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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Right. I will just start this review by saying 'whaaaaaaaaat?'. Now I have that out of my system, we can all move on and I'll answer no more questions about the book ...
Seriously though, after what poor old Tom Thorne went through in the past book, if you thought his next case was going to be easy, or that mark Billingham was going to ease us all in gently, then you really haven't been following the series at all, have you? I mean, to a degree, it all seems okay. A successful bust putting a very dangerous criminal behind bars ... As far as opening scenes go, so far so tame. But a very innocuous moment takes a very dark turn when three Police Officers are left dead with a four in critical condition. The only thing that Thorne, his colleague Nicola Tanner, and their team are focused on from that point on is the where and the why of it all. Dark, emotional and, most of all, deadly, this is one case that none of us are going to forget for a while.
What a story. And one that is so hard to review as I really do not want to spoil anything for people who have yet to read the book, or catch up on the series for that matter. It is classic Thorne. all of the characters we have grown to love are there, as is the brilliant banter between Thorne and his colleagues, especially Hendricks, which is quite often needed in this case as it takes a few dark turns. Mark Billingham employs such skilful misdirection that just when you think you know what is happening, when you can put your finger on a suspect, turns out you are completely and utterly wrong. The books taps into some very current affairs, the premise being all too depressingly familiar. Again, hard to discuss too much without a few spoilers, but with dead Metropolitan Police officers, it doesn't take too much of a journey into your imagination to figure out which direction part of the story takes.
I was left with mixed emotions about the perpetrator of the wrongdoings in this book. There is no forgiving what they do - no one, no matter what, is above the law, and their idea of justice is somewhat extreme. But, I can kind of see how they got to where they were. Always better ways of making your point than murdering people, as two wrongs never make a right. But it was one of those moral quandaries that Mr B is so good at posing, leaving me wondering at what point your average person might snap. There is a clear Yin to the perp's evil Yang, and this is where my full sympathies lay. But still ... Did make me think.
With gripping action, brilliant characters, and humour that takes the edge off the darkest moments in the book - and there are some quite dark moments - the pacing and flow of the story fell just right for me. I was left feeling a mixture of anger and emotion, as well as jaw dropping astonishment by the ending of the book, and, when all is said and done, who needs more than that? I've yet to read a Thorne book I haven't loved, and this is right up there with the best. As for what comes next - and there surely will be a next - well, I await that with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. God I hope the wait is not too long. Definitely recommended. Fans of the series will just eat it up.
Seriously though, after what poor old Tom Thorne went through in the past book, if you thought his next case was going to be easy, or that mark Billingham was going to ease us all in gently, then you really haven't been following the series at all, have you? I mean, to a degree, it all seems okay. A successful bust putting a very dangerous criminal behind bars ... As far as opening scenes go, so far so tame. But a very innocuous moment takes a very dark turn when three Police Officers are left dead with a four in critical condition. The only thing that Thorne, his colleague Nicola Tanner, and their team are focused on from that point on is the where and the why of it all. Dark, emotional and, most of all, deadly, this is one case that none of us are going to forget for a while.
What a story. And one that is so hard to review as I really do not want to spoil anything for people who have yet to read the book, or catch up on the series for that matter. It is classic Thorne. all of the characters we have grown to love are there, as is the brilliant banter between Thorne and his colleagues, especially Hendricks, which is quite often needed in this case as it takes a few dark turns. Mark Billingham employs such skilful misdirection that just when you think you know what is happening, when you can put your finger on a suspect, turns out you are completely and utterly wrong. The books taps into some very current affairs, the premise being all too depressingly familiar. Again, hard to discuss too much without a few spoilers, but with dead Metropolitan Police officers, it doesn't take too much of a journey into your imagination to figure out which direction part of the story takes.
I was left with mixed emotions about the perpetrator of the wrongdoings in this book. There is no forgiving what they do - no one, no matter what, is above the law, and their idea of justice is somewhat extreme. But, I can kind of see how they got to where they were. Always better ways of making your point than murdering people, as two wrongs never make a right. But it was one of those moral quandaries that Mr B is so good at posing, leaving me wondering at what point your average person might snap. There is a clear Yin to the perp's evil Yang, and this is where my full sympathies lay. But still ... Did make me think.
With gripping action, brilliant characters, and humour that takes the edge off the darkest moments in the book - and there are some quite dark moments - the pacing and flow of the story fell just right for me. I was left feeling a mixture of anger and emotion, as well as jaw dropping astonishment by the ending of the book, and, when all is said and done, who needs more than that? I've yet to read a Thorne book I haven't loved, and this is right up there with the best. As for what comes next - and there surely will be a next - well, I await that with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. God I hope the wait is not too long. Definitely recommended. Fans of the series will just eat it up.
dark
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A routine arrest for DI Thorne. As he leaves the building four officers are tucking into doughnuts. He's starving, it's 3am after all but there's none left for him. Apparently there were only 4 doughnuts in the box. A gift left on the police car with a note saying "thanks for all that you do."
The next day, three of those officers are dead and the fourth is fighting for her Life.
I don't say this very often, but this book is brilliant! Thorne, Tanner and Holland are a fantastic team. DI's working to find a serial cop killer, looking into possible corruption within the force. The content is so difficult and painful but Billingham's writing is somehow whimsical, yet serious. He manages to convey the horrible atrocities whilst keeping the banter.
I loved all of this. It is a police procedural and so much more. The extremes of these murders and then humour lift this novel to greatness.
Mark Billingham is up there with the greats. There's not that many authors that can get me to shed tears but he had me blubbering.
If you plan to read one book this year, you won't get many better thank this one. Yes, it's the 19th in the Tom Thorne series, but you don't need to have read the others. To date, I've only read the first Tom Thorne book, "Sleepyhead". Bear in mind there will be a couple of spoiler's in this for his previous novels.
I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group for providing the opportunity to review this novel. All opinions are my own.
What The Night Brings is due to be released on 19th June 2025.
The next day, three of those officers are dead and the fourth is fighting for her Life.
I don't say this very often, but this book is brilliant! Thorne, Tanner and Holland are a fantastic team. DI's working to find a serial cop killer, looking into possible corruption within the force. The content is so difficult and painful but Billingham's writing is somehow whimsical, yet serious. He manages to convey the horrible atrocities whilst keeping the banter.
I loved all of this. It is a police procedural and so much more. The extremes of these murders and then humour lift this novel to greatness.
Mark Billingham is up there with the greats. There's not that many authors that can get me to shed tears but he had me blubbering.
If you plan to read one book this year, you won't get many better thank this one. Yes, it's the 19th in the Tom Thorne series, but you don't need to have read the others. To date, I've only read the first Tom Thorne book, "Sleepyhead". Bear in mind there will be a couple of spoiler's in this for his previous novels.
I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group for providing the opportunity to review this novel. All opinions are my own.
What The Night Brings is due to be released on 19th June 2025.
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my first Mark Billingham novel….I know, I know, where have I been? This is his 25th, I am well behind the times 🤣 BUT I have discovered him now and I have many many reading years ahead of me to catch up 🙌🏻
The targeted murder of four officers is only the first in a series of attacks that leaves police scared, angry and, most disturbingly of all, vengeful.
As Tom Thorne and Nicola Tanner dig into the reasons for the violence, a deeper darkness begins to emerge: the possibility that these murders are payback. The price paid for an unspeakable betrayal.
To uncover the truth, Thorne will be forced to question everything he stands for. He can trust nobody, and the shocking secrets revealed by one terrible night will fracture his entire world.
I just loved it, even though I’m coming to this late, I felt like I knew all the characters, they are all bedded in nicely and the action is pacey, PACKED full of twists and turns - no spoilers. Tom Thorne is brilliant, arsey, gritty, bold and a solid copper. Tanner is a great foil for him.
I honestly didn’t see the HUGE plot twist right at the end and I imagine for long term readers of the series, it’s a bit mind blowing!
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes