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Detective Roper and Hooley Mysteries #3
The Case of the Dirty Bomb
Meet your new favourite detective odd couple: DCI Brian Hooley and consulting investigator Jonathan Roper.
Please note this is a new and revised version of the book previously published as The Long Reach.
Roper and Hooley are called into a top-secret meeting with MI5.
Intelligence tells them that a Russian oligarch has been liaising with a Moscow-based scientist and a big-time Israeli criminal mastermind.
To MI5, that can only mean one thing.
Someone is trying to smuggle a dirty bomb into London.
Now Roper and Hooley are in a race against time to find the bomb before the people of London are put in mortal danger.
Please note this is a new and revised version of the book previously published as The Long Reach.
Roper and Hooley are called into a top-secret meeting with MI5.
Intelligence tells them that a Russian oligarch has been liaising with a Moscow-based scientist and a big-time Israeli criminal mastermind.
To MI5, that can only mean one thing.
Someone is trying to smuggle a dirty bomb into London.
Now Roper and Hooley are in a race against time to find the bomb before the people of London are put in mortal danger.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2018
922 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
Michael Leese
15 books96 followersMichael Leese was a senior news executive who had a ringside seat for the most extra-ordinary stories that happened during a twenty-five-year career as a British national newspaper journalist.
From the death of Princess Diana and two Gulf wars to the fall of the Berlin Wall and 9/11 he was leading the teams bringing the first news to a wider public. Most of his career was spent at the London Evening Standard. His time in journalism has left him with an indelible passion for news and current affairs and he tries to replicate that in his crime thriller series, Jonathan Roper investigates.
His son is profoundly autistic. It was thinking about him and how he fits into this complicated world was the inspiration for the Roper character. Who is highly intelligent, passionate, hard-working and autistic which can make him a bit hazy about social boundaries.
Leese reasoned that Roper gave him a great way to challenge perceptions, but also show some of the humour that can arise from the inevitable misunderstandings when someone on the autistic spectrum hits the world at full steam.
He was brought up in the West Midlands and can reveal a major celebrity connection, both he and Prince Williams are Aston Villa fans, although they have never met or discussed their personal affinity.
Growing up he had an ambition to be an elite athlete but gave that up by the age of nine on the grounds of having no talent. He often speculates that it is just as well as he enjoys creating characters for his books and probably wouldn’t have survived long in the corporate world.
He lives in Dorset with his wife Maria.
If you would like to contact Michael, you can either send him an email at hello@michael-leese.com or through his Facebook Page Jonathan Roper Investigates.
From the death of Princess Diana and two Gulf wars to the fall of the Berlin Wall and 9/11 he was leading the teams bringing the first news to a wider public. Most of his career was spent at the London Evening Standard. His time in journalism has left him with an indelible passion for news and current affairs and he tries to replicate that in his crime thriller series, Jonathan Roper investigates.
His son is profoundly autistic. It was thinking about him and how he fits into this complicated world was the inspiration for the Roper character. Who is highly intelligent, passionate, hard-working and autistic which can make him a bit hazy about social boundaries.
Leese reasoned that Roper gave him a great way to challenge perceptions, but also show some of the humour that can arise from the inevitable misunderstandings when someone on the autistic spectrum hits the world at full steam.
He was brought up in the West Midlands and can reveal a major celebrity connection, both he and Prince Williams are Aston Villa fans, although they have never met or discussed their personal affinity.
Growing up he had an ambition to be an elite athlete but gave that up by the age of nine on the grounds of having no talent. He often speculates that it is just as well as he enjoys creating characters for his books and probably wouldn’t have survived long in the corporate world.
He lives in Dorset with his wife Maria.
If you would like to contact Michael, you can either send him an email at hello@michael-leese.com or through his Facebook Page Jonathan Roper Investigates.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
March 7, 2019
I should have stopped at 30%.
I absolutely hate, when they involve readers in a victim's life till the point you think - the possible target/victim will definitely be rescued, coz why otherwise will the author make you like her/him that much? - only to let you down! They told me about a nice young woman, a mother of a baby-girl, and how the life obstacles helped her to avoid kidnapping... only to stupidly kill her at 30%. Why?! I know the real world is cruel, but how this totally unnecessary sacrifice of a kind young woman bring smth to the storyline?
Why not to sacrifice an abhorrent rapist? Why do they choose helpless women to pimp the storyline??!
It pissed me off.
Well, as to the 'main' danger - a nuclear bomb going off in central London and of course involvement of a certain nation... I found it dull.
And the justice at the end?! I expected the Courier to be punished in a bloody mess, because what else do I, as a reader of crime-mystery, expect for the character, who not only killed ppl, but was also involved in a human trafficking... And what did I get??? It wasn't enough! 😟
2 stars + 1 star for the Roper's characters.
I absolutely hate, when they involve readers in a victim's life till the point you think - the possible target/victim will definitely be rescued, coz why otherwise will the author make you like her/him that much? - only to let you down! They told me about a nice young woman, a mother of a baby-girl, and how the life obstacles helped her to avoid kidnapping... only to stupidly kill her at 30%. Why?! I know the real world is cruel, but how this totally unnecessary sacrifice of a kind young woman bring smth to the storyline?
Why not to sacrifice an abhorrent rapist? Why do they choose helpless women to pimp the storyline??!
It pissed me off.
Well, as to the 'main' danger - a nuclear bomb going off in central London and of course involvement of a certain nation... I found it dull.
And the justice at the end?! I expected the Courier to be punished in a bloody mess, because what else do I, as a reader of crime-mystery, expect for the character, who not only killed ppl, but was also involved in a human trafficking... And what did I get??? It wasn't enough! 😟
2 stars + 1 star for the Roper's characters.
April 17, 2019
A non-stop action thriller in the third book of the Jonathan Roper series! This book can easily be read as a standalone, but the series is so great I encourage all to read the first two books also!
Jonathan Roper is an investigator at Scotland Yard. His friend and boss, chief DI Brian Hooley, is one of the only officers who work well with the autistic Roper. But they do work amazingly well, and have a high clearance rate of crimes investigated. Both characters are well described so you feel like one of their colleagues. We learn more about each one as they continue to endear us to them.
They are searching for a dirty bomb, a nuclear device that may be set off in the UK. The Prime Minister is hoping this 'dream team' can find out whats happening, but they are up against enormous odds!
The suspense builds, keeping you on edge and on your toes!
A great story that any reader of police procedurals and thrillers will enjoy!
I received an ARC of this story from author Michael Leese, who I thank for a wild adventure, and I am able to give my thoughts to you in this review
Jonathan Roper is an investigator at Scotland Yard. His friend and boss, chief DI Brian Hooley, is one of the only officers who work well with the autistic Roper. But they do work amazingly well, and have a high clearance rate of crimes investigated. Both characters are well described so you feel like one of their colleagues. We learn more about each one as they continue to endear us to them.
They are searching for a dirty bomb, a nuclear device that may be set off in the UK. The Prime Minister is hoping this 'dream team' can find out whats happening, but they are up against enormous odds!
The suspense builds, keeping you on edge and on your toes!
A great story that any reader of police procedurals and thrillers will enjoy!
I received an ARC of this story from author Michael Leese, who I thank for a wild adventure, and I am able to give my thoughts to you in this review
August 24, 2018
This is the best book of the series so far, for me. Again, hate the villain, and I would like less on him, and more on the rest. But, Roper is brilliant, Hooley is amazing, and Mayweather, marvellous.
The humour is better in this book, I think, and the drama and mystery are great too. A rogue terrorist group are planning to set up a bomb, and Jonathan and Brian need to figure out who, when, where as quickly as possible.
Mayweather and Phillips’ support get things done when needed, but it’s still a lot of pressure on the team. Really well written.
Now I have to wait for the next book, since this just came out recently. ‘Groan’
KU
The humour is better in this book, I think, and the drama and mystery are great too. A rogue terrorist group are planning to set up a bomb, and Jonathan and Brian need to figure out who, when, where as quickly as possible.
Mayweather and Phillips’ support get things done when needed, but it’s still a lot of pressure on the team. Really well written.
Now I have to wait for the next book, since this just came out recently. ‘Groan’
KU
September 20, 2020
I liked the main characters in this series. 3 1/2 stars.
September 4, 2019
Oddball detective duo vs Russian sleeper agents with a suitcase dirty-bomb
Author Michael Leese has written an intricate, cunningly plotted police procedural featuring DCI Brian Hooley and autistic investigator Jonathan Roper, who invented a mental investigative technique to solve complex cases. Even as Roper and Hooley race to unravel a complex conspiracy, it seems the Russians and their British accomplices are a step ahead.
I enjoy reading this detective series, because each book can be read as a stand-alone. The author spends time fleshing out his protagonists and also the secondary characters. It’s also fun to read the villains’ POV-assessments about their machinations.
5 stars because this book deserved a re-read. I originally read the Kindle version a while back and just finished listening to the Audiobook version.
Author Michael Leese has written an intricate, cunningly plotted police procedural featuring DCI Brian Hooley and autistic investigator Jonathan Roper, who invented a mental investigative technique to solve complex cases. Even as Roper and Hooley race to unravel a complex conspiracy, it seems the Russians and their British accomplices are a step ahead.
I enjoy reading this detective series, because each book can be read as a stand-alone. The author spends time fleshing out his protagonists and also the secondary characters. It’s also fun to read the villains’ POV-assessments about their machinations.
5 stars because this book deserved a re-read. I originally read the Kindle version a while back and just finished listening to the Audiobook version.
June 24, 2018
Gradual Build Up.
This is definitely a better read than the first one. The characters are much more developed and a comfortable fit. That in itself, makes the story flow a lot better.
The story is not fast paced, but it does move along well enough. The fast, Tense, finish more than makes up for any slowness in the early chapters. I do enjoy the innocent needling of Hooley by Roper. It lightens up, what would be a dark story. A few references to Le Carre' novels made me smile. There is a sense that the ghost of George Smiley is overlooking this plot.
This is definitely a better read than the first one. The characters are much more developed and a comfortable fit. That in itself, makes the story flow a lot better.
The story is not fast paced, but it does move along well enough. The fast, Tense, finish more than makes up for any slowness in the early chapters. I do enjoy the innocent needling of Hooley by Roper. It lightens up, what would be a dark story. A few references to Le Carre' novels made me smile. There is a sense that the ghost of George Smiley is overlooking this plot.
September 3, 2019
This is the third Jonathan Roper investigates book I've read, and it's witty and interesting in places but seems to drag in others. It's not to say I didn't enjoy the book, and it had a certain amount of suspense that led me to the end, but there were a couple of loose ends that seem to have been left hanging (unless I missed something). One way or another, I found this third one dragging its heels enough that I probably won't move on to book number 4. Not a bad read, but not what I'd call a page turner either.
October 21, 2019
I think the main reason I am drawn to this series is the fact one of the main character works for the Police and has autism. He sees things differently and can see connections and patterns that others miss. He has dismal people skills but one of the DCI’s takes him under his wing and runs interference for him making it possible for them to use his exceptional abilities. I have a nephew that has autism so that is why the draw is there for me.
Warnings: The crime described in the beginning is hard to read and then some of the other subject matter is hard.
Warnings: The crime described in the beginning is hard to read and then some of the other subject matter is hard.
August 18, 2023
Crime and spy novel all in one
Love the way Michael can effortlessly move the odd couple from crime to espionage.
Obviously, despite misleading evidence they come good.
I am excited about them increasing their small company, due to the probable rise of their mentor. DCI Holley realizes the need to protect Proper when/if their boss and in consequence him move up the promotions ladder. Hence making a new, separate department of other unusually talented outcasts. Can't wait to read it.
Michael certainly has made the right characters to allow his imagination full throttle.
Love the way Michael can effortlessly move the odd couple from crime to espionage.
Obviously, despite misleading evidence they come good.
I am excited about them increasing their small company, due to the probable rise of their mentor. DCI Holley realizes the need to protect Proper when/if their boss and in consequence him move up the promotions ladder. Hence making a new, separate department of other unusually talented outcasts. Can't wait to read it.
Michael certainly has made the right characters to allow his imagination full throttle.
September 30, 2018
Great tale again!
This twisty story features one of my favourite duos, Hooley and Roper and it's the third in the series. I'm enjoying these books very much, the main characters are enjoyable to read about and the policing story is fast paced and top notch. I love my UK police procedurals and this series has a very different take on the traditional. Can't wait for the next one!
This twisty story features one of my favourite duos, Hooley and Roper and it's the third in the series. I'm enjoying these books very much, the main characters are enjoyable to read about and the policing story is fast paced and top notch. I love my UK police procedurals and this series has a very different take on the traditional. Can't wait for the next one!
August 19, 2019
OK. Truth. I had to stop reading near nighttime as it was not quiet enough read for me- and kept me up with weird dreams. This is another powerful, thrilling, emotional book that looks at crime from two sides. From the point of view of an autistic crime fighter and his term of policemen, and from the crimninals' side. It's a remarkable book and I was so glad when I finished it as everything worked out ok for the good guys. ( and I could stop my heavy breathing- worrying about the outcome)
November 7, 2019
Back to what he does best!
Glad to see Jonathan back to his best. In the last book I felt that he was way out of his comfort zone. Now that he's back at his normal place of work he's what he does best. This was a good read again and the storyline was excellent. I hope Michael keeps up the good work now. I particularly like the interaction between Brian,Julie and Jonathan. Just bought the next in the series and can't wait to get started.
Glad to see Jonathan back to his best. In the last book I felt that he was way out of his comfort zone. Now that he's back at his normal place of work he's what he does best. This was a good read again and the storyline was excellent. I hope Michael keeps up the good work now. I particularly like the interaction between Brian,Julie and Jonathan. Just bought the next in the series and can't wait to get started.
June 17, 2020
Drama personified
An equisite look in to many aspects of life today. A former people smuggler back to earn qui c k money, a seasoned detecive chief inspector and his brilliant ofsider who despite being autistic is a wonderful foil. This book is a thoroughly rough scenario which the author has polished in to a shining diamond. I would have no hesitation in recommending readers to this book. Not to be missed.
An equisite look in to many aspects of life today. A former people smuggler back to earn qui c k money, a seasoned detecive chief inspector and his brilliant ofsider who despite being autistic is a wonderful foil. This book is a thoroughly rough scenario which the author has polished in to a shining diamond. I would have no hesitation in recommending readers to this book. Not to be missed.
January 9, 2021
An excellently written and crafted crime /thriller .
The characters become more absorbing as you read into the series .
I really feel for Jonathan and Brian who is a bit like a father to him or is it the other way round .
The plot is complicated and absorbing .It does however seem to fizzle out a bit at the end and suddenly run out of steam .
I would have preferred a little more rounding off .
That aside it is a very tense read and the pages fly by .
The characters become more absorbing as you read into the series .
I really feel for Jonathan and Brian who is a bit like a father to him or is it the other way round .
The plot is complicated and absorbing .It does however seem to fizzle out a bit at the end and suddenly run out of steam .
I would have preferred a little more rounding off .
That aside it is a very tense read and the pages fly by .
September 18, 2024
To many nutters .still are lol.
The roper story continues dealings with a nuclear madman this time.it really is thank goodness we have better brains than the nutters lol.interesting story more on the GCHS side of things but like I've said before it only takes one madman to cause disaster look at wars ECT .Madman crazy most
Times it's caused by greed then that sums up the human race
The roper story continues dealings with a nuclear madman this time.it really is thank goodness we have better brains than the nutters lol.interesting story more on the GCHS side of things but like I've said before it only takes one madman to cause disaster look at wars ECT .Madman crazy most
Times it's caused by greed then that sums up the human race
February 26, 2020
Love this series!
Please hurry up and write more books, please! I particularly enjoy the relationship between Roper and Hooley. I'd love to see more about the unique take Roper has with his current girlfriend (and other possible love interests, now that he is becoming so well known). Ok, back to work! :)
Please hurry up and write more books, please! I particularly enjoy the relationship between Roper and Hooley. I'd love to see more about the unique take Roper has with his current girlfriend (and other possible love interests, now that he is becoming so well known). Ok, back to work! :)
June 15, 2020
Riveting & different
Being a remedial teacher, I am always interested to see how autistic people are portrayed in literature. Well done for showing both sides & proving that they are highly intelligent people with extraordinary skills who can be incorporated into our very critical , judgemental world with a few adjustments. Be kind & accept is something we could all learn!
Being a remedial teacher, I am always interested to see how autistic people are portrayed in literature. Well done for showing both sides & proving that they are highly intelligent people with extraordinary skills who can be incorporated into our very critical , judgemental world with a few adjustments. Be kind & accept is something we could all learn!
June 22, 2020
Good Story and Good characters
I've been a Holmes fan since 'forever' and this pair of detectives are similar. It's great to see a modern twist identifying one as austic. Timely as parts of society demand acceptance and inclusion of people that are different from the norm. The characters have good development and plot is very good too.
I've been a Holmes fan since 'forever' and this pair of detectives are similar. It's great to see a modern twist identifying one as austic. Timely as parts of society demand acceptance and inclusion of people that are different from the norm. The characters have good development and plot is very good too.
June 28, 2020
Excellent addition to the British detective genre
It was lockdown and time to read another British detective book when this one turned up on BookBub. Really enjoyed the plot and the way things where always moving on. Real page turner that I only put down once and finished early the next day.
