Grudges harboured and hatreds hidden but not forgotten.
Then a catalyst ignites the flame… Someone in Leeds is settling old scores.
The Police ask Chad Hilton, an ex-pro footballer turned criminal profiler, for help. But his wife’s infidelity and his addiction to painkillers are pushing him close to the edge.
As the body count rises, can Chad uncover the murderer before his demons destroy him?
Best served cold by @gabegalletti ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Thanks to @randomthingstours for providing the book for me for and honest review. AD PR Product
Synopsis
Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Grudges harboured and hatred’s hidden but not forgotten.
Then a catalyst ignites the flame….. someone in Leeds is settling old scores.
The police ask Chad Hilton, an ex pro footballer turned criminal profiler, for help. But his wife’s infidelity and his addiction to painkillers are pushing him close to the edge.
As the body count rises, can Chad uncover the murderer before his demons destroy him.
My thoughts.
This is a well written thriller with lots of twists and turns, the main character is Chad Hilton, Chad is a very believable and relatable character, I was a bit unsure with him being a ex footballer, as I was worried that the story would not flow as well as it did.
Along with his cheating wife Ange who I just wanted to shout out "tell him the truth" on every bit I read that she was in,😂 the story unfolded, the story flowed and had twists and turns and kept you guessing until the end, which I must admit I loved.
Freddie was one of the characters i liked reminded me of an old school crime boss and the relationships he had with Chad and Lee were surprising at times.
This is Gabriel Gillette Debut crime thriller and I cannot wait to see what comes next.
But as always I don’t want to give any spoilers so all I can say is go buy this book, I don’t think you would be disappointed.
Best Served Cold was a gripping crime thriller. Set in Leeds, Uk, the story is about Chad Hilton, a former professional footballer turned criminal profiler, who is asked by the police to assist in solving a series of murders.
The novel goes into the dark and complex world of Chads, a troubled man struggling with personal demons. His wife's cheating and his addiction to painkillers add to the complexity to his character.
Gabriel skilfully wrote multiple storylines, creating intrigue and suspense. The pacing was good and the book was difficult to put down. The plot twists and turns kept me guessing until the very end.
Gabriel writing was engaging and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the streets of Leeds.
Some readers may find the graphic violence and explicit language unsettling, but these elements are important to the story's dark side
Overall, best cold served was a great crime thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Leeds and its greater conurbation are a great setting for a crime series and one that has perhaps been underutilised compared to some other cities of a similar size. There is new money wealth, with its property developments, penthouse apartments and on trend bars, but there is also poverty and urban decay alongside it. A broad canvas which the author uses to full effect.
Much of the characterisation within the novel revolves around the friendship of the three main male characters, detective Lee and ex-players Chad and Freddie. We see the loyalty between them, but we also see some of the friction too. Freddie’s criminal enterprise naturally doesn’t sit well with Lee, who tries to keep him at arm’s length even when he needs his help. Chad must be more pragmatic because he relies upon Freddie for additional fentanyl he needs over his prescription. We also see the strong bond between men who shared the same dressing room in Freddie and Chad, warriors together, and the compassion of Freddie knowing that he must get his friend off fentanyl quickly before it kills him.
In a genre where it is common for the main detective to be a damaged soul it is unusual for the police consultant to be so affected. Chad’s addiction to fentanyl seems credible, there are still sportsmen who end their careers almost crippled although thankfully far fewer than even 20 years ago. Infidelity amongst the rich and famous is no surprise either. The interesting thing with Chad is the move from footballer into criminal profiler. In a world where footballers are not known for their intelligence this is a smart idea and I trust in future novels we shall see the motivations behind this. The ‘profiling’ parts within the plot are more creative and ‘blue sky thinking’ in nature rather than trying to deduce his brand of toothpaste the killer uses, which is a wise move, serial killers being a rarity in the UK.
The plot is well constructed and tricksy with the perpetrator not being revealed until late in the book. The writing style fits the plot well and after a period of set up the action zips along nicely. The chapters are short and are used to good effect during the final 100 pages to rachet up the tension. The novel isn’t entirely plot driven, there is plenty of background and setting so that anyone new to Leeds will get a fair idea of the city. There’re some nice individual touches too; Jas drives a Beemer (BMW) but treats the inside like a dustbin, Lee’s happy family life and Freddie’s love of opulence which would make the average LA rapper gasp. The dialogue is good and there’s some nice dry humour asides within the mayhem and murder, like Lee’s children relegating Chad to goalie like the ‘fat kid in the playground’ or the bishop eschewing his vows of poverty and being a 21st century Friar Tuck. Cheekiest of all is in the naming of the perpetrator of the crimes which somewhat coincidently is the same as a well-known football referee, albeit spelt slightly differently.
Sport is notoriously difficult to capture convincingly on screen and on the page so Mr. Galletti has wisely chosen to keep it as background colour. This works well especially with the proximity of the ground and the police headquarters. I haven’t mentioned the club by name, but I’m sure most people can guess it, petty footballing rivalry prevents me from typing it out in full.
Best Served Cold is a fast paced, urban crime thriller with complex plot which keeps readers guessing the outcome until the final pages.
In "Best Served Cold" by Gabriel Galletti, readers are thrust into the tumultuous world of Chad Hilton, a former football star turned criminal profiler, whose life is marred by addiction and personal turmoil. Set against the gritty backdrop of Leeds, Galletti crafts a narrative that is as compelling as it is suspenseful.
Chad Hilton's struggle with addiction forms the crux of the story, as he grapples with both his own demons and the mounting pressure of solving a string of murders in the city. Galletti deftly portrays Chad as a complex and flawed protagonist, whose journey toward redemption is fraught with danger and uncertainty.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its cast of characters, from Chad's colleagues in the Leeds police force to his estranged wife, Angie. Each character is fleshed out with nuance and depth, adding richness to the narrative and driving the plot forward with their own motivations and conflicts.
But it's not just the characters that shine in "Best Served Cold"; Galletti's skillful plotting and expert pacing keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The twists and turns of the story unfold with precision, leading to a climax that is both shocking and satisfying.
Overall, "Best Served Cold" is a riveting thriller that will keep readers guessing until the very end. With its immersive setting, compelling characters, and relentless tension, Gabriel Galletti has crafted a debut novel that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Fans of atmospheric mysteries and gritty crime thrillers will find much to love in this gripping tale of redemption and retribution.
Wow! What a read. This book grabs you and doesn’t let go until the very last page. It’s like being on a rollercoaster ride with all the twists and turns it takes but it keeps you guessing as to what is going to happen next in this gut churning read. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait for book two to see what this wonderful author has got in store for us and to see how he can follow this fantastic debut book.
You have Chad Hilton who used to be a Leeds footballer and is now a psychologist. He is called in by Yorkshire police after a series of rapes that they can’t solve and want some new perspective on. Chad knows Lee, the Detective Chief Inspector on the case as they go back many years. Chad is fighting his own demons as well as trying to help the police then he picks up a troll who is an annoyance and then his wife says she thinks she is being followed. Just what is going on? A most exciting read, you will not be disappointed to read this one. This one I can recommend.
Blurb :
“Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
Grudges harboured and hatreds hiddenbut not forgotten.
Then a catalyst ignites the flame… Someone in Leeds is settling old scores.
The Police ask Chad Hilton, an ex-pro footballer turned criminal profiler, for help. But his wife’s infidelity and his addiction to painkillers are pushing him close to the edge.
As the body count rises, can Chad uncover the murderer before his demons destroy him?
This book is so good, I wasn't even a chapter in when I realised that I wouldn't be able to just read one book in this series I will be binging all of them.
The book is well written with a compelling story line that follows Chad our troubled and morally grey protagonist who after his professional football career has ended, has turned criminal psychologist and profiler and is helping the police in their investigation into several murders. I am not going to lie I was so intrigued by his job, it is always something that has fascinated me and I spent most of the pages thinking I could do that, but I totally digress.
The characters are all really well developed with multiple layers and just when you think you know one of them something comes up that makes you realise that they have more to them at the very least. The book is so multilayered in fact, with multiple story lines going on, but, at no single point was I confused which I really liked.
There is no doubt that this is a dark and disturbing read that is violent and gory, and, although books like that really don't phase me, people that like their mysteries more on the cosy side may not like this.
I loved it and can't wait to read more by the author
Meet Chad, ex-footballer turned profiler. He was a good footballer and he’s not so bad at the criminal psychology work either. But he’s got baggage and baggage that could kill him and get him in serious trouble with the police.
I rather liked Chad. He’s a different sort of lead character for a police procedural kind of crime thriller. He plays devil’s advocate backslash bad cop when he’s down at the Leeds Police HQ and he’s not afraid to ruffle the feathers of the detectives on the team. But if that’s what it takes to generate leads, why the hell not?!
The imagery Galletti uses of Leeds is bang on. Having lived in this glorious, ever changing city for 20 years, I could follow the story intimately able to picture exactly where my characters were.
I flew through the book, wanting to know who this horrible attacker was. Best Served Cold is a cracking start to a new and unique crime series and I’m looking forward to getting to know Chad, Lee, Jas and Freddie a lot better! Bring on book 2!
