Once A Killer by Murray Bailey

 

Once A Killer
Murray Bailey
5 Stars

Pages: 372
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Historical
Published: 01 June 2022
Publisher: Heritage Books



Publisher's Blurb

He changed his identity.
He moved to Hong Kong.
He changed his life.
But can he change who he really is?

Charles Balcombe, sophisticated, risk-taking lothario was a special investigator. He thinks that taking a PI job to find a missing boy will distract him from is urges. But once a killer...

Review

Ex Special Investigator Charles Balcombe, aka Blackjack, is a killer. His justification for his murderous habit is that they all deserved to die. Changing his name and relocating to Hong Kong to avoid the authorities, Balcombe needs a distraction.

Hanging out with the rich and powerful denizens of the British dependent territory and supplying ‘services’ to many of their wives Charles is becoming bored.

When one of the wives introduces him to Grace Toogood who is desperate for someone to help track down her missing son Roger, he decides to accept the case. Maybe this is the distraction he needs, or will it just feed his need to kill?

Readers of Murray Bailey’s Ash Carter series will notice a darker line with the anti-hero Blackjack in this spin-off series starter.

Successfully blending a suitably murky lead character with a collection of fantastic supporting roles, including a great new double act of Detective Munro & pathologist Yeung, plus Balcombes new rickshaw riding sidekick put ‘Once A Killer’ firmly into the Unputdownable category.

An absorbing plot with all of Mr Bailey’s customary twists, turns and misdirection make this one you’ll not want to miss, or should I say it’s Toogood to ignore.


Buy on Amazon



The Author

Murray Bailey was always interested in writing and, at an early age, had articles published in newspapers, including the Times. Despite studying Physics and Mathematics and pursuing a very different career, he also edited a magazine for a year as well as a batch of technical books.

After 10 years of scribbling, in 2016 his first published novel was I Dare You. He went on to demonstrate his passion for ancient Egypt and puzzles in his novel Map of the Dead. However the Singapore series featuring the ex-military policeman Ash Carter was a labour of love and based on his first unpublished story that eventually became Singapore 52.

Born in Greater Manchester, England, he gradually moved south to reach the beautiful Dorset coast where he lives with his wife and family. Having young children and an all-consuming passion such as writing doesn’t leave much free time, but when he does take a break, he enjoys running, cycling, kayaking and building sandcastles with his children.


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