The Misper

Collins and Griffiths #4

by Kate London

From the author of ITV's THE TOWER

'Rips along like a rattlesnake. Absorbing. Relevant. Tense.' Imran Mahmood

There's more than one way to go missing...
When Ryan Kennedy is imprisoned after killing a police officer, he knows what he has to do. Keep his mouth shut about who he was working for, keep his head down, and rely on his youth to keep his sentence short. When he gets out, he'll be looked after.
Following the death in the line of duty of a fellow detective, DI Sarah Collins has left the capital for a quieter life in the countryside. But when a missing teenager turns up on her patch, she finds herself drawn into a much bigger investigation - one that leads her right back to London, back to the Met, and back to Ryan Kennedy, the kid who killed a cop.
This powerful novel from a former Met detective explores the devastation that organized drug-running gangs can wreak on young lives. It asks who deserves to be saved - and whether saving them is even possible...

Genres: Crime, Fiction, Audiobook

400 pages, Paperback

Published September 6, 2024

About the author

Kate graduated from Cambridge University and moved to Paris where she trained in theatre. In 2006 Kate joined the Metropolitan Police Service.

Like all police officers she started in uniform, working for two years on a response team, and then moved into the CID. She qualified as a detective constable then went on attachment with the police nationale in France and finished her career working as part of a Major Investigation Team on SC&01 - the Metropolitan Police Service's Homicide Command.

She resigned from the MPS in August 2014. Post Mortem is her first novel.

Reviews

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collins and Griffiths #2

Fifteen year old Ryan Kennedy is a ‘roadman’, on the periphery of a gang but he’s sent to prison after the killing of a police officer. Though he’s only young, he knows exactly what he has to do when serving time, he says nothing, keeps his head down and in return he’s ‘looked after’. The death of the officer impacts on DI Sarah Collins and DC Lizzie Griffiths too. Sarah relocates from the Met to a rural county near the Welsh border and Lizzie goes to Missing Persons. Each of these characters as well as former undercover officer DC Steve Bradshaw connect in a way that none of them would have predicted.

Although I think the start of this is a bit choppy and disjointed once it gets going and I become more familiar with the characters and their backstories it becomes a really good and compelling read. I begin to see the bigger picture, how everything connects, the plot is immersive and the different strands are woven together well. It’s obvious as the plot thickens and deepens that the author is drawing in her experience in the Metropolitan Police as it delivers a novel with a real air of authenticity and it sure packs a punch. I really like the way it’s written as we ‘hear’ the voices of the vulnerable young people who are wickedly exploited and used in county lines operations. It’s hard hitting, chillingly dark and powerful displaying a cruel and toxic world. The smart dialogue both from those involved in the gangs and within the police forces adds further realism and accuracy to the storyline. I also like that we have two characters who are single mothers struggling to do their very best in difficult circumstances.

Some of the scenarios in the storyline are exciting and tense, they’re so vividly described they seem visual. Some scenes make you angry and others make you want to weep at the injustice in the world. This constantly changing approach to a police procedural feels fresh and also keeps the attention. I like the imperfect ending which feels more truthful than a neatly sewn up one.

Overall, the author has a new fan and I look forward to reading more of her books.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ryan Kennedy is imprisoned after killing a police officer, he knows what he has to do. keep his mouth shut about who he was working for, keep his head down and rely on his youth to keep his sentence short. When he gets out, he'll be looked after.

Following the death in the line of duty of a fellow detective, DI Sarah Collins has left the capital for a quieter life in the countryside. But when a teenager turns up on her patch, she finds herself drawn into a much bigger investigation - one that leads her right back to London, back to the Met and back to Ryan Kennedy, the kid who killed a cop.

I have not read any of the books in this series. The book follows on from the end of the previous book - Gallowstree Lane. The story starts at the trial of Ryan Kennedy who had killed a police officer. DI Sarah Collins is investigating the disappearance of a young woman. As she digs deeper, she uncovers a trail of deceit that takes her back to London and Ryan Kennedy. The story focuses on vulnerable children who are caught up in county line operations.

