Published by Joffe Books,
12 February 2020.
ISBN 978-1-78931308-6 (PB)
12 February 2020.
ISBN 978-1-78931308-6 (PB)
This is Book 5 in
Steve Parker’s popular and highly acclaimed Detective Ray Paterson series. Steve
is a British writer and a retired police officer who served in the Metropolitan
Police force for twenty years working in numerous high-profile squads.
The novel is set in
Bermondsey and much of the action takes place on the banks of the River Thames
where the head of the first victim is found with the rest of his body buried in
the mud. He has a star carved on his forehead. This is the first in a series of
gruesome and agonising deaths where the victims are made to die slowly as the
Thames rises and they are gradually drowned. What makes their deaths more
horrific is that the killers have managed to hack the airwaves. Everyone
watches in horror as the clocks tick down as the victims scream for help and
batter to free themselves as water slowly rises in their buried coffins.
Detective Superintendent Ray
Paterson and Detective Sergeant Johnny Clocks rush to find the buried coffins
in time but two men die before they can be rescued. It soon becomes evident
that the victims are all Muslims. Paterson seeks the help of a local Imam.
This is a fast-paced
story with a fascinating and complex plot and there is nothing two-dimensional
about the characters. Ray Paterson and Johnny Clocks are very unconventional policemen.
Neither bother with the niceties of political correctness, particularly the often-foul-mouthed
Clocks.
More Martina Cole
than PD James, this is a gritty read, the graphic violence is vividly portrayed
with strong language. It is compelling reading, and you find yourself unable to
put down the book especially as you rush to the dramatic conclusion in the
crowded mosque.
For lovers of Steve
Parker’s Detective Ray Paterson series there is one final hook that will have
you clamouring for the next book in the series to find out the answers.
--------
Reviewer: Judith
Cranswick
Steve Parker was born and raised in South East London
(Peckham to be precise ). At twenty-one he joined the Metropolitan Police where
he served for twenty years before being pensioned out with a serious back
injury. During his time with the police he served in crime, drug, robbery,
fraud and murder squads. After leaving the police force, he went to work as an
enforcement officer for a local authority before taking redundancy. Having been
writing on and off for years he decided to go back to it. He now writes a
series featuring Detective Superintendent Ray Paterson and Detectuve Insector Johnny Clocks. There are five books in
the series to date. He is married, with
two sons and lives in East Sussex.
Judith Cranswick was born
and brought up in Norwich. She wrote her first novel (now languishing in the
back of a drawer somewhere) when her two children were toddlers, but there was
little time for writing when she returned to work teaching Geography in a large
comprehensive. It was only after leaving her headship that she was able to take
up writing again in earnest. Judith teaches Tai Chi, and line dancing, yoga,
Pilates and Zumba. Her other hobbies include reading and travelling. She is
lucky enough to be a cruise lecturer. You can read some of her adventures – the
Ups and Downs of Being a Cruise Lecturer on her September 2014 blog on her home
page. Judith’s latest book is Blood Flows South to read a review
click on the title
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