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Brock and Poole Mystery #16
Deadlock
A serial killer is at large. One item ties the victims in each case, their bra has been removed. Can DCI Harry Brock and DS Dave Pool crack a disturbing case?
On a hot Tuesday morning in June, Detective Chef Inspector Harry Brock is called to Richmond Park in south-west London, where the body of a young woman has been found, strangled and half-naked, in the Isabella Plantation. The killer fled the scene with nothing – except the victim’s bra.
The discovery of further bodies, all women in their twenties, and all with missing bras, suggests a serial killer is at loose. With the help of Detective Superintendent Dave Poole and the rest of his team, it’s not long before Harry uncovers a dark web of lies, betrayal, desire and deceit. But can he break the deadlock to catch a determined killer?
On a hot Tuesday morning in June, Detective Chef Inspector Harry Brock is called to Richmond Park in south-west London, where the body of a young woman has been found, strangled and half-naked, in the Isabella Plantation. The killer fled the scene with nothing – except the victim’s bra.
The discovery of further bodies, all women in their twenties, and all with missing bras, suggests a serial killer is at loose. With the help of Detective Superintendent Dave Poole and the rest of his team, it’s not long before Harry uncovers a dark web of lies, betrayal, desire and deceit. But can he break the deadlock to catch a determined killer?
192 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2018
5 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Graham Ison
53 books20 followersDuring Graham Ison's thirty-year career in Scotland Yard's Special Branch he was involved in several espionage cases and the investigation into the escape of the spy George Blake. He spent four years at 10 Downing Street as Protection Officer to two Prime Ministers and also served as second-in-command of the Diplomatic Protection Group.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 1, 2018
DCI Harry Brock and his team is called out to the scene of a crime. A young woman has been strangled and half naked .... her bra being the only missing item. Her purse, wallet, money is not too far from the body.
When three more bodies turn up, all young women, all strangled, all missing their bras, Brock determines they have a serial killer at large. Other than the way they were killed, the only other thing they have in common is a local bar and a gym.
It's not long before Harry uncovers a dark web of lies, betrayal, desire and deceit. But can he break the deadlock to catch a determined killer?
Although there are 15 previous Brock & Poole mysteries prior to DEADLOCK, this is easily a stand alone read. This is the first I've read of this author's and found his writing to be compelling. He has certainly done his due diligence in creating characters seemingly based in reality. After reading the history of this author, I can see why that is so.
I enjoyed how both sides of Brock is portrayed .. both in his professional life and in his personal life. Professionally, he's smart, dedicated, and wants nothing more than to put the bad guys away. Personally, he re-meets a woman from his past and they begin anew.
There are plenty of suspects ... and most of them are lying in one way or another. It takes a tough interrogation by Brock to bring some of them around. The suspense starts at the beginning and continues through to the surprising end.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: During Graham Ison's thirty-year career in Scotland Yard's Special Branch he was involved in several espionage cases. He spent four years at 10 Downing Street as Protection Officer to two Prime Ministers and also served as second-in-command of the Diplomatic Protection Group.
Many thanks to the author / Severn House / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
When three more bodies turn up, all young women, all strangled, all missing their bras, Brock determines they have a serial killer at large. Other than the way they were killed, the only other thing they have in common is a local bar and a gym.
It's not long before Harry uncovers a dark web of lies, betrayal, desire and deceit. But can he break the deadlock to catch a determined killer?
Although there are 15 previous Brock & Poole mysteries prior to DEADLOCK, this is easily a stand alone read. This is the first I've read of this author's and found his writing to be compelling. He has certainly done his due diligence in creating characters seemingly based in reality. After reading the history of this author, I can see why that is so.
I enjoyed how both sides of Brock is portrayed .. both in his professional life and in his personal life. Professionally, he's smart, dedicated, and wants nothing more than to put the bad guys away. Personally, he re-meets a woman from his past and they begin anew.
There are plenty of suspects ... and most of them are lying in one way or another. It takes a tough interrogation by Brock to bring some of them around. The suspense starts at the beginning and continues through to the surprising end.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: During Graham Ison's thirty-year career in Scotland Yard's Special Branch he was involved in several espionage cases. He spent four years at 10 Downing Street as Protection Officer to two Prime Ministers and also served as second-in-command of the Diplomatic Protection Group.
