THE ARCHIVE

DCI Boyd #9

by Alex Scarrow

With Boyd convalescing at home after his operation, and DS Minter preparing for his Inspector’s exam, CID Hastings is woefully under-manned.


So, when the body of a young man is found hanging from a tree – an apparent suicide, and a house is burned down killing a wheelchair-bound old woman, it’s down to DC Okeke to handle the two cases. However, as she digs into both it soon becomes apparent that they are connected to a third death, the eldest resident of an old people’s home.

As she peels the layers back and reveals the truth behind these deaths, little does she realise she’s in danger of kicking a hornet’s nest that has lain dormant for over sixty years.

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Fiction

362 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2023

About the author

I live a nomadic existence with my wife Frances, and son Jacob. For now we're living in Norwich. I spent the first 10 years out of college in the music business chasing record deals and the next 12 years in the computer games business as a graphic artist and eventually a games designer. For those of you who like their computer games, here's some of the titles I've worked on:
Waterworld, Evolva, The Thing, Spartan, Gates of Troy, Legion Arena
Since signing up as an author with Orion, I seem to spend most of my time hunched over my laptop in various cafes and coffee bars sipping lattes, tapping keys and watching the ebb and flow of shoppers outside on the street. As I write this, I'm awaiting the launch of my next book - the sequel to , LAST LIGHT, and getting ready to find a publisher for the first book in a separate series, ELLIE QUIN. Ahead of me, lies research work for my next thriller, and also some screenplays I'm looking forward to writing. Although I'm glad to be where I am now, I do occasionally kick myself for not having succumbed to the writing bug much earlier. But then we all just muddle along through life, don't we? There's rarely a plan.
-Source: http://www.scarrow.co.uk/page9.html

Reviews

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say another MUST READ in this gripping and very addictive series. It starts off with a young man found hanging from a tree then a house fire where the body of an old woman is found. Are these two cases connected? Oh and Boyd is at home recovering from major surgery and is supposed to be resting. Okey finds a post it note at the boys home with three words on it that will change their lives for ever and all hell brakes loose. A long buried secret has raised it ugly head and some one needs to stop it. The Archive is one of the best books in this series. An action packed thrill ride with a thought provoking story line. A well deserved five stars and highly recommended.
Thanks to author Alex Scarrow for another heart stopping read.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Archive is book nine in the DCI Boyd series by Alex Scarrow. CID Hastings is under staff, with DCI Boyd convalescing after his operation and DS Minter preparing for his Inspector's exam when two cases of an apparent suicide of a young man and the death of an older woman in a house fire DC Okeke was the only one on duty to investigate. However, the more DC Okeke investigates, the more she believes the cases are linked, and it is murder, especially when she contacts the third death of a resident at the local nursing home. Will DC Okeke become the next victim? The readers of Tha Archive will continue to follow DC Okeke to discover what happens.

The Archives is another fantastic addition to Alex Scarrow's beautiful series. I always engage with the stories and the characters, and The Archives did not disappoint. I engaged with the book from the first page. I like how Alex Scarrow highlights that cancer does not always mean death sentences. I love Alex Scarrow's portrayal of his characters and the way they interact with each other. The Archives is well-written and researched. I like Alex Scarrow's description of the settings of The Archives, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.

The Archives readers will learn about the training you need to become a private investigator. Also, the readers of The Archives will understand the issues law enforcement communities face when they are understaffed.

I recommend this book.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was so different to the other ones in the series but still a great one

DCI Boyd’s daughter is an idiot tho, they said keep your phones off or they could be murdered, so what does she do? TURNS HER PHONE ON, absolute twat

[John Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just finished my last, I was looking through my Kindle for my next. I realised that my next of this authors D I Boyd series was missing. You must know the feeling when something you think you might like seems unavailable, be it a rare/medium rare rib eye steak, a glass of whisky or a book, it becomes a necessity.
So this one was located and became my next read.
Seemed more exciting than previous books of the series even though they were hardly Noddy in Toytown stuff.

To appreciate this fully, as with so many others, the reader needs to have been through the previous books of the series.

