The Blacklist

The Blacklist is the first book in the series, which starts off with all four characters on a mission. Most of the book is set in Manchester, the agents' home city. The four agents are part of a spec-ops group know as The Blacklist (Group), which includes Toby Rieper (the boss), Ralph Lindsay, Amelia Jersey and Shaunna Royalsden.

Plot
SPOILERS AHEAD

Chapter 1-3
The first chapter of the book pulls you right into the action, where the four agents (Toby Rieper, Ralph Lindsay, Amelia Jersey and Shaunna Royalsden) are trying to locate a certain target of the name Paula Smith and her assisant, Andrea Turner. They cooperate very well and communicate effectively, until Ralph, Amelia and Shaunna find themselves in the same room as their target. There is a small shoot out, which results in Paula and Andrea getting away and Shaunna getting shot in the arm. The mission concludes with Toby shocked by the injury and calling Crossroads (Yohansa Wilkinson) for aid.

The second chapter shows Toby Rieper and Shaunna Royalsden's happy relationship and the cheeky, loving atmosphere between them. Then, it swiftly moves on to an event that happens a week later, where all four agents (this time including Ralph Lindsay and Amelia Jersey) are sat in Shaunna's living room, having a day off. They talk about their relationships - specifically Ralph's with Charlotte Lindsay and Amelia's with Vanessa Newton - but they're later cut off by Toby asked for drinks. They all take a beer.

Then the book cuts to Ralph on the way back home from the meetup with his agent friends. As he leaves his car, he hears sounds coming from the direction of his garden and he goes to check what they are - he spots two people in his garden whom he doesn't recognise (but are later revealed to be Penny Steiker and Jess Derby from the Strategic Support Unit, SSU). We see the two agents visit their boss, Diana Kerber, and their success in the SSU.

A day later, Toby visits Shaunna and makes her breakfast. They have a long talk and their relationship is further emphasised. Because Shaunna is injured, Toby brings the bagel to her bed and they chat, happily.

The third chapter is set three days after the end of Chapter 2. The four agents from The Blacklist visit in an abandoned playground. Ralph Lindsay is shown to be waiting for the others as he is checking his phone. Toby Rieper and Shaunna Royalsden arrive first, holding hands. Amelia Jersey is the last to arrive. The agents then set off to the Warehouse, where they spend the rest of their night, drinking and having fun.

The next morning, Toby is at Shaunna's house again, but the atmosphere is very different. He still remembers the mission from Chapter 1 and he is shown to be hating himself for letting Shaunna be shot in the arm. However, she calms him down near the end and Toby leaves, saying he's going to help Ralph move houses.

The story then goes to reveal that Toby wasn't actually helping Ralph move houses, but they instead met up in the Car Park, where they plan their next move. The reader finds out now that the two agents are deciding to break away from The Blacklist (Group) and attempt to hunt Paula Smith and Andrea Turner down alone.

Then, Amelia is seen on a phone to Vanessa Newton, who reveals to her that she loves her. Amelia is shocked by the news and decides to meet her another day, soon ending the call. Amelia tells the reader that she always loves Vanessa but didn't know she had the same feelings towards her.

The chapter skips to Ralph welcoming his parents into his house. They laugh and joke around, until Ralph suddenly turns serious. He tells them about his and Toby's decision to break away from The Blacklist, but doesn't go into the detail. His parents accept their son's decision and remind him of his girlfriend, Charlotte Lindsay.

Amelia then decides to call Shaunna for support. She tells her best friend about everything and receives the support she needed. The two agents sit comfortably in Amelia's room, as Amelia tells her about Vanessa's call. Shaunna says that her and Vanessa would make a great couple.

Later, Penny Steiker and Jess Derby are seen to be hunting a man down. Penny punches him and takes him down to the floor. Jess laughs and says that it was done very nicely and easily. Then, Penny interrogates the man and asks for Toby and Ralph's location.

