SAS: Red Notice

In this fast-paced series launch from McNab (the Nick Stone series), war criminal Laszlo Antonov of the breakaway Georgian Republic of South Ossetia and his terrorist team seize control of a Eurostar train in the tunnel under the English Channel. After forcing more than 400 hostages into just a few of the train’s cars, Antonov demands 300 kilos of gold and an escape helicopter—or he’ll blow up the tunnel. Tom Buckingham, an SAS soldier who happens to be on the train trying to patch things up with his girlfriend, swings into action. Over the next several hours, Tom launches sneak attacks on the terrorists, and his SAS brethren prepare to mount an assault from the English end of the tunnel. Meanwhile, British politicians, who angered Antonov years earlier by breaking a political promise, throw hissy fits about what to do. The familiar plot is matched by stock characters. Lovers of improbable action thrillers loaded with military jargon may enjoy this outing, which ties in with an upcoming movie adaptation. (Apr.)