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horthhill's review against another edition
1.0
“Overkill” by Ted Bell is a thriller that takes place in Switzerland. Like Swiss cheese, Overkill has plenty of holes. The hero Alex Hawke is a British Lord who seems not to know how to address the Queen. To help Hawke, it’s “Her Majesty the Queen” and not “Her Royal Majesty”. But no matter, Hawke’s seven year old son is kidnapped in an highly implausible ruse involving a gondola on a Swiss mountain. Hawke and his spy friends and his mercenary friends and his immense wealth are all used to track down his son. The holes in the plot are legion as Hawke’s ex-legionnaires wreak mayhem over the bad guys and the story. The bad guys even have their very own plot holes.
My favourite trouble-some plot hole is that of the Black Arrow-the giant Russian steam locomotive -as it sneaks fifty train cars full of bad people and apparatus and mini-tanks into Switzerland. The first problem that I see is the complete lack of any en route service for a steam locomotive travelling from Russia to Switzerland. Where exactly would such a museum piece - it was stolen from a museum in the Ukraine-find water and coal stops. No where. And, trains of all types can’t steer themselves. They can’t travel on tracks independent of traffic control. Switches along the route must be coordinated with a central railway traffic control center to avoid all those other trains travelling on the same track from making unfortunate and violent ‘meetings.’ Suppose that the Black Arrow survived the collision with the concrete barrier that the Swiss railway people have erected on a stretch of track that is out of operation. That is, survive the high speed collision without derailing and jack-knifing. Swiss traffic control would declare the Black Arrow a runaway and do everything to switch it off the mainline. Maybe even deliberately derail it. But the Black Arrow would never make it to the rail yards of Zurich. The Zurich rail traffic control would clearly notice a fifty car steam train that’s been, at the very least, declared a runaway. Now, say the train does survive, then how would Col Beauregard shunt the Black Arrow train quietly into the back of the Zurich rail yard? Well, by the train travelling at walking speed while someone would be literally walking ahead of the train and manually operating switches (points.) But, without coordinating with traffic control, Beauregard would be maneuvering the steam train right into the path of some other on-coming train. Death and destruction for all the bad guys from a huge train wreck.
Of course, Swiss traffic control would clearly see the runaway/illicit train the whole time from the border of Switzerland to Zurich. It would not be a stealth operation. Security would meet them. All the bad guys would not be able to carry out Operation Overkill because they either would be caught in a huge firefight in the Zurich rail yards or they would all be dead in a massive train wreck as their uncontrolled steam train, racing along at 80 miles an hour, collided with the first train it encountered on the Swiss track. Story would end there. No bad guys, left.
My favourite trouble-some plot hole is that of the Black Arrow-the giant Russian steam locomotive -as it sneaks fifty train cars full of bad people and apparatus and mini-tanks into Switzerland. The first problem that I see is the complete lack of any en route service for a steam locomotive travelling from Russia to Switzerland. Where exactly would such a museum piece - it was stolen from a museum in the Ukraine-find water and coal stops. No where. And, trains of all types can’t steer themselves. They can’t travel on tracks independent of traffic control. Switches along the route must be coordinated with a central railway traffic control center to avoid all those other trains travelling on the same track from making unfortunate and violent ‘meetings.’ Suppose that the Black Arrow survived the collision with the concrete barrier that the Swiss railway people have erected on a stretch of track that is out of operation. That is, survive the high speed collision without derailing and jack-knifing. Swiss traffic control would declare the Black Arrow a runaway and do everything to switch it off the mainline. Maybe even deliberately derail it. But the Black Arrow would never make it to the rail yards of Zurich. The Zurich rail traffic control would clearly notice a fifty car steam train that’s been, at the very least, declared a runaway. Now, say the train does survive, then how would Col Beauregard shunt the Black Arrow train quietly into the back of the Zurich rail yard? Well, by the train travelling at walking speed while someone would be literally walking ahead of the train and manually operating switches (points.) But, without coordinating with traffic control, Beauregard would be maneuvering the steam train right into the path of some other on-coming train. Death and destruction for all the bad guys from a huge train wreck.
Of course, Swiss traffic control would clearly see the runaway/illicit train the whole time from the border of Switzerland to Zurich. It would not be a stealth operation. Security would meet them. All the bad guys would not be able to carry out Operation Overkill because they either would be caught in a huge firefight in the Zurich rail yards or they would all be dead in a massive train wreck as their uncontrolled steam train, racing along at 80 miles an hour, collided with the first train it encountered on the Swiss track. Story would end there. No bad guys, left.
r_lind's review against another edition
Can I give zero stars? I do not believe that Ted Bell wrote this crap. The last Alex Hawke book I read was Warlord, saw this on the clearance rack at Barnes and Noble...now I know why it was there. Do not waste your time.
jaxboiler's review against another edition
3.0
These books are starting to get really repetitive. Single Handsome Super rich former military guy can fund his own private military actions against whatever Despot is trying to stir up trouble in the world.
canada_matt's review against another edition
3.0
I’ll give it 3.75 for the time being.
There is something about Ted Bell’s work that has me returning each time a new piece has been published. He touches on electrifying aspects of espionage mixed with humour that I find highly captivating, but there remains a constant irritation on my part with some of the dialogue and character interactions throughout many of these tales. While spending time with his son in Switzerland, Lord Alex Hawke is keen to see what progress Alexei has made at ski school. Riding up to a mountain peak in a gondola could not be more peaceful, especially on Christmas Day, but tragedy strikes when the cable snaps and the machine crashes. Scrambling to get help, Hawke ensures that his son is alive and makes sure that Alexei is put on one of the medical helicopters headed for a local hospital. However, when Hawke arrives for medical updates, there is no sign of Alexei or record that he ever made it to the hospital. Hawke assumes the worst and assembles his closest friends to help him find the Hawke heir, worried that he has been kidnapped. Meanwhile, a plane carrying the Russian President goes down in rural France. Based on the wreckage, it would appear President Putin has perished, news that spreads quickly through new agencies worldwide. However, many know that news can be faked to serve the source! Putin is alive, though has decided to ‘rough it’ and stay off the radar. He reaches out to an unexpected source, Joseph ‘Uncle Joe’ Stalingrad, and seeks assistance to devise a plan. Sure that there are those in Russia who are trying to see his downfall, Putin enacts Operation: Overkill, which will see him rise to power and destroy all his enemies, including those ruthless oligarchs within the Kremlin. While Lord Hawke continues to search for his son, tidbits of news reach him that leave him to believe that his once friend, Putin, is not only alive, but may also have orchestrated Alexei’s kidnapping. Lord Hawke will stop at nothing to bring Alexei back to safety, though is unaware that Overkill may have massive consequences that cost him more than he could have predicted. Bell weaves this energetic tale in his signature fashion, peppering the story with familiar and new characters to keep the story fresh. Recommended for those who enjoy Alex Hawke’s pompous nature and ability to drum up a decent bit of espionage with international thrills.
Ted Bell has a wonderful gift with his writing and is able to bring a story home with ease, even if I find some of the ideas far-fetched and the characters irritating. As I listened to the book, I gave this much thought and concluded that some of the irritants could arise from Bell’s past work writing for a soap opera, as I find certain plots cheesy and dialogue overly stuffy. Still, there is much worthy of the reader’s time in this novel. Those familiar with the series will know that Lord Alex Hawke is a complex man who is the modern incarnation of James Bond. His allure to the opposite sex and ability to fight anyone barehanded make him an interesting character and one the reader might enjoy. There are crumbs of a more recent backstory in this piece, as well as flashbacks to Hawke’s work with Putin in previous novels. Bell keeps Hawke on a similar path, striving to find his son and stopping at nothing to bring that about, even if it means killing the likes of Putin. There are some interest returning characters who, in their own way, help add depth and accentuate the traits of Hawke throughout this novel. From a prim and proper valet to a life-long friend who worked for Scotland Yard, and even the carefree Floridian who is happy to rush out and help, Bell has crafted these characters effectively over the ten full novels and various shorter pieces, many of whom develop on par with Hawke. There are surely some newer faces that grace the pages of Bell’s latest book, villains and heroes alike. Bell takes literary freedom and injects humour when needed to keep the reader from getting too bogged down. The premise of the story is decent and Bell effectively weaves a tale that mixes love with violent determination. The reader is taken down a few rabbit holes to get to the final standoff, pitting Hawke against those whose evil cannot be easily defined. Bell works his magic to suspend reality while also keeping the story grounded and plausible. I’ll likely stick with these novels when they are published, but cannot shake some of the annoyance that comes to the surface when I read them.
Kudos, Mr. Bell, for another great novel. I enjoy what you do in your writing and hope you can tap into the current world sentiment with your novels, which always spin things and keep the reader wondering.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
There is something about Ted Bell’s work that has me returning each time a new piece has been published. He touches on electrifying aspects of espionage mixed with humour that I find highly captivating, but there remains a constant irritation on my part with some of the dialogue and character interactions throughout many of these tales. While spending time with his son in Switzerland, Lord Alex Hawke is keen to see what progress Alexei has made at ski school. Riding up to a mountain peak in a gondola could not be more peaceful, especially on Christmas Day, but tragedy strikes when the cable snaps and the machine crashes. Scrambling to get help, Hawke ensures that his son is alive and makes sure that Alexei is put on one of the medical helicopters headed for a local hospital. However, when Hawke arrives for medical updates, there is no sign of Alexei or record that he ever made it to the hospital. Hawke assumes the worst and assembles his closest friends to help him find the Hawke heir, worried that he has been kidnapped. Meanwhile, a plane carrying the Russian President goes down in rural France. Based on the wreckage, it would appear President Putin has perished, news that spreads quickly through new agencies worldwide. However, many know that news can be faked to serve the source! Putin is alive, though has decided to ‘rough it’ and stay off the radar. He reaches out to an unexpected source, Joseph ‘Uncle Joe’ Stalingrad, and seeks assistance to devise a plan. Sure that there are those in Russia who are trying to see his downfall, Putin enacts Operation: Overkill, which will see him rise to power and destroy all his enemies, including those ruthless oligarchs within the Kremlin. While Lord Hawke continues to search for his son, tidbits of news reach him that leave him to believe that his once friend, Putin, is not only alive, but may also have orchestrated Alexei’s kidnapping. Lord Hawke will stop at nothing to bring Alexei back to safety, though is unaware that Overkill may have massive consequences that cost him more than he could have predicted. Bell weaves this energetic tale in his signature fashion, peppering the story with familiar and new characters to keep the story fresh. Recommended for those who enjoy Alex Hawke’s pompous nature and ability to drum up a decent bit of espionage with international thrills.
Ted Bell has a wonderful gift with his writing and is able to bring a story home with ease, even if I find some of the ideas far-fetched and the characters irritating. As I listened to the book, I gave this much thought and concluded that some of the irritants could arise from Bell’s past work writing for a soap opera, as I find certain plots cheesy and dialogue overly stuffy. Still, there is much worthy of the reader’s time in this novel. Those familiar with the series will know that Lord Alex Hawke is a complex man who is the modern incarnation of James Bond. His allure to the opposite sex and ability to fight anyone barehanded make him an interesting character and one the reader might enjoy. There are crumbs of a more recent backstory in this piece, as well as flashbacks to Hawke’s work with Putin in previous novels. Bell keeps Hawke on a similar path, striving to find his son and stopping at nothing to bring that about, even if it means killing the likes of Putin. There are some interest returning characters who, in their own way, help add depth and accentuate the traits of Hawke throughout this novel. From a prim and proper valet to a life-long friend who worked for Scotland Yard, and even the carefree Floridian who is happy to rush out and help, Bell has crafted these characters effectively over the ten full novels and various shorter pieces, many of whom develop on par with Hawke. There are surely some newer faces that grace the pages of Bell’s latest book, villains and heroes alike. Bell takes literary freedom and injects humour when needed to keep the reader from getting too bogged down. The premise of the story is decent and Bell effectively weaves a tale that mixes love with violent determination. The reader is taken down a few rabbit holes to get to the final standoff, pitting Hawke against those whose evil cannot be easily defined. Bell works his magic to suspend reality while also keeping the story grounded and plausible. I’ll likely stick with these novels when they are published, but cannot shake some of the annoyance that comes to the surface when I read them.
Kudos, Mr. Bell, for another great novel. I enjoy what you do in your writing and hope you can tap into the current world sentiment with your novels, which always spin things and keep the reader wondering.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
brettt's review against another edition
2.0
Often thrillers and spy novels that put their leads into contact with the highest circles of power will create fictitious versions of the real people in those offices. The agent might have an important role in saving, say, the President of the United States, but it won't be any actual president. The author might, if he or she has a low view of said president, create the fictional one to mirror the worst aspects of the real one, at least as they see them, but the character will still be fictional. Ted Bell mixes and matches his real world analogues with fictional characters as they encounter his top British agent, Alex Hawke. Among the actual people that he's cast is Russian President Vladimir Putin, who owes Hawke a debt for the latter's help in stopping an attempt to recreate Imperial Russia in Tsar -- a debt because the plotters intended to succeed over Putin's dead body.
The wily and vicious Russian president opens the tenth Hawk novel, Overkill, by surviving another assassination attempt -- but he has to flee the country in order to do so and is cut off from his power base by the oligarchs who tried to remove him. But Putin still has allies, and he has a plan as well. In the meantime, we find Alexander Hawke on a hunt for his kidnapped son -- a significant problem not just because he doesn't know who took the boy or why, but because the list of potential suspects and old enemies is almost too long to count. The two men will once again converge in unexpected ways as Hawke needs to not only find his son, he needs to try to block Putin's bloody plan for revenge and a return to power.
Overkill has just enough focus to its outlandish plot to keep things moving from start to finish, although whether that's a desirable outcome is left up to the reader. Bell's whimsical take on some aspects of the spy thriller, when married to a sensible plot, make for a fun romp around the world. His choice to include real world characters adds an interesting flavor (in one novel, Prince William and Prince Harry employ their actual military training to help protect their family from terrorists). But in this case, the mix is uninteresting, the overall plot uninspiring and the results is a book well below average for Lord Alexander Hawke.
Overkill has just enough focus to its outlandish plot to keep things moving from start to finish, although whether that's a desirable outcome is left up to the reader. Bell's whimsical take on some aspects of the spy thriller, when married to a sensible plot, make for a fun romp around the world. His choice to include real world characters adds an interesting flavor (in one novel, Prince William and Prince Harry employ their actual military training to help protect their family from terrorists). But in this case, the mix is uninteresting, the overall plot uninspiring and the results is a book well below average for Lord Alexander Hawke.
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