Member Review

A great follow up to “The Chemist” which I suggest you read first as it is a clever and compelling book which sets out the background of Idris and Rebecca who are the lead characters in “The Kingpin”
Idris is a pharmacist who runs a chemist near the notorious Mews, a violent estate in Bradford where he provides methadone for the addicts and medicines for all the residents. He has committed some serious crimes in order to save Rebecca as well as himself, he has killed some evil men using his skills as a chemist but he is now being blackmailed by a dying policeman who wants vengeance on some equally awful villains and he is using Idris as his hitman! Complicated?!!
Throw into this mix an evil drug lord that is making many lives a misery and a newly released criminal- Idris’s drug dealing and murderous brother and this book turns into an explosive and fast paced thriller which is difficult to put down.
Idris is a great character, flawed, committing murder but supposedly for the right reasons- the men deserve to die- but it takes its toll. He just wants to disappear with Rebecca but first he has to have the money and it’s only his skills as a chemist and his innate intelligence that can help him.
The last page of the book left me wanting more and I could tell that another one would be on the way soon!
I really liked how Idris used his knowledge of “Chemistry” to get out of trouble- it was clear that the book had been written by someone who knew a lot about the subject! All the “kills” were ingenious and as the victims were all so unsavoury the reader feels little sorrow at their demise.
Definitely a five star read for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.