Scan barcode
A review by rowena_m_andrews
Where is Tony Blunt?: Book 2 in the Atrocities Series by Joseph Mitcham
4.0
This is the follow up to The Watch List in the Atrocities series, and while I would say that it is standalone in so much as this is a sperate mission, I would wholeheartedly recommend reading the series in order. Not only because it will give you a greater understanding of the characters who were established in the first book, but also to better understand the plotline.
Where is Tony Blunt? Picks up just after the events of The Watch List which is another argument for reading the first book first, but from there it stands on its own two feet, as this time it is dealing with a single target rather than a group. The titular character Tony Blunt is an ex-soldier who has been radicalised, and who is intent on wreaking havoc. As with the previous book, this is something that we see in the media, and it once again gives Mitcham’s book that clever realism that appears to be a particular strength of his writing, especially when paired with the knowledge that comes from his own background as well as research. This a world that most of us don’t get to experience, but is on the periphery of our awareness whether from the news or media in general and here it is brought to life in vivid, accessible detail.
Another element that adds to the impact of this one is that Tony Blunt is well explored, and while he is very much a damnable character, Mitcham leads us through the events – in his career and personal life, in his search for a place to belong – that lead to where he went. It humanises him, and even though you are on the edge of your seat hoping the team will stop him in time, he is a poignant, human character, and I enjoyed seeing how he got to the point where he is now the threat they are hunting down. While Tony is being established as a character, we also get to see more of Alex and the team and see them continue to develop both as individuals and as a team, and I hope that we will get to see more of them.
This was another gritty, fast-paced read from this author, who managed to balance the action and violence with the more human moments between the team, and who created a vivid, believable storyline that you can’t stop reading because you need to find out what happened. Mitcham has taken all the good points from the first book and made them even better in a thriller that will have your heart racing from start to finish.
Where is Tony Blunt? Picks up just after the events of The Watch List which is another argument for reading the first book first, but from there it stands on its own two feet, as this time it is dealing with a single target rather than a group. The titular character Tony Blunt is an ex-soldier who has been radicalised, and who is intent on wreaking havoc. As with the previous book, this is something that we see in the media, and it once again gives Mitcham’s book that clever realism that appears to be a particular strength of his writing, especially when paired with the knowledge that comes from his own background as well as research. This a world that most of us don’t get to experience, but is on the periphery of our awareness whether from the news or media in general and here it is brought to life in vivid, accessible detail.
Another element that adds to the impact of this one is that Tony Blunt is well explored, and while he is very much a damnable character, Mitcham leads us through the events – in his career and personal life, in his search for a place to belong – that lead to where he went. It humanises him, and even though you are on the edge of your seat hoping the team will stop him in time, he is a poignant, human character, and I enjoyed seeing how he got to the point where he is now the threat they are hunting down. While Tony is being established as a character, we also get to see more of Alex and the team and see them continue to develop both as individuals and as a team, and I hope that we will get to see more of them.
This was another gritty, fast-paced read from this author, who managed to balance the action and violence with the more human moments between the team, and who created a vivid, believable storyline that you can’t stop reading because you need to find out what happened. Mitcham has taken all the good points from the first book and made them even better in a thriller that will have your heart racing from start to finish.