Graham Bartlett has real crime pedigree. Not only is he a former police Chief Superintendent and Divisional Commander but he's also the adviser of choice to multiple authors, including the bestselling Peter James.

Force of Hate is his second novel, following on from Bad for Good where we were introduced to Jo Howe. Jo features in this book too, where she is a Chief Superintendent facing an uphill battle against the far-right politicians in her local council. The book features all of the nasty human behaviours that have become so commonplace in modern society - racism, sexism, human trafficking, and abuse of all kinds.

As you start reading the book, it feels as though what's happening is a world away. But as you continue reading, and really engage with the characters, there is the scary realisation that things like this are probably happening in a town or city near you.

Force of Hate is a powerful story; of what can happen when the wrong people are put in charge, and how we should all never stop fighting for good. Be like Jo Howe.

The author's rich history is evident in his writing, it packs a punch of reality in its brutal portrayal of the police force and the unfairness of daily life for so many people.

Force of Hate offers a grim and gritty insight into today's sad realities and it makes for hard reading at times. Running alongside a depressingly political take within the higher ranks is the tale of asylum seekers and, in particular, Ajee who believes she has fled her horrible past and is stepping into a brighter future. How wrong the poor girl is. Thankfully for Ajee, Detective Superintendent Jo Howe isn't one to shy away from her responsibilities and she is an excellent character to follow.

Quite possibly the scariest element of this book and its converging story arcs is the horrible truth of the situations that it covers, knowing that this is the lived reality for some is really quite sobering.

My thanks to Allison and Busby, the author and Netgalley for the chance to read the ARC in return for an honest review.

⭐️ 5 ⭐️

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Force of Hate is the second instalment in the (Chief Superintendent ) Jo Howe series and a fantastic follow-up. I really enjoyed Bad for Good (the first), but Force of Hate definitely has the edge and ticked all the boxes for me.

This excellent crime thriller/police procedural can easily be read as a standalone although I do think it probably reads better for knowing a little about some of the characters’ backstory.

The gritty, tension filled storyline is interesting and secured my attention from the off and I flew through the chapters quickly. The subjects covered are extremely topical especially in the the current climate and some of the things mentioned are sadly all too believable.

The characterisation is superb, with a fully fleshed out cast — Chief Inspector Jo Howe is a likeable, strong, feisty female lead character and the natural dialogue/banter between her and her team always feels authentic and believable.

A fabulous page-turner. Can’t wait for the next one!

Another Brighton based Jo Howe dark thriller this time featuring slave labour, a corrupt far right wing council and laced with high level police corruption. A plot by the council against all non conforming groups especially LGBT groups and gypsies and their efforts to get Jo out of the way forms the core of this violent tale. Lots of detail crammed into the story as it races thrillingly along. Good stuff set up nicely for the next episode.

Force of Hate is the second book in the Jo Howe series by Graham Bartlett and this builds on the promise of the first book.

Force of Hate isn’t a typical police procedural despite the author’s background but more of a crime/ police thriller which keeps the action coming thick and fast.

The book is definitely entertaining and I look forward to book three in due course.

There is so much packed into this book, characters, plots, and hundreds of detailed observations, from the author’s police career, that allow you to really believe in this book.

This novel is dark and gritty, covering a whole range of troubling topics, which gives the book an uneasy tension throughout.

Graham is a police procedural adviser, working with other writers to add authenticity to their work. The climax is a masterclass, the authentic feel of it only increasing the tension in a thrilling finale.

This is the second book in Graham Bartlett's trilogy and it is a fast paced enjoyable thriller. Jo is a likeable character, battling with sinister prejudice and fighting corrupt councillors who are blocking what she does at every turn. The bad characters are maybe a bit OTT but this didn't stop my enjoyment of the book and i look forward to reading the next one. The Brighton setting is great too!

An absolute belter of a police procedural from the excellent Graham Bartlett, whose in-depth knowledge of the police shines through on every page. Great cops, brilliant plot, gritty themes such as as human trafficking, all put together with aplomb and sprinkled with bent officials. Tremendous stuff!

Force of Hate is another brilliant episode in the Detective superintendent Jo Howe series. I read the previous book in the series, and this is even better.
The series continues involving Brighton and Hove city council. Both the leader and the Chief executive are members of the British Patriot party and are trying to get rid of the asylum seekers and anyone living an alternative lifestyle. There is also a side story involving people trafficking, rape and murder and there is only one person trying to stop all this when they make it personal and targeting DS Jo Howe, nearly killing her in the process. She pulls out all the stops to find the culprits which includes some corrupt cops.
If anyone needs a new Police procedural, I highly recommend this one. The is a fast paced, explosive thriller and the action starts from the start. The storyline is believable, and the author really knows his stuff and current in today society. This is also a bit concerning if anything like this could happen today.
I loved the protagonist Jo Howe, with her determination and nothing seems to stop her finding the bag guys and the truth. She is a powerful, head strong woman.
I can’t wait for the next book in this fantastic series to see what happens next. 5 big stars from me.

I enjoyed the central storyline of Force of Hate, and the level of police knowledge within the plot - it wasn't too overwhelming for the most part. I also enjoyed the way the different threads of the story came together.

One thing I struggled with was the dialogue as it didn't always feel natural to me. I also thought Ajee's story was interesting but lacked a little bit of depth in the nuances of her feelings and her personal history.

Overall, the book is clever and tackled a combination of issues that I've not read about before. It would be great to see some of the stilted conversation ironed out for the next books, as I'm sure there will be more! :-)

This was a very interesting read from this author. There are a number of twists and turns in the plot. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Graham and NetGalley for allowing me to read Force of Hate before the publication date.
I was not sure what to expect from this book as not everyone can translate their career experience into believable and enjoyable fiction.
However this is a terrifying page turner from start to finish.
The tensions start to build early in the storyline and the reader is drawn into the feeling of helplessness which Jo must feel as the investigations intrude on her personal life.

The subject is very topical with the reported rise in far-right groups and their agendas.

My, oh my, oh my. Where do I even begin? Well, I guess i can start with the obvious - just buy this book. You know it makes sense. And while you're at it, if you haven't already, buy and read book one as I promise you will enjoy them both. I'm not sure that either does anything to help with any campaigns that Brighton Tourist Board may be running to attract visitors, but I've been assured that this book is just fiction and the streets are much safer and the people much friendlier than you might think after reading this book. Graham Bartlett draws forth a much darker and seedier side to Brighton than reputation may suggest. And I'm sure that there are some nefarious goings on in town, but hopefully not as twisted, hateful or dramatic as this. Just the kind of book that is right up my street, obviously.

If you have read book one, Bad For Good, and thought that the author couldn't be any harder on his protagonist, Chief Superintendent Jo Howe- think again. There are very senior, very serious, forces working against her once again, but this time it turns personal. There is a new council in town, a group of pro-Brexit, anti-immigration, 'Make Britain Great' again bunch of, quite frankly, nutters, and they are stoking up all the hatred and prejudice that Brighton has been hiding. Drawing upon some of the strongest and most heinous of attitudes and hatred that has started to show it's face in recent years, all behaviours that have been emboldened by Brexit and, dare I suggest, the more right-wing attitudes of some of our present government, Graham Bartlett takes readers into a dark world, where hate speech is starting to become the norm and any one not of 'normal' behaviour (i.e. white, preferably male, English born ... you know the drill) is fair game for violence and intimidation.

With attempts to oust the local traveller community, attacks on mosques and a plan to ban Pride (in Brighton! I know!) There is another story which flows through the heart of the book, drawing on the subject of forced labour, both of a sexual and non-sexual nature. There is another story which flows through the heart of the book, drawing on the subject of forced labour, both of a sexual and non-sexual nature. You can see pretty quickly where the book is heading, and it's not a pretty or comfortable place to be. None of the violence is necessarily gratuitous in nature - that is kept mercifully off the page, but we are left in no doubt as to what has occurred, and the impact is very powerful. That mixture of sympathy and sadness, matched by the sense of hate loathing that I developed for the antagonists in this book.

I really like Jo Howe as a character. In the face of overwhelming corruption and pressure from those in charge to look the other way or to make less of an effort just because a victim may be Muslim, an immigrant or a traveller, she stands strong, refusing to be intimidated and working always for justice and the fate of the victims in this story. It takes quite a personal toll on her this time around, the costs of her defiance threefold - physical, emotional and potentially career ending. She has some great support around her - Bob Heaton and Gary Hedges being two people I really have grown to like. They are very different in personality, but you do feel that both are on the side of good, even if Gary isn't quite as adept at the politics game as an officer of his rank perhaps should be. Bob is superb, and a perfect ally for Jo, but as a team, the three of them make this book really enjoyable, especially if you think they are going to triumph over the bad guys. Wouldn't be the first time after all.

Force of Hate is a very timely and topical novel, with a scary edge of plausibility which makes you stop and think. The pacing is top notch, keeping tension and action balanced against the need to tell the victims, and Officer's, stories in a meaningful way. The author's own experience no doubt helped in keeping that sense of authenticity, whilst knowing that the odd regulation needs to be cast aside in order to aid the dramatic premise of the story. I'm hoping that the lions share of this book comes from his imagination, although I'm also sure that over the course of his career he has met more than the odd character from whom he was able to draw inspiration. Then again, in the world of hate we seem to be living in, you don't have to scroll far down social media to see this people do exist. As I said before - scarily palusible.

I ate this book up in a single day, completely engrossed in the story, the tension and the fates of the characters, especially Jo and one of the immigrants, Ajee. And as for that ending. High tension, pulse pounding final chapters ending with a scene that made me both smile and sad. I can only wonder what Graham Bartlett is going to treat us to next. Definitely recommended.

Having read the first book in the Jo Howe series, I was keen to find out what happens next to the likeable and feisty police officer and her colleagues in Brighton and Hove. Force of Hate didn’t disappoint. It is a full-on crime thriller with characters to love and to hate. The authors local knowledge is clearly evident, and I was there with Jo in the streets of one of my favourite cities, hoping to defeat the bad guys.
The book includes a lot of serious and very real issues, particularly human trafficking for slave labour and shows how easily discrimination can become an acceptable part of society.
I loved it and can recommend this book and the series. I just need a little lie down now, I am exhausted!

Detective Chief Superintendent Jo Howe is back in book 2 of the series.A fast paced story with a thought provoking storyline Graham Bartlett definitely knows how to write a story to keep you gripped throughout.
I'm looking forward to reading the next installment.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Allison and Busby for the ARC.

The second book in this brilliant series featuring Detective Chief Superintendent Jo Howe. The storyline includes neo-nazis, political corruption, extremism, modern slavery and so many more hateful crimes. Like the first book, this is a fast-paced gritty story that is both exciting and scary at the same time. It is well-written and I love the characters. Can't wait to read the next book.

A quite believable tale in regards to something that could quite easily happen, but a bit scary at the same time..
Didn’t enjoy it as much as some books I have read lately, but you cannot enjoy them all..

Oh wow Graham Bartlett's done it again, another outstanding police procedural! We have come back to the familiar scene of the Sussex Police Team, with Detective Superintendent Jo Howe in charge of things, and its about to get very very messy.

Having loved the first book, Bad for Good, so much, I dropped everything to read the second book as soon as I could.

In 'Force of Hate', Brighton and Hove City Council has lurched from its usual liberal political approach to something much more right wing, with both the Chief Exec and Leader of the Council members of the British Patriot Party. The BPP 's mission is to drive out any alternative lifestyles from Brighton (and more widely), starting with a horrific arson attack on a travellers' camp. Superintendent Jo Howe suspects the Leader of the Council is involved but he is covering his tracks. Throw in the fact that the Chief Constable is being blackmailed by the British Patriot Party leaders who wont let him investigate certain crimes or resource other community policing.

Alongside this, there is a storyline featuring asylum seekers from Syria. Ajee, one of them, manages to escape the lorry she's hidden in to live on the streets of Brighton, She is quickly offered work in a private care home, where it becomes clear that residents and staff alike are being ill-treated and she finds herself in an absolutely hopeless situation with no way out.

Both of these story lines escalate and develop alongside one another. I found myself racing through the pages with no idea how the stories could be resolved, desperate to see the outcome. I love Jo Howe's character, she's not afraid to challenge her bosses if she thinks they're in the wrong, she'll risk everything to achieve the right outcome.

Force of Hate is such a well plotted read and Graham Bartlett certainly knows how to wring the tension out of every situation. He has been Peter James' police advisor for a number of years and it is clear that he both knows the policing world inside out, and how to craft an edge-of-your-seat urban crime thriller. The situations that he has conjured up are scarily realistic, based on real-life situations as well as some more extreme elements.

Thank you to Allison and Busby & to Netgalley for the chance to read the ARC. A strong 5 stars from me!

My thoughts about Graham Bartlett’s Force Of Hate dishes out plenty of twists and turns to keep you hooked throughout, just like its predecessor. And the story will continue to remain in reader’s memory. Force Of Hate is a brilliant story packed with many surprise moments and deserving climax. Never expected that the second book in the series would take the brilliance of the first book. Hats off to writer Graham Bartlett, who successfully creates another police procedural thriller that blows your mind. As as 2nd book proves to be as rewarding as the first with a twisted, gnarled and wickedly warped plot that’s unique, imaginative and insane. Graham Bartlett’s Force Of Hate story begins with 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. Graham Bartlett’s Force Of Hate carries the right ingredients to hit the right spots perfectly, and strikes twice, excellent, contemplative writing with a few jaw-dropping twists and the lead characters give us a plenty of gripping twists that gets imprinted on the minds of the readers yet again. I would like to say a big thank you to author Graham Bartlett, and publishers Allison And Busby, for kindly letting me read and review this brilliant book on NetGalley which I’ve so much loved reading. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥💥💥