Fatal Hate
By Brian Price

First came the successful, enthralling Fatal Trade and now it is time for Brian Price’s latest book -the spine-tingling, gripping crime fiction book – Fatal Hate. Thanks to Hobeck Books for gifting me a copy for their blog tour in exchange of an honest review. Find out more in the blurb and the review below…

Blurb

DC Mel Cotton is back with a brand new case, the murder of Duncan Bennett. But who would want an unassuming warehouse worker dead?

The case soon becomes far more complex and dangerous, with terrorists, a paedophile network and a hitman in town. And against a background of rising hatred and violence, one woman pursues her deadly revenge.

Mel and her colleagues face their greatest challenge yet. Mel’s own courage will be tested to the limits. No-one is safe.

Fatal Hate is the thrilling sequel to the much-acclaimed Fatal Trade by the brilliant Brian Price.

Review

This is turning into a compelling series, with its intrigue and quality writing. Each mystery is complete within itself, so it is okay to start at Fatal Hate, if you wish. There is an interesting, short informative note from the author at the beginning, which may enhance your reading of this novel.

The story starts in 2010 and then transports readers to Mexton, 2019 and 2020. Mexton, as the author states, is an imaginary place. This, I reckon is absolutely fine. There’s still enough gravitas as it could be a real place due to all that seems familiar and relatable to it.

It’s good to get back to DC Mel Cotton and DCI Gale. They have a murky case on their hands and not all is sweetness and light when it comes to a chocolate company. There is quite the political bent, making the case not so straight-forward as it may have been, as time moves on and more is uncovered.

Getting to know the victim is interesting and turns out not all is black and white and not all was good and wholesome about Duncan Bennett, as what may have been presumed, until his background is checked and dug up.

There’s plenty for readers to get their teeth stuck in, with undercover operations, which are presented with somewhat humorous, albeit serious proposition for Karen, with things then taking a spine-tingling darker turn, with drugs and counter-terrorism being called upon to work in what is a spiralling dark underworld, showing up certain corners of evil undercurrents of society.