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Nick Shannon #1-5
Nick Shannon Thrillers #1-5
Included in this 5-book box set:
BOOK 1: DUE DILIGENCE
Seven years ago Nick’s sister was paralysed by a hit-and-run driver. His fierce love for her made him agree to end her agonising pain with a heroin overdose. Now Nick’s out of prison. All he wants is to put his life back together. But it’s not long before Nick finds himself in trouble with the police again. Nick goes to meet his boss at home. But he finds him with his head cut off . . . And now Nick’s the prime suspect.
BOOK 2: COLLATERAL DAMAGE
Nick Shannon has the perfect experience for a job in the Fraud Squad. But the cases he’s given are about as stimulating as watching paint dry in a dark room. But now things are about to explode. Nick is questioning Martin Redmond, an alleged small-time fraudster. But it turns out that Martin’s crimes weren’t so petty after all. Nick can’t even trust his own colleagues, so he decides to go it alone. Is that the decision that will finally get him killed?
BOOK 3: FALSE PROFITS
Nick is investigating an insurance company who are ripping off their customers. Then the lifeless body of David, one of the company directors, is found in the company car park late one evening by a security guard. Meanwhile Nick’s lover, Arlene, needs his help. She’s caught up in a property scam and wants to use his skills to bring down the conmen responsible. Can Nick scam the scammers? Or will his plan backfire?
BOOK 4: THE MONEY RACE
A local councillor’s daughter is missing, as well as several hundred thousand pounds of council funds. But who’s responsible? It’s up to Nick Shannon to find out. Her father is certain she’s been abducted, but Nick isn’t so sure. He suspects that if he can trace the money, he will find her. If he follows the money, can he find the girl?
BOOK 5: BLUE ON BLUE
When it’s police against the police, it’s a Blue on Blue, and no good ever comes from it. Nick Shannon, fraud investigator, is asked to clear the name of a police officer accused of embezzling a million pounds. Nick digs deep into the murky world of the police and doesn’t like what he finds. He wants justice and nothing will stop him. Except death, and that’s exactly what someone has in mind.
BOOK 1: DUE DILIGENCE
Seven years ago Nick’s sister was paralysed by a hit-and-run driver. His fierce love for her made him agree to end her agonising pain with a heroin overdose. Now Nick’s out of prison. All he wants is to put his life back together. But it’s not long before Nick finds himself in trouble with the police again. Nick goes to meet his boss at home. But he finds him with his head cut off . . . And now Nick’s the prime suspect.
BOOK 2: COLLATERAL DAMAGE
Nick Shannon has the perfect experience for a job in the Fraud Squad. But the cases he’s given are about as stimulating as watching paint dry in a dark room. But now things are about to explode. Nick is questioning Martin Redmond, an alleged small-time fraudster. But it turns out that Martin’s crimes weren’t so petty after all. Nick can’t even trust his own colleagues, so he decides to go it alone. Is that the decision that will finally get him killed?
BOOK 3: FALSE PROFITS
Nick is investigating an insurance company who are ripping off their customers. Then the lifeless body of David, one of the company directors, is found in the company car park late one evening by a security guard. Meanwhile Nick’s lover, Arlene, needs his help. She’s caught up in a property scam and wants to use his skills to bring down the conmen responsible. Can Nick scam the scammers? Or will his plan backfire?
BOOK 4: THE MONEY RACE
A local councillor’s daughter is missing, as well as several hundred thousand pounds of council funds. But who’s responsible? It’s up to Nick Shannon to find out. Her father is certain she’s been abducted, but Nick isn’t so sure. He suspects that if he can trace the money, he will find her. If he follows the money, can he find the girl?
BOOK 5: BLUE ON BLUE
When it’s police against the police, it’s a Blue on Blue, and no good ever comes from it. Nick Shannon, fraud investigator, is asked to clear the name of a police officer accused of embezzling a million pounds. Nick digs deep into the murky world of the police and doesn’t like what he finds. He wants justice and nothing will stop him. Except death, and that’s exactly what someone has in mind.
1688 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 9, 2021
612 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Paul Bennett
21 books14 followersPaul Bennett was born in London and educated at Alleyn's school in Dulwark. He studied Economics at Exeter University and spent seven years in advertising. When he left advertising, he set up a market research agency whuch he sold in 1986. He has now semi-retired in order to pursue writing. Bennett lives in a converted barn in Essex with his wife and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 17, 2022
I enjoyed the series. It is an easy read and gives an entertaining view of the British way of life that is often missing in this type of novel. If you like terse prose and a tight style, you may not enjoy the authors observations on English life and bridge etc.
I am usually want a tight script, but enjoyed the books because it showed me a view of England I seldom see. Enjoyable characters and just a relaxing read. I rarely read 5 books of a series without taking a break with another novel. I read all 5 and wished there was another.
I am usually want a tight script, but enjoyed the books because it showed me a view of England I seldom see. Enjoyable characters and just a relaxing read. I rarely read 5 books of a series without taking a break with another novel. I read all 5 and wished there was another.
December 20, 2021
What a marvellous discovery this series of books are.
The storyline is original, interesting and entertaining.
The characters are likeable and very quickly you find yourself drawn into their lives.
At times I found myself laughing hysterically and at other times I was on tenterhooks anxiously awaiting for the fate of Nick and his amazing team.
I wholeheartedly recommend these books to even the most difficult to please reader +++++++
The storyline is original, interesting and entertaining.
The characters are likeable and very quickly you find yourself drawn into their lives.
At times I found myself laughing hysterically and at other times I was on tenterhooks anxiously awaiting for the fate of Nick and his amazing team.
I wholeheartedly recommend these books to even the most difficult to please reader +++++++
January 23, 2023
Overall - I found this series to be a bit marmite. In places it is very good, in others it is very bad.
I suppose the good outweighs the bad or I wouldn't have bothered finishing the series.
I skipped a lot of places where it was obvious they were just flowery observations of a person or food and drink.
*The continual reference to food and drink I found interminably boring and kept wanting the author to just get on with the story.
I think the premise of a criminal turned forensic accountant to be a good one and different from previous models of "reformed" characters.
The build-ups are mostly good, the first book especially, but the endings (first book excepted) are generally fairly weak (contrived in Book 5!).
Book 1:
I think you will need to be a fan of Bridge (the card game) to really enjoy this one - which I am fortunately.
Book 5:
blew me out altogether, and without giving away too many spoilers, I felt there must have been a tome written between book 4 and book 5 that I had missed out on.
Not only does a primary character just disappear - the remaining character's personalities changed so much from Books 1-4.
For that reason, I found it extra hard to enjoy and is probably the basis of the overall 3* review. I nearly gave it a 2* to be fair. Before Book 5 it was probably a 3.5*.
Would I recommend the Nick Shannon Series - probably not - I think this author is more of a "cozy" mystery writer than the author of thrillers.
So will I read others by Paul Bennett? The simple answer is I honestly don't know.
Maybe I will come back to him in a couple of years, but I am not currently excited enough to go looking for his books.
I suppose the good outweighs the bad or I wouldn't have bothered finishing the series.
I skipped a lot of places where it was obvious they were just flowery observations of a person or food and drink.
*The continual reference to food and drink I found interminably boring and kept wanting the author to just get on with the story.
I think the premise of a criminal turned forensic accountant to be a good one and different from previous models of "reformed" characters.
The build-ups are mostly good, the first book especially, but the endings (first book excepted) are generally fairly weak (contrived in Book 5!).
Book 1:
I think you will need to be a fan of Bridge (the card game) to really enjoy this one - which I am fortunately.
Book 5:
blew me out altogether, and without giving away too many spoilers, I felt there must have been a tome written between book 4 and book 5 that I had missed out on.
Not only does a primary character just disappear - the remaining character's personalities changed so much from Books 1-4.
For that reason, I found it extra hard to enjoy and is probably the basis of the overall 3* review. I nearly gave it a 2* to be fair. Before Book 5 it was probably a 3.5*.
Would I recommend the Nick Shannon Series - probably not - I think this author is more of a "cozy" mystery writer than the author of thrillers.
So will I read others by Paul Bennett? The simple answer is I honestly don't know.
Maybe I will come back to him in a couple of years, but I am not currently excited enough to go looking for his books.
November 17, 2022
It's unusual for me to read a block of five books without breaking off to read something else but the storyline was interesting and kept you going. An interesting take as a convicted killer turns forensic accountant and part-time detective.
The downside of the book for me was the interminable laying out of bridge hands which I've never played and may as well have been in Russian. The same result could have been achieved much more briefly although I'm sure if you did play bridge it may have been of more interest.
Nick Shannon is a likeable character as are his team that are gradually assembled throughout the books. There are some nice twists to the plot and some well-developed subplots. I thought the death of one of the characters could have been handled better there was no real lead up to it it and it jarred a bit with the flow of the story. Apart from that a very good read and would recommend.
The downside of the book for me was the interminable laying out of bridge hands which I've never played and may as well have been in Russian. The same result could have been achieved much more briefly although I'm sure if you did play bridge it may have been of more interest.
Nick Shannon is a likeable character as are his team that are gradually assembled throughout the books. There are some nice twists to the plot and some well-developed subplots. I thought the death of one of the characters could have been handled better there was no real lead up to it it and it jarred a bit with the flow of the story. Apart from that a very good read and would recommend.
February 7, 2022
Good Thriller Series
Surprisingly, a good series of five books that start out a bit slowly and come full full circle by the end of Book 5. Overall the books started with an interesting "hook" regarding Nick's sister, her murder and why he did it. The first book had a major segment on Bridge which may have showed the author was a good Bridge player, but it was boring. The other books built on Nicks relationships with his friends and Arlene, while continuing his investigative/sleuthing persuits, ending in the solution of Nick's sister's hit and run. The death of Arlene, without any lead-in could have been better handled. One big negative was the forced, mixed race romance between Nick and Cherry Walker at the end of Book 5...a complete turn-off, and it convinced me to not read anymore Paul Bennet novels.
Surprisingly, a good series of five books that start out a bit slowly and come full full circle by the end of Book 5. Overall the books started with an interesting "hook" regarding Nick's sister, her murder and why he did it. The first book had a major segment on Bridge which may have showed the author was a good Bridge player, but it was boring. The other books built on Nicks relationships with his friends and Arlene, while continuing his investigative/sleuthing persuits, ending in the solution of Nick's sister's hit and run. The death of Arlene, without any lead-in could have been better handled. One big negative was the forced, mixed race romance between Nick and Cherry Walker at the end of Book 5...a complete turn-off, and it convinced me to not read anymore Paul Bennet novels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2022
The first book in this series of 5 began with the hero, Nick, serving a prison sentence for murdering his sister! that had me hooked from the start. The plots and characters are great. I really enjoyed the stories and following the life and progress of Nick and his dodgy ex con friends, who reluctantly joined forces with the fraud squad to go undercover and solve some complex financial crimes. There's murder, mystery and mayhem, and some satisfying outcomes, as well as some light hearted humourous elements. I can wholeheartedly recommend these stories to any thriller reader.
Had I not found the constant and sometimes, dare I say, over use of similies a bit frustrating I would have given it 5 stars.
PS there's a book 6 now.....looking forward to reading it!
Had I not found the constant and sometimes, dare I say, over use of similies a bit frustrating I would have given it 5 stars.
PS there's a book 6 now.....looking forward to reading it!
May 12, 2023
A Good Buy
I have reviewed each book separately but would like to say I enjoyed all the books, but think book 5 is the best so far. I found the first two or three books had far too much information about playing bridge. I am really not a card player, so found myself skipping bits. I particularly enjoyed the frauds themselves. However do people think of them I wonder. I felt the set of books was good value for money.
I have reviewed each book separately but would like to say I enjoyed all the books, but think book 5 is the best so far. I found the first two or three books had far too much information about playing bridge. I am really not a card player, so found myself skipping bits. I particularly enjoyed the frauds themselves. However do people think of them I wonder. I felt the set of books was good value for money.
March 11, 2022
Characters were good but let down by too much descripted padding and huge amount of pages on bridge hands, skip read to cut out all the unnecessary creative writing. Kindle also had a spoiler as the acknowledgements were given after book 2 which confirmed the death of a main character. Book 5 was a lot better even though it was chapter 5 before it covers the death of one of the main characters.
December 3, 2021
A different kind of thriller. very good reading.
The protagonist is not a private investigator or a police detective. He is a convicted killer. He is taught Accounting in prison and becomes a fraud investigator upon release.
This is an enjoyable five book series.
The protagonist is not a private investigator or a police detective. He is a convicted killer. He is taught Accounting in prison and becomes a fraud investigator upon release.
This is an enjoyable five book series.
December 7, 2021
Great books
I really enjoyed these books. The plots where original and very well developed. The characters are perfectly drawn. I love Nick Shannon and all of his team. I was so sorry when I finished the set and I hope that the author will write more in this series.
I really enjoyed these books. The plots where original and very well developed. The characters are perfectly drawn. I love Nick Shannon and all of his team. I was so sorry when I finished the set and I hope that the author will write more in this series.
January 2, 2022
These books pulled me in and I couldn't but them down
Characters you could not help but like. . Plots with the odd twist and turn. Who would have thought that accountancy could lead you into such interesting situations.
Characters you could not help but like. . Plots with the odd twist and turn. Who would have thought that accountancy could lead you into such interesting situations.
April 5, 2022
Review of Nick Shannon Thriller Books
Shannon is an unconventional but highly entertaining detective/accountant. His supporting characters we developed expertly. All the twists and turns kept the plot moving.
Shannon is an unconventional but highly entertaining detective/accountant. His supporting characters we developed expertly. All the twists and turns kept the plot moving.
April 22, 2022
With the. Help of Friends
The financial jargon and the amount of fraud that could happen easily was well explained. As to the characters, well you end up, loving Arthur and Norman.
The financial jargon and the amount of fraud that could happen easily was well explained. As to the characters, well you end up, loving Arthur and Norman.
May 24, 2022
Stangely compelling
A very good read. A novel in5 parts that at least continue with a theme. Bit annoying with some of the repetition but that easily glossed over. Ending with a surprise but a good one.
A very good read. A novel in5 parts that at least continue with a theme. Bit annoying with some of the repetition but that easily glossed over. Ending with a surprise but a good one.
July 4, 2022
Nick Shannon thrillers
Very readable and entertaining. Never gets boring.
A recommended read for those who like their stories to roll along nicely. Ingenious plots as well. Read all five in one go.
Very readable and entertaining. Never gets boring.
A recommended read for those who like their stories to roll along nicely. Ingenious plots as well. Read all five in one go.
December 2, 2021
Good purchase
Well now I know more about accounting than I thought possible and I enjoyed . Great characters and story lines. Good purchase .😀😀😀
Well now I know more about accounting than I thought possible and I enjoyed . Great characters and story lines. Good purchase .😀😀😀
December 10, 2021
Very Meaty
The dialogue in these books is both graphic ,poignant and amusing. The situations run a gamut of experience, shocking, tragic or hilarious.
The dialogue in these books is both graphic ,poignant and amusing. The situations run a gamut of experience, shocking, tragic or hilarious.
December 13, 2021
Something different!
Really enjoyed these 5 books. They were something different. Good strong likeable characters and fun to read. Will definitely read more from this author.
Really enjoyed these 5 books. They were something different. Good strong likeable characters and fun to read. Will definitely read more from this author.
December 29, 2021
Enjoyable
Enjoyed the books, entertaining with a few twists, believable characters. The only outstanding question for me, nowhere does it say what happened with Arlene!
Enjoyed the books, entertaining with a few twists, believable characters. The only outstanding question for me, nowhere does it say what happened with Arlene!
February 4, 2022
well done
I enjoyed this series more than I thought I would.for a bargain set of books I was held on tenterhooks on all .
I enjoyed this series more than I thought I would.for a bargain set of books I was held on tenterhooks on all .
July 25, 2022
Quite good reading
The stories seem slow at first then quicken up, but are enjoyable and good. Look forward to reading more Shannon.
The stories seem slow at first then quicken up, but are enjoyable and good. Look forward to reading more Shannon.
December 21, 2023
Riveting,
Do not think the end is nigh, it might not be. Great book, the plots very twisty and you will be surprised
Do not think the end is nigh, it might not be. Great book, the plots very twisty and you will be surprised
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews