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Wakefield #1
Trophies
By the turn of the millennium, memories had dulled. But the discovery of a trophy case at the scene of a murder leads to the realisation that a series of attacks on women over the past twenty years had gone unconnected. DI Colin Fear is convinced there is also a link with one other notorious unsolved crime. His best friend from schooldays, journalist Spud Shaw has returned to Yorkshire and begins to probe. Working separately and together in an awkward alliance, they seek out the answers. "TROPHIES moves at a cracking pace. Full of believable, well-drawn characters in an equally believable Yorkshire setting, where that county's most notorious crime spree still impinges upon DI Fear and Spud Shaw's current investigations. First in a series by this writer to watch. Perfect for TV." Sally Spedding "I found it hard to put it down once I started. The writing style is cryptic, full of dry humour, raw and honest." Dr.Maria Barrell
376 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2012
71 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 28, 2016
This book will be of interest to readers who enjoy realistic police procedurals and British readers who remember Peter Sutcliffe's reign of terror and the hoax tapes that misdirected the police investigation.
The story line is intriguing. First an officier hears a voice which he believes might be the hoax caller in the Ripper case. Then following a brutal murder of a known burgular a trophy box of items taken from women assaulted in previous years is found. These items bring an earlier conviction into question and also suggests Sutcliffe was telling the truth when he claimed no knowledge of the Carlisle murder. Meanwhile the unknown owner of the trophy box is prepared to kill to hide his identity. With a drug bust going down and a senior officer involved in an illicit affair and possibly corrupt dealings, there's a lot going on!
With so many officers involved in different lines of investigation plus the journalist in search of a scoop I found this a very busy book and found it difficult to keep track of everything. Again with so much going on I found it hard to connect with any one character.
The story line is intriguing. First an officier hears a voice which he believes might be the hoax caller in the Ripper case. Then following a brutal murder of a known burgular a trophy box of items taken from women assaulted in previous years is found. These items bring an earlier conviction into question and also suggests Sutcliffe was telling the truth when he claimed no knowledge of the Carlisle murder. Meanwhile the unknown owner of the trophy box is prepared to kill to hide his identity. With a drug bust going down and a senior officer involved in an illicit affair and possibly corrupt dealings, there's a lot going on!
With so many officers involved in different lines of investigation plus the journalist in search of a scoop I found this a very busy book and found it difficult to keep track of everything. Again with so much going on I found it hard to connect with any one character.
August 26, 2016
Thoughtfully enjoyed this book, one you will lose sleep for, I really struggled to put this down the flow is brilliant nail biting, edge of your seat kind of book most definitely recommend this as a must read
June 1, 2016
I love a good police procedural novel and what I always look for is that authenticity where I feel like I am looking at a real case being solved. Here, we have the added bonus of the plotline being weaved around two well known crimes in British crime history. I am also a big true crime fan and so I was well aware of the facts surrounding those two cases but, if you aren't, then it will not hinder your enjoyment at all as everything factual that you need is explained clearly.
The main reason this book works so well is the great characterisation. DI Colin Strong comes across well, he is always on the look out for clues to solve his case's and although this book is set around the year 2000, sometimes it felt like I was reading a book set much earlier due to the good old fashioned police work he was putting in. A chance interview with a burglary suspect reminds him of a tape of Wearside Jack and, although the case has been shelved over 20 years ago, he seeks out experts to compare the voices. But the discovery of a dead body connected to the burglary and a box of "trophies" leads Colin and his old friend Bob Souter, a journalist, to investigate a string of unsolved attacks on women.
Set in and around Wakefield, this is a great example of the dark and gritty northern crime drama that is very popular at the moment. It grabs you from the start with the references to Wearside Jack and to the Yorkshire Ripper bringing back memories of a different time and a different style of police work. In fact, I found it so visual while I was reading it that I think it would work very well as a television drama as its certainly up to the calibre of the recent adaptations we have seen on the small screen.
