Book 2 in the Chief Superintendent Jo Howe series.

This is the follow up book to the brilliant Bad For Good. Once again it had me hooked from start to finish. It's dark twisted plot is devastating and, as we know from the news, utterly true to life. I love the characters in these books and Jo is just a badass who does everything needed to get justice for the victims. Loved it and cannot wait to read the next one.

When a night-time firebomb attack at a Brighton travellers’ site kills women and children, Chief Superintendent Jo Howe has strong reason to believe the new, dubiously elected, far-right council leader is behind the murders. Against the direct orders of her chief constable, Jo digs deep into the killings secretly briefing the senior investigating officer of her suspicions. As she delves further, Jo uncovers an underworld of human trafficking and euthanasia all leading to a devastating plot which threatens thousands of lives and from which the murderous politician looks sure to walk scot-free. Having narrowly survived a plot to kill her, where another was not so lucky, she realises that only by facing near-certain death once more can she thwart this terrorist outrage.

After reading the first book I couldn’t wait to get stuck in to the second one Force of Hate. A brilliantly written series that is full of interesting characters and details. It is obvious that the author knows what he is talking about. It is frightening how real it is and depicts what is happening in all police forces across the country. The main characters are so engaging and especially Jo Howe, an inspirational woman. I absolutely loved it and I am lucky enough to have the next instalment to read and review next. A massive 5 stars from me. Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review.

A gritty and gripping police procedural featuring Chief Superintendent Jo Howe. In this second novel Jo is thrust into her most dangerous case yet, when a fire-bombing is linked to a far-right council leader. An exciting thriller.

#ForceofHate #NetGalley Wow! This book had so much going on from corrupt police officers and politicians to mistreatment of care home guests that it took me a few chapters to understand where everything fitted in! Superbly written, this book was full of action and plenty of twists and turns to keep the attention focused. I love the character of Jo and her determination to do the right thing. A well deserved 5 stars.

Most interesting concept of Brighton being under the control of a Nazi political party intent on imposing ethnic cleansing within its boundaries while secretly financing its plans by the proceedings from criminal enterprises. How the police force battles to identify the source of their power and to prevent the fascist plans and to brimg the leaders to book while the their work is underined by a mole within makes an engrossing and unusual detective story.

Another awesome book by Graham Bartlett. I love his style of writing and the way he tackles current issues in his stories.

In this book, we have some more very corrupt politicians and policemen who think they are above the law and who are trying to reinstate a Nazi-like city.

Joe is up against it with everyone trying to sidetrack her and in the end, trying to get rid of her. But she's like a bulldog who won't let go and who is serious about figuring out what is going on from the killing of four Gypsies and a politician to care homes where people are dying under mysterious circumstances.
Are these things linked and who is the head of the fish? Will she get to the truth and at what cost?

Another brilliant read!

Thank you to Netgalley and Allison and Busby for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

The story starts with Ajee, who is fleeing the war in Syria. On her arrival in England, she quickly brings her survival instincts to the fore as the lorry they are travelling in is stopped, but she manages to escape. From this point onwards she must live of her wits and the goodwill of others.

Following this there is a fire bomb attack at a travellers camp with devastating effect. Two adults and two children are killed as a result and there are two further deaths as the attackers make their getaway. Such deaths may not have been expected but it is clearly an orchestrated attack, one designed to send a clear message.

Chief Superintendent Jo Howe is battling on many fronts. She is still processing the fall-out from the previous major case (in Bad for Good) and a misjudged affair. Her professional relationship with the Chief Constable Stuart Acers is strained as he seems too busy trying to please the local council. Jo must work with the Council Leader Tom Doughty and Chief Executive Russ Parfitt but they show her no respect and delight in making her position uncomfortable. They represent the far right British Patriot Party (BPP) and are busy setting their own agenda which includes undermining the position of the police in areas where they can’t exercise control.

The paths of Ajee and Jo cross by accident as they both play prominent roles within the plot before their paths cross once again towards the finale. The plot itself is the execution of a dastardly master plan by the BPP, aimed at disrupting social harmony and setting citizens against each other and particularly those who are incomers or in some way different. Certainly audacious, but also credible enough to have me wondering if such plans have been contemplated and thwarted by the authorities.

There is plenty happening throughout, and the action moves along at a fair pace to accommodate this. The style builds up a sense of urgency in the latter third through chapters shortening and narratives switching leading up to a breathless final set-piece. It is here the tables are turned and Jo asserts control over Doughty.

As a lead character Jo is both interesting and engaging, she has flaws, but no more than any other normal person. She possesses steely determination, is loyal to her colleagues and sensitive to the public. She is also pragmatic, not everything can be done by the rule book, but that doesn’t mean the rule book should be ripped up. Whilst her railing against her superior and facing suspension is a familiar trope in police procedurals, it is crucial to the plot and dealt with really well here.

The one aspect throughout is the authentic feel to the writing and a quick check of the author’s biography demonstrates why this is the case.

The supporting characters were excellently portrayed. There’s the hopes and fears of Ajee and a real feeling of jeopardy for her part. Doughty and Parfitt are textbook villainous bullies, obnoxious and nasty, brave in control but weak in isolation and Acer is a pathetic man who has risen too high and is determined to protect himself at all costs. In Bob and Gary, Jo has 100% reliable officers in support, which the author adroitly uses to build structure to the investigation whilst Jo is being Mrs Maverick, the sort you hope to come across if ever you need a police officer.

The interactions between the officers are perfectly judged if a little sanitised but for me the standout is the interviews, never overplayed but convincing, clearly written by someone with first-hand experience. Covering serious themes means light-hearted moments are few, though Jo’s frustration at the council when one of their officers tries to make her life difficult was a standout bit of schadenfreude.

I would like to thank Net Galley for access to this book in exchange for a fair review.

Wow ... what an exciting and thrilling read that was and is the best book I have read this year so far!

I haven't read anything by this author before but if this anything to go by, I won't be making that mistake again! Even though this is the second in the series, I don't think it mattered that much and certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of this thrilling book.

Force of Hate has everything you would want in a gritty, police procedural ... excellent characters, perfect setting, brilliant writing, exciting, thrilling and gripping plot covering realistic and disturbing topics resulting in a tension filled read from the start.

Highly recommended and I very much look forward to reading the next in the series and I must thank Allison & Busby and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Force of Hate.

I love a good book that is based close to home and this one didnt disappoint, the Brighton area is well documented. The plot was fast paced with a political and serious crime themes running throughout, it has great characters and could be read as a stand alone even being the second in the series. I look forward to the next

This is an excellent, addictive gritty police procedural. The uncomfortable collision of politics and policing is on full display with a plot exposing many far-right ideas and their dangers. Looking forward to the next in this series.

Strong plotting and authentic detail give this thriller the edge

(Spoiler-free review) Crime thriller enthusiasts will certainly enjoy the second volume in the series featuring Chief Superintendent Jo Howe of Brighton and Hove Police. There’s a fresh and interesting plot which explores the conflicts between principled Jo, committed to her professional ethics, and her political masters – Tom Doughty, Leader of the Council and Russ Parfitt, the Council’s Chief Executive. These two men, committed members of the far-right British Patriotic Party, have manipulated their way to power and are intent on rolling out an agenda based on homophobic and xenophobic beliefs.

You might (as I did initially) find this premise rather ludicrous but after I had reflected on what is happening in politics on the other side of the Atlantic, it doesn’t seem quite so preposterous. There is a real political depth to the novel and it touches on big political issues around migration and modern slavery. This is explored through a sub-plot concerning the enslavement of young women who, as irregular migrants, are forced to work in care home and as sex-workers.

These two plot lines are skilfully brought together in the second half of the novel when the pace of events accelerates. Then the book becomes that rare thing, a genuine page-turner, as it builds to a climax in the park where the annual Pride festival is taking place.

The USP of the author is that he really has been there and done that in a career which culminated in him being the Divisional Commander of Brighton Police. There’s plenty of authentic details in the procedural elements which give the writing a real edge.

But whereas the plotting and the processes are strong, I found that often the characters are flat and two dimensional, sometimes idealised, and there were only a few times when I got clear and convincing pictures of the people being portrayed.

The writing is at its best during the fast paced action sequences but during descriptive and contextualising sequences it tends become convoluted. Often, I had to stop reading and analyse a sentence to grasp what was going on.

There is a major plot-hole in the story and that is the lack of presence of a Police and Crime Commissioner. Stuart Acers, the Chief Constable, is very much in the pocket of Doughty and Parfitt. reporting to them and doing their bidding in a way which a PCC would be (or should be) concerned about. But suspend your disbelief on this point and you will find the story really motors along.

This is a powerful novel that entertains while making you think about some of the big issues facing Britain today.

Thanks go to NetGalley who provided a pre-publication copy so that I may make an honest and unbiased review.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. Having read a previous book by this author I was looking forward to this book and I wasn't disappointed, the author does not shy away from difficult subjects and this book made for some hard reading at times but was definitely worth it. I will be recommending this book to all my friends.

Having read the first in this series, I was certainly not going to miss the second!

Chief Superintendent Jo Howe is exceptionally good at her job and is used to working hand in glove with the local council. However, since the most recent election that has been in the hands of a group regarded as neo-nazis and when a firebomb attack at the local travellers site results in injuries and death, Jo is certain that's who's behind it all. But knowing and proving are not the same thing. As more crimes are revealed, it becomes apparent that it's possible those in charge of the council are behind a lot more than she first thought and as she strives to prove it, more forces are working against her. Can Jo get the better of them - and what will it cost her?

Wow, what a read! The whole situation is terrifying - especially as it's not beyond the bounds of reality and I was well aware of this as I worked my way through this book. This is an author who knows what he writes about - and it shows. Politics and policing are linked, there's no getting away from that and this shows how carefully we should all use our vote. I couldn't see how the main character was going to get out of this one; the story is incredibly well-plotted and beautifully written. It certainly kept me on the edge of my seat and, later, awake way beyond the time I should have been asleep - I just couldn't put it down. Absolutely terrific and an easy five shining stars plus my very highest recommendation to all lovers of a great thriller!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

A brilliant, gripping police procedural crime thriller. This book had so much going on it was very difficult to put it down. Chief Superintendent Joanne Howe is a feisty, formidable but caring character . A full on fast paced read . The plot involves some very topical events and some extremely despicable immoral characters.. Highly recommended 5 star read

This book is a must-read of 2023, sure to be a big hit with fans of police procedurals and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted thriller. If you’re looking for a book that will keep you guessing until the very end, look no further than Force of Hate.

Another perfect creation and a superb police procedural that leaves you really routing for the key characters.

Having really enjoyed this author's debut crime novel I was really excited to get the opportunity to read an advanced electronic copy of this, his second crime novel and it definitely did not disappoint.

You would wonder how a crime fiction book that deals with such subjects as human trafficking, euthanasia and other subjects would be hard subjects to deal with but the author has really done his research and spoken with the experts and you can see that in his writing. As he was in recent years the Divisional Commander of Brighton and Hove police he also has a great deal of experience within society and although this is fiction, I prefer to think of it as faction (fiction built on fact) as the writing is very descriptive and informative.

The author also excels at allowing you to get to know the books characters and you do become attached to them. My only partly negative point about the book is I feel it would have been nice to include more about the location and the Brighton area so it takes on a persona of its own.

I look forward to reading the next book in the Jo Howe series.

I hope many people read this as there are important messages for society within the book about refugees and other subjects, and it is interesting to read the police procedural elements. It may sound from my description like something of a text book but it is not, the action is fast paced and there is plenty of suspense and thrills.
The book is published on 23rd March 2023 and will be available in many different formats.
Many thanks to Alison & Busby, NetGalley and Graham Bartlett for providing me with an advanced electronic copy of the book in return for an honest unbiased review.

#ForceofHate #NetGalley

4.5⭐️

#2 DS Jo Howe

I loved the first book, so was excited to read this book. I think you could jump in with this book and not be lost.

Theres a lot of themes explored in this book. It’s quite politically oriented.
There’s racial tension between the far right and the Muslim community. The Council leader has no tolerance for any minority groups. There’s more racial tension with the travellers based at the Brighton camp.
As Jo investigates murders of the travellers she uncovers human trafficking, slavery and euthanasia. So there’s quite the range of political hot potatoes in this book.
There are a diverse group of characters. My favourites are Jo, followed by Ajee.

It’s action packed, fast paced with an impressive body count. It has a good plot complexity. The author does a good job keeping the plates spinning in the different threads.
If you enjoy police procedurals, it’s one that I would recommend. It has a different viewpoint to most of the others in this sub genre.

Just a note to say that this book rating lower than the last book, isn’t a true reflection of the book. Unfortunately I read it while I haven’t been feeling well, and have struggled to concentrate, so have been reading only in short bursts which adversely affects my ability to engage. I think technically it’s a better book than the first. If there’s an audiobook version I would be tempted to listen to that too.

It's the second instalment I read in this series and I thoroughly enjoyed as it's well plotted, solid, and fast paced.
A gripping mystery that surprised me with each twist and kept me guessing.
I was glad to catch up with Jo Howe and the cast of characters, appreciated their evolution and they were well written.
A mystery I thoroughly enjoyed.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

A lot of nasty stuff going on here and it is a struggle to dig out the good guys weighed down by all the rotten ones on top. Knowing that most of it will resolve itself in the end one way or another is comforting. I grew up in Brighton and always like a good crime novel that careers around familiar streets. Looking forward to Book 3. Thanks to Netgalley.

Book 2 in the Detective Superintendent Jo (Joanne) Howe series and whilst I really enjoyed book 1 this was definitely raising the goalposts another notch. Set in Brighton the Council has been taken over by Tom Doughty whose neo-Nazi British Patriot Party has somehow come to power. He has in turn placed his lackeys into power as Chief Executive and Chief Constable. This is a brilliantly written and plotted story with some disturbing and dark themes.

Briefly, the new Brighton senior officials are determined to turn Brighton into a “whites only and heterosexual“ zone. Against this background of hate Jo is investigating a firebomb attack on a travellers site which killed multiple women and children. Alongside this there is a thread of human trafficking and a Syrian refugee, Ajee, who has been forced to work in a care home where the police are investigating a large number of deaths.

Forced to work with the new authority Jo detests them and more and more she finds herself at odds with them. Themes include modern slavery, rape and murder, care home fraud and all matters considered by the new authorities as anti British. Jo finds herself and her life thrown into chaos as she tries to fight back to prevent an ever worsening situation from exploding.

In many ways this is a disturbing read as it shows how easy it could be for the worst elements in a multi cultural society to assume power on the backs of a silent majority.
Hopefully it won’t happen! There are some truly despicable characters in this and they were written so well I felt genuine hate for them. Thank goodness for the good ones! A fast paced and tense and violent, although not gratuitous, storyline; this is a really exciting police procedural. Fabulous book.