Hard Place - The Prequel is set in Monte Carlo and is a short introductory teaser to HARD PLACE the first in the Det. Insp.Todd "e;Ratso"e; Holtom series of international mystery thrillers. Ratso, a London detective, is obsessed with bringing down a drug baron who for years has been above the law. The trail from Monte Carlo leads into the action in HARD PLACE, a full length thriller set in London, the Bahamas, the USA, Spain and Cyprus. The second full length Ratso thriller is soon to be released and is called DEAD FIX where Ratso is up against international sports match-fixers inthe dangerous world of black-market gambling.PRAISE for HARD PLACE on AMAZONHard Place(First in the Detective Inspector Todd "e;Ratso"e; Holtom series)"e;Douglas Stewart has done a great job and has created in Detective Ratso a character who is quick-witted, clever and a worthy addition to the action thriller genre."e;"e;This book engenders the same get-to-the-end compulsion for the reader as does a Harlan Coben crime suspense or a Simon Kernick or Mark Billingham police novel… the prose is easy to read and the plot is enthralling."e;"e;Couldn't stop reading, this was worth 5 stars."e;"e;Fantastic read, great characters, gripping storyline. Definitely want to read more adventures from Ratso. Roaring success Mr Stewart!"e;"e;I read a lot of thrillers and Hard Place is high up on my list of favourites."e;"e;Each chapter leaves you eager to continue reading. This was the first of Stewart's novels I have read but I will definitely read more."e;"e;Shades of David Hosp but from an English perspective - and I hope there are more books … which develop the life and career of the engaging Ratso"e;"e;The author's knowledge of his areas of operation and of the way these crimes are solved is fascinating."e;"e;It is as if the author has inside knowledge of these characters and places; their portrayal is simple, effective and truly insightful."e;"e;Wow! What a page turner! I can't wait for the next release. A definite five-star from me!
