- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Mainstream Publishing; First Edition edition (28 Mar 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1840185864
- ISBN-13: 978-1840185867
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.6 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 808,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Review
For the first time ever, a senior detective and undercover agent in the Drug Squad and Regional Crime Squad has broken ranks to reveal the stark truth about life in the force.
Product Description
Duncan MacLaughlin, 40 years old and a police officer all his life, is one of the elite. SAS-trained for special missions, his expertise was in surveillance and undercover work that could have got him killed at any moment. The dangerous tightrope he walked included cases involving master criminal Kenneth Noye, kidnap victim Julie Dart and the slaying of PC Keith Blakelock. He also penetrated drug cartels and nailed the ruthless barons who control them. Filled with black humour, exotic slang and facinating investigative detail that only an ex-copper could reveal, Duncan's story provides an rinsight into the world of major crime.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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.
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.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
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.
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.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very disappointing
I'd really looked forward to reading this being a lover of all things true crime/gangs/cops and law enforcement related but I was so disappointed. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ms J. Tyrrell
Good Read
A great page turner. Enjoyed this book. Well written by a man who had been on the front line. Drugs, money laundering, you name it, Duncan MacLaughlin's been there working on the... Read more
Published 11 months ago by diesel
Excellent read.
I couldn't this book down! I can't think of anything to add to what has already been said, except buy it. I think it took me about four days to read it. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mrs. A. F. Bryan
The Filth
This Book Tells the Truth,the Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth about the Police Service.
I served in the Met for 3yrs,and reading this Book was like being back there.
I served in the Met for 3yrs,and reading this Book was like being back there.
Published 18 months ago by Vonnykins
Not over impressed
As has been said by another reviewer, a lot of the book is about his father and growing up, I think that by half way through the book he had only made it on to the local crime... Read more
Published 24 months ago by Mr. D. Kneafsey
A REAL PAGE TURNER
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... Read more
Published on 24 Jun 2003 by "nickandmich"
Insightful overview
The approach that Duncan MacLaughlin took to this book was one of an overview rather than in-depth analysis. Read more
Published on 24 April 2003 by Marcus Borg
An Engrossing Book!
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. Read more
Published on 19 April 2003 by Ishah
He LIVED the stories that keep us glued to page and screen
But those are fictional retellings. From page one it's very clear that this is not fiction.
It is a rare person who can understand the unfolding of their own lives with clarity... Read more
Published on 16 April 2003 by Melodie Ellefson, former reporter/news anchor
A book worthy to be in your collection
Attention intrigue lovers and crime readers! This is a book for you.
From beginning to end this very able author has us glued to each page as he guides us through his early... Read more
From beginning to end this very able author has us glued to each page as he guides us through his early... Read more
Published on 7 Feb 2003
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
