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Detective J.T. Ellington #1
Heartman
Bristol, 1965. Joseph Tremaine “JT” Ellington, an ex-cop with a tragic past and a broken heart, has left his native Barbados in search of a better life in the Mother Country. But Bristol in the Sixties is far from the Promised Land and JT faces hostility from both the weather and the people.
Then local mogul Earl Linney approaches him. He needs JT’s help finding Stella Hopkins, a young deaf and mute West Indian woman who has gone missing, and who the police aren’t interested in searching for. With rent due, and no job, JT has little option than to accept.
Calling on his wits and not-so-honest cousin Vic for help, JT soon finds himself adrift in a murky world of prostitution and kidnapping where every lead reveals more mystery and nobody can be trusted. What is Linney’s connection to the girl? Have more women gone missing? And what exactly is the Erotica Negro Club?
Facing hostility and prejudice as well as the demons from home he thought he’d escaped, JT must unravel a deadly conspiracy in a dangerous and unfamiliar world.
Then local mogul Earl Linney approaches him. He needs JT’s help finding Stella Hopkins, a young deaf and mute West Indian woman who has gone missing, and who the police aren’t interested in searching for. With rent due, and no job, JT has little option than to accept.
Calling on his wits and not-so-honest cousin Vic for help, JT soon finds himself adrift in a murky world of prostitution and kidnapping where every lead reveals more mystery and nobody can be trusted. What is Linney’s connection to the girl? Have more women gone missing? And what exactly is the Erotica Negro Club?
Facing hostility and prejudice as well as the demons from home he thought he’d escaped, JT must unravel a deadly conspiracy in a dangerous and unfamiliar world.
380 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2014
9 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
M.P. Wright
15 books34 followers Mark Wright was born in Leicestershire in 1965. He was employed in various roles within the music industry before working as a private investigator. He retrained in 1989 and spent the next twenty years in the mental health and probation services in the UK, specialising in risk assessment. A self-confessed aficionado of film, music and real ale, and father of two beautiful daughters, Mark lives with his wife and their two Rottweiler dogs, Clover and Dylan.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 12, 2024
This is a terrific debut novel from Mark Wright a local author to me, who came to my attention through a book event at Leicester Central Library. I had intended to read it before meeting him on 02.10.2014 but had only read up to Chapter 21. The author's personal story and commitment to his writing, along with the quality of the early chapters led me to want to finish the book as soon as possible and submit a review.
Location can be a character in a book and I was facinated to learn that he had originally intended to set his story in Leicester. However, this didn't quite fit and the chosen setting is Bristol during the mid 60's. The protagonist is newly arrived in Great Britain from the eastern Caribbean nation of Barbados. He has family in Bristol but has left a heap of trouble behind him, including dishonourable discharge from the police force he served for 15 years and the loss of his wife and daughter.
His troubles go from bad to worse; jobless, pennyless and threatened with homelessness he is approached by a local politician to help find a missing young woman. Joseph Ellington, JT within his community and to his friends, accepts the assignment and the book is about those enquiries and his re-adjustment as a person.
What I especially enjoyed about the book was the sense of place and time; although it is centred mostly among the caribbean community in and around St Paul's, Bristol. The author is an outsider here himself and it makes his writing that much stronger, careful and well researched. There are stereotypes waiting to trip the unwary but apart from the use of patois you do not feel anything other than acceptance into the world JT inhabits. I am aware of his culture and the food, drink and music that affects him but I feel alongside him, not reading him as a black man, nor standing back and observing an alien environment. But integrated and longing to understand his past and share his story, especially since it is tied up in this mysterious disappearance.
Sharing that journey is both a pleasure and a sense of foreboding as Ellington wrestles prejudice, understanding his own people and the newness of a Country he used to serve in a colonial post and where now, he is just another immigrant.
Wright doesn't over play this hand although it does seem to snow alot and in fairness there is a wide spectrum of excellent characterisation and believable people to help and hinder our hero. I am amazed how much he has been able to get into the book without going over 400 pages. I am also delighted to learn this series may be at least a trilogy as there is such a rich buffet of ideas and insights to satisfy even the most voracious reader.
