Category: John Mead

Geraldine by John Mead – a contemporary police procedural with personal elements

October 18, 2019

 

One day a body is found drowned in the Thames. Spotted by Sergeant Hunter, It is quickly retrieved, and it is then that the questions begin. Fortunately Inspector Matthew Merry is on route and he soon has many questions about this body. Sergeant Julie Lukula, his partner, will work in parallel to discover some of the truth behind what transpires to be a complex web of relationships and identity. In the process they and other well described people will discover much about themselves and others. Expectations are confounded as Geradine is far from what she seems to be, even when identification is made and the family contacted. 

 

The world of theatrical agents and complex criminality is explored in a novel that cleverly combines the personal and procedural in the world of London policing. Matthew is seen in the context not only as an instinctive detective, following up on the less technical but more dramatic side of the investigation, but also as a man with a family facing its own terrible challenges. He follows up on a contact who in turn is receiving information that proves to be significant; he also remembers his childhood friends and manages to subtly exploit their mutual history. Julie, meanwhile, uses the data and technical information discovered on what proves to have been a shockingly brutal murder to try to ascertain if there is indeed a link with a series of hate crimes which have affected the small bars and theatres of London’s secret world. Her own relationship has reached a significant moment, and she is seeking a promotion which will change her responses to those she has worked with, especially Matthew. This well written novel with its clearly delineated characters works well on so many levels, raising questions of suspicion, prejudice and fear in a network of people who have all been shaped by difficult pasts. I was pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this excellent book in all its vivid and well placed action.

 

The book opens with the discovery that Geraldine is a unique character, who has been influential in unexpected ways. The questions about whether Driver has  created hatred and passion personally or whether the motive for murder is part of a pattern of hatred which comes to puzzle not only Matthew and Julie but also the higher ranks of police officers who are forced to test the limits of their power and position. As Julie and Matthew, together with their team which includes the young and enthusiastic Harry, investigate the world of security guards and small theatres, they have to look at the small pieces of information which may link crimes. While Julie involves herself with the minute pieces of information which may obtain results in line with her ambitions, Matthew suspects that bigger forces are at work. His memories of a small group of friends at school means that he secures contact with an infamous character whose lifestyle has attracted attention from other police departments. While he gets information which may prove relevant to more than one case, he pushes the rules to the edge. It is only when he falls foul of those with positions to protect that he has time to consider his wife Kathy, and discovers that she has a vital problem that has severe implications for her life.

 

This book, which brilliant revisits characters introduced in “The Fourth Victim”, is of itself a complex and clever read which deals realistically with many who are marginalised and meet with prejudice. It is well paced with moments of well handled tension. In this book there is little doubt of which character is speaking fresh dialogue and taking meaningful action. The research is careful and the plot well constructed; it hangs together well as a framework for exploring fascinating and consistently written characters. I recommend this as a good read for fans of contemporary crime and policing.        

The Fourth Victim by John Mead – A gripping mystery with fascinating characters

September 6, 2019

Fallible police, unlikely suspects, multiple murders; this is a book that has it all. A contemporary murder mystery with some innovative narrative strands, but with much good solid police procedure. Without ostentation, Mead manages to give a sense of place and time which linger in the mind. His characters are desperately human, with all the humour, betrayal and loyalty of real people. This is a reasonably fast paced, surprisingly complex read, which combines the traditional methods of hunting for information with the inspiration of people. There is real insight in the writing as to what motivates people, and is an interesting picture of mystery and life. I am very glad that I was asked to read and review this novel.

Detective Sergeant Julie Lukula is quickly on the scene as a young jogger is found dead in a park by a nervous elderly woman. She quickly sums up the situation as more than a random attack, but there are disappointingly few leads as to who killed this apparently harmless young woman. She realises that the investigation will be lead by a man who is already on his way out of the department, the interestingly named Inspector Matthew Merry. She describes him to another police officer as “You’ll recognise him easily enough, he’s big and looks like he works in an undertakers.” As they break the worst news to families, the different reactions are fascinating. The police officers each emerge as having their own agendas, which sometimes conflict with each other and the needs of the investigation. I found Inspector Merry somewhat inconsistent in his behaviour, but Mead generally handles each character very well and deals well with even the most minor characters. I found myself carried along with the story as it twists and turns, incidentally presenting an interesting picture of twenty first century life. While there are parts of the environments described which are shabby and downbeat, a visit to Fort William in Scotland represents a refreshingly real break, even if somewhat confused by Merry’s moral behaviour. The painful details of families torn by grief and the lack of contact which is the lifestyle of others are snapshots of very human emotions well handled by Mead. He peoples the scenery of London with interesting individuals, before he explores the fragility of the mental states of certain people.

