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DCI Warren Jones #2
No Smoke Without Fire
DCI Warren Jones has a bad feeling when the body of a young woman turns up in Beaconsfield Woods. She’s been raped and strangled but the murderer has been careful to leave no DNA evidence.
There are, of course, suspects – boyfriend, father – to check out but, worryingly, it looks more and more like a stranger murder.
Warren’s worst fears are confirmed when another young woman is killed in the same way.
The MO fits that of Richard Cameron who served twelve years for rape. But Cameron never killed his victims and he has a cast-iron alibi.
Then personal tragedy intervenes and Warren is off the case. But the pressure is mounting and another woman goes missing. Warren is back but will the break he desperately needs come before there’s another victim?
There are, of course, suspects – boyfriend, father – to check out but, worryingly, it looks more and more like a stranger murder.
Warren’s worst fears are confirmed when another young woman is killed in the same way.
The MO fits that of Richard Cameron who served twelve years for rape. But Cameron never killed his victims and he has a cast-iron alibi.
Then personal tragedy intervenes and Warren is off the case. But the pressure is mounting and another woman goes missing. Warren is back but will the break he desperately needs come before there’s another victim?
590 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2014
144 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Paul Gitsham
18 books89 followersThe first book I ever wrote was a novelization of ET. I was five years old, had a yellow pencil, an exercise book with ET on the front and boundless enthusiasm.
After being told the devastating news that I couldn't write ET because it had already been done, I resolved to write my own stories. They were still somewhat derivative - a time-travelling detective who drives a sports car that can A) talk to him and B) needs to hit 120 mph to time-travel... I was a kid of the eighties, feel free to look for influences.
I dabbled with writing through school and university, but it wasn't until a spell of "under-employment" (the politically correct term for sitting on my arse as a receptionist whilst looking for a position more suited to my PhD) that I entered NaNoWriMo. I never hit that vaunted 50,000 words but I DID put down 30K of speculative fiction and started to take things a bit more seriously.
As always, life intervenes and that story slowly bloomed to a disorganised mess of about 70k over the next few years. It's still there, tucked away on the hard drive and I've promised myself that one day I will come back to it.
By now though, somebody else was starting to whisper in my ear. I'd always wanted to write a detective novel, but had struggled to come up with a protagonist that I really connected with - or one that didn't seem a rehash or bad pastiche of my favourite existing characters. And that was when DCI Warren Jones started to nag me. Loudly. And Insistently. I wrote that first draft in less than six months.
The series now numbers six full-length novels and four novellas. Book 7 is due out in summer 2021, with more in the pipeline.
And as for the future? Well Warren has lots more stories to tell and then there's that first, aborted attempt at speculative fiction. I reread it the other day and you know what? It isn't that bad...
After being told the devastating news that I couldn't write ET because it had already been done, I resolved to write my own stories. They were still somewhat derivative - a time-travelling detective who drives a sports car that can A) talk to him and B) needs to hit 120 mph to time-travel... I was a kid of the eighties, feel free to look for influences.
I dabbled with writing through school and university, but it wasn't until a spell of "under-employment" (the politically correct term for sitting on my arse as a receptionist whilst looking for a position more suited to my PhD) that I entered NaNoWriMo. I never hit that vaunted 50,000 words but I DID put down 30K of speculative fiction and started to take things a bit more seriously.
As always, life intervenes and that story slowly bloomed to a disorganised mess of about 70k over the next few years. It's still there, tucked away on the hard drive and I've promised myself that one day I will come back to it.
By now though, somebody else was starting to whisper in my ear. I'd always wanted to write a detective novel, but had struggled to come up with a protagonist that I really connected with - or one that didn't seem a rehash or bad pastiche of my favourite existing characters. And that was when DCI Warren Jones started to nag me. Loudly. And Insistently. I wrote that first draft in less than six months.
The series now numbers six full-length novels and four novellas. Book 7 is due out in summer 2021, with more in the pipeline.
And as for the future? Well Warren has lots more stories to tell and then there's that first, aborted attempt at speculative fiction. I reread it the other day and you know what? It isn't that bad...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 9, 2019
The second in the DCI Warren Jones series set in Hertfordshire, a twisting investigation into a series of killings - bit slow moving until after halfway but a pretty decent read
July 27, 2022
Rounded up to 4, because this was overlong and maybe a bit see through; but still an excellent follow up to Book 1
DCI Warren Jones is on the trail of a seriel killer who is very similar to one from years ago? Same person or not?
I still cannot believe UK police do not carry weapons.
DCI Warren Jones is on the trail of a seriel killer who is very similar to one from years ago? Same person or not?
I still cannot believe UK police do not carry weapons.
July 24, 2014
Can Detective Chief Inspector Warren Jones find a serial killer before the killer brutally rapes and kills again? The first murder leads DCI Jones to suspect the victim’s boyfriend and father. Then another body is found – carefully hidden to give enough time for vital clues to disappear but not so well that it won’t be found in a few days. The murderer seems to be taunting the police.
As any reader of mysteries and police procedurals knows, most murderers are somehow connected to the victim. The hardest killings to solve are when the killer and victim are strangers. DCI Jones begins to wonder if these killings aren’t going to be that type.
Suspicion falls on Richard Cameron, recently released from prison after serving twelve years for rape. However, Cameron did not kill his victims. And, there is no physical evidence that Cameron was involved. However, when the third body is found, DNA evidence says Cameron is the killer. Cameron disappears. The evidence against him mounts. Another victim. But the killer seems to be getting more careless. Then suddenly the evidence begins to suggest that others may be involved.
You will enjoy this second DCI Warren Jones book by biologist-turned-science teacher Paul Gitsham. The characters are well-developed and the addition of Jones’ personal tragedies adds to rather than detracts from the plot. The story itself has enough twists and turns to cause even the most jaded of mystery readers to wonder where the story will eventually lead. There are clues aplenty to identify the murderer – if you’re paying close attention. But if you skip through parts of the story that you think are merely added fluff, you may just miss those carefully placed clues.
This review is based on a pre-release version provided through NetGalley.com.
As any reader of mysteries and police procedurals knows, most murderers are somehow connected to the victim. The hardest killings to solve are when the killer and victim are strangers. DCI Jones begins to wonder if these killings aren’t going to be that type.
Suspicion falls on Richard Cameron, recently released from prison after serving twelve years for rape. However, Cameron did not kill his victims. And, there is no physical evidence that Cameron was involved. However, when the third body is found, DNA evidence says Cameron is the killer. Cameron disappears. The evidence against him mounts. Another victim. But the killer seems to be getting more careless. Then suddenly the evidence begins to suggest that others may be involved.
You will enjoy this second DCI Warren Jones book by biologist-turned-science teacher Paul Gitsham. The characters are well-developed and the addition of Jones’ personal tragedies adds to rather than detracts from the plot. The story itself has enough twists and turns to cause even the most jaded of mystery readers to wonder where the story will eventually lead. There are clues aplenty to identify the murderer – if you’re paying close attention. But if you skip through parts of the story that you think are merely added fluff, you may just miss those carefully placed clues.
This review is based on a pre-release version provided through NetGalley.com.
September 3, 2014
I received a copy of this book from the book's publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
One murder is bad, in fact it's very bad indeed. Two murders are worse. But three murders, that means that there's a serial killer on the loose and that just isn't going to happen on DCI Warren's patch.
Middlesbury's no longer a safe place for young girls to be alone at night. There's a predator on the loose, methodical in his ways and savagely destroying people's lives and not just those of who they have killed. But what's linking these women? A prisoner has been released after committing almost exactly the same crime and using the same methods. This is all beginning to become a bit too close to home. Can DCI Warren stop this serial killer before he strikes again? You're just going to have to read to find out!
