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Murdered by the Mob

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Nobody’s ever been killed in witness protection...until now.

It’s almost twenty-five years since Augustyn “Auggie” Yermak was forced to commit an unspeakable atrocity to prove his loyalty to mob boss Tiny Bakowski.

Now he’s out for revenge.

But Tiny is on the run and his former lieutenants, the only men who might know where he is, have turned against him in return for a place in the witness protection programme.

To get to Tiny, Auggie will have to beat the UK Protected Persons Service, follow the breadcrumbs, and then exact revenge before the police can catch him.

Will he manage to kill the man who ruined his life?

Or will Detective Inspector Rafferty beat him to the world’s #2 Most Wanted Man?

MURDERED BY THE MOB is the first instalment in the DI Rafferty series of crime novels featuring DCI Morton.

412 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2023

174 people are currently reading
91 people want to read

About the author

Sean Campbell

50 books10 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

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5 stars
108 (43%)
4 stars
76 (30%)
3 stars
43 (17%)
2 stars
13 (5%)
1 star
6 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Mark.
1,699 reviews
January 28, 2023
Just the best title for this book….it really is,and a superb start to the new D.I.Rafferty series with a first chapter that will mither you even when finished the book….
The author writes a fast flowing tense tale of gangs,drugs,Witness Protection Scheme’s and revenge amongst others, set in London and The Ukraine it is a high powered mix of characters ( inc D.I.Rafferty ) trying to outdo each other and get to the prize….
I love the authors sharp wit throughout and also the way he peppers the story with facts,about everything,interesting and sharp you never really finish a chapter without knowing a morsel of info you didn’t know when you started,he also makes the ‘extras’ into great vibrant characters
An explosive and clever ending,it will all make sense,makes this read involving and attention keeping the whole way through
I look forward to the next instalment in the series
109 reviews
January 22, 2025
Written in real-time and switching between the murder investigation squad (DI Rafferty being the lead player) and the criminals (Auggie and Tank, driven to seek revenge on the head of a London crime syndicate, Tiny Bakowski, who had forced Auggie to take the most horrendous decision of his life many years previously), this was a clever, powerful and very engaging story.

Although there is no doubt that Auggie and Tank are bad, the author managed to get me somewhat routing for them as they sought their vengeance. But in order to track down Tiny, who had disappeared 25 years previously, they too had to apply the same skills as DI Rafferty in tracking him down – following leads, evidence, intereviews (tho more vicious and ending in cutting lives permanently short) and gut instinct. Such clever writing

This could have been a brutal read (or rather, a much more brutal read cos it sure did not leave much to the imagination when Tank, not known for his subtlety with a knife, or any weapon, kicked into action) but with Campbell at the helm, it served to be a multiple game of cat and mouse. Would Auggie and Tank locate and take revenge on their target before Rafferty (unaware of the criminals’ goal) tracked them down for the reign of terror they had triggered in their search.

Really hope this is a first in a new series as I for one, would love to read more of Rafferty and her world.
Profile Image for Lynda.
2,242 reviews123 followers
February 13, 2023
📘📘BOOK REVIEW 📘📘
Murdered by the Mob by Sean Campbell

The first in a new series with DI Ashley ‘Ash’ Rafferty. It opens with a prologue 25 years ago where Augustyn ‘Auggie’ Yermak has to play a version of Russian roulette, with the gun pointed at his mother. Rafferty has a new boss and things are very different in the station. This is a well written and fast paced read, part police procedural, part thriller, part organised crime - all exciting stuff!

Briefly, 25 years later Auggie and Tank are hunting for Tiny Bakowski, the shef of the Bakowski Crime Syndicate, but to get to him they need information. Tiny and his lieutenants are in the witness protection programme so finding them isn’t going to be easy. When a neighbour report a man called Zholnovych missing Rafferty is convinced there is dirty work afoot but she is told to drop it. Then evidence goes missing and file information is deleted, Rafferty is not going to take this sitting down…

A proper page turner of a read with something happening on every page. Auggie was a villain I wanted to hate but it wasn’t so easy when you understand his motivation. But don’t be fooled by that. This is a pretty gruesome read in places, Tank doesn’t do nicely! An entertaining read with a shocking ending, full of tension and excitement from start to finish.
342 reviews4 followers
February 16, 2023
How could I not love a book in which the author uses my name for one of the characters?

Seriously though, Sean Campbell always delivers the goods, and this book is no exception; and is an outstanding way to start a new series.

DI Ashley Rafferty knows that there's something more to the missing persons case that comes across her desk, even though her new boss thinks differently. Against her better judgment it's handed off, then a body turns up. What do the missing person and the corpse have in common? They were both in witness protection after testifying against the mob. Ash faces a race against an adversary, who's determined to exact revenge against his former boss, and leader of the Bakowski crime syndicate.

Well crafted storyline, excellent characters, fast paced narrative, this book has it all in spades. There's even a cameo from DCI Morton, Ash's former boss and mentor, but this book is Ash's opportunity to shine, and shine she does.

Looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received an advance review copy of this book from the author, and am voluntarily submitting my honest review
Profile Image for Dawn.
209 reviews16 followers
April 8, 2023
Murdered by the Mob is the first book in a series following a Detective Inspector called Rafferty, wow what a cracking read. It was unputdownable from the first to the last page.

The book is about a Mob boss called Tiny Bakowski, but one of his Lieutenants from 25 years previously is out for revenge. Yermak was forced to do a shocking act to prove his loyalty to the mob. Now we have Yermak is out to find out any information of Tiny's whereabouts, at any cost but the people who may know any information are hidden by the witness protection.

With Tiny on the run, will Yermak exact his revenge we will see!!!

It was well written, and a thoroughly enjoyable read, I know a crime novel is not my usual genre I read, which is very unusual I hear you say. But the horror of what Tiny did is just as horrific.

I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book in this series, hurry up Mr Author!!!
Profile Image for Joe Singleton.
228 reviews8 followers
February 15, 2023
I was really pleased to be offered the chance to read an advanced review copy of this book, especially as I was named as one of the characters. The book was a great read blending police procedural with a fast-paced thriller. It is also clear from the book that the author carries out a lot of research on the topics covered as it was also educational and informative.
This is the first book in the series but I am already looking forward to reading the next book. I love the author's humour and sense of location within his writing, and although at times you may wonder in which direction the story is travelling, by the time you get to the last page everything is sorted out and you will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Kath Middleton.
Author 23 books158 followers
February 22, 2023
Mob leader Tiny Bakowski has disappeared and somebody is after him, intending to kill him. DI Rafferty finds herself with a couple of bodies on her hands. One had disappeared in mysterious circumstances, one has been tortured, dismembered and left in a bathtub for three months. In this gripping story, we follow two threads – Rafferty and her team, chasing their murderer, and two thugs chasing Bakowski. It’s a wide-ranging search and I found it totally fascinating. There are times we see more of a connection than the police do, and I was willing them to find the evidence. Highly recommended, and it looks like being the start of a new series.
Profile Image for Hilly Barmby.
Author 3 books14 followers
February 21, 2025
What a rollercoaster of a read. I loved the juxtaposition of the points of view of a hardened, revenge-driven ex-mobster to a woman detective battling not only the criminals but blatant sexism. We see the story unfolding and each brings their own angle to it. The police procedures were fascinating and the sheer knowledge that the author shows on how the huge mobs work makes me wonder what he used to do in a past life! This fast-paced book travels across Europe and beyond, bringing in all the agencies to try and track down a crime boss. It had hooked me from the beginning. I highly recommend this and gave it a well-deserved five stars.
98 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2025
A very drawn out detective murder mystery

This is a worthwhile read in the use of parallel focus lines keeps the reader wondering when the paths will cross. I would have given the novel 4.5 stars if the pace was quicker and the author refrained from deliberately trying to raise the suspense level with extra tangents. A good beginning if the next in series maintains a good pace and rush to conclusion.
Profile Image for Ken Ward.
35 reviews
March 16, 2023
Brilliant Read

A very compelling read, enjoyed it immensely. I liked the way the story moved the characters around parts of the world without losing the pace of the book. Have enjoyed other books by Sean and have no problem recommending this one.
3 reviews
March 23, 2023
Too long winded

The twoing and
Froing with the story line made this a hard read. I have read most of Sean Campbell’s books and really enjoyed them - that is why I persevered with this book.




56 reviews
December 26, 2024
Seeking a wanted mobster-not for feight of heart!

A thrilling tales of London police seeking a mob boss. Former mob lieutenant s seeking revenge and anonymous crimes. Shocking events keep this novel a page turner!!
1 review
April 3, 2023
On the edge of my seat

It took me a few chapters to really get sucked into the story, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. Suspense until the very last word!
484 reviews
December 14, 2024
Mob

The real murder here is the English language. There are frequent f-bomb drops, as well as the profane use of the names of deity.
Profile Image for Allison Valentine.
675 reviews18 followers
February 18, 2023
This is DI Rafferty's first case with her new boss and it starts out with a humdinger of a case.
And when the bodies start coming in thick and fast how on earth is she hoping to solve the first one when everyone is blocking her path?

Whenever I read a Sean Campbell book it never ceases to amaze me about how much detail he puts into each novel.
Murdered By The Mob is no exception.
From the locations either from good old blighty to Ukraine and the borders, to his unique insight for watches he captures them all with perfect accuracy.

You know that you should hate the bad guys but I really fell for 'Auggie' Yermak and Tank. Yes they are psychotic, violent and murdering b*stards but I still love them.
A brilliant read with an exceptional ending.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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