The Filth

Usually when a book states on its cover "Exposes the secrets Scotland Yard never wanted revealed” or something similar, I find that it is just a ploy to get you to read/purchase it but here it really is true. Some of the secrets make me wonder how this is legal and I can certainly see why Scotland Yard would have an issue with it. Having read up a little on Mr MacLaughlin and being someone who does not readily trust institutions such as the police, I can also understand it from his point of view.

The title "The Filth" should give you some idea of MacLaughlin's opinion of his fellow officers and as a fan of true crime, I knew I had to give this a go. It did not disappoint! Now I do realise that some of you may think he is merely using the pejorative term or slang for police in the UK but there's no doubt in my mind after reading this that this is in fact MacLaughlin's opinion of his ex-colleagues.

There are sensational and really quite disturbing claims that officers from the Yard's Drugs Squad and the Regional Crime Squad stole drugs, paid phantom informants and fabricated evidence. That is just for starters. Some of it is shocking and I urge anyone who decides to read it to go in with a completely open mind.

An excellent and exciting read. Whether the information is true or not is up for debate. What I do know is that the police are certainly not whiter than white, as they would have us believe. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to Thistle Publishing for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Duncan MacLaughlin has truly seen London at it's worst. Starting as a young in the Metropolitan Police Cadet Corps (MPCC ) up the ladder to Scotland Yard, was an adventure, that we readers won't soon forget. When I think Scotland Yard, I think Jack the Ripper, but it is so much more. Hearing about all the cases, he worked was fascinating. With fellow officers, an informant with gold teeth and the animal cases (you have to read about it), make this a great book for all you police buffs. I loved reading about it. I received this book from Net Galley and Thistle publishing for an honest review and no compensation otherwise.

I am amazed that the author has not been offed by a government hitman for the level of secrets he’s revealed in THE FILTH. Mesmerizing and unputdownable!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy, in exchange for my true review.

#TheFilth #NetGalley

The title of Duncan MacLaughlin’s book, “The Filth,” hints that there are going to be massive, earth-moving secrets revealed about Scotland Yard. Upon completing the book, however, readers will discover this is more of a collection of anecdotes.

The Filth is actually a term used to describe CID (Scotland Yard), one that Mr. MacLaughlin states that detectives who reach that pinnacle “…wear the epithet like a badge of honour.” The author earns his position with this team a little past halfway through the book. The preceding chapters talk about his years growing up before moving on to his training and hiring as a police constable. The last half of the book deals with his time at Scotland Yard.

While I was entertained, I couldn’t help feeling that the promise of the book was never fulfilled. I did not find the huge, dark secrets I expected, and most of the items revealed have been included in movies and television shows for decades before this book was published. As a somewhat entertaining collection of personal stories the book is okay, though anyone connected with any part of law enforcement (and I speak from personal experience) will amass a pile of humorous and dangerous tales. These anecdotes are best shared in the local pub, especially when surrounded by others who can intimately relate and have no problem understanding why dark humor permeates every facet of the retellings.

Originally published over 15 years ago, “The Filth” is well-written and Mr. MacLaughlin shares his thoughts along with the different experiences he relates. Readers may not find a treasure trove of never-before-revealed facts, but they will gain some knowledge of the personal relationships as well as the thinking processes of the men and women working to keep the streets safe for everyone else. Four stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Thistle Publishing for an advance complimentary Kindle copy of this book.

A great read from childhood hero for Dad to becoming one as an adult. Tour de force story through the streets of London.. Highly recommended

The title of the book (The Filth) is the term used to describe the CID (Scotland Yard) and the detectives who have reached this high point in their careers are mighty proud of this nickname. I’m As they should be because it’s not until about halfway through the book until Duncan gets there.

I think this was a good book. I felt like I was sitting in a pub chatting with Duncan over a few pints (actually it would have to be a lot because it’s a fairly long book). It begins with him as a young lad with touching stories of his mum and dad. Then onto his own story and his rise in the police force, and finally the elite squad. There are funny stories and sad stories but nothing really shocking and I think that’s more to do with the fact that we’ve become more desensitized to violence of any kind. All in all a good inside look at London’s police force.

This was a very enjoyable and informative read about a boy who grows up wanting to be a Metropolitan cop with an eye towards becoming an elite detective with Scotland Yard. It follows along his journey, first showing how his father was a shining example for him, being a medic and green beret in the royal marines who helped guide his path. He applied and was accepted at age 16 for training to be a Met cop. His only disappointment was that he had to spend an extra year doing schoolwork to take that path. He wasn’t all that fond of schoolwork and really wanted to get on with real life stuff, but if that’s what he had to do, he guessed he’d have to put up with it. He did well and became the youngest new copper. He was assigned an experienced partner to show him the ropes for 2 weeks, then he was on his own walking a beat. Plenty of drinking involved after work, it seems. He had the usual car accidents, treed cats, and other calls to attend, and more than does his part. Next he moves on to undercover work and this ends Part One.

