Love Like Blood (Tom Thorne Novels)

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Billingham skilfully gets his distaste at the subject across to the reader through Thorne’s reactions, while still leaving them the scope to make their own minds up about what has occurred. After the rather poor "Die of Shame" where we were first introduced to DI Nicola Tanner, and Thorne had a very minor cameo role in the final chapter, (the only good part of that book) it's a day of rejoicing to have TT back to his investigating best.

Since then I have read and mostly loved all of them and whilst I think every crime fan will have now read a Mark Billingham novel, if you are one of the unlikely few that haven’t, then I highly recommend that you do. The book does what it is supposed to as a thriller, keeping the reader turning the pages, giving us believable characters but at the same time allowing us a glimpse of a world in which we know very little about. The idea of honour killings – be it for love or some other inferred shame – is the central premise of this book. Her partner, Susan, has been brutally murdered and Tanner is convinced that it was a case of mistaken identity--that she was the real target.And then Thorne decides to play judge, jury and executioner himself in the most pathetic and unbelievable confession. The book doesn't condemn any particular faith, but recognises the minority belief in many faiths that honour and respect for your family is held above all else, including murder. I have given it more than 1 star because it was fairly quick to read and I think someone else might possibly just be able to enjoy it but it wasn't for me at all. In it, Billingham is passionate and truly reinvigorated as he explains why he wrote a novel on the tricky topic of honour killing. A challenging subject in this one has been tackled with intelligence and sensitivity, making the book all the more realistic and, indeed, thought-provoking.

For more London-based police procedural books try James Craig’s John Carlyle series, or check out Andrew Martin’s The Yellow Diamond. This is a serious topic revolving around the control of women by men who consider that the rules and mores of today's society do not apply to them and more worryingly is that a younger generation of males are learning and adopting the same culture. Your personal data will not be shared with any other organisations and you have the right to unsubscribe at any time. It is about "honor" killings in the Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim communities in the UK, namely members of families whose honor has been damaged by the behavior of a sister, brother, daughter.This book is nothing short of excellent and gives great insight into honour based violence, which is something that is more common than we realise.

Tanner wants to work the case unofficially as she believes that Susan was targeted as she had been driving Tanner's car and it was a case of mistaken identity. All she needs is another cop willing to help, someone with a fluid regard for the rules who won’t mind colouring outside the lines if necessary.Set in the near future, Michael C Grumley’s new thriller Deep Freeze probes issues surrounding the quest for immortality. A few weeks back I had a good few hours to kill driving to Stirling and back to attend Bloody Scotland so I figured what the hell, bought the audio book (I’m slowly collecting the entire Tom Thorne back catalogue that way any how) and set it to play. This sensitive topic is delicately handled, with a perfectly executed and thoroughly unnerving twist at the end.

For those who are interested, I discovered an excellent article in “The Independent” about their heart-breaking deaths and how Mark Billingham wrote “Love Like Blood” to bear witness and bring awareness. In this review, meanwhile, we’re pleased to report that all that passion has been channeled into what is a gripping and at times brutal story. The idea of honour killings - be it for love or some other inferred shame - is the central premise of this book. Her family had all had cast-iron alibis which Thorne had been unable to break and her murder is still unsolved. It’s a great crime novel with fascinating characters, wry (and welcome) humor, and a plot filled with unexpected twists.The chance to help solve a murder which he was forced to leave open, one which may well link to these more recent murders and abductions.