A Town Called Malice is a dark, compelling slice of 1980s crime fiction that pulls you straight into the shadows of Crawley, where old secrets and new horrors collide. Mick Lee captures the era with a sharp, unvarnished edge—grimy streets, frayed tempers, and a police force stretched thin as a series of brutal murders shakes the town.

DI Frank Masson is a standout lead: complex, wounded, and trying to hold himself together while stepping into a role he’s not entirely ready for. His undiagnosed PTSD adds a raw, human layer to the investigation, and watching him navigate both the case and his own unraveling mind gives the story real emotional weight. The team around him is equally troubled, making the CID feel authentic in its dysfunction.

Parallel to the police investigation, local reporter Trish Watney digs into the murders from her own angle, and her chapters add a fresh, tense energy. The friction between her and Masson is believable and engaging—two people chasing the same truth but from very different worlds. As their paths converge, the sense of something rotten buried deep in Crawley’s past becomes impossible to ignore.

The murders themselves are chilling, not just for their brutality but for the eerie tattoo linking the victims. Lee builds the mystery with a steady hand, letting the dread accumulate until the final pieces click into place. It’s atmospheric, gritty, and full of that creeping sense that the past is never really gone.

A gripping, character‑driven thriller with a strong sense of place and a haunting undercurrent. Perfect for readers who enjoy crime fiction with depth, darkness, and a lingering sense of unease.

With thanks to Mick Lee, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

A Town Called Malice is a dark, immersive slice of 1980s crime fiction that pulls you straight into the shadows of Crawley, where buried secrets collide with fresh horrors. Mick Lee captures the era with a sharp, unfiltered edge—gritty streets, short tempers, and a police force stretched to its limits as a string of brutal murders rocks the town.
DI Frank Masson is a compelling lead: flawed, wounded, and struggling to steady himself while stepping into a role he may not be fully prepared for. His undiagnosed PTSD adds a raw, human dimension to the investigation, and watching him battle both the case and his own unraveling psyche gives the novel real emotional depth. The dysfunction within the CID feels authentic, grounding the story in lived-in realism.
Running alongside the police investigation is reporter Trish Watney, who pursues the truth from her own perspective. Her chapters inject fresh tension, and the dynamic between her and Masson is both believable and engaging—two determined people chasing the same answers from opposite sides of the line. As their paths intertwine, it becomes clear that something deeply rotten lies hidden in Crawley’s past.
The murders are chilling not only for their brutality but for the unsettling tattoo that connects the victims. Lee builds the mystery with control and patience, layering dread until everything finally snaps into place. The result is atmospheric, gritty, and steeped in the unsettling notion that the past never truly stays buried.
A gripping, character-driven thriller rich in setting and mood—perfect for readers who appreciate crime fiction with psychological depth and a lingering sense of unease.

I really enjoyed A Town Called Malice set in Crawley, West Sussex in 1980.
Trish is a local newspaper reporter trying to get a foothold in the male dominated field of journalism. DI Mason has recently transferred from the Met Police to Crawley CID following a traumatic work incident.
When the body of the newly appointed mayor is discovered Trish and DI Mason each have something to prove. Both want to get to the bottom of the gruesome murder. When another body turns up, further concerns arise (it is set at the time of the Yorkshire Ripper). Is there another serial killer on the loose? Why have these two seemingly unconnected men been killed? Who has killed them? What will it take to catch the killer? Will there be more victims before the killer is stopped?
Both Trish and DI Mason are flawed but likeable characters. The storyline is well written, gripping and full of twists. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will seek out more books by Mick Lee. I would love to see this book developed into a series.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great read with an unexpected plot twist. Hard to solve murders, secrets, and lies. This book will have you on the edge of your seat.

This isn’t the best paced book you’ll ever read but if you can put the work in the plot is sublime.

The setting of the 1980’s is immediately immersive and I found all characters to have been well studied and enjoyable to read. I think with a little bit of work on the flow of the novel this could be a much loved series for those of us that prefer cassette tapes to streaming.

I rarely give 3 stars or less, but I really struggled to follow this book. The writing was rather choppy and there were too many characters that it made the story hard to follow.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the chance to read and review this book!