Nick Stone Books

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The Nick Stone series is a series of novels written by British ex-SAS officer Andy McNab. The books, as you can tell, focus on the character of Nick Stone, who, like McNab is a former member of the Special Air Service (the SAS). Unlike McNab, Stone did not turn his hand to writing, but instead became a member of the British intelligence service’s deniable operations team. However, he has also been know to take on freelance work when his money runs dry. A quinquagenarian, McNab was born in December 1959 in Southwark upon London. Sadly, the then toddler was seen dumped outside a hospital; McNab spent his formative years with his Peckham-based adoptive parents.

The series of novels features Nick Stone taking part in various operations throughout the world, including operations in Panama, Gibraltar and Estonia, as well as throughout the United State of America.

The first book to feature the character of Nick Stone is Remote Control, which briefly delves into Stone’s history working against the Provisional IRA, before moving onto how Stone deals with a major trauma in his life. It sets the tone for the rest of the series, going in-depth into Stone’s methodology and reasoning, which is derived, in part, from McNab’s own experiences with the SAS.

Crisis Four, the second novel in the Nick Stone series, has been adapted into a movie script, but has faced major obstacles due to it featuring al Qaeda prominently. However, the book focuses more around the relationship that Stone builds with Sarah Greenwood, whom he has a history with. Like Remote Control, Crisis Four lends heavily on McNab’s previous experiences and it comes through in the writing and the story-telling. It is so action-packed and fast-paced that you can see why it has been adapted for the big screen.

The Nick Stone series of books, while looking back at historical terrorism, also features issues that are more pertinent to today’s society, and McNab keeps the stories fresh by keeping the stories contemporary and having Stone deal with new threats such as cyber-terrorism, as well as good old-fashioned bad guys with guns.

McNab joined the British Army in the mid-1980s and left in 1993. He served in British Army’s Special Air Service unit whereby he rose to the position of a sergeant. He saw combat and once commanded the doomed Bravo Two Zero. McNab has co-authored books with British psychologist-cum-penman Kevin Dutton and journalist Robert Rigby. McNab’s bibliography comprises of works of fiction and non-fiction, and consists of both standalone books and series of books, most notably Nick Stone series.

The serialized Nick Stone was inspired by Andy McNab’s real-life military experience and comprehension of Special Forces. Just like McNab, the main character in the series formerly served with the Special Air Service and British intelligence agencies.

Nick Stone series is a comprehensive book series as it consists of eighteen novels. There are 32 editions of the first book in the Nick Stone series. The first edition in that earliest book was initially published in January 1997, titled Remote Control; and this book is shelved under the war novel, fiction, action, and thriller genres.

As the title of the series proclaims, Nick Stone is the main character. As aforementioned, Stone is a former military man who served in the Special Air Service unit. Stone has since been discharged from the military unit and currently works as a soldier of fortune. Like McNab’s actual military postings, Stone has operated in many African, Middle East, and Eastern European countries. Stone also had a troubled childhood, though he had a loving biological mother and an abusive stepfather unlike McNab. At one time, Stone participated in the infamous Gibraltar killings. All in all, Stone’s experiences are fictitious accounts of McNab’s military service.

Stone is working as an undercover agent when a surprise visit to a war comrade’s house leaves him dumbfounded. In this light, he chances upon the comrade’s slain family but for a child-girl. Impulsively, Stone scoops the girl and the two run for their dear lives. Amid mysterious hitmen hellbent on killing the runaway duo, Stone and the surviving child drift from one city and their escape transcends a continent in this McNab’s debut thriller.

Nick Stone Awards

Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal aside, McNab also clinched Ruth Rendell Award which was proffered by National Literacy Trust thanks to his commendable efforts in the context of supporting literacy.

Nick Stone Books into Movies and TV Shows

Several books in the Nick Stone series, and other book series of McNab, have either been optioned or made into films. For instance, McNab’s 2012 book named Red Notice, which is the first book in the serialized Tom Buckingham, is a film in development. Silver Screen Partners purchased the film rights. Welsh actor Luke Evans is reportedly appearing as protagonist Tom Buckingham.

There is a TV series called Andy McNab’s Tour of Duty which has six episodes and first aired in mid-2008. Produced in 2006, the Grey Man was one of McNab’s four Quick Reads projects; it was made into a similarly titled 2007 film and the starring actor is Daniel Ryan, appearing as Kevin Dodds. McNab’s 2000 book titled Firewall—it is the third book in Nick Stone series— is currently being made into a film named Echelon; Jason Statham would have been the starring but he has since left the project. A non-fiction book, Bravo Two Zero is among McNab’s most notable work. This 1993 book was made into a 1999 TV miniseries wherein Sean Bean starred as Andy McNab while Kevin Collins played the role of Chris Ryan, the only escapee of the attack on Bravo Two Zero patrol team.

Best Nick Stone Books

Books one, two, and three are the best in the Nick Stone series. Remote Control has been described.

Crisis Four: The second book in Nick Stone series: Stone is a freelancing undercover agent for Secret Intelligence Service; a covert mission is jeopardized and Stone’s female colleague and one-time lover goes absent without leave, prompting his superiors’ instructions to trace her.

Firewall: This is the third book in the serialized Nick Stone; hereby, Nick Stone is working for covert British military operations when he is hired to abduct a mob-affiliated warlord, rekindling aggression and enmity.

Other Book Series You May Like

Readers who liked the Nick Stone series also liked these series of books. The first is “Matt Browning” series, authored by Chris Ryan. Protagonist Matt Browning, a former Special Air Service, teams up with war comrades on their quest for a highly remunerative state-endorsed suicide mission. The second is “Geordie Sharp” series, also penned by Chris Ryan. It recounts the misfortunes of protagonist Geordie Sharp, a sergeant attached to the Special Air Service. The third is “Stratton” series, penned by Duncan Falconer. It features protagonist Stratton, a daring and battle-hardened operative attached to the Special Boat Service.

Nick Stone F.A.Q.

Q: Who writes the Nick Stone series?

A: British author Andy McNab writes the Nick Stone series of novels. He draws a lot on his past experiences as an SAS officer to write the series.

Q: What is the first book to feature Nick Stone?

A: Remote Control is the first book to feature the character of ex-SAS officer Nick Stone.

What Is The Next Book in The Nick Stone Series?

There doesn't seem to be an upcoming book in The Nick Stone Series. The newest book is Down to the Wire and was released on November, 10th 2022.

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