What do you think?
Rate this book
Thirty Miles Trilogy #2
And Your Enemies Closer
In the North West criminal underworld, a deal goes tragically wrong, resulting in war between the two main organised crime factions in the region. Shockwaves rock the 30-mile gap between Liverpool and Manchester - with retired detective Brendan Foley right in the middle of it all.
For Brendan, six months after his resignation, life is all different. His marriage is a mess, he’s working as a nightclub bouncer, his brother is still missing and he just can’t stop searching for the crime family that destroyed his life. And at last, he’s found them - and he’s got them bang to rights.
Iona Madison, his one-time partner and now successor as a DI in Warrington Police, is tasked with a body pulled from the River Mersey - a teen-age boy that went missing the previous year, which might bring her own conduct into question. Not only that, Brendan is feeding her information whether she likes it or not - and his unsanctioned activities are causing her headaches.
And now, there’s a price on his head. A million pounds, dead or alive.
And Your Enemies Closer is a serpentine race against time as Brendan and Iona must stay one step ahead of criminals at every corner, while trying to bring justice - in whatever form it takes, and whatever loyalties it might burn.
For Brendan, six months after his resignation, life is all different. His marriage is a mess, he’s working as a nightclub bouncer, his brother is still missing and he just can’t stop searching for the crime family that destroyed his life. And at last, he’s found them - and he’s got them bang to rights.
Iona Madison, his one-time partner and now successor as a DI in Warrington Police, is tasked with a body pulled from the River Mersey - a teen-age boy that went missing the previous year, which might bring her own conduct into question. Not only that, Brendan is feeding her information whether she likes it or not - and his unsanctioned activities are causing her headaches.
And now, there’s a price on his head. A million pounds, dead or alive.
And Your Enemies Closer is a serpentine race against time as Brendan and Iona must stay one step ahead of criminals at every corner, while trying to bring justice - in whatever form it takes, and whatever loyalties it might burn.
Audible Audio
Published January 6, 6
6 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Rob Parker
37books65followersRob Parker is a married father of three, who lives in Warrington, UK. The author of the Ben Bracken thrillers, Crook’s Hollow and the Audible bestseller Far From The Tree, he enjoys a rural life, writing horrible things between school runs. Rob writes full time, attends various author events across the UK, and boxes regularly for charity.
He spends a lot of time in schools across the North, encouraging literacy, story-telling and creative-writing, and somehow squeezes in time to co-host the For Your Reconsideration film podcast, appear regularly on The Blood Brothers Crime Podcast, and is a member of the Northern Crime Syndicate.
He spends a lot of time in schools across the North, encouraging literacy, story-telling and creative-writing, and somehow squeezes in time to co-host the For Your Reconsideration film podcast, appear regularly on The Blood Brothers Crime Podcast, and is a member of the Northern Crime Syndicate.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 18, 2023
This 2nd part of Rob Parker’s Thirty Miles trilogy carries on straight from the excellent first book.
This time around, with Brendan out of the police force, now a sort of vigilante, the police side of the book falls on the well crafted DI Iona Maddison.
With a couple of strange dead bodies, a gang land war between the rival Liverpool and Manchester factions simmering and Foley taking the law in to his own hands, this thriller rarely stops for breath.
Whilst it feels a bit sensational at times, the bad guys are super sinister but fun to read, it’s a thoroughly good thriller that packs punch after punch and really gets hold of you. And that Finale is just pure Hollywood.
Breathless Action from a very talented author who I genuinely enjoy reading as his books always strike me as him being a writer enjoying himself as he continues to hone his craft.
This time around, with Brendan out of the police force, now a sort of vigilante, the police side of the book falls on the well crafted DI Iona Maddison.
With a couple of strange dead bodies, a gang land war between the rival Liverpool and Manchester factions simmering and Foley taking the law in to his own hands, this thriller rarely stops for breath.
Whilst it feels a bit sensational at times, the bad guys are super sinister but fun to read, it’s a thoroughly good thriller that packs punch after punch and really gets hold of you. And that Finale is just pure Hollywood.
Breathless Action from a very talented author who I genuinely enjoy reading as his books always strike me as him being a writer enjoying himself as he continues to hone his craft.
March 5, 2022
I read the paperback copy which was gifted to me by the author and WOW!
How many ways can you be totally blown away? If you’re on audible you can find out now. If not I’d strongly suggest you buy Far From The Tree and pre-order And Your Enemies Closer. This is absolutely epic.
It’s a novel that deals with an ex-cop, who still wants the right thing to be done, but he knows that waiting for the cogs to turn and the right people to do the right thing isn’t always as clear cut as it sounds. It’s an adrenaline fuelled hurtle through the seedy side of a city and it makes you see the man behind the obsession.
I loved every single second of this instalment of the Brendan Foley story as we find out more about him, his family and what drives him. I love Iona the real kick ass female in the book. She is fantastic. No weak wallflower females in these stories. Every character comes fully rounded and like onions as the stories move on, the layers peel away leaving us not only with tears in our eyes, but an understanding of the characters.
Again a five star read from Rob Parker. With thanks to Red Dog Press and Rob Parker for this advanced reading copy of this book.
Currently available on Audible but coming next year in paperback so get your preorder in!
How many ways can you be totally blown away? If you’re on audible you can find out now. If not I’d strongly suggest you buy Far From The Tree and pre-order And Your Enemies Closer. This is absolutely epic.
It’s a novel that deals with an ex-cop, who still wants the right thing to be done, but he knows that waiting for the cogs to turn and the right people to do the right thing isn’t always as clear cut as it sounds. It’s an adrenaline fuelled hurtle through the seedy side of a city and it makes you see the man behind the obsession.
I loved every single second of this instalment of the Brendan Foley story as we find out more about him, his family and what drives him. I love Iona the real kick ass female in the book. She is fantastic. No weak wallflower females in these stories. Every character comes fully rounded and like onions as the stories move on, the layers peel away leaving us not only with tears in our eyes, but an understanding of the characters.
Again a five star read from Rob Parker. With thanks to Red Dog Press and Rob Parker for this advanced reading copy of this book.
Currently available on Audible but coming next year in paperback so get your preorder in!
January 14, 2022
� � � 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at .
WHAT'S AND YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER ABOUT?
I keep accidentally spoiling something when writing this section, so I'm just going to borrow Audible's summary:
THINGS CHANGE
When I posted about Far from the Tree, I'd said:
In the six months since he retired, all that has changed. Very understandably, Foley isn't that guy anymore. He's the kind of guy you fear you can find in police officers all over the world. Sure, that makes you wonder if he ever really was that guy—but I think he was, through sheer act of will maybe, but he was that guy. But that's over—his marriage is on the ropes (to speak optimistically), he's not the father he used to be. All he has room for is a mission—take down that crime family that had taken so much from him.
D.I. Madison's changed, too. She's still trying to prove to her superiors that she deserved the promotion. I really thought I got to know her as a character in the previous book, and I didn't feel that way this time. Yes, she's in it just as much—but it's almost all work, no reflection. The time-frame for this book is much shorter than the last one, so we don't have time to see her off-the-clock or in a quiet moment to think.
Another reason I think I might have had that reaction is the number of Point of View Characters is larger than the last time out, and those who aren't Foley and Madison get more time. I could be very wrong about that—I've listened to a lot of books in the 16+ months between these two—but that's the impression that I had. It makes for a richer and more developed story, but it came at the cost of at least Madison's character.
WARREN BROWN
I don't know much about Brown's acting—he hasn't done much widely available in the U.S. (at least legally), but I've really liked him when I have seen him. But, his work on this series is enough to make me start petitions for streaming services to start showing his stuff.
He brings these situations and people to life in a way that you can practically see them, it's like you're in the room with them. Getting the right narrator is always important when it comes to audiobooks—doubly so with things like Audible Originals that have no text version. Whoever got Brown to do this series did us all a favor.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT AND YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER?
I didn't enjoy this quite as much as the predecessor—but I'm pretty sure that has everything to do with this being the second installment in a trilogy. It's just the way I am with trilogies.* I do wonder if some of it is also the way D.I. Madison was used here. On both counts, I fully expect that the close of this trilogy is going to leave me impressed and maybe even liking this a bit more than I do right now.
* With the possible exception of The Empire Strikes Back
Parker's a great storyteller, and that's on full display here. One example of that, I'll try to keep it vague. Still, spoilerphobes might want to skip to the next paragraph. There's someone early one that you realize is going to die before this book ends. Really, they might as well have been named Corpsey McCadaver. In just about every scene with them, I liked them more and more and grew more and more certain they'd die soon. But when it happened—I was totally caught off-guard, bolted upright in my char, and apparently made a sound audible in the next room. That's storytelling.
I thought that the image of the mass grave from the beginning of Far from the Tree was the apex for disturbing images for the series. A big shock to get the ball rolling, and it'd be all down here from there. I don't remember being that naïve and foolish, but man...Parker outdoes himself in creating one location in the book. I'm just glad the Smell-O-Vision technology hasn't made its way to smartphones. Also, there's a method of murder used here that I've never run across before, I'm dying to know if it's real, but I don't even know how to search for it online without going on the FBI's radar. Seriously, the book is worth your time just to hear about it. I'm not sure the book is also worth the poor sleep you'll get if you think too much about the method, however.
As I said before, there are many point-of-view characters running around in this novel, and I wouldn't have complained about having more time with any of them. Other than Madison, we got enough time with them all, but I enjoyed each perspective enough that I could have taken at least one more scene with them all. I typically think less is more on the multiple-perspective novels, but this isn't one of them. Both Parker and Brown handle all the voices really well.
Outside of Corpsey McCadaver, I couldn't predict anything about this story. Parker keeps you on your toes and on the edge of your seat—he zigs when you expect him to zag. Or, he zags when you expect, but in a way that turns your expectations upside down.
Once again, Parker and Brown have delivered something brutal, unrelentingly gripping, and full of the unexpected. I can't wait to see what they've got in store for #3.
This originally appeared at .
WHAT'S AND YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER ABOUT?
I keep accidentally spoiling something when writing this section, so I'm just going to borrow Audible's summary:
In the North West criminal underworld, a deal goes tragically wrong, resulting in war between the two main organised crime factions in the region. Shockwaves rock the 30-mile gap between Liverpool and Manchester - with retired detective Brendan Foley right in the middle of it all.
For Brendan, six months after his resignation, life is all different. His marriage is a mess, he’s working as a nightclub bouncer, his brother is still missing and he just can’t stop searching for the crime family that destroyed his life. And at last, he’s found them - and he’s got them bang to rights.
Iona Madison, his one-time partner and now successor as a DI in Warrington Police, is tasked with a body pulled from the River Mersey - a teen-age boy that went missing the previous year, which might bring her own conduct into question. Not only that, Brendan is feeding her information whether she likes it or not - and his unsanctioned activities are causing her headaches.
And now, there’s a price on his head. A million pounds, dead or alive.
And Your Enemies Closer is a serpentine race against time as Brendan and Iona must stay one step ahead of criminals at every corner, while trying to bring justice - in whatever form it takes, and whatever loyalties it might burn.
THINGS CHANGE
When I posted about Far from the Tree, I'd said:
Foley comes across as the kind of cop you want to read about, the kind that you like to think you can find in police forces all over the world—sure, he needs some marriage counseling and needs to do some serious work when it comes to his kids. But who doesn’t have problems?
In the six months since he retired, all that has changed. Very understandably, Foley isn't that guy anymore. He's the kind of guy you fear you can find in police officers all over the world. Sure, that makes you wonder if he ever really was that guy—but I think he was, through sheer act of will maybe, but he was that guy. But that's over—his marriage is on the ropes (to speak optimistically), he's not the father he used to be. All he has room for is a mission—take down that crime family that had taken so much from him.
D.I. Madison's changed, too. She's still trying to prove to her superiors that she deserved the promotion. I really thought I got to know her as a character in the previous book, and I didn't feel that way this time. Yes, she's in it just as much—but it's almost all work, no reflection. The time-frame for this book is much shorter than the last one, so we don't have time to see her off-the-clock or in a quiet moment to think.
Another reason I think I might have had that reaction is the number of Point of View Characters is larger than the last time out, and those who aren't Foley and Madison get more time. I could be very wrong about that—I've listened to a lot of books in the 16+ months between these two—but that's the impression that I had. It makes for a richer and more developed story, but it came at the cost of at least Madison's character.
WARREN BROWN
I don't know much about Brown's acting—he hasn't done much widely available in the U.S. (at least legally), but I've really liked him when I have seen him. But, his work on this series is enough to make me start petitions for streaming services to start showing his stuff.
He brings these situations and people to life in a way that you can practically see them, it's like you're in the room with them. Getting the right narrator is always important when it comes to audiobooks—doubly so with things like Audible Originals that have no text version. Whoever got Brown to do this series did us all a favor.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT AND YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER?
I didn't enjoy this quite as much as the predecessor—but I'm pretty sure that has everything to do with this being the second installment in a trilogy. It's just the way I am with trilogies.* I do wonder if some of it is also the way D.I. Madison was used here. On both counts, I fully expect that the close of this trilogy is going to leave me impressed and maybe even liking this a bit more than I do right now.
* With the possible exception of The Empire Strikes Back
Parker's a great storyteller, and that's on full display here. One example of that, I'll try to keep it vague. Still, spoilerphobes might want to skip to the next paragraph. There's someone early one that you realize is going to die before this book ends. Really, they might as well have been named Corpsey McCadaver. In just about every scene with them, I liked them more and more and grew more and more certain they'd die soon. But when it happened—I was totally caught off-guard, bolted upright in my char, and apparently made a sound audible in the next room. That's storytelling.
I thought that the image of the mass grave from the beginning of Far from the Tree was the apex for disturbing images for the series. A big shock to get the ball rolling, and it'd be all down here from there. I don't remember being that naïve and foolish, but man...Parker outdoes himself in creating one location in the book. I'm just glad the Smell-O-Vision technology hasn't made its way to smartphones. Also, there's a method of murder used here that I've never run across before, I'm dying to know if it's real, but I don't even know how to search for it online without going on the FBI's radar. Seriously, the book is worth your time just to hear about it. I'm not sure the book is also worth the poor sleep you'll get if you think too much about the method, however.
As I said before, there are many point-of-view characters running around in this novel, and I wouldn't have complained about having more time with any of them. Other than Madison, we got enough time with them all, but I enjoyed each perspective enough that I could have taken at least one more scene with them all. I typically think less is more on the multiple-perspective novels, but this isn't one of them. Both Parker and Brown handle all the voices really well.
Outside of Corpsey McCadaver, I couldn't predict anything about this story. Parker keeps you on your toes and on the edge of your seat—he zigs when you expect him to zag. Or, he zags when you expect, but in a way that turns your expectations upside down.
Once again, Parker and Brown have delivered something brutal, unrelentingly gripping, and full of the unexpected. I can't wait to see what they've got in store for #3.
March 12, 2022
It's six months since Brendan Foley's life went to hell in a hand-basket with the case of the Warrington 27 - the case that forced him to confront the truth about his own family, and made him long for retribution with every fibre of his being.
Finding himself unable to continue as a DI with Warrington Police, Foley is on a crusade to bring down the Culpepper crime gang that derailed his life, but he must now put his considerable talents to use from the shadows. Working as a nightclub bouncer, he spends his waking hours consumed with his need for revenge, letting all other parts of his life slide, including his marriage and his responsibilities as a father.
When Foley's snooping takes him to a storage lock-up that holds a dead body and a shed load of drugs, he calls on his old partner Iona Madison, his replacement as DI, to help. Madison has enough troubles of her own to deal with as the body of a boy has just been dragged from the Mersey - a body linked to the Warrington 27 case, and one which connects herself, Foley and some of their old colleagues to some dealings none of them are proud of.
Madison has no choice but to get involved in Foley's troubles once more, whether she likes it or not. His meddling has dropped them all in the middle of a war between two local organised crime gangs, and the Culpeppers are out for blood. Foley and his family have a price on their heads, and a million pounds is enough to strain the loyalty of many. Will they stay alive long enough to bring the guilty to justice?
I am a big Rob Parker fan, and have enjoyed every one of his books immensely. The first part of the Thirty Miles Trilogy, Far from the Tree, was a very accomplished piece of crime writing, blending gritty gangland thriller and police procedural together into one heck of a gripping tale. Book two, And your Enemies Closer, is every bit as good, albeit with the slightly different slant of a Brendan Foley who is now well and truly in loose cannon territory.
Right from the word go, it's clear that Foley has been consumed by his need for a reckoning with the Culpepper family, and this is going to get him into scalding hot water - now without the added balm of his warrant card. This presents Parker with a great opportunity to let the gangland side of this story spiral deliciously out of control, delving into some really dark and menacing story-lines around power struggles in the criminal underworld that cast an intriguing light on the relationship between the cities of Liverpool and Manchester - and the thirty miles that lie betwixt them. The police procedural side takes much more of a back seat this time around, although is is great to see some old friends making an appearance, even if they are also being drawn inexorably into stepping more and more out of the bounds of good conduct to protect themselves. Parker plays up the spectre of past misdeeds that tie them all together nicely, with a little stomach churning sideline too. I feel I should add here that you really do need to have read, or listened to, book one, as the plotlines are tightly wound together.
This story grabs you be the proverbials and does not let go for an instant, with Warren Brown's dulcet tones pitched to perfection as the moment demands, just like in book one. The action speeds up a-pace, drawing all the threads together in a inventive climax, and there is a sequence of very clever twists along the way, which keeps things very spicy indeed - and the resulting fall-out promises mayhem in the concluding part of the trilogy. I cannot wait!
Finding himself unable to continue as a DI with Warrington Police, Foley is on a crusade to bring down the Culpepper crime gang that derailed his life, but he must now put his considerable talents to use from the shadows. Working as a nightclub bouncer, he spends his waking hours consumed with his need for revenge, letting all other parts of his life slide, including his marriage and his responsibilities as a father.
When Foley's snooping takes him to a storage lock-up that holds a dead body and a shed load of drugs, he calls on his old partner Iona Madison, his replacement as DI, to help. Madison has enough troubles of her own to deal with as the body of a boy has just been dragged from the Mersey - a body linked to the Warrington 27 case, and one which connects herself, Foley and some of their old colleagues to some dealings none of them are proud of.
Madison has no choice but to get involved in Foley's troubles once more, whether she likes it or not. His meddling has dropped them all in the middle of a war between two local organised crime gangs, and the Culpeppers are out for blood. Foley and his family have a price on their heads, and a million pounds is enough to strain the loyalty of many. Will they stay alive long enough to bring the guilty to justice?
I am a big Rob Parker fan, and have enjoyed every one of his books immensely. The first part of the Thirty Miles Trilogy, Far from the Tree, was a very accomplished piece of crime writing, blending gritty gangland thriller and police procedural together into one heck of a gripping tale. Book two, And your Enemies Closer, is every bit as good, albeit with the slightly different slant of a Brendan Foley who is now well and truly in loose cannon territory.
Right from the word go, it's clear that Foley has been consumed by his need for a reckoning with the Culpepper family, and this is going to get him into scalding hot water - now without the added balm of his warrant card. This presents Parker with a great opportunity to let the gangland side of this story spiral deliciously out of control, delving into some really dark and menacing story-lines around power struggles in the criminal underworld that cast an intriguing light on the relationship between the cities of Liverpool and Manchester - and the thirty miles that lie betwixt them. The police procedural side takes much more of a back seat this time around, although is is great to see some old friends making an appearance, even if they are also being drawn inexorably into stepping more and more out of the bounds of good conduct to protect themselves. Parker plays up the spectre of past misdeeds that tie them all together nicely, with a little stomach churning sideline too. I feel I should add here that you really do need to have read, or listened to, book one, as the plotlines are tightly wound together.
This story grabs you be the proverbials and does not let go for an instant, with Warren Brown's dulcet tones pitched to perfection as the moment demands, just like in book one. The action speeds up a-pace, drawing all the threads together in a inventive climax, and there is a sequence of very clever twists along the way, which keeps things very spicy indeed - and the resulting fall-out promises mayhem in the concluding part of the trilogy. I cannot wait!
January 24, 2022
It’s been probably a year since I read Far From The Tree, Rob Parker’s first book in the Thirty Miles Trilogy, so I have really been looking forward to Book 2 .
The opening chapter ( prologue ) reels you in with a gripping opening, and is quite shocking! Well those shocks reverberate thought And Your Enemies Closer, as a follow us book, this is fabulous, totally gripping!
The characters are well written, with Brendan Foley the now ex-cop estranged from his brother Ross, and desperately trying to get revenge for deeds that shocked me in Book 1, is such a great character. The battle he has in trying to justify staying within the Law, even though he is no longer a Detective, and breaking the Law for revenge against Culpepper, the crime Lord, is fantastically written. Both the Foley brothers are great characters.
My other favourite character in And Your Enemies Closer is DI Iona Madison, she is a totally kick arse, no nonsense Detective who loves boxing and is good at it, she’s a total ball breaker and I love her!
The descriptions of the settings for the storyline are well observed and it makes you feel like you are in the gritty underbelly of Liverpool. And the criminal gangs and their leaders are remarkable. The plot is fabulous and I was gripped, there are some twists that I didn’t see coming and had me gasping out loud! And I must mention the utterly unique way of committing murder, Mr Parker has really done his research for this and it’s absolutely grim and brilliant!
Just a quick mention of the Audible quality, as always with Audible it’s fantastically produced and Warren Brown is a great narrator for this book, really suits it.
So my rating�. Well you’ve guessed it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The opening chapter ( prologue ) reels you in with a gripping opening, and is quite shocking! Well those shocks reverberate thought And Your Enemies Closer, as a follow us book, this is fabulous, totally gripping!
The characters are well written, with Brendan Foley the now ex-cop estranged from his brother Ross, and desperately trying to get revenge for deeds that shocked me in Book 1, is such a great character. The battle he has in trying to justify staying within the Law, even though he is no longer a Detective, and breaking the Law for revenge against Culpepper, the crime Lord, is fantastically written. Both the Foley brothers are great characters.
My other favourite character in And Your Enemies Closer is DI Iona Madison, she is a totally kick arse, no nonsense Detective who loves boxing and is good at it, she’s a total ball breaker and I love her!
The descriptions of the settings for the storyline are well observed and it makes you feel like you are in the gritty underbelly of Liverpool. And the criminal gangs and their leaders are remarkable. The plot is fabulous and I was gripped, there are some twists that I didn’t see coming and had me gasping out loud! And I must mention the utterly unique way of committing murder, Mr Parker has really done his research for this and it’s absolutely grim and brilliant!
Just a quick mention of the Audible quality, as always with Audible it’s fantastically produced and Warren Brown is a great narrator for this book, really suits it.
So my rating�. Well you’ve guessed it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 20, 2023
This novel is set in Northeast England in the area between Liverpool and Manchester. The plot involves a struggle for power between two crime gangs located in the two cities, both of which are involved in drug smuggling. Brendan Foley, a former brilliant detective in Warrington, resigned from the police force when a gang led by his father and involving his brother was blamed for a mass murder in Warrington. His father is killed and his brother is on the run. Brendan takes a job as a nightclub bouncer while he works behind the scenes to get revenge on the leader of the gang that framed his father.
Brendan is still friends with his former partner DI Madison. He tips her off about a big drug deal between the two remaining gangs and a murder mysterious in origin. Madison sets out to unravel the puzzle and imprison the main culprit Culpepper. Culpepper's wife is also a scheming witch and deeply involved in the shenanigans.
The stakes are raised when Culpepper places a million pound price on Brendan's head, dead or alive. This brings all of the low lives out of the woodwork seeking the prize. Madison arranges a safe house for Brendan's wife and children. Brendan is supposed to join them but goes missing.
The plot thickens when the superintendent of the Warrington police decides he could use that pot of gold. This complicates matters considerably. Will Brendan survive?
I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written crime novel. Now on to more of Parker's novels. If they are as good as this one, then a lot of good reading lies ahead.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for providing me with an Advance Review Copy of this novel.
Brendan is still friends with his former partner DI Madison. He tips her off about a big drug deal between the two remaining gangs and a murder mysterious in origin. Madison sets out to unravel the puzzle and imprison the main culprit Culpepper. Culpepper's wife is also a scheming witch and deeply involved in the shenanigans.
The stakes are raised when Culpepper places a million pound price on Brendan's head, dead or alive. This brings all of the low lives out of the woodwork seeking the prize. Madison arranges a safe house for Brendan's wife and children. Brendan is supposed to join them but goes missing.
The plot thickens when the superintendent of the Warrington police decides he could use that pot of gold. This complicates matters considerably. Will Brendan survive?
I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written crime novel. Now on to more of Parker's novels. If they are as good as this one, then a lot of good reading lies ahead.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for providing me with an Advance Review Copy of this novel.
January 9, 2022
After absolutely loving book one in this series - Far From The Tree, I was very much looking forward to this!
Brendan is still coming down from the events of the last book and his life is looking very different. No longer working for the police, a job he loved and was good at, and with his once rock solid marriage in tatters, he cannot shake the urge to find the people responsible for ruining his life, no matter the cost.
His trusted ex-partner Iona, who he recommended for his job when he left, is busy keeping the crime in Warrington in check. But when she gets a call from Brendan with information about a case she is working on, it is hard to forget that he isn't her boss anymore!
Another cracking instalment in this dark, gritty northern series with great characters, both good and bad. All in all a brilliantly written tale with a fair few gobsmacking moments too (I had to pause and take a minute at least once 😲) which is brilliantly written and has an impeccable narration from Warren Brown. The only negative is the wait for the next!
Brendan is still coming down from the events of the last book and his life is looking very different. No longer working for the police, a job he loved and was good at, and with his once rock solid marriage in tatters, he cannot shake the urge to find the people responsible for ruining his life, no matter the cost.
His trusted ex-partner Iona, who he recommended for his job when he left, is busy keeping the crime in Warrington in check. But when she gets a call from Brendan with information about a case she is working on, it is hard to forget that he isn't her boss anymore!
Another cracking instalment in this dark, gritty northern series with great characters, both good and bad. All in all a brilliantly written tale with a fair few gobsmacking moments too (I had to pause and take a minute at least once 😲) which is brilliantly written and has an impeccable narration from Warren Brown. The only negative is the wait for the next!
January 14, 2023
And your enemies closer by Rob Parker.
Thirty miles Trilogy book 2.
When gangs in Liverpool and Manchester go to war, a former police detective is caught in the crossfire.
A deal has gone tragically wrong, and now two major organised crime factions are battling, sending shockwaves through the community.
Meanwhile, six months after Detective Brendan Foley’s resignation, his life is in shambles: his marriage is a mess, he’s working as a nightclub bouncer, and his brother is still missing. After searching for the crime family that destroyed his life—Brendan has found them—and they are firmly in his sights.
While his one-time partner DI Iona Madison is investigating a possible crime after a body was pulled from the River Mersey, Brendan feeds her information whether she likes it or not, and his unsanctioned activities prove problematic.
To make matters worse, there is now a price on his head. A million pounds, dead or alive . . .
Can Brendan seek the revenge he craves and keep his life intact before anyone else gets hurt?
A good read with likeable characters. Good story. 3*.
Thirty miles Trilogy book 2.
When gangs in Liverpool and Manchester go to war, a former police detective is caught in the crossfire.
A deal has gone tragically wrong, and now two major organised crime factions are battling, sending shockwaves through the community.
Meanwhile, six months after Detective Brendan Foley’s resignation, his life is in shambles: his marriage is a mess, he’s working as a nightclub bouncer, and his brother is still missing. After searching for the crime family that destroyed his life—Brendan has found them—and they are firmly in his sights.
While his one-time partner DI Iona Madison is investigating a possible crime after a body was pulled from the River Mersey, Brendan feeds her information whether she likes it or not, and his unsanctioned activities prove problematic.
To make matters worse, there is now a price on his head. A million pounds, dead or alive . . .
Can Brendan seek the revenge he craves and keep his life intact before anyone else gets hurt?
A good read with likeable characters. Good story. 3*.
March 30, 2022
Rob Parker’s first book in the series, Far From the Tree, is excellent. And Your Enemies Closer might be even better. Mainly I think I liked it more because the big bad is no longer quite so invincible. Which is realistic—organized crime is a tough way to turn a buck. I very much appreciated my return to northern English crime fiction. Brenden Foley is no longer a copper but will not give up his investigation of the crime boss from the first book. Losing his official position, though, gives room for Iona Madison to play a larger role. The setting between Liverpool and Manchester plays as big a role as ever, and Warren Brown remains the perfect narrator (these are Audible originals). The book ends in a satisfying manner, and the duopoly of And Your Enemies Closer and Far From the Tree probably work better than Far From the Tree alone, but Parker leaves himself a door open for another book.
August 10, 2023
Book two of the Thirty Miles trilogy is a thunderously pacy ride. Following on from the events of Far From The Tree this finds our lead in a perilous position both professionally and personally.
Our other heroes are equally finding life difficult in the world as a result as are our enemies.
This finds its feet very quickly and accelerates constantly throughout the book. It feels a different beast to book one entirely but equally is no less of a compelled read. The writing tight and some of the descriptions used both raise a smile and a grimace for all the right reasons.
I didn't see a lot of the twists coming in this action packed tale (just the one but when it happened I was still shocked) and couldn't put it down.
It's a superb thriller both intelligent and witty but equally has the ability to shock and make you worry about just how much knowledge the author has about strange killing techniques and hoarding.
Our other heroes are equally finding life difficult in the world as a result as are our enemies.
This finds its feet very quickly and accelerates constantly throughout the book. It feels a different beast to book one entirely but equally is no less of a compelled read. The writing tight and some of the descriptions used both raise a smile and a grimace for all the right reasons.
I didn't see a lot of the twists coming in this action packed tale (just the one but when it happened I was still shocked) and couldn't put it down.
It's a superb thriller both intelligent and witty but equally has the ability to shock and make you worry about just how much knowledge the author has about strange killing techniques and hoarding.
January 13, 2023
This is my first read by this author and what a riveting read it is. It is the second in a series and whilst I think it can be read as a stand-alone, I'd recommend you read this series in order so you know the characters from the beginning. I'll definitely be reading the first book Far from the Tree after this. This is the kind of read that has everything I like, great writing which immediately grabbed my attention and interest, a good plot line, and characters I either liked or loathed. There is so much action and suspense in this book, it is very fast paced and I had quite a few wow moments when reading where I had to know what happened next. Overall a very, very good book which really hit the mark with me, and I'll definitely want to read the next one. If you like police procedurals I'd recommend this series and don't think you'll be disappointed.
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 14, 2023
Part 2 of the series and if you've not read the first one like me, don't worry, I enjoyed the book without knowing what had happened in book 1.
Poor Brendan, his life is definitely in the do-do and his role in gangland drugs wars isn't making that any better. I always like reading books where I know the areas being written about as helps me to picture the story.
At times, the book feels a tad unrealistic and extreme but that didn't spoil my enjoyment as after all, this is fiction! It was a real page turner though that kept me interested the whole way through and made me stay awake later than usual as wanted to know what was going to happen!
Def worth a read, give it a try! I'll be looking out for book 3 as it was left with so many threads which need picking up and resolving!
Poor Brendan, his life is definitely in the do-do and his role in gangland drugs wars isn't making that any better. I always like reading books where I know the areas being written about as helps me to picture the story.
At times, the book feels a tad unrealistic and extreme but that didn't spoil my enjoyment as after all, this is fiction! It was a real page turner though that kept me interested the whole way through and made me stay awake later than usual as wanted to know what was going to happen!
Def worth a read, give it a try! I'll be looking out for book 3 as it was left with so many threads which need picking up and resolving!
January 17, 2023
This is an author that I have enjoyed reading from the first book I picked up. His books are full of action and suspense. He uses details that make his stories come to life and feel as if you are part of the story. This book is no different. It is one of my favorites by this author yet. I found this book to be fast paced, engaging and hard to put down. It is well written where the characters pull you into the story from the beginning. They are relateable and added so much to the story that made the story entertaining. I also enjoyed the twists and turns that had me coming back for more. They left me questioning on what would happen next. I really enjoyed reading this suspenseful story. You don't want to miss what happens! I highly recommend this book and this author.
January 20, 2023
Once again Rob Parker has hit it out of the park with the second instalment of the Thirty Miles Trilogy. Following the events for the previous book, Brendan Foley has left the police and become a tortured soul hell-bent on revenge and stopping Harvey Culpepper for good, regardless of the consequences. His torment leaps off the page. There are so many twists and turns as the lives of the main characters become more entangled with each other. The action never stops, keeping the reader gripped on the edge of their seat, not even daring to breathe. I can’t wait for the final instalment to see how it all ends! A brilliant read!!!
January 12, 2023
Rob Parker is a new author to me and I am very grateful to Bloodhound Books for giving me the chance to read this ARC. Unfortunately I haven't read the first novel in the trilogy but enough detail was given of past events to ensure this wasn't a problem. This is a tremendous, fast-paced and exciting novel dealing with gang warfare, drugs, police corruption and more. The action is divided between Liverpool and Manchester, but centred on Warrington. The characters, police and villains, are well drawn and the plot grips from the start. Excellent!
January 17, 2023
I enjoyed this book, and am grateful to Bloodhound books for sending me an advanced copy to read and review.
Being the middle book in a trilogy, I was a little worried it wouldn't work as a stand alone, but although there were references to the previous book, they did not stand in the way of the story.
I didn't particularly love Brendan as a main character, and there were some quite heavy dark parts of the story, but overall it was enjoyable and I'd happily read the next part to see how the story concludes.
Being the middle book in a trilogy, I was a little worried it wouldn't work as a stand alone, but although there were references to the previous book, they did not stand in the way of the story.
I didn't particularly love Brendan as a main character, and there were some quite heavy dark parts of the story, but overall it was enjoyable and I'd happily read the next part to see how the story concludes.
January 14, 2022
Whip smart dialogue, thrilling jeopardy, nicely self reflective, all the twists and turns you could ever wish for ... and then some! A well crafted story brought to life with great narration from Warren Brown.
March 10, 2022
A thrilling continuation of the Brendan Foley series that sees the former copper sink deeper into a grimey underworld of north west gangsters and outlaw bikers. Enthralling stuff, brilliantly performed by TV’s Warren Brown.
February 7, 2022
Absolutely brilliant.
September 5, 2022
Amazing. Loved it from start to finish. Brilliantly narrated by Warren Brown. Can’t wait for the third one!
January 13, 2023
4 1/2 stars
January 13, 2023
This was an ARC. This book was quite a book. Slot of twists and turn. First time author for me.
January 15, 2023
A slow burner. Once it gets going, it flies. Good read.
November 29, 2024
An amazing sequel. Intense, gripping, gutting. I love reading a series set in my home town
February 26, 2023
Book two in the Thirty Mile Trilogy, following on from Far From the Tree
This will be on the years standout reads, Rob Parker has excelled himself in bringing a Police Thriller full of heart and grit, the plotting, execution and characterisation just stand out on the page. The opening sentence grabs your attention and whets the appetite for what is to follow.
It is a read which doesn’t let you draw breath, you are fully immersed in the plot and sub plot, the plot centres mainly around the drug scene and the battle to be the kingpin, it is a cuthroat ruthless world which the characters inhabit. The plot is taut, slick and superbly brought to life on the page, the story moves along at a wonderful pace, the author keeps the tension levels high, packed with suspense and drama along with jaw dropping moments that hit you out of no where.
The story just builds and ratchets up to one dramatic finale that leaves you gasping.
The book doesn’t hold back from making shocking decisions and pulls no punches, it would be fair to say that there is a delicous raw brutality with some of the actions taken, however, you don’t get the feeling that they are there just for shock value but to highlight the shady world of the characters where no weakness can be shown. It ceratinly built a picture in my mind.
Rob Parker brings together a selection of characters most of whom are on the unsavoury side, but what they all have is that air of believability, you can sense the type of characters they are, without giving anything away but Stig will live long in the memory. Brendan Foley is an intersting and somewhat complex character, you are never quite what drives him or what his motives are, equally you don’t really know whether to like him or hate him. Another central character within the book is the setting and location, you are given a real sense of place and feel for the geography of the landscape (though after reading this I know which side of the Pennines i’m staying on)
To some degree the book is also about loyalty not just to ones friends but also to family, where each are tested to the full, the author poses many questions you may not like all the answers.
This is a book which kept me gripped and enthralled throughout where the characters do the talking and the action comes at you thick and fast on the page, there is a darkness to the book, however the writing radiates throughout with a high intensity that packs a mean punch
Cannot wait for the next book
A definite 5* read, one of the years highlights, one you don’t want to miss out on, Rob Parker is an author that knows how to engage with the reader, more importanlty though delivers a first class read. highly entertaining
For me Rob Parker is an author to watch our for, a rising star in crime writing fiction , each book now an automatic buy.
This will be on the years standout reads, Rob Parker has excelled himself in bringing a Police Thriller full of heart and grit, the plotting, execution and characterisation just stand out on the page. The opening sentence grabs your attention and whets the appetite for what is to follow.
It is a read which doesn’t let you draw breath, you are fully immersed in the plot and sub plot, the plot centres mainly around the drug scene and the battle to be the kingpin, it is a cuthroat ruthless world which the characters inhabit. The plot is taut, slick and superbly brought to life on the page, the story moves along at a wonderful pace, the author keeps the tension levels high, packed with suspense and drama along with jaw dropping moments that hit you out of no where.
The story just builds and ratchets up to one dramatic finale that leaves you gasping.
The book doesn’t hold back from making shocking decisions and pulls no punches, it would be fair to say that there is a delicous raw brutality with some of the actions taken, however, you don’t get the feeling that they are there just for shock value but to highlight the shady world of the characters where no weakness can be shown. It ceratinly built a picture in my mind.
Rob Parker brings together a selection of characters most of whom are on the unsavoury side, but what they all have is that air of believability, you can sense the type of characters they are, without giving anything away but Stig will live long in the memory. Brendan Foley is an intersting and somewhat complex character, you are never quite what drives him or what his motives are, equally you don’t really know whether to like him or hate him. Another central character within the book is the setting and location, you are given a real sense of place and feel for the geography of the landscape (though after reading this I know which side of the Pennines i’m staying on)
To some degree the book is also about loyalty not just to ones friends but also to family, where each are tested to the full, the author poses many questions you may not like all the answers.
This is a book which kept me gripped and enthralled throughout where the characters do the talking and the action comes at you thick and fast on the page, there is a darkness to the book, however the writing radiates throughout with a high intensity that packs a mean punch
Cannot wait for the next book
A definite 5* read, one of the years highlights, one you don’t want to miss out on, Rob Parker is an author that knows how to engage with the reader, more importanlty though delivers a first class read. highly entertaining
For me Rob Parker is an author to watch our for, a rising star in crime writing fiction , each book now an automatic buy.
September 28, 2022
I finished this book during during a very, very long car ride and thought it might have been my frustration at the drive that was making me shout expletives at my phone with white knuckles fingers on the steering wheel.
But no. No. Rob Parker is just a phenomenal writer excellent at writing characters that make me want to tear my hair out.
A few thoughts - SPOILERS-
(Also, because I listened as an audio book if character names are spelled incorrectly my apologies)
1. Brendan is the most irritating character I have read for quite some time and if Ross got to bust Colpepper's kneecaps Madison surely gets to bust Brendan's in book 3. Right. RIGHT?!
2. Parker does an amazing job of writing female characters. The contrast of Broome, Madison, Mim, and Charlotte is so, so good and I'm so excited for the inevitable face off between Charotte and Madison. Or Madison can join Charlotte's empire and take down Ross. Can't imagine she would, she actually had a backbone unlike Brendan, but either scenario is fine with me.
3. Seabreeze you okay?!? That whole scene was so grotesquely perfect.
4. Listen I understand that a part of this story is about breaking cycles of violence and family lineage doesn't have to be destiny blah blah blah I'm still rooting for a revenge arc/vengeance rampage from Emma and baby boy Christopher. Even though I saw that death/betrayal coming I was still swearing like a sailor at my speakers and wanted Monroe to rot in prison after suffering public humiliation.
TL;DR I love Parker for this story keeping me alert and awake during that drive through indignation that the wrong people were getting hit with a bat but also a little resentful that now I have to wait for book 3.
Highly recommend. 5/5
But no. No. Rob Parker is just a phenomenal writer excellent at writing characters that make me want to tear my hair out.
A few thoughts - SPOILERS-
(Also, because I listened as an audio book if character names are spelled incorrectly my apologies)
1. Brendan is the most irritating character I have read for quite some time and if Ross got to bust Colpepper's kneecaps Madison surely gets to bust Brendan's in book 3. Right. RIGHT?!
2. Parker does an amazing job of writing female characters. The contrast of Broome, Madison, Mim, and Charlotte is so, so good and I'm so excited for the inevitable face off between Charotte and Madison. Or Madison can join Charlotte's empire and take down Ross. Can't imagine she would, she actually had a backbone unlike Brendan, but either scenario is fine with me.
3. Seabreeze you okay?!? That whole scene was so grotesquely perfect.
4. Listen I understand that a part of this story is about breaking cycles of violence and family lineage doesn't have to be destiny blah blah blah I'm still rooting for a revenge arc/vengeance rampage from Emma and baby boy Christopher. Even though I saw that death/betrayal coming I was still swearing like a sailor at my speakers and wanted Monroe to rot in prison after suffering public humiliation.
TL;DR I love Parker for this story keeping me alert and awake during that drive through indignation that the wrong people were getting hit with a bat but also a little resentful that now I have to wait for book 3.
Highly recommend. 5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2023
Rob Parker is an author whose books I have always loved. This is the 2nd book in a series and I haven't read the first. I did wonder if I would enjoy this as much due to that. I don't know why I worried, it stands easily on its own.
I loved the setting for this book, everything was familiar to me as I am a Manchester girl. This really immersed me in the story.
Dealing with issues such as County lines and other dark, grubby things we have around us in this day and age. Rob Parker had written a book that took me away from my everyday life so easily.
With characters that are well developed and a plot that keeps you reading this was such an easy read and it was over way too soon.
Another excellent read from Rob Parker! Looking forward to the next book.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC.
I loved the setting for this book, everything was familiar to me as I am a Manchester girl. This really immersed me in the story.
Dealing with issues such as County lines and other dark, grubby things we have around us in this day and age. Rob Parker had written a book that took me away from my everyday life so easily.
With characters that are well developed and a plot that keeps you reading this was such an easy read and it was over way too soon.
Another excellent read from Rob Parker! Looking forward to the next book.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.