The novel begins with a window cleaner sizing up goods through people’s windows so that he can rob them later. It proceeds like one of those British gangster films which are both gritty and entertaining. We are introduced to a number of characters who then end up at a creepy old manor house and what seemed like a straight-forward crime plot then becomes weird. This is the third of Morton R Leader’s books I’ve read and it’s definitely my favourite yet. The only thing I wasn’t sure about was the ending of the epilogue, which I felt needed more development. I don’t want to give much more away, other than to recommend it if you like genre-defying plot-focused books with horrible characters and a very dark humour.

Independently published in 2023.

It begins with a serial killer getting something he didn’t bargain for – an alleged vampire as a victim. The vampire starts to tell his life story. Events go back and forth between the present and the distant past. The chapters also cut to the police, who are closing in on the serial killer. Then the story shifts focus and I won’t give any more away. It’s quite a strange novel, very unpredictable (which for me is always a good thing) with a strongly political sense and a lot of violent action. I have to admit that due to the violence and the historical eras included, this is not my kind of read, yet there’s never a dull moment and it’s not a book I’m likely to forget! The conspiracy element of the novel is chilling and goes right up to recent events. It will certainly make you think.

The book could benefit from more proofreading, as there were quite a few typos, punctuation errors and malapropisms in the text. Not everyone will be as bothered or notice them, however.

Independently published in 2021.