As with most things in books, there are people who are sniffy about writers originating from ranks of the military. There is a snobbery around books which are designed to sell and to entertain people and this is doubled down upon if the writers have done something in a previous incarnation.

Chris Ryan, of course, had quite the life before he turned to writing thrillers. Any man who holds a Military Medal and can walk from Iraq to Syria whilst under fire deserves some form of attention.

It is this background, as part of the fabled Bravo Two Zero platoon which gives Ryan the authority to write the novels which he does. His experience in the ranks of the SAS which lend all of his thrillers the verisimilitude which so many other writers of “men of action” tales lack.

Here, however, protagonist Jamie ‘Geordie’ Carter finds himself caught up in a plot which might have come straight from the pen of Joseph Conrad – disgraced hero left to search for an outcast SA legend-gone-rogue.

That might, of course, be true only if Conrad had ever written a sentence like “the stiff afternoon breeze scraping through his dark hair, and wished to fuck he was somewhere else.” But, to be fair, this would have livened up the snoozeathon which is ‘Heart of Darkness’ no end.

There’s a healthy disrespect for authority and politician both officially and those in the rank and file which adds a layer of sympathy to the poor put upon hero.

Ryan has a control of the punchy sentence. Tension is built, backstory filled in. The point of these novels is to vicariously experience the snapping of bone and the crunch of boots on gravel and for all to be right with the world in the end.

Who doesn’t love a good thriller with interesting characters?
SAS Officer Jamie ‘Geordie’ Carter is not very much appreciated by his bosses; but they give him a second chance to search for his old mentor. Will he be able to control his temper and do his job as best as possible? Or will the new mission be a failure? Also, you can imagine that the new “job” will not be an easy task but full of twists and surprises. Ready?
I love from time to time to read a book packed with action and no time to think, just asking by impulses! But I have to say that there’s a little bit of mystery too in the story; what happened to the mysterious Vann and why the governments seem to be involved with it…
I have to say that Geordie was quite a surprise, even if he loves to unfollow orders, he has principles and is ready to find the truth even if not everyone is ready for it.
If you are looking for a great book to disconnect from your routine and have your heart beating at a high rate, you have to read “Outcast”, you’ll love it. Ready?

Chris Ryan at his very best, I absolutely loved this book. An absolute page turner, I couldn’t put the book down once I had started. Even now, when I think back on the book my pulse quickens, the excitement builds and the adrenaline pumps. Ryan has a way of keeping emotions running high through the entire book; when there is a twist in the plot, and there are many, the narrative maintains pace and builds to the next leaving the reader thinking in equal measure ‘what happened there’ and ‘what happens next’!!

The book centres around ‘Geordie’ Carter, who bounces from bad situation to bad situation, attracting danger at every turn. Denounced from ‘The Regiment’ because of a couple of ‘poor’ decisions, he is selected for a Search and Find mission that takes him in to Afghanistan and Tajikistan. What should have been a straight forward mission quickly becomes more complex as he chases his Mark through a surprising turn of events.

I have enjoyed Ryan’s novels since first reading ‘The One That Got Away’ and his book continue to put a big smile on my face, if you like his books then you’ll love this one. If you haven’t read one of his books before (where have you been) but enjoy the genre of modern military fiction, then this is for you!

This is Chris Ryan's brand new action thriller and about the fourth book I have read of his. I immediately replied to the invitation to join this tour. I absolutely adore this author's books. I always wonder if the author can keep up the standard of their previous book, but with Chris Ryan I don't even think about it. I just opened it and plunged into Outcast.

As always the action begins immediately and I was there, all my attention given to this book. I didn't look up for hours. This book introduces us to Jamie 'Geordie' Carter, a warrant officer who simply doesn't have the right face to fit in with the superiors. He gets stationed in Chile, despite being a decorated officer. After an incident Carter fully expects his elite force career to be over. Instead he is sent to Afghanistan to find Dave Vann, a former member of his squad and Carter's mentor.

Chris Ryan's writing always has my adrenaline rising. He doesn't mess about with his descriptions of the violent amd corrupt world we live in. It's fast- paced and, at times I found I really was holding my breath. Carter is a man who excels at adapting to any situation he finds himself in. He is loyal and sometimes his actions don't end well. He is very principled and won't mess about, no matter what the consequence. He was a living breathing man in my mind. I like this man and the way his mind works when under extreme pressure left me thinking.

As always Chris Ryan's first hand experiences shine through. He has made this story a very current one by including the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. I felt like this could even be a real situation that had been embellished for creative purposes. That's how invested I was in this book!

A very authentic action thriller that keeps you glued to the pages as the action never lets up. The technical things were also explained perfectly, such as the thermobaric bombs etc. I had no problems and the flow of the story was never interrupted.

In conclusion this is a thrilling, adrenaline fuelled ride for anyone who fancies hopping into the world of Chris Ryan's imagination.

SAS Warrant Officer Jamie Carter is not in favour so has been parked in a dull job training troops in Chile . His temper gets the best of him and he looks to be in big trouble but luckily (?) for him an ex- teammate has gone cold in Afghanistan and Carter might be the only one who can get him out.
The book blurb gives away spoilers that it shouldn’t, but suffice to say Carter finds the situation vastly different to expectations and himself in very great danger.
Carter isn’t given much personality, obviously not great with falling into line but also a focused killer you would want on your side! The book is topical, Afghanistan is post the American withdrawal and still in a state of flux in terms of leadership and direction. The author does use the book to expand on the new reality of war and aggression and the role of Special Forces in the new environment.
I enjoyed the book, even if the reader ends up being a few mental steps forward of Carter. A very abrupt ending though, almost as if the author thought “that’ll do” and just stopped! Definitely needed a chapter or two more.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Outcast follows the journey of Officer Jamie ‘Geordie’ Carter. Carter is a likeable fellow, but he’s ruffled some feathers along the way and has found himself out of favour with his superiors.

On his current assignment it looks like he’s about to make things worse but just when things are about to get interesting an offer comes his way that he can’t resist.

A fellow Blade, his mentor, David Vann has gone missing while on assignment, information is lacking so Carter is sent in the extract Vann.

As soon as Carter picks up the trail he gets a sense something isn’t quite right but little does he know what kind of shitstorm he’s about to walk into.

There’s action and betrayal behind every chapter and it ends up a race against time for Carter as there’s much more at stake than we first thought.

This is my first time reading a Chris Ryan book and I’ve heard many a good thing said about his work. Flow wise the book didn’t disappoint, it’s all about the build-up but with plenty of action and adrenaline as Carter constantly reassess the situation as the plot takes a twist. Character wise it didn’t disappoint either, the plot leaves little chance to give the characters too much depth but perfectly matches the flow as the author packs details in that quickly help you assess the characters and their motivations.

There’s a real authentic edge to the tale, the setting within Afghanistan after the withdrawal of western troops which gave the perfect backdrop for this story.

Outcast is a fast-paced thriller that fans of the genre will love. There’s a twist at the end which I hope means we will see more of Carter.. I’ll be waiting 😊

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this eARC.

It’s been quite a while since I’ve read a book by Chris Ryan and the blurb on his latest book appealed to me.

I certainly found this to be a compelling and thrilling read. Jamie ‘Geordie’ Carter is sent from his post in Chile to search for, locate and return a man he knows and used to work alongside. The book takes place after America withdrew from Afghanistan, leaving the country in chaos and the Taliban in control. I thought this was a very well written, realistic and believable read. It had a very believable plot line, plenty of action and twists to keep me entertained. The main character is likeable, with a good history. The story flowed really well, and was very descriptive and I could picture the wildness of Afghanistan through the authors writing in my mind. Once or twice though I felt the book was a little too descriptive, it felt a bit too long and I found myself skimming a few pages. As a reader I was drawn into the story from the beginning and the author grabbed my attention from the beginning. The book raced to a dramatic climax and race against time final conclusion with lots of oh my god moments. I’m not sure if this is the start of a new series or a standalone and I’d definitely read another book featuring Geordie Carter. If you like a book that is fast paced, action packed with thrills galore then this could be for you and I’d recommend it.

A very timely book set just after the recent events of the chaotic withdrawal by the US from Afghanistan. This is my first book by Chris Ryan as this is probably not a genre I would normally read. Well let me tell you I have been missing out, what a brilliant and thrilling read. Plenty of twists and turns, full of action and good guys versus bad guys. Are the good guys really the bad guys? and vice versa. A great plot with a great setting.

Carter is a great protagonist, he does have many sides which, for me made him more believable. He is not just an all out killer on a mission so nothing else matters. He has a back story that helps us see into Carter’s mindset. He has muscles everywhere and then a few more. I actually found myself being quite drawn to Carter and everything he deals with. His discipline is strong, from his SAS training. I have no idea if the military descriptions are accurate but knowing Chris Ryan’s background I am certain it is all spot on. This lends a level of authenticity that brings the story alive. If there was ever a book that really is true edge of your seat, page turning stuff, then this is it! If like me you would normally not pick up a book of this genre then I urge you to give Outcast a try. It is superb, written so well that you can not help but to be drawn right into all the action packed goings on. I really loved it! I’ll be reading more Chris Ryan from now on.

I don’t often pick up military thrillers, but when I do, I enjoy them. Outcast more than exceeds my expectations as we follow one man’s trek through Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

Warrant officer Jamie “Geordie” Carter is a square peg that doesn’t fit in. Therefore, despite being a decorated soldier, his superiors sent him to Chile. When an incident occurs, he expects to be expelled from the elite force, ending his career. However, he’s sent back to Afghanistan to locate a former member and his mentor, Dave Vann. Only, his mission quickly turns into something more sinister than a search and rescue mission to find his old friend.

Carter is a complex character; loyal, principled, and someone who stays true to himself, even if the outcome doesn’t reflect the sentiment behind his actions. He’s a lone wolf by nature but a chameleon too, adapting to whatever situation he lands in. It’s why he has a reputation for being the best, a point not widely acknowledged by his superiors. His thought process during life and death situations is gut-wrenchingly thought-provoking… and sobering.

This is my first Chris Ryan novel and his writing packs a punch. The narrative is fast-paced, creating an adrenaline-fuelled view into the dangerous and corrupt world we live in. The politics are on-point for those who follow what is currently happening beyond our borders, as each scenario the hero encounters is depressingly believable. This is well-written fiction with a realistic story, enhanced by the author’s own experiences; therefore, the details and backdrop are delivered with alarming insight.

The epilogue reveals a final, unexpected twist, leaving the reader to wonder if this is only the beginning for “Geordie”?… I sincerely hope there is more.

***arc generously received courtesy of publisher Zaffre Books via NetGalley ***

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book. This was an excellent read. Fast paced and action packed.
Thoroughly recommended

This is action packed and absolutely brilliant. It’s my first Chris Ryan book and I know he is a popular author but I just never got round to reading him so this is an absolutely exciting find. I found the books fast and so much fun I had to take a morning off work to sleep as I’d been up all night reading the book!

This is the first time I have read a book by this author, and it was a very addictive read. This is a book that is full of action from the first page right through to the last. I have seen there are several books by this author and after reading this latest one I really need to go and read more.

The story focuses on SAS Warrant Officer Jamie Carter, (Geordie) he has not got many friends in the ranks or in power. He is considered a bit of a liability after his last mission. His current mission is cut short at a very timely moment and he asked to go and discover the whereabouts of his old trainer Vann. He is out of contact, no one knows where or why but they do have the last location.

I really liked Geordie, while he is a maverick as such he also seems quite principled. In some respects his principles are part of his training. His training is what keeps him alive and as Vann was the one that trained him they are very similar and this is something that Geordie can use to his advantage, as they do share a similar mindset and this will prove inevitable in trying to work out what has happened.

This is an action-packed story from start to finish. The author obviously knows his stuff and this is very apparent from the details he includes. I liked the balance of the details, enough to make a point but not over the top.

When Government organisations are involved then there is often some sort of double cross or political power play involved. This mission though is being run via two government agencies and both are adamant that he is covered, that things are good and that he has everything he needs. I do like it when agencies get involved!

Geordie is a great character, he has a dogged determination and also there is a certain amount to him that makes him trustworthy. Little things that he does along his journey make you realise that he is not all muscle and firepower.

The action is fast throughout the story, there are skirmishes, fights, and chases, but underneath all this, the author keeps the story about Geordie and his mission but with a more personal touch and I was able to learn more about this character. This is a relatively quick read at just a little over 300 pages and there are a lot of details.

This is one for those who like to read more of an action-adventure story as well as a crime thriller and mystery. It is one I would definitely recommend.

SAS Warrant Officer Jamie (Geordie) Carter is courageous, intelligent, and a recent hero, but he still trains soldiers in Chile, despite his skills. A lone wolf's strengths in dark combat make him a threat to the hierarchy, and he has made powerful enemies. With his career on a downward trajectory, he loses his cool, and the end of his SAS career seems inevitable. A deniable operation in Afghanistan finding a lost operative seems his only option. He finds himself in Afghanistan and Tajikistan after the withdrawal of western forces, looking for the man who changed his life.

Atmospheric and full of action, this military thriller is addictive reading with its integral authenticity and contemporary setting and themes. Geordie is believably flawed but likeable. His military skills are unrivalled but tempered with a humanity that makes him relatable. The twists are good—the sense of danger and not knowing who is trustworthy increases the suspense.

I like the characterisation, authentic plot and the real-time focus of the story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Although this is the first book that I have read by Chris Ryan, I’ve always been a fan of military thrillers, so I’m really not sure how I’ve gone this long without reading one of his novels. I have to say, it may be my first but it definitely won’t be my last!

From the very first page of this action-packed thriller, it is a massive adrenalin ride of a story, centred around Jamie ‘Geordie’ Carter. He’s such a strong, straightforward character who is very easy to like. It’s clear that he has a tendency to rub people the wrong way, but inevitably those people are not necessarily people that he could respect. He has a strong moral code, and is determined to do the right thing, unless he is pushed to breaking point.

I found the pace of this novel exhilarating as Geordie travelled through Afghanistan and Tajikistan in search of his former SAS training instructor and mentor David Vann. There was even a moment where I held my breath along with Geordie! The setting of this novel felt very current, as there were references to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Russian invasion into Ukraine, and although I was aware of thermobaric bombs from the coverage of the war in Ukraine, I liked the fact that when they were used in Outcast, they were explained in simple explanatory terms for those readers who have no prior knowledge of them.

The ending to the story felt a little unexpected, and having enjoyed both the story and the character of Geordie so much, I really hope that there is a sequel. Nonetheless, I will be checking out more of Chris Ryan’s novels as soon as possible!

If you’re looking for an adrenalin rush of a thriller, and a page-turner, then this is the book for you!

Fasten your seat belts, we’re about to go on one helluva ride!

What do you want from a thriller? Plenty of action scenes? Good guys who just might be bad guys? Bad guys who are really bad? More action scenes? A race against time pursuit? A scenario where all the odds are against the hero making it out alive? A protagonist who’s seemingly invincible? A main character with an interesting back story? Well, in that case, Outcast is the book for you!

The up-to-the minute plot set in the aftermath of the US’s sudden and disorganised withdrawal from Afghanistan makes it feel incredibly timely and relevant. It’s a situation where an official Western military presence has been replaced by embedded Special Forces agents whose actions are deniable if things go wrong. And they do. Enter Carter…

I loved that the author doesn’t make Carter a mere killing machine. He’s a man who never knew his father, grew up in a council flat with his mother and a stepfather who was a violent drunk. Carter could have gone off the rails – indeed he did for a time- but joining the army and, eventually, the SAS saved him. It gave him a purpose and instilled discipline in him. In a way, the SAS Regiment has become his pseudo family, although he’s still solitary by nature. Of course, Carter is a killer but not one who kills for the sake of it. His SAS training means he’s in peak physical condition. In the words of a girlfriend (actually an ex-girlfriend, silly girl) he possesses ‘muscles that looked as if they had been sculpted from a block of marble’. (Is it me, or is it hot in here?) His physical fitness is certainly tested in the course of the book which includes perilous border crossings and mad dashes along mountain paths in pursuit of an enemy who becomes more deadly by the minute.

As I’m not a member of the SAS (although, if I was, obviously I couldn’t tell you or, if I did, I’d have to kill you), I can’t judge how accurate the descriptions of weaponry, military hardware and tactics are but they convinced me. Given the author’s military background, you’d expect nothing less.

Outcast is a kick-ass, action-packed thriller that positively oozes authenticity. It’s the epitome of a page-turner and, although it’s very different from my usual diet of historical fiction, I really enjoyed it. I very much hope there will be a future mission for Carter.

This is an action packed, adrenaline fuelled, and fast paced story and, even if it it’s I don’t usually read this genre, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The author knows what he’s talking about and I appreciated the details and the realistic descriptions. It’s an interesting way of learning about places and events we read but we could feel removed from our experience.
Geordie is an interesting and fleshed out characters, he’s faulted but he’s also a man who lives according to his principles.
The author is a good storyteller and this book kept my attention alive and kept me turning pages.
There’s plenty of action and there’s plenty of violence but there’s no gore or gratuitous killing.
I want to read other books by this author as I liked this one.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Zaffre, Rachel’s Random Resources, and Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are mine

Although I hadn’t personally read a Chris Ryan book prior to reading Outcast, my kids have read some of his books for younger readers and are always full of praise for them, and I have to say I agree.

This book is full of action right off the bat, and continues at a brisk pace to the dramatic conclusion, as ‘Geordie’ Carter embarks on a one-man rescue mission across Afghanistan, which is shrouded in secrecy and has no possibility of asking for backup. There is cross and double-cross – as ever when dealing with secret government organisations – but this book has an extra hook as it is bang up-to-date, taking place after Western forces withdrew from Afghanistan

Although I, obviously, enjoyed the action in the books, I also found the little details interesting, those things that clearly come from Chris Ryan’s experience in the SAS. I’m certainly not suggesting that reading this book with make you a survival expert, but there are certain tangental details around things like tracking and water conservation that could give you a boost if you were ever in a situation that needed it.

I worried that this book might be a little blood-thirsty but, while there was a good deal of death and destruction, none of it was gratuitous – it was all perfectly placed within the story to give an impression of Geordie Carter and the situation he was in.

At just over 300 pages, I flew through this book as the fast-pace leaves little time to catch your breath. It was a welcome introduction to Chris Ryan’s work and I’ll definitely be checking out more…

A high octane thriller that makes it a must read for any fans of action stories, with bad guys that are really bad, and good guys making it their purpose to stop them, and bullets aplenty. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.