Liberation Day - Andy McNab

...Ciao, so here goes. Liberation Day by Andy McNab may not be everyone's cup of tea, but he's one of my favouritre authors and writes in my favourite genre, thrillers. If this classes me as a Philistine amongst all you bookies (no not turf accountants) out there, so be it.

THE AUTHOR

Andy McNab joined the army in 1976 as an infantryman and by 1984 had passed all the selection tests to join the SAS. Whilst in the SAS he ...
...Last Light followed and Liberation Day is his fifth novel.

THE STYLE

McNab is not an author who writes his novels having first completed hours and hours of research. With his special forces experience you know that when he describes how something feels or what it's like that he's probably been there, done that, and got the t-shirt. He's laid in that muddy ditch or prickly bush doing hours upon hours of reconaissance, ... more

This is my first attempt at a book review on Ciao, so here goes. Liberation Day by Andy McNab may not be everyone's cup of tea, but he's one of my favouritre authors and writes in my favourite genre, thrillers. If this classes me as a Philistine amongst all you bookies (no not turf accountants) out there, so be it.

THE AUTHOR

Andy McNab joined the army in 1976 as an infantryman and by 1984 had passed all the selection tests to join the SAS. Whilst in the SAS he took part in operations all over the world, many of which were of a highly secretive and dangerous nature. During his military career he was awarded the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal) and MM (Military Medal).

He came to light as an author after he left the Army in 1993. His first book, the bestseller 'Bravo Two Zero' recounted the story of the SAS patrol he was in and its dramatic attempts to evade capture by the Iraqi army pursuing it throughout Western Iraq during the first Gulf War. Ultimately captured and tortured by the Iraqi's, McNab emerged from the conflict with a tale like no other that had been told before.

He followed up Bravo Two Zero with another autobiographical account of army ( and special services in particular) life titled Immediate Action. Published in 1995 this recounts his army life upto the Gulf War in 1991.

After these two works of non-fiction McNab branches into fiction, and his first novel 'Remote Control' became an immediate bestseller. Crisis Four, Firewall and Last Light followed and Liberation Day is his fifth novel.

THE STYLE

McNab is not an author who writes his novels having first completed hours and hours of research. With his special forces experience you know that when he describes how something feels or what it's like that he's probably been there, done that, and got the t-shirt. He's laid in that muddy ditch or prickly bush doing hours upon hours of reconaissance, had bullets whistle past his ear and witnessed death and horrific injury at first hand. This man knows his stuff.

He presents the story from the persprective of the soldier / contract killer / mercenary. Within a matter of pages you feel as if you've become the central character yourself. Being a bit of a part time fantasist myself, I sometimes wish I was the central character in some of his novels.

Although he probably could, McNab doesn't overload you with excessive detail which would detract from the story. Just enough information is his by-word.

A BIT OF BACKGROUND

Developed through his first four books, the central character of Liberation Day is an ex SAS serviceman, Nick Stone. Disillusioned with life in Britain, or the British establishment in particular, he now lives in America with his partner Carrie and her daughter Luz.

The only thing he needs to make his life complete is US citizenship, and in order to obtain this he agrees to be a CIA operative undertaking deniable missions for them. Carrie dislikes this intensely, her hatred fuelled even further by the fact that Nick's CIA contact and taskmaster is her own manipulative father, George. Carrie urges Nick to apply for his US passport through the normal channels, but Nick knows that this is not an option open to him as George would block the application. Nick is desperate for this passport and the promise of a happy life it would bring.

WHAT'S THE BOOK LIKE THEN ?

Stuck in a 'Catch 22' situation, Nick has no option but to carry out 'one last' operation for the George and the CIA.

The job seems simple enough, to go to Algeria and kill a businessman suspected of money laundering . The man's severed head is then to be bought back to the US. Nick doesn't know the importance of this mission and doesn't ask. However he suspects it's related to the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks.

Whilst on the mission, Nick and his team witness the target and another man performing indecent acts with young boys and want to kill both of them. However, they must stick to the mission brief, particularly when they discover thew other man, or 'Greaseball' as they name him is the informant who led them to the target.

Mission accomplished, or so he thinks, Nick returns to the US awaiting his shiny new passport. He returns to a double dose of bad news. Carrie has left him, feeling betrayed that he's worked for the CIA again and the new passport, although bearing his photo, does not have his name on it. George has crossed him, he wants him to work again and this time the stakes are higher.

The Algerian he killed was a money launderer who transfered millions of dollars to the al-Qaeda terror network. Having successfully shut down one part the money laundering operation, it transpires that there are three more networks flourishing in Southern France. With over $3 million of funds awaiting transfer to the families of potential suicide bombers, already in situe and ready to attack 'The West', time is of the essence.

The problem is intensified because the money launderers are part of an ancient network called hawalla, a centuries old means of transferring money throughout the world without leaving a paper trail, as it's based on trust and a handshake. Therefore, intellegence on them is limited.

Nick must assemble his team from the Algerian job and head off to Cannes in the South of France to meet his contact. This contact happens to be 'Greaseball' which straight away adds tension to the job in hand. The plan is further complicated because the three money launderers are not to be killed, but 'lifted' and taken on board an American warship conveniently moored in Cannes harbour.

Nick and the two other members of his team Lotfi and Hubba-Hubba (both Egyptians sympathetic to the West) then undertake days of surveillance of the 3 targets in order to establish their movements. All the time they must liaise with 'Greaseball' and via internet cafe's, with George back in the US, which only heightens the tension. This surveillance is frought with danger and on several occasions the group are nearly compromised.

Once the movements of the targets have been established, plans are made to lift the first of the money launderers.

Without ruining the story what happens next involves car pursuits, fighting, gunshots and death spread through Cannes, Nice and Monaco.

You can just tell that McNab has probably done some of these things himself judging by the realism with which he lays it down on the page.
At points during this book I was almost ducking to avoid the blows and bullets.

As with all good thrillers this one has a twist bigger than a fairground ride at the end. This one revolves around revenge, but who gets revenge on who?, does Carrie forgive Nick? Read it and find out.

THE FINAL BIT

As a measure of how much I enjoyed this book I polished off the entire 395 pages in one night, it was a late finish but well worth feeling tired the next day at work for.

ISBN 0-593-046188 Hardback
0-593-048237 Paperback
 

...less