Transference: A brutal and lyrical Manchester crime thriller

by John Bowie, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

"Get ready for an intense ride through the dark and gritty streets of Manchester in this brutal and lyrical crime thriller. As the hedonistic club scene of the 90s rages on, a girl falls to her death from the stage, unnoticed by most. But for John Black, an ex-SAS soldier working security that night, her death will change everything. Now in witness protection after exposing the city's underworld, he returns to Manchester to help a grieving mother find answers to her son's suicide. But as he delves deeper into the case, strange recordings hint at a disturbing increase in sexual depravity in the block of flats the boy jumped from. With vengeance on his mind and his own identity at stake, John must confront the orchestrator of his pain and solve the case before it's too late. This is a story of redemption and revenge, where lyrical poetry mixes with blood on the rain-soaked alleyways of Manchester."

If you enjoyed James Ellroy's "The Black Dahlia," you'll love this dark and atmospheric novel filled with deceit, depravity, and unexpected twists.

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‘Bowie’s dark, hard-edged crime novel inaugurates a promising series.’ – Publishers Weekly

'Dark, hard-edged crime noir.’ – Publishers Weekly

‘Noir fans will find a lot to like.’ – BookLife

‘Bowie's writing is lyrical, moody, funny and as gritty as hell...like a British blend of Jim Thompson and Nelson Algren.’ – Paul D. Brazill, author of Guns of Brixton

‘I would definitely recommend this crime novel and John Bowie as an author, and look forward to reading his next book.’ – Amanda Brightman, on Untethered

‘It’s a loopy surreal fever dream of a novel, a dark, disorienting Möbius strip of people and places that are not always what they seem.’ – 'The Thrilling Detective' on Untethered

‘…its pages are packed full of deceit, human depravity and surprisingly dark humour.’ – STORGY.com on Untethered

Audible Audio

Published April 3, 2025

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Disambiguated authors:
(1) John Bowie - Disambiguation in progress (Current Profile)
(2) John Bowie - Dark fiction, crime noir (GR Author)

Reviews

[We Love Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Transference by John Bowie is a raw and compelling crime thriller that leans heavily into atmosphere, psychology, and emotional weight. Set against the gritty backdrop of Manchester, the story feels grounded and lived-in, with a tone that is both brutal and strangely lyrical. Bowie’s writing style stands out—there’s a sharpness to the prose that captures violence and vulnerability side by side without glamorizing either.

What works especially well is the psychological depth. This isn’t just a fast-paced crime story; it’s a character-driven exploration of trauma, consequence, and moral complexity. The tension builds steadily, pulling you into the internal and external conflicts that shape the narrative. While it can be dark and intense at times, that intensity feels intentional and earned rather than gratuitous.

Overall, this is a strong installment in the John Black series—immersive, challenging, and thoughtfully written. It’s a solid read for those who appreciate crime fiction with depth, grit, and emotional resonance rather than easy answers.

[Kelly Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Note that my review is for the E-Book version of the book, but I couldn't find a listing for it on this site. I'd never listen to a virtual voice audiobook, and I'm disappointed this author chose to go that route.) “Transference: A brutal and lyrical Manchester crime thriller (John Black 2) (The John Black Thrillers)” by John Bowie, is a gritty and twisty crime noir drama set in England. John Black, a surly former soldier, is a writer and private detective who is also the target of a crime boss, Mr. Big. John once worked for Mr. Big, but following the death of a young girl, his testimony helped put Mr. Big in prison; so, when Mr. Big is released, he lets John know that he has a target on his back. Nevertheless, John persists with his most recent case, the investigation of a young man who fell to his death from an apartment building; the police ruled the death a suicide, but his mother believes her son was murdered. The story is a dark police procedural. The writing is creative and sometimes lacks pertinent details; it is heavy on narration and introspection and utilizes a great deal of street slang.

[Matthew Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

So the pros: Pacing is great. This is listed at about 200 pages. It felt significantly shorter. And the atmosphere! The writer, who grew/studied in a similar setting, really paints a vivid image. Even as an American, I could follow most every scene.

But the cons: Didn’t even realize this was the second book when it was recommended. While I could still follow, I probably would have appreciated it more if I had read the first one. Also the violence and overall mood can be a tad brutal at times. Which is expected for the genre, but just fair warning.

Given all this, the hardest part is deciding on whether this is a solid 4 or a weak 5. Ultimately, I enjoyed the read so I will round it up to the 5. Just be warned, the writing/themes are dark at times. Even more so than many books in the genre. If you can endure such things, give this one a shot. You might love it even more than I did.