I love it when each new book by an author becomes your favourite, and that is the case with John Sutherland, police officer turned writer. The authenticity stamps itself onto each page, as he has created a main character who follows the author’s own career as a hostage negotiator. Each outing has been one heck of an adventure. It now feels as though the author is really settling into his role and allowing his imagination the freedom to explore, and occasionally run riot, while keeping to the ethics and moral responsibilities he clearly feels. Here the series goes in a new direction from The Siege and The Fallen which were set on Alex’s home turf and heads to the Scottish Highlands where an armed gang attempt to kidnap a particularly unpleasant Earl. There is a more adventurous tone to this novel, with the setting and sense of place playing a huge role. An incredibly intense plot storms along, with almost continuous action from the first few pages through to the last. While thoroughly enjoying the exploits of the main characters, I also appreciated the moral ambiguity that was faced, which in turn really made me consider the layers within the plot. I will admit to crying at one point, you’ll know when you get there, and my emotions played yoyo for a while which was fabulous! Highly recommended, The Castle is a tense and rewarding thriller that we’ve chosen as both a LoveReading Star Book, and Liz Pick of the Month.
The heart-racing new thriller with an incredible ending from former Met Police Negotiator John Sutherland
Following the successful conclusion of another immensely demanding negotiation in south London, Superintendent Alex Lewis and his partner Pip head for a much-needed break in the Scottish Highlands. But, the morning after their arrival on the Castle Craigie estate, they find themselves caught up in an attempt by an armed gang to kidnap a well-known Scottish Earl. In the desperate hours that follow, Alex and Pip must call on all their years of negotiating experience to save not only the life of the Earl, but their own lives too.
John Sutherland is a father of three, who lives with his wife and children in south London. For the best part of twenty-five years, he has served as a Metropolitan Police Officer. He won the Baton of Honour as the outstanding recruit in his training school intake and rose through the ranks to become a highly respected senior officer. Over the course of his career, in which he has been awarded several commendations, he has worked in seven different London boroughs, in a variety of different ranks and roles, and he has also been posted to Scotland Yard on three separate occasions. His most recent operational job was as the Borough C ommander for Southwark. John can be found on Twitter and Wordpress as 'policecommander'. Blue is his first book.
