‘Shoot to Kill’ by James Craig

Published by Constable,
August 2014.
ISBN: 978-1-4721-1517-1

DI Carlyle’s London police station is busy: a bomb scare, raid on a strip club, a dead tramp. The shoot-out at the Eurostar terminal isn’t actually his problem, but it sparks off the biggest dilemma of his career ...

It’s hard to summarise the many plot strands running through this portrait of modern multi-cultural London, and the links between them: Carlyle’s boss, Simpson, is dating Dino Mottram, who’s head-hunting ex-mayor Christian Holyrod, whose mistress is the strip club’s lawyer; Carlyle’s former partner, Roche, is chasing the prisoner freed in the shoot-out, who’s the son of French drug-dealer Tuco, who’s the new business partner of Dom Silver, former cop turned dealer; Dom’s bodyguard’s brother was killed in the same Afghanistan attack that wounded ex-soldier, now tramp, Gasparino ...  The story is told in the third person, cutting quickly from strand to strand. John Carlyle is fun to be with: entertainingly grumpy with good one-liners in his work life, and soft at home. There’s plenty of action, both violent and raunchy, a pulse-racing finish and a neat rounding-off.

An enjoyably-written PP which gives a vivid portrait of contemporary London. A real treat for Carlyle fans; as it’s the seventh in the series, newcomers might like to begin with the first in the series, London Calling.

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Reviewer: Marsali Taylor

James Craig was born in Scotland, but has lived and worked in London for thirty years. He worked as a journalist for ten years and as a TV producer for five. He lives in Covent Garden with his wife and daughter.

His earlier books are London Calling, Never Apologise, Never Explain, Buckingham Palace Blues and The Circle

www.james-craig.co.uk

Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh, and came to Shetland as a newly-qualified teacher. She is currently a part-time teacher on Shetland's scenic west side, living with her husband and two Shetland ponies. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland's distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women's suffrage in Shetland. She's also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group.  Marsali also does a regular monthly column for the Mystery People e-zine.