Hard Place (Det.Insp Todd"Ratso" Holtom Series Book 1)

Number 1 in the series
Free-wheeling London detective Todd “Ratso” Holtom is on the front-line against a drug baron heading an international gang importing drugs into the UK and Europe and who kill to defend their turf. Ratso's nephew has died from drug abuse and Ratso is obsessed with bringing down the Albanian baron who seems immune from arrest. The trail leads to the USA and the Bahamas where he is helped by Kirsty-Ann Webber, a Florida detective who has troubles of her own. Mayfair club-land and the Mediterranean feature as Operation Clam races to a climax in a series of dramatic confrontations. Inspired by the facts of true crime and set against the background of the war in Afghanistan from where the drugs are coming, Ratso enters a political minefield involving London and Washington D.C.

PRAISE FOR HARD PLACE
“Wow! What a page turner! I can’t wait for the next release. A definite 5-star from me!”

“Fantastic read, great characters, gripping storyline. Definitely want to read more adventures from Ratso. Roaring success Mr Stewart!”

“This book engenders the same get-to-the-end compulsion for the reader as does a Harlan Coben crime suspense or a Simon Kernick or Mark Billingham police novel… the prose is easy to read and the plot is enthralling.”

“Douglas Stewart has done a great job and has created in Detective Ratso a character who is quick-witted, clever and a worthy addition to the action thriller genre.”

“It is as if the author has inside knowledge of these characters and places; their portrayal is simple, effective and truly insightful.”

“Each chapter leaves you eager to continue reading. This was the first of Stewart’s novels I have read but I will definitely read more.”

“In Hard Place, author Douglas Stewart offers up an oh-so-British thriller brimming with chilling mayhem, questionable police tactics, tough and terrible villains and a deep understanding of the real world of crime and cops. Try to put it down – I highly recommend.”

“I read a lot of thrillers and Hard Place is high up on my list of favourites.”

“Hard Place is inspired by a real-life event, though Douglas Stewart has transformed this into an entertaining crime thriller in the same manner as Roger Donaldson’s 2008 film “The Bank Job”.

“I will definitely buy more “Ratso” publications.”

“Eat your heart out David Hosp.”

“… A very enjoyable read. It’s a fast moving thriller in which you feel you really get to know the characters…. Each chapter leaves you eager to continue reading.”

“The plot was fast paced, characters well-constructed and believable. There are many twists and turns which makes the book very difficult to put down.”

“Couldn’t stop reading, this was worth 5 stars.”