Force protection - Gordon Kent

From the acclaimed author of Top Hook and Hostile Contact, the fifth exhilarating tale of modern espionage and military adventure featuring US Navy intelligence officer Alan Craik - sure to appeal to the many fans of Tom Clancy and Dale Brown.

Alan Craik and his US Navy battlegroup confront two new enemies: international, organized crime and a massive storm at sea.

Alan is back on the aircraft carrier USS Thomas Jefferson, using the latest radar technology to monitor smuggling craft in the Indian Ocean between Pakistan and Somalia. As a break he is sent ashore to assess the port of Mombasa for a forthcoming liberty visit.

While the battlegroup remains at sea because of a brewing storm, he arrives in Mombasa safely. But he is hardly on the beach when a US Navy support ship is blown up at the dockside. Chaos ensues, and further acts of violence. Soon - cut off from support by the storm at sea - Alan is charged with the task of tracking down the faceless people behind these apparently motiveless terrorist attacks.

Gordon Kent is the pseudonym of a father-and-son writing team, both of whom have considerable experience in the US Navy. The idea for Night Trap was born out of a series of fishing and hiking trips together.

Their interests, many of which are shared, include military matters, Africa, antiques, book collecting, war gaming and theatre. Both now live in the USA.

'Consistently excellent … loaded with gunfights, snappy dialogue and the aerial hijinks of supersonic jet fighters. The high testosterone doses satisfy, but best is the complex and clever web of motive Kent weaves for the mole.' Publishers Weekly, on TOP HOOK

'The concept of the character-driven thriller had seemed almost a contradiction in terms - until recently, when in the hands of Gordon Kent, the descriptor has begun to make exciting sense.' Booklist, on TOP HOOK

'Kent knows his subject at first hand and the expertise shows on the page: high stakes, pounding tension and the best dogfights put on paper. A lot of thrillers these days, you come away feeling like you've been in a simulator. Gordon Kent straps you into the real thing. Enjoy the ride!' IAN RANKIN, on NIGHT TRAP

'Flying, spying and dying - NIGHT TRAP is the real straight Navy stuff. Better strap yourself to the chair. I loved it.' STEPHEN COONTS