It was an absolute pleasure to read this accomplished action thriller. The author's style, and the desert setting, brought back happy memories of first reading 'The Strange Land' and 'The Doomed Oasis' by Hammond Innes and 'Flyaway' by Desmond Bagley. Two authors who set conventions for the genre; their thrillers now classics.
Riall Nolan's fine attention to cultural and historical detail makes this novel particularly evocative and adds an extra layer of compelling reading.
In a world of sand and heat, Max Donovan, is paired with Nadia, one of Colonel Gaddafi's Revolutionary Nuns, now defecting; and Hadley, a Cambridge University student who has found Lord Nelson's stolen chelengk. Placed in the hostile environment of the unforgiving and desolate desert the characters are believable and sympathetic. There's plenty of action and suspense, a nice touch of humour, and some glorious Bedouin smugglers, in a fast-paced and well-executed plot.

In the vein of classic adventure tales, this is the fourth story featuring ex-military fixer Max Donovan from Riall Nolan, and it's become a comfortable formula. There's never a moment when you forget that Max is the hero and therefore must always have answers to any and every challenge encountered.

The story: Young student archeologist Hadley Holloway has flown to Tunisia, investigating a piece of ceremonial jewelry that vanished decades ago. She might have found it, but she's vanished and her uncle's asked Max to step in and save the day. Making things more complicated, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has just shown up at the same hotel Max is staying and his all-female bodyguards seem to have taken a distinct disliking to the brash investigator. Will Max rescue Hadley? Will they join forces with an unlikely ally and save the day (and treasure)? Of course they will. But fortunately, "Blood on the Sands" is still a terrific and very entertaining adventure, a perfect summer read poolside. Would it be nice if Nolan created a protagonist who just might ask his colleagues for occasional advice or even let them lead? Yes, but what kind of modern hero would that be? :-)

Recommended.