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DI Jack MacIntosh #2
Fifteen Reasons to Kill
This book was previously published as The Fifteen.
Eighty-one year old Eddie Wakefield is found brutally murdered in the nursing home where he lives. Crudely carved into his flesh - while he was still alive - is the number fifteen.
Detective Inspector Jack MacIntosh and his team are determined to track down the ruthless killer - but the investigation is leading nowhere.
Then a second body is discovered - the victim stabbed to death in their own home. Again, the number fifteen is etched into his flesh.
A single clue leads to St Bartholomew's Home for Boys - a grim and forbidding institution on England's south coast - and a series of shocking secrets stretching back more than forty years.
Will Jack and his team discover the horrifying truth?
Revenge - how long would you wait?
Eighty-one year old Eddie Wakefield is found brutally murdered in the nursing home where he lives. Crudely carved into his flesh - while he was still alive - is the number fifteen.
Detective Inspector Jack MacIntosh and his team are determined to track down the ruthless killer - but the investigation is leading nowhere.
Then a second body is discovered - the victim stabbed to death in their own home. Again, the number fifteen is etched into his flesh.
A single clue leads to St Bartholomew's Home for Boys - a grim and forbidding institution on England's south coast - and a series of shocking secrets stretching back more than forty years.
Will Jack and his team discover the horrifying truth?
Revenge - how long would you wait?
420 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2020
349 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 15, 2025
Enjoyable because I like the characters but I think the first one was much better. 3.5 stars
February 14, 2023
Enjoyable
Good book that filled in Mac’s and Stu’s backstory. Lots of tension and good characters. Looking forward to the continued series.
Good book that filled in Mac’s and Stu’s backstory. Lots of tension and good characters. Looking forward to the continued series.
April 14, 2021
An intriguing read not one for the faint hearted but full of action and lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed this and the characters were intriguing but i feel like i missed out by reading this before the other 2 in the series an excellent read however and i would read a lot more from this author 4.5* from me.
August 18, 2020
This was the third book in this series and I loved it.The main characters Jack,Stu and Isabel are becoming very likeable and you just want to read more about them.The plot was great and kept me guessing.I cannot wait for the fourth book in the series.
December 31, 2020
I enjoyed reading this book. It had a good story to it. I liked the variety of characters in it. It was a well written book.
January 26, 2024
Swiftly falling in love with this series one book at a time!
Before I begin, I want to say this one has trigger warnings for:
- CSA
- Physical abuse of children
- The murder of a child
Personally, I really enjoyed the story in this one much more than the first in the series; however, I feel like the first novel set this one up perfectly and allowed it to be what it was. The writing is brilliant, engaging and suspenseful, and the policing aspects are realistic which makes it a really enjoyable read. The beginning was a little slow, but after around the 30% mark, I found myself unable to stop reading. I was switching between kindle/phone/iPad to carry on reading whilst I was pottering around.
I love the relationship between brothers Jack and Stu, and I really found myself rooting for them to resolve their issues throughout the book. All of the characters are likeable, and I’d say this one is both character/plot driven.
There were really sad parts of the story - particularly the murder of Danny, and the young boy who was framed for his murder. I had to keep reminding myself that this was fiction, as it may have broken my heart once or twice.
In terms of the issues I stated in my first review:
Nobody was introduced with a description of their fingers/hands in this one! I was both relieved and curious as to why.
For this one, I was expecting the back and forth changes in time and perspective, and I found the flow a lot easier to follow this time around. I can still see it tripping some readers up, and I wonder if instead of having the date and time for every chapter, if it would be better to only include it when the date changes - for example; when the story goes back 20 years. That being said, I’m assuming the author wants readers to remember that it’s set in 2013, especially when using dated references (like the TV show Splash - what a throwback)
For readers who may be considering picking this one up as an introduction to the series - I don’t think this one would do well as a stand-alone as there would be lots of context missing from the first one that lends itself to this story. I’d definitely start with the first one, if you can! That being said, the main bulk of the story is different to the first, and if the first book is not easily accessible then you could still enjoy this one without.
I am giving this one a solid 4.75, and I’m really looking forward to the third one.
Before I begin, I want to say this one has trigger warnings for:
- CSA
- Physical abuse of children
- The murder of a child
Personally, I really enjoyed the story in this one much more than the first in the series; however, I feel like the first novel set this one up perfectly and allowed it to be what it was. The writing is brilliant, engaging and suspenseful, and the policing aspects are realistic which makes it a really enjoyable read. The beginning was a little slow, but after around the 30% mark, I found myself unable to stop reading. I was switching between kindle/phone/iPad to carry on reading whilst I was pottering around.
I love the relationship between brothers Jack and Stu, and I really found myself rooting for them to resolve their issues throughout the book. All of the characters are likeable, and I’d say this one is both character/plot driven.
There were really sad parts of the story - particularly the murder of Danny, and the young boy who was framed for his murder. I had to keep reminding myself that this was fiction, as it may have broken my heart once or twice.
In terms of the issues I stated in my first review:
Nobody was introduced with a description of their fingers/hands in this one! I was both relieved and curious as to why.
For this one, I was expecting the back and forth changes in time and perspective, and I found the flow a lot easier to follow this time around. I can still see it tripping some readers up, and I wonder if instead of having the date and time for every chapter, if it would be better to only include it when the date changes - for example; when the story goes back 20 years. That being said, I’m assuming the author wants readers to remember that it’s set in 2013, especially when using dated references (like the TV show Splash - what a throwback)
For readers who may be considering picking this one up as an introduction to the series - I don’t think this one would do well as a stand-alone as there would be lots of context missing from the first one that lends itself to this story. I’d definitely start with the first one, if you can! That being said, the main bulk of the story is different to the first, and if the first book is not easily accessible then you could still enjoy this one without.
I am giving this one a solid 4.75, and I’m really looking forward to the third one.
January 10, 2025
My 6P review: Premise, Plot, People, Place, Prose/Pace, Praise
When two bodies are discovered with the number fifteen carved into their flesh, Detective Inspector Jack MacIntosh is led to St Bartholomew’s Home for Boys and plenty of secrets.
Told in two timelines and from different points of view, I found this easy to read. It was a real page-turner.
The plot was well thought out and structured, intertwined in timelines and amongst a vast and varied cast. The reveals were worth it and fitted the story.
Stu and Jack’s backstory was great and shed more light on their relationship now. Amazing how two lives can be quite different from each other even though they are related. Nurture not nature.
The writing style was easy to read however I got sick and tired of all the winking the characters did to each other. Do people really wink that much?
There are a lot of characters, but it was easy to keep track of them and their role in the storey. I liked the characters, and they suited the plot very well.
I could easily imagine St Bartholemew’s and have decided I would not like to visit it. I could also visualise the meeting room in the prison such was the description given by Kidd.
This was an excellent read. I loved it.
This series is certainly worth continuing.
4⭐️
When two bodies are discovered with the number fifteen carved into their flesh, Detective Inspector Jack MacIntosh is led to St Bartholomew’s Home for Boys and plenty of secrets.
Told in two timelines and from different points of view, I found this easy to read. It was a real page-turner.
The plot was well thought out and structured, intertwined in timelines and amongst a vast and varied cast. The reveals were worth it and fitted the story.
Stu and Jack’s backstory was great and shed more light on their relationship now. Amazing how two lives can be quite different from each other even though they are related. Nurture not nature.
The writing style was easy to read however I got sick and tired of all the winking the characters did to each other. Do people really wink that much?
There are a lot of characters, but it was easy to keep track of them and their role in the storey. I liked the characters, and they suited the plot very well.
I could easily imagine St Bartholemew’s and have decided I would not like to visit it. I could also visualise the meeting room in the prison such was the description given by Kidd.
This was an excellent read. I loved it.
This series is certainly worth continuing.
4⭐️
November 17, 2023
Excellent read.
This is the second book in the series which I started last week, I just couldn't read them fast enough.
The characters were very believe, and apart from the stories themselves, there was no bitchy colleagues etc like some books I've read recently.
Nice twist with the swap shop scarf, at one point I actually stopped and thought, surely it's not going to be his brother guilty of this.
What I liked most, was the team was close, not too many to remember (nothing worse than having to go back pages for a reminder of who's who) and I always smiled when DS Cooper was asked for a piece of information and he started 'rummaging' on his desk for it. Nice down to earth touch.
All in all, a perfect book.
The first was as good as the second.
This is the second book in the series which I started last week, I just couldn't read them fast enough.
The characters were very believe, and apart from the stories themselves, there was no bitchy colleagues etc like some books I've read recently.
Nice twist with the swap shop scarf, at one point I actually stopped and thought, surely it's not going to be his brother guilty of this.
What I liked most, was the team was close, not too many to remember (nothing worse than having to go back pages for a reminder of who's who) and I always smiled when DS Cooper was asked for a piece of information and he started 'rummaging' on his desk for it. Nice down to earth touch.
All in all, a perfect book.
The first was as good as the second.
Read
May 1, 2021Who or what. we're the 15?
An elderly and frail man is found dead in bed in the nursing home. At first it is thought to be a factual death, until the number fifteen is found carved into his thigh. Gradually other corpses are found with th same grisly mark.
DO MacIntosh searches hard for a common link. This takes him into the past lives of a group of boys who had the misfortune to be in care in the same place that linkedthe dead people
An elderly and frail man is found dead in bed in the nursing home. At first it is thought to be a factual death, until the number fifteen is found carved into his thigh. Gradually other corpses are found with th same grisly mark.
DO MacIntosh searches hard for a common link. This takes him into the past lives of a group of boys who had the misfortune to be in care in the same place that linkedthe dead people
February 12, 2023
New author for me, will definitely be one to follow
Different style of writing from the usual. You are given short spurts of the stories that are to come during the present ones. Giving you the chance to decide whether or not you want to follow up on them.
Good rounded characters but not having their full histories thrown at you in every book. Just letting you'd find out a little more about them more naturally.
Different style of writing from the usual. You are given short spurts of the stories that are to come during the present ones. Giving you the chance to decide whether or not you want to follow up on them.
Good rounded characters but not having their full histories thrown at you in every book. Just letting you'd find out a little more about them more naturally.
July 3, 2025
Uma investigação policial que abre antigas feridas, e leva o protagonista a duvidar de pessoas que ele ama. Como em toda narrativa de detetives, o criminoso nem sempre é aquele de quem desconfiamos a princípio. Neste livro, alguns elementos tornam a investigação ainda mais complexa. Uma boa leitura.
February 8, 2023
Fifteen reasons a to kill
Well I read the book with inspector Jack Macintosh I really enjoyed so I brought second one which is the Fifteen reasons to kill and it is just as good as the first one it's has so many twists and turns a must to read both books.
Well I read the book with inspector Jack Macintosh I really enjoyed so I brought second one which is the Fifteen reasons to kill and it is just as good as the first one it's has so many twists and turns a must to read both books.
February 26, 2024
Not too bad
This book did feel overlong somehow, though it wasn't too bad for all that. The story does chop and change somewhat, which is annoying at times. Other than that it wasn't too bad at all. I might even try another in the series.
This book did feel overlong somehow, though it wasn't too bad for all that. The story does chop and change somewhat, which is annoying at times. Other than that it wasn't too bad at all. I might even try another in the series.
May 1, 2023
Excellent gripping to the very end
August 4, 2023
An excellent writer. Her use of date, time and place is an effective piece of writing. Not knowing who is "there" in some of them clearly works. Worth reading and reading further.
August 5, 2023
Very good
Well written and a brilliant story. Captures you straight away and doesn't let go to the very last word. Great sequel I can't wait to read the next one.
Well written and a brilliant story. Captures you straight away and doesn't let go to the very last word. Great sequel I can't wait to read the next one.
September 1, 2023
Another good story. Jack does seem to attract problems! His brother seems to be his biggest problem
December 1, 2023
Gripping
Fantastic story. Complete page turner. So much so I read whilst walking to work!! Can't wait for the next one
Fantastic story. Complete page turner. So much so I read whilst walking to work!! Can't wait for the next one
February 3, 2024
great read
Great read with a likeable detective trying to solve a trio of murders and also trying to understand his brother. Great plot that also features historical abuse..
Great read with a likeable detective trying to solve a trio of murders and also trying to understand his brother. Great plot that also features historical abuse..
August 13, 2024
Really enjoying this series as I finish #2 love how the characters are developing! And how at times I was on the edge of my seat worrying about diffcharacters for diff reasons xxxxBring on #3
October 17, 2025
Excellent
As good as the first book in the series. I am looking forwards to book number three as I write this 😀
As good as the first book in the series. I am looking forwards to book number three as I write this 😀
January 4, 2024
What a superb read, best book I read in 2023. A superb psychological thriller, gripping from start to finish.
July 27, 2024
It starts with the murder of 81 year old Eddie Wakefield. But what does the number 15 refer to that has been carved on his thigh. DI Jack MacIntosh and his team investigate, made complicated by the possible involvement of Jack's brother Stuart.
An entertaining modern mystery
An entertaining modern mystery
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews