Review: Veil of Civility by Ian Graham
Veil of Civility: A Black Shuck Thriller is the first book in the Declan McIver series by award winning author Ian Graham and I’m really glad to bring you a review for the audiobook version of this awesome debut novel. Never heard of Mr. Graham before experiencing this immersive story, but his writing style reminds me of some great, entertaining and iconic works by Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum and Daniel Silva.
The story opens with a series of seemingly unrelated events that will set the stage for a great adventure. The listener will be carried away from Mexico to the United States, from Russia to the United Kingdom and later, even to good old Ireland.
Our main character is Declan McIver, an ex-operative with the IRA (Irish Republican Army) that after living a life of violence has settled in the United States trying hard to forget the haunting past. He is happily married with a gorgeous woman that he loves more than anything, but things change when one of Declan’s friends is executed by a group of Islamic fundamentalist terrorists. I don’t want to go to much into the plot, because, as you may know, I hate spoilers, so all I’ll add is that Declan and his loving wife will be on the run, trying to escape false accusations and an ever expending conspiracy.
This book is excellent for many reasons and I’ll shine the spotlight just on a few of them: The writing is great, delivering instant immersion, the plot is easy to follow, although Mr. Graham created a story filled with non stop, thrilling and tensed action, a vivid cast of colorful characters, extending even to the bad guys, it never becomes too convoluted or tiresome. We’ll see political corruption at the highest levels of the government, terrorist, conspiracies, manipulation, murders and betrayals contrasting with friendship, love, honor and camaraderie.
Veil of Civility is a fantastic thriller that will be surely enjoyed by readers that liked The Sum of All Fears, Patriot Games and other top notch adventures written by masters like Vince Flynn, W.E.B. Griffin and Tom Clancy. The level of research that Mr. Graham did for this book must be staggering. The attention at details and facts is more than note worthy.
Since this is a review for an audiobook , I want to say a few words about the amazing narration delivered by the award winning actor Steve Marvel. Mr. Marvel brings the significant cast of characters to life like a true professional. He uses different voices, inflections and accents to keep them recognizable in the listeners mind. He switches with ease from Irish accented English to Jewish, British or even Arabic. I’m looking forward to experience more adventures performed with class and talent by Steve Marvel.
It was an absolute pleasure to spend almost 16 hours in this esteemed company! A great story from a promising writer that spins it like a master of thrillers, performed by a true professional, what can a book junkie want more than that? Just get it, it will be grand!
Get Kindle Edition Get Audiobook Edition Get Paperback Edition
Veil of Civility: A Black Shuck Thriller (Declan McIver Series)
Written by: Ian Graham
Narrated by: Steve Marvel
Length: 15 hrs and 50 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:01-10-14
Publisher: Kirkgrim Books
Get Kindle Edition Get Audiobook Edition Get Paperback Edition
Publisher’s Summary
During the Soviet – Afghan War an elite team of operatives were trained in the mountains of Afghanistan. Loyal to the Provisional Irish Republican Army, they were known only by their codename, Black Shuck.
In the years that followed – betrayed from within by the internal power struggles of the IRA – the team members were hunted down. Three survived, fading into the turbulent streets of Northern Ireland. To this day, their identities remain a mystery – but nothing can stay hidden forever.
For years, Declan McIver has lived under the radar – married to a beautiful woman and operating a successful business – but that life is about to change. When a planned meeting with an old friend goes horribly wrong, Declan finds himself on the run from a shadowy conspiracy that will stop at nothing to keep their evil intentions a closely guarded secret.
To survive, he’ll have to rely on long dormant training and reach deep within himself to a place and time he’d hoped to never return. As his past is laid open for the world to see and events spiral further out of control – who will win and at what cost?
Weaving well-documented facts and speculative history, Veil of Civility combines Soviet Special Forces, the Irish Republican Army, American politicians and Chechen terrorists into an explosive modern day thriller! From the countryside of suburban Virginia and the powerful halls of Washington DC to the rocky coast of Wales and the moors of Scotland, Declan McIver struggles to stay one step ahead of the conspiracy that has made him a wanted man!
About the author
Ian Graham is a lifelong entrepreneur and award winning author with an interest in politics, history, and religion. The stories and characters he writes about are centered on the explosive conflicts created when the three intersect. His writing has previously appeared in Action Pulse Pounding Tales Vol. 1 & 2 alongside best-selling thriller authors Matt Hilton, Stephen Leather, Adrian Magson, and Zoe Sharpe. He lives in the eastern United States with his wife and two daughters and shares a birthday with the United States of America.
Visit iangrahamthrillers.com for more.
About the narrator
Victor Dima
Latest posts by Victor Dima (see all)
- Review: Toxic Minds, written and performed by Anthony Lee - July 7, 2025
- Review: Shadow of the Dragon, written by Amy Daniels, narrated by Phillip Nathaniel Freeman and a full cast - July 4, 2025
- Review: My Friends by Fredrik Backman, performed by Marin Ireland – Editor’s Choice Award for Excellence in Entertainment - July 3, 2025
