It took just one bad decision to put his whole life in jeopardy
Tough-talking London Detective Inspector Jack Lisbon now faces a life-changing choice – seek justice or exact vengeance
After a young fighter takes a beating for throwing a bout, DI Lisbon makes a decision that will come back to haunt him – he accepts a bribe to look the other way. With everything poised to go pear-shaped, the embattled cop embarks on a path that could destroy his career, or save him from destruction. One thing you can be sure of, ex-boxer Lisbon never backs down from a fight!
The twist at the end will leave you breathless!
⭐ A story of evil and redemption
⭐ The characters leap off the page
⭐ Jack Lisbon is a kick-ass investigator who packs a punch
⭐ An action-packed page-turner
Follow Jack Lisbon's journey in the upcoming series: "The Fighting Detective"
Blair Denholm is a freelance writer and translator who has lived in Moscow, New York, Munich, Abu Dhabi and Australia. He has written content for commercial websites and done corporate voice-over work in English and Russian.
His first novel in the Gary Braswell series, SOLD, was released by Clan Destine Press in November 2017 and is getting rave reviews. He is also working on a murder mystery based on a real event that occurred in Moscow in the late 1980s.
Blair interpreted for the Reagan-Gorbachev summit in Moscow, translated for the Sochi Winter Olympics and voted in a foreign election despite having no eligibility to do so. He was also almost lost at sea on a dilapidated Russian fishing boat sailing from Hobart to New Zealand. He currently resides in the beautiful Southern Downs district in Queensland with his partner Sandra and two crazy canines.
I’m not normally a person that enjoys short stories, but this one was a winner!
Jack Libson is a corrupt policeman with a whole host of personal problems. This short story follows the start of his journey after a corrupt deal goes drastically wrong, causing Jack to loose everything in his life.
This story was fast paced and has definitely left me wanting to know what happens to Jack. The ending was enthralling and unexpected, it left me with chills! I found Blair Denholm’s writing to be effortless and it definitely drew me in.
I am now desperate to follow Jack’s story and see whether he can turn his life around in Australia! I would definitely recommend this to any Crime Thriller fans!
After Blair Denholm asked me to read his DS Jack Lisbon collection, I thought it best to begin at the start to see how it all came to fruition. This novella sets the tone for the series and provided great context for me, after I finished the first novel in the series. Lisbon is working as a DI in London, but has some series issues in his personal life, all of which come to the surface. Might it be time for him to look for new options to salvage his career, and his life?
Detective Inspector Jack Lisbon was once a prolific boxer, having made a name for himself around the United Kingdom. While he has a wonderful job with the Met, he is also saddled with many skeletons in his closet and chooses to work outside the law when it suits him.
After confronting someone at a local boxing gym, Lisbon’s attempted shakedown goes awry and his temper gets the best of him. Unable to juggle it all, he turns to booze, hoping to drown himself, rather than face the harsh realities that await him. This leads to even more trouble and leaves his superiors to scream lee for options. Might DI Lisbon use this fresh start to better himself? Denholm does well to offer some backstory, while leaving many threads dangling for future exploration.
Blair Denholm has crafted quite the series already, and I am only one novel and this novella in. I enjoy how it all comes together quickly, leaving the reader to keep pace or risk falling behind. There are some great nuggets revealed throughout, but Denholm forces the reader to keep forging ahead, as there is much more to come.
DI Jack Lisbon is surely not the same man readers met in the series’ debut novel, but that is the joy of having this novella to use as comparison. There is a lot that took place before he ended up in Queensland, which only adds to the allure of the overall depth of Lisbon and his character. I will keep reading to see if more of the holes left with this novella can be filled, helping me to discover more about the man and his struggled to keep it together. There is still the question of his daughter to address, but I will leave that for readers to order on their own.
The thing about novellas is that they serve to bridge the gap between two novels, but also have little time to gain momentum. Denholm delovers from the opening pages and provides the reader with something amazing to help put it all into context. There is a great deal of character development here, permitting the reader to see how things went so horribly wrong in the UK, leading Lisbon to arrive in Queensland for a fresh start. While not overly deep in its storyline, it tells of Jack Lisbon’s struggles and provides the context needed for the attentive reader to look for more in this series, which has started off so well. There’s another novella awaiting me, which I hope offers more, as well as some great novels I am eager to try. Bring them on!
Kudos, Mr. Denholm, for making me want to learn more about DS Jack Lisbon.
This is a great little prequel to the Jack Lisbon series. However Jack didn't come across as likeable in any sense. He was a drunk, a thug and a crooked cop. Jack is a Detective in London but after yet another bust-up Jack's boss "encourages" him to resign and hands him a recruiting brochure for the Queensland police in Australia. This made me laugh so much. Suspend your disbelief a little and this is a fun prequel. I'm hoping Jack gets his act together now he is in Australia. Kill Shot: A Jack Lisbon Crime Thriller is the first book in the series.
Fighting Dirty is a prequel in the Jack Lisbon Crime Thriller series by Australian author, Blair Denholm. Ex-boxer Jack Lisbon is a bent cop. The London Met DI seems to be skating on rather thin career ice: he indulges heavily in alcohol and cocaine, and uses his boxing experience unadvisedly in a situation that backfires quite badly. In the aftermath, he vows to reform … While Denholm’s new protagonist isn’t particularly likeable, readers might be willing to give him a chance in his new life. But is the author (with tongue firmly in cheek) tempting fate with Jack’s new destination? Let’s see what #1, The Fighting Detective brings… This unbiased review is from a copy provided by the author.
Blair Denholm packs a punch with his actiony and suspenseful crime thriller Fighting Dirty! Detective Jack Lisbon took a bribe to look the other way, something he’s come to regret. Now with his past catching up to him and his back against the corner, his gloves are coming off. Denholm brings each gritty page to life with his incredible description in this tough-talking beat em up, and main character Jack harkens back to the days of tough as nails crime fighting detectives! This one goes deeper than that though with its well-crafted twists and thoughtful examination of good and evil. If you want something that kicks butt and makes you think, come join the brawl in Fighting Dirty!
Short, brutal, pulp crime thriller. No words wasted in violent, modern noir. Surprisingly three-dimensional anti-hero, burns bridges whilst seeking revenge.
Received a complimentary copy and I'm leaving this review of my own accord. Do you like this character? If so, I don't want you living next door. On the other hand, its soooooo easy to understand his motivation, his personality flaws. We've been there or want to be there. Far more impressive is the subtle way the author draws you into the story. Never been a cop, never been outside of the western hemisphere. But I read to travel and escape. The detail sucks you in and spits you out. You can see it, you can smell it, you can hear it. Smoke, darkness, sodden punches. Over and over. Does Lisbon return to being a good man? Don't know. This is where I started and I don't often believe people change. Let's see.
I received this book/novella from the author and Booksirens.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This story starts off with down on his luck ex-boxer and present day DI with the Metropolitan Police ( I know that the book takes place in England, and I am assuming London) and follows him through one of his off-duty exploits that ends up with him in the local hospital after one of his drunken exploits.
Following his release fro m hospital and subsequent return to work (short duration that it was), leads to the beginning of his adventures in Australia.
All in all, the book serves as a good foundation for later books.
As such, this literary work is worthy of four stars from a potential of five.
As with all reviews, this is only my five cents worth.
Jack Lisbon is exactly the type of character I love reading about. A rough, tough, gritty, shrewd, smart-alecky detective. You gotta love those type of protagonists as they are full of surprises.
Fighting Dirty is a prequel and a fantastic intro to the Jack Lisbon series.
I loved this prequel as it dives straight into the action and is faster than a bat out of hell.
London Detective Inspector Jack Lisbon - ex-boxer, heavy drinker, bent cop, is told to resign and relocate to Australia where he joins the police force in QLD. Exciting times ahead!
Jack Lisbon is Jack Reacher and Rory Yates rolled into one. I’m in as that makes for a fascinating character.
I can see a reading marathon of this series coming up.
This is the first story I have read by this author and it is a prequel novelette to his new series. I find Mr. Den Holmes writing style easy to read. His characters are clearly defined and the storyline is realistic. The main character is not the most honest or admirable, but I am interested to see where thus series will go. I do not think it fair to other readers to reveal storylines in a book. Readers who like a hard showed, gritty character will find this book enjoyable. I received an ARC and this us my honest review of this novelette.
Detective Inspector Jack Lisbon goes to meet Alex Gallagher at the McNair Boxing Club to get back the money he owed him. But it didn’t go as planned. He is attacked outside a bar by two thugs who leave him seriously wounded. His life changes as he is forced to resign and join the police force in Queensland, Australia. A very exciting read fast -pace and fun of action . I received this book free and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers. 0
A will written mystery adventure thriller novel by Blair Denholm The Fighting Detective prequel novella about a British detective on his way out of the local law enforcement. He finds a place on the Australian Queensland police department and the fun begins. I would recommend this novella to readers of mysteries looking for a quick read. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa as I do because of eye issues and damage from nerve damage caused by shingles. 🏡🔰😤🏰 2022
Not by the book, but Jack gets the job done. I liked that Jack is a work in progress. I appreciated the work it took Jack to turn his life around, but he had a great catalyst - unemployment! That said. I think it was only fair to get what he was owed. I liked how he handled things on the plane. I applaud his courage to start over again in a new city, and I look forward to his adventures.
Have read and enjoyed this the introduction to the Jack Lisbon series the fighting detective. A brilliant introduction and if the following books are of equal quality I will be very pleased would recommend highly, buy and enjoy
An amazing short story that made me want to learn more about Jack. He seems to get into more trouble than you can imagine. Hopefully he’ll learn from his mistakes.
I completed a binge read of the first seven books in the series plus the two prequels. Excellent storylines, great characters and settings. Strongly recommended for anyone who enjoys a police procedural with a difference.
This prequel story sees DI Jack Lisbon’s life in London come apart as his drinking and evidence tampering start to catch up with him in various ways. I don’t typically read many stories with Police protagonists, but this one was more gritty than I imagined and leaves things in a place where you are more than ready for the first fully fledged novel in the series.
I actually kinda liked this story. The hero is almost an antihero all rolled into one but it appears that he's finally figured out which side of the moral line he wants to be on. Yet, he's taking some of his rough edges with him to the good side. This is a prequel to the series that promises to be a damned good series. I'm looking forward to more from this author and especially more of this series.
Australian author Blair Denholm lives in Tasmania at present, but has lived and worked in New York, Moscow, Munich, Abu Dhabi in addition to Australia. He has published four books – ESCAPE FROM PASSING WINDS, SOLD, SOLD TO THE DEVIL, and now FIGHTING DIRTY. Blair is also a translator, speaks fluent Russian (he interpreted for the Reagan-Gorbachev summit in Moscow and translated for the Sochi Winter Olympics Organizing Committee) as well as a traveler and has escaped situations and detainments in life much as he writes in his new book! FIGHTING DIRTY is the first installment in his new series – the Jack London Crime Thriller – and brings on stage a tough, cynical, ex-boxer London cop, who even in this relative brief novella gives evidence of a terrific new character to follow.
Blair Denholm is establishing himself as a very bright star on the literary landscape. His language and tone for relaying his tales of crime is at once raw and lyrical. Introducing a new primary character, Blair opens with a visual (and guttural) image: ‘Detective Inspector Jack Lisbon charged down the cobblestone alleyway, his bootsteps echoed in the still London night air. The DI’s destination – McNair’s Boxing Club. He looked up at a cracked and blinking neon sign at the end of the lane, half the letters blanked out. Just like a year ago, Jack gripped the handle of a heavy wooden door, shouldered it open. The place buzzed with activity…The satisfying thwack of leather gloves pounding skin was music to Jack’s ears. ‘Oof’ sounded when a solid punch snuck under a fighter’s guard and struck the mark. Ribs, jaw, solar plexus. The acrid scents of disinfectant, sweat, coppery old blood, and liniment assailed Jack’s nostrils, setoff memories in the recesses of his brain…’ That degree of atmosphere pervades every page of this novel.
The intriguing plot is condensed in the fine synopsis: ‘It took just one bad decision to put his whole life in jeopardy Tough-talking London Detective Inspector Jack Lisbon now faces a life-changing choice – seek justice or exact vengeance. After a young fighter takes a beating for throwing a bout, DI Lisbon makes a decision that will come back to haunt him – he accepts a bribe to look the other way. With everything poised to go pear-shaped, the embattled cop embarks on a path that could destroy his career, or save him from destruction. One thing you can be sure of, ex-boxer Lisbon never backs down from a fight!’
Aside from being solid entertainment, FIGHTING DIRTY has some philosophical asides that focus on many of our current obsessions. Blair keeps us guessing (as reading detectives) while he places the spotlight on the London cop Jack Lisbon. This is a [heck] of a fine book – and initiate a solid new series!
My first read by this author. I find his writing style easy to read. Although the main character is sketchy, the storyline is very realistic. I think this series could be exciting!
"Fighting Dirty" by Blair Denholm sets an action-packed and thrilling short read. It reveals the tense relationship between Jack Lisbon and Alex Gallagher of McNair's Boxing Club that is the stage of verbal jabs and a punch or two. Jack finds himself on the wrong side of the law by accepting a bribe; his personal life is in shambles and is on a running streak of making questionable choices. His finds himself facing the consequences of his actions, protecting himself from an onslaught of punches. There were moments where I was exasperated with this character, but eventually, empathy made the cut. I found myself immersed with Blair's vivid descriptions, and there's plenty of room for thought. It sets beautifully sets the premise for Kill Shot which is the first Jack Lisbon novel. A 4.5 star read!
Good book. An introduction to a series that could be interesting. DI Jack Lisbon is down on his luck & needs a change. So this novella sums up his desperation and forces him to turn things around. Looking forward to reading the new Jack Lisbon in Australia.