Post by Phil on Feb 20, 2012 11:16:43 GMT
Warning - long post!
I recently came across this series of books
www.securitynovels.co.uk/
based around the London transport system, particularly the tube network. They are great fun, lots of action keep the attention, yet not so gripping you miss your stop! In other words ideal for light reading on a commute or for those odd 15min turnrounds or mealbreaks when you want just a bit to do coz all is running smoothly.
They are based in the current times (2001 on) and the "security services" of the series title are apparently the author's replacement for the ordinary police force - good idea since they get up to things the real force could never do - like silencing uncontrollable burglar alarms by putting a bullet through them!
Unfortunately (inevitably?) the first book (they are NOT novels in any way) is a bit plodding as the characters are introduced. However the plot is fun and not TOO far-fetched, and the baddies are really bad; those who like a bit of 'conspiracy theory' as to who really runs the country will not be disappointed. The rest of the series follows on, improving all the time, and the lead characters develop nicely. Different nasties each time (except when they escape and come back.....), some quite clever twists and overall good fun if you like light reading which is not too taxing.
Downsides? The author (currently a guard on the Southern) is almost obsessive about details of LU matters, train types, door noises, station layouts etc., and yet getting the odd one totally wrong, and in one book two groups of security officers go chasing a baddie from opposite ends of the westbound Picc, one from Knightsbridge the other from Glos Rd and meet in the middle in the dark tunnel - - not noticing the huge bright area which is South Ken station!!!!!!
He also obsesses about hard-soled shoes, dropping biscuit crumbs down uniforms (really!) and driving habits on the roads, repeating various background bits so many times you wish he'd shut up! But perhaps these are meant to be the 'funny bits' and I've missed the point......
There are seventeen books in the series so far and my comments are based on the first eight.
They can be downloaded free from the above site (
www.securitynovels.co.uk/
) and read on an ebook reader on your smartphone/communicator/tablet etc. If you want a reader (most are free to install and use) ask me for suggestions, and the books come as .pdf format (not good on a phone) or as .txt which is a bit basic and crude.
Most reader devices have settled on .epub format which is good all round, and I am converting the downloads to .epub for my own use as I need them. If any member is sufficiently interested to want the .epub versions, send me a PM and I'll send the book(s) to your forum email address. Free of course!
Summary - if you like light reading and LU matters, give this series a try: it's a whole load of fun! Relax and enjoy.
I recently came across this series of books
www.securitynovels.co.uk/
based around the London transport system, particularly the tube network. They are great fun, lots of action keep the attention, yet not so gripping you miss your stop! In other words ideal for light reading on a commute or for those odd 15min turnrounds or mealbreaks when you want just a bit to do coz all is running smoothly.
They are based in the current times (2001 on) and the "security services" of the series title are apparently the author's replacement for the ordinary police force - good idea since they get up to things the real force could never do - like silencing uncontrollable burglar alarms by putting a bullet through them!
Unfortunately (inevitably?) the first book (they are NOT novels in any way) is a bit plodding as the characters are introduced. However the plot is fun and not TOO far-fetched, and the baddies are really bad; those who like a bit of 'conspiracy theory' as to who really runs the country will not be disappointed. The rest of the series follows on, improving all the time, and the lead characters develop nicely. Different nasties each time (except when they escape and come back.....), some quite clever twists and overall good fun if you like light reading which is not too taxing.
Downsides? The author (currently a guard on the Southern) is almost obsessive about details of LU matters, train types, door noises, station layouts etc., and yet getting the odd one totally wrong, and in one book two groups of security officers go chasing a baddie from opposite ends of the westbound Picc, one from Knightsbridge the other from Glos Rd and meet in the middle in the dark tunnel - - not noticing the huge bright area which is South Ken station!!!!!!
He also obsesses about hard-soled shoes, dropping biscuit crumbs down uniforms (really!) and driving habits on the roads, repeating various background bits so many times you wish he'd shut up! But perhaps these are meant to be the 'funny bits' and I've missed the point......
There are seventeen books in the series so far and my comments are based on the first eight.
They can be downloaded free from the above site (
www.securitynovels.co.uk/
) and read on an ebook reader on your smartphone/communicator/tablet etc. If you want a reader (most are free to install and use) ask me for suggestions, and the books come as .pdf format (not good on a phone) or as .txt which is a bit basic and crude.
Most reader devices have settled on .epub format which is good all round, and I am converting the downloads to .epub for my own use as I need them. If any member is sufficiently interested to want the .epub versions, send me a PM and I'll send the book(s) to your forum email address. Free of course!
Summary - if you like light reading and LU matters, give this series a try: it's a whole load of fun! Relax and enjoy.
