Tuesday 18 October 2011

CRIME THRILLER REVIEW: Lennox 3: The Deep Dark Sleep - Craig Russell

Release Date: 18/07/11

SYNOPSIS:

Human remains are recovered from the bottom of the River Clyde. Not an unusual occurrence, but these have been sleeping the deep, dark sleep for eighteen years. Suddenly Glasgow's underworld is buzzing with the news that the dredged up bones belong to Gentleman Joe Strachan, Glasgow's most successful and ruthless armed robber.

When Isa and Violet, Strachan's daughters, hire Lennox to find out who has been sending them large sums of cash each year, on the anniversary of Strachan's most successful robbery, his instincts tell him that this job spells trouble and will take him back into the dark world of the Three Kings - the crime bosses who run the city.

He takes the job nevertheless. And soon learns that ignoring his instincts might just cost him his life.

This is the third fantastic thriller featuring shady investigator Lennox as he stalks Glasgow's tough streets. The Deep Dark Sleep is gritty, fast-paced, and totally absorbing.


REVIEW:

Having followed Lennox in his previous tales, I have to say that I love Craig’s dark gritty Glasgow of the fifties that creeps into your mind in much the same way that the Clyde creeps its way through the city itself. It’s well written, it has some cracking twists and when you add a darker look at the cities underworld to the mix, it’s one that is rich with images as well as characters for the tales antihero to pit himself against.

As usual the prose is top notch, the pace bracing and when added to a unique author writing voice, it’s one that will thrill and entertain from the first page to the last. Just remember that Glasgow gives up its secrets in much the same way as the Clyde and that sometimes pushing through the murk to find them will lead to inevitable consequences which leave you wondering how many more breaths Lennox has left in his body. Wonderful.

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