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Joe & Sam Parker #1
Next to Die
Joe Parker is Manchester's most ingenious criminal defense lawyer.
Sam Parker is Manchester's most tenacious homicide detective.
Both bear the burden of the unsolved murder of their sister fifteen years earlier.
And both have a stake in a new series of murders that has shaken their city to its core.
Ronnie Bagley is awaiting trial for the murder of his girlfriend and baby. Two weeks before he's due in court he suddenly fires his defense team, claiming that there's only one lawyer he wants to defend him: Joe Parker. Despite his misgivings about taking on the case in such strange circumstances, Joe decides to represent Bagley. Little does he know that Bagley is smarter than anyone has given him credit for, and soon Joe will find himself pitched against his own brother, Sam, in a race to outwit the most terrifying serial killer the city has ever seen.
It isn't long before Joe and Sam's shared past comes crashing into the present in a pulse-pounding race to find out who is NEXT TO DIE...
Sam Parker is Manchester's most tenacious homicide detective.
Both bear the burden of the unsolved murder of their sister fifteen years earlier.
And both have a stake in a new series of murders that has shaken their city to its core.
Ronnie Bagley is awaiting trial for the murder of his girlfriend and baby. Two weeks before he's due in court he suddenly fires his defense team, claiming that there's only one lawyer he wants to defend him: Joe Parker. Despite his misgivings about taking on the case in such strange circumstances, Joe decides to represent Bagley. Little does he know that Bagley is smarter than anyone has given him credit for, and soon Joe will find himself pitched against his own brother, Sam, in a race to outwit the most terrifying serial killer the city has ever seen.
It isn't long before Joe and Sam's shared past comes crashing into the present in a pulse-pounding race to find out who is NEXT TO DIE...
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
32 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
About the author
Neil White
31books152followersNeil White (b. 1965) is a British freelance criminal lawyer and a full-time crime writer.
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the ŷ database with this name.
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the ŷ database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
September 13, 2015
I am a prolific reader of crime series so I am always looking out for new authors and good new ones to start. I had Neil White recommended to me and having read the reviews was eager to try him. This book is the first in the Joe and Sam Parker series, two brother one a criminal defense lawyer and the other a homicide detective. For me the book started fairly slow as the characters were carefully built up but by the end I was planning the next book in the series.
The story is set in Manchester and the brothers find themselves both involved in a series of murders in the city.Ronnie Bagley is awaiting trial for the murder of his girlfriend and baby and asks Joe to defend him but this case is far from straight forward. The brothers have a sad past, their sister was killed in a violent crime and they both suffer as a consequence.
This book grew as I turned every page and I can see that this will get even better as the brothers stories unfold and I get to know more about them. It looks like I have another good series of books to read and another good crime writer to follow.
The story is set in Manchester and the brothers find themselves both involved in a series of murders in the city.Ronnie Bagley is awaiting trial for the murder of his girlfriend and baby and asks Joe to defend him but this case is far from straight forward. The brothers have a sad past, their sister was killed in a violent crime and they both suffer as a consequence.
This book grew as I turned every page and I can see that this will get even better as the brothers stories unfold and I get to know more about them. It looks like I have another good series of books to read and another good crime writer to follow.
July 24, 2015
This book kept me on the edge of my seat stayed up late again last night to finish it Neil white has got a fan in me set in Manchester Joe & Sam Parker are damaged after the death 15 years earlier of their sister Ellie Joe who is a lawyer represents Ronnie Bagley after being charged with his wife & daughters murder Then Joes who works as a cop for the murder squad is asked to look into his brother who is representing Bagley wont spoil it but it really kept me turning page after page to find out what will happen an exciting ending looking forward to reading no 2 in the series
July 30, 2015
Next to Die is the first in a series featuring the Parker brothers. Firstly, we have Sam a police officer working on fraud cases who is desperate to be in the Murder Investigation team and then we have Joe, a criminal defence lawyer who is often at odds with his brother in his approach to defendants. Many times these two brothers are at logger heads and yet time and time again they are thrown together and forced to find a mutual understanding as events unfold throughout the book.
The books centres on Ronnie Bagley, a suspect accused of murdering his wife and child. A suspect that lands in the lap of Joe and has Sam shaking his head at his actions. Also, running alongside is the backstory of Ellie, the boys' sister who had been brutally murdered some years previously. A murder that has left deep and long lasting repercussions on the whole family, as one would expect. What plays out is a thrilling tale of cat and mouse as the body count mounts up. I should note that the author, Neil While, is a criminal lawyer himself and it is obvious throughout that little details that come to the fore are of someone who knows the 'business'. The books is well written with good descriptiveness of what Lancashire has to offer, be it weather, the rolling moors or the two up two down housing on narrow cobbled streets. It's all there in stark reality but not depressingly so.
