Cold Justice: The Sunday Times bestselling thriller (Mallory)

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P.S. We finish this book without knowing Mallory's first name and I don't know if I think that is awesome or the ultimate drama queen move. This was a solid read, with action spread over three continents, a believable plot and interesting enough characters. I did start liking Mallory less towards the end, where he became more like an American propaganda hero than the traumatized man he started as but that final plot twist at the end was everything I didn't know I wanted and left me screaming! I really liked Mallory. He’s a reluctant investigator but he’s a damn good investigator. He doesnt like giving up, his tenacity is a credit to him. He gets the right balance of when to use his fists and when not to. And when he does, he’s someone you want on your side rather than your opponent.

It’s here: the landmark debut thriller from superstar Ant Middleton, million-selling, number one Sunday Times author of First Man In and Mental Fitness and star of SAS: Who Dares Wins. Ant's name has become synonymous with his role as Chief Instructor on the adrenaline-fueled TV sensation SAS: Who Dares Wins. Taking his expertise global, he ventured to help establish SAS Australia, spreading his passion for resilience and mental fortitude far and wide. Ant's insatiable appetite for adventure has seen him at the forefront of numerous hit shows, from the captivating re-enactment of Captain William Bligh's infamous 'Mutiny on the Bounty' in 'Mutiny,' to the heart-pounding survivalist program 'Escape,' where skilled engineers are placed in precarious situations, relying on their expertise to escape and find safety. In 2019, Ant conquered one of humanity's greatest challenges, scaling the majestic Mount Everest in the gripping series 'Extreme Everest,' even amidst an unforeseen and life-threatening storm, allowing him to explore the allure and dangers of this iconic feat.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. 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. 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). 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. As he navigates his way through the tough streets of Joborg, the slippery swaps of Louisiana and home, he uncovers something that could change the future.

I started this book without any expectations but was pleasantly surprised by the beginning: I liked Mallory a lot more than I expected to like a thriller hero. Mallory is the kind of man that is so sure of his capabilities and masculinity that doesn't need to put others down and that is sadly unusual in a lot of thrillers. "Cold Justice" features not only a diverse cast of characters but several female characters that are interesting and dangerous on their own without being sexualized. What follows is sequence of exciting twists and turns with Mallory travelling to SA to look for Scott and ending up being chased by a group of ex military men on a mission. Meet Mallory, ex Special Forces soldier, a man with baggage and a temper. He’s seen a lot in his time in the forces and believe you me, it’s traumatic. But now he’s looking for a missing man and the local police aren’t the most helpful… missing adult men don’t seem to be treated as a concern. Throw in a kidnapping, gun fights, a chase through alligator territory and a final showdown, this a thrill ride from beginning to end. And the ending sets up a twist that will no doubt be the main storyline for the next book. But there's just something missing. It's not quite there, the elusive element that doesn't make me fully invested into the story. Drawing on the author's own combat experience, there is a real air of authenticity about the story, especially the scenes that recount the final fatal mission that changes Mallory and Donno's fates forever. There is no doubt that the author knows his stuff - also no doubt that we aren't treated to even half of the real work that goes on behind the scenes of such an operational But it's enough to pique the interest, get the heart rate thumping and to make it clear that the conflict they are facing is not just with the enemy. Although spaced carefully throughout the book, the chapters give a real insight into the man and the tragedy that haunts him. Also what keeps him going and why he is determined to do right by Donno and his mother, even when the stakes are increasingly high.

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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. Cold Justice is Ant Middleton’s debut fiction novel which features a former special forces operator by the name of Mallory who is flooded by his own self guilt. He has anger issues and isn’t a guy to mess with. Ant Middleton is an interesting person; he was the frontman for Channel 4’s hit show: ‘SAS: Who dares wins’ and is the author of several bestselling nonfiction books based on his own experiences during his career in the armed forces where he achieved what is known as the ‘Holy Trinity’ of the UK’s Elite Forces, having served in the Special Boat Service, the Royal Marines and 9 Parachute Squadron Royal. This novel caught my eye for two reasons; it is his first attempt at fiction and part of the novel is set in South Africa. Mallory himself is portrayed as a complex character so the reader is not alienated from his violent actions. He is flawed, probably suffering ptsd, as well as feeling responsibility for his friend Donno's continuing condition. This guilt serves as the impetus for accepting Susan, Donno's mother pleas to find her wayward other son. This was a good, fast paced action thriller with well written, rounded characters and a good smattering of humour.

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.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. 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’.)