‘The Cleaner’ by Mark Dawson

The Cleaner

Secret Government problem solver John Milton sorts out things that the usual agencies can’t touch. When the results of his most recent assassination job begin to prick his conscience, Milton wonders if it’s time to get out and do something different. Trouble is, his boss doesn’t agree – simply leaving the ‘service’ isn’t an option. However, while reflecting on his future, Milton finds himself in a situation that demands quick thinking. In saving the life of a young mother, the former killer is given a new perspective – perhaps he can make up for his past by helping the woman and her wayward son?

This is the first of Mark Dawson’s John Milton series and I’m happy to say it got off to a cracking start. I was gripped from the beginning and could hardly bear to put it down. The writing is tight and to the point, with a whole host of interesting and dangerous characters. Be warned, though, there’s a massive body-count in this one and the hero probably isn’t someone you’d want to invite round for dinner.

The comparison to Lee Child’s Jack Reacher is often bandied about in relation to Milton, yet while the characters are similar in terms of their abilities, I’d say they don’t have a lot in common. In any case, ‘The Cleaner’ is a great read and I’m already looking forward to the next volume.