Overkill: An Alex Hawke Novel (Alex Hawke Novels, 10)

The latest action-packed thriller from New York Times bestselling author Ted Bell pits counterspy Alex Hawke against Russian president Vladimir Putin in a daring, exhilarating mission to rescue Hawke’s kidnapped son—and prevent a Soviet invasion of SwitzerlandOn a ski vacation in the Swiss Alps high above St. Moritz, Alex Hawke and his young son, Alexei, are thrust into danger when the tram carrying them to the top of the mountain bursts into flame, separating the two. Before he can reach Alexei, the boy is snatched from the burning cable car by unknown assailants in a helicopter.Meanwhile, high above the skies of France, Vladimir Putin is aboard his presidential jet after escaping a bloodless coup in the Kremlin. When two flight attendants collapse and slip into unconsciousness, the Russian leader realizes the danger isn’t over. Killing the pilots, he grabs a parachute, steps out of the plane . . . and disappears.Hawke has led his share of dangerous assignments, but none with stakes this high. To save his son, he summons his trusted colleagues, Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard Ambrose Congreve, former U.S. Navy SEAL Stokley Jones, Jr., and recruits a crack Hostage Rescue Team—a group of elite soldiers of fortune known as "Thunder & Lighting." Before they can devise a rescue plan, Hawke must figure out who took his boy—and why. An operative who has fought antagonists around the globe, Hawke has made many enemies; one in particular may hold the key to finding Alexei before it’s too late.But an unexpected threat complicates their mission. Making his way to "Falcon’s Lair," the former Nazi complex created for Hitler, Putin is amassing an impressive armory that he intends to use for his triumphant return to Moscow.Only one man can smash the Russian president’s plan for domination—a master counterspy who will cross every line to save his son . . . and maybe save the world itself in the bargain.

Booklist

“This is a splendid entry in the Hawke series. As with its predecessors, the book is tightly plotted and energetically written… We get to see just how dangerous and reckless Hawke can be when the life of someone he loves is on the line… A propulsive, high-concept thriller.”

Publishers Weekly

“In the prologue of bestseller Bell’s exciting, at times affecting 10th Alex Hawke novel, Vladimir Putin, who’s on the run from his country’s oligarchs, parachutes out of the jet he used to escape Russia.… This entry boasts all the attributes Bell’s fans have come to love.”

CriminalElement.com

“Action-packed…Overkill is a spy thriller that operates on a tightrope high above the Swiss Alps. Alex Hawke’s work and personal life crash together in an excruciating fashion…and the stakes could not be higher.”

Iron Mountain Daily News

“For those who miss the excitement of Ian Fleming’s suave special agent James Bond, they will find plenty of action in the dashing aristocrat and fighting man Alex Hawke.”

Bookreporter.com

“Bell continues to put his amazing storytelling chops on display… Overkill is what used to be called a ‘ripping yarn,’ one that you won’t be able to read fast enough.”

From the Back Cover

The latest action-packed thriller from New York Times bestselling author Ted Bell pits counterspy Alex Hawke against Russian president Vladimir Putin in a daring, exhilarating mission to rescue Hawke’s kidnapped son—and prevent a Soviet invasion of SwitzerlandOver a Christmas skiing trip in the Swiss Alps, Alex Hawke and his son Alexei’s holiday becomes a deadly nightmare as a tramcar is left twisting in the wind, hanging by a thread at 10,000 feet high above St. Moritz. And in the chaotic danger of rescue, Hawke’s young son inexplicably goes missing.Meanwhile, in Moscow, Vladimir Putin’s world is sinking in a pool of political infighting. The oligarchs inside the Kremlin whom he made rich beyond their wildest dreams are now using that wealth to turn against the man they once worshipped. The oligarchs raise the ante almost daily. There are assassination attempts on the president, bombs in his luggage, and poison in his food.In a desperate attempt to escape, Putin makes a midnight dash to a secret airstrip. Then, on his private jet en route to his yacht in the South of France, there is a sudden “malfunction” in the oxygen system—and the lives of all aboard appear truly doomed. Accidental? Not likely. Within minutes, Putin saves himself by parachuting into the night skies over Provence.Hawke has led his share of dangerous assignments, but none with stakes this high. To save his son, he summons his trusted colleagues, Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard Ambrose Congreve and former U.S. Navy SEAL Stokely Jones Jr., and recruits a crack hostage rescue team—a group of elite soldiers of fortune known as “Thunder and Lightning.” With their help, Hawke must figure out who took his boy—and why. As an operative who has fought antagonists around the globe, Hawke has made many enemies; one in particular may hold the key to finding Alexei before it’s too late.But an unexpected threat complicates their mission. Making his way to Falcon’s Lair, the former Nazi complex created for Hitler, the ever wily and calculating Putin is amassing an impressive armory that he intends to deploy for his triumphant return to Moscow. Only one man can smash the Russian president’s plan for domination—a master counterspy who will cross every line to save his son . . . and maybe save the world itself in the bargain.

About the Author

Ted Bell is the former Vice-Chairman of the board and World-Wide Creative Director of Young & Rubicam, one of the world’s largest advertising agencies. He is the New York Times bestselling author of Hawke, Assassin, Pirate, Spy, Tsar, Warlord, Phantom, and Warriors, along with a series of YA adventure novels. He lives in Greenwich, Connecticut.

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