Where the Wicked Dwell: A Marcus Blake Thriller

by Michael Parker

Marcus Blake is the owner and sole investigator of a ramshackle security agency in the heart of London. He employs a secretary part-time. Her name is Vereen and she is a single mother on benefits. He is asked by his old mentor, Sir Giles Cavendish, to investigate the apparent suicide of a British Cabinet Minister, Eddie Garfield who was born in St. Kitts in the West Indies, and was also a former client of Marcus's. Sir Giles, one-time head of MI6, believes the minister's death was murder, but has no evidence to support his claim. He knows how Marcus operates and believes he will uncover the truth. Although Marcus is not convinced that it was murder, he begins investigating what he believes will be a short enquiry that will prove nothing. He soon comes to realise that there is a great deal more to Eddie Garfield's death, particularly when he runs into the powerful group of Satanists who will stop at nothing to achieve their aims, which include illegal experiments in genetic engineering. Marcus's secretary helps him with his investigation but unwittingly falls under the influence of one of the Satanists, which threatens her very existence and also the future of her young son. It is against this backdrop of Vereen's inevitable slide towards whoredom that Marcus puts his life on the line to uncover the truth of Eddie Garfield's death and destroy the Machiavellian practices of those evil men.

322 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2017

About the author

Michael Parker writes World War Two historical thrillers set in the shadows of
occupied Paris. His debut, Shadow Over Paris, follows a waitress at the Hotel
Metropole, who uses her lip-reading skills to spy on Nazi officers before the French
Resistance even existed. Macmillan has published his work, and he has
achieved over one million page reads as an independent author. He is currently
completing the Shadow Over Paris trilogy. When not writing, he lives in West Sussex. Start the trilogy today with Shadow Over Paris.

Reviews

[Calleen Petersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m marking this as 3 stars simply because it delves into the occult and that is just not something I am into.
The writing itself wasn’t bad. But I wondered about the reasoning for putting in that Marcus’ assistant was niece to the suspected victim of the murder that was ruled as a suicide. I kept expecting her to have some crucial information for the case or maybe inherit at the estate at the end and it make a profound difference in her life. But there was simply no point in this part of the story.
I was provided with a copy of this by Voracious Reader to review.

[Helen Christmas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting, enjoyable read. I am guessing this is a series but it didn't take long to get to know Marcus Blake, a private investigator and his PA, Vereen. The storyline pulls you right in with the suspicious 'suicide' of a cabinet minister, a trail of clues which draws the characters to Norfolk and Sussex. There is lots of action, with more murders thrown into the mix, but at the crux of the story, Marcus stumbles across a bunch of really nasty devil worshippers, which include several high establishment figures. A story of corruption and cover ups, I found it a real page-turner.

[Kim Ligon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action packed unputdownable adventure

This story is nonstop action with secret societies, devil worship, voodoo, political intrigue, murders, genetic experiments, marijuana, youthful gangs, a single mom and in the middle of all of it the very capable, private detective Marcus Blake. This is the first Michael Parker book I have read. It will not be the last! You'll be swept into the action with his descriptive writing and characters you grow to care about. Highly recommended!

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was overwhelmed by the opening of the story and had to re-read some parts to keep up with “who’s who” but once I did, I was swept along with the action. The introduction of practitioners of the dark arts raised the tension levels and speed of the action. Good plot and well drawn characters. Very enjoyable.
Voracious Readers Only provided this book.

[Sam Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good thriller plot line that keeps you guessing with the main protagonist a likeable character who, like a dog with a bone doesn’t give up until the end no matter what’s thrown at him. Loved the idea of a secret voodoo cult with high profile associates. Great page turner. Received this copy through Voracious Readers Only in exchange for honest review.

[Peter Earle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The exciting plot is entwined, but plausible if the reader is okay with the validity of the power of Voodoo. As a South African, I have experienced at least the power of the belief in witchcraft; and it seems to be the belief itself that empowers the evil, and sometime the good, of the spirit world.
See the completer review on www.bookpostmortem.wordpress.com

[Julie Round · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting plot with well drawn characters. I liked the large print but thought the author may have been his own editor.