I loved every minute of this book. It was gritty and downright addictive. I cannot wait to read more from this author and in this series.

Disclaimer: I'm long overdue in reviewing this book as I finished it at the end of January and somehow let it fall through the cracks. That said...I remember more about the feeling this book gave me than the story itself. The entire book felt like a collection of cloudy days, that feeling you get when it seems like the sun will never come out again, and it begins to drag you down. It's weighted with a palpable darkness, a foreboding, almost a hopelessness. Though it isn't noir, the atmosphere, the mood of the book, is quite similar.

As for the story itself, though I remember little beyond a few scenes, the overwhelming mood of the book, and the flawed humanity of the main character (really, all of the characters!), a three is a perfectly respectable rating, and one that I stand by 5 months later. Also, I fully intend to read the next book in the series, The Smiling Man. That seems a hardy enough recommendation to me.

Infiltrating the inner circle of enigmatic criminal Zain Carver is dangerous enough. Pulling it off while also rescuing Isabelle Rossiter, a runaway politician’s daughter, from Zain’s influence? Impossible. That’s why Aidan Waits is the perfect man for the job. Disgraced, emotionally damaged, and despised by his superiors. In other words, completely expendable. But Aidan is a born survivor. And as he works his way deep into Zain’s shadowy world, he finds that nothing is as it seems. Zain is a mesmerizing, Gatsby-esque figure who lures young women into his orbit—women who have a bad habit of turning up dead. But is Zain really responsible? And will Isabelle be next? Before long, Aidan finds himself in over his head, cut loose by his superiors, and dangerously attracted to the wrong woman. How can he save the girl if he can’t even save himself?
This was a good book, a dark crime drama, a genre I don’t get to read very often. It was a nice change of pace as I was dragged into the author’s dark world. I really enjoyed following Zain. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

First published in Great Britain in 2017; published by Crown on February 20, 2018

The third strike against Detective Constable Aidan Waits sent him to undercover work. None of the strikes are legitimate, but the world is unfair. Newspapers refer to Waits as disgraced, but David Rossiter doesn’t believe what the papers say. Rossiter is a Member of Parliament whose 17-year-old daughter Isabelle is mixed up with a drug dealer named Zain Carver. Waits has been surveilling Carver; Rossiter wants him to keep an eye on Isabelle while he’s playing his undercover role as a suspended dirty cop.

Waits cozies up to Carver by revealing inside information that Carver’s own informants within the police don’t have. He is able to cozy up to Isabelle because Isabelle likes that Waits is unlikable. She’s tired of “backpacking round a cultural wasteland with people my own age” so she’s trying out a different wasteland. But Waits suspects that she’s become involved in Carver’s nefarious dealings, and he is not inclined to babysit her when more age-appropriate women, including Sarah Jane and Catherine, are also hanging around Carver’s party house.

The suspense in Sirens comes from Waits’ unfailing ability to dig himself into a hole and then to dig it deeper as he tries to escape from it. The central question is whether someone will kill him before the police arrest him for his misdeeds, both real and perceived. People who want to kill him are not in short supply. He’s in the middle of a war between Carver and rival drug dealers, including the nefarious Sheldon White, while Carver’s inside sources in the police department might sleep more easily if Waits were laid to rest.

Joseph Knox presents Waits as terrifyingly alone in the world, partly as a result of his upbringing, partly by choice. He ignores efforts of his estranged sister to reach out to him. He is a less than ideal boyfriend. His dark and alienated personality might serve him well as he tries to understand the criminals he chases, but he is barely a step removed from them. He does, however, have a conscience, and that’s the difference that makes it possible to feel empathy for him.

Waits’ miserable life brings him into contact with all sorts of characters, from crooked cops to feuding drug dealers, from drag performers to aristocrats. Knox gives every significant character a strong personality that fits the character’s past without turning the character into a caricature.

The plot maintains tension by placing a number of characters at constant risk, while maintaining interest by layering one mystery on top of another. The labyrinthine plot never loses credibility, and for all the story’s complexity, Knox manages to tie up every loose end. For all its darkness, the story allows a ray of hope to filter through in the end, a chance for new beginnings. Sirens isn’t the right story for fans of sunny and optimistic literature, but if you like your noir extra dark, Sirens is a good choice.

RECOMMENDED

I have to say, there was a lot of hype around this book, but i cannot say that i was so head over heals. I did like the way the story surprised me and for a debut book, it had lots of potential.

Man, this book was hardcore. The kind of fiction I usually don't like or read. Dirty cops, drug users and crime rings. Also, it's set in Manchester. Nothing against Manchester, I just hate books set in cities. They make me tense. Nervous. Still, this is a hell of a story. I'll admit to being curious about the next book. Yeah, I know...lousy review. Pretty good book though! Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read Sirens, for the measly price of one lousy review!

This was a highly readable mystery with main character disgraced detective Aidan Waits as a strong entry in the ever growing list of Literary police heroes. This takes place in a raw and unflinching look at the drug scene. Deaths and a lot of violence follow with a few surprises.

