What do you think?
Rate this book
In The Shadow of the Tower
Lethal. Deadly. Dangerous. Fear and loathing. Murder. It all adds up to what the streets of Blackpool's premier holiday resort mean to DI Layla Khan. On the other side of where cheap booze, cheap clothes, slot machines, and fast food reign supreme, DI Khan has to try and sort out the Blackpool that the tourists aren't meant to see.
A teenage prostitute is found murdered. A sample of her blood was taken by the killer. Then a second one is discovered with the same MO. Why is the killer taking their blood? Both girls turn out to have been HIV positive. Did the killer know this? Were they deliberately targeted?
Taking on the investigation, DI Khan has to contend with a DS who displays thinly veiled racism towards her, and a superior officer who needs her to get a result quickly because he championed her promotion. And there are plenty who would be ready to prove him wrong.
A prominent local family at war with itself. Corruption on the local council. A threatening hand from DI Khan's past. They all make it even more difficult for DI Khan to track down the killer.
But what will happen if she doesn't?
AUTHOR NOTE - This is a reissue of my previous novel of the same name and none of it has changed.
A teenage prostitute is found murdered. A sample of her blood was taken by the killer. Then a second one is discovered with the same MO. Why is the killer taking their blood? Both girls turn out to have been HIV positive. Did the killer know this? Were they deliberately targeted?
Taking on the investigation, DI Khan has to contend with a DS who displays thinly veiled racism towards her, and a superior officer who needs her to get a result quickly because he championed her promotion. And there are plenty who would be ready to prove him wrong.
A prominent local family at war with itself. Corruption on the local council. A threatening hand from DI Khan's past. They all make it even more difficult for DI Khan to track down the killer.
But what will happen if she doesn't?
AUTHOR NOTE - This is a reissue of my previous novel of the same name and none of it has changed.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2016
11 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
David Menon
53 books26 followersDavid was born of an English mother and an Indian father, neither of whom brought him up. He spent his childhood in Derby but has since lived all over the UK, and also for several very happy years he lived in Paris. He loves to travel, loves Indian food closely followed by French, he’s into politics and current affairs and all the arts – books, films, TV, theatre, and music. He’s a seriously devoted fan of Stevie Nicks who he calls ‘the voice of my interior world’. When he’s not writing he teaches English to Russian students for a school in St. Petersburg.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 2, 2018
Menon has a distinctive style, rather analogous to the American Gothic style of painting. It's unusual, but it grows on one, and after reading several of his books I've become quite fond of it.
Of particular note in this book is the beautifully rounded portrayal of the bigot, Drake, an unhappy man with a troubled life. The ability to write an unpleasant or abrasive character without making him a caricature is a valuable one for a writer, and Menon in this book is coming to a mastery of it. Drake is depicted with empathy, even as his bigotry is held up to ridicule and loathing. Full marks for this.
An engaging protagonist and a nicely complex mystery with a horrifyingly evil villain combine to make this a terrific read, and the various social issues (homophobia, islamophobia, child abuse) are addressed with warmth and a passionate conviction that carries the author's point without too much preaching.
Of particular note in this book is the beautifully rounded portrayal of the bigot, Drake, an unhappy man with a troubled life. The ability to write an unpleasant or abrasive character without making him a caricature is a valuable one for a writer, and Menon in this book is coming to a mastery of it. Drake is depicted with empathy, even as his bigotry is held up to ridicule and loathing. Full marks for this.
An engaging protagonist and a nicely complex mystery with a horrifyingly evil villain combine to make this a terrific read, and the various social issues (homophobia, islamophobia, child abuse) are addressed with warmth and a passionate conviction that carries the author's point without too much preaching.
July 23, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and as an ex police civilian found its premise and procedural detail accurate and interesting .
A good storyline - lots of twists and turns. Interesting characters who I’d like to see developed further in future novels.
I will be coming back for more !
A good storyline - lots of twists and turns. Interesting characters who I’d like to see developed further in future novels.
I will be coming back for more !
August 5, 2016
3.5 stars from me
DCI Layla Khan is a woman who deserves to be in her post. She has climbed there, earned respect, suffered hardships and lost relationships; all of these things have shaped who she is today.
In the Shadow of the Tower is a great introduction to the character of Layla. She is clearly defined, has a strong sense of who she is and what she stands for and this resonates through the book.
David Menon doesn't pull any punches (literally) with the main thread of this book, it was gritty and didn't shy away from uncomfortable topics.
I enjoyed the storyline, it was imaginative and complex (possibly too layered?). DCI Khan is an interesting new addition to the crime thriller genre and I look forward to reading more about her in the future. Her sense of justice appealed to me. I felt the 'battling of sexism and racism' was slightly over egged, but I would imagine that to be more of a character defining, scene setting, introductory thing - all of which helped to shape the readers opinion of Layla. Would I want her on my side, yes. Would I want her as a boss, probably not!
All in all, I found the book engaging and I look forward to reading the next one!
Synopsis: 'Lethal. Deadly. Dangerous. Fear and Loathing. Murder. This is what the streets of Britain's premier holiday resort mean to Layla Khan. On the other side of where cheap booze, cheap clothes, slot machines and fast food reign supreme, Layla, who's recently been promoted to DCI, has to try and sort out the Blackpool that all the tourists don't see.
A teenage prostitute is found murdered. A sample of her blood was taken by the killer. Then a second one is discovered with the same MO. Why is the killer taking their blood? Both girls turn out to have been HIV positive. Did the killer know this? Were they deliberately targeted?
Taking on the investigation, DCI Layla Khan has to contend with a DI who displays thinly veiled racism towards her, and a superior officer who needs her to get a result quickly because he championed her promotion. A prominent local family at war with itself, corruption on the local council, plus a threatening hand from Layla's past all make it difficult for her to get to a result.
But what will happen if she doesn't?
DCI Layla Khan is a woman who deserves to be in her post. She has climbed there, earned respect, suffered hardships and lost relationships; all of these things have shaped who she is today.
In the Shadow of the Tower is a great introduction to the character of Layla. She is clearly defined, has a strong sense of who she is and what she stands for and this resonates through the book.
David Menon doesn't pull any punches (literally) with the main thread of this book, it was gritty and didn't shy away from uncomfortable topics.
I enjoyed the storyline, it was imaginative and complex (possibly too layered?). DCI Khan is an interesting new addition to the crime thriller genre and I look forward to reading more about her in the future. Her sense of justice appealed to me. I felt the 'battling of sexism and racism' was slightly over egged, but I would imagine that to be more of a character defining, scene setting, introductory thing - all of which helped to shape the readers opinion of Layla. Would I want her on my side, yes. Would I want her as a boss, probably not!
All in all, I found the book engaging and I look forward to reading the next one!
Synopsis: 'Lethal. Deadly. Dangerous. Fear and Loathing. Murder. This is what the streets of Britain's premier holiday resort mean to Layla Khan. On the other side of where cheap booze, cheap clothes, slot machines and fast food reign supreme, Layla, who's recently been promoted to DCI, has to try and sort out the Blackpool that all the tourists don't see.
A teenage prostitute is found murdered. A sample of her blood was taken by the killer. Then a second one is discovered with the same MO. Why is the killer taking their blood? Both girls turn out to have been HIV positive. Did the killer know this? Were they deliberately targeted?
Taking on the investigation, DCI Layla Khan has to contend with a DI who displays thinly veiled racism towards her, and a superior officer who needs her to get a result quickly because he championed her promotion. A prominent local family at war with itself, corruption on the local council, plus a threatening hand from Layla's past all make it difficult for her to get to a result.
But what will happen if she doesn't?
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews