“From The Dead” is Tom Thorne’s ninth outing and judging by the latest offering his career isn’t over; by a long shot.
Mark Billingham’s novel is my first foray into Thorne’s world, a self assured character who knows what he wants and how to get it.
10 years ago, Alan Langford had everything; a successful “career”, money, palatial house, daughter Ellie and his wife Donna. That all changed when his charred remains were discovered in a burnt-out car set deep in the forest. Donna was found guilty of conspiracy to murder her husband and served ten years in prison. Not only had she paid someone £25,000 to kill her husband but when asked, she formally identified him and sealed her fate.
Three months before her release, Donna receives an anonymous envelope containing a photo of her husband. Langford it appears is very much alive and enjoying the trappings of wealth, but how is it possible? He was dead; it had to be a mistake. Order from Amazon
From The Dead focuses on four main characters, DI Tom Thorne, Alan Langford, his wife Donna and the rookie private investigator Anna Carpenter.
I related to Tom Thorne (as a character) almost immediately, a likeable chap who has a dark, dry sense of humour and isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. As the book progressed I found my affinity with Thorne grow, surely a few drinks at the local pub wouldn’t go amiss? He loves his country music especially Bluegrass and as I sat reading, my mind often wondered if he’s heard of Alison Krauss?!
Anna Carpenter is stuck in a rut. She quits her highly paid job at the bank to trap cheating husband in honey traps set up by her boss Frank, a rotund individual who likes …
