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The Englishman #1
The Englishman
A clandestine war on the desert border of Mali and Algeria. Murder and kidnap on the suburban streets of West London. A Moscow CID police inspector investigating the assassination of four of her fellow officers by the Russian Mafia. A young MI6 officer facing the possibility that a long-running operation has been fatally compromised. Connecting them all is the Dan Raglan, outsider, exile, one-time member of the French Foreign Legion, fully trained killer. Raglan's quest for answers will become a quest for vengeance. It will lead him to the winter-ravaged wasteland of the Sverdlovskaya Oblast and Penal Colony #74, a place that holds Russia's most brutal murderers. A place of death and retribution. How will he get in? More importantly, how will he get out?
469 pages, Hardcover
First published July 9, 2020
About the author
David Gilman
48 books434 followersDavid Gilman was raised in Liverpool and educated in Wales. By the time he was 16 he was driving a battered 1946 Ford, ferrying construction workers in the African bush. A variety of jobs followed in different countries: fire and rescue, forestry work, JCB driver, window dresser and professional photographer in an advertising agency. He served in the Parachute Regiment’s Reconnaissance Platoon and then worked in publishing. In 1986 he turned to full-time writing. He has written many radio and television scripts including several years of ‘A Touch of Frost’. In 2007 his ‘Danger Zone’ trilogy for YA was sold in 15 countries. The first in the series – The Devil’s Breath was long listed for the CILIP Carnegie Medal and won the French Prix Polar Jeunesse. He also writes for younger children. MONKEY and ME has been nominated for the Carnegie Medal. ‘MASTER of WAR’ is the first in a series of HF for adults that follows the fortunes of Thomas Blackstone during the 100 Years’ War. The 7th volume - 'SHADOW OF THE HAWK' is published in February 2021.
A new contemporary thriller series - THE ENGLISHMAN - was published in 2020 to critical acclaim. The second book in The Englishman series will be published in early 2022.
A new contemporary thriller series - THE ENGLISHMAN - was published in 2020 to critical acclaim. The second book in The Englishman series will be published in early 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
December 13, 2021
The Englishman begins with a man being chased through the snow in Siberia in October 2020, and then moves back to 2013, with a deadly assault by the French Foreign Legion, on a series of caves to capture the man leading Al-Qaeda in Mali.
However, the story really begins, I suppose, with ‘Part Two’, when Jeremy Carter, a successful banker, is climbing into his Jaguar to take his son to rugby training. His chauffeur, Charlie Lewis, drives, and they make their way through the Saturday morning traffic to Barnes.
But that morning everything goes disastrously wrong. The car is attacked, in a scene that is truly gripping, the boy manages to escape, but the banker is captured, and taken away.
Except this is not merely the kidnap of a banker. We are introduced to Maguire, from MI5, who has an interest in the matter. He wants to get Jeremy Carter rescued, and he knows he has little time, because Carter is not a hostage held for ransom - he has secrets in his head that terrorists would kill to discover.
Maguire has to use someone to get Carter freed, and he knows just the man - Dan Raglan.
The author takes us to the home of the kidnapped man, to show how the children and the man’s wife are coping, and also how others around the family bore up under the strain, which all felt very authentic.
This felt like an old-fashioned thriller, but with a modern feel. Very good!
However, the story really begins, I suppose, with ‘Part Two’, when Jeremy Carter, a successful banker, is climbing into his Jaguar to take his son to rugby training. His chauffeur, Charlie Lewis, drives, and they make their way through the Saturday morning traffic to Barnes.
But that morning everything goes disastrously wrong. The car is attacked, in a scene that is truly gripping, the boy manages to escape, but the banker is captured, and taken away.
Except this is not merely the kidnap of a banker. We are introduced to Maguire, from MI5, who has an interest in the matter. He wants to get Jeremy Carter rescued, and he knows he has little time, because Carter is not a hostage held for ransom - he has secrets in his head that terrorists would kill to discover.
Maguire has to use someone to get Carter freed, and he knows just the man - Dan Raglan.
The author takes us to the home of the kidnapped man, to show how the children and the man’s wife are coping, and also how others around the family bore up under the strain, which all felt very authentic.
This felt like an old-fashioned thriller, but with a modern feel. Very good!
June 5, 2020
This is a exciting, solid contemporary espionage thriller from David Gilman, more at the action orientated spectrum of the genre, so do not expect much in the way of in depth characterisation. The protagonist, Dan Raglan, in exile in France, is at the heart of the novel, a professional killer and a former paratrooper who had a distinguished career in the famous French Foreign Legion, his close relationships with fellow serving soldiers providing a family for him. In 2013, Raglan was part of a compromised secret multinational operation in the caves on the borders of Mali and Algeria targeting a heavily guarded high value ISIS terrorist in hiding. This repercussions of this operation have deadly consequences on the streets of West London in 2020 where banker Jeremy Carter is abducted in an well planned ambush.
Carter is married to Amanda, with a 13 year old adopted son, Steven and 5 year old daughter, Melissa. His driver is murdered, and Steven is missing, feared taken by the kidnappers. Colonel Ralph Maguire of MI6 sends his assistant, Abbie, to France to persuade Raglan to return in an off the books role. Raglan returns, he is closely connected to both Jeremy and Amanda, a Jeremy who was more than just a banker, and he manages to locate the young Steven. He races against time to find Jeremy, knowing he is being interrogated and tortured to death, helped to negotiate his way round a London by a driver he insisted on, Abbie. He is joined in his task by a tough Moscow CID officer, determined to gain justice for 4 murdered Russian police officers, despite the corruption that leaks down from the very top of the Russian government.
In a narrative that moves from London to Eastern Europe and the remote, isolated bitterly icy regions of Siberia, Raglan embarks on a well nigh impossible deadly mission of vengeance that is to take him into Penal Colony 74, aka White Eagle, housing Russia's most lethal and dangerous killers. Gilman writes a well plotted and compulsive thriller that grew on me the more I read of it. There are plenty of well described fight and action scenes, and the author does a terrific job in the atmospheric portrayal of Siberia, its landscape, the woods, and a well guarded secure prison from which no-one has ever escaped alive. This will appeal to many readers who love their thrillers. Many thanks to Head of Zeus for an ARC.
Carter is married to Amanda, with a 13 year old adopted son, Steven and 5 year old daughter, Melissa. His driver is murdered, and Steven is missing, feared taken by the kidnappers. Colonel Ralph Maguire of MI6 sends his assistant, Abbie, to France to persuade Raglan to return in an off the books role. Raglan returns, he is closely connected to both Jeremy and Amanda, a Jeremy who was more than just a banker, and he manages to locate the young Steven. He races against time to find Jeremy, knowing he is being interrogated and tortured to death, helped to negotiate his way round a London by a driver he insisted on, Abbie. He is joined in his task by a tough Moscow CID officer, determined to gain justice for 4 murdered Russian police officers, despite the corruption that leaks down from the very top of the Russian government.
In a narrative that moves from London to Eastern Europe and the remote, isolated bitterly icy regions of Siberia, Raglan embarks on a well nigh impossible deadly mission of vengeance that is to take him into Penal Colony 74, aka White Eagle, housing Russia's most lethal and dangerous killers. Gilman writes a well plotted and compulsive thriller that grew on me the more I read of it. There are plenty of well described fight and action scenes, and the author does a terrific job in the atmospheric portrayal of Siberia, its landscape, the woods, and a well guarded secure prison from which no-one has ever escaped alive. This will appeal to many readers who love their thrillers. Many thanks to Head of Zeus for an ARC.
January 29, 2022
Book 1 in the Dan Raglan series published 2020
A 4 star thriller.
Ex French Legionnaire Dan Raglan (The Englishman) is a highly trained tough soldier, a friend who always has your back and fearlessly loyal to his comrades in arms.
So, when Dan learns that one of his best mates has been kidnapped and his mates son is missing it’s a no brainer Dan wants no know why and who is responsible.
Dan flies from his base in France to the scene of the crime, London, and puts all his considerable skills to work to get the answers he seeks.
When Dan finds out that the mastermind is a fellow legionnaire things get really personal.
Dan knows the legionnaire, a man who goes by the moniker JD, to be a vindictive psychopath. Dan also known that stopping JD will be no easy matter as he is the type of maniac that would rather die that be taken alive.
When things go horribly wrong and Dan is too late to save his friend, Dan vows to hunt JD down, to the ends of the earth if needs be, to get the revenge he so desperately craves.
We have all read stories like this before but that having been said I still found this to be a constant page turner that I had trouble putting down. The violence is a bit in your face so be prepared.
When I read a thriller I want to be thrilled and this most certainly does that.
So recommended for thrill seekers.
A 4 star thriller.
Ex French Legionnaire Dan Raglan (The Englishman) is a highly trained tough soldier, a friend who always has your back and fearlessly loyal to his comrades in arms.
So, when Dan learns that one of his best mates has been kidnapped and his mates son is missing it’s a no brainer Dan wants no know why and who is responsible.
Dan flies from his base in France to the scene of the crime, London, and puts all his considerable skills to work to get the answers he seeks.
When Dan finds out that the mastermind is a fellow legionnaire things get really personal.
Dan knows the legionnaire, a man who goes by the moniker JD, to be a vindictive psychopath. Dan also known that stopping JD will be no easy matter as he is the type of maniac that would rather die that be taken alive.
When things go horribly wrong and Dan is too late to save his friend, Dan vows to hunt JD down, to the ends of the earth if needs be, to get the revenge he so desperately craves.
We have all read stories like this before but that having been said I still found this to be a constant page turner that I had trouble putting down. The violence is a bit in your face so be prepared.
When I read a thriller I want to be thrilled and this most certainly does that.
So recommended for thrill seekers.
April 24, 2024
De mult nu am mai citit o carte atât de interesantă. O poveste complexă despre loialitate, prietenie, onoare, iar personajul principal este ușor de îndrăgit. Partea a treia este cea mai interesantă, fiind plasată în sistemul penitenciar din Rusia, iar condițiile de detenție de acolo și modul de administrare a corecțiilor a fost bine documentat și gândit. Să vedem cum va fi cel de al doilea volum!
June 22, 2020
If you enjoy books full of action, then this one is pretty much non-stop. It opens with a planned attack in the Republic of Mali and, before you have caught your breath, you are in London in the middle of a kidnapping. Personally, I prefer more characterisation in my novels, but it is worthwhile hanging on, if like me, you find this a bit of a breathless assault in the beginning, as it does – if not slow down – then certainly become more invested in the characters as the novel progresses.
The central character is Dan Raglan, who we meet in the initial attack in Mali, a former member of the French Foreign Legion and someone known to the intelligence services of both Britain and France. Wanting someone independent to investigate the kidnapping of banker, Jeremy Carter, who has links to Raglan himself, the Englishman is approached.
As the book progresses, you manage to learn more about his character. The central part of the novel involves Raglan attempting to break into a modern day, Russian gulag. By the time we had arrived in Siberia, I was far more interested in what would happen and in the survival of Raglan and his small team. Be warned, though, like the wonderful Mick Herron’s Slough House series, there are characters lost along the way – not just minor ones either. Personally, I think this makes a book more exciting, but if I read on in this series, I have a feeling that I will be saddened by the loss of main characters. The fact that Mr Gilman made me care about them is testament to this series, as I did nearly abandon this, but I am glad I persevered.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
The central character is Dan Raglan, who we meet in the initial attack in Mali, a former member of the French Foreign Legion and someone known to the intelligence services of both Britain and France. Wanting someone independent to investigate the kidnapping of banker, Jeremy Carter, who has links to Raglan himself, the Englishman is approached.
As the book progresses, you manage to learn more about his character. The central part of the novel involves Raglan attempting to break into a modern day, Russian gulag. By the time we had arrived in Siberia, I was far more interested in what would happen and in the survival of Raglan and his small team. Be warned, though, like the wonderful Mick Herron’s Slough House series, there are characters lost along the way – not just minor ones either. Personally, I think this makes a book more exciting, but if I read on in this series, I have a feeling that I will be saddened by the loss of main characters. The fact that Mr Gilman made me care about them is testament to this series, as I did nearly abandon this, but I am glad I persevered.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
July 9, 2020
The book’s protagonist, Dan Raglan – the Englishman of the title – is a bit of a man of mystery. Although taken in by a couple when he was orphaned, his real ‘family’ are his former comrades in the French Foreign Legion. Although a trained killer and a loner by nature, he’s not the cold figure you might expect. The things he’s seen, endured – and done – have left traumatic memories that occasionally rise to the surface; only his incredible willpower keeps the nightmares at bay. Raglan’s own life experiences also mean he has instinctive empathy for those who suffer loss at an early age. Oh, and I’ll confess even this happily married lady got a bit hot under the collar at the thought of Raglan’s lean, muscular physique and other attributes. However, I suspect I would have a formidable rival for his affections.
Moving from a dramatic opening in a remote part of Russia, to Mali in West Africa, to the streets of London and then back to Russia again, The Englishman has everything you would expect – and want – from a contemporary thriller. There are plenty of bone-crunching action scenes, the bad guys are really bad, the plot is satisfyingly intricate and there are twists, turns and surprises aplenty. The author is pretty ruthless when it comes to his characters; don’t expect all of them to make it to the end. In the first part of the book especially, the author makes good use of his own military experience in detailed descriptions of equipment, weaponry and tactics.
If you’re looking for a compelling, well-told story incorporating topical issues such as international terrorism, money laundering, covert military operations and state-sponsored organized crime, then The Englishman is the book for you. All that’s missing for it to be a complete picture of the world we’re living in now is a global pandemic but perhaps Raglan will be called on to grapple with that in a future book.
The Englishman promises to be the start of a terrific new series and I for one can’t wait to see what Raglan gets up to next.
Moving from a dramatic opening in a remote part of Russia, to Mali in West Africa, to the streets of London and then back to Russia again, The Englishman has everything you would expect – and want – from a contemporary thriller. There are plenty of bone-crunching action scenes, the bad guys are really bad, the plot is satisfyingly intricate and there are twists, turns and surprises aplenty. The author is pretty ruthless when it comes to his characters; don’t expect all of them to make it to the end. In the first part of the book especially, the author makes good use of his own military experience in detailed descriptions of equipment, weaponry and tactics.
If you’re looking for a compelling, well-told story incorporating topical issues such as international terrorism, money laundering, covert military operations and state-sponsored organized crime, then The Englishman is the book for you. All that’s missing for it to be a complete picture of the world we’re living in now is a global pandemic but perhaps Raglan will be called on to grapple with that in a future book.
The Englishman promises to be the start of a terrific new series and I for one can’t wait to see what Raglan gets up to next.
September 15, 2020
It turns out, not my cup-of-tea. It read like a film script, and the torrent of words devoted to action footage was way outside that required. The premise had some legs, in principle, but most of the characters weren't well drawn, to my reading. And it wasn't exactly an ending with a twist. All action, no depth.
November 13, 2021
Dan Raglan is The Englishman. This book by David Gilman is the first time I have tried anything by this author and I will definetely read more, great author. I am also very pleased that I got Betrayal as an advance copy. That is the next book about Dan Raglan out in January. This was a book filled with action and mystery and I really liked the main character and the wonderful way Gilman tells a story. I will look into his historical fiction as well. Highly recommended.
October 18, 2021
I wasn't overly keen on this one. A good solid read, and I read it all, so that's always worth something. But I think it was too much on the espionage side of things, which isn't really my cup of tea. I'd chosen to read this as a departure from my usual genre and had hoped I'd get on with it, but I just wasn't hooked.
I have given this one 3 stars for the writing - which was really good, the detailed storyline - which was very well written and researched, and the setting - all over Europe and really interesting to read about these places.
Not one I would read again, but glad I got the chance to read it. Thanks to the publisher for my gifted copy.
www.thebeautifulbookbreak.com
I have given this one 3 stars for the writing - which was really good, the detailed storyline - which was very well written and researched, and the setting - all over Europe and really interesting to read about these places.
Not one I would read again, but glad I got the chance to read it. Thanks to the publisher for my gifted copy.
www.thebeautifulbookbreak.com
August 19, 2020
“The Englishman” by David Gilman introduces us to Dan Raglan, the Englishman of the title. He is (of course) a former paratrooper in the French Foreign Legion, a veteran of many shadow wars including a mission against ISIS on the borders of Mali and Algeria that forms the main backstory of this character.
After a brief foreshadowing scene from the ending, we start in the streets of London, where banker Jeremy Carter is ambushed and kidnapped by professionals. MI6 sends a low-level assistant, Abbie, to track down Raglan and get him to come back from France to help find Carter, a man and family who are close to Raglan’s heart.
Raglan returns, and along with Abbie and an attractive Moscow CID officer who has her own reasons for tracking down the kidnappers, starts working through London to find his friend before it’s too late. On the other side of the kidnapping is an old colleague from the Foreign Legion, bringing the past into the present for Raglan. His quest for justice will eventually lead him to get incarcerated in Penal Colony #74 in Siberia for the final showdown.
If you are looking for excitement then this is a book for you: this is a fast-moving action-packed modern thriller, with all of the pluses and minuses that this includes. Plenty of action, lots of blood and death, not everyone makes it to the end, exotic locations, very bad bad guys, loving descriptions of weapons, tender moments with kids/friends to show the killer has a heart, beautiful people getting frisky. Don’t expect too much in terms of character development, complicated plot, or dialog. Not a bad way to spend a couple of evenings.
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Head of Zeus via NetGalley. Thank you!
After a brief foreshadowing scene from the ending, we start in the streets of London, where banker Jeremy Carter is ambushed and kidnapped by professionals. MI6 sends a low-level assistant, Abbie, to track down Raglan and get him to come back from France to help find Carter, a man and family who are close to Raglan’s heart.
Raglan returns, and along with Abbie and an attractive Moscow CID officer who has her own reasons for tracking down the kidnappers, starts working through London to find his friend before it’s too late. On the other side of the kidnapping is an old colleague from the Foreign Legion, bringing the past into the present for Raglan. His quest for justice will eventually lead him to get incarcerated in Penal Colony #74 in Siberia for the final showdown.
If you are looking for excitement then this is a book for you: this is a fast-moving action-packed modern thriller, with all of the pluses and minuses that this includes. Plenty of action, lots of blood and death, not everyone makes it to the end, exotic locations, very bad bad guys, loving descriptions of weapons, tender moments with kids/friends to show the killer has a heart, beautiful people getting frisky. Don’t expect too much in terms of character development, complicated plot, or dialog. Not a bad way to spend a couple of evenings.
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Head of Zeus via NetGalley. Thank you!
April 17, 2022
Alături de „Orașul vrăjitoarelor”, de Luca Buggio, și „Aplicația”, de Arno Strobel, „Englezul” se numără printre primele cărți apărute în acest an la Editura Lebăda Neagră. Încadrat în colecția „Black Spot”, romanul constituie o operă de ficțiune, specifică literaturii Mystery & Thriller, fiind de asemenea primul volum din duologia, posibil seria, „Dan Raglan”, numele dezvăluind, în mod evident, identitatea protagonistului. Dincolo de aceste detalii, cred eu, necesare, textul reprezintă o reîntoarcere la moda poveștilor cu eroi deosebiți, a agenților excepționali care pot ieși teferi din orice misiune, având ca scop suprem salvarea celor aflați la ananghie și îndepărtarea răului dintr-o lume care trebuie, neîntrerupt, protejată și purificată.
Recenzia:
http://www.cartilemele.ro/2022/04/rec...
Recenzia:
http://www.cartilemele.ro/2022/04/rec...
June 6, 2021
Gilman makes a great entrance into the modern spy thriller genre
As I understand it, the author`s previous forays ventured mainly into historical fiction, a fact which makes this novel all the more impressing. Gilman deftly weaves many beloved ingredients of the genre into an exhilaratingly fresh narrative like he is an old hand at this. A fascinating, twisted and action-packed tale with a multi-layered highly competent protagonist. Can´t wait for the next one!
As I understand it, the author`s previous forays ventured mainly into historical fiction, a fact which makes this novel all the more impressing. Gilman deftly weaves many beloved ingredients of the genre into an exhilaratingly fresh narrative like he is an old hand at this. A fascinating, twisted and action-packed tale with a multi-layered highly competent protagonist. Can´t wait for the next one!
June 17, 2020
When Jeremy Carter, a 49-year-old banker is ambushed in his car, his driver murdered by men with assault rifles in an ambush in London, his boss at MI6 (who he once officially worked for, and still does unofficially) wants someone off-the-books to help him investigate. Enter Dan Raglan, the Englishman of the title, a former French Foreign Legionnaire and a man who has worked for both French and British intelligence since. Raglan sets about investigating, his familial relationship with Carter spurring him on. Soon, he finds himself up to his ears in international intrigue and espionage.
I shan’t give too much away about the plot, but this is a good, solid, high-octane spy thriller. The blurb on the back gives it away that at some point Raglan will need to sneak into a penal colony deep in the snowy wastes of Siberia, a near-impossible mission. But this happens towards the end of the book, and in actual fact, I found the body of the plot, which occurs in London, far more compelling.
This a novel that fits into that muscular genre of action/espionage, more Lee Child, Vince Flynn, or Stephen Leather than John Le Carre. There’s enough here to make it stand out from the crowd, it’s well-plotted and the characterisation is good, but I did find the odd irritating flourish of cliché. Am I the only one who finds the femme fatale a little tiresome? Why does the action hero have to fall into bed with a female colleague? Is this just a convention that thriller readers on the whole expect, and are my complaints just me being a little stuffy?
That said, this is a small flaw - and as mentioned, it might be just me who sees it as such - in an otherwise well crafted and enjoyable novel. One thing I did like about the novel, is that people you don’t expect to die, do. This is something that Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones excelled at and elevated them above the competition: never knowing whether a cherished character might get killed does wonders for the tension. I won't give anything away, but there are a couple of times in this novel when a character who you think won't end up on a mortuary slab, does, in fact, do so. The author is certainly not scared to kill his darlings, always a good thing with a thriller writer.
The Englishman holds its own in a crowded field and I certainly hope that there’s a sequel. The characters left standing at the end could certainly carry one.
I shan’t give too much away about the plot, but this is a good, solid, high-octane spy thriller. The blurb on the back gives it away that at some point Raglan will need to sneak into a penal colony deep in the snowy wastes of Siberia, a near-impossible mission. But this happens towards the end of the book, and in actual fact, I found the body of the plot, which occurs in London, far more compelling.
This a novel that fits into that muscular genre of action/espionage, more Lee Child, Vince Flynn, or Stephen Leather than John Le Carre. There’s enough here to make it stand out from the crowd, it’s well-plotted and the characterisation is good, but I did find the odd irritating flourish of cliché. Am I the only one who finds the femme fatale a little tiresome? Why does the action hero have to fall into bed with a female colleague? Is this just a convention that thriller readers on the whole expect, and are my complaints just me being a little stuffy?
That said, this is a small flaw - and as mentioned, it might be just me who sees it as such - in an otherwise well crafted and enjoyable novel. One thing I did like about the novel, is that people you don’t expect to die, do. This is something that Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones excelled at and elevated them above the competition: never knowing whether a cherished character might get killed does wonders for the tension. I won't give anything away, but there are a couple of times in this novel when a character who you think won't end up on a mortuary slab, does, in fact, do so. The author is certainly not scared to kill his darlings, always a good thing with a thriller writer.
The Englishman holds its own in a crowded field and I certainly hope that there’s a sequel. The characters left standing at the end could certainly carry one.
May 4, 2024
Sometimes we just don't connect with books and despite my best intentions The Englishman and I have not been able to connect. I'm not sure if it's just not good or if it's good in its own right and I'm not seeing it, but it hasn't been a pleasurable reading experience.
August 10, 2020
Former French Legionnaire Raglan is living in retirement in France when a junior MI6 operative makes contact. His former colleague and friend has been kidnapped in London. Raglan drops everything to help in the search for Carter. Although he finds his friend, he dies and so do several others – this now becomes a vengeance mission for Raglan. The only problem is that in order to take out the perpetrator he needs to get inside a remote high security prison in the isolated north of Russia.
This isn’t normally the sort of book I would read but was offered a review copy through Lovereading. In fact there is a huge market for this type of action thriller and of it’s genre it is actually very good. the set pieces are not too often to become stale but are suitably violent, there is a cliched love interest (the most unsuccessful part) and a solid understanding of time and place. The frustrations of driving throughLondon traffic are surprisingly well handled and a great contradiction to the remoteness of the Russian sections. There is a sly sense of humour at work here so, although not necessarily my book of choice, I actually found myself betting caught up in an exhilarating ride.
This isn’t normally the sort of book I would read but was offered a review copy through Lovereading. In fact there is a huge market for this type of action thriller and of it’s genre it is actually very good. the set pieces are not too often to become stale but are suitably violent, there is a cliched love interest (the most unsuccessful part) and a solid understanding of time and place. The frustrations of driving throughLondon traffic are surprisingly well handled and a great contradiction to the remoteness of the Russian sections. There is a sly sense of humour at work here so, although not necessarily my book of choice, I actually found myself betting caught up in an exhilarating ride.
July 15, 2020
The action in the old-fashioned thriller is relentless, galloping from London to France, then heading east to a remote region of Siberia as an international conspiracy and high-level corruption are revealed.
The author definitely knows his martial lore and expounds at length on the subject. Some of the set pieces are a little too detailed: a London car chase felt like a long list of streetnames from Googlemaps, while the extended catalogue of weapons simply slowed things down. Very few writers (well, OK, only one) can bring about unbearable tension through the minutiae of ammunition and firearms. And this story feels more like Stephen Leather than Stephen Hunter.
I didn't really warm to Raglan, the central character, although Abbie, his female MI6 sidekick, was an interesting creation. If you like cliff-hangers and shock twists then there's plenty here to surprise you.
Decently entertaining, but iI'm not inspired to read the next one.
The author definitely knows his martial lore and expounds at length on the subject. Some of the set pieces are a little too detailed: a London car chase felt like a long list of streetnames from Googlemaps, while the extended catalogue of weapons simply slowed things down. Very few writers (well, OK, only one) can bring about unbearable tension through the minutiae of ammunition and firearms. And this story feels more like Stephen Leather than Stephen Hunter.
I didn't really warm to Raglan, the central character, although Abbie, his female MI6 sidekick, was an interesting creation. If you like cliff-hangers and shock twists then there's plenty here to surprise you.
Decently entertaining, but iI'm not inspired to read the next one.
January 10, 2025
First rate action thriller that is close to unputdownable.
Ticks every box as far as plot, characters and settings are concerned.
The race is on to rescue a kidnapped British banker before he divulges sensitive details and his only hope is an ex French foreign legionnaire looking for revenge.
Superb.
Ticks every box as far as plot, characters and settings are concerned.
The race is on to rescue a kidnapped British banker before he divulges sensitive details and his only hope is an ex French foreign legionnaire looking for revenge.
Superb.
August 9, 2021
Not a bad book, relatively interesting but slightly predictable storyline. The many fight scenes were more like an action movie and not super exciting. Not much character depth or transformation. All in all, probably better suited as a movie rather than a book.
August 14, 2020
A fast-paced international thriller.
Jeremy Carter and his son are on their way to a rugby match at his son’s school. They take a short cut to miss the gridlocked traffic only to face their worst and most terrifying experience – being ambushed. Jeremy Carter is kidnapped, his driver killed, but thanks to Jeremy’s training – his son Steven escapes and manages to get to a safe house.
Mr Maguire from MI6 must act quickly if there is any chance to rescue Carter. He immediately sends one of his staff, Abbie Khalsa, to find the man known as “The Englishman”, Dan Raglan who lives in a remote French village along with his other “family”, members of the elite French Foreign Legion to help with the rescue.
Raglan uses Abbie’s extraordinary knowledge of London’s roads to try to ascertain where the kidnappers are holding Carter. Will they get to him in time? I’d be on Raglan’s hitlist if I gave any further details.
David Gilman is an extraordinarily gifted author. His writing is so descriptive that I felt like I was right in the middle of this plot from the very beginning. I found myself reading at speed and well into the wee small hours of the morning to find out if Raglan would not only survive but also rescue Carter. The detail that the author gives on the places this book takes place in is fascinating, and I’ve learnt so much more about very remote countries.
Rony
Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.
Jeremy Carter and his son are on their way to a rugby match at his son’s school. They take a short cut to miss the gridlocked traffic only to face their worst and most terrifying experience – being ambushed. Jeremy Carter is kidnapped, his driver killed, but thanks to Jeremy’s training – his son Steven escapes and manages to get to a safe house.
Mr Maguire from MI6 must act quickly if there is any chance to rescue Carter. He immediately sends one of his staff, Abbie Khalsa, to find the man known as “The Englishman”, Dan Raglan who lives in a remote French village along with his other “family”, members of the elite French Foreign Legion to help with the rescue.
Raglan uses Abbie’s extraordinary knowledge of London’s roads to try to ascertain where the kidnappers are holding Carter. Will they get to him in time? I’d be on Raglan’s hitlist if I gave any further details.
David Gilman is an extraordinarily gifted author. His writing is so descriptive that I felt like I was right in the middle of this plot from the very beginning. I found myself reading at speed and well into the wee small hours of the morning to find out if Raglan would not only survive but also rescue Carter. The detail that the author gives on the places this book takes place in is fascinating, and I’ve learnt so much more about very remote countries.
Rony
Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.
February 22, 2021
**TW**
This book contains details of violence, murder, torture, mutilation, sex scenes, etc. If a sensitive reader this book may not be for you.
The first couple of chapters was confusing but, after a while, the book became entertaining and left me saying 'just one more chapter'.
The middle part of the book is where all the action really was. The tension, the gasps, the excitement, it was all in the middle. You could tell that a lot of thought went into writing and creating this book and I really loved that I could see that.
There was a certain scene that had me in tears. I was like 'wait-hold up, did that actually happen!?' And yes, yes it did. Ahh!! If you've read this book you probably know what scene I'm talking about.
Raglan's character was presented as being very mysterious, smart and creative. I feel like there is still so much more to learn about him! I'd love to know more of his background and even his childhood! I'd find that really interesting!
The Englishman is a tense and exciting book that leaves the reader anticipating the next move.
Gilman has cleverly written this book in a way that immediately grasps the readers attention. I was definitely interested in this story and was even more curious about Raglan's character.
The ending, I must admit, felt slightly rushed. It was as though Gilman just wanted the book to be over and done with.
But, overall I loved this vividly described story and would definitely read more of David Gilman's books!
This book contains details of violence, murder, torture, mutilation, sex scenes, etc. If a sensitive reader this book may not be for you.
The first couple of chapters was confusing but, after a while, the book became entertaining and left me saying 'just one more chapter'.
The middle part of the book is where all the action really was. The tension, the gasps, the excitement, it was all in the middle. You could tell that a lot of thought went into writing and creating this book and I really loved that I could see that.
There was a certain scene that had me in tears. I was like 'wait-hold up, did that actually happen!?' And yes, yes it did. Ahh!! If you've read this book you probably know what scene I'm talking about.
Raglan's character was presented as being very mysterious, smart and creative. I feel like there is still so much more to learn about him! I'd love to know more of his background and even his childhood! I'd find that really interesting!
The Englishman is a tense and exciting book that leaves the reader anticipating the next move.
Gilman has cleverly written this book in a way that immediately grasps the readers attention. I was definitely interested in this story and was even more curious about Raglan's character.
The ending, I must admit, felt slightly rushed. It was as though Gilman just wanted the book to be over and done with.
But, overall I loved this vividly described story and would definitely read more of David Gilman's books!
February 14, 2021
This is an excellent fast paced thriller, it is complex, inventive, relentless, and brilliantly crafted. The action keeps moving you forward and I enjoyed the move to Russia in the latter half of the book, you could feel the chill of a Russian winter rising from the pages.
I was disappointed in the loss of one of the characters as I thought more could have been made of their relationship with Raglan and the focus in Russia at the end has meant there are unanswered questions I had about Maguire but this is all the more reason to read another!
I was disappointed in the loss of one of the characters as I thought more could have been made of their relationship with Raglan and the focus in Russia at the end has meant there are unanswered questions I had about Maguire but this is all the more reason to read another!
May 4, 2022
Cartea ce dă startul seriei Dan Raglan ne invită în culisele unei răpiri armate din Londra a unui bancher. Acesta fusese spion și om de bază în Legiunea Străină în trecut și a făcut echipă cu legenda Dan Raglan. Însă, omul de bază de la MI6 știe că doar Raglan îl poate salva pe bancher, fără prea mult tam-tam sau implicări din partea altor forțe armate.
Ce rezultă? Un thriller plin de acțiune, cu scene de luptă bine realizate, cu multă tortură și imagini vii.
https://ciobanuldeazi.home.blog/2022/...
Ce rezultă? Un thriller plin de acțiune, cu scene de luptă bine realizate, cu multă tortură și imagini vii.
https://ciobanuldeazi.home.blog/2022/...
October 1, 2020
Loved this. I don't read many novels set in the present day, but I'm a huge fan of David's other work and this one certainly didn't disappoint.
From the mountains of Africa, to the streets of London, to the vast frozen forests of Russia, this is a fast paced thriller that really packs a punch. Beautifully researched, expertly paced, it's a book that lives with you after you've turned the final page. Hope there's a sequel!
From the mountains of Africa, to the streets of London, to the vast frozen forests of Russia, this is a fast paced thriller that really packs a punch. Beautifully researched, expertly paced, it's a book that lives with you after you've turned the final page. Hope there's a sequel!
July 13, 2020
A very good spy thriller heavy on the action and thrills but minimal character depth. Raglan is the main character and hes fun. The action knows went to ramp up and its well paced. Dont go in expecting spy thriller in the vein of Le carre etc. This is just pure fun
February 24, 2025
Great action sequences, a little too much detective work, and forgettable characters. I had to look up the title details to recall the story.
On the plus side, the action rocked and rolled from one place to the next and seemed like five stories in one.
On the plus side, the action rocked and rolled from one place to the next and seemed like five stories in one.
November 4, 2020
I really enjoyed this. It is a great mix of Foreign Legion antics, spies and terrorism. It is a really good read, but it was a little far fetched at the end. This did not detract from my overall enjoyment, though.
May 27, 2023
Sometimes you just need a bit of escapism with a side of action and adventure. This book does this well, it is action-packed, and the main character is quite the all action hero. The book really does start rather like a James Bond movie and goes on with the main character chasing an evil bad guy that would fit perfectly in that kind of movie.
The book is a little far-fetched and not that deep a story, but it is a decent read and it is fast paced.
If you do read this book for goodness sake don’t read the blurb on the back, it is such a spoiler and describes events that didn’t happen until after page 300 in the book. What were they thinking? Other than that, it is all good.
The book is a little far-fetched and not that deep a story, but it is a decent read and it is fast paced.
If you do read this book for goodness sake don’t read the blurb on the back, it is such a spoiler and describes events that didn’t happen until after page 300 in the book. What were they thinking? Other than that, it is all good.
November 11, 2023
Griping thriller.
One of the reviews, quotes, form a reviewer, is completely misleading. It's a very good thriller.
One of the reviews, quotes, form a reviewer, is completely misleading. It's a very good thriller.
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