Spy: A Thriller (Alex Hawke, Book 4)

It took awhile to get into the story. It is scary how close the story comes to describing today’s events on our Southern Boarders. Illegal immigration is overwhelming our resources and pose a national security threat which the present administration is ignoring. No boarder no Country. Even though this a a work of fiction too much of it very close to the truth.

I only wish there were more. Alex Hawke and his people are great characters. Stories are intricate and well constructed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the whole series. If you enjoy Harry Bosch and Alex Cross ... you'll love Hawke!!!!

It's hard to take some really serious, touchy subject matter and try to get a point across in the confines of an adventure novel, and as a result, the adventure in this one suffered a little bit. As a thriller, however, the book does a pretty good job.The book begins rather promisingly in the jungles of South America, where Alexander Hawke has been held as a slave laborer for some six months. He's on the run, having escaped from a prison camp and being chased by cannibalistic Xucuru Indians and trained attack dogs. Just like that, however, Alex is suddenly plucked from harm's way and the next thing we know, it's two months later and he's in a gentlemen's club in London, being invited to speak at an American security conference being hosted by the Secretary of State. He then spends the majority of the book in stuffy meetings or an uncomfortable position between an ex-lover and a new one while the action happens to everyone else.Meanwhile, in Texas, things on the border are heating up to a dangerous level. The local ranchers have had it with illegals trashing their property. Then a sheriff and his deputy stumble onto some strange evidence that ties the border activity in their little town to the South American jungle compound where Alex Hawke had been held prisoner. Alex and his dearest friend, Scotland Yard's Ambrose Congreve, must decipher a strange code left by a German diplomat before his death that leads to the key to the puzzle. The action finally gets going full swing for the last fourth of the book when Alex, Ambrose, Stoke, and some of their Thunder and Lightning friends from previous books storm the terrorist stronghold hidden in the Amazon jungle. They're on a tight schedule to stop a well-orchestrated terrorist plot from taking out the government of the United States.As a thriller with a timely plot, this book earns high marks. As an Alex Hawke adventure tale, however, it falls short. Alex's promising beginning fizzles immediately and he doesn't get his hands dirty for the rest of the book. Other favorite characters fare even worse as their roles are largely diminished and, in Stoke's case, toned down to a boring degree. New characters stole all the good scenes in this book, leaving precious few scraps for the stars. That was unfortunate, as I read this series because I like Alex, Ambrose, and Stoke. Still, all the same, this book did have a good plot that in our current political climate can really make you think...and worry.There's nothing wrong with Bell's writing skills, but I wish he was as interested in his characters as I am. Having gotten this one under his belt, maybe Alex and the gang will fare better next time out. It's a very decent thriller, but thrillers are a dime a dozen, while truly gripping adventure tales are not.

This is Bell's best so far. Bell is a master craftsman in terms of character development. By now we know Stokley, Ambrose and Concha. The sheriff and Homer are an echo of TV Mayberry which so many reader also know. The Amazon remains today a mysterious primitave zone of interest and intrgue. Bell makes us feel the humid heat and the bite of the insects. Speaking of primitive, this book is an interesting blend of hi tech (robots)and low tech (Indians with spears). The Mexican border conflict could have been written yesterday or maybe tomorrow. Like many "fiction" novels this is too close to reality. I am thinking the research involved in a class fiction work such as this often points the author to a non fiction and very rational scenario for the present day.

'Spy' combines numerous events from today's headlines into a fast paced thriller.It features an alliance between drug cartels, radical Islamic terrorists, and Latin American 'reconquistas' all intent on destroying America. Although some of the technology featured in the book seems rather implausible, novelists often take creative license to craft a good story. Mr. Bell has done that very well in this story.Although a novel, it should give some pause to the open borders extremists. The author shows how a nation without borders ceases to be a nation. As the protagonist, Alex Hawke, says: 'I still find it absolutely terrifying, Conch, that somehow, in parts of America, borders have become politically incorrect.' He goes on to say, 'Without borders, we've got nothing.''Spy' is the first Ted Bell novel that I have read. It won't be the last.

The NY Times suggested this book when they wrote a recent article about Spy and Mystery novels. The crime book critic for the Times is "new" and she gravitates mostly to mystery writers of the feminine persuasion and British. So here she is suggesting old timer Ted Bell. His style is old and what may have worked well in 1980 off his Mad Ave career does not fare well 2022.

Have read the first four, enjoyed them. Really like Alex Hawke, the relationships and characters. The story lines are realistic and plausible. The author is a good writer, however, at times loses sight of the reason the reader is reading the book. We read about Hawke to enjoy the adventure and action, but at times, Mr. Bell spends way to much time describing the flora and fauna. Find myself just skipping several pages of the scenery to get back to the story. Will most likely read the rest of the series, but realizing that these books could probably be 100 pages shorter if all the extraneous descriptive scenery were discarded.

I love this series. Alex Hawke was recommended to me on a whim, and I’m glad I jumped into the book. The British aspect offers a different perspective, and political thriller lovers will not be disappointed! Highly recommend the adventures and escapades of Alex Hawke.

Book was listed as acceptable, but it was so tatty I put it straight into the dustbin. BEWARE, Amazons ideas of what are acceptable or even good or very good are probably a much lower standard than most people would expect.

Read one of his books in the series and enjoyed it so much that I am following the series

Hawke and his pals on a another thrilling adventure.

Great simple read. Nice and adventuresome, good plot with even better character development. Classic Ted Bell. Ending somewhat predictable but still fun.

Great story, I read all of his books.