Ex Special Investigator Charles Balcombe, aka Blackjack, is a killer. His justification for his murderous habit is that they all deserved to die. Changing his name and relocating to Hong Kong to avoid the authorities, Balcombe needs a distraction.

Hanging out with the rich and powerful denizens of the British dependent territory and supplying ‘services’ to many of their wives Charles is becoming bored. When one of the wives introduces him to Grace Toogood who is desperate for someone to help track down her missing son Roger, he decides to accept the case. Maybe this is the distraction he needs, or will it just feed his need to kill?

Readers of Murray Bailey’s Ash Carter series will notice a darker line with the anti-hero Blackjack in this spin-off series starter.

Successfully blending a suitably murky lead character with a collection of fantastic supporting roles, including a great new double act of Detective Munro & pathologist Yeung, plus Balcombes new rickshaw riding sidekick put ‘Once A Killer’ firmly into the Unputdownable category.

An absorbing plot with all of Mr Bailey’s customary twists, turns and misdirection make this one you’ll not want to miss, or should I say it’s Toogood to ignore. ( )