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Lloyd & Hill #8
Verdict Unsafe
Detective Inspector Judy Hill anxiously watched the trial of serial rapist Colin Arthur Drummond from the public gallery--never forgetting his chilling threat that she would be his next victim. The prosecution should have an open-and-shut case.
But sixteen months later Drummond is back on the streets, threatening Judy once more. And as Judy sets out to prove Drummond's guilt for the second time, Detective Chief Inspector Lloyd is called to a horrifying scene. It appears Colin Drummond has struck again. . . .
But sixteen months later Drummond is back on the streets, threatening Judy once more. And as Judy sets out to prove Drummond's guilt for the second time, Detective Chief Inspector Lloyd is called to a horrifying scene. It appears Colin Drummond has struck again. . . .
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 24, 1997
About the author
Jill McGown
34 books39 followersJill McGown (9 August 1947, Campbeltown, Scotland – 6 April 2007 in Kettering, Northamptonshire) was a British writer of mystery novels. She was best known for her mystery series featuring Inspector Lloyd and Judy Hill, one of which (A Shred of Evidence) was made into a television series. McGown wrote her first mystery novel after being laid off from the British Steel Corporation in 1980. She is sometimes credited as Elizabeth Chaplin.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 1, 2018
"Detective Inspector Judy Hall anxiously watched the trial of serial rapist Colin Arthur Drummond from the public -- gallery -- never forgetting his chilling threat that she would be his next victim. The prosecution should have and open-and-shut case.
"But sixteen months later Drummond is back on the streets, threatening Judy once more. And as Judy sets out to prove Drummond's guilt for the second time, Detective Chief Inspector Lloyd is called to a horrifying scene. It appears Colin Drummond has struck again ..."
~back cover
Another brilliantly plotted, psychological thriller, with the leitmotif of the "will they or won't they?" love affair of Lloyd & Hill. I can almost guarantee that you won't see the ending coming, either to the plot or the romance.
"But sixteen months later Drummond is back on the streets, threatening Judy once more. And as Judy sets out to prove Drummond's guilt for the second time, Detective Chief Inspector Lloyd is called to a horrifying scene. It appears Colin Drummond has struck again ..."
~back cover
Another brilliantly plotted, psychological thriller, with the leitmotif of the "will they or won't they?" love affair of Lloyd & Hill. I can almost guarantee that you won't see the ending coming, either to the plot or the romance.
November 3, 2015
If you read and enjoyed the same author's 'The Other Woman' you will probably find this book a good if harrowing, read as it follows on from that book. Colin Drummond is on trial for several particularly vicious murders. DI Judy Hill attends some of the trial while she is on leave as she has a personal interest in the outcome.
The DNA evidence seems pretty conclusive as well as the masses of circumstantial evidence and together they seem to have produced a strong case against him. As can be guessed from the title not everything is as certain as it at first appears and Judy finds herself fighting for her career as well as her physical safety. Can she and her colleagues prove without a shadow of a doubt that he is guilty?
This is an uncomfortable read at times but very well written. The characters are all too believable and the office politics which besets Lloyd and Hill poses a threat to their long relationship which they have to work hard to overcome. I found it a totally engrossing read and stayed up long past my usual bed time in order to finish reading the book.
The DNA evidence seems pretty conclusive as well as the masses of circumstantial evidence and together they seem to have produced a strong case against him. As can be guessed from the title not everything is as certain as it at first appears and Judy finds herself fighting for her career as well as her physical safety. Can she and her colleagues prove without a shadow of a doubt that he is guilty?
This is an uncomfortable read at times but very well written. The characters are all too believable and the office politics which besets Lloyd and Hill poses a threat to their long relationship which they have to work hard to overcome. I found it a totally engrossing read and stayed up long past my usual bed time in order to finish reading the book.
May 8, 2020
Detective Inspector Judy Hill knew Colin Drummond was a serial rapist and it seemed like everything would fall into place when the man was arrested and put on trial. Only as Hill watched the whole case seemed to fall apart ... and more. The police were shown as being possibly crooked and therefore, Hill who took the incriminating statement that should have sent him away was now under suspicion.
And Drummond was back out, and threatening Hill again. And apparently back to his own tricks, only this time there is a murder.
This is the premise of Jill McGown's riveting tale, eighth in the series featuring Hill and Det. Chief Inspector Lloyd. The two police have a relationship, have known each other for 20 years but this case not only threatens both their careers but their relationship as well. It is gripping, well-written and smart. These characters are fully formed, the dialogue crisp and logical and the pace of the story solid. I started out reading this casually and soon found myself hunkering down and solely focused on finding out the who and the why ... as well as the how. And there is only one way to do that, keep reading until the end. I'll be back once again with Lloyd and Hill — soon.
And Drummond was back out, and threatening Hill again. And apparently back to his own tricks, only this time there is a murder.
