I admit I'm now addicted to William Shaw's novels. I read The Birdwatcher first and absolutely loved it so finding he had several other books that were being reissued made my day.
The setting of Sympathy for the Devil is the 60's currently being fashioned on television by Endeavour. I think there is room for more and would love to see these novels interpreted for the TV audience. With a plot that pulls in famous people, conspiracy theories and an investigating duo who only seem to like each other occasionally I can already see the casting.
After the death of Brian Jone sin his own swimming pool makes the papers the murder of a prostitute with rich and famous clients hardly makes a ripple. But Julie Teenager has secrets and DS Cathal Breen is on the case. his heavily pregnant girlfriend, Helen Tozer cant leave the job alone either. There's going to be trouble a-coming.
The fourth in a series about Breen and Tozer this moves skilfully around their tricky relationship where 'living in sin' is still frowned upon. There is a good balance between this and the case making it a well-rounded story.
I'm currently catching up on the previous three and Im so pleased to 'discover' mr William Shaw thanks to Netgalley.

Thanks Quercus Books and netgalley for this ARC.

Love Breen and Tozer! This series brings London in the sixties to life from a different perspective. Breen is reluctant guest at a Stones concert. He doesn't get it but he's trying. I love the contrariety between Breen and a pregnant Tozer. These two are a great team, and this mystery's extra hard to pin down. Can't wait for the next installment

This was thrilling for the beginning to the end. This is the 4th Book for the series, and Breen and Tozer are back. Fast paced action, reminded me a bit of brad Pitt in 7, because of Breen and his pregnant girlfriend, and finally someone got an ex-cop woman instead of always being a man. A big praise to William Shaw on his writing, was gripping and makes you think about what’s wrong in the world.

Hi Karen,

My next review is:-
"Sympathy For The Devil:Breen & Tozer 4", written by William Shaw and published in hardcover by riverrun on 4 May 2017. 448 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1784297268
She made a profit from her youth. She's not beautiful anymore - but now she will be young forever.

Called away from his pregnant girlfriend, Detective Sergeant Cathal Breen knows the sight of the murdered prostitute will be with him all his life. But this is what he does: he finds killers. Helen Tozer, more than most, understands why.

SUMMER OF DEATH

The girl they called Julie Teenager had a client list full of suspects - all rich, powerful - and protected. Someone warns off the beat coppers; someone disturbs the crime scene. When Breen gets a phone call from MI6, he fears just how protected his suspect is. These are dangerous waters, where Russian spies hide.

Then Helen, with her unstoppable copper's instinct and fierce moral sense, dives into the investigation. And Breen knows he has more to lose than ever before. He is about to become a father. He can have no sympathy for the devil.

Tense, dramatic and ingeniously plotted, Sympathy for the Devil is a gripping police thriller set in a world before forensics or criminal databases; a world that's bigoted and brutal.

This is a really superbly interesting, atmospheric and deftly plotted police procedural set in the late 1960's. an era I remember very well. I could not fault the author on his attention to research and getting the little isolated details such as cigarette brands etc., correct.

I've had the pleasure of reading all the previous thrillers in this series of historical mysteries and I find it somewhat ironic to say the least that it is described as "historic" when I remember a lot of the events described in the book. Nonetheless the book was extremely well written and captured the times in which it is set very vividly. I'm hugely impressed. Of course this was an age before many of the modern conveniences that we take for granted in the modern day set mystery such as CSI and internet research and mobile communications and therefore detectives had to rely on the interviewed client and searches in old fashioned paper records. There was still the interaction between detectives and the usual harassment from senior detectives.

This was a extremely interesting book, which the author has painstakingly researched to really give a true evocation of the day to day life of living in London in the late 1960's. I have read all four of the book's in this brilliant series and whilst the authors does take great pains to explain the background for the occasional reader who may start the series with the fourth book, I would strongly recommend for full appreciation that the first three are read first.

I look forward to reading more historical police procedurals from this very talented author in the future as I enjoyed this very gripping and exciting book tremendously. Highly recommended.

Best wishes,

Terry
(To be published by eurocrime.co.uk in due course)

I enjoyed Sympathy For The Devil overall, but I did have some reservations about it.

This is the fourth in the Breen & Tozer series. I hadn't read any of the previous books, but this is fine as a stand-alone novel. Set in London in 1969, Detective Sergeant Cathal Breen is called to investigate the murder of a prostitute with an exclusive clientele. Things become convoluted and murky as it becomes clear that people with influence are impeding the investigation. The plot unravels fairly convincingly, with blind alleys, the possibility of espionage and the eventual discovery of the killer with a slightly more plausible denouement than we often get in this sort of story.

It's a pretty well-told tale. I did find it a little plodding and stolid at times, but the characters seemed real to me and the period was well evoked. I think William Shaw has done a good job in portraying the attitudes of the time; he manages to strike that difficult balance of showing how many people thought and spoke then, while not making the book intolerably offensive to modern readers. For example, there are just a couple of uses of what would now be thought of as pretty shockingly racist terms but which are exactly the sort of words used casually by many people in 1969. It's enough to be realistic and makes the point but doesn't labour it. The same applies to some of the sexist views and attitudes to "unmarried mothers" – which was often a term of severe disapproval then.

This is a decent read without being a brilliant one, I think. The setting is a good deal better than many "period" crime novels and it's well worth a go to see whether you like it, but be prepared for some slightly stodgy periods. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

(I received and ARC via Netgalley.)

Another evocative and gripping story in the Breen and Tozer series. It isn't necessary to have read any of the previous books as you can pick up the relationship nuances quickly. Cathal Breen is a policeman called to a murder scene, the victim a woman who worked as a prostitute by the name of Julie Teenager with a specialised clientele. The case turns out to be far from straightforward, with undercurrents and interference in the investigation.
Helen Tozer, Breen's pregnant ex-police probationer girlfriend, gets involved in the case, which leads them both into danger and difficult decisions.
Great atmosphere in this book, sympathetic portrayal of both main characters and their relationship, solid plot.
3.5 stars. .

Thanks Quercus Books and netgalley for this ARC.

Love Breen and Tozer! This series brings London in the sixties to life from a different perspective. Breen is reluctant guest at a Stones concert. He doesn't get it but he's trying. I love the contrariety between Breen and a pregnant Tozer. These two are a great team, and this mystery's extra hard to pin down. Can't wait for the next installment

Another excellent read in the Breen and Tozer series. It is the fourth book in the series but works as a stand alone too. The summer of 1969 and Breen investigates the murder of a prostitute in London. Throw in the death of Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, and you have the foundation of a really interesting plot. I liked the character of Mint and the detail of the "Swinging Sixties".A thoroughly enjoyable read. Thank you Net Galley for my copy. I reviewed on Goodreads.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy of Sympathy for the Devil, the fourth novel set in 1960s London to feature DS Cathal "Paddy" Breen and his girlfriend, former WPC Helen Tozer.

Breen is called in from his day off to investigate a murder. The victim is a prostitute, Julie Teenager, with an exclusive client list who prefer young girls. In reality Julie Teenager is Lena Bobienski, a 26 year old Pole who has found a very lucrative niche market. The problem for Breen is identifying her clients who make up most of his suspect pool but there are darker forces involved and he finds himself hampered at every turn.

When I read the opening chapter my heart sank as it is a present tense narrative recounting the death of a pop star and I really don't like that, but it is only the one chapter and it soon settled in to a straightforward, linear narrative. I was also puzzled by its relevance but it soon becomes apparent that it is part of a running gag about the more outlandish theories on the death of Brian Jones.

I liked the plot which twists and turns and held my attention throughout although I thought the ending was a bit lame in comparison with the rest of the novel. The strength of the novel, however, lies in the period detail and the characterisation. As a man in his 30s with conventional views Breen is regarded as "old" which refers as much to his age as his approach to life. Tozer, on the other hand, is much more open and involved in the new ways. He prefers jazz, she prefers The Rolling Stones. I think Mr Shaw does a great job of describing life in the Swinging Sixties and while it is slightly before my time it seems really authentic. I thoroughly enjoyed Breen's experiences with the spies. Some younger readers may find it laughable because it is but the sad thing it is that, again, it has a real ring of authenticity about it.

