Deadly Friends

Charlie Priest #5

by Stuart Pawson

When Dr Clive Jordan’s dazzling career is brought to an abrupt end by a bullet, his colleagues are devastated -- especially the female ones. If the doctor hadn’t been as discreet as an undertaker’s cough, Detective Inspector Charlie Priest of the East Pennine force would suspect a jealous husband. But it’s not going to be that simple. And Charlie has another case on his hands that he’d give his eyeteeth to solve. Janet Saunders’ description of her attacker makes him easy to find, but his story doesn’t quite gel with hers. She couldn’t get enough of him, he says; she’s only complaining because he dumped her. Charlie knows for certain there’s a killer on the loose . . . and almost certainly a rapist as well. The chances of bagging either of them seem slim, but Charlie’s a lot tougher and smarter than his affable manner indicates, and that’s bad news for the villains on his patch.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Stuart Pawson lived in Fairburn, Yorkshire, with his wife, Doreen.

After a career as a mining electrical engineer, he worked part-time for the probation service for five years, mediating between offenders and their victims. This gave him a good insight into the criminal justice system, and it was during this period that he started to write his first book, The Picasso Scam.

Stuart believed he must have some cowboy genes somewhere in his genome because he always had a strong affinity for the American West. His first visit to the USA was to work for a month at a Wyoming coalmine, and he holidayed over there many times. Although tone-deaf (some would say stone-deaf) he always thought it would be good fun to be a songwriter. The thought of composing a three-minute song as opposed to a 300-page book had a certain attraction. He managed to combine the two themes - song writing and the West - in the opening chapters of Laughing Boy, and he enjoyed writing that one immensely.

Reviews

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 3.5

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an engaging read. I can't quite put my finger how I know it isn't quite the literary end of crime fiction but it did have a freshness for me. It's somewhat plodding nature (these detectives have the weekend off a case!) lent a realism you rarely get in the genre, without overegging the 'this is modern policing' comment pudding.

Charlie Priest is a good creation - not tortured but not cosy either and with a nice line in dry humour, if not much luck with women poor lad.

[Plum-crazy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to November 2019

I've always love this series but sadly Stuart Pawson died in 2016 so Charlie is no more. However, revisiting this old favourite on audio was a joy. Charlie really came to life & I thoroughly enjoyed his banter & humour, although the odd comment to some of the women wouldn't get past todays PC brigade! Great characters, good storyline & some cracking quips- what more do you need?

I listened to this with hubby while travelling, & thankfully he enjoyed it too so I can foresee revisiting some more of this series in the future - hurrah!

R.I.P. Stuart, you & Charlie are sorely missed x

[Lesley Williamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good and the plot was an interesting one. It was very much of the time and it was interesting how much has changed in attitudes in the intervening years. Although perhaps it's more the political policies in some instances and not always social change.
Overall, this was a good read but a bit dated for a younger reader than me!

[John Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is little doubt that Stuart Pawson ( and this particular series) is one of my favourite authors because I can't remember reading three books by the same author in such a short space of time. Aren't holidays wonderful !
This story didn't disappoint and once again I guessed wrongly.
The humour continues and there are two stars in this book. Watch out for the francophile Siamese twins and the happy motor cycle delivery driver.
Priceless.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this as much as the other one I read, in fact, I might not have been inclined to try another of his based on this. I found it pretty sexist, which is strange, considering it features a rape case. The 7th one, which I read first, isn't as bad in that regard. I still like the banter and the light-hearted way Priest deals with his job.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was quite a well crafted plot and enjoyed it.

[Spuddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's really hard to nail down just what I love about this series, but I surely do. DI Charlie Priest is a somewhat unusual policeman; come to that, he's a rather unusual man. It's the Christmas holidays and he's asked to step into the SIO role investigating the shooting death of a popular doctor when a colleague breaks a leg skiing and can't fulfill the role. Meanwhile, he has a reported rape by a local waitress and when he finally figures out who the perpetrator is, discovers he's done it before in another city and got away with it by legal means with a slick lawyer. So Charlie is very determined to have an airtight case when he brings him in this time.

Meanwhile, Charlie's personal life hits an unexpected speed bump. I like that there's a nice balance in the books with regard to the personal stuff and the mystery/work stuff. I have several of the next ones in the series on hand now, thanks to Paperbackswap.com, so am looking forward to more of Charlie in the not too distant future!

