Y'all I was gonna give this book 4 stars because whilst I enjoyed it I thought there was almost too much layering of racial tensions, ageism, etc.

But then David hit me with my own preconceived biases and heteronormativity and totally pulled the wool over my eyes and so I have to give it 5 stars, because that was impressive and made me question myself and I'm here for it. Iconic. ( )

For twenty years David Gemmell was a driving force in British Fantasy. His first novel Legend impressed me with his lead character and if anything with the thirty odd novels that followed it was ability to deliver character that drew me into his historic fantasy. Yet unknown to us all he had written a crime novel and now thanks to Gollancz it is seeing the light of day.
Jeremy a young and inept young reporter is struggling to find his way in journalism, as a series of horrific murders take place. We follow a group of well-drawn characters as they strive to resolve the crime. I found the return to the nineteen eighties quite striking in terms of attitudes. If anything this gave the book a good framework. As always it was Gemmell’s ability to spot aspects of humanity that stands out and I have always thought he shared this ability with Terry Pratchett. While Jeremy matures during the story, it is Mt Sutcliffe and Ethel who stand out as a strong supporting cast.
Not having read a Gemmell book in many years it was refreshing to return to his clear and precise prose. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and while it is not the greatest crime novel I do think it is a refreshing crossover for those who delve into crime or fantasy and wonder what the other looks like. Well done for Gollancz in taking a risk. I am sure it will prove worthwhile.
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When I saw "David Gemmell" on Netgalley, I mashed the "request" button very quickly. Before I really registered that this was a completely unfamiliar title, and certainly before I read the book description, I assumed this was a reissue of one of his books, since unfortunately he's been gone from us for a time. But no: it's brand new, at least to the world; it's not a fantasy, as are most of his works, nor historical, as so many of his fantasies are, but instead an honest-to-goodness mystery novel set (contemporaneously?) in 80's London. So I was excited when I saw "David Gemmell", and then bemused but excited about the plot. I've been reading David Gemmell's books for more years than I choose to think about, though I haven't gotten back to them for a while now.

I chose this one from my list of Netgalley books kind of at random, and it kept me up past my bedtime. It's taken longer than it should have to pound out this review, and I'm ashamed of that. I loved it. It sucked me in completely and dragged me along a roller coaster of a story. It's a marvelous evocation of the period (when did my childhood become a "period"?), and a marvelous hunt for a serial killer, with undertones of fantasy. The main character and narrator is almost an anti-hero – he's not a nice guy, though he becomes more self-aware as the story wears on, and it's wonderful to watch.

Now I just need to go back and read everything else David Gemmell ever wrote.

‘The rain has stopped and my star is shining.’
‘Your star?’
He waved me over and pointed to a bright light below the Plough. ‘That is my star. My father gave it to me, a long, long time ago.’
‘I hope he also gave you the mineral rights.'

The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review. ( )