SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE WEEK

Asset Seven by James E Mack, Achnacarry Press, £9.99

James E Mack was born in Scotland but spent much of his childhood abroad, gaining a love of nature, the outdoors and wildlife. He became a Commando in the late 1980s and a member of a Special Operations unit, with a 22-year career serving in many of the world’s troubled hotspots. Now, he has written a number of published novels which take influence in one way or another from much of his real-life military experiences.

Sins of the Fathers was released in July 2020 and incorporated The Troubles in Northern Ireland as its tense backdrop. Asset Seven, however, is much different. Based primarily in the Middle East, the novel follows special agent Karim Ardavan who is working with Iran’s elite Quds Force as well as being one of the CIA’S primary assets.

When Karim’s bluff is called in the Quds Force, he immediately puts his plans for extradition into place. However, as an asset with the CIA, Karim has obtained information of the upmost importance to the national security of the US, making his escape route all the more tense and treacherous.

Karim’s encounter with a young boy named Affan in the Iranian mountains changes proceedings dramatically. As his hunters close in, it is no longer just Karim’s life at stake, but Affan’s too.

Towards its finale, Iranian, American and Russian forces battle fiercely in the snow-covered surroundings as Asset Seven fights to the death to complete his mission.

James’ military experience once again comes to the fore in this book. Combat situations, weaponry and intelligence operations are all portrayed with meticulous detail, giving the story an accurate, legitimate feel.

Tension is well crafted in key events and perhaps the best inclusion is Affan. This completely changes Karim’s narrative and offers something different to the traditional cat and mouse chase that the book would have otherwise revolved around.

However, compared to the depth and complexity of Sins of the Fathers, it feels as though Asset Seven lacks a little of this and it is predictable at times.

In all though, Asset Seven is a fast-paced thriller that brims with the detail of modern combat in the Middle East that only experienced military personnel could divulge so accurately.