Title: Dark Winter
Author: Andy McNab
First published January 1, 2003
357 pages, ebook
Rating: 4.01
Overview
In Andy McNab’s novel, Dark Winter, Agent Nick Stone embarks on a seemingly simple mission to eliminate a suspicious biochemist in Malaysia as part of the fight against terror. His task becomes complicated when he meets an attractive woman who is also working on the mission.
Upon his return to the USA, Nick finds himself dealing with turmoil in his personal life as he tries to help a troubled teenage girl with a heavy drug dependence. But things take a dangerous turn when Nick uncovers a conspiracy that threatens the populations of New York, London, and Berlin.
With millions of lives at stake, Nick faces the ultimate trade-off: the life of someone he loves, or the lives of millions he doesn’t know. Dark Winter is a heart-thumping read, filled with suspense and action that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
About the Author
Andy McNab began his military career as a boy soldier in 1976 and later became a member of 22 SAS Regiment in 1984. McNab spent 10 years in B Squadron 22 SAS and participated in both covert and overt special operations around the world, including anti-terrorist and anti-drug operations in various regions like the Middle and Far East, South and Central America, and Northern Ireland.
McNab’s specializations include counter-terrorism, demolitions, weapons and tactics, covert surveillance, information gathering in hostile environments, and VIP protection. He worked on cooperative operations with police forces, prison services, anti-drug forces, western-backed guerrilla movements, and conventional special operations.
In Northern Ireland, he worked for two years as an undercover operator with 14th Intelligence Group and later became an instructor.
McNab also served as an instructor on the SAS selection and training team and taught foreign special forces in counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and survival training.
McNab has written two bestselling books about his experiences in the SAS, Bravo Two Zero (1993) and Immediate Action (1995). Bravo Two Zero is the highest-selling war book of all time, selling over 1.7 million copies in the UK alone and published in 17 countries, translated into 16 languages.
The CD spoken word version of Bravo Two Zero, narrated by McNab, sold over 60,000 copies and earned a silver disc. The BBC’s film of Bravo Two Zero, starring Sean Bean, was shown on primetime BBC 1 television in 1999 and released on DVD in 2000.
Immediate Action, McNab’s autobiography, spent 18 weeks at the top of the bestseller lists following the lifting of an ex-parte injunction granted to the Ministry of Defence in September 1995. To date, Immediate Action has sold over 1.4 million copies in the UK.
McNab has also authored seven fast-action thrillers that are highly acclaimed for their authenticity and are all Sunday Times bestsellers. Remote Control, published in 1997, was hailed as the most authentic thriller ever written and has sold over half a million copies in the UK.
McNab’s subsequent thrillers, Crisis Four, Firewall, Last Light, Liberation Day, Dark Winter, Deep Black and Aggressor have all gone on to sell equally well. The central character in all the books is Nick Stone, a tough ex-SAS operative working as a ‘K’ on deniable operations for British Intelligence.
McNab’s fiction draws extensively on his experiences and knowledge of special forces soldiering, and he has been officially registered by Nielsen Bookscan as the bestselling British thriller writer of the last year.
Editoral Review
Dark Winter by Andy McNab is a gripping novel that was first published on January 1, 2003. The book is a work of fiction that falls under the thriller genre, written by a former member of the SAS (Special Air Service) regiment, Andy McNab.
McNab’s experience in the military has given him an edge in crafting an intriguing plot that is both realistic and thrilling.
The story of Dark Winter is set in the harsh winter of 2002 in the UK, where a group of terrorists has taken control of a small village. The terrorists are demanding the release of their leader from prison, and they have taken hostages to ensure their demands are met.
Enter Nick Stone, a former SAS member, who is hired by the British government to handle the situation. Stone is a tough, no-nonsense character who is willing to do whatever it takes to complete his mission.
The plot of Dark Winter is fast-paced, with plenty of action and suspense. McNab’s writing style is crisp and efficient, with a focus on action rather than flowery language.
The characters are well-developed, with Stone being the standout character. He is tough and uncompromising, but also has a human side that is revealed throughout the story.
One of the strengths of Dark Winter is its realism. McNab’s experience in the military gives the story a sense of authenticity that is lacking in other thrillers.
The setting is also well-crafted, with the harsh winter providing an additional layer of tension to the story.
However, the book does have some weaknesses. The pacing can be uneven at times, with some scenes feeling rushed while others drag on.
Additionally, some of the characters are underdeveloped, particularly the terrorists. While Stone is a well-rounded character, the terrorists feel like generic villains.
Overall, Dark Winter is a well-crafted thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. McNab’s experience in the military gives the story a sense of realism that is lacking in other books in the genre.
While the book has some flaws, it is still an enjoyable read that is sure to satisfy fans of thrillers. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast-paced, action-packed thriller.
I give Dark Winter a rating of 8 out of 10.
