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DCI Morton #1
Dead on Demand
A career man, Edwin Murphy has always put more effort into his work than his family. Everything changes for Edwin when his wife files for divorce. On the brink of losing his home, his job and his little girl, Edwin orchestrates an intricate plan to eliminate his wife and regain his former lifestyle.
The police are baffled when bodies begin to appear all over London with no apparent connection between them. Inspector David Morton must think outside the box as he investigates the deadly web of deceit behind the murders.
The police are baffled when bodies begin to appear all over London with no apparent connection between them. Inspector David Morton must think outside the box as he investigates the deadly web of deceit behind the murders.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
December 29, 2021
Dead on Demand is the first book in a series about London Met Detective DCI David Morton by a pair of brother authors who are new to me. I picked this out of my vast collection of free Kindle ebooks because Sean is an active and helpful member of the UKCBC Facebook group, and I wanted to log at least one more new author for my 2021 challenge (= to read as many new authors from the group as possible; many are indies who don’t get on to NetGalley, I figure the least I can do is offer a review as thanks for the free book.) This had an interesting premise, and differed from your average crime novel in that there was no mystery, as we know from the start who the villain is, and little suspense other than whether he will get away with it or not. It’s not a bad effort for a debut but I didn’t like Morton as a character so am unlikely to continue the series.
Edwin Murphy is a narcissistic London publisher who has just lost his job and is further enraged when his wealthy lawyer wife files for divorce and announces her plan to take their daughter to New York. Her death would solve all his problems, but he knows he would be the lead suspect, so hatches a plan to have a stranger he finds on the dark web kill her in exchange for another murder. This sets off a complicated series of deaths as Edwin manipulates his pawns to do his dirty work - but not all of them stick to the plan. Can ageing Morton, resisting a move by his superiors to take him out of the field, connect the dots in time to stop Edwin getting away with Murder by Internet?
This was published in 2012 when the dark web was less well known to thriller readers. The Strangers on a Train idea is not new, but this takes the basic concept and updates it for the serial killer generation, where a psychopath is able to dispatch a slew of victims without ever meeting any of them. This isn’t the twist though, as we know Edwin’s motivations from the start, and as each new character is introduced (and there are a lot of them) the only surprise is whether they will turn out to be killer or victim. None are particularly well developed and even those we have sympathy for turn out to be disposable victims of a series of increasingly gratuitous murders which serve only to pad out the plot.
Morton is a sexist dinosaur who puts himself and his colleagues at risk barging into arrest situations with inadequate preparation - for a supposedly revered copper he is pretty slow on the uptake.
Many early reviews here complain about grammar errors and typos, fortunately these had been corrected in the edition I read, although there are still quite a few mistakes in the text eg names, places, procedures & medical issues. The writing is otherwise competent - there is next to no scene or character description, with most of the detail reserved for the killings themselves. Edwin’s self-congratulatory internal monologue got rather tedious, as did Morton’s. For me this was a solid 3 star read - I didn’t hate it, and didn’t have any difficulty finishing it, but I was left feeling rather flat and faintly dissatisfied. The series extends to five more books plus a novella so I imagine they improve, but I have far too much else to read to feel motivated to buy the next one.
Edwin Murphy is a narcissistic London publisher who has just lost his job and is further enraged when his wealthy lawyer wife files for divorce and announces her plan to take their daughter to New York. Her death would solve all his problems, but he knows he would be the lead suspect, so hatches a plan to have a stranger he finds on the dark web kill her in exchange for another murder. This sets off a complicated series of deaths as Edwin manipulates his pawns to do his dirty work - but not all of them stick to the plan. Can ageing Morton, resisting a move by his superiors to take him out of the field, connect the dots in time to stop Edwin getting away with Murder by Internet?
This was published in 2012 when the dark web was less well known to thriller readers. The Strangers on a Train idea is not new, but this takes the basic concept and updates it for the serial killer generation, where a psychopath is able to dispatch a slew of victims without ever meeting any of them. This isn’t the twist though, as we know Edwin’s motivations from the start, and as each new character is introduced (and there are a lot of them) the only surprise is whether they will turn out to be killer or victim. None are particularly well developed and even those we have sympathy for turn out to be disposable victims of a series of increasingly gratuitous murders which serve only to pad out the plot.
Morton is a sexist dinosaur who puts himself and his colleagues at risk barging into arrest situations with inadequate preparation - for a supposedly revered copper he is pretty slow on the uptake.
Many early reviews here complain about grammar errors and typos, fortunately these had been corrected in the edition I read, although there are still quite a few mistakes in the text eg names, places, procedures & medical issues. The writing is otherwise competent - there is next to no scene or character description, with most of the detail reserved for the killings themselves. Edwin’s self-congratulatory internal monologue got rather tedious, as did Morton’s. For me this was a solid 3 star read - I didn’t hate it, and didn’t have any difficulty finishing it, but I was left feeling rather flat and faintly dissatisfied. The series extends to five more books plus a novella so I imagine they improve, but I have far too much else to read to feel motivated to buy the next one.
May 15, 2012
This was not an easy book to read.
Whilst I commend the Campbell brothers for writing and marketing a book in 90 days, it would seem to me that more time was required to get the book right.
This is an extremely complex and confusing plot and could benefit from a professional editing and proof read. The violence whilst explicit and descriptive, at times seemed irrelevant to the story, however the research information was outstanding. The description of the 'darknet' and it's use was intriguing and complemented the story line. The characterisation appeared shallow and I found it diffficult to empathise with any of the cast of hunrdeds. For instance, Chief Inspector David Morton at first was a professional and competant senior law officer, however as the book progressed he became a bumbling incompetant who lost his way. Strange.
A good effort for a debut author, however I could not recommend this book.
Whilst I commend the Campbell brothers for writing and marketing a book in 90 days, it would seem to me that more time was required to get the book right.
This is an extremely complex and confusing plot and could benefit from a professional editing and proof read. The violence whilst explicit and descriptive, at times seemed irrelevant to the story, however the research information was outstanding. The description of the 'darknet' and it's use was intriguing and complemented the story line. The characterisation appeared shallow and I found it diffficult to empathise with any of the cast of hunrdeds. For instance, Chief Inspector David Morton at first was a professional and competant senior law officer, however as the book progressed he became a bumbling incompetant who lost his way. Strange.
A good effort for a debut author, however I could not recommend this book.
July 3, 2020
I’ve seen a few old reviews from years ago, talking about editing issues. Glad to say, that’s been cleared up.
This is the first book in the series, so I’m still getting to know the characters. I like what I’ve been reading, so far.
A man is unhappy to learn that his wife is leaving him. With the prospect of losing his house and child, he decides to do what he can to remedy his situation.
Very interesting. Very beautiful.
This is the first book in the series, so I’m still getting to know the characters. I like what I’ve been reading, so far.
A man is unhappy to learn that his wife is leaving him. With the prospect of losing his house and child, he decides to do what he can to remedy his situation.
Very interesting. Very beautiful.
January 27, 2022
This is volume 1 in a police procedural series set in London. The story is an updated 'Strangers on a Train' - in this, one man arranges on the darknet to have his wife murdered while evading carrying out the reciprocal murder he is meant to do in return, fooling a whole series of other people into carrying out various killings which are designed to cover his tracks. Another character has a longstanding grudge against someone responsible for him going to jail for something he didn't do, and comes into the ambit of this series of convoluted chain killings.
I'm afraid I didn't really enjoy this. It became unnecessarily complicated, with the frequent viewpoint shifts into various characters that were very flat and which it became obvious would soon be killed off anyway. It was difficult to keep straight who was being referred to in places. The DCI who was the main police character was unevenly written and a bit unsympathetic in places, and became almost irrelevant to the solution at the end. And the final twist was quite unnecessary. There were also some odd typos and things that threw me out of the story - American terms turning up here and there in a story about British people in London. So all in all, I can only give this an OK 2 stars and won't be seeking further volumes in the series.
I'm afraid I didn't really enjoy this. It became unnecessarily complicated, with the frequent viewpoint shifts into various characters that were very flat and which it became obvious would soon be killed off anyway. It was difficult to keep straight who was being referred to in places. The DCI who was the main police character was unevenly written and a bit unsympathetic in places, and became almost irrelevant to the solution at the end. And the final twist was quite unnecessary. There were also some odd typos and things that threw me out of the story - American terms turning up here and there in a story about British people in London. So all in all, I can only give this an OK 2 stars and won't be seeking further volumes in the series.
November 28, 2012
This was a fun book to read. With my warped sense of humor, I found it quite an interesting read. Think "Strangers On A Train" on steroids and you have a great plot.
My only reason for not giving this 5 stars, is that this book could do with a serious proofreading and continuity editor. Once that is accomplished, I can see this novel doing really well.
My only reason for not giving this 5 stars, is that this book could do with a serious proofreading and continuity editor. Once that is accomplished, I can see this novel doing really well.
August 4, 2013
This is a really super read that will have you tearing through your kindle to keep up with the pace of Edwin's wickedness - just how low will this man stoop and how high will the body count be by the end of the story?
Not for the faint hearted, Sean and Dan Campbell's prose is gritty and realistic. The gruesome description of the dissection of a woman's corpse in the morgue still haunts my mind and the final chilling twist will leave you gasping.
Hats off to these talented and driven authors - an amazing story in only 90 days from start to finish - incredible and admirable in equal measure. More, gentlemen, please!
October 19, 2012
An interesting premise let down by too many characters, poorly drawn characters, an over-complicated (yet repetitive) plot and poor editing.
July 15, 2012
This is a great read, I was gripped from the start. highly recommended. If this book had taken a year to write, it would still be brilliant, the fact it was written in 90 days only makes it more impressive. Would have been a five but for a couple of important name mix ups in crucial parts of the story. I'm sure they will be fixed in future editions, but it did slow the action down a bit as I tried to figure out why x had said something he clearly wouldn't!
February 26, 2018
Dead on Demand was a free kindle book, that I decided to try. The sleuth is DCI Morton and the murders involve an entire host of suspects connected in a web of deceit on the dark web. The plot was intriguing as one murder led to the next with one “hand” not really knowing what the other was doing. The initial trigger for all the crimes was the breakdown of Edwin and Eleanor’s marriage. Their divorce has far-reaching consequences even beyond London. DCI Morton is a capable investigator and there is enough of his personal life included to make him a fully fleshed out character. I did find that with so much going on, the story felt a little rushed. I also found that the post-resolution piece didn’t really ring true with what we had heard from Edwin throughout the book. I think that could have been left off. Overall, an okay mystery read.
April 11, 2015
Edward Murphy is served with divorce papers, fired from his job as a newspaper editor, and told his soon-to-be-ex wife wants to move out of the country with their only daughter whom he will be able to see once a year. If only his wife were dead....
Thus begins a tale of murder (lots), intrigue, and a bit of confusion (ok, more than a bit). The chapters are pretty short; new characters seem to be introduced every few pages. And more new characters. Frankly, there were too many characters for me to keep track, and I got to the point of thinking, "Doesn't matter, they'll either die or be irrelevant soon." Maybe that's indicative of Edward's state of mind, maybe not. Some things are explored more in depth with minimal-to-no payoff.
This was an ambitious endeavor attempting to pull all these disparate pieces together. But it doesn't seem it's fully baked. It's an okay story, an easy read, and one you can get to when you feel like it, not an immediate read. It's free on Amazon right now, so you can just pop it in your library, if you wish.
Addendum: I liked the DCI Morton character. I definitely want to read more of his stories.
Thus begins a tale of murder (lots), intrigue, and a bit of confusion (ok, more than a bit). The chapters are pretty short; new characters seem to be introduced every few pages. And more new characters. Frankly, there were too many characters for me to keep track, and I got to the point of thinking, "Doesn't matter, they'll either die or be irrelevant soon." Maybe that's indicative of Edward's state of mind, maybe not. Some things are explored more in depth with minimal-to-no payoff.
This was an ambitious endeavor attempting to pull all these disparate pieces together. But it doesn't seem it's fully baked. It's an okay story, an easy read, and one you can get to when you feel like it, not an immediate read. It's free on Amazon right now, so you can just pop it in your library, if you wish.
Addendum: I liked the DCI Morton character. I definitely want to read more of his stories.
May 12, 2013
Deleted this one. There is a flagrant disregard for proper punctuation that wore me down.
The story itself sounded really intriguing and I was fascinated by it but couldn't carry on. Such a bloody shame. I'm sure there are others like me out there that pack in badly edited books......is it worth it, I wonder, not to get one who does a great job ?
Things like photos frames, dropping an a in a sentence, no apostrophes where needed or capital letters, lost commas, loathed used when they meant loath.....just awful. I packed in at 19%.
The story itself sounded really intriguing and I was fascinated by it but couldn't carry on. Such a bloody shame. I'm sure there are others like me out there that pack in badly edited books......is it worth it, I wonder, not to get one who does a great job ?
Things like photos frames, dropping an a in a sentence, no apostrophes where needed or capital letters, lost commas, loathed used when they meant loath.....just awful. I packed in at 19%.
June 3, 2017
This was a very hard book to read. I finally got through it but the story was convoluted, I had no sympathy for any of the characters and I couldn't wait to finish it. It only picked up at the end when they finally figured out who did it. Frankly, I was bored.
September 18, 2021
I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only. Overall this was an intriguing storyline. It started off a little slow and with the amount of characters involved got confusing every now and then to remember who is who. There were switches in character POV mid-chapter which posed confusion at times. It all came together in the end and it was a good read but a few changes could have made it even better.
June 2, 2018
Twisty, turny suspense of epic proportions. And I loved how the authors pieced it all together by the end. I especially loved the twist at the end. Awesome. And so perfect.
In a way, it reminded me of 'Unforgotten on Masterpiece', a UK series with a lot of twists and turns, told in a totally untypical way. Sometimes hard to follow, but definitely worth the ride.
In a way, it reminded me of 'Unforgotten on Masterpiece', a UK series with a lot of twists and turns, told in a totally untypical way. Sometimes hard to follow, but definitely worth the ride.
February 20, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Well worth a read, especially for those who live in London. I'm looking forward to book number 2 in the series.
September 10, 2023
A great introduction to the DCI Morton series. For readers who prefer their detectives not to have baggage then this Detective is for you. A clever , intricate plot involving users of the DarkWeb . Edwin Murphy is one such user and he has plans to use it to get what he wants, and more. Murphy is very dislikeable character , a great love to hate character. I won't say too much about the plot as one thing leads to another . A very enjoyable crime thriller
October 19, 2021
A captivating story of an intricate web of deception, deceit and death
Dead on Demand is the first book of Mr Campbell’s that I have read, but I intend to search out more from this accomplished author. The story was intriguing from the outset, and captured my attention. The plot line appeared initially to be one of family drama, which was captivating in itself, but then descended into a sinister, complicated web of murder, lies and deception. From the get-go you know who the murderer is, so this isn’t a whodunnit premise. From that perspective, the reader gains ever more insight into the twisted machinations of the main character Edwin Murphy, and the depths he will sink to. A wordsmith, and a former Editor of a national rag The Impartial, Edwin is able to be the go-between, imitating the syntax and style of different peoples’ writing who are communicating over a newsgroup on the dark net. These people are looking for murder swaps - the Death on Demand - aspect of the book’s title. Edwin creates messages, impersonating one party requesting a murder, and messaging another party, establishing links, and intricately covering his tracks, placing further degrees of separation from himself and the murder of his wife Fiona.
