Two thermonuclear warheads are hijacked in the Persian Gulf leading to an urgent and highly secret investigation by the Covert Operations And Surveillance Team. However, members of this super-secret unit start being murdered by unknown assailants. What will it take for Ian McKinley and his colleagues Carter and Brook to outwit the mysterious adversary that always seems to be one step ahead, retrieve the nukes and prevent a crisis of apocalyptic proportions?
In Paris, special ops agent Ian McKinley carries out a most unusual 'retirement' operation, aiming to stem the flow of ultra high-tech rifles to terrorist groups. But when he returns to the Covert Operations And Surveillance Team base he learns that a navy supply vessel has foundered in the Persian Gulf with the loss of all hands, and is despatched with his team-mates to secure the thermonuclear warheads that the ship was carrying. At the same time, however, members of his super-secret organization are being murdered by unknown assailants. Are these incidents somehow connected and, as the stakes rise, can McKinley and his colleagues Carter and Brook retrieve the bombs before a city gets vaporized?
As McKinley and his team hunt down clues to the hijacked nukes they travel to the Middle East, Russia and Canada, desperately trying to outwit a mysterious opponent that always seems to be one step ahead. They face intrigue and terrifying danger as they dash from one explosive situation to another in their search for the warheads, leading to a climactic confrontation which could trigger a nuclear conflict.
With the sinister menace of classic spy novels and the riveting action of a modern war story, COAST: An Act Of Burial immerses the reader in a thrilling roller-coaster ride of action, danger, intrigue and espionage across the globe as the team race to prevent a crisis of apocalyptic proportions.
"This is an action-packed international espionage thriller ... a fabulous war against terrorism tale!"
"In your face, explosive ... The vivid cover image pretty much says it all. Grab your copy and hang on!"
"James Bond move over! ... Readers who enjoy military suspense, gutsy heroes and action-packed adventures should buy this book."
"This is a wonderful read and a great gift to anyone that’s interested in crime novels."
Available both as an e-book and in print (listed separately).
Professional Reviews
Action-Packed Antiterrorism Thriller.
Tactical Deployment and Response Team (TDR.12) chief special ops agent Ian McKinley assassinates a weapons dealer who sold high-tech armament to terrorists. He returns to his base under the streets of Nottingham where his superior officer General Sutton assigns TDR.12 to get to the Fort William navy supply ship that has foundered in the Persian Gulf because the vessel contains four trident nuclear warheads that they must possess. McKinley and his teammates Carter and Brook arrive quickly, but are attacked and two nukes are gone.
At the same time, members of the TDR units are being murdered. When TDR.7 is wiped out, TDR.12 takes over their mission traveling to Russia to meet arms dealer Vladimir Kholitczyn to learn what he knows about the two nukes. They survive an assault as the Russian informs them to look back home. Sutton realizes a traitor is betraying COAST from within; so he sets up a scheme to find the operative who has betrayed his brothers in arms and his country.
This is an action-packed international espionage thriller starring a team of agents trying to prevent the use of the stolen bombs and to uncover the diabolical killing traitor. The entertaining plot can turn wordy when Richards goes deep into the thought processes of TDR.12 during the planning, execution, and after action debriefing of an operation. I found this insight fascinating but the action to the nth degree fan might not. With a great twist adding to the fun, 'COAST: An Act Of Burial' is a fabulous war against terrorism tale though Ian and company can use some R&R!
— Harriet Klausner.
Superb Espionage Tale.
Xander Richards captures beautifully in his novel 'COAST An Act of Burial' the fight between survival and protecting one’s tribe. The characters experience and deal with all situations in a real manner, keeping the suspension of disbelief rarely tested. With vivid description and well paced action, 'An Act of Burial' sustains the reader’s attention like Pavlov’s dogs to the ringing of a bell. Not only is the conflict strong, but there is a wonderful blend-in of humor to lighten the mood of the story. Richards creates a remarkable balance between dark and light, and the threat of nuclear catastrophe, in this superb espionage tale.
— Mary Stoery.
Vividly Described.
When I was asked to produce the cover art for this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. I can't really say I'm a fan of the genre in general, and certainly not an authority on such things. But I have indeed read every one of Cussler's Dirk Pitt series, and I think Richards' book compares favorably to them. It's exciting, funny, knowledgeable of its subject, and packed full of quirky "Britishisms" that really made the old formula seem fresh. Most importantly for me (the cover artist who must find a way to convey in a single image some of the substance of the whole story) was the vivid descriptions of the many exotic locations. I found surprisingly complete, almost cinematic, pictures forming in my mind as the dynamic action unfolded. It's easy for a narrative to lose its way when many crazy things are happening, but Richards keeps you well anchored with an unusually strong sense of place - rather like he is recalling events that actually happened (and he did slyly raise an eyebrow at me when I jokingly suggested as much to him in one of our design meetings). Can't wait for the sequel!
The fifth and final book of the Jade Owl Legacy sees a full battle for life as we know it. The world is threatened by the denizens of the Jade Village leading the China Hans through a fantastical world and to a conclusive battle.
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