Redemption

Mark Baines Trilogy #2

by Stephen Edger

Buried deep beneath the streets of London there is a hidden vault that only a handful of people know about. Inside the vault is a box that many have died to protect. But one group are determined to make it theirs.

Across the city, Mark Baines is serving two life sentences for crimes he didn’t commit. During an armed siege, he is dragged from his prison cell by a stranger who says he can prove his innocence. Suddenly free, Mark is shocked to be reunited with his father, but before they can escape, the group capture them, demanding the location of the vault.

Plunged into a world of espionage, corrupt officials and the Russian mafia, it is impossible to know who to trust. But when his path once again crosses undercover detective Ali Jacobs, he finds himself in a race against time to prove his innocence and find redemption.

Conspiracy, torture, blackmail and revenge: REDEMPTION is the breath-taking follow-up to INTEGRATION.

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2012

About the author

Stephen Edger is the Amazon bestselling author of psychological and crime thrillers, including Little Girl Gone, Snatched, and the Kate Matthews series. Born in the north-east of England, he now lives in Southampton where most of his stories are set, allowing him to use his insider knowledge to deliver realistic and unsettling suspense on every page. 

With books published by Harper Collins, Bookouture, and Endeavour Media, you wouldn’t believe that writing is still only a hobby for Stephen. A hobby that has seen him write more than twenty novels in the last decade, whilst balancing a full-time job with a young family. 

Away from writing, Stephen loves to read anything that will keep him awake at night. He’s also a passionate advocate for contemporary cinema and binge-watching the latest offerings from streaming services. He is married with a son and a daughter, and two dogs. Stephen is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) Association, the Crime Writers Association (CWA), and loves to engage with his readers on his Facebook author page and Twitter. 

If you have a question for him, he can be reached at: 
www.facebook.com/AuthorStephenEdger
www.twitter.com/StepheEdger
www.stephenedger.com

Reviews

[Best Crime Books & More · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book in the trilogy follows the book Integration which I just finished reading. In my previous review I stated that the book is somewhat bordering on the ‘over the top’ line, but somehow I think it works and doesn’t cross the line. IT puts me more in mind of fast paced Kernick book. Mark Baines got himself in all sorts of bother in the last book and at the start of this one we see him serving a rather lengthy sentence courtesy of Her Majesty. I wasn’t sure where this book would take us, especially as Mark is currently detained. It seems that makes no difference to the sort of people Mark Baines is involved with (albeit involuntarily).

The beginning also re-introduces us to copper Ali Jacobs who is working undercover trying to get deeper within the ranks of the Russian Mafia. Meanwhile Mark has not even had a chance to settle in prison he is forcibly removed and isn’t quite sure what is going on. It’s pretty clear early on that here are loads of unanswered questions which now arise from the first book, and as more and more things get uncovered it becomes clear that Mark is well and truly knackered.

The people that forcibly remove him from prison are convinced that he is the key top finding something they need which just happens to be buried deep within a bank vault in Canary Wharf. It seems the common theme for these books is huge amounts of drama and adrenaline, neither of which is short in this book. The middle section was slightly slower than the end, but overall I once again loved this tale of Mark Baines. I was slightly shocked by one particular element of the story towards the end but to say anymore would be a spoiler. I have managed to restrain myself from going straight to book 3, but it’s inevitable that I will end up finishing the trilogy in the not too distant future. These books are pure entertainment and if you’re a fan of the high octane kind of books such as the Kernick’s of this world, this may well be right up your street.

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the second in a series (trilogy?) following on from the fantastic Integration by Stephen Edger. The summary from the author states: "A Year ago, Mark Baines was blackmailed into laundering two hundred and fifty million pounds through the bank he worked for. The same people framed him for murder. Now serving two life sentences in a maximum security prison, the future looks bleak.
On Christmas Day the prison is breached and Mark is abducted by an unknown group. They are after a mysterious package that is locked in a secret vault deep within the foundations of a tower in Canary Wharf and they believe Mark is the key to finding it.
Ali Jacobs is still undercover, trying to infiltrate the Russian mafia. Now based in London, she is shocked when her path brings her into contact with Mark again.
The next seven days will define their lives.
Kidnap, car chases, a botched MI6 operation and an uneasy union with underworld figures mean Mark is in a race against time to prove his innocence and find redemption."
I absolutely loved this book. Mark Baines is a fantastically written character and despite the mess he found himself in, I found myself rooting for him all the way. I also loved the twist that is revealed in this book (won't spoil it) but did find myself shout out "Noooooo way!!!" quite a few times. It is action packed reading, with some murder and mischief strung throughout. Highly recommend this book and although you don't have to (as it could read as a stand alone) why not pick up and read Integration first!

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This the second book in the Mark Baines series and while it was good I didn't enjoy it as much as the first one. The beginning and the end were good but some of the middle bits seemed to drag a little. It felt as if some of the characters needed a bit more fleshing out. All in all it was an enjoyable read though I would actually only give it 3.5 stars.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great story by Stephen Edger. Lots of strong characters, many included in other books by the same author.

[Craig Gillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good enough story if just a tad unbelievable in places