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Tyler and Mills #5
Scarlet Ribbons
When a woman with a past is brutally murdered, the detectives assigned to the investigation discover that there’s no shortage of motives and suspects.
A faceless corpse is found in a local park. DCI Tyler and DS Mills establish that the dead woman was working at two brothels in the city, and operating under the name Scarlet. A wealth of suspects and motives are uncovered, and Scarlet, a complex young woman with an interesting past, appears to have been leading a secret life.
The investigation stalls, and Tyler’s long-suffering boss goes off sick, his ambitious replacement demanding a swift resolution to the case and pointing the finger at a credible if convenient suspect. But Tyler remains unconvinced.
Following his instincts, the detective presses hard, and complaints about his methods start pouring in. The pressure from above reaches breaking point, yet despite warnings from his faithful partner Danny Mills, Tyler remains determined to get to the truth ... at all costs.
A faceless corpse is found in a local park. DCI Tyler and DS Mills establish that the dead woman was working at two brothels in the city, and operating under the name Scarlet. A wealth of suspects and motives are uncovered, and Scarlet, a complex young woman with an interesting past, appears to have been leading a secret life.
The investigation stalls, and Tyler’s long-suffering boss goes off sick, his ambitious replacement demanding a swift resolution to the case and pointing the finger at a credible if convenient suspect. But Tyler remains unconvinced.
Following his instincts, the detective presses hard, and complaints about his methods start pouring in. The pressure from above reaches breaking point, yet despite warnings from his faithful partner Danny Mills, Tyler remains determined to get to the truth ... at all costs.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2023
About the author
Mark L. Fowler
21 books29 followersMark writes in a number of genres, including detective crime fiction, psychological thrillers, and Gothic fantasy.
He is the author of the popular Tyler & Mills detective crime series set in Staffordshire in the noughties. RED IS THE COLOUR was shortlisted for the 2018 Arnold Bennett Prize and begins with the grim discovery of a schoolboy who disappeared thirty years earlier. BLUE MURDER involves a missing singer and a murdered guitarist, elevating an obscure band to sudden fame and fortune. THE DEVIL WORE BLACK unveils the mystery of a crucified priest. THE SMELL OF COPPER, finds Tyler out on a limb as the detectives uncover police corruption. SCARLET RIBBONS investigates the brutal murder of a sex worker. The latest book in the series, BLOOD ORANGE, concerns the death of a local greengrocer. All the books can be read as standalone crime novels.
Other detective mysteries include THE BATHROOM MURDERS. A series of women are found hacked to death while taking a shower. This is the first in a new series set in Manchester, featuring female detective Charlie Reed and her sidekick Paul Rigsby.
TWIST has the eponymous private investigator returning, against his better judgement, to the city of nightmares to look into the strange case of a dead philosophy student.
THE MAN UPSTAIRS introduces hard boiled Frank Miller, discovering he’s a fictional detective and that his author is plotting to kill him. This is the first in a series of crime fantasy novels, and the second book in the series has now been published: THE POISONED EYE OF A LOVING GOD,
Mark also writes psychological thrillers. SILVER finds journalist and crime writer Nick Slater obsessed with an unpublished manuscript that a best-selling author was working on when she was murdered, and which her family refuse to publish.
SEXTET explores the twisted rivalry between twin sisters, the weird games they played as children, and the rising murder rate in a small English town.
COFFIN MAKER is a Gothic tale. Death is sent two apprentices amid warnings from an out-of-favour priest that the devil has arrived on Earth.
PAINTED FIRE finds a writer travelling to America’s West Coast in a desperate bid to find a cure for a baffling illness afflicting his wife. An anonymous benefactor has offered to help, but at what price?
He is the author of the popular Tyler & Mills detective crime series set in Staffordshire in the noughties. RED IS THE COLOUR was shortlisted for the 2018 Arnold Bennett Prize and begins with the grim discovery of a schoolboy who disappeared thirty years earlier. BLUE MURDER involves a missing singer and a murdered guitarist, elevating an obscure band to sudden fame and fortune. THE DEVIL WORE BLACK unveils the mystery of a crucified priest. THE SMELL OF COPPER, finds Tyler out on a limb as the detectives uncover police corruption. SCARLET RIBBONS investigates the brutal murder of a sex worker. The latest book in the series, BLOOD ORANGE, concerns the death of a local greengrocer. All the books can be read as standalone crime novels.
Other detective mysteries include THE BATHROOM MURDERS. A series of women are found hacked to death while taking a shower. This is the first in a new series set in Manchester, featuring female detective Charlie Reed and her sidekick Paul Rigsby.
TWIST has the eponymous private investigator returning, against his better judgement, to the city of nightmares to look into the strange case of a dead philosophy student.
THE MAN UPSTAIRS introduces hard boiled Frank Miller, discovering he’s a fictional detective and that his author is plotting to kill him. This is the first in a series of crime fantasy novels, and the second book in the series has now been published: THE POISONED EYE OF A LOVING GOD,
Mark also writes psychological thrillers. SILVER finds journalist and crime writer Nick Slater obsessed with an unpublished manuscript that a best-selling author was working on when she was murdered, and which her family refuse to publish.
SEXTET explores the twisted rivalry between twin sisters, the weird games they played as children, and the rising murder rate in a small English town.
COFFIN MAKER is a Gothic tale. Death is sent two apprentices amid warnings from an out-of-favour priest that the devil has arrived on Earth.
PAINTED FIRE finds a writer travelling to America’s West Coast in a desperate bid to find a cure for a baffling illness afflicting his wife. An anonymous benefactor has offered to help, but at what price?
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 18, 2023
The murder of a prostitute leaves Tyler and Mills believing it is someone she knows due to the rage and force used leaving her with horrific injuries.
With Berkins in hospital, there is a new boss, Carstairs, who definitely has an axe to grind with Tyler.
The main plot left me with no idea who the killer was and the subplots were equally as good.
I like the working relationship between Tyler and Mills, they’ve worked together so long, they know what the other is thinking.
A book that I devoured quickly as it was so good.
With Berkins in hospital, there is a new boss, Carstairs, who definitely has an axe to grind with Tyler.
The main plot left me with no idea who the killer was and the subplots were equally as good.
I like the working relationship between Tyler and Mills, they’ve worked together so long, they know what the other is thinking.
A book that I devoured quickly as it was so good.
May 24, 2023
Scarlet Ribbons is the fifth book in the Tyler and Mills series and sees the Detecting duo called to the scene of a grizzly murder. A young woman has been stabbed to death in a particularly vicious attack, and with no witnesses and quite a few potential suspects, it puts the pair in a very difficult situation. The victim in this case, Stacey Trent, is a sex worker, known by the name Scarlet, and whilst she has her fair share of clients and potential suitors, the brothel she works in has attracted a considerable amount of hate as well. Add in a temporary boss who doesn’t quite subscribe to the DCI Tyler fan club and the scene is set for a case packed with conflict and, for Tyler at least, conflicting emotions.
I really enjoy this series, and really like the dynamic between Tyler and Mills. Whilst Tyler very much exerts his authority as the senior detective, the friendship that has grown between them, and the camaraderie really does bring a smile to my face. Seeing the concern that Danny Mills has for his boss, who is not only processing a romantic breakup, but also trying his hardest not to end up in the same position with temporary Chief Superintendent, Carstairs that saw him leave London under a cloud, really does show how fair their partnership has come from the rocky early days. They balance each other well, the health conscious DCI and the biscuit loving DS, share a good sense of humour and have the trust and understanding you expect from a great police duo.
The case they are working on really does push Tyler to the limit. Not necessarily because it is the most gruesome they have ever faced, but because of the lack of progress and the extra conflict that serves to distract them from the main investigation. I like the way in which the author explores this, alongside the conflict between Tyler and Carstairs, and the impact it has on Tyler. There are moments when it feels like he is giving up, getting ready to jump before Carstairs can wield the axe, and that adds and occasional melancholic tone to the scenes in which Tyler turns to introspection. It’s fair to say that this is a confusing case, and it’s hard to know who, if anyone, to trust. Some antagonists are more brazen and obvious than others, but you should never underestimate the quiet one either. There is a lot of misdirection in play and it means the true killer and motive remain concealed until the perfect moment.
I do love that this series is set in the next county to mine. Whilst not everything in the book is exactly to real life, the author has really captured the spirit of the area and the diversity of not only the landscape but the people who inhabit the towns and villages. For me it is this, as well as fabulous characters and the ins and outs of the investigations, that really make the series for me. Have loved catching back up with Tyler and Mills and fans of the books will not be disappointed.
I really enjoy this series, and really like the dynamic between Tyler and Mills. Whilst Tyler very much exerts his authority as the senior detective, the friendship that has grown between them, and the camaraderie really does bring a smile to my face. Seeing the concern that Danny Mills has for his boss, who is not only processing a romantic breakup, but also trying his hardest not to end up in the same position with temporary Chief Superintendent, Carstairs that saw him leave London under a cloud, really does show how fair their partnership has come from the rocky early days. They balance each other well, the health conscious DCI and the biscuit loving DS, share a good sense of humour and have the trust and understanding you expect from a great police duo.
The case they are working on really does push Tyler to the limit. Not necessarily because it is the most gruesome they have ever faced, but because of the lack of progress and the extra conflict that serves to distract them from the main investigation. I like the way in which the author explores this, alongside the conflict between Tyler and Carstairs, and the impact it has on Tyler. There are moments when it feels like he is giving up, getting ready to jump before Carstairs can wield the axe, and that adds and occasional melancholic tone to the scenes in which Tyler turns to introspection. It’s fair to say that this is a confusing case, and it’s hard to know who, if anyone, to trust. Some antagonists are more brazen and obvious than others, but you should never underestimate the quiet one either. There is a lot of misdirection in play and it means the true killer and motive remain concealed until the perfect moment.
I do love that this series is set in the next county to mine. Whilst not everything in the book is exactly to real life, the author has really captured the spirit of the area and the diversity of not only the landscape but the people who inhabit the towns and villages. For me it is this, as well as fabulous characters and the ins and outs of the investigations, that really make the series for me. Have loved catching back up with Tyler and Mills and fans of the books will not be disappointed.
April 15, 2025
This was a tough read. The victim, a woman employed in 2 brothels, had injuries that were both brutal and cruel. But with Mark Fowler orchestrating his lead detectives, DCI Tyler and DS Mills journey to discovery of the murderer, the difficult read was made easier to cope with by his traditional good and healthy dose of ironic humour which is so typical of this unassuming but most excellent author. Quite brilliant writing.
Tyler has baggage not just from an incident which saw him being moved unceremoniously from his position in London to the ‘wilds’ of Staffordshire, but from his childhood. He tries to manage this but all too often his anger management skills fail him and none more so than in Scarlet Ribbons. Not only does he face a complex investigation which offers very many suspects but, on deeper investigation, very little as to the real identity of the killer, he has a boss, temporarily in charge, who seems more focused on removing Tyler from the case and the force, than truly getting it resolved.
If you’ve not ‘met’ Tyler and Mills, you could start any of the books in the series and be instantly invested in the characters and storyline as, remarkably, each truly does standalone. But, if like me, you fall in love with the characters, the clever way Mark Fowler uses the location to enhance the mood and tone of his books, and the intriguing and very compelling plots, then you’ll definitely be rewarded with spending more of your reading time with the Tyler and Mills series beyond Scarlet Ribbons.
Tyler has baggage not just from an incident which saw him being moved unceremoniously from his position in London to the ‘wilds’ of Staffordshire, but from his childhood. He tries to manage this but all too often his anger management skills fail him and none more so than in Scarlet Ribbons. Not only does he face a complex investigation which offers very many suspects but, on deeper investigation, very little as to the real identity of the killer, he has a boss, temporarily in charge, who seems more focused on removing Tyler from the case and the force, than truly getting it resolved.
If you’ve not ‘met’ Tyler and Mills, you could start any of the books in the series and be instantly invested in the characters and storyline as, remarkably, each truly does standalone. But, if like me, you fall in love with the characters, the clever way Mark Fowler uses the location to enhance the mood and tone of his books, and the intriguing and very compelling plots, then you’ll definitely be rewarded with spending more of your reading time with the Tyler and Mills series beyond Scarlet Ribbons.
July 6, 2023
The fifth book in the Tyler and Mills series featuring maverick DCI Jim Tyler. Set in Stoke where Tyler has been exiled to from London he and his colleague and friend DS Danny Mills are faced with the gruesome murder of Scarlett. This is such a good partnership, I love the banter and the way they interact despite being very different characters.
Briefly, a badly disfigured corpse is discovered and found to be a prostitute who worked in a local brothel. As her past is slowly revealed there are numerous suspects including some elderly men who frequent the brothels and a woman who has deep feelings about the current use of the shop she ran for many years. Progress is slow and Tyler is coming under increasing pressure from his temporary boss who wants him out of the force. Following his instincts he uncovers a web of lies which in turn lead to complaints to his temporary boss about his behaviour.
Can Tyler crack the mystery before he is removed from the case and can Mills keep him under sufficient control! This is an enjoyable addition to the series, well written with a great plot and some good twists and turns that kept me guessing until the reveal. A very satisfying read.
Briefly, a badly disfigured corpse is discovered and found to be a prostitute who worked in a local brothel. As her past is slowly revealed there are numerous suspects including some elderly men who frequent the brothels and a woman who has deep feelings about the current use of the shop she ran for many years. Progress is slow and Tyler is coming under increasing pressure from his temporary boss who wants him out of the force. Following his instincts he uncovers a web of lies which in turn lead to complaints to his temporary boss about his behaviour.
Can Tyler crack the mystery before he is removed from the case and can Mills keep him under sufficient control! This is an enjoyable addition to the series, well written with a great plot and some good twists and turns that kept me guessing until the reveal. A very satisfying read.
August 2, 2023
The next instalment of DCI Tyler and DS Mills is here. A woman is murdered brutally and the case falls into the hands of DCI Tyler and his sidekick. As the investigation gets going there are many motives and suspects and everyone has to be checked out. She has a very interesting past which leads the detectives on a journey to find out who had it in for her and why she was brutally murdered. During the investigation Tyler’s boss goes off sick leaving him to battle with a new temporary supervisor that he does not get along with at all. He ignores his new Boss’s instructions and follows his instincts instead.
I really enjoyed this book as always. I cannot wait for the next instalment to come out. I highly recommend this book as it is fast paced and keeps you interested and every turn. I could not put it down.
Thank you to the Author for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinions.
I really enjoyed this book as always. I cannot wait for the next instalment to come out. I highly recommend this book as it is fast paced and keeps you interested and every turn. I could not put it down.
Thank you to the Author for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinions.
May 17, 2023
This is another exceptional read in what is a terrific series. Tyler and Mills investigate the gruesome murder of a prostitute. There's a wide ranging number of suspects with various motives and the frustration at the lack of progress is palpable. At the same time, there's a new boss in town who seems to have it in for Tyler right from the off.
The whole story is cleverly done. I was sure I knew who had done it on several occasions and then another twist would occur to make me change my mind. Tyler is like a closed book and I totally get Mills frustration working with him. That being said, I always enjoy the banter between the two and it was right on form here.
This was a book I found hard to put down and I was delighted to get a free day to just sit back, relax and read it. Looking forward to the next in the series.
The whole story is cleverly done. I was sure I knew who had done it on several occasions and then another twist would occur to make me change my mind. Tyler is like a closed book and I totally get Mills frustration working with him. That being said, I always enjoy the banter between the two and it was right on form here.
This was a book I found hard to put down and I was delighted to get a free day to just sit back, relax and read it. Looking forward to the next in the series.
May 24, 2023
Tyler and Mills are called to the murder of a young woman who has had her face brutally slashed. She worked at a massage parlour and there’s no end of persons of interest. She came from a wealthy home, so there’s a lot to consider. Tyler begins to think he’s losing his touch as the team bang their heads against so many walls. Their old boss is in hospital and his substitute seems bent on bringing Tyler down. It’s a twisty little story and just as they seem to make progress, it all falls apart. I’ve really enjoyed this series, which has a detective happily married (though hounded to lose weight!) So refreshing.
May 28, 2023
Another great instalment in the Mills and Tyler series. These 2 have a great relationship within the story that keeps on building.
The murder of a local prostitute leads the two on a series of encounters within a small community where trust is low and everyone seems to be entwined with each other. Can they work out who is responsible before another person is murdered?! Will they find closure for the community before everything is ripped apart? Read it to find out. Awesome read!!
I am looking forward to see more of these two working together
The murder of a local prostitute leads the two on a series of encounters within a small community where trust is low and everyone seems to be entwined with each other. Can they work out who is responsible before another person is murdered?! Will they find closure for the community before everything is ripped apart? Read it to find out. Awesome read!!
I am looking forward to see more of these two working together
May 20, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed the latest murder mystery in this series although it can be read as a stand alone. Great relationship between the two detectives and a baffling gruesome murder of a prostitute.
Thanks Mark for the ARC
Thanks Mark for the ARC
May 20, 2023
My first time out with Tyler and Mills and it won’t be my last. I love the dynamics between the two and makes for fun reading. A great, well written police procedural.
December 30, 2025
Good read!
September 14, 2026
Great Series
Book 5 in This very good series. Tyler and Mills are 2 very Different Characters. And although Tyler does his own thing a lot of the time Mills is a Good Back up
Book 5 in This very good series. Tyler and Mills are 2 very Different Characters. And although Tyler does his own thing a lot of the time Mills is a Good Back up
September 26, 2024
This is book 5 of the Tyler and Mills series.
This book is around the murder of a young girl who works in a local brothel. The brothel is a hated place in the local neighbourhood and there is range of suspects in the community. The victim comes from a rich family and wants nothing to do with them so they are also suspects. Other suspects include friends, colleagues and ex partners.
I will admit the actual culprit was a great twist. This was my favourite Tyler and Mills.
This book is around the murder of a young girl who works in a local brothel. The brothel is a hated place in the local neighbourhood and there is range of suspects in the community. The victim comes from a rich family and wants nothing to do with them so they are also suspects. Other suspects include friends, colleagues and ex partners.
I will admit the actual culprit was a great twist. This was my favourite Tyler and Mills.
May 20, 2023
A murdered prostitute brings more headache for Mills and Tyler but…..
Several suspects are in the limelight but I didn’t work it out. Hooked from the first chapter and had to finish it. Well done
Several suspects are in the limelight but I didn’t work it out. Hooked from the first chapter and had to finish it. Well done
May 26, 2023
Another great detective story of murder and intrigue .so many suspects but who really did it? ........5 stars well deserved
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews