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Detective Sebastian Clifford Books 1 - 3

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For fans of Joy Ellis and Robert Galbraith, plunge into a British crime series where every secret could be fatal.In the bustling Midlands town of Market Harborough, Sebastian Clifford, a former detective, isn't expecting to find anything lurking in the scenic shadows. But when a grim discovery shakes the town, he's thrust into investigating the death of a man entangled in a winding financial scheme. And those aren't the only secrets the idyllic countryside hides.With enemies who won't hesitate to guard those secrets at all costs, can Clifford navigate the treacherous terrain to uncover the truth? Or will the quiet streets of Market Harborough prove to be more dangerous than the big city he left? Don't miss this riveting set of three British crime thrillers, where uncovering the truth might be the most dangerous act of all.

920 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2023

468 people are currently reading
61 people want to read

About the author

Sally Rigby

45 books499 followers
Sally Rigby was born in Northampton, in the UK. She has always had the travel bug, and after living in both Manchester and London, eventually moved overseas. From 2001 she has lived with her family in New Zealand, which she considers to be the most beautiful place in the world. During this time she also lived for five years in Australia. Sally has always loved crime fiction books, films and TV programmes, and has a particular fascination with the psychology of serial killers.

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5 stars
366 (51%)
4 stars
238 (33%)
3 stars
86 (12%)
2 stars
17 (2%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Les Wilson.
1,837 reviews15 followers
May 29, 2024
An excellent book. Hope 3-6 comes out in audio!
Profile Image for Kevin.
877 reviews41 followers
October 13, 2023
Enjoyable

I found the 3 in 1 audiobook boxset fun, enlightening, and the issues of police working with ex police PI's.

What I also found fascinating is the crossover of working in different parts of the country and the link in the third book to the author's other series.

One small change I would have made is to use the narrator on the other series with the narrator on this book to give an authentic look.

Intriguing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
12 reviews1 follower
February 5, 2024
Narrator made it a worthy listen, not the content.
850 reviews10 followers
October 11, 2023
I have really enjoyed all of the Sebastian Clifford books I have read so far. We first met him in one of the DCI Whitney Walker books. She had called him in for a consult. He is a policeman from the MET who gave that up and started being a private detective. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like him because I really enjoyed the Cavendish and Walker books. To me, he initially seemed so stuffy and unapproachable but he grew on me and I love his character. He has gone off to Market Harborough to start his own business, much to the dismay of his family who are of aristocratic background. He initially worked with policewoman Lucinda “Birdie” Bird. She had difficulties falling in line with what her police chief wanted. She is quirky and fun. She went off with Sebastian to be a detective with him. The contrast between ultra cool Sebastian and quirky Birdie is wonderful. I love them both. Books 1-3 take you through different cases they worked on and solved. I enjoyed them all. I have enjoyed all of Sally Rigby’s books so far. I received ARC copies of the books from the author and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Spacechik.
104 reviews
November 21, 2024
Not a great read

Shallow characters, two dimensional.
Forced conversation scenes. Things real people would never say. Won't be reading any more from this author.
605 reviews6 followers
October 13, 2023
A new series from Sally Rigby! If you're up-to-date on Sally's other books in the Cavendish & Walker series, then you've met Sebastian Clifford in Kill Shot. Seb is a laid back ex-copper from the London Met and now he's a new private detective that solves involved and realistic mysteries. DC Lucinda "Birdie" Bird is a firecracker and demands to help with the cases, even if it causes friction with her colleagues at the local station in Market Harborough. They are interesting characters that complement each other and solve intricate cases while forming an odd friendship. Great stories and great characters!
1,290 reviews
October 9, 2023
This is such a fabulous series. Sebastian Clifford is one of my favourite characters from Sally Rigby's series and he partners with Birdie quite often. She comes a close second as far as characters go. They are like chalk and cheese, which makes for great reading. They really gel and work well together. I just love their combination. A fair bit of humour results from their interaction. Birdie can’t sit still and Seb is calm and dignified. Look forward to reading more in this series.
Profile Image for Robin Price.
1,167 reviews45 followers
October 10, 2023
Here are three of my favourite books by Sally Rigby. I love this series featuring Seb and Birdie. The characterisation is particularly compelling and the plots are darker than in Sally's other novels.
These really are stunning novels written by an author at the very top of her game. I highly recommend them to everyone who likes razor-sharp plots.
Profile Image for Claudete Takahashi.
2,646 reviews38 followers
October 16, 2023
If you enjoy reading investigative stories with complex crime situations and a Private Investigator who still is trying to find his place as his own boss and his unlikely helper Constable Bird who is his opposite but complements his skills, you must download this box set. This police procedural series has humor, and action, and is fast-paced providing great entertainment! Highly recommended!
50 reviews
January 5, 2024
Can't find words

I have loved this book! In the last book, she brings together people from other books. You must read the Cavendish and Walker series first. They are all great books. The way the characters get along is so funny. You won't know until the end how the crime(s) are solved. Can't put them down. Really a must-read. You will enjoy. On to the next Clifford book.
195 reviews
July 6, 2024
A good series set in a small village
After a suspected suicide is brought into question and asked to be looked at again by a private investigator
This is Clifford’s first case for his cousin and accidentally enlists the help of the local DC
Great adventures follow and they become a brilliant team
All 3 parts were available to download and a loved them all
6 reviews
November 2, 2023
Great read

Sally Rigby is quickly becoming a favorite. Her characters are realistic and likable. The books have intriguing plots and are difficult to put down. Please keep them coming!
21 reviews
November 13, 2023
What great reads, I couldn't wait to get to the end of each book and now can't wait to get the next one. She writes such believable stories, nearly at the end of the Cavendish and Walker series as well.
87 reviews2 followers
November 25, 2023
An Entertaining Team

Sebastian and Birdie are opposite sides in personality, but that complements their crime-solving abilities. The rest of their respective teams can’t quite understand their relationship, but they know it works.
17 reviews1 follower
December 10, 2023
Detective Sebastian Clifford, books 1-3

Bringing the cases together was a work of art and this third book flowed well from the first two. I expected the visitor to be someone else and was surprised. I'm enjoying the series very much.
Profile Image for L.A. Kent.
Author 7 books13 followers
February 22, 2024
Lively page turner!

I enjoyed this very much. The characters are fun, plausible, and interesting and the back stories move forward and are well told. Not so much sense of place, but great sense of people!
Profile Image for Laura Starr-Houghton.
32 reviews1 follower
August 19, 2024
Fast and fun

These three books together are a quick read. The characters and situations are believable and the storylines move along nicely. Lots of specific descriptions of UK included!
1,260 reviews
August 21, 2024
Once started, I just couldn't stop. 'Seb' and 'Birdie' start with three crimes that turn into multiple crimes. #1 An apparent suicide turns into murder and blackmail, #2 an abandoned child leads to an incest case, and #3 starts as a cold case that leads to gun running and human trafficking.
12 reviews
September 25, 2024
An awful lot of fun. I really enjoyed all three of these books on audible and would happily read more in the series.

The only reason I’ve not scored it a 5 is the complete lack of understanding or knowledge of police procedures. But like I say a fun set of books.
2 reviews
November 6, 2023
3 books

First 3 and looking forward to the next one,the characters are really starting to develop.plots are believable and complex,highly recommended.
206 reviews4 followers
December 9, 2023
I very much am enjoying this series

These stories move along and bring satisfying results. The characters are easy to get to know and keep things interesting.
Profile Image for Cece.
204 reviews
February 14, 2024
Enjoyable audiobook!
Listening to novels 1-3 has been good fun and engaging..
64 reviews
April 9, 2024
Haven’t read any of Sally Rugby’s books before, but thoroughly enjoyed theses three. Definitely will carry on with the series.
Profile Image for Jillian McCreadie.
42 reviews
June 23, 2024
Great read

I really enjoyed reading these 3 books in the series. I would recommend them to anybody to read. Looking forward to the next book
Profile Image for Trina.
167 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2024
I listened to this on Audible and will be looking out for others, hopefully with the same narrator
3 reviews
September 12, 2024
Enjoyable read

Enjoyable read with interesting characters and statisfying conclusions. Having read the first three books I'm looking forward to next book in series.
75 reviews
April 28, 2025
nice listen for walking. Like a comfortable pair of slippers. good for walking. not an exciting page turner but enjoyable.
Profile Image for S McK.
293 reviews8 followers
June 8, 2025
Thrilling Detective series!

Really good series, great characters and thrilling stories that keep you hooked from the beginning.

I highly recommend this series and all of Sally's books!
680 reviews
September 14, 2025
This was a good, not great, series. It seems like British crime writers are using the same scripted writing style and it's getting boring.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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