DARK TRADE a gripping crime thriller full of twists (Detective Greco Book 3)

I love a good mystery and I love good story telling - here the two combine into a hard to put down tale of greed and oppression where we see so clearly how our police forces must battle every day against a seemingly unstoppable tide of depravity and evil.Greco is a great male lead, but I would like it if his character were finer drawn, it's all a bit clumsy and you're left wanting more back story and insight. His DS, Grace Harper, is similarly blocked out in terms of who she is, but again, the finer details that would allow us to really get to know her - and perhaps actually like her better, are missing. Her actions are often so very unlikely they spoil the reading. And both characters miss so many massive clues (huge clues!) that it makes you wonder if they should really be in their jobs. I know the writer wants us to follow her story, but we really shouldn't be screaming 'oh my god, it's so obvious' at our heroes as they discuss the case and don't even consider the obvious...'boy with missing kidney' + 'renal surgery specialist' = ???Overall however it's a good story and I enjoyed reading it, but I would like a few more IQ points in my detectives, please...

Dark Trade is the third book in the DCI Stephen Greco series by author Helen Durrant. Although these books can be read as stand alones I would suggest reading them in order to enjoy the back stories relating to the detectives. In this book Greco is looking to build a new team but is still coming to terms with the personal tragedy in his life.When a young man is found stabbed through the heart, his identification is made difficult with no clues or evidence to be found. It looks like a professional hit and this brutal murder is quickly followed by another young man. Rumours suggest they were killed by someone called the Knifeman.All things point to the murders being motivated by human smuggling  with two sides wanting a bigger percentage of the action.This is another fast paced novel, lots of action, plenty of back stories and guaranteed to grip readers. Stephen Greco and Grace Harper are steadily growing on me and there is almost as much action in their personal lives as the crime angle. Greco is keen to keep Grace Harper at arms length but Grace has other ideas. This series is really growing on me now and I enjoy it more with every new book. Good quick exciting read.

A great plot, but it took almost to the last couple of chapters for the penny to drop, and for Greco and his team to finally twig what was going on. There were so many clues that were right in front of their noses, but still it didn't dawn on them. Illegal immigrants, a murder, a young boy with a missing kidney, renal specialists, a private clinic. Hello, it wasn't rocket science, it was blatantly obvious. I'm sure most people who have read this book actually picked up on it long before Greco and co did.I like all the characters, but Grace Harper I'm starting to dislike more and more. She comes across as unprofessional especially towards Greco. He's a DCI, and she only a DC, but she speaks to him in such a disrespectful way. She appears to have no scruples, and seems to delight in pushing his buttons, throwing herself at him, winding him up, and really getting under his skin. She has no thought for his feelings at all. She's doing it purely for her own selfish reasons. The last page indicates she has well and truly got her claws into him.However, it was a good story and I enjoyed reading it, but the police characters really need to up their game. They appeared to be somewhat clueless in parts.

Two young men are found dead on Greco's patch. Both knife crimes, carried out efficiently. Only clue tall, thin man in vicinity. Nothing more, face unknown.But he is closer to the investigation than anyone knows.Speedy has a clingy girlfriend, Michelle and Grace has the hots for Stephen Greco.Surprises for both pairings.More bodies and this time they are shot, are they all victims of one person?

Helen H Durrant is a fantastic fiction writer who's story telling has you so gripped it's impossible to put down and she is responsible for many sleepless nights due to the fact that I have to finish the story. Anyone who likes murder/mystery/serial killers will enjoy reading this author's books and I would recommend starting from Dead Wrong book 1 as there is an underlining story as you progress through the books.

Cardboard characters along with infantile writing. The most ridiculous concept is that a detective constable, DC Grace Harper, could behave the way she does towards her boss, DCI Greco. How anyone in the police force could behave that way to a superior, is just farcical beyond belief. Greco appears to have no confidence or mind of his own. He does'nt appear to be able to detect his way out of a paper bag! Harper just leads him along by the nose. An absolute waste of lock down time reading this rubbish!!

Oh dear...what a waste of time reading this book! The whole story could have been told on 2 A4 sheets of paper. It was a book about nothing with a dreadful ending. It's as if the author even got bored writing and decided to finish the book all of a sudden. Will not be reading anymore from this author.

Compulsive reading though there were a few gaps in the twisting turning narrative. Thoroughly enjoyable.