Promises to Keep

DCI Louisa Smith #1.5

by Elizabeth Haynes

Running is the only thing keeping Jo sane. Haunted by the tragic death of a teenage asylum seeker, the rhythm of her feet pounding the earth provides temporary respite from all-consuming memories. So when she discovers a young boy living rough in the woods, Jo is determined to do everything within her power to keep him safe. DS Sam Hollands wants to get her relationship back on track, unsure of how to make things right. But everything changes when she returns from work one night to find a stranger in her home . . .Told with the use of source documents, allowing the reader to delve deeper into the world of the characters, this is a stunning, psychologically-rich short story from one of the most authentic and compelling voices in British crime fiction.

Genres: Mystery, Short Stories, Crime, Fiction, Novella, Mystery Thriller, British Literature

55 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 24, 2014

About the author

Elizabeth Haynes grew up in Seaford, Sussex and studied English, German and Art History at Leicester University.

She previously worked as a police intelligence analyst and lives in Norfolk with her husband and son.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked this but it's too short to really get into...more please!

[Emmy Hermina Nathasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short novella which I read in one seating. Having read two of Haynes books previously, this one is somewhat unexpected. Supposedly to be an introduction to Briarstone Crime Series featuring DCI Louisa Smith, but weirdly enough my focus is directed towards the social issue that the author chose to highlight. Haynes is definitely an intriguing writer with a commitment to include issues that wasn’t normally a preference in crime thrillers.

[Joseph - Relax And Read Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Elizabeth Haynes’ novels, because through them she always tries to raise the readers’ consciousness of problems encountered by particular sectors of people in society. In ‘Into the Darkest Corner’, we are made aware of persons suffering from physical and psychological violence and OCD. ‘Human Remains’ urges us to take more care of lonely neighbours who might need our help.

With ‘Promises to Keep’, the author focuses on the difficulties encountered by asylum seekers and the systems through which they are processed. These people leave everything behind and risk their lives in order to try and start a new life in a foreign country.

We meet Jo, a civilian detention officer and her female partner Sam, a Detective Sergeant. Jo is currently on long term sick leave suffering from stress, caused by the death of a detained teenage asylum seeker whom she had promised to help. She goes out jogging in the woods to release tension and clear her mind. On one particular day, her usual jogging route takes an unexpected turn.

I think that this literary work is just the prequel to other novels to come as it ends quite abruptly with certain issues still unsolved. I enjoyed reading it, but I must advise all those that want to read it, that it is very short, just 6 chapters long.

[Katy Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all of Elizabeth Haynes' novels to date. This had me settling down for an interesting police story and then pulled me up short not long after as the last page came upon me.

Asylum seekers and how they are treated forms the basis of this short and sad tale. Much promise for a longer story, especially with a pair of likeable police officers in Jo and Sam, who I wanted to learn more about.

Maybe we will, as they are colleagues of Lou Smith, protagonist of Haynes' series. Let's hope so.

This reminds me why I don't read many short stories - too frustrating when they end!

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short story from a favourite author, taking a diversion from her usual tellings of crime events, this time the focus is on the plight of young asylum seekers. Haynes packs a lot of story in for only 34 pages (iBooks)

[Donnah Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short, story over before it really begins. About young asylum seekers who come to England expecting a new life, but reality isn't always that easy.

[Laura Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read a couple of Elizabeth Haynes Books, and thought this little short read would be a great way to get into her writing. Loved the style, and cant wait to read more by this author.

[Babus Ahmed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this short story was compelling like most short stories I talk myself into reading it left me wanting. Not the usual standard of thriller I have come to expect from this author.

[Cleopatra Pullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story is part of the author’s DCI Louisa Smith series sitting between her first book Under a Silent Moon and the second, Behind Closed Doors. As with many authors who decide to write a short story there is an issue at the heart, in this instance, child migrants.

Jo is on sick leave from her job as a custody sergeant troubled by the death of Mohammed, a young child migrant whilst in her care. Her partner DS Sam Holland is concerned and worried about her and the relationship is floundering. Jo runs daily through woods where child migrants meet and through her eyes the author presents us with a story that challenges and informs on our perceptions of this issue.

The writing is superb and although this story is very short, coming in at about 40 pages, the author manages to look at both the main issue and the pressures on their relationship which provides for an engaging read that makes you think.

[Lynn Tramonte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Elizabeth Haynes and I am a fan of short stories. This is not a short story or a novella. This is the beginning of a book that they are trying to pass off as a story in its own right. I agree with the other reviewers that this feels like a teaser to a larger novel, and if that is actually the case this is a very curious marketing strategy. (It would have been brilliant if they didn’t try to say it’s complete.) I hope that Ms. Haynes deletes the abrupt and far too neat ending and completes this as a novel.

[Strega · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good side-story to the DCI Louisa Smith series that provides some back-story on Sam.

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this twice and still can't figure out how the plot connects.

[Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Supposed to be a short story...but there was no story

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Left me wanting more!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've gobbled up and reviewed each Elizabeth Haynes release only to anxiously wait for the next one to come. The second title in her Briarstone Crime series released in March but just a few months prior to that Haynes and Harper teased us with the release of "Promises to Keep," a short set between Under a Silent Moon and Behind Closed Doors.

If you've read the two books, then you know that DS Sam Hollands has been dealing with a recent break up. Her partner, Jo, was reprimanded for becoming too involved in a case and eventually left Sam. In "Promises to Keep" we get more of Jo's story from the discovery of Hassan Reza in the woods to her decision to leave Sam. It's a great short, giving the reader more insight into something seen only through Sam's eyes in the novels and tying up a few odds and ends that are glazed over in the series.

Again, for readers who don't like e books or shorts, you're not missing anything huge but if you're a fan of the series and open to these little reads it's a great bonus!

[Kath Middleton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book because I’ve read and loved another book by the author – Into the Darkest Corner. This is a short story so I didn’t expect the same kind of depth. Jo is a detention officer and her partner, Sam, is a police officer. Jo has been involved with a young asylum seeker who committed suicide in custody. Jo was off work on sick leave at the time but has taken it all very personally. She knows that he has a younger brother who is likely to be living a feral existence and she want to find and help him in order to assuage her guilt.

I found this story rather unsatisfactory. It raised a number of important issues but didn’t give itself time to address them, finishing very abruptly. It actually read like notes for a longer book. If it ever turned into one, I’d be interested to read it. I was also less than pleased to find that the last 36% was a chapter from another book. I really dislike this. I can ‘Look Inside’ if I wish to see that.

[Kylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVE Elizabeth Haynes, don't get me wrong, but this book just didn't do it for me.

With it being a short story I feel like we lost a lot of the background info, especially involving the case.

While her writing is still incredible, and does bring up a good point about the foster care/child services programs, it lacked a lot of story revolving around her main characters.

I would have loved a background on Sam and Jo's relationship (though I'm familiar with Sam as a detective already). I would have also liked to know more about how Jo came in contact with the boys in this case.

It physically pains me to give Elizabeth 3 stars, but this story just isn't up to par with everything else she's written.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lou Smith makes an appearance in this novella but it is really about one of her detectives, Sam, her partner, Jo, and Jo's fragility after bonding with a young asylum seeker who subsequently takes his own life. Jo feels responsible, is on the verge of a breakdown, and only finds comfort in her daily run with their dog, Dixie. One morning she finds a boy on the trail and realizes that he is the younger brother of the suicide victim, homeless and afraid. What follows is the crux of Sam and Jo's story, which leaves enough plot points open that there is room to resolve them in Haynes's next novel. Timely and thought-provoking, but it could have been fleshed out a little more.

[Wendy Unsworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jo is on sick leave from work with anxiety issues after a tragedy involving an asylum seeker. Jogging is one way to deal with the pain and even though her female partner, Sam, warns her not to, she still takes her run through the woods. An encounter leads to more pain and soul searching and something has to give.
Elizabeth Haynes always seems to deal with complex issues both psychological and social within her stories. For a novel it works but for this short story I felt too much was being packed into too short a space. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable, quick read.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great short story of 40 pages that is challenging ones perceptions of how we deal with vulnerable child immigrants.

Sam is a detective and her partner Jo is a custody officer who is on sick leave. Jo is badly affected when Mohammed a 15 yr old dies in custody and his younger brother is out there somewhere. We see how this deeply affects her relationship with Sam. While out running she finds Mohammed's brother and takes him in, which breaks her relationship with Sam.

A great little story that questions are morals.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first time I have read anything by Elizabeth Haynes and I did like the style of writing. As a short story it is always hard to engage the reader in the same way as a full length novel as you don't have time to really get to know the characters. However this was done really well and you get to know what you feel about them quickly. The story moves quickly and I was quite surprised by the ending as I didn't realise that was it until I turned the page.

[Trice · Rating 2 out of 5]

not bad writing or characterization but not much content either - mostly an emotional plea for what is a good cause, but the structure was suited more to an ad for an NGO working with various kinds of refuge seekers than really standing as literature, short story or not - maybe that's a false division between the 2 but there it is for now anyway. There just wasn't enough to it.

[Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

As is often the case with short stories, this one was too short. It didn't help that the Kindle showed I was at 62% when it was suddenly over. There was no real ending for this story. It just stopped. The rest of the Kindle version is the author's note and an excerpt from Under a Silent Moon. I was a bit disappointed.

[John William Boundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short story, although I thought it was slightly disjointed. It may have been improved by being expanded into a full blown novel. As always there are strong female characters well written.

[Moira Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short story. It was a fast moving storyline involving 2 main characters who through their careers came into contact with asylum seekers. It's difficult to say much more without spoiling the story for others. This was available for free download from Amazon and I would recommend

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was too short to get the story going really, it could've been much better if it was longer, quite disappointing.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this

[Samantha Curtis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. Quick easy read plus it's a story that does actually happen in real life

[Anne Hayes · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick bite.

[Betty Macy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is everything I dislike about short stories. It is more like an excerpt than a complete story. That said, it is well written and I will consider reading a complete Novel by this author.