Cold Justice: The Sunday Times bestselling thriller (Mallory)

Product Information

I didn't have a clue who Ant Middleton was, sorry, so I read this purely because I like to challenge myself to different types of reads. He finds Oceane in Paris but she has split up from her boyfriend, Nicolas Devereaux. However when a Serbian with a knife attempts to kill both Oceane and Mallory he is determined to find out what has happened. Nicolas has been employed to kill the chief of Le Mileu, a gang based in Paris and it is assumed that this has been set up by the chief of the Marseille milieu but is this too obvious? Cold Justice" is an extremely unsettling and exciting book not because of what happens in it but because of who the author is. Ant Middleton has been a staple of British television for a few years now but before that, he led an extremely successful career in some of the most elite military groups in the UK Armed Forces. He's pretty much what most men wish to be. Everything I knew about Ant though, I learnt from watching this Russel Howard interview which was enough to see that he put a lot of himself into Mallory's struggles after getting off duty. Mallory - he was the best of the best, a Special Forces leader and a hero. But then he made a fatal decision, gambling with the lives of his men with terrible consequences: two dead, and his young friend, Donno, left in a coma. Whilst visiting Donno in hospital Mallory meets his mother Susan Nel. Who tells Mallory that her other son Scott who lives in SA is missing. She asks Mallory to find him for her.

The other characters featured are also cleverly drawn and you can tell that Middleton has enjoyed the writing of this book. As Mallory heads to South Africa, I got an blow by blow insight into his past traumas as the story jumped between timelines all held together by one man in a coma. Mallory’s loyalty to this man knows no bounds, putting his life on the line to find Donno’s brother up against some seriously dangerous people with unlimited reach and resources. Will Mallory find Scott? Will Donno wake up? I needed answers to both questions !!! Chris Ryan, Andy McNab, Bear Grylls, are the most recognisable former SAS who've turned fiction writers. Joining them is Ant Middleton best known for channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins. What I liked the most about this book was that this was not the typical thriller where some tragedy the hero could do nothing to avoid happened and that is used as a reason for him be some masculine fantasy of what a "real man" is supposed to be. Mallory found himself in a position where he had to do an impossibly difficult decision and has to live with the consequences. Book two in the series featuring ex Special Forces veteran Mallory. This time he finds himself in Normandy when after, a short confrontation with some local thugs, he is asked to trace Océane, the granddaughter of a former Foreign Legionnaire. This takes him from Paris to Marseille and then on to Geneva. Not unexpectedly this is full of action and more than a smattering of dead bodies but no gratuitously graphic violence. Well written and it’s quite clear the author is writing from personal knowledge which makes the events that much more realistic.

Diaries & Calendars

Mallory is a typical superhero in physical terms and the novel is, as expected, a fast-paced read with several twists and turns, gunfights, fistfights, explosions, secret organizations, counterintelligence, subterfuge, and car chases. There is very little, if any character development; the focus is on action. The chapters are short; no time is wasted on long explanations and dialogue is relevant and to the point. The unravelling of the mystery was quite interesting, and a few hits came straight from left field. The last chapter, especially, caught me unaware; lovely twist, setting the table for a sequel. (And it is indeed on the way; titled ‘Red mist’.) It's here: the landmark debut thriller from superstar Ant Middleton, million-selling, number one Sunday Times author of First Man In and The Fear Bubble and star of SAS: Who Dares Wins. This leads to Mallory going to South Africa, to the place where Scott was last seen, and try to find out where he is and if he is in danger. Short chapters which personally I like, very suspenseful and encourages you to read on. Mallory feels he owes this manhunt to Donno's mum, and the search for Scott reveals many different twists and turns. Scott and Donno's dad died in a tragic accident a little while before Donno got hurt, could the death of Bartho and Scott's disappearance be connected? This is what Mallory has to find out, when he realises all it not as it first seemed. Scott has got himself involved in something he shouldn't and Mallory has to uncover the facts and find him.

His Head Game Podcast regularly reaches number 1 in the Australian podcast charts, and features incredible guests with stories of human resilience and fortitude in the face of adversity and challenges. Mallory, fresh from the events of the first book, is recuperating in the small village on St Jean-des-Pertes in Normandy but is beginning to feel on edge and missing any action. Therefore when he becomes involved in a chat with Serge, an 84 year old, in the local pub and discovers that his granddaughter, Oceane has been dating an unsavoury boyfriend, all his instincts tell him to get involved. It's probably unfair to compare Lee Child, he's had years and many books to get Reacher that way. I truly hope Middleton can discover that element for his character. It's about time that we have a UK version of Reacher, Mallory can be, I want him to be, hopefully we get that as the character grows in the next book. I truly wish Middleton all the good fortune he deserves, to make it happen. Was also pleased to see that Ant did not fall into the male author trap of over-sexualising the female characters (e.g. Graves, Ivy). Mallory comes across a mother in need. A mum who’s son served with Mallory, he flies across the globe to help her other son who is dire need of help.

Creative Play

Undeterred by the trials he faced, Ant continued his relentless pursuit of conquering the world's toughest and most dangerous mountains. In 2022, he triumphantly summited the formidable K2, solidifying his reputation as a fearless explorer. Just like Mount Everest, the climb presented formidable challenges that pushed Ant's limits.

Joining the armed forces at the tender age of 16, Ant swiftly rose through the ranks, showcasing exceptional skills and determination. He excelled as a point man/lead scout, primary fires operator, and sniper, ultimately achieving the coveted position in the Special Forces Selection—an extraordinary accomplishment known as the 'Holy Trinity' of the UK's Elite Forces. In his wildly popular Sky One series, 'Straight Talking,' Ant embarks on thrilling road trips with renowned personalities such as Liam Payne and Rebel Wilson, delving beneath the surface to connect with his guests like never before, creating unforgettable and intimate journeys. Die Story ist vorhersehbar, teilweise auch flach und seicht. Aber auch nicht uninteressant. Auch nicht schlecht oder langweilig, eher eine 3,75 statt 3 oder 4. Sie war partiziell spannend, mit old school action aber gleichzeitig weder temporeich oder brutal. Mallory und Scott, sein relationship mit Donno und seinem former team, der botched raid und natürlich Schuldgefühle und Freunde wie Graves, die keine Freund sind, krabbeln entlang einer storyline, die ein final bekommt, aber eben kein episches. Der Kampf mit Willer - na ja, lesbar aber mehr auch nicht. Es fehlt ein wenig die raffinesse und sensibility eines life or die fights. Und wie always, wessen Leiche nicht gefunden wird, ist nicht tot. It's here: the landmark debut thriller from superstar Ant Middleton, million-selling, number one Sunday Times author of First Man In and The Fear Bubble and star of SAS: Who Dares Wins . The second book in Ant Middleton’s fictional series, following former Special Forces operator Mallory as he travels the globe, finding and causing trouble.

This was a good, fast paced action thriller with well written, rounded characters and a good smattering of humour. This was not my usual read, but I really enjoyed it. The pace was fast and the writing excellent. The descriptions of Johannesburg really brought the city to life. The characters were well written and the main character, Mallory, was strong, kind and interesting, with shoulders big enough to carry off the story.