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Ben Cooper & Diane Fry #11
The Devil's Edge
The newspapers call them the Savages: a band of home invaders as merciless as they are stealthy. Usually they don't leave a clue—but this time, they've left a body. The first victim is found sprawled on her kitchen floor, blood soaking the terracotta tiles. Before long, another corpse is discovered, dead of fright. As the toll rises, it's up to DC Ben Cooper and DS Diane Fry to track down the killers. But the enemy isn't who they think it is. Beneath the sinister shadow of the mountain ridge called the Devil's Edge, a twisted game is in play, a game more ruthless than the detectives can imagine.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
62 people are currently reading
643 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Booth
55 books675 followersStephen Booth is the author of 18 novels in the Cooper & Fry series, all set around England's Peak District, and a standalone novel DROWNED LIVES, published in August 2019.
The Cooper & Fry series has won awards on both sides of the Atlantic, and Detective Constable Cooper has been a finalist for the Sherlock Award for Best Detective created by a British author. The Crime Writers’ Association presented Stephen with the Dagger in the Library Award for “the author whose books have given readers most pleasure.”
The novels are sold all around the world, with translations in 16 languages. The most recent title is FALL DOWN DEAD.
A new Stephen Booth standalone novel with a historical theme, DROWNED LIVES, will be published in August 2019:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drowned-Live...
In recent years, Stephen has become a Library Champion in support of the UK’s ‘Love Libraries’ campaign. He's represented British literature at the Helsinki Book Fair in Finland, appeared with Alexander McCall Smith at the Melbourne Writers’ Festival in Australia, filmed a documentary for 20th Century Fox on the French detective Vidocq, taken part in online chats for World Book Day, taught crime writing courses, and visited prisons to talk to prisoners about writing.
He lives in Nottinghamshire.
The Cooper & Fry series has won awards on both sides of the Atlantic, and Detective Constable Cooper has been a finalist for the Sherlock Award for Best Detective created by a British author. The Crime Writers’ Association presented Stephen with the Dagger in the Library Award for “the author whose books have given readers most pleasure.”
The novels are sold all around the world, with translations in 16 languages. The most recent title is FALL DOWN DEAD.
A new Stephen Booth standalone novel with a historical theme, DROWNED LIVES, will be published in August 2019:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drowned-Live...
In recent years, Stephen has become a Library Champion in support of the UK’s ‘Love Libraries’ campaign. He's represented British literature at the Helsinki Book Fair in Finland, appeared with Alexander McCall Smith at the Melbourne Writers’ Festival in Australia, filmed a documentary for 20th Century Fox on the French detective Vidocq, taken part in online chats for World Book Day, taught crime writing courses, and visited prisons to talk to prisoners about writing.
He lives in Nottinghamshire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
January 25, 2013
The Devil's Edge is the eleventh book in the Fry and Cooper series by Stephen Booth. As usual it's set in the Peak District, an area he knows well and obviously loves; the location is, as ever, very well realised and takes on the role of another character in the unfolding drama. This time they are investigating a series of random, highly visible smash and grab crimes whereby up-market properties are targeted and their occupants seriously injured, or even killed. Although it's billed as a Cooper and Fry story, it's Ben Cooper who's the main dramatic focus. A series of seemingly random attacks by a group called The Savages is terrorising a small village, and one night it leads to an apparently motiveless murder.
In this book Booth writes at a fairly pedestrian pace, and the unfolding of the mystery is a bit disappointing. The police, mostly through Cooper, never seem to get to grips with the case and chippy Diane Fry takes a back seat for most of the story. So many routine procedures seem to have been forgotten: wouldn't checking up on the victim's work/business and financial circumstances have been something that was undertaken early on? In The Devil's Edge however, such a basic action doesn't happen until three quarters of the way through.
I was a bit disappointed with this book to be honest; I enjoy Booth's writing and I like this series, but he seemed to focus too much on his beloved Peak District, rather than the plot and a credible set of suspects. Also, I am getting tired of Fry's constant internal whinging and feeling sorry for herself. Not a bad read, but certainly not "gripping and ingenious", as the front cover leads us to believe.
© Koplowitz 2013
In this book Booth writes at a fairly pedestrian pace, and the unfolding of the mystery is a bit disappointing. The police, mostly through Cooper, never seem to get to grips with the case and chippy Diane Fry takes a back seat for most of the story. So many routine procedures seem to have been forgotten: wouldn't checking up on the victim's work/business and financial circumstances have been something that was undertaken early on? In The Devil's Edge however, such a basic action doesn't happen until three quarters of the way through.
I was a bit disappointed with this book to be honest; I enjoy Booth's writing and I like this series, but he seemed to focus too much on his beloved Peak District, rather than the plot and a credible set of suspects. Also, I am getting tired of Fry's constant internal whinging and feeling sorry for herself. Not a bad read, but certainly not "gripping and ingenious", as the front cover leads us to believe.
© Koplowitz 2013
August 14, 2017
I have never read a Stephen Booth book before, I have read some amazing reviews on his books and I hate to say that I was a little disappointed with this book.
I really like the idea of the storyline, random violent attacks on houses, not worrying about who is getting hurt, but I felt like the police were at a bit of a loss during the whole story, never quite getting their grip on the case fully somehow? I love the characters, they have definitely been well thought through, Cooper is shown with the depth you need to get to know someone so hats off for that coming through.
I struggled to read this just because it felt a bit slow and a lot of rambling, but I suppose if you fully got into the story it would be interesting to read!
I am sad I didn't really enjoy this book but I will definitely be giving another of Booth's books a go!
I really like the idea of the storyline, random violent attacks on houses, not worrying about who is getting hurt, but I felt like the police were at a bit of a loss during the whole story, never quite getting their grip on the case fully somehow? I love the characters, they have definitely been well thought through, Cooper is shown with the depth you need to get to know someone so hats off for that coming through.
I struggled to read this just because it felt a bit slow and a lot of rambling, but I suppose if you fully got into the story it would be interesting to read!
I am sad I didn't really enjoy this book but I will definitely be giving another of Booth's books a go!
October 1, 2011
Devil’s Edge is a fairly insular world, defined, geographically at least, by the cliff edges which surround it. This book is, in a similar way, equally circumscribed. As the reader is told on the opening page, “It was one of the drawbacks of living in the countryside. Too much of the outside world intruding. Too many things it was impossible to keep out.” In this novel, the outside world, and the aspects of it one would most like to keep out, intrudes in the worst way. On the eastern fringe of the Peak District, in the village of Riddings, in rural Derbyshire, there has been a rash of break-ins. The burglars have been dubbed The Savages by the press. The newest incidents escalate the anxiety when they suddenly turn deadly. The author speaks of the residents having sought sanctuary in the rural haven, noting, however, that “everyone had monsters in their lives.” Suspicion turns from looking for an outside group of burglars to someone from within the community, targeting the victims, for reasons far more personal. Recently promoted D.S. Ben Cooper is assigned the investigation. He, particularly, believes it is not the work of The Savages, being much more meticulously planned and leaving no trace of the culprit[s].
D.S. Diane Fry, formerly with the West Midlands Police “in the days before she transferred to yokel land,” is brought back into the squad to take over the investigation after an almost unimaginable turn of events changes Ben Cooper’s life forever. Despite the past ambivalence of their relationship, where they were both vying for the same promotion, their usually well-concealed respect for each other is here on display.
The author’s descriptions bring the land to palpable life, e.g., “the distant rocky outcrops seemed to change shape. They slid slowly sideways, merged and divided, their outlines shifting from smooth to jagged to a distinctive silhouette. It was all the effect of altering angle and perspective. With each step, a transformation took place in the landscape, a gradual reveal like the slow drawing aside of a curtain. At a point halfway across the flats, a split rock he hadn’t noticed before came into view. As it emerged from behind a larger boulder, its two halves slowly parted and turned, like the hands of a clock creeping past noon.” Simply gorgeous. [The landscape, and the writing, that is.]
Recommended.
Reviewed by Gloria Feit
D.S. Diane Fry, formerly with the West Midlands Police “in the days before she transferred to yokel land,” is brought back into the squad to take over the investigation after an almost unimaginable turn of events changes Ben Cooper’s life forever. Despite the past ambivalence of their relationship, where they were both vying for the same promotion, their usually well-concealed respect for each other is here on display.
The author’s descriptions bring the land to palpable life, e.g., “the distant rocky outcrops seemed to change shape. They slid slowly sideways, merged and divided, their outlines shifting from smooth to jagged to a distinctive silhouette. It was all the effect of altering angle and perspective. With each step, a transformation took place in the landscape, a gradual reveal like the slow drawing aside of a curtain. At a point halfway across the flats, a split rock he hadn’t noticed before came into view. As it emerged from behind a larger boulder, its two halves slowly parted and turned, like the hands of a clock creeping past noon.” Simply gorgeous. [The landscape, and the writing, that is.]
Recommended.
Reviewed by Gloria Feit
June 18, 2013
A series where the peak district is as much a character as the humans. Booth is very good at describing the sense of isolation on the moors, and the insular communities within the peaks.
I live not far, and smiled at the mention of the character ending up at the neurological dept at the Queen's in Nottingham. I work there in the operating theatre, but I've not come across any head injuries from rock climbing accidents.
I live not far, and smiled at the mention of the character ending up at the neurological dept at the Queen's in Nottingham. I work there in the operating theatre, but I've not come across any head injuries from rock climbing accidents.
May 17, 2018
An excellent Cooper and Fry novel set in the Peak District around Edendale. An organised gang is on the rampage around the isolated country villages but is the death and serious wounding in Riddings another of the same but Ben Cooper's feelings suggest it may not be. As Sergeant Cooper he is now leading the team and puts the inept DI Hitchens to shame as he uncovers what has really been going on. Meanwhile there is an incident at Bridge End Farm and Cooper's very family are at risk but Diane Fry helps to uncover the truth.
Rather a lot of deaths make this something more in keeping with Midsummer but nevertheless and good fast pace and plenty of action make this worth 4 stars.
Rather a lot of deaths make this something more in keeping with Midsummer but nevertheless and good fast pace and plenty of action make this worth 4 stars.
May 23, 2019
An ok read .. not one of his better books but not dreadful either .. it’s a fast easy read though xx
November 11, 2023
I love this series. It is so atmospheric and pays so much attention to the landscape and personalities. Lots of odd characters, surprising twists, nicely written.
June 17, 2020
Not a bad mystery. I might read more. The writing is amateurish and a lot of information was repeated unnecessarily throughout the book. Some parts were well written, though. I wonder if the author will improve has he goes on. I might check out a few more of the books. I'd place this mystery in the procedural pile.
August 25, 2022
A brutal murder in Derbyshire, in a wealthy community where everyone dislikes their neighbours. In the area there have been a spate of aggressive burglaries by a gang nicknamed the 'savages'. Were the savages guilty of this murder? Took a while to get into the book, but enjoyed the second half.
May 13, 2020
Could not get into this. It was so slow. Nothing exciting happened. Glad to get to the end. Thats all I can say about this book!
February 14, 2013
The Devil's Edge is a an atmospheric police procedural/mystery set in the wealthy town of Riddings in England's Peak District. Its an engrossing read.
The "Savages", a gang of home invaders, have been terrorizing homeowners by breaking into their homes and harming the homeowners before stealing their valuables. Now word comes that a woman has been killed and her husband hurt in a similar attack in Riddings. The victims are brash rich owners of land, who have been involved in a legal tangle over land.
Ben Cooper, newly promoted to sergeant, is called upon to investigate alolng with Gavin Murfin, a copper near retirement, and Carol Villiers, an old friend of Cooper, recently retired from the military.
As Cooper interviews the other denizens of the village, we learn about their foibles and faults and their snide disdain for each other. No one in the village really likes each other. There is the snoopy oldster, the outrageous lottery winner and his mother, the environmentalist, and the various tradesman who serve them. Although others in the service believe that the Savages are responsible, Cooper instinctively believes that there is some other secret, some dark undercurrent in the village, that if he could just learn would reveal the killer. He is afraid to voice his suspicions without proof. There is another murder and Cooper finds a body in the peat bog surrounding the village.
As his team tries to untangle the mystery, his brother, a farmer, is arrested for shooting a seemingly unarmed trespasser. Dianne Fry, Cooper's colleague, who he appears to have an uneasy relationship, is assigned the case. Cooper, however, insightfully offers her some advise about farm life, that she uses in her investigation.
Eventually, Cooper's team unearths some interesting information and Fry solves her investigation, and one killer is found and another case is resolved.
Although well plotted, the actual killer comes a little out of left field, but is consistent with the stories that Cooper reveals from his investigation.
Despite being, the 11th book in this series, it is easy enough for this new reader of this series to to find his footing.
The "Savages", a gang of home invaders, have been terrorizing homeowners by breaking into their homes and harming the homeowners before stealing their valuables. Now word comes that a woman has been killed and her husband hurt in a similar attack in Riddings. The victims are brash rich owners of land, who have been involved in a legal tangle over land.
Ben Cooper, newly promoted to sergeant, is called upon to investigate alolng with Gavin Murfin, a copper near retirement, and Carol Villiers, an old friend of Cooper, recently retired from the military.
As Cooper interviews the other denizens of the village, we learn about their foibles and faults and their snide disdain for each other. No one in the village really likes each other. There is the snoopy oldster, the outrageous lottery winner and his mother, the environmentalist, and the various tradesman who serve them. Although others in the service believe that the Savages are responsible, Cooper instinctively believes that there is some other secret, some dark undercurrent in the village, that if he could just learn would reveal the killer. He is afraid to voice his suspicions without proof. There is another murder and Cooper finds a body in the peat bog surrounding the village.
As his team tries to untangle the mystery, his brother, a farmer, is arrested for shooting a seemingly unarmed trespasser. Dianne Fry, Cooper's colleague, who he appears to have an uneasy relationship, is assigned the case. Cooper, however, insightfully offers her some advise about farm life, that she uses in her investigation.
Eventually, Cooper's team unearths some interesting information and Fry solves her investigation, and one killer is found and another case is resolved.
Although well plotted, the actual killer comes a little out of left field, but is consistent with the stories that Cooper reveals from his investigation.
Despite being, the 11th book in this series, it is easy enough for this new reader of this series to to find his footing.
October 22, 2014
This is the eleventh book in Booth’s Cooper and Fry series, but the first one I have read. Booth obviously has story arcs running through the series to retain continuity and a loyal reader base, but it is not essential to have read earlier books in the series. However, those having done so may have been drawn more quickly into the story.
I found the first part of the book a little slow, with long passages describing the setting (the Peak Districts and the village of Riddings) and little progression in the investigation. There was some detail around DS Ben Cooper’s engagement to Liz, a member of the SOCO team. Also we follow his partner, DS Diane Fry, who is attending a course on Implementing Strategic Change and resisting the advances of a randy colleague.
Meanwhile one of Riddings’ rich residents has been hospitalised in the latest in a spate of home invasions. Local wisdom points to a gang known as The Savages. Cooper has other ideas and as the plot unfolds we meet a wide array of village characters who could have strayed from an Agatha Christie or Midsomer Murders story.
As the tale progresses we are also introduced to a new DC in Carol Villiers, who has served in the military police in Afghanistan. She gives a potential future romantic triangle with Cooper and Liz as we are made aware they are old school friends.
The story may lack the harder of edge of many modern mysteries, but is an entertaining, if unsurprising read and should please fans of old-school mystery writing. Booth stays within the confines of his well-defined setting and overcomes the familiarity of his characters with a sturdy plot, which is helped by some late twists.
I found the first part of the book a little slow, with long passages describing the setting (the Peak Districts and the village of Riddings) and little progression in the investigation. There was some detail around DS Ben Cooper’s engagement to Liz, a member of the SOCO team. Also we follow his partner, DS Diane Fry, who is attending a course on Implementing Strategic Change and resisting the advances of a randy colleague.
Meanwhile one of Riddings’ rich residents has been hospitalised in the latest in a spate of home invasions. Local wisdom points to a gang known as The Savages. Cooper has other ideas and as the plot unfolds we meet a wide array of village characters who could have strayed from an Agatha Christie or Midsomer Murders story.
As the tale progresses we are also introduced to a new DC in Carol Villiers, who has served in the military police in Afghanistan. She gives a potential future romantic triangle with Cooper and Liz as we are made aware they are old school friends.
The story may lack the harder of edge of many modern mysteries, but is an entertaining, if unsurprising read and should please fans of old-school mystery writing. Booth stays within the confines of his well-defined setting and overcomes the familiarity of his characters with a sturdy plot, which is helped by some late twists.
March 24, 2012
I am a big fan of this series and it pains me to be even a little critical, but I have to be honest, I found some inconsistencies in the plot and some shoddy editing, at least, I hope it was editing and not Stephen Booth becoming a little jaded. Overall, I still loved it and will stay with 4 stars, but it feels like this was an effort to write in the latter part and floundered a little. Also, Ben Cooper seemed to acting a little out of character, he has been promoted and maybe it went to his head a bit!! Diane Fry has had one foot out the door since the previous book, will she stay or will she go? I hope it's not dragged out long. Also, in the previous book, Diane bought a new car at last, not a Peugeot by the by (I think it was an Audi), but at the end of the book, she was driving away in her old car again. (Maybe she never traded it in?). Sloppy me thinks. The plot was a little overcomplicated and in part, did not make sense, not wanting to give anything away. Still, maybe if Mr. Booth has a good rest, he will return to form on the next one.
May 19, 2015
I finished this book a few months ago so this reviews a bit late . This is apparently the 11th book in this particular series by Stephen Booth so in terms of character relationships and dynamics I was a bit lost . However the book zips on at quite a fast pace and I thought the author really invoked quite a powerful description of the Peak District in which the book was set . My only drawback were there were quite a few characters (some of which didn't really have much input ) and also sometimes the book got bogged down in clumsy dialogue. All in all a pretty good read though .
July 14, 2015
While the series is called Cooper and Fry, this book is centered on Ben Cooper. The discovery of a body in a high end residential district is no surprise as it follows a series of home invasions. Lots of atmospheric background, with the residents of the district depicted with all their kinks and secrets. Ben is a sympathetic character and the members of his team support each other despite their disparate personalities.
An excellent police procedural series.
An excellent police procedural series.
February 19, 2013
Fantastic mystery! The setting I would say is the best part. It's like it's own character.
For more about this book and my thoughts, view its Goodreads book club page: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
For more about this book and my thoughts, view its Goodreads book club page: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
January 2, 2019
As is usual in this series the surroundings of the Peak District are wonderfully described and provide an evocative background for the story to be woven through. However, it does feel that this instalment of the series does somewhat drop the 'continuity' ball from the version of reality established by the earlier books in the series.
This is most noticeable in regard to the 'underfunded police force' story arc. For most of the series Edendale CID has consisted of one DI, one DS and two DCs. In the previous book two new DCs were added to the cast of characters as well as a new Superintendent. In this instalment another new DC is added, and Cooper is now a full DS, not merely 'acting' while Fry was on sabbatical. So, there are now eight CID officers in E division - double the earlier number. This is fine if it helps the story along - we are after all reading a novel - but to be consistent the 'budget cuts' storyline needs to be shelved.
A second thing that jarred was that in the preceding book in the series Fry swapped her old Peugeot for a smart new Audi - yet in this book she is driving her Peugeot again.
Despite the extra manpower the investigation seems to take ages to get going and is bogged down in house-to-house enquiries for chapter after chapter despite the fictional Riddings being described as a small village. The first half of the book is a very slow read. It does get better in the 2nd half, but even there the editing is over indulgent. For example, the first half of chapter 20 is given over to a description of Hitchens & Fry sitting in a car observing South Yorkshire police do a raid on premises in Sheffield. From the plot point of view, it didn't need to be covered in anything like this depth - it could have just been mentioned as a sentence or two in the morning briefing session. To quote Hitchens in this scene: "What are they playing around at? It's like waiting for paint to dry"
These criticisms don't mean it's a bad book, but they are why this instalment doesn't score a full five out of five that most of its predecessors have.
This is most noticeable in regard to the 'underfunded police force' story arc. For most of the series Edendale CID has consisted of one DI, one DS and two DCs. In the previous book two new DCs were added to the cast of characters as well as a new Superintendent. In this instalment another new DC is added, and Cooper is now a full DS, not merely 'acting' while Fry was on sabbatical. So, there are now eight CID officers in E division - double the earlier number. This is fine if it helps the story along - we are after all reading a novel - but to be consistent the 'budget cuts' storyline needs to be shelved.
A second thing that jarred was that in the preceding book in the series Fry swapped her old Peugeot for a smart new Audi - yet in this book she is driving her Peugeot again.
Despite the extra manpower the investigation seems to take ages to get going and is bogged down in house-to-house enquiries for chapter after chapter despite the fictional Riddings being described as a small village. The first half of the book is a very slow read. It does get better in the 2nd half, but even there the editing is over indulgent. For example, the first half of chapter 20 is given over to a description of Hitchens & Fry sitting in a car observing South Yorkshire police do a raid on premises in Sheffield. From the plot point of view, it didn't need to be covered in anything like this depth - it could have just been mentioned as a sentence or two in the morning briefing session. To quote Hitchens in this scene: "What are they playing around at? It's like waiting for paint to dry"
These criticisms don't mean it's a bad book, but they are why this instalment doesn't score a full five out of five that most of its predecessors have.
March 14, 2021
3.5- I haven’t read any of this authors previous work or books with these characters so I didn’t know the history of them. I liked how this started off with the victim being alive and her point of view before the crime,it was a shock when she ended up dead,I thought she was going to find a body in her kitchen not be the body! I couldn’t work out who the killer was or why,who was innocent or guilty out of all the neighbours and it was enjoyable having them revealed bit by bit. I liked the way village life was described and the Peak District,I definitely need to go there! I liked the characters and trusted Cooper as a policeman. I could have done with a map of the village,I found it hard and confusing picturing the houses in relation to each other,the back lane and the boundaries. When Cooper’s brother gets in a spot of bother he doesn’t even tell or talk about it with his fiancé which was strange but by the end it feels like they may not last. There were some points when Carol talked a lot about her career and I’m not sure I needed all that. Interested to see what’s going on with her and Fry though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2019
It said 'gripping' on the cover of this book but I discovered a tedious, well-trodden episode of ITV's, Midsomer Murders in 'novel form'. Expecting to be thrilled by this story, I was not, as I found myself trawling through an ordinary crime/drama that didn't stand-out. This book was banal, a run-of-the-mill tale without any grit and hardly inspired to get to the end.
I did love its East Midlands setting though (my hometown), but the characters, Det. Cooper, Villiers, and the team, investigating a couple's murder linked to a series of local robberies, did nothing to get excited about. However if you enjoy 'reading' a weekly TV drama - Taggart, comes to mind - then this book's for you.
Clean and cosy is The Devil's Edge but it had no edginess at all; I like stories with 'oomph!' and may be hard to please, so in the meantime it's back to true crime for a while till I find that, barn-burner-piece-of-fiction. Yawn!
I did love its East Midlands setting though (my hometown), but the characters, Det. Cooper, Villiers, and the team, investigating a couple's murder linked to a series of local robberies, did nothing to get excited about. However if you enjoy 'reading' a weekly TV drama - Taggart, comes to mind - then this book's for you.
Clean and cosy is The Devil's Edge but it had no edginess at all; I like stories with 'oomph!' and may be hard to please, so in the meantime it's back to true crime for a while till I find that, barn-burner-piece-of-fiction. Yawn!
April 29, 2024
Picked up 11 books into the series, so perhaps that’s why I found this so difficult.
Equally, I’m not actually sure that is the case!
For all the promise this book has, it is let down by the very hard to follow story. Good in how it sounds but very difficult to actually pick it up and follow consistently.
The characters do have a good standing,due to the time they have been around, but it just doesn’t tie together.
I have no idea what the character of Fry was adding? They feature in a few chapters here and there but I cannot see the relevance to this story.
A very odd mishmash. Three out of five.
Equally, I’m not actually sure that is the case!
For all the promise this book has, it is let down by the very hard to follow story. Good in how it sounds but very difficult to actually pick it up and follow consistently.
The characters do have a good standing,due to the time they have been around, but it just doesn’t tie together.
I have no idea what the character of Fry was adding? They feature in a few chapters here and there but I cannot see the relevance to this story.
A very odd mishmash. Three out of five.
October 6, 2018
A group of robbers, nick named The Savages, who have been raiding homes around Sheffield seem to have come to the Peak District. But they appear to have become more violent when Zoe and Jake Barron are found beaten to death in their home in the exclusive village of Riddings. As DS Ben Cooper investigates the case, he finds there is little neighbourly love in the community and he begins to wonder if the murders really are a robbery gone bad. Wonderful descriptions of the Peak District countryside combined with well-developed characters and a strong plot.
December 12, 2018
There has been a number of vicious home invasions but until now no corpse. This latest invasion in an elete area is being blamed on the people doing the home invasions but Cooper doesn't think they are related and, as usual, the upper heirachy are not listening they just want a quick close. Meanwhile, Fry is on a conference which is not going well. She is pulled and brought back to the Peak District to help on another case and sees how well Cooper is doing with his new team, including his old friend from when he was a youngster.
December 27, 2018
A group of home invaders called the Savages has been hard to catch, but then a body is found. Cooper and his team investigate the murder. Was it the Savages or someone else? What about the neighbors? Fry is at a work group at first then helps solving the crime. She and Cooper are now engaged. An old friend of Cooper also joins the team.
The mystery was decent, but the writing didn't flow. There was too much information that was not needed. Not interesting enough.
The mystery was decent, but the writing didn't flow. There was too much information that was not needed. Not interesting enough.
September 28, 2019
The home invasions are terrible. But the closeness of a group of houses where at least one of the home invasions takes place turns out to be an awful situation for the residents. Feuds and rivalries, along with a very nosy peeping-Tom make everyone's life a misery in this place. A friend of Sergeant Cooper's joins the team in this one with Diane Fry coming in at decent intervals to oversee a case involving Cooper's brother. Ben's engagement to Liz is announced.
November 5, 2018
Quite enjoyed this crime story set in the heart of the Peak District. Its landscape and nature play a very important role in its setting and I really felt like I was there. The characters were quite realistic too and it was just a shame for me that I didn't know anything about their previous history from previous novels so I might have to look out for number 1 on this series,
May 1, 2020
This book is highly rated and I can’t seem to figure out why... it was so slow. I read nearly 300 pages before it got interesting. Maybe this is how all mysteries are written, but I was not a fan at all of this author’s style. Too much unnecessary detail and not enough action until literally, the very end.
July 7, 2023
Less local colour & more storyline makes for a better read.
However the niggles are quite a lot of repetition & the miserable, unlikeable nature of DS Fry.
Newly promoted DS Cooper finds himself investigating a home invasion murder.
The top brass are linking it to other similar style robberies in the local area commuted by a group nicknamed The Savages but Cooper thinks these are different
However the niggles are quite a lot of repetition & the miserable, unlikeable nature of DS Fry.
Newly promoted DS Cooper finds himself investigating a home invasion murder.
The top brass are linking it to other similar style robberies in the local area commuted by a group nicknamed The Savages but Cooper thinks these are different
Read
August 16, 2024This author was recommended to me.
This is book #11 in a police detective series.
I chose this book as it was available through my local library.
I wonder is I missed out of character development by not being able to start with book #1.
Book seemed to move a bit slowly, but perhaps that is the author's style.
Overall, it was interesting.
This is book #11 in a police detective series.
I chose this book as it was available through my local library.
I wonder is I missed out of character development by not being able to start with book #1.
Book seemed to move a bit slowly, but perhaps that is the author's style.
Overall, it was interesting.
March 19, 2018
Another excellent book by one of my all time authors.
As always, the plot centres around Derbyshire & it takes until the end to find out who is responsible. I love the characters & how the relationship changes with each book.
As always, the plot centres around Derbyshire & it takes until the end to find out who is responsible. I love the characters & how the relationship changes with each book.
July 26, 2018
A plodding mystery with characters of police and citizens proving everything. There is no action but it is in the keeping of British type mysteries as thing's slowly unfold. Slowly. I prefer some action. But is is well written. This was a library book.
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