Close range - 2

Striker combines top flight football with international espionage for fans of Alex Rider and Young Bond.

Meet Jake Bastin – talented teenage footballer, son of England’s top coach and last line of defence against international terrorism – he is Striker! Jake Bastin is in Milan for an international football tournament. His dad will be the TV commentator – but Jake knows this is a front. He knows his dad’s there on MI6 business.  If only Jake could get close to the action . . . Instead he is stuck at a frenzied photo shoot for a priceless South African diamond. In all the chaos, a massive diamond heist takes place. Caught up in the world of organized crime, Jake finds himself playing centre forward in the midst of assassinations and theft. But this time, it’s personal.

Nick Hale’s spy stories rival Anthony Horowitz for pace, tension and adrenalin-fuelled action. For parents of sports-mad reluctant readers, Striker promises football stories for boys with the cool-factor of a 007 movie.