Gallowstree Lane: 'An authentic depiction of gang life and police politics' From the author of ITV's The Tower

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Having read neither of the two preceding novels I was dismayed to find that Gallowstree Lane did not make for seamless reading as a stand-alone and there is extensive referencing of history between the characters which is alluded to and yet goes unexplained throughout and alienates new readers. The case is complicated by the fact that it is in the middle of a two year ongoing undercover operation being run by Shaw to bust a gun trafficking deal. Also, it was only afterwards when I revisited the description for this book that I saw Kieran is implied as the main character, which didn't come through in the book at all - I thought Sarah and Lizzie were meant to be the main characters.

The author does insist at the end of the book that this is a work of fiction but given her previous career in the police I feel fairly sure that experience has fuelled her imagination significantly.Both lads are low-level members of the Eardsley Bluds, a local street gang involved in a violent turf war with another gang. I have not read the other books in the series (there are two I believe), so the characters were new to me.

I have read post Mortem by Kate London that I gave five stars too and now I just have to give Gallowstree Lane five huge stars. The murder threatens to derail Operation Perseus, a cover police investigation into the Eardsley Bluds, an organised criminal network. An investigation into one of London's tit for tat killings can't be allowed to derail Perseus and let the master criminals go free. I found myself sympathising completely with Ryan, the victim’s best mate as you could really feel how little the authorities cared for the situation.There is quite an amount of police procedural work described within the pages, giving a very fascinating insight into the incredible work and cross coordination of departments that takes place when a case is active. This downtime is used for an insight in to mental waffling about the case which neither furthers the readers understanding of events or moves the plot on. Sarah and Lizzie have gripping and heart-breaking stories too, as the drama of Portland Tower comes full circle.

Ryan's is a vulnerable young boy drawn into the life of gangs, given the few life opportunities on offer for the likes of him and so many others, facing a future that is written in blood. I just want to give a shout-out to Elaine who was a great character, and Sarah who in my opinion was the only character there with an actual moral code. Lizzie has problems of her own: recovered from a stabbing she received in Death Message, she now has a toddler following an affair with fellow police officer DI Keiran Shaw who has since gone back to his wife and family. One evening 15 year old Spencer is fatally stabbed, his friend, Ryan is distraught and turns to The Bluds leader, Shakiel for help. I thoroughly enjoyed Gallowstree Lane which examines the aftermath and ramifications of a straightforward crime, if murder can be regarded as straightforward.

I won’t say more but he and others caught up in this life come across as very real and complex characters rather than one dimensional stereotypes.

I know Kate London needs to flesh out her characters, and the issues she raises are very important, but it felt like a bolt-on intrusion, it was more irritating than illuminating and for a while it got in the way of the story quite badly. An investigation into one of London’s tit-for-tat killings can’t be allowed to derail Perseus and let the master criminals go free.My heart went out to the teenage Ryan who has been brought up in the gang culture and doesn’t know any different. Finance is provided by PayPal Credit (a trading name of PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH).