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

Here Thorne and Tanner and the usual gang are searching for a man who is murdering police officers. Naturally feelings are running high in the force, but this book is set against the backdrop of the many recent scandals concerning Met officers, and Thorne soon begins to wonder if all these dead officers were as innocent as they seemed.

I found this quite dark and almost defeated in tone: there are continual references to the failings of the police and whether it is better to get out, or to stay and be a force for good. The actual plot was excellent and, thanks to some devious misdirection, I really didn't see the ending coming. I am left hoping things aren't really this bad in real life...

I love this series and this book represents the best of it. It’s hard to review without spoilers but suffice to say you will get whiplash from the extreme twists and depth of emotions which this fraught plot evokes. I always love the characters in this series and the interplay between them, especially Tom, Dave and Phil. Watching their reactions to the crimes they investigate in this book is especially heart rending as we see them grapple with the impact of deeply personal suspicion and betrayal. It’s so well written that a complex plot is blended with sensitive character development in a way which compromises neither pace not depth of engagement. Just brilliant,