Chapter 4-6
The first thing we see is Amelia Jersey at her computer, trying to find Ralph Lindsay and Toby Rieper. She then receives a call from Crossroads, who tells her to find the agents quickly. Amelia is desperate.

Just a few kilometers away, Toby and Ralph were set up for their mission. Ralph gets up to follow Paula Smith and Andrea Turner, but soon gets caught off guard and knocked out.

At the same time, Crossroads visits Shaunna Royalsden's house and tells her the news about Toby and Ralph going missing. Shaunna says that she already knew and that she doesn't know anything about where they could've gone. As Yohansa leaves, Shaunna collapses onto her sofa, upset. The chapter skips to Amelia, who is finally going to meet up with Vanessa Newton for the first time since their call. They meet outside and decide to go somewhere else because of the cold. Amelia holds Vanessa's hand and they go to Gay Village.

At the SSU Headquarters, Harry Stewart leads a new visitor to Diana Kerber. They have a meeting and decide to partner. It is later revealed that the visitor is Paula Smith.

Later, Ralph Lindsay is found to be strapped to a chair by Paula Smith and Andrea Turner. They try get information out of him, but he doesn't say anything. Andrea puts a bag over his head and takes him away.

Over at Shaunna Royalsden's house, her and Amelia Jersey were talking, when Shaunna got angry, thinking Amelia was joking around. But then, Amelia apologised and they get on again, showing each other support. Two days later, Amelia is at Shaunna's house again, but this time the atmosphere between them isn't as good. Amelia says that she has to track Ralph and Toby down, with which Shaunna disagrees. They fall out and Amelia slips out a couple of bad words, which really upsets her best friend. Shaunna points at her door and tells Amelia to leave her house.

Ralph Lindsay wakes up in a different room and, after a while of struggling, manages to get the ropes off his legs and he leaves the room. He strangles a guard using the handcuffs, finding a key and taking them off. Meanwhile, Toby Rieper calls Shaunna Royalsden and tells her about Ralph going missing. He tells her that he loves her and that he always will, even if he doesn't come back. Then, Ralph finds his stuff in a room and calls Toby Rieper. After a short conversation, a guard enters the room and Ralph shoots him, setting the alarm off in the building.

At the SSU Headquarters, Penny Steiker and Jess Derby get promoted. They scream from excitement, thanking their boss, Diana Kerber. The agents say that they will serve Diana forever, and they get on with their job. After their promotion, Penny Steiker and Jess Derby have a massive party. Diana Kerber arrives later too. They party and get drunk, whilst Ralph is weaving his way out of the building.

Amelia Jersey knocks on Shaunna Royalsden's door, and after several minutes, Shaunna opens it. Amelia apologised for what she said earlier but Shaunna says that it's over between them and closes the door. Amelia stands in the cold, alone. Moments later, we see Shaunna Royalsden run upstairs and into her room, bursting out into tears. She tries to call Amelia, but the agent doesn't answer. She is desperate, but she fails, and the scene cuts off.

Meanwhile, Ralph Lindsay runs out of the building, people firing at him. He hides behind a car, when Toby Rieper arrives, and makes a quick plan. Ralph is about to give up, when Toby tells him to stop and reminds him of Charlotte Lindsay waiting for him at home. Ralph goes serious again and covers, whilst Toby attacks the men. They swiftly get rid of them all and Ralph pins the last one to the wall, while Toby asks the man who he works for. The man doesn't say, and Ralph executes him with a knife. Toby shouts at him for doing it, saying they needed the man for information, but Ralph just points at the man's badge - it's the Strategic Support Unit's badge.

The the start of the fifth chapter, we see Shaunna Royalsden desperately call Amelia Jersey, who answers the phone. They talk for a while and Amelia apologises, then Shaunna tells her about Toby Rieper's call and how Ralph Lindsay had been kidnapped. The two girls then decide they need to find their friends.

Over at Paula Smith's mansion, she is on the phone with someone, screaming at them for letting Ralph escape. She puts all the blame on the Strategic Support Unit's men and asks Andrea Turner for a drink. Andrea tells her how she always lets all her anger out on her and they both have a drink. They then drink more and more, until they pass out.

We then see Toby Rieper and Ralph Lindsay at the Car Park again. They're struggling to make a plan and Ralph decides they should just 'find where she lives and kill her.' Toby says that it's not as easy as it sounds, but he doesn't have a better plan. As Ralph is about to walk off, he returns to Toby and asks whether he can speak to Charlotte Lindsay. Toby says yes.

After the party, Penny Steiker and Jess Derby wake up on the sofa. Penny gets a call from their boss, Diana Kerber, who tells them to get to the SSU Headquarters. They do, and they arrive at Diana's office. When there, the two girls find out that Ralph Lindsay managed to escape Paula Smith's grasp and that they weren't there to stop him.

Then, Ralph Lindsay visits Charlotte Lindsay. He's nervous and when she opens the door, he apologises. Charlotte says that she isn't angry and asks him to come inside because it's cold. Ralph and Charlotte sit down on the sofa together and she puts her head on his shoulder. She then asks Ralph whether he will be back. Ralph reacts and stands up, tears in his eyes. He tells Charlotte that even if he's not back, he'll always be in her heart.

The sixth chapter starts at the SSU Headquarters, where Paula Smith charges in and tells the Strategic Support Unit that the deal is over. Penny Steiker and Jess Derby apologise to Diana Kerber for not being there when Ralph Lindsay escape, but Diana says it's okay, and that they're going to get revenge on 'these bitches' (Paula Smith and Andrea Turner.)

Then we see Amelia Jersey on the phone with Vanessa Newton. They decide to go for a walk around Manchester, when a loud bang catches Amelia off guard. She notices Toby Rieper and Ralph Lindsay with guns out, entering through cavity in the wall they just exploded with C4s. Ralph and Toby entered the SSU Headquarters and murdered everyone there, until Ralph brutally interrogates the last guard. They find out that Diana Kerber has fled to London. As they leave the building, they see Amelia Jersey.

Shaunna Royalsden is then seen to be at home, doing research. The news then turn on and she tunes in as she hears Toby and Ralph's names. As she realises what is happening, she quickly gets up and leaves the house. Then it cuts to Diana Kerber, who is getting ready to flee to London. She is still shocked by Toby and Ralph's very successful mission and how only two men were able to destroy her whole squad. The agents' attack on the SSU Headquarters left Diana in shock, who is now walking around, pale. Penny Steiker and Jess Derby organise a flight on a Black Hawk to speed up the journey to London and they all get in. Diana realises that while she was hunting Ralph down before, she was now the one being hunted.

Chapter 7-9
The seventh chapter picks up in the SSU Headquarters, where Toby Rieper and Ralph Lindsay have just found Amelia Jersey after massacring the SSU guards. Amelia explains to the two agents how they ruined their friendship and then leaves the building. Somehow unfazed, Ralph reminds Toby that they need to leave before the police arrive, so they also leave the building. When they get outside, the police is already there and the pair get arrested.The chapter quickly cuts to a scene with Diana Kerber and her two agents - Penny Steiker and Jess Derby - in a Black Hawk helicopter. They are just about to land, when one of the surrounding Black Hawks gets hit by a missile fired from a Javelin. Three more helicopters get hit before they manage to shoot the men down, who we later find out happen to be Paula Smith's men. Diana's Black Hawk is the only one to not go down, and they soon land safely.

Then we see Shaunna Royalsden at the crime scene (near the SSU Headquarters.) She gets past the line of policemen by showing The Blacklist (Group) badge and one of the men there inform her that Toby and Ralph murdered twenty seven people who work for the Strategic Support Unit. Shocked, Shaunna continues to try and find out where the police took the two agents and is soon successful to know that they were arrested and put in a cell in Greater Manchester Police Headquarters. The policeman reminds Shaunna that the world is a dangerous place and her reply is simply, 'Oh, I know.'

Cutting, the chapter shows Vanessa Newton with her parents. She tells them about Amelia Jersey and her profession and how she works for The Blacklist (Group) but never told her. Her parents want to support her and the family chat for a while.

Meanwhile, Harry Stewart is conflicted with his inner thoughts. The attack on the SSU Headquarters impacted him, but in a good way. He decided to visit The Blacklist Headquarters, where he walks up to the receptionist and asks whether he can apply to work for The Blacklist (Group).

Over in the cell, Toby Rieper is reminding Ralph Lindsay of the many great things he has done in the past. He does this because Ralph gives up trying and says they're done for, but Toby is sure that they can get out. Toby then says that Ralph needs to get them out of the prison cell, later also adding that it is an order. We later find out that Ralph had quickly come up with a plan. He knew the building was built in 1846 and must cavities between the outer and inner walls, big enough for a couple of men to fit in at once. Ralph jumps up to look through a vent and notices that they cavities are indeed there. Toby calls a policeman and asks for water, but he instead knocks the man out with a sharp stone, getting hold of his keys and escaping the cell. The pair run down the corridor until they reach a door. Ralph pretends that they're stuck and can't get out...

Already in a bunker in London, Penny Steiker asks Diana Kerber whether she is okay, because she is very pale and quiet. Diana says she's okay and that Penny shouldn't worry about her. Then, Penny goes down the corridor to find Jess Derby, who is later found to be researching stuff after the attack on the SSU Headquarters. She finds out that it had nothing to do with The Blacklist (Group) but was organised completely by Toby Rieper and Ralph Lindsay. Penny says that she wants to hear new information, and Jess tells her that Harry Stewart joined The Blacklist (Group).

It then cuts back to Toby Rieper and Ralph Lindsay walking through the cavities in the walls, Toby clearly annoyed at Ralph for tricking him into thinking they were going to get caught. They walk through the 'tunnel' and Ralph later shows Toby the little images draw on the wall to guide them around the building. They then get to the armoury and grab some weapons, then they visit Anjali, who is supposed to help them get their stuff back. However, we quickly find out that Anjali is going to report the two agents, so they decide to change their plan and ask Holleigh for help instead.

At the start of the eight chapter, we see Paula Smith reveal that the Javelins were in fact hers and that she wants the Strategic Support Unit dead, or rather Diana Kerber specifically.

Then, we see Vanessa Newton finally answer Amelia Jersey's call. They talk for a short while and Amelia attempts to tell Vanessa about everything, but her girlfriend wants her to come over and tell her face to face. Amelia agrees with it and visits Vanessa. When Amelia arrives at Vanessa's house, they go upstairs and Amelia tells her everything about herself. She then reveals to Vanessa that she wants to resign from The Blacklist (Group).

Holleigh does help them and Ralph sets off to hunt Anjali down before they got caught. Toby and Holleigh go to find their stuff. Ralph finds Anjali and she attacks him. They have a long fight and Ralph is victorious - he kills her with a knife and swiftly walks off. Ralph, Toby and Holleigh meet back in her office with their stuff. They thank her and leave, just as the alarm goes off in the building.

Ralph Lindsay and Toby Rieper are sitting in the corner of a café, talking, when Toby suddenly tells Ralph that he needs to speak to Charlotte Lindsay. Ralph says that Toby also needs to speak to Shaunna Royalsden, and Toby says that he's already planning to do so. Ralph asks Toby whether he can start calling him 'sir' and Toby says yes. The agents decide to meet back outside the café at midnight.

Soon later, Ralph Lindsay calls Charlotte Lindsay and says he's 'just checking in.' He tells her that both him and Toby Rieper are fine and that they will move on the next day; Ralph surprisingly asks for her permission first. Charlotte says that he can, as long as he comes back. Ralph says that he will come back and that he's going to bring her the little present he was promising to give her. He then also tells her about killing Anjali and Charlotte knows that he isn't killing for fun but as his job. It is soon time, and Ralph has to end the call.

On the other hand, Toby Rieper visits Shaunna Royalsden's house directly. When she sees him, she opens the door and they sit down on the sofa together. Shaunna checks with Toby and tells him that she knows they didn't kill any innocent people - Toby agrees. They then call Ralph a 'monster' as a joke, when Toby realises it's time for him to go... As he's just about to leave, Shaunna tells him that he can't leave her now that he cam himself and that he HAS to take her with him. Although he doesn't want to, Toby says that he knows and the couple decide to go together. Ralph Lindsay is seen to be waiting at the spot Toby told him to wait at, and Toby tells Ralph that there's a change of plan. Ralph gets into the car and doesn't seem to be fazed by the appearance of Shaunna Royalsden in the passenger seat. Toby then drives to The Blacklist Headquarters, where they decide to get Amelia Jersey back.

Diana Kerber then tells Jess Derby to stop trying to infiltrate The Blacklist (Group)'s files, but instead try team with them. Jess says that it was a waste of time but Penny Steiker says that Diana is right.

Amelia Jersey sees that she's getting called, but she doesn't answer the phone because she's in bed and Vanessa Newton is already sleeping. However, when the caller doesn't give up, Amelia quietly gets up to see who it is, when Vanessa wakes up. Amelia tells her that it's Toby Rieper and Vanessa tells Amelia to answer the phone. Amelia does so and Toby asks whether she is alone. Amelia says she isn't alone and Toby tells her that they need her and if she doesn't come, they'll go without her. Amelia hangs up (saying she'll call Toby back in five minutes) and speaks to Vanessa about it, who tells her that she should go. After a while of inner conflict, Amelia listens and leaves the house, only to see The Blacklist (Group) already waiting for her outside in a car.

The ninth chapter picks up at Paula Smith's mansion. Andrea tells her that they'll be in London in one hour, and that they're going to take a jet to Stansted Airport. She says that they will let The Blacklist (Group) ambush Diana Kerber and her agents, at which point Paula herself will go in and kill everyone else. Andrea Turner compares this tactic to Stalin's tactic in the Second World War.

As The Blacklist (Group) are on their journey to London, Toby Rieper informs them of their plan - to kill. However, Amelia Jersey quickly notices that something is wrong and Shaunna Royalsden agrees with her. Amelia says that it's far too quiet and that it's odd that they haven't been attacked yet. Ralph Lindsay says that he knows a place in London where they could get some people to help them - the Secret Intelligent Service (MI6).

Jess Derby calls Harry Stewart after unsuccessfully trying to get in touch with The Blacklist (Group)'s private communication system. She says that she doesn't want to start a war, but wants to team with them as long as they call their attack off. Harry Stewart quickly calls Toby, but Ralph answers the phone. After a somewhat lengthy conversation, the four agents decide to make a deal with the Strategic Support Unit, as long as they give them information on Paula Smith.

Over at the bunker in London, Jess Derby is running down the corridor, shouting. She's saying that The Blacklist (Group) is calling them, and she goes to her boss, Diana Kerber, with the good news. They answer the phone and make a plan with The Blacklist. Diana wants them to get to Paula Smith before she gets to her. Toby Rieper then makes a plan and turns onto a road leading to Stansted Airport.

Over at home, someone calls Vanessa Newton to tell her that Amelia Jersey had been murdered. It isn't mentioned in the book who the caller was, but the reader can guess that it was Paula Smith because it's a female voice and it's later revealed that The Blacklist (Group) fall into a trap.

Ralph Lindsay and Amelia Jersey are seen to be at the airport already, waiting for Paula Smith's cars to drive past. As the last one is driving past them, the two agents quickly take it out and get inside themselves, as Toby Rieper and Shaunna Royalsden follow Paula and her men. When they're somewhat safe, Ralph Lindsay tells Amelia Jersey that she has some spare time. Amelia decides to call Vanessa Newton, who answers instantly. Amelia asks where Vanessa is and she says that someone called her saying Amelia is dead, and she is five minutes away from The Blacklist Headquarters. Then, bullets sprayed their rear window and Ralph Lindsay and Amelia Jersey realised they fell into a trap. Several Land Rovers were chasing them... Amelia leans out of the door and shoots a few cars down, while Ralph continues to drive. Amelia asks how far away they are and Ralph reveals that they're just about to enter the city.

Chapter 10-12
The tenth chapter starts off exactly where the previous chapter ended. Jess Derby calls Ralph Lindsay and Amelia Jersey as they're getting chased by several Land Rovers. Jess asks what's happening and Ralph tells her that they've been tricked and they're being chased by about five cars. Suddenly, Ralph turns onto the wrong road and they're driving into oncoming traffic. As Ralph is weaving in and out of the cars advancing towards them, Amelia tries her best to shoot down the Land Rovers behind. Then, Amelia tells Ralph to try and turn the car around and he does so by crashing into another car gently, which sends their own vehicle spinning. It stops with the front bumper facing the Land Rovers. Then, Ralph drives in reverse until he sees a familiar road, which he quickly turns onto. Only one car followed them, as the others drive right past. Amelia tells Ralph to stop the car, and he does it. The Land Rover behind them turns to the side out of panic, crashing into a building. Ralph smiles as he drove on and asked how Toby's doing. Toby says that he's still following Paula Smith and her cars.

Vanessa Newton then arrives at The Blacklist Headquarters. She walks up to Harry Stewart and tells him that she's been told to go there by Amelia Jersey. Harry quickly calls Ralph Lindsay, who says that now is not the time. Harry tells him about Vanessa, and Ralph passes the phone to Amelia.

Cutting to Paula Smith, she orders half of her men to turn right at the nearest junction. As she's looking through the window, she decides that she wants to expand her horizons and aim bigger. Paula says that there's a change of plan, at which Andrea Turner replies 'huh?' Paula tells the men that they're going full in and taking over London.

Ralph Lindsay and Amelia Jersey soon arrive at the MI6 Agents' safe house. Ralph takes out his phone and calls someone and tells them to open the door. A tall man - Anthony Rieper - opens the door, an M1014 in his hands. He asks whether Ralph is who he thinks he is, and Ralph says yes and tells him to put the weapon down. Him and Amelia walk into the building through a long corridor. When they get into the main room, they see Holleigh there. She tells Ralph that she cleared the CCTV for him at the police station. Then, Ralph asks for help, but Anthony says that he can't keep giving Ralph men. Ralph says that he doesn't want Anthony's men's help; we wants his help.

It then cuts to Vanessa Newton, who's been sent to a safe room in The Blacklist Headquarters. She asks Harry Stewart how long she has to stay there for, and his answer is until Amelia Jersey says she can leave. Vanessa sits down on the sofa in the middle of the room and switches the news on. The first thing she sees is a massive car chase in London and she laughs as she says 'They've caused havoc already. Dear me.'

Ralph Lindsay and Amelia Jersey are sitting on two chairs in the MI6 safe house. Ralph suddenly asks Amelia why she didn't tell him and Toby Rieper about Vanessa Newton and Amelia's response is that she wasn't sure whether their relationship is 'legitimate.' Ralph laughs at that and asks how long the two girls have been together for - Amelia says a few weeks, but they met several months ago. Then Ralph gets up and says that they shouldn't waste time. As him and Amelia are getting into their car, Toby Rieper calls Ralph, asking whether they're leaving yet. Ralph says that they were just about to leave. Holleigh and Anthony Rieper took their own car.