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A Reason To Kill

(DI Matt Barnes #1)

Michael Kerr

3.81 · Rating details · 1,878 ratings · 103 reviews

Following a gangland assault on his life, DI Matt Barnes is determined to track down his would-be assassin, Gary Noon, an evil, sadistic psychopath, hired by the crime boss he was trying to put away, Frank Santini.This is the first in the DI Matt Barnes series of books.

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Kindle Edition, 384 pages

Published January 21st 2013 by Head Nook Books

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· 1,878 ratings · 103 reviews

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Sep 04, 2014 Maureen rated it really liked it

Non -stop action, very gruesome details ( not for everyone ), suspense, it's all here. Michael Kerr has a way of grabbing your attention and not letting go,even though sometimes you wish you could break free, such is the level of violence. There's the mob to deal with, contract killers,( one of whom is a psychopath) and bent cops, so what's new you might ask? Well nothing,apart from the fact that the author spent over 20 years in the prison service, no doubt coming into contact with some very un ...more

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Sep 13, 2017 Denise rated it liked it

Shelves: own, read-2017

London police have been trying for a long time to put mob boss Frank Santini behind bars, and now they have a witness willing to testify against him. Not willing to risk that, Santini sends a contract killer after the witness who success in taking out his target, most of his protection team, and a witness besides. DI Matt Barnes barely survives the hit and is determined to get the man who had his colleagues murdered - but when the hitman learns that he left survivors, he has no intentions of let ...more

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Apr 16, 2015 Heidi Whurr rated it really liked it · review of another edition

(Spoiler alert)

Fantastic. A real page turner. I loved most things about this book including the characters. A lot of other negative comments here focus on the fact that Michael Kerr didn't develop his characters, but I disagree with them. I think he did develop his characters enough for this kind of book. I'm not reading a Jane Austin novel, I'm reading a crime thriller and Kerr used his page space brilliantly. I understood all of the characters, their motives and I liked most of them and was r ...more

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Mar 25, 2014 Avid Reader rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Dreadful writing. Awful.

Author seems to have once read a 'how to write' book and mistook an exercise in character motivation for the finished novel. Every interaction is trite and the over-explaining of everyone's inner thoughts now has me giggling.

I am reading to the end though. Go ahead, judge me. ...more

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Feb 09, 2014 Rachel rated it liked it

A fast paced, slightly disturbing psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns.

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Jun 30, 2017 Roddy Williams rated it it was ok

Shelves: murder-mystery

DI Matt Barnes is part of a team assigned to protect a witness scheduled to testify against one Frank Sartini, a mob boss. Little do they know that a schizophrenic hitman is holding a couple next door hostage and in no short time shoots them, poses as the husband taking the dog for a walk and then slaughters everyone in the safe house apart from Matt, who is left for dead with a shot up leg.
The hunt is on for the killer who soon realises that Matt and the wife from the neighbouring house have su ...more

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Jan 08, 2015 Elaine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book is that guilty-pleasure you just cannot stop reading!

Matt Barnes breaks that archetype of the middle-aged detective who drinks too much and is so emotionally scarred he can barely function. Instead, Matt is a young, breath of fresh air that restored my faith in British crime fiction. Furthermore, I enjoyed the realism that Kerr injected into Matt’s injuries. In films, and a lot of books, when someone gets shot in the leg they dig it out with a pair of pliars and just carry on going li This book is that guilty-pleasure you just cannot stop reading!

Matt Barnes breaks that archetype of the middle-aged detective who drinks too much and is so emotionally scarred he can barely function. Instead, Matt is a young, breath of fresh air that restored my faith in British crime fiction. Furthermore, I enjoyed the realism that Kerr injected into Matt’s injuries. In films, and a lot of books, when someone gets shot in the leg they dig it out with a pair of pliars and just carry on going like the terminator. Matt’s injuries are a big theme in this novel and I appreciated the authenticity given to them.
“Seconds passed. He felt dizzy and sick to the stomach. Glanced down to see bloody bubbling through the denim of his jeans. An artery. Jesus! He needed help, and fast. If he passed out, he knew that he would not wake up again.”

Matt spends the majority of the book in a full leg cast which lends a certain humility to an otherwise tough character. I think this was an interesting direction to set off in and watching him try to overcome his injuries, both physical and emotional, really kept my interest.
“Having elected to take a cab to the scene, Matt needed to climb three flights of stairs about as much as he needed a brain tumour. Even with the cane, he only made it up to the top with the help of Pete Deakin.”

The other broad theme tying the plot together is that of allowing life to pass by without consideration. It take’s the injury to make Matt realise what he has and what he is lacking. In this, he is attracted to a similar soul and so ensues a very naturally progressing romance element. However, I do fear that Beth may become too much of a damsel in distress character in future novels but that is just a feeling.

“Matt and Beth locked eyes, read volumes in each others gaze, and were then together, embracing. Matt found her lips with his and tenderly kissed them. He could smell the freshness of her. Far better than lipstick or perfume. Au naturel.”

On the flip-side, the antagonist character, Gary Noon is identified quickly and the story is told from his viewpoint at several junctures. I don’t know whether the fact that the author has worked in the prison service has anything to do with it but this character really made my skin creep. Nicely done, Mr. Kerr.

“It was his mother’s voice speaking. She was dead, but had taken up residence in his head – which was a crowded place – where so many voices were a constant static, background noise.”

Whilst the storyline is absolutely five star, it was not without its flaws. I felt as though the book may have originally been intended to be set in the USA. Police officers were referred to as ‘cops’ throughout and though this does happen in the UK it is far more common to call them ‘coppers’. This was a small but slightly irritating detail as it took away some of the cultural authenticity. Finally, the book could definitely have been more atmospheric as, aside from a few London suburb names, setting was almost absent.

However, all things considered, I was astonished by this book. For a kindle freebie, it connected with me on a basic, storytelling level. So much so that I could see right through the shortcomings. I am now, excitedly reading the second DI Matt Barnes novel and looking forward to seeing him in real copper mode without his leg encased in full-leg-cast!
...more

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Feb 01, 2014 Jack rated it really liked it

This is the first DI Matt Barnes book I've read, and I think I like it.

A hit man is hired to kill a mob guy giving state's evidence (or whatever the UK equivalent is) against his boss, a Teflon-coated gangster who has long eluded law enforcement's grasp. The stool pigeon is in witness protection, but with a police officer on the take in the employ of said slick mob head, he's not really safe. The hit man strikes, killing the canary, four of the officers keeping watch, two neighbors, and nearly k ...more

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Dec 27, 2013 Amy rated it did not like it · review of another edition

I read mysteries recreationally, but even there I require a certain level of skill and originality in writing and ideas, even if just a skillful reworking of familiar themes. I found none of these qualities in A Reason to Kill. Rather, a string of cliches laid end to end, both in event and expression. A collection of tropes and stereotypes gathered from the most simplistic U. S. crime dramas packaged thinly in the U.K., this author creates characters with no more depth than paper dolls.

I hate gi ...more

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Sep 11, 2013 Donna rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-ebook

If you like crime thrillers you will like this one. its definitely a case of good cop/bad cop/nasty bad guys.
there is a lot of violence a bit of sex and a lot of pent up emotion.

really quite good and I would read more from this author.

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Jul 24, 2016 Pam rated it it was amazing

This is one of those books that grips you tightly and won't let go, its straight into a fast moving story, and that's how it stays right to the end, through all its twists and turns, its a thoroughly good read. ...more

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Mar 04, 2014 Dawn Caddell rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

First book from this author, and I have to say will defo be reading his books again. Gripping from start to finish. A blooming good read...

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Oct 09, 2017 Carina rated it it was ok

Shelves: crime-thriller, 2017-reading-challenge

I actually finished this book a couple of days ago but chose not to review it immediately as I really wasn't sure what I thought of it. I hoped some time to mull it over would help... unfortunately not.

So, for one thing. I finished the book early Saturday morning, and promptly forgot I had read or finished it until Sunday. I know I read some dross at times, but I don't think I have ever read a book that is quite so forgetable before!

The characters I felt to be rather bland, they don't stand out I actually finished this book a couple of days ago but chose not to review it immediately as I really wasn't sure what I thought of it. I hoped some time to mull it over would help... unfortunately not.

So, for one thing. I finished the book early Saturday morning, and promptly forgot I had read or finished it until Sunday. I know I read some dross at times, but I don't think I have ever read a book that is quite so forgetable before!

The characters I felt to be rather bland, they don't stand out from the crowd - and in the crime/thriller genre there are a lot of reasons to want to stand out. There was a good effort at rounding them out but it came across more as an attempt as opposed to creating a reality.

I found the hitman to be rather stereotypical. It seems that a lot of serial killers have some sort of psychological problem that authors seem to take to the extreme to create what feels like a caricature as opposed to someone who could be living next door. His easy belief in the therapist felt more like a plot device as opposed to something that would happen based on previous interactions.

The psychologist was... naive to my mind. Her intelligence was shown in the things she owned but it never felt like she was intelligent - or it came across as an after-thought!

Matt, our lead, our hero... he did feel realistic if you ignore the falling in love with a woman he'd met maybe 3 times previously and have spent a couple of hours with. Wait, did I say love? Surely I mean lust! His ability with a gun, and his physical limitations felt realistic (for the most part... not sure about driving with a busted leg - even for the person you love).

The 'mob'.. well, think of five stereotypes for cartels or mobs and I bet you they were all covered off in this book.

In terms of the plot, this was pretty by the numbers as well. There are some minor changes but I bet you can get this plot in a lot of other books of this genre. The part with the second hitman I found particularly redundant. Could have saved a few minutes of reading time and a handful of pages by just deleting that entire sub-plot. It wouldn't change the story in any way.

This author also fell into a trap that I particularly dislike. DROPPING IN A MAJOR HINT AT A POTENTIAL FUTURE THREAT - because that'll draw me in to read any sequels.... in my case the opposite effect has been achieved.

I didn't find this book to be a waste of reading time, it killed time on the train and I was clearly invested enough to read it on the weekend but... not a book series I'd knowingly pick-up in the future. ...more

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Sep 28, 2020 Phil Stutt rated it did not like it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 16, 2019 Michelle rated it it was amazing

This was a good solid book. The premise is all about revenge when a hit man attacks a mob target and takes down some Police who stand in his way. The only survivor is DI Matt Barnes who seeks revenge. I liked the development of the hitman and there was a good display of his mental health issues. I would say that the ending was fairly predictable and on the whole, the American Mob thing just seemed to be a little out of place in this English set novel - british gangsters would have sufficed. Bit ...more

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Jun 15, 2017 Anita Hargreaves rated it it was amazing

Mark Gillingham worthy

This was a rollercoaster of a book with a mentally unstable hitman targeting both victims, cops and even his employees This man has no moral compass and doesn't do it for the money. In fact he would be an asset to the SAS. Gripping read and you want him to get his comeuppance. I thought DI Matt Barnes an honest, likeable Bruce Willis type hero and this author was imaginative and exciting. ...more

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Dec 22, 2017 Kavita Favelle rated it liked it

For me, this is an ideal book for reading during a bus or train journey, or in an airport waiting lounge. It's well written, has nicely paced plot development and the characters are interesting enough. It's not one of those books that leaves you astonished at the plot, or makes you feel really connected to the characters, or thinking about it days after you finish it, so I think 3 stars is a fair score, but it's an enjoyable read. ...more

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Feb 08, 2018 John Thys rated it it was amazing

Spectacular

This is the first book I've read by this author and as it was free on Amazon I thought I'd give it a go I'm glad I did I starts off with a hit man doing his job and killing all in sight and carries on with murder and mayhem all the way through with a Di Matt Barnes trying to track down the paid assassin so as to save his own life it's a riveting book with a spectacular ending looking forward to the next installment now
...more

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Apr 30, 2018 Lexie Conyngham rated it really liked it

There’s terrific tension in this police procedural, well-placed on the noir scale, with most of a police unit being gunned down early on and the murderer a nasty piece of work in several directions at once. I wasn’t wholly convinced by the main character’s (I mean Matt Barnes’, not the villain’s) romantic attachment and not keen on the time spent on it, nevertheless the characters are interesting and for the most part sympathetic, and the plot moves relentlessly.

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Apr 26, 2020 Neal Russell rated it it was amazing

Good & gripping plot.!

Found this to be a very gripping read with lots of intrigue & intensity! Kept me wanting to keep reading avidly to get into.the characters & plot that it was creating- sure, there is plenty of graphic & gratuitous violence within the dialogue but it was in my opinion validated given the context of this novel!
A very enjoyable & engrossing read I would recommend to any potential reader of this genre of fiction!

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Jun 07, 2017 Sam rated it it was amazing

Gripping

This story gripped me from the beginning! It came across as though you were living it as you were reading it.
I sat in bed at nights reading and because I couldn't put it down before I knew it was 3am.
I am looking forward to reading DI BARNES books and hope they are as good,and hope Beth is his wife? ...more

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Sep 27, 2018 Paula D rated it it was amazing

Page turner

A fascinating insight into the life of a hired hitman. His attention to detail and fastidious fore planning and ability to seem harmless in his daily life is intriguing. Matt Barnes survives a hit and is now a loose end to tidy up. The action doesn’t let up and the characters make you care what happens to them. A great read.

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Sep 09, 2018 Annette rated it it was amazing

Grabs you from the first page to the last, why have I only just discovered this brilliant author. It's everything a crime thriller should be with a great storyline and strong characters. I will definitely be following up with the second in the series. ...more

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Sep 18, 2018 Robert Hinder rated it really liked it

Enjoyed

First book of series as so often the lead Detective has his own flaws he has to deal with as well as catching the killer on the loose,good storyline,Interesting make up of characters will definitely move on with DI Matt Barnes

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Dec 07, 2018 Susan rated it really liked it

While protecting an informer, DI Matt Barnes, becomes the only survivor of a hit on his team and the informer. The hitman, Gary Noon, has been employed by Frank Santini, crime boss. Apart from Barnes there is another witness . Can Noon get to the witnesss first.
A fast-paced enjoyable thriller

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May 16, 2017 Tim W rated it it was amazing

Cliched and a bit old fashioned, but good fun.

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Jul 27, 2017 Hilary. Mccarthy rated it really liked it

An easy to read ,enjoyable crime thriller.
Liked the writing style and the detective Matt Barnes.
Good plot which kept one guessing .
Will look out for other books in series.

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Sep 09, 2017 Charlie Durell rated it really liked it

Pretty good read. Its exciting and fast paced from the start. A bit predictable towards the end but still enjoyable.

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Apr 01, 2018 Kathy Watts rated it it was ok

This book seemed to have an interesting plot line, however, by the end I was skimming thru just to finish.
Disappointingly, the plot was limited in its ability to hold my attention.

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Apr 24, 2018 Jan Robbins rated it it was amazing

Reason to Kill

WOW what a fast paced page turner! Loved this book and author. Could not put it down. Looking forward to reading more from Michael Kerr

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About Michael Kerr

Michael Kerr

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I write the type of original, action-packed, violent crime thrillers that I know I would enjoy reading if they were written by such authors as: Lee Child, David Baldacci, Harlan Coben, Michael Connelly and their ilk.
Over twenty years in the Prison Service proved great research into the minds of criminals, and especially into the dark world that serial killers - of who I have met quite a few - freq ...more