This is undoubtedly a confidently written book in which Mead gives the impression of an experienced eye trained on police procedure, criminal motives and, most impressively, all the people involved. While not gratuitously violent, this book does not hold back on being a real thriller and depiction of murder as well as not sugar coating people and their motives. The book is not filled with the simply good and bad; there are many possibilities in virtually every person. A small point is the interchangeable use of surnames and first names without any obvious consistency; the sergeant is often “Julie” as well as “Lukula”, whereas the Inspector also appears as both “Matthew” and “Merry” without apparent reason. This is a small criticism of a genuinely enthralling book which kept me involved and interested from the first to last page. I recommend it as a good read for many, even those not usually fans of crime novels, and Mead is an author to watch in the future.

 

 

Yes, this is a post that I put up before of the first book that I read and reviewed by John Mead, and I am delighted to say that he has another coming out next month that I will be reviewing! Judging by this book it will be a intense read which I’m looking forward to, so watch this space!

Meanwhile, plenty of reviews to come in the meantime – something for different tastes, perhaps.

The Fourth Victim by John Mead Police – Police Procedural and much more

November 19, 2018

Fallible police, unlikely suspects, multiple murders; this is a book that has it all. A contemporary murder mystery with some innovative narrative strands, but with much good solid police procedure. Without ostentation, Mead manages to give a sense of place and time which linger in the mind. His characters are desperately human, with all the humour, betrayal and loyalty of real people. This is a reasonably fast paced, surprisingly complex read, which combines the traditional methods of hunting for information with the inspiration of people. There is real insight in the writing as to what motivates people, and is an interesting picture of mystery and life. I am very glad that I was asked to read and review this novel.

Detective Sergeant Julie Lukula is quickly on the scene as a young jogger is found dead in a park by a nervous elderly woman. She quickly sums up the situation as more than a random attack, but there are disappointingly few leads as to who killed this apparently harmless young woman. She realises that the investigation will be lead by a man who is already on his way out of the department, the interestingly named Inspector Matthew Merry. She describes him to another police officer as “You’ll recognise him easily enough, he’s big and looks like he works in an undertakers.” As they break the worst news to families, the different reactions are fascinating. The police officers each emerge as having their own agendas, which sometimes conflict with each other and the needs of the investigation. I found Inspector Merry somewhat inconsistent in his behaviour, but Mead generally handles each character very well and deals well with even the most minor characters. I found myself carried along with the story as it twists and turns, incidentally presenting an interesting picture of twenty first century life. While there are parts of the environments described which are shabby and downbeat, a visit to Fort William in Scotland represents a refreshingly real break, even if somewhat confused by Merry’s moral behaviour. The painful details of families torn by grief and the lack of contact which is the lifestyle of others are snapshots of very human emotions well handled by Mead. He peoples the scenery of London with interesting individuals, before he explores the fragility of the mental states of certain people.

This is undoubtedly a confidently written book in which Mead gives the impression of an experienced eye trained on police procedure, criminal motives and, most impressively, all the people involved. While not gratuitously violent, this book does not hold back on being a real thriller and depiction of murder as well as not sugar coating people and their motives. The book is not filled with the simply good and bad; there are many possibilities in virtually every person. A small point is the interchangeable use of surnames and first names without any obvious consistency; the sergeant is often “Julie” as well as “Lukula”, whereas the Inspector also appears as both “Matthew” and “Merry” without apparent reason. This is a small criticism of a genuinely enthralling book which kept me involved and interested from the first to last page. I recommend it as a good read for many, even those not usually fans of crime novels, and Mead is an author to watch in the future.  

 

Meanwhile, the pursuit of nativity scenes continues. A few more offerings turned up so I may well get enough to put on a display, even if not fill the church. The “German Style Market” which runs alongside is also getting ready to roll out some hot and cold drinks and food. So, Christmas is coming!