I quite enjoyed this fast-paced thriller. It's quite a tense read. I was pulled in after reading a couple of chapters. I liked the authors writing style.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #AtlanticBooks and the author #KateLondon for my ARC of #TheMisper in exchange for an honest review.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no clue when I grabbed this one that it was actually book 4 of a series....but when I picked it up to read, the author sounded familiar and I checked the other books in the series and book 3 (Gallowstree Lane) also rang bells and I was shocked to find that although I've not read books 1 or 2, I had actually read book 3 when that first came out - 4 years ago!! Not only that, I remembered the storyline quite vividly having really loved the book! So I was really excited to get stuck into this one.

Having jogged my memory a little by reading my last review, I noticed that this book does actually continue on directly from book 3 and although some sections are recapped a little, a lot of the characters return and there is an ongoing reference to what happened previously.
The events were pretty drastic and I actually feel that this would be best read in order (at least read after having read book 3 to avoid spoilers)

I'd really enjoyed the storyline in the last book and so it was great to see the aftermath of the shocking events that we were left with.
With the inquest and court case following Ryan and what happened to him after and also how the gang were now split up and doing new jobs in the met.

This storyline developed really well, moving on and initially following a new youth, Leif, who was getting deeper in trouble and his Mum bringing the police in to help her find him.
But this progressed deeper and led us back to the Bluds and NK who was making a name for himself further afield.

Once again, I loved the characters who were all believable and tragic, which had me feeling so sorry for both them and their families and wishing I could jump right in their and rescue them from their troubles.

The writing style was gritty and raw but this totally suited the content and themes being dealt with throughout.

This was another engaging read in this series and now I'm more aware of this, I'd love to go back and catch up with the officers right from the start.
But also can't wait for the next book in the series.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off really well. A fifteen year old has shot and killed a police officer during a county lines raid. He knows he will be looked after on the proviso that he keeps his mouth shut about the operation. Sounds good but I found this book very hard to get into. The story did not flow and I felt the characters needed more development. So disappointed.
Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc.

[abi · Rating 1 out of 5]

i hate to say it, but i found so little enjoyment in this book. i found the actual plot could have made a really great thriller, but the writing style and the fact that the author seemed to tell us, as readers, everything that was happening, which then meant we had to painstakingly wait until all the other characters found out to move on to the next plotline, for example. there was zero mystery for us to try and solve, and it didn't excite me either. the pacing was iffy at times, and (i know this is book four in a series), but i felt it hard to root for any of the characters. maybe some people would like this, but it wasn't for me.

[Kiah Winters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ryan the roadman is an insufferable, egotistical narcissistic twat. Gang violence continues to depress and confuse me. I genuinely just don’t understand the need for it? Power? Control? Stupidity?

Didn’t cry.

[Sue Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Misper, by Kate London, is the fourth book in a series that started with The Tower (dramatised by ITV), though it works well as a stand-alone read. It follows the fortunes of convict Ryan Kennedy, who killed a Metropolitan Police officer, Detective Inspector Kieran Shaw, while being arrested and is on trial. DI Sarah Collins is determined to convict Kennedy and provide justice for Kieran’s family, including his young son, Connor. Connor’s mother, Lizzie Griffiths, is also serving officer, and she is on desk duties as she struggles with her grief and the challenges of being a single parent.

When fifteen-year-old Leif disappears from a London estate, his mother and little brother are anxious. The police explain they would look for him, but they lack resources and statistically he will probably turn up soon. What they don’t yet know is that Leif has been pressured into doing a little job by his local drugs gang. When what he was carrying is stolen, he finds himself in debt to people he didn’t want to work for in the first place. They have plans for him and make it clear: if he wants to survive – if he wants his family to be safe – he’d better do what they ask. Even if it means risking everything.

Kate London does a fantastic job of creating flawed-yet-believable characters and it says a lot about her skills that even the criminals seem to deserve some compassion. Her writing draws on her experience as a Met Police homicide officer and she also acknowledges the help of other serving officers, making this a truly believable novel. There are fascinating insights into the lives and psyches of the many complex characters that the author has brought to life. Her detailed descriptions of locations are perfectly judged to build up the tension and I felt thoroughly invested in the outcome by the end of the book. The Misper is recommended for anyone who likes thrillers and police procedural books, and anyone interested in human nature, because all life is here.

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF - too depressing, youngsters mixed up in gangs, drugs etc.

[David Prestidge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Central to this powerful novel is one of the great social scourges of modern Britain – the County Lines illegal drug distribution structure. It is horribly simple. The big drug barons, most probably masquerading as genuine businessmen, use a complex hierarchy to deliver the product – weed, crack, whatever is in vogue – to their customers. The criminal equivalent of the cheerful Eastern European Amazon man who delivers your parcel on time is, typically, a teenage boy, perhaps still of school age (but he rarely attends) possessed of nothing more sinister than a bicycle, a hooded sweat shirt and a bandana to cover his lower face. The youngsters have a huge advantage over the police, glued as they are these days to the seats of their patrol cars. These lads can pedal down one-way streets, navigate the narrowest town alleys and passageways, be here one moment and gone the next. Their immediate bosses provide them with cheap burner ‘phones, which are as expendable as the people carrying them.

On this depressing armature Kate London sculpts her story. Ryan Kennedy is a teenager hooked into one of these criminal gangs, and one of his handlers has given him a handgun. When he is cornered in a Metropolitan Police operation, he shoots dead Detective Inspector Kieron Shaw, who was trying to persuade him to throw away the weapon. When Ryan is tried for murder, clever lawyers manage to hoodwink the jury, and he is given a relatively lenient jail sentence. Once inside, of course, he is lauded by fellow inmates as someone who “killed a Fed”, and the big wheels in his organisation make sure his prison term is comfortable.

Kate London then introduces the other people whose lives are radically changed by Shaw’s murder. There is DC Lizzie Griffiths who has had an affair with Shaw and now looks after Connor, the result of that liason. DC Steve Bradshaw was the undercover cop who became close to Ryan Kennedy and, in one way, created the fatal showdown. Detective Sarah Collins was deeply involved in the case, but has now been transferred to another force in the north.

Ryan Kennedy may be many things, but he is not stupid, and he pulls the wool over the eyes of his probation officer and is relocated to the country town of Middleton and given a job in a bike shop. He wastes no time in resurrecting his criminal career and is soon known as NK (apparently a Game of Thrones character) and continues to exert his malign influence.

The “misper” of the title is a fifteen year-old called Lief, who has fallen into the clutches of one of the gangs. He goes missing, and his mother – Asha – eventually alerts the police. The police tie in Lief’s disappearance with the re-emergence of Ryan Kennedy as local boss of drugs distribution in Middleton. No spoilers from me, but what happens next is a tense and vivid narrative that is crying out for a screenplay.

On one level, Kate London has written an an intense and gripping police procedural thriller, but she also poses many questions. Perhaps it is unfair to expect that novelists should provide us with answers to real-life social problems, but the questions still need to be asked. Readers of this novel can infer what they like but, for what it’s worth, my conclusions are: (1) One of the greatest calamities to befall British society is the absence of traditional fathers in the bringing up of male children in certain communities. Ryan Kennedy has no father. Lief has no father. A cynic might say that Connor has no father, because he was shot dead by a criminal drug runner. (2) The British police are being overwhelmed by a tide of budget cuts, aggressive criminal defence lawyers, strident social justice warriors and a cataclysm of civil liberties activists.

Kate London is a former police officer and has written a grimly convincing story of a part of British society that is broken, and a criminal justice system barely fit for purpose. The Misper is published by Corvus and is available now.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember when I read book three that I fessed up that I hadn't already read the first two in this series and that I would play catch-up before book 4... Well, I did. And I also managed to refresh my memory further by watching the TV adaptation of book one, which I though was well done. I am halfway through series 2 as I write this review and that is also looking good too so far.
Anyway... we are now at book 4 in this series and the author has delivered another stonkingly good read.
Ryan Kennedy is a small fish. A tiddler. But one that knows his place. He was imprisoned for the death of a cop - events depicted in Gallowstone Lane so read that one first - and knows that the best way forward is to put his head down, say nothing, and ride it out. Meanwhile DI Sarah Collins is fed up of the high pace of life the Met had given her and has relocated to the countryside for a quieter life... hmm... we can all guess how well that will go for her... and we are not long waiting for that as she is soon embroiled in what starts off as a misper but which leads her back to, not only London, but also to the aforementioned Ryan Kennedy...
What makes this book so hard hitting is that the crime featured within - and this is true for the series as a whole - is quite prevalent and also affects quite a few people. It's also delivered in what I would suggest feels very real as it is not all linear and the Police have to go round the houses and suffer many dead ends and new lines of enquiry before eventually getting there! Much as I would suspect the real cops have to endure... but in a way that doesn't slow down the action, or make it drag.
It's all interconnected with DCs Lizzie Griffiths and Steve Bradshaw playing integral parts in the action. All cracking characters - so well drawn and also real as they all have certain flaws... And they all play their parts very well indeed!
The misper element of things is also quite hard hitting as it involves a young teen who has succumbed to the glamour and potential money earning of the gangs but who soon finds out that the grass is very much not greener... It is the anguish and frustration of his mother that really hits home. But she also doesn't help the situation somewhat.
It's all too real and very convincing and sadly contains scenarios that play out in many many places every single day. Shocking...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to Atlantic Books Corvus for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The MisPer’ by Kate London.

This is Book 4 in London’s series of crime thrillers featuring DI Sarah Collins and DC Lizzie Griffiths.

In 2019 I had read ‘Gallowstree Lane’, Book 3 in the series, and found it a powerful police drama. When I began reading ‘The Misper’ I didn’t initially make the connection that it was part of the same series. While it can be read as a standalone, reading in order does allow for an appreciation of its characters’ development.

A number of plot threads are woven together and not wishing to enter spoiler territory, I won’t say too much. Ryan Kennedy, who had been a key character in ‘Gallowstree Lane’, is imprisoned for the murder of a police officer. He is only fifteen and is well aware that he needs to keep his mouth shut, his head down, and serve his time. Given his youth and other circumstances, he knows that sentence is likely to be short.

DI Sarah Collins has left the Met for a quieter life in the countryside. Yet when the mother of a missing teenager begs her for help, she finds herself drawn into a much bigger investigation, one that leads her right back to London and her ex-colleagues, including DC Lizzy Griffiths, who now works in Missing Persons, and DC Steve Bradshaw. No further details to avoid spoilers.

Kate London had worked for the Metropolitan Police for eight years before leaving to pursue a writing career. Her novels draw upon this experience to bring an authenticity in her depiction of police work. It’s certainly not glamorous.

The focus of ‘The Misper’ is upon the devastation that organised drug-running gangs can wreak on young lives. It is undoubtedly a dark and gritty novel. Given this, it makes for harrowing reading in parts given the levels of violence and sense of despair. There clearly are no quick fixes or easy answers.

Overall, I found ‘The Misper’ a gripping crime thriller and certainly one that I would recommend to those who seek realistic police procedurals that address contemporary social issues.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

We meet Ryan - a 15-year-old on the edge of one of London's gangs, the Eardsley Bluds - in possibly the worst moment of his life: there are police in black boots with guns filling the room, and a lot of blood. And suddenly he's a very particular kind of famous...
When the killer of DI Kieran Shaw faces trial, the jury's verdict feels both inevitable and incredible, and sets us up for the rest of the book. One strand deals with Ryan struggling to deal with what he did and what has happened to him, as he is sent far from home and his mother - but not away from the influence of the gang. Another deals with the fallout from DI Shaw's death among the police, including the effect on DC Lizzie Griffiths, and on DI Sarah Collins, whose actions are criticised by colleagues and her boss, even as she is officially cleared of blame. She accepts a job far from London, on a rural force - where she finds she has essentially moved from one end of the county lines drugs gang operations to the other.
Meanwhile, DC Griffiths is moved to the Missing Persons Unit, a tiny group overwhelmed with cases. Her first case is Leif (the Misper of the title) whose single mother Asha is beside herself with worry about him - but as she gives no reason for the depth of her fears and hides information, things don't go well. It's not until much later that the two women reach an understanding and the action fires up.
Despite the presence of cops and investigations, for a large part of the novel this is anything but a standard police procedural. Instead it's more an exploration of the young people who get sucked into gangs, crime and drugs, and the county lines system.
The last section takes the path it inevitably had to, and it's cleverly done even though it is depressing to see. But there is a single spark of something different - it might be just enough, which, I suspect, is what the families, cops and communities drawn into this situation can hope for.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate London’s crime fiction always feels authentic and relevant, and ‘The Misper’ is no exception. Focusing on the vulnerable children who are caught up in county lines’ operations, she also reminds us that those running the operations, in all likelihood, may have been last decade’s vulnerable youngsters. Ryan Kennedy is one such person. He’s served time even though he was found not guilty of murdering the policeman he shot and killed. However, there are plenty in the Met who still think that he should be punished further. Now that he’s out, he’s part of a lucrative business organising children to transport drugs from London to the North.
Leif’s mum is worried sick. Her boy has become unruly and disrespectful. She knows something’s wrong and she’s not prepared to let things slide further. However, her meddling is putting her whole family in danger. Meanwhile, Leif is certain that he must follow NK’s instructions if he wants to stay alive.
Kate London is adept at weaving together several subplots in this narrative, making the reader fully aware of just how vulnerable Leif is. After all, look what happens to his fellow traveller, Shell. The author reminds us just how wide the toxic ripples of organised crime spread and just how difficult it is to stop them at source.
This is another immersive read from Kate London. If you have enjoyed her other novels, ‘The Misper’ should also please. One minor criticism: her depiction of DI Sarah Collins and traffic officer Meghan Clarke’s relationship feels like a bolt-on here. Perhaps better not to have focused on it at all in the final pages.
My thanks to NetGalley and Atlantic Books, Corvus for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Atlantic Books for an advance copy of The Misper, the fourth novel to feature DI Sarah Collins.

15 year old Ryan Kennedy shot and killed a police officer and he knows that if he keeps his mouth shut for his short sentence he will be looked after on his release. DI Sarah Collins left the Met for a quieter life in the aftermath of the shooting, but it might not be so quiet when a missing person turns up in her area and leads her right back to the Met and Ryan Kennedy.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Misper, which has a fairly unique approach to storytelling and stands out in a crowded field. I was in two minds about my rating as the style is a definite 5/5 for me, but I’m less than enthusiastic about county lines drug dealing and the exploitation involved as I find it unremittingly depressing.

The novel is told from various points of view including several police officers, the missing person and their relatives and, initially, Ryan Kennedy. This gives the reader a wide perspective on events as no two people see things in the same way. The net result is that the novel is extremely strong on the characters’ thought processes and feelings. It’s not quite stream of consciousness but it’s close and it gives the novel a sense of realism that many novels don’t have. It’s not always pleasant reading, but neither is life, and the background of drugs means that violence is never far away, especially when it is used to coerce children into the gang.

The Misper is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

[Renwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate London's The Misper is a gripping and thought-provoking police procedural that explores the devastation of gang violence. The novel follows DI Sarah Collins as she investigates the disappearance of a young woman in a small town in England. As Collins digs deeper, she uncovers a web of lies and deceit that leads her to London and the world of organized crime.

London's writing is sharp and suspenseful, and she does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life. Collins is a complex and relatable protagonist, and the supporting cast is equally well-developed. The novel's plot is fast-paced and full of twists and turns, and London does a masterful job of keeping the reader guessing until the very end.

In addition to being a gripping thriller, The Misper is also a thought-provoking exploration of the effects of gang violence. London does not shy away from the harsh realities of this issue, and she paints a powerful and disturbing picture of the lives of young people who are caught up in the world of gangs.

Overall, The Misper is an excellent novel that is sure to keep readers entertained and engaged. It is a must-read for fans of police procedurals and crime fiction.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Deanna Bookstagrammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Misper is a fast paced, gritty and very realistic read. It follows DI Collins as she investigates what links a missing teenager, a murdered police officer and Ryan Kennedy the person charged with the officer’s murder.

From the first page of the book I was completely drawn in, it kept me wanting to know what happened next and I literally couldn’t put the book down. The story is very current as it explores the topic of county lines, drugs and gangs and it is told from various points of view. I like this way of writing as it gives you, the reader, a wider perspective on events, because as we know, no two people see things in the same way and you can ‘see’ the characters’ thought processes and ‘feel’ their feelings as you go through the book. I found the story very realistic and the writing detailed and descriptive. I also liked the design of the book cover, in particular the colours.

