Chris Allen (7) (1964–)
Author of Defender
For other authors named Chris Allen, see the disambiguation page.
Series
Works by Chris Allen
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1964
- Gender
- male
- Occupations
- soldier
law enforcement
executive
fiction writer - Organizations
- Australian Army (paratrooper, major)
CARE International
Office of the Sheriff of New South Wales
Australian Crime Writers Association - Agent
- (Key People Literary Management)
- Nationality
- Australia
- Birthplace
- Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Places of residence
- Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Associated Place (for map)
- Australia
Members
Reviews
Alex Morgan is back in the 4th book in the Intrepid series and he's got his mojo back. Just in time as the black ops Intrepid division is in real trouble and Morgan and Elizabeth Reigns are the only agents who can sort out the mess.
The Intrepid books are an absolute gem of a thriller series from Australian author (and ex-paratrooper) Chris Allen. Getting the military and action aspects spot on is one highlight, but where Allen really excels is in getting nuance and emotion into an all action show more type hero, equally capable of hand to hand combat or ruthless gun-play in the event that it's required.
In HELLDIVER the plot is nicely twisty with some just evil as well some misguided baddies. There are harks back to the bad old days of the Soviet Union and the KGB, linked forward to the world of current day Russian oligarch's. There's some gloriously over the top luxury locations with huge yachts, and huge houses, just as you'd expect in the best of spy thriller books and novels.
At the heart of it all though is Alex Morgan. He of the sometimes sore feet, and the questioning of his commitment, along with a longing for love and fierce loyalty that just about throws him when old connections resurface in this book. He's ably supported by a surrounding cast of returning, and sometimes new characters. Elizabeth Reigns is back again in HELLDIVER, albeit a little later in the action, but as always she's up to the same level of resolve and commitment as Morgan ever is. As you'd expect in this style of book, there's a lot of concentration on the central protagonist, but not, in a way that dismisses or caricatures those surrounding him. His female characters in particular are in there for their abilities, and their contribution - not as eye candy or merely decorative.
The strength of this series really is the all-roundedness of it. They are spy / action / hero thrillers with one bloke to save the world against big, believable and chilling threats. Our hero is brave, strong, true, loyal and good. He's also ruthless and vulnerable, and, you'd imagine, likely to groan just a little as he rises from his chair, dusts himself down, shakes out the back and strengthens the resolve to head out, yet again, and save the world.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-helldiver-chris-allen show less
The Intrepid books are an absolute gem of a thriller series from Australian author (and ex-paratrooper) Chris Allen. Getting the military and action aspects spot on is one highlight, but where Allen really excels is in getting nuance and emotion into an all action show more type hero, equally capable of hand to hand combat or ruthless gun-play in the event that it's required.
In HELLDIVER the plot is nicely twisty with some just evil as well some misguided baddies. There are harks back to the bad old days of the Soviet Union and the KGB, linked forward to the world of current day Russian oligarch's. There's some gloriously over the top luxury locations with huge yachts, and huge houses, just as you'd expect in the best of spy thriller books and novels.
At the heart of it all though is Alex Morgan. He of the sometimes sore feet, and the questioning of his commitment, along with a longing for love and fierce loyalty that just about throws him when old connections resurface in this book. He's ably supported by a surrounding cast of returning, and sometimes new characters. Elizabeth Reigns is back again in HELLDIVER, albeit a little later in the action, but as always she's up to the same level of resolve and commitment as Morgan ever is. As you'd expect in this style of book, there's a lot of concentration on the central protagonist, but not, in a way that dismisses or caricatures those surrounding him. His female characters in particular are in there for their abilities, and their contribution - not as eye candy or merely decorative.
The strength of this series really is the all-roundedness of it. They are spy / action / hero thrillers with one bloke to save the world against big, believable and chilling threats. Our hero is brave, strong, true, loyal and good. He's also ruthless and vulnerable, and, you'd imagine, likely to groan just a little as he rises from his chair, dusts himself down, shakes out the back and strengthens the resolve to head out, yet again, and save the world.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-helldiver-chris-allen show less
AVENGER is the third book in the Alex Morgan, INTREPID series of thriller, action style novels. Whilst the earlier books (HUNTER and DEFENDER), were enormously enjoyable entrants in those categories, this third book has more to offer again.
Alex Morgan is an ex-soldier, now black ops spy for Interpol's INTREPID (Intelligence, Recovery, Protection and Infiltration Division). He's been at this for quite a while now, and frankly, he's burning out in one hell of a hurry. Despite assurances that show more there's a break from active service after his current assignment, he's immediately sent into battle against a shadowy villain. Chinese triads, corrupt cops and the Russian mafia and a woman known as The Night Witch are deeply involved in a very nasty form of sexual slavery. In particular, this woman is clever, very dangerous and utterly ruthless. And Morgan is also paired with new agent Elizabeth Reigns who turns out to be a lot more competent than he gave her credit for.
Now Morgan might be an all-action hero type, but there's something endearingly real about him at the same time. All the way through AVENGER he's a bit knackered. He's sick of the job, sick of the threat, sick about losing a good friend and frazzled. Even when in extreme circumstances, where his physical prowess is called upon he's fighting the enemy as much as he's fighting with himself.
In an interesting twist there's nearly as much emphasis on the Night Witch in this book. Her background, the sex slave business, and her methods are explored, as is the cunning plan she deploys to make identification and capture difficult. All of which requires Morgan to get inside her head, and her organisation to break the case.
Given the emphasis on character here, plot doesn't suffer and it's not all crash / bang / rush. There's some clever aspects to the way that Morgan and Reigns identify this woman, and track her location down. Getting inside her organisation is elegantly done, and quite feasible. Even the idea that her henchmen are more brawn than brains works well.
But it comes back to Morgan really, and there's always been a strong sense of validity about him. He's an all action hero with a human side, and that angle is what's particularly appealing about AVENGER. It's a relief to realise that a hero can get sick of the whole thing, and they, like the rest of us, sometimes just want a good lie down.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-avenger-chris-allen show less
Alex Morgan is an ex-soldier, now black ops spy for Interpol's INTREPID (Intelligence, Recovery, Protection and Infiltration Division). He's been at this for quite a while now, and frankly, he's burning out in one hell of a hurry. Despite assurances that show more there's a break from active service after his current assignment, he's immediately sent into battle against a shadowy villain. Chinese triads, corrupt cops and the Russian mafia and a woman known as The Night Witch are deeply involved in a very nasty form of sexual slavery. In particular, this woman is clever, very dangerous and utterly ruthless. And Morgan is also paired with new agent Elizabeth Reigns who turns out to be a lot more competent than he gave her credit for.
Now Morgan might be an all-action hero type, but there's something endearingly real about him at the same time. All the way through AVENGER he's a bit knackered. He's sick of the job, sick of the threat, sick about losing a good friend and frazzled. Even when in extreme circumstances, where his physical prowess is called upon he's fighting the enemy as much as he's fighting with himself.
In an interesting twist there's nearly as much emphasis on the Night Witch in this book. Her background, the sex slave business, and her methods are explored, as is the cunning plan she deploys to make identification and capture difficult. All of which requires Morgan to get inside her head, and her organisation to break the case.
Given the emphasis on character here, plot doesn't suffer and it's not all crash / bang / rush. There's some clever aspects to the way that Morgan and Reigns identify this woman, and track her location down. Getting inside her organisation is elegantly done, and quite feasible. Even the idea that her henchmen are more brawn than brains works well.
But it comes back to Morgan really, and there's always been a strong sense of validity about him. He's an all action hero with a human side, and that angle is what's particularly appealing about AVENGER. It's a relief to realise that a hero can get sick of the whole thing, and they, like the rest of us, sometimes just want a good lie down.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-avenger-chris-allen show less
I blamed Chris Allen for a lot of things whilst I was reading this book. Dog's were left hoping for games and walks. Not my fault. Cat's balefully batted toys on sticks with nobody holding onto the other end. Nothing to do with me. Pet pigs resorted to throwing their food bowls around in the air because their giant tennis ball wouldn't throw itself. Who me? It was actually rather too easy to ignore all but the bare essentials around the place when deep in the second INTREPID book - HUNTER.
As show more in the first book, and as you'd expect of this format, the central character Alex Morgan is a minor superhero. His major superpower appears to be the ability to shrug off levels of physical damage that would have the normal person at least mutter OUCH quite a lot, if not demand a good long lie down in the closest Intensive Care facility. It's also a given that Morgan will be a bit of a loner, not necessarily looking for love but quite happy to take it if offered. So, you probably get the idea, we are talking high energy action, a fair amount of physical prowess and a hefty bit of romantic interest.
Whilst there are a lot of elements to the plot that aren't that unexpected, setting the action within the remit of the Hague Court and the Serbian conflict is an interesting twist, and it provided some options for insight into some of the brutality of that conflict. It also created a very realistic scenario for INTREPID to be operating in (the organisation that Alex Morgan works for).
In a slight difference from the first book, the romantic interest here is more prevalent at the end which might appeal to some readers a little more, and whilst the level of action was as strong, the punishment that Morgan endures did seem to be much more extreme. This time out, the plot seemed surprisingly feasible, even the slightly James Bondish gizmos and gadgets deployed at points. What works the most is undoubtedly the action scenes though. They are incredibly good, and even if you do, at times, think there is no way Morgan should be able survive this, you really don't doubt one little bit that he does. You don't mind when he prevails against everything, when he catches all the baddies, deploys whatever gizmo the INTREPID version of Q has magic'd out of the ether and somehow you don't even mind so much when it looks like he might even get the girl.
High-paced, high-octane, high-entertainment fun, the INTREPID series is now available from http://momentumbooks.com.au/books/hunter/ Which is very good news. show less
As show more in the first book, and as you'd expect of this format, the central character Alex Morgan is a minor superhero. His major superpower appears to be the ability to shrug off levels of physical damage that would have the normal person at least mutter OUCH quite a lot, if not demand a good long lie down in the closest Intensive Care facility. It's also a given that Morgan will be a bit of a loner, not necessarily looking for love but quite happy to take it if offered. So, you probably get the idea, we are talking high energy action, a fair amount of physical prowess and a hefty bit of romantic interest.
Whilst there are a lot of elements to the plot that aren't that unexpected, setting the action within the remit of the Hague Court and the Serbian conflict is an interesting twist, and it provided some options for insight into some of the brutality of that conflict. It also created a very realistic scenario for INTREPID to be operating in (the organisation that Alex Morgan works for).
In a slight difference from the first book, the romantic interest here is more prevalent at the end which might appeal to some readers a little more, and whilst the level of action was as strong, the punishment that Morgan endures did seem to be much more extreme. This time out, the plot seemed surprisingly feasible, even the slightly James Bondish gizmos and gadgets deployed at points. What works the most is undoubtedly the action scenes though. They are incredibly good, and even if you do, at times, think there is no way Morgan should be able survive this, you really don't doubt one little bit that he does. You don't mind when he prevails against everything, when he catches all the baddies, deploys whatever gizmo the INTREPID version of Q has magic'd out of the ether and somehow you don't even mind so much when it looks like he might even get the girl.
High-paced, high-octane, high-entertainment fun, the INTREPID series is now available from http://momentumbooks.com.au/books/hunter/ Which is very good news. show less
In a particularly poignant touch, all round good guy and saver of the world Alex Morgan shows an unsurprising side in RANGER with his care and concern for a returned vet who needs help.
This novella sees Morgan returning from rescue duties, to be immediately redirected to the US where returned vet and friend, John Nash has asked for his help. Without hesitating Morgan dives into the task without the normal INTREPID backing, and in the full understanding that his old army buddy might be show more struggling, but he will have a compelling story to tell.
It's interesting how much action has been combined into a novella, that is full of compassion and understanding as well. There's a message here about the way that returned vets are treated, as well as one about power and influence. Fast paced, as you'd expect, full of action and suspense, that's not the point of RANGER and it doesn't overwhelm. This is an exposé on the treatment of returning vets, and an equally important dig at the mindless, trash-culture obsession of modern day society. And it works really well on all levels.
Allen has always had a compelling and realistic action hero in Alex Morgan. In this novella he's added a level of compassion and support to the already very human character that he's created, and he's doing that for some very good reasons.
In 2015 Author Chris Allen was appointed the inaugural ambassador for the charity Veterans Off the Streets Australia (VOTSA). A not for profit organisation and charity, reliant on donations from the public, business and industry to facilitate their work in assisting veterans and ex-service personnel in finding crisis, temporary and permanent accommodation; to actively find and assist families who are looking for accommodation related assistance; and provide a concierge service for related areas to at risk personnel and their families. RANGER features a homeless, forsaken war hero as a way of highlighting the real situation that VOTSA and their associated groups worldwide are attempting to resolve. Donation links are included at the end of the book:
Australia:
http://www.votsa.org.au
http://360.org.au
Canada:
http://vetscanada.org/
http://woundedwarriors.ca/home/
New Zealand:
http://fallenheroes.org.nz/
http://rsa.org.nz/
United Kingdom:
http://www.soldierscharity.org/
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk
United States:
http://www.va.gov/homeless/
http://www.legion.org/careers/homeslessvethelp
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-ranger-intrepid-45-chris-allen show less
This novella sees Morgan returning from rescue duties, to be immediately redirected to the US where returned vet and friend, John Nash has asked for his help. Without hesitating Morgan dives into the task without the normal INTREPID backing, and in the full understanding that his old army buddy might be show more struggling, but he will have a compelling story to tell.
It's interesting how much action has been combined into a novella, that is full of compassion and understanding as well. There's a message here about the way that returned vets are treated, as well as one about power and influence. Fast paced, as you'd expect, full of action and suspense, that's not the point of RANGER and it doesn't overwhelm. This is an exposé on the treatment of returning vets, and an equally important dig at the mindless, trash-culture obsession of modern day society. And it works really well on all levels.
Allen has always had a compelling and realistic action hero in Alex Morgan. In this novella he's added a level of compassion and support to the already very human character that he's created, and he's doing that for some very good reasons.
In 2015 Author Chris Allen was appointed the inaugural ambassador for the charity Veterans Off the Streets Australia (VOTSA). A not for profit organisation and charity, reliant on donations from the public, business and industry to facilitate their work in assisting veterans and ex-service personnel in finding crisis, temporary and permanent accommodation; to actively find and assist families who are looking for accommodation related assistance; and provide a concierge service for related areas to at risk personnel and their families. RANGER features a homeless, forsaken war hero as a way of highlighting the real situation that VOTSA and their associated groups worldwide are attempting to resolve. Donation links are included at the end of the book:
Australia:
http://www.votsa.org.au
http://360.org.au
Canada:
http://vetscanada.org/
http://woundedwarriors.ca/home/
New Zealand:
http://fallenheroes.org.nz/
http://rsa.org.nz/
United Kingdom:
http://www.soldierscharity.org/
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk
United States:
http://www.va.gov/homeless/
http://www.legion.org/careers/homeslessvethelp
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-ranger-intrepid-45-chris-allen show less
Statistics
- Works
- 6
- Members
- 77
- Popularity
- #231,245
- Rating
- 4.3
- Reviews
- 12
- ISBNs
- 82
- Languages
- 2
