What do you think?
Rate this book
DI Hogarth: Fool Me Once #1
Fool Me Once
Detective Joe Hogarth's world is collapsing. Branded a rogue detective, his once-loyal colleague DC Simmons now dances on the precipice of disaster. But when the dust settles, who will be left standing on the edge?
Is Simmons an innocent pawn or a ruthless player, poised to drag Hogarth down with him?
Hogarth confronts an agonizing dilemma: as his former partner plunges into a grim underworld, a criminal mastermind vanishes, leaving behind a trail of twisted crime and corrosive corruption.
But where does Hogarth's loyalty truly lie - with the shield he upholds or the brutal truth? In a realm where even champions nurture shadows, a predator lurks in the darkness, biding its time to strike.
As allegiances blur and a bone-chilling inquiry emerges: after a lifetime devoted to justice and unity, could the truth destroy them all?
An electrifying mystery-thriller that will seize your senses from the very first page, refusing to release its grip until the stunning finale. This story is custom-made for aficionados of Ian Rankin, Peter May, J.D. Kirk, Joy Ellis or J.M. Dalgliesh.
Don't miss this pulse-pounding tale.
Grab your copy now!
Is Simmons an innocent pawn or a ruthless player, poised to drag Hogarth down with him?
Hogarth confronts an agonizing dilemma: as his former partner plunges into a grim underworld, a criminal mastermind vanishes, leaving behind a trail of twisted crime and corrosive corruption.
But where does Hogarth's loyalty truly lie - with the shield he upholds or the brutal truth? In a realm where even champions nurture shadows, a predator lurks in the darkness, biding its time to strike.
As allegiances blur and a bone-chilling inquiry emerges: after a lifetime devoted to justice and unity, could the truth destroy them all?
An electrifying mystery-thriller that will seize your senses from the very first page, refusing to release its grip until the stunning finale. This story is custom-made for aficionados of Ian Rankin, Peter May, J.D. Kirk, Joy Ellis or J.M. Dalgliesh.
Don't miss this pulse-pounding tale.
Grab your copy now!
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2023
343 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Solomon Carter
184 books99 followersHello folks,
My name is Solomon Carter, and I am the author of the Roberts and Bradley PI crime thriller series, The Last Line international thriller series, the DI Hogarth Darkest series and more. I write mysteries, crime and thriller novels and more besides.
I was born in Southend, Essex and lived there for most of my life apart from eventful student days in South London. But my life in Southend was even more eventful still. I ended up working in a string of jobs including as a jobcentre clerk, a book seller, tutor for youth with low skills and low self esteem, mortgage broker, and latterly manager of a food bank which dealt with all kinds of interesting people facing all kinds of eye-opening, jaw dropping problems. Because of these ear-to-the-ground jobs the majority of my novels are set in Southend. In 2016 I moved to North Cornwall because I liked the idea of never-ending holidays - but I also write almost every single day. My aim is to write action-packed thrillers and page-turning mysteries that readers love and my hope is to get better at what I do with every book across each and every year.
I like to give away lots of free books as part of what I do. If you would like to receive some of these and get the exclusives on offer, than you're invited to join my free readers group at SolomonCarter.net. I won't spam you, just send the occassional email with news on the latest books and forthcoming freebies.
And if you want to see the memes, personal shares and other oddball stuff I do, then you can join me at Facebook via www.facebook.com/solomoncarterwrites and join the fun there too.
What I am good at: telling stories
What I am bad at: dancing, being patient.
What I love: nature, the seaside, adventures
Writers I heartily recommend: Lee Child, Ian Rankin, Henning Mankell, Val McDermid, Harlan Coben, Robert Crais.
Writers I need to read more of: Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Michael Connelly and others.
Other things I do beside writing: at present I like to keep my running going to balance out the sitting behind a laptop (a habit inspired by Haruki Murakami's 'What I talk about when I talk about running' - a great book).
-I am currently doing surf lessons. When in Rome, as they say...
-Getting out into nature as the weather allows.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Until then I'll keep on writing. Or running. Or surfing. Or chasing my children around the house.
All the very best,
Solomon :)
PS
if you have enjoyed any of my books, I'd be honoured if you could post a review. Those reviews really do help!
My name is Solomon Carter, and I am the author of the Roberts and Bradley PI crime thriller series, The Last Line international thriller series, the DI Hogarth Darkest series and more. I write mysteries, crime and thriller novels and more besides.
I was born in Southend, Essex and lived there for most of my life apart from eventful student days in South London. But my life in Southend was even more eventful still. I ended up working in a string of jobs including as a jobcentre clerk, a book seller, tutor for youth with low skills and low self esteem, mortgage broker, and latterly manager of a food bank which dealt with all kinds of interesting people facing all kinds of eye-opening, jaw dropping problems. Because of these ear-to-the-ground jobs the majority of my novels are set in Southend. In 2016 I moved to North Cornwall because I liked the idea of never-ending holidays - but I also write almost every single day. My aim is to write action-packed thrillers and page-turning mysteries that readers love and my hope is to get better at what I do with every book across each and every year.
I like to give away lots of free books as part of what I do. If you would like to receive some of these and get the exclusives on offer, than you're invited to join my free readers group at SolomonCarter.net. I won't spam you, just send the occassional email with news on the latest books and forthcoming freebies.
And if you want to see the memes, personal shares and other oddball stuff I do, then you can join me at Facebook via www.facebook.com/solomoncarterwrites and join the fun there too.
What I am good at: telling stories
What I am bad at: dancing, being patient.
What I love: nature, the seaside, adventures
Writers I heartily recommend: Lee Child, Ian Rankin, Henning Mankell, Val McDermid, Harlan Coben, Robert Crais.
Writers I need to read more of: Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Michael Connelly and others.
Other things I do beside writing: at present I like to keep my running going to balance out the sitting behind a laptop (a habit inspired by Haruki Murakami's 'What I talk about when I talk about running' - a great book).
-I am currently doing surf lessons. When in Rome, as they say...
-Getting out into nature as the weather allows.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Until then I'll keep on writing. Or running. Or surfing. Or chasing my children around the house.
All the very best,
Solomon :)
PS
if you have enjoyed any of my books, I'd be honoured if you could post a review. Those reviews really do help!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 3, 2023
Hogarth at his best
An excellent story with Hogarth at his dogged best.
Simmons, a former colleague of Hogarth and his team had been transferred to Basildon a number of years ago after an indiscretion with a well known female journalist but he had been spending increasing amounts of time back at his old haunt.
Simmons had fallen out with his Basildon colleagues and accused one in part of corruption after a sting went wrong.
Simmons felt his colleagues were bent cops but they were turning the tables and pointing the finger of guilt in his direction and setting him up to look really bad.
An informer of Simmons’ is found dead in Simmons flat when there with Hogarth.
Hogarth, loyal as ever to his team and former friends takes on the task of investigating even though it’s not his jurisdiction. Not only that he persuades his team, Palmer and Kaplan to help him, even though Kaplan who was Simmons’ girlfriend at the time of his indiscretion was less happy to do so.
Things don’t look good when the murder weapon is found at Simmons’ flat bearing his fingerprints. Not only that Simmons Basildon colleagues turn up to arrest him and make out he’s even worse than it looks, with one of them even saying he was on the take and might’ve been paid to do the murder there is evidence of large transfers of money to Simmons bank account.
A good twisting tense story with lots to think about. Is Simmons as guilty as he looks? Is Hogarth backing a loser by going out on a limb for Simmons? Will Kaplan help? I’m not going to tell you, you will have to read the story yourself to find out.
An excellent story with Hogarth at his dogged best.
Simmons, a former colleague of Hogarth and his team had been transferred to Basildon a number of years ago after an indiscretion with a well known female journalist but he had been spending increasing amounts of time back at his old haunt.
Simmons had fallen out with his Basildon colleagues and accused one in part of corruption after a sting went wrong.
Simmons felt his colleagues were bent cops but they were turning the tables and pointing the finger of guilt in his direction and setting him up to look really bad.
An informer of Simmons’ is found dead in Simmons flat when there with Hogarth.
Hogarth, loyal as ever to his team and former friends takes on the task of investigating even though it’s not his jurisdiction. Not only that he persuades his team, Palmer and Kaplan to help him, even though Kaplan who was Simmons’ girlfriend at the time of his indiscretion was less happy to do so.
Things don’t look good when the murder weapon is found at Simmons’ flat bearing his fingerprints. Not only that Simmons Basildon colleagues turn up to arrest him and make out he’s even worse than it looks, with one of them even saying he was on the take and might’ve been paid to do the murder there is evidence of large transfers of money to Simmons bank account.
