RAF pilots are trialling an experimental performance-enhancing drug. But when one pilot starts hallucinating, then goes blind and crashes his Typhoon, answers are needed. Fast. SAS veteran Gabriel Wolfe discovers that someone is fatally sabotaging the top-secret testing programme.

Kidnapping, blackmail and a trip undercover to Estonia's criminal underworld

If the test succeeds, the UK will have a huge advantage over the Russians. An unholy alliance of Chechen separatists and Russian gangsters want it to fail. Then the drug company CEO’s wife and daughter are snatched off the street in Stockholm by the separatists.

With a demonstration at the Farnborough Airshow fast approaching, Gabriel has to rescue the kidnap victims and prevent another pilot’s death.

The mission calls for street-fighting skills, military strategy and a stint undercover as a doorman for Jonny Rocketz. It's a sleazy bar in Talinn’s red light district owned by a Russian Mafia boss, Yuri Volkov.

Far from help, Gabriel is flying solo

Gabriel is up for the challenge, but he’s still carrying guilt for leaving a comrade’s body behind in his last, disastrous mission for the SAS. Will it overwhelm him just when he needs to be at his most focused?

Things get complicated when Volkov wants Gabriel to work with two of his own men. Tooled-up and heading for a confrontation with the Chechens, Gabriel has to keep one eye on his so-called allies, Erik and Konstantin, who have their own orders from Volkov.

Readers’ opinions

“Would recommend this to all people who enjoy the idea of having "heroes" in our midst without all the hype.” David James Frearson

“I’m a avid fan of Child, Patterson and the like - but the number of good thrillers in existence is finite, so I'm constantly on the hunt for the 'Next Big Thing' (author-wise)... And I've found him. Andy Maslen's first book, ‘Trigger Point’ is excellent: and this one is even better. Brilliant stuff - I'm hooked, and I like it.” Dr S Lewis

“Love the vulnerability of the lead character and the continuing relationships with others from the first book. Now going for book three!” Terry Maywood