Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 It's not like The Bill August 16, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is an OK book to read on holiday - broken into a series of short chapters it's easy to pick up and put down after reading a few sides. In terms of content it's pretty superficial stuff. The 'insight' into criminal activity doesn't come until well over half way through, and if you are looking for a bit more depth there is better biographical material available e.g. Wensley Clarkson on Kenneth Noye and all the others. The picture you get of the Met. and police in general is not flattering and just confirms most people's opinion that this bunch of dinosaurs has been getting away with it without proper scrutiny for ever. The list of police blunders seems endless - (the most damning comment on the Lawrence Inquiry report that the police was riddled with institutional racism overshadowed the parallel observation that it is institutionally incompetent as well). The culture of fiddling expenses - drinking for England on and off duty, silly pranks, manipulating overtime car allowances and fiddling early retirement all seem to be accepted as part of the culture. Still, it's a dirty job and perhaps it's worth turning a blind eye. You just hope the police never get the opportunity to really get going with powers like some of the eastern European lot.
 Solid view of life as a Met detective January 26, 2006
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
This is the autobiography of a detective in London’s Met, detectives being known in certain circles as ‘the filth’.
Like the author I spent some time in the Met, following the same route in via the Police Cadets although my career was much shorter and a lot less exciting. I mention this because the bits where I have similar experiences are absolutely spot on and spookily familiar, so I have few doubts about the accuracy of the rest of the book.
I enjoyed this but it felt a little short. There is a great build up from the author’s childhood into the cadets and then into the Met mainstream where he eventually makes it to detective. Although he provides some interesting and honest views about life in ‘the filth’, this element of the book seems almost rushed and I am sure there was a lot more he could have told.
Some readers may be shocked that the Police are not as pure as they may wish but I am sure that those same readers are glad that the thin blue line is also manned by intelligence and dedicated officers like Duncan MacLaughlin.
Honest and interesting reading.
 An insight March 12, 2005
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
A friend of mine was reading this book, and I read a chapter of it, and loved it. I bought it from amazon, who delivered it early...thanks! I finished the book in two sittings. The author lays the book out so it can be read easily, very easy flowing whilst providing the insight into one of the most elite police forces in the world, the Metropolitan. His story goes back to the pre-PACE world and shows the changes that came into effect from it. The book also shows the different attitudes that had to be adopted from political correctness, and also the rules and the stance that police officers had to take, sometimes even making the evidence fit. I enjoyed this book, my only drawback about this book is this, the author does a fantastic job about writing not only about his 20+ years in the force and an opener into his childhood, but his retirement and exit from the force is narrowed to just one page. This leaves the question to be asked, will there be a sequel? A must read.
 A REAL PAGE TURNER June 24, 2003
7 out of 12 found this review helpful
This book was a very interesting insight into the world of policing pre PACE. The author also highlights the black humour which is what holds mean of the teams together in suck a demanding environment. I would have liked to have learnt more about the situation that caused the author to leave but I would only presum that he either does not want to tell or can't.It depicts perfectly the strain that is put on modern day crime fighters with the sophisication of modern criminals, the toll it has on their health and ultimatly their social life marriage etc
All in all a very good read and I hope that Mr Maclaughlin will finish the stories off......
Engrossing! April 29, 2003
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
Duncan MacLaughlin brings us into his life with a whisper, and escorts us out of his life with a bang. Adopted soon after birth, he finds himself the son of a Royal Navy man. This military lifestyle gives young Duncan the opportunity to live in the world rather than the mews, experiencing other lands and cultures that contribute to his early moulding. His sense of adventure is evident in his early years, taking risks and pushing the envelope even as a young man.
Through his desire to follow in his father's footsteps and have a military career, MacLaughlin discovers his true passion: law enforcement. With a single-mindedness that is to be admired, he sets his sights on the CID (Criminal Investigation Department), also known as "The Filth." Working his way up the ladder in the Metropolitan Police, MacLaughlin learns the difference between the way it is done in the classroom, and the way it is done on the streets. His frustration is evident when he comes up against laws that were designed to protect the criminals and not the victims. This causes no psychomachia for the young police constable, who simply chooses to put those criminals in "the nick" by whatever means necessary, and rest knowing that he made his corner of the world a little safer that night.
The tension of the book elevates when MacLaughlin reaches the pinnacle of success with his entrance into the CID. He learns how to play the game, and does it with a ferocity and tenacity that brings admiration from the reader. Gutsy, earthy, and always with a sense of humour, MacLaughlin takes us into the underworld, where the line between the crime and the criminal is sometimes blurred. He leaves us by leaving Scotland Yard, but an epilogue assures the reader that this detective is still "on the case."
A riveting story by a fascinating author who is reputed to have solved the mystery that has plagued Scotland Yard for decades: The Lord Lucan disappearance.
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