Wow! This is the 3rd book in the series and I absolutely devoured it. I am desperately hoping that the series continues. There is so much going on in the story but it never gets over complicated. The book touches on so many topics from politics to drug use and it all blends together in such a real gritty way. The characters are brilliant and Jo Howe has got to be one of the strongest, smartest main characters I’ve ever read. Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. If the author happens to see my review can you please write a 4th book! I highly recommend this book and the series. A massive 5 stars from me.

Thanks to Graham and NetGalley for allowing me to read City on Fire before the publication date.

This is the 3rd book in the Jo Howe series which I have read and it is definitely a page turner. The story has a number of topical and controversial issues which you might find to be thought provoking.

In this book, Graham dives into the murky criminal underworld of the Brighton and Hove community, revealing how many of the criminals hide behind a mask of respectability, able to influence, buy, blackmail or use their connections to achieve their own agenda.
It is a page turner and I will not give away any spoilers.

It begins with the funeral of Phil Cooke, a former Chief Superintendent and later PCC, who was convicted of Misconduct in Public Office and Conspiracy to Murder.

It ends with a funeral… but whose funeral?

Operation Eradicate is a pilot project which takes a multi-agency approach to the drug related problems in Brighton and Hove. Controversial, it has not been universally accepted, not least by the chair of Respite Pharmaceuticals, who sees the operation as a threat to the company profits which rely on a never ending stream of substance abusers being prescribed their medication.
In the space of a few days, several people are killed or injured.

What links the victims is their connection to Eradicate.

I love reading UK crime novels! This had suspense and tension that built throughout, it really kept me gripped all the way through.

My thoughts about Graham Bartlett’s City On Fire. I must say, Graham Bartlett’s 3rd book in the Chief Superintendent Joe Howe series, is a riveting crime police procedural thriller that left me utterly captivated from start to finish. This series has all the elements of a true masterpiece. Writer Graham Bartlett once again proves how to create an outstanding book. It is a shining example of how a well-crafted story is, well written characters, and skilled of a writer he is, he also writes hard hitting characters and suspense to create a gripping narrative that lingers in your mind. The biggest strengths lies in its intelligent handling of various themes that resonate deeply with the reader’s minds. The character development is nothing short of brilliant. Graham Bartlett’s City On Fire story begins with after losing her sister to a drug overdose, Chief Superintendent Jo Howe is desperate to tackle the world of drugs that consumes the shadowy backstreets of Brighton. Operation Eradicate is her response, deploying undercover tactics to collapse drug circles while also providing treatment services to victims of drug abuse. But not everyone sees this as a positive development .The man behind Respite pharmaceuticals, billionaire Sir Ben Campbell, views Operation Eradicate as a threat to his business. His colossal empire relies on burgeoning numbers of addicts who survive on their substitute drugs. With connections in the highest levels of government, media and organised crime, Sir Ben unleashes a brutal counterattack on Jo. The question is, how will she survive this fierce onslaught. Overall Graham Bartlett’s City On Fire has undoubtedly earned its place among the best crime police procedural thriller’s of all time. This series is a testament to the power of storytelling and the immense talent of Graham Bartlett’s writing. City On Fire is one of the best books to come out in 2024. I would like to say a big thank you to author Graham Bartlett and publishers Allison And Busby, for kindly letting me read and review this brilliant book on netgalley, which I’ve enjoyed reading. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥💥💥