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The Force of Fear: Gallowgate Crime Thrillers 3
All the evidence says Jack’s a killer. Except one thing… He was never there.
: : Multi-award-winning writer: ‘Brilliant’ (BBC), ‘Genius’ (Scotsman), ‘Master storyteller’ (Estado SP) : :
Small-time scammer Jack Currie is arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. Why are his fingerprints all over the crime scene? He was miles away, taking care of his baby son. A mysterious businesswoman arrives at the police station. She wants to pay his bail, even though Jack’s never seen her in his life.
To repay the debt, he’s forced to work at her shady company. Jack’s trapped in a world of blackmail, brutality and bloodshed. What are the brown-paper packages he delivers all around town, and why is he paid a £50 tip?
When Jack asks too many questions, a stranger tricks his way into the house and attacks his family. They need to hide, but where? In desperation, he turns to Mags Mackenzie for help.
To save Jack’s son from a life in darkness, they must descend to the criminal underworld. How deep will they dare to go? And will they get out alive?
: : Multi-award-winning writer: ‘Brilliant’ (BBC), ‘Genius’ (Scotsman), ‘Master storyteller’ (Estado SP) : :
Small-time scammer Jack Currie is arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. Why are his fingerprints all over the crime scene? He was miles away, taking care of his baby son. A mysterious businesswoman arrives at the police station. She wants to pay his bail, even though Jack’s never seen her in his life.
To repay the debt, he’s forced to work at her shady company. Jack’s trapped in a world of blackmail, brutality and bloodshed. What are the brown-paper packages he delivers all around town, and why is he paid a £50 tip?
When Jack asks too many questions, a stranger tricks his way into the house and attacks his family. They need to hide, but where? In desperation, he turns to Mags Mackenzie for help.
To save Jack’s son from a life in darkness, they must descend to the criminal underworld. How deep will they dare to go? And will they get out alive?
361 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2020
10 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
D.L. Fitz
6 books11 followersVisit https://DLFITZ.COM to get a free ebook of The Stolen Mother, a prequel novella in the Gallowgate Crime Thrillers series.
DL Fitz is the pen name of a multi-award-winning writer who reviewers call a ‘Star‘ (Metro), ‘Brilliant‘ (BBC), ‘Genius’ (The Scotsman), ‘Innovator‘ (The Times), ‘Maverick’ (The Guardian), ‘Visionary’ (The National) and ‘Master Storyteller’ (Estado SP).
After twenty years writing in other genres, he now spends his time crafting the Gallowgate Crime Thriller series.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 5, 2020
The book starts with a warehouse in Glasgow, full of illegal immigrants, that’s being put on fire and many of the people that sleep there die in the arson.
Margaret Mac Kenzie ex-husband and her children now live in Largs. When she travels back to the city, she notices a young couple with a toddler. When they arrive in Glasgow Central, the man, Jack Currie, is arrested and accused of the arson and murder. An unknown woman, claiming to be his mother, shows up at the police station together with a hotshot lawyer. She claims to be an old acquaintance of his father who was an infamous counterfeiter in his days. Barbara hires him as a delivery and pick-up driver but Jack finds out rather quickly that she’s not only a loan shark but has her fingers in many criminal affairs. He wants out, but that’s not tolerated and if not willingly than by force.
Mag’s friend Fatima urges her to proceed with her investigating skills and start a business as a private investigator. Then, Niall Robertson a retired copper that helped her in the past asks her to look into Jack’s case.
I was a beta reader for this book, so I haven’t read the final version and I don’t know if any big changes have been made. I don’t think so. But I enjoyed what I read and will continue with the story. I thought that Jack’s botched recording is a nice touch. Those kinds of things don’t work most of the time in reality. I also liked the ending with the cake.
Although this book is part 3 of a series and I’ve also read the previous books, I think you get enough information to read this as a standalone. You meet people from the previous stories but it’s not necessary to get more background than is given.
August 31, 2020
This series just keeps getting better!
This time it’s different mags doesn’t know Jack or his girlfriend nor his Suite 3-year-old son, but she is there when he gets arrested and comforts his girlfriend and then like always megs gets involved. They have everything against Jack they even claim to have him on video tape. They also have a strange woman who bails him out, introduces him to his lawyer and then gets him a job delivering strange packages for big time tips. The more Jack knows the less he wants to know and it is all becoming too much. The straw that breaks the camels back is when a strange man shows up and pretends to be from child services and threatens to take Little Henry from the loving couple. Jack knows it is serious, but I didn’t think it was this serious. He reaches out to me eggs for help and if you can believe it this is when the book just gets better and it was great before this. DL fits seems to be the master of drama into say this is a thriller is so apropos. I find the outfits as books to be such easy exciting rates. One sentence just flows into the next and before you know it all best. I absolutely love force of fear. It seems like every time a new megs book comes out it is just better than the last and the last was always awesome. I highly recommend this book if you love investigation stories with amateur investigators then there’s no reason not to get this book. This is not a cozy mystery this is life with that serious situations that will keep you reading until the last page.
