I read Killer Intent, the first book to feature Devlin and Dempsey, and loved it (and have Marked for Death waiting for me) so I was super excited for this one, and am delighted to be sharing my review as part of the blog tour. Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me and to Elliott & Thompson for my review copy.
The Blurb:
When a plane explodes over the Atlantic Ocean, killing
hundreds of passengers, including controversial US presidential candidate Dale
Victor, it appears to be a clear-cut case of terrorism. The suspect has even
confessed to the bombing. But as criminal barrister Michael Devlin is about to
discover, everything is not as it seems.
Also suspecting there are other forces at work, intelligence
agent Joe Dempsey is driven to investigate. Who would have wanted Victor out of
the way - and would commit mass murder to do it? As the evidence begins to
mount, everything seems to point to the US government itself, all the way to
the top. And now someone is determined to stop Dempsey and Devlin from discovering
the truth. At any cost.
With countless more lives on the line, Dempsey must find a
way to prove who's pulling the strings, and free the White House from the
deadly grip that has taken hold of power.
Power Play was published by Elliott & Thompson on 16th April 2020. It is available from Amazon, Waterstones and Hive. It's also worth checking if your usual independent bookshop offers an order service. Many do, and they could do with our support just now (and always).
My Review:
Phew! I'm exhausted! This was an adrenaline filled thrill ride from beginning to end.
There's one heck of an opener - it grabs you by the scruff of the neck, pulls you in and keeps you there. The action just keeps on coming - I don't think I drew a breath for the first nine chapters or so!
A plane is blown up during its flight from the UK to the US killing over 500 people on board, including a popular US presidential candidate. And it turns out he had hinted just a week earlier that he might have a secret or two to reveal about the President. Could there be something more sinister behind the explosion than the terrorist attack which was initially assumed? Joe Dempsey of the International Security Bureau is ordered to investigate. Meanwhile a young man walks into Stoke Newington Police Station to confess to planting the bomb on the plane, but DCI Bruce Bull isn't convinced all is what it seems. Barrister Michael Devlin is soon on the case, but so are the US Secret Service.
It was great to get reacquainted with Dempsey and Devlin but readers new to the series need not fear - these characters are fully fleshed out here. And both are very real and very likeable. They're really different but both determined to see justice done, even when it puts the people they care about at risk. But they are not the only players here - Power Play has a large, varied cast of characters, and there are some absolutely cracking baddies! A standout for me from amongst the supporting players is Father Sam Cooke, Dempsey's friend and confidante, who dispenses words of wisdom over mugs of tea - loved him. Also Secret Service Agent Eden Grace - there's a woman who can handle herself if ever I saw one. She's right in the thick of things, and I'm hoping we see more of her in the future.
This is an epic, transatlantic tale, taking us from the streets of London to the heart of the White House. It's a hefty tome, coming in at 500 odd pages, but it doesn't feel like that thanks to the short, snappy chapters and the action packed storyline. It's also told from multiple points of view, but never feels muddled.
I believe TV/film folk have expressed an interest in this series and I'm not surprised - Kent's books have a real filmic (is that a word?) feel about them - they are screaming out to be on the screen.
Action packed throughout, full of brilliant characters and with a fabulous finale, or two, Power Play delivers everything I am looking for in a thriller - loved it.
Phew! I'm exhausted! This was an adrenaline filled thrill ride from beginning to end.
There's one heck of an opener - it grabs you by the scruff of the neck, pulls you in and keeps you there. The action just keeps on coming - I don't think I drew a breath for the first nine chapters or so!
A plane is blown up during its flight from the UK to the US killing over 500 people on board, including a popular US presidential candidate. And it turns out he had hinted just a week earlier that he might have a secret or two to reveal about the President. Could there be something more sinister behind the explosion than the terrorist attack which was initially assumed? Joe Dempsey of the International Security Bureau is ordered to investigate. Meanwhile a young man walks into Stoke Newington Police Station to confess to planting the bomb on the plane, but DCI Bruce Bull isn't convinced all is what it seems. Barrister Michael Devlin is soon on the case, but so are the US Secret Service.
It was great to get reacquainted with Dempsey and Devlin but readers new to the series need not fear - these characters are fully fleshed out here. And both are very real and very likeable. They're really different but both determined to see justice done, even when it puts the people they care about at risk. But they are not the only players here - Power Play has a large, varied cast of characters, and there are some absolutely cracking baddies! A standout for me from amongst the supporting players is Father Sam Cooke, Dempsey's friend and confidante, who dispenses words of wisdom over mugs of tea - loved him. Also Secret Service Agent Eden Grace - there's a woman who can handle herself if ever I saw one. She's right in the thick of things, and I'm hoping we see more of her in the future.
This is an epic, transatlantic tale, taking us from the streets of London to the heart of the White House. It's a hefty tome, coming in at 500 odd pages, but it doesn't feel like that thanks to the short, snappy chapters and the action packed storyline. It's also told from multiple points of view, but never feels muddled.
I believe TV/film folk have expressed an interest in this series and I'm not surprised - Kent's books have a real filmic (is that a word?) feel about them - they are screaming out to be on the screen.
Action packed throughout, full of brilliant characters and with a fabulous finale, or two, Power Play delivers everything I am looking for in a thriller - loved it.
The Author:
Tony Kent is a criminal barrister who draws on his legal
experience to bring a striking authenticity and accuracy to his thrillers. Long
ranked within his profession as a 'leader in his field', for twenty years Tony
has prosecuted and defended the most serious criminal allegations, specialising
in terrorism, corruption, murder, kidnap, extortion and fraud. His case history
is littered with nationally reported trials and has included close contact with
GCHQ, the Security Service and the Ministry of Defence. He has also defended in
matters with an international element, involving agencies such as the FBI. Out
of court, Tony has lectured on international criminal law, bribery and
corruption, and has been engaged to teach trial advocacy to Public Defenders
and State Prosecutors in the United States.
Be sure to check out the other stops on the tour!
Thanks for the blog tour support
ReplyDeleteAlways welcome. x
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