The River's Edge

Jackman & Evans #10

by Joy Ellis, Richard Armitage (Narrator)

A series of gruesome murders on the Lincolnshire fens. An old enemy from the past. A deadly game of cat and mouse.

The peaceful little village of Saltern-le-Fen is buzzing with excitement. A film crew are in town, shooting a new TV police drama, Fen Division Five. But Detective Jackman receives a disturbing tip-off that something is wrong.

Detective Marie Evans meanwhile is looking forward to moving into her dream home. But there’s no time to celebrate. The naked body of a young man is found at the river’s edge. He’s been strangled, his skin massaged in expensive oil.

Two days later, another handsome young man is discovered in a shallow lake. His throat cut. He too is lathered in body oil.

At the same time, an arch enemy from the past emerges. A master manipulator who has his sights on Jackman and Evans. From behind the bars of his high security prison, he’s putting the finishing touches to a devastating revenge plan.

As they hunt a brutal killer, Jackman and Evans are themselves hunted in a deadly game of cat and mouse – and the stakes could not be higher.

Genres: Audiobook, Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Detective

11 pages, Audible Audio

First published July 4, 2023

About the author

Joy Ellis grew up in Kent but moved to London when she won an apprenticeship with the prestigious Mayfair florist, Constance Spry Ltd. Having run her own flower shop in Weybridge for many years, Ellis then worked as a bookseller until a trip to the Greek island of Skyros, where she took part in a writer's workshop with Sue Townsend, encouraged her to write her own books. Joy soon after moved to the Lincolnshire Fens, where she has spent many of years living among the countryside accompanied by her partner, Jacqueline, and her variety of springer spaniels. After many years of writing, Jasper Joffe, from Joffe Books, discovered Joy's work and approached her with the offer of becoming her new publisher. This new relationship introduced Joy's work to the fascinating world of ebooks and audible listening. Since their partnership, Joy's success has grown further than she could have ever imagined. She has recently celebrated her 10th UK No.1 book on the Amazon 'Best Sellers' chart, with her 9th instalment in the Jackman & Evans series, Solace House. Joy boasts a staggering estimated total over 3.4 million copies sold worldwide, and became a short-listed nominee at the British Book Awards, 2021.

Reviews

[LIsa Noell "Rocking the chutzpah!" · Rating 3 out of 5]

My thanks to Joffe Books, Joy Ellis and Netgalley.
You know, I just love Jackman and Evans. I love the chemistry between them. And, I especially love how they are friends, colleagues and just perfect partners.
I adore characters that are deep into each other's lives without it being sexualized or any of that b.s. that can creep in.
This was not one of my favorites from Ms. Ellis.
But, that's o.k., because after the last J&E book, I too was a bit drained.
Best thing about this book is that a story that I'm damn tired of is at an end. I do love when bad guy's are murdered! It just seems fitting!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The River’s Edge is the 10th in the Jackman and Evans series. Ellis has devised a convoluted plot that demanded the reader stay alert. Jackman and Evans are investigating a strangled body found in the water, a body that Rory Wilkinson names Adonis for his good looks. Meanwhile, Marie has been contacted by an old colleague who reports something suspicious going on at a filming set, but he can’t say what other than that he had a bad vibe. Oh, and Alistair “Stephen” Ashcroft, who they put away in prison, is still pulling the strings from inside and planning a major event. The book rolled along quickly as the story alternated between the different storylines. Told in the third person omniscient style, the reader gets a bird’s eye view of everything going on.
Ellis’s strength is in creating realistic characters and scenes that are easy to envision.
As much as I adore Jackman, Evans and their team, this book’s ending fell flat for me. Maybe because there was a major hole in the plot. While I liked that outsiders were helping them, I refused to believe that the background checks of those allowed into Ashcroft’s unit wouldn’t have picked up the connections to the victims, especially after Theo’s repeated comments about how everyone had been vetted so well.
My thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of this book.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 🌟
Joy Ellis does what she does best & this time she dealt with her evil villain Alistair Ashcroft for good.

This story was not a puzzle to be figured out but more of following the breadcrumbs of the case and the hands that were shown at the table throughout this book.

I seriously love the characters of Jackman, Evans, everyone else involved along with The Fens themselves. Ellis even got my in the heart with her ending.

I doubt there will be another in this series unless she conjures up a new direction. I hope so because these two lead characters are some of my faves. It’s not my favorite novel, but I loved it still.

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty intense mystery with a bit of an odd wrap-up but very engaging.

[Ieva · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 zvaigznes. Varu tikai priecāties, ka, atšķirībā no devītās, [pagaidām] pēdējā grāmata sērijā par izmeklētājiem Džekmenu un Evansu noslēdzās tā ka mierīgi var var dzīvot tālāk. Kopumā jau man patika, tikai personīgi man superļaundari nedaudz krīt uz nerva, it sevišķi ja šis taču nav nekāds supervaroņu vai fantāzijas romāns. Kāpēc tam vienam cilvēkam ir tādas pārdabiskas spējas...

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favourite book of the series!

Saltern-le-Fen is buzzing; a film crew is due to shoot a new police drama causing much excitement, but Jackman has received a tip-off that there's something else going on too. Marie Evans and her partner are finally looking for a home together but then there is a murder to solve - and work always comes first. A young man's body has been found at the river's edge, strangled, covered in expensive oil. When a second male body turns up covered in oil but with his throat cut, the team are on high alert - their worst fears realised when a third body, same m.o. turns up; now they are hunting a serial killer . . .

This is a terrific series and I have enjoyed it. This one, however, took things to another level for me. So much going on! A grand mix of personal and professional and twists and turns galore. Absolutely riveting - and so very, very hard to put down once you begin. I can barely wait for this author's next book as each and every one turns me inside out but leaves me with it all sorted and explained. Superb - and easily earning all five glowing stars.

This is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love me a Jackman and Evans novel. And The River's Edge doesn't disappoint.
Gruesome murders, surprising twists, an old foe causing destruction and pain, Joy Ellis is a master in creating engaging, thrilling stories.
Jackman and Evans both have a lot going on in their personal lives. There are changes coming and it's nice to see how Ellis writes her characters and makes them so real and relatable.
I love that series and hope there are many more books coming featuring that duo.

[Regina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This will be the last I read from the series. I find it was very predictable and I kind of am annoyed by the constant reassurance that this is the best team with the best detectives and the best forensics expert etc. I know there are other crime series where authors do the same however I think I don't need a constant reminder of how good a team is and I think Joy Ellis over does it.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the first third of this book a bit difficult to enjoy as there were so many characters , some with more than one name. I couldn't see how everything connected. Into the middle of the book things fell into place and it became a more enjoyable read . As usual I enjoyed the relationships between the lead detectives and the team. Is there room for a further book in the series or is everything resolved now ?

[Alisonbookreviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

This a detective crime series. I've only read this book and it was good.
Two bodies are discovered at a rivers edge. Two young and good looking men.
The culprits were making adult movies and also snuff movies.
All orchestrated by one man from a prison cell.
There were a few detectives on this case.
Because I haven't read the previous books I didn't know their back stories but book was still good.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book ten in this best selling crime thriller series, DI Rowan Jackman and DS Maria Evans and it's a cracker of a read.
An unexpected call from Dougie Marshall, who is in big trouble,
The team also hear exciting news of a new crime series been filmed on the Lincolnshire fens, Fen Division Five with some heavyweight actors,
An then a drowned body is found, a very handsome naked Adonis has not been in the water long and it's looking like a strangling they now had to buckle down with a murder on their hands and there's more to come.

Oh hells bells this book was sure fast pace from the word go, chapter after chapters as you read on that will take your breathe away, Jackman and Evans are a match made in heaven with their privates lives on going as well they work so brilliant together.

I loved The Rivers Edge with almighty twists you just don't see coming.
A Big Bang On read to be enjoyed from this fantastic author.

[Kimberley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I am always excited for the next Jackman and Evans book, especially with Richard Armitage as narrator! In this installment, Jackman is still mourning the loss of Laura while Marie is exploring life with her new love. Meanwhile, the bodies of gorgeous young men are being discovered and they’re somehow linked both to a local TV production as well as the perennial villain, Alastair Ashcroft. I followed this tale with increasing apprehension, hoping that this time would finally be the end for Ashcroft. You’ll have to find out what happens for yourself!
*Thanks to Joffe books and NetGalley for the review copy

[Perrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audible narration by Richard Armitage was absolutely top notch and so impressive.

The story itself was interesting but not edge of your seat crime mystery fascinating.

[Margaret Wakeling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy Joy Ellis’s detective books. Kept me gripped to the end. A complicated plot needed to concentrate in order to keep up!

[Jessi Collier Wakefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

first half: meh. Who are all these characters?
second half: YEAH!

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gripping instalment of the Jackman and Evans series, brilliantly narrated by Richard Armitage.
The body count in the police force is worryingly high but I still find the stories credible.

[Angie F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not since Moriarty has there been a villain as devious and manipulative as Alistair Ashcroft but Moriarty was never as evil. DI Rowan Jackman and his team have come up against Ashcroft before and some of them barely escaped with their lives and even then they were left with emotional scars that would take years of therapy. Now, just when they thought they could put the past behind them Ashcroft is back seeking vengeance for past slights. At the same time they have been alerted that not everything about a production company shooting a tv show nearby is kosher and the person who alerted them to this has gone missing.
I love all of Joy Ellis' books especially those in this series but I have to admit to a frisson of excitement when I realised that once again the murderous sociopath Ashcroft had reared his head. There is always such a battle of wills between him and the quietly intelligent D.I Jackman. Add to this the whimsical pathologist Rory Wilkinson and uber-goth IT specialist Orla (Orac) Cracken and it is understandable that I have just finished this book at 4am.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

[Aloha4Ever · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. So glad to be done with freaking Ashcroft! He overstayed his welcome by several books.

The characters’s attitudes towards porn seemed really old-fashioned and pearl-clutchy. The porn industry is certainly rife with exploitation, even w/o considering the specific genre in question, but idk, the characters all seemed really offended at the idea of “blue-film” makers.

[Jo-Anna Duncan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too full of cliches and a weak ending

The story had the potential to be enthralling. However there were simply too many cliches which detracted from the story. The ending was weak - and gave the sense of imbalance

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally, killed him off! I get tired of characters that no one can beat even when they are behind bars. So glad this one is over.

[Bryna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellis tries her hand at Murder on the Orient Express, and is successful overall. Maybe a tiny bit of a letdown at the end in terms of lacking adrenaline in the narrative - the team didn’t do as much in this story, a lot of the final action was handed to them.

I’m glad Ella went back to finish off her main villain. It needed to be out to permanent rest.

I’ll miss these characters if she doesn’t write another book. Jackman and Marie, Gary and Charlie, Rosie and Max - they are dear friends now.

[Coral Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very satisfying thriller, although I was sad to realise its the last instalment of a serial killer arc.

I listened while I read, as the audiobook was narrated by Richard Armitage, and he did such a fabulous job bringing the huge cast of characters to life.

I didn't see the twist at the end either!

It loses a star for being a bit cheesy and clichéd at times.

[Rainelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a thrilling story this was. The plot twist at the end was amazing. I am always a sucker for a story within a story. And especially if both stories are utterly fantastic. I kind of had a clue of what was happening with the film crew, but with our mysterious friend and his mates- Wow! Marie, Jackman, Sam and the team fought hard to make this story a good one and it was.

[AmyP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story. However, I did not realize it was part of a series - which explains why there was very little character development (they evidently were developed in books 1-9) and a lot of past history alluded to for which I had no context

[Esther Turnbull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ties up all the loose ends in the other 9 books in the Jackman and Ellis series.

[Vickitoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was back on form for me after being disappointed by the last book. I think I partly love them for their excellent narration by Richard Armitage

[Alison Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love the Jackman and Evans series, and this one doesn't disappoint!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to believe it’s the 10th instalment of the Jackman & Evans series! Enjoyed this one as I always do. Highlight as ever is Richard Armitage’s narration.

[Hpnyknits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I dislike recycling of old villains I like the team.
And we are definitely done with that old villain.

[Eszter · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was BORING and felt like it was never ending…