Death Sentence

by Sheryl Browne

A top amazon reviewer FIVE STAR read at BestSelling Thrillers, DEATH SENTENCE is an edge-of-your seat story of revenge. The title of the book was suggested by a chief constable, who also offered the author advice on forensics and police procedural.

Death Sentence - He's killed your child and kidnapped your wife. What would YOU do?
Detective Inspector Matthew Adams and Patrick Sullivan, drug dealer, pimp, murderer: two men on opposite sides of the law. A history that goes way back. A bully even in his youth, Sullivan had made it his mission in life to make the goody-two-shoes copper's life a misery. Now Matthew has made it his mission in life to make sure the pimping scum responsible for prostituting young girls, abusing them, and beating them to death, is locked up for life.
When Matthew's child becomes a casualty of the war between them, does Matthew want justice? Or does he want retribution? When Patrick's brother is shot down like a dog in a drug bust gone wrong, Patrick wants payback. He wants Matthew. Or the copper loses his pretty, pregnant wife. As far as Patrick is concerned, it's quid pro quo.

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2015

About the author

Hi, I’m Sheryl Browne writing psychological thriller. My latest psychological thriller MY LOVING HUSBAND is published by fabulous BOOKOUTURE. A member of the Crime Writers’ Association and the Romantic Novelists’ Association, I have several books published and two short stories in Birmingham City University anthologies, where I completed my MA in Creative Writing. I live in Worcestershire with my partner and a variety of disabled dogs. According to readers of my thrillers, I also apparently make an excellent psychopath. ;) Follow my @Bookouture Mailing List and grab a FREE short: https://t.co/bIigwwALCs
𝘼 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚. 𝘼 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙛𝙚. 𝘼 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡…
MY LOVING HUSBAND – Can I really trust the man I married?
Do I Really Know You? – She's the friend you trust with your life. But can she trust you with hers?
The Invite – Kaitlin has been looking forward to her engagement party for weeks, but as the champagne corks pop, her dream party soon becomes her worst nightmare…
The Liar's Child – I’ll do anything to protect my daughter…
My Husband's Girlfriend – She told my little boy a secret and now he’s gone…
The Second Wife – SHE MADE HER BED. YOU'LL LIE IN IT.
The Affair – You trusted her. You shouldn't have.
The Babysitter – She's perfect. Too Perfect.
After She's Gone – He's killed your child and kidnapped your wife. What would YOU do?
Sins of the Father - What if you’d been accused of one of the worst crimes imaginable?
Deadly Intent - Tormented to the edge of sanity …
The Rest of My Life - “You can’t run away from commitment forever … “ Two damaged hearts, a sizzling sexual connection. Can love find a way to bring Adam and Sienna together?
Learning to Love – Sometimes help comes from the most unlikely places …
Somebody to Love – Sigh with contentment, scream with frustration. At times you will weep.
Warrant for Love - Blackmail, lies, adultery, heartache. Three love stories wrapped up in one sexiliciously hilarious package.
A Little Bit of Madness – White Knight in Blue rescues The Harbour Rest Home.

Reviews

[J.B (Debbie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just start by saying, hold on to your seats people because this book is going to totally blow your minds! I was lucky enough to have read this book long before it was published and therefore have followed it on its journey to greatness. Sheryl Browne has created characters so rich in depth and a book that makes you hold your breath, waiting in anticipation for whatever might come next! I had always been a Sheryl Browne fan, totally hooked on her romantic comedies. This book however is completely different yet equally brilliant.

Matthew Adams is a haunted man. A good and well respected police officer her is obsessed with bringing bad boy Patrick O'Sullivan to justice. Long time enemies from school, O'Sullivan has graduated from school bully to a total thug involved in everything from pimping prostitutes to selling drugs. For Matthew, his hatred for O'Sullivan runs much deeper. He suspects he had a hand in the murder of Matthew's child. Matthew takes risks he wouldn't normally take and is often forced to step outside the law himself to get to the truth and make sure O'Sullivan gets whats coming to him. Patrick O'Sullivan is after his own kind of sick justice after his brother is killed. This powder keg of revenge along with the hatred felt by both protagonists is about to set off a terrifying chain of events. This is a long running feud between the two that threatens to tear apart Matthew's world even further. Another casualty of the war between Matthew and O' Sullivan is Matthew's poor wife. While Matthew is struggling with his demons, both real and psychological, she is coping with so much on her own. Pretty soon the feud takes on a new level and Matthew must fight to save what remains of his family. Throw into the mix an unborn child and a niece who needs Matthew to save her from the life that fate has handed her, the pressure on Matthew to protect those he loves pushes him further.

