Simon Kernick - Target

Review by showhost
Having read one of Simon Kernicks before (Relentless) I was savouring this one, in fact I put it aside until I started my holiday as there is nothing more frustrating than taking a book that you don't like. I just hoped that this book wouldn't let me down as sometimes your expectations as not fulfilled with a prequel or sequel.
Its set in present day London. The main character Rob Fallon, a writer, goes out for a quiet drink and whilst wallowing in self pity about how his life had spiralled down, regretting the separation from his wife and daughter, an unexpected face from the past appears at his shoulder. Jenny, who used to go out with Robs best mate Dom. They talk and laugh and end up back at Jenny's place. As Rob slips into the bathroom and Jenny out of her clothes Rob hears Jenny's stifled scream and rough Irish voices. Rob is stood transfixed. Peeking through the gap in the door he sees the 2 men bind and gag Jenny.
He needs to get the police but he is spotted by the men. Rob manages to escape but the chase is on the abductors need to silence him. Rob reaches the police station on a very busy late Friday night. No one has time to listen to his ranting but finally somebody does. DS Tina Boyd . Tina thinks it is all preposterous but goes back to the flat where the abduction took place, with Rob. The flat is spotless and the night porter denies having seen Rob or Jenny that evening. The CCTV footage at the entrance doesn't show them and the rear one is broken. Rob insists Tina takes the tape for analysis as he is sure it has been tampered with. the police don't believe Rob and to make matters worse even Jenny's father insists she has just gone on holiday. He cannot just stand by knowing that Jenny is out there somewhere bound and gagged so snoops around on his own.
But DS Tina Boyd is beginning to suspect that there is some truth in what he says. The tape which she took to DI Mike Bolt, an ex colleague of hers, was found to have been tampered with. When Tina is abducted by the Irish hitman 'Hook', DI Mike Bolt joins in the hunt.
Even as attempts are made on his life and his friends are murdered Rob Fallon cannot let it drop, he has to find out why her father lied, why the hitmen are trying to kill him, why friends are dying around him and for what?
A missing shipment of mustard gas, a terrorist plot, blackmail and intrigue is added to the mix. Nothing and nobody stands in the way of ruthless, Irish hitman 'Hook' as he aims his mustard gas at an unsuspecting London.
This book didn't quite let me down, it was fast and pacy with more twists and turns than a country lane! However, you have to take some of the action tongue in cheek as Rob Fallon manages to unbelievingly escape the hitman too many times. Plus, the main character changes half way through the book which was a little strange. And my mind did start to wander towards the end
It is a good easy read, not a thinkers read, but I have to say not as good as Relentless. It was a sudden end, I was looking for the next paragraph/page to finish it off but maybe, I thought, it was left there on purpose so it could continue from where it was left......?
In fact I've just been looking at previous books mentioned on the cover of this one and DS Tina Boyds name is mentioned in 2 of them so it seems her lonely life & fight against alcohol goes on.....