Another installment in the Nick Stone series of books by Andy McNab and the pace is yet again relentless. As with many of the other books, it starts with a flashback which sets you up for the sort of environment Stone will find himself thrust into.

As ever, the book's locations have been thoroughly researched by McNab and this is one of the key elements of the realism that makes his books so gripping. His no-nonsense, matter-of-fact style of writing could be a little crude for the more discerning reader but I personally find it only enhances the book's appeal.

As with many of the McNab books, he manages to make the crazy situations his main protagonist is found in appear plausible and the emotional link to Nick Stone remains intact - he makes the almost superhuman ex-SAS trooper easy to sympathise with and this only adds to the reader's sense of attachment to the story.

Once again, a thoroughly good read and highly recommended.