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Mind Guerrilla
When a high-end escort is discovered murdered in her plush waterside apartment, so begins the hunt for a serial killer known as The Crucifier due to the unusual slaying and positioning of his victims. In parallel there remains the need to locate a dangerous and elusive doomsday cult. DCI William Chamberlain and DI Judd Stone have an acute thirst for justice on both accounts. Stone is an ex-football hooligan turned cop. Riddled with guilt and anger, he is used to getting results – albeit somewhat unconventionally. Chamberlain suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, but curiously, as his health deteriorates, his ability to perform acts of telekinesis increases. When faced with life or death, Chamberlain progresses from manipulating physical matter to controlling minds and sets in motion a dramatic chain of events. But why do things spiral out of control, placing an unknown high-profile target in danger? Assistance comes from the most unlikely of sources but who is also working against the wheels of justice? And just what is the connection between The Crucifier, the cult and the high-profile target? With Spaghetti Western overtones, the chase from Liverpool to London and through both Birmingham UK and Alabama, finds both detectives having to confront their darkest demons in pursuit of the sweet taste of revenge.
516 pages, Paperback
Published November 19, 2015
7 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Martin Tracey
32 books34 followersMartin Tracey is inspired primarily by three things - music, football(soccer) and the supernatural. All three elements feature in his writing, although he does not necessarily consider that his writing is genre specific.
"I'm wired with a very vivid imagination and therefore my novels have many layers to them. I approach my writing with a skeleton of a plan but my writing takes me on various journeys and the story grows organically which makes for a more interesting read I feel. However, if I were to have a gun pointing at my head demanding that I commit to a genre I guess I would have to state horror or supernatural."
A proud native of Birmingham UK, Martin tends to set his books in and around his home city or other English settings. His working-class upbringing is reflected in the edginess and honesty of his writing and his novels have a sense of realism. He is also a big admirer of Quentin Tarantino so coupled with his realistic approach Martin's novels probably shouldn't be read by those who are easily shocked or offended.
Before producing novels Martin's literary output was writing songs. "Raging Bull" a song penned and co-performed by Martin can be found on "Old Gold Anthems - the Songs of Wolverhampton Wanderers".
Another highlight of Martin's musical career was supporting Roland Gift and the Fine Young Cannibals at Birmingham's Alexander Theatre.
"I'm wired with a very vivid imagination and therefore my novels have many layers to them. I approach my writing with a skeleton of a plan but my writing takes me on various journeys and the story grows organically which makes for a more interesting read I feel. However, if I were to have a gun pointing at my head demanding that I commit to a genre I guess I would have to state horror or supernatural."
A proud native of Birmingham UK, Martin tends to set his books in and around his home city or other English settings. His working-class upbringing is reflected in the edginess and honesty of his writing and his novels have a sense of realism. He is also a big admirer of Quentin Tarantino so coupled with his realistic approach Martin's novels probably shouldn't be read by those who are easily shocked or offended.
Before producing novels Martin's literary output was writing songs. "Raging Bull" a song penned and co-performed by Martin can be found on "Old Gold Anthems - the Songs of Wolverhampton Wanderers".
Another highlight of Martin's musical career was supporting Roland Gift and the Fine Young Cannibals at Birmingham's Alexander Theatre.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 30, 2021
Mind Guerrilla is certainly a book that will stay with you, from its memorable cast of characters, to it's extremely detailed attention to detail, to it's supernatural element. Whilst a bit too much detail for me - I think it slowed the pace down a bit- Mind Guerrilla was a good read and that was largely down to the great characterisation. I felt that each character held their own and if I was to walk down a street in Birmingham i would be able to pick them out from the crowd, so well did I come to know them by the end of the book.
The sense of Birmingham as a city really shone through and I feel the author really researched the historic elements of the novel. With various plot lines to follow, I occasionally wondered if the novel might benefit from cutting out a storyline to keep it more compact.
A good read from an author I will read more of.
The sense of Birmingham as a city really shone through and I feel the author really researched the historic elements of the novel. With various plot lines to follow, I occasionally wondered if the novel might benefit from cutting out a storyline to keep it more compact.
A good read from an author I will read more of.
July 2, 2021
*I received a free copy of this book with thanks to the author and to Zoé of Zooloo’s Book Tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
I was excited to pick up this crime thriller by Martin Tracey, as it is mostly set in Birmingham, UK (where I lived for a good few years) and features a main character with a chronic illness (Multiple Sclerosis) working as a detective chief inspector in the ‘Birmingham and District’ police force, ironically shortened to B.A.D.
I say ironically, because it was a fine line throughout this story as to who the ‘bad guys’ and ‘good guys’ actually were! There is a fine line between being a renegade cop and being a vigilante-justice killer, and the main characters, DI Judd Stone and DCI William Chamberlain, seem a little hazy on where they draw that line at times.
We find out the identity of the serial killer, who is murdering women and grotesquely disfiguring them, relatively early on in the plot, but that strand is only one thread in many, which include forays into football hooliganism, religious cults, high-class prostitution/escorting, and brainwashed ‘lone gunmen’ who may or may not be ‘patsies’. Each of these diversions are accompanied by a wealth of detailed information, historical anecdotes and philosophical, psychological or spiritual musings – the author clearly did A LOT of research when writing this book.
Whilst the result is a treasure trove of fascinating facts merged with the fictional characters and plot at the relevant points, it does slow the action side of the story down somewhat and gave the book a little bit of a cluttered feel as we delve into Waco, Manson, the Beatles, Birmingham landmarks, the history of British football hooliganism and grassy knolls, among other related topics. I actually enjoyed these little forays into fact, but they did make me lose track of the fiction at times.
What I couldn’t possibly lose track of were the two main characters of the book. Apparently untroubled by law or conscience, DI Stone and DCI Chamberlain are united in their dual purposes: to catch criminals by any means, fair or foul, and to avenge the past wounds of their loved ones. Judd goes about this in rather a direct way, relying heavily on his fists to get him where he wants to be, and his reputation to get him out of the trouble afterwards. He casually alternates between sleeping with witnesses and battering suspects, making me wonder how he managed to stay out of trouble long enough to close a single case! William Chamberlain, in complete contrast, is physically hindered by the progress of his MS, but has developed telekinetic abilities which he gradually realises can be honed to allow him to influence the minds of others. But of course, as an upstanding and well-respected police officer he would never dream of using said powers to enact his own personal vendettas… surely?
When the paranormal elements of the plot were first introduced to the plot, I wasn’t quite sure how they would fit in with the other elements, which tend more towards dark and gritty realism. As it goes, I found I liked the character of DCI Chamberlain and the development and use of his more ‘specialist’ skills was a really nice twist – a cerebral alternative to DI Stone’s more heavy-handed (and often self-destructive) tactics.
This is a complex and involving deep dive into the dark side of life – prostitutes, cults, hooligans, gangsters, killers – which draws a corresponding darkness from even the ‘good guy’ characters (male and female), keeping the reader unnerved throughout. And it is only the first in the Judd Stone series… just imagine which depths he might explore in future instalments!
'“What we have, DI Stone, is a murder executed way beyond anything we have ever experienced before on this force, certainly to my memory at least. The methods used in killing this poor girl are both extreme and bizarre,” replied Detective Superintendent Francis, choosing to ignore the cigarette smoke that was unintentionally swirling its way towards him from the direction of his detective inspector. Making exceptions for Judd Stone was a common occurrence for Ben Francis. Although Francis himself was a strict disciplinarian, he also had the good sense to know that Judd Stone was a very efficient detective inspector, in spite of his rough edges and often unorthodox methods in executing his duties.'
– Martin Tracey, Mind Guerrilla
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
I was excited to pick up this crime thriller by Martin Tracey, as it is mostly set in Birmingham, UK (where I lived for a good few years) and features a main character with a chronic illness (Multiple Sclerosis) working as a detective chief inspector in the ‘Birmingham and District’ police force, ironically shortened to B.A.D.
I say ironically, because it was a fine line throughout this story as to who the ‘bad guys’ and ‘good guys’ actually were! There is a fine line between being a renegade cop and being a vigilante-justice killer, and the main characters, DI Judd Stone and DCI William Chamberlain, seem a little hazy on where they draw that line at times.
We find out the identity of the serial killer, who is murdering women and grotesquely disfiguring them, relatively early on in the plot, but that strand is only one thread in many, which include forays into football hooliganism, religious cults, high-class prostitution/escorting, and brainwashed ‘lone gunmen’ who may or may not be ‘patsies’. Each of these diversions are accompanied by a wealth of detailed information, historical anecdotes and philosophical, psychological or spiritual musings – the author clearly did A LOT of research when writing this book.
Whilst the result is a treasure trove of fascinating facts merged with the fictional characters and plot at the relevant points, it does slow the action side of the story down somewhat and gave the book a little bit of a cluttered feel as we delve into Waco, Manson, the Beatles, Birmingham landmarks, the history of British football hooliganism and grassy knolls, among other related topics. I actually enjoyed these little forays into fact, but they did make me lose track of the fiction at times.
What I couldn’t possibly lose track of were the two main characters of the book. Apparently untroubled by law or conscience, DI Stone and DCI Chamberlain are united in their dual purposes: to catch criminals by any means, fair or foul, and to avenge the past wounds of their loved ones. Judd goes about this in rather a direct way, relying heavily on his fists to get him where he wants to be, and his reputation to get him out of the trouble afterwards. He casually alternates between sleeping with witnesses and battering suspects, making me wonder how he managed to stay out of trouble long enough to close a single case! William Chamberlain, in complete contrast, is physically hindered by the progress of his MS, but has developed telekinetic abilities which he gradually realises can be honed to allow him to influence the minds of others. But of course, as an upstanding and well-respected police officer he would never dream of using said powers to enact his own personal vendettas… surely?
When the paranormal elements of the plot were first introduced to the plot, I wasn’t quite sure how they would fit in with the other elements, which tend more towards dark and gritty realism. As it goes, I found I liked the character of DCI Chamberlain and the development and use of his more ‘specialist’ skills was a really nice twist – a cerebral alternative to DI Stone’s more heavy-handed (and often self-destructive) tactics.
This is a complex and involving deep dive into the dark side of life – prostitutes, cults, hooligans, gangsters, killers – which draws a corresponding darkness from even the ‘good guy’ characters (male and female), keeping the reader unnerved throughout. And it is only the first in the Judd Stone series… just imagine which depths he might explore in future instalments!
'“What we have, DI Stone, is a murder executed way beyond anything we have ever experienced before on this force, certainly to my memory at least. The methods used in killing this poor girl are both extreme and bizarre,” replied Detective Superintendent Francis, choosing to ignore the cigarette smoke that was unintentionally swirling its way towards him from the direction of his detective inspector. Making exceptions for Judd Stone was a common occurrence for Ben Francis. Although Francis himself was a strict disciplinarian, he also had the good sense to know that Judd Stone was a very efficient detective inspector, in spite of his rough edges and often unorthodox methods in executing his duties.'
– Martin Tracey, Mind Guerrilla
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
June 29, 2021
If there’s one thing that I like doing, it’s discovering new authors. Martin Tracey is certainly a new author for me. I read the synopsis for ‘Mind Guerrilla’ and it certainly sounded like the sort of crime story I love reading.; ‘Mind Guerrilla’ is certainly a crime novel with a twist. I really enjoyed reading ‘Mind Guerrilla’ but more about that in a bit.
The two main characters in ‘Mind Guerrilla’ are Detective Chief Inspector William Chamberlain and Detective Inspector Judd Stone. Both detectives are both a bit different from the standard police characters that you find in many detective stories. Chamberlain is suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and he also has telekinetic powers. As his Multiple Sclerosis worsens, his telekinesis gets stronger. Something happens and Chamberlain sets a chain of events in motion which could have devastating results. Detective Inspector Judd Stone is a reformed football hooligan, who later became a police officer. Stone seems to be full of anger and feelings of guilt about something that has happened. Stone is a police officer who likes to get results although he does tend to bend the rules slightly if not break them altogether. Some of his methods and some of the things that he does made me shake my head as if I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
I was drawn into this story from the very first word on the very first page. It was as if the book developed a hold over me which lasted from the very first word until I read the very last word on the very last page. I made the fatal mistake of starting to read the book shortly before I went to bed. Let’s just say that bedtime was delayed, I read into the wee small hours of the morning and I had a distinct ‘lack of sleep hangover’ the following morning. This was one of those books that stayed with me for a long while. If I wasn’t reading the book, I was thinking about reading the book and if I didn’t have the book in my hand then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. I became so wrapped up in the story that I didn’t notice just how quickly the time was passing and just how quickly the pages were turning. I soon got to the end of ‘Mind Guerrilla’. I found ‘Mind Guerrilla’ to be a gripping read, which kept me on my toes and it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
Mind Guerrilla’ is well written. Martin certainly know how to create one hell of a story as well as creating some memorable characters. I have to say that Stone has a rather unusual way of interviewing witnesses- he takes a ‘one to one’ interview a bit too literally if you get my drift. You will see what I mean when you read the book for yourselves. For me the story hits the ground running and maintains a fairly fast pace throughout. I loved the fact that this story has something different, which makes ‘Mind Guerrilla’ stand out from the crowd. I love the way in which Martin makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt at any rate. Reading ‘Mind Guerrilla’ felt like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with more twists and turns to it than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Mind Guerrilla’ and I would recommend the book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Martin’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
The two main characters in ‘Mind Guerrilla’ are Detective Chief Inspector William Chamberlain and Detective Inspector Judd Stone. Both detectives are both a bit different from the standard police characters that you find in many detective stories. Chamberlain is suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and he also has telekinetic powers. As his Multiple Sclerosis worsens, his telekinesis gets stronger. Something happens and Chamberlain sets a chain of events in motion which could have devastating results. Detective Inspector Judd Stone is a reformed football hooligan, who later became a police officer. Stone seems to be full of anger and feelings of guilt about something that has happened. Stone is a police officer who likes to get results although he does tend to bend the rules slightly if not break them altogether. Some of his methods and some of the things that he does made me shake my head as if I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
I was drawn into this story from the very first word on the very first page. It was as if the book developed a hold over me which lasted from the very first word until I read the very last word on the very last page. I made the fatal mistake of starting to read the book shortly before I went to bed. Let’s just say that bedtime was delayed, I read into the wee small hours of the morning and I had a distinct ‘lack of sleep hangover’ the following morning. This was one of those books that stayed with me for a long while. If I wasn’t reading the book, I was thinking about reading the book and if I didn’t have the book in my hand then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. I became so wrapped up in the story that I didn’t notice just how quickly the time was passing and just how quickly the pages were turning. I soon got to the end of ‘Mind Guerrilla’. I found ‘Mind Guerrilla’ to be a gripping read, which kept me on my toes and it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
Mind Guerrilla’ is well written. Martin certainly know how to create one hell of a story as well as creating some memorable characters. I have to say that Stone has a rather unusual way of interviewing witnesses- he takes a ‘one to one’ interview a bit too literally if you get my drift. You will see what I mean when you read the book for yourselves. For me the story hits the ground running and maintains a fairly fast pace throughout. I loved the fact that this story has something different, which makes ‘Mind Guerrilla’ stand out from the crowd. I love the way in which Martin makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt at any rate. Reading ‘Mind Guerrilla’ felt like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with more twists and turns to it than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Mind Guerrilla’ and I would recommend the book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Martin’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
July 2, 2021
If you love a detailed slow burner with an edgy twist then this is the novel for you. Characters with strong motivation and resolve, a dark plot with a historical link and a little supernatural makes this a must read.
I loved how the past and present are linked through the victims and villains and I found myself eagerly turning pages between the timeline so I could return to the other one and find out what was coming next. It gave an insight into all the main characters too and their backgrounds. I also loved the historical knowledge about gangsters and Birmingham.
I love the city of Birmingham and the gritty and vivid description really brought it to life – warts and all. I always enjoy getting to know the deepest, darkest corners of thriller setting and Tracey has created an atmospheric and malevolent feel which sets the overall tone of the novel perfectly.
The characters are superbly developed and really crawl under your skin in a variety of different ways. The villain is deplorable and vile, making my skin crawl but I couldn’t get enough. Judd Stone and William Chamberlain are characters who took a while to get used to because they are real! They are both highly skilled and highly motivated officers with very different ways of working. They both have their demons and neither are always easy to work alongside or get on board with. This makes them 3d, real and engaging.
The plot is intense and riveting and despite being a longer novel, I couldn’t put it down and the pages turned themselves. There are constant surprises and twists that catch the reader off guard, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Highly recommended.
I loved how the past and present are linked through the victims and villains and I found myself eagerly turning pages between the timeline so I could return to the other one and find out what was coming next. It gave an insight into all the main characters too and their backgrounds. I also loved the historical knowledge about gangsters and Birmingham.
I love the city of Birmingham and the gritty and vivid description really brought it to life – warts and all. I always enjoy getting to know the deepest, darkest corners of thriller setting and Tracey has created an atmospheric and malevolent feel which sets the overall tone of the novel perfectly.
The characters are superbly developed and really crawl under your skin in a variety of different ways. The villain is deplorable and vile, making my skin crawl but I couldn’t get enough. Judd Stone and William Chamberlain are characters who took a while to get used to because they are real! They are both highly skilled and highly motivated officers with very different ways of working. They both have their demons and neither are always easy to work alongside or get on board with. This makes them 3d, real and engaging.
The plot is intense and riveting and despite being a longer novel, I couldn’t put it down and the pages turned themselves. There are constant surprises and twists that catch the reader off guard, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Highly recommended.
June 26, 2021
My first book by this author & it won’t be my last. Forget the story for the moment; it’s mainly set in Birmingham & references places I know, lots of musical asides (my second love after books) & dark humour aplenty.
This is the first outing for DI Judd Stone, not a maverick but certainly teetering on the edge of not always doing things by the book. Add to the mix William & Sab, & a great team is born.
The book is quite lengthy at over 500 pages, &, in my view, at points delves too deep into police procedures, but there is not only one thread to this novel. It starts dramatically with the murder of a high-end escort & continues with the hunt for her killer, The Crucifier. Alongside, is a cult, telekinesis & football hooliganism.
To say anymore would spoil the book for a reader so that’s my review. A cracking thriller with more twists & turns than you can imagine. The pace does not wain & it results in a satisfactory conclusion.
Welcome to my bookshelf Judd, I’m looking forward to your next case. Recommended.
This is the first outing for DI Judd Stone, not a maverick but certainly teetering on the edge of not always doing things by the book. Add to the mix William & Sab, & a great team is born.
The book is quite lengthy at over 500 pages, &, in my view, at points delves too deep into police procedures, but there is not only one thread to this novel. It starts dramatically with the murder of a high-end escort & continues with the hunt for her killer, The Crucifier. Alongside, is a cult, telekinesis & football hooliganism.
To say anymore would spoil the book for a reader so that’s my review. A cracking thriller with more twists & turns than you can imagine. The pace does not wain & it results in a satisfactory conclusion.
Welcome to my bookshelf Judd, I’m looking forward to your next case. Recommended.
January 7, 2016
Martin Tracey
Brilliant
Mind Guerrilla.
This is the first book I have read by this author, it won't be the last. This is a story murder and mystery but what I liked is that a character called William Carmichael was a detective who is suffering from Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS) which I also suffer from. The way in which the author blends his illness into the story is brilliant. The police are trying to solve a series of murders in Birmingham UK, and it also takes you into cult movements, in Birmingham Alabama. I loved the pace in which this story flowed. Every chapter had bits in it that grabbed your attention.
The way in which the author portrayed the character with PPMS was terrific so much so that you feel as though the author has close ties with a sufferer. If you read one book this year then do yourself a favour and make it this one. Very highly recommended.
5+* 07 January 2016.
Brilliant
Mind Guerrilla.
This is the first book I have read by this author, it won't be the last. This is a story murder and mystery but what I liked is that a character called William Carmichael was a detective who is suffering from Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS) which I also suffer from. The way in which the author blends his illness into the story is brilliant. The police are trying to solve a series of murders in Birmingham UK, and it also takes you into cult movements, in Birmingham Alabama. I loved the pace in which this story flowed. Every chapter had bits in it that grabbed your attention.
The way in which the author portrayed the character with PPMS was terrific so much so that you feel as though the author has close ties with a sufferer. If you read one book this year then do yourself a favour and make it this one. Very highly recommended.
5+* 07 January 2016.
May 24, 2017
What a superbly written book! The "good guys" characters where gritty, damaged, unethical at times, yet you can not help but agree and perhaps relate with absolutely everything they do. As for the "villains", if you can imagine every type of evil incarnate that exists on our planet... there's probably quite a few here in this book. Do they get what they deserve in the end? Perhaps.
This story enraptured me from page one. Fingers gripping hold and didn't want to stop until the end. If your looking for a Thriller... this will definitely thrill. It even has my favourite, the paranormal. Loved listening to the recollections of British music from The Beatles to Wham!, it brought smiles and nostalgia to my heart. I'm totally unknowledgeable about anything football related, but this didn't lose me, it kept it's momentum of a phenomenal ride and broke my heart too. As for the twists! So many!
Thank you Martin, you totally rocked it!
This story enraptured me from page one. Fingers gripping hold and didn't want to stop until the end. If your looking for a Thriller... this will definitely thrill. It even has my favourite, the paranormal. Loved listening to the recollections of British music from The Beatles to Wham!, it brought smiles and nostalgia to my heart. I'm totally unknowledgeable about anything football related, but this didn't lose me, it kept it's momentum of a phenomenal ride and broke my heart too. As for the twists! So many!
Thank you Martin, you totally rocked it!
July 27, 2020
Not a book I would normally pick up but i am so glad I did. Martin brings a whole lot of different elements to his writing that makes his stories intriguing and that instantly capture the reader's attention. I enjoyed the gritty character with an exciting story plot. Will be reading more from him in the future.
May 13, 2018
I stepped out of my usual genre to give this a shot, and I'm pleased that I did.
The book drags you through a gamut of emotions with its detailed backgrounds, intriguing yet flawed main character. Add in the many sub plots and it all comes together in one gripping read.
The book drags you through a gamut of emotions with its detailed backgrounds, intriguing yet flawed main character. Add in the many sub plots and it all comes together in one gripping read.
July 9, 2024
What’s your favourite fact about crime novels: the psychological insights they provide, or the adrenaline-pumping suspense they create?
Mind Guerrilla by Martin Tracey kept me on the edge of my seat, flipping pages late into the night because I just had to know what happened next?
This crime thriller is packed with mind bending twists, making it a must-read for anyone who loves a good detective story.
The highlight that makes this book unique is its mix of suspense, intricate plot, well developed characters, and supernatural powers. The storyline flows smoothly, and the author has ensures no stone is left unturned.
From mind control powers to a serial killer on the loose, this book has it all. The gripping narrative keeps you engaged, and the way the author integrates different characters adds depth to the story.
One aspect I particularly loved was how everything came together, forming a complete circle by the end. The characters' backgrounds are so detailed and realistic that they truly come alive on the pages.
The book's length never felt dull; instead, each chapter made me crave more. The seamless transitions between different perspectives and locations add to the excitement. The intense chase was thrilling.
It's a well-written, engaging novel that will keep you hooked from start to finish. If you're a fan of crime thrillers with a touch of the supernatural, this book is definitely for you.
Overall, is an enthralling read that I highly recommend.
Mind Guerrilla by Martin Tracey kept me on the edge of my seat, flipping pages late into the night because I just had to know what happened next?
This crime thriller is packed with mind bending twists, making it a must-read for anyone who loves a good detective story.
The highlight that makes this book unique is its mix of suspense, intricate plot, well developed characters, and supernatural powers. The storyline flows smoothly, and the author has ensures no stone is left unturned.
From mind control powers to a serial killer on the loose, this book has it all. The gripping narrative keeps you engaged, and the way the author integrates different characters adds depth to the story.
One aspect I particularly loved was how everything came together, forming a complete circle by the end. The characters' backgrounds are so detailed and realistic that they truly come alive on the pages.
The book's length never felt dull; instead, each chapter made me crave more. The seamless transitions between different perspectives and locations add to the excitement. The intense chase was thrilling.
It's a well-written, engaging novel that will keep you hooked from start to finish. If you're a fan of crime thrillers with a touch of the supernatural, this book is definitely for you.
Overall, is an enthralling read that I highly recommend.
July 18, 2021
Mind Guerrilla by Martin Tracey was am excellent read! I absolutely loved The characters. Gritty, damaged, but as I was reading, I couldn’t help but understand what they were doing. Even when it was a bit unethical, it still made sense in the circumstances. Also, the villains…whew. They were terrible and scary. This author knows how to write characters.
The plot captured my attention from page one and didn’t let me put it down until the last page. This is a thrill ride. It kept me guessing, it kept me on my toes, and sometimes it made me emotional.
Twists and turns with amazing characters …Mind Guerrilla was everything I hoped and more. Highly recommended!
Thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours for the review copy and opportunity to honestly review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
The plot captured my attention from page one and didn’t let me put it down until the last page. This is a thrill ride. It kept me guessing, it kept me on my toes, and sometimes it made me emotional.
Twists and turns with amazing characters …Mind Guerrilla was everything I hoped and more. Highly recommended!
Thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours for the review copy and opportunity to honestly review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
May 20, 2017
A gripping crime detective story centred around a likeable, flawed police anti-hero, this story has paranormal overtones and intrguing glimpses into the twisted world of religious cults. I found the first few pages very over-written, with plenty of unnecessary verbiage as the author introduces his main police characters, their backgrounds and relationships. This meant the novel was hard work at first, then it took off; as the author plunged into his narrative, the writing became much more fluent and engaging. I was held captive by the story and its subject matter; I would have given the novel 5 stars if the writing had been tighter and more disciplined. Nevertheless the story has many redeeming features and it would particularly appeal to lovers of Dan Brown.
August 3, 2025
What a read this was. Judd Stone is some character and is a bit of a gung-ho , rule-bender type of policeman who will do whatever it takes to get justice. This tends to get him in trouble a lot. Despite this, we are brought back to events in his past to give us an idea of what has made him what he is today and I found this very enlightening. His frustrations come to the fore when a killer is cleared and his own actions come under a lot of scrutiny.
I love his single-mindedness throughout the story and I love the justice ultimately served at the end. It does veer a bit off for a while and it probably could be a bit shorter as it is quite a long read but I am definitely hooked enough now to have already bought the next book.
I love his single-mindedness throughout the story and I love the justice ultimately served at the end. It does veer a bit off for a while and it probably could be a bit shorter as it is quite a long read but I am definitely hooked enough now to have already bought the next book.
September 21, 2020
Fascinating!
I really enjoyed this exciting, psychological thriller based in Birmingham and surrounding areas in the UK.
It's the first book I've read from this author and I will definitly be reading more. He has a very interesting style of writing which certainly added more depth to the story.
I loved the honest, grittines of Judd Stone along with the very real references issues surrounding Multiple Sclerosis, experienced by another character.
The way in which the historical facts back up this fictional story, had me wondering if some of the fictional topics were actually fact. Very clever!
I really enjoyed this exciting, psychological thriller based in Birmingham and surrounding areas in the UK.
It's the first book I've read from this author and I will definitly be reading more. He has a very interesting style of writing which certainly added more depth to the story.
I loved the honest, grittines of Judd Stone along with the very real references issues surrounding Multiple Sclerosis, experienced by another character.
The way in which the historical facts back up this fictional story, had me wondering if some of the fictional topics were actually fact. Very clever!
July 19, 2017
Mind Guerrilla by Martin Tracey has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Award.
www.chillwithabook.com
"A good story, strong characters rambling a bit sometimes, but I still enjoyed it immensely."
"A great book I couldn't put it down."
Pauline Barclay
Founder of Chill with a Book Awards
www.chillwithabook.com
"A good story, strong characters rambling a bit sometimes, but I still enjoyed it immensely."
"A great book I couldn't put it down."
Pauline Barclay
Founder of Chill with a Book Awards
August 4, 2016
I simply loved this book. It had such an original storyline, or should I say storylines, because what Martin Tracey does in Mind Guerrilla is ambitiously weave several plots together,set in varying periods of time, which connect with dramatic results. I fell in love with the unorthodox Brummie cops of Stone and Chamberlain and their pursuit of both a dangerous serial killer and cult leader left me on the edge of my seat. There are many twists and turns in Mind Guerrilla and Tracey packs them into some 516 pages of magic. Although Mind Guerrilla is such a mammoth story I never once put the book down, on the contrary Tracey had me turning page after page, eager to be entertained by the next twist in the story. His treating of MS sufferer Chamberlain is done with both sensitivity and accuracy and it would be wonderful if that character can help to raise awareness of the condition. The injection of telekinesis and mind control are thoroughly believable and that resulted in opening my own mind to many things. In this book revenge is not a dish served cold, it's served on ice! Mr Tarantino what are you waiting for? And the author's passion for John Lennon is captured well in the story adding yet another dimension to this multi-faceted great read!
July 2, 2017
3.5 stars
This is an excellently written crime novel, but for me it was a little too over detailed (police procedure, so that was expected to a certain degree) and some points are explained more than once.
My main issue is that there are too many story arcs happening within the novel. We have the serial killer, a cult, and then the story with Marlon Howell. I understand why all are included, but at times the book felt a little too cluttered.
The characterisation is excellent and although there's a large cast, I never once got any of them confused with one another. This is a testament to Tracey's writing ability and I will certainly read more books by this author.
This injection of paranormal felt a little displaced for me, and I often found it jarring to read. However, all loose ends were tied up very well at the end of the book.
It was an excellent read, but at just over 500 pages, it felt like, at times, I had been reading for forever. Yet, I never once wanted to put it to one side. It was just a little too 'busy' to be able to read in one or two sittings.
This is an excellently written crime novel, but for me it was a little too over detailed (police procedure, so that was expected to a certain degree) and some points are explained more than once.
My main issue is that there are too many story arcs happening within the novel. We have the serial killer, a cult, and then the story with Marlon Howell. I understand why all are included, but at times the book felt a little too cluttered.
The characterisation is excellent and although there's a large cast, I never once got any of them confused with one another. This is a testament to Tracey's writing ability and I will certainly read more books by this author.
This injection of paranormal felt a little displaced for me, and I often found it jarring to read. However, all loose ends were tied up very well at the end of the book.
It was an excellent read, but at just over 500 pages, it felt like, at times, I had been reading for forever. Yet, I never once wanted to put it to one side. It was just a little too 'busy' to be able to read in one or two sittings.
September 23, 2016
Really enjoyed the book, loved the reference to Birmingham they brought the book to life for me. I would definitely recommend this book, as well as a good story there are lots of interesting facts that I did not know about. I have gave a five star rating for this book , it's worth it .
Really enjoyed the book, loved the reference to Birmingham they brought the book to life for me. I would definitely recommend this book, as well as a good story there are lots of interesting facts that I did not know about. I have gave a five star rating for this book , it's worth it .
Really enjoyed the book, loved the reference to Birmingham they brought the book to life for me. I would definitely recommend this book, as well as a good story there are lots of interesting facts that I did not know about. I have gave a five star rating for this book , it's worth it .
March 27, 2017
A book that keeps you enthralled all the way through. It's a book you can't put down. Each of the characters have their own heartfelt story to tell. The chase is on, it takes you on a journey of mind manipulation, in more ways than one. Judd does not give up on his mission for justice even when things seem stacked against him.
April 29, 2018
3.5 / 4 stars for me.
I don't like rating a book so low but so although this was a good story line it lost me at a few times due to the amount of extreme extra detail that was given which i felt it didnt actually need as it distracted from the main story.
Otherwise Detective Judd Stone is a police officer you would want fighting in your corner!
Great team work and detection shown by uk police force against a horrendous serial killer.
Lots of details on police regulations.. places and people throughout.
I don't like rating a book so low but so although this was a good story line it lost me at a few times due to the amount of extreme extra detail that was given which i felt it didnt actually need as it distracted from the main story.
Otherwise Detective Judd Stone is a police officer you would want fighting in your corner!
Great team work and detection shown by uk police force against a horrendous serial killer.
Lots of details on police regulations.. places and people throughout.
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