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Detective Jason Smith #24
The Flytrap
The Venus flytrap. - If you get too close - you're dead.
A new craze is taking the city of York by a storm. An online site is daring the teenagers of the historical town to do things they never would have dreamed of before. There's talk of a mystery virus that could wipe out mankind, and the young minds are taking it all in. They don't want to die without having lived first and Flytrap[dot]net promises to give them life before their inevitable death.
Detective Smith realises he's dealing with something totally new when the first bodies turn up. A teenage boy has detonated a hand grenade inside his living room, killing his entire family.
It soon becomes clear that Smith and the team aren't equipped to deal with what the city is calling a cyber-attack on teenagers, and the case is taken off his hands. But as more young people fall to Flytrap[dot]net, Smith finally gets a break. But it's a break that will make him question whether humanity still exists. The Flytrap is a different kind of killer, and it's one that makes Smith wonder whether there is still a place for him in the world.
A new craze is taking the city of York by a storm. An online site is daring the teenagers of the historical town to do things they never would have dreamed of before. There's talk of a mystery virus that could wipe out mankind, and the young minds are taking it all in. They don't want to die without having lived first and Flytrap[dot]net promises to give them life before their inevitable death.
Detective Smith realises he's dealing with something totally new when the first bodies turn up. A teenage boy has detonated a hand grenade inside his living room, killing his entire family.
It soon becomes clear that Smith and the team aren't equipped to deal with what the city is calling a cyber-attack on teenagers, and the case is taken off his hands. But as more young people fall to Flytrap[dot]net, Smith finally gets a break. But it's a break that will make him question whether humanity still exists. The Flytrap is a different kind of killer, and it's one that makes Smith wonder whether there is still a place for him in the world.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2023
44 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Stewart Giles
83 books85 followersAfter reading English at 3 Universities and graduating from none of them, I set off travelling around the world with my wife, Ann, finally settling in South Africa, where we still live. After Ann dropped a rather large speaker on my head I came up with the idea for a detective series. DS Jason Smith was born. Smith, the first in the series was finished a few months later. 3 years and 8 DS Smith books later, Joffe Books wondered if I would be interested in working with them. As a self-published author, I agreed. However, we decided on a new series - the DC Harriet Taylor Cornwall series. The Beekeeper hit the shelves and hit the number one spot in Australia. The second in the series, The Perfect Murder did just as well. The third in the series, The Backpacker I have self-published and is now available.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 6, 2023
So...book 24. When I started this series i didn't realise there was as many books and when I got to book 10 I was like, "how many books is too many in a series?" However, Jason Smith and the team have gotten under my skin and I've read every book in the series and can't wait for me.
Book 24 of the series and I have to say, for me, this is the best of the series so far. An old demon comes back to haunt the team and it isn't without many twists and turns along the way. A definite must read for any crime fan.
Book 24 of the series and I have to say, for me, this is the best of the series so far. An old demon comes back to haunt the team and it isn't without many twists and turns along the way. A definite must read for any crime fan.
September 9, 2023
You have to feel sorry for DS Jason Smith, with everything this author has thrown at him in this very popular series, and life in book 24 is not going to get any easier. Together with his wife DS Erica Whitton, two grumpy dogs and six-year-old Laura, he now has a sixteen-year-old adopted daughter Lucy who is three months pregnant and determined to keep the baby, very much against his advice. Now with covid looming on the horizon, the team at York CID of Smith, Whitton, DS Rupert Bridge, PC Baldwin, DCs Kerry King and Harry Moore and DI Oliver Smyth will face an even bigger horror, if that’s possible. In a short period of time, they have two explosions, one suicide, five dead teenagers and three dead adults on their hands, whilst DI Smyth wants them to investigate the leaders of a nasty dog-fighting gang. Smith senses an uncanny reminder of the terrible recent Viaduct case but could someone really be back and behind what he quickly learns is called the Flytrap, something the like of which they have never seen before? As the devastation continues, the case is taken over by the NCA and they realise the depravity and true magnitude of the terror they are dealing with this time. And can anyone stop it?
This is probably the darkest story so far in the series and very topical in the light of both the fears of the on-coming virus and also the acceleration of artificial intelligence and cyber harvesting of information on all of us. There are some perverted monsters out there, and this cruel chilling case with a twisted plot will test York CID to its limit. A very clever addition to a brilliant series.
This is probably the darkest story so far in the series and very topical in the light of both the fears of the on-coming virus and also the acceleration of artificial intelligence and cyber harvesting of information on all of us. There are some perverted monsters out there, and this cruel chilling case with a twisted plot will test York CID to its limit. A very clever addition to a brilliant series.
August 24, 2023
When two explosions go off simultaneously in the front room of two separate houses, DS Smith thinks this is no coincidence. He has been told to work on a dog fighting case but when a young girl is found shot and she had filmed the whole thing, Smith finds a large bell ringing in his head- one he would rather not listen to as it can only mean one thing: a certain person could be back on the scene, one he came across in the Viaduct case. Oh heck this is going to get messy, very messy indeed.
As ever I start one of Stewarts books and before I know it I'm halfway through and more than committed. These are those sorts of reads that you desperately want to find out more but in a way don’t want it to end as it's such a fantastic read and the pages slip away ever faster (in theory- hopefully you know what I mean!). I won't give anything away other than to say expect the unexpected- its clever, very clever. To me the skill of a truly talented author- please keep them coming Stewart! I looked up the TS Elliott poem that is mentioned (Wasteland) “Memory and desire stirring” One I hadn’t come across before and one worth reading. A truly stunning, memorable read (for all the right reasons!). Wow! This book blew me away (every pun intended!)
For more reviews please follow me on Twitter or Threads @nickisbookblog
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As ever I start one of Stewarts books and before I know it I'm halfway through and more than committed. These are those sorts of reads that you desperately want to find out more but in a way don’t want it to end as it's such a fantastic read and the pages slip away ever faster (in theory- hopefully you know what I mean!). I won't give anything away other than to say expect the unexpected- its clever, very clever. To me the skill of a truly talented author- please keep them coming Stewart! I looked up the TS Elliott poem that is mentioned (Wasteland) “Memory and desire stirring” One I hadn’t come across before and one worth reading. A truly stunning, memorable read (for all the right reasons!). Wow! This book blew me away (every pun intended!)
For more reviews please follow me on Twitter or Threads @nickisbookblog
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September 16, 2023
A virus is threatening the planet and teens are killing themselves and others. DS Jason Smith is convinced that his nemesis is behind the sinister acts but can he persuade his superiors...?
The Flytrap is the 24th book in the Smith series. There are mentions of past cases but there is enough information to catch us up without spoilers.
The start of the book is explosive to say the least! Two teens set off grenades in their family homes and the community is reeling in shock. Smith feels there is a link to an old case and that the elusive Natasha Zeb is behind the deaths, using a computer network known as the flytrap to influence vulnerable teens.
This series of books is one of my favourites and this book was no exception. The writing style is easy to read and dialogue led. Smith has great relationships and banter with family, colleagues and even suspects. He says what he thinks even when it gets him into trouble but he is clever enough to respect people's skills even when he has a personality clash with them.
The whole concept of the book is horrifying and the deaths are quite shocking. I liked the way that the author manages to get emotion into the police characters whilst maintaining their professional determination. The ending has big twists (I had guessed one), big drama and big action! Wow!
The Flytrap is a brilliant book in a fantastic series.
The Flytrap is the 24th book in the Smith series. There are mentions of past cases but there is enough information to catch us up without spoilers.
The start of the book is explosive to say the least! Two teens set off grenades in their family homes and the community is reeling in shock. Smith feels there is a link to an old case and that the elusive Natasha Zeb is behind the deaths, using a computer network known as the flytrap to influence vulnerable teens.
This series of books is one of my favourites and this book was no exception. The writing style is easy to read and dialogue led. Smith has great relationships and banter with family, colleagues and even suspects. He says what he thinks even when it gets him into trouble but he is clever enough to respect people's skills even when he has a personality clash with them.
The whole concept of the book is horrifying and the deaths are quite shocking. I liked the way that the author manages to get emotion into the police characters whilst maintaining their professional determination. The ending has big twists (I had guessed one), big drama and big action! Wow!
The Flytrap is a brilliant book in a fantastic series.
August 25, 2023
D Jason Smith Book Twenty Four.
It's a whopper.
Everyone is talking about it,
causing havoc in China, claiming a dozen lives, a super flu?
The world is doomed, then the blast!!!!
Smith heard it, Whitton heard it, the house had shook so hard.
York is not known for earthquakes.
Two explosions one over at Kings college Rowntree Park and another down the road in a house and Smith heads out into the cold, the house had twin brothers and their mother in it and four kids in the college this wasn't a gas explosion this is shrapnel from a incendiary device they have a bomber planting grenades but there is more and Natasha Zeb rings in Smiths ears every law enforcement have her on a wanted list Zeb is back with a vengeance and dead or alive this time he will get her.
Something called the Venus Flytrap it's nasty you can't see it a cyber-attack on teenagers.
And with a pregnant teenager on his hands it enough to drive you mental.
Wow this author has done his homework on this book with excellent research, that makes it so so exceptional to read.
The work the chapters all blend in superbly to bring you yet another book you will be unable to put down. Absolutely brilliant from one of my favourite authors.
Oh and getting back to the carry on in China well that's another story.
It's a whopper.
Everyone is talking about it,
causing havoc in China, claiming a dozen lives, a super flu?
The world is doomed, then the blast!!!!
Smith heard it, Whitton heard it, the house had shook so hard.
York is not known for earthquakes.
Two explosions one over at Kings college Rowntree Park and another down the road in a house and Smith heads out into the cold, the house had twin brothers and their mother in it and four kids in the college this wasn't a gas explosion this is shrapnel from a incendiary device they have a bomber planting grenades but there is more and Natasha Zeb rings in Smiths ears every law enforcement have her on a wanted list Zeb is back with a vengeance and dead or alive this time he will get her.
Something called the Venus Flytrap it's nasty you can't see it a cyber-attack on teenagers.
And with a pregnant teenager on his hands it enough to drive you mental.
Wow this author has done his homework on this book with excellent research, that makes it so so exceptional to read.
The work the chapters all blend in superbly to bring you yet another book you will be unable to put down. Absolutely brilliant from one of my favourite authors.
Oh and getting back to the carry on in China well that's another story.
September 4, 2023
Stewart Giles is on a roll this year writing one stunning book after another and each one more gripping and adrenaline pumping than the last. So I settled down to see what he has in store for the York detectives this time.
I wasn't to be disappointed, far from it. This is another completely unique story with twists and turns along the way. It begins with 2 explosions in different houses. Smith doesn't believe in coincidences and is sure the 2 are connected but when the forensics results are in the team soon realise that something really evil is happening among the teenage population of York but who is behind it and how many will die before Smith and the team can work out what is going on?
Absolutely gripping I was turning page after page and if the suspense written into the story is not enough there is also the back story of Lucy to add to the overall experience.
Familiar characters continue to develop and bring their personalities and backgrounds to the story. New characters are introduced to add variety and interest. Everything I want from a crime thriller and more this is an absolutely stunning read that kept the adrenaline pumping all the way to the very end.
BRILLIANT!
I wasn't to be disappointed, far from it. This is another completely unique story with twists and turns along the way. It begins with 2 explosions in different houses. Smith doesn't believe in coincidences and is sure the 2 are connected but when the forensics results are in the team soon realise that something really evil is happening among the teenage population of York but who is behind it and how many will die before Smith and the team can work out what is going on?
Absolutely gripping I was turning page after page and if the suspense written into the story is not enough there is also the back story of Lucy to add to the overall experience.
Familiar characters continue to develop and bring their personalities and backgrounds to the story. New characters are introduced to add variety and interest. Everything I want from a crime thriller and more this is an absolutely stunning read that kept the adrenaline pumping all the way to the very end.
BRILLIANT!
August 25, 2023
Wow Jason Smith has his work cut out for him with this case. Teenagers are committing suicide for no apparent reason and killing innocent people along with them. This case is close to home for him as first his neighbours are involved and then his adopted daughter loses school friends too. NCA come in and try to take over the case but Jason is convinced one of them is passing on information. Who can he trust and how can he solve this case without NCA leaking information so the criminals are always one step ahead. Lots of twists and turns to this case. A gripping 5 star read.
August 27, 2023
The flytrap by Stewart Giles.
A DS Jason Smith thriller book 24.
Smith is back. This time he has a hard case to solve. NCA come in and takes the case away. Can Smith and his team figure it out.
Omg. Absolutely brilliant. I love this series. I love Smith Whitton Bridge Smyth King Moore Webber and Melody grew on me. I loved Lucy. What a case for Smith. Very disturbing. Twisty and gripping. I certainly didn't see that coming. Im looking forward to the next book. 5*.
A DS Jason Smith thriller book 24.
Smith is back. This time he has a hard case to solve. NCA come in and takes the case away. Can Smith and his team figure it out.
Omg. Absolutely brilliant. I love this series. I love Smith Whitton Bridge Smyth King Moore Webber and Melody grew on me. I loved Lucy. What a case for Smith. Very disturbing. Twisty and gripping. I certainly didn't see that coming. Im looking forward to the next book. 5*.
September 6, 2023
An unusual investigation for Smith mostly revolving around cyber attacks on teenagers resulting in multiple death and injury. I thought it all quite disturbing but within the realms of possibility. Stewart Giles has the ability to create something extraordinary out of everyday family situations. The reader does not always know whose account to trust.
I thought it shockingly packed with intense drama and so completely gripping that it's a definitely five star read .
I thought it shockingly packed with intense drama and so completely gripping that it's a definitely five star read .
August 24, 2023
The Flytrap by Stewart Giles is book 23 in the DS Jason Smith series. The mastermind behind the bizarre suicides of teenagers is strongly believed to be Natasha Zeb. She was involved in an earlier case involving Jason. The teenagers affected are vulnerable and being drawn into the flytrap. An extremely advanced form of AI rears its head. The characters are very well described, and you are pulled into the story, becoming totally engrossed in it. I ended up down a few garden paths following the rumours and the misdirection was certainly unexpected. A great read.
September 9, 2023
THE FLYTRAP kicks off with 2 simultaneous, stunning incidents. The disturbing, chilling events are shocking. A hair raising race against time culminates in a dynamite finish you'll never see coming.
THE FLYTRAP IS EDGE OF YOUR SEAT READING!
THE FLYTRAP IS EDGE OF YOUR SEAT READING!
September 5, 2023
Amazing
I have read all the books in this series but this is definitely the best so far. The books just get better. Exiting,horrific,sad, humorous and happy . In fact everything you need.
I have read all the books in this series but this is definitely the best so far. The books just get better. Exiting,horrific,sad, humorous and happy . In fact everything you need.
June 12, 2025
The Flytrap
Excellent read. Absolutely love the DS Jason Smith series . Book 24 , couldn't put it down. Keep them coming.
Excellent read. Absolutely love the DS Jason Smith series . Book 24 , couldn't put it down. Keep them coming.
September 20, 2025
a little bit over my head at times but otherwise a great episode xxx
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews