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LATENT DAMAGE: London detectives hunt a vigilante killer
The first book in an utterly gripping crime fiction series!It has been a busy year in a London murder squad, and Met detectives DI Nash and DS Moretti are hoping for some down-time when a fatal knife attack occurs. A respected figure in London’s Islamic community is the target.The kill is clean. A calling card of sorts is left at the scene, and the police develop a hunch the killer may strike again. When he does, understanding the murderer’s motive will be crucial to catching him.But Nash and Moretti are starting on the back foot and this vigilante has more than one card up his sleeve.LATENT DAMAGE is the first book in this crime fiction series by Ian Robinson. If you like your police procedurals realistic, you’ll love it – the author spent several years as an officer within the Metropolitan Police.The full list of books in this series, all of which can be enjoyed as standalones, is as LATENT DAMAGE2. COVER BLOWN3. SHOTS FIRED4. EVIDENCE POOLAll FREE with Kindle Unlimited and available in paperback from Amazon now!The first three books are available in the great value box set LONDON CRIMES.Main DS Nick Moretti is a maverick character who lives on a large boat in a London marina. He currently has an unexpected houseguest. DI Pippa Nash is a driven, career detective, who has worked in undercover roles. She is uncompromising but a team player.Look out for Ian Robinson's other series about undercover cop Sam Batford, which begins with the novel CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
- GenresCrime
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 24, 2021
85 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Ian Robinson
160 books12 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 28, 2021
Absolutely loved it.
Review to come shortly . . . : )
Review to come shortly . . . : )
March 13, 2021
Wow! This kept me gripped and turning the pages! There's a real sense that the writer knows the world he's writing about. It felt so real that I could see it. Credible, well-rounded characters and an intriguing storyline. Brilliant!
October 11, 2021
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S LATENT DAMAGE ABOUT?
Being awakened at 5 in the morning on a Saturday morning to come to a crime scene is not what DS Nick Moretti had planned. He's got a vacation—sorry, holiday—coming up in a couple of weeks, and a homicide investigation could derail that. All part of the fun in the Met's Homicide and Serious Crime Command.
When he arrives at the crime scene, Moretti discovers that the victim is a Muslim man whose throat was cut just across the street from his mosque. Automatically, the assumption is this is some sort of right-wing group acting out Anti-Muslim sentiment.
Moretti's DI, Pip Nash spent some time in an undercover unit and still has a lot of contacts there—she's able to use some of them to help once they get a direction to look in, but first they need to get a motive and some suspects.
While they're still struggling to get some momentum for the investigation, another body shows up—with his throat cut in a similar fashion—this time, however, it's an Anglican priest who was the victim.
Now, the team has two members of religious communities murdered in December—this is a PR nightmare in the making for the Met. Will these detectives and the rest of their team be able to stop the killer before another corpse shows up?
DI NASH AND DS MORETTI
DI Pip Nash is career-oriented, by the book type. She knows what she wants out of members of her team and isn't afraid to demand it. Her background with the UC team adds a fun twist to things, and watching both the informants' team and the UC team work with the homicide team is a nice change of pace—I'm used to seeing one of these entities at work, watching them cooperate (to whatever degree) is a great way to start a series.
DS Nick Moretti is less career-oriented (it seems), he's definitely less by the book (he's lucky if his alarm gets set in the morning). But he seems to do a good job of rallying the troops and putting the pieces of the murder together. His personal life is in an interesting state (although he has one, and it doesn't seem that Nash does), and seems like it will prove fertile ground for drama in the future.
I've seen versions of both of these characters in books here and there—rarely as a team sharing the name of the series. I think watching their dynamic grow and develop over the next few books will prove just as interesting (maybe more so) than the crimes they investigate.
A COUPLE OF MISGIVINGS
So much of the dialogue in this book was awkward—some was even painful. The characters were trying to joke around or banter and it came off as stilted or excessively wordy—and it's just off-putting. There were also a few instances of "I'm going to explain my job duties as I carry them out, despite the fact that everyone I'm talking to already knows this is my job." The latter happens a lot with procedurals, so it's easy to shrug off (even if these were some egregious examples). The former, however, is another matter. These are supposed to be friends or at least close colleagues, banter should feel natural. I'm going to chalk this up to Robigins just getting used to this world, and (if you count the works under his pen name) this is at least his fifth novel, and the first that I know of where practically every character wasn't lying to everyone they talk to—it's possible he doesn't know how to write for people who aren't deceiving.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT LATENT DAMAGE?
One thing that I've always really enjoyed about a good police procedural is the procedure. Watching a team go through the steps, grinding away to get the desired result is a pleasure. Sure, the procedure is dramatized, and usually only bears a passing resemblance to reality. But you can generally get a feel for what authors skew toward authenticity (few of these would be U.S.-based procedurals). And that's pretty much what Robinson gives us—naturally, that's helped by his years of actual experience. As such, there are investigative paths that go nowhere, and some that lead to unexpected places—and the amount of effort that goes into making small progress is a great realistic touch.
