Heartman is the first Detective J.T. Ellington noir mystery by M.P. Wright. Originally released in 2014, this reformat and re-release from Black & White publishing is 256 pages and is available in most formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats.

This is a gritty character driven noir mystery with a retro vibe which manages to conjure up the seedier side of 1960s Bristol very well. The protagonist JT is flawed, down on his luck, nearly homeless, and broken hearted. I was so impressed by the writing. The characters are well rendered and believable, and the dialogue flows well and adds a lot to the period ambiance.

The working parts of the mystery fit together quite well and the climax, denouement, and resolution were self-contained and satisfying. The series has 4 extant works (3 books and a short story appearance) and would make a good long weekend binge read or possibly a buddy read. There are some distressingly realistic portrayals of racism, xenophobia, human trafficking and violent graphic murder. Some of the action scenes remind me in ways of the Hap & Leonard books by Joe Lansdale although, admittedly, there's not a lot of humour here to lighten the mood. Language and vernacular are 60's UK English (torch, bloody, bedsit, etc), but shouldn't prove a problem to North American readers in context.

Four stars. This is a solid mystery and a promising series start.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A really enjoyable, well written novel with an intriguing storyline and well developed characters. I couldn't put it down.

The is series is complete and re-packaged with wonderful covers and highlighting the uniqueness of the protagonist. I jumped at the chance to re-read this character driven crime thriller.
Joseph ‘JT’ Ellington is down on his luck. Jobless, penniless and shortly likely to be homeless. Drowning his sorrows in a pub that hardly welcomes his kin, making a pint last as he can’t afford another.
He is approached by a local politician to help find a missing young woman. This is the story about those enquiries and his re-adjustment as a person, a former policeman with a troubled past.
What I especially enjoyed about the book was the sense of place and time; although it is centred mostly among the caribbean community in and around St Paul's, Bristol. The author is an outsider here himself and it makes his writing that much stronger, careful and well researched. There are stereotypes waiting to trip the unwary but apart from the use of patois you do not feel anything other than acceptance into the world JT inhabits. I am aware of his culture and the food, drink and music that affects him but I feel alongside him, not reading him as a black man, nor standing back and observing an alien environment. But integrated and longing to understand his past and share his story, especially since it is tied up in this mysterious disappearance.
Sharing that journey is both a pleasure and a sense of foreboding as Ellington wrestles prejudice, superstition and fear among his own people and the newness of a Nation he used to serve in a colonial post and where he is now just another immigrant, in the wrong coloured skin.
Wright doesn't over play this hand although it does seem to snow alot and in fairness there is a wide spectrum of excellent characterisation and believable people to help and hinder our hero. I am amazed how much he has been able to get into the book without going over 400 pages. I am also pleased this is the start of a dynamic series with more stories charting this historical time in British history.
Above all this is wonderful writing. The plot is compelling and keeps one rivetted. As mentioned, perhaps with the belief in voodoo and duppy there is a prevailing threat throughout the novel where you feel no-one is safe. There is a sense of unfinished business that in unleashing in Ellington a darker side brings a sense of self-destruction with little regard to the consequences of his actions.
I cannot praise its originality enough; Mark Wright took a number of risks with this project and we should rejoice it was published at all, In reacquainting myself with where it all began I am so pleased I have been part of this journey and would warmly recommend these books and this talented author to you.

This was definitely an intriguing and absorbing read. I really enjoyed this book and it will appeal fans of thrillers.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Black and White Publishing and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The first book in a promising new noir mystery series. I was impressed with the debut, look forward to more.