What do you think?
Rate this book
Cornish Crime - Rego & Poldhu #3
Dead Reckoning
When Besnik Domi, the feared enforcer for organized crime gang the Hellbanianz, is extradited back to Britain, PC Tamsyn Poldhu has to face the man who tore her family apart, and DI Rego has to make sure that the case against the killer is watertight.
The evidence that will convict Domi is strong, but when threats are made against both their families, Tamsyn and Rego have to justice or vengeance.
The third book in a new series of contemporary crime thrillers set in Cornwall.
The evidence that will convict Domi is strong, but when threats are made against both their families, Tamsyn and Rego have to justice or vengeance.
The third book in a new series of contemporary crime thrillers set in Cornwall.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2025
20 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Berrick Ford
6 books17 followersBerrick Ford - home of contemporary crime/police procedural novels set in Cornwall, the rural southwest of the UK.
Check out FORENSIC FILE on the website for info on techniques used in the books:
* finger ridges
* digital dogs
and more.
Check out FORENSIC FILE on the website for info on techniques used in the books:
* finger ridges
* digital dogs
and more.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 22, 2025
4,5 stars
After enjoying the first two stories in this British detective series, I was looking forward to the next book. I was curious to see how DI Robert Rego and PC Tamsyn Poldhu were doing. What danger awaited them in this story and whether they could find a better balance between their work and family life.
The Albanian organized crime gang Hellbanianz was still a worry for Robert and Tamsyn. Tamsyn had to attest to one of them, Besnik Domi, but things didn’t go as planned and now Besnik was free and looking for revenge. This time the danger was greater and closer than ever. Not only for Tamsyn and Robert and their colleagues at the police but also for their family.
Well, the story started in a way that I didn’t expect!! It had my full attention from that moment on and it promised to be another story full suspense. And I was right!
Just like in the previous books, we got both Tamsyn and Robert’s POV in the story. Tamsyn is still busy with her training as a police officer student. It was interesting to see more of the things that she has to do. Even though it wasn’t always easy to do what she had to do when danger was so close to her. It restricted her to desk job duties but Tamsyn was smart enough to know that putting herself in danger also meant putting her colleagues in danger so she did her best in a bad situation. I liked that about her. Tamsyn is still young, but she’s intelligent and although she’s scared sometimes, she’s also very brave when it is needed.
Following Robert in his job, we learned how politics or bad bosses can make your job that much harder. I really felt for Robert at times, he had to fight a lot of battles and not always against the bad guys. Just like in many workplaces, things are changes immensely in this modern world. Where in the past a good police officer could just follow his gut feeling, nowadays you have to fill in a lot of paperwork before you can follow your instinct. Luckily for Tamsyn (and us readers) Robert sometimes ignored the orders from his bosses and just followed his instinct. I admired that about him, that he just went his own way, listening to his instinct.
In this story the emotions were also there. People close to Tamsyn and Robert betrayed them. That made it hard for them to know who to trust! The story ended on an emotional note. I hadn’t expected that!
We got to meet a few new characters in the story, there was PC Joe Quinn 28 years old, a firearms officer and his colleague Clavin Adade, who was also a friend. I really liked them.
PC Jasmine (Rosie) Flowers, a colleague of Tamsyn, who became a great friend. Tamsyn really needed that in this story.
‘Dead reckoning’ is a great story. I look forward to more stories in this British detective series.
After enjoying the first two stories in this British detective series, I was looking forward to the next book. I was curious to see how DI Robert Rego and PC Tamsyn Poldhu were doing. What danger awaited them in this story and whether they could find a better balance between their work and family life.
The Albanian organized crime gang Hellbanianz was still a worry for Robert and Tamsyn. Tamsyn had to attest to one of them, Besnik Domi, but things didn’t go as planned and now Besnik was free and looking for revenge. This time the danger was greater and closer than ever. Not only for Tamsyn and Robert and their colleagues at the police but also for their family.
Well, the story started in a way that I didn’t expect!! It had my full attention from that moment on and it promised to be another story full suspense. And I was right!
Just like in the previous books, we got both Tamsyn and Robert’s POV in the story. Tamsyn is still busy with her training as a police officer student. It was interesting to see more of the things that she has to do. Even though it wasn’t always easy to do what she had to do when danger was so close to her. It restricted her to desk job duties but Tamsyn was smart enough to know that putting herself in danger also meant putting her colleagues in danger so she did her best in a bad situation. I liked that about her. Tamsyn is still young, but she’s intelligent and although she’s scared sometimes, she’s also very brave when it is needed.
Following Robert in his job, we learned how politics or bad bosses can make your job that much harder. I really felt for Robert at times, he had to fight a lot of battles and not always against the bad guys. Just like in many workplaces, things are changes immensely in this modern world. Where in the past a good police officer could just follow his gut feeling, nowadays you have to fill in a lot of paperwork before you can follow your instinct. Luckily for Tamsyn (and us readers) Robert sometimes ignored the orders from his bosses and just followed his instinct. I admired that about him, that he just went his own way, listening to his instinct.
In this story the emotions were also there. People close to Tamsyn and Robert betrayed them. That made it hard for them to know who to trust! The story ended on an emotional note. I hadn’t expected that!
We got to meet a few new characters in the story, there was PC Joe Quinn 28 years old, a firearms officer and his colleague Clavin Adade, who was also a friend. I really liked them.
PC Jasmine (Rosie) Flowers, a colleague of Tamsyn, who became a great friend. Tamsyn really needed that in this story.
‘Dead reckoning’ is a great story. I look forward to more stories in this British detective series.
March 7, 2025
Third in the Cornish Crime Thriller series, DEAD RECKONING will command your attention with jaw-dropping moments, a unique mix of protagonists and a compelling sense of place.
Tamsyn Poldhu is a newly minted cop who previously survived a tangle with an Albanian drug gang using Cornwall’s remote coves to bring drugs into the UK. Now she’s in a London court, testifying against the gang’s vicious enforcer who murdered a close family friend. An explosive attack on the courtroom allows the enforcer to escape, but he takes time for a last interaction with Tamsyn that literally made me gasp.
Tamsyn’s boss, DCI Robert Rego leads the hunt for the fugitive Albanian gangster, butting heads with a boot-licking police hierarchy. Luckily, Rego has friends in the intelligence service and military who are willing to help.
Yet the fugitive has friends, too.
No spoilers, but this thriller packs a flurry of powerful punches. Written with touches of wry humor and deep knowledge of UK police procedures, both main characters are relatable and likeable. We’re on a roller coaster with them through tumultuous events and absolutely shocking twists, all the way to a gripping race-against-time climax. This series delivers a captivating ride for anyone who loves international mystery and crime.
Tamsyn Poldhu is a newly minted cop who previously survived a tangle with an Albanian drug gang using Cornwall’s remote coves to bring drugs into the UK. Now she’s in a London court, testifying against the gang’s vicious enforcer who murdered a close family friend. An explosive attack on the courtroom allows the enforcer to escape, but he takes time for a last interaction with Tamsyn that literally made me gasp.
Tamsyn’s boss, DCI Robert Rego leads the hunt for the fugitive Albanian gangster, butting heads with a boot-licking police hierarchy. Luckily, Rego has friends in the intelligence service and military who are willing to help.
Yet the fugitive has friends, too.
No spoilers, but this thriller packs a flurry of powerful punches. Written with touches of wry humor and deep knowledge of UK police procedures, both main characters are relatable and likeable. We’re on a roller coaster with them through tumultuous events and absolutely shocking twists, all the way to a gripping race-against-time climax. This series delivers a captivating ride for anyone who loves international mystery and crime.
March 6, 2025
I finished the third instalment of this riveting crime thriller. I really was looking forward to this book and was thrilled to finally get my hands on it. The usual protagonists Tamsyn and Rego continue to fight crime but this time they are also being targeted.
What I like about this b0ok is that it not only gives you the twists and turns it also gives you a deeper look into the police force: training junior police officers, procedures and the paper trail involved. Sometimes I was tempted to skim through the technical details and jump into the next page for the action but I prevailed.
If you haven't read the previous books I would suggest to read those first because they are essential to the characters' journey. New relationships develop and some characters come into light and reveal their true colours.
I highly recommend this b0ok. Glowing five stars from me!
What I like about this b0ok is that it not only gives you the twists and turns it also gives you a deeper look into the police force: training junior police officers, procedures and the paper trail involved. Sometimes I was tempted to skim through the technical details and jump into the next page for the action but I prevailed.
If you haven't read the previous books I would suggest to read those first because they are essential to the characters' journey. New relationships develop and some characters come into light and reveal their true colours.
I highly recommend this b0ok. Glowing five stars from me!
March 3, 2025
Just couldn’t put it down
As much as I desperately wanted to finish it at the same time I didn’t want to get to the end as there would be no more story to read. Loved it from the first page to the last. Love all the characters ( so much that one part brought tears to my eyes) Such in-depth information is given throughout the story, I recon I could even surf now , not that I can swim mind ….. Definitely 100% recommend this book. Absolutely can’t wait for the next one.
As much as I desperately wanted to finish it at the same time I didn’t want to get to the end as there would be no more story to read. Loved it from the first page to the last. Love all the characters ( so much that one part brought tears to my eyes) Such in-depth information is given throughout the story, I recon I could even surf now , not that I can swim mind ….. Definitely 100% recommend this book. Absolutely can’t wait for the next one.
May 15, 2025
Over too soon. Riveting read
Such a detailed description of police work, great observation of human nature in such a combination that you can’t put it down. Rego and Poldhu have all the qualities of a great crime fighting duo which means I miss them already. Roll out n book four and looking forward to revisiting the first book on audible as soon as it’s listed!
Such a detailed description of police work, great observation of human nature in such a combination that you can’t put it down. Rego and Poldhu have all the qualities of a great crime fighting duo which means I miss them already. Roll out n book four and looking forward to revisiting the first book on audible as soon as it’s listed!
January 31, 2026
A wonderfully written story which grabs you quickly and never lets go……mystery, emotion ….a very good crime thriller….the writer obviously spent so much time in research on how the different police organizations are put together and work….the focus is a very evil mob boss after our two main characters…..
September 5, 2025
If I found the first two books in the Cornish Crime Thriller series brimming with suspense,
Dead Reckoning
is even more hair-raising. This time, the co-authors don’t keep their readers waiting and throw us into a deadly scene that made me gasp in shock. The consequences rock different police departments’ boats, keeping DI Robert Rego on his toes since the on-the-loose culprit would more than likely strike again. There’s nothing clear-cut; every movement is questionable, but Rego has an open mind and tries not to think the worst.
What I thoroughly enjoyed was Tamsyn’s training. Given the opportunity to show how it’s done, she does it well, and I even felt like she was giving me a surfing lesson. Getting back to the police, their procedures flow hard and fast, putting me on the learning curve, but the red tape in a case such as this one couldn’t have frustrated me more. Kudos to Rego. He’s a talented on-the-job diplomat; however, convincing his superiors, especially when so much was at stake, wasn’t a given, as you will see. The tension builds up when Rego realises it’s not just Tamsyn and her family in danger, but also his.
If there was one thing I liked about Rego, it had to be how headstrong he is, and Tamsyn isn’t going to let bygones be bygones, either. So when she has an adrenaline rush, she’s someone to be reckoned with. We meet new characters, which I found refreshing—the romantic vibes in the air left me wanting more and keeping my fingers crossed that the authors will pick up where they left off in Dead Shore, the next instalment. I could have given one of the police chiefs a good talking-to, but I admired PC Flowers, Tamsyn’s friend and colleague and the spunky islanders’ toughness.
The well-plotted story overflowing with angsty scenarios is cleverly linked to previous books, so why not jump on board? Quintessential writing, great dialogue, a smattering of Cornish lingo that’s easy to understand in context, and strong character development make Berrick Ford’s latest offering one I cannot recommend enough. Bravo!
What I thoroughly enjoyed was Tamsyn’s training. Given the opportunity to show how it’s done, she does it well, and I even felt like she was giving me a surfing lesson. Getting back to the police, their procedures flow hard and fast, putting me on the learning curve, but the red tape in a case such as this one couldn’t have frustrated me more. Kudos to Rego. He’s a talented on-the-job diplomat; however, convincing his superiors, especially when so much was at stake, wasn’t a given, as you will see. The tension builds up when Rego realises it’s not just Tamsyn and her family in danger, but also his.
If there was one thing I liked about Rego, it had to be how headstrong he is, and Tamsyn isn’t going to let bygones be bygones, either. So when she has an adrenaline rush, she’s someone to be reckoned with. We meet new characters, which I found refreshing—the romantic vibes in the air left me wanting more and keeping my fingers crossed that the authors will pick up where they left off in Dead Shore, the next instalment. I could have given one of the police chiefs a good talking-to, but I admired PC Flowers, Tamsyn’s friend and colleague and the spunky islanders’ toughness.
The well-plotted story overflowing with angsty scenarios is cleverly linked to previous books, so why not jump on board? Quintessential writing, great dialogue, a smattering of Cornish lingo that’s easy to understand in context, and strong character development make Berrick Ford’s latest offering one I cannot recommend enough. Bravo!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews