In Cold Blood

Beatrix Rose, Book 1

By: Mark Dawson

Narrated by: Mark Deakins

Length: 4 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The new book from acclaimed writer Mark Dawson (author of the number one best-selling John Milton series), In Cold Blood is an action-packed thriller about ruthless betrayal and bloodthirsty vengeance.

Beatrix Rose was the most dangerous assassin in an off-the-books government kill squad until her former boss betrayed her. A decade later, she emerges from the Hong Kong underworld with payback on her mind. They gunned down her husband and kidnapped her daughter, and now the debt needs to be repaid. It's a blood feud she didn't start but is going to finish. Beatrix has already crossed one name off her Kill List. Her second target is a mercenary being held hostage by Somali terrorists. Can she infiltrate the most dangerous failed state on the planet and scrub him off the List, too?

Packed with explosive action and pause-resistant suspense, this is the must-listen first novel in a brand new series that is sure to be as successful as the John Milton series.

©2014 Unputdownable Limited (P)2014 Unputdownable Limited

Another hit for Dawson

If you could sum up In Cold Blood in three words, what would they be?

Sassy bitch revenge

What did you like best about this story?

It's a quick listen that you won't want to turn off

Have you listened to any of Mark Deakins’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

They picked the wrong woman.

Any additional comments?

Mark Dawson's style is easy yet exciting . He doesn't overthink his story lines, choosing instead to stick to the plot, the action and the character development. I'm hooked - they're quick reads and guilty action pleasures.

Climbs to a clamorous climax!Recommended

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'd recommend this audio version to all, who like international action thrillers - especially for lovers of the genre who may not have tried audio books before.

What was one of the most memorable moments of In Cold Blood?

The final escape sequence was a pleasant surprise. I thought it would be far-fetched.

Which character – as performed by Mark Deakins – was your favorite?

Mark Deakins' voice for Number 10 was performed perfectly for my ear.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

During the raid, my muscles tensed occasionally and my heart rate rose a tiny bit.

Any additional comments?

To me a good audiobook needs a good story and a the right reader. Mark Dawson and Mark Deakins are a good fit in more ways than the same initials and first names.

Excellent side story!!

I love this side step to the John Milton legacy...I just hope that it has more life in it than she does!

Mark Dawson has written an Audiobook success!

Would you consider the audio edition of In Cold Blood to be better than the print version?

Mr. Dawson is such a descriptive writer. I believe that helps to make this book perfect for the audio format. His broad vocabulary and fast paced style helps keep the reader involved and on the edge of their seats.

What did you like best about this story?

This book is well written, the reader is not left with the niggling doubt that they missed something earlier in the book. Mark Dawson does a great job making sure that his series novels do well as stand alone reads.

Which character – as performed by Mark Deakins – was your favorite?

I appreciate the level of depth in Beatrix Rose, it's hard to imagine what an assassin, heroine addict, mother would be like. This great read however draws the picture so well that she is engraved in my imagination.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I love the mental battle when she has to decide on simply completing her goal ( retrieving the next person on her list) or rescuing the rest of the prisoners in the jail.. The decision to rescue the brother was made so easily but the battle over the rest of the prisoners shows the depth of her character.

Any additional comments?

The narrator does a great job pacing this book. I look forward to more works by the author and narrator.

Another good one from Mr Dawson

I've recently discovered this wonderfully entertaining author and have read or listened to six of his novels I the last month. Beatrix and john Milton are fantastic characters and his descriptive style or writing gives you a sense of being there. I'm not one to give spoilers or plot rehashes. If you like action with well developed characters Please read or listen to these books. It has made my long commute something to look forward to.

Tight, surgical, climactic. Great series kickoff!

Would you listen to In Cold Blood again? Why?

Definitely! The first installment in the Beatrix Rose series opens swiftly with a great standalone story as well as introducing many characters who you anticipate will span several of the books. Like the John Milton books before, author Mark Dawson does a great job at writing gritty, believable, main characters with checkered pasts transplanted into the present where the world is a series of shades of grey, rather than simplistic black and white. Unlike some books which can get bogged down in backstory, In Cold Blood does a great job of fleshing out the characters whilst keeping the action moving and expanding on the world first introduced in the John MIlton series.

What other book might you compare In Cold Blood to and why?

Jason Bourne series, special forces (Chris Ryan, Andy McNab), tv dramas like "Strike Back".Tight, surgical, action packed and paced like it's lead character. If you find the clandestine world of special operatives fascinating, In Cold Blood won't disappoint!

Which scene was your favorite?

The build up to the hostage rescue attempt. The motivations of the main character are different to what one might normally expect, and so the scene develops in a way that is far from cliched and set-ups nicely for what is to come..

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The clock is ticking for everyone...

Any additional comments?

Prior to Beatrix Rose: In Cold Blood, I finished author Mark Dawson's first John Milton novel. Like mark's previous books he does a great job in "In Cold Blood" of writing believable, highly engaging characters with a good balance of backstory and present-day action to keep the story swift and placing the reader at the centre of the action as the characters practice their tradecraft. Well written, highly believable, looking forward to the next in the series!

unlikable main character with tremendous skills

How can you trust your team members when, at any time, one or more of them may have special orders to take YOU out? These are the same people that you depend on to cover your back, and yet they might just shoot you in the.

What kind of relationships can someone develop when you can't even trust the ones you work with so closely? It has happened to Milton, and now to Rose. Her own team mates killed her husband, wounded her, and kidnapped her daughter. She had to lie low for 8 years, not daring to search for her daughter. Milton went and found her in a previous John Milton book and brought her back.

Now Rose is out to avenge the death of her husband, and the kidnapping of her daughter by the others in the very secret agency, when she was Number One and Milton was a new number 16 or so. Sure, they had orders from a rogue Control. But how can they just turn around and do this?

People capable of this kind of behavior are called sociopaths or psychopaths, unless they work for the government, in which case, they are called heroes.

John Milton couldn't take it and so tried to bury this distrust of trusted "friends" in alcohol. Now he is on the wagon and trying to only do good. But Rose, Rose has a bucket list of five, the five former team mates responsible for destroying her family. Sure, she has awesome, enviable skills, but she is amoral. What kind of mother trains her newly-reunited daughter these same skills without also warping part of that child's personality and love-ability? Self protection is a good thing, but this is just wrong. And she has terminal cancer, so she will abandon her daughter a second time. This is how to take a normal child and make a Ted Bundy or a Jeffrey Dahmer.

There is no righteous cause in this story, just her own selfish vengeance. Sure, it is well-written with some terrible, exciting action. There are some folks who are evil and who should die, but she is not out to get them. You finish this story and feel kind of sick, not striving to do better, as you do when you finish a John Milton story.

Somalia piracy

What made the experience of listening to In Cold Blood the most enjoyable?

A great story read by a very talented narrator

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Thrilling plot line with lots of twists and turns. Not easy to figure out what will happen next.

Have you listened to any of Mark Deakins’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Only my second audio book, the first with Deakin

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Beatrix Rose strikes again

Any additional comments?

Mark Dawson again thrills his readers and listeners with a superb account of the adventures and retribution of Beatrix Rose

Gripping thriller that keeps you hooked

What did you love best about In Cold Blood?

I love books with great foreign settings and Cold Blood doesn't disappoint. There are strong characters although I will have to check out Beatice's first appearance, apparently in the John Milton series: Ghosts', as there are quite a few references to her past.On reflection I would have started there but this is perfectly enjoyable as a starting point to Mark Dawson's universe.

There was a blood chilling detailed description of one death that stood out, just saying.

All in all, nicely paced, plenty of action and good character development. Looking forward to reading / hearing the rest!

What about Mark Deakins’s performance did you like?

The narrator was particularly good, lending a solid gravitas feel to the whole story

Great book!

Excellent first installment in the series. Great characters & intriguing storyline. Can't wait for more!