Target

by David Hodges

There's no escape... Maggie Connolly is a fun-loving teenager, who is living with her widowed father, ‘Big’ John Connolly, in West Belfast. Happily going out with schoolboy sweetheart, Bobby Steel, she has not a care in the world… But dark clouds are already gathering on the horizon. It is 1970 and the so-called Troubles are just starting. Furthermore, not only is her beloved da an RUC police sergeant, but Bobby happens to be a Protestant and, as Maggie herself is Catholic, their relationship is taboo in the eyes of both sides of the bitterly prejudiced sectarian divide. When ‘Big John’ is gunned down in front of Maggie by Provisional IRA assassin, Seamus McCain, she suffers a mental breakdown and finds herself committed to a psychiatric unit, unaware that Bobby is in no position to help her as he has been beaten into a coma by Protestant thugs for dating a Catholic girl. And her problems are only just when McCain is acquitted of Big John’s murder and released on to the street, Maggie becomes an easy target for MI5, who capitalise on her vulnerability and desire for revenge to seduce her into working for them as a freelance assassin. Torn by doubts and guilt, Maggie embarks on a bloody self-destructive vendetta against McCain and his IRA cell. But it soon dawns on her that her cynical MI5 ‘paymasters’ are only using her for their own ends. Too late, she finds herself trapped in a quagmire of deceit and treachery which promises to destroy not just her, but Bobby as well… Praise for David Hodges 'Extremely well-written and passionately described crime-scenes' - Mid Somerset Series 'Hodges uses the experience of 30-plus years in the job as an anvil of solid fact to beat out pacey tales of "canteen culture" cops' – Cheddar David Hodges is a former superintendent with Thames Valley Police, and is a prolific writer and the author of eight other crime novels, plus an autobiography on his life in the police service. He lives with his wife, Elizabeth, on the edge of the Somerset Levels where he can fully indulge his passion for thriller writing. He is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association, The Crime Readers’ Association, The Society of Authors and International Thriller Writers Inc.

206 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2018

About the author

A former superintendent with Thames Valley Police, with thirty years experience in the force, David Hodges is a prolific crime writer and author of twenty crime novels plus an autobiography on his life in the police service. His debut crime novel received critical media acclaim and a welcome accolade from Inspector Morse’s creator, the late great Colin Dexter, and since then he has become the author of several successful stand-alone thrillers, including BLAST, TARGET and BURNOUT, published by Lume Books (formerly Endeavour Media).

In particular, his Somerset murder series, published by Joffe Books, which is set on the mist-shrouded Somerset Levels in England and features the exploits of feisty detective, Kate, and her easy-going partner, Hayden, has gone from strength to strength. It has attracted keen interest in Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia as well as in Britain.

The first six previously published thrillers in the series are also available on Audible for sight challenged readers and those who prefer the spoken word. All David's novels are available on amazon in paperback and Kindle format.

David's latest novel in his Murder On The Levels series, SHADOWS ON THE LEVELS, was published by Joffe books on 1st January 2025, and he has now been invited to talk about his books and his 'life of crime' at the Words In Watchet Literary Festival in Somerset. This will take place at the Methodist Church, Harbour Road, Watchet, from 2.00 - 3.30 pm on Sunday 23rd February 2025 and readers and non-readers will all be very welcome. (https://www.wordsinwatchet.com)

David has two married daughters and four grandchildren and lives in the UK with his wife, Elizabeth, where he continues to indulge his passion for thriller writing and to pursue his keen interest in wild life and the countryside.

He is a member of the Society of Authors, The Crime Writers Association, The Crime Readers Association and International Thriller Writers Inc.

Reviews

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb Reading

Having previously read “The Levels” series by David, I decided to give this stand alone book a go. I have to say, I wasn’t in the slightest bit disappointed. Target made superb reading and although a little confused by the time shift at the beginning, I very quickly caught on and followed the book intently! It really is gripping stuff and I would recommend to any Crime/True Crime fan.

[Shirley Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting read

I liked the unusual story, it had everything in it, bravery, sadness, compassion and the evil men do. Very few people read these days so I'm running out of people to suggest they read this one. I did enjoy the book and will follow this author. I believe five stars to be the minimum score this book deserves.

[Maureen Tunstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling

Brilliant story. Loved the characters. A female assassin that started out on a difference path to the one she ends up taking.
A story that kept me interested and wanting more.