The Belgravia Sanction Never kill the friend of a killer
In a remote Scottish cottage, two men and two women die from gunshot wounds. Police believe one killed the other three before committing suicide. One of the four worked undercover for the Lambeth Group, and his team leader is missing. To find out what happened, a second team will follow the bread crumbs. Led by Zoe Tampsin, they expose a terrorist group operating in plain sight. An attack is imminent. It will destroy the special relationship between the UK and the USA. Zoe and her team prepare to stop them. Unaware of a deep-seated traitor, determined to stop her at any cost.
I was born and raised in Glasgow but spent my student years in Edinburgh. I spent over 30 years as a university lecturer and 25 years as an Open University tutor before I retired to write fiction. I live with my wife in Scotland where corrupt academics, psychopaths, serial killers, mystery, murder, and intrigue exists mostly in my mind.
I write the Lambeth Group series of standalone crime/conspiracy/suspense thrillers. Inspired by the 1970s 'Doomwatch' TV series, they feature undercover investigators Zoe and Gavin who protect the country and the world from the worst nightmares that mankind can imagine.
I enjoy walking in the hills, 60s & 70s music, reading and travel.
Zoe comes out of retirement because she has no choice in the matter. Especially when someone she considers as her protege goes missing during an investigation. After that the story steps up action as both Zoe and her friend try to stop a disaster. With plenty of tense and nerve wrecking moments, the story from the Lambert series was enjoyable. Liked it.
Imagine bad guys who feel no pain. Add a truly evil sociopath, bioterror weapons that seem all too plausible and moles in high places, and you have a recipe for another page-turner in Gordon Bickerstaff’s “Lambeth Group Thrillers” series. I’ve read all eight installments and enjoyed this one the most. Probably because I know the characters so well. But it can be read as a standalone.
Smart-as-a-whip Zoe Tampsin returns from a cushy teaching job to save an operative she values as a good friend. Assisted by a team of three kick-ass women, they’ve got their hands full trying to save Toni Bornadetti while proving there’s a lethal attack afoot.
For fans of thrillers with lots of action and character development.
I really enjoy this series and this book is an excellent addition! There is plenty of action and a story that moves along at a fast pace. When an author is several books into a series the plots can become a bit boring or repetitive but not with this author. There is an original plot and it was good to have Zoe front and centre of the story. The fight scenes are particularly well written with a definite sense of realism. If you like fast moving, action packed stories this is a must read. Although this can be read as a stand alone thriller, if you haven't read any of the previous books in the series, I would suggest you start at the beginning. They are all great reads!
Zoe Tampsin was done with the Lambeth Group, at least she thought she was until it became apparent the new boss had no idea what he was doing. When Zoe's protégé goes missing mid-investigation there seems no choice but to bring this deadly vixen out of retirement and back into the field. Whispers of a biological weapon, murder, and torture are just the tip of a terrifying iceberg, an attack is imminent , tension is high, and it falls to Zoe and Gavin to try to prevent this great disaster before it's too late
Gordon Bickerstaff's The Belgravia Sanction is the eighth book in the Lambeth Group Thrillers and I was so excited to get my hands on this gem. Having read all the books in this series I couldn't wait to devour this page by thrilling page. Epic and exciting this book will take you on a ride like no other. Gripping, terrifying, and thrilling you'll be whisked away on an engaging plot you'll be afraid to put down. This is yet another masterpiece by this talented author that will leave you a fully satisfied, emotional wreck.
A great spy thriller by Gordon Bickerstaff with plenty of tension, torture and twists. Three operatives from The Lambeth Group, led by the star Zoe Tampsin, discover their missing colleague is being held in a remote Scottish castle, also the set of an illegal fighting club. Close by is a research centre which is owned by the same group. There are whispers of biological weapons research. It is a race against time to rescue both damsel in distress and gain evidence of what is going on. Violent, but gripping. A great read.
When you read a Gordon Bickerstaff novel you know you’re in for a shed load of action. One of my pet dislikes are novels with too many characters at the start and trying to work out who’s who. This often happens when you pick up a book in the middle of a series. However, once it got going, it turned into an interesting plot of espionage with a scientific angle, where crooked scientists are exploiting vulnerable subjects by using their bodies to test for pain endurance. It was an intriguing read, especially as most of the characters are female. Highly recommended for lovers of spy stories.
It's been a while since I've read a great thriller. This one doesn't disappoint. It takes place in the UK and US, so you get a taste of both worlds. I admit I should have started with book 1 but this was still a great read. Now I'll start with book 1 so I can understand the series better.
Retired operative, Zoe Tampsin, is back on the case when she learns her protégé has gone missing. Back with the Lambeth Group, Zoe and her team discover there’s a lot more to the story they’ve been told.
This is the first book I’ve read from Gordon Bickerstaff, but it won’t be the last. The Belgravia Sanction is the 8th book of the Lambeth Group Thrillers but is easily read as a standalone.
I was hooked on this story from the first line of this action-packed book. There was a lot to like about this novel from the great writing to the kick-ass team of powerful women. These ladies don’t take crap from anyone. Great world building made this story come to life, and it was easy to imagine.
If you like spy thrillers, action, and espionage, check-out The Belgravia Sanction. It will not disappoint.
I’m a big fan of Gordon Bickerstaff’s books and his heroine Zoe Tampsin and enjoyed each of the books I’ve read. I added The Belgravia Sanction to my TBR. Read on for my review!
Synopsis (from the author): In a remote Scottish cottage, two men and two women die from gunshot wounds. Police believe one killed the other three before committing suicide. One of the four worked undercover for the Lambeth Group, and his team leader is missing. To find out what happened, a second team will follow the bread crumbs. Led by Zoe Tampsin, they expose a terrorist group operating in plain sight. An attack is imminent. It will destroy the special relationship between the UK and the USA. Zoe and her team prepare to stop them. Unaware of a deep-seated traitor, determined to stop her at any cost.
What I liked about The Belgravia Sanction: Gordon Bickerstaff does it again. He brings Zoe Tampsin back for more adventures and this one has a personal impact for Zoe. The plot moves quickly, the action is first rate, and the characters play their roles perfectly. The violence was appropriate for the book (and there is plenty), and the story itself was plausible.
What I didn’t like about The Belgravia Sanction: This installment of Zoe Tampsin’s adventure was quite a bit darker than the previous books. While not expecting a lighthearted romp, there was a coarseness to this novel that didn’t hold my attention.
Overall impression of The Belgravia Sanction: Gordon Bickerstaff’s latest Zoe Tampsin novel has a lot going for it. Good and familiar characters, intrigue, and action, make this a high-stakes thriller worth reading. Despite all of that, the darker tone and overall coarseness didn’t work for me as well as the previous books.
This is book 8 in ‘A Lambeth Group Thriller series by author Gordon Bickerstaff. The books are stand-alone while incorporating a team of secret government operatives tasked with bringing down global criminals and terrorists. I did not know the characters going in but the author did a masterful job driving the story forward while giving the reader enough depth to relate to the characters and their interpersonal relationships. This is not a book for the faint-of-heart. A band of ruthless Russians using a biotech company, KabanTech, as a front, employ a network of scientists as well as an ambassador to work on a secret serum. No hesitates to torture and kill, some willing to kidnap agents to serve in secret gladiatorial games. Zoe Tampsin is called in late by The Lambeth Group to salvage the mission that has gone desperately wrong. After a hit is setup to look like a murder/suicide, one of Zoe’s prodigies, Toni Bornadetti, goes missing. The bad guys have a big head start on Zoe. They aren’t even sure what the enemy is working on. A bioweapon? Anthrax? A plague? There is plenty of action and conspiracy covering several layers that keeps the reader constantly thinking and on the edge of their seat. Very entertaining and creative. 5 stars.
One of my favorite detective murder mystery writers has done it again. Four people are dead: two men and two woman. Police think it was a murder-suicide crime. Not so fast with the hunches though as one of the four was undercover for the Lambeth Group. Zoe Tampsin is onto it. In search of Toni a friend and prodigy who also appeared in earlier books. Back from the earlier in the series is also Gavin. From the first page that starts with a man named David with shaking hands and blood stained lips wondering if he will be alive Wednesday to see his 82nd birthday the action begins and doesn’t let up. This man is bruised and battered by an ominous woman named Monica who David’s daughter hired to nurse him. But when she orders those who tend to him, like his barber, to stay away the reader knows he’s in trouble and wants to know what is going to happen. It is this mysterious urge to know that propels the story through all kinds of tightly written twists and turns.This sharply-written story is filled with tense fast-paced scenes, smart realistic dialogue, and strong character development. Although a book in the series this, as with all the rest, is a good stand-alone read. This author knows how to capture the attention of his reader and hold it.
Book 8 in the series but the first I have read and could easily be read as a stand-alone. Well put together action novel with an interesting plot line.
Briefly, a team of three operatives from The Lambeth Group, led by Zoe Tampsin, are sent to find a missing colleague. They discover that she is being held in a remote Scottish castle which is being used as an illegal fighting club. Close by a research centre, owned and run by the same company, is suspected of having a biological weapon facility. They need to rescue their colleague from the castle and find proof of the illegal research but time is running out for both...
Plenty of action, some gruesome hand to hand contact and torture; all part of a day in the life of the team. An enjoyable book and a 4* read for me.
Fast-paced and gripping from the very first page. You won't be able to tell who is friend of foe. Does Zoe have support within the enemy domain? Or will she be trapped in a deadly snare? I was never quite sure what would take place next. Lots of twist and surprises in store for you. There was never a dull moment. I highly recommend this book and series.
This is the second book I've read by this author, so I it was easy to get back into the swing of who the characters were. Even if it's your first, you'll be able to follow along with ease, since it's a stand-alone story in the series.
The Lambeth Group are back with another covert investigation. When Zoe’s protege goes missing during a case, she is called out of retirement to help unravel events. The Belgravia Sanction is part of a series, but easily read as a stand-alone. It’s fast-moving and action-packed. There was just a tad too much violence for me, although I realise that does make the book realistic. Plenty of action drives the story forward at a fast rate. It’s a very cleverly plotted and well written book, with great characters and a perfect blend of description so you can always ‘see’ everything but without slowing down the pace.
Wow! That was intense. Typical of the genre I had to concentrate to follow who could be trusted and who was double crossing who. The reward was a thrilling read with no let up in the pace. A great addition to the series. I enjoyed the introduction of new characters while a slightly older Zoe still has it. As with previous books the political shenagians behind the action are scarily plausible. Recommend to fans of spy thrillers.
This is the latest book in the Lambeth Group thrillers starring Zoe Tampsin and my favourite, Gavin Shawlens – I like Gavin as he’s a coward like me but performs magnificently when the chips are down. Plenty of twists and turns as the team seek to discover a biological weapons laboratory on diplomatic territory in Scotland. Page-turning, fast, exciting and another great read. I shall of course be buying and reading all of them as soon as they are published.
What an exciting thriller full of twists and turns and double crossing. When a second team from the Lambeth Group as sent to investigate what happened to an undercover mission and a missing member of the team they are dragged into a dark world of criminals who will stop at nothing to protect their business and don’t care who they hurt in the process. This is an exciting thriller which I couldn’t put it down with a kick arse team of strong women taking on the bad guys
An enjoyable read. I enjoyed this book but I didn't realise there was previous books to it which would have helped with the plotline. At times it was difficult to keep up with the names of characters as some where similar and also a lot of them but the second half of the book really picked up with plenty of twist in the world of spooks
I read book 7 in the series earlier this year and found this story to be equally exciting. I love the fact that there are so many powerful female characters and love it even more when they get the better of male baddies. The ending was neatly tied up apart from satisfying my curiosity about the pregnant woman. All in all, a recommended read!
Oh, no! I've been following this series from the beginning. Each book is better than the last. This one follows that trend. Having to come out of semi retirement to leave no team mate behind, well. A fast paced read.
A well written thriller with some interesting twist and turns. A few surprises tossed in to boot. The characters are crafted nicely, another good group of bad ass females. If you enjoy female protagonist thrillers this one is a solid read.
The Belgravia sanction by Gordon Bickerstaff. A lambeth group thriller book 8. A very good read. Zoe is still my favourite character. Although I have not read all the books in this series I still enjoyed this book. I was able to understand it. 4*.
I read this as a standalone, but it is part of a series. The story is quite gory at times. It moves on at a pace. I would like to read the earlier books to gain a bit of background on some of the characters. A good read.
Zoe is one of my favorite characters ever. I've been following her through the series and can never wait to see what she does next. In this book, she doesn't disappoint. For spy thrillers, Bickerstaff is my go-to author.
Nice to see the Lambeth Group back again. Although The Belgravia Sanction is part of a series it can be read as a stand alone book. Gordon Bickerstaff writes this type of storyline very well but be warned it can be a bit gory in places. I truely hope there will be another one.
This book is part of a series but I read it as a stand alone. A fast paced story which keeps you turning the pages. A little gory in places but nothing that stops you wanting to keep reading. I would 100% recommend and am now going to read the earlier books in the series.
Wow what an absolutely amazing read, this book gripped me from page 1. Well written with a story line that just hooked me from the get go! Excellent read!
The Belgravia Sanction is part of a series. I have not read the earlier books. If I had, perhaps some of my questions would be answered, and I will give Author Bickerstaff the benefit of the doubt here. This is an Ian Flemming kind of a tale with unexpected twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing. Instead of an archetypical “James Bond” male, Bickerstaff gives us Zoe Tampsin—ex-British army Special Operations captain and MI5 section leader, and her sidekick, Dr. Gavin Shawlens—a bioscience investigator. They work for the Lambeth Group, a covert unit that investigates top-secret crimes that affect British national security. In addition, Zoe brings several of her female Special Operations troops on special assignment to the Lambeth Group. In a complicated plot with several layers and lots of twists, Zoe’s friend and colleague Toni has disappeared while undercover with the bad guys. Zoe and her people are tasked with finding and rescuing Toni while determining the nature of a bioweapon the bad guys apparently are developing.
A couple of general comments: This story has an excellent plot, and the storyline flows smoothly. Unfortunately, several writing flaws seriously mar what would otherwise be a 5-star review. Bickerstaff is a “head-jumper.” Point-of-view (PoV) is all over the place. Only God can know everyone’s thoughts all the time. The typical reader is more comfortable inside just one player’s head at any given moment. If we’re in Zoe’s head, but we really need to know what Rebel is thinking right now, then shift the PoV with a break and tell us. Don’t just tell us by feeding us Rebel’s thoughts. This major writing flaw runs throughout the book. If PoV were properly handled, this would be a 5-star review despite several other lesser flaws.
Bickerstaff told us a vehicle was a “White Honda Civic.” Fine, but then he continues to use the same phrase whenever this car comes up in the story. What’s wrong with just “the Civic”? This is characteristic of other descriptive elements in the story. The descriptions are overly detailed, over and over. Name usage is another problem. I could not readily discern Bickerstaff’s rule for when he used a first name or last name. A good editor would really have helped this and the other problems in this story.
As I said, it’s a well-plotted tale with lively characters, effective good guys, bad guys, and in-between guys. I was a bit put off by the all-female team (except for Dr. Shawlens). Speaking as a former Special Operator, I do not think that females by themselves can be as effective as Bickerstaff would have us believe. I mean no disrespect here. It’s just that females typically are not as strong and capable as males in close-in combat scenarios. I suspended my disbelief, however, and let it go. 4-stars for a very fine tale that would be 5-stars except for the PoV problem.
Another superb book by Gordon Bickerstaff that opens with a close to the knuckle abuse storyline that appears to make the story obvious. I really thought I knew where we were going from the moment I squirmed at a dislodged pinky.
Not a chance.
Bickerstaff takes us on a rollercoaster of action that can only be described as breathtaking. I really felt for David, but equally enjoyed Zoe, and there’s no mistaking the distinctive voice of each character.
Brilliant and devastating. Possibly his best book yet.