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Powell #1
Trafficking
Trafficking is big business and those involved show no remorse, have no mercy, only a deadly intent to protect their income.
Afina is a young Romanian girl with high expectations when she arrives in Brighton but she has been tricked and there is no job, only a life as a sex slave.
Facing a desperate future, Afina tries to escape and a young female police officer, who comes to her aid, is stabbed.
Powell’s life has been torn apart for the second time and he is determined to find the man responsible for his daughter’s death.
Action, violence and sex abound in this taut thriller about one of today’s worst crimes.
Afina is a young Romanian girl with high expectations when she arrives in Brighton but she has been tricked and there is no job, only a life as a sex slave.
Facing a desperate future, Afina tries to escape and a young female police officer, who comes to her aid, is stabbed.
Powell’s life has been torn apart for the second time and he is determined to find the man responsible for his daughter’s death.
Action, violence and sex abound in this taut thriller about one of today’s worst crimes.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2015
382 people are currently reading
945 people want to read
About the author
Bill Ward
9 books177 followersBill’s love of reading commenced at a very young age. He credits his Gran for encouraging his interest by regularly taking him to the local library after primary school. At boarding school, when the lights went out in his dormitory, he was often encouraged by the other boys to tell stories. English Literature was always his favourite school subject.
A long and successful career in IT saw him live and travel all over the world. With hindsight it was the start of his writing fiction but they were called business proposals in those days! Having always enjoyed different cultures, the one life lesson Bill has learned is “wherever you go you will find good and bad people. This is not determined by colour, race, religion or country.”
Bill has finally fulfilled his lifelong ambition to become an author and has now written nine thrillers including seven in the best selling Powell series.
Bill lives near Nottingham, UK with his German wife and has seven daughters, a son, a stepson, three horses, a dog, two cats and two rabbites! When he’s not writing he’s probably watching his football team West Brom, who he has now been supporting for over fifty years!
A long and successful career in IT saw him live and travel all over the world. With hindsight it was the start of his writing fiction but they were called business proposals in those days! Having always enjoyed different cultures, the one life lesson Bill has learned is “wherever you go you will find good and bad people. This is not determined by colour, race, religion or country.”
Bill has finally fulfilled his lifelong ambition to become an author and has now written nine thrillers including seven in the best selling Powell series.
Bill lives near Nottingham, UK with his German wife and has seven daughters, a son, a stepson, three horses, a dog, two cats and two rabbites! When he’s not writing he’s probably watching his football team West Brom, who he has now been supporting for over fifty years!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
December 9, 2019
Set in Brighton, we have the usual story of a young woman who has been brought into the UK with the promise of a job, only to find that job does not exist but she must repay the people who have trafficked her.
Trafficking is the first book in the Powell series and he is the hero who helps the victim. Powell has luck on his side as he has plenty of money plus he has special skills and contacts he developed from his previous job with MI5.
Although the trafficking of sex slaves is a serious issue, this story is told in a jolly way. I imagine Bill had great fun writing the sex scenes in his story. I found the sex and the characters very entertaining, there was something for everyone, lesbians included.
Although Afina, the young woman from Romania was the victim, she was also very lucky in the people she bumped into. The two lesbians she met along the pavement just bent over backwards to help her. These strangers did not point her in the right direction but took her under their wings. Powell with his flash BMW car simply doled out the cash without question. Powell could also with the odd phone call get a lot of help with no questions asked. But although Afina and Powell are lucky, don’t let this lack of realism spoil your enjoyment of this story.
I enjoyed Trafficking and found it light, easy reading. I thought the plot was average and the pace good. Having recently had our car serviced and was offered fixed prices for different jobs which could be done, it made me smile that Bill included a full tariff of rates charged in a brothel. I liked this extra detail as it added perspective to the story.
Yes, there is misery about sex slaves all around the world but Trafficking is a jolly GOOD read that gets 4 stars from me.
Trafficking is the first book in the Powell series and he is the hero who helps the victim. Powell has luck on his side as he has plenty of money plus he has special skills and contacts he developed from his previous job with MI5.
Although the trafficking of sex slaves is a serious issue, this story is told in a jolly way. I imagine Bill had great fun writing the sex scenes in his story. I found the sex and the characters very entertaining, there was something for everyone, lesbians included.
Although Afina, the young woman from Romania was the victim, she was also very lucky in the people she bumped into. The two lesbians she met along the pavement just bent over backwards to help her. These strangers did not point her in the right direction but took her under their wings. Powell with his flash BMW car simply doled out the cash without question. Powell could also with the odd phone call get a lot of help with no questions asked. But although Afina and Powell are lucky, don’t let this lack of realism spoil your enjoyment of this story.
I enjoyed Trafficking and found it light, easy reading. I thought the plot was average and the pace good. Having recently had our car serviced and was offered fixed prices for different jobs which could be done, it made me smile that Bill included a full tariff of rates charged in a brothel. I liked this extra detail as it added perspective to the story.
Yes, there is misery about sex slaves all around the world but Trafficking is a jolly GOOD read that gets 4 stars from me.
December 18, 2015
Trafficking by Bill Ward is a novel delving deep into the seedy underbelly of the most shameful of human practices: the international human sex trade. This is a dark subject that is recommended for mature readers only.
Afina, a young naïve Romanian girl with dreams of making a better life for her and her family, accepts a job abroad in England. However, upon arriving in the British Isles, the girl’s life as she’s known it is snatched away from her. The promised job proves to be a sham. Her passport and money is confiscated and Afina is thrust into the role of unwilling sex slave.
As her situation grows dire and hopeless, a light appears in the guise of help, setting into motion tragic circumstances that will lead to Afina’s eventual freedom.
Trafficking is a solid thriller from the very beginning, filled with enough suspense to keep readers turning those pages. The characters are fully formed and alive throughout this story. Those with a heart toward the sufferings of others will find an easy compassion for the main character and her plight.
Ward’s work is a prime example of just how good indie published books can be. If you’re into well-told stories filled with heart-pounding suspense, you’ll want to add this one to your Kindle or book shelf.
Afina, a young naïve Romanian girl with dreams of making a better life for her and her family, accepts a job abroad in England. However, upon arriving in the British Isles, the girl’s life as she’s known it is snatched away from her. The promised job proves to be a sham. Her passport and money is confiscated and Afina is thrust into the role of unwilling sex slave.
As her situation grows dire and hopeless, a light appears in the guise of help, setting into motion tragic circumstances that will lead to Afina’s eventual freedom.
Trafficking is a solid thriller from the very beginning, filled with enough suspense to keep readers turning those pages. The characters are fully formed and alive throughout this story. Those with a heart toward the sufferings of others will find an easy compassion for the main character and her plight.
Ward’s work is a prime example of just how good indie published books can be. If you’re into well-told stories filled with heart-pounding suspense, you’ll want to add this one to your Kindle or book shelf.
August 14, 2016
When you realize the difficult nature of the subject matter at the beginning of Trafficking, you’ll also recognize the extreme expertise required to handle it. A gullible woman desperate for work accepts an offer for hire abroad, only to find herself a sex slave within hours of arriving in a foreign country. She knows no one, has her passport and money taken from her, all avenues of escape cut off, and is summarily turned inside out in the most horrific manner possible. As if the crime of being treated as a sex slave isn’t injurious enough to the soul, feeling the sheer terror of being in her situation with no hope of escape was far worse. And feel it I did.
Her escape comes at a steep cost, the death of a police woman who tries to rescue her. When Powell whose daughter it was that was killed is drawn into her case, the momentum of the page turning just accelerates.
Not just the lead characters are well developed, but the smaller characters leap off the pages as well. What’s more, the bad guys are terrifying without being stereotypes, or one-note, as is the greatest weakness in this particular genre. Just how vividly everyone is portrayed is one of the things that seers the haunting scenes portrayed in the book into your mind. You won’t just be rooting for Alfina and Powell, you’ll be confronting their demons in your nightmares right along with them.
This isn’t just an excellent, taut thriller. It’s a tour de force. I say that coming off two prior books by this author which were remarkable in their own rights, but he’s managed to take his game up another level with this latest offering. Sadly five stars is as high as I’m allowed to rate this one, which makes it hard to measure the improvement over the last five star review I gave him. Suffice to say, in a genre thick with competition and no shortage of excellent writers, Bill Ward still manages to make a lasting impression. I’m guessing you’ll be like me, eagerly awaiting the next installment of the franchise before you’ve even set this one down.
Her escape comes at a steep cost, the death of a police woman who tries to rescue her. When Powell whose daughter it was that was killed is drawn into her case, the momentum of the page turning just accelerates.
Not just the lead characters are well developed, but the smaller characters leap off the pages as well. What’s more, the bad guys are terrifying without being stereotypes, or one-note, as is the greatest weakness in this particular genre. Just how vividly everyone is portrayed is one of the things that seers the haunting scenes portrayed in the book into your mind. You won’t just be rooting for Alfina and Powell, you’ll be confronting their demons in your nightmares right along with them.
This isn’t just an excellent, taut thriller. It’s a tour de force. I say that coming off two prior books by this author which were remarkable in their own rights, but he’s managed to take his game up another level with this latest offering. Sadly five stars is as high as I’m allowed to rate this one, which makes it hard to measure the improvement over the last five star review I gave him. Suffice to say, in a genre thick with competition and no shortage of excellent writers, Bill Ward still manages to make a lasting impression. I’m guessing you’ll be like me, eagerly awaiting the next installment of the franchise before you’ve even set this one down.
November 20, 2017
Trafficking (Powell Book 1) revolves around a scary, disgusting, and often forgotten real life issue. This is definitely not a story for anyone considering themselves a prude. The plot is intricate and the characters well developed, so much so I was quite upset with Mara for her attitude toward human trafficking. At certain turns in the plot it did seem like things went just a little too easily for Powell, but I loved all the descriptive fight scenes. All in all, this is a fast paced thriller which pulled me in from the first scene.
November 5, 2017
Exciting, easy to read and definitely kept my reader interest. I just don't like when the book doesn't have an ending and you have to purchase the next book to find out. Maybe I'm the only one that feels this way but this is why I gave 4 stars instead of 5.
March 17, 2015
This one was gripping enough that I read it in one session.
In the backstreets of Brighton, right under the nose of ‘normal’ society, young Afina, lured to England with the promise of a regular job, finds herself under the heel of the sex-slave trade. The prospect of escape looks bleak, until hope arrives from an unexpected quarter...
Be warned, the descriptions of day-to-day experiences of women who have been prostituted are not for the faint of heart, but the strength of the story justifies this. Besides, I hate it when a writer ‘wimps out’.
If you liked the ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ books, but not so much when Larsson went off on one of his tangents, you’ll like this. If you liked the film ‘Taken’, the one with Liam Neeson, you might like it as well. Personally, I can assure you that if the author makes good on this one being the first in a series, I shall definitely be reading the others too.
In the backstreets of Brighton, right under the nose of ‘normal’ society, young Afina, lured to England with the promise of a regular job, finds herself under the heel of the sex-slave trade. The prospect of escape looks bleak, until hope arrives from an unexpected quarter...
Be warned, the descriptions of day-to-day experiences of women who have been prostituted are not for the faint of heart, but the strength of the story justifies this. Besides, I hate it when a writer ‘wimps out’.
If you liked the ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ books, but not so much when Larsson went off on one of his tangents, you’ll like this. If you liked the film ‘Taken’, the one with Liam Neeson, you might like it as well. Personally, I can assure you that if the author makes good on this one being the first in a series, I shall definitely be reading the others too.
May 3, 2015
Don't judge the book by the first chapter! It's kicks into gear and becomes a compelling read after that...
At first, I was a bit dismayed as I read the first chapter. It was very much a case of "tell" vs. "show" with barely a dialogue tag to be found. But once I pushed past it into the second and third chapters, the book took off and never let go. A pulse pounding thriller with great characters. Ward's Powell will be one to watch.
This is a hard topic - and not for the faint of heart - but the story was presented with a good balance of explicit content to convey the gravity of the situation while not being gratuitous.
I was quickly drawn into both worlds, Afina's as the girl duped into slavery, and Powell's as the former MI5 agent out to bring to justice his daughter's killer. The secondary characters are equally as well drawn and compelling. The plot is clever and fast-paced. I couldn't put it down, finishing it in a day.
Very much worth the read!
At first, I was a bit dismayed as I read the first chapter. It was very much a case of "tell" vs. "show" with barely a dialogue tag to be found. But once I pushed past it into the second and third chapters, the book took off and never let go. A pulse pounding thriller with great characters. Ward's Powell will be one to watch.
This is a hard topic - and not for the faint of heart - but the story was presented with a good balance of explicit content to convey the gravity of the situation while not being gratuitous.
I was quickly drawn into both worlds, Afina's as the girl duped into slavery, and Powell's as the former MI5 agent out to bring to justice his daughter's killer. The secondary characters are equally as well drawn and compelling. The plot is clever and fast-paced. I couldn't put it down, finishing it in a day.
Very much worth the read!
March 22, 2015
Normally I would not pick up a book that has so much coarse language and sex in it, but this book has a worthy cause behind the addition of such content.
Based solidly on one of the world’s worst crimes, this thriller sucks you in from the beginning. There is always an attraction to read about such horrific crimes like sex trafficking. Young girls are lured in by false pretense of honest jobs awaiting them in a safer country like England. However, once they reach their ‘promised land’ their world falls apart from day one under ruthless ruling of their trappers. Completely snared, there is no escape. If they do, their families are then under threat of death or worse.
Ward has done a great job of keeping the reader’s interest strong. He has finished the book well, yet left enough open for the next in the series.
Based solidly on one of the world’s worst crimes, this thriller sucks you in from the beginning. There is always an attraction to read about such horrific crimes like sex trafficking. Young girls are lured in by false pretense of honest jobs awaiting them in a safer country like England. However, once they reach their ‘promised land’ their world falls apart from day one under ruthless ruling of their trappers. Completely snared, there is no escape. If they do, their families are then under threat of death or worse.
Ward has done a great job of keeping the reader’s interest strong. He has finished the book well, yet left enough open for the next in the series.
October 9, 2017
Setting: Brighton, UK, present day. Great introduction to Powell, a former MI5 operative attempting to live a peaceful life, running a bar in Brighton. But when his only daughter, a serving police officer, is stabbed to death trying to save a girl on the run from Romanian sex traffickers, Powell's desire for revenge causes all his training and abilities to rise to the fore once again as he goes in search of his daughter's killers... Great read and glad I already have the next two books in the series. It's a shame however that the proofreading let this Kindle edition down - a few minor glitches are probably acceptable but repeatedly referring to a 'threesome' as a threesum' was especially annoying. Still a 9/10 for me.
April 10, 2015
It’s been a long long time since I read a thriller – probably not since John Grisham years ago.
Looking across the shelves it’s been westerns (fact or fiction) for me for some time.
Saying all that, I really enjoyed this novel.
In Powell the author has created a character that the reader empathises with as he faces up to the terrible situation presented to him.
While attempting to get to the persons responsible he stumbles across the awful business of trafficking.
Following the central character as he strives to punish the guilty while doing his best to rescue the victims makes for a great, roller coaster, read.
I’d certainly be more than happy to sit down with any follow up!
Looking across the shelves it’s been westerns (fact or fiction) for me for some time.
Saying all that, I really enjoyed this novel.
In Powell the author has created a character that the reader empathises with as he faces up to the terrible situation presented to him.
While attempting to get to the persons responsible he stumbles across the awful business of trafficking.
Following the central character as he strives to punish the guilty while doing his best to rescue the victims makes for a great, roller coaster, read.
I’d certainly be more than happy to sit down with any follow up!
November 17, 2017
Human trafficking is happening all around us. Women from all around the world are being stolen or tricked into the prospect of a job or a better life in other countries only to find out when they get there, the the only job waiting for them is in the form of becoming a sex slave. To be used in brothels or even sold into the hands of another.
Bill Ward show us the dark side of human trafficking and the steps that a young girl, Afina, will go to just to stay alive and hopefully one day be freed.
Bill Ward show us the dark side of human trafficking and the steps that a young girl, Afina, will go to just to stay alive and hopefully one day be freed.
February 22, 2015
I loved this book, especially the characters of Afina and Powell. The author has done a great job with these and the other characters, which makes for an emotional and exciting read. The basic subject matter is the terrible crime of human trafficking and there is a fair amount of sex in the book but there is a great plot, which moves along quickly making this a real page turner.
This is the first book in a new series featuring Powell, who I really enjoyed so I look forward to the next book!
This is the first book in a new series featuring Powell, who I really enjoyed so I look forward to the next book!
November 29, 2015
I really enjoyed this book not my usual choice. Good build up of suspense and lots of clever plot turns that kept me guessing right up to the end. Some of the content is brutal but all too believable. The author did a good job of balancing the story and I look forward to reading more of Powell's adventures.
December 30, 2019
I knew what I was getting myself into when I purchased the book, I knew it was about trafficking which meant there would be plenty of sex and violence etc, it comes with the turf unfortunately.
But I wasn't prepared for the few surprises that Ward had woven into the story. I won't give anything away here but 'Danny' was a nice touch, didn't see that one coming. Great read.
But I wasn't prepared for the few surprises that Ward had woven into the story. I won't give anything away here but 'Danny' was a nice touch, didn't see that one coming. Great read.
February 20, 2018
This was a very powerful book! The subject matter was definitely not easy to deal with at times as it shows sex slavery and people trafficking in all its brutality, however, it’s one of those stories that needs to be told to bring attention to what is unfortunately still taking place in the world today.
Afina is a young girl from Romania who jumps on the opportunity of traveling to England when a friend of a friend offers her a position in a bar. Of course, once she arrives in Brighton and gets raped by her new owner and his accomplice on her very first night there, it becomes clear that her real job will be far from an innocent position of a bartender. Refusing to put up with such a fate, Afina runs away, and that fateful night that proved to be deadly to a young police officer who tried to protect her, unravels a chain of events that kept me on the edge of my seat while I was biting my nails and rooting for the characters.
I could easily connect with Afina’s character as she definitely comes across as a strong, resilient young woman and not a victim of such horrible circumstances. Powell was another wonderful central character, who immediately gained my affection and admiration for not only his abilities but also his personal traits. He is one of those men who get things done not for recognition but to actually save innocent lives, and this made me respect him even more. His own tragic life story was extremely sad to read about, but the fact that he remained in full control of his emotions even when facing the men who are guilty of his daughter’s death speaks volumes about his professionalism.
I absolutely loved this story, and I already can’t wait to read the rest of the series. Highly recommended to everyone!
Afina is a young girl from Romania who jumps on the opportunity of traveling to England when a friend of a friend offers her a position in a bar. Of course, once she arrives in Brighton and gets raped by her new owner and his accomplice on her very first night there, it becomes clear that her real job will be far from an innocent position of a bartender. Refusing to put up with such a fate, Afina runs away, and that fateful night that proved to be deadly to a young police officer who tried to protect her, unravels a chain of events that kept me on the edge of my seat while I was biting my nails and rooting for the characters.
