Game Point by Malcolm Hollingdrake
Waterstones Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk
About the Book
DCI Bennett faces the most harrowing case of his career. A psychopath, who escaped capture, is hell bent on revenge and executes a series of events that will not only impact on Bennett physically, but will have emotional and professional consequences.
A body is found with its fingers amputated, then an investigative journalist, embroiled in the pornography and drugs scene, is murdered.
Bennett’s team is faced with some baffling evidence. Hatpins and bicycle spokes become pivotal to the inquiry but the police struggle to connect the evidence.
It is only when a Detective Sergeant from the team is kidnapped that Bennett realises that he is the true target.
Can Bennett solve the case before it’s too late? How many people will he lose in the process?
FROM THE AUTHOR OF ONLY THE DEAD, HELL’S GATE & FLESH EVIDENCE, COMES ANOTHER EXPLOSIVE CRIME THRILLER.
My Review
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is book 4 in the DCI Cyril Bennett series. I have not read the first 2 books (yet) but did read and love book 3, Flesh Evidence, and was therefore looking forward to the release of this book.
The story unfolds with the release of a psychopath Cyril thought he had taken out of society for some time. His nemesis is back and determined to play fatal games with the detective from his past. There are twists, turns and shockers along the way as the bodies stack up causing Cyril and his team frustration as they struggle to find a way through the false leads. When one of his team goes missing Cyril and the remaining members become determined to stop the mystery killer before its too late.
The characters are complex and I am sure that reading the first 2 books would help to get to grips with the team but they do work very well as stand alone so I didn’t find it much of a disadvantage. Cyril is a very private person and comes across as being very calm and collected but he reminds me of a swan, all calm and serene on the surface but legs paddling like mad beneath. He has an on/off relationship with Julie that really works as they bounce ideas off each other and this is, I feel, what keeps him sane and focussed. Owen is probably my favourite character as he is so unique and lovable and such a lovely person and efficient detective all rolled into one and he makes a fabulous partner for Cyril.
I found the story difficult to follow in places and there were some aspects of the story that I found confusing and others that I thought were irrelevant, i.e. Cyril’s e-cig, but overall it is a very good story and very gripping. I also like the way Malcolm has put in little teasers that I am hoping will be part of the story in future books.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books who provided me with an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review
Author Bio by Malcolm Hollingdrake
I was born in Bradford so I was no stranger to the Yorkshire Dales, a regular, weekend picnic venue. However, it wasn’t until I arrived at Ripon College of Education to spend three years of what was said to be study, did I truly appreciate the area! Harrogate was always a favourite destination. It’s a special place, in total contrast to the industrial city of Bradford I knew in the 50s. After writing my first, self-published novel, ‘Engulfed’, I read that Harrogate was considered to be the ‘Happiest place to live in the UK’; that got me thinking and so DCI Cyril Bennett was born. ‘Keen as Mustard’ (Now entitled, ‘Only the Dead’) was self-published as an eBook but sat almost unnoticed on Amazon’s shelves! (I think it had fallen down the back!) Like all things, ideas are born in the strangest of places and the inspiration for the second book in the series came with a chance conversation whilst on holiday. I discovered that running beneath Harrogate was a disused railway tunnel – that gem of knowledge was the catalyst for my next novel, again a self-published eBook, ‘Just Above Hades’ (Now entitled, ‘Hell’s Gate’). As a writer I had always hoped to win a publishing contract. Rejection letters become a way of life but you persevere in the hope that someone will see the value of your work. I was incredibly lucky to be offered a book deal with Bloodhound Books after submitting, ‘Flesh Evidence”, a deal that was for the Harrogate Bennett series. It does seem strange reflecting on the way things have progressed, receiving a four book deal that was quickly turned into a seven book contract after receiving very positive sales and reviews for the first three books, I am now working on a sixth book for Bloodhound! Book four, ‘Game Point’, is written as the conclusion of the first Cyril Bennett series. It has been a roller-coaster experience since the first book was published with a number of unusual and original experiences, from joining Facebook to proudly winning February’s Crime Writers’ Award organised by UK Crime Book Club and Crime Fiction Addict to being nominated for the CWA Goldsboro Gold Dagger Award, both humbling and unexpected. All of this success could not have been possible without the support of many people and I must mention the many Facebook groups, the bloggers and readers who give their time in support of the many writers. We would be nothing without them. Family too have been a great encouragement allowing my dream to become a reality
