Warriors

Warriors
Ted Bell
William Morrow
Harper Collins Publishers
New York, New York
ISBN: 978-0-227938-5
Hardcover
2014
$ 27.99
467 pages

"We dance not only to a different drummer, but to an entirely different orchestra."

These are the words of Lord Alexander Hawke, British counterspy, and fictional hero of the novels written by action and adventure author, Ted Bell.  Lord Hawke does not always play by the rules.  He understands that frequently the rules or the drumbeat need to be changed to accomplish what needs to be done.   This requires a close-knit group of friends and acquaintances who realize the dangers to themselves and others, while at the same time valuing the respect and expertise of each person.  Lord Hawke is the one person who can get done what needs to be done.

When a brilliant scientist working at Cambridge University is tortured to death by ancient and little known Chinese methods, who can discover the reason he was killed, why, and who would actually be capable of this?  

When the President of the United States dies and those burying him at Arlington Cemetery are attacked by a drone, who investigates this crime?  Who would have the nerve?   Who would want to purposefully start a war?

Are these two events connected?  

A brilliant military technician and inventor is celebrating a family birthday when both parents and their two children mysteriously disappear.  Where are they?   Are the wife and children being used to control the scientist, forcing him to work against his own country by threatening his family?

Warriors is the story surrounding all these events into the fast-paced action/adventure tale of Lord Hawke and his staff revolving around the idea of China having the next level of technical military advancements bringing about a new world dominance with the countries of the United States and England having no idea of how to protect or defend against these new weapons.   With the persistent race of newer and better military technology, the idea of the United States no longer being the dominant power, definitely is unsettling.

Warriors is lightning-paced with hardly a second to breathe from page to page.  The characters of previous Ted Bell novels unite in Warriors with two new characters introduced.  Because of this, the novel spends time developing the new characters and expects the reader to know the recurring ones including their personal relations and friendships.   I would recommend to someone who has not read Ted Bell books, to read at least two of his many earlier books before reading Warriors.

Warriors is a fast-paced, action-adventure thriller for all those who enjoy breath-taking escapades barely squeaking by with their lives.