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London in Black
THE ATTACKS WON’T STOP. NEITHER WILL SHE.
LONDON 2027.
Terrorists deploy London Black, a highly sophisticated nerve gas, at Waterloo Station. For ten percent of the population – the ‘Vulnerables’ – exposure means near-certain death. Only a lucky few survive.
LONDON 2029.
Copy-cat strikes plague the city, its Vulnerable inhabitants kept safe by regular Boost injections. As the anniversary of the first attacks draws near, DI Lucy Stone, a guilt-ridden Vulnerable herself, is called to investigate the gruesome murder of a scientist. Her investigation soon unearths the possibility that he was working on an antidote – one that Lucy desperately needs, as her Boosts become less and less effective.
But is the antidote real? And can Lucy solve the case before her Boosts stop working?
LONDON 2027.
Terrorists deploy London Black, a highly sophisticated nerve gas, at Waterloo Station. For ten percent of the population – the ‘Vulnerables’ – exposure means near-certain death. Only a lucky few survive.
LONDON 2029.
Copy-cat strikes plague the city, its Vulnerable inhabitants kept safe by regular Boost injections. As the anniversary of the first attacks draws near, DI Lucy Stone, a guilt-ridden Vulnerable herself, is called to investigate the gruesome murder of a scientist. Her investigation soon unearths the possibility that he was working on an antidote – one that Lucy desperately needs, as her Boosts become less and less effective.
But is the antidote real? And can Lucy solve the case before her Boosts stop working?
Hardcover
Published June 1, 2022
12 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 18, 2022
This was a mix of genres, all of which I really enjoy reading, so it sounded great!
After living through a pandemic, I felt the dystopian vibes really strongly- will our booster vaccines become less effective the more we have? This book really gives you something to think about.
The writing style took some getting used to, and the short sentences made it difficult for me to relax into the story as it didn't flow particularly well.
I did adjust though and I enjoyed the book. The plot kept my interest on the whole, and I would be interested to read more from Jack Lutz, as I think he may write more unusual and interesting novels that are a combination of genres through a thought-provoking premise.
After living through a pandemic, I felt the dystopian vibes really strongly- will our booster vaccines become less effective the more we have? This book really gives you something to think about.
The writing style took some getting used to, and the short sentences made it difficult for me to relax into the story as it didn't flow particularly well.
I did adjust though and I enjoyed the book. The plot kept my interest on the whole, and I would be interested to read more from Jack Lutz, as I think he may write more unusual and interesting novels that are a combination of genres through a thought-provoking premise.
September 17, 2024
London still hasn’t returned to normalcy two years after a terrorist attack using a biological weapon in gas form at Waterloo Station. Ten percent of the city’s population died, with survivors (of the Black as it was called because of its symptoms) requiring constant self-monitoring and injecting of a critical and expensive serum called Boost.
Some organization is performing copycat attacks in London, and the lead scientist, Flinders Cox, of the Boost R&D company, is found murdered.
Detective Inspector Lucy Stone has a unique ability; she’s a super recognizer, which helped her, along with her investigative skills, to progress faster than some of her colleagues. Lucy is also a survivor plagued by massive amounts of guilt, nightmares and crippling anxiety. Already marked as a loose cannon thanks to reacting with anger to gaslighting by a coworker who is anti-survivor, Lucy and her new partner are assigned to the Cox murder. Lucy is extra-motivated to find the killer as there is indication that Cox had an antidote to the Black.
Their investigation takes the pair from the Cox family, to the R&D company, to a gathering of Hand of God members (who blame the victims and survivors) as they race to follow any lead to the killer, and, more critically to Lucy, the antidote.
This debut by author Jack Lutz has great elements, and a sympathetic main character. The pacing occasionally stumbled, and there were repetitive uses of phrases indicating Lucy’s state of mind that, while a good shorthand, were overused to the point that I became annoyed by the thousandth time she pulled on the ties/strings of her hoodie.
There were plenty of investigative leads, with some good red herrings along the way, and some suitably awful people making up the suspects pool.
It was impossible to not think of COVID while reading this, and some of the terrible responses to the mounting tragedy by non-believers of the severity of the real-life pandemic, giving this mystery a nice undercurrent of dread by focusing on a survivor whose physical and mental health has been compromised in multiple ways.
I think that this is, despite some of its issues, a good first novel, which is an unsettling and generally compelling read.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Pushkin Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Some organization is performing copycat attacks in London, and the lead scientist, Flinders Cox, of the Boost R&D company, is found murdered.
Detective Inspector Lucy Stone has a unique ability; she’s a super recognizer, which helped her, along with her investigative skills, to progress faster than some of her colleagues. Lucy is also a survivor plagued by massive amounts of guilt, nightmares and crippling anxiety. Already marked as a loose cannon thanks to reacting with anger to gaslighting by a coworker who is anti-survivor, Lucy and her new partner are assigned to the Cox murder. Lucy is extra-motivated to find the killer as there is indication that Cox had an antidote to the Black.
Their investigation takes the pair from the Cox family, to the R&D company, to a gathering of Hand of God members (who blame the victims and survivors) as they race to follow any lead to the killer, and, more critically to Lucy, the antidote.
This debut by author Jack Lutz has great elements, and a sympathetic main character. The pacing occasionally stumbled, and there were repetitive uses of phrases indicating Lucy’s state of mind that, while a good shorthand, were overused to the point that I became annoyed by the thousandth time she pulled on the ties/strings of her hoodie.
There were plenty of investigative leads, with some good red herrings along the way, and some suitably awful people making up the suspects pool.
It was impossible to not think of COVID while reading this, and some of the terrible responses to the mounting tragedy by non-believers of the severity of the real-life pandemic, giving this mystery a nice undercurrent of dread by focusing on a survivor whose physical and mental health has been compromised in multiple ways.
I think that this is, despite some of its issues, a good first novel, which is an unsettling and generally compelling read.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Pushkin Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
June 12, 2022
LONDON IN BLACK is a near future dystopian thriller set in London 2029, with flashbacks to 2027. For a debut novel from a lawyer living in London this is an excellent story, amazingly plotted and executed very well. It’s never easy, in my opinion, to create a futuristic/dystopian thriller that only really exists in the author’s imagination and then convey those ideas into a enjoyable read but Jack Lutz accomplished this and incorporated an intriguing murder to solve too.
“The attacks won’t stop. Neither will she.
London, 2027. Terrorists deploy ‘London Black’, a highly sophisticated nerve gas, at Waterloo Station. For the 'Vulnerables', exposure means near-certain death. A lucky few survive, aided by ‘Boost’ injections.
London, 2029. Copy-cat attacks plague the city. DI Lucy Stone, a guilt-ridden Vulnerable, is called to investigate a gruesome murder of a scientist, who might have held the key to an antidote. But is the antidote real? And can Lucy solve the case before her Boosts stop working, leaving her defenceless once again?”
DI Lucy Stone, a super recogniser, was an unusual character with a lot of emotional baggage and with the constant medical issues she faced measuring her Boost levels this produced quite a flawed, frustrated character. I’m not sure I actually endeared to her, possibly because of the amount of swearing she used in her head but I could see exactly where she was coming from in her attitude and determination to find an antidote.
I did however like her relationship with DI King and how it developed throughout the story and I’d like to think there could be further books set in 2029, featuring these two detectives.
There are a lot of commonalities between London Black and our recent pandemic but a lot more severe with regards to the manifestation of the disease, so I don’t think this will be a trigger for anyone. I certainly wasn’t upset by it and found it easier to believe due to what we’ve all been through.
An excellent, high concept novel for a debut author, which I can definitely see being made into a movie/series, due to its commercial appeal.
#LondonInBlack - 4 stars
Thank you to Tara McEvoy at Pushkin Press for inviting me on this tour and for my copy of the book in return for an honest review.
“The attacks won’t stop. Neither will she.
London, 2027. Terrorists deploy ‘London Black’, a highly sophisticated nerve gas, at Waterloo Station. For the 'Vulnerables', exposure means near-certain death. A lucky few survive, aided by ‘Boost’ injections.
London, 2029. Copy-cat attacks plague the city. DI Lucy Stone, a guilt-ridden Vulnerable, is called to investigate a gruesome murder of a scientist, who might have held the key to an antidote. But is the antidote real? And can Lucy solve the case before her Boosts stop working, leaving her defenceless once again?”
DI Lucy Stone, a super recogniser, was an unusual character with a lot of emotional baggage and with the constant medical issues she faced measuring her Boost levels this produced quite a flawed, frustrated character. I’m not sure I actually endeared to her, possibly because of the amount of swearing she used in her head but I could see exactly where she was coming from in her attitude and determination to find an antidote.
I did however like her relationship with DI King and how it developed throughout the story and I’d like to think there could be further books set in 2029, featuring these two detectives.
There are a lot of commonalities between London Black and our recent pandemic but a lot more severe with regards to the manifestation of the disease, so I don’t think this will be a trigger for anyone. I certainly wasn’t upset by it and found it easier to believe due to what we’ve all been through.
An excellent, high concept novel for a debut author, which I can definitely see being made into a movie/series, due to its commercial appeal.
#LondonInBlack - 4 stars
Thank you to Tara McEvoy at Pushkin Press for inviting me on this tour and for my copy of the book in return for an honest review.
August 8, 2023
*1.5
Ich wollte das Buch so gerne mögen, der Klappentext klang auch wirklich vielversprechend und ich hab mich sehr auf einen spannenden Thriller mit dystopischen Aspekten gefreut. Bekommen habe ich eine absolut nicht spannende, komplett unnötig verwirrende Handlung mit der unsympatischsten Protagonistin und einer absolut unangenehmen Erzählweise.
Kleinere Spoiler ab jetzt möglich.
Wir lesen in 2 verschiedenen Zeitebenen, einmal 2027 als ein schlimmes Attentat verübt wurde bei dem ein Nervengift freigesetzt wurde dass 10% aller Menschen tötete. Ein paar Menschen dieser 10% konnten Mithilfe eines Boosters gerettet werden, sind aber durch ständige nachahmungstäter ständig weiter in Gefahr sobald sie keinen Bosster mehr bekommen. Eine solche Person ist unsere Protagonistin Lucy, die in 2029 einen Mord an dem Erfinder dieser Booster aufklären will, um "ihre Schuld" zu begleichen.
Diese "Schuld" nimmt einen sehr großen Teil in der Geschichte ein und hat dann in den letzten Seiten eine derartig vorhersehbare und enttäuschende Auflösung, dass ich einfach nur genervt war.
Hinzukommt, dass wir zwischendurch immer wieder Einwürfe aus Lucys Gedanken haben, die sich derart oft wiederholen, dass das Buch nur halb so lang wäre würde man die ganzen unnötigen wiederholungen entfernen. Abgesehen davon war mir die Sprache viel zu derb. Ein "Fuck" in jedem zweiten Satz hat den schreibstil nicht gerettet man kann es kaum glauben!
Lucy ist als Detective dermaßen unfähig, und alle 20 Seiten wieder ABSOLUT ZU 100% überzeugt davon jetzt zu wissen wer der Mörder war, und es dann ÜBERRASCHUNG, doch nicht weiß, aber jeden andern als dumm abstempelt der ihren Ausführungen nicht folgen kann und nicht zustimmt.
Die Handlung war absolut konfus, keiner hatte eigentlich ein wirkliches Motiv, der Böse war halt einfach abgrundtief böse und noch dazu der allerletzte der es überhaupt gewesen sein könnte.
Und das Schlimmste für mich überhaupt, wir haben als Leser nie erfahren, warum diese Anschläge eigentlich verübt wurden und warum sie bist zum heutigen Tag von nachahmungstätern verübt werden (anscheinend recht easy an das Nervengift ranzukommen). Und es scheint niemanden zu stören dass man nicht weiß warum da jemand 10% der Menschheit auslöschen will. Oder es wissen alle und man hat es nicht als Wert empfunden den Leser zu informieren.
Für mich leider ein absoluter Flop und reine Lesezeitverschwendung!
Ich wollte das Buch so gerne mögen, der Klappentext klang auch wirklich vielversprechend und ich hab mich sehr auf einen spannenden Thriller mit dystopischen Aspekten gefreut. Bekommen habe ich eine absolut nicht spannende, komplett unnötig verwirrende Handlung mit der unsympatischsten Protagonistin und einer absolut unangenehmen Erzählweise.
Kleinere Spoiler ab jetzt möglich.
Wir lesen in 2 verschiedenen Zeitebenen, einmal 2027 als ein schlimmes Attentat verübt wurde bei dem ein Nervengift freigesetzt wurde dass 10% aller Menschen tötete. Ein paar Menschen dieser 10% konnten Mithilfe eines Boosters gerettet werden, sind aber durch ständige nachahmungstäter ständig weiter in Gefahr sobald sie keinen Bosster mehr bekommen. Eine solche Person ist unsere Protagonistin Lucy, die in 2029 einen Mord an dem Erfinder dieser Booster aufklären will, um "ihre Schuld" zu begleichen.
Diese "Schuld" nimmt einen sehr großen Teil in der Geschichte ein und hat dann in den letzten Seiten eine derartig vorhersehbare und enttäuschende Auflösung, dass ich einfach nur genervt war.
Hinzukommt, dass wir zwischendurch immer wieder Einwürfe aus Lucys Gedanken haben, die sich derart oft wiederholen, dass das Buch nur halb so lang wäre würde man die ganzen unnötigen wiederholungen entfernen. Abgesehen davon war mir die Sprache viel zu derb. Ein "Fuck" in jedem zweiten Satz hat den schreibstil nicht gerettet man kann es kaum glauben!
Lucy ist als Detective dermaßen unfähig, und alle 20 Seiten wieder ABSOLUT ZU 100% überzeugt davon jetzt zu wissen wer der Mörder war, und es dann ÜBERRASCHUNG, doch nicht weiß, aber jeden andern als dumm abstempelt der ihren Ausführungen nicht folgen kann und nicht zustimmt.
Die Handlung war absolut konfus, keiner hatte eigentlich ein wirkliches Motiv, der Böse war halt einfach abgrundtief böse und noch dazu der allerletzte der es überhaupt gewesen sein könnte.
Und das Schlimmste für mich überhaupt, wir haben als Leser nie erfahren, warum diese Anschläge eigentlich verübt wurden und warum sie bist zum heutigen Tag von nachahmungstätern verübt werden (anscheinend recht easy an das Nervengift ranzukommen). Und es scheint niemanden zu stören dass man nicht weiß warum da jemand 10% der Menschheit auslöschen will. Oder es wissen alle und man hat es nicht als Wert empfunden den Leser zu informieren.
Für mich leider ein absoluter Flop und reine Lesezeitverschwendung!
August 11, 2022
Phew! After the first 100 pages I felt like abandoning this one but I’m glad I persevered. The plot is a contemporary mix of terrorism, thriller and police procedural - and with many references that could equally apply to the Covid pandemic. The main characters develop believably as the story unwinds. But … the writing style is exhausting. Dialogue is all short, and often truncated, sentences, interspersed with the thoughts of the lead character and the guilt she is trying to deal with. It does give the story pace but it never allowed me to relax and really enjoy the read.
December 15, 2023
Dieses Buch erinnert mich ein wenig an die Covid-Zeit. Ich finde die Geschichte mittelmäßig, das hat allerdings nichts mit dem Thema zu tun, sondern eher damit, dass mir doch ein wenig die Spannung gefehlt hat.
April 25, 2024
ARC REVIEW
Thank you Pushkin Press for providing this book for review consideration via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It pulled me in from the start, giving me just enough information to know what was going on, but also withholding enough to make me want to read on to find out what really happened.
While the topic of the book may have been hard to imagine just a couple years ago, it was pretty relatable now, with the covid pandemic still fresh on our minds.
Furthermore, the way the story is fleshed out throughout the book is so good! At the beginning, we don't know that much yet about our protagonist Lucy Stone. We know that she's a Vulnerable, and we know that she lost a few people that she was very close to. However, we don't know anything about the circumstances in which she lost these people. As the book progresses and Lucy gets closer to an antidote, we learn more about her backstory, as well as her pressing need for the antidote. I think this was done really well, with the story building up captivatingly to its climax.
One thing I disliked about the book sometimes, which is the only reasons why I didn't give it five stars, is the way it was written. It's written in really short sentences, which made it quite difficult for me to get into a flow while reading it. However, this is definitely just a personal preference.
I recommend that you read this book if you are into dystopian sci-fi stories which are suspenseful!
Thank you Pushkin Press for providing this book for review consideration via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It pulled me in from the start, giving me just enough information to know what was going on, but also withholding enough to make me want to read on to find out what really happened.
While the topic of the book may have been hard to imagine just a couple years ago, it was pretty relatable now, with the covid pandemic still fresh on our minds.
Furthermore, the way the story is fleshed out throughout the book is so good! At the beginning, we don't know that much yet about our protagonist Lucy Stone. We know that she's a Vulnerable, and we know that she lost a few people that she was very close to. However, we don't know anything about the circumstances in which she lost these people. As the book progresses and Lucy gets closer to an antidote, we learn more about her backstory, as well as her pressing need for the antidote. I think this was done really well, with the story building up captivatingly to its climax.
One thing I disliked about the book sometimes, which is the only reasons why I didn't give it five stars, is the way it was written. It's written in really short sentences, which made it quite difficult for me to get into a flow while reading it. However, this is definitely just a personal preference.
I recommend that you read this book if you are into dystopian sci-fi stories which are suspenseful!
May 16, 2022
Time taken to read - 6 days
Publisher - Pushkin Vertigo
Source - Review copy
Blurb from Goodreads
A tense ticking-bomb suspense thriller for fans of high-concept dystopian fiction such as Hanna Jameson THE LAST or Lauren Beukes' AFTERLAND.
THE ATTACKS WON'T STOP. NEITHER WILL SHE.
LONDON 2027. Terrorists deploy London Black, a highly sophisticated nerve gas, at Waterloo Station. For the 'Vulnerables', exposure means near-certain death. A lucky few survive, aided by Boost injections.
LONDON 2029. Copy-cat attacks plague the city. DI Lucy Stone, a guilt-ridden Vulnerable, is called to investigate a gruesome murder of a scientist, who might have held the key to an antidote. But is the antidote real?
And can Lucy solve the case before her Boosts stop working, leaving her defenceless once again?
My review
So Di Lucy Stone is a survivor from an attack in London 2027, the time now is 2029. Lucy like other survivors needs to inject herself to keep her levels up as her body has been left "vulnerable" - some are visibly marked after the terror attack, many died. We hear about it back and forth between timelines. Now there has been a murder, someone who worked hard to help the vulnerable, is this what motivated the killing? Lucy investigates the case with her new colleague, fighting against her condition and religious zealots.
So I struggled a bit to start with as Lucy, I get she is/has this horrific after effect and survivor guilt and references to this debt she feels she has and something that happened in her past. She is a DCI though and acts like a hormonal teenager, smashing up an office, deliberately manipulating her superior although maybe this was to highlight the issues with the exposure she had, the survivor guilt as the boss cuts her a lot of slack.
I did find her ability to recognise faces interesting and would have loved more use of that and references. Another thing was the constant reference to her tugging on her hoodie strings, do DCI's actually wear casuals like that? Fair enough if so I just wasn't sure of it nor the often reference to her tugging on it, maybe meant to highlight her twitchiness and repetition as a comfort measure. After five times though it just felt it wasn't needed.
I think the attacks were really interesting and would have liked the story to explore more of it as more attacks happen, religious movements come after (how often do we hear a tragedy being held against survivors and attributed to God(s).
There was a lot going on so you are kept interested in the story but some of it was quite distracting, her constant thoughts to what she perceives as her debt. We know she has guilty feelings over someone but it hints and for me dragged out.
The characters I can't say I loved any of them and when I thought something was maybe happening with one or two and hinted at it kind of fell a bit flat. Lots of swearing, police procedural as we follow Lucy and co trying to find a motive and the actual killer.
Like I say interesting enough but I would have liked a bit more on the terror attacks, the people behind it, the other vulnerables, why was Lucy so different? I would have liked more depth to the characters but if this is book one in a series (not sure it is) it is a good foundation for the series, this is a debut.
Publisher - Pushkin Vertigo
Source - Review copy
Blurb from Goodreads
A tense ticking-bomb suspense thriller for fans of high-concept dystopian fiction such as Hanna Jameson THE LAST or Lauren Beukes' AFTERLAND.
THE ATTACKS WON'T STOP. NEITHER WILL SHE.
LONDON 2027. Terrorists deploy London Black, a highly sophisticated nerve gas, at Waterloo Station. For the 'Vulnerables', exposure means near-certain death. A lucky few survive, aided by Boost injections.
LONDON 2029. Copy-cat attacks plague the city. DI Lucy Stone, a guilt-ridden Vulnerable, is called to investigate a gruesome murder of a scientist, who might have held the key to an antidote. But is the antidote real?
And can Lucy solve the case before her Boosts stop working, leaving her defenceless once again?
My review
So Di Lucy Stone is a survivor from an attack in London 2027, the time now is 2029. Lucy like other survivors needs to inject herself to keep her levels up as her body has been left "vulnerable" - some are visibly marked after the terror attack, many died. We hear about it back and forth between timelines. Now there has been a murder, someone who worked hard to help the vulnerable, is this what motivated the killing? Lucy investigates the case with her new colleague, fighting against her condition and religious zealots.
So I struggled a bit to start with as Lucy, I get she is/has this horrific after effect and survivor guilt and references to this debt she feels she has and something that happened in her past. She is a DCI though and acts like a hormonal teenager, smashing up an office, deliberately manipulating her superior although maybe this was to highlight the issues with the exposure she had, the survivor guilt as the boss cuts her a lot of slack.
I did find her ability to recognise faces interesting and would have loved more use of that and references. Another thing was the constant reference to her tugging on her hoodie strings, do DCI's actually wear casuals like that? Fair enough if so I just wasn't sure of it nor the often reference to her tugging on it, maybe meant to highlight her twitchiness and repetition as a comfort measure. After five times though it just felt it wasn't needed.
I think the attacks were really interesting and would have liked the story to explore more of it as more attacks happen, religious movements come after (how often do we hear a tragedy being held against survivors and attributed to God(s).
