Alex Lukeman

Mr Lukeman brings various strands from previous novels in the series together in this one. AEON, definitely not quite dead and buried as we thought, still trying to wreak havoc and destroy the world in a final act of vengeance; Valentina, Serena's Russian half sister, being deployed to the same places for more or less the same reasons as The Project Team, and Lamont sticking with Nick and Co following his attempt at retirement.
The Deception in the title is very apt, as the use of misinformation leads towards global misunderstandings. A very fast paced and readable novel with lots of twists and international action. Quite a few twists and turns are involved, as is a very tense finish.
Whatever will he come up with next for his intrepid group?… (more)

Whilst this episode in the annals of The Project does not follow as a result of the previous book, there are elements carrying over. One of the team has left primarily for fitness reasons, although age also has a little to do with it. So a new member has to be inducted into the group, one Diego Rodriguez, who, after initial problems, including trying to take on Selina in hand to hand combat, appears to fit in pretty well.
The Project becomes involved with following up an explosion destroying a train in France, a rogue former MI6 agent, and a Lebanese businessman intent on finding what he believes to be the mystical ring of King Solomon.
Most of the action takes place in the Middle East, but a car crash in Washington, almost killing two people important to The Project, gives the team an additional incentive to track down hidden treasure as well as the power hungry businessman.
There is action a plenty, an intriguing denouement, and, finally, yet another bomb to spur me on to reading the next episode in the series.… (more)

Alex Lukeman has written another exhilarating episode in this series, but l have to admit to a sense of deja vu because my previous novel, by Scott Mariano, dealt with exactly the same them, even down to it all commencing with a raid on bio labs in North Korea. The second of these, Mr Lukeman's story, however, was successful whereas the Mariano book went down a different route, the only other distinct connection being that they both deal with the black rose, or bubonic plague.
It is a truly frightening scenario that is dealt with here, in that you have a group of people perfectly prepared to unleash a devastating plague on the world to achieve their own goals. The Project team, lead by Nick Carter, speed round the globe - Brazil, France, India and Switzerland to name only a few destinations. The fact that they reach these places with such ease and in such short times, with the appropriate equipment being available to them, should not detract from the story - just lay back and enjoy it.
We do learn more about some of the characters, particularly Nick and Selena, with there being quite a shock for Selina revealed through files that are acquired. Ronnie and Lamont play their parts, but as Elizabeth Harker, their project manager, thinks towards the end of the book, they are all getting older. Perhaps there may be a change of personnel in the future!… (more)