Great story by Mike Thomas. Really thrilling read, great characters and an enjoyable story. Highly recommend to others!!

This is the second book in the DC MacReady series. Unfortunately I did not read book one, but this one read nicely as a standalone. Book was well written and truly showed the emotions and issues a terrorist attach can cause to innocent people. Well done and recommended.

This is the second in the author’s DC Will MacReady novels, and if anything, it’s better than the first, Ash and Bones, which I also reviewed. Set against a backdrop of a Cardiff on edge - a white boy has been murdered by a gang of smirking Asian youth, cue lots of EDL types protesting every morning on the court’s steps, Antifa opposing them, the police stuck in the middle - a series of bombs explodes across the city. The first hit’s a souk, an annual celebration of multiculturalism held in one of the city’s parks. The second strikes a mosque. There are multiple casualties at each location, fatalities and maimings. Is this the work of far-right extremists? A cell of bombers or a lone wolf like Anders Breivik, or the Brixton bomber, David Copeland?

I don’t want to give away spoilers, so I will avoid too much discussion of the plot, but needless to say, everything is not all that it seems. What I will say is that MacReady and the other characters in the novel are well drawn and the book itself is tightly plotted. While this is the second in the series, it can be read as a standalone, though you will miss a little of the back story. 

Mike Thomas is a former police officer and as such this novel has a real air of authenticity. While Will is the main character, Thomas is obviously aware that a police investigation is a team effort and consequently the supporting cast play big roles. Some writers aiming for authenticity overwhelm their readers with the minutia of their research but Thomas is careful not to do this, so while the novel does have the ring of accuracy to it, this is not laboured.   

Unforgivable is a police procedural and we all know that the bookshelves groan under the weight of such titles. I would say though that the author’s skill as a writer elevates his novel above many of its competitors. For a start this is not a serial killer novel. Also, while MacReady has got a troubled personal life, the author writes well enough to avoid the usual cliche’s. In fact, that’s a feature of the book full stop. Numerous journalists have pontificated in the past over what makes a great book or film, what makes a great crime thriller. For my own part I think it’s a magic ingredient that is difficult to put one’s finger on. So, if one thinks of The Wire, or The Killing, it’s easy to think that it might be a sense of place, or a killer twist. But many books and films have a sense of place or a knockout twist and aren’t so good. Which brings me back to that magic, the elusive fairy dust. Unforgivable is one such novel; while the plot is original enough, there have been books before that have dealt with terrorism and terror-like atrocities, similarly, as noted above, there are innumerable police procedurals with troubled protagonists. But the author writes well and imbues his novel with that something extra.  

In short this is a great novel and one that I heartily recommend. Mike Thomas is an author to watch and I look forward to future novels in the MacReady series. But his previous novels (standalones, not Will MacReady novels, and indeed, not police procedurals) are also well worth digging out. In particular, I would challenge anyone to read Ugly Bus and not think it a cult classic.

Sadly this book didn't live up to expectations, it was really slow and too heavily descriptive for me

The book starts of with an all too real terrorist(?) attack quickly followed by another attack on a mosque. Whilst everyone else is trying to find the bomber MacReady is sidelined after he is asked to investigate a knife attack.
As with all my reviews I will not spoil it for anyone by giving the plot away but needless to say everything is not how it seems.

Unforgivable is a thriller that twists and turns the reader through interconnected story lines that lead to a fantastic ending. Its one of those books that you really want to get to the end of but when you do you are so disappointed that its finished you want to read it again.
The story felt so real, I felt totally immersed into the book I was there dodging the shrapnel and listening to the briefings standing next to Will MacReady.

Really loved it and cant recommend it enough. From one expat living in Portugal to another a massive 5 stars.

There is a bombing in the markets and then in a church. So begins the search. A girl is a murder victim at the same time. Not much time or energy is given to her. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and appreciated the tight weaving of the story making. A very appropriate story in our current climate, and I felt sorry for the family of the forgotten murder victim. It also made you think about all of the competing priorities the police deal with. But every good story has a twist and this one did not disappoint. Thank you for letting me read this story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book really well written and a good story line. This book didn't disappoint, it was gritty and full of twists and turns that kept me turning the pages and wanting more. A solid 5 star read.

Blurb:

Bombs detonate in a busy souk, causing massive devastation.
An explosion rips apart a mosque, killing and injuring those inside.
But this isn't the Middle East - this is Cardiff . . .

In a city where tensions are already running high, DC Will MacReady and his colleagues begin the desperate hunt for the attacker. If they knew the 'why', then surely they can find the 'who'? But that isn't so easy, and time is fast running out . . .

MacReady is still trying to prove himself after the horrific events of the previous year, which left his sergeant injured and his job in jeopardy, so he feels sidelined when he's asked to investigate a vicious knife attack on a young woman.

But all is not as it seems with his new case, and soon MacReady must put everything on the line in order to do what is right.

Review:

Usually mystery thrillers are my absolute favorite. But I just couldn't get into Unforgivable.

I've read some great reviews about this book, and I had high hopes for it. But I just couldn't get into it.

There were too many descriptions, to begin with. The first chapter itself put me off. I like fast paced novels, where you just don't have the time to dwell on stuff because you're in a hurry to know what's gonna happen. I couldn't find that drive in this book.

So yeah, I couldn't get into Unforgivable, despite multiple attempts.

I'm giving it 2 stars because the descriptions (though lengthy) were pretty beautiful and because the book deserves that much.

Opening the pages to Unforgivable you are thrown straight into the action, and oh boy is there plenty of action to keep you gripped.
When a bomb is set off in a busy souk there’s pure devastation, utter chaos and sadly very believable scenes. Another explosion is then set off in a Mosque, causing more devastation and to the police, to everyone really it looks like a terror attack and the hunt is on to find the killer. Reading these scenes my heart was in my mouth, I could have been in the middle of the destruction, witnessing it all for real.
There are a few different threads to Unforgivable, so not only is Will Macready on the hunt for the attacker, he has another case to crack as well. Sadly though due to the attacks on the souk and mosque it seems this case may take a bit of a back seat and may not be quite as straight forward as first thought.
We also find out about Will’s incredibly complicated personal life which was where I thought I would struggle a bit with not having read the first book, but Thomas has done a good job of slowly giving you a bit of back story. It’s not over powering and I don’t believe it will be repetitive from book one, sometimes I find there is so much info from previous books it can take over a new story but not with Unforgivable, I got enough to make sense but not enough to feel like I know the whole story of book one and I really want to read it now.
Unforgivable is a fast paced thriller, it’s gritty, dark, utterly consuming and incredibly believable. I’ll definitely recommend this book and I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Mike Thomas soon.

I have to talk about the opening chapter it's safe to say that it grabbed hold of me and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. It's gritty and dark at times but this just made the story all the more gripping and addictive. The main point that I found was that the events in this book can and do take place which made it all the more chilling, from protest marches to actual bombs being detonated. The story feels very real almost as if you are a fly on the wall experiencing the events with the characters.

Will isn't perfect and for me it made his character much more believable. I always seem to appreciate a character more if they have flaws. Will makes mistakes but don't we all it's just all the more dangerous and significant if Will does. Even though this is the second Will MacReady story it didn't really feel as if there was any confusion from not reading the first story Ash and Bones. Although as with any series it does help to start at the beginning I guess just so you get more of the back story. I felt that I was given enough information to get a feel for Will's character without it being too much at once. There are a wide range of supporting characters who vary in how likeable they are.

It was great to see a couple of plot strands take place along with the bombings and it was interesting to see the investigations play out. The pacing of the story is pretty good with a good mix of high adrenaline scenes then seeing how they go about investigating the crimes. Mike Thomas has written an intriguing character and story that left me wanting more.

Unforgivable is tense, fast paced with plenty of heart stopping moments!

With thanks to Emily at Bonnier Zaffre for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Set in Cardiff, the reader is thrown into a story filled with destruction on both personal and professional levels. There is loss, guilt, revenge, anger, retribution, family/relationships, lies/secrets, betrayal – all is not as it seems but most is unforgiveable….

Plot-wise, the story for me at first, moved along at quite an even pace but rose & fell exactly where it should – getting the #BOOMS in exactly where needed to keep the reader on edge throughout. Told in third-person POV, there initially appears to be two threads to this complex story-line, but don’t get complacent as all roads merge into one and you are carefully directed to see how all the pieces fit together. The pace also picked up full throttle in the second half of this novel which made for an exciting and intense read!

Character-wise, this book had a mixed bag of people to keep the reader interested, so I will only mention a few that really caught my eye. DC Will MacReady has a whole lot going on in both his personal and professional life which I found added that touch of realism and authenticity not only the story, but this character as well. Despite his demons and the state of the police force, MacReady is determined, reactive and trying to get to grips with the hardships that haunt him – ok, he may not deal with this part too well….but I think the author nailed it.

Echols- well the conflict between Echols and MacReady was so thick, I even felt awkward when these pair came together! This guy comes across as a grade-A arse if I am honest, but he may well have cause to be….

I have to say, Klaudia Slovak was my favourite character overall – she is a journalist, fiesty, a wee bit sassy but oh so intelligent. Ok…ok….so her involvement with MacReady may be questionable, but there is great banter and a genuine fondness that really made me soften towards her. I love her wit, sarcasm and ability to get exactly what she wants. Great character, Mr Thomas!!

This is the second book in the series, Ash and Bones being the first and although it can easily be read as I standalone, for me, I did feel like I was missing out on some of the backstory to really grasp the dynamics fully. Don’t get me wrong, the author does provide the reader with enough to enjoy the story, I just personally wanted more, so will definitely be picking up Ash and Bones to really immerse myself in this series!

Do I recommend this read? That would easily be a you bet your sweet arse I do! If you are looking for a dark, gritty, action-packed, explosive read/series – you will definitely want to get your hands on this badboy!

I have had the first book in the DC Will MacReady series, Ash and Bones on my TBR since it was published. I remember thinking at the time how drawn I was to the book, how gritty and real the blurb felt. Unfortunately time has not been on my side and I have (so far) completely failed to read it. So when I was given the opportunity to read the second book, Unforgivable it was a no-brainer for me. It didn’t matter that I hadn’t read the first in the series, I wanted to be a part of the launch tour. And oh wow, I wasn’t the slightest bit disappointed.

This book opens with a catastrophic bang and I was immediately hooked. The scenes of chaos, the terror…my heart ached for the families, the normal everyday people caught up in a cataclysmic event. The author has expertly created an incredibly tense opening to what proves to be a terrifying yet realistic story, one I thoroughly enjoyed.

I’m still unsure exactly how I feel about DC Will MacReady. I do like him, but there are certain aspects that left me feeling cold. I loved his determination, his work ethic, his budding relationship with his newborn son and his utter distaste towards his thuggish, wife-beating brother. What left me feeling was cold was his extra-marital affair with a television journalist and his frostiness towards his wife. However (and it’s a big however) MacReady has been through some emotionally traumatic times, that’s clear for the reader to see. But whether these painful incidents permit him to pursue his affair…well, I don’t know. The author has put MacReady in a marital situation that would test the most devoted of couples. And it’s an interesting one. Really, really interesting.

There were several mentions of an event which occurred in the first book. At certain points, I wish I had been able to read Ash and Bones before Unforgivable so I could find out the intricacies of the previous investigation and exactly how it had played out, as it spills over ever so slightly into Unforgivable. Saying that, the author has done a great job of ensuring you have just enough of the back story for the book to make perfect sense. I would say, if anything, I now want to read the first book in the series more than ever!

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely! You can tell from early on that the author is ex-police. There is no messing around in Unforgivable, you’re thrown head first into the melee and it is BRILLIANT! A terrifying tale of revenge and bitterness expertly narrated by an author who has lived life on the front line. A must read for crime thriller fans!

Four and a half out of five stars.

I chose to read and review an ARC of Unforgivable. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

This is the second Will Macready book by Mike Thomas and although I’m sure you would be able to read it as a standalone novel, I would recommend also reading Ash and Bones so that you are hit with the full force of the emotions behind Will that follow him to Unforgivable. I also think the title will make much more sense right across the entire plotline then as well. I enjoyed Ash and Bones so was looking forward to Unforgivable and it definitely lived up to my, what can sometimes be quite unreachable, high standards!

Will himself draws the reader in with ease and he makes this book for me. He is a very complex man, an overthinker struggling with his inner conflicts and a personal life that probably has much more drama in it than his professional life will ever see! I do love a man with flaws and I think Will will appeal to both male and female readers due to the complexity of his character. He is definitely someone I want to know more about! His interactions within the police force were given a dark and gritty realism by the author which I’m sure has come from his own experiences of working in the police force. His observations went beyond expectations and I would love to find out which little anecdotes where based on fact as I’m sure a lot of them were!

This is a great series that’s developing all the qualities I look for in my crime friction. It’s well written, unputdownable and with a gripping storyline that doesn’t pull its punches. It’s also a tough read at times but a relevant one that has left me wanting more! Highly recommended by me!

Explosive, adrenaline-pumping, and chillingly plausible!

Unforgivable is a well crafted, perfectly executed thriller that takes us on a manhunt for a ruthless terrorist and highlights how vulnerable we truly are.

The writing is tight and intense. The characterization is spot on with a whole slew of complex, genuine characters including the intelligent, gutsy, troubled Will MacReady whose greatest weakness seems to be his fearless, impulsive behaviour and his continuously unfolding personal drama. And the plot is a never-ending rollercoaster ride of twists, turns, suspense, intrigue, violence, and murder.

Overall this book has everything you look for in an action-packed mystery. It's timely, provocative, has great pace, incredible depth and does an exceptional job of showcasing Thomas' extraordinary knowledge of the nitty-gritty details of police policies and procedures.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't realise Unforgettable was the second book in the MacReady series, if I'm honest I'm not one for jumping ahead in a series as I fear I might have missed something, and although it's obvious that DC Will MacReady has issues that pertain to the previous book I still think Unforgettable made for an extremely gripping standalone. It's pretty standard to have a detective in a crime thriller with issues and MacReady is no different, his personal life is one huge disaster but I still found him to be an interesting character. The commaradie amongst his fellow work colleagues added just the right amount of “gallows” humour to add

Unforgettable begins with a “bang” literally when a bomb detonated in a busy Souk in the middle of Cardiff causes massive devastation as you can well imagine. We only have to pick up a newspaper or turn on the news to see events like this are very sadly part of our times, so the opening chapters were terrifyingly credible and shocking. What at first appears to be a racially motivated attack soon becomes something much more complex and Unforgettable made for a gritty fast paced read.

There are numerous strands to Unforgettable the bombings, a vicious knife attack, a group of Asians on trial for the vicious assault and murder of a young white male, all these events appear to be unrelated but are they? Well here's where the author deftly leads the reader through the police investigation, revealing clues and red herrings aplenty.

Mike Thomas own career as a policeman adds authenticity to Unforgettable, the investigation, the dynamics within the team all give the reader insight into the workers of an investigation. You can help but feel the same frustrations that MacReady and his team have to endure on a daily basis. Fast paced and fraught with tension I found Unforgivable to be a “white knuckle” read, covering a very frighteningly credible topic. Action packed and filled with intrigue Unforgivable combines police procedure with a powerful and thrilling plot making for a throughly gripping read.

This review maybe altered slightly and edited prior to publication on my blog for the blog tour

#KillerHook Alert! What a killer hook of a start! With the description of the market in full flow - could almost hear, see and smell the riot of colours, tastes and vibrancy before #BANG it exploded into one of the most explosive starts ever! I can tell you it did not let up at all right until the very last page!

DC Will MacReady and the team are thrown into the midst of what appears to be racially motivated attacks in Cardiff City Centre. While Will wants to be in the thick of the investigation his superiors sideline him to investigate the attack on a young girl around the same time of the bombings. Tensions are running high across the force and it is soon clear that the team might be entering a race against time that they just do not have!

I was slightly hesitant to start when reading the book, I hadn't read the first in the series and I definitely did miss out on a bit of the back story as to why MacReady was in disgrace and just how complex his personal life really was. However, enough information was given to ensure that I could still follow the plot and not feel like I was missing out.

MacReady has obviously been a bit of a naughty boy in the past and his personal relationships take the Facebook Status "It's Complicated" to a whole new level. This meant that not only was MacReady investigating an attack which involved liaising with devastated parents: trying to get in on the action on the bombing investigation,  he was also caught smack bang in the middle of a massive relationship crisis and this whole tangled affair made for an intense reading experience! (and made me want to go and read the first in the series to find out even more!) As a reader, I could feel MacReady's anguish as he worked alongside the family and how this invoked conflicting emotions in him in relation to his own family dynamics.

He is a bit of an enigma, is MacReady, there is something raw inside of him and his own turbulent background clearly plays a significant part in how he deals with things. His dad is in prison for murder and his brother is in court following domestic assault charges, I can just imagine the station tongues wagging at his colourful past!

It's a harrowing novel which uncovers some of the most disturbing scenes in the aftermath of the bombings; it feels all too real reading this given what is happening in our world today.  The plot is bang up to date with reference to social media reporting on events, the way in which the media collates and presents the news to the world were all covered with great detail and accuracy.

As the plot uncovered it soon became clear that there was more to this story than first met the eye. I was impressed at the level of detail and accuracy in this book and I was soon caught up in the storyline to the point where I was unable to put the book down until I had finished.

Unforgivable is a tightly crafted explosive and intense thriller that twists and weaves its way throughout the connected plots and bringing together a killer of a conclusion. Plenty of twists and turns kept me guessing all the way through and left me desperate to find out what happens next! I only wish I had read the first in the series before this one!

Unforgivable

A gritty new police drama for fans of Stuart MacBride



by Mike Thomas

Bonnier Zaffre

Zaffre



General Fiction (Adult) , Mystery & Thrillers

Pub Date 27 Jul 2017

I am reviewing a copy of Unforgiveable through Zaffre and Netgalley:

DC Will Macready and his attackers must stop someone whose bombs have already detonated a Souk causing mass destruction, and an explosion that rips a part of a Mosque not in the Middle East but in Cardiff.

Can Macready prove himself on the new case after the previous years disaster?

Find out in Unforgivable!

Four out of five stars.

Happy Reading

Excellent book. Great storyline and wonderful main characters. I would recommend this book.

This is the second book in the DC Will Mc Ready series and I enjoyed it just as much as book one. Set in Cardiff, it is a good mix of thriller, action and police procedural. I love the character of Will with his complicated personal life. Wazza sounds amazing with his need to eat at all times and his total lack of respect! I would recommend this book. Thank you Net Galley for my copy. I reviewed on Goodreads.

A thoroughly believable tale with relevance to recent times.