The Killing Habit: Mark Billingham (Tom Thorne Novels)

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His first book in the Tom Thorne series left a strong impact on me, and I think this is where I really developed a strong love for British crime novels. With this in mind, Thorne heads off to Kentish Town station to coordinate with the police force he’d be working with on the case, knowing he’d have to do a bit of political maneuvering when it comes to DS Simon Fulton. Anyone that’s familiar with this series already knows how much Thorne hates political maneuvering, but it comes with the job. While DI Nicola Tanner investigates the deadly spread of a dangerous new drug, Tom Thorne is handed a case that he doesn’t take too seriously, until a spate of animal killings points to the work of a serial killer. When the two cases come together in a way that neither could have foreseen, both Thorne and Tanner must risk everything to catch two very different killers. I really like Nicola Tanner so am enjoying her increased role in this series. In fact, I’m possibly engaging more with her character than Thorne in many ways. That could – of course – be because I seem to struggle with Thorne’s girlfriend, Helen and I’ve mentioned my antipathy towards her in my review of Time of Death. I know I shouldn’t be as judge-y because – as a fellow cop – she often provides useful and insightful suggestions from time to time.

Thorne is one of British crime fiction’s most compelling detectives and the quality of writing make Mark Billingham one of the best and most consistent writers in the business. A new Mark Billingham is always a treat and The Killing Habit hurls the reader straight into the action - the real mystery of the M25 cat killer. If you can judge a man's heart by his treatment of animals, then Tom Thorne has someone very dangerous on his hands. Thoroughly enjoyable for being so very real. The Killing Habit by Mark Billingham again brings together favorite wild-card detective Tom Thorne and straight-laced DI Nicola Tanner on a pair of lethally high-stakes cases. Mark Billingham on superb form. A finely paced and polished procedural, with twists and turns galore and an ending that will chill your soul.In the 1980s he moved to London where he currently lives with his family. In 1987 he decided to follow a career in comedy before becoming a full-time writer. Folks in the UK might know the author as an actor, a stand-up comedian, as well as a TV writer. Tanner is investigating the shooting of a drug addict and believes the prime suspect when he claims to have been framed. Tanner and Thorne end up helping each other out with the two cases. The opening was strong and I enjoyed the first two-thirds of the novel, despite struggling a little to keep on top of the enormous cast of characters (I only came into this series one book ago). Thorne is a flawed hero, which is OK, I suppose, although I fear for his future with Helen - he would rather go flat-hunting (something he claims to hate) with Tanner than go home to his family? ABOUT THIS BOOK: From “one of the most consistently entertaining, insightful crime writers working today” (Gillian Flynn), The Killing Habit again brings together favorite wild-card detective Tom Thorne and straight-laced DI Nicola Tanner on a pair of lethally high-stakes cases. I stumbled across Mark Billingham’s Tom Thorne series at number 13. Amazingly it wasn’t a problem at all that I’d missed the first dozen and the two ( Time of Death and Love Like Blood) I’ve read since could easily be read as stand-alone novels for those who haven’t previously met the English homicide detective. (Bringing me to the 15th book in the series and my third!)

The unusual premise will hook you, but it’s Billingham’s patience and persuasiveness in unfolding its grim details that will keep you reading long past the hour when all cats are gray.

Meanwhile, DI Nicole Tanner is investigating a deadly new drug that has hit the streets. Whatever she thinks she knows ... is not what she thinks it is. DI Tom Thorne knows the psychological profile of such offenders all too well, so when he is tasked with catching a notorious killer of domestic cats, he sees the chance to stop a series of homicides before they happen. I very much enjoy Billingham’s witty and easy writing and I like his imperfect leads – including some of our extended cast – and appreciate (that) he features diverse characters – several are gay and from a range of cultures. The strength of the DI Thorne novels is in the knowledge that all of this could be real. The closing of the novel will please even the most discerning fan of the police procedural, and leave you yearning for more.