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season3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
rmesquirrel's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent
Have now read several of this author's books. He actually has a way that each of the main character has a different "voice". I prefer Beatrix Rose.
Have now read several of this author's books. He actually has a way that each of the main character has a different "voice". I prefer Beatrix Rose.
ja_hopkins's review against another edition
4.0
Having read many of the Milton series, I downloaded the start of Beatrix Rose series when she was introduced, which is in The Ghost, book 4 in the Milton series. Although the timelines are slightly unclear, we quickly learn Rose is ill, dedicated to her daughter and out for revenge.
Given she is from the same background as Milton, as you might expect we are largely in familiar territory – an expert secret agent, assassin who has a grudge. As ever, Mr. Dawson provides the atmospherics of the locations – the souk in Marrakech is particularly realistic, and I’m sure Somalia is as well presented (I doubt he’s been there though!).
It is a short book, probably only a bit more than half the size of a normal Milton, but not a big issue. In my view, Rose is a bit less sympathetic than Milton (so far at least) – not sure why. The stuff about her daughter is setup for the other Rose series, and feels a bit extraneous to me, but it is certainly working for Mr. Dawson. Overall, not quite as satisfying as the Milton books, but it’s an introduction and I will be reading more of the series. If you like Mr. Dawson’s writing, you cannot go wrong with this.
Given she is from the same background as Milton, as you might expect we are largely in familiar territory – an expert secret agent, assassin who has a grudge. As ever, Mr. Dawson provides the atmospherics of the locations – the souk in Marrakech is particularly realistic, and I’m sure Somalia is as well presented (I doubt he’s been there though!).
It is a short book, probably only a bit more than half the size of a normal Milton, but not a big issue. In my view, Rose is a bit less sympathetic than Milton (so far at least) – not sure why. The stuff about her daughter is setup for the other Rose series, and feels a bit extraneous to me, but it is certainly working for Mr. Dawson. Overall, not quite as satisfying as the Milton books, but it’s an introduction and I will be reading more of the series. If you like Mr. Dawson’s writing, you cannot go wrong with this.
bookhawk's review against another edition
3.0
In Cold Blood was a decent start to the Beatrix Rose stand alone series. The action scenes are good and the revenge premise works.
marcus_bines's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
If you want a military spy thriller that has plenty of action and features the names of lots of different weapons and vehicles very precisely, look no further. But if you want some character depth alongside, you're in the wrong place.
Beatrix Rose is a highly capable spy in hiding, whose personal mission to kill a bunch of traitors from her past overlaps with the fate of a group of hostages taken by Somali pirates. Action ensues. Dawson gives us a lot of descriptions of the different African settings, and makes sure we know EXACTLY which weapon every character is wielding, which I found quite tiresome, I've got to say. But maybe people who love this kind of book want that. That's fine, but it isn't for me. I'll let those people enjoy the rest of the series.
Beatrix Rose is a highly capable spy in hiding, whose personal mission to kill a bunch of traitors from her past overlaps with the fate of a group of hostages taken by Somali pirates. Action ensues. Dawson gives us a lot of descriptions of the different African settings, and makes sure we know EXACTLY which weapon every character is wielding, which I found quite tiresome, I've got to say. But maybe people who love this kind of book want that. That's fine, but it isn't for me. I'll let those people enjoy the rest of the series.
imzadirose's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. It was ok. Mainly boring. Beatrix is unlikable, probably because there really wasn't any character development for her.
lindca's review
3.0
3.5 stars
This is a fast-paced, entertaining story that is a mix of Kill Bill and Taylor Stevens' Vanessa Michael Munroe series, less stylized and flashy than the former and less rich and dark than the latter. The revenge plotline certainly isn't new, but Dawson makes his kickass protagonist Beatrix Rose both sympathetic and fun to read. The violence is more matter-of-fact and less graphic than many books of this type, making it easier to root for Beatrix to exact her revenge without too much horror and angst on the part of the reader. The next book definitely will go on my TBR list for when I'm in the mood for good, escapist action.
This is a fast-paced, entertaining story that is a mix of Kill Bill and Taylor Stevens' Vanessa Michael Munroe series, less stylized and flashy than the former and less rich and dark than the latter. The revenge plotline certainly isn't new, but Dawson makes his kickass protagonist Beatrix Rose both sympathetic and fun to read. The violence is more matter-of-fact and less graphic than many books of this type, making it easier to root for Beatrix to exact her revenge without too much horror and angst on the part of the reader. The next book definitely will go on my TBR list for when I'm in the mood for good, escapist action.
thisistrashpsyd's review against another edition
2.0
Fast Paced Adventure
I'm not sure this style of book is up my alley. I like action for sure, but there weren't enough other plot elements to keep me necessarily engaged even if the story itself was fast moving.
I'm not sure this style of book is up my alley. I like action for sure, but there weren't enough other plot elements to keep me necessarily engaged even if the story itself was fast moving.
blood_rose_books's review against another edition
3.0
In the first book in his new series Mark Dawson has a retired assassin who has her own kill list:
Beatrix Rose was one of the most deadly assassins for an off the books government kill agency, that was until the agency attempted to let her go, permanently. Her husband was killed and her daughter stolen from her, Beatrix had no choice but to lay low until she was able to find and retrieve her daughter. She has her daughter back and with that came the name of six people on her kill list. Those that she needs to take care of so that she and her daughter can be safe. Beatrix knows that she has a limited time in order to execute her plan; this is name number 1 on her list.
This book has a Kill Bill feel to the revenge state of things but with a more final twist thrown in. Even looking at the cover there is a Kill Bill play there as well and I am pretty sure that Beatrix did not use a sword at all throughout the book. However, she is very deadly with guns and knives so maybe she is also good with a sword as well.
This is the first book in the series Right? (…goes to check Goodreads again…Yes it states that it is...okay). There is a whole back story to this book that I feel like I have missed out on. Dawson does refer back to it from time to time, but not enough that I truly know what the back story was. I have so many questions about Beatrix that are left open and maybe Dawson addresses these in the next book in the series. I'm actually not even sure if this is a spin off series or not, part of me thinks that it is but I'm going to have to do some research in order to find out.
I am a big fan of Beatrix and her skill set as well as her motivation of wanting to protect her daughter from those who would use her against her. Beatrix seems to be deadly with any weapon that she finds in her hands but she also has the qualities that you expect of an expert assassin, ability to plan, wait and adapt when it is needed. I really wish i had more of the back story on her and the fight for her life (literally) that she is in, but even without knowing these things I still enjoyed her as a character.
This is a quick read but that does not mean that it lacked action scenes and I did find myself devouring this book even though there were times where I felt like I was missing some key aspects of the plot. As I also enjoyed the Kill Bill movies I liked this book and if people can get around the similarities between the two I think they will enjoy this book as well. I would read the next book in this series and hope that Dawson is able to fill in some of the gaps.
Enjoy!!!!
Beatrix Rose was one of the most deadly assassins for an off the books government kill agency, that was until the agency attempted to let her go, permanently. Her husband was killed and her daughter stolen from her, Beatrix had no choice but to lay low until she was able to find and retrieve her daughter. She has her daughter back and with that came the name of six people on her kill list. Those that she needs to take care of so that she and her daughter can be safe. Beatrix knows that she has a limited time in order to execute her plan; this is name number 1 on her list.
This book has a Kill Bill feel to the revenge state of things but with a more final twist thrown in. Even looking at the cover there is a Kill Bill play there as well and I am pretty sure that Beatrix did not use a sword at all throughout the book. However, she is very deadly with guns and knives so maybe she is also good with a sword as well.
This is the first book in the series Right? (…goes to check Goodreads again…Yes it states that it is...okay). There is a whole back story to this book that I feel like I have missed out on. Dawson does refer back to it from time to time, but not enough that I truly know what the back story was. I have so many questions about Beatrix that are left open and maybe Dawson addresses these in the next book in the series. I'm actually not even sure if this is a spin off series or not, part of me thinks that it is but I'm going to have to do some research in order to find out.
I am a big fan of Beatrix and her skill set as well as her motivation of wanting to protect her daughter from those who would use her against her. Beatrix seems to be deadly with any weapon that she finds in her hands but she also has the qualities that you expect of an expert assassin, ability to plan, wait and adapt when it is needed. I really wish i had more of the back story on her and the fight for her life (literally) that she is in, but even without knowing these things I still enjoyed her as a character.
This is a quick read but that does not mean that it lacked action scenes and I did find myself devouring this book even though there were times where I felt like I was missing some key aspects of the plot. As I also enjoyed the Kill Bill movies I liked this book and if people can get around the similarities between the two I think they will enjoy this book as well. I would read the next book in this series and hope that Dawson is able to fill in some of the gaps.
Enjoy!!!!