Many thanks to the author / Severn House / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
August 29, 2018
'Deadlock' is the sixteeth book in the critically acclaimed DCI Harry Brock and DS Dave Poole series set in and around the city of London. The Metropolitan police department they both work for is known as Homicide and Major Crime Command (HMMC). This could easily be read as a standalone, although as always it's preferable to have enjoyed the development of Brock and Poole from the very beginning.
When four bodies show up all killed using the same distinctive modus operandi by a murderer who removes the bra's of his victims, Brock realises it has to be the work of a single person. As the serial killer roams the city possibly tracking unsuspecting young women who fit the bill of what he looks for in a victim, Brock and his team discover dark secrets, lies, betrayal and deception. As the case pulls them deeper and deeper into the mire, will they ever be able to identify and locate the devious killer?
I felt that this was a particularly realistic and authentic feeling police procedural, and it was no surprise that Ison spent 30 years working for Scotland Yards Special Branch. It's safe to say he knows what he's talking about! The story wasn't the most compelling i've ever read, but the old school classic crime feel more than made up for that. If you are a crime reader who enjoys books without gruesome crime scenes and violence then this one has been written especially for you. As I like my gory thrillers, this wasn't as enjoyable as other titles i've read this year, but is far from a bad book. One thing that got my back up quite a bit was the outdated attitude towards women, and I felt that the inclusion of some of the phrases used could be interpreted as offensive. If women are ever to be equal with men, we need to stop the reinforcement of old fashioned, stereotypical views once and for all.
Many thanks to Severn House Publishers for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
When four bodies show up all killed using the same distinctive modus operandi by a murderer who removes the bra's of his victims, Brock realises it has to be the work of a single person. As the serial killer roams the city possibly tracking unsuspecting young women who fit the bill of what he looks for in a victim, Brock and his team discover dark secrets, lies, betrayal and deception. As the case pulls them deeper and deeper into the mire, will they ever be able to identify and locate the devious killer?
I felt that this was a particularly realistic and authentic feeling police procedural, and it was no surprise that Ison spent 30 years working for Scotland Yards Special Branch. It's safe to say he knows what he's talking about! The story wasn't the most compelling i've ever read, but the old school classic crime feel more than made up for that. If you are a crime reader who enjoys books without gruesome crime scenes and violence then this one has been written especially for you. As I like my gory thrillers, this wasn't as enjoyable as other titles i've read this year, but is far from a bad book. One thing that got my back up quite a bit was the outdated attitude towards women, and I felt that the inclusion of some of the phrases used could be interpreted as offensive. If women are ever to be equal with men, we need to stop the reinforcement of old fashioned, stereotypical views once and for all.
Many thanks to Severn House Publishers for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
November 13, 2021
I couldn't finish this book. Well, I could have, but I cannot abide Harry Brock. I didn't like his misogynistic views. Sure, the author is an older gentleman, but he seems to not be able to get past his very old fashioned and outdated views. It's useless for me to even read this when the main character is going to irk me at every turn of the page. Not for me. Thank you to Severn House and Netgalley for the ARC.
September 2, 2018
GNab Graham Ison brings us an excellent British who-done-it set in modern times in and around London, with personable characters and a well camouflaged mystery. Women are being strangled and left in city parks, and it is up to Detective Chief Inspector Brock and his Murder Investigation Team to find the culprit and put a stop to the murders. All they seem to have in common is the Talavera Wine Bar in Richmond, and missing brassieres. Which sounds much simpler than it turns out to be....
I received a free electronic copy of this interesting mystery novel from Netgalley, Graham Ison, and Severn House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
September 1st 2018
Severn House Publishers
I received a free electronic copy of this interesting mystery novel from Netgalley, Graham Ison, and Severn House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
September 1st 2018
Severn House Publishers
May 2, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Severn House Publishers for an advance copy of Deadlock, the sixteenth novel to feature DCI Harry Brock and DS Dave Poole of the Met's HMMC (Homicide and Major Crime Command) West.
Harry and the team are called out to a body in Richmond Park where a young woman has been manually strangled and her bra, but nothing else, stolen. When more bodies turn up it becomes clear they are looking for a serial killer.
