TATTOO

Ayo Onatade is an avid reader of crime and mystery fiction. She has been writing reviews, interviews and articles on the subject for the last 12 years; with an eclectic taste from historical to hardboiled, short stories and noir films

Welcome to the life of former SAS hardman Simon Tabor.  Once a well-respected member of the SAS he finds himself dishonourably discharged after going AWOL and his reason? Finding and killing the murderer who fatally attacked and killed his sister.  Approached unofficially by the Met Police he soon finds himself involved in a murder enquiry when the body of a young girl is found washed up on an English beach. Tabor is intrigued enough to help as an elaborate tattooed Orchid has been found on the groin of the young girl; one that is akin to the Orchid found on the body off his murdered sister.  With the sex trade, bioengineering and elegantly drawn tattoos all intriguingly entwining themselves in the case, Tabor soon finds himself crossing the continent in his attempt to find the key to the death’s that keep on plying up.

Tattoo is Bryan Boswell’s debut novel set amongst the Romanian gangs who supply the brothels with sex slaves and prostitutes and scientific experiments that are tossed aside as soon as their usefulness is no longer needed.  Tabor himself is a fascinating character – tough, dark and with a broodiness about him that is bordering on satanic.  He is someone that gets the work done with the minimum of fuss but with the expertise needed.  He also knows how to play his cards close to his chest when the need arises. 

Tattoo is a hard-hitting, gritty and gruesome novel that does not gloss over the brutal and vindictive incidents that happen and the lack of morality that it takes to be able to deal dispassionately and cruelly with those that displease. 

A fascinating thriller it drags you violently through the bloody pages but also keeps you on tenterhooks at the same time.  Full of pace and aggression and certainly not for the timid, Tattoo will immerse you in a seamier side of life that will leave you looking frantically for the nearest bathroom.