Copy provided by publisher and NetGalley

Detective Sergeant Aiden Waits is given a choice: Either go to jail for stealing drugs from the evidence room or go undercover as a disgraced cop. His boss recommends the former but Waits dives into the drug underworld instead, getting ever closer to Zain Carver, the city's main drug impresario. But then comes the request (order?) from his boss to help MP David Rossiter trace the whereabouts of his daughter Isabelle who has vanished into the sewer of Zain Carver's household.

This is a very dark thriller by a new writer, Joseph Knox, who seems to have a particularly rank view of crime and criminals and the way they chew up women. DS Waits finds himself taking more and more risks and getting more and more confused as his boss leaves him dangling in the wind.

It's a pretty good book if you are strong enough to withstand the emotional drag.

I received a review copy of "Sirens" by Joseph Knox (Crown) through NetGalley.com.

**This book has already been released in the UK in 2017. The US publication date of Sirens is 02/20/18. The second installment in the Aiden Waits series, The Smiling Man will be released in the US on March 8th, 2018. 



Sirens is a very unique crime thriller. The main character, Aiden Waits is not your typical cut-and-dry homicide detective that we so often see in these types of novels. Aiden is a detective with a bad track record and let's be honest.. he's a total mess.

"'Tell him it's Waits.'
He frowned. 'The kind you lift?'
'No,' said a voice from inside the room.
'The kind that drag you down. Come on in, Aiden.'"

Being on thin ice in his career, Aiden's boss considers him to be an 'expendable employee' and places him on an undercover assignment that many would consider a suicide mission. His task is to get involved with the inner workings of the Franchise, a complex drug network led by Zain Carver, a long standing drug king who has dodged the law time and time again. Knowing that he was already involved with the Franchise group, David Rossiter summons Waits to ask him (without much choice) to help locate and watch out for his daughter Isabelle, who has gotten herself wrapped up with Zain Carver and his 'associates', adding to the drama of Aiden's undercover assignment.

You have to give it to him... Aiden is good at playing the part (almost too good). Drugs, drinking, and parties become a regular routine for him and he quickly gains the trust of Zain Carver. But soon Aiden becomes more wrapped up in the Franchise than he would have preferred, and realizes he may be in over his head.



Things I really loved about this novel:

The characters and drama were very raw and authentic. While it wasn't pretty, it was realistic and captures all the ugliness that surrounds drug franchises, gang activity, and political corruption.
I could not figure out the ending until the 'big reveal'! Normally I can get some good theories flowing, but this one stumped me and everything I thought 'was'... 'wasn't'.
Knox makes readers so quickly and deeply invested in the characters and plot that this book will undoubtedly become glued to your hands!  You will not be able to put this one down!


All-in-all.. a fantastic urban noir that follows an anti-hero detective through a roller coaster of deceit, betrayal, violence, and corruption. A very entertaining read!





Thank you to Joseph Knox, Crown Publishing Group, and NetGalley for my digital advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review. The receipt of this galley in no way effects my judgement and all thoughts/opinions presented in this review are my own.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat through to the end. I particularly like novels, and stories, that involve British police and the dark sides that may not be thought about otherwise. This dark debut mystery novel is certainly one to add to your mystery/thriller TBR.

SIRENS by Joseph Knox is about a disgraced police officer named Aiden who is assigned to an undercover investigation involving a daughter of a prominent politician at the behest of a superior, who makes it perfectly clear that Aiden has little choice in the matter, and Aiden is left with the knowledge that his failure will most definitely result in his removal from duty and likely incarceration.

Isabelle Rossiter is the daughter he is assigned to trail, and her involvement with a well known crime boss named Zain Carver lands Aiden in a difficult situation where his cover of being a disgraced officer sets the stage for his infiltration into the organization.

Aiden’s personal life and overall health begins to deteriorate as his involvement in the case results in his personal involvement with three women in the case, all of which he has feelings for making his involvement more perilous along with his developing relationship with Zain and his crew.

Will Aiden survive while producing results that will partially restore his shattered reputation and save his job and assure his freedom? Many aspects of the case seem to make his success unlikely in bringing down the crime boss and removing Issabelle from the environment she’s become a part of.

I was impressed that author Joseph Knox wrote this novel set in an underground environment that places the reader in that setting, also making you hope for Aiden’s success in spite of his undesirable characteristics and poor decisions made along the way, and concludes in such a way to make further books in a series based on him possible, portraying him as a rough around the edges investigator, who is not afraid to go into the worst places to find truth.

5 stars.

I really enjoyed this debut mystery novel. Dark, menacing & full of atmosphere. If you like British police procedurals that explore the seedy & seamier side of the night this book is for you. With a main character whose allegiances are suspect Knox keeps you on the edge of your seat & constantly guessing what's really going on.

Dope, even the medicinal dope the NFL wants "approved" each piece has an impact in the straight world. Murders, death, and spiritual enslavement just to name a few. The author brings this out very very well.
You will not enjoy but be unable to stop the winding maze through Manchester, England as Aiden Waits makes friends with the "BUG" life!

Sirens’ by Joseph Knox is about disgraced detective Aiden Waits and his undercover infiltration of the underworld of drug lord Zain Carver.

The plot of this debut novel was well developed and organized. There was no confusion as to what was happening and why. There was a large cast of characters in this story which I was able to keep straight. The mood of this novel was dark and dirty which was a good thing. It was a depressing world to read about and I think that worked very well for the story being told. Overall, I liked the story.

However, I struggled to feel really invested in any of the characters, including Aiden Waits. I guess I like a little more meat on my characters or more layers, however you want to put it. There was a lot of repetition with descriptors throughout the story (facial expressions, tics etc). Also, there seemed to be a lot of repetitive settings – cheaply finished apartment building (after funding fell through), unfinished office buildings (after funding fell through), they all felt the same to me.

I enjoyed this novel enough to read another by Joseph Knox. I thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Gritty, dirty, and suspenseful, I couldn't put this book down. An besmirched undercover cop in Manchester seeks redemption while battling his own demons in the process. In the dark seedy underworld of illicit sex and drugs, the twists and turns keep you guessing until the end. Well-written with rich characters and a gripping plot, Knox takes his place among detective thriller writers.

Wow you guys and gals. Where do I begin with this novel? First, I did NOT realize this was a DEBUT NOVEL. Whenever I'm WOWed by a debut novel, it's an automatic 5 star for me.

Let me begin by saying that is not a happy read and the protagonist is completely different than what you have come to know from your usual crime fiction reads. Aidan is not likable and a complete mess of a character... which just makes him all the more real. While I internally cringed at some of the actions he took and the decisions that he made, I found myself caring about him and rooting for him along the way. He drink and does drugs with abandon. His personal and professional life is going down the drain and while he's forced into certain situations, he does still want to try and do the right thing. I use the word try loosely here as we struggle to figure out which side he's actually on most of the time.

This book is dark, brooding, atmospheric and we get into the underbelly of the drug, gang, and corruption world where you really cannot trust anyone.. not even yourself. Short chapters keep you turning page after page. We see through Aidan's eyes only and it's a wild world to see from his perspective. Separated into six separate parts where the chapters start over at one shows the progression of the novel and Aidan's story.

While the last thing I need is another series to be tied to, I do hope that there is more to come from Aidan... or at the very least, that we all get more from this author. He's definitely one to keep an eye out for... set this on your TBR asap.

Written by Joseph Knox, this story follows a Detective who has seen the worst of the worst and is neck deep in it. He does drugs, he is involved with the wrong people, he has disappeared, and he honestly just wants to do the right thing.

If you enjoy detective novels, the dark and gritty kind, you will enjoy this book. This looks at aspects of the darkness which many of us never have to deal with. And, personally, I would like to keep it that way.

It is also a murder mystery and suspense novel.

There is a lot going on.

It definitely helps that this book is not only well written but well thought out. This book plays with the knowledge it gives you expertly to keep you guessing and make it clear that the characters know far more than you do and turns the story into a true mystery for the reader.

However, this wasn't my cup of tea. Well written and an interesting story, I just wasn't feeling a dark story when I was reading this, and this is a dark novel from the get go.

Sirens, by Joseph Knox, is powerfully written, crudely descriptive, callous, and absolutely terrific. There are several story lines going on but there is no confusion about what’s happening.

One story line is that of Aiden Waits who is hired to keep an eye on MP David Rossiter’s daughter Isabelle, another is all about The Franchise, including the bars, the ladies (his sirens) collecting moneys, and Zain Carver’s empire. Also, there are the contaminated drugs and the dirty cops storylines that kept my interest. Thrown in are hints at Aiden’s life history along the way.

Sirens’s writing is polished and impressive. There were no flubs, no strings left untied, no clumsiness, nothing that didn’t make sense, no needless details, and nothing predictable. Even the flow of the sentences was that of a seasoned writer.

About halfway through – then 2/3s, then 3/4s – I kept hoping, “please don’t be a dumb ending, please don’t be a dumb ending” since it was so good throughout. It didn’t disappoint. It was a great ending.

Omigosh! This book is so good!

I have no criticism. It’s hard to believe that the author is a newbie and that this is his first novel. My highest compliments to you, Mr. Knox, for a job well done. I hope you have more stories to tell.

A sincere thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Sirens is an intriguing tale. A cop is assigned to watch for the daughter of an important politician. The intrigue that follows kept me reading as we entered worlds denied to the average citizen. Crooked cops, drug dealers, drag queens and prostitutes. Above all, violence. Drugs. Alcohol so abundant my Kindle almost leaked. It was a bit much. Author Joseph Knox wants us to see the world we pass by, our eyes elsewhere. That he shoves this world into our faces isn't polite, but it did keep me reading, however appalled I was!
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Unfortunately, I had trouble connecting with the plot or the characters. Of course, all novels are not right for all readers and I found myself thinking that I must just not be the right audience for this particular one. I think the novel equivalent of film noire comes to mind and I just enjoy something that allows for a deeper connection than I found here.
Nonetheless, I want to thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read this novel and I wish you all the best success.