'Echoes of Justice' by J. J. Franklin

Published by Silver Wood Books,
January 2016.
ISBN 978-1-78132-482-0

Detective Inspector Matt Turrell investigates the suspicious death of a gang leader.  We are aware from the beginning of this story that Jonathan James has been murdered by Kathy Wylde, mother of the man whom the gang had kicked to death in front of his wife.    Matt Turrell and his team in the Warwickshire Police are quick to check with those connected to the earlier crime, particularly when another exgang member dies.  What is the connection with the first death?   Is this a separate crime?  These questions are part of Matt's investigation. Revenge is a powerful motif in this book.

I like the skilful way the author juxtaposes the actions of different characters to make an exciting whole as the tale unfolds.  I felt sympathetic to those caught up in the frightening manifestations of obsession and violence.  Kathy herself finds, firstly, that she does not feel any satisfaction with what she has done and, secondly, that her next target seems to be a pleasant young man, whom she likes.  The earlier victim Jonathan was not a pleasant individual but the story of his background gives food for thought about his behaviour.

The characters here are all vibrant in their own ways from pathetic, mentally challenged Dave through nasty returned criminal Vinny to obsessive cleaner, widowed Pam.  The police team also show individual traits as Matt struggles to integrate an injured member back into his team while trying to establish the causes of the excessive drinking of another.  His background and that of his wife is filled out too by some events here.

This is an exciting story which winds more and more tightly as the climax approaches leaving the reader gasping for breath!  The conclusion is a satisfying one.

------

Reviewer: Jennifer S. Palmer

This is the second adventure for Matt Turrell, the first one was Urge to Kill

J J Franklin Aka Bren Littlewood left school at fifteen with no qualifications, and a writing career seemed like an impossible.  Then a powerful Los Angeles earthquake thrust her towards that dream. Thankful that she had survived, Bren decided to pursue her dream and enrolled in part time script writing courses at UCLA. Originating from England, Bren has had many jobs over the years. In Toronto, she worked at the Police Headquarters, training as a keypunch operator. This skill enabled her to work at MGM in Culver City, and she remembers the thrill of seeing Charlton Heston and Sammy Davis, Junior, whilst working there.  

Returning home to England, Bren’s first job was as a receptionist at the Hilton Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, before she applied for nurse training. She eventually gained a second qualification as a mental health nurse. Becoming a sister on the community directed her toward training in counselling, leading to a MA in Counselling from Warwick University. Bren believes it is this psychological background that informs her work. 

Her first success as a writer was in writing murder mystery scripts for her own company. The Company provided murder mystery dinners and weekends all over the UK, even performing, on one occasion, on the Orient Express. Bren also co-wrote a murder mystery boxed game.

Then Bren decided to renew her love of script and enrolled in a MA in Television writing at De Montfort University. From this experience, she wrote for the BBC, before writing her first novel, Urge to Kill, a psychological thriller. The novel is the first in a series and features British Detective Inspector Matt Turrell. She decided to write under her maiden name of Franklin, adding the initials of her Mom and Dad.

Bren lives in Stratford-upon-Avon with her cat, Ziggi, who rules the house.

http://www.bmlittlewood.com

Jennifer Palmer Throughout my reading life crime fiction has been a constant interest; I really enjoyed my 15 years as an expatriate in the Far East, the Netherlands & the USA but occasionally the solace of closing my door to the outside world and sitting reading was highly therapeutic. I now lecture to adults on historical topics including Famous Historical Mysteries.