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Paul Grzegorzek

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But for the Grace of God Kindle Edition

by Paul Grzegorzek (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

239 ratings

Life is about choices, those already made and those yet to come.

For John Cooper, more than most, this is especially true. Lost, hopeless and alone, he drifts through the Brighton underworld, a slave to his heroin habit and all but forgetting the man he used to be as he succumbs, dose by dose, to the drug that is both sustaining and killing him.

The only people of import in his life are Mandy, a 16 year old prostitute who he cares for like a daughter, and Phil, mid-thirties and suffering from autism, a fact that many of the local drug dealers use to their advantage as they get him to ferry drugs all over the city.

When Phil dies of a suspected overdose, however, John's long-buried instincts begin to rise to the surface. Knowing that his friend would never use drugs, he begins to investigate what he knows is a murder when the police fail to show any interest.

Unwittingly, John plunges himself and everyone around him into a murky world of drugs, violence and betrayal, all the while struggling against the addiction that consumes him.

"Apart from being a fast-paced read, full of unexpected turns, Paul Grzegorzek has brought us John Cooper. His story is a painful and unpleasant one, but it'll have you rooting for him on every page. I loved it". - Lisa Cutts, author of Never Forget.

Product description

About the Author

Paul is 37 years old and despite the surname hails from Sussex where he has lived all his life, having gone to school in the beautiful countryside town of Midhurst. He was born in Shoreham-by-Sea, within spitting distance of Brighton, a city he's called home since the mid 90's. Over the last twelve years, Paul has worked as a soldier (part time only), a bouncer, a security officer and a police officer, not necessarily in that order. In a 6 year police career, Paul worked on the beat (on a mountain bike of all things), on response, then on LST, specializing in riot duties and working as a riot medic. Paul then went on to join DIU (the divisional intelligence unit) and worked on undercover drug operations as well as dealing with vehicle crime for the city and anything else that caught his eye. During his police career Paul was twice given bravery awards in the form of divisional congratulations. Paul eventually left the police for a high-profile security job in the US which fell through, and now uses the skills he gained in the police in the private sector in the UK. While in the police, Paul met Peter James and soon the two became firm friends, Paul helping Peter as an adviser on his Roy Grace series on novels. Outside of work and writing, Paul has studied white crane kungfu for about a dozen years on and off, and lives in Brighton which he loves and hates with a passion. Wherever he goes in the city he is reminded of a job that he attended, a person he arrested or a crime scene he worked, which is why he writes about the place with such vigour and realism.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00KA7J4V4
Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
Publication date ‏ : ‎ 10 May 2014
Edition ‏ : ‎ 3rd
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2.6 MB
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 279 pages
Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: 934,141 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- 16,326 in Murder Fiction
- 18,133 in Crime Thrillers (Kindle Store)
- 79,806 in Thrillers (Books)

Customer reviews:
239 ratings

About the author

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Paul Grzegorzek

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Paul, despite the surname, hails from Sussex where he has lived all his life, having gone to school in the beautiful countryside town of Midhurst. He was born in Shoreham-by-Sea, within spitting distance of Brighton, where he lived until his return to Shoreham a few years ago.

Over the last twenty-five years, Paul has worked as a soldier (part time only), a bouncer, a security officer and a police officer,

and now works as a regional security manager overseeing everything from NHS acute hospitals to Royal Households.

While in the police, Paul met Peter James and soon the two became firm friends, Paul helping Peter as an adviser on his Roy Grace series on novels.

He was a keen martial artist for many years, but age and too many injuries from years of dealing with aggressive customers have taken their toll and now he just thinks about them a lot instead, which is both easier and less painful.

Paul has written 15 novels, many of which will never see the light of day, and in recent years has become increasingly concerned with the rapidly changing climate, which has filtered through into his writing.

Paul has also been to Ukraine on Humanitarian missions since the war started, and donates a portion of all royalties to groups continuing the essential work out there to protect those who need help.

Customer reviews

239 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book an absolute compelling read with a strong plot and plenty of unexpected twists. The writing is exceptionally well done, and customers appreciate the well-developed characters. The book maintains a fast pace throughout.

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Readability Story quality Character development Writing quality Pace

25 customers mention ‘Readability’25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book compelling and brilliant, with one mentioning how the battle to overcome challenges draws readers in.

"...recommend this to anyone who likes a good dark read, with a big dollop of action." Read more

"...we all know and love, "But for the Grace of God" was an exceptional read with a strong plot and well-developed characters that will keep you..." Read more

"...you the general outline -- what I will say though is that the storyline is fast paced, gripping and emotionally charged...." Read more

"...A great read and if you only try one new author this year, then make sure it's this one." Read more

19 customers mention ‘Story quality’17 positive2 negative

Customers praise the book's strong plot and unexpected twists, describing it as a very moving crime read with an intriguing premise.

"...Set in Brighton, with incredibly accurate descriptions that make you long to be there, this is a story of the darker, seedier bits...." Read more

"...Realistic narrative, fantastic characterisation and a very real sense of place combined to make this a hard-hitting and authentic police procedural...." Read more

"...It is the characters of this book that really bring the story alive and capture your heart!..." Read more

"...I loved the characterisation which gives the story an added appeal and I really hope there are more books that will feature John as there is bags of..." Read more

12 customers mention ‘Character development’12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book.

"...I found this a very moving crime read. Coop's character was beautifully written and was more than just an addict...." Read more

"...Realistic narrative, fantastic characterisation and a very real sense of place combined to make this a hard-hitting and authentic police procedural...." Read more

"...I loved the characterisation which gives the story an added appeal and I really hope there are more books that will feature John as there is bags of..." Read more

"...Paul builds the characters up so well that I was right there in the streets of Brighton with them...." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Writing quality’10 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as exceptionally well written and noting the author's talent.

"...knows how to write a crime story that is moving, fast paced and beautifully told...." Read more

"...So it's a gritty book. It's pretty well written. Most of it is probably very realistic. I just didn't enjoy it." Read more

"This is an exceptionally well written, engrossing, action packed book with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing til the last chapter...." Read more

"A well written book that took me into a world I am not familiar with.The main character was very engaging and I was on his side...." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Pace’4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the fast pace of the book.

"...Paul Grzegorzek knows how to write a crime story that is moving, fast paced and beautifully told...." Read more

"...The main character was very engaging and I was on his side.I liked the pace of the book and the story as well...." Read more

"...A gripping read right from the start to the finish, the pace never faltered throughout with plenty of unexpected twists to keep the readers interest." Read more

"...This is a fast paced, gripping read that had me wanting more from the first page to the last...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

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a beautifully written and exciting crime read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 June 2014
Verified Purchase

Wow I just LOVED this!!!! I exhausted myself spending half the night reading. Paul Grzegorzek knows how to write a crime story that is moving, fast paced and beautifully told.

Set in Brighton, with incredibly accurate descriptions that make you long to be there, this is a story of the darker, seedier bits. The parts of Brighton that you don't see and pretend not to notice, Grzegorzek highlights and reminds us are there. John Cooper, known as Coop, is amongst the hidden addicts. He used to be a police officer, and now spends his days living for his next high and roaming around the streets. When his autistic friend dies, Coop finds himself the only one who sees this as a suspicious incident. Soon Coop is fighting for the truth, against his addiction and for his life.

I found this a very moving crime read. Coop's character was beautifully written and was more than just an addict. We were given a very human, decent bloke who needed to forgive himself. We got a man who was fighting his personal demons, as well as sometimes using his fists to protect those in danger. I had so much empathy for him and compassion for his situation. The book offers hope that addicts can move forward and get back their self respect. His relationship with Hannah, his ex girlfriend and the young prostitute, Mandy, were fascinating.

I really recommend this to anyone who likes a good dark read, with a big dollop of action.

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sharon
Exceptional Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 June 2018
Verified Purchase
Well that was a whirlwind of a read! I picked this up at lunchtime today and was completely immersed in it until I turned the very last page!

John Cooper is a man who had it all and somehow he spectacularly lost it all and became caught up in the deadly underworld of addiction. His only two friends are a 16-year-old prostitute and Phil, a vulnerable man who is being used as drug runner by the local dealers. When Phil turns up dead John knows this was no accident and he is determined to shun his lifestyle to seek justice for his friend but can he redeem himself or will the pull of his addiction prove too much?

Set in Brighton, "But For The Grace of God" immediately pulls you into the depths of heroin addiction and the grim reality that is the life of many. It isn't glamorous, hip or trendy, instead it shows the very real impact that this drug has on the lives of those addicted to it, no matter what their background. It is a harsh and grim opening but one that hooked me right in.

Realistic narrative, fantastic characterisation and a very real sense of place combined to make this a hard-hitting and authentic police procedural. It is clear that the author knows what he is talking about and this shines through throughout the book.

Despite his failings, it is impossible not to fall a little in love with John Cooper. When he discovers Phil is dead this is when we begin to learn his real story, who the real John Cooper is and just what led him to where he is now. He is determined to pull himself back up from the gutter but that very real conflict an addict faces on a daily basis was accurately portrayed throughout. Not going to lie, I was rooting for him all the way! Of course, we also meet a number of other characters, some of whom are not very nice guys at all! The author certainly shows a much darker side of Brighton than the one we usually see portrayed and we come across some folks you would not want to be bumping into down a dark alleyway! I don't want to say too much for fear of giving away spoilers but John does come across an old face from the past, Hannah, and I really liked her character. She was exactly what John needed in his life, not one for soft soaping or mollycoddling him, Hannah was well up for giving him the kick up the ass he needed to straighten himself out!

A tense and dark read which will transport you to the darker side of Brighton while giving you a glimpse of the seaside town that we all know and love, "But for the Grace of God" was an exceptional read with a strong plot and well-developed characters that will keep you turning the pages until the very end!

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Noelle | Crime Writer | CrimeBookJunkie
Best Book EVER!!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 May 2016
Verified Purchase
My biggest thanks EVER to the author who gave me a copy of the revised version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!! OMFG!! I have been waiting FOREVER to write this review and shout from the rooftops about the pure genius of this book!

My interest was piqued from the very first page-- the prologue really sets you up for the ride you are in for. The book is set in Brighton and although I have only been there once, the description of the setting left me feeling as if Brighton was somewhere I know inside and out!

In terms of the plot, I won't say too much as the synopsis gives you the general outline -- what I will say though is that the storyline is fast paced, gripping and emotionally charged. There are only a handful of books which stayed burned in my memory. This is one of those books and Paul Grzegorzek is one of those authors! Though I have to admit...I still have NO CLUE how to pronounce his last name!

It is the characters of this book that really bring the story alive and capture your heart! Whether you love them or loathe them, they will stay with you long after you read the last line and close the book. John Cooper ...or Coop...this guy is phenomenal! I have developed a lot of #FictionalCrushes on characters this year alone..but Coop...*sigh* ..he is "the one"....though Stephen Edger's Mark Baines is not far behind! And Graham Smiths DI Harry Evans has also found a way into my cold cold heart! But I digress!

Cooper is in his 30's and from the moment he is mentioned, there is just something about him that grabs you. He is not perfect, he has his demons, he is vulnerable at times but has a strength and determination that draws the reader in and does not let go. He has a genuine concern for others and two of his closest friends - Mandy (a young prostitute) and Phil (an autistic man) really show you what kind of guy Coop really is. I also loved Hannah --she is bloody brilliant! And I have to say, I was a little jealous of her! But she is one of the few people who trusts and believes in Coop from the start. In fact, my all time favourite line comes from Hannah when she says "I knew you were still in there, somewhere. Welcome back to the real world John". Not sure why...but that line gets me every single time! There are so many other characters to include but this will turn into a novella if I carry on. Just trust me when I say that this author can characterize the backside off of those mentioned in his book to the point that you visualise each of them and actually think you know them!! Now that is talent!!

There are quite a few themes that adorn the pages of this book: loss, betrayal, love, friendship, justice and revenge are just a few. It is gritty, emotional, full of twists that had me breathless at times. And it has authenticity and realism which just makes it phenomenal.

Do I recommend you read this book? OH YEAH I DO! This is one of those books I could and have read numerous times -- and each time I just fall in love with this book again and again! ...and now I can breathe....*sigh*

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louise Little
Absolutely Fabulous Read
Reviewed in Australia on 4 May 2017
Verified Purchase

OMG This book was so terrific. Could not put it down. It is fast paced,full of intrigue and at times full of humour. I must read all his books

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