Geordie Nathan Pike is very much a loner and currently he’s in Sihanoukville Police Station on the south coast of Cambodia getting a beating from his cell mate. It’s not looking good for him until his fairy godmother American Melody Jones turns up. Nathan is a genius hacker though he prefers the term cyber security specialist and so needless to say Melody wants something in return for springing him from jail. Meanwhile, in Rwanda, titan of industry wealthy, Lucius Gasana surveys his operation extracting tantalum used in electronic devices. What’s the connection between Melody’s actions and Lucius Gasana? This action packed thriller takes you on a bit of a world tour including Rwanda, El Salvador, Athens and Dubai with these settings being well described, adding an extra layer to the storytelling. The storyline in San Salvador I find especially fascinating. I’ve been wanting to read an Andy McNab for a while so it’s great to get in at the start of a new series especially as he writes the kind of thrillers I really enjoy. The plot is complex, it needs focus which is a plus for me and there’s quite a bit of technology so I just go with the flow. The novel is lively, the pace is fast, there really isn’t a dull moment in this audacious plot. There’s a bit of everything from crypto currency to mineral extraction to ruthless/benevolent leaders to various bold thefts. Along the route to the end there is a hefty dose of betrayal and treachery with various righting of wrongs. The several strands in the storytelling connect well and it keeps you invested until the end. The character of Nathan is so interesting and you really get a good insight into his personality via his growing up years in Newcastle which enables you to understand his motivations. Overall, this is a good read, it’s intelligent but most importantly it’s very entertaining. If you like political/conspiracy thrillers, then you may enjoy this.

As a former member of 22 SAS Regiment, author Andy McNab is well qualified to write exciting thrillers, and he does so with aplomb in his latest offering - Shadow State. We are introduced to phenomenal hacker Nathan Pike when he is on the receiving end of a thorough beating from his cell mate in Sihanoukville Police Station in Cambodia. Things aren’t looking good at all for Pike until out of the blue steps one Melody Jones who is here to secure his release, but Pike has no idea who this elegant lady is or what she’ll require in return. However, he’s under no illusion that there will be a high price to be paid - the price actually involves a heist of massive and intelligent proportions surrounding cryptocurrency. Shadow State takes us around the world from Rwanda to El Salvador, Athens to Dubai, on a highly entertaining, action packed thrill a minute ride. This is a complex storyline but it’s well worth the attention required, as the reader will be richly rewarded with a real page turner. Excellent start to a new series.

This story was not Andy Mc Nab's normal style of writing. I did read all of the book but did not enjoy it. I would not be in a hurry to read it again.

I have really liked other McNab series, particularly the Nick Stone one, and was looking forward to this new one. However I am afraid that I found it a bit of a slog and quite uninvolving. The characters didn't come off the page and nothing much seemed to happen. I kept waiting for some action or excitement but crypto currency and cyber stuff just didn't provide it. The "hero" didn't capture the imagination either. If there is another in the series I'm not sure I'd bother.