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Langthorne #1
Bodily Harm
The thriller starts with a vicious stabbing of a pretty teenage girl and her boyfriend on a local bus. She happens to be the mayor’s niece. It’s the final straw for the community. The police are desperate to get results and decide on a risky course of action involving undercover infiltration of the notorious Effingell Estate.
Detective George Elms knows this hellish place extremely well, and his sharp investigative mind is put to work to solve the crime. The police are under immense media pressure and conveniently a local lowlife confesses to the attack. But George is not convinced. There are many layers of criminal and police motivation, and few people are what they seem.
Who can you trust? And when his family is put at risk will DS George Elms go beyond the law?
This book was previously published as A Glorious Sadness
Detective George Elms knows this hellish place extremely well, and his sharp investigative mind is put to work to solve the crime. The police are under immense media pressure and conveniently a local lowlife confesses to the attack. But George is not convinced. There are many layers of criminal and police motivation, and few people are what they seem.
Who can you trust? And when his family is put at risk will DS George Elms go beyond the law?
This book was previously published as A Glorious Sadness
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2011
2122 people are currently reading
781 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Gallagher
33 books590 followersCharlie Gallagher was a serving UK police officer for thirteen years where he performed many roles. Starting out as a front-line response officer, he was also a member of a specialist tactical team and worked as a detective in various areas, including elements of Counter Terrorism.
Charlie now writes full time. He lives on the south coast of England with his wife and two kids and, somehow, a spaniel, a tortoise and a two cats, one of which has far more twitter followers.
Charlie now writes full time. He lives on the south coast of England with his wife and two kids and, somehow, a spaniel, a tortoise and a two cats, one of which has far more twitter followers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
February 7, 2017
A teenage girl and her boyfriend have been viciously stabbed on a local us. She just happens to be the Mayor's niece and its the final straw for the local community. The police are desperate to get results and takes a risky course of action involving infiltration of the Effingell Estate.
Detective George Elms knows the area well. With his sharp investigative mind, he sets out to solve this crime.
This book is fast paced, well written with a few curve balls, and I found this novel hard to put down.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author Charlie Gallacher for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Detective George Elms knows the area well. With his sharp investigative mind, he sets out to solve this crime.
This book is fast paced, well written with a few curve balls, and I found this novel hard to put down.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author Charlie Gallacher for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2017
3.5 Stars
Detective George Elms is called to investigate the violent stabbing of a teenage girl and her boyfriend while on a city bus. The girl happens to be the mayor's daughter which puts this crime at the top of the list in priority.
Effingell Estate is where the thugs, the criminals, the drug suppliers and drug sellers live their violent lives. Law enforcement wants this whole area cleaned up ... and fast.
This leads to a dangerous plan of action that involves undercover civilians. The dangerous part is that only one or two senior police officials know what is going on and who is involved.
It's a gritty crime thriller pitting good against evil .... and not everyone is who they seem to be. Lies, secrets, ..... who will Detective Elms trust? And how many will die before he gets through all the layers to find the truth?
There is a ring of authenticity about this story. And I found out why ... "Charlie Gallagher has been a serving UK police officer for ten years. During that time he has had many roles, starting as a front-line response officer, then a member of a specialist tactical team and is currently a detective investigating serious offenses." (book blurb)
George Elms is a great character ... and this book gives the reader a great insight into not only his professional career but to his personal life, as well. He is a well-known officer of the law and well respected. He's a firm believer in not crossing that line, but when his family is threatened, to what limits will he go to protect them?
Action abounds on every page from start to finish. Secondary characters are well defined, fully fleshed. There are good guys and bad guys and then some very bad guys.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of BODILY HARM. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Detective George Elms is called to investigate the violent stabbing of a teenage girl and her boyfriend while on a city bus. The girl happens to be the mayor's daughter which puts this crime at the top of the list in priority.
Effingell Estate is where the thugs, the criminals, the drug suppliers and drug sellers live their violent lives. Law enforcement wants this whole area cleaned up ... and fast.
This leads to a dangerous plan of action that involves undercover civilians. The dangerous part is that only one or two senior police officials know what is going on and who is involved.
It's a gritty crime thriller pitting good against evil .... and not everyone is who they seem to be. Lies, secrets, ..... who will Detective Elms trust? And how many will die before he gets through all the layers to find the truth?
There is a ring of authenticity about this story. And I found out why ... "Charlie Gallagher has been a serving UK police officer for ten years. During that time he has had many roles, starting as a front-line response officer, then a member of a specialist tactical team and is currently a detective investigating serious offenses." (book blurb)
George Elms is a great character ... and this book gives the reader a great insight into not only his professional career but to his personal life, as well. He is a well-known officer of the law and well respected. He's a firm believer in not crossing that line, but when his family is threatened, to what limits will he go to protect them?
Action abounds on every page from start to finish. Secondary characters are well defined, fully fleshed. There are good guys and bad guys and then some very bad guys.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of BODILY HARM. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
March 4, 2017
Thank you Charlie Gallagher you are my latest favourite author, what a fantastic read. A young girl and her boyfriend catch a bus home after spending time together after school. Apart from themselves, there is only one other person on the bus, a man seated a couple of rows in front of them. As the journey begins the man fronts the kids and asks for their wallets and phones, this begins a nightmare that see the girl and boy ending up being stabbed. The young girl is the niece of the local mayor and the police are out to get the offender. Enter Detective George Elms who is given the case to solve and is also dealing with major crime in an area known as Effingell, a town full of crime and dirty drug dealers. George has a pregnant wife and young child but this case will put them all at risk. This is an excellent read and it is George's character that makes this book so good. You will be taken on a wild ride which does not let up till the very end but also leaves a door open for the second book in the series. Loved it, highly recommended!
May 10, 2020
This is the 1st book in the 'Langthorne' series by author Charlie Gallagher and starts with a vicious stabbing of a pretty teenage girl and her boyfriend on a local bus. The girl is the mayor's niece and one of many incidents over the past few weeks. The police need results and quick so decide on a risky course of action involving undercover infiltration of the notorious Effingell Estate.
Detective George Elms is is about to take on solving the crimes but with the local community becoming restless he knows he is under pressure to produce results quickly.
This quick read sets up the series well introducing the characters and gives the reader a hint of whats to come in subsequent books. Not everyone is as they seem, which makes matters more difficult to render. I enjoyed many of the characters but George Elms stood out, the reader was shown many of his qualities and personal life which I am sure will be developed in future books.
This is a fast paced novel that shows great promise and well worth the read.
Detective George Elms is is about to take on solving the crimes but with the local community becoming restless he knows he is under pressure to produce results quickly.
This quick read sets up the series well introducing the characters and gives the reader a hint of whats to come in subsequent books. Not everyone is as they seem, which makes matters more difficult to render. I enjoyed many of the characters but George Elms stood out, the reader was shown many of his qualities and personal life which I am sure will be developed in future books.
This is a fast paced novel that shows great promise and well worth the read.
February 7, 2017
I received a copy of Bodily Harm from Netgalley. Thank you to Netgalley, Joffe Books and Charlie Gallagher for the opportunity to read Bodily Harm in exchange for an honest review.
Bodily Harm is set in Langthorne, a fictional town on the coast of England. Langthorne has a big problem: Epping Hill Estate, a crime-ridden housing project that even the police try to avoid but when over the half the crime in town is committed on the estate, it's hard to ignore. The violence of Epping Hill has also been leaking out of its borders into town.
When two teenagers are attacked by a hooded man while riding the bus home, the assumption is that the attacker is from Epping Hill. The incident sparks outrage and, when it is discovered that the female victim is the niece of the mayor, the pressure is on to find the attacker. I thought I was in for a standard police procedural with a crime or two to solve and a few detectives working to put the culprits away but what I got is a complex, multi-layered crime novel with well-drawn characters and an excellent plot. It’s not your usual procedural - which is a good thing.
The investigation is lead by Detective Sergeant George Elms, an amiable and hardworking officer. As his team works to solve this case and several others, Detective Inspector Craig Jacobs, recently transferred from the Met, tries to convince the acting chief superintendent, Graham Huntington, to approve his bold and not exactly above board plan to infiltrate Epping Hill and take care of the problem from within. Desperate to solve the Epping Hill problem, Huntington agrees. This operation will be very revealing, in more ways than one.
The characters are really good. George and his team are very believable with an easy camaraderie. I enjoyed the scenes with the three of them bantering. None of the characters are cardboard cutouts. All have distinct personalities so, even though there are several main players, there is no issue in keeping them straight.
Though the book never drags, it is a little slow to take off as all the players and pieces are laid out and then put into motion. At first, I wondered about how some of the threads would play into the bigger picture but everything is woven together as the novel progresses, creating an in-depth portrait of the criminal faction as well as the police, the good and bad parts. It reads as very authentic and gritty. The authenticity is due to the writer currently serving as a U.K. police detective, which I found intriguing because of the insight he provides into the inner workings of the police.
There are many twists and turns, some humor and some heartache in Bodily Harm. It is a very good read and I recommend it to fans of police procedurals that have a gritty, realistic tone. Unfortunately, it is not wrapped up in the end. I’m not a fan of cliffhanger endings but it does make this feel real and, with the direction the plot headed in near the end, it could not be tied up in a neat little bow. All in all, it’s an enjoyable, well-written book that has left me eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Bodily Harm is set in Langthorne, a fictional town on the coast of England. Langthorne has a big problem: Epping Hill Estate, a crime-ridden housing project that even the police try to avoid but when over the half the crime in town is committed on the estate, it's hard to ignore. The violence of Epping Hill has also been leaking out of its borders into town.
When two teenagers are attacked by a hooded man while riding the bus home, the assumption is that the attacker is from Epping Hill. The incident sparks outrage and, when it is discovered that the female victim is the niece of the mayor, the pressure is on to find the attacker. I thought I was in for a standard police procedural with a crime or two to solve and a few detectives working to put the culprits away but what I got is a complex, multi-layered crime novel with well-drawn characters and an excellent plot. It’s not your usual procedural - which is a good thing.
The investigation is lead by Detective Sergeant George Elms, an amiable and hardworking officer. As his team works to solve this case and several others, Detective Inspector Craig Jacobs, recently transferred from the Met, tries to convince the acting chief superintendent, Graham Huntington, to approve his bold and not exactly above board plan to infiltrate Epping Hill and take care of the problem from within. Desperate to solve the Epping Hill problem, Huntington agrees. This operation will be very revealing, in more ways than one.
The characters are really good. George and his team are very believable with an easy camaraderie. I enjoyed the scenes with the three of them bantering. None of the characters are cardboard cutouts. All have distinct personalities so, even though there are several main players, there is no issue in keeping them straight.
Though the book never drags, it is a little slow to take off as all the players and pieces are laid out and then put into motion. At first, I wondered about how some of the threads would play into the bigger picture but everything is woven together as the novel progresses, creating an in-depth portrait of the criminal faction as well as the police, the good and bad parts. It reads as very authentic and gritty. The authenticity is due to the writer currently serving as a U.K. police detective, which I found intriguing because of the insight he provides into the inner workings of the police.
There are many twists and turns, some humor and some heartache in Bodily Harm. It is a very good read and I recommend it to fans of police procedurals that have a gritty, realistic tone. Unfortunately, it is not wrapped up in the end. I’m not a fan of cliffhanger endings but it does make this feel real and, with the direction the plot headed in near the end, it could not be tied up in a neat little bow. All in all, it’s an enjoyable, well-written book that has left me eagerly awaiting the next installment.
February 18, 2018
I have always been sceptical about books like Bodily Harm when I’ve seen them on Amazon because this publisher in particular has books that look similar to those by a very popular crime author and they also have authors that seem to release a book every other month. Well, I had hardly begun reading Bodily Harm when I became addicted and wanted to kick myself for not reading it sooner. It’s one of the best crime fiction books that I have read this year and I can’t wait to continue with the series. Kindle Unlimited is providing me with so many fantastic reads recently and so I highly recommend joining if you haven’t already.
In the crowded world of crime fiction it can be hard for an author or a story to stick out. Bodily Harm is an original and exciting tale and, whilst I don’t know how believable something like this would be in real life, it was certainly an exhilarating, tense and dangerous read and I loved every second of it. The fictionalised setting is well-imagined, being a seaside town that has lost its identity due to the increase in foreign holidays with an estate that even the police joke about not wanting to enter. Estates like this are commonplace in the genre but this setting allowed Charlie to really push the boundaries with his storytelling. Our main character is George Elms who knows every inch of the estate. He’s a great character, hugely likeable and I enjoyed following along with his journey and sharing in the good moments and the bad. Charlie has done a great job of really making the reader feel for this character and integrates his home life into his work life very well. The events here in Bodily Harm will have lasting repercussions and I can’t wait to see what they are.
I don’t even want to allude too much to what happens regarding the estate but some police officers have an idea of one way that they can the estate of crime and tackle all of the inherent problems that take place there. I read a Luke Delaney crime novel that had similar ideas however what happens here is absolutely fantastic and as said earlier, I’m not sure how believable it was however thinking about it now I think something like this could actually happen in real life were people such as those depicted in Bodily Harm given that power in real life. It’s a truly scary thought and reminds you of the fact that whilst the police are there to protect us, just one or two of them being corrupt at a higher level can have a seriously detrimental effect.
What I loved about Bodily Harm was how Charlie keeps the reader on their toes the whole way through. I honestly couldn’t have predicted where this story was going to go when the idea is first mooted about how the police are going to tackle crime on the estate. There’s so many brilliant twists and turns and I feel as if I have lived them all alongside George. As the first in a series this has left me desperate to read more and so I’ll be downloading the second in the series straightaway. I highly recommend Bodily Harm to crime fiction fans especially those who like their crime a little bit grittier and who want a less conventional read than those that we get from mainstream publishers.
In the crowded world of crime fiction it can be hard for an author or a story to stick out. Bodily Harm is an original and exciting tale and, whilst I don’t know how believable something like this would be in real life, it was certainly an exhilarating, tense and dangerous read and I loved every second of it. The fictionalised setting is well-imagined, being a seaside town that has lost its identity due to the increase in foreign holidays with an estate that even the police joke about not wanting to enter. Estates like this are commonplace in the genre but this setting allowed Charlie to really push the boundaries with his storytelling. Our main character is George Elms who knows every inch of the estate. He’s a great character, hugely likeable and I enjoyed following along with his journey and sharing in the good moments and the bad. Charlie has done a great job of really making the reader feel for this character and integrates his home life into his work life very well. The events here in Bodily Harm will have lasting repercussions and I can’t wait to see what they are.
I don’t even want to allude too much to what happens regarding the estate but some police officers have an idea of one way that they can the estate of crime and tackle all of the inherent problems that take place there. I read a Luke Delaney crime novel that had similar ideas however what happens here is absolutely fantastic and as said earlier, I’m not sure how believable it was however thinking about it now I think something like this could actually happen in real life were people such as those depicted in Bodily Harm given that power in real life. It’s a truly scary thought and reminds you of the fact that whilst the police are there to protect us, just one or two of them being corrupt at a higher level can have a seriously detrimental effect.
What I loved about Bodily Harm was how Charlie keeps the reader on their toes the whole way through. I honestly couldn’t have predicted where this story was going to go when the idea is first mooted about how the police are going to tackle crime on the estate. There’s so many brilliant twists and turns and I feel as if I have lived them all alongside George. As the first in a series this has left me desperate to read more and so I’ll be downloading the second in the series straightaway. I highly recommend Bodily Harm to crime fiction fans especially those who like their crime a little bit grittier and who want a less conventional read than those that we get from mainstream publishers.
February 7, 2017
I really enjoyed this. It was gritty, dark, and authentic. I'm still reeling over some of the things Charlie Gallagher put me through! Some brave choices. Made the book bleak and even slightly depressing at times... but I won't forget it. When's the next one come out?! Count me in. There are A LOT of characters and things to keep track of, but it's worth it. I'm a big fan of the dictionary of slang and character list in the back of the book. I'm sure it's quite helpful for a lot of people.
The book begins with a flirty, cheerful walk to a bus stop. Two seventeen year olds are headed home. This was a trip they'll come to regret... when a robbery goes wrong, they're both badly injured. The female ends up having a politician in the family and what may have been dismissed as just another terrible crime becomes larger and puts a lot of pressure on the police department. Crime rates have been soaring in the area, thanks in large part to Epping Hill Estate. It's a haven for violent criminals and drug addicts, and has steadily been becoming a huge problem. Detective George Elms, a kind and bright man with a young daughter and pregnant wife tries to find the culprit as others in the force come up with alternate plans to infiltrate the estate, no matter the cost... maybe not exactly by the book.
A very absorbing story with memorable characters. I look forward to seeing more! I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Joffe Books, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
The book begins with a flirty, cheerful walk to a bus stop. Two seventeen year olds are headed home. This was a trip they'll come to regret... when a robbery goes wrong, they're both badly injured. The female ends up having a politician in the family and what may have been dismissed as just another terrible crime becomes larger and puts a lot of pressure on the police department. Crime rates have been soaring in the area, thanks in large part to Epping Hill Estate. It's a haven for violent criminals and drug addicts, and has steadily been becoming a huge problem. Detective George Elms, a kind and bright man with a young daughter and pregnant wife tries to find the culprit as others in the force come up with alternate plans to infiltrate the estate, no matter the cost... maybe not exactly by the book.
A very absorbing story with memorable characters. I look forward to seeing more! I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Joffe Books, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
March 4, 2018
Bodily Harm is the first book in the Detective George Elms series and boy what a way to start it off!
I absolutely loved George. Strong, dependable, compassionate, everything you want in a man never mind in a detective. I really enjoyed getting to know his wife and daughter and how he juggles personal issues with his work. For me it humanises his character more and I found I could really empathise with him.
The story starts off strong with an awful attack on two teens which shows just what low lives some of these criminals are. What I enjoyed seeing is how George handles the victims as well as the criminals. To a certain extent he can see the good in some of them but definitely not all, as no matter what, sometimes there is just no good to be found.
I was so engrossed in this story, happily reading along and then the author suddenly ups the pace sending me spinning. I certainly won’t go into what happens but the story takes a very dark and twisted turn that left me reeling. There was so many shocks and surprises that more than once I forgot to close my mouth.
Bodily Harm is a highly entertaining start to a new crime series to me. Can’t wait to read more.
I absolutely loved George. Strong, dependable, compassionate, everything you want in a man never mind in a detective. I really enjoyed getting to know his wife and daughter and how he juggles personal issues with his work. For me it humanises his character more and I found I could really empathise with him.
The story starts off strong with an awful attack on two teens which shows just what low lives some of these criminals are. What I enjoyed seeing is how George handles the victims as well as the criminals. To a certain extent he can see the good in some of them but definitely not all, as no matter what, sometimes there is just no good to be found.
I was so engrossed in this story, happily reading along and then the author suddenly ups the pace sending me spinning. I certainly won’t go into what happens but the story takes a very dark and twisted turn that left me reeling. There was so many shocks and surprises that more than once I forgot to close my mouth.
Bodily Harm is a highly entertaining start to a new crime series to me. Can’t wait to read more.
July 27, 2017
While I'm actually a huge fan of British crime and detective stories that are shown on TV, I haven't read many British crime authors. Probably because the few times that I've read British crime books, they've been disappointing, to say the least.
The way it feels to me, is that the writers for TV-series, together with the British TV-makers have more of a knack to bring the brilliance of the story-telling to light.
To be fair, I don't know what to make of Bodily Harm. On one side, there's this sympathetic Sergeant Detective, George Elms on one side, who's investigating a vicious attack on a young couple on a bus. The way, he goes about his investigation is truly unclear to me. It takes him forever to get down to business. On the other side, there's a bigger bunch of incompetent police people, whether they are stuck on bureaucracy for some, or have a tendency to resort to violence for others, they are so counterproductive to the story.
Like I said, I felt this read was unhinged, and I am not sure that I will read another book by this author.
The way it feels to me, is that the writers for TV-series, together with the British TV-makers have more of a knack to bring the brilliance of the story-telling to light.
To be fair, I don't know what to make of Bodily Harm. On one side, there's this sympathetic Sergeant Detective, George Elms on one side, who's investigating a vicious attack on a young couple on a bus. The way, he goes about his investigation is truly unclear to me. It takes him forever to get down to business. On the other side, there's a bigger bunch of incompetent police people, whether they are stuck on bureaucracy for some, or have a tendency to resort to violence for others, they are so counterproductive to the story.
Like I said, I felt this read was unhinged, and I am not sure that I will read another book by this author.
February 23, 2017
Disclaimer: While I aim to be unbiased, I received a copy of this for free to review.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It’s not that it didn’t sound good – it’s just that I’ve received a lot of ‘iffy‘ books of late, and for the first couple of pages of Bodily Harm, I was worried that it was about to happen again. And then it got pretty good, pretty quickly, and I soon realised that I’d underestimated it.
In fact, it reminded me of something that I’m trying to achieve with some of my own work – it was a detective/crime novel which didn’t spend too much time going into the backstory, concentrating instead of packing as much plot in as possible. My upcoming series is more like Miss Marple meets Douglas Adams, but Gallagher has made Roy Grace bump into…well, actually, I don’t have a comparison here.
Bodily Harm isn’t amazing – it’s not the kind of book that will blow your mind or have you re-reading it a dozen times – but it is still a solid thriller, worth reading purely because of its length. If it was any longer, it wouldn’t be as good. But at this length, it’s the sort of book that you can pick up and work your whole way through in just a single day if you’re not careful. Sometimes that’s a good thing and sometimes that’s a bad thing. Only you can decide what kind of book it is that you’re looking for.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It’s not that it didn’t sound good – it’s just that I’ve received a lot of ‘iffy‘ books of late, and for the first couple of pages of Bodily Harm, I was worried that it was about to happen again. And then it got pretty good, pretty quickly, and I soon realised that I’d underestimated it.
In fact, it reminded me of something that I’m trying to achieve with some of my own work – it was a detective/crime novel which didn’t spend too much time going into the backstory, concentrating instead of packing as much plot in as possible. My upcoming series is more like Miss Marple meets Douglas Adams, but Gallagher has made Roy Grace bump into…well, actually, I don’t have a comparison here.
Bodily Harm isn’t amazing – it’s not the kind of book that will blow your mind or have you re-reading it a dozen times – but it is still a solid thriller, worth reading purely because of its length. If it was any longer, it wouldn’t be as good. But at this length, it’s the sort of book that you can pick up and work your whole way through in just a single day if you’re not careful. Sometimes that’s a good thing and sometimes that’s a bad thing. Only you can decide what kind of book it is that you’re looking for.
September 3, 2017
On a roll at the moment, checking out new authors to me and really enjoying some of my finds. This one is another find, that means I've also added another must read author to my list.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
Detective George Elms, a likeable and believable character. And learning about him and his family in this book was great. The ups and the downs, balancing home life and work life. There was times in this book I actually cried with or for George. A real likeable character.
I think in this book you can certainly tell it's written by someone who has been a serving officer. An interesting read full of suspense. Twists and turns but I found the ending a little strange, and had one or two questions that hadn't been answered.
Overall not a bad read.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
Detective George Elms, a likeable and believable character. And learning about him and his family in this book was great. The ups and the downs, balancing home life and work life. There was times in this book I actually cried with or for George. A real likeable character.
I think in this book you can certainly tell it's written by someone who has been a serving officer. An interesting read full of suspense. Twists and turns but I found the ending a little strange, and had one or two questions that hadn't been answered.
Overall not a bad read.
April 30, 2017
Great read.
If you like tense crime thrillers with psychological twists and turns then this is the series for you.
I have read all the books in the series and now can't wait for the next installment. X
If you like tense crime thrillers with psychological twists and turns then this is the series for you.
I have read all the books in the series and now can't wait for the next installment. X
April 29, 2017
First line: "The town of Langthorne had once been a popular holiday destination, and a highly desirable place to live."
Wow. I am shocked at the ending of this novel. I can't believe what has just happened...and I'm left in a certain state of frustration and disgust. I am content to know that there is another book - that hopefully, follows the story of this one...because I need to know what happened, or better yet, what WILL happen.
I started into this novel hoping for something good to unwind from a long semester at university, and this is just what I got. Nothing like a suspenseful novel to take your mind away from things! I don't want to give away a single morsel of this story, but I shall just say that it is crazy how one single act can lead to such grave consequences - especially when the thought of these consequences never crossed the mind of the innocent party.
Phenomenal read, I must say.
Wow. I am shocked at the ending of this novel. I can't believe what has just happened...and I'm left in a certain state of frustration and disgust. I am content to know that there is another book - that hopefully, follows the story of this one...because I need to know what happened, or better yet, what WILL happen.
I started into this novel hoping for something good to unwind from a long semester at university, and this is just what I got. Nothing like a suspenseful novel to take your mind away from things! I don't want to give away a single morsel of this story, but I shall just say that it is crazy how one single act can lead to such grave consequences - especially when the thought of these consequences never crossed the mind of the innocent party.
Phenomenal read, I must say.
May 1, 2018
Simple and clean writing and storyline.... I enjoyed the quick read. While I usually prefer extremely complicated stories, I enjoyed this simple, suspenseful, and unique story. I hadn’t thought of some of these plot turns before this, and enjoyed being surprised. Only after finishing this novel did I learn that the author had been on the front lines of LE in the UK—this makes a lot of sense; his descriptions of investigations and apprehending a suspect seem very realistic. I look forward to reading more from him.
August 7, 2023
Very quick read, I enjoyed it but thought the ending could have been better. Presumably the story will be continued in the next one of the series.
July 5, 2017
This is the first book that I read from this author. I found it riveting and I had to finish it in one sitting. Everything about this is enthralling.... The characters, plot and the was it is written. It is about a DS called George Elms and the level of personal sacrifice and police corruption he has to deL with. I wont say to much as it is a great read and highly recommended :-)
June 9, 2017
I absolutely loved this book, and have downloaded the next two books in the series!
I found this book to be intriguing and fast paced. There was so much going on, I almost wasn't sure what was going on as I raced through the pages!
Detective George Elms is a loveable rouge in my opinion, and I loved the fact that as a main character he was not lacking flaws and bad luck, his own life story ran along with the book and made him feel more realistic and I really warmed to him. I liked that he was not the typical male policeman at the centre of a story, and that you felt like you wanted to hug and slap him at the same time . All of the characters are mostly likeable, yet you can spot the baddie's a mile off, but I think this was the intention. You can also almost pinpoint what is going to happen, but it really didn't spoil the book or the story for me, or make it any less exciting.
I actually cannot wait to read the next one!
Thank Charlie Gallagher and thank you NetGalley for introducing me to this series!
I love any sort of Police/Crime books, and this book really whips you in and keeps you there.
I found this book to be intriguing and fast paced. There was so much going on, I almost wasn't sure what was going on as I raced through the pages!
Detective George Elms is a loveable rouge in my opinion, and I loved the fact that as a main character he was not lacking flaws and bad luck, his own life story ran along with the book and made him feel more realistic and I really warmed to him. I liked that he was not the typical male policeman at the centre of a story, and that you felt like you wanted to hug and slap him at the same time . All of the characters are mostly likeable, yet you can spot the baddie's a mile off, but I think this was the intention. You can also almost pinpoint what is going to happen, but it really didn't spoil the book or the story for me, or make it any less exciting.
I actually cannot wait to read the next one!
Thank Charlie Gallagher and thank you NetGalley for introducing me to this series!
I love any sort of Police/Crime books, and this book really whips you in and keeps you there.
February 5, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for a review copy of Bodily Harm, the first novel in the Langthorne Police series.
Sgt. George Elms is called out to an attack on a bus. A teenager has been slashed during an attempted robbery. All the signs point to an attack by a junkie from the notorious nearby Epping Hill Estate which is a bit of a no-go area for the police. With the publicity from the attack and a You Tube video painting the police in a bad light Superintendent Huntington is persuaded to set up an off the books operation to try and eradicate the Epping Hill problem but it doesn't go as planned.
I was initially attracted to this novel by the publisher, Joffe Books, who consistently publish very readable police procedurals (my favourite genre) and I wasn't disappointed by Bodily Harm which is an absorbing read. The plotting is quite dense with lots going on. There are twists, surprises and some sadness as well, all of which had me glued to the pages. It maybe pushes the bounds of plausibility by the end but that isn't necessarily a negative as it adds to the excitement.
The pacing of the novel is fast with new developments in every chapter. It never seems to let up. I also liked the tone of the novel. It is gritty in its depiction of life on a run down estate. It is also one of the few novels I have read to show junior officers checking their seniors and getting away with it. This seems to me to be a more realistic portrayal of the workplace than the rigid hierarchy often shown. There is also a vein of everyday humour in the characters' conversations which lightens the read.
The police characters are mostly very pleasant and have a great camaraderie which gets you rooting for them. The main character Sergeant George Elms is a caring, considerate man with a happy home life but he is no pushover. The bad guys, on the other hand, are not particularly well developed beyond violent sociopath.
I enjoyed Bodily Harm and have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.
Sgt. George Elms is called out to an attack on a bus. A teenager has been slashed during an attempted robbery. All the signs point to an attack by a junkie from the notorious nearby Epping Hill Estate which is a bit of a no-go area for the police. With the publicity from the attack and a You Tube video painting the police in a bad light Superintendent Huntington is persuaded to set up an off the books operation to try and eradicate the Epping Hill problem but it doesn't go as planned.
I was initially attracted to this novel by the publisher, Joffe Books, who consistently publish very readable police procedurals (my favourite genre) and I wasn't disappointed by Bodily Harm which is an absorbing read. The plotting is quite dense with lots going on. There are twists, surprises and some sadness as well, all of which had me glued to the pages. It maybe pushes the bounds of plausibility by the end but that isn't necessarily a negative as it adds to the excitement.
The pacing of the novel is fast with new developments in every chapter. It never seems to let up. I also liked the tone of the novel. It is gritty in its depiction of life on a run down estate. It is also one of the few novels I have read to show junior officers checking their seniors and getting away with it. This seems to me to be a more realistic portrayal of the workplace than the rigid hierarchy often shown. There is also a vein of everyday humour in the characters' conversations which lightens the read.
The police characters are mostly very pleasant and have a great camaraderie which gets you rooting for them. The main character Sergeant George Elms is a caring, considerate man with a happy home life but he is no pushover. The bad guys, on the other hand, are not particularly well developed beyond violent sociopath.
I enjoyed Bodily Harm and have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.
February 10, 2017
I am always attracted to novels written by actual detectives, so it is no surprise that I picked up a copy of Bodily Harm. It wasn’t your run of the mill British police procedural. Instead, Bodily Harm is a complex crime thriller that demonstrates just how much media can affect policing. Readers can expect a number of surprises.
The novel begins with an attack on two teens (ostensibly a robbery motivated by drugs), one of whom is the niece of the current mayor. As a result of media and political pressure, the police are desperate to lower crime in the Effingell Estate. Detective George Elms is in charge of investigating the attack, but his boss has other priorities. Ambition and desperation lead Huntingdon to accept a risky plan for undercover infiltration of the Effingell Estate, an action that will have far reaching consequences.
The character development and pacing were both excellent. Gallagher makes his characters believable, with individual strengths and weaknesses. I also liked the distinctly different plot. My only complaint is that Bodily Harm ends without a definite conclusion. That in itself is realistic, but I would have liked a bit more of a resolution. I look forward to reading Gallagher’s next novel featuring George Elms.
4/5
I received a copy of Bodily Harm from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
The novel begins with an attack on two teens (ostensibly a robbery motivated by drugs), one of whom is the niece of the current mayor. As a result of media and political pressure, the police are desperate to lower crime in the Effingell Estate. Detective George Elms is in charge of investigating the attack, but his boss has other priorities. Ambition and desperation lead Huntingdon to accept a risky plan for undercover infiltration of the Effingell Estate, an action that will have far reaching consequences.
The character development and pacing were both excellent. Gallagher makes his characters believable, with individual strengths and weaknesses. I also liked the distinctly different plot. My only complaint is that Bodily Harm ends without a definite conclusion. That in itself is realistic, but I would have liked a bit more of a resolution. I look forward to reading Gallagher’s next novel featuring George Elms.
4/5
I received a copy of Bodily Harm from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
February 3, 2017
4 and ½ stars
Sergeant George Elms is a police officer assigned to the Epping Hill Estate, otherwise known as “Effingell.” Effingell is the worst of the worst. It’s a place where the cops don’t want to go. Run down and housing the worst society has to offer, it is a very dangerous place.
George picks up a call about two teens and a bus driver assaulted just off of the estate. The young girl is badly assaulted and just happens to be the mayor’s niece.
This book is about a day in the life of the average cop shop. While George and his team are investigating the assault, they also have other cases to work. Meanwhile, there are the politics of everyday policing going on in the background. The hardcases are about town doing their best to commit crimes and make life difficult for the local police. And the hardcases aren’t only the criminals. Life for George and his team is going to get very difficult in this novel.
This is a very well written book. The characters are believable and the story is well plotted. I really liked George and his team. I will most certainly read the next in the series, or anything else written by Charlie Gallagher. He is a wonderful writer and a great new find.
Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read.
Sergeant George Elms is a police officer assigned to the Epping Hill Estate, otherwise known as “Effingell.” Effingell is the worst of the worst. It’s a place where the cops don’t want to go. Run down and housing the worst society has to offer, it is a very dangerous place.
George picks up a call about two teens and a bus driver assaulted just off of the estate. The young girl is badly assaulted and just happens to be the mayor’s niece.
This book is about a day in the life of the average cop shop. While George and his team are investigating the assault, they also have other cases to work. Meanwhile, there are the politics of everyday policing going on in the background. The hardcases are about town doing their best to commit crimes and make life difficult for the local police. And the hardcases aren’t only the criminals. Life for George and his team is going to get very difficult in this novel.
This is a very well written book. The characters are believable and the story is well plotted. I really liked George and his team. I will most certainly read the next in the series, or anything else written by Charlie Gallagher. He is a wonderful writer and a great new find.
Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read.
November 8, 2017
Bodily Harm revolves around the policing of the sort of tough estate that many towns and cities have where some of the residents think they are above the law. A teenage couple are attacked on a bus and the story kicks off as a fairly run-of-the-mill investigation with the main suspect apparently living on the aforementioned tough estate. As the novel progresses, quite a number of characters join in, often with little to tell them apart. There are several working police and several office-based police and whilst by the end it was obvious who was who, for the most of the novel none of them were very well defined. While the (sort of) main character is bumbling about with an investigation that is going nowhere, the story takes a different tack and ends up becoming ridiculous. Any interest I had in the outcome dissipated and I only continued reading because it was a quick read and I don't like to abandon books. Not a terrible novel, but overall pretty mediocre and rather silly.
February 10, 2017
A great start to a new series. A really good crime thriller/police procedural. Well written, good plot and a few surprising twists thrown in. I was disappointed to reach the last page and I look forward to the next book in the series. An excellent debut by Charlie Gallagher. Many thanks to Net Galley, Joffe Books and the author for my copy. I really enjoyed the read.
February 25, 2017
Multi layered with crap ending
The book was gripping.Multi layered and thought provoking .The bizarre sudden ending demanding the reader to buy the next installment if you are to find out what happened.Cop out.
The book was gripping.Multi layered and thought provoking .The bizarre sudden ending demanding the reader to buy the next installment if you are to find out what happened.Cop out.
March 14, 2017
Lousy ending
I kept reading expecting an explanation. Nope just like a tv series with no ending in site. Don't bother reading the follow up. Yes read it too again no ending in site. Makes no sense to me, lousy lousy police work. I am glad I did not pay for them.
I kept reading expecting an explanation. Nope just like a tv series with no ending in site. Don't bother reading the follow up. Yes read it too again no ending in site. Makes no sense to me, lousy lousy police work. I am glad I did not pay for them.
March 1, 2017
A good idea and generally really well written. For me, it was totally spoilt by the ending which seemed totally unbelievable and very rushed.
November 2, 2018
I'm really tardy to the party where this series is concerned, but in this case, better late than never for real. This is Book 1 in the series about a detective named George Elms, and includes his precinct, the areas surrounding said precinct, and those law enforcement personnel within.
This first book includes one particularly brutal case that pushes a snowball full of betrayal and lies rolling down that proverbial hill. Of course, everyone knows that hard-core criminals cannot be trusted, but you can always trust the police, and the line between them is crystal clear. Right? Unfortunately, circumstances in this particular area of the city have blurred those lines, and blindly trusting one side or the other can be a matter of life and death.
A lot of novels claim twists and turns around every corner, but some of them are still quite predictable. Bodily Harm is NOT one of those. This story takes you down paths that lead you to steep cliff edges where the ground under your feet suddenly disappears over and over again. 'Twists and turns' doesn't begin to cover Bodily Harm's storyline, but the word 'thriller' certainly does. You get to know each and every character, each and every location, and each and every event in such detail that it feels as if you are there. The fear becomes just as real to you the reader as it does to the characters.
Charlie Gallagher writes in an extremely visual style, and even with multiple characters and locations, with as much information as you are given, it never becomes difficult to follow where the writer is leading you. Before you finish the first story, you are already making sure you can get your hands on the next one. I certainly did, and as soon as I finished this one, I began reading Book 2, and just as I expected, by the second chapter, I was hooked yet again. I recommend Bodily Harm to anyone who enjoys tagging along with police detectives as they investigate crimes, but this George Elms series is so much more than that. You are taken into two worlds - the one filled with light and good and the one filled with darkness and evil. Then, you are dropped into that hazy middle and left to try to figure the right way out.
Definitely get into this series, but begin with Book 1 and go from there because you don't want to miss out on a character or an event and risk interrupting the flow. I'm going to close now - Book 2 awaits!
This first book includes one particularly brutal case that pushes a snowball full of betrayal and lies rolling down that proverbial hill. Of course, everyone knows that hard-core criminals cannot be trusted, but you can always trust the police, and the line between them is crystal clear. Right? Unfortunately, circumstances in this particular area of the city have blurred those lines, and blindly trusting one side or the other can be a matter of life and death.
A lot of novels claim twists and turns around every corner, but some of them are still quite predictable. Bodily Harm is NOT one of those. This story takes you down paths that lead you to steep cliff edges where the ground under your feet suddenly disappears over and over again. 'Twists and turns' doesn't begin to cover Bodily Harm's storyline, but the word 'thriller' certainly does. You get to know each and every character, each and every location, and each and every event in such detail that it feels as if you are there. The fear becomes just as real to you the reader as it does to the characters.
Charlie Gallagher writes in an extremely visual style, and even with multiple characters and locations, with as much information as you are given, it never becomes difficult to follow where the writer is leading you. Before you finish the first story, you are already making sure you can get your hands on the next one. I certainly did, and as soon as I finished this one, I began reading Book 2, and just as I expected, by the second chapter, I was hooked yet again. I recommend Bodily Harm to anyone who enjoys tagging along with police detectives as they investigate crimes, but this George Elms series is so much more than that. You are taken into two worlds - the one filled with light and good and the one filled with darkness and evil. Then, you are dropped into that hazy middle and left to try to figure the right way out.
Definitely get into this series, but begin with Book 1 and go from there because you don't want to miss out on a character or an event and risk interrupting the flow. I'm going to close now - Book 2 awaits!
November 27, 2018
Langthorne detective George Elms is called to a grisly attempted murder of the mayor’s niece on a public bus in the notorious Effingell Estate (the equivalent of U.S. “housing projects” in inner cities). The area has long been a hotbed of crime and drug abuse and the community wants action. Eh, so the residents are killing each other, so what, but when they take after the mayor’s relative, Something. Must. Be. Done! Elms is a bright, steady, results-oriented, straight arrow detective, and doesn’t quite believe it when a lowlife conveniently confesses to the attack. He is under pressure from all angles, including his weenie of a boss, to resolve the situation and move on, but he can’t let go and his investigation puts everything and everyone he loves at risk.
I have become a huge fan of this author in a very short time. He is a serving United Kingdom police officer in real life, and his stories have the ring of authenticity. The characters are realistic, the action is non-stop, and the settings well described. I particularly like Elms, because while he is clearly one of the good guys, he occasionally loses his temper and acts like a real person, rather than a cardboard cut out of what a cop should be. Another thing I like is that while some of the characters are truly bad, with no redeeming qualities, occasionally one comes along who still has enough of a conscience to struggle over the path he or she has taken. It makes the stories very interesting.
This was another edge-of-the-seat read for me. I think I read the entire book in a 24-hour period because I was so invested in the characters and hungry to know what happened. The ending is abrupt, and sets up the story for the next book. Sometimes that annoys me, but this time I just wanted to know what was going to happen, so immediately purchased book 2 in the series.
If you like gritty, dark, realistic British police procedurals, this is the series for you. I’ll be reading this series as long as the author writes it.
I have become a huge fan of this author in a very short time. He is a serving United Kingdom police officer in real life, and his stories have the ring of authenticity. The characters are realistic, the action is non-stop, and the settings well described. I particularly like Elms, because while he is clearly one of the good guys, he occasionally loses his temper and acts like a real person, rather than a cardboard cut out of what a cop should be. Another thing I like is that while some of the characters are truly bad, with no redeeming qualities, occasionally one comes along who still has enough of a conscience to struggle over the path he or she has taken. It makes the stories very interesting.
This was another edge-of-the-seat read for me. I think I read the entire book in a 24-hour period because I was so invested in the characters and hungry to know what happened. The ending is abrupt, and sets up the story for the next book. Sometimes that annoys me, but this time I just wanted to know what was going to happen, so immediately purchased book 2 in the series.
If you like gritty, dark, realistic British police procedurals, this is the series for you. I’ll be reading this series as long as the author writes it.
October 31, 2021
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and what a read. While it’s a police procedural, it’s more of a thriller, set against a background of drug fuelled crime that has become impossible to control.
Enter DS George Elms, who has his own issues to deal with at home. An experienced officer, respected by colleagues and many in the community, he does his best to track down and put away the criminals who operate on a notorious estate, nicknamed Effingell. But when a teenage lad and girl are viciously attacked on a bus, media attention forces the top tiers of the police to take action.
The local commander sanctions an undercover team to infiltrate the drug gangs and restore law and order on the estate. It’s not long before someone confesses to the attack on the teenagers. George isn’t convinced and starts making his own enquiries. Not only does it bring him into conflict with his superiors, it puts him in the firing line as the undercover team move in an unexpected direction.
Filled with strong and believable characters, Bodily Harm demonstrates what can go wrong when desperate men take desperate measures. These measures contrast the more measured methods that rely on experience, local knowledge and dogged police work.
There are touching moments too, as George reveals the human side of the police when he deals with the victims of drug use. But even he has his limits, especially when certain lines are crossed. With humour and banter, a lovable chief constable and some authentic action, this story will keep you turning the pages and holding your breath as the climax unfolds.
Enter DS George Elms, who has his own issues to deal with at home. An experienced officer, respected by colleagues and many in the community, he does his best to track down and put away the criminals who operate on a notorious estate, nicknamed Effingell. But when a teenage lad and girl are viciously attacked on a bus, media attention forces the top tiers of the police to take action.
The local commander sanctions an undercover team to infiltrate the drug gangs and restore law and order on the estate. It’s not long before someone confesses to the attack on the teenagers. George isn’t convinced and starts making his own enquiries. Not only does it bring him into conflict with his superiors, it puts him in the firing line as the undercover team move in an unexpected direction.
Filled with strong and believable characters, Bodily Harm demonstrates what can go wrong when desperate men take desperate measures. These measures contrast the more measured methods that rely on experience, local knowledge and dogged police work.
There are touching moments too, as George reveals the human side of the police when he deals with the victims of drug use. But even he has his limits, especially when certain lines are crossed. With humour and banter, a lovable chief constable and some authentic action, this story will keep you turning the pages and holding your breath as the climax unfolds.
March 23, 2024
I have previously read No’s 6&7 of this series and promised myself, because I enjoyed those two so much, to go back and start from the beginning and start from No1 and so I have just completed Bodily Harm. It is only 260 pages long but crammed tight with a really good story which, because it is so easy to read, I finished quite quickly.
The story surrounds the Epping Hill Estate (Effinghell) which is a no go area for decent people and is resided by criminals of all sorts, drug dealers, thieves etc, but it begins with the slashing and attempted robbery of a young girl who was quietly going home on a bus with her boyfriend, after the boyfriend put up a fight the robber got away with nothing but the girl suffered disfiguring injuries. A local drunkard puts himself up for the crime but gritty DS George Elms doesn’t believe him and thinks that he has been coerced into admitting the crime and wants to get to the bottom of it. However, police Superintendent Huntington tells him to stop his enquiries and concentrate on other crimes. George is now suspicious but doesn’t realise the size of the problems that are building, not only on the estate but from within his own police force.
Charlie Gallagher, an ex copper himself, writes a fast paced and gritty novel which is sometimes a little disturbing, the characters are written very well and the plot twists one way and then the other. A very enjoyable read. It did end quite abruptly but I suppose that is to lead on to No2 which I look forward to reading in the near future. 4/5
The story surrounds the Epping Hill Estate (Effinghell) which is a no go area for decent people and is resided by criminals of all sorts, drug dealers, thieves etc, but it begins with the slashing and attempted robbery of a young girl who was quietly going home on a bus with her boyfriend, after the boyfriend put up a fight the robber got away with nothing but the girl suffered disfiguring injuries. A local drunkard puts himself up for the crime but gritty DS George Elms doesn’t believe him and thinks that he has been coerced into admitting the crime and wants to get to the bottom of it. However, police Superintendent Huntington tells him to stop his enquiries and concentrate on other crimes. George is now suspicious but doesn’t realise the size of the problems that are building, not only on the estate but from within his own police force.
Charlie Gallagher, an ex copper himself, writes a fast paced and gritty novel which is sometimes a little disturbing, the characters are written very well and the plot twists one way and then the other. A very enjoyable read. It did end quite abruptly but I suppose that is to lead on to No2 which I look forward to reading in the near future. 4/5
January 11, 2019
I struggled to get into this book, which opens with a bit of an info dump then what could be a tense scene on a bus where teenagers Sophie and Jamie are attacked by a drug addict. The tension is dissipated by jumping between the points of view of everyone on the bus. Although Jamie has a good look at their attacker, he is never questioned by the police and in fact never features again. He hits their attacker a few times but the police don’t carry out any DNA tests on him or his clothes.
The protagonist, DS George Elms, is a promising lead but comes across as a bit dozy when he’s introduced in a very static scene. Finally, half way through chapter two we get to what should be the opening scene. The story then begins to move forward introducing a cocktail of policing, politics and criminals.
The ending – SPOILER ALERT – lost credibility when a badly injured Elms and his Chief Constable decide to confront a very violent and dangerous gang with NO back up and without letting anyone else know where they were going.
Soon after this confrontation, I’m 91% of the way through the kindle, and I’m thinking, ‘We’ve got a fair few loose ends to deal with in the last few pages.’ Then I see the words THE END. What? On the next page is an invitation to buy book two followed by an ad for book three. Sorry, I’m not falling for that one. I expect a book to have a satisfying end, not be part one of several.
The protagonist, DS George Elms, is a promising lead but comes across as a bit dozy when he’s introduced in a very static scene. Finally, half way through chapter two we get to what should be the opening scene. The story then begins to move forward introducing a cocktail of policing, politics and criminals.
The ending – SPOILER ALERT – lost credibility when a badly injured Elms and his Chief Constable decide to confront a very violent and dangerous gang with NO back up and without letting anyone else know where they were going.
Soon after this confrontation, I’m 91% of the way through the kindle, and I’m thinking, ‘We’ve got a fair few loose ends to deal with in the last few pages.’ Then I see the words THE END. What? On the next page is an invitation to buy book two followed by an ad for book three. Sorry, I’m not falling for that one. I expect a book to have a satisfying end, not be part one of several.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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