This time it’s different mags doesn’t know Jack or his girlfriend nor his Suite 3-year-old son, but she is there when he gets arrested and comforts his girlfriend and then like always megs gets involved. They have everything against Jack they even claim to have him on video tape. They also have a strange woman who bails him out, introduces him to his lawyer and then gets him a job delivering strange packages for big time tips. The more Jack knows the less he wants to know and it is all becoming too much. The straw that breaks the camels back is when a strange man shows up and pretends to be from child services and threatens to take Little Henry from the loving couple. Jack knows it is serious, but I didn’t think it was this serious. He reaches out to me eggs for help and if you can believe it this is when the book just gets better and it was great before this. DL fits seems to be the master of drama into say this is a thriller is so apropos. I find the outfits as books to be such easy exciting rates. One sentence just flows into the next and before you know it all best. I absolutely love force of fear. It seems like every time a new megs book comes out it is just better than the last and the last was always awesome. I highly recommend this book if you love investigation stories with amateur investigators then there’s no reason not to get this book. This is not a cozy mystery this is life with that serious situations that will keep you reading until the last page.
August 31, 2020
This book starts out dramatically and never lets up. I was hooked from the first page. There is so much suspense. This is an awesome series and I highly recommend it. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review
September 2, 2020
I enjoyed this book, it was fast paced and you never knew what was coming next.
August 31, 2020
The very best in the Gallowgate Series so far. A hold your breath, bite your nails and pray kind of story! David Fitz has seriously excelled himself and pulled out all the stops. Since Mags has been divorced she has thrown herself into more and more dangerous situations in order to help and protect others she feels are in danger or are being wrongly accused of a crime they did not commit. This time, she really is out on a limb and in imminent danger of losing her life. A story like no other and one that will keep you on the edge of your seat To say any more would spoil this amazing story. Highly Recommended.
June 14, 2020
As I started to read it, I was thrown off by the language used. I started to take notes on what I thought were broken sentences, unnecessary excess detail, and strange phrasing. “Bellend” Head of a penis (dickhead) among others. “Bawbag” as in scrotum. I tried to continue reading the story, but found myself going back to reread sections I felt I didn’t quite catch the first time.
Once I refocused on the book content as opposed to the phrasing etc. I started to really enjoy the suspense of it – and while I did go back and re-read a few times, it was because I didn’t want to miss anything.
When Jack was being beaten, I could almost feel his pain. I cringed as the details of the beatings were expanded upon. I rooted for Jack through each chapter, and for Mags. I was near tears when I thought Archie was going to be dead on the bed. I could feel Jack’s pain radiating off the page. The loss of his father was tragic. I read and read and read, anxiously awaiting the next chapter – cheering Mags on, wondering what was going to happen next.
As the story came together, and it started to be so clear what was happening, I couldn’t wait for the next chapter.
I look forward to reading more of this author’s work. This is definitely a five star read! I rec’d this from the author as an advance reader e-book and am leaving my honest review.
Once I refocused on the book content as opposed to the phrasing etc. I started to really enjoy the suspense of it – and while I did go back and re-read a few times, it was because I didn’t want to miss anything.
When Jack was being beaten, I could almost feel his pain. I cringed as the details of the beatings were expanded upon. I rooted for Jack through each chapter, and for Mags. I was near tears when I thought Archie was going to be dead on the bed. I could feel Jack’s pain radiating off the page. The loss of his father was tragic. I read and read and read, anxiously awaiting the next chapter – cheering Mags on, wondering what was going to happen next.
As the story came together, and it started to be so clear what was happening, I couldn’t wait for the next chapter.
I look forward to reading more of this author’s work. This is definitely a five star read! I rec’d this from the author as an advance reader e-book and am leaving my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2020
FORCE OF FEAR by DL Fitz feels real, with all the troubling issues of life, love and family and a past that keeps interfering with it all. While not a fast page-turner, you'll find yourself reading steadily to the end, lesrning EU English terms.
Mags divorce is final with her husband in another town and sharing custody of the children. She's just returning home when she notices a young man she met on the train being arrested. A warehouse torched with people camping inside. A young man charged with the arson. This is just the beginning of his frightening nightmare as Mags looks into the young man's circumstances. It doesn't take long to realize that she can't trust any one, not even the police.
I did receive a copy if this ebook from the author and am leaving voluntary review.
Mags divorce is final with her husband in another town and sharing custody of the children. She's just returning home when she notices a young man she met on the train being arrested. A warehouse torched with people camping inside. A young man charged with the arson. This is just the beginning of his frightening nightmare as Mags looks into the young man's circumstances. It doesn't take long to realize that she can't trust any one, not even the police.
I did receive a copy if this ebook from the author and am leaving voluntary review.
April 24, 2021
It has really opened my eyes to how easy it is for corruption in the 'political world'!! And how the Police can be caught up in the belief of it all!! How do you deal with something like that as an 'ordinary person'????!!!! How frightening it can/could be for us, and this story really makes you think, and think about what is happening and going on around you!!!!! A really superb story, that could actually happen, or does happen in the real world, and us mere mortals are oblivious to it!!!! So well written, and obviously well researched, which is even more worrying/frightening!!
June 8, 2020
This story starts out with a bang, oops, I mean massive fire. A supposedly empty warehouse burns to the ground containing immigrants that are undocumented, all are killed. When a young father is unjustly charged with arson, an unlikely hero named Mags fights to clear him. Uncovered in her fight are crooked politicians, a racist group trying to overthrow the government, and counterfeiters. If you like fast paced action with a human touch, this is for you.
June 4, 2020
These series has everything - has action and twists and turns that keeps me guessing until the end.
June 28, 2020
Another excellent book. Set in the underbelly of Scotland.
October 21, 2021
Heart stopping action from page one Jack and his girlfriend live a semi-peaceful life with his father. His girlfriend has bi polar issues that occasionally cause problems and he worries about her babying their 3 year old son Archie too much. But nothing has prepared him for how his life is about to change. It will not be for the better.
He is minding his own business when he is arrested and accused of setting a fire in an abandoned warehouse that kills many undocumented illegals. At this point things start spiraling out of control for him and he is getting deeper and deeper into trouble.
Set in Scotland, that was the only issue I had was some of the language difference between USA terminology was a problem sometimes figuring out what was being said, but I was able to figure out most of it. Lots of bad language in this book, just warning you. I only found 3 typos in an ARC is a good start.
I was up until 1:30 am finishing this book, hasn't happened in a long time.
I received a free copy of this ARC from the author and the review is all mine. Don't miss this one
This review was sitting on my word doc because I couldn't find it listed anywhere to post a review. Its here now and I'm posting now
He is minding his own business when he is arrested and accused of setting a fire in an abandoned warehouse that kills many undocumented illegals. At this point things start spiraling out of control for him and he is getting deeper and deeper into trouble.
Set in Scotland, that was the only issue I had was some of the language difference between USA terminology was a problem sometimes figuring out what was being said, but I was able to figure out most of it. Lots of bad language in this book, just warning you. I only found 3 typos in an ARC is a good start.
I was up until 1:30 am finishing this book, hasn't happened in a long time.
I received a free copy of this ARC from the author and the review is all mine. Don't miss this one
This review was sitting on my word doc because I couldn't find it listed anywhere to post a review. Its here now and I'm posting now
September 6, 2020
This is a really entertaining story of crime, conspiracy, murder and escape. DL Fitz really does do a top job weaving a very complex story that all starts off with Jack Currie, a young father, being wrongly accused of arson. Mags MacKenzie returns in this the third in the Gallowgate crime series. The story takes many fraught and tense turns for Mags and especially Jack when he learns he’s been set up by the police themselves. At least things can’t get worse. Wrong. When a mysterious stranger comes to his rescue things get even more complicated for Jack. Without saying more about the actual story, this is an extremely entertaining book and my personal favourite of the series this far. Mags herself is more sure of what she’s doing, even if she’s still terrified as she puts herself in danger. It’s tense and fast paced as it builds to a nail biting climax. One thing to note, this is the third in the Gallowgate Crime Series but this book can certainly be read as a standalone book. Recommended.
September 7, 2020
Jack Currie, his girl friend Lauren and his little boy Archie were on the train travelling to Glasgow, as well as Mags Mackenzie and a skateboarding teenage girl wearing a hijab who was being teased by a group of rambunctious lads as a terrorist..
As the situation in that carriage was getting tensed, they all suddenly sensed that the air possessed a pungent, acrid smell… that was actually originated from a charred huge warehouse about thirty miles away…
Shortly after Jack and Lauren, with Archie in the baby buggy, got off the train at Glasgow station, and were struggling their way through the platform, a couple of policemen intercepted them and placed Jack under arrest for arson and manslaughter.
How could that happen?
Well, you have to read “The Force of Fear” in order to find out. D.L. Fitz once again cleverly spun another suspenseful thriller, book 3, in his Gallowgate Crime Series!
As the situation in that carriage was getting tensed, they all suddenly sensed that the air possessed a pungent, acrid smell… that was actually originated from a charred huge warehouse about thirty miles away…
Shortly after Jack and Lauren, with Archie in the baby buggy, got off the train at Glasgow station, and were struggling their way through the platform, a couple of policemen intercepted them and placed Jack under arrest for arson and manslaughter.
How could that happen?
Well, you have to read “The Force of Fear” in order to find out. D.L. Fitz once again cleverly spun another suspenseful thriller, book 3, in his Gallowgate Crime Series!
September 6, 2020
A new mystery for Mags to unravel! This is the third book in the series which keeps getting better and better. The author does a great job of giving the reader just the right amount of back story to bring you along if you haven't read the previous stories which allows it to be a stand alone novel as well.
This book like all of D.L. Fitz's books hooked me from the beginning. With multiple twists and turns it keeps you on the end of your seat wondering how Mags will figure out what to do next.
I received an advanced reader copy but the opinions and review are my own honest comments.
This book like all of D.L. Fitz's books hooked me from the beginning. With multiple twists and turns it keeps you on the end of your seat wondering how Mags will figure out what to do next.
I received an advanced reader copy but the opinions and review are my own honest comments.
May 25, 2020
I received a review copy from the author in return for my review. A previous review describes the story well.
Too slow, and oft confusing. Reluctantly finished it, and moved on to other more readable books.
I guess it depends on what you read for. This did not really do it for me.
Too slow, and oft confusing. Reluctantly finished it, and moved on to other more readable books.
I guess it depends on what you read for. This did not really do it for me.
June 14, 2020
I'm sad to say I was disappointed in this sequel. I could not get into it. Confusing, convoluted and with way too much going on. I'm not sure if I'm up for a third...
I excitedly received an ARC of this book from the author..
I excitedly received an ARC of this book from the author..
December 1, 2021
This book was quite hard to get into and I found the connections between the characters complicated. This was a shame as there was a potentially good plot but, again went on too long and went into politics so far my eyes glazed over!
September 2, 2020
Gripping and gutwrenching crime thriller which had me glued. Stellar writing. Apart from the fast paced action, this book gave me goosebumps. I highly recommend this author's books.
September 2, 2020
Gripping
Just finished the book and I couldn’t stop until I finished. The plot was intriguing and was full of twists and turns. Kept you guessing until the end.
Highly recommend.
Just finished the book and I couldn’t stop until I finished. The plot was intriguing and was full of twists and turns. Kept you guessing until the end.
Highly recommend.
September 4, 2020
Fear Kills
Mags just can't stay out of trouble. This time it's a young man arrested for arson and multiple murder as he gets off a train. Things get worse from that point.
Mags just can't stay out of trouble. This time it's a young man arrested for arson and multiple murder as he gets off a train. Things get worse from that point.
September 28, 2020
Loved the book. Mags is the hero once again! This series gets better with each book. This one was hard to put down. A real page turner. I couldn’t figure out how it would end.
December 17, 2020
Brilliant
The Force of Fear
Excellent suspense
Just the sort of book I like, it makes me want to read more of this type of crime thriller.
The Force of Fear
Excellent suspense
Just the sort of book I like, it makes me want to read more of this type of crime thriller.
September 2, 2020
This was my first DL Fitz book, and I enjoyed it!
Jack was accused of a crime he didn't commit, and in order to save himself, he allows someone with power to help, and ends up caught up in this twisted world. Everyone he met seemed shady, and you're never quite sure who is actually trustworthy, or what their real endgame is.
This was a thriller that drew me in from the start, with suspense and twists, and I enjoyed reading it. I need to go back and read some other books by this author now!
Jack was accused of a crime he didn't commit, and in order to save himself, he allows someone with power to help, and ends up caught up in this twisted world. Everyone he met seemed shady, and you're never quite sure who is actually trustworthy, or what their real endgame is.
This was a thriller that drew me in from the start, with suspense and twists, and I enjoyed reading it. I need to go back and read some other books by this author now!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews