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Porter & Styles #4
End of the Line
Detective Jake Porter's world was shattered when his wife was killed by a hit-and-run driver nearly four years ago. Since then, he has been building a new life piece by piece, but this is rocked when evidence comes to light that might finally lead him to her killer. At the same time, he and his partner DS Nick Styles have a volatile case to juggle. Ross Henderson was an influential vlogger rallying against the growing tide of the far right. As his audience tuned in to his latest live broadcast, they watched in horror as he was brutally murdered.
While struggling to prevent full-blown riots in the wake of the atrocity, following the trail to his wife's killer will take its toll. Porter will have to act like a criminal in order to take down the person responsible, but there's no guarantee he will come out the other side alive.
While struggling to prevent full-blown riots in the wake of the atrocity, following the trail to his wife's killer will take its toll. Porter will have to act like a criminal in order to take down the person responsible, but there's no guarantee he will come out the other side alive.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 21, 2021
1 person is currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Robert Scragg
10 books43 followersRobert Scragg had a random mix of jobs before taking the dive into crime writing; he's been a bookseller, pizza deliverer, Karate instructor and Football coach. He lives in Tyne & Wear, is a founding member of the North East Noir crime writers group and is currently writing the second Porter and Styles novel.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 28, 2021
End of the Line is book four in the Porter & Styles detective series. I haven’t read the first three books, but I will be rectifying that as soon as I’m able to. The opening of the book gives the reader a glimpse into what they can expect and that is adrenaline. Its everything that I would expect to experience as a police officer serving the Metropolitan area. There’s spice, a huge dollop of action and all surrounded by the humanity of humankind. Robert Scragg certainly knows how to write people, as in, they are more than their identity as an officer of the law. They have feelings and emotions and the surging desire to get to the truth.
End of the Line introduces us to both Porter & Styles for the fourth time. At no point did I feel that I was missing out on crucial characterisation background. Scragg fills in the gaps like a meticulous builder. There are no gaps that something important can fall through. We know that Porter has had an extremely tough four years after his wife was killed in a hit and run. The what if’s still plague him, and her ghost is still an ever-present shadow over every aspect of his life, his new relationship with fellow cop, Evie, and his job. It’s a heart-breaking and difficult line to tread but the reader is in good hands with Scragg.
End of the Line has achieved something that a lot of authors struggle to do to me. He has me fully invested in the team from the very start. The easy relationship they all have with each other, the common goal of having each other’s back regardless of how it is going to look to their ogre of a Superintendent Boss. They know what is at stake and do anything to get that result. Its obvious that Scragg has the same feelings. You can tell from the intensity of the narrative that this team means a lot to him too. You can almost see the blood, sweat and tears coming through the kindle!
End of the Line is extremely relevant. We have the social themes that are running through not only our country but our communities. Brexit and the rising popularity of the extreme right politics. The author has ingrained these themes into the plot extremely well. The plot is extremely real. Scarily so. Porter’s involvement in this case intertwines with trying to get a result into his wife’s killer behind the scenes. He’s burning the candle at both ends and something must give.
The story is extremely clever and the heart of it is a ticking timebomb. Can the team get to the root of it when there are so many political dalliances are at play? One wrong move and the media will eat them alive and if they don’t move quickly enough the entire Met will come under a microscope. The team are walking a tightrope.
End of the Line is a story about vengeance and healing. Scragg’s realistic but dramatic narrative makes it a compulsive read.
End of the Line introduces us to both Porter & Styles for the fourth time. At no point did I feel that I was missing out on crucial characterisation background. Scragg fills in the gaps like a meticulous builder. There are no gaps that something important can fall through. We know that Porter has had an extremely tough four years after his wife was killed in a hit and run. The what if’s still plague him, and her ghost is still an ever-present shadow over every aspect of his life, his new relationship with fellow cop, Evie, and his job. It’s a heart-breaking and difficult line to tread but the reader is in good hands with Scragg.
End of the Line has achieved something that a lot of authors struggle to do to me. He has me fully invested in the team from the very start. The easy relationship they all have with each other, the common goal of having each other’s back regardless of how it is going to look to their ogre of a Superintendent Boss. They know what is at stake and do anything to get that result. Its obvious that Scragg has the same feelings. You can tell from the intensity of the narrative that this team means a lot to him too. You can almost see the blood, sweat and tears coming through the kindle!
