These books are not "great literature" (sorry Stephen Leather), but they are great fun.  However, they are well written, the characters interesting and the plotline compelling.  You will fall in love with the main character, Jack Nightingale.  I found myself wanting to know what would happen next in each subsequent book in the series.  The book is a bit bloody in parts, so if you are squeamish this might not be the novel for you.  The book and subject matter is dark but I do enjoy a twisty tale of murder and mayhem.  I have read the rest of the series and would recommend reading the books in order.