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John Kerr #1
Agent of the State: A groundbreaking new thriller by the former commander of special branch
A suspected terrorist is frisked for explosives on the Embankment. Operators do this so skilfully he remains completely unaware... In New Scotland Yard a new brand of manager fails to deal with escalating threats - 'aggressive indecision' is what Detective Chief Inspector John Kerr calls it... He discovers that cocaine-fuelled sex parties in Knightsbridge are pulling in businessmen, Russian diplomats and senior members of the British government... When Kerr's investigations are blocked by his bosses in Scotland Yard, he decides to go it alone and begins to expose a cover-up that extends to all levels of the British Establishment. Agent of the State is the first novel by Roger Pearce, a former Special Branch officer at New Scotland Yard who rose to become its Commander and a key player in Whitehall's intelligence network. It is an authentic account of the way the British intelligence services work at all levels and of the hypocrisy of the British establishment.
449 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2012
94 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 27, 2018
Fast Action Thriller
Loved this book. Fast paced from the word go and till the end. Provides such insight into our Secret Services....And used current atrocities that we all remember. I loved the main character. Has that Never Say Die attitude and the loyalty of each member of the team to one another....It's gritty and sad in some parts where the vulnerable are victims. You read it knowing that there's a lot of truth in this fictional story. And the fear for our future is real. Going to download the second book right now!
Loved this book. Fast paced from the word go and till the end. Provides such insight into our Secret Services....And used current atrocities that we all remember. I loved the main character. Has that Never Say Die attitude and the loyalty of each member of the team to one another....It's gritty and sad in some parts where the vulnerable are victims. You read it knowing that there's a lot of truth in this fictional story. And the fear for our future is real. Going to download the second book right now!
June 15, 2023
It is very rare for me that a thriller approaches five star stud, but this one very nearly did. From a very shocking start to the very last page this story of an anti-terrorist unit within Scotland Yard gallops along at a cracking pace, but still finds tIme to introduce us to a great range of characters, and even some of the good guys have serious warts. The frightening thing is that it paints a very nasty picture of our “Establishment” and that it is all too believable. I rushed to buy the sequel and another book by the author. Very impressive!
August 27, 2012
The writing exhibits a good "insiders feel" for policing and counter-terrorism. It is enjoyably tense if one sets aside much of the main character's "chip on the shoulder." In a world of compromise and shadows, the finale (or finales - there is the public and the personal) is appropriate (can't say more, as any hint may spoil it).
March 17, 2018
Unputdownable
What a cracking book this is Fast paced and credible. A good illustration of the machinations that can and do exist in the corridors of power. I loved the lead character of John Kerr whose feisty don't mess with me stance was evident throughout the book. Look forward to more books from this author.
What a cracking book this is Fast paced and credible. A good illustration of the machinations that can and do exist in the corridors of power. I loved the lead character of John Kerr whose feisty don't mess with me stance was evident throughout the book. Look forward to more books from this author.
December 2, 2017
Definitely five stars
Different to the books I normally read. The characters are great and it does make you wonder what really happens and how very protected we are without knowing anything about it
Different to the books I normally read. The characters are great and it does make you wonder what really happens and how very protected we are without knowing anything about it
April 25, 2013
A very good thriller, gripping from page 1 till the end. Fight against Terrorism by the English Sleuths to prevent terrorist attacks and how counter-terrorism units work.
August 31, 2013
Fantastic if you enjoyed watching Spooks you will love this author and his books fast paced full of action and a real page turner
November 30, 2017
Great Read
Good plot, fast moving and with an unusual trail of terrorism throughout but not the ending I had expected. Definitely worth a read through. I recomend it.
Good plot, fast moving and with an unusual trail of terrorism throughout but not the ending I had expected. Definitely worth a read through. I recomend it.
November 14, 2018
Incredible
Enjoyed this book from start to finish. Found it incredibly believeable and a roller coaster ride. Highly recommend and looking forward to reading his next book. Enjoy 👍
Enjoyed this book from start to finish. Found it incredibly believeable and a roller coaster ride. Highly recommend and looking forward to reading his next book. Enjoy 👍
May 3, 2019
If you like fast-paced , high-octane action dramas, this is the one to read. Not giving any spoilers here but written from the viewpoint of a former SO (Special Ops) Police Officer around the time of the 7/7 bus bombings & the raised awareness of terror threats in the UK, this thriller moves quickly & complicately through police & intelligence actions to its flashpoint ending. There's a a lot of 'reveal' about interdepartmental relations, or lack thereof, between the British intelligence services & various police forces & the Home Office which is intertwined with the underlying terrorist plotline. In a few places, the descriptive narrative felt a bit dated, especially when describing parts of run-down, neglected London, but perhaps that is my ignorance about inner city 'sinkholes' (I thought it was all re-built & totally upmarket!). There also seemed to be a reliance on pizza & coffee & donuts for hastily-eaten meals before the next rapidly-paced piece of action occurred; however, as the story ostensibly happens in 2005 perhaps starbucks & millenium vegan culture was not so fully available or part of anybody's lifestyle at that time. ( I mention this because a lot of this Special Ops Team are portrayed as quite young people fully prepared to risk their careers & lives to succeed in catching their targets) which is also a wonderful insight and credit mention on the part of this author. I only put the book down to grab a breather for myself between chapters....a truly great action thriller!
December 10, 2023
This certainly is a thriller, almost of the breathtaking Dan Brown style. It involves foreign jihadi killers targeting England in 2012. This is a few years after the 2005 London Underground bombings.
We have a rare hero here, one John Kerr, who almost single-handedly unravels plots and destroys the bad guys. I have to admit, while I enjoyed it, much was too fantastical to be real. And, of course, this time it’s personal - near the end Kerr’s own daughter is kidnapped. You may be able to tell the conclusion of this and all the other plots without reading the novel.
There are other sub-plots, such as the ambitious but incompetent boss that Kerr has, the high level corruption in the British government and Russian involvement. Whew! In the movie, would Kerr be played by Bruce Willis or Tom Cruise?
We have a rare hero here, one John Kerr, who almost single-handedly unravels plots and destroys the bad guys. I have to admit, while I enjoyed it, much was too fantastical to be real. And, of course, this time it’s personal - near the end Kerr’s own daughter is kidnapped. You may be able to tell the conclusion of this and all the other plots without reading the novel.
There are other sub-plots, such as the ambitious but incompetent boss that Kerr has, the high level corruption in the British government and Russian involvement. Whew! In the movie, would Kerr be played by Bruce Willis or Tom Cruise?
March 28, 2020
Cabin fever + and my own frustration with the dearth of non formulistic fare led me to do alot of research, which led me to.this author.
Some of it drones a bit, the stuff Agent Kerr lives through, gets away with from strangling a suicide bomber, to an opening day which includes jumping into a hostage crisis, tangling w/brass (women in power are mostly portrayed as reverse discrimination gone horribly bad) to the discovery of a bomb factory is shrugged off as all in a day's work and a tad over the top but its never boring!
Some of it drones a bit, the stuff Agent Kerr lives through, gets away with from strangling a suicide bomber, to an opening day which includes jumping into a hostage crisis, tangling w/brass (women in power are mostly portrayed as reverse discrimination gone horribly bad) to the discovery of a bomb factory is shrugged off as all in a day's work and a tad over the top but its never boring!
January 24, 2021
If this is an accurate reflection, even fir a novel by an ex policeman, of our policing it is dreadful. Every senior officer is portrayed as incompetent and self serving; every junior officer is a hero. The plot is ridiculous and the pace of the narrative totally unrealistic. And if that is not enough the main character, an SB policeman, has been allowed to escape, literally, with murdering a suspect. I won’t be buying any more of this series.
July 10, 2021
This novel doesn't seem like the typical debut effort because the story was detailed, cohesive and extremely well constructed. Cleary the author has a solid familiarity with the workings of the agencies he describes in this novel. This is a near perfect blend of detective work and political intrigue. Top notch character development throughout. Looking forward to Kerr and his crack team of investigators in future series offerings.
October 26, 2017
A eulogy for the Special Irish Branch
An exhilarating read with heaps of accuracy from a man who was a Special Branch officer, practically throughout his career in 'the job'. Roger doesn't know his East Ham from Forest Gate and do I perceive a hatred of G Division? Was the confession that his hero fathered Gabi whilst deployed as a UC a blatant ploy to attract headlines? No surprise that he mourns the loss of his beloved SB when the amalgamation with the Anti-Terrorist Branch (the bellies) formed the Counter Terrorist Command. But policing moves on and 14 years from Rogers retirement we can see CTU works nationwide. DCI Kerr comes across as a combination of Regan and Gene Hunt. What a shame that SB never really had such heroic Detectives, relying instead on old fashioned processes, lengthy reports and tasks from 'box'. All in all your 4th career seems the one that suits your talents best Roger. Well done guv.
