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DS Tomek Bowen #1

La Justicia de la Muerte: Novela policíaca negra de misterio y suspense (Serie Policiaca del Detective Sargento Tomek Bowen nº 1)

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Algunos secretos nunca desaparecen...

A lo largo de la plana costa de Essex, en el corazón de Southend-on-Sea, se descubre el cuerpo de un hombre en un huerto comunitario, semidesnudo y brutalmente mutilado.

La investigación recae rápidamente en el DS Tomek Bowen de la Policía de Essex quien, treinta años antes, encontró a su hermano muerto en un lugar y circunstancias similares una tarde después de la escuela.

El asesinato de su hermano había sido aleatorio, un acto cruel y malvado que llevó a su asesino a cadena perpetua. Pero cuando se descubre la identidad de la nueva víctima, queda claro que esto no fue un acto fortuito. La víctima tenía un pasado siniestro que le ganó muchos enemigos. Enemigos que han venido a imponer su propia forma de justicia.

Pero cuando aparece una segunda víctima, el DS Bowen se da cuenta de que está tras la pista de un delincuente en un asesino justiciero que se ha autoproclamado juez, jurado y verdugo.

Mientras Tomek comienza a desvelar las capas oscuras y podridas de las vidas de las víctimas, se revelan más y más secretos, junto con una revelación impactante que obligará a Tomek a cuestionar todo lo que creía saber sobre la muerte de su hermano. Pero, ¿podrá atrapar al asesino antes de que ataque de nuevo?

EL ESCENARIO
Southend-on-Sea, una ciudad costera en Essex, esconde un lado más oscuro bajo su alegre fachada de playa. El muelle de recreo más largo del mundo se extiende como una mano esquelética sobre aguas turbias, donde la niebla se aferra a siglos de secretos olvidados. La zona circundante, con sus caminos tranquilos y serpenteantes a través de desolados pantanos y tierras de cultivo llanas, guarda una historia de desapariciones y rumores susurrados. Desde las playas de guijarros hasta los implacables pantanos, el asesinato y el misterio acechan en lo más profundo de la identidad de Essex del Sur, y van y vienen con la misma frecuencia que la marea.

CONOCE AL DETECTIVE
Ahora pasados los cuarenta, el DS Tomek Bowen ha comenzado a preocuparse más por las pequeñas cosas. Como la comida que ingiere, cuántas pintas puede tomarse sin sentirse demasiado resacoso, y qué tinte usar para su barba cada vez más canosa. Todas las cosas importantes. Pero cuando se trata del trabajo, todo cambia. Es decidido, tenaz, y no tiene miedo de decir lo que piensa. Tampoco teme hacerles saber a los demás cuando están equivocados. Un hombre que se guarda las cartas, le gusta pensar que es un hueso duro de roer. Pero eso no impedirá que los criminales y villanos que encuentra en su camino lo intenten.

366 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 8, 2023

1301 people are currently reading
508 people want to read

About the author

Jack Probyn

157 books101 followers
I’m Jack Probyn, and I write murder mysteries and crime thrillers set in England. I studied Creative Writing at the University of Surrey and have always been fascinated by storytelling, particularly the dark and twisty kind.

I’m the author of the DC Jake Tanner series and the DS Tomek Bowen series, both packed with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists. When I’m not writing, I enjoy building LEGO, solving sudoku puzzles, and occasionally going snowboarding. I live in England with my partner and our British Shorthair cat, Tommy.

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5 stars
984 (45%)
4 stars
745 (34%)
3 stars
317 (14%)
2 stars
76 (3%)
1 star
26 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
Profile Image for Ally.
42 reviews5 followers
August 8, 2023
I was lucky enough to read an ARC and thanks to the author for that opportunity. It’s a very fast paced, exciting book. The lead character, Tomek, has his own personal problems without wandering too far into jaded police officer territory. The plot has so many twists and turns but lots of humour too.
4.5 stars. My only issue is that all the large team are introduced in one chapter very quickly. And they all have nicknames too. By the end of the book I still wasn’t sure who some of them were. But this did not spoil my enjoyment of the book. I hope there will be more soon!
Profile Image for Sarah.
934 reviews5 followers
July 13, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It is a great introduction to the character of DS Tomek Bowen and his team. The characters are really well developed and the storyline moves along at a good pace. I’m liking forward to more in this series.
Profile Image for Helen.
13 reviews
July 27, 2023
Received as an ARC copy, this is the new series by Jack.

DS Tomek Bowen is a great character. The story is about two paedophiles who are murdered for their crimes. It is full of plot twists and a concurrent storyline regarding the death of his brother. It’s a gripping book, showing how the use of the internet is changing and how social media is evolving. I didn’t see one of the twists coming at the end so loved it! Looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Lin Barrett West.
50 reviews
August 11, 2024
On the positive side, a well plotted police procedural, set in the quirky county of Essex, which I know well. He cleverly captures the feel of the place. The lead characters are fleshed out and you want to know more of their back stories. On the negative side, oh dear, he can’t write about sex very well at all. I stopped counting the number of penis/hard-ons/masturbation references at about 20 each. Yawn. He uses a sledgehammer when a stiletto is needed. I read that he was only 22 when he wrote this. It shows. I wondered whether I could take another of the series with this in mind, but someone whose opinion I respect says he calms down a bit in subsequent novels. Hope so.
Profile Image for Anne.
38 reviews1 follower
July 30, 2023
I received this book from the author as an ARC.

A man has been brutally murdered, and then another. They are both men who the public think deserved to die. DS Tomek Bowen will find those responsible and bring them to justice.

I loved this book, the characters fitted into the story brilliantly, and there was humour in amongst the gruesome death, murder and betrayal. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
Profile Image for Rachel Kotsapas.
61 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2024
The first I have read by this Author and was swayed by it being set in area I know very well.
Thoroughly enjoyed the book and it was the first I have read on a kindle !
I have bought the next book in the series and am interested in how the characters develop.
I did guess the ending about half way through but there was lots of moments i doubted that I had got the killer right !
4 reviews
August 1, 2023
Just finished reading this ARC copy of the book.
Great first book in a new detective series. The main character Tomek definitely has his flaws in his personal life but he's good at his job. Murders are brutal and it does make you think about your own morals with certain criminals. The book is well written and flowed well. There was frustration when a lead was a dead end and excitement when progress was made. I really felt like I went on an exhausting and thrilling journey with the team. Looking forward to the next book!
Profile Image for Jacky Rossi.
56 reviews4 followers
February 21, 2024
Oh dear, I don’t want to be unkind to the author, but this was one of the few books where I guessed the protagonist early in the story. The writing is quite poor and the attention to detail shocking. For example if a man had been suspended, castrated, then blood would hardly gush out of him in fountains over 12 hours later. There were too many sudden changes of heart - one minute Tomek was imagining her to be the girl he would spend the rest of his life with, and shortly after it was just a romp to see where it went? No continuity, completely divorced from real emotions, and details just ridiculously inappropriate. Possibly the worst writing I’ve come across!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review
August 2, 2024
first time reading this author.

How many times can you say penis in the first chapter. I found this book sexist and immature. I’ll pass on this author
Profile Image for Donna Morfett.
Author 9 books71 followers
August 3, 2023
This is a cracker of a read. A very topical subject currently. When a man is found brutally murdered in his allotment it passes onto Tomek Bowen and his team to investigate. It seems there is someone carrying out vigilante justice in the town of Southend.
Tomek is a complicated character, he is struggling with the death of his brother, isn't quite comfortable as one of the team and has issues with some of his family. Despite all that I really grew to like him. I loved his relationship when it developed and it felt like he'd found someone that got him, and she also gave his mother some home truths which i was cheering.
There is a lot of detail and a lot of information about Southend, a place I know a little about, but no where near the level of detail here.
I really liked the asides to Tomeks family life. These chapters were also very detailed and it was nice to get an insight into a characters life outside the police in this way. As always in fiction nothing is wasted and there is a reason for these chapters too.
The team are great, all very different with brilliant nicknames, i can imagine the author sitting and chuckling to himself as he came up with them and the reasons why.
The tension and action is ramped up throughout. It starts from the first chapter and doesn't really let up. Even when the team is struggling to find clues and make a break.
Profile Image for Alfred Nobile.
791 reviews12 followers
October 12, 2023
I was lucky enough to be given an ARC by the author in exchange for a review. This is the first in a series and what a start it was! Tomek Bowen is caught up in a murder investigation. Someone is killing paedophiles and Tomek's investigation is further hampered by personal and family trauma. A fast paced novel with plenty of twists and turns that will keep the reader enthralled. An outstanding start to what I hope will be an great series. Recommended!
25 reviews1 follower
October 8, 2024
First book in the series by Jack Probyn. The story of an Essex detective. Full of twists. The area in which the story is based is true to life. The ending had a particularly good twist. Really enjoyed it
Profile Image for SkyeWake.
279 reviews2 followers
August 8, 2023
4.5 stars I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book.

