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Tom Thorne #14
Love Like Blood
Internationally bestselling author Mark Billingham’s riveting new novel Love Like Blood marks the return of series character Tom Thorne, “the next superstar detective” (Lee Child), as he pairs up with perfectionist detective inspector Nicola Tanner of Die of Shame on an investigation that ventures into politically sensitive territory.
DI Nicola Tanner needs Tom Thorne’s help. Her partner, Susan, has been brutally murdered and Tanner is convinced that it was a case of mistaken identity—that she was the real target. The murderer’s motive might have something to do with Tanner’s recent work on a string of cold-case honor killings she believes to be related. Tanner is now on compassionate leave but insists on pursuing the case off the books and knows Thorne is just the man to jump into the fire with her. He agrees but quickly finds that working in such controversial territory is dangerous in more ways than one. And when a young couple goes missing, they have a chance to investigate a case that is anything but cold.
Racing towards a twist-filled ending, Love Like Blood is another feat of masterful plotting from one of Britain’s top crime novelists.
DI Nicola Tanner needs Tom Thorne’s help. Her partner, Susan, has been brutally murdered and Tanner is convinced that it was a case of mistaken identity—that she was the real target. The murderer’s motive might have something to do with Tanner’s recent work on a string of cold-case honor killings she believes to be related. Tanner is now on compassionate leave but insists on pursuing the case off the books and knows Thorne is just the man to jump into the fire with her. He agrees but quickly finds that working in such controversial territory is dangerous in more ways than one. And when a young couple goes missing, they have a chance to investigate a case that is anything but cold.
Racing towards a twist-filled ending, Love Like Blood is another feat of masterful plotting from one of Britain’s top crime novelists.
422 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2017
386 people are currently reading
1775 people want to read
About the author
Mark Billingham
104 books2,170 followersAlso writes as Will Peterson with Peter Cocks.
Mark Billingham was born and brought up in Birmingham. Having worked for some years as an actor and more recently as a TV writer and stand-up comedian his first crime novel was published in 2001. Mark lives in North London with his wife and two children.
Mark Billingham was born and brought up in Birmingham. Having worked for some years as an actor and more recently as a TV writer and stand-up comedian his first crime novel was published in 2001. Mark lives in North London with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 390 reviews
May 15, 2017
Book #14 in the Tom Thorne series gives us a proper twisty police procedural that deals with a delicate issue.
DI Nicola Tanner is convinced her partner’s murder was a case of mistaken identity & she was the real target. Tanner has a theory about some recent honour killings in London. It’s a sensitive subject & she hasn’t exactly endeared herself to members of the religious communities involved.
When she’s put on compassionate leave, some of her colleagues are hoping a little time away will help ease tension between the victim’s families & police.
But Nicola has other plans. She figures her partner was killed because she was getting too close. All she needs is another cop willing to help, someone with a fluid regard for the rules who won’t mind colouring outside the lines if necessary. Someone like….oooh, I don’t know….Tom Thorne, maybe.
They met on a previous case (“Die of Shame”) & although Tom is initially reluctant, Nicola isn’t above playing the sympathy card to get him on board. Besides, there’s a good chance one of his old unsolved homicides is related.
“Nuff said about the main plot line. There are plenty of zigs & zags to keep you guessing, especially when you throw in several characters with questionable loyalties. But what really grips you is the subject matter. People of all religions find the concept of honour killings difficult to understand. Here, we are privy to the domestic situations of young men & women who are caught between parents’ traditional expectations & the freer lifestyle that a big city like London has to offer. The book also looks at the challenges faced by police when they attempt to investigate the crimes. Finding someone from the community willing to break the code of silence is difficult. If they press too hard, they may be accused of cultural insensitivity or racial prejudice. It’s a political hot potato that leaves both sides frustrated & many of the cases end up unsolved (see author’s comments at the end for a sobering dose of reality).
But this is not a sermon about who’s right & who’s wrong. Instead, Billingham personalizes the issue by giving us relatable characters of all stripes who are just trying to live their lives. There are some nice twists along the way & he reserves a couple of whoppers for the final pages. One in particular, I gotta say….man, I did NOT see that coming.
As usual, we get to enjoy Tom trading insults with ME Phil Hendricks over a few pints. I love Phil. If Lisbeth Salander & Quincy had a child (ok, a much younger Quincy) Phil might be the result. More time is given to Tom’s personal life & we get a closer look at his relationship with Helen as well as the challenges faced by 2 cops living under one roof.
It’s an intricately plotted & pacey story that keeps you turning the pages to see how it all shakes out. Picking up one of these books is like running into old friends & I look forward to #15.
DI Nicola Tanner is convinced her partner’s murder was a case of mistaken identity & she was the real target. Tanner has a theory about some recent honour killings in London. It’s a sensitive subject & she hasn’t exactly endeared herself to members of the religious communities involved.
When she’s put on compassionate leave, some of her colleagues are hoping a little time away will help ease tension between the victim’s families & police.
But Nicola has other plans. She figures her partner was killed because she was getting too close. All she needs is another cop willing to help, someone with a fluid regard for the rules who won’t mind colouring outside the lines if necessary. Someone like….oooh, I don’t know….Tom Thorne, maybe.
They met on a previous case (“Die of Shame”) & although Tom is initially reluctant, Nicola isn’t above playing the sympathy card to get him on board. Besides, there’s a good chance one of his old unsolved homicides is related.
“Nuff said about the main plot line. There are plenty of zigs & zags to keep you guessing, especially when you throw in several characters with questionable loyalties. But what really grips you is the subject matter. People of all religions find the concept of honour killings difficult to understand. Here, we are privy to the domestic situations of young men & women who are caught between parents’ traditional expectations & the freer lifestyle that a big city like London has to offer. The book also looks at the challenges faced by police when they attempt to investigate the crimes. Finding someone from the community willing to break the code of silence is difficult. If they press too hard, they may be accused of cultural insensitivity or racial prejudice. It’s a political hot potato that leaves both sides frustrated & many of the cases end up unsolved (see author’s comments at the end for a sobering dose of reality).
But this is not a sermon about who’s right & who’s wrong. Instead, Billingham personalizes the issue by giving us relatable characters of all stripes who are just trying to live their lives. There are some nice twists along the way & he reserves a couple of whoppers for the final pages. One in particular, I gotta say….man, I did NOT see that coming.
As usual, we get to enjoy Tom trading insults with ME Phil Hendricks over a few pints. I love Phil. If Lisbeth Salander & Quincy had a child (ok, a much younger Quincy) Phil might be the result. More time is given to Tom’s personal life & we get a closer look at his relationship with Helen as well as the challenges faced by 2 cops living under one roof.