This is the first book in the Wakefield "trinity" and it has sparked my interest enough to keep an eye out for the rest of the series. Thank you to the Betsy at Crime Fiction Addict on Facebook for my copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
The main reason this book works so well is the great characterisation. DI Colin Strong comes across well, he is always on the look out for clues to solve his case's and although this book is set around the year 2000, sometimes it felt like I was reading a book set much earlier due to the good old fashioned police work he was putting in. A chance interview with a burglary suspect reminds him of a tape of Wearside Jack and, although the case has been shelved over 20 years ago, he seeks out experts to compare the voices. But the discovery of a dead body connected to the burglary and a box of "trophies" leads Colin and his old friend Bob Souter, a journalist, to investigate a string of unsolved attacks on women.
Set in and around Wakefield, this is a great example of the dark and gritty northern crime drama that is very popular at the moment. It grabs you from the start with the references to Wearside Jack and to the Yorkshire Ripper bringing back memories of a different time and a different style of police work. In fact, I found it so visual while I was reading it that I think it would work very well as a television drama as its certainly up to the calibre of the recent adaptations we have seen on the small screen.
This is the first book in the Wakefield "trinity" and it has sparked my interest enough to keep an eye out for the rest of the series. Thank you to the Betsy at Crime Fiction Addict on Facebook for my copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
June 2, 2016
I was actually lucky enough to read Torment which is the next in the series to this one first, I loved it that much that I headed straight off to Amazon to buy this one.
The author has cleverly written the story around a real life crime which really makes the story feel all that more real. Everyone has heard of The Yorkshire Ripper, and his crimes were very much frontline news and it is something that is still talked about even today, many years later. The fact that the story is all set in Yorkshire, mainly Leeds and Wakefield, brings it even more to home for me as it's where I live.
The story features DI Colin Strong and journalist Bob Souter. Both men know each other from old and end up working together to solve the case. Both characters are likeable and it is nice to see the companionship that they have.
Trophies is a great introduction to a dynamic duo that shows how good the investigative skills of both journalists as well as the police are. Usually journalists and the police don't get on so it's nice to have a change from the norm and see them working along side each other nicely.
It is certainly an intriguing read that held my interest throughout and kept me guessing right up until the end. Great read and very much recommended.
The author has cleverly written the story around a real life crime which really makes the story feel all that more real. Everyone has heard of The Yorkshire Ripper, and his crimes were very much frontline news and it is something that is still talked about even today, many years later. The fact that the story is all set in Yorkshire, mainly Leeds and Wakefield, brings it even more to home for me as it's where I live.
The story features DI Colin Strong and journalist Bob Souter. Both men know each other from old and end up working together to solve the case. Both characters are likeable and it is nice to see the companionship that they have.
Trophies is a great introduction to a dynamic duo that shows how good the investigative skills of both journalists as well as the police are. Usually journalists and the police don't get on so it's nice to have a change from the norm and see them working along side each other nicely.
It is certainly an intriguing read that held my interest throughout and kept me guessing right up until the end. Great read and very much recommended.
December 1, 2016
Audio book, Deep & interesting
This story had an interesting twist with Wearside Jack brought up and the main story of murder. The police were believable. Not over grumpy or ignorant like sometimes! Though as got deeper we saw another side to 1 hmmmm
Overall enjoyable tale & great narrator with local accents. Local to me anyways.
This story had an interesting twist with Wearside Jack brought up and the main story of murder. The police were believable. Not over grumpy or ignorant like sometimes! Though as got deeper we saw another side to 1 hmmmm
Overall enjoyable tale & great narrator with local accents. Local to me anyways.
October 31, 2017
Enjoyable crime novel with engaging characters and a believable plot.
November 2, 2018
My review was published on 2nd November as part of the #BlogTour - www.momobookdiary.com
Trophies is a brilliant opening to ‘The Wakefield Series’ by David Evans.
Author, David Evans, has ingeniously woven this story around the real-life events related to the English serial killer, known as ’The Yorkshire Ripper’.
The main characters of this series are Detective Inspector Colin Strong and journalist Bob Souter. These men were friends of old, before Bob Souter moved away and they lost touch. Bob has recently returned to the area and taken up a position with the local newspaper. I found them both to be very appealing characters who are able to work together while independently investigating, and therefore managing the boundaries of their roles well.
I found this to be a fast-paced intriguing read which had me fascinated from start to finish. I read the book in one day. I even found myself wishing time would stop so I could read a bit more before bed - in the end I went to bed and sat up reading until the final conclusion.
Trophies is a brilliant opening to ‘The Wakefield Series’ by David Evans.
Author, David Evans, has ingeniously woven this story around the real-life events related to the English serial killer, known as ’The Yorkshire Ripper’.
The main characters of this series are Detective Inspector Colin Strong and journalist Bob Souter. These men were friends of old, before Bob Souter moved away and they lost touch. Bob has recently returned to the area and taken up a position with the local newspaper. I found them both to be very appealing characters who are able to work together while independently investigating, and therefore managing the boundaries of their roles well.
I found this to be a fast-paced intriguing read which had me fascinated from start to finish. I read the book in one day. I even found myself wishing time would stop so I could read a bit more before bed - in the end I went to bed and sat up reading until the final conclusion.
August 15, 2016
I received a copy of this book via The Book Club so many thanks for the opportunity.
Trophies is a gripping first installment to the Wakefield Series. With a great range of believable and relatable characters, David Evans has a knack in producing realistic dialogue between them, including producing some witty lines that make you smile despite the dark storyline. The pace was steady and intense enough to keep you interested, at times I couldn't put it down!
A thrilling read and I look forward to getting stuck into this series.
Trophies is a gripping first installment to the Wakefield Series. With a great range of believable and relatable characters, David Evans has a knack in producing realistic dialogue between them, including producing some witty lines that make you smile despite the dark storyline. The pace was steady and intense enough to keep you interested, at times I couldn't put it down!
A thrilling read and I look forward to getting stuck into this series.
August 14, 2016
I was given this book by TBC in exchange for an honest review.
I love reading police procedural books and this one didn't disappoint Sometimes I did feel it was a little bit drawn out & difficult to follow because of the numerous characters involved but as the story unfolded I really got to grips with DI Strong and his journalist friend Bob Souter as they both in their own way try to solve a major crime. A good read which I'd definitely recommend.
I love reading police procedural books and this one didn't disappoint Sometimes I did feel it was a little bit drawn out & difficult to follow because of the numerous characters involved but as the story unfolded I really got to grips with DI Strong and his journalist friend Bob Souter as they both in their own way try to solve a major crime. A good read which I'd definitely recommend.
August 6, 2016
TROPHIES: Part One of a Stunning New Detective Series
From the CWA Debut Dagger Shortlist Novelist comes an extraordinary crime novel that everyone is raving about.
When DI Colin Strong interviews a suspect on suspicion of handling stolen goods he’s convinced he’s heard their voice before. Nearly 25 years ago the tape of Wearside Jack taunted West Yorkshire Police and his suspect fits the profile.
Then the body of a known burglar shows up and a mysterious metal case is discovered at the scene.
Strong turns to his close friend, journalist Bob Souter, and embarks on an awkward alliance to probe areas he is unable to explore.
As the murder suspects start to disappear Strong must discover just who the shadowy figure inciting fear and panic amongst those he encounters is.
Strong wants to bring a murderer to justice and Souter is hungry for a story.Who will get to the truth first and can their friendship remain intact?
Fantastic read.
Simply unputdownable.
Full of twists and plots.
Had me on the edge of my seat.
Can't wait for next part.
Highly recommended.
5* from me.
Thanks to tbc on fb for the arc.
#tbconfb.
From the CWA Debut Dagger Shortlist Novelist comes an extraordinary crime novel that everyone is raving about.
