The Angel (Isabella Rose Book 1)

I strongly recommend reading the Beatrix Rose novels before you embark on the Isabella Rose series. To fully enjoy the novels you need to know the backstory. You should also know that there are, at the moment, three novels in the series and the first two end in cliff-hangers. I haven’t finished the third yet but I understand, as another is planned, I expect it will too. You will need to commit to all the novels to get to the final denouement. That, for me, is not a chore!As with all Dawson’s novels they are action-packed page turners and this and the other Rose novels are quick and satisfying reads. It is good to see a powerful, female protagonist.

This book popped up advertised on my Kindle Unlimited. I thought the idea of the girl being so young in the synopsis seemed interesting and gave it a go, not thinking it would be anything spectacular. I was reading it on a Saturday and found that I kept reading and reading. When it got to the bombs going off in London, I realised that this book was something really spectacular and worthy of note. I could not put it down! It was so gripping, readable with an awesome plot, current and very well written. Not too much bad language which was good, some authors go really over the top with that and it spoils the whole atmosphere and ruins the characters. I liked this book so much I bought it even though I was able to read it for free the first time on Kindle unlimited. Another thing I found just great were the characters, especially Isabella Rose, I was fascinated with her, her story and especially her home in Marrakech; I found myself looking up Riads and the idea of them really gave the book setting a great atmosphere. Michael Pope was my favourite character, so well written, likeable, reliable and honourable too. I have read this book 3 times now which is extremely rare for me. Before going onto the next one I went back in the timeline and I read all of the Beatrix Rose books that I'd never heard of and which were absolutely awesome too. If you want a good read that is gripping, which allows you to become lost in some fascinating and exciting locations then I would definitely recommend this book and this whole series. It's both entertaining and thought provoking too. If I could give more than 5 stars I would!

As other reviewers have stated – you should read the “Beatrix Rose” books before you start on this 4-book “Isabella Rose” series. Thus, you get the necessary background to these action-packed thrillers by Mark Dawson.As I said, there are 4 relatively short books in this series and you really need to treat them as a single novel or you will be left rather disappointed as each part ends without a conclusion. Alas, this is becoming a common but disappointing practice among Kindle book publishers. Pope, our co-star, is a government security specialist who tries to unravel apparent conspiracy and deceit by senior people in government. He faces one impossible situation after another as even his closest family get embroiled in the affairs. Isabella Rose proves to be a surprisingly able accomplice - a girl with an intriguing upbringing.The series is well worth the read. I just find having to buy 4 books for 1 story a tad disappointing. Hence, the 4-star rating.

I've enjoyed the John Milton series, which was the basis on which I bought this book. However I am appalled that it is not a story, the 'ending' being like the end of a multi series TV show, i.e. leaving the 'viewer', or in this case reader, needing to go on to the next in the series to find out what happens. When I buy a book I don't expect to be forced to buy the next one just to find out what happens.On that basis I simply refuse to buy further 'instalments' because like another reviewer, I view this is a CON.This is a pity because while I've enjoyed Mark Dawson's books, I don't intend to read any more if this is the way readers are going to be treated.

Having read the reviews I knew that this was just a first part of a trilogy and it ended on a cliff edge. So this didn't bother me. Especially when all three books were priced cheaper than one normally priced book. I've enjoyed most of the Milton series but for some reason this just didn't gell as much for me (nor did the previous series re Isabella's mother)....Also the plot (although topical on the news as I write this) is very familiar. In fact it's more or less identical to a Steven Leather (Spider Shepherd) novel with young, home grown, jihadists bombing the London Underground etc and the "secret" UK teams ways of finding and dealing with them. I have the next two instalments waiting on my Kindle....(at £1 each who can complain?).....but I'm in no hurry to read the next instalment so I'll try something else first.

A story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. This is sold as a novel, but is in fact an introduction. It hardly begins. Characters are introduced, and once we the readers have begun to invest in them, they are killed off. So I was left feeling bereft. What had been the point of telling us about them? The story tells us it is moving on, and stops suddenly. I was left feeling conned. I will not be buying the next 'instalment'. This is not a long book. The whole story should have gone in one cover.

I am a great enthusiast for Mark Dawson books and this is a story which links John Milton and Beatrix Rose and Group 15 files.... this introduces 15 year old Beatrix daughter, Isabel. Three quarters of the book is setting the scene and some background for those who arrive at the book without this knowledge. The only disappointment is the book does not end, which for me was not an issue as I purchased all for with this character, but be prepared to get the second act, The Asset. I guess Mark is an avid writer and, having read over a dozen, there is little recapping to put those who read his books in order to be put off. Keep up the great work Mark, I still have a lot in my library to get through!