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Eva Driscoll #3
Fight To Survive
She’s working for her enemies. Or so they think… Ex-CIA assassin Eva Driscoll has found a new life in Australia and believes she’s outrun the Executive Security Office, the most powerful and secretive organization on the planet. But the ESO has been watching her every move and when they approach her with a high-risk mission in North Korea, Eva is forced to co-operate with the organization she once vowed to destroy. But releasing a high-ranking defector proves costly, and Driscoll is captured and imprisoned in a secret camp on the Chinese border. What she witnesses there will haunt her forever . . . so she decides to take matters into her own hands. But how long can she keep the ESO thinking she’s working in their interests rather than her own? When her handlers become suspicious, Eva knows time is not on her side. Can she defeat the evil at the heart of the camp and get out alive—or will this final installment really be her last?
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2019
576 people are currently reading
701 people want to read
About the author
Alan McDermott
31 books772 followersAlan McDermott is a full time author from the south of England, married with beautiful twin daughters. He used to write critical applications for the NHS, but now he spends his days writing action thrillers.
His debut novel, Gray Justice, has been very well received and earned him membership of http://independentauthorsinternationa.... He was subsequently picked up by Thomas & Mercer, who published his first 10 books.
Alan's 7th novel Trojan was shortlisted for an ITW thriller award.
In March 2020 he release a new standalone called Motive, and the 7th Tom Gray will be released on June 4th 2020.
The reading order of Alan's books can be found at www.alanmcdermottbooks.co.uk
You can follow Alan on Twitter through his @Jambalian account and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GrayJustice
His debut novel, Gray Justice, has been very well received and earned him membership of http://independentauthorsinternationa.... He was subsequently picked up by Thomas & Mercer, who published his first 10 books.
Alan's 7th novel Trojan was shortlisted for an ITW thriller award.
In March 2020 he release a new standalone called Motive, and the 7th Tom Gray will be released on June 4th 2020.
The reading order of Alan's books can be found at www.alanmcdermottbooks.co.uk
You can follow Alan on Twitter through his @Jambalian account and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GrayJustice
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
July 12, 2019
Book three in the Eva Driscoll series, about a former CIA assassin with a conscience, is another rollicking adventure requiring heavy suspension of disbelief. If you can cope with that, it’s thoroughly enjoyable. It would help to have read the earlier books, as there is an ongoing backstory, and recurring characters, but it’s not essential.
Set two years after the events of Seek & Destroy, Eva is living quietly on her own in Melbourne, avoiding attachments as she mourns the loss of her lover Carl, but can’t help getting involved to help a neighbour in trouble. When the Executive Security Office - the shadowy band of billionaires who really run the world - call her up with a job offer she can’t refuse, Eva realises her safety has been an illusion and that if she wants to keep the fortune she stole from them, she will have to comply.
The mission - to retrieve a nuclear scientist willing to defect from North Korea - rapidly goes badly wrong, and she is captured, tortured and transferred to a secret prison. When she finds out what is going on there, she is determined to bring it down, so escapes with the target and blackmails the ESO into going back in - this time on her own terms, and with trusted friends. Will she save the innocent prisoners and avoid the ESO’s evil schemes without triggering an international incident?
I like Eva as a heroine - super tough, resourceful and courageous, this time we see her softer side. She actually feels bad about having to kill the vicious guard dogs who would’ve ripped her to shreds, and loses sleep over the innocent victims of the terrible regime. Her exploits resemble a James Bond movie (fortunately without the love scenes) and the fast paced action had me tearing through this to find out what happened. I appreciate the author not ending this on a cliffhanger - the story is wrapped up with some baddies left alive to be dealt with in future books - which I will once again be hanging out to read.
Eva’s first trip into North Korea was interesting - I can’t imagine why anyone would choose to go there on holiday, but am sure the author has done his research and believe that’s what it would be like. I was happy that New Zealand got a mention as Sonny’s new home - I wanted to visit his restaurant! - and particularly liked the gift that Len left him in his will - what a great idea! I would’ve liked to find out the fate of some of the minor characters but will assume they all got the fate they deserve.
Overall this was a well written solid four star read, suitable for those who don’t take their action adventures too seriously. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Fight To Survive is published on August 6th.
Set two years after the events of Seek & Destroy, Eva is living quietly on her own in Melbourne, avoiding attachments as she mourns the loss of her lover Carl, but can’t help getting involved to help a neighbour in trouble. When the Executive Security Office - the shadowy band of billionaires who really run the world - call her up with a job offer she can’t refuse, Eva realises her safety has been an illusion and that if she wants to keep the fortune she stole from them, she will have to comply.
The mission - to retrieve a nuclear scientist willing to defect from North Korea - rapidly goes badly wrong, and she is captured, tortured and transferred to a secret prison. When she finds out what is going on there, she is determined to bring it down, so escapes with the target and blackmails the ESO into going back in - this time on her own terms, and with trusted friends. Will she save the innocent prisoners and avoid the ESO’s evil schemes without triggering an international incident?
I like Eva as a heroine - super tough, resourceful and courageous, this time we see her softer side. She actually feels bad about having to kill the vicious guard dogs who would’ve ripped her to shreds, and loses sleep over the innocent victims of the terrible regime. Her exploits resemble a James Bond movie (fortunately without the love scenes) and the fast paced action had me tearing through this to find out what happened. I appreciate the author not ending this on a cliffhanger - the story is wrapped up with some baddies left alive to be dealt with in future books - which I will once again be hanging out to read.
Eva’s first trip into North Korea was interesting - I can’t imagine why anyone would choose to go there on holiday, but am sure the author has done his research and believe that’s what it would be like. I was happy that New Zealand got a mention as Sonny’s new home - I wanted to visit his restaurant! - and particularly liked the gift that Len left him in his will - what a great idea! I would’ve liked to find out the fate of some of the minor characters but will assume they all got the fate they deserve.
Overall this was a well written solid four star read, suitable for those who don’t take their action adventures too seriously. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Fight To Survive is published on August 6th.
July 4, 2019
I had previously read the first book in Alan McDermott’s Eva Driscoll series, “Run and Hide,” which I had found lacking in several areas. I skipped book 2 but decided to take a chance on book 3, “Fight to Survive.” While it is slightly better than the first in the series, it still has a way to go before I could recommend this book.
Mr. McDermott has slimmed down his cast of thousands to a manageable group of characters, which is an improvement. Eva Driscoll, ex-CIA assassin and a millionaire hundreds of times over, is the main character and we see the story primarily through her eyes. Other characters get their turns, in order to flesh out the story. The author has also pared down the habit of retelling the exact scene more than once through the eyes of a second character, committing the act only once this time around.
Unfortunately, the improvements ended with those categories. The plot ranges from one unbelievable chapter to the next. If you can swallow the basic premise – ex-assassin who has stolen over $100 million from the bad guys is allowed to live even though they know where she is and could hack her bank accounts at any time – then I suppose the rest of the book will be acceptable. At best, this is escapist fodder on steroids.
Fortunately for Mr. McDermott, he does have talent in putting together descriptive battle scenes and inventive plots and has proven that there is a market for this genre. If you like a book that jumps from one over-the-top action scene to the next, this is definitely the book for you. For me, I can suspend disbelief for only so long. Thus, depending upon your tastes, you may like it or hate it. Three stars.
My thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance complimentary copy of this book.
Mr. McDermott has slimmed down his cast of thousands to a manageable group of characters, which is an improvement. Eva Driscoll, ex-CIA assassin and a millionaire hundreds of times over, is the main character and we see the story primarily through her eyes. Other characters get their turns, in order to flesh out the story. The author has also pared down the habit of retelling the exact scene more than once through the eyes of a second character, committing the act only once this time around.
Unfortunately, the improvements ended with those categories. The plot ranges from one unbelievable chapter to the next. If you can swallow the basic premise – ex-assassin who has stolen over $100 million from the bad guys is allowed to live even though they know where she is and could hack her bank accounts at any time – then I suppose the rest of the book will be acceptable. At best, this is escapist fodder on steroids.
Fortunately for Mr. McDermott, he does have talent in putting together descriptive battle scenes and inventive plots and has proven that there is a market for this genre. If you like a book that jumps from one over-the-top action scene to the next, this is definitely the book for you. For me, I can suspend disbelief for only so long. Thus, depending upon your tastes, you may like it or hate it. Three stars.
My thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance complimentary copy of this book.
July 19, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this arc.
I've read and enjoyed the first book of the Eva Driscoll series and some how missed the second book, but that didn't stop or even slow me down reading this third adventure. I sucked this one down in an afternoon thanks to the easy-reading style of the author. And what an action packed read it was! NOTE: suspend any belief /need for realism of logic, geo-politics, human physiology, knowledge of computer science, banking, weaponry, etc. you may have and just enjoy the ride!.
Eva Driscoll is an ex-CIA trained assassin / Superwoman and has been living the "quiet life" in Australia hiding from her former employer -- the super secret ESO. Or so she thought.... But Eva was not made for the "quiet life"..... And so Fight To Survive begins!
A great beach read or airport book for those not really into chic-lit or rom-coms (though there is a little romance thrown in but not enough to detract from the action.
3.5 stars rounded up.
I've read and enjoyed the first book of the Eva Driscoll series and some how missed the second book, but that didn't stop or even slow me down reading this third adventure. I sucked this one down in an afternoon thanks to the easy-reading style of the author. And what an action packed read it was! NOTE: suspend any belief /need for realism of logic, geo-politics, human physiology, knowledge of computer science, banking, weaponry, etc. you may have and just enjoy the ride!.
Eva Driscoll is an ex-CIA trained assassin / Superwoman and has been living the "quiet life" in Australia hiding from her former employer -- the super secret ESO. Or so she thought.... But Eva was not made for the "quiet life"..... And so Fight To Survive begins!
A great beach read or airport book for those not really into chic-lit or rom-coms (though there is a little romance thrown in but not enough to detract from the action.
3.5 stars rounded up.
July 31, 2019
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Thrillers
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Fight to Survive is the third installment in author Alan McDermott's Eva Driscoll series. It has been 2 years since Eva Driscoll thought she had gotten out from under the constant surveillance of ESO (Executive Security Office) which basically controls the highest levels of government agencies around the world. Eva is living off the grid in Melbourne, Australia trying to avoiding attachments as she mourns the loss of her lover Carl.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Thrillers
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Fight to Survive is the third installment in author Alan McDermott's Eva Driscoll series. It has been 2 years since Eva Driscoll thought she had gotten out from under the constant surveillance of ESO (Executive Security Office) which basically controls the highest levels of government agencies around the world. Eva is living off the grid in Melbourne, Australia trying to avoiding attachments as she mourns the loss of her lover Carl.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
June 17, 2019
Once again, one of my favourite authors has delivered another cracking book to add to his already impressive back catalogue.
I have read and thoroughly enjoyed every book by this author, since the early days when he used to self-publish, before he got his well deserved break and became a full-time author. And I have to say that although he set his own bar very high from the off, with Gray Justice still being one of my favourite books, he has continued to impress me with every new release. This book, the third outing for Eva Driscoll was no exception.
Time has passed since the shenanigans that occurred in the previous book and Eva has reinvented herself once again in her ongoing challenge to evade the ESO. Sadly, her freedom is shattered when she receives a communication from them and she is devastated to find that they have known her whereabouts throughout. But, this time, they don't want to kill her, they want to employ her, they need her special skill set for a very high risk operation to extract a valued defector from North Korea. Given no option other than to accept, Eva travels there but, as you can expect, things go south and she finds herself in prison. Not only does she need to escape and fulfil her mission, what she discovers going on in the prison shocks her to her core and it becomes her personal mission to do something about it and bring justice to the victims. All without getting killed in the process...
I have the longest TBR, but there are a handful of authors who fail to play by the rules and it is usually all I can do to finish my current read before diving straight in as soon as I get my mitts on their next book. This author is obviously one of these, something I really don't mind too much as he is also someone who has never let me down. His attention to detail and the obvious research he has done into each and every subject covered in his books shines through. Couple that with fascinating and interesting plots, played out by cracking characters and we have my royal trifecta of things I need to make a good book a great read! The only downside to his writing being so good is that some of the things he writes about feel so real, so credible and consequently, that makes the books a bit scary at times as these things either already do, or could easily happen.
We also have a fair bit of emotional fallout in this book, after the events of what happened in the previous, and this is also handled extremely well.
To be honest, I could bang on forever about how brilliant this author is, how great both this and the Tom Gray series are, but if you haven't got the message from what I have already written then I am not sure what else will persuade you. A little tip though - this series contains characters from the Tom Gray one, so as well as being better off reading the first two in this series before this one, you could do yourself a favour and read all the Tom Gray books (in order obviously) first.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
I have read and thoroughly enjoyed every book by this author, since the early days when he used to self-publish, before he got his well deserved break and became a full-time author. And I have to say that although he set his own bar very high from the off, with Gray Justice still being one of my favourite books, he has continued to impress me with every new release. This book, the third outing for Eva Driscoll was no exception.
Time has passed since the shenanigans that occurred in the previous book and Eva has reinvented herself once again in her ongoing challenge to evade the ESO. Sadly, her freedom is shattered when she receives a communication from them and she is devastated to find that they have known her whereabouts throughout. But, this time, they don't want to kill her, they want to employ her, they need her special skill set for a very high risk operation to extract a valued defector from North Korea. Given no option other than to accept, Eva travels there but, as you can expect, things go south and she finds herself in prison. Not only does she need to escape and fulfil her mission, what she discovers going on in the prison shocks her to her core and it becomes her personal mission to do something about it and bring justice to the victims. All without getting killed in the process...
I have the longest TBR, but there are a handful of authors who fail to play by the rules and it is usually all I can do to finish my current read before diving straight in as soon as I get my mitts on their next book. This author is obviously one of these, something I really don't mind too much as he is also someone who has never let me down. His attention to detail and the obvious research he has done into each and every subject covered in his books shines through. Couple that with fascinating and interesting plots, played out by cracking characters and we have my royal trifecta of things I need to make a good book a great read! The only downside to his writing being so good is that some of the things he writes about feel so real, so credible and consequently, that makes the books a bit scary at times as these things either already do, or could easily happen.
