Book picks similar to
She'll Break But She Won't Bend: Meet DI Hanlon, Britain's Fierce New Crime Heroine: Time to Die Epic Free Sampler (The DI Hanlon Series) by Alex Howard
mystery-thriller
unlikeable-characters
united-kingdom
police-procedural
Tic Tac Toe
Emmy Ellis - 2020
Noughts and crosses should be innocent enough, but the American title brings a sinister slant… The state of the bodies is nothing but macabre, sickening. What do the clues mean? Forehead carvings. Drawing pins. A body part snipped off. The game grid has nine boxes for nine bodies, but someone else ruins Zac’s plan, meaning he has a spare box to fill. Who does he choose? And can Bethany ever get over the discovery of that victim? With some corpses discovered en masse, it might be time to call in DI Tracy Collier from Serious Crimes but, as usual, Bethany is determined her team will solve this, and she’ll do everything she can to make it happen.
Blood for Blood
Victoria Selman - 2019
Now one is profiling her.Rush hour, London. A packed commuter train is torn apart in a collision. Picking through the carnage, ex-special forces profiler Ziba MacKenzie helps a dying woman who passes on a cryptic message: He did it. You have to tell someone.When a corpse is found bearing the gruesome signature of a serial killer dormant for twenty-five years, Ziba is pulled into the hunt for the perpetrator. As the body count rises it becomes clear he’s on a new spree. But what’s brought the London Lacerator back after such a long hiatus? And does his sudden return have anything to do with the woman on the train?Ziba scrambles to profile the killer in the hope of predicting his next move. But time is running out. And the closer she gets to uncovering his identity, the closer he gets to destroying hers.
The Silent Second
Adam Walker Phillips - 2015
Only when he sets out to find a missing employee from his L.A. firm does he feel alive again. Applying his HR skills and wit to his moonlight detective work, Chuck unravels a web of crooked real estate deals and three murders, while staving off a fourth: his own.Adam Walker Phillips is an executive at a global financial services company who used his corporate experience to inspire this debut mystery. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and son.
City of Darkness
Kim Wright - 2012
The science of forensics is in its infancy but a few detectives – Trevor Welles among them – recognize that they are dealing with a different sort of killer, a “modern criminal” who chooses his victims at random. If Jack is to be caught, he won’t be caught with Scotland Yard’s normal methods of deduction for there is no logic to this madness. The question is no longer “Why was the victim killed?” but rather “How was the victim killed?” For the first time in the history of detection, science is trumping deductive reasoning.When a twist of fate puts Trevor in charge of the case, he hastily assembles Scotland Yard’s first forensics team: Davy Mabrey, the first bobby on the scene of the grisliest of the murders, whose working class common sense proves an invaluable asset, Rayley Abrams, a cautious intellectual whose future at the Yard is marginalized due to his Jewish heritage, Tom Bainbridge, a medical student with aristocratic connections and a secret drinking problem, and Emma Kelly, sister of the Ripper’s last victim who has a troubled past and a gift for linguistics. The team finds an unlikely ally in the form of Queen Victoria herself, who takes an unusual level of interest in the Ripper case and secretly funds the unit. But will they stop Jack in time to spare Leanna Bainbridge, the young heiress with whom Trevor has fallen madly and improbably in love?While City of Darkness takes place in London, its sequel, City of Light, will travel to Paris on the eve of the Exposition Universalle, the ultimate World’s Fair which debuted Edison’s phonograph, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, and the Eiffel Tower The third book, City of Silence, will take place in St. Petersburg where Victoria’s beloved granddaughter Alexandria is on the verge of marrying the young czar Nicolas, much to her grandmother’s dismay. Throughout the series the Scotland Yard forensics team, which serves as a sort of Victorian-era CSI, will circle the world to investigate high-profile cases, most often at the urging of the Queen.
Stand Your Ground
David Leadbeater - 2016
When their hotel is attacked by gunmen they are forced to flee blindly with no phones, no ID, and no money. It gets worse when Dahl realizes his wife, two daughters and himself are being singled out and hunted down by a dangerous army that includes corrupt local authorities.As the chase continues through Barbados's darkening streets, aboard a pirate cruise ship, and amidst a festive carnival parade, Dahl realizes there are even deeper nightmares abroad tonight. The island's prime minister is under threat. The leader of one of the world's most violent drug cartels has arrived.And though instincts say run, hide, just survive, there is only one thing a man like Dahl will do when his wife and daughters come under direct threat.Stand His Ground.
New York
A.C. Fuller - 2019
One unthinkable crime. The Crime Beat, Episode 1: New YorkPerched on the soft tar of a New York City rooftop, a mysterious sniper fires a single round from a fifty caliber rifle. Five stories below, his target collapses on the marble steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, dead.Crime reporter Jane Cole needs this story badly. Suspended NYPD cop Robert Warren is desperate to clear his name. They don't trust each other, but they make the perfect team. And as Cole and Warren track the killer, they uncover a plot so ruthless it shocks the conscience, a crime so expansive it will rock the world.Perfect for readers of Michael Connelly and fans of True Detective or Jack Ryan, The Crime Beat is your next bingeable series from bestselling author A.C. Fuller.
-----The Crime Beat is a nine-episode novella series, designed to be read in order and in its entirety. Although each episode tells a complete portion of the story, the nine novellas--read together--weave one unforgettable tale.
Ties That Bind
Carolyn Arnold - 2011
The rest of the world thought she was going crazy—until it was too late.When Laura Saunders is found strangled in her home with a man’s necktie, Detective Madison Knight is assigned the case. Her sergeant at the Stiles Police Department wants her to conclude it was an isolated incident and move on with the investigation, but Madison’s not the type to cave under pressure. She’s haunted by certain unexplainable clues at the crime scene, including the presence of a mysterious photograph. Madison believes the picture may somehow tie into the murder, but before she can dig into it, another woman’s body is discovered in a local park. Heather Nguyen was also murdered with the same brand of necktie that had been used on Laura.On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be anything beyond the way they were killed that connects the women. But as Madison delves into the lives of the victims, she unravels a web of deceit and betrayal and lays bare decades of deadly family secrets. Edging closer to the truth, Madison’s quite sure at least one more woman is slated to die. But can Madison piece together all the clues in time to save her?A gripping crime thriller full of heart-pounding twists. Perfect for fans of Robert Dugoni, J.D. Robb, and Lisa Regan.Readers love Ties That Bind:“Arnold has written one of the best female cops that I’ve ever read… Madison is just one of those characters that will stay with you.” –Harlie’s Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“A good detective story with lots of twists and turns and an unexpected ending.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“This is one heck of a mystery!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Brace yourself for the ending! I didn't see that one coming.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“I loved Madison Knight and her sassy dialogue.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“I found myself unable to stop reading this book.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“A must-read for the mystery fan.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“So many twists and turns I never saw the ending coming!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“A solid police procedure mystery.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“If you like true suspense, this is a book to read.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Like watching an award-winning police drama in my mind.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Intriguing, suspenseful, and full of surprises!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Well-written and researched on police procedures.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“It was very difficult to set this book aside to do something else.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“From the moment I began reading this book, I was hooked.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An Eye for an Eye
Carol Wyer - 2021
A detective spiralling out of control.DI Kate Young is on leave. She’s the force’s best detective, but her bosses know she’s under pressure, on medication and overcoming trauma. So after her bad judgement call leads to a narrowly averted public disaster, they’re sure all she needs is a rest.But when Staffordshire Police summon her back to work on a murder case, it’s a harder, more suspicious Kate Young who returns. With a new ruthlessness, she sets about tracking down a clinical, calculating serial killer who is torturing victims and leaving clues to taunt the police. Spurred on by her reporter husband, Young begins to suspect that the murderer might be closer than she ever imagined.As she works to uncover the truth, Young unravels a network of secrets and lies, with even those closest to her having something to hide. But with her own competence—and her grip on reality—called into question, can she unmask the killer before they strike again?
The Compound
Ben Follows - 2017
In the small town of Crescent Point, Jake will come face to face with an enemy unlike any he's ever faced before, and with the sins he's tried to ignore. He will discover that sometimes when you dig too deep into the darkness, you find something dragging you further down, and the only escape from the darkness is a desperate scramble toward the light.
A Deadly Influence
Mike Omer - 2021
As the hostage negotiation instructor for the NYPD, she deals with worst-case scenarios every day. Nothing fazes her anymore.That all changes when she gets a call from Eden Fletcher, a fellow survivor of the infamous Wilcox cult. The two haven’t spoken since the night of a tragic, fiery massacre, when their paths diverged. But now Eden needs Abby’s help: someone has kidnapped her son and is demanding a $5 million ransom. As Abby throws herself into the case, she can’t help but wonder why the kidnapper has targeted Eden. But Eden refuses to talk. She’s silent about the relics of their shared past hanging on her walls. About the kidnapper’s possible motives. About what’s happened in the years since she and Abby parted ways.As the truth closes in, Abby realizes that her past may not be as far behind as she thought…and it’s come home to collect.
Cold Comfort
Scott Mackay - 1998
The bizarre nature of the crime itself -- apparently the woman was shot after she froze to death -- and the divergent clues do not bode well for a quick and tidy solution. Who trashed the victim's apartment and what was this person looking for? Why did the intruder kill her parrot? Odder still, Cheryl was never seen leaving her building on the lobby security videotape -- so how did she end up on the dock? Add a large sum of stolen money and a dead sister into the equation and Gilbert is tackling a crime filled with dark secrets, dangerous relations and a killer convinced he can get away with murder.
Hit the Road Jack
Willow Rose - 2015
It's Monday morning but his parents are still asleep after a night of heavy drinking. Ben Waits patiently, even though he knows he is missing out on today's field trip to the zoo. But, when his black Labrador suddenly runs upstairs and comes down with a finger in his mouth, Ben knows he's not making it to school today at all. Detective Jack Ryder is chaperoning his kids' field trip when he gets the call from the head of the Cocoa Beach Police Department. A body has been found and they need his help. Soon, Jack finds himself up against a killer, a predator who ruthlessly chases women and kills them so they can never leave him. The case soon causes serious consequences for him and his family once the truth is revealed. With her new hero, Jack Ryder, as a loving father and committed detective, a new location in tropical Florida, and a story that moves at an incredible pace, Hit the Road Jack is Willow Rose at the top of her game.
Drowning With Others
Linda Keir - 2019
Did one of them kill to get it?Prep school sweethearts Ian and Andi Copeland are envied by everyone they know. They have successful businesses, a beautiful house in St. Louis, and their eldest daughter, Cassidy, is following in their footsteps by attending prestigious Glenlake Academy. Then, a submerged car is dredged from the bottom of a swimming hole near the campus. So are the remains of a former writer-in-residence who vanished twenty years ago—during Ian and Andi’s senior year.When Cassidy’s journalism class begins investigating the death, Ian and Andi’s high school secrets rise to the surface. Each has a troubled link to the man whose arrival and sudden disappearance once set the school on edge. And each had a reason to want him gone. As Cassidy unwittingly edges closer to the truth, unspoken words, locked away for decades, will force Ian and Andi to question what they really know—about themselves, about the past, and about a marriage built on a murderous lie.
DIAMOND SECURITY SERVICES
Lexie Ray - 2017
Free with Kindle Unlimited... Enjoy 5 military romance books in this discounted bundle. Currently FREE with the Kindle Unlimited Program or $0.99. All full length books. No cliffies! DEVON Devon Flint doesn’t believe in luck. Why should he? After a childhood full of abuse and a stint in the army that only added to his scars, he’s now living on street corners and preemptively balling up his fists when anybody approaches him, on the off chance that they may try to jump him. Even after Marshall Hagan unexpectedly invites Devon to work for Diamond Security Services, a package deal that includes all the sandwiches Devon can stuff in, and a comfortable couch to sleep on, to boot, Devon refuses to give fate a chance. But when Helena Thurman walks in and Devon is assigned to guard her, he’s forced to start seeing things in a different light. Maybe luck doesn’t exist. But it’s suddenly possible that love just might. LEE When Phoebe Mack and her mother Vanessa stumble into Diamond Security Services, Lee Armstead isn’t quite sure what to make of the frantic pair. When he hears their story about Phoebe’s chronic sleepwalking, and Vanessa’s insistence that he provide bodyguard services of a very unique kind—protect Phoebe against her sleeping self—Lee is intrigued enough that he takes the job. The last thing he expects is to fall for his client, or to discover that a decades-old, ultra-dark family secret is lurking in the shadows of her dreams. MATEO Years ago, Mateo Ortiz’s wife broke his heart while he was overseas, serving in the Middle East with his brothers in arms. Fast forward to the present day and Mat has made a life for himself with those same adopted brothers, working at Diamond Security. That carefully reconstructed life comes crashing down around his ears when he receives news that his estranged wife has been murdered. The investigation into her killing will take Mat to the darkest places within himself and will also open up the possibility of a new life, a new love, and a new hope—if he can allow himself to trust again. CAL Cal Tiller isn’t expecting to catch a glimpse of his childhood on a news broadcast. It’s surprise enough when Anya Birch, his high school sweetheart, flashes across the screen. When the reporter announces that Anya is in jail for murder … that’s something so implausible that Cal can’t let it stand. With Diamond Security’s full support, Cal flies to his hometown in Montana and sets about trying to clear Anya’s good name. The only problem is, Anya doesn’t seem to want to plead anything but guilty. MARSHALL For years, Marshall has tried to atone for his terrible mistake in Iraq. The secret has haunted his dreams, driving him to seek forgiveness both by establishing Diamond Security Investigations and by visiting the families of each of his accidental victims, paying out endless financial and emotional restitution. He’s almost come to believe that the past is truly behind him, when it suddenly walks right up to Diamond’s offices and puts a literal torch to all the work Marshall and his Army brothers have done. As they work together to rebuild from the ashes, Marshall is forced to confront the specter of his sins not only to finally cleanse his conscience once and for all, but to protect the people he loves—and one woman in particular, who is inadvertently caught in his nemesis’s cruel crosshairs.
The Case of the Six Watsons
Robert Ryan - 2015
A collection of six stories, inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle's originals and adapted to feature much-loved Dr John Watson, Sherlock Holmes's long-suffering sidekick.