The Killing Agent

by James E Mack, (Achnacarry Press, £9.99)

In today’s turbulent times, it seems nothing offers escapism quite like reading. There’s just something about opening a book and immersing yourself in a different world that provides relief from normality. If you’re looking for escapism, this week’s book, The Killing Agent, may not offer quite the escape you had planned, but don’t let that put you off, as it’s the realistic topics which make it such an exciting read.

When the UK is hit by multiple synchronised terrorist attacks the nation is gripped in fear. With little intelligence on who carried out the attacks, the government turn to their top intelligence bodies to find the answers. Lovat and his partner Nadi are part of the Special Intelligence Group tasked with unmasking the terrorist group responsible.

No sooner are they making leads when another devastating attack occurs and Lovat starts to suspect that there might be a more sinister plot at play.

In a race against time, Lovat sets out to discover just who is responsible and, in the process, realises just how far he is willing to go to stop them before its too late.

The reader is plunged straight into the story, as the book opens with the unfolding of the terrifying terrorist attacks. The action unfolds at a nail-biting pace, a momentum which is successfully maintained all the way through, a feat not all authors are capable of achieving.

You can depend on Mack as a storyteller as he ensures his reader has no issues in getting swept up in the action of the storyline with relative ease.

Mack is the pen-name James Mackenzie uses – in real life he’s a former special operations commando from Aberdeenshire, who now lives in St Cyrus, and his fiction is inspired by his life in the armed forces.

His latest work is underpinned by a well-drawn plotline which could give Jed Mercurio, creator of Line Of Duty, a run for his money. Adding to the adrenaline-inducing storyline is how alarmingly relevant, and therefore believable, the plot is, which makes it such a heart-thumping read.

While the brisk pace is welcome, there are some points that feel slightly rushed in detail but are forgiven in the light of the riveting story. The Killing Agent is a good, gritty read that definitely packs a punch.

Review by Emma Reekie.