Credence

By: Martin Link

Narrated by: Chris MacDonnell

In this James-Bond-meets-real-world thriller, MI5 man Lucas Norton once again finds himself caught up in a high-stakes assault when a sniper in a powerboat takes a pot-shot at his family. Could it be linked to the daring raid carried out at GCHQ, where thieves evade the world's tightest security to steal top secret ultra-high-tech equipment from under his nose? Lucas's first case culminated in him, and the FBI, losing $48m from an international heist. Now he and his crack team over at GCHQ have only a few days to figure out what the stolen tech can do and where the thieves have gone. It's a search that takes them from London's secret underground railway to a disused WW2 bunker, the FBI's Black Hawk launch bay, the US Embassy and the very heart of MI5. Can Lucas's team stop a brilliantly executed plot to hold the populations of London and New York to ransom? Credence will have you trying to outsmart the world's most advanced intelligence services - and the criminals who are one step ahead of them.

©2017 Martin Link (P)2017 Martin Link

Sequel falls short of the original

I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the first novel in this series, Misdirection. However, this follow up fell short of the mark for me. I couldn't understand some of the characters' behaviours -- for instance, in the beginning of the book, Lucas' wife is shot [a graze wound] while he, his wife and his daughter were walking their dog. Her reaction is completely understandable -- shock, fear and anger. However, Lucas' reaction, at least initially, seemed very non-plussed by the event and he even leaves his family to go off on a work conference. Seems an odd choice, especially given the fact that Lucas and his wife were having marital issues which Lucas wanted very strongly to resolve and given the fact that but for the poor aim of the gunman or just plain luck, either she or Lucas could have been dead -- it would seem more logical for Lucas to stay home. Most of all, I was disappointed how the shooting was resolved -- it almost seemed like what was the point of it as no one seemed to learn anything from it.

As for the case, it really didn't grab me and I did not feel very vested in it. It seemed that without the genius of Coops, nothing would have been solved.

On the plus side, the wit from the first novel are still present in the second and the interactions between the Lucas and his colleagues were frequently humorous and well written. I really like the narrator of these books. His voice embodies the character of Lucas very well.

I will probably read the next book in this series.

Interesting Second In Series

This was as as enjoyable to me as the first book in the series. I thought that the characters were well developed, the plot line was interesting, and there were some humorous parts. The issues Lucas has with his marriage and family left continue in this book and we are left with somewhat of a cliffhanger with respect to this. I dohave to reluctantly admit that some of the technical stuff was a bit above my head, but for the most part I got it. I listened to this on audio and the narration was fine; I enjoy listening to the differences between British and American English.

Fun fast paced thriller

Another fun story with lots of suspense and intrigue I loved this. It’s a nice follow up to Misdirection.

Interesting and keeps you quessing

This is the second audiobook I've listened to by Martin Link. The first was Misdirection, where I was introduced to Lucas Norton, MI5 agent. Lucas is on vacation from the events of Misdirection, relaxing with his family when, while walking the dogs with his wife and daughter, a sniper opens fire.

At the same time, when Lucas goes back to work, there's another international incident waiting for him to prevent. He is at a conference with a few of his colleagues when the instructor disappears. Of course, there's an immediate lockdown and it's up to Lucas, Suzie, and Coops to save the world again. This time it's stolen nano-technology that they are up against. With the help of the FBI and a trip across the pond, again, Lucas must figure out where the thieves are planning to use the technology, why, and how to stop them. Add to that, a bit of family drama, culminates in another fine story.

Another interesting listen, Chris MacDonnell is a fine narrator. I'm enjoying his voice and delivery.