An exhilarating read with heaps of accuracy from a man who was a Special Branch officer, practically throughout his career in 'the job'. Roger doesn't know his East Ham from Forest Gate and do I perceive a hatred of G Division? Was the confession that his hero fathered Gabi whilst deployed as a UC a blatant ploy to attract headlines? No surprise that he mourns the loss of his beloved SB when the amalgamation with the Anti-Terrorist Branch (the bellies) formed the Counter Terrorist Command. But policing moves on and 14 years from Rogers retirement we can see CTU works nationwide. DCI Kerr comes across as a combination of Regan and Gene Hunt. What a shame that SB never really had such heroic Detectives, relying instead on old fashioned processes, lengthy reports and tasks from 'box'. All in all your 4th career seems the one that suits your talents best Roger. Well done guv.
February 22, 2018
Brilliant
I had to read it twice, with only a week in between readings; it is so fast paced, I was compelled to read it fast, I missed so much the first time it was a delight to read a second time. Stunningly believable characters. Obviously written by someone who has been on the inside of this twilight zone!!
I had to read it twice, with only a week in between readings; it is so fast paced, I was compelled to read it fast, I missed so much the first time it was a delight to read a second time. Stunningly believable characters. Obviously written by someone who has been on the inside of this twilight zone!!
March 20, 2021
Close to Truth or What
So hard to understand so easy to believe.
Human nature knows that differing factions going for the same goals rarely work as a team.
The story talks of different anti terrorist/espionage government counter groups not working as a team similar to our own domestic police forces.
A good read around which could be easily believed.
So hard to understand so easy to believe.
Human nature knows that differing factions going for the same goals rarely work as a team.
The story talks of different anti terrorist/espionage government counter groups not working as a team similar to our own domestic police forces.
A good read around which could be easily believed.
March 16, 2025
Great first “John Kerr series” book of 3 by Roger Pearce
Agent of the State has clearly been written with such believability it makes you wonder how close to reality the Terrorist plots truly are to that of the undercover activities the UK public will never know! A MUST READ BOOK.
So pleased to know there are 2 more books in the John Kerr series.
Agent of the State has clearly been written with such believability it makes you wonder how close to reality the Terrorist plots truly are to that of the undercover activities the UK public will never know! A MUST READ BOOK.
So pleased to know there are 2 more books in the John Kerr series.
December 20, 2017
Excellent British thriller
So good to find a really good story that is credible and exciting. I really did enjoy this book from front to back even if I could eventually see where it was going and how it would end. I look forward to the next one.
So good to find a really good story that is credible and exciting. I really did enjoy this book from front to back even if I could eventually see where it was going and how it would end. I look forward to the next one.
March 24, 2018
Twists and turns. Never a dull moment
Quite an intricate plot but at times a few too many characters. Had to read some bits over to get back on track. How can anyone generate so much hate?
Quite an intricate plot but at times a few too many characters. Had to read some bits over to get back on track. How can anyone generate so much hate?
April 27, 2018
A must read
Excellent from start to finish. Unputdownable.The author seems to be so knowledgeable on the subject matter, and so believable, that it makes you wonder if the content could be as much fact as fiction.
Excellent from start to finish. Unputdownable.The author seems to be so knowledgeable on the subject matter, and so believable, that it makes you wonder if the content could be as much fact as fiction.
June 5, 2020
A fantastic book!! Was absolutely great! Kept me gripped to the book for hours and shows some great attention to detail. Despite being a fictional story, the story is depicted as true events with the linking of past historical events and is page turning through!
May 31, 2021
Pretty ordinary
Usual story of superiors who despite clear incompetence rise to the top whilst all the good people are ignored despite always being right. If this was true then the police and security services would catch no one
Usual story of superiors who despite clear incompetence rise to the top whilst all the good people are ignored despite always being right. If this was true then the police and security services would catch no one
May 15, 2017
Exhilarating read, with nonstop action and snappy dialogue. Great introduction to DCI John Kerr of special branch.
July 9, 2017
goede 24-achtige spionagethriller, met eindelijk eens een wat meer geloofwaardig hoofdpersonage.
August 11, 2017
Phenomenal!
Cannot begin to describe the pace of action in this book and the tension created almost had me holding my breath!
Cannot begin to describe the pace of action in this book and the tension created almost had me holding my breath!
January 7, 2018
Don't often give 5 stars but this one ticks all the boxes for me.
January 11, 2018
I was gripped from the start
Wow
You had me turning the pages so I could see where it was heading thank you for writing it .I was hooked right from the start to the end .
Wow
You had me turning the pages so I could see where it was heading thank you for writing it .I was hooked right from the start to the end .
February 28, 2018
A good read because the content is so authentic. Roger Pearce clearly did or saw the sort of action which the book relates. I went straight into his next book, The Extremist.
March 17, 2018
Exceptional
Just that - quite exceptional.
Compelling reading. Irresistible urges to keep reading and turning page after page. Must be read.
Just that - quite exceptional.
Compelling reading. Irresistible urges to keep reading and turning page after page. Must be read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews