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Intrepid #2
Hunter
NUMBER ONE iTUNES CRIME & THRILLER BESTSELLER.
His orders are simple: ‘The safety catch is off. Return that girl to her family and drag those bastards back to justice. Dead or alive. It makes no difference to me.�
Alex Morgan � policeman, soldier and spy for Intrepid, the black ops division of Interpol � is on the hunt for Serbian war criminals. But these guys were never going to let it be that simple. An assassination attempt is made on the presiding judge of the international tribunal. Days later, the judge’s daughter, the famous and beautiful classical pianist Charlotte Rose, vanishes in mysterious circumstances.
The girl is not just a pretty face and the daughter of a judge, however. She’s also the goddaughter of Intrepid’s veteran commander, General Davenport. It’s up to Morgan and the Intrepid team to track the kidnappers and the missing woman before the very fabric of international justice is picked apart at its fraying edges.
Part James Bond and part Jason Bourne, Alex Morgan must walk the line between doing the right thing and getting the job done. And this time he’s got permission to make it personal.
His orders are simple: ‘The safety catch is off. Return that girl to her family and drag those bastards back to justice. Dead or alive. It makes no difference to me.�
Alex Morgan � policeman, soldier and spy for Intrepid, the black ops division of Interpol � is on the hunt for Serbian war criminals. But these guys were never going to let it be that simple. An assassination attempt is made on the presiding judge of the international tribunal. Days later, the judge’s daughter, the famous and beautiful classical pianist Charlotte Rose, vanishes in mysterious circumstances.
The girl is not just a pretty face and the daughter of a judge, however. She’s also the goddaughter of Intrepid’s veteran commander, General Davenport. It’s up to Morgan and the Intrepid team to track the kidnappers and the missing woman before the very fabric of international justice is picked apart at its fraying edges.
Part James Bond and part Jason Bourne, Alex Morgan must walk the line between doing the right thing and getting the job done. And this time he’s got permission to make it personal.
440 pages, ebook
First published December 1, 2012
25 people are currently reading
674 people want to read
About the author
Chris Allen
6Ìýbooks72ÌýfollowersChris Allen is a former paratrooper, with service in the Australian Army - including attachments to the New Zealand Army, the British Parachute Regiment and deployments to Africa, South East Asia and Central America. He retired at the rank of Major.
In addition to his military career: Chris led security operations for a major international aid agency in East Timor during the 1999 emergency. In the wake of the September 11 attacks of 2001, he oversaw the upgrade of Counter Terrorism First Response measures at Sydney Airport. And in 2003 when protestors painted ‘No War� on the sails of the Sydney Opera House, he was headhunted to take over the protection of the iconic landmark. In 2008 he was appointed Sheriff of New South Wales, one of Australia’s most historic law enforcement appointments.
Today, Chris is a full-time author and lives on the New South Wales south coast with his sons, Morgan and Rhett. You may even see him from time to time cruising up and down the east coast on his treasured Triumph Thunderbird LT!
Chris currently has four novels in his best-selling INTREPID series featuring ALEX MORGAN: DEFENDER, HUNTER, AVENGER and HELLDIVER, which were previously published by Pan Macmillan/Momentum. All four novels are currently available in audio format, published by Wavesound Australia. The INTREPID series has been optioned for film and television.
Chris has recently finished writing INTREPID #5 SHAPESHIFTER, the long awaited return of ALEX MORGAN!
In addition to his INTREPID series, Chris is currently working on an exciting new thriller series featuring former Commando and Australian Secret Intelligence Service veteran BENJAMIN RHETT. In the series, RHETT will be teamed up with former Army Intelligence Officer and current Australian Security Intelligence Organisation agent KAT THOMAS.
The first two novels in the series will be titled EMERALD BEACH and STORM POINT.
Chris is a member of the Australian Crime Writers Association (ACWA) and an Associate Member of Screen Producers Australia (SPA).
In addition to his military career: Chris led security operations for a major international aid agency in East Timor during the 1999 emergency. In the wake of the September 11 attacks of 2001, he oversaw the upgrade of Counter Terrorism First Response measures at Sydney Airport. And in 2003 when protestors painted ‘No War� on the sails of the Sydney Opera House, he was headhunted to take over the protection of the iconic landmark. In 2008 he was appointed Sheriff of New South Wales, one of Australia’s most historic law enforcement appointments.
Today, Chris is a full-time author and lives on the New South Wales south coast with his sons, Morgan and Rhett. You may even see him from time to time cruising up and down the east coast on his treasured Triumph Thunderbird LT!
Chris currently has four novels in his best-selling INTREPID series featuring ALEX MORGAN: DEFENDER, HUNTER, AVENGER and HELLDIVER, which were previously published by Pan Macmillan/Momentum. All four novels are currently available in audio format, published by Wavesound Australia. The INTREPID series has been optioned for film and television.
Chris has recently finished writing INTREPID #5 SHAPESHIFTER, the long awaited return of ALEX MORGAN!
In addition to his INTREPID series, Chris is currently working on an exciting new thriller series featuring former Commando and Australian Secret Intelligence Service veteran BENJAMIN RHETT. In the series, RHETT will be teamed up with former Army Intelligence Officer and current Australian Security Intelligence Organisation agent KAT THOMAS.
The first two novels in the series will be titled EMERALD BEACH and STORM POINT.
Chris is a member of the Australian Crime Writers Association (ACWA) and an Associate Member of Screen Producers Australia (SPA).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 19, 2012
I blamed Chris Allen for a lot of things whilst I was reading this book. Dog's were left hoping for games and walks. Not my fault. Cat's balefully batted toys on sticks with nobody holding onto the other end. Nothing to do with me. Pet pigs resorted to throwing their food bowls around in the air because their giant tennis ball wouldn't throw itself. Who me? It was actually rather too easy to ignore all but the bare essentials around the place when deep in the second INTREPID book - HUNTER.
As in the first book, and as you'd expect of this format, the central character Alex Morgan is a minor superhero. His major superpower appears to be the ability to shrug off levels of physical damage that would have the normal person at least mutter OUCH quite a lot, if not demand a good long lie down in the closest Intensive Care facility. It's also a given that Morgan will be a bit of a loner, not necessarily looking for love but quite happy to take it if offered. So, you probably get the idea, we are talking high energy action, a fair amount of physical prowess and a hefty bit of romantic interest.
Whilst there are a lot of elements to the plot that aren't that unexpected, setting the action within the remit of the Hague Court and the Serbian conflict is an interesting twist, and it provided some options for insight into some of the brutality of that conflict. It also created a very realistic scenario for INTREPID to be operating in (the organisation that Alex Morgan works for).
In a slight difference from the first book, the romantic interest here is more prevalent at the end which might appeal to some readers a little more, and whilst the level of action was as strong, the punishment that Morgan endures did seem to be much more extreme. This time out, the plot seemed surprisingly feasible, even the slightly James Bondish gizmos and gadgets deployed at points. What works the most is undoubtedly the action scenes though. They are incredibly good, and even if you do, at times, think there is no way Morgan should be able survive this, you really don't doubt one little bit that he does. You don't mind when he prevails against everything, when he catches all the baddies, deploys whatever gizmo the INTREPID version of Q has magic'd out of the ether and somehow you don't even mind so much when it looks like he might even get the girl.
High-paced, high-octane, high-entertainment fun, the INTREPID series is now available from Which is very good news.
As in the first book, and as you'd expect of this format, the central character Alex Morgan is a minor superhero. His major superpower appears to be the ability to shrug off levels of physical damage that would have the normal person at least mutter OUCH quite a lot, if not demand a good long lie down in the closest Intensive Care facility. It's also a given that Morgan will be a bit of a loner, not necessarily looking for love but quite happy to take it if offered. So, you probably get the idea, we are talking high energy action, a fair amount of physical prowess and a hefty bit of romantic interest.
Whilst there are a lot of elements to the plot that aren't that unexpected, setting the action within the remit of the Hague Court and the Serbian conflict is an interesting twist, and it provided some options for insight into some of the brutality of that conflict. It also created a very realistic scenario for INTREPID to be operating in (the organisation that Alex Morgan works for).
In a slight difference from the first book, the romantic interest here is more prevalent at the end which might appeal to some readers a little more, and whilst the level of action was as strong, the punishment that Morgan endures did seem to be much more extreme. This time out, the plot seemed surprisingly feasible, even the slightly James Bondish gizmos and gadgets deployed at points. What works the most is undoubtedly the action scenes though. They are incredibly good, and even if you do, at times, think there is no way Morgan should be able survive this, you really don't doubt one little bit that he does. You don't mind when he prevails against everything, when he catches all the baddies, deploys whatever gizmo the INTREPID version of Q has magic'd out of the ether and somehow you don't even mind so much when it looks like he might even get the girl.
High-paced, high-octane, high-entertainment fun, the INTREPID series is now available from Which is very good news.
December 4, 2012
HUNTER, the follow-up to the first in the INTREPID series, DEFENDER, is just as action packed as its predecessor. This time round, Intrepid agent Alex Morgan dons more of a police/investigator persona in search of kidnapped star Charly. Further enhancing his mission is that Charly, not only a famous pianist, is also the goddaughter of Morgan's boss, Davenport and the daughter of a prominent ICTY judge heading up a complex trial to put away a bunch of dangerous war criminals.
Comparisons between Bond and Morgan are easily apparent yet Morgan has more of a hardened blue blooded edge - think Shane Schofield (aka Scarecrow) by Aussie author Matthew Reilly. Author Chris Allen continues to build on Morgan by bumping up the Aussie bloke angle, incorporating more of the mannerisms typical of the stereotype. This creates a more realistic feel to Morgan, making him come across as a good-hearted, honest and reliable down-to-earth character. In a way, the perfect compliment to the ruthless bad guys.
Wolves in sheep clothing, a Serbian mafia inner circle power struggle, double crosses by informants and Interpol agents alike, all formulate the latest Intrepid novel which sees conflict traverses the globe via one long high octane action sequence which incorporates brutal hand to hand and elaborate stunts. I made the comment in DEFENDER that it was like a big budget Hollywood blockbuster and this is no different, the combat scenes are delivered in efficient brutality, the stunts akin to the finest Bond.
With HUNTER there is a noticeable focus on character development with Morgan's boss Davenport growing into a more fatherly role and a clear sense of camaraderie evident between the two. Some major players from DEFENDER, notably Arena Hall are less prominent in HUNTER yet this is offset by the introduction new characters, with the most impressionable being Key (Messrs Braunschweiger), a man mountain who looms as a larger than life agent and fast friend of Morgan's.
HUNTER is a must read for fans of the series. The action is first class. The writing precise and the plot wholly enjoyable throughout. Chris Allen is onto a winner with Intrepid - 4 stars.
Comparisons between Bond and Morgan are easily apparent yet Morgan has more of a hardened blue blooded edge - think Shane Schofield (aka Scarecrow) by Aussie author Matthew Reilly. Author Chris Allen continues to build on Morgan by bumping up the Aussie bloke angle, incorporating more of the mannerisms typical of the stereotype. This creates a more realistic feel to Morgan, making him come across as a good-hearted, honest and reliable down-to-earth character. In a way, the perfect compliment to the ruthless bad guys.
Wolves in sheep clothing, a Serbian mafia inner circle power struggle, double crosses by informants and Interpol agents alike, all formulate the latest Intrepid novel which sees conflict traverses the globe via one long high octane action sequence which incorporates brutal hand to hand and elaborate stunts. I made the comment in DEFENDER that it was like a big budget Hollywood blockbuster and this is no different, the combat scenes are delivered in efficient brutality, the stunts akin to the finest Bond.
With HUNTER there is a noticeable focus on character development with Morgan's boss Davenport growing into a more fatherly role and a clear sense of camaraderie evident between the two. Some major players from DEFENDER, notably Arena Hall are less prominent in HUNTER yet this is offset by the introduction new characters, with the most impressionable being Key (Messrs Braunschweiger), a man mountain who looms as a larger than life agent and fast friend of Morgan's.
HUNTER is a must read for fans of the series. The action is first class. The writing precise and the plot wholly enjoyable throughout. Chris Allen is onto a winner with Intrepid - 4 stars.
December 14, 2012
I love the exciting action novels by Chris Allen. Two great stories that you can tell are based in more than than just a little fact with the way the action goes down and you can imagine yourself right in the thick of it as you read. I have read both books and you can't put them down when you start :-) I am already nagging Chris about Book 3!!
May 1, 2013
First, I should say that I was provided with a copy of Hunter, in ebook format, for review purposes. This has not influenced my review. Hunter isn’t in a genre that I read often. I am, however, willing to venture beyond my normal bounds to some degree.
Hunter is a thriller of a very modern type, featuring the ex-SAS hero, Major Alex Morgan. A member of Interpol’s covert Intrepid branch, he is called upon to carry out operations that the usual force is not equipped for. In this novel, he is pitted against Serbian war criminals turned gangsters, from the dreadful days of the Balkans Conflict, who have eluded the law for too long. And those Serbians are brutally ruthless. In an effort to undermine the law, the worst of the Serbs, Drago, has threatened the judges and their families. Intrepid must track down Drago and bring him and his organisation down, and Alex Morgan is at the heart of the operation.
Mr Allen uses variable length chapters very effectively, creating an almost documentary style account. There are times when the tale races along, but Mr Allen also succeeds in portraying the long, tedious hours spent waiting and watching, or the vast amount of research, intelligence gathering and information co-ordination that goes into any operation involving law enforcement. His characters are well developed and easy to like or despise, depending on which side of the fence they’re on. Alex Morgan is very able but no superman. His comrades in Intrepid are human, with all which that entails. A particularly strong character is ‘the Wolf�, whose brutal efficiency as an assassin and enforcer for Drago has become legendary, who is a sinister figure pacing through the shadows behind the action. Refreshingly, there is genuine cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of all the countries involved � not the constant petty politics of jurisdiction and national ego so often portrayed in books and on film. When the climactic moment comes, you find yourself wishing the action was more prolonged, but of course that would be contrary to what special operations are all about. They deal in seconds not minutes, minutes not hours. Anything else could be catastrophic.
A tale of cold-blooded ruthlessness (from both sides), treachery, courage, cowardice, avarice and lust for power, Hunter has everything the thriller aficionado could wish for. Yes, it took me a while to read, but then I’m a slow reader and I wanted to do justice to a brand new book in a genre I rarely visit. I found it easy to read, partly thanks to that clever use of chapters varying wildly in length, according to content. To me, the story passed a very important test: I began picturing the characters and locations as I read! There is enough detail for both to give a firm base, and sufficient unsaid to allow the imagination to do the rest. The second test was passed, too: there were times when I read far more than I meant to, and certainly for longer than the time I had available!
I can happily award Hunter five stars! In fact, now I’m left wanting to read more of these tales�
You can find out more about Mr Allen and his books on his .
Hunter is a thriller of a very modern type, featuring the ex-SAS hero, Major Alex Morgan. A member of Interpol’s covert Intrepid branch, he is called upon to carry out operations that the usual force is not equipped for. In this novel, he is pitted against Serbian war criminals turned gangsters, from the dreadful days of the Balkans Conflict, who have eluded the law for too long. And those Serbians are brutally ruthless. In an effort to undermine the law, the worst of the Serbs, Drago, has threatened the judges and their families. Intrepid must track down Drago and bring him and his organisation down, and Alex Morgan is at the heart of the operation.
Mr Allen uses variable length chapters very effectively, creating an almost documentary style account. There are times when the tale races along, but Mr Allen also succeeds in portraying the long, tedious hours spent waiting and watching, or the vast amount of research, intelligence gathering and information co-ordination that goes into any operation involving law enforcement. His characters are well developed and easy to like or despise, depending on which side of the fence they’re on. Alex Morgan is very able but no superman. His comrades in Intrepid are human, with all which that entails. A particularly strong character is ‘the Wolf�, whose brutal efficiency as an assassin and enforcer for Drago has become legendary, who is a sinister figure pacing through the shadows behind the action. Refreshingly, there is genuine cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of all the countries involved � not the constant petty politics of jurisdiction and national ego so often portrayed in books and on film. When the climactic moment comes, you find yourself wishing the action was more prolonged, but of course that would be contrary to what special operations are all about. They deal in seconds not minutes, minutes not hours. Anything else could be catastrophic.
A tale of cold-blooded ruthlessness (from both sides), treachery, courage, cowardice, avarice and lust for power, Hunter has everything the thriller aficionado could wish for. Yes, it took me a while to read, but then I’m a slow reader and I wanted to do justice to a brand new book in a genre I rarely visit. I found it easy to read, partly thanks to that clever use of chapters varying wildly in length, according to content. To me, the story passed a very important test: I began picturing the characters and locations as I read! There is enough detail for both to give a firm base, and sufficient unsaid to allow the imagination to do the rest. The second test was passed, too: there were times when I read far more than I meant to, and certainly for longer than the time I had available!
I can happily award Hunter five stars! In fact, now I’m left wanting to read more of these tales�
You can find out more about Mr Allen and his books on his .
March 11, 2013
I purchased Chris Allen's Hunter, Intrepid 2 because I had heard of it and was curious. I hadn't read the first Intrepid book but didn't feel that was a disadvantage as I read this one.
Hunter gets straight into the action, with no boring preamble. And action is what this author does very, very well. I love his freeze frame style of describing fights so that you can visualise every punch. His weapon specifics are spot on, and nicely varied from the usual brands that pop up in the thriller genre.
The plot itself, an Interpol strike team on the trail of Bosnian war crims, is both believable and interesting. There are a couple of nice twists that I won't give away, but you can rest assured that things are not always as they seem.
I like the way the author uses 'big' characters, eg, the love interest/ maiden in distress is a famous pianist, and this helps raise the stakes. In fact, the minor characters are invariably well done. Strangely, it was Alex Morgan himself that I never really felt I got to know, but this might have been just me. Or that slight Bond-like 'distance' might be a deliberate device.
The pages turn easily all the way through, but the last couple of chapters, as Alex and the team drop in on the Dragon's Den, are superbly done, and this is where the author's military experience really shines through.
In conclusion, if you like a good thriller, then this is your kind of book!
Four stars, because you have to leave an author something to aim at, don't you, Chris!
Hunter gets straight into the action, with no boring preamble. And action is what this author does very, very well. I love his freeze frame style of describing fights so that you can visualise every punch. His weapon specifics are spot on, and nicely varied from the usual brands that pop up in the thriller genre.
The plot itself, an Interpol strike team on the trail of Bosnian war crims, is both believable and interesting. There are a couple of nice twists that I won't give away, but you can rest assured that things are not always as they seem.
I like the way the author uses 'big' characters, eg, the love interest/ maiden in distress is a famous pianist, and this helps raise the stakes. In fact, the minor characters are invariably well done. Strangely, it was Alex Morgan himself that I never really felt I got to know, but this might have been just me. Or that slight Bond-like 'distance' might be a deliberate device.
The pages turn easily all the way through, but the last couple of chapters, as Alex and the team drop in on the Dragon's Den, are superbly done, and this is where the author's military experience really shines through.
In conclusion, if you like a good thriller, then this is your kind of book!
Four stars, because you have to leave an author something to aim at, don't you, Chris!
December 10, 2012
I loved this book. I loved the first book too, but with this one you can see Chris Allen has grown so much as a writer.
The way he moves back and forwards between different storylines via chapters is reminiscent of Tom Clancy, a style I like. I wanted to keep reading as you knew that the next chapter would take you to a different place in the world and another aspect of the story unfolding. His characters are believable, human, and you can empathise or despise along with him.
Knowing his admiration for Ian Fleming and his novels, you can see the need for action in the book, but never does it overwhelm. Explanations of weapons, vehicles, equipment, are written for everyone to understand, and even the most novice of action readers will grasp the descriptions without confusion.
Anyone who likes a good action story, with an actual plot line and real people, will want to read this book. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Waiting for the next one Chris!!
The way he moves back and forwards between different storylines via chapters is reminiscent of Tom Clancy, a style I like. I wanted to keep reading as you knew that the next chapter would take you to a different place in the world and another aspect of the story unfolding. His characters are believable, human, and you can empathise or despise along with him.
Knowing his admiration for Ian Fleming and his novels, you can see the need for action in the book, but never does it overwhelm. Explanations of weapons, vehicles, equipment, are written for everyone to understand, and even the most novice of action readers will grasp the descriptions without confusion.
Anyone who likes a good action story, with an actual plot line and real people, will want to read this book. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Waiting for the next one Chris!!
February 12, 2013
There is so much to like about Chris Allen’s second book � the action is tight and punchy, the characters are more developed since Defender: Intrepid 1, and the story is great. But the standouts for me are truly based on Chris� tag as being a writer of escapist action thrillers for realists. As per “Defender� his attention to detail shows his knowledge of the military, world issues, and law enforcement. Alex Morgan isn’t a guy who barges in with all guns blazing � he’s a gatherer of evidence, a strategist, and bound by international law and ethics. I totally related to “The Key� sifting through endless hours CCTV footage with nothing but coffee for company! He is a welcome addition to the intrepid story and I can’t wait to see him return. I loved “Defender�, but “Hunter� shows a real development in Chris� writing style and story development. A Fantastic book.
December 4, 2012
After thoroughly enjoying the first in this ongoing series of realist action thrillers, I was all revved up for this second release by Chris Allen. It didn't let me down.
Another rip-roaring adventure, spiced throughout with realistic action scenes and appropriately-dark-and-menacing villains.
Fast-paced and well-plotted, this book is something I highly recommend for any lover of James Bond, Andy McNab, Chris Ryan, and/or Matthew Reilly's Scarecrow series.
At only a few bucks for the ebook, it's a case of Momentum making us an offer too good to refuse...
Geoff Brown - president, AHWA
Another rip-roaring adventure, spiced throughout with realistic action scenes and appropriately-dark-and-menacing villains.
Fast-paced and well-plotted, this book is something I highly recommend for any lover of James Bond, Andy McNab, Chris Ryan, and/or Matthew Reilly's Scarecrow series.
At only a few bucks for the ebook, it's a case of Momentum making us an offer too good to refuse...
Geoff Brown - president, AHWA
December 22, 2012
This is only the second iBook that I have ever downloaded ( the First one was Intrepid 1) and I couldn't put it down! It's great to see an Aussie author mixing it with the world's best - expect to see a box office smash when they produce the first Alex Morgan movie - can't wait!
February 2, 2013
I downloaded Hunter yesterday and finished it today, couldn't put it down. Chris has created a great story that pulls you along, wanting to know what happens next, unable to stop turning the pages. I felt I was in the action, experiencing the highs and lows of the protagonist. The story has a great blend of action and real world insight that could only come from experience of that world. (As an ex-soldier) I particularly enjoyed the details that could only come from experience such as how to identify spent blank rounds and techniques for maintaining night vision, as well as the details that set the scene, the sights, sounds and smells that make the story feel real, no matter how Extraordinary the situation. Can't wait for the next book to come out!
January 23, 2013
Chris has delivered a worthy sequel to Defender of the Faith / Defender. Hunter is a cracking read, with the action coming thick and fast across Europe and North Africa. Alex Morgan is, of course, in the thick of it - but it certainly doesn't all go his way, a feature which I find very refreshing. Chris also introduces another great character to the INTREPID team, one I suspect we'll be seeing quite a bit more of.
The feel of this book was very Bond-esque, not surprising given the author's love of Ian Fleming's work. In this regard though, Hunter has the feel of Daniel Craig's portrayal of 007 - in my opinion, the best Bond ever.
Thoroughly enjoyed the ride with Morgan, Davenport et al and looking forward to the next episode!
The feel of this book was very Bond-esque, not surprising given the author's love of Ian Fleming's work. In this regard though, Hunter has the feel of Daniel Craig's portrayal of 007 - in my opinion, the best Bond ever.
Thoroughly enjoyed the ride with Morgan, Davenport et al and looking forward to the next episode!
December 11, 2012
So much excitement from start to finish I just couldn't put it down! The action moves from location to location but the story seamlessly links everything together. The author has used the murky aftermath of the Bosnian Serb war to set the theme and this has provided a long list of 'bad guys' for the hero Alex Morgan to relentlessly work his way through. A great read just in time for the holidays!
December 11, 2012
Fantastico!
July 18, 2013
Hunter is the second book by Chris Allen to feature Interpol black ops agent, Alex Morgan. This fast paced, action packed thriller pits the INTREPID soldier against Serbian war criminals determined to evade justice.
Hunter opens with Morgan in the midst of a clandestine mission to take into custody known Serbian warlord, Serifovic, from his compound in Corfu, Greece. But the agent's well planned, solo assault goes awry when he is surprised by one of guards and a vicious fight ensues. It's not the last time Morgan is forced into hand to hand combat, but in the way of all hero's, Morgan prevails and the villain is apprehended.
The arrest of Serifovic brings the INTREPID team one step closer to the capture of General Dragoslav Obrenovic, their ultimate target. The Slavic despot has declared war on the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) resulting in its presiding judges being placed under protective custody. Yet despite the precautions, Judge Madeline Clancy is attacked in broad daylight in her Washington suburb of Sunset Hill and her daughter, Charly - a celebrity classical pianist, is abducted during a pleasure trip with a wealthy businessman. Cue Morgan, who is charged with rescuing Charly and ensuring her safe return home.
Roaming the globe, from Greece to America, London to Malta with a few more stops in between, there is plenty of action that leaves Morgan variously concussed, bruised and bleeding after taking on three enemies at a time or dangling from the floats of a seaplane.
Honestly, as a girl, I don't need to know the caliber of every bullet fired, or the power ratio of every vehicle driven at speed, but it is a minor quibble and I am guessing for those readers who know what the numbers mean, these details add a layer of authenticity to the action.
In between the life or death crises, Allen reveals the operations of groups like INTREPID and introduces other team members who are doing their part to ensure their mission is achieved. Meanwhile, General 'Drago' and his enforcer 'the Wolf' are heading for a power struggle. Morgan even finds time to kindle a romance with the flame haired Charly.
In general I think Hunter is well written though it could be a little more polished in places, occasionally an adjective didn't quite fit. I certainly can't complain about the pace which is cracking even with the short chapters and frequent shift of setting.
If you are a fan of cinematic action thrillers then this high octane action adventure novel is sure to have you turning the pages at breakneck speed. Hunter is an entertaining escape into the world of the anonymous groups that ensure justice is done.
December 5, 2013
"The aftertaste of blood and gunmetal makes it clear these books are written by a real soldier. "
Chris Allen may be relatively new to the role of novels, but he has a head start on many of his colleagues. According to his bio, `Chris Allen writes escapist action thrillers for realists, having seen and done it all. Serving in three Commonwealth armies across two decades and four continents, one of the paratrooping elite, Chris saw the world from under a billowing parachute, often by night, entering foreign countries with the usual passport-stamping obligations eschewed. Exiting military life with injuries, Chris transitioned into humanitarian aid work during the East Timorese emergency, served with three major law enforcement agencies in Australia, protected Sydney's most iconic landmark in the wake of 9-11 and between 2008 & 2012 was the Sheriff of New South Wales, one of the oldest law enforcement appointments in the land. The Sword of Interpol, Chris's creative literary brainchild, Intrepid, is a culmination of his military and law enforcement insider experience. Intrepid is the Intelligence, Recovery, Protection and Infiltration Division: the razor-sharp, ultra-secret, black ops division of INTERPOL, established to operate across the world, regardless of borders, politics or race - a new organization with a global function to protect human rights.'
This is the second book in the Intrepid series and reading it makes you want to immediately begin reading Book I -not that you feel out in the cold unless you have input of Book I because book II can easily stand on its own. But the characters Alex Morgan -policeman, soldier and spy for Intrepid - and the major and minor roles in this tale of intrigue hunting down Serbian war criminals involved in an assassination attempt, a kidnapping, etc - are well sculpted yet somehow different from other thriller writer's characters. Alex Morgan, as devised by Chris Allen is `a man of integrity, courage, he's dependable, determined, and fiercely loyal. That said, after all he's seen, Morgan is familiar with the feeling of melancholy, doesn't mind a pint of Guinness or a glass of Scotch, and his taste in music is eclectic - to say the least.'
HUNTER is a fast read because it captures our attention from page one, flows through both brief and lengthy chapters that match the pace of the story and ends with a satisfying conclusion.
Grady Harp
Chris Allen may be relatively new to the role of novels, but he has a head start on many of his colleagues. According to his bio, `Chris Allen writes escapist action thrillers for realists, having seen and done it all. Serving in three Commonwealth armies across two decades and four continents, one of the paratrooping elite, Chris saw the world from under a billowing parachute, often by night, entering foreign countries with the usual passport-stamping obligations eschewed. Exiting military life with injuries, Chris transitioned into humanitarian aid work during the East Timorese emergency, served with three major law enforcement agencies in Australia, protected Sydney's most iconic landmark in the wake of 9-11 and between 2008 & 2012 was the Sheriff of New South Wales, one of the oldest law enforcement appointments in the land. The Sword of Interpol, Chris's creative literary brainchild, Intrepid, is a culmination of his military and law enforcement insider experience. Intrepid is the Intelligence, Recovery, Protection and Infiltration Division: the razor-sharp, ultra-secret, black ops division of INTERPOL, established to operate across the world, regardless of borders, politics or race - a new organization with a global function to protect human rights.'
This is the second book in the Intrepid series and reading it makes you want to immediately begin reading Book I -not that you feel out in the cold unless you have input of Book I because book II can easily stand on its own. But the characters Alex Morgan -policeman, soldier and spy for Intrepid - and the major and minor roles in this tale of intrigue hunting down Serbian war criminals involved in an assassination attempt, a kidnapping, etc - are well sculpted yet somehow different from other thriller writer's characters. Alex Morgan, as devised by Chris Allen is `a man of integrity, courage, he's dependable, determined, and fiercely loyal. That said, after all he's seen, Morgan is familiar with the feeling of melancholy, doesn't mind a pint of Guinness or a glass of Scotch, and his taste in music is eclectic - to say the least.'
HUNTER is a fast read because it captures our attention from page one, flows through both brief and lengthy chapters that match the pace of the story and ends with a satisfying conclusion.
Grady Harp
May 24, 2013
The complete review is posted here:
Plot:
Alex Morgan is the type of agent that is called on to complete missions that the regular force can't. Serbian war criminals turned gangster have started targeting the families of judges in an attempt to avoid prosecution. Morgan must track down and stop the Serbians, in order to save the judge's daughter and ensure the criminals are brought to justice.
Overall Thoughts:
I didn't love this book, though I couldn't really tell you exactly why. There wasn't anything particularly wrong with it; it just ended up not being my kind of book. I like a good thriller as much as the next person, but for some reason this one just couldn't hold my interest. However, those who consider action thrillers a favorite genre will probably like this book. There are some great features to it. It has some interesting characters, the plot is complicated, and there is plenty of action.
Characters:
The character of Alex Morgan is where Allen's military knowledge really shines. Morgan is tough and unafraid to kill if needed, but he isn't just a gun toting cowboy of a character. Unlike many other characters in this genre, he's an intelligent strategist who completes his mission within the parameters of the law and the organization he works for.
Setting:
Using the Serbian conflict and the resulting fallout as the setting for this book was a good choice. It provided the story with a sense of realism and an already tense and brutal backdrop. The story jumps from location to location, however, which contributes to an intricate plot and fast pace.
Writing Style:
Allen's writing is very tight and precise, but still descriptive. His actions scenes are particularly well-written; the reader is able to really see what is happening. One of the more interesting stylistic choices is the sheer number and varying length of his chapters. There are 100 chapters in this book that bounce from character to character and sequence to sequence. The quick and ever-changing nature of these chapters helps amp up the tense action.
Plot:
Alex Morgan is the type of agent that is called on to complete missions that the regular force can't. Serbian war criminals turned gangster have started targeting the families of judges in an attempt to avoid prosecution. Morgan must track down and stop the Serbians, in order to save the judge's daughter and ensure the criminals are brought to justice.
Overall Thoughts:
I didn't love this book, though I couldn't really tell you exactly why. There wasn't anything particularly wrong with it; it just ended up not being my kind of book. I like a good thriller as much as the next person, but for some reason this one just couldn't hold my interest. However, those who consider action thrillers a favorite genre will probably like this book. There are some great features to it. It has some interesting characters, the plot is complicated, and there is plenty of action.
Characters:
The character of Alex Morgan is where Allen's military knowledge really shines. Morgan is tough and unafraid to kill if needed, but he isn't just a gun toting cowboy of a character. Unlike many other characters in this genre, he's an intelligent strategist who completes his mission within the parameters of the law and the organization he works for.
Setting:
Using the Serbian conflict and the resulting fallout as the setting for this book was a good choice. It provided the story with a sense of realism and an already tense and brutal backdrop. The story jumps from location to location, however, which contributes to an intricate plot and fast pace.
Writing Style:
Allen's writing is very tight and precise, but still descriptive. His actions scenes are particularly well-written; the reader is able to really see what is happening. One of the more interesting stylistic choices is the sheer number and varying length of his chapters. There are 100 chapters in this book that bounce from character to character and sequence to sequence. The quick and ever-changing nature of these chapters helps amp up the tense action.
April 24, 2013
Chris hasn’t made this review easy to write. I want to create suspense, to make you think that there’s something, even just one little thing, in this book I didn’t like or couldn’t relate to, but the problem is that I only have praise. Once again, Chris delivers. I loved Hunter equally as much as Defender. Both books are now sitting at equal first on my TOP READS list.
Hunter: Intrepid 2 is a rollercoaster ride of action, suspense and espionage that you really don’t want to miss. Chris throws you into the action with Alex Morgan from the get-go. I could feel my hands sweating, my eyes widening and my heart pumping (the necessities for a good thriller read). I became so deeply involved with the characters and their headspaces that I’m glad no one was watching.
There was less romance in this one and although I liked Ari and Alex (woot woo!) in Defender, I think this one is perfectly done without so much of it. Alex and Charly bring a new dynamic that I found deeply enticing, although I won’t say too much!
It’s great to have an entertaining read but I like that these books are “escapist novels written for realists�, just the type I want in my hands. There’s reality behind the action: the Serbian war criminals; the hunt for justice; the psychology of the characters; the characters� motivations and their relationships, etc. Once again, the reality doesn’t hit you in the face and make you want to cower away; it sparks a similar passion and want for justice (at least for me). Hunter: Intrepid 2 delves into the deep-seated motivations of human nature and it’s fascinating to read the ticks of, and to really see the psychology behind, each character. Chris is great at tapping into this.
Once again, the chapters are short, smart, snappy, and sharp, perfect for the movies and perfect for the screen-age. I’m a huge fan of this. I’m also a huge fan of Chris’s ability to relate to a wide and varied audience. He’s got the knack! There’s wit, charm, excitement, action, and thrills all through.
Chris has a real gift and I cannot get enough of the Intrepid series. He’s done it again!
Hunter: Intrepid 2 is a rollercoaster ride of action, suspense and espionage that you really don’t want to miss. Chris throws you into the action with Alex Morgan from the get-go. I could feel my hands sweating, my eyes widening and my heart pumping (the necessities for a good thriller read). I became so deeply involved with the characters and their headspaces that I’m glad no one was watching.
There was less romance in this one and although I liked Ari and Alex (woot woo!) in Defender, I think this one is perfectly done without so much of it. Alex and Charly bring a new dynamic that I found deeply enticing, although I won’t say too much!
It’s great to have an entertaining read but I like that these books are “escapist novels written for realists�, just the type I want in my hands. There’s reality behind the action: the Serbian war criminals; the hunt for justice; the psychology of the characters; the characters� motivations and their relationships, etc. Once again, the reality doesn’t hit you in the face and make you want to cower away; it sparks a similar passion and want for justice (at least for me). Hunter: Intrepid 2 delves into the deep-seated motivations of human nature and it’s fascinating to read the ticks of, and to really see the psychology behind, each character. Chris is great at tapping into this.
Once again, the chapters are short, smart, snappy, and sharp, perfect for the movies and perfect for the screen-age. I’m a huge fan of this. I’m also a huge fan of Chris’s ability to relate to a wide and varied audience. He’s got the knack! There’s wit, charm, excitement, action, and thrills all through.
Chris has a real gift and I cannot get enough of the Intrepid series. He’s done it again!
November 9, 2013
Hunter is a a slam, bang, crash action thriller with an unstoppable hero, Alex Morgan, who is an agent of Intrepid, the "sword of Interpol." They are, of course, black-ops, and that Interpol connection and grounding in dirty European history and politics lifts the book above man books of this genre. The author, Chris Allen, is himself ex-military, and it shows in his details, interest in tactics, and his eye on the small skirmish as part of a much bigger picture. In Hunter, Alex Morgan is on the trail of Serbian war criminals, who are leading self-congratulatory criminal lives and think themselves impervious to law or capture. They're too busy fighting each other for power and trying to assassinate anyone who might try and hold them accountable for their depravity. As I said above, Morgan is unstoppable. His ingenuity and doggedness keep him on the trail and willing to kill as necessary. He also takes a lot of punishment along the way... a little too much physical punishment to feel authentic, but it puts him squarely in James Bond territory. He is not going to stop until his mission is accomplished, and I'm willing to go along with that.
Although I do enjoy this genre, what really lifted this book for me was Allen's focusing on the genocidal war criminals who tried to destroy Bosnia. I was lucky enough to go to Sarajevo this year, which is a wonderful city full of warm, kind people, and it was continuously startling to know that the Serbs tried to wipe them off the earth. It was satisfying reading a book that spotlighted the terror and destruction, and sought to catch and punish those who perpetrated it.
Although I do enjoy this genre, what really lifted this book for me was Allen's focusing on the genocidal war criminals who tried to destroy Bosnia. I was lucky enough to go to Sarajevo this year, which is a wonderful city full of warm, kind people, and it was continuously startling to know that the Serbs tried to wipe them off the earth. It was satisfying reading a book that spotlighted the terror and destruction, and sought to catch and punish those who perpetrated it.
July 14, 2013
My book for the month is Chris Allen’s Intrepid novel, Hunter. I want to be clear here when I say that his publishers sent Hunter (and the previous book, Defender) to me to read, however I am not being paid for the post, nor have my opinions been affected by this fact. Actually, if I didn’t like it, I would have omitted it from the book club because I wan’t this to be a place where you can trust that the books that appear here are ones I actually like.
Chris is a Sydney author, and a retired Army Major, paratrooper and Peacekeeper. It took him ten years to create the Intrepid series, Defender and Hunter. Hunter is actually the second book in the series which follows the protagonist, Alex Morgan who I kind of fell in love with in a literary sense (almost as much as Mr Darcy � but who can actually beat Mr Darcy??) because he reminded me of an Aussie James Bond. I imagined him as a man who is serious but a bit of a larrikin (in an Aussie kind of way), affected by what he has seen, a risk taker, but kind.
For more book reviews, please go to my blog: Coffee Talk with Erin
Chris is a Sydney author, and a retired Army Major, paratrooper and Peacekeeper. It took him ten years to create the Intrepid series, Defender and Hunter. Hunter is actually the second book in the series which follows the protagonist, Alex Morgan who I kind of fell in love with in a literary sense (almost as much as Mr Darcy � but who can actually beat Mr Darcy??) because he reminded me of an Aussie James Bond. I imagined him as a man who is serious but a bit of a larrikin (in an Aussie kind of way), affected by what he has seen, a risk taker, but kind.
For more book reviews, please go to my blog: Coffee Talk with Erin
April 6, 2016
Wow, what a book. When you start this story set aside a few hours, you are not going to want to put it down. It’s that good. Chris Allen has a knack for picking plots that are both interesting and believable. Alex Morgan is hunting down Serbian war criminals along with the help of Hermann Braunschweiger who is a mountain of a man, with the same crazy skill base as Alex. When the action scenes begin, you find yourself being dragged along with them, and I found myself reading faster and faster. Even though this is book 2 in the series, you could read it as a stand-alone and still very much enjoy it. However once you read this book, I would recommend you read book 1 Defender as well. Which is another great book full of action and entertainment. Chris Allen has become one of my must read Authors.
September 10, 2016
As an unexpected surprise from what I feared would be just another action story, Hunter was a great read, with excellent suspenseful approaches, and anticipation. A real ripping yarn from Chris Allen! The plots were fantastic in their simplicity, whilst revealing a darkness to international affairs and the justice emergent from the modern Serbian conflict, with a hero triumphing in the end and a beauty to seal the endeavor, saved of course from the forces of evil.... An enterprise accomplished with aplomb. Great work....
March 4, 2015
I don't often give five stars, but I really loved this book. Just wish I had more hours in my day to read the story from start to finish quickly. I believe this was much better than the first book - moving quickly, and many twists and turns to keep me engaged.
Alex Morgan seems to be a man who values working with and respecting the efforts of others to achieve the desired outcome i.e. Bringing the bad guy to justice. Thanks for this book - now onto the Intrepid 3
Alex Morgan seems to be a man who values working with and respecting the efforts of others to achieve the desired outcome i.e. Bringing the bad guy to justice. Thanks for this book - now onto the Intrepid 3
April 20, 2013
I have read the first novel in this series and now have read the second in this series and I don't find it any better than the first. I will read the third in this series and if not any better, I probably won't read any more by this author.
January 9, 2015
Fun, makes you want to stay on reading.
I got the first of the series for free, I bought the second the comment I finished it. I think that is the best review I can give. A fun fast paced thriller.
I got the first of the series for free, I bought the second the comment I finished it. I think that is the best review I can give. A fun fast paced thriller.
September 25, 2015
Hunter. Chris allen
Alex Morgan and friends take down former Balkan war criminals in this extremely fast paced, hugely entertaining ...Extremely well written action packed thriller. Morgan is similar to James Bond with a healthy dose of ex SAS Ben Hope. A fantastic read!!!!
Alex Morgan and friends take down former Balkan war criminals in this extremely fast paced, hugely entertaining ...Extremely well written action packed thriller. Morgan is similar to James Bond with a healthy dose of ex SAS Ben Hope. A fantastic read!!!!
January 14, 2016
Chris Allen has produced a written blockbuster.
Six star's out of five. I loved the way he guided me through this story. The action was intense, the story leaping from the page. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be entertained from word one.
Well done Mr Allen !!
Six star's out of five. I loved the way he guided me through this story. The action was intense, the story leaping from the page. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be entertained from word one.
Well done Mr Allen !!
March 7, 2016
Great action novel. Getting better with each book. Loved the real life soldier experiences: dealing with explosive concussion; anticipating mag changes; avoiding fire lanes etc. The new addition of the Key is good and I look forward to seeing the big German in action again.
October 6, 2013
Can't get enough of the dashing Mr Morgan - more please!
November 8, 2014
Another fun read. The author writes conscisely, without a lot of extras, but it's extremely detailed and you fly through the story.
December 27, 2018
This book will keep you engrossed till the very end.
I suppose you could call it simply written rather than more complicated ones from other authors. It is an action thriller pure and simple.
I suppose you could call it simply written rather than more complicated ones from other authors. It is an action thriller pure and simple.
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