Vice, Virtue and Villainy by Bob Richmond

In the opening prologue to this story, we meet George, rueing his ageing body as he is confronted by a woman wielding a gun. Thus, the scene is set for an adventure-packed crime novel.

George is a retired Detective Inspector who has reluctantly had to leave his career behind after being shot in a stakeout that went wrong. Despite his frustration at having to leave the Force, his police training and instinct are still intact. He moves to a nice, quiet place to live, meets a lovely future partner, and just when things seem to be settling down, he is confronted by a gun-wielding woman in his own home.

This woman has a connection to the case in which George was shot, so he finds himself involved in a mission to work out exactly what has been going on. According to the home invader, the police have arrested the wrong person for shooting George, and George wants to know why. He still has inside contacts in the police, and while the authorities are trying to break up the drug gangs fighting each other, George and his band of brave female assistants also run their own investigation on the side.

With a cast of characters often larger-than-life, this story takes us on an adventure through the city and into the countryside as two rival gangs, led by Rat Faced Robson and Dario Giordano, fight for power. There are drugs, gunfights, murders, abductions and people trafficking.

The story cracks a pace and could easily translate into a TV series. Featuring crooked cops, evil villains and some very brave sidekicks, the writing has a humorous touch. For a debut novel, this is a great introduction to the character of George Simpson. I am sure there will be more adventures to follow.

Reviewer: Rachel White

https://superbobbles.wixsite.com/bob-richmond-author