When DI Colin Strong interviews a suspect on suspicion of handling stolen goods he’s convinced he’s heard their voice before. Nearly 25 years ago the tape of Wearside Jack taunted West Yorkshire Police and his suspect fits the profile.
Then the body of a known burglar shows up and a mysterious metal case is discovered at the scene.
Strong turns to his close friend, journalist Bob Souter, and embarks on an awkward alliance to probe areas he is unable to explore.
As the murder suspects start to disappear Strong must discover just who the shadowy figure inciting fear and panic amongst those he encounters is.
Strong wants to bring a murderer to justice and Souter is hungry for a story.Who will get to the truth first and can their friendship remain intact?
Fantastic read.
Simply unputdownable.
Full of twists and plots.
Had me on the edge of my seat.
Can't wait for next part.
Highly recommended.
5* from me.
Thanks to tbc on fb for the arc.
#tbconfb.
September 6, 2016
When DI Colin Strong interviews a suspect on suspicion of handling stolen goods he’s convinced he’s heard their voice before. Nearly 25 years ago the tape of Wearside Jack taunted West Yorkshire Police and his suspect fits the profile.
Then the body of a known burglar shows up and a mysterious metal case is discovered at the scene.
Strong turns to his close friend, journalist Bob Souter, and embarks on an awkward alliance to probe areas he is unable to explore.
As the murder suspects start to disappear Strong must discover just who the shadowy figure inciting fear and panic amongst those he encounters is.
Strong wants to bring a murderer to justice and Souter is hungry for a story.
Who will get to the truth first and can their friendship remain intact?
This is a very well written story which I didn’t enjoy very much due to the excessive violence. I’m sure many other readers will enjoy the book, it just wasn’t for me.
Then the body of a known burglar shows up and a mysterious metal case is discovered at the scene.
Strong turns to his close friend, journalist Bob Souter, and embarks on an awkward alliance to probe areas he is unable to explore.
As the murder suspects start to disappear Strong must discover just who the shadowy figure inciting fear and panic amongst those he encounters is.
Strong wants to bring a murderer to justice and Souter is hungry for a story.
Who will get to the truth first and can their friendship remain intact?
This is a very well written story which I didn’t enjoy very much due to the excessive violence. I’m sure many other readers will enjoy the book, it just wasn’t for me.
September 1, 2016
This book was different to many police procedural novels, as it focuses around the real life story of the Yorkshire ripper case - particularly on Wearside Jack, who's identity was never discovered.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters of DI Colin Strong and his lifelong friend, journalist Bob Souter, were both likeable and realistic and I liked that although working together to solve this crime, they kept information from each other and both followed their own lines of enquiry.
I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in this series and would recommend this book to all fans of police procedural books.
Thank you to the author and TBC for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters of DI Colin Strong and his lifelong friend, journalist Bob Souter, were both likeable and realistic and I liked that although working together to solve this crime, they kept information from each other and both followed their own lines of enquiry.
I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in this series and would recommend this book to all fans of police procedural books.
Thank you to the author and TBC for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2016
I really liked enjoyed reading this book and the characters were ones I could relate to, none of the over the top murders and unbelievable police procedures. DI Colin Strong was called to a murder and he finds himself caught up in a web of deceit and misinformation. His old school friend Bob Souter seems to be a little too informed in the case too so he really needs to keep his cards close to his chest. I loved the way the characters came together even though they seemed irrelevant at the time and the red herrings thrown out, it kept me guessing. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to TBC for my copy in return for an honest review.
Thank you to TBC for my copy in return for an honest review.
May 25, 2016
Review to follow 3.5/5 stars
I have to admit at the start I was worried I'd be lacking in knowledge of the real Yorkshire Ripper case to be able to follow the blend of the real with the fiction however the author did a good job of giving the reader the facts that were needed without making it sound like a history lesson. Sad to say I felt more for the criminals than the police officer or journalist characters but I did enjoy the blend of fact and fiction approach to the standard police procedural book I think once I got past my initial worries it worked well.
