Book review of Poetic Justice by RC Bridgestock
Genre: Crime Thriller/ Mystery/ Suspense
Swathi’s Rating: 5/5
Published: Feb 2019, The Dome Press
Verdict: Highly original, fast-paced with magniloquent level of detailing.
I love getting addicted to a crime series and reading all the books in the series one after another. This is one such series I have been longing to get addicted to, and finally the time has come to share my thoughts on the prequel of RC Bridgestock’s Detective series ‘Poetic Justice‘. Before I start raving about the book, here is the plot for you all!
Plot:
When Detective Jack Dylan heads home to his wife after a residential course, he has no idea that an extraordinary succession of events is about to turn his life upside down. A vicious, unprovoked personal attack is just the start. The discovery of his wife’s death in a road accident also reveals her affair, and his step-daughter is being expelled from university for drug use. Professionally, two teenagers have gone missing and one is soon found dead.
An ordinary man might break under the strain, but Dylan is no ordinary man. He knows that his survival depends on him carrying-on regardless, burying himself in his work, relieved by the distraction of newcomer to the admin department, Jennifer Jones.
His determination to pursue the criminal elements behind the events – both personal and professional – is to be his salvation, and his relationship with Jen, his ‘Guardian Angel’, will turn out to be the mainstay of his future, both within the Force and at home.
Life may have changed, but nothing will stand in the way of Dylan’s determination to seek justice.
AmazonSwathi’s Review:
The book opens with a frantic emergency call from a witness who reports a car accident (as you can see on the Book Cover! Yep, that’s the one!) where the female passenger couldn’t be saved on scene, and the male driver who has visibly suffered terrible burn wounds is taken to the hospital and is almost unrecognizable. Later we come to know that the car belongs to Detective Inspector Jack Dylan and then it all falls to place. The significance of this fatal accident.
If you think this action packed introduction is enough to drive you nuts, there is more! This accident is somehow going to change Jack Dylan’s Life as the plot takes us 10 days prior to reveal the incidents leading up to the car accident.
Soon, Dylan starts to realise his beloved wife Kay may not be the woman he knew over the years as he learns about her infidelity. And then there is his adopted daughter who drops herself out of the university due to drug use. Meanwhile, two teenage girls have disappeared from home and the detective knows it’s time for time.
If you have read the other books in the Jack Dylan series, then you might have known and loved Dylan and Jen. Here in Poetic Justice you get to actually know both of them, their past, and their evolution through the future books in the series.
As most of us know about Rob and Carol Bridgestock’s extensive real-life crime solving experiences, you can imagine the authentic touches and infinite detailing they have applied to shaping every single chapter into an almost realistic event. Such meticulous attention has been given while portraying a crime investigation that the reader feels as though he/she is a part of the investigation and cannot wait to get it solved in real time!
I think this is where you ought to know more about the authors: http://syllablesofswathi.com/2018/11/28/presenting-rc-bridgestock-authors-of-the-d-i-dylan-series-of-books/
The authors have skillfully mixed up just the right pinch of drama and action along with their own insider knowledge about the police procedurals to create the masterpiece of the DI Dylan series. I was gripped to the book from page 1 and some chapters were heart throbbing while some were really sad. Especially here, Dylan must overcome his own life problems to be a professional crime solver.
Expect to learn a lot about the main characters. Promise, you’ll love them! Even with all the level of detailing, the Bridestocks have managed to keep the pace of the book consistent throughout, making the crime thriller even gripping and un-put-down-able!!
If you are a real fan of crime thrillers, then you MUST ought to read this series starting from Poetic Justice. This is top notch, highly original, sensational writing coming from the authors who have dedicated their lives into crime solving. So, if they are solving a crime in their new book, I am most definitely reading it!!
Many, many thanks to The Dome Press for this amazing book and the opportunity for the blog Tour. I feel immensely proud to be among such incredible bloggers and could only hope I have done some level of justice with my review. Hopefully! But guys, you should hear what my fellow bloggers have got to say! They’re awesome!! 😉
Author Bio:
R.C. Bridgestock is the name that husband and wife co-authors Robert (Bob) and Carol Bridgestock write under. Between them they have nearly 50 years of police experience, offering an authentic edge to their stories. The writing duo created the character DI Jack Dylan, a down-to-earth detective, written with warmth and humour. The ninth book in the series will be published by The Dome Press in 2019, along
with their backlist. A further crime series is presently being scripted by the pair, which has a strong Yorkshire female character – Charley Mann – at the helm.
Bob was a highly commended career detective of 30 years, retiring at the rank of Detective Superintendent.
During his last three years, he took charge of 26 murders, 23 major incidents, over 50 suspicious deaths and numerous sexual assaults. He was also a trained hostage negotiator with suicide interventions, kidnap, terrorism and extortion.
As a Detective Inspector he spent three years at the internationally acclaimed West Yorkshire Police Force Training School where he taught Detectives from all over the world in the whole spectrum of investigative skills and the law. On promotion to Detective Superintendent, Bob was seconded to a protracted enquiry investigating alleged police corruption in another force. He worked on the Yorkshire Ripper and Sarah Harper murder, and received praise from Crown Court Judges and Chief Constables alike for outstanding work at all ranks, including winning the much-coveted Dennis Hoban Trophy.
As a police civilian supervisor, Carol also received a Chief Constable’s commendation for outstanding work.
The couple are the storyline consultants / police procedural on BAFTA-winning BBC1 police drama Happy Valley and series 3 of ITV’s Scott and Bailey, and are presently working with Scott Free Production scriptwriters on two commissioned TV drama series.
Carol started and chaired the Wight Fair Writers’ Circle in 2008, along with Bob, where she created an annual charitable community writing competition to inspire others of all ages. This event has raised over £10,000 for Island charities.
