Blog Tour- The Lost Children by Steve Parker

4 out of 5 Stars

Synopsis

Discover a crime thriller full of shocking twists by one of the most exciting new authors you’ll read this year.

A MAN IS SHOT DEAD IN THE STREET. BUT WHAT THE POLICE FIND NEARBY IS FAR WORSE.

An elderly African man is found dead in the street, shot through the head. The killing has the hallmark of a professional assassin. Dumped in a waste bin next to the dead man is the dismembered torso of a child.

On his first day back at work, disgraced Detective Superintendent Ray Paterson finds himself teamed up again with newly promoted Detective Inspector Johnny Clocks.

They must hunt down a ruthless killer with connections that go far beyond anything they’ve ever come across before.

Within days they know who committed the murders and why, but are left reeling when they are ordered by the government to release the child’s killers.

FINDING THE KILLERS WASN’T THE HARD PART. BRINGING THEM TO JUSTICE IS.

This is the second in a series of action-packed, edge-of-your-seat crime thrillers, with an ending that will have your heart in your mouth.

Perfect for fans of Kimberley Chambers, Damien Boyd, Rachel Abbott, Patricia Gibney or Martina Cole.

TWO DETECTIVES WHO HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT EACH OTHER MUST WORK TOGETHER.

Detective Superintendent Ray Paterson is a young and (thanks to family money) wealthy womaniser, separated from his model wife and tipped to be the youngest ever commissioner of police. He knows he’s weak when it comes to practical policing and struggles to find a place among his peers, desperate to be a good policeman and not just a ‘climber’.

Detective Inspector Johnny Clocks is a foul-mouthed, working-class officer. He grew up surrounded by rogues and villains to become a first-class thief taker with the Met police. However, his childish attitude has short-circuited his career and he spends his days antagonising as many people as he can.

THE SETTING

Bermondsey is an area of London nestled on the banks of the River Thames. It once had a reputation for housing more armed robbers, murderers and career criminals than anywhere else in the country. Now one of the most upmarket places to live and work in London, it has all but severed itself from its working-class roots. Home to the iconic Tower Bridge and crammed with expensive apartments, art galleries, fancy restaurants and famous residents. But for the police, those who truly know, Bermondsey never lost its roots . . . or its reputation.

DETECTIVE RAY PATERSON

Book 1: THEIR LAST WORDS

Book 2: THE LOST CHILDREN

My Thoughts

Just as the last novel I read by Steve Parker, this one is absolutely amazing. It’s real, it’s crass.. And, it’s superbly written!

I love that he never pulls his punches. The case may be uncomfortable,

“Uncle Brian would pick a window and the camera would move toward and then “through” the window, fade out and then show a little film. It was supposed to be something you saw through that window — a trip to the zoo, or a farm or a factory, all sorts of stuff that might be of interest to kids in the seventies. Dad’s preferred window was the round one. Said you always saw better things through that one. So now the man smiled to himself. Whenever he looked through his own round window, the one on top of his rifle, something happened. Everything he saw in it died.”

The main protagonists are NOT your typical perfect specimens who have all of the answers,

DI Clocks

“Clocks dismissed the bad memories with a shrug. ‘Wanna quick drink?’‘What? No. Christ, it’s ten o’clock on a Sunday morning. I thought you said you’d eased off a bit.’‘I have,’ said Clocks, depositing two glasses on the table. ‘I normally start at eight.’”

Detective Superintendent Paterson

“Paterson hadn’t been the best policeman in the world before the bridge shooting and, having been off for so long, was probably even rustier now. Time would tell. Ease him back in, the commander had said.”

Steve Parker leaves it gritty and authentic. It’s not gritty in a “Hollywood ” way, it’s gritty in a “tell it like it fucking is” way.

“‘Right, you big bunch of snivelling tarts! Dab your eyes and put your hankies away now. We’ve got plenty of shit to sort out.’”

Just as with his prior novel, Steve Parker may not be for everyone. The content is very raw, crass and contains quite a few triggers. But, this is one of the reasons he’s also fast becoming one of my favourite authors!! His style is so unique and refreshing.

Buy it now!! HERE!!

Author Bio

I was born and raised in South East London (Peckham to be precise – cushty, my son). At the ripe old age of twenty-one, I joined the Metropolitan Police where I served for twenty years before I was pensioned out with a serious back injury. I then went to work as an enforcement officer for a local authority before taking redundancy.

Thankfully, I’ve been blessed with a complete lack of DIY skills so was legitimately able to get away with swanning around the house doing bugger all, all day long. Finding myself with plenty of spare time and a deep desire to never work for anyone again, I gave myself permission to go back to writing (I’d been writing on and off for years).

When I’m not writing, I’m out taking photographs, something I’ve done since I was a nipper and will do until the day I shuffle off this mortal coil.

I live down in the windier part of East Sussex near the sea with my long-suffering wife and my ‘off-her-nut’ cockerpoo. I have two sons of whom I am so proud, I cannot begin to tell you.