Part Two is his big move up when he passes his exam and into the big time, CID also known as The Filth. This is when he becomes a detective and works on more serious cases such as murders, drugs, kidnappings. He also goes for more specialized types of training, working his way up the ladder at Scotland Yard. Overall, it’s an entertaining read about his time in their service, and I think most would find it enjoyable for this kind of book. I don’t think he gives away any earth-shattering insider info, as he wouldn’t be allowed to for security reasons, but it doesn’t take away from the readability of it :-) My thanks for the advance electronic copy provided by Netgalley, authors Duncan MacLaughlin & William Hall, and the publisher for a fair review.

Thistle Publishing
Pub: Aug 23rd, 2018

I have had an interest in true crime and forensics for many years and even considered working in a crime lab when I was younger. That never came to fruition but my son is now a police officer and I love hearing all about the arrests he makes and the cases he's working on. After working at the department for a year he became officer of the month in June of this year. With my fascination with crimes it was only a natural I would read this book. Absolutely fascinating read.
In his more than two decades career, Duncan MacLaughlin worked his way up to the Central Drug Squad and the Regional Crime Squad - Britain's equivalent of the FBI. This man wasn't afraid to tell the inside story of what really went on in the departments and name names ? You better believe he did. I'm surprised he hasn't been knocked off with the information he has revealed . I know what my son went through in the academy and am familiar with the going on's of his work now so I am nodding my head yes as the author is describing what he went through. Fascinating book!
Pub Date 23 Aug 2018
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Thistle Publishing through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own

The Filth is a re-issued book from 2002 about the life and career of undercover cop Duncan MacLaughlin. Just as a few years ago it seemed that membership of the SAS came complete with a book deal on leaving there is currently a glut of books about undercover policing. of varying quality. The Filth is one of the better ones,it doesn't gloss over the rule-breaking and often law-breaking of a minority the boys in blue and their are tales of planted drugs, disappearing evidence and many other incidents of misdemeanours or outright criminal behaviour
The cover and the title would suggest a gung ho account of Maclaughlin's undercover role but it's basically his life story and a good insight into the reality of policing in the Met from the humble plod to the special forces training of the elite squads. "Mac" was brought up by an inspirational man and his early life was far from conventional and while others have criticised it taking up so much of the book I enjoyed it as much as the "police stuff".
A good story well told and plenty of snippets that were food for much speculation but the laws of libel obviously meant couldn't be mentioned specifically,who was the coked up TV weather-girl?.,the "household name" footballing drug dealers? ,and could Formula 1 really be being used a front for criminal behaviour by certain parties?
A great read and bearing in mind the original edition was published in 2002 it left me wondering if MacLaughlin was the inspiration for Stephen Leather's "Spider shepherd" ,who first appeared in print 2 years later and inhabits a very similar world to that of Maclaughlin's undercover days.

Big thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC copy in return for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed are mine,others are available.

A true eyeopener into the daily workings of men and women who risk their lives and limbs, and sometimes their minds to protect and serve, in the line of duty. As the name rightfully says the filth finally revealed in a brash and surreal way. This memoir had the facade of a crime thriller making it an interesting and entertaining read. I like the presentation of this book, I truly felt like I was reading a crime thriller. It grips your attention mesmerizing you with its finely tuned facts.

This is the first fact based book i have read in a long time and it really is an excellent read which i finished in 2 days.Based on the police life of Duncan MacLaughlin it starts with a look into his early family life and how he grew up which is at times quite funny.The second part of the book is based around his time in the police force from his beginnings to his rise up the ranks until his eventual departure.The book is very well written and gives you a fascinating insight to how the police work and also into some high profile cases that he worked on,it is at some times quite a funny book but also quite sad in other areas (Broadwater Farm riots) for one,all in all a great read that i really enjoyed.

If you ever wanted to know the secret ps and the if, why and how Scotland Yard then this is the book for you. I was sucked in by the variety of knowledge that you read about and also what the author has seen and been through in the line of duty with the Met.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Thistle Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read ’The Filth’ in exchange for my honest unbiased revi .

Gripping, thrilling and un-put-downable. Its quite amazing that this book has been allowed to be published. A real eye opener
We need more true stories like this.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

Duncan MacLaughlin, 40 years old and a police officer all his life, is one of the elite. SAS-trained for special missions, his expertise was in surveillance and undercover work that could have got him killed at any moment. The dangerous tightrope he walked included cases involving master criminal Kenneth Noye, kidnap victim Julie Dart and the slaying of PC Keith Blakelock. He also penetrated drug cartels and nailed the ruthless barons who control them. Filled with black humour, exotic slang and facinating investigative detail that only an ex-copper could reveal, Duncan's story provides an rinsight into the world of major crime.

My Thoughts :
4.5
Humorous at times as well as serious ,especially when he talks about the case that he worked on and about the people he worked with. With that said I would like to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it in change for my honest opinion.

Duncan MacLaughlin gives us an insight into the workings of the met and Scotland yard-a volatile, thought-provoking insight into the men & women who try to keep our country safe in the line of duty. Recommended for those with an interest into the workings of the police.

Very interesting though not my cup of tea. I'm not going to rate spoons because well, I feel like .. since this isn't something I usually read it's not fair to rate. Downloaded from Netgalley in exchange for free review full of my opinions. [rated here cos you have to]