A White Arrest

Book excerpt: A pair of rough cops hunts for a career-making arrest in this first novel of the “hip, violent and funny” trilogy set in Southeast London (Publishers Weekly). After four decades at the precinct, and close to forcible retirement, all London’s Chief Inspector Roberts has to show for it is a hateful daughter, a faithless wife, and a dwindling bank account. With his partner, the bullying Irish Detective Sergeant Brant, Roberts is still looking for every cop’s badge of honor: the White Arrest—that career-changing bust that could make them chat show heroes. Or least wipe their dirty slates clean. And they have a lot to work with right now . . . A racist Death Wish–inspired street gang is lynching drug dealers from Brixton lampposts. And in the quiet suburb of Balham, a bat-wielding lunatic has been bashing in the skulls of a schoolboys’ cricket team. With any luck Roberts and Brant will make the front page—by any means necessary. With two unforgettable—and arguably irredeemable—tough London cops, award-winning author Ken Bruen again proves he’s “become the crime novelist to read” (George Pelecanos).