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When the Good Guys Aren’t So Good After All
You know that feeling when you bite into what looks like a perfectly innocent chocolate chip cookie, only to discover it’s actually oatmeal raisin? That’s the kind of surprise Jeffrey Archer delivers in “Turn a Blind Eye,” the third installment in his William Warwick series. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on who the good guys are, Archer flips the script and makes you question everything you thought you knew.
Now, I’ve been a fan of Archer’s work since… well, since I was old enough to sneak his books off my parents’ bookshelf. And let me tell you, the man hasn’t lost his touch. In fact, I’d argue he’s like a fine wine—getting better with age. Or maybe he’s more like a master chef, continuously refining his recipe for the perfect thriller. Either way, “Turn a Blind Eye” is a dish best served… whenever you can get your hands on it, really.
The Plot Thickens… and Thickens… and Thickens Some More
So, what’s the deal with this book? Well, imagine you’re playing a game of chess, but instead of just black and white pieces, you’ve got pieces in every color of the rainbow, and they’re all moving at once. That’s kind of what reading “Turn a Blind Eye” feels like.
Our protagonist, the newly minted Detective Inspector William Warwick, is tasked with going undercover to expose corruption within the Metropolitan Police Force. It’s like being asked to find a needle in a haystack, except the needle is actively trying not to be found, and some of the hay might actually be on the needle’s side. Fun times, right?
A Cast of Characters That’ll Make Your Head Spin
Archer doesn’t just give us Warwick to root for. Oh no, that would be too simple. We’ve got:
- Rebecca Pankhurst and Nicky Bailey, Warwick’s trusty team members
- Detective Jerry Summers, the young officer with expensive taste
- Ahmed Rashidi, a drug baron on trial
- Booth Watson QC, Rashidi’s smooth-talking defense lawyer
- Sir Julian and Grace Warwick, William’s father and sister, leading the prosecution
- Beth Warwick, William’s wife and new mother to twins
- Christina Faulkner, the ex-wife of William’s former rival and potential new friend to Beth
Phew! It’s like a soap opera, a police procedural, and a legal drama all rolled into one. And somehow, Archer manages to juggle all these characters and their storylines without dropping a single ball.
Corruption: It’s Not Just for Politicians Anymore
The heart of the story, though, is the investigation into police corruption. Archer dives deep into this murky world, showing us that even those sworn to uphold the law aren’t always on the up-and-up. It’s a sobering reminder that power can corrupt anyone, and it adds a layer of complexity to the traditional “cops vs. robbers” narrative.
As Warwick and his team dig deeper, they start to realize that the rot might go further than they initially thought. It’s like peeling an onion—each layer reveals something new, and sometimes it makes you want to cry.
Archer’s Signature Style: A Masterclass in Storytelling
Now, let’s talk about Archer’s writing for a minute. The man has a way with words that’s… well, it’s kind of infuriating, really. How does he make it look so easy? His prose flows like a smooth scotch, going down easy but packing quite a punch.
One of Archer’s strengths is his ability to create tension. He builds it slowly, gradually, until you’re gripping the book so tightly your knuckles turn white. And just when you think you can’t take it anymore, he releases it with a plot twist that leaves you gasping for air.
Dialogue That Crackles
Archer’s dialogue is another highlight. His characters don’t just talk; they spar, they dance, they play verbal chess with each other. Every conversation feels loaded with subtext, and you find yourself reading between the lines as much as you’re reading the lines themselves.
It’s simple, it’s understated, but it’s dripping with tension. You can practically feel the air crackling between them.
A Love Letter to London
One thing I’ve always appreciated about Archer’s books is his attention to setting. “Turn a Blind Eye” is no exception. His London isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing character in its own right. From the gritty streets of the East End to the posh neighborhoods of Mayfair, Archer brings the city to life in vivid detail.
You can almost smell the Thames, hear the bustle of Piccadilly Circus, feel the hushed reverence of the Old Bailey. It’s like taking a virtual tour of London, minus the overpriced souvenirs and the risk of getting pickpocketed on the Tube.
Not Without Its Flaws
Now, I’m not saying “Turn a Blind Eye” is perfect. Like any good relationship, it has its quirks that you learn to live with. For one thing, if you haven’t read the previous books in the series (“Nothing Ventured” and “Hidden in Plain Sight“), you might feel a bit lost at times. Archer doesn’t spend a lot of time catching new readers up on past events.
There are also moments when the plot threatens to become too convoluted for its own good. With so many characters and storylines, it can be a bit like trying to follow a game of three-dimensional chess. You might find yourself flipping back a few pages now and then, muttering, “Wait, who’s that again?”
And let’s be honest, some of the plot twists require a pretty hefty suspension of disbelief. But hey, that’s part of the fun, right? If I wanted complete realism, I’d read the police blotter.
The Verdict: A Page-Turner That’ll Keep You Up Past Your Bedtime
Despite these minor quibbles, “Turn a Blind Eye” is a cracking good read. It’s the kind of book that makes you resent little things like work, sleep, and basic hygiene because they cut into your reading time. You’ll find yourself saying, “Just one more chapter,” until suddenly it’s 3 AM and you’re wondering where the night went.
Archer’s blend of police procedural, legal drama, and character-driven storytelling is as finely balanced as a tightrope walker. He keeps you guessing right up until the end, and even then, he leaves you wanting more.
Where It Fits in the William Warwick Saga
As I mentioned earlier, “Turn a Blind Eye” is the third book in the William Warwick series. Here’s how the series shapes up:
- “Nothing Ventured“
- “Hidden in Plain Sight“
- “Turn a Blind Eye”
- “Over My Dead Body“
- “Next in Line“
- “Traitors Gate“
- “An Eye for an Eye“
Each book builds on the last, with characters developing and storylines evolving. It’s like watching a long-running TV series, where each episode is satisfying on its own, but the overall arc keeps you coming back for more.
If You Liked This, You Might Also Enjoy…
If “Turn a Blind Eye” leaves you hungry for more, you might want to check out:
- The Inspector Lynley series by Elizabeth George
- The Inspector Rebus novels by Ian Rankin
- The Harry Bosch series by Michael Connelly
These all offer a similar blend of police procedural and character-driven storytelling.
Final Thoughts
In the end, “Turn a Blind Eye” is like a well-made martini – smooth, potent, and leaves you wanting another. Archer proves once again why he’s a master of the genre, delivering a story that’s as satisfying as it is thrilling.
So, grab your deerstalker hat, curl up in your favorite armchair, and prepare to lose a few hours (or days) to this engrossing tale. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself eyeing your local police force with a bit more suspicion afterward. After all, in Archer’s world, you never know who might be willing to turn a blind eye.
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