We also have a fair bit of emotional fallout in this book, after the events of what happened in the previous, and this is also handled extremely well.
To be honest, I could bang on forever about how brilliant this author is, how great both this and the Tom Gray series are, but if you haven't got the message from what I have already written then I am not sure what else will persuade you. A little tip though - this series contains characters from the Tom Gray one, so as well as being better off reading the first two in this series before this one, you could do yourself a favour and read all the Tom Gray books (in order obviously) first.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
June 21, 2019
I was looking forward to this book, but it didn’t start too well. The story begins with the premise that the ESO can get at all of Eva’s very carefully hidden bank accounts and instantly empty them, very believable! They then use this to blackmail her into a dangerous job.
If you forget about the ESO involvement, then what follows is a decent thriller as Eva takes on the North Koreans, twice.
I can’t really explain it, but I am not convinced by the ESO and I find this lack of belief has a negative effect of the whole book.
I can understand why this book would get high ratings, but I’m afraid I only thought it was OK. If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
If you forget about the ESO involvement, then what follows is a decent thriller as Eva takes on the North Koreans, twice.
I can’t really explain it, but I am not convinced by the ESO and I find this lack of belief has a negative effect of the whole book.
I can understand why this book would get high ratings, but I’m afraid I only thought it was OK. If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
November 29, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed reading FIGHT TO SURVIVE by Alan McDermott, this is book 3 of a 4-book Eva Driscoll series. It's been two years since Eva's last mission and everyone on the team thought they were still incognito in their new lives. However, the ESO has known of their whereabouts all along and blackmailed Eva to take on a job for them - her enemy.
Some readers comment that Eva is a superhero and the stories are not plausible. Readers of this genre usually are more interested in suspense and action - not paying attention to her killing everyone when the odds are 100-1. I cheer her ability to do so and enjoy the storyline.
There is double-crossing involved by both sides which causes twists and turns in the storyline. I marvel at how the author is able to put it all together. It's another late-night page-turner to find out what happens next. Highly recommended for those who can suspend reality and read about a female warrior and superhero. I have already downloaded the last installment onto my kindle and look forward to Eva's next adventure.
Some readers comment that Eva is a superhero and the stories are not plausible. Readers of this genre usually are more interested in suspense and action - not paying attention to her killing everyone when the odds are 100-1. I cheer her ability to do so and enjoy the storyline.
There is double-crossing involved by both sides which causes twists and turns in the storyline. I marvel at how the author is able to put it all together. It's another late-night page-turner to find out what happens next. Highly recommended for those who can suspend reality and read about a female warrior and superhero. I have already downloaded the last installment onto my kindle and look forward to Eva's next adventure.
September 5, 2019
Another great read with Eva Driscoll, Sonny, and Farook. They all make such an awesome team BUT she’s especially awesome. She can kick your ass or shoot you in the head, depending on her mood. In this story there were a lot of people she wanted to kill, lots and lots of bad guys, who were killing lots of innocent people.
This could very well be the end of the Eva Driscoll series, but I’d hate to think that. She’s a wonderful heroine.
So, no sex but I’m happy Eva and Sonny became a twosome. The F-bomb was used 9 times.
As to the narration: I’m happy to say that one of my top 5 female narrators did a superb jog on this book. I love Angela Dawe.
November 17, 2019
You do what you have to do and make the best of it.
This is the third book in the Eva Driscoll series which is a spin-off from the Tom Gray series of books. I recommend reading books in order as they build upon one another. However, if you are sensitive to violence as well as adult language and situations, you may wish to avoid all of them.
Eva Driscoll thought that living under an assumed name and keeping a low profile would keep her hidden from a powerful organization. Despite her best efforts, she is back in their clutches and doing their bidding. They may have underestimated this woman and what she can accomplish when things get complicated.
Mr. McDermott did a wonderful job of showing some other layers of this tough lady.
This is the third book in the Eva Driscoll series which is a spin-off from the Tom Gray series of books. I recommend reading books in order as they build upon one another. However, if you are sensitive to violence as well as adult language and situations, you may wish to avoid all of them.
Eva Driscoll thought that living under an assumed name and keeping a low profile would keep her hidden from a powerful organization. Despite her best efforts, she is back in their clutches and doing their bidding. They may have underestimated this woman and what she can accomplish when things get complicated.
Mr. McDermott did a wonderful job of showing some other layers of this tough lady.
June 13, 2020
Author Alan McDermott (http://alanmcdermottbooks.co.uk) published the novel “Fight to Survive” in 2019. He has published a dozen novels. This is the third of his "Eva Driscoll" thrillers.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as “R” because it contains scenes of Violence. This novel continues the story of the ESO and former CIA agent Eva Driscoll.
Driscoll had thought she had escaped the ESO. She still wants to destroy them, but they pressure her into working for them. The ESO needs someone smuggled out of North Korea. As risky as this mission is she has little choice but to accept it.
What she finds in North Korea is something that she feels compelled to destroy - a prison that is selling organs. She compiles the ESO to back her so that she can free the prisoners in North Korea. Driscoll pulls most of her old team back together to strike inside of North Korea.
They not only want to free the captives, but they also need to find a way to free themselves from ESO surveillance. Driscoll knows she can't trust the ESO. Will she and her team be able to pull off the rescue and escape the ESO?
I enjoyed the 5+ hours I spent reading this 262-page thriller. I thought that this was a good thriller. I have read all three of the 'Eva Driscoll' books ("Run and Hide" and "Seek and Destroy" were the other two). I have also read a couple of McDermott's other novels ("Gray Salvation" and "Trojan"). I judge them all to be well written and enjoyable. The cover art is a little plain, but not bad. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as “R” because it contains scenes of Violence. This novel continues the story of the ESO and former CIA agent Eva Driscoll.
Driscoll had thought she had escaped the ESO. She still wants to destroy them, but they pressure her into working for them. The ESO needs someone smuggled out of North Korea. As risky as this mission is she has little choice but to accept it.
What she finds in North Korea is something that she feels compelled to destroy - a prison that is selling organs. She compiles the ESO to back her so that she can free the prisoners in North Korea. Driscoll pulls most of her old team back together to strike inside of North Korea.
They not only want to free the captives, but they also need to find a way to free themselves from ESO surveillance. Driscoll knows she can't trust the ESO. Will she and her team be able to pull off the rescue and escape the ESO?
I enjoyed the 5+ hours I spent reading this 262-page thriller. I thought that this was a good thriller. I have read all three of the 'Eva Driscoll' books ("Run and Hide" and "Seek and Destroy" were the other two). I have also read a couple of McDermott's other novels ("Gray Salvation" and "Trojan"). I judge them all to be well written and enjoyable. The cover art is a little plain, but not bad. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
August 6, 2019
Another corker
"Fight To Survive" is the third in the Eva Driscoll series. After opening the kindle to decide what to read, it was so exciting to encounter Eva once more. Just like meeting an old friend again.
Eva has decamped to Australia in the vain hope that she can escape from the clutches of the Executive Security Office who, she knows, will one day want to get even with her for past misdemeanours. Once the ESO has demonstrated its power and long arms, Eva is persuaded to travel to North Korea to make contact and bring back a defector. Getting into the country is easy; getting out proves to be a little more challenging.
There are very few authors who can maintain high-quality writing after the first novel, but McDermott is an exception. His writing is crisp and taut and never flags. The pace is varied, but interest is prolonged by the twists and subplots. The language used is straightforward and free-flowing but never panders to or patronises the reader.
This thriller can be read as a stand-alone novel, but the reader would be missing two genuine, literary treats so my suggestion would be to start at the beginning of the series and work up to this one. The ending suggests that there will be another Eva Driscoll novel, so my recommendation is not to waste any time but to get reading.
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
"Fight To Survive" is the third in the Eva Driscoll series. After opening the kindle to decide what to read, it was so exciting to encounter Eva once more. Just like meeting an old friend again.
Eva has decamped to Australia in the vain hope that she can escape from the clutches of the Executive Security Office who, she knows, will one day want to get even with her for past misdemeanours. Once the ESO has demonstrated its power and long arms, Eva is persuaded to travel to North Korea to make contact and bring back a defector. Getting into the country is easy; getting out proves to be a little more challenging.
There are very few authors who can maintain high-quality writing after the first novel, but McDermott is an exception. His writing is crisp and taut and never flags. The pace is varied, but interest is prolonged by the twists and subplots. The language used is straightforward and free-flowing but never panders to or patronises the reader.
This thriller can be read as a stand-alone novel, but the reader would be missing two genuine, literary treats so my suggestion would be to start at the beginning of the series and work up to this one. The ending suggests that there will be another Eva Driscoll novel, so my recommendation is not to waste any time but to get reading.
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
September 23, 2021
In Fight To Survive We catch up with Eva living a quiet life away from the eyes of the ESO (she thinks) in Australia. But she couldn't be more wrong and she is soon over a barrel and forced to work with her old employers once again in a high risk mission to help a high ranking official defect from North Korea no less. Things soon go wrong and Eva and the defector are captured and imprisoned near the Chinese border, what she witnesses there will haunt her and escape is not enough, Eva cannot let that evil stand. So begins a game of cat and mouse both with ESO and the North Koreans.
She's going to need help, but there are only a few people she can trust with her life.
