Jack in the Box

Brock and Poole Mystery #7

by Graham Ison

A Brock and Poole Mystery - DCI Harry Brock is called to a murder scene on Ham Common early on a Sunday morning. But it is far from being an ordinary sort of murder. The victim has been stabbed to death, locked in a wooden box and set alight. Brock and his assistant, DS Dave Poole, believe that there might be a connection to a gang, which leads them on a journey through Londons underworld . . .

Genres: Mystery

204 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2008

About the author

During Graham Ison's thirty-year career in Scotland Yard's Special Branch he was involved in several espionage cases and the investigation into the escape of the spy George Blake. He spent four years at 10 Downing Street as Protection Officer to two Prime Ministers and also served as second-in-command of the Diplomatic Protection Group.

Reviews

[Eric_W · Rating 3 out of 5]

DCI Harry Brock is called to the scene of a burned corpse discovered by the fire brigade after being sent to put out a small litter fire. Brock’s side-kick is DS Dave Poole and the two make an interesting pair. It’s a rather routine police procedural. What makes it above average is the interplay between Brock and Dave.

Ison was a Scotland Yard detective for some thirty years and his expertise is apparent. As are his often sarcastic opinions of the state of the current British justice system.

Good story with lots of false leads. Unlike his Hardcastle series, it’s set in a modern world, rather than around WW I.

Perfectly paced audiobook nicely read by Damian Lynch.

[Anna Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short and very British book, after writing modern police books and having problems with outdated procedures, etc. He decided to write this series, set during the time of the Great War, so that way he wouldn't have those problems. Poole is a wit, dry and sarcastic, especially towards Brock. These are light mysteries, a quick and easy read.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

DI Brock and DS Poole work with the rest of their team on what turns out to be sequential murders. What a tangle of 'artists' and 'film artists' along with some other odd folks, including one needing extradition! Delightful read.
Narration by Damian Lynch was very good at differentiating people and snarks. And that's a good thing!
#BrockAndPooleMysteriesBk7

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like a snarky detective, but this one is more mean than amusing. An interesting mystery, nonetheless.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars................lots of male characters to keep straight and Dave was not as witty and sarcastic in this one.