The Anger Within

by Tom Ericson

Have you ever wanted revenge … really wanted revenge? AJ does. He wants revenge for the inequality, for the unfairness, and for the injustice. Would you do something about it? AJ would. He wants to end the lies, end the deceit, and end the hypocrisy. What is the difference between you and AJ? AJ turns his darkest thoughts into reality … AJ acts. AJ is a former Royal Marine sniper who fought, risked his life and killed for his country. The recession has left him penniless and on the verge of bankruptcy, his engineering business ruined and his beloved family home about to be repossessed. AJ lays the blame squarely at the feet of the bankers and when he experiences the final ignominy of being denied any state assistance he snaps. A plan to gain revenge unfolds in his mind and develops into a means to save his home whilst also gaining revenge and justice for the millions of other ordinary, decent folk whose lives the banks have ruined. The government have shown no desire to curb the avarice of the financial sector and no-one gets punished for their crimes. AJ will show them the error of their ways and make them an offer they can’t refuse – because death is not an option over life. It will be a fight for fairness and justice, and hope for a better future. In pursuit of the sniper is Detective Superintendent Jess O’Neale, a senior officer who has gained her rank at the relatively young age of thirty-two – no mean feat for a woman in the Metropolitan force; particularly for a woman with a Geordie accent, and especially for a now single woman with a young child. Through the investigation of a series of highly professional assassinations and her own conflicts with her superior officer, her ex-husband, her team, her lover, and herself, O’Neale hunts AJ in the same way that he stalks his victims – with stealth and with cunning. What she doesn’t realise is that she and her team are being led by the killer, a series of clues and actions guiding them to a seemingly successful outcome, but to the wrong suspect. The Anger Within takes the reader into the mysterious world of the most deadly hunter of human prey – the sniper – and reveals the hidden fear that lurks within the corridors of power and law enforcement. It answers the question that lies behind that What if it actually happened?

446 pages, Paperback

First published April 12, 2013

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a topnotch assassin story filled with the usual political intrigue, espionage, big business involvement, and conspiracies galore. It’s fast moving from the first page and delivers what readers have come to expect with writers who report on professional killers, their modus operandis, their twisted motivations, and the particular skills and expertise associated with plying their trade.

What sets this already well-told tale above and beyond most others is the vigilante justice angle. Our killer is tired of a corrupt political and financial system set up to fleece the little guy (that’s us) and to do so with the full backing of the law. The author skillfully exposes the behind-the-scenes political, corporate, and financial interests’ dirty dealings going on globally. It would give any sane person plenty of motivation to see some kind of justice is done. But if you’re feeling particularly victimized, if you’ve lost and suffered more than most, and you’re feeling a little over the edge, and you happen to be a sniper, well, that’s where the fun begins.

The reporter and the detective trying to close in on our killer have their work cut out for them. And the reader’s loyalties are torn. Sure, this is a bad guy, but he’s out to expose the corrupt system for what it is, and he’s doing a good job of it. Surely that has to be worth something?

A timely and topical novel that is part of an uptick in vigilante justice tales rising up in the wake of the global meltdown and business as usual on Wall Street. Why? Because if you can’t turn to your leaders, political and social organizations for justice, where are you going to turn?

[Melanie Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. The story revolves around exacting revenge on the greedy bankers who led the recession, which mostly impacted on Joe Public and left the high rollers alone. This is always going to be a winning concept, (unless you're a banker!). Jess O'Neale is a warm and likeable DS, and I felt an attachment to her and her team. Even AJ managed to garner some sympathy for his predicament and his cause. Liz Cordell and Macy Jackson are also great characters and I believed in all of them and wanted them to succeed. An excellent concept, cleverly written with believable, well drawn characters, is there anything more anyone could possibly want from a book? I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more books with DS Jess O'Neale and her team. I am thrilled to recommend this 5 star cracking read!

[Natasha du Plessis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Tom Ericson novel and what a great book it was. The killer has a certain detachment about him that you must surely expect from a sniper. I loved the characters and how Tom portrayed them. I would have loved to feel a bit more emotion and more background than was supplied from AJ regarding his motives behind his killing of the bankers . I would also have loved to see a bit more of Dalglish. I loved how all the females rallied together though and how quickly the formed a bond with each other.
A great read and I look forward to reading more of Tom Ericson in the future.
Thank you to TBConFB for the copy.

[Fiona Hanrahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The anger within Tom Ericsson

How do you feel about vigilante justice? This book challenged me on this question. The vigilante in question AJ, a state trained sniper. He has served his country but ended up the victim of economic collapse. He exerts revenge the only way he knows- assassination.
Chasing him down is Supt Jess O'Neale of the London Metropolitan Police.
This is a thumping good read from the beginning and throughout. At the heart of the book is the theme of revenge albeit on a large scale!! However the sub plot had me questioning my own moral compass. How far would you go to exert revenge? And who would you collude with to achieve revenge. 5 stars from me! I've downloaded the next Jess O'Neale book and look forward to seeing where Tom Ericson takes her.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The anger within by Tom Ericsson is a crime thriller read.
Introducing Detective Superintendent Jess O'Neale.
Have you ever wanted revenge - REALLY wanted revenge?
AJ does. He wants revenge for the inequality, for the unfairness, and for the injustice.
Really good read. Couldn't put it down. Highly recommended. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from tbc on fb.

[Ann Batty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jess O'Neale is a senior detective. Her job and her son are her life. She's good at her job and the interactions between her and her colleagues make there interactions a fascinating read.
AJ is an sniper who is one of the best in the world. Bit by bit we find out what makes him tick and why he does what he does. I can understand the logic behind his actions. People must understand that what they do has consequences.
I really loved this book and can't wait to read the next instalment. Tom builds a wonderful story from beginning to end that will keep you hooked

[Tracie Podger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book that gets the reader thinking, especially in today's economic climate - What if? Highly recommended.

[Janet Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book. Full of twist and turns, keeping the reader glued to the pages.