Takeaway Terror

DCS Palmer & the Serial Murder Squad #8

by B.L. Faulkner

Three delivery lads working for London takeaway meal company Deliver-Eat are killed by a hit and run driver. Were they just delivering takeaways or something else? Palmer's team soon find themselves looking at two organised crime gangs about to go into a turf war over the lucrative drugs trade. The surveillance teams that Palmer puts in place get him very worried when an old villain from his past who is an explosives expert is recruited by one of the gangs. The war explodes into action and Palmer's team are in the thick of it. Will anybody get out alive, including Palmer?

155 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2019

About the author

Barry Faulkner was born into a family of South London petty criminals who ran with the Richardson's Crime Gang in the 60's-90's. Being the youngest his mother, a top fashion model, was determined he would not follow in the criminal footsteps of the rest of the family and enrolled him into the Morely Academy of Dramatic Art to pursue a career in acting. Sadly young Faulkner was asked to leave after three months when no acting ability had surfaced. He went onto become an advertising copywriter with the English branch of the US Agency Erwin Wasey Ruffraf and Ryan where he got lucky with some scripts he sent to the BBC TV and became a scriptwriter and editor for them and several ITV companies. During this time the DCS Palmer plots were amassed in various notebooks and three years ago Faulkner finally found time to write and publish them. His early insight into the criminal world of his family has added authenticity to the characters and plots that makes them credible and the pace keeps the reader glued to the end. His signature end twist will always surprise you. Check out his top rated crime blog at geezers2016.wordpress.com.

Reviews

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a series I'm so glad I began - and one I look forward to continuing with each month!

DCS Palmer has a reputation to uphold: he ALWAYS get his man (or woman). When three takeaway delivery drivers lose their lives to hit and runs, Palmer and his team need to work out what's going on. One may be an accident, but three definitely make a pattern and one they're keen to put a stop to. It doesn't take long for them to discover it's a drug war - and they are bang in the middle of it!

I love everything about this series; each one provides a great mystery for my brain to wrangle with while there is always an injection of humour to give a bit of light relief. The relationship with Geeta Singh is enviable and you just know how important she is to Palmer keeping up his reputation. I adore all the shortcuts she takes - and how she gets away with them! Another fabulous read in this terrific series, easily commanding a full house of stars and my recommendation to all lovers of a great mystery to add this series to their list!

[Robert Crouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second novel in the series I’ve read and enjoyed. It only took me a day as the novel is short, delivering a direct, no nonsense, action packed story centred around the takeaway delivery market. But there’s no fat in this story – just incisive investigation and dialogue that never drag or meander.

The downside is that the story was over too quickly. I would have liked to savour it and the characters a little more, perhaps with a little more backstory and insights.

The likeable main characters are sharply drawn and spark well off each other, providing some welcome comic banter. The action draws you straight into the thick of the story from the first page and doesn’t let go until the exciting climax in a scrapyard.

Original and believable, the series offers something a little different from the formulaic police procedurals on the market, which I applaud.

[Mr Kenneth L Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Excellent Story

Another great story by an author who really knows his subject. Fast moving with plenty of action and lots of twists and turns. Looking forward to the next one in the series.