Five unrelated names. A suicide. A dead body. And a list of five names is the only clue DI Rutherford Barnes has in this complicated case. Barnes and his team rush to find the men who are named on the list but they are petty criminals and drug dealers who don’t want to be found. That doesn’t work in their favor. Street cameras are analyzed, witnesses are tracked down, car registrations are checked as Barnes comes closer to a solution, a solution that may reach someone close to him. Alternating chapters tell the story of two boys who become friends despite their very different backgrounds. One comes from an upper middle class family, the other from a poor home with an alcoholic, physically abusive background. Their adventures together hint at what their futures may be.

Adam Lyndon, a serving police officer, delivers another excellent police procedural in the Rutherford Barnes series. Suspense builds slowly in this complex plot as the frustrated search for potential victims continues. Super character development, especially Duke Kenley, and a gritty location add to this deliberately slow-paced thriller. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Joffe Books and Adam Lyndon for this ARC.

Detective Barnes is investigating a spate of brutal murders.
He believes that there is a serial murderer, and finds a common link between the victims.

This is the fifth book in the Detective Barnes series.
I wish I had read the first four before diving into this one, so I could get the back story of the detective.
The book was gripping, and gory, and reminded me of books by Chris Carter.
There were twists and lots of action in this book.
I would read this again if I get to read the first four, I would have enjoyed it more.
However, I do recommend this book.

This police procedural, based in the South East of England, is part of a series and the first book I have read in the series.

Reflecting back, the plot is good, but the pace was slow and it took such a long time to really get into the grit of the story, that I was bored and past caring about what happened. The writing was a little bland and there wasn't any excitement to grab my attention.

The ending brought everything together nicely and earned it an extra star for my review, I just wish the road to that point had been more interesting.

This may appeal more to other readers, who have read earlier books in the series, but it didn't work for me.

3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Adam Lyndon and Joffe for an ARC in return for an honest review.

One cryptic note. Five names. Two of those names are already dead! Good book! This book had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, a great who done it and a few crazy twists and turns. The story was interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!