Gideon's Risk

Gideon #6

by J.J. Marric

A British baron's passionate sidelines are a deadly business. A gang of ingenious car theives uses a most provocative bait to lure young men into crime. A teenager becomes a killer's target when she witnesses the murder of one of the Yard's chief informers.

Genres: Mystery, Procedural, Crime, Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 19, 2011

About the author

A pseudonym used by John Creasey.

The Gideon series was continued after Creasey's death by William Vivian Butler.

Reviews

[Leggendolibri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essendo un libro di una saga che si dilunga per una ventina, forse, di titoli non ha una soluzione definitiva ma aperta. Non ha un gran ritmo e quindi la prima parte può essere un po' pesante mentre, invece, è interessante vedere come riesca a gestire più reati in contemporanea. Quest'ultima è la parte più pregevole del libro.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gideon's Risk is the 6th book in the police procedural series by J.J. Marric / aka John Creasey. Each story is of its kind, Commander Gideon, head of London's Criminal Investigation Division, and his capable staff, work a number of ongoing cases trying to keep London safe from the criminal element. But they are just such darn excellent stories and they make you feel good about the dedication of the police services that are there to keep your communities safe.

There are a number of troubling cases on Gideon's plate in this particular story. He is working a cold case, kind of his white whale if you will. Wealthy industrialist Borgman was thought to have murdered his first wife but there was not enough proof to charge the man. But it's been on Gideon's mind for a number of years now. He thinks that a case should be taken to court and assigns the investigation to Superintendent Lee. Lee had had his confidence shaken in a previous court case and Gideon feels that assigning him this investigation will provide that boost to reinvigorate him. But will it?

A young woman sees on of Gideon's Confidential Informants (CI), Tiny Bray, being murdered by one of London's most vicious gangstarts, Syd Carter. Carter's brother Red tries to kill Rachel Gully but is stopped and arrested. With both brothers in prison, it seems the case against them is ironclad but something is in the wind with the two.

A rash of car stealings is taking place in London and Gideon is a bit behind the eight ball, especially when one of the stolen cars runs down and kills a young boy. There are other cases as well; murder of a 7 year old girl, missing husband whose body will be found, etc.

It's all very fascinating and definitely holds your attention. Gideon is an excellent leader. He is able to pick the best people for cases, finds ways to promote and encourage the best, is a great organizer of the days activities (it's a busy, not-stop place). It all makes for a tense, fast - paced book with so many things going on with Gideon in the middle like a traffic cop, directing resources, keeping things moving and coming up with satisfying solutions. Loved it, just as much as the others I've read. (4 stars)

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in awe of how many balls Gideon keeps in the air as members of London's police force phone in from all over the city. In this one, the main risk is the arrest of a wealthy man, John Borgmann, for a murder he committed five years ago. Whether the evidence is enough to bind him over for trial resonates through the novel, while at the same time there is a major carjacking ring, a horse doping scandal, assault and murder of two little girls, and the arrest of a man for killing the husband of his lover. It seems very realistic to have all these things happening at once and how difficult it is for Gideon to keep chasing focus. Highly recommended.

[Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could it be the formula of investigation and crime, the following of the logical tracks, the same following of formula as in the scientific method? I am enjoying this series.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good British police procedural.

[Bridget Goldsmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

They just can't win

Poor theives, robbers, murderers, frauds etc, they just cannot win against Gideon and his team. Another edge of the seat read.
I really love Creaseys writing.

[WhatShouldIRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't remember where I heard about the Gideon mysteries but I'm glad I did as I found this story a tight police procedural. The characters were well defined, the sense of place well done and the storyline pretty much faultless. Gideon and all his co-workers unite to get to the bottom of a few mysteries presented in this story. Each had their own brand of nasty which added to the many faucets of the story.

I have a few more of these on my shelf but hope to get more as I really enjoyed this story!

[C. John Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main case concerns a London financier who the Yard is sure was responsible for the death of his wife several years prior. We also have a wave of car thefts, two brothers wanted for murder who pull off an escape and organized doping of race horses. As always we see the police go about their business of solving these cases. One particularly fun bit was a court scene where one of the officers is being grilled be a defense lawyer. We also some glimpses of the personal life of Commander Gideon and some of his men. Allin all a good read

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

One law for the rich, another for the poor. It is rarely as obvious as in Gideon's attempt to bring to justice a man whose newpaper empire was built on the money of his dead wife. Now he has another wealthy wife, and it's his girlfriends who die.

Gideon's other main opponent is a gang leader whose reign of terror is unopposed in the East End. In this war a downtrodden girl from the slums rises above her limitations and wins respect, as does a teenage boy who really should have known better.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no memory of this book whatsoever, but it's on my list.

[Chrysostom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good police procedural.

[Margareth8537 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoy the character of Gideon. Very easy read

[Michael P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forget Ed McBain and his plotting problems, this is the best series of police procedural and this book is a fine example of Creasey's work.

[Delores Alger · Rating 4 out of 5]

creasey's gideon