‘Sympathy for The Devil’ by William Shaw

Published by Riverrun,
4 May 2017.
ISBN: 978-1-78429-726-8

It's 1969 and a high-class prostitute named Lena but known as Julie Teenager, should be in her flat awaiting her next client but Florence her maid is puzzled to find her place empty.

Detective Sergeant Cathal Breen is called in to investigate when she is found murdered. He is soon convinced that it is one of her clients who killed her but which one? There now begins the difficult task of tracing them all. The only names the police have to go on are made up ones by Florence based on their appearances.

Breen finds out that the local beat policemen were warned to keep away from Julie's road at night. Who could be responsible for such as order? Could there be a policeman with influence involved or does it go even higher? When Breen digs deeper and seems to be getting nearer the truth, more murders are committed.

His pregnant girlfriend, an ex-police officer, Helen Tozer, is bored now she has given up work and insists on helping Breen. The more they discover the more they are convinced that politics come into it, especially involving Russia and the exchange of spies. As Helen becomes more involved Breen begins to fear for her safety, with good reason. He also has the creepy feeling that he is being followed but he wonders if he is getting paranoid or is whoever is responsible just very good at it?

It all leads to a great finale but it leaves Breen wondering if he really wants to carry on as a policeman.

Another great story well written, from William Shaw, I do like his books. I particularly enjoyed the nostalgic feeling of the sixties, I remember all the events he describes well. It is easy to forget how different lives were without mobile telephones, they really do have their uses!

A really good book full of intrigue which keeps the reader guessing right until the final pages. Hurry up with your next one William! Highly recommended.

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Reviewer: Tricia Chappell

William Shaw was born in Newton Abbot, Devon, and lived for sixteen years in Hackney. For over twenty years he has written on popular culture and sub-culture for various publications including the Observer and the New York Times. A Song from Dead Lips was his first novel. He lives in Brighton.

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.