Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Judas Horse is a gripping crime thriller by the bestselling author of Prime Suspect and Widows. The novel follows DC Jack Warr, a young detective who is drawn into a complex undercover operation to infiltrate a notorious criminal gang.

Warr is a reluctant hero, haunted by his past and unsure of his future. He has a knack for finding trouble, but also a talent for solving it. When he discovers a connection between a series of burglaries and a brutal murder, he volunteers to go undercover as a burglar himself, hoping to catch the killers red-handed.

But Warr soon realizes that he is in over his head, as he becomes entangled in a web of lies, betrayal, and violence. He has to face his own demons, as well as the ruthless leader of the gang, who has a personal vendetta against him. Warr has to decide who he can trust, and who he can't, before it's too late.

Judas Horse is a fast-paced and suspenseful read, with a twisty plot and a compelling protagonist. LaPlante's writing is sharp and engaging, and she creates a vivid and realistic portrayal of the criminal underworld. A thrilling and satisfying novel that will be enjoyed by fans of crime fiction.

Lynda LaPlante knows how to please her fans. Give them a great main character with lots of well cast supporting characters and a great back story. Then ramp up the tension and suspense with a plot line full of clues that will still leave you surprised at the end. Judas Horse is another great book that kept me reading long after....just one more chapter tonight......

This is a high-quality police procedural perfect for fans of the subgenre. Detective Jack Warr is highly competent but not perfect, which makes him all the more interesting. The minor characters are all real and interesting on their own, and the tensions the various personality conflicts introduce into the action make the story even more compelling. The first few chapters of the book, though well done, feel like something of a digression after an early crime is introduced at the very beginning. They establish Jack’s expertise but keep us from getting into the main story until later. Once Jack heads to the countryside to lead the main investigation, the suspense builds, and the rest is an engrossing police drama with occasional thriller-like elements. Along the way, Jack exhibits unusual sensitivity in his handling of interpersonal relationships. This helps him elect everyone’s best effort at work and informs his behavior around his friends. Jack seems like he’d be perfect for a movie or television series.

I received a digital advance review copy courtesy of Bonnier Zaffre and Netgalley. I had a couple of minor quibbles with the timeline, but these were probably corrected in the final version.

This book was a page turner from beginning to end. Very captivating with amazing character development.
To be honest at times I found it hard to even catch up or remember what was going on. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the second book in Lynda La Plante's Jack Warr series and picks up where the last book left off and the next case for this detective. I like the way that this character is written. I like that he is more complex and not just a stereotypical James Bond character and that he has flaws. I liked that this book showed more versatility for this character and offered more of his range as a detective to showcase more about what he is made of as an overall person. There is such a human element to him that deeply cares for others and an underlying Robin Hood essence that is repeated in this book. The case was well developed and really kept me guessing until the very end. I had not known much about equestrians, polo, or many of the things discussed in the book and liked how the concepts were explained so completely. I found the Judas Horse concept to be really original. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

Judas Horse once again brings Jack Warr on the case. A string of unsolved burglaries in the Cotswolds has the locals reaching for help. As a new father, they are not sure Jack will want to be away from home but his wife is ready to get him out of the house!
In this book, we once again meet Maggie and Penny and the new baby Hannah. I find myself so interested in the family dynamics of the story that the mystery is just extra fun.
The denouement was exciting and seeing how Jack interacts with the team and his bosses kept me interested.
I am looking forward to the next installment starting Jack Warr and his family! Thank you to Netflix, the publisher, and the author for a copy of this book I exchange for my review.

I get excited whenever a new LaPlante book is released and this one did not disappoint. Jack is a detective sent in to work on a case if burglaries happening in high end homes. Not only is the thriller Parr of the story exciting bit the love and romance between Jack and his wife is beautiful. A wonderful novel not to be missed.

Detective Jack War makes enemies aplenty in the second novel in this crime series.No wonder, he come across as the Superman of Detectives, the Sherlock Holmes of unearthing clues and suspects and it is a bit too much. Jealous colleagues can’t take him down, physical injury barely slows his forward momentum. This book had all the elements of a good crime story but it was a little clunky. The story progresses awkwardly and at times the switchbacks were more than a little confusing. Solid just not brilliant.

Three stars is just not equal to the writing but four stars is generous. Thank you NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre USA for a copy.

I thought this started out very slowly and while I hadn’t read the first in the series I caught up rather quickly. If you like books about Robin Hood characters I think you’ll be fascinated by the protagonist. It wasn’t until the first third of the book was done that I felt the story started moving along and caught my attention. This is one where the ending really wasn’t evident ahead of time.

Lynda La Plante returns with her second book in the Jack Warr series, and I have to say this one is highly accomplished with a compelling storyline. I had an issue with the first book, but La Plante has delivered a police procedural thriller that is amongst the best she has written, or anyone has written.

The Judas Horse deals with a gang of burglars robbing the wealthy residents of the Cotswolds in England. Local knowledge of the area, insider information, and clever planning are contributing to the gang's success. However, as they start to encounter unforeseen twists they become more violent and daring. Jack Warr is brought into the investigation team to lead up the hunt for the criminals and catch them before their last big job goes down and they disappear for good.

“ ‘Do you know what a Judas Horse is?’ Charlotte asked as she buckled the bridle into place. ‘When the wild mustangs are running free, you corral one and train it. It can take weeks, even months, but when he’s ready, you can release him and he’ll bring his team back into the corral like Judas betraying them.’ ”

I love La Plante’s main protagonist, Jack Warr, who is superbly drawn as an experienced detective with a talent for reading people and developing important insights. She executes the perfect balance of Jack being driven by a sense of justice while prepared to operate illegally. A detective who understands the delicate nature of working with and promoting others, while prepared to dispense uncompromising force if necessary. Jack's wife, Maggie, reminds him that he's the product of both sides of the track “Think like Harry, act like Charlie, and you’ll be invincible. You are the very best of two strong and memorable men. You are a force to be reckoned with, Jack Warr.”

What really impresses, is that he’s not a superhuman or a deeply damaged but brilliant detective, he feels real with flaws and talents, the dialogue is flawless, and the team around him all provide depth and challenges.

The plot is very well developed, and its delivery maintains suspense and mystery throughout. This was a great concept and it was intriguing how it played out. The human fears of retribution and guilt make the Judas Horse plan uncertain, and the question must be asked, what if it is turned and used to manipulation Jack and his team.

I would highly recommend this book and I'd like to thank Bonnier Zaffre and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest review.

Story line was kind of boring and characters were not that relatable. Half way through I lost interest and didn’t want to finish the story. However the parts that had information on the horses was the only interesting item.

Judas Horse was a good read by Lynda La Plate. This is the second book in the Detective Jack Warr series. Detective Jack Warr identifies an informer, a man who knew details of a massive robbery planned by a team of dangerous men. The men have already done many robberies and left many terrified victims in their wake. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by the author.

This is the second book about Jack Warr and while there were things that I didn’t love in general I enjoyed it. It could be a standalone but the references to Jack’s history might be a bit confusing if you haven’t read the first one. Jack is not your typical cop protagonist. Jack has embraced his more criminal heritage as long as the rules he bends are for what he considers the greater good. I feel like this is leaving a. Lot of potential for things to go wrong, but personally I’m a sucker for a good anti-hero. Jack becomes a father in this book and while I was a little confused about the timelines with her growth at times I did think it added some good depth to the family and Jack’s character in general. The story and writing at times felt a little over the top but the mystery was interesting and kept my focus well. Overall I hope this is not Jack’s last adventure that Ig eat to read.

Detective Jack Warr uses his unique background with ties to the criminal underworld to infiltrate a gang of dangerous and unscrupulous thieves. This is a fast paced and page turning book, and I am eagerly anticipating the third book in the Jack Warr series.

I just finished "Buried", the first book in this new series by Lynda la Plante. Really liked it & can't wait to see where this new one goes. Thank you Netgalley! I enjoy British police procedurals, had not read this author before, don't know how I missed her. I will update my review when I get further in to book.

Detective Jack Warr is a wanted man ... wanted by police departments all around. He has a knack for tracking down robbery gangs. Most of these have successfully pulled off robberies without being caught ... but they've left multiple victims behind .. some of them dead.

Warr's latest outing is proving to be harder than most. He hasn't been able to determine any kind of pattern and the robbers seem to know who to hit and when to hit. Somehow they get in and out without ever being seen.

BOOK BLURB -- Wild mustangs are difficult to rope, their lead stallion wary and protective of his herd. To capture that special stallion takes time. He is separated, roped, and lead back to the ranch. Once tamed, he is sent back into the wild. And before long, he will lead the entire herd back to the ranch. He is given the name 'Judas Horse'.

And when Warr finds an informer, that informer becomes his own "Judas Horse."

Dark secrets and lots of false leads ... twists and turns ... this is chock full of action from the very first page and doesn't stop until the final explosive conclusion. Characters are deftly drawn with Jack Warr leading the way. Going into a crime scene and taking over doesn't set well with previous investigators who have failed to solve the crimes. He handles the stress, the mistrust, the suspicion as best he can. All he really wants is to put the bad guys away before anyone else gets hurt.

Many thanks to the author / Bonnier Zaffre USA / Zaffre Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

The Judas Horse

This is a police drama that keeps you totally involved. The main character is a cop with a personal code of honor that doesn’t always fall under the category of “legal". He bends the rules, knows how to charm people in a way to get what he needs and is loyal to his team. The storyline was intense as you followed the last days of a planned heist that was choreographed to the last letter…..but still. An interesting look into the amount of work and sometimes luck that is involved in police work. I will certainly look into the first book in this series.

This is a most enjoyable mystery written by Lynda La Plante and is the second in this series, although having read the first one is not a prerequisite. This book does well as a stand alone novel.

Detective Jack Warr is a London detective who has made a name for himself by solving a high profile robbery case. Consequently, when his help is requested on a series of home break-ins where pieces of expensive jewelry are being stolen, his superior agrees to have him temporarily assigned to the Cotswolds. It quickly becomes apparent the local police have an informer in their midst, identified by Jack and requiring him to employ a tactic known as a “Judas Horse” , i.e. one of their own, to catch the thieves.

Well written and with strong character development, the author successfully draws a picture of Detective Warr as a tough no-nonsense detective, while at the same time, shows the soft side of the family man he is about to become. These two personalities give the front burner plot and back burner themes welcome flavor.

Jack Warr has had success with burglaries in London so he's naturally the one who is picked to help out when a more vicious gang begins hitting high value targets in the Cotswalds, This starts with two boys discovering a body; veteran procedural readers know that you will have to wait a while to understand how this fits into the plot line, Warr has a lot of personal stuff going on- a new baby, a bio-dad, a father, and so on- and he sometimes lets work get too important. He recruits Charlotte Miles to help him find and arrest the villains but is she the right pick? No spoilers from me. This has more of a cops and robbers element to it that the first Warr novel= naturally because that's what the story is about but it's also the tone. That said, La Plante writes a good twisty tale. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

A Judas horse is, simply put, a wild horse that has been tamed and betrays his herd by leading them to his new masters. The concept works on horses, so why not people? Detective Jack Warr is back again in the full swing of his new promotion. He’s been called in to work on a large series of high scale burglaries that have begun to escalate quickly. The robbers haven’t been caught yet in three years, so can Jack, with is newfound confidence, capture the bad guys before they get away this time?

Overall, I give it a 3-3.5 star.s. Here’s why,

What I loved:
- a fantastic crime story. The way the burglaries escalated was really captivating
- I was invested in knowing more about the lives of the victims
- the character development of the cops
- jack being the best version of his birth father and adoptive father

What I didn’t love as much:
- I missed reading about the bad guys like we got to in the first story. There wasn’t really too much information or deep roots connecting them. I feel like I missed that part of the story
- I wish we could have gotten a little more personal side story of Jack. I mean, he has a newborn in a new house. Not that it would do much for the actual plot, but the first book had me really invested in him as a character
- the story was a little straightforward. I could easily predict what was going to happen, and there weren’t any major twists to keep me guessing

Though I much preferred the first book in the series, I was still very captivated, and I’m very interested in reading more Jack Warr stories.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre USA for providing me with an advanced ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.. The book will be published on March 9, 2021.