Above all this is wonderful writing. The plot is compelling and keeps one rivetted. As mentioned, perhaps with the belief in voodoo and duppy there is a prevailing threat throughout the novel where you feel no-one is safe.
I almost became critical of this style of writing feeling the main character although not bothered if he should live or die would be mindful of his actions on others. Then I read the author's afterword; in his acknowledgements he gave a big shout out to the works of James Lee Burke and I saw in Ellington a shadow of Dave Robicheaux, a rich echo of personal loss and sorrow. The noir I was picking up now made sense and part of the reason I loved this book came into focus, This isn't a pale copy of another's work, the influence is undoubtedly there but this is a real tour de force. I cannot praise its originality enough; Mark Wright took a number of risks with this project and we should rejoice it was published at all, When his stock rises I will be glad to have met him so early on his path but this is no novice writer; he is an accomplished author who will deserve all the success and awards that await him.
Location can be a character in a book and I was facinated to learn that he had originally intended to set his story in Leicester. However, this didn't quite fit and the chosen setting is Bristol during the mid 60's. The protagonist is newly arrived in Great Britain from the eastern Caribbean nation of Barbados. He has family in Bristol but has left a heap of trouble behind him, including dishonourable discharge from the police force he served for 15 years and the loss of his wife and daughter.
His troubles go from bad to worse; jobless, pennyless and threatened with homelessness he is approached by a local politician to help find a missing young woman. Joseph Ellington, JT within his community and to his friends, accepts the assignment and the book is about those enquiries and his re-adjustment as a person.
What I especially enjoyed about the book was the sense of place and time; although it is centred mostly among the caribbean community in and around St Paul's, Bristol. The author is an outsider here himself and it makes his writing that much stronger, careful and well researched. There are stereotypes waiting to trip the unwary but apart from the use of patois you do not feel anything other than acceptance into the world JT inhabits. I am aware of his culture and the food, drink and music that affects him but I feel alongside him, not reading him as a black man, nor standing back and observing an alien environment. But integrated and longing to understand his past and share his story, especially since it is tied up in this mysterious disappearance.
Sharing that journey is both a pleasure and a sense of foreboding as Ellington wrestles prejudice, understanding his own people and the newness of a Country he used to serve in a colonial post and where now, he is just another immigrant.
Wright doesn't over play this hand although it does seem to snow alot and in fairness there is a wide spectrum of excellent characterisation and believable people to help and hinder our hero. I am amazed how much he has been able to get into the book without going over 400 pages. I am also delighted to learn this series may be at least a trilogy as there is such a rich buffet of ideas and insights to satisfy even the most voracious reader.
Above all this is wonderful writing. The plot is compelling and keeps one rivetted. As mentioned, perhaps with the belief in voodoo and duppy there is a prevailing threat throughout the novel where you feel no-one is safe.
I almost became critical of this style of writing feeling the main character although not bothered if he should live or die would be mindful of his actions on others. Then I read the author's afterword; in his acknowledgements he gave a big shout out to the works of James Lee Burke and I saw in Ellington a shadow of Dave Robicheaux, a rich echo of personal loss and sorrow. The noir I was picking up now made sense and part of the reason I loved this book came into focus, This isn't a pale copy of another's work, the influence is undoubtedly there but this is a real tour de force. I cannot praise its originality enough; Mark Wright took a number of risks with this project and we should rejoice it was published at all, When his stock rises I will be glad to have met him so early on his path but this is no novice writer; he is an accomplished author who will deserve all the success and awards that await him.
August 30, 2021
Always keen to bang the drum for debut crime authors, I was more than intrigued by the premise of this one by M. P. Wright. Mentally riffling through my crime knowledge, I failed to think of a single book that had used the backdrop of 1960’s Bristol, and equally that focused on the significant changes on its demographic following the influx of immigrants to Britain in this period. My curiosity was piqued and, like many other reviewers, I was more than pleasantly surprised by Heartman. Heralded as the crime debut of the year , Heartman certainly brings something new and fresh to the British crime writing scene. Set in Bristol 1965, Wright has created not only a compelling and thought-provoking thriller, but introduces the world to Joseph Jermaine ‘JT’ Ellington, an ex-cop with a tragic past and a broken heart.
The absolute stand out feature of this book is the characterisation of not only the highly credible and empathetic JT Ellington, whose investigative services are called upon when a vulnerable young woman disappears, but unusually every character no matter how large or small their part in the book. With Wright’s pitch perfect descriptions of their appearance, speech, temperament, humour and their interaction with others, every character reaches out from the page with clarity and most importantly believability. Ellington is a masterful creation, and although I did doubt the weighty comparison to Mosley’s Easy Rawlins, he is revealed as a man of contrary mood, a strong moral core, yet haunted by the tragic events of his past. I loved the interplay between him and his cohorts, in particular his colourful and avuncular cousin Vic, a loveable rogue and a bon vivant of the highest order, all too keen to get sucked into Ellington’s investigation and to get a piece of whatever action follows. Equally, the slow-witted but faithful friend Carnell and his sassy wife Loretta, provide another source of comic relief, in what is, all told, a dark and sordid narrative. The balance between the lighter moments and the seedy nature of Ellington’s investigation is perfectly weighted throughout, and there are some moments in the story that do cause you to take a breath with the intensity of emotion that accompanies the gradual reveals and heightened violence of the plot.
The resonance and realisation of this cultural and social period is first class, with Wright effortlessly recreating the sights, sounds and atmosphere of not only the 60’s but of a harsh Bristolian winter. I loved the cranky responses of the main characters to the inclement weather, compared to the balmy tropical climates that they have left far behind them. The specific references to the time period are spot on and the responses and frustrations of immigration from both sides of the fence are balanced throughout. Supported by the flowing cadence of his character’s speech that rhythmically carries you along, as well as an utterly gripping plot, suffused with vile characters, sordid goings-on and a good smattering of violence, Heartman does not disappoint on any level. A strong contender for a place in my Top 5 of the year and a remarkable debut.
The absolute stand out feature of this book is the characterisation of not only the highly credible and empathetic JT Ellington, whose investigative services are called upon when a vulnerable young woman disappears, but unusually every character no matter how large or small their part in the book. With Wright’s pitch perfect descriptions of their appearance, speech, temperament, humour and their interaction with others, every character reaches out from the page with clarity and most importantly believability. Ellington is a masterful creation, and although I did doubt the weighty comparison to Mosley’s Easy Rawlins, he is revealed as a man of contrary mood, a strong moral core, yet haunted by the tragic events of his past. I loved the interplay between him and his cohorts, in particular his colourful and avuncular cousin Vic, a loveable rogue and a bon vivant of the highest order, all too keen to get sucked into Ellington’s investigation and to get a piece of whatever action follows. Equally, the slow-witted but faithful friend Carnell and his sassy wife Loretta, provide another source of comic relief, in what is, all told, a dark and sordid narrative. The balance between the lighter moments and the seedy nature of Ellington’s investigation is perfectly weighted throughout, and there are some moments in the story that do cause you to take a breath with the intensity of emotion that accompanies the gradual reveals and heightened violence of the plot.
The resonance and realisation of this cultural and social period is first class, with Wright effortlessly recreating the sights, sounds and atmosphere of not only the 60’s but of a harsh Bristolian winter. I loved the cranky responses of the main characters to the inclement weather, compared to the balmy tropical climates that they have left far behind them. The specific references to the time period are spot on and the responses and frustrations of immigration from both sides of the fence are balanced throughout. Supported by the flowing cadence of his character’s speech that rhythmically carries you along, as well as an utterly gripping plot, suffused with vile characters, sordid goings-on and a good smattering of violence, Heartman does not disappoint on any level. A strong contender for a place in my Top 5 of the year and a remarkable debut.
March 17, 2016
Heartman is the first in the series following ex copper Joseph Tremaine Ellington.
Joseph has had a lot of heart ache in his life. Having had to leave the country which has been his home for many years, he finds himself in Bristol, jobless and on the verge of being made homeless.
Doing some private investigating is not something that Joseph really wants to do but having no money he has little choice.
As Joseph delves into the disappearance of Stella, the whole story starts to get a whole lot darker.
It's obvious that certain people would rather he didn't stick his nose into certain matters and the people that talk to Joseph seem to have a habit of turning up dead.
Heartman is a novel that gently drew me into it and before to long I found myself hooked. Joseph is a great character. Not only does he have to live with a personal loss, he also has to live in a world where prejudices were unfortunately a very common occurrence.
I have to say I loved the relationship between Joseph and his landlady. It's very obvious from the start that she is not happy about him living there. I have to say though as the story goes on, not only does the reader really warm to him, so does his very frosty landlady.
With a few shocks and surprises in store, I found Heartman to be a really enjoyable read. Can't wait to read more in the series.
Many thanks to the author and Black and White Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Joseph has had a lot of heart ache in his life. Having had to leave the country which has been his home for many years, he finds himself in Bristol, jobless and on the verge of being made homeless.
Doing some private investigating is not something that Joseph really wants to do but having no money he has little choice.
As Joseph delves into the disappearance of Stella, the whole story starts to get a whole lot darker.
It's obvious that certain people would rather he didn't stick his nose into certain matters and the people that talk to Joseph seem to have a habit of turning up dead.
Heartman is a novel that gently drew me into it and before to long I found myself hooked. Joseph is a great character. Not only does he have to live with a personal loss, he also has to live in a world where prejudices were unfortunately a very common occurrence.
I have to say I loved the relationship between Joseph and his landlady. It's very obvious from the start that she is not happy about him living there. I have to say though as the story goes on, not only does the reader really warm to him, so does his very frosty landlady.
With a few shocks and surprises in store, I found Heartman to be a really enjoyable read. Can't wait to read more in the series.
Many thanks to the author and Black and White Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2021
for a debut it is a nice thriller. great atmosphere and interesting and different investigator - a black guy, ex-cop from barbados who is not totally happy with being immigrant in UK. the weakness is in the plot, again hookers, gangsters, corrupted white police. not brilliant. and too much emphasis on the cold weather, bloody freezing Bristol. still, fine and lovely writing.
Read
April 19, 2018Review to follow.........
April 5, 2016
Heartman is a new take on a tried and trusted formula and it is well done. Joseph "JT" Ellington is down on his luck having lost the job he got when he immigrated to the UK from Barbados. He is drowning his sorrows in the pub when he is approached by Earl Linney, Alderman and businessman, with cash and a proposal. Linney will pay JT well to find Stella Hopkins, a young, black deaf mute who disappeared a few weeks before. JT takes the offer and soon finds he has bitten off more than he could imagine.
JT is, in outline, your typical outsider detective, in this case literally as he is a foreigner, with a tragic past, a fondness for the drink and a dogged determination to see the job through but he has a strong support network of family and friends which lends a warmth to the novel that many others don't have. You also get a strong sense of his Afro-Caribbean heritage which I like as I'm always interested in ways of life I don't know about. The other characters in his circle are equally well drawn and add to the warmth and sense of community in the novel.
The plot is, as I've said, nothing we haven't seen before - the unholy alliance between the pampered rich and unscrupulous criminals. It is violent and stomach churning at points but true to the time setting (I'm reminded of the Kray Twins' casual violence). The ending, however, is different with a few unexpected twists and a great deal of pathos which I found very emotional and extremely well done. Apart from JT having a fridge (a real luxury item in the early 60s) I think the historical detail is better than most novels set in the 60s I have read and reminded me of a few things I had forgotten from my childhood.
I really liked Heartman and am looking forward to the next instalment. I don't hesitate to recommend it as a very good read, not just for the plot but for the authentic setting, the characterisation and the emotional responses it elicits.
JT is, in outline, your typical outsider detective, in this case literally as he is a foreigner, with a tragic past, a fondness for the drink and a dogged determination to see the job through but he has a strong support network of family and friends which lends a warmth to the novel that many others don't have. You also get a strong sense of his Afro-Caribbean heritage which I like as I'm always interested in ways of life I don't know about. The other characters in his circle are equally well drawn and add to the warmth and sense of community in the novel.
The plot is, as I've said, nothing we haven't seen before - the unholy alliance between the pampered rich and unscrupulous criminals. It is violent and stomach churning at points but true to the time setting (I'm reminded of the Kray Twins' casual violence). The ending, however, is different with a few unexpected twists and a great deal of pathos which I found very emotional and extremely well done. Apart from JT having a fridge (a real luxury item in the early 60s) I think the historical detail is better than most novels set in the 60s I have read and reminded me of a few things I had forgotten from my childhood.
I really liked Heartman and am looking forward to the next instalment. I don't hesitate to recommend it as a very good read, not just for the plot but for the authentic setting, the characterisation and the emotional responses it elicits.
April 14, 2015
A really enjoyable debut from MP Wright. It is fresh and has a distinctive setting, namely 1960s Bristol during a bitter winter. The story's hero is JT Ellington, fresh from Barbados, where he was a police sergeant. He left the island in tragic circumstances, his wife and daughter having perished after he took on corrupt cops and a drug boss.
In Bristol, he is down on his luck, when a wealthy alderman, and Jamaican, asks him to trace a missing young woman he cares for. JT embarks on a perilous search that takes him into privileged circles, where sexual depravity rides hand in hand with corruption.
It's a terrific premise, and seeing JT trying to make progress in a world where racism is legal and widespread is engrossing.
The narrative hits the occasional bum note of historical dubiousness, but the thriller is gripping. This looks like being the start of an intriguing series with JT.
In Bristol, he is down on his luck, when a wealthy alderman, and Jamaican, asks him to trace a missing young woman he cares for. JT embarks on a perilous search that takes him into privileged circles, where sexual depravity rides hand in hand with corruption.
It's a terrific premise, and seeing JT trying to make progress in a world where racism is legal and widespread is engrossing.
The narrative hits the occasional bum note of historical dubiousness, but the thriller is gripping. This looks like being the start of an intriguing series with JT.
November 3, 2015
J T Ellington a ex-cop and a tragic past hangs heavy on his heart has left Barbados with the promise for a better life in 60's Bristol with no work and hostilities from the locals.
Local shady businessman earl Linney approaches JT when is skint and persuades him to do a job for him to look in to the disappearance of a young west indian disadvantaged Stella Hopkins who is deaf+mute on the quiet and has to battle the corrupt police and seedy underworld of prostitution + kidnappings to get to the truth and find out what the clandestine erotica negro club has to do with the disappearance of Stella and why is earl throwing lots of money at JT to get to the truth.
TERRIFIC debut novel by mark wright set in a harsh winter where racism is stirring with the influx of islanders from the Caribbean coming over to the homeland.
A very good read and will recommend this book to anyone
Local shady businessman earl Linney approaches JT when is skint and persuades him to do a job for him to look in to the disappearance of a young west indian disadvantaged Stella Hopkins who is deaf+mute on the quiet and has to battle the corrupt police and seedy underworld of prostitution + kidnappings to get to the truth and find out what the clandestine erotica negro club has to do with the disappearance of Stella and why is earl throwing lots of money at JT to get to the truth.
TERRIFIC debut novel by mark wright set in a harsh winter where racism is stirring with the influx of islanders from the Caribbean coming over to the homeland.
A very good read and will recommend this book to anyone
April 2, 2016
Excellent book; gripping, bloody! I have a new hero JT Ellington- Enquiry Agent!
If you like a Chandler like thriller with blood and guts, loyalty and family, drama and tragedy set in the 60s with excellent characters get this book!
If you like a Chandler like thriller with blood and guts, loyalty and family, drama and tragedy set in the 60s with excellent characters get this book!
August 22, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed this dark, deep novel with some interesting characters. Looking forward to more books.
June 26, 2016
Wow! Too emotional to write a review at present!
July 26, 2019
Heartman is the first in a series of reviews I’m going to do featuring Bristol based characters or authors, related to my beautiful home City...
Could I have picked anything better to start this series of reviews? The resounding answer is NO!
Heartman is the first book in a 4 book series, the very recently released, The Sinner’s Prayer, the last.
This first story is based in 1960’s Bristol, starring a crafty old fox of a detective in Bajan , J.T.Ellington, not long arrived from the island of Barbados, he’s left his home island following a tragedy with his wife and daughter, he’s now looking to start a new life.
M.P. Wright spins a mesmerizing tale, employed by a pillar of the local black community, J.T sets about looking for a missing mute girl.
An absolutely intriguing, fascinating and brilliant story ensues as M.P.Wright and J.T. Ellington take us into the dark side of Bristol, the pubs ,the clubs, the shebeens, the whore houses and more.
J.T is a stubborn , wily, crafty, clever , intelligent beast, assisted by his not so law-abiding but equally persistent cousin Vic, he takes no prisoners in his quest to both solve the crime but do right , both for the victim, but deep down for himself and his lost loved ones.
A deeply immersive tale, I found myself hypnotised by the authors words.
The descriptive writing of the era that J.T lived in and , indeed, my home town are quite brilliant, M.P. Wright has clearly surrounded himself in Bristol life and culture, he pulls no punches, telling it how is, he’s taught and educated me in this book.
The writing is inviting and enchanting, it’s gripping stuff. The pace doesn’t let up as J.T pursues his prey.
Character wise, J.T is a brilliant protagonist, his cousin Vic, is a firework waiting to go off. I felt he was almost as important as J.T to the story. On the subject of characters, M.P. Wright introduces us to some wonderful people, Aunt Pearl and Uncle Gabe amongst them.
Locales are so on point, so bang on, you could be there as the author describes it.
There are also some real heart breaking moments in this book. I’ll leave that there for you to discover.
Wrapping up my review, I can, hand on heart say, that my love of my home city has in no way influenced my thoughts or review,
This dark, Rum soaked, Crime Thriller is a first class work.
I was blown away, I’ve read some astonishing books this year, is this up there? Yes! I devoured this book. And I’m now turning the pages of book 2.
I’ll see you again soon with my review of All Through Night...
5 Flaming 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Could I have picked anything better to start this series of reviews? The resounding answer is NO!
Heartman is the first book in a 4 book series, the very recently released, The Sinner’s Prayer, the last.
This first story is based in 1960’s Bristol, starring a crafty old fox of a detective in Bajan , J.T.Ellington, not long arrived from the island of Barbados, he’s left his home island following a tragedy with his wife and daughter, he’s now looking to start a new life.
M.P. Wright spins a mesmerizing tale, employed by a pillar of the local black community, J.T sets about looking for a missing mute girl.
An absolutely intriguing, fascinating and brilliant story ensues as M.P.Wright and J.T. Ellington take us into the dark side of Bristol, the pubs ,the clubs, the shebeens, the whore houses and more.
J.T is a stubborn , wily, crafty, clever , intelligent beast, assisted by his not so law-abiding but equally persistent cousin Vic, he takes no prisoners in his quest to both solve the crime but do right , both for the victim, but deep down for himself and his lost loved ones.
A deeply immersive tale, I found myself hypnotised by the authors words.
The descriptive writing of the era that J.T lived in and , indeed, my home town are quite brilliant, M.P. Wright has clearly surrounded himself in Bristol life and culture, he pulls no punches, telling it how is, he’s taught and educated me in this book.
The writing is inviting and enchanting, it’s gripping stuff. The pace doesn’t let up as J.T pursues his prey.
Character wise, J.T is a brilliant protagonist, his cousin Vic, is a firework waiting to go off. I felt he was almost as important as J.T to the story. On the subject of characters, M.P. Wright introduces us to some wonderful people, Aunt Pearl and Uncle Gabe amongst them.
Locales are so on point, so bang on, you could be there as the author describes it.
There are also some real heart breaking moments in this book. I’ll leave that there for you to discover.
Wrapping up my review, I can, hand on heart say, that my love of my home city has in no way influenced my thoughts or review,
This dark, Rum soaked, Crime Thriller is a first class work.
I was blown away, I’ve read some astonishing books this year, is this up there? Yes! I devoured this book. And I’m now turning the pages of book 2.
I’ll see you again soon with my review of All Through Night...
5 Flaming 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
May 7, 2018
Really enjoyed this. Found out about this local-to-me author M P Wright when one of the bar staff at our local Social Club said that the beer I had ordered was named after the third book in this trilogy, which had only been out for a day or two. I ordered all 3 books and have just finished the first, Heartman. The very occasional query of details, grammar or apparently missed-out words in the type-setting, but overall an enthralling, sometimes moving, story with a surprising ending. Would also like to meet Mr Wright and find out how he researched and “got into” the world and culture of 1965 Barbadians living in Bristol! Recommended, and I can’t wait to read the next book.
November 21, 2025
A well written and totally engaging debut, grabs your immediate attention and maintains it to the last page. Clever descriptive intelligent storytelling with superb characters throughout.
Be warned some of the language is of the time the story is set in 1965, and is not acceptable today.
Completely recommended.
Be warned some of the language is of the time the story is set in 1965, and is not acceptable today.
Completely recommended.
August 17, 2019
Wow,
What a great read, ..... I couldn't put this book down !
I don't usually read this type of book but it was highly recommended and I certainly wasn't disappointed !
I'm off to download the next book
What a great read, ..... I couldn't put this book down !
I don't usually read this type of book but it was highly recommended and I certainly wasn't disappointed !
I'm off to download the next book
November 9, 2022
M P Wright: ‘Heartman’ rated 4. Incredibly well written & I could see Raymond Chandler (author’s) style in Wright’s. Intriguing plot& characters & found the voodoo aspect interesting…. BUT…. Didn’t enjoy the violence or the cruelty to those young girls.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2019
Didn't finish. Couldn't focus on it; found my mind wandering constantly
July 29, 2019
This book really took me back to the 60s and JT was a character I might like to follow in other books. The plot was convincing and fast paced. I guess it was nothing out of the ordinary.
June 3, 2014
Publication Date: 1st July 2014 from Black and White publishing.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the review copy.
Bristol, 1965. Joseph Tremaine “JT” Ellington, an ex-cop with a tragic past and a broken heart, has left his native Barbados in search of a better life in the Mother Country. But Bristol in the Sixties is far from the Promised Land and JT faces hostility from both the weather and the people.
Then local mogul Earl Linney approaches him. He needs JT’s help finding Stella Hopkins, a young deaf and mute West Indian woman who has gone missing, and who the police aren’t interested in searching for. With rent due, and no job, JT has little option than to accept.
So I’m sat here thinking what to say in my review, but actually my head is still stuck in 1960′s Bristol pretty much, along with JT who is as alive in my head as any character has ever been, so hey I guess thats one way of saying I rather liked this one.
Anway, I digress. The point is that there are a lot of terrific debuts coming this year, some of which I’ve had the joy of reading already and this right here is another one to watch out for, especially for fans of crime fiction with a distinct noir feel but also with the added bonus of some brilliantly drawn and impressive characters. There is a richness of language here and a whole different era to discover which will hook you right into the story and hold you there enthralled throughout.
I adored JT as a character, I rooted for him all the way. I was also very fond of Vic, I totally fell in love. Added to that there is a plethora of other supporting characters, both peripheral and right in the middle of things that give the whole thing a realistic bent and keep you turning the pages avidly devouring every move they make. Set against a Bristol backdrop, that city comes to life right before your eyes with a terrifically well balanced sense of place and time making this extremely well constructed and absolutely addictive.
Overall a stunning debut and one that comes highly recommended from me.
Happy Reading Folks!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the review copy.
Bristol, 1965. Joseph Tremaine “JT” Ellington, an ex-cop with a tragic past and a broken heart, has left his native Barbados in search of a better life in the Mother Country. But Bristol in the Sixties is far from the Promised Land and JT faces hostility from both the weather and the people.
Then local mogul Earl Linney approaches him. He needs JT’s help finding Stella Hopkins, a young deaf and mute West Indian woman who has gone missing, and who the police aren’t interested in searching for. With rent due, and no job, JT has little option than to accept.
So I’m sat here thinking what to say in my review, but actually my head is still stuck in 1960′s Bristol pretty much, along with JT who is as alive in my head as any character has ever been, so hey I guess thats one way of saying I rather liked this one.
Anway, I digress. The point is that there are a lot of terrific debuts coming this year, some of which I’ve had the joy of reading already and this right here is another one to watch out for, especially for fans of crime fiction with a distinct noir feel but also with the added bonus of some brilliantly drawn and impressive characters. There is a richness of language here and a whole different era to discover which will hook you right into the story and hold you there enthralled throughout.
I adored JT as a character, I rooted for him all the way. I was also very fond of Vic, I totally fell in love. Added to that there is a plethora of other supporting characters, both peripheral and right in the middle of things that give the whole thing a realistic bent and keep you turning the pages avidly devouring every move they make. Set against a Bristol backdrop, that city comes to life right before your eyes with a terrifically well balanced sense of place and time making this extremely well constructed and absolutely addictive.
Overall a stunning debut and one that comes highly recommended from me.
Happy Reading Folks!
December 7, 2025
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Heartman is the first Detective J.T. Ellington noir mystery by M.P. Wright. Originally released in 2014, this reformat and re-release from Black & White publishing is 256 pages and is available in most formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats.
This is a gritty character driven noir mystery with a retro vibe which manages to conjure up the seedier side of 1960s Bristol very well. The protagonist JT is flawed, down on his luck, nearly homeless, and broken hearted. I was so impressed by the writing. The characters are well rendered and believable, and the dialogue flows well and adds a lot to the period ambiance.
The working parts of the mystery fit together quite well and the climax, denouement, and resolution were self-contained and satisfying. The series has 4 extant works (3 books and a short story appearance) and would make a good long weekend binge read or possibly a buddy read. There are some distressingly realistic portrayals of racism, xenophobia, human trafficking and violent graphic murder. Some of the action scenes remind me in ways of the Hap & Leonard books by Joe Lansdale although, admittedly, there's not a lot of humour here to lighten the mood. Language and vernacular are 60's UK English (torch, bloody, bedsit, etc), but shouldn't prove a problem to North American readers in context.
Four stars. This is a solid mystery and a promising series start.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Heartman is the first Detective J.T. Ellington noir mystery by M.P. Wright. Originally released in 2014, this reformat and re-release from Black & White publishing is 256 pages and is available in most formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats.
This is a gritty character driven noir mystery with a retro vibe which manages to conjure up the seedier side of 1960s Bristol very well. The protagonist JT is flawed, down on his luck, nearly homeless, and broken hearted. I was so impressed by the writing. The characters are well rendered and believable, and the dialogue flows well and adds a lot to the period ambiance.
The working parts of the mystery fit together quite well and the climax, denouement, and resolution were self-contained and satisfying. The series has 4 extant works (3 books and a short story appearance) and would make a good long weekend binge read or possibly a buddy read. There are some distressingly realistic portrayals of racism, xenophobia, human trafficking and violent graphic murder. Some of the action scenes remind me in ways of the Hap & Leonard books by Joe Lansdale although, admittedly, there's not a lot of humour here to lighten the mood. Language and vernacular are 60's UK English (torch, bloody, bedsit, etc), but shouldn't prove a problem to North American readers in context.
Four stars. This is a solid mystery and a promising series start.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
February 6, 2020
This is book one in the series I really enjoyed it The characters were really well rounded and I loved my time with them. I would recommend and I will pick up next book in the series.
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