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Soho Noir #2
The Imposter
Best-selling author Mark Dawson releases the second book in the Soho Noir series. The Imposter is the follow-up to The Black Mile, the #1 Amazon bestseller in "Mysteries and Thrillers" that has earned multiple "5-star" rave reviews from readers in the UK and US.
THE IMPOSTER
VE Day, London, 1945: a city on its knees and ripe for plunder. Rationing has created a monstrous black market that needs to be fed. It’s the perfect time to make a killing.
You think crime doesn’t pay? Meet the Costellos. Violet is in charge – ruthless, brilliant, heartless. Threaten her family and it’ll be the last thing you do. Joseph is the soldier the army doesn’t want and so he joins the family business instead. Brutish Frank fronts violence with rough charm and seedy glamour. The family has a box at the Opera and a South London lock-up no-one wants to visit.
War hero Edward Fabian finds himself drawn into the Costello’s web of vice and soon he is an accomplice to the family’s scheming. But he’s not the man they think he is––he’s far more dangerous than they could possibly imagine.
THE IMPOSTER
VE Day, London, 1945: a city on its knees and ripe for plunder. Rationing has created a monstrous black market that needs to be fed. It’s the perfect time to make a killing.
You think crime doesn’t pay? Meet the Costellos. Violet is in charge – ruthless, brilliant, heartless. Threaten her family and it’ll be the last thing you do. Joseph is the soldier the army doesn’t want and so he joins the family business instead. Brutish Frank fronts violence with rough charm and seedy glamour. The family has a box at the Opera and a South London lock-up no-one wants to visit.
War hero Edward Fabian finds himself drawn into the Costello’s web of vice and soon he is an accomplice to the family’s scheming. But he’s not the man they think he is––he’s far more dangerous than they could possibly imagine.
479 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2013
93 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Mark Dawson
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http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 13, 2013
A first class period thriller. A worthy follow on to The Black Mile.
December 15, 2015
This was the 2nd book in the writer's Soho Noir series (although there was a novella 'Gaslight' which introduced the series). 'The Imposter' was a fine sequel to 'The Black Mile', and once again painted quite a grim picture of post war London. The characters were well scripted, and even though Edward Fabian has a hidden shady background you can't help but want him to succeed. His path first crossed that of Joseph Costello out in the Far East, where they had both served in the Army during the war. A later chance meeting back in London sets the tone for the rest of the story. Other characters are just as well crafted, with some drawn from real life, such as Jack 'The Hat' McVitie.
Everything has that air of credibility to it, from the period slang to the way the writer depicts the surroundings. There were a few minor points which kept me from giving the full 5 stars, better proof reading and a couple of minor military points being the main culprits. All in all this was probably a good four and a half, and I enjoyed the read. Plenty of twists and turns to the plot, and an ending which might mean a further book in the series.
Everything has that air of credibility to it, from the period slang to the way the writer depicts the surroundings. There were a few minor points which kept me from giving the full 5 stars, better proof reading and a couple of minor military points being the main culprits. All in all this was probably a good four and a half, and I enjoyed the read. Plenty of twists and turns to the plot, and an ending which might mean a further book in the series.
October 2, 2016
Another fast-paced well written hit by Mr. Dawson!
It's difficult to find new words to describe so many consistently well written critically acclaimed novels! I thoroughly enjoyed this second novel, also based during and after WWII war-torn London.
With a fresh storyline, the story continues with focus on a new family, this one on the wrong side of the law! This intense, well written tale describes a family poised to take full advantage of post-war London. The new main character decides he wants a part of that, too, but how -- he's not "family"!
It's difficult to find new words to describe so many consistently well written critically acclaimed novels! I thoroughly enjoyed this second novel, also based during and after WWII war-torn London.
With a fresh storyline, the story continues with focus on a new family, this one on the wrong side of the law! This intense, well written tale describes a family poised to take full advantage of post-war London. The new main character decides he wants a part of that, too, but how -- he's not "family"!
July 19, 2017
Captivating thriller that you do not want to put down!
Mark Dawson does it again! His scenes are so descriptive you feel that you are right there. The story is intriguing, action-filled, suspenseful, and full of twists and surprises. I am sure you will enjoy it!
Mark Dawson does it again! His scenes are so descriptive you feel that you are right there. The story is intriguing, action-filled, suspenseful, and full of twists and surprises. I am sure you will enjoy it!
February 5, 2019
Reasonably well written and plenty of story but i found it a bit predictable. I will read the next one in the series when it comes out just to see whether the series picks up. All in all just an ok, throwaway read.
March 17, 2022
A evocative book of post war criminality in Britain,a cracking read and great story telling.Highly recommend this book.Mark Dawson is a prolific writer of a number of series (The John Milton series being one)The Soho Noir series ism of 3 books, each a stand alone story.The Imposter being one of them.
June 8, 2017
The more books I read by Mr Dawson the more I love them, no matter which series I select.
This is a truly excellent read that had me gripped for the get go.
This is a truly excellent read that had me gripped for the get go.
August 24, 2017
A very good, involving read, although Edward was not quite the absorbing character one might have expected. All in all though, recommended.
June 25, 2018
Thrilling
Full of action and many twists and turns. A real portrait of how London must have been immediately after the war with gangsters and the black market rife.
Full of action and many twists and turns. A real portrait of how London must have been immediately after the war with gangsters and the black market rife.
July 7, 2018
Seemed slow
I preferred the other two to this one. The story seemed to drag and I had more questions that I didn't get answerrd
I preferred the other two to this one. The story seemed to drag and I had more questions that I didn't get answerrd
January 24, 2019
A bit hard to follow all the English slang. It along at times.
February 1, 2019
Loved it
Great characters, great story, well woven plot. Both the Soho Noir books have been compelling reading. I hope there are more to come! Five stars
Great characters, great story, well woven plot. Both the Soho Noir books have been compelling reading. I hope there are more to come! Five stars
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September 17, 2019I like the John Milton books a lot, but this book was just OK.
May 6, 2021
A new author for me.
I can't put my finger on why this book failed to generate the sense of post-war London I expected. Although the story rattles along easily, it is a slow burner, with a long wait for any of the criminality indicated by the prologue. It didn't grip me at all. I know there are more books that follow this one, but I don't think I will be reading them.
I can't put my finger on why this book failed to generate the sense of post-war London I expected. Although the story rattles along easily, it is a slow burner, with a long wait for any of the criminality indicated by the prologue. It didn't grip me at all. I know there are more books that follow this one, but I don't think I will be reading them.
April 9, 2016
Can Mark Dawson write anything less than excellent? I don't think so. I missed The Imposter earlier and was thrilled to find it/him in the form of a young Edward Fabian, the antagonist of Dawson's 8th John Milton thriller, The Ninth Step. The book takes place when Edward is in 20s, down and out on Soho and carrying around some big secrets. By the time we get to the Ninth Step Edward is pretty far gone in the Department of Morals, but here he's still carrying around a few scruples whether real or for expedience--usually the latter, though he does seem to abhor violence. No matter what, though, his actions are designed to further his goals. We have a really good inner view of him and the making of a serious crime lord. He can actually be sympathetic and he loves his dad and uncle. And. he's a snappy dresser. We also get the lowdown on Harry and George Costello and their sister Violet. I hope Mark revisits Edward Fabian and we get a lot more fill-in. So far we've got 1946-1948 nor so and 20015 or thereabouts. but what's in between? We end with a cliffhanger though, so I think we may eventually get some answers.
May 17, 2015
This is a good suspense novel. Good plot, good characters. Enjoyable for people like me who like the brainy type of suspense.
The only problem I have is that the main character gets too afraid too often. It's pretty clear that the main character is and has been a con artist. Real con artists don't panic if something happens that endangers them.
Also .
The only problem I have is that the main character gets too afraid too often. It's pretty clear that the main character is and has been a con artist. Real con artists don't panic if something happens that endangers them.
Also .
February 17, 2015
I won this as part of my Nanowrimo swag. I'm not big on noir but it was well written and filled with action. The only complaint I have is that the author should have gotten a copy editor because occasionally there are missing or misspelt words that wouldn't have been caught by a spell check. It doesn't affect the overall reading experience much as it is well written otherwise.
February 14, 2015
It's hard to know how to rate this. It is decently written, and has paid a lot of attention to period details that make it seem "real" - and that gives it a solid "3 stars". But I found the pacing to be uneven, and the story arc somewhat clockwork in nature - more along the lines of a "2-1/2 stars".
Overall, an OK read for a rainy day.
Overall, an OK read for a rainy day.
January 20, 2016
I liked this book, a solid criminal tale set in London just after WWII. Has the feel of a better than average ITV period thriller-on-a-Sunday series.
It captures the grimy feel of mobland Soho, has some interesting characters and whilst not breaking any new ground it is an easy and pleasurable read.
It captures the grimy feel of mobland Soho, has some interesting characters and whilst not breaking any new ground it is an easy and pleasurable read.
June 25, 2016
A story of post war Soho gang warfare and an enterprising interloper - a little police involvement provides the only link to the previous book. Enjoyable but an inconclusive ending, potentially left open for the next instalment
December 18, 2015
Very good. The ending especially leaves the door open for more.
April 19, 2020
Terrific
Great second book in the series .I can't wait to read the third in the trilogy .Up there with Jeffrey Archer
Great second book in the series .I can't wait to read the third in the trilogy .Up there with Jeffrey Archer
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews