An absolute cracker of a novel.
Tense, exciting read that was just the right length with a solid start, middle and conclusion.
Two intertwined stories. One was a cat and mouse race and the other a really clever back story that kept you wondering what would happen next right to the final page.
My only regret was that, although this is a great stand alone second novel, I found myself wishing I'd read the author's debut first. For no other reason than I couldn't get enough of him.
So I bought it anyway and am looking forward to a weekend of doing nothing but.
A very well deserved 5 starts and a grateful thanks for the entertainment.

With a particularly gruesome murder as an opener I knew I was in for a great read from the very start. Seriously fast paced I’m not sure I actually drew breath reading this. Great characters that I would love to see more of. Excellent.

Marked by Death#Netgalley
Wow what a story, it’s a fast paced book, and really enjoyable. Truthfully I have not read the first book. This is the first book I have read of Tony Kent’s book. If I had one negative in this book, it’s how a newspaper reporter decides to do her own investigation rather than leaving it to the police, when it leads back to her own front door, to Devlin things became a lot more complicated, in many many ways. If it was left to the police investigation I would have found it to be a little better. But overall a good book, I only wish authors would not let reporters or anyone other than a police investigation. By making it about anyone other than the police a book becomes not as realistic as I personally would have liked. It actually can spoil some books.

Following on from his first book Tony Kent's Marked for Death is an action packed legal thriller that keeps you clicking the pages until the surprise ending.

Michael Devlin is his a QC with a difficult case in front of him trying to defend a man who he thinks his innocent but who won't speak out.

Simultaneously a retired judge is brutally murdered and then a retired lawyer but what is their connection?

The action never stops and will keep you hooked throughout.

Highly recommended

Enjoyed this book and there was a definite twist in the tale! Likeable characters with potential for very interesting back stories, will we see more of them in future?

Marked for Death is a fast paced sometime scary Police Procedural/Court Drama I have not read the first in the series of Killer Intent but I wish I had and will make a point of looking out for it as this is such a brilliant story .It starts with the grisly murder of a retired Lord Chief Justice and the killings don't stop,add in gangland murders and a DCI trying to catch a killer and a QC trying to prove he is worthy of his silks by defending a young man who is on trial for a brutal murder and you have a wonderful .complex and gripping story .DCI Joelle Levy is a great character as is QC Michael Devlin both with interesting backgrounds .This is a very hard book to put down ,I enjoyed it so much and the ending was brilliant .Many thanks to the Publisher ,the Author and NetGalley for my review copy in return for an honest review .

The reader is drawn into this detective thriller right from the outset as Kent opens with an air of tension and horror This recurs throughout the book and is visited upon even those characters we feel can't possibly be affected.
The main characters engage us and carry us through a large number of twists and turns. Even when we believe we know the answers and outcomes Kent manages to surprise and intrigue. Credibility for such a large number of missed opportunities is provided with the plausible background information and explanations.
A really riveting read for fans of detective murder thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Elliot and Thompson for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

It took me longer to get to the review than normal because I had to read Tony’s first book in the series before I could read this one. I’m so glad I did, this series is something else, lots of twists and turns, and plenty of book to get your teeth into.

I really like the characters too, Michael who has a chequered past, and is now a QC knows how to defend himself and is not afraid to do what he thinks right, a man to be admired. His girlfriend Sarah who he met in the previous book, works as a journalist, but she has scruples, and is not such a parasite as a lot of the press. It was the introduction of the new police officer, Joelle Levy, whom I liked immensely, she was not the run of the mill copper, she’d had Israeli training and was just brilliant.

I have to say though, without spoiling it for other readers, the end was no surprise. I had a feeling it would turn out as it did.

I, for one, can’t wait for the next book. Give up your day job Tony, and keep writing these gripping books.

My thanks to Tony Kent, Netgalley and the Publishers for the ARC.

Marked for Death opens with a gruesome murder and plunges straight into the story featuring characters from Tony Kent's previous novel. It is a murder mystery cum police/courtroom thriller packed full of cold case details, gangs and courtroom drama. Three of the main characters, Irish barrister Michael Devlin, Detective Chief Inspector Joelle Levy and American TV reporter Sarah Truman are defined and likeable.

Overall, a thriller with many twists and a great ending.

This book was fast moving and gripping with a believable story (for crime novels) Full of twists and turns, the ending comes as quite a surprise…. One I did not see coming. I will look out Tony Kent's previous novel and look out for any new ones in this series.

The death of a retired Lord Chief Justice would have made the news: his crucifixion dominated it and Detective Chief Inspector Joelle Levy of the Met's Major Incident Team was the person whose job is was to find his killer. She never thought that it would be easy: the Lord Chief Justice had been making enemies in the course of his work for over half a century. It seems unreasonable to suggest that the crucifixion of retired solicitor Adam Blunt might have given her a ray of hope, but surely two such grisly killings cannot be random? All that's needed is to find out what connects the two cases.

News reporter Sarah Truman was covering the case for a major TV network and didn't suspect that her investigations would lead her straight back to her finacé, criminal barrister Michael Devlin. Devlin was totally focused on his current case and didn't understand the implications of what was happening until tragedy struck a close friend and he realised that the people he held most dear were under threat, but no matter what Sarah says, Devlin is determined to see his case through to its conclusion.

It's easy to see connections between author Tony Kent and Michael Devlin. Kent grew up in a close-knit Irish family in London, whilst Devlin was all too familiar with the streets of Belfast. Tony qualified as a criminal barrister at the age of twenty two and both Kent and Devlin are very fit: Kent is a champion boxer. Hopefully Kent doesn't get attacked in the course of his work, but the great advantage here is that Kent brings a level of authenticity to his story, which would be difficult to better. Characterisation is good too, even relatively minor characters come off the page well and stay in the mind.

It's a good story and one that's not easy to put down once you've started reading. I hadn't read the first book in the series but Marked for Death read perfectly well as a standalone, although I do suspect that there might be spoilers for the first book in the series,Killer Intent. This has all the hallmarks of a promising series to follow and I'd like to thank the publishers for letting Bookbag have a review copy.

This is a book that needs to be read at one go. It has a number of story lines all of which are very well integrated. There are constant surprises relating to the main characters who are exceedingly well described. The book is very well written and the relationships between the lead detective,lawyer and journalist are very well deployed in the story. Some readers may find the ending a bit over the top but it actually fits well with the earlier parts of the book. It would make an excellent film.

A gritty and unusual thriller with interesting characters. Revenge and payback are the main themes with lots of twists.

Absolutely enthralling to read! Tony Kent captures you into the story and you feel a part of it. I couldn't put this book down until I had finished it and went through a whole heap of emotions. And ultimately a decent crime novel

Absolutely brilliant - not aa light and quick read but utterly excellent, to the point that I have ordered the preceding book from the library for bot me and my dad. Excellent read - cannot recommend highly enough.

Having read the first book in this series which I thoroughly enjoyed having seen the recommendation on the Zoe Ball book club on TV. This book ticks all the boxes. A page turner from start to finish. I related to the main characters . Can't wait for book look 3! Thank you to the publishers and netballer for allowing me to have an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review and opinion.

Fantastic book! This was fast moving, gripping and pulled me right in. It was a race against time that I felt part of. I loved the characters and will be looking out for the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

I have not the read the first in this series of Killer Intent by Tony Kent, but I really wished I had because this was so good, and whilst there are plentiful references to previous events, it still works well as a standalone. This is a brilliant fast paced thriller which just does not let up on the action front. Michael Devlin is a young QC barrister plagued by insecurites that he has not really earned his silks as he takes the lead as the defending counsel for the young Simon Kash on trial for the brutal murder of two brothers. Michael is convinced he is innocent, a man bullied and threatened, and so unwilling to provide the necessary information that will allow Michael to defend him effectively. Michael's fiance is a Journalist of note, Sarah Truman, and she is covering the explosive story of the elderly Phillip Longman, the former Lord Chief Justice, discovered gruesomely crucified in his bedroom.

DCI Joelle Levy of the London Met is a woman who has previously served with the Israeli security services, a single mother, running the investigation into Longman's murder with her under resourced police team. Pressure increases for her and DI Steven Hale when a gang leader and his close cohorts are killed in what looks like a professional hit. Scrabbling to find any leads, Joelle and her team face the overwhelming task of finding suspects from Longman's long career as a judge. The killer in the meantime has barely just begun, as he targets others in what seems to be a quest for revenge. Joelle and Sarah develop a close personal friendship that allows for them to help each other. Michael is largely oblivious to the killer, absorbed by the trial and his obsession to ensure that Simon Kash is acquitted, that is until it becomes clear that his past is key to what is motivating the deranged and deadly serial killer as tragedy hits close to home.

Tony Kent writes a complex and well plotted story that is intense, and totally gripping that will keep your attention from beginning to end with ease. He expertly ratchets up the suspense and tension whilst juggling the two separate storylines of the criminal trial and a frighteningly scary and menacing serial killer running rampant. The characterisation is well done, Michael is not your usual barrister, his traumatic background and experience ensures he is not going to take the threat to those close to him lying down. Joelle Levy is another character whose background differentiates her from others in the police service, and she too is willing to go over and beyond her role to ensure her own version of justice. This is a fantastic thriller that is both entertaining and compulsive reading. Many thanks to Elliot and Thompson for an ARC.

Yeesh….after finishing this I’m not sure which I need more. A drink or a nap? This is a fast paced thriller with 2 story lines that battle for your attention. At the centre of it all are barrister Michael Devlin & his fiancée Sarah Truman, a well known TV reporter.

Devlin has his hands full after he’s handed a murder trial on short notice. HIs client is a quiet young man unwilling to participate in his own defence. Is he guilty or just too scared to name the real killer?

DCI Joelle Levy also has a murder on her plate. And it’s a doozy. It’s bad enough that someone tortured & crucified an elderly man in his home. Add in the fact the victim was one Philip Longman, former Lord Chief Justice, & the case also becomes a political nightmare. Poor Levy…little does she know it’s about to get much, much worse.

Sarah is initially after the story behind Longman’s death but after a few more bodies appear, the whole mess will become frighteningly personal for her & Devlin.

And then there’s the man with pale eyes…*gulp*…okay, moving on.

Chapters alternate between the 2 main plot lines & both are populated with secondary characters who are mostly cops or lawyers. There are plenty of side stories to keep you occupied as Devlin & Levy work overtime on their respective cases.

Michael & Sarah were introduced in Killer Intent, first book of the series. If you haven’t read it, no worries. The author gives enough background so you can easily get the gist of their past & read this as a stand alone. Levy is a new addition, a tough, smart cop with an interesting background. By the time it was all over, she’d become my favourite character.

My only quibble is that I found 1 story line much more compelling than the other. Devlin’s court case was the weaker of the 2 for a couple of reasons. Long discussions during the trial that detailed technical aspects such as cell phone triangulation soon had my mind wandering. They could have been shorter & revealed the same information. Or it might have something to do with the fact I have the attention span of a hummingbird. The other thing was I guessed early on in the trial just why Devlin’s client wouldn’t talk so those chapters never developed any real tension for me.

But the investigation/hunt for a truly despicable killer definitely kept my little grey cells occupied. As both plot lines reach the finish there are a few surprises in store that will have fans waiting impatiently for book #3.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Elliot & Thompson for an advance copy of Marked for Death, the second novel to feature London based barrister Michael Devlin and reporter Sarah Truman.

When former Lord Chief Justice, Phillip Longman, is brutally murdered in his own home DCI Joelle Levy of The Met is put in charge of the high profile investigation but her workload doesn’t end there when she also has to investigate a gangland massacre. Reporter Sarah Truman is covering the investigations and manages to dig up a few leads herself but the key seems to her fiancé, barrister Michael Devlin who is in the middle of a murder trial.

I thoroughly enjoyed Marked for Death which is basically the hunt for a cold, vicious serial killer. The novel has plenty of violence and is quite graphic in parts which suits the theme but may not be for the faint hearted. It is told from various points of view which requires recalibration on the reader’s part but doesn’t distract from the main narrative except on one point. It is quite a long novel and I felt that it would have been shorter and punchier without the subplot of Michael’s performance in court which doesn’t add much to the reading experience, except possibly in the denouement but by then I didn’t care. The descriptions of cross examinations are tedious and destroy the momentum that the main plot builds up. The main plot, that of the hunt for the serial killer, is excellent with all the tension, action and twists any reader could ask for. It follows a fairly standard format with the detectives looking for a needle in a haystack at the beginning but slowly narrowing their parameters as more information becomes available. I liked their false starts and incisive thinking although I was less convinced at Sarah and Michael’s roles in the investigation.

I like the characterisation of Sarah, Michael and Joelle who are all inherently decent, hard working people. It is always satisfying in a read when the goodies are easily supportable although I would have liked to know more about Michael and Joelle’s pasts which are maybe not as squeaky clean as their current personas suggest.

Marked for Death is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.