Hunter's Force - Synopsis
Hunter's Force is a police procedural crime novel. It is set in Edinburgh, Scotland in October 2013. It is character driven. The central character is Detective Inspector Hunter Wilson. He is keen to investigate the death of a young woman whose body his son finds in his flat. However, the new united Scottish Police Force, Police Scotland now exists and the central Major Incidents Team would normally lead such a serious crime. Sub-plots include, money laudering, people trafficking and disgraced DC John Hamilton determined to make Hunter suffer.
The story starts with Hunter's son, Cameron returning to his flat after a night at a club where he has met Harry Hope and his friend Gavin who are back from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. The soldiers have young women, Olena and Symona in tow and they all head back to Cameron's flat. His date, Klavidya never turned up at the club. The group find Klavidya dead in the kitchen. Another young woman, Anichka, whom Cameron has never seen before is very upset and in the flat.
Cameron calls Hunter for help. Meera attends the flat with Hunter and also suggests that Hunter calls Tim because he knows Cameron's boss and landlord, Lord Lachlan (Lucky) Buchanan. Cameron says a huge fair haired man brought Klavidya to stay at his flat. The man is identified as Brian Squires.
Ian Thomson is released from prison. Jamie collects him and takes him back to the house. Ian has secured a large new house for them to live in, and two betting shops to add to his business empire. He has hired Mrs Mansoor as his manageress. He re-unites with his estranged wife, Janice.
Klavidya's father and uncle Oleksander and Sergei Ponomarenko are gansters. They are Ukrainians associated with the Russian mafia. However, he is appointed trade attache to the Ukrainian Consulate because of his expertise.
The deceased girl, Klavidya, was studying in Edinburgh at the Universtiy. Tim's girlfriend, Gillian knows her. The new professor, Zelay Sheptytsky is known to Klavidya and her family. The professor also knows Arjun Mansoor and goes to visit him in jail. When Klavidya's father cannot get hold of her he contacts Gillian at the University.
Hunter goes to lunch with Cameron and Lucky then goes home to get ready for a darts match. Hamilton is in his house and knocks him out. When Hunter wakes up Hamilton forces him to go with him to a car. Brian Squires is in the back with Hunter. Hamilton is keen to make Hunter suffer because Hamilton had to leave the force. Hunter must use his wits and force to escape from Squires and Hamilton. Hunter misses a briefing during this time. Mackay tries to track him down. Meera gets worried. Evetually Hunter calls Tim to get him back to Edinburgh.
Tim and Jane interview Cameron. Oleksander sees Tim and thinks he is Squires. Oleksander threatens Tim with a gun, but Tim and Jane's quick thinking avoids disaster.
Conclusion:
Tim catches Hamilton when he is out with Gillian.
Ian lands back in jail – the betting shops and big house is lost. Jamie and Frankie end up back in West Mains Road. Janice leaves Ian again, this time for Brian Squires who escapes to Spain.
Hamilton.
Oleksander Ponomarenko is charged with money-laundering and people trafficking but has diplomatic immunity.
Olena, Symona and Anichka plotted to murder Klavidya. Anichka did the deed.
Hunter's Force – Main Characters
DI Hunter Wilson – A thoughtful leader, observant, divorced, a good team player.
Likes: Fairness, honesty, loyalty, Meera Sharma, darts and success.
Dislikes: Pomposity, drugs, corruption and losing.
DC Tim Myerscough – Physically fit, intelligent, loyal, family oriented
Likes: Family, rugby, loyalty, cats, Gillian Pearson and winning.
Dislikes: Lying, cheating, self-aggrandising, small cars.
Gillian Pearson – Tim's girlfriend, clever, good looking. Nice natured. Sees the best in people.
Likes – travel, cars, Tim, translating
Dislikes – family, cats, cruelty and violence
Zelay Sheptytsky – Professor of Modern Languages at University of Edinburgh, Gillian's boss
Likes – travel, study, friends, family, Gillian.
Dislikes – violence, stupidity, Oleksander Ponomarenko, authority
Ian Thomson - A clever 'wide-boy' always on the make
Likes – Money, wheeling & dealing, family and success
Dislikes – drugs, losing, being used, violence
Jamie Thomson – A young thief, intelligent, witty
Likes: Family, girls, jaffa cakes, beer and loyalty.
Dislikes: police, losing, drugs, disloyalty.
Frankie Hope – Father of twins, works with his cousin, Jamie Thomson at Thomson's Top Cars
Likes: His twins, kindness, honesty.
Dislikes: Drugs, his own skin.
Oleksander Ponomarenko – A gangster who portrays himself as a businessman. Clever.
Likes: Money, connections, power, sex and family
Dislikes: Poverty, weakness and bad manners.
Meera Sharma – Pathologist who works with Hunter Wilson.
Likes: Hunter Wilson, her family, honesty, success.
Dislikes: Dishonesty, violence, losing.
Lachlan 'Lucky' Buchanan – Inherited his title, went to Fettes, dates Lady Sophie Dalmore.
Likes: feeling important, wealth, pretty women and power
Dislikes: Bear Zewedu, the dark and bad service in restaurants
John Hamilton – Disgraced former DC
Likes: Food, sugary drinks, drugs and power
Dislikes: Hunter Wilson, Police Scotland and Colin Reid
Olena, Symona and Anichka – three young women trafficked by Oleksander Ponomarenko from Ukraine to Scotland. Hoping to make their fortunes.
Likes – family, fame and money
Dislikes – Oleksander Ponomarenko, being chaeted and being mis-treated