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Inspector Carlyle #1
London Calling
Can you win an election and cover up murder at the same time? When Inspector John Carlyle finds a body in a luxury London hotel room he begins a journey through the murky world of the British ruling classes which leads all the way to the top. In the middle of a General Election, a murderer is stalking the man poised to be the next Prime Minister. With power almost in his grasp, Edgar Carlton will not stand idly by while his birthright is threatened. Operating in a world where right and wrong don't exist and the pursuit of power is everything, Carlyle has to find the killer before Carlton takes the law into his own hands.
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
95 people are currently reading
692 people want to read
About the author
James Craig
127 books67 followersJames Craig has lived in London for more than thirty years, working as a journalist and consultant.
He lives in Bloomsbury with his wife and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
October 5, 2011
As a big fan of crime thriller writers like Declan Hughes and Peter Temple, I was really looking forward to this book. I love the title, and reading the jacket blurb this appeared to be a welcome addition to the homegrown thriller genre.
In fact most of it was boring, and the bits that weren't boring were in bad taste. I struggled to the end because I felt I had to give the book a fair chance, but to be honest I don't know how on earth this was accepted for publication in such a competitive marketplace. Dull, turgid writing, clunky plot devices, gratuitous sexual violence, confused political sympathies, and cliched cardboard cut-out characters that didn't inspire any empathy. I found it deeply unpleasant that the main protagonist feels it's okay to leer and comment on the `shapely ass' of a sexual molestation victim he's just saved, and file thoughts of a female colleague's lime-coloured bra for future `happy thoughts'. There was even a distinct lack of imagination with the names - reading about Carlyle on one page and Carlton on the next is confusing (although, by the end, I simply didn't care who was who and just wanted the whole nasty thing to be over).
This is the first in a series, but I won't be looking out for book two.
In fact most of it was boring, and the bits that weren't boring were in bad taste. I struggled to the end because I felt I had to give the book a fair chance, but to be honest I don't know how on earth this was accepted for publication in such a competitive marketplace. Dull, turgid writing, clunky plot devices, gratuitous sexual violence, confused political sympathies, and cliched cardboard cut-out characters that didn't inspire any empathy. I found it deeply unpleasant that the main protagonist feels it's okay to leer and comment on the `shapely ass' of a sexual molestation victim he's just saved, and file thoughts of a female colleague's lime-coloured bra for future `happy thoughts'. There was even a distinct lack of imagination with the names - reading about Carlyle on one page and Carlton on the next is confusing (although, by the end, I simply didn't care who was who and just wanted the whole nasty thing to be over).
This is the first in a series, but I won't be looking out for book two.
June 19, 2012
With a debut novel, you have no expectations; you only hope that you manage to find another great author to read. In this case, the cover of London Calling wasn't what grabbed me, it was just the thought of a new British author writing in the crime genre. The synopsis of the book was average at best but I didn't let it deter me and picked up what looked like a reasonably short book (356 pages).
The first thing that made me falter was the first chapter being so detailed. I almost felt like the author was using such descriptive words in an attempt to make the book seem more refined. All this did was made me dislike it from the outset. After settling in after a few chapters I realised that this author had gone for the kill in terms of graphic content. Every fan of the crime genre expects a certain amount of blood, violence and gore; however this book left me with chills.
The murders that take place very early on are extremely sexually explicit, and almost made me consider putting the book down. However, I dislike not finishing a book so continued on hoping that the scenes would be relative to the ongoing story and investigation.
The character John Carlyle was typically unremarkable, and the author gave us nothing that made him any different from the characters that have been churned out by many other authors. The story itself involved the murky world of politicians and their cover ups. I didn't connect with very much of the story or characters, and found my attention wandering to the fabulous books I had in my to read list (not a good sign in my opinion).
I really wanted to like this, and although it certainly wasn't the worst book I have read, it wasn't memorable in any way and left me wanting to just hurry up and finish it. I worked out what the murders were relating to very early on although I must admit I had no clue as to the killer until the last few pages (so in that sense it gained favour with me). I can't quite put my finger on what it was that made it so un-enjoyable? Was it the needless sexual violence, or was it the fact that I wasn't over enamoured with the characters? Who knows, however, I can only hope that his next book is a vast improvement otherwise James Craig is in danger of becoming just another crime writer churning out the same stuff, as many unremarkable others!
The first thing that made me falter was the first chapter being so detailed. I almost felt like the author was using such descriptive words in an attempt to make the book seem more refined. All this did was made me dislike it from the outset. After settling in after a few chapters I realised that this author had gone for the kill in terms of graphic content. Every fan of the crime genre expects a certain amount of blood, violence and gore; however this book left me with chills.
The murders that take place very early on are extremely sexually explicit, and almost made me consider putting the book down. However, I dislike not finishing a book so continued on hoping that the scenes would be relative to the ongoing story and investigation.
The character John Carlyle was typically unremarkable, and the author gave us nothing that made him any different from the characters that have been churned out by many other authors. The story itself involved the murky world of politicians and their cover ups. I didn't connect with very much of the story or characters, and found my attention wandering to the fabulous books I had in my to read list (not a good sign in my opinion).
I really wanted to like this, and although it certainly wasn't the worst book I have read, it wasn't memorable in any way and left me wanting to just hurry up and finish it. I worked out what the murders were relating to very early on although I must admit I had no clue as to the killer until the last few pages (so in that sense it gained favour with me). I can't quite put my finger on what it was that made it so un-enjoyable? Was it the needless sexual violence, or was it the fact that I wasn't over enamoured with the characters? Who knows, however, I can only hope that his next book is a vast improvement otherwise James Craig is in danger of becoming just another crime writer churning out the same stuff, as many unremarkable others!
February 15, 2019
Sadly this will be book #1 and only, from this author for me. It comes across as pompous, try-hard, crime writing with the notion that if the crime is as offensive as possible readers will keep reading (warning). Well for this writer I won’t bother.
The plot ultimately makes sense...but by then I’d wanted to use the book as a door-stop.
The characters- across the board are unbelievable, unlikeable, annoying and smug (yes, some needed to be to suit the setting but all of them were irritating).
Cohesion - difficult to find and follow. Random ‘filler’ writing and unnecessary introduction of people, places and products.
For me it was like Braxton-Hick’s contractions: all pain, no gain.
The plot ultimately makes sense...but by then I’d wanted to use the book as a door-stop.
The characters- across the board are unbelievable, unlikeable, annoying and smug (yes, some needed to be to suit the setting but all of them were irritating).
Cohesion - difficult to find and follow. Random ‘filler’ writing and unnecessary introduction of people, places and products.
For me it was like Braxton-Hick’s contractions: all pain, no gain.
July 3, 2011
I actually want to rate this a 3.5ish!
I got this book on Kindle as it had a pretty good rating on Amazon and was just £1. I also needed a bit of light relief, and a non-heavy detective story set in London was just the easy trashy read I wanted!
I’m feeling a little torn about this book actually. Overall it ticked all the boxes in the read that I was looking for – and it even ticked some better than I was hoping for, considering the genre.
BUT, I did have a slight problem with it – and this MAY well have just been me.
As per the genre, there is a serial killer on the loose – but this isn’t just about the fact that they’ve been killed, this covers the very very violent sexual rapey murders. Of men.
I’m not really much of a prude, but I did find the murder scenes rather crude and difficult to digest. I know that murder is murder, and it’s disgusting anyway, and shouldn’t be easy to read, but there was something just a little too much about this. Although to be fair, once you reach the end, and the really good twist, it makes it a lot more understandable.
The book is marketed as ‘Inspector Carlyle 1′ which suggests that there will be more featuring John Carlyle, the main character – and I have to say, I really really liked him. There was a good amount of back-story so that I felt I could understand him, and I did actually buy into him and will no doubt be intrigued enough to buy the next one.
This one included some very polished Tory brothers on the edge of coming into power and seemed to make no excuse of the similarities to recent political events.
I had one other little niggle too – the author seemed to go into way too much background, explanations or detail abotu things that (personally) I felt didn’t really need it. For example, he went into the process of checking emails on a Blackberry – and also seemed obsessed with the fact that a Blackberry is NOT a mobile phone. Which it is of course. OK, it does other stuff, but essentially it’s a mobile phone like all other smart phones. This was one example, theer were a couple of others, but they obviously didn’t wind me up enough to remmeber!
So, overall, I really enjoyed it for what it was, but I could have done without the crude, difficult to read rapey bits – which were there for a reason!
I got this book on Kindle as it had a pretty good rating on Amazon and was just £1. I also needed a bit of light relief, and a non-heavy detective story set in London was just the easy trashy read I wanted!
I’m feeling a little torn about this book actually. Overall it ticked all the boxes in the read that I was looking for – and it even ticked some better than I was hoping for, considering the genre.
BUT, I did have a slight problem with it – and this MAY well have just been me.
As per the genre, there is a serial killer on the loose – but this isn’t just about the fact that they’ve been killed, this covers the very very violent sexual rapey murders. Of men.
I’m not really much of a prude, but I did find the murder scenes rather crude and difficult to digest. I know that murder is murder, and it’s disgusting anyway, and shouldn’t be easy to read, but there was something just a little too much about this. Although to be fair, once you reach the end, and the really good twist, it makes it a lot more understandable.
The book is marketed as ‘Inspector Carlyle 1′ which suggests that there will be more featuring John Carlyle, the main character – and I have to say, I really really liked him. There was a good amount of back-story so that I felt I could understand him, and I did actually buy into him and will no doubt be intrigued enough to buy the next one.
This one included some very polished Tory brothers on the edge of coming into power and seemed to make no excuse of the similarities to recent political events.
I had one other little niggle too – the author seemed to go into way too much background, explanations or detail abotu things that (personally) I felt didn’t really need it. For example, he went into the process of checking emails on a Blackberry – and also seemed obsessed with the fact that a Blackberry is NOT a mobile phone. Which it is of course. OK, it does other stuff, but essentially it’s a mobile phone like all other smart phones. This was one example, theer were a couple of others, but they obviously didn’t wind me up enough to remmeber!
So, overall, I really enjoyed it for what it was, but I could have done without the crude, difficult to read rapey bits – which were there for a reason!
May 22, 2015
London Calling by James Craig is a 2014 Witness Impulse publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book in the Inspector Carlyle series. Originally released back in 2011 the series is now with a new publisher and there are several more installments available. However, I don't see myself investing in the series in the future. This one is kind of a mess, to be honest.
The Inspector is tipped off about a dead body in a hotel, and thus begins a convoluted investigation that runs alongside a political election and exposes a crime committed many years ago. But, the story deals primarily with the Inspectors personal thoughts about his wife, his boss, and the media and at times the author goes into too much detail when describing things like a police building and detailing it's history. There is very little dialogue among the characters and many scenes are too graphic in their depictions of depraved sexual acts for my taste.
The plot was very slow moving, and not in a good slow building of suspense, but with only an occasional plot twist or big reveal. I very nearly gave up on this one and then the ending made me very angry with myself for sticking with it. Carlyle was a very dull guy and the dialogue was boring with no chemistry between the Inspector and anyone in the book, even his wife whom he only seems to speak with on the phone or his daughter who seems fine with his frequent disappearances from home.
The author definitely has the right idea, especially when it come to college “clubs”, politics, and corruption. He just needs to create characters that readers will forge a bond with and begin to care about in some way. While I have no problems reading dark, gritty thrillers, this one goes a little overboard at times, but often that is matter of taste. However, when I feel like I might be sick, that's where I draw the line.
I will at times give a series a second chance because the first book can be pretty rough when trying to establish characters and write a compelling thriller too, but it will be a long time before I feel that adventurous.
1.5 rounded to 2
This is the first book in the Inspector Carlyle series. Originally released back in 2011 the series is now with a new publisher and there are several more installments available. However, I don't see myself investing in the series in the future. This one is kind of a mess, to be honest.
The Inspector is tipped off about a dead body in a hotel, and thus begins a convoluted investigation that runs alongside a political election and exposes a crime committed many years ago. But, the story deals primarily with the Inspectors personal thoughts about his wife, his boss, and the media and at times the author goes into too much detail when describing things like a police building and detailing it's history. There is very little dialogue among the characters and many scenes are too graphic in their depictions of depraved sexual acts for my taste.
The plot was very slow moving, and not in a good slow building of suspense, but with only an occasional plot twist or big reveal. I very nearly gave up on this one and then the ending made me very angry with myself for sticking with it. Carlyle was a very dull guy and the dialogue was boring with no chemistry between the Inspector and anyone in the book, even his wife whom he only seems to speak with on the phone or his daughter who seems fine with his frequent disappearances from home.
The author definitely has the right idea, especially when it come to college “clubs”, politics, and corruption. He just needs to create characters that readers will forge a bond with and begin to care about in some way. While I have no problems reading dark, gritty thrillers, this one goes a little overboard at times, but often that is matter of taste. However, when I feel like I might be sick, that's where I draw the line.
I will at times give a series a second chance because the first book can be pretty rough when trying to establish characters and write a compelling thriller too, but it will be a long time before I feel that adventurous.
1.5 rounded to 2
June 17, 2013
London Calling is the first of a new series featuring Inspector Carlyle of the Metropolitan Police, and the first novel by James Craig. It is a fast-moving political crime book set in modern day London in the run-up to a general election. A crime from the past of both the supposed incoming Prime Minister and his close friends threaten to ruin their chances of being elected to power. It is up to Carlyle to try and solve the case whilst still getting justice for the victim of the past crime. In this he
The novel was okay as a first book, but pretty unmemorable. The idea that people in power will get away with some pretty horrible things is nothing new, and we are meant to feel the same powerlessness as Carlyle does as he works his way to the inevitable end of the story. The problem is, Carlyle is such a bland character, it is difficult to get worked up about it. Do these uber-elite people get their just desserts? It depends on your point of view.
One annoying thing about the book was the over detailed and precise descriptions of everything that the author includes on every page. To someone living in another country, it might be useful to describe how many police stations there are in London, or exactly how a Blackberry works, but as someone who lives here I just find it irritating. It pulls me out of the plot once too often.
I may read more of these books, but I suspect that I may be disappointed by them as well. In the murky world of real-life policing and politics, people like Inspector Carlyle are rarely winners, and who wants to read stories about someone who loses all the time?
The novel was okay as a first book, but pretty unmemorable. The idea that people in power will get away with some pretty horrible things is nothing new, and we are meant to feel the same powerlessness as Carlyle does as he works his way to the inevitable end of the story. The problem is, Carlyle is such a bland character, it is difficult to get worked up about it. Do these uber-elite people get their just desserts? It depends on your point of view.
One annoying thing about the book was the over detailed and precise descriptions of everything that the author includes on every page. To someone living in another country, it might be useful to describe how many police stations there are in London, or exactly how a Blackberry works, but as someone who lives here I just find it irritating. It pulls me out of the plot once too often.
I may read more of these books, but I suspect that I may be disappointed by them as well. In the murky world of real-life policing and politics, people like Inspector Carlyle are rarely winners, and who wants to read stories about someone who loses all the time?
June 24, 2020
About five years ago, I read one or two books in the Inspector John Carlyle series and enjoyed them. For some reason I never followed up on subsequent books although the sense of place, the solid character of John Carlyle and the overall authenticity of the plots really hooked me. There are over 14 books in this series, a new one 'Circus Games' coming in 2021. I've got a lot of catching up to do!
October 10, 2011
I’m always honest about the books I read. If this blog seems surprisingly positive, it is because I try my best to see the best in the books I read. With that said, I do my upmost to give honest feedback and can be critical where I feel it is deserved. I did not immediately like London Calling, debut novel of journalist-turned-author James Craig. It took a while to get in, and I was somewhat put off by the crass and uncompromising style of Craig’s writing. Upon reflection, now that I have finished the novel, I am quite pleased to announce that it did in fact hook me in at some stage, and I devoured the second half of the novel in a matter of hours. If you’re open minded to some slightly suggestive and sometimes altogether diabolical scenes and you’re after a thriller that goes beyond the general run-of-the-mill political thrillers, London Calling is the book for you.
Inspector John Carlyle is disliked by most around him, yet as a reader I warmed to him almost instantly. An occasionally disgruntled police officer in his forties, Carlyle has made the rounds of the London police force, and we now find him working out of the Charing Cross station in Central London. What helps the reader get a clearer understanding of Carlyle are Craig’s frequent flashback chapters, which are off-putting to some but really aid in the story development here. The murky worlds of policing and politics are never clear cut, and for the debut novel in what will be a series of novels, a significant back-story is essential to grasp the motives of the characters and place what would otherwise be a series of unrelated events into some context.
As London moves closer to a General Election, someone is grotesquely killing off past members of an old club from Cambridge University. Serial killers are never well received at the best of times, and when other members of the notorious circle include the current mayor and the man tipped to be the next Prime Minister, things become exceptionally complicated. Once the link is made between the club and the gentleman who remain alive, it becomes a dangerous game of cat and mouse as Carlyle and his fellow officers try to protect the most powerful men in the country and unravel the key question of the book: why, after all these years, are the 1984 Merrion Club members being picked off one by one?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book overall. Once I got past the initial backlog of information and composed myself after a particularly graphic murder scene, Craig’s style of writing gripped me and helped me turn the pages almost in a trance. My oh so familiar internal battle of “just one more chapter” was lost in the final 50-or-so pages of the novel as the climax is particularly engrossing. Definitely not for the faint hearted, and not by any means in the same league as personal favourite Stieg Larsson, this novel will please and hopefully thrill lovers of good, gritty political crime. I do suggest it to fellow Larsson lovers though, as Craig’s somewhat deranged killer echoes some of Larsson’s more gruesome ideas. Happily awaiting the second Carlyle novel.
Inspector John Carlyle is disliked by most around him, yet as a reader I warmed to him almost instantly. An occasionally disgruntled police officer in his forties, Carlyle has made the rounds of the London police force, and we now find him working out of the Charing Cross station in Central London. What helps the reader get a clearer understanding of Carlyle are Craig’s frequent flashback chapters, which are off-putting to some but really aid in the story development here. The murky worlds of policing and politics are never clear cut, and for the debut novel in what will be a series of novels, a significant back-story is essential to grasp the motives of the characters and place what would otherwise be a series of unrelated events into some context.
As London moves closer to a General Election, someone is grotesquely killing off past members of an old club from Cambridge University. Serial killers are never well received at the best of times, and when other members of the notorious circle include the current mayor and the man tipped to be the next Prime Minister, things become exceptionally complicated. Once the link is made between the club and the gentleman who remain alive, it becomes a dangerous game of cat and mouse as Carlyle and his fellow officers try to protect the most powerful men in the country and unravel the key question of the book: why, after all these years, are the 1984 Merrion Club members being picked off one by one?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book overall. Once I got past the initial backlog of information and composed myself after a particularly graphic murder scene, Craig’s style of writing gripped me and helped me turn the pages almost in a trance. My oh so familiar internal battle of “just one more chapter” was lost in the final 50-or-so pages of the novel as the climax is particularly engrossing. Definitely not for the faint hearted, and not by any means in the same league as personal favourite Stieg Larsson, this novel will please and hopefully thrill lovers of good, gritty political crime. I do suggest it to fellow Larsson lovers though, as Craig’s somewhat deranged killer echoes some of Larsson’s more gruesome ideas. Happily awaiting the second Carlyle novel.
May 21, 2025
REVIEW OF DNF AUDIOBOOK; MAY 20, 2025
Narrator: Joe Jameson
My comments here are for what little I managed to listen to. If the book improved after that I don't care because what I listened to was pretty awful.
I don't want explicit sex or my protagonist fixated on it when I'm reading a police procedural. In an erotic romance or gay romance, fine, but I Do Not want to hear or read about my protagonist's lustfilled thoughts, getting turned on to his neighbors' sex sounds and worse of all - getting distracted by a molestation victim's prominent nipples. The poor woman was screeching for help - her molester was a cop, on top of that, and had her in a chokehold. Our hero goes to her help but is distracted by her nipples. I Do Not Need To Know That, dear Mr. Craig! And to describe said nipples... Ugh. Just ugh.
Why do authors do this to their protagonists? I was so put off by Carlyle I just couldn't continue and am too scared off to want to try the next book because the author may have decided the gratuitous sex - in other scenes, not just my complaints above - is what sells and I just might end up with Inspector Carlyle jacking off to his neighbors' sex cries in the next book. Can't risk that so nope, this series is a DNT - Do Not Touch.
Narrator: Joe Jameson
My comments here are for what little I managed to listen to. If the book improved after that I don't care because what I listened to was pretty awful.
I don't want explicit sex or my protagonist fixated on it when I'm reading a police procedural. In an erotic romance or gay romance, fine, but I Do Not want to hear or read about my protagonist's lustfilled thoughts, getting turned on to his neighbors' sex sounds and worse of all - getting distracted by a molestation victim's prominent nipples. The poor woman was screeching for help - her molester was a cop, on top of that, and had her in a chokehold. Our hero goes to her help but is distracted by her nipples. I Do Not Need To Know That, dear Mr. Craig! And to describe said nipples... Ugh. Just ugh.
Why do authors do this to their protagonists? I was so put off by Carlyle I just couldn't continue and am too scared off to want to try the next book because the author may have decided the gratuitous sex - in other scenes, not just my complaints above - is what sells and I just might end up with Inspector Carlyle jacking off to his neighbors' sex cries in the next book. Can't risk that so nope, this series is a DNT - Do Not Touch.January 21, 2019
Too much description. Every character has a long backstory - if it's a series, save some info, if it isn't, not needed - every scene a historic or architectural commentary. The alternating past/present story doesn't sit comfortably, again too much unnecessary information. But there is a glimmer if a good plot and possibly a couple of ok characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2022
Uneasy start, quite good in the middle but a slightly disappointing ending.
May 25, 2017
Really enjoyed this book. Set in the run up to a general election it starts with a present day murder and a flash back to a debauched party at an exclusive university drinking club. The party goers include the current Leader of the Opposition - hotly tipped to be the next PM, his brother - a prominent member of the shadow cabinet, and the current Mayor of London. The bodies start racking up and we learn how events at the party are the catalyst for the murders.
The characters were well drawn and believable and I enjoyed the themes of the book - class, abuse of power and corruption. All together a very good read. This is the first in a series of Inspector Carlisle books and I'll definitely be reading more.
The characters were well drawn and believable and I enjoyed the themes of the book - class, abuse of power and corruption. All together a very good read. This is the first in a series of Inspector Carlisle books and I'll definitely be reading more.
May 25, 2013
London Calling is definitely NOT your run of the mill crime novel, Inspector Carlyle is a plodder, a square peg in a round hole, he's not very nice, complacent and impotent to the powers that be who surround him.
I found his inner monologues and observations wry, crude, witty, strangely insightful and honest, also very cynical. This point of view was refreshing and the rude tongue in cheek dark humour had me chuckling.
It does meander and jumps between every mundane thought he thinks to titbits of of London historical facts that entertained.
The politics and very real social hard truths are inescapable and strips bare the nastier side and selfishness of human nature, it kind of left me rather depressed, but still morbidly fascinated as sadly even though amplified in the novel is sad but true.
Some might be uncomfortable with our murderers point of view as they are graphic and I could not help but grimace and twinge in sympathy.
What was new for me is that I could empathise with the murderer I wanted the protagonists all to suffer, just maybe not in the way the murderer wanted.
I'm in two minds about this début that even though I found the subject matter distasteful it will stay with me for a long time, not a very satisfactory ending either, but still thought provoking. A little too real compared to my usual reading material.
I found his inner monologues and observations wry, crude, witty, strangely insightful and honest, also very cynical. This point of view was refreshing and the rude tongue in cheek dark humour had me chuckling.
It does meander and jumps between every mundane thought he thinks to titbits of of London historical facts that entertained.
The politics and very real social hard truths are inescapable and strips bare the nastier side and selfishness of human nature, it kind of left me rather depressed, but still morbidly fascinated as sadly even though amplified in the novel is sad but true.
Some might be uncomfortable with our murderers point of view as they are graphic and I could not help but grimace and twinge in sympathy.
What was new for me is that I could empathise with the murderer I wanted the protagonists all to suffer, just maybe not in the way the murderer wanted.
I'm in two minds about this début that even though I found the subject matter distasteful it will stay with me for a long time, not a very satisfactory ending either, but still thought provoking. A little too real compared to my usual reading material.
August 9, 2016
I love crime novels, and if it fits in with the story I'm not too squeamish about graphic descriptions of violence, which this book starts with. Inspector Carlyle has been in the Police Force for over twenty five years, the book has some chapters detailing his time as a PC during the strikes in 1984. This, and the likeable nature of a Police Officer who comes across of genuinely wants to do the right thing, unusually, happily married with a daughter he is devoted to makes a welcome change in this genre.
Unfortunately, the villains in this book let it down, the underlying story is good but the two dimensional nature of the "baddies" meant I lost interest about half way through the book and although the ending was good, it was fairly easy to guess who the killer was.
I'm hoping that as the series continues James Craig will gain confidence and realise that his readers don't need such heavily signposted writing and let the story flow a little more smoothly.
Unfortunately, the villains in this book let it down, the underlying story is good but the two dimensional nature of the "baddies" meant I lost interest about half way through the book and although the ending was good, it was fairly easy to guess who the killer was.
I'm hoping that as the series continues James Craig will gain confidence and realise that his readers don't need such heavily signposted writing and let the story flow a little more smoothly.
July 29, 2013
P D James once said 'don't review a book you don't like'. But I must be honest. It is readable and very much, even too much, of its time, 2011. It felt as if a cynical journalist had listed all the selling points of successful tabloid newspapers, kinky sex, violence, celebrities, outrageous wealth combined with a dig at bankers and politicians to fashion a crime novel centred around a likeable if somewhat incompetent police inspector. It is doubtful whether what sells newspapers really makes for a good novel.
April 13, 2014
Don't know how I managed to actually finish reading this book. I was so tempted to jack it in really early on. I suppose the story itself was not that bad just the way it was told and how it unfolded was so tediously written.
The first 100 pages, ie a third of the book was just so bad.At one point there is a part where it goes on about which book the politician should put in his bike pocket. It went on for about ten pages.
Not going to bother with this author again I am afraid.
The first 100 pages, ie a third of the book was just so bad.At one point there is a part where it goes on about which book the politician should put in his bike pocket. It went on for about ten pages.
Not going to bother with this author again I am afraid.
April 4, 2014
I only got as far as the first five chapters. The writing itself was good, but I just couldn't 'get into it'. I didn't engage with the characters and it didn't grip me from the beginning, so abandoned it for another novel, which is not my usual reading style.
December 24, 2013
The story itself was interesting but I was surprised at the language and what I consider vulgarity. I wasn't expecting that and could have done without it.
June 20, 2018
A new author to me & the start of a new series, so the question is, will it be a series I want to follow?
Well the components I enjoy were all there for a potentially gripping read; a loner of an Inspector, some gory murders, battles with authority & victims/suspects in high places & overall I found it a reasonably good read - a 3.5 rating seems fair to me.
Now while there were some gruesomeish & violent parts to the book they weren't depicted in a way to create the sort of menacing aura that has me on the edge of my seat. The characters were a right bunch of charmers, not the most likeable cast I've read about but then they weren't meant to be loveable!
There were touches of humour in there too but it was cruel humour &, with some of the sentences/descriptions being a bit crude (in more than one sense), it created a bit of a nasty streak throughout. This sentence in particular struck me as a rather pointless &, for some reason a tad offensive:
"...an extremely well-dressed but heart-breakingly ugly woman walked by..."
Did that add anything to either the atmosphere or story? Not to mind...
Initially I wasn't sure I was going to like Carlyle, (which puts me with most of the characters in the book!) but his dour personality has grown on me enough to be encouraged to read more. And anyway, I want to see the smile wiped of Simpson's smug face....
Well the components I enjoy were all there for a potentially gripping read; a loner of an Inspector, some gory murders, battles with authority & victims/suspects in high places & overall I found it a reasonably good read - a 3.5 rating seems fair to me.
Now while there were some gruesomeish & violent parts to the book they weren't depicted in a way to create the sort of menacing aura that has me on the edge of my seat. The characters were a right bunch of charmers, not the most likeable cast I've read about but then they weren't meant to be loveable!
There were touches of humour in there too but it was cruel humour &, with some of the sentences/descriptions being a bit crude (in more than one sense), it created a bit of a nasty streak throughout. This sentence in particular struck me as a rather pointless &, for some reason a tad offensive:
"...an extremely well-dressed but heart-breakingly ugly woman walked by..."
Did that add anything to either the atmosphere or story? Not to mind...
Initially I wasn't sure I was going to like Carlyle, (which puts me with most of the characters in the book!) but his dour personality has grown on me enough to be encouraged to read more. And anyway, I want to see the smile wiped of Simpson's smug face....
April 17, 2019
A murder ‘who dunit’ about the pursuit of power by the ruling classes and the lengths they go to in doing so. Introducing a new ‘Detective Carlyle’ series and written by a journalist it follows the lives of the Carlton brothers. From their university gentlemen’s club days in the 1980’s and their dirty deeds. In the mid 2000’s as they are about to become leaders in the next government. Then their pasts catches up with them as murders begin to happen. At first it was hard going, but it became faster paced and more interesting fairly quickly as the characters begin to develop. I didn’t have a favourite character – not really that kind of book – Carlyle was being set up as the beginning of a cop series – so more interesting as the book developed. The pace of the book – getting faster, then petering out.
Did the book end the way you expected? No – twist at the end, but a bit of a damp squib. I would possibly recommend to a friend – I would read more in this series.
Did the book end the way you expected? No – twist at the end, but a bit of a damp squib. I would possibly recommend to a friend – I would read more in this series.
April 16, 2020
Disappointing, started off pretty well but found the plot a bit messy and for me it didn’t gel too well. I had been hoping for another series to follow but this is not for me and I’m not sure I even like the main characters much. No real twists in the plot it was easily worked out - too many clues perhaps. The writing also had far too much use of the F word - I know it’s probably realistic as it’s used so frequently these days and it was listening to an audio version, but it didn’t sit well for me.
November 8, 2023
A fast moving who did it mystery
A fast moving mystery, that is very British with well developed interesting characters, fast moving action, and surprise ending. The story jumps from present too the past but it all comes together in the end. You have too allow for the language which is very British. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys British mysteries with lots action. Enjoy reading. 2014
This novel is from my local library
A fast moving mystery, that is very British with well developed interesting characters, fast moving action, and surprise ending. The story jumps from present too the past but it all comes together in the end. You have too allow for the language which is very British. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys British mysteries with lots action. Enjoy reading. 2014
This novel is from my local library
July 17, 2024
The story is not a unique one, however, the delivery is expertly done and leaves the reader with horrific graphic imagery not easily forgotten. I refer particularly to chapter eight which is deeply disturbing.
I despise politics and London Calling has done nothing to improve my distaste for the entire world of politics and its twisted morals. However, I attended public school early in my education and can honestly say saw no such debauchery!
I despise politics and London Calling has done nothing to improve my distaste for the entire world of politics and its twisted morals. However, I attended public school early in my education and can honestly say saw no such debauchery!
January 8, 2021
Das Buch behandelt an sich eine interessante Thematik. Allerdings schafft es James Craig meiner Meinung nach nicht einen durchgehenden Spannungsbogen aufzubauen, wie man es bei einem Thriller erwartet. Zwischendurch kam kurz Spannung auf, die dann aber nach wenigen Seiten verloren ging.
Die Geschichte hat insgesamt viel Potential, das meiner Meinung nach jedoch nicht genutzt wurde.
Die Geschichte hat insgesamt viel Potential, das meiner Meinung nach jedoch nicht genutzt wurde.
April 25, 2021
My first read fir this author and I’ve ordered the follow up novel. I love the characters, ordinary people doing a dogged job. No super powers, no complicated private lives. They have respect for authority without being over awed by it.
This is a complex story involving people who imagine that they were born to rule and are corrupted by that belief.
This is a complex story involving people who imagine that they were born to rule and are corrupted by that belief.
July 22, 2025
Listened to about 4 hours of this book and hated it. The characters were all horrible. The (first) murder was extremely graphic, Inspector Carlyle's wife was portrayed as a stroppy teenager who needed to be placated at all times...I felt I had better things to do with my time than carry on listening.
September 9, 2018
Satisfying In The end
While I understood the flashback method used to fill in the background, I thought it felt clunky, until I realized what the author was doing. The one bad guy I really wanted to be dealt with wasn't, and I guess we'll see him the the next Carlyle case.
While I understood the flashback method used to fill in the background, I thought it felt clunky, until I realized what the author was doing. The one bad guy I really wanted to be dealt with wasn't, and I guess we'll see him the the next Carlyle case.
November 18, 2018
First book of book club, so wasn’t sure what to expect. Really enjoyed this book. It ticks along at a good pace and is very well written. Some may find the language a bit crude and some of the content a bit graphic, but it sits right for the story.
May 6, 2019
The first part of this book was very familiar - I think I've read it before but couldn't remember where it was going, so I stuck with it and wasn't disappointed. Great story, with a cynical undertone that rings all too true.
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