[Plum-crazy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this series & decided it was time to treat myself to re-read. Here Charlie is at his best with the wry humour I love.....& *care - spoiler alert*....he's now rid of Annabelle - yeah! Never liked her (far too stuck up for a good ol' Yorkshur mun!) & I always knew she'd break Charlie's heart one day. Now I'll be honest, as a crime novel this isn't one of the best of the series but re-reading it has made me recall how much I've enjoyed these books in the past.


On googling to see why there's been no new books in the series for sometime, I was very sad to learn the Stuart Pawson died in 2016 - R.I.P you will be sorely missed.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying these books. I would struggle to put my finger on why I like them but perhaps it is because the DI appears to be a decent man, one people could get along with easily but still committed to getting to the truth of a matter. He’s not one for taking short cuts even if his bosses would occasionally like him to. He is simply a congruent character, not infallible and doesn’t even think he is, but usually right. His team are also likeable even though determined to get a just result.

The narrative flows easily and keeps the attention but is never predictable, always keeping a little (or in this case, a lot) in reserve for the ending of the story.

[Jean Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining police procedural tale from Mr. Pawson though Heckley Station is a little different to some other police stations in that kindness and a sense of humour are more abundant. However the novel is rather sad both from the point of view of the two cases featured - a murder and a rape - and from the point of view of Charlie's private life. It basically upholds the saying "No good deed goes unpunished".

[Margo Allore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A British Detective novel---part of the Detective Inspector Charles Priest series. There is a murder of a doctor and a rape that has occurred. There are various avenues with the murder and the rape. There is also a bit of a side story of DI Priest's personal life - his girlfriend Annabelle.

I probably would have given it a 3.5.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie is a police officer that you would like to meet- unless you were the criminal that he was after! I rate this book as one of the best in this series. Witty, with a good story line. I have never before read so many books by the same author and still can't wait for the next in series. A great read

[Ruth Kittner · Rating 5 out of 5]

again, an engaging story

Charlie is one of the good guys. People like him. Even his bosses. Even his coworkers. He doesn’t cuss. He doesn’t spout profanity. He explains the variables of a case from start to finish. He’s an all-around good guy. When he loses, we feel his pain. When he bounces back, we feel his joy.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friends

Very interesting story. I wouldn’t call it gripping, but it did have a great cast of characters. Charlie Priest is a likable fellow who gets on with his colleagues. The minor love story was sweet. I will read more because I like the main character. Well done on his portrayal.

[Gerry Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read

Set somewhere in the 1980s, some of its events and circumstances couldn’t happen now, but its a fast, often witty tale that carries the reader along at a brisk pace, with plenty of unexpected twists. Not one to miss!

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully intriguing Gumshoe detective mysteries. I love these books.

[JEANNIE JONES · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to finish it in one sitting!

Very good story, brilliant characters, humour and pathos. What more could you ask? Wish I had found Stuart Lawson years ago.

[Sheila Hersey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining

Detective Charlie Priest is a delightful humorous clever man & apparently handsome as well. This was a very entertaining mystery.

[Sreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual entertaining but not as much as his others.

[MR R K ROBERTS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read.

An enjoyable book, full of twists & turns, pity about Annabel , obviously never meant to be but Charlie will soldier on, no doubt.

[jo willett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like every book in the series, a really enjoyable read

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really a four but much better than a three. I did not find the two crime plots very engaging. I was more interested in CP and will be next for him .

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read from Stuart Pawson

[Virginia Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Dr. Clive Jordan, a charming doctor, much beloved by his female colleagues, is shot in the head, Detective Inspector Charlie Priest suspects a jealous husband - but it's not that easy. And he has a rape to solve. Not that Charlie doesn't know who he is, but how does he prove it wasn't consensual. As usual, a witty, fast paced. well plotted mystery featuring endearing series characters and a look at the Yorkshire countryside.

[Dorothy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book up for 25 cents at a plant sale. I had not previously heard of the author.
It was an easy read, and the plot was well developed and the characters not stereotypical as they are in some mysteries. This is not in the first rank of British mysteries but I would read others of his when I am in the mood for a quick undemanding read.

[Julie Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another solid entry by Stuart Pawson. As always, its interesting to hang out with Charlie for a while. This book is more grim than others I've read, with a rapist on the loose...and also, Charlie's love life hits a crisis...but you get so that you cheer for Charlie to get the baddies...go, Charlie, go!

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason I am a fan of English police procedurals. These are amusingly dry.

[Burmutica · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit disappointed...I guess I expected too much after "Grief encounters"..

[Linda Rhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Charlie Priest books and this was no exception!