Blood Debt

DS Rick Turner #2

by M.K. Murphy

As criminal gangs rampage unchecked across London, a secretive elite squad begins a campaign of action, delivering the guilty to the cops – along with all the evidence they need for a conviction.

Lines are drawn

But when innocent people are shot after the vigilante crew blunders into a major police operation – Detective Rick Turner among the unintended victims – it’s clear they must be stopped. Rick’s brother Sam might be able to help, but he’s a fugitive from the law himself, on nobody’s side but his own.

In too deep

As Sam and Rick are drawn into a vast criminal web, allegiances are tested to the limit. mistrusted by his bosses, and targeted by a deadly enemy out for revenge, Rick must decide where his true loyalties lie.

Perfect for fans of Gytha Lodge, Michael Wood and Matt Brolly

401 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2024

Reviews

[Karolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my review for Blood Debt by M K Murphy

I enjoyed this book right from the start and got into it straight away. It’s book two of the series and Detective Sergeant Rick Turner is on surveillance when a police operation goes wrong due to a vigilante gang blundering in. He is one of the people that is hurt, one cop is killed and at least three civilians are killed. Rick’s brother Sam may be able to help as he has his fingers in many pies but he is a bit of a fugitive himself and keeps under the radar most of the time. Can he help Rick though? This story is a great read. It’s a good cops and vigilante’s story. The vigilantes take it on themselves to reap law and order through the community. The plotting is brilliant and the writing is excellent and the story is well thought out. I like the writing style and it’s an easy to read style too. This is a series I could get into and want to read regularly. It’s set in London.

Blurb :

Justice is served
As criminal gangs rampage unchecked across London, a secretive elite squad begins a campaign of action, delivering the guilty to the cops – along with all the evidence they need for a conviction.
Lines are drawn
But when innocent people are shot after the vigilante crew blunders into a major police operation – Detective Rick Turner among the unintended victims – it’s clear they must be stopped. Rick’s brother Sam might be able to help, but he’s a fugitive from the law himself, on nobody’s side but his own.
In too deep
As Sam and Rick are drawn into a vast criminal web, allegiances are tested to the limit. mistrusted by his bosses, and targeted by a deadly enemy out for revenge, Rick must decide where his true loyalties lie.
Perfect for fans of Gytha Lodge, Michael Wood and Matt Brolly

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

DS Rick Turner is part of the Metropolitan Police Force and assigned to a multi agency task force looking into crime gangs and their activities. When one night, a group of vigilantes take the law into their own hands to provide justice for families and they want to be seen as doing good. Unknowingly, Rick's brother, Sam Turner, has been given a job for the same night at the same location. The book is a page turner of a read, fast paced, full of action and thrilling! I love how Rick and Sam interact with each other and you can see there is a brotherly bond between them. They may be on separate sides of the law, but, they pull together to lead us to a dramatic ending. I highly recommend this book.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in the series, I was perhaps 20% into the book when I realised that I had read the first one too and had the characters sorted in my mind. So my feedback is that the first few chapters jump straight into action (not necessarily a bad thing) but could use a little more structure and recap. Saying that, once I had got into the story I enjoyed it. Rick is a maverick policeman, mainly involved with gang crime in the underworld of London. His brother is involved with crime. There is a lot going on in thhis book and the writing style is no nonsense, mostly told from Rick's point of view, there are twists and turns in the plot and is gritty and believable .
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC, will definately look out for more from this author

[Joe Armistead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Man Walking was a refreshing change from other crime/thriller books I have read. A hero with a conscience who hears and follows his ‘dead’ brother’s advice until, of course, Sam enter’s Rick’s life again. The cop/criminal relationship between the brothers provides a nice twist as the plot plays out.

Blood Debt takes the relationship a stage further, blurring the lines between the two and leaving the question open as to whether the end justifies the means. The part played by the vigilantes in the pursuit of justice reinforces the moral dilemma which Rick constantly faces.

A sequel to a good novel is always a challenge. Blood Debt is a very good follow-up and I am confident that Rick and Sam Turner will be with us again for a further instalment. I am looking forward to that.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very complex and complicated book and if you haven’t read the first in the series, Dead Man Walking, you should. It would help to understand some of the characters a bit more. I was actually quite a way into the story and was thinking ‘I haven’t a clue what’s going on here’ when I remembered reading the first book, and some things clicked from there. I still didn’t understand it all (!) but it was a compelling read. I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as Dead Man Walking, and I think that’s because Sam was my hero then and I thought he was absolutely untouchable. Turns out he’s not! Anyway, a page turning read and one that I would recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

[Georgina Prince · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a British crime thriller, and this doesn’t disappoint. It’s a page turner, really fast pacing and loads of action. Rick is a great main character, interesting and his relationship with his brother has a great dynamic and makes for a great storyline.

It’s well written and I always enjoy the details in a police procedural though this is more of an action packed plot In My opinion.
A great book for any British crime thriller fans!

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this fast paced and entertaining read featuring Rick Turner, he's fast becoming my hero! Full of action, interesting characters and a great plot, it kept me on the edge of my seat right until the last page. I highly recommend the read to lovers of thrillers. Please can we have more of Rick? Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

[Chris Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exciting novel from the impressive and somewhat underrated Margaret Murphy. This new series, based in London and featuring the unconventional DS Rick Turner, promises to rival the writer's excellent Merseyside stories. Rick and his brother Sam are fascinating characters and the theme of vigilantism proves an interesting topic. Very enjoyable

[Anghus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hadn’t realised this was the second book in a series when I started. I really struggled for the first half and wasn’t sure I could get over the hurdle to finish. From half way I was gripped and finished in two days but the first half was a bit tougher.
Would probably gauge a higher rating if I hadn’t taken so long to get into it. Will also read the first and would read a third.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced, action packed, and twisty novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. Well plotted and entertaining, solid story and intriguing characters
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Guy Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable yarn about cops, vigilantes, dodgy family criminal nemesis and furious senior officers.
First M.K.Murphy I have read and would definitely recommend this series.

[Crooked Eye · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thriller that examines morally grey areas of crime, policing, and vigilantism. A thoroughly interesting read.

[Brian Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a n excellent read with terrific action, great characters and an original plot. More please!

[WR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-paced and gripping, and I enjoyed the brotherly link in the story.

[Chris B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first book in the series: somewhat repetitive and drawn out, with an ending that fizzled rather

[Jeanette Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come with us as we are sneaking our way through London, stakes are high, leads are slow, making it all even more exciting.

We are following young Rick that manages to get in the middle of it all, and I mean all. Even all-over social media. And not in a good way.

I like that he has not worked long enough to be high on himself, yet he still manages to find out most things about ongoing investigations he is not a part of.

What is Sam up to? He seems to have a few fingers in different pies himself. Will their paths cross during the investigation?

I was not sure about the book in the beginning, but as I got to know Rick and get into the plot more, I found myself liking the book more and more.

Being intrigued by the vigilante Wolf pack – I am wondering… who are they? Are they someone we know? Only one way to find out.😉