Almost two stories in one. Excellent read, which I binged as it was impossible to put down. Lynda le Plante is really the master of storytelling. The storyline was excellently constructed, and although it is one of a series it can be read as a stand alone. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

The fourth book to feature Detective Jack Warr and for me the best in the series so far. Still trying to juggle with family life and his very demanding job. Ridley his boss and mentor has been put under house arrest and he is asking for Jack's help. At the same time he is looking at a young man who has got off lightly with two brutal attacks. Is he just another lost soul who has fallen through the cracks or is he something else that is much more evil???? I devoured this book in one sitting and finally turned the last page in the wee hours. Yes this book is that good!!!!!! This book had me sat on the edge of my seat and constantly holding my breath. This author knows how to tell a story and keeper the reader gripped. Another MUST READ from one of my favourite authors.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

One of the things I love about Lynda la plante’s books is that you always end up with 4 stories in one. The detail and roundedness of the characters always makes her books a pleasure. There’s a realness about the characters, a completeness that you don’t always find in books. I find myself smiling at the blatant flaws in the good guys characters. They come alive.

Oh I do love a Jack Warr story and this is an absolute belter. Not only is Jack faced with trying to prove the seemingly impossible, that a man who was arrested for a knife attack is actually guilty of far darker cimes, but his friend and mentor, DCI Simon Ridley, is faced with career and life ruining accusations and trusts only Jack to help him. Stepping in to help Ridley could also have implications for Jack's career, but having seen Jack in action over the course of the series, there's no one I would rather go to for help either.

This book has really quite dark undertones. I like the way that Lynda La Plante has framed this whole story, that Rodney Middleton, a man arrested for quite a serious offence, is actually a far more twisted individual than the simple arrest might suggest. It is clear that Jack has doubts about Middleton from the off, fuelled by Ridley, but driven by the knowledge that he has a history of violence and that there is something about his persona and the calm way in which he allowed himself to be arrested that just smells off. Now as readers, we are given the briefest hint of what his real crime might be right from the beginning, but, even then, it takes time for the full horrific truth to come to the fore. The slow reveal allows the author to keep the violence off the page, there is no doubting by the end of the novel just what has occured. The real question is, is Middleton the perpetrator and, if so, how far does the depravity extend?

I love Jack Warr as a character. He is a little morally ambiguous when it comes to towing the line and sticking to the letter of the law, but he actions always come from a place of good intent. He is hell bent on justice being served, and as a result of that will often push the limits of his role as a Police Officer to achieve it. Anyone who has read the rest of the series knows that he is a flawed character, but in a good way, and the times when he takes liberties with procedure, it comes from a place of striving for good. Some of his actions in this book do end in dire consequences, but not necessarily as a direct result of his actions, more the gradual pursuit of proving Ridley's innocence.

One of the great things about Jack Warr though, and what makes this a kind of stand out series for me, is his relationship with his family. Admittedly he does go a bit 'ostrich' when it comes to talking to his wife, Maggie, about his mother, Penny, who seems to be acting out of character. Whether this ongoing forgetfulness is medical or otherwise, we are all to discover as we read the book, but the scenes between Jack, Maggie, their daughter, Hannah, and Penny, do bring a smile to my face. They are so perfectly normal, real everyday scenes that could happen in any household, that they make a nice diversion from the darker sides of the book.

The pacing of the book is just right, the growing sense of desperation on Jack's part as he struggles to find evidence against Middleton, and to exonerate Ridley, almost palpable. Faced with a new boss that he just can't quite get the measure of, and a team who aren't aware of Jack's sideline investigation, there is that added conflict and sense of urgency which really keeps the story moving. the writing is finely tuned, the harsher moments peppered with humour which keeps a difficult and sometimes emotional story, perfectly pitched. Touching on themes of grooming and murder, Lynda La Plante has created a story which really hits home, full of drama, tension, and uncertainty, which kept me glued to the story right to the end. Loved it.

This is NOT the best book I have read by this author. The story was ok and flowed well. Usual police procedure and characters were ok. However I really did not like the baby stuff, the baby, Hannah is a total brat.. throws the food about the room, flings a sippy cup about, howls alot...etc and the breakfast stuff, the main character is always stuffing his face with breakfast, scrambles eggs, bacon,,,,, just boring. He is in the middle of serious cases and stops everything for breakfast.

