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Tom Thorne #6
Buried
The fashion in which Mark Billingham has climbed his way to the top of the British crime writing fraternity should cause no one any surprise. His secret is simple: Billingham's work is always utterly reliable, delivering gritty and authoritative crime fiction writing in which the sense of locale is always spot-on.
Here, DI Tom Thorne is asked to help in the case of a teenage boy who has disappeared. He is the son of a once high-ranking police officer (now retired), and Thorne's first endeavour is to ask the father, ex DCI Mullen, to draw up a list of all those in his past who might have reason to hold a grudge. But then Thorne discovers that there is an omission from the list: a man who has made serious threats to Mullen and his family. And as Billingham's beleaguered hero strains every sinew to track down the boy before he is killed, he has to find out why his ex-police colleague has lied to him.
As so often before with Billingham, it's the steady accumulation of disturbing detail that makes this novel so compelling. The author eschews easy thrills, and prefers to involve the reader at a more realistic pace. This is not to say that the book lacks excitement (even Billingham's enemies could hardly accuse him of that), but just that the tension is dispensed in a way that never seems meretricious. Another solid entry in the growing Tom Thorne canon.
Here, DI Tom Thorne is asked to help in the case of a teenage boy who has disappeared. He is the son of a once high-ranking police officer (now retired), and Thorne's first endeavour is to ask the father, ex DCI Mullen, to draw up a list of all those in his past who might have reason to hold a grudge. But then Thorne discovers that there is an omission from the list: a man who has made serious threats to Mullen and his family. And as Billingham's beleaguered hero strains every sinew to track down the boy before he is killed, he has to find out why his ex-police colleague has lied to him.
As so often before with Billingham, it's the steady accumulation of disturbing detail that makes this novel so compelling. The author eschews easy thrills, and prefers to involve the reader at a more realistic pace. This is not to say that the book lacks excitement (even Billingham's enemies could hardly accuse him of that), but just that the tension is dispensed in a way that never seems meretricious. Another solid entry in the growing Tom Thorne canon.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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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 262 reviews
November 26, 2022
Tom Thorne, book #6 : As I've stated before, I find this series is as good as the Rebus and Wallander books, and this case continues in that vein. A former top cop's teenage son goes missing after being seen with a strange woman outside of his school. Detective Inspector Thorne is called in, when the police begin to suspect a kidnapping. Thorne working with Louise Porter in the Kidnap Unit, begins to suspect that there's a lot more to the case than what meets the eye. Great case, great read, great series. 7 out of 12, and up to 8 out of 12, Four Star for my 2015 re-read.
2015 read, 2013 read
2015 read, 2013 read
January 30, 2020
This is the only Billingham that I've read to date - it's an enjoyable crime novel set in the heart of London and sixth in the Tom Thorne series.
The main premise consists of a kidnapping attempt of 16 year old Luke Mullen, the son of a former Detective Chief Superintendent.
As the story progresses it becomes apparent on why he was targeted.
The manner of the various teenage boys who the police question during their investigation felt so authentic and amusing, especially as they wonder if the 'old bill' knew about their private activities.
Like any series their seemed to be a story arc of Thornes guilt, I'm not sure if it will spoil a plot point from an earlier book but it certainly added an extra layer to the character.
It was certainly enjoyable enough to happily read another in this series.
The main premise consists of a kidnapping attempt of 16 year old Luke Mullen, the son of a former Detective Chief Superintendent.
As the story progresses it becomes apparent on why he was targeted.
The manner of the various teenage boys who the police question during their investigation felt so authentic and amusing, especially as they wonder if the 'old bill' knew about their private activities.
Like any series their seemed to be a story arc of Thornes guilt, I'm not sure if it will spoil a plot point from an earlier book but it certainly added an extra layer to the character.
It was certainly enjoyable enough to happily read another in this series.
June 24, 2018
Not sure what happened, first part was very good then some sort of twist occurred, and either I missed the point or there wasn't one. Because little of it made sense. Fortunately I know that the series does improve a lot!
December 9, 2014
This is the sixth Tom Thorne novel and, as always, things are not going well for our country music loving detective. It is six months since Thorne went undercover amongst London’s homeless and he is still being side-lined. However, when pressure is put upon his superior officer to help with the kidnapping of a former Detective Chief Superintendent’s son, Thorne is unceremoniously loaned to the kidnap unit. Alongside D.I. Louise Porter, Thorne is sent to discover who is holding sixteen year old Luke Mullen, who was seen getting into a car outside his prestigious North London school.
One of the things that I have to admit appeal to me about this series, is that they are set in the part of London where I live and there is much that is familiar. I recognise the London Mark Billingham writes about and the people who populate his books. Of course, the kidnapping case is not going to be easy to solve, especially when things are complicated by Luke’s location being moved. Along the way, there is the case of a previous murder – racially motivated – and the chief suspect being a boy at Mullen’s school. There are also questions as to why the father of the kidnapped boy did not give a very comprehensive list of people who may have had a grudge against him and the reasons he retired at almost the same time as a previous child sex offender vanished from sight…
Like all the Thorne books, this is comprehensively plotted and realistic. Thorne is not an action hero – but a disgruntled, weary man, coping with personal problems and a bad back. There are familiar characters that we have come to know, including Dave Holland and Yvonne Kitson, and they help flesh out the storyline. This is certainly a series that I intend to read on with and it has become one of my favourites.
One of the things that I have to admit appeal to me about this series, is that they are set in the part of London where I live and there is much that is familiar. I recognise the London Mark Billingham writes about and the people who populate his books. Of course, the kidnapping case is not going to be easy to solve, especially when things are complicated by Luke’s location being moved. Along the way, there is the case of a previous murder – racially motivated – and the chief suspect being a boy at Mullen’s school. There are also questions as to why the father of the kidnapped boy did not give a very comprehensive list of people who may have had a grudge against him and the reasons he retired at almost the same time as a previous child sex offender vanished from sight…
Like all the Thorne books, this is comprehensively plotted and realistic. Thorne is not an action hero – but a disgruntled, weary man, coping with personal problems and a bad back. There are familiar characters that we have come to know, including Dave Holland and Yvonne Kitson, and they help flesh out the storyline. This is certainly a series that I intend to read on with and it has become one of my favourites.
December 12, 2010
Thats it for the series, I'm afraid. I have plodded on with these pedestrian stories for five years. I have gone from being mildly entertained to downright bored and this one fits into the latter desciprtion. I vaguely enjoyed the last one and the new series on Sky (which is also rubbish) has re-kindled my enthusiam.
I read / have read a number of UK crime series - rebus for the locations, banks for his musical tastes, Cooper for the relationship with fry but Di Thorne is the most boring character in the world. I am about 6 books in and I couldnt give a flyine one what happens to him.
As well as weak characterisation, this story goes nowhere. Something to do with a kidnapped son of an ex copper. 400 painful pages later and I dont know or care, who or why.
A waste of 8 days when there is so much good fiction out there.
I read / have read a number of UK crime series - rebus for the locations, banks for his musical tastes, Cooper for the relationship with fry but Di Thorne is the most boring character in the world. I am about 6 books in and I couldnt give a flyine one what happens to him.
As well as weak characterisation, this story goes nowhere. Something to do with a kidnapped son of an ex copper. 400 painful pages later and I dont know or care, who or why.
A waste of 8 days when there is so much good fiction out there.
January 5, 2011
This book sucked. It was too slow paced, too boring and there were far too many under developed characters with similar names to keep track of. I think this would have been a good read if it was about 200 pages shorter. It's a flabby novel.
The title/ blurb didn't seem to match the contents of the book really at all, and I felt like even the 'exciting bits' were dull enough that I could set them down, go make a cup of tea and then carry on. Perhaps I should just give crime thrillers based in London a miss... the bureaucracy annoys me. (Having said that, Lynda La Plante can deliver.)
*spoiler below*
I was utterly annoyed at the way the killer was finally revealed. The police find out who it is, talk about them in vagueries for 20 pages or something without mentioning their name, and then when finally the name is revealed, I haven't got a clue who that was because the character got about 3 pages coverage 300 pages earlier. It's like saying "surprise the guy who cleans the windows did it"!!!
I did enjoy the sub-plot about the hunt for the perpetrator of a racially motivated killing though. That was clever and had a small crew of worthwhile characters involved. Billingham should have stuck with that and given the rest a miss.
The title/ blurb didn't seem to match the contents of the book really at all, and I felt like even the 'exciting bits' were dull enough that I could set them down, go make a cup of tea and then carry on. Perhaps I should just give crime thrillers based in London a miss... the bureaucracy annoys me. (Having said that, Lynda La Plante can deliver.)
*spoiler below*
I was utterly annoyed at the way the killer was finally revealed. The police find out who it is, talk about them in vagueries for 20 pages or something without mentioning their name, and then when finally the name is revealed, I haven't got a clue who that was because the character got about 3 pages coverage 300 pages earlier. It's like saying "surprise the guy who cleans the windows did it"!!!
I did enjoy the sub-plot about the hunt for the perpetrator of a racially motivated killing though. That was clever and had a small crew of worthwhile characters involved. Billingham should have stuck with that and given the rest a miss.
December 1, 2017
Another of those books where the main protagonist has so many problems of his own that they interfere with his job as a DI on the murder squad. He is always on the verge of being suspended and has few, if any, friends. Spare me all the angst and just give me a good mystery that makes me wonder "who dunnit".
Two major crimes are being investigated in this book #6 of the Tom Thorne series...a kidnapping of the teenage son of a retired DCI and the subsequent murder of the kidnappers. It appears that the murderer now has the kidnap victim but no ransom demand is forthcoming. Is the boy still alive and why has he been taken? It is a good premise but becomes overly complicated as the story progresses. Additionally, there are enough characters involved to populate a small town, most of whom come and go without adding much to the plot.
This book has its moments and is enough to keep one interested. But the problems that I had noted above are enough for me to give it a lower rating than it may deserve.
Two major crimes are being investigated in this book #6 of the Tom Thorne series...a kidnapping of the teenage son of a retired DCI and the subsequent murder of the kidnappers. It appears that the murderer now has the kidnap victim but no ransom demand is forthcoming. Is the boy still alive and why has he been taken? It is a good premise but becomes overly complicated as the story progresses. Additionally, there are enough characters involved to populate a small town, most of whom come and go without adding much to the plot.
This book has its moments and is enough to keep one interested. But the problems that I had noted above are enough for me to give it a lower rating than it may deserve.
December 22, 2018
Really enthralling Tom Thorne tale centred on the kidnap of an ex-officers young son. A high body count follows with many decent twists to keep you guessing. Very good series, very good book.
April 27, 2023
Tom Thorne goes undercover as a homeless vagrant to catch a killer that is killing homeless men. I had never read from this series but was I my element. Thorne a likeable dislikeable character, with his best intentions in a screwed up way investigates murders that lead to a tale of soldiers and their wrongdoings. Eager to read more in this series. Thorne captivated my imagination and I have not encountered writing this good since I got caught up with Rankin and Rebus. I corks devour these books easily
June 20, 2013
6.5/10
This wasn’t as good as some of the others I’ve read in this series. Thorne is a great character and can hold his own with some of the other detectives in a saturated market. However the storyline for this one didn’t grip me and at times I was a bit absent minded which hasn’t happened in this series beforehand.
The kidnapping of a child was a sidestep from the usual murder case Thorne gets involved in but that is eventually sorted out with bodies soon dropping like flies.
I would have preferred more of Hendricks and Holland in this outing as the relationships Thorne has with them is an interesting dynamic to the series.
Not one of his best but worth reading if you’ve got that far into the series.
If you like this try: “Faceless Killers” by Henning Mankell
This wasn’t as good as some of the others I’ve read in this series. Thorne is a great character and can hold his own with some of the other detectives in a saturated market. However the storyline for this one didn’t grip me and at times I was a bit absent minded which hasn’t happened in this series beforehand.
The kidnapping of a child was a sidestep from the usual murder case Thorne gets involved in but that is eventually sorted out with bodies soon dropping like flies.
I would have preferred more of Hendricks and Holland in this outing as the relationships Thorne has with them is an interesting dynamic to the series.
Not one of his best but worth reading if you’ve got that far into the series.
If you like this try: “Faceless Killers” by Henning Mankell
April 14, 2017
This was my first Billingham.
I had a hard time "getting into" this one and also a hard time sticking with it until the end, but, once I actually got to the end, I decided that I liked it. One problem with the narrative is that there are a very large number of similar characters that don't have a lot of on-page time, and it's hard to keep them straight. When Billingham finally revealed the name of the kidnapper, I could not remember exactly who the guy was and when we had last encountered him.
I'd be interested in hearing from Goodreads friends who have read Billingham what they think of him.
I had a hard time "getting into" this one and also a hard time sticking with it until the end, but, once I actually got to the end, I decided that I liked it. One problem with the narrative is that there are a very large number of similar characters that don't have a lot of on-page time, and it's hard to keep them straight. When Billingham finally revealed the name of the kidnapper, I could not remember exactly who the guy was and when we had last encountered him.
I'd be interested in hearing from Goodreads friends who have read Billingham what they think of him.
July 24, 2016
The 6th book in the Tom Thorne series by Mark Billingham.
I enjoyed this book that is full of twists and turns but I didn't think it reaches the heights of the earlier books in this series.
I enjoyed this book that is full of twists and turns but I didn't think it reaches the heights of the earlier books in this series.
May 13, 2022
3.5/5
Its ok? Glad the detective wasn't an arrogant prick and he's surprisingly likable. I was a little confused about twice but that might just me being thick
Its ok? Glad the detective wasn't an arrogant prick and he's surprisingly likable. I was a little confused about twice but that might just me being thick
January 5, 2025
Always feels like I’m reading an episode of a TV crime drama when I read a book from this series. Love it
September 4, 2011
With Buried, his sixth DI Thorne novel, Billingham eschews the grisly serial killers of his early work, and turns his storytelling talents to the tale of missing teenager Luke Mullen, who unknowingly finds himself at the centre of an elaborate spider-web of historic secrets and present-day fears. On special assignment to the Kidnap Unit, beleaguered DI Thorne finds his desperate search for the boy, son of a retired DCI, complicated by an unpredictable kidnapper, Mullen snr trying to steer the investigation away from certain leads, tenuous links with a racially-motivated murder, and Thorne’s unresolved grief over the fiery death of his own father.
Once again Billingham delivers crime fiction of paramount quality, tightly weaving a gripping plot amongst an authentic world of multi-layered characters and well-evoked setting, with an undercurrent of social commentary bubbling beneath. Billingham’s early excellence saw him compared to all-time greats of the crime genre. The quality of books such as Buried means others should now be compared to him.
Once again Billingham delivers crime fiction of paramount quality, tightly weaving a gripping plot amongst an authentic world of multi-layered characters and well-evoked setting, with an undercurrent of social commentary bubbling beneath. Billingham’s early excellence saw him compared to all-time greats of the crime genre. The quality of books such as Buried means others should now be compared to him.
February 2, 2012
Billingham has written another Tom Thorne novel that draws the reader into Thorne's world. It sometimes seems that Thorne, a lover of American country music, lives a life that could be a country song - except he doesn't have a dog or a pickup truck. Thorne's world continues to be a noire version of a police procedural novel.
After Thorne's last outing which ended with him being relegated to a desk job buried in paperwork, Thorne gets seconded to a special unit to work on a kidnapping case. With Thorne involved it ends up being much more than a routine investigation. Billingham brings back the usual cast of Thorne's mates and this is an interesting read that will hold the reader's interest until the last line.
After Thorne's last outing which ended with him being relegated to a desk job buried in paperwork, Thorne gets seconded to a special unit to work on a kidnapping case. With Thorne involved it ends up being much more than a routine investigation. Billingham brings back the usual cast of Thorne's mates and this is an interesting read that will hold the reader's interest until the last line.
May 28, 2017
Not his best. I love Marks style of write and his character Thorne however this story of a kidnapping was too long and drawn out. Not my favourite hence my rating of three stars.
November 3, 2018
Mark Billingham never disappoints me, and this one was no exception. Although the plot was a bit convoluted and slow at first, the last part more than made up for that.
July 6, 2025
Thorne is back with his trusty sidekick Holland. They are assigned to a kidnapping of an ex policeman’s son. Luke has disappeared outside school and Thorne finds himself immersed in a strange case where the kidnappers make no demands. The story comes together well with the parents of the victim acting oddly.
There is also a subplot of a murdered Asian boy and the murderer possibly coming from the same school as Luke. There is also a child abuser called Gladstone who possibly murdered his girlfriend five years ago. The politics of the different parts of the police are very political with simmering rivalries and weird desire for credit of arrests.
SPOILERS AHEAD
The ending is good. Thorne finds out that Maggie the mother of Luke is having an affair with the kidnapper. They were responsible for the death of the woman five years ago when they told her that Gladstone was a child abuser. Her lover and her were part of a committee supervising Gladstone.
We also find out the father of Luke arrested Gladstone who knew that Luke’s father was a pedophile as well. Luke in the final confrontation kills his kidnapper.
There is also a subplot of a murdered Asian boy and the murderer possibly coming from the same school as Luke. There is also a child abuser called Gladstone who possibly murdered his girlfriend five years ago. The politics of the different parts of the police are very political with simmering rivalries and weird desire for credit of arrests.
SPOILERS AHEAD
The ending is good. Thorne finds out that Maggie the mother of Luke is having an affair with the kidnapper. They were responsible for the death of the woman five years ago when they told her that Gladstone was a child abuser. Her lover and her were part of a committee supervising Gladstone.
We also find out the father of Luke arrested Gladstone who knew that Luke’s father was a pedophile as well. Luke in the final confrontation kills his kidnapper.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2019
As I carry on through the Tom Thorne series I think they are getting better with each book. Here our hero has returned to duty after his adventures as an undercover cop posing as a homeless man and is seconded on to the mets kidnap squad as they investigate the abduction of an ex officers teenage son. Fanily intrigue and great plotting had me rapidly turning the pages with an ending which was thoroughly satisfying. Onto book 7 asap.
March 4, 2019
Great plot and characters, not overlong, nicely written, with excessive violence kept under control - I'm pretty happy to read a crime fiction author who can produce that.
June 15, 2020
Gave up before half way. Just didn't hook me at all.
March 6, 2023
This one a little more convoluted than the recent entries and felt like definite padding in places. 3+
March 8, 2012
Sixth in the DI Tom Thorne mystery series. The teenage son of a former cop is kidnapped, but oddly enough there's no ransom note and some question as to whether it was a true kidnapping or whether Luke Mullen voluntarily went off. Thorne, still in trouble with his boss and recovering from events in the last book, is seconded to a small team working with the kidnapping squad working on the case.
As Thorne investigates and looks into the whereabouts of the list of people with grudges against Tony Mullen, Luke's father, he notices the conspicuous absence of a name mentioned by his old friend who works the cold case squad, and investigation into that person starts touching off some red flags. Why hadn't Mullen included the name on his list, and why hadn't his boss added the name when shown Mullen's list? Thorne thinks something is being covered up and is aiming to find out what.
It has been a couple of years at least since I read the previous book in this series, mostly because I'd found Thorne's "bad boy rebel cop" persona to become mildly boring and predictable regardless of what stupid, outrageous things he did. He hasn't changed! LOL The book is well-written, well-plotted with some interesting twists that I didn't see coming at all, and while I actually like some of Thorne's secondary characters, I find Thorne hasn't changed much from his irritating old self. I absolutely loved the first couple of books in this series, but while I liked the rest of them, I think I will have to continue to leave months/years between reading each one.
As Thorne investigates and looks into the whereabouts of the list of people with grudges against Tony Mullen, Luke's father, he notices the conspicuous absence of a name mentioned by his old friend who works the cold case squad, and investigation into that person starts touching off some red flags. Why hadn't Mullen included the name on his list, and why hadn't his boss added the name when shown Mullen's list? Thorne thinks something is being covered up and is aiming to find out what.
It has been a couple of years at least since I read the previous book in this series, mostly because I'd found Thorne's "bad boy rebel cop" persona to become mildly boring and predictable regardless of what stupid, outrageous things he did. He hasn't changed! LOL The book is well-written, well-plotted with some interesting twists that I didn't see coming at all, and while I actually like some of Thorne's secondary characters, I find Thorne hasn't changed much from his irritating old self. I absolutely loved the first couple of books in this series, but while I liked the rest of them, I think I will have to continue to leave months/years between reading each one.