There was a lot going on so you are kept interested in the story but some of it was quite distracting, her constant thoughts to what she perceives as her debt. We know she has guilty feelings over someone but it hints and for me dragged out.
The characters I can't say I loved any of them and when I thought something was maybe happening with one or two and hinted at it kind of fell a bit flat. Lots of swearing, police procedural as we follow Lucy and co trying to find a motive and the actual killer.
Like I say interesting enough but I would have liked a bit more on the terror attacks, the people behind it, the other vulnerables, why was Lucy so different? I would have liked more depth to the characters but if this is book one in a series (not sure it is) it is a good foundation for the series, this is a debut.
April 30, 2022
Rating: 2.0/5
I have seen this described as likely to appeal to people who enjoy Andrew Hunter Murray's work - something I can only assume is based purely on the dystopian elements it contains. That aspect aside, there are few obvious similarities. I would suggest that the style of Jack Lutz's debut novel has more in common with the likes of Stuart MacBride or Simon Kernick.
I was attracted by the premise of "London in Black", but I don't feel that the author made the most of its potential. It never really drew me into the fictional world that Jack Lutz was describing. If you were to strip out the dystopian near future element of the story, you would be left with a fairly run-of-the-mill, gritty and expletive-ridden police procedural. (The total word count would certainly be dramatically reduced if all references to the "F" word were edited out.) The over-used staccato style employed by the writer soon lost its early impact and, instead of creating a sense of edginess, it became both tired and tiresome.
Nor was I particularly taken with the characterisation. The supporting cast members are essentially two-dimensional, and even the more fully-drawn chief protagonist, Lucy Stone, the detective at the heart of the story, is little more than another maverick cop, complete with the obligatory flawed character and/or tortured personal history that so frequently features in the police procedural genre.
There may be readers out there who will really enjoy "London in Black", but it didn't do a great deal for me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
I have seen this described as likely to appeal to people who enjoy Andrew Hunter Murray's work - something I can only assume is based purely on the dystopian elements it contains. That aspect aside, there are few obvious similarities. I would suggest that the style of Jack Lutz's debut novel has more in common with the likes of Stuart MacBride or Simon Kernick.
I was attracted by the premise of "London in Black", but I don't feel that the author made the most of its potential. It never really drew me into the fictional world that Jack Lutz was describing. If you were to strip out the dystopian near future element of the story, you would be left with a fairly run-of-the-mill, gritty and expletive-ridden police procedural. (The total word count would certainly be dramatically reduced if all references to the "F" word were edited out.) The over-used staccato style employed by the writer soon lost its early impact and, instead of creating a sense of edginess, it became both tired and tiresome.
Nor was I particularly taken with the characterisation. The supporting cast members are essentially two-dimensional, and even the more fully-drawn chief protagonist, Lucy Stone, the detective at the heart of the story, is little more than another maverick cop, complete with the obligatory flawed character and/or tortured personal history that so frequently features in the police procedural genre.
There may be readers out there who will really enjoy "London in Black", but it didn't do a great deal for me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
June 22, 2022
London in Black is a an exciting mix of genres that work so well together to create a dystopian crime novel that is believable and intense. Set in the not-too-distant future, this novel is terrifyingly plausible and really brings some thought provoking questions to the forefront of the reader’s mind.
The main character Lucy isn’t the most stable of people and using short, punchy sentences to portray her desperate and sometimes disjointed thinking/reasoning gave me a interesting perspective into her state of mind. IN the beginning, not much is revealed about the previous events of Lucy herself and it was fun to piece things together as more information was revealed through the narrative. Jack Lutz’s writing style is definitely unique and too me a while to adjust to but it was very worth persevering with. As I became more fluent in his style, the sharpness of it really worked for me.
Lucy herself is a fascinating character. Strong and independent but carrying a lot of trauma and emotional baggage, she struggles in many areas of life – especially following orders and working as a team. She isn’t always likable or the most relatable but is passionate and dedicated to her cause and this is very admirable.
I really enjoyed this novel and it was a refreshing change to read a dystopian crime thriller although at times it wasn’t that dystopian in feel, making it chilling in some aspects. I enjoyed this unique plot and look forward to more work by Jack Lutz.
The main character Lucy isn’t the most stable of people and using short, punchy sentences to portray her desperate and sometimes disjointed thinking/reasoning gave me a interesting perspective into her state of mind. IN the beginning, not much is revealed about the previous events of Lucy herself and it was fun to piece things together as more information was revealed through the narrative. Jack Lutz’s writing style is definitely unique and too me a while to adjust to but it was very worth persevering with. As I became more fluent in his style, the sharpness of it really worked for me.
Lucy herself is a fascinating character. Strong and independent but carrying a lot of trauma and emotional baggage, she struggles in many areas of life – especially following orders and working as a team. She isn’t always likable or the most relatable but is passionate and dedicated to her cause and this is very admirable.
I really enjoyed this novel and it was a refreshing change to read a dystopian crime thriller although at times it wasn’t that dystopian in feel, making it chilling in some aspects. I enjoyed this unique plot and look forward to more work by Jack Lutz.
April 2, 2024
London in Black, while initially jarring in its stylistic choices, is definitely a book that grew on me. As many others have commented, the short sentences made my reading experience a little choppy, but the more I read, the more I enjoyed it. As readers, we are placed so deeply into Lucy's mind, never getting anything from another character's point of view. Her guilt, her frenzied character, her personality, they all lead to her rapid-fire narration. Either Lutz found his footing as he wrote, or I did as I read because, by the end, I was so hooked that I couldn't care less about sentence structure. Even in the beginning, when I felt more unsure of the read, I never had the urge to abandon it because of the great job Lutz does weaving a compelling story, and my roommate can attest that in the last 50 pages, I was reacting audibly.
As we learn more about Lucy and her past, she makes her development steadily, and it's such a treat to see her final realization at the very end, even if I didn't expect it. (As an additional note, Lutz sets this up so well--great foreshadowing, but I never saw it coming!) Sharp, brave, and (at the risk of sounding dumb) just super cool, Lucy becomes someone you root for wholeheartedly. I definitely recommend this book as long as you stick with it!
Thanks so much to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the opportunity to read this as an eARC!
As we learn more about Lucy and her past, she makes her development steadily, and it's such a treat to see her final realization at the very end, even if I didn't expect it. (As an additional note, Lutz sets this up so well--great foreshadowing, but I never saw it coming!) Sharp, brave, and (at the risk of sounding dumb) just super cool, Lucy becomes someone you root for wholeheartedly. I definitely recommend this book as long as you stick with it!
Thanks so much to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the opportunity to read this as an eARC!
January 15, 2023
A great near-future dystopian whodunnit. The book is set in 2029 London, two years after a terrorist attack with a nerve agent that means near-certain death for the ten percent of the population that are "vulnerable". Lucy Stone, our narrator, is DI with the London Police. She is a Vulnerable and she mysteriously survived the 2027 attack. She is investigating the murder of a brilliant scientist who might, just might, have developed an antidote.
The book slowly reveals clues on three different tracks: (1) the whodunnit track: who murdered the scientist and why; (2) the world-building track: what was the nerve agent, what happened in 2027, how did London's people react; and (3) the character development track: what is it with Lucy? how did she survive? what is The Debt that she feels she has to pay? and what is The Thing that happened to her in 2027?
For me, the way that the author sprinkled clues made the book unputdownable. I just had to know what had happened and what was motivating our very flawed hero. Looking back, I'm also impressed with the editing: there is some very good setting up of thing that pay off chapters later. There was good speculation about how people would respond to the attacks and the aftermath. And the denouement hit just the right note: it didn't got where I expected but it was the right ending for Lucy.
The book slowly reveals clues on three different tracks: (1) the whodunnit track: who murdered the scientist and why; (2) the world-building track: what was the nerve agent, what happened in 2027, how did London's people react; and (3) the character development track: what is it with Lucy? how did she survive? what is The Debt that she feels she has to pay? and what is The Thing that happened to her in 2027?
For me, the way that the author sprinkled clues made the book unputdownable. I just had to know what had happened and what was motivating our very flawed hero. Looking back, I'm also impressed with the editing: there is some very good setting up of thing that pay off chapters later. There was good speculation about how people would respond to the attacks and the aftermath. And the denouement hit just the right note: it didn't got where I expected but it was the right ending for Lucy.
June 15, 2022
Thank you to Pushkin Press and Tara McEvoy for my gifted copy and for having me along on the tour.
LONDON 2027. Terrorists deploy London Black, a highly sophisticated nerve gas, at Waterloo Station. For the 'Vulnerables', exposure means near-certain death. A lucky few survive, aided by Boost injections.
LONDON 2029. Copy-cat attacks plague the city. DI Lucy Stone, a guilt-ridden Vulnerable, is called to investigate a gruesome murder of a scientist, who might have held the key to an antidote. But is the antidote real?
And can Lucy solve the case before her Boosts stop working, leaving her defenceless once again?
Review 💉🩸
I was intrigued by this book & was interested to see how it would play out.
I really liked Lucy for her dogged determination and her sweary internal monologues! She’s a super recogniser which I could relate to a tiny bit as I never forget a face. I do feel like her constant guilt and stress about her ‘debt’ was a little distracting at points.
This book gives you the terrifying realities of what would/could happen if a nerve agent was released in London. The writing keeps you gripped and the pages turning. I can see why it’s billed as “Summers hottest thriller”!
LONDON 2027. Terrorists deploy London Black, a highly sophisticated nerve gas, at Waterloo Station. For the 'Vulnerables', exposure means near-certain death. A lucky few survive, aided by Boost injections.
LONDON 2029. Copy-cat attacks plague the city. DI Lucy Stone, a guilt-ridden Vulnerable, is called to investigate a gruesome murder of a scientist, who might have held the key to an antidote. But is the antidote real?
And can Lucy solve the case before her Boosts stop working, leaving her defenceless once again?
Review 💉🩸
I was intrigued by this book & was interested to see how it would play out.
I really liked Lucy for her dogged determination and her sweary internal monologues! She’s a super recogniser which I could relate to a tiny bit as I never forget a face. I do feel like her constant guilt and stress about her ‘debt’ was a little distracting at points.
This book gives you the terrifying realities of what would/could happen if a nerve agent was released in London. The writing keeps you gripped and the pages turning. I can see why it’s billed as “Summers hottest thriller”!
July 12, 2022
London in black by jack lutz
Rate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 /5
This book is an amazing crime/ thriller, was difficult to understand at first but a few pages in it all all makes sense. This book had me on edge so many times wondering what was going to happen next and how it was all going to join together. Throughout this book had so many questions but reading on they all got answered. Think everyone should read this
Spoiler
The main character is Lucy and she is put on a Case with many problems and leads. This is all happening while there are nerve agent attacks happening around London killing thousands.
Throughout this book Lucy mentions alot about her past but in small detail which makes you want to read on to know what “the thing” is, which you find out near the very end of the book.
Lucy is partnered on this case with king to find out who killed the scientist. There was many people she had her eye on and was trying to piece together in her head how they was linked to other suspects. Throughout Lucy was never really thought about her actions which led to her getting suspended and her actions also toward the end led to king getting suspended. In the end they found out who was behind it all ( it’s not who I expected).
All together a good book to read and would highly recommend
Rate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 /5
This book is an amazing crime/ thriller, was difficult to understand at first but a few pages in it all all makes sense. This book had me on edge so many times wondering what was going to happen next and how it was all going to join together. Throughout this book had so many questions but reading on they all got answered. Think everyone should read this
Spoiler
The main character is Lucy and she is put on a Case with many problems and leads. This is all happening while there are nerve agent attacks happening around London killing thousands.
Throughout this book Lucy mentions alot about her past but in small detail which makes you want to read on to know what “the thing” is, which you find out near the very end of the book.
Lucy is partnered on this case with king to find out who killed the scientist. There was many people she had her eye on and was trying to piece together in her head how they was linked to other suspects. Throughout Lucy was never really thought about her actions which led to her getting suspended and her actions also toward the end led to king getting suspended. In the end they found out who was behind it all ( it’s not who I expected).
All together a good book to read and would highly recommend
April 23, 2024
Lucy Stone is no stranger to pain. Lucy has a debt to repay.
Lucy is a temperamental homicide detective who lived through a terrorist attack where a nerve agent gas was deployed in post-modern London. Lucy survived against all odds, where the majority did not. Now copy cat attacks are happening daily. Many are still dealing with the after effects of the attack leaving Lucy and many other people still vulnerable to the effects, living in constant fear, reliant on a daily injection to stave off the nerve agent.
When the man who is responsible for the injections keeping survivors alive is murdered Lucy knows she must solve the case. But the clues lead to a cure for the survivors, a cure which would destabilise the whole pharmaceutical industry through loss of profits by those who require the injections. Lucy has a chance to repay her debt if she can find the cure and the killer.
I LOVED London Black.
The dystopian feel in a post Modern setting felt incredibly realistic and plausible.
Lucy is a relatable character as she struggles with her own mental health while trying to maintain and prioritise her work life.
The writing unravels the clues and back stories of the characters in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat as the suspects ping pong back and forth.
I could not get enough of this story. It was gripping and suspenseful, gritty and purposeful.
If you want an urban dystopian novel that follows a determined FMC you need to add this to your list immediately.
Lucy is a temperamental homicide detective who lived through a terrorist attack where a nerve agent gas was deployed in post-modern London. Lucy survived against all odds, where the majority did not. Now copy cat attacks are happening daily. Many are still dealing with the after effects of the attack leaving Lucy and many other people still vulnerable to the effects, living in constant fear, reliant on a daily injection to stave off the nerve agent.
When the man who is responsible for the injections keeping survivors alive is murdered Lucy knows she must solve the case. But the clues lead to a cure for the survivors, a cure which would destabilise the whole pharmaceutical industry through loss of profits by those who require the injections. Lucy has a chance to repay her debt if she can find the cure and the killer.
I LOVED London Black.
The dystopian feel in a post Modern setting felt incredibly realistic and plausible.
Lucy is a relatable character as she struggles with her own mental health while trying to maintain and prioritise her work life.
The writing unravels the clues and back stories of the characters in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat as the suspects ping pong back and forth.
I could not get enough of this story. It was gripping and suspenseful, gritty and purposeful.
If you want an urban dystopian novel that follows a determined FMC you need to add this to your list immediately.
June 25, 2022
We follow Lucy, a young and damaged DCI, as she rushes to solve a case that will have huge implications, on the back drop of a dystopian London in 2029, following a nerve agent attack killing thousands.
This was a fast paced and gritty read, all from Lucy's point of view. Lucy makes a lot of references to a previous event, which carries a lot of trauma for her, and we finally find out what that is at the end.
There's a lot of action and suspects to keep to grips with, which Lucy and her superior, King, rush around, trying to find the truth. I can't lie, it's no surprise to me that they both wound up suspended, because they didn't exactly sit and think about their decisions, just sort of jumped in head first, leading to a number of false starts.
I liked that Lucy could look after herself, very action hero esque. She was clearly a skilled boxer and it helped her out in a lot of situations!
The reveal at the end wasn't one I expected- in terms of who was behind it all etc, the false starts really help to shake you off who the real culprit is.
I can see this being made into a movie or netflix show for sure, all dark and gritty with lots of fight scenes and brooding.
This was a fast paced and gritty read, all from Lucy's point of view. Lucy makes a lot of references to a previous event, which carries a lot of trauma for her, and we finally find out what that is at the end.
There's a lot of action and suspects to keep to grips with, which Lucy and her superior, King, rush around, trying to find the truth. I can't lie, it's no surprise to me that they both wound up suspended, because they didn't exactly sit and think about their decisions, just sort of jumped in head first, leading to a number of false starts.
I liked that Lucy could look after herself, very action hero esque. She was clearly a skilled boxer and it helped her out in a lot of situations!
The reveal at the end wasn't one I expected- in terms of who was behind it all etc, the false starts really help to shake you off who the real culprit is.
I can see this being made into a movie or netflix show for sure, all dark and gritty with lots of fight scenes and brooding.
September 1, 2022
The author creates a London of 2029 which has been under terrorist attack for two years. The attacks are of a nerve agent that kills its victims in a gruesome way while leaving the rare survivor with massive body scaring. Only a few actually react to the agent. The vaccine used to save those who are vulnerable is losing its potency. Kind of sounds like COVID-19.
The rest of the book is a gritty police procedural drama lead by a talented detective with dark secrets, panic attacks and a massive guilt complex.
The writing mainly in short staccato sentences which paints the urgency of the investigation. The technique worked for me although the lead detective comes across as a bit too tough, too smart and too indestructible.
The rest of the book is a gritty police procedural drama lead by a talented detective with dark secrets, panic attacks and a massive guilt complex.
The writing mainly in short staccato sentences which paints the urgency of the investigation. The technique worked for me although the lead detective comes across as a bit too tough, too smart and too indestructible.
May 30, 2022
I love dystopian novels so I was excited to read this book.
The book is set in 2029, following a series of terror attacks which started at Waterloo station in 2027 when nerve gas was released. For ten percent of people, known as 'the vulnerables' exposure to this means a painful death. These attacks have continued across London and the only way for 'the vulnerables' to stay protected is for them to do daily 'boost' injections.
Time is running out as these boosts are becoming less effective.
In the midst of this DI Stone is investigating the murder of a scientist. Is it true that he was developing an antidote? Can she uncover the truth before the boosts stop working?
The book is set in 2029, following a series of terror attacks which started at Waterloo station in 2027 when nerve gas was released. For ten percent of people, known as 'the vulnerables' exposure to this means a painful death. These attacks have continued across London and the only way for 'the vulnerables' to stay protected is for them to do daily 'boost' injections.
Time is running out as these boosts are becoming less effective.
In the midst of this DI Stone is investigating the murder of a scientist. Is it true that he was developing an antidote? Can she uncover the truth before the boosts stop working?
December 24, 2023
Set in the near future, London has been attacked by unknown terrorists using a Chemical Weapon that destroys people slowly in the worst possible way. Lucy is in the Police and comes across information that there may be a cure, she is a vulnerable and has to inject every so often but the effects are beginning to wear off quicker. Several murders and she appears to be getting no nearer. But a breakthrough, she is a super recogniser and sees somebody she used to know.
No more as spoilers will be needed.
Thanks to Vertigo Pushkin for the uncorrected proof. Fast paced but not sure the overuse if the word is needed.
No more as spoilers will be needed.
Thanks to Vertigo Pushkin for the uncorrected proof. Fast paced but not sure the overuse if the word is needed.
April 5, 2024
Fast paced, action thriller!
Excellent story, with thought out characters and lots of twists and turns in the plot.
The book follows Lucy, a police detective in London, 2 years on from a horrendous terrorist attack that killed lots and maimed more. The original terrorists have been found but copy cats keep striking with new attacks, in the same way as the original attack 2 years earlier.
Lucy is hell-bent on getting to the bottom of the copy cat attacks as she is personally invested - she owes a Debt.
Will be recommending this to anyone who likes fast paced thrillers, dystopian novels and strong female leads.
Excellent story, with thought out characters and lots of twists and turns in the plot.
The book follows Lucy, a police detective in London, 2 years on from a horrendous terrorist attack that killed lots and maimed more. The original terrorists have been found but copy cats keep striking with new attacks, in the same way as the original attack 2 years earlier.
Lucy is hell-bent on getting to the bottom of the copy cat attacks as she is personally invested - she owes a Debt.
Will be recommending this to anyone who likes fast paced thrillers, dystopian novels and strong female leads.
June 4, 2023
"London in Black" is the debut novel by Jack Lutz. The novel jumps between 2027 and 2029, the former being the year when a VZ Gass type biological weapon was released in London causing thousands of deaths. 2029 deals with the murder of a prominent viral scientist and billionaire and the question whether he has developed an antidote. A fast paced whodunit with many twists and turns. The writing style is a bit different and takes getting used to but thoroughly enjoyable. 3.5/5
June 20, 2023
2.75
This was a good audiobook to listen to whilst doing other things but god was I confused about what was happening. It felt a little all over the place, if you take away the future dystopian aspect, it just reads like a typical crime novel. The author had a good idea and premise but I just don't think it was very well executed, I feel there was more the author could have done to make their novel stand out. I also get the vibe that covid played a part in inspiration for this book.
This was a good audiobook to listen to whilst doing other things but god was I confused about what was happening. It felt a little all over the place, if you take away the future dystopian aspect, it just reads like a typical crime novel. The author had a good idea and premise but I just don't think it was very well executed, I feel there was more the author could have done to make their novel stand out. I also get the vibe that covid played a part in inspiration for this book.
December 30, 2024
Fast paced mystery thriller about a nerve agent attack on future London. Loved the characters, and the well crafted writing, the author provides a 360 vantage point from the perspective of DI Lucy Stone, addressing both the impact of PTSD and survivors’s guilt, and necessity of mental health to resolve the trauma. The main plot line is captivating and compelling and explores capitalist greed versus compassionate healing.
July 26, 2023
Well written and engaging enough to begin with but for something so high concept it’s a shame it ends up being such a standard police procedural with a stereotypically angry, reckless police officer as the main character.
The murder case became so convoluted and confusing and as the book got deeper in, I realised I didn’t care much about the outcome.
The murder case became so convoluted and confusing and as the book got deeper in, I realised I didn’t care much about the outcome.
May 14, 2022
London in Black is a breathless conspiracy thriller / murder mystery set in a terrifying near future. DI Lucy Stone is a memorable central character and she is surrounded by a compelling cast of villains, scientists, preachers and a police force that seems to be acting against her.
June 12, 2023
Now this is the sort of book that keeps me up reading. Fast paced, and still with an edge that makes you think.
I hope the characters will back - after all we still have to work out who did the original deed......
I hope the characters will back - after all we still have to work out who did the original deed......
May 28, 2024
May I start with a despicable pun? Normally, a novel set in a near-future dystopian post-pandemic London would have me avoid it… like the Plague 😁😁! But somehow the combination of thriller and murder mystery and post-pandemic SF was intriguing enough… and proved quite addictive!
https://smithereens.wordpress.com/202...
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. I received a free copy of this book for review consideration.
https://smithereens.wordpress.com/202...
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. I received a free copy of this book for review consideration.
July 24, 2023
Not bad
February 7, 2024
3.5 would be a more accurate rating,
April 19, 2024
Pretty good; dystopian vibes are strong with this one.
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