Thorn in my side
DI Mike Yorke is coming home. After three months in London, he’s looking forward to being back in the north east – but he’s barely off the train before he’s deep into the most bizarre case of his career. A viciously flogged corpse. Children disappearing, the length of the A1. Horrific new street drugs. And buried somewhere is a deadly secret that will lead him down paths so dangerous, he will question the very fabric of society. In the first in a stunning new series set on Holy Island, an explosive secret going back to the dawn of time is unearthed by a young woman who, fearing for her life, goes on the run in the wilds of Northumbria.
The fate of the world is in the hands of DI Mike Yorke, an abused clairvoyant street kid called ‘Smiler’, and Mike’s elderly Aunt May. Everyone from the lowlifes of the London streets to the monks near Holy Island become involved in a race against time to save humanity.
Introducing a new series with DI Mike Yorke, Sheila Quigley has crafted an imaginative novel with Thorn in My Side – a crime thriller – that will entertain from beginning to end. I have to say it took me a little by surprise, I hadn’t expected (no idea why) such a flowing narrative that would have me thoroughly engrossed from the opening scenes – so much so that I read three quarters of the book in one very quick sitting!
When we first meet Mike Yorke he’s nearing the end of a three month stint in London as an undercover cop. Originally from the North he takes time to settle down to city life and is just about coming to terms with his role when he has to go back to Berwick and solve another crime. The opening salvos however are important on two levels – not only do we meet Mike Yorke, we are also introduced to the colourful and clairvoyant “Smiler” – a young lad that has been through the ringer and thanks to his friendship with Mike begins to live a somewhat “normal” life – as normal as can be expected that is!
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Characterisation is good and although I’ve already mentioned two of the main protagonists there are a number of interesting “bit players” dotted around the place and of course what book would be complete without the obligatory bad guy – The Leader – a man who appears to have no scruples, prepared to do what it takes to achieve his goals and is an incredibly despicable human being. To counteract this dark side Quigley does introduce the lovely Aunt May who is no stranger to taking in wafes and strays and takes a shine to ….well that would be telling!
Set on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne which houses just 160 people the location is incredibly evocative and tempting but by introducing a cult element to the proceedings Quigley alters its perception with the stroke of a pen – still made me want to witness the North Sea covering the paved causeway though!.
Given this is the opening tale in a brand new series Quigley leaves her options open with a cliff-hanger style ending – who will survive the final scenes and make it to the next chapter is anyone’s guess but once you’ve read Thorn in My Side you’ll most definitely be making another visit to Holy Island – the perfect location for a thoroughly entertaining and atmospheric thriller.
Available to buy from The Book Depository (Free P&P Worldwide)
