Death's Grip: Book 2

Annabelle Lake thought she recognised the Ford Fiesta waiting outside her school, and the driver in it. She was wrong.

Her body is discovered some time later, dangling from a swing in a local playground on Canvey Island.

The post-mortem shows she’s been fed, clothed and kept warm. That whoever was responsible had looked after her. But when another girl goes missing and is found in a similar fashion, that’s where the similarities end.

Both girls have never met and they’re from completely different backgrounds. So what connects them?

DS Tomek Bowen and the team at Essex Police must find out before it’s too late. And on an island that’s below sea level, it’s only a matter of time until the truth comes flooding out.

Death’s Grip is the unforgettable second book in the DS Tomek Bowen Essex Murder Mystery series by Jack Probyn. Filled with twists, peppered with romance and flavoured with ounces of dark humour, this fast-paced British detective novel will keep you guessing until the very end when the final shocking twist is revealed. Perfect for fans of JD Kirk, JM Dalgliesh, TG Reid, Simon McCleave and Rachel Mclean.

A Gritty Descent into Essex Noir - Death’s Grip is the explosive second instalment in the DS Tomek Bowen series. It weaves authentic police procedure with deep psychological trauma, set against the salt-air and grey skies of the Essex coast.

Perfect for Readers Who Love:

• Gritty UK Police Procedurals: Mark Billingham, JD Kirk, and MW Craven.
• Flawed, Psychological Detectives: Michael Connelly’s realism and Angela Marsons’ psychological depth.
• Fast-Paced British Thrillers: Daniel Cole and Mo Hayder.
• Atmospheric Regional Crime: Authentic Southend-on-Sea settings, from the sprawling pier to the silent marshes.

What Makes Tomek Bowen Distinctive:

• Endearing Human Flaws: He’s an endearing man-child who dyes his beard to hide the gray and struggles with the isolation of his past.
• The Ultimate Revelation: Amidst the hunt for a serial killer, Tomek discovers a daughter he never knew existed—a bombshell that redefines his fight for justice.
• Unresolved History: While the primary case closes, Tomek’s hunt for his brother’s second killer — the ghost named "Charlie" — is just beginning.

Story Details:

• Genre: British Police Procedural / Murder Mystery.
• Mood: Tense, Gritty, Emotional, Atmospheric.
• Format: Full-length novel.
• Setting: Southend-on-Sea and Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, UK.
• Series Entry: Book 2 of the DS Tomek Bowen Crime Thriller Series.

Reader Reviews:

• "I liked Tomek as a character. He feels totally real and flawed. Riveting and enjoyed the many twists as things progressed." — Reader Review
• "A classic police thriller, very well composed. Investigate by very real people with normal human flaws." — Reader Review

Key Facts:

• Protagonist: Detective Sergeant Tomek Bowen.
• Primary Conflict: A vigilante targeting released offenders in the Essex community.
• Themes: Vigilante justice, childhood trauma, and long-buried family secrets.
• ISBN-13: 978-1-80520-036-9.
• Dimensions: 5.06in x 7.81in.
• Price: £8.99.