Ultimatum

Simon Kernick is without a doubt becoming one of my favourite authors. 'Ultimatum' is his latest book and the fourth one I've read of his. I've enjoyed all previous reads, so I was bound to rave about how great this one was, and it really was.

Set just over a year after the siege at the Stanhope Hotel which is the central storyline of 'Siege', 'Ultimatum' starts with a terrorist attack at a coffee shop. A man is given a rucksack containing a bomb and instructed to go to this specific coffee shop for a specific time. The bomb detonating is the beginning of a chain of complicated events.

As with all Kernick's novels, each chapter is told from a different viewpoint. We're back with police officers Tina Boyd and Mike Bolt, the mysterious Richard Burnham-Jones (the only chapters told from a first person perspective), and terrorist Fox (yes, I squealed a little when his character was introduced once more).

'Ultimatum' is told within the space of one day. A fact I temporarily forgot about halfway through. There's so much that happens in such a short space of time, you wonder how it can all happen in less than twenty four hours. The first bomb attack happens in the first chapter, followed by Tina and Mike chasing after various suspects on more than one occasion, plenty of gun fights, dodgy deals, undercover operations and near death experiences. The suspense is racked up even higher. Kernick has created a very well mapped out story, with loads of unexpected twists. That's the beauty of his novels, you never truly know how it's all going to end.

'Ultimatum' ends, I wouldn't say 'happily', but it's hopeful for Tina and Mike. There is of course a lead that could mean the story continues at some point, but it isn't left open like a gaping hole. I would like to see something continue on from this story. I think there's a lot of potential to create even more destruction in a different way.

I started reading Kernick's novels with 'Siege' at the beginning of the year. That is still probably my favourite so far. His novels make you think, and keep your attention. Reading these books has even made me want to start writing stories again myself, something I've not done for ages now.

If by any chance you are following my blog, Google Friend Connect will be a thing of the past as of tomorrow, so I've skipped over to Bloglovin.