I was intrigued by the premise of this book, and was not disappointed. It certainly gave me lots to think about, and was a highly enjoyable read. Bruce Harris is a new author to me, but I will be looking out for future works.

3.5 ⭐rounded up

Thankyou to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc.

If you are looking for a twisty, full of secrets type story I found that this wasn't it, it's enjoyable for sure but don't go in expecting a story where you're constantly trying to solve mysteries. Whilst a murder mystery is at the centre a lot of the space in this story is more about exploring the characters and relationships between them. This is not necessarily bad, just different and not everyones cup of tea especially if you go in expecting a knives out style mystery with a rich family.

I will say the characters themselves were fine, well written enough to be suspects early on, with a couple of standouts who were more compelling (Brigitte, I loved Brigitte).

The other thing I noticed as being different from other mysteries is the lack of chaptering, well... technically there are chapters I guess but the first "chapter" is about 50% of the book. This is pretty unusual for this genre in my experience as they normally have short, sharp chapters to keep the action moving. The lack of chaptering is unique but in my opinion can make the book a bit tricky to get into, especially at the start and I found myself reading the words and them not actually going in as my brain, without any naturak stopping points had just stopped taking in information seemingly. But once I got used to it I was fine. It does help that about halfway through the book the pov changes to a different character which made for a nice change of pace. But I do think the structure might be a problem for some readers, especially if they are used to short, fast paced chaptering.

I did still enjoy reading through this on the whole, it just definitely wasn't what I was expecting.

From the premise of this book I was eager to read it. However whilst the plot was good I felt that for even a short novel it was too slow paced and the lengthy first chapter seemed a real slog. This is the first novel I’ve read from this author so unsure if this is his regular writing style but it’s not my preference. Thank you to NetGalley, The Book Guild and the author for the chance to review.

Ralph Manningham has been found dead in his home with a bottle of pills spilled next to him, surely this is a clear case of suicide. However as Inspector Mac Bellamy starts to look at the pieces all is not as it seems, a missing daughter who’s name comes up time and time again along with a concerning scuff mark on the carpet suggests there is more to the story than meets eye.

This is a great quick ‘whodunnit’ story that I found really easy to read and didn’t try to be anything more than what it says on the tin. I loved the separation of the book into the 5 parts however I wish there was chapters within those as it was quite a heavy chunk of reading in one go. I found the characters were really well developed and even the side characters had clearly been fleshed out enough that they felt real rather than just plot points. Overall I found this to be a really fun read with some great twists and is the perfect length to enjoy in a single evening.

If I'm to be completely honest, this book was more interesting in concept than execution. Ir follows a British detective as he investigates thedeath of a prominent industrialist and scientist, based on the theory of The Juda Gene, which proposes that every generati0n is doomed to betray the previous one in the name of progress. This is the heart of the book, what takes up most of it, but it somehow feels like it isn't actualy the main story.
The book is written from several third person POVs, which is fine, it usually is clear enough and justified. The structure of the book, however, bothered me. It is divided in five parts with no chapyters just breaks between moments or POVs, at least in the ARC I had, which made it seem a bit rambling at times. Better and more definite breaks would have been appreciated.
In turth this book tells three stories, about families, and generations, science and progress, police and the media, and it seems to me like it tried to take on too much. And while the investigation is a great setting point for the story, I honestlu though like it didn't need to take up half of this book, espeially seeing as the character and world building doesn't amount to much in the end.
And for a mystery... it all became quite clear way ahead of the end. So it became a bit redundant to go on and hard to understand what the book was trying to achieve.
So, the concept and base story is good, but the execution is quite poor in my opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to this book.

A fast-paced, to the point book which I thoroughly enjoyed and will be recommending!

Set, I think, in the present day this has the feel of an old style traditional murder mystery; .however, the political intrigue, deception and manipulation rings true and up to date (but then think Yes Minister which was written decades ago but still as relevant today). Inspector Bellamy, who tends to think a lot and repeat his thoughts to the reader, plods on trying to establish whether the wealthy industrialist and political donor Ralph Manningham really did die of natural causes, or suicide, or even murder. His family were the usual mix but the elephant in the room was Chloe, his daughter and protegee who went missing some years ago. The end felt rushed compared with the sometimes rather ponderous musing of our Inspector but overall a reasonable read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

What a classic whodunnit this is! The book grabs you from the first chapter and throws so many potential solutions into the mix that you can’t help getting swept up in the investigation. Well written and with nicely developed characters, this author has presented a very polished piece of work in this book.

I found this book a difficult read. I found the characters were not very likeable and the storyline was rather predictable. Sadly, not for me.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Judas Gene by Bruce Harris is a compelling entry into the world of mystery and suspense, marking Harris’s first foray into the ‘whodunnit’ genre. The novel centers around Ralph Manningham, a prominent industrialist and political donor, whose apparent suicide sets off a chain of events that unravel a web of secrets and betrayals.

The strength of this novel lies in its intricate plot and well-developed characters. Harris masterfully crafts a narrative that keeps readers guessing. The pacing is deliberate, allowing for a deep dive into the motivations and backgrounds of each character, which adds layers of complexity to the story. The setting, a blend of corporate intrigue and personal vendettas, provides a rich backdrop that enhances the overall tension and suspense.

One of the standout aspects of The Judas Gene is Harris’s ability to weave together multiple storylines seamlessly. Each subplot is meticulously developed, contributing to the main narrative in a way that feels both organic and necessary. This approach not only keeps the reader engaged but also adds a level of depth that is often missing in traditional ‘whodunnit’ novels.

Harris’s writing style is engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers to become immersed in the story. His attention to detail and ability to create vivid imagery help bring the scenes to life, making the reader feel as though they are part of the investigation. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, further enhancing the authenticity of the characters and their interactions.

Overall, The Judas Gene is a standout debut in the mystery genre. Harris’s unique twist on the classic ‘whodunnit’ formula, combined with his strong character development and intricate plotting, makes this a must-read for fans of the genre.

Whether you are a seasoned mystery reader or new to the genre, this novel offers a fresh and engaging experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

This is a story with potential but, for me, it didn’t deliver. I liked the premise and the actual plot is twisted and interesting but I found the dialogue unrealistic and Max, the investigating office is an implausible character. His wealth and former career doesn’t give him leeway or entitlement and I found it difficult to buy in to that backstory. I think the main issue is the actual writing style. It feels as if the author is trying to be too hip and laid back. The narrative feels contrived at times ad there’s too much given away rather than allowing the reader to form conclusions. I ended up skim reading over half the book just to see how it panned out,

There’s a decent enough story in this book and it’s a short, fast read but, to be honest, even that feels a bit long and I think this may have worked better as a short story. The writing felt stilted and unnatural at times, especially the dialogue, which was evocative of a period country house mystery but with a few modern terms (”bust the ass of those media people”) and poor proof reading (the detective is sent as he’s used to dealing with ‘knobs’ when the context is very clearly meant to be ‘nobs’). Too much of the dialogue is also used as a way of setting up context and relationships, very much against the show, don’t tell method. Also far too much repetition of the chief character’s history as a journalist and good looks, which could have been left out in a much better short story. Not for me, I’m afraid, but a lot of that may just be personal taste.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Short and sweet, a perfect mystery for when you have a few hours to spare. I loved it all, even if it didn't end the way I wished.

A leading industrialist and donor to the Conservative party is found dead in his study, pills spilt across the table suggest suicide. Movers and shakers in the government fear there is a scandal waiting to crawl out of the woodwork, and lean on the local DCS to put someone in charge who will keep things quiet. The job comes to DI Bellamy, a slightly unlikely copper, a successful journalist before joining the police (has that ever happened?), independently wealthy and thus able to put two fingers up to his boisses when it suits him to counter their wishes. Its a complex and clever plot and well written so it keeps you engaged. falls just short of cosy.

First time reading a book by this author, and I will be definitely reading more of his books.

The Judas Gene is a very light, fast paced read, I read this on a few hours.

Inspector Max Bellamy is called in to investigate the mysterious death of Ralph Manningham. Whilst interviewing the Manningham family he becomes aware their past disagreements and disappearance of Ralph's youngest Chloe.

Plenty of twist and turns, I did guess some of the plot part way through but it still didn't disappoint.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for a ARC.

 #TheJudasGene #NetGalley

The book is good and suspenseful. Investigation is spot on. Inspector Max Bellamy is trying to get to the bottom of the mystery of Ralph’s death and Chloe’s disappearance. This is a great whodunit and it will keep you guessing till the end. The truth was shocking and there were some twists. Author’s writing is so descriptive and I definitely liked the book. The book has a blend of genres including romance, mystery and suspense. This was an easy read. I read in a few hours.

Thanks to the Author and Publisher.

Was hooked in as soon as I saw the title, and what transpired was a really great whodunnit mystery with a great sleuth. I will absolutely look for more by this author. Thanks so much netgalley for my ARC

Thank you for the opportunity to review

This was a quick and easy read. I have never heard of this author and would look out for more of his books.

Who has the motive to want Ralph Dead? Now, that is the question. I love the classic style of this book with finger pointing in all directions keeping you guessing and interested until the very end.

This an easy read but complex book. It starts in one plot line but changes to two different plots. It sort of comes together in the end