This was a fast paced action filled novel that did stretch believability at times, but never to breaking point. The hand to hand fighting was handled expertly and the spy craft was believable and fun to read as Eva and Sonny lead the ESO operatives around by the nose. The burgeoning relationship with Simon ''Sonny' Baines was handled well considering this wasn't a romance novel and it was nice to see Sonny moving on from the grief of his recent losses that saw him in a bad way last we knew. Despite a nice wrap up something tells me that this is not the last we have heard of the ESO! All in all a solid thriller starring a likable protagonist and an enjoyable read. Bring on book four.
She's going to need help, but there are only a few people she can trust with her life.
This was a fast paced action filled novel that did stretch believability at times, but never to breaking point. The hand to hand fighting was handled expertly and the spy craft was believable and fun to read as Eva and Sonny lead the ESO operatives around by the nose. The burgeoning relationship with Simon ''Sonny' Baines was handled well considering this wasn't a romance novel and it was nice to see Sonny moving on from the grief of his recent losses that saw him in a bad way last we knew. Despite a nice wrap up something tells me that this is not the last we have heard of the ESO! All in all a solid thriller starring a likable protagonist and an enjoyable read. Bring on book four.
July 10, 2019
McDermott has done it again and delivered a solid third entry into his Driscoll series. Without a doubt, this is the most action packed of the trilogy. The action never seems to stop, but it is well interlaced with moving the plot forward.
This book does a masterful job of blending the series-long saga of the ESO with a stand alone plot revolving around North Korea. Both narrative threads are equally as interesting and well detailed. To fully understand the ESO plot, you would need to read the first two books in the series. However, you could read this as a stand alone, and still understand it well. While it does not end on a major cliffhanger, there is definitely potential for a sequel.
I felt this book had the strongest characterization of the three. We got to know Eva on a deeper level - her thoughts, motivations, and core values. I thought the romance element was a bit superfluous, but it was not too over the top. The secondary characters, such as Sonny, also had plenty of moments to shine and grow.
I definitely recommend this book and hope to see more in the series!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This book does a masterful job of blending the series-long saga of the ESO with a stand alone plot revolving around North Korea. Both narrative threads are equally as interesting and well detailed. To fully understand the ESO plot, you would need to read the first two books in the series. However, you could read this as a stand alone, and still understand it well. While it does not end on a major cliffhanger, there is definitely potential for a sequel.
I felt this book had the strongest characterization of the three. We got to know Eva on a deeper level - her thoughts, motivations, and core values. I thought the romance element was a bit superfluous, but it was not too over the top. The secondary characters, such as Sonny, also had plenty of moments to shine and grow.
I definitely recommend this book and hope to see more in the series!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
August 25, 2019
Having read the first Eva Driscoll thriller, I missed out on the second, but this story is a standalone read, with all the necessary backstory.
Eva is attempting to stay under the radar, but her compassionate nature, which is at odds with her profession, forces her to do the right thing, but at what personal risk? Her next assignment comes from the organisation she is hiding from, they make it impossible for her to refuse, but are they organising her demise? What follows is a well researched, action-packed extraction from North Korea, it doesn’t go to plan, and when she escapes against the odds, why would she ever go back?
The characters are realistic, and there is a return of some old friends, the violence is believable, but not too explicit. The plot is fast-paced and relentless, there is no time to get bored. The twists are well-thought-out and give this series its edge.
The perfect series, for lovers of international and political thrillers.
I received a copy of this book from Thomas and Mercer via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
July 29, 2019
Eva has been quietly hiding out in Australia for the last 2 years. Or so she thinks!
When a neighbour needs assistance from her abusive husband Eva gets involved and before she knows it the ESO are back in her life and making her an offer she really, really cannot turn down.
She is still feeling the loss of Carl and her other friends are scattered to the winds, their final destinations not known to even her. But the ESO is now asking her to do a job for THEM and she alerts the team and manages to get some of them together to pull off the job.
North Korea is not exactly a tourist destination and Eva is quickly captured, along with her extraction target - how on Earth is she getting out of this one?
Eva and the team are back for some fast paced, adrenaline-fuelled, James Bond-esque adventures. We get to see her softer, kinder side when dealing with non combatants and guard dogs. Thankfully no cliffhangers but enough threads to lead on to the next story.
When a neighbour needs assistance from her abusive husband Eva gets involved and before she knows it the ESO are back in her life and making her an offer she really, really cannot turn down.
She is still feeling the loss of Carl and her other friends are scattered to the winds, their final destinations not known to even her. But the ESO is now asking her to do a job for THEM and she alerts the team and manages to get some of them together to pull off the job.
North Korea is not exactly a tourist destination and Eva is quickly captured, along with her extraction target - how on Earth is she getting out of this one?
