Member Review

Close to three decades after he began as a beat constable, William Warwick is now a Commander of the Metropolitan Police and is in charge of security for the London Olympics. Right from the day the city won the prestigious opportunity, a couple of hostile nations have joined hands to do whatever it takes – death and destruction no bar – to ensure that the games will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Competent though they are, William and his team are now facing hardened assassins – well-versed in international espionage and given carte blanche by their masters. Added to the list of adversaries is Miles Faulkner, forever ready to exploit a chance at destroying William’s reputation. What follows is a relentless battle between the overstretched police squad and the miscreants who serve up troubles ranging from trivial disruptions to lethal attacks, each of which must be diffused and buried from the ever-watchful media. While William and his associates must thwart every strike of the enemies, the opposition needs only one hit to bring England down in the world arena.

With End Game, Jeffrey Archer brings the eight-book Warwick series to a close – and does so with characteristic flair. The major figures are already familiar to long time readers, but Archer keeps them fresh, weaving the Warwick children’s – the twins all grown up and following their own paths – involvement into the tale. Ross Hogan, William’s friend and former partner, but now a demoted sergeant after a past misstep, spices up the story with his unorthodox methods and resourcefulness. Archer’s trademark narrative style is intact: simple, flowing prose, sharp pacing, and never a dull moment, enhanced by authentic insider information. The action, violence, and twists are more intense this time, giving the novel a livelier edge. At times, the plot feels a bit simplistic and dated, but Archer’s storytelling remains entertaining, like a comforter on a mild winter dawn. I liked End Game better than the three previous volumes I have read in this series and am looking forward to Archer’s final hurrah, Adam & Eve, slated to release later this year, which will conclude the master storyteller’s career of half a century!

I am grateful to HarperCollins UK for the digital review copy of End Game through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.