Released: 23rd January 2020
Number of Pages: 464
Genre: Spy, Contemporary, Thriller
Tales of spies and their intrusions are a well established frontier. Between James Bond, Jason Bourne and Jack Reacher have all achieved high popularity. Adam Hamdy brings an up-to-date rendition with Black 13, a superb thriller that takes steps away from typical scenarios.
Ex-MI6 agent Scott Pierce is a capable operative; after many years away from the UK on solo investigations, he’s contacted by a woman named Melody Gold. Someone is killing his former comrades in the military and plotting a heinous scheme involving right wing terrorism. Teaming up with his close friends Leila and Wayne, the group begins their operation, tracking down the perpetrators and uncovering the powerful conspirators. You’ll quickly notice the novel’s ties to real-world events; online extremism, nationalism, the exploitation of the rich, Black 13 taps into many modern issues. This grabs the reader from the offset.
From start to finish, Hamdy hooks you into every character and their plight, conveying their raw emotions and inner imperfections. We learn about Leila’s traumatic past as a victim of terrorism in Syria and Wayne’s unwavering loyalty to his brothers-in-arms. While every member of the team is dedicated to making their enemies pay, deep down they’re still human and Black 13 takes the time to emphasise their relatable side. This doubles the intensity of the ensuing action as you’ll be deeply concerned for everyone involved. By the time you reach the final act, the tension has reached a razor edge and you won’t be able to stop reading.
Black 13’s final expert stroke is how it sidesteps multiple clichés and common traits in spy stories. The technology is kept to a grounded level, injuries stay with the characters long after they were dealt and there are no femme fatales or forced lines in sight. This goes a long way towards making Hamdy’s novel stand out from the crowd. Burning the espionage rule book is the mantra and this is constantly on display, especially in part 2 when Scott narrowly avoids death and has to switch up his team’s approach.
Recommended?
YES: Black 13 is a ferocious and gritty thriller that never loosens its grip. From the moment Scott Pierce begins his operation, you’ll be left stunned by its unrelenting tension. Hamdy’s focus on contemporary issues realism puts it among the very best of the modern spy genre, but the book is also backed up by visceral emotions and a story that does away with many established clichés.
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