What The Night Brings by Mark Billingham
Publisher: Little, Brown Group
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by FernWhat the Night Brings by Mark Billingham is the latest mystery in the bestselling Tom Thorne series, and this time, a killer is targeting the police. Is it payback? And is it justified?
“Three dead coppers, Tom, maybe four by lunchtime…”
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.
With public support at an all-time low and distrust of the police force growing at an alarming rate, everyone is shocked when the targeted murder of four officers happens on DI Tom Thorne’s crime scene. Joined by his team – and particularly DI Nicola Tanner and DI Dave Holland, they work tirelessly – only to uncover more betrayals, and corruption, than they could have ever dreamed of. As their world implodes, can they hold those responsible to account for their actions?
In the space of less than a year I’ve managed discover – and read – the entire series of DI Tom Thorne books. I’ve found this to reliably be a well written, deeply plotted British Police Procedural mystery series and one that regularly looks at harder aspects of crime and society in general. Most of these books have been – to one level or another – uncomfortable and confronting reads. While I admit the last few books have been gripping, but likely less harsh and uncomfortable, I do feel this most recent book takes a few steps back towards that discomfort.
Police corruption, the police abuse of their powers and reach particularly when it comes to victims would never be considered a cosy or easy kind of read. I definitely feel readers should be mindful of the main aspects of this in the plot. That said, just like there will always be villains, there will also be those who strive for good and those who want justice and to put the bad guy – no matter who they are – behind bars. Tom Thorne might not be a warm and fuzzy kind of hero, but he absolutely wants the bad guys behind bars – no matter who or what they are.
I found this book to be gripping reading. Partly I do feel this was because I have quite an emotional connection to the main cast, having read the whole series, but equally I strongly believe the plot and action of this book by itself would have grabbed me by the neck even if I had picked this up by itself. I did feel there was a monumental impact from the final twists and while I suspense something along these lines would be the big climax I was still gutted and surprised. This is not a book to start late in the evening or at the end of a weekend. I read the second half of this novel in a full-day binge and regret nothing.
With excellent characters, a solidly written plot and plenty of twists this was an exceptional book. I will absolutely be keeping an eye on this authors website. Highly recommended.
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