Snowdrop

Tommy Fox #4

by Graham Ison

Another baffling case for Fox and flying squad… On the hard shoulder of the M4, two traffic officers spot a car illegally parked and with no hazard lights on. Figuring it’s someone or a family taking the mick, the officers approach the car as routine. But instead they make a far more startling discovery… Two men shot right through the windscreen. At least they believe it’s two men – their faces aren’t even intact enough to identify the bodies. With few clues, Detective Chief Superintendent Tommy Fox, operational head of the Flying Squad is called in. A legend by this point for his brave actions in the force, as well as disarming and caustic wit, Fox is tough but well respected. Searching the car, there is one important a white powder found in the car boot… Cocaine. Fox knows a drug smuggling ring when he sees one. A large and organised one at that – but this time, something clearly went wrong… Another thrilling addition from Graham Ison, Snowdrop is a clever and suspenseful murder mystery. ‘A fast-paced pro’s job with a surprise murderer cleverly held in the wings until near curtain-fall.’ – John Coleman, Sunday Times ‘Enjoyable story told by an ex-policeman with enviable snap and crackle.’ – Felicia Lamb, Mail on Sunday ‘The book’s particular virtue, raising it far above the level of the average competent thriller, is the intelligent use Ison makes of his inside knowledge. It all sounds very much like reality, like the way things do get done.’ – Times Literary Supplement ‘Altogether a police procedural to put beside McBain. In other words, top of the class.’ – Julian Symons, Independent ‘Author's personal top-cop experience adds realistic tang.’ – Marcel Berlins, The Times Graham Ison was born and brought up in Surrey. The son of an artist, and the grandson of a composer, he served in the army for five years before joining the police. He spent most of his service with the CID at Scotland Yard and between 1967 and 1971 was Personal Protection Officer to Prime Ministers Harold Wilson and Edward Heath. After a spell of duty with the Diplomatic Protection Group, he returned to Scotland Yard in 1981 as a detective chief superintendent. He retired at this rank in 1986 and now lives in Hampshire.

202 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

During Graham Ison's thirty-year career in Scotland Yard's Special Branch he was involved in several espionage cases and the investigation into the escape of the spy George Blake. He spent four years at 10 Downing Street as Protection Officer to two Prime Ministers and also served as second-in-command of the Diplomatic Protection Group.

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 – 3.5 Stars

Snowdrop is the fourth book in the Tommy Fox Series by Graham Ison. I had this pop up as a recommendation and as I love a good British Detective story, I snapped up the series (as a box set) and set off to investigate.
This is a crime and investigation mystery series, with suspense, cops & robbers, conmen, villains, killers, forgers & fraudsters, heists, intrigue, crime rings, drug smuggling rings, a whodunnit feel, old school gangsters, obstacles, challenges, humour, banter, colourful quirky characters, action, drama, and more.
There are a LOT of characters to keep track of in each book, so that somewhat confuses things... And the stories are a little dated in the portrayal of cultural issues, societal norms, and the available technologies (or lack thereof) etc- as the books were written in the early 1990’s and a LOT has changed since then. But the crimes, and the subsequent investigations still made for a good read, but definitely not as ‘thrilling’ as I was hoping for.
We follow Scotland Yard Detective Chief Superintendent Tommy Fox in all his unorthodox, witty, sharp, cynical, contrary ways — as throughout all the investigations he treats police procedure, regulations, and the law with his usual disdain- getting the job done (his way) nonetheless...…
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Graham Ison!

[Vera Mottino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one

All of the Tommy Fox stories are great ! Labyrinthine plots, well defined characters, delightful sense of humor, plenty of crimes but minimal gore and well constructed prose. I do recommend them all. Each can be read as a stand-alone and none are "cliffhangers" although the same characters appear again and again. Well done
Mr. Ison.