The Cleansing

DCI Tom Caton Manchester #1

by Bill Rogers

Introducing Detective Chief Inspector Tom Caton. Christmas approaches. A killer dressed as a clown haunts the streets of Manchester. For him the City’s miraculous regeneration had unacceptable consequences. This is the reckoning. DCI Tom Caton enlists the help of forensic profiler Kate Webb, placing her in mortal danger.

The trail leads from the site of the old mass cholera graves, through Moss Side, the Gay Village, the penthouse opulence of canalside apartment blocks, and the bustling Christmas Market, to the Victorian Gothic grandeur of the Town Hall.

Time is running out. For Tom, for Kate…and for the City.

Genres: Crime, Fiction, Mystery, Procedural, Amazon, Ebooks

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[James Rye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. It was good to have a "decent" cop for a change. I also liked the psychological depth of the characters. The plot was interesting and kept me hooked.

The one criticism I have is that although the horsemen give a structure to the plot, I didn't feel that the reason behind their choice was sufficiently clear. Despite knowing that the criminal had been affected by his mother's loss, and the loss of his job, and despite the insight provided by the profiler, the link between that and the horsemen seemed tenuous to me. How did he go from his losses to a complex biblical reference and four murders?

[Natalie Mackay · Rating 2 out of 5]

The more I thought about things in this book, the more irate I became.

[Lacer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The woman, early 40s, overly large chested, heavy of foot, curly brown hair, shot through with the occasional blonde highlights and red lowlights, wearing dark grey Superdry tracksuit trousers, a white long sleeve tshirt and a wine red hoodie, living in Kingston, an ancient town with a long history of blah blah blah, sat down wearily on her bed. The bedroom had a bed made up to look like a wrought iron bed but the headboard and footboard were in fact more plastic than metal, the sort of bed sold in IKEA in the early 2000s. The bed had a thin blue and white striped flannel duvet set and was badly made. There were three bookcases overflowing with books, mainly cookery and craft books. A fourth bookcase was used to store craft materials. There was a real wood chest of drawers laden with junk on top and a cheap wardrobe, also from IKEA. She reached for her iPhone 6, grasped her fingers around it and typed in the passcode, forgetting again about the fingerprint recognition that was found in that model. She searched the screen for the Audible icon, with its orange background and white symbol like a book. She used her finger to tap the icon. Once into her list of available audiobooks, she tapped The Cleansing by Bill Rogers, which was at the top of the list because the app designers had designed it so that the most recently played book was always at the top of the list. She picked up her cross stitch of a Mario design, circa 1990s and started to reluctantly listen. She really didn't like this book, with its overblown narrative, no detail spared, no matter how mind numbingly inane, but she hated giving up on books half way through and also she wouldn't have any more Audible credits for a few more days, so she gritted her teeth and got on with it, checking the app timer every half hour to see how much more time was left.

---

This was not a good book. The plot line was actually okay, set in Manchester, it follows a murder squad specialising in difficult cases. When a body is found displayed by a statue, the team is called in and it soon becomes clear that they're probably dealing with a serial killer. The problem is the writing style, every single detail and action is described, in way too much detail, so it was like the author was constantly there, slapping you around the face, going "Look! I'm here! And you are going to picture this story EXACTLY how I want you to!". It made it impossible to get absorbed into the story, I was too busy wincing at the style. Also there is a very cringeworthy romance element. The audiobook narration wasn't particularly good either (or maybe the narrator was struggling with the material) but it so sounded like the voiceover for a rather dull police documentary.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to rate a book you've enjoyed but still found difficult to get through. The original synopsis for the book was a little misleading in saying someone dressed as a clown was killing in Manchester, or words to that effect. Yes, he was dressed as a clown - but for the first murder only. When the second one came around you would expect him to don the clown costume again and leave his mark once again. But he did not. Especially disappointing since a whole rigmarole was spent in investigations that lead to a delivery of a clown costume, making it seem a significant part of the story. But it didn't amount to anything more than that. That aside, however, my biggest problem with the book was the fact that it was far too wordy. The author went into too much description about things where I felt fewer words were needed. When they visited Soaper's apartment I had to wonder if Caton was in the market for an investment property, the way every room and its furnishings were described. It was redundant. Dialogue and character thoughts trump furnishings. I'm reading a murder mystery, not a prospectus for inner city living.
But in all having said that, I did enjoy the book. I merely skimmed over the "too wordy" areas and concentrated on what I felt was more in line with the story. I did enjoy the relationship between Caton and Kate, and was pleased that there no descriptive focus on the bedroom. Again, this is a murder mystery not a Mills and Boon, so I was pleased on that score. They had good chemistry and flirting, but it wasn't overdone.
Three stars I think is fair, though I would lean towards three and a half, but not enough for four. There are many more books I've read and enjoyed a whole lot more worthy of a four, so three is fair.

[Ann James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the way you were drawn into the plot, to the point of feeling you were part of the investigating team. The way the investigation was presented was very detailed. Refreshing that there were no conflicts within the team as is often the case, so the main focus was on the storyline. Enjoyed getting to the main character - DCI Tom Canton - a likable person.

I don't know Manchester but if I did, I think the geographical references would have enriched the reading experience.

Read the kindle version and an irritating niggle were the letters (SC#) appearing on occasions. At the very end of the book I learnt they were notes by the author for editing or checking before publication.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

DCI Tom Caton has to find out who the murder victim is as well as who the murderer is. As the reader we know the answer to one of those questions- Albert Stephen is the murderer and the book switches between what he is doing and what the detectives are doing. Even once Caton and his team have found out who the victim is they can find no reason for the murder to have taken place. Strangely enough though the murderer seems quite keen to show himself to CCTV cameras and ensure people get a good look at him.

This is a really well written first book in a series. The characters are well developed and likeable. Despite there being quite a lot of characters introduced I didn't feel like I lost track of them at all. Am now going to download the second in the series!

[Kathryn P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The clown on the cover was more scary than anything....

If you want to find your way around Manchester; the city centre especially, then this book is for you! Never having been there, it meant nothing to me.
Caton comes across as a likeable detective with a good team behind him, and no backbiting in the ranks. Why though are all the females so very attractive. Perfect figures, luscious hair, luminous skin. Not very likely I think.
A decent plot, but perhaps a teense unbelievable. A bit too much police procedure for my liking, especially the profiling. I skipped chunks of this, but it didn't detract from the story.
The ending was a bit flat though. I may get the next book to see how things progress.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read.

I started reading this series, after reading the NCA series by Bill Rodgers. The latter I enjoyed but it took me until book 3 to really get into it. This series however, has me hooked from the start. With both series being linked (this 1 starts before NCA) and common charachters appearing in both, I'm looking forward to filling in some of the questions I had when reading NCA and its referencing cases that happened in this series. I have high hopes for a marathon of back to back good reading x

[barbara jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book leaves you feeling like you are part of the team. You need to remember so much. The pace leaves you wanting to turn the page to see what is going to happen next.

My second book by Bill Rogers, but not my last. I have bought two more as I find the stories believable and fast. You feel as though you know Manchester by the descriptions given of each building or street. Keep up the good work. Hope the other stories are as good as the two I have read.

[Bryngel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think that there might be a good idea in there somewhere, but it's impossible to know as there is about 200 000 words on each page which is too fucking many.

I have to say: avoid at all costsi.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story possibly just short of 5 stars.

[Mrs Pamela Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing read

A remarkably well written book, Unputdownable! I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series soon

[JP Saxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, my first bill rogers book will definitely read more

[Mr Kenneth L Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

A great start to a series of books featuring SCI Caton. Plenty of action as well as many twists and turns. Looking forward to reading the rest in the series.

[Edwina Foote · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend

Another excellent book from Bill Rogers in the SCI Caton series.
It was a difficult book to put down.....now for book 2

[Pamela Bowes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this though it’s not the fastest moving novel I have read. The personal descriptions are a nice contrast to the main story and the characters interesting.

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio version of this book 📚- ok listen but very slow storyline, didn’t get going till half way through!!

[Delyth Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Throughly enjoyed this book. Exciting, full of twists and turns.
Good characters, and a storyline that you have to think about.

[Paula Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall good, but I feel there could have been more background as to why 'Bojangles' was driven to do what he did.

[Toni Scandella · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh dear. Needs an editor really badly. There's a decent idea in here somewhere, needs a lot of honing though.

I'm sure as he learned to write, this series got better.

But I'll never know as this one put me off reading any more.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty decent crime thriller, nice characters and interesting plot but I was a little overwhelmed at times by the unnecessary attention to random details in numerous places. I appreciate that the author knows Manchester etc, but I did feel on occasion that I was being given a guided tour of the city.
Another irritant were the info-dumps - the history of the Oxnoble, the 'lecture' on transmission of AIDS, etc.
Some points were left hanging and unanswered as well. I could easily describe any of the major female characters in the novel, but have no idea at all what DCI Tom Caton looks like! I dare say there is some clue in the story, but it obviously slipped by me ;)

However, the book was enjoyable and readable which is just what i was looking for. I picked this up on KU, and I will be downloading more from this author.

Three stars - I liked it!

[Harry Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have an irrational dislike of clowns so the front cover of this book took some getting past. It was worth it.

This is a police procedural based around the North of England city of Manchester. I enjoyed watching the plot unfold from the detective teams perspective. The descriptions of the town and the time twang a chord of my days in the place. This may prove too much for some, bordering on an obsession of place. That said it provided added colour to me as I recognised the routes, restaurants and gangland depicted. This is book 1 and I think the lead character has the potential to develop, I quite liked him but maybe a bit too 'clean ?' in any event I will be reading book 2. I enjoyed this. Thanks Mr Rogers. Give it a go.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in a series and it is a very good start, which I will follow up on in the near future; having already purchased books 2 and 3.
It is very much a police procedural gong into a great deal of detail on the investigations and operations that form part of the story, as well as detailing the pressures on the police at several levels. The hero, Tom Caton, is less flawed than many of the characters in other series, but still interesting and the members of his team show promise for future development.
The writing is very straightforward, but retains the fast pace needed to grip the reader throughout. A definite 7/10!

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cleansing is the first in a series of a police procedural which takes place in Manchester. The description is very detailed and as I had some knowledge of the area really enjoyed this. The plot with the serial killer was intriguing which I was thoroughly enjoying. But during the last 20% of the book it seemed to lose its pace and I felt as if I wasn't sure what was happening. Apart from that I really enjoyed it

[Glen Downie · Rating 3 out of 5]

quite a good read, though through the start you feel the author is showing off a little with his knowledge of Manchester past and present, all the descriptions of streets and locations aren't needed and only really benefit those of us living in the city
really good story with a lot of promise, but felt a little rushed, wish more could have been made of the gang development, but overall a good read

[Jonathan Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the second book I read and after the excellent Pick, Spade and Crow, found this a little less fluent. The storyline was good, although the end seemed to lose its way. Think the best discription is full of promise but for me just failed to deliver the same quality as his latest book. Will try another, see if the characters develop.... worth a read, well if you want to skip some of the high level development ail, you can and it will not spoil the story.

[Paul Heslop · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it a bit far fetched, without giving anything away, but I stuck with it which I haven't always done. Caton is a nice enough bloke, I think i could get used to him

[Karen wadey · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I didn't know my way round Manchester I do now,the guided tour of streets was a bit uneccessary, the characters a bit wooden and boring, how they came suddenly to work out the killer after having no idea at all was a mystery. Don't think i will bother reading anymore from this author as there are plenty other british and european writers who write much more gripping stories than this!!

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good police procedural book set in Manchester UK, the characters were well established but the book seemed to get a bit bogged down with too much detail and tended to drag in the middle, The finish was quick and exciting. Will read more of this Author.

[Carole Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm looking for new police procedural series & the cover of this one caught my eye. I loved the book, not in the same league as Peter James et al but good enough for me to buy the next few in the series.