Book info

• Title The Informant
• Author Susan Wilkins
• Year 2014
• Genre Thriller

As a drug-fuelled teenage tearaway, Kaz Phelps took the rap for her little brother Joey over a bungled armed robbery and went to jail. Six years later she's released on licence. Clean and sober, and driven by a secret passion for her lawyer, Helen, Kaz wants to escape the violence and abuse of her Essex gangster family. Joey is a charming, calculating and cold psychopath. He worships the ground Kaz walks on and he's desperate to get her back in the family firm. All Kaz wants is a fresh start and to put the past behind her. When Joey murders an undercover cop, DS Nicci Armstrong is determined to put him behind bars. What she doesn't realize is that her efforts are being sabotaged by one of their own and the Met is being challenged at the highest level. The final test for Kaz comes when her cousin, Sean, gets out of jail. He is a vicious, old-school thug and wants to show Kaz who is boss. Kaz may be tough enough to face down any man, but is she strong enough to turn her back on her family and go straight?

Thoughts

The underlying story here is an interesting one but there’s quite a lot going on that takes a while to get used to. The main focus is on Kaz, who is released from prison and has to try exceptionally hard to stay out of trouble thanks to her extended family. Around here, there are villains and heroes, undercover cops, a conspiracy that goes all the way to the top of the department plus lots of characters with their own issues.

It can be a bit busy, but in the end if you just focus on Kaz and her journey, then it remains an interesting story with real heart - not easily achieved considering some of the things that go on within. There’s violence and swearing, bullying and harassment, but also tenderness and kindness if you care to look.

A tough read but an interesting story, and I might check out the sequel now too.

Rating: 3 / 5