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Slater & Norman Mystery #2
Death by Plane
Please note, this book was previously published as Just a Coincidence.
The sleepy little Hampshire town of Tinton, isn’t exactly the type of place where major crime occurs on a regular basis. In fact, the biggest cases DS Dave Slater and his colleagues have to deal with right now are those of a flasher, and an illiterate counterfeiter – and that one is going to be easy to wrap up, as they know who’s responsible! In fact things are so quiet right now Slater has, at long last, taken the plunge and invited the bewitching Jelena on a date!
But things are about to change when a dog walker finds the severely battered body of a young woman out near a small patch of woodland known locally as the Haunted Copse. The first puzzle for Slater and colleague Norman Norman to solve is how exactly did the body get there? It couldn’t have just dropped from the sky, could it?
Then the dog who found the body comes bounding out of the Haunted Copse carrying what looks like a human femur. Before they know it, they have three dead bodies on their hands, and it soon becomes clear the three bodies are related. But with fifteen years between the murders, is this just a bizarre coincidence, or are the murders linked?
With Slater and Norman in command, the team get to work. With one obvious suspect it seems it’s just a matter of proving his guilt, but not every member of the team is as happy as they appear to be, and it’s not long before tension between team members threatens to destroy their normal happy efficiency.
On top of that, their simple, ‘easy to solve’ counterfeit case, begins to take on a life of its own, and they find the two cases seem to be overlapping, and it’s fast becoming possible that there is actually more than one murderer, and it really is just a coincidence!
The sleepy little Hampshire town of Tinton, isn’t exactly the type of place where major crime occurs on a regular basis. In fact, the biggest cases DS Dave Slater and his colleagues have to deal with right now are those of a flasher, and an illiterate counterfeiter – and that one is going to be easy to wrap up, as they know who’s responsible! In fact things are so quiet right now Slater has, at long last, taken the plunge and invited the bewitching Jelena on a date!
But things are about to change when a dog walker finds the severely battered body of a young woman out near a small patch of woodland known locally as the Haunted Copse. The first puzzle for Slater and colleague Norman Norman to solve is how exactly did the body get there? It couldn’t have just dropped from the sky, could it?
Then the dog who found the body comes bounding out of the Haunted Copse carrying what looks like a human femur. Before they know it, they have three dead bodies on their hands, and it soon becomes clear the three bodies are related. But with fifteen years between the murders, is this just a bizarre coincidence, or are the murders linked?
With Slater and Norman in command, the team get to work. With one obvious suspect it seems it’s just a matter of proving his guilt, but not every member of the team is as happy as they appear to be, and it’s not long before tension between team members threatens to destroy their normal happy efficiency.
On top of that, their simple, ‘easy to solve’ counterfeit case, begins to take on a life of its own, and they find the two cases seem to be overlapping, and it’s fast becoming possible that there is actually more than one murderer, and it really is just a coincidence!
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2014
1038 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
P.F. Ford
54 books236 followersHaving spent most of his life trying to be what everyone else wanted him to be, P.F. (Peter) Ford was a late starter when it came to writing. He had tried writing a novel many years ago (before the advent of self-publishing), only to be turned down by every publisher he approached. It was very much a case of being told by those around him, ‘now you know you can’t write, so get back to work!’
Even at an early age, Peter felt very much like the proverbial square peg being forced into a round hole. This resulted in the creation of a Grammar School drop-out who then drifted through a succession of unfulfilling jobs, finally ending up in a totally unsuitable role which eventually sapped his energy and self-confidence. There followed a brief foray into self-employment (not a good idea for someone lacking in self-confidence!) which ended in total financial melt-down, a mountain of debt, and a lapse into depression.
Faced with the fact that he’d never be happy as he was, Peter finally decided he had no intention of continuing that way, and things just had to change. This was achieved by closing the door on his old life and starting over. Fast forward a few years and you find a man transformed, his newly found positive attitude enabling him to find new partner (now wife), Mary, who shares his belief that dreamers should be encouraged and not denied.
He first wrote, (under the name Peter Ford), and self-published , several short books about the life changing benefits of positive thinking. Now, completely free of the hindrance of worrying about what other people think, he’s blissfully happy writing the D.S. Dave Slater mystery novels and what he calls the ‘digital fiction marmite’ (people tend to love it or hate it!) that is the Alfie Bowman Novella series.
Peter and Mary recently completed a shared dream when they married and moved to a beautiful region of Wales where they spend much of their spare time walking their three dogs, and relaxing and having fun with friends. They believe they are living proof that you should never give up on your dreams, because it’s never too late!
Even at an early age, Peter felt very much like the proverbial square peg being forced into a round hole. This resulted in the creation of a Grammar School drop-out who then drifted through a succession of unfulfilling jobs, finally ending up in a totally unsuitable role which eventually sapped his energy and self-confidence. There followed a brief foray into self-employment (not a good idea for someone lacking in self-confidence!) which ended in total financial melt-down, a mountain of debt, and a lapse into depression.
Faced with the fact that he’d never be happy as he was, Peter finally decided he had no intention of continuing that way, and things just had to change. This was achieved by closing the door on his old life and starting over. Fast forward a few years and you find a man transformed, his newly found positive attitude enabling him to find new partner (now wife), Mary, who shares his belief that dreamers should be encouraged and not denied.
He first wrote, (under the name Peter Ford), and self-published , several short books about the life changing benefits of positive thinking. Now, completely free of the hindrance of worrying about what other people think, he’s blissfully happy writing the D.S. Dave Slater mystery novels and what he calls the ‘digital fiction marmite’ (people tend to love it or hate it!) that is the Alfie Bowman Novella series.
Peter and Mary recently completed a shared dream when they married and moved to a beautiful region of Wales where they spend much of their spare time walking their three dogs, and relaxing and having fun with friends. They believe they are living proof that you should never give up on your dreams, because it’s never too late!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
October 9, 2024
Great read. Better than book #1 ( Death by Carpet). Descriptions seem very life-like, as if the writer has intimate knowledge of the inner workings of a police station. Not quite sure what the little detour for that nymphomaniac detective story had to do with anything in the plot.
December 31, 2024
Death By Plane
A fine work of detective fiction that is almost believable. Good character descriptions and the banter between Norman and Slater is pretty good too.
A fine work of detective fiction that is almost believable. Good character descriptions and the banter between Norman and Slater is pretty good too.
August 1, 2025
Things have been quiet for the police in Tinton, until a major case literally falls out of the sky. In a wooded area, a woman walking a dog stumbles upon a body that seems to have dropped from a plane. The case provides another opportunity for DS Dave Slater and DS Norman Norman to work together. Their investigation soon expands to involve two additional murders and a dangerous smuggling ring. The two detectives skillfully lead a team that cracks multiple cases.
The interaction between the two detectives is a highlight of this fast-moving mystery.
The interaction between the two detectives is a highlight of this fast-moving mystery.
June 15, 2019
Reading this as part of the first four Slater and Norman books, read “Death of a Temptress” and now finished “Just a coincidence” and enjoyed both. DS Dave Slater and his alter ego DS Norman Norman work together well as a team and their characters seem to dovetail each other. In this episode the discovery of a body in Haunted Copse close to Tinion seem to be a relatively straight forward case. However the discovery of a further two bodies, a woman and a child, throw the two detectives into a dilemma. The fact that DNA evidence shows the three bodies are related gives our two DS’s lots to think about. As the case unravels a “dogging” episode brings into play another set of issues for Dave Slater. Well written, enjoyable to read gives readers the opportunity to “spot the guilty” before they are revealed by PF Ford. Looking forward to more Slater & Norman adventures
September 22, 2016
This was a very average murder mystery not particularly well written. The detectives appeared bumbling as opposed to brilliant, to point where suspect characters mentioned by name moments beforehand gave them pause when brought up in other scenarios so they could recall who the individuals were. No sense at all. The writing is stumbles along also having a particularly annoying habit of word repetition in sentences.
The story felt a bit forced given the Bressler situation. Does a man behave this way? I hope not.
I will not be continuing with the less than stellar Dave Slater and team.
The story felt a bit forced given the Bressler situation. Does a man behave this way? I hope not.
I will not be continuing with the less than stellar Dave Slater and team.
November 12, 2017
Well, well. Book #2 was just as entertaining as book #1.
I said I would try the next book and I'm glad I did. Those two tecs are funny. I love English mysteries, but sometimes it's good to laugh at what's going on. Norman is a slob and a perfect foil for Slater. Okay, I'm hooked. On to book #3.e
I said I would try the next book and I'm glad I did. Those two tecs are funny. I love English mysteries, but sometimes it's good to laugh at what's going on. Norman is a slob and a perfect foil for Slater. Okay, I'm hooked. On to book #3.e
September 4, 2018
Unfortunately for a dog walker in Tintin she literally falls over and onto a body. But when later her dog finds an unrelated bone, is it just a concidence.
Slater and Norman with their team investiagate, but what else will be turn up.
An enjoyable easy read with these likeable characters,
Slater and Norman with their team investiagate, but what else will be turn up.
An enjoyable easy read with these likeable characters,
April 15, 2019
Review
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Slater and Norman make a really great team and although the book does have some funny moments it is a well written and well thought out cozy mystery. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys reading a really good mystery.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Slater and Norman make a really great team and although the book does have some funny moments it is a well written and well thought out cozy mystery. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys reading a really good mystery.
June 7, 2020
Lots of interesting sub plots
Found the story line a bit choppy, sometimes redundant. Characters are fairly well developed/realistic. Side stories sometimes distractions. I'll read no. 3 in the series.
Found the story line a bit choppy, sometimes redundant. Characters are fairly well developed/realistic. Side stories sometimes distractions. I'll read no. 3 in the series.
June 6, 2025
Overview: Dave Slater and his partner Norman Norman (poor guy, what was his mother thinking?) have a few cases to solve in Tintin. There's a flasher giving old ladies a show that they may or may not want. They have what appears to be an illiterate forger of purses. And then there's the problems that many towns have with the local lovers' lane. They really didn't need the poor dogwalker to, quite literally, fall into a murder scene. Her dog however finds even more bodies, leading to one large mess to solve for the local police department. Were these cases connected in any way? What happened to kill Sarah Townley? And will they ever catch 'Dick Waver'? Let's find out.
Dislikes: I didn't care much for the Dr. Bressler. He was slimy, almost as if he thought that nothing could ever stick to him.
P.C. Flyte betrayed more than just her job. She tried too hard to convince others that she was a victim.
Likes: Beddeford showed that he did have quite a bit of integrity. He only wished to help all that he could.
Nadine was cute. Tiny, Asian, fascinated with driving big trucks, and one heck of a forensic analysist, what more is there to like?
Slater and Norman had a good working relationship.
Conclusion: This was a fun story. It's more for those who like police procedurals, however small the town is. Enjoy the read.
Dislikes: I didn't care much for the Dr. Bressler. He was slimy, almost as if he thought that nothing could ever stick to him.
P.C. Flyte betrayed more than just her job. She tried too hard to convince others that she was a victim.
Likes: Beddeford showed that he did have quite a bit of integrity. He only wished to help all that he could.
Nadine was cute. Tiny, Asian, fascinated with driving big trucks, and one heck of a forensic analysist, what more is there to like?
Slater and Norman had a good working relationship.
Conclusion: This was a fun story. It's more for those who like police procedurals, however small the town is. Enjoy the read.
March 14, 2023
I'm enjoying these British police procedurals. Superb writing, excellent characters. I often chuckle at the banter between Dave and Norman. It's interesting to watch how Norman's more laid-back attitude is having an effect on Dave's outlook.
"Do I have to drink out of a can? Don’t you have any glasses?”Onward to Florence, next in the series.
“Drink from the can. Glasses have to be washed up,” said Slater. “And have you looked in a mirror today?”
“Ah, yes,” Norman said, nodding. “I take your point and accept your insult. But the thing is, I always look like this, whereas you normally look pretty good.”
November 5, 2019
Started out funny with the trying to capture a guy they called Dick Weaner. Then later the main story the cops were trying to solve was a woman and a young child where found out in the middle of nowhere . Then it mixed in with a cold case murder that happened 15 years ago. They also had a women of interest but could not find her anywhere. Gets kind of mixed up more with the guy who only kept a woman for 5 years then dumped her and got another one. A child born to another guy. A lady cop who wasn't who she claimed to be - but was a good cop tho the boss said. To much going around all at once for my old aged mind.
July 13, 2018
As with the first book in this series, it could have done without the raunchy bits and the language, but it was an interesting plot overall -- except for the flasher parts of the story. That was just a waste of time to me; filler. Nasty filler at that! The author did try to make it humorous I think, and not as graphic as it could have been (though I'm only going by what I didn't skim over >~<), but it was still too heavy for my liking. I'm not interested in reading about some pervert, I'm interested in a murder mystery! (:
October 28, 2024
Another exciting murder mystery. Not one, but 3 bodies. I’m getting a bit worried for Norman’s health - but as this is a long series he obviously isn’t going to die of a heart attack! A couple of interesting subplots that thankfully didn’t get dragged on for a million chapters - I like to concentrate on the main murder and it’s solving. A suspicion of mine is pretty much confirmed in this book, though Slater may need some convincing, and the murderer was more obvious, but it was still fun reading about the investigation. I think I am going to go straight into book 3.
September 27, 2021
The title announces clearly that coincidence will play a huge part in this case. Some readers might find it all to much. However, the characters are quite enjoyable. P.F. Ford's strength is natural sounding dialogue, and the book was well worthwhile for that alone. I'm hoping Ford will learn a few stylistic tricks as he continues along, such as omitting explanations of a character's tone, mood, or thoughts when the dialogue would suffice.
April 6, 2022
Really enjoying this series!
There's great character development, another great plot, and a now ongoing sub plot! What's not to like! And as much as I like reading the gore and the cussing for whatever reason, I'm not missing it at all! This book had me hooked from the beginning, and kept my interest all the way through! And now I'm off to read the 3rd book in the series. Somehow, I think I'll enjoy this next one just as much as the first 2!
There's great character development, another great plot, and a now ongoing sub plot! What's not to like! And as much as I like reading the gore and the cussing for whatever reason, I'm not missing it at all! This book had me hooked from the beginning, and kept my interest all the way through! And now I'm off to read the 3rd book in the series. Somehow, I think I'll enjoy this next one just as much as the first 2!
August 28, 2024
Death by Plane
Death by Plane is the second book by P.F.Ford with Slater and Norman as the main characters. It was similar to Book 1 but still enjoyable. Some characters were the same and some barely introduced in Book 1 were continued and made more prominent in Book 2. Of course, you expect a death by the book's title and again it was filled with twists and turns. I enjoy reading serial books. There were enough differences to keep me interested.
Death by Plane is the second book by P.F.Ford with Slater and Norman as the main characters. It was similar to Book 1 but still enjoyable. Some characters were the same and some barely introduced in Book 1 were continued and made more prominent in Book 2. Of course, you expect a death by the book's title and again it was filled with twists and turns. I enjoy reading serial books. There were enough differences to keep me interested.