This is the premise of Jill McGown's riveting tale, eighth in the series featuring Hill and Det. Chief Inspector Lloyd. The two police have a relationship, have known each other for 20 years but this case not only threatens both their careers but their relationship as well. It is gripping, well-written and smart. These characters are fully formed, the dialogue crisp and logical and the pace of the story solid. I started out reading this casually and soon found myself hunkering down and solely focused on finding out the who and the why ... as well as the how. And there is only one way to do that, keep reading until the end. I'll be back once again with Lloyd and Hill — soon.
January 13, 2018
Another great book in this great series. The book mostly deals with a rapist case from a previous book, with lots of characters who may or may not be important in connection to the cases being investigated in this book, lots of Lloyd's little puzzles, and the strain in Lloyd and Hill's relationship becoming more pronounced. I like that they are a couple who are very different and who have real fights, but who have a love and belief in each other that is always going to come through. The side characters of Ginny and Lennie are particularly enjoyable to read about, and the horrible misogynistic head police officer is all too believable, especially given what's going on in the U.S. right now.
April 10, 2022
This has got to be one of Jill McGowns best.
It starts with the trial of Colin Drummond who is accused of rape. He is convicted & we pick up 2 years later after his appeal is successful.
Back on the streets he wants to sue the police but it’s not long before another rape is committed.
The next day he is found dead.
Did he commit the rapes? Who killed him?
A brilliant read from a much underrated author
It starts with the trial of Colin Drummond who is accused of rape. He is convicted & we pick up 2 years later after his appeal is successful.
Back on the streets he wants to sue the police but it’s not long before another rape is committed.
The next day he is found dead.
Did he commit the rapes? Who killed him?
A brilliant read from a much underrated author
September 19, 2023
I've enjoyed other books in the series but gave up on this about a third of the way through. The first 60 pages recount testimony in the trial of an accused rapist and became boring quickly. Most of the low-life characters are unpleasant people to spend time with and I decided to not spend any more of it with them. A misfire.
March 25, 2025
I found this book annoying.
I lost count of who had raped who, who had beaten who, who was lying, etc because it changed every other chapter.
The central premise of a key character being tainted by corruption seemed too far fetched.
And who ever says "nine double nine"? Who???
I lost count of who had raped who, who had beaten who, who was lying, etc because it changed every other chapter.
The central premise of a key character being tainted by corruption seemed too far fetched.
And who ever says "nine double nine"? Who???
December 6, 2009
#8 Lloyd & Hill British police procedural. A two-year-old rape case is brought back into focus when the rapist is released on a legal technicality. Not only are his victims put into an emotional tailspin, so are their families, the police officers involved and the community at large. A twisted and convoluted tale full of petty criminals, crooked cops, and nothing but lies and more lies in Stansfield and Malworth, where the crimes were committed.
DI Judy Hill firmly believes that Colin Drummond was guilty, but new evidence keeps coming to light that put doubt into the minds of some of her co-workers, including DCI Lloyd. Judy is formally removed from the case by their new Chief, who's a misogynistic throwback--but actually the only real "case" is a pending lawsuit filed by Drummond claiming the police set him up, and also beat him savagely. She's assigned to work on a series of burglaries, that coincidentally involve some of the same players in the rape cases. As Lloyd, Hill and their officers try to cut through the layers of deception, the real story begins to unfold, backtrack, unfold some more until finally it becomes clear.
I have to admit I hadn't a clue til very close to the end. I vacillated back and forth between several scenarios, none of which happened to be right. First time in awhile that's happened! Another enjoyable read in this series which as often happens, started slow and became un-putdownable towards the end.
DI Judy Hill firmly believes that Colin Drummond was guilty, but new evidence keeps coming to light that put doubt into the minds of some of her co-workers, including DCI Lloyd. Judy is formally removed from the case by their new Chief, who's a misogynistic throwback--but actually the only real "case" is a pending lawsuit filed by Drummond claiming the police set him up, and also beat him savagely. She's assigned to work on a series of burglaries, that coincidentally involve some of the same players in the rape cases. As Lloyd, Hill and their officers try to cut through the layers of deception, the real story begins to unfold, backtrack, unfold some more until finally it becomes clear.
I have to admit I hadn't a clue til very close to the end. I vacillated back and forth between several scenarios, none of which happened to be right. First time in awhile that's happened! Another enjoyable read in this series which as often happens, started slow and became un-putdownable towards the end.
July 11, 2025
This is the eighth book in the author's police procedural series (13 books) featuring Detective Chief Inspector Lloyd and Detective Inspector Hill. I first came across this series in the early 1990s and have read them all at least once.
This is the second time I have read this but I did not remember much of the story at all as it is over twenty six years since I last read it. This is a sequel to "The other woman" as the first part of the book deals with the trial of the suspected rapist from that book. Although convicted the rapist was not found guilty of all the rapes and two years later he gets released following an appeal and is determined to get revenge. The new Detective Chief Superintendent suspects Hill is a corrupt officer who framed the accused rapist and is even prepared to believe that Hill would kill to cover her tracks. This is a compelling read and I stayed up well past my bedtime in order to finish it.
The writing is better than the writing in most of the books I have read this year (2025) and I am really glad that I decided to re-read this series.
This is the second time I have read this but I did not remember much of the story at all as it is over twenty six years since I last read it. This is a sequel to "The other woman" as the first part of the book deals with the trial of the suspected rapist from that book. Although convicted the rapist was not found guilty of all the rapes and two years later he gets released following an appeal and is determined to get revenge. The new Detective Chief Superintendent suspects Hill is a corrupt officer who framed the accused rapist and is even prepared to believe that Hill would kill to cover her tracks. This is a compelling read and I stayed up well past my bedtime in order to finish it.
The writing is better than the writing in most of the books I have read this year (2025) and I am really glad that I decided to re-read this series.
September 7, 2010
This is the eight book in the Lloyd and Judy Hill series and the second I've read. These books are hard to come by here in Brazil. Having a little knowledge of the English legal sector myself, I found the court scenes convincing but wanted McGown to go on, to get to the real story. When she does, it is worth the wait. This book keeps you guessing until the very end, and like all good British procedurals, has two or three story strands that come together at the end. In this case there is a freed rapist that got out of jail on a technicality and we know it won't be long before he rapes again. There is a very likeable pimp that appears to be doing some double-dealings, a murder and a string of burglaries. We have more suspects for the rapes and burglaries than we know what to do with - and lo and behold - one of the suspects (for the murder) is Judy herself. Judy and Lloyd's relationship advances to another level in this book, and it's probably about time too.
August 24, 2012
I have read several of the books in this series about fellow police officers and life partners, Lloyd and Hill and am always rather amazed at the complexity of the stories. And this is no exception......the book begins with the trial of a convicted rapist who swears revenge of Hill when he is released. Now he is back on the streets and filing an official complaint against Hill for setting him up. Sound simple?....not at all since the author throws in police corruption, a rash of burglaries, prostitution, murder, and alibis that can't seem to be broken. Lloyd has many theories, as he always does, but none seem to lead to the guilty party or parties until..............read it and find out. Not one of my favorite in the series but still an enjoyable police procedural.
October 31, 2015
Another great story in the Lloyd and Hill series....always a very convoluted plot which isn't solved until the end. Love the humourous interaction between Lloyd and Hill ...the saying is that one partner always love more and in this case, I feel Lloyd is the one less loved. Judy can be quite aloof and not into 'romance' as such....very ambitious woman.
Some of the scenes in this book were much more graphic than I like but any description of rape brings horrible images to my mind. I suppose by these scenes, McGown makes us despise the rapist with a passion and we are so relieved when he is caught.
Some of the scenes in this book were much more graphic than I like but any description of rape brings horrible images to my mind. I suppose by these scenes, McGown makes us despise the rapist with a passion and we are so relieved when he is caught.
February 29, 2016
I would rate this 2-1/2 stars as I did finish the book.
Colin Drummond is accused of rape and is on trial. He has confessed to Detective July Hill of the rapes of three women, but her notes were barred from the trial. He has now pleaded Not Guilty. Witnesses are questioned, he is convicted, spends 2 years in jail, when his attorney finds fault with some of the trial. Drummond is released and threatens that Judy will be next. Many red herrings are thrown into the story and it becomes confusing. Then Drummond is murdered. Judy Hill is suspected of the crime.
Colin Drummond is accused of rape and is on trial. He has confessed to Detective July Hill of the rapes of three women, but her notes were barred from the trial. He has now pleaded Not Guilty. Witnesses are questioned, he is convicted, spends 2 years in jail, when his attorney finds fault with some of the trial. Drummond is released and threatens that Judy will be next. Many red herrings are thrown into the story and it becomes confusing. Then Drummond is murdered. Judy Hill is suspected of the crime.
December 7, 2010
This series is really good anyway but this book in particular is excellent. Growing out of the case a couple of books back in the series it investigates what happens after a rape trial is completed and as the title suggests (so I'm not giving too much away) the defendant is released as the jury's decision doesn't stand up to appeal. Lots of character development among the ongoing players.
January 9, 2011
Another excellent addition to this series. The third or fourth that I have read, and they have all been well done. Likable characters, not perfect but with integrity and maturity. Must find some more.
April 27, 2015
3.5 stars. This book has a very complicated plot. I did my best to try to follow it but the wrap up at the end seemed a bit vague and I didn't quite understand why at least one of the crimes had been committed.
October 31, 2008
Probably my all time favorite by Ms. McGown. But then again, they all rank up there. Best to read them in order.
December 13, 2015
This was too dark for me.......I did not enjoy this at all! Rape is no joke and it was all to vivid a picture. Too graphic.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews