Coldharbour

by John Mead

The Met Police’s Major Investigation Team East has its hands full: a rash of tit for tat gang related stabbings, a strangled housewife, the decomposed remains of a woman found in a ditch and more to come. Adding to their woes is their boss, Chief Inspector Matthew Merry, being distracted by his problems at home.

For Matthew’s wife, Kathy, her only concern is dealing with the aftermath of being drugged and raped by a co-worker. Will the trial of the man responsible be enough to give her the justice she demands. Or, as her therapist states, is it revenge she really desires. She doesn’t know. As her emotions see-saw from elation to depression, her only certainty is that her husband seems more concerned about his work than her.

And Matthew is only too aware of his failings both at home and work. But the police machine grinds on, seeking information and sifting evidence — justice is not their concern.

Author news

THE FOURTH VICTIM
The police knocking and giving her the heart wrenching news. I could actually feel that emotion it was like a kick in the gut.
Says @Dough_nut81 - online reviewer on Goodreads, Amazon and Netgallery

THE FOURTH VICTIM
The descriptive writing had me in the park with the police, had me sitting in the front rooms questioning people, in the police room being part of the team
says Zoe @zooloo2008 online reviewer on Goodreads and Amazon.

THE FOURTH VICTIM
I found myself carried along with the story as it twists and turns, incidentally presenting an interesting picture of twenty first century life.
Says Julie @NorthernReader online reviewer on Goodreads and Amazon.

GERALDINE
A well written book that draws you into the detectives world. The author succeeds in creating memorable characters that stay with you. Highly recommended. 5 stars.
Says Caroline @thedivinewrite1 online reviewer on Goodreads and Amazon.

GERALDINE
This book is a complex and clever read which deals realistically with many who are marginalised and meet with prejudice.
Says Julie @NorthernReader online reviewer on Goodreads and Amazon.

GERALDINE
The story is an even pace that kept me entranced and determined to find out who murdered Geraldine and why. Recommend highly.
Says Sharon @eclecticreview online reviewer on Goodreads

https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B07B8SQ2ZH

Book Reviews

It becomes a very busy time for the Met Police's Major Investigation Team East, as a heavily mutilated body turns up, just as they are already investigating a housewife who was strangled in the shower and gang-related stabbings. For newly-promoted Chief Inspector Matthew Merry, the distraction is larger - the man who raped his wife is on trial for the attack on her and others, and not all is rosy at home.

This book is very well-written, but the crimes do not really tie into one another. The strangled housewife investigation is treated as a bit of an afterthought, and only really remembed in the last twenty pages of the book. It's also a very heavy book - it deals with people smuggling, female circumcision, torture and rape, so be prepared! I think it could do with a bit more of a conclusive ending, but I understand that not all books can have that!

by NetGalley review

It's a busy time for Chief Inspector Matthew Merry of the Met Police's Major Investigation Team. There's always the usual assortment of crimes to take a look at ... today it's all about investigating a number of stabbings that seem to be gang-related. There's the housewife who has been strangled ... prime suspect is her husband who swears he wasn't there. But what does the neighbor have to say? The body of a young woman who has been tortured has been found.

But Merry's biggest problem is his home life. His wife was recently attacked and drugged by a co-worker. Their court case is coming up soon and Merry's extremely distracted by his wife's mental health at the moment.

This police procedural features the darker side of life in Merry's life. It's well written with a fair amount of action that leads to twists and turns that may rival a roller coaster ride. Characters are deftly drawn. The conclusion is surprising, unexpected.

by NetGalley review

I'm so impressed I want to tell everyone: this is a high-octane, multi-cultural, international thriller that at times masquerades as a police procedural but don't be fooled this is more, much more.
John Mead looks uncomfortable truths about the world in which we live straight in the face. It's a compelling plot with an unsettling social commentary.
There is an addictive intelligence and honesty in the way the author writes. This is an important book tackling tough issues in the guise of fiction.

by NetGalley review

A great book with strong characters and complex relationships. Reminiscent of Mark Billingham,’s work, this is a mystery which brings genuine emotion to its dialogue and descriptions. So much was happening for the lead character at work and at home but somehow it resonated as genuine and credible. I really liked the sharp writing style, too.

by NetGalley review

I have been a fan of John’s work for a while now. I read the synopsis for ‘Coldharbour’ and it certainly sounded like the sort of crime thriller sort of book that I particularly enjoy. So without further ado, I grabbed my Kindle, grabbed a cup of tea and settled down for an interesting afternoon of reading. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Coldharbour’ but more about that in a bit.
It didn’t take me long at all to get into ‘Coldharbour’. In fact by the time I got to the bottom of the first page, I knew that I was in for a treat and then some. I was intrigued by the characters and I wanted to see in which direction the story was going to take them. Reading ‘Coldharbour’ became addictive. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters to fill in half an hour but I would end up becoming so wrapped up in the story that I would still be sat there reading over an hour and several chapters later. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me as I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I found ‘Coldharbour’ to be a gripping read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat.
‘Coldharbour’ is well written. John certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be a compelling read. That’s how I felt at any rate. For me the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly fast pace throughout. There were a few different strands to this story and I did wonder if I might get confused and lose track of what was happening but I needn’t have worried because the strands interlink well and the story flows seamlessly. Reading ‘Coldharbour’ felt a lot like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. ‘Coldharbour’ is certainly an unputdownable page turner of a read and then some.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Coldharbour’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of John’s work in the future.

Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/218475/review/243379

by NetGalley review

About the Author

John Mead

John was born in the mid-fifties in Dagenham, London, on part of the largest council estate ever built, and was the first pupil from his local secondary modern school to attend university. He has now taken early retirement to write, having spent the first part of his life working in education and the public sector. He was the director of a college, a senior school inspector for a local authority, and was head of a unit for young people with physical and mental health needs. When he is not travelling, going to the theatre or the pub, he writes.

John is currently working on a seies of novels set in modern day London. These police procedurals examine the darker side of modern life in the East End of the city