July 2005: in the midst of Operation Theseus, the largest police investigation that the UK has ever known, Detective Inspector Jake Flannagan begins to ask difficult questions that lead to the mysterious disappearance of his girlfriend and his sudden suspension from the Metropolitan Police.
Who masterminded London’s summer of terror?
Why can’t Flannagan make headway in the sprawling investigation?
Is Jake’s absent girlfriend really who she claims to be?While hunting for the answers to the most complex case in British history, one man will uncover the greatest criminal deception of our time.
Terror, extremism and fear of the unknown,
Sometimes the answer is much closer to home.
My Review
This has been sitting patiently waiting on my Kindle for a while, but I finally put time aside to read it, much to the delight of my OH. This was one of the rare books that he enjoyed without the ubiquitous “but” when I asked him it what it was like. So with rave reviews, and a personal commendation, why the delay? If I’m honest, a part of me thought – do I really want to read about the 7/7 bombings and terrorist attacks? I remember the real events all too well and it didn’t particularly want to re-live the events on the page. Well for anyone with similar misgivings, please cast them aside. This is a book, which is essentially a police procedural, only this time the concentration is less on the who, but the why and were others involved. It had me hooked from the beginning and was finished in 24 hours.
The story is told by DI Jake Flanagan, a flawed, maverick at the centre of the investigation. It’s a straightforward timeline plot (hurray), so no confusing time shifts and because it’s Jake’s story, no additional narrators to muddy the water. The fairly short chapters draw you in, help to ratchet up the tension and maintain a cracking pace. Despite Jake’s less than savoury behaviour lapses, he’s actually a sympathetic character. He’s intelligent, his heart is in the right place, he just has difficulty coping. His strategies are just less than ideal, especially for someone in his position.
As well as following the investigation into the bombings, we also follow Jake on his self destruct journey with his personal relationships. With a broken marriage, daughters he doesn’t see as often as he should and a girlfriend that may or not be what she seems, this is clearly as problematic as his work life.
I loved this book, because of the author’s background, it was well researched, well told and everything felt authentic. It’s impossible to unravel the fact from the fiction as all the events are documented and factual. I can remember the places and actions being referred to, it was real and all very plausible and when I got to the end – I didn’t see that coming.
As the author says ‘I can’t tell you the truth, but I can tell you a story…’ and oh what a story!
Jill's Book Cafe 
I’m itchin’ to read this one, even more so after your review!
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It’s a great read and the word is, the next one is imminent. I will not be leaving that one so long before I read it.
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I’m dying to get to this one but review copies and other commitments keep getting in the way. It’s on my shortlist and reading your thoughts made me want to get to it even sooner.
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Nicola, I just said ‘sod it’ to review copies yesterday and sat down and read it.
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Great review Jill, looking forward to the next one in the series x
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So am I now Lorraine. Great thing about leaving it so late – don’t have to wait so long ☺
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What a super review, Jill!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my thriller and write about it on your blog. Delighted that you and the Other Half enjoyed it so much. Sales of the book are supporting a charity called the Police Dependants’ Trust to help police officers with their mental wellbeing following traumatic events – so it’s hugely appreciated.
Hopefully I can interest you in an ARC of sequel, ‘The Detriment’, nearer release date.
‘I can’t tell you the truth, but I can tell you another story…’
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You’re welcome David, it was a brilliant read, so writing the review was easy. I’m kicking myself for not reading it sooner, part of that is due to putting review copies before personal reading. I’d be delighted to be in the running for an ARC – the next one won’t be left waiting! Looking forward to catching up with Jake, I hope you’ve been kind to him. ☺
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This looks soo goooood! “I can’t tell you the truth, but I can tell you a story” I love this type of sentences 😀
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He’s not lying Annie, he can tell a story!
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This sounds like a fantastic book! Great review! I must admit I did have those misgivings but your words convinced me! I need this book!
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It’s really worth getting Donna, number two is now in the offing as well. It has a title “The Detriment” but as yet no detail of publication date, but it will feature Jake (who is a good bad boy!).
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Great news!
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[…] readers who like their crime fiction as close to real crime as it gets. I’ve reviewed both The Theseus Paradox and The Detriment and can’t recommend them highly […]
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