Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

A Violent Gentleman – A Great Debut

Hooked from the prologue, and as an avid reader of thrillers, the most successful books in this genre, pick you up on page 1 and do not let you go until the very end.

The action is O'Leary's very impressive debut thriller novel and is beautifully paced, and the book opens with a bang, keeps you hooked throughout, what adds hugely to this are the nuances of the main character, Jerry and the relationships he forges with his sidekick, Noah.

Jeremiah O’Connell has made the move to the USA. He works as a fixer for the rich and famous and it pays well. He finds that LA is no different to London and Essex in many ways. Drug dealers push their drugs and walk around with a swagger and impunity. One particular gang crosses swords with Jerry, it’s time for payback.

Some of the US ‘misunderstandings’ with Brits are covered and they set the tone nicely. In terms of what Jerry is after though, everything is crystal. Although you never think any different, it’s made clear as the story progresses that this is last man standing stuff.

Jerry has certain 'superhuman' traits and the author has an ability to eschew the obvious. Many of the set pieces within this book just do not end as you would imagine they might on first reading, and this ability to surprise the reader.

This is a great debut, a Jack Reacher type main character, and you are gripped from beginning to end.

Synopsis/blurb ....

He does what's right. Not what's easy.

Jeremiah O'Connell made his name solving problems in London and now does the same in LA. The problems other people can't or won't touch? They're the ones that end up at Jerry's door.

Suddenly Jeremiah has problems of his own when he sets out to right a wrong and finds himself on the hitlist of one of LA's most feared drug gangs.

As the stakes rise, so does the body count, and Jerry has the fight of his life on his hands. Now, with high-class escort Noah in tow, Jeremiah must revisit his old London stomping grounds and assemble his team in order to wage all-out war on the streets on Tinseltown...
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My take...

An enjoyable enough fast-paced read with plenty of action and conflict, as former Essex bouncer-doorman-security guy, Jerry O'Connell, now LA based and mingling in circles of the rich and famous (an elite bodyguard) crosses paths with a drug gang's head honcho. Their confrontation escalates into a battle of pride and testosterone and an unlikely war between Jerry and his Essex mates vs the might of an LA drug gang, with the police interested but mostly sitting on the sidelines.

I liked it, but the whole set-up required a suspension of disbelief. You know what though, I was happy to go with it. Enjoyable exchanges and action scenes with Jerry and several protagonists throughout the book. Jerry's tongue can be as sharp and incisive as his fight moves. He's mostly a good egg and tries to do the right thing, though there's a borderline arrogance about him which isn't quite so attractive. He has a blind spot regarding his family back in England and I'm guessing that may provide some ammunition for a second Jerry O'Connell book from Danny O'Leary. He maybe reminds me a bit of a Jack Reacher, only with roots.

Gangs, drugs, a bit of love interest (maybe), an innocent victim, death, torture, macho pride, cops, cartels, loss of face, a trip to Blighty, recruiting old pals, a Hollywood madam, betrayal under duress, plans, subterfuge, all out conflict and a decent resolution.

Lots to like without ever reaching the heights of magnifence.
Was I entertained, amused, excited, bored when reading? Yes, yes, yes, no. Job done then.

Overall 3.5 from 5

Read - April, 2021
Published - 2021
Page count - 336
Source - Net Galley
Format - Kindle

https://col2910.blogspot.com/2021/05/danny-oleary-violent-gentleman-2021.html

Danny O'Leary writes a fun and entertaining thriller with an underlying sense of humour, it is an enjoyable read, providing you can suspend your sense of disbelief. Set primarily in Los Angeles with a visit to Britain. The central protagonist is Jeremiah 'Jerry' O'Connell, an Essex legend, a lad made good from his humble beginnings as a bouncer, who has moved to the US, establishing himself and making a fortune, diversifying his interests from close body protection, to debt collection and 'problem solving'. In his efforts to do good, Jerry finds himself inadvertently facing what appear to be insurmountable problems of his own after a tragic set of events unfold at Sunshine Heights in the Cedar Tree Neighbourhood, the base of the leader of the CT40 who runs it as his own personal fiefdom, CT40 is the most feared drugs gang in the city.

Ronson Beaufoy is the White Ghost, the personification of evil, a powerful, sadistic, ruthless, and volatile enforcer with a gruesome history of violence, torture and killing that culminated in his blood drenched climb to the top as a drug gang kingpin. Beaufoy cannot comprehend the concept of the sanctity of human life, and eggs on a addled drug addict mother to commit an unspeakable act. After hooking up with the beautiful high class escort, Noah, Jerry is determined that Ronson should pay, the only trouble is everyone he knows is too afraid to join him in his dangerous quest for justice. When he realises he has been betrayed, although not by whom, Jerry has to fall back on his tight loyal crew of 'musketeers', from Essex to help him, which includes the likes of Mad Micky Walker, and YumYum. However, as the body count rises, has Jerry taken on more than he can handle?

This is a fast paced read with plenty of action and suspense, and it is the charismatic Jerry that drives the story, a laid back and down to earth guy with plenty of charm. Whilst Jerry is a good guy, there is no denying that there are many elements of his personality that he shares with Beaufoy, and he finds himself tested to his limits when he comes close to making the kind of mistakes that could challenge his belief in himself as a force for good. This is a crime read for those occasions when you need a straightforward, enjoyable, adrenaline fuelled thrill ride that makes few demands, with a clear cut villain with no redeeming features whatsoever and a Jerry willing to do what is necessary to try and bring him down. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.

Jerry O'Connell is a bodyguard from Essex but now in Los Angeles. he gets caught up in a situation with the most feared drugs gang in L.A. As he tries to do the right thing, events escalate quickly and Jerry struggles for his life. I enjoyed this fast paced book, filled with interesting characters, and I hope there is a follow up. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

A Violent Gentleman is the first book I have read by Danny O’Leary and probably won’t be the last one.

Jeremiah O’Connell aka Jerry is definitely a Violent Gentleman as he sorts out issues in his own unique way but has he bitten off more than he can chew?

The main characters are well drawn and this book was definitely an easy and enjoyable read and I suspect the first in what will become a series

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