End of the Line is extremely relevant. We have the social themes that are running through not only our country but our communities. Brexit and the rising popularity of the extreme right politics. The author has ingrained these themes into the plot extremely well. The plot is extremely real. Scarily so. Porter’s involvement in this case intertwines with trying to get a result into his wife’s killer behind the scenes. He’s burning the candle at both ends and something must give.
The story is extremely clever and the heart of it is a ticking timebomb. Can the team get to the root of it when there are so many political dalliances are at play? One wrong move and the media will eat them alive and if they don’t move quickly enough the entire Met will come under a microscope. The team are walking a tightrope.
End of the Line is a story about vengeance and healing. Scragg’s realistic but dramatic narrative makes it a compulsive read.
May 18, 2023
Good fast moving police thriller enjoyed the twists 😊
May 31, 2021
My second book by this author, I was quite hooked to this thrilling read. Both the cops play off each other and complement well. They worked cohesively. Swift-paced, the story had great plotlines and twists which kept the adrenaline flowing. Overall, a fun read
December 28, 2020
Influencers are a new fact of life. Some are concerned with what to buy, wear, eat or drink to lead the perfect life, others, not so much. Ross Henderson, also known as Stormcloudz, had influence, but was more of a gamer and political animal, who rallied against the far right and wanted equality for all. His last vlog however, resulted in his murder being broadcast live to his ten million plus followers.
Detective Inspector Jake Porter’s world has just been rocked; his boss telling him how, after four years of searching, one of the people responsible for his wife’s death has, potentially, been identified. He, however, is to concentrate on the Henderson murder and stay well away from anything else. Jake knows he will do no such thing, needing to find the person who was driving the car that killed Holly and if he has to keep everyone he cares for at arms length he has no problem with that.
With widely reported terrorist links to the Henderson case Jake, his partner DS Nick Styles, and their team find themselves in the middle of an ever increasing tension on the streets of the capital. With his personal life under attack Jake willingly heads into dangerous situations but, as he struggles to sort the truth from the rumours, he isn't sure he can solve Holly's case and survive to tell the tale.
This is a five star read from page one. There is a menace entwined in the settings and situations Jake finds himself in which will keep you up late into the night. Even when things begin to fall into place the twists and turns keep coming and by the end I was thoroughly satisfied by what I had read but a little disappointed there wasn't even more to devour. Jake and Nick's personal and working relationships feel totally realistic and I can only hope the title doesn't mean this is it for Porter and Styles.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I absolutely loved this book.
Detective Inspector Jake Porter’s world has just been rocked; his boss telling him how, after four years of searching, one of the people responsible for his wife’s death has, potentially, been identified. He, however, is to concentrate on the Henderson murder and stay well away from anything else. Jake knows he will do no such thing, needing to find the person who was driving the car that killed Holly and if he has to keep everyone he cares for at arms length he has no problem with that.
With widely reported terrorist links to the Henderson case Jake, his partner DS Nick Styles, and their team find themselves in the middle of an ever increasing tension on the streets of the capital. With his personal life under attack Jake willingly heads into dangerous situations but, as he struggles to sort the truth from the rumours, he isn't sure he can solve Holly's case and survive to tell the tale.
This is a five star read from page one. There is a menace entwined in the settings and situations Jake finds himself in which will keep you up late into the night. Even when things begin to fall into place the twists and turns keep coming and by the end I was thoroughly satisfied by what I had read but a little disappointed there wasn't even more to devour. Jake and Nick's personal and working relationships feel totally realistic and I can only hope the title doesn't mean this is it for Porter and Styles.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I absolutely loved this book.
January 2, 2021
This is the fourth book in the Porter & Styles series of books and, as such, usual series rules apply. You don't need me to spell them out. They are all cracking reads so, well, why not!?
We reconnect with our duo when a rather nasty facebook live goes out. It features what they call an "influencer" this one calling himself Stormcloudz and, well, basically, live broadcasts his death. Well, his murder, beheading. To his somewhat millions of fans.
If this wasn't enough to contend with, Porter's world is upended when, after years of searching, one of the people involved in his wife's hit and run has been identified. Sadly he is unconscious in hospital and not talking. Happily his rap sheet gives some clues and, even after being told not to, to leave well alone, to trust the investigating officer colleague, Porter has somewhere to start to investigate himself. This leaves Styles with a few dilemmas with regard to supporting his friend and boss. Especially as they still have their own work to do... and especially as he has just had his own personal responsibilities added to.
I love this series. To me, it delivers more than just your bulk standard police procedural. In Styles and Porter the author has created a cracking team - together and with their partners they come across as completely real both at work and play. The plot is also well created and executed, both the main crime being investigated and Porter going rogue. Both had me intrigued and entranced, both held my attention, both had me chasing my tail as I tried to cut through the secrets & lies, twists & turns, and duplicitous behaviour the author threw at me. And the ending(s) when they came were completely satisfying.
All in all, a cracking addition to an already solid series. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
We reconnect with our duo when a rather nasty facebook live goes out. It features what they call an "influencer" this one calling himself Stormcloudz and, well, basically, live broadcasts his death. Well, his murder, beheading. To his somewhat millions of fans.
If this wasn't enough to contend with, Porter's world is upended when, after years of searching, one of the people involved in his wife's hit and run has been identified. Sadly he is unconscious in hospital and not talking. Happily his rap sheet gives some clues and, even after being told not to, to leave well alone, to trust the investigating officer colleague, Porter has somewhere to start to investigate himself. This leaves Styles with a few dilemmas with regard to supporting his friend and boss. Especially as they still have their own work to do... and especially as he has just had his own personal responsibilities added to.
I love this series. To me, it delivers more than just your bulk standard police procedural. In Styles and Porter the author has created a cracking team - together and with their partners they come across as completely real both at work and play. The plot is also well created and executed, both the main crime being investigated and Porter going rogue. Both had me intrigued and entranced, both held my attention, both had me chasing my tail as I tried to cut through the secrets & lies, twists & turns, and duplicitous behaviour the author threw at me. And the ending(s) when they came were completely satisfying.
All in all, a cracking addition to an already solid series. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
January 4, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and Allison & Busby for an advance copy of End of the Line, the fourth novel to feature DI Jake Porter and DS Nick Styles of The Met.
Porter is stunned when he is told of a development in the investigation into the murder of his wife, Holly, four years ago. He is not allowed to investigate it and instead is tasked with investigating the brutal murder of vlogger Ross Henderson, which took place live on air as he was streaming his report into far right extremism. Porter has his hands full trying to prevent right wing agitation, investigate the case and follow up the lead on Holly’s death, because no way is he leaving it to the investigating detective.
I enjoyed End of the Line which is an eventful novel with several good and unexpected twists. The novel is told mostly from Porter’s point of view so the reader gets up close with his thought processes and especially his emotions. I’m not completely onboard with his emotions and I don’t know if it’s some kind of guy thing but he goes about the Holly lead like a bull in a China shop with no thought to building a case, i.e. getting the perpetrator convicted and imprisoned. There’s too much testosterone in it. Having said that his desperation is well portrayed. His official investigation, the murder of Ross Henderson, is very immersive with twist upon twist and an inventive plot. I must admit that I personally found the right wing racist stuff dreary. It is not something I know about or has any relevance in my life.
End of the Line may not have a subject matter tailored to my tastes but it is a well crafted novel with a good, imaginative plot, reveals in all the right places, a certain amount of tension, action scenes, some excellent twists and an ability to grab the reader’s attention and hold it, therefore I have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.
Porter is stunned when he is told of a development in the investigation into the murder of his wife, Holly, four years ago. He is not allowed to investigate it and instead is tasked with investigating the brutal murder of vlogger Ross Henderson, which took place live on air as he was streaming his report into far right extremism. Porter has his hands full trying to prevent right wing agitation, investigate the case and follow up the lead on Holly’s death, because no way is he leaving it to the investigating detective.
I enjoyed End of the Line which is an eventful novel with several good and unexpected twists. The novel is told mostly from Porter’s point of view so the reader gets up close with his thought processes and especially his emotions. I’m not completely onboard with his emotions and I don’t know if it’s some kind of guy thing but he goes about the Holly lead like a bull in a China shop with no thought to building a case, i.e. getting the perpetrator convicted and imprisoned. There’s too much testosterone in it. Having said that his desperation is well portrayed. His official investigation, the murder of Ross Henderson, is very immersive with twist upon twist and an inventive plot. I must admit that I personally found the right wing racist stuff dreary. It is not something I know about or has any relevance in my life.
End of the Line may not have a subject matter tailored to my tastes but it is a well crafted novel with a good, imaginative plot, reveals in all the right places, a certain amount of tension, action scenes, some excellent twists and an ability to grab the reader’s attention and hold it, therefore I have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.
January 24, 2021
This is the first book i read in this series and won’t surely be the last as I inhaled.
A gripping, fast paced and action packed story that kept me on the edge till the last page as it’s full of twists and turns.
I love detective team: Porter and Tyler are two interesting and well thought character and I liked their friendship and the sense of mutual trust. Porter is still grieving the death of this wife but we se him changing and maybe finding a way to heal. Styler is well thought and I like him.
There’s a lot of character development and the author did a great job in delivering interesting, sometimes twisted, and fleshed out characters.
The mystery is solid and I like the main plot and the subplot. The solution came as a surprise and all the questions in the plot were answered.
It is interesting how the author deals with issues like racism and sovranism and how he waives this issues into the plot
I bought all the book in this series after reading this one as I want to read more by this author and want to learn the backstories.
Even if it’s the fourth in a series it can be read and appreciated as a stand-alone.
It’s strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Allison&Busby and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
A gripping, fast paced and action packed story that kept me on the edge till the last page as it’s full of twists and turns.
I love detective team: Porter and Tyler are two interesting and well thought character and I liked their friendship and the sense of mutual trust. Porter is still grieving the death of this wife but we se him changing and maybe finding a way to heal. Styler is well thought and I like him.
There’s a lot of character development and the author did a great job in delivering interesting, sometimes twisted, and fleshed out characters.
The mystery is solid and I like the main plot and the subplot. The solution came as a surprise and all the questions in the plot were answered.
It is interesting how the author deals with issues like racism and sovranism and how he waives this issues into the plot
I bought all the book in this series after reading this one as I want to read more by this author and want to learn the backstories.
Even if it’s the fourth in a series it can be read and appreciated as a stand-alone.
It’s strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Allison&Busby and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
December 30, 2020
A couple of months ago, I discovered the Porter & Styles series when I got my hands on a copy of All That is Buried (one of my top 10 books of 2020!). I was thrilled to read an advance copy of Robert's latest installment in the series: End of the Line. A huge thank you to NetGalley and the author for giving me the chance to read this before publication! You know when you open up a book and you can tell from the first chapter that it's going to be a brilliant read? This is one of those books!
This pacey, tightly plotted thriller is packed with action from page one. With two narrative threads running through the book - the murder of Ross Henderson and a previous case concerning the death of Porter's wife, Holly - this gripping police procedural had me obsessed and totally emotionally invested.
Porter is supposed to be focusing on finding the people responsible for the beheading of Ross Henderson, but when his boss reveals that the person responsible for the death of Holly has potentially been identified, that's all he can think about. Ignoring his boss's instruction of keeping his nose out, he knows he needs to be the one to solve Holly's case... even if it means putting himself in danger.
From the explosive beginning to the unpredictable ending, I was completely and utterly hooked. I love Robert's witty and sharp style of writing, with strong, likeable characters that spring to life, stroll off the page and stay with you. I cannot recommend this book enough.
This pacey, tightly plotted thriller is packed with action from page one. With two narrative threads running through the book - the murder of Ross Henderson and a previous case concerning the death of Porter's wife, Holly - this gripping police procedural had me obsessed and totally emotionally invested.
Porter is supposed to be focusing on finding the people responsible for the beheading of Ross Henderson, but when his boss reveals that the person responsible for the death of Holly has potentially been identified, that's all he can think about. Ignoring his boss's instruction of keeping his nose out, he knows he needs to be the one to solve Holly's case... even if it means putting himself in danger.
From the explosive beginning to the unpredictable ending, I was completely and utterly hooked. I love Robert's witty and sharp style of writing, with strong, likeable characters that spring to life, stroll off the page and stay with you. I cannot recommend this book enough.
March 5, 2021
End of the Line is the fourth book in the Porter and Styles detective series and the first one I’ve read. However, I’ve since realised I have the first, Between the Cracks on my Kindle, so will be reading that next! Whilst I prefer to read a series in order, End of the Line also works well as a stand alone.
This pacey, intricately plotted and topical thriller is a very gripping and enjoyable read. In DI Jake Porter and DS Nick Styles, the author has created believable, strong and likeable characters I felt that the realism of their professional relationship and personal friendship really enhanced the narrative. The author has, in part, a witty style of writing with several ‘turns of phrase’ which made me smile and offered a good contrast to some of the menacing events in the story. There are several twists and turns throughout and its always a good sign when there is one you didn’t see coming…
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I would like to thank the publisher, Allison & Busby and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book, this is my honest review.
This pacey, intricately plotted and topical thriller is a very gripping and enjoyable read. In DI Jake Porter and DS Nick Styles, the author has created believable, strong and likeable characters I felt that the realism of their professional relationship and personal friendship really enhanced the narrative. The author has, in part, a witty style of writing with several ‘turns of phrase’ which made me smile and offered a good contrast to some of the menacing events in the story. There are several twists and turns throughout and its always a good sign when there is one you didn’t see coming…
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I would like to thank the publisher, Allison & Busby and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book, this is my honest review.
January 14, 2021
This is a very well written book, the fourth to feature detectives Porter and Styles of the Met police. The plot is very imaginative and filled with twists as DI Porter is still investigating his wife's killer. There is plenty tension and action from the first chapter, a great ending and it can be read as a stand alone. A very enjoyable read which I would recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
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June 29, 2023Here as part of a bookcrossing spiral - perhaps the last?
This was as suspenseful and action packed as the previous books. Yet again I have issues with Porter's lone ranger attitude... and his loss of control makes him more human, I suppose, but rather scary. Here we have the very real and frightening rise of the extreme right and how ethical lines get blurred - right, left, and center.
An entertaining read- but not always comfortable.
This was as suspenseful and action packed as the previous books. Yet again I have issues with Porter's lone ranger attitude... and his loss of control makes him more human, I suppose, but rather scary. Here we have the very real and frightening rise of the extreme right and how ethical lines get blurred - right, left, and center.
An entertaining read- but not always comfortable.
July 9, 2023
Even though it is my first book from this author, I really liked it and I recommend others to give it a read as well. The mystery and the humour were suited really well and were overall great. Truly, I didn't expect the ending like I thought that Porter had already fully completed his case but damn that plot twist😦😦... I really liked it and will forward to reading more Porter&Styles books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2020
A well written crime novel that works well as a standalone read. Porter is known to be a somewhat rogue cop but seems pretty decent to me.
A difficult, politically motivated crime faces him and the team
A difficult, politically motivated crime faces him and the team
February 23, 2021
I received this book through netgalley. It was a pleasure to catch up with Jake and Nick again, having read the previous books.
This book is straight into the action and I couldn't put it down
I am really looking forward to reading more books in this series
This book is straight into the action and I couldn't put it down
I am really looking forward to reading more books in this series
July 4, 2022
Fantastic
Another great enjoyable experience,,keeping you turning the pages to the end thoroughly enjoyed reading this book terrific storey fantastic characters
Another great enjoyable experience,,keeping you turning the pages to the end thoroughly enjoyed reading this book terrific storey fantastic characters
December 22, 2024
Not the style of crime drama I’m into, but it kept me going until the end.
November 6, 2021
I have followed this series right from the start and could not have been more excited to discover Porter & Styles were back for another instalment.
I was quite surprised to find the opening of the book goes pretty much straight to the action with information filtering through to Porter that there has been a breakthrough in the years-old hit and run case in which his wife was killed. Despite being directly told to keep away from the case, Jake can't overcome his instinct to find his wife's killer and vows to himself he will do his own investigative work - whilst promising his bosses he will stay away.
While the detectives are dealing with that bombshell, a new case comes in: the graphic 'live on social media' slaying of a prominent political influencer Ross Henderson which soon means that Porter & Styles have their hands full and are well and truly distracted. With the possibility of terrorist activity in their case the Chief brings in the Counter Terror Unit to support their team, in the form of DI Taylor Bell. She may be small but she makes a big impression on the detectives; Jake can't help but take a liking to her, however Styles isn't so sure. All this high profile activity doesn't stop Porter doing a bit of moonlighting on his own investigation though and he's soon burning the candle both ends with the effects very quickly becoming obvious to his partner Evie as well as his workmate Styles. Well, you can't really hide a trip to your local A&E can you?
This is a book which pulls you strongly into both storyline threads at the same time with some great characters from the criminal fraternity being created by the author as well as the detectives' boss continuing in his arrogant, self-indulgent manner which we have seen demonstrated in earlier books. It is very much a book of its time with the terror angle, the far right attitudes so accurately recreated in some of the nasty members of the cast and the reflection of today's on-line promotion of attitudes and ideas which so quickly inflame sections of society to jump on band wagons which promote hate and violence so easily. I'm sad to say I found this to be a very believable story.
Amongst all the violence and criminal activity there are also some very witty lines and I love the banter which flows between the characters - especially bringing in a feisty new female detective with her own brand of wit. I hope we see more of her in future instalments of this series. The book flows well and kept me well and truly hooked in - even at three quarters of the way through I could not see where we were heading for the conclusion. Would we find out who was responsible for killing Holly or would that be the one that gets away until the next book? Is the killer of Ross Henderson the one we initially assume it to be? I am definitely not giving anything away on either count but have to say it's been a while since a book had me as bamboozled as this one.
Definitely a 5 star read for me and if you haven't read this series I suggest you do as it is a cracker. You could read this as a standalone but I feel you will get a lot more from starting at the beginning and growing with the characters along the way.
I only have one question: when is book 5 due out please?
I was quite surprised to find the opening of the book goes pretty much straight to the action with information filtering through to Porter that there has been a breakthrough in the years-old hit and run case in which his wife was killed. Despite being directly told to keep away from the case, Jake can't overcome his instinct to find his wife's killer and vows to himself he will do his own investigative work - whilst promising his bosses he will stay away.
While the detectives are dealing with that bombshell, a new case comes in: the graphic 'live on social media' slaying of a prominent political influencer Ross Henderson which soon means that Porter & Styles have their hands full and are well and truly distracted. With the possibility of terrorist activity in their case the Chief brings in the Counter Terror Unit to support their team, in the form of DI Taylor Bell. She may be small but she makes a big impression on the detectives; Jake can't help but take a liking to her, however Styles isn't so sure. All this high profile activity doesn't stop Porter doing a bit of moonlighting on his own investigation though and he's soon burning the candle both ends with the effects very quickly becoming obvious to his partner Evie as well as his workmate Styles. Well, you can't really hide a trip to your local A&E can you?
This is a book which pulls you strongly into both storyline threads at the same time with some great characters from the criminal fraternity being created by the author as well as the detectives' boss continuing in his arrogant, self-indulgent manner which we have seen demonstrated in earlier books. It is very much a book of its time with the terror angle, the far right attitudes so accurately recreated in some of the nasty members of the cast and the reflection of today's on-line promotion of attitudes and ideas which so quickly inflame sections of society to jump on band wagons which promote hate and violence so easily. I'm sad to say I found this to be a very believable story.
Amongst all the violence and criminal activity there are also some very witty lines and I love the banter which flows between the characters - especially bringing in a feisty new female detective with her own brand of wit. I hope we see more of her in future instalments of this series. The book flows well and kept me well and truly hooked in - even at three quarters of the way through I could not see where we were heading for the conclusion. Would we find out who was responsible for killing Holly or would that be the one that gets away until the next book? Is the killer of Ross Henderson the one we initially assume it to be? I am definitely not giving anything away on either count but have to say it's been a while since a book had me as bamboozled as this one.
Definitely a 5 star read for me and if you haven't read this series I suggest you do as it is a cracker. You could read this as a standalone but I feel you will get a lot more from starting at the beginning and growing with the characters along the way.
I only have one question: when is book 5 due out please?
February 2, 2021
This is the fourth in Robert Scragg's popular police procedural series featuring London DI Jake Porter and his trusty Sergeant, Nick Styles. The story so far: Porter still grieves for his wife Holly, killed in a hit-and-run incident a few years earlier. The driver remains unidentified, and it preys upon Porter's mind. He has cautiously begun a new relationship with fellow cop Evie Simmons. Styles is married, with a young child, and is intensely loyal to his boss.
The book starts in gory style. Ross Henderson, a young left wing activist, has a YouTube channel on which he posts regular videos denouncing his bête noire, a movement called the English Welfare Party. The EWP are right wing Nationalists vehemently opposed to immigration. As Henderson is setting up his latest live video stream from an abandoned magistrates' court, proceedings are interrupted by a group who appear to be Islamic extremists. Live and on screen, the young man is killed using the jihadists' favourite method - decapitation. By the time the police arrive,the killers are long gone, but the shocking video has been seen by millions on social media.
At the same time that Porter and Styles are assigned to the case, Porter hears that there is something of a breakthrough in his personal hunt for the person who killed his wife. Fingerprints from the abandoned vehicle that did the damage have finally been matched to that of a minor criminal, Henry Kaumu. All good then, except that Kaumu is lying in an intensive care unit, comatose and swathed in bandages after being battered around the head with a baseball bat, wielded by an angry homeowner whose house Kaumu was trying to burgle. Porter learns that Kaumu is an employee of Jackson Tyler, a notorious London gangster. Because the case is so personal, Porter is forbidden to take any part in it and so he goes 'rogue' to try to find the identity of the person who was driving the fatal car. His clashes with Tyler are painful and unproductive, until he receives information from an unlikely source.
Porter's four year search for the person who killed his wife finally ends in a violent encounter on a suburban industrial site, and the hunt for Ross Henderson's killer takes one or two wrong turns, but eventually Porter gets his man. Or does he? There is a clever twist at the end which I didn't see coming. Robert Scragg clearly has a certain political stance, but that's fine - it's his book, and readers can take it or leave it.
I have to be honest and say that I smelled a rat from the word go. Why would Islamists murder a left wing activist who would have held all the 'correct' views on such topics as immigration, Palestine and cultural diversity? It takes Porter & Co. rather a long time to realise they are being played, but maybe that's just me being a curmudgeon. That caveat aside, this is a thoroughly entertaining police procedural from the author (right) with all boxes ticked, including coppers with difficult personal lives, senior officers welded to their desks, genuinely nasty villains, and authentic locations. The room containing fictional Detective Inspectors is a crowded one, but Jake Porter's elbows are sharp enough to make sure he has room to move.
February 2, 2021
Detective Jake Porter is investigating the brutal murder of a famous vlogger, which was filmed live for millions to see. He was noted for provoking far right groups with his liberal ideas however, a terrorist group with Islamic links are blamed for the murder which doesn’t seem to Jake to add up. Also under suspicion is the leader of a party called the English Welfare Party who had previously been vocal with their disdain for the vlogger.
While Jake tries to solve the mystery of who committed the gruesome murder he is simultaneously trying to solve the murder of his wife, killed by a hit-and-run driver. No-one has been caught yet but new developments are giving Jake some clues as to who did it. The only trouble is that his superior thinks it’s too close to home and he’s not allowed to investigate. Unable to leave it alone Porter has two cases to unravel and a fairly new relationship with Evie to juggle. Will he solve both and keep his strained relationship going among the madness?
This book is a fabulous crime thriller that I read in two sittings. It keeps your attention all the way through with fantastic characters and a rather macabre murder scene. I particularly enjoyed the banter between Jake and his friend and colleague Nick. DI Jake Porter I found likeable and human. It’s fast paced, well written and detailed and I was itching to find out who the murderer was. I did guess who it was but that did not spoil the enjoyment for me at all.
I am happy to find out that there are other books featuring Detective Jake Porter and I would love to read them too!
While Jake tries to solve the mystery of who committed the gruesome murder he is simultaneously trying to solve the murder of his wife, killed by a hit-and-run driver. No-one has been caught yet but new developments are giving Jake some clues as to who did it. The only trouble is that his superior thinks it’s too close to home and he’s not allowed to investigate. Unable to leave it alone Porter has two cases to unravel and a fairly new relationship with Evie to juggle. Will he solve both and keep his strained relationship going among the madness?
This book is a fabulous crime thriller that I read in two sittings. It keeps your attention all the way through with fantastic characters and a rather macabre murder scene. I particularly enjoyed the banter between Jake and his friend and colleague Nick. DI Jake Porter I found likeable and human. It’s fast paced, well written and detailed and I was itching to find out who the murderer was. I did guess who it was but that did not spoil the enjoyment for me at all.
I am happy to find out that there are other books featuring Detective Jake Porter and I would love to read them too!
January 26, 2021
This is a new author for me and I didn’t know this book was the fourth in the series till I finished it and looked up more books by this author. This did not hinder my enjoyment of this book, it can be read nicely as a stand alone. The main character Detective Jake Porter is investigating two cases, one in which a male Vlogger is murdered live online and having found new evidence to his own wife case, who was killed by a hit and run driver.
The plot is energetic and thrilling and the characters are strong and well rounded. I will be starting from the beginning of this series and look forward to more from this author
The plot is energetic and thrilling and the characters are strong and well rounded. I will be starting from the beginning of this series and look forward to more from this author
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