Luke Delaney - Toy Taker

About the author: (Luke Delaney joined the Metropolitan Police Service in the late 1980s and his first posting was to an inner city area of South East London notorious for high levels of crime and extreme violence. He later joined CID where he investigated murders ranging from those committed by fledgling serial killers to gangland assassinations). This shows in his knowledge of police procedure in the book.

review by showhost

DI Sean Corrigan talks himself into the mind of the perp/killers and feels their vibes (like tony Hill, Wire in the Blood).  DI Corrigan works out of a local cop shop with his team but when a child is abducted from their home he is asked to head up a special investigation unit and Sean and his team are moved to Scotland Yard.  Sean follows a false lead, a lead which was meant to bait him.  Addis & Sean were confident they had their abductor but when another child is taken while the accused is in a cell the media have a field day. 

Addis who wants Sean to use his special powers to crack the case quickly (which would help Addis boost his own career prospects) wants quick results.  But when two more children are abducted in the same way (from their bed while they slept and while their parents are at home with no sign of a break in or of a struggle) Addis starts to lose patience and confidence is Seans ability.  Sean is no closer to finding the abductors, he can’t seem to get inside his head, he fears he is losing his abilities and Addis wants to take him off the case.

Sean is a complex character with problems of his own.  He is married with children but they don’t see a lot of him and his wife wants him to retire from this kind of work. He also had an abusive upbringing.    The book is good and the characters real.  We get to know the rest of Seans team and feel part of the investigation.  His background shows in the detail to procedures & city police life in his book.  This is the second of this author I have read and enjoyed all with DI Sean Corrigan.  I will definitely read more.  Recommended crime read.