A good twisting tense story with lots to think about. Is Simmons as guilty as he looks? Is Hogarth backing a loser by going out on a limb for Simmons? Will Kaplan help? I’m not going to tell you, you will have to read the story yourself to find out.
November 6, 2025
this is the first book in a new solomon carter trilogy with whom I think is his best detective ever. No pressure there Mr Carter! Simmons used to work in Southend but has been banished to Basildon. It is thought he was on the take, he turned up in an expensive car, bought a flat in a good area, had all the latest gear and then in his old flat a body is found Cromer, one of the gangland's men. Simmons insists he didn't do it, but there is just too much expensive stuff around him, so where did he get it?
But Hogarth doesn't think he is bent, stupid may be, but not bent. So begins the unravelling of the past few years of Simmons police work in Basildon, and so far it's not looking good. Hogarth believes him when he says he came back into his old empty flat and found him dead on the floor, but the implement used to kill him is found there too, hidden, and Simmons fingerprints are all over it.
Have to admit I don't like Simmons anyway so wasn't bothered if he was convicted and went to prison, even part of Hogarth's team felt the same, but Hogarth is still hanging on to the fact that he thinks he is innocent and is hell bent on proving it. The book runs along at a fair old pace and there are a lot things happening in the background, but does Hogarth get to prove Simmons innocent? Or not... You'll just have to read the book!
But Hogarth doesn't think he is bent, stupid may be, but not bent. So begins the unravelling of the past few years of Simmons police work in Basildon, and so far it's not looking good. Hogarth believes him when he says he came back into his old empty flat and found him dead on the floor, but the implement used to kill him is found there too, hidden, and Simmons fingerprints are all over it.
Have to admit I don't like Simmons anyway so wasn't bothered if he was convicted and went to prison, even part of Hogarth's team felt the same, but Hogarth is still hanging on to the fact that he thinks he is innocent and is hell bent on proving it. The book runs along at a fair old pace and there are a lot things happening in the background, but does Hogarth get to prove Simmons innocent? Or not... You'll just have to read the book!
January 13, 2024
Yet again Solomon Carter has written a "Gripping" detective mystery . That description is well deserved. In this, the first in another DI Hogarth trilogy, Mark Simmons, ex Southend DC, is accused by his Basildon colleagues of theft and murder. The evidence is such that even DC Kaplan and DS Palmer, his ex Southend colleagues doubt his innocence. But Joe Hogarth believes in him and investigates to an extent that the culprits who set Simmonds up couldn't have anticipated.
Meanwhile an old (in both senses) gangster decides to retire to Southend, his old home, and ensure himself a steady income. Saying no to him is a mistake.
Brilliant writing and characterisation again from this author. It's impossible not to read books 2 and 3.
Meanwhile an old (in both senses) gangster decides to retire to Southend, his old home, and ensure himself a steady income. Saying no to him is a mistake.
Brilliant writing and characterisation again from this author. It's impossible not to read books 2 and 3.
November 8, 2023
A great read again.
I love reading these books, great characters in the book. I have not read any of them for some time now, until I see this one and I grabbed it as soon as I see it.
We all know that it's only a book but it's a great book to read ai pick it up anytime I had the chance to read it.
I'm going to read the next one Soon. Great
I love reading these books, great characters in the book. I have not read any of them for some time now, until I see this one and I grabbed it as soon as I see it.
We all know that it's only a book but it's a great book to read ai pick it up anytime I had the chance to read it.
I'm going to read the next one Soon. Great
February 3, 2024
Good meaty plot full of believable characters, good or don’t cross them. Recommended
4.4/5
A thoroughly good plot which kept you guessing until the end. Confrontational and the evidence keeps pilling up.
The DI Hogarth series is looking to be a really good series. Certainly to be recommended.
Well done Solomon Carter.
4.4/5
A thoroughly good plot which kept you guessing until the end. Confrontational and the evidence keeps pilling up.
The DI Hogarth series is looking to be a really good series. Certainly to be recommended.
Well done Solomon Carter.
August 20, 2023
He's got your back
Another brilliant page turner from Solomon. All the characters are so believable, I wish Hogarth was my boss, or my dad, he takes care of his own!!!
The baddie is back, unbeknown to Hogarth and his team, can't wait for book 2.
Another brilliant page turner from Solomon. All the characters are so believable, I wish Hogarth was my boss, or my dad, he takes care of his own!!!
The baddie is back, unbeknown to Hogarth and his team, can't wait for book 2.
August 23, 2023
Brilliant read.
Excellent as usual as soon as I finished this I bought the second book in the series. As soon as I have read that I will buy the third!
Mr Carter you are costing me a fortune!
Excellent as usual as soon as I finished this I bought the second book in the series. As soon as I have read that I will buy the third!
Mr Carter you are costing me a fortune!
August 27, 2023
Gripping indeed!
DO Hogarth and his team are in find form once again! This did not disappoint in the least. I'm ready for more in Book 2 fool me twice! I'm looking forward to more!
DO Hogarth and his team are in find form once again! This did not disappoint in the least. I'm ready for more in Book 2 fool me twice! I'm looking forward to more!
September 5, 2023
A good read
Hogarth is a detective of the old school; he couldn't stand corruption of any kind. This was a complicated story and had lots of twists in it. Great characters and storyline.
Hogarth is a detective of the old school; he couldn't stand corruption of any kind. This was a complicated story and had lots of twists in it. Great characters and storyline.
October 9, 2023
I really love the books by this author and he knows how to write and deliver a great story. This book had me hooked from the first page. I couldn’t put it down but at the same time I didn’t want it to end…absolutely brilliant
October 11, 2023
Who dunnit
Great story teller with a nice flow to his writing. The author doesn't use swear words or Americanisms in his writing. He's like an old author of yesterday. I find this very refreshing. I can vividly picture the scenes he writes about. Great escapism.
Great story teller with a nice flow to his writing. The author doesn't use swear words or Americanisms in his writing. He's like an old author of yesterday. I find this very refreshing. I can vividly picture the scenes he writes about. Great escapism.
December 26, 2023
DI Hogarth and crew are back in action. Their erstwhile colleague Simmons has got himself arrested for the murder of a villain who specialises in gold. But it is a case of him really being involved, or is he being fitted up by bent coppers?
Read
February 4, 2024Loved it
usually go for romance.......so this was different for me....
Intrigued me from beginning......hilarious being around Basildon........relatives live there....
Loved the twists & turns
usually go for romance.......so this was different for me....
Intrigued me from beginning......hilarious being around Basildon........relatives live there....
Loved the twists & turns
June 21, 2024
Again and again, Solomon produces a page turning thrill of a read.
Could Simmons be guilty of what they say he's done! Well, Joe Hogarth is the man to find out.
Superbly well written thliier that will keep you up late. And waiting for the next book and the next and the next.....
Could Simmons be guilty of what they say he's done! Well, Joe Hogarth is the man to find out.
Superbly well written thliier that will keep you up late. And waiting for the next book and the next and the next.....
January 6, 2026
A great read. I really like these characters and the way they interact with one another. The plot was really good with twists and intrigue along the way, never sure just what might transpire around the corner. It was well written and engaging. I will read more of these.
September 2, 2023
Great Story
I have loved all the Hogarth books and this one didn’t disappoint. It was enjoyable to see the different sides of his team. They work very well together.
I have loved all the Hogarth books and this one didn’t disappoint. It was enjoyable to see the different sides of his team. They work very well together.
September 17, 2023
Good read
You might want a pencil and paper to keep track of all the twist, and turns and “who done its”.
You might want a pencil and paper to keep track of all the twist, and turns and “who done its”.
September 30, 2023
This is a first of a series and will definitely be reading the rest. Kept me guessing from start to finish.
October 7, 2023
Well written, keeps you interested. I did unravel the twist before it played out, but definitely enjoyed it.
October 7, 2023
A great start to the new mystery thriller series by Solomon Carter.
October 23, 2023
Spelling mistakes
Only rated 3 stars due to the number of spelling mistakes and the rather predictable plot and insipid main suspect.
Only rated 3 stars due to the number of spelling mistakes and the rather predictable plot and insipid main suspect.
October 29, 2023
Super book with many twists and turns. A compelling read.
November 11, 2023
Good introduction to Hogarth
This has a different theme where the police are the baddies. How can you expose them? You get to like Hogarth immediately.
This has a different theme where the police are the baddies. How can you expose them? You get to like Hogarth immediately.
December 13, 2023
Didn’t realize this author is British. I don’t care for his writing style. Didn’t finish
June 2, 2024
Excellent as usual. We'll written and always keeps you guessing
April 28, 2025
As always he can’t help himself
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews