Publisher's Weekly Review
In this middling crime thriller from Bilal (the Drake and Crane series), Brodie, a hired killer who works for Donny Apostolis, the head of a Greek organized crime family based in London, follows his boss's murderous instructions without question. Brodie is tasked with taking Donny's grown nephew, Zephyr, along on a visit to Karima Coogan, an accountant who once cooked the books for the Apostolis crime empire, but Donny now wants her dead. But when Brodie and Zephyr arrive at her Derbyshire home, the assassin gets a call from Donny, informing him that he needs to murder Zephyr as well. Zephyr manages to seriously wound Brodie before Brodie fatally shoots Zephyr. Then, instead of fleeing and leaving Brodie to bleed out, Karima takes him to a doctor friend to be stitched up, beginning an unconvincing partnership as both go on the run from Donny and his other hit men. Bilal's making Karima an attractive woman telegraphs some of what follows. There's nothing memorable about the premise or its execution. Crime fiction fans can safely take a pass. Agent: Euan Thorneycroft, A.M. Heath (U.K.). (July)
Kirkus Review
Fleeing the mob is easier said than done, especially when you're holding a cache of their cash. On the orders of crime boss Donny Apostolis, loyal lieutenant Brodie is sent to deal with "a valuable asset" named Karima Coogan. Donny's overeager nephew, Zephyr, accompanies Brodie as wingman. This move is part of a larger turf war between the Apostolis and Ziyades crime families, the details of which are only partially known to Brodie. A last-minute call from Donny changes everything. Brodie, who narrates in a brisk, downbeat first person, is ordered to kill both Zef, who's uncontrollable and disloyal, and Karima, who's stolen a large chunk of Apostolis money. As Brodie ponders his next move, Zef implements an unexpected plan of his own. He shoots Brodie, who manages to return fire before losing consciousness. When Brodie wakes up, Karima has taken him to see a doctor--and Zef's dead. After a quick recovery, Brodie makes a decision: "The only plan is to keep moving." The duo buys a cheap car and goes on the run. Bilal devotes much of the tale to the delicate dance of trust between Brodie and Karima as they seek a way out of their dangerous situation. They grow closer as they share the backstories that landed them in this mess. Both have been disillusioned with their criminal involvement for a long time. Meanwhile, the threats of uncertainty and revenge make it necessary to question even the loyalty of friends. A sleek thrill ride that loses traction only when it delves into exposition that overshadows its urgency. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.