‘Red Wolves’ by Adam Hamdy.

Published by Pan,
22 July 2021.
ISBN: 978-1-5098- 9924-1 (PB)

Scott Pearce is an ex-MI6 officer who has been determinedly pursing a group of terrorists for the last couple of years – indeed his obsession with this group led to his dismissal from MI6.  A former colleague introduced him to Huxley Blaine Carter a wealthy man with access to very hi-tech resources and vast amounts of money.  Blaine offers Scott and his team (Leila and Kyle) assistance in pursuing their own joint and individual ends, in return for 3 weeks of their time to do a job for him - they agree.

Scott’s attention has been caught by some unusual events:  a jailbreak facilitated by a mysterious and lethal white powder, the slightest exposure to which can cause death; the use of this powder in a number of murders, which add fuel to a developing and ferocious gangland war.  As he and his team try to discover if/how these incidents are connected, they uncover a plot to flood the streets of America with a highly dangerous drug, one that has particularly frightening consequences for the users.

The plot weaves and twists it way at a breathless pace.  It’s a full-on action thriller, taking place during the Covid pandemic.  Characters involved in a vicious and lethal struggle take time for lateral flow tests, adding a curious feel to the story – the juxtaposition of two completely differently but potentially deadly threats.

This is the second in the series, but there is sufficient information to explain past events without interfering with the current story.  The next instalment will be eagerly awaited
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Reviewer: Jo Hesslewood
Other books by this author:  Scott Pearce series:  - Black 13.  Pendulum series:  Run, Pendulum, Freefall, Aftershock.  Standalones:  Battalion, Phase, Out of Reach

Adam Hamdy is an author, screenwriter and filmmaker. In addition to his own original work, Adam has adapted a number of comic books and novels for the screen, including the forthcoming film version of David Mitchell’s novel, Number9Dream. Adam has a law degree from Oxford University and a philosophy degree from the University of London.  He is a seasoned rock climber, skier and CPSA marksman. Adam lives in Shropshire with his wife and three children.

 http://www.adamhamdy.com/

Jo Hesslewood.  Crime fiction has been my favourite reading material since as a teenager I first spotted Agatha Christie on the library bookshelves.  For twenty-five years the commute to and from London provided plenty of reading time.  I am fortunate to live in Cambridge, where my local crime fiction book club, Crimecrackers, meets at Heffers Bookshop .  I enjoy attending crime fiction events and currently organise events for the Margery Allingham Society.