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DI Ryan Wilkins #3
Lost and Never Found
Oxford, city of rich and poor, where the homeless camp out in the shadows of the gorgeous buildings and monuments. A city of lost things - and buried crimes.
At three o'clock in the morning, Emergency Services receives a call. 'This is Zara Fanshawe. Always lost and never found.' An hour later, the wayward celebrity's Rolls Royce Phantom is found abandoned in dingy Becket Street. The paparazzi go wild.
For some reason, news of Zara's disappearance prompts homeless woman Lena Wójcik to search the camps, nervously, for the bad-tempered vagrant known as 'Waitrose', a familiar sight in Oxford pushing his trolley of possessions. But he's nowhere to be found either.
Who will lead the investigation and cope with the media frenzy? Suave, prize-winning, Oxford-educated DI Ray Wilkins is passed over in favour of his partner, gobby, trailer-park educated DI Ryan Wilkins (no relation). You wouldn't think Ray would be happy. He isn't. You wouldn't think Ryan would be any good at national press presentations. He isn't.
And when legendary cop Chester Lynch takes a shine to Ray - and takes against Ryan - things are only going to get even messier.
At three o'clock in the morning, Emergency Services receives a call. 'This is Zara Fanshawe. Always lost and never found.' An hour later, the wayward celebrity's Rolls Royce Phantom is found abandoned in dingy Becket Street. The paparazzi go wild.
For some reason, news of Zara's disappearance prompts homeless woman Lena Wójcik to search the camps, nervously, for the bad-tempered vagrant known as 'Waitrose', a familiar sight in Oxford pushing his trolley of possessions. But he's nowhere to be found either.
Who will lead the investigation and cope with the media frenzy? Suave, prize-winning, Oxford-educated DI Ray Wilkins is passed over in favour of his partner, gobby, trailer-park educated DI Ryan Wilkins (no relation). You wouldn't think Ray would be happy. He isn't. You wouldn't think Ryan would be any good at national press presentations. He isn't.
And when legendary cop Chester Lynch takes a shine to Ray - and takes against Ryan - things are only going to get even messier.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2024
337 people are currently reading
459 people want to read
About the author
Simon Mason
57 books245 followersSimon Mason was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, on 5 February 1962. He was educated at local schools and studied English at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. He splits his time between writing at home and a part-time editorial position with David Fickling Books, an imprint of Random House and publisher of his 2011 children's novel, Moon Pie.
He is the author of the Quigleys series for young readers: The Quigleys (Highly Commended in the UK's Branford Boase Award), The Quigleys at Large, The Quigleys Not for Sale, and The Quigleys in a Spin. He has also written three adult novels.
Simon lives in Oxford with his wife and two children.
He is the author of the Quigleys series for young readers: The Quigleys (Highly Commended in the UK's Branford Boase Award), The Quigleys at Large, The Quigleys Not for Sale, and The Quigleys in a Spin. He has also written three adult novels.
Simon lives in Oxford with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
November 10, 2023
4 - 5 stars
DI Ray Wilkins and DI Ryan Wilkins #3
Definitely no relation!
Oxford is a truly wonderful city, a city of rich and poor, a city where the homeless camp out wherever they can. They are the lost, but who are the never found?
There’s a surprise one day for workers at an illegal Oxford car wash when a Rolls-Royce Phantom glides in, a woman at the wheel. Later, the Roller is found buckled and wedged in the entrance to the station car park, it’s owner, wealthy celebrity Zara Fanshawe is nowhere to be seen. Later, she makes a cryptic call to the emergency services giving her name, then utters “Always lost and never found“. What does she mean?
Meanwhile, at the Thames Valley police gala, Ray Wilkins is stylishly sartorial as ever, whilst Ryan looks like the trailer park kid he once was, uncomfortable in an ill fitting, rented tuxedo. Highly decorated Detective Chief Constable Chester Lynch is the guest speaker and she is an entertaining one. To Ryan’s shock, she is also there to present Ray with an award, this situation is only going to get awkward and messier! Later, in the early hours of the following morning, Ryan is sent to investigate Zara‘s car and is later placed in charge of the inquiry into her disappearance which has an impact on the homeless community. As if this isn’t enough, Carol, Ryan’s “friend“ is in a spot of bother financially. Is Carol, not quite what Ryan believes? Thus starts a very twisty, mystery thriller, a cracking addition to a really good series.
First of all, those characters. Ray, whilst he is a good detective is much too perfect for my liking and I’d love to him to spill marmalade or coffee down his tie like a normal person (okay, I come from a family of spillers)! I do like Ryan but at times, he is so frustrating as he lets his feelings get the better of him. He really is his own worst enemy. He sure does cause havoc, so he needs to rein himself but oh boy is he ever entertaining to read about. I adore the bond between Ryan and his three year old son little Ryan, who is just the cutest and quite probably the smartest in the room with his “conversations“. The two Wilkins are best together although Ray finds Ryan absolutely exasperating but let’s face it, most people do. Here he does take a step back from the investigation much to Ryan’s frustration. I love the way this plays out as it’s very unexpected.
This is a rollercoaster of the read with the investigation getting odder and odder and more mysterious by the day. The two Wilkins make some shocking and horrifying discoveries, some are courtesy of Ryan’s gut instinct which is a whole story in itself. Things do not add up, they don’t make sense and it sure tests the relationship between Ray and Ryan, almost to breaking point. Some links begin to appear some from digging into the past and it’s a big surprise when those things start to make sense and piece together. The ending is very good with things you don’t see coming. It’s peppered with tension and suspense but is also alleviated with some wry humour usually delivered deadpan style by Ryan.
I thoroughly enjoy this latest instalment, which definitely takes the two main characters and the readers on a journey. I think the focus on the homeless community is a very good element to bring to the storytelling, adding much to think about.
With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to Quercus Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
DI Ray Wilkins and DI Ryan Wilkins #3
Definitely no relation!
Oxford is a truly wonderful city, a city of rich and poor, a city where the homeless camp out wherever they can. They are the lost, but who are the never found?
There’s a surprise one day for workers at an illegal Oxford car wash when a Rolls-Royce Phantom glides in, a woman at the wheel. Later, the Roller is found buckled and wedged in the entrance to the station car park, it’s owner, wealthy celebrity Zara Fanshawe is nowhere to be seen. Later, she makes a cryptic call to the emergency services giving her name, then utters “Always lost and never found“. What does she mean?
Meanwhile, at the Thames Valley police gala, Ray Wilkins is stylishly sartorial as ever, whilst Ryan looks like the trailer park kid he once was, uncomfortable in an ill fitting, rented tuxedo. Highly decorated Detective Chief Constable Chester Lynch is the guest speaker and she is an entertaining one. To Ryan’s shock, she is also there to present Ray with an award, this situation is only going to get awkward and messier! Later, in the early hours of the following morning, Ryan is sent to investigate Zara‘s car and is later placed in charge of the inquiry into her disappearance which has an impact on the homeless community. As if this isn’t enough, Carol, Ryan’s “friend“ is in a spot of bother financially. Is Carol, not quite what Ryan believes? Thus starts a very twisty, mystery thriller, a cracking addition to a really good series.
First of all, those characters. Ray, whilst he is a good detective is much too perfect for my liking and I’d love to him to spill marmalade or coffee down his tie like a normal person (okay, I come from a family of spillers)! I do like Ryan but at times, he is so frustrating as he lets his feelings get the better of him. He really is his own worst enemy. He sure does cause havoc, so he needs to rein himself but oh boy is he ever entertaining to read about. I adore the bond between Ryan and his three year old son little Ryan, who is just the cutest and quite probably the smartest in the room with his “conversations“. The two Wilkins are best together although Ray finds Ryan absolutely exasperating but let’s face it, most people do. Here he does take a step back from the investigation much to Ryan’s frustration. I love the way this plays out as it’s very unexpected.
This is a rollercoaster of the read with the investigation getting odder and odder and more mysterious by the day. The two Wilkins make some shocking and horrifying discoveries, some are courtesy of Ryan’s gut instinct which is a whole story in itself. Things do not add up, they don’t make sense and it sure tests the relationship between Ray and Ryan, almost to breaking point. Some links begin to appear some from digging into the past and it’s a big surprise when those things start to make sense and piece together. The ending is very good with things you don’t see coming. It’s peppered with tension and suspense but is also alleviated with some wry humour usually delivered deadpan style by Ryan.
I thoroughly enjoy this latest instalment, which definitely takes the two main characters and the readers on a journey. I think the focus on the homeless community is a very good element to bring to the storytelling, adding much to think about.
With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to Quercus Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
April 21, 2024
LOST AND NOT FOUND is the third instalment in the series featuring DI Ryan Wilkins and DI Ray Wilkins (not related) and is, by far, the best to date. It can be read strictly as a mystery/thriller but it is much more than that. It is a farcical comedy (in parts) and an examination of British social problems (in parts), as well as a complex police procedural.
(The author is walking a tightrope here. If you don’t realize that it is part farce, part social commentary, and part mystery, you are going to be disappointed.)
The story begins when Zara Fanshawe—wealthy, famous, with a history of drug addiction—disappears after her car, a Rolls Royce Phantom, is found crashed. Ray Wilkins is called to go to the crash scene but decides not to answer the phone call, so Ryan Wilkins goes to the location and subsequently is put in charge of the case, with Ray as his second-in-command.
Ryan, with his white, trailer-trash heritage, and rough style provides a complete contrast from Ray, with his black Nigerian, aristocratic heritage and smooth style. This furnished the comedy in the first instalment of the series and continues to do so here, especially with their now-established bantering friendship. There are other comic scenes, such as the first interview that Ryan and Ray hold with Zara’s recently divorced billionaire hedge fund husband, Lawrence Hobhouse. (Hobhouse is obviously on the autism spectrum.) Then there is Ryan’s unorthodox interview technique of an old school chum, conducted in a bathroom.
As well, there are the darker scenes, descriptions of how a large homeless community lives among the more privileged citizens of Oxford. And (trigger alert) the discovery of how Zara’s supposedly beloved dogs died due to her neglectful behaviour. As Ryan and Ray delve into the case, they learn that drugs and alcohol have led to the downfall of those who started at the top (in terms of family status) and those who started at the bottom. But this has always been a major theme of this series. Ryan managed to escape his heritage (an alcoholic father) after the birth of his son, Little Ryan. His girlfriend, Little Ryan’s mother, was unable to do so; immediately after giving birth, she returned to drugs and overdosed. As Zara’s mother says during an interview: ”As you doubtless know, many people can take drugs just occasionally, keep it casual, but there are some who can’t — addictive personalities, I suppose we must call them — those who have no natural defence against the toxins, who can’t ever leave them alone.”
In addition to a weaving, complex story line, that leads from past misdeeds to new murders, we gain further insights into the family lives of the two D.I. Wilkins. Ryan has a new girlfriend, which leads to a minor estrangement from his son, Little Ryan, who thinks he’s losing his father. Ray is losing sleep (and his cool) because his newborn twins are keeping him awake. And Ray’s father comes to visit, showing us the origin of Ray‘s arrogant attitude. Thankfully, Ray’s wife, Diane, is back to normal after her near meltdown in Book #2.
The capture of the murderer at the end is actually a fairly minor event. What is important is following the trail that leads from the past to the present, and the destruction of ”the lives of the innocent and the not so innocent” stemming from (1) alcohol and drug overuse, and (2) privilege accorded to the rich who misbehave.
NOTE: Although LOST AND NOT FOUND can be read as a standalone, it makes reference to incidents that occurred in the earlier two books. To fully understand the relationships between the two Wilkins, and especially Ryan’s character traits, it is best to read all three.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My reviews for earlier books in this series:
A Killing in November (DI Ryan Wilkins, # 1)
A Broken Afternoon (DI Ryan Wilkins, #2)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(The author is walking a tightrope here. If you don’t realize that it is part farce, part social commentary, and part mystery, you are going to be disappointed.)
The story begins when Zara Fanshawe—wealthy, famous, with a history of drug addiction—disappears after her car, a Rolls Royce Phantom, is found crashed. Ray Wilkins is called to go to the crash scene but decides not to answer the phone call, so Ryan Wilkins goes to the location and subsequently is put in charge of the case, with Ray as his second-in-command.
Ryan, with his white, trailer-trash heritage, and rough style provides a complete contrast from Ray, with his black Nigerian, aristocratic heritage and smooth style. This furnished the comedy in the first instalment of the series and continues to do so here, especially with their now-established bantering friendship. There are other comic scenes, such as the first interview that Ryan and Ray hold with Zara’s recently divorced billionaire hedge fund husband, Lawrence Hobhouse. (Hobhouse is obviously on the autism spectrum.) Then there is Ryan’s unorthodox interview technique of an old school chum, conducted in a bathroom.
As well, there are the darker scenes, descriptions of how a large homeless community lives among the more privileged citizens of Oxford. And (trigger alert) the discovery of how Zara’s supposedly beloved dogs died due to her neglectful behaviour. As Ryan and Ray delve into the case, they learn that drugs and alcohol have led to the downfall of those who started at the top (in terms of family status) and those who started at the bottom. But this has always been a major theme of this series. Ryan managed to escape his heritage (an alcoholic father) after the birth of his son, Little Ryan. His girlfriend, Little Ryan’s mother, was unable to do so; immediately after giving birth, she returned to drugs and overdosed. As Zara’s mother says during an interview: ”As you doubtless know, many people can take drugs just occasionally, keep it casual, but there are some who can’t — addictive personalities, I suppose we must call them — those who have no natural defence against the toxins, who can’t ever leave them alone.”
In addition to a weaving, complex story line, that leads from past misdeeds to new murders, we gain further insights into the family lives of the two D.I. Wilkins. Ryan has a new girlfriend, which leads to a minor estrangement from his son, Little Ryan, who thinks he’s losing his father. Ray is losing sleep (and his cool) because his newborn twins are keeping him awake. And Ray’s father comes to visit, showing us the origin of Ray‘s arrogant attitude. Thankfully, Ray’s wife, Diane, is back to normal after her near meltdown in Book #2.
The capture of the murderer at the end is actually a fairly minor event. What is important is following the trail that leads from the past to the present, and the destruction of ”the lives of the innocent and the not so innocent” stemming from (1) alcohol and drug overuse, and (2) privilege accorded to the rich who misbehave.
NOTE: Although LOST AND NOT FOUND can be read as a standalone, it makes reference to incidents that occurred in the earlier two books. To fully understand the relationships between the two Wilkins, and especially Ryan’s character traits, it is best to read all three.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My reviews for earlier books in this series:
A Killing in November (DI Ryan Wilkins, # 1)
A Broken Afternoon (DI Ryan Wilkins, #2)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
November 27, 2023
At three o'clock in the morning, Emergency Services receives a call. 'This is Zara Fanshawe. Always lost and never found.' An hour later, the wayward celebrity's Rolls Royce Phantom is found abandoned in dingy Becket Street. The paparazzi go wild. For some reason, news of Zara's disappearance prompts homeless woman Lena Wójcik to search the camps, nervously, for the bad-tempered vagrant known as 'Waitrose', a familiar sight in Oxford pushing his trolley of possessions. But he's nowhere to be found either. Who will lead the investigation and cope with the media frenzy?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book but had not heard of the author so I did not realise this was the third book in the series. This did not detract from my enjoyment of the book as I was none the wiser. There is a great array of characters that contribute to making this a great story.
The relationship between Ray and Ryan was an interesting one, Ray more of a follower of the rules where Ryan just follows his heart as to what he thinks needs doing to get the investigation going and find answers to Zara's death. His boss Dave 'Barko' Wallace has brought him back into the fold but as the story progresses he has his doubts that he has done the right thing. Soon Ray is offered a promotion to move away from being a street cop and move up the management ladder but has the person gunning for him to do so have his best interests at heart, and if he takes this will he miss his former partner and life solving crimes from the street level? The other main characters such as Chester are well thought out and have a great deal of depth to them, there is definitely something dirty going on and it is up to Ryan to delve deeper and see what role these people play.
Both detectives have children that play quite a large role in the story and show their human side, Ray with twins with his wife and Ryan a single dad of a three year old who is looked after by his sister while he is away working. As I said I have not read the previous books but it would have been good to see how these relationships have progressed since the beginning.
The story is fast paced and keeps you turning the pages. Lots of action and suspence and all the makings of a great read. Highly recommended. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions are my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book but had not heard of the author so I did not realise this was the third book in the series. This did not detract from my enjoyment of the book as I was none the wiser. There is a great array of characters that contribute to making this a great story.
The relationship between Ray and Ryan was an interesting one, Ray more of a follower of the rules where Ryan just follows his heart as to what he thinks needs doing to get the investigation going and find answers to Zara's death. His boss Dave 'Barko' Wallace has brought him back into the fold but as the story progresses he has his doubts that he has done the right thing. Soon Ray is offered a promotion to move away from being a street cop and move up the management ladder but has the person gunning for him to do so have his best interests at heart, and if he takes this will he miss his former partner and life solving crimes from the street level? The other main characters such as Chester are well thought out and have a great deal of depth to them, there is definitely something dirty going on and it is up to Ryan to delve deeper and see what role these people play.
Both detectives have children that play quite a large role in the story and show their human side, Ray with twins with his wife and Ryan a single dad of a three year old who is looked after by his sister while he is away working. As I said I have not read the previous books but it would have been good to see how these relationships have progressed since the beginning.
The story is fast paced and keeps you turning the pages. Lots of action and suspence and all the makings of a great read. Highly recommended. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions are my own.
November 18, 2023
If you haven’t read this series, you really should. There are two Oxford police officers who both have the surname Wilkins: Ray and Ryan. Ray is ambitious, highly educated and sensible; Ryan was born in a trailer park, is impulsive, reckless but brilliant. This third instalment starts with Ray receiving an award but Ryan being put in charge of their next case. The car of a famous socialite with addiction problems has been found abandoned. The investigation leads them into the world of rough sleeping, drug taking and rich students. Ray continues to try to make something of himself to impress his dad and Ryan continues to blunder around offending everyone. The result of the case is dramatic and sad and Ryan’s son continues to bring humour and joy to the story. I am very much looking forward to the next book. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC.
March 23, 2024
3.0 / 5
Probably didn’t help as I had my theory test to revise for, but my interest in this book gradually began to die half way through. It felt very boring and stagnant at parts of the plot. There are some random filler scenes, and overall it didn’t have that gripping tense feel to the plot. I disliked all the characters in the plot, I couldn’t really connect well with it- I was intrigued by the book based on the reviews but probably will not invest in this series.
Probably didn’t help as I had my theory test to revise for, but my interest in this book gradually began to die half way through. It felt very boring and stagnant at parts of the plot. There are some random filler scenes, and overall it didn’t have that gripping tense feel to the plot. I disliked all the characters in the plot, I couldn’t really connect well with it- I was intrigued by the book based on the reviews but probably will not invest in this series.
January 5, 2024
This is my first outing with Dci's Ryan and Ray Wilkins. Not related and the polar opposite posite of each other and yet a real wi nibg combination. I loved the fact i could just read it and learn about them without needing to read tge previous books. Although i definitely will read them aftef this cracking mystery.
The mystery starts off with a call from celebrity to emergency services tgen her car found and then her bidy and hen gets in so much more. It deals with a lot of issuses such as homelessness and drug addiction. The characters are so well written they flow off the page and i was gripped as the twists and turns kept coming. The conversations and kanguage was so true to life i was so engrossed in tghe storywhen it finished i was shocked it was over.
A cracking 5 star mystery dealing with rough issuses and vibrant characters .skillfully written. Look gorward yo tge next outing.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author for this treat
The mystery starts off with a call from celebrity to emergency services tgen her car found and then her bidy and hen gets in so much more. It deals with a lot of issuses such as homelessness and drug addiction. The characters are so well written they flow off the page and i was gripped as the twists and turns kept coming. The conversations and kanguage was so true to life i was so engrossed in tghe storywhen it finished i was shocked it was over.
A cracking 5 star mystery dealing with rough issuses and vibrant characters .skillfully written. Look gorward yo tge next outing.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author for this treat
May 30, 2024
Mick Herron’s quote on the cover of this says it all. “Crime fiction’s most entertaining double act in decades”. It's a good description of Mason’s DI Wilkins series, of which this is Book 3.
To enjoy these novels you need to suspend your belief, because in the real world there wouldn’t be a DI Ryan Wilkins, however diverse the police force might like to be. But he and his colleague, DI Ray Wilkins, are great characters who lift these books into something special. Oundle Crime read Book 1 (A Killing in November) and Book 2 (The Broken Afternoon) last year and loved them.
In this Ryan is back on the force but working under the close scrutiny of senior officers - tolerated but not trusted. In the early hours of one morning, he’s called to the scene of a crashed and abandoned Rolls Royce Phantom in an unprepossessing Oxford side-street. The car belongs to Zara Fanshawe, a ��celebrity’ known for her wild living and regular stints in rehab, who is nowhere to be found. You’d expect Ryan’s colleague, DI Ray Wilkins to be put in charge of the case. He is, after all, Oxford-educated, suave, photogenic and well able to deal with the press attention that follows. But for reasons of his own, Detective Superintendent Wallace puts Ryan in charge which causes additional issues for the pair.
The only potential witnesses to the crash would be the homeless people who spend their nights in the vicinity but they’ve scattered to the winds, so Ryan and Ray have little to work with as they search for the missing woman. Soon they’re digging deep in the underbelly of Oxford life, among the poor and homeless, in order to get at the truth.
My verdict
I thought this was another hugely enjoyable instalment in the Ryan and Ray Wilkins story and it’s completely appropriate that the cover quote should be from Mick Herron, because these books approach police procedurals in the same way that Herron’s deal with espionage. Good stories, told slightly tongue-in-cheek, with great characters. I don’t think you could fail to be entertained by them.
Don’t let my use of the word ‘entertained’ fool you. These aren’t Cosy Crime and the plots and characters aren’t clichéd. But although there’s nothing noir about them the stories are still meaty and interesting, yet very easy to enjoy. Simon Mason has a light touch, his plots bowl along at a good pace and you get absorbed very quickly. And yes, however silly some of the characters in this might have seemed, I ended up caring about them.
You could, of course, read this as a standalone novel, but if you like the sound of the DI Wilkins series I’d suggest you start from the beginning. Books 1 and 2 tell you much more about Ryan and Ray than this one does, and their backstories are interesting as well as fun.
To my mind a good book is one where I can lose myself in the story, and this series ticks those boxes for me. I hope 'Lost and Never Found' hits the same heights in the bestseller lists as the last two books have, because I really enjoyed this.
Review by: Cornish Eskimo, Oundle Crime
To enjoy these novels you need to suspend your belief, because in the real world there wouldn’t be a DI Ryan Wilkins, however diverse the police force might like to be. But he and his colleague, DI Ray Wilkins, are great characters who lift these books into something special. Oundle Crime read Book 1 (A Killing in November) and Book 2 (The Broken Afternoon) last year and loved them.
In this Ryan is back on the force but working under the close scrutiny of senior officers - tolerated but not trusted. In the early hours of one morning, he’s called to the scene of a crashed and abandoned Rolls Royce Phantom in an unprepossessing Oxford side-street. The car belongs to Zara Fanshawe, a ��celebrity’ known for her wild living and regular stints in rehab, who is nowhere to be found. You’d expect Ryan’s colleague, DI Ray Wilkins to be put in charge of the case. He is, after all, Oxford-educated, suave, photogenic and well able to deal with the press attention that follows. But for reasons of his own, Detective Superintendent Wallace puts Ryan in charge which causes additional issues for the pair.
The only potential witnesses to the crash would be the homeless people who spend their nights in the vicinity but they’ve scattered to the winds, so Ryan and Ray have little to work with as they search for the missing woman. Soon they’re digging deep in the underbelly of Oxford life, among the poor and homeless, in order to get at the truth.
My verdict
I thought this was another hugely enjoyable instalment in the Ryan and Ray Wilkins story and it’s completely appropriate that the cover quote should be from Mick Herron, because these books approach police procedurals in the same way that Herron’s deal with espionage. Good stories, told slightly tongue-in-cheek, with great characters. I don’t think you could fail to be entertained by them.
Don’t let my use of the word ‘entertained’ fool you. These aren’t Cosy Crime and the plots and characters aren’t clichéd. But although there’s nothing noir about them the stories are still meaty and interesting, yet very easy to enjoy. Simon Mason has a light touch, his plots bowl along at a good pace and you get absorbed very quickly. And yes, however silly some of the characters in this might have seemed, I ended up caring about them.
You could, of course, read this as a standalone novel, but if you like the sound of the DI Wilkins series I’d suggest you start from the beginning. Books 1 and 2 tell you much more about Ryan and Ray than this one does, and their backstories are interesting as well as fun.
To my mind a good book is one where I can lose myself in the story, and this series ticks those boxes for me. I hope 'Lost and Never Found' hits the same heights in the bestseller lists as the last two books have, because I really enjoyed this.
Review by: Cornish Eskimo, Oundle Crime
March 24, 2025
Very different cats (the Wilkins pairing of chaotic but likeable for all his bulldozing unsubtlety Ryan and smooth Oxford-educated boxing blue Ray) to the excellent Finder series. Indeed the title might suggest that it is a Finder story but far from it. It is the two Wilkins's dynamic that dominates -- one wonders quite how Ray puts up with Ryan but underlying it is a bond -- as they handle a complex case which to be honest involves a rather messy investigation, though, they do get there in the end. Excellent characters and the story of the murder of a socialite develops into an engrossing chain of events as a disparate list of victims blend into one. I shall say no more, but there is plenty of speaking evil within.....the book not me I might quickly add. Mason is quite a find -- pun unintentional for once -- his ability to write two entirely different series is some accomplishment and he carries it off with bravura. Chapeau sir!
December 20, 2024
I acknowledge that tagging this under police procedural is rather ironic, as DI Ryan Wilkins rarely does things by the book. Which makes his thought process and path towards solving cases interesting. DI Ray Wilkins is very procedure driven - and sometimes that makes him boring. But I love it when DI Ryan solves the case.
May 5, 2025
Read this over 24hrs, now am going to have to get the next one, slow developing relationship between the two officers, plenty of action and twists highly recommend these books.
May 6, 2025
I bought the book because I'd just finished the same writer's "The Case of a Lonely Accountant" which I thought was amazingly good. I wanted to know what Mason had published before and bought two more books. This one is not a patch on the Accountant that centres around a man who calls himself a finder. In "Lost and Never Found" I liked the venue (Oxford), the humour, the simmering racial tension and the way the murderer was identified, but the story as such and particularly the explanation at the end did not hold my attention.
I have this trouble with murder stories - maybe I have read too many of them, maybe too few - that I cannot believe that the problem outlined would call for a killing or that the characters drawn would act in this way. There seem to be an awful lot left over in the story that somebody needs to explain away which I think weakens any book.
I have this trouble with murder stories - maybe I have read too many of them, maybe too few - that I cannot believe that the problem outlined would call for a killing or that the characters drawn would act in this way. There seem to be an awful lot left over in the story that somebody needs to explain away which I think weakens any book.
December 5, 2023
This is the third in the DI Wilkins series, set in Oxford, and the series has become a definite must-read for me.
It begins with a call from a wayward aristocrat. ‘This is Zara Fanshawe. Always lost and never found.’ The next day, her Rolls Royce is found abandoned, the beautiful, troubled, Zara, gone. Known to the tabloids for drugs, drink, failed relationships and great photo opportunities, she has now vanished, leaving only her car behind.
DI Ryan and Ray Wilkins are excellent characters, and their relationship is also troubled in this book. Ray, urbane, intelligent, up-and-coming, is given an award, presented to him by Chester Lynch, famous for her charity work, for cleaning up the streets, removing the homeless and for being, like Ray, the presentable success story of Black officers in the force. Then there is Ryan. Definitely not put-together, not ex-Oxford, not a success, but sullen and working class, twitchy and mouthy. He has a new girlfriend, Carol, so you might imagine that things are looking up, but Ryan, a single father, is finding that the one relationship he clings to – that with his little son – is suffering as little Ryan is jealous and fears he is losing his father. Meanwhile, Ryan cannot help but be jealous that Ray is being recognised and winning awards and Ray is frustrated by Ryan’s constant rule breaking and inability to please.
As Ryan sets out to find what happened to missing socialite, Zara, he finds that there are links to the poor of the university town, that he finds difficult to understand. What links Zara with a homeless man, known only as ‘Waitrose,’ and to the, oh-so-cool, Chester Lynch? Lynch has the measure of Ryan, but he is used to that, and you have to cheer him on in this novel, as he tries to hold the remnants of his career, and his life, together, while Ray struggles with the demands of being a new father and the never-ending ambitions of his father.
If you like intelligent crime novels, with excellent characters, then try this series. I would definitely start with the first, ‘A Killing in November,’ but if you start with the latest, then you can always work backwards. Just read them and I promise that you will love them. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
It begins with a call from a wayward aristocrat. ‘This is Zara Fanshawe. Always lost and never found.’ The next day, her Rolls Royce is found abandoned, the beautiful, troubled, Zara, gone. Known to the tabloids for drugs, drink, failed relationships and great photo opportunities, she has now vanished, leaving only her car behind.
DI Ryan and Ray Wilkins are excellent characters, and their relationship is also troubled in this book. Ray, urbane, intelligent, up-and-coming, is given an award, presented to him by Chester Lynch, famous for her charity work, for cleaning up the streets, removing the homeless and for being, like Ray, the presentable success story of Black officers in the force. Then there is Ryan. Definitely not put-together, not ex-Oxford, not a success, but sullen and working class, twitchy and mouthy. He has a new girlfriend, Carol, so you might imagine that things are looking up, but Ryan, a single father, is finding that the one relationship he clings to – that with his little son – is suffering as little Ryan is jealous and fears he is losing his father. Meanwhile, Ryan cannot help but be jealous that Ray is being recognised and winning awards and Ray is frustrated by Ryan’s constant rule breaking and inability to please.
As Ryan sets out to find what happened to missing socialite, Zara, he finds that there are links to the poor of the university town, that he finds difficult to understand. What links Zara with a homeless man, known only as ‘Waitrose,’ and to the, oh-so-cool, Chester Lynch? Lynch has the measure of Ryan, but he is used to that, and you have to cheer him on in this novel, as he tries to hold the remnants of his career, and his life, together, while Ray struggles with the demands of being a new father and the never-ending ambitions of his father.
If you like intelligent crime novels, with excellent characters, then try this series. I would definitely start with the first, ‘A Killing in November,’ but if you start with the latest, then you can always work backwards. Just read them and I promise that you will love them. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
December 24, 2023
Another winner from this excellent author. I thoroughly enjoyed Simon Mason’s first two novels, set in Oxford and this new one featuring Detectives Ryan and Ray Wilkins ( no relation) is another great read.
Still working together despite their differences, the two detectives are assigned to investigate a crashed Rolls Royce car and a missing socialite, Zara Fanshawe.
Ray has been nominated for an award and sees his career going well, getting friendly with the Chief Commissioner, Chester Lynch who wants him to move upwards. Ryan just wants to get home for his son’s bedtime and work out how his new relationship with girlfriend, Carol, can continue and fit in with his lifestyle.
As this novel progresses dead bodies start to appear and the two Wilkins need to work really hard to solve a mystery that has its roots many years earlier.
I really liked both the main protagonists, although I think Ryan is my favourite, a maverick detective who sees things very differently, a skill which often leads him to the heart of the case.
His relationship with his young son is delightful and the difficulties he faces as a single father are explored. Police work is not 9-5 so he rarely makes it home to see little Ryan and worries this is affecting his relationship with him. He is described in a humorous way which adds a light hearted touch to the book which contains some very serious themes.
Ray is now the father of twin boys and the sleepless nights are taking a toll on him. He is up early but rarely takes Ryan's calls as he is annoyed that Barko has made Ryan the lead detective. Theirs is a finely balanced partnership but it does seem to work.
I liked the Oxford’ setting- despite the academic background and rarefied architecture, there is a lot of darkness beneath the surface including a lot of homeless people who have been badly treated by the police. This book examines the two sides of the city and ultimately that is the key to solving the case.
I raced through this book and of course when I got to the last page it left me wanting to read more about this entertaining and engaging duo. I hope I don’t have to wait too long.
I definitely recommend “ Lost and Never Found”as a five star read and suggest the earlier books too.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
Still working together despite their differences, the two detectives are assigned to investigate a crashed Rolls Royce car and a missing socialite, Zara Fanshawe.
Ray has been nominated for an award and sees his career going well, getting friendly with the Chief Commissioner, Chester Lynch who wants him to move upwards. Ryan just wants to get home for his son’s bedtime and work out how his new relationship with girlfriend, Carol, can continue and fit in with his lifestyle.
As this novel progresses dead bodies start to appear and the two Wilkins need to work really hard to solve a mystery that has its roots many years earlier.
I really liked both the main protagonists, although I think Ryan is my favourite, a maverick detective who sees things very differently, a skill which often leads him to the heart of the case.
His relationship with his young son is delightful and the difficulties he faces as a single father are explored. Police work is not 9-5 so he rarely makes it home to see little Ryan and worries this is affecting his relationship with him. He is described in a humorous way which adds a light hearted touch to the book which contains some very serious themes.
Ray is now the father of twin boys and the sleepless nights are taking a toll on him. He is up early but rarely takes Ryan's calls as he is annoyed that Barko has made Ryan the lead detective. Theirs is a finely balanced partnership but it does seem to work.
I liked the Oxford’ setting- despite the academic background and rarefied architecture, there is a lot of darkness beneath the surface including a lot of homeless people who have been badly treated by the police. This book examines the two sides of the city and ultimately that is the key to solving the case.
I raced through this book and of course when I got to the last page it left me wanting to read more about this entertaining and engaging duo. I hope I don’t have to wait too long.
I definitely recommend “ Lost and Never Found”as a five star read and suggest the earlier books too.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
December 11, 2023
I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy of Lost and Never Found, the third novel to feature DI Ryan Wilkins and DI Ray Wilkins of Thames Valley Police, set in Oxford.
Ryan is sent out in the early hours to investigate a crashed Rolls Royce in a rundown street, where he learns that the missing owner previously called Emergency Services and said “This is Zara Fanshawe. Always lost and never found”. The tabloids go wild as Zara is a fixture on their pages. At the same time homeless Lena Wójcik is looking for a dangerous man her community call Waitrose. It is up to Ryan, not the more organised Ray, to lead the enquiry.
I thoroughly enjoyed Lost and Never Found, which is an entertaining read with a well managed, complex plot. It’s kind of reflective of the Wilkins’ personalities with the devil may care Ryan constantly annoying the more rigid, detail orientated Ray.
I don’t really know where to start with the plot. It has countless tiny threads that on their own mean nothing, but gradually build a much bigger picture of interconnecting relationships and, essentially, selfishness. It takes the disorganised, undisciplined Ryan to put it all together and then fight to make others see it. I was very impressed by the way the author builds his story and by the clever story he puts together.
Of course the plot is only half the story in this series. The other half is the interplay between the characters and the not so subtle inversion of prejudice. It is the black Oxford educated Ray who is lauded and the white, trailer park trash Ryan who is derided. Ryan is the star of the show, constantly in trouble for his lack of respect, judged for his street clothing and yet, he has investigative flair with his lateral thinking and bolshy attitude. Not only that, he is self aware and quite funny at times.
Lost and Never found is an entertaining read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Ryan is sent out in the early hours to investigate a crashed Rolls Royce in a rundown street, where he learns that the missing owner previously called Emergency Services and said “This is Zara Fanshawe. Always lost and never found”. The tabloids go wild as Zara is a fixture on their pages. At the same time homeless Lena Wójcik is looking for a dangerous man her community call Waitrose. It is up to Ryan, not the more organised Ray, to lead the enquiry.
I thoroughly enjoyed Lost and Never Found, which is an entertaining read with a well managed, complex plot. It’s kind of reflective of the Wilkins’ personalities with the devil may care Ryan constantly annoying the more rigid, detail orientated Ray.
I don’t really know where to start with the plot. It has countless tiny threads that on their own mean nothing, but gradually build a much bigger picture of interconnecting relationships and, essentially, selfishness. It takes the disorganised, undisciplined Ryan to put it all together and then fight to make others see it. I was very impressed by the way the author builds his story and by the clever story he puts together.
Of course the plot is only half the story in this series. The other half is the interplay between the characters and the not so subtle inversion of prejudice. It is the black Oxford educated Ray who is lauded and the white, trailer park trash Ryan who is derided. Ryan is the star of the show, constantly in trouble for his lack of respect, judged for his street clothing and yet, he has investigative flair with his lateral thinking and bolshy attitude. Not only that, he is self aware and quite funny at times.
Lost and Never found is an entertaining read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
March 13, 2025
Lost and Never Found is the third in the Ryan Wilkins series and returns to the high level of the first. Ryan and Ray Wilkins (not related) are the odd couple of the Oxford detective department. Ray is black, Oxford educated and well dressed. Ryan is what would be considered “trailer trash” by the snobs.
The story starts when a young celeb’s Rolls Royce is found wrecked at the gate of a car park in a low income part of Oxford. In a nasty twist, given that Ray has just won a bravery award, Ryan is given the lead on this case. There’s also a subplot concerning Ryan’s new girlfriend who would seem to be a step above him. There’s a reason this is considered the Ryan Wilkins series. Each time, I am always somewhat disappointed in Ray. Ryan may be a loose cannon, but Ray lacks empathy. I do appreciate that both are good family men and struggle with the demands of the job.
This is a book filled with humor. It would work well for fans of Mick Herron. But the humor doesn’t mean that the actual police procedural takes a back seat. It’s a well thought out plot with a good twist towards the end.
This should not be read as a stand-alone. You need to have at least read the first book in the series. I can’t wait to listen to the fourth in the series.
I listened to this and Matt Addis’ narration definitely increased my enjoyment. His voice for Ryan is spot on perfect.
The story starts when a young celeb’s Rolls Royce is found wrecked at the gate of a car park in a low income part of Oxford. In a nasty twist, given that Ray has just won a bravery award, Ryan is given the lead on this case. There’s also a subplot concerning Ryan’s new girlfriend who would seem to be a step above him. There’s a reason this is considered the Ryan Wilkins series. Each time, I am always somewhat disappointed in Ray. Ryan may be a loose cannon, but Ray lacks empathy. I do appreciate that both are good family men and struggle with the demands of the job.
This is a book filled with humor. It would work well for fans of Mick Herron. But the humor doesn’t mean that the actual police procedural takes a back seat. It’s a well thought out plot with a good twist towards the end.
This should not be read as a stand-alone. You need to have at least read the first book in the series. I can’t wait to listen to the fourth in the series.
I listened to this and Matt Addis’ narration definitely increased my enjoyment. His voice for Ryan is spot on perfect.
August 15, 2024
Zara - famous lady found dead
Ryan - annoying chav police officer
Ray - calm police officer
Lena - homeless lady/prostitute
Zara went to college with Chester (newly promoted DCC, awarded for her police work. Ryan doesn’t like her, she offers Ray a new role)
Reveal Chester murdered a guy, Zara (Ryan’s ex girlfriend who is massively in debt) were witness and covered for her. Later when Zara was famous she killed a prostitute (Jasmine) and supposedly was in the car with another celebrity Toby. Chester now police helped them cover it up and dumped Jasmine’s body to look like another serial killer did it. Lena and Carol witnessed all this (both prostitutes with Jasmine)
Now Zara is back in Oxford, is murdered. ‘Waitrose’ a now homeless person friends with Lena, is the once famous Toby, also murdered. Ryan thinks Chester did it, they go to confront her. She too now murdered.
Ryan goes to inform Jasmines brother they are reopening her case and he confesses that he murdered them all for revenge of his sister.
Carol meanwhile had bribed Zara et al on the night of Jasmines murder, got loads of money from Zara. Had taken loads of photos of Chester assisting with dumping the body.
Very badly written. Short sentences. Dislikable characters, no character development. Not an exciting story.
Oxford set
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2023
Simon Mason has a series running with detectives Ray and Ryan Wilkins (no relation) and the stories revolve around their relationship as much as the storyline itself. Ray Wilkins is of Nigerian descent, with an Oxford University degree and a sharp dresser, whereas Ryan comes from a broken “trailer ready” background, isn’t fussed about his looks and presentation and is the picture found in the dictionary under “uncouth” and there is an obvious clash with the two backgrounds; equally, there is respect for each other, built up over the cases written about by the author.
This sparky relationship adds to the police procedural nature of the plot and makes the main characters far more relatable than might otherwise be the case.
Having said all of that, this is a well thought out story, with Ryan’s abrasive nature and political naïveté challenging superficial beliefs and ensuring that crimes that might not have had the police time and focus got properly investigated.
I enjoy reading a book rather than listening to it, but I did have the audiobook of an earlier release and would say that the narrator brought the two Wilkins’ to life. With that in mind, read the book yourself, or have it read to you, either way you should find this a great story to engage with.
This sparky relationship adds to the police procedural nature of the plot and makes the main characters far more relatable than might otherwise be the case.
Having said all of that, this is a well thought out story, with Ryan’s abrasive nature and political naïveté challenging superficial beliefs and ensuring that crimes that might not have had the police time and focus got properly investigated.
I enjoy reading a book rather than listening to it, but I did have the audiobook of an earlier release and would say that the narrator brought the two Wilkins’ to life. With that in mind, read the book yourself, or have it read to you, either way you should find this a great story to engage with.
September 2, 2024
Reinstated to the police at the end of the last novel, The Broken Afternoon, can DI Ryan Wilkins toe the line and keep his insubordination in check enough for him to stay there?
Namesake and polar opposite DI Ray Wilkins meanwhile has won a bravery award and seems to be the blue-eyed boy of the Deputy Chief Constable – a woman with a reputation for tough no-nonsense policing.
As with the other books in the series the characters have a believable existence outside the main plot. That plot itself is complicated with a series of seemingly disparate individuals linked by events in the past. It’s also very atmospheric, set in winter and painting a picture of a bleaker Oxford away from the dreaming spires, a world of abandoned buildings, prostitution, drugs and rough sleepers.
Ryan and Ray make for an engaging double act, entertaining and infuriating in equal measure. You begin to see hints of where things are heading but there are enough twists and turns along the way to keep you turning the pages until the satisfying conclusion.
Namesake and polar opposite DI Ray Wilkins meanwhile has won a bravery award and seems to be the blue-eyed boy of the Deputy Chief Constable – a woman with a reputation for tough no-nonsense policing.
As with the other books in the series the characters have a believable existence outside the main plot. That plot itself is complicated with a series of seemingly disparate individuals linked by events in the past. It’s also very atmospheric, set in winter and painting a picture of a bleaker Oxford away from the dreaming spires, a world of abandoned buildings, prostitution, drugs and rough sleepers.
Ryan and Ray make for an engaging double act, entertaining and infuriating in equal measure. You begin to see hints of where things are heading but there are enough twists and turns along the way to keep you turning the pages until the satisfying conclusion.
April 29, 2024
As I said last time:
Yes I loved this. And yes I found Ryan even more annoying, as he can’t seem to control his emotions and language. Whilst I’ll definitely read the next book in the series, I just hope he becomes more manageable, more adult going forward. His behaviour, especially for a DI, is getting boring and a bit predictable.
Well, he was still very annoying and uncontrollable. How on earth did he get to be an inspector with his attitude and temper? Still liked it though.
Yes I loved this. And yes I found Ryan even more annoying, as he can’t seem to control his emotions and language. Whilst I’ll definitely read the next book in the series, I just hope he becomes more manageable, more adult going forward. His behaviour, especially for a DI, is getting boring and a bit predictable.
Well, he was still very annoying and uncontrollable. How on earth did he get to be an inspector with his attitude and temper? Still liked it though.
August 12, 2025
Mit "Lost and Never Found" präsentiert Simon Mason den dritten Band seiner DI Wilson-Reihe und knüpft nahtlos an die Vorgänger an. Die Stärken und Schwächen der vorherigen Bände bleiben weitgehend erhalten.
Das Herausragende ist nach wie vor Masons Sprache. Die Qualität erinnert an hochwertige Literatur: geschliffene Sätze, treffende Metaphern und eine saubere Verarbeitung der Story. Die Darstellung der Hauptfiguren empfand ich diesmal deutlich gelungener als in den ersten beiden Bänden, auch wenn sie für meinen Geschmack noch Luft nach oben hat.
Leider leistet sich Mason aber wieder haarsträubende Recherchefehler. Wenn ein dreieinhalbjähriges Kind als "twenty inches tall" (etwa 50 cm) beschrieben wird – kleiner als mancher Säugling – dann tut das beim Lesen richtig weh. Solche Schnitzer sind einfach unnötig und stören den Lesefluss erheblich.
Unterm Strich: Ein interessantes Ermittlerduo, ein gut konstruierter Fall mit solidem Plot, sprachlich herausragend, aber kleine Fehler, die großen Schaden anrichten. Fans der Reihe werden trotzdem ihre Freude haben.
Das Herausragende ist nach wie vor Masons Sprache. Die Qualität erinnert an hochwertige Literatur: geschliffene Sätze, treffende Metaphern und eine saubere Verarbeitung der Story. Die Darstellung der Hauptfiguren empfand ich diesmal deutlich gelungener als in den ersten beiden Bänden, auch wenn sie für meinen Geschmack noch Luft nach oben hat.
Leider leistet sich Mason aber wieder haarsträubende Recherchefehler. Wenn ein dreieinhalbjähriges Kind als "twenty inches tall" (etwa 50 cm) beschrieben wird – kleiner als mancher Säugling – dann tut das beim Lesen richtig weh. Solche Schnitzer sind einfach unnötig und stören den Lesefluss erheblich.
Unterm Strich: Ein interessantes Ermittlerduo, ein gut konstruierter Fall mit solidem Plot, sprachlich herausragend, aber kleine Fehler, die großen Schaden anrichten. Fans der Reihe werden trotzdem ihre Freude haben.
November 28, 2023
Another superb outing for the mismatched duo of DI Ryan and Ray Wilkins - No Relation.
Set in Oxford, this series really highlights the class divide In the UK,and with these 2 Inspectors.
The story revolves around a rich play girl going missing, and the homeless of Oxford and the part they play - or don’t - in what happens on the streets.
A excellent mystery plays out that is plotted so well, and you can’t help but take Ryan to heart and Ray as well to an extent.
A series that goes from strength to strength but there some things I’d like see especially with Ryan’s Character development. He doesn’t seem to learn at all -though I suspect Ryan is on the spectrum as well as his 3 year old son who is almost a philosopher at that age .
Great read and look forward to where Simon Mason takes the duo.
Set in Oxford, this series really highlights the class divide In the UK,and with these 2 Inspectors.
The story revolves around a rich play girl going missing, and the homeless of Oxford and the part they play - or don’t - in what happens on the streets.
A excellent mystery plays out that is plotted so well, and you can’t help but take Ryan to heart and Ray as well to an extent.
A series that goes from strength to strength but there some things I’d like see especially with Ryan’s Character development. He doesn’t seem to learn at all -though I suspect Ryan is on the spectrum as well as his 3 year old son who is almost a philosopher at that age .
Great read and look forward to where Simon Mason takes the duo.
January 21, 2024
A troubled socialite crashes her car and then goes missing. The news is all over the media and the two Wilkinses are brought in to investigate. Ray Wilkins has just won an award and is being headhunted to be the face of a new campaign but he is still resentful when Ryan Wilkins is put in charge of the case. Fro Ryan, he is still not controlling his anger well and his relationship with his son is struggling.
I really like this series of books because they do not glamorise the city of Oxford at all. The story may include rich students but is actually more sympathetic to the homeless, the sex workers and the illegal migrants. It's a gritty tale but well told. my only quibble (and it is an ongoing one) is that the two protagonists have such similar names, it must be deliberate but it jars with me!
I really like this series of books because they do not glamorise the city of Oxford at all. The story may include rich students but is actually more sympathetic to the homeless, the sex workers and the illegal migrants. It's a gritty tale but well told. my only quibble (and it is an ongoing one) is that the two protagonists have such similar names, it must be deliberate but it jars with me!
March 26, 2024
This sequel to the other two Wilkins books is not quite as good. Simon Mason writes exquisite prose - especially in evoking moods and weather in wintery Oxford. His descriptions of homeless people sleeping in the ‘cracks and crevices’ of this upmarket and historic city create a telling contrast - not unlike the contrast between our two detectives, the one an impeccably dressed Oxford graduate, the other a scruffy, shell-suited ex-resident of a trailer park. Of course we are gunning for the wildly inappropriate but highly intelligent underdog but Mason overdoes this a little too much. In fact, he pushed this quirky relationship a little too far so that it began to eclipse the plot which - after an intriguing start - became a bit tedious and drawn out. Still enjoyable but I hope Simon Mason’s next book in the series regains the subtlety of the first two.
January 22, 2024
Once again the unlikely pairing of two utter opposites in the Wilkins series works brilliantly.The plot , sub plots and descriptive power of Simon Mason's writing engross the reader from page1.The plot relating to the initial disappearance of a ´media celebrity' in Oxford and the ever increasing consequences of murder this entails is superb, as are the various characters , from the ruthless and ambitious ACC to the senior officer supervising, as well as the thought provoking descriptions of the homeless and dispossessed.
The two Wilkins characters and relationships are expanded as from the previous books and a number of surprises await the reader as well as shocks.
This series is brilliant, each book better than the last, this 3rd novel is the best....so far..
The two Wilkins characters and relationships are expanded as from the previous books and a number of surprises await the reader as well as shocks.
This series is brilliant, each book better than the last, this 3rd novel is the best....so far..
January 25, 2024
Having enjoyed the first two books in this series, I find this third book to be fatally disappointing. Mason continues to write well, and his descriptions and dialogue can be vivid and sharp. However, plotting and characterizations are weak and banal. Mason relies too much on the cliched quirkiness of his two main characters and their various idiosyncracies, especially the oddity of their forced relationship, instead of working out the inner logic of the plot in a way can appeal to an intelligent reader. The mystery isn't really solved; rather, circumstances that conveniently arise lead to its resolution. So this turns out to be just another genre story, that doesn't even make an effort to involve an essential element of the genre. There's a preview of the next book in the series at the end of this one. I'm not tempted.
January 25, 2024
As I think I say each time, to really enjoy this series you have to accept that Ryan would ever have been employed as a police detective, that he would ever have been promoted to DI, and that the Oxford police force can afford to assign two DIs to work the same case. If you overlook all those unlikely premises, these are excellent. The sense that Ryan might (again) go too far hangs over everything, and Ray is convincingly drawn too, with his own issues. I love the relationship between Ryan and little Ryan.
As for the plot, it was very mysterious and lots of threads came together convincingly in the end. The Oxford setting was strong as ever and the problems of homeless people examined sympathetically, but without sentimentality.
As for the plot, it was very mysterious and lots of threads came together convincingly in the end. The Oxford setting was strong as ever and the problems of homeless people examined sympathetically, but without sentimentality.
January 24, 2024
In this 3rd outing for DCIs Ray and Ryan Wilkins, (no relation) Ryan is made lead detective in the case of the disappearance of Zara Fanshawe, a socialite with drug problems. Her Rolls Royce is found crashed and abandoned.
I love this mismatched duo who kept me entertained right through the book. The story is brilliantly plotted, intelligent, gritty, but with lots of humour too. I can't help laughing at some if the things Ryan comes out with! I adore Ryan's relationship with his 3 year old son, who steals the show whenever he appears. This is a fantastic addition to the series and if you g haven't discovered it already I urge you to start with book one, A Killing in November.
Matt Addis does a great job with the narration, bringing the book and the characters to life.
I love this mismatched duo who kept me entertained right through the book. The story is brilliantly plotted, intelligent, gritty, but with lots of humour too. I can't help laughing at some if the things Ryan comes out with! I adore Ryan's relationship with his 3 year old son, who steals the show whenever he appears. This is a fantastic addition to the series and if you g haven't discovered it already I urge you to start with book one, A Killing in November.
Matt Addis does a great job with the narration, bringing the book and the characters to life.
June 12, 2024
I did enjoy the book but, there's always a but, in the real world Ryan would not be allowed to work as he does.
He would be told, ordered, to get his act together, get a reliable car, dress in proper clothes, show some respect to people, to follow the rules.
I'm unsure if I'll read the next book as these Ryan problems are beginning to annoy me a little too much now.
They were fine to start with but there comes a point when he needs to conform, at least a little bit.
But I guess that is part of the appeal of the character.
I expect the next book will be the best part of a year away so will decide whether to read it when the time comes.
He would be told, ordered, to get his act together, get a reliable car, dress in proper clothes, show some respect to people, to follow the rules.
I'm unsure if I'll read the next book as these Ryan problems are beginning to annoy me a little too much now.
They were fine to start with but there comes a point when he needs to conform, at least a little bit.
But I guess that is part of the appeal of the character.
I expect the next book will be the best part of a year away so will decide whether to read it when the time comes.
November 12, 2024
Returning back to Oxford for more crime solving capers with Wilkins and Wilkins and there’s a lot to enjoy as this series continues to grow its own identity (but clearly still in Morse’s shadow).
I thought this was one of the more interesting crimes the duo have had to solve, there was a lot of complexity and uniqueness to this and I did like the way the characters started to butt heads a bit more.
The downside is I think Ryan is becoming a tad cliched and predictable and even the nice guy routine with the family doesn’t redeem him. Certainly not as interesting as Ray who grabs this series and drags it forward. Every. Single. Time.
I thought this was one of the more interesting crimes the duo have had to solve, there was a lot of complexity and uniqueness to this and I did like the way the characters started to butt heads a bit more.
The downside is I think Ryan is becoming a tad cliched and predictable and even the nice guy routine with the family doesn’t redeem him. Certainly not as interesting as Ray who grabs this series and drags it forward. Every. Single. Time.
October 4, 2025
This is a hugely enjoyable crime series (this is the third of four so far) set in Oxford, definitely not the Oxford of dreaming spires, but of gloomy back streets and damaged lives. The two DIs involved in trying to solve the case share a surname (Wilkins) and an initial (R), but little else, one born to privilege and one from the very wrong side of the tracks. Their relationship is difficult to put it mildly, and forms one of the strands of the book. The case is complex and grim, but the book is laced with humour and the characters unforgettable. If you're looking for a new crime series not set in Australia.... this could be it.
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