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Shadow Series #1
The Weight of Shadows
When you have spent your life in the shadows, what would you do at the dying of the light?
Three years ago the best murder detective in London is blamed for the death of his colleague and kicked out of the Met.
A man with secrets buried in the past and present returns to London, the city that started the mysterious career which made him a billionaire.
The two need each other.
But they have no idea how much.
A gripping crime thriller mystery with twists from the beginning to end.
Three years ago the best murder detective in London is blamed for the death of his colleague and kicked out of the Met.
A man with secrets buried in the past and present returns to London, the city that started the mysterious career which made him a billionaire.
The two need each other.
But they have no idea how much.
A gripping crime thriller mystery with twists from the beginning to end.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2017
11 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Karl Holton
4 books11 followersKarl Holton's first book, 'The Weight of Shadows' came out in July 2017. It is the first in a new crime thriller mystery known as the 'Shadow Series. The second in the series 'The Wait for Shadows' came out in December 2017. Both are available on Amazon.
Karl previously worked in financial markets for over thirty years, before deciding that he had to write. He couldn't leave this dream any longer.
He lives in the United Kingdom with his wife and two children.
Book link on Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weight-Shado...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wait-Shadows...
Karl previously worked in financial markets for over thirty years, before deciding that he had to write. He couldn't leave this dream any longer.
He lives in the United Kingdom with his wife and two children.
Book link on Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weight-Shado...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wait-Shadows...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
December 9, 2021
Culpability
The Weight of Shadows is a hugely entertaining thriller in an uncompromising game of cat and mouse between law enforcement, criminal gangs and cold-blooded killers. Each encounter leaves a climate of dreadful consequences and terror. Karl Holton has written one of the best thrillers and detective characters I have read.
Detective Danny Benedict is intelligent and exudes personality traits that are interesting and captivating. The writing is very clever, and we consider Benedict as socially blunt, abrupt and harshly honest. Still, he often recognises that he should say something positive or constructive even though it’s against his natural tendency. It makes the personal interactions naturally intriguing rather than the contrived discourse that just doesn’t fit. He is a super-intelligent detective who sees situations, motives and clues that many fail to recognise. His investigative analysis and deductive skills are expertly woven into the plot, and the dialogue underpins this perfectly.
The Weight of Shadows has one of the best prologues I’ve read. It immediately hooks you into a world of clever, tense and horrific expectations. A super-intelligent serial killer matches the astute detective. This relationship exists in the background but is expected to impact Benedict when he least expects it.
Several crimes are planned and executed in seemingly unrelated ways. A jewellery robbery in London involves a London based gang, led by Connor, with all the planning and control coming from a Serbian gang led by Vuk. This gang is ultimately handled by a Ukrainian Bratva, where Kuzma is the ruthless, unflinching and vicious Godfather. After the perfectly planned jewellery robbery has been delivered, Connor is found brutally and horrifically murdered. Benedict has been transferred to the National Crime Agency and is asked to return to assist the Metropolitan Police Homicide and Serious Crime Command, which everyone doesn’t welcome.
Shortly after the horrific murder of Connor, another body is found with the same modus operandi but are they the same killer, a copycat, a red herring or the intended kill? You’ll not be disappointed in your search to figure this out. The death toll mounts, however, someone will go to any financial or operational lengths to stop the murder of a valuable kidnapped victim.
Ray Hanson is another major character in the story and, from a difficult childhood, has become an expert in hiding dirty money and laundering it. He has amassed enormous wealth and an opportunity to hide his identity and criminal past with it. The mysterious Ray Hanson now appears honest and helpful towards the authorities. Still, a threat against him requires him to assemble a crack team of individuals with military, investigative, analytical, and cyber-surveillance skills. Benedict will be one of the targets for his team, and he will need him and others to stop what’s coming.
I highly recommend this book, and I would like to thank Book Funnel and Karl Holton for providing me with a copy of The Weight of Shadows in return for an honest review.
The Weight of Shadows is a hugely entertaining thriller in an uncompromising game of cat and mouse between law enforcement, criminal gangs and cold-blooded killers. Each encounter leaves a climate of dreadful consequences and terror. Karl Holton has written one of the best thrillers and detective characters I have read.
Detective Danny Benedict is intelligent and exudes personality traits that are interesting and captivating. The writing is very clever, and we consider Benedict as socially blunt, abrupt and harshly honest. Still, he often recognises that he should say something positive or constructive even though it’s against his natural tendency. It makes the personal interactions naturally intriguing rather than the contrived discourse that just doesn’t fit. He is a super-intelligent detective who sees situations, motives and clues that many fail to recognise. His investigative analysis and deductive skills are expertly woven into the plot, and the dialogue underpins this perfectly.
The Weight of Shadows has one of the best prologues I’ve read. It immediately hooks you into a world of clever, tense and horrific expectations. A super-intelligent serial killer matches the astute detective. This relationship exists in the background but is expected to impact Benedict when he least expects it.
Several crimes are planned and executed in seemingly unrelated ways. A jewellery robbery in London involves a London based gang, led by Connor, with all the planning and control coming from a Serbian gang led by Vuk. This gang is ultimately handled by a Ukrainian Bratva, where Kuzma is the ruthless, unflinching and vicious Godfather. After the perfectly planned jewellery robbery has been delivered, Connor is found brutally and horrifically murdered. Benedict has been transferred to the National Crime Agency and is asked to return to assist the Metropolitan Police Homicide and Serious Crime Command, which everyone doesn’t welcome.
Shortly after the horrific murder of Connor, another body is found with the same modus operandi but are they the same killer, a copycat, a red herring or the intended kill? You’ll not be disappointed in your search to figure this out. The death toll mounts, however, someone will go to any financial or operational lengths to stop the murder of a valuable kidnapped victim.
Ray Hanson is another major character in the story and, from a difficult childhood, has become an expert in hiding dirty money and laundering it. He has amassed enormous wealth and an opportunity to hide his identity and criminal past with it. The mysterious Ray Hanson now appears honest and helpful towards the authorities. Still, a threat against him requires him to assemble a crack team of individuals with military, investigative, analytical, and cyber-surveillance skills. Benedict will be one of the targets for his team, and he will need him and others to stop what’s coming.
"Hanson allowed himself a brief smile. ‘So much of my life has been hidden … by shadows.’ Benedict looked up at him. ‘How did it feel under the shadows?’ ‘The weight of shadows can be devastating … I’ve been collecting them since I was a young man,’ said Hanson.”
I highly recommend this book, and I would like to thank Book Funnel and Karl Holton for providing me with a copy of The Weight of Shadows in return for an honest review.
January 19, 2019
To start with, isn't the title fantastic? The cover also caught my eye, but once I read the description, I found myself more than intrigued. To end with, yep, it lived up to its hype. Kudos to the author for delivering a well-rounded, complex, and clever web of characters and multiple plots. It's hard to categorize this in only one genre. There's suspense and thrills... a bit of horror, fundamental crime detection, family drama, mystery, and international spy-like intrigue.
Holton's created a strong plot that keeps readers wondering in the first third how it will all intersect. With around 20 characters sharing the spotlight, we grow quite curious who knows who, which one will die, who is being honest, and how it will surprise us. I like how it alternates across various parts of the world, but it also all takes place in less than a week -- barely 5 days.
Starting with the first chapter when a serial killer scares the heck out of us... we really don't know what she did to the detective until much later, and even then, I'm still guessing -- just like that ending! Wow... a cliffhanger to keep us coming back for more. And that's a good thing since there's a second book in the series within the next year.
Between 4 and 4.5 stars! Big thanks to Holton for merging a lot of different styles and approaches in his debut work. It gives you a different sort of appeal not dissimilar to major international thrillers by famous authors we've seen and read before. I'm curious to take on the next one soon.
Holton's created a strong plot that keeps readers wondering in the first third how it will all intersect. With around 20 characters sharing the spotlight, we grow quite curious who knows who, which one will die, who is being honest, and how it will surprise us. I like how it alternates across various parts of the world, but it also all takes place in less than a week -- barely 5 days.
Starting with the first chapter when a serial killer scares the heck out of us... we really don't know what she did to the detective until much later, and even then, I'm still guessing -- just like that ending! Wow... a cliffhanger to keep us coming back for more. And that's a good thing since there's a second book in the series within the next year.
Between 4 and 4.5 stars! Big thanks to Holton for merging a lot of different styles and approaches in his debut work. It gives you a different sort of appeal not dissimilar to major international thrillers by famous authors we've seen and read before. I'm curious to take on the next one soon.
February 12, 2018
4.5 stars rounded up
“The weight of shadows can be devastating. I’ve been collecting them since I was a young man….”
Three years ago Danny Benedict was the resident genius with homicide at the Met. In a chilling prologue we learn why he carries physical & emotional scars from what turned out to be his last case. Now he’s an investigator with NCA Organized Crime Command & the team has its hands full trying to track down mobsters with foreign ties.
DI Wallace is a whip-smart detective with the Flying Squad. Her team is sent to the scene of a major jewelry heist & it’s not long before she realizes things just don’t add up. But even she couldn’t have guessed where the investigation will lead.
Ray Hanson is a billionaire with a decidedly shady past. He left London years ago but personal reasons have brought him home. Besides, he has some scores to settle. First he needs to assemble a team & he has specific people in mind to execute his plans.
These are the 3 MC’s & initially we follow them in alternating chapters as their story lines take shape. By circumstance & design, they eventually cross paths in this fast paced, intricate & intelligent thriller. They’re compelling but very different characters which makes for entertaining interactions & great dialogue.
But it’s Benedict that really shines. He’s usually the quietest character in the scene but you get the feeling he was born with a few more grey cells than the rest of us. When he does speak, his lack of social skills frequently (if unintentionally) has darkly funny results. This is a man who can piss off an entire room with a single sentence & I thought he was a hoot.
There is a large cast of peripheral characters including government agents, mobsters & cops. Of note are DCI Evans, an old nemesis of Benedict’s & asshat of the highest order. And then there’s the Doctor, a man with all the charm of a Komodo dragon. Let’s not go there.
All these elements combine to produce an entertaining read that keeps you turning the pages. And that ending. I don’t know who’s more gobsmacked…Benedict or the reader. There’s a big question mark left hanging after it’s all done & dusted that guarantees I’ll be moving book #2 up on my reading list.
“The weight of shadows can be devastating. I’ve been collecting them since I was a young man….”
Three years ago Danny Benedict was the resident genius with homicide at the Met. In a chilling prologue we learn why he carries physical & emotional scars from what turned out to be his last case. Now he’s an investigator with NCA Organized Crime Command & the team has its hands full trying to track down mobsters with foreign ties.
DI Wallace is a whip-smart detective with the Flying Squad. Her team is sent to the scene of a major jewelry heist & it’s not long before she realizes things just don’t add up. But even she couldn’t have guessed where the investigation will lead.
Ray Hanson is a billionaire with a decidedly shady past. He left London years ago but personal reasons have brought him home. Besides, he has some scores to settle. First he needs to assemble a team & he has specific people in mind to execute his plans.
These are the 3 MC’s & initially we follow them in alternating chapters as their story lines take shape. By circumstance & design, they eventually cross paths in this fast paced, intricate & intelligent thriller. They’re compelling but very different characters which makes for entertaining interactions & great dialogue.
But it’s Benedict that really shines. He’s usually the quietest character in the scene but you get the feeling he was born with a few more grey cells than the rest of us. When he does speak, his lack of social skills frequently (if unintentionally) has darkly funny results. This is a man who can piss off an entire room with a single sentence & I thought he was a hoot.
There is a large cast of peripheral characters including government agents, mobsters & cops. Of note are DCI Evans, an old nemesis of Benedict’s & asshat of the highest order. And then there’s the Doctor, a man with all the charm of a Komodo dragon. Let’s not go there.
All these elements combine to produce an entertaining read that keeps you turning the pages. And that ending. I don’t know who’s more gobsmacked…Benedict or the reader. There’s a big question mark left hanging after it’s all done & dusted that guarantees I’ll be moving book #2 up on my reading list.
September 20, 2021
I read this trilogy months ago, and all 3 books together so remembering exactly what happened in each book is now challenging my memory 😂😂
In the Weight of the Shadows, the detective is wrongly accused of murder, and he must use his outstanding investigative skills to prove himself innocent and catch the real killer, who is leaving a trail of dead bodies.
What I do remember is this:
1. This was the best trilogy I have ever read, so much so I read all three books together, which I normally would not do, even for great trilogies. I like to mix things up.
2. Danny Benedict, Ray Hanson and the serial killer are all terrific characters in this book. One huge character in a book is great but having 3 intriguing characters is a gift
3. The plot, the twists, the suspense is never ending. A terrific series and never slows or loses momentum
4. Sometimes you just connect with an author, and I did with Karl Holton's books. Karl Holton is an amazing detective / thriller writer. I can't see why he has not written more books.
We all have different tastes and preferences and sometimes you can be pretty much in sync with some readers most of the time but I would stick my neck out on this series and say, that most crime readers would give this 4/5 stars.
There is not a single word I would change in this book / trilogy. Could not recommend highly enough.
In the Weight of the Shadows, the detective is wrongly accused of murder, and he must use his outstanding investigative skills to prove himself innocent and catch the real killer, who is leaving a trail of dead bodies.
What I do remember is this:
1. This was the best trilogy I have ever read, so much so I read all three books together, which I normally would not do, even for great trilogies. I like to mix things up.
2. Danny Benedict, Ray Hanson and the serial killer are all terrific characters in this book. One huge character in a book is great but having 3 intriguing characters is a gift
3. The plot, the twists, the suspense is never ending. A terrific series and never slows or loses momentum
4. Sometimes you just connect with an author, and I did with Karl Holton's books. Karl Holton is an amazing detective / thriller writer. I can't see why he has not written more books.
We all have different tastes and preferences and sometimes you can be pretty much in sync with some readers most of the time but I would stick my neck out on this series and say, that most crime readers would give this 4/5 stars.
There is not a single word I would change in this book / trilogy. Could not recommend highly enough.
February 14, 2018
Book Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.com
Karl Holton is clearly not a man to deal in half measures. While writing The Weight of Shadows he appears to have thrown in everything imaginable for a London based contemporary crime novel.
The cast of characters is enormous and at the start of the book we met a new set of apparently unrelated people in each chapter. This was not much of a problem because the passages are headed up and I was confident that it would all come together in the end which it did with aplomb.
The story moved at a pace and at no time did I find it tedious. The author kept the action and the intrigue moving throughout.
I was worried by the gory descriptions of some of the crime scenes. I know from the media that such unwarranted violence occurs in real life but I think that some readers would be deterred, particularly by the scene in the prologue which was only loosely related to the rest of the story. No doubt Karl thought this would help draw in more readers but I believe it could put off just as many.
At the end the various characters and storylines come together very nicely and we are given a suggestion of a new team for future stories. The author also teases us with a question, encouraging us to re-read the book to discover the answer.
I have tempered my grading to four stars because of the gruesomeness but The Weight of Shadows is worth reading and I look forward to more from Karl Holton in the near future.
Karl Holton is clearly not a man to deal in half measures. While writing The Weight of Shadows he appears to have thrown in everything imaginable for a London based contemporary crime novel.
The cast of characters is enormous and at the start of the book we met a new set of apparently unrelated people in each chapter. This was not much of a problem because the passages are headed up and I was confident that it would all come together in the end which it did with aplomb.
The story moved at a pace and at no time did I find it tedious. The author kept the action and the intrigue moving throughout.
I was worried by the gory descriptions of some of the crime scenes. I know from the media that such unwarranted violence occurs in real life but I think that some readers would be deterred, particularly by the scene in the prologue which was only loosely related to the rest of the story. No doubt Karl thought this would help draw in more readers but I believe it could put off just as many.
At the end the various characters and storylines come together very nicely and we are given a suggestion of a new team for future stories. The author also teases us with a question, encouraging us to re-read the book to discover the answer.
I have tempered my grading to four stars because of the gruesomeness but The Weight of Shadows is worth reading and I look forward to more from Karl Holton in the near future.
November 2, 2017
4.5 Stars
I was hooked from the very first page. The first chapter put me in mind of the Chelsea Cain books which I loved.
Detective Danny Benedict is a man of many talents. He's worked for about all the alphabet of law enforcement .... OCC, MET, M15 and M16, CIA, NSA and a few others that are so covert they have no identity.
This is a fast-paced crime thriller with good guys and bad guys having to work together for the betterment of both their lives.... and their families' and friends', as well.
There are twists and turns that stunned me .. this is such a well-plotted books with no holes anywhere. The characters are all credible and although there are many, they are defined so deftly, the reader does not lost track of any of them.
Because his debut was this good, I can hardly wait for the next in this series.
Many thanks to the author / TBC Reviewer Request Group for the digital copy of this crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
I was hooked from the very first page. The first chapter put me in mind of the Chelsea Cain books which I loved.
Detective Danny Benedict is a man of many talents. He's worked for about all the alphabet of law enforcement .... OCC, MET, M15 and M16, CIA, NSA and a few others that are so covert they have no identity.
This is a fast-paced crime thriller with good guys and bad guys having to work together for the betterment of both their lives.... and their families' and friends', as well.
There are twists and turns that stunned me .. this is such a well-plotted books with no holes anywhere. The characters are all credible and although there are many, they are defined so deftly, the reader does not lost track of any of them.
Because his debut was this good, I can hardly wait for the next in this series.
Many thanks to the author / TBC Reviewer Request Group for the digital copy of this crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
March 21, 2018
This book has an intricate plot with numerous characters. I admit to being confused at times, and I probably should have kept some notes. My rating might have been higher.
October 7, 2017
WHAT AN ENDING!!
1. Characters ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
DCI Danny Benedict previously worked for the Metropolitan Police Homicide & Serious Crime Command; he was transferred to the NSA (National Crime Agency).
Vuk Zoric is the leader of the "Panthers", an organized crime gang.
Bojan Markovic is one of Vuk's generals.
Zlatan Markovic is Bojan's son.
Ray Hanson has a criminal past but has since helped various covert government agencies. Alice Cook is his daughter and Paddy is his bodyguard.
Pip Prendergast is ex-Interpol who is now working for Ray.
2. Plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The story opens with DCI Danny Benedict recalling an incident of murder a few years ago involving a woman who has tied him up. She speaks to him and is shocked to hear what she has to say. Benedict's partner, DC Naylor was killed and he was blamed for her murder. Since that time, he was transferred to the National Crime Agency.
There was a jewelry store heist and a large amount of diamonds were stolen. The way the crew entered the store was very suspicious. Jim Connor was the leader of the crew working for Bojan. Soon after the robbery, Jim and his wife were brutally murdered. Benedict, DI Ellen Wallace, DCI John Evans and Dr. Grant, a pathologist, are trying to figure out what's happened and who is involved. Ray Hanson has asked Miss Prendergast to work for him. Paddy is part of the team and he wants Benedict to work for him as well. His daughter Alice has been kidnapped. She will be killed if Ray doesn't do what the kidnapper wants. Benedict knows that the murders of Connor, Tom Morrison and Alice's kidnapping are all connected somehow. But the clock is ticking and they're running out of time. Will they find Alice alive? Will they find the killer? You'll just have to read it to find out!
3. Writing Structure ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The storyline is vivid and Karl's description of scenes and events are well thought out. Danny Benedict is a complicated man - with his past and afraid of his future. Karl weaves a story that is intense and heart-pounding!
4. Ending ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The ending is absolutely spine-tingling! Benedict and the team, including Ray finally put the pieces together but in the end, you're left with a question.... The answer may be in book 2!!!
5. Overall ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is Karl's debut book and he has done a wonderful job in telling the story of Danny Benedict. I enjoyed the characters he's created and his attention to detail. I look forward to more books on DCI Danny Benedict!!
1. Characters ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
DCI Danny Benedict previously worked for the Metropolitan Police Homicide & Serious Crime Command; he was transferred to the NSA (National Crime Agency).
Vuk Zoric is the leader of the "Panthers", an organized crime gang.
Bojan Markovic is one of Vuk's generals.
Zlatan Markovic is Bojan's son.
Ray Hanson has a criminal past but has since helped various covert government agencies. Alice Cook is his daughter and Paddy is his bodyguard.
Pip Prendergast is ex-Interpol who is now working for Ray.
2. Plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The story opens with DCI Danny Benedict recalling an incident of murder a few years ago involving a woman who has tied him up. She speaks to him and is shocked to hear what she has to say. Benedict's partner, DC Naylor was killed and he was blamed for her murder. Since that time, he was transferred to the National Crime Agency.
There was a jewelry store heist and a large amount of diamonds were stolen. The way the crew entered the store was very suspicious. Jim Connor was the leader of the crew working for Bojan. Soon after the robbery, Jim and his wife were brutally murdered. Benedict, DI Ellen Wallace, DCI John Evans and Dr. Grant, a pathologist, are trying to figure out what's happened and who is involved. Ray Hanson has asked Miss Prendergast to work for him. Paddy is part of the team and he wants Benedict to work for him as well. His daughter Alice has been kidnapped. She will be killed if Ray doesn't do what the kidnapper wants. Benedict knows that the murders of Connor, Tom Morrison and Alice's kidnapping are all connected somehow. But the clock is ticking and they're running out of time. Will they find Alice alive? Will they find the killer? You'll just have to read it to find out!
3. Writing Structure ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The storyline is vivid and Karl's description of scenes and events are well thought out. Danny Benedict is a complicated man - with his past and afraid of his future. Karl weaves a story that is intense and heart-pounding!
4. Ending ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The ending is absolutely spine-tingling! Benedict and the team, including Ray finally put the pieces together but in the end, you're left with a question.... The answer may be in book 2!!!
5. Overall ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is Karl's debut book and he has done a wonderful job in telling the story of Danny Benedict. I enjoyed the characters he's created and his attention to detail. I look forward to more books on DCI Danny Benedict!!
March 17, 2019
An excellent thriller with elements of drama, suspense and mystery, interwoven perfectly with each other.
Definitely five stars.
Definitely five stars.
November 2, 2017
Entertaining and highly recommended
This is a crime/mystery thriller and debut novel. The story unfolds over a period of almost a week, which sets a quick pace. There is a lot going on and a large cast of characters but all the threads come together very well to provide a satisfying read. The characters are distinctive, well developed and believable in their situations, which give the story a strong credibility. Danny Benedict a detective in the National Crime Agency and DI Wallace from the Flying Squad start off working on separate cases when an overlap occurs and they begin to work together on a more complex international crime ring. There are plenty of twists, which kept me guessing and turning the pages. Entertaining and highly recommended.
This is a crime/mystery thriller and debut novel. The story unfolds over a period of almost a week, which sets a quick pace. There is a lot going on and a large cast of characters but all the threads come together very well to provide a satisfying read. The characters are distinctive, well developed and believable in their situations, which give the story a strong credibility. Danny Benedict a detective in the National Crime Agency and DI Wallace from the Flying Squad start off working on separate cases when an overlap occurs and they begin to work together on a more complex international crime ring. There are plenty of twists, which kept me guessing and turning the pages. Entertaining and highly recommended.
May 17, 2021
Wow... I was on the edge of my seat through much of the book! Very good, intense suspense.
Detective Benedict is haunted by the murder of his partner 3 years earlier, and some colleagues blame him for it. He now has to investigate different crimes that appear unrelated-- a mega jewel heist, a brutal murder and his department is investigating international mafias and their spread into England. Then one of his colleagues is killed in a similar manner to the first heinous murder-- are they related or is it a copycat?
Ray Hanson became a billionaire laundering money for many international criminals, creating many friends but many enemies as well. He regrets his past and wishes to make good on his life of crime by making a difference. But someone out of his past wishes to use his skills and deftly maneuvering money and kidnaps his most prized possession, his daughter to try to convince him to cooperate. He has just 21 hours from the time he finds out about the kidnapping to accomplish this or his daughter dies as the hands of a hired assassin that even the criminals that hire him to kill only know him by as "The Doctor"-- and he is horrible. Can they save Ray's daughter?
I am eager to read the next in the series The Wait for Shadows to see what happens with Detective Benedict and the other characters. Due to my enjoyment of reading this first in the series, my expectations for the second are high. : )
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, thank you!
Detective Benedict is haunted by the murder of his partner 3 years earlier, and some colleagues blame him for it. He now has to investigate different crimes that appear unrelated-- a mega jewel heist, a brutal murder and his department is investigating international mafias and their spread into England. Then one of his colleagues is killed in a similar manner to the first heinous murder-- are they related or is it a copycat?
Ray Hanson became a billionaire laundering money for many international criminals, creating many friends but many enemies as well. He regrets his past and wishes to make good on his life of crime by making a difference. But someone out of his past wishes to use his skills and deftly maneuvering money and kidnaps his most prized possession, his daughter to try to convince him to cooperate. He has just 21 hours from the time he finds out about the kidnapping to accomplish this or his daughter dies as the hands of a hired assassin that even the criminals that hire him to kill only know him by as "The Doctor"-- and he is horrible. Can they save Ray's daughter?
I am eager to read the next in the series The Wait for Shadows to see what happens with Detective Benedict and the other characters. Due to my enjoyment of reading this first in the series, my expectations for the second are high. : )
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, thank you!
June 12, 2019
The Weight of Shadows by Karl Holton's is an intriguing, captivating, and brutal thriller that keeps you glued to your seat. This is not a simple story, starting off with a bang-a jewel heist. From there it folds in a number of subplots that are well developed. You never get lost in the menagerie of players that includes the mafia, an assassin, and money laundering amongst a few. Enough villainy to keep the Metropolitan police busy for sure.
There is a wide cast of characters, each well thought out by Holton. I especially liked protagonists Danny Benedict and D.I Wallace who work alongside each other to uncover an international crime ring.
All the while as you flip through the pages, your mind is trying to connect the dots. The book does not tie up all the loose ends, leaving you to desire the next book in the series which is The Wait for Shadows.
This is crime-drama at its best. Holton knows how to weave a hair-raising, exhilarating plot.
This book is not for the squirmish, but for those who want a fast-paced thriller, this is it! I give The weight of Shadows five stars and highly recommend.
There is a wide cast of characters, each well thought out by Holton. I especially liked protagonists Danny Benedict and D.I Wallace who work alongside each other to uncover an international crime ring.
All the while as you flip through the pages, your mind is trying to connect the dots. The book does not tie up all the loose ends, leaving you to desire the next book in the series which is The Wait for Shadows.
This is crime-drama at its best. Holton knows how to weave a hair-raising, exhilarating plot.
This book is not for the squirmish, but for those who want a fast-paced thriller, this is it! I give The weight of Shadows five stars and highly recommend.
September 20, 2017
As you begin this book you soon realise it set at a fast pace, in fact it is perfect for this action packed crime thriller.
Danny Benedict is a police officer who does not mice his words and is part of an investigation into an international crime gang, with the main focus of the story being set in London. D.I Wallace is soon to work alongside Benedict as a series of crimes take place and they find themselves working in their very unique styles, she has a very similar trait as Benedict himself.
Because this is an international crime ring they have to use the services of the very humorous, efficient and ruthless Pip. She has access to various intelligence agencies, I will not divulge any more information about her at this time, as she may hurt me! Needless to say she is an amazing asset to this team, as is the duo of Ray and Paddy, they have their own skill set and contacts into this very shady criminal world, and their involvment in the story is crucial.
If you want a book with action, adventure, crime and thrills, that is well written and executed, then this is the book for you. There is a huge amount of detail and a vast array of characters. It kept me on the edge of my seat from the very first paragraphs right through to its finale and conclusion. The main focus is on the investigation, we learn a little about the characters and their past histories as this investigation unfolds. There is just the right amount of information given about their past lives, but not too much that it detracts from the story.
The plots within the story have been worked together very well and at no point did I get confused. Also with the large cast of characters there was no confusion, the main ones have been very well described and most of them I absolutely loved. The dynamics between them are wonderful and they have been well developed. I really could go on and on about this book, but I really do not want to give anything away.
I can honestly say I loved this book from start to beginning. My only problem is the fact that I have finished it and really want to read the next installment NOW!
I would highly recommend this book to people who like their crime and thriller books to be fast paced, action packed and well written.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Karl for bringing this book to my attention. My thoughts expressed here are my own, they are honest and unbiased.
Danny Benedict is a police officer who does not mice his words and is part of an investigation into an international crime gang, with the main focus of the story being set in London. D.I Wallace is soon to work alongside Benedict as a series of crimes take place and they find themselves working in their very unique styles, she has a very similar trait as Benedict himself.
Because this is an international crime ring they have to use the services of the very humorous, efficient and ruthless Pip. She has access to various intelligence agencies, I will not divulge any more information about her at this time, as she may hurt me! Needless to say she is an amazing asset to this team, as is the duo of Ray and Paddy, they have their own skill set and contacts into this very shady criminal world, and their involvment in the story is crucial.
If you want a book with action, adventure, crime and thrills, that is well written and executed, then this is the book for you. There is a huge amount of detail and a vast array of characters. It kept me on the edge of my seat from the very first paragraphs right through to its finale and conclusion. The main focus is on the investigation, we learn a little about the characters and their past histories as this investigation unfolds. There is just the right amount of information given about their past lives, but not too much that it detracts from the story.
The plots within the story have been worked together very well and at no point did I get confused. Also with the large cast of characters there was no confusion, the main ones have been very well described and most of them I absolutely loved. The dynamics between them are wonderful and they have been well developed. I really could go on and on about this book, but I really do not want to give anything away.
I can honestly say I loved this book from start to beginning. My only problem is the fact that I have finished it and really want to read the next installment NOW!
I would highly recommend this book to people who like their crime and thriller books to be fast paced, action packed and well written.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Karl for bringing this book to my attention. My thoughts expressed here are my own, they are honest and unbiased.
August 25, 2017
An excellent debut crime thriller which kicks off what promises to be an exciting series. At the outset you are introduced to a number of different characters and I was intrigued about how they would all fit together. This author has written an intricate plot full of twists and the story does cleverly come together in an exciting climax. The characters are well developed and Benedict is a great detective but there is quite an ensemble cast and they all add something different to the story. There is plenty of suspense and fast paced action. There is also the added bonus of the book being set in England. I read the book in two sittings and am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series.
November 3, 2017
This is a fast paced crime thriller with a fabulous lead character in Danny Benedict. I suspect that in real life he might be insufferable but as a fictional character I loved him. I found myself a bit confused at the start as there are a lot of characters and various locations. With hindsight I would have faired better if I had written a crib sheet of who and where. I enjoyed this more the further I read and I’ll definitely be watching out for the next in the series.
I received a copy of The Weight of Shadows via THE Book Club on Facebook and my thanks to Karl Holton for that.
I received a copy of The Weight of Shadows via THE Book Club on Facebook and my thanks to Karl Holton for that.
April 27, 2019
*I received a free copy of this book, with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
This crime thriller packs a whole load of plot and characters into its pages!
There are multiple distinct criminal empires, whose motives and goals diverge and overlap at different points, lined up against multiple enforcement agencies from the police, to MI5, plus some enthusiastic outliers (you can’t really call them amateurs!).
