Second Strike by Mark Abernethy

Publisher's Synopsis

Australian spy Alan 'Mac' McQueen is drawn into a deadly game against old terrorist foes in a bid to prevent them using a mini-nuclear device on Australian soil. A fast-paced, action-packed new adventure from the author of Golden Serpent.

In the early hours of 13 October 2002, Australian spy Alan McQueen is jolted awake and told to head immediately to Bali, where more than 200 people have been killed in a series of bomb blasts. Assigned to keep an eye on the forensic teams working the bomb sites, McQueen - aka Mac - discovers that, contrary to the official line, a mini-nuclear device probably caused the most destructive of the blasts.

As tensions rise between governments, Mac joins an elite unit of spies and soldiers hunting down the terrorists implicated in the bombings. The pursuit takes them through the wilds of Northern Sumatra, but ends with them watching helplessly as the terrorist ringleaders escape by plane.

Five years later, Mac is back in Indonesia doing some soft espionage. But when bullets start flying and old terrorist foes reappear, Mac is drawn into a deadly game that clearly didn't finish in October 2002. Fighting complacency within his own ranks, Mac keeps track of the terrorists until he can no longer ignore the evidence that they have another, more powerful mini-nuke - and their next target is Australia!

Will there be a second strike? And if so, where in Australia will it be?

Reviews

Review from AustCrime

SECOND STRIKE is the second thriller starring Alan (Mac) McQueen, although this particular book brings the actual action a lot closer to home than the first - GOLDEN SERPENT.  Readers who find books set in recent events uncomfortable, may struggle a little as SECOND STRIKE starts off in Bali - in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Kuta that killed over 200 people in 2002.  Mac is called in to help the investigation teams, joining the elite unit of spies and soldiers tasked with hunting down the terrorists implicated.  Despite a hot pursuit, the terrorist ringleaders avoid capture.

Five years later, Mac is back in Indonesia, still involved in espionage but this time in something a little less physical, when bullets start to fly and it seems the old foes have returned.  Mac finds himself compelled once again into the role of lone hand as he struggles to stop whatever the ringleaders are up to this time, and deal with the complacency and traitors in his own ranks... Read full review

Review from GoodReads.com

Not an easy book to follow. While the plot is simple enough, I often find the need to pause and recall back trying to piece things together before moving on again. When I encounter an author new to me,

I try to read his books in the proper sequence and do it consecutively (as oppose to reading other stuff in between). 1st book was quite a drag, mainly because of the comments others have mentioned in the reviews. (you can read those reviews as I wont repeat it here) This is the 2nd which was slightly better compared...Read full review