I could easily connect with Afina’s character as she definitely comes across as a strong, resilient young woman and not a victim of such horrible circumstances. Powell was another wonderful central character, who immediately gained my affection and admiration for not only his abilities but also his personal traits. He is one of those men who get things done not for recognition but to actually save innocent lives, and this made me respect him even more. His own tragic life story was extremely sad to read about, but the fact that he remained in full control of his emotions even when facing the men who are guilty of his daughter’s death speaks volumes about his professionalism.
I absolutely loved this story, and I already can’t wait to read the rest of the series. Highly recommended to everyone!
June 20, 2018
A Fictional Story Based on Fact Depicting Child Exploitation
I was quickly drawn into Affina's story and was deeply moved by the amount of degradation and fear she had to undergo at the hands of her traffickers. If this story had been fictional & written from the ramblings of someone's mind it would have been a sad, but compelling read. However, it is even more depressing to think that that this could be happening to a youngster in our society today. I applaud Mr Ward for tackling such a difficult subject.
This is one story that will never be forgotten and will stay with me for many years to come.
I was quickly drawn into Affina's story and was deeply moved by the amount of degradation and fear she had to undergo at the hands of her traffickers. If this story had been fictional & written from the ramblings of someone's mind it would have been a sad, but compelling read. However, it is even more depressing to think that that this could be happening to a youngster in our society today. I applaud Mr Ward for tackling such a difficult subject.
This is one story that will never be forgotten and will stay with me for many years to come.
November 12, 2017
Goodread
I really enjoyed this book. I was a little saddened at the ending of the story but I see that this book is titled Powell Book 1 so I am looking forward to Book 2. Judith Ward
I really enjoyed this book. I was a little saddened at the ending of the story but I see that this book is titled Powell Book 1 so I am looking forward to Book 2. Judith Ward
October 2, 2017
Trafficking was a brilliant, gripping read. Afina, a young Romanian girl, is lured away from Bucharest with the promise of a better life in the UK. As soon as she arrives in Brighton, her dream turns into a nightmare as she is forced into prostitution. An attempt to escape ends with tragic consequences and brings Powell (an ex-MI5 agent) into her life. Together they must find a way out...
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written, fast paced and full of unexpected twists. Fast-moving thrillers tend to overlook character development, but Trafficking is the exception to the rule. I loved getting to know Afina and Powell, and Mara is full of surprises. If this was a film, she would definitely get an Oscar for best supporting role. This was my first book by Bill Ward and it definitely won't be the last.
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written, fast paced and full of unexpected twists. Fast-moving thrillers tend to overlook character development, but Trafficking is the exception to the rule. I loved getting to know Afina and Powell, and Mara is full of surprises. If this was a film, she would definitely get an Oscar for best supporting role. This was my first book by Bill Ward and it definitely won't be the last.
October 14, 2016
Trafficking is the first Bill Ward book I've read, but it certainly will not be the last. When I pick up thrillers by these indie authors like Ward or Ken Fry, my immediate thought is, do they measure up to the blockbuster thrillers by the likes of Ludlum, Davin or Clancy? So far, I can only answer a resounding YES, to that question. There are so many incredibly talented indie authors out there and I'll put Bill Ward up there with the best of them, now.
Trafficking is not a pretty story. It is hard, gritty and at times, painful to read. Not because it is not well-written, but because Ward manages to bring the suffering and pain of the modern-day sex slave business, right up into our faces. This book is not for the faint of heart. The violence is graphic and the sex, equally so, but it portrays the real to life situation, so many young girls, especially from Eastern Europe, face on a daily basis - lured to England with the promise of jobs only to be used and abused; sold as chattels. It is a horrific industry and Ward captures its evilness and hopelessness, superbly.
In this story, Afina, from Romania travels to England expecting to be working in a bar, only to find herself a forced prostitute and available for whatever degrading and humiliating treatment the customers or her "owners" require of her. Afina is determined to escape and with the help of a retired ex-MI5 operative, Powell, schemes to bring this evil empire down.
Trafficking is one of those books that is hard to put down and before you know it, you've reached the end and are left wondering; what next? Fortunately, Ward has written four "Powell" books to date, so I have no doubt, I'll be diving into book number two, very soon.
An absolute winner and highly recommended by this reviewer. 5 Stars without a doubt. Great work, Mr Ward.
Trafficking is not a pretty story. It is hard, gritty and at times, painful to read. Not because it is not well-written, but because Ward manages to bring the suffering and pain of the modern-day sex slave business, right up into our faces. This book is not for the faint of heart. The violence is graphic and the sex, equally so, but it portrays the real to life situation, so many young girls, especially from Eastern Europe, face on a daily basis - lured to England with the promise of jobs only to be used and abused; sold as chattels. It is a horrific industry and Ward captures its evilness and hopelessness, superbly.
In this story, Afina, from Romania travels to England expecting to be working in a bar, only to find herself a forced prostitute and available for whatever degrading and humiliating treatment the customers or her "owners" require of her. Afina is determined to escape and with the help of a retired ex-MI5 operative, Powell, schemes to bring this evil empire down.
Trafficking is one of those books that is hard to put down and before you know it, you've reached the end and are left wondering; what next? Fortunately, Ward has written four "Powell" books to date, so I have no doubt, I'll be diving into book number two, very soon.
An absolute winner and highly recommended by this reviewer. 5 Stars without a doubt. Great work, Mr Ward.
August 25, 2015
As I do judge a book by its cover (it's a good first indication of the author's aesthetics) I was looking forward to read this novel. I'm glad I did. it's a very good work.
The writing is very mature, intelligent and technically accomplished. The author seems to touch the pulse of his readers and knows well what they want.
Powel, who dislikes being called Mr Powel, is a retired MI5 operative who runs a bar these days. But the murder of his daughter commands if not revenge, at least justice. And he makes sure that he will try his utmost to deliver it.
Powel, is what I would call a post-noir hero. He has suffered major traumatic experiences to give him enough vulnerability and humanity. Although he is trained to have lethal fighting skills, he is not a brute and he is not a sadist, but he prefers to beat his antagonists using cerebral ways. In this occasion he infiltrates the world of trafficking and he has to bring down the Romanian baddies. He is as cunning and skillful in deception as Ulysses.
The baddies are exceptionally well written. They are bona fide villains, pure evil but not at all caricatures. They remain to the last page convincing and chilling.
Afina is the victim of trafficking, but she is not written as a tragic broken person who elicits pity and sadness. This is what the background character of Lia does. Afina, initially naive, is fundamentally a survivor and a strong respectable character, equal to Powel in intelligence.
The plot is restless, always inventive, packed of action and enough twists and plots to keep the readers on their toes.
The writing is very mature, intelligent and technically accomplished. The author seems to touch the pulse of his readers and knows well what they want.
Powel, who dislikes being called Mr Powel, is a retired MI5 operative who runs a bar these days. But the murder of his daughter commands if not revenge, at least justice. And he makes sure that he will try his utmost to deliver it.
Powel, is what I would call a post-noir hero. He has suffered major traumatic experiences to give him enough vulnerability and humanity. Although he is trained to have lethal fighting skills, he is not a brute and he is not a sadist, but he prefers to beat his antagonists using cerebral ways. In this occasion he infiltrates the world of trafficking and he has to bring down the Romanian baddies. He is as cunning and skillful in deception as Ulysses.
The baddies are exceptionally well written. They are bona fide villains, pure evil but not at all caricatures. They remain to the last page convincing and chilling.
Afina is the victim of trafficking, but she is not written as a tragic broken person who elicits pity and sadness. This is what the background character of Lia does. Afina, initially naive, is fundamentally a survivor and a strong respectable character, equal to Powel in intelligence.
The plot is restless, always inventive, packed of action and enough twists and plots to keep the readers on their toes.
April 5, 2017
Trafficking is a gritty thriller that highlights the plight of women that get lured to Britain with non-existing jobs and end up in the sex trade. We meet Afina, a young Romanian women who goes to Brighton with the promise of a well-earning bar job. She finds out the brutal truth as her passport is taken off her and she is raped. This book is also an introduction to the character of Powell a man drawn into Afina’s dangerous world when his daughter becomes a tragic victim of Afina’s escape attempt. Powell is a man with a tragic and dark past. He has worked for the government in the past and his training kicks in when he decides to trace his daughter’s assailant. There are so far 3 books in the series and I think this is a promising start to a series for fans who like their thrillers fast paced and are not averse to graphic scenes of sex and violence. Powell is a man with a number of different facets to his character that will make him a good lead for a series. I think Afina will feature in the next book. She seems plucky enough as she didn’t just accept her lot; she tried to get away from her gangsters. I wasn’t too sure about the other characters in the book and could have done without the lesbian frolicking. It seemed a little too flippant for the rest of the story. Book 2 is going to take us to Saudi Arabia and a different story line and auxiliary characters will be a good thing. All in all a fast pace and thrilling read.
February 18, 2018
As the title suggests, this book is about trafficking. Afina goes to London for a "job" and it turns out the job is to be raped and beaten into a job of prostitution. She is not one to take it without fighting back so she manages to escape, but naturally they go looking for her and she runs to the safety of police; however, Of course, the bad guys Stephen, Dimetri, and Victor weren't about to let their property/money-maker go so they did everything imaginable to find her. These creeps always have a way to find people she loves and get to her through them.
I thought the book was really well-done, although scary and too realistic because I know how disgusting and horrific the world of trafficking is. These people who steal away young girls' lives and take their innocence and who use violence and terror.
The ending...oh. my. God. I have literally never read a book that had such a HUGE cliff hanger that literally made me feel like it left in the middle of a sentence/story.
Recommendation: I think it's a good book so I do recommend it, but I suggest you be ready with book 2!
I thought the book was really well-done, although scary and too realistic because I know how disgusting and horrific the world of trafficking is. These people who steal away young girls' lives and take their innocence and who use violence and terror.
The ending...oh. my. God. I have literally never read a book that had such a HUGE cliff hanger that literally made me feel like it left in the middle of a sentence/story.
Recommendation: I think it's a good book so I do recommend it, but I suggest you be ready with book 2!
June 9, 2015
In recent months I have read a lot of suspenseful novels, most of them I did enjoyed tremendously so when I came across Bill Ward’s novel I was immediately drawn to his latest thriller, Trafficking. Unlike the other mystery novels I have read, this one deals with the hidden faces of human trafficking. It’s a sensitive topic for me since I have children of my own. It’s hard to fathom that in the world we live in today, sex slavery is alive and thriving. And so the story unfolds…
Lured by a promise for a better life, a young Romanian girl leaves home. Her journey brought her to Brighton where she faces various obstacles. Through twists and turns she confronts danger but her innocence betrays her. Much to her demise Afina ended up with the wrong people. And so, the young Romanian girl began her new life. But something unforeseen is about to happen. A cruel fate deals a tragic hand for a female officer for trying to help Afina. But through her tragedy Afina meets Powell, a man with his own demons. And yet when two desperate souls are thrown together, something extraordinary will unfold. Trafficking is an excellent novel. But be forewarn, at times the book is rather explicit.
Lured by a promise for a better life, a young Romanian girl leaves home. Her journey brought her to Brighton where she faces various obstacles. Through twists and turns she confronts danger but her innocence betrays her. Much to her demise Afina ended up with the wrong people. And so, the young Romanian girl began her new life. But something unforeseen is about to happen. A cruel fate deals a tragic hand for a female officer for trying to help Afina. But through her tragedy Afina meets Powell, a man with his own demons. And yet when two desperate souls are thrown together, something extraordinary will unfold. Trafficking is an excellent novel. But be forewarn, at times the book is rather explicit.
February 19, 2016
Now, if you want to read a gripping, gritty, fast paced thriller Trafficking will certainly be a book for you.
The story revolves around two protagonist in this case, which I thought was written into the novel fantastically. Afina, a young Romanian girl who is tricked into travelling to England only to end up working in the sex trade. Powell, well I won't give any of the story away but let's just say he got a good reason to help her.
Now be warned, as the title suggests the story is about a very dark subject and delves into just how low some people will go whilst being in this business. Also you should be warned some of the scenes are quite violent and explicit to say the least.
Putting this aside this novel is very good. It's well written, the characters are described to perfection and the plot works out very well. As the story progresses it just goes to show how a reader can show empathy for the women involved as well as a hate for the villains. All of this really produces a fantastic end result and a highly recommended read.
Looking forward to reading some more of his books now. Well done to the author Bill Ward.
The story revolves around two protagonist in this case, which I thought was written into the novel fantastically. Afina, a young Romanian girl who is tricked into travelling to England only to end up working in the sex trade. Powell, well I won't give any of the story away but let's just say he got a good reason to help her.
Now be warned, as the title suggests the story is about a very dark subject and delves into just how low some people will go whilst being in this business. Also you should be warned some of the scenes are quite violent and explicit to say the least.
Putting this aside this novel is very good. It's well written, the characters are described to perfection and the plot works out very well. As the story progresses it just goes to show how a reader can show empathy for the women involved as well as a hate for the villains. All of this really produces a fantastic end result and a highly recommended read.
Looking forward to reading some more of his books now. Well done to the author Bill Ward.
March 6, 2019
This is the second novel I have read by Bill Ward. This book was difficult to read due to the explicit sex woven throughout the story. Bill is excellent at creating and enriching plot and characters and this one doesn't disappoint. He leaves a loose end in the last chapter that encourages the reader to get the next book in the series. After I finished reading the work, I thought maybe the starkness of sex is a realistic portrayal of what human trafficking must be like in reality. The news accounts of what happens to young girls who are deceived into moving to a new country under the pretense of jobs and the good life awaiting them only to find a life of sexual slavery are the only reality we know not having first-hand experience with it. Human trafficking is a huge problem worldwide and Bill has removed the green curtain to expose the sorrow of the girls and the seamy brutality of the business side.
August 23, 2015
Another hit from Bill Ward.
When Afina is lured from her native Romania with the promise of a bar job she is horrified to find herself in the depths of Brighton's sex trade.
Luckily for her she escapes but the chase leads to the death of Bella, Powell's daugther. What follows is an intense adventure for Powell and Afina in bringing Bella's killer to justice and saving other girls from being held as sex slaves all across the country.
This is a face paced thriller of the like we have come to expect from Bill Ward. Set mainly in his home town of Brighton the story develops well and we are all routing for Powell and Afina by the end of the book.
The only reason this book lost a star was the ending. There are too many loose ends that need tying up and we are obviously being pushed towards a sequel. I would have read further Powell/Afina books without leaving this opening.
When Afina is lured from her native Romania with the promise of a bar job she is horrified to find herself in the depths of Brighton's sex trade.
Luckily for her she escapes but the chase leads to the death of Bella, Powell's daugther. What follows is an intense adventure for Powell and Afina in bringing Bella's killer to justice and saving other girls from being held as sex slaves all across the country.
This is a face paced thriller of the like we have come to expect from Bill Ward. Set mainly in his home town of Brighton the story develops well and we are all routing for Powell and Afina by the end of the book.
The only reason this book lost a star was the ending. There are too many loose ends that need tying up and we are obviously being pushed towards a sequel. I would have read further Powell/Afina books without leaving this opening.
May 11, 2015
Bill Ward has crafted yet another strong, suspenseful thriller. Despite the horrific subject matter - the sex trafficking of young Eastern European girls - Ward effectively allows the reader a glimpse into the humanity of the victims. We see Afina's determination and smarts as she attempts to escape the clutches of her captors and keep her friends and family safe.
It's also a good introduction for a new series featuring Ward's protagonist, Powell, as it lays the groundwork for Powell's motivation while he works to help Afina and find his daughter's killer. There's a fair amount of sex and violence, but it seems realistic given the subject at hand, and it is not gratuitous. Ward is pleasantly consistent with his well-structured narratives, natural dialogue, and easy-to-root-for (or against) characters. I recommend!
It's also a good introduction for a new series featuring Ward's protagonist, Powell, as it lays the groundwork for Powell's motivation while he works to help Afina and find his daughter's killer. There's a fair amount of sex and violence, but it seems realistic given the subject at hand, and it is not gratuitous. Ward is pleasantly consistent with his well-structured narratives, natural dialogue, and easy-to-root-for (or against) characters. I recommend!
October 30, 2016
A good story which kept you interested and turning pages throughout. Powell is a Reacher or Neeson-Esque character with a special set of skills who is still capable of using them in spite of him being slightly over the hill.
Lots of reviewers have said that the trafficking aspect was dealt with sensitively, but I had some issues with that which knocked it down from a 5 star for me. Things like how Afina supposedly enjoyed sex with some of her clients and how she didn't seem to come out with much emotional scarring jars slightly with my experience of trafficking victims (through my work as an asylum lawyer). The author didn't hold back from giving us the gory details though which did make the situation seem real which I would commend him for.
All in all, a promising start to a series which I'm sure I'll come back to to follow on the cliffhanger left at the end of this one...
Lots of reviewers have said that the trafficking aspect was dealt with sensitively, but I had some issues with that which knocked it down from a 5 star for me. Things like how Afina supposedly enjoyed sex with some of her clients and how she didn't seem to come out with much emotional scarring jars slightly with my experience of trafficking victims (through my work as an asylum lawyer). The author didn't hold back from giving us the gory details though which did make the situation seem real which I would commend him for.
All in all, a promising start to a series which I'm sure I'll come back to to follow on the cliffhanger left at the end of this one...
October 21, 2015
Human trafficking is an uncomfortable subject. It’s rife and it’s very real in today’s world. The author did a great job in portraying the gullibility of a woman, looking for a new life and, instead, finds herself stripped of everything she owns, including her dignity and free will.
There’s no doubt about it this is a real page turner; a fast paced, nail biting, and at times, uncomfortable read.
If the author set out to provoke thoughts, fear, and at times, sheer disgust with human nature, at its worst, he certainly achieved his goals.
My only niggle is that I found sentences a bit too long and lacking in correct punctuation. This is definitely something that can be easily fixed and it did not interfere with my overall enjoyment of the story.
There’s no doubt about it this is a real page turner; a fast paced, nail biting, and at times, uncomfortable read.
If the author set out to provoke thoughts, fear, and at times, sheer disgust with human nature, at its worst, he certainly achieved his goals.
My only niggle is that I found sentences a bit too long and lacking in correct punctuation. This is definitely something that can be easily fixed and it did not interfere with my overall enjoyment of the story.
February 10, 2016
Gritty Thriller
The story reflects the grim reality of human trafficking. Young Afina leaves Romania for England, thinking she has the opportunity to start a new life. Prepared to work hard and spend her off time learning about her new country, she’s shocked to discover she’s been cruelly tricked.
When Powell’s daughter Bella is brutally killed, he can’t stand by and do nothing. He’s not as cold-blooded as his adversaries, so he has to get creative. He also takes some unexpected steps in relation to Afina.
Trafficking is the first book in the exciting Powell series. It ends with work still to be done. Powell is an excellent character, with complex thoughts and motivations.
The story reflects the grim reality of human trafficking. Young Afina leaves Romania for England, thinking she has the opportunity to start a new life. Prepared to work hard and spend her off time learning about her new country, she’s shocked to discover she’s been cruelly tricked.
When Powell’s daughter Bella is brutally killed, he can’t stand by and do nothing. He’s not as cold-blooded as his adversaries, so he has to get creative. He also takes some unexpected steps in relation to Afina.
Trafficking is the first book in the exciting Powell series. It ends with work still to be done. Powell is an excellent character, with complex thoughts and motivations.
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