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CID Case #1
The Conspiracy: Episode 1
EPISODE 1 IN THE FIRST INSTALMENT IN THE CID CASE SERIES, THE CONSPIRACY - A NEW EPISODE RELEASED EVERY MONDAY
Candice Strachan can’t breathe.
A small jewellers is raided in Guildford High Street and leaves police chasing their tails. Reports suggest that it's The Crimsons, an organised crime group the police have been hunting for years.
The device wrapped around her neck is suffocating her, crushing her chest.
But for rookie detective, Jake Tanner, something doesn't seem right. The heist doesn’t fit any of their previous patterns. And the last time Jake met them, he was staring down the barrel of their gun, bargaining for his life.
The men who put it there have left her to die.
When the shop owner is kidnapped and a collar bomb is attached to her neck, Jake learns one of his own is involved – a police officer.
Her life now rests in Jake Tanner’s hands.
As Jake follows the group on a wild goose chase, he questions everything he knows about his team. Who can he trust? And is he prepared to find out?
Candice Strachan can’t breathe.
A small jewellers is raided in Guildford High Street and leaves police chasing their tails. Reports suggest that it's The Crimsons, an organised crime group the police have been hunting for years.
The device wrapped around her neck is suffocating her, crushing her chest.
But for rookie detective, Jake Tanner, something doesn't seem right. The heist doesn’t fit any of their previous patterns. And the last time Jake met them, he was staring down the barrel of their gun, bargaining for his life.
The men who put it there have left her to die.
When the shop owner is kidnapped and a collar bomb is attached to her neck, Jake learns one of his own is involved – a police officer.
Her life now rests in Jake Tanner’s hands.
As Jake follows the group on a wild goose chase, he questions everything he knows about his team. Who can he trust? And is he prepared to find out?
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2020
598 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Jack Probyn
157 books100 followersI’m Jack Probyn, and I write murder mysteries and crime thrillers set in England. I studied Creative Writing at the University of Surrey and have always been fascinated by storytelling, particularly the dark and twisty kind.
I’m the author of the DC Jake Tanner series and the DS Tomek Bowen series, both packed with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists. When I’m not writing, I enjoy building LEGO, solving sudoku puzzles, and occasionally going snowboarding. I live in England with my partner and our British Shorthair cat, Tommy.
I’m the author of the DC Jake Tanner series and the DS Tomek Bowen series, both packed with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists. When I’m not writing, I enjoy building LEGO, solving sudoku puzzles, and occasionally going snowboarding. I live in England with my partner and our British Shorthair cat, Tommy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 27, 2020
Detective Jake Tanner is a Rookie, only on he job a couple of years but his operational ability is well-known. A small jewelry store is robbed, hostages taken and a person killed! After the investigation is started, Jake has a feeling a group of robbers he knows well are the culprits, but they have Never murdered or taken hostages before. As he has just been sent to this outfit, he doesn't know who to trust and already has an off feeling about one detective...Could 'The Crimsons' really have done this?!
A hostage is located at her house, but Candice Strachan has a metal device fitted around her neck, and was informed by those who put it on that it was a bomb that would kill her If she does not find four keys in four hours....A horror filled start that already has me on edge as we await the next episode!! A very interesting story structure that I believe many will enjoy!!
I received an ARC from the author and offer You my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
A hostage is located at her house, but Candice Strachan has a metal device fitted around her neck, and was informed by those who put it on that it was a bomb that would kill her If she does not find four keys in four hours....A horror filled start that already has me on edge as we await the next episode!! A very interesting story structure that I believe many will enjoy!!
I received an ARC from the author and offer You my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
December 7, 2020
Stepping into the middle of a series here. Sort of lost with the backstory of the character, Jake Tanner, and his partner, Danika.
Tanner is on loan from The Metropolitan police in London. While working with another office he gets involved with a jewel heist. The bad guys are a well known gang, the Crimsons, with whom Jake has a history.
Kindle Unlimited. Just under 300 pages. There is a lot of dialogue that is just there for filler.
Tanner is on loan from The Metropolitan police in London. While working with another office he gets involved with a jewel heist. The bad guys are a well known gang, the Crimsons, with whom Jake has a history.
Kindle Unlimited. Just under 300 pages. There is a lot of dialogue that is just there for filler.
June 21, 2020
Detective Jake Tanner might be new, but he’s already well known. Absolutely fabulous beginning.
December 11, 2020
Good but...
This was a pretty good novel but I was left expecting more .....all through the book. I felt a bit disappointed throughout, maybe there could have been a bit more backstory and the characters seemed a little flat to me. There are many parts where I needed more info; problems with the baby, the issue with a previous babysitter and the whole issue of meeting the gang years ago, and choices that were made, to name just a few.The These may have been addressed in a previous book.
This was a pretty good novel but I was left expecting more .....all through the book. I felt a bit disappointed throughout, maybe there could have been a bit more backstory and the characters seemed a little flat to me. There are many parts where I needed more info; problems with the baby, the issue with a previous babysitter and the whole issue of meeting the gang years ago, and choices that were made, to name just a few.The These may have been addressed in a previous book.
August 4, 2020
This book includes all six instalments of the CID Case series, Conspiracy and the main character Jake Tanner has joined a new unit as a Temporary Detective Constable, along with his fellow rookie from the Met, Danika Oblak. It’s their first day in the Major Crime Unit and a case comes in shortly after they get situated. A small jewellery shop in Bridgewater has been raided by armed men and one woman has been shot dead and another woman taken hostage. Danika unfortunately is away from her desk, when DCI Pemberton decides who to take with her, and that leaves Jake to attend with DS Bridger. Reports suggest that a gang called The Crimsons may be responsible for this latest raid, but they haven’t been heard of for a couple of years, since their leader Freddy was caught and imprisoned.
Jake has a former link to The Crimsons, having been held at gunpoint by this gang during their last raid and he was the one that caused Freddy to be arrested, while the rest of the gang got away. This event made Jake decide to join the police force and now he has worked his way up to rookie detective, and rapidly at that. DS Bridger takes an almost immediate dislike of Jake and tries to put him down at every opportunity. Jake isn’t exactly enamoured with him either, but knows he has to curb his natural sarcastic responses to this sort of behaviour, especially on his first day! The Crimsons have never used their guns before, nor taken someone away with them, so the other officers don’t believe that it could be this gang, until more evidence comes in.
The woman taken hostage is Candice Strachan, the manager of the shop and she is taken to her large home and one of the gang leaves her with an explosive collar around her neck. The only chance she has of surviving, is to solve four clues, each one leading to the next clue and a key that she will need to undo the collar and disarm it. The Crimson gang consists of three brothers, Danny, Michael and Luke. Their mother left them and remarried a rich man and never contacted them again. Their father left them shortly after and they end up with Danny having to do whatever he could to earn money to keep the three of them fed and clothed. Now they are doing a job without their leader and it seems that the oldest brother Danny has got his own agenda for the job.
The police are sent on a wild goose chase, trying to locate each of the keys, while the gang gets away. DCI Pemberton has to get the bomb squad to see if they can remove the bomb collar of not, but it seems someone wants her to die and have made a good job of the collar. DS Bridger takes offence at Jake’s knowledge of the gang and his link to Freddy, their previous leader, and tries to suggest that Jake is actually in cohorts with the gang. Bridger’s long absence and odd excuse given, raises questions with Jake and he asks Danika to help research information for him whilst she is stuck in the office. She is jealous that Jake got to go out on the investigation and is asked by one of her superiors to let him know what she finds first, before she lets Jake or Pemberton know.
There are some dirty coppers in this story, who work for something called the Cabal, but more to be found out about that in future instalments I guess. An intriguing crime story with a vicious family gang, going off their normal method of operation, swayed by an outside influence. The gang try to leave the country, as they leave the police behind to solve the clues they left in various locations, to save a woman’s life. An interesting read and I am glad I got to read all six instalments of The Conspiracy in one, as each is very short on its own. Much better to read all in one. I look forward to reading more about Jake and his colleagues and also the dirty cops and what might happen to them. I received an ARC copy of the complete season from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Jake has a former link to The Crimsons, having been held at gunpoint by this gang during their last raid and he was the one that caused Freddy to be arrested, while the rest of the gang got away. This event made Jake decide to join the police force and now he has worked his way up to rookie detective, and rapidly at that. DS Bridger takes an almost immediate dislike of Jake and tries to put him down at every opportunity. Jake isn’t exactly enamoured with him either, but knows he has to curb his natural sarcastic responses to this sort of behaviour, especially on his first day! The Crimsons have never used their guns before, nor taken someone away with them, so the other officers don’t believe that it could be this gang, until more evidence comes in.
The woman taken hostage is Candice Strachan, the manager of the shop and she is taken to her large home and one of the gang leaves her with an explosive collar around her neck. The only chance she has of surviving, is to solve four clues, each one leading to the next clue and a key that she will need to undo the collar and disarm it. The Crimson gang consists of three brothers, Danny, Michael and Luke. Their mother left them and remarried a rich man and never contacted them again. Their father left them shortly after and they end up with Danny having to do whatever he could to earn money to keep the three of them fed and clothed. Now they are doing a job without their leader and it seems that the oldest brother Danny has got his own agenda for the job.
The police are sent on a wild goose chase, trying to locate each of the keys, while the gang gets away. DCI Pemberton has to get the bomb squad to see if they can remove the bomb collar of not, but it seems someone wants her to die and have made a good job of the collar. DS Bridger takes offence at Jake’s knowledge of the gang and his link to Freddy, their previous leader, and tries to suggest that Jake is actually in cohorts with the gang. Bridger’s long absence and odd excuse given, raises questions with Jake and he asks Danika to help research information for him whilst she is stuck in the office. She is jealous that Jake got to go out on the investigation and is asked by one of her superiors to let him know what she finds first, before she lets Jake or Pemberton know.
There are some dirty coppers in this story, who work for something called the Cabal, but more to be found out about that in future instalments I guess. An intriguing crime story with a vicious family gang, going off their normal method of operation, swayed by an outside influence. The gang try to leave the country, as they leave the police behind to solve the clues they left in various locations, to save a woman’s life. An interesting read and I am glad I got to read all six instalments of The Conspiracy in one, as each is very short on its own. Much better to read all in one. I look forward to reading more about Jake and his colleagues and also the dirty cops and what might happen to them. I received an ARC copy of the complete season from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
January 25, 2021
The Conspiracy starts off really promisingly with a violent heist at a jewellery shop in Guildford. It seems to have been perpetrated by a gang who have not been seen for a long while, so why have they resurfaced, and why have they suddenly got more violent? It’s Jake Tanner’s first day with Guildford’s major crimes team and he can’t believe his old enemies have chosen today to rear their ugly heads again.
I was drawn in to the story quite quickly with the surfeit of action happening on the page and the enthralling premise of the plot. The police have to solve a puzzle to release a hostage from a horrifying, fatal device that is the stuff of nightmares in a race against time, while the criminals make their getaway. it all was really promising from the beginning and I was eager to know what was going to happen. The prose is quite quick and easy to read, although quite graphic in its violence, and the time was passing very quickly.
I also enjoyed the dynamic between the gang and finding out what was driving them, their personal relationships and human frailties feed quite well into the plot to drive the narrative. I could understand and recognise their relationship as being quite authentic and see why things played out as they did.
However, this book has some problems. The main one being that the role that the main protagonist, Jake Tanner, takes in the investigation is just totally unbelievable. It started off seemingly well, so for the first third of the book I bought into the premise and was enjoying the narrative but, after a while, the role that Jake was taking got more and more outlandish. This is a very young man in his first day in a new police force, he is only a trainee detective, and yet the most senior officers are directing the whole investigation on his gut feelings. he’s telling them what to do, communicating behind their backs with a fellow junior officer who is also feeding into his behaviour, going off on his own track, visiting prisoners to interrogate them alone and generally just behaving in a way that it is too hard a stretch of the imagination to accept as in any way authentic. His actions get more outlandish as the book progresses, to the point where he pretty much solves the crime and saves the day single-handedly. Unfortunately, it makes the book almost cartoonish in its denouement.
I think there is a lot of potential in this author. There was a lot to enjoy about the book. He obviously has a great imagination and a good eye for story structure. The writing just lacks some maturity, it reads a bit like a grown up version of a teenage boy’s book, with not enough character development or authenticity of procedure, but plenty of action. I’m sure over time these things will develop and the author could be one to watch. I also accept that I may not be the target audience for this book and maybe it is aimed more to appeal to young, male readers. For the time being, this is a book for anyone who is prepared to suspend their disbelief further than I could manage in return for high action and an imaginative plot.
I was drawn in to the story quite quickly with the surfeit of action happening on the page and the enthralling premise of the plot. The police have to solve a puzzle to release a hostage from a horrifying, fatal device that is the stuff of nightmares in a race against time, while the criminals make their getaway. it all was really promising from the beginning and I was eager to know what was going to happen. The prose is quite quick and easy to read, although quite graphic in its violence, and the time was passing very quickly.
I also enjoyed the dynamic between the gang and finding out what was driving them, their personal relationships and human frailties feed quite well into the plot to drive the narrative. I could understand and recognise their relationship as being quite authentic and see why things played out as they did.
However, this book has some problems. The main one being that the role that the main protagonist, Jake Tanner, takes in the investigation is just totally unbelievable. It started off seemingly well, so for the first third of the book I bought into the premise and was enjoying the narrative but, after a while, the role that Jake was taking got more and more outlandish. This is a very young man in his first day in a new police force, he is only a trainee detective, and yet the most senior officers are directing the whole investigation on his gut feelings. he’s telling them what to do, communicating behind their backs with a fellow junior officer who is also feeding into his behaviour, going off on his own track, visiting prisoners to interrogate them alone and generally just behaving in a way that it is too hard a stretch of the imagination to accept as in any way authentic. His actions get more outlandish as the book progresses, to the point where he pretty much solves the crime and saves the day single-handedly. Unfortunately, it makes the book almost cartoonish in its denouement.
I think there is a lot of potential in this author. There was a lot to enjoy about the book. He obviously has a great imagination and a good eye for story structure. The writing just lacks some maturity, it reads a bit like a grown up version of a teenage boy’s book, with not enough character development or authenticity of procedure, but plenty of action. I’m sure over time these things will develop and the author could be one to watch. I also accept that I may not be the target audience for this book and maybe it is aimed more to appeal to young, male readers. For the time being, this is a book for anyone who is prepared to suspend their disbelief further than I could manage in return for high action and an imaginative plot.
January 30, 2021
I have a little confession to make in that I bought ‘The Conspiracy’ on my Kindle last year but hadn’t got around to reading it yet. When I was invited to take part in the blog tour for ‘The Conspiracy’, I thought that it would be an ideal opportunity to read the book and be introduced to Jake Tanner. Now I am rather cross at myself for leaving it this long to read the book. I loved ‘The Conspiracy’ but more about that in a bit.
It took me no time at all to get into this story. In fact as soon as I started to read, I knew that I was going to enjoy this story. To say that reading ‘The Conspiracy’ became addictive is a bit of an understatement and then some. When I first picked the book up, I had only intended to read a couple of chapters to get my toe in the door so to speak. I ended up becoming that wrapped up in the story that I read way more than a couple and more like 8 or 9 chapters in one go. I became intrigued by the crime and whether or not Jake and his colleagues would solve the crime. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because is travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I soon got to the end of the book and I had to say a temporary farewell to Jake Tanner.
‘The Conspiracy’ is well written. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start and draw you into what proves to be a compelling, tense and dramatic read. For me, ‘The Conspiracy’ hit the ground running and maintained a fast pace throughout. Reading ‘The Conspiracy’ was much like being on an occasionally scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride. Just when you thought that you could relax for a moment then off the action would go again. I found this to be a gripping read, which held my attention from start to finish, kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Conspiracy’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Jack’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
It took me no time at all to get into this story. In fact as soon as I started to read, I knew that I was going to enjoy this story. To say that reading ‘The Conspiracy’ became addictive is a bit of an understatement and then some. When I first picked the book up, I had only intended to read a couple of chapters to get my toe in the door so to speak. I ended up becoming that wrapped up in the story that I read way more than a couple and more like 8 or 9 chapters in one go. I became intrigued by the crime and whether or not Jake and his colleagues would solve the crime. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because is travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I soon got to the end of the book and I had to say a temporary farewell to Jake Tanner.
‘The Conspiracy’ is well written. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start and draw you into what proves to be a compelling, tense and dramatic read. For me, ‘The Conspiracy’ hit the ground running and maintained a fast pace throughout. Reading ‘The Conspiracy’ was much like being on an occasionally scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride. Just when you thought that you could relax for a moment then off the action would go again. I found this to be a gripping read, which held my attention from start to finish, kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Conspiracy’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Jack’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
January 17, 2021
The author certainly doesn't hang around in The Conspiracy. This is #1 in the CID Case series and it definitely has a fast pace to it.
Jake Tanner has just started with the Guilford Police as a Temporary Detective Constable, he's a rookie and appears to be very eager to impress. At least that is how some see him, he definitely gets a break in an armed robbery when he recognises the gang responsible. I have to say that initially, I thought Jake came over a little bit cocky and over-eager so I didn't really warm to him that much. Luckily for me, this did change as I realised he is actually like a dog with a bone who cannot and will not let things drop. He knows that he is right for somethings and this does mean he goes out on a limb on more than one occasion.
A robbery, a kidnap, guns and a shot fired is not the usual modus operandi of this gang. This leaves Jake with a slight uphill battle as he tries to convince his superiors that he does know what he is on about. They need to take him at his word and not see him as just a rookie.
The story goes along at breakneck speed and this does really work well for the story as it is very much a race against time for a couple of reasons. There are quite a few characters but I didn't think there were too many so that I struggled to keep up. They have been worked well into the plot of the story and do bring there own style and traits. I do admit there were a couple of favourites as well as the odd one I really wasn't so keen on.
Overall this is a really good start to a new series, with a further 5 more books planned and due out. It is a police-procedural that is fast, well-plotted and has a very good addictive aspect to it. A one-sitting read for me that has left me eager to read more. There is a smallish cliff hanger that I am eager to see developed further and I am curious as to what the author has in store for Jake. It is one I would recommend.
Jake Tanner has just started with the Guilford Police as a Temporary Detective Constable, he's a rookie and appears to be very eager to impress. At least that is how some see him, he definitely gets a break in an armed robbery when he recognises the gang responsible. I have to say that initially, I thought Jake came over a little bit cocky and over-eager so I didn't really warm to him that much. Luckily for me, this did change as I realised he is actually like a dog with a bone who cannot and will not let things drop. He knows that he is right for somethings and this does mean he goes out on a limb on more than one occasion.
A robbery, a kidnap, guns and a shot fired is not the usual modus operandi of this gang. This leaves Jake with a slight uphill battle as he tries to convince his superiors that he does know what he is on about. They need to take him at his word and not see him as just a rookie.
The story goes along at breakneck speed and this does really work well for the story as it is very much a race against time for a couple of reasons. There are quite a few characters but I didn't think there were too many so that I struggled to keep up. They have been worked well into the plot of the story and do bring there own style and traits. I do admit there were a couple of favourites as well as the odd one I really wasn't so keen on.
Overall this is a really good start to a new series, with a further 5 more books planned and due out. It is a police-procedural that is fast, well-plotted and has a very good addictive aspect to it. A one-sitting read for me that has left me eager to read more. There is a smallish cliff hanger that I am eager to see developed further and I am curious as to what the author has in store for Jake. It is one I would recommend.
February 7, 2021
Jack Probyn is a young and new face to the crime and thriller genres, but if The Conspiracy is any indicator of talent, I’m sure we’ll be seeing many more of his novels on bookshelves! The Conspiracy was clearly inspired by one of the weirdest cases in the United States, that of the 2003 Collar Bomb Case of Brian Wells. However, while having a clear inspiration, The Conspiracy is definitely a piece of fiction that stands on its own.
This is the debut of the author’s DC Jake Tanner series, and introduces the reader to a slew of interesting characters. There’s Jake Tanner a young police officer, still in training and painfully eager to help others; DC Danika Oblak a fellow trainee and good friend of Jake’s, as well as the already established team of the Surrey precinct where Jake and Danika are sent. These officers are DCI Nicki Pemeberton, a no nonsense head investigator, her second, DI Mark Murphy who seems kind and focused and DS Elliot Bridger, a whiny and argumentative man who is not keen on dealing with having to deal with a trainee.
I won’t lie, this book had me on the edge of my seat and my heart in my throat from start to finish! Part of the reason is that I’m a self-admitted True-Crime junkie, and so recognized where the possible ending might be, but the other reason is that there was absolutely no way to predict how the author was going to lead me there! I can’t really do a synopsis of the full plot, as it would give away the wonderful twists and turns that the author has lovingly constructed. The best way to describe The Conspiracy is to try and keep the title always in mind. There are layers upon layers of intrigue and misdirection, bundled into a police procedural format and the nagging suspicion that even at the end, there is more to uncover. I’ll be eagerly awaiting to see the next Jake Tanner story!
This is the debut of the author’s DC Jake Tanner series, and introduces the reader to a slew of interesting characters. There’s Jake Tanner a young police officer, still in training and painfully eager to help others; DC Danika Oblak a fellow trainee and good friend of Jake’s, as well as the already established team of the Surrey precinct where Jake and Danika are sent. These officers are DCI Nicki Pemeberton, a no nonsense head investigator, her second, DI Mark Murphy who seems kind and focused and DS Elliot Bridger, a whiny and argumentative man who is not keen on dealing with having to deal with a trainee.
I won’t lie, this book had me on the edge of my seat and my heart in my throat from start to finish! Part of the reason is that I’m a self-admitted True-Crime junkie, and so recognized where the possible ending might be, but the other reason is that there was absolutely no way to predict how the author was going to lead me there! I can’t really do a synopsis of the full plot, as it would give away the wonderful twists and turns that the author has lovingly constructed. The best way to describe The Conspiracy is to try and keep the title always in mind. There are layers upon layers of intrigue and misdirection, bundled into a police procedural format and the nagging suspicion that even at the end, there is more to uncover. I’ll be eagerly awaiting to see the next Jake Tanner story!
February 4, 2021
'The Conspiracy' by Jack Probyn is the first in a brand new series the CID Case Series and it begins as it means to go on, at a breakneck speed!
Jake Tanner is a new boy in the Guildford Police. A Temporary Detective Constable and is a copper full of beans, determined to do well and shows it. He has a lucky break when he recognises the gang that has committed an armed robbery. The only issue is he needs to prove himself to his superiors on the job and show them he does know his stuff and he isn't only a newbie trying to impress. It is a good job he is dogged in his determination as it isn't an easy thing to prove especially when the gang in question doesn't fit it's normal criteria and operates differently. Jake has a battle on his hands.
A great start for me, the story plunged me right in to Jake's world and I didn't come up for air until I really had too. The characters including Jake have been woven into the story well and add to my enjoyment with their realistic traits, even the odd one I wasn't too keen on, just like real life, we can't like everyone.
A police procedural that has you wanting to know it all from the start with a great pace and a fantastic plot. I really think this book is an excellent foundation for us as readers to get acqainted with Jake Tanner and his world. The ending was left in such a way that the next book cannot appear quickly enough. I am looking forward to seeing how Jake develops over the series...and what scrapes he can get himself into.
With thanks to Damp Pebbles blog tours and Jack Probyn for my copy of the book for my review.
Jake Tanner is a new boy in the Guildford Police. A Temporary Detective Constable and is a copper full of beans, determined to do well and shows it. He has a lucky break when he recognises the gang that has committed an armed robbery. The only issue is he needs to prove himself to his superiors on the job and show them he does know his stuff and he isn't only a newbie trying to impress. It is a good job he is dogged in his determination as it isn't an easy thing to prove especially when the gang in question doesn't fit it's normal criteria and operates differently. Jake has a battle on his hands.
A great start for me, the story plunged me right in to Jake's world and I didn't come up for air until I really had too. The characters including Jake have been woven into the story well and add to my enjoyment with their realistic traits, even the odd one I wasn't too keen on, just like real life, we can't like everyone.
A police procedural that has you wanting to know it all from the start with a great pace and a fantastic plot. I really think this book is an excellent foundation for us as readers to get acqainted with Jake Tanner and his world. The ending was left in such a way that the next book cannot appear quickly enough. I am looking forward to seeing how Jake develops over the series...and what scrapes he can get himself into.
With thanks to Damp Pebbles blog tours and Jack Probyn for my copy of the book for my review.
December 1, 2020
(Whole book review) Jake has just joined MCU with his friend Danika from another force, both as temporary detective constables. When a shout comes in for a robbery with malice, Jake is called out and Danika left in the office finding information. To Jake’s horror the robbery rings huge bells of a few years before when he was taken hostage whilst in a bank and only the ring leader was caught. The witness's descriptions tie up with his memories of a notorious gang in devil masks. This time, having a new leader things are taking a different turn - someone has been shot and there is a collar bomb device where only finding the keys will release the victim. Can Jake and Danika and the team sort this out before it's too late? I loved this and found myself racing through it- a sure sign of a well written book with a tension throughout to find out more. I liked Jake and his cheeky sense of humour and the twists and turns of the story. His interactions with others which I can see will develop further in the next in the series (which I very much look forward to). A clever concept, wonderful characters and a gripping storyline.
June 22, 2020
As this is only Episode 1, it's concentrating mostly on 'scene setting'.
On the Criminals and their inter-gang relationships.
On the Police Investigating Team, including 'Our Hero' (Jake Tanner), how he fits into the Team that he's just been seconded into. Is it just a co-incidence that he's had dealings with this Gang previously?
On the victims of the crime - including the Store Owner and her past.
Very much looking forward to reading the rest of the instalments to see how the story-line unfolds.
This isn't the type of book that I would normally read on my Kindle, but it IS the sort of thing that I would watch as a Detective Drama Series.
On the Criminals and their inter-gang relationships.
On the Police Investigating Team, including 'Our Hero' (Jake Tanner), how he fits into the Team that he's just been seconded into. Is it just a co-incidence that he's had dealings with this Gang previously?
On the victims of the crime - including the Store Owner and her past.
Very much looking forward to reading the rest of the instalments to see how the story-line unfolds.
This isn't the type of book that I would normally read on my Kindle, but it IS the sort of thing that I would watch as a Detective Drama Series.
January 30, 2021
4 Stars from me
Who doesn't love a race against time? Throw in some peril, family issues, a rookie cop, a criminal gang and a whiff of corruption and frankly you've got yourself a fast paced crime thriller.
I love the concept of 'The Crimsons' brilliantly credible and menacing and yet they were all so flawed and human.
Jake Tanner has the clean lines and good heart of a future hero, he was good to follow.
I am now sure if this is a debut or just the first in a series but either way it reads like an experienced author and Jake Tanner and his world burst into life in my mind.
A great thriller - perfectly distracting.
Who doesn't love a race against time? Throw in some peril, family issues, a rookie cop, a criminal gang and a whiff of corruption and frankly you've got yourself a fast paced crime thriller.
I love the concept of 'The Crimsons' brilliantly credible and menacing and yet they were all so flawed and human.
Jake Tanner has the clean lines and good heart of a future hero, he was good to follow.
I am now sure if this is a debut or just the first in a series but either way it reads like an experienced author and Jake Tanner and his world burst into life in my mind.
A great thriller - perfectly distracting.
June 19, 2020
Detective Jake Tanner is on his first day with Guildford Detectives. After being called out to a jewellers where an armed robbery has taken place, it’s not long before Jake realises The Crimsons are back, albeit without their leader.
With a member of the public and an employee from the jewellers having been taken hostage, Jake and the rest of the team need a lead and quick!
Oh my goodness! The tension and suspense throughout had me on the edge of my seat. I am enjoying the different types of characters so far and I cannot wait to read the second instalment.
With a member of the public and an employee from the jewellers having been taken hostage, Jake and the rest of the team need a lead and quick!
Oh my goodness! The tension and suspense throughout had me on the edge of my seat. I am enjoying the different types of characters so far and I cannot wait to read the second instalment.
January 17, 2021
A fun crime mystery read. Plot was very interesting as were characters. On the other hand, the writing skills could be a bit better: please have someone proofread your work for punctuation, incorrect words, and flipped or too many words in a phrase. And there were too many acronyms (some, but not all were explained at the end in an appendix; might have been better at the front).other words or acronyms may be British (example schooner, seemed to refer to some sort of wheeled vehicle, not a boat). These various tripwires lowered my rating.
June 8, 2020
DC Jake Tanner is called to help with a jewelry store robbery. The robbers are dressed like the Crimsons, a bank robbing gang that wore red and red devil masks. Only this time the MO is different. They kill one clerk and kidnapped two people. This is the first installment in this series. The author pulls you into the story from the beginning and holds your interest. It ends at a point where you want to keep reading.
January 13, 2021
New author to me, I thought very promising start , good plotting, well executed twists and unexpected moments kept you reading till the end . The pace was consistent, never letting our attention wander , some outcomes obvious but by no means all I started reading book 2 as soon as I’d finished the last chapter it can only get better
March 2, 2021
Absolutely well worth reading.
Right from the very beginning this book had me wanting to find out what happens next. I was very reluctant to put it down just wanted to carry on reading to see where the story was leading. The characters, descriptions and story excellently put together .
Right from the very beginning this book had me wanting to find out what happens next. I was very reluctant to put it down just wanted to carry on reading to see where the story was leading. The characters, descriptions and story excellently put together .
June 11, 2021
Lately I've been reading to pass the time of Covid and try to remain sane. When I started this book I thought okay another story, another day, but suddenly I was hooked. I wanted to know who was masterminding the escape. (A jewelry store robbery and kidnapping). Then as the police became involved in many man ways I had to read on. Now I MUST start book 2.
July 25, 2021
A Great British Mystery
This book starts slowly, developing the characters and setting, and gains momentum as the crime and the criminals blast headlong into one bad situation after another. It introduces an interesting policeman and his backstory, and the book left me with high anticipation for the next in the series.
This book starts slowly, developing the characters and setting, and gains momentum as the crime and the criminals blast headlong into one bad situation after another. It introduces an interesting policeman and his backstory, and the book left me with high anticipation for the next in the series.
August 7, 2021
A jewellery shop is robbed, a shooting, a hostage taken. Jack is a new boy in the team. There are things that make him think it could be The Crimsons.
He's come across them in the past. They've never used a gun on anyone before, but there's just something about it that points to them. So many twists you will not be able to stop reading this wonderfully written book.
He's come across them in the past. They've never used a gun on anyone before, but there's just something about it that points to them. So many twists you will not be able to stop reading this wonderfully written book.
September 14, 2022
Oh Dear
Junior officer .apparently the only one with a Brain .a lot if Spiting .Junior officer leading the way .Guns involved. He's still thinks He's in Charge ..chasing a Guy around a Heavily populated area who was known to have a Gun ..I'm really Sorry this got to Silly for words
Junior officer .apparently the only one with a Brain .a lot if Spiting .Junior officer leading the way .Guns involved. He's still thinks He's in Charge ..chasing a Guy around a Heavily populated area who was known to have a Gun ..I'm really Sorry this got to Silly for words
October 26, 2022
Enjoyable Thriller
Enjoyable start to the series. Plenty going on in this opening storyline and felt it was unnecessarily long winded in places. The main characters are proving interesting, especially the two corrupt detectives, it will be interesting to see how the series develops.
Enjoyable start to the series. Plenty going on in this opening storyline and felt it was unnecessarily long winded in places. The main characters are proving interesting, especially the two corrupt detectives, it will be interesting to see how the series develops.
June 8, 2020
Temporary Detective Constable Jake Tanner arrives at his new post only to be drawn into the investigation of a jewel robbery. The perpetrators have killed a saleswoman and kidnapped two people. To Jake, this appears to be the work of a gang from his past even though the dynamics are different. The investigation leads the team to the home of one of the kidnapped victims to find her in dire peril. This thrilling start to a multi-episode story begins to explore the police team and member dynamics as Jake must interact with the rest of his new assigned team.
Note: The author provided me a copy of this episode and I am freely providing my review of the storyline.
Note: The author provided me a copy of this episode and I am freely providing my review of the storyline.
June 5, 2020
This episode starts off with a bang and doesn't slow down. Jake Tanner is a new Detective with major crimes and is called out to a robbery gone bad. His first day is about to be a bad one. I received this episode as an ARC and this is my honest review.
July 23, 2020
It's certainly an episode that leaves you wanting more
Great concept, release a book in episodes, drags you in, sets the story up & leaves you wanting more forget the soaps & read this series you won't be disappointed
Great concept, release a book in episodes, drags you in, sets the story up & leaves you wanting more forget the soaps & read this series you won't be disappointed
December 27, 2020
A confusing mystery
While the writing kept your interest, the increasing number of characters made it hard to keep up with the story! I felt a connection with Luke and how he cared for people.
While the writing kept your interest, the increasing number of characters made it hard to keep up with the story! I felt a connection with Luke and how he cared for people.
Read
January 11, 2021I read this twice to capture all the points of crime and resolution.
Three brothers in a love hate relationship destroy each other while committing crimes of great consequence also involving the same for an absentee mother.
Three brothers in a love hate relationship destroy each other while committing crimes of great consequence also involving the same for an absentee mother.
Read
February 14, 2021Please click the link to see [K]'s review:
https://thepturnersbookblog.wordpress...
https://thepturnersbookblog.wordpress...
April 15, 2021
Very poor.
I didn't make it beyond 20%. Very badly written - it doesn't seem like it was written by an adult. I got the kindle version for free and am very glad I didn't pay for it.
I didn't make it beyond 20%. Very badly written - it doesn't seem like it was written by an adult. I got the kindle version for free and am very glad I didn't pay for it.
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