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DCI McCartney #1
The Killing Pool: Detective Fiction
THE GRIPPING FIRST DCI BILLY McCARTNEY THRILLER DCI Billy McCartney discovers the body of a key informant near Liverpool Docks – a killer setback as he closes the net on a major drug smuggling scheme. McCartney’s investigation into the murder peels back layer after layer of a decades-long dynasty of heroin trafficking – but Billy has a secret, and each revelation takes him back to an unsolved crime that he cannot leave behind. If he is to catch the men responsible and end a lifetime’s torment, he must act fast… Praise for the DCI Billy McCartney ‘ Pace and tension in spades …’
Irish Times ‘ Ferociously compelling ’
Reader’s Digest ‘Violent and earthy, reflecting its inner-city locale. And did I mention the killer ending? Marvellous ’
Raven Crime Reads ‘A punched-in-the-solar-plexus feeling occurs as this novel’s final, gobsmacking twist is revealed. Without a doubt my crime novel of the year ’
CrimeFictionLover ‘ The final few paragraphs are as magnificent as they are unexpected . You will put this book down with a sense of dizzy wonder’
Sachin Nakrani
Irish Times ‘ Ferociously compelling ’
Reader’s Digest ‘Violent and earthy, reflecting its inner-city locale. And did I mention the killer ending? Marvellous ’
Raven Crime Reads ‘A punched-in-the-solar-plexus feeling occurs as this novel’s final, gobsmacking twist is revealed. Without a doubt my crime novel of the year ’
CrimeFictionLover ‘ The final few paragraphs are as magnificent as they are unexpected . You will put this book down with a sense of dizzy wonder’
Sachin Nakrani
- GenresCrime
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2013
About the author
Kevin Sampson
30 books46 followersKevin Sampson is the author of seven novels - Awaydays, Powder, Leisure, Outlaws, Clubland, Freshers and most recently, Stars are Stars - and a work of non-fiction, Extra Time. He lives and works in Liverpool.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 18, 2013
The mean streets of Liverpool loom large in this, the first, of a projected series featuring Kevin Sampson’s newest creation DCI Billy McCartney- a veritable conundrum of a character that you are guaranteed to love or loathe in equal measure. Opening with the discovery of a mutilated body exhibiting all the hallmarks of a gangland hit, the reader is instantly transported into a dark and gritty read that makes you feel positively grubby, but in such a good way…
The action unfolds across three timelines- 1984, 1997 and 2012- with each period reflecting not only the socio-economic changes of Liverpool, but also the city’s increasing role at the centre of the UK drugs trade. The book reads as a twisted love letter to Liverpool with Sampson incorporating the very best and worst aspects of the city as a frame for the central plot. While I was reading the book, a stanza from Liverpool Poems by the acclaimed poet Adrian Henri kept coming to mind:
And a Polish gunman young beautiful dark glasses
combatjacket/staggers down Little St Bride St blood
dripping moaning clutches/collapses down a back jigger
coughing/falls in a wilderness of Dazwhite washing
as this to me perfectly reflected Sampson’s depiction of a city courting the desire to establish itself as pulsing centre of cultural modernity and respectability ‘a groovy bohemian melting pot’, but unable to diminsh the sordid underbelly that lurks beneath the face of the inner city. In a recent interview Sampson refers to the underworld noirish settings of ‘The Wire’ and cites the depiction of Jo Nesbo’s Oslo as points of reference for his Liverpool backdrop, and I think that he captures perfectly this pervading feeling of darkness and brutality in the shadowy world of criminality beneath the veneer. McCartney makes reference to the ‘mongrel cesspits’ of other port cities, and has no qualms in including Liverpool in this description, but I feel his derision is underlined by an equal measure of affection for a city at the mercy of change if not always for the better.
The differing timelines work exceptionally well from the plunging of a young female detective into the latent racism, sexism and violence of the 80‘s storyline depicting the growth of the drugs trade with shades of ‘Trainspotting, to the 90‘s with the widespread use of cocaine as a recreational drug, and a focus on the sheer wealth and power of the drug cartels thereby solidifying McCartney’s intent both at home and abroad to foil the men behind this deadly trade. A personal vendetta with one such man fuels McCartney’s intent throughout the 90‘s and 2000‘s with the contemporary storyline in particular seeing McCartney assuming the role of an avenging angel following the death of a young informant, at great personal risk to himself. The overlaps between decades and characters are an extremely effective plot contrivance, and Sampson captures the detail of each period assuredly, so each timeline feels genuine and reflective of the spirit of that particular age.
The characterisation is rock solid throughout with Sampson capturing perfectly the figures within this world of cops, snitches and criminals. DCI Billy McCartney is a man of extreme contradictions, exhibiting a steely determination as he makes his way up the ranks, solidifying his professional reputation through some high profile drug busts and fuelled with an underlying desire to bring to book a taunting nemesis.As an anomaly to his police role, he is not adverse to a chemical pick-me-up, gaining an almost Holmesian effect from this on both his mental processes and his physical stamina. His actions are not always entirely moral but remain true to his own codes of morality, and by and large get results, but he has an unknowability and hard edge to his character which is difficult to like.However, his love of music softens the edges of his character and Sampson references McCartney’s musical tastes throughout- C&W, Americana punctuated by a little bit of Satie- and interestingly despite his general disconnectedness from the world of personal relationships, McCartney derives pleasure from his attendance at a country and western music night when time allows, harbouring a small crush on the delectable Dolly Parton a-like, Kylene. He is truly a puzzle wrapped up in an enigma, and was at the very core of my enjoyment of the book. Also on the theme of character, I would highlight Evan Portius Kavangh Esquire aka Shakespeare, a foppish West Indian small time criminal (who according to Sampson bears similarities fashion wise to Chris Eubank) with a nice line in philosophy and an inherent need to rescue a damsel in distress- a shining star in McCartney’s surrounding cast who would surely merit a whole book of his own!
With its sparsity of prose and pitch perfect characterisation, Sampson has established a great foundation for further titles in this series, which I’ve read will take McCartney far and wide in his pursuance of the drug cartels. It’s violent and earthy, and by no means a comfortable read with its uncompromising plot and dialogue, reflecting the deprivation and bleakness of its inner city locale. It packs a punch which I’m more than happy to endure- oh- and did I mention the killer ending? Marvellous.
The action unfolds across three timelines- 1984, 1997 and 2012- with each period reflecting not only the socio-economic changes of Liverpool, but also the city’s increasing role at the centre of the UK drugs trade. The book reads as a twisted love letter to Liverpool with Sampson incorporating the very best and worst aspects of the city as a frame for the central plot. While I was reading the book, a stanza from Liverpool Poems by the acclaimed poet Adrian Henri kept coming to mind:
And a Polish gunman young beautiful dark glasses
combatjacket/staggers down Little St Bride St blood
dripping moaning clutches/collapses down a back jigger
coughing/falls in a wilderness of Dazwhite washing
as this to me perfectly reflected Sampson’s depiction of a city courting the desire to establish itself as pulsing centre of cultural modernity and respectability ‘a groovy bohemian melting pot’, but unable to diminsh the sordid underbelly that lurks beneath the face of the inner city. In a recent interview Sampson refers to the underworld noirish settings of ‘The Wire’ and cites the depiction of Jo Nesbo’s Oslo as points of reference for his Liverpool backdrop, and I think that he captures perfectly this pervading feeling of darkness and brutality in the shadowy world of criminality beneath the veneer. McCartney makes reference to the ‘mongrel cesspits’ of other port cities, and has no qualms in including Liverpool in this description, but I feel his derision is underlined by an equal measure of affection for a city at the mercy of change if not always for the better.
The differing timelines work exceptionally well from the plunging of a young female detective into the latent racism, sexism and violence of the 80‘s storyline depicting the growth of the drugs trade with shades of ‘Trainspotting, to the 90‘s with the widespread use of cocaine as a recreational drug, and a focus on the sheer wealth and power of the drug cartels thereby solidifying McCartney’s intent both at home and abroad to foil the men behind this deadly trade. A personal vendetta with one such man fuels McCartney’s intent throughout the 90‘s and 2000‘s with the contemporary storyline in particular seeing McCartney assuming the role of an avenging angel following the death of a young informant, at great personal risk to himself. The overlaps between decades and characters are an extremely effective plot contrivance, and Sampson captures the detail of each period assuredly, so each timeline feels genuine and reflective of the spirit of that particular age.
The characterisation is rock solid throughout with Sampson capturing perfectly the figures within this world of cops, snitches and criminals. DCI Billy McCartney is a man of extreme contradictions, exhibiting a steely determination as he makes his way up the ranks, solidifying his professional reputation through some high profile drug busts and fuelled with an underlying desire to bring to book a taunting nemesis.As an anomaly to his police role, he is not adverse to a chemical pick-me-up, gaining an almost Holmesian effect from this on both his mental processes and his physical stamina. His actions are not always entirely moral but remain true to his own codes of morality, and by and large get results, but he has an unknowability and hard edge to his character which is difficult to like.However, his love of music softens the edges of his character and Sampson references McCartney’s musical tastes throughout- C&W, Americana punctuated by a little bit of Satie- and interestingly despite his general disconnectedness from the world of personal relationships, McCartney derives pleasure from his attendance at a country and western music night when time allows, harbouring a small crush on the delectable Dolly Parton a-like, Kylene. He is truly a puzzle wrapped up in an enigma, and was at the very core of my enjoyment of the book. Also on the theme of character, I would highlight Evan Portius Kavangh Esquire aka Shakespeare, a foppish West Indian small time criminal (who according to Sampson bears similarities fashion wise to Chris Eubank) with a nice line in philosophy and an inherent need to rescue a damsel in distress- a shining star in McCartney’s surrounding cast who would surely merit a whole book of his own!
With its sparsity of prose and pitch perfect characterisation, Sampson has established a great foundation for further titles in this series, which I’ve read will take McCartney far and wide in his pursuance of the drug cartels. It’s violent and earthy, and by no means a comfortable read with its uncompromising plot and dialogue, reflecting the deprivation and bleakness of its inner city locale. It packs a punch which I’m more than happy to endure- oh- and did I mention the killer ending? Marvellous.
April 2, 2013
Well, it's extraordinary. I have an advantage of knowing the area, indeed the denouement takes place two streets away from where I grew up, so can easily picture the events as they unfold.
Like The Wire the host city is itself a character. Liverpool, like all ports, is a heavy soup of culture and character and most are represented in the book. Somalis, West Indians, Kurds and Scousers battle amongst themselves to such an extent that you're never sure who's working for whom as the lines between cop and baddie becomes increasingly blurred.
This is excellent. A romp, a ride, a hoot.
And you'll never see THIS ending coming.
Like The Wire the host city is itself a character. Liverpool, like all ports, is a heavy soup of culture and character and most are represented in the book. Somalis, West Indians, Kurds and Scousers battle amongst themselves to such an extent that you're never sure who's working for whom as the lines between cop and baddie becomes increasingly blurred.
This is excellent. A romp, a ride, a hoot.
And you'll never see THIS ending coming.
September 27, 2020
Reipasotteista menoa Liverpoolin kaduilla. Kovan rikollisuuden ympärille kietoutuva rikosjuttu ei sisältänyt liikaa raakuuksia, siitä plussaa kirjalle. Enempi keskityttiin poliisityön kuvaukseen. Liverpool oli miljöönä sen verran kiinnostava, että sen kuvausta olisi voinut olla kirjassa enemmänkin.
March 9, 2020
Started off confused and finished confused, should really have discarded before the end.
December 9, 2020
It was a okay read but nothing amazing and I think the cover of book is boring. The problems I with is at I didn't Really care about the Characters and I feel at they need a lot of development.
August 27, 2014
a full review may follow later , but just wanted to say how much I loved this book. if you like detective novel that's edgey and full of brilliant characters and more twists than a twisty turny thing, you should read this book. It being set in my home town in Liverpool and featuring crooks and copperrs scarilly close to real characters we know (of) was a bonus for me. genuinely can't wait to read the follow up, house on the hill. easy 5 stars
October 18, 2014
As a Scouser I so wanted to like this as I've always wondered why there has never been a great fictional detective/crime procedural series based in my home city of Liverpool. I'm still wondering and waiting.
April 13, 2015
A crime novel that centres around the drugs trade in Liverpool. It skips between the past and present and focusses on a particular 'cartel' that's been operating for decades. I found the different POVs a bit of a change to the norm but this wasn't a particularly gripping book. Not bad though.
February 4, 2016
Another warts and all Liverpool set story, but the first to feature DCI McCartney. Is he the new Rebus? Well, I look forward to reading the sequel and finding out more.
January 17, 2026
Brilliant Read, enjoyed the story and the unusualness of the chapter format.
The flashbacks into the 1980s drug narcos rein in liverpool and the historical corruption in the police service.
The flashbacks into the 1980s drug narcos rein in liverpool and the historical corruption in the police service.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews