Over the years, I have read many police procedure and crime novels, but I can honestly say this book not only hits the spot as far as a thrilling read goes, but also provides a strong element of realism that breathes life into a terrifying situation. I bought this when I was up in the Lake District for a couple of days and foolishly hadn't taken a book with me..... (I won't let it happen again!) LoveReading exists because books change lives, and buying books through LoveReading means you get to change the lives of future generations, with 25% of the cover price donated to schools in need. Join our community to get personalised book suggestions, extracts straight to your inbox, 10% off RRPs, and to change children’s lives. Following a dramatic hostage scenario in London, Sutherland delivers a spine tingling tale of hate, compassion, patience and individuality. The negotiator played a second fiddle for me compared to Grace although was a big part of the story

The Siege by John Sutherland - The Church Times

The chapters are set at varying times through the night, with each part split in to the various characters throughout. Interestingly the whole novel is kept low key but remarkably intense from the dialogue to the action. Everything in the police operation feels thought through and very well planned (reassuringly!). But what no-one can take into account are the unpredictable elements. The impact of the heavy duty cannabis combined with the mental strain on Connors as he negotiates his demands with the police. Then there is the bravery and sheer humanity of Grace, who sees a young man in pain and connects with him in that level. A bold novel, particularly in its ending; this is a book which dares to reject not only cynicism but also despair.” (Mat Coward, Morning Star)THE SIEGE is the story of a hostage situation in south London. When Lee James Connor, a loner, inspired by an anti-immigrant, firebrand right-wing extremest leader, takes a community church centre and its nine attendees hostage, we see the events of an entire night play out through the viewpoints of Connor, Grace, one of his hostages, and Alex, the lead hostage negotiator assigned to the incident. Sutherland has] poured all of his experience into the story, showcasing an engaging and gripping ability to keep the tension high while pushing the story forward * ENTERTAINMENT FOCUS *

The Siege by John Sutherland | Goodreads The Siege by John Sutherland | Goodreads

This was such a tense book and it soon became obvious to me that I was not going to put it down until it was finished. A brilliant story from start to finish. This is a well written story, with some great character’s they are all so believable, Grace’s compassion towards Lee despite being held as a hostage is so well written as she tries to get him to open up, and as she tells him some of her life story. I actually felt sorry for Lee. I certainly didn’t at the beginning but as things unfolded I wanted him to survive, I was truly hoping he would survive, knowing that a lot of the time the hostage taker is killed. Lee James Connor has found his purpose in to follow the teachings of far-right extremist leader, Nicholas Farmer. So when his idol is jailed, he comes up with the perfect take a local immigrant support group hostage until Farmer is released. Lee James Connor is an unassuming and impressionable young man, who has fallen under the spell of Nicholas Farmer, a self-proclaimed leader of a banned right-wing group of extremists, currently serving time for inciting racial violence and arson. Believing his racist propaganda that the future of Britain is being threatened by a flood of immigrants and refugees, Lee decides to get Farmer released by concocting a plan to use hostages as a bargaining tool to obtain his goal. A very stark contrast of violence ( at times brutal ) and kindness is given by the author to the main players throughout the siege with a fair indepth look at the hostage taker and the victims,especially one,Grace, and how this dreadful turn of events has been planned as the hatred festered,a not fully sympathetic but realistic look at the perp from Grace and a basic understanding of why he was doing what he was after he ‘confides’ in her turns the readers thoughts and views slightly,very well done by the author,I still hated the terrorist but there was human reaction to his life,will make sense when read itNot too far away live Grace Wheatley and her teenage son Isaiah, she had been born in the United Kingdom but her parents had come over as part of the Windrush campaign. She is a teaching assistant at a local school, her son is her life. I've watched my share of Criminal Minds in my day, and this would fit in perfectly. Scenes with the characters learning about online grooming or right wings extremists could have been lifted from that series. (To be clear, I'm complimenting the book!) I am a bit baffled as to why none of the police or SWAT stopped his final actions. They were all there in the room, he had no weapons, but they just watched and let him go ahead Grace Wheatley is no stranger to loneliness having weathered the passing of her husband, whilst being left to raise her son alone. The local support group is her only source of comfort. Until the day Lee James Connor walks in and threatens the existence of everything she’s ever known. One minor criticism is that the title of the novel isn’t the most inspiring. Nine Lives may have been a more interesting title than The Siege! Also I felt we didn’t really get to know Alan, Jean and Helen.