The Friend - Charlie Gallagher

Wow! An exceptional and unusual police crime thriller. Characters, atmosphere, tension and a superb plot.

A mysterious stranger approaches individuals living with the misery caused by crimes the police couldn't solve. He claims to have information on the perpetrators.

I won't say any more as the plot is deeply unpredictable with twists, turns and tension from cover to cover.

The characterisation is brilliant, DI Norris, newly back at work after a month off with stress (though refreshingly, not dwelling on his demons). He's transferring across from TSG and has to prove he's got a brain as well as brawn to his sceptical partner DS Rose. The civilians are multi-dimensional and totally believable too.

There is a real casual confidence in the writing of the Police procedure and protocol, no surprise from the author who years of experience in the force, but still very impressive to read.

The plot is pacy and unpredictable with multiple threads racing and weaving together, the one-more-chapter factor is unbelievable, so make a flask of coffee and line up your snacks before you start.

I'll be very surprised if this isn't one of my top Crime reads this year, and will be jumping on the second in the series as soon as I can.

DI Joel Harris has been on leave; his first case back involves some odd deaths that, as it turns out, are linked but how? Danny Evans is distraught over his daughter's OD so when a stranger approaches him in a bar and offers him a chance for revenge, he unwisely takes it. So does another man whose wife was killed. Who is this mysterious man and how is he able to identify and manipulate the grieving into murder? And why? This has some very good twists and surprises. I liked Joel and his DS and, I must admit, I felt for the families although in no way could I condone what they did. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A fast page turning read.

This is a remarkable crime thriller. "The Friend" takes hold in what I would describe as a vice-like grip,
right from the very start. Strait away you sense this is going to be an outstanding good read. Charlie Gallagher
has brought us a story of high quality and one that does not disappoint.

A chilling tale of vulnerable teenage girls being sexually manipulated; a connection with a former football star,
past his days of glory, and not handling life all that well at the moment. There is one thing to tie these unsuspecting characters together, and that is the sinister intentions of a cunning 'friend' with a lust for gory murder as his motivation. There is a strong sense of realism such is the writer's skill of depicting the presence of character and location. Police procedures and a feel for a copper's frustration when having to deal with cases
fraught with career stalling politics, all the while trying to catch and put away a monster.

It is all here in "The Friend".

Loved this one! So easy to read and lots of twists and turns along the way. Definitely a quick read and one I recommend.

Returning to work after stress leave, DI Joel Norris is tasked to set up a new team to investigate the murder of a headless corpse. The case takes a different turn when the apparent suicide of a local hero and the grooming of his daughter take the investigation on a more sinister path. Terrific story, feels like the start of a new crime fighting partnership.

this book was pretty good, though a bit too masculine in style for me. interesting concept and we sat and watched while more and more of the characters we knew we were in danger and watching the work of an unknown master manipulator and the two detectives that were trying to put the pieces together

Another masterpiece by Charlie Gallagher.
I could not put this book down! A fast paced crime thriller.
Just brilliant!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books UK for an advance copy of The Friend, the first novel to feature DI Joel Morris of the Kent Police.

When a headless body washes up on Dover beach newly promoted DI Joel Morris is asked to investigate and then another death adds to his caseload, although he’s the only one seeing a link. In the meantime professional footballer Danny Evans is struggling to cope with his teenage daughter’s overdose and is tempted, despite his wife’s reservations when a stranger offers a chance for revenge.

I have read and enjoyed all Mr Gallagher’s previous novels but I must admit that I initially struggled to get involved with The Friend. The premise is intriguing, but it moves frequently between characters and doesn’t really give the reader time to settle in and grasp exactly what is going on. There are too many threads and no early reveals, but once it gets going, just before the half way mark, with reveals and the police investigation, boy, does it go and becomes quite compulsive.

This is a novel about grief, the corrosive anger it evokes in some men and their need to blame someone, but mostly it is about manipulation. I spent much of the novel shaking my head at how easily Danny Evans was manipulated into taking a stranger’s word about events, but, then, I’ve never been in his situation. The author does a great job of explaining his feelings and thoughts, but I can’t get it, that overpowering need to act. It simply didn’t resonate with me.

Although it is slow to start, requiring a lot of groundwork and scene setting, the plot is absorbing and warped in the mindset of the perpetrator. I really hope that it is the product of the author’s twisted imagination, rather than something he has seen in the course of his duties, as I wouldn’t like to think that there are real people like that.

I liked spending time with DI Joel Morris and his sidekick DS Lucy Rose. As the only members of a proposed elite crime squad it is unusual to see such a small investigative team, but there are hints of growth to come so perhaps there will be a more standard type of investigation in the future. They have a good dynamic with the occasional funny line and lots of insubordination from Rose.

The Friend is a good read after a slow start.

This book had a really interesting premise but ended up being a disappointment. It slow, sort of repetitive, sometimes confusing, and boring. I felt very close to put it down for good. I think it had the potential to be way better and more compelling but it lacked and turned more police procedure.

I do think if you want a more detective story, not character driven and more thrilling, you'll enjoy it.

When Danny and Sharon's daughter kills herself, her grief struck parents are left with a lot of answers.

In order to find questions, Danny makes decisions that determine the course of the story.

I really enjoyed reading this one, I love a good thriller with twists.

This is a new series featuring DI Joel Norris and his team. I have thoroughly enjoyed all the books by Charlie Gallagher and I certainly enjoyed this thriller. It's dark, full of menace and suspense, and very clever writing. Although slow to start, the pace and action quickly picked up and drew me in. Danny, a footballer, is sucked in to a plot full of revenge and manipulation. The book is very well written, with an original storyline and I would recommend it to lovers of thrillers. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Gore score 🗡
#1 in the DI Joel Norris series.
Danny and Sharon’s daughter is lying in a coma after trying to take her own life after being groomed and then blackmailed. Their marriage is firmly in the rocks, Danny is in a downward spiral he has lost his career as a professional footballer, and is seeking solace in the bottom of an empty bottle when he is is offered answers and a solution by someone who befriends him in a bar.
Joel is in a new team having returned from sick leave following stress caused by a previous case. His character develops nicely throughout the book, and I really took to him, he really cares.
His partner is DS Rose who is a strong feisty no nonsense cop. She is a part of the team strictly with her own agenda.
I like the light tone of the easy reading writing style.
It grabbed my attention quickly.
It’s fast paced. OMG what a cleverly intertwined plot.
I engaged with Richard. My heart went out to him.

Another breath taking crime drama from Charlie! Very difficult to put down. Highly recommended! Having read all of the George Elms stories, and several involving Maddie Ives, the friend introduces us to Joel Norris, and doesn't disappoint. Can't wait for the next one!

I loved the way the book started in the prologue. That description of evil had me hooked.

What followe'd was a parents emotional journey from a grief-stricken tragedy.

Wow! This is an amazing, compelling and entertaining thriller that had me gripped from the first page, with twists and turns throughout that I never saw coming. I absolutely loved this, as it kept me on the edge of my seat, and fully engaged as the drama unfolded. A true definition of “page turner!” I found it difficult to put this down and read it within two sessions.

The best part of this for me was the fact the locations and scene settings were all places that I knew in Kent, making it so much easier to visualise whilst reading. I’d love to see an adaptation of this for TV or film.

A fast paced, explosive read that must be read. This is the first book I have read by this author but I am already a fan and can’t wait to read more!

This was my first Charlie Gallagher book and I really wanted to like it. I'm usually a big fan of thrillers and the premise sounded great, but unfortunately this was a bit slow for me and I just couldn't get into it. The writing seemed flat, the characters not that likeable, and I saw the twists coming. Fans of creepy, slower burn thrillers will probably like this more than I did! Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was different to the normal CHARLIE Gallagher style and I was not sure if I was going to like it or not hence only 4 stars 9n this occasion
I did however complete the book and thoroughly enjoyed it
Looking forward to your next one CHARLIE

A very unique storyline! With brilliant twists and turns, i highly recommend! I was gripped the entire way through, it was very well written and not what i was expecting as my first book from this author.
And hands down what got me gripped was it was not predictable!
You will never see the end coming, even as you begin fitting the puzzle pieces together.
The Friend is a must read for all!

Danny Evans is reeling from his daughters suicide attempt. A former b-list footballer, he is known for his skills on the field and his late night binges afterwards. But when he is approached by a man who has the information about his daughters suicide, and who is responsible, Danny must decide what to do with that information. And when he decides, a giant web of lies and deceit unfurl, and leaves the reader questioning if this man is a friend, or an enemy?

Thank you Netgalley, Charlie Gallagher and Avon Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Evans family have had their life turned upside down. They cannot understand why their daughter would try to take her own life. Danny has his own coping mechanism; he now lives at a hotel bar where he is approached by a stranger who claims to have information on who is to blame. From here, Danny enters an abhorrent game that promises revenge... and unbeknownst to Danny, will cause carnage and end lives.

This is the first book I've read by Gallagher but I'll be keeping my eye out for more!

I really enjoyed that the policing was given such a focus throughout the story; it is written with understanding and it seems a great amount of knowledge. I read this at a steady pace, maybe over a week or so but I think this is because for a thriller, it was an 'easy' read which I actually really liked! And by easy, I don't mean I knew what was going to happen (I didn't, when do I ever!?) but it was, I was going to say light but it most definietly isn't light. In fact, it is pretty dark with TW of grooming and manipulation.

A gritty, clever plot with twists and turns that will leave you wanting more. This is the first book in a new series so I can't wait to read more! Published on April 1st 2021.