Gunner by T.J. Beach
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A real page turner of a novel, which kept me gripped throughout the story. Gary Hollins only works when Debbie Haring nags him, and he remains a mystery to her. Having had private detective assignments turn bad before, Debbie knows that there is no one better than Gary to have by your side. However, Gary never talks about where he learnt his deadly skills, and he’s happy to waste his days in a West Australian beachside caravan park, with a cheap beer, far away from his past in England. When Debbie’s world collapses, Gary reluctantly distracts t her by telling her his story. Debbie’s Mum is the first local of Bell’s Landing to test positive for the COVID virus, which is sweeping the globe. To make matters worse Debbie is stuck in quarantine alongside Gary, with her kids, whilst her husband Matt is away on a mine site.
As Gary’s story unfolds, Debbie learns that he was cut from SAS recruitment just short of graduation, and then a fringe-government organisation made him an offer, if he could infiltrate a neo-Nazi hate group, they would give him a second chance at special forces wings. Gary was ordered to take part in increasingly violent attacks, whilst being plagued with doubts about his less than above board handlers. Meanwhile he was having to tell his pregnant girlfriend lies. As Debbie’s Mum deteriorates, Gary is forced to face his demons which drove him away from his own family. This crime, mystery thriller was at times heartbreaking to read, and it took me on an emotional rollercoaster. The Covid storyline made it feel very real and relatable. The characters are great and I felt engaged with both Debbie and Gary, whilst the settings in both Australia and London were brought to life by the descriptive narrative. Although part of a series, I happily read it as a standalone story.

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