Eva and the team are back for some fast paced, adrenaline-fuelled, James Bond-esque adventures. We get to see her softer, kinder side when dealing with non combatants and guard dogs. Thankfully no cliffhangers but enough threads to lead on to the next story.
August 3, 2019
Ex-CIA assassin Eva Driscoll has found a new life in Australia and believes she’s outrun the Executive Security Office, the most powerful and secretive organization on the planet. But the ESO has been watching her every move and when they approach her with a high-risk mission in North Korea, Eva is forced to co-operate with the organization she once vowed to destroy.
But releasing a high-ranking defector proves costly, and Driscoll is captured and imprisoned in a secret camp on the Chinese border.
This is the third book in the series & I feel that whilst it could be read on its own it would be better to have read the earlier books as some threads do run from book to book. I really enjoyed the book but felt as with the earlier books in the series I had to suspend belief at times. Twists & turns along the way all added to my enjoyment. A well written, fast paced story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
But releasing a high-ranking defector proves costly, and Driscoll is captured and imprisoned in a secret camp on the Chinese border.
This is the third book in the series & I feel that whilst it could be read on its own it would be better to have read the earlier books as some threads do run from book to book. I really enjoyed the book but felt as with the earlier books in the series I had to suspend belief at times. Twists & turns along the way all added to my enjoyment. A well written, fast paced story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
August 15, 2019
Good read
Good book full of action. It was nice seeing the old gang in action again. It was interesting to see Eva’s human side coming through more and more. The final showdown with the plane was epic. It’s hilarious that Wong feels vindicated whilst in fact he failed. What was missing for me was the knowledge of what happened to the people they saved Hong, the prisoners, Cheung. Also I gather that Eva and Sonny are now back together but as a joyous end I would I’ve like to read about the execution of their plan-the ship rescue and the collection of their money in Amsterdam. I would like to know where they live now somewhat under the radar. I’m assuming that Sonny had to let his restaurant go. Anyway so long Eva, until next time.
Good book full of action. It was nice seeing the old gang in action again. It was interesting to see Eva’s human side coming through more and more. The final showdown with the plane was epic. It’s hilarious that Wong feels vindicated whilst in fact he failed. What was missing for me was the knowledge of what happened to the people they saved Hong, the prisoners, Cheung. Also I gather that Eva and Sonny are now back together but as a joyous end I would I’ve like to read about the execution of their plan-the ship rescue and the collection of their money in Amsterdam. I would like to know where they live now somewhat under the radar. I’m assuming that Sonny had to let his restaurant go. Anyway so long Eva, until next time.
June 29, 2019
Eva Driscoll has moved to Melbourne, Australia in the search for anonymity but will she achieve her goal? Unfortunately life doesn't go as planned and she is back saving the world, in one of the most closed countries on earth. Will she escape the freezing cold, the deprivation and her capture unscathed?
Despite a cateract operation a few days before, I read this book in 8 hours and just couldn't leave it alone. Alan McDermott has such skill in writing tense situations without the need for swearing and cursing any yet you can feel the terror. Loved this book along with all his other masterpieces.
Despite a cateract operation a few days before, I read this book in 8 hours and just couldn't leave it alone. Alan McDermott has such skill in writing tense situations without the need for swearing and cursing any yet you can feel the terror. Loved this book along with all his other masterpieces.
August 6, 2019
It is unusual to have a female spy carry a series in the manner in which Alan McDermott has developed this series. He has given us a heroine that is tough and not afraid to die for her beliefs, not your usual female character. Our spy works for a controlling group, or they think she works for them. She uses their muscle and resources to fight against what she feels is corrupt and unjust. But, she finds herself in a foreign prison camp with only herself to count on to escape. It's really great to see this character assess and prioritize actions and events to achieve her escape and complete her mission. This is definitely a series to follow and enjoy.
August 16, 2019
In the book Fight to Survive, author Alan McDermot continues the story of ex-CIA agent Eva Driscoll as she tries to begin a new life by hiding from the ESO. But they find her and threatn her to get her to work for them. It’s simple, get a man out of North Korea. But simple things have a way of becoming complicated with Eva. Great story and I would recommend this book. Look forward to reading the next book in the series. I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2019
I wish there were more to this series, it is so good! (audible review)
I really enjoyed all three of these books. They are nonstop action packed with a great plot and story line.
There are some really great characters you love and some you just don't, This was a really great ending to Eva Driscoll story,
Those prisons were brutal! OMG that stuff probably happens, Cringing,
I highly recommend this series!
As for the narration, it is fantastic. Angela Dawe does a super job with all the voices and keeps you engaged and wanting to keep listening.
FRFL with KU!
I really enjoyed all three of these books. They are nonstop action packed with a great plot and story line.