It was lockdown and time to read another British detective book when this one turned up on BookBub. Really enjoyed the plot and the way things where always moving on. Real page turner that I only put down once and finished early the next day.
July 19, 2020
Different
This is the first book I have read by Michael Leese and I enjoyed it very much that I have just downloaded the next one . One review say read the others first but I didn’t know about the others as it was a free book , it can be read without the others and didn’t spoil it .
This is the first book I have read by Michael Leese and I enjoyed it very much that I have just downloaded the next one . One review say read the others first but I didn’t know about the others as it was a free book , it can be read without the others and didn’t spoil it .
August 3, 2020
Captivating
I'm an adamant reader but rarely write reviews. The characters are strong, the pace moves well, and the story intriguing. I was constantly wanting to know what Jonathan's thought process was going to come up with next. This is the type of writing people of any age would enjoy.
I'm an adamant reader but rarely write reviews. The characters are strong, the pace moves well, and the story intriguing. I was constantly wanting to know what Jonathan's thought process was going to come up with next. This is the type of writing people of any age would enjoy.
August 22, 2020
Very entertaining read
This book is very entertaining with a plot that isn't too much to be believable. The characters are engaging and Jonathan Roper is likeable and quirky. I found myself wondering what was coming next and was the action reasonable. I'm looking forward to reading more about DCI Hooley and Roper's adventures.
This book is very entertaining with a plot that isn't too much to be believable. The characters are engaging and Jonathan Roper is likeable and quirky. I found myself wondering what was coming next and was the action reasonable. I'm looking forward to reading more about DCI Hooley and Roper's adventures.
November 26, 2020
I will say upfront that I totally love these characters and the way the gel together. It’s brilliant. But I have to agree with another reviewer about the storyline. The earlier part about a young mother seemed pointless. I also agree that the punishment for the villain did not fit the crime.
I still gave it 5 stars as I found it was totally engrossing. So it remains a great read.
I still gave it 5 stars as I found it was totally engrossing. So it remains a great read.
August 6, 2018
Excellent!
This is the 3rd book in the Jonathan Roper series about an exceptional police detective who is also autistic. The stories are believable, humorous at times with great plots. I would highly recommend this author to anyone who enjoys a good British mystery.
This is the 3rd book in the Jonathan Roper series about an exceptional police detective who is also autistic. The stories are believable, humorous at times with great plots. I would highly recommend this author to anyone who enjoys a good British mystery.
September 15, 2018
Excellent series!
I am really enjoying this series. The relationship between Roper and his DCI has some funny dialogue. It shows you the growing relationship between the two. The story about the Courier was very interesting. I cannot wait for the next book!
I am really enjoying this series. The relationship between Roper and his DCI has some funny dialogue. It shows you the growing relationship between the two. The story about the Courier was very interesting. I cannot wait for the next book!
January 22, 2019
Excellent read
I've read Leese's two books and short story. Going Underground was an excellent read introducing Det. Roper. His second effort was a bit jumbled but this one, The Long Reach, has regained my interest and I look forward to the next.
I've read Leese's two books and short story. Going Underground was an excellent read introducing Det. Roper. His second effort was a bit jumbled but this one, The Long Reach, has regained my interest and I look forward to the next.
March 13, 2019
Absorbing read
A totally absorbing read. Roper and Hooley must investigate a serious threat to London. They are given bits and pieces of information and it is up to Roper to put it together.
A totally absorbing read. Roper and Hooley must investigate a serious threat to London. They are given bits and pieces of information and it is up to Roper to put it together.
April 12, 2019
Great Series
Engaging story line and loved the characters. Truly a memorable experience getting acquainted with this fascinating autistic detective. I can't wait for the new release.
Engaging story line and loved the characters. Truly a memorable experience getting acquainted with this fascinating autistic detective. I can't wait for the new release.
September 21, 2019
I don't think this book was subject to enough editing. There is a significant story thread at the beginning that just disappears as the book progresses. The ending does not seem fully developed and could have done with some more work,
March 1, 2020
“The Road Less Traveled”
A welcome change from the glamorous, sarcastic “heroes” of the thrillers and a glimpse at the world of the autistic albeit fanciful though it must be. A very refreshing change of pace without gratuitous sex or vulgarity.
A welcome change from the glamorous, sarcastic “heroes” of the thrillers and a glimpse at the world of the autistic albeit fanciful though it must be. A very refreshing change of pace without gratuitous sex or vulgarity.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews