Tripwire

Steve Cole & Chris Hunter (authors)

Corgi Books, UK: 2010; 239pp

ISBN: 9780552560832

Genres: action, adventure

Issues: loyalty, terrorism

Felix Smith, aged 15, is the son of a skilled bomb disposal expert. When his father is blown up in the disastrous Day Zero destruction of Heathrow Airport, a terrorist act that changed the world forever, Felix is not only devastated - he's determined to fight back.

The laws change to allow the creation of Minos, a teenage counter-terrorist group run by the British Army. Based on the philosophy of using their own tactics to defeat them, the Minos kids are put through rigorous training and only the best are accepted. Sent out on his first mission, Felix rapidly realises that theory is great but reality is somewhat more terrifying. The ‘Shedheads' (leaders) know that Orpheus, the alliance of terrorist groups, is planning something big. It's up to Felix and his teen colleagues to find out what. Preferably in time to stop it happening.

Another action-packed, fast-paced narrative designed to appeal to teen readers (particularly boys), Tripwire is an adrenaline-filled race against time. The involvement of former bomb-disposal and counter-terrorist expert, Major Chris Hunter in the creation of the book makes this a much more believable tale than it might otherwise be. Felix's uncanny ability to survive life-threatening situations, miraculously escape enemy agents and single-handedly dismantle complex explosive devices is straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster. No doubt the series will consequently do extremely well!