I know perhaps I shouldn’t, as Edwin was the book’s villain, but I did feel considerable sympathy for him in the beginning. It all started so well for Edwin, a man with such high hopes, a strong academic background (Cambridge University graduate), a great job and a loving, beautiful and intelligent wife, also a Cambridge grad. And then it all crashes down in one day. No job, no wife, and with Fiona’s intention made clear that when she left for New York she would take Chelsea, his only daughter, with her – Edwin realized he’d lose what little family he had too. It couldn’t get much worse for Edwin, and I really understood his numbing pain of betrayal. However, after being interviewed for an Editor’s job in a Vancouver paper and getting the thumb's up from the paper's CEO that he had the job, he still pursued the murder of his wife. That action destroyed any sympathy I had for this character.
The premise of the criminal technique is ingenious, and only stymied by the recalcitrance of one of the parties in question to commit the murder swap. I’m giving away no spoilers to the final denouement, but it is a little sad and somewhat ironic, who is finally manipulated. Genius writing from Mr Campbell.
Through the meticulous murder chain, characters are introduced. There are a number of characters, and I enjoyed dropping into their ‘life moments’, learning of their motivations, their backstory and the means by which they would make their fatal play, removing the life of their mark.
Many of Edwin’s pawns - those unsuspecting individuals caught up in his murder web - are obnoxious, awful people, others are pitiful or just plain stupid. Peter Sugden, a City financier, was hideous, a xenophobic, racist oaf I despised. Another of Edwin’s pawns, Anthony Duvall, affected me, and I really felt for his plight. A trusting stooge, who’d been set up by an unscrupulous man, and who subsequently had his life ripped apart by one single action. After years in prison, the idealistic, studious young man was overwritten by tattooed, hard-edged lag; a man aged beyond his years and brutalized by his time in jail.
The second major character is DCI David Morton, heading up the Metropolitan Police’s Murder Investigation Team. He’s a formidable and intrepid detective who had an instinctive feeling that the ‘random’ deaths were somehow connected. However, despite his investigations he couldn’t find relationships between the victims. Their backgrounds seemed disparate - a young prostitute, a drug dealer, a hedge funder, a father of critically ill child. Breaks in the investigation weren’t forthcoming until he discovered Barry Fitzgerald, another murderer, who met his end at the hands of a professional assassin. That outcome landed another spanner in the works for Morton. Amateur and professional killers, rich folk and down-and-outs. It was quite a test for Morton, and a fantastic intro to his character and his series. I shall certainly be reading the next in the series ‘Cleaver Square’, and its already nestling in my library now. Dead on Demand is a fabulous, engrossing read and one that I recommend highly.
Dead on Demand is the first book of Mr Campbell’s that I have read, but I intend to search out more from this accomplished author. The story was intriguing from the outset, and captured my attention. The plot line appeared initially to be one of family drama, which was captivating in itself, but then descended into a sinister, complicated web of murder, lies and deception. From the get-go you know who the murderer is, so this isn’t a whodunnit premise. From that perspective, the reader gains ever more insight into the twisted machinations of the main character Edwin Murphy, and the depths he will sink to. A wordsmith, and a former Editor of a national rag The Impartial, Edwin is able to be the go-between, imitating the syntax and style of different peoples’ writing who are communicating over a newsgroup on the dark net. These people are looking for murder swaps - the Death on Demand - aspect of the book’s title. Edwin creates messages, impersonating one party requesting a murder, and messaging another party, establishing links, and intricately covering his tracks, placing further degrees of separation from himself and the murder of his wife Fiona.
I know perhaps I shouldn’t, as Edwin was the book’s villain, but I did feel considerable sympathy for him in the beginning. It all started so well for Edwin, a man with such high hopes, a strong academic background (Cambridge University graduate), a great job and a loving, beautiful and intelligent wife, also a Cambridge grad. And then it all crashes down in one day. No job, no wife, and with Fiona’s intention made clear that when she left for New York she would take Chelsea, his only daughter, with her – Edwin realized he’d lose what little family he had too. It couldn’t get much worse for Edwin, and I really understood his numbing pain of betrayal. However, after being interviewed for an Editor’s job in a Vancouver paper and getting the thumb's up from the paper's CEO that he had the job, he still pursued the murder of his wife. That action destroyed any sympathy I had for this character.
The premise of the criminal technique is ingenious, and only stymied by the recalcitrance of one of the parties in question to commit the murder swap. I’m giving away no spoilers to the final denouement, but it is a little sad and somewhat ironic, who is finally manipulated. Genius writing from Mr Campbell.
Through the meticulous murder chain, characters are introduced. There are a number of characters, and I enjoyed dropping into their ‘life moments’, learning of their motivations, their backstory and the means by which they would make their fatal play, removing the life of their mark.
Many of Edwin’s pawns - those unsuspecting individuals caught up in his murder web - are obnoxious, awful people, others are pitiful or just plain stupid. Peter Sugden, a City financier, was hideous, a xenophobic, racist oaf I despised. Another of Edwin’s pawns, Anthony Duvall, affected me, and I really felt for his plight. A trusting stooge, who’d been set up by an unscrupulous man, and who subsequently had his life ripped apart by one single action. After years in prison, the idealistic, studious young man was overwritten by tattooed, hard-edged lag; a man aged beyond his years and brutalized by his time in jail.
The second major character is DCI David Morton, heading up the Metropolitan Police’s Murder Investigation Team. He’s a formidable and intrepid detective who had an instinctive feeling that the ‘random’ deaths were somehow connected. However, despite his investigations he couldn’t find relationships between the victims. Their backgrounds seemed disparate - a young prostitute, a drug dealer, a hedge funder, a father of critically ill child. Breaks in the investigation weren’t forthcoming until he discovered Barry Fitzgerald, another murderer, who met his end at the hands of a professional assassin. That outcome landed another spanner in the works for Morton. Amateur and professional killers, rich folk and down-and-outs. It was quite a test for Morton, and a fantastic intro to his character and his series. I shall certainly be reading the next in the series ‘Cleaver Square’, and its already nestling in my library now. Dead on Demand is a fabulous, engrossing read and one that I recommend highly.
November 3, 2016
London, England. Belgravia townhouse (51 Belgrave Square).
Edwin Murphy (editor, The Impartial newspaper, Cambridge) legal staff was supposed to take care of any of his law suits.
But this time the court documents were addressed to him personally.
It was from Eleanor Murphy’s (wife, Cambridge, corporate lawyer) attorney, a divorce was in the makings.
Chelsea (daughter) was to be determined which parent she would live with. She attends Grosvenor Young Ladies Academy.
Edwin no longer worked for the newspaper.
He now had a devious plan that might work.
Vanhi (prostitute, druggie) is the name Edwin had in mind.
Eleanor loved to jog in Battersea Park.
DCI David Morton (Metropolitan PD, Murder Investigation Team) was on the case of the corpse aka Jane Bloggs.
Stuart (Metropolitan PD, Forensics) did the DNA & the body appears to be that of Eleanor Murphy.
DCI Morton would let Edwin know what the department found out about the deceased & he in turn would have to let Chelsea know.
What was Barry doing in Brixton?
Emanuel Richard had been murdered.
Jaison (Vanhi’s BF, druggie, cleaning job) was informed by DCI Morton that Vanhi Deepak body was found outside the One Eyed Dog.
Barry Fitzgerald prints had been found on her body.
DI Charles Rosenburg (Metropolitan PD) had now been put on the murder case loads.
Another body found at Creekmouth (Breckton dock).
WPC Hayley Lancaster came to visit with Mrs. Sugden.
It seems Mr. Peter K. Sugden-Jones (Broker, fund mgr.) was found floating in the Thames River.
What did the letter from HR state to David (Sarah’s husband)?
Barry Fitzgerald body was found aboard the Nordic Giant (ferry).
WPC Debra Stevenson was shot while trying to arrest Antonio Milano (serial killer).
Rushed to the hospital she did not survive.
Will the murder mysteries be solved & someone brought to justice?
Warning: This book contains violence, or graphic adult content which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great who’s-doing-it murder mystery movie, or a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Smashwords; De Minimis; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Edwin Murphy (editor, The Impartial newspaper, Cambridge) legal staff was supposed to take care of any of his law suits.
But this time the court documents were addressed to him personally.
It was from Eleanor Murphy’s (wife, Cambridge, corporate lawyer) attorney, a divorce was in the makings.
Chelsea (daughter) was to be determined which parent she would live with. She attends Grosvenor Young Ladies Academy.
Edwin no longer worked for the newspaper.
He now had a devious plan that might work.
Vanhi (prostitute, druggie) is the name Edwin had in mind.
Eleanor loved to jog in Battersea Park.
DCI David Morton (Metropolitan PD, Murder Investigation Team) was on the case of the corpse aka Jane Bloggs.
Stuart (Metropolitan PD, Forensics) did the DNA & the body appears to be that of Eleanor Murphy.
DCI Morton would let Edwin know what the department found out about the deceased & he in turn would have to let Chelsea know.
What was Barry doing in Brixton?
Emanuel Richard had been murdered.
Jaison (Vanhi’s BF, druggie, cleaning job) was informed by DCI Morton that Vanhi Deepak body was found outside the One Eyed Dog.
Barry Fitzgerald prints had been found on her body.
DI Charles Rosenburg (Metropolitan PD) had now been put on the murder case loads.
Another body found at Creekmouth (Breckton dock).
WPC Hayley Lancaster came to visit with Mrs. Sugden.
It seems Mr. Peter K. Sugden-Jones (Broker, fund mgr.) was found floating in the Thames River.
What did the letter from HR state to David (Sarah’s husband)?
Barry Fitzgerald body was found aboard the Nordic Giant (ferry).
WPC Debra Stevenson was shot while trying to arrest Antonio Milano (serial killer).
Rushed to the hospital she did not survive.
Will the murder mysteries be solved & someone brought to justice?