I simply could not put this book down. Its got everything a good thriller should have and from the moment you read the first page I guarantee you will be completely hooked. Sheryl Browne has managed to create a great character in O'Sullivan. Everyone loves a bad boy to hate and my goodness you have one here! This book would make a brilliant mini series for TV or even a movie! Exciting, terrifying and with that wow factor! Highly recommended. Sheryl Browne's writing does not disappoint! Buy this book!

[Elite Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another heart stopping novel by this brilliant author!

DI Matthew Adams and his wife are still mourning the loss of their little girl Lily, killed in a hit and run accident. Matthew knows that the killer was Patrick Sullivan, unfortunately, he can’t prove this and so together with his partner, DS Steve Ingram they are trying to gather information on Patrick Sullivan’s main operations; drug dealing and prostitution (of under aged girls) but they will have no sooner found a witness, only to find them wind up dead the next day.

When one of Matthew’s young informers is found, badly beaten, he decides to confront Patrick Sullivan, which leads to this psychopathic lose cannon taking his wife and young niece Ashley hostage.

This was such an excellent read. I found myself having to force myself to breathe because I didn’t know where Sheryl Brown’s plot was going to lead me next. I am in awe of this writer, her story is so plausible, the people she’s writing about so real and the pressure on the reader to finally reach the end of the book, unyielding! I found myself reading till stupid o’clock hour to finish this book. Well done Sheryl! Once again you’ve produced a book with such an array of plots and yet showing how love can conquer fear.

Treebeard

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Posted in full http://www.reviewedthebook.co.uk/2015...

It’d been nine months since I’d last read a Sheryl Browne book, which in my estimation was about nine months too long. Sheryl writes gorgeous, heart-warming romantic comedies which I adore but more sneakily, and recently, she writes a terrific psychological thriller. Her first, The Edge of Sanity, was one of the most intense, gripping books I’ve ever read and so I was crazy excited for the next one. Death Sentence was even better. It’s a compelling, hard-hitting tale of revenge between Detective Inspector Matthew Adams and Patrick Sullivan, the man who killed Matthew’s child. The tension is so high in this book that it’s pretty extreme for the most part with a villain who I was desperate to see get his comeuppance. I loved every second of this epic thriller.

Patrick was the most sinister, disgusting scumbag of a character I’ve read in a long time. He made my skin crawl at times. In parts of this book, we get told the story from his perspective and he was truly vile. Being able to get into the mind of Patrick was a great move by Sheryl because with each sentence he comes out with, it’s so easy to detest him. We also get to learn about the reason he’s so eager to inflict pain, or worse, on Matthew as he’s holding a grudge after the killing of his brother. Patrick is sick, twisted and a bully out to hit Matthew where it hurts the most, by kidnapping his secretly pregnant wife Becky. What creeped me out the most about Patrick was how he was always talking to the people he was hurting throughout this book, virtually making small-talk with them when he knew they wanted nothing less than him dead. Being able to hear from Patrick made me hate him more and more with every page.

Early on in the book, Matthew and Becky make the decision to take in Ashley, the teenage daughter of Matthew’s alcoholic sister who is not capable of looking after herself never mind anyone else. I had no idea how Ashley’s story would work out but I did fear for her right from the beginning, given Patrick’s abuse and prostitution of young women. But Ashley was a smart girl and I took to her straight away. She was struggling mentally but should have given herself more credit because she had a lot going for her. I loved her connection with Matthew and how she was brave even in the worst circumstances. There was really, to me, only about a handful of important characters in Death Sentence but Sheryl built them all with such depth. Every one of them was flawed but that’s what made them human (ok, maybe not Patrick) and interesting. I could buy into them much better that way and there wasn’t a moment in this book when I thought their actions and reactions weren’t realistic, weren’t the kind of things you’d do if you were under threat by a very pleased with himself psycho. The character that actually intrigued me the most was DS Steve who looked quite easy to influence. I really liked him and his humour but I was never quite sure if he was going to have a major part to play or how corruptible he might have been, especially when things were so personal for his boss. I didn’t know if Steve was really the trustworthy kind of person you’d want on your side but that’s what I liked about all the characters Sheryl’s written here, they were often surprising and unpredictable.

Death Sentence was one of those wonderfully engrossing books that completely consumes you. I went from being fascinated to see how things were going to play out to reading on the edge of my seat, not talking, not moving, barely breathing until I got to the end. Patrick controlled everything about this book, the pace, the violence, the lives of the characters. Sheryl did an extraordinary job of getting in to the mind of this sick creature and building him up with every page until I seriously could not stand him anymore. This book had a bit of dry wit to it and some dangerous, suspenseful altercations which left me eager to find out who, if anyone, was going to make it out alive. What a book.


*Book received for an honest review

[Shell Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well,well,well first of all I have to say what a dark horse you are Sheryl Browne I wasn't expecting that. Death Sentence has totally blown me away! This is a thriller with a capital T, seriously this story will grab you round the throat and not let you go.

So in this story we meet Detective Inspector Matthew Adams and drug dealer Patrick Sullivan. Two men totally the opposite sides of the law. Matthew believes Sullivan killed his child. But they have a history that goes way back! So Matthew makes it his mission to get him locked up for life after Sullivan has made his life a misery. Patrick's brother is shot down in a drug bust that goes wrong. He wants Matthew, or the cooper loses his pregnant wife.

Sounds good yeah?! well it certainly is. This story has it all, its what a thriller is all about. With one very gritty plot and of course a bad boy! which us ladies all love.

Honestly I cannot recommend this book enough you will literally find yourself on the edge of your seat with the tension. It is a must read and is definitely one of my best reads for 2016.

If your looking for a page turner I highly recommend this giving it 5 massive stars.

Thank you to Sheryl Browne for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Joanna Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

BROOK COTTAGE BOOKS PRESENTS: DEATH SENTENCE BY SHERYL BROWNE 11 – 22 JANUARY 2016
ASIDE ~ JANUARY 13, 2016 ~ JOLAMBERTWRITER ~ EDIT




Death Sentence darker Cover

Thriller/Psychological thriller/Crime thriller

Release Date: 1st June 2015

Reviewed by a top Amazon Reviewer at Best Selling Thrillers and given a glowing FIVE Stars, Sheryl Browne’s new thriller Death Sentence is now available on Amazon! “This was such an excellent read. I found myself having to force myself to breathe. Well done Sheryl! Once again you’ve produced a book with such an array of plots and yet showing that love is still possible throughout tragedy and conflict”. – Treebeard

*The title of the book, DEATH SENTENCE, was suggested by a chief constable who also offered the author guidance on forensics and police procedure.

Death Sentence – He’s killed your child and kidnapped your wife. What would YOU do?

Detective Inspector Matthew Adams and Patrick Sullivan, drug dealer, pimp, murderer: two men on opposite sides of the law. A history that goes way back. A bully even in his youth, Sullivan had made it his mission in life to make the goody-two-shoes copper’s life a misery. Now Matthew has made it his mission in life to make sure the pimping scum responsible for prostituting young girls, abusing them, and beating them to death, is locked up for life.

When Matthew’s child becomes a casualty of the war between them, does Matthew want justice? Or does he want retribution? When Patrick’s brother is shot down like a dog in a drug bust gone wrong, Patrick wants payback. He wants Matthew. Or the copper loses his pretty, pregnant wife. As far as Patrick is concerned, it’s quid pro quo.

An edge-of-your seat story of revenge.



WATCH THE VIDEO TRAILER! https://youtu.be/5hBOBLTiQxw

BUY LINKS

Amazon UK

Amazon US



MY REVIEW

Local club owner Patrick Sullivan and police inspector Matthew Adams go back a long way. As children at school Patrick bullied Matthew and the animosity they have for each other is still as strong now they are adults.

Patrick is all all round nasty piece of work. He’s inherited his father’s club, he’s involved in drugs and prostitution and doesn’t shrink from killing those who annoy him or get in his way. Matthew’s long term goal has been to use the full force of the law to put him where he belongs – behind bars. Patrick, however, is very slippery and has so far evaded any form of prosecution. Patrick’s hatred for Matthew pushes him to exact punishment every time he feels he has interfered in his life. The last example of this was when a hit and run driver claimed the life of Matthew’s daughter Lily. As a result his wife lost the baby she was carrying. Matthew, who has always done everything by the book is driven to take drastic action to prove Patrick’s guilt.

Matthew’s wife Becky is a strong character who has survived the loss of Lily and her unborn baby. Matthew is now her focus and she constantly worries about him, in particular his asthma which has returned since the hit and run. As the story begins they are about to foster Matthew’s sister Kirsten’s daughter, abandoned in a childrens’ home by her alcoholic mother. Ashley is a great character who through her life experiences is both resourceful and streetwise; something that comes in very handy when we get to the edge of your seat moments during the abduction.

Patrick’s character is brilliantly written. The physical and psychological abuse he received as a child from his violent father has been instrumental in turning him into the monster he is today. During the abduction, Sheryl gives you breathless moments as you wonder what he’s about to do next.

And Matthew, the all round good guy, coping not only with his own personal problems, but still feeling responsible for his sister’s situation: booze and drug dependent and living on the streets. He knows Patrick Sullivan is guilty and needs to be put away, but no one seems to be listening. And when he’s pushed beyond breaking point it all goes horribly wrong…

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book is so gripping from page one the characters lives come out of the book, you will love some & loathe others but I can promise you that you will enjoy this book & you'll want to finish it but then you'll wish it hadn't ended its that gripping.

Were you bullied at school? Do you remember your hatred for that bully? Well what happens if that bully is still in your life as an adult how do you deal with the feelings you remember from your childhood, what if you're on opposite sides of the law how will you deal with it without 'personal conflicts' getting in your way of doing your job... Well this is exactly what DI Matthews Adams has to deal with as his childhood nemesis is now a criminal whose into drug dealing, underage prostitution & murder then on top of this you know he had your daughter killed in a hit & run accident but no proof of his involvement could be found what do you do?

DI Matthew Adams & his wife, Rebecca(Becky) have had to deal with one of the tragic & soul destroying things to happen to parents, their daughter was killed in an apparent hit & run accident, Becky survived but her & Matt's lives would never be the same as they watched Lily bleed to death by the side of the road, is their relationship strong enough for them to get through this, it seems it is until Becky suffers a miscarriage then their lives seem to drift apart Becky feels she has to stay strong for Matt's sake but Matt blames himself he knows it was his childhood nemesis, Patrick Sullivan, who killed Lily but he can't prove it & feels he can't tell Becky he knows it will destroy her so instead of being there & talking to Becky he buries himself in his job & in the back of his mind is that childhood wish of one day getting the better of the bully but more than this he wants this depraved criminal off the streets but he's smooth & manages to always keep himself out of the frame for the murder, the drugs etc but can Matt & his DS Steve Ingram finally get that one piece of evidence tying Patrick to a crime?

In the midst of all this there is another major decision Matt has to make should he & Becky take in his 13 year old niece, Ashley, as her alcoholic Mum has once again let her down & she is now in a care home & neither of them want to see her growing up without family beside her but Matt isn't sure it's the right thing for Becky, he wonders if she can really cope or will she always see what Lily could've grown into & what about Patrick?
Finally Ashley is brought home to live with her uncle & aunt but she has her own demons to fight, can three people all with their own inner demons come together as a family or will somebody or something get in the way of them trying to build a family life.

Who will be the winner in this tense thriller, will Matthew finally get that piece of evidence to tie Patrick to his daughter's death or will the schoolyard bully win again?

[Anne Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sheryl Browne's writing - her The Rest of My Life was one of my top books of 2015 - and I was really intrigued to see whether I liked her as much when writing what's described as a thriller/psychological thriller/crime thriller. Death Sentence - available for kindle via Amazon in the UK and US, was released in June 2015, and it seemed the perfect introduction to Sheryl's darker writing side.

So, how was it for me? "An edge-of-your seat story of revenge" said the publicity, and - by heck - it's certainly that! The relationship between Matthew and Becky was beautifully drawn, with the sadness and loss at its core - and a simmering fury that nothing has or can be done about bringing to justice the man responsible. Matthew's pursuit of Patrick O'Sullivan becomes an obsession, driving him close to (and over) the edge of what's legal - but their history goes back a long way, way back into childhood bullying and cranked up at every encounter, and Patrick's own activities are now pure cruelty and evil, totally out of control.

Patrick is a really wonderfully awful creation - although extreme in many ways, almost a caricature of evil, I believed in him totally. I hated him but was also mesmerised by him, and just couldn't tear my eyes away. When both Patrick and Matthew begin to seek their revenge on each other at the same time, it sets off a chain reaction that escalates very quickly into a situation where several lives are in the balance. This a quite fantastic read - with tension cranked up to an almost unbearable level. It's gritty, graphic and violent - totally outside my reading experience and comfort zone - and I have to say that I absolutely loved it.

"Unputdownable" is probably a bit overused when talking about thrillers, but I can't think of a better word for this one - I read it all afternoon and evening, then into the early hours, then again when I woke in the night (nightmare from reading it, maybe?!) and just had to finish it in the morning. I already knew Sheryl could write well and tell a damned good story. I knew she could create good characters - and there are many here, including Matthew's troubled niece, teenager Ashley. But Patrick - he's a real tour-de-force, truly terrifying, who will stay in my memory for a long time to come.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death Sentence is about a rivalry, that started in childhood and has progressed into a very dangerous pre-occupation for both men.

There is Detective Inspector Matthew Adams, who is a respectable policeman, who believes that Patrick Sullivan killed his child. Patrick Sullivan is a nasty piece of work, and bullied Matthew in childhood, is a pimp and drug dealer. Patrick's brother was shot in a drug bust that went wrong, and so Patrick is out for revenge.

Both men know how to kill, both men are angry and are complete opposites of the spectrum.

We are treated to far more of Matthew's home-life than Patrick. Matthew has a wife, Becky, and they have just decided to take in Matthew's niece Ashley (as her mother is an alcoholic). Ashley is a troubled 13 year old, who has no idea who to trust, but just knows that she doesn't want to be in the care homes any more.

I loved Ashley, she has a certain vulnerability, and hears voices in her head, but knows that if she reveals them that adults tend to think she is crazy. She seems to be very smart, and is determined to help Matthew, even if she initially doesn't understand what is going on.

Patrick is a nasty villain, his only redeeming feature is his love of his daughter. All of women he treats like rubbish, as though they are objects. He is only looking out for his own business interests and is very clearly a psychopath.

Death Sentence flows very well, and is fast paced. I honestly didn't know how either Matthew or Patrick were going to get out of the book alive at one point. Especially since their altercations were personal, and Matthew's job was in danger since he was working emotionally instead of good old fashioned police work.

Death Sentence is a fabulously written thriller. The story gripped me from the beginning, and I needed to know exactly what happened. I was very frustrated when I had to wait to finish the book, just due to running out of commute.

I would love to see a either a sequel to Death Sentence, or another book featuring Matthew and Ashley, as I loved them both so much.

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew Adams and Patrick Sullivan have a long history. Patrick is a bully who turned into a dangerous criminal. He's a pimp, he's dealing drugs and he's a cunning murderer. Matthew wants to catch him and lock him up for good, but he also fears Patrick. The man doesn't have any scruples and Matthew knows that his loved ones aren't safe. In his battle to catch this awful man his daughter has lost her life. Patrick wants to make Matthew suffer. He holds him responsible for the death of his brother and want to pay him back. Matthew's wife Rebecca isn't safe and Matthew can't protect her the way he should.

Matthew is after Patrick because he suspects him to have committed several murders. They've found the heavily abused dead bodies of some of Patrick's prostitutes. This time Matthew is going to catch him and because of his personal involvement he's willing to go far, to cross the line if he has to. It's a battle of life and death. Who will win, the good cop or the bad criminal?

Death Sentence is a gripping thriller about a sick killer and a wonderful and sweet cop. Matthew and Rebecca are a great couple. After the death of their daughter they're devastated, but they keep going. They open their home for Matthew's niece. Unfortunately they can't give her the safe haven Matthew wants to give her because of Patrick Sullivan. He's always near and he's keeping an eye on them. It's seriously creepy and I loved how Sheryl Browne kept building the tension and the uneasiness. It was like I could see Patrick Sullivan looking through my window.

Death Sentence is a book you shouldn't read at night, it's that scary. Sheryl Browne gives her reader the chance to look inside the bad guy's mind as well as the good guy's. I think that's an interesting angle. Patrick Sullivan is a creep who's seriously messed up. It was interesting to see what his motivations were and how his twisted mind worked. It kept me on the edge of my seat. If you're looking for a gripping, disturbing thriller, get this book, it's fantastic.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

Some people are simply evil to the core. Born that way or developed through a life lived, who knows really – but they do exist. Patrick Sullivan is such a man. There is not one single redeeming quality about this bully, he may soften around his daughter but the evil still shines brightly through. Matthew Adams and Sullivan share a history, before one took one side of the law and the other the opposite. I suppose a mental clinic staff could explain how Sullivan came into existence, perhaps he didn’t get his nappy changed often enough as a babe. Analyzing him will not change the fact that he is a murderer, a pimp, a drug dealer, a sadistic piece of crap – and a bully to the very depths of his soul-less existence. And it is his purpose in his miserable life to torment and cause as much emotional, mental or physical pain in Matthew’s life as he possibly can.

Matthew is a somewhat broken man as we meet him. He carries guilt, anger and rage beneath the surface. Aside from the love he has for his wife and the niece they take under their wing, Matthew has one purpose in his life now – bring Sullivan down, by any means necessary.

Sullivan is not done inflicting pain on Matthew or those around him. No, he has only begun.

Death Sentence is a gripping, page turning journey into the mind of a mad man and the people he takes such pleasure in tormenting, up to and including their deaths. Once you’ve gone past the first page or two do not expect to step off of a fast moving train wreck that will keep you guessing up until the very end if this malicious bully will get what he deserves. And trust me, you will want to see him suffer even more than his victims.

If you enjoy a story that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let up until the final page – Death Sentence is for you.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh where do I begin with this book other than to say WOW!! If you want the thrill ride of your life jump on & hold tight!

Matthew & Becky have been through so much tragedy, how much more can they endure? He is a detective wedded to his job & perhaps doesn’t show her as much attention & honesty as she deserves, but in his defence he thinks he is protecting her. So she is keen to ‘adopt’ his niece Ashley when the opportunity arises, it gives her the chance to nurture a youngster a longing that is missing from her life after the death of her children.

All should be happy but there is evil lurking in the form of Sullivan, a former classmate of Matthew who is hell bent on continuing his bully tactics only now he is onto a higher level of torment. Not only is he goading Matthew but also threatens Becky & Ashley in what becomes a race against time.

Both men are capable of murder .. Matthew in the line of duty & Sullivan because he is an utter psycho .. the tension during the book between these two & their revenge issues are stunning. I couldn’t believe how much loathing I had for Sullivan .. I’m not a violent person but I was imagining the things I could do to him .. the spiders were just classic & I wanted to hug Ashley at that point (you will need to read to find out!).

A gripping, thriller that will leave you gasping .. fabulously fast paced action with a great cast of characters. By the end I just wanted to say “what next”. I’m hoping Sheryl will enlighten us on some aspects .. I would love to see how the future pans out for some of them.

Thanks to Sheryl, the publisher & Brook Cottage Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read and adored Sheryl Browne’s writing previously, I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into a different genre from her and I have to say the author can clearly turn her hand to anything! This is incredibly dark, and at some points disturbing, making the tension in this book a complete page turner.

Detective, Matthew Adams stood out to me as an all round good guy. So good he shoulders all of the guilt for the death of his daughter, and enters a dark criminal world in order to catch the man responsible. Sullivan made my skin crawl from the get-go. He always seems one step ahead of Matthew, but when Matthew discovers his investigations are digging a little too deep, Sullivan makes it clear his wife, Becky, and their niece, Ashley, are at risk. Matthew then has to stoop to his level to stop him harming those he loves. It seems that Matthew’s secrets have put all of their lives at risk. Having already lost so much, he can’t let Sullivan take everyone he loves.

I loved Becky and the way her strength envelops Matthew. But the character that grabbed me the most was Ashley, the estranged niece that Matthew and Becky take under their wing when the care system seems to be failing her. Without adding any spoilers, there’s a few intriguing twists involving her and I was dying to know more.

Gritty and intriguing this story will have you hooked from the beginning!

[Matthew Meads · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who's partial to a good crime drama, both in book form and on television, I was excited to delve into the story of Detective Inspector Adams and his childhood nemesis Patrick Sullivan.

Of the two main characters, Patrick Sullivan, the drug dealing, pimping, murderer extraordinaire, is by far the most fleshed out. His personality jumps off the page and both his actions and his monologues seem in keeping with what the author reveals about his own upbringing. DI Adams on the other hand, as well as his wife, fall a little flat in this regard. Despite having dealt with extraordinary loss they just doesn't connect as solidly with the reader...

Read the full review at www.MJMeads.com

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking us to the gritty world of crime, Ms. Browne once again writes a heart stopping story of revenge.

Matthew Adams and Patrick Sullivan have a long history which goes back to their childhood. Adams, a detective, is sure the drug pusher, pimp and murder is responsible for Adams’ daughter’s death.

While doing his best to capture Sullivan and make the charges stick, Adams’ hand is forced and he might possibly lose not only his job but his wife and niece in the process.

Well done, Ms. Browne – another gripping crime novel.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a way to start a series, loved it.