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DI Joseph Stone Crime Thrillers #1
The Dead of Midwinter
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Compelling.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Terrific.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ”Outstanding.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “OMG!” How long does it take to make a murderer? For sixteen years, the Midwinter Butcher has been lurking in the shadows, committing ritualistic animal killings on the anniversary of DI Joseph Stone's son's tragic death. And ever since, Joseph has been desperate to bring them to justice. Now living alone on a narrowboat in the heart of Oxford, the Irish detective has tried to put his shattered life back together. But with his superiors’ unwillingness to allocate the necessary resources, his quest for justice has been fruitless. That is until he is teamed with the determined and driven DC Megan Taylor. Together, they begin to unravel the web of clues that leads them closer and closer to the truth. Soon it becomes clear that these animal murders were just a prelude to something much more sinister. The clock is ticking, and with Joseph's daughter's life on the line, He and Megan must risk everything to catch the Midwinter Butcher before it's too late. Can they bring the killer to justice, and Joseph finally find closure, or will his daughter become the next victim in this twisted game of life and death? The Dead of Midwinter is J.R. Sinclair's electrifying debut crime thriller. Sinclair's writing is a fresh and exciting new voice in the British crime fiction genre, sure to captivate fans of JD Kirk, TG Reid, Alex Smith, and J.E Mayhew. This is a must-read for any crime enthusiast and will keep you guessing until the very end. "Twisty, tangled, and totally addictive. I'm hooked!" - T.G. Reid "Sinister, exciting, J.R. Sinclair has it all!" - J.E. Mayhew
What Readers Are Saying About The Dead of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ OMG! What a read, what a cracking plot line! I found myself ever turning the pages as I wanted to find out more- the skill of a wonderful author. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Well, well, well! What a story, what a ride! I did 5 hours straight on the last third as I couldn't put it down.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “If someone had written a crime novel especially for me, this would have been it! For me, it has everything I want in a crime compelling writing; fast-paced & original plot; superb characterisation; real locations; intelligent humour; empathy; elements of shock/surprise.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “My heart was racing by the end of the story!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I had an oh my days moment when a twist in the suspect, killer and investigation was revealed. An easy 5 stars from me.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Wow!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “ Loved loved loved it. Chapter one....MONSTER.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Terrific.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ”Outstanding.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “OMG!” How long does it take to make a murderer? For sixteen years, the Midwinter Butcher has been lurking in the shadows, committing ritualistic animal killings on the anniversary of DI Joseph Stone's son's tragic death. And ever since, Joseph has been desperate to bring them to justice. Now living alone on a narrowboat in the heart of Oxford, the Irish detective has tried to put his shattered life back together. But with his superiors’ unwillingness to allocate the necessary resources, his quest for justice has been fruitless. That is until he is teamed with the determined and driven DC Megan Taylor. Together, they begin to unravel the web of clues that leads them closer and closer to the truth. Soon it becomes clear that these animal murders were just a prelude to something much more sinister. The clock is ticking, and with Joseph's daughter's life on the line, He and Megan must risk everything to catch the Midwinter Butcher before it's too late. Can they bring the killer to justice, and Joseph finally find closure, or will his daughter become the next victim in this twisted game of life and death? The Dead of Midwinter is J.R. Sinclair's electrifying debut crime thriller. Sinclair's writing is a fresh and exciting new voice in the British crime fiction genre, sure to captivate fans of JD Kirk, TG Reid, Alex Smith, and J.E Mayhew. This is a must-read for any crime enthusiast and will keep you guessing until the very end. "Twisty, tangled, and totally addictive. I'm hooked!" - T.G. Reid "Sinister, exciting, J.R. Sinclair has it all!" - J.E. Mayhew
What Readers Are Saying About The Dead of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ OMG! What a read, what a cracking plot line! I found myself ever turning the pages as I wanted to find out more- the skill of a wonderful author. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Well, well, well! What a story, what a ride! I did 5 hours straight on the last third as I couldn't put it down.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “If someone had written a crime novel especially for me, this would have been it! For me, it has everything I want in a crime compelling writing; fast-paced & original plot; superb characterisation; real locations; intelligent humour; empathy; elements of shock/surprise.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “My heart was racing by the end of the story!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I had an oh my days moment when a twist in the suspect, killer and investigation was revealed. An easy 5 stars from me.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Wow!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “ Loved loved loved it. Chapter one....MONSTER.”
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2023
845 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
May 5, 2025
3.5 stars
Really good Oxford setting which is very well used. I like the central protagonist of DI Joseph Stone too. Plot is interesting but gets a bit OTT especially towards the end and rather a lot of telling rather than showing at that point. Some dialogue is a bit meh. However, I’m interested enough to give the next in the series a go!
Kindle Unlimited
Really good Oxford setting which is very well used. I like the central protagonist of DI Joseph Stone too. Plot is interesting but gets a bit OTT especially towards the end and rather a lot of telling rather than showing at that point. Some dialogue is a bit meh. However, I’m interested enough to give the next in the series a go!
Kindle Unlimited
March 30, 2023
It seems nowadays that every policeman - in literature or the movies - must have a bad family life or big trauma to live with. So, shall we investigate the drama of Joseph's life?
It all started sixteen years ago when he lost his toddler son, due to a car crash that involved a deer - and a psychotic killer at the start of his career, starting with animals (and scaring the stag into the road). And it might continue today, because the psycho is back - and he's got Joseph's daughter.
I have to admit that the start of this story was very gripping, getting it's hooks into you right there. A look to the the past, a look to the future - and we're right in the middle. (Although it seems JR got carried away by time and dates - sixteen years and five days later, and then a week prior to that, would NOT be the same day. It would be two days earlier.)
Math might be important, but surely language is importanter. Or something like that.
So we have the psycho serial killer, the detective with a broken life who's full of self doubting - and a personal feud between the two of them. And of course our hero detective gets initially banned from the investigations by the (inherently incompetent) higher-ups, while later on he's not taken seriously. There are some cliches at work here, but then again, they're cliches for a reason - because they work. And for a certain kind of crime genre, you kind of expect this. And the killer kidnapping the detective's daughter is just the last straw needed to make it all very personal. (It's kind of a textbook setup, really.
******************************
Read this review on the blog - the layout is better 😃.
******************************
The story progresses in a good pace, drawing the reader in. There's enough procedural elements to make the police portion of the story feel real, and there's enough foreboding to rake up the thrills. It's actually the kind of crime mystery I love reading during the darker hours, maybe with a cup of tea instead of my usual coffee, because the Oxford scenery makes me want to grab a tea.
Always nice when the scenery comes to live.
Oxford is a beautiful scenery to set this story into. The author even set up an online gallery with pictures from real life locations that appear during the story! The city as well as the people DI Joseph Stone meets during his investigations build a wonderful tapestry, the beauty of which is in stark contrast to the darker sides of the story. Because make no mistake - this is a crime mystery with a dark heart, nothing cozy about it, and people are going to die.
The pace is perfect for a mystery like that, you won't even notice the passage of time while reading it. And of course there is the mandatory twist, as required per law for every mystery book. (What law, you ask? Well, the law of good books, of course.)
Yeah, me too.
But to be honest, being the avid reader of mysteries that I am, I wasn't all that surprised and had already figured out that one guy for the perp. (There's more to it, but no, I'm not going to tell you more, because spoilers.)
*****
So, for me, 4 out of 5 stars, really enjoyable mystery. But while the ending didn't exactly feel rushed, the blatant confession of the perp being sure to be scott free now was a little cliche and felt like it could have done with a little more love. But that's criticism on a high level, and personally, I'm interested in the next steps of DI Joseph Stone.
Disclaimer: I’ve received a free Advanced Reader’s Copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
It all started sixteen years ago when he lost his toddler son, due to a car crash that involved a deer - and a psychotic killer at the start of his career, starting with animals (and scaring the stag into the road). And it might continue today, because the psycho is back - and he's got Joseph's daughter.
