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The Trauma Pool
DI Will Ashcroft saved a boy from drowning in the London Docklands. But the incident still haunts him.
Now Ashcroft is back in the Pennines, where he started out.
There has been a murder – and a twelve-year-old boy is missing.
The deeper Ashcroft delves into the crimes, the clearer it becomes that he cannot solve the cases on his own.
Samira Byrne is a black police officer, battling against prejudice both in and outside the force. Yet she is smart and tenacious – and becomes an ally.
Faced with incompetent superior officers, witnesses who are withholding information, and the suspicious behaviour of the missing boy’s parents, Ashcroft and Byrne must risk everything to unravel secrets the valley has been keeping for over ten years.
Can Ashcroft outrun his past long enough to solve the cases?
Now Ashcroft is back in the Pennines, where he started out.
There has been a murder – and a twelve-year-old boy is missing.
The deeper Ashcroft delves into the crimes, the clearer it becomes that he cannot solve the cases on his own.
Samira Byrne is a black police officer, battling against prejudice both in and outside the force. Yet she is smart and tenacious – and becomes an ally.
Faced with incompetent superior officers, witnesses who are withholding information, and the suspicious behaviour of the missing boy’s parents, Ashcroft and Byrne must risk everything to unravel secrets the valley has been keeping for over ten years.
Can Ashcroft outrun his past long enough to solve the cases?
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2020
24 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 16, 2020
Thrillers can be a little hit and miss nowadays with often the same story and formula being recycled by authors who want to make a quick buck. Deep narratives and meaningful character arcs are often sacrificed in order to produce a more digestible novel to be read at an airport by the masses. This usually amounts to a shallow story without the pull of realism which hooks you to the world. Kennedy’s debut novel doesn’t have that problem. ‘The Trauma Pool’ is an appropriately relevant work of fiction in a world which still suffers from unacceptable levels of inequality. Kennedy isn’t afraid to explore themes of institutional racism, sexism and bigotry as well as PTSD and mental illness, themes in which Kennedy brings to the forefront of the novel. ‘The Trauma Pool’ accentuates these difficult themes through his two main protagonists DI Will Ashcroft and DC Samira Byrne, both of whom conduits of the novel’s themes of discrimination and prejudice. DI Ashcroft’s character serves to champion the scope of mental illness within the police force, his PTSD always being at the forefront of the readers’ mind. The characters here are all authentic and some of them extremely likeable, none more than Samira. Samira eclipses her superior Ashcroft in many ways, I really thought she was the hero of the novel. From early on I became attached to Samira, she is a perfect example of a well-rounded and expertly written minority character, she has agency and is always at the forefront of the action. Without wanting to spoil any of the story, let me assure you that Kennedy offers a fresh take on the oft-abused genre, akin to Peter May or Ian Rankin. Dark, bold, gritty and very satisfying, ‘The Trauma Pool’ is one of the best books I’ve read this year.
January 3, 2021
The Trauma Pool by John Kennedy is powerful new crime thriller from debut author John Kennedy.
Set in the 80s in a Yorkshire Valley, DI Will Ashcroft has returned to his hometown after a stint working in London, where he faced almost tragic circumstances. Battling the demons of that event, Will begins investigating a grisly murder and at the same time the disappearance of a 12 year old boy.
Faced with many obstacles, from colleagues and witnesses alike, Ashcroft has to untangle a web of secrets firmly rooted into the past...
In Di Will Ashcroft, John Kennedy has crafted a likeable yet troubled detective unafraid to get his hands dirty and with Samira Byrne - with her own problems to face - as his WDC, the duo gel well as a pair and their growing relationship throughout the book adds a little light to a deep and meaningful story.
As well as being a strong and well plotted crime thriller there is a deeply ingrained story about PTSD which is written with a real honest, authentic feeling I’ve not experienced quite like this.
Compelling story telling which delves into abuse, bigotry and racism, this is a dark brooding,gritty and uncompromising read.
A Top Drawer Crime Thriler from an authentic and serious new writer.
Set in the 80s in a Yorkshire Valley, DI Will Ashcroft has returned to his hometown after a stint working in London, where he faced almost tragic circumstances. Battling the demons of that event, Will begins investigating a grisly murder and at the same time the disappearance of a 12 year old boy.
Faced with many obstacles, from colleagues and witnesses alike, Ashcroft has to untangle a web of secrets firmly rooted into the past...
In Di Will Ashcroft, John Kennedy has crafted a likeable yet troubled detective unafraid to get his hands dirty and with Samira Byrne - with her own problems to face - as his WDC, the duo gel well as a pair and their growing relationship throughout the book adds a little light to a deep and meaningful story.
As well as being a strong and well plotted crime thriller there is a deeply ingrained story about PTSD which is written with a real honest, authentic feeling I’ve not experienced quite like this.
Compelling story telling which delves into abuse, bigotry and racism, this is a dark brooding,gritty and uncompromising read.
A Top Drawer Crime Thriler from an authentic and serious new writer.
October 5, 2020
I confess, there were times when I found this difficult to put down. This is so much more than the obvious gritty-northern crime novel, though anyone seeking such will most certainly be satisfied. The two protagonists are thoroughly believable. The recurrent theme of PTSD is well-researched while being sympathetically and realistically presented: messy, elusive and by no means romanticised.
In general, an immensely satisfying read. All the underpinnings of a fine detective story, while at no time slipping into cliché or caricature. Very well-paced, excellently crafted. Starts dark and gets progressively darker, but is not without humour, humanity and light. An immersive trip back into the ‘80s while at the same time possessing a contemporary resonance. I hope to be hearing more from this author.
In general, an immensely satisfying read. All the underpinnings of a fine detective story, while at no time slipping into cliché or caricature. Very well-paced, excellently crafted. Starts dark and gets progressively darker, but is not without humour, humanity and light. An immersive trip back into the ‘80s while at the same time possessing a contemporary resonance. I hope to be hearing more from this author.
April 18, 2021
John Kennedy will be a household name in the not too distant future. The Trauma Pool is an exceptionally well written novel.
I actually read this novel in one seating it was so engrossing, full of twists and turns and so brilliantly explored themes. Sexism, racism and abuse. DI Ashcroft is a fantastically flawed hero, he has his own problems but he develops throughout the novel and you route for him every step of the way.
I love the narrative structure of the novel too, very different from other crime novels but so satisfying to read. Dark and humorous too, what more could you ask for?
A brilliant debut, I can't wait to see what Kennedy does next!
I actually read this novel in one seating it was so engrossing, full of twists and turns and so brilliantly explored themes. Sexism, racism and abuse. DI Ashcroft is a fantastically flawed hero, he has his own problems but he develops throughout the novel and you route for him every step of the way.
I love the narrative structure of the novel too, very different from other crime novels but so satisfying to read. Dark and humorous too, what more could you ask for?
A brilliant debut, I can't wait to see what Kennedy does next!
April 29, 2021
DI Will Ashcroft is haunted by an incident when he saved a young boy from drowning. Ashcroft has been assigned back to the Pennines where he started his career.
Samira Byrne is a black police officer who is constantly faced with horrendous racism in the office and out of it.
When a 12 year old boy goes missing, Ashcroft and Byrne are put together to try and find him. With a spark between them, can they put the chemistry aside to get the job done.
The book is set in the 1980’s and explores the extent of racism, sexism and the relatively unknown mental health illnesses like PTSD. A slow start but the book soon picked up the pace and I found it to be an enjoyable read.
Samira Byrne is a black police officer who is constantly faced with horrendous racism in the office and out of it.
When a 12 year old boy goes missing, Ashcroft and Byrne are put together to try and find him. With a spark between them, can they put the chemistry aside to get the job done.
The book is set in the 1980’s and explores the extent of racism, sexism and the relatively unknown mental health illnesses like PTSD. A slow start but the book soon picked up the pace and I found it to be an enjoyable read.
March 12, 2022
Relocated to the Pennines following a traumatic rescue of a young boy in London’s Docklands, D.I. Will Ashcroft is plunged into both a murder and a child kidnapping that will test his skills to their limits.
Set in the mid 1980’s amid large scale racism and homophobia within the community and the local police force, this is a well-researched, and competently written, thriller.
The characters flaws draw you in and the realism of Ashcroft’s Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and DC Byrne’s struggle with old fashioned attitudes towards both women and people of colour, at times, bring your emotion to the fore.
With the inclusion of several red herrings and plot twists, this is a novel that’ll keep you hooked well into the early hours of the morning.
Set in the mid 1980’s amid large scale racism and homophobia within the community and the local police force, this is a well-researched, and competently written, thriller.
The characters flaws draw you in and the realism of Ashcroft’s Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and DC Byrne’s struggle with old fashioned attitudes towards both women and people of colour, at times, bring your emotion to the fore.
With the inclusion of several red herrings and plot twists, this is a novel that’ll keep you hooked well into the early hours of the morning.
May 10, 2024
I gave this only a 3 because I could not really get into the story the way it was written. The idea behind the story about a children's home / orphanage and finding missing children and how it happened and who was involved in the issues at the orphanage. That made it the most interesting part of the story.
May 20, 2021
Gritty police procedural set in Yorkshire in the 80s. Good characters, gripping plot and a real page turner for a rainy day.
September 19, 2022
Gripping and moving
Exploring racial prejudice police procedure and systemic failures but not so deeply it becomes unbearable. Will read more from this author.
Exploring racial prejudice police procedure and systemic failures but not so deeply it becomes unbearable. Will read more from this author.
November 9, 2020
Gripping, gritty crime drama with lots of twists and turns. I really enjoyed this book. Fab characters, great scene setting and a realistic depiction of 80s policing.
January 5, 2021
My thoughts of Debut Author John Kennedy’s brilliant hardhiting debut thriller, that deals with racism, sexism in the 1980s was just fantastic. The Trauma Pool, is not just gripping well written story, but its main characters, are just incredible. DI Will Ashcroft is just a brilliant character, who is hunted by his past,that truly blows you away, Samira Byrne is a black police officer, battling against prejudice both in and outside the force is also a brilliant character, what I liked about the characters was there working relationship, to solve crimes truly was remarkable.The story of The Trauma Pool, is set in Yorkshire Pennines, where a murder happens and a twelve year old boy goes missing,the suspense that unfolds,left me speechless and breathless. Author John Kennedy, not only writes a powerful story, but the suspense and mystery he brings to the story, blows you away, right from the start,which is incredible. Debut author John Kennedy, is a rising star, in crime fiction to watch out for. The Trauma Pool is highly recommended, a well written plot that will blow you away. I would like to say thank you to author John Kennedy, for kindly sending me a gifted copy to read and review this outstanding thriller. Looking forward to more from this talented author. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💥💥💥💥💥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews