Big City Jacks

March 1, 2005
In the middling fourth Henry Christie police procedural (after 2004's Dead Heat) by real-life British policeman Oldham, the Lancashire detective chief inspector has just returned to duty after a suspension to find that his provisional promotion doesn't sit too well with his colleagues. Deprived of a gradual re-entry to his job, Christie plunges into several incendiary situations, ranging from an internal investigation into a botched prosecution of a major drug kingpin, who may have been framed for murder, to the brutal execution of a low-level criminal possibly connected with a rival narcotics ring that also trafficks in people. Those who can overlook the lack of balance among the subplots and some awkward prose ("his male antennae had registered the voluptuous and curvaceous lines of her well-stacked body") will find this twisty, suspenseful tale rewarding.

May 30, 2005
In the middling fourth Henry Christie police procedural (after 2004's Dead Heat) by real-life British policeman Oldham, the Lancashire detective chief inspector has just returned to duty after a suspension to find that his provisional promotion doesn't sit too well with his colleagues. Deprived of a gradual re-entry to his job, Christie plunges into several incendiary situations, ranging from an internal investigation into a botched prosecution of a major drug kingpin, who may have been framed for murder, to the brutal execution of a low-level criminal possibly connected with a rival narcotics ring that also trafficks in people. Those who can overlook the lack of balance among the subplots and some awkward prose ("his male antennae had registered the voluptuous and curvaceous lines of her well-stacked body") will find this twisty, suspenseful tale rewarding.

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2005
DCI Henry Christie has just returned from disciplinary leave imposed because he became romantically involved with a female perp. Eager to get back to work, he is assigned to a special criminal investigation unit where his presence is deeply resented. Even so, Henry throws himself into the investigation of the gruesome murder of a Manchester drug dealer. Henry perseveres, but even as he is busy unraveling the perplexing and myriad clues, a massive drug shipment is stolen, apparently by the same gang responsible for the drug dealer's murder. Could some of Henry's own colleagues be involved in a corrupt scheme of bribery, drug dealing, and murder? Oldham, a real-life copper, offers a story full of dark menace, gritty realism, and graphic violence. Add head-spinning action and surprising plot twists, and the result is a gripping, gut-wrenching thriller.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)