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Joseph Gunner #2
Deception: A Joseph Gunner Thriller
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26New York City, 1941. A city preparing for war. When the head of the Japanese intelligence section is murdered, detective Joseph Gunner is plunged into a world where no one can be trusted and nothing is what it seems.
New York, December,1941. A city preparing for war. Troop ships and trains of full of young conscripts arrive every day. All of them set on one last party before being sent overseas. The bars and clubs are packed. Every night is like New Year’s Eve.
Gunner and Nickerson are working for the BSC, a section of the British Secret Service tasked with covertly encouraging pro-war sentiment. They are stationed at the Hamilton Princess Hotel, a huge censorship operation. Every wire, parcel of mail, or radio broadcast to Britain is listened to for coded messages.
When the head of the Japanese intelligence section is murdered and his flat ransacked, Gunner tries to find out why. Who needed to silence the victim? As the investigation continues, he finds some messages aren’t being intercepted after all. There’s a traitor in their midst. A traitor prepared to kill.
As the clock ticks down towards the 7th of December, Gunner races to solve the crime before he becomes the next victim.
New York, December,1941. A city preparing for war. Troop ships and trains of full of young conscripts arrive every day. All of them set on one last party before being sent overseas. The bars and clubs are packed. Every night is like New Year’s Eve.
Gunner and Nickerson are working for the BSC, a section of the British Secret Service tasked with covertly encouraging pro-war sentiment. They are stationed at the Hamilton Princess Hotel, a huge censorship operation. Every wire, parcel of mail, or radio broadcast to Britain is listened to for coded messages.
When the head of the Japanese intelligence section is murdered and his flat ransacked, Gunner tries to find out why. Who needed to silence the victim? As the investigation continues, he finds some messages aren’t being intercepted after all. There’s a traitor in their midst. A traitor prepared to kill.
As the clock ticks down towards the 7th of December, Gunner races to solve the crime before he becomes the next victim.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 1, 2026
About the author
Alan Parks
10 books128 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Alan Parks has worked in the music industry for over twenty years. His debut novel Bloody January was one of the top crime debuts of 2018 and was shortlisted for the prestigious international crime prize the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière. He lives and works in Glasgow
Alan Parks has worked in the music industry for over twenty years. His debut novel Bloody January was one of the top crime debuts of 2018 and was shortlisted for the prestigious international crime prize the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière. He lives and works in Glasgow
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 5, 2026
A second, welcome addition to the Gunner series.
As expected from Parks, Deception is thrilling, fast paced and well written.
The characters are well-rounded, believable and entertaining. Add in an edge of your seat plot, vivid descriptions of New York and he’s done it again - 5 stars!
Highly recommended.
Thanks to John Murray Press | Baskerville and NetGalley for the ARC.
As expected from Parks, Deception is thrilling, fast paced and well written.
The characters are well-rounded, believable and entertaining. Add in an edge of your seat plot, vivid descriptions of New York and he’s done it again - 5 stars!
Highly recommended.
Thanks to John Murray Press | Baskerville and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gunner now is in New York. The culture here is different to Glasgow, social hierarchy is based more on wealth than class and there is even a pecking order of immigrants. Some things are the same though and Gunner knows the language of the street thug, which is why he is there. He has a job to do though as British Intelligence is working behind the scenes to draw the United States into the war.
The story is set in the first week of December 1941, the week leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor, an event that provides a dilemma for the British. As might be guessed deceptions figure prominently, working on many levels. Gunner’s task appears straightforward, infiltration and disruption of pro-German events to change public opinion and bring the US into the war. Though he discovers that all is not as it appears to be, his trust is abused to such an extent that he is usure who is on his side and what their motives may be. This draws into the moral ambiguity of espionage work, which as a straightforward man he is ill equipped for. Nickerson is a man who knows how to play ‘the game’ as spies jostle for secrets but are known to each other. Gunner comes to realise that he knows next to nothing about his boss, a man of many secrets. He is also bothered that only he is determined to solve the apparent murder of one of their ‘employees’. Here elements of noir and a hardboiled approach to problem solving are drawn into the story, which fits nicely with the period setting. The author has certainly captured the feeling that whilst many oppose the Nazis, most are opposed to joining a bloody conflict a continent away.
It’s a thriller that is stuffed with action, there’s plenty of danger and jeopardy. It’s quite violent for an espionage tale, with some visceral and bloody scenes, as information is beaten out of suspects. There is a sense of urgency as answers that could save many lives are needed fast, so the ends justify the means. This is translated to the page, as not even gunshot wounds can slow the protagonists down, in their hunt for a major Nazi and the truth.
Gunner is the big man made vulnerable by circumstances. His experiences during the early days of the war have left him physically broken; with scars, a damaged eye and missing a lot of the thigh muscle of his left leg. His psyche is also affected; he now suffers occasional shocking flashbacks. These are cleverly worked into the story, as his propensity for opioid pain relief, temptation becoming a weakness. A man clinging onto his humanity the only way he knows how by searching for justice for victims, whilst others are becoming hardened and desensitised. This is a fabulous portrait of a man struggling to keep body and soul together, whilst doing his bit for King and Country.
There are cameo appearances by real life people, Joseph Kennedy Jnr becomes embroiled in their schemes and Ian Fleming flits in and out of the narrative. Gunner doesn’t like Fleming and his screwball ideas, sees him as a posh man playing at spies and war, unaware of his devious nature, Fleming is still a real player. Then there are some wonderful jazz scenes, where a saxophonist called Charlie (Parker?) excels. These help to bring life to the story, adding new vibrant scene for Gunner to explore with an underground nightlife very different to that he has previously experienced. Harlem, he discovers is a world away from Glasgow. The time and place are captured just right to give enough of a feeling for the place without distracting the flow of the story.
A gritty and intense, action-packed wartime thriller.
The story is set in the first week of December 1941, the week leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor, an event that provides a dilemma for the British. As might be guessed deceptions figure prominently, working on many levels. Gunner’s task appears straightforward, infiltration and disruption of pro-German events to change public opinion and bring the US into the war. Though he discovers that all is not as it appears to be, his trust is abused to such an extent that he is usure who is on his side and what their motives may be. This draws into the moral ambiguity of espionage work, which as a straightforward man he is ill equipped for. Nickerson is a man who knows how to play ‘the game’ as spies jostle for secrets but are known to each other. Gunner comes to realise that he knows next to nothing about his boss, a man of many secrets. He is also bothered that only he is determined to solve the apparent murder of one of their ‘employees’. Here elements of noir and a hardboiled approach to problem solving are drawn into the story, which fits nicely with the period setting. The author has certainly captured the feeling that whilst many oppose the Nazis, most are opposed to joining a bloody conflict a continent away.
It’s a thriller that is stuffed with action, there’s plenty of danger and jeopardy. It’s quite violent for an espionage tale, with some visceral and bloody scenes, as information is beaten out of suspects. There is a sense of urgency as answers that could save many lives are needed fast, so the ends justify the means. This is translated to the page, as not even gunshot wounds can slow the protagonists down, in their hunt for a major Nazi and the truth.
Gunner is the big man made vulnerable by circumstances. His experiences during the early days of the war have left him physically broken; with scars, a damaged eye and missing a lot of the thigh muscle of his left leg. His psyche is also affected; he now suffers occasional shocking flashbacks. These are cleverly worked into the story, as his propensity for opioid pain relief, temptation becoming a weakness. A man clinging onto his humanity the only way he knows how by searching for justice for victims, whilst others are becoming hardened and desensitised. This is a fabulous portrait of a man struggling to keep body and soul together, whilst doing his bit for King and Country.
There are cameo appearances by real life people, Joseph Kennedy Jnr becomes embroiled in their schemes and Ian Fleming flits in and out of the narrative. Gunner doesn’t like Fleming and his screwball ideas, sees him as a posh man playing at spies and war, unaware of his devious nature, Fleming is still a real player. Then there are some wonderful jazz scenes, where a saxophonist called Charlie (Parker?) excels. These help to bring life to the story, adding new vibrant scene for Gunner to explore with an underground nightlife very different to that he has previously experienced. Harlem, he discovers is a world away from Glasgow. The time and place are captured just right to give enough of a feeling for the place without distracting the flow of the story.
A gritty and intense, action-packed wartime thriller.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Deception is the second in a new series featuring former Glasgow detective Joseph Gunner, the first being Gunner which is now on my wishlist.
Wounded whilst serving on the front line in France and often needing to resort to morphine to keep pain at bay, Gunner has found himself in New York engaged in covert work aimed at bringing the United States into the war. Propaganda, false flag operations, whatever it takes. While his boss Nickerson wines and dines influential American figures, Gunner is involved in less salubrious activities designed to counteract pro-German sentiment, a surprising amount of which exists in certain areas of New York, as he discovers.
When several people who worked alongside Gunner in a ‘honeytrap’ operation die in suspicious circumstances, he’s determined to discover the people behind it but finds not everyone is so enthusiastic. His investigation brings him up against some shady and exceptionally ruthless individuals. However, he also finds allies. But is everyone exactly who they profess to be? And do we ever really know what someone is capable of?
I really enjoyed getting to know Gunner. He may be a streetwise Glaswegian but he’s a fish out of water in New York. He never really gets his head around the subway and is introduced to food he’s never heard of or tasted before like salami and spaghetti (yes, really). And the bright lights of New York are a contrast with the dark streets of Glasgow under the nightly blackouts.
There’s an interesting moral ambiguity about events in the book. For example, how do you weigh up the loss of hundreds of lives caused by a pro-German atrocity in the heart of New York against the millions of lives that might be saved if such an act shifts sentiment towards the United States joining the war? Those who know their history will be aware of the significance of the book being set in December 1941.
Deception is an enthralling, fast-paced historical thriller with moments of high drama and walk-on parts for real life figures. I’m hoping there will be more to come in the series.
Wounded whilst serving on the front line in France and often needing to resort to morphine to keep pain at bay, Gunner has found himself in New York engaged in covert work aimed at bringing the United States into the war. Propaganda, false flag operations, whatever it takes. While his boss Nickerson wines and dines influential American figures, Gunner is involved in less salubrious activities designed to counteract pro-German sentiment, a surprising amount of which exists in certain areas of New York, as he discovers.
When several people who worked alongside Gunner in a ‘honeytrap’ operation die in suspicious circumstances, he’s determined to discover the people behind it but finds not everyone is so enthusiastic. His investigation brings him up against some shady and exceptionally ruthless individuals. However, he also finds allies. But is everyone exactly who they profess to be? And do we ever really know what someone is capable of?
I really enjoyed getting to know Gunner. He may be a streetwise Glaswegian but he’s a fish out of water in New York. He never really gets his head around the subway and is introduced to food he’s never heard of or tasted before like salami and spaghetti (yes, really). And the bright lights of New York are a contrast with the dark streets of Glasgow under the nightly blackouts.
There’s an interesting moral ambiguity about events in the book. For example, how do you weigh up the loss of hundreds of lives caused by a pro-German atrocity in the heart of New York against the millions of lives that might be saved if such an act shifts sentiment towards the United States joining the war? Those who know their history will be aware of the significance of the book being set in December 1941.
Deception is an enthralling, fast-paced historical thriller with moments of high drama and walk-on parts for real life figures. I’m hoping there will be more to come in the series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Life doesn't get any easier for Gunner.
"Deception", the second book in the Gunner series, opens in New York, December 1941. Gunner and Nickerson are in America to do whatever they can to push the US into the war. By whatever means it takes, so while Nickerson is doing the dinner party circuit, Gunner is working the streets to promote the cause through demonstrations, newspaper stories and blackmail. The latest caper is to catch Joe Kennedy in a honey trap, complete with photographic evidence and so recruit him to the cause. But when the woman used in the honey trap turns up dead. Gunner finds himself hunting down her killer.
His investigation soon uncovers deep conspiracies involving Nazi insurgents, crooked politicians and the notorious New York gangs. Well out of his depth, and Glasgow thousands of miles away, Gunner has to use his skills to navigate the upper and lower classes of the city. He still suffers from the wounds he incurred earlier in the war, and his struggle to overcome them reminds us of those who might have returned from battle but still suffered.
The story is set against the backdrop of 1940s New York, and the sights and smells are brought to glorious life. The diners, the jazz clubs, and the people are magnificent. Gunner's appreciation of the food, the people and the culture are nicely observed, and we're reminded how much America ignored the war until Pearl Harbour. And speaking of Pearl Harbour, the run up to that, and the ways in which Nickerson and the other secret services dealt with the information they had, is wonderfully realised through Gunner's eyes.
Park's writing style takes a bit of getting used to - dropping proper nouns at the start of sentences is annoying, but you soon get used to it. And Gunner is growing nicely, we're getting to know him, and Nickerson, so the end of the story, promising further adventures, is very welcome.
Heartily recommended.
"Deception", the second book in the Gunner series, opens in New York, December 1941. Gunner and Nickerson are in America to do whatever they can to push the US into the war. By whatever means it takes, so while Nickerson is doing the dinner party circuit, Gunner is working the streets to promote the cause through demonstrations, newspaper stories and blackmail. The latest caper is to catch Joe Kennedy in a honey trap, complete with photographic evidence and so recruit him to the cause. But when the woman used in the honey trap turns up dead. Gunner finds himself hunting down her killer.
His investigation soon uncovers deep conspiracies involving Nazi insurgents, crooked politicians and the notorious New York gangs. Well out of his depth, and Glasgow thousands of miles away, Gunner has to use his skills to navigate the upper and lower classes of the city. He still suffers from the wounds he incurred earlier in the war, and his struggle to overcome them reminds us of those who might have returned from battle but still suffered.
The story is set against the backdrop of 1940s New York, and the sights and smells are brought to glorious life. The diners, the jazz clubs, and the people are magnificent. Gunner's appreciation of the food, the people and the culture are nicely observed, and we're reminded how much America ignored the war until Pearl Harbour. And speaking of Pearl Harbour, the run up to that, and the ways in which Nickerson and the other secret services dealt with the information they had, is wonderfully realised through Gunner's eyes.
Park's writing style takes a bit of getting used to - dropping proper nouns at the start of sentences is annoying, but you soon get used to it. And Gunner is growing nicely, we're getting to know him, and Nickerson, so the end of the story, promising further adventures, is very welcome.
Heartily recommended.
June 18, 2026
This is the first book that I’ve read from this author not knowing that it is the second of a series. This was not a problem as it stands on its own. I was suitably impressed with this twisty turny thriller which portrays the protagonist, Joe Gunner as a sympathetic character who seems to have a conscience; unlike his boss Nickerson. His job as is Gunner’s, is to persuade America to join the allies in their fight against Nazi Germany. So the action takes place in New York, (so well portrayed) in 1941 November and the beginning of December. Gunner, a detective from Glasgow who impressed Nickerson enough for him to employ Gunner, is the ‘man on the street’, used to dealing with the less salubrious members of society whose job is to disrupt the pro Nazi meetings, while Nickerson is the Eton educated rich guy who does the diplomacy whilst doing the rounds in high places.
Gunner gradually realises he knows next to nothing about his boss, who seems unbothered about the death of a young woman he uses in a honey trap. Who killed her and why? And why are the other two people involved in the mission also killed? Will Joe be next? The deception runs deep. Is Nickerson who he says he is; working for the British government? Can he be trusted? The twists and turns keep you reading and if you know your history you will realise what happens in December 1941, which turns the tables. Knowing this does not spoil the enjoyment.
I recommend this to people who like well written thrillers with excellent believable characters. I will definitely seek out other books by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for my kindle in exchange for my honest opinion.
Gunner gradually realises he knows next to nothing about his boss, who seems unbothered about the death of a young woman he uses in a honey trap. Who killed her and why? And why are the other two people involved in the mission also killed? Will Joe be next? The deception runs deep. Is Nickerson who he says he is; working for the British government? Can he be trusted? The twists and turns keep you reading and if you know your history you will realise what happens in December 1941, which turns the tables. Knowing this does not spoil the enjoyment.
I recommend this to people who like well written thrillers with excellent believable characters. I will definitely seek out other books by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for my kindle in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Part historical spy novel, part murder mystery, this is the second book featuring ex detective Gunner, invalided out of the army during WW2, Gunner is now working for the mysterious Nickerson in New York, trying to persuade a reluctant USA to enter the war.
When a young woman who has been helping them in this task is found drowned in the Hudson River, Gunner starts to investigate which leads to several suspects and a dangerous German plot. Far from his Glasgow home where book 1 was set, Gunner is a fish out of water in New York, but he is able to use his detective’s skills to find out what is going on and even gets some help from his new friend Patrick who works for the NYPD.
This was a very interesting novel, combining real and fictional characters- we even get to meet Joe Kennedy, older brother of JFK. The author has done a lot of historical research and combining fiction and history works very well, particularly as the book rushes towards its conclusion.
I really liked Gunner, a flawed character, hooked on morphine to dull the pin of his war injuries but determined to investigate and get to the truth, peeling back the layers of deception. At one point it was not clear whom he could trust- even his boss seems rather grey- a British service agent but what else?
The ending when it came , was definitely setting up Gunner to return in a 3rd book and I can’t wait to see where he ends up next.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance copy.
When a young woman who has been helping them in this task is found drowned in the Hudson River, Gunner starts to investigate which leads to several suspects and a dangerous German plot. Far from his Glasgow home where book 1 was set, Gunner is a fish out of water in New York, but he is able to use his detective’s skills to find out what is going on and even gets some help from his new friend Patrick who works for the NYPD.
This was a very interesting novel, combining real and fictional characters- we even get to meet Joe Kennedy, older brother of JFK. The author has done a lot of historical research and combining fiction and history works very well, particularly as the book rushes towards its conclusion.
I really liked Gunner, a flawed character, hooked on morphine to dull the pin of his war injuries but determined to investigate and get to the truth, peeling back the layers of deception. At one point it was not clear whom he could trust- even his boss seems rather grey- a British service agent but what else?
The ending when it came , was definitely setting up Gunner to return in a 3rd book and I can’t wait to see where he ends up next.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Deception is a very good and engaging read. I think it can be read on its own, although I will look to read the previous book when I can. Joseph Gunner, a former police officer in Glasgow is now in New York working for the British Secret Service. When a honeytrap mission ends in the murder of a young woman Gunner gets involved in the case. Who can he trust though and is everyone who they seem? I really enjoyed this read, Gunner is a likeable character and here he comes across pro nazi supporters, New York gangs and people making threats against the city. The authors writing is good, the plot line is well thought out and the story flows easily. I was pulled into this read quickly and it held my attention and interest all the way through to the last page. Alan Parks sets the scenes and atmosphere really well and his characters jump out from the pages and I could picture them in my mind when reading. The pacing is fast and spot on and there is a lot of mystery, suspense and thrills in this read. Overall a very good read which i would definitely recommend. Looking forward to the next book.
4 stars
4 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
New York, December 1941 finds Gunner working for a branch of the British Secret Service tasked with helping to tip the US into WW2. When a honeytrap mission with a politician is compromised the young woman involved (Alice) is found floating in the Hudson and Gunner realises there's a bigger game at play and he's involved. As his investigation continue into who knew of, and betrayed, the plan, the cast of characters widens out to include the NYPD, Nazi's in America, New York mobsters and Japanese intelligence as well as his own boss. This is a really enjoyable spy / thriller set in the days running up to Pearl Harbour.
Although I'm not yet as big a fan of Gunner as I was of Harry McCoy he's growing on me ... a character of contrasts, integrity and am really enjoying the WW2 settings. Looking forward to the next book (if I picked up the clues properly!)
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an early electronic copy.
Although I'm not yet as big a fan of Gunner as I was of Harry McCoy he's growing on me ... a character of contrasts, integrity and am really enjoying the WW2 settings. Looking forward to the next book (if I picked up the clues properly!)
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an early electronic copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The second in the vibrant Gunner series and a worthy addition it is too.
Gunner has been rescued from the drudgery of being a wounded veteran with no real future as a Glasgow policeman and is now working again with the enigmatic Nickerson in New York to sabotage the efforts of the America First Bund and do everything possible to ensure that the USA enters the war to bolster the beleaguered allies.
The plot is fast paced and the action nonstop. The description of life in New York is well drawn and accurate and nobody is queuing who they seem to be.
All in all this is an exceptional spy thriller and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Gunner has been rescued from the drudgery of being a wounded veteran with no real future as a Glasgow policeman and is now working again with the enigmatic Nickerson in New York to sabotage the efforts of the America First Bund and do everything possible to ensure that the USA enters the war to bolster the beleaguered allies.
The plot is fast paced and the action nonstop. The description of life in New York is well drawn and accurate and nobody is queuing who they seem to be.
All in all this is an exceptional spy thriller and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was an exciting spy thriller, back with Gunner again but this time in New York rather than Scotland. It's a fast-paced plot, and kept me reading just a bit more as I was caught up in the story. I enjoy the mix of police work and spy work...there's quite a bit of violence through the book, but the story was good with lots of...guess what...deception!
Thanks to the publishers and Net Galley for my advance copy.
Thanks to the publishers and Net Galley for my advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
The second book in the 'Gunner' series finds out hero in New York trying to involve the Americans in the second world war. A totally engaging story gripping from first to last page. Excellent characters throughout clever descriptive interesting mystery with plenty of surprises and twists along the way.
Completely recommended.
The second book in the 'Gunner' series finds out hero in New York trying to involve the Americans in the second world war. A totally engaging story gripping from first to last page. Excellent characters throughout clever descriptive interesting mystery with plenty of surprises and twists along the way.
Completely recommended.
May 16, 2026
Simply stated, Alan Parks writes some fantastic books. This is certainly one of them.
The second in series, this still relatively new character and series is another triumph. A really imaginative plot, really strong and vibrant characters, set in 1940s New York.
Not once slipping in cliche or predictability, the story is entrancing and gripping until the end.
The second in series, this still relatively new character and series is another triumph. A really imaginative plot, really strong and vibrant characters, set in 1940s New York.
Not once slipping in cliche or predictability, the story is entrancing and gripping until the end.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews