Thanks to Murray Bailey for the gifted ebook to write my honest review for the tour today.

A gripping noir thriller that exposes the dark heart of a nation in turmoil.

Journalist Martin Gillie has vanished, and his wife wants him found. It seems like a straightforward case for newly arrived Ash Carter. But in post-war Philippines, nothing is ever straightforward.

Carter follows a trail that leads from the smoky boxing rings of Manila to the rebel-haunted provinces. And as Carter digs, with each uncovered clue, the stakes rise higher. The police can’t be trusted. The military has its own agenda.

Carter begins to wonder: Is Martin Gillie hiding from something—or someone? And if Carter finds him, will either of them live to tell the story?

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My Review

Ash Carter is back, and I am so glad he is! This book is set in the Philippines, and I was so looking forward to reading it. I have previously read Ash Carter books but set in different places. I loved them all! So when I saw this was a new series with Ash at the helm, I was quite pleased, to say the least!

Ash finds himself on a stopover in Manila, not one he was expecting, I have to say. He unexpectedly comes across an old friend and colleague, Bill Wolfe. He lives and runs a bar in Manila now. Ash tries his best to get Bill to knock his retirement on the head and come back to work.

Ash, as is the norm, gets himself involved in all sorts of mysteries, problems, and even corruption. This is a book that’s definitely been researched well,and it is crystal clear. The setting is vivid, and the action is relentless.

Murray Bailey NEVER fails me with his storytelling. It’s fast-paced and furious too! The pages went by so fast that I took no time at all to finish it. I do this with every book I read from this author, and then I wish I hadn’t read it so fast! Bring on the next book, please, Murray!