The Asset

An Isabella Rose Thriller, Book 2

By: Mark Dawson

Narrated by: Napoleon Ryan

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

Isabella Rose, the Angel, is used to surprises, but being abducted is an unwelcome novelty. She's relying on Michael Pope, the head of the top-secret Group Fifteen, to get her back.

When ISIS get involved, the situation becomes even bleaker. Isabella's abductors are in turn abducted, and she finds herself trapped in Raqqa, the capital of the self-styled caliphate.

Meanwhile, Pope has problems of his own: a new danger has emerged from the shadows and is threatening both him and his family. His only option is to head for the war-torn border of Turkey and Syria - a murderous, lawless place where potential enemies lurk around every bombed-out corner. Pope knows that he is risking everything to find Isabella, but finding the Angel is not a choice - it's a necessity.

The Asset is the second part in a continuing story involving Isabella Rose that started with Act I: The Angel. The story will be continued in Act III.

©2016 Mark Dawson. (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

A chip off the block; excellent espionage thriller

This is the second novel in the Isabella Rose series. Smart and deadly fifteen year old Isabella was taught self defense and more more by her mother Beatrix Rose who was a top agent for British intelligence. Beatrix Rose died of cancer when Isabella was in her early teens. This espionage thriller is much like earlier Mark Dawson's thrillers in the John Milton series and the Beatrix Rose series. This novel is a worthwhile listen.

the Asset

Napolean Ryan is a fantastic narrator. The story was exciting and adventurous. But the ending was incomplete.

If you need backup, you're better off alone

than with Isabella Rose. The few times she helps don't make up for the bigger messes she makes most of the time. This book won't make much sense unless you've read at least some of the John Milton series. I've read all of the John Milton books, and Thank goodness Milton never had to depend on Isabella Rose. I've always liked the Michael Pope character but after reading this book, I question how he ever got to be Number One of Group 15. The Milton series was fun because you got to watch the agents be supernaturally effective. It's less fun in this series because they've become stupid and careless.

Narration was great! Story was Fab!

Mark Dawson just keeps getting better and better!! He's quickly becoming one of my new v favorite authors!!

The asset

Very suspenseful. Kept me on my toes the entire time. The audio was easily understood and distinguish between characters.

Decent story - Dreadful Narration

Perhaps if I were reviewing this book after having literally read from "held in my hand" hard copy it would have been more enjoyable. It is a reasonably interesting story. While the male voice is not great it is tolerable, the female voice is flat out awful.
Will I buy book 3, the answer is yes. The story is interesting and the author deserves the respect of better narration.

Mark Dawson does it again, another great novel!

The author writes another great novel and the narrator does excellent job of being it to life!

Narrated by is difficult to listen too

I really enjoy the series plot, but am having a very difficult time listening to the narrator. There is NO flow to his reading of the story and sounds more like a B-Rated poorly scripted scene. The narrator's in the series "Cold Blood" and "Beatrix Rose" are so much better and wish this series would have stuck with the same voices.

Great Follow-on Book

Great follow-on book for the Isabella Rose series. It reads just like an action movie thriller. Intrigue, great fight scenes, betrayal, stubbornness, stealth, twisted plot, etc. I would recommend to all, regardless of reading preferences (yes, it’s that good)! The narration by Napoleon Ryan remains first rate. Mark Dawson did a splendid job concocting this web of a story.

Just can't get over this series

I'm sorry, but after convincing myself to read the second novel in this series it just got worse!! This 15 year old protege is inept, immature and to me lacking in ALL the qualities you would expect from an assassin. I think a large part of my problem is with the narrator who in trying to sound like a young girl comes across as maybe a 12year old!!!! She's getting people killed and in all honesty should already have died herself. Don't know if I'll finish the series, but if I do it will be because of the character Pope who is far more interesting!!! Not sure where the author wanted to go with these books but he didn't get there for me.

the asset

brilliant continuation of the first book. Can't wait for the next instalment. as good as milton.

A competent follow on

The story and pace of the action kept me hooked I liked the narration which suited the characters. I am anxious to continue the series. Well done The Author

Not keen on the narrator

I enjoyed this storyline as much as The Angel, but again I wasnt keen on the narration or the need to over explain things within the text. It became a bit irritating after a while.

Brilliant

Almost excellent narration. Kept me interested all the way through. When I listened to the first book 'The Angel' I thought I probably wouldn't like it. Wrong I loved it. This book is great too. Going to start the sequel.

Disappointing narration.

I didnt enjoy the narration as much as other books. Need more John Milton books!

Great Multi Voice

Great story, but love the multi voices really enhances enjoyment of the novel.

Great fan of Mark Dawson & Audible but these recordings take you to a new level.

Thanks

Thrilling and complicated

This was worth the long wait to discover what was next for Isabella. The story is engrossing and captivating. I'm eagerly anticipating the next instalment.

There is very little in the narrative to make you incredulous, there is a lot that will make you reflect on Isabella's prior training. Mr Pope is as hard to read as John Milton! So that adds to the interest of this novel.

I cannot add any further information to the storyline then the blurb already given without giving away swathes of spoilers that will ruin your enjoyment of the novel. Just take it as read that once again we have a Group 15 novel that will take your breath away.

Enjoy!

very good recommended

I was initially about off by the concept of Isabella Rose but with Pope as a great main character and linking in to the Milton series I was pleasantly surprised. Very topical to.
Highly recommended.

Enjoyable read

Good, interesting story line, can not wait to read the next book in the series.

over use of step by step descriptions

What would have made The Asset better?

three thing: change the appalling narrator, stop the irrelevant explanations of the simplest things, and give a proper ending. It is possible to tease readers to buy the next book in the series, it certainly isn't necessary to bludgeon them into buying it.

Would you recommend The Asset to your friends? Why or why not?

Possibly, but with warnings.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Napoleon Ryan?

Anyone. The narrator really is dreadful.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Asset?

All I would cut are the excruciating descriptions. The story is good but slowed down by step by step instructions to simple, or irrelevant, actions.