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Inspector Brant #7
Ammunition
Over the many years that Inspector Brant has been bringing his own patented brand of policing to the streets of southeast London, the brilliant but tough cop has made a few enemies. So when a crazed gunman, hired by persons unknown, pumps a magazine full of bullets into Brant in a local pub, leaving him in grasping at life (but ornery as ever), his colleagues on the squad are left wondering how to react.
Brant's old partner Inspector Roberts, the man who may know him best, finds himself wondering why someone didn't shoot the hateful detective years ago. In Ken Bruen's Ammunition, they're all about to find out that the answer is quite simple: if you come after Brant you'd damn well better kill him the first time--because if you don't, you won't want to stick around to find out what happens next.
Brant's old partner Inspector Roberts, the man who may know him best, finds himself wondering why someone didn't shoot the hateful detective years ago. In Ken Bruen's Ammunition, they're all about to find out that the answer is quite simple: if you come after Brant you'd damn well better kill him the first time--because if you don't, you won't want to stick around to find out what happens next.
240 pages, Paperback
First published July 24, 2007
15 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Ken Bruen
132 books851 followersKen Bruen was an Irish writer of hardboiled and noir crime fiction.
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March 25, 2012Bruen is a master!
October 2, 2020
Bruen's humor is in a class of it's own. I love it. Just finished the series. Having read all the Jack Taylor ones first. Seems this is where Jack go his start. There are some dark, crazy characters in this series but it gets darker in the Taylor series' in my opinion.
December 30, 2020
This is the end of Ken Bruen's Brant series, and unfortunately, it's as anticlimactic as most of the series. Brant doesn't get a proper ending to his saga, nor do most of the other characters, and while this is in keeping with the other books, it's a little disappointing.
While sharing a drink with fellow detective Porter Nash, Brant is shot and left for dead. As he recuperates, the rest of the squad look for the shooter and whoever hired him. Meanwhile, Falls continues her downward spiral, and McDonnell sees an opportunity to police the way he wants to police. An American security expert arrives to teach the British cops how to safeguard against terrorism.
*SPOILERS*
The novels in this series come across as shaggy dog stories with no real resolution, and characters that don't seem to mind that being the case. Ammunition is no different, and it leaves the story on a sour note. McDonnell's end is fitting, and probably the only place he could have gone. Falls' ultimate fate is somewhat ambiguous; did she follow McDonnell and shoot herself, or is she just playing with the gun in a drunken stupor? I would have liked some kind of payoff for Porter Nash as well, beyond his blackmail by Wallace, the American. And Roberts is barely around, there only to facilitate corruption and drink in the afternoon. I did like seeing Brant end things with the publishing of his book, effectively becoming his hero, Ed McBain, in the wake of McBain's death. This doesn't feel like a final chapter -- which, I think, is how Bruen intends it, as he hasn't written a Brant book in thirteen years -- and that's a bummer.
Moreover, Brant is more of a supporting character than the lead. Falls seems to have the biggest part, and she's now officially unlikable. She's been getting more corrupt and Brant-like as the books have gone along, but in Ammunition she sets up an innocent man to go to jail because she finds her case boring. This is abominable, and I didn't want any kind of redemption for her after that; someone who would go that far is getting off easy if they're only kicked off the force. That she loses her career not because of this morally repugnant action but because she covers for Brant later on is a despicable irony, but I suppose as long as she's not a cop anymore, I should be happy.
The mystery of who hired the gunman may as well be non-existent, since it turns out to be the only suspect Brant has. His motivation is weak as well, and hard to care about one way or the other. And since Wallace never actually shows the cops anything about anti-terrorism, he feels like a waste.
The pleasure of these books has always been simply being in the presence of the characters, particularly Brant, and even though this isn't as good as the others in that regard, it's still hard not to like it on that level. Brant is still fun, and his determination to hang onto his image even in the hospital is funny and, though maybe it isn't supposed to be, admirable. I like that Brant won't let anyone tear him down. I also liked his solution to the Falls incident; at first, I was afraid he would intimidate the poor guy into doing his jail time, but Brant ended up saving both the victim and Falls. I wish Roberts had more to do, and that Falls had less, but it's still entertaining to hang out with this crew.
I also appreciated how "ammunition" kept coming up, either literally or to indicate having leverage over someone. no matter what, it's a way to protect yourself. I also liked seeing Vixen's return, and she's just as cool and sexy this time; in fact, considering how Falls conducted herself, I was rooting for Vixen to take her down.
Ammunition is a disappointing but still entertaining end to the Brant series. I hope Bruen decides to revisit the characters one day and give London's scariest cop a proper sendoff, but in the meantime, at least this is fun.
While sharing a drink with fellow detective Porter Nash, Brant is shot and left for dead. As he recuperates, the rest of the squad look for the shooter and whoever hired him. Meanwhile, Falls continues her downward spiral, and McDonnell sees an opportunity to police the way he wants to police. An American security expert arrives to teach the British cops how to safeguard against terrorism.
*SPOILERS*
The novels in this series come across as shaggy dog stories with no real resolution, and characters that don't seem to mind that being the case. Ammunition is no different, and it leaves the story on a sour note. McDonnell's end is fitting, and probably the only place he could have gone. Falls' ultimate fate is somewhat ambiguous; did she follow McDonnell and shoot herself, or is she just playing with the gun in a drunken stupor? I would have liked some kind of payoff for Porter Nash as well, beyond his blackmail by Wallace, the American. And Roberts is barely around, there only to facilitate corruption and drink in the afternoon. I did like seeing Brant end things with the publishing of his book, effectively becoming his hero, Ed McBain, in the wake of McBain's death. This doesn't feel like a final chapter -- which, I think, is how Bruen intends it, as he hasn't written a Brant book in thirteen years -- and that's a bummer.
Moreover, Brant is more of a supporting character than the lead. Falls seems to have the biggest part, and she's now officially unlikable. She's been getting more corrupt and Brant-like as the books have gone along, but in Ammunition she sets up an innocent man to go to jail because she finds her case boring. This is abominable, and I didn't want any kind of redemption for her after that; someone who would go that far is getting off easy if they're only kicked off the force. That she loses her career not because of this morally repugnant action but because she covers for Brant later on is a despicable irony, but I suppose as long as she's not a cop anymore, I should be happy.
The mystery of who hired the gunman may as well be non-existent, since it turns out to be the only suspect Brant has. His motivation is weak as well, and hard to care about one way or the other. And since Wallace never actually shows the cops anything about anti-terrorism, he feels like a waste.
The pleasure of these books has always been simply being in the presence of the characters, particularly Brant, and even though this isn't as good as the others in that regard, it's still hard not to like it on that level. Brant is still fun, and his determination to hang onto his image even in the hospital is funny and, though maybe it isn't supposed to be, admirable. I like that Brant won't let anyone tear him down. I also liked his solution to the Falls incident; at first, I was afraid he would intimidate the poor guy into doing his jail time, but Brant ended up saving both the victim and Falls. I wish Roberts had more to do, and that Falls had less, but it's still entertaining to hang out with this crew.
I also appreciated how "ammunition" kept coming up, either literally or to indicate having leverage over someone. no matter what, it's a way to protect yourself. I also liked seeing Vixen's return, and she's just as cool and sexy this time; in fact, considering how Falls conducted herself, I was rooting for Vixen to take her down.
Ammunition is a disappointing but still entertaining end to the Brant series. I hope Bruen decides to revisit the characters one day and give London's scariest cop a proper sendoff, but in the meantime, at least this is fun.
May 4, 2009
#7 Inspector Brant Crime Series
Set in London's SE Precinct, this ultra hard-boiled series is bizarre, captivating and unpredictible. I LOVE this author! Readers must be advised to buckle seat belts securely.
Publisher's Weekly's review of Ammunition on amazon's site sums it up best:
"From Publishers Weekly
The seventh Inspector Brant noir from Shamus-winner Bruen (after 2006's Calibre) maintains the feverish pacing that has become Bruen's trademark.
As incorrigible hardcase Brant sits in a London pub brooding about the recent demise of his hero, real-life author Ed McBain, a gunman opens fire and then disappears. Hit multiple times, Brant is rushed to the hospital. Local criminals and cops alike rejoice at this unexpected bit of good fortune, but within a few days he's up and crankier than ever, vowing revenge on his assailants.
Meanwhile, his fellow cops grapple with their own personal crises: Sgt. Elizabeth Falls is harassed by a psycho named Angie (last seen in Vixen), fresh out of prison and anxious to settle the score; police constable McDonald, in a cocaine-fueled downward spiral, agrees to lead a group of senior citizen vigilantes. When one of the codgers is killed during their first mission, McDonald's fate is sealed.
Bruen keeps this train wreck on proper course to a wholly satisfying, and very noir, conclusion."
Set in London's SE Precinct, this ultra hard-boiled series is bizarre, captivating and unpredictible. I LOVE this author! Readers must be advised to buckle seat belts securely.
Publisher's Weekly's review of Ammunition on amazon's site sums it up best:
"From Publishers Weekly
The seventh Inspector Brant noir from Shamus-winner Bruen (after 2006's Calibre) maintains the feverish pacing that has become Bruen's trademark.
As incorrigible hardcase Brant sits in a London pub brooding about the recent demise of his hero, real-life author Ed McBain, a gunman opens fire and then disappears. Hit multiple times, Brant is rushed to the hospital. Local criminals and cops alike rejoice at this unexpected bit of good fortune, but within a few days he's up and crankier than ever, vowing revenge on his assailants.
Meanwhile, his fellow cops grapple with their own personal crises: Sgt. Elizabeth Falls is harassed by a psycho named Angie (last seen in Vixen), fresh out of prison and anxious to settle the score; police constable McDonald, in a cocaine-fueled downward spiral, agrees to lead a group of senior citizen vigilantes. When one of the codgers is killed during their first mission, McDonald's fate is sealed.
Bruen keeps this train wreck on proper course to a wholly satisfying, and very noir, conclusion."
September 6, 2015
Ken Bruen is for sure one of my new favorite writers. His work is deliciously dark and cynical. Brant is one bad-ass copper! You have to love him, hate him, and want to be him all at once.
July 31, 2016
Sad That the series came to an end
One became fond of Brant and his unorthodox policing.
One became fond of Brant and his unorthodox policing.
August 4, 2012
Let me not mince words, Ammunition by Ken Bruen is one of the WORST books I've ever read in my life. This is not an exaggeration. At multiple times while I was reading this, I could feel myself getting angry and not because of what was happening, but how poorly it was written. Let's run down my initial laundry list of problems, shall we?
To begin with, there was clearly no editor on this piece of garbage. At least twice (possibly three times), Bruen simply forgets to add punctuation at the end of a sentence. Ex:
Blah blah
Then I did this.
Once? Okay. Twice? Someone's not paying attention.
Also, every single quotation was formatted like this:
Detective Douchebag said:
"Hey, I'm a one-note character."
Perhaps this is simply an Irish style of writing (Bruen's Irish, you see), but if not, this is clearly a lame attempt to pad the length of this book. Without this, the book would probably be a good ten to twenty percent shorter and it already has unusually large text for a mystery novel.
Not that you can really call it a mystery novel. It's not exactly a spoiler to say that the "suspect" for the shooting of the cop Brant is exactly the first person they point out. Sure, they rattle off two other ideas, but then dismiss them immediately. The only "mystery" here is why this was even published.
Every character is interchangeable because Bruen attempts too obviously to be a "noir" style book. In practice all this means is that every officer is a jerk and uses the f-word constantly. That's not characterization, that's just lazy writing. Seriously, try to keep track of these "characters" beyond the following characteristics:
Black woman
White woman
Gay man
Vigilante man
Shot guy
American guy
That's as much characterization as Bruen gives you. It wasn't until at least halfway through the book before I could honestly tell any of them apart. The writing is so choppy and again, every character sounds the same that keeping them separate is futile. He attempts to give a few some minor backstory, but you just don't care. Again, all the backstory in the world doesn't change the fact that every character talks exactly like every other one.
There are also multiple plot lines that serve no purpose. Why should I care about McDonald's vigilante justice? It serves no purpose beyond a violent scene and an equally violent end (not a spoiler because a spoiler implies you care what happens). Why should I care about the Happy Slappers or the American counter-terrorist agent? They serve no purpose for what is supposedly the main "plot" of the novel, who shot Inspector Brant.
In fact, the things that are shoehorned in are actually more interesting than the main story unfortunately. The minor plot that Brant got a book deal, had nothing to write and then got his fellow officer (the gay one, I'd give you a name, but who cares) drunk and stole his war stories is fascinating. It'd be a much better story, I can tell you that, but it serves no purpose other than a few paragraphs.
The American counter-terrorist also serves no purpose. I get that Bruen wants to be "topical" by referring to the 7/21 London subway bombings, but there is no terrorism in this book. There is no need for the character to be there as he never actually aids the Brant shooting investigation. He only exists to show, "Hey, Americans are just as dirty as the British when it comes to law enforcement."
It's of little surprise that the only three likable characters in this also show up very rarely. Roberts (the other female cop) is the one voice of reason, so naturally everyone turns on her. Porter (the gay one as Bruen loves to remind you time and time again with countless euphemisms that border on hateful) is framed. And Lane just disappears because he objects to the rampant corruption in the force.
Oh, and the main character? Talk about "informed ability." Bruen constantly has every character tell you that Brant is a force to be reckoned with, a guy who plays by his own rules. Which results in...him putting out a cigarette in someone's drink and hanging out with hookers. All you really have to go on is every other character talking about how much of a badass he is and a few cliche "tough guy" quotes.
Speaking of quotes:
Here are the quotes on this novel. Admittedly, I don't know if they all apply to this novel or just the author, but let's deconstruct them, shall we?
"It's always a delight to discover a writer with an utterly distinctive voice...the words that best describe him, besides original (italicized), are outrageous (italicized) and hilarious (italicized)." - The Washington Post
He has a distinctive voice, I'll give them that, in the sense that every character sounds like every other. Original? Hardly. This is the most over done noir style novel I've ever read. Outrageous? Outrageously trite perhaps. Hilarious? Only if this was meant to be satire. Nothing any character says is hilarious unless you find the gay British man saying, "I'd kill for a fag" and then having Bruen "cleverly" point out that "fag" can mean cigarette...or a gay man! What a hoot! What humor!
"Bruen's furious, hard-boiled prose, chopped down to its trademark essence, never fails to astonish." - Publishers Weekly
Well, I certainly was furious while reading this, so that's accurate. Hard-boiled is also accurate if you realize that it means it's tough on the outside with a bland substance on the inside. And oh boy did it astonish me by how terrible it was.
"Bruen's style is clipped, caustic, heartbreaking, and often hilarious." - Cleveland Plain Dealer
Again, if you realize that all these adjectives (save hilarious) relate to the reader's expectations of a good novel, you're right. It's only hilarious, if again, you find curse words the epitome of comedy.
"Irish writer Ken Bruen does the noir thing well. His men are tough, his prose is lean, and there's not a single drop or morsel of sentimentality to be found therein." - Entertainment Weekly
I feel this might be the most honest quote. He doesn't do the "noir thing" well at all, but the part about sentimentality is dead on. The prose is lean if you mean sparse.
Oh, and before I try to bleach this waste of paper out of my brain, let me point out the title. Or rather, Bruen wants you to make sure you never forget the title of the book.
Every so often a character will offhandedly say "ammunition" in regards to someone having power or leverage over another. The problem is that it never comes up organically. Instead every time the word is said, you can't help but groan as the character practically do a song and dance to remind you of the title.
It's like if the main characters in the show Leverage had to work in that word every single episode and as soon as they did, there was a pause and all the actors stared at the camera as if to say, "Did you catch that? It's the title of the show!"
It's unbelievably distracting and fails to show any kind of cleverness. It's like how some movies will awkwardly work in the movie title into the dialogue, just so the audience can go, "Oh hey, that's the title! How clever!"
It's not clever. It really isn't.
In conclusion, this is one of the worst books I've ever read. UNLESS this is all meant to be a satire of how terrible some noir mystery novels can be. Of course, that's the same belief that Zac Synder can have about Sucker Punch (it's not a misogynistic fetish film, it's PARODYING misogynistic fetish films). Also, it's not like there's any indication this is ever meant to be taken as anything more than serious.
I can say nothing else other than paraphrase Billy Madison:
Mr. Bruen, what you've just written is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent novel were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
To begin with, there was clearly no editor on this piece of garbage. At least twice (possibly three times), Bruen simply forgets to add punctuation at the end of a sentence. Ex:
Blah blah
Then I did this.
Once? Okay. Twice? Someone's not paying attention.
Also, every single quotation was formatted like this:
Detective Douchebag said:
"Hey, I'm a one-note character."
Perhaps this is simply an Irish style of writing (Bruen's Irish, you see), but if not, this is clearly a lame attempt to pad the length of this book. Without this, the book would probably be a good ten to twenty percent shorter and it already has unusually large text for a mystery novel.
Not that you can really call it a mystery novel. It's not exactly a spoiler to say that the "suspect" for the shooting of the cop Brant is exactly the first person they point out. Sure, they rattle off two other ideas, but then dismiss them immediately. The only "mystery" here is why this was even published.
Every character is interchangeable because Bruen attempts too obviously to be a "noir" style book. In practice all this means is that every officer is a jerk and uses the f-word constantly. That's not characterization, that's just lazy writing. Seriously, try to keep track of these "characters" beyond the following characteristics:
Black woman
White woman
Gay man
Vigilante man
Shot guy
American guy
That's as much characterization as Bruen gives you. It wasn't until at least halfway through the book before I could honestly tell any of them apart. The writing is so choppy and again, every character sounds the same that keeping them separate is futile. He attempts to give a few some minor backstory, but you just don't care. Again, all the backstory in the world doesn't change the fact that every character talks exactly like every other one.
There are also multiple plot lines that serve no purpose. Why should I care about McDonald's vigilante justice? It serves no purpose beyond a violent scene and an equally violent end (not a spoiler because a spoiler implies you care what happens). Why should I care about the Happy Slappers or the American counter-terrorist agent? They serve no purpose for what is supposedly the main "plot" of the novel, who shot Inspector Brant.
In fact, the things that are shoehorned in are actually more interesting than the main story unfortunately. The minor plot that Brant got a book deal, had nothing to write and then got his fellow officer (the gay one, I'd give you a name, but who cares) drunk and stole his war stories is fascinating. It'd be a much better story, I can tell you that, but it serves no purpose other than a few paragraphs.
The American counter-terrorist also serves no purpose. I get that Bruen wants to be "topical" by referring to the 7/21 London subway bombings, but there is no terrorism in this book. There is no need for the character to be there as he never actually aids the Brant shooting investigation. He only exists to show, "Hey, Americans are just as dirty as the British when it comes to law enforcement."
It's of little surprise that the only three likable characters in this also show up very rarely. Roberts (the other female cop) is the one voice of reason, so naturally everyone turns on her. Porter (the gay one as Bruen loves to remind you time and time again with countless euphemisms that border on hateful) is framed. And Lane just disappears because he objects to the rampant corruption in the force.
Oh, and the main character? Talk about "informed ability." Bruen constantly has every character tell you that Brant is a force to be reckoned with, a guy who plays by his own rules. Which results in...him putting out a cigarette in someone's drink and hanging out with hookers. All you really have to go on is every other character talking about how much of a badass he is and a few cliche "tough guy" quotes.
Speaking of quotes:
Here are the quotes on this novel. Admittedly, I don't know if they all apply to this novel or just the author, but let's deconstruct them, shall we?
"It's always a delight to discover a writer with an utterly distinctive voice...the words that best describe him, besides original (italicized), are outrageous (italicized) and hilarious (italicized)." - The Washington Post
He has a distinctive voice, I'll give them that, in the sense that every character sounds like every other. Original? Hardly. This is the most over done noir style novel I've ever read. Outrageous? Outrageously trite perhaps. Hilarious? Only if this was meant to be satire. Nothing any character says is hilarious unless you find the gay British man saying, "I'd kill for a fag" and then having Bruen "cleverly" point out that "fag" can mean cigarette...or a gay man! What a hoot! What humor!
"Bruen's furious, hard-boiled prose, chopped down to its trademark essence, never fails to astonish." - Publishers Weekly
Well, I certainly was furious while reading this, so that's accurate. Hard-boiled is also accurate if you realize that it means it's tough on the outside with a bland substance on the inside. And oh boy did it astonish me by how terrible it was.
"Bruen's style is clipped, caustic, heartbreaking, and often hilarious." - Cleveland Plain Dealer
Again, if you realize that all these adjectives (save hilarious) relate to the reader's expectations of a good novel, you're right. It's only hilarious, if again, you find curse words the epitome of comedy.
"Irish writer Ken Bruen does the noir thing well. His men are tough, his prose is lean, and there's not a single drop or morsel of sentimentality to be found therein." - Entertainment Weekly
I feel this might be the most honest quote. He doesn't do the "noir thing" well at all, but the part about sentimentality is dead on. The prose is lean if you mean sparse.
Oh, and before I try to bleach this waste of paper out of my brain, let me point out the title. Or rather, Bruen wants you to make sure you never forget the title of the book.
Every so often a character will offhandedly say "ammunition" in regards to someone having power or leverage over another. The problem is that it never comes up organically. Instead every time the word is said, you can't help but groan as the character practically do a song and dance to remind you of the title.
It's like if the main characters in the show Leverage had to work in that word every single episode and as soon as they did, there was a pause and all the actors stared at the camera as if to say, "Did you catch that? It's the title of the show!"
It's unbelievably distracting and fails to show any kind of cleverness. It's like how some movies will awkwardly work in the movie title into the dialogue, just so the audience can go, "Oh hey, that's the title! How clever!"
It's not clever. It really isn't.
In conclusion, this is one of the worst books I've ever read. UNLESS this is all meant to be a satire of how terrible some noir mystery novels can be. Of course, that's the same belief that Zac Synder can have about Sucker Punch (it's not a misogynistic fetish film, it's PARODYING misogynistic fetish films). Also, it's not like there's any indication this is ever meant to be taken as anything more than serious.
I can say nothing else other than paraphrase Billy Madison:
Mr. Bruen, what you've just written is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent novel were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
July 4, 2024
So sad, this is the last book in the series. Ken Bruen needs to write more tales of Inspector Brant! So entertaining! Brant is rude, crude and socially unacceptable. But deep down, he's a good man who has helped each of his colleagues out of a pinch at some time during their careers. "Brant was the most unpredictable person she'd ever met, and yet, when you were knee-deep in shite, he was the guy who would find you a shovel. You'd probably have to do the digging, but he'd keep you company." The title "Ammunition" refers to Sergeant Brant's motto: "The best ammunition is the stuff you keep in reserve." Thank you, Ken Bruen, for not killing the rough, but lovable Detective Sergeant Tom Brant!
January 16, 2024
What did I just read ?!
Basically most of the police force in this one
is corrupt or dirty. Several killings happen
without evidence, innocent people set up
for crimes they did not commit, drinking
whoring and drugging aplenty.
At the same time it all seems a bit comedic
and that is what i went with. Certainly
entertaining, but not first class literature
that's for sure. And don't get me started on
the poor editting...
Basically most of the police force in this one
is corrupt or dirty. Several killings happen
without evidence, innocent people set up
for crimes they did not commit, drinking
whoring and drugging aplenty.
At the same time it all seems a bit comedic
and that is what i went with. Certainly
entertaining, but not first class literature
that's for sure. And don't get me started on
the poor editting...
January 4, 2026
Ken Bruen's books are always well done. I must admit to being a bit worn out by them. The themes and the scenes and the action becomes repetitive. There is always much violence, there are always people being treated brutally, always people with substance abuse problems, and always endings in which people are killed or severely damaged. I think I have read enough of these to last a few lifetimes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2018
Brutal and hard-boiled, with a touch of humor. Corrupt policemen in London, an interesting plot. But a bit too dark for me. Bruen sets a distinct, economic pace, and there is a credible vernacular running through the whole thing. The "I liked it...but" rating is entirely appropriate.
July 2, 2017
It doesn't get much better...
April 22, 2018
yeah, I kinda had the feeling he would end it that way...
November 8, 2018
Not my style
December 23, 2018
great conclusion to a super fun series
April 2, 2020
The book was well written and an easy read, I just hated everyone and I wanted more of the detection and mystery part of the story.
April 4, 2021
One word, addictive.
Read
May 14, 2023Got this at the pay-what-you-can cart outside of WordUp Community Bookstore on May 6.
July 5, 2023
not enough Brant in this one tbh where's my disaster lad
May 2, 2024
All is well that ends well.
June 27, 2012
Seventh in the Inspector Brant crime series revolving around Tom Brant, an English cop, and his co-workers in a London suburb.
My Take
This has got to be the worst installment in this series. It's all downhill. Nash gets done over by the Yank. Falls doesn't care who she hurts or frames. Andrews is only gung ho on theory. And McDonald is for the long drop. Coleman is simply in the wrong place physically and mentally.
I swear Brant must be coated with Teflon...nothing ever sticks to that man. I don't get how Coleman can be framed. All he has to do is prove that he doesn't own a cellphone…? I really used to like Falls. Not no more. I sure don't understand why she leaps to McDonald's defense. If anyone deserves it…
Bruen, you torturous bugger, it's been five years since this was published. I need you to put me out of my misery about the ending in Ammunition. It seems that this could be the end, but there are so many questions left hanging… Does Falls go through with it? Who really did in the trader? I have my suspicions, but suspicion isn't fact. Does Wallace keep jerking about? What happens to Porter? Between Wallace, the diabetes, and Brant...
The Story
It's the end of everything for Brant. Ed McBain is dead. His favorite author. Where else will he find an author who tells it like it is. Hmmm, unless he writes it himself. It's all there. And with Porter's "inspiration"...
McDonald doesn't care anymore so when a pensioner commiserates and invites McDonald to join them, the PC jumps right in. Falls is screwing up right and left, destroying her life and those with whom she comes in contact. Andrews is starting a downhill slide. Just what is Angie getting up to?
And Brant seems to be coming up golden. Again.
The Characters
Detective Sergeant Tom Brant is as brash and belligerent as ever. Chief Inspector Roberts is simply surprised it took so long before someone took a shot at him. Detective Sergeant Porter Nash is an openly gay cop on the force and, somehow, Brant's friend. Who knows how long that will last, especially with Brant drugging and stealing from him. L.M. Wallace is a terrorist expert from America and more of an obnoxious asshole than Brant.
PC McDonald is sinking fast---the drink and cocaine aren't helping. Idjit never learns from his mistakes. Sergeant Elizabeth Falls has finally passed the sergeant's exam...with Brant's help. It's her only bright note as Angie Fox is back (see Vixen). She's just taking the piss out of anyone else and misusing the Brant playbook. WPC Andrews is quite the opposite, very gung ho and without the sense of covering for her fellow cops. PC Lane is a nice guy, but that photo op with Tony Blair has really screwed up his career. Why can't something nasty ever happen to Superintendent Brown??
Terry Dunne is a professional hit man. Who missed. Bill Traynor started off heading up a group of old men to take back their streets. Tim Peters is a retired docker who blows the gaff. Caz is Brant's CI...poor sod. John Coleman shoulda paid more attention to where he was going...it was his only fault. Now his life is going down the drain. Ellen Dunne is Angie Fox's liberal lawyer. Rodney Lewis is a City trader; he's also the brother of the Clapham Rapist and out for revenge. Shamar Olaf has hit Wallace's radar.
Linda Gillingham-Bowl is Brant's publishing agent. He's put his foot in it...er, well, not exactly his foot in it. But she's thrilled on several levels and Brant is groaning.
The Cover
The cover appears to be divided into four horizontal bands, but the bottom and top are actually a continuation in pale yellow to brown tones of the shooting range paper model. The second band from the top is a cream with the author's name and the third, wider band has a black background with the title in green. It suits the series as there is no compromise.
The title is referred to throughout the story. There's all kinds of Ammunition different characters are loading up on.
My Take
This has got to be the worst installment in this series. It's all downhill. Nash gets done over by the Yank. Falls doesn't care who she hurts or frames. Andrews is only gung ho on theory. And McDonald is for the long drop. Coleman is simply in the wrong place physically and mentally.
I swear Brant must be coated with Teflon...nothing ever sticks to that man. I don't get how Coleman can be framed. All he has to do is prove that he doesn't own a cellphone…? I really used to like Falls. Not no more. I sure don't understand why she leaps to McDonald's defense. If anyone deserves it…
Bruen, you torturous bugger, it's been five years since this was published. I need you to put me out of my misery about the ending in Ammunition. It seems that this could be the end, but there are so many questions left hanging… Does Falls go through with it? Who really did in the trader? I have my suspicions, but suspicion isn't fact. Does Wallace keep jerking about? What happens to Porter? Between Wallace, the diabetes, and Brant...
The Story
It's the end of everything for Brant. Ed McBain is dead. His favorite author. Where else will he find an author who tells it like it is. Hmmm, unless he writes it himself. It's all there. And with Porter's "inspiration"...
McDonald doesn't care anymore so when a pensioner commiserates and invites McDonald to join them, the PC jumps right in. Falls is screwing up right and left, destroying her life and those with whom she comes in contact. Andrews is starting a downhill slide. Just what is Angie getting up to?
And Brant seems to be coming up golden. Again.
The Characters
Detective Sergeant Tom Brant is as brash and belligerent as ever. Chief Inspector Roberts is simply surprised it took so long before someone took a shot at him. Detective Sergeant Porter Nash is an openly gay cop on the force and, somehow, Brant's friend. Who knows how long that will last, especially with Brant drugging and stealing from him. L.M. Wallace is a terrorist expert from America and more of an obnoxious asshole than Brant.
PC McDonald is sinking fast---the drink and cocaine aren't helping. Idjit never learns from his mistakes. Sergeant Elizabeth Falls has finally passed the sergeant's exam...with Brant's help. It's her only bright note as Angie Fox is back (see Vixen). She's just taking the piss out of anyone else and misusing the Brant playbook. WPC Andrews is quite the opposite, very gung ho and without the sense of covering for her fellow cops. PC Lane is a nice guy, but that photo op with Tony Blair has really screwed up his career. Why can't something nasty ever happen to Superintendent Brown??
Terry Dunne is a professional hit man. Who missed. Bill Traynor started off heading up a group of old men to take back their streets. Tim Peters is a retired docker who blows the gaff. Caz is Brant's CI...poor sod. John Coleman shoulda paid more attention to where he was going...it was his only fault. Now his life is going down the drain. Ellen Dunne is Angie Fox's liberal lawyer. Rodney Lewis is a City trader; he's also the brother of the Clapham Rapist and out for revenge. Shamar Olaf has hit Wallace's radar.
Linda Gillingham-Bowl is Brant's publishing agent. He's put his foot in it...er, well, not exactly his foot in it. But she's thrilled on several levels and Brant is groaning.
The Cover
The cover appears to be divided into four horizontal bands, but the bottom and top are actually a continuation in pale yellow to brown tones of the shooting range paper model. The second band from the top is a cream with the author's name and the third, wider band has a black background with the title in green. It suits the series as there is no compromise.
The title is referred to throughout the story. There's all kinds of Ammunition different characters are loading up on.
April 22, 2010
Bruen's even handed commitment to rough noir may seem a bit relentless if it wasn't so often a seemingly true take on the way people -- such as coppers -- go about their lives. Quaint English Bobby stereotyping this aint.Amid the Metropolitan Police Force these characters are in the main ethically challenged as though registered cowboys had gone mad in sync with one another and taken over the town. This is Dodge City in London town fueled by drugs and alcohol -- and that's only the wallopers' sustenance!
Maybe Bruen's an acquired taste. While I cannot unconditionally embrace Bruen's characters -- I find I'm still uncomfortably resistive in their presence -- I can relate to them as disheveled products of where're they're at and while I would not invite any one of them home to meet mother, I defer to the fact that their stories are told with precision and some very sharp prose.
I so love the way Ken Bruen writes. No thrills nor pretension nor manipulated point-of-view 'attitude'. With verbiage kept to a minimum there's nothing to get between you and what's happening on the page.
Detective Sergeant Tom Brant -- Bruen's hero in a series of (so far, seven ) crime novels (this is the latest -- 2007) -- may be for all intents and purposes a dedicated sociopath. But if you step back and look at the genre overall, Brant wears all the contradictions that rule the lives of so many crime fiction heroes -- whether gumshoe or copper -- who simply reign over their own slice of the creative universe with impunity. Regardless of what they get up to -- it's Ok because there's a story in it and, in fiction, the creative ends justifies the means .
With Brant, there's the rest of the Old Bill to deal with. While the top brass may try to maintain a certain protocol and format order for showcase purposes, Bruen leaves us in no doubt that policing is a sham exercise ruled by self interest and politics. So Brant and his creator are governed by deep cynicism and perhaps a sense of the tragedy of it all. Here there is no room left for idealism. The cops are as one -- a spent force running on auto pilot serving only to manages crime rather than solve or prevent it.
Bruen's knack is his ability to explore the consequences of giving legal power and weaponry to individuals as a career path, and then monitoring the ongoing consequences on their psyche. It's posttraumatic stress disorder as a literary form as the gutter they are employed to clean up, inundates them.
And when you come down to the wire -- cop or crim? -- we're left with the choice betwen the lesser of two evils.
Maybe Bruen's an acquired taste. While I cannot unconditionally embrace Bruen's characters -- I find I'm still uncomfortably resistive in their presence -- I can relate to them as disheveled products of where're they're at and while I would not invite any one of them home to meet mother, I defer to the fact that their stories are told with precision and some very sharp prose.
I so love the way Ken Bruen writes. No thrills nor pretension nor manipulated point-of-view 'attitude'. With verbiage kept to a minimum there's nothing to get between you and what's happening on the page.
Detective Sergeant Tom Brant -- Bruen's hero in a series of (so far, seven ) crime novels (this is the latest -- 2007) -- may be for all intents and purposes a dedicated sociopath. But if you step back and look at the genre overall, Brant wears all the contradictions that rule the lives of so many crime fiction heroes -- whether gumshoe or copper -- who simply reign over their own slice of the creative universe with impunity. Regardless of what they get up to -- it's Ok because there's a story in it and, in fiction, the creative ends justifies the means .
With Brant, there's the rest of the Old Bill to deal with. While the top brass may try to maintain a certain protocol and format order for showcase purposes, Bruen leaves us in no doubt that policing is a sham exercise ruled by self interest and politics. So Brant and his creator are governed by deep cynicism and perhaps a sense of the tragedy of it all. Here there is no room left for idealism. The cops are as one -- a spent force running on auto pilot serving only to manages crime rather than solve or prevent it.
Bruen's knack is his ability to explore the consequences of giving legal power and weaponry to individuals as a career path, and then monitoring the ongoing consequences on their psyche. It's posttraumatic stress disorder as a literary form as the gutter they are employed to clean up, inundates them.
And when you come down to the wire -- cop or crim? -- we're left with the choice betwen the lesser of two evils.
January 17, 2024
Další osvěžování autorů před tím, než o nich začneme mluvit v podcastu. A tedy, na Kena Bruena se těším… i když se o něm bude mluvit dost těžce.
Jeho romány totiž obvykle připomínají rozbombardované domy, kdy z honosných detektivkářských vil zůstávají už jen kusy zdiva a základní konstrukce. Je odebráno všechno, co není úplně nezbytné… a i část toho, co nezbytné je. Neexistují tu přechody, postavám chybí brzdové destičky, jsou ovládané okamžitými impulzy a pokud někdo spřádá nějaké plány, tak to obvykle skončí tak, že mu někdo rozbije hlavu dřív, než stihne cokoliv udělat.
A série s inspektorem Brantem… to je jak by vypadal 87 revír, kdyby měl Ed McBain vzteklinu. Hlavní hrdina je prostě jen parchant, který zneužívá či vydírá všechno kolem sebe. Někteří policisté jsou na drogách, někteří si neváhají usnadnit práci a hodit zločin na prvního člověka, který se jim připlete do cesty… nebo zorganizovat skupinu důchodců, aby se pustili do boje s gangy (což, jak člověk tuší, moc nefunguje). Do toho je ještě jedna policistka pronásledována femme fatale, z Ameriky přijel člověk ukázat, jak se bojuje s terorismem (a je větším nebezpečím, než ti teroristé) a Branta se pokusil někdo zabít. Což by slibovalo drama – problém je, že většina Brantových nadřízených jsou naštvaní jen z toho, že se to zabití nepovedlo a že se konečně Branta nezbavili, takže se nikdo moc nepředře. Podobně jako u věcí s Taylorem, i tady je to spíš o sebezničujících hrdinech než o nějaké pátrání. A ve finále autor své hrdiny zanechává v dost nepříjemných situacích… aby se k nim už nikdy nevrátil.
Já vlastně ani nevím, proč mám pro Kena Bruena slabost – přestože mě usilovně hladí proti srsti a místo propracované kriminálky mi servíruje zuřivé kopání do nábytku. Ale možná právě proto.
Jeho romány totiž obvykle připomínají rozbombardované domy, kdy z honosných detektivkářských vil zůstávají už jen kusy zdiva a základní konstrukce. Je odebráno všechno, co není úplně nezbytné… a i část toho, co nezbytné je. Neexistují tu přechody, postavám chybí brzdové destičky, jsou ovládané okamžitými impulzy a pokud někdo spřádá nějaké plány, tak to obvykle skončí tak, že mu někdo rozbije hlavu dřív, než stihne cokoliv udělat.
A série s inspektorem Brantem… to je jak by vypadal 87 revír, kdyby měl Ed McBain vzteklinu. Hlavní hrdina je prostě jen parchant, který zneužívá či vydírá všechno kolem sebe. Někteří policisté jsou na drogách, někteří si neváhají usnadnit práci a hodit zločin na prvního člověka, který se jim připlete do cesty… nebo zorganizovat skupinu důchodců, aby se pustili do boje s gangy (což, jak člověk tuší, moc nefunguje). Do toho je ještě jedna policistka pronásledována femme fatale, z Ameriky přijel člověk ukázat, jak se bojuje s terorismem (a je větším nebezpečím, než ti teroristé) a Branta se pokusil někdo zabít. Což by slibovalo drama – problém je, že většina Brantových nadřízených jsou naštvaní jen z toho, že se to zabití nepovedlo a že se konečně Branta nezbavili, takže se nikdo moc nepředře. Podobně jako u věcí s Taylorem, i tady je to spíš o sebezničujících hrdinech než o nějaké pátrání. A ve finále autor své hrdiny zanechává v dost nepříjemných situacích… aby se k nim už nikdy nevrátil.
Já vlastně ani nevím, proč mám pro Kena Bruena slabost – přestože mě usilovně hladí proti srsti a místo propracované kriminálky mi servíruje zuřivé kopání do nábytku. Ale možná právě proto.
September 3, 2025
I have to admit that I have fallen in love with the books of Ken Bruen. They are clever, brutal, realistic, and funny as hell. This one is the last, so far, in the London series covering the adventures of Sgt. Brant and his cohorts in the South London Police.They are all flawed in one way or another and live in a world that makes the land of Film Noir seem a happy place.
This one starts with Sgt Brant being shot and the resulting fallout. The police are stymied by the fact that everyone who knows or works with the Sgt., have reasons enough to shoot him.
The basic plot is wrapped up by the end of the book but a cliffhanger or two is left for some of the continuing characters. I hope the next installment is in the works.
If you like your crime novels dark and hard hitting and need a break from British drawing room sleuths, grab any of the books in this series and hang on for quite a ride.
This one starts with Sgt Brant being shot and the resulting fallout. The police are stymied by the fact that everyone who knows or works with the Sgt., have reasons enough to shoot him.
The basic plot is wrapped up by the end of the book but a cliffhanger or two is left for some of the continuing characters. I hope the next installment is in the works.
If you like your crime novels dark and hard hitting and need a break from British drawing room sleuths, grab any of the books in this series and hang on for quite a ride.
May 16, 2008
What makes this book great is that Bruen doesn't seem all that interested in making his characters appealing at all-- the man at the center of the action, Brant, lacks all scruple, and not in a cool, I'm a rebel kind of way. It's more like he's an unrepentant shitheel and that's who he is. The other characters are flawed and getting more broken by the events of the book, but they are not quite there yet, which is why Brant is the main man and they are not.
Lean, disturbing, and unapologetic. Nice work.
Lean, disturbing, and unapologetic. Nice work.
November 13, 2007
It is rare to find the serial novel that is also well written and interesting. I stumbled across Ken Bruen about a year ago by complete accident and I enjoyed the characters and the writing. I just finished this one today and I was happy with this one as well. In fact I rated this one higher than the last because the characters are growing on me. I now have to finish all of the Inspector Brant novels. Oh well, I can think of worse books to read (in fact I have read them).
August 15, 2012
Like Bill James, Bruen makes you wonder if the police are really the good guys with his wicked portrayals of coppers on the make. In this one, anti-hero Brant gets shot, and his fellow officers have to pretend they're sorry. Brant survives to wreak the usual havoc. Bruen has a great voice, lean, mean and often very funny.
April 28, 2014
Ken Bruen is a great crime fiction writer. I couldn't put this action packed little book down, what with all the violence, drinking, corrupt cops, stress, retaliation and political incorrectness. Very funny dialogue and scenes, in the midst of all the mayhem. This is my 2nd Ken Bruen and I will continue to read through all his books, next is The Guards - can't wait.
May 19, 2009
This is the first non-Jack Taylor Bruen novel I've read. I wasn't as excited about this one, though I'd like to read more of the Brant series to see what they're like. Even though I wasn't overly-jazzed about this one, you can't beat Bruen. It's crisp, hip, and downright fun to read.
December 10, 2011
This one is a stand alone mystery set in London. Bruen writes the down and dirty mystery in the vein of James Crumley and Charles Willeford with a lot of fooks and shytes thrown in between the scenes of drinking and coke snorting and best of all brilliant dialogue.
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