A White Arrest

A pair of rough cops hunts for a career-making arrest in this first novel of the "hip, violent and funny" trilogy set in Southeast London ( Publishers Weekly).   After four decades at the precinct, and close to forcible retirement, all London's Chief Inspector Roberts has to show for it is a hateful daughter, a faithless wife, and a dwindling bank account. With his partner, the bullying Irish Detective Sergeant Brant, Roberts is still looking for every cop's badge of honor: the White Arrest—that career-changing bust that could make them chat show heroes. Or least wipe their dirty slates clean. And they have a lot to work with right now . . .   A racist Death Wish–inspired street gang is lynching drug dealers from Brixton lampposts. And in the quiet suburb of Balham, a bat-wielding lunatic has been bashing in the skulls of a schoolboys' cricket team. With any luck Roberts and Brant will make the front page—by any means necessary.   With two unforgettable—and arguably irredeemable—tough London cops, award-winning author Ken Bruen again proves he's "become the crime novelist to read" (George Pelecanos).