February 14, 2025
I read and enjoyed Death By Carpet, the first book in this series. I was happy to return to Tinton and continue reading about DS Dave Slater, DS Norman Norman, and Detective Constable Steve Biddeford. They are busy working on a phantom flasher case and some murders. This book has some funny parts in it and it was a lot of fun to read. The author does a good job of describing the characters and the book moves at a good pace. Next up, book #3!
October 31, 2022
Im getting to like P. F. Ford's British duo Slater/Norman. Just a Coincidence is intriguing and has surprises that are satisfactory. The two are still over concerned with each others mood or manner. Slater especially finds a need to explain too much. He comes across a bit insecure. Norman is loose and mostly relaxed. They mix well.
March 15, 2024
Multiple Storylines — Follow Closely
Bit of a gruesome start, and gradually branched out into multiple storylines with several characters who were potential suspects. At finish it was brought together smoothly and realistically. No fairytale ending here! Great one day read — not because it was short!
Bit of a gruesome start, and gradually branched out into multiple storylines with several characters who were potential suspects. At finish it was brought together smoothly and realistically. No fairytale ending here! Great one day read — not because it was short!
March 31, 2024
Another well written page turner!
Like the first book in this series, this one kept my interest all the way through! I don't know how Ford does it, but the plot line and twists are very well thought out. I love the characters, and the whole story fits together very well. Good job and another very good read!
Like the first book in this series, this one kept my interest all the way through! I don't know how Ford does it, but the plot line and twists are very well thought out. I love the characters, and the whole story fits together very well. Good job and another very good read!
September 24, 2025
It was alright but not as good as the first one
Death of a Temptress
I won't be back for more for a long time I think.
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
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August 14, 2019(August 2019 update) Before I'd finished the prologue, I knew I'd read this book before. But Amazon didn't show that little banner across the top of the book's page, the one that tells us when we've already bought and/or downloaded a title. Not sure how that happened…
March 13, 2022
Highly Entertaining!
The Slater & Norman Mysteries are so good that one can’t put them down. The author weaves the stories with finesse and humor, making the characters believable and real. One can imagine being right there beside them, solving the crimes and rooting them on!
The Slater & Norman Mysteries are so good that one can’t put them down. The author weaves the stories with finesse and humor, making the characters believable and real. One can imagine being right there beside them, solving the crimes and rooting them on!
March 13, 2022
A great follow-up to the first book, this time they manage to solve both a 15 year old case of a mother and child who disappeared as well as a major smuggling operation.
Thoroughly enjoyable and I've already purchased the next book in the series.
Thoroughly enjoyable and I've already purchased the next book in the series.
March 15, 2022
Good read
This was a good book but I didn't like it a much as I did the first in this series. Seems as though there were too many female characters of which to keep track. But it was good, overall. I'm going to read the next one now.
This was a good book but I didn't like it a much as I did the first in this series. Seems as though there were too many female characters of which to keep track. But it was good, overall. I'm going to read the next one now.
March 19, 2022
Great story/fun read
Mr. Ford has given us another great story and a fun read. The plot is first rate and the action goes from beginning to end. Some entirely human characters with all too human foibles. I also learned so
Om
Mr. Ford has given us another great story and a fun read. The plot is first rate and the action goes from beginning to end. Some entirely human characters with all too human foibles. I also learned so
Om
November 28, 2022
Oh my gosh what a wicked, twisted tale this is. I got so involved I could not put the book down. I just had to keep reading it. This is a new author for me, and I am so glad I read this book. I will read the rest of the books in the series. I love the reveal!!
May 31, 2023
The bodies of three people are discovered and it can't be a coincidence that they are related, can it? I really like the characters in these books. I was shocked about "Flighty" and glad to know the top boss has the back of his officers.
August 3, 2023
Too dark for a cozy. This series is well written and I rather like the first novel. However, the emphasis on sleazy sex and absolutely unbelievably evil crime is just too much for me. Not an escape. A torture.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews