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Edge of the Land: The Merseyside Crime Series Book 3

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Death stalks the docklands of Liverpool...

Edge of the Land is the thrilling third novel in the gripping Merseyside crime series from Malcolm Hollingdrake, author of the best-selling Harrogate crime series.

The waterways of the Liverpool docks contain many ghosts and shadows. It’s a place to disappear… a place to die.
Detective Inspector April Decent and Detective Sergeant Skeeter Warlock are fearful for the welfare of a vulnerable young man injured in an attack ordered by drug dealers, but he refuses to co-operate with the police.

He soon disappears. Clues to his whereabouts are sown, a cry for help maybe, but he remains elusive.

Meanwhile, the team are dealing with a spate of deaths in the city. The one thing the deaths have in the victims are all homeless. Initially, the deaths are not considered to be suspicious as there is no obvious connection. But soon the hallmarks of murder are discovered.

The hunt for a potential serial killer is on.

Edge of the Land is ideal for fans of Rachel McLean, Simon McCleave, J M Dalgliesh and Ian Rankin.

5 Star reviews for the Merseyside Crime Series
'A brilliant author, a new detective, a different setting. I loved the story.' Mach 1 ★★★★★
'I love words and this author is a master of them painting a picture you can fall right into.' Lynda Checkley ★★★★★
'A superb, rollercoaster of an opener. Another must buy series.' Ian Cleverdon ★★★★★
'Contemporary crime fiction at it best and a homage to the city of Liverpool. Highly Recommended' A J Aberford ★★★★★
' A gripping, page turner of a read!' Sarah H ★★★★★









261 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2024

45 people are currently reading
9 people want to read

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Malcolm Hollingdrake

32 books103 followers

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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
1,181 reviews6 followers
February 28, 2025
Good Story

A good story with interesting characters set in Liverpool. I have read and enjoyed all of the books in the Harrogate series but it took me some time to adjust to this one. Knowing Harrogate a lot better than Liverpool probably accounts for this.
Profile Image for Aga Tobola.
35 reviews1 follower
April 29, 2024
The story is just so well written, about Danny and his life, but is it all about him.......
And as always Skeeter and April made a perfect duo.

Mr Hollingdrake, what can I say..... WOW WOW WOW
The way this procedural crime is written is beyond me. Malcolm, as always is so details in his description, that you almost feel like walking in the places he describes.
Loved the plot, and until the end, I was not sure where are we going.
The book has had some amazing plot twists, where my jaw dropped, and I was not expecting it at all.
Profile Image for Peter Fleming.
487 reviews6 followers
May 2, 2024
A two-strand storyline with one baffling and motiveless; the other with a puzzle at its core. The plotting is very clever to make this story come together and maintain the intrigue throughout.

The murder of the homeless people is quite shocking in its callousness, such that the reader will think who would do such a thing and why? This feeling is accentuated by the humanity which the author gives these victims, their circumstances may tragic, but these are people with feelings trying to keep hold of some semblance of dignity. There are sadly many such people on our streets and they all have a story to tell, sometimes it is just bad luck or a need to escape abuse that sees them there.

The puzzle is a cracker, it takes the form of photographs left behind on a mobile phone. These are subtle clues though, the pictures are not easy to decipher as they’re taken odd angles, are close ups or part details. A real rebus for the squad to solve, as they embark on a Magical Mystery Tour of the City requiring a team effort to solve. Different officers latch onto things they recognise, which is more realistic than a Sherlock like supersleuth figuring it all out. It’s all very cleverly assembled and I’m sure that people familiar with Liverpool will enjoy identifying the locations as they read along.

One thing is clear though is the affection the author has for Liverpool, which brings a vibrancy to the prose. He doesn’t avoid the grubby, seedy, run down parts of the city, they are used to pronounced effect, as are the waterways of canals and working dock areas. Overall, though, the portrayal is that of a modern, vibrant city, one that is changing but steadfastly proud of its heritage and welcoming to the visitor.

Another fine aspect is that not all the characters are polarised, but rather shown is shades of light and dark. Danny can hardly be regarded as good, but as the reader discovers more of his background he will be seen in a more sympathetic light, and I found myself rooting for him. A common theme throughout is whether characters possess the capacity to change, to escape their past and even break the cycle of brutality.

April and Skeeter are great central characters, determined but also well balanced and they provide counterpoint to the angst of the storyline. It’s not all about them tough as DC Kasum Kapoor DC Tony Price do much of the leg work, as you would expect their rank to. They also inject banter and light-hearted moments. Overall, the chemistry between the team members becomes believable.
The clues are a fantastic way of controlling the pace of the narrative; no matter what resources and urgency the police introduce there is always a feeling that they are a couple of steps behind. Then the tipping point is reached, and everything unwinds a race against time. Nothing about the story is given away cheaply, so the jigsaw pieces only start to fit together in the final chapters, leaving a satisfying finale that demonstrates we all need a plan in life.
Profile Image for Sarah.
2,979 reviews231 followers
May 10, 2024
We’re back in Liverpool with April, Skeeter and the team who have a couple of cases on their hands. Both are quite hard hitting with one being a spate of vulnerable homeless people being found dead. The other is a young man who hasn’t had the easiest of upbringings and appears to be in a lot of trouble with people you would be best to steer clear from.

Both cases make for some sobering thinking. With the homeless, how did these victims end up on the streets and why would anyone go around killing them? With Danny, I was really torn with my feelings. It raises the question of how an unstable upbringing and living in certain areas can have young people falling easily into a life of crime. Maybe we are to quick to judge and should look at the bigger picture.

I enjoyed that some of the story was set around the Liverpool docks and you get a real sense of place throughout. The team have a trail of clues to solve for one of the cases and it was great seeing how they worked through them and were getting closer to solving it. Homage is paid to the Beatles which along with the docks is another thing Liverpool is famous for and again, was great to see.

Edge of the Land by Malcolm Hollingdrake was an all consuming and unputdownable read. The plot is a very clever one that not only taxes the characters minds but the readers also. It had me go through an array of emotions of sadness and anger whilst having empathy for certain characters. It’s without a doubt a story that plays on your mind and heart. Gripping through out and my new favourite in the series so far!

My thanks to the author for a readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
373 reviews7 followers
April 21, 2024
See my blog link for this book for extra pics and see my review below too. http://bookmarksandstages.home.blog/2...

The Merseyside crime series is gritty with twists and turns, creating a dark, yet very compelling atmosphere. In reality, the docklands around Liverpool is an interesting area to visit, for readers who perhaps visit this city or live in and around it.

The writing is engaging, with shades of light and dark.
There's a petty criminal, Danny, who has been sadly involved in crime since the age of 8, so knows no different. It's quite a reflection on certain areas of society and how people can turn out. He's now fallen foul to a drugs gang. Police are concerned about his activities and his welfare.

Homeless people are seen as "easy targets" and are being murdered. As a wider picture emerges, it looks like a serial killer is on the lose, going through the Liverpudlian streets.

Detective Inspector April Decent and Detective Sergeant Skeeter Warlock are the beat to solve both cases. Both are gripping and intriguing and not easy for the police to piece together the fragments of evidence.

It's a fascinating read with tricky puzzles to solve before time runs out. There's a lot for the police to handle and a lot at stake in this pacy read.
Profile Image for Janet.
504 reviews
April 22, 2024
An absorbing read which kept me guessing right to the end.

This gritty crime thriller is the third in the Liverpool series.

Malcolm takes the reader and immerses them in the middle of the action. From the descriptions of the canals to the abandoned buildings, everything jumped off the page vividly.

The story is mostly set around Danny. Beaten by his father from a young age. Made to run drugs. Unable to learn at school. Seduced by an older woman. This is a damaged boy and I was hoping for a good outcome for him.

Finding himself in deep trouble, he dials 999 and leaves the mobile phone with photos on it for the police to find, as clues for them to follow. We don’t initially know why he resorts to such an elaborate plan but it certainly keeps the police occupied as one by one they solve the clue in the photograph.

Alongside Danny’s story, there are homeless people dying at quite a rate. The police eventually believe there is a serial killer active. Although the homeless people individually don’t have huge parts in the story we do get to know a couple of them. I felt so sad for them and wondered how they had ended up on the streets.

Kept me guessing right to the end I was shocked by the reveals which I didn’t see coming.

Bravo Mr Hollindrake I shall be reading more of your work.
Profile Image for Sharon Rimmelzwaan.
1,464 reviews45 followers
April 18, 2024
This book is the latest instalment of Malcolm Hollindrake's The Merseyside series. I have been an avid reader of Malcolms books for longer than I can remember, so when I was asked if I wanted to review Edge Of The Land, I jumped at the chance.


Set in Liverpool, this is a gritty, dark crime thriller that just gripped me straight away. The descriptions of Liverpool and the docks brought this city to life in my mind. It could be classed as a character in its own right. It's that vivid. 


DI Decent and DS Warlock find themselves attempting to unravel a mystery left for them by Danny, a lad who hasn't seen the nicer side of life. At the same time, people are dying, and it seems there could be a serial killer on the loose. 


Dark and twisty, quite like Liverpool at night. The pace kept me reading well into the night. The back stories of the characters drew me right in. My heart broke for some, and others I could have thrown off a pier! I loved the lighter moments with DS Warlock and love her! I was really gutted to reach the conclusion. I could have read about them all for so much longer! Yet another belter from this author. I actually can't wait for the next book! 
Thanks to Hobeck Books and the author for my gifted book to write my honest review.
Profile Image for Donna Morfett.
Author 8 books71 followers
April 4, 2024
One of my favourite things about Malcolms Harrogate series was the way he captures the setting. It made it feel as though you walking the streets and ginnels alongside the characters.
The thing that stood out for me most in this was that Malcolm has really managed to do that with his new Liverpool setting. The dereliction, and regeneration, the canals and rivers. I really felt like I was there.
As for the story, well. It follows Danny, a boy who has been used and abused his whole life. Starting as a drug runner at eight years old. Beaten by his father, then part of a gang.
He is in trouble and disappears after ringing the police in distress.
Alongside that homeless people seem to be dying at a higher rate than normal. Thanks to dedicated police work they discover a mark from being injected and realise they have a serial killer on their hands.
I was totally rooting for Danny all along. He'd had such a sad life and I wanted him to succeed. When the revelation came about the killer, well I was gobsmacked. I'd not even had the slightest inkling. Very well done indeed for that.
Another fantastic, utterly gripping, tense, fascinating read. Easy 5 stars.
Profile Image for Carole Gourlay .
576 reviews8 followers
February 16, 2024
At long last I have been able to catch up with this wonderful series. I think having the boxed set for Books 1 & 2 helped me enormously because I was able to read that, and then go straight away to this ARC.

Having enjoyed all Malcolm’s books so much in the past, and having met him and Debbie at Harrogate, I have to say, Malcolm is one of very few authors who’s knowledge of the area and descriptions are so good you feel like you’re there. I’ve actually learned a lot about Merseyside that I never knew!

This third book is a cracker, Wicca and Decent are a good team, they work well together but have their work cut out with this latest case. No-one knows why homeless people are being targeted, and murdered, they aren’t really doing any harm and there’s no rhyme nor reason.

What follows is an excellent read and Malcolm is an exceptional storyteller. He has to be one of the few authors who has the perpetrator hidden in plain sight. I would never in a month of Sundays have guessed and I read a lot of crime.

I’m looking forward to book 4. My thanks to Malocolm and Hobeck Books for the ARC.
Profile Image for Dee Groocock.
1,434 reviews58 followers
April 3, 2024
With Liverpool’s homeless people dying, the team notice that there seem to be more deaths than usual. It doesn’t take long for them to find out that these aren’t natural deaths, someone is killing the homeless.

DI April Decent and DS Skeeter Warlock are being led a merry dance by young Danny Maynard. They are concerned for his safety after finding out he has been attacked twice, but Danny is nowhere to be found. He had left them his phone with photos on it, but what are the photos relating to? They need to find Danny and fast.

I’m so pleased that April and Skeeter are back, I’ve missed these characters.

An intricate plot that kept me guessing wrongly until near the end.

Beautiful descriptive writing throughout, I felt as though I was there and was seeing the places of Liverpool through the author’s eyes.

The author dealt with difficult subjects in a sensitive way.

My thanks to Hobeck Books and the author for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
515 reviews
April 8, 2024
This is book three Merseyside Crime Series with DI April Decent, DS Skeeter Warlock, DC Kasum Kapoor, and DCI Mason. The story begins with DC Price looking for Daniel Meynard, who has gone missing from his Uncle's home after being attacked. DI Decent is given an investigation into finding out who is killing homeless people on the streets of Liverpool. How are these investigations connected? Well, no spoilers from me as we are taken on a rollercoaster of a read with plenty of twists and turns with a few red herrings thrown into the plot. It was well written and the descriptions of Liverpool made me see this city in my mind's eye. All in all, it is an unputdownable book leading to a dramatic and surprising climax. I will be recommending this book.
431 reviews6 followers
May 27, 2024
Malcolm Hollingdrake takes his readers through the avenues and alleyways..to the heart of the story Liverpool's Docklands ..where he captures the people , the places , the very essence of Liverpool . DI April Decent and DS Skeeter Warlock find themselves dealing with a spate of murders , Someone is killing the vulnerable..the homeless.As Skeeter tries to figure out what kind of killer they are searching for , DC Tony Price is charged with finding Danny Maynard ..Danny is a bit of a scallywag, who is known for petty crime ..But is Danny giving The Merseyside Police the runaround ..or is something sinister afoot ? Book 3 in the series is most definitely an edge of your seat read..Five huge stars..Brilliant Storytelling..
Profile Image for Deb.
710 reviews22 followers
April 17, 2024
This is the third in the Merseyside Crime Series but it would read well as a standalone. The setting of Liverpool is almost an additional character, intricate description takes you by the hand & walks you through the city - warts & all.

It has become apparent that someone is killing homeless people. Alongside this investigation, Danny Maynard is leading DI Decent & DS Warlock on a mysterious path through photos left on his discarded phone.

A complex tale with all characters described with precision & some of their background stories were heartbreaking. Does the end justify the means? A gripping read which I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Linda Fallows.
836 reviews4 followers
April 17, 2024
A thrilling murder mystery set in Liverpool. Danny is on the run, bodies of homeless people are turning up, and the police have found mysterious photos that might or might not lead to a known drug pusher.
The description of Liverpool and its landmarks are so well done that you feel you are with the police tracking down the meaning of the photos and trying to find the killer. Will they find Danny before he comes to harm? Will they find the killer before another body is found?
Best of all this is part of a series that you can really immerse yourself in. I recommend you track down this book and the others in the series asap.
Profile Image for Susan.
346 reviews5 followers
April 16, 2024
Congratulations to the Author on yet another brilliantly written book which once I started reading it I could not put it down. I Absolutely enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend to other avid readers like me 😊📖
782 reviews26 followers
May 4, 2024
This series gets better and better.The setting is beautifully described, bringing Liverpool alive for the reader, and the plotting is excellent. The main characters are a fascinating bunch and I hope to get to know them better.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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