having read his first novel in the Sam Archer series i was curious to see how well he developed the character. while i have to say there are some things that i found kinda annoying--basically an action movie turned into a book and a bit more wishing that the author understands that you don't need to explain every detail to his readers.

it was however a solid read with clear plot lines, the secondary characters could use a little more flushing out. but he does had several twist into this that you're not exactly sure what's going on until the last minute. ( )

Another great story in the Tom Archer series. Here he is a fully fledged member of the NYPD and involved in stopping a plot to kill thousands of people by releasing a deadly virus over DC. It is a terrifying situation that could so easily happen in real life. Looking forward to the next book. ( )

Silent Night by Tom Barber (No. 4 in the Sam Archer Series)
4 stars
Amazon description

On a cold December morning in New York City, a man is found dead in Central Park. There are no knife or gunshot wounds to his body and no signs of violence. But beside the body is a box containing a cracked vial. Suspecting he died from some sort of biological attack, a lab team screen the body. What they find is deeply unsettling and terrifying.

Seven months after he left the ARU, Sam Archer is now a 3rd Grade Detective in the NYPD's Counter Terrorism Bureau. However, not everything has gone as expected. Most of his new squad have welcomed him. Others haven't. But when he and the rest of his team are called in urgently and told of the situation all personal differences need to be put aside. It's been confirmed the man in Central Park was killed by an unknown strain of a toxic pneumonic virus. Once inhaled, there is no chance of survival. The victim dies quickly, violently and in agonising pain. There is no antidote. No one knows where it has come from, who planted it in the Park and why. No ransom demands or threats have been received. Archer and his team are ordered to find out who was responsible, and to locate and secure any other strains of the virus that may exist. However, they are already almost out of time.

Someone is intending to release more of the virus into the city within the next ninety minutes.

As they desperately search for answers, Archer and the rest of his team quickly discover that the cracked vial in the Park was just the start. They are also not alone in wanting to get their hands on the virus. There are others, people with far more sinister motives who are desperate to acquire the virus and who will kill anyone who gets in their way.

As people around him start going down, Archer must battle to stay one step ahead in the race to find the toxic weapon before it is used again. When he and his team finally realise the full horrifying extent of what they’re dealing with and the potentially devastating effects of its release, Archer must do everything he possibly can to stay alive and secure the lethal virus before many more people die.

However, he is already too late.

My review
As with the previous books in the series, this cracks along at a frightening pace, with a truly frightening scenario depicted. People can and do get very greedy, wanting to make as much money as possible without any thoughts for the consequences. A number of characters in this book would fit that description. Rather than want to ensure that a deadly virus is either destroyed or kept somewhere very safe, they simply want to sell it to the highest bidder. Fortunately most of these people lack the intelligence to really carry out their intentions, but their efforts nearly thwart the efforts of Sam Archer and his team. The virus itself, violently destroying life within thirty seconds, is bad enough, but the thought that there are people who are prepared to make money out of such a weapon, is truly disturbing. Recommended. ( )