Mark Billingham Lifeless

Too long, lots of boring parts like policing admin could be cut out. Ok story but for me, the pace is too slow.

For regular readers of Mark Billingham's books, Detective Inspector Tom Thorne will be a familiar character. Lifeless is the latest in the series, and as in the previous books (Sleepyhead, Scaredy Cat, Lazybones and The Burning Girl), continues the story, following the life of D.I. Thorne.

As the story opens, we see life through the eyes of one of London's many homeless, sleeping rough - and all that goes with it. By the end of the chapter, we find that the nameless person we are 'watching' is, in fact, Tom Thorne.

Having had problems at work following his previous case (The Burning Girl) and being depressed at the loss of his father in a house fire, he has been encouraged to take "gardening leave" from the police - a somewhat dire situation for someone who has no garden!

Following the brutal murders of some of the homeless men sleeping rough on London's streets, he volunteers to go undercover to see if he can find out what is happening. As only his superior officers and his assistant, Detective Sergeant Dave Holland, are aware that he is working on the streets, his cover is believed to be secure.

Gradually he makes friends and contacts in the homeless community, and learns their way of life. He is accepted amongst them, as no-one knows who he is or what has brought him there.

The seemingly indiscriminate murders continue, each victim brutally kicked to death and found with a twenty pound note pinned to his chest. The word goes round in the community that the murders are being committed by a policeman, and then one victim appears to have been killed instead of Thorne. Was he the intended victim? For a time he wonders if he actually knows the murderer or even works with him. Gradually, the connection between the victims comes to light - with chilling consequences.

For followers of the career of D.I. Thorne, this book is a must. For my own part I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait for the next! (Due for publication next July). As with other Mark Billingham books, your interest is held from start to finish, and for anyone who enjoys a thriller, this is certainly not a disappointment.

ISBN 0 316 72752 0

Price: £12.99

Available from Amazon.

If you would like any further information about Mark Billingham or his books, it is well worth visiting his website: www.markbillingham.com where you can find out about him and the books he has written. You can also sign up for his newsletters.

I hope this will be of interest. Thank you for reading.