January 5, 2016
I am slowly catching up with this series and I feel like the more I read of them the more I enjoy them. This is largely down to Tom Thorne as a character! I love the fact that Thorne is a disgruntled and weary copper that had his own strange personality quirks. In addition I love how his father is still a large part of his life and is written in as dialogue when Thorne is battling with many questions. Since Torne’s last outing which saw him on the streets Undercover, he is being pushed aside hence the move to the kidnap unit. This latest instalment sees teenager Luke Mullen go missing. Luke’s father also happens to be a former Police Officer which makes the case a lot tougher than usual.
In addition to Thornes colleague Holland we now meet DI Louise Porter who makes for some very interesting reading and interaction with Thorne. As usual these Billingham books are so easy to read and seeing as they are set in my neck of the woods, it’s always great to have a sense of familiarity as they are set in and around South London. All the necessary requirements are there with book 6, with plenty of suspense, and drama as well as characters I seem to have grown attached to.
I feel like there is still so much more to come with Tom Thorne and now I’m nearing the halfway mark, I am even keener than before to get up to date and find out what’s happening with Thorne and his colleagues. This is a cracking series and it’s easy to see why he has such a following. Looking forward to book 7 and would definitely recommend this series!
In addition to Thornes colleague Holland we now meet DI Louise Porter who makes for some very interesting reading and interaction with Thorne. As usual these Billingham books are so easy to read and seeing as they are set in my neck of the woods, it’s always great to have a sense of familiarity as they are set in and around South London. All the necessary requirements are there with book 6, with plenty of suspense, and drama as well as characters I seem to have grown attached to.
I feel like there is still so much more to come with Tom Thorne and now I’m nearing the halfway mark, I am even keener than before to get up to date and find out what’s happening with Thorne and his colleagues. This is a cracking series and it’s easy to see why he has such a following. Looking forward to book 7 and would definitely recommend this series!
January 7, 2012
After two rather different cases for Thorne, this one is back to being a more typical "whodunnit". It starts off with the kidnap of a policeman's son but actually the plot soon becomes much more complicated. The pace is slow to begin with and then there's a huge twist nearly half way through that livens things up. As ever with the Thorne books, this is more than just the one case going on. There's another case which is loosely linked and then all the personal storylines. Thorne is still getting over the events at the end of The Burning Girl, Kitson is trying to recover her career and Hendricks is having a rocky patch with his boyfriend. Also new character Porter adds an element of possible romance for Thorne which I imagine we shall see more of as the seris progresses. It's all this little storylines that add to the experience and why the Thorne books are gritty and more realistic than other crime books. Another great read and I look forward to reading Death Message!
NB: Be aware though that the title is such a loose connection to the plot it's unreal. Don't expect anyone to be be buried alive or anything!
NB: Be aware though that the title is such a loose connection to the plot it's unreal. Don't expect anyone to be be buried alive or anything!
August 6, 2008
BURIED (Police Proc-DI Tom Thorne-London-Cont) – G+
Billingham, Mark – 4th in series
Little, Brown, 2006, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 0316730505
First Sentence: You think about the kids.
DI Tom Thorne and his team are searching for the son of a retired, formerly-high-ranking police official. The boy has been kidnapped, and the father has been asked for a list of those who may have a grudge against him, but he leaves one name off the list. Thorne leads the team on an increasingly trying case while still dealing with his back injuries.
Billingham is great at creating a tight, twisty plot that, starts slow but, once you get into it, keeps you involved all the way through. He switches points of view in a way that is easy to follow and which heightens the suspense of the story. His sense of place is good and the dialogue crisp. It did have an ending I did not see coming, which was great.
What is lacking, to me, and has been through the series, is character development. I don't feel I have a real sense of Thorne, at least not enough to care about him or have the same sense of involvement I have for other similar characters.
I still have a couple more books of the series on my shelves and I shall read them, but I don't see myself going forward with this series beyond that.
Billingham, Mark – 4th in series
Little, Brown, 2006, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 0316730505
First Sentence: You think about the kids.
DI Tom Thorne and his team are searching for the son of a retired, formerly-high-ranking police official. The boy has been kidnapped, and the father has been asked for a list of those who may have a grudge against him, but he leaves one name off the list. Thorne leads the team on an increasingly trying case while still dealing with his back injuries.
Billingham is great at creating a tight, twisty plot that, starts slow but, once you get into it, keeps you involved all the way through. He switches points of view in a way that is easy to follow and which heightens the suspense of the story. His sense of place is good and the dialogue crisp. It did have an ending I did not see coming, which was great.
What is lacking, to me, and has been through the series, is character development. I don't feel I have a real sense of Thorne, at least not enough to care about him or have the same sense of involvement I have for other similar characters.
I still have a couple more books of the series on my shelves and I shall read them, but I don't see myself going forward with this series beyond that.
August 9, 2013
This book, first published in 2006 is the sixth in Mark Billingham’s Tom Thorne series. Detective Inspector Tom Thorn is assigned to investigate the disappearance of a sixteen year old boy. I have read crime and police detective novels from all over the world and have noticed a great (and very difficult to describe) difference between British and American stories. Since most of the stories deal primarily with the subject of murder, I can only assume the differences lie in the details. This assumption if true (and I believe it is) make American novels, in the general rule, slightly more interesting and readable than their British counterpart. This said, I must also say that this is my introduction to both Mark Billingham and Tom Thorne. I don’t find the story as intriguing and captivating as those written by his American contemporaries. I give it three stars and think it deserves every one.
July 21, 2022
I love coming back to a Tom Thorne novel. This character is so memorable, so flawed but likeable. I find myself caring as much about him and his own life that I do about the victims of crime.
In this story, it is six months since Thorne’s time undercover, sleeping on the streets of London. It is six months since his father died. So he’s still hurting, both physically and emotionally. Then, he is thrown together with DI Louise Porter and the kidnap squad, and they race against time to find a kidnapped fourteen year old, Luke Mullen, who just happens to be the son of a retired DCI.
There are plenty of twists and aa couple of sub-plots. These keep us on our toes. There are a couple of twists I kind of thought might happen,but the big one was a huge surprise. But it made perfect sense.
I really enjoyed this book. I’m still a big fan of Tom Thorne. I am interested to know what happens with his relationships with Porter.
In this story, it is six months since Thorne’s time undercover, sleeping on the streets of London. It is six months since his father died. So he’s still hurting, both physically and emotionally. Then, he is thrown together with DI Louise Porter and the kidnap squad, and they race against time to find a kidnapped fourteen year old, Luke Mullen, who just happens to be the son of a retired DCI.
There are plenty of twists and aa couple of sub-plots. These keep us on our toes. There are a couple of twists I kind of thought might happen,but the big one was a huge surprise. But it made perfect sense.
I really enjoyed this book. I’m still a big fan of Tom Thorne. I am interested to know what happens with his relationships with Porter.
August 2, 2012
This was my first Billingham novel, and I loved it. Very British, with that wry sense of humor sprinkled in. Billingham writes very intelligently; you can't skim the story like you can with the work of some other mystery writers.
The story centers around the kidnap of the son of an ex-police chief, with other crimes being connected to it as either red herrings or contributory. Tom Thorne, the recurring detective, of course has flaws, including not being loved by the upper management. In this novel he works with new police personnel, but has a long time friendship with a coroner, who happens to be gay. This reminded me a lot of Jonathan Kellerman's partnership of Milo Sturgis and Alex Delaware.
The resolution has a couple of nice twists to it, one which I didn't see coming.
Very enjoyable, and I would read more of Billingham.
The story centers around the kidnap of the son of an ex-police chief, with other crimes being connected to it as either red herrings or contributory. Tom Thorne, the recurring detective, of course has flaws, including not being loved by the upper management. In this novel he works with new police personnel, but has a long time friendship with a coroner, who happens to be gay. This reminded me a lot of Jonathan Kellerman's partnership of Milo Sturgis and Alex Delaware.
The resolution has a couple of nice twists to it, one which I didn't see coming.
Very enjoyable, and I would read more of Billingham.
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