Notuing uniqueabout this police procedure thriller. However, it is the first in what looks to be a brilliant series so I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next one.

This is the first book in the DS Joe Ramano series. A good storyline, and a great introduction to the main characters of the series. Looking forward to seeing how they develop in future books in the series

I had a few download issues with the book and by the time it was sorted, the file had unfortunately been achieved.

Excellent start for a new police procedural series: gripping and highly entertaining.
Joe Romano is an interesting character, realistic and likeable.
The plot is well crafted, there's a lot of twists and kept me guessing till the end.
I can't wait to read the next instalment.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A new police procedural series featuring DS Joe Romano. The reported disappearance of a local drug dealer takes a sinister turn when his murder appears to be the work of vigilante justice. An entertaining crime thriller that hooks you from the first page until it's satisfying conclusion.

Excellent book that I raced through. I loved the characters and look forward to more in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

Wow, wow, wow I read this book in less than a day. I felt a little bereft when I had to drag myself away for mundane family things. It grabbed me from the outset and didn’t let me go until the end. I liked the fact the lead detective, Joe Romano was defective but also effective. I also liked the use of a small part of Yorkshire that wasn’t just about the city of Leeds. I’m off now to check whether there is more of this exciting police procedural series - if not, why not!

Excellent police procedural, nice easy read so raced through it. Characters are well developed and looking forward to seeing more from them.

I was given a free copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

All murderers must have a reason in their minds to choose a victim and why they have to kill them this killer seems a little confused and his first choice victim was a little random.A good and enjoyable storyline well thought out well worth a read.

Thoroughly enjoyable police procedural which looks at the moral issue of us it okay to kill the bad guys. Good characters hopefully more to come.

A solid police procedural thriller, out-passing many due to the beautiful writing style.
I even found myself reading the more descriptive paragraphs out to my family to appreciate.
I rather fell a little in love with Joe and will be looking out for the next one in the series.

A typical police procedural book involving a DS Joe Romano who starts working on the disappearance of a known drug dealer, Craig Shaw.. Craig’s mum, excellently described, is convinced something bad has happened - and it has!

With another murder, DS Rita Scannon joins Joe and they set off looking for justice and the culprit.

Interesting characters, and well described locations in and around Leeds. A sort of 'Happy Valley' world, but a very enjoyable book from a new author to me.

Thanks to Net Galley and HQ for the chance to read and review.

It didn’t take me long to get to race through the book. I found this to be a superb read, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Recommend it!

This book is described as the first in a new series. As my favourite books contain crime, murder, police procedures, and interesting detectives in a cracking tale it ticks all my boxes - and the extra being set somewhere I know.
John Barlow has a lot on his plate to live up to this book and Joe Romano needs to paddle faster to get up there with John Rebus, but he is in the same pool.
Excellent book. Great read.

A most interesting study of an unusual philosophical Detective with an ethnic background who likes to keep some things close to his chest while leading an investigation into the murder of two young drug dealers, one a particularly unsavoury character. Things are made more complicated as the investigation involves two different police jurisdictions, and also coming into the spotlight of political interests who believe that the deaths are in the public interests, and investigating the murders is a waste of taxpayer’s money. All this causes the Detective to become emotionally involved with a case that leads to a most unique finale.

I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in what I sincerely hope will become a series about DS Joe Romano. Set in and around the area I grew up in (Kirklees, West Yorkshire) and where I know the author grew up, I thought the descriptions of places I knew well absolutely hit the spot. I really enjoyed the weary barbed observances of Romano, was very intrigued by his background, with just enough back story detail to allow for more revelations to come in future books (I hope). The novel felt very current/relevant and moved along at a brisk pace. I very much look forward to reading more about this character (and hope Rita Scannon features in future books too). If you like Stuart McBride, Peter James and Harlen Coben then this is defintely one for you, as I can see echoes of each of these very successful authors in this thriller

This was a fascinating murder/mystery with some police procedure included So much logical thought which goes against honest belief. Some great characters and non stop action, set in beautiful Yorkshire countryside. A satisfying conclusion with some regrets...

DS Joe Romano is working on the disappearance of a known drug dealer, Craig Shaw. Craig’s mum is convinced something bad has happened. When Craig’s body is found no one seems to be overly bothered but Joe is convinced that even a drug dealer deserves justice, even if only for his mum’s sake.
When another body is found clearly killed by the same person Joe teams up with DS Rita Scannon to try to solve the cases. A story grips you from the start and will have you guessing it asks a lot of interesting questions about the human psyche.
I really like Joe Romano. He is clearly committed to his job and very good at it. Living in Leeds I could recognise most of the settings and this helped me to feel even more engaged in the story.
I really hope there is a follow up to this, there is clearly more to come from Joe Romano and, I hope,Rita Scannon.
Great first book in what I hope will be a series.

There are so many police procedurals out there, but this one really stands out. Firstly - it's a debut, that hits the ground running with a brilliant capture your attention opening chapter. But it also features really believable characters without the cliches and tropes of so many books in the genre. Yes, the lead doesn't always play by the book, but he's very human. Yes, he may not agree with colleagues, and be pulled in by his higher-up - but there's no 'lone wolf' about him, rubbing people the wrong way - yeah he may be in bother with the boss, but it doesn't play out as angry confrontation complete with door slamming, it's just what has to happen, and there's not the usual animosity between top brass/detective here - the relationships between colleagues feel genuine - yeah you might not always agree, but you'll still have a pint later and bear no grudge. And this is reflected in the dialogue, which feels totally natural. And finally this book actually gives some insight into the actual hard work of policing - the volume of paperwork, the dull monotony of chasing up and staring at google maps.

I loved this - can't wait to read more because this is a great start to what will hopefully be a series.

What a striking opener, not quite how I expected that to pan out! But having such a memorable first chapter really set me off for a cracking read as a killer is rampaging around West Yorkshire bumping off the less desirable individuals of society. Does this vigilante have the right to kill those who are detrimental to society or is this killer as bad as them.

I really warmed to Romano as the book went on. He’s not the down and out detective that he makes himself out to be. He’s hardworking and not afraid to toe the line. He’s got a nose for investigation and he’s not afraid to follow it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the daily chapters with an insight to our vigilante. This killer is on a mission to clean up the West Yorkshire streets but is taking the law in to your own hands the right way to go about it? When you’re this hellbent, who cares.

Barlow’s murderous crime thriller is fast paced and a tad bit gruesome in places. I loved having my home city of Leeds as the backdrop to what I hope is a new series. My mind wandered around the city and countryside I know well. I flew through this investigation very quickly, hooked from the beginning. I’d like to see more of Romano!