The Siege

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The book begins at 16.57 hours with Lee James Connor. He is 22, lives in a first-floor bedsit in south-west London and is a follower of Nicholas Farmer, self-proclaimed leader of right-wing group Home Front, whose slogan is “Make Britain Great Again.” Alex Lewis is the credible and haunted police negotiator called to the scene. Both of them are caught within the confining positions they have chosen: Connor as terrorist, Lewis as part of a team. The core topic of extremism, coupled with drug use and internet brainwashing is pertinent in this day and age, I think. Grace Wheatley is no stranger to loneliness having weathered the passing of her husband, whilst being left to raise her son alone. The local support group is her only source of comfort. Until the day Lee James Connor walks in and threatens the existence of everything she’s ever known.

The Siege by John Sutherland | Goodreads The Siege by John Sutherland | Goodreads

Following a dramatic hostage scenario in London, Sutherland delivers a spine tingling tale of hate, compassion, patience and individuality. Superintendent Alex Lewis may be one of the most experienced hostage negotiators on the force, but there's no such thing as a perfect record. Still haunted by his last case, can he connect with Connor - and save his nine hostages - before it's too late? The chapters are set at varying times through the night, with each part split in to the various characters throughout. Lee Connor is the right-wing extremist who wants to make Britain great again. He takes an immigrant support group hostage in a believable church hall.

It is told from the points of view of Lee James Connor - a supporter of far-right organisation Home Front which is led by Nicholas Farmer, Grace Wheatley - widow and mum to a teenage boy, Isaiah, and Superintendent Alex Lewis who is also a hostage negotiator. I bought this when I was up in the Lake District for a couple of days and foolishly hadn't taken a book with me..... (I won't let it happen again!) A bold novel, particularly in its ending; this is a book which dares to reject not only cynicism but also despair.” (Mat Coward, Morning Star) I have read the author's two non-fiction titles, one a memoir, the other a look into the challenges and issues facing modern policing. Both showed how much John Sutherland cared for his former role, for his colleagues and for the community that he served, but also that his focus was as much on understanding the reasons for crime and how and why people end up breaking the law, every bit as much ensuring that criminals are caught and that justice is seen to be done. In his memoir, Blue, we also see how much the day to day toll of policing had on his own mental health, the impacts of seeing so much violence leaving an indelible mark. All of this is reflected perfectly in The Siege and in the characters that he has brought to life. this, and his own experience as a hostage negotiator, is what gives the book so much authenticity, what makes it so compelling. Buy from our bookstore and 25% of the cover price will be given to a school of your choice to buy more books. *15% of eBooks. Home >

The Siege by John Sutherland (9781398707573/Paperback The Siege by John Sutherland (9781398707573/Paperback

I've watched my share of Criminal Minds in my day, and this would fit in perfectly. Scenes with the characters learning about online grooming or right wings extremists could have been lifted from that series. (To be clear, I'm complimenting the book!) This is like no other thriller you'll ever read. Sutherland immerses you into a nightmare where life or death hangs on his main character's every word. Before you know it you are not only empathising with a hostage and cop but the kidnapper too. Few can write drama and characters as skilfully as this. * Graham Bartlett * I read and reviewed The Siege on Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. This crime/police procedural novel made really thrilling reading. I like reading cleverly written thrillers and this didn’t disappoint. It was like reading a true crime book or watching a documentary about policing. I read that the author worked as a policeman and hostage negotiator and this book seemed very factual. Interestingly the whole novel is kept low key but remarkably intense from the dialogue to the action. Everything in the police operation feels thought through and very well planned (reassuringly!). But what no-one can take into account are the unpredictable elements. The impact of the heavy duty cannabis combined with the mental strain on Connors as he negotiates his demands with the police. Then there is the bravery and sheer humanity of Grace, who sees a young man in pain and connects with him in that level. Lee James Connor is a troubled young man. He is typical of the many young people who have been pulled into the terrible online culture of hate and poison. A culture that distorts the truth and pulls the angry, hurt and disaffected into a group, ready to be groomed.

Games

Grace Wheatley is mum to Isaiah and is herself no stranger to violence. A daughter of the Windrush generation she is a committed church-goer and on this fateful occasion is in church to assist with welcoming a young Syrian refugee family, recently arrived in the country. Over the years, I have read many police procedure and crime novels, but I can honestly say this book not only hits the spot as far as a thrilling read goes, but also provides a strong element of realism that breathes life into a terrifying situation. There are other characters that have supporting roles, but the focus is on these three. How they came to be in the situation they are in. But more importantly, this story gets under the skin of the characters, into their minds and this makes it a fabulo9usly addictive read. For James Lee Connors it could have easily been the Incel movement, but this young man has been captured by the online radical-right extremists whose violent, homicidal actions are focused on racist ideology.

The Siege By John Sutherland |The Works

The Siege is the first fiction book written by John Sutherland but having read his memoir Blue a couple of years ago I was both excited and intrigued to read it and I was not disappointed, taking only a couple of days to finish it. This is not a book full of dramatic action but one that follows three key people, Alex, Grace and Lee during a hostage situation in a church hall. Each one of them have ghosts that are ever present during the events that take place and that form some of the decisions they make. One minor criticism is that the title of the novel isn’t the most inspiring. Nine Lives may have been a more interesting title than The Siege! Also I felt we didn’t really get to know Alan, Jean and Helen. You know you're in the presence of an expert when you read The Siege. A gripping debut novel.' Jeffrey ArcherI was initially sceptical as to how a book could be written solely about a siege but for the most part, it delivers.

The Siege: The fast-paced thriller from a former Met Police The Siege: The fast-paced thriller from a former Met Police

Alex Lewis is overworked and exhausted. He’s also suffering from PTSD but in typical male fashion his remedy consists of completely ignoring this and assuming it will go away. A father of two boys, he feels he is failing as a husband and as a father and he is troubled over his last negotiating mission which ended badly, through no fault of his, or anyone’s. Lee James Connor has found his purpose in to follow the teachings of far-right extremist leader, Nicholas Farmer. So when his idol is jailed, he comes up with the perfect take a local immigrant support group hostage until Farmer is released. Alex Lewis is called to the scene where the hostages are held and makes a base for himself and his team in a nearby local house. As a senior hostage negotiator it is Alex’s job to try and get through to Lee Connor and convince him to let everyone go; however things are not as easy for Alex with a complex task on his hands at the present and being haunted by a previous case that hadn’t gone to plan will Alex be able to talk Connor round?Targeting a church hall in Herne Hill, south London – which openly welcomes refugees – Lee enters the hall under the pretext of taking part in a prayer meeting. However, instead of joining the group, when the curate gets up to greet him, he pulls out a gun and commands her to sit down. Unfortunately, the curate is not about to be intimidated and stands her ground, so he strikes her across the face with the gun, causing her to fall to the ground and bang her head on a chair. The Top 25 Christmas Cookbooks for 2023: A Smorgasbord of Inspiration for a Happy Foodie This Christmas