The Blurb:
From the bestselling author of the acclaimed DCI Lambert series comes The Controller, a gripping serial killer thriller introducing Sam Lynch and Special Agent Sandra Rose.
It is six years since special agent Samuel Lynch left the FBI following the disappearance of his son, Daniel. Lynch believes an underground organisation known as The Railroad is responsible and has never stopped searching.
When Special Agent Sandra Rose investigates a house invasion gone wrong, she discovers the assailant has the legendary, and infamous, Railroad tattoo carved onto his back and he claims to know Daniel’s whereabouts.
Rose draws Lynch in to her case, and together they become embroiled in an unparalleled world of violence and evil.
It seems that to see his son again, Lynch will have to confront his greatest fear and face the ultimate test: an encounter with the Railroad’s enigmatic and deadly leader, The Controller.
The Controller is published by Oblong Books in ebook format today, and you can purchase it from Amazon UK and US.
My Review:
This is my first Matt Brolly book, and I'm pleased to see there are others for me to try. I'm also delighted that The Controller marks the beginning of a new series, although Matt has set the bar high with book one!
We are thrust right into the story when an intruder kills a man in his house, takes the rest of the family hostage, and demand to speak to Special Agent Samuel Lynch. Except Lynch is no longer in the FBI, having been let go after the disappearance of his son Daniel six years before, when he became obsessed about an organisation called The Railroad, who he believes took his son. The FBI, on the other hand, claim The Railroad doesn't exist. The man in the house claims to have information about Lynch's son.
From there, the action really doesn't let up. The FBI reluctantly pull Lynch into the investigation, still claiming The Railroad doesn't exist, despite mounting evidence to the contrary. Lynch's only ally seems to be Special Agent Sandra Rose, but can be trust her?
This is a fabulous read. The characters are beautifully drawn. Lynch is completely consumed with finding The Railroad and it's Controller in the hope it will lead him to Daniel. His grief at losing his son is raw and palpable. Every mention or thought of Daniel is painful for Lynch and emotional for the reader. I had tears in my eyes more than once and did actually cry a little. Sandra Rose is also a strong character. Determined, thorough and always keen to do the right thing, her personal life has suffered thanks to her dedication to the job. I do wish I could sometimes see a cop or agent with a regular home life, but I loved Rose anyway. I don't really tend to swear on my blog, but my prep notes for this review say 'Mallard - crazy af !', And that's really all I want to say about him. Read the book to find out more!
There were times that this reminded me of a James Bond film, particularly the parts involving the train, but that's not a bad thing. There are also parts that are difficult to read because of the content, but they are necessary to the story. Overall, I found this to be an action filled, intelligent and emotional thriller, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
The Author:
Following his law degree where he developed an interest in criminal law, Matt Brolly completed his Masters in Creative Writing at Glasgow University.
He is the bestselling author of the DCI Lambert crime novels, Dead Eyed, Dead Lucky and Dead Embers. The fourth in the series, Dead Time, was released by Canelo in May 2018 and a prequel, Dead Water, will be published in September 2019. In 2020 the first of a new crime series set in the West Country of the UK will be released by Thomas and Mercer (Amazon Publishing).
The Controller, released in May 2019, is the first of a new thriller series set in Texas.
Matt also writes children's books as M.J. Brolly. His first children's book, The Sleeping Bug, was released by Oblong Books in December 2018.
Matt lives in London with his wife and their two young children.
Author Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.mattbrolly.co.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MattBrollyUK @MattBrollyUK
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattbrollyauthor/
Be sure to check out the rest of the tour stops!
Be sure to check out the rest of the tour stops!
Thanks so much, Suze x
ReplyDeleteIt was my pleasure lovely. x
ReplyDelete