There are some really great characters you love and some you just don't, This was a really great ending to Eva Driscoll story,
Those prisons were brutal! OMG that stuff probably happens, Cringing,
I highly recommend this series!
As for the narration, it is fantastic. Angela Dawe does a super job with all the voices and keeps you engaged and wanting to keep listening.
FRFL with KU!
February 1, 2021
Fight to Survive
The 3rd Eva Driscoll novel starts with Eva helping her neighbour from being beaten up by her policeman husband and as she tries to book a flight to escape the husband Eva’s card declined. She checks her bank accounts and they have hardly any money in them the ESO had found her. She gets a call from the top man who asks her to do a job for him in good faith he returns all her money. The job is a North Korean defector whatever can go wrong does and Eva is pitched into a nightmare.
RECOMMENDED READ
The 3rd Eva Driscoll novel starts with Eva helping her neighbour from being beaten up by her policeman husband and as she tries to book a flight to escape the husband Eva’s card declined. She checks her bank accounts and they have hardly any money in them the ESO had found her. She gets a call from the top man who asks her to do a job for him in good faith he returns all her money. The job is a North Korean defector whatever can go wrong does and Eva is pitched into a nightmare.
RECOMMENDED READ
June 29, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Fight to Survive was intriguing and kept me guessing until the very end.
In this novel, ex-CIA assassin Eva Driscoll has found a new life in Australia and believes she’s outrun the Executive Security Office, the most powerful and secretive organization on the planet. But the ESO has been watching her every move and when they approach her with a high-risk mission in North Korea, Eva is forced to co-operate with the organization she once vowed to destroy.
Couldn't put this book down!
In this novel, ex-CIA assassin Eva Driscoll has found a new life in Australia and believes she’s outrun the Executive Security Office, the most powerful and secretive organization on the planet. But the ESO has been watching her every move and when they approach her with a high-risk mission in North Korea, Eva is forced to co-operate with the organization she once vowed to destroy.
Couldn't put this book down!
July 4, 2019
Having missed the previous books in this series, It took a little time for me to get into the flow of the story. The beginning seemed a little contrived as Eva has to be convinced to “get back in the saddle”. Twists and turns abound as Eva must endure conflicts with the bad guys and the good guys. Enjoyable thriller. I received an advanced digital copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2020
Another well crafted adventure; despite a few times where I think the story lost its strength, and I found myself skimming through many pages, I fgive it the top 5 rating as a thriller. The ending was rushed with some loose ends (was the author thinking of following on the story?) but this book is especially recommended for those who read the first two. I may well go and read the Gray novels sometime in the future.
June 25, 2019
Supurb
Never disappoints love the Eva Driscoll books always tense exciting and the friendship between the group is brilliant as you know they would do anything for each other if you have not yet read any books by Alan McDermott you do not know what you are missing cannot wait for next one. ??????
Never disappoints love the Eva Driscoll books always tense exciting and the friendship between the group is brilliant as you know they would do anything for each other if you have not yet read any books by Alan McDermott you do not know what you are missing cannot wait for next one. ??????
August 1, 2019
Nail bitingly brilliant thriller
I really got drawn into this thriller and found it difficult to put down. I love the Eva Driscoll character, very strong intelligent woman. Fighting against all the odds thrown at her, she somehow survives against the forces of evil.
June Finnigan - Writer
I really got drawn into this thriller and found it difficult to put down. I love the Eva Driscoll character, very strong intelligent woman. Fighting against all the odds thrown at her, she somehow survives against the forces of evil.
June Finnigan - Writer
August 11, 2019
Really enjoyed this book and the series so far. I have read/listened to all Alan's books from the Tom Gray series as well as Trojan along with the series. I would recommend his books if you like action/fast-paced books. If you like Mark Dawson's John Milton or Lee Child's Jack Reacher then I think you will really enjoy Alan McDermott books.
October 18, 2019
Thoroughly Enjoyable
Eva Driscoll is a charmer and someone you definitely want on your side. Not only does she believe in justice for the underdog, she'll do what it takes to make it happen. But she doesn't stop there, she makes sure the high and mighty pay. Great job. Thank you. Looking forward to reading more of Eva's predicaments.
Eva Driscoll is a charmer and someone you definitely want on your side. Not only does she believe in justice for the underdog, she'll do what it takes to make it happen. But she doesn't stop there, she makes sure the high and mighty pay. Great job. Thank you. Looking forward to reading more of Eva's predicaments.
March 22, 2020
A very fun and more realistic than most series
I really like the fact that this series has really varied characters and talks about something which is probably very real: a group of global billionaires who really run the entire planet from behind the scenes all for their own profit. We are seeing this more clearly now as politics change!
I really like the fact that this series has really varied characters and talks about something which is probably very real: a group of global billionaires who really run the entire planet from behind the scenes all for their own profit. We are seeing this more clearly now as politics change!
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