This book is set in London in 1987/88 during the rise of AIDS in the UK. Sadly, unlike Robert, I’m old enough to remember the government awareness campaign, and the level of ignorance and prejudice against gay people. It is also a chance to revisit a time before the smoking ban, when people had phones with dials, faxes, pagers, and had to look things up in directories. Also a lot of casual homophobia and misogyny. Jamie Day is a young naïve newly-appointed Detective Constable, who has moved from Suffolk to the Met. His first day is a baptism of fire when he is involved in the discovery of a dismembered body, and then becomes part of the investigation team. It appears that gay men are being targeted in a particularly brutal way, and then another body is found which points to the involvement of people in high places. Jamie unwittingly finds himself at the centre of the investigation, but his dedication and integrity carry him through. I feel there is a lot more to be heard about Jamie and the team around him. Thanks to Netgalley and Raven Street Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

Oh this was a good one! I love things set in the 80s as i was a teenager. I remember the terrifying adverts about Aids and the leaflets. My mum was a very outgoing person who had gay friends so i know how they were treated back then. This is a graphic and brilliant read. Highly recomend!!!!

It’s the winter of 1987 in London Detective Constable Jamie Day has been promoted to the MET from a small costal town. Even before he unpacks his bags at his new lodgings, he is called to visit a scene at a railway station when a dismembered body is found. He is not used to the scene and it’s his first murder so it will take time to be getting used to. But a few days later another body is found in the same situation. As they get further into the investigation there are links to the gay community. It is the time when AIDS and HIV was at the forefront of everyone’s mind. I’m a big fan of Robert Bryndza’s work and I have read most of his work. This is a bit different style of writing than I am used to. But that’s not a bad thing. I liked he historical setting of this storyline which gave me a feeling of nostalgia while reading and it gripped me from the very first page. and we learn about the killer from the start which made it easier to delve into the killer’s mind. The characters were well developed and likable especially Jamie. The author describing his naivety but also trying to prove himself in his new role. The storyline is tense and a bit grim in parts but that didn’t stop me reading and thoroughly enjoying this. I know this is supposed to be a standalone, but I would love to hear more about Jamie and the others in the team. I highly recommend 5 stars.