It all rolls along at a good pace and though admittedly I did see who was behind the murders, it didn't detract from the breathless, speedy, completely thrilling end that I raced to.
This is a good read told in more than a good way. So much so, I went straight onto the next one, The Death Collector.
The books centres on Ronnie Bagley, a suspect accused of murdering his wife and child. A suspect that lands in the lap of Joe and has Sam shaking his head at his actions. Also, running alongside is the backstory of Ellie, the boys' sister who had been brutally murdered some years previously. A murder that has left deep and long lasting repercussions on the whole family, as one would expect. What plays out is a thrilling tale of cat and mouse as the body count mounts up. I should note that the author, Neil While, is a criminal lawyer himself and it is obvious throughout that little details that come to the fore are of someone who knows the 'business'. The books is well written with good descriptiveness of what Lancashire has to offer, be it weather, the rolling moors or the two up two down housing on narrow cobbled streets. It's all there in stark reality but not depressingly so.
It all rolls along at a good pace and though admittedly I did see who was behind the murders, it didn't detract from the breathless, speedy, completely thrilling end that I raced to.
This is a good read told in more than a good way. So much so, I went straight onto the next one, The Death Collector.
August 14, 2013
Coming 26th September from Sphere
Luckily I got my hands on a beautiful copy of this book before I imploded � Thanks Mr White and his publisher for the advanced copy. My chronic impatience was satisfied at last�.
Joe Parker is a criminal defence lawyer with a reputation. Sam Parker is a detective on a mission. Years ago they suffered the loss of their sister to a violent crime � a burden they both dealt with in different ways. Now their worlds will collide again when a fresh set of murders hits the city � on opposite sides of the fence what will come first…the law or family?
Its no secret that I’m a huge fan of Neil White’s crime writing � each one has been better than the last and this one is no exception. For pure story flow and engaging with the reader its the best yet. We see the story unfold from several perspectives, Joe and Sam mainly with another voice in the mix. They are rivals the two brothers, that rivalry tinged with respect for each other that comes across very well. You may well fall in love with these two � I certainly did. Perhaps Joe more than Sam but hey, thats all in the eyes of the beholder. I did spend a fair amount of time yelling at them (in my head of course, my daughter cured me of the tendency to do it out loud some time ago!) to just TALK to each other in order to prevent the approaching mayhem and yet we move inexorably towards what may not be the happiest of endings. One thing Mr White does extremely well is create uncertainty when it comes to the chances of survival of those characters you become attached to…no-one is safe.
Another thing this author does extraordinarily well is the death scenes. Heck I love a good death scene � any avid reader of Crime Fiction does…and the clever thing about the way they are written here, and in previous novels, is the ability to make them both gruesome and heart wrenching. Sob. Not that easy to achieve. It doesnt matter if the character doing the dying is someone you’ve only read two lines about or someone who has been there through it all � you are still going to feel the loss. It all adds up to make a great reading experience.
So. Great story, well told, a yarn, a tale, a wonderful thing. Fun and disturbing, yet another great addition to the Crime genre and one you don’t want to miss. There are crime books and there are CRIME books. This one is definitely the capital version.
Usually I would finish a review by saying “If you havent read this author before you need to start�..� but in this case, as this IS the start of this particular series of books, you can just read this one if you like! And you will. Then you will have a lovely back catalogue to work your way through as well.
Luckily I got my hands on a beautiful copy of this book before I imploded � Thanks Mr White and his publisher for the advanced copy. My chronic impatience was satisfied at last�.
Joe Parker is a criminal defence lawyer with a reputation. Sam Parker is a detective on a mission. Years ago they suffered the loss of their sister to a violent crime � a burden they both dealt with in different ways. Now their worlds will collide again when a fresh set of murders hits the city � on opposite sides of the fence what will come first…the law or family?
Its no secret that I’m a huge fan of Neil White’s crime writing � each one has been better than the last and this one is no exception. For pure story flow and engaging with the reader its the best yet. We see the story unfold from several perspectives, Joe and Sam mainly with another voice in the mix. They are rivals the two brothers, that rivalry tinged with respect for each other that comes across very well. You may well fall in love with these two � I certainly did. Perhaps Joe more than Sam but hey, thats all in the eyes of the beholder. I did spend a fair amount of time yelling at them (in my head of course, my daughter cured me of the tendency to do it out loud some time ago!) to just TALK to each other in order to prevent the approaching mayhem and yet we move inexorably towards what may not be the happiest of endings. One thing Mr White does extremely well is create uncertainty when it comes to the chances of survival of those characters you become attached to…no-one is safe.
Another thing this author does extraordinarily well is the death scenes. Heck I love a good death scene � any avid reader of Crime Fiction does…and the clever thing about the way they are written here, and in previous novels, is the ability to make them both gruesome and heart wrenching. Sob. Not that easy to achieve. It doesnt matter if the character doing the dying is someone you’ve only read two lines about or someone who has been there through it all � you are still going to feel the loss. It all adds up to make a great reading experience.
So. Great story, well told, a yarn, a tale, a wonderful thing. Fun and disturbing, yet another great addition to the Crime genre and one you don’t want to miss. There are crime books and there are CRIME books. This one is definitely the capital version.
Usually I would finish a review by saying “If you havent read this author before you need to start�..� but in this case, as this IS the start of this particular series of books, you can just read this one if you like! And you will. Then you will have a lovely back catalogue to work your way through as well.
February 11, 2015
Outstanding. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I can' believe I haven't read any of Neil White's books before. Brilliant!!!
October 12, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed Next To Die, a well-paced out thriller that speeds up, cranking up the tension and atmosphere as the book nears its natural conclusion. Characterisation is well thought out and delivered, especially that of the serial killer. A nasty bit of work, he’s confident and completely unhinged yet appears to be in complete control of what happens � to a point!
Told through the eyes of two brothers, Joe Parker and Sam Parker, one a defence lawyer and the other a Detective Constable in the Finance unit, a policeman keen to move to the more glamorous Murder Squad. The enjoyable thing for me was the different approach both brothers brought to the case. Both are driven, Joe, intent of making sure his client escapes jail and Sam, with the aid of his police colleagues hell-bent on making sure the evidence is there to convict. Things never run smoothly � for either brother.
When Joe and Sam lost their young sister Ellie to an unknown assailant - while walking home alone one day - the family were devastated. Running alongside the main plot this arc is a terrific accompaniment and for me isn’t used as a filler, the death shaped the brothers, their career paths, and made them who and what they are today. I thought it was well thought out and adds so much back story and atmosphere to the book.
There were a couple of points in the book that had me riled up. I was so taken with certain scenarios I even wanted to punch one character � nothing like getting involved in a book and believing you are actually part of the story. You do experience a number of emotions as you work your way through the book and I liked that.
It’s pretty clear to me that Neil White writes from experience and he certainly brings that knowledge to his legal writing. A lawyer by day you do feel as if you are reading a “behind the scenes “of UK law. You gain a great insight into the courts and how the legal profession ticks. It’s an eye-opener!
Great pace, a tense and a thrilling storyline Next To Die is my first Neil White book but it certainly won’t be my last. The book moves through the gears like a highly tuned F1 car around Silverstone and the final third of the book simply flies by. It just begs to be read and I found it hard to put down.
Told through the eyes of two brothers, Joe Parker and Sam Parker, one a defence lawyer and the other a Detective Constable in the Finance unit, a policeman keen to move to the more glamorous Murder Squad. The enjoyable thing for me was the different approach both brothers brought to the case. Both are driven, Joe, intent of making sure his client escapes jail and Sam, with the aid of his police colleagues hell-bent on making sure the evidence is there to convict. Things never run smoothly � for either brother.
When Joe and Sam lost their young sister Ellie to an unknown assailant - while walking home alone one day - the family were devastated. Running alongside the main plot this arc is a terrific accompaniment and for me isn’t used as a filler, the death shaped the brothers, their career paths, and made them who and what they are today. I thought it was well thought out and adds so much back story and atmosphere to the book.
There were a couple of points in the book that had me riled up. I was so taken with certain scenarios I even wanted to punch one character � nothing like getting involved in a book and believing you are actually part of the story. You do experience a number of emotions as you work your way through the book and I liked that.
It’s pretty clear to me that Neil White writes from experience and he certainly brings that knowledge to his legal writing. A lawyer by day you do feel as if you are reading a “behind the scenes “of UK law. You gain a great insight into the courts and how the legal profession ticks. It’s an eye-opener!
Great pace, a tense and a thrilling storyline Next To Die is my first Neil White book but it certainly won’t be my last. The book moves through the gears like a highly tuned F1 car around Silverstone and the final third of the book simply flies by. It just begs to be read and I found it hard to put down.
April 14, 2015
Next to Die is another book that has been languishing on my Kindle for months, so now that I am reading a mixture of review, library and purchased books, it was the perfect time for me to pick this one up. I read and reviewed the second in the series, The Death Collector, last year, so I was excited to read this series opener to see how it would compare.
The first highlight of this series for me is its Manchester setting. Being from Liverpool I probably shouldn't admit it, but I do love Manchester as a city and feel that Neil has captured it brilliantly, bringing it to life on the page and in the mind of the reader.
