The Wakefield Series


David Evans - 2016
    From the CWA Debut Dagger Shortlist Novelist comes the extraordinary crime series that everyone is raving about. Featuring: TrophiesTormentTalisman Trophies: When DI Colin Strong interviews a suspect on suspicion of handling stolen goods he’s convinced he’s heard their voice before. Nearly 25 years ago the tape of Wearside Jack taunted West Yorkshire Police and his suspect fits the profile.Then the body of a known burglar shows up and a mysterious metal case is discovered at the scene.Strong turns to his close friend, journalist Bob Souter, and embarks on an awkward alliance to probe areas he is unable to explore.As the murder suspects start to disappear Strong must discover just who the shadowy figure inciting fear and panic amongst those he encounters is.Strong wants to bring a murderer to justice and Souter is hungry for a story.Who will get to the truth first and can their friendship remain intact?  Torment: A message left in error on a young woman's answerphone is the catalyst for uncovering some dark deeds. Three young women are missing; luxury cars are being stolen; and just what did happen to two young schoolgirls, missing since the 1980's?DI Strong and journalist, Bob Souter are drawn into murky and dangerous worlds. Talisman: Following a fire in a terraced house, the body of a prominent lawyer, Charles Chamberlain, is found naked and shackled to a bed frame. Six weeks earlier, DI Colin Strong is investigating the sudden death of a transsexual, left undiscovered in the bath for over a year. Initially, it appears to be a tragic death but one mysterious item, a card for the Talisman Club, is found in the bedroom.Meanwhile, Bob Souter, journalist and close friend of DI Strong, is probing connections between a developer and the council leader in respect of a controversial project when massive European funding is announced. Souter smells a rat and delves further into the scheme.Is there a link between the bodies and the business deal?Will Souter or DI Strong crack the case first?And what exactly is the Talisman Club? What the readers say: Trophies "Informative, interesting and thrilling""Simply unputdownable." Torment: "What a fantastic read , the author captured my interest early on with this thrilling story.""Another brilliant book from a great writer. "Torment' is an enjoyable detective book with gripping plots and a dark mystery." Talisman: "Another stupendous read""It will become one of the talked about novels of 2016"

The Search


Vishal Anand - 2021
    ACP Rathore is investigating the homicide. As the events begin to unleash Rathore digs upon secrets too dark and dangerous. As he proceeds, the question becomes more and more haunting - Who Killed Roger? Michael Rodriques, the Deputy Chief Minister of Goa? Shirley Fernandes, Roger's wife? One or more of the other artists? Or, an individual for whom Roger refused to perform? The Search is the most astonishingly impudent, ingenious and altogether a fast-paced murder mystery ever written by an Indian author.Note: This is an expanded version of the short story Who Killed Roger.

Unravelling: A Damaged Mind can be Dangerous (Anglesey Mysteries #3)


Conrad Jones - 2021
    Beautifully crafted into a warped and gripping story that I didn't want to end.★★★★★ Unravelling is a standalone novel that will shake you to the core.A gripping tale of betrayal and brutal revenge. Sergeant Ernie Metcalfe is a family man, changed by his experiences in Afghanistan. He has a wife, Naomi and three beautiful daughters, aged 7, 8 and 10. When he finds out his wife is having an affair with a fellow officer, his mind begins to unravel. His life begins to spiral out of his control and he can't allow that to happen. Detective Inspector Alan Williams and his team are already struggling to cope with a series of attacks on a group of men accused of historical abuse. The attacks appear to be connected to a recent case but all is not what it seems. Damaged minds are dangerous and revenge can be brutal.★★★★★ What an edition to the series! One of the best series you will read..If you like gripping and violent, the Anglesey books will enthrall you.★★★★★ One word for this. Outstanding!★★★★★ A powerful and gritty read, not for the faint hearted. This author will drag you into the story and rattle your very being until the last page.

Jack's Back: Murder returns to Whitechapel (Jack Tyler, #1)


Mark Romain - 2018
    This is only the start. Jack’s Back…’The chilling message, left by the killer on a wall near the body, and written in the victim’s own blood, catapults the detectives into a race against time as they strive to discover the New Ripper’s identity and stop him from striking again.With his every move being closely monitored by the media, and the top brass at the Yard breathing down his neck to get a quick result, Tyler begins to worry that if he doesn’t catch the elusive killer soon, the case will be taken away from him and his career will be left in tatters.The investigation isn’t helped by the interference of rookie reporter, Terri Miller. When fate throws her a lead, all she sees an opportunity to scoop the opposition and bag herself a major exclusive, but by following the tantalising clues that the sadistic killer has taken to leaving her, is she merely playing into his hands?Jack’s Back is a gritty, fast paced roller-coaster of a crime thriller with an explosive finale. Full of twists and turns, it will keep you eagerly turning the pages until the very end.What readers are saying: Only an ex-murder detective could have written with the kind of passion and detail that I found in these pages. I could not put it down! Amazon.co.uk reviewer. A fantastic read from beginning to end! Well written, gripping plot, brilliantly intriguing 5/5. Amazon.co.uk reviewer. Brilliant book, really good police procedural, probably the best I’ve read and I’ve read hundreds. Can’t wait till the next in the series. Amazon.co.uk reviewer. Fantastic read, what a thrill ride. Loved the depth of the characters. Amazon.com reviewer.Tyler’s adversary is a ruthless serial killer with a fascination for black magic; a cunning psychopath who is convinced the original Ripper murders were a series of sacrificial rituals designed to bring power and influence. Just like his namesake, the man the media soon dubs ‘The New Ripper’ plans to kill five women and then disappear. Can Tyler stop him, or will the other women who have been earmarked for death suffer the same gruesome fate as the first victim?Grab a copy of Jack’s Back and start enjoying Mark Romain’s page turning debut today. But be warned, this is not a book for the squeamish!

Takedown Twenty: A Stephanie Plum Novel - Book Review and Study Guide


J.T. Salrich - 2013
    Salrich."Takedown Twenty" is finally here! Janet Evanovich fans will be glad to know that Stephanie Plum is at it again. "Takedown Twenty: A Stephanie Plum Novel" picks up right where "Notorious Nineteen" left off. If you'd like to enhance your experience while reading "Takedown Twenty" then this book review and study guide is perfect for you! With "Takedown Twenty" we again find everyone's favorite female bounty hunter running around Trenton, New Jersey. Stephanie Plum is busy splitting her time between chasing criminals, trying to decide between two lovers, and solving the mystery of why a full grown giraffe is running around loose in the city. Yes... a full grown giraffe. Yes, in "Takedown Twenty: A Stephanie Plum Novel," Janet Evanovich once again takes us on an action packed roller coaster ride that you're sure to enjoy. In this book Stephanie is chasing the local "Godfather" while bumbling and stumbling her way through a hilarious series of misadventures. Will she end up with Ranger or Joe? Will she "get her man" without getting killed along the way? And why is there a giraffe running around Trenton that nobody but Stephanie and Lula ever see? When you read "Takedown Twenty: A Stephanie Plum Novel - Book Review And Study Guide" you will get a deeper understanding of the characters and plot found in "Takedown Twenty" as well as the themes and symbolism included in the novel. You also get a detailed chapter by chapter breakdown and analysis of the events as they unfold along with a glossary of the important characters and terms used in the original book. Just in case that's not enough for you I've also included a list of possible study questions (book club discussions topics) and quotes from the book that I found interesting. Wrapping it all up is a discussion of the critical reviews for "Takedown Twenty" as well as my overall opinion of the book. Plus much more! Whether you're reading this for a book club, school report, or just want to catch up with your favorite characters and find out what happens before diving into the full length book, you can use this book review and study guide to get most out of your experience reading "Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich."

The Grinding Mill


William J. Coughlin - 2016
     But the danger of the job is forcibly thrust home when James Robinson is killed on their watch. Thinking he is protecting his partner, Maguire fires the fatal shot…only to make the horrifying realisation that Robinson is an old, deaf, mute, black man who neither posed a threat nor carried a weapon. Desperate to hide the deadly mistake, Kirk and Maguire claim they were attacked. But the longer the charade goes on, the more panicked Maguire becomes — until, burdened by guilt, he confesses all. Charged with second degree murder, the two men must face the courts. Already sensationalized due to the victim’s disability, the trial takes on added significance due to the city’s fraught race relations. Brother Bondo, the head of the local black power group, seizes on Robinson’s death as an excuse to not only rile up fellow black men and women, but also to act decisively and violent. As one war wages within the courtroom, another wages out on the streets. As a symbol, James Robinson’s death works as a catalyst, fanning the flames of resentment in this Midwestern town and setting alight a desire for justice across the city. The Grinding Mill is an enlightening thriller that explores cultural divides and contemporary issues in society and will keep you gripped until the very last page. Praise for William J. Coughlin “In Charley Sloan … the author has given us a character we can care about. The verdict here is that Coughlin wins decisively in his final case.” – USA Today “A superb book, rich in the elements that make for a wonderful read. Death Penalty is the best of [Coughlin’s] novels … the most enjoyable book I’ve read all year.” – The Detroit News “Bravo! Coughlin brilliantly captures the corruption of the legal system by human error and greed. Thought-provoking and timely.” – Library Journal “Will not fail to please connoisseurs of legal fiction” – American Bar Association Journal William J. Coughlin has combined a career as a United States administrative judge in Detroit with that of a best-selling novelist. His previous, highly acclaimed and successful novels are His Father’s Daughter, Her Honor, In the Presence of Enemies and Shadow of a Doubt .

The Complete Nightingale Mysteries


Roy Chester - 2020
    

I Hope You're Happy Now


P.F. Ford - 2017
    And as if murder wasn’t enough, the case quickly becomes intertwined with a spate of burglaries targeting single women. As Sarah struggles to balance the demands of a complex murder investigation with her troubled family life, the revelation that the killer could be closer to home than she’d ever imagined possible makes her wonder if coming back to work was just a huge mistake.

A Celestial Affair (Trengillion Cornish Mystery Series Book 6)


Daphne Neville - 2016
    Twelve years have passed since Trengillion was covered in a deep blanket of snow and since then much has changed. Ned Stanley, the village school's headmaster, has retired and the inn is, yet again, under new ownership. Throughout Cornwall, businesses are making final preparations for the half a million extra tourists predicted to visit the county in August for the much hyped solar eclipse. An event which, unbeknown to the residents of the peaceful fishing village, will bring in its wake far more than a large influx of holiday makers. A Celestial Affair is the sixth book in a series of seven set in Cornwall on the beautiful Lizard Peninsula. The books cover a timespan of sixty years.

Detective Maddie Ives #1–4


Charlie Gallagher - 2022
    The killer is careful to position her under a camera that links to his smartphone. He likes to look back at his work. He is watching her. But she isn’t dead. So he will return to finish the job. Detective Maddie Ives and DI Harry Blaker must work fast. Time is running out for the woman in the container. And the killer has already identified his next target.BOOK 2: HE WILL KILL YOUGrace Hughes is kicked to the bathroom floor by her partner. Fighting to regain her breath, she can no longer ignore a simple truth: she must leave or he will kill her. Grace has a plan to get free. And Detective Sergeant Maddie Ives is going to help her. But Maddie has a lot on her mind. A dead boy in a bath, a car bomber who wants to make a statement, and the return of a scarred DI Harry Blaker. Can he and Maddie stop the bomber, find a killer and save Grace — whether she helps herself or not?BOOK 3: HE WILL FIND YOUA ten-year-old-boy steps out in front of traffic. He is dazed, confused and barefoot. He is covered in blood. It’s not his. Detective Maddie Ives is called out and finds the boy backed up against a shop front. He’s ready to run again. He can’t tell her why. Then a man is found brutally murdered and Maddie and Detective Harry Blaker are determined to find out who is pulling the strings. If they don’t stop him, he will find more victims. And the evil will come close to home.BOOK 4: HE KNOWS YOUR SECRETSHolly Maguire takes a taxi to a clifftop location and the car goes over the edge of the cliff. As Holly falls to her death, she tightens her grip on a rucksack. She will give her life to bring him down. Kelly Dale receives a text from Holly, sent just before the accident, and rushes to the clifftop. She is too late. Detective Maddie Ives must stop a powerful man who exploits and controls women before it’s too late.

Kids Who Kill: Case 2: Eric Smith


Kathryn McMaster - 2018
    But he chose not to. Eric continued to deal with Derrick's body because he wanted to, because he chose to, and most frighteningly of all, because he enjoyed it."Four-year-old Derrick Robie is dead. The killer's name is Eric Smith. He is just thirteen years old. Eric Smith loves torturing small animals of all descriptions; cats and kittens, birds, even snakes. When he graduates to people, he shows no remorse for what he has done. "I have just met the Anti-Christ," says a family friend to his wife after meeting teen-killer Eric Smith for the first time.This is the true story of a chilling murder of a preschooler who becomes the target of Eric's uncontrollable rage. Did police officers stop a serial killer in the making? You decide.If you read true crime books by Ann Rule, Jack Rosewood, or Kathryn Case, you will enjoy reading Kathryn McMaster's books. Kathryn McMaster is an accomplished author who specializes in true crime and unsolved cases and explores the darkest side of the human mind.

Bloody Sunrise


Gregg Bell - 2017
    Blood. On his sheets. His pillowcase.Then he gets a call: his ex-wife was murdered last night.He desperately tries to piece together what happened. But he can’t explain how he got the scratches on his arms, the police want to know about the domestic violence report his ex filed against him, and his buddies say he was raging against her last night before he stormed off on his own. Right about the time she was murdered.

Cullen Year One


Ed James - 2014
    Struggling with his burning ambition, Cullen is assigned a Missing Persons case. Caroline Adamson, a young, recently-divorced Edinburgh mother, has disappeared while on a date.But when Caroline's body turns up, Cullen digs into her past and her private life starts to unravel. Who was she on a date with? What happened during her divorce? What was she doing on Schoolbook?Now, as Cullen investigates, his own private life gets messier and the relationship with his DI deteriorates. As other bodies turn up, Cullen soon finds himself hunting for a ghost in the machine.GHOST IN THE MACHINE is an intense police procedural novel about privacy, loss and social networks that builds to a shocking climax.DEVIL IN THE DETAILDetective Constable Scott Cullen of Lothian & Borders CID, still reeling from the events of a case the previous summer, is caught between antagonism with his superiors and the pressures of a new relationship.But when the body of Mandy Gibson, disabled daughter of a pillar of the community, is discovered one January morning, Cullen is pushed out to Garleton, a typical East Lothian town - affluent, historic and with a good school.Now, as the investigation becomes obstructed by a families broken by the tragedy, Cullen finds himself stuck between his DI and Bill Lamb, the local Sergeant. Is Mandy's religious group connected to her death? Where is the town's bad boy, Jamie Cook? As the community closes ranks, Cullen has to hunt for the devil in the detail.DEVIL IN THE DETAIL is a taut police procedural novel about faith and trust.FIRE IN THE BLOODDetective Constable Scott Cullen, bemused by the managerial positioning surrounding the impending merger of Lothian & Borders into Police Scotland, is torn by his personal and professional ambitions.But when a male human body, battered and unrecognisable, is found in a barrel for Dunpender Distillery's special centenary edition, Cullen is sent out east again.Now, Cullen finds himself trudging through a case with two likely victims who both went missing when the whisky was distilled. Could it be the owner's son, Iain Crombie? Is it Paddy Kavanagh, an employee with a fiery past? As he delves into the ancient history of the Crombie family, Cullen is soon contending with too many plausible suspects and his DI's desire for a quick collar, and finds himself hunting for a killer with fire in the blood.FIRE IN THE BLOOD is a deep police procedural about family, friendship and alcohol.DYED IN THE WOOLDetective Constable Scott Cullen finds his professional and private lives at opposite ends of the spectrum. While his career is stagnating - impacted by the jockeying for position ahead of the Police Scotland restructure as much as by his own inability to push for promotion - his love life goes from strength to stren

A Brutal Hand: There's No Escape (SHORTZ)


Ravi Subramanian - 2020
    

The DCI Jack Logan Collection Books 1-3: A Scottish Crime Fiction Series


J.D. Kirk - 2020