The Misper is a very current, gritty, realistic and descriptive read and if you like psychological thrillers I think you will like this book too. This is the first book that I have read by Kate London but it won’t be my last. It is definitely a good read and I totally recommend it.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this eARC.

I found this to be an enjoyable book to read. At times though the writing was very disjointed and went from one character or scene onto the next without a break in the writing (I hope these issues will be resolved by publication date) which, for me, made this a harder read. I think the story itself is very good though, the plot line is very current with themes of gangs, drugs and county lines and follows three police officers whose friend and colleague is murdered, the person charged with the murder, and a young missing teenager. I think the author has given a very detailed account of gang culture today, how young people are drawn into it and the effect this has on family life. At times this was a very gritty, realistic and descriptive read where I could picture scenes in my mind from the authors writing. If you're a fan of police procedurals I'd say give this a go, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Kate and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Misper before the publication date. This is the first of Kate’s books which I have read. I found the story to be dark and disturbing.
As I live north of the M25, the language being used by the characters left me at a loss at times.

Kate has brought out the love/hate relationship between the Met and the County forces.

DI Sarah Collins character could be described as a stickler for the rules, a CYOB person, which leaves the reader to ponder whether this approach is correct in every circumstance. There is also a hint of paranoia.

DC Lizzie Griffiths is the direct opposite, often working on her gut instincts.
This leads to some interesting scenarios, particularly because of the history that exists between Collins and the Met officers.

When Collins has to work with her former Met colleagues, there are a lot of secrets being kept by both teams which does not bode well.
There are plenty of red herrings and more than a few surprises as the story unfolds.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

15-year-old Ryan Kennedy shot and killed a Police officer. Whilst in prison he has learnt to keep mouth shut so he can get an earlier release. He has also been looked after in the prison. DI Sarah Collins, however, has left the met after the shooting and decides to take a ‘quiter’ post in rural countryside to work in Missing persons unit. But when someone goes missing and ends up on her patch. Times at the met come back to haunt her when she must get her old unit involved in her latest case.
Thank you Atlantic/Corvus for a copy of ‘The Misper’ from Kate London is a gritty, relatable police drama that I enjoyed. I thought this was an original and realistic story that is current today. How teenagers and abducted and turned into drug pushers of the hierarchy in gangs. The only downside of this and others have said. There are no gaps or new paragraphs for each character in this story which sometimes made me a bit confused in what was going on. 4 stars from me.

[Elizabeth Currie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a police procedural but somehow I haven’t read any of London’s previous books - it was the television adaptation of The Tower that put her books on my radar and I’m delighted it has. It’s a gritty but engaging read, and one that benefits hugely from London’s previous career in the police, ensuring it is all too believable and one that you won’t forget in a hurry.

Beginning with the death of a serving police officer, it’s a frightening insight into drugs, gangs and county lines from the perspective of both the police and the children who get involved. It’s a book that took a little time to draw me in but with characters that really come to life and a stark and realistic reminder of the challenges faced by police, it had me hooked as the threads came together. I look forward to reading more of London’s books.

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I picked this up, I had no idea it was part of a series, let alone that it was number four in the series! However, I decided to soldier on through and unfortunately, I just found very little enjoyment from The Misper.

It had everything that I love in a crime thriller; police politics, a gripping backbone to the story, and a promising plot. However, I just found myself getting bored. I wasn't sucked in or absorbed in any way by the writing style and found myself regularly skimming pages. The characters were boring and bland, I didn't find myself gelling to them at all and though this could be because I hadn't read the previous instalments, I find it hard to believe that every character in this book was in the previous three books, too.

Overall, I really wanted to like this but it just didn't stick with me.

[Paula Learmouth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan Kennedy was 15-years-old when he was sent to prison after killing a police officer. Ryan knows all he's got to do is keep himself to himself, stay quiet and keep out of trouble. after all when he got out he'll still be young and be well looked after. DI Sarah Collins moved to the countryside for a quiet life after the killing of a fellow police officer. When a missing teenager is found in DI Collins area, she knows things are about to change. What is the link between a missing a teenager, Ryan Kennedy and murdered police officer?
I haven't read any the other books in the series. but I found this book could be read as a standalone. This is a quick read with short chapters. There was a few twists along the way for you to watch out for.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

D I Sarah Collins never thought after leaving the Met she would find herself drawn back into the dark and dangerous world of the drug gangs of London.
However when a missing teen turns up on her patch she cant help but get involved.
Lief`s mother has no idea where her son is or what he is involved in.
What unfolds is a realistic and compelling tale honing in on vulnerable young people and children that find themselves moving drugs out of cities in what is known as "County Lines"
The gangs use immense cruelty to keep these children in line, some of whom do not survive.
Totally relevant and believable, scarily so at times.
One not to miss!
So easy to recommend, definitely a stand out novel.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Atlantic books for the ARC I was lucky enough to be sent.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most striking elements of this crime novel are the insightful characterisations and the realistic investigations. I read the previous book in this series, and this story continues the contemporary relevance, the sense of hopelessness and the constant battle against the evil that preys on the young. The characters are multi-layered and believably flawed. This crime noir reflects current issues in British society well, and the writing captures the characters and their situations in a resonating way. It's a challenging read as it explores disturbing issues but is compelling and intense. I like the insightful writing, the relatable characters and the menacing ethos this story delivers.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Naturalbri (Bri Wignall) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book! The level of detail the author put into the book was astounding and really made this one of the best books I have read in a very long time. It really delved into the situation, giving details from both the perspective of the police side and the criminal angle, both of which the author will have known well for working in the Met. It showed, as it was done so well it really made this book one I could not put down.
I loved the overall storyline, especially liked the personality put into both DI Collins and Ryan Kennedy, as it made the story relatable and very thrilling. They brought it to life and man I could not let go. It was so hard to put this book down each night.
It definitely has some twists that make it all the more exacting and you’ll really enjoy them!

[Miki Jacobs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This appears to pick up not long after the events of Gallowtree Lane. If you haven't read that it's not too important. It starts with the trial of Ryan Kennedy who has killed a Police Officer, Kieran Shaw. After he has served his sentence he is paroled to a small town on the Welsh borders.
A county line has sprung up there and the Met get involved at first not realising that Ryan is there. A fifteen year has been reported missing and his disappearance leads to the same town.
All things converge on there and there could be another bloodbath if the police don't neutralise the main players in time.
A pacey read, but just lacks something.

[Kirsty (A mama who loves books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize this book follows on from another as I started reading Kate London by her second book death message which seemed a standalone! As much as this book could be read the same I felt that in places I didn't fully understand what was happening due to not having read the previous book in the series. The characters was real, raw and gritty and I liked following their plots however sad some of them actually were. I will however say I didn't enjoy this book as much as the other I read from the same author. I've just finished the book and it has been slow to the finish line I just feel in parts the book lagged but overall it wasn't the worst book I've ever read.

[Bronwen Heathfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a page turner. Lots of threads finally come together but occasionally it is hard to keep track. A police procedural which follows the trajectories of young people caught up in drugs and gang warfare. It is set mainly in a country town which is interesting as it is portrayed as being untouched by city problems with not much of a police presence. The main police characters are from London and have a personal reason to chase this particular drug dealer down. The characters of the young people and the mother whose son has gone missing are well written and believable. Not too violent ( which is a change!)

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a bit confused about the connections between the various police characters and whether there was any connection between Ryan and the missing boy Leif.

There were a few occasions that I felt could have either been new chapters or at least breaks in the chapter where you read about one set of characters and suddenly switched to others leaving me confused and having to go back.

Those things aside, a good story that keeps you wondering whether the police will get to the bottom of the gang, and whether Leif will make it out alive. It does keep you guessing right to the end.

[Maria Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Misper by Kate London
Publisher: Corvus
Publication Date 3/11/23

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finely crafted police thriller with a timely plot regarding County Lines which was truly eye opening for me. I’ve read Kate Londons previous books and enjoyed the attention to procedural detail and the true to life characters. I look forward to reading the next one and recommend this to all lovers of crime fiction. .
Thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for providing me with this advance digital copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.