Toxic Minds

Lambeth Group #4

by Gordon Bickerstaff

Book Description - Toxic Minds is a emotional contemporary drama.

'There's a special place in hell for women who don't help each other' - Madeleine Albright

The damage is done… Alexa Sommer had it all - then came meltdown, and divorce as she is forced out of her job. Desperately, she tries to reconnect with her family and rebuild her life in a new job. But her work is controversial, and her enemies plan to stop her by any means.

Alexa's new colleagues have a compelling reason to want her sacked. Gavin Shawlens is a colleague, and he is all Alexa has on her side as a perfect storm of dreadful nightmares bear down on her.

297 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2016

About the author

I was born and raised in Glasgow but spent my student years in Edinburgh. I spent over 30 years as a university lecturer and 25 years as an Open University tutor before I retired to write fiction. I live with my wife in Scotland where corrupt academics, psychopaths, serial killers, mystery, murder, and intrigue exists mostly in my mind.

I write the Lambeth Group series of standalone crime/conspiracy/suspense thrillers. Inspired by the 1970s 'Doomwatch' TV series, they feature undercover investigators Zoe and Gavin who protect the country and the world from the worst nightmares that mankind can imagine.

I enjoy walking in the hills, 60s & 70s music, reading and travel.

https://gordonbickerstaff.blogspot.com/

Reviews

["Avonna]

DNF

I do not rate books that I do not finish, but I will say that I loved the previous books in this series and I will continue on to the next book in this series.

I read half of this book. It started slow and I never liked or cared about the main character. I also felt the antagonists where stereotyped.

[Connie Lacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whereas all of the other installments in the Lambeth Group thriller series start off with a bang, so to speak, this one begins with a slower pace and a focus on a seriously dysfunctional family. But that dysfunction, caused by an overly ambitious, deeply flawed mother, converges with other threads that include a brutal terrorist cell and troubling academic politics. Not to mention the controversial use of fracking technology in the UK. When those threads and characters intersect, the story gains momentum.

Having come to know and like Gavin Shawlens, a university bioscience professor and member of The Lambeth Group, I enjoyed his role in this novel. In this story, he gets to come out from beneath the shadow of tough agent Zoe Tampsin.

Besides the thriller aspect to the book, there is also the terrible toll on the family of Alexa Sommer, a woman so focused on her job that she ignores her teenage children. It’s painful to watch as “the damage is done.”

[Bill Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I defy anyone to read this book in more than two sittings! A great page turner, as all the books in this series have been. I have to admit, I became very irritated at times with the bad guys and wanted to visit the university and thump one of them in particular! That is how connected I was to the story! I was also very happy when Zoe made an appearance as she is a character I particularly enjoy.
The plot was quite intricate and the different strands were very cleverly brought together at the end with an excellent twist.
This author has written a cracking thriller series, which keeps getting better. As well written and exciting as anything from a mainstream published author I strongly recommend this book and the others in the series.

[Grant Leishman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toxic Minds by Gordon Bickerstaff is the first book of this author that I've read. The book is advertised as being the fourth Gavin Shawlens' Thriller. Did that mean I had to have read the first three books to get this book? No, it would appear each of these thrillers is a stand-alone story, which is great. I think possibly the only negative, for me, in having not read the previous books, was a certain lack of understanding where Gavin fitted into the whole scheme of things, especially as regards his "clandestine" work. Never mind, that just gives me more incentive to read the first three, doesn't it?
There are some books advertised as "page-turners", a claim I would take with a grain of salt, but, in this case, it proved to be very true. I couldn't put it down and I kept wanting to know what happened next, so would find myself reading it at times when I shouldn't be. Always a sign of a good book.
The story, at times, had many threads, yet Bickerstaff manages to keep them all in the air and links them together very nicely as the book progresses. I also felt it was nice, in an out and out thriller, to have some moral dilemmas to be faced by the main characters. Alexa, the principal in this story has to look at the demise of her family and ask herself serious questions about her role in the family's falling apart. I think this whole family tension added to the excitement of the novel and made it even more enjoyable from my perspective.
I admit, there when times when I felt a little "suspension of belief", but then I had to remind myself that in 2016, anything is truly possible when it comes to international terrorism.
This is a rollicking read - fast-paced, well written and thoroughly enjoyable. If you like a good home-grown terrorist plot, then this is the book for you.
No question on this one, the full five-stars from this reviewer. Good job Mr Bickerstaff.

[Iva Kenaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the author’s previous novels, so I was keen to delve into another one of his thrillers. As always, he didn’t disappoint! I love how flowing his novels are, always filled with great tension, which is complimented by unexpected twists.

Alexa, the main character, is a wonderful heroine with a strong light and dark and side, and also a vision and drive. Although her decisions aren’t always sympathetic, the emotional part of her journey made her relatable in my opinion, especially towards the second half of the story it was easy to empathise with her. I like characters that the reader grows to like, and this was exactly the case. Becky, her daughter, is also a great character and although her story has a dark edge it it, she was quite surprising to me.

The story was heartbreaking in some ways, and although some parts of this novel were tough and hard to read for me, I’m glad I stuck with the story till the end. Gordon Bickerstaff has a talent for wonderful finales, so it is always worth waiting for.

[Joyce Shaughnessy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gordon Bickerstaff is a very talented writer who can intertwine sub-plots into one cohesive thriller. Toxic Minds includes extremists, family conflicts, university politics, lovers, fracking and somehow magically makes them into unified book.

Alexa is the mother of a troubled daughter who she has neglected because of her obsession with her work. A group of very dangerous people cruelly use the young girl in order to pressure her mother. Gavin Shawlens, a character in the author’s other books, is called in to help the daughter and to find out who has caused her great harm.

Although the author is unquestionably talented, I found as a writer and editor, that he needs to really work on point of view, especially deep point of view. If he could conquer his lack of understanding in this area, he would be nothing short of a truly great writer. That is the reason I am giving him four stars rather than five.

[Kate Everward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author’s suspense novels are simply brilliant. I’ve read several of his books and I just don’t get tired of them. Terrorism, conflicts (domestic and otherwise…), politics which I truly love. The story is not an easy one. A family torn because of a parent’s job and then the worst happens. The beauty of this book is that it’s not just a strong suspense novel. It has a hidden message in it. Something for every family. And not only if you have a high profile job that requires your full attention and then some. Obviously I’m not going to spoil the story but the amount of tension, twists and shocking revelations will keep you awake. The writing is amazing. I couldn’t stop turning the pages in anticipation to see what’s going to happen next. Just read it. This book is excellent as the previous ones and I’m pretty sure the next ones will be excellent as well.

[Sarah Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gordon Bickerstaff has an unrivalled talent for introducing a large cast of characters so vividly the reader has no trouble remembering every individual. This time, his university settings are masterful. Anyone who’s had dealing with the upper echelons of these establishments will recognise the greed for power and the backstabbing employed to get it.

Stir in a government eager to resurrect fracking to replace dwindling resources of North Sea Gas, an “anti-fracking” group high-jacked by terrorists and Toxic Minds becomes a minefield for Alexa Sommer and the dysfunctional family her ambition has created. A must-read for thriller fans!

[Ian Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

The author’s use of the omniscient pov takes some getting used to, at least for Americans, where we don’t often encounter this writing style much anymore. Moreover, the head-hopping happens occasionally within the same paragraph, making it a bit disorienting. And at other times we move from the head of one female character to the head of another with just “she” on either end of the exchange, which caused me to have to double back and remind myself whose head I was in.

That said, the little extra work on the part of the reader is definitely worth it. (Keep in mind, one of the bestselling books of all time, Lonesome Dove, has even more head-hopping than you’ll find here.)

The other challenges for me were it took a while for me to figure out what the story was going to be about and who the actual protagonist was.

But the story ultimately finds its stride, and gains momentum. I particularly enjoyed the interweaving of conspiracy thriller elements and the inclusion of the subject of fracking, which is so controversial in the media today. There are a variety of story threads that ultimately come together to make the intricate plotting worth the effort.

At the end of the day, the story maintains high page-turning appeal, and I found myself, even throughout the early parts of the book where I was a bit confused about certain things, entirely engrossed.

This is ultimately a taught, well-paced thriller, and a series, judging by this installment, and another I’ve read, well worth following.

[Julie Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a long psychological drama so full of twists and turns that it almost became a knot...only to be slackened at the end. It was well-written and fast-paced, although I do think some of it could be cut.

I was intrigued by Becky's story the most, as I am fascinated by how the mind works.

There were some great characters - those you love to hate - a complex plot, some very disturbing issues and modern day extremism.

I don't give spoilers so I can't say too much, but this book is filled with drama and many secrets.

Worth reading.

[Ellie Midwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great thriller from the talented Gordon Bickerstaff! After reading previous books in the Gavin Shawlens series, I became quite attached to Gavin as a character, who seem to attract trouble and get involved with major scale conspiracies and plots against his will. “Toxic Minds” is no exception, and even though in this fourth installment Gavin plays a secondary role, with all the attention concentrating mainly on Alexa, a driven and career-obsessed fracking specialist, Gavin still is in the thick of it, this time in an effort to stop a radical terrorist cell.
In “Toxic Minds” there’s a little less action and more psychological aspects, and this made the book even more interesting to read, for me personally. I really enjoyed watching Alexa’s character grow and realize the mistakes she’s made, and fix them for the sake of her family, which has basically fallen apart from her negligence. I felt incredibly sad for Becky, a teenage daughter who wasn’t able to handle too much pressure and fell under the influence of the most dangerous people, who would use her against her mother in their game… Without giving away any spoilers, let me just tell you that this thriller is very well worth reading, and you won’t be able to put it down until the last page has been turned. A great read!

[K.J. Simmill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexa always knew exactly what she wanted, she has the house, the children, but most importantly the job, and the job always came first. Her blinkered pursuit of her desire to become the CEO of Carluke Oil and Gas. Her work is second to none, and her research on fracking promises to change the industry. But such a one minded pursuit, at the expense of all else, carries a price and her daughter's suicide attempt should have been a wake up call. It wasn't. Soon she finds herself divorced, a scapegoat for Carluke's image, and perhaps more concerning, she has made enemies who will do whatever it takes to bring her down once and for all.

Toxic Minds: The Damage is done is a thrilling read, wrought with controversy, sensitive issues, and antagonists you can't help but hope meet a horrific and painful demise. Some of the the antagonists really got me riled. There are multiple story arcs running alongside the main plot, all of which come together beautifully in a tale of desperation, betrayal, ambition, and savagery. Toxic Minds was certainly an apt description for many of the characters within.

[Colin Garrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

High flyer Alexa Sommer works hard in a controversial job where backstabbing and sneaky tactics are the norm, but the fallout from her divorce has ramifications she couldn't have foreseen. When her daughter accuses Alexa's estranged husband of child abuse, it seems their world is heading for a major meltdown. Fighting to save her job and her family, Alexa finds herself with few friends and plenty of enemies. Her only hope is her colleague, the biochemist Gavin Shawlens, but he has problems of his own...

'Toxic Minds' is the fourth book in the Gavin Shawlens series, though it works well as a stand-alone thriller. This time the hero takes a lesser role, while the main action concerns the plight of career-woman Alexa and her daughter. This is the second time I've picked up a Gordon Bickerstaff novel and while it certainly is a bit of a page turner with plenty to get your teeth into, it didn't quite have the bite and drive of my previous read (Deadly Secrets). The various plot strands are a little complex, but come together nicely at the end, with the usual Bickerstaff twists to finish off the action.

[Joey Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read of Bickerstaff, and to begin with I wondered if it would matter that I had not read the first three. While there are some recurring characters and information that would make the book plot clearer, it is not needed to enjoy the book as a standalone. The story starts with what seems to be an average family. Threats made to Alexa because of the work she did with fracking have a long term effect on her daughter, Becky. As the book carries on, the plot starts to reveal more sides to the story. As Alexa moves from a private company to academia, it seems that her family, for all intents and purposes is destroyed. Can she undo the damage? The story is fast paced, well written and excellently crafted. While there is a lot going on, it's easy to follow and keep up with the various plots and sub-plots, and the ending is a complete surprise. A brilliant book all round and I'll be picking up the first three in this series.

[Robert Crouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first novel I’ve read, unaware of the previous three thrillers in the series, but this stands up fine on its own. At its heart is a convoluted conspiracy concerning fracking, a current environmental concern for many.

The story starts slowly, and I wasn’t sure who the main protagonist. The story seemed to be about Alexa and her family, living with protestors outside her home. The characters were well-drawn and generally believable, though I thought one or two events stretched credibility a little. Then the action switched to a university and I wasn’t sure where it was going until I discovered who the main protagonist was.

After that, Toxic Minds found its feet and took off like a rocket with non-stop action and increasing tension as all the elements came together for a fantastic finale.

Full of interesting ideas and characters, Toxic Minds mixes action and suspense with topical issues and blends them into a satisfying thriller, which I enjoyed immensely once it got going

[Jana Petken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a most enjoyable read. To describe it, I would have to say that it was both psychological and sensitive. The story is centred around Alexa Sommer, a devoted mother, a woman on the brink of divorce and with personal problems encroaching on her workplace. She is highly motivated, but not everyone sees her vision or will allow her progress in the industry to continue...perhaps Gavin Shawlens is the only ally she can rely on in the dangerous situation in which she finds herself.

Enough spoilers from me, as there are enough in previous reviews.
Here's what I liked about the book. The writing was complex at times with various plot strings knotting beautifully together. The writer has a suspenseful style that compelled me to read on and on until the very end. The story was engaging and the characters were believable because of great dialogue. I may not be telling you what the book is about, but I am sharing my admiration for the author's writing skills. A 5 star from me.

[Jess James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in a series, and I have to be honest I didn’t realise that until I started reading it. However, it didn’t make an ounce of difference. This is the ‘tell’ of a great author, when a reader can pick up any book in a series and feel like you haven’t missed out. It could easily be a stand-alone book BUT IT DEFINITELY MADE ME WANT TO PICK UP THE OTHERS!

It’s a page-turning thriller, the characters were will written and the pace was excellent and engaging with different stories coming together nicely as the book progresses. The lead characters Alexa and Gavin were certainly appealing – with the right mix of villainary to give them both a run for their money. Gavin I believe is the main lead in the other books!

As I said, I need to now get the other three in this series – it was a brilliant read and highly recommended.

[May Panayi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a mixture of feelings about this book. Mostly it was a good, fairly gripping story, though I did read it over several days. I was a bit confused as to where it was going at the beginning and some of the ending tie ups left me a bit muddled, perhaps I should have read the other three first to better understand the relationships. It was a thrilling book, with fracking as a hot topic [one on which I could not share the book/author's perspective], islamic extremists for hire, [an interesting take I had not considered but could get behind], recovered repressed memories [for personal reasons that and the handling of it- no spoilers- made me uncomfortable], complicated family and relationship issues and a deeper, more political plot. Overall, a pretty darn good read, very visual in many places.

[Lucinda Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

TOXIC MINDS Gordon Bickerstaffe 5 stars
BLOWN AWAY!
This was a great book and I shall be getting all the others in the series very soon. One of those reads when I refused to get up before I had got to the end – I ignored the rest of life. Well planned, characters I could believe in, an up to date theme and the pace was fast. The several threads in the story came together beautifully – I’ve found a new favourite author to read.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love thrillers this one will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end! Non-stop action! Twists and turns GALORE. This is the second in the Lambeth Group Thrillers I have read by Gordon Bickerstaff. These thrillers can definitely be read as stand alone! I will get to numbers 2 and 3-and that is a promise!!

Fracking, terrorists, university politics and secret organizations all combine to keep you guessing as a family is torn apart by lies-or are they lies?

I actually purchased and continued reading this book after reading the sample chapters and I think you will too!!
Toxic Minds

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life seems good for Alexa Sommers, but some things change after a divorce and a mental breakdown.
Also, Alexa is doing things a lot of activists don't want done. Gavin Shawlens might be able to help, that is if the two can stand up to the pressures surrounding them. The author has written a great tale with a lot of things relevant to the toxicity in today's' world.

[Nunyah Biznuss · Rating 1 out of 5]

A thriller? Sorry, this is not a thriller. It’s a convoluted, slow moving conspiracy-theory cum something that bored me silly. Stopped at 37% because I could not care less about the characters.

[Joo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth in the Gavin Shawlens series, but Gavin takes a back seat in this one. Alexa is a leading scientist in the fracking industry - which means she has many enemies. This story is about her fall from grace and her family falling apart.

I found the first part of this book a bit lacking. I wasn't too interested in what was happening to Alexa's daughter, even though this was a main storyline. But after a third of the story I got more interested and read the rest in one sitting as it turned into more of a thriller than a family saga.