Dead or Alive

Ken McCoy

Oct 2016 · The Sep Black Thrillers Book 1 · Severn House/ORIM

About this ebook

A former Yorkshire Det. Inspector must clear his name, expose a traitor, and catch a kidnapper in this debut that “hits every note for a gritty procedural” (Publishers Weekly).
 
Two children have been abducted on their way home from school. After several weeks, they are still missing—and no one knows if they are alive or dead. The police are certain that Vince Formosa, a ruthless local gangster, is behind the kidnapping. But without proof their hands are tied.
 
After a disgraced politician dies in his custody, Detective Inspector Septimus “Sep” Black is forced to resign. He knows he’s been set up, but how does he prove it and stay alive in the process? Convinced that Formosa has a mole inside the department, Black sets out to expose the conspiracy and get his revenge on the man who brought him down. But to do it, he must find the missing girls—and that means going undercover among some of the most notorious criminals in Leeds.
 
“McCoy tells his tale with great dash—plus plenty of tension and violence—and he brightens it with doses of English-major wit.” —Booklist
 
“The well-constructed narrative unfolds in an entertaining manner. A solid choice for Peter Robinson and Reginald Hill fans.” —Library Journal

Ratings and reviews

From Book Blurb: Introducing Detective Inspector Sep Black in the first of a brand-new series of hard-hitting police procedurals, set in Leeds. DI Seb Black is a man with a lot of problems. He was forced to resign after a man in custody dies. His ex-wife is in the hospital stating that her ex-husband beat her. He is mandated to see a therapist as an in-patient for 3 months or else be jailed. Seb knows that he was set up and he knows who did it .... the man who is currently sleeping with his ex-wife. But how does he prove it to clear his name? Meanwhile, two children have been kidnapped by a local gangster for blackmailing purposes. It's been several weeks and the children are still missing. Believing that the man who framed him is also working for this gangster, Seb sets out to expose the traitor by going undercover. But not everything turns out the way he expected ........... There is a touch of realism to this book that caught and kept my attention. The language would not be considered politically correct in today's real world, but fits the book perfectly. There's a grittiness and darkness that permeates throughout. All of the characters .. from the therapist to the prostitute who helps Black and everyone in between ... are very realistic. It's a well written book with a good story to tell. Many thanks to the author / Severn House Publishers / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

About the author

Ken McCoy was born in wartime Leeds and has lived in Yorkshire all his life. Having run his own building company for 25 years, he is now a full-time writer. As well as several historical sagas, he is the author of the Sam Carew crime series.