The main character of Luke Carlton is likeable but not always invincible and that adds to his attraction. While I did not find this a slow start to the story, neither was it a ramped-up, heavily action orientated type of beginning that a lot of thrillers are expected to have nowadays.

Introducing Luke Carlton – ex-Special Boat Service commando and now under contract to MI6 for some of its most dangerous missions. The lead up to the last two chapters had me squirming in my seat wondering what the hell would happen next, only to then turn the page and read a very underwhelming ending. If you like your spy thrillers more James Bond than George Smiley, you may enjoy it but I won’t be going back for a second helping of Luke Carlton.Honestly, if she had said ‘Babes’ one more time in a way that no real woman outside of The Only Way Is Essex actually would I would have screamed. After the bomb is contained and the explosives expert says of our stale hero, "Wow, whoever got the intel for this op must be one hell of a guy.

But, that aside, most of what Gardner gives us defies belief, provides too much detail and not enough characterisation. It probably helps that I massively respect Frank Gardner already, but it was incredibly believable, gripping and very well written. I really did enjoy the main character Luke, we didn't really get to uncover a hell of a lot about him.

Author of 2 bestselling books ‘Blood and Sand’ describing his Middle East experiences and ‘Far Horizons’ describing unusual journeys to unusual places. Sent into the steaming Colombian jungle to investigate the murder of a British intelligence officer, Luke finds himself caught up in the coils of a plot that has terrifying international dimensions.