It’s an intricately plotted & pacey story that keeps you turning the pages to see how it all shakes out. Picking up one of these books is like running into old friends & I look forward to #15.
April 16, 2017
This is the 14th book in the Tom Thorne series by author Mark Billingham. I have read and enjoyed all the previous books in this series so it was a pleasure to read this one. As always the plot was excellent, the characters continue to develop and the overall story well paced.
I am so familiar with these characters that the books are so easy to read that I look forward to each new book in the series.
In this book DI Nicola Tanner needs Tom Thorne’s help. Her partner, Susan, has been brutally murdered and Tanner is convinced that it was a case of mistaken identity and that she was the real target. The murderer’s motive might have something to do with Tanner’s recent work on a string of cold-case honour killings she believes to be related. Tanner is now on compassionate leave but insists on pursuing the case off the books and knows Thorne is just the man to jump into the fire with her. He agrees but quickly finds that working in such controversial territory is dangerous in more ways than one. And when a young couple goes missing, they have a chance to investigate a case that is anything but cold.
This is an excellent addition to the series and I would not only recommend this book but the series itself to any lover of Thrillers.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Grove Atlantic for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I am so familiar with these characters that the books are so easy to read that I look forward to each new book in the series.
In this book DI Nicola Tanner needs Tom Thorne’s help. Her partner, Susan, has been brutally murdered and Tanner is convinced that it was a case of mistaken identity and that she was the real target. The murderer’s motive might have something to do with Tanner’s recent work on a string of cold-case honour killings she believes to be related. Tanner is now on compassionate leave but insists on pursuing the case off the books and knows Thorne is just the man to jump into the fire with her. He agrees but quickly finds that working in such controversial territory is dangerous in more ways than one. And when a young couple goes missing, they have a chance to investigate a case that is anything but cold.
This is an excellent addition to the series and I would not only recommend this book but the series itself to any lover of Thrillers.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Grove Atlantic for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2017
Always a joy to spend some time with Tom Thorne, definitively for me one of the best fictional detectives on the scene currently, with Love Like Blood Mark Billingham tackles a sensitive and I think very important subject with a healthy dose of reality and genuine consideration. That plus giving us a banging great read as always.
Much less a whodunnit and much more a twisted tale to the full truth of the matter, Tom is pulled into a contrary situation by Nicola Tanner (see Die Of Shame ) who having suffered a horrific personal lost is determined to bring those responsible to justice. Convinced it is tied into a theory she was investigating she hopes Thorne will show his usual disregard for procedure and follow the leads unconsidered in the main investigation. So there we begin..
What I love generally speaking is the way this author brings a strong emotional core to the centre of all the stories he writes – the ongoing interpersonal relationships (I’m the biggest fan of Phil you will find) are always layered beautifully into each individual plot, whilst the supporting cast are given just as much depth. The writing is always immersive and completely addictive – as a reader you genuinely live with these people for a while. No different with Love Like Blood which I read fast, often angrily, the best reads are the ones that grip you by the heartstrings, not letting go and send you through a gamut of emotions as you head towards the finale. And this finale had me clutching my hair.
Honor Killings are very real, difficult to talk about, difficult to pin down, Love Like Blood is obviously researched and there is a huge authenticity to it that sends you on that emotional journey. I’d like to point out that when I read the Authors Note after finishing the book I had actual tears in my eyes, it made me look back on what I had just read with slightly different eyes.
Overall a really excellent, entertaining yet hugely thought provoking read that I would actually like to throw at everybody. Read it. Even if you are new to the series I see no reason you couldn’t start here.
There is no life…
Highly Recommended.
Much less a whodunnit and much more a twisted tale to the full truth of the matter, Tom is pulled into a contrary situation by Nicola Tanner (see Die Of Shame ) who having suffered a horrific personal lost is determined to bring those responsible to justice. Convinced it is tied into a theory she was investigating she hopes Thorne will show his usual disregard for procedure and follow the leads unconsidered in the main investigation. So there we begin..
What I love generally speaking is the way this author brings a strong emotional core to the centre of all the stories he writes – the ongoing interpersonal relationships (I’m the biggest fan of Phil you will find) are always layered beautifully into each individual plot, whilst the supporting cast are given just as much depth. The writing is always immersive and completely addictive – as a reader you genuinely live with these people for a while. No different with Love Like Blood which I read fast, often angrily, the best reads are the ones that grip you by the heartstrings, not letting go and send you through a gamut of emotions as you head towards the finale. And this finale had me clutching my hair.
Honor Killings are very real, difficult to talk about, difficult to pin down, Love Like Blood is obviously researched and there is a huge authenticity to it that sends you on that emotional journey. I’d like to point out that when I read the Authors Note after finishing the book I had actual tears in my eyes, it made me look back on what I had just read with slightly different eyes.
Overall a really excellent, entertaining yet hugely thought provoking read that I would actually like to throw at everybody. Read it. Even if you are new to the series I see no reason you couldn’t start here.
There is no life…
Highly Recommended.
March 13, 2020
Tom Thorne is a disobedient Detective, in this the 14th book in the series.
The story is above honour killings in the Sikh and Muslim community.
While this is not the best in the series, it is a long way from the worst.
The story is above honour killings in the Sikh and Muslim community.
While this is not the best in the series, it is a long way from the worst.
May 17, 2018
I haven't read any of the other books in the author's DI Tom Thorne series but I did read the prior DI Nicola Tanner book, "Die of Shame", which I liked more than I liked this book. However, this book works as a standalone. Tanner's partner Susan was recently murdered in their home and she is currently on compassionate leave. Tanner believes that she was actually the target of the killers because of her work on a series of honour killings within the Muslim, Sikh and Hindu communities and she enlists the help of Thorne to conduct an unofficial investigation of Susan's death. Their search is complicated when a teenaged couple disappears. The topic of honour killings was a novel one, but otherwise this was a straightforward police procedural. There was a lot of filler with Tanner's mourning and Thorne's home life with his girlfriend and her 3 year old son. I'm one of those readers who doesn't care about the lives of the detectives, so it felt like padding to me. The book was fine, though unexceptional, and I'd be willing to read more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
March 6, 2018
It has been far too long since I have read a Tom Thorne novel and so I couldn’t wait to read Love Like Blood when I moved it to the top of my TBR. Returning to this series is like meeting old friends again. Thorne is one of my favourite fictional detectives and I love his friendship with Phil Hendricks, his general outlook on life, his love of curries and country music, just everything about him. Except maybe his relationship with Helen, even after a few books with her she just isn’t a character I have really liked all that much and preferred Thorne when he was a loner however I can appreciate the character development here and Thorne becoming somewhat of a family man. I just wish it was with a better character.
Love Like Blood might just be one of Mark Billingham‘s most emotionally charged novels. It wasn’t easy to read in places and I can’t imagine it was easy to write either. The author note at the end of the book revealing just how much fact and truth was used to form this powerful and memorable crime novel. It deals with the subject of honour killings and really opened my eyes to what this entails and it is shocking the lengths families will go to in the name of protecting their image and their faith. We have an idea of some of the culprits as the story opens and we soon follow along with two of the main players and so whilst this isn’t a conventional whodunnit, there are still characters involved in the killings that aren’t fully revealed until the closing pages. However it is all about the story itself and the characters involved. It’s an immersive read that kept me gripped throughout and I hardly put my Kindle down whilst I read this story.
The main storyline aside and it was a whole lot of fun to meet Thorne again. Despite now living with Helen Weeks I loved the mentions of his old life. And how he and Hendricks lamented the fact they would much rather be eating a curry from the Bengal Lancer and not the curry house local to where Thorne now lives. Musical snobbery also returns, as we know Thorne is a huge country fan and we see here that he does not include Taylor Swift in that category (and rightly so). There’s something immensely enjoyable about returning to a series like this and it’s another long-running series that I hope runs for many more books yet. I love this series so much that I can remember when I first read a Thorne novel and the day that I borrowed it from the library. Since then I have read and mostly loved all of them and whilst I think every crime fan will have now read a Mark Billingham novel, if you are one of the unlikely few that haven’t, then I highly recommend that you do.
Love Like Blood might just be one of Mark Billingham‘s most emotionally charged novels. It wasn’t easy to read in places and I can’t imagine it was easy to write either. The author note at the end of the book revealing just how much fact and truth was used to form this powerful and memorable crime novel. It deals with the subject of honour killings and really opened my eyes to what this entails and it is shocking the lengths families will go to in the name of protecting their image and their faith. We have an idea of some of the culprits as the story opens and we soon follow along with two of the main players and so whilst this isn’t a conventional whodunnit, there are still characters involved in the killings that aren’t fully revealed until the closing pages. However it is all about the story itself and the characters involved. It’s an immersive read that kept me gripped throughout and I hardly put my Kindle down whilst I read this story.
The main storyline aside and it was a whole lot of fun to meet Thorne again. Despite now living with Helen Weeks I loved the mentions of his old life. And how he and Hendricks lamented the fact they would much rather be eating a curry from the Bengal Lancer and not the curry house local to where Thorne now lives. Musical snobbery also returns, as we know Thorne is a huge country fan and we see here that he does not include Taylor Swift in that category (and rightly so). There’s something immensely enjoyable about returning to a series like this and it’s another long-running series that I hope runs for many more books yet. I love this series so much that I can remember when I first read a Thorne novel and the day that I borrowed it from the library. Since then I have read and mostly loved all of them and whilst I think every crime fan will have now read a Mark Billingham novel, if you are one of the unlikely few that haven’t, then I highly recommend that you do.
July 2, 2017
This was not a favourite for me.
Firstly, I don't much care for the character of DI Nicola Tanner. And the theme of the book was honor killings, and that is one subject I find very hard to read about.
Tom Thorne ploughed a fairly straight furrow, as usual, and Phil Hendricks provided much needed comic relief.
The main villain didn't come as much of a surprise, but I felt that the denoument of the second case came from too far out of left field.
It was an okay read, by strictly for die hard Mark Billingham fans only.
Firstly, I don't much care for the character of DI Nicola Tanner. And the theme of the book was honor killings, and that is one subject I find very hard to read about.
Tom Thorne ploughed a fairly straight furrow, as usual, and Phil Hendricks provided much needed comic relief.
The main villain didn't come as much of a surprise, but I felt that the denoument of the second case came from too far out of left field.
It was an okay read, by strictly for die hard Mark Billingham fans only.
July 5, 2017
Another fantastic novel from my favorite crime writer.
Book 14 from the Tom Thorne series and just as fresh and exciting as his first book
Book 14 from the Tom Thorne series and just as fresh and exciting as his first book
May 22, 2017
I am a great fan of Mark Billingham novels. I have read Sleepyhead, Scaredy Cat, Lazybones, Time of Death.
Love Like Blood is painful, frightening and quite disturbing in equal measure. Somewhere in the police files there was a reference to two men. It is believed that two hit men were paid to murder. Their methods of killing were always different and the locations. They were contracted out to honour killings all over the world.
Two men were waiting for DI Nicola Tanner to come home. They had water pistols the two hit men sprayed jets of bleach and blinded their lady. The bleach burned her eyes and mouth the bleach ran down her throat. The woman froze when one of the men produced a knife.
The hit men thought they had killed DI Nicola Tanner, but they had killed her partner Susan Best in their home.
Obviously DI Tanner is not allowed to be part of the investigation in any way. But DI Nicola Tanner needs to catch the people who killed her girlfriend. DI Nicola can't imagine life without Susan the woman she loved. Still loved.
Love Like Blood I Very highly recommend the hardback. All readers can rely on Mark Billingham, he is one author who cares passionately about his characters.
Love Like Blood is painful, frightening and quite disturbing in equal measure. Somewhere in the police files there was a reference to two men. It is believed that two hit men were paid to murder. Their methods of killing were always different and the locations. They were contracted out to honour killings all over the world.
Two men were waiting for DI Nicola Tanner to come home. They had water pistols the two hit men sprayed jets of bleach and blinded their lady. The bleach burned her eyes and mouth the bleach ran down her throat. The woman froze when one of the men produced a knife.
The hit men thought they had killed DI Nicola Tanner, but they had killed her partner Susan Best in their home.
Obviously DI Tanner is not allowed to be part of the investigation in any way. But DI Nicola Tanner needs to catch the people who killed her girlfriend. DI Nicola can't imagine life without Susan the woman she loved. Still loved.
Love Like Blood I Very highly recommend the hardback. All readers can rely on Mark Billingham, he is one author who cares passionately about his characters.
March 25, 2017
It's a great big welcome back to that Merle Haggard, country lovin' detective, Tom Thorne. In one particular chapter there is a great and memorable moment when D I Tom Thorne is driving down the road singing at the top of his voice..."The late great Merle Haggard provided the accompaniment on the drive to a retail park in Wembley and Thorne sang along to Silver Wings with rather more gusto than he managed in the school hall the day before....." After the rather poor "Die of Shame" where we were first introduced to DI Nicola Tanner, and Thorne had a very minor cameo role in the final chapter, (the only good part of that book) it's a day of rejoicing to have TT back to his investigating best...we forgive him that he enjoys the company of country music and reluctantly accepts the approach of middle age...here he is back doing what he does best solving crime and crime does not come more topical that Mark Billingham's Love like Blood.
DI Nicola Tanner has been investigating a series of what appear to be honour killings when her partner Susan is murdered. Turning to her good friend Tom Thorne she persuades him to help her uncover the truth behind the killings within the Muslim community, contracted out to hired assassins. Reading this book it is a pleasure to catch up on the old familiar faces especially the heavily tattooed Phil Hendricks, police pathologist, who is arguably Thorne's only real friend and together they enjoy good beer and watching football. He is in a relationship with social worker Helen and her young son Alfie but I can't help feeling that there is little future between them. The sex they share is passable...."Neither of them, had they been inclined to talk honestly about it, would have claimed it was the best sex they ever had.." and Helen still misses Paul, her previous partner, who was tragically killed and in one poignant moment she reveals her true feelings towards Thorne....."I'm happy really. You need to know that. But I want to be honest with you, and if I could go back and stop him being killed, I would. I'd do anything to have Paul alive again"....
So for fans of Mark Billingham, "Love Like Blood" will not disappoint, it's like putting on a well worn pair of comfy shoes! The subject matter is very well chosen and of the moment, the police investigation of the finest, the characterization and familiarity of the "cast" most welcome, and the perpetrators Muldoon and Riaz evil and well suited to the task of hired assassins. I only hope that when we next encounter DI Thorne that he has resolved his differences with the lovely Helen, but sadly I fear this relationship is doomed! Many thanks to the publishers Little Brown for supply me with a gratis copy in return for an honest review and that is what I have written.
DI Nicola Tanner has been investigating a series of what appear to be honour killings when her partner Susan is murdered. Turning to her good friend Tom Thorne she persuades him to help her uncover the truth behind the killings within the Muslim community, contracted out to hired assassins. Reading this book it is a pleasure to catch up on the old familiar faces especially the heavily tattooed Phil Hendricks, police pathologist, who is arguably Thorne's only real friend and together they enjoy good beer and watching football. He is in a relationship with social worker Helen and her young son Alfie but I can't help feeling that there is little future between them. The sex they share is passable...."Neither of them, had they been inclined to talk honestly about it, would have claimed it was the best sex they ever had.." and Helen still misses Paul, her previous partner, who was tragically killed and in one poignant moment she reveals her true feelings towards Thorne....."I'm happy really. You need to know that. But I want to be honest with you, and if I could go back and stop him being killed, I would. I'd do anything to have Paul alive again"....
So for fans of Mark Billingham, "Love Like Blood" will not disappoint, it's like putting on a well worn pair of comfy shoes! The subject matter is very well chosen and of the moment, the police investigation of the finest, the characterization and familiarity of the "cast" most welcome, and the perpetrators Muldoon and Riaz evil and well suited to the task of hired assassins. I only hope that when we next encounter DI Thorne that he has resolved his differences with the lovely Helen, but sadly I fear this relationship is doomed! Many thanks to the publishers Little Brown for supply me with a gratis copy in return for an honest review and that is what I have written.
April 14, 2020
i was curios as the subject of the book is honour killings in moslem and Sikh families in england - a phenomen which we have in Israel with Muslim a Bedouins. but i did not find it really convincing the way it is described and a bit too esoteric. another weakness is that the main detective was not clear enough. the reviews i read were admiring his out of the main police stream but i found only his t-shirt and living in the south bank of london as signs for this. i saw that Billingham have a lot of 4 star reviews. as this was the first of his i read w i should try and read some other thrillers of his. try to figure it out.
September 21, 2021
This is the first ebook that I have read and I would like to thank NetGalley for the proof.
As always I cannot fault a Mark Billingham book. His characters are old friends and the places Tom Thorne and his cohorts frequent are as known to me as if I had actually been there
Prior to this book, I had no idea that honour killings existed outside countries like India or Pakistan. So I was horrified upon reading Marks notes at the end of the story, to find that this is a growing problem in The UK.
In Love like Blood, two young teens disappear and Thorne is sure it is connected to one of his unsolved cases from 4 years ago, where a young Indian woman disappeared. He is brought into the case unofficially by DI Nicola
Tanner, whose own partner was murdered in their home by what she assumes was a case of mistaken identity. Nicola is on bereavement leave so is carrying on her investigation under the radar. She knows from Tom Thornes reputation for not playing by the rules, that he is the one she needs to help her with her ongoing investigation. As before, her relentless enquiries into who could be behind what they are sure are honour killings, leads them both into danger. Excellent stuff.
As always I cannot fault a Mark Billingham book. His characters are old friends and the places Tom Thorne and his cohorts frequent are as known to me as if I had actually been there
Prior to this book, I had no idea that honour killings existed outside countries like India or Pakistan. So I was horrified upon reading Marks notes at the end of the story, to find that this is a growing problem in The UK.
In Love like Blood, two young teens disappear and Thorne is sure it is connected to one of his unsolved cases from 4 years ago, where a young Indian woman disappeared. He is brought into the case unofficially by DI Nicola
Tanner, whose own partner was murdered in their home by what she assumes was a case of mistaken identity. Nicola is on bereavement leave so is carrying on her investigation under the radar. She knows from Tom Thornes reputation for not playing by the rules, that he is the one she needs to help her with her ongoing investigation. As before, her relentless enquiries into who could be behind what they are sure are honour killings, leads them both into danger. Excellent stuff.
August 23, 2023
I can pretty much guarantee that any book by Mark Billingham featuring Tom Thorne will be a 5 star before I even read it, and Love Like Blood is no exception.
In Tom Thorne's 14th instalment we welcome back DI Nicola Tanner who first appeared in the standalone Die Of Shame. Her partner Susan was recently killed in their home and Nicola is so hell-bent on tracking down her killers that she enlists the help of her colleague - the rather unorthodox Tom Thorne - knowing he is not averse to bending certain rules in order to get results.
This novel features the topic of honour killings which Mark has written extremely sensitively without detracting from the horror that this is something which is happening with shocking regularity in the UK.
Thanks to Grove Atlantic for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
In Tom Thorne's 14th instalment we welcome back DI Nicola Tanner who first appeared in the standalone Die Of Shame. Her partner Susan was recently killed in their home and Nicola is so hell-bent on tracking down her killers that she enlists the help of her colleague - the rather unorthodox Tom Thorne - knowing he is not averse to bending certain rules in order to get results.
This novel features the topic of honour killings which Mark has written extremely sensitively without detracting from the horror that this is something which is happening with shocking regularity in the UK.
Thanks to Grove Atlantic for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 21, 2017
I’ve been eagerly awaiting Mark Billingham’s next Tom Thorne book, and “Love Like Blood” exceeded every expectation I had. Billingham has long been in my “must read” category and I think this book is his absolute best. It’s a great crime novel with fascinating characters, wry (and welcome) humor, and a plot filled with unexpected twists. I think the final twist is one most readers won’t see coming - I sure didn’t! What puts this novel above Billingham’s other outstanding books is his expert braiding together of a very suspenseful plot with the timely subject of honor killings. The rapid pace of the book never slows and it is apparent how profoundly occurrences of honor based violence have affected Billingham. Honor killings are a subject I didn’t know much about, but thanks to “Love Like Blood,” I’m now more informed. Informed and horrified - that in the name of religion families could commit violence and murder against female relatives who are accused of bringing shame to the family. I will be highly recommending “Love Like Blood” to everyone, not just crime fiction readers.
The book is dedicated to the memory of Banaz Mahmod and Rahmat Sulemani, and in his “Author’s Note” Billingham provides valuable information about honor-based violence in the UK, and the tragic true story of Banaz and Rahmat. For those who are interested, I discovered an excellent article in “The Independent” about their heart-breaking deaths and how Mark Billingham wrote “Love Like Blood” to bear witness and bring awareness.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/lon...
Thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
The book is dedicated to the memory of Banaz Mahmod and Rahmat Sulemani, and in his “Author’s Note” Billingham provides valuable information about honor-based violence in the UK, and the tragic true story of Banaz and Rahmat. For those who are interested, I discovered an excellent article in “The Independent” about their heart-breaking deaths and how Mark Billingham wrote “Love Like Blood” to bear witness and bring awareness.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/lon...
Thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
June 24, 2017
I received this arc from Netgalley.
A pretty good read with lots of action. Held my attention throughout.
A pretty good read with lots of action. Held my attention throughout.
September 3, 2018
Another in the Detective Inspector Thorne series. This novel tackles the most serious topic of honour killings. Tom is inveigled by DI Nocola Tanner who is on compassionate leave following the murder of her partner Susan Best who had acid thrown in her face and the stabbed to death. Tanner wants to work the case unofficially as she believes that Susan was targeted as she had been driving Tanner's car and it was a case of mistaken identity. Tanner had been investigating suspected hour killings and Thorne had previously investigated the death of Meena Athwal and the case was still unsolved. Two teenagers go missing and the body of Amaya Shah is found and her boyfriend Kamal Azim is missing. The detectives find a link to two men seen near the pair on the underground and CCTV shows the pair being hustled out of a station into a car. There are meetings with parents who appear upset and Thorne and Tanner start to attend religious group meetings that are focusing on hate crimes towards them. Tom Thorne starts to be provocative while a sting operation is set up. Meanwhile Tanner is asleep one night when her house is set on fire. She escapes with some nasty injuries. Thorne's partner Helen is also a police officer and is investigation possible child abuse of two boys who attend the school where Susan Best taught. Is there some link?
This is a serious topic revolving around the control of women by men who consider that the rules and mores of today's society do not apply to them and more worryingly is that a younger generation of males are learning and adopting the same culture. Fortunately is this story a confession leads to the links in the religious organisations and several arrests.
The threads in the plot line are well thought out and brought together, although a little suddenly at the end. I was a little confused with the chapter that indicated that a body had been found in a reservoir and there was only a minor reference to explain this later on.
A very good novel and worth 4.5 stars.
This is a serious topic revolving around the control of women by men who consider that the rules and mores of today's society do not apply to them and more worryingly is that a younger generation of males are learning and adopting the same culture. Fortunately is this story a confession leads to the links in the religious organisations and several arrests.
The threads in the plot line are well thought out and brought together, although a little suddenly at the end. I was a little confused with the chapter that indicated that a body had been found in a reservoir and there was only a minor reference to explain this later on.
A very good novel and worth 4.5 stars.
June 25, 2019
First time I have read a Mark Billingham novel. It is based around honour killings and is quite brutal in places. Not a book I could say I enjoyed, although I had to finish it to see what happened. Not sure I would read another by Mark Billingham.
Read
July 16, 2017"If you can kill your own flesh and blood because something they've done means you don't think you can hold your head up in a temple or in some poxy neighbourhood cafe...Jesus, I think I understand serial killers better than that."
This 14th book in the Tom Thorne series focused on honour killings in the UK. Thorne joins forces with Nicola Tanner (DIE OF SHAME - a recent standalone) to ferret out the ringleader and the hired killers. The narrative zips along, solid police procedural, with characters that have fully developed into familiar people throughout the course of the series. Aside from the plot, the statistics about the number and nature of the honour killings in the UK (further explained in an author's note at the end) are chilling and defy belief. The rationalization for it is still shocking and astounding, I hope, to all of us: "Respect is important, and you hold on to it by weeding out those who are misled. Those who choose to ignore rules about how to behave, how to dress, who they are supposed to have children with. Nothing is more important than dealing with dishonour in the right way...cutting out the rot."
This was fabulous writing and excellent reading and I highly recommend it. I've loved the Thorne books for a long time, and now enjoy the character of Nicola Tanner. The topic definitely will stimulate discussion of this heinous practice and hopefully lead to its termination.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for this e-book ARC to read and review.
This 14th book in the Tom Thorne series focused on honour killings in the UK. Thorne joins forces with Nicola Tanner (DIE OF SHAME - a recent standalone) to ferret out the ringleader and the hired killers. The narrative zips along, solid police procedural, with characters that have fully developed into familiar people throughout the course of the series. Aside from the plot, the statistics about the number and nature of the honour killings in the UK (further explained in an author's note at the end) are chilling and defy belief. The rationalization for it is still shocking and astounding, I hope, to all of us: "Respect is important, and you hold on to it by weeding out those who are misled. Those who choose to ignore rules about how to behave, how to dress, who they are supposed to have children with. Nothing is more important than dealing with dishonour in the right way...cutting out the rot."
This was fabulous writing and excellent reading and I highly recommend it. I've loved the Thorne books for a long time, and now enjoy the character of Nicola Tanner. The topic definitely will stimulate discussion of this heinous practice and hopefully lead to its termination.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for this e-book ARC to read and review.
March 13, 2019
I feel that I am being overly generous to this book by even giving it two stars. One of the worst crime books I have read in a long time. This is one in a series but I have no desire to read any of the other books.
The main character, Thorne, is one of the worst detectives I have ever seen. Followed closely by Tanner. They endanger other people's lives by not sharing their theories, they have ridiculous tactics and barely seem to do any work. Tanner seems completed unbothered that people want to kill her and barely seems touched by her partner being killed.
The way they trap the culprits is laughable, with the most obvious mole ever. And the whole chase at the end is ridiculous because they blow their cover far too early. There has not actually been anything specific said between the broker and the undercover cop and they haven't committed any crimes when the undercover police officers reveal themselves. If I was them, I would have let myself get arrested, any half decent lawyer could have gotten the charges dropped.
And then Thorne decides to play judge, jury and executioner himself in the most pathetic and unbelievable confession.
I hated nearly everything about this book. I have given it more than 1 star because it was fairly quick to read and I think someone else might possibly just be able to enjoy it but it wasn't for me at all.
The main character, Thorne, is one of the worst detectives I have ever seen. Followed closely by Tanner. They endanger other people's lives by not sharing their theories, they have ridiculous tactics and barely seem to do any work. Tanner seems completed unbothered that people want to kill her and barely seems touched by her partner being killed.
The way they trap the culprits is laughable, with the most obvious mole ever. And the whole chase at the end is ridiculous because they blow their cover far too early. There has not actually been anything specific said between the broker and the undercover cop and they haven't committed any crimes when the undercover police officers reveal themselves. If I was them, I would have let myself get arrested, any half decent lawyer could have gotten the charges dropped.
And then Thorne decides to play judge, jury and executioner himself in the most pathetic and unbelievable confession.
I hated nearly everything about this book. I have given it more than 1 star because it was fairly quick to read and I think someone else might possibly just be able to enjoy it but it wasn't for me at all.
October 10, 2019
Billingham continues to succeed in keeping the readers interested and involved in his long Tom Thorne series, this police procedural seeing the grumpy detective helping colleagues investigating the brutal crime of honour killing. The novel was mostly plot, and had a good pace as a consequence, 500+ pages raced through in just a couple of days. That's not to say it's not well-written, just not indulgent in the sense of using description for description's sake.
It seemed well balanced, and though I guessed one twist early and barely understood the other, it didn't spoil my enjoyment at all. I'll continue to indulge myself in the series.
It seemed well balanced, and though I guessed one twist early and barely understood the other, it didn't spoil my enjoyment at all. I'll continue to indulge myself in the series.
August 29, 2017
Exciting entry in the Tom Thorne series. Lots of supporting character action and Tom earns his salary solving these cases.
October 7, 2017
Like many people, I watched the first episode of the TV series Written In Blood in which Simon Toyne interviewed Mark Billingham about the case which inspired his book, Love Like Blood. Now I don't know anybody who wouldn't have been moved an indeed horrified by the true story of Banaz Mahmod and the way in which she suffered at the hands of family for the simple act of falling in love with the wrong man. It is something in Western culture that we take for granted - the basic right to love and be loved by those whom we choose not those who are chosen for us. And yet in some cultures, this still remains an impossible dream. To those who disobey or 'dishonour' their family, a fate such as that which befell Banaz is sadly far more prevalent than any of us would like to accept.
The idea of honour killings - be it for love or some other inferred shame - is the central premise of this book. Mark Billingham has not tried to retell Banaz's story. As he has said himself that is not his story to tell. But her story has most certainly inspired a book which becomes somewhat of a moral dilemma in the making. At the heart of this novel is real life horror dressed up here as a form of entertainment, art even. Should we really say that we enjoy it? Maybe, maybe not. However Billingham has found a near perfect balance, blending Thorne's irresistible charm, an element of humour and the day to day mundane realities of family life, with an overwhelmingly depressing set of statistics and a case which puts the lives of Thorne's friends and colleagues at risk. This is not a case of preaching the horrors of honour killings, although they are clearly outlined here, but it is also more than mere entertainment. Billingham skilfully gets his distaste at the subject across to the reader through Thorne's reactions, while still leaving them the scope to make their own minds up about what has occurred.
The book opens on a fairly traumatic scene, the brutal attack and subsequent murder of DI Nicola Tanner's partner Susan. While we are not, as readers, privy to the murder itself, the ongoing descriptions of the aftermath, the scene with which Tanner is left, are more than enough to make it clear to us what has happened without it being spelled out in all its glory detail. But just how does this fit in with the whole idea of the honour killings? Whatever the reason, for obvious reasons Tanner can't investigate the murder herself and instead turns to Tom Thorne, a man who she has met only briefly and knows more by reputation, to help her find the answers she so desperately seeks.
The more that they look into the reasons for Susan's murder, the clearer it becomes that it could well be linked to a series of open cases, potential honour killings, that Tanner had been working on. Could it be that her enquiries within the local Asian community had ruffled one too many of the wrong feathers. When two young Asian friends go missing after a night out, it becomes clear that this is no straight forward case of families taking revenge. It runs far deeper than that and the consequences of the investigation are potentially lethal.
Readers will be familiar with Tanner from Mark Billingham's last novel, Die Of Shame, as she was the straight-laced DI tasked with uncovering a murderer. It is this very case which puts her in the path of Tom Thorne. She is every bit as straight talking and lacking in humour in this book, some would argue with good reason, but we also see the passionate side of her character and by learning more of her relationship with Susan perhaps come to understand the reasons for her personality more. It could certainly be argued that interacting with Thorne has a kind of humanizing influence on her and we see a more relaxed Nicola Tanner start to emerge. She will always be the work horse, focused and determined, but the pairing with Thorne is an inspired and complimentary one.
There is probably not a lot that can be said about Tom Thorne. Fans of the series already know it all> Newcomers to the series will just as quickly be hooked. There is a kind of charm to his reluctance to abide fully by the rules, and you find yourself hoping he will go out on a limb, as he typically does, in order to help Tanner. It is not fully straight forward, not written in stone that he will help, but there is one thing which puts him more in mind to help. The chance to help solve a murder which he was forced to leave open, one which may well link to these more recent murders and abductions. I really love the way in which his relationship with Helen and her son Alfie, and the scenes where he begins to think about the future will truly melt your hardened heart. Remind you that not all families are bad. And his friendship with Phil Hendricks, and with this book in particular, Hendricks' casual bantering with Tanner, provide the moments of much needed light relief you come to rely upon.
The pacing and the tone of this book are just about perfect. There is always something driving you onward as a reader (or in my case listener). I was intrigued to find out about the person or persons behind the killings. The dynamic here was most unusual and yet at the same time believable. Although there were many seemingly unconnected threads throughout the book, including the harrowing case of two small children suspected of being abused that Helen was working on, Billingham gathers them all together at the time and pulls them in so tight that you struggle to see where they were ever seemed loose to begin with. The ending is surprising and somewhat shocking, so much so that it had me completely blindsided. And the conclusion of the case is as heart thumpingly tense as it satisfying and yet also, at times, surreally calm.
Do not come into this book looking for the gratuitous. You'll be bitterly disappointed. Don't come into it looking for outright condemnation and contempt at the practice of honour killing, although that is most certainly the context of the novel. It is not preaching to the reader, but it does bring to our attention a most heinous, sociocultural practice which is at odds with the freedom we associate with our country. The book doesn't condemn any particular faith, but recognises the minority belief in many faiths that honour and respect for your family is held above all else, including murder. So yes, this book left me in a quandary. Can I really say I enjoyed it? The subject matter, the idea of the honour killing, then no. In no way can I say I enjoyed that. But Mark Billingham has done a brilliant job of moving the story past this subject matter alone without sensationalising, trivialising or glamourising it in any way, providing the reader with an entertaining, if not occasionally heart breaking story that I would highly recommend you read.
The idea of honour killings - be it for love or some other inferred shame - is the central premise of this book. Mark Billingham has not tried to retell Banaz's story. As he has said himself that is not his story to tell. But her story has most certainly inspired a book which becomes somewhat of a moral dilemma in the making. At the heart of this novel is real life horror dressed up here as a form of entertainment, art even. Should we really say that we enjoy it? Maybe, maybe not. However Billingham has found a near perfect balance, blending Thorne's irresistible charm, an element of humour and the day to day mundane realities of family life, with an overwhelmingly depressing set of statistics and a case which puts the lives of Thorne's friends and colleagues at risk. This is not a case of preaching the horrors of honour killings, although they are clearly outlined here, but it is also more than mere entertainment. Billingham skilfully gets his distaste at the subject across to the reader through Thorne's reactions, while still leaving them the scope to make their own minds up about what has occurred.
The book opens on a fairly traumatic scene, the brutal attack and subsequent murder of DI Nicola Tanner's partner Susan. While we are not, as readers, privy to the murder itself, the ongoing descriptions of the aftermath, the scene with which Tanner is left, are more than enough to make it clear to us what has happened without it being spelled out in all its glory detail. But just how does this fit in with the whole idea of the honour killings? Whatever the reason, for obvious reasons Tanner can't investigate the murder herself and instead turns to Tom Thorne, a man who she has met only briefly and knows more by reputation, to help her find the answers she so desperately seeks.
The more that they look into the reasons for Susan's murder, the clearer it becomes that it could well be linked to a series of open cases, potential honour killings, that Tanner had been working on. Could it be that her enquiries within the local Asian community had ruffled one too many of the wrong feathers. When two young Asian friends go missing after a night out, it becomes clear that this is no straight forward case of families taking revenge. It runs far deeper than that and the consequences of the investigation are potentially lethal.
Readers will be familiar with Tanner from Mark Billingham's last novel, Die Of Shame, as she was the straight-laced DI tasked with uncovering a murderer. It is this very case which puts her in the path of Tom Thorne. She is every bit as straight talking and lacking in humour in this book, some would argue with good reason, but we also see the passionate side of her character and by learning more of her relationship with Susan perhaps come to understand the reasons for her personality more. It could certainly be argued that interacting with Thorne has a kind of humanizing influence on her and we see a more relaxed Nicola Tanner start to emerge. She will always be the work horse, focused and determined, but the pairing with Thorne is an inspired and complimentary one.
There is probably not a lot that can be said about Tom Thorne. Fans of the series already know it all> Newcomers to the series will just as quickly be hooked. There is a kind of charm to his reluctance to abide fully by the rules, and you find yourself hoping he will go out on a limb, as he typically does, in order to help Tanner. It is not fully straight forward, not written in stone that he will help, but there is one thing which puts him more in mind to help. The chance to help solve a murder which he was forced to leave open, one which may well link to these more recent murders and abductions. I really love the way in which his relationship with Helen and her son Alfie, and the scenes where he begins to think about the future will truly melt your hardened heart. Remind you that not all families are bad. And his friendship with Phil Hendricks, and with this book in particular, Hendricks' casual bantering with Tanner, provide the moments of much needed light relief you come to rely upon.
The pacing and the tone of this book are just about perfect. There is always something driving you onward as a reader (or in my case listener). I was intrigued to find out about the person or persons behind the killings. The dynamic here was most unusual and yet at the same time believable. Although there were many seemingly unconnected threads throughout the book, including the harrowing case of two small children suspected of being abused that Helen was working on, Billingham gathers them all together at the time and pulls them in so tight that you struggle to see where they were ever seemed loose to begin with. The ending is surprising and somewhat shocking, so much so that it had me completely blindsided. And the conclusion of the case is as heart thumpingly tense as it satisfying and yet also, at times, surreally calm.
Do not come into this book looking for the gratuitous. You'll be bitterly disappointed. Don't come into it looking for outright condemnation and contempt at the practice of honour killing, although that is most certainly the context of the novel. It is not preaching to the reader, but it does bring to our attention a most heinous, sociocultural practice which is at odds with the freedom we associate with our country. The book doesn't condemn any particular faith, but recognises the minority belief in many faiths that honour and respect for your family is held above all else, including murder. So yes, this book left me in a quandary. Can I really say I enjoyed it? The subject matter, the idea of the honour killing, then no. In no way can I say I enjoyed that. But Mark Billingham has done a brilliant job of moving the story past this subject matter alone without sensationalising, trivialising or glamourising it in any way, providing the reader with an entertaining, if not occasionally heart breaking story that I would highly recommend you read.
June 21, 2017
This was a great read with an extra bonus. I had no idea there was such a thing as honour killings. The act of killing a family member in certain religions because they are not "respectful". Such as women who want to wear makeup, go out to bars, etc. That was very enlightening and jaw dropping for me.
The book went at a pretty fast pace and was very enjoyable. I really liked the characters, Tanner and Thorne. Tanner was a very hell bent woman and she was bound and determined to find the killers of her partner. Thorne was a likable character and I would definitely read another book wherein he is the main character.
Thanks to Grove Atlantic and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
The book went at a pretty fast pace and was very enjoyable. I really liked the characters, Tanner and Thorne. Tanner was a very hell bent woman and she was bound and determined to find the killers of her partner. Thorne was a likable character and I would definitely read another book wherein he is the main character.
Thanks to Grove Atlantic and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
March 7, 2025
Back on track with this entry, one of his best. 4 + stars
March 30, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for an advance copy of Love Like Blood, the 14th police procedural to feature DI Tom Thorne.
The novel opens with Tom Thorne bumping into DI Nicola Tanner whom he worked with in Die Of Shame. Nicola is grieving for her partner, Susan, who was murdered a couple of weeks earlier and is on compassionate leave. She is obviously excluded from the investigation which she believes was a case of mistaken identity linked to her investigation into contract honour killers and she wants Tom to help her in an unofficial investigation.
I thoroughly enjoyed Love Like Blood and was glued to the pages. The plot has some amazing twists and turns and I was reading furiously to find out what was coming next. It is well paced with information coming, initially, in dribs and drabs but speeding up as the novel progresses. Tom reckons that misdirection is required to cover up Nicola's participation but the whole novel is cleverly full of it and it fooled me.
The subject matter, honour killings, is not something I know much about as it is necessarily secretive and a political hot potato, as is made abundantly clear in the novel. Mr Billingham, however, is informative on both the mindset and the politics and does an excellent job of presenting all sides of the argument although some of it is quite distressing.
Throughout the novel Tom and his sidekick, pathologist Phil Hendricks, leaven the read with their childish bickering and banter although, listening to my husband and his friends, it is extremely authentic. They have become old friends as the series progresses. The characterisation is great. Tom has lost some of his bolshiness but not all - there is a great scene involving t-shirts which had me laughing out loud - and seems to be settling down with Helen. Again their banter seems very realistic. Even Phil has found love. Nicola is a work in progress but she starts to unbutton as the novel progresses and I would like to see more of her in future novels.
Love Like Blood is an accomplished, complete novel with a serious subject matter which deserves more publicity, set in a genre which is typically regarded as entertainment rather than literature and Mr Billingham carries it off extremely well. I have no hesitation in recommending it as an excellent read.
The novel opens with Tom Thorne bumping into DI Nicola Tanner whom he worked with in Die Of Shame. Nicola is grieving for her partner, Susan, who was murdered a couple of weeks earlier and is on compassionate leave. She is obviously excluded from the investigation which she believes was a case of mistaken identity linked to her investigation into contract honour killers and she wants Tom to help her in an unofficial investigation.
I thoroughly enjoyed Love Like Blood and was glued to the pages. The plot has some amazing twists and turns and I was reading furiously to find out what was coming next. It is well paced with information coming, initially, in dribs and drabs but speeding up as the novel progresses. Tom reckons that misdirection is required to cover up Nicola's participation but the whole novel is cleverly full of it and it fooled me.
The subject matter, honour killings, is not something I know much about as it is necessarily secretive and a political hot potato, as is made abundantly clear in the novel. Mr Billingham, however, is informative on both the mindset and the politics and does an excellent job of presenting all sides of the argument although some of it is quite distressing.
Throughout the novel Tom and his sidekick, pathologist Phil Hendricks, leaven the read with their childish bickering and banter although, listening to my husband and his friends, it is extremely authentic. They have become old friends as the series progresses. The characterisation is great. Tom has lost some of his bolshiness but not all - there is a great scene involving t-shirts which had me laughing out loud - and seems to be settling down with Helen. Again their banter seems very realistic. Even Phil has found love. Nicola is a work in progress but she starts to unbutton as the novel progresses and I would like to see more of her in future novels.
Love Like Blood is an accomplished, complete novel with a serious subject matter which deserves more publicity, set in a genre which is typically regarded as entertainment rather than literature and Mr Billingham carries it off extremely well. I have no hesitation in recommending it as an excellent read.
July 30, 2017
With some editing, Love Like Blood would have gotten three stars. Take out all of the extraneous dialogue, characters, a couple of twists, some more unnecessary characters –like the tatted and pierced gay coroner person--, and you are left with a competent book, but one that is basically flat in its presentation. The co-lead character keeps informing us that she is “good at her work,” although she is barking up a wrong tree, keeps making bad decisions, and is basically a bland person one would never wish to be around. At one point she states about music, “It’s nothing but background noise.” She almost dies because of a cat she does not like. When she breaks both legs, you breathe a sign of relief that she vanishes from the book for awhile, but unfortunately there is a narcotic dream sequence with her dead lesbian lover. I hate dream sequences.
Although the novel’s subject is fascinating, honor killings in Britain among the Moslem, Sikh, and Hindus, we bog down in needless actions such as the community groups the detectives visit too often. Nothing seems too authentic the way Monica Ali’s Brick Lane seems real. This is part of a series with Tom Thorne.
Although the novel’s subject is fascinating, honor killings in Britain among the Moslem, Sikh, and Hindus, we bog down in needless actions such as the community groups the detectives visit too often. Nothing seems too authentic the way Monica Ali’s Brick Lane seems real. This is part of a series with Tom Thorne.
May 24, 2019
It is a decent read, but I don't think Mark Billingham's heart was in the subject matter. This is quite disappointing given the subject of honour killings. For me it lacked a lot of cultural background, female voices, especially mothers. The minute he moved on where I think his next book is going to start (at least that what it looks like from the blurp), his writing became more animated. Back to psychopaths in white British households. Good on the one hand, sad on the other.
August 27, 2017
3.5* My 1st Thorne novel and it was enjoyable. Crimes committed around Honour Killings which is a touchy subject. I wouldnt say its a typical crime novel ( murder catch the bad guy), it seemed to have more of a conspiracy theory type approach. The lack of attachment to the characters that the authors written about for 14 or so books may have prevented my rating from being higher.
August 8, 2017
It was good to read a Tom Thorne book again but this one didn't really have the wow factor for me.
It was a really interesting story but not one that had me on the edge of my seat.
Hopefully the next one will be more action packed.
It was a really interesting story but not one that had me on the edge of my seat.
Hopefully the next one will be more action packed.
April 18, 2021
As with every Tom Thorne book...good plot, more into the personal life of Tom - Helen, Tanner, Phil - just an easy to read crime novel that flows wonderfully. We need to get Tom a new suit.
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