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The Kill Chain
‘An engaging and intelligent follow up... Kennedy knows how to develop plots and characters.’ Thomas Waugh DI Will Ashcroft, still haunted over a child murder case in London, returns to the north of England. The murder of a young woman is perplexing local police. Ashcroft agrees to help. He finds that the killer is choosing victims from the emerging rave scene. WDC Samira Byrne, suffering prejudice both in and outside her department, has been working undercover to infiltrate a gang of drug dealers, but she stumbles on a witness who has been targeted by the killer. Investigating without sanction or backup, Samira soon becomes a target herself. Working through the incompetence which has kept the case unsolved, Ashcroft uncovers the link between the chain of victims. Facing internal politics, corruption and self-serving ambition in senior officers, Ashcroft must work alone to find Samira. But can he get to her while there is still time? John Kennedy has been shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger and the Exeter prize. Praise for John ‘Truly excellent. Terrific stuff. Tight, interesting and dark.’ Dexter Petley
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 20, 2021
My thoughts about John Kennedy’s brilliant police procedural nail-biting mystery thriller,The Kill Chain the 2nd book in the DI Will Ashcroft series, was spectacular,John Kennedy delivers yet another thriller,that takes your breath away. The Kill Chain is one of those thrillers,you won’t be able to put down for its highly anticipated suspense and mystery. A brilliant follow up to The Trauma Pool. The Kill Chain will give you goosebumps. Author John Kennedy is yet another brilliant author,that is a master class writer. The Kill Chain is brilliantly written and well crafted suspense thriller,which deserves to be big. The story of The Kill Chain begins again in the 1980s DI Will Ashcroft, still haunted over a child murder case in London, returns to the north of England.The murder of a young woman is perplexing local police. Ashcroft agrees to help. He finds that the killer is choosing victims from the emerging rave scene.WDC Samira Byrne, suffering prejudice both in and outside her department, has been working undercover to infiltrate a gang of drug dealers, but she stumbles on a witness who has been targeted by the killer. Investigating without sanction or backup, Samira soon becomes a target herself.Working through the incompetence which has kept the case unsolved, Ashcroft uncovers the link between the chain of victims.Facing internal politics, corruption and self-serving ambition in senior officers, Ashcroft must work alone to find Samira before it’s to late.The Kill Chain has all the answers,when you reach the end which is brilliantly written and portrayed. Hats off John Kennedy you have again created a police procedural series,that is better than Line Of Duty, which deserves appreciation.The Kill Chain is what could I say is breathtaking and highly recommend. I would like to say thank you to Author John Kennedy and Publishers Sharpe Books,kindly gifting a copy, such an amazing book, for me to read and review. The Kill Chain is outstanding.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
June 19, 2023
The Kill Chain is book 2 in the thrilling D.I. Will Ashcroft Crime series and takes place 2 years after the events in book 1.
Will is back in the north on leave and intends to track down WDC Samira Byrne following their last encounter at the end of book 1
Plunged into a fresh murder case in an entirely advisory role, Will has to balance his search for the 'missing' Samira with the search for a vicious killer whilst continuing to battle with his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
John Kennedy transports the reader back to the late 1980's to a time of Ecstasy fueled raves, sexism and and racism. For those of us old enough to remember the eighties Kennedy paints a realistic picture of time.
Told from the separate perspectives of Ashcroft & Byrne we see the trials of police work both as an investigating officer and as an under cover drug squad representative. Lifting the lid on the grimy world of low level police corruption and the seedy side of drug dealers and their customers.
This series has introduced us to a couple of excellent main characters who, despite their flaws, are the type of coppers I'm sure we'd all want on the side of law and order
Will is back in the north on leave and intends to track down WDC Samira Byrne following their last encounter at the end of book 1
Plunged into a fresh murder case in an entirely advisory role, Will has to balance his search for the 'missing' Samira with the search for a vicious killer whilst continuing to battle with his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
John Kennedy transports the reader back to the late 1980's to a time of Ecstasy fueled raves, sexism and and racism. For those of us old enough to remember the eighties Kennedy paints a realistic picture of time.
Told from the separate perspectives of Ashcroft & Byrne we see the trials of police work both as an investigating officer and as an under cover drug squad representative. Lifting the lid on the grimy world of low level police corruption and the seedy side of drug dealers and their customers.
This series has introduced us to a couple of excellent main characters who, despite their flaws, are the type of coppers I'm sure we'd all want on the side of law and order
January 23, 2022
A follow-up more than worthy of its predecessor, which also stands on its own two feet. A thoroughly enjoyable read with some genuinely chilling moments.
Starting two years after the event of The Trauma Pool, The Kill Chain captures the essence and darker side of the late ‘80s rave scene from a refreshingly realistic and nuanced angle. It’s fascinating to experience the evolution of both the times and the central characters, while the antagonists and exceptionally well-drawn.
Whether you were ‘there’ or not, this is an excellent crime-thriller, well worth investigating.
Starting two years after the event of The Trauma Pool, The Kill Chain captures the essence and darker side of the late ‘80s rave scene from a refreshingly realistic and nuanced angle. It’s fascinating to experience the evolution of both the times and the central characters, while the antagonists and exceptionally well-drawn.
Whether you were ‘there’ or not, this is an excellent crime-thriller, well worth investigating.
May 22, 2021
The Kill Chain by John Kennedy brings the return of the troubled DI Will Ashcroft.
Set in the 1980s, this 2nd book in the series sees Ashcroft return to the North of England and soon finds himself working a murder case.
A body has been found on some barren land, not far from where a rave has just taken place.
Is there a killer targeting young women going to raves?
WDC Samira Byrne is investigating a case at the same time - working undercover targeting an gang of drug dealers.
Soon the 2 cases begin to cross the others path.
After such a strong first book, there is often the worry the 2nd won’t live up to its predecessor but there is no such worry here, as John Kennedy again writes a powerful crime thriller punched with authenticity - Which is one the stand out reasons these books are so good - they feel real.
Ashcroft is a very likeable protagonist who has issues but he is dealing with them and again his issues feel human and real life. It’s very well done by Kennedy.
With police incompetence, corruption and misogyny, Ashcroft has to work the case and find the link to suss out the kill chain of the title.
Tense and genuinely compelling, Top Class Crime Writing from an author who needs to be read. Highly Recommended
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Set in the 1980s, this 2nd book in the series sees Ashcroft return to the North of England and soon finds himself working a murder case.
A body has been found on some barren land, not far from where a rave has just taken place.
Is there a killer targeting young women going to raves?
WDC Samira Byrne is investigating a case at the same time - working undercover targeting an gang of drug dealers.
Soon the 2 cases begin to cross the others path.
After such a strong first book, there is often the worry the 2nd won’t live up to its predecessor but there is no such worry here, as John Kennedy again writes a powerful crime thriller punched with authenticity - Which is one the stand out reasons these books are so good - they feel real.
Ashcroft is a very likeable protagonist who has issues but he is dealing with them and again his issues feel human and real life. It’s very well done by Kennedy.
With police incompetence, corruption and misogyny, Ashcroft has to work the case and find the link to suss out the kill chain of the title.
Tense and genuinely compelling, Top Class Crime Writing from an author who needs to be read. Highly Recommended
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews