Robert Goddard is no stranger to writing, his latest novel “Blood Count” – to be published by Bantam Press on the 31st March in the UK – marks his twenty second novel in what has become a highly distinguished and successful career.
First published in 1986 with the bestselling “Past Caring”, Goddard is no stranger to the Sunday Times bestseller list with his last eight novels all appearing on the list. In his latest novel “Blood Count” a surgeon fights to protect everything and everyone he holds dear as he comes face to face with a Serbian warlord.
“Blood Count” is my first introduction to the author’s work and if this gripping title is anything to go by then I for one will have to cast my beady eye on his back catalogue when time allows. The novel takes us on an intriguing journey of discovery, revenge and guile following the protagonist in and around a number of countries that include Argentina, Serbia, Switzerland and Italy.
The narrative is powerful and well thought out – Goddard wrapping up the book in an intelligent and plausible manner leaving no stone unturned – with hardly a sedentary moment in the book, Goddard writes at a frenetic pace that doesn’t let up until its dénouement.
“There’s no such thing as easy money. As surgeon Edward Hammond is about to find out. Thirteen years ago he performed a life saving operation on a Serbian gangster, Dragan Gazi. Gazi is now standing trial for war crimes in the international court in The Hague. After his life was saved, his men went on to slaughter thousands in the Balkan civil wars.
Now Gazi’s family want more from him: in exchange for keeping Hammond’s dirty little secret, they want him to …