DS Jack Warr #4

A few years ago, a watcher at Euston Station intently examines the crowd for just the right person to intercept, his choice is Amanda, young, probably naive and definitely a stranger to London. The watcher is Rodney Middleton and a few years on from this encounter he is currently awaiting trial for violent crimes. Jack Warr is on the case researching as much as he can about this vicious young man. Also occupying Jack’s mind is the whereabouts of his boss and friend DCI Simon Ridley. He’s mysteriously and suddenly been replaced by DCI Clarke, a very different personality to Simon. There’s no news about Ridley forthcoming and in addition he is incommunicado. What is going on? When the truth emerges in both cases it’s beyond Warr’s wildest expectations.

As you would expect from bestselling author of Lynda La Plante this is a well written novel, the plot is meaty and solidly constructed, there’s clarity between the two cases and there’s never confusion. However, from time to time it does get a bit pedantic which halts the pace. For instance, I do get a bit fed up of the multiple references to wearing face masks, yes, got it, we’re still in the pandemic!!

Despite the above and I’m sure they’re just my personal gripes rather than other readers, both cases are really interesting and immersive. I especially like the Ridley storyline which has a topical flavour to it and I enjoy trying to figure out what’s going on. The Middleton case becomes more and more compelling and takes a disturbingly dark turn and discerning the truth from the multitude of lies is a perplexing puzzle. The portrayal of Middleton and Amanda are very good and trying to figure them out, especially the latter is a fascinating element. There are plenty of good twists in both storylines to keep you reading on. There’s an intensity in the Middleton plot strand especially towards the end when you really feel the tension.

I really like the character of Jack Warr and the author makes him feel real. At times he’s VERY taciturn and grumpy which only serves to make him more authentic but he’s a dogged, driven policeman who does not give up. There’s just the right balance between his home life and the case and it’s at his home with his wife, daughter and mother you see how likeable he is and it contrasts so well with Jack at work.

Overall, this is another good addition to the series. There’s a lot of ground covered in both cases and they are resolved well.

I am enjoying Lynda’s Jack Warr series. He is a complex character; dogged in pursuing cases long after most would have given up. He is flawed, but on the side of truth no matter what. Here he has two concurrent cases, one of a man awaiting trial for armed assault, but is not straight forward. Then his boss DCI Ridley is removed without explanation and a new DCI takes over who just wants to clear open cases. No one knows where Ridley has gone, or why, until he contacts Jack for help in finding out why he is being held on a charge of murder he swears he didn’t commit. Thus begins a riveting story I hated to put down. Jack comes close to breaking before the case is solved. Amazing detail, the story line kept me captivated and certainly justifies the title - pure evil. So good….

Thanks to Bonnier Books Uk for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Pure Evil is the fourth book in the DS Jack Warr series. Jack is still juggling his family and work life with his wife Maggie, daughter, and his mother helping them.
Rodney Middleton has committed some severe crimes and is at present on remand, he is thought to have schizophrenia but Jack is positive especially after speaking to a psychiatrist that he is faking mental illness to avoid a hefty prison sentence. Investigating further it soon becomes apparent that more heinous crimes have been committed by Middleton but proving this and collating the evidence is a huge undertaking.
Also running along this story is a second one involving Jacks boss DCI Ridley, he is suddenly removed from duty with no explanation and Jack has to work with a new unknown DCI.
An very good read with many twists and turns, well constructed, having characters with depth. Causing Jack many hours of work and no end of problems which also affect his personal life.
Although the story involving DCI Ridley was in itself interesting I did feel it distracted from the main events and was there just to add to the pressure on Jack. Otherwise a great page turning crime thriller.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

When is a simple case not a simple case? When Jack Warr's copper's nose tells him there's more to this than meets the eye.

But then there's a lot of things going on which aren't what they seem. Why has DCI Ridley disappeared from work? Is Jack's mum Penny losing her marbles?

And, worryingly, are old crimes repeating themselves??

Jack Warr is preparing files for the trial of a young man for armed assault. DCI Ridley warned Jack that the case may not be as cut and dried as they thought and the more Jack works through the files the more he realises what his boss meant. Then Ridley is suddenly removed from duty and the team are told not to contact him.
The Ridley contacts Jack and asks for his help. He has been accused of murder and needs Jack to prove his innocence. Jack can’t officially work on the case as it’s been handled by another force but, determined to help his friend, he is willing to do whatever it takes to clear Ridley.
Unfortunately, whatever it takes, might just be too much for Jack both professionally and personally.
Jack Warr is a great character, he isn’t perfect, but that just makes him more relatable. This is two stories in one, both of them full of twists and turns but the writing is so good I was never confused which plotline I was following.