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Whisper Who Dares
An action-packed, nerve-biting inside account of a crack SAS team sent to cut the jugular of the IRA...
DATELINE: ULSTER '76
The British government is worried. The new monster in the IRA's armoury must be destroyed at birth. A top-secret, top-priority order goes out to 22 Special Air Service Regiment:
SEEK AND DESTROY - NO MATTER WHERE.
For the four-men Sabre team of the legendary SAS this will be their toughest mission... probing the inner sanctum of the IRA's terror machine, fighting in the bloody carnage and chaos of Ulster - never before has so much been at stake. They encounter both triumph and disaster - and the cruellest twist of fate.
DATELINE: ULSTER '76
The British government is worried. The new monster in the IRA's armoury must be destroyed at birth. A top-secret, top-priority order goes out to 22 Special Air Service Regiment:
SEEK AND DESTROY - NO MATTER WHERE.
For the four-men Sabre team of the legendary SAS this will be their toughest mission... probing the inner sanctum of the IRA's terror machine, fighting in the bloody carnage and chaos of Ulster - never before has so much been at stake. They encounter both triumph and disaster - and the cruellest twist of fate.
330 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1982
About the author
Terence Strong
22 books27 followersWith a background in journalism and military research, Terence Strong wrote the manuscripts of two action adventure thrillers before WHISPER WHO DARES was snapped up by Hodder & Stoughton and became an instant bestseller in 1982.
That first authentic SAS thriller was followed by three more about different activities of the Special Air Service Regiment.
Those well-researched storylines expanded to cover the exciting and unknown realms of counter-terrorism, espionage, hostage negotiation, ship-hijacking, narcotics, assassination and international affairs.
One particularly well-regarded title was THE TICK TOCK MAN which explored the dark arts of the terrorist and bomb disposal.
His seventeenth and latest thriller WORD OF WAR (published by Silver Fox Press) follows the super-secret bad boys of E Squadron SAS - with MI6 agents - entering into the chaos of Libya in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising. The worlds of journalism, the military and espionage clash to make a dangerous cocktail far more exciting and intriguing than a Gaddafi Sunset.
That first authentic SAS thriller was followed by three more about different activities of the Special Air Service Regiment.
Those well-researched storylines expanded to cover the exciting and unknown realms of counter-terrorism, espionage, hostage negotiation, ship-hijacking, narcotics, assassination and international affairs.
One particularly well-regarded title was THE TICK TOCK MAN which explored the dark arts of the terrorist and bomb disposal.
His seventeenth and latest thriller WORD OF WAR (published by Silver Fox Press) follows the super-secret bad boys of E Squadron SAS - with MI6 agents - entering into the chaos of Libya in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising. The worlds of journalism, the military and espionage clash to make a dangerous cocktail far more exciting and intriguing than a Gaddafi Sunset.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 17, 2022
I did not enjoy this book.
January 29, 2026
I was in my early 20s when the activities of the IRA, PIRA and INLA, including well-known names of Martin McGuiness, Gerry Adams et al. were at their height.
Whilst this story, written within that period, has many good attributes, there are a few things that would have been unlikely to happen.
Firstly, no member of the SAS would freely discuss the operations of the SAS with their spouse. Not ever. The lives of themselves; their colleagues; their family would be in too much jeopardy. I have friends who were in the forces in Northern Ireland during that time. They have all said that even the “normal” army personnel did not talk about anything that they had done or were being deployed to do. It wasn’t worth the risk.
Secondly, I know times have changed, but I was of a similar age to Trish when this story was set. At no point would I have allowed one, let alone two, men that I’d only briefly met some years before, into my home. I had far too much sense and self-preservation.
Lastly, I know the SAS are good, but even so, surely four members would be very unlikely to be able to overcome 60 armed personnel.
So, it was ok in so far as the setting was concerned, but there were too many things that I consider to be unbelievable for a book that is faction (fact interwoven with fiction).
Whilst this story, written within that period, has many good attributes, there are a few things that would have been unlikely to happen.
Firstly, no member of the SAS would freely discuss the operations of the SAS with their spouse. Not ever. The lives of themselves; their colleagues; their family would be in too much jeopardy. I have friends who were in the forces in Northern Ireland during that time. They have all said that even the “normal” army personnel did not talk about anything that they had done or were being deployed to do. It wasn’t worth the risk.
Secondly, I know times have changed, but I was of a similar age to Trish when this story was set. At no point would I have allowed one, let alone two, men that I’d only briefly met some years before, into my home. I had far too much sense and self-preservation.
Lastly, I know the SAS are good, but even so, surely four members would be very unlikely to be able to overcome 60 armed personnel.
So, it was ok in so far as the setting was concerned, but there were too many things that I consider to be unbelievable for a book that is faction (fact interwoven with fiction).
January 26, 2019
An exceptionally well researched and well written book. I read this book many years ago and I’m a huge fan of the author. Loved this tome from beginning to end. Strongly recommended for anyone wanting to get into some of the background of the past troubles. A great read, fast moving and gripping. Impressed by the action, descriptions and the outlined scenarios. Highly recommended
August 10, 2020
Terence Strong's First and my favourite
1970's SAS action thriller. Possibly Mr Strong's finest book. He seems to have inside knowledge almost as if he served in the Regiment himself.
1970's SAS action thriller. Possibly Mr Strong's finest book. He seems to have inside knowledge almost as if he served in the Regiment himself.
September 19, 2021
First book I read by Terence Strong and still one of my all time favourites.
Great story and characters. Read all of Terence Strong's books and would include this in my top three. Read it about 5 times
Great story and characters. Read all of Terence Strong's books and would include this in my top three. Read it about 5 times
December 4, 2019
I god darn loved this book and want to purchase it again for a gift! Love it love it!!!!
January 7, 2025
Good read though there was a couple of flaws in the plot towards the end that I realize were to add some tension but otherwise written from someone who has researched his subject thoroughly.
February 21, 2026
Was a decent book of its time. Takes a bit to get into the action but loved the ending
May 20, 2016
Revisited this book after many years and it is interesting looking back on a dark time. When I first read it, the S.A.S. was still an organisation generally unknown to the public and a lot of these books cashed in on the exposure the Regiment had through the Iranian Embassy siege and its aftermath. The Irish Troubles were sadly also with us at the time and the book then was current affairs and is now history.
Since Gulf One and all the "kill and tell" memoirs from former members of the Regiment, not to mention books on the Troubles, this book has lost a lost of the mystique it had when first published. It is still a good read and well worth while if you are interested in the period given that several characters actually exist / existed, with the usual codicil about actual or imagined names, places, etc. being co-incidental.
I would recommend it as a good thriller and a lot better than some novels I've read set during the same period.
Since Gulf One and all the "kill and tell" memoirs from former members of the Regiment, not to mention books on the Troubles, this book has lost a lost of the mystique it had when first published. It is still a good read and well worth while if you are interested in the period given that several characters actually exist / existed, with the usual codicil about actual or imagined names, places, etc. being co-incidental.
I would recommend it as a good thriller and a lot better than some novels I've read set during the same period.
April 4, 2010
Kept me on the edge of my seat. Fear was in the air and I genuinely felt scared for the characters. Read this a long time ago and still remember it as one of the better books I have read.
April 13, 2011
fast paced, kept me in suspense right to the end with a nasty surprise/twist at the end, can still remmember the ending after all these years when I read it, not something you expect, brilliant.
October 13, 2012
It was alright. Nothing too great.
March 22, 2026
Incredible book, could not put it down, went to bed and got up again to finish it in less than 24 hours.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews