An Eye for an Eye

Summary Justice #1

by Theo Harris

Whoever said that crime doesn’t pay hasn’t been to East London recently.

Kendra March and her partner are given the unenviable task of bringing down the untouchable Qupi gang, who rule the East End of London with an iron fist. A lapse in judgement, however, leads to a catastrophic turn of events, changing their lives forever.

As she recovers from horrific injuries, Kendra searches for answers and quickly realises that the justice system is failing the people of London.

Taking the law into her own hands—literally—she recruits her now disabled partner and her criminally connected father and sets out to put things right.

The poster girl has been changed forever. It is time to take the fight to the criminals—and there is no going back.

Genres: Mystery, Detective, Crime

234 pages, ebook

First published October 3, 2022

About the author

Theo Harris is an emerging author of crime action novels.
He was born in London, raised in London, and became a cop in London.
Having served as a police officer in the Metropolitan Police service for thirty years, he witnessed and experienced the underbelly of a capital city that you are never supposed to see.
Theo was a specialist officer for twenty-seven of the thirty years and went on to work in departments that dealt with serious crimes of all types. His experience, knowledge and connections within the organisation have helped him with his storytelling, with a style of writing that readers can associate with.
Theo has many stories to tell, starting with the ‘Summary Justice’ series featuring DC Kendra March, and will follow with many more innovative, interesting, and fast-paced stories for many years to come.

For more information about upcoming books please visit theoharris.co.uk

Reviews

[Carol]

I enjoyed this book even though I found it unbelievable! The idea of two detectives turning vigilante as they believed it was the only way to get justice didn't really sit well.

[Robyn Balmer]

I loved “An Eye for an Eye” by Theo Harris. The story was well-written by a retired Police Officer from London and the procedures were believable. It was a page-turner and I couldn’t put it down.
The hero, PC Kendra March and her partner, Andy Pike, were badly injured by horrifying villains. Kendra decided that the Police were either prevented from catching these Albanian villains by political protocols or that someone higher-up in the force was involved in protecting them. After a long recuperation, Kendra was determined to seek revenge. She managed to drag Andy back from his angry fit. He wouldn’t talk to anyone from his work as he had lost an eye and now had a useless foot. Kendra managed to solicit him to help her pursue the Albanians and convinced him to look forward to life again.
Andy’s natural intuitiveness, bravado, and hacking abilities, coupled with Kendra’s meticulous attention to detail and knowledge of the law was an achievement.
Kendra’s father, Trevor, was involved in training young boys in a gym but had a lot of gangland connections. She and her father connected after her injuries and they came together. He offered to help her and, after due consideration by Kendra, became a great ally.
The three of them became a team, with a basement room for managing their activities and Kendra stayed with the Police as an intel officer, which helped her obtain information about the villains. She managed to keep in touch with her old unit and her Sergeant Watts. His unit was forced to drop the case because of a conflict of interest. Because of Kendra’s friendship with Sergeant Watts, he helped spread the information to other units and informers to thwart the Albanians.
The story had great descriptions of the violence of Guran Qupi and his gang and of the methods used to finally defeat them. The ending was very satisfying and I will be purchasing the next chapter of this series.

[Hugo Fraenkel]

Excellent police drama

This book is a really great story with a strong message of social conscience.
The story moves at a great pace and never wallows in useless detail. Our heroes are pretty believable as are the villains.
East London is in the control of a particularly nasty crime lord. Then he crosses two highly motivated police officers who are willing to think outside the square to bring him down.
A great read that will keep you interested and intrigued as it races to an unexpected conclusion

[jerry Cursons]

What a great find. The charters are very well written and the story moves a long at a good pace. If the crimemal world was dealt in this way in real life parts of this country would no doubt be a safer place. The author being a retired officer has a good grip of what is wrong with the laws that govern the police today and has a inventing way to deal with the problems. One of the best books I have read in this genre in along time looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Glenda]

Vigilante justice. I hate that I get pleasure out of this plot.

[Felina Pittman]

This narrative is a superlatively skillfully written cop story with a realistic viewpoint of what summary justice would look like in a contemporary setting.

Detectives Kendra March and Andy Pike, members of the Serious Crime Unit of the Metropolitan Police in London, were tasked with reining in the Qupi gang notorious for their smuggling, drug and human trafficking operations. Due to a reversal of fortune, the criminals held them captive. Guran Qupi did not waste time in putting them out of commission by inflicting damaging and debilitating bodily injuries on them.

With the encouragement of Trevor Giddings, Kendra's father, she gradually recovered after undergoing intense physical training in the gym. Eliciting the help of her former partner, Pike, she formulated a plan to impair once and for all the illegal operation of the mob-vigilante style. Being a retired cop, the writer superbly gave a commonsensical, detailed account of how, with the aid of cutting-edge technology and surveillance equipment and the assistance of Trevor's trusted friends, the detectives were able to bring down the lawbreakers and defeat injustice.

"An Eye for an Eye" brings the female detective crime drama to a whole new level with the introduction of this unique and spunky heroine, Kendra March!

[Cristianah]

I picked this up because I enjoy British crime thrillers, and it definitely didn't disappoint. The story moves at a great pace, and I found myself wanting to keep reading just to see how everything would unfold. Kendra March is a compelling lead, tough, determined, and far more complex than your typical crime novel protagonist.

What I enjoyed most was the moral dilemma running through the story. It really makes you question what justice should look like when the system fails. The London setting adds to the gritty atmosphere, and the author's background in policing gives the story an authentic feel without slowing it down with unnecessary detail.

If you're a fan of fast-paced crime fiction with strong characters and plenty of tension, this is well worth your time. I'm already looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Maureen]

An Eye For an Eye by Theo Harris is book 1 in the Summary Justice series. It is the first book by this author that I have read and it definitely won’t be the last. Kendra Marsh was presented with the coveted Baton of Honour on graduation from the police academy and was full of hope and high expectations. Everything changed one shift when she and her partner, Andy, went up against the infamous Qupi gang. Through all that happens, Kendra also reconnects with her father. This is a dark and gritty read and it gripped me from the start. It is also very entertaining. I couldn’t put it down and have read for most of the day. As events unfold, the meticulous planning shows through with poetic justice playing a part. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Joy Alice]

This was my first book by Theo Harris, and it certainly won't be my last. The story hooked me much faster than I expected, and I found it difficult to put down once the momentum picked up. The characters are well written, especially Kendra March, who comes across as determined, flawed, and believable.

What I enjoyed most was that the book didn't rely on unrealistic plot twists to keep things interesting. Instead, the suspense came from the difficult choices the characters had to make and the consequences that followed. If you enjoy gritty British crime thrillers with a strong sense of realism and a protagonist you can genuinely root for, this is an excellent place to start. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Alli Racheal]

I've read plenty of crime novels over the years, and this one stood out because it kept the story moving without sacrificing the characters. Every chapter gave me a reason to keep reading, and I ended up finishing it much quicker than I'd planned.

The idea of justice being taken into the hands of those who've lost faith in the system is handled really well, and it creates some genuinely tense moments. The writing is clean, the pacing is consistent, and the London backdrop gives everything an authentic edge. If you enjoy crime thrillers with believable characters and a story that keeps you engaged from start to finish, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a try. I'll be reading the next installment soon.

[Khas Reads]

This story follows two police detectives Kendra March and Andy Pike, after an unfortunate run in with a violent mobster Kendra is badly injured and Andy is left disabled.

Kendra is temporarily moved to another division and is shocked by how much crime is being left unpunished, so with the help of Andy and her dad they set out to get justice… which might not be in line with the law…

I totally understand Kendra and Andy’s frustrations regarding crimes going unpunished and I loved the vigilante element to this story.

This book is a slow burn, a little too slow for my liking it had me dying to know what was going to happen next 😅 the ending did seem a little unbelievable but I enjoyed this book.

[Peter]

I wasn't familiar with Theo Harris before reading this, but I'm glad I gave it a chance. The story grabbed my attention early and kept me invested all the way through. I especially liked that the characters weren't perfect, they made difficult decisions that felt believable given the situations they were in.

The action is balanced with enough character development to make you care about what happens next, and the East London setting gives the book a gritty, authentic atmosphere. If you enjoy crime thrillers that explore the grey area between justice and revenge, this is a solid read. I'll definitely be continuing with the rest of the series

[Hammed]

This was one of those books that kept me saying, "Just one more chapter." The pacing is excellent, and there was always something happening to keep me engaged. I really appreciated that the story didn't rely on over-the-top twists or unrealistic action to create suspense.

Kendra March is the kind of character you can root for, even when her choices aren't straightforward. The central idea of taking justice into your own hands raises some interesting questions, and it made the book more thought-provoking than I expected. If you enjoy gritty British crime fiction with believable characters and plenty of momentum, I'd definitely recommend giving this series a try.

[Racheal]

I read a lot of crime thrillers, and it's not often I find one that keeps me hooked from beginning to end. This was a refreshing change from the usual formula. The story is fast-moving, the tension builds naturally, and the characters feel like real people rather than stereotypes.

What stood out most for me was the way the book explores justice from a different angle. It doesn't try to give easy answers, which made it even more engaging. Theo Harris clearly knows the world he's writing about, and that authenticity comes through on every page. I'm looking forward to seeing where the series goes next.

[Praise Jah]

I downloaded this on a whim after reading the description, and it ended up being a really enjoyable read. The story wastes no time getting started, and I found the pacing just right—it kept me interested without feeling rushed. The blend of police work and vigilante justice made for an entertaining twist on the usual crime thriller.

One of the strengths of the book is its atmosphere. The London setting feels vivid, and the characters have enough depth that I genuinely cared about what happened to them. If you're looking for a gritty, well-paced thriller with a strong lead and plenty of suspense, I'd definitely recommend this one. I'll be picking up Book 2 soon.

[Pascal John]

I don't usually leave reviews, but this book deserves one. From the first few chapters, I was completely invested in the story and the characters. The plot kept moving without unnecessary filler, and I appreciated how the tension built steadily instead of relying on constant shock value.

Kendra March is a strong, memorable lead, and the supporting characters add plenty of depth to the story. The author's experience really shows in the realistic feel of the investigations and the London setting. If you're a fan of British crime fiction with compelling characters and a unique take on justice, this is definitely worth reading. I'm looking forward to continuing the series.

[Joy]

I was looking for a new British crime series to get into, and this turned out to be a great find. The writing is straightforward and engaging, making it easy to get pulled into the story. I liked that the characters felt grounded, and their motivations made sense rather than feeling forced.

The book strikes a nice balance between action, investigation, and character development. It also raises interesting questions about what happens when the legal system isn't enough, which adds an extra layer to the story. By the time I finished the last chapter, I was already downloading the next book. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys gritty, fast-paced crime thrillers.

[Clara Whitmoore]

I came across this book while looking for a new crime thriller, and I'm glad I took a chance on it. The story has a strong opening, and once it gets going, it's hard to put down. I liked that the characters felt believable, with strengths and flaws that made them easy to invest in.

The moral conflict at the heart of the story is what really stood out to me. It isn't just about catching criminals, it's about what people are willing to do when they lose faith in the system. That added more depth than I was expecting from a thriller. Overall, it's a well-written, entertaining read that left me eager to see what happens next in the series.

[Brenda Hawkins]

cops turned vigilante

Kendra and Andy are cops who were held captive by gangsters and tortured. Andy lost an eye and his foot was maimed. Kendra faired a little better but still suffered broken legs. Their recovery was long. They decided that they would go after the gang and take their revenge because the “system” was corrupt allowing criminals to go free. A little far fetched but entertaining. The dialog is a little corny in places with the phrase “smarty pants” overused! Not bad read.

[MGB]

Kendra and Andy made a big mistake. It cost them big time and has changed the direction of their lives forever.

It’s revenge, it’s protecting the average citizen, it’s cleaning up the evil that needs to go away. It’s also a totally unexpected direction for two really good cops. The motivation is there, the skills are there, the connections are there, they can make this happen.

This story gives you their story, their background and what they are going to do to make a huge turnaround in the criminal world.

[Martha Brindley]

Wow...I absolutely loved this read, it's definitely not your normal crime thriller! It moves at a fast pace and has great characters, I do love Kendra and her vision for justice, if only we could. I could really empathise with Kendra and Andy in this immensely satisfying, if a bit far fetched, thriller. It's a brilliant start to a new series and I highly recommend the read. A new author for me and I look forward to reading the next in the series.

[Fran Burdsall]

Character development just wasn't really well done. The seeds of good characters are there but I was not drawn to them. The plot is somewhat simplistic but it had potential. The back stories are somewhat revealed but there were still major holes after finishing the first book in the series. I will continue to the second book with my fingers crossed that the author finds his rhythm and gets me hooked by the series.

[Alvara]

An interesting idea. Cops turning to vigilante justice after sustaining serious injuries on the job from a ruthless gang.

It's very procedural, which makes it difficult to engage with the main characters. The story goes from one objective to the next and there weren't really the setbacks or obstacles you would expect in their pursuit of justice.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Annette Sullivan]

I took a chance on the excellent reviews and was so disappointed

So most of the reviews gave this book five stars.
Said it was gritty and dark.
None, and I read all reviews available in Australia, mentioned the foul language.

I would not have wasted the less than a minute it took to get to the foul offensive language, if someone had told about it in a review.
So now I have for readers looking at reviews.

[Fiona Kyte]

Harrowing! On the edge of your seat, you won’t want to put it down. It certainly made my heart race and not sure was the reason for a couple of restless night’s sleep.
Thoroughly recommend.
Reads so realistically, it makes you think about what happens in ganglands across the world and the lives that they affect.

[barryid]

This is one of the silliest books I have ever read and I have no desire to read a second. The action scenes appeared to me like a science fiction novel. The characters were comic book figures made up to be like real policemen. There is corruption at the top, but it never came down. The father is some godlike personage straight out of On The Waterfront. Theo, you done me wrong. Good bye.

[ms i bateman]

The plot seemed ok if very classic and I'm sure the author has a lot of knowledge on this subject but I'm sorry to say that the writing was on such a low level I didn't get further than the incredibly fast turnaround of a severely injured man who only needed a few friendly words to change him totally. Sentences are very clumsy.

[Viragored]

I've mixed feelings about this book. The story was fairly creative and at first engaged me. But overall it felt unsatisfactory, not really convincing, and worked only because of superhuman abilities that the characters seemed to have. I prefer my gritty stories to be rather more believable than this.

[Dorothylouise Farrow]

Superbly satisfying!

The author clearly comes from a Policing background as he has extensive procedural knowledge, which can only come from personal experience.
Like any good book, the 1st chapter just grabs you and pulls you in immediately, setting the tone.. introducing Kendra and terrifyingly Qupi!
It's so important for me to find a connection, feel sympathy for a character and I found 'An Eye for An Eye' has several characters who I felt more and more invested in getting through the chapters. 1 in particular!
I won't be specific as I don't want to spoil it for another reader, but I think a lot of people (not just our ladies & gentlemen in blue) feel the frustration of some of the characters and dare I say maybe the author, hamstrung by the lack of legislative support and general underfunding for the police makes it a very hard job to do and something has to give!

It's a Fantasically satisfying read, and I can't recommend it enough!

NEXT Fagin's Folly!!

[Mordechai Bodner]

unconventional but powerful

Kendra Andy and Trevor make an unus
ual and powerful combination in combatting criminal activity in London. It's a book to read, and hopefully, you'll enjoy it as much as I did.