This book was the best yet for a couple of reasons. Firstly because it brought together all of the main characters from Boyds personal and police life into the story.
Secondly, the excitment starts early on and the level ramps up through the chapters to the finale.

Boyd is off work after having his operation  and due to staff shortages DC Sam Okeke looks into an apparent suicide. But there is more to it than that, much more.

If you want a quite who done it, then this isn't it.

The best yet of a great series

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Archive by Alex Scarrow is book 9 in the DCI Boyd series. I felt this was quite a personal book for Alex. Boyd comes through his cancer surgery and is soon gradually dragged into an investigation, initially on the periphery. With most of the team away on leave or on a course Okeke becomes SIO temporarily. It’s an intriguing case as Okeke struggles to get her head around what little evidence they have. Not knowing who they were dealing with and which side they were on, added to the suspense. I found it a realistic situation. They don’t come across as experts in how to handle this type of situation, so it read well. All the tension, the paranoia and nerves were there as they come up against the experts. As usual, there is humour to offset the seriousness of the situation, particularly from Charlotte. A great read.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Winner

The DCI Boyd series is one of my favorites. The stories are thrilling and I love the team. This was one that kept me up all night. I had to see what happened!! I hope nothing like their case ever really happens but it sure made a great case! I highly recommend this book. Beth P.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stupid stupid stupid ending! Wasted my time reading this - totally ruined the series for me!

[Alison McCracken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy the characters in this series. Did not find the ending satisfying.

[Amy Peck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately not the usually great DCI Boyd story

DCI Boyd is one of my favorite series but this volume just felt off. The subject wasn’t interesting, it was kind of gross and the antagonists weren’t criminals per se, just nasty people who found it too easy to justify their lies. And much of the plot seemed contrived and included a lot of filler. Too many nasty situations and threats. And why involve the very pregnant daughter? I got through it, but this one just wasn’t enjoyable to read.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 9 in the DCI Boyd Crime Thriller series based in Hastings. I love a good police procedural series and this is one of my favourites. Great characters and dogs. What’s not to like. You could read this as a stand-alone but I highly recommend the whole series. We left the last book with Boyd having been diagnosed with cancer, but he is now home and being looked after by Charlotte, his partner, and daughter Emma. But clearly he’s not going to sit there doing nothing! A very different plot involving a 60 year old event that has been monitored by an old secret government department, quite scary as all too believable!

Briefly, in Boyd’s absence DC Samantha Okeke is taking charge of two cases involving a care worker found hanging and a suspected suicide and an elderly women killed in a arson attack. She soon suspects that the cases are linked and an anonymous phone calls confirms her suspicions. Discussing the cases with Boyd helps focus Sam’s mind and she realises she, and her close friends are in mortal danger so goes on the run with her partner Jay and Boyd, Charlotte, Emma and their two dogs.

I really enjoyed this episode which is a bit slower paced in the first half (not a bad thing, I liked it) although it ramps up in the second half, and also more personal around Boyd’s cancer diagnosis and it’s effect on those around him as well as on Boyd. A great story and I really liked the character Elenora, she sounds like my Mum was when she was alive, no nonsense with a determination that nothing will tamp down. A very enjoyable and entertaining read and everything crossed for Boyd’s treatment. And my final word as alway goes to my always favourite character Ossie (and Mia) - love you and you need a bigger role in book 10.

[Donna Morfett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those lovely series of books where you feel like you're catching up with old friends. This is book 9, so I feel like I know these characters quite well.
The end of book 8 left Boyd having cancer surgery, so book 9 picks up with him having come out of it ok. All the more poignant knowing this storyline reflects the authors own life.
Okeke is handed an apparent suicide, and there is a house fire, that look unrelated initially, until its discovered all is not as it seems.
This is a really tense read, and the last third is full on heart in your mouth action.
I love the fivesome, poor Jay who is depicted as a bit of a joke, but actually seems really smart and trying hard to prove his worth to Samantha. He proves, without her realising, how much he lobes her too.
Eleanora is worth a mention too, for a woman in her late 80s, she certainly had more brains and showed more bravery than I possibly could.
This is another completely different storyline and angle from Alex, you never know quite where he'll take you next, and that is one of the best things about reading his books.
Got to love Ozzie and Mia too, I know dogs are important to Alex and his love for them shines whenever they are mentioned.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-4.25⭐️

#9 DCI Boyd

This is the latest from the team.
It’s a little different, as it’s more character driven and action orientated.
Sam has got herself in a spot of bother after investigating an apparent suicide as well as a case of arson with a missing elderly woman. Sam soon realises that the two people knew each other. Naturally she turns to Boyd who is recuperating after surgery for help.

This one is a real family affair as all of the main characters have a part to play, including the dogs! I especially enjoyed seeing Jay getting involved, and would love to see more from him.

What I liked about it :-
📕The canny elderly Eleanor and her background
📕 I enjoyed the emotional depth, and character emphasis
📕I enjoyed the adventure/ action element.
📕it’s a quick easy read
📕 I enjoyed the different styles ending.

What I wasn’t so keen on :-
📕it was slower paced throughout
📕I’d have preferred more plot complexity.

This is a series where I’m invested in the characters, so I’m already looking forward to the next instalment. It’s good that the author is mixing up the style a bit to keep it feeling fresh.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here we are already with book 9 in the series and the quality shows no sign of diminishing. Boyd is sidelined on sick leave after an operation and Okeke is temporarily SIO when what initially looks like suicide is revealed to be a murder. It seems to be linked to the death of an elderly woman in a house fire. It seems Sam has bitten off more than she can chew when the investigation is linked to past events that authorities want cover up. Soon Sam, Jay, Boyd, Charlotte and Emma find themselves in deep trouble. The tension and worry is totally palpable throughout as they are total ducks out of water here.

There is some humour throughout to lessen the tension which is just as well as my heart was in my mouth on several occasions. Its a brilliant read and I can't wait for the next one.

[Louise Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This latest book in the DI Bill Boyd series is a fabulously exciting book. The story starts with an apparent suicide and an elderly woman dying in a house fire. However, it doesn’t take long to determine that both these murders are possibly government sanctioned.
While Boyd, who is still on sickleave, and DC Sam Okeke work on the case, it’s clear that their phones and other private lives have somehow been taken over by a third-party.
This book moves at a fantastic place. The excitement continues to build throughout the story. The author is very skilled at building tension and making a story exciting. This is a great book in engaging series. I highly recommend it. Even though it is part of a series, this book could still be enjoyed as a standalone thriller.

[kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 9th book in the Boyd series, as always can be read a stand alone but is much better reading from the beginning. This installment was action packed, Boyd is recovering from surgery and DC Okeke is at the forefront. After a young male is found hanging from a tree, Okeke is not convinced its suicide and digs in to a world she is not invited into. Boyd and the gang are drawn in to help Okeke find the truth and sends them all on a fast paced action ride.
This book is very well written and the author is one of my favorite British crime writers, the plot is engaging and it was lovely to read from Okeke perspective on a case.

[Lora King · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this one and I've truly loved each book. This involved MI5, historical coverup (which I found interesting) but it was too far out there. Boyd is healing from surgery, Em is very pregnant, Charlotte is a saint....typical set up but this case is being run by Sam and Jay actually. I felt the police support was totally lacking for Sam, Jay was fun as usual, but the ending was not satisfying. There is an epilogue so that was ok but I truly dislike MI5 silliness and non accountability. So for those reasons I just can't give this more than a 3. Others might like this story I just didn't. On to the next.

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young man is found dead by hanging, and Okeke, who really comes into her own in this novel finds a blank post-it note in his bedroom. From the dents in this she deduces a trio of words which lead her to a fairly bland website. It's a trap. Someone has harvested her details, got control of her phone...
Though Boyd is recovering from his cancer op, he's roped in to advise. As the story progresses it becomes very tense and involves Boyd's family too. It's a truly exciting story and I can heartily recommend it - as part of a series. Do read them all.

[Stephen Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

DCI Boyd book #9 - Not my favorite, most of this series have sudden and incomplete endings but this one is the worst. It just sort of stops, as if the author had enough of it and closed it down.
The plot was more than a bit fanciful, nasty blokes in the British secret service going round murdering people to keep their secrets.
I will probably read #10 because you start investing in the characters and need to know what is happening with them, but if the plots continue to be so outlandish that will be it for me.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even when he is on sick leave from work, DCI Boyd cannot stay away from trouble! The tension in this story builds and builds to the point where you have to remind yourself that without Boyd there will be no further stories so he has to survive even if you can’t see how - well that was my experience anyway . . .


But then the end is something of a damp squib as though the author had run out of steam - I’m sorry to say it but that’s how it felt.

[Sallie Greenhalgh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boyd is one of the best detective series I have read and this instalment is no different. Boyd is recovering from cancer surgery and so Okeke is left running the shop. An apparent suicide and a fire that kills an old lady are seemingly unconnected until Okeke starts to dig. The investigation triggers a long dormant situation that sees Boyd, a heavily pregnant Emma, Charlotte, Okeke and J on the run.

As ever a fantastically written book, fast paced and easy to read, I couldn’t put it down. This is definitely a must read from me.

I was given an ARC to review but all views are my own.

[Mully · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Archive of history

What a story! Based on things we know now happened. DC Samantha Okeke take centre stage for much of this story. Her boss, DCI Bill Boyd, is recovering from bowl cancer surgery, diagnosed in book I. So Sam, together with Jay Turner, her boyfriend, who is training to be a private agent, start to enquire how a young man hanged himself at the top of a very tall tree………. Then someone else dies………

[Mary-ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thrilling read!

Just finished "The Archive" and my heart rate is slowly returning to normal. I've read the previous books in the series in order and have enjoyed them all, but this entry has a particularly fascinating plot, and I decided it was high time I posted a review. The new characters, both the chief baddie and the former baddie turned whistle-blower, were fascinating and made for compelling reading.

[j r meikle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Far from enjoyable

I am hugely disappointed with this book. The storyline was not believable and the ending went straight over my head, I've no idea what happened to any of the team. I guess I'll find out in the next book, but I shouldn't have to! I bought this one and feel aggrieved that I have to buy another just to find out about the team. I may have to find another book series if the next one is as poor as this.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Archive is book 9 in the DCI Boyd series and another excellent 5* star read. This is a personal book, much of the author's emotions were obvious in every page. Boyd is still recovering from his cancer surgery but manages to become involved in Okeke's latest case, a suicide. There is plenty tension, especially towards the latter chapters, but also traces of humour in the team banter. The characterisation and team dynamics are excellent and although this is a little different, the series is still fresh and improving. I highly recommend starting with book 1 and following the character development. I thank the author for my advanced copy which readers will thoroughly enjoy.

[Mr David Bevan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed. Took an age for the story to get going. Then when it came to near the climax the next chapter read "Two Weeks Later". Loads of detail missing.
Characters as always were interesting and developing with the exception of Boyd, who due to storyline took a back seat.
Not sure if I'm going to read any more in the series.

[Susann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Until the Fakey Ending!

I am so disappointed and disgusted at how this book ended. It was exciting, well written, great plot, etc. But what a ridiculous, namby pamby, cowardly conclusion. And the bit about the future. Agh! 😫. It just killed the joy in reading it. Growl!!!

[Lee Fanning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting premise- different from other books but it ended rather abruptly and wrap up had a lot of loose ends. For instance, where did Jay disappear to in the gas station scene. He should have been protecting Okeke. The ending could have been more complete instead of a rush to the afterward. I enjoy the characters as they are consistent and personalities are strong.

[Tracey Tatler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

I am so enjoying reading about Boyd and his colleagues. The stories I hope may be a bit far feached, but who knows . Boyd is such a believable character and the fact he has found love again after such a devastating loss is wonderful. There really is something for everyone is these books.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

One the one hand, I like that this series isn't averse to genre-hopping into something other than your regular murder mystery and I love bleak spy thrillers. On the other hand, I would probably have waited to pick this up until I was more in the mood for the former rather than the latter had I known what to expect.

[Caroline Lawman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cracking book. A slight departure in format from the usual DCI Boyd books but just as enjoyable. Lots going on in the personal and professional lives of the cast of characters so plenty more storylines for, hopefully, lots more future books. Thanks as usual to Alex for my early copy.