There are jewel heists, murders, money-laundering, executions, abductions and explosions across the course of the few days that the main plot spans. The storylines are complex and at times it was hard to keep the different threads distinct and tie them together into anything resembling a solution to the case.
Luckily it is not left in my hands, but the competent and professional ones of Benedict, Paddy and Pip, amongst others. They piece together the jigsaw (and in some cases the body parts) in a race to solve the surface crimes and deeper, hidden mysteries before either the killer/s or their benefactor’s health catches up with them all.
There are some pretty gruesome moments during the course of the investigations, so I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone of a sensitive disposition, but for those who enjoy a gritty, intricate, organised-crime mystery thriller, this should tick all of your boxes! I will just warn you that the ending doesn’t tie everything up with a pretty ribbon… there are questions still outstanding and work still to be done. After all, this is only the first book in the series!
“How did you do it?” she asked.
He twitched i the bindings. “Do what?”
“Catch me.”
Benedict wondered if he should scream given he was not gagged. If it is the day no one is around to hear, he told himself. No one is coming here and she can kill me in seconds, ranted his inner demon.
“Tell me.”
Benedict considered his answer. Don’t say too much. “It was the painting.”
She clapped softly for a few seconds. “That is very good, Danny. How many have you found?”
He felt his glued eyebrows try to move, knowing he had to watch what he said given they had only found one. “We found the painting you left at the third victim’s house.”
“Now that was not mentioned in the press. That is a bit sneaky,” she said, before laughing.
“Come on, tell me. Did you like my painting?”
“You mean apart from the fact that you had used the skin from the first victim as your canvas?”
– Karl Holton, The Weight of Shadows
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
This crime thriller packs a whole load of plot and characters into its pages!
There are multiple distinct criminal empires, whose motives and goals diverge and overlap at different points, lined up against multiple enforcement agencies from the police, to MI5, plus some enthusiastic outliers (you can’t really call them amateurs!).
There are jewel heists, murders, money-laundering, executions, abductions and explosions across the course of the few days that the main plot spans. The storylines are complex and at times it was hard to keep the different threads distinct and tie them together into anything resembling a solution to the case.
Luckily it is not left in my hands, but the competent and professional ones of Benedict, Paddy and Pip, amongst others. They piece together the jigsaw (and in some cases the body parts) in a race to solve the surface crimes and deeper, hidden mysteries before either the killer/s or their benefactor’s health catches up with them all.
There are some pretty gruesome moments during the course of the investigations, so I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone of a sensitive disposition, but for those who enjoy a gritty, intricate, organised-crime mystery thriller, this should tick all of your boxes! I will just warn you that the ending doesn’t tie everything up with a pretty ribbon… there are questions still outstanding and work still to be done. After all, this is only the first book in the series!
“How did you do it?” she asked.
He twitched i the bindings. “Do what?”
“Catch me.”
Benedict wondered if he should scream given he was not gagged. If it is the day no one is around to hear, he told himself. No one is coming here and she can kill me in seconds, ranted his inner demon.
“Tell me.”
Benedict considered his answer. Don’t say too much. “It was the painting.”
She clapped softly for a few seconds. “That is very good, Danny. How many have you found?”
He felt his glued eyebrows try to move, knowing he had to watch what he said given they had only found one. “We found the painting you left at the third victim’s house.”
“Now that was not mentioned in the press. That is a bit sneaky,” she said, before laughing.
“Come on, tell me. Did you like my painting?”
“You mean apart from the fact that you had used the skin from the first victim as your canvas?”
– Karl Holton, The Weight of Shadows
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
October 10, 2018
Well that was a pleasant surprise for a book I bought on spec. Its a police procedural wrapped up in a spy story with a bit of international criminal gangs thrown in. You need your thinking cap on for this one as you are bombarded from the start with of unrelated characters and plot elements that don't hang together - yet.
There is a massive diamond heist that goes pear shaped when one of the perps double crosses the other, a brutal bloodbath, body parts found here and there. Then you've got the vicious Ukrainian mob leader who has tentacles around the globe, and the former criminal who is now trying to make up for his former misdeeds and is working with the CIA and MI6 by funnelling the proceeds of crime funds around the world into covert government accounts. And you have the former homicide detective and current National Crime Agency cop working on mapping gang activity in the UK who has been roped in to help a consortium of agencies to solve all these crimes and rescue a kidnapped damsel in distress before she gets eviscerated by a psychopathic gun (or in this case blade) for hire. What's not to like?
It was all very fast and furious and British and complex and fun. I'd better red the next book while all this is still fresh in my mind!
There is a massive diamond heist that goes pear shaped when one of the perps double crosses the other, a brutal bloodbath, body parts found here and there. Then you've got the vicious Ukrainian mob leader who has tentacles around the globe, and the former criminal who is now trying to make up for his former misdeeds and is working with the CIA and MI6 by funnelling the proceeds of crime funds around the world into covert government accounts. And you have the former homicide detective and current National Crime Agency cop working on mapping gang activity in the UK who has been roped in to help a consortium of agencies to solve all these crimes and rescue a kidnapped damsel in distress before she gets eviscerated by a psychopathic gun (or in this case blade) for hire. What's not to like?
It was all very fast and furious and British and complex and fun. I'd better red the next book while all this is still fresh in my mind!
April 17, 2018
*** Note: I received review copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to author for giving me a chance to read this book. ***
The weight of Shadow was a crime thriller mystery first of the series that revolved around best crime detective of London- Danny Benedict and a billionaire with mysterious career- Ray Hanson. It was story of these two main characters, both in different career but had shadowy past and working their way to light but shadows of the past don’t leave that easily. Circumstances put them in desperate need of each other. This was kind of book that you can pick blindly and will enjoy even more without any prior thoughts.
Ok a little warning first- murders in book were so damn brutal, freaking horrific, gory, and heartless. They are not overly graphic but enough to imagine it to that level.
Characters-
Characters were mind-blowing, creative, developed, and perfectly written. I can’t possibly tell all about characters but let just say I liked the way author represented them all especially main characters and the team they worked with. Most interesting characters to read in the book were-
Benedict- DCI working at OCC (Organised Crime Command) a part of NCA for last two years. Before the incident with death of his colleague he was in Met. He was pretty known effective murder detective, amusing, interesting, smart and that’s why most hated in departments he worked. His skills were impressive and amazing.
Ray- had history with gangs and was into money laundering business in past, but now was working for good and legally but there was mystery to it, no one has much information about him and what he does only that he had connection to highest level.
Paddy- bodyguard of Ray, who worked with him for 20 years and so was more like close friend. He was fiercely protective and also a great person.
Pip- previously worked at Interpol who still had a secure access to Interpol and many other agencies. She was funny, charming and highly skilled in her work. I enjoyed all the chapters she was mentioned in. She was one strong interesting character that i would love to know more.
Wallace- DI at Flying Squad. She and her team were quick to act. Her skill were almost equal to Benedict. They both made a great team in solving robbery and murder mystery.
Even the antagonists were intriguing. They made the book more interesting, chilling and thrilling to read.
What I liked-
First half of the book introduces so many characters including main characters Danny Benedict and Ray Hanson, their past life narrated in bits but gave pretty good picture of their life till now, their skill in their career, and their relation with the other secondary characters they were working with. Secondary characters working in NCA, MI5, MI6, CIA, Met, Flying Squad as well as various gangs and their leader, murderers, robbers were described so amazingly that I never felt anywhere getting confused because of extensive and yet very important cast of characters. It made reading little slow initially because I couldn’t get any idea where it was going but mainly it was because of narration of different scenes occurring on same day alternatively. Three or four different scenes were narrated in third person voice chapter wise till almost 40% of the book and then eventually everything merged into such fine thriller.
Second of the book was more clear, more exciting and action packed where I got all the answers, mystery solved, and complexity of the whole story eventually became simple, in short all the scenes merged so nicely by the climax. Author made me hooked to book till the end. Though you might get idea at around climax that where story is heading and how it will end, there were pretty good surprises and twists that made the climax and end so thrilling and unpredictable. There was bit of philosophy in this half and also that first line of blurb and characters’ thought on that were interesting to read.
End was shockingly turned out a cliffhanger. Till that very last line I couldn’t imagine there was any possibility of cliffhanger. So those who are in habit of reading last line of the book first, please don’t do it. There are still few questions left unanswered and some mystery unsolved for the next book of the series. I’m definitely looking forward to read it. If it’s made into movie, it will be awesome.
Overall, it was fast paced, chilling and thrilling crime mystery with large but interesting cast that all mystery-thriller lovers would love to read it.
The weight of Shadow was a crime thriller mystery first of the series that revolved around best crime detective of London- Danny Benedict and a billionaire with mysterious career- Ray Hanson. It was story of these two main characters, both in different career but had shadowy past and working their way to light but shadows of the past don’t leave that easily. Circumstances put them in desperate need of each other. This was kind of book that you can pick blindly and will enjoy even more without any prior thoughts.
Ok a little warning first- murders in book were so damn brutal, freaking horrific, gory, and heartless. They are not overly graphic but enough to imagine it to that level.
Characters-
Characters were mind-blowing, creative, developed, and perfectly written. I can’t possibly tell all about characters but let just say I liked the way author represented them all especially main characters and the team they worked with. Most interesting characters to read in the book were-
Benedict- DCI working at OCC (Organised Crime Command) a part of NCA for last two years. Before the incident with death of his colleague he was in Met. He was pretty known effective murder detective, amusing, interesting, smart and that’s why most hated in departments he worked. His skills were impressive and amazing.
Ray- had history with gangs and was into money laundering business in past, but now was working for good and legally but there was mystery to it, no one has much information about him and what he does only that he had connection to highest level.
Paddy- bodyguard of Ray, who worked with him for 20 years and so was more like close friend. He was fiercely protective and also a great person.
Pip- previously worked at Interpol who still had a secure access to Interpol and many other agencies. She was funny, charming and highly skilled in her work. I enjoyed all the chapters she was mentioned in. She was one strong interesting character that i would love to know more.
Wallace- DI at Flying Squad. She and her team were quick to act. Her skill were almost equal to Benedict. They both made a great team in solving robbery and murder mystery.
Even the antagonists were intriguing. They made the book more interesting, chilling and thrilling to read.
What I liked-
First half of the book introduces so many characters including main characters Danny Benedict and Ray Hanson, their past life narrated in bits but gave pretty good picture of their life till now, their skill in their career, and their relation with the other secondary characters they were working with. Secondary characters working in NCA, MI5, MI6, CIA, Met, Flying Squad as well as various gangs and their leader, murderers, robbers were described so amazingly that I never felt anywhere getting confused because of extensive and yet very important cast of characters. It made reading little slow initially because I couldn’t get any idea where it was going but mainly it was because of narration of different scenes occurring on same day alternatively. Three or four different scenes were narrated in third person voice chapter wise till almost 40% of the book and then eventually everything merged into such fine thriller.
Second of the book was more clear, more exciting and action packed where I got all the answers, mystery solved, and complexity of the whole story eventually became simple, in short all the scenes merged so nicely by the climax. Author made me hooked to book till the end. Though you might get idea at around climax that where story is heading and how it will end, there were pretty good surprises and twists that made the climax and end so thrilling and unpredictable. There was bit of philosophy in this half and also that first line of blurb and characters’ thought on that were interesting to read.
End was shockingly turned out a cliffhanger. Till that very last line I couldn’t imagine there was any possibility of cliffhanger. So those who are in habit of reading last line of the book first, please don’t do it. There are still few questions left unanswered and some mystery unsolved for the next book of the series. I’m definitely looking forward to read it. If it’s made into movie, it will be awesome.
Overall, it was fast paced, chilling and thrilling crime mystery with large but interesting cast that all mystery-thriller lovers would love to read it.
December 29, 2018
This fascinating book has been my very first experience with this author and I have to admit that it has been an amazing debut.
The book will start off with an intriguing prologue, before going off like a train with a first chapter in Iceland, but after that the main chapters will be situated in England, especially London, and some chapters are situated in the East of Europe, with the likes of Ukraine and Serbia.
It's a fast paced debut crime thriller which starts off with an excellent opening scene, and after that the book will develop into an exciting tale with quite a lot of suspenseful actions.
The main character of the book is Detective Danny Benedict, who's now working for the OCC which is part of the NCA at senior G3 grade, but also all the other characters involved within this story are very well pictured and developed, whether they are from the Met, MI5, MI6, CIA, NSA and other organisations, and so in the end they all come splendidly to life within this great crime thriller.
In this suspenseful thriller the plot will finally be revealed in a most intriguing fashion due to the various different factions involved, and after quite some gripping twists and turns.
This book will certainly captivate the reader's attention right from the exciting beginning until the dramatic suspenseful end.
What is also so fascinating about this debut crime thriller is that it ends with a question for the attentive reader to solve, and that's by trying to break the book code within.
Really very much recommended, for this is an absolute gripping crime thriller and an author certainly worthy to follow, and that's why I would like to call this book: "A Tremendous Opening Thriller"!
The book will start off with an intriguing prologue, before going off like a train with a first chapter in Iceland, but after that the main chapters will be situated in England, especially London, and some chapters are situated in the East of Europe, with the likes of Ukraine and Serbia.
It's a fast paced debut crime thriller which starts off with an excellent opening scene, and after that the book will develop into an exciting tale with quite a lot of suspenseful actions.
The main character of the book is Detective Danny Benedict, who's now working for the OCC which is part of the NCA at senior G3 grade, but also all the other characters involved within this story are very well pictured and developed, whether they are from the Met, MI5, MI6, CIA, NSA and other organisations, and so in the end they all come splendidly to life within this great crime thriller.
In this suspenseful thriller the plot will finally be revealed in a most intriguing fashion due to the various different factions involved, and after quite some gripping twists and turns.
This book will certainly captivate the reader's attention right from the exciting beginning until the dramatic suspenseful end.
What is also so fascinating about this debut crime thriller is that it ends with a question for the attentive reader to solve, and that's by trying to break the book code within.
Really very much recommended, for this is an absolute gripping crime thriller and an author certainly worthy to follow, and that's why I would like to call this book: "A Tremendous Opening Thriller"!
September 18, 2017
The Weight of Shadows is the first book in the new Shadow series.What an exciting series this is going to be. With a gripping start I devoured it in one day.
In this story we meet quite a few characters. Which I found hard to keep up with and with it set in various different places of the world. England being the main place.But once I got to grips with it all we learn that the story centers around senior investigator Danny Benedict. Who I loved might I add. And all the other characters fit into place has the story unravels.
There is a lot going on and without giving too much away It is full of police procedure and forensics.The author has certainly done his research. The descriptions are brilliant making me feel right there in the story. With plenty of twists and turns we follow two investigations which are linked together. Keeping the reader guessing until the end with one brilliant climax.
I can't wait to find out what's in store for Benedict in the next novel.
This is a brilliant debut novel which I recommend giving it 4 stars
In this story we meet quite a few characters. Which I found hard to keep up with and with it set in various different places of the world. England being the main place.But once I got to grips with it all we learn that the story centers around senior investigator Danny Benedict. Who I loved might I add. And all the other characters fit into place has the story unravels.
There is a lot going on and without giving too much away It is full of police procedure and forensics.The author has certainly done his research. The descriptions are brilliant making me feel right there in the story. With plenty of twists and turns we follow two investigations which are linked together. Keeping the reader guessing until the end with one brilliant climax.
I can't wait to find out what's in store for Benedict in the next novel.
This is a brilliant debut novel which I recommend giving it 4 stars
December 5, 2018
Intricate and gritty with complexity to several characters. Graphic violence, but appropriate to the setting and characters.
September 28, 2017
This was the first crime novel I had read in awhile, I usually have to be in the right frame of mind before I can even pick one up so I was surprised by how easily I was able to get into this book! Now I have mentioned this book before in an Author Showcase I did awhile back so I thought I had some idea of what to expect, turns out I was wrong, this is a fast paced multiple POV thriller that had me eagerly anticipating what would happen next only for that to be blown out of the water. Now this did take me a little while to get through, mainly because there are a lot of characters to get your head round. I knew they would all probably connect in the end but I will admit to go just a bit slower so I could try figure it all out before hand. The amount of characters and the many different places in the world where the book does take place is my reasoning for dropping the half the star as personally I do prefer books that are a little more straight forward.
One of the things I was impressed with about the novel was the obvious amount of research which had gone into the book, the amount of details that he is able to go into is great. I was also surprised that each character was well developed and had their own ‘voice’. With so many characters floating around that definitely is no easy feat. It also gets bonus points for being the only book in a long while to end on a ‘cliffhanger’ of sorts and me to not be irrationally angry! As this was the first book in a series I am looking forward to the second instalment.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
One of the things I was impressed with about the novel was the obvious amount of research which had gone into the book, the amount of details that he is able to go into is great. I was also surprised that each character was well developed and had their own ‘voice’. With so many characters floating around that definitely is no easy feat. It also gets bonus points for being the only book in a long while to end on a ‘cliffhanger’ of sorts and me to not be irrationally angry! As this was the first book in a series I am looking forward to the second instalment.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2018
The Weight of Shadows by Karl Holton is an exciting thriller about the mafia around the world. It's also about an exciting bank robbery, as well as murders, and kidnappings in England. Unlike some other Indie books, this one was very polished without any grammatical errors. The proofreading and editing put into this book was well worth it. In the beginning we are introduced to a serial killer, but the book doesn’t go into much detail about what exactly what was happening. It does entice me to read the next books in the series to find out more. The story line was still excellent, and this can be read as a stand alone novel. There is some unfinished business for the next books, but nothing that makes you feel like you’ve been left hanging too much. The characters were well developed and interesting. People did tend to get mad about little things a lot, but I guess people are like that. Benedict is the main character with the police, and his story is very interesting. So is the story line with Hanson and Paddy. I highly encourage people to read this book to find out more.
November 2, 2017
The blurb:
When you have spent your life in the shadows, what would you do at the dying of the light?
Three years ago the best murder detective in London is blamed for the death of his colleague
and kicked out of the Met.
A man with secrets buried in the past and present returns to London, the city that started the mysterious career which made him a billionaire.
The two need each other.
But they have no idea how much.
I found this book very confusing. It jumped from one gang to another and then on to the police and other agencies without any warning. It is the first in a series of books and I don’t think I will read any more of them. Sorry this book really wasn’t for me. I’m absolutely certain that many other readers will disagree with my opinion. 3*
When you have spent your life in the shadows, what would you do at the dying of the light?
Three years ago the best murder detective in London is blamed for the death of his colleague
and kicked out of the Met.
A man with secrets buried in the past and present returns to London, the city that started the mysterious career which made him a billionaire.
The two need each other.
But they have no idea how much.
I found this book very confusing. It jumped from one gang to another and then on to the police and other agencies without any warning. It is the first in a series of books and I don’t think I will read any more of them. Sorry this book really wasn’t for me. I’m absolutely certain that many other readers will disagree with my opinion. 3*
November 6, 2017
A very enjoyable debut novel. It seems, like many other readers, I found the sheer number of characters, locations and relationships somewhat overwhelming. I did have to keep using the 'search within this book' feature to remind me of who, what, where and why. However, I did think that the plot was excellent and the characters who we spent more time getting to know were well drawn and interesting. I look forward to the next book in the series
November 19, 2017
Weight of the Shadows by Karl Hilton.
Three years ago the best murder detective in London is blamed for the death of his colleague and kicked out of the Met.
A man with secrets buried in the past and present returns to London, the city that started the mysterious career which made him a billionaire.
The two need each other.
But they have no idea how much.
A very good read. I liked the plot and the characters. 4*. Tbc in fb.
Three years ago the best murder detective in London is blamed for the death of his colleague and kicked out of the Met.
A man with secrets buried in the past and present returns to London, the city that started the mysterious career which made him a billionaire.
The two need each other.
But they have no idea how much.
A very good read. I liked the plot and the characters. 4*. Tbc in fb.
November 15, 2017
I found this a bit confusing at the beginning with a lot of different scenarios and characters but the more I read the better it became and the easier it flowed ... Loved how it ended making you eager to read book two . My thanks to tbc reviewers and the author for the opportunity to read
Read
April 27, 2018A warm thank-you before I start to Karl Holton, who very kindly lent me a copy of his book to review.
Down to business, then: The Weight of Shadows was my designated airplane read on a recent holiday, which is always a risky business as you’re a captive audience for the entire three hours it takes to land in a foreign country.
Not that I need to have worried: this is a book that rewards patience and careful reading. Though the first few chapters were heavy going, if you stick with it, you quickly get hooked. With so many different narrative threads, an intricate plot and a whole cast of memorable characters, I very much enjoyed Karl Holton’s first book. In fact, for a debut, it’s a stunningly ambitious bit of work.
Unfolding over the course of a week, the story centres around the story of a diamond heist gone wrong- which, in turn, leads to a darkly deceptive web of mafia dealings, shady businessmen and a mysterious killer called ‘The Doctor’ who is carving a bloody path through London. From the get-go, the story hits the ground running, and introduces us to a plethora of characters, adding more at a breakneck pace as we go: Detective Danny Benedict, Ray Hanson, Pip Prendergast… the list is staggering.
It’s hard work keeping this many plates spinning without confusing the reader, but Holton does a great job: with twists and turns happening in practically every plot thread, and a body count to rival Game of Thrones- each person dispatched in ever-more grisly and inventive ways- the reader is kept hooked, waiting for the next plot twist, amusing aside, or police raid. As a result, the tension remains high throughout, and the dense plot remains more-or-less easy to follow throughout the entire story, as the threads start to neatly mesh together and build to its conclusion.
The main characters in the story, though are DI Benedict and Ray Hanson. Both with chequered pasts, I really enjoyed reading about reformed Cockney mobster Ray Hanson’s outrageous exploits, which, when coupled with his personality, makes for somebody I’d love to read more of. Benedict was slightly different: he’s given a backstory that doesn’t quite tie into the rest of the book, which would maybe merit a little more exploration as it confused me a little at the start. However, his sass more than makes up for it- and there's a lot of sass, all the way through!
Though at times a little confusing, this high-octane thriller is definitely a book that will keep you on your toes.
Down to business, then: The Weight of Shadows was my designated airplane read on a recent holiday, which is always a risky business as you’re a captive audience for the entire three hours it takes to land in a foreign country.
Not that I need to have worried: this is a book that rewards patience and careful reading. Though the first few chapters were heavy going, if you stick with it, you quickly get hooked. With so many different narrative threads, an intricate plot and a whole cast of memorable characters, I very much enjoyed Karl Holton’s first book. In fact, for a debut, it’s a stunningly ambitious bit of work.
Unfolding over the course of a week, the story centres around the story of a diamond heist gone wrong- which, in turn, leads to a darkly deceptive web of mafia dealings, shady businessmen and a mysterious killer called ‘The Doctor’ who is carving a bloody path through London. From the get-go, the story hits the ground running, and introduces us to a plethora of characters, adding more at a breakneck pace as we go: Detective Danny Benedict, Ray Hanson, Pip Prendergast… the list is staggering.
It’s hard work keeping this many plates spinning without confusing the reader, but Holton does a great job: with twists and turns happening in practically every plot thread, and a body count to rival Game of Thrones- each person dispatched in ever-more grisly and inventive ways- the reader is kept hooked, waiting for the next plot twist, amusing aside, or police raid. As a result, the tension remains high throughout, and the dense plot remains more-or-less easy to follow throughout the entire story, as the threads start to neatly mesh together and build to its conclusion.
The main characters in the story, though are DI Benedict and Ray Hanson. Both with chequered pasts, I really enjoyed reading about reformed Cockney mobster Ray Hanson’s outrageous exploits, which, when coupled with his personality, makes for somebody I’d love to read more of. Benedict was slightly different: he’s given a backstory that doesn’t quite tie into the rest of the book, which would maybe merit a little more exploration as it confused me a little at the start. However, his sass more than makes up for it- and there's a lot of sass, all the way through!
Though at times a little confusing, this high-octane thriller is definitely a book that will keep you on your toes.
January 5, 2018
The Weight of Shadows opens with a chilling prologue which ends with DCI Danny Benedict at the mercy of a deranged serial killer. I expected the book would then either flashback to how he ended up there or would follow the hunt for justice. I was wrong - completely, utterly and brilliantly wrong. At first the book is a little confusing as multiple characters are introduced across several locations; Iceland, Montenegro, Kiev, and London; the Ukranian Bratva (mafia) in London discuss a sinister sounding 'acquisition'; a Serbian gang are planning a jewellery heist with a help from their English counterparts who want to carry out "one last job"; two gangster brothers, Ted and Ray Hanson meet up after years apart, the former is a skilled burglar and his brother a rich man thanks to his hugely successful money laundering business. Meanwhile Danny Benedict is now working at the Serious Organised Crime Command (OCC) and is rising through the ranks again after being demoted following the previous case two years ago. Phew! This is just Day One and though it's not yet clear how all these narratives were linked, there's already a strong sense that somehow Benedict is going to find himself at the centre of a complex and dangerous investigation.
Despite the rapid introduction of so many characters and the numerous location switches, I was very quickly gripped by The Weight of Shadows. Each chapter is so fast paced, the sense of place vividly realised throughout and the characterisation absolutely top notch, each individual has a clear and well drawn identity. Danny Benedict is the epicentre of the novel perhaps and is a fascinating man who is dealing as much with the demons of his past as with the present investigation. His interactions with Wallace the perceptive female Flying Squad DI are intriguing and I hope will continue to develop in the second book of the series. Ray Hanson's character development is equally engrossing as little by little we learn more about his past and what motivates him now. I also loved the frankly brilliant Pip, a woman who was privy to top level secrets and who has the ability and means to operate within the shadows, even in retirement.
Told over just a few days, the tension is palpable as the body count and sense of danger increases. I really don't want to give too much away here suffice to say that the storylines comes together like a brilliantly crafted jigsaw puzzle. The Weight of Shadows looks at the relationship between light and dark, how somebody is affected by a life in the shadows and whether they can find retribution and perhaps forgive themselves. This is an intelligent, compelling thriller which ends with a nail-bitingly tense conclusion and a cliffhanger that blew me away and had me reading back for clues - I'm now desperate to read the sequel, The Wait for Shadows to find out just what happens next!
Despite the rapid introduction of so many characters and the numerous location switches, I was very quickly gripped by The Weight of Shadows. Each chapter is so fast paced, the sense of place vividly realised throughout and the characterisation absolutely top notch, each individual has a clear and well drawn identity. Danny Benedict is the epicentre of the novel perhaps and is a fascinating man who is dealing as much with the demons of his past as with the present investigation. His interactions with Wallace the perceptive female Flying Squad DI are intriguing and I hope will continue to develop in the second book of the series. Ray Hanson's character development is equally engrossing as little by little we learn more about his past and what motivates him now. I also loved the frankly brilliant Pip, a woman who was privy to top level secrets and who has the ability and means to operate within the shadows, even in retirement.
Told over just a few days, the tension is palpable as the body count and sense of danger increases. I really don't want to give too much away here suffice to say that the storylines comes together like a brilliantly crafted jigsaw puzzle. The Weight of Shadows looks at the relationship between light and dark, how somebody is affected by a life in the shadows and whether they can find retribution and perhaps forgive themselves. This is an intelligent, compelling thriller which ends with a nail-bitingly tense conclusion and a cliffhanger that blew me away and had me reading back for clues - I'm now desperate to read the sequel, The Wait for Shadows to find out just what happens next!
October 1, 2017
The description above, does not do the justice to this book, there is so much more to it than it is given away in the blurb.
One thing for sure about this book, it is not boring. The book begins by introducing characters, and you should pay attention, because there is a vast amount of them. In the beginning, I was confused of who belonged were, but as I continued reading this book, it all made sense. These 300 pages are filled with action, robberies, murders, kidnapping, police investigations and of course, Ukrainian Mafia. And believe it or not, everything is entangled so masterfully that it makes one huge, great crime mystery.
The characters chosen for this book are very diverse, intriguing and complex. The book covers period of six days and it is unbelievable what can happen in that period of time. I, personally, could not choose my favourite character in this book, because there were too many great personalities. This novel was told from multiple perspectives, and it allowed to get to know the characters better, and made the book more interesting for the reader. I do like books, which are set in London, and I really enjoyed the detailed knowledge of this city, which Holton shared in the book. It just somehow warms my heart and makes it more realistic.
I really enjoyed how fast paced this book’s narrative was. Every chapter gives a different character’s story, so it was a real page turner for me, as I wanted to find out, what happened to other characters. There were a lot of twists and turns in this novel, however, some of the parts were quite obvious, and it annoyed me that those great detectives couldn’t figure out some of the things quicker. This novel is a debut for Holton, but in the prologue chapter, there is an incredibly interesting character mentioned, where it feels like this is a second book in the series, and I honestly hope that one day there will be a book about the “skin artist” and that investigation.
The writing style was pleasurable to read with easy and understandable language . I loved the short chapters of this book, and it was fast paced and indulging read. I should mention, that there are murders, blood and violence in this book, so it is not suitable for people with weak nerves. The ending of this book has very unexpected twist and a cliff hanger, which is driving me mad, but otherwise it gives a satisfactory ending for this part of the series. So, to conclude, I would strongly recommend this book, because it has riveting, complex variety of characters, and the plot is masterfully twisted making it an indulging, fast paced book, which deserves to be read. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Was given this book by author for honest review.
One thing for sure about this book, it is not boring. The book begins by introducing characters, and you should pay attention, because there is a vast amount of them. In the beginning, I was confused of who belonged were, but as I continued reading this book, it all made sense. These 300 pages are filled with action, robberies, murders, kidnapping, police investigations and of course, Ukrainian Mafia. And believe it or not, everything is entangled so masterfully that it makes one huge, great crime mystery.
The characters chosen for this book are very diverse, intriguing and complex. The book covers period of six days and it is unbelievable what can happen in that period of time. I, personally, could not choose my favourite character in this book, because there were too many great personalities. This novel was told from multiple perspectives, and it allowed to get to know the characters better, and made the book more interesting for the reader. I do like books, which are set in London, and I really enjoyed the detailed knowledge of this city, which Holton shared in the book. It just somehow warms my heart and makes it more realistic.
I really enjoyed how fast paced this book’s narrative was. Every chapter gives a different character’s story, so it was a real page turner for me, as I wanted to find out, what happened to other characters. There were a lot of twists and turns in this novel, however, some of the parts were quite obvious, and it annoyed me that those great detectives couldn’t figure out some of the things quicker. This novel is a debut for Holton, but in the prologue chapter, there is an incredibly interesting character mentioned, where it feels like this is a second book in the series, and I honestly hope that one day there will be a book about the “skin artist” and that investigation.
The writing style was pleasurable to read with easy and understandable language . I loved the short chapters of this book, and it was fast paced and indulging read. I should mention, that there are murders, blood and violence in this book, so it is not suitable for people with weak nerves. The ending of this book has very unexpected twist and a cliff hanger, which is driving me mad, but otherwise it gives a satisfactory ending for this part of the series. So, to conclude, I would strongly recommend this book, because it has riveting, complex variety of characters, and the plot is masterfully twisted making it an indulging, fast paced book, which deserves to be read. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Was given this book by author for honest review.
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