I have to admit that the start of this story was very gripping, getting it's hooks into you right there. A look to the the past, a look to the future - and we're right in the middle. (Although it seems JR got carried away by time and dates - sixteen years and five days later, and then a week prior to that, would NOT be the same day. It would be two days earlier.)
Math might be important, but surely language is importanter. Or something like that.
So we have the psycho serial killer, the detective with a broken life who's full of self doubting - and a personal feud between the two of them. And of course our hero detective gets initially banned from the investigations by the (inherently incompetent) higher-ups, while later on he's not taken seriously. There are some cliches at work here, but then again, they're cliches for a reason - because they work. And for a certain kind of crime genre, you kind of expect this. And the killer kidnapping the detective's daughter is just the last straw needed to make it all very personal. (It's kind of a textbook setup, really.
******************************
Read this review on the blog - the layout is better 😃.
******************************
The story progresses in a good pace, drawing the reader in. There's enough procedural elements to make the police portion of the story feel real, and there's enough foreboding to rake up the thrills. It's actually the kind of crime mystery I love reading during the darker hours, maybe with a cup of tea instead of my usual coffee, because the Oxford scenery makes me want to grab a tea.
Always nice when the scenery comes to live.
Oxford is a beautiful scenery to set this story into. The author even set up an online gallery with pictures from real life locations that appear during the story! The city as well as the people DI Joseph Stone meets during his investigations build a wonderful tapestry, the beauty of which is in stark contrast to the darker sides of the story. Because make no mistake - this is a crime mystery with a dark heart, nothing cozy about it, and people are going to die.
The pace is perfect for a mystery like that, you won't even notice the passage of time while reading it. And of course there is the mandatory twist, as required per law for every mystery book. (What law, you ask? Well, the law of good books, of course.)
Yeah, me too.
But to be honest, being the avid reader of mysteries that I am, I wasn't all that surprised and had already figured out that one guy for the perp. (There's more to it, but no, I'm not going to tell you more, because spoilers.)
*****
So, for me, 4 out of 5 stars, really enjoyable mystery. But while the ending didn't exactly feel rushed, the blatant confession of the perp being sure to be scott free now was a little cliche and felt like it could have done with a little more love. But that's criticism on a high level, and personally, I'm interested in the next steps of DI Joseph Stone.
Disclaimer: I’ve received a free Advanced Reader’s Copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 16, 2023
I was very privileged to be given this book as a beta read and I absolutely loved it. This may well be a debut crime thriller but the quality and style of writing together with an original plot will ensure the main protagonist, DI Joseph Stone, will be around for some time.
The book centres around Joseph who 16 years prior to the current setting, had been involved in a car crash in which his young son died. On that night, an animal had been ritualistically killed and on each subsequent anniversary of Joseph’s son’s death, another animal is killed. Joseph, now divorced from his wife and living on a narrow boat, finds himself working on an enquiry into the killings after subsequent events (no spoilers!). The plot thickens and twists and turns, which made me greedily gobble up the chapters to find out how it ended…..and I was wrong with my guess.
This is a really well written book that flows effortlessly with some real laugh out loud humour. It’s so refreshing to read a detective book where the main character isn’t an alcoholic or chain smoker. I’m an animal lover but wasn’t upset about the goriness of the killings which is kudos to the author and the style of writing. I was frustrated I couldn’t sit down and read this book in one go but life got in the way for me. I’m really looking forward to book 2 and seeing what else is in store for Joseph.
I rate this book a 5 star.
The book centres around Joseph who 16 years prior to the current setting, had been involved in a car crash in which his young son died. On that night, an animal had been ritualistically killed and on each subsequent anniversary of Joseph’s son’s death, another animal is killed. Joseph, now divorced from his wife and living on a narrow boat, finds himself working on an enquiry into the killings after subsequent events (no spoilers!). The plot thickens and twists and turns, which made me greedily gobble up the chapters to find out how it ended…..and I was wrong with my guess.
This is a really well written book that flows effortlessly with some real laugh out loud humour. It’s so refreshing to read a detective book where the main character isn’t an alcoholic or chain smoker. I’m an animal lover but wasn’t upset about the goriness of the killings which is kudos to the author and the style of writing. I was frustrated I couldn’t sit down and read this book in one go but life got in the way for me. I’m really looking forward to book 2 and seeing what else is in store for Joseph.
I rate this book a 5 star.
April 3, 2023
Joseph Stone has been living with guilt for sixteen years, he has lost his son who was a baby at the time of a bad car accident, his marriage is finished, all he has left is his daughter Ellie. He now lives on a narrowboat on the Oxford Canal, but still he is haunted by those events, even more so when his daughter Ellie catches someone doing a sadistic killing on one of the goats at the city farm, this gets him thinking is it the same person? It's not long before his worst nightmare is confirmed and the killer has killed a person this time. What's worse, it's someone known to Joseph!
A dark and thrilling rollercoaster of a read which comes to a satisfying conclusion. If you are a fan of police procedural thrillers, you will love this book, set in and around Oxford and the canal side community. Was pleased to see there is more to come featuring DI Joseph Stone, definitely one to look out for.
A dark and thrilling rollercoaster of a read which comes to a satisfying conclusion. If you are a fan of police procedural thrillers, you will love this book, set in and around Oxford and the canal side community. Was pleased to see there is more to come featuring DI Joseph Stone, definitely one to look out for.
April 24, 2023
What an amazing murder thriller this was. I had no idea who the killer was, really a great mystery. The narrator seemed a bit annoying to start but as more characters were introduced, I warmed to him and by the end, really liked his style.
The story follows Joseph trying to capture The Midwinter Butcher who caused the accident 16 years before that killed his son. Every year, he’s been working away to identify them and bring them to justice, but this year things escalate and a full on murder hunt ensues.
There is some good humour and sarcasm sprinkled throughout as well as a great storyline that’ll keep you listening/turning the page till late at night. If you’re a thriller/murder sisterly fan, give this a go - it won’t disappoint.
The story follows Joseph trying to capture The Midwinter Butcher who caused the accident 16 years before that killed his son. Every year, he’s been working away to identify them and bring them to justice, but this year things escalate and a full on murder hunt ensues.
There is some good humour and sarcasm sprinkled throughout as well as a great storyline that’ll keep you listening/turning the page till late at night. If you’re a thriller/murder sisterly fan, give this a go - it won’t disappoint.
April 26, 2023
Fast-paced, creepy and in places horrific! This was a great book to listen to and it kept me on my toes from start to finish.
The narrator gave all the characters great personalities through their accents which I particularly enjoyed.
I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series!
The narrator gave all the characters great personalities through their accents which I particularly enjoyed.
I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series!
May 31, 2025
An animal killer turned people killer. Occult symbols. The family of a police officer in the middle of it all. Intriguing premise, good characters and well written.
April 6, 2023
I absolutely loved this book which is set in Oxford DI Joseph Stone and his wife have an accident with tragic consequences, and in turn leads to a relationship breakup. The story then takes us 16 years later and on midwinter solstice day each year animals have been killed and left with an occult symbol on them. The killer has been named the midwinter butcher and is still at large
Is Joseph’s daughter Ellie being targeted by the midwinter butcher?
Why are these ritual killings happening on solstice day each year?
Why has the midwinter butcher not been caught?
Killings with the midwinter butcher escalates… but what happens??
DI Joseph Stone and DC Megan Anderson start to investigate and unravel ritual markings left on the animals and the demon mask which is worn by the midwinter butcher to conceal their identity
As the story progressed I had an oh my days moment when a twist in the suspect, killer and investigation was revealed.
A very detailed well written, steady paced story with an easy flow. A book that kept me intrigued and interested right from the off. The characters, especially Joseph, Megan, Ellie and Dylan were very likeable.
An easy 5 stars from me and am certainly looking forward to the next instalment from DI Joseph Stone
Is Joseph’s daughter Ellie being targeted by the midwinter butcher?
Why are these ritual killings happening on solstice day each year?
Why has the midwinter butcher not been caught?
Killings with the midwinter butcher escalates… but what happens??
DI Joseph Stone and DC Megan Anderson start to investigate and unravel ritual markings left on the animals and the demon mask which is worn by the midwinter butcher to conceal their identity
As the story progressed I had an oh my days moment when a twist in the suspect, killer and investigation was revealed.
A very detailed well written, steady paced story with an easy flow. A book that kept me intrigued and interested right from the off. The characters, especially Joseph, Megan, Ellie and Dylan were very likeable.
An easy 5 stars from me and am certainly looking forward to the next instalment from DI Joseph Stone
February 16, 2023
Sixteen years ago, DI Joseph Stone, his wife, Kate and their two children, six year old Ellie and baby son Eoin were on their way home from Ellie’s birthday party. A stag causes Joseph to crash the car and he spots someone beheading a deer. The crash results in a horrendous tragedy.
Joseph has been investigating incidences of animals being beheaded on the midwinter solstice ever since the car crash.
Ellie helps out on a farm where they have had a run of burglaries and sabotage. Ellie catches the killer red handed but he gets away. It’s not long now before he moves on to humans!
For someone who has never written a crime thriller before, this book is outstanding. The story is well written and the characters are believable. The plot works well and I spent my time trying to work out who the killer was!
It is a dark read with some much needed humour injected to lighten it a little. My heart was racing by the end of the story, I was so invested in what was going on. The story is at a steady pace throughout and then takes you on a rollercoaster ride towards the end - superb!
I cannot wait to read more in this excellent series.
My thanks to the author for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Joseph has been investigating incidences of animals being beheaded on the midwinter solstice ever since the car crash.
Ellie helps out on a farm where they have had a run of burglaries and sabotage. Ellie catches the killer red handed but he gets away. It’s not long now before he moves on to humans!
For someone who has never written a crime thriller before, this book is outstanding. The story is well written and the characters are believable. The plot works well and I spent my time trying to work out who the killer was!
It is a dark read with some much needed humour injected to lighten it a little. My heart was racing by the end of the story, I was so invested in what was going on. The story is at a steady pace throughout and then takes you on a rollercoaster ride towards the end - superb!
I cannot wait to read more in this excellent series.
My thanks to the author for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 29, 2023
I had no idea what to expect when I started this.
However I do love reading the first book in a series where I know I will be greatly looking forward to all future books.
Safe to say I've fallen in love with the characters. Joseph Stone and his Irish sayings and his charm, his incredible daughter Ellie, the brilliant forensics woman and Megan, the young, intelligent, outspoken new recruit. Absolutely love her.
The plot is clever and well written, it flows nicely and the action rarely let's up. I always like a book where I learn a little something, and I did with this. The ending wasn't what I could see coming either.
The only reason I've dropped a star is because of the animals, it's necessary, it fits. If I'd know about it before hand, would I have read it? Possibly not, but I found I could get past it, even though I did feel quite sick at points.
I don't want to take anything way from this though. I think JR Sinclair is going to be one to watch.
However I do love reading the first book in a series where I know I will be greatly looking forward to all future books.
Safe to say I've fallen in love with the characters. Joseph Stone and his Irish sayings and his charm, his incredible daughter Ellie, the brilliant forensics woman and Megan, the young, intelligent, outspoken new recruit. Absolutely love her.
The plot is clever and well written, it flows nicely and the action rarely let's up. I always like a book where I learn a little something, and I did with this. The ending wasn't what I could see coming either.
The only reason I've dropped a star is because of the animals, it's necessary, it fits. If I'd know about it before hand, would I have read it? Possibly not, but I found I could get past it, even though I did feel quite sick at points.
I don't want to take anything way from this though. I think JR Sinclair is going to be one to watch.
May 6, 2023
A new author for me, who has now turned his hand to crime writing. This is the first book in the DI Joseph Stone series &, if this one is anything to go by, my tbr pile will be growing.
The prologue is set 16 years earlier, when Stone, his wife & two young children are driving in a ferocious storm. The car hits a stag & his son is killed in the accident. Stone sees someone decapitating the stag at the scene. This incident is central to the story.
Move forward to present day & Stone is now divorced & living on a canal boat in Oxford. The slaughtering of animals on the midwinter solstice is continuing but it appears that the killer has a taste for humans too.
Well written & I really liked Stone. A solid police procedural &, for once, I didn’t guess the culprit. Ready for book two.
The prologue is set 16 years earlier, when Stone, his wife & two young children are driving in a ferocious storm. The car hits a stag & his son is killed in the accident. Stone sees someone decapitating the stag at the scene. This incident is central to the story.
Move forward to present day & Stone is now divorced & living on a canal boat in Oxford. The slaughtering of animals on the midwinter solstice is continuing but it appears that the killer has a taste for humans too.
Well written & I really liked Stone. A solid police procedural &, for once, I didn’t guess the culprit. Ready for book two.
May 4, 2023
🇬🇧📚 Book review 📚🇬🇧
Thank you for my ARC 😍
#️⃣ 2023 Tour Number: 21
#️⃣ 2023 Books Read: 20
🌟 Rating: 📓📙📘📗📚(5/5⭐)
🔲 Book Title: The Dead of Midwinter
🖋️ Author: J.R. Sinclair @j.r.sinclair.books
🎭 Genre: Crime Fiction
📖 Format: 🎧 Audiobook
📢 Tour: @lovebookstours @lbt.crew
📅 Tour dates: 17th - 25th April 2023
📅 Review date: 19th April 2023 (Sorry it's late)
#LBTCrew #lovebooktours
.
#bookstagram #bookblog #bookreview #ukbookblog #ukbookstagram #bookworm #readersofinstagram #booktour #lovebooks #lovereading #2023books #bookstoread #bookstoread #BookTourReview #ad #adpr #blogtour #TDEPReviews
💻📖🎧 Book format & quality 💻📖🎧
Audiobook provided through Audible with narrator Patrick Fitzsymons. I really enjoy the narration of this book. The narrator's accent kept me captivated through the book.
🌻SpLD comments (from a dyslexic)🌻
Audiobooks are always a good choice for my dyslexia. Well narrated, easy to follow.
🎨 Artwork 🎨
The artwork makes sense once you've read the book
✒️ Details 📉
Okay, so maybe I do have a soft spot for crime fiction, the more I hear the more I enjoy it. This book was excellent at seeing the scene and characters and explaining the crime. The story takes you on a journey, weaving between characters but all the threads get drawn together at the end. I enjoyed the detail the author went in to and I was able to picture in my minds eye the characters and crime as the story plays out.
📖 Read more 📖
Absolutely, yes, I really enjoyed the authors style.
🤓 Author Synopsis 🤓
How long does it take to make a murderer?
For sixteen years, the Midwinter Butcher has been lurking in the shadows, committing ritualistic animal killings on the anniversary of DI Joseph Stone's son's tragic death. And ever since, Joseph has been desperate to bring them to justice.
Now living alone on a narrowboat in the heart of Oxford, the Irish detective has tried to put his shattered life back together. But with his superiors’ unwillingness to allocate the necessary resources, his quest for justice has been fruitless.
That is until he is teamed with the determined and driven DC Megan Taylor. Together, they begin to unravel the web of clues that leads them closer and closer to the truth. Soon it becomes clear that these animal murders were just a prelude to something much more sinister.
The clock is ticking, and with Joseph's daughter's life on the line, He and Megan must risk everything to catch the Midwinter Butcher before it's too late. Can they bring the killer to justice, and Joseph finally find closure, or will his daughter become the next victim in this twisted game of life and death?
The Dead of Midwinter is J.R. Sinclair's electrifying debut crime thriller. Sinclair's writing is a fresh and exciting new voice in the British crime fiction genre, sure to captivate fans of JD Kirk, TG Reid, Alex Smith, and J.E Mayhew. This is a must-read for any crime enthusiast and will keep you guessing until the very end.
🛒🛍️ Buy Links 🛒🛍️
https://amzn.to/3X9zaGi
Thank you for my ARC 😍
#️⃣ 2023 Tour Number: 21
#️⃣ 2023 Books Read: 20
🌟 Rating: 📓📙📘📗📚(5/5⭐)
🔲 Book Title: The Dead of Midwinter
🖋️ Author: J.R. Sinclair @j.r.sinclair.books
🎭 Genre: Crime Fiction
📖 Format: 🎧 Audiobook
📢 Tour: @lovebookstours @lbt.crew
📅 Tour dates: 17th - 25th April 2023
📅 Review date: 19th April 2023 (Sorry it's late)
#LBTCrew #lovebooktours
.
#bookstagram #bookblog #bookreview #ukbookblog #ukbookstagram #bookworm #readersofinstagram #booktour #lovebooks #lovereading #2023books #bookstoread #bookstoread #BookTourReview #ad #adpr #blogtour #TDEPReviews
💻📖🎧 Book format & quality 💻📖🎧
Audiobook provided through Audible with narrator Patrick Fitzsymons. I really enjoy the narration of this book. The narrator's accent kept me captivated through the book.
🌻SpLD comments (from a dyslexic)🌻
Audiobooks are always a good choice for my dyslexia. Well narrated, easy to follow.
🎨 Artwork 🎨
The artwork makes sense once you've read the book
✒️ Details 📉
Okay, so maybe I do have a soft spot for crime fiction, the more I hear the more I enjoy it. This book was excellent at seeing the scene and characters and explaining the crime. The story takes you on a journey, weaving between characters but all the threads get drawn together at the end. I enjoyed the detail the author went in to and I was able to picture in my minds eye the characters and crime as the story plays out.
📖 Read more 📖
Absolutely, yes, I really enjoyed the authors style.
🤓 Author Synopsis 🤓
How long does it take to make a murderer?
For sixteen years, the Midwinter Butcher has been lurking in the shadows, committing ritualistic animal killings on the anniversary of DI Joseph Stone's son's tragic death. And ever since, Joseph has been desperate to bring them to justice.
Now living alone on a narrowboat in the heart of Oxford, the Irish detective has tried to put his shattered life back together. But with his superiors’ unwillingness to allocate the necessary resources, his quest for justice has been fruitless.
That is until he is teamed with the determined and driven DC Megan Taylor. Together, they begin to unravel the web of clues that leads them closer and closer to the truth. Soon it becomes clear that these animal murders were just a prelude to something much more sinister.
The clock is ticking, and with Joseph's daughter's life on the line, He and Megan must risk everything to catch the Midwinter Butcher before it's too late. Can they bring the killer to justice, and Joseph finally find closure, or will his daughter become the next victim in this twisted game of life and death?
The Dead of Midwinter is J.R. Sinclair's electrifying debut crime thriller. Sinclair's writing is a fresh and exciting new voice in the British crime fiction genre, sure to captivate fans of JD Kirk, TG Reid, Alex Smith, and J.E Mayhew. This is a must-read for any crime enthusiast and will keep you guessing until the very end.
🛒🛍️ Buy Links 🛒🛍️
https://amzn.to/3X9zaGi
April 30, 2023
This book will keep you glued to your seat! I stayed up way too late multiple times trying to find out what was going to happen next!
About the Book
How long does it take to make a murderer?
For sixteen years, the Midwinter Butcher has been lurking in the shadows, committing ritualistic animal killings on the anniversary of DI Joseph Stone’s son’s tragic death. And ever since, Joseph has been desperate to bring them to justice.
Now living alone on a narrowboat in the heart of Oxford, the Irish detective has tried to put his shattered life back together. But with his superiors’ unwillingness to allocate the necessary resources, his quest for justice has been fruitless.
That is until he is teamed with the determined and driven DC Megan Taylor. Together, they begin to unravel the web of clues that leads them closer and closer to the truth. Soon it becomes clear that these animal murders were just a prelude to something much more sinister.
The clock is ticking, and with Joseph’s daughter’s life on the line, He and Megan must risk everything to catch the Midwinter Butcher before it’s too late. Can they bring the killer to justice, and Joseph finally find closure, or will his daughter become the next victim in this twisted game of life and death?
The Dead of Midwinter is J.R. Sinclair’s electrifying debut crime thriller. Sinclair’s writing is a fresh and exciting new voice in the British crime fiction genre, sure to captivate fans of JD Kirk, TG Reid, Alex Smith, and J.E Mayhew. This is a must-read for any crime enthusiast and will keep you guessing until the very end.
My Thoughts
It would almost be easier to list what I didn’t like about this story – nothing! Well, maybe the introduction. It was a little intense and if you’re a parent, it’s difficult. But it’s handled well, and the setup is important. It paves the way for our main character, a grizzled detective with a heart of gold.
As a mystery, this is clearly a plot driven story, but the author blends the characters in so well. The main characters’ interactions with his ex-wife, his sweet daughter, his new partner, his loveable neighbor, and his hated boss are all top-notch. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to spend time with this detective as he maneuvered this truly life and career-defining case.
The setting is one I’ve visited before in other books – and have been lucky enough to visit in person once myself. It’s well defined, and we get to see portions of Oxford that aren’t typical in other stories. I enjoyed seeing Oxford almost entirely separate from the university. While we saw a few professors and libraries, it was easy to forget it was set in the university town.
A second book releases in July, and I couldn’t be more pleased! This is the setup for a brilliant series, and I know it’ll get prime listing on my TBR list! It will certainly interest me to see how they all move past this case, considering how big it was for them for so long.
I received the audiobook copy of this book as part of Love Books Tours, and it has not affected by review. I especially enjoyed the audiobook performance and feel that it added a great deal to the story.
Who’s It For
If you love mysteries with twists, turns, and surprises – you will love this story.
Content Warning: Child Death, Graphic depictions of death/murder scenes, animal mutilation, suggested sexual assault, adult situations, adult language
About the Book
How long does it take to make a murderer?
For sixteen years, the Midwinter Butcher has been lurking in the shadows, committing ritualistic animal killings on the anniversary of DI Joseph Stone’s son’s tragic death. And ever since, Joseph has been desperate to bring them to justice.
Now living alone on a narrowboat in the heart of Oxford, the Irish detective has tried to put his shattered life back together. But with his superiors’ unwillingness to allocate the necessary resources, his quest for justice has been fruitless.
That is until he is teamed with the determined and driven DC Megan Taylor. Together, they begin to unravel the web of clues that leads them closer and closer to the truth. Soon it becomes clear that these animal murders were just a prelude to something much more sinister.
The clock is ticking, and with Joseph’s daughter’s life on the line, He and Megan must risk everything to catch the Midwinter Butcher before it’s too late. Can they bring the killer to justice, and Joseph finally find closure, or will his daughter become the next victim in this twisted game of life and death?
The Dead of Midwinter is J.R. Sinclair’s electrifying debut crime thriller. Sinclair’s writing is a fresh and exciting new voice in the British crime fiction genre, sure to captivate fans of JD Kirk, TG Reid, Alex Smith, and J.E Mayhew. This is a must-read for any crime enthusiast and will keep you guessing until the very end.
My Thoughts
It would almost be easier to list what I didn’t like about this story – nothing! Well, maybe the introduction. It was a little intense and if you’re a parent, it’s difficult. But it’s handled well, and the setup is important. It paves the way for our main character, a grizzled detective with a heart of gold.
As a mystery, this is clearly a plot driven story, but the author blends the characters in so well. The main characters’ interactions with his ex-wife, his sweet daughter, his new partner, his loveable neighbor, and his hated boss are all top-notch. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to spend time with this detective as he maneuvered this truly life and career-defining case.
The setting is one I’ve visited before in other books – and have been lucky enough to visit in person once myself. It’s well defined, and we get to see portions of Oxford that aren’t typical in other stories. I enjoyed seeing Oxford almost entirely separate from the university. While we saw a few professors and libraries, it was easy to forget it was set in the university town.
A second book releases in July, and I couldn’t be more pleased! This is the setup for a brilliant series, and I know it’ll get prime listing on my TBR list! It will certainly interest me to see how they all move past this case, considering how big it was for them for so long.
I received the audiobook copy of this book as part of Love Books Tours, and it has not affected by review. I especially enjoyed the audiobook performance and feel that it added a great deal to the story.
Who’s It For
If you love mysteries with twists, turns, and surprises – you will love this story.
Content Warning: Child Death, Graphic depictions of death/murder scenes, animal mutilation, suggested sexual assault, adult situations, adult language
April 19, 2023
🎉BOOK TOUR STOP ALERT 🎉
The Dead of Midwinter by J. R. Sinclair
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to @lovebookstours for my gifted copy.
My thoughts: This book was so good! I was hooked from the very beginning & I loved the non stop chase to catch a murderer! So well written, amazingly well developed characters! If you love thrillers, run and pick up a copy today! The Audible audiobook was superb
BLURB
How long does it take to make a murderer?
For sixteen years, the Midwinter Butcher has been lurking in the shadows, committing ritualistic animal killings on the anniversary of DI Joseph Stone's son's tragic death. And ever since, Joseph has been desperate to bring them to justice.
Now living alone on a narrowboat in the heart of Oxford, the Irish detective has tried to put his shattered life back together. But with his superiors’ unwillingness to allocate the necessary resources, his quest for justice has been fruitless.
That is until he is teamed with the determined and driven DC Megan Taylor. Together, they begin to unravel the web of clues that leads them closer and closer to the truth. Soon it becomes clear that these animal murders were just a prelude to something much more sinister.
The clock is ticking, and with Joseph's daughter's life on the line, He and Megan must risk everything to catch the Midwinter Butcher before it's too late. Can they bring the killer to justice, and Joseph finally find closure, or will his daughter become the next victim in this twisted game of life and death?
The Dead of Midwinter is J.R. Sinclair's electrifying debut crime thriller. Sinclair's writing is a fresh and exciting new voice in the British crime fiction genre, sure to captivate fans of JD Kirk, TG Reid, Alex Smith, and J.E Mayhew. This is a must-read for any crime enthusiast and will keep you guessing until the very end.
#booktour #ad #lovebookstours #lbtcrew #gifted #bookhive #booktwitter #unreadshelf #bookworm #bookclubs #bibliophile #bookreview #bookdragon #bookstagram #books #booklover #booknerd #bookaddict #bookishlove #readersgonnaread #readersofinstagram #bookclub #goodreads #prettybooks #bookfeature #booksbooksbooks #instabook #booktime #bookcommunity #itsnothoardingifitsbooks
The Dead of Midwinter by J. R. Sinclair
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to @lovebookstours for my gifted copy.
My thoughts: This book was so good! I was hooked from the very beginning & I loved the non stop chase to catch a murderer! So well written, amazingly well developed characters! If you love thrillers, run and pick up a copy today! The Audible audiobook was superb
BLURB
How long does it take to make a murderer?
For sixteen years, the Midwinter Butcher has been lurking in the shadows, committing ritualistic animal killings on the anniversary of DI Joseph Stone's son's tragic death. And ever since, Joseph has been desperate to bring them to justice.
Now living alone on a narrowboat in the heart of Oxford, the Irish detective has tried to put his shattered life back together. But with his superiors’ unwillingness to allocate the necessary resources, his quest for justice has been fruitless.
That is until he is teamed with the determined and driven DC Megan Taylor. Together, they begin to unravel the web of clues that leads them closer and closer to the truth. Soon it becomes clear that these animal murders were just a prelude to something much more sinister.
The clock is ticking, and with Joseph's daughter's life on the line, He and Megan must risk everything to catch the Midwinter Butcher before it's too late. Can they bring the killer to justice, and Joseph finally find closure, or will his daughter become the next victim in this twisted game of life and death?
The Dead of Midwinter is J.R. Sinclair's electrifying debut crime thriller. Sinclair's writing is a fresh and exciting new voice in the British crime fiction genre, sure to captivate fans of JD Kirk, TG Reid, Alex Smith, and J.E Mayhew. This is a must-read for any crime enthusiast and will keep you guessing until the very end.
#booktour #ad #lovebookstours #lbtcrew #gifted #bookhive #booktwitter #unreadshelf #bookworm #bookclubs #bibliophile #bookreview #bookdragon #bookstagram #books #booklover #booknerd #bookaddict #bookishlove #readersgonnaread #readersofinstagram #bookclub #goodreads #prettybooks #bookfeature #booksbooksbooks #instabook #booktime #bookcommunity #itsnothoardingifitsbooks
April 18, 2023
I was sent a copy of this audiobook for review.
DI Joseph Stone lost his son in a tragic accident during a snowstorm. He is plagued by the thought that it wasn't an accident after all. That night a figure lurked in the shadows, refusing to help. The figure turned out to be the Midwinter Butcher who commits ritual animal killings every midwinter which provides a horrifying reminder of the loss that changed Joseph forever. That day he lost his son, his marriage became unsustainable leading to divorce and leaving Joseph trying to make some semblance of a life to be around for his remaining child Ellie.
16 years later, Joseph is living alone on a boat in Oxford and is determined to bring the Midwinter Butcher to justice and prevent further slaughter. As the victims remain animals, his Superintendent won't allocate sufficient resources to find the killer. He is partnered with a new DC, Megan Taylor, who wants to prove herself but is also willing to listen to Joseph's suspicions that the murderer will escalate to human victims. When the latest attack occurs at his daughter's work, he realises that the killer has fixated on his family. Joseph and Megan begin to unravel the clues to the killer's ultimate goal but will catch them before it's too late and Joseph loses his other child and his sanity in the process.
🌟🌟🌟🌟.5 I thoroughly enjoyed this story which gets you completely hooked into the narrative from the start. It had the perfect ratio of character-focused plot, thrilling twists and turns and compelling layers of the storyline. I liked the two main leads, Joseph and Megan. They had great witty banter, and platonic chemistry and were interesting to read. The location was a perfect choice as Oxford has plenty of historical landmarks to utilise while also providing a beautiful backdrop to some of the more gruesome aspects of the crimes. Overall, a brilliant first book in this detective series. The only reason it didn’t get the full 5 stars is that I could guess the killer's identity before the reveal but that’s probably because I am an avid thriller/mystery reader.
DI Joseph Stone lost his son in a tragic accident during a snowstorm. He is plagued by the thought that it wasn't an accident after all. That night a figure lurked in the shadows, refusing to help. The figure turned out to be the Midwinter Butcher who commits ritual animal killings every midwinter which provides a horrifying reminder of the loss that changed Joseph forever. That day he lost his son, his marriage became unsustainable leading to divorce and leaving Joseph trying to make some semblance of a life to be around for his remaining child Ellie.
16 years later, Joseph is living alone on a boat in Oxford and is determined to bring the Midwinter Butcher to justice and prevent further slaughter. As the victims remain animals, his Superintendent won't allocate sufficient resources to find the killer. He is partnered with a new DC, Megan Taylor, who wants to prove herself but is also willing to listen to Joseph's suspicions that the murderer will escalate to human victims. When the latest attack occurs at his daughter's work, he realises that the killer has fixated on his family. Joseph and Megan begin to unravel the clues to the killer's ultimate goal but will catch them before it's too late and Joseph loses his other child and his sanity in the process.
🌟🌟🌟🌟.5 I thoroughly enjoyed this story which gets you completely hooked into the narrative from the start. It had the perfect ratio of character-focused plot, thrilling twists and turns and compelling layers of the storyline. I liked the two main leads, Joseph and Megan. They had great witty banter, and platonic chemistry and were interesting to read. The location was a perfect choice as Oxford has plenty of historical landmarks to utilise while also providing a beautiful backdrop to some of the more gruesome aspects of the crimes. Overall, a brilliant first book in this detective series. The only reason it didn’t get the full 5 stars is that I could guess the killer's identity before the reveal but that’s probably because I am an avid thriller/mystery reader.
April 3, 2023
I found this book a little more sinister than the other psychological thrillers that I've read recently.
I absolutely love a fast-paced thriller that keeps me on the edge of my seat throughout - but this one was a much steadier pace and I felt a much more relaxing read - except that this added a much darker and creepy edge to the book.
We open with a rogue deer triggering an accident which causes the death of DI Stone's young son. As they sit in the wrecked car, Joseph spots a figure standing nearby. Instead of helping, he realises the figure is standing with the head of the deer.
We flash forward 16 years and learn that every year on the Midwinter solstice, the killer has struck again...but always animals.
As sinister as this may be, the police have so far kept their distance, but DI Stone suspects there is more to come and boy did we get "treated" to much more!
I hate giving spoilers, so try to steer clear of plot. But this was such an intricate plot which didn't so much have me guessing who the Midwinter Butcher was but more about why?
Even as the excitement ramps up at the end, we kind of knew what was going to happen but not why.
I absolutely loved DI Stone and the relationship he had with Megan (a rookie, new to the team but taken under Joseph's wing) They worked brilliantly as a team and I loved that Megan was picking up 'bad habits' from our seasoned DI.
I also loved Dylan and the friendship Joseph and he had. I really felt as though I was sitting in on their friendly conflabs. I felt a little bit of a sherlock vibe going on.
This was a whole new level of gripping writing and I was completely immersed right from the start. I was shocked that this was a debut novel as it was so expertly executed.
I loved this so much and really hope that this is the start of what could be a brilliant (and long) series starring DI Stone (and gang).
I absolutely love a fast-paced thriller that keeps me on the edge of my seat throughout - but this one was a much steadier pace and I felt a much more relaxing read - except that this added a much darker and creepy edge to the book.
We open with a rogue deer triggering an accident which causes the death of DI Stone's young son. As they sit in the wrecked car, Joseph spots a figure standing nearby. Instead of helping, he realises the figure is standing with the head of the deer.
We flash forward 16 years and learn that every year on the Midwinter solstice, the killer has struck again...but always animals.
As sinister as this may be, the police have so far kept their distance, but DI Stone suspects there is more to come and boy did we get "treated" to much more!
I hate giving spoilers, so try to steer clear of plot. But this was such an intricate plot which didn't so much have me guessing who the Midwinter Butcher was but more about why?
Even as the excitement ramps up at the end, we kind of knew what was going to happen but not why.
I absolutely loved DI Stone and the relationship he had with Megan (a rookie, new to the team but taken under Joseph's wing) They worked brilliantly as a team and I loved that Megan was picking up 'bad habits' from our seasoned DI.
I also loved Dylan and the friendship Joseph and he had. I really felt as though I was sitting in on their friendly conflabs. I felt a little bit of a sherlock vibe going on.
This was a whole new level of gripping writing and I was completely immersed right from the start. I was shocked that this was a debut novel as it was so expertly executed.
I loved this so much and really hope that this is the start of what could be a brilliant (and long) series starring DI Stone (and gang).
May 1, 2023
fiction_vixen18's profile picture
💘AD PR-PRODUCT💘
Thanks to @lovebookstours for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review
The Dead of Midwinter by J.R.Sinclair
BLURB
How long does it take to make a murderer? For sixteen years, the Midwinter Butcher has been lurking in the shadows, committing ritualistic animal killings on the anniversary of DI Joseph Stone's son's tragic death. And ever since, Joseph has been desperate to bring them to justice. Now living alone on a narrowboat in the heart of Oxford, the Irish detective has tried to put his shattered life back together. But with his superiors’ unwillingness to allocate the necessary resources, his quest for justice has been fruitless. That is until he is teamed with the determined and driven DC Megan Taylor. Together, they begin to unravel the web of clues that leads them closer and closer to the truth. Soon it becomes clear that these animal murders were just a prelude to something much more sinister. The clock is ticking, and with Joseph's daughter's life on the line, He and Megan must risk everything to catch the Midwinter Butcher before it's too late. Can they bring the killer to justice, and Joseph finally find closure, or will his daughter become the next victim in this twisted game of life and death?
I listened to this on audiobook and read the ebook and I really enjoyed it, I think it perfectly set up the series and I cannot wait to see what comes next.
Well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters. I also thought that the narration on the audiobook was really good and enhanced my enjoyment.
It was gripping and I was hooked right from the very start. The characters are brilliant and all have little quirks that made me love them.
I did have an inkling who the villain was however, this didn't take away from the enjoyment and I found myself still second guessing myself.
I really liked it and can't wait to read more
💘AD PR-PRODUCT💘
Thanks to @lovebookstours for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review
The Dead of Midwinter by J.R.Sinclair
BLURB
How long does it take to make a murderer? For sixteen years, the Midwinter Butcher has been lurking in the shadows, committing ritualistic animal killings on the anniversary of DI Joseph Stone's son's tragic death. And ever since, Joseph has been desperate to bring them to justice. Now living alone on a narrowboat in the heart of Oxford, the Irish detective has tried to put his shattered life back together. But with his superiors’ unwillingness to allocate the necessary resources, his quest for justice has been fruitless. That is until he is teamed with the determined and driven DC Megan Taylor. Together, they begin to unravel the web of clues that leads them closer and closer to the truth. Soon it becomes clear that these animal murders were just a prelude to something much more sinister. The clock is ticking, and with Joseph's daughter's life on the line, He and Megan must risk everything to catch the Midwinter Butcher before it's too late. Can they bring the killer to justice, and Joseph finally find closure, or will his daughter become the next victim in this twisted game of life and death?
I listened to this on audiobook and read the ebook and I really enjoyed it, I think it perfectly set up the series and I cannot wait to see what comes next.
Well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters. I also thought that the narration on the audiobook was really good and enhanced my enjoyment.
It was gripping and I was hooked right from the very start. The characters are brilliant and all have little quirks that made me love them.
I did have an inkling who the villain was however, this didn't take away from the enjoyment and I found myself still second guessing myself.
I really liked it and can't wait to read more
April 4, 2023
‘The Dead of Midwinter’ is a brilliant start to a brand new series set amongst the spires of Oxford! It was a gripping read right from the start and I devoured it in one sitting.
DI Joseph Stone is determined that he is one day going to catch the so-called Midwinter Butcher, as 16 years ago he caused the car crash that killed his little baby boy. Every year on the anniversary of his death the Butcher commits a ritualistic animal killing and Joseph is committed to the case and believes that he is going to catch him. Joseph has been teamed up with the promising DC Megan Taylor. When Joseph's daughter stumbles across the Midwinter Butcher carrying out his latest crime, it marks a departure in his MO and he knows he needs to find him soon or this could get a whole lot darker…
I love when I get to come into a series of police procedurals right at the start and I feel that this is going to be a series that I will be enjoying for many books to come. It has many elements which I loved - the fact Joseph lives on a barge and uses a very expensive bike to cycle everywhere makes him slightly quirky and easy to like. Even though he has a dark past he comes across as a friendly and approachable bloke. Yes, there is sadness there but he doesn't fall into the cliche of an alcoholic with a broken marriage trope! He was refreshing and the way he encourages Megan to be a better officer reminded me of Logan from the JD Kirk books. I particularly liked their relationship and how it developed and I think they are going to be a very successful partnership.
The story was gripping from the start and I was hooked right away! The plot was clever and sophisticated and although I guessed who the bad guy was, the resolution and final reveal were brilliantly written and the tension radiated off the page!
Let me know if you pick this one up, I thoroughly recommend it.
DI Joseph Stone is determined that he is one day going to catch the so-called Midwinter Butcher, as 16 years ago he caused the car crash that killed his little baby boy. Every year on the anniversary of his death the Butcher commits a ritualistic animal killing and Joseph is committed to the case and believes that he is going to catch him. Joseph has been teamed up with the promising DC Megan Taylor. When Joseph's daughter stumbles across the Midwinter Butcher carrying out his latest crime, it marks a departure in his MO and he knows he needs to find him soon or this could get a whole lot darker…
I love when I get to come into a series of police procedurals right at the start and I feel that this is going to be a series that I will be enjoying for many books to come. It has many elements which I loved - the fact Joseph lives on a barge and uses a very expensive bike to cycle everywhere makes him slightly quirky and easy to like. Even though he has a dark past he comes across as a friendly and approachable bloke. Yes, there is sadness there but he doesn't fall into the cliche of an alcoholic with a broken marriage trope! He was refreshing and the way he encourages Megan to be a better officer reminded me of Logan from the JD Kirk books. I particularly liked their relationship and how it developed and I think they are going to be a very successful partnership.
The story was gripping from the start and I was hooked right away! The plot was clever and sophisticated and although I guessed who the bad guy was, the resolution and final reveal were brilliantly written and the tension radiated off the page!
Let me know if you pick this one up, I thoroughly recommend it.
February 13, 2023
I was asked to Beta read this book and wow- what an honour. From the very outset this debut novel comes across so well written I could have been reading a seasoned author.
We begin with a tragedy that changes the life of our main character Joseph- the death of his son in a car the family were travelling in. Present day and DI Joseph Stone now lives alone on a narrow boat- his marriage being another consequence of the tragedy. When his son died Joseph saw a man with a beheaded deer which he threw into the road. No coincidence that this was the midwinter solstice perhaps. In present day Ellie is helping on a farm and there have been a spate of burglaries. When she sees lights by the animal pens she goes to investigate. It appears that the midwinter butcher as the police have named him is back in action and this time humans are the target.
OMG! What a read, what a cracking plot line! I found myself ever turning the pages as I wanted to find out more- the skill of a wonderful author. Joseph and Megan are very likeable characters and bat off each other very well. Joseph has the experience and Megan adds the youth and a different insight which balances perfectly, I found myself liking them more and more as the book went on.
A book where there’s a great tension between the pages and I’m already looking forward to more in the series. A fantastic read I can’t recommend highly enough. A huge 5* Love this. Brilliant.
We begin with a tragedy that changes the life of our main character Joseph- the death of his son in a car the family were travelling in. Present day and DI Joseph Stone now lives alone on a narrow boat- his marriage being another consequence of the tragedy. When his son died Joseph saw a man with a beheaded deer which he threw into the road. No coincidence that this was the midwinter solstice perhaps. In present day Ellie is helping on a farm and there have been a spate of burglaries. When she sees lights by the animal pens she goes to investigate. It appears that the midwinter butcher as the police have named him is back in action and this time humans are the target.
OMG! What a read, what a cracking plot line! I found myself ever turning the pages as I wanted to find out more- the skill of a wonderful author. Joseph and Megan are very likeable characters and bat off each other very well. Joseph has the experience and Megan adds the youth and a different insight which balances perfectly, I found myself liking them more and more as the book went on.
A book where there’s a great tension between the pages and I’m already looking forward to more in the series. A fantastic read I can’t recommend highly enough. A huge 5* Love this. Brilliant.
March 7, 2023
Book 1 of a new series An Oxford Detective Thriller starring DI Joseph Stone and a really good read. In the prologue Stone is driving home one night with his wife and two young children when, in a ferocious storm, his car hits a frightened stag. His young son is killed. Then he sees someone sawing off the dead stags head. As anyone who knows me is aware animal violence is a real trigger for me and I did have to skip over a few bits in the book.
Briefly, 16 years later, divorced, living on a boat near Oxford and working for his ex wife’s new husband he is still struggling with the grief. However, there is a psychopath at large slaughtering animals on the midwinter solstice and Joseph has been investigating. But when the killer switches to human victims Joseph finds himself in a race against time to save someone very close to him from losing their head. Literally!
Well written and well plotted with a good protagonist in the shape of Joseph Stone. Animal killings aside this was a very good read and I will certainly be checking out the next in series. A good police procedural style thriller with a great plot, excellent twists and turns that kept me guessing and a satisfying conclusion.
4.5⭐️
Briefly, 16 years later, divorced, living on a boat near Oxford and working for his ex wife’s new husband he is still struggling with the grief. However, there is a psychopath at large slaughtering animals on the midwinter solstice and Joseph has been investigating. But when the killer switches to human victims Joseph finds himself in a race against time to save someone very close to him from losing their head. Literally!
Well written and well plotted with a good protagonist in the shape of Joseph Stone. Animal killings aside this was a very good read and I will certainly be checking out the next in series. A good police procedural style thriller with a great plot, excellent twists and turns that kept me guessing and a satisfying conclusion.
4.5⭐️
June 21, 2025
This thriller starts with a horrific car accident in which Constable Joseph Stone's baby son, Eoin, is killed when the family are driving back from a birthday party for his 6-year-old daughter Ellie.
The timeframe moves to 16 years later when Joseph is now a DI and daughter Ellie is about to celebrate her 22nd birthday. The car crash led to the breakup of Joseph's marriage and he lives alone on a narrowboat on an Oxford canal.
The family's grief is compounded each year, on the Winter Solstice anniversary of the car crash as the "Midwinter Butcher" who has never been caught carries out ritual slaughter of animals.
Contrary to my expectations, I absolutely loved this book. In Chapter 1, the atmospheric conditions, the family relationships and circumstances of the car crash are so well described. Chapter 2, took me out of my comfort zone and I nearly abandoned the book at this point as being too gruesome for my taste. However, I kept going and the novel got into more interesting territory for me. I loved the Oxford atmosphere, with some Inspector Morse vibes both in terms of the Oxford locations, and even some aspects of the plot involving the occult.
I highly recommend this novel and am looking forward to reading other books in this series.
The timeframe moves to 16 years later when Joseph is now a DI and daughter Ellie is about to celebrate her 22nd birthday. The car crash led to the breakup of Joseph's marriage and he lives alone on a narrowboat on an Oxford canal.
The family's grief is compounded each year, on the Winter Solstice anniversary of the car crash as the "Midwinter Butcher" who has never been caught carries out ritual slaughter of animals.
Contrary to my expectations, I absolutely loved this book. In Chapter 1, the atmospheric conditions, the family relationships and circumstances of the car crash are so well described. Chapter 2, took me out of my comfort zone and I nearly abandoned the book at this point as being too gruesome for my taste. However, I kept going and the novel got into more interesting territory for me. I loved the Oxford atmosphere, with some Inspector Morse vibes both in terms of the Oxford locations, and even some aspects of the plot involving the occult.
I highly recommend this novel and am looking forward to reading other books in this series.
April 10, 2023
This book had me totally hooked right from the start. Our male lead, Joseph Stone is a detective, but he is also a broken man. Broken in the way that only losing a child can break you. 16 years ago his toddler son was killed in a car accident when a stag ran into the road.
But it was no accident that the stag ran out, it was the result of being tormented and tortured by a deranged individual who was torturing and killing animals across the area.
Joseph’s marriage ended and he is left with his shell of a life, living on a narrow boat, still trying to find out who this butcher is but with no resources to do so.
Now it is 16 years later, Joseph has teamed up with a new partner who now needs to help him find that butcher because he now has Joseph’s daughter in his clutches.
The storyline is well thought out and the writing style was smooth and enjoyable to read. All of the characters were really well developed, causing me to become really invested in them.
This book is a really good read and I definitely recommend it.
My thanks to J.R. Sinclair and lovebookstours for gifting me a copy in return for an honest review.
But it was no accident that the stag ran out, it was the result of being tormented and tortured by a deranged individual who was torturing and killing animals across the area.
Joseph’s marriage ended and he is left with his shell of a life, living on a narrow boat, still trying to find out who this butcher is but with no resources to do so.
Now it is 16 years later, Joseph has teamed up with a new partner who now needs to help him find that butcher because he now has Joseph’s daughter in his clutches.
The storyline is well thought out and the writing style was smooth and enjoyable to read. All of the characters were really well developed, causing me to become really invested in them.
This book is a really good read and I definitely recommend it.
My thanks to J.R. Sinclair and lovebookstours for gifting me a copy in return for an honest review.
March 19, 2023
The Dead of Midwinter by J.R. Sinclair is book 1 in the DI Joseph Stone series, set in Oxford, where Joseph lives on a narrowboat. Joseph is haunted by a traumatic event which happened 20 years earlier. Ever since, on the Midwinter Solstice a person, given the name The Midwinter Butcher, makes a macabre appearance but then it gets close to home. This is his first book in the crime genre but he has written in the science fiction previously. The book is beautifully written and it is easy to picture what is happening as you read the book. Love the characters, particularly Joseph’s canal boat neighbour, retired Professor Dylan Shaw, who is a bookaholic. Some great exchanges between the Professor and Joseph. There are flashes of humour throughout as Joseph sometimes ploughs his own way through life and the job, as well as a touch of the occult. I love the way Joseph takes DC Megan Anderson under his wing too and I look forward to seeing how they develop in future books in the series.
October 8, 2025
Book one in the DI Joseph Stone series and my word am I hooked. Really engaged with the lead character and those around him in both his (fictional) personal and professional life. Such a full and rounded character thanks to the richness of the prose which was also used to great effect in pulling together a most intriguing plot.
Joseph sure leads an alternative life style - he lives on a canal boat on the outskirts of Oxford. Why, is at the heart of the story. Over the years there has been an annual and very brutal ritualistic killing of an animal. The first coincided with an incident that changed Jospeph’s whole life and that of his wife and young daughter. But as the years go by, a fear of Joseph, that the criminal may start moving beyond the murder of animals, is suddenly realised.
This is a most excellent and absorbing crime mystery. Another writer who is under the radar, and shouldn’t be.
Joseph sure leads an alternative life style - he lives on a canal boat on the outskirts of Oxford. Why, is at the heart of the story. Over the years there has been an annual and very brutal ritualistic killing of an animal. The first coincided with an incident that changed Jospeph’s whole life and that of his wife and young daughter. But as the years go by, a fear of Joseph, that the criminal may start moving beyond the murder of animals, is suddenly realised.
This is a most excellent and absorbing crime mystery. Another writer who is under the radar, and shouldn’t be.
March 21, 2023
What a terrific read this was. For the first book in a series, it's a cracker so all future books have a lot to live up to. It begins with a car accident with tragic consequences and we are then pulled forward to 16 years later where someone is still beheading animals on the winter solstice.
Joseph and his new protege Megan are on the case and Joseph is convinced there will be an escalation to a human murder and it isn't long before he's proved right.
This was a very atmospheric read. I could picture myself being there and totally immersed in the investigation. The story is excellent, bits of the occult but not overpowering, and the characters are likeable so I'm invested right from the start. I was so hooked that I had to finish it the same evening and now I'm exhausted having to go to work. Can't wait to read the second book in a few months.
Joseph and his new protege Megan are on the case and Joseph is convinced there will be an escalation to a human murder and it isn't long before he's proved right.
This was a very atmospheric read. I could picture myself being there and totally immersed in the investigation. The story is excellent, bits of the occult but not overpowering, and the characters are likeable so I'm invested right from the start. I was so hooked that I had to finish it the same evening and now I'm exhausted having to go to work. Can't wait to read the second book in a few months.
April 5, 2023
It’s hard to believe this is a debut crime novel. DI Stone had a terrible thing happen in his family 16years ago and since then he has been on the case of an animal killer. Every year on the same day the killer slaughters an animal (trigger warning and some of the descriptions are graphic). When DI Stone’s daughter Ellie catches the killer in action the case takes a turn.
The author does a great job of building the case. While some of the animal scenes are graphic, they are used to further the case and not just because the author wanted to write a graphic scene. I was invested in this story from the beginning. The majority of the novel takes place in a short time frame and each day is separated. This gives the reader an idea on time and how important it is to the story. I would definitely read more crime novels by this author.
The author does a great job of building the case. While some of the animal scenes are graphic, they are used to further the case and not just because the author wanted to write a graphic scene. I was invested in this story from the beginning. The majority of the novel takes place in a short time frame and each day is separated. This gives the reader an idea on time and how important it is to the story. I would definitely read more crime novels by this author.
April 24, 2023
I absolutely loved this book, the story had me hooked from the very start. I don’t listen to audiobooks very often but this one I couldn’t stop listening to it. I had to put it on at every opportunity.
The narrator did an excellent job in bringing the characters and the story to life. I really liked DI Joseph Stone and his new partner DC Megan Taylor, I’m so pleased this is the start of a series as I’m already looking forward to the next one.
I found this to be quite a dark crime thriller which made it even better for me. I thought I had it all worked out but I wrong with my guess.
A definite 5 star read if you love crime thrillers on the dark side I recommend picking this one up.
Thank you to Love Book Tours for having me on the tour and for my gifted audiobook.
The narrator did an excellent job in bringing the characters and the story to life. I really liked DI Joseph Stone and his new partner DC Megan Taylor, I’m so pleased this is the start of a series as I’m already looking forward to the next one.
I found this to be quite a dark crime thriller which made it even better for me. I thought I had it all worked out but I wrong with my guess.
A definite 5 star read if you love crime thrillers on the dark side I recommend picking this one up.
Thank you to Love Book Tours for having me on the tour and for my gifted audiobook.
April 16, 2024
I really struggled with getting into this one - A debut novel from a new author always presents conundrums for me - Writing style, character establishment and back story always play a part with me picking up a book and continuing a series.
This one presented a number of challenges for me from the start - An encumbrance of complicated back story setting up the main character of Stone, the convenience of having the know it all neighbour who can provide the knowledge that Stone is looking for and some clunky writing for the initial third of the book.
What redeemed both this book and the series for me now is the characters themselves, well written dialogue and a story that improved as it went along. Will definitely give book 2 a go and hope that the improvement continues.
This one presented a number of challenges for me from the start - An encumbrance of complicated back story setting up the main character of Stone, the convenience of having the know it all neighbour who can provide the knowledge that Stone is looking for and some clunky writing for the initial third of the book.
What redeemed both this book and the series for me now is the characters themselves, well written dialogue and a story that improved as it went along. Will definitely give book 2 a go and hope that the improvement continues.
August 20, 2025
Oh dear, oh dear. Every cliche present and correct - main character carrying trauma from earlier in his life, tick. Main character has superior officers that aren't as smart as he is, tick. Main character's supervisors don't like him, tick. Main character is a maverick, going off to follow his own hunches, tick. I guessed the perpetrator and the twist half-way through the book, but then the ending, where the villain takes 4 pages to explain their action, motivation etc etc was just absolutely ridiculous. The only thing not said was "No Mr Bond, I expect you to die!". The writing itself was very average, I've seen much better in many other procedurals; with so many good books out there, this is one series I will not be taking further.
March 9, 2023
This is a debut novel by the author and he certainly has hit the ground running !! The story starts with what appears to be Pagan ritualistic killings each year on the winter solstice which then escalate to humans, and DI Joseph Stone and his trusty sidekick Megan, are tasked with trying to find the perpetrator especially as the case has a personal element for Joseph. There is some maltreatment of animals in parts which may not be suitable for everybody however the plot is a solid one with great pace and a good ending. I thoroughly look forward to the next one in the series.
Thanks to the author for a Beta copy to read and review.
Thanks to the author for a Beta copy to read and review.
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