Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Swallow brings a fresh energy to this latest book in his series about ex-Spy Marc Dane. Maybe that energy comes from the way this book feels almost like it was designed to be a jumping on point for new readers. There's lots of backstory to get you up to speed and lots of action to propel you to the end. Swallow still isn't at the top of the game, but it is once again starting to feel like he might get there.

Thank you to @Netgalley for giving my the ARC for my honest review.

Former MI6 field officer Marc Dane, now working in a secretive black ops team for the Rubicon corporation has made many enemies while fighting to protect people from global terrorism. Now with his sniper partner Lucy, he must defeat an international threat, to save Rubicon and millions of people.
This is book 5 in the Marc Dane series, and while its a riveting read as a standalone, you will miss out on the character development and context from the previous books.
I enjoyed Rogue immensely, although some of the situations would even be questionable in a James Bond movie. That aside its a good bit of escapism and I'm happy to recommend Rogue, although with the caveat that you should read it's predecessors first. I have given Rogue four stars.

"Rogue" is the 5th outing for Marc Dane and the Special Conditions Division and so much action and story has been packed into the first 4 novels that it's given rise to my only negative. There's a little too much "Previously on 'Rubicon'...." in the first 100 pages or so.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, read this book. Read the 4 that come before. Then read them again. Loathe as I am to use such a cliché as "a roller coaster ride of a book", I literally yelled "OH, NO!" at the end of one chapter and "HELL, YEAH!" at the end of the next. So, yeah.....rollercoaster.

Book 6 can't come soon enough. Now, go, stop reading this and get hold of a copy of "Rogue".

"A narrow and wolfish face hid searching eyes behind dark aviator sunglasses, and his deliberately shabby beard matched unkempt dirty-blond hair that badly needed a trim." cue the theme song from Bonanza because his back!! Dane; Marc Dane.

Absolutely brilliant as usual with action that takes you from Europe to Africa in such a fast pace you feel exhausted when you put the book down.

In this book, Rubicon and Solomon face their biggest threat yet in a very well organised and executed onslaught by their biggest enemy the Combine. Will this see the end of both of them or will Marc Dane be able to save the day? Sometimes even the best is not good enough and we sadly have to say goodbye to a few trusty characters.

"Alea iacta est - the die has been cast"

This is definitely one of my favourite action series with a lead character one can only describe as a Jason Bourne on speed!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bonnier Books UK and Zaffre for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

James Swallow’s excellent Marc Dane series continues to excite and entertain with its fifth instalment, Rogue, which sees the tenacious ex-MI6 operative caught up in a plot which threatens the survival of the Rubicon Group and its founder, Solomon Ekko. When a figure from his past emerges from the shadows to cause havoc, Dane and partner Lucy Keyes set out to uncover who it is and where they came from, stirring up old secrets along the way. As the mystery unravels it reveals attacks on Rubicon from within and without, uncovering yet more secrets and bearing the unmistakable hallmarks of the Combine.

In keeping with the series so far this feels remarkably timely, Swallow consistently managing to hang these stories on themes which feel relevant and contemporary. This time he tackles questions of subjective truth in a world in which “the days of reasoned doubt and rational challenge were long gone”, and where those in power have the ability to control the dialogue on a global scale. It makes for another intriguing backdrop, demonstrating once again how Dane and Keyes thrive when their backs are to the wall – and that really is the case this time, as it proves to be perhaps the darkest of the series to date. All told it’s another tremendously enjoyable story, one that will please fans of the series and whet their appetite for yet more to come.

Marc Dane and Rubicon return in Rogue which is the latest action packed thriller of a book from James Swallow

As usual Dane and colleagues find themselves facing challenge after challenge as the action comes thick and fast with the pages turning ever more frequently as the story moves towards the end.

The author clearly knows how to research and write a thriller and Rogue is definitely recommended

This series continues to get better with each release! Rogue gets off to a cracking start pulling you in to a path that has you racing to find out what happens next. This time Marc Dane and the Rubicon team find the walls closing in on them as an old enemy attempts to disrupt their very existence and we start to find out more about the origins of Ekko Solomon.
The settings that this book traverses through are rich with detail as well as the pace & action itself. Set pieces worthy of the best action thriller movies and a mystery unfolding that has you hooked.
The final few chapters were a joy to read and where the story is being taken now has me more invested than ever. Makes me want to reread the previous releases in the series so I am ready for when book 6 is released.
The host of new characters introduced as well as some old ones continues to delight and the technical detail is still on point from an author who knows his audience well!

Rogue is the 5th book in the Marc Dane action thriller series. Marc and his boss, Ekko Solomon have many enemies and in this book these enemies hatch a plan go catch up with him and Ekko’s company Rubicon.
Marc and his colleague, ex special forces agent, Lucy must use all their skills to escape the clutches of the Combine and keep themselves safe.
The story is action packed and moves across the world at break neck speed. Ghosts of previous operations appear and the Rubicon operatives are not sure whom to trust as the plot progresses.
By the time I got to the last page I realised that the story was not going to finish with this book and another one would be on the way to continue the story. It’s a pity I will have to wait a while to find out what’s next for Marc and his friends.
This was an enjoyable distracting read which held my attention from the beginning. Marc is a compelling character, both a techie and an action hero which makes him more interesting. In Rogue the reader learns more about Ekko Solomon’s early life and important events which shaped his outlook as well as how he set up Rubicon. He also takes part in a lot of the action and shows himself to be more than a hands off boss who merely controls events from afar. He really is in the thick of it in this novel.
To enjoy this fully I suggest you read the previous books in the series as they set the scene for the action in Rogue.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review

Loved this from start to finish, James Swallow has written an incredible follow up to Shadow.
For me, this is the best book in the series, loved it!
Looking forward to reading the next installment of Mark Dane's adventures.