Warning: This book contains violence, or graphic adult content which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great who’s-doing-it murder mystery movie, or a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Smashwords; De Minimis; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
May 8, 2012
When I first heard about a novel that was going to be written in a maximum of 90 days, I thought that I definitely would need to read that book. My curiosity is huge, especially if the mystery and suspense deal with books. For those people who may think that a novel written in 2 months must be very bad and not worthy of reading I say, you are all wrong. Sean and Daniel Campbell have proved that it is possible to write a very clever, thrilling, and gripping thriller in such a short notice. Written by two different writers, you don't notice the change of writer. The language and style used are professional and very accurate for the kind of novel chosen. The story flows so easily that it is impossible to put the book down. I read it in 3 days (or 3 nights).
About the plot, it is quite original and clever. The main protagonist, Edwin Murphy, has the kind of perfect life that everybody could dream, till he discovers his wife wants to divorce him and leave the country with their daughter. He will plan a very complex plan to kill his wife and, in that way, recover the control of his life. But becoming a murderer is not that easy, and that's how his plan becomes more and more complicated. Is it possible to be a serial killer in the distance? How can the police, with David Morton on the lead, discover what is going on in the streets of London, where they are finding more and more dead bodies? Read this book and follow the steps the police follows to try to solve the mystery.
Lots of different characters in this novel, but every one of them has a very well developed personality, so you feel them quite real. You can pity them, be angry at them, and even take sides. This book will take you in a gripping journey throughout the darkest side of London and its inhabitants.
Highly recommendable. The perfect read for every occasion.
About the plot, it is quite original and clever. The main protagonist, Edwin Murphy, has the kind of perfect life that everybody could dream, till he discovers his wife wants to divorce him and leave the country with their daughter. He will plan a very complex plan to kill his wife and, in that way, recover the control of his life. But becoming a murderer is not that easy, and that's how his plan becomes more and more complicated. Is it possible to be a serial killer in the distance? How can the police, with David Morton on the lead, discover what is going on in the streets of London, where they are finding more and more dead bodies? Read this book and follow the steps the police follows to try to solve the mystery.
Lots of different characters in this novel, but every one of them has a very well developed personality, so you feel them quite real. You can pity them, be angry at them, and even take sides. This book will take you in a gripping journey throughout the darkest side of London and its inhabitants.
Highly recommendable. The perfect read for every occasion.
July 23, 2021
This book already has so many reviews, I doubt I can contribute anything that hasn't already been said. But here goes - first off, the writing style is incredibly easy and engaging. Despite the obvious bones to pick, which almost everyone here has already picked :-), I didn't want to stop reading.
That said, I don't know if I'd want my book's claim to fame to be that it was completed in 90 days. It shows - particularly in the way the plot, which took upwards of 200 pages to unfold, was wrapped up in about 2 pages! By the time I got the book to review from Voracious, the grammatical errors had mostly been ironed out, which was great. But the basic issues with the story remain. There are far too many characters, which I understand the nature of the story demands, but it becomes a bit much.
The book is the first of a series - the DCI Morton series. Unfortunately, Morton's character is little more than a caricature. Sticking a few scenes with his wife does not make him a real person. We never get a feel for his character - no little quirks that make him a real person, no real chemistry with any of his colleagues. So, it's hard to want to read more of his stories.
The final twist in the plot seems forced and just thrown in there for the purpose of making the whole thing more sensational. The antagonist, Edwin - is so flat, I'm angry. I wanted to feel something for him, loathe him, hate him, maybe even give him the credit for coming up with a smart plan.
All in all, would I go back for more helpings of DCI Morton? I don't think so.
That said, I don't know if I'd want my book's claim to fame to be that it was completed in 90 days. It shows - particularly in the way the plot, which took upwards of 200 pages to unfold, was wrapped up in about 2 pages! By the time I got the book to review from Voracious, the grammatical errors had mostly been ironed out, which was great. But the basic issues with the story remain. There are far too many characters, which I understand the nature of the story demands, but it becomes a bit much.
The book is the first of a series - the DCI Morton series. Unfortunately, Morton's character is little more than a caricature. Sticking a few scenes with his wife does not make him a real person. We never get a feel for his character - no little quirks that make him a real person, no real chemistry with any of his colleagues. So, it's hard to want to read more of his stories.
The final twist in the plot seems forced and just thrown in there for the purpose of making the whole thing more sensational. The antagonist, Edwin - is so flat, I'm angry. I wanted to feel something for him, loathe him, hate him, maybe even give him the credit for coming up with a smart plan.
All in all, would I go back for more helpings of DCI Morton? I don't think so.
February 16, 2014
Set in London, our story involves an aging police detective who is nearing retirement, something he dreads. He hopes to close a high profile murder case to facilitate his request to stay on the job. Then we shift to a man who is also a workaholic, and whose wife has filed for a divorce. Not ready to lose his access to his 4 year old daughter as wife plans to take a lawyer position in Vancouver, he recalls his university research paper. U.S. government technology has been converted into civilian use, and internet networks are out there to buy and sell contraband or commit crimes, all with complete anonymity. A plan emerges to have another person kill his wife, and in exchange he will reciprocate, murder for murder. But then more victims emerge, as he. feels he needs to cover his tracks, and take out revenge on a participant who betrayed him. The police inspector gets his big chance, and we get lots of computer forensics, crime scene technology, psychological profiling, and our share of plausible twists and turns. I'm tempted to read the other offerings by the same authors, as this was quite a good page-turner.
July 5, 2025
This is a book that you cant take seriously - it was so much fun. Like a child digging further and further into trouble until the last minute and you think you know what is happening but you dont.
This book kept me so entertained. I have read reviews where grammar etc were issues this seems to be corrected.
This book will just make you smile, it did me.
I received an advance copy by voracious readers and the author but the review is my own and I am off to investigate more.
Updated for audio
I choose this book based on the narrator and really loved it but was disappointed to learn that there were no further books available on audible. Listening on audible is so convenient when walking the dogs etc so hopefully soon.
Back to the book itself it was just so weird what a thought process to come up with the crime and the links etc. This is not a book that you can take seriously but it works well and kept me entertained to the last.
This book kept me so entertained. I have read reviews where grammar etc were issues this seems to be corrected.
This book will just make you smile, it did me.
I received an advance copy by voracious readers and the author but the review is my own and I am off to investigate more.
Updated for audio
I choose this book based on the narrator and really loved it but was disappointed to learn that there were no further books available on audible. Listening on audible is so convenient when walking the dogs etc so hopefully soon.
Back to the book itself it was just so weird what a thought process to come up with the crime and the links etc. This is not a book that you can take seriously but it works well and kept me entertained to the last.
October 4, 2022
This is a book that sucks you in and holds your attention. A London newspaper editor thinks he has everything under control until it all quickly falls apart; his wife files for divorce, he gets fired from his job and his soon to be ex plans to move to NY with their daughter. Not even his high price lawyer can help him. The economic downturn has destroyed his investments and his interest only mortgage is coming due.
Using dark web; an anonymous proxy internet, he reaches out for help and thus begin a series of events that have DCI Morton trying to string together a group of seemingly unrelated killings.
Add in a little police corruption and a half dozen subplots ranging from illegal immigrants to insider trading and you have a compelling read.
Using dark web; an anonymous proxy internet, he reaches out for help and thus begin a series of events that have DCI Morton trying to string together a group of seemingly unrelated killings.
Add in a little police corruption and a half dozen subplots ranging from illegal immigrants to insider trading and you have a compelling read.
October 17, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
September 17, 2012
I thought the book was slow to get started, but the last quarter picked up nicely and I was hooked. At times I had a bit of difficulty keeping all the stories straight, but eventually figured out who was who. The end of the book had a nice twist. All in all, a good read!
August 31, 2018
Twisted
I have never before read a book that had so much going on. The authors will have you twisting and turning while pulling you in multiple directions. You’re gonna love this book.
I have never before read a book that had so much going on. The authors will have you twisting and turning while pulling you in multiple directions. You’re gonna love this book.
February 19, 2013
I only read the first 60 pages. I tried to get into it. For me the jumping around did not hit home.
April 5, 2021
This was a Frankenstein's monster of a book. It felt as though three or four different plots and character sets had been badly stitched together to try and make one coherent story and it just did not work.
Don't get me wrong, there was a section that I genuinely quite enjoyed and read quickly, relatively close to the start where the set up was happening. The main plot was interesting and the characters were okay, but by the halfway point it had just devolved into a hodgepodge of undeveloped characters, plots and increasingly complicated story telling.
Aside from Fiona, none of the characters were likeable or garnered sympathy. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, it was quite interesting to see how a mix of dark minded individuals blended together, orchestrated by a cowardly man. Though the character of Edwin was a tad contradictory. Supposedly so smart and devious and yet he made poor decisions constantly and acted like an actual idiot repeatedly.
The main plot was interesting though it got far too complex. It should have just stuck with Edwin and maybe two others. As it grew more complex and more and more characters got drawn in it became so undeveloped. None of the characters were given proper characteristics and all of them ended up blurring into one generic bad guy that I did not care about. It became almost impossible to keep up with who was killing who and why.
The additional plot of the gun selling was ridiculous. It had no purpose at all. It involved characters that had no substance or depth and was added into an already complex book due to the intricacies of the main plot. I genuinely rolled my eyes at how badly that sub plot was handled.
Likewise, Morton appeared to be the leading 'hero' of the book. A legend, it was claimed. But he was written out quite randomly and the sections related to his future in the police and private life were again squashed between other parts of the plot. They weren't 'padded out' for want of a better phrase. There was no depth or emotion. The sections about Morton felt like a book about the Darknet had been written and then at the end the author decided that he needed a leading DCI and crammed in sections which then weren't interwoven into the book at all, let alone well.
I did read it all because the main plot interested me and I wish that it had just been afforded more time and development.
Don't get me wrong, there was a section that I genuinely quite enjoyed and read quickly, relatively close to the start where the set up was happening. The main plot was interesting and the characters were okay, but by the halfway point it had just devolved into a hodgepodge of undeveloped characters, plots and increasingly complicated story telling.
Aside from Fiona, none of the characters were likeable or garnered sympathy. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, it was quite interesting to see how a mix of dark minded individuals blended together, orchestrated by a cowardly man. Though the character of Edwin was a tad contradictory. Supposedly so smart and devious and yet he made poor decisions constantly and acted like an actual idiot repeatedly.
The main plot was interesting though it got far too complex. It should have just stuck with Edwin and maybe two others. As it grew more complex and more and more characters got drawn in it became so undeveloped. None of the characters were given proper characteristics and all of them ended up blurring into one generic bad guy that I did not care about. It became almost impossible to keep up with who was killing who and why.
The additional plot of the gun selling was ridiculous. It had no purpose at all. It involved characters that had no substance or depth and was added into an already complex book due to the intricacies of the main plot. I genuinely rolled my eyes at how badly that sub plot was handled.
Likewise, Morton appeared to be the leading 'hero' of the book. A legend, it was claimed. But he was written out quite randomly and the sections related to his future in the police and private life were again squashed between other parts of the plot. They weren't 'padded out' for want of a better phrase. There was no depth or emotion. The sections about Morton felt like a book about the Darknet had been written and then at the end the author decided that he needed a leading DCI and crammed in sections which then weren't interwoven into the book at all, let alone well.
I did read it all because the main plot interested me and I wish that it had just been afforded more time and development.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2022
I had a bit of a problem with this story; but was not sure how to articulate my concerns in a written review.
There were so many sub-characters in this book, I had a hard time keeping them straight. However, the reason for all the characters was the original protagonist used the Dark Web to solicit someone to kill his wife. Even though he was using the Dark Web, he was afraid he could be traced. Suffice to say, he decided to ask for a kill for kill arrangement rather than paying for the kill. He thought this would protect him, so he could not be traced to the original kill. He asked for the hired killer to go first and he would reciprocate after that. But, he had no intention of reciprocating and because it was the Dark Web, they would not be able to trace him. He kept passing it off, posing as other requestors he connected with, but again, had no intention of reciprocating their requests. However that's not how it worked; he was eventually traced by others that he reneged on his agreement to reciprocate the killing he requested. It just keep building and cascading, as he tried to protect himself.
This was not gory or too intense for me; in fact it was the opposite. It was the cavalier attitude the protagonist had to anyone he had not direct contact with. They we collateral damage; not his fault. However, this attitude was dark enough that it disturbed me. Innocent people died and he just didn't care, as long as he got what he wanted.
Is this what the world has come to? Is this what we think as individuals? Our wishes and desires take precedence over any one else? If so; I think we are doomed.
There were so many sub-characters in this book, I had a hard time keeping them straight. However, the reason for all the characters was the original protagonist used the Dark Web to solicit someone to kill his wife. Even though he was using the Dark Web, he was afraid he could be traced. Suffice to say, he decided to ask for a kill for kill arrangement rather than paying for the kill. He thought this would protect him, so he could not be traced to the original kill. He asked for the hired killer to go first and he would reciprocate after that. But, he had no intention of reciprocating and because it was the Dark Web, they would not be able to trace him. He kept passing it off, posing as other requestors he connected with, but again, had no intention of reciprocating their requests. However that's not how it worked; he was eventually traced by others that he reneged on his agreement to reciprocate the killing he requested. It just keep building and cascading, as he tried to protect himself.
This was not gory or too intense for me; in fact it was the opposite. It was the cavalier attitude the protagonist had to anyone he had not direct contact with. They we collateral damage; not his fault. However, this attitude was dark enough that it disturbed me. Innocent people died and he just didn't care, as long as he got what he wanted.
Is this what the world has come to? Is this what we think as individuals? Our wishes and desires take precedence over any one else? If so; I think we are doomed.
February 24, 2018
Edwin Murphy’s life is swirling the drain – his wife is divorcing him and going to take his little girl away, his job is in jeopardy, and he’s about to lose his house to the bank – so he sets a dark plan in motion to get rid of his wife, keep his child, and keep his job. Random murder victims start piling up, baffling Inspector David Morton, leader of London’s busiest murder investigation team.
This story put me in mind of Hitchcock’s “Strangers on a Train,” but with a technological twist. Murphy uses the “darknet” to find his first killer, and before you know it, random people are killing other random people in interesting ways and the police are hip deep in bodies and getting slammed for their inability to solve seemingly unconnected cases. There’s an interesting subplot involving Tay-Sachs disease, not your standard mystery novel illness.
I enjoyed this British police procedural. Morton is an interesting character – dedicated to his work, chaffing at the ton of paperwork required of a DCI, feeling his age, but still wanting to be out in the field. The story is told from multiple points of view, which normally annoys me, but I found it interesting in this story. The story clipped along at a good pace, and the ending was a surprise. I liked book 1 enough that I purchased book 2 in the series.
This story put me in mind of Hitchcock’s “Strangers on a Train,” but with a technological twist. Murphy uses the “darknet” to find his first killer, and before you know it, random people are killing other random people in interesting ways and the police are hip deep in bodies and getting slammed for their inability to solve seemingly unconnected cases. There’s an interesting subplot involving Tay-Sachs disease, not your standard mystery novel illness.
I enjoyed this British police procedural. Morton is an interesting character – dedicated to his work, chaffing at the ton of paperwork required of a DCI, feeling his age, but still wanting to be out in the field. The story is told from multiple points of view, which normally annoys me, but I found it interesting in this story. The story clipped along at a good pace, and the ending was a surprise. I liked book 1 enough that I purchased book 2 in the series.
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