This was a brilliantly intriguing murder mystery, though I have to admit I had worked out who-dunnit about halfway through the book. Nevertheless there are plenty of red herrings to lead you astray and the plot just thickens. So much so that I struggled to put the book down at times!
Gitsham has a great writing style and you can tell that he has thoroughly researched the ins and outs of the legal system and policing involved. A really fun read what I can greatly recommend reading. This was an excellent holiday read and would be brilliant to read just for fun, particularly if you enjoy the genre!
One murder is bad, in fact it's very bad indeed. Two murders are worse. But three murders, that means that there's a serial killer on the loose and that just isn't going to happen on DCI Warren's patch.
Middlesbury's no longer a safe place for young girls to be alone at night. There's a predator on the loose, methodical in his ways and savagely destroying people's lives and not just those of who they have killed. But what's linking these women? A prisoner has been released after committing almost exactly the same crime and using the same methods. This is all beginning to become a bit too close to home. Can DCI Warren stop this serial killer before he strikes again? You're just going to have to read to find out!
This was a brilliantly intriguing murder mystery, though I have to admit I had worked out who-dunnit about halfway through the book. Nevertheless there are plenty of red herrings to lead you astray and the plot just thickens. So much so that I struggled to put the book down at times!
Gitsham has a great writing style and you can tell that he has thoroughly researched the ins and outs of the legal system and policing involved. A really fun read what I can greatly recommend reading. This was an excellent holiday read and would be brilliant to read just for fun, particularly if you enjoy the genre!
November 2, 2015
This book continues where the previous one left off. It is another solid police procedural with solid, professional characters (yay). This time the team is on the trail of a brutal rapist and murderer. There are plenty of suspects but very little solid evidence. The police pursue every lead and eventually close in on the killer. But he had abducted another young woman. Can they catch him before she, too, is murdered? Nicely written and very readable, I just wouldn't say this will keep you on the edge of your seat - it wasn't that exciting.
November 23, 2023
DCI Warren Jones has a bad feeling when the body of a young woman turns up in Beaconsfield Woods. She’s been raped and strangled but the murderer has been careful to leave no DNA evidence.
And off we go with the second book in the DCI Warren Jones, British police procedural series set around a fictional town of Middlesbury in Hertfordshire. No Smoke Without Fire can be read as a stand-alone as there is enough back story given for new readers or to refresh the memories of readers who have read the first book.
I found No Smoke Without Fire to be a far, far better read than The Last Straw. I think the plot is more involved and the many suspects far more likely to have committed the first and follow up crimes. Also No Smoke Without Fire is a longer book to read than The Last Straw running to 590 rather than 468 pages.
I liked how there was plenty of life in No Smoke Without Fire. It was not just the police work but also the private life of DCI Warren Jones. This added to the book so that the reader got the full picture, not just a snapshot and added context to the story. I liked how the characters developed from the first book and blossomed into a work and out of work family. I also liked all the little extra bits thrown in that made this book so interesting and engaging. For example, although by and large police car chases bore me a little, I for years have wondered why animals don’t move out of the way of moving vehicles…
The most convincing answer came from Francis in year seven who said it was because cars don’t have visible limbs and the deer’s brain is programmed to recognise typical predator shapes. Its hard-wired instincts simply haven’t evolved to deal with two glowing lights heading towards it. Let alone two glowing lights flanking blue flashing lights emitting a piercing, whooping noise.
…The storytelling in No Smoke Without Fire is entertaining and I did not work out who the bad guy was before they were revealed, making this a GOOD 4 star read.
And off we go with the second book in the DCI Warren Jones, British police procedural series set around a fictional town of Middlesbury in Hertfordshire. No Smoke Without Fire can be read as a stand-alone as there is enough back story given for new readers or to refresh the memories of readers who have read the first book.
I found No Smoke Without Fire to be a far, far better read than The Last Straw. I think the plot is more involved and the many suspects far more likely to have committed the first and follow up crimes. Also No Smoke Without Fire is a longer book to read than The Last Straw running to 590 rather than 468 pages.
I liked how there was plenty of life in No Smoke Without Fire. It was not just the police work but also the private life of DCI Warren Jones. This added to the book so that the reader got the full picture, not just a snapshot and added context to the story. I liked how the characters developed from the first book and blossomed into a work and out of work family. I also liked all the little extra bits thrown in that made this book so interesting and engaging. For example, although by and large police car chases bore me a little, I for years have wondered why animals don’t move out of the way of moving vehicles…
The most convincing answer came from Francis in year seven who said it was because cars don’t have visible limbs and the deer’s brain is programmed to recognise typical predator shapes. Its hard-wired instincts simply haven’t evolved to deal with two glowing lights heading towards it. Let alone two glowing lights flanking blue flashing lights emitting a piercing, whooping noise.
…The storytelling in No Smoke Without Fire is entertaining and I did not work out who the bad guy was before they were revealed, making this a GOOD 4 star read.
February 9, 2019
From a technical point of view, this was a well-written book. I felt like it was a little more drawn out than it needed to be. I possibly felt that way because the murder is apparent at about the 60% mark. Once you know who it is, you want to shake the detectives for missing the obvious. Still, a good read.
August 22, 2020
I enjoyed this, and I like Warren and Tony, but I would agree with other reviewers that it was obvious from very early on who the killer was, and this made the book seem overlong. The whole 'death of Warren's grandmother' section could have been cut for a start. I did occasionally wonder if my suspicions were correct, but they were!
February 20, 2019
I rate this 3.5 star. It was really easy to guess who the murderer and I was tempted to flip to the end pages to confirm it but I didn't do it. The murderer was blaringly obvious but the strength in this book lies in how the author skilfully linked the different characters.
April 13, 2019
I love the way the story moves forward as well as the characters. I enjoyed the look into Warren's family life. I felt the story was well researched and felt true to life and realistic. I would recommend.
November 28, 2019
Detective Warren Jones second book. Well constructed with likeable and realistic characters. No histrionics or troubled characters which is something I really enjoyed. Just a really well constructed plot and with good twists.
March 1, 2020
Addicted
Yet another author I am addicted to. Thanks to kindle I am finding new authors that I wouldn’t have bothered with in the past. I loved this book and will now go on to read everything from this author. So excited for more.
Yet another author I am addicted to. Thanks to kindle I am finding new authors that I wouldn’t have bothered with in the past. I loved this book and will now go on to read everything from this author. So excited for more.
March 3, 2020
The book contained a few 'plot holes', in my opinion. The 'guilty' was obvious from a long way out, hence it was a bit overlong. The investigating team come across as slightly incompetent. But ignoring my conceived flaws, it's quite a good story, well written and has some interesting characters.
February 1, 2021
Oh wow, I loved that book. I have read a couple of Gitsham's DCI Warren Jones novels before and really got into them. Was introduced via VLF. I was starting to be a little disappointed but knew Paul would have something up his sleeve and he certainly had. Had a feeling there was more to it than meets the eye.
December 12, 2024
This was a really interesting book. You kind of figure the twist out pretty early on but it's revealed in a way that still shocks you when it happens! Sad at parts but otherwise an enjoyable read and you don't have to read the previous book to understand this one!
December 9, 2018
This has become a favorite author and series.
May 10, 2019
I was disappointed with this second in the series. To me, it was obvious whodunnit and more time was spent on back stories and tangents that did not add to the solving of the case.
August 1, 2019
Another good one but I did guess the who the villain was very early in the story. These are good police procedurals with some great action.
February 2, 2020
Great book but found the ending dragged on a bit more then needed
November 5, 2020
Not bad
More place name surnames, and a glaring name mistake towards the end (Oops!). The twist was fairly obvious early on but still a decent read.
More place name surnames, and a glaring name mistake towards the end (Oops!). The twist was fairly obvious early on but still a decent read.
December 28, 2020
Like part 1 an absolutely awesome whodunnit! The author proves he can write consistently and keep the reader's attention there.
May 13, 2021
A good mystery about a serial killer but agree with other reviewer, I figured it out pretty quickly.
January 15, 2022
Good solid detective novel well rounded characters although guessed culprit about 3rd way through
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2022
3.75 stars
January 31, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and will continue the series even if they are really slow paced
June 9, 2025
I think it's far too many books in my waiting pile for me to dwell on this series. Unless there will be a drought on my book front.
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
Read
September 11, 2025excellent, gripping and intense at times. the only reason I am not straight onto the next is that they are rather thick books and my poor old hands need a rest 😁
August 27, 2014
The book begins as Richard Cameron is released from prison following a lengthy sentence for sexual assault crimes committed in 1997. 12 months later, the body of a young woman is found - she has been sexually assaulted in a very similar way to Cameron's earlier victims. It's up to DCI Warren Jones and his team to find out whether Cameron has struck again, if there's a copycat on the loose, or as a second body turns up - if there's a serial killer at large.
I am not familiar with the writing of Paul Gitsham, but I liked his writing style a lot. Although the book seemed quite long, I read it in a day and a half, because the chapters are short and easy to read. There were a huge number of clues, red herrings, plot twists, suspects - but none of it was muddled or confusing. The ending played out well, and I would read more by this author in the future. I also liked that the main character had a happy relationship with his wife and wasn't an alcoholic or heavy smoker, as is sometimes the norm for books of this genre. I enjoyed this book a lot, except for one or two things which I'll cover in a spoiler tag. Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for honest review.
I am not familiar with the writing of Paul Gitsham, but I liked his writing style a lot. Although the book seemed quite long, I read it in a day and a half, because the chapters are short and easy to read. There were a huge number of clues, red herrings, plot twists, suspects - but none of it was muddled or confusing. The ending played out well, and I would read more by this author in the future. I also liked that the main character had a happy relationship with his wife and wasn't an alcoholic or heavy smoker, as is sometimes the norm for books of this genre. I enjoyed this book a lot, except for one or two things which I'll cover in a spoiler tag. Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for honest review.
November 30, 2015
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
DCI Warren Jones has a bad feeling when the body of a young woman turns up in Beaconsfield Woods. She’s been raped and strangled but the murderer has been careful to leave no DNA evidence. There are, of course, suspects – boyfriend, father – to check out but, worryingly, it looks more and more like a stranger murder.
Warren’s worst fears are confirmed when another young woman is killed in the same way.
The MO fits that of Richard Cameron who served twelve years for rape. But Cameron never killed his victims and he has a cast-iron alibi.
Then personal tragedy intervenes and Warren is off the case. But the pressure is mounting and another woman goes missing. Warren is back but will the break he desperately needs come before there’s another victim?
A very solid 2nd outing for DCI Jones. On the trail of a rapist and murderer, Jones and the police run down every clue and evidence they have and are continually frustrated. The tension gets thicker as the story builds to a climax.
This was a solid book but, for me, very run of the mill as far as plot and characters were concerned. A good story but nothing that really stood out.
Paul
ARH
DCI Warren Jones has a bad feeling when the body of a young woman turns up in Beaconsfield Woods. She’s been raped and strangled but the murderer has been careful to leave no DNA evidence. There are, of course, suspects – boyfriend, father – to check out but, worryingly, it looks more and more like a stranger murder.
Warren’s worst fears are confirmed when another young woman is killed in the same way.
The MO fits that of Richard Cameron who served twelve years for rape. But Cameron never killed his victims and he has a cast-iron alibi.
Then personal tragedy intervenes and Warren is off the case. But the pressure is mounting and another woman goes missing. Warren is back but will the break he desperately needs come before there’s another victim?
A very solid 2nd outing for DCI Jones. On the trail of a rapist and murderer, Jones and the police run down every clue and evidence they have and are continually frustrated. The tension gets thicker as the story builds to a climax.
This was a solid book but, for me, very run of the mill as far as plot and characters were concerned. A good story but nothing that really stood out.
Paul
ARH
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews