Book Review: TanDrex by Stuart Handley

Stuart Handley’s TanDrex is about two brothers, who after being orphaned as children pursue different careers, Matt Lilburn is ex-special forces and works for Homeland Security and Duncan Lilburn has followed in his late father’s footsteps not just as a scientist working in the field of nanotechnology, but working for the same company his father worked for, TanDrex. When Matt returns home one evening to find his apartment broken into and his girlfriend’s picture missing, he thwarts an attempt to abduct her but who would plan such a thing and why? Matt realises that the real threat is not to himself or his girlfriend but his brother Duncan who may have made the biggest scientific discovery of the century.

A fast-paced high-octane thriller that is absolutely riveting and exciting to read. The pace by no means skimps on the skill of the author to give you a visual, suspenseful and gripping account throughout this thriller:

“Fifty yards away from the apartment block there was a parking space available in a dimly lit section of the street; the pick-up edged in and he shut down the ignition. Now that he was close to Maria’s apartment, Lilburn applied more caution. Waiting a few seconds to ascertain no other vehicles had followed him, he walked briskly up the sidewalk consciously brushing his arm against his right hip: his cold hard steel companion was at his side; waiting to play.”

The action sequences keep you on the edge of your seat, and the suspense keeps you glued for more. Matt is a very capable leader and operative but working under the radar and alone stacks the odds against this formidable hero. His capable team are loyal and professional. Duncan Milburn is an enigmatic scientist with a conscience and also possesses a remarkable strength of character. I did find the character of Milburn’s girlfriend a little thin in comparison, she was not easily relatable as she was too innocent to even curse at the bad guys, which I found a bit lame if I’m honest but the strong female character of Scrat more than makes up for this flimsy addition to the cast.

The stakes are high and Matt is personally involved in this one, gripping right until the very end!