Secondly the characterisation is really strong. Having two brothers as the main characters in a book is always an interesting dynamic. Whilst those obvious similar familial traits are there, brothers are also often very different and this is certainly the case with the Parker brothers. Both working for the law, but both working for it on opposite ends of the spectrum, and as in The Death Collector, this makes for a number of interesting developments. More so in their personal lives this time around. Theirs is a believable relationship.
Finally, the story. The build-up took a while for me to get into the book, as the scene was set and the story was established but by the halfway point I was well and truly engrossed, once again both annoyed and excited that yet another book was keeping me up until the early hours. The standout part of Next to Die has to be its ending, and having read most of Neil's books now, I have to say the last third of Next to Die is probably my favourite from all of his books. Just brilliant, heart-stopping stuff.
Having now read both books in the Parker brothers series, I am well and truly prepared and excited for the third book to be released in July. For those with this series on their TBR, or who are just reading about it for the first time, definitely check it out.
The first highlight of this series for me is its Manchester setting. Being from Liverpool I probably shouldn't admit it, but I do love Manchester as a city and feel that Neil has captured it brilliantly, bringing it to life on the page and in the mind of the reader.
Secondly the characterisation is really strong. Having two brothers as the main characters in a book is always an interesting dynamic. Whilst those obvious similar familial traits are there, brothers are also often very different and this is certainly the case with the Parker brothers. Both working for the law, but both working for it on opposite ends of the spectrum, and as in The Death Collector, this makes for a number of interesting developments. More so in their personal lives this time around. Theirs is a believable relationship.
Finally, the story. The build-up took a while for me to get into the book, as the scene was set and the story was established but by the halfway point I was well and truly engrossed, once again both annoyed and excited that yet another book was keeping me up until the early hours. The standout part of Next to Die has to be its ending, and having read most of Neil's books now, I have to say the last third of Next to Die is probably my favourite from all of his books. Just brilliant, heart-stopping stuff.
Having now read both books in the Parker brothers series, I am well and truly prepared and excited for the third book to be released in July. For those with this series on their TBR, or who are just reading about it for the first time, definitely check it out.
July 13, 2015
Brothers Sam Parker and Joe Parker seem to be at odds with one another. Sam is a detective, working to capture criminals and make the world a better place, whilst Joe is a criminal defence lawyer, working to help those same criminals escape conviction and custodial sentences. But in Next To Die intentions and motives are not always as dissimilar as they first appear.
When Ronnie Bagley requests Joe Parker defend him against charges of murdering his wife and baby, Joe comes running. He likes a challenge, and winning murder cases brings a lawyer notoriety. Elsewhere Sam is asked by the powers that be to spy on his brother, to try and find out anything that can ensure Ronnie’s conviction. Add to that a string of seemingly linked murders throughout Manchester and the Parker brothers have got their hands very much full.
Author, Neil White is a lawyer by day, crime fiction writer by night. He knows exactly what he’s writing about and his experience comes through in every chapter. But this isn't a novel of tedious legal jargon which requires a reader wade through it. It’s small, beautifully observed details which paint legal scenes so brilliantly; outside of court lawyers are wearing smart, tailored suits, but defendants are dressed in cheap suits a couple of sizes too big for them.
There is another layer to proceedings as well: Ellie Parker. Joe and Sam’s younger sister raped and murdered on her way back from school fifteen years ago. Her brothers still feel immense guilt at not being able to save their little sister, and her memory taints everything. It’s this aspect of the book which supplies the emotional grunt, and the murder mystery which provides the addictiveness. Superb stuff.
When Ronnie Bagley requests Joe Parker defend him against charges of murdering his wife and baby, Joe comes running. He likes a challenge, and winning murder cases brings a lawyer notoriety. Elsewhere Sam is asked by the powers that be to spy on his brother, to try and find out anything that can ensure Ronnie’s conviction. Add to that a string of seemingly linked murders throughout Manchester and the Parker brothers have got their hands very much full.
Author, Neil White is a lawyer by day, crime fiction writer by night. He knows exactly what he’s writing about and his experience comes through in every chapter. But this isn't a novel of tedious legal jargon which requires a reader wade through it. It’s small, beautifully observed details which paint legal scenes so brilliantly; outside of court lawyers are wearing smart, tailored suits, but defendants are dressed in cheap suits a couple of sizes too big for them.
There is another layer to proceedings as well: Ellie Parker. Joe and Sam’s younger sister raped and murdered on her way back from school fifteen years ago. Her brothers still feel immense guilt at not being able to save their little sister, and her memory taints everything. It’s this aspect of the book which supplies the emotional grunt, and the murder mystery which provides the addictiveness. Superb stuff.
