Cleverly & Expertly Constructed

The Rutland Connection by Michael Dane is an absolutely top notch crime thriller. It is the first book in The Frank McBride series and I cannot wait for subsequent books.

The action is set in Lincolnshire in 1997 as we follow customs and excise teams trying to catch, and bring down, the small empire of a local drug supplier.

This is an exciting novel with a cleverly constructed and extremely well executed complex plotline. It is a thinking mans novel which I thoroughly enjoyed. As the action ramps up, so did my heart rate.

We learn about the complexity of following criminals without being spotted. It is harder than you would think. We also witness a very clever World War II veteran who can certainly give the young of the day a run-around. Getting older does not mean a pipe and slippers existence!

All the characters were well drawn and realistic. Many were likable – the ones who weren’t, were the criminals, but you are not supposed to like them! The characters are an eclectic mix from the not terribly bright petty criminals to the masterminds that are functioning both within and outside the law.