I was browsing book sites looking for a new author when I found the first book in the series, Letter from the Dead being offered as a free book on Amazon.
Not one to turn down a cheaply I loaded it onto my Kindle, and I’m glad I did.
Letter from the Dead introduces DI Delan Walsh, an Officer who is on the brink of leaving the Police following two recent events, one disciplinary, the other the resolution of a case that saw him braking a corruption ring in his force.
The hatred from many other officers he can deal with, the fact that he punched a Priest has resulted in his suspension and possible dismissal.
But he’s approached by DCI Munroe. His team of City of London Officers are made up by people with similar issues to Walsh. His ethos is some problem cops are just to good at their job to be allowed to slip away. They specialise in old or cold cases.
So when new information is received about the apparent accidental death of a Politician’s nearly 20 years earlier the team investigate exactly what happened
What follows is a multilayered plot that takes in the possible murder and introduces recurring characters that will turn up in the series.
Politicians, Police Officers, Gangland criminals, all take major roles as do their friends and families.
The investigation of a historic crime, involving politicians has huge impact. 20 years on some have moved on from politics, and not all in a positive way. Ones homeless, by choice, one’s an internet preacher, and one has changed his political allegiances. But what are they running away from.
This is a story about manipulation and consequences, and it’s a great vehicle to start the series.
The second book, Murder of Angels, is one of the most complex stories I’ve read for a long time, but it’s a cracker of a read.
Parts of two Cities, London and Birmingham, are run by traditional, old school villains, but they are being slowly threatened by the younger gangs, youths that have less respect for people in general. In this case the problem is exacerbated by the fact that it’s the sons of the old gangsters that are trying to take over.
Declan and the team of misfits are spread thin covering crimes in both cities as part of a joint investigation.
The concept of this conflict is again historical. Things that happened 18 years ago having a huge impact on today, and it’s the mysteries of the past that the team need to get to the bottom of, to get to solve todays crimes.
As complex as the book is there is never any doubt of its credibility. The story is brilliant.
The characters in this series are really good. Walsh is totally engaging. His history, and his father’s history are going to have a huge impact on the series.
If you like multi-layered books with a compelling ongoing thread, this is definitely a series not to miss
I really can’t wait to read the next book, but I have commitments to other books, and I’ve got work to do so it will have to wait for a week or so.
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