Force of Hate

By Graham Bartlett https://policeadvisor.co.uk/ @gbpoliceadvisor

Published by Allison & Busby https://www.allisonandbusby.com/ @AllisonandBusby

352 pages ISBN 9780749028671

Publication date 23 March 2023

Force of Hate is the second novel in the Chief Superintendent Jo Howe series.

I was allowed access to a pdf review copy on Net Galley https://www.netgalley.com/ @NetGalley.  Thanks to the Author and Publisher for organising this.

The cover

Dark and moody, in keeping with the subject matter and location.

From the blurb

When a firebomb attack at a Brighton travellers’ site kills women and children, Chief Superintendent Jo Howe has strong reason to believe the new, dubiously elected, far-right council leader is behind the murders.

Against the direct orders of her chief constable, Jo digs deeper into the killings. She uncovers a criminal ring of human trafficking and euthanasia all leading to a devastating plot which threatens thousands of lives and from which the murderous politician looks sure to walk away scot-free.

My thoughts

This novel runs with an interesting ‘what if’ premise. No not what would have happened if Hilter had been victorious, that one has been done to death. The premise here is what might happen if a genuine far-right organisation took over a city council. Local council elections, with their often very low turn outs and protest votes, are notorious for producing odd results. Independents can win seats on single issues, so whilst perhaps improbable, it’s by no means impossible for an organised group to pull off such a coup. That it occurs in Brighton, seen by some as the ‘Gay Capital of England’ promises an interesting read ahead.

The story starts with Ajee, who is fleeing the war in Syria. On her arrival in England, she quickly brings her survival instincts to the fore as the lorry they are travelling in is stopped, but she manages to escape. From this point onwards she must live of her wits and the goodwill of others. A true refugee, like so many others, trying to avoid the clutches of those who would exploit her.

Following this there is a fire bomb attack at a travellers camp with devastating effect. Two adults and two children are killed as a result and there are two further deaths as the attackers make their getaway. Such deaths may not have been expected but it is clearly an orchestrated attack, one designed to send a clear message.

Chief Superintendent Jo Howe is battling on many fronts. She is still processing the fall-out from the previous major case (in Bad for Good) and a misjudged affair. Her professional relationship with the Chief Constable Stuart Acers is strained as he seems too busy trying to please the local council. Jo must work with the Council Leader Tom Doughty and Chief Executive Russ Parfitt but they show her no respect and delight in making her position uncomfortable. They represent the far right British Patriot Party (BPP) and are busy setting their own agenda which includes undermining the position of the police in areas where they can’t exercise control.

The paths of Ajee and Jo cross by accident as they both play prominent roles within the plot before their paths cross once again towards the finale. The plot itself is the execution of a dastardly master plan by the BPP, aimed at disrupting social harmony and setting citizens against each other and particularly those who are incomers or in some way different. Certainly audacious, but also credible enough to have me wondering if such plans have been contemplated and thwarted by the authorities.

The novel tackles many of the serious issues facing the Western World today. There is war and devastation that creates huge numbers of refugees which in turn produces the incentive for human trafficking, together with the physical and sexual violence they potentially face en route. Once at their destination, there is the issue of modern slavery and sexual exploitation. To this is added racial tensions and violence and being set in Brighton some homophobia. A potent mixture handled well with considerable tact and a firm moral stance, here there are no blurring of the lines, whilst essentially remaining an entertaining crime novel.

There is plenty happening throughout, and the action moves along at a fair pace to accommodate this. The style builds up a sense of urgency in the latter third through chapters shortening and narratives switching leading up to a breathless final set-piece. It is here the tables are turned and Jo asserts control over Doughty.

As a lead character Jo is both interesting and engaging, she has flaws, but no more than any other normal person. She possesses steely determination, is loyal to her colleagues and sensitive to the public. She is also pragmatic, not everything can be done by the rule book, but that doesn’t mean the rule book should be ripped up. Whilst her railing against her superior and facing suspension is a familiar trope in police procedurals, it is crucial to the plot and dealt with really well here.

The one aspect throughout is the authentic feel to the writing and a quick check of the author’s biography demonstrates why this is the case. Excellent judgment is shown in the areas where the envelope has been pushed in the name of entertainment. Complete authenticity would make for a dull read but here there was no point in the action where I thought ‘I’m not buying that’.

The supporting characters were excellently portrayed. There’s the hopes and fears of Ajee and a real feeling of jeopardy for her part. Doughty and Parfitt are textbook villainous bullies, obnoxious and nasty, brave in control but weak in isolation and Acer is a pathetic man who has risen too high and is determined to protect himself at all costs. In Bob and Gary, Jo has 100% reliable officers in support, which the author adroitly uses to build structure to the investigation whilst Jo is being ‘Mrs Maverick’, the sort you hope to come across if ever you need a police officer.

The interactions between the officers are perfectly judged if a little sanitised, but for me the standout is the interviews, never overplayed but convincing, clearly written by someone with first-hand experience. Covering serious themes means light-hearted moments are few, though Jo’s frustration at the council when one of their officers tries to make her life difficult was a standout bit of schadenfreude.

Force of Hate is a fast-paced procedural with an authentic feel that is action packed and tackles serious themes. A series I can recommend and intend to stick with.

Force of Hate can be purchased direct from the publisher here

The author

Graham Bartlett rose to become chief superintendent and the divisional commander of Brighton and Hove police. His first non-fiction book Death Comes Knocking was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller, which he then followed with Babes in the Wood. He co-wrote these books with bestselling author, Peter James, and has since published Bad for Good and Force of Hate starring Chief Superintendent Jo Howe. Bartlett is also a police procedural and crime advisor helping scores of authors and TV writers inject authenticity into their work.

Source: Publisher’s website