Rough Justice by Biba Pearce BLOG TOUR #RoughJustice #BibaPearce #ShrapNelson #BookReview

 

A Murder She Can't Ignore. A Truth She Must Uncover.

For Shrap Nelson, ex-military police sergeant and homeless veteran, the charred body under the bridge isn’t just another victim—it’s Doug, the man who once saved her life. Now, she’s determined to find his killer, no matter the cost.

As Shrap digs deeper, she’s pulled into London’s violent underworld, where powerful enemies lurk in the shadows. Hunted by a ruthless adversary and haunted by her own demons, Shrap must choose between giving in to her fears or finding the truth.

Doug gave her a second chance. She’ll make sure his death doesn’t go unpunished.

Rough Justice by Biba Pearce was published on 24 September 2024 by Mortlake Press. My thanks to the author who sent my copy for review as part of this Blog Tour.

There's a reason why Biba Pearce was shortlisted for a Crime Writer's Association Dagger Award a few years ago; she's a fine crime author and this first book in her new series is an explosive, compelling read with an incredible lead character. Shrap Nelson is a woman unlike any other that I've read about. She's vulnerable, but so strong. She's reliable, yet questions herself all of the time. She's the type of woman who you'd certainly want on your side, and not as an enemy.

Shrap lives on the streets of London. She served in the Military Police for years, fighting in the most dangerous of places, seeing things that should never be seen, experiencing events that have changed her. However, it is the effects of the PTSD that are her worse enemies now. Shrap gave up her life, her home, her relationship to live on the streets. Trying to escape, but never quite getting there. 

When Shrap's old mate Doug is accused of the murder of a dancer in the city, and is then found dead himself, she knows that Doug was innocent. She also knows that he didn't take his own life, and despite her own inner battles and the dangers she faces, she is determined to clear his name. Doug saved her, she wants to save his reputation. 

DC Gareth Trevelyan has recently moved to the area from another part of London, he has his own baggage to deal with and when he's assigned these cases, at first it all seems clear cut. Then he meets Shrap and there's a spark, despite her appearance, her mystery, her current living conditions he can see that there's more to Shrap than meets the eye. Before long, they are working together. Not officially of course, but Shrap can be invisible, she's clever, she's working it all out. 

This is a compelling, exciting crime story that had me gripped. Not only is the plotting superb, but the characters are just perfectly created. Pearce brings London to life too, as Shrap walks the streets, both the glitzy touristy areas, and the mean, dark back streets, the reader really can get a feel for the place. 

There's some violence, but it is done with flair and style, not overly bloody and just adds depth to the dangers that Shrap and Gareth face along the way. 

An excellent beginning to a new series. I can't wait to meet Shrap and Gareth again soon. 

Biba Pearce is a crime writer and author of the Kenzie Gilmore, Dalton Savage and DCI
Rob Miller series. 

Her books have been shortlisted for the Feathered Quill and the CWA Debut Dagger awards, and The Marlow Murders was voted best crime fiction book in the Indie Excellence Book Awards.

Biba lives in leafy Surrey with her family and when she isn’t writing, can be found walking along the Thames River path - near to where many of her books are set - or rambling through the countryside.

Download a FREE Kenzie Gilmore prequel novella at her website bibapearce dot com.

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