Cover Image: Marked for Death

Marked for Death

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Amazingly good legal/ cop thriller. Really fast paced and quite gritty and will keep you guessing all the way. I loved the characters who I hope to meet again, and the domestic glimpses add to the depth of characterisation. There’s a lot going on so don’t even try to pick this up if you are not focusing- the chapters help to keep the strands of the story from entwining but you will need to concentrate!

Bring on the next one please - I can’t wait to read it

Was this review helpful?

A riveting plot, well paced gritty and hard hitting story line well executed by Tony Kent.
Characters so well defined that you feel you know them personally by the end of the book..
Gritty graphic and detailed when called for by the plot.
I will be looking out for the next instalment in the (book) life of Michael Devlin.

Was this review helpful?

This is just a great read...there are two concurrent murder storylines throughout the book, howeber, this is not complicated to follow as the author makes good use of clear language and short chapters to differentiate the streams...there are twists aplenty also.

Was this review helpful?

I have to admit that I struggled to get into this book for some time as there seemed to be so much going on and so many characters but it all.suddenly clicked into place and I then found it an absorbing read. The storyline has what is a good mix for me, strong characters, court room drama and chilling murders - what more could you want. The investigation of the initial murders takes a few twists and turns with a race to find the killer before he strikes again. When one of the key characters helps to reveal the killers identity by admitting a past lie that could finish his own career the pace picks up as the police realise who the next victims are likely to be. A further twist at the end makes this a really thrilling read.

Was this review helpful?

Wow, what a fantastic book this was to read. Full of lots of twists and turns you never saw coming at all. It really gripped you in and I didn't want to put the book down until I had finished it - the sign of a good book!

Was this review helpful?

I found this book a bit of an anti climax and the storyline a bit boring. I enjoyed the fact that the QC had a troubled background and not your typical ‘privately educated’ man. Other than that, I really didn’t enjoy it at all. It took me 3 weeks to finish this book.

Was this review helpful?

This is a fast paced, thrilling murder mystery. Two threads run side by side, leading to a complex plot. The characters are interesting and credible. Very gory in parts, but it's possible to skip by those parts. I did!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely loved this book as a side note I just finished it today and even before I finished I would have gone into Durham today to meet Mr Kent and get both his novels that's how much I was enjoying and ultimately enjoyed this book.

This book kept me guessing from beginning to end and I'm sure I annoyed the missus with my sitting on the edge of the seat and getting right into the story and panicking over the safety of some of the characters

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good action thriller just don't confuse it with the Seagal film (there's no vodoo in this one haha).

Was this review helpful?

Loved this book! Storyline moved along smoothly and quickly and kept me interested all the way through. Clean and tight storyline worked really well and I could easily see this working as a TV series. Will definitely read others from this author.

Was this review helpful?

A superb thriller with depth of both story of characters and intelligent writing – really classy stuff. Lawyer Michael Devlin and journalist Sarah Truman were featured in the author’s previous book Killer Intent, but the book stands extremely well alone if you’ve not yet read the previous one.

There are quite complex interwoven storylines. Barrister Michael takes centre stage in a courtoom drama that stands out as one of the best in its genre, but at the same time becomes caught up, with Sarah and detective Joelle Levy, in a series of horrific murders that seem to be related and are eventually also revealed to be linked to a part of Michael’s past life that he is not too proud of and would rather forget. Along the way, people they care for find themselves caught up in the drama and Michael must wrestle with his own guilt and demons from the past. None of this is dealt with in a trite way, nor are we presented with the 'token flawed hero' that seems to be quite fashionable now; instead, we are given complex characters that we can invest in.

Tony Kent is, I believe, up there with the best of them and has shown himself able to handle murder, mystery, courtroom drama as well as personal characterisation and relationships with great skill. I really look forward to hearing more from him in the future.

Was this review helpful?

Wow! A fast paced roller coaster ride right from the first chapter! This follow up to Killer Intent did not disappoint. Thrills and courtroom drama, well researched and a fantastic plot. A very easy 5* from me. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC. Reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and Facebook.

Was this review helpful?

An edgy fast paced thriller, which sees barrister Michael Devlin dealing in his own inimitable way with a vicious vengeful killer, whilst battling in court to prove the innocence of his young client of a brutal unrelated murder. The plot and the subplot run seamlessly alongside each other and we are introduced one by one to the plethora of dark and violent characters, whom reside in the murky underbelly of London. As friends and associates of Michael start to die around him, he battles to find out who the perpetrator is and why Michael himself and his family are the ultimate targets of his rage. Filled with shock after shock, you will be gripped by this tale of terror and twists. Just when you think it's over, there's another twist at the end, which will leave you gobsmacked. I am patiently waiting for the next one from this author.... but the first instalment of Michael Devlin's story is a must first! I seem to have missed out and this needs to be rectified!

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely brilliant read, enjoyed from start to finnish, well written and keeps you guessing through intricate plot. Full of twists and turns,will be looking for more by this author.

Was this review helpful?

A grisly murder of a high profile figure, a gangster released from prison and we are into a story which is really difficult to put down. The temptation to read ‘just one more chapter’ is so strong it had me reading late into the night.
This is the second novel with Sarah Truman and Michael Devlin but it stands alone as a story and requires no knowledge of the first. The twists and turns of the plot are very clever and deliver a fantastic narrative. Thanks to netgalley and Elliot and Thompson for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest opinion. I’m now going to buy the first novel to get Devlin’s backstory.

Was this review helpful?

It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I got going it was difficult to put down. I haven't read the first in the series, and while there are references to the happenings in it, this is a stand-alone story, and I didn't feel prejudiced in any way. The main characters are all very relatable and well-developed, and the storyline unfolded in a natural and easy manner, without being forced or contrived. I really enjoyed Tony Kent's writing style, and will look for the first and future books in the series.

My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for this honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This is a fast-paced action-packdx story which is never tedious or boring with excellently written characters and a brilliant plot. The author is an expert juggler , he has several sub plots going on at the same time but manages to "keep all the balls in the area". The action fairly bowls along but the reader is never foxed but just kept gripped.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book! The storyline was gripping, the sub-themes beautifully plotted and the inclusion of an ex-Shin Bet operative as one of the senior police officers a clever expansion of the theme.

The characters were well-executed, in some cases almost literally. The villain of the piece was suitably manic and terrifying, and the hero of the day, shielding a shady past, revealed his inner dark side. I thought the development of the characters played out well, and the writing flowed well., with more than sufficient twists and turns, dead-ends and false trails to satisfy any amateur sleuth.

I thought the ending was compelling, though a little anticipated, and the desire to read more was immediate.

I highly recommend Tony Kent's writing, and I am now a fully-paid up fan!

Was this review helpful?

Marked for Death is the second novel in the series written by Tony Kent. Unfortunately I haven’t yet had the opportunity to read his first novel, but the author skilfully filled in some of the important gaps in the ongoing story without giving too much away.
Kent has a excellent writing style that grips the reader right from the start of the novel. There are some very gruesome and violent scenes, that I found strangely engrossing which greatly added to the pace of the novel.
Clearly the author understands the intricacies of the British judicial system and the inner workings of the Old Bailey – London’s Central Criminal Court. I particularly enjoyed the complexity of the legal ethical issues. All the protagonists faced interesting ethical issues in the novel, including the Scotland Yard DCI Joelle Levy and the news reporter Sarah Truman. The relationships between the various characters were quite intriguing, and at times puzzling.
A surprising twist in the last chapter rounded off the book in such a manner that the next book in the series looks inevitable. I will definitely read any future novels by this author, as well as catch up on the previous book in the series. Jack Reacher has a unlikely rival!

Was this review helpful?

I would like to thank Netgalley for a copy of this book however I don't really like to give negative views, but it did start well and thought this is going to be a good novel, but after the 1st few chapters it seemed to wander in places and the characters could have done with a bit more polish. I have given 3* but I felt that it was pushing it a bit, it seemed that the QC bit of a big head obviously has won some very important cases before went off on a tangent and I did wonder at one time whether there were 2 novels in one, and to tell the truth both novels with a bit more to it, rather than waffle would have made for great reading, however as the story was about the Presiding Judge and the rest of the court personnel from a murder case from 14yrs ago would have been a great story on its own without some barrister going off in court completely threw me.could not wait to finish it, very disappointed.

Was this review helpful?

Edge of your seat reading. Full of twists and turns. Once you think you have it figured out it totally changes and plunges you around another corner at top speed. Buckle in. It's going to be a bumpy ride. Happy reading!

Was this review helpful?