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Death's Push: A Prequel Novella
When PC Tomek Bowen discovers the body of one of his closest friends dangling from Southend Pier, his is dragged into a deadly underworld where very few come up from the surface
107 pages, ebook
Published January 1, 2023
4 people want to read
About the author
Jack Probyn
182 books109 followersI’m Jack Probyn, and I write murder mysteries and crime thrillers set in England. I studied Creative Writing at the University of Surrey and have always been fascinated by storytelling, particularly the dark and twisty kind.
I’m the author of the DC Jake Tanner series and the DS Tomek Bowen series, both packed with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists. When I’m not writing, I enjoy building LEGO, solving sudoku puzzles, and occasionally going snowboarding. I live in England with my partner and our British Shorthair cat, Tommy.
I’m the author of the DC Jake Tanner series and the DS Tomek Bowen series, both packed with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists. When I’m not writing, I enjoy building LEGO, solving sudoku puzzles, and occasionally going snowboarding. I live in England with my partner and our British Shorthair cat, Tommy.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 22, 2025
I'd seen an advert on social media for Jack Probyns novels, and they'd peaked my interest a bit as they're based in and around the area where I live and have grown up, that being south-east Essex. The first novel has been on my Amazon wishlist for a while but I'd not got round to buying it. But then I saw that by joining Probyn's mailing list I'd get this prequel novella for free, and I thought it'd be a good way to try out the series without any expenditure!
So with being more than familiar with the locations, especially the pub and nightclub mentioned in the story, it really helps to picture how and where it would take place. But then it also means that I'd pick up on any discrepancies too, of which there's one or two, nothing major but when you know something isn't right, it sticks.
That aside, it's a good introduction to Tomek Bowen and his life, poor guy has a bit of a shock to the system in this, certainly starts with a bang for him. Tomek comes across as an interesting character, and one that will no doubt grow and make for some entertaining tales over the books. The chapters are short and sharp, it's quick and easy to read, it's not taken long to get through the 100 plus pages and 25 chapters, but it's just a start. While this wasn't a debut for the author, it feels as though there's bigger and better to come, that this isn't quite close to their best work. But that's just how I've seen it.
It's a solid start, and it's reminded me to actually buy the first book and read that, but I'm definitely hoping for more. 3/5 from me.
So with being more than familiar with the locations, especially the pub and nightclub mentioned in the story, it really helps to picture how and where it would take place. But then it also means that I'd pick up on any discrepancies too, of which there's one or two, nothing major but when you know something isn't right, it sticks.
That aside, it's a good introduction to Tomek Bowen and his life, poor guy has a bit of a shock to the system in this, certainly starts with a bang for him. Tomek comes across as an interesting character, and one that will no doubt grow and make for some entertaining tales over the books. The chapters are short and sharp, it's quick and easy to read, it's not taken long to get through the 100 plus pages and 25 chapters, but it's just a start. While this wasn't a debut for the author, it feels as though there's bigger and better to come, that this isn't quite close to their best work. But that's just how I've seen it.
It's a solid start, and it's reminded me to actually buy the first book and read that, but I'm definitely hoping for more. 3/5 from me.
Displaying 1 of 1 review