Loved this book. It was a fantastic read. Well paced and well written. Not one part of the book i didnt like. It just rolled into each other, great plot full of action. Highly recommend this to all

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bonnier Zaffre for an advance copy of Unforgivable, the second Cardiff based police procedural to feature DC Will MacReady.

Cardiff is rocked when a lone assassin sets of several IED bombs at a popular multicultural market, escapes and goes straight to a mosque for more of the same. Witness interviews suggest the man is white so the police wonder if it is some kind of white racist backlash in view of the current trial where 5 Asian youths are on trial for killing 16 year old white student, Alex Knight. With all hands on deck Will MacReady is anxious to play his part but after a previous incident he is regarded as a bit of a loose cannon and is quickly sidelined into investigating the stabbing of a young unidentified woman.

I really enjoyed Unforgivable which is a good mixture of procedure, action and interesting plotline. There's never a dull moment so it held my interest throughout and I read it in one sitting. The only downside is the slightly unbelievable but ingenious solution of how it all comes together.

The descriptions of the carnage and injuries caused by the bombs are harrowing but it is handled sensitively. It really brings home the devastation these incidents cause without any sensationalism.

I really like the procedural parts of the novel. They are interesting without being overwhelming. I found it interesting that the much vaunted computer systems are as reliant on human input as most of us suspect but no one admits. It is also interesting to see a major incident investigation through the eyes of a fringe player, Will - it looks like chaos. I understand that Mr Thomas has been a police officer which lends authenticity and the voice of experience to the novel.

I like the characterisation as well. Will has a complicated life but which fictional character doesn't nowadays? It could be OTT but Mr Thomas handles it well and while it informs his character it doesn't overwhelm. The interaction between the characters seems natural from the petty squabbles and oneupmanship to the cynical humour which pepper the narrative. I love Wazza, the jaded older detective with no respect for authority, an overriding need to eat and a natty line in socks and sandals. He seems so real that I suspect he must be based on someone Mr Thomas knows.

Unforgivable is a great read which I have no hesitation in recommending.