‘Marked for Death’ by Tony Kent

Published by Elliott and Thompson Ltd,
7 February 2019.
ISBN: 978-1-78396-392-8 (HB)

When 85-year-old former Lord Chief Justice, Phillip Longman is found murdered, Detective Chief Inspector Joelle Levy is called to the scene. She is horrified to find he was crucified after being brutally tortured.

We then learn of a Michael Devlin, Queen's Council Barrister, who is visiting a client in Wandsworth Prison. He has been accused of a double murder and Michael is defending him. At the same time Michael's fiancée, Sarah, a T.V. Reporter is outside Langman's home together with her camera man and team.

Levy is then informed of the murder of gang leader Leon Ferris and his three henchmen. Convinced these are gangland killings the case is passed to the specialised section of the police called “Trident” much to her annoyance.

However, Levy and team soon have another murder to investigate, that of a solicitor crucified in the same way as Longman. Together with Michael, many in the legal world are not terribly sorry about is death, he was very unpopular.

It is obviously clear Longman and the solicitor's deaths were carried out by the same perpetrator. It becomes vital to find if there was a case where they were both involved in putting away the same person.

Then there is another horrific murder. This narrows the field down and Levy finds the three murdered people were connected with finding the same person guilty. Unknown to her Michael played a part in it too, it involved an incident which he has managed to keep secret all these years.

Does he tell Levy about it to help solve the case? It's something he is deeply ashamed of and may even lead to a custodial sentence. He is in a real dilemma. Also, he is sure the killer will come after him next. What can he do?

Meanwhile his fiancée Sarah, is torn between loyalty to Michael, her boss at I.T.V and her new-found friend Joelle Levy. Should she divulge what else she knows? Can any of them prevent Michael being the next victim?

A really good story of murder and mayhem. Tony Kent is such a brilliant author; the characters leap off the page. I understand he is a barrister himself, no wonder the court room scenes are so absorbing. The book ends in such a way that it leaves it open for a follow up. I can't wait!

Highly recommended for those who enjoy a gripping murder story interlace with entertaining acts played out on the legal stage.

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Reviewer: Tricia Chappell

Tony Kent grew up in a close-knit Irish family in London and studied law in Scotland. He is a top-ranking barrister and former champion boxer who brings a wealth of detail and personal insight to this unputdownable thriller. A regular at London's Old Bailey, Tony's case history includes prosecuting and defending many high-profile, nationally reported trials. Before his legal career, Tony boxed internationally as a heavyweight and won a host of national amateur titles. He is based in London.

  

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.