A MISSING BOY’S BODY FOUND IN WOODS A SECOND BOY SNATCHED CAN THE PSYCHOLOGIST WITH A PAST HELP THE CHILDREN WITH NO FUTURE?
When Police find the body of a young boy they fear a Satanic connection and call in Dr Harrison Lane, Head of the Ritualistic Behavioural Crime unit. When a second boy is kidnapped, it becomes a race against time to save him. But he seems to have literally disappeared without trace. It’s down to Harrison to work out who could have taken him and where they’ve gone. The trouble is, the investigation reawakens the dark shadows in Harrison’s own past…
Preacher Boy is the first in the Dr Harrison Lane mysteries, fast-paced crime suspense novels full of murder and intrigue, with a little romance and humour included. Harrison travels all over the British Isles: from the atmospheric Cambridgeshire Fens, north to Durham and to the centre of the City of London, as he solves the crimes hiding behind folklore, superstition, religion, and ritual.
Gwyn GB is a writer living in Jersey, Channel Islands. A native of the UK she moved to the island with her Jersey-born husband and family.
Gwyn is a former national and international newsreader for BBC TV and ITN in London and Jersey. She's also freelanced for national newspapers and magazines in the UK, once had her own magazine publishing business and has a PR diploma. She is currently working as a freelance writer and author, and is one of the co-founders of MyVLF, the world's first virtual book festival site.
Who does not like a big, strong, silent hero? Preacher Boy brings us a brand-new hero that is intriguing, keeping you glued to the pages as you rush your way through this story. This was my first time reading anything by Gwyn GB, and what an introduction? Preacher Boy deals with children that are kidnapped and that is always a difficult read. The author consumes you in her tale making it difficult to put this book down. Luckily, the family was not annoyed with me for having dinner on a table a little late when I insisted on reading the final chapter before heading to the kitchen. When a missing boy’s body is found in the woods, in what appears to be a satanic murder DCI Barker’s calls on Dr Harrison Lane to assist. Dr Lane knows his stuff, but he is also a remarkable tracker and is extremely observant, noticing the little details that can so easily be missed. When a second boy is abducted, the pressure is on, and the detectives and Dr Lane are forced to work around the clock to solve the case and hopefully bring the second boy home alive. While doing his best to remain focussed Dr Harrison Lane struggles with the distraction of his mother’s murder as well as the attractive Dr Tanya Jones. Will they find the boy alive, or are they already too late? Crime mysteries about children always have me deeply invested and I tend to forget that I am reading fiction, always imagining what if it was my child? Preacher Boy was no different, I held my breath as I was reading hoping that the little boy would be found in time. The author kept things moving which allows you to feel as if you are part of the chase. What is not to love about Dr Harrison Lane? A big, good looking man with incredible instincts. His search for his mother’s killer adds an air of mystery that makes it impossible to not add the next book in the series to your TBR. I am already looking forward to getting my hand on The Horsemen, the next book in the series. DS Jack Salter enters the story as an arrogant character who does not have a lot of time for Dr Lane. Your first instinct is to dislike the man, yet as the story unfolds, and more is revealed about him and his struggles with his wife and new baby are revealed your opinion of him is swayed. Lately, have I drifted away from the crime mystery genre and Preacher Boy was a welcome return to one of my favourite genres. The book was an engrossing read which I battled to put down. Ladies, you are going to love this hero, but Preacher Boy has everything necessary to keep crime and mystery enthusiasts turning the pages. One thing to keep in mind, the books leaves you with a lot of unanswered questions and you will have to read the next book in the series, which I am sure will provide some answers regarding the character’s backstories.
Preacher Boy' by Gwyn G.B is the first book in a new series called The Dr Harrison Lane Mysteries. Another new author to me with a synopsis that sounded so intriguing. I sat down and jumped straight in. Dr Harrison Lane is a psychologist and head of the Metropolitan Police’s Ritualistic Behavioural Crimes Unit. A man who,when he meets with victims and their families is so empathic that he connects on levels that other people have never experienced. He cuts a dashing figure in his motorbike leathers and can seem intimidating at times. He has a tragic history with his mum and his step-dad has almost trained him to become excellent at what he does. His determination to understand the human mind has honed his skills to almost perfection. Darren Phillips has been missing for a week when his body is found in the woods laid out in a primarily religious way. DCI Sandra Barker and her most senior detective, DS Jack Salter, from Lewisham station are now attempting to solve a murder case. Before they know it another boy has been abducted. Alex Fuller, aged seven, disappears from the street in a split second. Baker and Salter realise they are really against the clock if it is the same person who took Darren Phillips.Harrison opiniin is that it is, and he creates a profile. Harrison feels that there must be something that has triggered the perpetrator to begin to kidnap these children, he is..as always correct and the trigger is soon discovered. Harrison is not just working on this case he also has things from his past that he needs to delve into concerning his mum and her death. He pushes these issues to the background as the case they are on takes over and we see it racing to a conclusion that keeps you glued to the book. I think Harrison Lane is a unique and very interesting new character and I do think his skill set just makes the Detectives groundwork seem even more concrete than without him. Gwen GB has created a solid set of characters that are well rounded and very likeable too. I thoroughly enjoyed the twists in the storyline and the originality of this book. There were some things left open and I am now eagerly awaiting Gwyn's next book in the series. Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and Chalky Dog Publishing for my copy of the book.
This was the first novel I ever read of this author and since it was the opening book of a brand-new series, it was a perfect start and introduction to a "new-to-me" author. Plus, crime thriller is always a good genre to read.
In this book we follow Dr. Harrison Lane, the Head of the Metropolitan Police’s Ritualistic Behavioural Crimes Unit, in a journey full of mystery and I'm not talking just the murder that Dr. Lane is trying to solve. As we get to know more about Harrison, we learn not only is background, and how he became such enigmatic character, but also the mysteries he has in is past.
One of the things I loved about the book was that we have the characters stories and personal problems in the mix. It's not just a crime that needs to be solve, it's about the interactions between the characters, it's about their personalities and their backgrounds. That just made me connect with them and want to learn more. Since it's a series, its something I found very good to have from the very beginning.
I also loved all the Ritualistic Behavioral element, and the theories behind the murder and the serial killer case. That got me thinking and wondering, just like those tv shows around the minds of criminals.
Overall, although it could be a weird thing to say, I had fun with the book. I think that it was a brilliant start, and there are enough questions in my mind about the characters, specially Harrison, that makes me want to read the next books and continue to follow the series. Plus, I want to see what other cases they will have to deal with in the future.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, Qwyn GB for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
Dr Harrison Lane is an intriguing character with an unusual backstory. He has an air of mystery about him, he’s an unknown quantity, particularly to one member of the team who who takes any opportunity to try and belittle him, mainly because he doesn’t share many personal details and he utilises the tracking and survival skills he learned from his Native American stepfather. Skills which, combined with his training as a psychologist, have been more than successful in his chosen career. They will, he hopes, be as successful in his hunt for the person or persons who murdered his mother, as disturbing memories begin to surface.
An impressive man, with a well muscled physique which is often clad in motorbike leathers, Harrison has the ability to understand and empathise with other people’s emotions and respond accordingly.
Head of the Met’s Ritualistic Behavioural Crime Unit, Harrison is called in to assist DCI Barker’s team and assess a crime scene where the body of a young boy has been discovered.
Rather than focussing on the conventional police work going on around him, Harrison ponders on the relevance of clues left at the crime scene and draws some immediate conclusions about the perpetrator. Then another boy disappears from the street while his parents’ attention was elsewhere for a moment. Harrison is aware, if it’s the same abductor, they haven’t much time to find the boy alive.
The plot is worked through well and the interaction between the diverse cast of characters holds the attention and is the driving force of the story. A great start to a new series and one I look forward to following.
Preacher Boy by Gwyn GB is an interesting mystery that was unique in many ways. It surprised me and I really enjoyed that about this. The plot is clever. It ramps up from on murder to a serial killer case, and it is an adrenaline rush to watch the team attempt to solve the case.
The writing is very different than what I’m used to, but I really enjoyed it. It’s omniscient rather than in a single POV, which I think takes talent from the author. We are in many character’s heads, and Gwyn GB managed to keep it all straight and not confusing for the readers.
Preacher Boy was a very intriguing mystery with great characters, an interesting plot, and unique writing style. I enjoyed the pace and am looking forward to more from this author.
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the copy of Preacher Boy and the opportunity to honestly review this book on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
This is a compelling and well-plotted detective mystery with psychological suspense and police procedural elements that make it an addictive read.
Dr Harrison Lane has a mysterious and unusual past which facilitates his role as head of the Metropolitan Police's Ritualistic Behavioural Crimes Unit. Some consider him a little strange and lacking in social skills, but his undoubted profiling knowledge and insight into the criminal mind draw respect from all who work with him.
The discovery of a young boy's body and a subsequent abduction involves Harrison in a crime where the clock is ticking to save the young victim. He is a likeable character who empathises with the victims and puts his safety at risk for the sake of the victims. The police team dynamic is realistic and adds to the authenticity. The investigation is logical and immerses the reader in the story.
An intense and satisfying conclusion, which leaves clues to Harrison's past to be answered at a later date.
An exciting crime mystery with an engaging protagonist.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
I enjoyed this suspenseful thriller. This is a newer author for me and I look forward to seeing what is next for them. This is a well written story about a missing boy's body that was found in the woods, an other boy comes up missing and the man who has a past that is trying to solve this mystery. I enjoyed being pulled into the story from the beginning. Dr. Harrison Lane made such a great character and really made the story for me. The other characters are connectable and added to the story. This is a story that is full of action and kept me turning pages to the end. I am glad that I picked it up and gave it a chance. I highly recommend this book.
I have been incredibly impressed with the writing of Gwynn Gb. Right from the very first page of Preacher Boy I was absolutely gripped.
The characters, particularly Harrison Lane are interesting, well developed and I was there for every step of the investigation. Harrisons character is charismatic and his intelligence and insight which are born from his past, make him a different kind of character. He would not have been out of place on the set of criminal minds, yet at the same time his character felt fresh.
The pace of the plot was, for me, spot on. Fast enough to keep me rapt but still thorough.
Preacher boy does have a dark theme, every parents nightmare. I became 100% gripped by the plot and was really invested in the case.
An intriguing read - Harrison is an interesting choice of character and the crime is intriguing and well plotted. I got a little tired of the descriptions of how muscly and brooding Harrison was. However the novel is pacy and intriguing it shines an interesting light on crimes and profiling and is an interesting twist on a police procedural type novel. 4.5* from me
I have read all this author’s previous books and was looking forward to a new series and the introduction of a new protagonist. I was not disappointed. This story was sad but written sensitively and I felt for the victims but also for the professionals dealing with horrible situations. I am glad I don’t have to wait long for book two as I want to find out more about the characters in this book especially Jack and Harrison himself who has his own demons. It was also refreshing to have a woman in charge of the police who didn’t have to try to pretend she was harder than the men but used her own skills.
Dr Harrison Lane is about to become one of my new favourite crime-solving heroes. As an avid viewer of Criminal Minds and the Behavior Analysis Unit of the FBI, it was a no-brainer that I wanted to read this book. And while the BAU team includes many a fabulous character, there’s no-one quite like Dr Lane. He is an enigma to his colleagues with his unusual skills (as learnt whilst growing up among the Shadow Wolves, a group of Native American trackers who work to prevent smuggling along the Mexico-USA border in Arizona.) Not to mention, he has a mystery of his own to solve (that of his mother’s killer). Combined, he stands out as different. But if your loved one has been the victim of a murder, then he’s the one you’d want to hunt down the murderer.
The story features a number of great characters, many with their own personal issues that affect how they handle their job. The plot is clever and interesting as it evolves from a single murder to a serial killer case, requiring the police team to trust Lane’s judgement regardless of whether they understand or even agree with it.
I found the writing to be unusual, varying from most books I read these days in that it was more omniscient in style than viewpoint-driven, often in more than one character’s head in a scene. When even a nameless woman “with pulled back hair” got to have “thoughts” about the situation unravelling at the police station, it threw me out a little. But despite being that little bit different in storytelling style, the strength of the story and the cast of characters more than kept me engaged. I’ll be checking out the next book in the series for sure.
Preacher Boy is an intriguing mystery, not least for its leading man, but also as a result of the dynamics between the characters which drive the story forward at a good pace, while still thrilling the reader with its originality.
I read the blurb for this book and thought “oooh!!”, that sounds really good and a little bit different! And I wasn’t wrong. This first story heralds what is promising to be a really fantastic series!! Dr Harrison Lane is a psychologist and head of the Metropolitan Police’s Ritualistic Behavioural Crimes Unit. He is a striking figure in his motorbike leathers, muscled and intimidating looking when needs be, but he also has a wonderful empathy with victims and their families which endears him to most people around him, especially the ladies! He is clearly very talented at what he does, thanks in part to the training of his step-father Joe and in part to his tragic history with his mother which has driven him to try to understand the human mind. His basement office at Scotland Yard HQ sounds fascinating, with his collection of items from all sorts of weird and wonderful religions and cults. The story opens with the discovery of the body of young Darren Phillips, laid out in the woods in a scene that has religious overtones. The boy has been missing for a week and DCI Sandra Barker and her most senior detective, DS Jack Salter, from Lewisham station now have a murder instead of an abduction to solve. Barker knows Harrison’s input could be crucial in this. Very quickly the news comes that a second boy has been taken. Alex Fuller, aged seven, vanishes from a street in a few moments while his parents’ backs are turned. The detectives know they many only have a week to find him if it is the same abductor. Harrison thinks that it is, and draws up a profile. He thinks something must have happened to set the killer off on this – and it’s not long before they discover the grisly trigger. Whilst immersed in this investigation to locate their chief suspect and a missing child, Harrison is also plagued by vague memories of a terrible event that happened many years ago. He finds himself being drawn back to it by evil people from that time and he knows he won’t rest until he has avenged his mother’s death, but that will just have to go on the back burner as the team hurtles towards a fast and thrilling ending. Harrison Lane is a brilliant new invention with some quite unique skills to balance and enhance the solid groundwork of the detectives. The well drawn characters including Barker, Salter, Dr Tanya Jones and Harrison’s assistant Ryan were all very easy to take to and like. The plot is clever and twisty, with also an interesting little side case to be solved along the way. There are a couple of nice interesting threads left open which I hope will be expanded upon in the next story, The Horsemen, which is out soon. 5*
I feel like a schoolgirl – *sigh* – Harrison Lane is my new literary crush.
Dr Harrison Lane is a police consultant, one familiar with ‘the darker side’ of religion and ritual. He’s curious, knowledgeable, tall and (by all accounts) very attractive, and he was raised by an expert tracker, so he’s one of those too. He rides a motorcycle, wears leathers, and seems to distract all the coppers he works with, though his social skills definitely need some work.
Through this book, said social skills grow a little, and I’m looking for their development in the next. He’s not the absolute perfect man quite yet. 😉
He’s got a data analyst/computer-whizz sidekick called Riley, who eats too much junk food and has little respect for authority – or maybe that’s just for certain kinds of authority. Either way, I’m looking forward to Riley’s development too.
I raced through Preacher Boy in a day. It’s that kind of ‘just one more chapter’ read – and I needed to know what happens. You will too. Trust me. It’s an excellent twisty-turny UK based police procedural.
There were just two small things that bugged me.
First, every mention of the/a Bible was in italics with a capital: Bible. It looks a little odd. Researched why one word could look so odd to me and discovered that New Hart’s Rules, Chicago and AP all say cap only, no italics. Totally depends on the author’s chosen Style Guide, of course, but when 3 different guides agree…(And I’ve now been focusing on the word Bible too long – now just the word looks odd. 🙄 Yes, it’s an editor’s problem.)
Second, every woman in the book had daydreams about Harrison Lane. So, there was a little head-hopping. But, really? Every woman? (Besides, he’s mine! 😁)
And, I felt right at home – Harrison Lane tramps through some of my old London haunts. Ah, memories…
Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed Preacher Boy. I enjoyed it so much I got in touch with the author on Twitter.
I told her it was great, that Harrison Lane’s my new literary boyfriend, and I’ve been lucky enough to have been sent an ARC of Book 2 (which Gwyn tells me is published soon)! YAY! Thank you Ms Gwyn! Keep your eyes out for a review of The Horsemen…
I'll be honest, meeting Dr Harrison Lane for the first time in Preacher Boy I didn't think I was going to like the character. Whooshing in on his big, powerful motorbike like some supercool dude, the women seem to like him, the main male character seems to be really jealous of him...
But the premise of the book appealed to me so I kept an open mind and carried on. Which is a good thing really as I enjoyed the book immensely.
Lane is the head of the Met's Ritualistic Behavioural Crime Unit, the guy the cops call on when things get really dark and that's just how it is when he attends the site where a young boy is staked out in what looks like a murder with satanic overtones. Before long another boy is missing and it's the usual 'race against the clock' type of scenario but 'usual' doesn't detract from the impact of the story (I'll be reading more of this author again for sure).
What I really enjoyed was seeing Lane at work, he kind of switches a lot of the world off and sees things others don't which leads to him picking up clues others would miss and seeing 'inside' the murderers mindset.
Harrison Lane is a psychologist working for the London Metropolitan Police as a civilian expert in ritualistic behavioral crimes. His own background is unusual, to say the least. His mother led a bohemian life, was involved in a rather alarming cult, and also, in one of the most positive formative experiences of Harrison's life, lived with one of the Shadow Wolves, a group of Native American trackers who work to prevent smuggling along the Mexico-USA border in Arizona.
After returning to the UK, Harrison's mother was murdered, and that became a major motivation for him to not only study psychology, but to study ritualistic behavior associated with criminal activity. He's determined to solve his mother's murder, but along the way, he also works with the police to solve crimes rooted in the same ritualistic criminal behavior.
One fine morning, he is called to the site where the body of a young boy has been found. The boy disappeared a couple of weeks ago, but he's newly dead, in a park, with a wooden cross set next to him, and paper with Bible verses in his mouth.
It appears that the boy wasn't necessarily intentionally killed, but died of the stress of his confinement in a small space. There are traces of teak oil on his body. While the police, both uniform and homicide detectives, try to trace the more conventional clues, Lane is trying to puzzle out the significance of the Bible verses chosen, and says that the perpetrator is likely a man with deep and very strict religious views, may have recently stopped attending church, and may have recently suffered a significant change or loss in his life. It's not a lot to go on, but it's what they have, for now.
Then another child is taken. Again a young boy, very similar in size and appearance to the first.
With all the intense demands of the case, now an apparent serial killer case, the police unit working on it is under other stresses. They're short-staffed, and may have to borrow personnel from other units. One detective sergeant, a very good detective, is a new father, and his wife is suffering from post-partum depression--and she can't accept that this is not abnormal and that she's neither weak nor a bad mother if she gets help for it.
Harrison Lane himself is experiencing buried memories from his childhood returning, traumatic events that include his mother, and is encountering possible clues to the people he suspects of her murder.
Lane and the detective sergeant are clashing partly because of the detective sergeant's doubts about Lane's admittedly strange methods and quite creepily decorated office, and partly because the detective sergeant needs an outlet for his stress.
It's a fascinating mystery, and a fascinating collection of compelling characters, who develop and grow over the course of the story. This includes some strong women characters, most notably Detective Chief Inspector Sandra Barker, and crime scene manager Dr. Tanya Jones.
This is an excellent mystery and well worth your time. Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
Title: Preacher Boy Author: Gwyn GB Pages: 274 Rating: 4/5
A huge thank you to the author, Random Things Tours for allowing me to be part of the tour.
Synopsis:
A missing boy’s body is found in the woods, the police fear there may be a satanic connection and therefore call in the help of Dr Harrison Lane. He is the head of the Ritualistic Behavioural Crime Unit, but he has a past of his own too. A second boy is kidnapped and now it is a race against time to save him. It is up to Harrison to work out who has the boy and why. But this investigation also reawakens the dark shadows in his past.
Review: Everything had me hooked with this book, the front cover and the description instantly grabbed my attention. This is the first book of Gwyn’s that I would be reading but I have heard good things and I was excited to explore her work. Anything satanic and ritualistic does weirdly intrigue me, couldn’t wait to delve in for this reason.
Preacher Boy is the first book in the Dr Harrison Lane series so I was very eager to meet him. The first chapter really kicked off the story, the author does a brilliant job at setting the scene. I found the chapter endings really had you wanting more and kept you in suspense. It began to hard to put the book down as a result of this and I found a few times I had the just the one more chapter feeling.
I found the characters all to be very likeable, there was one I didn’t connect with and I appreciated how we had an insight to their real personal problems, they were genuine human beings, not just cops in a thriller. As for Dr Harrison Lane, he really did intrigue me and I want to continue to get to know him further.
The clever pot had me interested throughout and I was left wanting more when the book had finished, I really wasn’t looking forward to it ending. I really did struggle to put this twisty book back down. The place was sport in, it wasn’t majorly quick but enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. I found things really began to get tense towards the end and I really wanted to finish the book, just to find out what happened, not because I wanted it to end. The dark, ritualistic parts didn’t disappoint me, I just loved this suspenseful mystery thriller.
TRIGGER WARNING; this book includes child abduction and murder A young boy is found dead and displayed in a way that suggests a ritual or Satanic influence. The police call in Dr Harrison Lane to help with their investigation. Another boy is abducted: can Dr Lane's insights help to find him before another murder ensues...? Preacher Boy is the first book in a new series. It features Dr Harrison Lane and the police team he works with. There are three characters that stand out for me and we are thoroughly introduced to them in this opening book. Dr Harrison Lane has a dark past. He is facing his own demons in the form of an upheaval during his childhood, the death of his mother and the flashbacks which haunt him. His background also gives him extra skills and insights which help him advance the investigation. Police officers Sandra Barker and Jack Salter have contrasting personal lives. Sandra is married to the job, rarely seeing her family due to long hours. Her addiction to chocolate gives her a human balance against the authority figure she presents. Jack has a newborn baby and a wife with postnatal depression. He is struggling to focus on his work due to his fears of what may be happening at home. The case itself is quite nasty and deeply emotive. There are forensic details that are grisly but these relate to an adult body (thankfully?!) The personal dimension to the main characters counteracts the atrocities they investigate. It also serves to make us care about their wellbeing as the action ramps up towards the end of the book. Preacher Boy is a fab start to a new series and I look forward to seeing where the author takes the characters in the next book.
4.25⭐️ Gore score 3/5 stomach churning in places. #1 in the Harrison Lane mystery series. A new to me author whose ebook I was lucky enough to win in a competition.
Dr Harrison Kane is a blend of psychologist, ritualistic behavioural crime expert and tracker. His skill set really gives this crime book something different and makes it a little unusual.
He is called in on the death of a 7 year old boy found staged in the woods. The descriptions feel at one with nature, they are fully descriptive without being wordy.
During the threads of the book we are given insights into some ritualistic crimes, he also uses his tracking skills taught to him by a Native American Indian who is the nearest he has to a father.
I really like the slightly haughty manner of Harrison. He instantly intrigued me, he is eye catching, handsome, a sexy hunk who is also compassionate and caring.
There is also a thread which is linked to Harrison’s past and his mother which is intriguing as those details are drip fed, we gradually learn more of his back story.
There’s some sexual chemistry between Harrison and Dr Tanya Jones which adds interest.
I would say that the pace ranges between slow and medium.
There are 2 threads which are un resolved and move into the next book in the series.
This is a great gritty quite dark read, lovely to have something a bit different in the genre. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series
Was kindly gifted this awesome book to review. It’s been lovely being away and getting the chance to read this during downtime.
It was a pure crime and mystery read following a missing child and others along the way. Dr Harrison Lane firstly sounds so dreamy and his character is not your usual mystery solving detective. It’s awesome reading it from a psychologist’s perspective and the involvement within crime. There was something different about him that made this read fast paced and it wasn’t just because of how good looking he’s made to be. Dr Lane is most definitely connected emotionally to everyone around him, past and present. For the first in a series of future mysteries it wasn’t boring or dull. It was exciting, gripping, tense and the book was organised thoroughly.
As a psychology student I massively enjoyed this book. There was a lot of detail that pulls on your heart strings through the unbearable times. I was unaware of this author but it’s captivated me to read the other books published. I’ll definitely be watching out for the next one in the series to see if there are some follow ups that were left slightly open in this book.
If you love a gripping book that you can read in a day this is 100% the one for you. I hated putting it down and it frustrated me not being able to finish it in one sitting. Absolutely fantastic book.
Preacher Boy is the first book in the Dr Harrison Lane series. Harrison has the skills set to solve unusual murderers especially those that hide behind spiritualism and religion to do evil. Harrison was raised by a bohemian mother and a native American Shadow Wolf- an elite tracking squad that works with US Drug enforcers. After finding a young boy dead in the woods in what looks like a Satanic killing, Harrison is called to help a team of detectives. When a second Boy is found it's a race against time to find the killer.
✝️Great Characters ✝️Brilliant Plot ✝️Crime Fiction ✝️Good Pace
I really enjoyed this crime fiction novel, it had all the right elements a good old murder mystery, a leading detective with distinct skills and a brilliant police team around him with lots of leads and pieces to the puzzle along the way. A great first book to the series with hints to Harrison back story to make you want to find out more...
I will definitely be reading more in the Harrison Lane series.
What I liked about this book was that it contains some great characters, who we get to know well through the insights into their personal lives, as well as their professional ones. The cases that are investigated are interesting, thanks to their links to ritualistic crime, and the main character is intriguing and not the usual run of the mill investigator, thanks to the influence of his Native American Step-father. There is also some mystery regarding Harrison’s past, which the reader gets to discover in snippets throughout the novel. This book was a quick read for me, thanks to it’s perfect pace, intriguing plot and solid characters. I didn’t necessarily find the ending completely satisfying, however that is because this is the first book in a new series and there is more to come. I will definitely be reading the next book in the Harrison Lane Mystery Series.
This was a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review : In this first book, we get to meet the new characters and all their “behind the scenes” personalities, in what promises to be a great start to a series of books to come! I enjoyed visiting crime scenes set in and around South London as they resonated with me as part of my teenage years! I really liked the authors writing style, it was to the point, fast paced and believable. All the way through the book, the main character, Dr Harrison is haunted by his own past and we, as the reader, are kept guessing as to what his triggers may me but all lean towards the ritualistic murder he is helping to solve.
The book had a a great build up but felt we were left slightly hanging in the balance towards the end but this is because Dr Harrison will no doubt unfold as the series goes on. Needless to say I shall be reading the whole series with bated breath! A griping thriller, highly recommended.
Thank you to Random Things Tours got my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first the book of a new crime thriller.
Dr. Harrison Lane is part of the Met’s Police Ritualistic Behavioural Crimes Unit. He is investigating a seemingly ritualistic murder of a young boy. Using his unique skills he’s helping DCI Barker in her investigation, all the while Harrison is dealing with memories of his own past and the death of his mother.
Then another young boy disappears and this becomes a race against time to stop a serial killer before anyone else dies…….
This really is a gripping read, from the bizarre killings, the fantastic characters and a dark, twisted plot keeping you hooked from start to finish. A fantastic start to a new crime thriller series and is a must read for any fan of the tv show, Criminal Minds.
Thank you to Random Things Tours for the opportunity to be part of this blog tour, for the promotional material and an eARC of Preacher Boy.
This is a compelling and well-plotted detective mystery with psychological suspense and police procedural elements that make it an addictive read.
Dr Harrison Lane has a mysterious and unusual past which facilitates his role as head of the Metropolitan Police's Ritualistic Behavioural Crimes Unit. Some consider him a little strange and lacking in social skills, but his undoubted profiling knowledge and insight into the criminal mind draw respect from all who work with him.
The discovery of a young boy's body and a subsequent abduction involves Harrison in a crime where the clock is ticking to save the young victim. He is a likeable character who empathises with the victims and puts his safety at risk for the sake of the victims. The police team dynamic is realistic and adds to the authenticity. The investigation is logical and immerses the reader in the story.
An intense and satisfying conclusion, which leaves clues to Harrison's past to be answered at a later date.
An exciting crime mystery with an engaging protagonist.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
This is the first in the Dr Harrison Lane series and my first introduction to Gwyn GB.
I loved the descriptions in this book they were superb - often gruesome but superb - and I felt transported to the various locations but sublimely described smells, sounds and sights.
Dr Harrison Lane is the strong, manly, mysterious type and he was an interesting character to follow. His back story is an intriguing one and the department he heads up in innovative and breaks the standard crime thriller mould.
Overall this is a satisfying and engaging read - full of new and interesting characters that I look forward to reading more about in future books.
I couldn't put the book down, it was so exciting. Very good book, everything is right, you get to know the characters well, you empathize with them, Psychologist Harrison Lane is attached to the London police to investigate ritual murders. He is used in the search for a little boy who could become the next victim of a murder. Meanwhile, he also has his own baggage: he wants to solve the murder of his mother, 20 years ago. The writing style is attractive, easy to read. Lots of suspense, terrible things also happen, but I don't find the description lurid or distasteful. So, a winner in my opinion
If you like your murder mysteries on the darker side this is for you, I for one loved it and am so glad it is part of a series.
Dr Harrison Lane is a great character, a unique invention and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about him and the extraordinary case he is faced with. The case sees him looking into the death of a boy and there may be an satanic element to the murder.
The author has created a great story with a terrific cast of characters.
My first book from this author and I really enjoyed it. The characters were all believable and you could really feel for DS Jack Slater as the book progressed. The back story for Harrison Lane developed slowly and although we still don't fully know the intricacies of his previous life we have a good idea that there are some skeletons to come out of the closet in later books. The story itself was interesting - not too confusing - with the exciting ending too.
Look forward to the next in the series and learning more about the team.
This story was well written and developed. I liked the plot. I loved the writer’s writing style. I loved the characters especially Dr. Harrison Lane. I liked how he handled the case and never gave up. I was happy with the ending as well. The only fault I found was the author kept describing Dr. Lane throughout the book. I look forward to book 2.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book
Initially, I was overwhelmed with all the new characters - obviously being the first in a series that will happen - but as I got into the book I soon got to grips with who was who. By the time I was about a quarter of the way through the book I was hooked. A great story with a completely different slant to the police procedural books I usually read, with Harrison looking at ritualistic possibilities. Needless to say, as soon as I finished this I downloaded and started reading the second in the series, The Horsemen. Pleased to see storylines running through.