The start of a trilogy, and boy what a start as gripping as it is entertaining from the opening pages. The story centres around DI Brendan Foley and his family, not always on the same side of the law, for me this is a book where the characters just sing out at you, wonderfully fully rounded, its not often where you can take an instant dislike to characters but the way that the author introduces us to them and the descriptive way they are written I found myself in that position, equally there is a freshness to the relationship between Foley and Maddison, Maddison is certainly an interesting character whom I look forward to finding more about. The plot is inventive and certainly grabs the readers attention the pace is relentless and doesn’t let go, packed with plenty of drama and tension which ratchets up and the story proceeds. It’s a book which pulls no punches as it takes the reader into the somewhat seedier and unpleasant side of Warrington and its surroundings The narrative throughout is spot on, the book is sprinkled with plenty of twists and turns and moments of genuine fear, almost like reading behind the cushions with one eye half closed, like Maddison packs more than a punch This is not your average police procedural, more into the thriller stakes which here makes for a more interesting plot, in addition you have a sub plot with the crime families vying for who would be king, not people you want to cross here the author excels with minimum words in portraying the fear,power and hold a character can exert In essence you have a high octane read, gritty and enthralling, the way chapters are written and the storytelling force you into wanting to keep on reading Rob Parker certainly knows how to grab the readers attention and leave you wanting more. I read to be entertained and this is the kind of book I want to read Will appeal to anyone who loves reading police procedurals or cracking thrillers, highly recommend