I have to admit at the start I was worried I'd be lacking in knowledge of the real Yorkshire Ripper case to be able to follow the blend of the real with the fiction however the author did a good job of giving the reader the facts that were needed without making it sound like a history lesson. Sad to say I felt more for the criminals than the police officer or journalist characters but I did enjoy the blend of fact and fiction approach to the standard police procedural book I think once I got past my initial worries it worked well.
August 9, 2016
Thanks to David Evans and TBC for this copy to review. Enjoyed this book, although at times it was hard to follow with the wide range of characters and how they all linked together. Loved the novel start, which hooked me straight away and the way that real life was mixed with fiction. Would be happy to hear more from DI Colin Strong and his partnership with his journalist buddy Bob Souter.
September 22, 2016
To be honest I found this book a little bit difficult to get into but I am so pleased I stuck with it as I was pleasantly surprised as to how it all played out.
The characters in this book are very complex but also incredibly believable
For me it kept me guessing until the last few chapter, and I definitely had it all wrong!!
So, a really good book with great characters with great back stories
The characters in this book are very complex but also incredibly believable
For me it kept me guessing until the last few chapter, and I definitely had it all wrong!!
So, a really good book with great characters with great back stories
June 13, 2016
I was not sure what to think of this book. it had lot of good points including the main character.
I thought while the book was good though that something that would have made it great was missing. I am not sure I liked how it ended which bothers me since it was a well written book
I thought while the book was good though that something that would have made it great was missing. I am not sure I liked how it ended which bothers me since it was a well written book
July 8, 2016
Thank you for a great read from start to finish ,twist and turns didn't want to put it down, can't wait for the next one, Thank you David .
I would definitely recommend this book to my friends ,or anyone who likes a really good Detective thriller ,. to get their teeth into.
I would definitely recommend this book to my friends ,or anyone who likes a really good Detective thriller ,. to get their teeth into.
August 30, 2016
Worth reading
I enjoyed the relationships between the detective and journalist,respectful but comprising for both .The setting in Yorkshire was great .Treatment of criminals and their associates by the older detective was as I imagine it to be. Interesting read.
I enjoyed the relationships between the detective and journalist,respectful but comprising for both .The setting in Yorkshire was great .Treatment of criminals and their associates by the older detective was as I imagine it to be. Interesting read.
September 3, 2016
Good read
Really good from beginning to end , kept you wondering right up to the end , who was guilty of the murders
Really good from beginning to end , kept you wondering right up to the end , who was guilty of the murders
November 4, 2018
Trophies is the first book in The Wakefield Series and much of it takes place in and around Yorkshire. It is fiction that has a slight connection with fact. Many people will be aware of the serial killer Peter Sutcliffe and how the hoax caller ‘Wearside Jack’ jeopardised the investigation. The book is mainly based on the investigation into the murder of a known felon. It is during this investigation that the possible connection to Wearside Jack is considered.
There are two main characters. Colin Strong, an inspector who is leading the investigation and Bob Souter a journalist who has recently returned to the area. They have been friends since school but their friendship is tested at times. Whilst I did like both characters my favourite was Kelly Stainmore, a detective who works closely with Strong. I liked her honesty, her approach to everyday policing and her opinion on other members of the team, especially their superior officer.
There are many people in the novel. All of the police team feature strongly which I always like. It is always good to see how each try to get a solution. I appreciated the humour and the consideration that Strong showed to the more junior members of the squad. But there is also room for the suspects, the victims and all of their families. Some were stronger than others, particularly Rosie and Montgomery’s father.
A good start to a new series which I imagine will appeal strongly to local readers.
There are two main characters. Colin Strong, an inspector who is leading the investigation and Bob Souter a journalist who has recently returned to the area. They have been friends since school but their friendship is tested at times. Whilst I did like both characters my favourite was Kelly Stainmore, a detective who works closely with Strong. I liked her honesty, her approach to everyday policing and her opinion on other members of the team, especially their superior officer.
There are many people in the novel. All of the police team feature strongly which I always like. It is always good to see how each try to get a solution. I appreciated the humour and the consideration that Strong showed to the more junior members of the squad. But there is also room for the suspects, the victims and all of their families. Some were stronger than others, particularly Rosie and Montgomery’s father.
A good start to a new series which I imagine will appeal strongly to local readers.
October 24, 2017
I got to 36% into this which had already taken me 4 days and I just wasn't enjoying it, to be honest. It seemed very 'draggy' and there were so many characters !! Mostly the criminals and I was losing track of these old lags and which particular range of crimes they each specialised in. He introduced yet another one and I couldn't face any more. I had to keep flicking back and searching to see who did what as it was without adding even more !!
There were the apostrophe errors that almost all e-books have, I think where about(s) should have been whereabouts and desert definitely needed to be dessert, there was a lot of dropped punctuation like speechmarks, fullstops, question marks and commas which suddenly started appearing around 17% in for some reason. The most terrible for me was spelling Hindley as Hyndley. This is a name I NEVER expected to see misspelled !!
One remark made me laugh aloud-"...she's doing A Levels next year and doing my head in this year !!"However, this just wasn't for me.
There were the apostrophe errors that almost all e-books have, I think where about(s) should have been whereabouts and desert definitely needed to be dessert, there was a lot of dropped punctuation like speechmarks, fullstops, question marks and commas which suddenly started appearing around 17% in for some reason. The most terrible for me was spelling Hindley as Hyndley. This is a name I NEVER expected to see misspelled !!
One remark made me laugh aloud-"...she's doing A Levels next year and doing my head in this year !!"However, this just wasn't for me.
July 29, 2024
I bought this as I was at college in Sheffield at the time of the Yorkshire Ripper murders and remember following it in the news as things unfolded, including the hoax tape. The overall strength of the reviews and low price persuaded me that it was worth a punt. Well. The story wanders around without really getting anywhere, with too much unnecessary dialogue and nonsense dialogue. At one point, Colin Strong comes downstairs and:
She thrust a mug of fresh coffee into his hand. “It’s not like you to get up and walk Jasper. Not worried about this court case coming up tomorrow are you? Toast’s on by the way.”
Toast’s on by the way? What? Who talks like that? The book needs serious editing. I'm flabbergasted at the high scores. Bizarre.
She thrust a mug of fresh coffee into his hand. “It’s not like you to get up and walk Jasper. Not worried about this court case coming up tomorrow are you? Toast’s on by the way.”
Toast’s on by the way? What? Who talks like that? The book needs serious editing. I'm flabbergasted at the high scores. Bizarre.
February 13, 2018
A great read
I found it a good read from start to finish and know Wakefield. Having trained at Pinderfields and remember the long corridor well leading to the huts. I found the book more realistic than some crime stories and the characters gelled well and were believable. I am looking forwards to starting the next book in this series.
I found it a good read from start to finish and know Wakefield. Having trained at Pinderfields and remember the long corridor well leading to the huts. I found the book more realistic than some crime stories and the characters gelled well and were believable. I am looking forwards to starting the next book in this series.
June 9, 2020
This is the first novel based in the hoaxer who was connected to the Yorkshire Ripper, a killer of women. Based in Wakefield, Yorkshire, but also the Yorkshire area. Reminds me of Ian Rankin, would be good to see what the next book is like -
August 12, 2025
The first in a series. Yorkshire detective Colin Strong is back in his home town of Wakefield and investigating robberies and a murder, as well as following a hunch about a historical mystery in his own time. An enjoyable plot and characters.
July 11, 2017
Loved it, possibly because the books are set in my local area that aided my imagination and were about events that occurred during my lifetime. Well written and interesting, a great trilogy.
February 12, 2019
Very clever plotline and background, great characters a superbly good page turner.
March 30, 2019
Well thought out mystery. The first in a series.
September 15, 2020
Bought this after meeting the author - thoroughly enjoyed it. A new twist on an old crime.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews