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Tom Thorne #9
From The Dead
It has been a decade since Alan Langford’s charred remains were discovered in his burnt-out car. His wife Donna was found guilty of conspiracy to murder her husband and served ten years in prison.
But just before she is released, Donna receives a nasty shock: an anonymous letter containing a photo of her husband. The man she hates with every fibre of her being – the man she paid to have murdered – seems very much alive and well
How is it possible that her husband is still alive? Where is he? Who sent the photo, and why?
DI Tom Thorne becomes involved in a case where nothing and no one are what they seem. It will take him much further from his London beat than he has ever been before – and closer to a killer who will do anything to protect his new life.
A gripping, relentlessly paced crime masterpiece, From the Dead goes deep into a seemingly unsolvable mystery, and provides the most shocking case yet in the dark, dangerous career of Tom Thorne.
But just before she is released, Donna receives a nasty shock: an anonymous letter containing a photo of her husband. The man she hates with every fibre of her being – the man she paid to have murdered – seems very much alive and well
How is it possible that her husband is still alive? Where is he? Who sent the photo, and why?
DI Tom Thorne becomes involved in a case where nothing and no one are what they seem. It will take him much further from his London beat than he has ever been before – and closer to a killer who will do anything to protect his new life.
A gripping, relentlessly paced crime masterpiece, From the Dead goes deep into a seemingly unsolvable mystery, and provides the most shocking case yet in the dark, dangerous career of Tom Thorne.
470 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
277 people are currently reading
2447 people want to read
About the author
Mark Billingham
105 books2,180 followersAlso writes as Will Peterson with Peter Cocks.
Mark Billingham was born and brought up in Birmingham. Having worked for some years as an actor and more recently as a TV writer and stand-up comedian his first crime novel was published in 2001. Mark lives in North London with his wife and two children.
Mark Billingham was born and brought up in Birmingham. Having worked for some years as an actor and more recently as a TV writer and stand-up comedian his first crime novel was published in 2001. Mark lives in North London with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 311 reviews
April 24, 2018
This started well, but seemed to jump all over the place about two thirds of the way through. Overall it was better than some of this series, but no more than adequate. Pace bit too slow, for the type of story, and I find it difficult to like Tom Thorne, not sure why.
October 17, 2017
7/10
Another decent entry into the series which doesn't live up to some of the previous novels but certainly adds to the overall world and the characters that live in it. There is enough to keep things ticking over but there isn't enough of a mystery to really hook you in.
The main plot is that of a private detective looking for a missing girl and getting in contact with Thorne. They then look into the unlikely event that her deceased dad has kidnapped her. Unlikely? Well, the fact that you're told in the prologue he's not dead makes it more likely. Things start to become more complex from there on as the dead father is a mobster and linked to a number of criminals trying to keep his secret a secret.
The main thing that stood out in this novel for me was that my home town was in the novel. It was the prison mainly but it's the first time I've read some fictional account of where I'm from. So what if it's scumbags from a high security prison!
The ending let this down, it felt a bit rushed to me. Also there was no resolution with Thorne and his girlfriend as there relationship is shakier than a high rise in an earthquake. Hopefully this will run its course in the next outing.
I like this series and the writing style. If you're interested in a police novel set in London then I can recommend this series. This book didn't shine but it didn't fail to entertain either.
Another decent entry into the series which doesn't live up to some of the previous novels but certainly adds to the overall world and the characters that live in it. There is enough to keep things ticking over but there isn't enough of a mystery to really hook you in.
The main plot is that of a private detective looking for a missing girl and getting in contact with Thorne. They then look into the unlikely event that her deceased dad has kidnapped her. Unlikely? Well, the fact that you're told in the prologue he's not dead makes it more likely. Things start to become more complex from there on as the dead father is a mobster and linked to a number of criminals trying to keep his secret a secret.
The main thing that stood out in this novel for me was that my home town was in the novel. It was the prison mainly but it's the first time I've read some fictional account of where I'm from. So what if it's scumbags from a high security prison!
The ending let this down, it felt a bit rushed to me. Also there was no resolution with Thorne and his girlfriend as there relationship is shakier than a high rise in an earthquake. Hopefully this will run its course in the next outing.
I like this series and the writing style. If you're interested in a police novel set in London then I can recommend this series. This book didn't shine but it didn't fail to entertain either.
June 19, 2020
Tom Thorne book 8 A woman starts receiving pictures of a man that was 'murdered' 15 years ago! Thorne gets on this case, which leads to Spain, with lots of casualties on the way! Another solid story from Billingham in the Thorne reality 7 out of 12.
November 21, 2021
“love could cause as much damage and death as hate ever did.”
A decade earlier Alan Langford's, a smooth-talking and ruthless criminal, charred remains were discovered in his burnt out car in Epping Forest. His wife Donna was found guilty of conspiracy to murder and sentenced to ten years in prison. Shortly before her release Donna receives an anonymous letter containing a photo of her husband apparently alive and well living the good life in some sunny clime. Moreover, her 18-year-old daughter has vanished, and now Donna thinks her husband has abducted her.
Donna goes to a young and naive private detective in the hope that she can uncover the truth but when the investigator gets nowhere she goes to DI Tom Thorne, who worked on the original 'murder' case, for assistance.
Thorne’s first job is to determine just whose charred body was found in Langford’s burned-out car if it wasn't Langford himself. But when the man convicted of Langford's 'murder',a prisoner, is himself murdered Thorne realises that there are some dangerous people, possibly being orchestrated by Langford himself, trying to stop him from uncovering the facts. More deaths ensue before Thorne heads off to Spain to confront Langford.
Firstly I should point out that despite this being the 9th book in the series this is the first that I've read, secondly murder/mystery isn't a genre that I usually read all of which means that I have little to compare it with. That said and done I found this book clichéd, safe and predictable which left as many questions as answers. Thorne, who is in his 40s, has been living with Louise, another detective, but they’re drifting apart. The truth is that he cares more about his work than their relationship. Another cop whose mourning his dead wife. Are there no happily married coppers out there? Do all British criminals eventually head off to Costa del Crime when they want some better weather? But the main questions left unanswered were; quite why did Alan Langford feel the need to fake his own death in the first place and since Donna had already served ten years in prison for his supposed murder and thus unlikely to suffer any further punishment even if he is alive, why was she so keen to find him?
Overall I found it a reasonable diversion but not one that will either make me want to actively seek out more of the author's works or leap whole-heartedly in to this genre any-time in the near future.
A decade earlier Alan Langford's, a smooth-talking and ruthless criminal, charred remains were discovered in his burnt out car in Epping Forest. His wife Donna was found guilty of conspiracy to murder and sentenced to ten years in prison. Shortly before her release Donna receives an anonymous letter containing a photo of her husband apparently alive and well living the good life in some sunny clime. Moreover, her 18-year-old daughter has vanished, and now Donna thinks her husband has abducted her.
Donna goes to a young and naive private detective in the hope that she can uncover the truth but when the investigator gets nowhere she goes to DI Tom Thorne, who worked on the original 'murder' case, for assistance.
Thorne’s first job is to determine just whose charred body was found in Langford’s burned-out car if it wasn't Langford himself. But when the man convicted of Langford's 'murder',a prisoner, is himself murdered Thorne realises that there are some dangerous people, possibly being orchestrated by Langford himself, trying to stop him from uncovering the facts. More deaths ensue before Thorne heads off to Spain to confront Langford.
Firstly I should point out that despite this being the 9th book in the series this is the first that I've read, secondly murder/mystery isn't a genre that I usually read all of which means that I have little to compare it with. That said and done I found this book clichéd, safe and predictable which left as many questions as answers. Thorne, who is in his 40s, has been living with Louise, another detective, but they’re drifting apart. The truth is that he cares more about his work than their relationship. Another cop whose mourning his dead wife. Are there no happily married coppers out there? Do all British criminals eventually head off to Costa del Crime when they want some better weather? But the main questions left unanswered were; quite why did Alan Langford feel the need to fake his own death in the first place and since Donna had already served ten years in prison for his supposed murder and thus unlikely to suffer any further punishment even if he is alive, why was she so keen to find him?
Overall I found it a reasonable diversion but not one that will either make me want to actively seek out more of the author's works or leap whole-heartedly in to this genre any-time in the near future.
July 21, 2014
Lets get one thing straight here...I think DI Thorne is a real "prick" of a man. He is self centred, egotistical ,driven,and treats female company in the most despicable manner. Louise his latest partner is ignored by him, he is always working and likes to avoid conversation and her compnay preferring to drink with his mates and refusing to recognize that it is him and him alone that is the constant cause of his relationship breakups. In this latest romp he has the company of a young lady called Anna Carpenter and he actually believes that he could have a relationship with her, that she really likes this super cool egotistical cop this real man old enough to be her father!...well DI Thorne get your act together and recognize that you have faults...lots of them...and if not sorted soon you will be left a sad old man....there I've got that off my chest and it is undoubtly down to the writing talents of Mark Billingham that I can feel such a strong hate for Tom Thorne. This is a first class detective story that starts with the gruesome recalling of an old case that DI Thorne thought was "buried" in the past. There are lots of surprises and a great action story that takes place in both the UK and Spain but the real star is the characterization of DI Tom Thorne this flawed copper with the bloodhound ability to find his man...leaving misery and destruction in his path! Great stuff.....look forward to the next outing!
January 10, 2015
I'm a big fan of Mark Billingham ... and this book hasn't changed my mind. I think I'm in lust with Tom Thorne, but it seems he gets crankier as time goes by. 50-ish Tom Thorne is still working the streets looking for the bad guys ... this time he goes all the way to Spain for look for a 'dead' man.
Book is full of action and kept me hating to put it down.
Book is full of action and kept me hating to put it down.
July 30, 2015
The 9th Tom Thorne book in the series by Mark Billingham. I am enjoying this series but felt that a couple of the previous books fell short of the previous high standard, this one however was back up there with the best. Fast paced, lots of action, a real page turner.
August 9, 2019
I really enjoyed this, knowing I had read a book out of sequence I thought that this may effect my enjoyment of the plot and character knowledge.
I quite like Thorne although his ability to deduce the criminal is somewhat clunky and hit and miss. Like most policemen his love life is fucked up and true to form he can’t make up his mind about what he wants, but this may just be a universal trait that most men have!
I didn’t agree with the authors choices of who got bumped off and was kinda hoping that the connections between these two would have developed into more and they could solve crime together.
Enjoyable and easy to start a relationship with this without through other titles ... here’s to a few more!
I quite like Thorne although his ability to deduce the criminal is somewhat clunky and hit and miss. Like most policemen his love life is fucked up and true to form he can’t make up his mind about what he wants, but this may just be a universal trait that most men have!
I didn’t agree with the authors choices of who got bumped off and was kinda hoping that the connections between these two would have developed into more and they could solve crime together.
Enjoyable and easy to start a relationship with this without through other titles ... here’s to a few more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2024
A gripping read, although the ending was a bit of an anti climax shame
January 2, 2025
Full of twists
August 14, 2025
A great read. Punchy with sub plots and twists.
August 5, 2025
A good story. Thorne investigates an old case where it was thought that a gangster who had been murdered was apparently not. It appears he is living the good life in Spain. The investigation results in more deaths and Thorne is also struggling with a suspect being found not guilty of murder as there was no body.
An enjoyable read.
An enjoyable read.
December 30, 2016
I have read this before, but had forgotten the plot.
Thorn in teamed with PI Anna (not by choice) when Anna is contacted by Donna an ex-con who has recently gotten out of jail for setting up her husband to be killed.
Donna initially contacts Donna (thePI) to trace the man in some photos she has recently been sent- photos of her dead husband, very much alive and living the good-life.
When Anna can go no further in her investigation she goes to Thorn with her case, as Thorn was the initial detective on the initial murder case, and was the one who arrested and saw convicted Donna.
Thorn in teamed with PI Anna (not by choice) when Anna is contacted by Donna an ex-con who has recently gotten out of jail for setting up her husband to be killed.
Donna initially contacts Donna (thePI) to trace the man in some photos she has recently been sent- photos of her dead husband, very much alive and living the good-life.
When Anna can go no further in her investigation she goes to Thorn with her case, as Thorn was the initial detective on the initial murder case, and was the one who arrested and saw convicted Donna.
March 26, 2016
average.... there's a murder. then another
then another. It was OK and was what I wanted from the book but it gave nothing more....
average but enjoyable enough
then another. It was OK and was what I wanted from the book but it gave nothing more....
average but enjoyable enough
January 17, 2020
An exciting start for Tom Thorne with a case thought solved 10 years earlier, developing into the interesting premise of what if the body found in a burned out car then wasn’t who it was thought to be? What is unusual for the series this time around is how much slower the pace has become and reads more like a standard procedural. Billingham is such a fine writer but doesn’t seem much inspired with this chapter in Thorne’s life. The great character interactions which Billingham is a master with, such as those between Thorne and Holland, or Thorne and Phil, are in short supply, though not altogether absent. There is a wonderful, bittersweet side story of a growing friendship/interest between Thorne and a hired PI, Anna Carpenter, which for me made the book. This story, along with the secondary case of Andrea Keane, will keep me returning to Billingham and Thorne. Because no matter how procedural it may be, the writing is still so good.
January 20, 2020
Very decent Tom Thorne novel as a woman, convicted of conspiracy to murder her husband who was burned alive, leaves prison after a long sentence and receives pictures showing him to be alive. She hires a feisty young private investigator who gets Thorne involved and a web of murder, deception and revenge follows. Very high body count and the usual domestic problems for Thorne to wade through - all very readable.
January 16, 2020
I think I say this every time I read another in the Tom Thorne series but the books just keep getting better and better and Thorne is up there as one of my favourite police officers with Rebus and Wallander.
Here a widow convicted 10 years ago of having her husband murdered when she is released from prison receives a photo of him happily smiling away for the camera next to the sea with a beer in hand. Thorne's investigation places him and anyone near him at personal harm leading to a thrilling climax. A cracking read.
Here a widow convicted 10 years ago of having her husband murdered when she is released from prison receives a photo of him happily smiling away for the camera next to the sea with a beer in hand. Thorne's investigation places him and anyone near him at personal harm leading to a thrilling climax. A cracking read.
July 15, 2020
Once they killed Anna, for no reason but to make Thorne emotionally involved, the book lost credibility.
It achieved nothing else.
The ending had some surprising outcomes.
And I didn’t buy the story of the young woman who disappeared and oops, wasn’t dead but staying with her best friend and no one noticed??? And a man was put on trial for her murder? Nope.
It achieved nothing else.
The ending had some surprising outcomes.
And I didn’t buy the story of the young woman who disappeared and oops, wasn’t dead but staying with her best friend and no one noticed??? And a man was put on trial for her murder? Nope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2023
Better than the previous Billingham book I read. In fact, for him it's near perfect. There is a nice twist/reveal toward the end that I didn't quite expect, and the setup and case are nice and original. I am taking a star off because .
June 16, 2018
Tom Thorne is back. This time he has a dead body that doesn’t seem to want to stay dead. Or more accurately it’s been a decade since Alan Langford died and his wife went to prison. Only now she’s receiving photos, photos of her husband very much alive and well. Add into the mix that the couples daughter has vanished from her adoptive parents house and Thorne has a real mystery on his hands.
Oh I do love a Tom Thorne story. I really do. He might be an arrogant ass but he’s my arrogant ass. As usual Thorne is a bit of a prick, pushing away those closest to him and being the only one to believe in the conviction he needs.
For once I didn’t feel Jesmond was that bad; definitely not compared to how he is in the next two books anyway.
It was fairly obvious who in the story is sending photos to Donna, and because it felt so glaringly obvious I’ve had to knock a star off. After all books that contain a mystery element should have a bit of mystery to them right?
Still a good read though, highly recommended.
Oh I do love a Tom Thorne story. I really do. He might be an arrogant ass but he’s my arrogant ass. As usual Thorne is a bit of a prick, pushing away those closest to him and being the only one to believe in the conviction he needs.
For once I didn’t feel Jesmond was that bad; definitely not compared to how he is in the next two books anyway.
It was fairly obvious who in the story is sending photos to Donna, and because it felt so glaringly obvious I’ve had to knock a star off. After all books that contain a mystery element should have a bit of mystery to them right?
Still a good read though, highly recommended.
March 23, 2023
Zeer degelijke detective/thriller met DI Tom Thorne in de hoofdrol. Een goede mix van spanning, actie en het privé leven van de personages. Dit boek leest bijzonder vlot, ik wil graag meer lezen van Mark Billingham.
January 19, 2022
Easy to read, a shock exit in the middle and a twist at the end. Thrilling stuff 🙂
March 13, 2017
Good but not great. Maybe I was expecting more, but there were times when the story needed an injection of pace/action.
August 2, 2021
DI Tom Thorpe has been investigating murders around his native north London for a long time, and it is starting to get him down. He is a dogged detective, and generally an adherent to the approach adopted by Hieronymus ‘Harry’ Bosch in Michael Connelly’s excellent series set in Los Angeles: either everyone counts, or no one counts.
When this story opens, Thorne is giving evidence in the case of Adam Chambers, who has been charged with abducting and murdering a young woman who had been a member of his self defence class. Thorne performs well in the witness box, and he and his colleagues are fairly confident of a guilty verdict. It is far from cut and dried, however, not least because the alleged victim’s body had never been discovered. This does not preclude the possibility of a guilty verdict, but it does make it a little bit harder, and the case has to be watertight.
He soon finds himself drawn into a markedly different case. Ten years earlier, Donna Langford had been convicted of conspiracy to murder, having paid an associate to murder her abusive husband, Alan, a key participant in local organised crime. A charred body had certainly been found in her husband’s burnt-out Jaguar, and as she capitulated at the first challenge from the police, she had been convicted, along with the hired hand who actually committed the killing, and the case seemed closed. However, shortly before her release, she starts receiving anonymous messages including photographs suggesting her husband is still alive. Her first thought is to hire Anna Carpenter, an aspiring private detective, who in turn contacts Thorne, as one of the officers involved in the original investigation. Initially sceptical, Thorne becomes convinced that Langford may indeed still be alive, a view that seems to be confirmed when various people associated with his past are killed.
I recognise that my synopsis may seem somewhat turgid, although the book is far from that. Billingham has always known how to engage his readers, and draw them in right from the start. Several of his books are set in locations near where I live, and I am always struck by how well Billingham describes them, often capturing aspects that I hadn’t noticed before, but which when I come to inspect them, are absolutely spot on.
When this story opens, Thorne is giving evidence in the case of Adam Chambers, who has been charged with abducting and murdering a young woman who had been a member of his self defence class. Thorne performs well in the witness box, and he and his colleagues are fairly confident of a guilty verdict. It is far from cut and dried, however, not least because the alleged victim’s body had never been discovered. This does not preclude the possibility of a guilty verdict, but it does make it a little bit harder, and the case has to be watertight.
He soon finds himself drawn into a markedly different case. Ten years earlier, Donna Langford had been convicted of conspiracy to murder, having paid an associate to murder her abusive husband, Alan, a key participant in local organised crime. A charred body had certainly been found in her husband’s burnt-out Jaguar, and as she capitulated at the first challenge from the police, she had been convicted, along with the hired hand who actually committed the killing, and the case seemed closed. However, shortly before her release, she starts receiving anonymous messages including photographs suggesting her husband is still alive. Her first thought is to hire Anna Carpenter, an aspiring private detective, who in turn contacts Thorne, as one of the officers involved in the original investigation. Initially sceptical, Thorne becomes convinced that Langford may indeed still be alive, a view that seems to be confirmed when various people associated with his past are killed.
I recognise that my synopsis may seem somewhat turgid, although the book is far from that. Billingham has always known how to engage his readers, and draw them in right from the start. Several of his books are set in locations near where I live, and I am always struck by how well Billingham describes them, often capturing aspects that I hadn’t noticed before, but which when I come to inspect them, are absolutely spot on.
June 1, 2011
I took a break from erotica to read a thriller snatched from Miz Nat’s bookshelf. Mark Billingham’s books featuring Detective Thorne always give me a juicy read, so I settled down with much eagerness last weekend to read about the cop’s latest exploits. He’s got a murder to unravel, except it was unravelled years ago and isn’t a murder after all. Well, not the guy who was supposed to be killed anyway. Yeah, some poor man copped it, and Thorne is ready to find out who he is—and where the original murder victim’s spending his time.
Alan Langford’s in Spain, the running-from-the-law shyster that he is, and coining it in by being the mastermind behind a drug ring. He’d been safe abroad—he thought no one would cross him or give him up because he’s one scary-azzed mofo—but someone had the balls to send his wife a recent picture.
That wife, Donna employs a female, amateur PI to find Alan, and the PI enlists the help of Thorne. The murder case is reopened, and it’s Thorne’s job to trace Alan, deal with his feelings towards the PI, plus juggle a relationship with his girlfriend that is on the edge of being dead.
Best bits: When I found out who sent the pictures.
Loved the killing in prison, the way the murder weapon was removed from the scene, and the death following that of a prison officer. Also liked his wife's reaction. She came off as weird, like she was divorced from what happened. I like weird.
Donna's character and her live-in female lover.
The PI and her reasons for switching careers. The sub-plot about her life, and her lazy-azzed boss.
From the Dead took me on a holiday to Spain, except it wasn’t a holiday for Thorne, and I got to see some sights, feel the sun, and enjoy a story about betrayal and nasty goings on that I pretend don’t happen in real life except I know they do. Some people have a reach greater than the length of their arm and can order killings from miles away knowing their orders will be obeyed. Scary stuff when you think about it. Lots of people being bumped off in case they let cats out of bags. Great read. Gripping, didn’t put it down often.
Alan Langford’s in Spain, the running-from-the-law shyster that he is, and coining it in by being the mastermind behind a drug ring. He’d been safe abroad—he thought no one would cross him or give him up because he’s one scary-azzed mofo—but someone had the balls to send his wife a recent picture.
That wife, Donna employs a female, amateur PI to find Alan, and the PI enlists the help of Thorne. The murder case is reopened, and it’s Thorne’s job to trace Alan, deal with his feelings towards the PI, plus juggle a relationship with his girlfriend that is on the edge of being dead.
Best bits: When I found out who sent the pictures.
Loved the killing in prison, the way the murder weapon was removed from the scene, and the death following that of a prison officer. Also liked his wife's reaction. She came off as weird, like she was divorced from what happened. I like weird.
Donna's character and her live-in female lover.
The PI and her reasons for switching careers. The sub-plot about her life, and her lazy-azzed boss.
From the Dead took me on a holiday to Spain, except it wasn’t a holiday for Thorne, and I got to see some sights, feel the sun, and enjoy a story about betrayal and nasty goings on that I pretend don’t happen in real life except I know they do. Some people have a reach greater than the length of their arm and can order killings from miles away knowing their orders will be obeyed. Scary stuff when you think about it. Lots of people being bumped off in case they let cats out of bags. Great read. Gripping, didn’t put it down often.
January 15, 2016
So - this one only gets a four. In fairness the last two had pushed that bar up very high indeed so it's not that much of a surprise.
A couple of reasons really, first of all there was a major part of the plot that I simply was not convinced by. I can't say much about it because it would quickly become a spoiler but suffice it to say that I just don't think they do that!!! (maybe they do but even if they do I wasn't convinced that they would :-) )
Secondly I didn't think this was as "tight" there seemed to be a fair amount of padding in it, it was good readable stuff but took the thing off the boil a bit.
And thirdly - okay I know I said a couple of things - I lied. And thirdly I wonder if Mr Billingham changed his editor for this one. Now, I am definitely not in the misplaced comma - bang you're dead brigade - not at all but there were a few things here that I thought the editor should have picked up on, I won't enumerate them because then readers will be looking out for them and that's not fair.
So - still enjoyed it, there was still much of the stuff in there that I like and Tom is still - well very much Tom with all his faults and foibles and when all is said and done - I went straight down to Amazon and bought the next one so - going out on a night like this has gotta show something hasn't it. Not quite as good as the last ones but good nonetheless.
A couple of reasons really, first of all there was a major part of the plot that I simply was not convinced by. I can't say much about it because it would quickly become a spoiler but suffice it to say that I just don't think they do that!!! (maybe they do but even if they do I wasn't convinced that they would :-) )
Secondly I didn't think this was as "tight" there seemed to be a fair amount of padding in it, it was good readable stuff but took the thing off the boil a bit.
And thirdly - okay I know I said a couple of things - I lied. And thirdly I wonder if Mr Billingham changed his editor for this one. Now, I am definitely not in the misplaced comma - bang you're dead brigade - not at all but there were a few things here that I thought the editor should have picked up on, I won't enumerate them because then readers will be looking out for them and that's not fair.
So - still enjoyed it, there was still much of the stuff in there that I like and Tom is still - well very much Tom with all his faults and foibles and when all is said and done - I went straight down to Amazon and bought the next one so - going out on a night like this has gotta show something hasn't it. Not quite as good as the last ones but good nonetheless.
February 10, 2015
What an enjoyable ripping yarn! Mind you, one does become tired of women being killed in all sorts of ways in thrillers, but at least Billingham throws in a few guys here and there. I like balance in murders.
I read a lot of mysteries a couple of years ago, back when I was thinking of hosting a mystery conference. I read everything from cozies to the Scandinavian dark tales, and it's all made me a bit fussy. I've become the sort of mystery writer who starts a book and tosses it aside if it doesn't grip me.
This gripped me. From the very first page, I was invested, turning pages far into the night. Billingham's flawed hero Tom Thorne is not your typical all work all drink sort, but instead a hard-working, perhaps a bit obsessed met detective. His interpersonal relationships are realistic, and I had to admit I was wishing for a beer with him by the end, though it might have involved a lot of heavy sighing on his part...(it's been a tough few months for him, poor fellah).
His female sidekick is also fully drawn, as is his girlfriend.all of the characters are wonderfully three-dimensional, not an easy task given the fast pace of this thriller. Even the victims are made real, and I was pulled into caring for all of them.
I'll be hunting out more of Billingham's books.
I read a lot of mysteries a couple of years ago, back when I was thinking of hosting a mystery conference. I read everything from cozies to the Scandinavian dark tales, and it's all made me a bit fussy. I've become the sort of mystery writer who starts a book and tosses it aside if it doesn't grip me.
This gripped me. From the very first page, I was invested, turning pages far into the night. Billingham's flawed hero Tom Thorne is not your typical all work all drink sort, but instead a hard-working, perhaps a bit obsessed met detective. His interpersonal relationships are realistic, and I had to admit I was wishing for a beer with him by the end, though it might have involved a lot of heavy sighing on his part...(it's been a tough few months for him, poor fellah).
His female sidekick is also fully drawn, as is his girlfriend.all of the characters are wonderfully three-dimensional, not an easy task given the fast pace of this thriller. Even the victims are made real, and I was pulled into caring for all of them.
I'll be hunting out more of Billingham's books.
July 18, 2014
It has been a decade since Alan Langford's charred remains were discovered in his burnt-out car. His wife Donna was found guilty of conspiracy to murder her husband and served ten years in prison.
But just before she is released, Donna receives a nasty shock: an anonymous letter containing a photo of her husband. The man she hates with every fibre of her being - the man she paid to have murdered - seems very much alive and well.
How is it possible that her husband is still alive?
Where is he?
Who sent the photo - and why?
DI Tom Thorne becomes involved in a case where nothing and no one are what they seem. It will take him much further from his London beat than he has ever been before - and closer to a killer who will do anything to protect his new life.
The book starts out amazingly well, gripping and very hard to put down. Unfortunately it hits a bit of a flat patch mid-book and while I was reading it I was busily going - you've completely missed this....why aren't you following up that?
But the ending has a couple of nice little twists.
All in all worth reading but not the best Billingham I have read.
But just before she is released, Donna receives a nasty shock: an anonymous letter containing a photo of her husband. The man she hates with every fibre of her being - the man she paid to have murdered - seems very much alive and well.
How is it possible that her husband is still alive?
Where is he?
Who sent the photo - and why?
DI Tom Thorne becomes involved in a case where nothing and no one are what they seem. It will take him much further from his London beat than he has ever been before - and closer to a killer who will do anything to protect his new life.
The book starts out amazingly well, gripping and very hard to put down. Unfortunately it hits a bit of a flat patch mid-book and while I was reading it I was busily going - you've completely missed this....why aren't you following up that?
But the ending has a couple of nice little twists.
All in all worth reading but not the best Billingham I have read.
March 22, 2022
No. 9 in the Tom Thorne detective series, and another gritty London case, taking in some Spanish sun. A good holiday read, and definitely escapism in action!
Blurb:
It has been a decade since Alan Langford's charred remains were discovered in his burnt-out car. His wife Donna was found guilty of conspiracy to murder her husband and served ten years in prison.
But just before she is released, Donna receives a nasty shock: an anonymous letter containing a photo of her husband. The man she hates with every fibre of her being - the man she paid to have murdered - seems very much alive and well.
As DI Tom Thorne becomes involved in the case, it takes him further from his London beat than ever before and closer to a killer who will do anything to protect his new life.
Enjoyable fluff, and don't expect to remember a lot of it a few weeks' later! A bit like candyfloss - enjoyable, an instant hit, with a sugar crash afterwards! Only spoiler - the culprit gets their comeuppance, but not necessarily in the way you would expect...
Not from a box, and a keeper, as it's part of a set.
Blurb:
It has been a decade since Alan Langford's charred remains were discovered in his burnt-out car. His wife Donna was found guilty of conspiracy to murder her husband and served ten years in prison.
But just before she is released, Donna receives a nasty shock: an anonymous letter containing a photo of her husband. The man she hates with every fibre of her being - the man she paid to have murdered - seems very much alive and well.
As DI Tom Thorne becomes involved in the case, it takes him further from his London beat than ever before and closer to a killer who will do anything to protect his new life.
Enjoyable fluff, and don't expect to remember a lot of it a few weeks' later! A bit like candyfloss - enjoyable, an instant hit, with a sugar crash afterwards! Only spoiler - the culprit gets their comeuppance, but not necessarily in the way you would expect...
Not from a box, and a keeper, as it's part of a set.
September 5, 2022
This is number 9 in Mark Billingham's Tom Thorne series of detective novels, but number one for me.
Billingham writes confidently and clearly understands his characters - old and new - well.
The plot concerns Alan Langford who's charred remains were found in a burnt out car 10 years ago. His wife Donna, guilty of conspiring to have him murdered, has just been released after a lengthy stretch in jail. Before her release she starts receiving photographs in the post of a man who looks remarkably like her husband but clearly alive and well and enjoying the good life in the sun.
Thorne investigates and as the plot develops, the body count grows and the plot thickens.
An enjoyable detective story which I read in about 5 days, which is quick for me. The book is quite lengthy at 470 pages but written in a clear and straightforward style. I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I would rush to read another. I've given it 4 stars, which is probably a little generous. 3.5 would be nearer the mark I think.
Billingham writes confidently and clearly understands his characters - old and new - well.
The plot concerns Alan Langford who's charred remains were found in a burnt out car 10 years ago. His wife Donna, guilty of conspiring to have him murdered, has just been released after a lengthy stretch in jail. Before her release she starts receiving photographs in the post of a man who looks remarkably like her husband but clearly alive and well and enjoying the good life in the sun.
Thorne investigates and as the plot develops, the body count grows and the plot thickens.
An enjoyable detective story which I read in about 5 days, which is quick for me. The book is quite lengthy at 470 pages but written in a clear and straightforward style. I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I would rush to read another. I've given it 4 stars, which is probably a little generous. 3.5 would be nearer the mark I think.
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