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Langthorne #1-3

The Langthorne Series Books 1-3

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In this 3-book box set:

BOOK 1: BODILY HARM

An edge-of-your-seat crime 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 local 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.

BOOK 2: PANIC BUTTON

“A man is stood in front of me with a gun. He has a message for me and for us all. He says that he will come for us. He will come for all of us one by one. Until it is finished.”

Someone is killing the officers of the Langthorne Police one by one. And in a sadistic twist he makes each victim push their radio panic button before they die, thus broadcasting their last moments to the entire force.

And as the police face this ruthless adversary, Detective George Elms is in no fit state to help. What is the connection between ruthless former officer Ed Kavski and the wave of killings? And can their boss Helen Webb do anything to stop the carnage?

BOOK 3: BLOOD MONEY

What would you do to save your dying son? Imagine the doctors told you there was a cure, but only if you had the money. What would you do to get that money to save your son’s life?

Tony Robson faces this choice when he’s told he needs £3000 per month to carry on the life-saving experimental treatment for his son’s rare disease.

So Tony gets in touch with the criminal element in town. And they have a well-paying job for him . . .

And that decision will blow up everything for the Langthorne Police.

773 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2017

771 people are currently reading
118 people want to read

About the author

Charlie Gallagher

33 books585 followers
Charlie 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.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
514 (54%)
4 stars
304 (32%)
3 stars
96 (10%)
2 stars
22 (2%)
1 star
8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
204 reviews3 followers
August 1, 2017
I could not believe the twists and turns in these three books. These books are the beginning of a new author's identity into a beautiful future in writing.

These three stories will keep you spellbound. You will not be able to put them down. Brilliant story line following through in each book until the climatic ending. You do not want to miss this exciting new author. Michael Connelly. Ian Rankin, move over there is a new writer on your back. I cannot wait to read book four.
Profile Image for Tanya.
27 reviews
October 23, 2017
I loved this series, I read it every chance I got as I was so hooked on what the outcome would be.
I haven't read a crime series before and was really impressed and caught up in the action of it all.

The characters were well described and you could easily create the scenes in your head.

Can't wait to start the fourth book now
Profile Image for Elizabeth Hughes.
61 reviews3 followers
June 20, 2018
Gripping thriller

I wasn't able to put it down


The plot holds you and you just have to find out what happens next.


Profile Image for Lorraine Woodall.
549 reviews3 followers
July 8, 2017
Read all three books in this set without stopping. A gripping read that made me gasp out loud at times.
You really cannot predict the twists and turns. The not knowing who you could trust reminded me of Line of Duty which I loved.
16 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2017
Utter tosh - completely unbelievable storylines with shallowly written characters.
Profile Image for Liz Degen.
26 reviews
October 24, 2019
This book set introduced me to CG and I have had to read everyone of his since.
Profile Image for Linda.
202 reviews1 follower
September 3, 2018
BOOK 1: BODILY HARM
Great read, fast paced. Detective George Elms at his best.
BOOK 2: PANIC BUTTON
This is an edge-of the seat read, a real page turner. The characters are vivid and the drama, police politics and twists kept me glued to the pages.
BOOK 3: BLOOD MONEY
Very interesting concept, well developed story. A fascinating read, another great George Elms novel.
Profile Image for Deirdre.
1,571 reviews17 followers
January 21, 2023
Get Ready Get Set GO!

If you are looking for an exciting, action packed series full of tension, comraderie, and a man full of integrity, these books are for you. Charlie Gallagher masterful at writing a gritty police procedural that is well thought out. Gallagher had to make sure the various storylines while they criss crossed their base storylines had a continuity thru out all three books.
It was hard to write a review at the end of each book because of all the action, violence, entertainment Charlie managed to put together at the conclusion of each book. I was eager to begin reading the next book right away. That's a big advantage of this three book set - the next book in the series is right at your fingertips, for immediate gratification.
Well I'm ready for Book 4 and since it's1:30 am I'll begin it after I wake up later this morning. And I'm really looking forward to it.
Profile Image for Angela.
3,322 reviews33 followers
November 12, 2023
A great beginning to this series

4 1/2 stars

This was an interesting, complex, and suspenseful collection of stories that you certainly won't want to miss. There are many horrible things going on at the Langthorne Police Department with many secrets, lies, betrayals, never knowing who you can trust. It's definitely not a good time to be an officer at this location.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
Profile Image for Candis Flesher-Dodds.
183 reviews
October 10, 2024
This series was a slow burn getting going -but once into the series -almost impossible to put down. Be forewarned you will need to get the following book called End Game to complete the saga. It is an action packed tale of police corruption and mismanagement on multiple levels. Our author really emphasizes how politics has interfered in the day to day of modern day policing. If you are weak willed by violence this may not be the series for you
Great storytelling by a very engaging author -
107 reviews
August 12, 2017
Great read. Interesting storyline showing the inside workings of the police and drug crime. No-one seems to be immune from a bit of corruption. The tension continued to rise through to the final book which, for me, was spoilt by too much bad language. Although I'm sure the criminal world don't worry too much about that.

Looking forward to reading End Game.
63 reviews
August 30, 2017
Very strong book!

I have read many police stories, but this was quite different. Very confusing after the first part of the book. When it came to the second book, it really made me mad, but all and all it was strange. Now that the third book started to fix everything. In all the books, I still gave a thumbs up.
Profile Image for Mary Manson.
353 reviews1 follower
December 5, 2017
Three Books in One Volume!

This book included the three books comprising the series. I found them to be enjoyable, quick reads. It was great having the series in order in one book. I enjoyed Mr. Gallagher's writing. I found the books very believable, the writing smooth and easy flowing. Mr. Gallagher is an author who has been added to my list of authors I follow.
Profile Image for M R B Davis.
691 reviews4 followers
September 5, 2018
Gripping, but a little confusing

These three books follow a thread on the career of Sgt George Elms. I found each book left questions, which were eventually answered in the following book. As a trio they are worth reading together a nd a coherent story results, albeit with unanswered questions. Maybe the fourth book will answer them.
1,966 reviews21 followers
April 23, 2019
What a read!

Mr. Gallagher "Thank you" for turning me on to this series. A compelling twist of evil vs. good with evil in the lead. The corruption runs so deep and is spread so far, it's hard to believe there are any good officers left. Hopefully evil doesn't win in the end and book 4 will bring things to right. Great read.
390 reviews3 followers
August 26, 2017
British Police Department

Several interesting folks are involved in solving crimes, especially in the low rent slums. Detectives and uniformed police have problems with their superiors,
Profile Image for Julie R.
464 reviews4 followers
September 15, 2018
Absolutely riveting series!

Great reading, vivid characters and descriptions with twists and turns on every page. That poor detective trying to make the world a better place finds himself in a world of hurt no matter which way he turns. Loved it can't wait to read the next
1,169 reviews6 followers
October 14, 2018
Another great story

Three great stories that blend into one and leave you desperate to read the fourth one. Full of action and with plenty of twists and turns. You are left hoping that it will turn out well but feel that there could still be more surprises around the corner.
190 reviews
May 13, 2020
Thrilling Books 1-3

Read all three now,each one finish as cliffhangers.I found them all very readable and uncomplicated, bringing all characters to the fore with insight to their personal lives and struggles.Now to book four!!
298 reviews
February 26, 2023
WOW!

This is a very intense series, and very hard to put down. Great characters, and so much more than a normal police procedural. Starting book 4 as soon as this review is posted :)
Profile Image for MR A G EVANS.
1 review
December 9, 2017
Great book


Good read. Page Turner. Good plot. Well developed characters and some twists in the tale you will not expect. I


25 reviews
October 23, 2018
Linda5551@virginmedia.com

it was a very was a very gripping story and could put it down to good a read looking forward to read more
49 reviews
February 3, 2019
Crime

I loved these stories and i cannot wait to get my hands on the next one with george elms looking
Profile Image for Si.
61 reviews
July 13, 2020
I quite liked the first book but the second was such a Kafkaesque nightmare I was unable to finish it. Didn't even try the third one. Love the Maddie Ives books but this series isn't for me.
209 reviews3 followers
October 28, 2019
EXCEPTIONAL!!

These first three, BODILY HARM, PANIC BUTTON AND BLOOD MONEY are a gripping start to an amazing, thrilling series that will have you begging for more. Don't miss them and you'll be craving for books 4 and 5. END GAME and MISSING.

KEEP THEM COMING CHARLIE!!
Eileen Parascandola
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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