Conveys with compassion and understanding the unvarnished reality of police work today * THE TIMES * 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. I thought it was interesting to see things from the point of view of the hostage taker, and although it naturally didn't excuse his actions, we did understand them a little more. There are other characters that have supporting roles, but the focus is on these three. How they came to be in the situation they are in. But more importantly, this story gets under the skin of the characters, into their minds and this makes it a fabulo9usly addictive read. 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.

The Siege by John Sutherland - The Church Times

Superintendent Alex Lewis may be one of the most experienced hostage negotiators on the force, but there's no such thing as a perfect record. Still haunted by his last case, can he connect with Connor - and save his nine hostages - before it's too late? 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!) Told through three different perspectives – Alex, Lee and support group helper Grace – ‘The Siege’ is never a dull read but it’s not without its issues either. Lee is ripped right out of the headlines and could easily be based on any number of people that have been associated with the real-life Britain First group. The motivation for his actions is revealed, and I won’t say what it is here, but I couldn’t help but feel that Sutherland has taken an incredibly complex and nuanced issue, and given a somewhat simplistic take on it. I haven't read much in this genre, but this was a fantastic one. The action starts early and doesn't stop - with the exception of an epilogue, which I loved, all the action takes place over about twelve hours, and most of it happens within a few hundred yards. I didn't want to put it down once I started reading it.I have read the author's two non-fiction titles, one a memoir, the other a look into the challenges and issues facing modern policing. Both showed how much John Sutherland cared for his former role, for his colleagues and for the community that he served, but also that his focus was as much on understanding the reasons for crime and how and why people end up breaking the law, every bit as much ensuring that criminals are caught and that justice is seen to be done. In his memoir, Blue, we also see how much the day to day toll of policing had on his own mental health, the impacts of seeing so much violence leaving an indelible mark. All of this is reflected perfectly in The Siege and in the characters that he has brought to life. this, and his own experience as a hostage negotiator, is what gives the book so much authenticity, what makes it so compelling.

The Siege By John Sutherland | Used | 9781398707566 | World The Siege By John Sutherland | Used | 9781398707566 | World

The third lead, Grace Wheatley, is the moral core of the story. She is well named, a normal person caught up in unimaginable events. She is the still point at the storm’s centre, embodying “love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be”. Her courage and kindness bring a lump to the throat of the reader. She lives long in the memory, teaching us what it is to be a disciple in the world today, and what it means to be a friend, proving the power of story and the redemptive force of kindness.In Partnership with St Martin-in-the-Fields. This series of nine lectures is inspired by the words of Martin Luther during the Reformation. Distinguished speakers investigate those things in which we believe deeply – and for which we would be prepared to make a costly stand. 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) This story of a Neo-Nazi terrorist who holds an 'immigrant loving' priest and her congregation hostage is (along with some newly arrived immigrants), in my opinion, a bit of a wake up call to those who think that all terrorists (or groomed individuals) are Islamic. Based on John Sutherlands knowledge and experience as a hostage negotiator it makes scarily familiar reading to anyone who has dealt with or been on the fringes of the investigations into the far right organisations in the UK. Despite all his planning there is one thing he didn’t bargain for, the effects of personal interactions during the evening. Lee tries to keep himself apart, but negotiator Alex is determined to talk him out of the siege and hostage Grace tries to befriend him on a human level and make him question his motives. From that point on a full-blown hostage situation ensues, calling for the expert involvement of Alex Lewis, an experienced police hostage negotiator. As the threat to life intensifies, Alex finds himself not only under pressure to save the hostages, but also having to struggle with his own demons, after a recent incident he had been called to unfortunately ended in the death of the perpetrator.

The Siege by John Sutherland | Goodreads

Lee James Connor is a disaffected young man, a loner who has been radicalised online. When his idol, far-right extremist leader Nicholas Famer is sent to prison, he decides to take action, taking 9 people at a local immigrant support group hostage and demanding Farmer’s release. He has planned the whole scenario, but what he hasn’t taken into account are the human interactions as the siege progresses, in particular with Alex, the negotiator, and Grace, one of the hostages, who attempts to connect with him. John Sutherland, the best selling author of Blue and Crossing The Line, makes his fictional debut with The Siege. Each of the characters is introduced, and their individual stories are expanded on throughout the book. As a reader, it is great to see into the minds and lives of people in situations and also into their beliefs. This does have race and immigration at its core, but there is something that is much deeper to this story. It is a story of manipulation and of false or fake news, and how easy it is for people to believe in unsubstantiated facts.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 * 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. You know you're in the presence of an expert when you read The Siege. A gripping debut novel. * Jeffrey Archer *

John Sutherland – ‘The Siege’ review - Entertainment Focus John Sutherland – ‘The Siege’ review - Entertainment Focus

Conveys with compassion and hard-won understanding the unvarnished reality of police work today.” James Owen, The Times (Best New Thrillers for June 2022) Sutherland shows us the complexity of a hostage scenario and the weight that rests on the shoulders of the police in such situations. It is tense and atmospheric and the drama feels very real. You know you're in the presence of an expert when you read The Siege. A gripping debut novel.' Jeffrey Archer Lee researches and makes detailed plans to take hostages. He’s run through the plans so many times in his head, he done visualisation exercises and even a dry run. He’s convinced nothing can go wrong.It is told from the points of view of Lee James Connor - a supporter of far-right organisation Home Front which is led by Nicholas Farmer, Grace Wheatley - widow and mum to a teenage boy, Isaiah, and Superintendent Alex Lewis who is also a hostage negotiator. I really enjoyed it. The writing style was easy and kept a steady pace with alternating which character was the focus at any point. This is like no other thriller you'll ever read. Sutherland immerses you into a nightmare where life or death hangs on his main character's every word. Before you know it you are not only empathising with a hostage and cop but the kidnapper too. Few can write drama and characters as skilfully as this. * Graham Bartlett * Grace Wheatley is mum to Isaiah and is herself no stranger to violence. A daughter of the Windrush generation she is a committed church-goer and on this fateful occasion is in church to assist with welcoming a young Syrian refugee family, recently arrived in the country. It is an interesting novel, fast-paced with short chapters that make you want to read on and find out what happens. The characters are believable and I especially loved Grace, she is absolutely amazing. It’s written in real time, so holds your interest as you are following the events “as they happen” which makes you invested in it all.