The Filth: The explosive inside story of Scotland Yard's top undercover cop

by Duncan MacLaughlin, William Hall

Duncan MacLaughlin was an elite officer at London's New Scotland Yard. The best of the best. In this explosive book, he breaks the code of silence among senior detectives and undercover agents to reveal the brutal, stark truth of life on the front-line of the war on crime. Even with training in covert techniques from the SAS he walked a dangerous line, with his life in constant danger. The legendary cases he was involved with include the investigation of Kenneth Noye, the pursuit of kidnap victim Stephanie Slater and the slaying of PC Keith Blakelock. He also infiltrated countless global drugs cartels, bringing their terrifying bosses to justice. With humour, insider insight, and non-stop drama, The Filth is a roller-coaster read that takes you straight into the heart of one of the toughest police jobs in the world. Filled with gritty slang and investigative detail that only an ex-copper could reveal, MacLaughlin's story is a riveting insight into the world of serious crime that is both thrilling and frightening.

Genres: True Crime

256 pages, Paperback

Published October 22, 2020

Reviews

[cynthia jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lesson in disrespect and corruption

We knew there were bent coppers in the Met, but this left a lot of distaste in my mouth. Planting evidence, trumped up charges and the whole while the author justified it . Just drinking, sex and not much work. Too much bragging too. I doubt that I would trust the Met with my life. Thank goodness we are with West Mercia.

[Helen Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book written by Duncan about his life growing up and then in the Met and Scotland Yard. Was a bit different to some of the other fly on the wall police life books as covered life from a detective perspective and surveillance and undercover work here and all around the world! I'm sure Duncan could fill many, many more books with tales of the crimes he investigated. Was a really entertaining read.

[Simon Alphonso · Rating 4 out of 5]

reads like a thriller

Although segmented into stages of his career, the adventures that MacLaughlin went through are fairly wye-opening to a reader who thought that a lot of what he wrote was dealt with by the army as opposed to the police.

An enjoyable read - not as many salacious revelations as the blurb hinted at, but a good presentation of the lesser known skills involved in the police.

[Carl Sweeting · Rating 2 out of 5]

I shouldn’t have expected anything else of a Met Police Officer. They tarnish the decent hard working ones, always have. Self inflated egotistical and as corrupt as the “criminals” he fitted up. Even in hindsight he does not seem to have grasped how arrogant he makes himself sound. If he thinks this book is a step in fighting the good fight against corruption he’s a bigger idiot than he portrays.

[Mark O'Keeffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good read about a hidden subject.

Great book told in a compelling. Perhaps London was better policed when you had officers like this. Down to earth, the author shares the sad parts of his life as well as the good. Hope life is good for you and thank you for doing your bit to make the UK a safer place.

[Graham Ellidge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrill a minute, on every page.

Plenty of action throughout the book. Always looking for the next chapter. A book you will not willingly put down. I have enjoyed reading every chapter of this story.

[Lisa Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I binge read this book due to being stuck at home poorly. I didn’t hate it, but it was somewhat cringe. Excessive use of police slang to impress civi readers. Although I enjoyed the stories of mischief I feel like a bit more into the investigation wouldn’t go a miss.. more of an overview.

[sam rickards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent

Excellent read from start to finish,lots of good stories .really enjoyed it and found it interesting .look forward to another

[Graham F Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing

The book wasn't what I was expecting, it was more of retelling story's of crimes that I already knew about.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good read 4*/5*, it is explosive, thrilling, and interesting

[Yassemin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can't get into this

[Gerald Deery]

uninformative

Self indulging with very little substance. This could have made a very good historical novel. As an inside autobiographical story, too thin by far.

[Clive Rutland · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing. You had to read about the authors early childhood and his father's life experiences in the armed forces (a good 25% of the book) before getting to the point of the book.

[mr l a evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it

Im not a big book reader but as autobiographys go really good read especially second half book i found couldnt put down

[Mr J Singleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read by what appears a top bloke

Enjoyed reading about life in blues from he days I was growing up through to serious crimes that were well known,

[Sophie Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book really interesting insights I just felt it ended too quickly like there should have been a few more chapters