#Crime #Thriller
Blurb
Trigger Cullen left home to forget his past, but when his family run into desperate trouble, he can’t say no. But returning to Ringmere is fraught with tension. With his family’s crisis and his manipulative cousin Alex trying to lure him back into his old job as enforcer, Trigger has his hands full. To complicate matters, Rachel Fox, an old flame, is back.
Stunningly beautiful, clever and hardworking, Rachel is a rising cam star. But money attracts predators. Trigger deals swiftly and ruthlessly with Jaffa, chief enforcer for the Razors. But Rachel is also falsely accused of blackmailing her ex, Ringmere’s married and publicly pious mayor, Lucian DeVere.
Trigger fears that entering the fray will ensnare him into returning to his old life. However, the murder of Rachel’s cam partner, plus his family’s urgent need combine to force his hand.
To Alex’s delight, Trigger promises to hunt down the blackmailer turned killer. But he can’t guess how violent his quest will become. Trigger Cullen is about to be catapulted into a web of blackmail, murder and deceit.
My Review – 5 stars
Compelling Crime Thriller
This book, a new genre for AJ Adams, is a crime thriller, involving blackmail, violence, murder and deceit, with a whodunnit at the centre of the plot. It’s a compelling, suspenseful read, with strong and authentic characters and a new morally suspect anti-hero, Max ‘Trigger’ Cullen, whom I loved.
Trigger is a man with a reputation for violence, a survivor, who has done some time in the military. He has now returned home, determined to avoid resuming his old enforcer role within the Cullen family business empire. However, he is soon drawn in to the world of crime when he comes to the aid of Rachel, an old flame, who is threatened by a local gang. When Rachel is accused of blackmail and her friend is murdered, Trigger’s protective instincts kick in and he comes to her defence. He soon finds himself at the centre of the fray; a corrupt politician, an over enthusiastic local police inspector and a murderer are just some of the challenges he faces.
I loved that Trigger is a complicated character, one with a darkness inside of him, who will stop at nothing to protect those he cares about – he even tries to keep Rachel at a distance as he thinks he is not good enough for her. Rachel is a complex character too and as danger closes in on her, I was on pins to find out if Trigger could save her and solve the mystery of the blackmailer/murderer before it was all too late.
I enjoyed how the book delves into the underbelly of local politics and its links to business and often organised crime. As with all the author’s books the plot contains some humour which for me is a definite plus. I also loved how some of the characters in the author’s other books make a brief appearance or are referenced, adding depth and breadth to the world building. This book is a standaIone read and I can’t wait to read what Trigger gets involved in in future instalments.
Recommended for readers of crime thrillers who enjoy a fast-paced, character driven read.
Reviewed by Tina Williams
Please note, a copy of the book was given to me by the author and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
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