Chaos and mayhem abound is probably the best way to describe the fast actioned Kill With Kindness by Ed James which is the latest in his Fenchurch series. 

The story is fast moving as Fenchurch and colleagues try to solve the murder of a local teacher who us found dead in a hotel room.  The twists, turns, red herrings and dead ends appear in abundance hence the chaos and mayhem description of this police procedural.

I hadn't read any of the previous books in the series but the hints provided made me want to read them as well

A thoroughly recommended book

Plenty of suspense and plots and twists and turns, but for me something was missing...... not for me but maybe someone else will enjoy it ....

I would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of Kill with Kindness, the fifth novel to feature DI Simon Fenchurch of the Met.

Fenchurch is at the funeral of his late boss when he is sent to a murder scene. A young woman has been found dead, handcuffed to a bed in a posh hotel. The handcuffs make it murder and the state of the body suggests poison. When she is identified as Gayle Fisher, a teacher who has recently made headlines for an affair with a pupil, the suspect pool narrows considerably.

I thoroughly enjoyed Kill with Kindness which is an engrossing read with a bit of everything, personality clashes, personal drama, popular culture, twists and some interesting subplots. Fenchurch is working his case with an influx of deadly, extra strong drugs and a spate of acid attacks in the background but, as he digs deeper the cases start to overlap. I like the way Mr James incorporates these topical themes, not forgetting the teacher/pupil sex angle, into his narrative, making it modern and relevant in a readable way, rather than baffling the reader with all sorts of technical jargon and detail as most authors do. 

There is rarely a dull moment in the novel, whether the reader is trying to puzzle out who did what and why (it's a given that all suspects and witnesses are hiding information, if not lying), getting caught up in the plentiful action or fretting over Fenchurch's baby son who is in intensive care. The plot unfolds gradually as Fenchurch and the team dig deeper and deeper, although much of it comes about by his freelancing on apparently unconnected side issues. 

Simon Fenchurch is an interesting protagonist who always has something going on. In earlier novels it was the hunt for his kidnapped daughter, Chloe, but now that's she has returned to the fold it is his seriously ill son, Al. He is not the angry, blinkered man he once was unless the subject is Acting DCI Dawn Mulholland, now his boss and personal bête noire. Their interactions are tempestuous. I must admit that I don't think this is one of the best novels in the series as Fenchurch seems all over the place and undisciplined. This is blamed on his worry about Al so it probably accurately reflects his state of mind, unfocused but makes for a bit of a messy read. Mr James has, however, set his bar very high so it is still a very readable novel.

Kill with Kindness is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Another gripping instalment in this series with the return of a good cast of characters and a healthy dose of dark humour.

Another great read from Ed James, with a few twists and turns before the real killer is unveiled. Alongside this, DI Fenchurch also has his own personal story aside from his efforts to crack the case. I always find his books to be gripping and I'm pleased to say that this one was no exception! I couldn't wait to get to the end and find out what had really happened. 

I have read each of the previous books in this series, although this one could easily be read as a standalone book. There are references to things that have happened in the previous books but there is background included so you won't feel that you've missed anything vital if you come to this one without having read the others.

James is at the top of his game with another great Fenchurch outing! Great character development and plot.

As a keen reader of Ed James’s other books .I was looking forward to reading this fifth book in the DI Simon Fenchurch series. 
In this book ,Fenchurch has to deal with a gritty murder of a young teacher set within the deceit lies and seedy world of drug dealing in the bars and streets of East London . whilst having to deal with a major turmoil in his personal life .
 It didn’t disappoint James at his gritty best ,a  hard hitting police thriller from the first chapter to last with plenty of twists and turns  on the way.

Another great book from Ed James in the DI Fenchurch series. I have read all the books in this series and although this could be read as a stand alone the reader would be best to read the previous four . They will not be disappointed! These stories are horribly realistic and show a disturbing picture of life in our capital city. Couldn’t put this one down.... brilliant.

Enjoyed this book, though I found it slow at first, but concluded in the usual Ed James way, excellent and not knowing the killer until the end.  I have read all Ed James's books and thoroughly enjoyed them.

Kill With Kindness the latest in the DI Fenchurch series is yet another triumph for Ed James,who has once again produced a real page turner with plenty of suspense and plot twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat.Although this is part of a series I think it could be read as a stand-alone as there is sufficient background information provided.
I would again like to thank Netgalley and Ed James for the advance copy and look forward to Fenchurch 6.