The novel opens with the arrest of a major crime figure, Nicholas Cresswell. Always slippery and managing to avoid serious jail time, Cresswell has finally been arrested for murder and DI Tom Thorne of the London Metropolitan Police couldn’t be happier. However, when four uniformed officers attending the arrest are killed in a particularly malicious way, Thorne is devastated by the loss of their young lives and knows this is an act of vengeance and retribution. Further deaths follow and set Thorne, DI Nicola Tanner, DI Dave Holland of the Major Investigation Team racing to find the perpetrator.

The Met is currently scrambling to restore public face after corruption was found within the ranks and is also dealing with criticism of their lack of action in dealing with crimes against women. Thorne is concerned that not all the corrupt cops have been weeded out and doesn’t know who he can trust, especially as the killer seems to have information, he could only have got from someone within the Department.

The investigation becomes darker and even more dangerous as it progresses in this tale of vengeance and betrayal. The plot is tight and gritty, packed with gripping action and twists aplenty. It is perfectly paced as it ramps up the tension towards an ending guaranteed to shock the reader. Despite the dark plot there are flashes of humour running through the novel. The characters are all realistically drawn, complete with well-developed relationships, especially Thorne’s friendship with the larger than life tattooed and pierced pathologist Phil Hendricks whose jokes and smutty cracks add some levity as the two of them exchange banter. Although not without his flaws and not always loved by his fellow officers, Tom Thorne is an excellent detective, the sort of intuitive and dogged detective you’d want investigating the murder of someone you know.

Although I enjoy Billingham’s Declan Miller series, this is the first novel I’ve had the pleasure of reading in his Tom Thorne series. I found it worked fine as a stand-alone, but I’m sure those who follow the series will get added enjoyment from knowing the main characters well. It’s a superb thriller and an absolutely compelling read with a cracker of an ending. I’m now looking forward to diving in to the rest of the series.

What the Night Brings by Mark Billingham is the 19th in the series featuring Detective Tom Thorne (and Nicola Tanner). I was a latecomer to the series, kicking off with book #13 in 2015. I was relieved a few books ago when Tom broke up with this then girlfriend and fellow cop Helen and moved on with a new love interest. For reasons I now cannot remember I was not a fan of Helen. And wouldn't you know it... he's back with Helen here. A reunion I somehow did not share in my review of book #18 The Murder Book, though I didn't bemoan the fact so maybe whatever irked me about her has dissipated a little. She's left the police now so perhaps the career move has made her less-irksome in my eyes.

Billingham combines a stack of contemporary and hot issues, using the dark web, online discussion boards and reflecting the public's growing distrust of law enforcement. Here a very bright light is being shone on the police force and how it 'polices' its own members following recent arrests of officers for murder and rape.

Thankfully we have Thorne and Tanner, and their colleagues, to remind us it's #notallpolice. And Billingham does a brilliant job at showing both ends of the spectrum as well as the varying shades of grey when it comes to attitudes and behaviour of police officers. This kicks off with the murder of a quartet of police officers in the form of poisoned donuts. Death by donut. It soon becomes obvious that police officers are being targeted and the killer seemingly unworried about taking extra lives as a result.

Slowly but surely Thorne and Tanner start to find a common thread which they pick apart to find the underlying motivation for the murders, which continue. Billingham paces this really well and puts us in the head of the killer so we understand their thinking. He also times the 'reveals' well, so Thorne and Tanner (and therefore us) uncover truths as the killer shares them.

I very much enjoyed this book and appreciated that Billingham throws a HUGE twist in toward the end. Billingham also does a good job of conveying Thorne's disillusionment with his job and colleagues, exacerbated by the fact that Helen is enjoying life-after-policing.

EXCERPT: Something in the way DCI Russell Brigstock had said his name made Thorne sit up a little straighter, wide awake now. 'What?'
'The Cresswell arrest the other night.'
Thorne immediately began to wonder what he'd done wrong. 'It was by the book, Russell, I-'
There were four uniformed officers from Wood Green station working the wider scene, managing the neighbours, whatever.'
'Yeah, I spoke to them, Thorne said. 'Afterwards.'
'So, each of them was rushed into hospital at various points over the last couple of days.'
Thorne threw back the duvet and felt Helen shift next to him. 'What?'
'Convulsions, vomiting . . . all sorts. Poisoning looks like the best bet, but who knows -'
'Doughnuts,' Thorne said. 'They were all stood around eating doughnuts when we brought Cresswell out.'
Brigstock took a few seconds. 'O.K. . . . but how on earth -?'
'They were a present. Someone left them as a thank you.'

