Another Max McLean mission, another breath-taking ride through the darker side of life that most of us rarely come into contact with. While The Break Line was seemingly (and hopefully) fantastical, Arkhangel is far more personal for Max and more real for us - especially with current affairs in the state that they are with Russia and warnings of technological breaches of secure systems hitting the headlines every five minutes. The scrapes (an understatement if ever there was) this man gets himself into and the luck he has getting out of them are nothing short of miraculous yet you still believe in him and them. It helps that the narrative ensures his injuries stay current and affecting, not disappearing overnight, although your belief in the strength and longevity of a one hundred dollar bill may be tested at times! I loved this tale even more than the last. It seemed James Brabazon had relaxed into his writing from the outset this time, no bamboozling acronyms. When a phrase is thrown into the mix in another language, it's not always explained which I like - you can choose to either assume its meaning or look it up, it all adds to the maelstrom, although the precise descriptions of fight scenes both take your breath away and necessitate some re-reading on occasion, unless very familiar with combat yourself. The short, sharp sentences that are peppered throughout give a nice bit of 'Max personality' and the prose is so easy to read (fight scenes allowing) the story races by. It's all very plausible and all quite mind-blowingly depressing if you actually thought about it hard enough. The way of life we have invented could all be gone in an instant, or more chillingly, held to impossible ransom. I suppose one could say the current pandemic has done this to a certain extent and whether a freak of nature or made in a lab, it's all down to us and our proclivities. Damn those homo sapiens. Bring on the next one, I cannot wait to see how long McLean can last!

This was a non stop action, spy thriller. Travels through various countries creating mayhem on the way. Some good characters and an absorbing storyline, with a frenetic conclusion .

This is a great follow up to The Break Line! This is a thriller that pulls no punches, dripping with authenticity & a tense plot that knows how to keep you hooked. A modern espionage thriller perfect for fans of David Baldacci, Gregg Hurwitz, Vince Flynn & Jack Carr. The character of Max McLean continues to be a joy to read, wonderfully written as a seasoned assassin. The action set pieces are written with precision & pace that keep the tempo electric. I look forward to the next one!

James Brabazon has written a thriller that will keep you guessing throughout so much you will be wondering is this a spy thriller or a crime thriller? Only you can decide where you wish to place this as a reader. One thing is you will not be disappointed by the book. What is the truth? Does Max McLean really exist? Or should the question really be, who is Max McLean? Will all this be solved by the end of the book? These questions are just some of the things that will be going through you mind as you delve into Arkhangel. Whatever his real name Max is often used for off the books ‘wet’ work that the British government can distance itself from. Does he work for Mi6 or the Director of Special Forces? The only thing that he can remember is that he once joined the British army, under a false name and the rest is history. Sent to ‘liquidate’ a target in Ireland Max does all his preparation work and then takes the required action, only to find that the target is already dead, with a bag full of $100 and someone is now shooting at him. Throughout the book there is someone different shooting at Max. Whether he is in Ireland, Paris, Israel or Russia, there are chases that leave you breathless, all in pursuit of a $100 bill that is folded neatly in his pocket. He may want answers but there are plenty of people willing to shoot him and get the dollar bill. As Max crashes his away around Europe being the hunted, he really wants to catch up with Rachel in the hope she can shed light on what is happening to him. Can he get out of this alive? Does he have any friends left that will not be shooting at him? Max certainly does not know, and nor does the reader until the end. This really is an excellent thriller done at breath taking speed, with the main character not really sure who is or what he is. With plenty of action from the warmth of Israel to the cold tundra in Russia, one thing is certain, Max needs to keep moving to stay alive. Arkhangel is what a true thriller should be.

The book will appeal to the lovers of Jason Bourne, Jack Reacher, or even Dan Brown. The protagonist Max, is a complex, cold-blooded assassin working for the British secret services, who gets'set-up' by cunning ruthless villains. He cannot trust anybody, every person in his life is a potential threat. The plot takes the reader on quite a tortuous route via Ireland, France, Israel, Russia, and the UK. A fast-moving novel, regularly interspersed with unbelievable violence, gory depictions of slayings and weird characters. Some scenes of violence may seem a bit too gratuitous to some readers. I wasn't too sure at first whether I would like the book. However, it just got better and better, with the plot sucking you into the strange world that the main character, Max, inhabited. This would be a good book to read on your holiday beach if you are lucky enough to have one close at hand!