Streets of Darkness ~Review~

Synopsis:

Luther meets The Wire, this is the first Detective Harry Virdee novel

The sky over Bradford is heavy with foreboding. It always is. But this morning it has reason to be – this morning a body has been found. And it’s not just any body.

Detective Harry Virdee should be at home with his wife. Impending fatherhood should be all he can think about but he’s been suspended from work just as the biggest case of the year lands on what would have been his desk. He can’t keep himself away.

Determined to restore his reputation, Harry is obliged to take to the shadows in search of notorious ex-convict and prime suspect, Lucas Dwight. But as the motivations of the murder threaten to tip an already unstable city into riotous anarchy, Harry finds his preconceptions turned on their head as he discovers what it’s like to be on the other side of the law…

My Rating: 5/5

My Review:

I was given a proof copy of this book from Ben Willis of Transworld Books/ Penguin Random House.  Huge, huge thanks for that Ben as this has got to be my favourite debut novels of 2016!!

I am not sure that any amount of “EEEEEKs” or “Oh My Friggin’ Gods” will get across the sheer excitement I felt when I finished reading this book.  I only hope I can do it justice by my review, as #bookjunkies….this book is pure genius!

The story is set in Bradford and there were a lot of comparisons to Gotham (Batman) which I absolutely adored and  set the mood in such a way that as a reader….well I was just entranced. It was eery, dark and very gritty and the comparison made you feel every bit a part of this morbid atmosphere as the story unfolded.

And WHAT A STORY it was!  The opening pages had that #KillerHook which immediately draws the reader in and for me, is a MUST if I am going to keep reading a book.  The actions of the story-line were delivered masterfully with a perfect pace and build up to the twists that will leave the reader breathless from excitement!

There are various themes riddled throughout the pages — some controversial, some expected — but all very much integral to the story. Racism, retribution, a haunting past or two, drugs, justice, fear, chaos and just what lengths will a person go to in order to save someone they love — oh my giddy aunt peeps– I could go on!  Each of these strengthened the story and delivered that gut-wrenching blow that distinguishes greatness from mediocrity in a crime fiction novel.

If you have ever read any of my reviews, you will know that if a book does not have characters with substance and depth – I usually struggle to maintain an interest in the story.  There was absolutely no fear of that with Streets of Darkness as the main character, DI Harry Virdee, was exceptional!  A rogue of sorts, haunted by his past,  the #Blood, a seeker of truth and justice whilst being dedicated to his wife/unborn child and his job…. yes! Yes! YES! — all the boxes were ticked!

I also adored his wife, Saima and the courage, determination and strength she showed when she needed to.  Various characters –even the baddies — were so well written, that as a reader, they become a part of you and added a balance to the story.  Another of my faves was Lucas Dwight, a recently released Neo-Nazi who will absolutely enthral and surprise you — I dare you not to LOVE this guy!  Dare you!!

Would I recommend any lovers of gritty, intense, crime thrillers who need “OMG” moments that will blow you away to read this book?  Hell-Bloody-Yeah I would!!  The book will be published on June 17th, but don’t worry #bookjunkies — if you are in need of a fix, just click the link below and pre-order!