Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Fast-paced, full of action and brilliant characterisation. Very different from Minett's previous books and to be honest, I didn't think I'd like it considering the criminal gang angle which isn't something I particularly enjoy, but to my surprise it really worked out well. An emotional quest for atonement that gets your pulse racing.

One finds oneself really liking the central character Jon Kavanagh, despite his failings and past. There are twists and turns all along the way, delving into the past, keeping one guessing.
The characters are superbly written and well observed.

This was the first book I've read by this author, and I didn't know what to expect. I did enjoy it and will look out for some more by them in future.

The Syndicate is the fourth novel by G.J.Minett and the first I have read. I did have Graham as a guest on my Monday Musing series way back in 2016. If you want to read that piece you can do so here. I don't read that much gangland fiction and at first I wasn't sure that I was the right reader for The Syndicate but my fears were allayed as The Syndicate was excellent.

Jon Kavanagh is an ex military man. When he was injured he left the military and went under the wing of Maurice, Crime boss and head of The Syndicate. Jon Kavanagh allows a witness to live, a young girl and The Syndicate do not rate Jon Kavanagh highly for this. He needs to get out, his heart isn't in it, although leaving for good is easier said than done.

What follows is years later and is really an exploration of peace of mind for Jon Kavanagh who seems to seek redemption and salvation. He also wants to know what happened to that little girl whose face he cannot forget even all the years later. The question is though will The Syndicate let him forget.

Jon Kavanagh as a character is a revelation and is the star of the show. Gritty and complex, haunted by his past and unsure of his future. I was absolutely mesmerised by him and the subtle observations by the author about how the events that can happen can shape and change us.

The settings of Durdle Door and Praia D'El Rey were particularly well written and they really made me feel as if I was there in amongst the action.

I found The Syndicate to be more psychological than gangland and for that I was pleased. A highly enjoyable read and well worth the change of pace.

Another intelligent and intriguing story from the author which as with his previous books I enjoyed immensely. Like other reviewers I wasn’t sure if it would be my type of read as I don’t read the typical gangster books but this has a fascinating story and characters that surprised me throughout. Jon Kavanagh is not the typical contract killer, he has feelings and in a strange way you end up rooting for him. Graham again weaves a fascinating story which requires thought and concentration to work your way through. I especially enjoyed the glimpses into his childhood as i think you appreciated the character more. With a good ending this is a very satisfying and thoroughly enjoyable read. My thanks to the publisher and author for an early copy.

I first thought this may be another bad boy making up for past sins (which is a premise I love, don't get me wrong) but this novel is a lot more than that.
It's an exciting read with all the right tension and humour and several very clever twists.
Loved the ending. Certainly didn't see that coming.
Many thanks.

I loved the other three books by this author but have to confess that the synopsis of this one didn't particularly grab me. I'm not a fan of books that have criminal gangs at their heart, I prefer my villains to be driven by forces inside but eventually I decided to give it a go. I am so very glad I did, this is the book that will be the surprise hit of 2020 and that's all down to the way the author has brought the characters to life, especially Kavanagh, the man at the centre of the novel.

Jon Kavanagh is a veteran, hit by shrapnel during his service he is befriended by Maurice, a man whose son's life was lost in conflict. Jon is recruited into the Syndicate but we meet him many years down the line when his days of doing the bidding of this powerful criminal fraternity in London are long in the past.

In many ways this is a novel about reflection on those times, and a quest for atonement in one of the most touching pieces of fiction I have read in this genre for quite some time. Don't be fooled though the emotion does not downplay any of the action, there is plenty of heart-racing events to keep that blood moving.

In fact this book should come with a warning, gets the heart racing and the tears flowing, proceed with caution.

Graham Minett, I shouldn't have doubted you, this is an absolutely fab read!

Great read, this has been one I’ve read in one sitting and really enjoyed. First time book by this author but can’t wait to read more.

The Syndicate tells the story of Jon Kavanagh, former hitman. He's unique. He's managed to escape the Syndicate and has been out of their clutches for twenty years now. Or so he thinks. But his last job still haunts him and time is running out for him to make amends.

On the face of it, I'm not sure this would be my normal read but I was drawn into it. Rather than chapters there are sections with different POVs, places and timeframes. It took me a while to get used to this. It was a bit like taking the layers of a pass the parcel, not knowing if a treat or a forfeit was waiting for you. And for Jon, there are definitely more forfeits than treats.

Hitmen aren't always particularly likeable let alone loveable (except maybe Jason Bourne) but there's something about Jon Kavanagh that makes you warm to him. Maybe it's the remorse he shows for his final job for the Syndicate. Maybe it's his traumatic childhood. Maybe it's the injuries he sustained as a soldier. GJ Minett has pulled off the feat of making what should be a reprehensible character as someone you'd want fighting your corner.

I don't want to say too much but the ending was not what I expected. But like so often with pass the parcels, that final layer doesn't always reveal what you want.

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of reformed contract killer Jon Kavanagh. Twenty years after walking away from The Syndicate following an agreement with head boss, Maurice Hayes that there would be no reprisals for his withdrawal from “the life” things change when Jimmy Hayes takes over the firm following his father’s death.

Memories of a contract that Jon failed to fulfil adequately leaving a witness to his crime alive start to resurface and Jon’s guilt start his previous occupation cause him much soul searching. I liked the character of Jon and his sense of duty. Details of a childhood trauma he experienced leads the reader to understand how The Syndicate manipulated him.

This was a different type of read for me but one I would high recommend to others.

Many thanks to the publishers and netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A powerful psychological thriller, The Syndicate explores the physical and emotional scars that mould the character of a killer.

Jon Kavanagh's face is disfigured by the wound that ended his heroic army service and this scar hides internal injuries that could soon rob him of his sight. But this harm is superficial compared to the profound emotional damage inflicted by a family tragedy in his childhood, and later by the warped moral choices that led him into the Syndicate. Kavanagh imagines that his years working for this London crime dynasty are in the past but impending blindness makes him yearn to make amends for his crimes. A quest for atonement leads him to Portugal and to a much younger woman whose fate seems entwined with his own. It's then that Kavanagh realises he has never really escaped from the Syndicate.

This flawlessly written novel takes us on an absorbing journey through a life on the margins. When we are thrust back to the most fateful night in Kavanagh's childhood, the intense, heart-breaking scenes are hard to read without holding your breath. After the horror of this night, Kavanagh becomes a loner, never able to engage emotionally with the world. And as Kavanagh's obsession with redemption intensifies, the plot hurtles you towards an ending that is unexpected and uniquely shocking, but oh, so right!

This is the fourth book from this author and I have read the other three. All are brilliant and stand-alone but I think this one is the best so far. I was hooked from the beginning.

This is the story of Jon Kavanagh, ex-army, who was injured in Northern Ireland along with others. He sustained serious injuries, leaving him with a nasty scar down his face and the possibility that he would lose his sight one day. He rescued the Maurice’s son who was killed because of lack of attention to the duty.

After the army he joined ‘The Syndicate’ reporting to Maurice and carried out several hits as well as other shady missions. The last hit he carried out he left a three-year-old girl, who potentially could identify him, and this was a serious breech for ‘The Syndicate’. The rule was never to leave a witness.

He is haunted by her face and desperate to find out how her life panned out after this. He is also haunted by another young girl, Katy, and we find out the true story behind her as the story progresses.

On the surface, Kavanagh, as he is known, seems to be the type of evil character we should all hate but, as we catch up with his life and what he is doing I felt empathy, understanding and a liking for him. He has managed to walk away from ‘The Syndicate’ but Maurice is dead and his younger son, Jimmy, has taken over and there appears to be no escape.

The narrative is realistic, gritty with no punches pulled and an absolutely storming end. This was a tremendous read and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.

Must read. Highly recommended.