inconsistencies and impossibilities. I won't go into detail, but the number of times I figuratively rolled my eyes has to be a record for me. For instance, a scene near the end with planes in the air "dogfighting." Seriously? When planes can literally send an air-to-air missile from 100 miles away? And no, I'm not making that up. Second, there are so many irrelevant details in this book it's amazing. The author brushes over something that could be significant (like the inside of Air Force One) and then tells what brand of watch someone is wearing. As if that matters. Or the engine in a helicopter. And the author was either entirely misinformed or made up all sorts of facts about the Secret Service, terrorists, and clandestine organizations. None of it rang true. If Mr. Weldon actually looks at this review, please note that the Secret Service does a LOT more than guard the president. It wasn't even their original purpose when they were formed. Even a basic Google search will let you know that. Fourth, and most important, this book needed some serious editing. Not just for content either. Misspellings, missing and extra words, poor punctuation, you name it, it had it. That alone would have warranted a one-star review from me in most circumstances. Yes, it was really that horrendous. I won't even go into all the one- and two-dimensional character issues.
Now, as bad as this book was, I finished it because it had two things going for it. One, it was easy to follow. Remember, made-for-TV in book form. And two, it was full of action sequences (even if they were totally unreal, such as a guy running around with a bullet hole in his arm). I read an eBook version, so I don't know about the "370 pages" part, but it read like a book under 200 pages. So, quick and easy to get through. But man, it was tough on my sanity.
I like the idea behind this book. There's something that could have been very good here. But it failed in execution. Like trying to bake a cake and not having two or three key ingredients. You might be able to put frosting on it and see what looks like a cake, but the taste is disappointing. Don't just skip this book, run from it.
The plot is what I would call "bubble gum" reading, meaning it's not something you're going to take seriously. Think of it as a made-for-TV movie in book form. Government-enhanced person goes missing, everyone sent to find her gets killed, so trouble ex-Navy SEAL is sent in to do the job no one else has been able to do. Only there's a reason Nora has gone missing. Sounds like a good waste of time, right? That's what I thought.
First, the book is full of technological inconsistencies and impossibilities. I won't go into detail, but the number of times I figuratively rolled my eyes has to be a record for me. For instance, a scene near the end with planes in the air "dogfighting." Seriously? When planes can literally send an air-to-air missile from 100 miles away? And no, I'm not making that up. Second, there are so many irrelevant details in this book it's amazing. The author brushes over something that could be significant (like the inside of Air Force One) and then tells what brand of watch someone is wearing. As if that matters. Or the engine in a helicopter. And the author was either entirely misinformed or made up all sorts of facts about the Secret Service, terrorists, and clandestine organizations. None of it rang true. If Mr. Weldon actually looks at this review, please note that the Secret Service does a LOT more than guard the president. It wasn't even their original purpose when they were formed. Even a basic Google search will let you know that. Fourth, and most important, this book needed some serious editing. Not just for content either. Misspellings, missing and extra words, poor punctuation, you name it, it had it. That alone would have warranted a one-star review from me in most circumstances. Yes, it was really that horrendous. I won't even go into all the one- and two-dimensional character issues.
Now, as bad as this book was, I finished it because it had two things going for it. One, it was easy to follow. Remember, made-for-TV in book form. And two, it was full of action sequences (even if they were totally unreal, such as a guy running around with a bullet hole in his arm). I read an eBook version, so I don't know about the "370 pages" part, but it read like a book under 200 pages. So, quick and easy to get through. But man, it was tough on my sanity.
I like the idea behind this book. There's something that could have been very good here. But it failed in execution. Like trying to bake a cake and not having two or three key ingredients. You might be able to put frosting on it and see what looks like a cake, but the taste is disappointing. Don't just skip this book, run from it.
December 24, 2019
A really compelling read
This is not my usual genre of book but i found it highly addictive and really liked the characters. Would recommend
This is not my usual genre of book but i found it highly addictive and really liked the characters. Would recommend
January 5, 2018
This book wasn't bad at all. The premise was great, the characters evolved, but I can't overlook misspelling man. Every time the author wanted to say "then" she said "than" and I really can't help my rolling eyes and eyebrow that shoots up.
Other than (then? ha ha ha) that, it was entertaining.
~D~
Other than (then? ha ha ha) that, it was entertaining.
~D~
October 5, 2017
Intense
I usually do not like techno-military books. But I liked this one. I was cheering for Nora and Eddie as they scrambled in and out of impossible situations. It was unending and without a break. It eventually wore me out. I found myself scanning the last couple chapters, which is not a good thing. If you are looking for intense non stop action, you will find it here. It is very well written and believable. Just don't expect a relaxing evening. Having said that, I'd do it again.
I usually do not like techno-military books. But I liked this one. I was cheering for Nora and Eddie as they scrambled in and out of impossible situations. It was unending and without a break. It eventually wore me out. I found myself scanning the last couple chapters, which is not a good thing. If you are looking for intense non stop action, you will find it here. It is very well written and believable. Just don't expect a relaxing evening. Having said that, I'd do it again.
October 4, 2017
Eddie Conrad is an ex-Navy SEAL, still recuperating after a year’s captivity in Syria as the only survivor of an operation gone horribly wrong. On desk duty, he is just marking time until he can retire and put the death and destruction behind him.
Nora Stone, a street urchin, nearly killed in an accident, was given a new lease on life. With many of her damaged limbs replace with enhanced cyber implants, she has been trained as a skilled assassin. But, Nora has gone off the grid, and a tactical team sent to retrieve her is mutilated in a most gruesome way. But, Nora, though she is eluding capture, is not really hiding. She seems to be sending her former masters a message – come and get me!
Eddie is strong-armed into taking the mission to find and neutralize Nora, but when he finally encounters her, rather than killing him as she did the previous teams sent to capture her, she lets him live, and gives him a message, ‘I’m coming for her.’ Eddie is puzzled. Who is Nora after, and why. His life is complicated when he learns of a plot by an unknown, shadowy group of powerful men to assassinate the president of the U.S., and plunge the world into chaos, and of the existence of a powerful cyborg, Tarsis, who has been sent, not to capture Nora, but to kill her.
Now, with Nora as an unlikely ally, Eddie must avert an international disaster.
Hunting Nora Stone by Colin Weldon is a riveting tale of international intrigue with overtones of high-tech science fiction that, despite a number of typographical and grammatical gaffes, will thoroughly entertain action junkies.
I received a free copy of the book. The typos notwithstanding, I was impressed with the pacing and plot, and give it four stars (with a slight minus grade because of the proofreading problems).
Nora Stone, a street urchin, nearly killed in an accident, was given a new lease on life. With many of her damaged limbs replace with enhanced cyber implants, she has been trained as a skilled assassin. But, Nora has gone off the grid, and a tactical team sent to retrieve her is mutilated in a most gruesome way. But, Nora, though she is eluding capture, is not really hiding. She seems to be sending her former masters a message – come and get me!
Eddie is strong-armed into taking the mission to find and neutralize Nora, but when he finally encounters her, rather than killing him as she did the previous teams sent to capture her, she lets him live, and gives him a message, ‘I’m coming for her.’ Eddie is puzzled. Who is Nora after, and why. His life is complicated when he learns of a plot by an unknown, shadowy group of powerful men to assassinate the president of the U.S., and plunge the world into chaos, and of the existence of a powerful cyborg, Tarsis, who has been sent, not to capture Nora, but to kill her.
Now, with Nora as an unlikely ally, Eddie must avert an international disaster.
Hunting Nora Stone by Colin Weldon is a riveting tale of international intrigue with overtones of high-tech science fiction that, despite a number of typographical and grammatical gaffes, will thoroughly entertain action junkies.
I received a free copy of the book. The typos notwithstanding, I was impressed with the pacing and plot, and give it four stars (with a slight minus grade because of the proofreading problems).
May 30, 2024
Tamed version of The Terminator meets The Bourne Supremacy. A team of special agents go after a rogue cyborg who some people in power believe she has secrets and wants to assassinate high-level figures in government. But, is she really this person? Perhaps others in power are actually the bad characters.
This was a good read through and through. Fast paced and lots of action. Easy to read with only a few minor editorial mistakes. Looking forward to reading more by this author. Highly recommend.
This was a good read through and through. Fast paced and lots of action. Easy to read with only a few minor editorial mistakes. Looking forward to reading more by this author. Highly recommend.
November 13, 2017
Pretty good read overall. Consider the next generation of biology enhanched soldiers or if you are old enough to remember the $5m Man. New and improved arms, legs, eyes, etc. The best that DARPA can buy :) Except the program director is intent on taking over the presidency. This was an interesting read, once I got into it. But somehow it lacked the umpth in a really great novel. At the end of the day, did this storyline grab me? No. It should have but didn't.
December 26, 2017
Great dialogue, interesting story, a complex protagonist and immersive worldbuilding are just some of the points that keep you reading and reading, and reading. Happy to be able to get a copy. Plus, the cover design is even better on the paperback, the detailing is beautiful!
January 4, 2018
Sci-fi thriller.
Nora had been brainwashed and turned into a mechanical supersoldier. She killed for the agency. Something tripped a memory of the daughter taken from her and she went rogue.
Nora had been brainwashed and turned into a mechanical supersoldier. She killed for the agency. Something tripped a memory of the daughter taken from her and she went rogue.
January 9, 2018
A Very Good Read, No, Excellent!
I'm reviewing this without having been asked to. It's not the genre i usually read but the plot was so action packed it was a page turner. You can figure on three or four nights of reading late/early to finish it. Enjoyable read!
I'm reviewing this without having been asked to. It's not the genre i usually read but the plot was so action packed it was a page turner. You can figure on three or four nights of reading late/early to finish it. Enjoyable read!
February 6, 2018
Interesting collection of action with cybernetic twists. The only thing that distracted me was how it seemed at nearly every turn, the hero was confronted with information in a format like, "Well, yeah, I knew about this. You mean you didn't? Really?" Overall, it was pretty good.
August 29, 2018
Excellent book! Hang onto your seat action allthe way through the book. Very well written. Highly recommend even if sci-fi is not your usual choice.
The characters are quite believable. You find yourself rooting for them. And you will find it hard to put this book down!
The characters are quite believable. You find yourself rooting for them. And you will find it hard to put this book down!
January 21, 2019
More thriller than sci-fi
Not to bad of a read but not really what I was expecting. Cybernetics and secret organizations and a fairly unbelievable plot line made it hard for me to get through.
Not to bad of a read but not really what I was expecting. Cybernetics and secret organizations and a fairly unbelievable plot line made it hard for me to get through.
April 21, 2019
Chilling but entertaining
Interesting premise but not as farfetched as one might think. Tremendous advancement in cybernetics could someday make things like this happen. A very readable tale and would recommend to anyone that enjoys both political intrigue and science fiction.
Interesting premise but not as farfetched as one might think. Tremendous advancement in cybernetics could someday make things like this happen. A very readable tale and would recommend to anyone that enjoys both political intrigue and science fiction.
February 22, 2018
Had potential. At least I finished it. I think the story itself could have been exceptional. Felt awkwardly portrayed.
January 10, 2020
Terminatoresque
Well crafted and relentlessly paced.
Even minor characters are dimensioned, the telling lets us into their lives.
A recommended book.
Well crafted and relentlessly paced.
Even minor characters are dimensioned, the telling lets us into their lives.
A recommended book.
June 2, 2020
The premise is truly engaging. Cybernetics, secret organizations, and well-developed characters add to the fun and make this one unputdownable!
December 13, 2017
This is a voluntary and honest review for an advanced copy.
Aaaaaaand breeeeath!......Wow, this was a non-stop action packed story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. This is not my normal genre as I am not a fan of high-tech robot / cyborg type science fiction. In my movies I don’t mind a bit of sci-fi but to read it, I get bored easily! Well…..no chance here, I was exhausted by the time I finished.
The characters are great, Eddie Conrad is an ex-Navy SEAL who is still recovering from a mission gone horribly wrong. He is a tough, strong minded character but still comes across as an honest, trustworthy human being. I fell in love with this character! His next mission is to capture Nora Stone. Nora Stone is a product of experiments of cyber implants and she is a skilled assassin. She now has a purpose in life and will stop at nothing until she finds what she is looking for. There is worse than her out there though, Tarsis, who is more cyborg than human and has been sent to kill Nora. There are other great characters in this story all of which are part of the intrigue, some survive and some don’t.
There are quite a few grammatical errors and it was a bit annoying at times. It didn’t spoil the read but it interrupted the flow sometimes.
(Update from the author after this was written........saying the errors have been corrected - Read and enjoy)
I can guarantee that once you start this story you will not be able to put it down. This story in no way ends on a cliff hanger, it definitely ends, but it is left open, I do hope there is going to be another one.
I would definitely recommend this book.
Aaaaaaand breeeeath!......Wow, this was a non-stop action packed story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. This is not my normal genre as I am not a fan of high-tech robot / cyborg type science fiction. In my movies I don’t mind a bit of sci-fi but to read it, I get bored easily! Well…..no chance here, I was exhausted by the time I finished.
The characters are great, Eddie Conrad is an ex-Navy SEAL who is still recovering from a mission gone horribly wrong. He is a tough, strong minded character but still comes across as an honest, trustworthy human being. I fell in love with this character! His next mission is to capture Nora Stone. Nora Stone is a product of experiments of cyber implants and she is a skilled assassin. She now has a purpose in life and will stop at nothing until she finds what she is looking for. There is worse than her out there though, Tarsis, who is more cyborg than human and has been sent to kill Nora. There are other great characters in this story all of which are part of the intrigue, some survive and some don’t.
There are quite a few grammatical errors and it was a bit annoying at times. It didn’t spoil the read but it interrupted the flow sometimes.
(Update from the author after this was written........saying the errors have been corrected - Read and enjoy)
I can guarantee that once you start this story you will not be able to put it down. This story in no way ends on a cliff hanger, it definitely ends, but it is left open, I do hope there is going to be another one.
I would definitely recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews