What do you think?
Rate this book
Gerald Seymour
Albert William Packer is the supreme baron of London crime. He rules his manor with a cruel, ruthless fist. To those around him, on whatever side of the law, he is the Untouchable.When another criminal case against him collapses, Packer turns his attention to expanding his heroin empire abroad. Where better to cut out the middle man than at the historic smuggling crossroads of Europe, the Balkans? New men and women are drafted into Customs & Excise unit dedicated to convicting Packer. Only one from the old team the most junior, Joey Cann, retained solely for his obsessional knowledge of the man who calls himself 'Mister'. When Packer leaves for Sarajevo, it is inevitable that Cann be sent after him for 'intrusive surveillance'. The to bring back the evidence that will finally nail Packer to the wall, whatever it takes. In London, it would have been no contest. But here on the war-torn streets of a city where justice is enforced by gangster warlords, Packer is far from home and from what he knows. Here, who will be the Untouchable, who will walk away?
Paperback
First published August 6, 2001
33 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Seymour
102 books292 followersGerald Seymour (born 25 November 1941 in Guildford, Surrey) is a British writer.
The son of two literary figures, he was educated at Kelly College at Tavistock in Devon and took a BA Hons degree in Modern History at University College London. Initially a journalist, he joined ITN in 1963, covering such topics as the Great Train Robbery, Vietnam, Ireland, the Munich Olympics massacre, Germany's Red Army, Italy's Red Brigades and Palestinian militant groups. His first book, Harry's Game, was published in 1975, and Seymour then became a full-time novelist, living in the West Country. In 1999, he featured in the Oscar-winning television film, One Day in September, which portrayed the Munich Olympics massacre.
Television adaptations have been made of his books Harry's Game, The Glory Boys, The Contract, Red Fox, Field Of Blood, A Line In The Sand and The Waiting Time.
The son of two literary figures, he was educated at Kelly College at Tavistock in Devon and took a BA Hons degree in Modern History at University College London. Initially a journalist, he joined ITN in 1963, covering such topics as the Great Train Robbery, Vietnam, Ireland, the Munich Olympics massacre, Germany's Red Army, Italy's Red Brigades and Palestinian militant groups. His first book, Harry's Game, was published in 1975, and Seymour then became a full-time novelist, living in the West Country. In 1999, he featured in the Oscar-winning television film, One Day in September, which portrayed the Munich Olympics massacre.
Television adaptations have been made of his books Harry's Game, The Glory Boys, The Contract, Red Fox, Field Of Blood, A Line In The Sand and The Waiting Time.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 14, 2012
It took me a little while to get into this book - in fact, I started it twice, but I'm glad I gave it a second chance. The story centres around a London crime kingpin, apparently immune to prosecution due to his overreaching influence on anybody who has the power to bring him down. This criminal mastermind goes to a modern-day Bosnia, still full of mines from the wars of the 1990s, to broker a deal with the local drug cartel, among other things. What he doesn't count on is the fact that he can't wield the power he would have at home, so he's got far less control over what happens. Things come to a head when his attempts at thwarting British surveillance fail...
Seymour plots carefully and builds his tension skilfully, creating a exciting, satisfying read. The fact that he used be a journalist in some of the world's most dangerous places adds an extra dimension of realism to his tales, because he really knows what he's talking about in terms of military hardware, politics, and local cultural flavour. I'd never heard of him until I read an interview with him in a professional writing journal, which is rather odd, because he's quite the accomplished thriller writer, and has been published since the 1970s, with several books made into television adaptations. I suppose he's just never had the publicity of Clancy, Ludlum, and others of their ilk. A great author has found another fan!
Seymour plots carefully and builds his tension skilfully, creating a exciting, satisfying read. The fact that he used be a journalist in some of the world's most dangerous places adds an extra dimension of realism to his tales, because he really knows what he's talking about in terms of military hardware, politics, and local cultural flavour. I'd never heard of him until I read an interview with him in a professional writing journal, which is rather odd, because he's quite the accomplished thriller writer, and has been published since the 1970s, with several books made into television adaptations. I suppose he's just never had the publicity of Clancy, Ludlum, and others of their ilk. A great author has found another fan!
December 30, 2021
Finishing 2021 with a bang thankfully not a whimper with regards to this thriller -- and a whodunnit which will be reviewed after this. The Untouchable is very touchable as in readable. Zings along at a merry old pace from the present when it was written that is (early 2000's) to pre-Balkan War (the Bosnian theatre...always ponder why is something so creative as that latter word used for such a destructive subject...) pitching largely Mister the don into a duel against young obsessive Joey Cann....but there are plenty of other well-filled in characters from Eagle to the Cruncher and Serif as well as Atkins and a Mr Gough -- who for those of an age might think a part perfectly suited to the gruff but gravitas-filled actor Harry Andrews -- etc. I recall years ago watching Seymour's Harrys Game on TV which was a cracking tale drawn from his time as ITV correspondent in Northern Ireland. Well this is even better and though over 600 pages long it never tires or slows up at all. The genius of Seymour's story-telling is that not everything is black and white even if Mister is brutal with those who cross him there is also a side to him that at times makes him more attractive and easy on the eye than young Master Cann. There is also a very decent side story with two old buffers -- one Serb one Bosnian Muslim -- which may make you wonder why it is in the book but becomes clear in the heart-stopping denouement. A must read and with fireworks largely barred from New Year's Eve celebrations due to the pandemic this replaces them very nicely. Chapeau to Luke Phillips for his recommendation and passing it on. Cracking.
July 21, 2025
Perhaps 3.5 ⭐️ rather than 3, but defs not 4. A reasonably clever and well paced thriller, but a silly ending and hard to really get behind the protagonist. I bought this in an op shop in Manchester last year, and that shop matches the vibe of this book - interesting enough but I won't be a regular
July 22, 2023
I didn’t enjoy this and felt it dragged on in many sections.
May 3, 2021
“Mister” is a psychopathic gangster, too clever and dangerous for the Police or Customs and Excise to take down. After yet another attempt to bring him to justice, a junior (but obsessed) member of the discredited C&E team is given one last chance, to follow him to Sarajevo in the hope of catching him in the act. This starts a psychological battle of wits between them and one from which there can only be one winner.
Gerald Seymour writes long and detailed books, sometimes too long. Here he plays with the battle of wits between the good guys and the bad and throws in the complexity of the situation in Sarajevo (book written and set about 20 years ago) and the history of that tragic city. It’s a pretty slow burn until about half way through when things start to happen.
So, okay but perhaps 200 pages too long. But still an intelligent and thoughtful thriller.
Gerald Seymour writes long and detailed books, sometimes too long. Here he plays with the battle of wits between the good guys and the bad and throws in the complexity of the situation in Sarajevo (book written and set about 20 years ago) and the history of that tragic city. It’s a pretty slow burn until about half way through when things start to happen.
So, okay but perhaps 200 pages too long. But still an intelligent and thoughtful thriller.
May 2, 2009
This book was so bad I couldn't finish it. It is a tedious story about miserable boring villains and miserable boring policemen set in London and Bosnia. The hero was so dull I put down my pompoms and went home.
April 5, 2018
Dit verhaal is zo verwarrend dat je drie keer terug moet lezen om te kijken wat er nu eigenlijk aan de hand is. De onaantastbare vergt het uiterste van de lezer in geduld en begrip. Ten eerste het verhaal zelf: een drugsbaron wil vanuit Engeland een groot smokkelnetwerk starten met behulp van drugsbaronnen uit diverse Oostbloklanden. Een team van Engelse agenten tracht dat te verhinderen. Ten tweede de hoofdpersonen: de drugsbaron zelf, die ´Mister´ wordt genoemd, is de meest bordkartonnen hoofdpersoon waar ik de laatste jaren een boek over heb gelezen. Behalve dan dat de man ´Mister´ genoemd wil worden, en getrouwd is met een alleraardigste, doodnormale vrouw, kom je niets, maar dan ook niets over die man te weten. Hier en daar een kort zinnetje toelichting over de jeugd van de man werkt niet bepaald verhelderend. Ten derde: het ´decor´. Het verhaal speelt zich af in Engeland en Bosnië. De helft van het boek wordt dan ook gevuld met een verhaal over een paar boeren tijdens de oorlog. Dit haalt alle (matig aanwezige) actie uit het verhaal en uiteindelijk gaat het allemaal alleen maar om een mijnenveld. Het was niet nodig er een compleet verslag van de oorlog bij te halen om dat ene mijnenveld te verklaren.
Het verhaal is verder bij tijd en wijle zo verschrikkelijk verwarrend, dat je drie keer terug moet lezen om te kijken wat er nu eigenlijk aan de hand is. En als je dan die hele stapel papier hebt doorgewerkt, die ook nog ruimhartig doorspekt is van de meest verschrikkelijke vertaalfouten, ben je nog niks wijzer. De drugsbaron is dood. Hoera.
Ik vraag me serieus af hoe men heeft kunnen denken dat dit boek het goed zou doen op de Nederlandse markt. Ik kan me namelijk ook absoluut niet bedenken wat de oorspronkelijke uitgever heeft bedoeld met het op de markt brengen van dit boek.
Het verhaal is verder bij tijd en wijle zo verschrikkelijk verwarrend, dat je drie keer terug moet lezen om te kijken wat er nu eigenlijk aan de hand is. En als je dan die hele stapel papier hebt doorgewerkt, die ook nog ruimhartig doorspekt is van de meest verschrikkelijke vertaalfouten, ben je nog niks wijzer. De drugsbaron is dood. Hoera.
Ik vraag me serieus af hoe men heeft kunnen denken dat dit boek het goed zou doen op de Nederlandse markt. Ik kan me namelijk ook absoluut niet bedenken wat de oorspronkelijke uitgever heeft bedoeld met het op de markt brengen van dit boek.
July 8, 2025
Another good Seymour book, this time involving Crime and Customs agents targeting a London Criminal who thinks he is untouchable. The action mainly takes place in Bosnia after the cessation of hostilities but while the country is still in turmoil, ruled by corrupt politicians and criminals, with U N and Western states trying unsuccessfully to bring order.
The main character is an Customs analyst who has an obsession with the target criminal who has just walked free from court despite a long and complicated surveillance operation. He is set the task of following the target as he tries to build new contacts in Eastern Europe. He is the most unlikely person to be given such a mission and this seems quite contrived.
As usual Seymour's background research is impeccable and really brings post war Bosnia to life.
The ending, characteristically, whilst not perhaps quite unexpected, comes as a surprise.
Not Seymour's best - but a worthwhile read.
The main character is an Customs analyst who has an obsession with the target criminal who has just walked free from court despite a long and complicated surveillance operation. He is set the task of following the target as he tries to build new contacts in Eastern Europe. He is the most unlikely person to be given such a mission and this seems quite contrived.
As usual Seymour's background research is impeccable and really brings post war Bosnia to life.
The ending, characteristically, whilst not perhaps quite unexpected, comes as a surprise.
Not Seymour's best - but a worthwhile read.
August 4, 2022
Bien le bonjour
Je viens de terminer le livre dans son ombre de Gerald Seymour. C'est un thriller qui parle de trafic de drogue dans Londres. Un homme puissant et qui semble intouchable. L'action se déroule principalement en Bosnie. J'ai bien aimé dans l'ensemble l'histoire. Le bémol c'est les histoires autour de la guerre de Bosnie. C'est intéressant et on doit en parler mais je me suis sentie perdue car c'est un sujet que je ne maîtrise pas du tout. La fin m'a laissé perplexe. Ça n'est pas un livre plein d'actions c'est plus un livre autour de la quête.
Si vous aimez les histoires avec des références aux guerres alors il est pour vous.
Belle lecture et bonne journée
Je viens de terminer le livre dans son ombre de Gerald Seymour. C'est un thriller qui parle de trafic de drogue dans Londres. Un homme puissant et qui semble intouchable. L'action se déroule principalement en Bosnie. J'ai bien aimé dans l'ensemble l'histoire. Le bémol c'est les histoires autour de la guerre de Bosnie. C'est intéressant et on doit en parler mais je me suis sentie perdue car c'est un sujet que je ne maîtrise pas du tout. La fin m'a laissé perplexe. Ça n'est pas un livre plein d'actions c'est plus un livre autour de la quête.
Si vous aimez les histoires avec des références aux guerres alors il est pour vous.
Belle lecture et bonne journée
May 1, 2024
Cann do, will do
Unusual Gerald Seymour novel, in thst it is not a thrilling race to the culmination. Rather, it is a journey that you have to have lived through to fully understand. Seymour's Hero, Joey Cann, is a junior operative in a case that has dramatically failed. His role was low-key, but he has been engendered with a desire to right the wrong. The story is centred on Cann, Packer, the criminal, and the location in post-war Bosnia. Great writing and a great story, not 5 stars, as unless you focus, the story becomes a little confusing, jumping from one characters viewpoint to the other and then the location.
Unusual Gerald Seymour novel, in thst it is not a thrilling race to the culmination. Rather, it is a journey that you have to have lived through to fully understand. Seymour's Hero, Joey Cann, is a junior operative in a case that has dramatically failed. His role was low-key, but he has been engendered with a desire to right the wrong. The story is centred on Cann, Packer, the criminal, and the location in post-war Bosnia. Great writing and a great story, not 5 stars, as unless you focus, the story becomes a little confusing, jumping from one characters viewpoint to the other and then the location.
May 30, 2025
Bon , je ne qualifierais pas de captivant. Il y a des grands pans du roman qui aurait pu tomber, je pense aux 2 vieux vivant de chaque côté de la rivière. C’est l’histoire d’une crapule de Londres qui a à sa solde des valets soumis et une pléiade d’officiers publics corrompus qui servent son œuvre. Guidé par son ego démesuré et ses rêves de grandeur, il s’aventure en terrain inconnu pour y faire des affaires, en Bosnie, pays ravagé par la guerre avec lui même son lots de crapules. Un jeune officier du bureau des douanes britannique, obnubilé par sa cible, le suivra comme son ombre, question d’être enfin un winner. Va s’engager un duel sans merci qui laissera des séquelles…
April 2, 2019
A slow-starter...kept wondering why two old peasant farmers in Bosnia were involved in novel about a London crime lord. When you do get into the heart of the story, it brings home the horror of the Bosnian war, and in particular the use and long-lasting consequences of land-mines. Very graphic descriptions of the injuries sustained by all those involved including innocent domestic animals and wildlife. Very sad.
I knocked off a star because I hate foul language.
Otherwise an excellent and compelling read.
I knocked off a star because I hate foul language.
Otherwise an excellent and compelling read.
October 30, 2021
I find this author's style a little difficult to follow at times. He cleverly wove a 'mafia' story over the top of what I think is historical fiction making the former somehow more believable. I enjoyed it!
April 10, 2023
For this was a curate’s egg. There’s a fine story about obsession and power, but this is diluted by a lot of colour which ultimately doesn’t add much to the main story. It’s an interesting and informative read, but rather too long.
June 30, 2018
Unputdownable! Unbeatable!
One of Seymour's finest novels, in career full of superb thrillers. Where authenicity, accuracy, have been synonymous in all his works, here is added the multi-faceted backdrop of Bosnia, international drug smuggling, and the human costs. I've been fascinated from the opening, and almost uniquely there are no obvious winners! A masterwork!
One of Seymour's finest novels, in career full of superb thrillers. Where authenicity, accuracy, have been synonymous in all his works, here is added the multi-faceted backdrop of Bosnia, international drug smuggling, and the human costs. I've been fascinated from the opening, and almost uniquely there are no obvious winners! A masterwork!
March 10, 2021
Great book, great author
October 22, 2021
Another masterpiece from a literary genius!
May 2, 2023
Persevere
More plod than pacy but a well thought out story with great characters.
Moves at a steady pace with an unexpected twist at the end.
More plod than pacy but a well thought out story with great characters.
Moves at a steady pace with an unexpected twist at the end.
November 8, 2023
GS is pretty new to me … very will written intermeshed themes all brought together in the end and not obvious as with some writers … just about to start another
June 9, 2024
Ok. Quite slow pace but interesting enough. Drug baron and police investigation in Sarajevo
July 20, 2024
Could have been a lot shorter
April 16, 2014
Mister is the biggest bad guy in London. He runs a dangerous gang of drug pushers and gun runners, but he is untouchable. After he beats all the charges brought against him the Customs Office team that brought those charges is disbanded and a new team is brought in. The only hold over is Joey Cann. Joey's obsession is seeing Mister brought down. When Mister takes his expansion plans to Kosovo Joey acepts the assignment to follow him. Mister will learn he is only untouchable at home.
The story was good and I enjoyed listening to it. It did have some slow places and the narrator didn't do that great of a job. I listened to it at 1 1/2 speed for a while because his overly dramatic pauses were killing me. I also think he missed a lot of the emotion of the characters. He is the reason I give this 2 stars instead of 3.
The story was good and I enjoyed listening to it. It did have some slow places and the narrator didn't do that great of a job. I listened to it at 1 1/2 speed for a while because his overly dramatic pauses were killing me. I also think he missed a lot of the emotion of the characters. He is the reason I give this 2 stars instead of 3.
June 28, 2025
A complex and layered thriller
Gerald Seymour is becoming one of my favourite authors. His slow-burn thrillers with layers of intrigue and plots that pose questions about justice, the nature of evil, and the complexities and ambiguities of the real world, keep me engaged.
This story is set in Sarajevo after the Bosnian war. A London crime baron is expanding his operations and connecting with the crime elements that have thrived in post-war Sarajevo. A young, naive, and dedicated Customs and Excise officer is tasked with surveillance.
There's a big cast of interesting characters, a plot that kept me turning the page and an explosive ending. What more could I ask for?
It is also a thought-provoking story with correlations to the present day, making it a compelling book.
Gerald Seymour is becoming one of my favourite authors. His slow-burn thrillers with layers of intrigue and plots that pose questions about justice, the nature of evil, and the complexities and ambiguities of the real world, keep me engaged.
This story is set in Sarajevo after the Bosnian war. A London crime baron is expanding his operations and connecting with the crime elements that have thrived in post-war Sarajevo. A young, naive, and dedicated Customs and Excise officer is tasked with surveillance.
There's a big cast of interesting characters, a plot that kept me turning the page and an explosive ending. What more could I ask for?
It is also a thought-provoking story with correlations to the present day, making it a compelling book.
December 25, 2023
Outstanding!
Once again Gerald Seymour's experience as a foreign correspondent, together with all of the skills he honed in that role, combine seamlessly to produce a compelling and totally believable story. All of the characters, even the minor ones, are deftly brought to life, such that you really care about what happens to them. And, if that wasn't enough, the historical, political, social, and ethical contexts are reason enough to read this book.
Once again Gerald Seymour's experience as a foreign correspondent, together with all of the skills he honed in that role, combine seamlessly to produce a compelling and totally believable story. All of the characters, even the minor ones, are deftly brought to life, such that you really care about what happens to them. And, if that wasn't enough, the historical, political, social, and ethical contexts are reason enough to read this book.
July 3, 2013
A tense thriller that held me to the end where all the threads came together. I skip read the nasty bits but they were necessary to the plot. Very cleverly put together and with believable characters.
January 20, 2021
One of his best, against stiff competition from his other excellent books.
Tense involving storytelling with fabulously drawn characters. He really is a master.
Once again, I felt I was there with the protagonists.
Tense involving storytelling with fabulously drawn characters. He really is a master.
Once again, I felt I was there with the protagonists.
December 11, 2011
I really liked this book. I find all of this author's books really hold my attention.
July 25, 2014
Thriller set in Bosnia. Rather boring.
January 29, 2015
The collapse of the case against a ruthless criminal and the dedication of a minor paper pusher to see him get justice even if it destroyed everything he loved. A well constructed yarn.
July 8, 2015
I don't read that much fiction but I did enjoy this book. Seymour always gives his characters unrealistic names though!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews