The Dunes: A Lancashire Detective Mystery

DCI Walker Crime Thrillers #4

by J.J. Richards

From an Amazon NUMBER ONE International Bestselling series! 📚🥇
A body buried in the dunes.
A killer with a deadly pattern.
Can DCI Walker catch them before the cycle starts again?

When a young woman’s body is discovered in the windswept sand dunes of Lytham St Annes, Detective Walker is assigned to the cold case. The victim’s connection to a former Chief Constable puts the investigation under intense scrutiny from Walker’s current boss, the formidable Chief Constable Sarah Harriet.

It's not a holiday if you don't come home...

But when two more bodies are unearthed nearby, it’s clear they’re hunting a serial killer—one who’s ready to strike again. With few leads and mounting pressure, Walker takes a bold gamble: sending his partner, DC Briggs, undercover as bait to draw the killer out.

As the operation spirals out of control and the team races against time, Walker begins to uncover chilling secrets that shake the investigation to its core. Nothing about this case is what it seems—and the closer they get to the truth, the deadlier it becomes.

"Well-paced, imaginative, and utterly disturbing. This suspenseful tale grips you from the start and keeps you turning the pages until the end." - The Book Commentary (Editorial Review)

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Fans of Ian Rankin, JD Kirk, Matt Brolly, Patricia Gibney, and LJ Ross will love this!

The Dunes is the fourth book in the stunning debut police procedural crime thriller from JJ Richards (although it can be read as a stand-alone).

Order your copy NOW and get into this page-turning, unputdownable series!

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2025

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

DCI Walker and his team are given a cold case to solve. Sally Fielding went missing 13 years ago, when her body is discovered more are found dead buried next to her. It would seem he kills every 13 years, so they set a trap for the killer. What could go wrong.
An entertining modern mystery

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars probably, but I didn’t feel like rounding up.

Strengths:
-A complicated part that Richards portrayed well enough that it was never really confusing; I appreciate that, especially as it’s easier to lose track of what’s going on with an audiobook.
-The characters all had their own distinct personalities.
-Most of the plot was believable, and the action in the last third of the book was engrossing.

Weaker:
-Up until the last third of the book or so, things were pretty predictable… especially the abduction of Briggs.
-The murder involving bamboo had me rolling my eyes a little; it’s as if Richards thought to himself, “Hmm..What’s a murder method that’s never been used before?”

Narrator Kevin E. Green: 3.5 stars. Acting was fine; Walker, Briggs, and Hogarth were distinctive, but many of the other voices were indistinguishable from each other.

[Nathania Ma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the DCI Walker series and he's investigating the disappearance of the niece of a retired Superintendent. On its own, this book is quite captivating but compared to the last book, it seems a bit lacking. I think the beginning is awesome though I think Walker is a bit incompetent when handling the Briggs's undercover operation. Even though their team is pretty competent, it's still odd he hasn't opt for backup.

Overall, an excellent police procedure with a predictable plot.

[Christine Rennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dunes by JJ Richards is book 4 in the DCI Walker crime thriller series based in Lancashire.
Once again DCI Walker and his small team are involved in hunting a serial killer, who has left his dead bodies in the dunes at Lytham St Annes.the storyline is more complicated than it first appears, because there isn’t just one killer involved in this case.
Feelings are running high in this case and not everyone will get what they want.
Highly recommended

[Philip Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great suspense

Having read the first four of the author's books, I have been pleasantly surprised at his excellent work. All the novels are unique and the stories all very compelling. Characters are very strong. This book continues with an excellent storyline and gripping suspense. I find that I'm now looking for more from this author. Well recommended.

[Shelagh Boardman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping tale from start to finish. It appeared that the story was going to finish just over halfway through, but it carried on to a really surprising finale. I’ve now pre-ordered the next in series.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read, I love the main characters and their interactions with each other.
This was a fast moving book..I'm not sure it was the most realistic, but the storyline was entertaining and I really enjoyed reading it.
Looking for to book 5!

[Christine Hoadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dunes - A good read

This book twisted and turned all the way through. Sometimes the story was difficult to read but I could not give up. The characters were well drawn, keep reading until the most unexpected end.

[Colleen St · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book

I have read all 4 of this series and loved everyone. I love the twists and turns, the surprises that keep coming. Can’t wait to read the Castle! Please keep writing the DCI Walker series

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of the Lancashire Detective Mystery series did not disappoint! I love the twists and turns along the way and am ready to start The Castle (book 5). I hope that JJ Richards keeps writing more books in this series with DCI Walker and Briggs!

Loving the audio version and the reader!

[sandra arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Aother edge of seat thriller. Not what I expected to be the full picture. How JJ Richards comes with these adaptations of life events is totally mind boggling. Great read and highly recommended.

[Geoff Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

How good is this book?

Answer - Astonishingly clever. The best so far. I hope that this series continues, and if at this level - wow!

[kevin ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

mystery to the end

Usually I can figure out who done it. Not this one, a page turner to the end! Interesting well thought out plot

[Marie Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unsettled beach site.

Excellent investigating of numerous cases by DCI Walker and team. Just when you thought the case was closed more events happened. Hard to put down.