Starting with a murder, closely followed by another, this story rattles along with pace to begin with, building up to a frantic finale. Slight hiatus in the middle of the book which enables you to catch your breath, but also helps you find out more about Tomek in particular and how his brothers death still affects him. At times there seems to be a lot of detail about seemingly innocuous things, but they all build up to the end reveal. Interesting extra twist to lead to the next book.
3,940 reviews21 followers
July 28, 2024
This book upset me so much that I started making notes about this awful book.

The main characters were hateful to each other and used too much foul language. The detectives treated each other horribly (there's a difference between ribbing and viscous behavior, and the author repeatedly crossed it). This author made the British detectives appear to be randy rabbits—always on the prowl for a good lay.

Don't get me started on the girlfriend; it was so unrealistic that it was absurd. Oh, and one of the detectives turns out to be a pedophile (that is another absurdity).

After this experience, I've decided not to pick up another book by this author.
23 reviews
August 4, 2023
Thank you to the author for an ARC copy of Deaths Justice. The book features DS Tomek Bowen and the team and is set in Southend on sea. Tomek is a troubled soul and at the start of the book I wasn’t sure if I liked him that much , he does however grow on you . It is a fast paced book with a plot that keeps your interest right to the end which is worthy of an Eastenders style finish .
Profile Image for Terry.
145 reviews
February 23, 2025
Crude unrealistic characters I could not take to. The story was bland and uninteresting relying on filthy banter between the main characters. Did not finish the whole book as I was disappointed and just not interested enough to continue. I won’t read anything further by this author. Very definitely not for me.
Profile Image for Karon Stretton.
13 reviews
April 22, 2024
Way too much swearing in this book! I could have perhaps enjoyed it much more if there wasn't an 'f' or 'c' word in every other paragraph.
And it's 'roll downhill' not 'role downhill!
1 review
April 15, 2025
It was a tense & atmospheric read .. and quite honestly a shock ending! Thoroughly enjoyed it .. so much so I had to read it in two days!
Profile Image for Sharon Rimmelzwaan.
1,456 reviews42 followers
August 8, 2023
The start of a brand new series always gets me excited! Especially when it's from an author who I can guarantee will create a story that keeps you entertained until the very last word!

Death's Justice by Jack Probyn is the start of the DS Tomek Bowen crime thriller series. Set in Southend-On-Sea. We meet Ds Tomek Bowen and the team. He has his flaws, which couldn't identify his brothers killer when he was a boy. He finds himself embroiled in a case that will test him and his team to their limits.

This is a fast-paced tale that kept me on my toes. The characters are strong and very well created. I have read previous books by Jack Probyn and have always thought he was such a talented author. Death's Justice just cemented that opinion. It's an exciting read that had my adrenaline rising as the story unfolded.

The murders are gruesome, but I can't say the 'victims' didn't have it coming. Alongside the darkness, the story is balanced out by humour running nicely alongside. It manages to lighten the book so it's not too dark a tale.

I'm looking forward to the second book in the series. I wish I hadn't read it so fast! I didn't want to leave Tomek and the team at all!
Thanks to the author for my ARC of the book to write my honest review.
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,751 reviews160 followers
August 2, 2023
Thank you, Jack Probyn, for an ARC of Death Justice.
When a man is brutally murdered and after identification, they find that the victim is a known paedophile. The words from members of the public, especially on social media say that he deserved to die. When another body turns up DS Tomek Bowen is in charge with his team are looking for a vigilante style killer who is targets Paedophiles, Rapists etc. Because the police are too busy to do something about themselves.
DS Tomek Bowen is a troubled soul. He still hasn’t got over his brother’s death and his family blame him. But his life suddenly changes when he meets Katie, and he falls in love. Things are getting better for him he thinks.
Death Justice is the first book in a new series and a great one at that. This is a gripping drama, with a good storyline and well-paced and the story is current. It has some hard-hitting subjects regarding paedophiles and child grooming. I really enjoyed this and look forward to the next one. Especially find out about Tomek especially due to the surprising twist at the end of this book. 5 stars from me.
29 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2023
Death’s Justice by Jack Probyn is the first book in a new series featuring Detective Sergeant Tomek Bowen. And what a first book this is! Warning… This book features, grizzly murders and detailed descriptions of how paedophiles think. If you are not bothered by this, you will be in for a very good read.

Two paedophiles are killed, one after the other, with no clues left behind. It is up to Tomek and his team to solve the murders. While the reader watches Tomek and his team work the case, the reader is also exposed to much about Thomas‘s personal life, and the scars he carries from a traumatic incident in his childhood. This incident still has a significant impact on him today.

The pace of the book is perfect. The story moves along quickly. A few red herrings are thrown in to challenge the police and the reader. There are also a few interesting twists at the end of the book. As well, a cliffhanger appears on the last page, which makes the reader hope that book 2 in the series appears very quickly.

If you like fast, moving police procedurals with interesting characters, and a compelling story arc, then this is the book for you.
Profile Image for Alyson Read.
1,160 reviews56 followers
August 7, 2023
A recently released predator waits at night for the seven-year-old girl he expects to arrive. Instead it is death that greets him in a very grisly manner and the case falls to Southend CID which includes DS Tomek Bowen, a good but flawed detective who still has nightmares about his lack of identification of his brother’s killer when he was a young boy. It’s not long before another ex-prisoner with a similar history of depraved crimes is found at his home, murdered in the same way. Most of the team feel these men got what they deserve, a view shared by the general public, but any murder has to be investigated and the idea that a vigilante is using a child to lure their victims is not a nice one in a case that touches everyone.
Along with the rest of the team, the rather complex character of Tomek slowly grew on me as the story progressed and we hear more about the events which have shaped his life as he juggles his dislike of his DI, his budding romance and this grim case with a twisty narrative and a shocking conclusion. By the end I really liked Tomek and his colleagues as they all proved their worth. A very good opening to a new series and I look forward to the next story.
511 reviews12 followers
August 6, 2023
This author may be very young, but he has already, with his other books, proved his worth in the literary field.
What a great start to a new series featuring DS Tomek Bowen. This is a fast-paced and gripping book that has you totally captured. You just don't want to put it down for a second. I found myself so totally engrossed and obviously to what was going on around me.
I didn't warm to the main character in the very beginning, but soon realise why he acted as he did.
It's a very well written gripping storyline and plot, with revelations, wonderful descriptive, and some very strong characters. There are plenty of twists and turns and a very unexpected conclusion.
I did have my suspicions about a character but never for one minute what came about.
I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I'm so looking forward to the next book in the series.
My thanks to the author for the advanced copy. This is my honest and unbiased review .
92 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2023

This is an author I’ve only just discovered and oh my how am I so late to the party!

Set in Southend-on-Sea DS Tomek Bowen arrives at the scene of one of the most heinous crimes he’s ever encountered. The killer leaves the victim’s ID at the scene so Bowen and the team quickly discover that the victim has a very murky past. When another body turns up a short time later it becomes evident that they are hunting a vigilante serial killer, one hell bent on killing paedophiles and rapists.

Not only does Tomek have his hands full with the investigation but he also has a lot going on in his personal life and it’s great mix.

This is a roller coaster of a journey with lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing, I for one never saw what was coming, which is unusual for me This is the first book in the series and I can’t wait for the next. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Debbie Eyre.
5,893 reviews116 followers
August 8, 2023
This was an incredible first book where we find ourselves being introduced to DS Tomek Bowen and his team. It’s a well written, hard hitting crime thriller that has you hooked from the very first page and does not let up. Our DS, who has his own problems and issues is such a great character. He’s strong, he’s complicated and has family drama but he is also a fantastic detective and when gruesome murders start appearing in his town, he and his team work hard to solve them. His team is well developed and work well together and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them and learning their team dynamics as they work the case. Twists and turns are thrown in our path alas they struggle to find the clues and get the answers but the author does an incredible job of pulling it all together in this exciting and gripping read. I am super excited to read the next book.
199 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2023
EBook Review: DEATH'S JUSTICE by Jack Probyn


DEATH’S JUSTICE by Jack Probyn

(D) etective’s
(E) volve
(A) round
(T) he
(H) unt
( ' )
(S) earching,

(J) uggling
(U) nseemly
(S) ituations,
(T) aking
(I) n
(C) onsideration
(E) motions

DEATH’S JUSTICE, takes a
journey that confounds.
Keeps the good, and bad,
running around.

Better pay close attention,
life’s choices can be daunting.
The past takes a bite,
can be quite haunting.

Asks a lot of questions.
Do we have the answers?
One just decides to
romance her.

Don’t walk away, take charge.
See it to the end.
More surprises coming.
On that you can depend.

…………………………………………………………………..
I received an Advance Review Copy for free.
And I am leaving this review voluntarily.
………………………………………………………………..…
Profile Image for Deb.
694 reviews22 followers
September 25, 2023
My first book by this author & it certainly won’t be my last. This book is the start of the new DS Tomek Bowen series & what a great read it was. Our lead character is not a particularly happy bunny & much of this is of his own making but he also has a significant backstory. He isn’t the usual angst ridden policeman.

Plenty of twists & red herrings in the plot which deals with paedophiles & their ultimate comeuppance. Even dealing with this subject, there is humour - particularly the FB group name.

Not the full set of stars as in parts it did seem a little rushed, particularly when introducing the team. Cracking nicknames though. An easy writing style made me read until silly o’clock in the morning; I’ve already started book 2 & I know book 3 is on the horizon. So what are you waiting for?
559 reviews10 followers
July 28, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this first book in a new to me series. Great cast of characters, lively banter and dialogue between the cops, interesting back story for the main character Tomek Bowen, and an “I want to read more” ending. I did find myself having to flip back in the book a few times to refresh my memory as to who some of the suspects were and how they fit in. There was a fair lot of them. But my big question is this — my copy of the book from the library is copyrighted 2023. How can there already be 6 books in the series? It certainly didn’t read like it was just churned out. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I’m in Canada and the books were released much earlier in the UK? Can someone enlighten me?
Profile Image for Bridget.
10 reviews
August 5, 2023
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this being new to Jack Probyn's novels, and was totally blown away by it.

On the trail of a killer targeting rapists and paedophiles, DS Tomek Bowen may struggle to find anybody sympathetic to the deaths of these hated individuals but he is determined to solve this case - whilst also fighting his own demons.

With great characterisation, taut storytelling, and a firecracker of an ending I can highly recommend this first in a new series for Jack introducing a new detective Tomek Bowen.

I may be new to Jack's books but I can assure you I will definitely be reading more!
Profile Image for Lindy Protzek.
53 reviews2 followers
August 6, 2023

I absolutely loved this first book in a new series, hopefully with many more to come. The main character DS Tomek Bowen has a lot going on...at work...in his personal life but is a great cop albeit he struggles to stay out of trouble lol. I love that there are so many dimensions to this character...more to love...more to worry about and cheer for. I am really looking forward to the next book to see where things go with Tomek, his colleagues and family. I would highly recommend this book to readers who love a series with great characters, who love to really connect with the characters and their lives. Thanks Jack!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews

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