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    Direct Hit
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    Direct Hit
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    Direct Hit
    Ebook365 pages5 hours

    Direct Hit

    By Mike Hollow

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    The jagged blast of high explosives rip through the evening air. In the sky over East London the searchlights criss-cross in search of the enemy.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLion Fiction
    Release dateMar 20, 2015
    ISBN9781782641285
    Unavailable
    Direct Hit
    Author

    Mike Hollow

    Mike Hollow was born in West Ham and grew up in Romford, Essex. He studied Russian and French at the University of Cambridge and then worked for the BBC. In 2002 he went freelance as a copywriter, journalist and editor. Mike also works as a poet and translator.

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    Reviews for Direct Hit

    4/5

    31 ratings12 reviews

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    • 4/5
      I received this book in EarlyReviewer program.Direct hit is the first book in the Blitz Detective series and the main Character is Detective Inspector John Jago.This book is very well written and keep you reading till you finish it.I like both historical and mystery fictions and the way the plot was based on London made reading this book more enjoyable for me.Also the characters are very strong and very well processed, you will love them,understand them and care for them.
    • 5/5
      I have just found another favorite mystery author! With Direct Hit, Mike Hollow has written an entertaining and educational (that really is a big plus for me!) novel set during the first days of the London Blitz. Fascinating historical detail and cultural insights, a well told story and a mystery that kept me guessing until the end added up to a book I highly recommend. I am looking forward to more from this talented author.John Jago is a Detective Inspector (DI) with the London CID. The war hasn’t been going well for England with the retreat from Dunkirk a few months before. Now the Germans are dropping bombs on London, inciting fear and dread in its citizens. Add to the fact that his crime scene is now a bomb crater, Jago has his hands full uncovering the murderer while spending sleepless nights in his Anderson shelter. But Jago is a man dedicated to truth and justice and always finishes what he starts.Direct Hit introduces us to main character DI Jago. He is definitely a man of his time, shaped by his childhood and the trenches of France during the Great War, Jago is a bit cynical, a bit shell-shocked. A bachelor, yet not a confirmed one, he is dedicated to his job. The list of suspects in this case is long, forcing Jago to criss-cross East London and beyond. I really enjoyed the variety of characters Hollow created — young working class men with communist leanings, upper-middle class businessmen, career civil servants, unsavory criminals, wives and mothers — all with motive and opportunity for murder. With an obvious eye to historical detail and rich description, Hollow creates a very vivid London during the Blitz. I had no trouble feeling a part of the story. Hollow adds an American journalist, Dorothy Appleton, to stretch and grow Jago, causing him to examine his beliefs. There is not an overt faith message in Direct Hit. In fact, both Jago and Dorothy are not believers at all. But both are dedicated to uncovering the truth and seeking justice — I expect them to search for more answers in coming books.While Direct Hit is genre fiction at its best, it is also a great novel for a book club. There is so much to discuss — historical events, the effects of war on those on the front as well as at home, and just what is Truth. The mystery keeps you guessing to the end and there is definitely a twist that provides much to think about.All in all a great mystery novel. I highly recommend Direct Hit. Be sure to visit the author’s website for interesting info about the novel’s setting and time period.Highly Recommended.Audience: adults.Great for Book Clubs.(Thanks to Lion Hudson and Kregel for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
    • 4/5
      This is a thoroughly British police procedural set in London during the opening days of the Blitz. Even as German bombers rain untold death and destruction from the skies, a man is found in his car murdered by an unknown assailant. Detective Inspector John Jago and his newly appointed assistant, Police Constable Cradock, only have a few fleeting moments to investigate before a German bomb obliterates the crime scene. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of civilians are dying from the senseless bombings, but D.I. Jago must concentrate on finding a murderer living somewhere in his precinct. Jago is a decorated veteran of the first World War, the “war to end all wars”. As far as he can tell it wasn’t worth the death and destruction and neither is this new war. P.C. Cradock is a young officer with only a few years of police work under his belt, but Jago thinks with a stern hand, he might just be molded into a fine police constable. As the investigation proceeds, we are given a detailed look at what it as like to be caught in the midst of the air raids in London, either while trying to hide above ground, in makeshift bombshells in peoples backyards, or in the steel and concrete shelters that the upper crust were privileged to have. The great contrast between the classes in London during the war is a subject of the book, yet does not over shadow the suspense of the murder investigation. D. I. Jago is not immune to the lies told to the public or the uneven treatment of the people by the government, yet he does believe he can make a difference by upholding the law and trying to see that justice is done. The author pays very good attention to period details while bringing this police procedural to life.
    • 3/5
      Author Mike Hollow combines meticulous research with an obvious love for storytelling in the first installment of his "The Blitz Detective" series: Direct Hit. Part war chronicle, part crime novel, Direct Hit transports the reader back to London, West Ham in particular, at the beginning of the Blitz. While the world is literally falling apart around him, World War I veteran DI John Jago investigates the suspicious death of a prominent magistrate.I loved the lesser known details about rationing, blackouts,bombs and air raids, Home Guards and "right you are, guv'nor". Mike Hollow has certainly made himself at home in this time. As Direct Hit is the first in the series, it's a little heavy on exposition but I imagine the author will pick up the pace in his next story.7 out of 10 Recommended to readers of World War II fiction, particularly the London blitz and to fans of murder mysteries.
    • 4/5
      The story put forth about London during the blitz is one of an amazingly resilient population pulling together through a horrendous time. But that was only part of the story. While the bombers droned overhead crime rates reached new heights down on the ground. A veteran of the last war, Detective Inspector John Jago won’t be called up for this one. Still, the war has affected everything including policing and when the bombers start hitting targets in West Ham, Jago must learn to take in everything at a crime scene right away. He is called in to investigate a murder and has time to recognize the victim before victim and evidence are wiped out by a German bomb. This book is part mystery and part travelogue to West Ham during the blitz. There is even a map of the area so the reader can situate themselves and understand more clearly why the area was subject to such attention by the German bombers. The effects of the blitz on the people and the area of West Ham are brought home to the reader and the mystery is interesting. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
    • 5/5
      Book DescriptionThe jagged blast of high explosives rips through the evening air. In the sky over East London the searchlights criss-cross in search of the enemy.On the first night of the Blitz, a corpse is discovered in a van in the back streets of West Ham. Detective Inspector John Jago recognizes the dead man as local Justice of the Peace Charles Villiers. But then a German bomb obliterates all evidence. Villiers, not a popular man, was both powerful and feared. As the sirens wail, the detective must start matching motive to opportunity and it doesn't help when his boss foists an intrusive American journalist on him.Jago soon discovers the dead man held many secrets, some reaching back to World War I. A lot of people wished Villiers dead and an air raid is a good time to conceal a murder.My ReviewDirect Hit was a very interesting read about the World War II Blitz over East London. The book reminded me of Foyle's War in many ways. The reader can feel the impact on the characters' lives as the raids continue night after night. To solve a murder mystery when the body is destroyed in a bombing is an impossible task for Detective Inspector Jago but in the end he manages to do so. This book is sure to satisfy anyone who likes police procedurals with a captivating plot, realistic characters and setting. There was a surprise at the end of the book which may develop into a romance for Jago and I look forward to reading book 2 in order to see how this develops.
    • 4/5
      This detective story takes place during the "Blitz" as Londoners and residents of West Ham--Detective Inspector Jago's turf--get dumped on from German air raids. And you feel the fear. Sympathized with those taking sanctuary in shelters. Suffer those sleepless nights from the sound of exploding bombs and screeching sirens. Then come morning, with a smell of acrid smoke lingering over smoldering embers, it's time to cope with the inconveniences of rationing and queuing up for life's daily necessities. Throughout, you're put smack in the middle of it.And all this wartime atmosphere so cleverly dovetails with plot.On a night fraught with bombing raids, Inspector Jago, and his underling, Constable Cradock, are called to a suspected suicide, but it's soon determined otherwise because besides having slit wrists the corpse also has a bloody chest wound. Jago and his constable then see a blood-spotted pocket knife lying on the van cab's floor at the dead man's feet, likewise making the death appear to be murder. Right before another round of raids begin, the two policemen find the victim's identity card, and it confirms the deceased is who Jago recognized as Mr. Charles Villiers, a local printer-businessman and JP (justice of the peace). But before there's a chance to call in a police surgeon and a crime-scene photographer, Jago and Cradock must run for cover behind a wall. Now more bombs hit, with one damaging ear-splitting explosion. Once the pair emerge, there is no dead body, nor evidence, and just a gaping crater in place of a crime scene. Jago and Cradock are two of the only four people who've seen the body--the other two, an air-raid warden, and Billy, a teenage bicycle messenger. So now the investigation begins.To thicken the plot, with more than one crime committed, there's an ample cast of secondary characters--a few having both motive and opportunity for murder. And there's a feminine friendship--and possible love interest--an American journalist, Miss Dorothy Appleton, a correspondent sent to write about the Brit's public morale, and she's requested Jago as liaison because of having seen a photo of him in a newspaper. One minor drawback, a bit of dialogue between Jago and Miss Appleton that's covered in an earlier conversation. Easy to put aside since the story holds a number of fascinating twists dating back to the Great War--Jago, having been a soldier during that conflict, also must deal with some difficult war experiences too. These twisty threads add depth and insight on the effects of war on humankind.DIRECT HIT is an excellent blend of history and mystery, and a fulfilling and pleasing read for those of us who have an interest in both genres.
    • 5/5
      Title: Direct Hit (The Blitz Detective #1)Author: Mike HollowPages: 320Year: 2015Publisher: Lion Fiction (Kregel Publications)Inspector John Jago is in his forties and has been in his current occupation for a little more than twenty years. He has a new partner that he is training, young Peter Cradock. The year is 1940 and the war with Germany has accelerated. The beginning of the bombing campaign enacted on London takes place in this story. During one of the bombing raids, the inspector and his protégé are called to the scene of a murder. They find identification on the body, but while waiting for the police surgeon to arrive at the scene, another bomb is launched landing directly on the crime scene, obliterating any evidence including the dead body!As the inspector and his partner investigate the crime, asking questions of those who knew the victim, they uncover other criminal activities. The road to justice for the victim is full of twists and turns and plenty of deception. Another murder is committed by one of their prime suspects in the first murder, so they must rethink their line of inquiry. Of course, there is much more going on than meets the eye with many more questions than answers. Inspector Jago has much experience and advice to impart to detective Cradock, who views things a bit more simply the Jago. Is Cradock naïve or is Jago just too cynical? However, the two work well together, complementing each other while investigating crime.I so enjoyed this new entry into the world of British mysteries! The writing was detailed and the plot interesting. I enjoyed the setting of London at the beginning of WWII. The main character of Inspector Jago is haunted by his past experience of fighting in WWI. His memories don’t hinder his work, but they are ever present in his mind as he experiences the blitz of German bomber planes shelling London repeatedly. His belief or unbelief in God is briefly discussed in this story and maybe this theme will be developed more in future writings. I’m a fan of British mysteries and this is one I definitely recommend. I can’t wait for the next book!My rating is 5 stars.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
    • 4/5
      World War II, a seasoned detective, an American Journalist and murder. And another murder all victims hold a piece of evidence in their own stories. Historically interesting and a smathering of something Sherlockian means a great read in my book. Mike Hollow puts forth an interesting read and I thank both he and Library Thing for the chance to win this free copy.
    • 4/5
      First of all, I want to disclose that I received this book for free in return for an honest review. At first glance, the book would seem to be a police procedural novel. However, the underlying theme is the Londoners reaction to the German bombings of World War II.The main character is Detective Inspector John Jago, a veteran of World War I. Jago's usual partner was called to military service, so he was breaking in a new man, Detective Constable Peter Cradock. The mystery begins with the discovery of a dead man in a van during the German blitz. Jago recognized the victim, a Mr. Charles Villiers, a magistrate and owner of a printing company. Mr. Villiers had cuts on his wrists, which was consistent with suicide. However, Jago found a stab would on Villiers chest and began treating the case as a murder. Before he could get the police doctor and photographer to the scene of the crime, a German bomb struck the van and obliterated all evidence. Later, Fred Cooper, the last person to see Villiers alive, is also found murdered.As Jago digs into Villiers life, he finds more and more evidence that Mr. Villiers was not a nice man. Villiers was involved in some illegal activities and did all he could to profit from the misery of war. Cooper was a similar man and had a business relationship with Villiers. As is often the case with illegal activities, blackmail was involved and narrowed Jago's suspect list.Meanwhile, the Germans were bombing London on a regular basis. Mike Hollow did a fantastic job of describing the effects of the bombings and the different ways the citizens tried to cope with it. I found this aspect of the book more compelling than the mystery, which was solved by a piece of evidence that the reader was not aware of. Part of the lure of mysteries for me is trying to figure out the who the perpetrator was, which was not possible in this book. But the descriptions of the bombings and the reactions of various characters made up for the weak mystery plot.I did enjoy this book and found it worth my time to read it. It related the reactions to the German bombings very well, and brought to light consequences that I previously had not thought of. I recommend the book on this basis and think it would be enjoyable to any history buff.
    • 4/5
      The subtitle of this book is The Blitz Detective which gives you a pretty good idea what it is about. DI John Jago is with the London police force based in the East End. He is a veteran of the First World War and is dismayed that England is involved in another war so soon. The Metropolitan Police Force has lost a lot of younger officers to the war. Jago is breaking in a new assistant, DC Cradock, who is eager but has a lot to learn.On the first night of the Blitz a man’s body is found dead in a van. He is possibly a suicide since there are cuts to both his wrists. However, there is also a stab wound to the chest which seems unlikely to have been self-inflicted. Jago and Cradock have an opportunity to view the body which Jago recognizes as that of Justice of the Peace Charles Villiers. Before the body can be transported the bombardment starts up and a bomb lands right on the van, obliterating all evidence. Upon talking to the widow and the deceased’s son Jago learns that Mr. Villiers owned a printing business. As Jago and Cradock investigate they become convinced that Villiers was murdered and that he was involved with some shady business with a local entrepreneur called Cooper. When Cooper turns up dead a few nights later it is time to catch a killer. While all this goes on Jago is also responsible for showing an American journalist around the East End. Jago is a little surprised to discover the journalist is a woman and the two don’t get off on good terms as Jago assumes Dorothy Appleton is not a serious writer. When he learns that she was in Spain for the Civil War and various places in Europe as they fell to the Nazis he apologizes and they become friends. Maybe they will be more than friends but that will have to wait for future books.I assume there will be more books in this series. This is a promising start and Hollow seems to have done lots of research about actual life in the East End during the war. I enjoyed it but I did think the ending was a little contrived. This is nothing new for a beginning writer and the good ones rise above initial problems. I’d be willing to read some more to see how they progress.
    • 4/5
      This book epitomizes the British detective genre. Inspector Yago, with his Sancho Panca, Constable Cradock, is definitively street smart, knowing all the dark alleys of the East of London with its rows of identical houses creeping down the river Thames. This novel is mostly set in the County Borrough of West Ham, England, which inspired Author Mike Hollow to write this book, during his 2012 London Olympics visit. If you are not exactly as familiar as Inspector Yago with this Victorian landscape, publisher Kregel Publications offers the reader a handy map.But in spite of his street smartness, Yago has a major problem solving the murder of a not so nice magistrate and print shop owner; it is because entire streets disappear under the bombs dropped from hundreds of German planes. As he interviews potential suspects in a death that may be related to war profiteering, the atmosphere of death not only permeates in the unsolved murder, but because all around, innocent victims fall during the London World War II Blitz. And because Police work is tedious, we are reminded that: "There were times when Jago wished he wasn't a policeman."