April 10, 2017
I was quite disappointed by Next To Die. I have read many of Mr White's previous novels and always found them to be quite gripping but I can't say the same for Next To Die and I found reading it to be a bit of a chore. It centres on 2 brothers - Sam, a police detective and Joe, a defence lawyer who both end up working on the same case - did Ronnie Bagley murder his partner?
Plotwise this is a busy book with lots going on and I felt that Mr White cast his net too wide and it resulted in a lack of depth. This is equally apparent in the characterisation - I didn't feel I got to know Sam and Joe so it was difficult to get immersed in the book and live it with them. This is not a bad book it just didn't hold my attention particularly well.
Plotwise this is a busy book with lots going on and I felt that Mr White cast his net too wide and it resulted in a lack of depth. This is equally apparent in the characterisation - I didn't feel I got to know Sam and Joe so it was difficult to get immersed in the book and live it with them. This is not a bad book it just didn't hold my attention particularly well.
October 15, 2015
I enjoyed this book.
The initial building of the characters particularly the brothers and their back story takes around a third of the book but is required. My only slight criticism was that after building the characters the story seemed to race to the conclusion which I thought was a little predictable and therefore the mystery/thriller side of the book seemed to never really grip me.
However in saying that, it was a page turner and you certainly get a good idea of the brothers and what they are about. I actually grew to like Joe as a character moreso than Sam. I would definitely read the next book as well and overall it was about a 4 star book.
The initial building of the characters particularly the brothers and their back story takes around a third of the book but is required. My only slight criticism was that after building the characters the story seemed to race to the conclusion which I thought was a little predictable and therefore the mystery/thriller side of the book seemed to never really grip me.
However in saying that, it was a page turner and you certainly get a good idea of the brothers and what they are about. I actually grew to like Joe as a character moreso than Sam. I would definitely read the next book as well and overall it was about a 4 star book.
December 11, 2014
Another writer mired in cliches and stereotypes. Might as well be writing soap opera scripts. No character development really and the two brothers both exist in superficial feelings and attitudes - they're self-obsessed and hypocritical, too, and the author is apparently not able to get beyond this. Don't bother.
December 7, 2018
(3-3.5 stars)
Great start and ending but the middle part felt a bit slow. I like the setup of focusing on a pair of brothers, one being a police officer and one a lawyer. I will definitely read the sequel.
Great start and ending but the middle part felt a bit slow. I like the setup of focusing on a pair of brothers, one being a police officer and one a lawyer. I will definitely read the sequel.
May 16, 2019
Определено не.
April 13, 2017
Listened to in audio format.
Next to Die was the April read for one of my GR groups. Next to Die introduces us to Joe Parker a defence solicitor and his brother Sam a Police Detective. Joe and Sam's little sister was murdered when they were young, and the Parker family are still grieving in their own ways.
Joe receives a phone call telling him that a Ronnie Bagley wants him to defend him. Ronnie is in prison on suspicion of killing his wife and baby daughter. Ronnie says he is innocent but he did go to police because he thought he had murdered them. At the end of the interview Ronnie asks if Joe remembered him but he did not.
Sam is a Detective dealing with financial crimes. The Police are interested in Ronnie Bagley because there have been a number of unsolved murders which he may involved in. His superiors want Sam to find out what he can about Ronnie from his brother. Of course Sam cannot betray his brother like that, he finds out his superiors were just testing him and he joins the Ronnie Bagley investigation.
I really enjoyed this book. The book had a slow start introducing us to the brothers and their wider family. When the story got going I could not stop listening, the killer was particularly menacing but I will let you find out why. The best part of the book were the scenes involving Sam when he is given a deadly ultimatum.
Next to Die is the first book in the Joe and Sam Parker series. Neil White is another author I will be looking out for. I took a gamble thinking I would love this series and I already have the other 2 books to enjoy.
Next to Die was the April read for one of my GR groups. Next to Die introduces us to Joe Parker a defence solicitor and his brother Sam a Police Detective. Joe and Sam's little sister was murdered when they were young, and the Parker family are still grieving in their own ways.
Joe receives a phone call telling him that a Ronnie Bagley wants him to defend him. Ronnie is in prison on suspicion of killing his wife and baby daughter. Ronnie says he is innocent but he did go to police because he thought he had murdered them. At the end of the interview Ronnie asks if Joe remembered him but he did not.
Sam is a Detective dealing with financial crimes. The Police are interested in Ronnie Bagley because there have been a number of unsolved murders which he may involved in. His superiors want Sam to find out what he can about Ronnie from his brother. Of course Sam cannot betray his brother like that, he finds out his superiors were just testing him and he joins the Ronnie Bagley investigation.
I really enjoyed this book. The book had a slow start introducing us to the brothers and their wider family. When the story got going I could not stop listening, the killer was particularly menacing but I will let you find out why. The best part of the book were the scenes involving Sam when he is given a deadly ultimatum.
Next to Die is the first book in the Joe and Sam Parker series. Neil White is another author I will be looking out for. I took a gamble thinking I would love this series and I already have the other 2 books to enjoy.
March 29, 2015
This is my 7th book by this author and I've greatly enjoyed the lot aside from just one that wasn't as good as the others. Although I must say I prefer his other series to this one and I hope he'll go back to it. His next 2 after this one I know feature the 2 brothers in this story.
I did get a bit confused at times with it being about 2 brothers as to which one I was currently reading about and needing to go back a few pages, especially as both were working with young women. Then he talked about a window and then said "they" were cleaned rarely....and I spotted just one missed apostrophe and a used where an should've been, the was in a sentence where it wasn't needed twice and than was used where that was meant. That was it for errors which is good in this day and age.
A couple of times he repeated stuff he'd already explained as well. No idea why as it's not something I'd noticed him do before. I've never heard of defendants turning up via videolink from Strangeways. I wonder why that is ? He didn't really explain. I looked on Google but that mentions a lot of cases where it happens but not why.
He made me sniffy with something that happened near the end, too. I'll certainly give the next in this series a look but I do miss Laura and Jack.
I did get a bit confused at times with it being about 2 brothers as to which one I was currently reading about and needing to go back a few pages, especially as both were working with young women. Then he talked about a window and then said "they" were cleaned rarely....and I spotted just one missed apostrophe and a used where an should've been, the was in a sentence where it wasn't needed twice and than was used where that was meant. That was it for errors which is good in this day and age.
A couple of times he repeated stuff he'd already explained as well. No idea why as it's not something I'd noticed him do before. I've never heard of defendants turning up via videolink from Strangeways. I wonder why that is ? He didn't really explain. I looked on Google but that mentions a lot of cases where it happens but not why.
He made me sniffy with something that happened near the end, too. I'll certainly give the next in this series a look but I do miss Laura and Jack.
June 19, 2015
This book has been sat on my kindle for I don't know how long. I have kept meaning to get around to reading it, so finally after seeing book 3 was due out, I decided I better start book one.
In this story we have 2 brothers, Sam and Joe, one a detective and one a Defense Lawyer.
Both brothers trying to come to terms with the murder of their younger sister. Both brothers with a past they keep away. Both brothers wanting to be the best at what they do.
Joe is the Lawyer of a client that Sam now has interest in. Ronnie Bagley whose wife and child have disappeared, is being accused of murdering them. But with no bodies Can the Police prove that he has killed them, or can Joe prove that he didn't. Its a tough case for everyone involved. And has more that a few twist to keep you going.
I'm not going to give to much away, I don't want to spoil any of the story, But it is A brilliantly well written book. with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, and enough suspense to keep your heart racing.
I have read most of Neils other books, and this was again just as good. Really good read.
September 3, 2015
Initially I loved this book, albeit rather far fetched and irksome. I could not put it down even when I found one of the brothers (Sam) very irritating especially when questioning a key suspect in prison I wanted him to man up. Other characters had mannerisms that simply would not happen like a little smile in the middle of a traumatic event.
But I got over it and continued into the night to the very last pages whereupon it was finally well and truely ruined for me. [spot the error on page 397-398: being able to wrap your arms around someone whilst your arms are secured by rope behind your back. Pretty amazing].
At this point I chucked the book down and not bother finishing it.
I won't be reading any more of Neil White. Back to safe ground with Lee Child.
But I got over it and continued into the night to the very last pages whereupon it was finally well and truely ruined for me. [spot the error on page 397-398: being able to wrap your arms around someone whilst your arms are secured by rope behind your back. Pretty amazing].
At this point I chucked the book down and not bother finishing it.
I won't be reading any more of Neil White. Back to safe ground with Lee Child.
May 11, 2014
Really enjoyed this, excellent book set in Manchester. Two brothers one a detective and the other a defence lawyer. Story starts to entwine with them both looking at the same person, one as a suspect and the other defending him for the apparent murder of his girlfriend and child. Brings back memories of the death of their sister as they investigate the case from two different perspectives. Well worth reading and throughly enjoyed. Definitely be reading more by this author.
August 25, 2013
Great book, best yet by the Author. They just get better and better.
June 22, 2015
I rate this book 3.5 really. It was good but a little to predictable. Will read the next one in this series and hopefully I will really sink my teeth into it.
January 2, 2016
certainly a story to read. The characters come to life. He builds his characters quite nicley
December 31, 2020
This is a fairly long read that takes too long to go anywhere and is not one that keeps you guessing. The main protagonists are well constructed and as the first book in a series, it introduces the brothers as the ones to watch, one a solicitor or lawyer, the other the police officer, both on the same side of the law, yet strangely opposed, and full of sibling rivalry. The brothers tied together by family and their mutual past of the partially unsolved murder of a younger sister, with this imbalance being one of the main cores of the story, a fairly thin murder whodunnit that offers little by way of surprises and few if any plot twists.
The baddies being barely believable in their motivations and personalities, which as a writer Neil White struggles to describe the dark side of psychosis and their personalities enabling you to see their madness and misguided reasoning. Comparing these characters who at one point describe themselves as "beasts" in seeking for you to see the parallels to Myra Hindley and Ian Brady of 1960's Moors Murders infamy, and in my mind falling well short of the reality of that pair of monsters.
Not badly written but too long for the story and not a series that I will follow in future books as for me the characters were cliched and ordinary and left me with the feeling that they were nothing new.
As a one-off book OK, but further than that, why bother.
The baddies being barely believable in their motivations and personalities, which as a writer Neil White struggles to describe the dark side of psychosis and their personalities enabling you to see their madness and misguided reasoning. Comparing these characters who at one point describe themselves as "beasts" in seeking for you to see the parallels to Myra Hindley and Ian Brady of 1960's Moors Murders infamy, and in my mind falling well short of the reality of that pair of monsters.
Not badly written but too long for the story and not a series that I will follow in future books as for me the characters were cliched and ordinary and left me with the feeling that they were nothing new.
As a one-off book OK, but further than that, why bother.
January 3, 2017
As with most Neil White books, this on is quite gritty and doesn't pull any punches.
Joe Parker is a defence lawyer and his brother Sam is a policeman. They end up working on different aspects of the same case. The brothers learn different facts as the lawyer and the policeman have a somewhat different focus so there are some tensions. But when the brothers are finally drawn to work together and compare notes, they realise with sickening clarity that a series of murders of young women is all about them - about revenge for one sick individual.
As the events and characters collide in a rush to the denouement, their younger sister is threatened, drawn into this horrible revenge game. The brothers will do anything to save young Ruby, but will it be too little too late?
I enjoyed this. It wasn't all lovey-dovey families. These were damaged people who nevertheless tried to get on in life while their parents still wallowed in misery over the death, years earlier of another sister/daughter.
This tough, gritty writing is Neil White at his best. Nothing is glamourised. He delivers warts and all and gives you a story you can really relate to.
Joe Parker is a defence lawyer and his brother Sam is a policeman. They end up working on different aspects of the same case. The brothers learn different facts as the lawyer and the policeman have a somewhat different focus so there are some tensions. But when the brothers are finally drawn to work together and compare notes, they realise with sickening clarity that a series of murders of young women is all about them - about revenge for one sick individual.
As the events and characters collide in a rush to the denouement, their younger sister is threatened, drawn into this horrible revenge game. The brothers will do anything to save young Ruby, but will it be too little too late?
I enjoyed this. It wasn't all lovey-dovey families. These were damaged people who nevertheless tried to get on in life while their parents still wallowed in misery over the death, years earlier of another sister/daughter.
This tough, gritty writing is Neil White at his best. Nothing is glamourised. He delivers warts and all and gives you a story you can really relate to.
July 18, 2018
What an emotional book. An emotional rollercoaster. I bought this book a few years back with the intent of reading it then. It may have taken a few years to get to but it was worth the wait. It is a book I thoroughly enjoyed.
Next To Die had me on the edge of my seat constantly. When you think oh I will just read 1 page and then you end up readong 50 because you want to know what happens next. I love how they take more of the legal way in the book. That Joe Parker is the more focal point of the plot and that he is a defense lawyer. I don't care for Sam much but probably cause I was hearing all sides of the mystery and saw the clues plain as day. With that said, it kept me guessing on who was the murder and why and kind of was surprised when it was someone I least expected.
This is one of those books you can talks hours about and yet give nothing away. I love books that keep you guessing. If you do, pick up Next To Die today.
Next To Die had me on the edge of my seat constantly. When you think oh I will just read 1 page and then you end up readong 50 because you want to know what happens next. I love how they take more of the legal way in the book. That Joe Parker is the more focal point of the plot and that he is a defense lawyer. I don't care for Sam much but probably cause I was hearing all sides of the mystery and saw the clues plain as day. With that said, it kept me guessing on who was the murder and why and kind of was surprised when it was someone I least expected.
This is one of those books you can talks hours about and yet give nothing away. I love books that keep you guessing. If you do, pick up Next To Die today.
February 15, 2018
I sooooo enjoyed this book. The only difficulty is....it has short chapters so at 2am one thinks...."just one more....just one more chapter"......you get my drift here......
One brother is a cop - so he puts criminals in jail..........and the other brother is a defence attorney so he gets criminals out of jail. You can imagine that alone sets up tension within the book. Young girls are going missing, but no worries they catch the killer, put him in jail. All is good. Ohhh but wait, the killings are still happening! What?? Must be someone else! The Cop brother figures out that its someone else so he puts him in jail. The Defense brother gets him out on bail....is that a mistake? And why does all leads of these young girls missing lead back to the original guy who went to jail? Got your interest? It sure got mine right to the very end!!!!
One brother is a cop - so he puts criminals in jail..........and the other brother is a defence attorney so he gets criminals out of jail. You can imagine that alone sets up tension within the book. Young girls are going missing, but no worries they catch the killer, put him in jail. All is good. Ohhh but wait, the killings are still happening! What?? Must be someone else! The Cop brother figures out that its someone else so he puts him in jail. The Defense brother gets him out on bail....is that a mistake? And why does all leads of these young girls missing lead back to the original guy who went to jail? Got your interest? It sure got mine right to the very end!!!!
December 30, 2018
"Ostatni na liście" Neila White'a to książka przedstawiająca w głównej mierze życie rodziny Parkerów: Joe, Sama oraz ich najbliższych. Bracia różnią się od siebie tak bardzo, że łączą ich jedynie dwie rzeczy: pokrewieństwo oraz nierozwiązana śmierć ich siostry Eleanor sprzed 15 lat. Dzięki Joe'mu możemy jako czytelnicy "zajrzeć" do prawniczego świata, gdzie "wybiela" się i broni tych, którzy zboczyli na złą drogę: zabójców, gwałcicieli, złodziei, natomiast ze strony Sama, zobaczymy policyjną, czasem niewdzięczną, ciężką pracę, łapania i "zamykania" tych, którzy wymykają się sprawiedliwości. Tym razem drogi braci się zejdą za sprawą niejakiego Ronniego Badgleya, który zdaje się znać przeszłość Parkerów. Kim jest? Czy zabił swoją dziewczynę i maleńką córeczkę Grace? Czy Sam oraz Joe połączą siły, gdy powróci koszmar sprzed lat w postaci porywanych i zabijanych młodych dziewczyn?
March 14, 2024
Another legal thriller set in Manchester that I was pleased to find. And an unusual premise: two brothers, one a copper and one a defence solicitor, get involved with the same criminals from, initially, different perspectives. I thought the characters of the brothers were well drawn and interesting, right down to the one who once e-mailed a photograph of an unfaithful girlfriend caught in flagrante delicto to all their workmates! But I wasn't entirely convinced by the motivation of the baddies, and I thought the denouement - well written as it is - went on just that little bit too long. Still, an enjoyable read and I plan to read the others in the trilogy too.
February 19, 2019
This was a good and entertaining read but nothing really stood out for me.
It follows the Parker family. Joe is a lawyer and Sam is a police officer. They both lost their baby sister years earlier and the entire family is still trying to deal with that tragic loss in their own ways. Now there are young girls going missing and there seem to be links from past cases for both brothers. Can Joe and Sam figure out what is happening? Can they figure it out before more people disappear, including their other little sister?
It follows the Parker family. Joe is a lawyer and Sam is a police officer. They both lost their baby sister years earlier and the entire family is still trying to deal with that tragic loss in their own ways. Now there are young girls going missing and there seem to be links from past cases for both brothers. Can Joe and Sam figure out what is happening? Can they figure it out before more people disappear, including their other little sister?
May 29, 2024
I may DNR this one. I give books 50 pages and its been a fairly long time since one didn't make the cut. I stopped at 30 on this one last night, mostly bc it was late, but oh my gosh...the writing is awkward and overly wordy, the descriptions and observations seem forced and its one of those books that flashes to an unnamed baddie every couple of chapters. Blech. I hate that. Not only is it an overused device, but its usually completely unnecessary. I'll try again tonight and may end up back here upping the stars but I realllllly doubt it.
February 28, 2018
Never read anything by this author before, but want to do so in the future. The tension created as the narrative progressed was building all the time throughout. Like in a good movie or TV programme, just when the reader thinks he/she will be given another small clue, the scene changes to a different part of the story.
Thoroughly enjoyable read. Even when it becomes obvious who the perpetrators are, there is still a certain amount of tension to take you to the natural conclusion of the book.
Thoroughly enjoyable read. Even when it becomes obvious who the perpetrators are, there is still a certain amount of tension to take you to the natural conclusion of the book.
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