Title: Hawke
Author: Ted Bell
First published June 3, 2003
596 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781416537786 (ISBN10: 1416537783)
Rating: 3.89
Overview
Lord Alexander Hawke is a decorated naval hero and a descendant of a legendary English privateer. He’s on a top-secret mission for the American government in the Caribbean, where an unstable government has gained possession of a highly experimental stealth submarine carrying forty nuclear warheads, just ninety miles from the U.S. mainland.
But Hawke’s mission isn’t just about disarming the ticking time bomb. It’s personal.
As a boy, modern-day pirates brutally murdered his parents in the same waters. After a lifetime of nightmares, Hawke is back for vengeance.
Will he succeed, or will the ghosts of his past get the best of him?
About the Author
Ted Bell is a highly successful writer, having authored twelve consecutive New York Times bestsellers. His novels include the Lord Alex Hawke series of spy thrillers and the Nick McIver Time Travel Adventures.
They have been published in 17 countries, including Japan, Israel, Turkey, and Russia, where he is the last spy novelist still published in Russian. Ted’s books are also available in audio versions, narrated by his good friend, actor John Shea.
In addition to his novels, Ted has written two short stories – THE PIRATE OF PALM BEACH and THE WIDOW’S WALK. He worked briefly as an Advisor at the U.S. State Department and is a standing member of DOCA, a unit of the Department of Defense.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Ted was a highly successful advertising executive. He won every award the industry offers, including numerous Clios and Cannes Gold Lions, and the Grand Prix at the prestigious Cannes Festival.
He retired in 2001 to write full time.
Ted is a native Floridian and an English major who graduated from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. He began his advertising career in New York at Doyle Dane Bernbach and quickly rose through the ranks.
By age 25, he had sold his first Hollywood screenplay and become the youngest vice president in the history of DDB. He later joined Leo Burnett Co. in Chicago and was named President and Chief Creative Officer just four years later, at age 40.
After 10 years at Young & Rubicam in London, he retired to write full time.
Ted holds honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degrees from Kendall College in Michigan and Florida Southern College, where he is an Adjunct Professor of English Literature. His newest novel, OVERKILL, will be published on May 1, 2018, and is expected to be an instant New York Times bestseller.
Editoral Review
Hawke by Ted Bell is a thrilling novel that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. Ted Bell is a former creative director and vice-president of a major advertising agency in New York City.
He is also an award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of several novels. Hawke, first published on June 3, 2003, is the first book in the series of the same name.
Hawke falls under the action-thriller and espionage genre. The writing style is fast-paced and gripping, with detailed descriptions of the setting and characters.
The themes of the book explore espionage, betrayal, loyalty, and love.
The plot focuses on Alexander Hawke, a British spy and aristocrat, who is tasked with stopping a terrorist organization from unleashing a deadly virus. Along the way, he faces several challenges, including personal betrayals and political intrigue.
The setting of the book spans across several countries, including Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The characters in the novel are well-developed and complex, with Alexander Hawke being the standout protagonist. He is a charming, intelligent, and resourceful spy who is willing to do whatever it takes to complete his mission.
The villain, Vladimir Putin, is also well-written, and readers will find themselves rooting for Hawke to take him down.
One of the significant strengths of the book is the author’s ability to weave historical events and cultural significance into the plot. For example, the book explores the relationship between the United States and Russia during the Cold War and its impact on current events.
The book also delves into the themes of nationalism and patriotism, which are relevant in today’s political climate.
However, the book does have some weaknesses, including minor pacing issues and some predictable plot twists. Nevertheless, these do not detract from the overall quality of the book.
Hawke can be compared to other novels in the action-thriller genre, such as the James Bond series and the Jason Bourne series. Fans of these books will enjoy Hawke’s fast-paced action and espionage elements.
Overall, Hawke is a well-written and entertaining novel that will appeal to fans of the action-thriller and espionage genre. It has a well-developed plot, complex characters, and explores relevant themes.
The book is an exciting read that will leave readers wanting more. I highly recommend it.
I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars.
