John Mead – Coldharbour

‘Coldharbour’ by John Mead is a crime thriller by an author that was unknown to me. That’s the best bit of this hobby of mine…finding authors I never would have normally. I loved the synopsis and cover so sat down to see if the pages within was worthy of the promise I got from the synopsis, it was.

Newly promoted Chief Inspector Matthew Merry is struggling with work as the Met Police’s Major Investigation Team East has its hands full: a rash of tit for tat gang-related stabbings, a strangled housewife, the decomposed remains of a woman found in a ditch and more to come. Aside from these issues, his home life is causing him to become distracted. His wife Kathy is dealing with being raped and drugged. The case is going to court and Kathy doesn’t even know if that is what she needs for closure. Her therapist brings the question is it revenge she needs? Kathy has no clue, the only thing she knows is her husband is more concerned with his work than what’s happening for her.

A book in which John Mead has taken the silk gloves of and brought almost every crime of the present day to the table, of you would. Murder, rape, criminal gangs, refugee camps, people trafficking, prostitution and a host of other things. Right down to the Post -Brexit issues of working with European counterparts and inter-agency cooperation too. One thing I must say, this is not a boring book. It hits the ground running and we are thrown into Matthew Merry’s professional and personal life. This is one character that I can’t say I loved or hated. His inability to deal with Kathy’s issues (which are his own too) and concentrate on work at the same time made me want to shake him. He needs therapy as well!

I thought this was not just a police procedural it is also a thriller that throws you headlong into the action. I loved the constant tension and I was so interested to see what was going to happen next I wanted to know it all. A great book that shows us an author who is prepared to bring the subjects no one likes to mention and throw them out there.

Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and John Mead for the copy of the book.