‘The Hunt’ by Bear Grylls

Published by Orion Fiction,
31 May 2018.  ISBN: 978-1-4091-5689-5 (HB)

In Austria 1945 just as the war is ending in defeat for the Germans, SS General Hans Kammler oversees the blowing up of a mountainside. In so doing he hides from the rest of the world a Wunderwaffe - a wonder weapon unheard of before. The intention is later to forge a Fourth Reich even if it takes decades and to use the weapon to achieve it.

During the war years an informal band of Nazi hunters was formed calling themselves the “Secret Hunters”. In the present day the group is still in existence continuing to hunt down Nazi sympathisers.

One of the band Irana Narov uncovers proof that one of Kammler's descendants is still alive and seems determined to carry on forming a Fourth Reich. The group had believed him to be dead.

Meanwhile a Will Jaeger another member, is staying in Austria when he hears that old Nazi tunnels have been discovered. Out of interest he goes to investigate and is horrified to discover a number of bodies, but not skeletons, they had all recently been shot!

It soon becomes apparent that Kammler is intent on recovering the “wonder weapon” from the tunnels to bring about the Fourth Reich. Kammler heads a team calling itself The Kameraden, all descendants of high profile Nazis during the War.  They intend attacking seven different countries with Improvised Nuclear Devices. This they believe will cleanse the world and enable them to create a “pure race”.

The Secret Hunters are given the task to find out where the INDs are being made and where exactly they will be detonated. As they learn the attacks will be carried out on 30^th April, the anniversary of Hitler's death, they are under huge pressure to find and destroy the INDs. Where on earth do they start looking? It becomes a frantic race against time to literally save the world.

A really fast-moving plot made all the more realistic by Bear Gryll's description of the skills and covert operations of Jaeger and his team. These were obviously learnt when Bear was in the SAS and definitely make the action more believable. Recommended.

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Reviewer:  Tricia Chappell

Bear Grylls has become known around the world as one of the most recognised faces of survival and outdoor adventure. His journey to this acclaim started in the UK, where his late father taught him to climb and sail. Trained from a young age in martial arts, Bear went on to spend three years as a soldier in the British Special Forces, serving with 21 SAS. It was here that he perfected many of the skills that his fans all over the world enjoy, watching him pit himself against Mother Nature.  His TV show, Man Vs Wild/Born Survivor, became one of the most watched programmes on the planet with an estimated audience of 1.2 billion. He also hosts the hit adventure show RUNNING WILD on NBC in America, as well As THE ISLAND WITH BEAR GRYLLS for Channel 4 and Mission Survive With Bear Grylls for ITV in the UK. He is currently the youngest ever Chief Scout to the UK Scout Association and is an honorary Colonel to the Royal Marines Commandos. He has authored a number of fiction and non-fiction books. Find out more at www.beargrylls.com or follow him on Twitter @BearGrylls

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.