Death's Justice: Book 1

Some secrets never wash away…

Along the flat Essex coastline, deep in the heart of Southend-on-Sea, the body of a man is discovered in an allotment, half-naked and heavily mutilated.

The investigation quickly falls to DS Tomek Bowen of Essex Police who, thirty years before, found his dead brother in a similar location and manner one evening after school. His brother’s death had been random, a vicious and evil act that saw his killer face life imprisonment. But when the identity of the man in the allotment is uncovered, it becomes clear this was no random act. The victim had a sinister past that earned him many enemies. Enemies that have come to mete out their own form of justice.

But when a second victim appears, DS Bowen realises he’s on the trail of a vigilante killer who’s appointed themselves judge, jury and executioner. As Tomek begins to peel back the dark and rotten layers of the victims’ lives, more and more secrets are revealed, along with a shocking revelation that will force Tomek to question everything he’s ever known about his brother’s death.

Can he catch the killer before they strike again?

Death’s Justice is the unforgettable first 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 Justice is the explosive first instalment in the DS Tomek Bowen series. It weaves authentic police procedure with deep psychological trauma, set against the salt-air and gray 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 Basildon, Essex, UK.
• Series Entry: Book 1 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: 978-1-80520-031-4.
• Dimensions: 5.06in x 7.81in.
• Price: £8.99.