Hello!

Today is my stop on the blog tour for ‘Kompromat Kill’ by Michael Jenkins, organised by Damppebbles Blog Tours. I was delighted to participate in this tour, and I hope that you will check out both the author and the book.

*Disclaimer: ‘I was given a copy this book in exchange for an honest review.’*

Book Summary:

‘They were preparing for decades – now it’s time to take them down……’

A DIPLOMAT VANISHES
A BOMB DISPOSAL EXPERT GOES ROGUE

Hiding overseas with a price on his head, Sean Richardson is tasked to lead a deniable operation to hunt down and recruit an international model and spy. Moving across Asia Minor and Europe, Sean embarks on a dangerous journey tracking an Iranian spy ring who hold the keys to a set of consequences the British Intelligence Services would rather not entertain.

As Sean investigates deeper, he uncovers dark secrets from his past and a complex web of espionage spun from the hand of a global master spy. As he inches closer to the truth, the rules of the game change – and the nerve-wracking fate of many lives sits in his hands…….……..

The Review:

This is the second book in the Sean Richardson series, but not having read the first book I found that it worked very well as a standalone novel, with enough backstory elements to ground you in what had already happened without losing the flow of this story.

The Kompromat Kill’s greatest strength is its sheer plausibility. Not only stemming from the fact that it is almost worryingly on point with what we see in the world today but because of the author’s own experience. There is a knowledge that shines through on every page in the level of detail, modern references and sheer realism, without being overwhelming. The technical details expertly balanced with action, characters and the twists and turns of a spy thriller that is uncompromising on all levels.

It took me a little while to get into the narrative and connect with the characters, but that might have been because I hadn’t read the first book. However, once the book gripped me it didn’t let go, and I found myself unable to pull away as events developed fast-paced, with question upon question rising as twists and turns came at you rapidly, but it was never too fast, and I felt that all the threads of the stories were brought together brilliantly at the end.

Sean is an interesting and believable main character, who doesn’t fall into the ‘James Bond’ stereotype. He’s flawed and complicated, and very human. The team around him, are well-developed and individual, and each brings something different to the narrative.

An excellent read, and one that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys spy thrillers and is looking for that detail, and realism that made this book stand out.

About the Author:

I started climbing at 13, survived being lost in Snowdonia at 14, nearly drowned at 15, and then joined the Army at 16. Risk and adventure was built into my DNA and I feel very fortunate to have served the majority of my working career as an intelligence officer within Defence Intelligence, and as an explosive ordnance disposal officer and military surveyor within the Corps of Royal Engineers.

I was privileged to serve for twenty-eight years in the British Army as a soldier and officer, rising through the ranks to complete my service as a major. I served across the globe on numerous military operations as well as extensive travel and adventure on many major mountaineering and exploration expeditions that I led or was involved in.

I was awarded the Geographic Medal by the Royal Geographical Society for mountain exploration in 2003 and served on the screening committee of the Mount Everest Foundation charity for many years. It was humbling after so many years of service when I was awarded the MBE for services to counter-terrorism in 2007.

The Failsafe Query is my debut novel, with The Kompromat Kill, my second.

Social Media:

Twitter | Facebook | Website

Purchase Links:

Amazon UK | Amazon US

The Rating:

The Kompromat Kill – Michael Jenkins (Published in paperback and digital formats on 19^th June 2019) –  **** (4/5 Stars)

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If you’ve read it or read in the future, please feel free to shout at me about this fantastic book. Or if you have any recommendations for similar books, please shoot them my way.

Rowena

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