Take The A Train

Nick Sharman Mystery #4

by Mark Timlin

As hardboiled as they come, the fourth in the Nick Sharman series 

Nick Sharman is in traction, hospitalized for four months, and desperate for a distraction. Then Fiona arrives—a topless model for the tabloids who bullies him into convalescing in her flat. After his last disaster-ridden case, Sharman has promised himself a quiet life. What he gets—almost the minute his leg is out of the plaster—is more trouble. Emerald Watkins, king of a black south London "firm," has received a tip-off that he's about to be arrested after a large stash of cocaine is found in one of his lock-ups. He wants Sharman to help his nephew Teddy find out who's stitched him up. As Sharman roams the urban mayhem of South London in search of his mystery man, he is in turn bribed, shot at, and set up for a particularly gruesome murder. All in a night's work.

278 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

aka Johnny Angelo, Tony Williams, Jim Ballantyne, Lee Martin.

Mark Timlin lives in east London, has a Rolex and drives flash old American cars.

Reviews

[Alex Cantone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in South London's gang lands, this fast-paced, in your face thriller opens with PI Nick Sharman in hospital, and ends with him in prison hospital, with car chases, drug heists, bent officials and two particularly gruesome murders in between.

This is the first of Mark Timlin's books I have read, and I will be back for more. The wit is electric.

[Warren Stalley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the fourth novel of the Nick Sharman series by Mark Timlin, we find the tough London private detective recovering from his injuries acquired in the previous novel Gun Street Girl. No sooner has he left hospital than he’s shacked up with page 3 stunner Fiona (who first appears in Gun Street Girl) and is roped into helping out old acquaintance Emerald Watkins who’s been framed for handling drugs by an unknown enemy. Any Mark Timlin fan will appreciate this hard hitting Nick Sharman adventure written with the wit of Raymond Chandler along with the toughness of Mickey Spillane all wrapped up in a gritty British slant. The author spins a fast moving tale of violence, double crossing, drugs, car chases, 80’s fashion and high drama. The narrative steams along at a frantic pace heading to a typical Sharman style bullet laden explosive climax. Take the A Train is certainly one of best Sharman books I’ve read so far simply because the plot is so tight and swift but also due to the character of Fiona being a great compliment to Nick Sharman – she’s no bimbo, she knows how to handle a gun and is more than a match to the central character. To summarise this is a great novel that demonstrates just how good the Sharman books are, but if you want to start right at the beginning of the saga then seek out A Good Year for the Roses. I’ve already bought the next Sharman book The Turnaround so why not try this gritty crime series yourself? Enjoy.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four books into the Nick Sharman series I reckon it is time to part company with the P.I.. It's not a problem with the books per se, just that I have read them too quickly and I am beginning to second guess the author.
I've mentioned the problem before - in the past you had to find the physical books and it might take years to catch up, now you can do it in a minute.
This time round Nick, just out of hospital after being shot in the leg, is helping an old pal, Emerald 'Em' Watkins, who is facing a lengthy jail term after a dodgy drug bust on one of his properties. Nursing him back to health is Fiona, last seen in 'Gun Street Girl'.
For Mark Timlin it seems to be all about the finale and "Take the A Train" is no exception - though there are a couple of grisly murders beforehand.
I'll read more in the series but it will be a couple of months before I dip back in.
Each book is fine on its own but there's no real development over time, and a certain similarity - it's probably better to read one or two and then take a break.

[Chris Stephens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another rocking good installment in this brilliant series