I have read a number of so-called ‘political thrillers’ recently, which weren’t very thrilling (despite the gushing praise from a host of celebrity authors trying to top up their pension pots) and were generally poorly written. It’s therefore particular pleasing to finally find one which bucks the trend.

David Klass’s first novel for adults is fast-paced, extremely well written and genuinely exciting with a plot that is just about believable. This eco-thriller revolves around the central question as to whether terrorism, particularly when it involves violence and loss of innocent lives, can ever be justified if the cause is as powerful and urgent as the one presented here.

The plot is fairly straightforward and simply involves the hunt by the FBI for an eco-terrorist known as The Green Man who has been destroying targets across the USA. Brennan, the street-weary leader of the FBI team recruits a young computer nerd, Tom Smith who subsequently plays a key role and in essence, the plot develops from his perspective and that of The Green Man.

The central characters are very well-developed and I think there are two other reasons why this novel works so well. First, there are very few irritating sub-plots which enables the reader to focus solely on the exciting cat and mouse chase. Secondly, the author makes no attempt to preach, a fault which lets down many novels in this genre. Whilst the arguments for and against the use of violence are laid out in detail, they never seemed to get in the way of a great story. I felt that I was being allowed to make up my own mind rather than have a particular viewpoint rammed down my throat.

If I had one minor criticism, I felt that Tom Smith seemed to be a little bit too good to be true. The range of subjects in which he appeared to be a leading expert, got longer and longer as the novel progressed. However, that’s a minor blemish. I very rarely give a book 5 stars but I really enjoyed this exciting and original book, so I think it just about deserves it.

As always, my thanks go to Netgalley and the publishers, Penguin UK – Michael Joseph, for and ARC in return for an honest and objective review

This was a fast-paced thriller with the cat-and-mouse aspect that draws you in so quickly. More importantly though, was how thought-provoking it was. Environmental issues are paramount right now, and the idea of eco-terrorism is not straightforward.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. This book had me hooked from the first chapter. Multiple pov, which i thought was great. Its better having a few peoples stories. Great storyline and characters. Definately a 5 star read. This book was so hard to put down but i didnt want it to end either. Well done on a great book.

A serial bomber and self styles "eco-terriost" are hitting targets across America -- and a conflicted young FBI agent maybe the only person possessing the unique skills needed to catch him. A massive FBI manhunt is underway for an elusive and terrifying adept serial bomber. He's just stuck his sixth target, Idhao's Boon Dam, killing a dozen innocent people. The press have dubbed him "Green Man" and he insists that these drastic acts of violence are necessary.

Tom Smith is a rookie FBI agent who's following in his father's footsteps. He might just have the expertise to put a stop to the Green Man. The Green Man is an environmental terrorist who has caused billions of dollars worth of damage. Tom actually admires the Green Man as he is also concerned about the environment. This is a fast paced read where the tension builds from the beginning. The story is told Tom and the Green Man's perspectives.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and the author David Klass for my ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Out of Time is a great political thriller. It follows the activities of the ‘Green Man’, an eco warrior or terrorist, depending on ones point of view, who is bringing the issues of what is happening to the environment to the forefront of the world’s attention by destroying targets that seriously threaten the environment. He is the FBI’s most wanted man and, with an election looming, they are authorised to do whatever it takes to catch the Green Man.
I really enjoyed that the story has two main narrators, Tom, a young computer genius working for the FBI, and The Green Man. It was an excellent idea to have the two different viewpoints and this worked so very well.
Will The Green Man be able to outsmart the FBI or will he be identified and captured by them? Will the FBI be able to work out the identity of The Green Man before he targets any more sites and kills any more incidental victims? Can unlawful acts, such as those of The Green Man, ever be justified when acting for the greater good?
As well as being a brilliant book, I could definitely see Out of Time working as a film or a tv series in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book quickly and it kept my interest,, both Tom and The Green Man were good characters and both told the story from their perspective, environmental issues were until recently the hot topic of course, not quite so hot a topic at the moment but still relevant
It is well written,fast moving and I enjoyed it

I read this book in a day, I loved how it was told from the perspective of Greenman the eco terrorist who the FBI are desperately trying to hunt down, he only targets places that is harming the environment so he has thousands of followers and support.
Tom is new to the FBI team a computer programmer who appears to understand Green man and is able to devise ways of tracking him down, however he believes in what he is doing too!! Greenman has one more big event to pull off before he disappears for good. Will Tom be able to get to him in time and does he want to!!!

Green man is an eco-terrorist who destroys installations that he feels damage the environment even if some innocent people die. His aim to to highlight global warming and the destruction of the planet. Tom Smith is a low grade FBI computer analyst who gets the attention of the head of the FBI for his radical thinking outside the box. It's a cat and mouse story written from both perspectives.

Both the main characters are somewhat implausible but it's a great read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.