Yes, the ultimate reveals about the way the killer went about things seems a bit on the outlandish side*—but the way the team came up with his identity wasn't. Nor was his motive, which seemed very grounded in reality.
* not unforgivably so, I'm not reading True Crime here, I don't want a dramatized police blotter.
This is a solid, entertaining novel with a few stumbles along the way. But I'm recommending it, and am planning on coming back for at least a couple of more installments in this new series. Nash and Moretti are both the kind of characters you could build a series around, put them together and you've got a great foundation; the procedural element was well done, and the ending was as satisfying as you could ask for. Also, under his pen name, Robinson has crafted some of the best Crime Writing of the last few years—this series is going to improve, I know it (and even if it stayed at the same level, it'd still be worth coming back for).
---
WHAT'S LATENT DAMAGE ABOUT?
Being awakened at 5 in the morning on a Saturday morning to come to a crime scene is not what DS Nick Moretti had planned. He's got a vacation—sorry, holiday—coming up in a couple of weeks, and a homicide investigation could derail that. All part of the fun in the Met's Homicide and Serious Crime Command.
When he arrives at the crime scene, Moretti discovers that the victim is a Muslim man whose throat was cut just across the street from his mosque. Automatically, the assumption is this is some sort of right-wing group acting out Anti-Muslim sentiment.
Moretti's DI, Pip Nash spent some time in an undercover unit and still has a lot of contacts there—she's able to use some of them to help once they get a direction to look in, but first they need to get a motive and some suspects.
While they're still struggling to get some momentum for the investigation, another body shows up—with his throat cut in a similar fashion—this time, however, it's an Anglican priest who was the victim.
Now, the team has two members of religious communities murdered in December—this is a PR nightmare in the making for the Met. Will these detectives and the rest of their team be able to stop the killer before another corpse shows up?
DI NASH AND DS MORETTI
DI Pip Nash is career-oriented, by the book type. She knows what she wants out of members of her team and isn't afraid to demand it. Her background with the UC team adds a fun twist to things, and watching both the informants' team and the UC team work with the homicide team is a nice change of pace—I'm used to seeing one of these entities at work, watching them cooperate (to whatever degree) is a great way to start a series.
DS Nick Moretti is less career-oriented (it seems), he's definitely less by the book (he's lucky if his alarm gets set in the morning). But he seems to do a good job of rallying the troops and putting the pieces of the murder together. His personal life is in an interesting state (although he has one, and it doesn't seem that Nash does), and seems like it will prove fertile ground for drama in the future.
I've seen versions of both of these characters in books here and there—rarely as a team sharing the name of the series. I think watching their dynamic grow and develop over the next few books will prove just as interesting (maybe more so) than the crimes they investigate.
A COUPLE OF MISGIVINGS
So much of the dialogue in this book was awkward—some was even painful. The characters were trying to joke around or banter and it came off as stilted or excessively wordy—and it's just off-putting. There were also a few instances of "I'm going to explain my job duties as I carry them out, despite the fact that everyone I'm talking to already knows this is my job." The latter happens a lot with procedurals, so it's easy to shrug off (even if these were some egregious examples). The former, however, is another matter. These are supposed to be friends or at least close colleagues, banter should feel natural. I'm going to chalk this up to Robigins just getting used to this world, and (if you count the works under his pen name) this is at least his fifth novel, and the first that I know of where practically every character wasn't lying to everyone they talk to—it's possible he doesn't know how to write for people who aren't deceiving.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT LATENT DAMAGE?
One thing that I've always really enjoyed about a good police procedural is the procedure. Watching a team go through the steps, grinding away to get the desired result is a pleasure. Sure, the procedure is dramatized, and usually only bears a passing resemblance to reality. But you can generally get a feel for what authors skew toward authenticity (few of these would be U.S.-based procedurals). And that's pretty much what Robinson gives us—naturally, that's helped by his years of actual experience. As such, there are investigative paths that go nowhere, and some that lead to unexpected places—and the amount of effort that goes into making small progress is a great realistic touch.
Yes, the ultimate reveals about the way the killer went about things seems a bit on the outlandish side*—but the way the team came up with his identity wasn't. Nor was his motive, which seemed very grounded in reality.
* not unforgivably so, I'm not reading True Crime here, I don't want a dramatized police blotter.
This is a solid, entertaining novel with a few stumbles along the way. But I'm recommending it, and am planning on coming back for at least a couple of more installments in this new series. Nash and Moretti are both the kind of characters you could build a series around, put them together and you've got a great foundation; the procedural element was well done, and the ending was as satisfying as you could ask for. Also, under his pen name, Robinson has crafted some of the best Crime Writing of the last few years—this series is going to improve, I know it (and even if it stayed at the same level, it'd still be worth coming back for).
December 28, 2021
No Trip To Corfu
Jared Hussein took a quick look at his cards. He had hoped for a winning hand , but clearly this one wasn’t. He laid his cards on the table, and waited for the other men to do so. He had lost three hundred pounds
cash,which was his limit. He bid the other players good night, and headed toward home.
Gambling wasn’t in accordance with his faith; he made sure never to use gambling proceeds for Zakat, a tax levied on his income for relief of the poor. So first he
headed for his mosque to pray. As Hussein prayed he felt less constrained; he finished his prayer and headed for the door. At the door he embraced the imam and told him that he’d see him later.
Hussein began walking away from the mosque, he just lived three doors down. Then he stopped; he had left his coat inside. He turned and as he reached the steps to the mosque, a strong arm grabbed him, bared his throat, and held a sharp blade to his throat. With one swift motion Hussein’s throat was opened, and blood spurted out from his carotid artery on to the pavement!
At five a.m. when his phone rang Nicholas Moretti knew that he’d have to cancel or at least postpone his excursion to Corfu. His boss, DI Pip Nash, informed him that there had been a homicide in front of a mosque. He was to report for duty with haste.
Was it a terrorists attack? Had a militia claimed credit?
Read Latent Damage and join the investigation!
❤️✝️✡️❤️
Jared Hussein took a quick look at his cards. He had hoped for a winning hand , but clearly this one wasn’t. He laid his cards on the table, and waited for the other men to do so. He had lost three hundred pounds
cash,which was his limit. He bid the other players good night, and headed toward home.
Gambling wasn’t in accordance with his faith; he made sure never to use gambling proceeds for Zakat, a tax levied on his income for relief of the poor. So first he
headed for his mosque to pray. As Hussein prayed he felt less constrained; he finished his prayer and headed for the door. At the door he embraced the imam and told him that he’d see him later.
Hussein began walking away from the mosque, he just lived three doors down. Then he stopped; he had left his coat inside. He turned and as he reached the steps to the mosque, a strong arm grabbed him, bared his throat, and held a sharp blade to his throat. With one swift motion Hussein’s throat was opened, and blood spurted out from his carotid artery on to the pavement!
At five a.m. when his phone rang Nicholas Moretti knew that he’d have to cancel or at least postpone his excursion to Corfu. His boss, DI Pip Nash, informed him that there had been a homicide in front of a mosque. He was to report for duty with haste.
Was it a terrorists attack? Had a militia claimed credit?
Read Latent Damage and join the investigation!
❤️✝️✡️❤️
February 9, 2023
A falling Deck of Cards
Throughly enjoyed this Ian Robinson DI Nash & DS Moretti story. Nash & Moretti, 2 London detectives, are called out to a murder scene outside a Muslim mosque. Whilst investigating the killing, there seems to be no rational as to why the victim was chosen other than the fact that he was a card playing gambler, gambling being forbidden by his Muslim faith. There follows a second killing, which seems to be related, and Nash & Moretti are confused as to how the two murders connect. Well written story with a lot of detail on the various groups within the Met and the police processes and procedures. Will definitely be reading more.
Throughly enjoyed this Ian Robinson DI Nash & DS Moretti story. Nash & Moretti, 2 London detectives, are called out to a murder scene outside a Muslim mosque. Whilst investigating the killing, there seems to be no rational as to why the victim was chosen other than the fact that he was a card playing gambler, gambling being forbidden by his Muslim faith. There follows a second killing, which seems to be related, and Nash & Moretti are confused as to how the two murders connect. Well written story with a lot of detail on the various groups within the Met and the police processes and procedures. Will definitely be reading more.
February 27, 2021
Spellbound
This is the first book I have read by this author. Not on boy, can't wait to start on the next one which is downloading. It's not often that I don't work everything out and I definitely didn't here. I never write about the content because I wouldn't want to give anything away. Read and enjoy.
This is the first book I have read by this author. Not on boy, can't wait to start on the next one which is downloading. It's not often that I don't work everything out and I definitely didn't here. I never write about the content because I wouldn't want to give anything away. Read and enjoy.
June 30, 2021
Authentic and realistic.
This was such an authentic police procedural that I had to look up the author. No surprise, he was a serving police officer for 27 years. The plot is brilliant and the story is executed without errors or shortcuts. Really enjoyed the two main characters and their interaction. Have already downloaded book two.
This was such an authentic police procedural that I had to look up the author. No surprise, he was a serving police officer for 27 years. The plot is brilliant and the story is executed without errors or shortcuts. Really enjoyed the two main characters and their interaction. Have already downloaded book two.
February 10, 2021
Dryer Than Sand in the Sahara
And uninteresting characters.
Some if these Brit authors really do get off on unproven right wing conspiracies don't they. Must be all that Marxist education (propaganda) they spout over there.
And uninteresting characters.
Some if these Brit authors really do get off on unproven right wing conspiracies don't they. Must be all that Marxist education (propaganda) they spout over there.
March 7, 2021
I was gripped till the last page excellent can't wait for gook 3
Read
July 5, 2021Read a taster . Not interested.
February 6, 2021
Fast-paced with the feel of day to day policing in England's capital. Moretti and Nash form a good crime fighting duo. Looking forward to more in the series.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews