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A BlackJack Thriller #1
Once A Killer
He changed his identity.
He moved to Hong Kong.
He changed his life.
But can he change who he really is?
Charles Balcombe, sophisticated, risk-taking lothario was a special investigator. He thinks that taking a PI job to find a missing boy will distract him from is urges. But once a killer...
He moved to Hong Kong.
He changed his life.
But can he change who he really is?
Charles Balcombe, sophisticated, risk-taking lothario was a special investigator. He thinks that taking a PI job to find a missing boy will distract him from is urges. But once a killer...
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 16, 2022
Charles Balcombe was once a member of the elite Special Investigations Branch of the Royal Military Police until disappearing and changing his identity. He now finds himself in Hong Kong where he's asked by Grace Toogood to look into the whereabouts of her stepson Roger, who vanished five days ago.
Balcombe fancies himself as a ladies man and lives life on the edge; he has 'urges' and believes taking the case of the missing son will help to focus his mind elsewhere. But as he delves deeper into Roger's life, he finds all is not quite what it seems.
I really enjoyed this book and believe it's one of the author's best to date. It had all the elements I love — suspense, mystery, tension and a fantastic protagonist. The writing is simply exquisite. I found myself being swept away into the hustle and bustle of 1950s Hong Kong.
I never quite knew whether I should love or loath Balcombe — on the one hand he's a very dangerous man; yet he has redeeming qualities. His life is neither black nor white; he exists in a murky grey area. A feeling of unease surrounding his whole persona was implanted in my mind and I thoroughly enjoyed the conflict it caused.
Once A Killer is a thrilling read and one I highly recommend. Let's hope there will be many more in the series. A corker of a book!
Balcombe fancies himself as a ladies man and lives life on the edge; he has 'urges' and believes taking the case of the missing son will help to focus his mind elsewhere. But as he delves deeper into Roger's life, he finds all is not quite what it seems.
I really enjoyed this book and believe it's one of the author's best to date. It had all the elements I love — suspense, mystery, tension and a fantastic protagonist. The writing is simply exquisite. I found myself being swept away into the hustle and bustle of 1950s Hong Kong.
I never quite knew whether I should love or loath Balcombe — on the one hand he's a very dangerous man; yet he has redeeming qualities. His life is neither black nor white; he exists in a murky grey area. A feeling of unease surrounding his whole persona was implanted in my mind and I thoroughly enjoyed the conflict it caused.
Once A Killer is a thrilling read and one I highly recommend. Let's hope there will be many more in the series. A corker of a book!
October 12, 2022
The character Blackjack was first introduced in the Ash Carter thriller, Singapore Killer but while he was definitely the villain there, in Once A Killer we gain a deeper insight into who he is and it would be more accurate to describe him as an antihero. It's worth pointing out here that Murray Bailey cleverly ensures his interconnected series – the original Ash Carter thriller series set in Singapore, the prequel books featuring a younger Ash Carter and now (hopefully), the Blackjack series – can be read independently of one another. So although anybody familiar with the previous novel will be intrigued to learn more, it's certainly not necessary to have read it and this is an excellent place to first meet Charles Balcombe.
That's not his real name, of course, but it is the name he goes by here – except for the times when he allows his Blackjack alter-ego to take over. Balcombe thrives on risk and danger which he partly assuages through his many illicit affairs with the frustrated wives of Hong Kong looking for excitement. The chilling opening immediately reveals this compulsion to kill but it turns out that Balcombe isn't pure evil and consequently, is a far more interesting character. When he agrees to help a young woman whose sister is in a terrible situation, his moral code becomes evident and the juxtaposition between this side of his personality and that which sees him committing atrociously twisted murders is absolutely fascinating.
It would be easy to describe him as a Jekyll and Hyde type character but while there are similarities, Balcombe only seems to relinquish control to Blackjack when he decides the time is right. However, as we see throughout the novel, his thirst for danger is an intrinsic part of who he is, he can slake his desires through clandestine relationships or by testing his physical and mental prowess to its limits through free climbing but for how long? It's something I'm really looking forward to seeing explored further as the series progresses; will he retain this self-control or will Blackjack eventually consume the more principled man who sets up as a private investigator and agrees to find the missing adult son of a privileged banker?
While Balcombe tries to discover what has happened to Roger Toogood, the police on Hong Kong have two murder cases to investigate. Readers will know who is responsible for the particularly gruesome death of a man but who is behind the murder of a young woman is a mystery. Detective Inspector Munro has been assigned to both cases and as the book progresses, the storyline gradually and brilliantly draws these two main characters together. Balcombe may be the charismatic heart of the story but the development of Munro's character is compelling too and in any other book he would undoubtedly be the star of the show. As a mixed race officer, his recent promotion is unusual but not only is he under immense pressure to produce results, the colour of his skin means there are times when he is ordered to allow a lower ranked, incompetent officer to take the lead in interviews just because he is white.
Although I obviously don't know whether Murray Bailey's depiction of Hong Kong in 1953 is accurate, it certainly feels authentic. The sense of place is excellent throughout, with the portrayal of the contrasting lives of the most and least privileged being a vital and utterly believable part of the storyline. Meanwhile, the exploration of policing in Hong Kong is superb; the demands for convictions regardless of guilt and the accompanying overcrowding in prisons really adds to the tense atmosphere of the narrative. With Munro commanded to make arrests and with the body count rising, it's never certain whether true justice will be served.
Balcombe, the morally ambiguous killer and Munro, the honest detective trying to operate in a corrupt system are the perfect foil for one another and I loved that I wanted both of them to be successful despite ostensibly being on opposite sides. The novel twists and turns, with gang violence, society, jealousy, manipulation and honour all having a role to play in this terrifically exciting thriller, and the enticing conclusion means I'm keeping everything crossed for more! The dark, grisly plot is skillfully balanced by the engaging characterisation – a special word here for Albert who I just loved – and the result is an atmospheric, compulsive historical murder mystery which is irrefutably one of my favourite reads of the year. Very highly recommended.
That's not his real name, of course, but it is the name he goes by here – except for the times when he allows his Blackjack alter-ego to take over. Balcombe thrives on risk and danger which he partly assuages through his many illicit affairs with the frustrated wives of Hong Kong looking for excitement. The chilling opening immediately reveals this compulsion to kill but it turns out that Balcombe isn't pure evil and consequently, is a far more interesting character. When he agrees to help a young woman whose sister is in a terrible situation, his moral code becomes evident and the juxtaposition between this side of his personality and that which sees him committing atrociously twisted murders is absolutely fascinating.
It would be easy to describe him as a Jekyll and Hyde type character but while there are similarities, Balcombe only seems to relinquish control to Blackjack when he decides the time is right. However, as we see throughout the novel, his thirst for danger is an intrinsic part of who he is, he can slake his desires through clandestine relationships or by testing his physical and mental prowess to its limits through free climbing but for how long? It's something I'm really looking forward to seeing explored further as the series progresses; will he retain this self-control or will Blackjack eventually consume the more principled man who sets up as a private investigator and agrees to find the missing adult son of a privileged banker?
While Balcombe tries to discover what has happened to Roger Toogood, the police on Hong Kong have two murder cases to investigate. Readers will know who is responsible for the particularly gruesome death of a man but who is behind the murder of a young woman is a mystery. Detective Inspector Munro has been assigned to both cases and as the book progresses, the storyline gradually and brilliantly draws these two main characters together. Balcombe may be the charismatic heart of the story but the development of Munro's character is compelling too and in any other book he would undoubtedly be the star of the show. As a mixed race officer, his recent promotion is unusual but not only is he under immense pressure to produce results, the colour of his skin means there are times when he is ordered to allow a lower ranked, incompetent officer to take the lead in interviews just because he is white.
Although I obviously don't know whether Murray Bailey's depiction of Hong Kong in 1953 is accurate, it certainly feels authentic. The sense of place is excellent throughout, with the portrayal of the contrasting lives of the most and least privileged being a vital and utterly believable part of the storyline. Meanwhile, the exploration of policing in Hong Kong is superb; the demands for convictions regardless of guilt and the accompanying overcrowding in prisons really adds to the tense atmosphere of the narrative. With Munro commanded to make arrests and with the body count rising, it's never certain whether true justice will be served.
Balcombe, the morally ambiguous killer and Munro, the honest detective trying to operate in a corrupt system are the perfect foil for one another and I loved that I wanted both of them to be successful despite ostensibly being on opposite sides. The novel twists and turns, with gang violence, society, jealousy, manipulation and honour all having a role to play in this terrifically exciting thriller, and the enticing conclusion means I'm keeping everything crossed for more! The dark, grisly plot is skillfully balanced by the engaging characterisation – a special word here for Albert who I just loved – and the result is an atmospheric, compulsive historical murder mystery which is irrefutably one of my favourite reads of the year. Very highly recommended.
September 13, 2022
Given the opportunity to read a new novel by Murray Bailey, I couldn’t resist even if I wanted to – and I was rewarded by an exciting, riveting read.
‘Blackjack’ is in Hong Kong, using the pseudonym of Charles Balcombe – a charming, handsome gentleman with a penchant for the ladies. His alter ego, however, is a former military man with formidable skills, an unerring nose for trouble and a strong moral compass favouring the underdog. A fascinating character with an unusual hobby, I was never quite sure what was going to happen next, which made this an exciting and unpredictable read and it took me some time to work out whether I was on his side or not, but by the end of the novel I was firmly in his corner.
Life in Hong Kong in the 1950’s was an eye-opener and I was both astonished and astounded by the unsavoury details which emerged. For all Charles Balcombe is a very private man, he developed the most wonderful relationship with his rickshaw driver which made me smile throughout; but don’t get the idea that this is a light read – it is action-packed, seat-of-his-pants thriller that you want to race through to the very end while at the same time trying to slow down so you don’t get to the finish! Blackjack is a character which intrigues me; I’m never sure if he has his ‘gentleman’s hat’ on or his ‘street persona’ and I desperately want to read more about both. Not just a good read, this was a powerful, exhilarating experience and one I can’t wait to repeat! Murray Bailey never disappoints and I have a feeling that this will turn out to be one of my favourite series. An easy five stars – and deserving of each and every one. Highly recommended.
‘Blackjack’ is in Hong Kong, using the pseudonym of Charles Balcombe – a charming, handsome gentleman with a penchant for the ladies. His alter ego, however, is a former military man with formidable skills, an unerring nose for trouble and a strong moral compass favouring the underdog. A fascinating character with an unusual hobby, I was never quite sure what was going to happen next, which made this an exciting and unpredictable read and it took me some time to work out whether I was on his side or not, but by the end of the novel I was firmly in his corner.
Life in Hong Kong in the 1950’s was an eye-opener and I was both astonished and astounded by the unsavoury details which emerged. For all Charles Balcombe is a very private man, he developed the most wonderful relationship with his rickshaw driver which made me smile throughout; but don’t get the idea that this is a light read – it is action-packed, seat-of-his-pants thriller that you want to race through to the very end while at the same time trying to slow down so you don’t get to the finish! Blackjack is a character which intrigues me; I’m never sure if he has his ‘gentleman’s hat’ on or his ‘street persona’ and I desperately want to read more about both. Not just a good read, this was a powerful, exhilarating experience and one I can’t wait to repeat! Murray Bailey never disappoints and I have a feeling that this will turn out to be one of my favourite series. An easy five stars – and deserving of each and every one. Highly recommended.
March 17, 2024
Once A Killer is a mystery set in Hong Kong during the 1950s.
Charles Balcombe has recently arrived in this British Colony, where he mixes with the aristocracy and particularly enjoys the company of the bored wives of the bankers, merchants, lawyers and shipping brokers.
An ex-military policeman, Balcombe carries with him the air of a shady past. He’s asked to help find the missing son of a banker which leads him on a trail through gambling, drugs and prostitution dens.
Newly appointed policeman Inspector Munro is under pressure to increase the number of arrests and convictions as the year draws to a close. Dogged by pretty crime and corruption within the force, Munro sees crime scenes with a sharper eye than his officers.
I liked the setting and the era and this is the first book in the intended series of BlackJack thrillers. There were several twists and turns to the plot; I really hadn’t been able to solve the mystery until almost the very end, which helped make this an entertaining book.
Charles Balcombe has recently arrived in this British Colony, where he mixes with the aristocracy and particularly enjoys the company of the bored wives of the bankers, merchants, lawyers and shipping brokers.
An ex-military policeman, Balcombe carries with him the air of a shady past. He’s asked to help find the missing son of a banker which leads him on a trail through gambling, drugs and prostitution dens.
Newly appointed policeman Inspector Munro is under pressure to increase the number of arrests and convictions as the year draws to a close. Dogged by pretty crime and corruption within the force, Munro sees crime scenes with a sharper eye than his officers.
I liked the setting and the era and this is the first book in the intended series of BlackJack thrillers. There were several twists and turns to the plot; I really hadn’t been able to solve the mystery until almost the very end, which helped make this an entertaining book.
March 11, 2024
That was a good tale! A plot that kept twisting, a few interesting characters, an unprepared for ending. And lots of murders -- you knew that, right? -- one sad, one in retribution, one in self-defense, and a few for justice' sake.
May 25, 2024
Its Hong Kong in 1953 and Charles Balcombe is starting anew for Charles Balcombe is dead, he was killed in a freeclimbing fall. His best friend and fellow climber sees this as a great opportunity, somewhat callously, to dump his own stained persona and take on Charle’s identity. A perfect case of identity theft and a way of escaping his murderous past, at least for a while.
Charles is comfortable in Hong Kong, he has money and a string of bored, mostly older, other men’s wives to keep him entertained in the bedroom. He has a sophisticated edge and knows how to play the social status game to his advantage, but deep down this lothario is an absolute cad. We are introduced to him in the bedroom of a married woman whom he comes close to killing by strangling in a vigorous bout of rough but consensual sex, only just controlling his killing urge. The bounder.
Charles has a history of attending Sandhurst and then becoming a Military Policeman where he realised he had a talent as a special investigator. What better way to spend his time between dalliances with married women and the thrill of the racetrack than a little PI work, especially when it pays well. So, when the beautiful young wife of a wealthy banker asks for help in finding her missing stepson how could he say no, a generous fee and the promise of a perk on the side being a deal clincher. Naturally there is more to the case than initially communicated as Charles will come to discover.
These are colonial times; the behaviour is very much of the period and the setting is a very evocative one. There is the white supremacy and the looking down on indigenous peoples. This is captured so well with the police investigation where the mixed-race Detective Inspector Munro is in the paradoxical position of a foot in both camps but belonging to neither. When he questions white people he must be accompanied by a white junior officer to whom he must defer the job of questioning to. It is perhaps attitudes like this that imbue him with a somewhat pragmatic streak, providing justice is served in his eyes. We also see the hypocrisy of the white ruling classes and their antics behind closed doors, with a real feel of decadence akin to the Kenyan Happy Valley set of White Mischief fame.
There are three aspects to the plot that develop and eventually merge. There is the ‘release’ of BlackJack who like Dr Bruce Banner reveals The Incredible Hulk, appears in a murderous rage killing a thoroughly despicable man. Then there is Charles’ investigation to find the missing young man. Finally like a blood hound on their heels is the doughty DI Munro who is on the case of several murders including one of his own men.
In Charles we find a thoroughly objectional man who is utterly compelling. He is impossible to like, but at the same time the reader might find themselves warming to him as he possesses a certain amount of charm. Whatever the readers feelings about him, they are going to read on just to see what he does next, he is an inveterate risk taker.
Much of the story revolves around Charles and Munro, these are two characters who can hold the attention of the reader, but there are also great cameos. I particularly like the rickshaw boy Albert who goes around almost unnoticed and latches on Charles early in the story, rather than being a hinderance he proves to be rather useful. I suspect there will be more to come from Albert.
Sex, violence, mystery and intrigue, a storyline that rattles along nicely and a murderous antihero, what more could you want from a thriller?
Charles is comfortable in Hong Kong, he has money and a string of bored, mostly older, other men’s wives to keep him entertained in the bedroom. He has a sophisticated edge and knows how to play the social status game to his advantage, but deep down this lothario is an absolute cad. We are introduced to him in the bedroom of a married woman whom he comes close to killing by strangling in a vigorous bout of rough but consensual sex, only just controlling his killing urge. The bounder.
Charles has a history of attending Sandhurst and then becoming a Military Policeman where he realised he had a talent as a special investigator. What better way to spend his time between dalliances with married women and the thrill of the racetrack than a little PI work, especially when it pays well. So, when the beautiful young wife of a wealthy banker asks for help in finding her missing stepson how could he say no, a generous fee and the promise of a perk on the side being a deal clincher. Naturally there is more to the case than initially communicated as Charles will come to discover.
These are colonial times; the behaviour is very much of the period and the setting is a very evocative one. There is the white supremacy and the looking down on indigenous peoples. This is captured so well with the police investigation where the mixed-race Detective Inspector Munro is in the paradoxical position of a foot in both camps but belonging to neither. When he questions white people he must be accompanied by a white junior officer to whom he must defer the job of questioning to. It is perhaps attitudes like this that imbue him with a somewhat pragmatic streak, providing justice is served in his eyes. We also see the hypocrisy of the white ruling classes and their antics behind closed doors, with a real feel of decadence akin to the Kenyan Happy Valley set of White Mischief fame.
There are three aspects to the plot that develop and eventually merge. There is the ‘release’ of BlackJack who like Dr Bruce Banner reveals The Incredible Hulk, appears in a murderous rage killing a thoroughly despicable man. Then there is Charles’ investigation to find the missing young man. Finally like a blood hound on their heels is the doughty DI Munro who is on the case of several murders including one of his own men.
In Charles we find a thoroughly objectional man who is utterly compelling. He is impossible to like, but at the same time the reader might find themselves warming to him as he possesses a certain amount of charm. Whatever the readers feelings about him, they are going to read on just to see what he does next, he is an inveterate risk taker.
Much of the story revolves around Charles and Munro, these are two characters who can hold the attention of the reader, but there are also great cameos. I particularly like the rickshaw boy Albert who goes around almost unnoticed and latches on Charles early in the story, rather than being a hinderance he proves to be rather useful. I suspect there will be more to come from Albert.
Sex, violence, mystery and intrigue, a storyline that rattles along nicely and a murderous antihero, what more could you want from a thriller?
March 17, 2024
This noir-style mystery is set in Hong Kong in the 1950s. The protagonist, Charles Balcome, is an English gentleman who enjoys having affairs with the bored wives of the island’s rich English business tycoons. But Balcome has a dark secret and enjoys killing people. When the beautiful young wife of a banking executive invites him to act as an investigator to find her husband’s missing son, Balcome agrees – on the condition that the wife agrees to a liaison with him when the young man is found. Balcome, who has a background as a military investigator, relishes the hunt – and the potential opportunity to do some killing.
Thus begins this gripping suspense/thriller, filled with intrigue, double-crosses, unknown motives, sex, and the violent deaths of many deserving criminals. The investigation into the banker’s missing son leads Balcome in several directions, all of which are filled with peril. Meanwhile a local police detective is investigating one (or more?) of Balcome’s stray bodies. Will Balcome find the missing boy? Will he be caught by the police for his killings? Is everything all that it seems to be? The author weaves the story expertly while keeping up the suspense and giving us characters with enough depth to make us care. It is a satisfying read that I rushed to finish because I wanted to know how things would play out. Exactly what you want from a mystyer.
The setting of 1950s Hong Kong is sometimes troublesome, with its casual racism and the throw-back setting, lacking in any technology. The complexity of the plot gets a little hard to follow toward the end, but the payoff is worth pushing through to the brilliant conclusion. While not perfect, this is a wholly worth while read. This is the first book in a short series and I will certainly be looking to read the next installment to follow Charles “BlackJack” Balcome.
Thus begins this gripping suspense/thriller, filled with intrigue, double-crosses, unknown motives, sex, and the violent deaths of many deserving criminals. The investigation into the banker’s missing son leads Balcome in several directions, all of which are filled with peril. Meanwhile a local police detective is investigating one (or more?) of Balcome’s stray bodies. Will Balcome find the missing boy? Will he be caught by the police for his killings? Is everything all that it seems to be? The author weaves the story expertly while keeping up the suspense and giving us characters with enough depth to make us care. It is a satisfying read that I rushed to finish because I wanted to know how things would play out. Exactly what you want from a mystyer.
The setting of 1950s Hong Kong is sometimes troublesome, with its casual racism and the throw-back setting, lacking in any technology. The complexity of the plot gets a little hard to follow toward the end, but the payoff is worth pushing through to the brilliant conclusion. While not perfect, this is a wholly worth while read. This is the first book in a short series and I will certainly be looking to read the next installment to follow Charles “BlackJack” Balcome.
June 14, 2024
First of all, I wish I could add a 3/4 of a star to this review, because it's a smash hit. B u t and that's the only but, I had to keep reminding myself that this story is set in the 1950ies. I don't know if it's bc of the writer or the reader (even though I have a few clues..) but I'll get back to you on that one.
Now, the MC, Charles, comes across as a cocky young s-o-b in the beginning, at least to me (57yr F) and he's quite annoying to say the least, but the darn bugger grows on you. To the extent that I started to cheer him on! Then the plot! With twists and turns that'll do your head in. And enter a police officer, Munro, who tweaks this story to breaking point. This is a GREAT read and I'm so happy there are more BlackJack-novels already available. Bc I really r e a l l y want to know what will happen to both Charles and Munro and I don't have to wait 😊
Add this series to your list, you definitely won't be disappointed.
Now, the MC, Charles, comes across as a cocky young s-o-b in the beginning, at least to me (57yr F) and he's quite annoying to say the least, but the darn bugger grows on you. To the extent that I started to cheer him on! Then the plot! With twists and turns that'll do your head in. And enter a police officer, Munro, who tweaks this story to breaking point. This is a GREAT read and I'm so happy there are more BlackJack-novels already available. Bc I really r e a l l y want to know what will happen to both Charles and Munro and I don't have to wait 😊
Add this series to your list, you definitely won't be disappointed.
June 21, 2026
A Very Good Book
I thought it was a very good book with the only problem being so many possible killers!
But I believe the ending gave me the true killers.
And the real reason their son was never really missing! It was all a trick to get millions of dollars back from gang money borrowed for gambling!
mitchellvirginia677@aol.com
I thought it was a very good book with the only problem being so many possible killers!
But I believe the ending gave me the true killers.
And the real reason their son was never really missing! It was all a trick to get millions of dollars back from gang money borrowed for gambling!
mitchellvirginia677@aol.com
March 19, 2024
Good read
Really enjoyed this book.good story plenty twists and turns.main character a killer.how's that for unusual .good characters plenty of blood
Really enjoyed this book.good story plenty twists and turns.main character a killer.how's that for unusual .good characters plenty of blood
July 26, 2026
Difficult to follow. Jumped around a lot with lots of main characters. Not really sure how it ended 🫤
August 24, 2026
A likeable killer, who'd have thought it and he has found a niche as a vigilante killing for a world weary cop who is tired of the system letting criminals walk. Good story.
September 7, 2022
Hong Kong, 1953: BlackJack, fresh from his murderous exploits in Murray Bailey's excellent Ash Carter book Singapore Killer, has fled to Hong Kong to start again under the alias Charles Balcombe. Masquerading as a secret agent, Balcombe now spends his time living the playboy life and trying to keep his darker desires under control by engaging in affairs with the bored housewives of the expat community, but after a few near misses he begins to realise this is not enough to keep his inner monster under control.
When the attractive, young wife of a high-flying banker asks Balcombe to look into the mysterious disappearance of her stepson, on behalf of her much older husband who wants to keep the business hush-hush, he turns her down - even though he is tempted by the possibility of a new amorous liaison. However, on reflecting that this might be the chance to distract his more baser instincts, he decides to put his skills as an ex-special investigator to the test by looking into the case.
But this case is more complicated that Balcombe anticipated, and as he follows the trail of clues into the dark underbelly of Hong Kong, he becomes rather more visible to likely characters on both sides of the law than he would like. There is something not quite right about this whole affair, and instead of keeping BlackJack under control, he finds himself embroiled in a situation that allows his alter-ego free reign. Once a killer...
I am a huge fan of Murray Bailey's books, and have thoroughly enjoyed both the Ash Carter Singapore and Near East mystery series. When BlackJack escaped Ash Carter's clutches at the end of Singapore Killer, I had high hopes that Bailey would revisit this character because he had such potential for more exciting adventures, so I am delighted that he has been given his own series. Hurray!
BlackJack is deliciously complex character, combining investigative skills almost as good as my old favourite Ash Carter himself, with an inner darkness that struggles to be contained. In Singapore Killer BlackJack's compulsions took him far from the path of righteousness, so I was intrigued to see what Bailey had in store for him in Once a Killer.
The darkness remains in spades, but by giving BlackJack a new lease of life in the guise of an assumed identity as the smooth Charles Balcombe, Bailey also allows you to see that there is a more honourable side to his character. What starts out as a portrayal of a menacing, lounge-lizard, given to letting his debauched desires rule his actions, slowly transforms into the picture of a man who hides a steely determination to protect the vulnerable. There is more to this man that you think, and as he embarks on a crusade to do some good by eliminating more than a few shady criminal types, you find yourself rooting for him at every turn.
And turns there are a-plenty! In true Bailey style there are lovely twists that evoke a Far-East gumshoe noir mystery, with cops and gangsters in a perpetual game of one-upmanship, and high-powered private citizens out to keep their secrets hidden from prying eyes, while Balcombe takes on the role of Private Investigator trying to out-do them all - and indulging in a bit of interplay with a dangerous femme fatale. Although he is definitely unusual in that he has personality traits that are unsettlingly contradictory - think Sam Spade mixed with a good dose of Dexter Morgan and you will get the picture.
Bailey also shows how impressive his writing talents are when it comes to creating a setting that is steeped in spot-on vibes for the time and place in which his stories are set. In this case, early-1950's Hong Kong comes alive, and although there is perhaps not quite the same level of complexity in the melting pot of nationalities rubbing up against each other cheek-by-jowl as in the Singapore books, the stark differences between the haves and the have-nots really comes across. The notion that Hong Kong as an independent entity that will stand the test of time is also nicely touched upon, with a certain degree of irony.
This book kept me entertained from start to finish, as I knew it would. I absolutely love what Bailey has done with this character and where all the satisfyingly twisty threads take you. There is such promise of more thrilling books to come. I cannot wait!
When the attractive, young wife of a high-flying banker asks Balcombe to look into the mysterious disappearance of her stepson, on behalf of her much older husband who wants to keep the business hush-hush, he turns her down - even though he is tempted by the possibility of a new amorous liaison. However, on reflecting that this might be the chance to distract his more baser instincts, he decides to put his skills as an ex-special investigator to the test by looking into the case.
But this case is more complicated that Balcombe anticipated, and as he follows the trail of clues into the dark underbelly of Hong Kong, he becomes rather more visible to likely characters on both sides of the law than he would like. There is something not quite right about this whole affair, and instead of keeping BlackJack under control, he finds himself embroiled in a situation that allows his alter-ego free reign. Once a killer...
I am a huge fan of Murray Bailey's books, and have thoroughly enjoyed both the Ash Carter Singapore and Near East mystery series. When BlackJack escaped Ash Carter's clutches at the end of Singapore Killer, I had high hopes that Bailey would revisit this character because he had such potential for more exciting adventures, so I am delighted that he has been given his own series. Hurray!
BlackJack is deliciously complex character, combining investigative skills almost as good as my old favourite Ash Carter himself, with an inner darkness that struggles to be contained. In Singapore Killer BlackJack's compulsions took him far from the path of righteousness, so I was intrigued to see what Bailey had in store for him in Once a Killer.
The darkness remains in spades, but by giving BlackJack a new lease of life in the guise of an assumed identity as the smooth Charles Balcombe, Bailey also allows you to see that there is a more honourable side to his character. What starts out as a portrayal of a menacing, lounge-lizard, given to letting his debauched desires rule his actions, slowly transforms into the picture of a man who hides a steely determination to protect the vulnerable. There is more to this man that you think, and as he embarks on a crusade to do some good by eliminating more than a few shady criminal types, you find yourself rooting for him at every turn.
And turns there are a-plenty! In true Bailey style there are lovely twists that evoke a Far-East gumshoe noir mystery, with cops and gangsters in a perpetual game of one-upmanship, and high-powered private citizens out to keep their secrets hidden from prying eyes, while Balcombe takes on the role of Private Investigator trying to out-do them all - and indulging in a bit of interplay with a dangerous femme fatale. Although he is definitely unusual in that he has personality traits that are unsettlingly contradictory - think Sam Spade mixed with a good dose of Dexter Morgan and you will get the picture.
Bailey also shows how impressive his writing talents are when it comes to creating a setting that is steeped in spot-on vibes for the time and place in which his stories are set. In this case, early-1950's Hong Kong comes alive, and although there is perhaps not quite the same level of complexity in the melting pot of nationalities rubbing up against each other cheek-by-jowl as in the Singapore books, the stark differences between the haves and the have-nots really comes across. The notion that Hong Kong as an independent entity that will stand the test of time is also nicely touched upon, with a certain degree of irony.
This book kept me entertained from start to finish, as I knew it would. I absolutely love what Bailey has done with this character and where all the satisfyingly twisty threads take you. There is such promise of more thrilling books to come. I cannot wait!
July 21, 2022
Well I just can’t seem to get enough of Murray Baileys books! I’m a big fan of the Ash Carter series and this book is the first in a new series following the infamous villain known as Blackjack from that series. He is under the guise of Charles Balcombe, although even that isn’t his real name and we find him in Hong Kong. getting his thrills from the bored housewives of rich bankers, casinos, parties, races but, once a killer as they say.
‘I can control the urges, he told himself. I can control BlackJack, but I need a distraction.’
He’d been a member of the elite Special Investigations Branch of the Royal Military Police—until he’d disappeared and changed his identity. This, he said, was a secret. They weren’t to tell anyone else. But someone does tell and then he is asked to investigate the disappearance of a woman’s son.
‘The note said: I know what you did.’
Oh, I liked this a LOT! I was sucked in from the start, gripping, addictive and full of detail as you would expect from Bailey. Balcombe is an interesting character, fighting for control of himself, flashes of kindness, a bit of a vigilante, definitely brutal and a killer. I have to admit I felt conflicted by him as in previous books he has been the unknown, the villain of the piece, but this time he is front and centre and I was rooting for him!
We also follow Munro, a detective, tasked with finding the killer of a laundry man, who has been killed in an odd way and a girl who has been frozen. Are these deaths linked and who killed them?
The storylines of Munro and Balcombe run in tandem and I really have to say this worked brilliantly and I was totally hooked by this story. They are two great characters pitted against each other, although they don’t know it until nearing the end when the threads of the story entwine. It’s an absolute page turner and I loved it! Baileys best book yet!
‘Time to release Blackjack.’
This is my favourite so far!! More please ☺️
[AD PR PRODUCT]
Thanks so much to Murray Bailey for my copy of this ebook and spot on the tour
‘I can control the urges, he told himself. I can control BlackJack, but I need a distraction.’
He’d been a member of the elite Special Investigations Branch of the Royal Military Police—until he’d disappeared and changed his identity. This, he said, was a secret. They weren’t to tell anyone else. But someone does tell and then he is asked to investigate the disappearance of a woman’s son.
‘The note said: I know what you did.’
Oh, I liked this a LOT! I was sucked in from the start, gripping, addictive and full of detail as you would expect from Bailey. Balcombe is an interesting character, fighting for control of himself, flashes of kindness, a bit of a vigilante, definitely brutal and a killer. I have to admit I felt conflicted by him as in previous books he has been the unknown, the villain of the piece, but this time he is front and centre and I was rooting for him!
We also follow Munro, a detective, tasked with finding the killer of a laundry man, who has been killed in an odd way and a girl who has been frozen. Are these deaths linked and who killed them?
The storylines of Munro and Balcombe run in tandem and I really have to say this worked brilliantly and I was totally hooked by this story. They are two great characters pitted against each other, although they don’t know it until nearing the end when the threads of the story entwine. It’s an absolute page turner and I loved it! Baileys best book yet!
‘Time to release Blackjack.’
This is my favourite so far!! More please ☺️
[AD PR PRODUCT]
Thanks so much to Murray Bailey for my copy of this ebook and spot on the tour
September 2, 2022
Can a leopard change its spots? If we have to believe the saying the answer is no. But maybe they did not meet Charles Balcombe yet, because he proves them wrong. He is now a PI, a lady killer and he follows the rules to the letter.
But there is more than meets the eye. When Charles sees some injustice, he forgets about the promise he made to himself and creeps back into the skin of the leopard.
A couple seeks his help, because their son is missing. He decides to take the case as a PI. The reward is great and I am not talking about money only. 😊
There are not a lot of clues to work with and he does not know what to think or does he?
I liked Charles because he fought for the weaker people and justice is high on his list. On the other hand I sometimes felt, taking into account his past, he did not make the most clever decisions.
One thing is for sure. Hong Kong is not the place for me. The police seem not to be your friend and no wonder their jails are so full.
I have the impression the police are not very intelligent and they are rather lazy than tired, but Detective Munro is one to look out for. When brains were distributed, he most certainly had a front row seat booked.
I enjoyed this story and I liked the twists and turns the author treated me to. 5 stars
Thank you
But there is more than meets the eye. When Charles sees some injustice, he forgets about the promise he made to himself and creeps back into the skin of the leopard.
A couple seeks his help, because their son is missing. He decides to take the case as a PI. The reward is great and I am not talking about money only. 😊
There are not a lot of clues to work with and he does not know what to think or does he?
I liked Charles because he fought for the weaker people and justice is high on his list. On the other hand I sometimes felt, taking into account his past, he did not make the most clever decisions.
One thing is for sure. Hong Kong is not the place for me. The police seem not to be your friend and no wonder their jails are so full.
I have the impression the police are not very intelligent and they are rather lazy than tired, but Detective Munro is one to look out for. When brains were distributed, he most certainly had a front row seat booked.
I enjoyed this story and I liked the twists and turns the author treated me to. 5 stars
Thank you
September 13, 2022
Hong Kong, 1953. Meet Charles Balcombe, aka BlackJack, a 24-year old man, who changed his life and even his name. He likes to gamble, rock climb, and kill. Although, he hasn’t done the latter in a while. What distinguishes BlackJack from other killers is the fact that all his victims deserved to die.
At a dinner party Charles is approached by Grace Toogood, who wishes to hire him to find her stepson, Roger Toogood. Roger disappeared without a trace, but the family don’t want to involve the police.
Charles accepts the case, but what will he uncover? And more importantly, will he kill again?
You’ll have to read this book for yourselves to find out.
I loved it from start to finish.
I really enjoyed the setting of Hong Kong in the 1950s, and the cultural differences in policing. I didn’t know that when interviewing a white person, a white policeman had to be present. I liked Detective Inspector Munro, who was leading the case of Roger (and a few others). I found him very perceptive and intelligent.
Charles is a more complex character, as he only kills those that deserve it. You can say that he takes justice in his own hands. He is a womaniser (a bit like James Bond!), but at the same time, he is likeable and charming.
This is the first book in the BlackJack series. I cannot wait for the second one.
At a dinner party Charles is approached by Grace Toogood, who wishes to hire him to find her stepson, Roger Toogood. Roger disappeared without a trace, but the family don’t want to involve the police.
Charles accepts the case, but what will he uncover? And more importantly, will he kill again?
You’ll have to read this book for yourselves to find out.
I loved it from start to finish.
I really enjoyed the setting of Hong Kong in the 1950s, and the cultural differences in policing. I didn’t know that when interviewing a white person, a white policeman had to be present. I liked Detective Inspector Munro, who was leading the case of Roger (and a few others). I found him very perceptive and intelligent.
Charles is a more complex character, as he only kills those that deserve it. You can say that he takes justice in his own hands. He is a womaniser (a bit like James Bond!), but at the same time, he is likeable and charming.
This is the first book in the BlackJack series. I cannot wait for the second one.
June 19, 2022
4/5 Very Good.
Once a Killer is the first in a series that spins off from the Singapore Series of books.
If you have read any of that series you will feel very familiar with the style of writing from Murray Bailey, if you haven’t then you are in for a treat.
Set in Hong Kong in the 50s, the story follows Charles Balcombe, a confident, strong character and something of a playboy amongst the moneyed white elite. The catch here is that Balcombe carries a dark secret….
With a search for a missing man, murders, Money and more, Murray Bailey crafts a fine thriller that focuses both on the rich westerners and their penchant for the finer things but also on the grimy and dirty back streets where the prostitution and darker things occur.
The plot is well drawn, and as ever, Bailey writes his thrillers with an intelligent pen, and keeps you turning with intrigue.
I didn’t take to Balcombe in the way I have other characters but then I wander if Bailey wanted that to be the case.
Whilst the story carries along at a pace, the finale is particularly good, and the final few chapters are thoroughly well done and extremely enjoyable.
Another great read from Murray and hopefully the first in a new a series of excellent mystery thrillers set in the sultry Far East.
Once a Killer is the first in a series that spins off from the Singapore Series of books.
If you have read any of that series you will feel very familiar with the style of writing from Murray Bailey, if you haven’t then you are in for a treat.
Set in Hong Kong in the 50s, the story follows Charles Balcombe, a confident, strong character and something of a playboy amongst the moneyed white elite. The catch here is that Balcombe carries a dark secret….
With a search for a missing man, murders, Money and more, Murray Bailey crafts a fine thriller that focuses both on the rich westerners and their penchant for the finer things but also on the grimy and dirty back streets where the prostitution and darker things occur.
The plot is well drawn, and as ever, Bailey writes his thrillers with an intelligent pen, and keeps you turning with intrigue.
I didn’t take to Balcombe in the way I have other characters but then I wander if Bailey wanted that to be the case.
Whilst the story carries along at a pace, the finale is particularly good, and the final few chapters are thoroughly well done and extremely enjoyable.
Another great read from Murray and hopefully the first in a new a series of excellent mystery thrillers set in the sultry Far East.
July 13, 2022
Ex Special Investigator Charles Balcombe, aka Blackjack, is a killer. His justification for his murderous habit is that they all deserved to die. Changing his name and relocating to Hong Kong to avoid the authorities, Balcombe needs a distraction.
Hanging out with the rich and powerful denizens of the British dependent territory and supplying ‘services’ to many of their wives Charles is becoming bored.
When one of the wives introduces him to Grace Toogood who is desperate for someone to help track down her missing son Roger, he decides to accept the case. Maybe this is the distraction he needs, or will it just feed his need to kill?
Readers of Murray Bailey’s Ash Carter series will notice a darker line with the anti-hero Blackjack in this spin-off series starter.
Successfully blending a suitably murky lead character with a collection of fantastic supporting roles, including a great new double act of Detective Munro & pathologist Yeung, plus Balcombes new rickshaw riding sidekick put ‘Once A Killer’ firmly into the Unputdownable category.
An absorbing plot with all of Mr Bailey’s customary twists, turns and misdirection make this one you’ll not want to miss, or should I say it’s Toogood to ignore.
Hanging out with the rich and powerful denizens of the British dependent territory and supplying ‘services’ to many of their wives Charles is becoming bored.
When one of the wives introduces him to Grace Toogood who is desperate for someone to help track down her missing son Roger, he decides to accept the case. Maybe this is the distraction he needs, or will it just feed his need to kill?
Readers of Murray Bailey’s Ash Carter series will notice a darker line with the anti-hero Blackjack in this spin-off series starter.
Successfully blending a suitably murky lead character with a collection of fantastic supporting roles, including a great new double act of Detective Munro & pathologist Yeung, plus Balcombes new rickshaw riding sidekick put ‘Once A Killer’ firmly into the Unputdownable category.
An absorbing plot with all of Mr Bailey’s customary twists, turns and misdirection make this one you’ll not want to miss, or should I say it’s Toogood to ignore.
August 30, 2022
I love the Far East and have visited a number of times, particularly Hong Kong so was looking forward to reading this, the first in a new series and a spin off from the Singapore series. The protagonist is Charles Balcombe, previously a member of the elite Special Investigations Branch of the Royal Military Police, and known as Blackjack, and is set in the 1950’s. But can a leopard change his spots?
Briefly, Balcombe is living a dissolute lifestyle when he is introduced to the wife of a banker who agrees to go to bed with him if he can find her missing son. His search leads him through a sordid trail in the underworld of Hong Kong and Kowloon coming up against sex traffickers and Triad gangs. He is also trying to stay one step ahead of the local police, in particular Detective Munro, who are finding the bodies he leaves behind.
The two threads of this story run alongside each other until the two start to weave themselves together as the book moves to its conclusion. I had guessed some of the outcome but it was a good ending to this thrilling fast paced read. Very enjoyable.
Briefly, Balcombe is living a dissolute lifestyle when he is introduced to the wife of a banker who agrees to go to bed with him if he can find her missing son. His search leads him through a sordid trail in the underworld of Hong Kong and Kowloon coming up against sex traffickers and Triad gangs. He is also trying to stay one step ahead of the local police, in particular Detective Munro, who are finding the bodies he leaves behind.
The two threads of this story run alongside each other until the two start to weave themselves together as the book moves to its conclusion. I had guessed some of the outcome but it was a good ending to this thrilling fast paced read. Very enjoyable.
October 5, 2022
Charles Balcombe is living in Hong Kong having changed his identity. He is rich & a risk-taker. He enjoys free climbing, for the adrenaline rush, & has liaisons with the bored, expat wives, whose husbands are neglectful of them.
His past is alluded to in the course of the story; we learn that he was an MP in the military & has killed people. This is why he has fled to Hong Kong assuming a new persona. However, the urge to kill has not disappeared & in an attempt to control this, he agrees to act as a private detective to try & locate a missing son.
A plot full of twists & turns with unexpected outcomes. I was gripped from the start & did not want to stop reading. Charles Balcombe is a complex character, ruthless yet capable of acts of selflessness. You are drawn into the plot to such an extent that you forget his deadly past & will him to succeed.
This is the first instalment of what will be a great thriller series & I cannot wait for the next. The Singapore Series is great; the Ash Carter series continues in the same vein & this ….. just brilliant.
His past is alluded to in the course of the story; we learn that he was an MP in the military & has killed people. This is why he has fled to Hong Kong assuming a new persona. However, the urge to kill has not disappeared & in an attempt to control this, he agrees to act as a private detective to try & locate a missing son.
A plot full of twists & turns with unexpected outcomes. I was gripped from the start & did not want to stop reading. Charles Balcombe is a complex character, ruthless yet capable of acts of selflessness. You are drawn into the plot to such an extent that you forget his deadly past & will him to succeed.
This is the first instalment of what will be a great thriller series & I cannot wait for the next. The Singapore Series is great; the Ash Carter series continues in the same vein & this ….. just brilliant.
May 8, 2023
Completely recommended.
I have read at least half a dozen books by this Author some standalone and others part of series like this, all have been very well written and researched with excellent characters throughout. Fast paced page turners, atmospheric clever descriptive intelligent mysteries with plenty of surprises and twists along the way, with plenty of action occasionally violent. Our hero or should that be anti hero is a spin off character from another series, a handsome murderer vigilante and womaniser but you can't help but like him, and his sidekick rickshaw 'boy' is a brilliant addition who I hoped is retained in further books in the series.
Completely recommended.
I have read at least half a dozen books by this Author some standalone and others part of series like this, all have been very well written and researched with excellent characters throughout. Fast paced page turners, atmospheric clever descriptive intelligent mysteries with plenty of surprises and twists along the way, with plenty of action occasionally violent. Our hero or should that be anti hero is a spin off character from another series, a handsome murderer vigilante and womaniser but you can't help but like him, and his sidekick rickshaw 'boy' is a brilliant addition who I hoped is retained in further books in the series.
Completely recommended.
August 22, 2022
This begins with real intrigue and the pace never lets you down throughout.
Tricksy characters and an intricate plot that keeps you guessing, entertained and stunned as it develops.
I read this in one sitting as I was so keen to see where this was going. The characters are so well thought out, particularly in that tangled web of how all of this is connected.
A rare Hong Kong setting also adds to this read. A welcome change from the British cities, and adds to the intrigue.
Packed with pace, a punchy plot and identity guesses.
Tricksy characters and an intricate plot that keeps you guessing, entertained and stunned as it develops.
I read this in one sitting as I was so keen to see where this was going. The characters are so well thought out, particularly in that tangled web of how all of this is connected.
A rare Hong Kong setting also adds to this read. A welcome change from the British cities, and adds to the intrigue.
Packed with pace, a punchy plot and identity guesses.
April 22, 2023
Oh my goodness, what a ride!!! Blackjack is the man you shouldn't love but do! Murray Baillie has such a unique way of writing that you can't help but fall in love with this character. I loved and breathed him for 48 hours and can't wait to be involved with his next adventure. Anyone looking for a series of books where the character is brought to life and you shouldn't love but do, Blackjack is your man!
April 24, 2023
Good read
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and really enjoyed it. You can never go wrong with a smart, vigilante killer that inky goes after bad guys. This was a tangled web of deception and action that kept you interested to see how all the different webs converge. I liked the characters and then thrill of almost getting caught throughout the book. It was definitely a thriller ! Looking forward to reading more by this author.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and really enjoyed it. You can never go wrong with a smart, vigilante killer that inky goes after bad guys. This was a tangled web of deception and action that kept you interested to see how all the different webs converge. I liked the characters and then thrill of almost getting caught throughout the book. It was definitely a thriller ! Looking forward to reading more by this author.
April 30, 2023
This was a really good book, exciting and loads of twists from the beginning to the end.
It is sent in Hong Kong in the early 50’s.
There were two stories running together, this can often be confusing but this book didn’t do that.
I loved the character of Albert the rickshaw driver.
Would recommend
It is sent in Hong Kong in the early 50’s.
There were two stories running together, this can often be confusing but this book didn’t do that.
I loved the character of Albert the rickshaw driver.
Would recommend
April 25, 2023
A great, fast-paced thriller set in vividly described Hong-Kong with a main character who will leave more questions than he answers. This book hooked me, reeled me in and has left me gasping for more. A good solid start to The BlackJack series.
September 17, 2023
A gripping read fron the start,lots of twists love this book
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