The Long Game

by Steven Shepherd

‘ The Long Game isn’t just a thriller—it’s a psychological labyrinth with a morally complex core. Gritty, intelligent, and impossible to forget, this is a must-read for fans of crime fiction at its most powerful.’ ***** Reader review

A deadly conspiracy. A haunted detective. A fight against the untouchable.

When DCI Michael Dack is caught on camera abducting a young girl, the case should be open-and-shut. But nearly three years later, Dack resurfaces — not as a suspect, but as the head of a new police task force investigating a string of similar child exploitation crimes across London.

As the investigation deepens, so do the questions. Is Dack a rogue officer working undercover to expose a corrupt network? Or is he orchestrating the very horrors he claims to be hunting? His team is forced to confront the chilling possibility that the man leading the charge may be the monster they’re trying to stop.

Set against the gritty backdrop of modern-day London, The Long Game plunges into the murky world of police corruption, moral compromise and institutional rot. With echoes of real-world scandals, this is a tense psychological crime thriller, packed with jaw-dropping twists and morally grey characters that will keep readers turning pages deep into the night.

Perfect for fans of Line of Duty, Luther, and dark British police procedurals. If you like your crime fiction hard-hitting, thought-provoking and disturbingly plausible, you won’t be able to put this down.

Readers are GRIPPED by The Long
‘Not your average crime thriller—it’s a masterclass in tension, moral ambiguity, and psychological complexity’*****
‘Like a British version of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal’ *****
‘Well written, raw and emotional, with a shocking twist’ *****
‘One of the best murder mystery novels I’ve read in a long time’ *****
‘If you like smart crime fiction with a long fuse and a satisfying payoff, this one’s a gem’ *****
‘Intriguing, intense and emotional … a crime thriller in the truest sense’ *****

Genres: Fiction

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2025

Reviews

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true masterpiece police thriller. This story unfolded, in the fastest page-turner, I have ever read.

DCI Michael Dack, has been working with the police for over forty years. Married, with a daughter, DCI Michael Dack, has never committed a minor crime during his career.

In North London the scene set, is about to get rather unsettling. DCI Dack, is about to follow and abduct a Romanian-accented, young girl, off the street.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner, seems to have faith in DCI Dack, he is appointed to lead a task force investigating similar crimes against young girls across London.

The story is so nicely played out, thriller fans prepare for the skilful twist. I’m now a huge fan of Steven Shepherd’s writing I’m looking forward to his next fiction novel.

[Avril Serene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff, Maynard! This book really surprised me. I picked it up thinking it would be a standard detective story, but it turned out to be a lot darker and more intense than I expected—in a good way.

The main character, DCI Michael Dack, is this older detective who’s clearly been through a lot. He’s called in to lead a small task force investigating a string of missing teenage girls in London. What starts out as one tragic case ends up unraveling something way bigger and more disturbing, with hints of trafficking and possibly even political connections. It really kept me guessing where things were headed.

The characters feel real and flawed in a way that makes them easy to connect with (or be frustrated by). Dack has a heartbreaking backstory involving his own missing daughter, and the way that ties into the current investigation makes everything feel even more personal. His team is a mix of personalities—some dedicated, some a bit chaotic—but it worked.

Some parts of the story are honestly tough to read, especially the scenes from the point of view of the kidnapped girls. The author doesn’t shy away from how horrific that world is, but it never felt like it was there for shock value. If anything, it made the stakes really hit home.

There are moments of dark humor, some solid detective work, and a lot of emotional weight. The book also explores how people in power can cover things up or look the other way, which made it feel even more relevant.

If you’re into crime thrillers that are raw, emotional, and not afraid to dig into heavy subject matter, you’ll probably like this. It’s not a light read, but it’s definitely a good one. I’ll be thinking about this story for a while.

[Rickard Sagirbay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true masterpiece and I really enjoyed it!

The Long Game is a masterfully crafted crime thriller that grips you from the opening scene and refuses to let go. With razor-sharp prose and unrelenting tension, this novel is a haunting dive into the darkest corners of justice, deception, and the human psyche.

At the heart of the story is DCI Michael Dack—a complex and chilling character whose moral ambiguity makes for a deeply compelling read. From the shocking first chapter to the slow, deliberate unraveling of his role in the investigation, the author keeps you questioning everything. Is Dack a rogue hero or a hidden villain? That question pulses like a ticking time bomb throughout the narrative, creating an atmosphere of constant unease.

The plotting is impeccable. Every twist feels earned, every chapter builds momentum, and by the time the final twist lands, you’re left stunned yet completely satisfied. The author doesn’t shy away from difficult themes, but handles them with a level of sophistication that elevates the story beyond typical genre fare.

The Long Game isn’t just a thriller—it’s a psychological labyrinth with a morally complex core. Gritty, intelligent, and impossible to forget, this is a must-read for fans of crime fiction at its most powerful.

[Miguel Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, gritty, graphic, and realistic.

There were many twists and turns in The Long Game. I learned some British slang too, such as guv, torch, and fancy. The alternating POVs kept my reading engagement high, and Steven Shepherd took his time giving us backstories for the characters. The Long Game is a page turner.

I gave a four-star rating because of the foul language, blasphemy, and the way the ending was revealed. The book cover could also be better.

[Jess Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve ever read. So many twists and turns! It will not disappoint!

[Eddie McBoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absorbing thriller dealing with Police and Political corruption at the highest levels. Lots of well written characters and, towards the end, action sequences. Good twisty plot. 4 star rather than 5 as I felt some of the dialogue was a bit stilted for 2024. But that was overcome by the plot and the action.

[Kaycee Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the end, I loved this one. But, I had to make myself hang in there at times. Some parts almost made me give up, kind of like when Jon Snow dies in GOT, and I thought screw this, I’m done.

Don’t get me wrong. The book is entertaining the whole way through. It’s just gritty and heart-wrenching. I went back and forth between rooting for the protagonist and thinking he’s a total scumbag, but I’m pretty sure that was the author’s intention.

[Ronnie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

dark and twisted

The Long Game is a great deal, psychological crime thriller that grabs you by the throat and does not let go. Twisting between justice and corruption it blurs every moral line. If you crave intelligent, high stakes crime fiction with real world echoes this one delivers hard.

[Abdul · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Hunter Becomes the Hunted



The Long Game kicks off with DCI Michael Dack apparently abducting a young girl, immediately making you question everything you think you know about this detective.

Three years later, Dack is put in charge of investigating his alleged crime along with a string of similar cases, creating a mind-bending situation where the hunter might actually be the hunted.

The investigation slowly tears the task force apart as suspicions mount and nobody knows who they can trust, creating genuine tension that keeps building throughout the story.

If you’re looking for a crime thriller...

The Long Game delivers a dark and unforgettable ride.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Long Game is a dark and twisty crime thriller that follows Detective Inspector Michael Dack as he hunts for the people behind a series of disappearances and murders of young girls in London. The story widens fast. What begins as a grim investigation becomes a deep dive into trafficking, corruption, and the awful truth that some monsters hide behind polished shoes and important titles. The book moves through police politics, secret operations, and terrible betrayals, all while pushing Dack into situations that test every part of him.

The writing is punchy and quick, and it doesn’t waste time easing into a scene. It throws you in, cold water to the face. Sometimes the dialogue hit hard and felt real. Other times, it came across a bit theatrical, like people knew they were standing under a spotlight. Still, the energy made it fun. I loved the way tension simmered through even the quieter chapters. I could almost feel the weight on Dack’s shoulders. I caught myself clenching my jaw more than once.

I’ll be honest, though. The book made me uneasy at points. Not because of the writing, but because of the subject matter. It pushes you into rooms you don’t want to imagine. It shows people who feel frighteningly believable in their cruelty. I admired that the story didn’t shy away from horror or emotion. The pacing kept me reading faster than I expected. The emotional gut punches landed, especially whenever the victims came into focus.

The Long Game hits with the same gritty punch as thrillers like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Reacher series, but it dives even deeper into the shadows where power, corruption, and human cruelty collide. I’d recommend The Long Game to readers who enjoy crime fiction with grit, speed, and a healthy dose of anger at the world. If you like stories where the hero crawls through darkness to drag the truth into the light, this one will keep you turning pages.

[APK · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Long Game hooked me from page one and never let go. This is the sort of dark, morally tangled crime fiction I live for — where every character sits somewhere between hero and villain, and you’re constantly questioning who you can trust and who's playing whom (spoiler: basically no one).

DCI Michael Dack is one of the most unsettlingly interesting protagonists I’ve come across in ages. Half the time I wanted to shake him, the other half I wanted to follow him straight into the shadows to see what he’d do next. Shepherd walks a razor-fine line with him — cold, clever, damaged, and yet somehow still someone you can’t look away from. That kind of antihero is my sweet spot, and this book nails it.

The plot itself is a tight coil of corruption, missing girls, and institutional rot, and every time I thought I’d gotten ahead of the story, it twisted in a way that felt both surprising and completely earned. No filler, no melodrama — just lean, confident writing and the atmosphere that is so heavy you can practically taste the London grit. And speaking of which, I loved the London setting. The author narrated the city (and its suburbs) with such grit and familiarity that it genuinely transported me back to my years living in the UK. Reading it reminded me exactly why I loved my time there — the mood, the edges, the sense that every street corner has a story if you’re paying attention.
What I loved most was that the book never tried to clean up the messiness of justice or human motivation. It lets the shadows stay shadows, which is exactly why it feels so real — and why I tore through it in basically one sitting.

If you enjoy crime thrillers that are dark, intelligent, morally grey, and absolutely addictive, this one deserves a spot at the top of your reading list.

[Lovetoread2023 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Long Game is a crime thriller of a very high standard that had me completely invested from the start. The tension is relentless, building with every chapter and never once losing momentum. From an upsetting, shocking beginning to a final twist the pace only intensifies.DCI Michael Dack is a complex, unsettling, yet utterly fascinating character. Haunted by his past, Dack carries a darkness that adds real psychological depth to the novel. He is not your typical detective, and that’s what makes him so compelling. There’s something deeply layered about him — flawed, intense, and driven — and he has quickly become one of my new favourite characters.
The villains are sinister, parts are genuinely horrific, and yet the empathy shown to the victims is a real testament to the author’s writing. It’s an intelligent police drama with a brilliant plot, relentless action, and a dark, intense atmosphere throughout.
As a big lover of psychological thrillers, I found this to be a first-class read. It delivers intelligent police drama alongside relentless action, striking the perfect balance between procedural detail and psychological intensity.
What makes this even more exciting is that this is Steven Shepherd’s debut novel. If this is the standard he’s setting with his first book, I am incredibly excited to see what comes next.
Dark, intense, addictive, and full of tension, The Long Game is a must-read for anyone who loves a cracking psychological thriller.

[Damir Salkovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the opening of “The Long Game”, DCI Michael Dack abducts a child. He resurfaces three years later leading the task force investigating that very crime. What begins as a hunt for missing girls metastasizes into a sprawling exposure of trafficking networks protected by establishment figures. With each compromised choice, Dack is forced to delve deeper into the morass of moral ambiguity.

Steven Shepherd's debut hinges on this audacious premise, plunging into the institutional rot behind London’s shiny façade. The psychological tightrope – is Dack an undercover hero or the architect of a child abuse network? – generates genuine unease, even as the prose occasionally tips into theatrical excess.

What Shepherd does best is sustained dread. The novel refuses comfort, forcing readers into complicity with Dack's ambiguous morality. Yet this aggressive unflinching quality cuts both ways: the reader becomes numbed by the persistent grimness, and dialogue that aims for gritty authenticity sometimes lands as performatively dark. Shepherd excels at portraying institutional decay and moral compromise, but the narrative lacks the structural elegance its ambitious scope demands. Still, for a debut negotiating such volatile subject matter, “The Long Game” demonstrates considerable nerve and a willingness to implicate systems rather than just individuals.

[James Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Long Game by Steven Shepherd is a proper British crime thriller — moody, tense, and full of moral grey zones that’ll have you questioning everyone, especially the hero. DCI Michael Dack is the kind of detective you can’t decide whether to cheer for or slap. He’s sharp, damaged, and drowning in demons, which makes him both infuriating and fascinating to follow. Think Line of Duty meets Luther, but with an even bleaker edge.

The plot kicks off with a sex trafficking case that spirals into high-level corruption, political rot, and some uncomfortably believable twists. The pacing is brisk, the tension builds nicely, and the writing is lean and effective — no wasted words. The emotional moments hit hard without tipping into melodrama.

That said, a few bits feel familiar — the hard-drinking detective, the cynical team, the shady elites — but Shepherd pulls it off with enough grit and heart to make it work. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s very well done.

In short: dark, raw, and unflinchingly human. A solid, page-turning read for anyone who likes their crime fiction smart, flawed, and just a little unsettling.

[Bella Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Long Game by Steven Shepherd is a dark and gritty noir that reminded me of the BBC’s psychological detective thriller Luther. It’s intense, riveting, and hard to put down.

Our protagonist, DCI Michael Dack—once caught on camera in what appears to be an abduction—resurfaces years later as the head of a special task force. An investigation into missing girls and the institutional corruption leaves us wondering which side of the law he’s really on. Is he a trafficker exploiting his position, or a man who truly empathizes with the victims?

Like all good anti-heroes, Dack keeps us rooting for him even when his cold-blooded savagery makes us want to look away. Shepherd knows how to structure a story—his prose is tight, realistic, and full of sharp twists and unexpected turns. The plot is as thick as the London fog.

The Long Games is a great read for anyone who loves classic detective fiction with a darker edge.

[Philip Gephardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good mystery in London

It begins like a standard case, a detective accused of a terrible act, but quickly unravels into something far more layered. DCI Michael Dack is not just a man under suspicion; he is a mirror for every institution that hides its rot beneath duty and decorum. The story moves through London’s underbelly with a pace that feels both urgent and deliberate, peeling back layers of corruption, deceit, and guilt.

What I admired most was how it refused to hand you clean answers. Each chapter tightens the moral net until you are unsure who to trust, and whether justice can even survive in a world built on compromise. The writing is lean, vivid, and steeped in atmosphere. Every setting feels lived in, every decision carries consequence.

Dack himself is one of the most fascinating detectives I have read in years. Haunted yet brilliant, he makes you question whether redemption can exist in a job that demands moral surrender.

This book does not rely on shock alone. It earns its suspense through character and truth. If you enjoy crime fiction that challenges your sense of right and wrong, The Long Game delivers in every way. It is dark, thoughtful, and deeply human, a rare blend of realism and tension that defines great storytelling.

[David Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

No cozy mystery here in this gripping and twisting thriller.
I must add that I was instantly captured from the opening chapter of this gritty detective thriller set in London. The protagonist, DCI Michael Dack, is as unheroic as it is possible to be, and his personal involvement in the crimes he heads a task force to investigate makes him compromised, to say the very least. Damaged by the loss of his daughter, his wife, his health, and his self-respect, Dack divides his colleagues as he investigates the disappearance of teenage girls and the murder of at least two of them. He faces the lowest of the low, among the country’s highest echelons, in a race to bring them to justice before they bring him down.
Steven Shepherd’s is fast, furious and challenging, but above all, it is a thrilling read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Long Game" is a gripping thriller that hooked me from the very beginning. Steven Shepherd delivers a clever, dark, and emotional story full of twists and tension.

The haunted detective is a complex, well-developed character, and his personal struggles make the mystery even more powerful. The pacing is excellent—never slow, never rushed—and the plot unfolds in a way that keeps you guessing until the end.

I appreciated the balance between psychological depth and action. It’s rare to find a crime novel that combines suspense, emotion, and strong writing so well.

Highly recommended to fans of crime, mystery, and psychological thrillers. I gave it five stars because it kept me turning the pages and left a lasting impression.

[Dimitris Margetas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smart, intense and genuinely gripping.
I really liked this one. It never tried to be “safe.” The story goes dark without hesitation and doesn’t soften the impact to please the reader. The plot twists actually surprised you. Not just “unexpected” but intelligently constructed, with purpose. The characters feel morally complex. Especially the lead, not cartoonishly heroic or guilty, more unsettling and human. The pacing is controlled. It doesn’t rush, it builds pressure gradually and deliberately, which makes the payoff stronger. It feels raw and believable. London as a setting adds to it. I will read more from this author.

[Bruce Hutchison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Long Game questions the distinction between good and mad, right and wrong. The novel centers around Michael Dack, who leads a special task force looking into child exploitation in London. But as the reader soon begins to question Dack’s motivation for digging into the case. The Long Game questions the morality of a system that’s supposed to be responsible for upholding the law and morality. But do they really when their own personal interests become involved? When corruption is part of the personal and institutional mix? Read this to find out. It will intrigue you till the end.

[Mohammed EL · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Smart and Gripping Slow-Burn Thriller

This book builds suspense with steady, well-paced storytelling that never feels rushed. Each chapter raises the stakes naturally, keeping the mystery layered and engaging without over-the-top twists. The characters are believable, the tension is psychological, and the plot rewards patience. If you enjoy slow-burn thrillers that keep you guessing without constant shock value, this one is definitely worth reading.

[Jagdish Arora · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book builds suspense slowly and keeps you thinking the whole time. The mystery is deep and layered, with twists that make you question every character and their motives. The main character is complex, which adds to the tension and makes the story more interesting. The dark tone and realistic setting make it feel intense and believable. It’s a strong crime thriller that keeps you engaged and curious from beginning to end.

[Yomi Akinode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep Fighting
The Long Game
It's shocking how devastating human trafficking can be, especially for young girls and boys. Then enters an experienced Metropolitan detective with personal stakes in the case. But his boss prefers to take the spotlight as he tirelessly protects those who are vulnerable.
I appreciate the writing and the content. Well done.

[Maryann (Mae) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This truly lives up to its reputation. It is a well-written book featuring a very intricate plotline. The main character is profound, grappling with issues that significantly impact his life, raising questions about his ability to face challenges. This was indeed a "long game." It is a truly worthwhile read.

[Ryan Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Long Game hooked me immediately and never let go. What starts as a shocking case quickly turns into something far darker and more complicated, where nothing feels safe or certain. Michael Dack is a fascinating lead—damaged, sharp, and constantly walking a moral tightrope that kept me questioning his every move. The London setting feels grimy and real, and the story isn’t afraid to sit with uncomfortable truths. This isn’t just about solving a crime; it’s about what justice costs. Tense, unsettling, and smart,

[Emily Symank · Rating 4 out of 5]

You got me!

This book has a unique twist in that the main character is seen committing a crime in the first chapter. The same crime that is being investigated in the current case, in fact. As you might imagine, the main character is not the most likable person in the book. However, the multiple point of view characters help make up for this. Michael’s fellow detectives, Robert Archer and Nisha Sharma, help inject heart into the story. Without revealing any spoilers, the conclusion was thoroughly satisfying. I must admit the story had me fooled.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seemingly dark, turned light

I got my copy for free, but the opinions here are my own. I don't want to leave a spoiler; it's a dark story of human trafficking, and a redemption at the end.

[Michelle Henley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Long Game

This book was a fast-paced read that held many twists band. It was a novel of betrayal, lies but most of all sacrifice on the highest level especially for the MMC. It was an enjoyable novel which I read as a buddy-read of which I recommend.

[Ralph Burton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid

[Marlys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought this was an excellent book! I couldn't figure out the outcome...I look forward to Mr. Shepherd's next novel. While I was reading, thoughts of Ian Rankin and Mick Herron came to mind.