The Root of All Evil

by Trevor Negus

Nottinghamshire 1988

A fanatical group of animal rights activists are planning the abduction and murder of the Company Director of UK Pharmaceutical Ltd in revenge for a young woman’s death.

The activists involved have an unprecedented, ruthless attitude and will use firearms to achieve their aims.

Standing in the way of this plot are armed officers from the Special Operations Unit and an undercover officer from the Metropolitan Police who has infiltrated the group.
Meanwhile, in the North West of the country a gang of armed robbers callously gun down an off-duty officer during a raid on a security van in Liverpool. The sickening, cold blooded murder is captured on CCTV.

The graphic images of the killing cause Pc Tom Naylor to confront a ghost from his past and lead him into undertaking a dangerous undercover role.

As the plot unfolds and tragedy strikes, Tom is left facing unpleasant truths that make him question his role as a police officer and throws doubts upon everything he ever believed in.

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2019

About the author

During a varied thirty year police career Trevor spent six years as an authorised firearms officer and sniper, before transferring onto the CID. He spent the last twelve years of his career as a detective, becoming a specialist interviewer involved in the planning and implementation of interviews with murder suspects.

Reviews

[MoMo Book Diary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Root of All Evil continues on seamlessly from Two Wrongs, moving the story into December 1987 and straight back into the world of Tom Naylor and the Special Operations Unit. The transition is smooth and immediate — it feels less like starting a new book and more like turning to the next chapter in an already gripping story. What stood out again is how consistent the writing style is. The same authenticity, grounded realism and attention to operational detail are all present. As so many of the key figures and relationships were established in book one, I found the depth of detail much easier to follow this time. Instead of adjusting to it, I was able to really enjoy and appreciate it. The realism is outstanding and gives the story an undeniable credibility. The pacing flows well, and I never felt lost or overwhelmed by the information — it all felt relevant, layered and purposeful. The structure made it easy to stay connected with both the unfolding plot and the familiar characters, and the groundwork laid in the first book really pays off here by allowing everything to build naturally. What I particularly liked is that it doesn’t just retread the same type of cases. It brings in fresh tension and very different storylines while still feeling firmly tied to what came before. The tone, precision and emotional undercurrents are spot on, and I found myself completely absorbed once again. This trilogy is shaping up to be something special, and it really makes you stop and think about the real people behind jobs like this. The officers working in these units must live such uncertain lives, operating on the edge almost daily — and I can’t help wondering how their families cope with that constant weight. This is another 5-star read, without hesitation — and if I could give more, I would. The detail is fascinating, the writing flows brilliantly and the established foundations from book one make this instalment even more engaging. I’m absolutely loving this trilogy and I can’t wait to see where book three takes Tom Naylor next.

🚓 TOM NAYLOR TRILOGY by TREVOR NEGUS - book two - THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL 🚓
Part 2 of the trilogy picks up seamlessly from where Part 1 ended and adds fresh tension and completely different storylines, all grounded in the same incredible realism. The detail is fascinating, the writing flows brilliantly, and I found myself thinking about the real officers who live this life on the edge. Another definite 5-star read. #TrevorNegus #TomNaylorTrilogy #TheRootOfAllEvil #InkubatorBooks #ZooloosBookTours 👩🏻‍💻⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (MoMoBookDiary 2025)

[Meg Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tom Naylor Trilogy brings together Two Wrongs, The Root of All Evil, and The Cause into one complete collection. Set in Nottingham in the 1990s, these books follow ex-paratrooper Tom Naylor, now a sniper in the Special Operations Unit of the Nottinghamshire Police. Each installment focuses on a single case—drug gangs fighting for territory, armed robbers with military ties, and a dangerous IRA sniper targeting the British establishment.

Trevor Negus clearly writes from a place of deep knowledge and authenticity. The action sequences and procedural details have a sharp, realistic edge that fans of gritty crime thrillers will appreciate. There is plenty of suspense, and the stories feel firmly rooted in their time and place.

That said, while I admired the craft and the strong crime thriller element, I personally would have liked to get to know the characters on a deeper, more personal level. For me, the plot leaned more toward mystery than fast-paced action, and I found myself wishing for a bit more energy in those moments. Still, I know many readers will enjoy the balance of authenticity and tension, and the trilogy absolutely has an audience that will love it.

Overall, this is a solid, atmospheric collection for readers who enjoy police thrillers with procedural depth, authentic detail, and a central character who feels both capable and complex. While it wasn’t quite the right fit for me, it’s easy to see the potential here, and I can understand why others will find it gripping.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Root of All Evil by Trevor Negus.
Tom Naylor trilogy book 2.
This was a really good read. I read this book in two sittings. I couldn't put it down. I do like Tom's character. Lots of action from the start. There were some characters I really didn't like. I did like Bailey and Matt. I didn't expect that. That did surprise me. I'm looking forward to the next and final book. I definitely recommend this book.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book featuring PC Tom Naylor. This book was even better than the first. The plot is densely packed with action and twists. A very exciting read.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.