The business of dying by Simon Kernick

I like reading Harlan Coben’s novels, both the Myron Bolitar ones and the standalones. I like the sense of humour in the Bolitar novels and the style of writing in his standalones. As I have read most of his books including the latest I was looking for a writer who writes in similar vein as Coben. I found some recommendations on the net and picked Simon Kernick. The Business of dying is not entirely a Coben kind of novel. I would say more Michael Connelly type, reminds me of Harry Bosch and his vice squad, only set in London.
Now the story, DS Dennis Milne is a copper who lost enthusiasm in his work and feels that the law is in favour of the criminal. He does not mind bending a few rules to make some money. So much so that he does not mind killing for money as long as he feels that they are the scum that has to be removed. Milne commits a triple murder for underwolrd criminal Raymond Keen. Milne is also investigating the murder of the 18 year old Miriam Fox in King’s Cross. He realises that he had been setup to kill respectable people instead of the drug dealers. Milne battles with his conscience. Milne had killed before in his line of duty, but is it okay to kill innocent people? While Milne uncovers startling details about mysterios disappearance of teenage girls involved in vice trade, he finds the noose tighetning. He knows that he has to fly the coop but does he do justice to the girls, is the rest of the story. While it is easy to question the moral authority of the assasin copper, who wants to bring to justice the murderers of teenage girls, Milne really seems to know what is right and what is wrong and how far he would bend rules. An interesting read.

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