In High Places by J J Holland

In High Places

by J J Holland

Paperback

Published April 18th 2019 by Quercus

Goodreads synopsis:

Ever since the death of his wife, Lina, in a Kabul bombing, Aubrey Savage has been determined to fulfill his promise to her: to find out what happened to her brother, Jarrah, a disavowed MI5 agent who has been missing for two years.

An ex-SAS officer, Savage is used to noticing the small things. So when he offers a lift to a terrified runaway bride on the moors, he knows there's more to her story than meets the eye.

But when she is snatched away immediately, leaving behind a holdall and a Glock that he recognizes to be that of an MI5 agent, he is thrust into a deadly world of corruption, and a threat that's all too close to home...

***

4.5 Stars

The concept of this starts out simple enough. Guy in camper finds girl in a car on the side of the road out of gas and wearing a wedding dress. That is where the simplicity ends. Aubrey Savage, yes, that is a guy’s name, is the guy in the camper. He is a former SAS officer and an Earl of some kind looking for the brother of his dead wife who has been missing for two years.

The beginning was good. I was hooked. The middle to later beginning section had me a bit baffled, I got lost for a hot minute. Then I found my way and I was back into the action. There are some great characters in here. A gay woman vicar, Kim (in the Roman Catholic Church - a vicar is a representative or deputy of a bishop.) and his lawyer, Faith. Loved those guys, er.. girls.

I really don’t want to give too much away because this is a really interesting plot that I think you have to let unfold gradually with no spoilers to really enjoy. I will give you this…  the girl that Aubrey finds in the little parking area off the road, Dani, she is mysterious abducted or left, he isn’t sure which. But being a former SAS officer, he finds that he must investigate. And boy, does he quickly find himself in hot water.

I just thought this was a great book. Great suspense, great characters… so great that I wish there were more books in this series. 

I was a bit disappointed in the part after the climax of the story. Most of the characters just sort of fade into the woodwork. Faith goes away angry and probably won’t talk to Aubrey for two years, Dani and the girls barely acknowledge his part in the whole situation. But Kim does have a great little talk with Aubrey which seems to make up for all of that lack I felt. I totally need another book with these characters.

This is a thriller, not really gory or anything. Suitable for most audiences. Just well-done.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.