What do you think?
Rate this book
Christopher Wren #9
War of Choice
HIS TEAM, TAKEN. THIS MEANS WAR.
Black-ops legend Chris Wren is finally out of 'the life', and happier than ever. He sees his kids every day. His Delaware farm is flourishing. Things are just getting serious with his new girlfriend when the unthinkable happens…
Wren's brilliant hackers, Hellion and B4cksl4cker, are violently taken. A message follows:
Stand down or they die.
But Wren never took well to direction.
Now the race is on to find his hackers, before a devastating cyberattack clears the way for something far worse. Millions could die. America could fall…
Not on Wren's watch.
THIS MEANS WAR.
Black-ops legend Chris Wren is finally out of 'the life', and happier than ever. He sees his kids every day. His Delaware farm is flourishing. Things are just getting serious with his new girlfriend when the unthinkable happens…
Wren's brilliant hackers, Hellion and B4cksl4cker, are violently taken. A message follows:
Stand down or they die.
But Wren never took well to direction.
Now the race is on to find his hackers, before a devastating cyberattack clears the way for something far worse. Millions could die. America could fall…
Not on Wren's watch.
THIS MEANS WAR.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2022
219 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Mike Grist
23 books135 followersMike Grist is the British/American author of the Christopher Wren and Girl Zero thriller series.
For 11 years Mike lived in Tokyo, Japan, exploring and photographing the dark side of the city and the country: gangs, cults and abandoned places. Now he writes from London, UK, about ex-DELTA operator Christopher Wren - an anti-hero vigilante who brings brutal payback for dark crimes on an unprecedented scale.
Mike also writes science fiction and fantasy as Michael John Grist:
For 11 years Mike lived in Tokyo, Japan, exploring and photographing the dark side of the city and the country: gangs, cults and abandoned places. Now he writes from London, UK, about ex-DELTA operator Christopher Wren - an anti-hero vigilante who brings brutal payback for dark crimes on an unprecedented scale.
Mike also writes science fiction and fantasy as Michael John Grist:
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 14, 2023
Using current events in the story
Be sure to read GIRL ZERO before this book.
Christopher Wren is retired and getting to spend time with his kids and his girlfriend. He ignores multiple texts from Hellion and BackSlacker, his 2 brilliant hacker friends. Suddenly, he receives a texted photo. Both of his hacker friends are tied up and beaten. He contacts Teddy at the Foundation and confirms that the photo is not deep faked. Decision time. Keep his deal with the ex-wife about never getting involved in Black op type situations and keep seeing his kids OR saving the lives of two people who have helped him countless times.
He leaves for Poland after telling the ex. She shouts for him to never come back.
When he is severely injured, rescued by Clara Baxter and unconscious the Ukraine is invaded by Russia. The shadow line has been partially unleashed spreading anti-American propaganda. Russia and China are invading surrounding countries. Satellite communications are disrupted. All phone communications are unavailable. Chaos reigns. Christopher and Clara race with a small team to rescue the two hackers and stop the Russian control of ALL information services. They are basically on their own. America cannot help. The clock is ticking.
Be sure to read GIRL ZERO before this book.
Christopher Wren is retired and getting to spend time with his kids and his girlfriend. He ignores multiple texts from Hellion and BackSlacker, his 2 brilliant hacker friends. Suddenly, he receives a texted photo. Both of his hacker friends are tied up and beaten. He contacts Teddy at the Foundation and confirms that the photo is not deep faked. Decision time. Keep his deal with the ex-wife about never getting involved in Black op type situations and keep seeing his kids OR saving the lives of two people who have helped him countless times.
He leaves for Poland after telling the ex. She shouts for him to never come back.
When he is severely injured, rescued by Clara Baxter and unconscious the Ukraine is invaded by Russia. The shadow line has been partially unleashed spreading anti-American propaganda. Russia and China are invading surrounding countries. Satellite communications are disrupted. All phone communications are unavailable. Chaos reigns. Christopher and Clara race with a small team to rescue the two hackers and stop the Russian control of ALL information services. They are basically on their own. America cannot help. The clock is ticking.
January 27, 2023
Brilliant!
I love Mike's character, Christopher Wren. This book is of the usual high standard, with plenty of action, misdirection, twists and turns, as CW fights to retrieve his hacker friends and stop the bad guys. His old colleague cum adversary, Clara Baxter is in the thick of it with CW and together they come up with a thrilling plan that may result in tragedy.
Edge of your seat thrilling, highly recommend this book, series and Mike Grist!
I love Mike's character, Christopher Wren. This book is of the usual high standard, with plenty of action, misdirection, twists and turns, as CW fights to retrieve his hacker friends and stop the bad guys. His old colleague cum adversary, Clara Baxter is in the thick of it with CW and together they come up with a thrilling plan that may result in tragedy.
Edge of your seat thrilling, highly recommend this book, series and Mike Grist!
March 8, 2023
Christopher Wren, retired. In his dreams. Someone has built a personal internet and is shutting down comms across the world. Hellion and B4cksl4cker have uncovered it, but are kidnapped before they can report it. So much for retirement. We do get to find out who funded Apex all those years.
November 30, 2022
I've now read all 9 of the Christopher Wren series. This is one of my two favorites (despite having enjoyed them all).
In contrast to some of the earlier novels, many of the previous characters are either missing or are a very small part of the action.
In this work, there are welcome re-appearances by Mosako Toyama and Clara Baxter. And there are even some insights into what Christopher's life could be like if he had chosen a quieter life.
Mostly though, this is page-turning thriller writing at its best.
One thing I really liked is finally getting insight into who (or what) was behind all of the mayhem in this and the previous works.
Highly recommended!
In contrast to some of the earlier novels, many of the previous characters are either missing or are a very small part of the action.
In this work, there are welcome re-appearances by Mosako Toyama and Clara Baxter. And there are even some insights into what Christopher's life could be like if he had chosen a quieter life.
Mostly though, this is page-turning thriller writing at its best.
One thing I really liked is finally getting insight into who (or what) was behind all of the mayhem in this and the previous works.
Highly recommended!
December 31, 2023
Stunningly Thrilling
A man on a mission with an unlikely operator. Chris Wren meets Clara Baxter once again. Their last encounter didn’t end well, now he has to decide if he can put his family’s lives, his trust and his own life firmly in her hands whilst fighting against the deadliest man in Russia who’s one aim is to destroy America. He has a small army of 5, Rex his A1 and his two hackers who he’ll fight to his death to keep safe.
A man on a mission with an unlikely operator. Chris Wren meets Clara Baxter once again. Their last encounter didn’t end well, now he has to decide if he can put his family’s lives, his trust and his own life firmly in her hands whilst fighting against the deadliest man in Russia who’s one aim is to destroy America. He has a small army of 5, Rex his A1 and his two hackers who he’ll fight to his death to keep safe.
March 17, 2024
Mike Grist can certainly write a good story. I have read all but the last one....for some reason tho, there were a significant number of typos, editor misses in this book. Never noticed them in other books and was surprised to find so many in this one.
As usual, Christopher Wren 'takes a licking and keeps on ticking' when I stand up and about fall apart. Doesn't seem fair but sure is fun to read.
As usual, Christopher Wren 'takes a licking and keeps on ticking' when I stand up and about fall apart. Doesn't seem fair but sure is fun to read.
December 4, 2022
Well as a reader has already pointed out, this Has to be my favourite book by far, no question. The action begins from page one virtually and does not let up till the end is in sight, an ending I have to say I didn’t see coming. What next I wonder, cannot wait to find out. Highly recommended.
December 30, 2025
Great Series
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
December 16, 2022
Christopher's retirement plans disappear when his two best hackers are kidnapped. Wren suffers physically and mentally in this exciting continuation of this series.
January 26, 2023
Wow this book was a kick ass and hard to put down so you save the world and have to fight with a ex-wife overseeing the kids oh well. real life strikes again.
March 27, 2023
Hard caught battle. A real win in the end. Great read. Fantastic series.
July 25, 2023
Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant
Couldn't put this book down another fantastic action packed page Turner Christopher Wren at his best. Can't wait for number 10
Couldn't put this book down another fantastic action packed page Turner Christopher Wren at his best. Can't wait for number 10
February 14, 2024
Brilliant
None stop edge of your seat can't turn the page quick enough I've read all the books great series and am about to embark on chapter 10 👍👍👍👍
None stop edge of your seat can't turn the page quick enough I've read all the books great series and am about to embark on chapter 10 👍👍👍👍
August 6, 2025
Good book with some very nice twists in the plot line. I recommend this book if you like lots of action and a plot like that could possibly reflect what could happen in the world today
January 4, 2026
Great Book
As always I enjoyed reading the book. Even though you know what's going to happen when its a series you still enjoy the time you take reading it n
As always I enjoyed reading the book. Even though you know what's going to happen when its a series you still enjoy the time you take reading it n
December 6, 2022
ARC - epub on Kobo: 292 pages
Picking up after Never Forgive and Girl Zero: Wren's retirement and reconciliation with his children is interrupted when Hellion and B4cksl4cker are kidnapped. His pursuit of the kidnappers takes him to war-torn Ukraine where he connects with Clara Baxter and together they uncover the extent of the shadow line - which was not destroyed in Tokyo.
Not for the squeamish - but probably no need to say that to readers of this series at this point!
Picking up after Never Forgive and Girl Zero: Wren's retirement and reconciliation with his children is interrupted when Hellion and B4cksl4cker are kidnapped. His pursuit of the kidnappers takes him to war-torn Ukraine where he connects with Clara Baxter and together they uncover the extent of the shadow line - which was not destroyed in Tokyo.
Not for the squeamish - but probably no need to say that to readers of this series at this point!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews