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Ben Bracken #2
Apex
Something is coming to Great Britain. Something of significant value and of massive implications. Something deadly. It is wanted by many parties, with a variety of intentions. Most of them bad.A plane drops from the heavens into the warm afternoon sea off the coast of Devon, near the famous Morte Point, Woolacombe. And waiting for it? Ben Bracken, the enigmatic, highly-trained, conflicted, convicted, patriotic avenger. He is supposed to be in prison, but he broke out to be there for Great Britain. Or at least his version of it. And he’s really got his hands full this time.Bracken has one shot at intercepting the deadly cargo, but what is it? And who wants it badly enough to crash a plane to get their hands on it? Bracken must draw on every last scrap of his training and trademark resilience, if he is to keep one step ahead of the corrupt forces that will do anything to get what they need.A breathless chase to protect Great Britain, Apex is the second Ben Bracken adventure, and the sequel to the Amazon Crime Fiction Top Ten Best Seller ‘The Baby And The Brandy�.
- GenresThriller
306 pages, Paperback
First published June 20, 2014
34 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Rob Parker
37books65followersRob Parker is a married father of three, who lives in Warrington, UK. The author of the Ben Bracken thrillers, Crook’s Hollow and the Audible bestseller Far From The Tree, he enjoys a rural life, writing horrible things between school runs. Rob writes full time, attends various author events across the UK, and boxes regularly for charity.
He spends a lot of time in schools across the North, encouraging literacy, story-telling and creative-writing, and somehow squeezes in time to co-host the For Your Reconsideration film podcast, appear regularly on The Blood Brothers Crime Podcast, and is a member of the Northern Crime Syndicate.
He spends a lot of time in schools across the North, encouraging literacy, story-telling and creative-writing, and somehow squeezes in time to co-host the For Your Reconsideration film podcast, appear regularly on The Blood Brothers Crime Podcast, and is a member of the Northern Crime Syndicate.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 31, 2020
My second book from this author and second book in the series of the Ben Bracken.
Morte Point is a wonderful spot for a holiday !!
Only that’s not why Ben Bracken is here.
He’s here because in this sleepy part of England, events are now unfolding that could cause death and mayhem, and not just for the unfortunates in the plane that has just crashed into the sea off the North Devon coast.
Sent to locate the source of the problem, ex-soldier and patriot Ben finds himself both hunter and hunted. But who is after him, and why do they want to capture him so desperately?
It’s only when, on the edge of physical and mental exhaustion, he meets a young Kosovan microbiologist, that he begins to understand the scale of the plot he has been drawn into, and the weight of responsibility that the authorities have placed on his shoulders. So it’s probably just as well they don’t know about his slightly shady past.
But then, as Ben is rapidly finding out, those in authority aren’t always what they seem, either.
Morte Point is an original, non-stop action tale with twists and turns that will keep you enthralled from start to finish, and a memorable lead character who is far from the typical action hero.
An action film, but also a spy thriller, a chase thriller all in one, well paced story and also frightening
Fans of Lee Child, Andy McNab, Chris Ryan, Mark Dawson, David Baldacci, Tom Wood will be hooked!
Looking forward to reading number 3 on my kindle.
Four stars.
Morte Point is a wonderful spot for a holiday !!
Only that’s not why Ben Bracken is here.
He’s here because in this sleepy part of England, events are now unfolding that could cause death and mayhem, and not just for the unfortunates in the plane that has just crashed into the sea off the North Devon coast.
Sent to locate the source of the problem, ex-soldier and patriot Ben finds himself both hunter and hunted. But who is after him, and why do they want to capture him so desperately?
It’s only when, on the edge of physical and mental exhaustion, he meets a young Kosovan microbiologist, that he begins to understand the scale of the plot he has been drawn into, and the weight of responsibility that the authorities have placed on his shoulders. So it’s probably just as well they don’t know about his slightly shady past.
But then, as Ben is rapidly finding out, those in authority aren’t always what they seem, either.
Morte Point is an original, non-stop action tale with twists and turns that will keep you enthralled from start to finish, and a memorable lead character who is far from the typical action hero.
An action film, but also a spy thriller, a chase thriller all in one, well paced story and also frightening
Fans of Lee Child, Andy McNab, Chris Ryan, Mark Dawson, David Baldacci, Tom Wood will be hooked!
Looking forward to reading number 3 on my kindle.
Four stars.
July 25, 2018
I was given a review copy of MORTE POINT in return for an honest review, and I honestly couldn't put it down.
Ex-army, ex-con, on-the-run Ben Bracken returns after the highly acclaimed 'A Wanted Man' in his second outing in 'Morte Point'. A gripping tale of one man up against governmental powers which are about to consume him as he fights a new world threat.
Close to succumbing he is saved and joined by Dr Amina Ridgewell, a micro biologist who is able to identify the true horror of that which is in his possession; explaining why those who seek it will stop at nothing to obtain it.
With the world's most evil people all heading to the UK to get there hands on the product, Ben seeks help from the only person in officialdom he feels he can trust.
This is a speedway of a story which heads toward a denouement where there will be only losers; until Ben realises the final twist in his plan which will shock and grip you at the end.'
A highly recommended loss of two days as you will not want to put this book down.
Ex-army, ex-con, on-the-run Ben Bracken returns after the highly acclaimed 'A Wanted Man' in his second outing in 'Morte Point'. A gripping tale of one man up against governmental powers which are about to consume him as he fights a new world threat.
Close to succumbing he is saved and joined by Dr Amina Ridgewell, a micro biologist who is able to identify the true horror of that which is in his possession; explaining why those who seek it will stop at nothing to obtain it.
With the world's most evil people all heading to the UK to get there hands on the product, Ben seeks help from the only person in officialdom he feels he can trust.
This is a speedway of a story which heads toward a denouement where there will be only losers; until Ben realises the final twist in his plan which will shock and grip you at the end.'
A highly recommended loss of two days as you will not want to put this book down.
September 11, 2018
I’d not read the first Ben Bracken book, but that doesn’t matter as the 2nd, Morte Point, works perfectly well as a stand -alone.
Ben Bracken is a loner � and a loner on the run at that. Endowed with a bigger than average sense of loyalty and patriotism he is a one man crusade against wrong doing. Set up by the authorities, he must keep his identity under wraps to avoid capture, but that doesn’t mean that he has no friends in high places.
So when he gets a call from his contact in the UK National Crime Agency, telling him to drop everything and get to Morte Point, he does as he is told. All he knows is that there’s a plane carrying something he has to get hold of before others do. Not a lot to go on and as he arrives at the site, it is just in time to see a plane going down. More by luck than judgement he ends up with the precious cargo in his hand and has to flee the crash scene as an onslaught of military response units descend on the stricken plane and then he is the subject of a full on manhunt.
As his contact proves useless in the face of some serious Government intervention, Bracken finds himself isolated and not knowing what the value is of his cargo.
Fast paced and furious action characterises this book as Bracken runs at full on pace from one onslaught to another. His military training gives him some advantages and he is careful to keep himself at peak fitness, yet the chase takes its toll and he ends up needing care after a bruising encounter with a snake.
Fortunately, he is in the expert hands of Dr Amina Ridgewell, a micro biologist who looks after him and turns out, luckily enough, to be able to his cargo.
Once he understands what he has and what is at stake, this chase becomes even more deadly serious. Not knowing who to trust, Ben’s answer is to trust no-one and the fate of thousands, if not millions of people will rest in his hands.
In this high stakes bio terrorism power play involving governments, big business and terrorists, all is to play for. Ben is forced to make some hard choices as his dilemma shows no sign of having one obvious answer.
This is a thriller with a conspiracy theory tag where the future of our nation is at stake and ultimately lies in the hands of one man. With some nice echoes of ‘fake news� and some rather scary closeness to the Salisbury happenings not to mention a good line in trying to spot who the good guys are, this book proceeds at a relentless pace.
The writing is good, though there are some plot holes and a book of this nature will always require some forgiveness for the license that it takes with our belief.
It rattles along at breakneck speed and offers up more action than a James Bond movie and a finale that ties up the story with some neat satisfaction.
Verdict: A rollicking read.
Ben Bracken is a loner � and a loner on the run at that. Endowed with a bigger than average sense of loyalty and patriotism he is a one man crusade against wrong doing. Set up by the authorities, he must keep his identity under wraps to avoid capture, but that doesn’t mean that he has no friends in high places.
So when he gets a call from his contact in the UK National Crime Agency, telling him to drop everything and get to Morte Point, he does as he is told. All he knows is that there’s a plane carrying something he has to get hold of before others do. Not a lot to go on and as he arrives at the site, it is just in time to see a plane going down. More by luck than judgement he ends up with the precious cargo in his hand and has to flee the crash scene as an onslaught of military response units descend on the stricken plane and then he is the subject of a full on manhunt.
As his contact proves useless in the face of some serious Government intervention, Bracken finds himself isolated and not knowing what the value is of his cargo.
Fast paced and furious action characterises this book as Bracken runs at full on pace from one onslaught to another. His military training gives him some advantages and he is careful to keep himself at peak fitness, yet the chase takes its toll and he ends up needing care after a bruising encounter with a snake.
Fortunately, he is in the expert hands of Dr Amina Ridgewell, a micro biologist who looks after him and turns out, luckily enough, to be able to his cargo.
Once he understands what he has and what is at stake, this chase becomes even more deadly serious. Not knowing who to trust, Ben’s answer is to trust no-one and the fate of thousands, if not millions of people will rest in his hands.
In this high stakes bio terrorism power play involving governments, big business and terrorists, all is to play for. Ben is forced to make some hard choices as his dilemma shows no sign of having one obvious answer.
This is a thriller with a conspiracy theory tag where the future of our nation is at stake and ultimately lies in the hands of one man. With some nice echoes of ‘fake news� and some rather scary closeness to the Salisbury happenings not to mention a good line in trying to spot who the good guys are, this book proceeds at a relentless pace.
The writing is good, though there are some plot holes and a book of this nature will always require some forgiveness for the license that it takes with our belief.
It rattles along at breakneck speed and offers up more action than a James Bond movie and a finale that ties up the story with some neat satisfaction.
Verdict: A rollicking read.
January 15, 2020
My heart was racing
I’m not sure I’ll sleep tonight after reading this book. I was almost dreading turning the pages over. I think I’ve become so involved with the characters I was scared to see what happened next.
I really can’t say anymore without giving it away but it’s such a rollercoaster of a read, it’s bloody brilliant.
I’m not sure I’ll sleep tonight after reading this book. I was almost dreading turning the pages over. I think I’ve become so involved with the characters I was scared to see what happened next.
I really can’t say anymore without giving it away but it’s such a rollercoaster of a read, it’s bloody brilliant.
October 6, 2020
Very good read, interested in what comes next
September 4, 2018
I love a good action thriller and Morte Point certainly fits the bill. Although a very contemporary novel, it reminded me in some ways of a Hannay story with its protagonist, Ben Bracken facing what looks like an impossible task to evade capture and to seek out the truth, even though he has been forced to go on the run. This is the second novel to feature Bracken, I haven't yet read the first book, A Wanted Man but can confirm Morte Point can be read and enjoyed as a standalone thriller. Bracken is the archetypal hero; strong, resourceful and damaged by his past. He's certainly knows exactly what he's capable of, his military past holding him in good stead when he faces what should be insurmountable odds. The introduction of microbiologist, Amina works well because she causes him to reflect on his decisions and confront some of his actions. Bracken is an uncompromising man who is used to working alone and in a novel which is told through his perspective he's does come across as somewhat egotistical but it's this self-belief which helps to keep him alive. Although the scenes with Amina have their own tension, it's the moments where he must survive alone which are perhaps the most exciting. Without Amina, he would perhaps be a little too single-minded but his complicated feelings towards her reveals some vulnerability and it's through his flaws that he becomes more human.
The action in Morte Point moves at a blistering pace with a breathtaking sense of danger as Bracken understands just what is at stake but realises he doesn't know who he can trust. The plot is almost unashamedly far-fetched but it really doesn't matter; this is all about the drama and the book is packed with it. Bracken finds his patriotism sorely tested when he finds himself in the midst of a devious plot which reaches far into Government. He manages to avoid capture - or worse - by the skin of his teeth on a number of occasions but ultimately must face a dilemma which will shake him to his very core and cause him to reassess what it is to protect a country. The book has an unexpected twist as it races to its compulsive conclusion which sets the scene nicely for Bracken's next adventure. I'm looking forward to seeing what troubles lie in store for him next, I've a feeling things are going to become even tougher!
The action in Morte Point moves at a blistering pace with a breathtaking sense of danger as Bracken understands just what is at stake but realises he doesn't know who he can trust. The plot is almost unashamedly far-fetched but it really doesn't matter; this is all about the drama and the book is packed with it. Bracken finds his patriotism sorely tested when he finds himself in the midst of a devious plot which reaches far into Government. He manages to avoid capture - or worse - by the skin of his teeth on a number of occasions but ultimately must face a dilemma which will shake him to his very core and cause him to reassess what it is to protect a country. The book has an unexpected twist as it races to its compulsive conclusion which sets the scene nicely for Bracken's next adventure. I'm looking forward to seeing what troubles lie in store for him next, I've a feeling things are going to become even tougher!
July 8, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. This was a relatively short novel that was easy to read. However, Robert Parker is no Lee Child and the ant-hero, Ben Bracken, is no Jack Reacher. The various situations Ben finds himself in tend to be implausible as is his methods for escape. The cover-up of the airplain clash at Morte Point is very far fetched. Had a large number of passengers been really killed the media would have been all over it trying to interview the deceased families. Didn't happen. Still, a lot of action with some likely and unlikely turns of events. Who can Ben trust?
October 26, 2018
Rob Parker’s sequel to A Wanted Man is an extraordinary story � packed with action and drama. Catapulted into the wilds of North Devon, Ben is sent on a secret mission to intercept a downed plane that contains something of incalculable value and danger. It’s Ben’s job to find it and bring it home. First to arrive at the crash site, Ben dives down to the submerged fuselage only to find that the plane is empty, except for a dead woman and a discarded earring, which he pockets. Moments later, he is surrounded by armed police and security personnel � all eager to lay their hands on the merchandise. Ben manages to escape but is forced into hiding. It’s a confusing situation for Ben. He was under the impression that he was fighting for queen and country, but when a manhunt is launched and he is the quarry, he has no choice but to flee for his life. As a former soldier, he has to call upon all his survival instincts and training to avoid detection in the desolate Devonshire moors.
With the help of a young Kosovan microbiologist, he discovers that the deadly biological weapon he is carrying could endanger the lives of thousands. Ben learns from his London handler that a gang of international criminals has arrived in London to get hold of the biological weapon at any cost. Ben is instructed to set up a sting. However, he faces a dilemma: whether to give up the weapon and risk an attack on home soil, or to find a way to destroy it forever � and disobey orders. He also discovers that he’s not only up against the world’s most powerful criminals; he’s facing a turncoat politician who’s prepared to risk everything to achieve her malevolent objectives.
Morte Point is a hair-raising and powerful story that stretches Ben’s abilities to the limit. While adding an entirely new dimension to his character, it also reveals the depth of Ben’s social conscience. It’s a gritty story that’s brilliantly written. If you’re a fan of Ben Bracken, you’ll love Morte Point.
With the help of a young Kosovan microbiologist, he discovers that the deadly biological weapon he is carrying could endanger the lives of thousands. Ben learns from his London handler that a gang of international criminals has arrived in London to get hold of the biological weapon at any cost. Ben is instructed to set up a sting. However, he faces a dilemma: whether to give up the weapon and risk an attack on home soil, or to find a way to destroy it forever � and disobey orders. He also discovers that he’s not only up against the world’s most powerful criminals; he’s facing a turncoat politician who’s prepared to risk everything to achieve her malevolent objectives.
Morte Point is a hair-raising and powerful story that stretches Ben’s abilities to the limit. While adding an entirely new dimension to his character, it also reveals the depth of Ben’s social conscience. It’s a gritty story that’s brilliantly written. If you’re a fan of Ben Bracken, you’ll love Morte Point.
June 8, 2021
This originally appeared at .
---
WHAT'S MORTE POINT ABOUT?
Something is about to happen at Morte Point, he can't get into details with Ben, but his police contact and his entire agency have been waved off from it by a higher power. Which just means it's time for something unofficial to happen—enter Ben Bracken, the former soldier, escaped convict, and patriot on his one-man crusade to take on the criminals that England's justice system can't handle.
With only a couple of details given to him, Bracken finds his way to the North Devon coast just in time, retrieves the item he was sent for—and then has to spend the next few days eluding armed men of various skill levels, government officials with differing priorities and ethics, and nature red in tooth and claw—and a few other hazards.
Can he survive long enough to do the right thing with what he retrieved? Is there a right thing to do with it? Is Ben on his own enough, or will he have to find allies to get the job done?
DOES PARKER HAVE SOMETHING AGAINST BEN?
The number of things that go wrong for Ben in the first 40% of this novel is pretty astounding. And by "go wrong," I generally mean "inflict some sort of injury" to him. He's being hunted by a group with numbers, resources, and determination; he cannot make contact with anyone he can trust; and he's injured repeatedly (to varying degrees of seriousness). It's bad enough that if you didn't know there were two more books published (with one imminent), you'd start to wonder if the last half of the book was going to get a different narrator. It's like Parker was angry about something and took it out on Ben.
Things to lighten up for him—which isn't to say that the rest of the book is easy, the problems continue, just less frequently (but they're of a higher degree of seriousness).
A STEP TOO FAR?
Not long after the physical hazards lighten up, the moral and psychological ones become more pronounced. Ben has certain ideas about what kind of person he is—so does the audience at this point. Ben takes a couple of actions that are truly disturbing, and may (should) haunt him. It certainly looks as if they will.
A lot of this kind of "wandering one-man army" type characters don't seem to think much about their acts of violence for very long, and it seems like Ben might be an exception to the rule—and I think we need more like him. One of these morally questionable acts is fairly justifiable for a fictional action hero, but the other (the one prior to this tormented sleep)...I don't know He has a hard time letting himself off the hook for it, and I'm pretty much with him on that one. I'm curious to see if later books see him shying away from that kind of thing.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT MORTE POINT?
Parker's writing is crisper; while outlandish, the plot seems more grounded; on the whole, the action scenes are more convincing and exciting (although the destruction of the floating nightclub in A Wanted Man tops anything here); the characters are better fleshed out—and, when applicable, more chilling. Generally speaking, Parker took what he did in the previous novel and improved it—exactly as one would hope to see. Parker barely establishes a status quo before he proves that he's willing to blow it all up—a gutsy move this early in a series.
However...
I can't quite put my finger on it but something about this didn't work as well as A Wanted Man. I think objectively, it's probably a better novel, but subjectively, I'm not as enthused about it. I'm still diving into the next one in a day or two—I want more Ben Braken, I just also want a bit more out of the books. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a thrill ride full of action, adrenaline, and morally complicated choices? Morte Point will deliver.
---
’m...enjoying myself.
Some people like collecting beer mats. Some like keeping tabs on birds, bugs, animals� whatever. Some like walking, running, going to the gym. We all get our kicks from somewhere. I’m open enough to enjoy all the above. But I’m never happier, nor more focused, than when I am getting shit done while the chips are down. Now, floating between the shallow rocks off the Atlantic, using my wits, guts and training to elude a mysterious force, I am in my element; my absolute, unrelenting element.
WHAT'S MORTE POINT ABOUT?
Something is about to happen at Morte Point, he can't get into details with Ben, but his police contact and his entire agency have been waved off from it by a higher power. Which just means it's time for something unofficial to happen—enter Ben Bracken, the former soldier, escaped convict, and patriot on his one-man crusade to take on the criminals that England's justice system can't handle.
With only a couple of details given to him, Bracken finds his way to the North Devon coast just in time, retrieves the item he was sent for—and then has to spend the next few days eluding armed men of various skill levels, government officials with differing priorities and ethics, and nature red in tooth and claw—and a few other hazards.
Can he survive long enough to do the right thing with what he retrieved? Is there a right thing to do with it? Is Ben on his own enough, or will he have to find allies to get the job done?
DOES PARKER HAVE SOMETHING AGAINST BEN?
The number of things that go wrong for Ben in the first 40% of this novel is pretty astounding. And by "go wrong," I generally mean "inflict some sort of injury" to him. He's being hunted by a group with numbers, resources, and determination; he cannot make contact with anyone he can trust; and he's injured repeatedly (to varying degrees of seriousness). It's bad enough that if you didn't know there were two more books published (with one imminent), you'd start to wonder if the last half of the book was going to get a different narrator. It's like Parker was angry about something and took it out on Ben.
Things to lighten up for him—which isn't to say that the rest of the book is easy, the problems continue, just less frequently (but they're of a higher degree of seriousness).
A STEP TOO FAR?
I sleep the sleep of a man who knows he has done wrong. I sleep a sleep that is deep, yet forced, unbroken yet tormented, as my subconscious pretends that what I did hasn’t happened at all. And if it did somehow happen, surely it is not time yet to wake and face it.
Not long after the physical hazards lighten up, the moral and psychological ones become more pronounced. Ben has certain ideas about what kind of person he is—so does the audience at this point. Ben takes a couple of actions that are truly disturbing, and may (should) haunt him. It certainly looks as if they will.
A lot of this kind of "wandering one-man army" type characters don't seem to think much about their acts of violence for very long, and it seems like Ben might be an exception to the rule—and I think we need more like him. One of these morally questionable acts is fairly justifiable for a fictional action hero, but the other (the one prior to this tormented sleep)...I don't know He has a hard time letting himself off the hook for it, and I'm pretty much with him on that one. I'm curious to see if later books see him shying away from that kind of thing.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT MORTE POINT?
Parker's writing is crisper; while outlandish, the plot seems more grounded; on the whole, the action scenes are more convincing and exciting (although the destruction of the floating nightclub in A Wanted Man tops anything here); the characters are better fleshed out—and, when applicable, more chilling. Generally speaking, Parker took what he did in the previous novel and improved it—exactly as one would hope to see. Parker barely establishes a status quo before he proves that he's willing to blow it all up—a gutsy move this early in a series.
However...
I can't quite put my finger on it but something about this didn't work as well as A Wanted Man. I think objectively, it's probably a better novel, but subjectively, I'm not as enthused about it. I'm still diving into the next one in a day or two—I want more Ben Braken, I just also want a bit more out of the books. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a thrill ride full of action, adrenaline, and morally complicated choices? Morte Point will deliver.
October 12, 2019
Ex-soldier Ben Bracken has been enjoying a soujourn on the Costa del Sol, bagging unsuspecting wanted men and returning them home for the attention of the his contact at the National Crime Agency - Jeremiah Salix.
Jeremiah knows what Ben is capable of, after he brought down the dangerous berg gang in Manchester and has been more than happy with the work he has been undertaking in Spain. But now he needs Bracken for a new job.
Word has reached Jeremiah that a genetically altered version of the botulinum toxin, called Apex, is being smuggled into Britain to be auctioned off the the highest bidder. The NCA have been warned off any attempt to try to intercept Apex, but Jeremiah feels in his bones that there is something wrong about this. He is not wrong.
Bracken arrives in sleepy North Devon, just in time to extract a package from a plane that has been deliberately brought down in the sea. He has no idea what he is carrying in his pocket, but knows that he must keep it safe.
Bracken is now being hunted down, but only begins to realise the importance of what he has after recruitng the help of a young Kosovan microbiologist, who saves him from exhaustion and injury while he is on the run, but the situation is far more complex than Bracken imagines. The authorities cannot be trusted - all the way to the upper echelons of the British Government.
Bracken is going have to play along for a while, but how far will he go to ensure that Apex does not fall into the wrong hands?
The Ben Bracken series has fast become one of my favourites. I have now read all three of the Ben Bracken books Rob Parker has written - A Wanted Man, Morte Point and The Penny Black - and have lapped up every single one.
Morte Point finds our hero drawn into a plot which is going to expose him to the most unwanted attentions of some nasty elements of the British Government, and he has never needed his abundant skills more in order to survive.
What follows is a trail of glorious mayhem from North Devon to the East Anglian countryside, via a particularly explosive episode in London - only this time, the action and thrills are bigger, much bigger, than before and so cinematic!
Bracken is forced to use his skills to the max in order to stop Apex from falling into the wrong hands and he has to make a very difficult decision at the end of the book - one which is going to make him more of a marked man than he has ever been before - and this is saying something.
The ending sets the stage nicely for the latest Ben Bracken book, The Penny Black, which is lots of fun too, ladies and gentlemen.
I highly recommend the Ben Bracken series if you love a big, bold action thriller - Bracken is uncompromising in his ways, but has a strict moral code at heart, and this makes him just the kind of hero you can attach yourself to.
Jeremiah knows what Ben is capable of, after he brought down the dangerous berg gang in Manchester and has been more than happy with the work he has been undertaking in Spain. But now he needs Bracken for a new job.
Word has reached Jeremiah that a genetically altered version of the botulinum toxin, called Apex, is being smuggled into Britain to be auctioned off the the highest bidder. The NCA have been warned off any attempt to try to intercept Apex, but Jeremiah feels in his bones that there is something wrong about this. He is not wrong.
Bracken arrives in sleepy North Devon, just in time to extract a package from a plane that has been deliberately brought down in the sea. He has no idea what he is carrying in his pocket, but knows that he must keep it safe.
Bracken is now being hunted down, but only begins to realise the importance of what he has after recruitng the help of a young Kosovan microbiologist, who saves him from exhaustion and injury while he is on the run, but the situation is far more complex than Bracken imagines. The authorities cannot be trusted - all the way to the upper echelons of the British Government.
Bracken is going have to play along for a while, but how far will he go to ensure that Apex does not fall into the wrong hands?
The Ben Bracken series has fast become one of my favourites. I have now read all three of the Ben Bracken books Rob Parker has written - A Wanted Man, Morte Point and The Penny Black - and have lapped up every single one.
Morte Point finds our hero drawn into a plot which is going to expose him to the most unwanted attentions of some nasty elements of the British Government, and he has never needed his abundant skills more in order to survive.
What follows is a trail of glorious mayhem from North Devon to the East Anglian countryside, via a particularly explosive episode in London - only this time, the action and thrills are bigger, much bigger, than before and so cinematic!
Bracken is forced to use his skills to the max in order to stop Apex from falling into the wrong hands and he has to make a very difficult decision at the end of the book - one which is going to make him more of a marked man than he has ever been before - and this is saying something.
The ending sets the stage nicely for the latest Ben Bracken book, The Penny Black, which is lots of fun too, ladies and gentlemen.
I highly recommend the Ben Bracken series if you love a big, bold action thriller - Bracken is uncompromising in his ways, but has a strict moral code at heart, and this makes him just the kind of hero you can attach yourself to.
February 18, 2019
I haven't read the first Ben Bracken book, but that didn't really matter. I was hooked from the first few pages.
We are taken from the absolutely ordinary, just a bloke ordering a jacket potato and a pint in the pub, to technical wizardry - a mobile app which creates a firewall around a call, a matter of natural security unfolding against a scenic coastal backdrop, and the hilariously absurd - a hard-as-nails ex-soldier in a Hello Kitty scuba mask. It's all described in a narrative which combines realism with beautiful imagery - "I can picture there being a lot of shipwrecks here, their hulls littering the bottom of the sea floor like grand wooden elephant carcasses in a subaquatic boneyard."
And it gets better from there. Bracken is initially forced to rely almost entirely on hand-to-hand combat and survival skills to shake off his tireless pursuers. And you would never guess where his first genuine brush with death comes from. The plot escalates and culminates with a great ending that is bound to shake the population to its very core if the truth comes out or result in a massive cover-up which will raise plenty of questions.
I can forgive the book Its minor flaws, since they certainly take nothing away from what is a cracking thriller.
We are taken from the absolutely ordinary, just a bloke ordering a jacket potato and a pint in the pub, to technical wizardry - a mobile app which creates a firewall around a call, a matter of natural security unfolding against a scenic coastal backdrop, and the hilariously absurd - a hard-as-nails ex-soldier in a Hello Kitty scuba mask. It's all described in a narrative which combines realism with beautiful imagery - "I can picture there being a lot of shipwrecks here, their hulls littering the bottom of the sea floor like grand wooden elephant carcasses in a subaquatic boneyard."
And it gets better from there. Bracken is initially forced to rely almost entirely on hand-to-hand combat and survival skills to shake off his tireless pursuers. And you would never guess where his first genuine brush with death comes from. The plot escalates and culminates with a great ending that is bound to shake the population to its very core if the truth comes out or result in a massive cover-up which will raise plenty of questions.
I can forgive the book Its minor flaws, since they certainly take nothing away from what is a cracking thriller.
July 26, 2018
When asked to review Robert Parker's Ben Bracken Book 2 it was a privilege and pleasure. Here's my take on a taut, tigerish thriller which will leave you wanting, but only for more of the same. Let's hope the prolific and versatile Parker has more to give. Something tells me Ben Bracken will be back and soon. Let's be honest, we need him! "Ben Bracken’s a man you want on your team but not on your tail. Morte Point resurrects the action hero we all need in a world of fake news, false flags and bio terrorism. Trained by the best, Bracken has the courage of a lion paired with principles as rough and pure as an uncut diamond. Oh, and by the grace of God he’s also English.
Monte Point is top drawer entertainment; the writing's as punchy and precise as a prize fighter in the ring, with a weaving plot and an ending to die for. Expect violence and testosterone but laced with self-depreciating black humour; awesome.
Parker is a superb storyteller, you’ll be powerless to resist."
Monte Point is top drawer entertainment; the writing's as punchy and precise as a prize fighter in the ring, with a weaving plot and an ending to die for. Expect violence and testosterone but laced with self-depreciating black humour; awesome.
Parker is a superb storyteller, you’ll be powerless to resist."
June 27, 2022
Again, another Ben Bracken book that keeps the reader turning pages to find out what happens next. I really enjoyed this. This time Ben's amazing/almost supernatural talents in defeating the elements to achieve something takes him diving in the ocean to a crashed jet airliner with only one apparent body. He takes something that seems trivial. A lot of bad guys, some disguised as government entities are suddenly after him. Almost all of the book seems impossible, but it was an exciting and entertaining read.
January 25, 2021
Ben is back with a bang! Fast paced and gripping from the beginning.
Ben’s contact in the NCA asks him to pay a visit to Morte Point and to retrieve some cargo from a plane which is about to crash into the sea there.
Not knowing what the cargo is, is just the start of his problems as he is hunted down by some very powerful and well connected people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on it, Ben must call on all of his training to survive.
Ben’s contact in the NCA asks him to pay a visit to Morte Point and to retrieve some cargo from a plane which is about to crash into the sea there.
Not knowing what the cargo is, is just the start of his problems as he is hunted down by some very powerful and well connected people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on it, Ben must call on all of his training to survive.
August 14, 2019
Astounding
After the first book, A wanted man, I hoped that Morte Point could keep up the standard. Well, my hopes were so exceeded that I was blown away. This is an astounding follow up, so tense and exciting that I kept forgetting to breathe! I can’t wait to read the next instalment.
After the first book, A wanted man, I hoped that Morte Point could keep up the standard. Well, my hopes were so exceeded that I was blown away. This is an astounding follow up, so tense and exciting that I kept forgetting to breathe! I can’t wait to read the next instalment.
August 9, 2020
This is book 2️⃣ in the Ben Bracken series.
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Morte Point a fabulous thriller has none stop action with twists and turns from the very first page until the last. It keeps you hooked and guessing. I loved the absolutely believable Government corruption.
My laugh out loud moment was when Ben talks to the seals 😂
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Morte Point a fabulous thriller has none stop action with twists and turns from the very first page until the last. It keeps you hooked and guessing. I loved the absolutely believable Government corruption.
My laugh out loud moment was when Ben talks to the seals 😂
September 23, 2020
Mort Pointe is a wonderfully crafted experience. The Author draws you in with well defined characters which makes you feel that you have known them forever. The story has a little of everything action, intrigue, adventure, deception, espionage and romance. Will be looking for the net installment of the Ben Bracken adventures!
March 31, 2020
Jack Reacher has a trans-Atlantic rival - Ben Bracken, an ex-British Army righter of wrongs.
August 5, 2020
Explosive finish
Slow start but got progressively better with a very unexpected finish. I’ll try the next two books in the series.
Slow start but got progressively better with a very unexpected finish. I’ll try the next two books in the series.
September 5, 2020
Good action thriller
There were plot moments that strained credulity but well written and fast paced. I appreciate the author’s style and dialogue. Recommended...
There were plot moments that strained credulity but well written and fast paced. I appreciate the author’s style and dialogue. Recommended...
October 4, 2020
Awesome
Ben is a great hero who was treated unfairly by his superiors but who still loves his country. Someone who tries to do good for his country.
Ben is a great hero who was treated unfairly by his superiors but who still loves his country. Someone who tries to do good for his country.
September 1, 2021
I’ve never read a book that I couldn’t put down until Morte Point. Keep them coming Mr. Parker.
May 15, 2024
The second in the series to feature Ben Bracken in what is turning into a breathtakingly rollercoaster of a series, which has an originallity and freshness about it.
This reads like a Mission Impossible film frantic, breathtaking, pacey, full on thrill a minute spectacular. One thing that struck me as I read the book, though this is fiction it is realistically scary fiction in that you could imagine that this could happen
Rob Parker just gets straight to the heart of the matter, immediately hooking you in. A read which due to the nature of the plot demands a short time frame allowing for a fast paced read, though what Rob Parker fits into this is to be applauded. An explosive narrative with a story to match.
A full on action thriller in which Ben is going to be put through the wringer, the physical demands do not bear thinking about, I love the situations that Ben finds himself then trying to guess how he could possibly get out of them
Morte Point has a slick, tight and intricately layered plot in which Ben will find himself alone, not knowing who to trust and that can be scary when you don’t know where to turn. This is where the book takes on a frightening air of mystery and intrigue, The stakes are high, the consequences deadly
Ably assisted by Amina you could’nt help but feel for her at one point, due to Bens past he has trust issues and these are dramatically brought to bear in a frightening but to Ben understandable way, the way the character is written though there were moments when I had my doubts about her credibility mainly due to her background
I find the interplay between Ben and Jeremiah interesting and there defintely becomes a change in their dynamic in the book which will be interesting to see how this is played out in future books. Ben himself is a really inetrestingly written character, very much a loner, someone who doesn’t make friends easily, he has trust issues, but also someone determined to see the right things done, to seek out justice in whatever form.
As you would expect the book has many twists and turns which kept me on my toes, The tension builds in intesnity as the pages turn, all building to a climatic ending (enough said)
A read where the need to reach the end forces you to turn the pages, you can’t let it go
I read for entertainment, Rob Parker does that in spades, a read which I just relaxed and lost myself in the storyline.
I cannot recommend this enough, if you haven’t read Robs books then do yourself a favour. There is a reason why he is considered one of todays foremost thriller writers
This reads like a Mission Impossible film frantic, breathtaking, pacey, full on thrill a minute spectacular. One thing that struck me as I read the book, though this is fiction it is realistically scary fiction in that you could imagine that this could happen
Rob Parker just gets straight to the heart of the matter, immediately hooking you in. A read which due to the nature of the plot demands a short time frame allowing for a fast paced read, though what Rob Parker fits into this is to be applauded. An explosive narrative with a story to match.
A full on action thriller in which Ben is going to be put through the wringer, the physical demands do not bear thinking about, I love the situations that Ben finds himself then trying to guess how he could possibly get out of them
Morte Point has a slick, tight and intricately layered plot in which Ben will find himself alone, not knowing who to trust and that can be scary when you don’t know where to turn. This is where the book takes on a frightening air of mystery and intrigue, The stakes are high, the consequences deadly
Ably assisted by Amina you could’nt help but feel for her at one point, due to Bens past he has trust issues and these are dramatically brought to bear in a frightening but to Ben understandable way, the way the character is written though there were moments when I had my doubts about her credibility mainly due to her background
I find the interplay between Ben and Jeremiah interesting and there defintely becomes a change in their dynamic in the book which will be interesting to see how this is played out in future books. Ben himself is a really inetrestingly written character, very much a loner, someone who doesn’t make friends easily, he has trust issues, but also someone determined to see the right things done, to seek out justice in whatever form.
As you would expect the book has many twists and turns which kept me on my toes, The tension builds in intesnity as the pages turn, all building to a climatic ending (enough said)
A read where the need to reach the end forces you to turn the pages, you can’t let it go
I read for entertainment, Rob Parker does that in spades, a read which I just relaxed and lost myself in the storyline.
I cannot recommend this enough, if you haven’t read Robs books then do yourself a favour. There is a reason why he is considered one of todays foremost thriller writers
June 23, 2014
I have to be careful here for fear of you thinking I am a crazed fan who's madly in love with the fictional Ben B, or even the Author Robert Parker! Calm down people! I just love the sarcasm, the action and the uneven moral code of a character that's like no other superman I've ever heard of!
This next tale sees Ben, stirred into action by his unceasing devotion to his nation, even after said 'nation' saw fit to imprison him in the last book.
It is Jeremiah of the National Crime Agency, who lights the fire of his patriotism once more and sends him hurtling into his next mission with little time to catch his breath from the last one!
From custom built, untraceable secret phones 'Cryptocall' to 'Hallo Kittie' snorkel head gear, he rushes to his next quest with hastily improvised equipment and little knowledge of what awaits him when he gets there.
Robert Parker's style of writing will immediately place images in your mind and the artistic embellishment of every phrase gives detail and meaning to each scene. Phrases like 'the ocean is an eager eater of secrets,' immediately transforms a postcard image into a dangerous expedition involving a cunning, powerful and unpredictable foe!
The fact that 30 feet underwater a pocket of air from an ancient time becomes the difference between him being spotted by the antagonists, or drowning before that, makes you realise again, the unique and the unexpected turns you will experience as you shadow Ben Bracken.
Ben Bracken is unlike any James Bond, Superman, Thor or Batman you have ever encountered. In my head he's a six footer, permanent stubble, Clint Eastwood eyes, and a pert butt! He is a 'grown up' super-hero, and as you and I know, that's the only way to fly!!
This next tale sees Ben, stirred into action by his unceasing devotion to his nation, even after said 'nation' saw fit to imprison him in the last book.
It is Jeremiah of the National Crime Agency, who lights the fire of his patriotism once more and sends him hurtling into his next mission with little time to catch his breath from the last one!
From custom built, untraceable secret phones 'Cryptocall' to 'Hallo Kittie' snorkel head gear, he rushes to his next quest with hastily improvised equipment and little knowledge of what awaits him when he gets there.
Robert Parker's style of writing will immediately place images in your mind and the artistic embellishment of every phrase gives detail and meaning to each scene. Phrases like 'the ocean is an eager eater of secrets,' immediately transforms a postcard image into a dangerous expedition involving a cunning, powerful and unpredictable foe!
The fact that 30 feet underwater a pocket of air from an ancient time becomes the difference between him being spotted by the antagonists, or drowning before that, makes you realise again, the unique and the unexpected turns you will experience as you shadow Ben Bracken.
Ben Bracken is unlike any James Bond, Superman, Thor or Batman you have ever encountered. In my head he's a six footer, permanent stubble, Clint Eastwood eyes, and a pert butt! He is a 'grown up' super-hero, and as you and I know, that's the only way to fly!!
June 27, 2014
Well, I am actually mostly reading romance novels and am not a particular fan of action thrillers, however after my husband has highly recommended me this book I decided to give it a try. The main character of the book Ben Bracken is highly charismatic, clever and trained man whose goal is to save millions of lives. I associated myself so much with a character that I felt like I am not reading a story but actually am participating in a story. What I loved especially about this book was the language of the author and his ability to introduce conflicts and increase tension. While reading the book I was able to see a mental movie and this movie was very interesting to watch. I think it is a kind of the plot based on which a great movie could be created. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Even if you are not a fan of action thrillers you will find it very engaging and interesting.
June 27, 2014
Although I haven't read the first book about Ben Bracken I fully enjoyed this second book Apex. In the end of the previous book Ben Bracken was put in jail by the government. In this book Ben Bracken escaped from the prison in order to save Great Britain. Throughout the book Ben becomes a real super hero and solves seemingly unsolvable problems. It's impossible not to fall in love with Ben Bracken. The book kept my attention tight for two days while I was reading this book and now I am going to purchase the first book about Ben Bracken. It is one of the best books I have read this year.
September 29, 2018
2nd book in the Ben Bracken series finds our hero on another wild chase for the good guys. Or are they the bad guys? In Ben's world, the line between good and bad is very fine. Sent on a mission to recover goods from an airplane crash, Ben barely escapes with his life and the goods. Now comes the fun part. A thriller that will take you out of your living room and into Ben's race to save the day.
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