The Kings of London

THE KINGS OF LONDON was originally published in the U.K. under the title “The House of Knives “. Generally, I dislike the changes that American publishers make to titles of U.K. books, but in this case, I think the American publisher got it right. Both titles are taken directly from comments made by......more

I have slightly mixed views about this. It wasn't a bad read but for me it wasn't as good as the first book in the series. I found it rather slow for maybe the first half and it took a little effort to keep going. The 2nd half was much better and the pace/storyline was better and clearer. Breen and......more

The Kings of London is Shaw’s second Breen and Tozer mystery, and this one once more takes Breen into a realm of experience he’s unfamiliar with. When a mutilated body is found in a burned house, Breen is charged to investigate only to find his efforts hampered by the victim’s political father. It c......more

Second in the series. I am enjoying how the characters of Breen and Tozer are developing. Struggle with the racism and sexism prevalent in the 1960s. Makes it an uncomfortable read at times.......more

A House of Knives sees the more than welcome return of DS Cathal ‘Paddy’ Breen, and his amiable sidekick TDC Helen Tozer in this London based thriller at the latter end of the Swinging Sixties. The first book from William Shaw, A Song From Dead Lips was one of favourite reads last year, so how does......more