Close Quarters

This series has become my new favorite!!
Magson does an incredible job blending fact with fiction and uses the turmoil occurring in Ukraine as the backdrop for this latest Portman adventure in which he's to rescue a trapped US official.
The writing is fantastic portraying the danger in a region slowly crumbling into lawlessness, the despair of the people and the political machinations in the region.
The best part though it the realism and grittiness in the action and story, at no point does the author insult the reader's intelligence by having the protagonist pull off a Superman escape. Portman uses diversion, evasion as his primary choice in confrontations and when he uses violence its well planned and with the odds in his favor.

Can't wait for the next book in the series!
I'd like to thank NetGalley for providing me with an advance review copy.

This is a 4.5 star book. It was engrossing and very well written. The story line follows the protagonist on his travels yet at the same time keeps you attuned with his CIA handler, her boss and the antagonist. There is almost non-stop action for the protagonist and his cohorts. I found myself reading this when I hold have been doing other things...a most positive reaction to any novel. Thanks Net Galley and Severn House.

Good fast paced book. Easy to read.

This is only the second Adrian Magson novel I’ve read. Along time ago I read his novel Red Station, the first of his Harry Tate series, but wasn’t massively impressed. It wasn’t that it was a bad novel, just a little slow for a spy thriller. Recently NetGalley hosted Close Quarters, the second in his Marc Portman series, and I opted to give it ago. I have to say that I’m glad that I did.

Close Quarters is incredibly current, set in the on-going conflict between Russian separatists and the Ukrainian Government. The story revolves around Marc Portman, an ex-special forces contractor who specialises in protecting people from afar, being brought in by the CIA to rescue a State Department diplomat who’s under ‘house arrest’ in a hotel in eastern Ukraine. Needles to say, if it were that easy this would be a very short novel indeed. Instead, for reasons I won’t share for risk of divulging spoilers, the plan goes seriously awry.

I do have a couple of issues but they all centre on the same thing. Throughout the book our hero runs into Spetsnaz troops, basically Russia’s equivalent to the SAS. Yet he never seems to have any trouble dispatching them. In one scene, after the armoured truck the Spetsnaz are in crashes into a lake, he drags two of them out and ties them together by their thumbs. And that’s it, job done! I’m sorry; these are either elite special forces or they aren’t. Similarly, after subduing a female sniper (again hardened ex-army) she sits meekly by while he shoots her colleague in a gunfight. She doesn’t try to escape or overpower him when his back is turned or anything.

But these are minor issues in an otherwise good, solid, and gripping thriller. Close Quarters is an action packed thrill of a ride. It’s fast paced and kept me swiping along (I read it on Kindle) at a merry old rate. It would be true to say that I found it hard to put down and read it in two days. The Ukraine is nicely brought to life as a location and the author has clearly researched some tradecraft, referring to agent running, etc. I liked the topicality of the plot, I liked Marc Portman as a character, and I would definitely read more of this series.

Rip-roaring read! I understand the preface and the way events played out. Glad the book was written though. The only down side was the plain language across an encrypted phone line when the 'encryption' wasn't altogether trusted. Additionally, the plot with a leak......not new but how far back would you have to go to find an original? 4,000 years? Finished the book in hours such was the grip. Will read more from this author.

Fast paced thriller with plenty of action and violence. Very well researched with an in-depth knowledge of the political situation in Ukraine and Washington where the novel is set.
Mr. Magson has written a well crafted action thriller but with an acute understanding of the politics that drives the action.
Highly recommended.

Close Quarters: A thriller set in Washington DC and the Ukraine Adrian Magson

This is my first book by Magson but not, by a long shot, my last. He has two other series that I am going to check out.
Starts out with a rescue and keeps on getting better and better. Marc Portman is a special kind of mercenary. He rescues people. This time he is working for the CIA. They have a man trapped in the Ukraine. Portman is sent to get him out. It should have been fairly simple. HA. Murphy's Law was in full force. Portman finds Travis and gets him on the road to freedom. Meanwhile in D.C. there is another game in progress. A High power senator is leaking information to the Russians in the Ukraine. He has a different agenda.

This is a book could from headlines. If you like thrillers that touch too close to the truth, you will love this book. The characters are so totally believable. The situations are credable. The action is fast paced. A real addrenaline rush. I sure hope there will be more stories about Marc Portman.

Thank you NetGalley for the advance Kindle version.

The CIA has had to get creative in their way of protecting and extracting operatives in countries where it is not necessarily Politically Correct to be active. As such they turn to free lance talents (former military special forces or previous CIA operatives) to handle some of this work on a contract basis.

One such operative is contacted by CIA deputy director Callahan to enter the country of Ukraine and rescue and oversee the extraction of a State Department Official who went there to try and smooth things over between the Russians, the Ukrainians and the Separatist who are causing much havoc and destruction in the country.

Unfortunately this State Department Official has been placed under house arrest and observation by the Separatist, or is it the Ukrainians? No one is really sure. But Callahan wants to get him back before it is discovered that he is really a CIA analysts who is trying to gather human intel on the situation.

So, enter ‘Watchman,’ more commonly known as Mr. Portman. He is asked to enter the country and oversee the safety of Mr. Travis as CIA cut outs try and get him out of the country.

The only problem is this, there is a mole at the CIA who is feeding information to the Russians which is allowing them to stay a step ahead of the CIA. Thus ‘Watchman’ will have to take a more active role in securing Mr. Travis and getting him out of the country.

The bulk of the novel deals with ‘Watchman’ and his CIA handler and their work to try and get Mr. Travis to safety. The plot is good, the story is reasonable and Magson develops the characters and the situation to perfection.

This book doesn’t have the shoot um up drama and fast pace of some spy type novels, but it is intriguing and plausible enough to help you understand how the hands of our CIA have been tied behind their backs by politicians and Senate Sub-Committees that have their own agendas.

This is an excellent novel for those who love political intrigue, CIA operations, Clandestine work behind the scenes and an honest to god hero who puts his life on the line to help others for no other reason than loyalty and love of country.

Enjoy!

A very topical thriller, but also a nod back to the old cold war type thrillers.

In the second novel to feature “The Watchman” the hero of the title is an off the books operator sent into places to oversee operations and to step in if things go awry. In this, he is sent into the chaos of the Ukraine to rescue an unofficial envoy but things do go wrong and a frantic run for the border ensues. The bad guys here are not just in the Ukraine, back in the US the CIA support operation is being jeopardised from within.

This is fast moving and very enjoyable, a good balance of political intrigue and action. I liked the characters, including the young CIA trainee and it certainly had a very topical aspect. Maybe the US political side is something we have seen before, but that is easy to forgive in a very entertaining package. Definitely one series I shall be watching and having missed the first book I shall be making a point of catching up on it..

Hi Karen,

My latest review is as follows:-
'Close Quarters.',written by Adrian Magson and published by Severn publishing in hardback on the 30 April 2015. X pages. ISBN:

Marc Portman, who works as a freelance close protection specialist for Government Agencies such as MI6 and the French Foreign Legion has just completed a successful operation in Iran for the CIA and is rehired by them to go to Ukraine for another mission.

Here he has to locate, identify and rescue an American diplomat who is being held by Russian separatists. The CIA has undercover operatives in the country who are able to provide 'safe houses' to shelter the diplomat from his pursuers but obviously they are putting themselves at great risk.

Mark is able to enter the country, in disguise and is soon, over the course of a few days to idenitify the location where the diplomat is held under close guard. With great difficulty he manages to release him and soon both he and Marc are hunted animals who must be caught and it is the tension here that the author successfully puts across that provides most of the action in this very highly plotted and gripping story.

This very exciting and hard to put down thriller rushes on to it's final dramatic conclusion. I have had the privilege of reading for review purpses the athors earlier Marc Portman story "The Watchman', his 'Kiss For The Devil' in his Riley Gavin series and two of his Lucas Rocco stories set in provincial France during the early 1960's 'Death On The Marais', 'Death On The Rive Nord'

Adrian Magson is a very experienced author with a large number of books published under his name or other pen names. When you open one of his books you know that you can count on a really interesting plot and well rounded characters, that has been thoroughly and painstakingly researched. That there is a real sense of action and a very dramatic page turning suspense almost to the last sentence.

I look forward to reading more gripping adventures of Marc Portman and in fact any new books by this very exciting author. Very strongly recommended.

Best wishes,

Terry

I would like to thank Severn House and NetGalley for providing me with an electronic copy to read and review. Close Quarters has all of the elements of a great spy thriller, including a believable main character with a combination of street smarts, intellect, and the ability to adapt to ever changing situations. Add in the following: a good chase, an indeterminate foe or foes, and a great plot with many twists and turns. Marc Portman (Watchman) is a close protection specialist, sent in by the CIA in situations when the regular route of protection and extraction is unavailable. Attempting to help a State Department worker by the name of Edwin Travis, Portman gets embroiled in a high tension, life threatening scenario. With a fast moving plot and great characterization, this book promises to keep you on the edge of your seat until the stunning conclusion. I can definitely picture many possible plot lines in future books and think that Lindsay and Portman make a great team. Close Quarters is the first book that I have read by author Adrian Magson, but it certainly will not be the last.

Close Quarters - Adrian Magson

'Close Quarters' is the second Marc Portman thriller. I haven't read ' The Watchman', the first book featuring this character but there is enough background in this story to make it enjoyable as a standalone read.

The setting and political climate is contemporary and relevant. Told from Marc Portman's point of view, in a PI style, Marc Portman is likeable and realistic. Unlike many novels of its ilk, 'Close Quarters' is not overly graphic in terms of violence. The story still portrays the menace and violence of the circumstances Portman experiences, which evidences quality writing.

The political conspiracy theme in the novel is not new but Portman's role as a close protection expert, rather than a member of the special services, offers enough original insight to make it worth reading. The supporting characters and antagonists are complex characters and allow the reader glimpses into the conspiracy and the danger Portman faces, whilst he remains in ignorance, creating powerful dramatic irony.

This is an easy to read, well paced story with strong characters. I am intrigued enough to read more of this author's stories.

I received a copy of this book from Severn House Publishers via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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You know what you are going to get from a Adrian Magson book; if you don't already know of him, this example of his work will demonstrate his talents to the full.
The author is a wonderfully gifted storyteller as well as a clever thriller writer who brings topical events exploding onto the page. I love his 60's French based detective Lucas Rocco and English spy thrillers with Harry Tate.
However, with this second Marc Portman thriller Magson has created a mysterious special forces character, perhaps more appealing to a wider readership and the USA market. Portman has the ability to be "invisible" behind enemy lines and keep a watching brief on personnel in potential danger; watching their backs and saving them if things go wrong.
The first book was mainly based around the Kenyan/Somali border and reflected much of the political unease and unrest in those parts of Africa.
In this new novel Portman is hired by the CIA to help extricate one of their field operatives from the deteriorating situation in Ukraine.
The plot is made more intriguing with the usual double dealings and betrayals of spy stories. The action is ratcheted up as the enemy seems to know their next plan and destination and it is unclear who is friend or foe.
Portman has to live or die by his gut instincts but help is at hand in that Langley, the CIA headquarters, has a call operator on hand to be his eyes and ears monitoring troop movements and communications in Eastern Europe. However the staff member chosen is fresh out of training and her lack of operational knowledge could jepodise the mission.
Beautifully crafted plot, full of danger and action based stand-offs as the net seems to close and options run out.
This should be the first book you pack for your summer vacation if you like action packed thrillers. It has great impetus that makes it a wonderful page turner; however, it is the quality of the writing that will mean the story sticks and does far more than simply entertain and pass a few hours.

The title is right, this is a real thriller. The action takes places on many levels surrounding the escape of an American diplomat from war-torn Ukraine, with the help of a CIA contractor. While they run into problems with the Russian mafia and separatist militias, the biggest problems are in Washington DC, where a conniving Senator sabotages their efforts in hopes of making money for himself and his co-conspirators. The characters are described in depth and come across as real people.. The action is continuous in both DC and Ukraine. The ending is unexpected but satisfying. I recommend this book for a good read.

A new author for me and a new series even if I started with Book #2! All I can say is where have I been that I missed this dynamically adventuresome author whose words could very well come from the front pages of tomorrow’s newspaper? This latest Marc Portman Thriller caught my imagination and enthralled me right from the get-go. The writing is crisp, sharp and gets right to the point, just as the Watchman aka Marc Portman operates, with little to no unnecessary movements. Straight and to the point with quick decisions over life and death.

The Watchman is an asset that the government uses when they can’t afford to have knowledge of or seem to have any connection to whatever type of black ops situation might fall out if the mission failed. In other words, the Watchman is expendable, and if caught or failure of a mission, he is completely on his own! One might question the sanity of why anyone would want that type of a life – either insane or supremely confident of success. Regardless - I personally fell in love with our hero!

Not only did the author give Portman all the attributes of a dynamite hero but his characterization of one very nasty Senator was flawlessly evil and hurrah - dealt with in the most impressive manner.

Bottom line: In my opinion, a perfect read that sped along with adventure and intrigue and kept this reader up to the wee hours of the morning to finish! Awesome story, better yet a new series I personally would like to follow!

Marilyn Rondeau

Well written thriller. I read alot of them back when Clancy was big, but got out of them. This one was a great place to jump back in. Highly recommended.(Amazon reviewed).

This is a superb novel for anyone who enjoys their thriller being written by an author who is a master of his craft. It is action packed, with a deep cover specialist, Marc Portman, as the hero we follow as he endeavours to bring a US State Department official out from the Ukraine where he has been under house arrest. Although this is the second book in the series, it works well as a standalone (I haven’t read the first one - but look forward to doing so after reading this!)

The author brings to life the political drama and conflict actually unfolding in the region in his dramatic tale. The enemies Portman faces are many but, as the blurb reveals, the most lethal one is actually from his own side! You’ll need to read it yourself to see who it is and what happens - remember, I try not to give any spoilers!

There are double dealing spies, a superbly crafted plot, fast paced action and a dynamic force to be reckoned with in the hero. The characters are complex, robust and believable as are the situations in which they find themselves. This is an intriguing story, a real page turner and one I have no hesitation in highly recommending to anyone who enjoys particularly well written thrillers,

Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too for provided an ARC for me to read in exchange for this, my honest review.

Marc Portman code name Watchman is a freelance covert operative hired by the CIA to escort a state official out the Ukraine which has just become one of the hottest spots for an U.S. Official. From the start he believes he is being sold out or at least his mission is being undermined but by whom. Can he trust his minders at Langley or does the problem lie elsewhere? This is a classic spy thriller where there any many interests in play at any one time and the spy is always left out in the cold. It is not a complex book but is very entertaining for the spy thriller enthusiast. The writing is clear and concise, which I personally like. You are never left hanging for too long and answers are available for most of the plot, but it still feeds your imagination as to what it must be like in these impossible situations.

He should change his name to "Action" Adrian. Classic thriller of when the worst enemy is the closest but the action could be real; and may be happening today! Great book