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Detective Jack Brody #4
Bad Blood
They’ve come to rob a bank. But one of them has darker needs.
A woman is found murdered in a high-end Dublin hotel. She’s been shot twice, one to the head, one to the chest.
Detective Jack Brody and his team are tasked with finding the killer and soon discover there have been identical murders in other European cities. Even stranger, each of the killings has coincided with a major bank heist.
Is there a link between the bank jobs and the killings? Could one person be involved in both?
Brody feels it’s the best lead he has. If he can intercept a planned heist in Dublin, he may catch the killer at the same time. Two birds with one stone.
It’s a good idea and the investigation begins to make some progress. But as they close in on the bank gang, the killer is watching. And is strongly drawn to one of Brody’s team - she’ll look so beautiful… when she’s dead.
Bad Blood – the fourth in the gripping crime series featuring DS Jack Brody.
A woman is found murdered in a high-end Dublin hotel. She’s been shot twice, one to the head, one to the chest.
Detective Jack Brody and his team are tasked with finding the killer and soon discover there have been identical murders in other European cities. Even stranger, each of the killings has coincided with a major bank heist.
Is there a link between the bank jobs and the killings? Could one person be involved in both?
Brody feels it’s the best lead he has. If he can intercept a planned heist in Dublin, he may catch the killer at the same time. Two birds with one stone.
It’s a good idea and the investigation begins to make some progress. But as they close in on the bank gang, the killer is watching. And is strongly drawn to one of Brody’s team - she’ll look so beautiful… when she’s dead.
Bad Blood – the fourth in the gripping crime series featuring DS Jack Brody.
- GenresFiction
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2023
43 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 18, 2024
This is the 4th J.M. O'Rourke's book that I have read. I like Detective Jack Brody and his team facing complicated crimes and rigid Garda Síochána (Irish Police) management.
This time the story starts with a honeypot scam in an expensive Dublin Hotel and leads to a series of crimes committed in different European countries.
I found fascinating information about banks' activity and limitations in the crime-solving and crime-preventing process in Ireland.
DS Jack Brody is a decent character who imposes respect and is very likeable.
If you want to know more about the police in Ireland and see the big differences between them and, let's say, American police, I highly recommend this series of books.
This time the story starts with a honeypot scam in an expensive Dublin Hotel and leads to a series of crimes committed in different European countries.
I found fascinating information about banks' activity and limitations in the crime-solving and crime-preventing process in Ireland.
DS Jack Brody is a decent character who imposes respect and is very likeable.
If you want to know more about the police in Ireland and see the big differences between them and, let's say, American police, I highly recommend this series of books.
August 7, 2023
Another excellent novel set in Dublin and featuring Detective Jack Brody. Well plotted, twisty, fast paced, and gripping.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
August 15, 2023
Where do I start with this franchise? Well, how about we start with one of the greatest Irish detectives of all time is back. That's right, DS Jack Body is back with a vengeance. This time, he is out to stop a bunch of bank robbers or thieves, or murderers. Literally take your pick.
Let's start with what you are not going to like, shall we? Most people don't like cookie cutter books and this is as smooth as a cookie cutter book gets. There are bad guys, there are good guys chasing bad guys, and then there are the twists and turns to get you to one of the greatest chapters of all time, but we will get to that chapter in a moment. The problem people will have is that it all feels too familiar until it gets to that brilliant chapter. If they may have sprinkled that chapter throughout the book, it would feel completely different and I am on the fence of how I would feel about that.
Now, if you are okay with cookie cutter books and cop procedurals, then this book will be for you. It builds a massive world that comes to the edge when you reach the massive second or third last chapter. In that chapter, we get everything you want or need from a book of this magnitude. We get violence, rape, bad guys caught, good guys somewhat happy and some character growth that will set up more of this franchise to come, I hope. Honestly, every new writer should just read that chapter because that is what you want to be able to do in everything you write. Draw you in and drop the reader's jaw.
Overall, you are going to love this book and will not be let down by some potholes because it may be talked about in books to come. At least I hope so.
Happy reading, but remember to stay out of trouble!
Love Always Chris Humphrey.
Let's start with what you are not going to like, shall we? Most people don't like cookie cutter books and this is as smooth as a cookie cutter book gets. There are bad guys, there are good guys chasing bad guys, and then there are the twists and turns to get you to one of the greatest chapters of all time, but we will get to that chapter in a moment. The problem people will have is that it all feels too familiar until it gets to that brilliant chapter. If they may have sprinkled that chapter throughout the book, it would feel completely different and I am on the fence of how I would feel about that.
Now, if you are okay with cookie cutter books and cop procedurals, then this book will be for you. It builds a massive world that comes to the edge when you reach the massive second or third last chapter. In that chapter, we get everything you want or need from a book of this magnitude. We get violence, rape, bad guys caught, good guys somewhat happy and some character growth that will set up more of this franchise to come, I hope. Honestly, every new writer should just read that chapter because that is what you want to be able to do in everything you write. Draw you in and drop the reader's jaw.
Overall, you are going to love this book and will not be let down by some potholes because it may be talked about in books to come. At least I hope so.
Happy reading, but remember to stay out of trouble!
Love Always Chris Humphrey.
August 8, 2023
The fourth outing for Detective Jack Brody is possibly the best yet, at times jaw-dropping in its intensity. It starts with a sting on a honeypot scam, a brilliantly realised scene that segues into a murder investigation when a woman is found shot dead in her Dublin hotel room.
A pattern of murders linked to bank robberies across Europe is identified. Jack is certain that a bank in Dublin is the next target and a major surveillance operation is launched.
The initial murder sets in motion a chain of events that never lets up, each scene seamlessly merging into the next leading to a breathtaking climax.
Some central villains in stories fall short of being convincing but not so this one, who is a real piece of work. Having his perspective certainly adds to the palpable sense of tension as events move forward.
Jack Brody is a thoroughly believable and engaging character, flawed at times but relentless in his pursuit of justice. I also like how his personal story has evolved over the course of the four books and the ending to this one has 'book five' written all over it.
I received a free digital copy of this book via Booksprout, and am voluntarily leaving this review.
A pattern of murders linked to bank robberies across Europe is identified. Jack is certain that a bank in Dublin is the next target and a major surveillance operation is launched.
The initial murder sets in motion a chain of events that never lets up, each scene seamlessly merging into the next leading to a breathtaking climax.
Some central villains in stories fall short of being convincing but not so this one, who is a real piece of work. Having his perspective certainly adds to the palpable sense of tension as events move forward.
Jack Brody is a thoroughly believable and engaging character, flawed at times but relentless in his pursuit of justice. I also like how his personal story has evolved over the course of the four books and the ending to this one has 'book five' written all over it.
I received a free digital copy of this book via Booksprout, and am voluntarily leaving this review.
July 22, 2023
This is another terrific read in a great Irish series. It begins wih Jack in the middle of a sting investigation in a hotel and shortly afterwards, the discovery of a dead woman in a room in the same hotel brings the team into a case with an international flavour. It seems a dead body in a similar fashion was discovered in 5 different cities which was then followed by a bank robbery in the same city.
This was as fast-paced as I've come to expect with the series and I particularly enjoyed the villain of the piece. He was exceptionally nasty and never has the term thrill of the chase felt more appropriate to me as I was reading this. A couple of unexpected twists at the end leave me waiting wih bated breath for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was as fast-paced as I've come to expect with the series and I particularly enjoyed the villain of the piece. He was exceptionally nasty and never has the term thrill of the chase felt more appropriate to me as I was reading this. A couple of unexpected twists at the end leave me waiting wih bated breath for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 22, 2023
This is the fourth book in the series featuring Detective Jack Brody but the first one I have read. Murder, robbery and plenty of twists, make this an exciting read. The guilty party is revealed quite early on in the book, so the main focus of the police operation is the apprehension of the perpetrator. I liked the character of Jack Brody but felt the supporting characters weren't that well defined. It was an interesting and original plot but there were some points that weren't fully explained, and felt like loose ends.
Overall this is an entertaining and well-paced read.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
Overall this is an entertaining and well-paced read.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
November 18, 2023
A Fun Read
There was a lot going on in this book. I hope to read more about Brody in the future! I love crime novels and murder mysteries, and this series really does it all for me.
There was a lot going on in this book. I hope to read more about Brody in the future! I love crime novels and murder mysteries, and this series really does it all for me.
July 29, 2023
Fresh off his last tumultuous case, Jack Brody is called to a Dublin hotel to catch a trio running a honeypot scheme. He thought this case would be an in-and-out deal, but details told by the trio reveal a more sinister crime.
In the same hotel a woman is having a one-night stand with a man she realizes is unstable and potentially dangerous. After a very violent sexual night, she is shot at point-blank range.
Jack Brody and his eclectic crew of policemen and women need to figure out who the mysterious man is and his connection between this crime and similar crimes throughout the EU involving bank robberies.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I finished it in a day but I needed a couple of days to decide if I even liked it. The story has so much potential, but to me, it fell flat.
While reading there were many times I had to stop and check to make sure I didn't accidentally go back several chapters - the scenes were identical. It was confusing and unoriginal. I could skip those scenes and feel like I didn't miss a thing since I had already read scenes similar in the previous chapters.
As a reader, I found the usage of Irish slang detracted from my overall reading experience. While I don't advocate for its complete removal, I would suggest using it more sparingly. Removing it entirely would diminish the already limited character personalities, but for those unfamiliar with Irish slang (like myself), it can be perplexing to grasp the intended meaning of their conversations.
In the book, there were numerous scenes and characters that seemed unnecessary and served no purpose for the overall story. Two blaring examples that come to mind are the journalist from a previous book and the boxing scenes.
The journalist had no purpose to be in the novel - her POV scenes were all about how she wants to get back into the "journaling game" and how she is constantly following Jack to get "the big story". Her brief backstory was she took a sabbatical after her terrifying experience at the hands of a serial killer (this happens in one of the previous 3 books). She had zero use or relevancy until the VERY end of the novel where she tells Jack where the bad guy took his coworker. THAT'S IT. Anybody on the scene could have told Jack where his coworker was taken, it didn't need to be the journalist.
The boxing scenes I feel were word filler so the author could have a long enough novel. The scenes were mostly showing this white power racist kid that he's not better than the black athlete. The racist kid had to end up hiding rocks in his boxing gloves so his punches would hurt more. The two scenes were to show people that we're not better than anybody else and that most kids are a product of their environments. Once again these had NOTHING to do with the overall plot.
What I did like about this book were the scenes from the killer's POV. In the beginning you think he's a fairly normal criminal, a little weird, but not strange. The farther along in the novel, the more unhinged his scenes become.
One aspect of the book that I truly enjoyed were the scenes from the killer's point of view. Initially, he appeared to be a somewhat ordinary criminal, albeit with some peculiarities. However, as the story progressed, his perspectives grew increasingly unhinged and unsettling, which to me, is the only reason this novel didn't get below a 2-star review.
In the same hotel a woman is having a one-night stand with a man she realizes is unstable and potentially dangerous. After a very violent sexual night, she is shot at point-blank range.
Jack Brody and his eclectic crew of policemen and women need to figure out who the mysterious man is and his connection between this crime and similar crimes throughout the EU involving bank robberies.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I finished it in a day but I needed a couple of days to decide if I even liked it. The story has so much potential, but to me, it fell flat.
While reading there were many times I had to stop and check to make sure I didn't accidentally go back several chapters - the scenes were identical. It was confusing and unoriginal. I could skip those scenes and feel like I didn't miss a thing since I had already read scenes similar in the previous chapters.
As a reader, I found the usage of Irish slang detracted from my overall reading experience. While I don't advocate for its complete removal, I would suggest using it more sparingly. Removing it entirely would diminish the already limited character personalities, but for those unfamiliar with Irish slang (like myself), it can be perplexing to grasp the intended meaning of their conversations.
In the book, there were numerous scenes and characters that seemed unnecessary and served no purpose for the overall story. Two blaring examples that come to mind are the journalist from a previous book and the boxing scenes.
The journalist had no purpose to be in the novel - her POV scenes were all about how she wants to get back into the "journaling game" and how she is constantly following Jack to get "the big story". Her brief backstory was she took a sabbatical after her terrifying experience at the hands of a serial killer (this happens in one of the previous 3 books). She had zero use or relevancy until the VERY end of the novel where she tells Jack where the bad guy took his coworker. THAT'S IT. Anybody on the scene could have told Jack where his coworker was taken, it didn't need to be the journalist.
The boxing scenes I feel were word filler so the author could have a long enough novel. The scenes were mostly showing this white power racist kid that he's not better than the black athlete. The racist kid had to end up hiding rocks in his boxing gloves so his punches would hurt more. The two scenes were to show people that we're not better than anybody else and that most kids are a product of their environments. Once again these had NOTHING to do with the overall plot.
What I did like about this book were the scenes from the killer's POV. In the beginning you think he's a fairly normal criminal, a little weird, but not strange. The farther along in the novel, the more unhinged his scenes become.
One aspect of the book that I truly enjoyed were the scenes from the killer's point of view. Initially, he appeared to be a somewhat ordinary criminal, albeit with some peculiarities. However, as the story progressed, his perspectives grew increasingly unhinged and unsettling, which to me, is the only reason this novel didn't get below a 2-star review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2023
I would like to thank Netgalley and Inkubator Books for an advance copy of Bad Blood, the fourth novel to feature DS Jack Brody of An Gárda Síochána’s Major Crimes Unit.
A woman is found shot to death in a Dublin Hotel room. It is an unusual killing so the team consult Interpol and find five similar killings have happened in major European cities and coincidentally or not major bank heists have occurred a few days later. Brody is now trying to prevent a heist and perhaps catch a killer.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bad Blood, which is an exciting tale of murder and mayhem with more than one twist. It is told mostly from Jack’s point of view, with the killer giving his side of the story at strategic moments. This latter has both positives and negatives with the positives being an explanation of the heist methodology while the negatives are exposure to his character and muddled thinking around his personal life, which is a cesspit of deviancy.
I’ll be upfront and say that I do not think that this is the best novel in the series. It is still an attention holding read with good twists and an interesting premise, but it seems to lack a vital clarity, gets bogged down by internal politics and there is no clear explanation about how the gang know where the money is when the police don’t. I also think that the ending is a bit farcical although it probably fits the killer’s personality.
Jack Brody is a very likeable protagonist. He is dedicated to his work and sees further than most of his superiors, but labels him anti-authoritarian, when really it’s all about him not rating their decision making. This is on full display in this novel, and once again he is proved correct. At the same time he’s having problems in his personal life and the novel ends with a bombshell. What’s next for the intrepid Jack?
Bad Blood is a good read that I can recommend.
A woman is found shot to death in a Dublin Hotel room. It is an unusual killing so the team consult Interpol and find five similar killings have happened in major European cities and coincidentally or not major bank heists have occurred a few days later. Brody is now trying to prevent a heist and perhaps catch a killer.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bad Blood, which is an exciting tale of murder and mayhem with more than one twist. It is told mostly from Jack’s point of view, with the killer giving his side of the story at strategic moments. This latter has both positives and negatives with the positives being an explanation of the heist methodology while the negatives are exposure to his character and muddled thinking around his personal life, which is a cesspit of deviancy.
I’ll be upfront and say that I do not think that this is the best novel in the series. It is still an attention holding read with good twists and an interesting premise, but it seems to lack a vital clarity, gets bogged down by internal politics and there is no clear explanation about how the gang know where the money is when the police don’t. I also think that the ending is a bit farcical although it probably fits the killer’s personality.
Jack Brody is a very likeable protagonist. He is dedicated to his work and sees further than most of his superiors, but labels him anti-authoritarian, when really it’s all about him not rating their decision making. This is on full display in this novel, and once again he is proved correct. At the same time he’s having problems in his personal life and the novel ends with a bombshell. What’s next for the intrepid Jack?
Bad Blood is a good read that I can recommend.
August 3, 2023
This is the fourth book in the DS Jack Brody series and I've loved every one. What starts out as a sting operation soon has the team investigating a series of murders, involving Interpol and trying to prevent a bank robbery.
To say it's fast paced is an understatement, while we learn early on who the perpetrator of the murders is, the roller coaster ride to stop the robbery will keep you enthralled.
The main villain of the book is a total piece of work, the scenes that are told from his point of view certainly add to the plot and the charm of the story. Jack Brody is a complex but engaging character; he's driven, dedicated and not a fan of the politics within the police force.
And the personal cliffhanger at the end of the book? Well, let's just say there had better be a fifth book in the series.....
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
To say it's fast paced is an understatement, while we learn early on who the perpetrator of the murders is, the roller coaster ride to stop the robbery will keep you enthralled.
The main villain of the book is a total piece of work, the scenes that are told from his point of view certainly add to the plot and the charm of the story. Jack Brody is a complex but engaging character; he's driven, dedicated and not a fan of the politics within the police force.
And the personal cliffhanger at the end of the book? Well, let's just say there had better be a fifth book in the series.....
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 17, 2024
Bad Blood is the fourth novel featuring Dublin based detective Jack Brody - and is the best yet. The dedicated detective is an intriguing lead character, driven and resourceful, and contemptuous of police politics and those at the top of his organisation who play it.
This novel starts with a murder in an upmarket Dublin hotel. The clues lead Brody and his team to believe there are international links to the crime - and that another, much larger, crime is coming soon. But can they stop it? Brody is chasing a difficult opponent - cunning and amoral, perhaps even psychotic.
There are moments of violence and darkness in this novel, but also real character development and hope. The ending is a difficult one for a member of Brody's team - and he receives some personal news at the climax that leaves the reader longing for book five.
This novel starts with a murder in an upmarket Dublin hotel. The clues lead Brody and his team to believe there are international links to the crime - and that another, much larger, crime is coming soon. But can they stop it? Brody is chasing a difficult opponent - cunning and amoral, perhaps even psychotic.
There are moments of violence and darkness in this novel, but also real character development and hope. The ending is a difficult one for a member of Brody's team - and he receives some personal news at the climax that leaves the reader longing for book five.
July 30, 2023
This is the fourth book in the Detective Jack Brody series, and it can be read as a standalone but reading the others gives more insight into the characters.
It's one of those books that has you enthralled from beginning to end.
It's a well written, gripping and fast paced storyline and plot, with many a twist and turns, great descriptive and very strong characters.
It's a book I thoroughly enjoyed reading and I very much look forward to book 5.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It's one of those books that has you enthralled from beginning to end.
It's a well written, gripping and fast paced storyline and plot, with many a twist and turns, great descriptive and very strong characters.
It's a book I thoroughly enjoyed reading and I very much look forward to book 5.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 9, 2023
WOW, what a read! The plot was intense, powerful and thrilling and held me captive all the way through! The characters fairly leaped off the page, and the tension was palpable. If you are looking for a twisted read that you just CAN’T put down, then this is DEFINITELY the book for you!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
July 17, 2023
This series, featuring Dublin based Detective Jack Brody, just keeps improving. The developing characterisation is excellent and the plotting is very good. Jack has no care for internal politics and is very driven in his search for a murderer. It's a fast paced thriller with plenty action right to the last page. I would recommend the series to fans of the genre. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
July 30, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and Inkubator Books for an advance copy of Bad Blood, the fourth novel to feature DS Jack Brody of An Gárda Síochána’s Major Crimes Unit.
I really enjoyed this book, it is fast moving and easy to pick up even though I haven’t read the first three books in the series.
I will be reading the next ones.
I really enjoyed this book, it is fast moving and easy to pick up even though I haven’t read the first three books in the series.
I will be reading the next ones.
October 28, 2024
Jack Brody is back investigating crime in Dublin. A body in a hotel room brings up links to crimes across Europe where a body found in similar circumstances was found two days before a major robbery was committed. Jack is sure it’s going to happen in Dublin but his bosses are not so sure.
Well written and with a few twists, definitely a good read.
Well written and with a few twists, definitely a good read.
November 24, 2024
Book 4, the story can be read as a standalone. The story predominantly follows Brody and his thought process as he investigates a murder at what looks like a robbery gone wrong. The story has a faster pace compared to the previous books, with plenty of characters to follow.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 8, 2023
Bad Blood continued the theme of the previous three books, fast and action packed, but this one, I thought, was especially so. I also liked the (twisted) prospective of the killer and the couple of back stories burning away the whole time. Great book and series!
July 17, 2023
Bad Blood is a heart-pumping thriller with many challenges and blood-curdling situations that had me in its grip with every turn of the page.
July 27, 2023
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this arc. I found this book to be very fast paced and I will be tracking down the other books in this series to read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews