This is one of my top reads this year. I have to admit that it is also my first book by the author and what an impression he has left. The story begins with a gift from MI6 in 2006 to the Syrian authorities of a man in their custody that is known as the Engineer and his 7 months pregnant wife. It is said that he is responsible for the deaths of a number of people, including 25 British soldiers. There is no trial or compassion. The man pleads he is innocent but no-one listens. Jude Lyon of MI6 witnessed them being put on the plane, something that didn’t rest easy with him. Ten years on the Engineer is rescued and it could bring the whole British Government crashing down. Oh my, within the first pages I got a glimpse of this man’s existence and it is haunting. I know that this happens in the world daily and no-one does anything to stop it. It wasn’t just the horrific way people died, it was the quantity, a never-ending daily count that just grew. The writing is powerful with chapters that switch between the three main characters, The Engineer, The Stranger and Jude Lyon of MI6. Jude uncovers the truth about the Engineer and finds himself in a race against the clock to find out which British target the Stranger intends to hit. He knows if he fails the death count will be huge. This story has such a realness to it that I could imagine the headline news that would go along with the events that were unfolding. The Stranger is a really complex character, the sort that I love reading about. I am not going to tell you his name, you need to discover it yourself in the book. Even on a hot day like it is now just writing this makes me shudder. He is a master of manipulation through any means possible, a magnetic charm that gives him control over people. A brilliantly written character that you see from all sides. Some people are just born evil and no matter who their parents no amount of money can change that. A belting reading. I wish to thank the publisher and NetGalley for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

I had heard so much about this book that I was very pleased to be given the opportunity to review The Stranger from NetGalley. Needless to say it didn’t disappoint and I finished it in 24 hours. The plot revolves around Jude, who works for MI6 is trying to complete a dangerous mission involving the Russians when he is called back to base. The Engineer is a dangerous terrorist who is credited with the death of 25 so.doers in a plot that was so expertly and callously devised that Jude has never forgotten the moment The Engineer was arrested and with his pregnant wife sent to Syria for interrogation. Moving to the present day, the Engineer is still alive and has been broken out of jail. Jude always has a bad feeling about what happened, and his sixth sense isn’t often wrong. Forces beyond his control start a sequence of events that will cause the higher echelons of MI6 and parliament to unravel. The level of detail in the character development and plot line make this a stand out read for 2020. I was drawn into the horrifyingly realistic storyline as Jude will seek to stop a devastating terrorist act by travelling across Europe and back onto on home turf. The Stranger definitely lived up to the hype and I look forward to reading the back collection of Simon Conway’s books

The reviews for this book were very good, the author was new to me, so I thought give it a go. Unfortunately the characters just didn't work for me. But more importantly after approximately 60 pages I had to stop reading as I found myself repeatedly loosing track and having to reread paragraphs to try and understand what is happening or who is talking. Previously I read "The Institute" by Stephen King and not once did I have to reread a paragraph, it was as if you were at the movies (in your mind) or in the story yourself (emersed). The characters were believable and worked. I had purchased two Simon Conway books based on reviews. I hope the next one "Rock Creek Park" FLOWS with believable characters, so I can give 5 stars.