ABOUT 'WHAT THE NIGHT BRINGS': What the Night Brings by Mark Billingham is the latest mystery in the bestselling Tom Thorne series, and this time, a killer is targeting the police. Is it payback? And is it justified?

“Three dead coppers, Tom, maybe four by lunchtime…”

The targeted murder of four officers is only the first in a series of attacks that leaves police scared, angry and, most disturbingly of all, vengeful.

As Tom Thorne and Nicola Tanner dig into the reasons for the violence, a deeper darkness begins to emerge: the possibility that these murders are payback. The price paid for an unspeakable betrayal.

To uncover the truth, Thorne will be forced to question everything he stands for. He can trust nobody, and the shocking secrets revealed by one terrible night will fracture his entire world.

MY THOUGHTS: I am always excited to feast my eyes on another Tom Thorne book, a series I have followed since long before I joined Goodreads. Thank you to my longtime friend Gladdi for introducing me to Mark Billingham's books.

This latest, What the Night Brings and #19 in the series, is just as fresh, absorbing and, dare I say it, shocking as Scaredy Cat, #2 in the series and the first Billingham book I ever read.

Tom Thorne, who the author describes as a grumpy old bugger, is as complex a character as ever. He can be a bit of a 'stick in the mud', but he also has an open mind and thinks outside the square. I love his friendship with Phil Hendricks, pathologist, gay, with a penchant for shocking people and multiple body piercings. Tom hated him on sight, but now they are best mates and one another's confidants and sounding boards. They bicker and constantly sling insults at one another to hide their mutual respect. I love the way Billingham weaves his dark humour into the very fabric of the plot.

Billingham skillfully weaves together the public's disdain for and mistrust of the police, anti-police chat rooms on the dark web, corruption, manipulation and misplaced loyalty to form an absolutely brilliant and gripping crime thriller, one where, even having navigated all the twists and turns, had my jaw dropping and bouncing on the floor at the major reveal.

Bring on #20 Mr Billingham. I've missed Tom.

If you need a bit of a laugh after finishing What the Night Brings, make sure you read the author's acknowledgements.

If you're groaning at the thought of having 18 books prior to this one to plough through, relax. What the Night Brings is easily read as a stand-alone. But then you're going to want to go back and read all the earlier books anyway. Just warning you . . .

#WhattheNightBrings #NetGalley

⭐⭐⭐⭐.7

MEET THE AUTHOR - MARK BILLINGHAM was born and brought up in Birmingham. Having worked for some years as an actor and more recently as a TV writer and stand-up comedian his first crime novel was published in 2001. Mark lives in North London with his wife and two children.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Grove Atlantic via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of What the Night Brings by Mark Billingham for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

This is the first book that I read by this author and I was positively surprised. DI Tom Thorne is annoyed as leaving a crime scene he sees 4 officers eating donuts and drinking coffee that was left for them as a thank you for their services and there was none left for him, in the following days he'll learn they were poisoned and died. The Police force was facing a lack of confidence from the public and within its own ranks, there was ineffective work being done and little was happening in auditing and punishing corrupt officers. Thorne is in charge of the investigation of the poisoned officers and the more he digs the more he finds himself depressed and facing the reality that there was a leak within his group and that a senior officer was involved. The investigation will shatter his beliefs and a long standing friendship and the end is heartbreaking. There's a lot of action and suspense and this book is a must-read for those who enjoy the genre. Highly recommended!
I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

This was my first Mark Billingham (and first Tom Thorne) novel. I typically don’t jump into a series mid stream, but had no problems following here. Very enjoyable, page turning mystery/theiller. Well put together and satisfying. Will definitely be picking up more of this series.

What the Night Brings is the 19th book in the DI Tom Thorne series and it's another good one. When 3 police officers are murdered, it's obvious that someone has a grudge against cops. As Thorne and his team investigate they learn that some of these killings are payback to corrupt officers. Unfortunately the killer is just getting started and further deaths prove that he is getting information from someone inside the department. The final revelation of just how deep the corruption goes is shocking and the ending of the book left me anxious for the next one. #NetGalley #WhattheNightBrings

This time their hunt for a killer is personal

DI Tom Thorne of the Metropolitan Police has just wrapped up an arrest and heads out to the street, passing the four uniformed police officers borrowed from a local precinct who had been stationed there to keep civilians away. The group is munching on doughnuts, left for them with a note thanking them for "everything you do". Given the ongoing scandals that have plagued the Met of late, with far too large a number of the force having been convicted of murder, rape, and more, they're pleased that at least some people appreciate the work that good cops are doing. Thorne is just annoyed that they hadn't saved a bit of one for him. The following day three of those four officers are dead and the fourth is clinging to life, all apparent victims of ingesting poison...most likely from the doughnuts. This won't be the last attack aimed at police officers and the investigation to find out who is targeting them has Thorne and his team (and members of the force at large) angry, more than a little afraid, and out for vengeance. Can Thorne find out who is meting out retribution within the ranks before more end up dead, even as he suspects they are being betrayed from within?
What the Night Brings is the nineteenth novel featuring Tom Thorne, a gritty and compelling crime story that features the very real public distrust that has grown against the police force in recent years. Thorne and the supporting characters are fully developed, complex individuals, with Thorne the jaded investigator guided by his own instincts (and often a nightmare to supervise), his by-the-book partner Nicola Tanner, and even the darkly humorous pathologist Phil Hendricks and the relationships between them (and others) making the story all the more compelling a read. Readers will find themselves quickly sucked into the fast=paced plot, turning pages as quickly as possible as author Mark Billingham throws twist after twist at them. In the post George Floyd/Defund the Police world, the backdrop of corruption within the ranks of those who should uphold the law but don't feels all too real, as does the frustration felt by the many members of law enforcement who discharge their duties faithfully and put their lives on the line every day. This can certainly be read as a standalone, although those who have read others in the series will have a deeper understanding of the characters' interrelationships and backstories. Fans of the series should not miss this installment (and should gird themselves for a corker of an ending), and readers of Ian Rankin, Mick Herron and Val McDermid should have this on their TBR list as well. Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic/Atlantic Monthly Press for allowing me access to this gripping crime novel in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed reading this one because each chapter ends with you wanting more. This one is perfect for fans of Tom Clancy.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to @netgalley the author & publisher for the ARC.

It's been a few years since I've read a Mark Billingham book and I can gladly say that I got the chance to read his latest and maybe last DI Tom Thorne novel. It certainly did not disappoint! It was tense, it was thrilling & in true Billingham style, it had a touch of humour!
It is definitely one to read!

An atmospheric, edge-of-your-seat thriller that stays with you long after dark 🌒. Mark Billingham delivers another masterclass in suspense with What the Night Brings. The tension builds beautifully, with a chilling plot, flawed but fascinating characters, and Billingham’s trademark sharp writing. Every twist had me hooked, and the haunting undertones gave the story extra depth. If you love gripping crime fiction with psychological insight and impeccable pacing, this is a must-read. Prepare for a sleepless night—once you start, you won’t stop.

Early one morning, four uniformed officers have just completed a raid. They find that someone has left them donuts and a card thanking them their service. A few hours later, three of the four officers are dead, and the fourth is left fighting for her life. Tom Thorne was a lead DI on the raid and sure could have used one of the donuts and now he and his associates, Nicola Tanner, Dave Holland, and Phil Hendricks must find out who was responsible. But the Metropolitan Police have recently been wracked with multiple scandals - corrupt officers, including rapists and domestic abusers. As more officers are killed, Thorne becomes convinced that there is someone inside the department involved - but who is it, why are these particular officers being targeted, and who can he trust within the department? The book is fast-paced, full of interesting characters both good and bad, with plenty of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages - you think the actual “villain” is exposed relatively early in the book (just past the halfway point) but there is so much more to come.

I was originally introduced to Mark Billingham after a visit to my favorite bookstore in Canada - Munro’s. After reading Sleepyhead, the 1st in the Tom Thorne series, I lost track of the series only to be reacquainted through ARC’s from the publisher, and have now read 7 of the 19 books in the series, and overall, it is very good - with this book being one of the best. Tom Thorne is a great central character and his surrounding cast just adds to these enjoyable reads. Billingham certainly left us hanging with the pulse pounding ending that signals more books in the future of this series. My thanks to Atlantic Monthly and NetGalley and Edelweiss for the ARC of this novel. Billingham certainly left us hanging with the pulse pounding ending that signals more books in the future of this series.

Ooof! Mark Billingham has done it again. Tom Thorne is back to investigate a targeted murder of four police officers. However this is just the start, the tangled web of twists is only just beginning.

This is the 19th book in the Tom Thorne series, however don’t be put off if you haven’t read the others, this can certainly be read as a standalone. As a police procedural, it follows the investigation process whilst taking into account recent events that have contributed to the publics perception of the police.

Mark Billingham books are fast paced, and this book kept me wanting more. I didn’t see what was coming with this one, and seeing as it’s *possibly* the end of the series, am not quite ready to say goodbye to Thorne!

An easy 5 ⭐️

As always, with Mark Billingham, you're getting a tightly plotted, well written, immensely readable book. Now a confession- I've not read a Tom Thorne novel since Sleepyhead, which gave me the creeps because I couldn't get my head round locked-in syndrome.

What the Night Brings is not at all creepy. It is, however, just as shocking.

We begin the book with the deaths of three officers and another in a coma. It's a shocking start for Tom who narrowly escapes the same end. This incident begins a shocking series of events that involves Tom's colleagues leaving him floundering as to who to trust.

What the Night Brings is a timely novel that details horrific Police corruption that shocks all the good officers to the core. Just as The Met tries desperately, in real life, to restore public faith, so Thorne's force scramble to discover the law breakers in their ranks before more damage can be done to both officers and the public.

It sounds strange to say that I enjoyed this book but the Police have taken a (well deserved) battering in the past few years but there are always those willing to put their careers and lives on the line to root out the evil.

Mark Billingham has done an excellent job treading a very fine line between sickness and remedy whilst covering some very emotive issues - rape, murder and corruption.

Highly recommended.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the advance review copy.

This is the 19th book in the Tom Thorne series, but the first one that I read. The writing is humorous and I liked the mystery. This has motivated me to read other books in the series

I have always been a fan of the Tom Thorne, and once again was not disappointed. Someone is killing members of the police, and Tom and his team are hunting for the killer. This was a tense, unbelievable and thrilling read.

My thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘What The Night Brings’ written by Mark Billingham in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

While a criminal is being arrested for murder, four police officers standing nearby die after eating doughnuts. DI Tom Thorne and Nicola Tanner are called in to investigate but as the number of deaths increases it becomes apparent that there’s a connection between the victims and that someone close to the police investigation is involved. It’s now up to them to identify the person responsible before more police officers are targeted.

I know I most likely say it every time I read a thriller by this author but ‘What The Night Brings’ is the most fantastic and definitely the most nail-biting ‘Thorne’ thriller to have been written. DI Tom Thorne and his partner DI Nicola Tanner chase up every lead, with the assistance of DI Dave Holland and their friendly pathologist Phil Hendricks, the tension becomes palpable until they eventually realise who’s been masterminding the criminal activities from the start. Thank you, Mark Billingham, for writing this exceptional thriller that’s gripped me from the first page to the last and has given me cause me to use up my supply of tissues. I know all good cops have to retire at some time but I can’t imagine life without Tom Thorne in it so I’m hoping there’ll be a book twenty in the future.

Police procedurals are one of my faves so I was hoping I would love this, and I wasn’t disappointed! It’s the final book in a series, and although it read really well as a standalone I think you would benefit from reading the whole series to fully understand the characters and little sub plots, so OBVIOUSLY I’m going to work backwards and add all the others to my tbr.

I really enjoyed the writing style and the gritty plot peppered with humour made for a really easy read!

Wow. I love the Tom Thorne books (and the new Declan Miller series) and this was no exception. I like to think I can see where the story is going and I had a good idea who was involved - totally wrong on all counts. I think this is one of the best I’ve read.

Thank you NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the eARC.
It was so good to be back in the world of Tom Thorne, what a great read ... as usual!
The killings of several members of the police has stunned Tom's team and the hunt for the perpetrator is on. But how is the killer able to get to his victims? He obviously has someone giving him information; is that someone in the police force?
It's a tense, thrilling read with an unbelievable ending ... I.loved it!

What The Night Brings brings back Billingham's popular detective DI Tom Thorne after a three year absence.

The book opens with a routine arrest for Thorne. As he leaves the crime scene he notices four officers eating doughnuts, that were apparently anonymously left by an appreciative member of the public.
The next day, three of those officers are dead, the fourth is fighting for her life and Thorne finds himself thrust into the sensitive investigation. The murders are only the first in a series of attacks on the police and as Thorne and Nicola Tanner investigate they find that the killings may be payback for a terrible betrayal. While on the side, detective Dave Holland is persistently investigating another death that no one seems to care about.

What The Night Brings is a powerful novel that deals with controversial current issues in Britain around police criminal activity and violence against women. The plotting is assured as ever by Billingham, and story builds to a compelling and emotionally charged conclusion. Despite encompassing a number of different sub-plots and strands, the book mainly moves at a good pace and the darkness of the story is occasionally lightened by good flashes of humour. The characters are well fleshed out, and very inclusive in their diversity, and it is always good to again make the acquaintance of the regular members of the Thorne cast, especially the pathologist Phil Hendricks.

In all, What The Night Brings is another stellar piece of crime fiction by Billingham and a very entertaining read.