Was eagerly waiting for the follow up to Nomad and it didn’t disappoint.
Loved how the story unfolded and kept me guessing throughout. Looking forward to more from this author

A good thriller must have a fast paced, ever evolving plot. It must have characters that, however flawed, are likeable and that you really believe will get the job done no matter the hardship. There must be an antagonist that has a purpose. And then, when all that is achieved, the author must be skilled enough to weave a tale that incorporates all these intrinsic elements to create a story that can't be put down. This is EXACTLY what James Swallow is good at.

Where Nomad had a few too many strings and felt rather unpolished, Exile felt like the finished article. The story was simple: some good guys chasing some bad guys who have a very bad weapon before they set it off or sell it to some even more shady. The complexity of the narrative came from the intelligence of the antagonist and the reactionary behaviour of Dane and Keyes, the main heroes of the show.

Marc Dane is an ex-MI6 field agent who is less about the front line action and more about being the techie backup. He is at home behind a computer, but also has all the skills in his arsenal to be able to 'wing it' when he is called into action. He is a refreshing lead man, he knows his strengths, but more importantly, he knows his flaws and when he needs to ask for help. I know that all heroes have almost superhero level skills, but I really believe that Marc Dane knows that he has limits and that he needs to survive within them (even if it's close to the line) in order to keep the story going.

Lucy Keyes is a badass, hold no prisoners, black ops agent for Rubicon (a 'spy' agency ran by eccentric Somalian do-gooder Ekko Solomon). She swooped in to pretty much save the day in Nomad, and when things go wrong in Exile, Dane calls in her expert help again. She really is the epitome of a strong female character, and not only that, she doesn't rub your face in it. I really like the fact that a male author has wrote such a brilliant female character, without accidentally making her dis-likeable.

I also love the fact that Dane goes to her for assistance and relies on her expertise, not the other way round. He doesn't do it to amuse her, or to woo her, he does it because she has skills that he is lacking and that makes them compatible as a force. The author has not made these a romantic pairing. They trust each other, and I get the feeling that they enjoy each other's company, but they haven't been forced together under the stress of a gun fight in an unimaginative and unrealistic way.

The story centres completely around an illicit transaction of a small nuclear warhead from a Serbian Gang to a Somalian Warlord. We then hightail it around the world with Lucy and Marc in pursuit of Ramaas and his weapons through some fairly spectacular scenery, including Dubai, Croatia, and Somalia. A vast portion of the book took place in Croatia and Mogadishu, two very different countries in history, culture, language, and just about everything else. The knowledge and research that Swallow must have put into understanding and including customs and quirks from all the nations mentioned is astounding and really adds a level of depth and quality to the story, and to his writing as a whole.

Yes, OK, there are scenes within the story that are spectacular and borderline unbelievable (surviving totalling a high speed vehicle, only to steal a police car - which just happens to be a Bugatti Veyron super car - only to crash that as well, and live to tell both tales), but it wouldn't be a thriller without such scenes. They are approached well, and when they arise, they are navigated with a smooth efficiency that I have already come to expect when Rubicon are involved. I found that the unusual scenarios, while often ridiculous, just felt more realistic and possible than in some stories, or just more fresh. It doesn't feel like there is too much going on, or that there are plot lines or scenes that are superfluous to the narrative, it all fits neatly (or explosively) together.

I don't want to give the whole plot away, because that will completely destroy what is a really great thriller. It helps a little if you have read the first novel, there are characters that re-appear, back-stories that are mentioned, and organisations featured that were integral to the first book's plot, but it definitely stands up as a stand alone novel too. The previous book definitely falls into a nice to know rather than need to know status.

I can feel the characters growing, and as Swallow gets to know them, we understand them much more clearly. The third instalment in the Marc Dane/Rubicon series is due out later this year (called Ghost) and I am desperately awaiting it's release. I don't think there can be any greater endorsement than eagerly awaiting the next part of the story, can there?

This book had be gripped from start to finish. I haven't yet had the pleasure of reading the pre cursor book NOMAD will now I have read this. The plot is easy to follow and engaging. I felt that the characters were easy to understand and showed real personality throughout. The only thing about this book (not a critisism) is that it references back to the NOMAD a lot so if you haven't read it you may feel a bit lost or wanting.

The follow up to ‘Nomad’, this title again features Marc Dane, ex-MI6 field agent now working in a post
for the UN in Croatia. Whilst there Dane stumbles over a plot to sell and potentially detonate a nuclear
device. Teaming up with old comrades, Dane follows the evidence and, alongside ex-CIA agent Lucy
Keyes, embarks on a non-stop adventure through the streets of Dubai, Naples and the African coast, in a
bid to stop the inevitable from happening.

Although some scenes are a little far-fetched, this is an action thriller that will no doubt be a good holiday read.

I need to find the first book NOMAD and read it since I liked this one so much. I also like the fact that it was long enough to enjoy (page wise). Good read and I am looking forward to more

I've linked out to my review below - suffice to say, I had high hopes for this after Nomad, and wasn't disappointed. I can't wait to see what comes next in the Rubicon series...

An excellent follow up to Nomad. No time is wasted on Marc Dane or Rubicons back history making this readable as a standalone novel. Marc is working for the UN nuclear disarmament team in Croatia when he stumbles across a Croatian criminal gang with a live nuclear bomb. The story takes the reader through the UAE and Somalia on a chase to ensure the bomb is not used, facing off against Somali pirates, the Combine and other assorted foes in their endeavours. Extremely well written and with a great plot this book will keep the reader entertained to the end.. Great twist at the end preparing for the next in the series. Highly recommended.

After a recommendation for NOMAD, the prequel to this book, I bought and enjoyed it and was then keen to read Exile as a sequel, being lucky enough to get an advance copy from Netgalley for an honest review.

Although it would be useful to read Nomad first, it’s not absolutely essential as this could quite easily be read as a standalone story which certainly lives up to the hype of an Explosive Action Thriller! Set a year after NOMAD we see the return of Marc Dane who wastes no time in using his techie skills in combination with his action skills to try and track down a nuclear weapon plot which he uncovered whilst investigating local arms dealers in Croatia. Teaming up with a real action ‘gal’, Lucy, they work together against the clock in a well written fast paced thriller that will have you holding your breath without even knowing it. There is chemistry between the two adding a nice element to the story which obviously has the usual twists and turns of a thriller for the reader to enjoy.

The book is certainly up there as a good read which I can see as being a favourite for people to take on holiday and read by the pool. Definitely recommended.

High octane adventure featuring modern day hero Marc Dane who is both tech savvy as well as an action figure.
Following on from the first book in the series, Nomad, Exile picks up a year later. After clearing his name in the previous novel, Marc is now working in Croatia for a Government agency alongside the local police. Whilst investigating local arms dealers, the Kurjac brothers he comes across a plot involving a nuclear weapon and Somalian war lord Ramaas When the agency will not let him pursue this line of inquiry he is forced to go to Rubicon and Ekko Solomon for help. Teaming up with Rubicon operative ,Lucy Keyes, a real kick ass heroine, it becomes a race against time to find Ramaas and the bomb before it is detonated.
This is a book that will go down well with fans of I am Pilgrim, a modern day thriller with lots of excitement and hold your breath moments.
Marc is both an action hero and a tecnical geek and I liked these two aspects of his character. I also enjoyed the burgeoning relationship between Lucy and Marc, particularly the way they worked together although there were hints it could lead to something more in the future.
There was quite a lot of jumping around between scenes and characters at the beginning of the book whilst the author was setting up the plot and it did take me a while to get into the story. However it was worth persevering, as once the plot picked up it became very compelling.
It is the scond book in the series but although it would be helpful to have read the earlier one it is easy to read this as a stand alone novel. Perfect for action thriller fans and would make an enjoyable beach read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.