Deadlock is a solid if unspectacular procedural with a well oiled team of investigators and enough forward momentum to keep the reader turning the pages. There is little gore or violence and no forensics so the emphasis is on old fashioned interviews and shoe leather. I was disappointed that what seems to be a potential twist early in the novel goes nowhere and is quickly abandoned, otherwise it is a straightforward read which narrows down the suspect list until he is caught.
This is the first novel I have read in the series so I wasn't sure what to expect. It is told mostly in the first person from Harry Brock's point of view with an occasional foray into the third person when recounting other team members' activities. I can't say that I took to Harry Brock as he is extremely old fashioned in his attitude to women and technology, apparently his ex-wife "insisted on working" instead of staying at home to look after their child! Enough said. It is also impossible to believe that a Detective Chief Inspector in the Met doesn't know that modern mobiles take videos. Fortunately he has a rich widow ready to run after him and pander to his every whim. I can't imagine why unless she has more nefarious intentions because she's a very unrealistic character.
Deadlock is a present day novel which would be more suited to a 60s or 70s setting with its aversion to technology (no mention of CCTV in the most surveilled city in the world) and old fashioned attitude to women.
Harry and the team are called out to a body in Richmond Park where a young woman has been manually strangled and her bra, but nothing else, stolen. When more bodies turn up it becomes clear they are looking for a serial killer.
Deadlock is a solid if unspectacular procedural with a well oiled team of investigators and enough forward momentum to keep the reader turning the pages. There is little gore or violence and no forensics so the emphasis is on old fashioned interviews and shoe leather. I was disappointed that what seems to be a potential twist early in the novel goes nowhere and is quickly abandoned, otherwise it is a straightforward read which narrows down the suspect list until he is caught.
This is the first novel I have read in the series so I wasn't sure what to expect. It is told mostly in the first person from Harry Brock's point of view with an occasional foray into the third person when recounting other team members' activities. I can't say that I took to Harry Brock as he is extremely old fashioned in his attitude to women and technology, apparently his ex-wife "insisted on working" instead of staying at home to look after their child! Enough said. It is also impossible to believe that a Detective Chief Inspector in the Met doesn't know that modern mobiles take videos. Fortunately he has a rich widow ready to run after him and pander to his every whim. I can't imagine why unless she has more nefarious intentions because she's a very unrealistic character.
Deadlock is a present day novel which would be more suited to a 60s or 70s setting with its aversion to technology (no mention of CCTV in the most surveilled city in the world) and old fashioned attitude to women.
August 31, 2018
This procedural was kind of lukewarm for me. The case is interesting enough, but the story lacks that wow factor to push it over into something that stands out. It's a fairly quick and easy read, but it just doesn't have that have to know what happens next feel to it. I also struggled with the time period for this one. It's supposed to be modern day, but had a feel of something much older. Antiquated ideas about women aside, I found it hard to believe that any officer, seasoned or otherwise, would be so thoroughly ignorant of technology. In the end, there were things I liked and other things that I didn't, leaving me somewhere in the middle. On a positive note, this is a good one for the squeamish as we're told about the murders without the in your face gore.
May 3, 2018
4 stars
I read the Kindle edition.
This novel is written in the first person. Not something I am very used to, so it took a little practice.
DCI Harry Brock and DS Dave Pool are called to a crime scene in Isabella Plantation along with the rest of DCI Brock’s team. This is an area of gardens in the middle of Richmond Park in London. The deceased woman is Rachel Steele who was twenty-five years old.
When notifying the husband of the murdered woman, he doesn’t seem to care very much and that makes DCI Brock suspicious. They were in the process of getting a divorce. It was not very amicable.
When they go to Mr. Steele’s place of work to verify his alibi, they discover that a woman named Stephanie Payne, who whom Steel claims to have spent the night does not exist. When interviewing the next-door neighbor of the Steele’s, they learn that their victim in the park was not Rachel Steele. Who was she?
The team interviews a countless number of people, but is still at a loss as to who the woman is or who might have murdered her. The “husband” is still missing. They begin to pick up some small clues. Then another body was found, killed in the same manner as the first. The first case was indeed Rachel Steele. The woman who lives now with her husband was only pretending to be her and her name is Sarah Parsons – and she is missing as well as Rachel’s husband. The most recent murdered woman’s name is Lisa Hastings.
More murders occur and the police investigation goes on. The pace of this killer is quite fast. It has only been two weeks since Rachel Steele was killed and the body count is rising quickly.
When the police set up a sting with the one woman who got away from the killer, they hit pay dirt. The identity of the killer was a surprise. When I learned who they were, I was rooting for the police to nail them good. I really didn’t like this character throughout the book.
This book was well written. It read linearly; that is to say one event followed another in a logical and straightforward fashion. I liked Harry Brock, Dave Pool and the rest of the team. They got along well with one another and seemed even-tempered. I enjoyed this novel very much. It is my first Graham Ison book, but it won’t be my last. I immediately went to Amazon to look for other books of his.
I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House for forwarding to me a copy of this good book to read, enjoy and review.
I read the Kindle edition.
This novel is written in the first person. Not something I am very used to, so it took a little practice.
DCI Harry Brock and DS Dave Pool are called to a crime scene in Isabella Plantation along with the rest of DCI Brock’s team. This is an area of gardens in the middle of Richmond Park in London. The deceased woman is Rachel Steele who was twenty-five years old.
When notifying the husband of the murdered woman, he doesn’t seem to care very much and that makes DCI Brock suspicious. They were in the process of getting a divorce. It was not very amicable.
When they go to Mr. Steele’s place of work to verify his alibi, they discover that a woman named Stephanie Payne, who whom Steel claims to have spent the night does not exist. When interviewing the next-door neighbor of the Steele’s, they learn that their victim in the park was not Rachel Steele. Who was she?
The team interviews a countless number of people, but is still at a loss as to who the woman is or who might have murdered her. The “husband” is still missing. They begin to pick up some small clues. Then another body was found, killed in the same manner as the first. The first case was indeed Rachel Steele. The woman who lives now with her husband was only pretending to be her and her name is Sarah Parsons – and she is missing as well as Rachel’s husband. The most recent murdered woman’s name is Lisa Hastings.
More murders occur and the police investigation goes on. The pace of this killer is quite fast. It has only been two weeks since Rachel Steele was killed and the body count is rising quickly.
When the police set up a sting with the one woman who got away from the killer, they hit pay dirt. The identity of the killer was a surprise. When I learned who they were, I was rooting for the police to nail them good. I really didn’t like this character throughout the book.
This book was well written. It read linearly; that is to say one event followed another in a logical and straightforward fashion. I liked Harry Brock, Dave Pool and the rest of the team. They got along well with one another and seemed even-tempered. I enjoyed this novel very much. It is my first Graham Ison book, but it won’t be my last. I immediately went to Amazon to look for other books of his.
I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House for forwarding to me a copy of this good book to read, enjoy and review.
June 17, 2018
DCI Brock and DS Poole are hard at it again in "Dead Lock", the latest in the long running series of contemporary Brit Cop mysteries by Graham Ison. This time it’s a body found in Isabella Plantation, a section of Richmond Park home to rhododendron, heron, and a lively squirrel population. If only they could talk; Brock’s and Poole’s job would be considerable easier. Alas, nothing from the local fauna is forthcoming, so our coppers must undertake the investigation in their usual, thorough fashion.
Much of the book is told from Brock’s first-person perspective, readers learn much about the players, which should help those unfamiliar with the series (although hopefully you’ll have been following along from the beginning, as I have). Ison takes care to provide a complete personality and a back story for each one, be they cop or supplemental staff. A reader quickly feels “part of the family,” as it were. Investigating a murder, they may be, but these are “real” people, and you’ll find that out in Ison’s books, as we follow along with what’s going on in their personal lives.
One body is followed by others, and connections are established. Our dogged detectives soon cut to the chase through all the attempts to deceive. There are a lot of villains to keep track of, definitely a lot of suspects, but that just means a reader will have more fun trying to put the pieces together and figure out who, what, and most importantly, why.
There’s a bit of suspending disbelief towards the end, in the way that a civilian is used to trap a suspect but getting over that doesn’t require much effort. Towards the end things bog down a bit with interrogations and explanations, too. The finish is satisfactory, however, as Brock and Poole get their murderer.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy of this book, in exchange for this review.
Much of the book is told from Brock’s first-person perspective, readers learn much about the players, which should help those unfamiliar with the series (although hopefully you’ll have been following along from the beginning, as I have). Ison takes care to provide a complete personality and a back story for each one, be they cop or supplemental staff. A reader quickly feels “part of the family,” as it were. Investigating a murder, they may be, but these are “real” people, and you’ll find that out in Ison’s books, as we follow along with what’s going on in their personal lives.
One body is followed by others, and connections are established. Our dogged detectives soon cut to the chase through all the attempts to deceive. There are a lot of villains to keep track of, definitely a lot of suspects, but that just means a reader will have more fun trying to put the pieces together and figure out who, what, and most importantly, why.
There’s a bit of suspending disbelief towards the end, in the way that a civilian is used to trap a suspect but getting over that doesn’t require much effort. Towards the end things bog down a bit with interrogations and explanations, too. The finish is satisfactory, however, as Brock and Poole get their murderer.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy of this book, in exchange for this review.
April 13, 2022
An OK police procedural. As I was reading I thought it must have been set in the 70s until I came across a smartphone & realised it's actually contemporary - it comes across as being very old-fashioned at times & thoroughly modern at others. I don't have a problem with either but it was an odd feeling. Brock didn't seem to have a problem with modern policing methods, or a modern romance, but had some odd notions about technology. I was also confused by the plethora of police characters, none of whom were very well fleshed-out.
This is my first Brock & Poole mystery but the 16th in the series, so I can only assume that the earlier books were better than this. The procedural part seemed quite good but I'm not sure I'll bother looking for any of the others.
This is my first Brock & Poole mystery but the 16th in the series, so I can only assume that the earlier books were better than this. The procedural part seemed quite good but I'm not sure I'll bother looking for any of the others.
November 18, 2019
Harry Brock is a detective chief inspector who is drawn into an unusual case - young women are murdered, and the killer takes their bras. We follow him as he investigates with DI Dave Pool, with possible suspects lying and leading them and their team astray. The story is well told, and gripped my attention throughout.
As usual, the author's attention to detail and knowledge of police procedure is excellent. The plot does waver just a little about two thirds through, but overall it is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
As usual, the author's attention to detail and knowledge of police procedure is excellent. The plot does waver just a little about two thirds through, but overall it is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
October 10, 2018
Good enough to finish, probably won't read any more in the series. Very dry reads more like a case report than a novel.
March 3, 2020
Quite a good fast read that kept you guessing till the end.
June 8, 2025
Hard to get into the characters or care about the solution.
September 14, 2018
A cracking summer read full of twists and turns
Graham Ison spent over thirty years in the police force, as well as a Protection Officer to two Prime Ministers and his vast knowledge of the way in which investigative teams function serves him well as a writer of crime thrillers.
This genre is a particular favourite of mine, and I am quite critical of the writing style if I feel it lacks pace and authenticity. This novel delivers on both counts. The team of DCI Harry Brock and DS Dave Poole are a formidable crime-fighting unit, and they are tasked with uncovering the identity of a serial killer targeting young women across Greater London and surrounds.
The common thread is that the killer takes their bras as a trophy. With very little to go on, they have to painstakingly sift through the lives of the victims and stop the killer before he strikes again.
An entertaining read that once again proves the skill of the writer as one of the best in his league.
Gillian
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
Graham Ison spent over thirty years in the police force, as well as a Protection Officer to two Prime Ministers and his vast knowledge of the way in which investigative teams function serves him well as a writer of crime thrillers.
This genre is a particular favourite of mine, and I am quite critical of the writing style if I feel it lacks pace and authenticity. This novel delivers on both counts. The team of DCI Harry Brock and DS Dave Poole are a formidable crime-fighting unit, and they are tasked with uncovering the identity of a serial killer targeting young women across Greater London and surrounds.
The common thread is that the killer takes their bras as a trophy. With very little to go on, they have to painstakingly sift through the lives of the victims and stop the killer before he strikes again.
An entertaining read that once again proves the skill of the writer as one of the best in his league.
Gillian
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
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