I was very lucky to receive a place on the book tour by @lovebookstours for Best Served Cold. My usual genre isn't crime thrillers but when I read the blurb of this book I instantly intrigued - and the book did not disappoint. I was hooked from start to finish and flipping the pages so fast I thought they would catch fire. I loved the style of writing and found the plot wasn't difficult to follow however it kept me guessing the whole way through with all the twists. I really enjoyed the character building of Chad, the MMC, as the story follows him and his addictive personality whilst interweaving his personal life alongside trying to solve the case. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone - and it was a brilliant book for someone wanting to a different genre than normal!
Thanks again to @lovebookstours @gabegalletti for letting me partake in this blog tour! #Ad #LBTCrew #Bookstagram #LoveBooksTour
Chad Hilton finds himself in a sticky little pickle in Best Served Cold.
The police have asked Chad, an ex footballer turned Profiler for help on their latest case. But with his addiction to painkillers and a cheating wife he is being pushed close to the edge.
With the incredible suspense build up and the twists in the plot – this was one hell of an exciting read. I absolutely loved Chad’s cheeky personality and really felt for him as the tension for him was at sky scraping level.
This was an incredibly well written novel with fantastic lifelike and relatable characters.
After reading the blurb of this book I was instantly intrigued. And then even after reading the first chapter I was even more intrigued. The plot of this book was written amazingly. I loved the writing style as well as the pacing of the story. Following the main character throughout this book was very interesting, as even though he is trying to solve the case, there was also him dealing with personal issues. This created a very interesting main character. With the way in which the story ended I was shocked and pleased. And I would want to read more from this author moving forward.
What a brilliant book! It was easy to read, fast paced and excellent twists. I was constantly gripped and thoroughly enjoyed the characters. Saying that, I was getting frustrated with a certain character and their “denial “. But saying that, I couldn’t help but feel for the person. I can’t wait for the next one.
One of my favourite genres, this crime thriller was totally unputdowbable and as the first in an exciting new series starring Chad, I am so pleased that I also have book 2 to dive straight back into!
This had me hooked from the first page and I literally couldn't stop reading. The plot was exciting and brutal - with violence, drugs and a lot of language - but this was appropriate and fitted with the whole feel of the book. I loved that I was kept guessing throughout and every time I formed a theory, the storyline twisted and turned to throw you back off again.
Chad was such a great character and what an introduction. Struggling with his own demons, but fighting to solve crimes and find murderers - this must take its toll on him too. I can't wait to see how he develops over the course of the series. I absolutely adored watching Cracker many years back - and this definitely gave me the same vibes - just brilliant!
This was a good book. I had no idea who was behind everything. I enjoyed reading how everything was solved. This is a great crime fiction novel and I stayed up late to finish.
Our main character is Chad, you can tell from the first chapter that Chad has a lot that you need to learn about during the book. He is a very interesting character; ex footballer now profiler. I did feel a little sorry for him though, I’m sure it’s a line in the book but he only has 2 friends and one is a cop and the other a crook! He is married but that is not plain sailing and I almost felt that he was a lonely character at times.
I like that fact that Chad gets people thinking outside of the box with the cases, I always find that part interesting in how that is portrayed and the writer does this brilliantly. The storyline itself was brilliant and had me gripped throughout. It just seemed to gain more and more momentum and I found that I could not put the book down - I just needed to know how this was ending.
There was some unexpected twists and turns as we were getting nearer to the end but I loved the scenes where the cop's and the gangsta's were 'almost' working together. The way the book played out was really good and we got to see some of the layers from Chad as well as follow the main storyline. I do hope that we get to hear more from Chad as I really did like his character.
Just wrapped up 'Best Served Cold' by Gabriel Galletti, and it's a solid five stars from me. This book kept me constantly trying to work out who the baddie was, but the author was always one step ahead and I really enjoyed not being able to work it out! Galletti's storytelling prowess is undeniably impressive.
Chad's journey really tugged at my heartstrings, especially as he navigated his struggles and battles with addiction. Not only is Galletti's way with words superb, he has very cleverly structured the character of Chad to evoke empathy, compassion, and rooting for him to get his life back on track. I also really enjoyed the bond between Chad, Freddie, and Lee, despite their different professional paths, showcasing their shared values and deep camaraderie.
I keep repeating myself but the way Galletti writes this book is just really clever and smart. The fact that you read so much about Ange, but you never truly get to know her. Is this on purpose? Is it so you feel more empathy and compassion toward Chad? Is it a deliberate narrative technique, or the author's strategic choice? Either way - I think it's spot-on and very cleverly done.
The storyline is an engaging mix of twists and turns that kept me hooked from start to finish. 'Best Served Cold' is a must-read for anyone craving a thrilling, heartfelt experience. Looking forward to what Galletti has in store for us next.