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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 -
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Several interesting folks are involved in solving crimes, especially in the low rent slums. Detectives and uniformed police have problems with their superiors,
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
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.
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!!
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 :)
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.
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.