This was the first book by this author and the only one in the series that I’ve read. There was obviously some backstory for the main viewpoint characters and it might have helped if I’d known this beforehand. However, the plot and writing are straightforward enough and well presented so I was never lost.

The two main characters, D.I. Matthew and D.S. Molly Fisher, follow their own paths as part of a wider murder investigation. The story kept my interest throughout and, although the climax to the story was a little unbelievable, it was quite exciting. There was a question left unanswered and perhaps may be answered in a future book.

Overall, an enjoyable read with clear writing.

I had no idea I’ve already read the first instalment of the Fisher/Denning series a while back. I thoroughly enjoyed i (I have a memory like a sieve)

This book has reminded me just how good it was, and I’m going to buy the rest of them.

If you love police procedurals, you’ll love this. It’s gritty, it’s down to earth, it’s well written and it’s real.

Its well researched and well thought out. Plot twists aplenty. I’m quite critical of netgalley books and look out for typos etc, there are none.

Thank you Mr Hampton, you’ve gained another fan.

Run For Cover is my first introduction to DI Denning, DS Fisher and author Graeme Hampton and it was an enjoyable introduction.

That certainly gets off to a shocking start as DI Denning and his team are asked to investigate the torture and murder of Bryony Allan. But with little intel they are struggling to find a motive or reason for such brutality. Yet, a DS in Islington is aware of the victim thanks to a string of burglaries she was involved in. But nothing seems to fit even the disappearance of an undercover officer that causes the teams DCI to take some time off.

But who is to blame for the death? Was it really pay back for a burglary gone wrong or did the gang get involved in something much bigger and far more dangerous? And when more bodies turn up brutally tortured Matt Denning knows he has to act fast even if that means putting his career on the line.

And although the pacing was a little off there was plenty of twists. Not to mention a couple of explosive moments and I was gripped but not necessarily at every point throughout the story. Yet, enough to want to keep reading and find out who the killer was.

This story starts with a bang and holds your attention throughout. This is a well-paced story, with a few clever twists and it keeps you guessing who the killer is.

This is a twisty and utterly compelling detective novel that fans of Stuart MacBride and Line of Duty will love.

A fast paced, thrilling, and gripping thriller that kept me turning pages. It's a short book but there're plenty going on.
An entertaining story featuring fleshed out characters and a solid mystery.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

DI Matt Denning and DS Molly Fisher are used to difficult cases and traumatic crime scenes but when their latest victim has obviously been tortured even they are shocked. With their boss distracted, and clues hard to come by, nothing seems to provide satisfactory answers until gradually they begin to find links to other recent serious crimes. Then someone close to them goes missing and those higher up are suddenly less than willing to help or even acknowledge their discoveries and Denning and Fisher realise its all down to them.

This is the fourth in Graeme Hampton's excellent series and was very enjoyable. Once again Denning is facing down dangerous and remorseless adversaries whose agenda puts him in danger while also dealing with a home life which is anything but simple, something he definitely has in common with his colleague, Molly Fisher. I enjoyed the two differing problems and how they were interwoven with what should have been far more pressing work issues.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a worthy addition to an entertaining series and I hope there will be more to come.

Thanks to Hera Books and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

The body of a young girl is discovered. Evidence shows that she was tortured before death. DNA evidence links this case with the murder of 2 men 3 months earlier. The DNA belongs to an undercover officer working for the National Crime Agency. A tough case for DI Matt Denning and his team but when one of his senior officers disappear things get even more tricky.

This is the first book I have read from this author. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of his work. If you like crime novels then this is definitely one for you.

The latest addition to Graeme Hampton’s series of police procedural novels featuring DI Matt Denning and DS Molly Fisher is an intelligent and engrossing read. When the badly mutilated body of a young woman is discovered in a church graveyard, the police have two main competing theories to consider - are they dealing with a potential serial killer or has the victim’s involvement in relatively minor criminality led her into a murderous scenario? The book combines a detailed description of how one of the Metropolitan Police’s Major Investigation Teams meticulously builds a murder investigation case with an insight into the somewhat untidy private lives of Denning and Fisher. The author also highlights some of the difficult ethical issues confronting law enforcement organisations, such as how to regulate the involvement of undercover officers in major criminal investigations, and how some individual law enforcement officers confront their frustrations with the perceived inadequacies of the criminal justice system.

The one jarring note for me was the occasionally unconvincing operational decisions taken by quite senior law enforcement officers as the story built towards its climax. This struck a slightly discordant note In a book with a strong depiction of police procedures. Nevertheless, I would recommend this book to fans of police procedural novels.

A Dark Bite..
The fourth in the Denning and Fisher series and another tale with a dark bite. A shocking murder provides a link to a conspiracy that no one wants to acknowledge. Fast paced drama with one revelation after another provides a swiftly moving and tension fuelled read. Characters are extremely well crafted with personal backstories providing an extra thread. A worthy addition to this series.

I enjoyed this addition to the series. I found it to be well written with a great cast of characters. The mystery was compelling and I am looking forward to reading more.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Hera Books for an advance copy of Run for Cover, the fourth novel to feature DI Matt Denning and DS Molly Fisher of the Met.

The discovery of Bryony Allen’s body in a graveyard is a puzzle for Matt and the team, because, while she might not have kept to the straight and narrow in her young life, there is nothing to suggest that the level of brutalisation and torture visited on her was justified. When they link her murder to the disappearance of an undercover officer working to bring down a drugs gang they are thwarted at every turn, because no one wants to jeopardise his work.

I thoroughly enjoyed Run for Cover, which is an interesting police procedural that branches out from a straight murder investigation into several different crimes and varying degrees of repercussion for those involved.

The novel is told from two points of view, Matt and Molly. He is SIO on the murder case, so, if you like, his role goes upward when he gets involved with the National Crime Agency, who tend to work on “big picture” investigations. Molly, on the other hand, goes downward, investigating crimes arising from Bryony’s past life. It is an interesting juxtaposition of criminal investigation and typically it is Molly’s that produces the most tangible results, while Matt’s becomes more ambiguous and remains that way.

The novel is well plotted and runs at a brisk pace. There is a constant flow of developments, be it new crimes or fresh information, but nothing comes easily, so witnesses require badgering and serious thought expended. I like this dose of realism in my fiction.

As ever there is just enough of the personal in the mix to give the characters more dimension. Matt is unsure about his marriage and worried about his autistic son’s future. Molly is still pondering her car crash of a relationship with the much older Jon. Well, it’s only everyone else that see it as bad, because she loves him, or do they have a point? We’ve been here before, so it’s time for the author to show us something new.

Run for Cover is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

I loved the characters and the way I had to keep asking myself if I was right in how I thought the plot was turning out. A really enjoyable mystery/thriller, that kept me guessing until the end!

Good book! This book is a little short but I still feel like I got the whole story! This book had suspense, intrigue, action, and great police work! The storyline was very interesting and flowed nicely! I will definitely recommend reading this book! Its well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

In North London, DI Matt Denning and his team are dealing with a horrific murder. In itself, this is bad enough, but when links are established with a missing undercover officer and a drugs baron, things get progressively worse.

And things on the home front aren't too good for either Matt or his sergeant Molly Fisher.

A great addition to the series

I really enjoyed this steady read, although it started very slowly. The book opens with the murder of a young woman and DI Denning is called to lead the investigation. I really like his developing character and the insight into his private life with his wife. There is not so much depth to the other characters, other than Molly but the second half of the book picked up well and hurtled towards an action packed ending as the pace picked up. Although the plot involved undercover policing, drugs, violence and corruption, it was a bit unconvincing but overall a good read. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

I enjoyed this read and was drawn into the story right from the start. I liked the two main characters who investigate a murder of a young woman. When links to organised crime are found, Denning finds his job much harder to do as other agencies are unwilling to share their knowledge with the team. I thought at times the story was slow to progress, a little too drawn out for my liking, and the inclusion of the personal lives of the two main characters didn’t really add anything to the story in my opinion. The second half of the book did pick up more and the last quarter had a lot of pace and action. Overall I thought this was a well written book, although it did feel overly long at times and for me lacked the wow factor. I would still like to read the next one in the series.

3.5 stars

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

2.5* rounded down. This featured extreme violence, undercover policing, organized crime and police corruption, which makes it sound more exciting than it was. The first half was very slow and repetitious, and then I found the second half rather unconvincing, with operational decisions being made which seemed extremely unlikely to me. The characterization was a bit lacking again - Trudy and Neeraj had no real personalities - but the ending was good.