Sympathy for the Devil is a good read with an interesting plot, excellent period detail and pleasant characters so I have no hesitation in recommending it.

This is the fourth in the DS Cathal Breen and Helen Tozer series, but the first I have read. It works fine as a standalone. This is a wonderfully atmospheric period read set in the London of 1969. It is the summer of love and the country is on the cusp of a cultural revolution, with ideas such as free love being floated, the profusion of drugs, and a nation mesmerised by bands like the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. Brian Jones has been discovered dead and rumours proliferate among fans suggesting that it was murder. Lena Bobienski hangs around with famous band musicians, is also known as Julie Teenager, a high class prostitute, with a particular niche in playing young schoolgirls and attracts high rolling clients of influence. Cathal leads the police investigation when she is found murdered.

It is a difficult case and there are no clues until Lena's maid, Florence Caulk, is located. She outlines the features and characteristics of Lena's eleven regular clients. It is a painstakingly slow process identifying them, and Cathal is alarmed at the whispers of a member of the police force being a client, and interference in the investigation from the hierarchy. Helen is chafing at the loss of her job in the police, the restrictions that being heavily pregnant brings and her fears that her life is now effectively over. She cannot help but get involved in Cathal's case and in another case where a woman driver of the famous is badly assaulted which turns out to be connected to Julie Teenager. With the added complication of the involvement of the intelligence services who are interested in a Russian spy, there are further murders, and worries that the killer will be bought to justice.

Other than taking the occasional liberties with timing and events, William Shaw has done impeccable research on the historical period showcased in the novel such as the politics and the details of the clothing and the liberal use of nylon. As might be expected, sexism looms large. The character development are particularly well done, Helen's irritability at the cards life is dealing her and the limitations of pregnancy brings feels authentic and real. Her actions at the end raises questions in her relationship with Cathal. A great book and a great series. Thanks to Quercus for an ARC.

I am a fan of this series so was incredibly happy to be approved by the publisher to read it ahead of time. I love Breen and Tozer and I especially love the atmosphere and the real life references to the sixties. The author does an incredibly good job at making the story authentic and the plot remains engrossing to the very end. I got up even earlier than usual, just to be able to finish this book before I went to work. The fact that Helen is about to become a mother and is expected to give up police work, but can't, shows how far women have come since then. The total cluelessness of Paddy in relation to his partner and the rest of the fairer sex adds to the charm. This is a another great spy/detective story for lovers of the genre. I certainly hope there will be more of these!

I actually read this straight after reading The Birdwatch by the same author. As novels go, they are poles apart in plot and themes. Sympathy For The Devil is much more dark, gritty and edgy. That’s not to say The Birdwatcher is not a cracking read too. I think the author has a real gift to write two very different novels so well.
The novel opens in the summer of 1969, with the body of a dead rock star floating in a pool. A rock star surrounded by wealth, privilege and beautiful women. Who has a known addiction problem. The plot moves on to what we come to know as Lena aka ‘Julie the teenager’ a prostitute who capitalises on her young looks with ‘an act’ that lures the perverted men whom desire underage teenage girls. The sleaze, secrets and depravity of sex work are fully explored. But when Julie the teenager is found dead, so begins a complex case of dead ends and mystery. Who killed Julie and why? Was it a punter? A manic? Or her maid?
Detective sergeant Cathal Breen is assigned the case. Breen and Constable Mint attempt to learn more about Julie the teenager. But how do you navigate a world built on secrecy, one where the Johns must remain anonymous, when you are the long arm of the law?
The other tenants in the apartment block provide clues and we learn of Lena’s past, one that leads right to WW2. Lena’s maid Florence is a pivotal part of the investigation but she can’t be found. Does she hold the secret list of clients? Who is on this list? Is there a link between the dead rock star and the dead hooker?
This novel has the trademark twists and turns of the author. Its complex, deep and interwoven. The characters are engaging good/bad you want to know more about them! The era is evocative and I found so many little details added up to really portray the 1960’s in its true light. One of drugs, sexual liberation and the changing roles of women. Will definitely read most by the same author 4*
* I shall share to my blog/fb page/twitter on the day of publication.