The Regulators: Justice Above Law

by Ben Bruce

The thrills of 24, the swagger of Reacher and the smarts of Spooks. There’s a mercenary on the streets of London, protected by a gangland boss and bankrolled by members of the government, all of whom are embroiled in a plot to subvert democracy that puts thousands of lives at risk. This is the thrilling debut novel by Ben Bruce, an explosive, fast paced thriller that opens up the world of The Regulators Jack Quinn and Adam Morgan, as they work with tenacious NCA officer Thea Watts to stop the plot, before it’s too late.

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2018

About the author

Growing up in a small town in the middle of England, with not a lot really happening, was the perfect place for an imagination to flourish. Indeed, having gone to the same secondary school as noted filmmakers Ken Loach and Gareth Edwards, it almost seemed inevitable that Ben Bruce would end up telling stories sooner, rather than later.

A career working behind the scenes in TV opened a number of doors as he sought out a career as a screenwriter, but when one script was rejected, he was unable to let it go, and thus The Regulators went from the screen to the page.

Now with three Regulators books under his belt and a new series kicking off with the 1960s London based police procedural Dead Men Don’t Pay due for release in July 2024, Ben is quickly cementing his reputation as one of the hottest new indie authors on the scene.

He can often be found on the U.K. Crime Book Club, the country’s largest online book group for crime fiction, where he is an admin and runs the quiz, a staple of the UKCBC Live and Winter Festival. He also hosts their podcast, Criminally Inspired where he talks to authors about their inspirations.

Away from writing, Ben is married with two kids and resides in the East Midlands. A proud Scot, he supports Manchester United and mourns the loss of Nuneaton Borough. He’d love to travel to Philadelphia to see his beloved Eagles play and coaches Nuneaton Jaguars Flag Football team at both Adult and Junior levels.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An NGO vigilante group based in the UK is on the trail of a conspiracy to take out the "alt-right" by nuking London in a false flag operation. Meanwhile, one of the guys has family problems.

Not great, but kept me turning pages.

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine if Jack Bauer and Jack Reacher ended up going into the vigilante business, working for some shady quasi-governmental agency 'The Vehm'? Got it? Okay, now imagine Tom Clancy wrote it. I don't often read espionage thrillers, although I enjoy a bit of Clear & Present Danger and Killing Floor as much as the next person, but this book grabbed hold of me and wouldn't let me go. Its got more twists and turns than a blindfold knife-fight. If you like your mystery-thrillers with a twist of high-stakes espionage and a dash of gangland violence then this is the book for you. A+

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mehdi Chedli (secret police) gave Erik Andryiv (mercenary, retired Russian paratrooper) the instructions & handed him a briefcase.
Vic Bartram was history.
Neither 1 of them cared for the other. Business was business.
Barry Vernon was leaving his wife Jenna of 27 yrs. & the kids far behind & starting a new life.
As he was leaving his office for the last time a stranger pushed Barry towards the van with an open door.

When the 3 of them arrived at the destination Barry’s hood was removed.
A female announced that he had been found guilty by the Vehmic court of money laundering & the proliferation of public funds.
Barry had 2 choices pay the money back or got to prison for 15 yrs.
Jack Quinn (Regulators field op, retired Royal Marines Commando), & Adam Morgan (Regulators field op, retired CID, bobby) were notified about Barry’s decision.
Southwark Bridge (Thames river). Lowri Graves (f) had a job for David Webster.
Frank Knight (National Crime Agency NCA asst. Director) found out all the ongoing investigations of Reuben Arrowsmith (suspect) were to be suspended immediately.
Thea Watts (f, NCA officer) was furious.
Bonaparte International. David Webster (Regulators Station Chief), informed Jack, Adam, Meg Tanner (Regulators), & Mo Younis (Regulators analyst) who their next target was.
Cock & Fiddle pub. BANG x 3! Reuben Arrowsmith (Peckham) made sure Stephen Owens wouldn’t be running up his bar tab anymore.
BOOM! BOOM! Twin explosions greeted Bowen as he stood talking on his cell.
Glass/debris, & dead were everywhere.

Lord Leighton Mitchell had been assassinated.
Adam & Jack were on their way.
Raf was positioning the drones.
Kevin Fisher (former Lieutenant 2nd Battalion, Paratroopers Afghanistan) had shot/killed Nisha.
Reuben had been put in a jail cell.

Why did Kevin stop by & see Marianne & Ursula?
What was Erik Andryiv up to?

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.

A very awesome book cover, & proper great font & writing style. A very well written thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. A very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn; MSW)

[Kath Middleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the idea of this, though I feel I shouldn’t – a group who pursue justice but are not bound by the laws they uphold. They can go further than the police, MI5 etc. It’s appealing but we need to know they themselves are scrupulous in meting out justice. Some of the police aren’t happy. This story was fast and exciting, though it had so many characters I got a little confused at times, unable to remember whose ‘side’ people were on. This could be a product of old age, of course! A great start to what looks like being a series.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A considered 4* - this is an action packed novel with an interesting concept. if you like thrillers with plenty of action this will be one for you. However i thought the ending let it down a little it left some loose ends that needed tying up - there is a follow up novel though so hopefully the answers will be given there

[pamela bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

This book is a well written piece of fiction, with believable characters and places, the story is set at a good pace, enough to keep you interested, all in all a really good read

[Terence Boissel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

Yes a really great plot written well so as too keep you on your toes. However, as with all book series the end of this book left you annoyingly hanging for some form of conclusion where the good guys get sone result and closure. But it not to be with this part.

[Steve Sinnott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storyline

Brilliant I loved it, the concept of immediate justice for the scum that exist with impunity because often the rights we believe in also prevent proper justice.
Will enjoy reading the next book.

[Clive Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth a read.

A well written enjoyable book. Fast paced on a fairly liner track, nothing amazing but a fun ride thoroughly enjoyable, decent charecters who you'll route for.

[barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good nicely paced read characters are real as is the plot enjoyed a lot on the second as is just a good will def be reading more from this author ,keeps your brain ticking over .

[Geoff Rone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good fun. Will definitely read the next one but would like to see more of the the Vehm.

[Michael Swain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zipped along at a steady pace.
Very enjoyable read.
Looking forward to the next one.